Guernsey Property and Construction - Spring 2020 - Issue 3

Spring 2020

Issue 3

GUE R N SE Y

PROPERTY AND CONSTRUCTION Something old, something new How architect Jamie Le Gallez turned a listed barn into a home perfect for modern family life

Celebrating success Meet the winners of the Property and Construction Awards and find out who benefited from the evening

Going green From the island’s new building regulations to a recycling apprenticeship, our eco feature looks at how the industry is becoming more environmentally aware

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INTRODUCTION

EDITOR Tamara Timothy

EDITOR’S LETTER

editor@collaborateci.com

SALES Julie Todd or Nicky Bellis hello@collaborateci.com

DESIGN & PRODUCTION Anthony Barbapiccola design@collaborateci.com www.collaborateci.com www.guernseyconstructionawards.com

Guernsey Property and Construction is produced four times a year by Collaborate CI Ltd. To receive the magazine call 01481 715222 or email hello@collaborateci.com Guernsey Property and Construction is published by Collaborate CI Ltd. Copyright 2020. All rights reserved. Any reproduction without permission is prohibited. Guernsey Property and Construction contains editorial content from external contributors which does not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers and the factual accuracy of which cannot be guaranteed by the publishers.

Guernsey Property and Construction does not accept or respond to unsolicited manuscripts and photographs. The publishers do not accept responsibility for errors in advertisements or third party offers.

Cover photo by Jean-Christophe Godet

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W

elcome to the spring edition of the Guernsey Property and Construction magazine.

I have no doubt that all those in the sector have felt the impact of the long, wet winter and that spring will come as a welcome relief. Hopefully the contents of these pages will also help cheer you as we celebrate the successes of the local property and construction industry.

The latest Guernsey Property and Construction Awards did just that, with an evening that rewarded the very best individuals and teams in the industry.

On page 22 we have details of all the well-deserving winners and nominees for the 2019 awards and offer our sincere congratulations to all of them.

In this issue, we meet Peter Falla of well-known architectural practice PF+A. He won the ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ so we spoke to him as he looked back at a fascinating career. You can read that interview on page 36. We also meet Julie Carré of Carré Property, who won the ‘Residential Property Professional of the Year Award’. She tells us about her business on page 66, and make sure you keep an eye out for future interviews with other award winners in the magazine this year.

For our spring issue, we take a closer look at two impressive residential projects that have certainly given old buildings fresh starts. Le Prinsaeu is the home of architect Jamie Le Gallez, and converting the listed barn in St Saviour’s into his family’s house was a labour of love that has certainly been worth the trouble. We spoke to him about his inspiration for the project and you can read that on page 4.

Cedar House is another house in a rural setting which has blended the modern with the traditional to create something special. Our feature on page 42 tells the story of how the design of the property developed. Both Cedar House and Le Prinsaeu are nominated for Guernsey Design Awards and show the breadth of talent in the industry.

I hope you enjoy this issue. If you want to share any feedback with the team or have suggestions for future feature ideas, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Tamara Timothy Editor

Guernsey Property and Construction

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Combining technical expertise with a commercial approach, our highly-experienced property team acts on a broad range of commercial real estate and development projects in Guernsey.

Our work includes acquisitions and disposals, landlord and tenant agreements, financing and secured transactions, joint venture agreements as well as contentious and non-contentious matters, including planning appeals and other disputes.

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CONTENTS

ISSUE 3 04 Le Prinsaeu When an architect designs his own home, it’s bound to be something special. Discover the story behind Jamie Le Gallez’s converted barn in St Saviour’s

12 Industry News

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All the property and construction industry news from around the island including appointments, expansions and awards

20 Property and Construction Awards Meet the winners and finalists of the 2019 Guernsey Property and Construction Awards

25 Guernsey Alzheimer’s Association We find out about the charity that benefited from this year’s Property and Construction Awards, and how they will use the money raised

28 Industry Profile Sophie-Louise Bynam is a designer at Channel Island Ceramics. She tells us about her career path so far and her passion for the role

32 House Trends From kitchen colours to the metals you should be featuring in your bathrooms, discover the hottest house trends for 2020

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36 Peter Falla The winner of this year’s ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ looks back at his career and tells us how he now plans to spend his time

42 Cedar House A gem of a property nestled in the St Martin’s conservation area but distinctively contemporary, read about the development of Cedar House

48 Sustainable Apprenticeships As the Guernsey College of Further Education looks to introduce a new programme, we find out about the demand for apprenticeships from industry

52 Passivhaus Principles With environmental awareness ever more on the agenda, we research how Passivhaus Principles can make new homes more efficient than ever

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66 Julie Carré The winner of this year’s ‘Residential Property Professional of the Year Award’ tells us how she developed her award-winning business

72 Finishing Touches After a long hard winter, we have the ideas to freshen up your home this spring

Guernsey Property and Construction

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FEATURE

ISSUE 3 SPRING 2020

LE PRINSAEU When architect Jamie Le Gallez was looking to return to the island a few years ago, he knew he would like his family’s new home to be a building he could put his own stamp on. He didn’t expect the property to end up being a major renovation and extension project to a listed structure within eyesight of his childhood home. But with Le Prinseau that is what they’ve achieved; it’s their perfect family home.

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ISSUE 3 SPRING 2020

AS AN ARCHITECT, THE IDEA OF BUILDING OUR FAMILY HOME TO OUR OWN SPECIFICATIONS AND STYLE WAS A RARE OPPORTUNITY THAT I WAS DETERMINED TO TAKE FULL ADVANTAGE OF.

be excavated. There were also two old pig stys with corrugated metal roofs and modern neglected metal garage doors. One still had good original granite walls, old troughs and solid stone floors so we thought it had the potential to be retained and used in some form in the future but the other was beyond repair.”

Jamie Le Gallez has his roots firmly in St Saviour’s – growing up playing football at Sylvans and enjoying being outdoors near his family’s rural home. Three and a half years ago, he and his wife were looking to relocate back to the island from the UK. “A friend of my father’s mentioned that some barns and land near to my parents’ property were being put up for sealed auction.

The barns already had planning permission for change of use so we decided it was worth putting in an offer to see what happened.

We ended up being successful and that was the start of this project.”

It was a project that has sensitively renovated a dilapidated 19th century listed barn into a modern, stylish home that is full of character yet also ideally suited to Jamie’s family of four.

“When we bought it, it was in a very poor state. The listed building dated back to 1858 and had a large lean-to extension added to the side which held an agricultural boiler system. It was a two storey building with a rather dilapidated roof in need of major attention.

“Outside the rear garden ground level was two and a half feet higher than the internal floor level, which we knew would need to

While many people would have found the prospect terrifying, Jamie says it didn’t daunt him in the slightest. Instead, it was an exciting opportunity to work closely with his family to create a modern piece architecture that they could call home.

“Before Le Prinsaeu, we had lived in a two bedroom Victorian terraced house and a 1960’s bungalow. As an architect, the idea of building our family home to our own specifications and style was a rare opportunity that I was determined to take full advantage of.”

Aware that it was to be their home, Jamie kept his family involved from the outset. From the day he found out that they had won the auction, he started sketching and creating models with his wife of how they might want the house to look and function.

Guernsey Property and Construction

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FEATURE

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“My wife and I had done quite a lot of travelling around Europe to see and appreciate modern architecture. Work we had seen in Barcelona, Paris and Italy all fed into our ideas of what we wanted for our own home. From a lovely hotel in Italy, which had a two storey high mezzanine with a library, to Le Corbusier’s wide galleries in France looking down into voids – we were able to incorporate some those ideas into our own more modest spaces. The idea of having glimpses of rooms in sequence through the house, and multiple heights in the spaces throughout the building, became a strong design criteria. I think being able to move between single, double and even triple height spaces has led to a healthier, happier experience in the house. The triple height space also allows you to appreciate the scale and proportions of the original barn.”

Jamie Le Gallez

While the design of the inside was clearly key, so too was the outside. The rural landscape was part of the attraction of the house, and something Jamie wanted to maximise. Coming into his semiprivate drive, you can see the entire way through the house and out to the rural aspect beyond. It emphasis the agricultural identity of the property, while the large framed picture windows add modernity.

For the family, it was very important to respect the history of the barn

ISSUE 3 SPRING 2020

even as they looked to make it suitable for 21st century living. The structure had been standing on the site since 1858 and Jamie was keen for it retain its own identity throughout the renovations.

“We were always determined to be sensitive to the historic nature of the building and conducted extensive research into how we could renovate it while keeping the structure intact. The design was heavily influenced by the existing openings, beams and proportions of the barn – with windows and room sizes and layouts dependent on what was already in place. The large timber joists and rafters that are now such a feature were original to the property, which was why we went to such an effort to retain and incorporate them within the design.”

Upon entering the barn, it is clear how much attention was paid to

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FEATURE

respecting the building’s history – from the antique agricultural implements that sit in the corner of the living room to the original timber cider press which was found inside the barn and has been retained in the renovated building, and now makes a real focal point of the living space.

From the start, Jamie knew that the traditional barn would need an extension to provide modern facilities necessary for his family. It was also clear that this should be a very different structure that would clearly leave the barn with its own identity, yet add interest and appeal to the property.

“Part of the approach was to have a completely modern intervention that was still harmonious with the existing granite building and didn’t detract from it. The barn has been here for 150 years and so we wanted to keep the originality

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Guernsey Property and Construction

of that structure. It took some time and research to look into the different finishes we could use on the extension – I considered render, cedar, various boardings, and around 10 different colours for the windows – but when the final material palette of black timber windows and charred cedar vertical cladding came together it was clear that was the right approach for the building.”

IT WAS ALSO CLEAR THAT THIS SHOULD BE A VERY DIFFERENT STRUCTURE THAT WOULD CLEARLY LEAVE THE BARN WITH ITS OWN IDENTITY, YET ADD INTEREST AND APPEAL TO THE PROPERTY.

Guernsey’s Planning and Heritage Departments agreed to the design and the relevant permissions were obtained following a series of productive and essential preplanning meetings. With the design finalised and permissions in place, building work could start.

Jamie’s family had been key to him finding the property, and that involvement continued throughout the build. His brother Jules was the main contractor on the project with

his company, Homefield Services – and it was certainly a job that would require his full attention.

“When we stripped the building back, there were a lot of defects within the existing structure. The granite walls had been built as two skins sandwiched together and the far one on the south wall had started to bow. We needed to take that wall out and rebuild half of it which was a fairly major job and required additional input and permissions of the Planning Department. At the same time, we had to underpin the whole barn and shore up the gable wall. Luckily the structural survey showed that the jack rafters and the king rafters were solid so that was certainly a help.”

The house is clearly delineated between old and new – with the traditional barn housing bedrooms, living spaces, study and dining

ISSUE 3 SPRING 2020

area, while the new extension is home to the kitchen along with practical space such as the utility room. A natural, tactile and muted palette of materials complement the existing granite barn structure while sensitive detailing creates harmonious transitions between different materials.

“The charred cedar cladding was absolutely the right decision for the look of the house, and I actually burned all the timber myself before Jules and his team installed it. As the farmhouse is granite I wanted to bring something in that was also a natural material with texture and depth that wouldn’t look flat against it. The material needed to be modern but have the material richness that the barn has, and the charred cedar certainly does that.”

The house took almost two years to complete, with Jamie helping out by working on site at weekends

alongside his day job as a director at SOUP Architects. But he’s clear that it was the team that got the job done to his high standards.

“As an architect building my own house, I was probably a very demanding client as I knew exactly what I wanted and the quality I expected. But the contractor and the whole team of sub-contractors were absolutely excellent. Their attention to detail was outstanding throughout the project and the quality of the craftsmanship was fantastic. This wasn’t an easy building to work on, but they did a great job on everything from the structural work to the finishing touches that have really made the house.”

Le Prinsaeu is notable for its appearance, but some of its benefits are not due to aesthetics.

Despite the barn’s age, the renovations mean that the house

has a high thermal performance beyond the requirements for a new build and uses relatively low energy. The installation of an air source heat pump also ensures the house is not reliant on fossil fuels for heating. Altogether, it’s made the property not only attractive to look at, but a lovely place to live – and that’s something Jamie and his family appreciate every day.

THE CONTRACTOR AND THE WHOLE TEAM OF SUB-CONTRACTORS WERE ABSOLUTELY EXCELLENT. THEIR ATTENTION TO DETAIL WAS OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT THE PROJECT AND THE QUALITY OF THE CRAFTSMANSHIP WAS FANTASTIC

“It was all totally worth it as the whole family is really happy with the house. Our family interaction has increased because of the layout of the house, but it is also future proofed in case we want more privacy between areas in the future. This is certainly our long term home and we will enjoy every day living here.”

Le Prinsaeu has been shortlisted in the Guernsey Design Awards 2020 in the ‘Heritage’ category.

Guernsey Property and Construction

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INDUSTRY NEWS

First commercial Certificate of Lawful Use application successful The Development & Planning Authority (DPA) for the States of Guernsey has approved the first Certificate of Lawful Use (CLU) application relating to the commercial use of property since the law’s introduction last year.

an owner of land can apply to the DPA for it to issue a CLU to enable the property owner to regularise a long-standing unlawful use of land and certify that the existing use of the land is now lawful for planning purposes.

Carey Olsen and PF+A Architecture advised on the application, by which the owner of Stratheden Vinery successfully demonstrated that the vinery site in Rue du Douit, Vale had been used in connection with gardening businesses and as a site to repair vehicles and machinery continuously for more than 10 years.

Carey Olsen senior associate and planning law specialist Rachel Jones said: “This CLU application is a perfect example of why the law was introduced. Stratheden Vinery had been used by various gardening businesses and for the maintenance and repair of vehicles and garden machinery for a continuous period since 1984 without having the required planning permission for that use. However, no enforcement action was ever taken.

Under the Land Planning and Development (Certificates of Lawful Use) Ordinance, 2019,

“The CLU means the continued use of Stratheden Vinery for those historic activities is now lawful.”

Stratheden Vinery is one of three successful CLU applications to have been approved by the DPA in the past few weeks; the other two being submitted by residential property owners.

