"shower head"

Heritage Cast Iron Rainwater systems from Alumasc have been used at The Lancasters, one of London’s most exclusive and prestigious residential developments.Overlooking Hyde Park, The Lancasters was originally a parade of 15 magnificent stucco-fronted Grade II listed houses dating from the mid nineteenth century. More recently used as a hotel, it has now been restored and developed into 77 prestige homes. A leading team of developers, architects and interior designers has created a unique fusion of traditional architecture with brand new design and construction.Alumasc’s Heritage Cast Iron system was specified by the architects Nilsson, for its combination of traditional manufacture and modern quality control standards. The result is a highly robust rainwater solution that provides a visually sympathetic finish to fully complement the stunning Victorian architecture.The Heritage Cast Iron was installed by Premier Services Installations (PSI) Ltd and comprised traditional 4” downpipes and ogee gutters finished in a bespoke white, created especially for The Lancasters by Alumasc who created a dedicated paint line to ensure the order was completed on time.Dave Jones of PSI Ltd commented: “The Lancasters is the largest fascia construction project in Europe and boasts one of the longest and highest Victorian residential terraces in the UK. The sheer height of the building required eighteen 1.8m lengths of downpipe from ground level to the hopper heads.

As with many primary schools, St Andrew’s C of E Primary School suffered from a serious lack of dining space with a small hall that also had to accommodate indoor PE lessons and assemblies. A further issue was that no internal connections existed between the two main blocks of the school, meaning students had to walk through the front carpark of the school – a major safeguarding issue.Streetspace have completed two projects to resolve these issues for the school, installing a 10.0m x 5.0m Triton Maxx symmetric polycarbonate roof canopy in a courtyard adjacent to the hall to provide additional dining space, and a 20.5m x 1.5m Triton Mono walkway with glazed curtain walling to provide security across the front elevation of the school.The projects have been a great success for the school, with the head teacher commenting: “The covered walkway means the whole front of the school is enclosed, ensuring children having lessons in the hall aren’t disturbed and visitors can only access the school through reception. The dining room was overcrowded, and the noise levels were higher than we wanted and it made it difficult to manage. Now we’ve practically doubled our dining space and that’s really helped the children choose where they want to go and eat. It’s helped with the noise levels and made the dining experience much more pleasant.”

Over view"The devil is in the detail." This phrase rings true, especially in construction projects where achieving exceptional airtightness is critical. We ensure success by starting all our projects with Passive Purple Brush, a high-performance liquid membrane that plays a pivotal role in achieving the desired air test score.BackgroundOriented Strand Board (OSB) joints are common points of air leakage. Passive Purple Brush effectively seals these joints, preventing air infiltration and ensuring a continuous airtight barrier. By sealing all critical areas with Passive Purple Brush, we achieve consistent and reliable air test scores, often surpassing stringent standards such as Passive House requirements.SolutionsStarting our projects with Passive Purple Brush is a fundamental step in achieving exceptional airtightness and energy efficiency. By meticulously sealing all connections, OSB joints, nail heads, service penetrations, and window and door reveals, we ensure that our buildings meet and often exceed desired air test scores. This attention to detail not only enhances the building's performance but also contributes to long-term sustainability and comfort.ResultsOnce applied, Passive Purple Brush forms a robust and durable membrane that remains effective over time, even with building movements and environmental changes. 0.03 ACH (air changes per hour) was achieved on this project, largely thanks to Passive Purple Brush and it’s fibre reinforced polymer technology.

The construction of Lidl's largest Regional Distribution Centre (RDC) in both Great Britain and globally has brought 125,000m2 of class B8 storage to the new 58 acre facility - located just outside London on the M1. A new distribution hub servicing more than 150 Lidl stores in London and the surrounding counties, this RDC is the first to feature automation, bringing over 1,200 jobs to the Luton and Dunstable area. ChallengeFull envelope construction provider FK Construction were contracted to construct the building envelope, cladding the building with Kingspan KS1000MR composite wall panels, fixed back to ultra heavy steel. SolutionBeing a secret fix panel, the fasteners needed to fasten through 100mm of insulated panel to fix back securely to the framing. Fixfast supplied in the region of 500,000 DF25-SSA4-HT fasteners for the construction of the external walls and internal coldstore applications, being able to self--drill through steel up to 25mm thick. Hex headed, available with washers for roof, rooflight or wall applications - and in A4/316 grade stainless steel for maximum corrosion resistance: these fasteners are the solution for fixing into ultra heavy steel.(images courtesy of FK Group)"FK have forged a close working relationship with Fixfast over many years and in partnership successfully delivered a number of high-profile schemes"Alistair Bolton - Construction Procurement Director at FK Group

