Saint-Gobain Weber

A £2.7million Environment Agency project to renovate an ageing river sluice facility on the River Medway in Kent, has required the technical attributes of webercem five star repair concrete and the high-build properties of webercem HB30 mortar. The structural sluice repairs are now complete with new gates and operating systems installed, bringing the sluice performance up to standard. Reflecting the substantial improvement in the river water quality over recent years, a new fish and elver pass has been created to enable fish to travel further upstream in the clean waters. This has enhanced the habitat in upper sections of the Medway, whilst allowing migratory and freshwater fish free passage. Constructed in 1937 the Allington Sluice lock gate is the last on the River Medway before it becomes tidal. Although the sluice is not listed, the Environment Agency took a keen interest in the repair of the structure due to its location adjacent to the Museum of Kent. Areas of failed surface concrete that had spalled, due to 70 years of weathering, were repaired sympathetically to match the existing finishes. These areas were cleaned back to sound material with all loose material removed. The major repair areas required shuttering before pouring in the flowing recasting concrete. webercem five star repair concrete is a pre-blended cementitious material that conforms with BS EN 1504 : 3 as an R4 mortar and also with the Highways Agency specification BD 27/86. It contains non-reactive aggregates and low alkali content. This is a shrinkage-compensated, high-strength flowing repair concrete specifically designed for permanent structural repairs that delivers a compressive strength of 65N/mm² after 28 days.Additional smaller damaged areas of the sluice structure have been improved with webercem HB30 repair mortar which is ideal for façade repairs where high compressive strength is not required. webercem HB30 is an acrylic-polymer modified, high-build façade repair mortar that complies with BS EN 1504 : 3 as an R3 mortar. Damaged areas were cut away and any steel re-enforcement was cleaned and coated with webercem keycoat prior to the application of the webercem HB30. This product has a unique shrinkage compensation system that ensures long-term dimensional stability. webercem HB30 is easy to apply with low permeability to water, carbon dioxide and chlorides.Main contractor Jackson Civil Engineering of Maidstone, Kent, carried out the sluice gate works while Structural Renovations Ltd of Slough, Berkshire, carried out the concrete repairs in the overall reconstruction, renovation and modification programme of the main structure. The project was designed by Atkins for the Environment Agency, who also undertook site supervision during the renovation procedure. In addition to the repairs and fish pass, a new wheelchair access has been formed allowing cross river access at this point on the Medway.

A first-time self-builder from Twickenham used his time on furlough to build a two-bedroom home in his back garden with weberwall brick.Around 11,000 self-build homes are built each year, and Sudheer Talluri is one of less than 10% who actually build the house themselves, without the help of experienced builders.Sudheer had already bought his 1950s former council house and had been living in the property for seven years before he applied for planning permission to build another home in the garden. Despite initial difficulties getting planning consent, he finally got the go-ahead in 2020.After being furloughed from his job as a telecoms engineer in June 2020, Sudheer decided to use this as an opportunity to kickstart the project.“I knew I wanted to build an environmentally-friendly home, so I went to the National Self Build and Renovation Centre in Swindon for inspiration,” explains Sudheer. “Having looked at all the options, I decided to use an Insulated Concrete Formwork (ICF) system. It offers great thermal benefits and can be finished using a brick slip system on the outside which helped me to meet the design requirements outlined in the planning permission.”Sourcing products that could be easily supplied while the country was in lockdown was a challenge in itself. Sudheer needed an external finish that would be in keeping with the existing property on the plot. He contacted Saint-Gobain Weber after learning about how weberwall brick - a brick cladding system which is supplied on mesh sheets - would not only address the planning requirements, but would also help to make the application of the final finish quick and easy.The ICF provided a solid base for weberwall brick, allowing direct application to the substrate using the rapid drying weberwall brick external adhesive, which Sudheer applied by pump to speed-up the installation further.Sudheer’s engineering background, determination, and help from friends, family and neighbours helped him to get the new house built in less than a year. Sudheer and his family have moved into the new house enabling them to rent out their own home. They are so pleased with the final result that they plan to extend into the loft space and add a further single-story extension at the back of the new house in early 2022.

Located between St. David's and Aberdour, the tanker terminal at Braefoot Bay is a base for the export of liquefied petroleum gas. The terminal consists of two jetties located on the north shore of Incholm Island. The gas is piped to the Mossmoran Plant in Fife direct from the North Sea, broken down to form ethane and then converted into ethylene, the basic hydrocarbon 'building block' of the petrochemical industry. The products are then piped the final three mile journey to the Braefoot Marine Terminal where they are fed into tankers and gas carriers for markets in Europe and the USA. The terminal is operated jointly by Shell Expro and Exxon.The jetty was suffering from increasing levels of deterioration of the reinforced concrete structure due to the relentless corrosive action of the marine salt environment on the reinforcing steel. A remedial plan was developed to carry out repairs and to introduce a cathodic protection (CP) system to greatly enhance the protection level and therefore extend the life of the structure. The plan was prepared by structural engineers from Shell, led by Hans Verheyde, and Balfour Beatty Construction Services UK (BBCS) was awarded the contract.Two major factors had to be accommodated within the repair programme. Firstly, the tidal flow that submerged the lower part of the jetty twice every 24 hours and secondly, the jetty is a fully live and very active transport hub and shipping schedules had to take precedence at all times. Round-the-clock flexible working maintained delivery of the twelve-month project.Saint-Gobain Weber's specialised repair concrete products were specified for the remedial actions on the Braefoot Bay jetty and technical application advice was provided for the active phase of the project. A suspended scaffold was designed and installed which allowed fast access when the tide ebbed so that productivity could be maintained. Traditional techniques were used to breakout the spalled and cracked concrete and to wash out the surface chlorides and clean the existing reinforcement steels.webercem five star repair concrete CP is a shrinkage-compensated, high strength, low resistivity, flowing repair concrete designed for use in conjunction with CP systems. This pre-blended cementitious concrete fully complies with the Highways Agency Specification Class 29F for high-strength flowing concrete for major structural repairs. It contains non-reactive aggregates with a low soluble-alkali cement content which is particularly important where CP is to be used. The rapid strength development and dimensional stability of webercem five star repair concrete CP – which reaches 27N/mm² in 24 hours – was especially valuable in the tidal conditions in Fife. Tight shuttering was used on the wide beam sections of the jetty to take the poured concrete which reached an integral bond with the original concrete. This process reformed the structural integrity using products with proven durability.An innovative CP system using Duogard® hybrid anodes from CPT was installed to protect the steel reinforcement with the anodes fixed into the soffits with a special CPT mortar. Where the CP installation required chases to carry the cabling, webercem HB40 high-build structural repair mortar was used to fill and seal the chases. webercem bondcoat, a polymer-modified, cementitious bonding aid and steel reinforcement primer, was first applied into the chases to ensure enhanced bonding. webercem HB40 is an acrylic-polymer modified, single component mortar and is lightweight with high build qualities. It can be applied in layers up to 75mm thick vertically, and 50mm on overhead soffits, and can be used without formwork. It was then applied onto the tacky webercem bondcoat primer and finished flush to the concrete surface.The Braefoot Bay terminal project has been completed successfully and Dewi Miller, contracts manager, BBCS, is confident that the jetty protection will extend the working life of the structure. "The products we have used are excellent and the application methods have enabled us to deliver a high degree of protection and reinstatement to the concrete structure. Working on a live site in a tidal zone has required a flexible work schedule but the whole project has worked exactly to plan and the client is very pleased with the result. The Weber materials have been the key to achieving this success."