Bella Luce hotel for sale for £3.2million International real estate advisor Savills has been appointed to market the Bella Luce hotel.

Originally dating from the 16th Century, the Bella Luce hotel is an historic Norman manor house which now comprises a four-star boutique hotel with 23 en suite rooms, an outdoor pool and an ESPA spa.

increasingly popular destination, attracting 8% more visitors for the first six months of 2019 versus the same period in 2018. The sale of the Bella Luce offers a rare opportunity to own an extremely well-established hotel in an unrivalled location.”

The hotel is on the market for offers in the region of £3.2m.

James Greenslade, associate director, Savills Hotels team, said: “Guernsey is an

Changes to planning and building control application fees

The fees charged for planning and building control applications have changed from the start of this year. Planning application fees were last amended in April 2015, with revisions to Building Control fees last made in July 2017.

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Guernsey Property and Construction

The Development & Planning Authority (DPA) say that on average since 2015, the planning and building control fees have covered 8085% of the cost associated with the application and therefore the changes reflect this.

applications for operational development not included in any other category. The fees for these applications will have an above-RPIX increase to better reflect the amount of work undertaken for such applications.

Additionally, the structure of the planning application fees has been reviewed and simplified. There are now 10 categories, compared to 13 previously.

The fee payable for an application for minor domestic development, comprising of the erection of a timber shed or fence within the property’s boundary (excluding any neighbouring fields) is being reduced to £90 from £140. Fees for other minor domestic development will be increased by £10 to £150.

Planning fees are, on the whole, increasing by the rate of inflation year on year since they were last amended which equates to 6.7%. The exceptions to this relate to applications for outline permissions, for the erection or creation of dwellings or flats and

Building Control fees are also increasing by the rate of inflation since they were last revised in 2017.

ISSUE 3 SPRING 2020

Guernsey Electricity imports 100% renewable energy Guernsey Electricity has started importing 100% renewable and sustainable electricity to the island.

In January, the imported supply of electricity, previously a mix of nuclear and hydro, switched to 100% renewable sources such as solar, wind and hydroelectricity.

The company has also announced through its Climate Change Statement its long term aim of further ‘decarbonising’ energy usage onisland and sets out a plan for transition in its five year Environmental Sustainability Strategy.

Alan Bates, Guernsey Electricity’s CEO, said he was determined for Guernsey Electricity to take the lead in creating a greener and more sustainable future and was delighted with this development.

“At Guernsey Electricity, we firmly believe that the energy sector should take the lead in creating a more sustainable world in which to

live and at the same time help tackle climate change,” he said.

“This is an exciting step for our community and shows that small jurisdictions such as Guernsey can lead the way in moving from fossil fuels to renewable energy, and in doing so protect the environment for future generations.”

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Guernsey Electricity’s long-term strategy is for an energy system that supports renewables and reduces the reliance on fossil fuels which would see the power station deployed for emergency generation only. The company continues to invest in and plan for a second, direct cable link to France, along with the adoption of local community scale renewable technologies and electricity storage.

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INDUSTRY NEWS

Carey House sold The building at Admiral Park, which is the main office of Carey Olsen, was bought by CIPF in May 2015 for more than £16m. It has now been sold by share transfer for £17.1m.

Watts Property Consultants acted as the acquisition agent for the purchaser.

Carey House has been sold by the Channel Islands Property Fund to a Guernsey-based family office.

“The Channel Islands Property Fund has a focus on investing in high specification commercial buildings in order to deliver a good return to the investors. Carey House has been an important part of our property portfolio, which now includes offices in Guernsey, Jersey and the Isle of Man, and so we are pleased that it will remain locally owned,” said CIPF chairman Shelagh Mason.

“CIPF is now looking at other Grade A, multi-

tenanted offices which we can acquire to deliver our stated investment strategy. It’s positive news for the Channel Islands that the commercial property market in the islands continues to be buoyant.”

Carey House, which is 26,472 sq.ft and has 100 car parking spaces, was originally known as Commerce House but following a £4m redevelopment, it was renamed in 2007 by Carey Olsen.

P3 appoints new contracts manager

Wall insulation specialists P3 have appointed a new contracts manager with more than 35 years’ industry experience.

Terry Ogier has spent a large part of his career employed in the local plastering and rendering trades. He has previously worked at two of the island’s largest building contractors.

“P3 has a professional and friendly approach, which attracted me to the position. Plus I admire their determination to produce a quality finish.”

Mr Ogier, a Wetherby approved contractor, said he was looking forward to working with P3’s dedicated staff in the office and on site.

P3’s managing director, Jason Smith, added:

“I have extensive experience within this industry, from measuring to submitting quotes and overseeing projects through to completion. I am looking forward to meeting clients with their property issues and advising them on possible solutions on offer from P3,” he said.

Les Vardes House let to Polygon Esher Investments Limited has let Les Vardes House (LVH) in La Charroterie, St Peter Port.

The newly refurbished and expanded office building has been let to Polygon Collective for a minimum term of five years. LVH was purchased by Guernsey-based Esher Investments in January 2019 while it was let to the States of Guernsey. Esher simultaneously bought the adjacent weld shed, biker’s club building and cottage.

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Guernsey Property and Construction

Upon the end of the States’ lease in June, planning consent was obtained to demolish the weld shed and club building to create a car park and enable reconfiguration of the LVH ground floor offices into open plan accommodation totalling 4,660 sq.ft.

At the same time a high-quality refurbishment was undertaken throughout the office building including the installation of air conditioning with a heat pump. The asking rent was achieved without incentive through letting agents Savills.

“Terry has a wealth of experience in the local building industry. He is a fantastic addition to our team here at P3.”

ISSUE 3 SPRING 2020

Expansion at Cooper Brouard commercial letting and management; and Jack Lucas, who has worked in property auctions, sales and letting in the UK, and has both local commercial and property portfolio experience.

Finally, Scott Galliene is a new addition to the finance and IT team.

Estate agents Cooper Brouard have appointed six new members of staff who bring a broad range of experience to the team.

James Starkey has joined as an open market negotiator bringing a wealth of agency experience in open and local market residential management.

Having worked as a conveyancing clerk in one of Guernsey’s leading law firms, local market negotiator Liz Mauger has unrivalled knowledge of the selling process and a technical know-how that is invaluable to both vendors and buyers.

Joining her on the local market team are: Rosy David, who holds a BA (Hons) in photography and expertise in local,

Director Matt Brouard said: “We are expanding, not just to meet demand, but to build on our capabilities. On top of our ongoing success in local and open market sales, the rentals market has grown significantly for us and it’s important that we develop our team with complementary skills to ensure we are at the top of each discipline.

This is the first part of our planned expansion, there are more developments on the horizon, but clients can rest assured that we won’t be straying from our core ethos of providing a property service that is honest, efficient and highly effective.”

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INDUSTRY NEWS

Guernsey Investment Fund launches property cell The Guernsey Investment Fund has launched a property cell which will focus on acquiring land or buildings in the Bailiwick with development or refurbishment potential.

In February 2018, the Guernsey Investment Fund launched to invest in projects and businesses which have a Bailiwick of Guernsey focus or may benefit directly or indirectly the development of the Bailiwick.

The shareholders of GIF include the States of Guernsey.

“For the tech and innovation cell to have invested more than half of the total committed funds has exceeded expectations and there is a strong pipeline for future investment. The time is now right to launch the property cell which will invest directly

or indirectly in property situated in the Bailiwick which will have a positive impact on, or benefit to, the economy,” said chairman Gilbert Chalk.

“The cell will look at both commercial and residential property development opportunities, including offices, retail, retail warehousing, industrial, logistics, hotel and leisure investments.”

Ravenscroft, which acts as investment manager to the fund on the tech and innovation cell, will also work on the property cell.

“Ravenscroft has considerable experience in property investment in the Channel Islands and we are excited about the new cell which will help Guernsey to continue to prosper.

Land in the Bailiwick is precious and finite.

Our hope is that we can work with the board to identify sites and developments which require expertise and investment to unlock their potential so that they not only return long-term capital growth to the shareholders but also contribute to the future success of the Bailiwick,” said Andy Taylor, head of property at Ravenscroft.

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Upcoming Features Each issue of this magazine showcases particular specialisms and expertise in the industry. Our features this year include:

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ISSUE 3 SPRING 2020

Commercial property investment volumes reach record high According to D2 Real Estate’s latest research, commercial office investment volumes in the Channel Islands achieved a new record last year, with around £320,000,000 worth of stock traded during 2019 up from £285,000,000 in 2018.

High value residents were the most active investors, along with overseas investors and syndicates. Given the demand, the prices achieved during the past 12 months have increased, closing the gap between the Channel Islands and UK.

The Guernsey market appears to be picking up and it seems investors and developers now have the confidence to buy sites again which will hopefully signal the start of the next cycle of development given the lack of available Grade A space.

In contrast, given all the political uncertainty in the UK, investment volumes in the UK regions fell by approximately 30% as investors delayed making decisions until the outcome of the General Election was known.

D2 Real Estate managing director, Phil Dawes, commented: “I am very positive about the market in Guernsey, there has been a lot of activity over the past 12 months and sites that have lain dormant for many years have now

been acquired by entrepreneurial developers.

Perhaps the most positive aspect over the last 12 months is the development of the next phase of Admiral Park, comprising a hotel, pre-let to Premier Inn, food and beverage units and a 30,000 sq.ft office building. This would be the first office development in 10 years or so.”

Public consultation on Leale’s Yard to the site. Once approved, it will become Supplementary Planning Guidance and will be taken into account when considering planning applications on any part of LYRA. Any proposals for development will be expected to align with it.

The Development & Planning Authority (DPA) has issued the draft Leale’s Yard development framework for public consultation, with the aim of getting feedback before it is finalised in April.

The framework is available online at www. gov.gg/developmentframeworks as well as being on display at the former Smilers unit

on Southside, The Bridge for a period of six weeks, from 17 February until 27 March.

The draft development framework is designed to provide planning guidance for the mixed-use development of the Leale’s Yard Regeneration Area (LYRA) with comprehensive and practical guidance on how policies in the Island Development Plan will be applied

Deputy Dawn Tindall, president of the Development & Planning Authority, said: “This is a key site with great potential. The proposed framework is shaped around the principles of sustainable, delivery-led development, a mix of uses, community activities and housing types, with good connections, and public realm and open space at their heart. We have tried to strike the right balance between what absolutely must happen in any new development and elements that can still be flexible.

“This is a well-supported area, much liked by residents, and there’s a real desire to see some form of development. Above all, there is an opportunity here to create something that everyone can benefit from.”

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INDUSTRY NEWS

Liberation House refurbishment completed were required to bring it up to the latest standards. Since then the specialist real estate investment company has undertaken a multi-million pound, 84 week upgrade.

“While Liberation House is a relatively modern building, building technology has changed significantly over the last decade and so work was required to both the roof and the mechanical and engineering elements. Contrary to the many rumours, the structure of the building has always been completely sound,” said CIPF chairman Shelagh Mason.

Jersey’s Liberation House has been refurbished, with the work improving the energy efficiency of the building by almost a third.

The Channel Islands Property Fund bought the building in 2016 and an inspection revealed that a number of modifications

“It’s testament to the skills and expertise available in Jersey that a project of this size and complexity has been completed by on island contractors and that the building has remained fully occupied throughout.

As a property company, that gives us real confidence in the industry and the ability to develop in a sustainable way.”

AC Mauger was appointed as the main contractor and sub-contracted specialist work to Emanee Engineering, Dave Torpy Air Conditioning, Advanced Roofing and Jubilee Scaffolding.

Steve Romeril, managing director of AC Mauger, said the company had been delighted to showcase its expertise.

“Liberation House is a prominent building and we were delighted to be appointed as the main contractor. It has been a challenging project working on a live building in a busy location with a variety of different stakeholders. The execution of each task had to be meticulously planned to ensure the building and its tenants could operate as normal while the works progressed. Communication between stakeholders was key in delivering a successful project.”

G UERNS EY

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Ask a member of staff for details

01481 201718 guernsey@yesss.co.uk

Guernsey Property and Construction magazine is distributed through outlets islandwide every Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter, including Ogier, Carey Olsen, Create Architecture, PF+A and Auburn Living Walls.

If you’d like copies, please contact Julie Todd at julie@collaborateci.com or telephone 01481 715222

ISSUE 3 SPRING 2020

New social housing REIT lists on TISE Fundamentum Social Housing REIT plc is focused on investing into supported housing and general needs housing, in conjunction with housing associations, local authorities and housing charities in the UK.

A new Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) focused on investing in social housing in the UK has been listed on The International Stock Exchange (TISE).

Fiona Le Poidevin, CEO of The International Stock Exchange Group (TISEG), said: “I am pleased to welcome Fundamentum to TISE. This takes the total number of REITs listed on TISE to 25, which represents more than 30% of the total HMRC-approved UK REIT market. It is especially rewarding to see this REIT list given that its purpose is to help fulfil the demand for housing in the UK and

in particular make a positive social impact by providing additional stock for a sector of society which is most in need of appropriate housing.”

The company is seeking to raise up to £350 million for investment into the social housing sector.

Further acquisition for Savills Established by owners Keith and Ros Parkes, the local business comprises of five members of staff who will all transfer over to Savills with immediate effect and form part of the firm’s existing property management team in the Channel Islands.

Savills UK has acquired Parkes & Associates, a property management business specialising in both residential and commercial property.

Tony Rowbotham, head of Savills Guernsey, said: “Parkes & Associates is a wellestablished brand in the Channel Islands and we are delighted to welcome them into the business. Their experience and expertise in property management will fit perfectly into our existing block management and buyto-let management business lines. We look

forward to expanding our offer through this acquisition as well as working with our new colleagues and their clients.”

Mr Keith Parkes said: “We are delighted to join forces with Savills and look forward to working with the existing teams in the Channel Islands and beyond to provide an enhanced level of service and expertise to our clients.”

This latest expansion follows Savills acquisition of Martel Maides in the Channel Islands at the end of 2018.

Record year for local property market in the local market, with 845 transactions having taken place during the year, 35 more than in 2018 and the highest annual total since 2007.

