"curtain walling systems"

Working with architect, Sheppard Robson, and contractor, Overbury, Style was specified to install two Dorma Hüppe semi-automatic Variflex glass moveable walls in Wellington Place, a group of prestigious, mixed-use developments in Leeds city centre. Separating the catering facility from meeting areas in a key office building, the glass operable walls deliver an impressive 52dB Rw acoustic integrity, providing outstanding privacy for meetings and gatherings whilst maximising the use of natural light. Addressing the ongoing need for social distancing, moveable wall systems can be effectively utilised to create discrete employee ‘bubbles’ by dividing office space into smaller areas.

Installed alongside some interesting brass architectural detailing, TECHNAL aluminium windows, doors and curtain walling has been specified and installed at Heathervale House, transforming the outdated office development. Situated in the centre of Tunbridge Wells, Heathervale House is a commercial property that has been used as an office space for decades. Originally clad in brick, slate and hung tile, the building had shown signs of disrepair, looking tired and dilapidated. To bring it back to life, the building owner developed plans to undertake a wide scale refurbishment and extension of the property. Following a feasibility study, the building was handed across to design-led architectural practice MortonScarr. From the outset, MortonScarr recognised how important updated glazing systems would be in improving the aesthetics and performance of the building, both internally and externally. Previously, Heathervale House had featured small, brown-framed windows, which limited how much sunlight those inside the offices received throughout the day. The entire facade of the three-storey building was re-clad with concrete tiles, with interesting projecting brass window boxes also incorporated. The window boxes, which feature TECHNAL systems, added visual relief to the building externally, whilst maximising internal vistas for the occupants. TECHNAL also assisted on a large rear extension, a new glazed lift to the front and two additional fully glazed storeys on top of the existing roof. Flooding the new office spaces with daylight, the large glazed expanses are shaded by two-storey bronze louvres. As a result the newly fitted office now brings in much more natural light than before.

Working with architects, Broe & Co LLP, Style was specified to install a new folding wall system to the ground floor of the Bloomsbury Street Day Nursery in Brighton, creating a flexible environment where children are encouraged to learn, play and explore at their own pace.Allowing nursery staff to separate the room into two, Style recommended a Stylefold acoustic glass folding wall with a 44dB Rw rating, ensuring that activities either side of the wall can take place undisturbed. By choosing a glazed folding wall, staff can maintain a watchful eye on the children and the area continues to enjoy an airy and open feel, even when the wall is in place.This manually operated folding wall is light and simple to open and close, encouraging staff to change the room configuration to suit daily activities. The pass door means the wall can remain in place for longer periods if desired without hindering access between rooms.“For schools, day centres, and community halls the Stylefold folding wall is a really effective solution,” said Michael Porter, Style’s group sales director.“It can be opened and closed in seconds, the acoustics are superb – which means you can enjoy privacy either side, and this modestly priced folding wall solution is ideal for when budgets are tight.“A folding wall can also help cut energy costs by avoiding having to heat and light a large open plan area when the entire space is not actually required – something that is at the top of most people’s priorities at the moment.”As well as the glazed option, the Stylefold folding wall is also available in a variety of finishes, including painted, polished wood veneer or a wide range of standard or high-pressure laminates.It can also be installed with writeable white board panels, which is ideal in a teaching environment.

Col.legi Montserrat in Barcelona is one of the most innovative schools in Spain. The school has departed from the traditional system of silence and listening to explanations and encouraging discussions. The means? Acoustic quality and low frequency absorption.

