RICS Modus, Global edition - November 2015

MO

DU

S N

OV

EM

BE

R 2

015 R

ICS

.OR

G/M

OD

US

THE C

ON

CR

ETE ISS

UE

THE CONCRETE ISSUE Cutting-edge construction 18 / Visualising BIM 28 / RICS UK Awards 2015: the Grand Final 34

@RICSnews

®#RICSmodus

rics.org/modus

ASK THE BIG QUESTIONS NOVEMBER 2015

BRUTALIST B UI LDINGSLOVE THEMHATE THEM

with them? / 30

What

should we do

MODUS_Nov15_P01_Cover.v8.indd 1 12/10/2015 15:27

www.rics.org/modus

Programmes accredited by:

Contact our Enquiries team and advance your career:email [email protected] or call 0800 019 9697

Patron: HRH The Prince of Wales

www.cem.ac.uk

The College of Estate Management (CEM) is a leading provider of online supported learning for the real estate and construction industries. We offer a range of RICS and CIOB accredited degrees that offer a route to Chartered status.

Our courses are delivered by tutors with extensive professional industry experience with programmesranging from individual modules through to MBAs.

Studying with us offers:Flexibility - fi t study around your lifeAffordability - value for money with the option to pay in monthly instalmentsProgression - start your journey to chartered status

“ I chose to study with CEM as it is internationally recognised as the place to gain professionally accredited real estate and construction sector qualifi cations.”Kirsty Huxtable, MBA Real Estate and Construction ManagementProject Manager, Fordingbridge plc

Realising your potentialin the Built EnvironmentAccessible, fl exible and cost-effective education producing leading talent fora better Built Environment

35765-Modus-Full-071015.indd 1 07/10/2015 12:54MODUS_Nov15_P02_CEM ad.indd 2 12/10/2015 12:55

NOVEMBER 2015_MODUS 03

“People either love them or hate them. But the mid-century period is being celebrated much

more and I believe that concrete is coming back into fashion”TOM BLOXHAM, URBAN SPLASH

HERITAGE, P30

Views expressed in Modus are those of the named author and are not necessarily those of RICS or the publisher. The contents of this magazine are fully protected by copyright and may not be reproduced in any form without the prior permission of the publisher. All information correct at time of going to press. All rights reserved. The publisher cannot accept liability for errors or omissions. RICS does not accept responsibility for loss, injury or damage or costs that result from, or are connected in any way to, the use of products or services advertised. All editions of Modus are printed on paper sourced from sustainable, properly managed forests. This magazine can be recycled for use in newspapers and packaging. Please dispose of it at your local collection point. The polywrap is made from biodegradable material and can be recycled.

MODUS NOVEMBER 2015 RICS.ORG/MODUS

Contents

18 NEW HEIGHTSHarder, faster, higher: clever concrete

24 TIME TO MIX THINGS UPHow can we sustain our insatiable appetite for the hard stuff?

28 SHOW AND TELLNick Blenkarn MRICS’ new way of seeing

30 COVER STORYOur uneasy relationship with brutalism

34 RICS UK AWARDS 2015All the winners from the 25th anniversary of the awards

42 NO GREAT SHAKESChristchurch making slow progress five years on from devastating earthquakes

44 IN GREAT KNICKRestoring New York’s Knickerbocker hotel

06 DIFFERENCE OF OPINIONAre overseas investors turning our cities into boring places to live? We hear two points of view

07-15 NEWS IN BRIEFEssential industry news, advice and information for RICS members

08 THINKING: NICK KATZ FRICSHow will surveyors stay relevant in an increasingly data-driven world?

13 PRESIDENT’S COLUMNMartin J Brühl FRICS ponders the true meaning of acting in the public interest

46-47 CAREERSMake the last minutes of an interview count; Câmara & Smith’s Raymond Smith FRICS

48 BUSINESSHow to ensure you’re not left waiting for a late payment …

49 LEGAL 101… and where you stand legally

50 BRAIN GAINEffective risk management strategies

66 MIND MAPAnshuman Magazine FRICS, Chairman of RICS South Asia, on India’s smart cities

PLUS51 Events53 Benefits54 Obituaries + Conduct56 Recruitment

Inte

llig

ence

Feat

ure

s

Fou

nd

atio

ns

4606

471811

663415

•M

ODUS MAGAZINE•

RICSINFORMALCPD

•MODUSMAGAZ

INE•

RICS INFORMAL

CPD

•M

ODUSMAGAZINE•

RICS

INFORMAL CPD

•M

ODUS MAGAZINE•

RICSINFORMALCPD

MODUS_Nov15_P03-05_Contents_v3_F2.indd 3 15/10/2015 10:45

www.rics.org/modus

0 4 RICS.ORG/MODUS

Trimble S7Total StationFULLY LOADED FOR MAXIMUM

FLEXIBILITY AND PERFORMANCE.Imagine needing just one total station on the job site to perform all of

your data capture. Imagine just one powerfully equipped total station

to handle scanning, imaging and surveying. A total station you can use

to create 3D models, process highly accurate visual site documentation,

point clouds, and much more. That total station is the Trimble® S7.

The Trimble S7 comes fully loaded with Trimble’s most advanced features

and technologies, giving you the flexibility and performance you need,

no matter the project.

Learn more at Trimble.com/geospatialTS

Perform feature-rich scans with Trimble SureScan technology

Track your instrument’s location in real-time with Trimble Locate2Protect

Document the job and create a variety of deliverables using Trimble VISION™ technology

Measure farther and faster with Trimble DR Plus EDM

Produce comprehensive geospatial deliverables in Trimble Business Center

© 2015, Trimble Navigation Limited. All rights reserved. Trimble and the Globe & Triangle logo is a trademark of Trimble Navigation Limited, registered in the United States and in other countries. VISION is a trademark of Trimble Navigation Limited. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. GEO-068B (10/15)

MODUS_Nov15_P03-05_Contents_v2.indd 4 13/10/2015 14:06

www/trimble.com/geospatialTS


FOR SUNDAY Editor Oliver Parsons / Art Director Christie Ferdinando / Contributing Editor Brendon Hooper / Production Editor Andy Plowman / Senior Designer Isabella Fernandes / Creative Director Matt Beaven / Account Director Karen Jenner / Advertisement Sales Director Emma Kennedy / Sales Manager Angus Sharpe / Sales Executive Nick Webb / Production Manager Michael Wood / Managing Director Toby Smeeton / Repro F1 Colour / Printer Wyndeham Group / Cover Image © Chris Hellier, Alamy Stock Photo / Published by Sunday, 207 Union Street, London SE1 0LN wearesunday.com / For RICS James Murphy and Kate Symons, RICS, Parliament Square, London SW1P 3AD

@EmmaM_FGould Great Article in this months @RICSnews Modus magazine about @mudosky79 the #BIM Visionary! #FGouldExeter

@mudosky79 @fgouldconnect Thanks to @RICSnews for calling me a #BIM Visionary” @BIM2050 let’s keep the vision going

@gwatts_ @RICS Good to see a CSR debate in the latest issue of #RICSModus Both views have correct arguments, but all businesses should have CSR.

@RumseyPartners #RICSModus #volkerwessels.com designs for #plasticroads could be fab solution for services and safety features but what happens to spoil?

@Evolution5_Ltd @MA_Surveyor just read your piece in Modus. What does becoming OJEU compliant mean/involve, as I’ve never come across it? #RICSmodus

@paulreaneycbs @ricsnews Jamie Barrett has got it spot on about public contracts and small SMEs. The whole landscape is too clunky for small firms!

Join the

debateREACTIONS AND RESPONSES

FROM PREVIOUS ISSUESDo you have a comment about this issue of Modus? Email [email protected],

or tweet us using #RICSmodus

TAKE GOOD CARESir, As a surveyor who worked for 37 years in a local authority, devising adaptations with social services, I have, even in retirement, a passionate interest in the subject of later-life housing (Search for a silver lining, p36, July/August).

In particular, having also cared for my late mother, it became clear that a large problem in keeping the elderly in their own home is giving authorised access to carers. Based on my experience, I have devised a control-centre-based access control system that is subject to a patent (pending).

I would be most interested in any suggestions on how this project could be taken forward, perhaps to the benefit of LionHeart members?CR Newton AssocRICS, Cheltenham, UK

Feedback

@RICSnews // #RICSmodus

USEFUL RICS NUMBERS CONTACT CENTRE+44 (0)24 7686 8555 Enquiries / APC guidance / Subscriptions / Passwords / Library / Bookshop REGULATION HELPLINE +44 (0)20 7695 1670 CONFIDENTIAL HELPLINE +44 (0)20 7334 3867 DISPUTE RESOLUTION SERVICES +44 (0)20 7334 3806 SWITCHBOARD +44 (0)20 7222 7000 LIONHEART +44 (0)24 7646 6696

90,122 average net circulation 1 July 2014 - 30 June 2015

RICSmodus

FRACKS IN THE ARGUMENT Sir, It is good to see that an official report has spelled out clearly that house prices will be affected by fracking (Intelligence, p13, September). Fracking represents the desperation of this country towards its energy needs. North Sea oil and gas is now depleting in double-digit percentages per year. We are a country that has spent a lot on gas infrastructure and we are not going to have the supplies with which to run it.

The UK has closed its coal industry down and its nuclear power plants are at or nearing the end of their design lives. Only this desperation would cause a Tory government to press ahead with such an unconventional process in such a densely populated country with beautiful countryside.

It is a blind alley. In the US, a lot of money has been made in the fracking industry. A closer look, though, reveals that most of this money was made selling land leases. This boom has been driven by investors seeking yield in a low-interest-rate environment. Many small, highly leveraged fracking companies are now faltering as the price of oil has fallen.

Could these fracking companies potentially lead to a new subprime crisis? Jo Murphy MRICS

Trimble S7Total StationFULLY LOADED FOR MAXIMUM

FLEXIBILITY AND PERFORMANCE.Imagine needing just one total station on the job site to perform all of

your data capture. Imagine just one powerfully equipped total station

to handle scanning, imaging and surveying. A total station you can use

to create 3D models, process highly accurate visual site documentation,

point clouds, and much more. That total station is the Trimble® S7.

The Trimble S7 comes fully loaded with Trimble’s most advanced features

and technologies, giving you the flexibility and performance you need,

no matter the project.

Learn more at Trimble.com/geospatialTS

Perform feature-rich scans with Trimble SureScan technology

Track your instrument’s location in real-time with Trimble Locate2Protect

Document the job and create a variety of deliverables using Trimble VISION™ technology

Measure farther and faster with Trimble DR Plus EDM

Produce comprehensive geospatial deliverables in Trimble Business Center

© 2015, Trimble Navigation Limited. All rights reserved. Trimble and the Globe & Triangle logo is a trademark of Trimble Navigation Limited, registered in the United States and in other countries. VISION is a trademark of Trimble Navigation Limited. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. GEO-068B (10/15)

ARE YOU EXPERIENCED?Sir, Reading the latest Secret Surveyor column (p10, October), I couldn’t help but feel a bit disgruntled at the author’s comments. Having recently gained my AssocRICS qualification, I am now looking to move into the commercial sector of the industry. Understandably, I find myself caught in that catch-22 of having little experience, but no means of gaining any without joining the industry. What I wouldn’t give for three years’ experience, let alone 30.

Nonetheless, by no means do I feel “hard done by”. My situation is simply a result of my circumstances, and every cloud has a silver lining: to an employer, I am a blank canvas. The author and I are in a similar situation, in that we must simply make the most of our situation and what we have to offer. Perhaps the author is expecting too much to be able to leap-frog those with less experience than her.Max Girdler AssocRICS, Moginie James, Cardiff

MODUS_Nov15_P03-05_Contents_v2.indd 5 13/10/2015 14:06

06 RICS.ORG/MODUS

CHARLIE ELLINGWORTH FOUNDER OF BUYING AGENCY PROPERTY VISION, LONDON

HIGH-VALUE AREAS OF CENTRAL LONDON HAVE ALWAYS HAD THEIR SHARE OF properties that are not fully occupied, because they belong to wealthy people

who have homes elsewhere. Writer GK Chesterton noticed that in 1910. But we’re now running the risk of creating new areas of the city with expensive, luxury apartment blocks which are soulless. A large number of new-build, high-rise towers are being built, particularly around Battersea and Vauxhall, whose apartments are bought by overseas investors and UK buy-to-leave owners who come up to London only occasionally to shop or see their children.

But it’s not just about high prices. Whether areas become empty and lifeless has a lot to do with how they’re developed. To be a success as a destination, large developments need to put the emphasis on the commercial side in the early stages to attract restaurants, shops and cafes. There are isolated towers in Vauxhall, for instance, where this hasn’t happened and there’s nowhere to go for a cup of coffee. You may have wonderful views from the apartments but that’s not enough to create somewhere that’s an attractive place to live.

A basic problem is that high towers are not easy to turn into lively environments compared with traditional streets. Planning permission has been given too readily to some of these schemes. A development with a different approach is Battersea Power Station. Apartments are expensive here, but it has been master planned to become a true destination, with up to 50% of the space set aside for offices, restaurants and shops, as well as a new Tube station. It’s an ambitious plan, but one that could work.

ED MEAD FRICS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, DOUGLAS & GORDON ESTATE AGENTS, LONDON

IT IS TRUE THAT IN THE VERY CENTRE OF LONDON, WHERE PRICES are highest, there are areas that are like ghost towns where

you don’t see many lights on after dark, or people about in the evenings. I’m thinking of Mayfair, Belgravia, Knightsbridge and parts of Chelsea. The high prices in these areas have forced people to move to places outside the centre, such as Fulham, Clapham, Battersea, Shepherd’s Bush and Hammersmith, which is where the life is now.

In a way, London is a victim of its own success. It boasts an attractive combination of being a world centre and a stable market, with rising property values and beautiful architecture. Overseas investors have been buying high-value apartments in the centre as a safe haven for their money – they put £5m into a property in case the balloon goes up in their own country. Investors who leave properties completely empty should be penalised, for instance by paying double the council tax, although I don’t know how you would police that. But leaving properties empty for part of the year has been happening for 200 years, since wealthy people started maintaining a home in the country and one in town.

I don’t think we’re likely to see London become any more of a ghost town, now that the government has closed the tax loopholes for companies and offshore investors. This, coupled with the fact that, since April 2015, overseas owners have had to pay capital gains tax when they sell, should help put the brakes on.

Soulless ghettoes or part of the mix?What’s your view? Join the discussion on LinkedIn at rics.org/linkedin, or tweet using #RICSmodus

Rising property prices are turning our cities into boring, empty places. Discuss.

DIFFERENCE OF OPINION

INTE

RVI

EW C

HER

RY

MAS

LEN

ILL

US

TRAT

ION

BR

ATIS

LAV

MIL

ENKO

VIĆ

INFO

GR

APH

IC IA

N D

UTN

ALL

Intelligence News / Reviews / Opinions / Reactions

MODUS_Nov15_P06-15_Intel_v5_F2.indd 6 15/10/2015 10:49

www.rics.org/linkedin


US UK Sweden AustraliaGermany France China Malaysia

Residential consents

Non-residential consents

2%4%10%11%11%22%26%32%

NZ$80m

NZ$60m

NZ$40m

NZ$20m

NZ$0

NZ$20m

NZ$40m

NZ$60m

NZ$80m

09/10 09/11 09/12 09/13 09/14 07/15

Lifts andescalators

Fabric repairs and

maintenance

Site management

resources

Security Cleaning and environmental

Mechanical and electrical

services

Electricity Management fee

Major works

69p47p

146p163p

104p

155p

17p43p 31p

London (median cost per ft2)

Rest of UK (median cost per ft2)

46p29p

45p61p76p

64p

12p34p 23p

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

NorthAmerica

Average dispute values ($m)

64.5 11.4 10.5 14.4 9 11.9 34.3 13.7 29.6 16.2

64.5 11.4 53.1 12.4 39.7 14.3 41.9 14 85.6 12

7.5 6.8 10.2 8.7 27 12.9 27.9 7.9 27 10

56.3 8.3 112.5 9 65 14.6 40.9 13.9 76.7 15.1

33.3 10 35.1 11.7 25 6 27.5 6.5 38.3 18

Average length of dispute (months)

Asia

UK

Continental Europe

MiddleEast

$16.1bnThree Gorges Dam, China

$1.8bnGreat Belt Fixed Link, Denmark

$3.1bnDenver International Airport

$21.1bnThe Channel Tunnel

$1.6bnBudapest Metro Line 4

$13.4bnBoston’s Big Dig

Source: Arcadis




2%4%10%11%11%22%26%32%

NZ$80m

NZ$60m

NZ$40m

NZ$20m

NZ$0

NZ$20m

NZ$40m

NZ$60m

NZ$80m

09/10 09/11 09/12 09/13 09/14 07/15

Lifts andescalators

Fabric repairs and

maintenance

Site management

resources



services


Major works

69p47p

146p163p

104p

155p

17p43p 31p



46p29p

45p61p76p

64p

12p34p 23p

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

NorthAmerica


64.5 11.4 10.5 14.4 9 11.9 34.3 13.7 29.6 16.2

64.5 11.4 53.1 12.4 39.7 14.3 41.9 14 85.6 12

7.5 6.8 10.2 8.7 27 12.9 27.9 7.9 27 10

56.3 8.3 112.5 9 65 14.6 40.9 13.9 76.7 15.1

33.3 10 35.1 11.7 25 6 27.5 6.5 38.3 18


Asia

UK

Continental Europe

MiddleEast







Source: Arcadis

SERVICE GAMEHow much of a service charge is spent on what, and what is the difference between London and the rest of the UK?

Source: SCOR Office 2015

INTE

RVI

EW C

HER

RY

MAS

LEN

ILL

US

TRAT

ION

BR

ATIS

LAV

MIL

ENKO

VIĆ

INFO

GR

APH

IC IA

N D

UTN

ALL

Construction measurement standards committee formed

The International Construction Measurement Standards (ICMS) Coalition, which consists of more than 30 non-profit professional bodies from around the world – including RICS – has appointed its Standards Setting Committee.

Earlier this year, the founding ICMS Coalition organisations met at the International Monetary Fund’s headquarters in Washington DC to launch this major initiative, which seeks to create international standards in construction measurement.

The ICMS Coalition represents professionals in more than 140 countries and aims to create overarching international standards that will harmonise cost, classification and measurement definitions to enhance comparability, consistency and benchmarking of capital projects.

In an industry that Global Construction Perspectives estimates to be worth $15tn (£9.76tn) by 2025, inconsistency in something as fundamental as construction measurement and reporting can create huge uncertainty, misunderstanding and risk.

The newly appointed independent Standards Setting Committee consists of global construction experts who will draft and consult on ICMS.

The ICMS Coalition will grow as further organisations, such as industry corporations and contractors, join.

Additionally, key government stakeholders will be encouraged to contribute and lead adoption of the new international framework in their respective capital markets.

JUST THE TICKET

Curitaba’s bus rapid transit system has become an

emblem of the Brazilian city’s

sustainable growth

THE DATA

NEWS IN BRIEF

rics.org/modus

AVERAGE LENGTH AND COST OF CONSTRUCTION DISPUTES BY REGION




2%4%10%11%11%22%26%32%

NZ$80m

NZ$60m

NZ$40m

NZ$20m

NZ$0

NZ$20m

NZ$40m

NZ$60m

NZ$80m

09/10 09/11 09/12 09/13 09/14 07/15

Lifts andescalators

Fabric repairs and

maintenance

Site management

resources



services


Major works

69p47p

146p163p

104p

155p

17p43p 31p



46p29p

45p61p76p

64p

12p34p 23p

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

NorthAmerica


64.5 11.4 10.5 14.4 9 11.9 34.3 13.7 29.6 16.2

64.5 11.4 53.1 12.4 39.7 14.3 41.9 14 85.6 12

7.5 6.8 10.2 8.7 27 12.9 27.9 7.9 27 10

56.3 8.3 112.5 9 65 14.6 40.9 13.9 76.7 15.1

33.3 10 35.1 11.7 25 6 27.5 6.5 38.3 18


Asia

UK

Continental Europe

MiddleEast







Developing more cities to become “smart” – by expanding public transport, increasing energy-saving measures and using better methods of waste management – could save the global economy as much as $22tn (£14.4tn) by 2050. The measures could also help eliminate the equivalent of 3.7 gigatonnes of carbon a year – more than India’s current greenhouse gas emissions.

The findings, by the Global Commission on Economy and Climate, an independent initiative by former finance ministers and leading research institutions, helps dispel the notion that it is too expensive to try to alleviate climate change.

