What kind of clients do Concertus work with?

Concertus is a versatile company that has worked with a wide range of clients, including both private and public sectors. We have been involved in traditional, as well as design and build projects. Our team is responsible for leading and supporting the interior design elements of a project while also working closely with architectural designers and engineers to ensure the successful delivery of schemes. We work across various sectors such as care, commercial, education, and residential.

We are now also working on two new care homes situated in Central Bedfordshire, both of which are being constructed simultaneously. We have been working on the projects from the concept stage, working closely with the client to establish their needs. The Interior Designers at Concertus have played a significant role in these projects, working alongside a renowned contractor to deliver both. Additionally, we have now been appointed at both sites to deliver a full Category B fit-out, including planting and signage.

Outside of concept designs, Concertus is also involved in procurement, delivery, and installation, right through to handover. The team has chaired stakeholder engagement meetings and analysed end-user occupancy to ensure the successful delivery of projects.

How do Concertus present their design ideas to clients?

When it comes to presenting design ideas to clients, it’s essential that the information presented is tailored to their specific needs, aspirations, and requirements. Depending on the type of project, different approaches may be necessary. Concertus uses a combination of digital and physical information to effectively communicate our designs.

In the digital realm, we utilise 2D plans supported by sketches, 3D visuals, and artist impressions to give clients a clear understanding of what their final product will look like. We also incorporate fly throughs in the 3D CAD model to provide a comprehensive view of the design and help clients better visualise the final product.

In addition to digital information, we also incorporate physical samples and mood boards. These tangible materials allow clients to touch and feel the product before it’s installed, helping them make more informed decisions. Our goal is to ensure that our clients have a complete understanding of the project and are fully satisfied with the design we’ve created for them.

Overall, our approach is to use a variety of tools and techniques to ensure that we effectively communicate our design ideas. By tailoring our approach to each client’s specific needs, we can create designs that meet unique requirements and exceed their expectations.

What projects are you most proud of and why?

One project that I’m proud of is Mildenhall Hub where we were involved in the main construction build, furniture fit-out which included signage, and branding design. We were involved in discussions to bid for the work, concept, technical design and then delivery and installation. We also had a wide variety of end users involved in the project, where it was fundamental to maintain a cohesive design whilst balancing stakeholders and wider organisational needs. We also dealt with complex detailing of the leisure centre and installed a 25-metre competition swimming pool. Throughout the pool area, there were varying levels that had to be dealt with and careful coordination of floor tiling, drainage gullies, and fixtures had to be considered. The project was one of our first leisure centres to be delivered within Concertus.

The other is Basetek where the team was involved in the design of a new commercial office building and distribution centre. The design required a lot of intricate detailing from the corrugated container house which sits on an open-plan balcony to secret doors. Timber slats were featured throughout the office and installed on the walls and ceilings. Close coordination was required between services and the timber elements of the build. The industrial aesthetic featured exposed M&E services, but careful review was required to ensure some services that didn’t need to be seen were hidden.

To see both projects obtain awards by highly regarded organisations has been fantastic and something I am proud of.

What inspires yours and the wider businesses interior design decisions?

We have had experience in designing a variety of projects, having the opportunity to design for local special schools is always inspiring. Designing environments that contribute and add value to the community and individuals with special needs inspires us to try and push the boundaries where possible on projects. As designer’s we try to find innovative and creative ways to expand our designs whilst also considering wider factors such as, cost and programme, which all contribute to delivering a successful project.

I feel it is also important to surround yourself with a team who are also passionate in their day-to-day role, have a keen eye for detail, and strive to deliver the very best for our clients.

How has Covid affected ways of working and how you must approach your work?

The pandemic has had a profound impact on the way we work, and organisations are now looking to review, address, and implement new ways of working and cultures. This has resulted in a surge of refurbishment projects for commercial office accommodation. One of the key factors driving these projects is the need to create flexible work and meeting areas that encourage idea-sharing and social interaction. The interior design of these spaces has a significant impact on how people work, and organisations are reducing fixed desk arrangements to create more open and collaborative environments.

The trend towards flexible workspaces has been growing for some time, but the pandemic has accelerated this shift. The need for social distancing has made it necessary to rethink traditional office layouts and create more space for people to move around and work in different ways. This has led to a greater focus on the use of technology to support remote working and collaboration, as well as the creation of more informal meeting spaces and breakout areas.

When did you decide, you would like to do an apprenticeship?