The Residential Property Prices Bulletin from the States of Guernsey has revealed that 2019 saw the greatest number of local market property transactions since 2007.

Skipton International has welcomed the report which reflected a strong recovery

In the last quarter of 2019, the average home in the Bailiwick was priced at £441,295, 3.5% higher than the previous quarter and 0.8% higher than the fourth quarter in 2018. The report also shows that 8.6% of residential properties sold in the fourth quarter of 2019 had been built within the previous three years, meeting increased demand.

Jim Coupe, managing director of Skipton International, said: “We had long predicted that 2019 would be the best year for

purchase transactions since the financial crisis. The supply of mortgage credit into the local market has also much improved over the last few years, allowing the market to recover on its own accord without States intervention. This latest report also demonstrates that properties which are priced appropriately do sell.

“With property purchase transactions now running at a higher level, we should expect prices to continue to rise through the effects of supply and demand. We hope that these increases are modest and don’t go beyond earnings growth as this would create affordability challenges in the local market, particularly for first time buyers.”

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AWARDS

THE GUERNSEY PROPERTY AND CONSTRUCTION AWARDS 2019 The Guernsey Property and Construction Awards took place on Thursday 14 November 2019 at St Pierre Park Hotel with a theme of ‘home grown talent’. Hosted by well-known local media personality, Jim Delbridge, the evening recognised the very best of those involved in the industry.

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Guernsey Property and Construction

Eight coveted trophies were handed out to winners during the evening by the sponsors of the individual awards. Those attending enjoyed a three course meal along with the presentations and speeches.

The entertainment during the evening was provided by GADOC, who performed three different medleys of songs from ‘The Greatest Showman’, ‘Chicago’ and ‘Mamma Mia’ for the audience.

ISSUE 3 SPRING 2020

SAVE THE DATE This year’s Property and Construction Awards gala evening will be held on Thursday 12 November 2020. Keep an eye out for the next issue of this magazine for full details on how to nominate and enter this year’s awards.

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AWARDS

THE WINNERS Congratulations to all the winners and finalists at last year’s Guernsey Property and Construction Awards, who received their awards in front of a packed audience of their professional peers.

Aspiring Star Award Sponsored by Savills Winner:​

Tiffany Jordan Finalists:​ James Glanville ​​Katie Bougourd

Construction Professional Of The Year Award Sponsored by the Chartered Institute of Building Winner:​

Oliver Westgarth, CCD

Finalists:​ Tim Pond, Ravenscroft Construction ​​Gary Bougourd, BML

Residential Property Professional Of The Year Award Sponsored by Channel Island Ceramics

Engineering Project Of The Year Award Sponsored by Edmundson Electrical Winner:​

Fermain Tower Project

Finalists:​ Guernsey Prison CLIP unit ​​Havelet Waters development

Winner:​

Carre Property Finalists:​ Cranfords Shields & Rutland

ISSUE 3 SPRING 2020

Lifetime Achievement Award Commercial Property Professional Of The Year Award Sponsored by HVC Winner:​

Watts Property Consultants

Finalists:​ Savills ​​Mawson Collins

Innovation Award

Peter Falla of PF+A was recognised for his contribution to the industry. See page 36 for our full interview with him looking back at his career and achievements.

Industry Supplier Of The Year Award

Sponsored by Guernsey Gas

Sponsored by the Guernsey Chamber of Commerce

Winner:​

Winner:​

Finalist:​ Fermain Tower Project – CCD

Finalists:​ Norman Piette ​​Guernsey Building Supplies

The Solar Array Project – Guernsey Post/Guernsey Electricity

Channel Island Ceramics

Guernsey Property and Construction

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We don’t design buildings, we create new beginnings. www.pfaarchitecture.com

J: 01534 767950

G: 01481 712633

CHARITY

The Guernsey Alzheimer’s Association This year’s Guernsey Property and Construction Awards benefited the Guernsey Alzheimer’s Association, with a total of £2,460 being raised for the local charity through the raffle on the evening. We found out why the fundraising was so important for the organisation and how the money will be used.

The Guernsey Alzheimer’s Association was formed in the summer of 2009. Its core services include social activity, education, support and respite care at home.

The services the charity offers from its centre at Delancey in St Sampson’s include weekly social afternoons on a Monday for those suffering from dementia, a weekly carers support group with specialist talks on a Wednesday and monthly lunches for anyone touched by dementia.

The breadth of services offered by the charity meant that last year Julie Thompson became its first salaried manager. Since taking on the role she has seen the charity expand the scope of its role even further.

THOSE BENEFITING ARE WELCOME TO DONATE IF THEY CAN BUT THERE IS NO PAYMENT NECESSARY AS WE WANT EVERYONE WHO NEEDS THE SERVICE TO BE ABLE TO ACCESS IT.

“We have a lot of activities going on, which are all designed to benefit those with dementia in some way. We have recently started running golf sessions which have worked really well. The carers can get some respite, but those playing also benefit through the companionship and perhaps the memories of playing golf in the past,” said Julie.

“We also run gardening activities in conjunction with GROW as gardening has been show to stimulate dementia sufferers. Being outdoors is always a positive, and we often find that people remember things from many years ago when they are involved in an activity like that. On top of all that, we have a choir starting in April as dementia patients are known to love singing.”

The money raised by the awards will be used in areas such as the sitting service the Guernsey Alzheimer’s Association offers. It gives much-needed respite to carers who are looking after people with dementia. They are generally allocated three hours per week during which one of the 16 sitters employed by the charity will take over their responsibilities.

“Last year we provided 2,500 hours of sitting,” said Julie. “That comes at a cost – a total of around £24,000 in 2019, and that’s on top of our other running costs. But we have always been determined that the sitting service will be provided free of charge. Those benefiting are welcome to donate if they can but there is no payment necessary as we want everyone who needs the service to be able to access it.”

For Julie, that access is vital as she understands the importance of the respite for people caring for those with dementia.

“When you are looking after somebody with dementia 24 hours a day, seven days a week it is a huge stress. People with dementia often lose track of day and night and may often have disturbed sleep. That in itself can lead carers to having burnout so they need all the support they can get.”

Unfortunately, at the moment the charity can’t provide as much respite as it would like. In January this year alone they received 14 referrals for the sitting service. Of those, they were able to provide eight of those carers with some support, with the others having to join a waiting list.

With demand outstripping supply, the charity says that it is always very grateful for help from the community, whether that is through fundraising, volunteering or even more practical help. A recent donation of time from an electrician who wanted to help, saw them able to rewire their centre and complete crucial electrical testing.

Now they are keen to paint the centre and would welcome some practical support from anybody in the industry who might be able to help.

For more information about the work of the Guernsey Alzheimer’s Association and volunteering opportunities visit www.alzheimers.gg

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PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

Keeping it personal Sandra Robinson opened her namesake business just over three years ago, but she had amassed plenty of experience working in the industry prior to that. Now her Glategny Esplanade showroom proudly bears her name and brand as she aims to provide quality products with a personal touch. We spoke to her to find out more about her background and business.

It’s 25 years since Sandra first started her career in kitchen and bedroom design. During that time she has seen the industry evolve as lifestyles, tastes and even technology have affected what people are looking for in their homes.

For Sandra, what hasn’t changed is the importance of paying attention to what her customers want and offering a personal service that is tailored to them.

“When a client comes in for the first time, the most important thing is to listen to them. I need to understand how they want to live in their space. The demands on a home differ from family to family so I want to know how the space will be used and then my job is to advise them as to what is available which will suit that.”

Over the past few decades, Sandra has seen a major shift in how people use their homes, which has had to be reflected in how designers approach their role.

“When I first started in the industry, people went into the kitchen and cooked and then came out into the

dining room or living room to eat with the family. Now everyone aspires to open plan, free flowing space.

of Sandra’s involvement. She appreciates the importance of providing excellent service through to the end of a project.

‘That has certainly affected the importance of how a kitchen looks as it is much more of a public space than it used to be. The design aspect is crucial and it’s made my role much more creative and actually more rewarding.”

“I know that often a kitchen refit, for example, is part of a bigger project and can often be quite a stressful time. We ensure that we have excellent fitters who I have every confidence in, and we do our very best to guide our clients through the process until they are completely happy with the end result. We aim to leave every client delighted not only with their new kitchen or bedroom, but with the service they received from us through the whole experience.”

While Sandra brings her invaluable experience and passion to designing every room she approaches, she is also always receptive to input from clients.

“Now that clients can easily go on websites such as Houzz and Pinterest, I find that they often have much stronger ideas and aspirations for the space they want to create. I love to work with them to make sure we design something that works perfectly for the homeowner.”

While design is crucial, so are the products that Sandra can offer her customers. With quality ranges such as Masterclass, English Hardwood and Leicht along with bespoke bedroom and study furniture from BA Components, she feels she has something to suit every home, whether the owners are looking for a traditional or contemporary look in their kitchen or bedroom.

“When I started the business it was really important to me to find the right suppliers to work with. There are a lot of brands out there, but I knew there was a certain level of quality I wanted to sustain and I think the choices I made have worked out very well for myself and for my clients.”

Once clients have finalised their design and furniture, that doesn’t signal the end

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Guernsey Property and Construction

EXPERT ADVICE Sandra shares her top tips for kitchen design.

1. Concentrate on the design first – think carefully about the layout.

2. Look around for inspiration – use online resources as well as other people’s kitchens.

3. Decide what you do like and eliminate things that you don’t as it will evolve and you’ll end up coming back to what you do want.

4. Think about the practicalities of the design – the wow factor matters, but you also need to make sure you have space for your rubbish bin and recycling.

5. Create a wish list and start from there.

Items can be stripped out if they are beyond the budget but at least you know what your ideal starting point is.

Bring the heart of your home to life Designed to meet the daily needs of the whole family, we are passionate in creating a space that is just right in style & functionality. Not only will we guide you every step of the way but we will also advise you on the most effective layout, finishes and colours, using the latest in 3D virtual reality software.

Make your dream kitchen a (virtual) reality.

Here in our showroom, we are proud to offer the following:

Using the latest 3D virtual reality software, we can produce a unique design, using the many textures and colours available.

• State of the art laser templating technology and traditional skills bringing luxury and timeless beauty to our kitchen worktops

• All the latest integrated appliances from leading manufacturers

• Quooker - ‘The tap that does it all.’ Hot, cold, boiling, filtered, chilled, still and sparkling.

  

01481 710500

showroom@sandrarobinson.gg sandrarobinson.gg

 32 Glategny Esplanade, St. Peter Port, Guernsey, GY1 1WR

 SandraRobinsonGsy

KITCHENS & BATHROOMS

INDUSTRY PROFILE:

DESIGNER

SOPHIE-LOUISE BYNAM Sophie-Louise Bynam is a designer at Channel Island Ceramics, who won the ‘Industry Supplier of the Year’ award at the recent Guernsey Property and Construction Awards. Sophie has worked at the company for around two and a half years and we spoke to her about her route to the role and what she enjoys about the job.

TELL US ABOUT THE CAREER PATH TO GET TO YOUR CURRENT ROLE? After completing my Masters in London, I stayed and worked as a freelance interior architect/designer on residential and commercial projects for various different firms. These included everything from a private residence to retail spaces and museums and the roles included drawing and planning for both. Eventually I decided it was time to return to Guernsey and this new challenge as designer at Channel Island Ceramics came up.

WHAT QUALIFICATIONS OR TRAINING HAVE YOU HAVE UNDERTAKEN? My love of interiors started at the University of Brighton with a BA Hons in Interior Architecture. On returning to Guernsey, I then completed a

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house renovation which further inspired my love of design. A year later I went on to complete my Interior Design Masters degree in London. Having studied art and design and photography throughout school, my passion runs deep for anything to do with the industry, right down to the tiles I like to use in my designs and how they are made.

DESCRIBE YOUR CURRENT ROLE AND WHAT IT INVOLVES. I am currently working as a designer.

The role tends to include an initial meeting with clients in the showroom where I run through the products we can offer. Once we have had this meeting, the next step is to go to the site to measure and survey. I look at every aspect of the bathroom right down to the

heating system of the house to know which brassware we can offer.

The designs are then drawn up for bathrooms, bedrooms, kitchens or living rooms and can often expand to us designing the whole interior including the tiles and colours of paint. These areas are then the designer’s job to look after and we are required to visit the sites as they are fitted as well as resolve any issues which may arise on the way.

WHAT DOES A TYPICAL DAY LOOK LIKE FOR YOU? It tends to be a real mix. Most days I do design work, along with this I usually have several site visits which may be for new measurements or to ensure we are keeping up to date with everything happening on site and communicating

ISSUE 3 SPRING 2020

with fitters to overcome issues which inevitably come up.

WHAT ARE YOUR AMBITIONS FOR YOUR CAREER GOING FORWARD? There is definitely a lot more for me to learn on the practical side of design, every day a new challenge comes up which I have to solve. I always want to continue on the path of design and to perhaps become more involved in the sourcing of new products and to begin working on the whole ‘scheme’ of designing houses from the plans right down to the tile and carpet choices. Bringing someone’s vision to life is an incredible feeling.

WHAT DO YOU MOST ENJOY ABOUT THE ROLE? The satisfaction of looking after your job while it is being fitted and seeing the end product is always very rewarding. Being an designer in larger firms can sometimes mean you become a ‘cog’ in a machine and you don’t always see the job completed.

Personally I have really enjoyed the practical knowledge you gain working closely with plumbers and builders alike, this gives you a much wider perspective of what and how designs can be achieved in the ‘real world’.

WHAT ARE THE MAIN CHALLENGES OF YOUR JOB? It has to be time. I always have several jobs on the go at once, so I am not only looking after the design side of the work but also the fitting of the rooms as well. I am constantly popping to site to ensure the room is ‘coming to life’ as I had imagined, not a bad thing as it certainly keeps you on your toes.

HOW HAVE YOU SEEN THE INDUSTRY CHANGE IN YOUR TIME? Certainly since my time at university people are no longer playing it safe, open plan living and ‘indoor/outdoor’ spaces have definitely come into the UK market. The idea that the space flows from the interior to the exterior, perhaps with the use of the same tiles, has made a huge impact on the way we design our homes.

