Brandt Projects Magazine Issue 3 by casapublishing

ISSUE 3

BRANDT PROJECTS

luxury kitchen & lifestyle living

Welcome to the spring issue of Brandt Projects magazine and I hope that the first quarter has been a successful one for you all. From a Brandt Design perspective, we are extremely happy having exceeded our Q1 targets. To think back to where we were 2 years ago as the world plunged into pandemic chaos, only the most optimistic would have thought back then that business would have picked up so well. However, business is not without its challenges and supply problems, caused by ongoing global events (COVID, transportation, rising oil prices, the war in Ukraine etc.) which are affecting product availability to all trades across the entire nation. Subsequently, as house builders, developers, architects, procurement managers etc. I’m sure that slow supply, combined with rising costs, are an increasing concern to you. As suppliers to you, we totally empathise because we are of course, just a conduit between you and manufacturers, subsequently, we suffer from both fronts. Price rises for products and materials are quite frankly, horrendous with some suppliers already levying a third increase in this calendar year! All this said, I do believe that we are managing the situation better than most, however, I must ask our customers for their ongoing patience and understanding through this period. You can help avoid some customer disappointment by managing their expectations and advising them of longer lead times, for domestic appliances, sadly currently running at 20 weeks from most manufacturers! If you have a problem or feel that there is something specific we can do for you, please ask your project manager or designer as our team will move heaven and earth to fulfil any requests if humanly possible. I hope you enjoy this issue of Brandt Projects magazine, personally, I think it’s a cracker! You will notice that we have tried to add to its reader friendliness by introducing a bit of industry news. Do let us know if you like it, or indeed if you have any ideas about what we could improve it to make it a more enjoyable read, we are always pleased to hear from our readers/ customers. Enjoy … Scott Managing Director

CASE STUDY HAMPSTEAD MANOR

pages 4-6

PORTFOLIO

pages 8-11

CASE STUDY AMERSHAM VALE

page 12-15

STAFF PROFILE DIONNE O’BRIEN

pages 16-17

FEATURE: GREENER HABITS BEGIN IN THE KITCHEN

pages 18-20

FEATURE: INSPIRE, ENGAGE, DIFFERENTIATE

page 22-23 NEWS

page 24-25

CASE STUDY | HAMPSTEAD MANOR

The development itself comprises 156 distinguished residences across 13 buildings, ranging from studio apartments to fivebedroom homes; all located in beautifully landscaped gardens and open green spaces.

TO THE MANOR BORN Brandt Design supplied and installed kitchens at Hampstead Manor, a development of 156 Luxury houses and apartments for private sale. Developer, Mount Anvil selected the site as few locations can boast such richness in architecture and history as the prized north London enclave of Hampstead. The project has historical links being situated on the site of the old Westfield College and is located only a stroll from Hampstead Village.

CASE STUDY | HAMPSTEAD MANOR

The Hampstead Manor development embraces all the qualities that have long made NW3 one of Britain’s most desirable postcodes. Purchasers of the new dwellings at Hampstead Manor will enjoy an environment that has Grade II listed, converted heritage properties and new build homes, all located in London’s greenest suburb which is surrounded by exceptional educational

institutions for all ages. The village has a variety of independent boutiques and popular restaurants, and rail links mean that its just 9 minutes to Bond Street and 10 minutes to Kings Cross St Pancras. Each Hampstead Manor property boasts kitchens that are handleless and in a mixture of Matt/Gloss Lacquers and bespoke veneers, all carefully selected

from the highly popular Brandt Designs Urban Collection. Kitchen furniture is complemented by beautiful stone worktops from the Brandt Collection by Brandt Design and appliances from high-end kitchen appliance brand Miele and Siemens. The development itself comprises 156 distinguished residences across 13

buildings, ranging from studio apartments to fivebedroom homes; all located in beautifully landscaped gardens and open green spaces. A Residents’ town car service and underground parking are provided, as too is a 24hour concierge. Howeowners can keep fit or just relax in the dedicated residents’ gym, spa, swimming pool and sauna.