While I was attending college, I took the time to evaluate my options and chose an apprenticeship as the most suitable route for me to take. Throughout both school and college, there was always so much pressure on ‘what are you going to do when you finish school?’ and most people would respond with college, full-time university and then a full-time job/career– including me. However, once I started going to college five times a week and working part-time, I realised that going to university full-time was not the correct pathway for me as I enjoyed working and didn’t want to stop, but I didn’t want my education path to come to an end either.

Following a lot of research into universities and courses, I decided to pursue a degree apprenticeship as a quantity surveyor, the apprenticeship would allow me to gain valuable work experience while also earning a degree.

I knew I could combine both theoretical and practical knowledge. While working alongside experienced professionals, learn new skills, and apply what I learn in a real-world setting. This type of hands-on learning can be incredibly valuable, as it helps me develop a deeper understanding of my work and prepares me for full-time employment. It also allows me the opportunity to earn a salary while learning.

How was the onboarding process?

Concertus were so supportive and looked after the process for me. After meeting with a representative from ARU at Vertas Group’s head office, I had to gather personal statements, predicted grades, and my actual grades. I also had the opportunity to talk through the course, the timeline, and the balance between time at university and within the office – it gave me a clear understanding of what would be expected.

I then had to complete a skills scan which contained new learning material to support my progression, which I was able to do with one of the Associates at Concertus. Since then, there has been regular contact between ARU and Concertus and I have somewhat of a mentor at the university to aid my development further.

All in all, the process took around three months to complete.

What support have you had since beginning your course from the university and Concertus?

I was disappointed with my A-Level results, but the support I have received from both the Anglian Ruskin University and Concertus, part of the Vertas Group, has been great and it has brought back my confidence that I can achieve what I want out of my education.

The team at Concertus has been such a positive influence, offering training and support in both work and university. Since the day that I applied, it has been phenomenal. I had no previous experience within the industry and everybody on the team has gone out of their way to train me and teach me things which I had no idea about not too long ago! The support I have received from an educational perspective too has been extremely beneficial, I have always had someone to talk me through particular topics and get me to think about things and help my way of thinking. I couldn’t thank everybody enough for making me feel part of the team so quickly.

ARU has been in regular contact with me too, this has helped me stay on the correct path and given me additional motivation to succeed, work hard, and get the best results possible.

What does a typical week look like for you at the moment?

My week is well-structured and allows me to balance both my academic and professional life. I attend university for the first two days of the week, before being in work the remaining three. This structure is also helping me improve my time management skills as I know I have set times to complete my academic work before putting it into practice later in the week. I am enjoying having a healthy work-life balance.

What are your aspirations for the future?

I know that pursuing higher education is an excellent way to challenge myself and show people what I am capable of. I want to expand my knowledge and develop valuable skills that serve me well throughout my career at Concertus and my life in general. My colleagues have been such positive influences on my goals, and I want to one day act as a mentor and role model to others who decide to take the same pathway as me and give them the same treatment I have received during my apprenticeship with the business.

Local contractors joined Concertus Design and Property Consultants, part of The Vertas Group, at Suffolk New College last week for the first engagement event following the launch of the new Suffolk Construction and Building Services Framework 2023.

Key topics on the agenda were Social Value, Sustainability, and the upcoming pipeline, with representatives from Concertus highlighting the importance of delivering Suffolk County Council’s (SCC) Net Zero aspirations.

Andy Bates, Associate Director for Construction at Concertus, said: “We were delighted to see so many familiar and new faces attend the engagement event last week. We want to bring all suppliers along on this journey with us, working collaboratively to deliver exceptional framework projects. For over a decade we have been working closely with suppliers to make Suffolk a better place to live for our local community. This framework will extend this until 2027.

“Highlighting the priorities for the next four years was crucial and will allow us to promote and support the health and wellbeing of all people in Suffolk, strengthen our local economy, protect, and enhance our environment, whilst providing value for money for the Suffolk taxpayer. We look forward to working with each supplier on this framework and continuing our positive working relationships”.

The event took place at Suffolk New College where Concertus and other local employers work closely with learners throughout the year as Industry Partners. Kayleigh Norris, Careers and Adult Personal Development at Suffolk New College said: “It was our pleasure to welcome Concertus to Suffolk New College for their Framework engagement event at Chef Whites. It was great to have employers from the construction Industry interested in supporting Education and the benefits of Education and industry working together.”

