Fri 2 Nov 2007
November
Crosby Lend Lease has used Classic Folios' homeowner manuals to ensure a smooth handover service at its £190 million Greenquarter development at Cheetham Hill, Greater Manchester.This order takes Classic Folios past a significant milestone in the company's history - the company has now produced over 100,000 HomeFolios, which are personalised to a property to brief new homeowners on essential information about the new home.
It a concise communication tool that has inestimable far-reaching long-term benefits, says Tim Wood, the firm's managing director. "There is no better physical demonstration of a developer's commitment to customer service than the attention to detail and quality of their home handover," explains Wood. "It also frees developers up to focus on the process of building and selling homes as it lowers after-sales costs."
An obsessive attention to detail and flexible approach to bespoke design has got the company where it is today, Wood continues. "Over 170 developers now use our cost-effective customer communications service, which revolves around making our services personal - this old-fashioned approach surprises and pleases those in an age when impersonal text and email communication has become the norm. At Greenquarter particularly, only the very best in handover solutions would do for this high-profile project."
"Classic Folios consistently produce precisely detailed and personalised HomeFolios that form the cornerstone of our handover process," added Neil Taylor, head of customer care at Crosby Lend Lease (north-west). "Their professional approach to every job ensures no detail is overlooked."
www.classicfolios.com
Time and Tide Homes is using Kingspan Off-Site's timber-frame systems to build new homes in Halton, Lancashire.
"We needed a system that would help us meet our build-time targets without sacrificing quality," said Kevin Hodgson, Time and Tide Homes' commercial director. "Halton Mills is a major development and we needed a company we could rely on to provide precision-built structures to guarantee on-site accuracy. Plus, the positive environmental aspects of the systems give the development sustainable credentials."
In keeping with the sustainable theme, the structures used to construct the 47 two- and three-storey townhouses and 27 apartments were clad in stone and their roofs tiled with natural slate.
www.kingspanoffsite.com
Vicaima's oak doors have been recently used to kit out the redevelopment of a church in the West Midlands that featured on Channel 4's Grand Designs programme.
At St Martin's Church, an 18th-century Grade II listed building in Tipton, near Dudley, builder Dean Marks was keen to use period reclaimed or recycled materials throughout the project to preserve the character of the original building. Unable to find sufficient original doors to match the period oak skirting boards and architraves he unearthed, Marks decided to look for a modern oak alternative.
"I carried out some extensive research to find the right doors - but Vicaima's Exclusive Oak doors simply outshone everything else," said Marks. "Their style and elegance provide a perfect foil to the original materials I've used throughout the building."
"This project was perfect for Vicaima," added Pedro Silva, Vicaima's group commercial director. "We aim to transform doors into works of art which help create internal harmony. This project at St Martin's Church demonstrates a perfect fulfilment of our aims."
www.vicaima.com
Furniture manufacturer William Ball has been appointed as a national distributor for Hotpoint and Indesit built-in appliances, adding the two companies to its current portfolio of Baumatic, Neff and Belling.
"We are a UK-based company that has 44 years' experience in delivering fitted furniture on time and in pristine condition," said Terry Ball, William Ball's managing director. "It speeds up the installation process but also helps the environment by reducing the number of deliveries per project. As retailers become more concerned about their carbon footprint, I believe this kind of one-stop shop will become more important."
www.wball.co.uk
Millwood Homes (Devon) has chosen Coram Showers' Optima range of shower enclosures for its new development in Hatherleigh, Devon.
The 63 high-specification properties at Littlewood Meadow were installed with Coram's 800-millimetre Bi-Fold enclosure and 800-millimetre Quadrant showers in both en suites and family bathrooms. The Bi-Fold model was fitted with a 400-millimetre in-line panel and finished in plain glass with a polished silver frame, while the Quadrant was installed with Coram's patent-protected Waterguard shower tray, which is backed by the company's Watertight Lifetime Guarantee. In the development's two-bedroom homes, Millwood installed Coram's sail-shaped bath screen.
"We've specified Coram for a number of Millwood Projects, as we share the company's enthusiasm for quality, style and attention to detail," said Dwight Atkinson, Millwood Homes' company buyer. "This luxurious development has been built to an exceptional specification and Coram's bath screen and Optima range of shower enclosures are ideal for these properties as they combine attractive, contemporary design with a guaranteed watertight option."
www.coram.co.uk
Orion Homes has installed ADM Systems' energy-efficient heat-recovery systems in its Wentworth Mews development in Ackworth, near Wakefield.