HOW DO YOU SEE THE INDUSTRY EVOLVING IN THE FUTURE?

Designer

FACTFILE

I think people are willing to experiment more now so we will see further progression into innovative ways to create environmentally friendly housing, as well as new materials to build the houses. One movement which we are seeing more and more are pre-fabricated houses that arrive on trucks and are built in days – there is definitely room here to grow with this style of construction.

THE JOB Projects typically begin with the designer touring the property and meeting the client to understand the needs before designing the space and estimating timeframes and costs. They will then source the materials and often manage the project to completion.

WHEN DESIGNING A KITCHEN/BATHROOM, WHAT ADVICE DO YOU GIVE TO CLIENTS?

THE SKILLS Designers need to ensure their work is not only aesthetically appealing but also works on a functional level. Good computer skills are necessary as designs are usually conceptualised using CAD software and, increasingly, virtual reality equipment. Organisational skills are fundamental as the role involves procuring goods and liaising with fitters, electricians and plumbers to ensure the project is completed on time.

Generally, it is good to know the style of the room your client is envisaging – whether it be modern or traditional as this can greatly affect the product choice. After this it is definitely important to get down to the practicalities and the site visit.

Where can the WC or shower basin go in terms of wastes? What is the existing makeup of the room? Those questions are important as the last thing you want to do is sell a design which isn’t possible. But after this it is down to the fun stuff such as colour schemes and tile choices. I always try to choose a select few items which I believe the client would love as it can otherwise get very overwhelming with the vast array of choices.

THE QUALIFICATIONS There is no official requirement for qualifications in the area but designers have often completed a degree in interior design or a similar creative subject.

WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON MISTAKES PEOPLE MAKE? Perhaps not appreciating the time it can take to get your dream design to completion. It is always beneficial to start these things early as it makes the whole process much more relaxing. There is a surprising amount of product knowledge needed to sell bathrooms, kitchens and bedrooms, from the way the tiles are made to the way an oven works so it is always nice to be able to go through this with the client thoroughly to ensure you are choosing the right items for them.

DESCRIBE YOUR IDEAL DESIGN IF YOU WERE CREATING A SPACE FOR YOURSELF. The industrial movement is one I love.

Natural materials, be it weathered woods or worn copper colours. The

PERSONALLY I HAVE REALLY ENJOYED THE PRACTICAL KNOWLEDGE YOU GAIN WORKING CLOSELY WITH PLUMBERS AND BUILDERS ALIKE, THIS GIVES YOU A MUCH WIDER PERSPECTIVE OF WHAT AND HOW DESIGNS CAN BE ACHIEVED IN THE ‘REAL WORLD’.

dark blues, browns and blacks which all go so well together despite what you were always told. Dark, sultry interiors is definitely how I would design my dream home. This is something people tend to shy away from, but especially in a bathroom with the correct lighting it can be so effective and create a beautiful relaxing atmosphere. The large format tile movement is also a huge interest of mine, the slabs that they are creating these days are stunning, something along these lines in dark deep colours, along with copper brassware would be my dream bathroom.

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SERVICE EVERY STEP OF THE WAY

From their showroom in St Martins Village, Luxioso offers their clients a whole world of possibilities for their homes and offices. With their handpicked range of suppliers to cater for all tastes and a range of budgets, they can not only design your ideal space but ensure the project runs smoothly from start to finish.

Luxioso’s award-winning team of five in-house designers are truly specialists in what they do. The company is home to three kitchen designers and a bathroom designer as well as an interior designer, who work together to ensure their clients receive the best service possible.

So no matter the space you are looking to furnish, they have the professional experience to get it just right.

Alongside that design expertise, the team at Luxioso supplies a range of furniture that can cater to all tastes.

From the modern, elegant functionality of Cesar kitchens to the traditional heritage look of Davonport or the German precision of Schüller, the team can supply something that suits your space and fits your lifestyle.

Their range of bathrooms ensure that one of the smaller rooms in the house is also one of the most stylish – whether you want the simplicity of Danish Dansani, the quality of Crosswater, or the Swiss heritage and attention to detail of Laufen.

Can you think outside the box ? www.luxioso.com | 01481 236 684 | info@luxioso.com

“ Working with Luxioso was just a great experience, they designed

my kitchen with true thought about how we would use the space, for the family, and the result is stunning. Thank you to all the team “

Mr. Hogson

For developers looking to fit out their properties, Luxioso can help throughout the project – from planning the space to providing the furniture and managing the fitting if necessary. The team has a wealth of experience on development projects and can also offer a competitive development range of kitchens and bathrooms. They are happy to work with developers to support the project as much or as little as is needed, whether that is simply by supplying quality furniture or arranging for their team of expert fitters to ensure everything is just right.

Luxioso have certainly made a name for themselves in the kitchen and bathroom market, but the company’s range of quality furniture extends to the rest of the home or office. Along with their wide range of bedroom options, the team can design and supply furniture for all rooms including bootrooms and utility rooms, children’s bedrooms. home offices and commercial offices.

While everything in the Luxioso showroom says luxury, it doesn’t necessarily come at a prohibitive price point. The team has always been determined to have a range of suppliers to suit various budgets, although quality is always paramount.

That drive for quality extends to the appliances supplied by the company. They are a Miele partner for integrated equipment, and a main dealer for Bosch integrated appliances. Other major names they can supply include Franke waste disposal, Gerberit sanitaryware and the popular Quooker boiling water taps for kitchens.

Luxioso know that providing a bespoke service is all in the details, so their expertise stretches far further than design and appliances. They can offer a full range of tiling and worktops including granite, Silestone, Dekton and laminates, and even a lighting range for the final finishing touches.

As well as offering options from their global specialist suppliers, Luxioso also use a range of local suppliers to provide the stone and tiles for their projects.

While a visit to the spacious Luxioso showroom in St Martin’s for initial inspiration is always advised, the team has no limit to the options they can present you with, thanks to their specialist virtual reality software. Put on a pair of 3D goggles and you can be transported to your dream room with the 360 degree view system, Virtual World. This groundbreaking software allows you to see the design come to life, and the interactive design allows for instant changes. The only problem might be making a decision when you see how good everything they suggest looks.

KITCHENS & BATHROOMS

TRENDS FOR 2020

Spring is often the time that many of us look to freshen up our homes. But if you’re looking to do more than a spring clean, what are the fashions to look out for this year when it comes to your home?

KITCHENS: KEEPING IT COLOURFUL While white gloss and cream Shaker style cabinets will always have a place in our homes, this year the experts say we’ll be seeing more colour in our kitchens. Their top tip for 2020: shades of aqua. But you don’t need to replace your whole kitchen, there are plenty of simple ways to spruce up your space this spring.

Splashbacks and Tiling White subway tiles have a universal appeal, but there are plenty of other options around for a brighter look when it comes to kitchen splash backs and tiling. An unusual splash back can be a great way to add a pop of colour to an otherwise neutral kitchen.

Appliances Long-gone are the days of plain white appliances on show in our kitchens – these days they’re more likely to be tucked away behind cupboard doors.

But sometimes it’s worth having them on display.

A brightly coloured fridge freezer or impressive range can be a real focal point in a kitchen and there are plenty of options on the market.

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Feature Lighting Spotlights serve a purpose, but lighting can be much more interesting than that.

From classic pendants to architecturally-inspired works of art, feature lighting can really draw the eye in a kitchen.

Accessories If you’d like to dip your toe in the trend without going all in, there are plenty of easy ways to do it. From an aqua vase with a bunch of spring blooms in it to new bar stools or even a clock – there are many ways to add in a touch of blue to your existing colour scheme.

Guernsey Property and Construction

ISSUE 3 SPRING 2020

BATHROOMS: MIX UP THE METALS The bathroom may be one of the smaller rooms in the house, but that doesn’t mean it deserves less attention. Recent years have seen a move away from the all-white bathroom suites and chrome taps that once dominated bathroom design, and there are plenty of options on the market now if you’re looking to do something a little different.

Channel Island Ceramics has been in the business for 40 years, and has seen plenty of trends come and go during that time.

For 2020, they think we’re going to be keen to mix up our metals.

“For years chrome has been king, being the supreme and only choice for bathroom brassware.

However, a revolution is taking plan with coloured metallic brassware emerging as an exciting trend in bathroom and interior design. You may not immediately think of metallics when we talk about bathrooms, but this is the in trend for 2020.

Decorating your bathroom with metallic finishes is the perfect way to ensure you remain on trend and evoke personality into your bathroom. You don’t have to go all out bling and rose gold everything to tick the box, instead statement styling and subtle accents can add a really luxurious feel to otherwise understated surroundings.”

Celebrating

YEARS OF TRADING

Introducing The Chawton.

VAT FREE PRICES

The Chawton is the make-it-your-own freestanding cabinetry collection. Bespoke design is something every home deserves. Pieces that are made just for your family and the way you live. This is why Neptune has introduced Chawton. It’s bespoke, but in a way that’s easier to welcome into your home.

Kitchens | Bathrooms | Bedrooms | Tiles Visit our showroom, call 234000 or visit cic.gg/furniture-accessories

FEATURE

STUDIO SPACE Believed to be the second oldest tennis club in the UK, Kings has plenty of history and heritage behind it. But the new addition to its facilities is as contemporary as possible. The club’s new indoor cycling studio is believed to be the most modern and technologically advanced in Europe. With an investment of £400,000 for the work, we find out what it took to create the new space.

The new 885 sq.ft studio is packed with the latest audio and visual technology available on the market, complemented by an impressive 8.5m x 3m IMAX-style curved screen. The high-definition video content is delivered by a two-part blended projection solution displaying immersive programming from group fitness providers, Les Mills.

HE WAS LITERALLY BLOWN AWAY AND SAID THAT OUR STUDIO WAS THE BEST HE’D SEEN, NOT ONLY DUE TO THE CUTTING-EDGE TECHNOLOGY, BUT ALSO BECAUSE OF THE QUALITY OF FINISH, ATTENTION TO DETAIL AND TOP OF THE RANGE EQUIPMENT.

“Every detail of the studio has been carefully planned to ensure the best possible user experience,” said Steve Brehaut, operations director at Kings. “The darkened room adds to the sense of anticipation on arrival, while chevron lights lead you into the studio where our 25 Stages SC3 bikes are carefully positioned on a three-tier staged layout to ensure that all riders have the best possible view of the screen. Eight parallel lines of digitally-controlled ceiling LED strip lights work in sync with wall lights and mirrors to convey the feeling of forward movement, while six ultra-violet cannons and strobe lights all add to the unique, fully immersive experience.”

While the on-screen visuals are undoubtedly the star of the show, the audio system adds a further impressive layer: “It’s controlled by the latest in digital sound processor technology with graphic equalisers and a time delay capability to enhance the audio quality of the studio” explained Steve. “It cleverly delivers the most favourable frequency range to the various speakers.”

Eight Martin Audio 8” speakers and two 15” sub-bass speakers are precisely positioned

and operate at optimum levels to ensure both music and instructor voice is clear and crisp.

The resulting sound quality is impressive.

“Careful planning and treatment of the walls and ceilings include the latest technology in sound absorption,” said Steve. “This ensures that our studio performs to the same high standards as would be found in a professional recording studio.”

All content can be digitally controlled by five tablets located throughout the studio and is displayed on the largest cinema screen in Guernsey. The interactive workout is known as ‘The Trip’.

“You would think that the installation of a worldclass facility such as this would take a substantial time to complete,” said Sean Mills, club manager at Kings. “However, it took only four weeks from start on site for the facility to be built, tested, commissioned and handed over ready for members to enjoy thanks to a team of specialist contractors who worked around the clock to deliver the facility. This is truly a studio like no other.”

“We are understandably proud of our new studio,” said Steve. “However, our belief that we had built something quite special was underpinned when master instructor Lee Smith from Les Mills visited to train our staff. He was literally blown away and said that our studio was the best he’d seen, not only due to the cutting-edge technology, but also because of the quality of finish, attention to detail and top of the range equipment.”

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INTERVIEW

GROWING A BUSINESS As the founder of well-known local architectural practice, PF+A, Peter Falla is a familiar face in the industry. That was recognised at the recent Guernsey Property and Construction Awards, when he received the ‘Lifetime Achievement’ accolade. Having recently stepped back from the day to day running of the business, he found the time to speak to us for a lookback at his successful career and to share what sparks his passion outside the office.

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From a young age, Peter Falla was aware of the importance of a successful building project. When he started secondary school in Guernsey, he attended the then brand-new St Peter Port School, watching local firm R G Falla complete the building over his first few terms. That experience not only increased his enjoyment of school, but the education he received set him up for a lifelong career in the industry.

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“The teachers at the school were excellent and they certainly had high aspirations for their students. I had a couple of key teachers who motivated me to pursue technical drawing, including Peter Sherbourne who was instrumental in encouraging me to get relevant work experience. That meant I was well-prepared when I left school, which I was very grateful for.”

Peter had undertaken that work experience at Speakman Sayers & Cuttle, a traditional architectural practice which was responsible for a lot of the island’s architecture at the time. When he then went to work for them straight after leaving school it was a formative experience.

“I left school age 16 and went straight into work. It was a very different industry to now, I was drawing with Rotring pens and having to scratch out ink with a razor blade. But it certainly taught me the art of drawing and I learned a lot. The role also introduced me to people who would end up having a major impact on my career later in my life such as David Closs.”

With the firm supporting Peter to continue his education, he was sent to Huddersfield Technical College to study for an ONC Diploma in Building Studies.

“They sponsored my studies which was great, but it was also pretty hard work. It worked as a block release programme where I did eight week terms and also worked in industry. I was still pretty young and it was my first time living outside Guernsey, but I thoroughly enjoyed it.”

In fact, Peter enjoyed it so much he returned to Huddersfield Polytechnic to study for an HNC in Building Studies before leaving Speakman Sayers & Cuttle to start work with a new employer – an opportunity that took him a long way from Huddersfield.

“My second job was with a company called ETS, which had been set up by Guernsey-based businessman David Winn. They worked exclusively in Nigeria providing services to improve the lives of those living there. The Nigerian government commissioned

ETS to provide water and electrical services to 56 towns in northern Nigeria and all the drawing work to support that was done from Guernsey.

