Author: Sajjad B

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Southbank Place is a development by Braeburn Estates, the Canary Wharf Group and Qatari firm the Diar Real Estate Investment Company. All of the partners are renowned for their portfolio of landmark architectural projects and Southbank Place is no exception to the rule. Towers 4A and 4B are the latest additions to the site, bringing even more spectacular residential property to this world-class development. Sapphire was commissioned to manufacture and supply the balconies for this exciting new project, which had unique design challenges.

The Wider Project: Southbank Place

Positioned on the banks of the Thames, Southbank Place is a mixed-use scheme that frames the existing Shell Tower. Incorporating public space, retail, and apartments with some of the most spectacular views of London, this development is set to be some of the most desirable real estate in the city.

The site was formerly used for the Festival of Britain, a national exhibition held in 1951 with the goal of boosting morale and cultural pride in the wake of the Second World War. Today, these historical references are subtly incorporated into the buildings and their surroundings.

Towers 4A & 4B

The latest addition to Southbank Place are towers 4A and 4B, which add more residential units to the sprawling site. Designed by Squire and Partners, these towers will provide unrivalled city-centre living. When interviewed by The Architect’s Journal, Michael Squire of Squire and Partners said, “We make no apology, this is a dense development, it sits next to one of the busiest train stations in Europe. This is a massive sustainable move that will allow people to live and work in the same area.” Furthermore, the development also includes affordable homes and assisted living in beautifully designed riverside towers.

The Challenge

A key challenge for this project is that each tower features a unitised façade. Essentially, this means that the building envelope is manufactured offsite in one complete piece, which saves time and space when installing onsite. Every aspect of the façade is pre-fabricated, including fixings and opening vents. However, this means that the specification for the balconies and arms have to be very precise to interface successfully with the façade’s pre-fabricated stubs. As such large, complex pieces are fabricated by an external partner, tolerances are tight and stakes are high.

A further challenge was the project’s location. Southbank Place has limited aspect due to its position on the banks of the River Thames. Equally, the central London location means that there was very limited space on-site, so balconies had to be manufactured and stored offsite until exactly the right moment.

The Solution

In response to the demand for ease and precision, we designed, manufactured and supplied balconies using our Glide-On™ Cassette® system. Glide-On™ balconies have a higher tolerance than traditional bolt-on designs, which is essential when working with unitised façades. Furthermore, due to the slab size and unitised connection, bespoke anchors were specially designed and cast for the development. Equally, the balcony arms were designed in one piece to fit precisely into the unitised façade and we supplied bespoke balustrades on the modular balconies to meet the client’s exacting requirements.

In line with the project’s offsite production model, the balconies were manufactured offsite and lifted in floor by floor and secured in place as the rest of the building envelope was completed. This was done directly from the lorry onto the arms, effectively negotiating the building’s riverside location and the site’s limited space. This mitigated the need for scaffold, saving space, time, and money without compromising on safety.

Step 1: Bespoke stubs incorporating thermal break connections, offering superior rigidity to the balconies were supplied to Permasteelisa, the installation partner, for inclusion in the façade.

Step 2: Cassette® balconies were prefinished offsite, including the balustrades, decking and soffits.

Step 3: Cassette® balconies were transported with balconies ‘nested’ onto each pallet making transport both cost-effective & safe. Balconies were pre-slung offsite ready for installation upon arrival.

Step 4: Once the balconies arrived on site they were lifted into position directly from the lorry, then the Cassettes® simply Glide-On™ to the pre-erected support arms, before completing the simple mechanical fixings.

The Results at Southbank Place

The result was an elegant and easily installed addition to a stunning development. Complete with glass sides and bespoke railings, these rigid balconies make the most out of the towers’ sweeping views of the Thames, Houses of Parliament, the City of Westminster, and beyond.[/sapphire_textBlock][sapphire_contentLink order=”Content left / image right” image=”12287″ heading=”Balcony model available in COACH” button_text=”Open in COACH” button_link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fcoach.balconies.global%2Fbalcony-page%3FtemplateId%3Df9a2fd2c-c9e2-42f5-b980-08daa54c23c4%26templateAction%3D2|title:View%20this%20Balcony%20in%20COACH|target:_blank”]Generate carbon savings reports, IFC, DWG, NBS Spec. and more.[/sapphire_contentLink]

[vc_row width=”70″ background_image=””][vc_column][sapphire_textBlock]It’s true – using a modular balcony system could make the difference when it comes to increasing the value of your development. Here’s how.