Kitchens by Brandt Design: www.brandtdesign.co.uk/hampstead-manor Developer: Mount Anvil, www.mountanvil.com/find-your-home/hampstead-manor

IXRF 5165

ICBNd 5183

ICNe 5133

Prime

Peak

Plus

Integrated Side-by-Side combination Fridge and Freezer

Integrated fridge-freezer with BioFresh and NoFrost

Integrated fridge-freezer with EasyFresh and NoFrost

Exterior dimensions in cm (h / w / d): 177.2-178.8 / 56-57 / min. 55 (x2)

Exterior dimensions in cm (h / w / d): 177.2-178.8 / 56-57 / min. 55

ICNf 5103

IRBAd 5190

IRBd 5180

Pure

Peak

Integrated fridge-freezer with EasyFresh and NoFrost

Integrated fridge with BioFresh Profressional and HydroBreeze

Integrated fridge with BioFresh and HydroBreeze

Exterior dimensions in cm (h / w / d): 177.2-178.8 / 56-57 / min. 55

CASE STUDY | HAMPSTEAD MANOR

Trend #1 – Contemporary Classics tempt the homebuyer, a range of deluxe turnkey projects being designed with modern kitchens, which are sympathetic to their surroundings and period architecture. Potential new homeowners at this Holburne Park development will enjoy our Heritage Furniture Collection that offers a classic in-frame door, seen here in high-fashion Velvet Blue Lacquer. The sophisticated blue furniture is paired with elegant and tactile 20mm quartz worktops in Carrara Cloud and all the featured kitchen appliances are manufactured by Siemens, along with an amazing Bora Pure induction hob set within the island.

PORTFOLIO

Over 40 years of experience creating uniquely designed interior spaces.

THE BRANDT COLLECTION At Brandt, we are inspired by beautiful designs that add a visual and functional value to everyday life. Explore our collection of designer kitchen and lifestyle furniture, worktops, lighting and more ...

Trend #2 – Painted Kitchens remain popular with end users who want to create an individual kitchen space which reflects their personal style. A painted kitchen gives clients an opportunity to explore a limitless variety of colour which can bridge the gap between home and garden, while creating a signature style to help your property portfolio stand out. Grey remains a front runner and this Shaker-style kitchen featuring high-fashion Pure Grey, brings new energy to this modern country home and a neutral colour scheme creates an illusion of more capaciousness! 9

PORTFOLIO

Trend #3 – Utility Rooms have become a benchmark of the modern home, levelling up the practical areas of the kitchen as homeowners continue to invest in bespoke boot rooms and utility areas. The ability to configure the laundry room to include an extra washer or dryer is leading to ever greater personalisation to areas adjacent to the kitchen. If working with a more compact arrangement, consider integrating a range of appliances and custom storage options like the elevated laundry combo, as pictured.

Trend #4 – Black finishing touches are once again topping the charts, with contemporary matt black hardware styled sinks and taps enriching the home and offering a new take on industrial-style kitchen design. In its raw form, black has an urban look and feel, and when paired with exposed brickwork, concrete surfaces and wood finishes, interior designers can very easily to define the wash zone and offer a consistent colour story throughout the entire kitchen living space, especially as the popularity in black appliances shows no signs of abating. Check out this industrial-style kitchen we have on display in our #Hampstead Showroom.

PORTFOLIO Trend #5 – Integrated food storage is on the rise with built-in larders the latest musthave. Demonstrating a greater appreciation for added-value features, homeowners are now prompting new layouts, furniture styles and interior solutions that are pantry-inspired and provide a designated larder space for storing dry goods, long-life food, drink, and more recently, next-generation breakfast cupboards! As the number of multi-generational households continue to rise, we expect our customers will continue to the kitchen as a social hub and so can enjoy preparing, serving and eating which inevitably fuels further attention on lifestyle-centred storage like larders and pantries.

Trend #6 – Kitchen living is now more unrestricted than ever, and this newly completed open-plan contemporary kitchen is a great example of how enhancing the flow of the entire ground floor, will unify both the design and residents in the home. As trends continue to err towards cross-generational living, a one-size fits all kitchen is now a thing of the past and instead, multidiscipline interiors have taken over to welcome a new era of ‘high-performance’ kitchen living spaces – can you spot the door that leads to a hidden bootroom?! 11

Deptford retains that essential vibrancy and character that has evolved into a welcoming and warm community that’s representative of an area rich with possibilities.

