In recent years, the world of construction has seen significant growth in the number of Special Purchase Vehicles (SPV) set up by a number of large businesses to deal with one-off projects.

Temples and dream beaches with turquoise-blue water make Thailand a sought-after destination for tourists from all over the world. The capital Bangkok, with a population of some nine million, is a city of contrasts with irresistible magic. In contrast to many other Asian megacities, however, the city has few contemporary architectural highlights. The German Architect Ole Scheeren created Bangkok’s new landmark in the form of the 314m-high MahaNakhon.

The new home for Shenzhen Energy Company looks different because it performs differently; the building skin is developed to maximise the sustainable performance and workplace comfort in the local subtropical climate of China’s tech and innovation hub in Shenzhen.

MAD Architects, led by Ma Yansong, has completed the restoration of the Kiyotsu Gorge Tunnel in Japan’s Niigata prefecture. The revitalisation project sees the installation of several permanent artistic spaces along the historic lookout tunnel, with the intention of bringing back the cultural energy that once empowered the region. The Tunnel of Light opened on the occasion of the 2018 Echigo-Tsumari Triennale.

A complex and time constrained redevelopment contract in central London is making extensive use of ‘LowBoard22’ underfloor heating panels, as well as other products from the OMNIE range, to offer optimum comfort and flexibility of living space for its future residents. The site in Hermes Street, a short walk from the Angel Tube Station, is being developed by MY Construction & Carpentry Ltd. being the main contractor for the project. The work has seen an existing property demolished, being replaced by a five storey structure with office accommodation at ground and first floor level while the upper storeys are being fitted out to create half a dozen dwellings.

Rockpanel and ROCKWOOL have come together to present the latest research and thinking on how best to design out risk and ensure fire safety when it comes to specifying exterior cladding systems, with particular focus on high rise structures.

Walthamstow Wetlands is the capital's newest and largest urban wetland nature reserve and encompasses 10 large reservoirs, which deliver water to 3.5 million Thames Water customers and increases public access to nature in an area of London deficient in open space. As part of the scheme Architects Witherford Watson Mann designed a visitor centre within a decommissioned Victorian pumping station, to house a café and shop plus exhibition, learning and events spaces. Since the buildings and landscape were already distinctive, they were treated with a light touch. What capacity they had has been adapted for economical and flexible operation, helping to build the long term sustainability of this significant new community resource for East London. The sturdy brick pumphouse was gently repaired, with new steel gantries threaded through, to connect the rooms and offer views over this landscape of water, woods and marshland.

Powdertech Corby has made significant investment in a dedicated swatches and sample booth to provide clients to with metal swatches of the powder coating shades they are interested in. Going one stage further, clients can send in a piece of their own metal and have it coated and returned as an accurate sample of the final colour they will achieve.

An increasing number of commercial buildings require improved ventilation – often to create a cleaner atmosphere that meets health and safety and COSHH requirements, or simply to provide a more comfortable environment for employees. Danny Packham European product Manager – Warm Air and radiant for Nortek Global HVAC UK Ltd explains the developments in make-up air heating solutions to meet ventilation and air distribution requirements at a time when energy costs are escalating.

Marshalls, the UK’s leading hard landscaping manufacturer, has partnered with Northamptonshire Police to help secure its new headquarters in Kettering.