What is MLI Select?

Using the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s (CMHC) MLI (Multi-Unit Loan Insurance) Select program, developers can be given financial incentives and rewards for building affordable, energy-efficient and accessible residential units.

The more affordable, energy-efficient and accessible the development, the more points the developer will be awarded.

What are the financial incentives?

The points earned from MLI Select can be used to access financial incentives. Each one provides the developer and the end-user with a range of benefits, including:

1. Lower mortgage insurance fees of up to 75% reduction.
2. Longer amortization periods of up to 50 years.
3. Reduced interest rates of up to 1.5% lower.
4. Access to preferential financing terms, with lenders confirmed to offer more attractive interest rates due to the lower risk associated with CMHC-backed loans.

Accessibility

Using a modular system designed by Sapphire means accessibility can be considered and implemented from the design stage.

Door reveals and thresholds are designed to be step-free, and balconies can have a 1.7m turning radius factored in (as per ACA requirements), both of which allow a wheelchair user to easily and independently navigate their way on and off the balcony.

Sustainability

Sapphire’s modular balcony systems contribute to energy efficiency by reducing thermal bridging and embodied carbon through innovative design. Each of our balconies is thermally broken by design and features just 1% of the thermal transmission compared to a traditional concrete alternative.

The prefabricated design minimizes construction waste, supports sustainable development goals and aligns with Toronto Green Standard to Tier 4 compliance. By using a modular, aluminum balcony, your project can achieve higher MLI points under the CMHC’s framework whilst ensuring compliance with strict urban sustainability standards.

What next?

Your next development could benefit from extended amortizations, lower insurance fees and reduced interest rates, significantly raising the value of your project. Incorporating a modular balcony system, aligning with schemes like Toronto Green Standard Tier 4 and maximizing the benefits of the MLI Select program could make your next development one to be envied.

To learn more about our modular system and how it could increase your development’s perceived value, get in touch with our team today.[/sapphire_textBlock][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row width=”70″ background_image=”” el_id=”” el_class=”” css=””][vc_column][vc_raw_html css=””]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[/vc_raw_html][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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April Fools!

As you might have imagined, attaching a balcony to a hot air balloon is a little far-fetched. But there’s a grain or two of truth in what we’ve shown off.

Balconies as light as air

Our Next Generation balcony system is designed to be as lightweight as possible in order to reduce the carbon footprint of our product. So, whilst it might not be light enough to be carried by hot air alone, there are numerous benefits to using a lightweight material like aluminium.

We’ve reduced the amount of material in our balconies compared to our standard Glide-On Cassette®, meaning the amount of embodied carbon is reduced as a result. Furthermore, thanks to the lighter-weight Cassette® of the Next Generation Balcony, we’re able to transport more balconies to the site in a single journey, further reducing the embodied carbon footprint of your project.

As an extra benefit, the light weight of the Next Generation Balcony Cassette® means that we’ve further reduced the weight on your building’s structure. This means fewer penetrations in the building façade, less risk of thermal bridging and a more energy-efficient building for both you and your end-users.[/sapphire_textBlock][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row width=”70″ background_image=”” order=”Image left / content right” image=”13193″ heading=”Discover Sapphire’s Next Generation Balcony” button_text=”Discover” button_link=”url:http%3A%2F%2Flocalhost%2Fbalconies%2Four-product%2Fthe-next-generation-balcony%2F|title:The%20Next%20Generation%20Balcony”][vc_column][sapphire_contentLink order=”Image left / content right” image=”13193″ heading=”Discover Sapphire’s Next Generation Balcony” button_text=”Discover” button_link=”url:http%3A%2F%2Flocalhost%2Fbalconies%2Four-product%2Fthe-next-generation-balcony%2F|title:The%20Next%20Generation%20Balcony”]The Next Generation Balcony is a huge step forward for the construction market[/sapphire_contentLink][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row width=”70″ background_image=””][vc_column][sapphire_textBlock]

Huntley Wharf, Reading

You might have spotted a nod to Huntley Wharf in the Balloon video, a Berkeley development we’re incredibly pleased to have been a part of. Using our Next Generation balcony suite, we were able to help developers Berkeley Group and architects PRP Architects streamline by innovation and bring this site in our headquarter town of Reading to life.

