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Black POSIglaze Side-fix channel installed as Juliet balcony. What is a Juliet Balcony? A glass Juliet balcony (also known as a French balcony) is a type of glass balustrade that is fitted to a first floor window, directly outside a set of inward-opening French doors, as a safety feature. A Juliet balcony creates a feeling of space within the room, as well as allowing more light and fresh air into the room than could be achieved with a regular window. All within a secure and stylish translucent framework. This beautiful installation by Terry Lisgo and his G&T Design & Build Team, features two Juliet balconies on one property in Cheshire March 2022. The home owner didn’t want any handrails blocking their view, so 17.5mm toughened laminated glass has been used as this eliminates the need for the extra safety measure. Toughened laminated glass has a layer between the glass sheets which adds strength, removing the need for a handrail.To pass building regulations, the glass must be 1100mm high across these Juliet balconies. If you’ve ever been involved in a building project, you’ll know that elements must be signed off before the next building phase can begin. The black Juliet Balconies look stunning with the matching windows and French doors and have fulfilled the customer brief perfectly. POSIglaze side-fix balustrade channel is able to hold glass thickness between 12mm and 21.5mm. and is suitable for many projects and balcony styles. The cladding is the black element used to make the channel look black, simply clipped on to the channel it transforms the look from silver to black balustrade. You might be wondering why people like Juliet balconies so much when you can’t actually stand on them! Well they can actually add value to your home, they increase natural light into your room and also improve the air flow. If you love the feeling of bringing the outdoors in, then these are ideal for you as they increase your view in a safe and stylish way.  Frameless glass balustrades used for Juliet Balconies are low maintenance and cheaper than the conventional balcony design. If you are interested in having a Juliet balcony please contact our helpful technical team and they will provide guidance on how to get started, chat about your balustrade ideas and we can also let you know about installers local to you. 

Black POSIglaze Side-fix channel installed as Juliet balcony. What is a Juliet Balcony? A glass Juliet balcony (also known as a French balcony) is a type of glass balustrade that is fitted to a first floor window, directly outside a set of inward-opening French doors, as a safety feature. A Juliet balcony creates a feeling of space within the room, as well as allowing more light and fresh air into the room than could be achieved with a regular window. All within a secure and stylish translucent framework. This beautiful installation by Terry Lisgo and his G&T Design & Build Team, features two Juliet balconies on one property in Cheshire March 2022. The home owner didn’t want any handrails blocking their view, so 17.5mm toughened laminated glass has been used as this eliminates the need for the extra safety measure. Toughened laminated glass has a layer between the glass sheets which adds strength, removing the need for a handrail.To pass building regulations, the glass must be 1100mm high across these Juliet balconies. If you’ve ever been involved in a building project, you’ll know that elements must be signed off before the next building phase can begin. The black Juliet Balconies look stunning with the matching windows and French doors and have fulfilled the customer brief perfectly. POSIglaze side-fix balustrade channel is able to hold glass thickness between 12mm and 21.5mm. and is suitable for many projects and balcony styles. The cladding is the black element used to make the channel look black, simply clipped on to the channel it transforms the look from silver to black balustrade. You might be wondering why people like Juliet balconies so much when you can’t actually stand on them! Well they can actually add value to your home, they increase natural light into your room and also improve the air flow. If you love the feeling of bringing the outdoors in, then these are ideal for you as they increase your view in a safe and stylish way.  Frameless glass balustrades used for Juliet Balconies are low maintenance and cheaper than the conventional balcony design. If you are interested in having a Juliet balcony please contact our helpful technical team and they will provide guidance on how to get started, chat about your balustrade ideas and we can also let you know about installers local to you. 

As a part of the development of the company, BT are planning to reduce their number of working locations from over 300 to just 30. BT Bristol features flexible workspaces, the latest IT and smart building technology, restaurants and cafes and a rooftop wildflower meadow terrace with panoramic views of Bristol.An important aspect of the development of this new building was its eco credentials. With the whole company seeking to reduce its carbon emissions, choices were made throughout the design and build process to support this aim. As well as the rooftop meadow, the building features a heating system from the low-carbon district heating network and aspects that encourage employees to make greener choices about their travel to and from work. In order to support this, the BT Bristol office building features parking for around 270 bicycles, as well as changing rooms, showers and lockers.Helmsman were excited to be contacted by Honeyfield Property Services to supply and install the lockers at BT Bristol. The client requested Heated Z Lockers, with hasp locks for the user to attach their own padlock.Heated Lockers are a great addition to a cycle storage area, providing a storage solution that can dry damp clothes as well as keep your items safe during the working day.The Z shape is a particularly good choice for heated lockers, as the user can hang their clothing in the taller area of the locker and let the heated locker do the hard work.Air flows through the locker through a perforated base, and perforations at the top of the locker allow the damp air to escape. The tube heaters are positioned within the stands of the locker and can be either plugged into a 3-pin power socket or wired into a fused switch.In keeping with BT Bristol’s aim for carbon efficiency, the laminate used for the project was Graphite by BioCarbon Laminates. This is one of Helmsman’s standard laminate options, and is a carbon neutral material.In addition to the lockers, we also supplied and installed seat stands, with adjustable feet, and ash hardwood seat slats. The stands, back and sides of the lockers were all cladded with matching Graphite laminate, and the lockers were finished with black circle discs with white numbering.It was great to work with Honeyfield Property Services on this project, and wish the BT Bristol office much success in the future.If you have a similar project, or want to find out more about our Heated Lockers, give us a call on 01284 530427 or fill in our contact form here.

UNIZO office building CHALLENGE Dedalus Architects specified zinc for waterproofing the timber frame UNIZO office building in Eeklo. Not only for the roof, but also for the facade and bottom side of a unique construction detail. To be precise, waterproofing horizontally, vertically and even upside down! To entirely cover the structure however, appeared not to be possible when using zinc. If you opt to use this traditional waterproofing material a ventilated air space must be provided underneath the zinc covering. This of course entails an opening for ventilation purposes underneath the roof edge, if not, condensation will occur. In the case of a building where the facade has to connect seamlessly with the roof and the underside, leaving an opening is not a possibility. So, despite the attractive appearance of zinc, a waterproofing solution with this material was not an option. SOLUTION Thanks to their collaboration with roofer ALBITUM and previous experiences with RENOLIT roofing products, Dedalus Architects came up with a nice alternative: RENOLIT ALKORDESIGN standing seam imitation. A perfect solution for a difficult challenge. No ventilation needed, no connection problems, the same looks as a zinc roof and, above all, more cost effective! 