The high performance weberend MT multi-coat render system has been applied as the exterior finish on the new-build Woodward Close, a pioneering 60-bed dementia care home in Winnersh, Berkshire.This project has been developed by specialist care home developer Castleoak, Cardiff, for national care operator The Abbeyfield Society.Designed to meet Abbeyfield’s innovative dementia design strategy, this new care home comprises intimate circular bedroom wings which minimise corridors and lead to communal spaces to aid way finding and spatial recognition. Ground floor rooms have patio door access to garden space and internal links to safe and secure inner courtyard gardens. It has been carefully planned to provide a unique approach in residential care for those living in the local area in a manner which hasn’t been seen before.The complex clover leaf layout of the five linked buildings has been achieved using timber frame construction with much of the fabrication carried out off-site including the curved outer skin formed by the render carrier board for the weberend MT system. This off-site construction method reduced time and cost early in the build program, overcoming the requirement of bricklayers and bricks, resulting in a cleaner and tidier site and substantially reducing the on-site program.The weberend MT multi-coat render system by Weber, the leading UK formulator and manufacturer of innovative materials, systems and solutions for the construction industry, has full BBA Certification. This accreditation meets NHBC requirements for new build housing where house builders and developers are constantly seeking modern methods of construction for speed and cost efficiency. The weberend MT system is designed to rapidly finish buildings of frame and panel construction.weberend MT is a light-weight render system which incorporates glass-fibre meshcloth reinforcement with a resin-rich adhesive coat that can carry a choice of finishes in a wide range of colours. This modern render system is designed for large areas of stable render carrier boards without the need for expressed joints to create smooth, modern design aesthetics. Equally, weberend MT is ideal for application to uneven masonry or mixed substrates where a high level of crack resistance is required. Application on to a panel background requires an initial 3mm of weberend LAC. The glass fibre reinforcing mesh is laid in as this coat takes up and a second 3mm of weberend LAC is applied. Sponge finish achieves a flat surface. When fully dry, weber PR310 primer is applied prior to the selected finish. A variety of textured and coloured finishes can be used to produce weatherproof, vapour permeable protection.The weberend MT application was carried out by WHS Exterior Rendering Limited, Bristol, whose director Nick Hood is enthusiastic about this project. “It was really interesting to see this unique design and the fast build program achieved with off-site construction. It gave us a great finished board to work on and as always the weberend MT system is first class. It’s straight forward to apply and the finish is excellent. It involved 1900m² of hand application and four pastel colours really make the buildings attractive and welcoming."Castleoak’s project construction manager Dean Hamblin reports positive comments on the render finish of the buildings. “People are remarking how sharp the buildings look, that’s sharp in colours and sharp in straight surfaces and edges,” advises Mr Hamblin.Woodward Close offers a wide range of highly innovative communal facilities, including a cinema, activity rooms for painting and sewing, a restaurant and a cafe, sensory rooms and wellbeing areas including spa bathrooms, a hair and nail salon, a library, and a shop stocked with groceries.In terms of design, memorabilia and reminiscence will be a strong focus across the development. There will be classic cars and bikes in the grounds and a vintage theme prominent throughout the interior decor. It is hoped that this vision and the calibre of the building will act as a blueprint for future Abbeyfield care homes

In the new Ceramic Tile Distributors (CTD) showroom in Woking, Surrey, tile products by Saint-Gobain Weber have been specified for their new 400m² sales facility which includes an extensive showroom and trade counter.Relocation of Ceramic Tile Distributors (CTD) from their original showroom on the junction of Goldsmith Road and Church Street West to Kestrel Road a few miles away was brought about by the £150m redevelopment of Woking town centre."The relocation of CTD has not presented a problem," says Rob Stevens, manager, CTD Woking. "The showroom looks brilliant – it's bigger and better, and our trade custom has definitely increased. We also attract lots of private customers who enjoy the simplicity of the large sample displays and the huge variety of tiles for every location."Several site visits were made by Weber's tile specialists to inspect the floor substrate and identify the appropriate materials. The floor was prepared with weber PR360, a multi-purpose priming solution suitable for most building substrates including wood, anhydrite, plaster and cement/sand screed. This primer regulates the porosity of the substrate and improves adhesion and the flow of levelling compounds.High performance, fibre-modified weberfloor flex was then applied which is a self-smoothing and self-levelling compound suitable for most substrates. It has rapid setting qualities and can take light foot traffic after just 3 hours. It is also one of the many products in the Saint-Gobain Weber range to feature Low Dust Technology™ which makes it cleaner and more comfortable for the applicator to use.Large format GEMINI Young Stone tiles in grey were set with weberset rapid plus ECO which is a very rapid strength tile adhesive for low porosity tiles, such as ceramic, porcelain and natural stone, and has been specifically developed to allow easy bedding of large format tiles. It is suitable for use on solid substrates and is ready for grout in only 2 hours. The new ECO formulation contains cement replacement technology which reduces the product's environmental impact of initial excavation and contributes to a significant reduction in transportation costs.The CTD Woking showroom floor was grouted with weberjoint wide which is suitable for very wide joints from 2-20mm. This is a cement-based floor and wall grout which gives a coarse textured finish. It has the added benefit of Mould Stop Technology which ensures lasting protection from mould growth, it's also abrasive-resistant and available in seven colours.As part of Woking's redevelopment, the bandstand, fire station and market place will all be demolished to make way for a new complex featuring shops, apartments, parking and a hotel. On the old CTD site a brand new state-of-the-art fire station is to be developed providing additional space and working areas for the crews and an improved training facility.