The collaboration focused on integrating the balconies seamlessly with the building facade, by manufacturing offsite brick columns for corner balconies, inset balconies and balconies with brick slip fascias.

One of the project’s major constraints was the proximity of one of the tower crane locations to a stack of balconies. Sapphire’s site support team devised an inventive solution, proposing the use of a compact spider crane to install the balconies from below.

Through early and proactive engagement with project stakeholders, we ensured that the balconies contributed meaningfully to the architectural narrative, enhancing the living experience and honouring the site’s rich heritage.[/sapphire_textBlock][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row width=”70″ background_image=””][vc_column][sapphire_contentLink order=”Image left / content right” image=”15915″ heading=”Huntley Wharf – Case Study” button_text=”Read more” button_link=”url:http%3A%2F%2Flocalhost%2Fbalconies%2Fcase-studies%2Fhuntley-wharf-reading%2F|title:Huntley%20Wharf%2C%20Reading”]See how innovation brought Huntley Wharf to life.[/sapphire_contentLink][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row width=”70″ background_image=””][vc_column][sapphire_textBlock]

Until next year…

Did we fool you? Or are you just eager to hear more about a lightweight balcony system for your next development?

Either way, get in touch with us to book a free design meeting, learn more via one of our expert CPDs or even just to say hello![/sapphire_textBlock][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row width=”70″ background_image=”” el_id=”” el_class=”” css=””][vc_column][vc_raw_html css=””]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[/vc_raw_html][/vc_column][/vc_row]

[vc_row width=”70″ background_image=””][vc_column][sapphire_textBlock]Considering the ever-fluctuating temperature across North America from season to season, the thermal performance of your building should be considered from concept to completion.  

The difference between a balcony by Sapphire and a traditional concrete slab is that we’ve included a thermal performance solution as standard from the design stage. Here’s how it works. 

Understanding Thermal Bridging 

Heat will always travel by the path of least resistance – this is how thermal bridging can occur. If the materials surrounding an object are more conductive than the object itself, the heat can jump through, creating the risk of a thermal bridge. 

Homes in North America have traditionally been built with speed and cost in mind, which has historically led to cheaper, more conductive materials being used. When heat transfers through material, it will always look for the path of least resistance. Conductive materials act as a thermal bridge over the insulation.  

One of the many risks of thermal bridging is a reduction in building energy performance. Without a good thermal break solution in place, the TEDI rating of your development could be drastically lowered as energy escapes from the building, even potentially losing Passive House certification if not considered correctly. 

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Mitigation Strategies 

Mitigating against thermal bridging doesn’t need to be a headache. In fact, by using prefabricated balconies, it’s not just simple – it’s built-in. 

Low-conductivity materials are a smart choice – by limiting how conductive the material on the external envelope is, there is a smaller chance of thermal bridging occurring. 

Optimising connection details is another fundamental point to getting thermal bridging mitigation right. Producing a single, long thermal break on a concrete slab, time and resource may be unnecessarily wasted. Consider Sapphire’s solution – smaller, simpler, streamlined integrated thermal breaks. 

Sapphire’s solution comes in the form of integrated thermal breaks. When connecting a prefabricated Next Generation balcony to the building façade, thermal breaks are built into the balcony anchor points, providing not only a structurally rigid point to connect to the building, but also one that protects against heat energy loss.  [/sapphire_textBlock][sapphire_contentLink order=”Image left / content right” image=”13193″ heading=”Discover Sapphire’s Next Generation Balcony” button_text=”Discover” button_link=”url:http%3A%2F%2Flocalhost%2Fbalconies%2Four-product%2Fthe-next-generation-balcony%2F|title:The%20Next%20Generation%20Balcony”]The Next Generation Balcony is a huge step forward for the construction market[/sapphire_contentLink][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row width=”70″ background_image=””][vc_column][sapphire_textBlock]We commissioned a report from RDH Building Science to prove the increased thermal performance of our balcony anchors, available in full below. 