Hush Acoustics provided a solution to reverberation issues at the newly extended Queen Elizabeth Hall in the village of Layer de la Haye near Colchester.The hall was designed to be used as a multi-functional amenity for local residents and the general public and is host to anything from Scouts groups to wedding receptions. It was therefore imperative that the acoustics within the building were to a good level to be able to comfortably make use of the hall for all the varying activities.As in many domestic and public places, reverberation and in severe cases, echoes, had become a problem in with mid to high frequency sounds (in most cases) of speech causing disruptive and discomforting noise problems.After an initial inspection, Hush Acoustics proposed the installation of 30x Hush Absorber 50A panels. This Class A sound absorber has built in support frames to allow for bracket fixing to provide an air void behind the absorber for enhanced acoustic performance. The absorber panels were fitted over two days which meant the work had minimal impact to the running of the community activities.The client’s feedback was that the acoustics in the hall after installation “are perfect”.

With the success of Media City, Manchester has now become the Media Centre of the UK and the best place to study for a job in TV, Film and Radio.Manchester Metropolitan University has built a brand new Media Facility with industry standard studios to allow them to teach students in the highest quality spaces.Our local branch was employed to design, supply and install the concrete floating floors for 12 studios.The 100 mm thick concrete floating floors supported the drylining walls and ceilings to create box-in-box constructions with very high standards of sound insulation.The 50 mm void beneath the 100 mm concrete floating floors was created using Stravifloor Channel isolation rails and the voids were vented to avoid the trapped air layer reducing the isolation performance.Most of the studios were supported off stiff structural slabs with a natural frequency of >10Hz and the specification for the bearings was given as <8Hz.One of the studios, however, was supported off a supporting slab with a natural frequency of 6Hz and the specification for the bearings was changed to 12Hz in this studio to avoid structural vibration amplification.

Travel to London Luton Airport (LLA) is being made easier, faster and greener with the development of the DART people mover.And the final journey between shuttle stop and airport terminal is via a covered walkway designed, manufactured and installed by Broxap.The walkway complements a series of canopies we created for the airport in 2019 as part of a bus and coach station upgrade.Together the DART (Direct-Air-Rail-Transit) system and bus services are designed to encourage more people to leave their cars behind when flying from LLA as well as offer sustainable travel options to employees.The 150-metre bespoke walkway guiding passengers to the terminal from the DART station is based on Broxap’s flagship ‘Newcastle’ design.The freestanding walkway features clear multi-wall polycarbonate cladding and is an essential element in the passenger journey, forming the final connection between ground transportation and the boarding of aircraft.A bespoke Hartcliffe Cantilever Shelter has also been made for the DART building to form a covered entrance area.Testing of the shuttle system is now underway with an announcement on its opening due in early 2023.

After successfully completing living walls at the McArthurGlen Designer Outlet in Ashford, we were approached to design and implement a similar scheme for McArthurGlen’s newest outlet on the outskirts of Paris.This development exemplifies McArthurGlen’s commitment to sustainability. The scheme was built according to ‘Excellent’ High Environmental Quality (HQE) standards and includes 20,000 square metres of green roofs, 1,000 square metres of living walls and 120 electric parking spaces.The architect, Arte Charpentier wanted to create a ‘rich and welcoming experience’ for visitors and the living walls contribute to that vision. At the heart of the development lies a central ellipse, adorned with two gracefully curved stretches of Biotecture’s living cladding, each spanning an impressive 90 metres in length and standing at a height of 11 metres. Two more expansive sections of living wall frame the east entrance.The living walls are a visually striking architectural feature and help to cultivate a serene shopping environment. In addition to their aesthetic contributions, the plants will play a vital role in improving air quality and promoting biodiversity within the outlet.

OverviewA successful installation of 40 x Powrmatic SRP U Tubes at a hangar facility in Boscombe. With the system design by Powrmatic, ABS, a leading HVAC and installation company, was entrusted with this significant installation project. The installation aimed to provide efficient heating performance, reduce energy costs, and improve the overall comfort and functionality of the hangar.Project BackgroundThe Weighbridge Hangar Building 499 at MOD Boscombe Down operated by QinetiQ required a new heating system due to the life-expired existing system. The hangar required a powerful heating system that would operate efficiently during the cold winter months while reducing energy costs. A new Powrmatic SRP U-tube herringbone radiant heating system was produced in line with the design intent of WYG on their tender documents. J & B Hopkins secured the M & E contract and employed the services of ABS Ltd to undertake the installation of the radiant heating system. ABS Ltd, formed in 1978, offers a full range of professional services including the installation and maintenance of both radiant and warm air heating systems to both commercial and industrial properties throughout the UK.SolutionThe MOD hangar facility, situated on an exposed location, at Boscombe Down required a robust heating solution to withstand the cold winter months. 40 Powrmatic SRP radiant U Tube PVU50 Hi/Low heaters each rated at 50kW on a herringbone system layout with ducted fresh air onto each burner to comply with fire safety standards were installed by ABS Ltd. To maximize efficiency, the heaters mounted at an impressive height of 23 meters in line with Powrmatic’s design drawings were arranged in 8 lines of 5, with 3 heaters connected to one fan and 2 heaters connected to another fan. The heating system incorporated Powrmatic MC200 controllers and black bulb sensors for precise temperature control across the hangar.ResultThe final stage of the installation was completed by J & B Hopkins, arranging for the necessary gas and electrical distribution services to the radiant heaters and discharge fans. The 40 Powrmatic SRP radiant U Tubes installed by ABS Ltd effectively heated the facility, providing a comfortable and conducive environment for the workforce during the winter season. Additionally, the new heating system reduced energy costs and eliminated the need for multiple exhausts on the rooftop hence retaining the aesthetic design principles of the hangar. The commissioning was successfully carried out when all services were completed, providing a satisfied client with a capable heating installation within the hangar, for the exposed site location.

