NATFEN Digital Magaine Edition 21

NATFEN Digital Magaine Edition 21

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Catering for an increasing urban population that has a larger disposable income will clearly inject greater interest in this type of product as the desire and demand will naturally increase. Life evaluations are changing potentially quicker than they have done for previous generations. The desire to have the best with improved living standards is altering how people are connecting, communicating and living with each other. Positive and negative influences are dominated by the new digital age and how people feel about the way they live. There seems to be more understanding about how communities develop together and the desire for happiness is now a priority, especially for the next generation. Builders and entrepreneurs are quickly catching on. Today architects and planners will have to give greater consideration to the science of well-being and mental health as they look to create a new living experience. Happiness and community go hand in hand, as the digital age demands better living standards all round to previous generations. As the world moves at what seems to be quicker and quicker speeds, the need to improve the standards of buildings for its occupants is becoming a priority. Workplaces, educational establishments, institutions and homes could well come with a happiness rating in the not too distant future.

Despite the relatively higher cost of smart glasses there will be a need to educate consumers on its benefits if it is to truly gain dominance in the sector. With the current Government’s desire to be carbon neutral by 2050 there will be a need for new generation products that can replace conventional building materials. Glass that can respond to seasonal changes is going to make glass a continued component in new architectural design. Creating buildings that can interact with people and those who choose to live and work in them are concepts that now are very much a reality. Adapting to the changing needs of a society that is digitally indoctrinated will become an essential requirement for future projects. Our ability to adapt to change and absorb the benefits of technological change will fundamentally provide people with the ideal living solution. As for the population, energy efficiency, sound insulation and green buildings are all attractive qualities for both new and existing homeowners - the flexibility of smart glass will prove very attractive to a consumer that is now focused on carbon reduction and energy consumption at the touch of the latest technology.

CLIPPINGS AND MUSINGS AUGUST 2019 - HELEN DUVAL

W ith building land still at a premium the trend of urban regeneration will undoubtedly continue for a few years yet, despite some hesitancy to move by homeowners. Our regional cities are gaining huge benefits from massive overhauls with sales prices and the desire to live with everything ‘to hand’, now extremely attractive to millennials. As the route to homeownership continues to be complex and difficult there are incentives that will see traditional options being adapted to meet the needs of a country with a continuing housing shortage. Predominantly, these large scale developments incorporate high performance materials that are turning high rise living into an attractive commodity in cityscapes with a rapidly growing population. Potential buyers or investors are driving growth in the regions by providing London standards at affordable prices.

In terms of products for this sector, smart glass is predicted to dominate new architectural design. With many governments developing initiatives to introduce energy efficient products into new build projects for both commercial and residential installations this is now becoming a rapidly growing market. With prominent players in the glass industry having made vast investments in these new technologies, smart glass is the latest innovative concept that will continue to be a rising star for years to come. With its unique, switchable technology it is perfect for many applications in the design of corporate buildings, such as hotels and hospitals depending on the needs of the occupants. There is a lot of promise for the residential sector also, in terms of improving the appearance of a property. Functionality and privacy will be invaluable on larger scale commercial projects.

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TheLeadingPVCu Window&Door manufacturer

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CHANGES TO 2019 CAMPAIGN DATES SIGNAL START OF MAJOR UPDATE TO THE AWARDS S mall revisions have been announced by the National Fenestration Awards to the 2019 campaign, which is now in full swing. The people and companies with the most nominations will be put forward to the final

shortlists phase where the industry will then have the opportunity to vote for the overall winner in each category. As in previous campaigns, the winners of the 2019 campaign will be announced during Winners Week, which will commence on October 7th and run for a week. Each day a group of winners will be announced on social media and on the website. This has proved a unique and very successful, energetic way to announce the winners of what is the sector’s biggest awards by participation. These revisions to the timetable have been made to allow time to introduce something brand new and revolutionary to the awards that has never been seen by the industry before.

Here are the new dates of the nominations, voting and Winners Week phases to put in your diaries:

• Nominations end: Friday August 30th 2019

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• Shortlists announced: Tuesday 3rd September 2019

• Voting starts: Tuesday 3rd September 2019

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• Voting ends: Monday 30th September 2019

• Winners Week: W/C October 7th – 11th

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There remains plenty of time in which to place your nominations and help decide who you believe deserves to make it to the final shortlists phase. There are 25 categories in total for the 2019 campaign. To find out more follow this link: www.fenestrationawards.co.uk/nfa19/

More news is to follow in due course.

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NO DEAL BREXIT?…. WHAT COULD HAPPEN?

A cross the UK it seems as if we are all teetering over a precipice and trying to hold onto something to stop ourselves from falling, but we are not quite sure what that is at the moment. Whatever position held regarding Brexit it continues to dominate our working days and leave us baffled as to where we are actually heading and how we can plan ahead. The UK’s history is rich - industrial revolutions, medical achievements, technical pioneers, and a list of far too many success stories to list in this short article have all occurred here. Each and every one of them deserving merit. Diverse and flexible, the UK has established a position of strength in a time of great change and one of its great successes has been its ability to adapt and be strong. It has developed a congenial working relationship with European neighbours over the last few decades with our ports busy and relatively easy to navigate.

The Strait of Dover is still considered the busiest shipping lane in the world, with around 500+ ships passing through on a daily basis. Currently it is the dividing line between the English Channel and the North Sea, and it marks a boundary between the UK and continental Europe. As a new phase dawns, no-one is expecting the next chapter of the withdrawal from the EU to be easy. If a new deal on Brexit can be negotiated and accepted by a majority in the House of Commons, the terms will come into force, as long as all European governments also agree. In an ideal world the transition should be smooth for business - but if a deal is not agreed before October 31st then currently the country will feel the impact sharply.

businesses will need to conform and accommodate change exceptionally quickly. Free trade and free movement of people including employees trading with Europe will be changed overnight. There would need to be an immediate response as the tie to Europe would be immediately severed. A costly divorce that will leave absolutely everyone - businesses and consumers - completely in the dark as to how trading would continue. No doubt the UK and the EU would prefer a deal - it bodes well and keeps things convivial for future possibilities and new trade arrangements. While many UK businesses are keenly aware of the aftermath Brexit will cause, being prepared to implement alternative options will have to be at the forefront of most business leaders’ minds right now if ‘no-deal’ is on the cards.

only option. Manufacturers could well decide to evaluate new trade deals with other countries beyond the EU such as Japan, China and of course the US. This will obviously bring about different trading issues and new rules with the country then trading under the World Trade Organisation’s stipulations. Supply chains should be examined closely with any potential bottlenecks evaluated to minimise the impact of longer delivery times. Ensuring a business can be compliant with tax, new custom procedures and maintaining customer relations all a main focus moving forward. Already Boris Johnson as the new PM, is being urged by leading business owners and unions to avoid a no deal if possible, - surely finding a way to work with a solution for Brexit rather than against it would make the most sense?

Everyone will feel the ramifications across the UK in terms of everyday living, but for many,

Tax, tariffs and the movement of goods need to be planned in the eventuality that no deal is the

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