RDH Thermal Performance Report 

RDH Building Science conducted an assessment commissioned by Sapphire Balconies to evaluate the thermal performance of Sapphire’s balcony connection anchor systems. The analysis aimed to provide insights into the thermal properties, specifically the linear thermal transmittance (Psi-value) and point thermal transmittance (Chi-value), of the Sapphire Balcony system across various common North American construction details. 

Sapphire’s G60 and G25 anchors are designed to support prefabricated balconies on buildings, with features intended to minimize heat loss compared to traditional concrete balconies. The anchor system comprises steel anchors, compressible mineral wool, phenolic resin thermal breaks, and exterior cantilevered steel beams. The analysis focused on two typical North American construction details, each with varying exterior insulation depths. 

RDH’s simulations determined Psi-values and Chi-values for Sapphire’s G60 and G25 balcony systems across various North American construction details. Chi-values ranged from approximately 0.2 W/K to 0.4 W/K, influenced by anchor type, exterior insulation depth, and building enclosure detail. 

Download the full RDH report using the link below: [/sapphire_textBlock][sapphire_downloadBlock download_id=”13992″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row width=”70″ background_image=””][vc_column][sapphire_textBlock]

Best Practices for Balcony Thermal Performance 

Considering the climate conditions across Canada, building codes that need to be met and region-specific standards such as the Toronto Green Standard – what exactly is best practice for achieving balcony thermal performance? 

Sapphire aims to maximise thermal efficiency whilst maintaining a rigid structure within our balconies. We incorporate thermal breaks in tactical locations throughout our builds in order to reduce total heat loss – these can be located between the floors and ceilings of the apartments in question, acting as an extra layer of insulation around the arms our balconies are fitted to. The insulation materials we use to form the thermal break often will help to insulate the small area in question, though architects should also consider good ceiling and flooring insulation around these junctions. 

In Summary 

Understanding thermal bridging is key to maximizing the thermal performance of modern developments.  

Between knowing that heat will always travel the path of least resistance and that by mitigating against thermal bridging, we can reduce our TEDI ratings and hit crucial targets like Canada’s NETZERO 2032 policy, we can understand that using innovative solutions for balconies isn’t just a fad – it’s the future of sustainable building.  

We’ve spoken before on thermal efficiency – visit the links below to understand more. [/sapphire_textBlock][sapphire_textOverlayBlock image=”14003″ heading=”Thermal Breaks” button_text=”Learn more” button_link=”url:http%3A%2F%2Flocalhost%2Fbalconies%2Four-product%2Fanchors-stubs%2Fthermal-breaks-on-balconies%2F|title:Thermal%20Breaks” double_height=””]Learn more about Thermal Breaks in our bespoke article.[/sapphire_textOverlayBlock][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row width=”70″ background_image=”” el_id=”” el_class=”” css=””][vc_column][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][/vc_column][/vc_row]

[vc_row width=”70″ background_image=””][vc_column][sapphire_textBlock]TEDI ratings are often seen as complex, a necessary yet crucial metric by which to assess the sustainability of a building.

TEDI ratings don’t need to be complex. In fact, by engaging with your suppliers early and making informed decisions, it couldn’t be simpler.

TEDI Ratings Explained

TEDI ratings (or Thermal Energy Demand Intensity ratings) indicate the energy efficiency of a building by measuring how much energy it requires for heating. Essentially, it signifies how well-insulated a building is and how much energy it will take to keep it warm. The lower the TEDI rating, the more energy-efficient a building is and generally speaking, the better for the environment it is.

TEDI ratings aren’t just for developers and suppliers, however. The consumer may keep TEDI ratings in mind when purchasing a property too – lower TEDI ratings can often lead to energy cost savings and so not only are lower TEDI scorers more environmentally friendly, but they’re cheaper to boot.