The Hurlford Avenue new build project, situated on the former Garscadden Primary School site, truly harnesses innovation and design. This ‘Modern Methods of Construction’ project, completed in partnership with CCG, showcases technical prowess and constructional excellence.Garscadden Primary School closed back in 2017 but the 1930s school building remained standing. Spotting the potential for something impressive on the site, Glasgow Housing Association proposed a modern replacement – a portfolio of properties.The key requirement was to build modern, energy efficient homes which would provide much-needed affordable housing in the sought-after area of Dumbarton and make a significant difference to the local community.After extensive planning, focusing on matching an appropriate insulation system with a complementary finish, K Systems devised a comprehensive delivery plan using our unrivalled experience and expertise.CCG fabricated the building off-site with timber kits and incorporated elements from our Aricco system, with the final finish being completed on-site. This approach was advantageous for a few reasons, including the speed of construction and a reduction in required labour.Hurlford Avenue is a prime example of our experience with off-site modular builds and our project-specific approach to EWI solutions. We brought Glasgow Housing Association’s vision to life and delivered 28 houses and 42 flats for mid-market rent.Our ServiceThe build of the Hurlford Avenue development wasn’t without its challenges. Precision planning was required to ensure minimal disruption to the residents in surrounding estates. All traffic ways remained free for passage and noise pollution was kept to a minimum.During the build, our team encountered some detailing challenges. However, working directly with the contractor and main contractor, these challenges were quickly resolved by key colleagues within our Technical Team, and the build remained on schedule and of the highest quality.From specification and design to planning, delivery and evaluating, our team transformed a derelict site to a contemporary multi-dwelling development that rejuvenated the Dumbarton area.“I would like to thank everyone on the K Systems technical support team for their contribution in accomplishing the Aricco System project at Hurlford Avenue. The regular visits from senior technicians always go a long way to keeping any project in check and it makes the job of our management much easier by having honest, professional judgement to go back to our guys, with well earned praise on this occasion. Everyone was onboard from the outset in working around any potential difficulties and you will agree it shows in the final results.”Garry Barton, Contractor.Technical Project DetailsAs the client of this project, Scotland based construction company CCG, approached K Systems to provide a suitable façade solution that would complement their design. A build with timber kits and a drained ventilated cavity system was specified, along with a silkolitt thin coat render finish.CCG are renowned for off-site manufacturing (OSM) and manufactured the kits from their production site in near-by Cambuslang. They sourced the correct material according to our exact specification. CCG’s ‘iQ’ System was chosen, which is designed with a fabric-first approach where greater tolerances are determined by fewer junctions and thermal bridges to deliver enhanced U-values and significantly improve airtightness. By incorporating OSM and the iQ system into this project, it is just a small insight into our unrivalled knowledge and expert approach that we take to fulfil the requirements of our clients.For the supporting façade, the K Systems Aricco system was specified - a drained ventilated cavity system perfectly suited for use in low rise buildings, particularly new build projects and timber framed construction. The Aricco system is also the most compatible with offsite/modular construction techniques and boasts an A2-s1, d0 fire rating and therefore complies with the latest building regulations, ensuring the safety of all residents.The finish was just as important as the façade system, with the cost-effective, industry-leading Silkolitt thin coat render specified. Silkolitt renders provide a contemporary finish to new-build applications, something this project very much required to modernise the area. Silkolitt is simple to apply, and its hydrophobic properties makes the render low maintenance. It also has excellent vapour permeability, allowing the Hurlford Avenue properties to breathe and avoid interstitial condensation. It is the most flexible system on the market, making cracking over its lifetime less likely and therefore delivering a pleasing aesthetic with outstanding longevity.The combinations specified by the K Systems team resulted in the build of impressive dwellings boasting a U-value of 0.13W/m ² K – meaning homes were easier and cheaper to heat, a particularly attractive benefit given the current cost of living crisis.

Project at Royal Mail distribution centre to enclose open canopyied area using Anchorwall partition walling (with Flexiwall above) to protect employees from the weather

ModernGlide were over the moon too be involved with this project with a top London Interior Company at St Katharine Docks London. Installation of over 66 meters of sliding movable wall panels to help create a sleek and flexible studying environment. Featured in the video is the MG600 flush glazed movable wall that when closed creates a central room with the panels meeting at right angles and the addition of 2 access door panels. Particularly desirable for office spaces, our MG600 glazed office partitions and glass movable walls offer multiple benefits to your workspace and for your employees. The benefits of having glazed acoustic walls include allowing a superior light flow around the office, cost-effective installation, flexibility in the work environment as well as the simple fact that they look elegant and classy. Not only these, but they also offer exceptional sound reduction allowing for privacy to be had amongst clients or for important internal meetings.

The Londoner is the world's first super boutique hotel offering a collection of spaces, tastes and experiences brought to life across 16 elegant storeys. Delivering flexible space to cater for a myriad of impressive events, Style installed a six metre high Skyfold vertical-rising moveable wall in the main ballroom, as well as a combination of Dorma Hüppe Variflex sliding walls and smaller Skyfold systems throughout the numerous event areas. This focus on adaptable space, combined with Style’s expertise in delivering partitioning walls with impeccable acoustic performance, gives the hotel multiple options for opening out or dividing the available areas and maximising room hire revenue.Bringing an exciting new buzz to the south-west corner of Leicester Square, The Londoner boasts one of the world’s deepest habitable basements with six subterranean levels housing two cinemas, an expansive ballroom, as well as a swimming pool and spa facility. Above ground are 350 five-star rooms, workspace and meeting areas, restaurants and bars.UK partitioning specialists Style, worked closely with architect Woods Bagot, interior designer Yabu Pushelberg, and contractors Blue Sky Building & EE Smith Contracts, to deliver flexible event space throughout the hotel.The main ballroom is undoubtedly The Londoner’s centrepiece - an eye-catching statement of contemporary design for up to 850 guests. Allowing two events to run concurrently, the cavernous room is divided by a fully automatic Skyfold moveable wall. Discreetly housed in the ceiling cavity, the wall descends effortlessly into place at the push of a button and, with an incredible 59dB Rw acoustic rating, lively gatherings can take place either side of the wall undisturbed.In the hotel’s meeting rooms, Style installed semi-automatic Dorma Huppe Variflex double-glazed moveable walls with 52dB Rw acoustic ratings and fully glazed pass doors. For completed adaptability, the meeting areas are then additionally sub-divided using smaller Skyfold vertical-rising walls.“This is a spectacular installation,” said Style’s group managing director, Julian Sargent. “The main Skyfold is finished in a real oak wood veneer whilst the glass moveable walls feature chic black painted frames with reeded glass for enhanced privacy.