CASE STUDY | AMERSHAM VALE

URBAN SCENE Brandt Living has recently supplied 117 kitchens for one of the largest housing providers Peabody. The Scene is found in London where Deptford and New Cross meet and the urban village centre transitions into residential streets of Victorian terraces and the new landscaped open space of Charlottenburg Park.

CASE STUDY | AMERSHAM VALE

Situated on Amersham Vale, this corner of South London has long been associated with the arts and creativity though its links to Goldsmiths and the Young British Artists movement of the 90s and 2000s. Today, Deptford retains that essential vibrancy and character that has evolved into a welcoming and warm community that’s representative of an area rich with possibilities. The collection at The Scene includes Maiden Court

which comprises beautiful apartments and spacious two bedroom duplexes, with many offering views across Charlottenburg Park, as well as a collection of beautiful three and four bedroom homes. These high-specification properties are located just four minutes walk from New Cross station, which offers direct links into London Bridge in only five minutes. Brandt Designs has supplied modern handle-less kitchens in putty concrete pearl grey.

They are complemented beautifully by Silestone stone-effect work surfaces in snow white, complete with a matching upstand. Also integrated into the worksurfaces are single undermounted satin steel bowl sinks with mixer taps manufactured from stainless steel. Brandt have supplied cooking appliances manufactured by Bosch which include electric hob complemented by an integrated Bosch oven and

microwave. For cooling, integrated Bosch fridge/ freezers (70/30 size split), dishwashers and integrated waste and recycling bin are installed in the kitchens. There is also a free-standing Bosch washer/dryer to hallway cupboards Included in the kitchen designs are recessed LED down lights and Amtico white ash wood-effect flooring. The Peabody Group is responsible for over 67,000

CASE STUDY | AMERSHAM VALE

‘Its mission is to help make people’s lives better by developing and delivering reliably good modern services, building and maintaining the best quality developments, working with local communities and building long-term partnerships.’ homes in London and the South East and 155,000 residents. We have 16,000 care and support customers. Our mission is to help people make the most of their lives. The Peabody Group draws on over 150 years of history and expertise. The Group say that its new, bigger organisation has been inspired by the response to the ‘Cathy Come Home’ era of poor quality housing and poverty in Post-War Britain as well as George Peabody’s vision of providing safe and

affordable housing for the working poor of Victorian London. It states that its mission is to help make people’s lives better by developing and delivering reliably good modern services, building and maintaining the best quality developments, working with local communities and building long-term partnerships, whilst growing and using its position of influence to create positive change.

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“Every new project is a challenge and different in its own way which makes my role very interesting and why I am so passionate about giving the client the best possible design and service to meet their requests.”

PROFILE

STAFF PROFILE DIONNE O’ BRIEN In the spring issue of Brandt Projects magazine we spotlight Dionne O’Brien who is a Projects Designer.

Hi Dionne, give us a little background on how you became a Projects designer? What did you study that supports your current role? I studied computer aided design and art at college, eventually graduating with a Diploma in graphic design. And when you went out into the big wide world of work? I began my career as a junior furniture designer specialising in educational furniture, I progressed to become head designer. It was a fantastic role for me as it gave me an opportunity to work with some of the best architects, interior designers and builders in the industry. So how did you gravitate towards the KBB market? My vocation the took me into bespoke shower enclosures where I worked on some prestigious projects including the Shard. I decided after a while that my career lay in kitchen designer and projects designer and have been

fortunate enough to work on some high-end projects. It proved to be a smart move as I have realised that my love for kitchen design and interiors across the board is my passion and wanted to strive in this industry. What is your skill set that clients of Brandt benefit from most? Having now been in the kitchen industry for over ten years, I have accumulated a great knowledge and passion for design and creating the best possible layouts and designs to suit our clients’ needs. Furthermore, I have a great eye for detail and I’m always looking out for new trends to introduce into my designs, I like symmetry and making the best use of space and creating that ultimate wow factor. And how do you convey your design ideas? Having used many different design packages I am able to present my clients the best possible visuals and plans, tailored to perfectly their brief so that we enjoy a shared vision.

