"floor fixings and trims"

One New Change features SAS International bespoke metal ceiling panels with an expanded metal mesh, finished in silver, red and black. The ground-breaking, bold and perceptive £300 million One New Change mixed-use development project won the MIPIM AR Future Project Award 2010. Now complete, the building has become known as the ‘Stealth Bomber’ after the radar-proof combat plane that inspired its faceted form and has also won a RIBA 2011 Award for London and LDSA Building Excellence Award. The design incorporates pedestrian arcades converging at the core of the building, reinstating a historic north-south pedestrian route and allowing new panoramas of London’s landmark St Paul’s Cathedral. SAS International supplied the ceiling solution for the retail corridors of the development with a concealed suspension system, working closely with the architects to create a result where no visible fixings can be seen through the ceiling plane. To complement this, bespoke metal ceiling panels were produced with an expanded metal mesh, finished in silver, red and black. A challenging material to work with, to ensure the mesh held a uniform shape and corners for the panels could be formed accurately, SAS International’s solution was to create a ‘picture frame’ behind each panel. This also helped to provide support for the concealed attachment bolts. Design challenges at One New Change included the building grid size and shape (it was termed the most difficult site in Europe), the complex geometry of the structure (including some tight ceiling to structural beam heights), and a shared fire strategy between retail and office storeys. Requirements to achieve an environmentally-friendly building, complying with Part L and BREEAM ratings, were also critical and the design uses a materials palette of limestone, metal, mirror and a new method of fritted glass on the exterior to help shield the interior from glare.

Forget predictable ‘Hamptons’ beach design, and instead think laid-back beach location with a slight mid-century feel. To compliment the Goodwood Victorian ash, IronAsh cladding and Australian Oak Engineered Flooring were specified to create a continuous flow of design from inside to out. Matching the timber throughout a space creates a harmonious atmosphere that connects each room cohesively. Specifying timber all from the one manufacturer like ASH means you are getting consistent grain and quality products throughout the entire build.

Minter Ellison's award-winning office specified SAS International ceilings as part of their overall workplace well-being strategy. Designed by BVN, the feature ceilings enhance the open floor design while minimising the use of materials. BVN challenged internal preconceptions of how major law firms present themselves to staff and clients alike. Deliberately shying away from a stiff, corporate feel, they specified SAS750 Tubeline in black. Their aim was to evoke a sleek and forward-thinking dynamism while maintaining a highly professional atmosphere. Elsewhere in the office areas SAS310 metal pan ceilings were specified with an unusually large perforation. This design feature creates a visually engaging ceiling which offers subtle system integration for sprinklers, down-lighters and other small services. Due to a tight project programme, micro-perforated SAS150 was specified knowing the tiles were readily available in the Sydney warehouse. The system satisfied acoustic absorption requirements too, achieving 0.95 NRC. Minter Ellison invested in not just a Grade A office redevelopment, but also their staff, improving motivation and retention. The reinvigorated space also communicates a clear sense of approach to visiting clients, underlining core brand values. Occupying the top 8 floors of the Governor Macquarie Tower, the project won the 'John Verge Award for Interior Architecture (NSW Architecture Awards) in 2016.

COLLABORATIONSchool cleaning and maintenance teamBRIEFSchool bathrooms are notorious for bad smells, mould and stains. Our ECOCLEAN team were asked to apply our coatings to the ceramic floor and wall tiles and ceiling surfaces in the boy’s bathroom to reduce smell and provide easier clean.MATERIAL & APPLICATIONECOCLEAN Anti-Odour Coating (for wall tiles)ECOCLEAN Clean and Protect Shield (for floor tiles)ECOCLEAN Antimould Coating (for ceiling)OUTCOMEOnce applied, our ECOCLEAN coatings will remove the unpleasant odours, virus and bacteria that come into contact with the coated surface with the added benefit of easy cleaning.Before application the school bathroom scored a reading a 18,494 RLC on the Lumitester (classified as very dirty). Following cleaning and application of our ECOCLEAN coatings the bathroom presented with a reading of 887 RLU on the Lumitester showing a dramatic improvement in health and safety of the bathroom. Further testing also concluded that the bathroom was much less slippery than prior to the application.ECOCLEAN has provided this bathroom with a fresher and cleaner environment which has also improved the health and safety of all visiting students.COMMENTECOCLEAN coatings have been independently laboratory tested on a wide range of common substances responsible for acrid smells and health issues. These substances are the source of unpleasant odours in a range of environments including bathrooms, smoking areas, gyms, and areas near food waste.