“There is now increasing evidence that emissions can decrease while economies continue to grow,” commented Seth Schultz, a researcher for the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group who consulted on the report. “Becoming more sustainable and putting the world – specifically cities – on a low-carbon trajectory is actually feasible and good economics.”

Investing in public transport would make the biggest immediate difference, the report found, while rolling out green-building standards could cut electricity use, reduce heat island effects, and reduce demand for water.

The report calls on the world’s leading cities to commit to low-carbon development strategies by 2020, and has been released as the UN and organisations including RICS meet for a critical conference on climate change (COP21) in Paris in December.

READ THE REPORT online at newclimateeconomy.report

“NO ECONOMIC BARRIER TO ALLEVIATING CLIMATE CHANGE” SAYS REPORT

SUSTAINABILITY®

MODUS_Nov15_P06-15_Intel_v4.indd 7 13/10/2015 16:21

www.newclimateeconomy.report

08 RICS.ORG/MODUS

A s an American living in London, I’ve always been amused by the image conjured by the phrase: “An

Englishman’s home is his castle.” A stereotypical English gent, with cardigan, pipe and slippers, standing with crossbow in hand at the parapet of his little kingdom, ready to defend his privacy.

But do people still think of their homes as little castles? It’s not an image that reflects my experience. When I open my door, I access the resources of a highly walkable, interconnected and friendly city. I share a house with five other people – partially out of necessity, but also out of choice. And I am fortunate to work in one of the most sociable industries in the world.

OK, London is not the UK, and the UK is not the world. But if you want to observe the behaviour of large numbers of those oft-discussed “millennials”, it’s a pretty good place to start. This is a generation that is comfortable with sharing everything. In their digital lives, they enjoy a level of connectivity and openness with others that previous generations would find intrusive. Many will expect never to own a car at all, and instead rely on car clubs, public transport and cycle schemes to get around.

As for their homes, this generation will have learned to share their personal space at university and while on their travels, and it’s a habit that stays with them as they progress in their lives. Crucially, escalating house prices are reinforcing this sharing habit – privacy is becoming more and more expensive, so naturally the generation most affected is finding ways to adapt its expectations.

Alongside this trend for sharing, technology is making the world more interconnected, and by handing power to

the individual, it’s naturally also taking power away from those long used to being in charge – including landlords.

Take the hospitality industry. Would any hotelier or small B&B owner have predicted the enormous success of Airbnb, even five years ago? Perhaps this is a generational thing. Ask any economically comfortable, 50-year-old member of the board at a leading hotel chain if they would ever consider renting out spare rooms in their own home, and the answer would in all probability be: “Why would I do that?” But ask a twentysomething lucky enough to have a spare room in their home and their response is more likely to be: “Why not?”

Flexible, serviced offices are also thriving, making it easy for small or even medium-sized companies to take on

exactly the right amount of space for their needs. At the extreme end of the scale, co-working environments blur the line between an office and a coffee shop, and allow individual tenants to closely control their workspace costs. Breather, a San Francisco-based start-up, takes this to its logical conclusion, connecting those with spare space to ultra-short-term tenants who can book these spaces by the day, hour or even half-hour, all via a smartphone app.

There is a lot that we can learn from this trend toward liquidity, and if it continues, it means that those who deal in property will naturally have to change their thinking, focusing less on the building in isolation and more on how it offers value to a splintered, on-demand market.

Historically, the surveying profession has been responsible for the measurement of buildings and their value. But increasingly, the true potential and value of any built asset will be tied up in the data around its use, as well as its flexibility to alternative uses. It will be our job to interpret that data, using it to advise our clients. It won’t be enough to just deliver that data, because technology will have already made it freely available. For surveyors to matter, we will have to add value.

Change is on its way, but adapting to this new world is critical. Or we could always just pull up the drawbridge and hope it won’t happen.

WHAT’S YOUR VIEW? Email your thoughts to [email protected]

“Increasingly, the true potential and value of any built asset will be tied up in the data around its use

and it will be our job to interpret that data”

ILLU

STR

ATIO

N A

ND

REA

MAN

ZATI

NICK KATZ FRICS CO-FOUNDER & CEO, SPLITTABLE, LONDON

INFO

GR

APH

IC IA

N D

UTN

ALL

Intelligence



Are you on the shortlist for Young Surveyor of the Year?

The shortlist for RICS’ Young Surveyor of the Year Awards has been released.

The awards celebrate the most inspirational young surveying professionals in the UK. All surveyors who are 35 years and under as of 1 November 2015, including trainees, associate members and newly qualified members, are eligible to enter.

Nominations are invited for 11 categories that represent the main practice areas in the UK, including building surveying, commercial agency, facilities management, property management, project management, quantity surveying, rural and valuation.

This year’s event is taking place on 19 November at the Lancaster hotel in London and will be hosted by comedian Gary Delaney, regular guest of BBC Two’s show Mock the Week.

James Baker MRICS, RICS Matrics Chairman and managing building surveyor at Faithful+Gould, said: “With an increased number of entries for the awards the shortlisting exercise was always going to be a challenge. However, no one expected such a consistently high standard throughout all categories – a testimony to the young talent within the profession. Feedback on all entries was excellent and making the decisions proved difficult, with only a very small variant between some making the difference. To retain fairness, the names, companies and gender of the entrants were excluded from the judges’ copies.”

Find out who has made the shortlist: rics.org/youngsurveyor.

WE LIKE

ONE THING I KNOW

What’s that? Imagine using concrete from a roll. That is the inspiration behind concrete canvas: a flexible, concrete-impregnated fabric that hardens when wet to form a durable and waterproof concrete layer. When inflated into small dome-like structures, the technique could be ideal for the rapid deployment of semi-permanent shelters in places such as refugee camps or disaster zones.How does it work? The “building in a bag” arrives folded in a wooden crate, and once in position, an electric fan is used to inflate the plastic inner until it can support itself. Water is then sprayed on, and after only a day of drying, a 270ft2 (25m2) structure is ready to use. Whereas tents can wear out rapidly and need replacing, the shelters provide a hardened structure that has a design life of more than 10 years. What else can the material be used for? Since its launch in 2005, concrete canvas has been used to replace conventional concrete for projects all over the world, including ditch lining, slope protection, remediation works and pipe protection. The company’s largest project saw the material being used in the Atacama region of Chile, where a concrete ditch was rapidly built to help divert glacial meltwater away from flooding a copper mine. concretecanvas.com

Concrete canvas shelters

“Business models in the regions need to be driven by market leaders who diversify their services”

Nigel Watkins MRICS, director, Gleeds, CardiffAlthough the Welsh construction market has traditionally been driven by the public

sector, since the end of the global financial crisis we’ve seen a real shift in market trends in South Wales. There is now more activity from developers and private investors who are financing projects across a range of sectors.

Although sector knowledge is important, business

models in provincial regions need to be driven by market leaders who diversify their service offering accordingly, not sector experts.

Those who do this will get more out of their staff and increase their ability to win repeat commissions with clients from the private sector.

GET SETThe material is inflated using

an electric fan, before being sprayed with water. After a

day of drying, it is ready to use

ILLU

STR

ATIO

N A

ND

REA

MAN

ZATI

NEWS IN BRIEF

rics.org/modus




2%4%10%11%11%22%26%32%

NZ$80m

NZ$60m

NZ$40m

NZ$20m

NZ$0

NZ$20m

NZ$40m

NZ$60m

NZ$80m

09/10 09/11 09/12 09/13 09/14 07/15

Lifts andescalators

Fabric repairs and

maintenance

Site management

resources



services


Major works

69p47p

146p163p

104p

155p

17p43p 31p



46p29p

45p61p76p

64p

12p34p 23p

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

NorthAmerica


64.5 11.4 10.5 14.4 9 11.9 34.3 13.7 29.6 16.2

64.5 11.4 53.1 12.4 39.7 14.3 41.9 14 85.6 12

7.5 6.8 10.2 8.7 27 12.9 27.9 7.9 27 10

56.3 8.3 112.5 9 65 14.6 40.9 13.9 76.7 15.1

33.3 10 35.1 11.7 25 6 27.5 6.5 38.3 18


Asia

UK

Continental Europe

MiddleEast







INFO

GR

APH

IC IA

N D

UTN

ALL

HOT TOPICPercentage of a country’s population that thinks climate change is “not a serious problem”

Source: YouGov

®


www.concretecanvas.com

www.rics.org/youngsurveyor

10 RICS.ORG/MODUS

I am going to get something off my chest. I hate project management. There, that

feels better!I was a latecomer to surveying,

having previously run IT projects in a bank. I then chucked in my job and sold my house to fund my retraining for a career change. A degree and chartered building surveyor status followed. Now, all I am after is the opportunity to work as a building surveyor.

The job that I wanted to do – the career that had been sold to me – was to become an expert on buildings and their construction, a specialist in the core skills of building pathology, design and specification. I concede, there had to be a bit of contract administration mixed in there, because no job is perfect.

Yet, the only jobs that I have been able to find seem to be following the trend that casts the building surveyor as the “Jack of all trades and master of none”, whose main function is to manage the projects

too mundane for an architect or specialist project manager to be interested in. This is no good to me because, as I have said, I hate project management.

My perception is that this move to a generalist role is resulting in a generation of building surveyors with diluted core skills, whose first reaction at the sign of anything but the most basic technical problem is to defer to another professional or, in the case of timber decay, the salesmen of the damp treatment brigade.

It seems that RICS and the universities are complicit in this as, for example, when I graduated from my RICS-approved building surveying degree course in 2008, I had spent as much time on my course studying facilities management as building pathology.

Where are the real building surveying jobs?

ARE YOU INTERESTED in writing a future Secret Surveyor column? Email [email protected]

Do you qualify for a membership concession?

If your personal circumstances have changed, you might be entitled to one of RICS’ concessionary rates.

They could apply if you are currently unemployed and actively seeking work, are on maternity or adoption leave, or are unable to work due to ill health or incapacity.

For a full list of categories that qualify for a discount on 2015 membership fees, see rics.org/concessions.

Applications for discounts must be made by 31 December 2015 and payment of 2016 fees is due on 1 January 2016.

If you wish to discuss any aspect of your membership, visit rics.org/mysubscription, or email [email protected]. You can also call us on +44 (0)24 7686 8555, Monday to Friday 08:30-17:30 GMT.

Improving recognition of UK professional property practise

Showing how professional practise in the UK’s property profession contributes to a vibrant and efficient economy is a key aim of work being done to increase market recognition of chartered surveying.

RICS’ UK Managing Director Matthew Howell said: “The past year has seen unprecedented demand for RICS standards from governments, employers and influential market stakeholders. Our media profile grew to over 19,300 mentions in the UK this year across broadcast channels, trade journals, national and regional press, and in online publications.

“We aim to promote the value of professional advice provided by RICS members and in so doing develop a property profession which is respected by consumers, clients and employers.”

For those in the UK interested in our market recognition, please visit rics.org/yourrics.

SECRET SURVEYOR“The job I wanted to do – the career that had been sold to me – was to become an expert on buildings and their construction”

MANUFACTURING BASE SHIFTS FROM CHINAGrowing numbers of manufacturers are considering re-shoring or on-shoring plant and facilities back to Europe as global operational costs rise, reports Cushman & Wakefield.

The firm’s report, Where in the World? Manufacturing Index 2015, noted that as China, the world’s largest manufacturer by output, experiences rising labour costs, its cost competitiveness is being reduced. As a result, manufacturers are not only looking towards the lower-cost regions of Malaysia and Vietnam, but also relocating operations back to Europe.

Furthermore, concerns surrounding the management of supply chains, brand perception, and where a product

is produced have risen up manufacturers’ agendas, increasing the attraction of locating operations in European markets.

“From a European perspective, the manufacturing outlook has certainly improved,” said Simon O’Reilly FRICS, partner and head of account management for EMEA at Cushman.

“Turkey is well positioned to tap into a number of global markets, while the UK is becoming more attractive to high-end manufacturers.”

NEWS IN BRIEF

rics.org/modus

INDUSTRIAL

LABOUR PAINSRising costs in China are

forcing outsourcers to look elsewhere

®

IMAG

ES R

EUTE

RS

; AL

AMY


www.rics.org/concessions

www.rics.org/mysubscription

www.rics.org/yourrics


OUR FUTURE, IN RUINSFifty years ago, the newly finished St Peter’s seminary near Glasgow was talked of as Scotland’s most exciting modern building, and a testament to the power of concrete. Today, after three decades of neglect, it has instead earned a reputation as the UK’s number one modernist ruin. However, this divisive example of architectural heritage is set to take on a new life, with local charity NVA having already secured £5m of the £7.5m it needs to partially restore the complex and its grounds as “the world’s first intentional modernist ruin”, while also turning the site into a unique arts venue.

NEW BEGINNING OR LOST CAUSE? Tweet us with your thoughts, using #RICSmodus

Intelligence

IMAG

ES R

EUTE

RS

; AL

AMY


12 RICS.ORG/MODUS

INFO

GR

APH

IC IA

N D

UTN

ALL

ILLU

STR

ATIO

N B

ERN

D S

CH

IFFE

RD

ECK

ER I

MAG

E IN

TER

NAT

ION

AL C

AMP

US

AG

Delivering & Maintaining HomesBuilding Neighbourhoods18-19 November 2015Olympia, London

@HomesEvent

Register NOW for FREE*, visit:homesevent.co.uk

* A fee will be applied to commercial visitors

New website now live!homesevent.co.uk

Meet thousands of seniorhousing professionalsfrom asset managementand developmentrepresenting over 3.5million homes

2 days4 conference theatres100 speakers#thetreehouse15 fringe

• Charlotte Graves Corporate Director of Housing, London Borough of

Hackney and Chief Executive, Hackney Homes

• Richard Blakeway Deputy Mayor for Housing, Land and Property, Greater London Authority

• Charlotte Semp Director for Repairs & Maintenance,

Notting Hill Housing

• David Lingeman Group Director of Property Services,

A2Dominion

Speakers Include:

Homes15_116x180_Modus_Magazine.indd 1 04/09/2015 12:07

Call 0203 666 9150 to get your free kit in 48 hours.Or search ‘sample kit’ at vistaprint.co.uk

See, touch, feel.Experience the quality of 14 product samples first-hand with a free kit.

Get people talking about your business.

Offer valid at time of print. Ends 31.12.15. Calls charged at the national rate. One code per order. Discounts shown in basket. Not applicable to shipping, taxes or subscriptions.

Create your own affordable, high-quality marketing products.

• Choose from flyers, brochures, business cards and more

• Customise our designs easily or upload your own

• Feel confident in your order with our satisfaction guarantee

Or enter code MOD1 at

vistaprint.co.uk

Claim your £10 voucher by calling

0203 666 9150


www.vistaprint.co.uk

www.vistaprint.co.uk

www.homesevent.co.uk

www.homesevent.co.uk


PUBLIC INTEREST: TWO BANAL WORDS THAT COMBINE TO FORM A COMPLEX construct – complex and yet imprecise. It is also frustratingly difficult to put into words. RICS’ founders made a noble attempt, set out in our Charter. They talked of usefulness and public advantage. These are words of their time. To the Victorians, usefulness was the application of utilitarianism, a prevailing moral philosophy that society should maximise the utility of all individuals to achieve the greatest happiness for as many as possible.

At a time of unprecedented investment in public works, the wishes of the majority may have seemed synonymous with the public advantage. But is this always true? In the 21st century, should professionals serve the dominant market forces to maximise profit and shareholder dividends? Or should they take a wider view of the public interest, which may lead them to act in line with the opinions of an enlightened minority?

This is not an academic debate, as the accountancy profession has discovered. An appeal tribunal relating to a high-profile case in the UK recently affirmed that accountants should act in the public interest. The same tribunal commented that there was a lack of clarity in how accountants should discharge these responsibilities. The case involved millions of pounds in fines and years of legal wrangling. Much of this may have been avoided had clearer public interest guidance been available.

It is unlikely that codes of professional conduct alone will be adequate to define the public interest. There also remains a question about how in practice professionals can be expected to judge what is in the public’s best interests, not least as they rarely – if ever – have access to all the relevant information. And what if their client’s instruction conflicts with the broader public good?

Furthermore, is the public interest a purely human concept or does it have ecological and environmental dimensions? Even assuming that public interest relates only to human considerations, is the interest of today’s public the same as that of future generations? If not, does today’s professional owe her duty to a future public, or to those who can hold her to account in her own lifetime?

Such questions matter to every RICS member. It is in the public interest for us to look afresh at these two far from banal words. Follow Martin on Twitter @MartinJBruehl

BALANCING INTERESTS

The quest to act to the

public’s advantage is

not just philosophical, it has real-life

implications

Germany’s student housing market is attracting record levels of investment, fuelling a construction boom of privately financed and operated student apartments.

Savills reports that German universities have recorded a significant increase in student numbers due to the abolition of military service in 2001, as well as a growing number of international students choosing to study in the country. At present, almost 12% of all students across Germany’s 740 universities come from overseas, and Savills notes the real driver of growth in the private market has been the lack of suitable options for this growing number of students.

In response to this demand, private investors are filling the gap in the market and building higher-quality properties on a large scale, which are well managed and maintained and meet the changing needs of both domestic and international students.

“The sharp rise in private supply is attracting new players to the investment market,” said Marcus Roberts MRICS, head of student investment at Savills. “Notably, pension funds and insurance companies are increasingly acting as buyers for the first time in this market.”

The proportion of student accommodation provided by private operators in the 30 largest university cities is expected to rise to approximately 22% by 2020, compared to the current supply of around 16%. However, this still remains below the levels seen in the more mature markets in the US and UK.

DOWNLOAD the full report at bit.ly/savills_germanstudents

GERMAN STUDENT HALLS PROVE FIRST CLASS

INVESTMENT

MARTIN J BRÜHL FRICS RICS PRESIDENT




2%4%10%11%11%22%26%32%

NZ$80m

NZ$60m

NZ$40m

NZ$20m

NZ$0

NZ$20m

NZ$40m

NZ$60m

NZ$80m

09/10 09/11 09/12 09/13 09/14 07/15

Lifts andescalators

Fabric repairs and

maintenance

Site management

resources



services


Major works

69p47p

146p163p

104p

155p

17p43p 31p



46p29p

45p61p76p

64p

12p34p 23p

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

NorthAmerica


64.5 11.4 10.5 14.4 9 11.9 34.3 13.7 29.6 16.2

64.5 11.4 53.1 12.4 39.7 14.3 41.9 14 85.6 12

7.5 6.8 10.2 8.7 27 12.9 27.9 7.9 27 10

56.3 8.3 112.5 9 65 14.6 40.9 13.9 76.7 15.1

33.3 10 35.1 11.7 25 6 27.5 6.5 38.3 18


Asia

UK

Continental Europe

MiddleEast







INFO

GR

APH

IC IA

N D

UTN

ALL

ILLU

STR

ATIO

N B

ERN

D S

CH

IFFE

RD

ECK

ER I

MAG

E IN

TER

NAT

ION

AL C

AMP

US

AG

“Should we take a wider view of the public interest?”

HOUSING BUBBLESMunich-based investor International Campus topped out “The Fizz” Hanover in March this year

Intelligence

BUDGET BUSTERSThe most over-budget infrastructure construction projects in the world, adjusted for inflation

Source: Statista


www.bit.ly/savills_germanstudents

14 RICS.ORG/MODUS

The professionals in concrete

repair

Get it right. Get a professional.

Insist on CRA www.cra.org.uk

All CRA members:Are accredited to BS EN ISO 90001 and BS EN ISO 14001

Comply with BS EN 1504

Can demonstrate a proven track record and capability

Comply with the CRA’s stringent codes of practice

A member of:

4

4

4

4


www.ks-security.co.uk

mailto:[email protected]


www.kentroof.com/ballcam


NEWS IN BRIEF

rics.org/modus

First female board chair for Wales

Helen Kane FRICS, director of Access Included, has become the new Chairperson of RICS in Wales, taking over the post from Neil Brierley for a two-year term.

Kane has more than 30 years’ international experience across residential, retail, industrial and commercial sectors. She has been the Chair of the South East Wales Local Association of RICS members for the past two years, is a board member of the National Register of Access Consultants, and was chair of Women in Property South Wales.

During her term as regional Chair, Kane will lead the organisation’s Welsh Board and represent RICS locally in engagement with members, stakeholders and media.

She will focus on inspiring the next generation (to encompass diversity and inclusion), the skills shortage and infrastructure. Kane will also champion the role of SMEs in the profession.

Support grows for international ethics standard

At the time of writing, 55 professional bodies and trade organisations have joined the pioneering project that is working to create the first International Ethics Standards (IES) for real estate and related professions. Collectively, the organisations represent many hundreds of thousands of real estate professionals around the world.