TEDI is scored over an extended period of time, typically in kilowatt-hours per square meter per year (kWh/m²/year). Firstly, data is collected regarding the building’s heating energy consumption and floor area. The total heating energy consumption (in kWh) is divided by the total floor area of the building (in m²) over a year to determine the energy demand intensity. The resulting number, or TEDI value, is then compared to established benchmarks to assess the building’s energy efficiency.

We spoke with experts on the TEDI rating system who mentioned the importance of TEDI ratings. Bluescape Partner Rob Kirwan spoke on how working strategically with companies that understand TEDI ratings and who can execute sustainable plans is crucial to lowering your TEDI score. Speaking with Andrew Geldard (BDP Quadrangle), he mentioned that the external envelope is key to lowering your TEDI score. Thermally breaking your external envelope elements will have a big effect on your TEDI number. Achieving Passive House levels means focusing on lowering your TEDI score, so taking this into account at an early stage is key.

The full TEDI Talks event from Resibuild is available below:

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The importance of sustainable building practices

Sustainability is becoming ever more important in the construction sector, with a huge emphasis on meeting Passive House standards to lower the embodied carbon footprint of all new construction.

By its very nature, the construction industry is a big user of natural resources – from energy usage to emissions. There is increasing pressure to reduce the environmental impact – Current and incoming Canadian step codes across the construction sector mean that building sustainably is more important than ever before.

Sustainable construction is possible with several factors like reducing energy consumption, taking care of waste, creating a healthy and sustainable environment, using renewable and recyclable resources and protecting the natural environment.[/sapphire_textBlock][sapphire_textOverlayBlock image=”13979″ heading=”Sustainability Hub” button_text=”Learn more” button_link=”url:http%3A%2F%2Flocalhost%2Fbalconies%2Fknowledge%2Fsustainability%2F|title:Sustainability%20Hub” double_height=””]How do sustainable practices benefit my development?[/sapphire_textOverlayBlock][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row width=”70″ background_image=””][vc_column][sapphire_textBlock]

Innovations in Sustainable Balcony Design

Balcony design and materials can contribute to lower TEDI ratings. Looking at a sustainable alternative to concrete balconies, like a prefabricated solution, can lead directly to a lower TEDI score.

There are plenty of examples of products that have lowered their TEDI ratings through innovation. Whether it’s the inclusion of recycled materials, new technologies implemented throughout the manufacturing process or even an adherence to the Science-Based Target Initiative, each of these approaches has a ripple effect, creating sustainability across the board.

One of these examples is our Next Generation balcony system.

Thanks to a lightweight design and our innovative Clip-On™ anchor, we’ve been able to reduce the weight on a building’s structure when compared to a concrete balcony by up to 4kNm. Balconies are, in fact, very easy to thermally break. The small penetrations mean that less surface area needs to be thermally broken. By featuring a thermal break in the connection anchor, far less heat is lost through the façade, and so a prefabricated balcony can help to make a building thermally efficient and in turn lower a TEDI rating.

There are factors to consider when using a prefabricated balcony, such as compliance with Canadian step codes should also be considered. Having a prefabricated balcony can lead to sustainability benefits, but making sure that balcony designs comply with relevant building codes and regulations, including requirements for structural integrity, fire safety, and accessibility, is crucial for ensuring code compliance.

Learn more below:[/sapphire_textBlock][sapphire_contentLink order=”Image left / content right” image=”13193″ heading=”Discover Sapphire’s Next Generation Balcony” button_text=”Discover” button_link=”url:http%3A%2F%2Flocalhost%2Fbalconies%2Four-product%2Fthe-next-generation-balcony%2F|title:The%20Next%20Generation%20Balcony”]The Next Generation Balcony is a huge step forward for the construction market[/sapphire_contentLink][sapphire_textOverlayBlock image=”14064″ heading=”Recycled Material & Sustainability” button_text=”Learn more” button_link=”url:http%3A%2F%2Flocalhost%2Fbalconies%2Fnews%2Frecycled-material-and-sustainability%2F|title:Recycled%20Material%20%26%20Sustainability” double_height=””]Can recycled material make a real difference to your project?[/sapphire_textOverlayBlock][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row width=”70″ background_image=””][vc_column][sapphire_textBlock]Understanding TEDI ratings should be vital when identifying your building’s balcony design.