Owatrol Oil is a product that wears many hats; it is a rust inhibitor, a paint conditioner and it also helps adhesion of finishes.Owatrol Oil is a versatile, highly penetrating air drying oil and when used as a rust inhibitor, it provides a tough, flexible finish, driving out excess moisture and air; displacing it from rusted metal, stopping rust from doing any more damage.Using Owatrol Oil as a rust inhibitorOwatrol Oil penetrates deep, through the rusted metal to the good metal underneath, isolating it and protecting it from further rusting.As it is a penetrating oil it can be used directly on the rusted surfaces. However, be sure to remove any loose flaking rust, paint, grease or any other contaminants before applying Owatrol Oil.ApplicationUsing Owatrol Oil on new clean steelFirst prime new steel with a mix of 1 part Owatrol Oil to 3 parts primer. Then follow with normal paint system adding Owatrol Oil to subsequent coats as directed under ‘Mixing instructions’ on the Owatrol Oil product page.Using Owatrol Oil on lightly rusted surfacesFirst prime the surface with a mix of 1 part Owatrol Oil to 2 parts primer. Then follow with normal paint system adding Owatrol Oil to subsequent coats as directed under ‘Mixing instructions’ on the Owatrol Oil product page.Using Owatrol Oil on new unpainted rusty steelFirst prime the surface with a mix of 1 part Owatrol Oil to 1 part Primer. Then follow with normal paint system adding Owatrol Oil to subsequent coats as directed under ‘Mixing instructions’ on the Owatrol Oil product page.Using Owatrol Oil on old, severely rusted or previously coated surfacesApply wet on wet applications of Owatrol Oil to all exposed rust until fully saturated and allow it to dry.Saturation is indicated by a uniform glossy appearance to the surface when Owatrol Oil is dry.Before Owatrol Oil has hardened, check the surfaces and remove rust scale and old paint loosened by the above. If needed, touch up these areas.Allow to dry.Next, apply a mix of 1 part Owatrol Oil to 2 parts primer and allow to dry. Then follow with normal paint system adding Owatrol Oil to subsequent coats as directed under ‘Mixing instructions’ on the Owatrol Oil product page.Note: Owatrol Oil will not lift well bonded paint.

Developer Manchester Life is transforming the residential market in the city of Manchester and Senior Architectural Systems is proud to have partnered with them to create a number of apartment schemes including Cotton Field Wharf, Weavers Quay and New Little Mill. Lampwick Quay is the fourth and most recent project to have been undertaken by Senior as part of this successful repeat business relationship.Located in Manchester’s thriving new community in Ancoats, the new Lampwick Quay development comprises 213 apartments across three blocks of five, six and ten-storeys, with ground floor retail units and communal facilities including a gym and residents club room. A mix of Senior’s aluminium windows, commercial doors and curtain wall solutions have been used extensively throughout the development and installed by supply chain partner Aire Valley Architectural Aluminium for main contractor John Sisk & Son Ltd.To help reduce heat loss and energy costs, Senior’s low U value and Part L compliant PURe® aluminium casement windows have been installed to each of the apartments to create a comfortable living space. The stylish window system also provides the perfect frame for the development’s views of Manchester’s New Islington Marina.Energy-efficiency has also been addressed in the communal, retail and ground floor areas through the use of Senior’s thermally-enhanced SF52 aluminium curtain wall system which maximises the controlled use of use of natural light.To meet the scheme’s stringent safety and security requirements, Senior’s robust SPW501 aluminium commercial doors were installed to the main entrance and exit points. The SPW501 commercial door system is ideally suited to high pedestrian use and meets the requirements of Secured By Design. Key elements of the fenestration package have also been designed to work as part of the scheme’s overall passive fire protection strategy, with the use of Senior’s SPW600 automatic opening ventilation (AOV) aluminium windows in the communal areas and stairwells. Although visually similar to Senior’s popular SPW600 system, these AOV windows are fitted with a smart actuator which allows for quick and automatic ventilation in the event of a fire, helping to remove smoke from the air.The development’s low pitch sawtooth roof design pays homage the area’s industrial heritage, with the slim aluminium frames of the fenestration package further complementing the main façade of zinc cladding, brick and coloured panels. Initially designed by CallisonRTKL, the Lampwick Quay development was delivered by jmarchitects.

When Formby Point Construction needed to specify the insulation for The Gables, an exclusive housing development in Crosby, the project had multiple objectives. Firstly, the company wanted to go beyond the thermal and acoustic requirements outlined in the building regulations. Secondly, with such a large number of applications across multiple construction types, Formby Point Construction wanted to use one manufacturer and supplier to specify the correct product for each application. This would ensure ease of installation and ensure the project was delivered on budget.With this in mind, Formby Point Construction, consulted Formby-based builders’ merchant, Huws Gray, who referred it to Knauf Insulation.For the separating floor applications, Knauf Insulation recommended Knauf Insulation OmniFit® Roll 40, a versatile, non-combustible Euroclass A1 reaction to fire classification Glass Mineral Wool insulation that provides both excellent thermal and acoustic performance. Knauf Insulation also recommended Knauf Insulation DriTherm® Cavity Slab 32 for the masonry cavity external walls, Knauf Insulation Masonry Party Wall Slab for separating walls to comply with Document E and Knauf Insulation Loft Roll 40 for the insulation of the loft.As well as considering the comfort of the homeowner, Formby Point Construction considers the welfare of its employees as part of its decision making. In addition to excellent thermal and acoustic performance, Knauf Insulation scored highly on this aspect thanks to the ECOSE® Technology, its patented sustainable bio-based binder. Products manufactured with ECOSE® Technology contain no added phenol or formaldehyde, and they are 70% less energy-intensive than products manufactured with traditional formaldehyde-based binder. They have no odour, are softer to touch, making them much more pleasant to handle and install. They have also achieved the best possible Eurofins Gold Certificate for Indoor Air Comfort, contributing to a high level of indoor air quality for installers and homeowners alike.Once the specification had been agreed, Knauf Insulation then worked with Huws Gray to price the project and take advantage of volume discounts. This meant that Formby Point Construction had some additional budget for insulation. The company therefore decided to install Knauf Insulation Acoustic Roll within the stud walls between all rooms, going above the minimum standard required between bathrooms and bedrooms outlined in Document E.Thanks to Formby Point Construction’s commitment to going above and beyond the regulations, and Knauf Insulation’s high performance Glass Mineral Wool insulation, homeowners at The Gables will enjoy quieter, warmer homes. To see how Knauf Insulation can help with your insulation needs, check out our Housebuilders Hub.https://www.knaufinsulation.co.uk/Housebuilders-hub