Located in Fortitude Valley in the heart of Brisbane. Builder, Multiplex began Stage 1 of this $200m project in May 2015 and completed it in July this year. Subcontractor, Precision Interior Walls & Ceilings enlisted Rondo’s expertise in designing the internal ceilings and partitions, external walls and soffit framing. Designed by Architect’s Elenberg Fraser, Stage 1 of the development consisted of 32 levels with 910 luxury apartments sprawled across two towers. This will eventually form part of three residential towers incorporating ground floor retail areas, cafés, restaurants and over 1000 apartments in total.

Britex are proud to be involved in another successful VSBA School Upgrade Project at Upper Yarra Secondary College in Yarra Junction, Victoria. The completion of Stage One of the College’s Upgrade and Modernisation Project saw the inclusion of almost 30 Grade 316 SS Acid Resistant Britex Laboratory Bowls for their state of the art science and technology facilities throughout. A floor mounted 3.5m Vandal Resistant Sanistep Urinal was also installed in the Male Bathrooms complete with Smart Saniflush Sensor Flushing System, a water efficient and hygienic choice ideal for education projects.

Two high-end department stores Rokin 21 and Rokin 49 are rented by the Canadian Hudson's Bay Company (HBC), making this their Dutch headquarters. Both buildings have a new façade, which has been designed to blend in with their historic location. Authenticity is achieved with 3D curved aluminum façades and curtain walls housing enormous windows. The storefront display windows on the ground floor are 4.5 by 3 meters. A collaboration between Boon Edam and Stackdoor has resulted in an impressively tall entrance through a glass Tourniket original revolving door with a height of 4.3 meters.

Birmingham New Street Station was originally re-built in 1967 to accommodate 650 trains carrying 60,000 passengers per day. By 2010 it had become the busiest station outside of London, operating at more than twice its intended capacity. The first half of the refurbishment was completed in 2013. The station’s recently updated configuration should now accommodate a yearly 8.3% rise in passenger numbers. SAS International commenced work on the three-phase project in June 2012. NG Bailey and main contractor Mace installed SAS systems across the platforms, the shopping centre and the concourse. Full scale, physical mock-ups of the bespoke ceiling solutions were built on-site to ensure design intent prior to installation. The integration of fans for smoke extraction and complex wind loads had to be considered to guarantee passenger safety. The wind loads were a concern as trains passing platforms at speed can cause considerable negative loads. Bespoke ceilings comprising fixed angle bulkheads were installed in line with the curving platforms. The typically trapezoidal bulkheads were bolted end to end in order to form a faceted layout to follow these curves. Using shared data from the project’s BIM model, SAS International used a point cloud to measure the platforms and 3D model the panels. The model’s geometry revealed that the platforms were all non-uniform. This posed a significant design challenge. The data required careful analysis in order to achieve a smooth curved line within the platform edge. This was essential to provide train drivers with an unobstructed view coming into and out of the station. The SAS International design team was able to rationalise the number of unique panel types down to four. This overcame the driver visibility issue, ensured uncompromised aesthetics and brought costs within budget. Electronic Total Station setting-out techniques were then used to set out the panels along the curve.

CollaborationArchitect and Developer: Joe Adsett ArchitectsBuilder: Tomkins CommercialPrecaster: Advanced PrecastMaterial & ApplicationOur ECOTONE team provided expert colour application of ECOTONE Minsil to grey insitu concrete and the grey concrete precast elements. This included feature curved precast channel, raked precast concrete balustrade elements, insitu form grey concrete floor slabs and entry vestibule.OutcomeBotanic was designed by award winning architect Joe Adsett and positioned directly across from the iconic New Farm Park. Our ECOTONE finishes provided an excellent blend of surface colours to match in with a natural off-white concrete fairfaced appearance.