The new iteration of the framework consists of three separate construction lots and two building services lots. The framework aims to ensure the Council and other public sector partners who choose to use the framework, have an effective and efficient route to deliver projects across the East of England.

The new framework will run over four years from 1st June 2023 to 31st May 2027. For more information on each Lot and the appointed suppliers, click here.

Concertus Design and Property Consultants and Vertas, both part of the Vertas Group, are proud to have sponsored Derbyshire County Council’s, Our Derbyshire Awards 2023.

We were pleased to have presented two awards in the Rising Star Award and Inspiring Leader Award categories.

Our Derbyshire Awards was launched earlier this year as a celebration of Derbyshire County Council’s people and a chance to formally recognise their achievements. From the start, the awards have been designed by colleagues, for colleagues, with a team of volunteers from across departments sharing their views on everything from the award categories, the nomination process, the shortlisting panel and the final event.

Over 300 high-quality nominations were received which were carefully assessed by Derbyshire County Council’s shortlisting panel to decide who most closely met the award criteria and embodied the council’s values. The difficult decision to select the winners was then made by Managing Director, Emma Alexander and Executive Directors.

In addition to the formal award presentations, the prestigious event also included musical performances organised by the Derbyshire Music Partnership including a string quartet and medley of songs from the musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, performed by students from Chesterfield Studios.

We congratulate all the finalists and winners for their hard work and fantastic achievements.

Suffolk Group Holdings, trading as The Vertas Group is celebrating one year of its formation. Over the past year, the Group, including Vertas, Concertus Design and Property Consultants and Opus People Solutions have worked under one leadership structure to accomplish great things.

The Vertas Group has been working hard to make the difference not only to their own people, customers, and partners but to the wider community too.

Over the course of the past twelve months, one of the Group’s greatest achievements was working in partnership with Groundwork East to gift Melton Primary School a wellbeing garden, leaving a lasting legacy for the pupils. The Group also participated in the Festival of Suffolk Business Expo, celebrating business innovation and success in Suffolk – inspiring people to think about great jobs, building careers and exploring opportunities.

More recently, the Vertas Group sponsored the Ipswich Town Foundation disability provision and The Suffolk’s Greenest County Awards, celebrating individuals, businesses, communities and schools on the environmental work they do to combat climate change.

Reflecting on the past 12 months, Ian Surtees M.B.A, Vertas Group Chief Executive Officer comments: “The past year has been a really exciting time for The Vertas Group, bringing three businesses into alignment. The combined efforts of all three companies as a Group has meant we’ve been able to make a difference on a wider scale, particularly in regard to our environmental impact, social value, and governance.”

“There are many synergies between our Group, and I look forward to seeing how we continue to make the difference in the future.”

As part of the Group’s journey to work much closer together and share knowledge and opportunities, in April, Vertas’ head office moved to Friars Bridge Road, already home to Concertus and Opus, to support their Net Zero ambitions and support the creation of a more collaborative culture. The exciting new office space, will be shared between all three companies that form The Vertas Group. The move coincides with another success for the Group as Concertus Design and Property Consultants are celebrating 10 years of business this month.

When did you first become interested in architecture?

My interest in architecture grew from a young age after finding out my grandad was a structural engineer. After seeing some of the work and structures he had worked on including the old Nottingham HM Revenue and Customs building and hearing about his career and the industry, this inspired me to explore my creative side and take my own path in construction.

I ensured that when I selected my A-Levels/BTECs and Degree in University I could utilise my creativity and start my architectural journey early – putting myself in the best possible position when an opportunity came up, just like it did with Concertus.

What training have you received since being with Concertus and how have the team supported you?

Throughout the first months of being at Concertus, I received a lot of training to help with my development. There were new internal systems and processes to learn, but I have mostly enjoyed learning to use ArchiCAD. ArchiCAD is a piece of software that allows you to design buildings from the conceptual phase to the construction phase itself.

I’ve been able to learn how to link elements of walls, doors, windows, and roofs to create an external structure. Additionally, I have learnt to provide each element with the correct properties and to take that item from a concept block to one that is connected to relevant and important data for construction. The software has also allowed me to model an accurate 3D building that will assist in further developing detail elevations and sections. Using this software, I’ve been able to work and learn by working on smaller projects, which has boosted my confidence for the future when the project size becomes larger. The team has been supportive of me and my development, and I’m grateful to have been given the opportunity to have experienced architects around me to ask questions and have this kind of software aid me.

