Here at Paragon, we’re quick to talk about the rapid build time, eco-credentials, and cost-efficiency of our tensioned membrane buildings. But two benefits that often get overlooked are the minimal maintenance and long-lasting durability. In this month’s blog I want to put maintenance (or rather the lack of it) and resilience in the spotlight to showcase just how brilliant these buildings are.

Engineered for extreme weather

Tensioned membrane buildings are built to last. From Saudi to Siberia, these buildings can withstand whatever the weather decides to throw at them. From extreme temperatures (-50 to +50°C) to hurricane-strength winds (more about those later), these buildings will stand their ground. With a 9-inch layer of insulation from floor to ceiling and a blackout layer preventing solar gain, climate control is one of the many things these buildings do exceptionally well.

Thanks to the shape of these buildings, they can also endure the weight of heavy snowfall and shed snow when needed. I guess it’s what you’d expect from a membrane made in Canada – a country used to creating solutions for harsh conditions.

(Virtually) damage-proof

These modern, innovative buildings are built to withstand more than just the weather. The material is engineered using ripstop technology. The buildings are also hydraulically tensioned – meaning they’re pulled extremely tight so there’s no movement in the membrane. Together, these factors make the membrane highly resistant to ripping or tearing – even when it’s been forcefully punctured. The membrane also meets full UK and EU fire regulations.

Minimal maintenance, minimal cost

When it comes to maintaining your tensioned membrane building, you can be pretty hands-off. The membrane – which comes in a range of colours and can be printed with your own logos or graphics – is complete with Tedlar and Kynar coating to protect it from mould. It is also self-cleaning, repelling most grime. If any dirt does accumulate it will be washed away with the rain. In fact, all you need to do is wash the membrane once a year. For that you’ll need a cherry picker, an industrial brush and some soapy water – in terms of annual maintenance costs, we’re confident that’s pretty low.

According to one client, their tensioned membrane building has virtually no maintenance costs. They’ve calculated these buildings are 54% more efficient in terms of their running costs compared to traditional buildings.

Buildings designed to last

It’s easy to look at a tensioned membrane building and think it has a short lifespan. But don’t be fooled. These buildings are designed to last. The membrane has a life expectancy of between 35 and 40 years, while a 50-year frame guarantee means these buildings are going to stay put. There’s also the option of reskinning the outer membrane, which can be done for about 20% of the original cost.

To give you an example of how durable these buildings are, I’ll take you back to 2005 when Hurricane Katrina hit Louisiana. Amid so much devastation, Buras-Triumph, an area in the state, became famous as the place where a tensioned membrane building was virtually the only building left standing after winds of up to 175mph.

The performance, durability and resilience of these tensioned membrane buildings never ceases to amaze me. At Paragon Structures, we can help you customise a tensioned membrane building to meet your requirements – however extreme they are. To see how our solutions might work for you, drop me a line today.

Figures released by the World Health Organisation (WHO) have revealed that greater physical activity is needed in order to prevent five million deaths around the world each year.

According to the data, one in four adults and four out of five teenagers do not get enough physical exercise each week.

WHO has calculated that this lack of physical activity costs more than £40 billion in health care and another £10 billion in lost productivity across the globe, reports Sports Management. If activity levels are increased, that’s a potential saving of more than £50 billion each year.

Speaking about these findings at the launch of the new WHO Guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behaviour, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general at WHO stated: “Being physically active is critical for health and wellbeing – it can help to add years to life and life to years.”

He continued by emphasizing that everyone can be physically active: “Every move counts, especially now as we manage the constraints of the COVID-19 pandemic. We must all move every day – safely and creatively.”

According to the new guidelines, recommended levels of physical activity for children and teenagers is an average of 60 minutes a day. While adults should be doing between 150 and 300 minutes of moderate to vigorous aerobic activity a week – that includes adults living with chronic conditions or disabilities.

Dr Fiona Bull is head of the physical activity unit which led the development of the guidelines. She emphasised how important it is to be active and the benefits it has on our hearts, bodies and minds. She stressed that people of all ages and abilities should take the time to get active each week.