Not only are sustainable building practices more important in today’s climate than ever before, but designing with sustainability in mind can make a more energy-efficient building, encourage innovation in your design and even make your development more attractive to end-users.

We’re committed to bringing true balcony innovation to North America. To learn more, visit our Canadian hub:[/sapphire_textBlock][sapphire_textOverlayBlock image=”12101″ heading=”Sapphire Balconies Inc.” button_text=”Discover” button_link=”url:http%3A%2F%2Flocalhost%2Fbalconies%2Fca%2F|title:Canadian%20Home%20Page” double_height=””]Visit our Canadian hub to learn more.[/sapphire_textOverlayBlock][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row width=”70″ background_image=”” el_id=”” el_class=”” css=””][vc_column][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][/vc_column][/vc_row]

[vc_row width=”70″ background_image=””][vc_column][sapphire_textBlock]It’s here – Sapphire’s game-changing new balcony connection system has entered the market, promising innovation in an area we previously didn’t assume was possible. Sapphire’s new MagicFix Magnetic Balconies are an ultra-low carbon solution, bypassing the need for anchors entirely as they simply Mag-On!

 

 

Here’s how Sapphire’s new system changes the playing field:

Fewer carbon emissions

Almost too good to be true, the reductions in carbon emissions through MagicFix Magnetic Balconies are enormous. Without the need for old-fashioned arm anchors, we’ve been able to reduce the embodied carbon present in modern balconies.

Furthermore, without needing to account for arm anchors, we’ve been able to reduce the material needed per balcony, reducing emissions involved in the fabrication and manufacture of our aluminium balconies.

Quicker installations

How do magnets work? Well, as far as balconies are concerned, they’re practically magic – that’s why we’ve called them MagicFix.

As far as the benefits go, we’ve introduced robots that’ll even fix the magnets for you. Installers need not worry any more about stepping out onto a balcony – our MagicFix robots will make sure the magnets do their job, all you’ll need to do is provide leadership for them!

A change of scenery

What’s more, MagicFix Magnetic Balconies are customisable beyond belief. Thanks to innovations made possible by Dr V. Cunning, the balcony end-user can switch out their view at a moment’s notice, using different balustrade types or even creating privacy from their neighbours if needed.

Our newest generation of balcony is the future that the industry has been looking for. The carbon emissions are lower, they can be installed quicker and they’re massively customisable. What’s not to love?

There’s even more you can learn about MagicFix Magnetic Balconies – the truth is just around the corner. Read our full reveal to find out more:[/sapphire_textBlock][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row width=”70″ background_image=””][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1679919979629{padding-top: 30px !important;padding-right: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 30px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;}”][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][/vc_column][/vc_row]

[vc_row width=”70″ background_image=””][vc_column][sapphire_textBlock]The Next Generation Balcony is here and it’s a huge step forward for the residential construction market. But what makes the Next Generation Balcony so exciting?

We’ve compiled our Top 5 reasons to get excited about the Next Generation Balcony – from the lightweight Cassette® to the design freedom offered, it’s time to put those old concrete finishings to rest and welcome a whole new way to add some ‘jewellery’ to your external envelope.[/sapphire_textBlock][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row width=”70″ background_image=””][vc_column][sapphire_carousel images=”13249,13250,13251,13252,13254,13253,13255″ notch=”true”][sapphire_textBlock]

1.     Lighter

The Next Generation is lighter.

Thanks to innovative thinking and a lightweight framework, we’ve been able to significantly reduce the weight on your building’s structure, further reducing the risk of cold bridging in those bitterly cold winters! Thanks to our team of fantastic engineers, we’ve been able to optimize our balcony Cassette® and using the new Clip-On™ anchor, we’ve been able to reduce moment forces back to the building as low as 4kNm.[/sapphire_textBlock][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row width=”70″ background_image=””][vc_column][sapphire_textBlock]

2.     Safer

The Next Generation is safer.

Harness work at height can be scary as well as dangerous. Designing for the future means ensuring the safety of not only the end user but the installation team too. Thanks to our innovative Remote Locker Device (RLD), our Next Generation Balconies can be installed remotely, meaning an installation team never needs to step out onto an unguarded balcony edge. Our Next Generation Balcony brings robotics to the forefront and allows for a safer, more secure and swift installation.[/sapphire_textBlock][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row width=”70″ background_image=””][vc_column][sapphire_textBlock]

3.     More Possibilities

The Next Generation has more possibilities.