The German company Knauf Integral was able to prevail against competitors with its GIFAfloor DB green raised floor system. A maximum flexible and individual floor due to the interchangeability of the individual panels, a non-combustible building material with A1 classification and the unproblematic recycling due to the lack of plastic edging, as is used in conventional raised floor elements, were decisive for the selection.Flexibility, health in the workplace and sustainability in construction - the 'Tour Alto' in Paris La DéfenseIn the Paris suburb of Courbevoie, in the office district of La Défense, the foundation stone was laid for the 'Tour Alto' - a 160 m high skyscraper which, after its planned completion in 2020, will have a usable area of 51,200 m2 next to countless offices, numerous restaurants, bars and fitness studios etc. will accommodate. For the floor structure, the property developer decided on the double floor 'GIFAfloor DB green' from Knauf Integral, paying particular attention to the aspects of flexibility, health, environmental protection and sustainability in buildings.The 'Tour Alto' office tower in the west of Paris extends over 38 floors and is part of the high-rise backdrop of the La Défense office district. Nevertheless, Bouygues, one of the largest property developers in the world, is setting new standards in construction: installed products not only have to be as flexible as possible in their design and use, they also have to meet high standards of sustainability and environmental compatibility as well as the highest health standards for people, who will do their jobs there every day.A maximum flexible and individual floor due to the interchangeability of the individual panels, a non-flammable building material with A1 classification and the unproblematic recycling due to the lack of plastic edging, as is used in conventional raised floor elements, were decisive for the selection.In addition, health and environmentally friendly aspects were the absolute focus of the project for the property developer: The selected product must contribute to excellent indoor air quality and all materials that come into contact with the indoor air should have A + according to French in terms of VOC and formaldehyde emissions Emission class to be rated. GIFAfloor DB green elements have exactly this A + certification - the decisive advantage compared to the commonly used raised floors with chipboard supports that contain formaldehyde. Independent (building) biological analysis laboratories also prove the excellent quality through their tests: Eurofins certifies the product as suitable for indoor use, and the Institute for Building Biology in Rosenheim gives the verdict " recommended ''. This ensures a healthy working environment for employees.With GIFAfloor DB green, Knauf Integral offers a sustainable and health-friendly double floor solution for flexible, high-quality commercial interior design. The elements consist of the homogeneous gypsum fiber material GIFAtec and are available in different thicknesses depending on the requirements.

THE PROJECT Introducing our latest collaboration – Parc Gelli Werdd in South Wales, showcasing 15 Q doors – the pinnacle of resilient, superbly insulated industrial door systems.Nestled in Parc Gelli Werdd lies a cutting-edge development of workshops, industrial units, and offices, conveniently located just an hour away from Cardiff, the vibrant capital of Wales. Engineered for adaptability, these units cater primarily to advanced manufacturing, agri-food technology, creative industries, and energy & environmental sectors. The exterior amenities include generous parking spaces, electric vehicle charging stations, a service yard, bike storage facilities, and meticulously crafted landscapes.At the heart of this business park lies a commitment to sustainability, reflected in both its design ethos and operational practices. By embracing Active Building and Passivhaus principles, which prioritize superior insulation, our premium Q doors, renowned for their exceptional insulation properties and longevity, seamlessly align with the development’s sustainability objectives.This endeavor, aimed at achieving ‘Net Zero carbon in-use,’ has garnered remarkable accolades, boasting an impressive BREEAM “Excellent” rating and an EPC “A” certification. BREEAM evaluates sustainability aspects encompassing energy usage, water conservation, and material selection, while the EPC rating system in the UK measures energy efficiency on a scale from A to G, considering factors such as insulation and heating efficiency. Securing both distinctions underscores the project’s commitment to sustainability and its exceptional energy-efficient design.THE PRODUCTQ Doors boast exceptional thermal insulation capabilities, delivering long-term cost savings while enhancing both security and the architectural allure of any structure.Functioning as a versatile bi-folding solution, Q Doors can be seamlessly installed externally to address spatial limitations, thus optimising space within appliance bays. With a plethora of customisation options available, you can tailor your Q Door to meet specific needs, including the incorporation of insulated double-glazed windows, an array of colour choices, and the flexibility of manual or electric operation.In harmony with our sustainability objectives, we offer customisation options such as personnel doors, reducing the need to fully open the Q Door. This strategic approach not only conserves energy but also diminishes the building’s carbon footprint, aligning seamlessly with our commitment to environmental stewardship. The Q Doors sealing system complies with top European requirements, and still met them at 3 times the required test pressure! (The top European class 3 for air leakage describes air leakage (T Value) as at best 1.5m3/m2/h at 50 Pa pressure. i.e. 1.5m3/m2/h to 150 Pa).

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.

Radbrook VillageShrewsburyCemfloor was the screed of choice for Radbrook Village, a mix of 3 and 4 bedroom homes along with 1 and 2 bedroom apartments in the magnificent refurbished Radbrook Hall.Floreat Homes were the developers of this project, which was contracted to SJ Roberts Construction, while the screed was installed by Ryflow Liquid Screeds.Cemfloor provided the ideal solution for the screeds on thisdevelopment. The speed of installation and the fact that floors can be walked on after a day provided the least disruption to other trades and the rapid drying avoided concerns re installation of floor finishes. The benefits to the efficiency of the underfloor heating were also attractive to the project. Cemfloor’s compatibility with underfloor heating, which has grown in popularity in recent years, and the ability to be laid at 50mm gave the builder scope with thickness of insulation and floor finishes. The screed totally encapsulated the underfloor heating pipework and eliminated air voids which ensured optimal heat transfer from the heating pipework to the screed surface.With the advent of flowing screeds, as well as the traditional sand and cement screeds, there is great choice in the market to find a product that suits your needs when it comes to durability, time management and installation.

Bainland Holiday Park, located in Bainland Country Park, were looking for a washroom refresh and specified Franke products for the project. Inspired Washrooms, a Nottingham based fit-out company, executed the project with the installation of a wide range of Franke products including Miranit washbasins and accessories from the Rodan range.The full range of products provided was:4 x ANMW411 - Single Quadro Miranit Washbasins with tap hole4 x F3SV1001 - F3 self-closing taps2 x UC07-010 - Urinal Control Systems2 x UC00-001 - Air Brake (Back Flow Preventer)5 x WC03-002 - WC Flush valve Kits & Wave on Sensors5 x WC02-011 - Concealed Plastic Cistern Kits2 x DRYX500N - Hands in hand dryers1 x F1393 - Franke Airblast Hand dryer4 x CHRX669 - Stainless steel mini jumbo toilet roll holders3 x RODX618 - Stainless steel rodan soap dispensers3 x RODX625 - Rodan Electronic Soap Dispensers  

Ninety One minimises environmental impact by reusing TopBrewer assets in new BREEAM London officeNinety One (formerly Investec Asset Management) has enjoyed a first-class office coffee experience since 2017 when it installed 7 TopBrewer coffee machines for its employees. When it de-merged from Investec Group and moved to a new office space, Ninety One chose to migrate its existing TopBrewer coffee machines in an environmental initiative to repurpose existing assets.To support increased footfall, NinetyOne installed an additional 5 TopBrewers and 6 TopWaters to ensure its whole workforce could continue to enjoy premium, barista-quality beverages with touchless operation. The original and new machines have exactly the same form and functionality – and still look just as new! This is because each TopBrewer is regularly upgraded ‘over the air’ to future-proof the asset, making it a highly sustainable investment that doesn’t depreciate over time."Staying with TopBrewer, and introducing TopWater, was an easy decision to ensure continuity for our staff as well as minimising impact to the environment." - Tahera Hammond, Global Head of Workplace, Ninety One