Dr Ruediger Krech, WHO’s director of health promotion, added: “Physical activity of any type, and any duration can improve health and wellbeing, but more is always better.

“And if you must spend a lot of time sitting still, whether at work or school, you should do more physical activity to counter the harmful effects of sedentary behaviour.”

WHO has set a target to reduce physical inactivity by 15% by 2030.

That’s a target we’re keen to work towards at Paragon Structures, too. We’re committed to improving the health and wellbeing of communities. Our state-of-the-art, cost-effective tension fabric structures offer fast sport facility solutions and provide a better return on investment than traditional construction methods.

If you would like to find out more about how our structures could deliver the benefits you need for your next project, get in touch with the team or take a look at our most recent projects.

While working with the team at Millfield School in Somerset to improve their indoor sporting provision, it was clear that speed of build and cost-efficiency were key factors. But there was a much bigger challenge to deal with as well – these new cricket and golf centres would be the first of their kind in the UK. This month, I’ve asked Millfield’s Head of Estates Neil Chapillon to reflect on both Paragon projects and reveal whether pushing the boundaries has paid off…

Here at Millfield School, we pride ourselves on giving our pupils the very best all-round education. That means on the sports field as well as in the classroom. Before working with Paragon Structures, our indoor golf and cricket facilities were good, but we wanted to take them to the next level.

Time, cost and usability were our key considerations, with time being our main challenge – we wanted exceptional results without the timescale or disruption of a traditional build. Not only did Paragon offer speed of construction (both buildings were delivered in seven months from start to finish), after exploring a number of alternatives, they also provided the most efficient return on investment.

Cost is always a consideration in any capital investment, and compared to traditional constructions, Paragon’s Sprung structure solution was unbeatable. To put it into perspective, we essentially ended up with two new buildings for the price of one traditionally-built cricket centre.

These membrane structures provide versatile open-plan spaces, are durable, fire resistant, energy efficient, and offer ideal climate control, with the correct HVAC specification.

In short, the results are a million miles away from how I remember school sports facilities of old and we’re proud to show the structures to prospective parents during our open day events.

The main concern I had prior to starting the project was that there were no other examples of these kinds of buildings in the UK. We would be leading the way. But when your school mission is to be a world leader for the development of children and offer them outstanding sporting opportunities, you need to take a step into the unknown from time to time and challenge what’s gone before.

You could say it was a gamble but it’s one that has certainly paid off. Both our sporting structures have been game changers for both the school and the students alike.

Both the golf centre and cricket centre are now world class. A recent visit from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) was testament to that. The cricket centre’s vast open-plan layout is complete with fast and spin bowl lanes, fielding areas, and adaptable surfaces, which allow pupils to develop and hone their skills all year round.

These structures have also facilitated greater diversity within both sports, creating opportunities for growth regardless of gender, age, experience or ability.

The team at Paragon were supportive and helpful throughout and were flexible when we needed them to be. They worked well with our on-site construction team and were able to adapt according to various site constraints. The project was a learning curve for everyone involved, but that’s what happens when you set out to deliver world-class buildings and challenge the status quo.

Any other schools or sports providers looking at capital investment opportunities should definitely consider how a Sprung structure from Paragon could work for them.

Thanks Neil. We enjoyed the process of working with Millfield School immensely and we’re pleased that the buildings are such a success. At Paragon Structures, we’re committed to creating sporting opportunities that promote diversity and opportunity within our schools and local communities. To find out how one of our structures could work for you, give us a call today.

The Covid-19 pandemic put the world on pause. But the question now is, what will our world look like post-pandemic?

In the construction sector, the hope is that we can rebuild better. 

The sector has seen projects halted and new opportunities stalled, but the temporary break also allowed businesses to take a step back and consider not just how companies within the sector can adapt, but also how to come back stronger.

Building a new normal

Whoever you are, whatever you’re doing, we’re all keen to return to normality. But we all need to be aware we’re coming back to a new normal. Just as our old routines are being replaced by new ones, we’re looking forward to welcoming new construction solutions, too.  

With social distancing and restrictions still very much part of our daily lives, new building projects need to take into consideration what ‘coming together’ will look like in the future.