We’ve increased not just the number of connection methods available with the Next Generation Balcony but increased the aesthetic freedom for your design and architecture team too. Thanks to our new Clip-On™ connection, the Next Generation Balcony clips into small hooks integrated into the façade just like a seatbelt. Furthermore, we’re proud to introduce the Crescent Corner Cassette®, Identité Balustrade and Crescent Balustrade as options for your balcony balustrade, each available in hundreds of colours for a total of over 7 million aesthetic combinations.[/sapphire_textBlock][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row width=”70″ background_image=””][vc_column][sapphire_textBlock]

4.     Faster

The Next Generation is faster.

The Next Generation Balcony is able to out-perform concrete in speed nearly ten times over. As we demonstrated during The Balcony Showdown in Concord, Ontario in July of this year, when compared to a traditional concrete balcony alternative, the Next Generation Balcony (assisted by our innovative Remote Locking Device) was able to be lifted and installed ten times in the amount of time it took for a single concrete slab’s balustrading to be fixed in place. Our speed of installation means fewer hours spent on-site, fewer risks taken and fewer mistakes made for an overall better-performing balcony.[/sapphire_textBlock][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row width=”70″ background_image=””][vc_column][sapphire_textBlock]

5.     Kinder

The Next Generation is kinder.

There’s a lot to be said for being kind. From an act of goodwill to a neighbour to our company mantra – “Innovation to Prosper the Community” – being kinder has always been part of our DNA. The Next Generation Balcony is kinder to people, kinder to construction and kinder to the planet. By being the most sustainable balcony we’ve ever produced – a 19% reduction in CO2 across stages A1-A5 – we can commit to not only our ESG strategy (our Vision 2030 is available online) but also to a sustainable product that works both now and decades down the line.

You were wondering what makes the Next Generation Balcony so exciting and we’ve delivered. Our brand-new suite of improvements makes a Sapphire balcony lighter, safer, faster, have more possibilities than ever before and kinder to all.

To learn more about the Next Generation suite, click below.[/sapphire_textBlock][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row width=”70″ background_image=””][vc_column][sapphire_blogContentLink post_id=”13182″][/vc_column][/vc_row]

[vc_row width=”70″ background_image=””][vc_column][sapphire_textBlock]In part thanks to the cultural changes required by the Hackitt Review, the industry at large needs to make significant changes to prove its competency at work. The Building Safety Act, granted Royal Assent on the 28^{th of} April 2022, has now introduced ground-breaking reforms to give residents and homeowners more rights and protections regarding their safety. Proving competency should be considered an industry-wide priority and with a now 7-month deadline to do so, the methods to prove competency should be clear.

Spotting areas for improvement

To prove competency by November 2023, the skills, knowledge and behaviour for every role in residential construction should be provably met. Questions need to be asked, such as whether a contractor can suitably spot inadequacies in a subcontractor’s work. Can an architect meet new design requirements without prompting? Are those involved with the external envelope building with fire-rated materials?

Higher-risk buildings need higher competence standards and so by spotting these inadequacies, raising competence can become simpler.[/sapphire_textBlock][sapphire_imageBlock image=”12445″ notch=”” height=””][/sapphire_imageBlock][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row width=”70″ background_image=””][vc_column][sapphire_textBlock]

Competency in balconies

At Sapphire, proving our competency is a daily, hourly, minute-by-minute task. Spotting potential snagging areas in our balconies needs to be something everyone on not just the factory floor, but the office, on-site staff and showroom attendants needs to be able to accomplish to guarantee our balconies are as proven, promised and trusted as you’d expect.

Our Passport app allows us to monitor the quality of our balconies from the moment they’re fabricated right through to installation onto the building façade. Any snags will be logged the moment they’re spotted to make sure faults are accurately dealt with.

What’s more, we regularly engage in cross-departmental updates and training, our supply chain team recently completing a balcony build day to show the intrepid upskilling they had been provided, managing to build one of our Glide-On™ Cassettes® to an installation standard.