As part of its ongoing work to improve the energy efficiency of its homes, over the last two years Clarion Housing Group has retrofitted 505 homes across Fenland, Tonbridge and Malling which had an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of D or below. Among them were 13 bungalows in the Chapel Gardens development in Benwick. The work was part-financed via the first wave of the government’s Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF), which was launched in 2021 to help social housing providers and local authorities increase the EPC rating of their properties to C or above. All social housing provided by registered providers was eligible for SHDF wave one funding, regardless of archetype, and the work being carried out is designed to tackle issues associated with fuel poverty including mould and condensation.    As a registered provider of social housing, Clarion could apply for the funding as part of a consortium with Fenland District Council and Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council. The £4.35m secured by the two local authorities was match funded by Clarion, which is working closely with its main contractor Equans to upgrade the homes. “We were already carrying out works to improve residents’ homes under existing maintenance contracts, in line with the government’s 2030 EPC C target, but this funding has allowed us to accelerate and increase the scale of it all, ultimately improving more homes much faster,” said Daniel Archard, asset sustainability manager at Clarion. Meeting PAS 2035 standards  Sarsvati Varsani is part of Equans’ dedicated specialist retrofit team. As a senior technical retrofit advisor for the contractor, she is overseeing the process in terms of energy efficiency and compliance. She said: “The delivery of all SHDF projects must be PAS 2035 compliant, which specifies a whole-house or whole-building approach to retrofit. It means that energy efficiency measures should be installed with the requirement of the entire building in mind – both from a technical standpoint and considering factors like occupant comfort. “The SHDF facilitates a multi-measure approach to allow us to upgrade Clarion’s least energy-efficient homes to meet the PAS 2035 specification using more than one measure. For example, as well as replacing insulation we are also installing air source heat pumps at the properties where necessary. “I’m working closely with the site team, retrofit designer and contracts manager to address any issues throughout and ensure that every measure is compliant with the standard. Representatives from Clarion and the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero also conduct site visits to review progress throughout.” One of the key principles of wave one of the SHDF is a fabric-first approach. This ensures heat loss prevention measures are installed before other energy efficiency measures, to maximise the dwelling’s suitability for low carbon heating either now or in the future, and to benefit tenants in terms of comfort, health, well-being and bills. The Chapel Gardens bungalows had an original U-value of 1.43W/m²Km, so this was going to take considerable changes. Having been built between 1967 and 1975, the cavity insulation in the bungalows was no longer fit for purpose as it had slumped to the bottom or – in some cases – didn’t even exist. It has now been replaced with a polystyrene bead insulation. The benefits of external wall insulation As part of the fabric-first approach being taken by Equans and Clarion, Saint-Gobain Weber’s External Wall Insulation (EWI) system was specified for the bungalows to improve their thermal efficiency. It is being installed by FRT Property Services Ltd, which is PAS 2030:2019 certified – something that is required of all of the subcontractors working on this project. By gaining PAS 2030:2019 certification, retrofit installers can demonstrate that they have installed energy efficiency measures that meet the required specifications, and have delivered on customer requirements and expectations in accordance with TrustMark standards. FRT Property Services – which began working on Chapel Gardens in January 2023 – specialises in EWI and its director Farhat Ahmed and Operations Director Radu Ursache helped to ensure work was delivered to Weber standards, on time and within budget.  For this project, Farhat’s team installed webertherm XM with 100mm of webertherm MFD insulation. The SHDF stipulates an energy performance outcome of 90kWh/m2/year, with a target U-value of 0.30 W/m²K. The addition of EWI from Weber was critical in enabling Clarion to meet the SHDF space heating demand performance outcome, as the replacement cavity wall insulation alone wouldn’t suffice – with the properties only achieving 0.44W/m²K. Having requested that the retrofit work didn’t change the aesthetic of the bungalows, the planners wanted to maintain a brick finish. To achieve this, weberwall brick was specified along with the webertherm XM EWI system. This innovative brick slip system is lightweight and quick to install, containing the equivalent of 20 brick faces per sheet. It is available in a wide range of colours including Antique Buff, which meant it was possible to closely match the surrounding buildings.  Farhat said: “The team at Weber has been very helpful throughout the process and applications manager Linda Twidale showed my team how to install the product. It’s very simple and provided the like-for-like result the client wanted; as far as brick slip systems go, weberwall brick provides the closest match to real bricks I’ve seen while working in this sector.” It was important to Clarion that the residents of the bungalows were able to remain in their homes while the work was completed which is why EWI was the perfect solution. Farhat’s team worked closely with Equans’ retrofit liaison officers and other subcontractors, including the scaffolding and utilities companies, to ensure everything went smoothly and the homeowners were not inconvenienced.  By installing the webertherm XM EWI system, the U-value at the properties has been improved to an efficient 0.20 W/m²K – far exceeding the target of 0.30W/m²K. Once all of the retrofit work has been completed, the bungalows will undergo a post-works EPC assessment and are expected to achieve a C rating. The new insulation will provide improved thermal performance all year round, helping to keep residents’ homes cooler throughout the summer and warmer in the winter. It is predicted that those living in upgraded Clarion properties will save between £300 and £500 on their energy bills each year. Switchee smart thermostats have been installed in some properties to relay data to Clarion, enabling them to monitor the energy consumption of the properties. Within six months, Equans’ retrofit evaluator will issue a questionnaire to residents to assess whether everything works as it’s supposed to, and Farhat’s team has already received feedback. He said: “Residents have told us they’re already feeling the difference in the temperature of their home. “It isn’t right that people have had to choose between eating and heating but getting such positive feedback really highlights the role that we’re playing in improving these homes.” Daniel Archard, asset sustainability manager at Clarion, added: “We’ve received more funding via wave two of the SHDF and are planning to increase our retrofitting tenfold over the next three years, as pressure builds to upgrade all social housing to an EPC rating of C or above by 2030.” Farhat concluded: “We’re looking forward to continuing our support during the delivery of the future pipeline of work within this area for Clarion Housing under SHDF Wave 2.1.”