The need for workable, sustainable, flexible indoor and outdoor spaces – whatever life throws at us – is a key priority going forward. 

An industry bouncing back

2020 has taken its toll on the construction sector. Research by PWC revealed that 71% of contractors are concerned about the financial impacts of the pandemic, while 64% fear a global recession.

But there’s also a certain amount of positivity within the sector. According to research by Planning and Construction News, two thirds of construction businesses believe the industry is well placed to recover from the pandemic.

If businesses are to succeed, they need to take an innovative approach to construction. And there are lots of ways to achieve that. 

Adopting new technologies, such as cloud software can build greater collaboration and efficiency between staff. Partnering with the right contractor can create access to a pool of experts and a ‘ one-stop shop’ solution. While embracing new construction methods can help reduce timescales, costs and on-site footfall, at the same time as boosting a project’s eco-credentials.

Prefabricated structures are one way the sector can take a bold step forward post-pandemic. Off-site manufacturing has been met with resistance in the past. But as we know, times are changing and future projects need to be faster, greener, safer and more cost-effective.

At Paragon Structures, we’re committed to delivering modern, eco-friendly buildings that serve local communities and beyond. Our tension fabric buildings provide low-cost solutions that can be built quickly and adapted to any industry. 

A new national campaign has been launched to address the physical activity gender gap between men and women.

Created by Women in Sport, the #TimeTogether campaign encourages teenage daughters and their mums (or aunts, older sisters or friends of the family) to find new ways to hang out with one another and get fit in the process. The campaign inspires them to walk, dance, swim, climb and play sports together.

The stats reveal just how important this message is to get out there. Just 42% of teenage girls are getting Sport England’s recommended amount of physical activity. While, 32% of girls are currently classed as inactive (that is, doing less than 30 minutes of activity a day).

Data from Sport England’s Active Lives survey also highlights the gap between physical activity among men and women – 65% and 61%, respectively.

Women in Sport have carried out their own research, which reveals that mums often feel too busy to take time out to exercise. According to those studies, 32% of women admit they didn’t prioritise their own fitness during lockdown because they felt they had too much to do for those around them.

Backed by organisations including This Mum Runs, Her Spirit, and Places Leisure, #TimeTogether suggests a range of activity ideas that can help mums and daughters strengthen their relationships as well as their physical health.

Anyone getting involved in the campaign is encouraged to share their fitness experiences on social media.

Speaking about #TimeTogether, Women in Sport’s CEO Stephanie Hilborne stated: “Our research has shown that teenage girls cherish alone time with their mum and view their relationship as a ‘safe space’ without any fear of judgement.”

She continued: “This campaign provides an opportunity for them to find their judgement free space together, get active, and discover the joy, fun and well-being benefits of exercise.”

She also went on to highlight the pressures most females face in their daily lives and the impact this has on their levels of exercise. While teenage girls feel “burdened by school work and social expectations”, she explained, their mums are “often fraught with growing pressures of work and providing emotional support and care for relatives.”

It’s important that we work together to close the physical activity gap between men and women, and make sure teenage girls and mums are taking time out to exercise and support one another. One way of ensuring that is by investing in more community sports facilities. Here at Paragon, our tension fabric structures are quick to build, eco-friendly, and have low maintenance costs – making them ideal solutions for both educational settings and the wider community.

To find out more, get in touch or check out our most recent projects.

Many of us have struggled to maintain our fitness during 2020 – for obvious reasons. And with a new national lockdown fast approaching, those challenges aren’t going away.

According to the latest Sport England Active Lives survey, nearly 14 million adults in England did less than 30 minutes of exercise per week between mid-March and mid-May this year – a drop the survey describes as ‘unprecedented’. 

Compared with the same period in 2019, the number of inactive people (anyone doing less than 30 minutes of activity a week) increased from 3.4 million to 13.8 million. The research revealed it was the poor, elderly and ethnic groups who were most affected.

The report also highlighted some positives to have come out of those difficult months.

With less traffic on the roads, more of us got on our bikes (an increase of 2.5%). Plus, more of us took up running and jogging (a 1.5% rise), however this was countered by a decrease in the number of people using treadmills with gyms being forced to close.