About the ProjectIn response to unprecedented demand, Rouse Garden is filling the void of modern-day homes close to trains, shops & jobs at the most competitive price on the market. Featuring the diversity of 1, 2 & 3 bedroom homes, there’s something for everyone in the most wondrous apartments to grace Rouse Hill. From floor to ceiling glass walls, timber hardwood flooring in your living room and a private rooftop garden terrace complete with BBQ and lounge areas. The quality of design is worthy of being marvelled at. Living rooms have been purposed to allow seamless indoor and outdoor transitions, blurring the boundaries between inside and out and elevating your home to new heights.ChallengeWhen you are building in one of the premier locations in Norwest Sydney, it’s all about the ding to match the lifestyle your new residents demand from your new community.  Presented with tight detail, the look, the feel and the performance of your build time-lines, and expectations of high quality, Hydraseal were tasked with working on Rouse Gardens. Waterproofing both the internals and roof of the building, the builder demanded warranties to match the project requirements and to deliver a quality finish demanded of this high profile project.To streamline this project, availability of stock and ease of application were key product requirements needed from the project, which Tremco were tasked with delivering.Tremco SolutionVulkem H2 Plus, Vulkem NEM, Tremflex50, Vulkem 951Hydraseal partnered with Tremco for a few reasons, primarily trust built up through a longstanding relationship provided the support necessary for the key for the success in this project.The versatility of Vulkem NEM being able to be used for internal wet areas, in conjunction with Vulkem H2, as well as for outdoor areas under Vulkem 951 NF allowed for fast and consistent application of waterproofing on the project, given the tight time frames, all backed with long warranties to match product performance.The combination of Vulkem NEM, Vulkem 951 NF and Vulkem H2 provided the warranties demanded by the builder which resulted in both Builder, and Applicator very satisfied with the job. 

The word Folia in Greek means nest, and this is precisely what Folia apartments by Mirvac have delivered. Foliage adorns the many balconies, rooftop conservatory and kitchen garden, contributing greatly to the tranquil ambience which feels wholeheartedly organic. The residences are an inviting place to call home for their new occupants. Able to be seen from below are the prominent soffits on floors 5 and 6, lined with our aluminium Click-on Cladding in a strikingly realistic Blackbutt wood finish. The wood finish on the cladding appears abundantly realistic, cleverly achieving the look of real timber in both tone and texture. Our wood finish wrapping is produced in Japan using a state of the art system to ensure that there is no repetitive wood grain pattern present, helping it to achieve the aesthetic variation of real timber. It also features an embossed texture further replicating that of real timber along with the shadow lines which imitate traditional timber cladding.

At Bostik, innovation comes in many forms.Ultraset® 3 in 1 is Bostik Australia's premium timber floor adhesive incorporating Thickness Control™ Spacer Technology, a proprietary feature consisting of recycled, ground-up car tyres mixed throughout the adhesive.When applied, the Thickness Control™ Spacers act like tiny rubber pillars, suspending the timber and maintaining optimal adhesive thickness to ensure superior performance as a moisture and impact sound reduction membrane.For West Side Place, Ultraset® 3 in 1 presented significant time and cost savings vs conventional multi-layer acoustic systems by eliminating the need to install a separate moisture barrier, acoustic underlay and additional layers of adhesive. Efficiencies that flowed directly onto the construction team, supporting trades and ultimately the developer, delivering a high performance solution within budget, ahead of schedule all the while guaranteeing a compliant and comfortable environment.

Sydney Airport is the busiest airport in Australia and one of the oldest continually running airports in the world, with an average of 44 million passengers visiting the airport each year, from domestic to international travellers.With the large amount of people coming to Sydney Airport on a daily basis, there is always potential for dirt and moisture from the soles of shoes to enter the facility, which can cause the floor to be dirty and a risk of people injuring themselves. To eliminate the risk of hazards to visitors, the CS Pedigrid entrance mat with Graphite inserts was specified to combat the dirt and debris.Not only is the Pedigrid aesthetically pleasing but it also offers high performance in terms of rolling load capability and dirt and moisture trapping, making it ideal for areas with high foot and wheel traffic. The Pedigrid is a 44mm deep, recess mounted system of removable grill sections that allows dirt, water, and other waste to fall between the heel proof treads into the matwell below, this can significantly reduce the cleaning and maintenance frequencies.Overall, the Pedigrid for Sydney Airport is proven to combat dirt and debris entering the building, whilst maintaining entrance area aesthetics and overall passenger safety.