What are your career goals – where do you see yourself in 5 years?

I am currently on a four-year training contract and am looking forward to making the most of the opportunity I have been given. At this stage in my career, my goal is to consistently learn new skills, push myself to be able to work on larger projects and become the best architect that I can be by learning from the team around me. My aim is to progress to an Architectural Designer and continue my progression from there.

What Is BIM?

BIM is an acronym for Building Information Modelling. A common misconception of BIM is that it is just 3D modelling, but it is much more than that. BIM is a process for creating and managing information on a construction project throughout its whole lifecycle. Creating and federating data-rich 3D models is an essential part of this process but there is a lot of benefit to using BIM documentation to support our day-to-day work, even for non-BIM projects.

BIM is not just used against building construction projects but has also found its way into other industries and services with the creation of BIM4 communities, these include BIM4Highways, BIM4Water, and Bim4RailUK. These BIM4 communities focus on promoting BIM adoption and providing support on an industry-wide basis with no bias to any one platform, group or business.

What are the advantages of BIM?

There are many advantages to BIM, but the main ones are mitigating risk and reducing project costs, reducing project waste, an increase in efficiency and shorter project lifecycles, improved communication and collaboration leading to higher quality results in general.

Many of these advantages are derived from the documentation side of BIM, using a BIM execution plan optimises the work and model flow across the project by detailing the delivery team’s proposed approach to information management. For example, the use of naming conventions, the nomination of a common data environment, and information exchange schedules etc.

Capability assessments allow us to assess the delivery team’s capability and capacity to deliver the project to the agreed standard. These assessments typically cover IT, Resources and BIM to ensure the necessary experience and equipment are in place to deliver the project. These documents also help to identify any training needs and mitigate risk.

How does Concertus utilise BIM across their multi-disciplinary teams and how is it a benefit to the business?

Concertus holds an ISO 19650 certificate and our documents and processes are audited by LRQA, this demonstrates to contractors that our BIM processes and documents are in place, correct and up to date to deliver projects to the ISO19650 standard. This helps us to stand out when bidding for work.

Architecture
With BIM authoring tools such as ArchiCAD, architects can create a 3D model of the building allowing them to see a representation of what the building will look like. This 3D representation also includes information data that can be used to assist or augment the design process in various ways such as space planning, energy analysis and daylight analysis.

Building Services
The building services team use BIM authoring tools such as ArchiCAD and Revit to model the services within the building, in doing this they can assess space requirements of services as well as spot potential pinch points or clashes not only between design teams but between services before they appear on site. This saves money, time, and materials.

Structural
Our structural and civils department utilises the data from the architects and building services models to assist with their structural and civil design. Using Master series, structural calculations that previously would have taken a considerable amount of time to complete and check can be processed in seconds. Reviewing and revising a design also takes very little time. Using Causeway, they can not only size drainage systems but also test the effectiveness and efficiency of the design.

Quantity Surveyors
The quantity surveying team have access to software such as CostX. Using the data collected from the other discipline models, the quantity surveyors can measure counts, lengths and areas with ease. They can also run quantity take-offs and export bills of quantities and cost plans.

Project Managers
Project managers use BIM to improve communication, coordination and collaboration on our projects. This includes driving the use of the common data environment and BIM collaboration to increase the level of engagement in project teams.

Building Surveyors
The building surveyors utilise ArchiCAD and AutoCAD to rapidly draft changes to buildings, doing so in a 3D modelling environment allows them to view the difference in changes between an existing building and a proposed design within a click of a button.

How has BIM changed?

There have been many recent developments in the world of BIM such as:

• “BS8644-1 Digital Management of Fire Safety Information” was published on 29 July 2022 and aims to provide a more detailed framework and approach for addressing the areas mentioned in the “Hackitt Report” this includes processes that must be followed for all buildings 18m or at least 7-storeys including care homes and hospitals.
• The ISO 19650 UKAS announcement – ISO 19650 certification schemes provided by organisations such as LRQA and BRE are now fully supported by UKAS, the highest authority in the United Kingdom. We predict that more companies will seek this accreditation as a selling point or as a method for significant business improvements.
• Digital Twins – A digital twin is a virtual copy of a physical asset, process, system, or environment that looks like and behaves identically to its real-world counterpart. A digital twin ingests data and replicates processes. Results can be used to predict possible performance outcomes and issues that the real-world product may undergo. Digital twins have been used across multiple industries such as healthcare, manufacturing, energy systems and even whole cities.