There was also a rise in dancing, garden trampolining and online exercise classes (unsurprisingly, Mr PE himself, Joe Wicks was given a special mention).

Overall, the findings of the report were disappointing, with the number of active people (those doing 150 minutes of exercise a week) falling by 7.1% between March and May.

Speaking about the findings, Sport England’s chief executive, Tim Hollingsworth said: “Though the early months of lockdown brought unprecedented disruption to our lives and had a huge impact on our overall engagement in sport and physical activity, it is also positive to see how many people turned to new activities like cycling, fitness at home and running.”

He continued: “It also highlights the challenges this year has brought to those groups who already find it harder than most to be active, with disabled people, people with health conditions and younger people struggling, reminding us of the importance of educational settings, community leisure facilities and team sports that underpin access to activity for so many people across England.”

The pandemic is still causing activity levels to remain lower than usual, but Sport England says that the number of people swimming and playing team sports has slowly increased. With some pools reopening over the summer, the number of people swimming doubled from August to September (although, numbers were still down overall).

The hope is that activity levels will continue to rise, but with gyms and swimming pools having to close their doors once again, people are going to find it harder to stay active.

It has been reported that 20% of Britain’s swimming pools and half its leisure centres are at risk of closing for good before the end of the year as a result of the pandemic.

The Government has pledged funding to support local leisure centres, but more is needed to help people stay active during the second national lockdown.

At Paragon Structures, we want to increase the number of leisure and sports facilities within our communities. Our tension fabric buildings are quick to build, eco-friendly, and have low maintenance costs.

We also recently completed a feasibility study for Swim England looking at viable ways of replacing the nation’s aging swimming pool stock.To find out more about the work we do, get in touch with the team or take a look at our most recent projects.

A new report from the R&A highlights the benefits a round of golf can have on the mind as well as the body.

The report, which is aimed at golfers, non-golfers, and golf bodies alike, draws upon scientific research and the collaborative approach taken by golfing organisations to analyse the impact of golf and health. It points out that even spectators following their favourite amateur and professional golfer around a course can benefit from the fresh air and exercise.

The report focuses on 10 case studies, including the promotion of health at events such as The Open, golf and disability, and improving people’s lives through golf memories.

It also looks at the future of golf and health as the sport seeks to increase uptake and continue the momentum and messaging to key groups about the benefits of this kind of activity.

Key health benefits of golf outlined in the report include:

·        Golfers live longer and are healthier and happier

·        Golf can help strength and balance and improve quality of life

·        Golf can be played by people of all ages and abilities, including with disability

·        Golf provides social interaction, a significant protective factor for mental health and wellbeing

·        Golf can help reduce health costs and can add value to health systems through social prescription

Speaking about the report’s findings, Martin Slumbers, chief executive of The R&A, said: “The scientific research clearly shows that there are significant physical and mental health benefits to be gained from playing golf.

“We believe that golf can provide a fantastic opportunity for people of all ages and abilities to have fun, get fit and socialise with family and friends – something that is important to today’s society.”

Faced with a rising number of physical inactivity-related diseases and deaths around the world, the World Health Organisation is calling for action by sports.

And progress is being made.

For the past four years, the R&A and its partner organisations have been working to increase awareness of golf’s health benefits, improve the image of the sport, and boost advocacy for golf among government agencies and public health bodies.

Encouraging people of all ages into physical activity is more important than ever – as is having the right sporting facilities. Paragon specialises in the construction of modern, eco-friendly, tension fabric buildings, such as golf centres, where people can improve their health and wellbeing.One of our recent builds was a golf centre at Millfield School in Somerset. To find out more, get in touch with the team today.

There’s such a buzz right now around off-site manufacturing and this month, I wanted to highlight both the advantages of this way of working and dispel some of the common myths surrounding structures built with this method. So with that in mind, I’m handing this month’s blog over to Nigel Marcoolyn, Director of Architecture at Cowan Architects. We’ve worked together on many Sprung structure projects and, most recently, we’ve collaborated on the Swim England feasibility report. As he explains, we’ve seen the incredible results you can achieve through off-site manufacturing first hand, but some people still need convincing. Nigel, it’s over to you…

Advocates of off-site manufacturing (and I put myself firmly in that bracket) certainly have their work cut out in convincing some parties.

