• Thu. Mar 28th, 2024

North East Connected

Hopping Across The North East From Hub To Hub

Building a Digitised Construction Industry with New Venture

Screen Shot 2015-09-15 at 14.11.17NICHE technology players have joined forces this September to champion digital construction as part of the emerging North East enterprise IT cluster in a concerted effort to become the UK centre of excellence.

Brought about under the collaborative umbrella of Dynamo North East, Dynamo Build will provide a unified voice for construction in the region, bringing together industry specialists to establish a recognised hub for skills development and retention.

It will see Space Group, BIM Academy (a joint venture between Northumbria University and Ryder Architecture), Kykloud, Viewpoint Construction Software and NBS/RIBA Enterprises work as a virtual team to raise awareness of the North East’s digital construction potential both nationally and internationally.

The group is facilitated by existing technology-led initiative Dynamo, which recently announced plans to create a Northern Institute for Technology and Business Exchange (NIT). NIT was initiated to boost quality jobs in the digital sector and support the region’s standing within the Northern Powerhouse.

Dynamo Build has also received support from industry bodies including the Construction Industry Council North East (CIC NE), the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and Constructing Excellence North East – all joining together to speak with one voice.

Rob Charlton, CEO of Space Group, said: “At present, over 84% of all UK construction work is being carried out in London. Through Dynamo Build we have an opportunity to grab the building and technology space with both hands and export our knowledge and expertise throughout the UK and globally.

“Over the last decade we have seen a centre of excellence for digital construction start to develop in the North East. This has been driven by a strong academic base with good universities serving the sector and a competitive architectural market.

“Not only does RIBA have its commercial headquarters here, a number of architectural practices are raising the bar in terms of skills levels across the region encouraging entrepreneurial businesses and initiatives which are now of international standing.”

Justin Souter, Director and Head of Engagement at Dynamo, said: “Dynamo North East provides a collaborative space for North East organisations to grow the North East IT economy together. From January 2016 all UK Government building contracts will use BIM, and we expect the rest of the market will follow.

“The work on Dynamo Build shows that, in certain niche areas, the North East has world beating players. Getting them working together will grow recognition, help establish our excellence and build jobs. We can also leverage this expertise into our local initiatives around the Internet of Things and smarter cities – in future we might even expect ‘BIM Cities’. It’s a time of great change and of great opportunities.

“Dynamo Build is a compelling opportunity to create more and better jobs by harnessing 3D building design and maintenance tools to make our region the UK’s capital of BIM and help construction industry customers revolutionise the outcomes and value they get from their buildings.”

John Nielsen, Chair of CIC NE and Partner at CK21, said: “We are looking forward to working with Dynamo Build in order to reinforce our region’s role in the sector, rallying for positive action around skills, connectivity and innovation here in the North East. The launch of the group marks a resounding collaborative approach to driving change and we’re confident it will make a real impact.”

Rob Charlton added: “Our companies Space Architects, BIM.Technologies – the name behind BIM Show Live – bimstore and BIM Campus mean we are well on our way to being the global leader in what we call ‘build tech’ – technology in construction.” 

The launch of Dynamo Build took place against the backdrop of the recently opened Crowne Plaza in Newcastle’s Stephenson Quarter, for which Space Architects fittingly provided the design expertise alongside Phase One of the mixed-use development, in parallel with the transformation of Central Station.

Space Architects will continue to work on the Stephenson Quarter as the iconic and highly-anticipated development continues to become realised as one of the region’s most innovative urban regeneration schemes.

To find out more about Dynamo Build or to register interest, please contact dynamobuild@dynamonortheast.co.uk

By admin