SubFloor flooring was used to help renovate, raise and ventilate a 700 m² floor into a Nursery near Gothenburg, Sweden.The Subfloor ventilation system was ideal for this nursery, as it allowed for multiple floor height adjustments and for ventilation installations under the floor. Associated floor ventilation material such as ducts, air distribution strips, fans, etc. was also provided. The negative pressure the ventilation generates under the floor creates a fresh and healthy indoor environment.This simple and elegant solution raised and levelled the floor to allow for installations and insulation. The joist and screw system allows for quick and easy assembly so that the floor can reach the desired height.Products:Steel Joist 45x30x3800 mmSubFloor Screw 100 mmInsulation Bearer 45 mmHeight Variation: 46 - 100 mmJoist separation: c/c 600 mmSystem Weight - c/c 600 mm: 2.06 kg/m²Materials:Steel, Z100 GalvFibre-reinforced polypropylenePoint Load Limit (50 x 50 mm): Between screws over joist - 7.08 kNOver screws over joist - 8.78 kN

Cannon Park Shopping Centre in Coventry has undergone a significant transformation. Led by MPR, the redevelopment project includes refurbishment of the existing shopping centre, construction of a new 780-bed student residence, and the addition of a new 400-space multi-storey car park. Biotecture was brought on board to incorporate living walls into the development.In 2021, Biotecture installed a 690 square metre green wall on the multi-storey car park as part of the project’s first phase. We then continued to collaborate with the project’s architects, Urban Innovations, and landscape architects, Parkhood, on phase 2; 9 living walls on the student accommodation phase. The vertical greening was an important part of the scheme, helping to help soften the development, improve air quality, contribute to biodiversity net gain.The living walls are integrated into the building fabric. We worked closely with the design team to ensure that the living walls not only aligned with the desired aesthetics but also met the technical requirements.We used our BioPanel system which uses Grodan® as the growing medium. Grodan is dimensionally stable, chemically inert, and water retentive resulting in healthier and longer-lasting plants.

Five domed design... CHALLENGE The idea of the architect was to design a building with 5 parabolic roof surfaces or domes. The unique five domed design comprises of pods finished in a range of different materials, each contributing to the development’s remit to blend into the park landscape. The biggest issue for the architect was how to connect these different materials to become a complete watertight building. SOLUTION Each dome is waterproofed using a RENOLIT ALKORPLAN system and whilst the complex is thought to be the UK’s largest timber-built geodesic project, it also demonstrates possibly the most innovative use of single ply membrane ever seen in the UK. By using the RENOLIT ALKORPLAN membrane as the main layer to waterproof the five domes an easy joint could be made by means of hot air. On one dome our RENOLIT ALKORPLAN A membrane was used in combination with PVC profiles providing geometric aesthetic detailing. On another dome a RENOLIT ALKORPLAN L membrane was used under a green roof system. On the other domes the RENOLIT ALKORPLAN F membrane was used in combination with our RENOLIT ALKORSOLAR fixing system supporting respectively glazed aluminium sheeting and cedar shingle tiles.

FIREFLY™ PHOENIX Offers Temporary Fire Protection For Fenchurch Street OfficesThe refurbishment of two complete floors to one of the City’s largest office buildings is making use of the well proven and versatile TBA FIREFLY™ PHOENIX smoke & flame barriers, to create temporary fire barriers while the work is being carried out: protecting people and property across the rest of the five storey structure where business continues as normal.The project at 30 Fenchurch Street, EC3 is being led by Overbury – one of the capital’s most experienced fit-out contractors, while the London office of HLW Architects is leading the design team. T&R Fire Protection meanwhile is the specialist sub-contractor carrying out the installation of the PHOENIX around the atrium, as well as other passive fire protection measures as the scheme evolves.In total T&R has fixed 22 rolls of the lightweight PHOENIX material to create the two hour integrity smoke and flame barriers around the glazed edge of the floor plates at levels Three and Four of 30 Fenchurch Street. The lightweight barrier has been fixed to the bulkhead and at intervals down all of the existing columns, before finally being secured across steel angle sections bolted to the floor slab.IFC Certification duly inspected all 160 metres of the temporary barriers – up to 3,300 mm in height - once installed, on behalf of Overbury and duly issued a certificate of compliance. The permanent works are expected to include creating fire breaks within the ceiling zones at 20 metre intervals, as part of T&R’s overall contract for Fenchurch Street in the region of £250K.The Site Manager for T&R Fire Protection, Tom Port Smith, commented: “We’ve used PHOENIX and other FIREFLY™ products on many hundreds of projects in the past, but in this case it was the insurers for the project who insisted on the installation of the screens to protect the atrium while the sprinkler system was being replaced. The installation though was relatively straightforward and in our work generally, FIREFLY™ is our ‘go to’ manufacturer when it comes to fire compartmentation. We base our recommendations and design drawings on TBA FIREFLY™ standard details and, once they’ve been approved, go in and install the flexible fire barriers.”Tom, like the majority of T&R Fire Protection’s operatives, has attended training sessions at FIREFLY's premises in Rochdale, reinforcing their trade skills and gaining valuable insights into the performance parameters of the different barriers in the range.FIREFLY™ PHOENIX is a lightweight smoke & flame barrier developed to enable compartmentation within buildings to provide up to 120 minutes’ integrity under BS476 Parts 20 & 22. Certified by IFCC, the flexible and straightforward to install material and is suitable for both new-build and retrofit situations.Manufactured from woven and non-woven glass, the FIREFLY™ range is designed to optimise resistance to flame and smoke as well as offer heat protection in a wide range of scenarios. The flexible barriers are easy to install horizontally or vertically using a full selection of ancillary products. Used mainly in the construction industry across the UK and Europe, FIREFLY™ Fire Barriers help to contain fire, giving building occupants extra time to evacuate and the fire service to enter safely.

Latvijas Finieris is increasing its production volumes of lignin-based green glue Riga ECOlogical, and the new product is gaining popularity among architects and interior designers. The design bureau br.ook interior architecture, in one of their latest projects – library of Andrejs Upīts Secondary School Skrīveri, Latvia – chose to use Riga Ply and Riga ECOlogical for their interior solutions. Interior architect Baiba Rūķe, br.ook interior architecture, comments: “The initial idea was to create a multifunctional space, yet we wanted the environment to be clean and natural for creative activities. The birch plywood is good material due to its durability and vast application options. It is also our local product. As interior architects, we pay a great deal of attention to materials that we use in our projects and we look for solutions that focus on air quality. It was interesting to use this material, which is natural and has a focus on sustainability.”The library is special, not only because of the high-quality materials used in the renovation process, but also due to its functionality. The idea of the project was to transform the library into a meeting place where one can get familiar with the latest books, do homework in a pleasant and quiet environment, as well as organise other educational activities for children and the youth.