ADM's heat-recovery system, which works to improve a home's thermal performance, uses heat generated within the home to pre-heat fresh air from the outside during winter and pre-cool it during summer. This is then released back as fresh air into the home.
Orion chose the product because it was relatively silent, said Andy Largent from the company. "Although we knew the noise from a heat-recovery system wasn't overbearing, we wanted to ensure buyers could enjoy their new homes without any distractions. We decided to choose a heat-recovery system as it offered the joint benefit of improving the thermal efficiency of the apartments while also enabling buyers to enjoy a healthier living environment and reduced noise levels."
"We're finding many developers are realising the benefits of fitting a heat recovery system," added Chris Marriott, ADM's managing director. "They're a great way to meet the latest building regulations on thermal efficiency and ventilation in addition to providing acoustic and energy-saving benefits.
"Similarly, being able to keep the window close at peak noise and pollution levels like rush hour is a good way of reducing noise and air pollution. We're seeing more and more of our systems being used in city centre developments."
ADM Systems' filters can capture up to 97 per cent of all airborne particles, and are suitable for installation in anything from single rooms to large, multi-use buildings.
www.admsystems.co.uk
The Walker Timber Group has recently finished working on major regeneration projects with Taylor Wimpey and Countryside Properties.
In the south, Guildway Ltd, the firm's subsidiary, has supplied 340 timber-frame units to Taylor Wimpey's Harbour Reach development in Poole. Here, the firm has built properties ranging from penthouse flats to terraced housing on the site of a former tile factory, 115 of which are affordable units that will be managed by Raglan Housing Association.
In the north, the group's northern subsidiary Cox Long Ltd, has supplied 186 timber-frame units to Countryside Properties as part of the first phase of the firm's regeneration of Lower Broughton, Salford. As one of the largest regeneration projects in the UK, this development will eventually comprise 3,500 mixed-tenure homes, 96 of which will be affordable and managed by the Contour Housing Group.
"The use of timber-frame and our close involvement from the outset with our partners Taylor Wimpey and Countryside Properties ensured that the key objectives of fast-track build and programme reliability were met on these important projects," said Walker Timber Group spokesman Jim Edwards. "We're delighted at the success of these contracts as it underlines the Group's expertise in working with blue chip clients, and our capacity to handle projects of all sizes, anywhere in the UK, simultaneously."
Vogue Kitchens is launching its Poggenpohl show room in Kingston, London.
Featuring Poggenpohl's PLUSMODO design in titanium grey with white laminate, winner of the 2007 Grand Designs Magazine award for best kitchen system, in addition to a range of the firm's signature lines, the new showroom design, the second in the Vogue Kitchens Group's portfolio, is aiming to bring modern and bespoke kitchen design to the borough, said Jo Johal, the group's managing director. "Kingston is the perfect location for our new showroom. We're right opposite the station and surrounded by estate agents. We're delighted to be appointed specialists for Poggenpohl - the kitchens are extremely stylish and look great."
www.voguekitchens.co.uk
Natural Building Technologies' (NBT) ThermoPlan thin-bed, solid wall building system has been used to build Lincoln Grove, an eco-friendly series of properties in Oxfordshire by Kingerlee Homes.
Designed to achieve an Ecohomes Excellent rating, the development, which borders the grounds of Blenheim Palace, comprises nine two- and three-bedroom houses constructed in two rows of terraces.
As the ThermoPlan system is a thin-bed construction tool, it requires one-millimetre bed joints, which aim to reduce drying-out time and speed up on-site construction. Above all, NBT's system was picked for the project to provide the high thermal performance and sustainability credentials needed in the build process, said Tony Woodward, Kingerlee Homes' joint managing director. "The environmental performance of the homes on the development was crucial from the outset of this project," Woodward said. "We used NBT's ThermoPlan system as it's sustainable, robust, highly durable and extremely thermally efficient - so much so that we didn't need to use additional insulation on the walls of the homes. It's also completely airtight, yet breathable, which ensures water vapour doesn't get trapped in the building's structure. This eliminates the risk of internal or interstitial condensation, which can lead to sick building syndrome.