The first stage of a two hectare urban regeneration development in Docklands opened in 2018 and introduced the city of Melbourne’s first elevated public park. Floating 10 metres above open public space, a spectacular Tongue & Groove Cladding Soffit overhangs 90 metres, providing natural warmth and texture and remaining consistent with the design of the project. Installed by our partner installer Casello, the project is an example of how our expert installers can complete a project on time and on budget. Green space in the CBD Biophilic design principles were a key to the design of One Melbourne Quarter, bringing the warmth and beauty of natural materials to the workplace. The most prominent inclusion is the spectacular Skypark, located directly above the entrance of the building, on the second floor. The Skypark is a perfect ‘suspended oasis’, bringing the uniquely relaxing aspects of a local park to the inner city. A statement through a soffit With the Skypark suspended above street level, the underside presented a perfect opportunity for the architects Denton Corker Marshall to create a unique feature which was consistent with the design ambitions of the project. Behind the look Sculptform Tongue & Groove Cladding provided a beautiful natural aesthetic in spotted gum. The combination of visual features and colour variation contrasts the greys of the Melbourne CBD and contributes to the overall identity of the project. PEFC certified timber was required to meet Green Star Rating, which was then sourced by Sculptform.

Being one of the largest public healthcare precincts in Australia at 160,000 m² and spread across 20 hectares of land at Birtinya north of Brisbane, we present the 750 bed Sunshine Coast University Hospital (SCUH). The SCUH has been designed for Queensland Health to be a world class health facility providing exceptional healthcare to its patients as part of Queensland Health’s vision for the future.Incorporated within this Hospital’s health precinct, this state-of-the-art facility offers numerous services for staff and patients. With all that the SCUH has to offer, it was vital that all the equipment and fittings that were required needed to be compliant, safe, practical and had an exceptional appearance. This is where the CS Group was able to provide a portfolio of products to the project that were both practical and aesthetically pleasing.All hospitals have high volumes of wheeled corridor traffic, these day-to-day movements are commonly encountered in a busy hospital. Due to this traffic, it is difficult to keep walls in their original pristine condition. To try to limit the damage that can be caused by wayward trolleys and gurneys, wall protection is put in place.Construction Specialties have supplied a portfolio of products to the SCUH to meet these needs. Starting with their corner protection for the gyprock walls, the CS Group’s VA 250N corner guard can be found throughout the Hospital in both 90 and 135 degree configurations protecting salient corners from damage. Protecting the walls from damage is CS Model SCR-48N crash rail, a 152 mm wide x 32 mm deep Acrovyn crash rail that is installed in the Hospital in both single and double runs for maximum protection. CS Model HRB-4CN Acrovyn handrail, which also acts as a high-level bump rail, completes the wall protection package.Posing a separate challenge to designers were the two Isolation Wards. Both are located within the Hospital in such a way that neither has access to an external window. Rather than have patients stare at blank walls during their stay, CS were asked if we had a solution to the problem. Our graphic imaging product, Acrovyn by Design was suggested as a possible solution and was accepted. Both wards now have a full height wall mural of a relaxing beach scene to look at rather than a typical blank white hospital wall alongside their beds.With such large footprints, each floor of the Hospital required extensive use of expansion joint covers. Construction Specialties were called on to help with the design and specification of expansion joint covers for the project. The CS Group’s SGR Model expansion joint cover was selected for the project as it is available in various widths, the Hospital being 5 floors, as well as allowing a flush mounted finish. The SGR was also chosen for its ability to accommodate wheeled traffic and meet the stringent requirements of infection control associated with a hospital project.Beautiful and practical are two words that can be used to describe the Sunshine Coast University Hospital. An amazing project featuring various CS products throughout the Hospital.