It was a fascinating opportunity that you would never expect to get in a small place like this. It was fantastic – I did work ranging from the design of small power stations to overhead lines.”

That was an exciting opportunity in itself, but the job was soon to prove even more of a challenge for a then 20-year-old Peter.

“I was given the opportunity to go to Nigeria myself to support one of the engineers out there. It was in a really remote area and we were mainly building water towers. The engineer ended up injuring himself and was sent home so I was left with a team of 30 Nigerians. I decided to just keep going with the project and we ended up completing the foundations for four water towers.

Altogether I did two stints of around a year each in Nigeria before I decided I needed a break from that lifestyle and I left the company.”

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Following the challenge of his chaotic Nigerian lifestyle, Peter decided that a real change was in order and opted for a much more structured workplace when he was offered at job with the States of Guernsey working in Building Control.

I LOVED DESIGN BUT ALSO HAD QUITE A LOT OF CONSTRUCTION EXPERIENCE, SO SETTING UP ON MY OWN CAME VERY NATURALLY.

“There was great camaraderie in the team and it was a really good move for me. I was given the opportunity to work in numerous States departments to get a good grounding in the whole design process, and was even seconded to York County Council for a period so that I could learn from that experience.”

With Peter’s employers again seeing the potential in him pursuing education, the States sponsored him to undertake a degree at what is now Westminster University.

“I did a four year full-time degree in Building, which was a great opportunity. I perhaps didn’t make the most of it at the beginning and enjoyed myself a little too much, until one day when I was summoned to see the dean because I’d failed an exam. On my way to the meeting I was cycling through Hyde Park when I unexpectedly encountered a dog and went straight over the handlebars. The dog’s owner picked me up and took me into college where I managed to persuade the dean to give me the chance to retake the exam. When I sat the retake, I did so well I was selected for the honours stream. I think I can thank the dog for knocking some sense into me!”

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When Peter returned to the island with his degree he worked as a building inspector before deciding he needed to broaden his horizons. He was offered a job with a development company who had a series of contracts to build Novotel hotels, including one in Guernsey. He started work, only to find the job wasn’t quite where he expected.

“The company had actually decided to shelve the Guernsey project and told me that I’d be starting work in Manchester. So I accidentally left the island again! As with many things though, it ended up working out for the best. I worked on a 120-bedroom Novotel in Worsley as a client representative on site.

It was ideal as I got the benefit of learning the ropes with everything from design to construction without having to make any key decisions. I was there for a few years before they decided to complete the Guernsey hotel, which is now The Peninsula, and I came back to the island as site manager.

The role involved direct procurement with various sub-contractors and I was responsible for all site operations. It was a steep learning curve but I had amazing support from a fantastic site foreman, Roy Hilton. The hotel was eventually finished in 1988 and cost £6million to build.”

Having planned to leave Guernsey again to work on a new Novotel in Stevenage, Peter’s plans changed when his family looked set to expand. He and wife Janice decided to stay in the island, and he finally decided to put his entrepreneurial spirit to good use.

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MAJOR PLAYERS SUCH AS TOM SCOTT GAVE US WORK AND WE BEGAN TO GET THE ATTENTION OF DEVELOPERS WHICH JUST SAW THE COMPANY GO FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH.

“I first started working for myself supporting a company designing conservatories, which gave me a constant stream of small jobs through which I met a lot of people. That private work swiftly started to grow and I expanded the business before deciding to merge with one of my old mentors, David Closs.”

For Peter, it was a natural progression that allowed him to use the experience he had gained through his varied career with his skills and passion.

“I loved design but also had quite a lot of construction experience, so setting up on my own came very naturally. Back then, everything was still drawn manually but I was so passionate about it that I managed to get through a prodigious amount of work.”

Closs Falla was set up in 1990 and after a successful half decade, David and Peter decided to go their separate ways. With Peter changing the business name to Peter Falla and Associates, it was the start of a brand that is now so well known around the island.

“From those small beginnings, I gradually built up a good client base. I did a lot of design work for well-known venues such as Christies, the Red Onion and Les Folies d’Amour, which was obviously a great opportunity to get our name out in the public domain. Following that, major players such as Tom Scott gave us work and we began to get the attention of developers which saw the company go from strength to strength.

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INTERVIEW

I’M VERY AVAILABLE TO ALL OF OUR CLIENTS AND WILL CERTAINLY BE CONTINUING TO BE HEAVILY INVOLVED WITH THE BUSINESS. MY ROLE NOW IS MORE OF A BIG PICTURE ONE, WHICH IS FANTASTIC.

“From the start, it has always been really important to keep a good relationship with our clients. I never wanted to be seen as arrogant or unapproachable, the aim was always to listen to what clients wanted, take it on board and produce it efficiently. My construction background has always made a big difference in helping projects to run smoothly, and I pride myself on my problem solving. Of course there are always difficulties with any construction project, but it’s how you deal with them that matters. My company has never had a blame culture – we just want to find solutions.”

move away from paper files, in keeping with its general ethos of being more environmentally aware.

Finding solutions has also meant moving with the times. While Peter has retained his traditional drawing skills, he appreciated early on that it would be necessary to move to computer-based design and he ensured he employed the right people at the right time.

“We are always looking for initiatives to ensure that our staff are happy and motivated. We recently physically split our technical department from our creative department and moved them to different areas of the office. We had listened to our employees and realised that the technical staff were looking for a quiet space, which we then provided.

We also let our staff organise their own hours – as long as they don’t let the team or our clients down we trust them with the flexibility to work the hours that suit them.”

“At one stage we had 15 drawing boards and within two years they were all gone. For me, it has been about using people’s strengths and moving with the times. We introduced 2D CAD early which revolutionised our practice. Now we’ve moved on to 3D CAD and have some really exciting virtual reality software and equipment which allows people to really see and feel the design.”

The emphasis on computer-generated design has also allowed the office to

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“We have embraced sustainability at all levels, from our designs and building methods to the way we run the office.

Our staff are paid a pound a day if they don’t come to work by car so we’re always looking to find new ways to motivate the business to be better.”

That quest for improvement spreads to every level of the company, with constant tweaks to ensure PF+A is a great place to work.

From its small start, PF+A is now a wellestablished brand throughout not only Guernsey but Jersey, where the firm opened an office in 2016. Now staffed by six people, it has established itself in its own right, while also offering support to the Guernsey studio.

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“We have some very highly qualified people in Jersey, who offer something different in that island. But the office also helps our design capability here in Guernsey. When we get overloaded with work, the Jersey team kicks in and vice versa. It also gives all our staff the opportunity for more varied work across the islands.”

What is consistent across the islands is PF+A’s distinctive branding – the bright orange circle has been a key part of their logo and is a familiar sight across building sites in Guernsey. But it apparently came about somewhat by chance.

“When the planning department introduced the fact you had to put a notice board up with details of the work being done on a site, we thought we’d take advantage of that by putting our phone number on the back. We were then told that we couldn’t do that and that it needed to be a plain painted board. We decided to make our boards easily distinguishable by creating circular boards and painting them bright orange. It was a giant leap for our brand and that little orange disc has stayed with us ever since” While some things have stayed the same, the company has clearly moved on considerably since Peter founded it.

Having created and guided it with so much success, he is now looking to the next stage of his life.

“I have been keen for a long time to share out the company and ensure that my key players have shares in the business. That included changing the name from its original Peter Falla and Associates to simply PF+A. I have always wanted a culture that isn’t ‘us and them’ with employees versus management, which has now resulted in quite a wide ownership of PF+A. I recently stepped down as CEO, a role which is being filled admirably by John

Hibbs, as I wanted to make sure we had a robust succession plan in place.”

While Peter may have stood down as CEO, he describes himself as very far from retired.

“I wanted to step back a little but also be there to support the team with anything they needed. I’m very available to all of our clients and will certainly be continuing to be heavily involved with the business. My role now is more of a big picture one, which is fantastic. I can contribute to the design work, bring in new clients, and utilise my lifetime of problem solving skills to help with any issues.”

When not busy supporting PF+A, Peter will be indulging in one of his lesser known passions – growing fruit and vegetables.

“I have the Guernsey growing genes and a few years ago I was working on a development site in Calais Lane in St Martin’s. When the planners refused permission to develop the

greenhouse space, I bought it and have grown chemical-free produce there ever since. I initially planned to grow asparagus, and still do, but we produce everything from purple potatoes to Jerusalem artichokes and even supply some produce to local restaurants such as Le Petit Bistro, Octopus and The Captain’s.

“It has made myself and my wife completely self-sufficient when it comes to fresh produce, and also encourages us to eat seasonally. It’s certainly something we do for fun, rather than a business opportunity, but I absolutely love it. Taking a little more time out from PF+A will mean that I have more time to spend in our greenhouse which I’m very excited about – morel mushrooms and chilli peppers are now high on my wish list.”

Between his continued involvement with PF+A and his love for horticulture, it’s clear that while Peter may have won a ‘lifetime achievement’ award, he has no intention of slowing down any time soon.

FEATURE

CEDAR HOUSE Nestled among the traditional farmhouses that dominate the St Martin’s conservation area, the newly constructed Cedar House could seem an anomaly. Instead, the building combines the best of old and new materials to settle naturally into the landscape – with the wooden cladding that lends the house its name helping it blend into its semi-rural surroundings.

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FEATURE

When the client first approached Turnstone Architects about the project, the house on the site was a flat-roofed, chalet style building in poor condition. Planning permission had been granted for change of use for the building from being an annexe to the main farmhouse on the site to a separate dwelling, and the client was keen to demolish the existing structure and start again with a new building.

For architect Debbie Joyce, the project was a great opportunity to create something special: “While the current building had no architectural merit, the site itself had a huge amount of potential. Right next to the house was the remains of an old granite barn, which was a nice feature we were immediately keen to incorporate. The house also had a lovely aspect which we knew we wanted to maximise.”

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The client wanted to keep the new house in the same location as the old to ensure that it didn’t encroach too much on the main farmhouse and affect its outlook.

Luckily, that wasn’t too much of an issue from an architectural point of view, as Debbie explained: “The house hugged the boundary of the neighbouring property which posed a few challenges when it came to building, but it also meant that the house would have a really nice orientation. The boundary wall was to the north so the house could have views to the south and east, which are of a wooded agricultural field. Having the windows looking south and east ensured that the living spaces and bedrooms would get plenty of light, which is always important.”

The concept of the house began with the existing granite barn, with the design then incorporating a contrasting lightweight extension

MATERIAL MADE PERFECT SENSE. WE WANTED THE HOUSE TO HAVE A VERY DIFFERENT LOOK TO THE FARMHOUSE BUT STILL REFLECT ITS AGRICULTURAL ORIGINS AND THE OUTBUILDING IT ORIGINALLY WAS.

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with timber cladding that would reflect the building’s agricultural origins yet give it a character distinctive from the granite-built neighbouring farmhouse.

“We chose Western Red Cedar cladding as the contrasting material due to the fact it blended in so well to the wooded setting.

The client is also a tree surgeon so the material made perfect sense. We wanted the house to have a very different look to the farmhouse but still reflect its agricultural origins and the outbuilding it originally was,” said Debbie.

While the original idea was to keep the existing barn structure, when contractor Sam Wells started work it became clear that was going to be difficult. “Initially we planned to underpin the boundary wall and remove the south wall, but when we looked at how we could safely disassemble the walls we realised

advice, obviously as long as we stayed within the budget. I was able to guide them to an extent on where it was worth spending the money and where things could be cut back a little. We added in items such as underfloor heating which hadn’t been in the original plan.

And we also made sure all the structural elements were of excellent quality, as was the all-important glazing, and always looked for the best product available for the budget.”

that safely underpinning them wouldn’t be possible,” said Sam. “Together with the engineers we decided that the walls would need to be demolished and then rebuilt as cavity walls where needed.

It was a practical decision but also ended up being for the best aesthetically as the stonemasons were able to choose the nicest granite and we ended up with a much better result.”

Sam’s job was to construct the new house with a flat-roofed open plan kitchen and living space in what had previously been the barn, along with a newly-built master bedroom and bathroom upstairs and a ground floor second bedroom and bathroom.

The clients are friends of Sam’s, which helped when it came to working closely together on the build: “They were quite flexible to changing things as the build progressed and listening to

Providing structural and civil engineering design consultancy in Guernsey for over 45 years.

Proud to be a part of the design team on the Cedar House project, along with 8 other nominated projects.

TOGETHER WITH THE ENGINEERS WE DECIDED THAT THE WALLS WOULD NEED TO BE DEMOLISHED AND THEN REBUILT AS CAVITY WALLS WHERE NEEDED.

The glazing was a key feature of the house, with large sliding doors opening the living space to the outside area and rooflights being incorporated into the kitchen and utility spaces to ensure all available light was utilised. The result is light, airy rooms that feel spacious despite the house’s relatively small footprint, and have a real connection to the rest of the site.

FEATURE

While the house sits together as one, the contrasting materials highlight the two separate parts of the build. The ‘barn’ section is a cavity construction with granite outer leaf using stone from the original barn, while an efficient timber frame construction was used on the rest of the building with eco joists for the first floor and concrete floor construction to the ground floor.

For Sam, that timber frame was a crucial part of the process and one that he had to ensure was just right. “The timber frame was manufactured off-site by Norman Piette and then brought in. During the engineering process there was a lot of going back and forth between the engineers, the timber frame engineers and myself over how exactly it was going to work,” said Sam. “But once the panels turned up on site numbered and ready to go it was actually a really nice way to build and we were able to get everything up really quickly

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once we started. Obviously it was crucial that the steel work was all correct but luckily we didn’t have any problems.”

ensure that you install it at exactly the right point to allow for the movement. Within the space of a year, the gaps between the boards can change from anything to 1mm to 5mm, so over a 10 metre long building the wood is moving half a metre in length. We needed to make sure we installed it at the right time with the right gaps, which we managed to do. Now it has weathered really nicely and evenly – it’s a great material to work with.”

With the structure of the house complete, the cladding was a key part of the build, and the design.

