Graduate Conference 2018

This year’s AKSWard Graduate Conference took place on 17th April at the Institution of Structural Engineers headquarters, London. It was a  great opportunity to share knowledge, experience and enthusiasm, helping our graduates towards membership of their respective institutions; IStructE, ICE, and RICS.

Presentations  from a number of staff were made on a whole range of subjects sharing the wealth of knowledge and experience we have across the company.

Introducing AKSWard’s Operations Board

Following re-organisation we have established an Operations Board to lead our technical teams, working together to share our broad range of knowledge and good practice across all five offices.

Pictured L to R: Graham Taylor, Head of Civil Engineering (Oxford)  |  Colin Seabrook, Head of Conservation (Hitchin)  |  Charles Soothill (Oxford)  |  Matt Walker, Head of Building Surveying (London)  |  John Dunford (Southampton)  |  Steve Gibbs (London)  | Paul Morgan, Lead for Corde (Birmingham)

Year of Engineering

AKSWard are excited to be celebrating and supporting the Government’s ‘Year of Engineering 2018’ initiative to inspire the next generation of engineers. Over the next year, we endeavour to foster better awareness and understanding of engineering in schools and universities. We have lots of events planned so please keep an eye on our news feed in the next few months.

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Sapphire Ice & Leisure

Romford Leisure Centre, now named Sapphire Ice & Leisure to honour the Sapphire anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign, is opening to the public on the 3^rd of February 2018. The centre includes an eight-lane pool for competitions, gymnasium, and first floor 56m by 26m ice rink, and will be the new home for the ice hockey team, the London Raiders.

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Croxley Park Phase 1 Works Complete

Building 2 Croxley Park is a new office building offering 65,000 sq ft of Grade A space in a well connected business park in Watford, based in 75 acres of parkland.

The new structure is a BREEAM Very Good rated reinforced concrete frame building with steel framed canopies and atria, and full height glazing across the three floors. The entrance lobby features a freestanding reinforced concrete staircase which was designed and carefully constructed to provide a high-performance exposed concrete finish.

AKSWard provided Structural and Civil engineering design services for main contractor ISG Plc. More information about the project can be reviewed on their website  here.

Photography   © Steve Pearcy Photography
More imagery showcased on the park’s website  here.

Festive Pub Quiz

Team AKSWard were victorious at  last month’s pub quiz, organised by Engineers for Overseas Development (efod.org.uk). EfOD is an international development charity which challenges young construction professionals to undertake development projects that benefit some of the poorest communities in rural Africa. Proceeds from the event will go towards a number of projects at Kumi Hospital in eastern Uganda.

2018 SUCCAG Framework

We’re delighted to be confirmed on the renewed Southern Universities Construction Consultants Affinity Group (SUCCAG) Framework for a further term. We’re looking forward to working with the Universities and other consultants in delivering the plans for the five estates teams.

Kents Hill Campus

Kents Hill Secondary and SEN Schools are nearing completion on site. These steel-framed schools are part of the £27 million campus that includes the neighbouring primary school, also designed by AKS Ward and its CORDE joint venture partners adp and KJ Tait. The images highlight the successes of the project, such as the energy efficient design, multiple outdoor sports facilities as well as a unique link-bridge offering level access to the main school.

It has been a varied and challenging project with a fast-paced construction programme: all three schools and the sports hall were constructed simultaneously and in a sequence different from the original design intent. Critical to the realisation of the schemes was close collaboration among CORDE, client and contracting partners, as well as pooling knowledge and resource across AKS Ward offices in London, Oxford and Birmingham.

We are proud to have been a part of this framework and offer our best wishes to  staff and pupils in their new home due for completion in December 2017.

Country House Innovation Show 2017

AKS Ward is hosting a stand at this year’s Country House Business Innovation Show to be held at the NEC, Birmingham on 8^th and 9^th November. The stand will be manned by Matt Groves, Technical Director in our Hitchin office with support from staff from Hitchin, London and Southampton Offices.

Matt will be speaking in Theatre 5 on the Conservation of Heritage assets on Wednesday 8^th November.

Pre-register for complimentary tickets and feel free to come and talk to us.

Anthony Ward Installation Dinner

Congratulations to our Emeritus Chairman Anthony Ward on taking up the role of the 41st Master Constructor with the Worshipful Company of Constructors Livery Company on the 4th of October 2017. The Livery Company was founded in 1976 and has over 300 members across all sectors of our industry. It supports Awards and Scholarships in the industry, fundraises for charitable causes and supports the Lord Mayor, Sheriffs and Aldermen of The City in guiding the work of The City Corporation.