PROFILE What client experience do you have and how do you keep up with trends? I have worked with mainly German and bespoke English manufacturers. I have benefitted immensely from visiting Germany many times to study the new ranges and trends etc. which helps me incorporate the very latest trend ideas into my designs. Every new project is a challenge and different in its own way which makes my role very interesting and why I am so passionate about giving the client the best possible design and service to meet their requests. A few personal questions for you Dionne s that we can get a better feel of what kind of person you are. What inspires you? I have a great passion for architecture and design and I therefore, love to travel and experience new places, especially cities where I can indulge in site-seeing and visiting places of architectural interest. And more generally? I keep myself busy really. I love all different genres of music, I street dance, sing occasionally and do a few sets with my brother, I also enjoy spending an evening at the theatre or cinema. I like going to the gym, I even used to do kickboxing and martial arts/self-defence. I really enjoy it and place a fair degree of important in keeping fit

FEATURE

GREENER HABITS BEGIN IN THE KITCHEN Whether it is meticulously separating the film from the card on a piece of packaging before discarding it or actively looking at ways to reduce the food waste in their home, consumers across the UK are taking a more environmentally conscious approach to their decision making within the kitchen. Combine this steady shift to more eco-friendly thinking with the global pandemic where we all had a lot more time to consider how the choices we make impact the planet and never before have we seen such a prioritization on sustainable living in the home.

Get familiar with the new energy label system.

So how can you ensure you are specifying appliances that are friendly to the planet and therefore in demand.

This label change has prompted eco-conscious manufacturers into action, and as a result, many have

In March 2021, the Energy Label system was updated to eliminate the now confusing A+, A++ and A+++ ratings and to increase the scope for improvements in energy efficiency.

become more motivated than ever to produce energy-efficient appliances. And refrigeration and freezing products are no different, after all, technically these are the appliances that are always on in your client’s kitchens, as such, it is important they’re running as efficiently as possible, particularly as energy prices continue to rise.

FEATURE As an innovative brand with sustainability at its heart, Liebherr has been one of the manufacturers leading the charge. Not only does the brand insist on using natural refrigerants in their cooling appliances, but the family-owned company has recently announced that their European production facilities will soon be entirely powered by green energy.

Fortunately, there are kitchen gadgets and appliances with food-waste fighting features that can help your customers tackle this problem head-on. One of those features would be Liebherr’s renowned BioFresh technology. This leading technology offers your clients the flexibility of storing different types of food at their optimal storage temperature and humidity.

Another thing your clients may be considering is how far their new appliance had to travel to make it to their home. Choosing a European manufacturer often leaves a smaller carbon footprint than those further afield.

As a result, fruit, veggies, meat and cheese all stay fresh for significantly longer than if stored inside a conventional fridge drawer. Unpackaged vegetables, in particular, when stored slightly above 0°C in a Liebherr BioFresh drawer, hold that market-fresh crispness and keep those delicious flavours locked in until it’s time to prepare them.

Less waste more great taste! A final point to consider when helping your clients plan their eco-friendly dream kitchen is advising them on how they can dramatically reduce their food waste. Needlessly throwing away food doesn’t just harm your customers in their pockets. Sadly, the vast amount of food discarded in the UK will end up in landfills and, in doing so, emit harmful greenhouse gases like methane.

So with an array of sustainable recommendations ready to give your clients, which will you focus on next time you are specifying for an exciting planet-friendly kitchen project.

www.home.liebherr.com

Not only does the brand insist on using natural refrigerants in their cooling appliances, but the family-owned company has recently announced that their European production facilities will soon be entirely powered by green energy.