Bad memories of post-war prefab housing and draughty portakabin classrooms are causing many of those from older generations commissioning new builds to reject modular construction in favour of a more traditional approach. 

Suffice to say, resistance to the off-site manufacturing/modular concept remains high.

Which is a shame. Because off-site manufacturing brings with it a wide range of benefits and provides an answer to many of the challenges facing the construction industry today. From reducing build delays and budget overruns, to boosting productivity and promoting a more collaborative approach to projects, there’s a lot to gain.

After decades in the shadows, advances in technology have placed off-site manufacturing back in the spotlight. So much so, that every major review of UK construction since the 90s has recommended its adoption. Which leaves myself, Matt and many others wondering why less than 5% of all UK new builds choose off-site manufacturing.

Benefits of off-site manufacturing

The reality is that many of the challenges faced by the construction industry are rooted in the on-site environment – from the limited opportunities for automation to the UK’s unpredictable weather.

Luckily, there is an alternative.

A survey by the ECA, CIBSE and SELECT found that off-site construction is faster, greener, safer and cheaper. Let’s look at those key benefits in more detail.

1 Faster: Time-saving advantages

One of the most notable benefits of off-site manufacturing is the time it can save. Rather than all the building taking place on site, around 50-75% can take place elsewhere (generally in a warehouse).

According to data from the National Audit Office, off-site manufacturing could reduce build times by up to 50% – offering huge commercial benefits and reducing disruption. See for yourself on the time lapse video capturing the construction of Millfield School’s Golf Centre – shot over 14 days.

2 Greener: Eco-friendly credentials

Off-site manufacturing is also more environmentally-friendly than traditional construction processes. While some new buildings require hundreds of vehicle loads of materials to be brought on site, a modular build may only need two or three containers. As well as slashing transport costs and on-site traffic, it also reduces pollution.

And let’s not forget the structure itself. Paragon Structures’ tension fabric buildings have an R-25 to R-30 energy efficiency rating, in excess of Building Regulations Part L, with an air-tightness of up to 2.0, which is five times better than building regulations. They also use an aluminium frame, which is fully recyclable and can be pulled apart and rebuilt elsewhere, if needed.

3 Safer: Fewer people required on site

At a time when Covid-19 remains part of our lives and social distancing is the norm, the fewer people required on a project site at any one time, the better. In a traditional build, a project might require between 20 and 30 people to be on the site at any one time. When using off-site manufacturing, that figure can be as low as seven.

What’s more, these structures are built in warm, dry, safer environments (yes, back to those warehouses again) and much of the work is automated. Which means fewer accidents and injuries.

4 Cost-effective: That all-important budget

The survey mentioned above used the word ‘cheaper’, but I’d go with off-site construction being ‘more cost-effective’. It’s true that rather than having a contractor on-site for an entire year, they might only be there for three or four months, which will save money on prelims, overheads and profits. But when you weigh up the time saved (in particular in a live environment), disruption avoided, safer working conditions and eco credentials gained from off-site manufacturing, the project instantly becomes more economical and productive.

Working with off-site manufactured buildings does bring some challenges – and I’m not just talking about the resistance that Matt and I come up against when discussing this type of building.

One of those challenges is the look of the building itself. They can resemble big tops (and not everyone wants the circus in town). However, with the addition of innovative and attractive architectural features like timber cladding, and by lowering the building into the ground, you can alter the appearance dramatically.

I urge education and leisure industry leaders to take a look at Paragon’s most recent projects to see the standard of solution that can be achieved. Once people see what’s on offer, they realise the kind of buildings that are well within their grasp. 

Thanks Nigel. Our mission here at Paragon Structures is to remove barriers to physical activity. Off-site manufacturing can help us overcome many of the hurdles associated with building modern, cost-effective sports facilities. To see how our solutions might work for you, drop me a line today.

Staying active is essential for your health, but staying mentally fit is just as important. Swimming is a route to both.

Marking World Mental Health Day earlier this month, Speedo is urging more of us to take the plunge and discover why swimming is so good for the mind, body and soul.

