Lignacite Ltd

Standing at a vertigo-inducing 278m, 22 Bishopsgate’s design ensured it would share the sky with The Shard. But with a planned 62 storeys and 1.275 million square feet of flexible workspace, 22 Bishopsgate needed a solid core to realise its lofty ambitions.The ProjectDesigned to touch the clouds, 22 Bishopsgate’s imposing structure makes it the tallest building in the City of London’s financial district. Built over the discarded foundations of The Pinnacle, the new structure combines awe-inspiring stature with conscientious attention to its future inhabitants’ well-being.Dubbed ‘the vertical village’, 22 Bishopsgate is home to more than just flexible, modern workspace. With a bike park (complete with repair shop) in the basement, a market on level 2 and a ‘retreat’ offering pilates, yoga and health services on floor 41, this is a building that seeks to cater to a whole range of needs. A gym with a glass climbing wall, 5 levels of restaurants at the dizzying summit and a free viewing gallery for the public can also be found within its walls.But a village in the sky needs a strong heart, which is where Lignacite stepped in.The Blockwork SolutionTo realise the project design, 22 Bishopsgate needed a strong concrete core stretching 50m into the sky and measuring 14m across. Delivery of its components needed to be timed to perfection, arriving at the constrained site overnight to limit disruption and ensure that construction could be completed according to schedule.Subcontractors Lyons & Annoot therefore commissioned Lignacite to provide its flagship medium-dense paint grade Lignacite blocks to build the core of the structure. A total of 8,068m2 of 140mm and 765.6m2 of 100mm blocks were used to make the heart of the project, both of which have strengths of 7.3N.Providing a strong background for heavy fixings, these blocks also provide 22 Bishopsgate with great fire resistance. Rated A1, a loadbearing 140mm block can withstand fire for up to 4 hours, a crucial benefit in a tower of this size.These blocks also have excellent sound insulation properties, an important boon to a mixed-use development that has a focus on well-being. A simple paint finish on a 140mm block can provide a weighted sound reduction of 50 Rw (dB), which can be raised in excess of 60 dB if combined with an acoustic panel.Thermal insulation is another key benefit of these blocks. This has helped to control the tower’s emissions, which sit 41% lower than the London Energy Transformation Initiative’s benchmark.All of these blocks were delivered according to schedule and navigated the difficulties of delivering into the heart of London with the minimum amount of disruption.Martin Lyons, Construction Director at Lyons & Annoot, said: "We chose Lignacite because of the quality of their blocks and their ability to transport them into place."It is a really tight site and blocks needed to be there at exactly the right time. We have a really good relationship with Lignacite and our contact, Paul. There are no long lead times, and they are willing to collaborate with you. If you need assistance, they do everything to help."

As the first Google-designed and owned building outside the United States, the company’s new London headquarters was going to be anything but subtle.Nicknamed the ‘Landscraper’ due to its 11 storeys and planned 330m length (20m longer than The Shard is high), the new headquarters will not only provide an airy working environment for 4,500 employees but also take ‘multi-use’ to a whole new level with cafés, indoor games areas (including a basketball court), a 25m swimming pool, a gym… and a landscaped rooftop garden complete with a running track.This staggeringly ambitious design for a modern workplace right in the heart of London will sit on a plinth of shops and cover 92,000 square metres. Goliath in scope as well as stature, it goes without saying that its blockwork needs are also substantial, with 18,000 square metres of high-strength blocks required.Our Blockwork SolutionA project of this size and scale required blockwork that could bear a heavy load. We were therefore commissioned to provide a variety of products, including our Lignacite blocks.The high density of these blocks gives them significant strength with loadbearing capabilities. For this project, Lyons & Annoot specified Lignacite blocks able to bear loads of up to 7.3N/mm2 (Newton per square millimetre), which are ideal for both internal and external use, above and below ground. They are also well suited to forming partition or separating walls.

Lignacite have established a reputation for their extensive range of high quality commodity and architectural facing masonry blocks capable of improving acoustic, sound absorption and sound insulation values. Sound absorption is an extremely effective method of lessening the echo and noise within a space, room or building. Products designed to absorb sound are normally made from soft materials which act to soak up noise as it hits the surface. However certain blocks manufactured by Lignacite perform considerably better than would be expected for a denser material.