A busy facility, Netherfield medical centre recently contracted Style to design and install moveable wall solutions that would allow both the reception area and staff room to be quickly divided into smaller working spaces, as required. Transforming the use of the facilities, the two Stylefold folding walls allow the rooms to be divided at a moment’s notice, opening-up options as to how the internal space is utilised. With 46dB Rw acoustics, the walls create an effective screen, offering privacy when in situ. Intensely practical, both walls have a clinical white thermopal finish, complementing the modern interior of the medical centre.

Improving the thermal fabric performance and replicating the existing lookThe primary aim of the project was to improve the thermal fabric performance of the block and also to replicate the existing look. To achieve this, the client’s key requirements were two-fold. Firstly, to match the original external style as closely as possible in both colour and texture to satisfy the local authority’s requirements. The second key criteria was to ensure that all the systems used on the project were fully approved regarding fire performance, to meet the current regulations for buildings over the height of 18 meters in England. Delivering a robust, safe and aesthetic system solution to meet the project requirementsWe specified a combination of K Systems M VBriQ and K Systems M VBriQ+ to ensure we met the aesthetic planning requirements and comply with building regulations for resistance to fire in high-rise buildings. Our system incorporate mineral wool insulation which has an outstanding A1 non-combustible fire rating, which improves the thermal comfort and reduces heating costs for residents, whilst supporting Bristol City Council to meet their carbon emission targets.Our VBriQ acrylic brick slip finish was specified due to its lightweight characteristics and wide range of colours. Our Acrylic slips have a high UV resistance which will ensure the building maintains its appearance over time. Our VBriQ+ clay brick slip finish was specified for the ground floor and surrounding garage areas because of its robust and durable characteristics.Meeting the project deadlines and minimising disruptionsWe worked in collaboration with our approved installer Rateavon Ltd to ensure there was minimum disruption to the residents of Gaywood House. Our Technical team carried out regular site inspections to ensure the systems were installed to the highest standard with timely responses to technical detailing requests.

Style’s glazed folding wall system, the Stylefold 120, was recently installed at Clarksons Port Services’ new offices in Aberdeen, allowing a highly functional meeting room to be quickly created at one end of a large open-plan area. When not required, the wall can easily be folded back to merge the room seamlessly into the larger space.A leading expert in moveable wall systems, Style offers an extensive range of solutions for almost any location, including being the sole UK distributor for Dorma Hüppe, as well as for the revolutionary Skyfold vertical rising wall range.The Stylefold 120 folding wall installed at Clarksons is a simple, yet very effective solution for rapidly dividing space, with the glass panels maximising natural light whilst still delivering a 31dB acoustic rating for privacy. Clarksons Port Services is a division of Clarksons, the world’s leading integrated shipping services group. Having moved to larger premises at Aberdeen Harbour’s Matthew’s Quay, with a view to increasing efficiency and reducing carbon footprint, the integrated shipping and offshore services provider now has 1,600 sq metres of outdoor storage and 2,000 sq metres of customs bonded warehouse at this site.Style worked closely with architects, Philip Rodgers Design, and contractor, TransForm, to deliver a partitioning solution for the new offices that successfully combines functionality with exceptional aesthetics. Making minimal impact on the existing structure, the Stylefold 120 is easy to install wherever an economical retrofit solution is required. “The Stylefold 120 folding wall is smooth and effortless to manoeuvre, whilst the anthracite finish specified at the Aberdeen offices perfectly complements the contemporary interior design,” said David Louden, Style’s director for Scotland.“The addition of an integrated pass door means that it is entirely practical to leave the private meeting room in situ for long periods, if desired.”

Delivering flexible space that can be quickly adapted to encourage collaborative working practices, moveable wall systems are fast becoming the norm for modern UK offices. Having enjoyed the benefits of a moveable wall that Style installed a few years ago, a major global consulting group recently invited them back to their London offices to install two further partitioning solutions, effectively sub-dividing a key meeting area. The Dorma Hüppe Variflex ML100 moveable walls allow the open-plan space to be closed off, creating three separate rooms. An incredible 59dB Rw acoustic integrity allows meetings to run concurrently, entirely undisturbed.

The main intent of this project was biophilia, and to enhance the well-being along with the overall experience of the spectators. It was a bit challenging as it is both an interior and exterior wall - it is protected from the rain and outside weather, yet still open to it and gets most of the natural daylight that it would get outside. However, with the ANS soil-based living wall system we were able to tailor the plant palette to suit this exposure.