The global IES Coalition will write an International Ethics Standard consisting of high-level principles, which will be put into practice through codes of conduct owned by Coalition organisations and provide assurance, consistency and confidence to all users of professional services.

For the full list of IES Coalition member organisations, visit ies-coalition.org/members.

More than 1 million new homes could be created in London if local authorities focused on making better use of land by redefining housing densification, research from London First and Savills has found.

The report, Redefining Density, argues that London is less dense compared with the centres of other global cities such as Paris and Madrid. The capital has good transport links but low housing density, and if those well-connected areas were to match the density of similarly connected but more densely populated areas, around 1.4 million new homes could be created across London, particularly

in outer boroughs. This figure is around 1 million more than the current 10-year London Plan housebuilding target.

Higher-density areas can also bring additional benefits for local residents, by creating the critical mass to support more shops, better and more diverse local services, and improved social and transport infrastructure, the report argues.

“The opportunities to ensure that London is getting the most out of the development process are considerable, especially in the outer boroughs,” said Susan Emmett, director of residential research at Savills. “Done properly, a higher-density environment that combines a greater number of homes with shops, services and leisure space can bring many benefits to residents.”

Although the 1.4 million calculation does not take into account specific circumstances, such as local infrastructure, and whether, or how, new homes might be built, it highlights the potential to make better use of land in London by moderately increasing housing densities in well-connected areas. Moreover, if housebuilding could be expanded to build just one-tenth of these 1 million additional homes over the next 10 years, then London would be able to increase its housebuilding target to 52,000 new homes a year.

TIME TO BUILDMeridian

Water, a £2bn proposed

development in the outer

London borough of

Enfield, could provide up to 8,000 homes

Intelligence

INCREASED DENSITY COULD SOLVE LONDON HOUSING CRISIS, SAY EXPERTS

RESIDENTIAL

Concrete is one of the most widely used construction materials, and the second edition of this book provides an overview of all the available information on its role in green building. Featuring viewpoints from global sustainability experts,

it details the economic benefits of using concrete in green building, as well as outlining ways in which concrete can be easily and affordably reused.

Professionals can get a better understanding of how concrete can contribute to the

whole life-cycle of construction projects, such as the benefits of thermal mass, or using concrete to improve water quality, reduce the urban heat island effect, or reduce construction waste. Productivity Press, £95

WHAT ARE YOU READING? Tweet to let us know, using #RICSmodus

GREEN BUILDING WITH CONCRETE: SUSTAINABLE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION GAJANAN M SABNIS

PAGETURNER

®


www.ies-coalition.org/members

Business users only. *Plus £894 initial rental. Price shown excludes VAT at 20% and is for a 36 month Contract Hire agreement for a MINI Cooper D 5-door Hatch, with a contract mileage of 30,000 miles and excess mileage charge of 6.86p per mile. Applies to new vehicles ordered between 1 October and 31 December 2015 and registered by 31 March 2016 (subject to availability). At the end of your agreement you must return the vehicle. Excess mileage, vehicle condition and other charges may be payable. Available subject to status to UK residents aged 18 or over. Guarantees and indemnities may be required. The amount of VAT you can reclaim depends on your business VAT status. Terms and conditions apply. Offer may be varied, withdrawn or extended at any time. Hire provided by BMW Group Corporate Finance. BMW Group Corporate Finance is a trading style of Alphabet (GB) Limited, Europa House, Bartley Way, Hook, Hampshire RG27 9UF. †Test drive subject to applicant status and availability.

Official fuel economy figures for the MINI Cooper D 5-door Hatch: Urban 64.2mpg (4.4l/100km). Extra Urban 88.3mpg (3.2l/100km). Combined 78.5mpg (3.6l/100km). CO2 emissions 95g/km. Figures may vary depending on driving style and conditions.

The MINI 5-door Hatch delivers the same distinctive styling and go-kart handling as the MINI 3-door Hatch, but with the benefit of 5 doors. This time you’ve got no excuse not to take your colleagues out at lunch.

MINI customers can benefit from increased legroom plus bags more luggage space, taking it to a generous 278 litres. As well as all this extra space, the MINI 5-door Hatch sets itself apart from competitors with the wide range of MINI technologies available. Standard specification includes Keyless Go, USB audio interface, Bluetooth® and On-Board Computer.

With impressively low CO2 emissions and superior performance, the MINI 5-door Hatch provides fleet drivers with a proposition that’s hard to refuse. The MINI Cooper D 5-door Hatch offers combined fuel economy of 78.5mpg while CO2 emissions start from only 95g/km, resulting in a BIK rate of only 17%.

To find out more or to fix up a test drive†, please visit www.minibusinesspartnership.co.uk

MONTHLY RENTALS FROM £149 (PLUS INITIAL RENTAL*).

BUSINESS AS UNUSUAL.THE MINI cooper d 5-door hatch.

MINI Business Partnership

MODUS_Nov15_P16-17_Mini ad.indd 16 13/10/2015 14:31

Business users only. *Plus £894 initial rental. Price shown excludes VAT at 20% and is for a 36 month Contract Hire agreement for a MINI Cooper D 5-door Hatch, with a contract mileage of 30,000 miles and excess mileage charge of 6.86p per mile. Applies to new vehicles ordered between 1 October and 31 December 2015 and registered by 31 March 2016 (subject to availability). At the end of your agreement you must return the vehicle. Excess mileage, vehicle condition and other charges may be payable. Available subject to status to UK residents aged 18 or over. Guarantees and indemnities may be required. The amount of VAT you can reclaim depends on your business VAT status. Terms and conditions apply. Offer may be varied, withdrawn or extended at any time. Hire provided by BMW Group Corporate Finance. BMW Group Corporate Finance is a trading style of Alphabet (GB) Limited, Europa House, Bartley Way, Hook, Hampshire RG27 9UF. †Test drive subject to applicant status and availability.

Official fuel economy figures for the MINI Cooper D 5-door Hatch: Urban 64.2mpg (4.4l/100km). Extra Urban 88.3mpg (3.2l/100km). Combined 78.5mpg (3.6l/100km). CO2 emissions 95g/km. Figures may vary depending on driving style and conditions.

The MINI 5-door Hatch delivers the same distinctive styling and go-kart handling as the MINI 3-door Hatch, but with the benefit of 5 doors. This time you’ve got no excuse not to take your colleagues out at lunch.

MINI customers can benefit from increased legroom plus bags more luggage space, taking it to a generous 278 litres. As well as all this extra space, the MINI 5-door Hatch sets itself apart from competitors with the wide range of MINI technologies available. Standard specification includes Keyless Go, USB audio interface, Bluetooth® and On-Board Computer.

With impressively low CO2 emissions and superior performance, the MINI 5-door Hatch provides fleet drivers with a proposition that’s hard to refuse. The MINI Cooper D 5-door Hatch offers combined fuel economy of 78.5mpg while CO2 emissions start from only 95g/km, resulting in a BIK rate of only 17%.

To find out more or to fix up a test drive†, please visit www.minibusinesspartnership.co.uk

MONTHLY RENTALS FROM £149 (PLUS INITIAL RENTAL*).

BUSINESS AS UNUSUAL.THE MINI cooper d 5-door hatch.

MINI Business Partnership

MODUS_Nov15_P16-17_Mini ad.indd 17 13/10/2015 14:32

Innovation

NEW HEIGHTS

It is almost as old as construction itself and still one of our most important construction materials, but only now are we starting to truly push the boundaries of its use. David Blackman profiles six schemes taking concrete to …

BREAKING THE MOULDAlmost 400 panels were prefabricated for the museum, and the more complex elements were created by spraying layers of glassfibre- reinforced concrete into moulds

18 RICS.ORG/MODUS

IMAG

ES ©

WER

NER

HUT

HM

ACH

ER; ©

HUF

TON

+CRO

W; ©

INEX

HIB

IT.C

OM

Modus_Nov15_P18-23_Inovation.v7.indd 18 13/10/2015 14:30

CONCRETE AS ARTMESSNER MOUNTAIN MUSEUM CORONES, ITALY

For the final museum in a series of six that famous mountaineer Reinhold Messner has created in

his native South Tyrol, he turned to architect Dame Zaha Hadid – a master at exploiting concrete’s sculptural potential.

The London-based practice’s biggest challenge was that the museum’s site was 7,464ft (2,275m) above sea level at the

summit of Kronplatz. Construction had to be completed in a five-month window between May and September, when the weather at the top of the mountain was good enough to allow work to take place.

The museum’s concrete panels were precast at a factory in Bavaria, a three- hour drive away from the site. The last leg involved an hour-long journey up the serpentine road that connects the site with the valley floor. The fibre- reinforced panels, each 30mm thick and cast in Hadid’s trademark sculpted forms, were then assembled on site.

The resulting building was clearly worth the effort. Much of the 10,764ft2 (1,000m2) museum, which houses artefacts showing the development of mountaineering over the last 250 years, is embedded in the mountain’s rock.

But the focal point is the spectacular viewing platform, hanging out over the edge of a plateau. Two cantilevered beams, which are supported by solid rock, hold the platform’s main slab in place, allowing visitors unimpeded views of the mountains that Messner’s museum exists to celebrate. »


IMAG

ES ©

WER

NER

HUT

HM

ACH

ER; ©

HUF

TON

+CRO

W; ©

INEX

HIB

IT.C

OM


Xxxxxxxxx

QUICK CONCRETETHE SHARD LONDON, UK

The site earmarked for western Europe’s tallest building presented a lot of headaches.

On one side, it is hemmed in by London Bridge railway station, through which thousands of commuters pass every day. On the other sits Guy’s Hospital. The operation of neither facility could be disrupted by the construction work.

To get work under way as quickly as possible, the construction of the concrete core and steel structure was “jump- started” so that work could commence simultaneously above and below ground.

The conventional approach would have involved excavating the site and starting work on the core at its base. However, this increased the risk of disturbing underground water mains and the railway station’s Victorian foundations.

Ed Cini MRICS, commercial manager for Turner & Townsend on the project, says: “You want to get it built as quickly as possible. The advantage of top-down construction is that it enables you to go up and down at the same time.”

Above ground, the tower’s core began to rise with the use of the slipform method, used to build tall structures by continuously pouring concrete from a moving crane. Using this technique, wet concrete was pumped 250m high to form the tower’s upper storeys, with the core rising by three metres a day on average.

Below the surface, the biggest job was constructing the raft, which forms the tower’s foundations. The 3m-deep slab was created in a single pour, during which 194,200ft3 (5,500m3) of concrete was pumped in at a rate of 5,300ft3 (150m3) an hour from mixing trucks arriving in two-minute intervals. The concrete was poured in 0.75m-deep layers to minimise heat build-up, which could have caused the concrete to shrink and crack. This 35-hour marathon took place over a weekend to reduce the risk of the mixer trucks being held up in traffic, and set a record for the biggest concrete pour in UK construction history.

Jump-starting, which had never before been attempted on a building of the Shard’s size, slashed around 20 weeks off the construction time, helping to ensure the development’s timely delivery.

CEMENT-FREE CONCRETEGLOBAL CHANGE INSTITUTE BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA

A s a facility set up to research sustainability issues such as resource security, population

growth and climate change, the University of Queensland wanted – unsurprisingly – its A$32m (£14.7m) Global Change Institute to be a showcase for sustainable building technology.

At first, the institute’s structural engineer, Bligh Tanner, considered using timber for the floors, before opting for an “earth-friendly concrete” developed by construction materials supplier Wagners as a low-carbon alternative to conventional concrete.

Wagners’ product contains no Portland cement – the traditional binding agent in concrete. Instead, it is bound together with a geopolymer created by the chemical reaction that takes place when blast furnace slag from iron production is mixed with fly ash, itself a byproduct of coal-fired power stations. The use of the material has, the institute says, cut carbon emissions by 80%-90% and created what is believed to be the world’s first cement-free concrete building.

Although geopolymer concrete was first developed in the 1940s, it has never been used in a building as big as the 41,600ft2 (3,865m2) institute. However, the framework complies with the Australian AS3600 structural performance standard and is also the first development in the country to meet the International Living Future Institute’s rigorous Living Building Challenge performance standard.

STRONG CONCRETEONE WORLD TRADE CENTER, NEW YORK, US

Structural robustness was clearly imperative when designing the replacement for One World Trade

Center, given the tragic history of the site. The steel structures that previously

occupied the site crumpled under the impact of the two hijacked passenger aircraft that slammed into the Twin Towers on 11 Septemper 2001.

To create a more robust building, One World Trade Center’s structure is a hybrid. The perimeter frame is built of steel, creating column-free, large floorplates that can be more easily subdivided for letting purposes. But the core of the building, which carries the lift shafts and stairwells, is cast from concrete, providing safer escape routes. Silvian Marcus, a director at WSP Group, structural engineer on the project, says: “In case of any accident, people can safely get out of the building.”

But the major concrete innovation at the new One World Trade Center was the strength of the actual material specially developed to build the tower.

The supporting columns on the first 40 floors of the 110-storey building are made from concrete that can withstand loads of 12,000-14,000 pounds per square inch (psi) – the strongest ever used. The upper floors are calibrated to 8,600-10,000 psi.

The tower’s contractors faced the added challenge of ensuring that the material remained workable, while being pumped higher than ever before in the western hemisphere. To complicate matters, the stronger concrete is, the faster it sets. Marcus says that an intermediate station was set up on the tower to help keep the material workable.

Added pressure came from the commitment the project team made to sustainability, which involved cutting the proportion of cement in the concrete mix. Slag and fly ash substitutes were used for more than half of the cement mix, which helped the finished building meet the US Green Building Council’s LEED Gold construction standard.

Proof of the project’s success is that this super-strong, sustainable material is now the norm, rather than the exception, in WSP’s high-rise builds, says Marcus. »

Innovation

You want to get it built as quickly as possible. The advantage of top-down construction is that it enables you to go up and down at the same time

ED CINI MRICS Turner & Townsend

20 RICS.ORG/MODUS

IMAG

ES M

ICH

AEL

MAH

ESH

; JER

EMY

FREC

HET

TE; P

ETER

BEN

NET

TS


Xxxxxxxxx

SHINY EXAMPLESClockwise from top left: the Shard in London, the Global Change Institute of the University of Queensland in Brisbane (interior and exterior), One World Trade Center in New York (exterior and lobby)


IMAG

ES M

ICH

AEL

MAH

ESH

; JER

EMY

FREC

HET

TE; P

ETER

BEN

NET

TS


Innovation

COMPACT CONCRETE240 BLACKFRIARS LONDON, UK

Concrete’s inherent strength can win developers extra floorspace. This was demonstrated on

240 Blackfriars, a recently completed office block on London’s South Bank. Developer Great Portland Estates decided it wanted to increase the height of the building by five storeys, in response to planning permission being granted for several other nearby high-rise schemes.

The scheme’s architect, Allford Hall Monaghan Morris (AHMM) said it could deliver a further two floors with no increase in height by substituting steel with a concrete-framed solution. The extra space was created by using concrete floorplates that still permitted spacious floor-to-ceiling heights but were much more slender than the steel beams that would otherwise have been used, says AHMM associate Haydn Thomas.

The 9m-tall concrete columns that made up the frame were cast, using the slipform method, in a single pour, thus creating the paper-smooth finish demanded by AHMM.

The building’s constrained site also meant that the concrete core had to be positioned at the building’s eastern edge to maximise the area of the floorplate. To counteract the increased loads, the core was cast so that it bent outwards – leading it to be dubbed the banana – which gradually straightened out as the weight of the floorplates was added.

SKINNY CONCRETE432 PARK AVENUE NEW YORK, US

Manhattan real estate is in the grip of a craze for super-slim apartment blocks. The first of

this new wave is 432 Park Avenue which, at 1,400ft (425m), is the tallest residential building in the Americas. The tower’s penthouse – the western hemisphere’s highest apartment – went on sale for a reported $95m (£62m) last year.

WSP Group’s Silvian Marcus explains the appeal high-rise living holds for his fellow New Yorkers: “People in general, and New York in particular, like to live in height. The higher you are, the more you can see around. The farther they can see, the more willing they are to pay.”

The most remarkable aspect of the Rafael Viñoly-designed skyscraper is not its height, however, but its slenderness. Each floor is around 90ft (27m) square, which puts the ratio between the height of the building and its footprint at 15:1. Previously, 8:1 was deemed the limit of technical feasibility.

It is the structural strength of the tower’s concrete frame that keeps 432 Park Avenue upright. Two vertical tubes – one inside the other – run the height of the building. The smaller concrete core houses the lifts, stairs and utilities and acts as the tower’s backbone, while the outer tube is formed by the beam- and-column frame of the facade.

The two tubes are connected at 12- storey intervals by beams that would be too intrusive on the residential floors, so have to be housed in plant rooms instead. “To gain the strength, you have to connect the internal core with the external tube,” explains Marcus, who was the structural engineer on the project.

Further stability is added by leaving the double-storey levels on which the plant rooms are situated unglazed. This allows the wind to pass through the building at regular intervals, reducing its profile and improving aerodynamics.

Marcus says: “Occupiers won’t feel the building moving on a windy day. When you come home you don’t want to feel that you are on a boat or an aeroplane.”

Given Manhattanites’ love of heights, it would be unlikely to put them off. n

The higher you are, the more you can see around. The farther people can see, the more willing they are to pay

SILVIAN MARCUS WSP Group

22 RICS.ORG/MODUS

IMAG

E G

REA

T P

OR

TLAN

D E

STAT

ES

Modus_Nov15_P18-23_Inovation.v7FROMF1.indd 22 14/10/2015 11:19


www.greatbusiness.gov.uk/apprenticeships

Xxxxxxxxx

Humankind has a serious concrete habit. In fact, after water, the material is the second-most consumed substance on earth. The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD)

estimates that we manufacture 25 billion tonnes a year of the stuff – more than half of it in China and India.

And although the level of embodied carbon in concrete is not particularly high compared with other building materials – 0.107kg of embodied carbon per kilogram of material, compared with 1.460kg for steel, according to CO2 bible the Inventory of Embodied Carbon – it is the sheer quantity of it that makes it an oft-singled-out carbon criminal. For example, the WBCSD’s Cement Sustainability Initiative estimates that production of cement – the key ingredient in concrete, alongside aggregate and water – causes an immense 5% of manmade CO2 emissions worldwide.

In response to this notoriety, the concrete and cement production industry has been working to reduce its emissions. Building materials giant Lafarge, for example, is on target to reduce its emissions by one-third by 2020 against a 1990 baseline. But although significant progress has been made, there is no doubt that more can be done.

One area of focus is recycling, which extends concrete’s lifetime in use, lowering whole-life carbon emissions. The smartest approach is to reuse in situ, as demonstrated by architect MVRDV’s conversion of a pair of giant industrial seed silos in Copenhagen into apartment blocks.

It is rare that such convenient circumstances coincide, however, and concrete has limited applications once broken up, so if not sent to landfill, old concrete is most likely to be

used as aggregate in new concrete. The WBCSD’s Recycling Concrete report states that recycled materials account for 5% of aggregate in the US and 6%-8% in Europe – the greatest users being the UK, the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland and Germany. Meanwhile, Australian building rules allow up to 30% of old concrete to be used in aggregate.

As encouraging as this may sound, Rob Russell MRICS, partner and head of sustainability at John Rowan & Partners, says: “Reusing concrete as aggregate doesn’t make much of an impact in the new product’s embodied carbon.” This is because sourcing the alternative, virgin aggregate is not very carbon intensive. “It tends to be found locally and does not require energy-intensive processing.” In addition, the structural limitations of recycled-aggregate concrete means that its use is mainly restricted to road sub-base.

The biggest problem to address is the energy used to make cement. The WBCSD says that around half of cement’s carbon emissions are generated during the chemical reaction that produces clinker, the main constituent of Portland (standard) cement. Burning fuel to heat the cement in a kiln to around 1,400° celsius accounts for the other half.

A global shift away from wet kilns to more energy- efficient dry kilns began in the early 1990s. “It is now practically standard for new installations,” says Philippe Fonta, managing director of the Cement Sustainability »

24 RICS.ORG/MODUS

TIMETO MIX

UPTHINGS Versatile, cheap and strong, concrete is also

responsible for huge levels of CO2 emissions. How is the industry cleaning up its act?Words Roxane McMeeken Illustration Nicolas Dehghani

MODUS_Nov15_P24-27_Clean Contrete.v4.indd 24 14/10/2015 10:04

XxxxxxxxxSustainability



Initiative, “but existing old kilns are likely to be operated until the end of their technical lifetime.” This has put emerging economies, where more new kilns are being built, ahead of more developed regions.