A stunning contemporary style new-build home in Surrey has been finished with high performance weberpral M monocouche render.The £3.5m+ country home was designed and built by award-winning Millgate Homes, Berkshire, and sits alongside two 6-bedroom country homes and 6 luxury apartments to form a boutique residential development on a 9-acre site just outside Oxted.This prestigious and historical site is a milestone project for Millgate as it is the first time they have deviated from their classic and traditional design style. The property is of open plan design with clean, crisp lines in keeping with today’s minimalist architectural style. This first ever mixed vernacular project has been led by Millgate’s chief in-house architect Greg Meier who appointed Markham Drylining Limited, Leatherhead, Surrey, to carry out the external render application which has played such an important role in the overall aesthetics of the building. The brief to create a sleek, modern exterior for this cutting edge home was achieved with the use of weberpral M monocouche render in Pearl Grey.Markham Drylining worked closely with Millgate’s technical team in preparing sample panels of different materials and finishes from which Millgate selected the BBA (British Board of Agrément) approved weberpral M. This high specification render offers the multiple benefits of through-colour One-Coat Technology which is recognised for its ease and speed of application. By reducing the drying time associated with a traditional multi-coat system by as much as 50%, significant on-site cost savings can be made which contributes to project efficiencies and earlier completion.Rob Hall, director of Markham Drylining, says: “We always try to work with weberpral M as it helps us to deliver our clients’ aspirations. It is of a consistently high quality which makes application easier and reduces waste while One-Coat Technology speeds the whole application process. This render can be hand or spray applied but we chose hand application on this project.”Rob continues that he will always try to alter a specification in favour of this render for the quality of its durable, decorative and weather-resistant finish and for the valuable technical support provided by Weber.Weber was the first manufacturer of monocouche render to be awarded an A+ rating as defined in the BRE Global 2008 Green Guide to Specification. This audited material helped specifiers to make selections that will collectively reduce the environmental impact of their buildings while achieving more materials credit.Greg Meier adds: “Making a simple design look interesting has been part of the challenge. My favourite feature is the clean, crisp lines of the building created by the contrast in colour between the light render and dark grey windows and deep overhanging soffit and fascias.”The development is located within a designated area of Outstanding Natural Beauty on the Kent-Surrey border. The beauty of the area contrasts dramatically with the bold lines and contemporary design of this new building which was Highly Commended in the London Evening Standard’s New Homes 2014 Award in the Best Out-of-London home category.

With housing demand at an all-time high, the development of the site of the former Hare & Hounds public house in Guildford was an enticing proposition.Cutting-edge materials make light work of pub redevelopmentDeveloper Agilitee Ltd gained planning permission to build nine new homes on the Guildford site comprising three detached homes, a pair of semi-detached houses and a row of four terraced houses.With tight timescales to meet, Agilitee turned to Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) to accelerate the building process, utilising time-saving building materials and techniques including an energy-efficient Insulating Concrete Formwork (ICF) system. This uses polystyrene connected with a web system that allows the forms to be stacked and steel reinforced. The polystyrene forms are then built up on site and filled with ready-mixed concrete. The polystyrene and concrete combination provides a thermal mass, allowing structures to be heated and cooled more effectively.To make the exterior weatherproof and aesthetically appealing, Complete Rendering Systems (CRS), run by brothers Bradley and Ryan Halls, recommended weberwall brick for the final finish. This brick slip alternative which can be used to create a realistic brick effect across a range of different applications and substrates.Bradley and Ryan Halls have more than 20 years’ experience in rendering and plastering and the pair are no strangers to Weber products. Their high standard of work has been recognised by the Evening Standard which awarded CRS Job of the Year 2019 for its external rendering on a prestigious £9m home in Esher, Surrey.“We’ve worked with weberwall brick previously, which gave me confidence as I knew the system would be suitable for the scheme,” says Bradley. “It’s less bulky and much easier to handle around the scaffold. From a practical point of view, it also means that you don’t need forklifts around the site loading up pallets of bricks saving us space and time.”The planning authorities stipulated that the development should complement nearby housing. After presenting weberwall brick colour samples to the council, CRS placed an order for 400m2 of weberwall brick in Antique Red Multi to cover the detached homes front and back, as well as the front walls of the terraced houses.Chaminda Narayan, managing director of Agilitee, says: “I didn’t need much persuading as I was already familiar with weberwall brick. It looks good: uniform, neat. Having completed several ICF builds, we knew it would be a lot quicker than traditional brick. We were also able to add whatever brick patterns we wanted, such as quoins and a soldier course at the windows, so we didn’t have to compromise on our vision for the site.”The weberwall brick product comes in 12 colours and three different designs to accommodate common housing requirements: wall wrap, corner wrap and soldier wrap. This minimises the need for cutting and is one of the features that allows the product to be installed quickly and accurately.All three types of wrap were used on the development. CRS customised the standard soldier wraps slightly to meet the precise needs of each property. In total, around 280 linear metres of corner wrap was needed.The gable ends were then coated in render using weberend MT system finished in Winter White. Quoin details on the external corners between the render and brickwork were used to create a more traditional look.More than three times faster to apply than traditional brick slips, weberwall brick is easy to handle and apply, being remarkably lightweight. In fact, one sheet of 20 weberwall brick weighs the same as a single house brick.Work on the development started in February 2020 and, after weather related delays, is expected to be completed in autumn 2021, marketed under the name ‘Langford Close’.