Cross contamination is a concern for any food prep area dealing with raw meats. With the help of BioCote Technology (found in BioClad products) restaurants can ensure they uphold the highest level of hygiene within food preparation areas. The antimicrobial technology works 24/7 to eliminate the threat of harmful bacteria such as E.Coli. In addition to its proven antimicrobial protection, the BioClad antimicrobial cladding is extremely easy to clean.

Visitors are greeted into Reynaers Knowledge Centre through an automatic door beneath a sleek cantilever running the length of the building. They enter into a double-height showroom and reception area and can travel up the stairs on to a viewing platform overlooking the showroom. This allows guests to experience a true representation of the scale and quality of the products on display, including multi-level curtain walling, bifolding doors and accessible windows.

The upmarket development was built on a sloping site which required an attractive retaining wall.A large retaining wall was required but space was limited. The retaining wall needed to incorporate corners, curves and steps, as well as supporting an elevated car park above it.The existing site conditions were far from ideal and required significant remediation works.Peter Leonard, Quantity Surveyor at Carpenterbuild Ltd commented: “Having no prior awareness of alternative retention methods, we were going to use a Gabion Basket system. We had previous experience using Gabions on other schemes.”

Providing an aesthetically impressive divide that is also intensely practical, Style has installed a DORMA Moveo operable wall system in the boardroom of major fund advisor, Dimensional. With 55dB acoustics this semi-automatic moveable wall offers exceptional privacy when closed, allowing concurrent meetings to run either side, completely undisturbed. Perfectly complimenting the interior décor of this prestigious office, the panels have a chic fabric finish with a sophisticated dark timber skirting. As DORMA’s exclusive UK partner, Style is able to offer the very best choice of moveable wall systems from a global, market leading manufacturer.

Ninety One, previously Investec Asset Management, recently relocated to impressive new offices in London’s business district. Creating agile working space, Style collaborated with HLW architects and main contractor Overbury, to install three Dorma Hüppe Variflex moveable wall systems, giving freedom to create two individual meeting rooms, or one large open area. Maximising light flooding into this beautifully designed office, one operable wall is glass, whilst the others are finished respectively in a stunning Kvadrat Maharam Merit fabric and Fluted Timber veneer, matching surrounding joinery. Ensuring meetings can run concurrently, the walls provide impressive 59dB acoustic integrity.

As part of an extensive refurbishment at the School of Biomedical Sciences, Newcastle University, Style installed the unique Skyfold dividing wall system, delivering fast and effective flexible room configuration to laboratory teaching facilities. Skyfold is a fully automatic, acoustic moveable wall that's housed discreetly in the ceiling cavity and offers unparalleled acoustic integrity of 59dB Rw. “The wall has exceeded our expectations acoustically, visually and practically,” confirms Dr Alison Gregory, technical manager, School of Biomedical Sciences at the University. “We can run independent activities in adjoining labs with large numbers of students with virtually no sound transfer between rooms.

At SharkNinja’s flagship offices within the iconic Battersea Power Station development, partitioning expert Style worked with Bowman Riley architects, and contractor, Ben Johnson Interiors, to create flexible internal space to meet the working needs of this forward-thinking company.A Dorma Hüppe Variflex glass moveable wall divides a section of the café, creating a large meeting room. A solid Variflex wall allows the space to be further divided into two smaller areas.This chic solution perfectly complements the contemporary décor whilst the impressive acoustic ratings of the walls of 52dB and 55dB respectively, provides exceptional privacy when the café is busy. The semi-automatic operation of both systems ensures the acoustic seals are always applied to exactly the correct pressure whilst improving ease of manoeuvrability for staff.SharkNinja, is the maker of class-leading Shark® vacuums and the innovative line of Ninja® kitchen appliances, positively impacting daily life in homes around the world. The new offices at Battersea Power Station spread over 25,000 square feet and forms a key part of the company’s continued expansion.Style is the UK’s sole distributor for both Dorma and Skyfold partitioning walls, offering specialist solutions for all requirements and budgets across multiple market sectors.In addition to the two Dorma Hüppe Variflex walls, Style also installed a simple, yet highly effective manually operated folding wall in the demonstration room, allowing the space to be divided into two separate areas, when required.“This is a great example of how different types of moveable walls suit different requirements,” said Michael Porter, Style’s group sales director.“As a key area for gatherings and meetings, the combination of the glass and solid Variflex systems was perfect for the café area as it maintains an open plan feel, and a very stylish design, while also offering the practicality of being able to create adaptable meeting rooms when required.“In the demonstration room, the requirements were specific, and the folding wall was just what was needed to create simple space division.”