Located at Swansea University’s Bay Campus, and designed and constructed by SPECIFIC Innovation and Knowledge Centre, the Active Office and Active Classroom are both designed to be energy positive buildings, capable of generating more solar energy than they consume during a typical annual cycle.The Swansea area of South Wales is synonymous with steelmaking as Tata Steel’s Port Talbot steelworks is just a few miles away from the Bay Campus. For this reason, SPECIFIC wanted to use steel as much as possible on these structures and so a Tata Steel wall and roof cladding system was chosen using Colorcoat Prisma® pre-finished steel, all made in Wales.The Active Classroom also feature Tata Steel’s Colorcoat Renew SC® transpired solar collectors, The system captures heat from the sun and draws it into the building through a microperforated collector on the exterior of the building. Heated fresh air from the cavity is then used as a pre-heater to the main heating system. A transpired solar collector can collect around 50% of the energy falling on its surface, which equates to approximately 500wp/m2 of the collector’s surface area and can deliver around 250KWH/m2per year or up to 50% of space heating requirements.

Orbis OS211 Glass Infill Top FixOrbis OS231 Perforated Infill Top FixOrbis OS200/OS201 Vertical Bar InfillBorn from Havering Council’s vision to improve the sports and fitness facilities available in the borough, the £28 million investment is set to be a catalyst for regeneration in Romford.Named in honour of the Sapphire anniversary of Queen Elizabeth ll’s reign, the centre comprises of an eight-lane competition pool, gymnasium and first floor 56m by 26m ice rink.Appointed by contractors Willmott Dixon, Delta Balustrades were responsible for the supply of 579m’s of balustrading and 246m’s of handrails throughout the entire complex.With two extreme environments coexisting the specifications for the balustrade finishes were of upmost importance.Balustrades and handrails in the warm, chlorine filled air of the swimming pool environment received our Ultra (Marine) finish, providing a bright polished surface to prevent corrosion.First floor ice rink balustrades received our HiBuild powder coating finish, which boasts a ‘warm to touch’ feature that doesn’t allow the transfer a cold environment to bare hands.A visually striking, stainless steel staircase with perforated panels connects the floors within the ceiling void atrium spanning four floors.

The Long Barn in East Sussex looks as if it has nestled in the Wealds for centuries. Owners and developers Max and Judi Erde had a mission to prove the viability of recreating vernacular architecture in a new sustainable modern living environment. With larch cladding (being more sustainable and easier to work than oak), and warmed via an air source heat pump, the home further features sustainable wall finishes, on the basis that those details contribute 7% of a building’s embodied carbon.Thus, Armourcoat’s innovative Clay Lime Plaster, which has low embodied carbon and produces zero emissions, has been applied throughout the two storey Wealdon style barn.The ethos behind The Long Barn was to mirror and replicate the historic aesthetic, but to utilise modern, sustainable solutions as far as possible to minimise its environmental impact. With its combination of natural minerals, longevity, eco- friendliness, ease of application and choice of finishes, I was more than happy to use Armourcoat’s Clay Lime Plaster. "The fact that we could choose different pigments and finishes to give colour and tone to the interior was an added bonus- I don’t need to decorate again!" Max Erde 

Tower Supplies is an industry leader in PPE and workwear.They desperately needed to bring their office up to date to be in line with their operation.There was a need to have a functional office whilst maintaining a hardworking culture. Tower spent time and money with three other office design specialists, on all accounts the designs and solutions blew their budget putting the project out of reach.How we helpedThrough workshops and consultancy we were able to provide a 3 phase project that would provide Tower with the facility they required whilst still operating.We are able to provide a large multi-purpose workspace with kitchen, lunch area, directors offices, presentation area with moving partition, washrooms, shower rooms, reception and meeting spaces.By value engineering the project we were able to provide, within budget, an office with a modern and professional design that reflected the companies industrial roots. We ProvidedOffice DesignSpace Planning / 3D VisualsElectrics and LightingFlooringMoving PartitionsGlass PartitionsCeilingsBespoke JoineryWashroomsFitted FurnitureAudio VisualReception AreasKitchen & Breakout SpaceAgile WorkspaceDecorationAcoustic BafflesAir-ConditioningBlinds

Hotel Café Royal has just undergone a complete refurbishment and internal re-build. Part of the new complex is a state-of-the-art Spa and Gym which is located in the basement. Directly next to the hotel is Regent Street, below which runs the Bakerloo underground train line.Structure-borne noise levels from the trains were far too high to create the relaxing environment required for a top class Spa. The acoustic consultants therefore specified that all of the noise sensitive spaces must be isolated on a Stravifloor Deck concrete floating floor system.Café Royal’s 1,200 sqm Wellbeing Centre provides a personal and intimate holistic experience. It has a large lap pool and four different areas, corresponding to the four natural elements: spa/water, gym/fire, yoga/air and organic bar/earth.The spa offers a variety of Watsu hydro-experiences, a private and communal Hammam and signature Akasha treatments. Moods are enhanced by restorative music, aromas and gentle lighting. The gym has the most advanced fitness equipment, including Kinesis machines. There is a spacious aerobics studio and a private training room. Yoga, Tai-Chi and Pilates are offered in the calming area, with bespoke classes.

Nearly forty years after the lights were switched off at Battersea Power Station, a decommissioned Grade II listed coal-fired power station, located on the south bank of the River Thames, this much loved London landmark recently re-opened to the public following a transformational eight-year restorationApple Inc. will be leasing approximately 500,000 sq ft. across 6 floors of the central Boiler House and plans to move all of its 1,400 London employees to the new venue. This will make Apple by far the largest tenant at Battersea Power Station.221m² of Stravifloor Channel, a resilient high-performance floating floor based on floor channels containing steel springs as resilient supports was installed to decouple the acoustically critical listening, screening and control room spaces at Battersea Power Station.The added insulation material between the channels contributes to the acoustic optimization of the spaces by preventing the so-called standing wave effect to take place within the air void.During the installation of the acoustic floating floor, careful attention was paid to the many service penetrations as improper installation would most certainly lead to rigid connection which in turn affect the system’s performance.

We all know warm roofs and joist zones are huge areas for air leakage and extremely hard to solve this problem. This warm roof structure for luxury apartments retrofit fit onto an already existing block of apartments in Tottenham was typically the icing on the cake for detail and performance. With the hand cut roof providing the client with multiple skylights, dormers and 360-degree turrets, this was going to be no easy task of getting the airtightness and vapour control secure and correct in a traditional method. Step forward Passive Purple! Rather than just covering the issues, once the hand cut roof was finished, the 220mm roof rafters were filled with a layer of spray insulation supplied by Lapolla UK. The dormers, skylights and turrets were then given some attention to detail with Passive Purple BRUSH before the final application of Passive Purple (spray applied) This gives this roof a complete airtight vapour control with performance like no other and getting around all of them circular details and angle’s galore this was just another simpler, easier way to get the job done right and guaranteed! Passive Purple liquid application saves the client and user so much time and so much less strenuous labour.