Improvements to the energy efficiency of buildings were published in 2021 with guidance on compliance provided by the following Approved Documents: Approved Document L – Volume 1: Dwellings Approved Document L – Volume 2: Buildings other than dwellingsThis Design Guide provides a commentary on the new changes and includes compliant wall and floor solutions using products from Lignacite Limited.These changes to the Building Regulations are intended to help the UK deliver net zero. This includes a requirement for new homes to produce around 30% less CO2 than current standards and a 27% reduction in emissions from other new buildings. To deliver the improvements, new homes will be assessed against the following four performance metrics.Primary energyCarbon dioxide emissionsThe fabric energy efficiency standard (FEES)Minimum standards for fabric and fixed buildingservicesWith increasing amounts of renewable energy generation, fuel factors are no longer required to offset ‘dirty’ electricity generation. This will adversely impact any property using oil, LPG or solid mineral fuel. This will prove to be a challenge to homes that are off-grid. More widely, it will help to drive the uptake of heat pumps which is a crucial part of the government’s long-term strategy.The new changes take effect from the 15th June 2022.

Perched on an elevated plane above the tranquil Suffolk village of Rattlesden, Rising Sun Hill is a bespoke residential housing development that seeks to blend in with its surroundings while standing out among other new builds for its character.The 22 homes include eight that will be offered as affordable housing. Individually conceptualised, the homes feature finishes that draw on traditional materials and designs, such as weatherboarding and rendering. To reflect the space of the surrounding countryside, the homes (which range from 2-4 bedrooms) are roomy, both inside and out. Large, landscaped gardens, stone paths, patios and generous planting of shrubs and trees complete the idyllic setting.But attention to detail hasn’t just been dedicated to aesthetics. Consideration has also been given to the homes’ long-term sustainability, with each home being fitted with an air source heat pump and well-designed insulation.The very fabric of the buildings, from the blockwork to the timber frame, has been scrutinised too. For developer Hartog Hutton, it was just as important to use high-quality materials as it was to give each building its own individual flair.

For more than 30 years, we’ve partnered with Swift Brickwork Contractors to supply blockwork to some of London and the East of England’s most recognisable developments, including Shepperton Studios, Lord’s Cricket Ground, Westfield Stratford, Westfield White City and One Hyde Park.That longstanding partnership continues at Salisbury Square, a major scheme delivered by Mace, which will become the new home of the City of London Police and a key part of the Square Mile’s justice system.With its combination of deep basements and a Grade II-listed structure, it’s one of the most technically demanding projects currently underway in the capital.The ProjectSitting just off Fleet Street, the Salisbury Square development is at the heart of major regeneration work in the capital. The scheme forms part of the City of London Corporation’s wider Fleet Street Estate Programme – a significant transformation of the Square Mile’s legal and civic infrastructure.Designed as a flagship project, Salisbury Square will bring justice and policing functions together on a single, modern site. Once complete, it will house the new City of London Police headquarters, a state-of-the-art legal facility with 18 courtrooms, alongside new civic accommodation and public spaces, all built around a retained Grade II-listed building.Swift Brickwork’s remit covers approximately 14,000m² of blockwork, including three levels of complex basement construction. The team worked from Stage 4 design onwards, integrating mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) models with blockwork requirements to ensure buildability throughout the basement and superstructure.The scheme is being delivered as a Net Zero Carbon development, in line with the City of London Corporation’s wider environmental goals. This means material selection, build quality and verified performance have been scrutinised throughout the project.The site’s location created additional pressure. Surrounded by narrow, winding streets and neighbouring construction work, deliveries had to be booked with precision, coordinated across road closures and adapted as site conditions changed.The Blockwork SolutionTo meet the scheme’s structural and sustainability requirements – as well as the need for high-quality finishes – Swift Brickwork opted to use blocks from our Lignacrete and Lignacite ranges. Where a flawless finish was required in the basements, Lignacite Paint Grade was the natural choice.Our blocks also offer:Class A1 fire rating, providing compliance for safety-critical applications.Strong acoustic performance, ideal for use in urban environments.High levels of compressive strength that meet the structural demands of deep basements and mixed-use buildings.Given the project’s complexity and the requirements of the Building Safety Act, the availability of robust, independently verified technical information was essential. Our detailed product data allowed Swift Brickwork to substantiate specifications directly with the client and design team.Logistics were a critical part of the solution, too. With our experience delivering into central London – including navigating restricted access routes and tight time windows – our team provided the flexibility Swift Brickwork needed, adjusting schedules and transport types as the build evolved.