Bellway had a prime location, just four miles from Canary Wharf and eight miles from central London, with 300 metres of river frontage and panoramic city views, in which to build an attractive new housing complex.Due to its prestigious postcode, the new homes needed to be of the highest quality in terms of construction and elegant in appearance to appeal to the target clientele.Following extensive planning, K Systems brought Bellway’s vision to life and created a beautiful collection of new one, two, and three-bedroom waterside homes on the banks of the River Thames.Each home in the River Gardens development boasts outstanding thermal performance incorporating a façade with an A2 fire resistance rating and a high-quality finish with superb durability and resistance to the elements.Our ServiceThe River Gardens project took place during a global pandemic when the construction industry was significantly impacted in terms of workforce and availability and costs of materials. Despite all these external factors we delivered a stunning, successful project, within budget, without delay or compromise on quality, that not only met but exceeded the requirements and expectations of the client, Bellway Homes.We worked in close partnership with Jessella Ltd (the installer) throughout the duration of the project. As part of our service commitment, our technical team were available to provide hands-on-guidance, offer support, technical guidance and ensure high levels of quality.Jessella Ltd Project Manager, Pavel Mihaylov explains:“River Gardens was one of the most challenging but rewarding projects I have worked on. It was a very complex project with a strict scaffold strike programme and being dependent on weather and many other trades. That made it very difficult to achieve completed areas on time. Thanks to working closely with Jason and Patrick from K Systems and their regular site visits and guidance over the phone, we managed to achieve the required completion dates, safely and with an excellent quality finish.”Technical Project DetailsAfter extensive planning and a comprehensive scoping process with the client and all involved third parties, we specified the K Systems Exicco M, drained cavity façade system with mineral wool insulation. This high performing system is suitable for steel and timber framed buildings and is highly compatible with high rise projects like River Gardens.Fire safety with high rise buildings is of utmost importance and the K Systems Exicco M system generates exceptional performance and provides high levels of fire resistance and noncombustibility (A2 rating).K Systems specified River Gardens with a façade system with an A2-s1,d0 fire rating. The system specified was made up of a combination of A1 fire classification substrate (sheathing board), a Tenmat 120-minute cavity barrier, an A1 non-combustible, dual-density stone mineral wool insulation slab, and a galvanised steel rail. The latest building regulations were complied with ensuring the safety of the future residents.Mineral wool has superb acoustic qualities, another reason it was specified for this project. Its inclusion in the build meant that noise from the wind and traffic travelling up and down the River Thames would be significantly reduced, ensuring a quieter residential option for target clientele who wish to avoid an audible disruption yet still live within the hustle and bustle of city life.For the finish, high-performance 1.5mm thin coat silicone render (Silicone TC) was specified. Our Silicone TC render is renowned for its ease of use on application, variety of texture and colour, and its high-performance properties. Each waterside home in River Gardens was finished in a variety of shades complimentary to the development’s surroundings.Aesthetically the development had a clean, crisp attractive finish with an impressive thermal performance and a protective exterior. The hydrophobic qualities of Silicone TC ensure a low maintenance finish, ensuring it will remain aesthetically pleasing for years to come.

BackgroundOccupying a prominent position on the Kingsway, The Curve development is a portfolio of 27 apartments. The key requirement for Cube Homes was to offer residents high quality, low carbon, affordable and sustainable apartments.After extensive planning, K Systems specified a direct fix system with mineral wool insulation and a silicone render finish. Our Direct Fix system for steel frame structures is KIWA BDA certified and provided the ideal solution for these newly constructed mid-rise apartments.Our team designed a façade solution that delivered modern, thermally efficient and aesthetically pleasing homes, meeting the client’s requirements.Our ServiceDue to the number of fixings and the curvature of the property, this was a technical project which required bespoke detailing.In collaboration with Bowker Sadler Architects and our approved installer Profac, we designed a comprehensive specification and were on-site when required, offering Profac technical and installation support throughout the build.The Direct Fix system specified is a cost-efficient solution for steel frame structures, with fewer components for a simpler and faster install. Direct Fix generates exceptional insulation and with a silicone render finish provides high levels of fire rating (A2,s1-d0), allowing Cube Homes to deliver safe and thermally efficient homes.Technical Project DetailsThe EWI needed to be line and level with the ground floor brickwork. To achieve this specific requirement, 300mm mineral wool (which is deeper than available mineral wool) was specified for the project. This meant 110mm and 190mm boards were combined to achieve the required 300mm.This thicker mineral wool meant that the curved elevation on the building was difficult to achieve. The insulation was facetted around the curve and carefully installed by Profac to create a seamless façade. The 300mm mineral wool resulted in a low U-value of circa 0.10 W/m²K, meaning heating costs for the apartments will be minimal and carbon usage will be reduced to a minimum standard.For the finish, silicone render (TC 15) was specified to create a striking curved elevation. Silicone TC incorporates the benefits of silicone technology to provide a water repellent finish with a fresh and modern appearance. The silicone allows water vapour to pass freely through the render whilst allowing the finish to remain weather resistant, making it the ideal solution for a low maintenance, long-term finish.

Biotecture designed and delivered this 110 sqm green wall which runs vertically through the central atrium of the new EQ commercial office development in Bristol. The internal living wall includes 17 different species and the planting plan selection reflects the River Avon running through Bristol.

