industry news Axis Security is chosen to provide a valuable service to the Sage Gateshead
tomer queries. “Axis Security will be providing
a contract to provide around the clock security at The Sage Gateshead, a prominent live music venue and education centre in the North East of England. Designed by Sir Norman Foster, it is home to Northern Sinfonia, orchestra of The Sage Gateshead. Well-known for delivering essential
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xis Security, one of the UK’s leading providers of integrated security services, has secured
security solutions to high profile clients such as The South Bank and Goodman Business Parks, Axis Security will take on responsibility for a number of important duties at the busy concert venue. The team will carry out traditional security activi- ties, such as 24-hour protection of the building and routine patrols, but will also act as front of house cus- tomer service and assist with cus-
Lord Foster honoured with Award N
orman Foster has been pre- sented with the 2011 Save the Children Award, given by
Save the Children Spain, at a cere- mony in Madrid. The high profile awards are given annually to out- standing individuals whose work helps to build a better world for chil- dren. Lord Foster has been recog- nised for his longstanding relation- ship with the charity and his human- itarian work. In 2008, Foster + Partners started
working with Save the Children, along with Article 25 and Buro Happold, to establish a design proto- type for a school in Sierra Leone. The project aims to help to improve edu- cation in one of the world’s poorest countries, and will create a series of highly flexible buildings with larger classrooms, effective ventilation and natural light. The design is being jointly funded by Foster + Partners,
Article 25 and Buro Happold, and construction will be financed by the Foster family. The practice has also been involved with Save the Children through the design of a Christmas tree, which was auc- tioned in 2006 to raise £17,000; and, working with artist Ben Johnson, the realisation of a Nobel Prize sculpture for ‘Rewrite the Future’, a peace campaign set up by the charity that encourages children to use drawing as a tool for advocacy. Lord Foster said: “It is a privilege
to receive this award from Save the Children, an organisation we have worked closely with for a number of years... In Sierra Leone we recog- nised the urgent need for school buildings that could be both afford- able and sustainable. That led us to develop a pilot school, which we hope will provide a model for com- munities throughout the country.”
Southam is becoming Britain’s first solar powered town
with excitement at the prospect! Southam, a rather ordinary town in Warwickshire, is heading for superstar status if it manages to pull off its quest to become the first predominantly solar-powered urban enclave in Britain. “There is no reason that rooftops
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across the whole of Britain could not be used as batteries to power all our towns and cities with renewable energy,” says Lee Summers, director of EOS Energy, the company based in Southam that is out to install Photovoltaic (PV) panels on every appropriate building in the town and surrounds. The best thing about the
town councillor has done it; the local MP has signed up for it; and the population are electric
project is that EOS recently secured £20 million funding, which is enabling it to provide PV installations without charge, and lets the householder enjoy free electricity (thanks to the government’s Feed In Tariff scheme). “With the whole town wired up to
solar power, the residents are set to collectively save around £30 million a year on electricity bills,” says Mr Summers. One of the first customers was
deputy mayor, Dave Wise. He con- tacted EOS to install his rooftop ‘array’ back in February, before the funding was available for a free system. He paid for his domestic installation, and feels it was worth every penny.
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www.buildingconstructiondesign.eu
Gradient lifts the curtain on major theatre refurbishment project
now that the roof of the city’s famous Theatre Royal has been completely refurbished with a new single-layer roofing system from Gradient Flat Roofing. Despite an alternative system being specified originally, the Gradient solution was eventually chosen on the recommendation of the roofing contractor, who had used it on a number of previous successful projects. The roofing project formed part of a £4.75 million restoration project on the historic Grade I listed building, which first opened its doors to customers in 1837. “Bonding our insulation boards
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together in the factory to make a single layer system is preferable to a traditional multi-layer system for any project, but especially so for an old and historic building such as this,” comments Gradient’s Paul Simpson. “Having used our services on previous projects the roofing con- tractor – Springs Roofing of Chester- le-Street – advised the project archi- tect that using a Gradient system instead of the original system that
heatre-goers in Newcastle- upon-Tyne are assured of many an evening’s entertainment
had been specified would bring a number of important benefits to the project.” “After discussions with Gradient
we realised that their insulation solu- tion would eliminate the need to add an additional layer of felt to the 500 sq metre roof as had been originally planned,” says Springs Roofing managing director, Keith Muldoon. As the expert in single layered
roofing Gradient was able to create a totally bespoke insulation scheme, which made full use of the falls pro- vided by the existing roof structure to ensure good drainage. The sec- tions of 130mm Powerdeck B insula- tion were then manufactured off-site in carefully controlled factory condi- tions. “This resulted in the need for far
less on-site bonding and skilled lab- our, plus a more rugged and reliable finished roof,” adds Paul Simpson. Due to the city centre location of
the site, arrangements were made with merchants Cleveland Roofing to deliver and install the insulation over a weekend period so that any dis- ruption to local traffic would be min- imised.
security and protection for the build- ing, which is worth £70 million”, says Stephen Little, director of building services at The Sage Gateshead. “But what is more, they will also be providing a valuable face-to-face service for all visitors, both cus- tomers and artists, who arrive at the venue. The Axis Security officers will be the first people that the artists meet when they turn up to perform, so this is an incredibly important role for us and has a big impact on what we do here. “Axis Security secured this con-
tract because, during the interview process, they offered us a competi- tive package that met all of our criteria and cost implications better than that of any other company. They also presented themselves and their tender in a very professional manner.” The Sage Gateshead is an inter-
national destination that hosts per- formers of all genres, ranging from
acoustic, indie, country, folk, world, jazz, electronic and dance to classical music. They offer a modern and out- standingly equipped venue to a wide variety of innovative artists including concerts by their very own orchestra, Northern Sinfonia. The Sage Gateshead is also a cul-
tural centre for music education, and runs learning and participation pro- grammes to inspire and support musical talent and appreciation. David Riley, commercial manager
for Axis Security in the North East, was extremely excited to be offered the opportunity to work with such an auspicious partner: “This type of security is synonymous with our culture at Axis Security; it is customer focused, high quality and forward thinking. Our aim is to build a true partnership with The Sage Gateshead in order to help, in whatever small way, ensure the future success of the venue.”
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