For Debbie, cedar was the clear choice: “When we were working on the design, we did a few 3D renders using black stained cladding and other finishes, but the weathering you get with cedar and that lovely grey finish sat so naturally in the landscape - it was very obvious it was the right material.”

For Sam, the cladding was a satisfying part of the build process, but one that took some time and care: “There are challenges with it as a material. When it arrived on site the wood was green so still had a high moisture content.

We had to leave it to stabilise for six weeks before I was happy to use it. Cedar naturally expands and contracts so you have to

THE WEATHERING YOU GET WITH CEDAR AND THAT LOVELY GREY FINISH SAT SO NATURALLY IN THE LANDSCAPE IT WAS VERY OBVIOUS IT WAS THE RIGHT MATERIAL

While the house maximised its use of natural materials, it also aimed to minimise its environmental impact. For Sam, it is a good example of what can be done within a limited budget: “This is a fairly low-tech build which is still achieving good results in terms of sustainability and environmental friendliness.

It is well-insulated and wellconstructed so it doesn’t lose much energy or need much heating. The clients decided to put an electric boiler in at this

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stage, but the house has been future-proofed in terms of air source heat pump technology, which can be bolted on later – as could solar panels or other renewable energy sources.”

Altogether Cedar House took just over a year from start to finish, although landscaping and some work to the garden took place after completion. Now, with that work complete, the clients are so happy with it they are already looking to develop it even further.

They are soon starting phase two of the project to turn the property into a larger family home with a third bedroom and home office on the ground floor, meaning more people can enjoy the location and the design.

Cedar House has been shortlisted in the Guernsey Design Awards 2020 in the ‘Single Residential New Build’ category.

THE CONTRACTORS • Turnstone Architecture • Wells Construction & Engineering • Dorey, Lyle & Ashman • T C Carpentry • Apollo Electrical • D W Plumbing • Milestone Masonry

ECO & ENVIRONMENTAL

SUSTAINABLE APPRENTICESHIPS The Guernsey College of Further Education (GCFE) is currently looking to set up a new apprenticeship for the island, covering areas such as recycling, utilities and facilities management. It’s being designed to meet industry demand for training in those areas and the GCFE hopes to launch it next year. We found out more about the plans.

Provisionally named as the ‘Island Operatives Apprenticeship’, the new scheme is being developed in conjunction with industry to ensure it meets the needs of the sectors requesting it.

Lorraine Barker is the faculty director with responsibility for new apprenticeships in Guernsey. She said the plans evolved from feedback the GCFE received: “Following the ‘Future Workforce’ events that were held in 2018, we went out to industry to find out what we needed to do to support the island with the apprenticeship scheme. We started speaking to the Guernsey Recycling Group, who were keen to progress an apprenticeship that was suitable for their employees.”

and has been involved with the plans from the start. He said: “Following the initial engagement with the Guernsey Recycling Group, we recognised the evident need for people to have specialist training on-island that wasn’t being catered for with traditional apprenticeships. We are therefore in the process of developing this apprenticeship, which will cross multiple sectors. Many employers have a need for common core skills such as customer service, health and safety, and some basic construction skills. We are therefore looking to build an apprenticeship which covers that common core but then branches out into specialist pathways as the training progresses. I think it’s an exciting opportunity for the island.”

From that start, more companies and organisations have come on board and the ‘recycling’ apprenticeship has evolved to include areas such as utilities, facilities management and elements of the construction industry. The GCFE is liaising with a broad range of representatives from the industry to ensure that what they can deliver meets the requirements of those employing the prospective apprentices.

In fact, the consultation process has already seen the GCFE better able to meet the needs of the sector through its current courses. Employers were clear that they wanted their apprentices to learn some core skills around employability. The GCFE has therefore incorporated elements of their Progress 2 programme into the pre-apprenticeship programme to ensure that everyone learns those skills early in their training.

Chris Torode is the faculty director for construction and engineering

From the initial talks with the Guernsey Recycling Group, the idea has evolved

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but the focus on sustainability and environmental impact has remained.

With recycling now an important issue across the sector, Chris said it is clear that the demand is there for a course that incorporates those areas: “Culturally, there has been a quantum shift in terms of recycling, re-use, environmental impact and sustainable construction. What has clearly emerged from our discussions with the steering group is the number of companies who do already embrace those areas, and how aware they are of the expectations on the sector.

We have been teaching sustainable construction for many years through our traditional apprenticeship provision, but this is now becoming a subject in its own right. That’s what employers want as part of their social responsibility so we want to meet that demand.”

CULTURALLY, THERE HAS BEEN A QUANTUM SHIFT IN TERMS OF RECYCLING, RE-USE, ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT AND SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION.

The GCFE welcomes all input from industry and is holding a series of open meetings for representatives from relevant sectors to come forward and put forward their views.

The next session will be held on Friday 3 April at the Coutanchez campus, with any interested parties welcome to attend. For more information, contact Lorraine at LorraineB@gcfe.net

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INDUSTRY SUPPORT FOR THE NEW APPRENTICESHIP GUERNSEY RECYCLING GROUP

STATES WORKS

GEOMARINE

“Safety and sustainability are important considerations within our island’s core services and will become increasingly vital as local and global supply chains adapt to environmental issues. Industries – including utilities, buildings and infrastructure, logistics, waste and recycling – need to invest in preparing future generations with the appropriate skills to face these challenges. The Guernsey Recycling Group is pleased to support this apprenticeship. We encourage any student who enjoys practical, mechanical and logistical problem solving to apply.”

“States Works is committed to investing in the training and development of our staff, a key element of which recognises the value of the relationship with the Guernsey College of Further Education and the Guernsey Apprenticeship. With an everchanging business landscape, workbased learning qualifications are arguably more important than ever for bridging the growing skills gaps amongst some of the skilled trades.

Apprenticeships enable learners to build confidence and develop a broader and more specialist range of skills and knowledge – all whilst learning on the job and earning a wage. As a recognised formal qualification, apprenticeships also can improve learners’ career prospects and the achievement of their long-term goals.”

“Geomarine is really excited about the opportunity to have an apprenticeship that we can offer our operations staff.

Their contribution is invaluable to the industry and they deserve to have recognition of the knowledge and skills they gain to set them up for a career in the construction industry. We are grateful for having a relationship with Guernsey College of Further Education that can make these things happen to suit the local industry.”

RONEZ “A key factor in Ronez’s success is our people and in developing their skills and knowledge. We have supported Guernsey College of Further Education’s Apprenticeship programme for many years and believe that the introduction of a new apprenticeship for operatives offers exciting opportunities to attract and develop potential employees.”

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PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

Towards a more sustainable world Guernsey Electricity explains how they have been taking the lead in creating a more sustainable world by reducing their environmental impact.

HAVE YOU HEARD THE GOOD NEWS? Your flow of electricity hasn’t altered, but the energy source has.

It’s the perfect time to switch to electric heating and plug into renewables.

PLUGGING INTO RENEWABLES IS JUST THE START In January, we switched all our imported electricity to be generated from renewable sources, such as hydropower, solar and wind, which meets 90% of the island’s needs.

Guernsey Electricity is increasingly mindful of the role we play and how technology can be used to improve the lives of customers and minimise the impact on the environment.

We’ve made this bold decision to meet the island’s electricity needs with more sustainable energy sources, that comes at less cost to the earth.

This makes for an exciting future, with electricity at the heart of it.

We are connected to multiple devices throughout the day, so a world filled with even more smart tech is the next logical step.

A CLEANER APPROACH FOR OUR FUTURE GENERATIONS We believe in renewables for all so even if you live in an apartment and don’t have a roof for solar panels, you can still charge your phone and boil the kettle using electricity that is better for our environment.

SWITCH TO ELECTRIC HEATING AND PLUG INTO RENEWABLES There’s a reason that electric heating is now the first choice for all new build domestic property in Guernsey. It’s also a good retrofit home improvement that saves more than just money.

For businesses, switching from fossil fuel heating to electric heating is one of the best ways to reduce their carbon footprint, an action that is now firmly on many company board agendas.

A standard office block using gas as a heating source, consuming around 500,000 kWh electric equivalent, could achieve an 85% reduction in CO2 emissions by switching to electric air source heat pumps. That’s around 108,000kg of CO2 every year. This significant environmental benefit is often combined with lower running costs, leading to strong returns on capital investment.

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Smart technology is already having a monumental impact on our daily lives. As this continues at pace, and individuals manage increasingly more aspects of their lives from their fingertips, there is a huge opportunity for businesses to make efficiencies and reduce costs.

So why are we making these bold decisions now?

New evidence predicts a 3°c increase in temperature by the end of this century. The United Nations has advised that “unprecedented” changes would be needed to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This requires serious effort at every level of society.

sustainability performance. We further believe that the energy sector should take the lead in creating a greener and sustainable island.

We have launched a Climate Change Statement, revised our fiveyear Environmental Sustainability Strategy, and committed to achieving ISO14001:2015 certification of our Environmental Management System within the next financial year. Our revised 2020-2025 Environmental Sustainability Strategy includes increasingly ambitious and measurable objectives and targets.

These steps place environmental sustainability and climate change firmly at the heart of our business.

THE SMART FUTURE IS ELECTRIC The way we generate, use and store energy is rapidly changing. The evolution of smart grids will allow energy companies to match the supply of energy to demand at any time, minimising waste and accurately managing supply and demand.

We’re planning for the future, leading change that will become part of the global solution. This is a journey that involves all of us. Switching to renewables was the first step - we want to empower every islander to join in.

ENVIRONMENTAL STRATEGY In the two years since we launched our first Environmental Sustainability Strategy, the world has seen a dramatic shift in public interest and government action on climate change. We recognise the need for all businesses to increase their efforts to improve environmental

WANT TO FIND OUT MORE? Learn how you can make a change for the better at www.electricity.gg/heating or call 200749 for a free business or home survey.

RENEWABLES FOR ALL It’s the perfect time to switch to electric heating and plug into renewables.

Over 90% of your electricity now comes from renewable sources such as hydropower, solar and wind.

Make the change today.

Drop into our Home Heating Centre, visit www.electricity.gg/heating or call 200749

Electricity House | Northside | Vale | GY1 3AD

ECO & ENVIRONMENTAL

“A PASSIVHAUS IS A BUILDING IN WHICH THERMAL COMFORT CAN BE ACHIEVED SOLELY BY POST-HEATING OR POST-COOLING THE FRESH AIR FLOW REQUIRED FOR A GOOD INDOOR AIR QUALITY, WITHOUT THE NEED FOR ADDITIONAL RECIRCULATION OF AIR.” The Passivhaus Institute

THE PASSIVHAUS PRINCIPLES With more and more people becoming aware of the environmental impact of building and running a home, the Passivhaus building performance principles are growing in popularity throughout the UK and the Channel Islands. But what is a Passivhaus and how do you build one? Here’s what you need to know.

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The principles of building a Passivhaus are driven by air quality and comfort for its occupants. It is an entirely voluntary building performance standard that is based around the idea of reducing heating demand to a very low level rather than relying on renewables to reduce environmental impact. It is a very thorough and exacting way to build, but the research shows that it does work.

The house must be designed from the very start as a Passivhaus, with meticulous attention to detail. There is a complex spreadsheet known as the Passivhaus Planning Package into which the designer feeds all the relevant construction details including the insulation depths, the window sizes and orientations and the junction details. This then gives them a predicted space heating demand (expressed

in kWh/m²/yr), and the designer adjusts the inputs until the outcome meets the Passivhaus standard.

There is no definitive way to build a Passivhaus and they can be built using almost any construction method. There are, however, some universal features necessary in any Passivhaus to meet the standards. These include large amounts of insulation, triple glazing with insulated frames, very high airtightness levels, ‘thermal bridge free’ construction and a mechanical ventilation system with highly efficient heat recovery.

While some mistake the Passivhaus standard as meaning homes don’t have heating, that is not the case. What they aim to do is reduce the space heating requirements so such a low level that there is no requirement for

ISSUE 3 SPRING 2020

a conventional heating system. The level is set at 15kWh/m²/yr, which is the key Passivhaus target. This means that if you build a 160m² house to Passivhaus standards, you would need just 2,400kWh of energy throughout the year. That’s about a tenth of what a typical British home would use.

THE COST BREAKDOWN The added cost of building a Passivhaus varies considerably depending on location, design and the size of the development. However, it has been estimated to be between a 10% and 25% increase in building cost – which is balanced out by reduced energy bills over the lifespan of the house. An approximate breakdown can be calculated as follows:

Various ways of providing heating in a Passivhaus are used, with the most popular appearing to be adding a small heating element to the ventilation system, turning it into a warm-air heating system. These units are generally rated at no more than 3kW, and they only kick in when the outside temperatures are close to zero. You also have to provide for domestic hot water, so some form of boiler is useful.

While there are certainly extra costs involved in building a Passivhaus, there are also clearly benefits in the large reduction in running costs. These vary from property to property but are significant.

While the Passivhaus building principles have been proven to work, it is not necessarily something that will suit everyone. Once a Passivhaus has been built, it then needs to be used correctly so the home owners have to be very aware of when they can open windows, when they should boost the ventilation system and when they need to change filters. It also means that that home cannot be easily adaptable as even something as simple as running a cable through the structure will affects its airtightness. Once it is built, the integrity needs to remain.

THE KEY CRITERIA: Low heating demand: space heating demand of less than 15kWh/m²/yr Super insulation: exterior windows to achieve a U-value of less than 0.15 Windows: U-values less than 0.8 Airtightness: less than 0.6 air changes/hour at 50Pa Ventilation: over 80% heat recovery from ventilation exhaust air

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Around 35% of the extra cost will be in meeting the glazing standard of tripleglazed windows and doors that reach the exacting airtightness ratings required.

•

Around 30% will be spent in achieving the required airtightness.

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The balance will be spread across insulation, mechanical ventilation, shading and design costs.

IS CERTIFICATION NECESSARY? The Passivhaus Institute acts as a training and a certification centre and charges around £1,500 to certify a house as meeting its criteria.

Certification is not compulsory, and most of the world’s 20,000-odd Passivhauses are not certified by the Institute.