Barry Piper FRICS, Faithful+Gould’s chief operating officer, industry, in Asia-Pacific, adds that in China – the world’s biggest cement producer – “there has been a shift to dry-process kiln production, but these plants are still consuming up to 25% more energy than their international counterparts”.

A shift to using greener fuels is also already under way. The European Cement Bureau (Cembureau), which represents the industry in Europe, says that its members have replaced one-third of fossil fuels with greener alternatives. But Koen Coppenholle, the organisation’s chief executive, admits: “We could go further. We have set a target of replacing 60% by 2050.”

Chris Spicer, associate director and carbon expert at Sweett Group warns, however: “These alternative fuels normally need to be ground before they are

burnt and that requires electricity, which emits more CO2 than gas. So alternatives must be combined with efficient plant, which may require investing in upgrades. As we are facing another potential global economic downturn, this may not appeal to manufacturers right now.”

It will be difficult for the sector to be weaned off gas fully, adds Sean Lockie FRICS, director of sustainability at Faithful+Gould. “What else can you burn that is that efficient?” A smarter solution could be the symbiotic use of energy, he suggests. “There are various processes, such as burning municipal waste, where heat is not being used efficiently. You could connect a concrete plant to these processes and power it with the waste heat.”

There is perhaps even more potential for lowering concrete’s embodied emissions by replacing clinker with a readily available, less carbon-intensive material. Offering the most immediate hope are two industrial waste products that require much less energy to process when used to make concrete: ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS), a by-product of the steel production process; and fly ash, from coal-fired power stations. Spicer suggests that switching to these can reduce concrete’s embodied CO2 by half.

Paul Sargent, an engineer at Aecom who has written a PhD on concrete, cautions that these new ingredients “affect the structural properties of concrete, so they may not be suitable for all applications” but he believes that “up to 25% of standard cement could be replaced with fly ash and up to 50% with GGBS”. More appealingly for developers, using these materials should make concrete cheaper to produce, he adds, because they are waste products.

Already, worldwide, there has been “a general introduction of fly ash and slag of about 4% and 5% respectively”, says Fonta. Some manufacturers are achieving much higher levels, too: “In India, the use of fly ash can reach 18%, while in Germany and Brazil the use of slag can be around 15%.”

However, GGBS and fly ash are finite resources and their energy efficiency is dependent on there being a local supply. Simon Rawlinson MRICS, head of strategic research at

Arcadis, says: “A by-product depends on the primary industrial process happening – and happening locally, since cement is a heavy material that tends not to be transported long distances.”

To find a solution that would be less reliant on external factors requires radical technological innovation, in either the concrete mix or plant. Could nanotechnology hold the key to lowering concrete’s

emissions? Zongjin Li, a professor researching concrete at Hong Kong’s University of Technology and Science, says that “a Chinese government research project has found a way to use a nanochemical that increases the toughness of cement, allowing you to use much less of it”.

A plethora of other new cements are being developed. Limestone calcinated clay cement (LC3) – a Swiss-funded research project between educational institutions in Switzerland, Cuba and India – is claimed to produce 30% of the carbon emissions of standard cement; Californian company Calera has developed a process to capture CO2 emissions and convert them into a calcium carbonate-based cement; while Ferrock, developed by Arizona University, uses waste dust from steel-making to create a type of cement.

As interesting as these developments are, they are all at very early stages. Li says: “The process of replacing or changing cement will take a long time.” New materials will need to be tested in structures for decades before they can gain wide acceptance, and finding developers willing to use their buildings as a testbed will not be easy.

Ian Hunter, co-founder of construction products consultancy the Materials Council, adds: “Several attempts to develop cement replacements have foundered because it wasn’t possible to scale up the production process and commercialise it.”

For many, the holy grail is carbon capture and storage (CCS). “CCS would allow the cement industry to cut 80% of its CO2 emissions,” claims Coppenholle.

However, with the technology at an early stage, wide-scale adoption of CCS is likely to be decades away. “Our members are investing in CCS research but commercialisation is another step, which will require either public financing or intervention, since the current low carbon price disincentivises the private sector to invest in CCS,” he says.

So although CCS would undoubtedly be a game- changer, and innovations in the composition of concrete could be transformative, they are not going to offer a real option for concrete producers any time soon. While recycling holds less potential to make a serious dent in CO2 emissions, the further inclusion of industrial by-products in cement and greener energy strategies are already making a palpable difference. The concrete industry would, therefore, be well served by continuing with these incremental changes. With water being a key component of concrete, too, the sector has a duty to make every effort to become more efficient – especially since the world appears destined to remain hooked on the stuff. n

DOWNLOAD THE RICS GUIDANCE NOTE, Methodology to Calculate Embodied Carbon, 1st edition, at rics.org/carbon

Reusing concrete as aggregate doesn’t have

much impact on the new product’s embodied carbon

ROB RUSSELL MRICS John Rowan & Partners

26 RICS.ORG/MODUS


www.rics.org/carbon


GLULAMHow does it work? Glued, laminated timber and cross-laminated timber (CLT) comprise layers stuck together to form, respectively, structural glulam beams and load-bearing CLT panels used in walls and floors. CO2 performance? Ian Hunter, co-founder of the Materials Council, says: “Glulam is lower CO2 than concrete and, in some cases, even carbon negative,” because by growing trees you lock up CO2. It’s an effective insulator, too. What can it do? “There is a push to do high-rise buildings with timber and you can go up to 20 storeys,” says Hunter. “Rotting is a potential problem but there are products that can make it less likely. But you would not build a glulam sewer.”

HEMPCRETEHow does it work? The woody core of the hemp plant is mixed with lime and water to form a concrete-like paste.CO2 performance? Hempcrete is carbon negative. Growing the plants removes more carbon from the atmosphere than is emitted when creating the lime binder. Hunter says: “Hemp is classed as ‘rapidly renewable’ because it regrows in less than a year.” It is also a good insulator. Aecom’s Paul Sargent adds, though, that the use of lime is not ideal: “We are trying to move away from products that need to be blasted out of quarries.” What can it do? “It’s great for low-rise buildings but it doesn’t have the strength for, say, a bridge or the core of the Shard,” adds Hunter.

BAMBOOHow does it work? Strips of bamboo are compressed and glued to form lightweight – but tough – boards, panels and blocks. CO2 performance? Another material that captures carbon while regrowing rapidly, Hunter says: “It grows up to a metre a day.” It is ideal for use in Asia, where it is abundant. What can it do? It is being used increasingly in interiors, such as at Adolfo Suárez Madrid- Barajas Airport’s stunning Terminal 4. It is not as robust as concrete and not commonly used for structural applications, but Vietnam practice Vo Trong Nghia Architects has had some success with bamboo roof supports.

Interestingly, Singapore’s Future Cities Laboratory is also trialling bamboo as reinforcement in concrete instead of steel.

Material fitness: alternatives to concrete TAKE THREE

Sustainability

RUBBISH IDEATo improve efficiency, the energy required to make concrete could come from burning municipal waste


28 RICS.ORG/MODUS

YES WE SCANNick Blenkarn MRICS, as rendered by Seeable’s technology

MODUS_Nov15_P28-29_Seeable.v5.F1.indd 28 15/10/2015 12:56


Professionals are becoming well versed in using 3D or BIM models, but how do you visualise that data and make it accessible for a wider

audience? Nick Blenkarn MRICS believes he has the answer

SHOW AND TELL

Words Andrew Brister

Don’t keep it hidden in a drawer, on a hard drive. Get into it, get active, make it seeable and pass it on to non-technical people.” Nick Blenkarn MRICS is summing up the ethos of his company, Seeable. The Shrewsbury-

based visualisation studio was set up as a sister business to surveying firm Severn Partnership when Blenkarn and his colleagues witnessed first-hand how all the effort going in to create 3D and BIM models was not being maximised.

“People have all this 3D content, but they don’t make the best use of it,” explains Blenkarn. “We’ve set out to provide 3D visualisations, such as virtual reality and augmented reality apps, for stakeholder engagement, public relations, safety and training.”

Seeable takes 2D plans or 3D models, hosts them on a platform used to create video-game environments, and augments them to add value. One such application of the technology is a map that allows you to visualise a plan with high-resolution panoramic images embedded to correlate the survey with the reality. The message could be simple situational awareness – virtually visiting a site from your iPad or desktop – or it could be to give a critical safety briefing that needs to communicate danger and risks effectively.

The venture is bringing 3D virtual models to a whole new audience, opening up possibilities around engagement, marketing and training. “Developers will tell you how they have terrible trouble with stakeholder engagement,” says Blenkarn. “They’ll spend £30,000 on an architectural model and put it in one place, whereas they could put one of our apps on their iPad, display it on a big screen at a public meeting, and show what the development will look like from all sorts of views.”

The eureka moment for Blenkarn and his team came when working on a survey for a shipping client. Severn did a laser scan of a ship that could be used to produce a 3D model. “The client wasn’t so interested in the 3D model but wanted an interactive way of visualising the data. I went to Nigel Moore, a research associate at the University

of Wolverhampton, and he came up with a solution within two days.” Moore is now a director at Seeable and the company employs programmers who are adept at writing bespoke code on top of games engine platforms – not the usual staff for a firm of surveyors. “What we are doing is just joining different, connected data sets together and digitising data so that it can be visualised better,” sums up Blenkarn.

One such project has been undertaken for the University of Warwick. Seeable combined the plans of a building on the campus with the live metrics on temperature, humidity, CO2 and electrical loads to provide a visualisation of where there are hot spots, high levels of CO2, and so on. This can be cross-referenced with statistics on room occupancy to give the university a useful insight into where energy is being wasted within the building.

Users can also explore virtual models using the cutting-edge Oculus Rift headset, giving them an ultra-immersive experience. At the Rock Assembly, a careers fair for schoolchildren hosted by education charity the Transformation Trust at London’s Wembley Arena this summer, Seeable created a virtual walkthrough of the RICS library at Parliament Square for potential surveyors of the future to get an inspiring glimpse of the profession. “We had a couple of hundred young people wearing the Oculus Rift and having a look around – this is a much better way to showcase RICS,” suggests Blenkarn.

The opportunities opened up by Seeable also feed back into Severn Partnership, he says. “The two businesses are complementary. When we go to a client, we can now offer a

workflow that includes augmented reality apps as part of the service.” Blenkarn is certain that this kind of visualisation will soon become a standard industry deliverable. “Severn Partnership is almost at the stage where we are sending out visualisations as standard. It lets people consume data much more easily and gets their knowledge levels of what’s on site way up straight away. In a few years’ time, everyone will be delivering them – we’ll be doing something else by then.” n

When we go to a client, we can offer a workflow that

includes augmented reality apps as part of the service

NICK BLENKARN MRICS Seeable

Data visualisation

MODUS_Nov15_P28-29_Seeable.v5.F1.indd 29 15/10/2015 12:56

30 RICS.ORG/MODUS

PRETTY UGLY

Heritage

Imag

es C

orbi

s; A

lam

y

MODUS_Nov15_P30-33_Brutalism_v8_F2.indd 30 15/10/2015 14:00


BRUTE FORCEClockwise from opposite: University of East Anglia,

Norwich; Centre Point, London; the Rotunda, Birmingham; Trellick

Tower, London; Preston Bus Station; the National

Theatre, London

It has to be the most divisive and controversial architectural style in history. Brutalism arouses passions like no other design movement, provoking bitter debate among its

supporters and detractors. For many years, brutalist buildings of the mid-20th-century period were held up by critics as prime examples of the final bankruptcy of modernism, with failing housing projects torn down across the UK and other parts of the world. But there does, at last, appear to be something of a renaissance in brutalist architecture, sparked by a widespread resurgence of interest in these uncompromising and ambitious post-war buildings. From a default impulse towards demolition, we are now shifting towards resuscitation and revival.

The term “brutalism” is often credited to the great pioneer of modernism, Le Corbusier, who was very fond of the French word brut, meaning raw. The English architects Alison and Peter Smithson adopted the term “new brutalism” in the 1950s. Later on, the word was corrupted by those who were looking to sum up a style of architecture that they saw as simply brutal, aggressive and alienating.

Prime examples of brutalism include the Southbank Centre and National Theatre in London, along with many of the new universities of the 1960s, such as Denys Lasdun’s famous student housing ziggurats at the University of East Anglia. These were projects on a grand scale, constructed with raw concrete, with bold forms and very little in the way of ornament and detailing.

But brutalism found its real niche in social housing projects: big, bold and ambitious schemes that sought to rapidly replace both Victorian slums and housing stock lost during the war. Inspired by Le Corbusier’s ground-breaking high-rises, such as the Unité d’Habitation in Marseille, architects in the UK, Europe and other parts of the world began building their own versions of what the Smithsons called “streets in the »

Once concrete carbuncles, now misunderstood masterpieces?

Dominic Bradbury asks if we have finally learned to love

brutalist architecture

PRETTY UGLY


32 RICS.ORG/MODUS

UNITÉ D’HABITATIONMarseille, FranceThe godfather of brutalist buildings everywhere, the Unité d’Habitation was one of Le Corbusier’s most influential and pioneering projects. Combining 337 flats over 17 storeys, plus a hotel and rooftop pool, the Unité d’Habitation helped shape countless imitations around the world.

PAULISTANO ATHLETIC CLUB São Paulo, Brazil A founding father of the Paulistano “school” of brutalist architects, Paulo Mendes da Rocha is best known for his cultural projects and one-off houses, built with an uncompromising use of concrete. The Athletic Club is an early and distinguished success from 1958.

PRUITT-IGOESt Louis, Missouri, US This collection of tower blocks has become shorthand for dysfunctional brutalism at its worst. Within just a few years of opening, the project was plagued with crime and social problems and was demolished in the 1970s. It has become a case study in urban failure often cited by urban planners.

SHORELINEBuffalo, New York, USPartially completed in the 1970s, American modernist architect Paul Rudolph’s apartment complex has suffered from neglect and mismanagement ever since. A number of buildings have been demolished in recent years as part of an ongoing renewal programme.

Brutalism around the world – hits and missesCASE STUDIES

FLATS BROKE? Clockwise from bottom left: Unité d’Habitation, Marseille; Barbican Centre, London; Red Road flats, Glasgow; Robin Hood Gardens, London

Imag

es V

iew

; Get

ty



Heritage

behaviour, becoming a ghetto where few would choose to live. A lack of investment in buildings already perceived as a problem made the situation worse, leading eventually to the decision to demolish and regenerate the area – thus depriving many long-term residents of affordable housing – rather than attempt the costly business of retrofit.

The latest brutalist battle ground is the Smithsons’ own Robin Hood Gardens in east London, which is due for demolition and replacement. The great and the good of the architectural community, along with preservation group the Twentieth Century Society, have fought hard to keep it standing. Supporters include Lords Foster and Rogers, the latter of whom described Robin Hood as Britain’s “most important social housing development from the post-war era”.

The nail in the concrete coffin came with the decision from Historic England not to list the complex. Head of designation, Emily Gee, argued that the complex “does not equal the architectural achievement of other 20th- century estates that have been listed, such as the Barbican and Brunswick Centre”. Local MP Jim Fitzpatrick suggested that “Robin Hood Gardens is well past its demolition date and should be brought down ASAP”.

“We felt that it should be saved because it is a building of major architectural significance and historic interest by one of the most thought-provoking of post-war architectural practices,” says Catherine Croft, director of the Twentieth Century Society. “Brutalist buildings do divide public opinion because they are generally large, prominently located and designed to stand out from their surroundings, but I think we are on the cusp of realising how great many of them are.”

Looking beyond Robin Hood Gardens, however, there is growing evidence of a sea change in attitudes to our brutalist heritage. A presumption in favour of demolition and replacement is now far from automatic, and Historic England is increasingly coming out in favour of listing key examples of British brutalism, such as Preston Bus Station, which was grade II listed in 2013.

A notable success story of this more progressive attitude is Erno Goldfinger’s Trellick Tower in

west London, with its distinctive lift and services pillar. The housing block was completed in 1972, grade II* listed in 1998, and successfully refurbished by architect John McAslan FRICS and his practice. From a crime-ridden blot on the landscape, the tower’s image has been transformed, and its apartments are now much in demand.

sky”. It was these blocks, many of them blighted by mismanagement and neglect, which became the poster children of brutalist failure. Over the years many have been demolished, including the Hutchesontown and Red Road tower blocks in Glasgow, and the Elgin and Heygate Estates in London.

The Heygate Estate in Elephant & Castle, designed by Tim Tinker and completed in 1974, followed a familiar pattern of decline. At first, the buildings were popular enough with residents, who welcomed the airy and spacious modern flats that lead out on to balconies and walkways. But the estate began to spiral downwards as it developed a reputation for crime and anti-social

“The tower’s renovation helped to demonstrate the quality of brutalist architecture to a wider audience, with the point being that it is worth preserving rather than demolishing them,” says McAslan, who is currently working on the conversion of another 1960s London landmark, Millbank Tower, into a hotel and flats. “Trellick Tower was the first brutalist housing project to be renovated, enabling us to set the trend for future projects of a similar nature. These buildings all have a story to tell.”

M anchester-based regeneration specialist Urban Splash has successfully revived several

brutalist buildings, such as Birmingham’s Rotunda, and is now working on Park Hill in Sheffield and Lakeshore in Bristol. Chairman and co-founder Tom Bloxham believes we are seeing growing interest in brutalist buildings and a gradual move towards revival.

“People either love them or hate them,” says Bloxham. “But the mid-century period is being celebrated much more and I believe that concrete is coming back into fashion. There are some very bad concrete buildings that do deserve to be knocked down and others are coming to the end of their useful lifespan because they have not been properly maintained. If you leave any building for 20 or 30 years, then it will need refurbishment,

and these buildings are at a time in their lives when they do need a bit of love and care.”

“It was an architecture of vivid imagination that was an answer to extraordinary new challenges,” says Historic England’s senior architectural investigator Elain Harwood, who has published a book on the subject: Space, Hope and Brutalism: English Architecture, 1945-75. “They are vulnerable buildings because they are large, have attracted a variety of criticism and many have been badly neglected. But there is a growing audience for the 1960s in general and brutalism in particular. These people can appreciate that while there are some pretty standard or dull buildings, there are also some fantastic ones.” n

It was an architecture of vivid imagination that was an answer to extraordinary new challenges

ELAIN HARWOOD Historic England


3 4 RICS.ORG/MODUS

A music hall in Nottingham, a stately home in Dorset and a

vibrant new quarter in Edinburgh impressed in the awards’ 25th year

WINNERS

RICSUKAWARDS2015THE

IMAG

ES O

F AD

VOC

ATE’

S C

LOS

E JO

HAN

LEY

MODUS_Nov15_P34-41_RICS Awards_v8_F1.indd 34 15/10/2015 14:05

RICS UK Awards

Only 10 years ago, people would steer clear of the narrow alleys and backstreets around Advocate’s Close. “It used to be one of the most rundown areas of the city,” says Guy Morgan, director at

Morgan McDonnell Architecture. “Buildings were in a poor state and graffiti was everywhere. But today, it is a really vibrant hub. The difference is astonishing.”

The regeneration of Advocate’s Close is the 2015 RICS UK Awards Project of the Year. The outstandingly imaginative mixed-use project has created an energetic new quarter within a previously unloved part of the city. Even Morgan McDonnell, who designed the £45m scheme, moved into the regenerated complex.

Morgan explains the complicated design and development challenge – and opportunity – that stemmed from the variety of architectural styles and ages of the nine listed buildings of Advocate’s Close.

“The buildings were a jumbled collection of rundown offices and residential structures, some dating back as far as the 14th century,” he says. “However, the site has always been an ever-changing and somewhat organic mass, so we thought ‘let’s keep that characteristic but reinstate it in a contemporary way’.”

Neglected since the city council vacated the site in 2006, the project faced significant challenges. Not only were there the practical difficulties of retaining and rehabilitating a close-knit collection of buildings ensconced in a World Heritage Site, the team also had to figure out a way of increasing public access, due to a 10-storey difference in height level from the top of the site to the bottom. The financial crisis of 2008 also took its toll.

“The project went into administration, but was fortunately restarted by the Chris Stewart Group in 2010,” says Morgan. “The key idea became to design Advocate’s Close as a two-stage project: developing a hotel to underpin the first phase – Motel One’s first branch in the UK – and for the second stage, to create a mixture of serviced flats, modern offices, and bars and restaurants, while being sensitive to the history and space limitations of the site.”

