Cost model: Data centres
Data centres have become vital infrastructure, but as their importance has grown, so too have their size, security threats and carbon output
Cost model: Reinvention
Reinvention – making obsolete buildings relevant to today’s market, including by conversion to more valuable uses – is a green alternative to demolition and rebuilding. Nic di Santo, Alastair Kenyon and Rachel Coleman of Alinea balance the benefits against the risks and constraints, and detail the costs of an example ...
Cost model: Zero carbon offices
UK offices could well become the standard-bearers for innovative carbon-cutting practices – here Aecom provides a cost breakdown of a typical low carbon office scheme
Cost model: Rural affordable homes
As people head for the countryside with the expansion of home-working, pressure on rural housing stock can only grow, including demand for affordable homes. Aecom’s Paul Houghton explains the specific challenges and opportunities of developing such provision and provides a cost breakdown of a typical scheme
Cost model: Later living provision
The later living sector must grow rapidly to support the UK’s ageing population. Alex Hyams of Alinea and Assael Architecture’s Félicie Krikler and Rory O’Hagan consider how to unlock the sector’s potential from a design and location perspective and break down the costs of building a retirement community
Cost model: Repurposing offices to labs
The need for laboratory space is soaring, driven by the booming life sciences sector. For developers and landlords hit by declining demand for offices, this provides an opportunity. Aecom’s Alison Wring assesses the cost considerations of repurposing offices for laboratory use and provides a typical cost breakdown
Cost model: School buildings
Demand for school buildings is rising in the UK, but with land and funding at a premium, those tasked with making safe, inspiring educational spaces face tough limitations. Aecom’s Sarah Crowley, Peter Robinson and Jeff Simmonds examine the schools building sector and offer a cost breakdown
Cost model: Garden communities
Low-density rural housing schemes offer an opportunity for true net zero carbon development: from site-wide renewable energy strategies to low-carbon homes delivered through modern methods of construction. Aecom’s Richard Green, Miles Attenborough, Rob Mills and Paul Wilcock explore the benefits and costs
Cost model: CLT frame buildings
The rapidly expanding use of CLT saw its trajectory arrested in the UK by new regulations in the wake of Grenfell, but if safe solutions can be found then the material offers considerable cost and climate advantages over more traditional frame solutions. Alinea breaks down the costs
Cost model: Film and TV studios
Even before the pandemic, home streaming of films and TV shows was growing rapidly, feeding demand for new facilities that can create compelling material for these platforms. Aecom’s Paul Davis, Laura Jevons, Ben Hooker and Tim Jackson examine the key cost drivers of building a new studio or sound stage
Cost model: Primary healthcare centres
An area of growing focus for NHS investment is the improvement of primary healthcare buildings. Aecom explores how they can provide modern, fit-for-purpose care environments, giving a cost breakdown for an example fit-out
Cost model: London office refurb
With a lower carbon impact than new-build and the potential for repurposing existing stock into attention‑grabbing schemes, refurbishment is more than ever a serious prospect for London developers
Cost model: Tall buildings
London was slow to adopt tower building but the City’s distinctive skyline shows how much attitudes have changed
Cost model: Birmingham build to rent
Birmingham’s build-to-rent sector is belatedly taking off
Cost model: Mixed-use hotel schemes
New hotels are increasingly being built as part of larger, mixed-use projects – and 60% of hotel construction is now happening outside London
Cost model: Higher education refurbishment
UK higher education attracts students from all over the world – this is good for construction, as universities and colleges renew and upgrade campuses and facilities
Cost model: London fringe offices
Developing office schemes here requires a careful balancing of the need to maximise tenant appeal against the constraints of lower rental income
Cost model: Reinventing retail assets
In the face of tough market conditions, landlords, developers and owner/occupier retailers are looking at new business models
Cost model: Manchester residential
The city is proving resilient to the UK’s political uncertainty, with a development scene that continues to expand in response to growing demand for housing
Cost model: Mental health facilities
With mental ill health rising and models of care evolving, we need new facilities that fulfil modern mental healthcare requirements