The Architect@Work talks programme has returned for 2021 as a digital summit. Over the past decade, this European trade show and exhibition has developed a reputation for tackling issues facing the profession, touching upon different materials and the environment that surrounds us.

This year the organisers have dispensed with a specific theme but many of the panel discussions will be centred around our physical and mental wellbeing in a post-pandemic society. Without drawing specifically on design resolutions to a situation we don’t yet fully understand, the talks at A@W2021 will address a future vision on the places where we will live, work and socialise. They will explore how we care for the most vulnerable and the fact that good design and the environment do not have to be sacrificed in the process.

It is important to gain a full picture of the built environment and so all the panels will feature speakers from a design background, as well as a client perspective – including commercial clients and local authorities. Some highlights include:

• Healthy office environments as highlighted by the wellbeing expert Ben Channon and the
head of design at The Office Group, Nasim Koerting;
• Creating better homes for the elderly according to renowned architect Sarah Wigglesworth
and Guy Flintoff from Retirement Villages;
• Ways that we can make housing more equitable, featuring Sue Morgan – head of the Design
Council – and rising star Yẹmí Aládérun from Islington and Shoreditch Housing Association;
• The changes we will see to design outside that includes Transit Studio who organised the
successful pedestrianisation project in Soho;
• Considering the changing role of the suburbs with Peter Murray of the NLA and Georgie Day
from Enfield Council;
• And hear from two designers of the most recent Maggie’s Centres – Ab Rogers and Alex de
Rijke – alongside the woman that commissioned them, Dame Laura Lee.

The six panels will take place on 27th and 28th January and anyone can register for free at
www.architect-at-work.co.uk

Pictured Top: Alex de Rijke of dRMM will discuss his Maggie’s Centre in Oldham with Ab Rogers and Dame Laura Lee

Following criticism from various trade associations, the Scottish Government have confirmed that tradespeople in Scotland may only operate in other people’s homes if deemed as essential.

The BiKBBI confirmed the BEIS clarification of essential, with an emphasis on delivery, installation and repair of key household furniture and appliances, is as follows:

“Unless there was some sort of emergency and a bathroom / kitchen was necessary for the health and safety of residents I would expect it would not be covered here <referring to the exemptions below>.

More widely, Scottish Government colleagues have confirmed today, that following recent comments by the First Minister, they will continue to monitor transmission in the construction sector. They recognise that the industry has demonstrated strong compliance and a willingness to work with Government to tighten procedures and guidance wherever possible, to tackle the new variance and this is why the majority of construction work can still be carried out.”

The Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions and Requirements) (Local Levels) (Scotland) Regulations 2020 – Schedule 18.2(k) provides the “reasonable excuse” for breaching regulations to stay home as follows:

Examples of reasonable excuse 18.

(1) For the purposes of regulation 17, examples of what constitutes a reasonable excuse (see regulation 5(4)) include leaving the place where the person is living, for the purposes set out in sub-paragraph (2).(2) The purposes are to—(k) – move home or undertake activities in connection with the maintenance, purchase, sale, letting, or rental of residential property that the person owns or is otherwise responsible for, 

The majority of construction work in Scotland is permitted to continue at present, in both level 4 and during current ‘stay at home’ measures provided the following guidance is adhered to.    

• Work carried out in people’s homes should be limited to the provision of essential or permitted goods and services. Essential goods and services are those that fundamentally underpin, sustain and safeguard households. This includes (the list is not exhaustive): 

• Utility engineers and telecoms workers (eg electricity, gas, water, broadband) for the purpose of

• safety checks, repairs, maintenance and installations.

• Urgent repairs and maintenance – time critical repairs and maintenance that threaten the households health and safety.

• Delivery, installation and repair of key household furniture and appliances such as washing machine, refrigerator, cooker etc.

• Services in support of a home move. When working in someone’s house, tradespeople should stay 2 metres apart from the people who live there, wear a face covering and follow good hand and respiratory hygiene.