Raising competence

A committee has been established within the Building Safety Regulator in order to support the industry’s work in raising competence. This committee will monitor and help to improve competence industry-wide, publishing guidance and advice for both those working within the industry and the Building Safety Regulator itself.

To raise competence, it has been suggested by the committee that organisations must provide management systems for their staff that are comprehensive and contemporary, as well as processes, policies and resources that cover all competency requirements.

Upskilling

Raising competence may not be enough to satisfy the needs required by the Building Safety Act. To become and stay compliant by November, some upskilling of current staff may be needed. For example, cross-departmental training could be beneficial. Expanded knowledge on quality control could make for huge improvements in site teams for example. Satisfying the Golden Thread means digital inspection and verification processes need to be understood across the board.

It can be highly cost-effective to upskill as opposed to hiring a consultancy company to do the same work. Hiring consultancy firms can be extremely costly as their experience comes at a premium. By upskilling your own staff in the areas required and building their competency, money can be saved and spent in other areas that may need it more.

A simple method of upskilling staff could be through a shadowing process, or ‘buddy system’. Those with more current training and updated skills could be paired with those that need training and act as an on-the-job learning experience.

The changes required by both the Hackitt Review and the Building Safety Act mean that the industry needs to make significant changes to the way it acts, the way it trains and the way it satisfies competency requirements. Between spotting areas for improvement to fulfil higher competency standards, raising competence through companies providing more comprehensive management systems and upskilling staff through better training processes, the residential construction industry has a deadline for proving its competency.

Can you prove yourself in the ever-changing world of construction competency?[/sapphire_textBlock][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row width=”70″ background_image=”” el_id=”” el_class=”” css=””][vc_column][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][/vc_column][/vc_row]

[vc_row width=”70″ background_image=””][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1712754199987{border-bottom-width: 12px !important;}”][sapphire_textBlock]Growth isn’t just about a steadily rising chart – it’s also defined by what we continue to learn and prove as a company. Our history as a grassroots balustrade manufacturer means we truly appreciate our recognition and we’re excited to share how far we’ve come in 2025.

Sapphire as a Top 250 Company

We first entered The Business Magazine’s Thames Valley Top 200 list in 2020 and were listed again most recently last year at the 104^th position. Their list comprises 240,000+ mid-market companies (defined as having an annual turnover of between £10-£300 million) in the Thames Valley area. Of the companies featured, 29 are FTSE 350 listed and have a gross turnover of £330 billion in all sectors.

The list has expanded to 250 companies in the past five years, but Sapphire’s position has remained strong, being praised as one of the highest-ranked independent, privately-owned business in the Thames Valley region year-on-year, listed by annual sales turnover.

Sapphire’s newest achievement

By hitting this milestone, we’ve once again proved our competency as a construction company. We’ve proven our competency through accreditation schemes, cross-departmental training and thought leadership exercises. We help to train others in the residential construction sector both in collaboration with Resibuild Events and by speaking at national events like London Build.

We’re proud of our newest achievement – proving competency isn’t just a box-ticking exercise. There are benefits on-site and benefits behind-the-scenes by doing so.

Read the full list on The Business Magazine’s website by following the link here: https://thebusinessmagazine.co.uk/listings/thames-valley-250/#listing-section

Growth is a many-faceted word. We can prove our growth financially, or we can prove it through the ways in which we can benefit others. By proving our competency time and time again, we can grow as a team and continue to be the construction leaders our customers need.

To understand our commitment to building towards the future, visit our website and read more:[/sapphire_textBlock][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row width=”70″ background_image=””][vc_column][sapphire_contentLink order=”Image left / content right” image=”13471″ heading=”Celebrating our award-winning team” button_text=”Read more” button_link=”url:http%3A%2F%2Flocalhost%2Fbalconies%2Fsapphire-news%2Fcelebrating-our-award-winning-team%2F|title:Celebrating%20our%20award-winning%20team”]Visit our research and development page.[/sapphire_contentLink][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row width=”70″ background_image=”” el_id=”” el_class=”” css=””][vc_column][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][/vc_column][/vc_row]