Nestled in a secluded location, the village of Lavenham has been a picturesque place to live since its mediaeval origins. But with housing supply limited within the bounds of the existing village, in 2016 residents voted for a new development to go ahead – providing it was in-keeping with their historic homes.The designs of The Paddocks’ 25 new properties therefore draw on influences from the Tudor and Regency homes and cottages already lining the streets of the village, reflecting their style and materials. Ranging from two to four-bedrooms, each home has been gifted its own individuality, with traditional finishes, such as rendering and weatherboarding linking them back to the original properties. Attention to the quality and scale of landscaping around the site has also been factored in to mirror the countryside that embraces the site.However, while the new homes certainly have similar characteristics to the houses already in the village, they do not share their energy inefficiency. Beneath the traditional finishes are contemporary homes with ambitions to keep carbon emissions to a minimum. To do this, Hartog Hutton decided to take a two-pronged approach to reducing CO2 emissions: by installing solar panels and electric car charging points, and by using thermally insulative fabrics, including blockwork.For the structural foundations, the housebuilder therefore turned to Lignacite’s 100mm and 140mm Lignacrete blocks, which are designed for high-strength uses. With an A1 fire rating, Hartog Hutton could also ensure that future residents would have an additional layer of fire protection.Lignacite Ash GP blocks then form the bulk of the buildings. With strong and durable characteristics, these blocks are ideal for all kinds of applications. More importantly, they also have great thermal insulation of 0.298 m2K/W (for 1400mm blocks at 3% moisture), which satisfies all the latest requirements of the Building Regulations Approved Document L.The remainder of each structure uses Lignacite’s Fibo 850/950, which forms the substrate for the weatherboarding and rendering. They provide an excellent surface for these finishes while also adding to the overall thermal insulation of the property. A final advantage is that these blocks are extremely lightweight and can be put into place one-handed.

When Lyons & Annoot was commissioned to work on the massive regeneration of The Whiteley, it looked to Lignacite to provide concrete blocks that meet the project’s strict weight requirements.The ProjectThe Whiteley is an ambitious redevelopment of a Grade II listed former department store, which aims to breathe new life into a well-known structure while protecting its heritage. With a blockwork requirement of around 50,000m2, it is one of the largest packages in London.The iconic front facade, courtyard and dome of The Whiteley will be restored to their former glory, but their use will be expanded from a purely retail application. When completed, the retail offering will be complemented by destination restaurants as well as a gym, spa and hotel, in addition to 139 highly desirable apartments and townhouses. By diversifying and restoring, the project will rejuvenate the area and give The Whiteley back its sense of self.To sympathetically restore while also transforming the building’s purpose, the project has imposed strict size and weight requirements when it comes to blockwork. Its location in a built-up area of London also demands blockwork suppliers who are experienced in logistics and timely delivery.Our Blockwork SolutionTo meet the specific needs of this ambitious project, Lignacite is supplying both Lignacite and Lignalite blockwork.Fine-textured and medium-dense Lignacite blocks are being provided as fair face. With up to four hours of fire resistance for non-load-bearing 140mm blocks and excellent sound insulation of 56dB with an acoustic wall lining, these blocks are ideal for maintaining the safety of the building while also protecting inhabitants and guests from unnecessary noise and sound disturbance as a result of the structure’s mixed-use.Thanks to their specially formulated mix, Lignacite’s blocks also have reduced density, bringing each block to less than 20kg in weight – an important consideration in a project with strict weight limitations.In addition, Lignacite is also supplying an even lighter product. Lignalite blocks are the lightest in Lignacite’s range, with the 190mm version weighing just 19.1kg. Thanks to their close texture, these blocks combine a relatively low weight with strength, providing a solid background with which to secure fittings. As a result, they can be employed in both load-bearing and non-load-bearing roles.The good all-round technical performance of the Lignalite blocks is supported by high levels of fire resistance (four hours for 190mm blocks) and sound insulation of 51dB when painted.The precise requirements of the development led to the need for these blocks in 100mm, 140mm and 190mm sizes. Typically, these blocks are produced by Lignacite in 190mm sizes, but the company’s flexible and proactive approach to manufacturing means that it is able to provide a 140mm version.Dave Mills, Business Development Director at Lyons & Annoot, said: "With a number of different block type requirements at The Whiteley, we had to ensure that we had a supply chain that was robust and could meet the high demand."Lignacite is a key member of our supply chain, and their block types were suitable for approximately half of the block requirements on this project."With their great understanding of the logistical requirements of Central London sites and their partnering culture, we knew Lignacite would work with us to ensure consistency of product along with robustness of delivery. We always look forward to working with Lignacite on projects."Paul Blunderfield, National Sales Manager at Lignacite, added: "The Whiteley required very specific blockwork in order to meet strict weight and quality requirements, a challenge that we were happy to take on."We’re always keen to work closely and collaboratively with our customers to meet their exact needs, and we’re delighted to have contributed to such a high-profile and prestigious project through our partnership with Lyons & Annoot.”