“Advertising is saying you’re good. PR is getting someone else to say you’re good.” Jean-Louis Gassee

LIFESTYLE & DESIGN PR SPECIALISTS KITCHENS, BEDROOMS & BATHROOMS | HOME INTERIORS | DESIGN & ARCHITECTURAL

PR & MARKETING | DESIGN | PUBLISHING | EVENT MANAGEMENT WORKING IN HARMONY WITH BRANDT DESIGN www.publicityengineers.com +44 (0)1992 478 109

FEATURE

INSPIRE, ENGAGE, DIFFERENTIATE

“If you are a small builder, developer, architect or even a supplier, it’s important to try things that can make you stand out in an oversaturated market. Whether it’s making a digital statement online or on the high street, now is the time to do something that will get you noticed.” Peter Jones, Founder & Managing Director of Foyne Jones Recruitment Group

FEATURE

Now that a sense of normality is returning to the industry, it’s incredibly important for businesses to inspire their audience, and engage with clients on all levels. In this issue, the Brandt Projects team speaks with Peter Jones who is the Founder & Managing Director of Foyne Jones Recruitment Group. Peter explains how businesses can perhaps do more to differentiate their products and services in the marketplace: “If you are a small builder, developer, architect or even a supplier, it’s important to try things that can make you stand out in an oversaturated market. Whether it’s making a digital statement online or on the high street, now is the time to do something that will get you noticed. From disruptive marketing campaigns through to liveaction video or just being consistent with regular company posts of engaging content, whatever platform you choose, do make sure you celebrate your successes, tell your story and most all, have fun.

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good or bad, as we need to appreciate there is a potential customer or brand cheerleader behind each and every one.

I truly believe that being honest is the best policy when communicating your business ideas and if you agree then accepting that the commercial landscape has changed indefinitely is your first step to working with change, not against it.

It’s obvious that medium and larger developers understand the importance of quality brochures and sales literature, they see it as their shop window, after all, if you want to sell a high-ticket item, and they don’t come bigger than a house, then the investment in getting sales literature right is critical. So if you are a smaller developer, do be self-critical of what you present, could it be improved? For inspiration, do take a look at some of the literature produced by premium house builders, or even car manufacturers; does yours convey the right environment for the price and locations of the dwellings you are creating?

As we move into the spring/ summer season and supply chain issues continue to cause delays, we need to be real about what our priorities are and make sure that we can only promise what we deliver. The pandemic should never be an excuse for poor service or failing to follow up with online enquiries. If anything, businesses need to be even more attentive to customers and should aim to followup on every enquiry, either

I really do believe that we need to redefine the way we think about ‘communication’ and place more emphasis on the importance of exceptional customer service. Frankly, customer service can make or break a brand and so even if you’re available 24/7, positive encounters are what keep customers coming back. In fact, according to Odondo, up to 47% of customers will stop buying from a company which has poor customer service, but

93% of people are likely to be repeat customers if the level of service is outstanding. This is critical for house builders, developers and but also smaller builders, home improvement companies and even those who supply and fit within the home too, like kitchen, bedroom and bathroom suppliers for example. Therefore, ensure that your team works on generating those positive reviews, testimonials and where the larger builders are concerned, positive press engagement at local and national level. Always, be clear and transparent about any delays to lead times so that you can manage expectations from the outset, as regular updates with your customers will allow you to control the narrative and ensure their perception of you is accurate and reliable, leaving no room for assumption. As the philosopher Eugene Lewis Fordsworthe, once said ‘assumption is the mother of all mistakes’ so make sure you set your customers up for success with some solid groundwork. In doing so, you will prevent potential disappointment all the while building a great reputation for your brand and business. www.foynejones.com

NEWS

INDUSTRY NEWS The construction market could be overheating Ian Cooper, Director and Head of Construction sector at DWF, reacts to comments on the IHS Markit / CIPS UK Construction PMI for February 2022, by commenting, “The construction market could be overheating. The continued growth in activity, across all sectors, is putting a significant demand on the available supply chain to deliver. Whilst it is good news to see input cost inflation ease, the industry is very

busy with contractor’s order books full for at least the year ahead. Consequently, it is no surprise that buying has increased as clients look to secure increasingly scare construction delivery resources.” DWF is a global provider of integrated legal and business services provided through its three offerings of Legal Advisory, Mindcrest and Connected Services.