The complexity of the site was a serious test for the project team, explains Brian Donaldson MRICS, partner »

PROJECT OF THE YEAR

Advocate’s Close, EdinburghArchitect Morgan McDonnell Architecture Project management and cost consultancy Thomas & AdamsonDevelopment manager Chris Stewart GroupM&E engineer RybkaMain contractor Thomas Johnstone


ADVOCATES OF CHANGEBrian Donaldson MRICS (above, left) and Guy Morgan


at Thomas & Adamson, who headed up the project management and cost consultancy team on Advocate’s Close. To provide public access to the open areas with the restaurants, and allow for the construction of residential flats above (pictured below), significant strucutural alternations had to be made to the main residential building.

The solution was to carry out “a facade retention operation”, says Donaldson, whereby the old structural cast- iron and timber beam frame was replaced with a new steel frame within the existing walls. “This steel frame included a transfer structure for the different structural layout of the flats above, which were also built with concrete floors.”

The new structural steel frame made it necessary to reinforce the building’s foundations. But given the constricted location of Advocate’s Close – sandwiched between the Market Street and the Royal Mile – as a construction site, it all became a bit of a tight squeeze. “We couldn’t directly offload materials into the site, and it wasn’t achievable to get in a tower crane above the site,” explains Donaldson. “So considerable use was made of hand tools, with very little plant machinery. Of course, this was a cost challenge too, as it was slower and more costly than bulk excavation by machine.”

To speed up the manual process, the team constructed an ingenious little rail track across Roxburgh Court to remove spoil and bring new materials in. A hoist was also set up at the bottom of Warriston Close, with an access

scaffold built alongside the Motel One building, and a second hoist was used to raise materials to the different levels.

Crucially, the team had to make sure all the new materials were sensitive to the buildings’ heritage and the surrounding area, so terracotta rainscreen cladding, timber cladding, sandstone and zinc cladding were specified.

“The detailing of the junctions between the different materials had to be meticulous too, as this was a stipulation of the planning consent,” adds Donaldson.

Highly impressed, the judges said: “[The project’s] careful conservation, coupled with sensitive interventions and a clever use of new materials and finishes, has produced an imaginative, commercially sustainable and elegant addition to the Old Town. An exceptional regeneration, Advocate’s Close is a very worthy winner of Project of the Year.”

The detailing of the junctions between the different materials had to be meticulous

BRIAN DONALDSON MRICS Thomas & Adamson

Sponsors

36 RICS.ORG/MODUS



RICS UK Awards

SPECIAL AWARD Ballylagan House, Ballyclare, Northern Ireland Owner Stephen & Sarah VilliersArchitect Alan Patterson Design Developer/Contractor Heritage Developments (NI)

This project, the smallest in this year’s RICS UK Awards, is not a Grand Final Category winner, but for the first time in the 25-year history of the awards, the judges were unanimous in their desire to present a Special Award, describing Ballylagan House as the most heart-rending and inspirational entry they have seen in many years.

Battling against stultifying bureaucracy and a less than sympathetic community, the entrants succeeded in providing a very special home to two young sisters who had suffered abuse, deprivation and cruel neglect throughout their lives. The bedrooms for each girl were individually designed, fitted out to the highest standard and based on the principles of therapeutic parenting to provide a safe space.

The project team’s determination, self-sacrifice and single-mindedness convinced the judges of the need for special recognition. »

Walham 400KV Electricity Substation, Gloucester Owner National GridArchitect/Surveyor/Developer/Contractor Trant Engineering Linking power stations that supply electricity to around 1 million homes and businesses, the Walham Substation is of critical importance to the Gloucestershire region. Completed under very difficult circumstances, the project has become a model for similar schemes across the country. Trant’s team utilised innovative construction methods and collaborative

ways to carry out work with potentially dangerous live cables directly above and below ground, and to complete the project’s flood protection techniques. Securing the power supply to people in the local area, around a kilometre of reinforced walls were installed as a robust flooding protection, while other positive measures included changing any local flooding behaviour with the introduction of a nearby flood mitigation pond and flood channels around the substation.Highly Commended Scarborough Bathing Water Scheme, Scarborough North and South Bays.

INFRASTRUCTURE

BUILDING CONSERVATION St Giles House, Wimborne Owner The Earl of Shaftesbury Surveyor Philip Hughes AssociatesDeveloper/Contractor Ellis & Co Abandoned for 50 years – and partially demolished in the 1970s – the grade I- listed St Giles House, which dates from 1651, has been exceptionally restored in a project led by the 12th Earl of Shaftesbury. While a new tower adds an entrance, some rooms have been adapted for family use and other principal rooms for public functions. Outside, new paths circle a replica statue of Eros, one of only 10 made from the same mould as the statue on Piccadilly Circus.Highly Commended Lincoln Castle Revealed, Lincoln.


38 RICS.ORG/MODUS

Xxxxxxxxx

Find additional space where you never knew it existed.

By releasing space from within the walls, you can increase market value in terms of rental income.

Kingspan Kooltherm® wall insulation solutions deliver superior thermal performance with a thinner profile, creating a greater internal floor area. This enables you to unlock even more investment potential in commercial real estate.

Visit our website and discover the real value of space.

www.kingspaninsulation.co.uk/realvalueofspace

Proud to be sponsors of:

Kingspan_127449_RICS_Brochure_Ad_274x202_v1.indd 1 10/09/2015 17:04MODUS_Nov15_P34-41_RICS Awards_v8_F1.indd 38 15/10/2015 14:05


RICS UK Awards

DESIGN THROUGH INNOVATIONCrome Court, University of East Anglia, Norwich Owner University of East AngliaArchitect LSI Architects Surveyor AecomDeveloper/Contractor KierM&E Consultant Building Services Design

The University of East Anglia is central to Norwich Research Park, one of Europe’s biggest concentrations of researchers in the fields of environment, health and plant science. To meet an increasing demand for student accommodation, the university has built the 231-bed, energy-efficient Crome Court. The residence is a new focal point within the living quarters and has become one of the UK’s best examples of sustainable student accommodation. BREEAM Excellent accredited, around 70% of the building’s energy will come from renewable sources, and it is expected to produce 95% less CO2 than a similar property built to normal building regulation standards.Highly Commended The Hadyn Ellis Building, Cardiff University. »

REGENERATION Longbridge Town Centre Phase 1, Birmingham Owner St Modwen DevelopmentsArchitect/Planner Holder Mathias Surveyor Faithful+GouldDeveloper St Modwen Developments Contractor Morgan Sindall Built on the former site of one of the world’s largest car manufacturing plants, the £1bn Longbridge regeneration scheme covers an area of 450 acres, and the first phase has seen the £100m transformation of Longbridge’s town centre. Apart from the usual candidates, such as Sainsbury’s, the developer also attracted local businesses into the 24 retail and restaurant units. A Premier Inn hotel and Park Point, a grade A office block overlooking Austin Park, add to the mix. Since 2003, when the works on the former MG Rover site began, 3,500 jobs have been created at the site, and around 400 homes built by St Modwen.Highly Commended Birley Campus, Manchester Metropolitan University.

Find additional space where you never knew it existed.

By releasing space from within the walls, you can increase market value in terms of rental income.

Kingspan Kooltherm® wall insulation solutions deliver superior thermal performance with a thinner profile, creating a greater internal floor area. This enables you to unlock even more investment potential in commercial real estate.

Visit our website and discover the real value of space.

www.kingspaninsulation.co.uk/realvalueofspace

Proud to be sponsors of:

Kingspan_127449_RICS_Brochure_Ad_274x202_v1.indd 1 10/09/2015 17:04 MODUS_Nov15_P34-41_RICS Awards_v8_F1.indd 39 15/10/2015 14:06

40 RICS.ORG/MODUS

RICS UK Awards

The RICS UK Awards showcase the most inspirational regional initiatives and developments in land, property, construction and the built environment. Open to everyone working within the property profession, they are a celebration of the talents of surveyors, property developers, engineers, planners and architects, to name just a few.

How it worksThere are eight categories to enter, each demonstrating how property professionals use their skills to develop, regenerate and conserve the environment in which we live and work. The judges will select regional award winners for each of

the eight categories (Building Conservation, Commercial, Community Benefit, Design through Innovation, Infrastructure, Regeneration, Residential and Tourism and Leisure) which will be announced at prestigious awards ceremonies held in all 12 UK regions.

All of the regional category winners will automatically be entered into the national RICS Awards Grand Final, to be held in London in October 2016.

These regional entries will then compete for the overall category winner and for the ultimate accolade – Project of the Year.

Not only are the awards a great way to promote your company, but they are also a way to increase recognition of your project

across the UK. You can view and download a Call for Entries brochure appropriate to your region, as well as view the descriptions of the various categories, the entry rules, and payment information at rics.org/ukawards2016.

The deadline for receipt of entries is 15 January 2016. For more information, please email Claire-Louise Simmons at [email protected].

COST TO ENTER n Early bird entries up to and including 30

November 2015: £60 + VAT per projectn Entries after 1 December 2015: £100 +

VAT per project n Each additional category: £20 + VAT

The race for the RICS UK Awards 2016 is on SEE YOU NEXT YEAR

COMMUNITY BENEFIT Heritage and Outreach Project, Nottingham Owner Malt Cross TrustArchitect/Surveyor William SaundersDeveloper/Contractor Taylor Pearson Built in 1877, the grade II-listed Malt Cross was once the most famous Victorian music hall in Nottingham, where Charlie Chaplin once performed. After decades of disrepair, it was restored in 1997 to be owned and run as a social enterprise cafe and bar by the Malt Cross Trust. Last year, the trust was awarded £1.4m by the Heritage Lottery Fund to renovate the building’s two basement levels, which were suffering from damp and dereliction, for the charity’s heritage, arts, crafts and music workshops. It is now thought to be the only Victorian music hall in the country that operates as its original design intended, providing food, drink and live music to the local community. Highly Commended The Forum, University of Essex, Southend. n

IMAG

E AL

AMY


www.rics.org/ukawards2016


Anchorman Insurance – The Sole Trader, Small Practice and New Start Up Specialist

Telephone: 01837 55777 Email: [email protected]

www.anchormaninsurance.co.uk

Can your existing Insurance Broker answer YES to all of the following?

Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

If you have answered Yes to all of the above then you must already be insured through Anchorman Insurance.if not, please contact us for an instant telephone Quotation on 01837 55777.

� No Increased Excess for Home Buyer Reports� Interest Free Instalments� Pre-completed Proposal Forms� Instant Telephone Quotations� Instant In House Policy Issue� Appointment Document / Collateral Warranty Review Service

Professional Indemnity Insurance

aNchOrmaN

ce and New Start Up Specialistnsurance

- tickiNg all thE bOxES!

i l I d i IiNSuraNcE cONSultaNtS

aNchOrmaNaNchOrmaNiNSuraNcE cONSultaNtS

currENt brOkEr

YES / NO YES / NO

��

Subject to underwriting criteria.

0800 0258 008 | www.osborne.co.uk

possibilitiesa world of

In a fast changing constructionenvironment you want to work with a

company that thinks creatively and canmove with the pace you need to stayahead and make a positive impact.

As an independent, family ownedbusiness we have the freedom and

�exibility to take a di�erent approachbased on making you successful.

For more details of what is possible call John Craig on 0800 0258 008

IMAG

E AL

AMY


42 RICS.ORG/MODUS

IMAG

E AL

AMY

INFO

GR

APH

IC IA

N D

UTN

ALL

FOR A CITY TO HOST A CRICKET WORLD CUP OPENING CEREMONY FOUR YEARS AFTER A devastating earthquake must be a tribute to an effective rebuilding programme. But sports venues alone are not enough to restore Christchurch and, despite progress with homes, commercial and retail space, years of work lie ahead.

New Zealand’s Canterbury region, of which Christchurch is part, was hit by an earthquake registering 7.1 on the Richter scale in September 2010. Recovery had hardly begun when, in February 2011, a 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck. Although smaller, its epicentre was near the city centre and at a shallower depth, and caused far worse damage than its predecessor. In all, 185 people died, more than a quarter of the central business district was destroyed and some 10,000 homes had to be demolished, while more than 100,000 were damaged. The destruction was particularly acute in the eastern suburbs, which had been built on swamps and were engulfed by water and sludge.

The city, though, is rising again. The New Zealand government’s building statistics for March 2015 show that residential consents in the year to December 2014 reached 6,668 – a 31.8% increase on the previous year. The total value of non-residential planning consents granted rose 38.6% over the year to NZ$121m (£49.8m). At the start of 2015, average Christchurch house values were NZ$471,550 (£194,000) – a 3.4% increase over the year. Rents over the same period rose by 3.1% to reach NZ$432 (£178) per week.

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment estimates that housing supply is likely to catch up with demand by 2017. In a January 2015 progress report, Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority chief executive John Ombler noted the coming Cricket World Cup ceremony and said: “The fact that we have enough working infrastructure, hotel rooms, and transport services is testament to the entire Canterbury community.”

FINGERS CROSSEDThe Crossing (1), a NZ$140m (£57.5m) development by the Carter Group, will provide 151,000ft2 (14,000m2) of retail and 54,000ft2 (5,000m2) of offices and is due for completion in October 2016

SLOW BUSINESSDemolition work continues in the central business district and, although the crane count is up, rebuilding activity has not occurred at the expected pace (2)

NO GREAT SHAKES1

Five years on from being devastated by a series of earthquakes, rebuilding activity in Christchurch is progressing slowly. Mark Smulian reports

2

MODUS_Nov15_P42-43_Briefingv3.indd 42 13/10/2015 15:16


are then bought relatively cheaply by fixer-uppers who repair, refurbish and rent out the properties, or sell them on.

Another unusual approach is the planned creation of a container village for construction workers who will vacate homes, releasing these for families. This idea draws on the container mall in the city centre, built as an emergency measure to provide shops after the earthquake. Known as the Re:Start Mall, it remains in use as no new retail space is available, although Gary Reynolds FRICS, South Island manager at building surveyor Alexander & Co, says: “Since its inception it has changed size and been progressively moved to make way for ongoing construction work.

“Currently no ‘new’ retail has been finished, so the Re:Start Mall remains. I would expect units in the new retail precinct [ownership and development of which is fragmented] will start being brought to market and occupied in the next few months, especially when anchor tenants have been secured.”

Reynolds notes that “the crane count is on the up” in Christchurch, although demolition work still continues, particularly in the central business district. “It would appear that office rents are levelling off, but A-grade stock seems to be more than meeting demand.”

David Soper MRICS, senior building surveyor at property services firm Hampton Jones, has worked in assessing residential and commercial earthquake building fabric repairs for insurers and policyholders. He says: “It appears that residential supply is stabilising with more homes coming on stream, particularly to the west of the city and outlying towns such as West Melton, Rolleston and Lincoln.”

Despite efforts to recruit internationally, rebuilding has been a largely home-grown effort. Tiplin says: “There has been very little international involvement, except for some American experts being involved in the seismic design of base isolators and buckling resisting braces, though there have been some joint ventures with Australian contractors.”

The devastation of 2010-11 was so great, however, that many years of reconstruction lie ahead. As Tiplin concludes: “It will probably be another 10 years or so before a first-time visitor to Christchurch isn’t immediately aware of the damage the earthquake sequence did to the city.” n




2%4%10%11%11%22%26%32%

NZ$80m

NZ$60m

NZ$40m

NZ$20m

NZ$0

NZ$20m

NZ$40m

NZ$60m

NZ$80m

09/10 09/11 09/12 09/13 09/14 07/15

Management fee

Site management

resources

Electricity Security Cleaning and environmental


services

Lifts andescalators

Fabric repairs and

maintenance

Major works

69p47p

146p 163p

104p

155p

17p43p 31p


Rest of UK

46p29p

45p 61p76p

64p

12p34p 23p

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

NorthAmerica


64.5 11.4 10.5 14.4 9 11.9 34.3 13.7 29.6 16.2

64.5 11.4 53.1 12.4 39.7 14.3 41.9 14 85.6 12

7.5 6.8 10.2 8.7 27 12.9 27.9 7.9 27 10

56.3 8.3 112.5 9 65 14.6 40.9 13.9 76.7 15.1

33.3 10 35.1 11.7 25 6 27.5 6.5 38.3 18


Asia

UK

Continental Europe

MiddleEast




$3bnMontreal Olympic Stadium



$895mMillennium Dome

$678mWembley Stadium


He conceded there had been criticism over the slow pace of rebuilding, but added: “We could not have rebuilt any faster – the components of planning, design and the construction required the ground to have stopped shaking.”

Andy Tiplin FRICS, a chartered surveyor at local quantity surveying firm Rawlinsons, says residential rebuilding has been subject to “many wrangles between owners and insurers which has prolonged the painful process. Commercial rebuild has not proceeded at the originally expected pace but is now happening and will continue to happen relatively quickly over the next three to four years.

“The benefit of the slow, deferred start,” Tiplin adds, “is that hyperinflation has not kicked in and resources are generally available.”

Ombler’s progress report claimed that, during 2016, more than 2,000 public-sector staff would be back working in new offices in the city centre. As of October 2014, more than 237,000ft2 (22,000m2) of office space had been built since the earthquake and some 88% had been leased, on a par with New Zealand’s other main cities. “Our population has almost returned to pre-quake levels and employment is booming,” he concluded.

One interesting characteristic of the post-earthquake market has been the rise of “as is, where is” sales. These are damaged but structurally sound homes on which an insurer has paid out to an owner on the condition they move out and sell the – now uninsurable house – at land value. The homes IM

AGE

ALAM

Y IN

FOG

RAP

HIC

IAN

DU

TNAL

L

GAUGE OF CONSENTSConsents for new houses are still at healthy levels post earthquake, whereas commercial activity appears to have peaked

Source: NZ government

MEANWHILE USESFive years have passed since the first quake and the city’s residents are still having to use temporary facilities, such as the striking “Cardboard Cathedral” and shipping-container mall

Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority Agency established to lead and coordinate the ongoing recovery effort cera.govt.nz New Zealand Government Building Information Helps housebuilders to comply with building regulations. building.govt.nz

Rebuild Christchurch Community-led siterebuildchristchurch.co.nzChristchurch City Council Dedicated post-quake microsite. ccc.govt.nz/the-rebuildHarcourts gold real estate Explanation of “as is, where is” bit.ly/asis_whereis

REFERENCE POINT REPORTS AND RESOURCES

NO GREAT SHAKES

Brie� ng

BY NUMBERS

MODUS_Nov15_P42-43_Briefingv3.indd 43 13/10/2015 15:16

www.cera.govt.nz

www.building.govt.nz

www.rebuildchristchurch.co.nz

www.ccc.govt.nz/the-rebuild

www.bit.ly/asis_whereis

44 RICS.ORG/MODUS

IN GREAT KNICK

BEST OF TIMESThe landmark hotel, which is on the corner of Times Square, reopened this year after a five-year renovation with 330 rooms and suites, event space, and a new rooftop bar

THE KNICKERBOCKER HOTEL WAS ONE OF THE places to be seen in Manhattan in the early 20th century. Built in 1906 as a showcase of luxury by the millionaire real estate investor John Jacob Astor IV, the Beaux-Arts-style hotel on the corner of Times Square provided a perfect backdrop to flamboyant parties thrown by the likes of John D Rockefeller and F Scott Fitzgerald. But the party couldn’t last forever. As Prohibition impacted New York’s hotel business, the Knickerbocker was closed and the building converted into functional offices in 1921.

Earlier this year, the hotel reopened under its original name after a five-year renovation project, bringing it back to life with 330 rooms and suites, a rooftop bar, an event space and a celebrity chef restaurant.

“From an early stage, the marketing plan for the hotel was to promote the idea that it was once lost and has now been brought back to its former glory,” says Gordon Kerr MRICS, who led Gardiner & Theobald’s cost management team on the renovation. “For

Nearly 100 years of use as offices had taken its toll on New York’s Knickerbocker hotel. Brendon Hooper reports on the efforts to restore it to its former glory

IMAG

ES P

AUL

WAR

CH

OL

Design Gabellini Sheppard/Peter Poon ArchitectsProject and cost management services Gardiner & TheobaldContractor Magnetic Construction Group

MODUS_Nov15_P44-45_Case filev2.indd 44 14/10/2015 10:42


Case �le

that to work, we needed to ensure that the interior design of the hotel reflected its history, and retain as much of the original character as possible.”

However, almost a century of use as an office block had taken a severe toll on the building’s interior, and many of the hotel’s original features had been removed or damaged beyond repair. Faced with such an insurmountable obstacle, the project team had no other choice but to demolish all the existing internal walls and old office finishes, and create a new design for the core and shell and interior fit-out. The brief became more about creating a grand and luxurious space, which would capture the spirit and history of the hotel before its decline.

“The core-and-shell phase was by far the biggest challenge from a schedule, phasing and cost management viewpoint,” explains Kerr. “The client also needed a floorplan that was more suited to a modern hotel, plus structural modifications were required to comply with light and air code requirements.