Nestled in the Northumberland countryside is Matfen Hall – a mansion built in the early 1800s. To ensure the Grade-II listed property retained its Gothic architecture, a "thoughtful and stylish" transformation was required. Since 1999, it has been used as a high-end hotel and was expanded in 2004 to add a spa and increase to 53 bedrooms. Guests are promised “ultimate opulence” during their stay, and the venue has won multiple awards over the years – including the ‘favourite stately home wedding venue’ accolade at the 2020 UK Wedding Awards. Since being bought by the Walwick Estate Group in 2020, Matfen Hall has been undergoing a multi-million-pound refurbishment.Carefully considered designThe new owners have had to ensure the Grade-II listed property retains its Gothic architecture alongside modern elements, forward-thinking innovations and the optimum comfort that comes with a five-star establishment.Working with Doonan Architects and design agency Incognito, they aimed for a “thoughtful and stylish” transformation and makeover, which has resulted in a blend of history, luxury and modernity. The heart of the building – the historic Great Hall – has been meticulously restored to its former glory, while a new bar with a mezzanine has also been created, along with upgrades to The Cloisters Bar and Restaurant and a state-of-the-art kitchen.A phased approachWork began on transforming the bedrooms towards the end of 2020, during a period of enforced closure owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, and phase two began in September 2022. The hotel, excluding the golf facilities, was then closed for a further six months to ensure that guests’ safety and experience were not diminished during the period of disruption. Phase two was completed in summer 2023, and the third and final phase of the works – which involves the renovation of the remaining bedrooms as well as the golf club – is being carried out into 2024.Five-star finishRenovating Matfen Hall to a five-star standard involved the careful selection of contractors and suppliers.The main contractor, DP Builders Ltd, appointed tiling specialist W Rodgerson & Sons (WRS) – with whom they have worked for over 20 years – to provide new tiling in all ensuite bathrooms, as well as the flooring in the upper and lower courtyards, to help create the stunning Cloisters Bar and Restaurant, and two public bathrooms.Both companies worked in collaboration with the architects, designers, and owners of the hotel to select the right tiles to reflect their vision and match the building’s heritage. For the ensuite bathrooms, they chose porcelain marble effect tiles, which were fixed to the floor and walls.Meanwhile, 900 x 900 x 14mm octagon and dot Italian porcelain tiles were selected for the bar, restaurant and Upper Courtyard to match the existing tiles in the Great Hall. This included the stunning newly formed spiral staircase, complete with solid brass step nosings.Trusted productsWhen it came to applying the tiles, WRS specified products manufactured by Saint-Gobain Weber. Having worked with Weber products for more than 10 years, the team knew they would be ideal for meeting the high-quality and performance standards suited to this hotel. “We have a fantastic working relationship with Weber and are so confident in its products that it was a no-brainer to use them for this project,” said Neil Rodgerson, partner at WRS.As it’s such an old building, a lot of preparation was needed to guarantee a smooth finish. The team began by priming the walls and floors using weber PR360, which reduces bubbling, aids the flow of levelling compounds, and offers good alkali resistance and adhesion properties in both wet and dry environments. They then applied weberfloor flex – a fibre-modified, self-smoothing floor levelling compound to the floors – to varying depths of 5mm-40mm. It is quick drying and can be tiled on after just one to two hours.Tiling could then begin on the walls using weberset rapid SPF – a rapid-setting, extra flexible tile adhesive for walls and floors. Before applying the tiles to the floors, the WRS team installed an uncoupling membrane using weberset rapid SPF, to help prolong the life of the floor and prevent any lateral movement from the old concrete slab penetrating through to the tiles. During the final stage, weberset rapid SPF was used again to fix the tiles to the floors. In total, around 2500m2 of adhesive was required to achieve a quality finish throughout.Overcoming complexities“The tiling in the courtyard included some complex and time-consuming details, not least because the design was an octagon tile with an inset,” said Kate Wilson, the architect on the project. “The WRS team were required to cut around the hexagonal stone columns, chamfered steps, work with handrail base plates, and add nosing details in the courtyard extension and the spiral staircase.”Despite this, by using Weber products – which are quick to set – WRS delivered an immaculate job ahead of schedule.“As always, we received a fantastic level of support from Weber throughout this project,” added Neil. “The Weber team always provides accurate and reliable technical advice in a timely manner; their response times are particularly impressive. It was great to know that, should we have needed it, we’d have had their support to rectify any issues.”Award-winning workAs a result of the refurbishment work, in November 2023, Matfen Hall Hotel won Best Recently Renovated Hotel in the UK, Europe and the Mediterranean at the 2024 Condé Nast Johansens Awards for Excellence.Weber’s tile fixing products are manufactured in facilities in Bedfordshire and Shropshire, ensuring product quality, conformity and availability, with reduced transportation costs and CO₂ emissions.

webertherm XP External Wall Insulation system has been specified for a contemporary new build in a designated conservation area in South West England. The revolutionary system has been used on the walls of the property while weberpral M through-coloured render has been used extensively to long runs of concrete walling.The planning term ‘conservation area’ all too often results in unimaginative new build designs mimicking the surrounding aesthetics rather than offering creative architecture that enhances the area. This stunning new home in Somerset illustrates perfectly how architectural flare and modern building techniques are fused to deliver a property that contributes greatly to the local environment.The 430m² private residence has extensive glazing to capture the glorious rural views and to encourage the benefits of maximum natural light. Sleek expanses of webertherm XP EWI with webertherm M1 through-coloured render enhances the profile of the house from all aspects. By embracing the topography of the site, which placed the front entrance at first floor level, and letting the rest of the house flow down to a lower ground floor layout, the house presents a low and softened profile to the onlooker.An enlightened planning approval was achieved for this privately commissioned design by Jason Jackson of Jackson Architects Ltd, Taunton. “An earlier traditional design was not considered suitable by local planners and we were asked to offer alternative designs for this family home. The client was immediately excited about a minimalist and modern design idea and asked us to submit the application. After careful negotiation with the conservation and planning officers, they agreed that the contemporary architectural style of the building would make a highly individual but fitting addition to the very traditional properties in the area. The only significant condition imposed on the planning approval was the removal of the permitted development rights so as to protect the purity of the design! We were really quite amazed and flattered to get this acknowledgement,” smiles Jason Jackson.Matching the dramatic visual appeal of this unique property is the construction formula and advanced thermal efficiency that has been achieved. The external walls are constructed as a single skin formed with 215mm thermal blocks that are protected by webertherm XP EWI using 50mm of high performance phenolic insulation.  webertherm M1, an advanced one-coat, polymer modified, mineral render, is factory batched and designed for spray application to reduce on-site labour time and access costs and has been used in White. A decorative scraped texture finish has been applied to the White render which catches and holds the light.Mark Pickthall, of M P Plastering, Somerset, carried out the insulation and render application for contractor Fry Developments Limited. The applicator also specified weberend aid to create a key coat before applying weberpral M through-coloured render, in Chalk, to surface finish long runs of poured concrete walling running from the house to the drive and garage areas. “The superb smart finish of the house structure achieved with the scraped surface of the 250m² of webertherm M1 render really underlines the beautiful architecture of this house which makes a great statement in the locality. We are all pleased to have been part of this exciting project,” reports Mark.Simon Fry, Fry Developments, is equally proud of this new build and pleased to have accepted the recommendation to use the webertherm EWI system. “My experience has only been with traditional sand and cement renders but Mark highlighted the qualities of the Weber system and I must say the result is superb. It’s a ‘no risk’ decision now for Fry Developments to use Weber products on my future contracts.”