The advantages of opting for a certified Passivhaus are to do with getting a measure of quality control. The design is checked over to see if it really meets Passivhaus standards, and the house is tested to make sure it follows the design.

IS IT JUST FOR HOUSES? Despite the name, the Passivhaus principles are not designed solely for domestic properties. The system can be applied to all types of buildings, from single family homes to apartment buildings, offices and skyscrapers. In fact, the larger the project the more cost benefit there can be to building in accordance with the Passivhaus standards.

Passive building principles can be applied to all building typologies – from singlefamily homes to multifamily apartment buildings, offices, and skyscrapers.

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ECO & ENVIRONMENTAL

Building Regulations change to support environment With more than 20% of CO2 emissions lost through our buildings, the Development & Planning Authority (D&PA) has taken action to promote an improvement of thermal performance and energy efficiency of buildings by agreeing changes to ‘Part L’ (Conservation of Fuel and Power) of the Guernsey Building Regulations.

The thermal performance of a building is determined by the individual thermal performances of the various elements of a structure – namely the roof, walls, floors and window/door openingsand by the efficiency of the services installed.

The orientation of a building can limit heat losses and gains through the glazed elements whilst the quality of the build also has an effect and is measured and controlled under Part L. Currently the local Building Regulations rely on a set of documents known as the Guernsey Technical Standards (GTS) that, if followed, are deemed to satisfy the functional requirements set out in the Regulations. The majority of these documents were produced in 2012 and have not had any technical revisions since this time. Local standards relating to the thermal performance of buildings, known as GTS Parts L1 and L2, are now eight years old.

CLIMATE CHANGE HAS BEEN RECOGNISED AS REACHING A CRITICAL POINT AND IN JUNE 2019 THE STATES AGREED THAT GUERNSEY MUST URGENTLY ADDRESS THE CLIMATE AND ECOLOGICAL CRISIS AT BOTH LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL LEVEL.

To improve the energy efficiency of new and existing buildings it is proposed to increase these performance requirements by making amendments to the current documents GTS ‘L1 and L2’. This will be achieved by: • Increasing performance standards in GTS-L1 for existing dwellings, including for new build and extensions, to match current English standards, which are appropriate for Guernsey and its climate; • Increasing the air leakage standard by halving the permitted leakage volume from 10 to 5m3/(h.m2) at 50Pa and providing clearer guidance on a testing regime; • Amending the ‘U values’ in relation to the renovation of existing thermal elements to make them consistent with revised new construction standards and into line with the current equivalent English standards; and • Mirroring the proposed changes for GTS-L1 with a technical amendment to GTS-L2. This will take account of improved U values, introduce specific guidance on air pressure testing of commercial buildings and specifically reference a compliance route following the calculation methods available in the equivalent UK approved documents.

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The GTS guidance will be amended to reflect the improved requirements and once approved by the D&PA it is planned to bring them into effect at the end of June 2020. As the Regulations are not retrospective they will not affect home owners unless they are planning on carrying out work on the external envelope of their buildings.

D&PA president, Deputy Dawn Tindall, said: “Climate change has been recognised as reaching a critical point and in June 2019 the States agreed that Guernsey must urgently address the climate and ecological crisis, at both local and international level. Increasingly I have been questioned over why our thermal performance standards lag behind those in the UK so, after due consideration, the D&PA has agreed that now is the appropriate time to amend our Building Regulations.

“The measures will be put in place shortly through revisions to Part L ahead of a more fundamental review under the climate change mitigation action plan led by the Committee for the Environment & Infrastructure which is due to be debated by the States by May this year. These changes show that the D&PA are listening and can take action without awaiting the direction of the States – action which is urgent if Guernsey is to play its part in respect of the climate emergency.”

D&PA vice-president, Deputy Victoria Oliver, said: “To improve our energy efficiency we must look to tighten up on the thermal performance requirements whilst at the same time being mindful of the effect this is likely to have on the cost of construction. To simply impose strict new standards could stifle construction investment so therefore we have looked to make the changes proportionate.

“We believe that these changes strike the right balance to ensure that appropriately higher levels of thermal performance will be achieved in our new and existing building stock and can be put in place quickly whilst also taking proper account of the likely effects of this on the local construction industry and on building costs.”

AWARDS

Guernsey Design Awards 2020 The shortlist has been released for this year’s Guernsey Design Awards. Held every two years, the Awards seek to recognise the exemplary work that enhances our built environment. They were developed by the States of Guernsey Planning Service, Norman Piette and The Guernsey Society of Architects and are supported by CIAT Channel Islands.

This year, 19 properties have been shortlisted in the six categories, with work represented from 10 different architectural firms. Alongside the six main categories, a ‘People’s Choice’ award has allowed the public to vote on their favourite project, while a ‘Professionals’ Choice’ award will be voted for by all attending industry professionals at the awards evening.

THE AWARDS AIM TO RECOGNISE GOOD DESIGN IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES AND BUDGETS

The shortlisted projects range from relatively small residential builds to major commercial projects such as the Children’s Library Project, restaurant J B Parker’s and The Imperial Hotel.

Heritage properties also merit their own category, with this year’s shortlist comprised of the restoration of Fermain Tower (pictured), converted barn Le Prinsaeu and the major renovation of Maison de Victor Hugo – Hauteville House.

THE CATEGORIES •

Single residential new build

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Single residential renovation/extension

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Commercial

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Heritage

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Multiple residential development

The awards aim to recognise good design in all circumstances and budgets, with two Guernsey Housing Association projects Beauville and Warry’s – competing against luxury development Havelet Waters in the multiple residential development category.

The winners of this year’s awards will be announced at a presentation evening held at The Princess Royal Centre for Performing Arts on Friday 27 March. Admission is free – for more information and to register to attend visit www.guernseydesignawards.com

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COMMENT

Constructing change Earlier this year the Guernsey Chamber of Commerce Construction Industry Group held an open forum event to discuss the sector and start work on a major new strategy to improve all aspects of the industry. In his regular column, Construction Group chair, Tim Guilbert, outlines what they are trying to achieve and why it is important.

A new spirit of engagement is occurring within the industry and between construction and its client base, both government and private.

And as many would say – about time too!

The Chamber of Commerce Construction Group has committed to carrying out a review of the industry which will encompass and consider views both from within and externally, making comparisons on things such as costs, restrictions on staff, education and training and the overall perception of the industry to pick just a few key topics.

THE SUCCESS OF THE EVENING WAS BEST SUMMED UP BY ONE ATTENDEE’S COMMENT BY EMAIL THE NEXT DAY, WHO SAID “THERE WAS SUCH AN ENERGY IN THE ROOM”.

To achieve what is undoubtedly a significant undertaking five main areas have been defined for further research and each has a member of the executive team heading up that work.

Those members are now busy assembling a team around them based on the interests shown at our well-attended strategy event in January.

The follow up event in March will see them sharing their terms of reference and outline their programme with their teams for the first time.

To have a room full of delegates from all the major aspects of construction: architects, engineers, project managers, contractors, trainers and more was a real step forward for the industry. The success of the evening was best summed up by one attendee’s comment by email the next day, who said “there was such an energy in the room”.

The famous quote from Aristotle captures the essence even better than I can:

“The energy of the mind is the essence of life.”

The Philosophy of Aristotle

When we apply our minds positively there is a sense of engagement and value that transcends simple communication.

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What we are doing here is engaging with all and seeking the energy of views and opinions, fully inclusive, good, bad and indifferent. Together, we can help shape the future and ensure that shape is predicted with the very best foresight from those best placed to ponder the issues at hand, that is those that are immersed in it in daily life.

Over the coming months the group intends to use differing methods of collecting data and opinions. Those will include meetings, both one to one and in groups, questionnaires or surveys, interactive meetings and webinars.

Altogether there will be a whole host of different routes to ensure you can have your say.

These views are going to be collected and brought together in a draft strategy document and this will be developed into the final document in close consultation with the contributors.

Then the real challenge will begin, which is for us as an industry to embrace this new collaborative, inclusive and positive way of working and allow the industry to be as good as it can possibly be.

That can only be done when our eyes are fixed on the end goal rather than on the minutiae of the path along the way. It’s a cultural change we are looking at, the hardest type to truly embrace.

As we spend the next few months looking to the future together, considering but not dwelling on the past, I hope we can all apply our energies to the job in hand and put behind us the matters that have clogged up the works previously.

We captured something in the room on 16 January and I, for one, hope we can keep that energy going and fuel it with the passion and drive that brings great change to our world.

FEATURE

New contract for industry The Guernsey Construction Industry Forum (CIF), in conjunction with the Guernsey Chamber of Commerce, recently launched a new minor works contract specifically designed for use by the local industry. In the first month since launch, 60 contracts were issued to be used for small value works through to more expensive projects.

CIF says it has been contacted by householders planning projects as well as contractors, all of whom have been grateful for the comprehensive and user-friendly nature of the contract.

Chair of the Chamber Construction Industry Group, Tim Guilbert, said: “The contract has been written in a clear, concise way to enable users to be certain of the responsibilities and expectations for both client and contractor from the start. Together with the comprehensive guidance notes that we have also developed, it should help local projects to progress more smoothly and efficiently.”

Head of dispute resolution at Ferbrache & Farrell, partner Martin Jones, said: “All too often, we see situations where disputes have arisen which may have been avoided if the parties to a contract had been clear as to their respective obligations at the outset. It is hoped that use of this standard form will become commonplace and will help to give the parties to such contracts the clarity and certainty they need.”

The contract was developed by law firm Ferbrache & Farrell LLP, working with CIF and industry stakeholders, including Trading Standards. It has been designed to help clarify responsibilities in the event of a dispute, but more importantly, to avoid disputes occurring in the first place.

The new contract is designed to cover minor to medium sized works and will be suitable for many types of project.

Both the contract and accompanying guidance notes are provided free of charge and are available to download from the Guernsey Chamber of Commerce and CIF websites.

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COMMENT

Supporting the Project Profession Following the launch of a joint Channel Islands committee for the Association for Project Management, Guernsey-based member Scott Crittell outlines the importance of the project profession and how the new body can support those working in the sector locally.

As a Chartered Fellow of the Association for Project Management (APM), the chartered body for the project profession, I understand the importance of recognising the power of projects to deliver meaningful change and societal benefit.

APM proved in 2019 that project work is an increasingly critical profession to the UK economy as detailed in The Golden Thread report, produced in partnership with PwC. This report showed that project work employs approximately one in 12 of the UK full-time equivalent workers and adds £156 billion of value to the UK economy annually. Another APM innovation, the annual APM Project Management Awards, helps to celebrate the benefits that projects deliver, by highlighting the breadth, skill and professionalism required to deliver these projects.

I have volunteered and been selected to judge in the annual APM Project Management Awards for the past two years. The selection of judges is limited to a small number of the most qualified members of APM and previous award winners of the past two years, so I have always been proud to be involved. The process of judging includes two stages, those being a written assessment stage to produce a shortlist followed later by a panel interview stage to find the winner.

Categories at the APM Awards include Contribution to the Profession, Innovation in Projects

or the Engineering, Construction and infrastructure Project of the Year. This year, in order to recognise the importance of education and academia, APM has launched a new set of targeted awards to showcase some of the best and brightest new talent among career starters, education and research.

Here in the Channel Islands, APM is also taking strides to support and advance the profession. A joint committee encompassing both Guernsey and Jersey members was established late in 2019. The committee shall collaborate across both islands to highlight the professionalism of project management and highlight the role of APM as the chartered body supporting project careers. Professionalising project management means better project

outcomes and improvement to the deliverables of time, quality and cost.

Jersey has already held two public events to highlight project management and Guernsey will hold its first at the Old Government House Hotel on Wednesday 29 April. This free-to-attend event will provide an introduction to the chartered body for members of Guernsey’s project management community. It is important to consider that project management is found across all industries, inclusive of public bodies.

Attendees will be able to find out how APM can benefit them, with news on membership, professional qualifications, the routes available for individuals to apply for the much-coveted Chartered Project Professional designation and more.

If you would like to learn more about APM, its membership or qualifications, please contact Scott in Guernsey at crittellscott@gmail.com, or in Jersey get in touch with Carl Ibbet who is also a Fellow and Committee member at carl.ibbet@ci-consulting.co.uk For more information on the Association for Project Management visit the website: www.apm.org.uk For more information on the Guernsey event or to register to attend visit: bit.ly/apm-guernsey

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EVENT

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Mental health in the workplace The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) is emphasising the importance of highlighting mental health issues within the construction industry. Current president, Charles Egbu, believes that talking about mental health is integral to recruiting and retaining the millennial generation, which is essential to the long-term success of the profession. With that in mind, the CIOB is running a mental health awareness workshop in Guernsey to explore the issues.

The nature of construction means it has traditionally been considered a more dangerous profession than most. But now, that danger doesn’t necessarily come from the physical exertions of the job. Every working day, two construction workers take their lives in the UK. That rate is three times the national average for men.

At the same time, stress, depression and anxiety account for a fifth of all work-related illnesses in the industry.

Experts say that a number of factors are at play – including the fact the industry is overwhelmingly male, and men are far more likely to take their own lives than women. At the same time, it is a sector that often necessitates workers spending long periods away from home, friends and family.

The statistics are shocking and have made many in the industry reconsider their approach to mental health. For the CIOB, looking after the mental health of their members is now a priority.

As part of that they are looking to run workshops in the Channel Islands

focusing on the issue. In Guernsey, the event is due to take place on 3 June with Ginette Oliver of Rising Vibe.

Rising Vibe describes themselves as ‘culture consultants’, who use emotion to drive cultural change. They believe we should all be talking more about mental health awareness, especially men who have often found it difficult to talk about such subjects.

For Ginette that needs to be changed.

She said: “We want to get you comfortable talking about how you feel. We want to support workplaces in creating cultures that make it safe and supportive to talk. Because that’s what helps us to feel better. And when we feel better, we do better.”

During the interactive workshop, attendees will explore the key challenges to emotional wellbeing and mental health and discover how to deal with and overcome them.

It will also provide those attending with a practical and easy to apply approach to managing their mental health and emotional wellbeing.