"In terms of its sustainability credentials, ThermoPlan is manufactured using a clay-based material, so it has a very low embodied energy and environmental impact, compared to conventional masonry building methods - a performance that's verified in the BRE's Green Guide to Housing Specification."
Once constructed, the homes were finished externally with a lime-based render on the rear of the properties and natural limestone facings on the front. Internally, the walls were plastered with a vapour-permeable plaster and decorated with eco-friendly paint.
Lincoln Grove, a joint venture between Kingerlee Homes and Lifehaus, an ethical investment fund that specialises in sustainable development, has been constructed by the Kingerlee Group's contracting arm, Kingerlee Limited.
www.natural-building.co.uk
Low-energy lighting company tp24 has supplied Discovery Channel presenter Tommy Walsh with lighting for his project to build an eco-friendly house in 60 days for £60,000.
The house, built in March, Cambridgeshire, and shown recently on the Discovery Real Time channel, is made of eco-friendly, affordable and readily available materials, and aims to set a new standard for design within the new-build industry. Awarded a good energy rating by the local council, stylish and eco-friendly light fittings on a budget were crucial to the success of the project, said Shaun Davis, tp24's managing director. "Tommy's interior designer, Victoria Stanton, had been struggling to find suitable light fittings that were stylish and affordable, and was delighted when we approached her offering a huge choice of low-energy fittings within the budget requirements. She chose a selection of recessed down lights, wall lights, flush fittings and table and floor lamps for the property, along with the basic L1 low-energy pendant and contemporary lampshades. Our fittings work to cut energy consumption by up to 80 per cent, and as our lamps last for around 8,000 hours, you can expect not to have to change one for three to five years.
"We were thrilled to be involved in this project. It's great having a celebrity working in our local community to promote eco-awareness - Tommy [pictured with tp24 sales manager Tracey Unwin] is a good role model, and I'm sure this project will reach many people who would not normally be focused on energy saving."
www.tp24.com
Laura Ashley Design Services has designed two show homes for Lioncourt Homes in Staffordshire.
The first in a series of new show home designs, Laura Ashley Design Services has an ongoing commission to decorate and furnish Lioncourt Homes' new house types. The company, formed last year, is marketing its contemporary and good-quality home designs to promote its corporate image.
"We've widely consulted to ensure we incorporate all the latest ideas from other housebuilders, professionals, planning authorities and potential customers," said Colin Cole, Lioncourt Homes' chief executive. "We're basing our business on building a reputation that is customer focused, by using quality of design and build as our major drivers. Our relationship with Laura Ashley is an extension of these drivers; we've forged a unique relationship here, and the quality of the Laura Ashley brand sits extremely well alongside the high-quality image of Lioncourt Homes."
"We've been impressed with the culture and professional approach of Lioncourt Homes," said Laura Ashley spokeswoman Fiona Watkins. "The first show homes include many new items from our latest catalogue that are hot off the press."
All fixtures, fittings and finishing items come from the Laura Ashley range, while the firm has also put together a discount system for future buyers on extra products.
www.lauraashley.com
BK Kitchens' Golf Day had an international flavour this year, featuring team members from Germany, Spain and Ireland. Suppliers and staff gathered at Henlle Park Golf Club near Oswestry.
This annual event was held on 26 September. Jay McKay took the overall prize, while Mark Bruton took the prize for nearest the pin on the eighth hole. Nick Heron also won a prize for getting nearest the pin with two shots on a par four.
BK Kitchens is the UK's sole authorised distributor for Nolte Kitchens in the contract market. This April they launched their new information centre, warehouse and logistics facility in Wrexham, to provide modern and professional services all under one roof in incorporating two fully Nolte working kitchens and 12 displays. A range of fully integrated appliances by Kupperbusch, Miele, Neff, Whirlpool, AEG and Elica are on hand to help visitors visualise mixing and matching a wide range of kitchen combinations.
www.bkkitchens.co.uk
First published in Show House Magazine November 2007.
The greatest care has been taken to ensure accuracy but some information contained within this article may have changed since it was first published.
Posted by Show House
in ADM Systems, B K Kitchens, Classic Folios, Coram, Kingspan Offsite, Laura Ashley Design Services, Natural Building Technologies, Supplier News, Tp24, Vicaima, Vogue Kitchens, Walker Timber Group, William Ball on Fri 2 Nov 2007
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