London is a vibrant, busy and beautiful city, boasting constant innovation and unique architecture. Now, developments have become bigger and more competitive year on year. With expectations on office workspaces becoming increasingly more open and flexible, the requirement for integratable security has become a complex task. This led to the existing building of 10 Queen Street Place, Riverscape to have a much-needed refurbishment following the trend of open atriums, flexible floor space and usable rooftop space. Within this project, the interior and exterior were dramatically changed and enhanced utilising fresh entry and access control security solutions. Located next to Southwark Bridge and a couple minutes’ walk from the bustling area of Cannon Street Station is Riverscape. Originally opened back in 1980, the multi-storey office space was a modern development that sat on the sought-after area of the River Thames. This project was refurbed from top to bottom, with the original Boon Edam entrance solutions being upgraded to newer more innovative products. The lead architect was Aukett Swanke with interior designers Barr Gazetas leading the design of the refurbishment and, main contractors being Overbury. Working for this project years prior in relation to the old security lanes and revolving doors that were installed by Boon Edam, the London Sales team knew the building and requirements needed. It’s common to see dated installations be retrofitted with newer security products that modernise the look and feel of an entrance as well as upgrade the technology associated with them. Download the Case Study for more information about the project.

To protect the priceless infrastructure and mission-critical IT information in Australia’s first custom built, high-tech data centre, Polaris, Project Manager Thiess turned to the leading manufacturer of specialist building products, Construction Specialties.Integral to the $121 million construction was the regulation of airflow to safeguard the computer hardware; Construction Specialties’ customised performance louvres were the only product in Australia able to meet this construction challenge.Boasting 14,000m2 of floor space on 5 storeys with 7000m2 of raised floor over three data centre levels, the project, based in Springfield, Queensland, is the largest of its kind in Australia and will be Queensland’s only Tier 3+ data collection point.So important were the Construction Specialties performance louvres to the development, much of the building design was driven by the positioning, material specifications and design of the louvres.Lawrence Issa, Project Manager for Construction Specialties, and project partners Darryl Wright and Steve Emery of Project Sales worked closely with the Polaris construction team from project inception to completion to devise the most effective weatherproofing and airflow option for the building which also matched the intended aesthetic.“In-depth collaboration with the Polaris team led to the selection of our Architectural Line Louvres, of which two types were used – our RS7305a and LSM louvre models,” Lawrence said. “Unlike other louvres on the market, this range prevents up to 99% water penetration and maximises airflow, while also complementing the building facade as the horizontal louvre frames selected are hidden from view.“Our performance louvres cover 345m2 of the exterior building and are specifically customised in terms of size, shape and colour for the data centre,” Lawrence said.Miguel Thievent, Senior Project Engineer at Thiess, remarks that the CS Louvres perform to the highest standard, which was essential in meeting the building specifications.“It was vital we didn’t compromise on weather proofing and airflow,” Miguel said. “For example, we have six generators integral to maintaining the whole IT system in case of power failure which would not run if the airflow was affected or they were damaged by rain.“The Construction Specialties performance louvres were the only ones on the market that could guarantee damage would not occur as a result of bad weather conditions,” Miguel said.Construction Specialties’ performance louvres are at the leading edge of louvre design and are tested under real world conditions to meet the maximum standards demanded.Construction Specialties offers a broad selection of louvres under 3 main categories:Storm Resistant/Performance Louvres – The main objective of Performance Louvres is to allow the passage of air, whilst providing the area beyond the room with protection from rain penetration.Standard Louvres – A standard louvre will provide the maxiumum airflow required, but with minimal rain defence.Screening Louvres – Screening louvres, are low cost solutions that hide plant or other equipment from view.CS Louvre systems are available in a comprehensive range of finishes and colours, ensuring there is a Construction Specialties Louvre system to suit most aesthetic and performance needs.Louvre panels are factory assembled in a controlled and quality assured environment and provided to site in a fully finished modular form; thus, allowing for trouble-free and fast installation.A comprehensive range of accessories including insect/bird mesh and blanking panels in various materials and finishes is available to complete the application.