Emmett Russell Architects has designed social housing on several infill sites on the Northern fringes of Bristol to Passivhaus standard, achieving thermal comfort solely by post-heating or post-cooling of the fresh air mass. The projects address the demand for smaller housing units.The key architectural challenge was to make efficient use of tight site limitations without overlooking neighbouring properties. The metal screened balconies allow light into the first floor flats whilst minimising views into adjacent gardens. The balcony screens step down at the sides to open up and allow longer oblique views.DeltaWing-70 was chosen to fulfil this requirement. The louvred panels were inverted to provide a privacy screen which combined the maximum screening effect in a downwards direction with minimum restriction of natural daylight.Lang+Fulton also supplied panels of PL-66×11/30×2 to form a heel-proof decking for the balconies.In addition, DeltaWing-100 was used to create secure, visually obscured storage for two bikes at each property which was integrated within the entrance canopies. Some of the properties had 2000mm wide stores with double doors, others were 900mm wide with single swing doors for vertically hung bikes.

Rekortan M and Polytan SMART on the Tooting Bec Athletics TrackOPTIMAL PREPARATION FOR THE 2024 OLYMPICSOnly a few miles from Wimbledon is Tooting Bec, a district in the south of London. A stone’s throw from the tennis mecca, sport is serious business: Tooting Bec Lido is not only one of the oldest open-air swimming pools in the United Kingsom, but remains one of the largest to this day. It is located in the expansive park, Tooting Commons, which is also home to the Tooting Bec Athletics Track & Gym, whose members have a comprehensive range of fitness facilities at their disposal.The accompanying pavilion has a fully equipped fitness studio, while an athletics facility allows athletes to train outdoors. It includes an eight-lane running track, which is used by individual athletes, schools and clubs. A stand offers seating for over 400 spectators, while a floodlight system allows the facility to be used year round.In the summer of 2022, the eight-lane running track and its three integrated sprinting lanes were fitted with our synthetic surface Rekortan M in brick red. This is Polytan’s all-rounder for competitive tracks and training facilities in athletics. The non-porous sandwich system is primarily used on running tracks and run-up tracks. Since Rekortan M meets the strict emission limits for indoor spaces, it is not only suitable for open-air athletics facilities, but indoor facilities too.At the same time as installing the new surface, the Polytan SMART timing system was also integrated – our sophisticated method for the measurement and documentation of training performance. The Polytan SMART system in Tooting Bec consists of 33 integrated timing gates on the running circuit and sprinting track, a sensor weighing only 15 grams, and the tried-and-tested diagnostics software from our partner Humotion, or alternatively, the user’s own smartphone. With the performance diagnostics system, the sensor can automatically measure agility tests, jumping tests, endurance tests such as the Cooper test, tapping tests and sprint tests. It is optimal for performance diagnostics, be it for a single athletes or an entire team, either in athletics or team sports.For professional athletes and ambitious amateur runners, the detailed documentation of training exercises and performance is simply ideal. That’s why Polytan SMART is the perfect solution for athletes like the Herne Hill Harriers, an amateur athletics club based in Tooting Bec.The club is also home to Katie Snowden, 2023 British champion in the 1500-metre race and one of our brand ambassadors. She is preparing for the Olympic Games in Paris at the Tooting Bec Athletics Track. Polytan SMART enables precise time measurement and performance diagnostics that only measure her exact timing, but also important running parameters, such as number of steps, step frequency and stride length. The results helps Katie Snowden to direct her training more effectively and ultimately optimise her performance, so she can race to the top at the Olympic Games. Polytan is proud to be a part of her dream.

Nestled in the vibrant heart of London, Sancroft is an office building that stands tall, a commanding structure that spans over 10 floors with 2 levels of basement with a GIA of circa 429,000sqft. When the building’s architects, Buckley Gray Yeoman Ltd, were tasked with providing intensive ventilation in the building, they turned to Price Engineered Solutions for advice. Price Engineered Solutions, renowned for their leadership in supplying heating and ventilation components for key projects across the UK. They recommended the architects to work with DUCO for the installation of intensive ventilation. A Breath of Fresh Air: Continuous louvre walls with value for moneyTo ensure the Sancroft building is ventilated naturally and continuously it was decided to install the sturdy, robust aluminium louvre-wall system, DucoWall Screening 70 & 75.John Biss, Contracts Manager from Price Engineering Ltd, explains: “The selection of the DucoWall Screening 70/75 was purly down to our recommendations and budget constraints. DUCO's louvre-wall system emerged as the ideal choice in terms of cost-effectivness.” Innovative design and aesthetic appearanceWhat sets this project apart is its innovative design, which distinguishes it from the neighbouring structures.John Biss continues: “This project is truly unique due to its innovative design. For instance, we had to incorporate bracketry to support a wire trelis that over time, will host climbing plants. . The sleek appearance of the DucoWall Screening adds to the uniqueness of the building”.Super-quick assembly and high airflowThe Z-shaped louvre blades of the DucoWall Screening are clicked directly onto the support section thanks to a direct clip system, ensuring super-quick assembly. The very large span and high airflow of the louvre wall ensures high ventilation values and thus an optimal indoor climate for all office workers present.John Biss : « With Duco’s patented ‘Direct Clip’ system, the louvre blades are clicked onto the support section directly, ensuring fast installation. In a world where everything has to be delivered very quickly and the next job is waiting in line, this is a very welcome asset!”Fine collaboration and postive feedbackThe collaboration between other parties, such as Britplas, leading commercial glazing specialist in the UK, and the engineers and contractors was very great. We had open communications between all parties involved which led to yet another project going off without a hitch”. Our client expressed profound satisfied, not only with the DucoWall Screening louvre wall but also with our adapt management of the design and installation process all while minimizing disruptoin to other trades” As John Biss aptly concludes,” We’ve delivered a project that exceeds expectations, offering a breath of fresh air in every sense” Architect: Buckley Gray Yeoman LtdBuilding contractor: Price Engineered SolutionsCommercial glazing specialist: Britplas     