The discussions will revolve around pragmatic yet effective ways to better support mental health in the workplace in order to create a culture that makes it safe to talk openly about how people feel.

CIOB GUERNSEY WORKSHOP When: Wednesday 3 June, 18:00-20:30 Where: Farmhouse Hotel Cost: • Free for CIOB members • £22 for Construction Industry Forum members • £25 for non-members Booking: Visit www.ciob.org and search for Guernsey events

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COMMENT

Meet the GBTEA In a new series of regular columns for the magazine, we hear from the Guernsey Building Trades Employers Association (GBTEA).

To introduce the well-established organisation, secretary Brian Singleton takes a look back at its origins to see how it, and the industry, has evolved over the past century.

OUR BEGINNINGS Towards the end of World War I a circular was sent to the prominent Master Builders on the island and on 2 April 1918, 46 Master Builders came together for the inaugural meeting of the GBTEA. The records show that this first meeting highlighted the various problems confronting the building industry caused by the war, such as the lack of work, supply of materials and the great difficulties experienced by the men to provide the necessities of life for themselves and their families.

The association undertook to systematically deal with all these and other issues arising within the industry and work to ensure that the building industry became a vibrant and sustainable force in the island. It was an ambitious commitment and one that the association still tries to aspire to today.

Over the past century the GBTEA has seen many changes in the building trade with the introduction of new legislation and modern technology. As an organisation, it has even brought about much change itself through putting proposals to the various States departments that affect the industry and its workers.

THE ASSOCIATION UNDERTOOK TO SYSTEMATICALLY DEAL WITH ALL THESE AND OTHER ISSUES ARISING WITHIN THE INDUSTRY AND WORK TO ENSURE THAT THE BUILDING INDUSTRY BECAME A VIBRANT AND SUSTAINABLE FORCE IN THE ISLAND.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE GBTEA: 1921: The Association was concerned by some merchants supplying materials to private customers and even proposed to boycott them. In the end they did not find this necessary as they reached an agreement.

1927: They were worried about the restrictions being put on them by the Cliffs and Natural Beauty Committee (in later years to become the Island Development Committee and eventually the Development & Planning Authority as it is known today). Restrictions and regulations which they have since learnt to live with.

1931: The Association was forced to reduce wages during the depression, but the tradesmen still worked a 57 hour week in the summer and a 48 hour week in the winter.

1940: It was decided to adjust working conditions to suit the wartime conditions when there was a lack of workers and a lack of money. The GBTEA president at that time remained in the island during the Occupation.

1945: The Association spent a lot of time disagreeing with the States over controls on materials and unregistered builders.

1960-1970: These were boom years, with problems much like those to be experienced in the latter years of 1986-89 with growing costs for labour and materials and an increase of imported labour and firms.

1970-1985: It would seem these were similar to our present trading conditions with not an abundance of work and ever-increasing overheads.

1985-1993: These saw the boom years return when the Association and its members experienced the effects of too much work all at the same time, followed by a rather sudden fall into recession, with local unemployment rising to an unwelcome level.

The period since the millennium has been a busy one for the industry and the association.

In the next issue of the magazine, we will look at the more modern history of the GBTEA and what it has achieved to date.

For more information about the GBTEA visit the website www.gbtea.gg

GBTEA MEMBER SERVICES • Sets a minimum wage to be paid to their members’ employees and apprentices • Sets the rates and percentages paid to apprentices in construction • Provides guidance on issues such as disciplinary, capability, grievance, adopton and maternity leave procedures • Representation and consultation on members’ behalf with the States of Guernsey

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COMMENT

Development Frameworks Martyn Baudains, partner in Ogier’s property department in Guernsey, gives an overview of Development Frameworks in the island.

The Island Development Plan (IDP) was adopted by the States of Guernsey in 2016. It tells us what can be built, where, and to what use those buildings can be put. It is a guide to help the island anticipate need for the built environment.

The policies within the IDP can be difficult to interpret, especially when dealing with larger sites which often have complex issues to consider. The IDP provides for some assistance to be given to developers and the public alike, and that assistance comes in the form of “Development Frameworks” and “Local Planning Briefs”. At the time of writing (February 2020), there are no current Local Planning Briefs, but they would be required where there are strategic land use implications, such as, in the past, Glategny Esplanade, Belgrave Vinery and Le Bouet.

IMPORTANTLY, DO NOT BE AFRAID TO ASK THEM QUESTIONS - MEET WITH THEM INITIALLY, AND KEEP THE DIALOGUE WITH THEM OPEN.

Development Frameworks will be required where, for example, the intention is to undertake development in “Main Centres” (i.e. parts of St Peter Port and St Sampson’s) where the proposals are for 10 or more dwellings, or for sites over 0.25 hectares (1½ vergées), or for proposals over 2,000sq.m. of gross floor area. A Framework will also be required where development is in one of the “Local Centres” (parts of the villages of St Martin’s, Forest, Cobo, L’Islet, etc.) where proposals are for five or more dwellings, for sites over 0.125 hectares (3/4 of a vergée) or for proposals over 1,000sq.m. of gross floor area.

There are other areas where a Framework will be required and these can be found in Appendix III of the IDP, including any other area where the Development and Planning Authority (DPA) specifies.

WHAT GOES INTO THE FRAMEWORK AND WHO PREPARES IT? Although the DPA takes ownership of the Framework, it can be prepared by a landowner or developer working with the DPA. An owner may decide to prepare their own Framework where the site is relatively straightforward and they would like to progress matters ahead of the DPA undertaking the work itself.

After a general statement of the aims of the Framework, a general background of the site

and the relevant IDP policies, a successful Framework will also include: (i) a map, drawings and a statement to indicate things such as buildings or other physical features within the site, the landscape character of the site and its surroundings (including trees and other landscape features within the site), the biodiversity of the site and its surroundings, etc; (ii) details about infrastructure, such as the availability of public utilities and other services and information about roads; and (iii) development guidelines such as land use principles, including preferred mix and balance of uses, compatibility of use within an existing area, phasing of larger schemes, general design approach, access and parking, including provision for pedestrians, disabled people and parking standards for cyclists, motorcycles and cars, etc.

When considering the Framework, it is essential to have regard to policies surrounding sustainable design (such as GP8 Design and GP9 Sustainable Development).

Thankfully, the guidance from the DPA is that if you are preparing your own Framework, you should keep it short and to the point, remain objective and write in plain English. Importantly, do not be afraid to ask them questions - meet with them initially, and keep the dialogue with them open.

For a simpler site the DPA suggests you might expect a Framework to take four to five months to prepare, or 12 to 18 months for a more complex site.

There are currently 18 approved Development Frameworks, three draft Development Frameworks, were the consultation period has closed but they have not been approved, and one, Leale’s Yard, where consultation is still open.

This article is intended only to give an overview of the subject. Further information and guidance can be found online at www.gov.gg. Advice should be taken in each individual case and no liability can be accepted for the accuracy of the information contained in this article.

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INTERVIEW

JULIE CARRÉ With nearly four decades of experience working in the profession, Julie Carré of Carré Property certainly has the knowledge to support her successful business. That’s why she was recognised with the ‘Residential Property Professional of the Year Award’ at the recent Guernsey Property and Construction Awards. We spoke to her to find out more about her career path and her reaction to winning the award.

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Julie Carré set up Carré Property Limited in 2008. More than a decade later, it is a thriving business providing a personalised service that Julie is passionate about. She is certainly someone who seems made for the property business, but her start in the industry actually came about somewhat by chance.

“In 1981, I was working at Kings Health Club and Chris Shields was setting up his estate agency business, Shields & Co. I was chatting to him at the club and when he realised that I was a qualified secretary, he asked if I wanted a job and the rest is history. When we first started it

was just the two of us and I learned so much in that period, resulting in being accepted as a Member of the National Association of Estate Agents before being awarded a Fellowship in later years.”

Having worked at Shields & Co for 10 years, Julie left to have children while keeping her hand in helping a friend who had a portfolio of rental properties. So when she was looking to return to work, she knew she wanted to stay in the industry.

“In 1998 my children were both at school and I wanted to return to my career. I went to work with Jerry Root at Cranfords, where I remained for another 10 years. It was a small,

ISSUE 3 SPRING 2020

busy agency, covering all aspects of estate agency work, which was very similar to my previous experience at Shields & Co, and I really enjoyed working there, handling both sales and rentals. I only left when the agency was sold.”

Following a short-term contract at Swoffers, which Julie says she thoroughly enjoyed, she decided to finally take the plunge and set up on her own in 2008.

with the occasional select sale when a client asks her to deal with the marketing of their property.

and let me manage her portfolio of rental properties. It certainly took some of the risk out of launching my new company, although it was still a fairly daunting prospect.”

“That tends to be on a sole agent basis and is usually the sales of properties I have previously sold to people over the years, or where a landlord has decided they don’t wish to rent the property any longer.

I enjoy handling sales such as these, but the focus of the business is primarily the rental market.”

Twelve years later, that risk has clearly paid off as Carré Property has gone from strength to strength. But while the business has evolved, some things have stayed the same.

“I had been thinking about starting up my own company for a while but it was obviously a big decision to make. I decided that the time was right – especially when Swoffers very kindly recommended me to one of their clients who was looking for assistance with a portfolio of staff properties.

“I still run the company from my home office and am the only permanent member of staff so people know they will always get a personalised service from me. My husband recently retired, however, so I am making sure I keep him busy doing lots of jobs for the company, and it’s great to have another pair of hands to help.”

“I was also very grateful when a long-term client said she would support me if I set up on my own

The bulk of Carré Property’s work is dealing with rental properties, although Julie says she does deal

MY HUSBAND RECENTLY RETIRED, HOWEVER, SO I AM MAKING SURE I KEEP HIM BUSY DOING LOTS OF JOBS FOR THE COMPANY, AND IT’S GREAT TO HAVE ANOTHER PAIR OF HANDS TO HELP.

Luckily for Julie, that area of the industry is always something she has enjoyed, mainly due to the variety of the work. But she says one factor makes all the difference.

“Every day is different when you’re working in the rental market and it can be very stressful. The crucial thing is to have good tradesmen on board that you can rely on. I would attribute a huge amount of my success to having the right

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tradesmen working with me.

The ones I use are so reliable and absolutely invaluable. I have worked with them for years and I am so grateful for their loyalty.

“When tenants have a problem, they need to have it solved quickly and efficiently. People understand that issues occur, but when they don’t get dealt with, it can lead to all sorts of issues. We pride ourselves on solving problems as quickly as possible to keep all our clients happy.”

Carré Property is registered with the Guernsey Financial Services Commission while Julie is a Fellow of the National Association of Estate Agents. She says it’s always been important for client confidence that they know there is robust governance of the company.

obviously you want to find the right home for someone. We currently have a large waiting list of people looking for rental properties and often properties are taken before details are typed up or placed on the website. We have been carrying out many viewings via mobile phone apps where a tenant will accept a property without coming to the island to view.”

“I do find that, after some recent events, people are more concerned about things such as insurance and the protection of client money. It’s entirely understandable but we’ve always had excellent procedures in place and can be completely transparent about where and how money is held.”

That website is obviously now a crucial part of Julie’s business, alongside other advances in technology that have come into play during her career.

After almost 40 years in the property industry, Julie has certainly seen some changes in the market, including the demand for rental properties – which can be a challenge to meet.

“Properties need to be presented in good order throughout and I generally use the benchmark that it would have to be somewhere I’d be happy to live myself. Luckily, I have a selection of lovely landlords who make sure their properties are of a good standard. There is certainly plenty of demand for rental properties in the island – the difficulty is trying to keep up with that.

“I’m seeing a lot more families coming to the island and there isn’t a huge supply of family homes, especially those which are happy to take pets. I can struggle with the lack of capacity in the market as

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“Technology has changed the industry and how we work hugely, especially since the introduction of emails. It’s incredible how much it has affected the speed of our processes, and how much easier it has made many things. I can email a lease immediately and instantly respond to queries and issues by email or text message.”

I AM OFTEN TOLD BY MY CLIENTS THAT THEY LIKE THE FACT IT IS ALWAYS ME THAT THEY DEAL WITH. THEY KNOW THAT WHEN THEY EMAIL OR PICK UP THE PHONE IT IS ME ON THE OTHER END, AND THAT I KNOW THEM AND THEIR PROPERTY.

But like most of us, Julie admits she does sometimes find disadvantages to the takeover of technology in her working life.

“I pride myself on my quick response times and customer service, which does mean I feel the pressure to be on top of everything all of the time. It’s not unusual for me to be at my desk still answering emails at midnight, and I’m

constantly checking my email and mobile phone. The instant nature of it is both a huge advantage and a challenge – I can be out and about at properties and yet still able to deal with emergencies, which is great, but it also means that I always have to be available to respond.”

It is a large workload for one person, but Julie has been reluctant to bring anybody else on board with the company.

“I am often told by my clients that they like the fact it is always me that they deal with. They know that when they email or pick up the phone it is me on the other end, and that I know them and their property. It means I can offer a really personal service and I’m loath to change that.”

It’s clearly an approach that’s working for Julie, as was highlighted with her recent award as the ‘Residential Property Professional of the Year’, an accolade she was thrilled with.

“I was absolutely delighted to win the award and am very grateful to whoever nominated me as it was lovely recognition. I have always wanted to treat landlords and tenants fairly and have them both be happy with the time they spend in the property, and this really made me feel like my efforts have been appreciated.”

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Guernsey Property and Construction magazine is published four times a year: Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter Guernsey Property and Construction magazine has a focused readership base of contractors, architects, local government departments, construction and property federations and associations for the island, surveyors, industrial and commercial developers, mechanical and electrical engineers, structural engineers, sub-contractors, suppliers, residential, letting and commercial property agents.

Copies of the magazine are distributed across Guernsey and, together with the online digital version, ensures a readership in excess of 12,000 carefully targeted and relevant readers.

For editorial opportunities Contact Tamara Timothy on 07911 732398 or email her at: editor@collaborateci.com For advertising opportunities Contact the team at: hello@collaborateci.com

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FEATURE

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“They are commercial and there to get the job done.”

Chambers UK 2020, Property