High performance, one-coat, weberpral M through coloured monocouche render from Weber has been specified for recent new-build properties at St. George’s Park Retirement Village in Burgess Hill, West Sussex.The new buildings will provide extended accommodation for the retirement community established and run by Augustinian Care which is set in 250 acres of glorious parkland and gardens.The buildings are finished with weberpral M, a one-coat, through-coloured external decorative render. An elegant ashlar architectural detail has been used to underscore the traditional aesthetics required to blend perfectly with buildings already established in this community. The project was designed by award-winning PRP Architects, with practices in London, Manchester and Surrey, who undertook the original brief for the St. George’s Park Retirement Village.  PRP Architects specialise in designing high quality buildings that enrich the lives of users and their communities.The main contractor, Galliford Try Building, is very impressed with the weberpral M decorative render noting that it is a high quality material and that the application work carried out by Complete Rendering Systems was first class and has given the very best possible finish for St George’s Park.weberpral M, a one-coat, cementitious, through-coloured render, is suitable for application to most brick and block work substrates. It is factory produced from carefully selected raw materials for consistency and supplied ready-mixed requiring only the addition of clean water on site. It is formulated for pump application which makes for quick and efficient installation, contributing to shorter programme periods, reducing associated scaffolding and site costs and permitting the completion of ground works at an earlier stage.weberpral M has excellent weather resistance and durability whilst allowing the structure to breathe. The through-coloured render requires no decoration, is truly low maintenance and offers a variety of ways to achieve distinct architectural features. On the St George’s properties ashlar patterns have been applied. weberpral M is applied in a two pass operation to a thickness of 20-28mm and then scraped when green giving a minimum render thickness of 15 to 25mm. When set but not fully hard, the ashlar detail is cut into the render ensuring that a minimum of 15mm is left at the base of any cut. The through-colour characteristic of weberpral M ensures that the overall colour aesthetic is maintained even in the deepest recess.The properties at St. George’s Park Retirement Village have been finished in Ivory, just one of 24 colours in the weberpral M range.  Specialist applicator Complete Rendering Systems of Lewes, East Sussex, were awarded the contract and director Bradley Halls supervised the project. “Our extensive experience of applying Weber render products gave us complete confidence that we would meet the client’s expectations. Overall there was 1000m² of weberpral M applied and the ashlar work covered approximately 600m² with the remaining surface carrying a plain scraped finish. We worked at St. George’s Park Retirement Village over a six month period as the buildings were readied and the colour consistency is perfect.”Weber is the first manufacturer of monocouche renders to be awarded an A+ rating as defined in the BRE Global 2008 Green Guide to Specification. This audited material helps specifiers to make selections that will collectively reduce the environmental impact of their buildings while achieving a higher number of BREEAM material specification credits.St. George’s Park Retirement Village is located on the site of the original Retreat that was the first home established by the Sisters of St. Augustine when it was re-formed in 1866, principally to care for the mentally and physically ill. The Sisters have continued to care for those that need it ever since in several care facilities in Sussex.

Innovative materials speed up construction. As with many construction projects scheduled in 2020, the council’s main contractor faced challenges arising as a result of both Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic.Anglesey County Council commissioned new housing on the site of a former pub to provide much-needed social housing in the local area. As with many construction projects scheduled in 2020, the council’s main contractor faced challenges arising as a result of both Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic.Within a couple of weeks of construction starting in February 2020, the coronavirus pandemic hit the UK. After a short break, housebuilding activity was allowed to continue, but the social distancing requirements slowed progress.The new Stad Marcwis housing development on the site of the former Marquis Inn in Rhosybol consists of two pairs of semi-detached houses; six three-bedroom houses; one four-bedroom detached house and a set of four low-rise flats.Anglesey County Council wanted to break up the elevations to add variety and create a more attractive appearance. Main contractor DU Construction suggested using weberwall brick, a brick slip alternative from Saint-Gobain Weber, which can be used to create a realistic brick effect across a range of different applications and substrates."We knew about weberwall brick as we’d successfully used it as a soldier detail above a window on a refurbishment project at Bryn Tirion in Beaumaris. This worked out very well in terms of both speed of application and finished appearance, so we recommended this solution to the council." - Mark Blackwell, director of DU ConstructionFortunately, weberwall brick and weberpral M monocouche render that the council specified are both manufactured by Weber in the UK, so these materials were delivered without any delays.Due to lockdown restrictions, members of the main contractor’s team were unable to travel to the Weber Training Academy in Flitwick to learn about weberwall brick. Instead, two members of Weber’s applications team travelled to DU Construction and held a COVID-19 compliant training day. As a result of this, the applicators were able to carry out what site manager Steven Hughes describes as “a very tidy job”.As well as hold-ups in supplies of some raw materials, social distancing regulations limited the number of people allowed on-site at one time. The construction team worked hard to make up for lost time, helped by the fact that weberwall brick is more than three times faster to apply than traditional brick slips.For the Stad Marcwis development, the council chose weberwall brick in Sanded Black with Grey pointing mortar. The brick effect was applied on three sides of each house up to window sill height and on both gables. From the ground floor sills upwards, the houses were rendered with weberpral M in Chalk, a through-coloured monocouche render which provides both decoration and weather protection.On the flats, weberwall brick was used on the full height of the entrance porches in conjunction with weberpral M monocouche render. Anglesey has a very high wind-driven rain index so the weberwall brick and monocouche render combination offers added protection against the elements.As well as the soldier wrap that had impressed DU Construction initially, weberwall brick comes in two other designs to accommodate common housing requirements: wall wrap and corner wrap. This minimises the need for cutting and is one of the features that allows the product to be installed quickly and accurately. DU Construction employed all three types of wrap on the development, using around 500sqm on the houses and a further 100sqm on the flats.All the housing has now been completed and a ten-year guarantee on the Weber materials gives the council peace of mind.“Stad Marcwis has attracted a lot of interest. Every day we have people driving past and enquiring about the homes and have had lots of admiring comments. I’m very pleased with how it’s turned out and, most importantly, our client is too.” - Steven Hughes, Site Manager

When the refurbishment programme for an office block close to London’s Euston station was hit by an unexpected snag, the main contractors found an effective solution to keep the project on track.Brick-effect interior walls give office new lease of lifeThe building at 24-32 Stephenson Way was built in 1993 from reinforced concrete and last renovated in 2016. Construction firm Bryen & Langley was appointed as main contractor for the project, refurbishing the building’s second, third and fourth floors and adding a 5th floor. With the client seeking an exposed brick finish, old plaster had been removed from the internal walls, exposing a rough, uneven surface underneath. This meant a layer of plasterboard had to be added before the chosen finish could be applied.The cost of traditional brick slips made them an unappealing option so the client team sought an alternative. The company was impressed by the realistic brick finish of weberwall brick, a brick slip alternative from Saint-Gobain Weber, and specified it for the internal walls on all three floors. To complement the existing colour scheme, they chose 830m2 of weberwall brick in Antique Red Multi with pointing mortar in Buff. It was combined with exposed pipework at ceiling level to create a contemporary industrial look.“Our client was very keen for the offices to have on-trend exposed brick walls so I was happy to learn that weberwall brick could be used successfully on internal walls to create the appearance of traditional bricks.”Kyle Wall of Bryen & Langley is pleased with the results: “Our client was very keen for the offices to have on-trend exposed brick walls so I was happy to learn that weberwall brick could be used successfully on internal walls to create the appearance of traditional bricks.”Experienced applicator Complete Rendering Systems (CRS) was tasked with applying the product. Whether for external or internal use, weberwall brick is more than three times faster to apply than traditional brick slips and remarkably lightweight. (One sheet of 20 bricks weighs the same as one house brick).All the walls were prepared by the main contractor to create a sound, even surface to ensure the application of the weberwall brick went without a hitch.Bradley Halls, director of CRS, said: “I’ve used weberwall brick on external walls many times before and customers have always been really pleased with the high-quality outcome. Once plasterboard had been applied to the substrate, the weberwall brick went on quickly and provided the client with the brick finish they wanted.”“I’ve used weberwall brick on external walls many times before and customers have always been really pleased with the high-quality outcome"