Suffolk’s largest joint emergency services hub was officially opened by HRH The Princess Royal today, with the new facility in Ipswich marking the latest milestone in a highly successful collaborative scheme.

The Princess Royal was joined by local dignitaries, including Suffolk’s High Sheriff, the county’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Deputy Chief Constable and Chief Fire Officer, councillors from Suffolk County Council and the Mayor of Ipswich for the grand opening of the shared site earlier this afternoon (Tuesday, 28 March).

During her time at the new station, HRH The Princess Royal spoke to staff from Suffolk Constabulary and Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service who have already begun to benefit from using the state-of-the-art facility.

Demonstrations of some of the fire service’s work, including water and animal rescues, also formed part of the visit, along with a tour of the building, which has undergone extensive renovations since work started on the project in December 2020.

Situated in the heart of Suffolk’s county town, the facility will help maintain public safety, ensure a swift response to incidents, and promote partnership working.

Councillor Andrew Reid, Suffolk County Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Health and Public Protection, commented: “It was an honour to welcome HRH, The Princess Royal, for the opening of the largest combined police and fire facility in Suffolk today, cementing the station’s status as the jewel in our county’s crown and celebrating the latest in a long line of hugely successful collaborations with our emergency services partners. We have already started to see the vast benefits of this shared site, which enables the efficient and cost-effective delivery of response activity in an environmentally responsible manner, ensuring continued value for money for our residents whilst supporting our council’s net-zero ambitions. I would like to thank everyone involved in delivering the new building; their attention to detail has resulted in a modern, fit-for-purpose station we can all be proud of, not just locally but on a national level, with Suffolk’s integrated blue light hub scheme heralded as an exemplar by central government.”

Tim Passmore, Suffolk’s Police and Crime Commissioner, added: “Our county was very privileged to welcome the Princess Royal for the official opening of the new joint Police and Fire Station in the centre of Ipswich. Our joint estates programme is one of the most important and significant examples of joint working nationally and is an excellent example of what can be achieved by pooling resources and working together. A great result for Suffolk.”

The multi-million-pound project has also boosted the local economy, following the use of Suffolk-based companies Concertus and RG Carter for the station’s design and construction.

What is a safety glazing survey?

A safety glazing survey is essentially an audit of the glass of a building in critical locations, where the glazing, glass and fixings are reviewed for compliance and the risks are assessed against Building Regulations Approved Document K.

The overall goal of the survey is to identify any area of risk and to propose to your client any remedial works that will need to take place to mitigate the risk of an accident occurring.

Why are safety glazing surveys important?

Whilst older buildings generally have a higher risk of non-compliant glazing, the age of a building is irrelevant. The Workplace (Health Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 regulation 14, states:

“Every window or other transparent or translucent surface in a wall or partition and every transparent or translucent surface in a door or gate shall, where necessary for reasons of health or safety –
(a) be of safety material or be protected against breakage of the transparent or translucent material; and;
(b) be appropriately marked or incorporate features so as, in either case, to make it apparent.”.

Undertaking a survey will allow for the most cost-effective risk reduction strategy to be developed.

Generally, critical glazing zones apply where the transparent or translucent surfaces are at shoulder level or below in the case of doors and gates and any side panels to them. It applies at waist level or below in the case of windows, walls, and partitions (except in glasshouses).

The survey will give you peace of mind that your building is compliant with the current legislation and will ensure that building users are not put in harm’s way when it comes to the breakage of glazing materials. They will ensure your liability is reduced.

What are the most commons issues you come across?

Typical issues concerning glazing in critical locations can be as follows:
• Door and window openers do not have safety glazing installed
• Doors are replaced in a combination frame, but glazing in the side lights is not replaced with safety glass
• Glazing below 800mm not having safety glazing installed
• No markings on the glazing to identify its safety rating

The overall goal of the survey is to identify any area of risk and to propose to your client any remedial works that will need to take place to mitigate the risk of an accident occurring.

How can Concertus help?

At Concertus, we have experienced members of staff who have performed countless surveys across the country. All surveyors are trained to use the glazing testing kit, which identifies the type and thickness of glass. The information that we gather is inputted on an electronic template, which has pin locations on the floor plan and provides a unique reference for each glazing location surveyed, making it easy for clients to understand.