BLANK CANVASBecause much of the building’s interior had been damaged beyond repair from its time as an office block, the decision was made to strip it back to shell and core

STAY OF EXECUTIONThe project team was able to restore the building’s exterior and repurpose some of the copper decorative elements for use in the new rooftop bar

THE BEAUTIFUL AND THE GRANDThe new design brief called for a grand and luxurious space that aimed to capture the spirit of the hotel in its heyday, when F Scott Fitzgerald was among the regulars

So we demolished the rear of the building and extended the floor out over part of the courtyard. We also relocated the elevators and stairs to maximise key count per floor.”

Undertaking such heavy core-and-shell work within an enclosed courtyard off the ever-busy Times Square threw up some big logistical challenges. For instance, clothing retailer Gap had to remain open for business on the ground floor while the project team brought materials in and out. “Our solution was to build a temporary protection zone around the shop, which helped prevent arguments and disruption,” says Kerr.

Although most of the interior was unsalvageable, the team was able to conserve some of the exterior’s finer historical details. For example, the original facade and many of the decorative copper elements at roof level were still in a good condition, and were restored with added lighting. The design for the rooftop bar also repurposed some of the decorative copper elements to create three “pods” for private event spaces.

In the basement, the team discovered some examples of art nouveau plastering and stencilling, but again their poor condition and location, in an area earmarked for back-of-house use, meant they were unable to incorporate the elements into the design.

One feature the team were keen on bringing back was the hotel’s direct entrance into the subway station below, says Kerr. “Unfortunately, the potential for security issues put a stop to its reintroduction, but the entrance on the platform still exists. If you know where to look, you will find the word ‘Knickerbocker’ above a sealed door.”

Nearly 30 years on from its designation as a New York City Landmark, the renovation of “the Knick” has been a resounding success. Kerr says his favourite part of the project is the redesigned rooftop. “It’ll be a spectacular place to sit in one of the pods and watch the New Year Times Square Ball.” n

WATCH A VIDEO of the “Making of the Knick” at bit.ly/makingtheknickIM

AGES

PAU

L W

ARC

HO

L

MODUS_Nov15_P44-45_Case filev2.indd 45 14/10/2015 10:43

www.bit.ly/makingtheknick

46 RICS.ORG/MODUS

When it comes to knowing what to do in job interviews, conventional theory says candidates are best advised to focus on making a good first impression. However, increasingly, recruiters are beginning to understand it takes a while for under-pressure interviewees to warm up, which means on-the-ball candidates still have an opportunity to rescue a poor interview if they to perform well at the point the interviewer says: “Is there anything you would like to ask us?”

“This is the point where it’s your turn to show your enthusiasm,” says Lynne Crowe, construction and property director at recruiter Hays. “Good preparation here is vital because it shows you’ve done your research. It’s also your chance to be able to leave the room with a strong parting impression that supersedes any initial first reactions.”

Crowe suggests asking at least three passing-shot questions to have maximum impact – but make sure they are unpredictable. This means avoiding topics that have already been mentioned on the company website. “If you do see something online, turn it around. You could ask: ‘I saw online that you’d recently won a large contract for Battersea Power Station. How will that impact your ability to deliver to your existing clients?’” She adds: “Asking interviewers what they enjoy most about their job is another good question, as this gives them more of an insight about what types of things you might enjoy if you join their team.”

For Lisa Tudor MRICS, a quantity surveyor at Wales- based Jones Bros, “any question around what we do

is good, but what really stands out is any evidence they’ve looked into a specific area we cover”. She adds: “Questions around what opportunities would come up, and what type of work it entails, shows they are already seeing themselves in this role.”

Questions about culture are the ace that Adam Landau, managing director of DeVono Property, likes to see: “Candidates that have relevant industry and RICS qualifications will get through the basic selection process, so the ‘any questions’ time is their chance to bring themselves to life a bit more. We evaluate industry knowledge, but asking about culture shows someone’s level of enthusiasm above basic salary.” He adds: “Relationships are crucial in our industry, so we’re all looking for the tonality, spirit and intent to which questions are asked, as it gives us an inkling as to how much of an asset someone will be.”

Asking about progression to actual roles, Crowe argues, indicates people are looking at real positions rather than theoretical ones. It is all about candidates showing they have an inquisitive mind, she says.

In this vein, it is the ability to stop recruiters in their tracks that makes candidates stand out for Andrew Stephen, head of construction at Search Consultancy. One of the most successful ways candidates can do this, he suggests, is by asking for feedback.“Not many interviewees ever ask for this, so when it comes it impresses me much more,” he says. “I think it takes real guts and makes the interviewee stand out.

“When all you hear is the same end-of- interview question, something a little off-piste but relevant can be a real show-stopper. I would recommend any candidate think about that, because they work.”

PARTING SHOTS

01 Do your research. If you can find out something that is

slightly more obscure, it shows you’ve done

your homework. 02 Ask questions

that show you envisage being there

in the future. It demonstrates you see yourself as being part of the team, and that

you’re already thinking about how

to make a difference.03 Don’t be afraid to ask for feedback – it shows that you

are willing to learn.04 Be upbeat. Create a good

impression by leaving the same way you arrived – by being personable

and friendly. Saying you hope to see them soon won’t do any harm either.

FoundationsCareers / Business / Legal / Training

WO

RD

S P

ETER

CR

US

H I

LLU

STR

ATIO

N A

DAM

AVE

RY

PO

RTR

AIT

AND

RE

VIEI

RA

For further careers advice, go to rics.org/careers, and for the latest jobs, see ricsrecruit.com

NEXT MONTH: NEGOTIATION SKILLS

HAVE AN EXIT STRATEGYCAREERS The last moments of a job interview can be just as important as making a good first impression. Ask the right questions and …

MODUS_Nov15_P46-54_Foundations_v6.indd 46 13/10/2015 16:44

www.rics.org/careers

www.ricsrecruit.com


Foundations

From a very early age I always wanted a career that would take me to wild and adventurous places. I’m originally from Wiltshire, but ever since I can remember, my focus was on Brazil. I worked in some old, established firms in the City of London in the early 1970s while taking evening classes at the College of Estate Management to become chartered. But throughout all that time I had one eye on making my move to Brazil. Even while in London, I did my best to meet Brazilians, read up on the country and study Portuguese.

The Vestey Group hired me in 1979 to explore the potential of its properties in South America. It had enormous holdings for cattle ranches and sugar cane plantations, and I spent 15 years travelling the continent advising on urban and rural developments, or on issues such as expropriation funds for

Choose the right contract There is no one-size-fits-all energy contract. Suppliers offer a range of packages tailored to suit the needs of different businesses. It’s important that your tariff is tailored to your usage.Carry out a simple energy audit Make an inventory of all the electrical equipment you are using and how much energy each consumes to identify any unnecessary usage. The time of day at which you consume energy is also important. For businesses that use heavy machinery, rescheduling operations to take advantage of low, off-peak rates can deliver significant savings.Invest in new equipment Look carefully at the age and condition of your equipment and investigate whether buying newer or more advanced options could deliver greater efficiency. Technologies such as motion-sensing lighting and timers for other appliances can also help.Use smart meters They allow a supplier to bill customers based on actual, rather than forecast, energy use. Find a supplier that offers this service and have one installed – it will give you much greater control over your energy spend.

TIM JARVIS is manager of Mid Market at Gazprom Energy gazprom-energy.com

PARTNER, CÂMARA & SMITH CHARTERED SURVEYORS, SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL

MY WAY

Raymond Smith FRICS

MANAGE ENERGY USE

HOW TO

“I always wanted a career that would take me to wild and

adventurous places … Even while in London, I did my best to meet Brazilians, read up on the country and study Portuguese”

WO

RD

S P

ETER

CR

US

H I

LLU

STR

ATIO

N A

DAM

AVE

RY

PO

RTR

AIT

AND

RE

VIEI

RA

farms displaced for hydroelectric schemes. In the 1990s, I joined Cushman & Wakefield to establish its real estate consultancy division in São Paulo, but in 1999 I left to set up my own firm with a partner.

When I first moved here, I only knew three chartered surveyors, now we have hundreds. As Brazil has opened up to foreign investors, skilled professionals have become more in demand as people become more aware of the standards that are required. It makes a change from the early days, when you had to compete against non-professionals who would charge ridiculously low fees.

Our main focus is agricultural valuations throughout South America, but we also advise on resort development in the north-east of Brazil. It’s an area that has seen huge changes in the past 15 years. There’s a lot of interest from investors to develop hotels there, but contrary to what some may think, Brazil has strict environmental regulations, and projects often take more than five years to approve. While some development is welcome, we need to ensure such a beautiful, coastal region is protected, too. rics.org/raymondsmith


www.gazprom-energy.com

www.rics.org/raymondsmith

48 RICS.ORG/MODUS

Late payment is a big issue for many small businesses, particularly those servicing the needs of larger operators in their industry. A report published early this year, by UK payments company Bacs, found that businesses are owed £32bn in overdue payments and the surveying and construction industry is by no means an exception.

EU directives state all invoices made to private-sector companies should be paid within 60 days unless there are “exceptional circumstances”, whereas the public sector should pay within 30 days. However, Modus spoke to a number of RICS members, several of whom did not wish to be named, and it is clear that these regulations are regularly not adhered to.

Chris Moore MRICS, a director at south-east-England- based contractor Redec, says late payments are a monthly occurrence in his business. He attributes this largely to his clients’ payments processes, which require approval from many people before an invoice can be paid. This leads to invoices sitting in accounts departments for weeks pending approval, despite terms and conditions stating they need to be paid. “The problem, ultimately, is that accounts departments are not aware of their employer’s contractual obligations to pay invoices on time,” he laments.

All business owners need to understand the sign-off procedures of their clients. Furthermore, they would be

well-advised to obtain the names and contact details of those in the chain and be prepared to chase them up. As Moore suggests, simply emailing across an invoice and waiting for it to be paid is wishful thinking. “Some contracts can have quicker or slower terms, which need to be communicated down to the

accounts people because, half the time, in my experience, they do not actively chase people within the chain to do their bit,” he says.

But not all business owners believe it is simply a case of administrative difficulties. Rather, there is a suggestion that some large businesses are deliberately paying late and are effectively banking with their suppliers’ money. One RICS member, who asked not to be named, commented: “We were asked to tender for work which was to be carried out in March, but then the client said that payments wouldn’t be made until the following January. We decided to decline their invitation. I think sometimes people in larger businesses don’t seem to realise that these jobs are our mortgages, it’s food on the table.”

The UK government is examining the issue at present, and calling for “cultural change” in payments practices. But without substantial legal changes, it seems unlikely it will solve the problem completely.

In 2008, the Labour government introduced the Prompt Payment Code (PPC), administered by the Chartered Institute of Credit Management (CICM), a voluntary code of good practice that has since attracted the signatures of nearly 1,800 businesses. It claims to have “had a significant impact in challenging payment practices and creating a debate and dialogue” around late payment. Recently, it updated its recommendations so that “30 days be the norm” for payments and 60 days the maximum. But despite laudable aims, the PPC has no power beyond being able to remove signatories from the code. Critics complain it is toothless and point to the fact that late payments have substantially increased since it was created.

CLAIM GAMEFor businesses that are struggling with non-compliant clients, the law offers some remedy. Businesses can take a client to a small claims court, which these days is largely done through the government’s Money Claim Online website. This could lead to an offending client gaining a County Court Judgement (CCJ) against it. Furthermore, under the Late Payments of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998, businesses are legally entitled to add interest to overdue invoices of 8% above base rate. Finally, for debts of £750 or more, the nuclear option is to send a winding-up petition, whereby a company is obliged to pay, else be deemed bankrupt by a court.

THEY’RE GOING TO PAY FOR IT

BUSINESS Late payments are a serious issue and large firms are the worst offenders

KEEP YOUR TEAM MOTIVATED by focusing on improved skills. To take part in future business advice columns, email [email protected]

NEXT MONTH: DEVELOPING STAFF

WO

RD

S J

ON

CAR

D I

LLU

STR

ATIO

N A

DAM

AVE

RY



However, business owners are often reluctant to undertake such actions for fear of upsetting clients. The measures outlined above and in Legal 101 (right) are regarded as options only when they feel they no longer want to work with a client. Therefore, many would rather wait or undertake more pragmatic options (box, below).

Of course, one way to avoid late payers is to ask for payment in advance. Edward Prentice FRICS has run his eponymous

commercial and industrial property consultancy, in Tonbridge, Kent, for 22 years. As part of his practice, he works as an expert witness for clients that include leading firms of solicitors. He claims he has had to chase some for payment in the past, and even threaten legal action before receiving funds. However, he now demands some partial payments in advance and finds that many of his clients do comply, even if they initially resist.

“I have become a lot tougher with payment terms now,” says Prentice. “For expert witness work I must have half the basic fee before I release the draft report, so at least I have some money.”

Come to terms with new ActLEGAL 101

Under the new payment regime for construction contracts, it has never been more important to give a compliant payment or a pay less notice within the prescribed times. Surveyors and their clients should be aware of the following issues: What are the legal implications of non- or late payment? The late payer risks suspension and termination of the contract and potentially adjudication, court or other proceedings – including the serving of a statutory demand and insolvency proceedings.

If there is no valid payment, pay less notice or other contractual grounds for non-payment, then the payer will likely be required to pay the sum due, plus interest.

A court will likely enforce an award, unless there are grounds to grant a stay of execution. Typically, this would apply if the payee’s financial position had so deteriorated since the contract was entered into, that they would not be able to repay the sum if it was later decided they were not entitled to it. How much interest will be charged? Interest will be calculated from the due date until the date of payment. Unless the contract provides an “adequate remedy” – for example, interest of at least 4%-5% – the Late

Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998 may apply, which currently provides for interest at 8.5%. Is it possible to recover money that was not owed? Once the payer has paid, it will usually be necessary for them to take legal proceedings to recover money they maintain was not due in the first place. This will cost time and money. What are the time constraints? Some forms of contract make an adjudicator’s award final and binding unless proceedings are taken within a certain period, which may be as short as a month. It could even be that the limitation period expires before the adjudicator’s award is made. What can the payer do?The most important thing is to check the contract for any time limits and be ready to comply. It is also vital to make sure that all payment applications are responded to with a payment or pay less notice within time. If you think you may have to pay, check if there are any other contractual or legal grounds that may justify you not paying the money.

Also, make urgent enquiries into the payee’s finances to check they are good for repayment of the money. If not, consider whether to apply for a stay of execution.

Finally, check the limitation period and, if necessary, issue protective proceedings.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, visit slaterheelis.co.uk

Research prospective clients Perform credit checks and seek references and information prior to dealing with new customers.

Ask for payment in advance This will be easier in some markets than others, but payments up front prevent cashflow problems. Check contracts Ensure your payment expectations are clear and understood. Invoice regularly Do not leave it all to the end of the month. Keep your admin up to date.Chase up Do not just expect to be paid. Contact accounts departments regularly.

Foundations

FIVE TIPS FOR BETTER PAYMENTS

“I have become a lot tougher with payment terms now. For expert witness work I must have half the basic fee before I release the draft report, so at least I have some money”

EDWARD PRENTICE FRICS

NATALIE SCOTTAssociate solicitor, Slater Heelis

WO

RD

S J

ON

CAR

D I

LLU

STR

ATIO

N A

DAM

AVE

RY

RICS’ SMALL BUSINESS HUB is a space for UK SMEs, offering industry advice and toolkits. Go to rics.org/sme


www.rics.org/sme

www.slaterheelis.co.uk

50 RICS.ORG/MODUS

There is no standard way of managing risk. The process is typically driven by a single individual, the risk manager, in concert with the rest of the project team. Individual accountability for managing each risk can be assigned to its own custodian. Updates from the risk manager are collated on a periodic basis by the risk manager and added to the project risk register. Collaborative software such as Sharepoint allows a risk register to be held centrally and shared via computers, tablets and smartphones.

A project risk register should include the probability, impact assessment and cost contingencies for each risk. It can be developed into a complete collaborative risk analysis and management tool with mitigation plans and contingencies for not only individual risks, but also for the whole life-cycle of the project.

Risks can be operational, such as weather, flooding or accidents, but they can also include more abstract, strategic problems such as insolvencies, skills shortages or policy changes. Risk management is therefore a proactive method of reducing susceptibility to cost and time overruns, and improves value for money while leaving an auditable trail of decisions and actions.

NIGEL BARR FRICS is managing director of Stradia stradia.com

NERIt is: An app that helps the user to evaluate alternatives when negotiating a new lease.It does: Useful in situations where new commercial property leases are being negotiated by landlords, tenants and their respective agents, the app calculates the net

effective rent (NER) using industry-standard formulae. NER is seen as a more accurate and reliable calculation than headline rent data, which accounts for rent-free periods and other benefits and therefore does not always represent the true value of what a tenant has agreed to pay. With this app, rent-free periods, interim rents and tenant incentives can all be factored into the calculation.

What else can it do? Calculates an alternative NER based on the probability of a tenant exercising an option to break, and sends PDF reports to clients. The app works in most of Europe, as well as places that use the British lease structure, such as Australia or Hong Kong.Price: Free for a one-month trial, £24.99 for a one-year licence.Search: “NERcalc” at your preferred app store.

Building Information Modeling – Framework for Structural Design Outlines one of the most promising developments in architecture, engineering, and construction.£76.99

Spon’s External Works and Landscape Price Book 2016 The only comprehensive source of information for detailed external works and landscape costs.£150

Spon’s Mechanical and Electrical Services Price Book 2016 Provides detailed pricing information across the full range of mechanical and electrical services.£160

APP LAUDED

Risk management is increasingly at the forefront of modern construction contracts, as clients strive for time and cost certainty. Effective risk management involves the entire project team. There are several strategies to consider. Risks may be avoided entirely – usually by eliminating their cause – transferred to another party through contracts or insurance, or exposure to the risk can be reduced through mitigation plans. Acceptance of the risk should be considered only as a last resort. Clients should manage risks during the procurement stage, but once a contractor has been appointed, mitigation plans should be developed between the client, the contractor and its supply chain. Plans must be appropriate, cost-effective and achievable to be of any practical value. Developing solutions usually encourages innovative thinking, with the objective of avoiding risks or reducing their impact.

BRAIN GAIN

WHY TAKE THE RISK?

GET THE MEASUREDevelop the tools to quantify the risks that impact on a construction project on this one-day course. Go to rics.org/riskmanagement

SKILLS

RICS booksrics.org/shop


www.rics.org/riskmanagement

www.stradia.com

www.rics.org/shop


Foundations

EVENTSFULL RICS EVENTS LISTINGS ONLINE AT rics.org/events For enquiries, call +44 (0)20 7695 1600. All prices are +VAT

››RICS Rural Conferences11 November, Preston; 9 December, Llandrindod WellsProvides regional and timely information on crucial legislation and policies shaping the rural economy. Keep up to speed with the latest developments and meet colleagues from across the region. CPD: 5.5 hours; 6 hours / £100 / rics.org/ruralnw; rics.org/walesrural

››RICS Building Surveying Conference, Scotland 12 November, Hampden Park, GlasgowLegal updates on CDM regulations, building standards regulations and EPCs. Learn about best practice in dilapidations, BIM in small-scale projects and enhancing your business through social media.CPD: 5.5 hours / £125 / rics.org/buildsurvscotland

››RICS Rural Mid-Session, Scotland19 November, PerthTopics will include the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill, the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Bill, the River Basin Management Plan and proposed changes to agricultural holdings and its impact on rent reviews.CPD: 5.5 hours / £75 / rics.org/scotlandrural

UNITED KINGDOM››Autumn CPD Series Until December, various locationsGain formal CPD hours with more than 200 seminars taking place across the UK. Topics covered include: boundary disputes, modern methods of construction, professional indemnity and insurance market updates.CPD: 1 hour / £30, or £25 for three or more bookings / rics.org/cpdseries

››RICS Planning and Development Conference, Northern Ireland3 November, Belfast City HallExamine the practicalities around project investment and viability, learn from best practice and gain insight into how to attract investment into the region.CPD: 3.5 hours / £84 / rics.org/pdnireland

››RICS Party Walls and Boundaries Essential UpdateNovember-December, various locationsHalf-day seminars covering party walls, boundaries, rights of light and nuisance. Each session will examine the legal and technical aspects surveyors need to be aware of to remain compliant.CPD: 4 hours / £150 / rics.org/partywallupdate

››RICS Risk Management in Construction Roadshow4 November, Manchester; 9 November, London; 17 November, Cambridge; 2 December, BirminghamBuilds upon RICS guidance, covering practical strategies before and during the project. Covers a range of case studies of varying complexity, and supported by the Institute of Risk Management.CPD: 4 hours / £150 / rics.org/riskinconstruction

››RICS CPD Days9 November, Warrington; 24 November, CambridgeRegional conferences full of CPD within land, property and the built environment, with breakout sessions tailored to meet your specific learning requirements.CPD: 6 hours / £145 full day, £90 half day / rics.org/cpddays

››RICS Valuation of Machinery and Business Assets Conference10 November, Millennium Point, BirminghamA half-day programme providing updates on valuation of machinery, business assets and tangibles. Practitioners will gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and a thorough approach to valuation based on market conditions and other factors.CPD: 3.5 hours / £150 / rics.org/mbaconference

Provides critical updates for those working in the telecommunications industry. Delegates gain insight on legislative developments, landlord and tenant implications and the evolution of technology. Sessions will include: broadband delivery; an overview of the regulatory environment; way leaves negotiations in London; issues caused by phone masts; and ensuring connectivity in rural areas.CPD: 6 hours / £245 / rics.org/telecomsconference

25 November, London

RICS TELECOMS FORUM CONFERENCE

››RICS Commercial Property Conference26 November 2015, London Flagship conference that will strengthen members’ understanding of the current economic outlook, occupier trends, growth opportunities and risks to the sector. A key theme of the day is the future of the market and putting the right strategies in place to survive and thrive. Topics include the impact of the eurozone crisis, rise of regional investment and the changing face of corporate real estate. CPD: 5.5 hours / £245 / rics.org/commercialconference


www.rics.org/events

www.rics.org/cpdseries

www.rics.org/pdnireland

www.rics.org/partywallupdate

www.rics.org/riskinconstruction

www.rics.org/cpddays

www.rics.org/mbaconference

www.rics.org/ruralnw

www.rics.org/walesrural

www.rics.org/buildsurvscotland

www.rics.org/scotlandrural

www.rics.org/commercialconference

www.rics.org/telecomsconference

“ The biggest benefit of subscribing to BCIS Rebuild Online, for us, is that it provides access to a national database of up-to-date cost models to benchmark against, this in turn helps us to mitigate the risk of liability from costly errors in the insurance claims process.”