The City of Boston is known for many things – from Fenway Park to the Boston Marathon to the bar from Cheers, the city is full of iconic landmarks, events, cultural assets, education centers, and more. The City is also recognised for its vast history, especially downtown, where hundred-year-old buildings have been preserved or restored. There is also a mixture of new property development, including 33 Congress Street, in the heart of the financial district, which combines the best of historical design with new construction. 33 Congress incorporates more than 400,000 square feet of office and retail space, transforming the historic neighborhood and positioning the area as a dynamic downtown destination. The project was designed by Arrowstreet, an award-winning architecture and design firm, and was led by Jason King, AIA, LEED, AP, BD+C, Senior Associate for Arrowstreet. Blending Historical Features with a Modern Design According to King, the 33 Congress Street building consisted of three different structures that were built at separate times: in 1904, 1906, and in 1922 and then all combined into one space. While the space functioned as one building, there were three separate elevator cores, sets of restrooms, sets of stairs, and more. Those entities needed to be reconfigured into one. The most striking feature of 33 Congress is a new, modern glass and steel structure, containing 6 additional floors of office space that sits on top of the original three masonry buildings. Another important project goal was to upgrade the main lobby to a modern design that allowed public access, increased security for building employees, and respected several historical aspects. “We needed a way to get people into the new, main elevator lobby quickly due to the high volume of traffic that we were anticipating would take place after the redesign,” King said. “We also wanted to create an entrance that would create a better flow of entry from the sidewalk into the building.” The original building had an existing revolving door, but it was small and surrounded by stone. “It was dark and uninviting,” King said. “We were creating an open and airy Class A lobby space and wanted visitors to clearly see the ornate, coffered ceiling and experience the grand and historic nature of the lobby as they entered.” Revolving Door and Speed Gates Provide Aesthetics and Function King implemented a Boon Edam Crystal Tourniket manual revolving door to lead visitors in the double height lobby space. The Crystal Tournket is constructed virtually completely from glass with only a few stainless steel accents to ensure the solidity of the revolving door. It fits seamlessly with modern glass facades but can also be a beautiful eye catcher in more traditional or classic designs. For employee access, the building’s previous design did not incorporate turnstiles to the elevator banks. “The building did have card reader access, but only at certain doors and locations,” King said. King installed four lanes of Boon Edam Lifeline Speedlane Swing speed gates and two Winglock Swing model access gates to provide secure employee access to the building’s upper floors. The Lifeline Speedlane Swing speed gate manages and channels the flow of people entering and moving around buildings. It employs sensors that detect visitors approaching, with pulsing light strips to guide the user. A sleep function saves on energy use. It can be customised with dimensional and glass choices, including corporate identity colors or other options, so that it either blends-in or stands-out from its surroundings. The Boon Edam Winglock Swing is constructed from stainless steel and a single glass panel, and is unobtrusive in nature and design. The access gate easily manages bi-directional traffic, with LED lights that signal if the gate is in use or on standby. The access gate ties into a manned security desk located near the front doors. Employees gain access to the building through either the Lifeline turnstiles, or a Winglock Swing access gate, while building visitors can receive credentials at the security desk. King said, “We started the process looking at Boon Edam from a security and an aesthetic standpoint. We went through multiple product options but always had a Boon Edam product as the basis of the design. We have been happy with Boon Edam entrance solutions and we are planning to use them again for future projects.”

Reading is a vibrant city that boasts home to some of the largest company UK headquarters such as Microsoft and Pepsico calling this Berkshire county home to their UK head offices. Now, looking to transform the way they work, the retail HQ based in Reading upgraded its large office space to start a new era of work life for its current and future employees. This large refurbishment will see all floors of their existing building being completely reconfigured and re-designed that sees a new cafe/bar and staff gym/studio along with a studio mock shop space and office expansion. Within this project, the interior and exterior were dramatically changed and enhanced utilising fresh entry and security solutions. Contact us to see what we can do for your building. Originally and still currently known in Ireland as Penny’s, these UK headquarters resides in the centre of vibrant Reading. Launching its first clothing store back in 1969, the affordable yet innovative fashion retailer offers shoppers a unique shopping experience with its staple large stores, airy layouts and competitive item pricing. Calling it a ‘workplace of the future’ the new UK HQ spans over 130,000sq ft of redesigned space that homes 580+ employees. The challenge in this project was to unobtrusively implement secured entry solutions that could be stylish in appearance but also provide high-quality functionality. Social Open Space with State-of-the-Art Security With the overall theme being togetherness, collaboration and open workspace, there was a requirement for the building to be secured yet keep the spacious feeling. The challenge in this project was to unobtrusively implement secured entry solutions that could be stylish in appearance but also provide high-quality functionality. The entry solution was to implement a bespoke revolving door, combining a Crystal Tourniket and a framed Tourniket. This customised door benefits from a hidden fully automatic drive in the ceiling that also provides LED down lighting for better user visibility. For security, a bank of tall glass Lifeline Speedlane Swings with a wide-lane setup was specified. Contact us to see what we can do for your building.