Promising test of low-carbon concrete technology in Wembley Park development

 

From Ecocem

 

Sisk has successfully completed testing of a new low-carbon technology to decarbonize concrete at its Wembley Park project site in London. Initial test results demonstrate over 70 percent of carbon savings compared to standard concrete.

The low-carbon demonstrator project received £500,000 from Innovate UK funding as part of its Contracts for Innovation to pioneer the use of ACT, Ecocem’s low-carbon concrete technology in a structure, which is the first of its kind. 

The demonstrator project was based at NE02/NE03, Wembley Park, where Sisk has been working on the redevelopment of Wembley Park for its long-term client, Quintain for the past 20 years. Sisk gathered with each of its consortium partners for an event hosted at Wembley Park to discuss its findings.

The two-storey project used a range of different construction methodologies and concrete mixes all based on ACT. From floors to precast concrete stairs, columns and walls, the initial feedback on the performance of each element is very promising. In each case the concrete made with ACT met the design specification for each application assessed and delivered a significant carbon saving of over 70 percent.

Ecocem recently announced that it has begun construction on its first production facility dedicated to ACT at its Dunkirk facility in Northern France, where it will invest over £42M (€50M). The new facility will have an initial capacity to deliver 300,000 tons of ACT annually.

This innovation will revolutionize low-carbon cement commercial viability within the construction sector. ACT, is a breakthrough cement technology which combines a range of technical innovations with the use of widely available low-carbon materials to decarbonize the production of cement by as much as 70 percent, while enhancing the strength and durability of the concrete it is used to manufacture. 

 

Ross Cullen, Chief Engineer, Sisk said:

At Sisk, we have been committed to sustainability for many years. Our low-carbon concrete journey began with the establishment of various strategies aimed at reducing our environmental impact. One of the key initiatives was the creation of an internal low-carbon concrete working group. This was formed to deepen our understanding of carbon in concrete and to explore opportunities and technologies that can help us reduce the embodied carbon in our projects.

The construction industry has a profound responsibility to reduce our climate impact. As one of the largest contributors to global carbon emissions, it is imperative that we take significant steps towards sustainability. The development of low-carbon concrete is a tremendous leap forward in this endeavour. This innovation not only reduces our carbon footprint but also sets a new standard for environmentally responsible construction practices.

 

 

Quadrant Court under the hammer - intrusive survey works to commence next week

First Port have advised residentsof Quadrant Court in Wembley Park that 'intrusive investigations' will start next week on the external facade of the block. The works have an estimated completion date of March 12th and will be carried out by SISK.

The survey follows the failure of the block to achieve an EWS1 form when examined by fire engineers which means that residents are unable to satsify potential lenders of the safety of the block.  The block was only rated B2 and First Port hope to achieve B1 as a result of the survey.

Residents are warned that surveyors will need to access the external facade cladding at various levels that will mean the erection of scaffolding towers or extentable platforms. There will be noise from drilling and hammering at various stages between 8am and 6pm.

Some access to particular apartments will be required to get to the balcony and adjacent facade.

First Port will be working with Quintain as well as SISK.

Quintain award Sisk £211m Wembley Park 'build to rent' contract

I reproduce below a press release from Quintain and will note only that the homes will be 'no more than 80% of market rent' - 80% is not of course affordable for those on the Council waiting list and it would be useful to know how many, if any, will be let at a significantly lower rent.

--> Quintain, the developer behind the transformation of Wembley Park, has awarded its largest ever construction contract to Sisk. The £211m contract will deliver Canada Gardens, which comprises 743 new Build to Rent homes across seven buildings and will be Sisk’s ninth project at Wembley Park.

Canada Gardens is Quintain’s latest scheme at Wembley Park and is entirely designed and purpose built for rent. Of the 743 new homes delivered, 303 of these will be London Housing Bank equivalent units and will be rented at no more than 80% of market value, including service charges, which is consistent with the London Plan thresholds for intermediate affordable housing.

These new homes – which will all be managed by Quintain’s build to rent business, Tipi – will widen Wembley Park’s family appeal with over 300 of the homes provided as two and three bed units. Shared facilities include a podium level play area and a spectacular new park with a number of activities for children. Meanwhile pet owners will be well catered for with a special dog walking area and pet garden.

The shared roof terrace will provide views of London and Wembley Stadium and residents will also have access to a club house, BBQ area, allotments and a one acre podium garden. Access to all the homes will provided via a super lobby which will also be home to a new centralised Tipi HQ and marketing suite.

This will be Sisk’s ninth project at Wembley Park in a productive 12 year history of working with Quintain in transforming the area.  During this period they have successfully delivered the 475 home Emerald Garden development, London Designer Outlet, the Hilton London Wembley Hotel and the reconfiguration and refurbishment of the Grade 2 listed Wembley Arena now the SSE Arena, Wembley.  

Angus Dodd, Chief Executive of Quintain commented:

“Sisk has delivered eight successful projects to date at Wembley Park and has been a trusted partner for 12 years. I am delighted to continue our partnership with Sisk by awarding them our biggest ever construction contract. All contractors on Quintain’s main framework are valued partners and members of a team working together to bring London property and places to life.

“The Canada Gardens development will be a fantastic new collection of purpose built rental homes which will appeal to families, couples, sharers and single people both young and old, demonstrating that Wembley Park really is a place for everyone.”

Stephen Bowcott, CEO of John Sisk & Son said:

 “At Sisk we are very proud to celebrate another milestone in the important relationship between ourselves and Quintain, who are an immensely valued client for us. We have used our previous experience over the last 12 years working with the design teams to drive efficiencies in to the project. We always look to add value to the design process with our early input and we will continue to work closely with Quintain as our trusted partner on this latest phase of the development at Wembley Park.

“It is important to us that we maintain the highest standards of project delivery and quality with a health & safety record that makes both organisations proud. We also look forward to maintaining our excellent relationship with the design team and with the community here in Brent.  Our recent “Pride of Brent” Award recognised that we are contributing to the local community by employing 40% of local labour on site.  We are delighted to give back to the local economy in this, and many other ways, with our joint engagement programmes.”

Sisk is a member of Quintain’s main contractor framework and based on its experience and long standing relationship with Quintain it was selected as the preferred main contractor to deliver Canada Gardens.  Quintain’s other contractors on site are Wates, McAleer & Rushe, McLaren and O’Keefe.