“ Robert Sharpe Managing Director, Infront Innovation

To find out more about BCIS Rebuild Online and Robert’s story visit www.rics.org/robert or phone +44 (0)24 7686 8433

BCIS Rebuild Online – used by valuers, loss adjusters and insurance professionals

20440-BCIS Rebuild advert 180x116mm.indd 1 14/04/2015 14:39

ricsrecruit.com@ricsrecruit RICS Recruit

RICS RecruitWhere recruiters go to find the best surveyors in the industry

RICS Recruit is the UK’s No. 1 built environment job recruitment board with almost 1,000 active vacancies in the UK and around the world.

RICS Recruit is packed full of knowledge and guidance to support your career development.

Find your future job today

52 RICS.ORG/MODUS


www.ricsrecruit.com


Housebuilding is one of the UK’s biggest industries, contributing £19.2bn to the economy each year, the Home Builders Federation estimates. A lot of attention is, therefore, being placed on the role of the sector in Britain’s economic recovery.

To understand the challenges faced by the sector and its outlook for the months and years to come, Lloyds Bank spoke to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and larger firms with turnovers up to £750m for its inaugural housebuilding report.

Encouragingly, growth is high on the agenda for the survey respondents, who are planning to invest an average of 30% of their current turnover into their business over the next five years to help achieve their growth ambitions.

This investment translates into a national jobs boost, as more than 100,000 vacancies (net) are predicted to become available within the sector in 2016. This is particularly important to SMEs, 75% of which see additional staff as an investment priority.

Despite the opportunities on the horizon, fears remain over a lack of suitable candidates to fill these roles – 34% of respondents said the skills shortage is most acute among electricians, while 31% cited a shortage of skilled quantity surveyors.

Understanding that a lack of qualified candidates could cause a long-term recruitment headache, nearly one-third of businesses indicated that employing apprentices will be a main focus of future investment.

The government continues to have a significant impact on the industry. Stimuli such as Stamp Duty reform and the Help to Buy equity loan scheme are having a largely positive effect, Lloyds reports, but although demand has risen, government targets of building 240,000 homes a year are not being met. With house prices rising as a result, the housing shortage remains a subject of intense scrutiny.

Whether businesses believe they have the ability to alleviate the housing crisis differs by size. Three-quarters of the largest operators feel they have the tools to address the shortfall, compared with around half of SMEs. This will need to improve if the industry is to meet the government’s new aim of 1 million additional homes by 2020.

Nearly half of respondents voiced concern that the planning system is too slow. With local opposition to proposals also having an impact, it is clear that issues beyond businesses’ control continue to cause delays. Plans to fast-track large housing projects, unveiled in the 2015 summer budget, could, however, make a difference.

Thanks to Help to Buy and an improved national economy, the outlook for housebuilders is brighter than it has been for some time. Concerns around skilled workers and planning delays remain, but if positive government policy and a stable economy is maintained, the sector will continue to build more homes and overcome the housing crisis.

GLEN WILSON is head of property, SME banking, at Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking

BENEFITSTo view the latest offers, new partners and promotions, visit rics.org/benefitsplus

Advertorial

Housebuilding sector is planning for growth as confidence improves

RAISE THE ROOF

AS GOOD AS OUR WORD


www.rics.org/benefitsplus

5 4 RICS.ORG/MODUS

Notices

››John Dennus Binney FRICS, 1924-2015Pontefract››Frederick Brian Cooper AssocRICS1932-2015, Wakefield››Cynthia Mildred Eyre MRICS, 1926-2015Pickering››John Horsfall Swinglehurst FRICS1926-2015, Leeds

NORTH ASIA››Pak Sun Ho MRICS1953-2015, Tin Shui Wai

If you are facing hardship after the loss of a family member, or if you are considering leaving a legacy, please contact LionHeart, the charity for RICS members and their families. Call +44 (0)24 7646 6696, email [email protected], or visit lionheart.org.uk.

OBITUARIES

EASTERN››Rowland Saunders MRICS, 1956-2015Norwich

NORTH WEST››Henry Gilbert FRICS1925-2014, Formby

SOUTH EAST››Alan Robert Blake MRICS, 1950-2015Edgware››Graham Eric Burt MRICS, 1955-2015Reading››Alan Dixon FRICS1933-2015, Maidenhead

SOUTH WEST››Brian Meekins FRICS, 1928-2015Chippenham

YORKSHIRE & HUMBER››William Mark Allen MRICS, 1959-2015Chesterfield

Please email obituary notifications to [email protected] or call +44 (0)247 686 8555

CONDUCT

James Fry, YeovilAppeal Panel – 05.08.15A Disciplinary Panel considered whether Mr Fry was liable to disciplinary action under RICS Bye-Law 5.2.2(d) having been convicted of a criminal offence, namely grievous bodily harm.

Mr Fry was found liable to disciplinary action and was expelled from RICS membership and ordered to contribute towards the costs of the hearing.

Mr Fry appealed the decision of the Disciplinary Panel. The Panel concluded that the decision of the Disciplinary Panel was wrong and varied the sanction to the imposition of a Reprimand.

Trevor Nash MCIOB, KentAppeal Panel – 20.08.15An Appeal Panel considered an appeal by Mr Trevor Nash on 20 August 2015 in relation to a finding and penalty arising from a breach of Rule 3 of the Rules of Conduct for Members 2007. The Appeal Panel determined that the decision of the Disciplinary Panel was wrong and referred the matter back to a Disciplinary Panel for a new hearing.

Surelock Homes Ltd, BirminghamDisciplinary Panel – 02.09.15The Panel heard a case against the Firm Surelock Homes Ltd contrary to Rule 8 of the Rules of Conduct for Firms 2007. The Firm failed to preserve the security of clients’ money entrusted in its care in the course of its business as evidenced by an RICS Regulatory Review Visit.

The Panel reprimanded the Firm, imposed a Fine of £2,000 and imposed conditions on the Firm’s continuing registration with RICS.

The Firm was also ordered to contribute towards RICS’ costs.

Norman Russell MRICS & Russell Brothers, County DownDisciplinary Panel – 23.09.15The Panel heard a case against Mr Norman Russell MRICS in accordance with Rule 3 of the Rules of Conduct for Members 2007, in that he authorised and made a bank transfer from the firm’s client account without consent, such that his conduct was a failure to comply with his professional obligations. The Panel imposed a Fine and Conditions.

The Panel also heard a charge against the Firm, Russell Brothers, for failing to preserve the security of clients’ money, contrary to Rule 8 of the Rules of Conduct for Firms 2007. The Panel imposed a Fine and Conditions.

Mr Russell and the Firm were ordered to contribute towards the costs of the hearing.

rics.org/conductcases

2015 CPD REMINDERPractising RICS members are required to undertake 20 hours of CPD each year, including 10 hours of formal CPD, and record this online at rics.org/cpdrecord. The deadline for completing 2015 CPD is 31 December 2015.

Cautions have already been issued to RICS members who failed to record all their CPD for 2014. Any members who were not compliant for a second year were also fined and had their names published online.

CPD comes in many forms, from reading journals such as Modus and trade publications, to attending relevant training and conferences. More information about the RICS CPD policy is available at rics.org/cpd, including examples of formal and informal CPD.

For easier recording, RICS has produced CPD apps for Apple and Android devices. These are available through the relevant app store.

IF YOU NEED ANY HELP understanding the CPD policy, or using the online tool or app, please call RICS Regulation on +44 (0)20 7695 1670, or email [email protected]

RICS REGULATION

CPD FoundationAn annual subscription that’s easy, convenient and an affordable way to help achieve your formal CPD goals:• Easily record your CPD activity

• Attend seminars held throughout the UK

• Access up to 100 topics covering surveying for land, property and the built environment

• Watch recorded seminars on demand at a time and place convenient to you.

Find out more at rics.org/cpdfoundation

20909-RICS CPD MODUS Full Pg ad-202x274mm.indd 1 28/09/2015 11:35MODUS_Nov15_P46-54_Foundations_v6.indd 54 13/10/2015 16:47

www.lionheart.org.uk

www.rics.org/conductcases


CPD FoundationAn annual subscription that’s easy, convenient and an affordable way to help achieve your formal CPD goals:• Easily record your CPD activity

• Attend seminars held throughout the UK

• Access up to 100 topics covering surveying for land, property and the built environment

• Watch recorded seminars on demand at a time and place convenient to you.

Find out more at rics.org/cpdfoundation

20909-RICS CPD MODUS Full Pg ad-202x274mm.indd 1 28/09/2015 11:35MODUS_Nov15_P46-54_Foundations_v6.indd 55 13/10/2015 16:47

www.rics.org/cpdfoundation

The Dec/Jan issue will be published on 12 December Recruitment copy deadline

Tuesday 10 November

One Call Covers All

RESIDENTIAL SURVEYORS REQUIRED…Full and Part-Time positions across London/M25, particularly AL,WD SG ,N, NW, NE, EC, E, IG, RM, CM, SE, BR, CR, SM, TW, RH, SW, SL UB,WD, HA codes. Plus Aberdeen, Andover, Anglesey, Aylesbury, Basildon, Basingstoke, Bath, Birmingham, Bristol,Camberley, Cambridge, Cardiff, Chelmsford, Cheltenham, Chester, Chichester, Colchester, Crawley,Derbyshire, Devon Nth, Doncaster, Dorking, E.Anglia, Gloucester, Guildford, H.Hempstead, H.Wycombe, Hereford, Huddersfield, Huntingdon, Inverness, Kings Lynn, Leeds, Lincoln, Loughborough, Luton, Malvern, Manchester, Newark, Norfolk Nth, Northampton, Norwich, Oxford, Peterborough, Plymouth, Portsmouth, Preston, Reading, Redhill, Reigate, St Albans, Salisbury, Sheffield Sth, Slough, Southampton, Southend, Suffolk, Swindon, T Wells, Torbay, Wigan, Winchester, Worthing, Wrexham. Also: High value London specialist £60k basic/high OTE. Risk/Quality Surveyor Barnsley. Lender Staff Surveyors N.London, Oxford, East Anglia/Essex, S.Yorks, £55-65k. Self Employed Consultants nationwide. Private client surveys only (no vals) London & SE.

Existing or past experience of undertaking mortgage valuations, HBR’s or building surveys required. Employers include many smaller local practices through to all major surveying organisations and direct lenders. The current high demand for surveyors is reflected in the outstanding remuneration packages available.

20 years expertise finding you the right job in the residential surveying sector. NEW VACANCY INSTRUCTIONS DAILY

Please call Jeff Johnson on 07940 594093 or email your CV in confidence to: [email protected] www.mlarecruit.com

International Farmland Agent

Based in London but with extensive travel required you will be developing Savills transactional and advisory business in key markets including America, South America, Australia, Africa and Central Europe often working closely with our established network of associates in these locations. This role presents a significant opportunity to grow and in time lead this business in emerging and established markets.

Ideally you will have a transactional background and experience in the agricultural sector would be an advantage. You will also be familiar with undertaking desktop appraisals and valuations.

Salary commensurate with experience.

savills.co.uk

In the first instance please contact: Hugh Coghill [email protected] 07967 555 777 in confidence

Savills the international real estate adviser is looking for an experienced individual to join its international farmland investment and sales team.

Savills London33 Margaret StreetLondon W1G 0JD

Recruitmentricsrecruit.com / To advertise, email [email protected] or call +44 (0)20 7871 2667

Due to the phased retirement of an existing Director/shareholder an opportunity has arisen for the right individual to become a director and shareholder in a long established and profitable surveying business. Established in 1995 with offices in Northampton and Peterborough we have an excellent local reputation and a blue chip client base. It is expected that the successful candidate, who will have considerable knowledge and experience of residential surveys and valuations, will progress quickly to the position of Director and take a shareholding in the Company. You will remain a fee earner and operate in an area with a radius approx. 20 miles from Northampton. Your initial salary will reflect your experience and overall contribution to the Company with the potential to exceed this with dividends on your shareholding.

Please apply with CV to Russell Francis Homesurv Ltd email: [email protected]

DIRECTOR RESIDENTIAL SURVEYING FIRMEAST MIDLANDS

56 RICS.ORG/MODUS

MODUS_Nov15_P56-65_Recruitment_v3FROMF1.indd 56 14/10/2015 11:25

www.ricsrecruit.com

Recruitment

MB19466_Modus_ad_October_2_237x180aw.indd 1 07/10/2015 10:26 NOVEMBER 2015_MODUS 57

MODUS_Nov15_P56-65_Recruitment_v3.indd 57 13/10/2015 16:32


To view more jobs online visit ricsrecruit.comTo view more jobs online visit ricsrecruit.com

With a two decade sector association, wide ranging (and often exclusive) client base and in-depth knowledge of each company through years of close working, we welcome enquiries (in confidence, without obligation and however speculative) from: • Residential surveyors already

working in the sector • Residential surveyors who left the

sector post 2008, but would like to return with refresher training

• Semi-retired surveyors (with residential experience) keen to keep active on a part-time/flexible basis

• MRICS-qualified surveyors with relevant – although perhaps not direct – inspection or valuation experience.

• Staff Valuers/ Residential Surveyors keen to work client side

We can you achieve: • An improvement in earnings, be

that basic salary or a bonus scheme that offers greater incentives

• A reduction in hours or a move to part-time or zero hours working

• A reduction in the volume of work that you are expected to handle

• An improvement in the general quality of your instructions

Current vacancies include:

Opportunities for experienced Residential Surveyors within corporate environments: All London postcodes (N, NW, W, SW, SE & E), Essex (SS, CM, RM, CO, IG & E), Hertfordshire(AL, SG, WD, EN), Bedfordshire/Luton (LU, MK), M4 Corridor generally (SL, RG, OX, SN), East & West Sussex (BN, TN, RH),

Dorset, (DT, BH), Hampshire (SO, PO), Surrey (CR, TW, KT, SM, GU), Kent (ME,TN, CT, BR, DA), Plymouth, Gloucestershire (GL), Bristol (BS), Cardiff/South Newport (CF, NP), Chichester, Basingstoke Aberdeen, Northants, Uxbridge, Harrow, Twickenham, Swindon, Leicester. Remuneration includes a basic salary of £40-55k (depending on location), bonuses (based on fee income), a car (or allowance), healthcare and pension.

Opportunities for first time entrants / Trainee Residential Surveyors nationally Our client is an independent, well-established and growing firm of chartered surveyors undertaking the full range of survey and valuation services for main lenders and private clients. They are able to train enthusiastic chartered surveyors from most backgrounds so previous residential surveying experience is not essential. Opportunities currently exist in N/NW, SL/HP, BS/BA, LS/WF, BN, IG, E, WD, GU, RG, SO, OX, LU, PE, NR, SN, B, LS with additional vacancies following weekly. Basic salary to £50k + Bonuses + Car allowance

Opportunities within panel– appointed, non-corporate practice-based environments Our clients are traditional, independent private practices who service main lender, private client and in-house (agency) instructions undertaking the full range of residential reports for high average fees. Their ethos is quality

over quantity (but not at the expense of security) and, as such, surveyors working for them are not put under the same pressures as they might be elsewhere in the sector. Vacancies exist in the following locations immediately with additional needs following on a near weekly basis: South London, South Hampshire (Portsmouth/Southampton/ Winchester), Chilterns, North West London, North East London/Essex, Kent, Oxford, Bristol/Bath. Chichester, North London, Reading, St Albans, Bromley, Dartford, East London, SW London, Loughton/ Chigwell, Romford, Colchester, Chelmsford, Milton Keynes. Basic salary circa £50k+ with excellent “zero threshold” bonus scheme, quality car and benefits.

To find out more or apply, contact:

James Irving0208 514 [email protected]

We are recruiting nationally for both high street and specialist lenders who require experienced Valuers in the following locations URGENTLY:

East LondonNorth LondonCroydonSloughOxfordNorthamptonWatfordFarehamEast AngliaSouth MidlandsM4 Corridor

Suitable Surveyors will need to meet the following criteria: • MRICS/FRICS qualification (though

AssocRICS may be considered with sufficient levels of experience)

• VRS accreditation• PII claim free• Strong track record in their

chosen patch • A stable career history demonstrating

strong commitment to past and present employers.

As well as the obvious workload, lifestyle and team benefits, successful Staff Surveyors can expect a remuneration package comprising:

• High basic (up to £65k) depending on location

• Profit share or bonuses based on multiple (quality) factors as opposed to volume only

• High quality prestige company car• 6 weeks holiday to start • Market leading Pension• A wide range of health, lifestyle and

wellbeing benefits• Preferential staff mortgage rates

Would you like to focus on quality over quantity with a single reporting format, a workload comprising mostly Mortgage Valuations (no Building Surveys), a tight knit patch, market leading tablet technology and an outstanding remuneration package that isn’t commission led?

Staff Surveyor / Valuer opportunities UK wide

Residential Surveying opportunitiesWith so much demand where should you start? Finding a new “job” in the current market isn’t difficult…. finding the RIGHT opportunity can be. Often the best roles aren’t found in the public domain, they are handled by specialist agents whose insight and candidate base enable discreet appointments without exposing coverage shortfalls to clients. If you’d like to see the full picture without the market knowing you’re curious, look no further…


Greg Coyle 0208 514 [email protected]

58 RICS.ORG/MODUS


www.ricsrecruit.com

Recruitment


Recruitment

With a two decade sector association, wide ranging (and often exclusive) client base and in-depth knowledge of each company through years of close working, we welcome enquiries (in confidence, without obligation and however speculative) from: • Residential surveyors already

working in the sector • Residential surveyors who left the

sector post 2008, but would like to return with refresher training

• Semi-retired surveyors (with residential experience) keen to keep active on a part-time/flexible basis

• MRICS-qualified surveyors with relevant – although perhaps not direct – inspection or valuation experience.

• Staff Valuers/ Residential Surveyors keen to work client side

We can you achieve: • An improvement in earnings, be

that basic salary or a bonus scheme that offers greater incentives

• A reduction in hours or a move to part-time or zero hours working

• A reduction in the volume of work that you are expected to handle

• An improvement in the general quality of your instructions

Current vacancies include:

Opportunities for experienced Residential Surveyors within corporate environments: All London postcodes (N, NW, W, SW, SE & E), Essex (SS, CM, RM, CO, IG & E), Hertfordshire(AL, SG, WD, EN), Bedfordshire/Luton (LU, MK), M4 Corridor generally (SL, RG, OX, SN), East & West Sussex (BN, TN, RH),

Dorset, (DT, BH), Hampshire (SO, PO), Surrey (CR, TW, KT, SM, GU), Kent (ME,TN, CT, BR, DA), Plymouth, Gloucestershire (GL), Bristol (BS), Cardiff/South Newport (CF, NP), Chichester, Basingstoke Aberdeen, Northants, Uxbridge, Harrow, Twickenham, Swindon, Leicester. Remuneration includes a basic salary of £40-55k (depending on location), bonuses (based on fee income), a car (or allowance), healthcare and pension.