BackgroundBelfast City Council designed Walkways Community Centre with the local community in mind, providing them with places to both work and play. In this £1.37m project, the original portable modular building was demolished and replaced with a new 575 square metre build. The two storeys include a creche and soft play area, a 250sqm sports hall and a series of multipurpose rooms for meetings and courses aimed at the local people. Main contractor, McKelvey Construction led the project and worked alongside Michael Whitley Architects to design and deliver the most appropriate solution for Belfast City Council and the local community. K Systems provided on-site technical support and installation guidance throughout the build which resulted in delivery of a modern, aesthetically pleasing facility that achieved the target U-value of 0.18W/m ² K. Our ServiceHaving originally specified rainscreen cladding, K Systems technical team worked with the architect to design a bespoke engineered system with the drained cavity to suit the metsec frame. Regular site visits from our team ensured support was available throughout the build. The Centre is located on a busy street with limited surrounding space, so we had to manage a very congested, condensed site with deliveries planned and arranged by appointment only. We worked closely with McKelvey Construction to manage such challenges and ensure that local access for residents was uninterrupted, as well as ensuring the overall safety of the site area. From design advice through to installation, we offered a partnership approach which ensured a smooth installation process with minimal disruption, and the delivery of a fantastic community centre for the local area to enjoy. Technical Project Details Originally rainscreen cladding was specified for the Walkways project. However during the construction process, due to spiralling material costs and budget restraints, this was deemed too expensive so alternative solutions had to be sourced. It was decided an external insulation system would be used and a ventilated cavity system was required, as this provides a secondary defence in commercial buildings like Walkways. The K Systems Exicco E drained cavity façade system was specified as it ticked all the boxes. Exicco provides excellent protection and can offer an excellent fire rating of up to A2-s1,d0, providing high levels of fire resistance and non-combustibility. The drained cavity behind the insulation in the Exicco system will ensure that any interstitial moisture will escape without detriment to the performance of the system. As EWI was not originally specified for the project, no metsec frame had been designed. This is a crucial element for the Exicco system, which meant a bespoke metsec frame had to be designed specifically to suit our system. The Exicco E system for Walkways used Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) insulation boards that were mechanically fixed and attached to 12mm BBA Approved sheathing boards to create a 25mm drained cavity. EPS boards are extremely light-weight and the system offers a great fire rating of B-s1,d0. It is a high performing, economical system that generates high levels of thermal performance and ensured the target U-value of 0.18W/m ² K. was achieved. For the finish, Silkolitt+ silicone renders ensured a clean, crisp contemporary finish that offers protection to the exterior of the community centre. The flexibility of this finish provides resistance against cracking and increases the durability, ensuring a long-lasting finish for Walkways. 

With a steadily expanding workforce of 200+ highly skilled software engineers, space is at a premium at Amazon’s development centre in Edinburgh. Working with architect, Hassell, and contractor, Clark Contracts, Style was specified to deliver a partitioning solution that would enable the open-plan conference and training room to be segregated into smaller rooms, as required.Installing two Dorma Hüppe Variflex moveable walls either side of a central column, the large area can now be quickly split into two individual rooms.With an incredible 59db Acoustic rating, this is almost an entirely sound-proofed solution, which means there is no disturbance from events taking place either side of the wall. The fabric wrapped Kvadrat Lloyd finish is the perfect complement to the contemporary interior décor.“This easy to manoeuvre, manual moveable wall is the ideal solution when you want to quickly sub-divide space and turn one room into two,” said David Louden, Style’s director for Scotland.“The Variflex panels are manufactured separately to the frame, making it cost-effective to replace a single panel lining if damage occurs, or to update all the panels when the room is re-decorated in the future.“Further contributing to a low carbon footprint, the Variflex moveable wall has an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) in accordance with ISO 14025 and EN 15804, making it a highly sustainable system.”Style has also been commissioned to provide the Amazon development centre with a programme of planned servicing and maintenance, helping ensure an extended working life for the moveable walls.“A regular check-up ensures continued smooth operation, compliance with Health and Safety Legislation, and for acoustic moveable walls, it also ensures its acoustic integrity remains intact,” said Louden.“Regular servicing also minimises the chance of any minor issue escalating into a more expensive repair later down the line. We have examples of well-serviced moveable walls lasting up to 25 years.”Amazon’s development centre in Edinburgh is responsible for devising and growing innovations for Amazon around the world with teams of developers, designers and leaders running major parts of Amazon’s business, technology and operations.