SOLID WOOD FLOOR SYMPATHETIC CHOICE FOR HERITAGE BUILDING Junckers Black Oak flooring has been installed as part of the restoration of Paisley Town Hall. Architects Holmes Miller transformed the Grade A listed building into a high-end venue and public space with careful restoration work to preserve the grand Neoclassical architecture. With a focus on future-proofing the venue in terms of environmental performance and adaptability, Holmes Miller’s design overhauled the existing building by stripping it right back and upgrading services to modern standards, including replacing the heating and ventilation systems with tempered air fed through concealed ducts hidden beneath the wooden floors and using destratification fans to recycle warm air, especially useful in auditorium which has a high ceiling. Accessibility was improved and new functions for previously unused spaces were introduced. As well as a live venue, the town hall now includes a dance studio, café and bar, wedding suites, banqueting, screening room and commercial catering. Junckers’ flooring was installed in several areas, including the main auditorium where the stage was entirely rebuilt to incorporate a rise-and-fall functionality. To introduce more flexibility to the space, the ground floor seating was replaced by a retractable system. The hard-wearing surface of a Junckers’ pre-finished solid hardwood floor is very resistant to the wear and tear associated with a retractable system and the sprung quality of the flooring system will remain intact. Junckers Black Oak Harmony flooring was identified by Holmes Miller during the design stage analysis as a sympathetic choice for the heritage building. The two-strip floorboards, also prevalent in the Black Oak Twin Herringbone installed in some areas, give a narrow parquet appearance in keeping with the original flooring and the dark colour is historically appropriate. Junckers Black Oak is made by mimicking the natural process where oak submerged in a bog takes on a dark hue which pen- etrates the tree trunk. The Black Oak stain is drawn deep into each floorboard which means it can be sanded and refinished without loss of colour. It also means the floor is much more resistant to superficial damage compared to a stained floor- board. Steven Coulson, Associate at Homes Miller added: “The flooring was specified due to a great mix of quality, sustainability credentials and sympathy to the heritage building aesthetic.” The £22M restoration forms part of Renfrewshire Council’s regeneration programme of Paisley’s historic cultural venues. Upgrading historic buildings, particularly public buildings, is a fast-growing trend towards re-use rather than demolishing and building new. By taking a long-term view to retrofit and restore Paisley Town Hall, the Council has secured its sustainable future whilst remaining sympathetic to its history. The flooring was installed by Partnership Flooring. The main contractor was Morrison Construction. 

The sustainable features of this ‘carbon-neutral’ development include excellent insulation, south facing terraces to maximise heat gain from the sun (passive solar gain) and structures built from natural, recycled and reclaimed materials, all sourced from within a 50 mile radius.Systems in useCityflor®Extensive Living RoofOverviewBeddington Zero Energy Development (BedZED) comprises a development of 82 homes in the London Borough of Sutton and is the UK’s largest mixed use sustainable community. It was designed to create a thriving community in which ordinary people could enjoy a high quality of life, while living within their fair share of the Earth’s resources.ChallengesAxter were tasked with providing a waterproofing and living roof solution for the garden terraces and higher level roof areas. As this was an environmentally-friendly housing development, careful consideration had to be taken to adhere to the sustainability requirements of the project. The thermal efficiency of the development was an essential design consideration with all roof areas needing to meet demanding thermal performance criteria. Lightweight extensive green roof systems were chosen for curved and sloping sections of the building due to their low maintenance characteristics, combined with high efficiency Solar PV renewable energy (BioSolar) systems on the roofs. Combining roof top planting with Solar PV improved the system performance and provided a positive visual impact.SolutionsCityflor multi-layer warm roof waterproofing system was designed and specified by Axter to meet the project’s demanding sustainability requirements. The use of a robust air and vapour control layer (AVCL) low permeability membrane, was installed to ensure the building was quickly made watertight during construction, whilst performing the critical technical function of controlling the movement of air, water vapour and heat leakage from within the building.The ideal capsheet choice for the development was our BBA accredited Force 4000 Trafic membrane, due to its anti-root technology and long term proven compatibility with living roofs. The installation of Force 4000 Trafic provided a robust waterproofing surface upon which the extensive living roof could be installed without risk of damage to the waterproofing by follow on trades.Extensive living roofs typically have thin (80mm) growing medium/substrate layers to keep the system depth and saturated load imposed on the building to a minimum. The Hydrolite extensive living roof system was specified because of its ultra lightweight growing medium as this weight reduction was ideal for the project’s unconventional structure. The Hydrolite living roof system was completed with a low maintenance planting design, utilising hardier, more drought tolerant plant species. The planting style was naturalistic with the aim of establishing self-sustaining plant ecology on the roof.AcknowledgmentsAxter worked closely with the project design and construction team to ensure that we were able to deliver a truly stunning and successful project.RAM Roofgarden LTD

With a height of up to 110 m, the impressive Elbphilharmonie rises up on around 1,700 reinforced concrete piles. The architects from Herzog & de Meuron have placed a curved glass facade made up of more than 1,000 differently curved window elements on the brick Kaispeicher A, a former warehouse for cocoa, tobacco and tea. Their shape is reminiscent of giant horseshoes and tuning forks and creates unique mirroring effects. The concavely curved roof evokes impressive wave crowns with shimmering sequins.The heart of the Elbphilharmonie is the legendary concert hall, which literally floats at a height of 50 meters – decoupled from the rest of the building for sound insulation reasons. Its acoustics, for which the Japanese Yasuhisa Toyota, one of the world’s most renowned acousticians, is responsible, are overwhelming: the “White Skin”, which owes its name to the around 10,000 gypsum fiber panels on the walls and ceilings, and a reflector in the middle of the vaulted ceiling for optimal listening pleasure in each of the 2,100 seats. Functionally and aesthetically reliable tilesIn addition to two other concert halls, the building is home to 45 apartments, the freely accessible plaza at a height of 37 meters with a 360° panorama over the city and a very special hotel. The “The Westin Hamburg” extends in the eastern part of the building from the 6th. floor to the end floor on the 20th floor. In the 244 exclusive rooms and suites, discerning guests will encounter Villeroy&Boch tiles: mosaics from the PRO ARCHITECTURA series are integrated into the design concept by Tassilo Bost, bost group berlin. The calm, puristic interior design plays with the themes of sand, air and water and combines a linear design with a flowing design language. The pure white small formats of just 2.5 x 2.5 cm with a matt surface give the designer space for individual bathroom designs. The minimalist ceramic tiles underline the exquisite room atmosphere in a reserved manner and without pushing themselves into the foreground.“The Westin Hamburg” also includes a 1,300 m² fitness and wellness area. In addition to training options, saunas, steam baths, two fresh air loggias with a view of the Elbe and the harbor, treatment and relaxation rooms and a lounge, the Elb Spa offers the longest indoor hotel pool in Hamburg at 20 m. The swimming pool was also designed with PRO ARCHITECTURA. Villeroy&Boch Tiles has been a proven and reliable partner for planners and architects in swimming pool construction for many years and, in addition to modular tile series, offers them all the additional molded parts for a functionally high-quality and at the same time aesthetically sophisticated swimming pool. PRO ARCHITECTURA is also used in the staff rooms for the approximately 160 employees, who look after the well-being of hotel guests from all over the world at “The Westin Hamburg”.