Further guidance on working in people’s homes can be found here: https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-general-guidance-for-safer-workplaces/pages/work-in-other-peoples-homes-faq/ 

Entries are now open for The Restaurant & Bar Design Awards, the event is now exclusively online, an independent competition dedicated to excellence in hospitality design.

With a new format, there will be 10 categories for each of the five regions (Europe, Americas, Asia, Middle East & Africa and Australia & Pacific). All entries will qualify for the best overall Restaurant and best overall Bar for their region. Additionally, two global prizes will be awarded to Best overall designed Restaurant & Best overall designed Bar.

For over a decade we have welcomed entries from over 100 countries covering every imaginable hospitality space; From independents to multiples, from ships to airports, museums to burger vans, from revered Michelin-starred establishments to the fleeting dynamism of pop-ups.

The highly influential and international judging panel comprises of 38 leading figures working across design, architecture, hospitality and lifestyle and includes Amanda Elder (Chief Commercial Officer, Kempinski Hotels), Sarah Douglas (Editor in Chief, Wallpaper*), Knut Wylde (General Manager, The Berkeley) and many other global influencers.

The Scottish Government operate a 4 level COVID protection system to help tackle the spread of the virus.

The British Institute of Kitchen, Bedroom & Bathroom Installation is actively seeking urgent clarification from the Scottish government as it believes that current advice is less than clear in relation to tradespeople working in other people’s homes.

Both the English & Welsh advice is clear, allowing tradespeople to continue their work in other people’s homes, however the advice to Scottish tradespeople states:

“Tradespeople providing services in other people’s homes in level 4 areas
Tradespeople should only go into a house in a level 4 area to carry out or deliver essential work or services, for example:

• to deliver, install or repair key household furniture and appliances such as washing machines, fridges and cookers”

The ambiguity relates to the term “essential work or services”, however the advice includes authority to “deliver, install or repair key household furniture”.

As kitchens and bathrooms are (in our opinion) essential, especially when there is a lockdown situation, we believe (as the English & Welsh have concluded) that tradespeople should be allowed to continue, in accordance with Safe Operating Procedures – but of course this is a matter for the Scottish government to rule upon.

BiKBBI CEO Damian Walters commented today by saying: “Once again, this lack of clarity between our so called United Kingdom is causing real confusion, which we urge the Scottish government to clarify as a matter of urgency”.

The Kbsa has announced it has begun the New Year with four new retail members. The members are located throughout the UK and include; Aspire Trade Kitchens in Glasgow, St. Neots Interiors Limited in Cambridgeshire, Alexander with two showrooms in Worthing and Horsham and Kitchen Culture in Kent.

Tracey Bond, MD at Kitchen Culture said, “We will have access to some great business support benefits from the Kbsa but for us it is all about the community, having the opportunity to improve, grow and learn alongside other like-minded businesses. We are thrilled to be part of something that helps independent retailers work together, especially during these challenging times.”

Kbsa national chair Richard Hibbert said, “I am delighted to welcome these four new members into the association.  2021 promises to be just as challenging as last year and we remain committed to work with government on behalf of the sector, and provide members with invaluable support and business services, helping retailers be stronger together.”

Yesterday Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced tougher measures to help slow the spread of Coronavirus in England.

The new measures, which take effect from Wednesday 6th January 2021 will include restrictions on movement and further social exemptions.

Government guidance states that every KBB showroom in the UK has to close and will not be able to operate by appointment only.

The advice on which businesses should close states that “showrooms such as those for bathrooms, kitchens, tiles, and glazing” should close whilst builders merchants and suppliers of products and tools used in building work and repairs may remain open.

For workers in construction and manufacturing the guidelines state: Where people cannot work from home – including, but not limited to, people who work in critical national infrastructure, construction, or manufacturing – they should continue to travel to their workplace. This is essential to keeping the country operating and supporting sectors and employers.

To find out more about how this affects tradespeople click the link