Opportunities for first time entrants / Trainee Residential Surveyors nationally Our client is an independent, well-established and growing firm of chartered surveyors undertaking the full range of survey and valuation services for main lenders and private clients. They are able to train enthusiastic chartered surveyors from most backgrounds so previous residential surveying experience is not essential. Opportunities currently exist in N/NW, SL/HP, BS/BA, LS/WF, BN, IG, E, WD, GU, RG, SO, OX, LU, PE, NR, SN, B, LS with additional vacancies following weekly. Basic salary to £50k + Bonuses + Car allowance

Opportunities within panel– appointed, non-corporate practice-based environments Our clients are traditional, independent private practices who service main lender, private client and in-house (agency) instructions undertaking the full range of residential reports for high average fees. Their ethos is quality

over quantity (but not at the expense of security) and, as such, surveyors working for them are not put under the same pressures as they might be elsewhere in the sector. Vacancies exist in the following locations immediately with additional needs following on a near weekly basis: South London, South Hampshire (Portsmouth/Southampton/ Winchester), Chilterns, North West London, North East London/Essex, Kent, Oxford, Bristol/Bath. Chichester, North London, Reading, St Albans, Bromley, Dartford, East London, SW London, Loughton/ Chigwell, Romford, Colchester, Chelmsford, Milton Keynes. Basic salary circa £50k+ with excellent “zero threshold” bonus scheme, quality car and benefits.


James Irving0208 514 [email protected]

We are recruiting nationally for both high street and specialist lenders who require experienced Valuers in the following locations URGENTLY:

East LondonNorth LondonCroydonSloughOxfordNorthamptonWatfordFarehamEast AngliaSouth MidlandsM4 Corridor

Suitable Surveyors will need to meet the following criteria: • MRICS/FRICS qualification (though

AssocRICS may be considered with sufficient levels of experience)

• VRS accreditation• PII claim free• Strong track record in their

chosen patch • A stable career history demonstrating

strong commitment to past and present employers.

As well as the obvious workload, lifestyle and team benefits, successful Staff Surveyors can expect a remuneration package comprising:

• High basic (up to £65k) depending on location

• Profit share or bonuses based on multiple (quality) factors as opposed to volume only

• High quality prestige company car• 6 weeks holiday to start • Market leading Pension• A wide range of health, lifestyle and

wellbeing benefits• Preferential staff mortgage rates

Would you like to focus on quality over quantity with a single reporting format, a workload comprising mostly Mortgage Valuations (no Building Surveys), a tight knit patch, market leading tablet technology and an outstanding remuneration package that isn’t commission led?

Staff Surveyor / Valuer opportunities UK wide

Residential Surveying opportunitiesWith so much demand where should you start? Finding a new “job” in the current market isn’t difficult…. finding the RIGHT opportunity can be. Often the best roles aren’t found in the public domain, they are handled by specialist agents whose insight and candidate base enable discreet appointments without exposing coverage shortfalls to clients. If you’d like to see the full picture without the market knowing you’re curious, look no further…


Greg Coyle 0208 514 [email protected]


To view more jobs online visit ricsrecruit.com

60 RICS.ORG/MODUS

Don’t read this, please!

Marking time until you retire? Can’t quite be bothered any more? Getting the monthly pay check and company benefits? Just putting up with head office moaning, hoping they will go away soon? Then you should have stopped reading as you are absolutely no use to Metropolis!

However, if you are an experienced chartered surveyor that still cares about producing quality work to the

highest standards, still cares about mutual respect and still wants to earn money and yet have a quality of life to go with it, then maybe you should email me your CV: [email protected]

Who knows, maybe it wasn’t a waste of time after all?

Head of Land Management, Inverness | Partner levelAttractive salary package

An exciting opportunity to join the UKʼs leading independent property partnership and run Strutt & Parkerʼs Estate Management business in the north of Scotland. You will be responsible for leading a talented team managing Highland Sporting Estates, and carrying out a variety of interesting and challenging work for one-off and retained clients. As the partner responsible for the business you will have the opportunity to influence, develop and shape the Inverness team raising the partnershipʼs profile further in this region.

The candidate will:• Have rural estate management experience • Be able to lead, build respect, inspire confidence, motivate and optimise team performance • Have a strong personal presence with excellent interpersonal skills• Be energetic, enthusiastic with a strong commercial acumen • Have a can-do attitude, willingness to challenge the status-quo and a desire to promote and champion new ideas and approaches

If you want the opportunity of a prosperous, fulfilling and rewarding career as a Partner with the UKʼs leading independent property partnership then you should contact Helen Astill on 07721 437 085 or email [email protected].


www.ricsrecruit.com

Recruitment


To find out more about life at e.surv, contact one of our Directors today for a confidential chat:Richard Sexton (07968) 932118Paul Marcus (North) (07775) 544866Tim Wood (South) (07800) 705547David Blagden (07968) 932017

Alternatively, email your CV [email protected] or call Matt on 07794 392858.

For a full list of our opportunities, visit www.esurv.co.uk/jobs

But why might that be? Well, if you’re looking for gimmicks and unsubstantiated claims, turn the page. But if you’d rather hear the facts, straight from the horse’s mouth, read on.

No surveying business in the UK has a better blue chip client base than e.surv. Fact.

Our average length of service is over 10 years and we’re proud to have watched some of our colleagues raise their families while they’ve been busy helping us build the UK’s market leader.

Over the past year, we’ve invested heavily in the personal and professional development of our team. We plan to do the same next year, together with substantial investment in the technology and infrastructure that supports our business.

What’s more, over 120 of our colleagues are now owners of our business through share ownership. That’s the beauty of being part of a PLC. Why don’t you join them?

Right now, you’re in demand and a much prized asset. It stands to reason that you want

to shop around, and it’s easy to be tempted by the short-term deals. But do yourself a favour and give us a call. We’re the market leader for a reason.

Now that’s a fact that our respected competitors can’t disagree with.

We’re looking for employed and consultant surveyors across the UK, particularly in the following locations:

BatterseaStreathamWest LondonEast LondonLondon – EC PostcodesKingstonDorking / RedhillGuildfordWokingReadingOxfordTunbridge WellsBishops StortfordNorfolk / NorwichWinchesterCambridgeLeedsSheffield / ChesterfieldAnglesey ZHLeicester ZHStoke/Stafford ZHNationwide Consultant Opportunities

From the horse’s mouth…Our surveyors receive more unsolicited job offers than any others surveyors in the UK. And we’re proud of that fact.

Do you have that certain something needed to join our team?



62 RICS.ORG/MODUS


Recruitment – Search & Selection – Market Intelligence – Benchmarking www.carriera.co.ukRecruitment – Search & Selection – Market Intelligence – BenchmarkingRecruitment – Search & Selection – Market Intelligence – BenchmarkingRecruitment – Search & Selection – Market Intelligence – Benchmarking www.carriera.co.ukwww.carriera.co.ukwww.carriera.co.uk

Specialists in Recruitment and Search & Selection Focused on the Construction and Property industry, here are a few of the key roles that we are working on.

If you are interested in one of these opportunities please contact Elliot Wright, Danny Score or Joe Moore on0203 817 0000 or email [email protected]. If one of these roles does not meet your brief, please still get in

touch as we have other opportunities available.

Lead Director – Cost Management – City, London• Established successful cost management team

• Supports clients through commercial, education, infrastructure and residential developments

• Mid tier company with top three aspirations

• Signifi cant opportunity to lead a cost management team, opportunity to progress in London and take control of other disciplines

• Executive package and benefi ts available, with share options and bonuses

Senior Quantity Surveyor – EA – London• Top property consultancy looking for a Senior Quantity

Surveyor/EA

• Cover Residential, Commercial, Overseas, Sports and Stadia sectors working on some of the most iconic projects in London and around the world

• Company is an LLP with genuine opportunity to equity and partnership in the future

• Specifi cally to work on the fi rst residential of its kind in Canary Wharf with a new developer in London with a value of up to $1Billion

• Strong basic salary plus car allowance, 5% pension,RICs fees and healthcare

Project Monitoring Quantity Surveyor (PQS – Associate) – London• One of most well respected and innovative commercial

property and real estate service provider is looking for a Chartered Quantity Surveyor to cover Bank/Fund monitoring

• Working with some of the most established banks, institutions, funds and high net worth investors

• Great opportunity to become part of a high calibre team led by one of the most established and respected Surveyors in London

• Clear progression route

• Very competitive basic plus car allowance, pension, healthcare and 25 days’ holiday

Partner – Project Management, Consultancy East Midlands• Salary: BUVA* plus full benefi ts package and bonus

• Taking control of a service line for a well established and respected Consultancy

• The Consultancy is a multi-disciplined construction Consultancy

• Current clients range from developers, landlords and occupiers

• You will have demonstrable project management experience

• It is expected that you will have strong regional and potentially national contacts

• Mid term equity opportunity

Chartered Building Surveyor/Project Manager Surrey• Medium sized multi-disciplined practice

• Project led building surveying role

• Flexibility to manage own workload

• Competitive basic salary plus package

• Excellent opportunity for someone who wishes to be a key part of a team and company that is highly successful at what they do

Chartered Building Surveyor – Property Company London • Variation of projects and duties through residential

and commercial assets

• Management of external consultants

• Clear progression route

• Join a well established personable team

• Salary up to £50,000, car allowance £5,000 plus extensive benefi ts

*Based upon value added


www.ricsrecruit.com

Recruitment


Recruitment

BUILDING MANAGERFor privately owned diverse rurally located property portfolio

Location: Althorp, NorthamptonshireSalary: c £40,000 plus benefits (housing, pension, life assurance, car allowance)

Building manager required to manage capital projects and maintenance on a rurally based diverse property portfolio forming the privately owned Althorp Estate, including a Grade I listed house, residential, commercial and agricultural properties

The successful candidate will be well organised, self-motivated, and an excellent communicator with the ability to provide a quality and timely service within budget, together with experience in all aspects of managing a diverse range of buildings, and a small maintenance team.

Please apply with CV (or to request a job description) to [email protected] or to The Estate Office, The Stables, Althorp, Northamptonshire, NN7 4HQ. Telephone 01604 770006

If you’re part of the VRS scheme, email your CV to [email protected]

• Your own patch

• A dedicated booker

• Bespoke iPad software

• On-site sign-off

www.shepherd.co.uk

• Fantastic benefits

• High bonus-earning potential

• Opportunities to develop

• Health & well-being programme

A great place to work!

A fresh perspective for residential Chartered Surveyors

Do you want to work for a private firm with a corporate attitude - a firm that is quality driven and that has a strong tradition of VALUING its surveyors as INDIVIDUALS.

Valunation is part of one of the country’s largest independent and privately owned Estate Agency groups with over 200 branches and we’re looking to further expand and strengthen our national team of residential valuation surveyors.

This is your opportunity to make a positive and rewarding change to your working life and join a leading name in the residential surveying marketplace where we pride ourselves on the emphasis we give to the quality, rather than the quantity, of what we deliver.

We have vacancies for RICS qualified and registered experienced residential surveyors, who are highly motivated. You must be familiar with undertaking valuations and surveys for both lenders and private clients

There are immediate vacancies in London and the South East, North Leeds and Derby but new vacancies are being added all the time, so send us your CV and we will contact you when a vacancy comes up.

We offer a competitive benefits package including private medical care, life insurance, BMW car scheme or car allowance, together with a generous bonus scheme. We are also happy to consider part-time or flexible working.

If you are interested in joining us we would be delighted to hear from you. Please email your CV directly to [email protected] or call Paul Lancaster on 07974 090 113 or David Atter on 07973 543 010 for a confidential chat.

Residential Valuation Surveyors



64 RICS.ORG/MODUS


SENIOR/ASSOCIATE AND GRADUATE LEVEL QUANTITY SURVEYING POSITIONS OPPORTUNITIES IN BOTH CENTRAL LONDON AND TONBRIDGE, KENT

Kindly email your CV or any queries you may have to: [email protected] www.piercehill.com

PierceHill Consulting LLP are seeking experienced and enthusiastic surveyors to help grow a long established and well respected medium sized practice. The successful candidates will be involved with a variety of projects (both in sector and size) for a wide range of clients performing a full range of pre- and post-contract quantity surveying services.

Seniors are to be preferably MRICS but not essential. Graduates are to have a minimum of 2 years post qualification experience. Knowledge of the CATO suite of software a plus.Opportunities for personal advancement abound, we also offer competitive packages and have cultivated a friendly office environment.

CHARTERED SURVEYORS

LOOKING FOR A NEW CHALLENGEIN A FAST MOVING ENVIRONMENT?

Hindwoods have an exciting opportunity for an individual with mixed use and residential development experience. Candidates are likely to come from a Development, Building or Planning background.

Ability and commercial awareness are more important than formal qualifications as it will be

necessary to have a flexible approach to a diverse and demanding workload mostly across south London.

An attractive package is available for the successful candidate and prospects for advancement are excellent. A part time or flexible working arrangement may be considered.

JOIN OUR SUCCESSFUL TEAM GREENWICH OR DULWICH

Apply by email to Kevin Bright [email protected] or call to discuss on 07720 407088.hindwoods.co.uk


www.ricsrecruit.com

www.hindwoods.co.uk

RecruitmentRecruitment


For an application pack please visit www.wvht.co.uk or email [email protected]. Alternatively please call our 24 hours recruitment line on 01606 813321. Please note we do not accept CV’s, applications must be made on our own application form which is available on our website.

The Trust invites all applicants from all members of the community, irrespective of sex, marital status, race, religion, disability, sexual orientation or age.

QUANTITY SURVEYORDirectorate of Property Services

Salary: Grade H, £30,590 - £32,114 per annum - with a range of benefits (with pay increase of 2.5% agreed from April 2016)37 hours per week (worked flexibly in line with business needs)Based at Gadbrook Point, Northwich

Do you want to develop a career within a progressive Social Housing environment, as part of a ‘Times Top 100 Company to Work For’? The Property Services Directorate at the Trust is seeking to recruit a Quantity Surveyor to work in the Trust’s Property Investment and Asset Management Team. The Directorate is responsible for the procurement and delivery of works to the value of £15 million annually, based in the Trust’s portfolio of over 6,200 properties. The Team also manage the organisation’s growing HCA funded new build and re-development programmes.

We are looking for candidates who are career orientated, enthusiastic and highly numerate. You will have a desire to learn and develop your skills and experience. In return you will join a growing organisation where there are opportunities for personal development in a relaxed and welcoming environment.

The successful candidate will work closely with the Trust’s Senior Quantity Surveyor to fulfil professional Quantity Surveying services, to procure, deliver and manage a variety of contracts for capital, refurbishment, new build, planned improvement and maintenance works to the Trust’s properties.You will hold a Degree in Quantity Surveying and be currently working

towards your APC. You will be required to achieve full membership of the RICS (in the Quantity Surveying and Construction Professional role) within 3 years of commencement of the role. We will offer training, and support to help you achieve this.

You must have a current and valid UK driving licence and the use of your own vehicle for business use

For an informal discussion about the role please call Neal Roberts, Property Investment and Asset Manager on 01606 813390. Closing date for applications: 12 noon, 16th November 2015Assesment centre: 27th November 2015 Interview date: 4th December 2015

Head of Oban OfficeRural Appointment

Potential Board Level Opportunity

For more information please contact Helen Astill by telephone 07721 437 085 or email [email protected].

An opportunity has arisen to take over the management of the thriving Oban office of 10 people, offering career succession to a main board level appointment.

You will ideally be MRICS with rural experience or experience from another faculty. Responsibilities will include:

• A range of Land Agency duties including rural estatemanagement, sales, purchases, valuation and otherprofessional work on behalf of retained clients on thewest coast of Scotland and the Inner Isles.

• Managing the Oban office involving overseeing the Land Agency and Estate Agency teams.

• Developing new business and raising the profile of the Oban office further.

CHARTERED SURVEYOR Harrogate / Wetherby / North Leeds

Dacre, Son & Hartley are one of the North of England’s leading firms of Chartered Surveyors, and have an exciting opportunity for a Qualified Surveyor with ability and drive to work in one of Yorkshire’s most desirable areas.

We are a privately owned, well established, multi-disciplined firm with a rejuvenated and growing Survey Dept.

We are looking for a Surveyor who can provide high quality survey and valuation reports together with a variety of associated professional work for a secure and long established range of private and corporate clients.

We provide a professional yet personal approach and are looking for someone with a similar outlook. Also the abilities to be flexible and work under pressure are important, as are good customer and business skills.

In return we offer competitive results based package, including pension scheme, private medical insurance and company car scheme.

Applications in writing to:J. C. Wattrus MRICS, Dacre, Son & Hartley c/o Survey Admin Centre, 1 - 5 The Grove, Ilkley, LS29 [email protected]


HOW IS INDIA BUILDING ITS SMART CITIES?

The government has allocated Rs70.6bn

(£700m) for smart cities. A special-purpose vehicle could be created for each

city and funding options being considered include

infrastructure bonds, public-private partnerships

and municipal bonds.

Cities such as New Delhi, Mumbai,

Chennai, Hyderabad and Raipur have already started

to use smart technology such as energy meters, geographic

information systems to manage property tax, and

online planning approvals.

India plans to develop 98

smart cities, which will account for nearly

35% (130 million) of its total urban

population.

The objective is to

enhance quality of life by addressing deficiencies in

urban infrastructure, so green building norms, smart parking

and intelligent traffic management systems

would all be part of the plan.

Mind map

Anshuman Magazine FRICS Chairman and managing director, CBRE India, and Chairman, RICS South Asia

ILLU

STR

ATIO

N G

IAN

MAR

CO

MAG

NAN

I

private partnerships and municipal

bonds.

would all be part of the plan.

66 RICS.ORG/MODUS

One big challenge will be

how various levels of government collaborate

for fund allocation. India’s stringent land

acquisition norms may also hinder development.

MODUS_Nov15_P66_Mind map_v2.indd 66 13/10/2015 15:19

Annual gas

boiler service

per month* with a

£50 excess for each

completed repair

Gas

Safe

ty

Cert

ifica

te

£21.50

With Landlord Pro you’ll get an annual service of your gas boiler and central heating system plus a Gas Safety Certificate (CP12) once it’s complete.

You’ll also get:

• Gas boiler and central heating cover

• Plumbing and drains cover

• Home electrical coverWe look after most things, but there are a few things we don’t. Limitations and exclusions apply, for more about our cover, just go to britishgas.co.uk/homecare-terms

10 or more properties? Get a personal account manager and pricing options to suit you.

Things you need to know: *This price is for new customers, for one year, if you pay by Direct Debit. The prices were correct at the time this was printed and could change. †You can speak to us from Monday to Friday, 8am-8pm and Saturdays 8am-6pm, it’s free from mobiles as well as landlines.British Gas is a trading name of British Gas Services Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered in England & Wales (Registered No. 03141243). Registered o�ce: Millstream, Maidenhead Road, Berkshire SL4 5GD.

Get the keys to being gas safe

7110

48-3

Path:Production:Clients:British Gas - BG:HOME_SERVICES_LANDLORDS:711048:Artworks and Linked files:Studio:711048-3_BG_V0.inddTrim: 297x210mm Bleed: 5mm

Date: 06.10.15Time: 12:48 GMT+01:00DI: Chris

PRE PRESS 0

Lakeside House, 30 The Causeway, Staines, TW18 3BY | www.egplusww.com

is how our customers rate HomeCare. Based on 4,961 real reviews collected from1st March 2015 – 31st August 2015.4.5

out of 5

britishgas.co.uk/landlordpro0800 316 6192†

quoting FB1L

MODUS_Nov15_P67_British gas ad.indd 67 12/10/2015 12:56

www.britishgas.co.uk/landlordpro

Best in class total load capacity, performance, 4WD ability, manoeuvrability, economy, emissions & safety. Put simply, it’s the best pick-up on the market.*

THE ALL NEWL200 SERIES 5SHOWING THE WORLD HOW IT’S DONE

Test the best | Visit mitsubishi-cars.co.uk to find out more.*Competitor comparisons are made against all equivalent models in the segment and correct at time of print.

M38235 Q4 2015 L200 Series 5 MODUS MAG 274X202.indd 1 07/10/2015 16:35MODUS_Nov15_P68_Mitsi ad.indd 66 12/10/2015 12:57

www.mitsubishi-cars.co.uk

Documents

RICS Modus, Global edition - November 2015