In collaboration with sports psychologists BelievePerform, Speedo has explored the reasons why being in the water is so mentally therapeutic.  

The link between swimming and positive mental health is well documented. According to a YouGov poll commissioned by Swim England, swimming has significantly reduced the symptoms of anxiety or depression in 1.4 million adults in the UK.

There’s also evidence showing the role cold water swimming can play in the fight against degenerative diseases like dementia.

But back to the pool… Here are four reasons why you should take up swimming to boost your mental health.

1 Mimicking mindfulness

Mindfulness meditation starts with the breath and focuses on the here and now. The action of swimming recreates these practices with its rhythmic breathing, controlled movement, and the chance to zone out of the things in life that cause stress or worry. This combination helps unite the body and brain and help with stress management – which has to be a good thing.

2 Anxiety busting

Swimming offers the perfect antidote to anxiety. By making the positive choice to go for a swim, you’re in control and can reduce the time spent worrying about what other people think. And if you’re using swimming as a way to get fitter and stronger, you can be confident that each stroke is a step towards your goal. Anything that helps you relax and put the world on hold is going to keep feelings of anxiety in check.

3 Mood enhancing

There’s no question about it: exercise gives you a natural high. You might feel tired after a swim, but that weariness is matched by a boost in endorphins and a sense of relaxation. Not only does this release of chemicals have a great impact on your mood, it also helps you feel more alert, focused and clear-headed.

4 Confidence boosting

One of the best things about swimming (and there are many) is how quickly you feel it’s making a difference. Each time you push yourself to swim a little further or a little faster, you give yourself another layer of confidence. Keeping track of this progress is a great way to strengthen your overall confidence and boost your self-esteem.

Going for a swim gives you a chance to escape from daily life and take time for yourself. At Paragon Structures, we’re working to give the UK’s aging stock of swimming pools an overhaul. Our swimming pool structures significantly reduce build time and costs compared to conventional methods. Plus, they’re durable, sustainable and offer an enhanced swimming experience.

We were commissioned by Swim England to produce a feasibility report detailing our vision for swimming spaces in the future – get in touch with the team to find out more.

More than 3,500 primary schools across England have signed up for the Daily Mile initiative. That means that over one million primary school pupils are registered to run or jog for 15 minutes each day.

The Daily Mile initiative, launched in Scotland in 2012 by head teacher Elaine Wyllie MBE, encourages children to complete a mile a day at their own pace. It places an emphasis on physical exercise as a way to help improve a child’s physical, emotional and social health, as well as their wellbeing.

According to new research by Imperial College London, University College London and the University of Cambridge looking at the uptake of the initiative in England, the scheme has been particularly popular in urban and disadvantaged areas. This means it is reaching primary schools in which levels of physical activity are lowest and rates of obesity are highest.

The popularity of the initiative’s uptake is attributed to its simplicity and adaptability. As a result, it has been adopted by schools with both high and low educational achievement, and in areas with both high and low physical activity.

Speaking about the findings, lead author of the research Tishya Venkatraman said: “Currently less than half of children and young people in the UK meet the recommendation of an average of 60 minutes of physical activity daily. 

“The Daily Mile can be carried out at safe social distances, which makes it suitable for our current times.”

She continued: “It is reassuring that previously hard-to-reach groups, like those schools in deprived urban postcodes, and those with large pupil numbers, are just as likely to sign up to The Daily Mile as other schools.”

Elaine Wyllie MBE is delighted that the Daily Mile has achieved such social reach. She highlights the importance of the initiative as a way to “address the health inequality gap faced by disadvantaged children.”

Professor Sonia Saxena, senior author of the study spoke about the usefulness of the Daily Mile during the pandemic. As well as the need for pupils to get “regular classroom breaks to reduce the spread of COVID-19,” she said that the Daily Mile could help children remain healthy throughout the pandemic.

At Paragon Structures, we’re committed to finding ways to remove barriers to physical activity. We provide sporting facilities for the education sector and local communities to help create a level playing field for everyone.

Find out more about our modern, cost-effective tension fabric buildings. Get in touch or take a look at some of our most recent projects today.