Having won a bid for £15m of capital funding in 2020, Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust (BHT) commissioned a new children’s emergency department – including upgraded, expanded facilities and a new overnight observation ward – at Stoke Mandeville Hospital in Aylesbury.Completed in March 2023, the 3,500m2 extension not only provides a dedicated area for children but has also freed up much-needed capacity for adult patients in the existing emergency department, and has reduced overcrowding and improved infection control. The plans also included new facilities to improve access to maternity and gynaecology outpatient services in a modern, purpose-built environment. The buildings adjacent to the children’s department house the hospital’s A&E department and maternity ward, so it was crucial that construction could go ahead without causing any disruption to day-to-day access.Throughout the project, the emergency department drop-off route, blue light route, maternity drop-off route, and A&E entrance remained in use at all times. Designed by London-based architects Hunters, the two-storey buildingwas made using modern methods of construction (MMC) at the main contractor Western Building Systems’ purpose-built in-house manufacturing facilities in Northern Ireland.The decision to build using modular construction resulted in minimal disruption to the hospital, both in terms of number of deliveries and overall time to build. Hospital buildings require many services to be installed so the subcontractors worked closely together, supported by quantity surveyors from MESH Construction Consultancy Limited. Steel structure modules were made at the Western Building Systems factory in Coalisland to form the frame of the building. They were then sheathed in 12mm cement particle boards and wrapped in breather membrane.The modular design specified an efficient, certified External Wall Insulation (EWI) system that met all stringent safety standards. EWI systems have huge thermal benefits for any building by conserving energy, minimising heat loss and reducing CO2 emissions. In addition to this, having a fully certified non-combustible solution offers great peace of mind, as well as a fast-track way to provide an attractive and durable façade.  Once the frame was in place on site, render and EWI specialists from Clarke ECO Wall Ltd installed Saint-Gobain Weber’s webertherm XM – a system they are familiar with, having used it on projects previously, including University Hospital Limerick.The EWI system included webertherm MFD mineral fibre insulation board with carbon tip screw fixings, weberend LAC rapid adhesive render coat and silicone enhanced webersil TF decorative finish. This building was made up of two types of wall: one which used 170mm of external insulation and achieved a U-Value of 0.12 W/m2K and another which used just 70mm of webertherm MFD yet still reached a U-Value of 0.18 W/m2K. Both were combined with additional insulation installed within the frame. The system was finished using webersil TF – a highly weather-resistant silicone decorative finish – in Winter White. “The team from Weber were very helpful,” said Michael Clarke, managing director of Clarke ECO Wall Ltd. “They provided all the specification and completed the necessary pull-out tests, fixing patterns and condensation analysis – ensuring everything was approved and there were no grey areas – and offered our team application support while carrying out the work. They took a very collaborative approach.”A representative from Weber made weekly site visits to support the applicators to ensure the system was installed in line with Weber’s recommended best practice. The EWI system was installed in two phases, totalling eight weeks, between April and November 2022.

The Tower, at 23-storeys is the tallest tower block in Cwmbran, South Wales, and has undergone a dramatic upgrade in both thermal performance and aesthetics with the use of Weber External Wall Insulation.U-values in this iconic building have been substantially improved and, occupying a very focal position in the town, the 1960s tower block now has a colourful and pleasing appearance.The refurbishment has been carried out on behalf of property owner Bron Afon Community Housing who report strong approval from The Tower’s residents at a recent tenant focus group. “We have some very positive comments from tenants of Bron Afon who appreciate a reduction in heating costs and are enjoying much greater comfort,” says Lee Phillips, project leader, Bron Afon Community Housing. “This is the second major EWI project that we have carried out in the town as the neighbouring Monmouth House is receiving the same external treatment.  The Weber EWI system is working very well for us.”The Tower provides 80 homes and has been wrapped in BBA-approved webertherm XM EWI, a high performance, lightweight system protected by meshcloth reinforced polymer render. The system calculated by Weber uses 90mm thick Mineral Fibre Density (MFD) insulation which has been mechanically applied to the substrate. MFD has the advantage of fire resistant qualities necessary for a high-rise structure. The highly weather proof webersil TF, a silicone based, through coloured, decorative finish has been used in a variety of colours and patterns to create a scheme led by the residents.Project architect John Needham of the Pentan Partnership, Cardiff, who has worked on other projects for Bron Arfon Community Housing, says: “This iconic building required essential repairs to bring it to modern day standards. It was the tallest block in the UK and the second to be retrofitted with fire sprinklers by Bron Afon Community Housing. The original U-value was 1.13 W/m²K which has been improved to 0.29 W/m²K after application of EWI, which is remarkable. The appearance of the finished Tower block has greatly enhanced the area.”The main contractor for the refurbishment was Seddon Construction Limited and the Network Weber-approved system applicator was FOZCS, (formerly TFR Contract Services), Birkenhead, Merseyside. Richard Williams of Seddon managed the project and acknowledged the support provided by Weber’s technical team. He comments: “To date this is the biggest EWI project we have handled from the Bristol office and everything has gone extremely well. The application of the EWI system was delivered to schedule and it was excellent to have the regular support of the Weber technical team to ensure the system achieved the target results.”Steve McCumiskey, site manager, FOZCS, is also enthused by the success of the project. “The Weber EWI system gives us the ability to achieve a superb finish and when the colours chosen are bright and imaginatively used as they are on The Tower the building takes on a new life. The insulation will make life more comfortable for the residents and the reduction in energy consumption is a great benefit.”The Tower is recognised as a landmark in the ‘new town’ of Cwmbran where work started in 1951 under the now disbanded Cwmbran Development Corporation.  The central retail area was started in 1959 followed by The Tower residential block which was completed in 1967. This classic 1960s urban architecture and the outlying estates are very representative of their time and remains a magnet for architects.