The Coventry Building Society Arena is an award-winning complex situated in the heart of the UK. Maximising revenue opportunities for the exhibition and conference area, Style was commissioned to install a 10 metre high Dorma Hüppe Variflex moveable wall, allowing the 54 metre wide hall to be divided into two separate rooms or left as one vast, open-plan space. Delivering an excellent acoustic rating of 55dB, the partitioning wall allows concurrent events to be run undisturbed on either side.Helping ensure the safe operation of such a large moveable wall, Style recommended the i-Track system which uses a sequence of curves and internal track switches to allow the smooth and easy movement of the heavy panels. The Coventry Building Society Arena (often shortened to the CBS Arena, and formerly known as the Ricoh Arena) is a first-class facility that includes a 32,609-seater stadium, conference, exhibition and meeting spaces to cater for events from as small as 7 up to as many as 7,000 delegates, as well as a Hilton hotel and an expansive casino complex.  Style worked directly with the arena to increase the flexibility of the Indoor Arena, a pillar-free hall offering 6,000 square metres of event space.“With nearly 25 years in operation, Style has had considerable experience delivering moveable wall solutions for halls as large as the one at the CBS Arena”, said Steve Williams, sales director for Style Midlands. “When panel heights exceed 5000mm, weight can become an issue with regards to ease of manoeuvrability. “The Dorma Hüppe i-Track will help reduce wear and tear of the tracking and carriers, significantly extending the operational life of the wall and reducing ongoing maintenance costs. “For the operator, it means the days of wrestling with oversized panels is now a thing of the past. The i-Track system simply harnesses kinetic energy created by the panel movement, utilising that momentum to pass it in and out of the parking pocket.“Track diverters are also used to manually program the carriers to automatically move each panel to the correct parking location.”

As part of a £1.7m investment, Loughborough University recently remodelled Quorn Hall into an impressive 560-seat lecture theatre. Adding functionality to the new facility, Style was contracted to install a 57dB Dorma Hüppe Variflex ComfortDrive moveable wall system with fully automatic operation, allowing the vast space to be divided into two separate areas. A complex project, Style was specified by Core Architects to design a system that not only accommodated the exceptionally high ceiling but that also incorporated the stepped-rise of the seating.

The management of the UK’s education estate facilities has never been more important. Responding to this, partitioning expert Style has recently undertaken planned maintenance work, as part of a 3-year service agreement, in a cluster of Scottish schools, quickly rectifying small areas of wear and tear that could otherwise have led to larger repair costs. Style’s in-house trained team of technicians operates nationwide and is authorised and fully qualified to service and maintain, not only all Dorma Hüppe and Skyfold moveable walls, for which we are sole UK distributor, but also most other systems too,

Biotecture worked with architects, Urban Innovations, to design and deliver 690m2 of living wall on a multi-story car park in Coventry. The introduction of this expansive living wall helped to satisfy planning concerns and creates a striking feature on what might have otherwise been a blank wall. The living walls at Cannon Park feature a bold planting design creating a three-dimensional ‘wave’ or ‘drift’ aesthetic that will become more prominent as the plants mature. The design highlights Biotecture’s ability to match plant choice and design to client requirements.

VDG Property Development has recently joined forces with their own construction company Unibouw to develop the new VDG Warehouse Schiphol II. The new building is equipped with a total of 636.5 square meters of vertical greenery divided into two green walls with the MobiPanel system.In addition to the sustainability requirements, BREEAM-NL certification ‘Excellent’, this also enables the building to meet the high-quality requirements in the areas of nature inclusiveness, biodiversity, ecology and living environment. The green appearance of the buildings is the ‘new normal’ at the business park. Schiphol Trade Park aims to be the most sustainable and innovative business park in Europe.‘The area developer and the ambitions of the Schiphol Trade Park area set high requirements in the area of nature inclusiveness. For example, 95% of the end walls of the building had to be green upon completion. The green facades give the building a fantastic appearance. Nature inclusiveness is becoming increasingly important in project development and this is also the future. It will make the Netherlands look all the better,’ says Richard van Campen – project manager at Unibouw B.V.Nature-inclusive buildingFor the development of VDG Warehouse Schiphol II, design choices were made that enhance the ecological value for the surrounding area. For example, the warehouse not only facilitates an efficient logistic process but also creates space for more greenery and biodiversity.Diversity in plant speciesFor each façade, the climatic conditions have been examined and the choice of plants has been adjusted accordingly. The green façade oriented to the North-West contains the plant species; Campanula Stella, Alchemilla Molis, Vinca Minor, Lonicera Maigrun, Geranium Rozanne, Carex Oshimensis ‘Evergreen’, and Bergenia Bressingham White. In the green façade oriented to the southeast are the plant species; Alchemilla mollis, Dryopteris Erythrosora, Bergnia Bressingham White, Lonicera Maigrun, Riarella cordifolia, Carex Oshimensis ‘Evergreen’, Asplenium scolopendrium and Geranium Spessart. In total, there are approximately 23,400 plants in both green walls.VDG Warehouse Schiphol IIVDG Warehouse Schiphol II comprises 9,636 m2 of modern logistics space and consists of two units. With green facades and panels on both sides, VDG Warehouse Schiphol II presents itself as an extremely sustainable distribution centre. With its ecological elements, the development is not only connected to the surrounding nature, but also to the adjacent distribution centre where a MobiPanel green facade has also been installed.Client: UnibouwArchitect: VDG Real EstateConstruction period: 2022Installation: Mobicare

