Construction Science in London

MORNING Visit with London based construction company- site visit
AFTERNOON Visit with a Multinational Architectural Firm
EVENING Free

This morning you will be participating in your first site visit of the programme. You will be visiting a property development, located in the heart of London. As part of your session with the company, you will participate in a tour and talk with the site officer manager and team. The company is one of Europe’s leading property, development and investment companies, and works on a range of large scale developments throughout the UK.

Following free time for lunch, you will proceed to the London offices of a multinational architectural firm. You will meet with staff there to observe a range of projects and developments in the UK, and how the planning process works, including the legal aspects, planning regulations and challenges facing those within the industry today.

MORNING Visit to The Building Centre
AFTERNOON Site visit to the NLA – London’s Centre for the Built Environment
EVENING Free

The Building Centre exists to promote innovation in the built environment. First established in 1931, the organisation has since developed to become a not-for-profit dedicated to providing education, information and inspiration to all sectors of the built environment as well as the general public. Within the centre you can visit a range of exhibits, view trade journals and talk to advisors about the building trade in the UK.

As part of your visit, you will also have the opportunity to visit the New London Architecture Centre for The Built Environment. The NLA houses a number of exhibits, including a 3D model of London which is regularly updated with all the new projects that are springing up throughout the capital.

MORNING Visit to a London based construction project
AFTERNOON Classroom based talk with a London based construction company
EVENING Free

Don’t forget your PPE gear this morning, as you will be visiting another project site.  This development will be located in the heart of the city, which in itself leads to an array of challenges including access, noise restrictions, and planning constraints.  Your tour with the Site Manager and their team will highlight these, as well as the financials involved in a development of this size.

After some free time for lunch, you will proceed to the Anglo Educational Study Centre, where your talk with an industry professional will take place.  Here you will have the opportunity to interact with a practitioner at the top of their field, and share in their knowledge and expertise.

MORNING Visit to an Affordable Housing development
AFTERNOON Meetings with Affordable housing teams and staff
EVENING Networking evening with senior members of the Construction Industry

London suffers from a shortage of affordable housing, and first time buyers in particular are struggling to get on the housing ladder. The UK Government have introduced a number of initiatives to combat this, including saving accounts with additional incentives from the Government, shared ownership options and loans to get on the property ladder. You will see this today when you first visit a site that is currently being developed, and then later in the day you will have the opportunity to speak with those who are working on the projects. They will help you understand the options available to young people, and the struggles that they face. In the evening you will participate in a networking event with senior figures within the industry in an informal setting.

MORNING Entrance to the Tower of London
AFTERNOON Free
EVENING Free

Today you have an early start as you will be visiting the famous Tower of London. Many of you will have heard about the Ceremony of the Keys, which is the time honoured tradition of locking the Tower for the night. However, many do not know that there is a similar ceremony held in the morning, which is not accessible to the general public. This morning you will have the honour of attending this event followed by entrance into the Tower for you to explore the grounds independently. You will see exhibits including the Crown Jewels, The White Tower, not forgetting the famous ravens.

MORNING Free
AFTERNOON Free
EVENING Free

For your free day why not take the opportunity to travel outside of London and view some of the beautiful countryside and architecture the UK has to offer.  AES can offer suggestions for a range of activities, including day trips, entrances, tours and other exciting options.

MORNING Day trip to Cambridge via private coach
AFTERNOON Meeting and tour of new urban development in Cambridge
EVENING Free

Cambridge is located around 50 miles north of London, on the river Cam. This beautiful city is most commonly known for the famous university of the same name, which has produced some of the great personages of this world, including Sir Isaac Newton, Professor Stephen Hawkings and Charles Darwin. Upon arrival in the city, you will have free time to explore before boarding your coach and making your way to a new urban development. Here you will meet with the Project Manager, learn about the project and the work of the company, followed by a site tour.

MORNING Visit to the Electrical Contractors Association
AFTERNOON Visit and meeting with a project management company
EVENING Free

The Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA) is the UK’s leading trade association representing the interests of contractors who design, install, inspect, test and maintain electrical and electronic equipment and services. During your time at their office you will meet with representatives from the ECA, learn about industry regulations, and the training offered to those who are either currently or looking to work within the field.

Following some free time for lunch, you will be meeting with one of the world-leading integrated project and program management consultancies. The visit will involve meeting staff, an interactive training session, and a tour of one of their sites.

MORNING Architectural walking tour of London
AFTERNOON Visit with a construction law company
EVENING Free

Having visited a number of companies already at this point in the programme, it will enable you to put today’s tour into context. You will meet your specialist guide for a walking tour of the City of London, taking in the contrasting architecture and designs of buildings, which have evolved through the ages. You will see comparatively recent constructs, such as the Gherkin, the Cheesegrater, and the Walkie Talkie; all iconic London buildings.

In the afternoon you will be meeting with a construction law company to learn about the law surrounding construction in the UK. Your time will be spent with lawyers, all experts in the field who have years of experience and knowledge about the construction industry.

MORNING Visit to a construction litigation company
AFTERNOON Visit to a community development
EVENING Free

Continuing the theme from yesterday, your day will start with a visit to a construction litigation firm. You will hear about the ins and outs of the industry, including looking at specific cases, both residential and commercial, enabling you to develop an in-depth understanding of UK laws and regulations.

After lunch, you will visit one of the UK’s first sustainable community. Your tour will cover the different phases of the development, including the planning and construction, and how the project has fared over the years.

MORNING Visit to a construction site
AFTERNOON Visit to a project management and architectural company
EVENING Evening theatre production

Today is your final day of visits. In the morning you will go on site with a construction company, learning about the difference between different types of projects, and how they are run. You will then meet with the team behind the project at their centrally located offices, and hear about their role in the planning and design process. After finishing your visit, you will make your way to one of London’s famous West End theatres to see a stage production. A must see when you are in London!

MORNING Free
AFTERNOON Free
EVENING Free

NOTE
Your last full day will give you time to visit those final locations, as well as buying those last minute souvenirs.

MORNING Transfer from hotel to airport via private coach

It is an early start today when you are collected by private coach for your transfer to the airport. We hope you have enjoyed your programme, and look forward to welcoming you to London again one day!