A new development of exclusive lodges on the coast of St Ives, Cornwall required a low maintenance, high quality finish that would withstand the types of weather experienced on the coast.Nestled within the 72-acre Tregenna Estate, Castle Approach, is a new development offering stunning views over St Ives Bay and the peaceful grounds of the estate gardens. The original Tregenna Castle at the centre of the estate was built in 1774 as a 12-bedroom private home. In 1878, one year after the Great Western Railway opened its St Ives branch line, the castle began its new life as a hotel. Now a Grade II listed building, Tregenna Castle Resort boasts 99 bedrooms, six private event spaces, gym and golf course.Defining the design requirementsThe lodges at Castle Approach have been under construction since 2008. The architect, Mike Bradbury of Mike Bradbury Designs, designed the properties, and wanted to make the most of the coastal location.The lodges are positioned in a crescent shape to provide residents with sea views. Each lodge is built using a timber frame system with a masonry ground floor structure. The whole structure is then rendered. Mike chose white render to provide a contrast between the dark stained timber frame, the anthracite grey windows and the slate roof.“It was important that we used a render that would withstand the elements over time, particularly as we had chosen such a light-coloured render,” said Mike. “Being by the coast and surrounded by trees, we wanted to prevent algae growth and discolouration on the render.”The building work has been completed in phases and to date, six lodges have been completed, with four more close to completion.Withstanding the weatherAfter the first three properties were completed, Tregenna looked to change the original render system that was installed so approached Nigel Smitheram, the area sales executive at the local Jewsons.  “The developer wasn’t entirely happy with their original choice of render system,” said Nigel. “As a high-end development, the quality of the final finish was very important to them, so they asked me to help find an alternative system. Tregenna was very clear that they wanted a system that delivered on aesthetics and weather resilience. That’s when I reached out to Saint-Gobain Weber.”Phillip Powell, regional applications manager at Saint-Gobain Weber, is part of the technical team that has been supporting Tregenna Estates during the construction of the lodges.“We recommended that the applicator used weberend MT, a BBA approved system for use on render board systems. It incorporates weberend LAC, a lightweight base-coat render, meshcloth reinforcement and a decorative finish of webersil TF,” said Phillip. “This combination of products is particularly suitable for this project as the weberend LAC is polymer-modified which allows some flexibility, a necessity for timber frame systems. Using this with the webersil TF, a silicone based textured finish, makes it much more resistant to the type of weather experienced in these coastal areas.“For each property, an initial 3mm pass of weberend LAC was applied, followed by meshcloth reinforcement and then a second 3mm pass. A coat of weber PR310, a render primer, was used before applying a final finish of webersil TF in Winter White.”The final finishThe technical team at Saint-Gobain Weber stayed in touch with team at Tregenna Estate throughout the construction of each lodge. Saint-Gobain Weber also sourced one of its local recommended installers, Daniel Fish of DMF Plastering, to ensure the products were applied correctly using best practise methods.Neal Peek, contracts manager at Tregenna Estate, said: “From the moment they stepped on site, the service provided by the Weber application team has been brilliant. They are always on hand with technical advice and have visited the site regularly since they first got involved in the project back in 2015.”“We’re pleased with the products. Even when you visit the development now, the first few houses built using Weber’s system look the same as the new builds.”In 2020, Tregenna Estates hopes to start work on the remaining two propertiesAfter working with the Tregenna Estate on this project, Saint-Gobain Weber also donated some of its render products to the local surfing school charity, Board Riders, to refurbish a disused council building in St. Ives

A dilapidated department store in the centre of Royal Leamington Spa has been transformed to create a block of 26 luxury apartments and retail space.Developer Tag Urban Properties enlisted the help of London-based architects TateHindle to design The Hide to reflect the history of the town. The front elevation of the building reinstates a Georgian terrace using the same architectural characteristics as the adjacent building, but as it wraps around the corner it becomes more contemporary. Although the apartments have very modern interiors, there has been a very sensitive approach to the external design.The residential element of the scheme includes a range of one, two and three-bedroom apartments and duplex penthouses. The homes have ‘upside down’ living where bedrooms are below the open-plan living areas which look out onto private terraces with panoramic views across the town. A communal courtyard provides a suntrap for residents to share at first floor level.The location of the building meant that Harish Ratna, director at TateHindle, and his design team needed to address two potential issues: working within the space constraints and designing a façade in keeping within a conservation area. “Traditionally masonry and a silicone render would usually be used for this type of project, but as we couldn’t go outside the boundary, we used a steel frame system with a narrower wall paired with an external wall insulation (EWI) system to maximise the internal space and speed up the whole process,” explains Harish“This is a Georgian conservation area, and we consider ourselves as custodians of a public area and see it as our duty, not just for the client to be proud of the building, but to make sure it stands the test of time.”As part of this, it was critical that the cornices – the decorative moulding that crowns a building – integrated with the listed building and were the correct shade of white. Architectural moulding specialist Build-Lite worked with TateHindle to design a cornice that was in keeping with the surroundings and would also help to keep the building’s white render looking crisp for longer. “Normally you would have a lead and stone capping, but we designed a cornice, used at four levels, that should help to lower the amount of external maintenance needed,” explains Harish. “The cornice has the optimal angle to ensure rain will run off, away from the wall, rather than run down the wall which can cause staining and therefore need more regular cleaning to keep that crisp white finish.”The leading contractor on the project, HC Linings, was responsible for the steel frame, render, internal partitions, ceilings and joinery on the scheme, but enlisted the help of Central Facades to install Saint-Gobain Weber’s webertherm XM EWI system.It was important that the installation of the cornice didn’t compromise the performance of the EWI system so Build-Lite and Weber liaised closely to ensure the two products could work safely together. Nicola Burbury-Walters, National Account Manager at Saint-Gobain Weber, said: “In new build schemes, insulating on the external walls can be combined with a simple and reliable single skin construction to deliver both a cost-effective and efficient build programme and attractive façade. It also allows developers to address the ever-increasing thermal requirements of the building regulations by minimising heat loss and reducing CO2 emissions.”Weber provided technical support for the U-value and condensation risk calculation and pull-out tests were undertaken to ensure that the correct system was specified. Once the full specification was finalised, Weber talked the team through the system and advised on fixing patterns and wind loading calculations.Target U-values achieved: 0.15W/m2K in the steel frame section and 0.18W/m2K in the concrete sectionJames Wood, an application manager at Weber, worked with Central Facades on site throughout the project with weekly visits to address any technical queries and ensure the EWI system was being installed in line with Weber’s best practice installation guidance.  “Central Facades received training through our technical academy so that they had a good knowledge of our systems. It’s great to see such good quality work and to be assured they understood that our systems must be used in the correct way to meet all the necessary standards. They showed diligence to quality and specification, and we had a great spirit of openness throughout the project.”Robert Harriman, managing director of HC Linings, explained that the support from Weber was important to the success of the complex project.  “The building required a high thermal rating and it had to reach all the necessary fire standards. We needed an EWI system with a warranty that could be mechanically applied to the steel frame of the building so as not to compromise the fire wrap system and Weber offered us a comprehensive solution.”To make the project more efficient, weberend LAC rapid, a polymer-modified adhesive render coat was specified to reduce time and remove the need to prime the substrate prior to finishing the whole building in webersil TF, a silicone enhanced textured decorative finish in Silver Pearl.The Hide was completed in September 2021 and won a Leamington Society Award 2021. The Society presents the awards to projects that promote high standards in architecture and the preservation of the town’s historic features.