Drawing on over 20 years of experience installing operable walls, Style was recently challenged to come up with a solution to divide a large meeting area, despite there being no suitable structure in the ceiling to utilise as a fixing point. After some lateral thinking and close communication with the client, a non-structural timber frame was created for support, with the weight of the folding wall being transferred to the ground via a surface mounted floor track. A Stylefold 120 folding wall system was chosen as the only operable wall that could realistically accommodate the room structure.The client for this project was the international company, CEMAR, which offers a state-of-the-art, cloud-based administration support and contract administration product to companies in the construction sector. As part of a substantial refurbishment project of the Gloucestershire offices, CEMAR wanted to incorporate space flexibility to the existing open-plan meeting area. This would allow the expansive space to be quickly divided into two separate meeting rooms, or opened up for larger gatherings, presentations and as a general break out space.Demonstrating their expertise in this sector, Style was able to rise to challenge of installing an operable wall in an area with insufficient ceiling structure to support a partition, delivering a high-quality solution that directly meets the clients’ needs.“We’re very proud of our ability to work with clients to overcome complications in room structure and design, and develop a solution that works perfectly for them,” said Julian Sargent, Style’s group managing director.“The final installation not only complements the room’s interior design with a white melamine finish, but also offers 46dB Rw acoustic integrity and a pass door for room access when the wall is in place.”Style is the multi-award winning, market leader in moveable partitioning walls. With 4 regional offices across the UK and a showroom in London, the company specialises in creating flexible space across a broad cross section of sectors including corporate, hospitality, religion, education, local authority and healthcare.

A Modern and Stylish Dream HomeThis stylish home is a quintessential residential project, designed for ease of life and hassle free functionality.Bearing this in mind, our Evolve line was the perfect fit for this project. The motorised roller blinds provide clean aesthetics and practical functionality with equal proficiency.

This project helped create a striking visual impact for visitors entering the facility. It showcases both involved companies. ability to deliver high quality architectural solutions.

The ChallengeA rapid build retaining wall solution was required to cut down the construction programme.House builders are experiencing extraordinary pressure to meet targets despite the shortage of materials and skilled labour. Contractors are faced with incredibly tight construction programmes which are difficult to deliver on.This challenge is prevalent throughout GB and Ireland, and the case is no different on Bushby Fields Housing Development in Leicestershire. Contractor P Hughes explored every opportunity to claw back on their construction programme, without compromising quality, sustainability, health or safety on the Bloor Homes site.When considering retaining wall options, P Hughes first considered traditional masonry walling. But as skilled brick layers are in short supply and masonry walls are slow to build, they were open to alternatives.The SolutionSecura Grand was selected as it is readily available, quick to install and doesn’t require skilled labour.Tobermore is proud to have supplied their Secura Grand Segmental Retaining Wall System to the Bushby Fields Housing Development. Secura Grand is used in the attractive colour Slate to prevent sloping site issues as well as creating a more efficient use of land. Secura offered a cost-effective mortar-free solution which promised a fast and easy installation process.

Providing the solution for EWI retrofit on non-traditional build housingHaving successfully completing the previous 2 phases, K Systems were approached to provide a specification for EWI installation onto two non-traditional build housing types: 5M and Caspon. Both archetypes are of timber frame construction with single skin brick infills at ground level and a mixture of hanging tiles or cladding on upper floors. Typical of non-traditional build housing, the technical team at K Systems had to pay particular attention to bespoke detailing to derive a suitable EWI solution to meet the client’s requirements.The hanging tiles and cladding were removed from the upper floor(s) and replaced with timber sheathing boards to allow for a uniform aesthetic and a striking contemporary finish.Delivering a robust, safe and aesthetic system solution to meet the project requirementsHull City Council wanted to improve the thermal efficiency of their housing stock whilst provide a durable and more contemporary aesthetic look for the project. A combination of K Systems M Silicone and K Systems M VBriQ was used to achieve a u-value of 0.28 using varying thicknesses of A1 non-combustible mineral wool (80mm to 150mm) to adapt to the variety of substrates typical of non-traditional build housing. The combination of acrylic brick slips and polymer enhanced silicone topcoats achieved an appearance that is durable and elevated the dated look of the estate to a more modern feel. Our team worked extensively with the appointed architect preparing bespoke detailed drawings for the various archetypes, particularly transitions between the brick and timber substrates, cills, verges, rooflines, gas boxes and below DPC. Weekly demand planning meetings ensured timely delivery of materials to the appointed contractor.We ensured the correct fixings were specifiedK Systems commissioned pull-out tests to determine the optimum fixings and washers to be used to anchor the EWI system to the different substrates. A combination of hammer fixings and screw fixings were specified.

This high profile project in The Shard was a complete office fit-out, designed to future-proof and meet the end client’s operational needs. The modern design featured Vtec’s MaxiBeam system and Supacoustic panels. These systems allow for excellent visual appeal and acoustic performance combined with being easy to install and flexible to incorporate the specific access requirements.