Buttle’s Earns Investors in People Working Standard accolade Buttle’s builders’ merchants has been recognised by Investors In People as a great place to work. Formed in 1919, Buttle’s has branches in Leighton Buzzard, Enfield, St Albans and Kentish Town. With the industry recognising the manner in which the firm operates, Buttle’s will be able to use its newly acquired working standard to continue to progress internal talent and to attract new external talents. Fran Boast, Head of People and Development, said: “The Investors in People accreditation reinforces to our customer base that Buttle’s takes the time and energy to invest in

our people, recognising that our teams are fully trained and highly engaged to provide outstanding service to our customers!” In recognising Buttle’s commitment to its team of 60 employees, Investors In People said: “Buttle’s handled the pandemic well, which was evident in terms of their management support and understanding for the differing situations that their people were facing, by working together to find ways to balance working and managing caring responsibilities during challenging times.” For more information on Buttle’s, visit: www.buttles.com

NEWS

INDUSTRY NEWS Waste Not, Want Not: Building Materials You Can Reuse and Recycle The construction sector is responsible for 11% of carbon emissions around the world. To address this, the UK government has introduced a tenpoint plan to reduce carbon emissions within the industry. This includes releasing wholelife carbon assessments to the general public and updating design standards.

Plasterboard

There are many more things the construction industry can do to reduce its carbon footprint, including reusing and recycling building materials. As well as being environmentally conscious, research shows that this can reduce costs and improve a company’s credibility. So, think outside of the box and focus on sustainable waste management.

As walls are an integral part of any building, the construction industry produces a surplus of plasterboard. One of the best ways to dispose of this is single stream recycling. This allows businesses to recycle large volumes of waste with ease and can be applied to some of the materials below.

This article will explore some of the building materials you can reuse and recycle. Whether you’re managing a sustainable project or building your own home, these materials will leave you with a clear conscience and the world with a cleaner atmosphere.

The war on plastics is a continuous effort. Over 380 million tonnes of plastic is thrown away every year, and only 9% is recycled adequately. To battle this, the construction industry can recycle and reuse its plastic waste. This includes plasterboard (or drywall), which is found in walls and floors.

Metal Metal is a durable and strong building material. If you want to build with the environment in mind, steel is a great metal to work with. In fact, research shows that the steel we use is made of 40% recycled scrap metal. This means you’re reducing carbon emissions before construction has begun. It is also simple to recycle or reuse steel. In construction,

metal bars are placed within walls to provide strength and stability. These are called rebars.

the environment one reclaimed brick at a time.

Whether you’re building from scratch or renovating a space, you may have a surplus of this material. However, as the Steel Recycling Institute claims around 65% of these bars are recycled, this shouldn’t be an issue.

Construction is no small task. Building a simple structure requires a large number of different materials. These are often stacked and stored on wooden pallets. In the UK, these pallets account for 10% of waste in the construction industry. To reduce this waste, companies can attempt to reuse these or recycle them for scrap wood.

Brick In the UK, brick is the most common material used to build houses. If you walk down any street in the nation, you’ll see bricks upon bricks forming the environment around you. So, it’s important that we’re able to make this building material as sustainable as possible. Luckily, reclaimed bricks can be used in construction. One of the best times to use recycled bricks is during a renovation, from reviving a century-old public building to replacing a wall in a barn conversion. They may be slightly less apt for insulation, but they’ll add a sense of vintage style to any renovation project. So you can save

Wooden pallets

Overall, the construction industry has a long way to go before it is carbon neutral. There are governmental plans in motion to reduce the environmental impact of the sector, but it always helps to start small and focus on the little things. So, using materials that can be recycled and reused is a great way to be environmentally conscious. By following these simple steps, builders and engineers shine hope on a greener future. How will you help build a carbon-conscious society?

BEAUTIFULLY MADE • CREATIVELY DESIGNED EXPERTLY INSTALLED KITCHENS THAT INSPIRE

NEW Hampstead Showroom 489, Finchley Road, West Hampstead, London. NW3 6HS Phone 02081 947 888

Hatch End Showroom 431, The Broadway Uxbridge Road, Pinner Hertfordshire. HA5 4JR Phone 02037 584 455

Head Office Brandt Kitchens Ltd Oxleys Road, Stevenage Hertfordshire. SG2 9YE Phone 01438 729 062