Barnes builder scoops top industry award for light and bright kitchen

Barnes based building firm Convert-Construction Ltd has scooped a prestigious Master Builder Award, taking the prize for best Kitchen in the Federation of Master Builders’ (FMB) London region awards.

Since 1999, the Master Builder Awards has been a flagship for high-quality building work, showcasing examples of fantastic craftsmanship, exceptional customer service and building excellence. Organised by the FMB, the awards programme is unique in that any project entered by the builder must be backed up by the customer – giving clients the opportunity to support those building companies that have delivered exceptional results. The awards programme recognises the hard work and contribution that small and medium-sized (SME) building firms make to the UK construction industry.

Convert-Construction Ltd picked up the best Kitchen prize for its work on a stunning family home, creating the ultimate inside-outside living space. The light and airy kitchen was achieved with the installation of a complex 8m long skylight involving three teams of specialists. The effort shows: the kitchen is now the most stunning room in this lovely house with the work being high quality, pristine, neat and displaying all the skills and care you would wish to see in an award winner.

Convert-Construction Ltd was selected by the judges to win the London region award, which was presented at a gala dinner hosted at Oxford Belfry, Milton Common, Thame on Friday 5th April. The firm will now go through to compete in the national finals for the chance to win the UK category title. The national ceremony will be held at the InterContinental Hotel, Park Lane, London on 20th September.

Barry Mortimer, Director of FMB London, said: “The Master Builder Awards give the FMB the opportunity to celebrate a job well done and for clients to say thank you to their builders. For the construction industry, it is an opportunity to celebrate all that is good about small local building firms and their contribution to the UK economy.

“Time and time again, we have been impressed with just how far these builders will go to ensure their client is happy. It is this dedication that we want to celebrate. Convert-Construction Ltd should feel justly proud of their achievement in winning and we wish the firm every success in the national competition.”

If Convert-Construction Ltd wins the overall national Master Builder Awards title, selected from all national category winners, the firm will drive away with a new Isuzu D-Max Utah Pick Up truck worth more than £30,000. The company’s client will also receive a cheque for £1,000 for their efforts.

About the Federation of Master Builders:
The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) is the largest trade association in the UK construction industry representing thousands of firms in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Established in 1941 to protect the interests of small and medium-sized (SME) construction firms, the FMB is independent and non-profit making, lobbying for members’ interests at both the national and local level. The FMB is a source of knowledge, professional advice and support for its members, providing a range of relevant business building services to help then succeed. The FMB is committed to raising building quality and standards in the construction industry and offers a free service to consumers called ‘Find a Builder’. Visit www.fmb.org.uk for more information.

Press contact
Sarah McMonagle
Director of Communications
Federation of Master Builders
T: 020 7025 2958
M: 07741 240664
E: sarahmcmonagle@fmb.org.uk

New multi-use development complex in the heart of London – Victoria, SW1.

new-multi The landmark development will comprise five new buildings occupying the island site opposite Victoria Station bounded Victoria Street and Buckingham Palace Road, SW1. The 897,000 sq ft development will house world-class office space, high-quality apartments and a cluster of inventive and exciting restaurants, eateries, bars and rotating food experiences. Nova comprises 3 buildings of: 166,000 sq ft of residential and 80,000 sq ft of retail space – completing in October 2016 296,000 sq ft of office space – completing July 2016 184,000 sq ft of office space – completing August 2016 ‘Nova Food’ a restaurant complex is set to complete in October 2016. Nova, Victoria, formerly known as Victoria Circle, is an architecturally stimulating development that provides a new and vibrant destination for London – an aspirational place to work, live, eat, drink, shop and enjoy. Nova is new to SW1, new to London and new to Europe. Nova is the defining moment in Land Securities’ £2.2 billion reinvention of Victoria. More than just a development, the comprehensive transformation of this 5.5 acre island site will deliver the new 7-day destination that will encourage the 115 million people who use Victoria Station each year to engage with this part of the West End. Along with the five landmark buildings, Nova delivers a significant new public and cultural space, with evolving public art and outdoor dining, linking Victoria Station to Buckingham Palace and St James Park. Nova is the place for Victoria’s residents, businesses and visitors to meet and unwind. Based on: buildington.co.uk

Chelsea Barracks – a new residential development in Chelsea, London

chelsea The redevelopment of the site of the former Chelsea Barracks will provide new homes with a mix of private homes for sale and affordable homes including ‘extra care’ housing for the elderly. The variety of sizes and types of homes including apartments, town and mews houses is intended to help the development ‘blend in’. The three blocks that make up phase 1 contain 74 apartments that range in size from 1 to 6 bedrooms. This phase will also provide a cafe on the corner of block 1 to help animate the new public entrance to the site on Pimlico Road. The 74 apartments in phase one are expected to have price tags ranging from £2 million to £50 million and are scheduled to be completed by 2018, reported Evening Standard in March 2015 when construction started on site. Phase 2 consists of 15 townhouses divided between two blocks which are 4 storeys at the front and 5 storeys to the rear, as the designs include a sunken rear garden. Some of the properties will have summerhouses in their rear garden. Phase 3 consists of 2 blocks, one of which will be a mews house and another which will be a restaurant and delicatessen, forming one side of a new public square. It is intended to temporarily use Phase 3A as a marketing suite and show apartment while the rest of the site is being constructed. A separate application has been made to Westminster City Council for this use. Phase 3B: Phase 3b includes residential use and retail use, along with the conversion of the Chapel. Design work for this phase is in the early stages. Phase 4: Phase 4 will contain 3 apartment buildings arranged around a private courtyard. The designer for this phase is said to be Eric Parry Architects. Phase 5: Phase 5 will contain new townhouses arranged around a square. Phase6: Phase 6 contains private apartments, affordable housing and community facilities, such as a sports centre, health facility and retail. Based on: buildington.co.uk

Reflect London art installation at the Covent Garden Market

reflect-london-covent-garden-1 Reflect London Covent Garden gives the visitors a chance to reflect upon themselves on the eastern façade of the world renowned market building. Reflect London Covent Garden is a new installation which launched in April 2016 in the world renowned market building. A series of mirrors will be installed on the eastern façade of the market. It is actually a cover for the renovations going on. 67 mirrors will be placed in the piazza in such an angle that they will each show a different viewpoint of the market as the time will pass by, and endless perspectives of the Covent Garden through the seasons. The installation would be placed for eight months. ‘Reflect London’ is a project worked upon by specialist design agency Sculptivate. Thelondontree.com Photo: coventgarden.london