Situated in the middle of the London Borough of Hackney, Will Wyatt Court is a 511-room residential building providing student accommodation.ChallengeRoofing & façade contractor Russell Roofing Ltd were contracted to carry out refurbishment works externally on the Will Wyatt Court building - recladding and subsequently transforming the building with BTS Façades and Fabrications' Vantage® IP Interlocking Plank rainscreen system in alternating metallic colours.SolutionThe rainscreen panel used has a secret fix fastening system, which means that the majority of the fasteners are hidden - but the remaining exposed fasteners have to colour match exactly the panel in order to blend in with the building.Using Fixfast DrillFast low profile lacquered fasteners, Fixfast were able to colour match the fastener heads so Russell Roofing could install the fasteners knowing they'd match perfectly with the external panels.Fast forward to 2023 and Russell Roofing were awarded 'best refurbishment project' in the 2023 UK Façade Awards for the Will Wyatt Court refurbishment and re-cladding of the building. "Working with Fixfast at Will Wyatt Court was a great experience all round. Their unwavering commitment to providing technical support, cost-effective solutions, and exceptional customer service has not only streamlined our processes but elevated the overall success of the project."Frazer Simpson - Director at Russell Roofing Ltd

Six of our large raised planters can be found in the walled garden of the historic Hopton Hall on the outskirts of the Peak District. The hall has a rich 600-year heritage and has hosted the likes of Oliver Cromwell and Mary Queen of Scots. Today the hall is a privately owned home with holiday cottage accommodation. Its beautiful gardens are open to the public, who travel from all over the world to see its famous snowdrop displays in spring and its fragrant rose garden in summer.The kitchen garden sits within the walled rose garden and is used to grow vegetables, herbs and varieties of pollinator-friendly flowers.There are two rows of three raised planters. This area of the garden is sloped, therefore the planters needed to be built into it to maximise the space large beds have been built into the slope.Hopton’s head gardener opted for high planters for ease of access and each design is 0.85m high.WoodBlocX modular planters are a popular choice for parks and gardens. The combination of versatile design and superior finish means the structures work well in historical and heritage settings and equally well within modern schemes by simply switching from traditional to contemporary capping, which sits flush with the structure.Raised planters can also be designed with integrated seating and in bespoke shapes and sizes, and we offer all clients a Free Design Service which will visualise your design in a series of CAD views.Bei

Architectural glazing systems by Kawneer were specified as a “key aspect” of the new regional head office of British Sugar’s parent company, the FTSE 25 Associated British Foods (ABF), for their pedigree and quality.CPMG Architects selected products from all of Kawneer’s portfolio for the building on a 4.5-acre site at Cygnet Business Park, Hampton, Peterborough, which would enable the relocation of almost 400 people from ABF businesses locally (AB Sugar, British Sugar, AB Mauri, ABF Ingredients and ABF) with the addition of purpose-built conference and training facilities and a showcase central reception area. Kawneer’s aluminium AA®100 SSG (Structurally Silicone Glazed) curtain walling features on the ground floor reception, meeting/conference spaces and south-facing restaurant/café while AA®100 mullion-drained curtain walling has been used on the first and second floor open-plan offices of the three-storey building.In addition, the 5,755m2 (GIA) building features ultra-thermally efficient AA®720 doors, large (3m high by 9m wide) AA®3572 sliding doors and over-sized (2.4m by 0.7m) AA®720 parallel opening windows, all installed by approved specialist sub-contractor Norman & Underwood.

Nature inspired aesthetics and safety for customersIssueDobbies Garden Centres welcome two and four-legged customers into Pet Corner at their Huddersfield centre, providing a challenge for any floor. With wet paws and floors comes the risk of a slip, so a safety floor with natural aesthetics was required when the centre was undergoing a recent refurbishment.ApproachMichael Brooks, Head of Construction and Maintenance for Dobbies Garden Centres liaised with Altro Sales Consultant, Kevin Jackson on the different floor options for the space. Wanting to match the Dobbies ethos of ‘not an average garden centre’ the floor solution needed to provide durability, be easy to clean, and have a natural biophilic feel to the design.SolutionThe specification led the Dobbies team to a brand new safety floor, Altro Illustra. Designed to bring natural elements in a range of contemporary and flexible colours, shades and fabric effects, Altro Illustra is also smooth to the touch, functional with a natural beauty. This stylish, safety floor is also available as a sustainable, adhesive-free option.Altro Illustra is available in a range of contemporary and flexible designs. This stylish, functional and design-led safety flooring has enhanced sustained slip resistance, making it great for busy classrooms, entrance areas, care home and hospital wards, corridors and shop floors.New Altro Illustra is low maintenance, incorporating Altro Easyclean™ technology.

Radii designed, manufactured and installed solutions for 71 offices and meeting rooms across Baker Botts’ new 27,000 sq ft space.The standout contribution to this project was the installation of stunning curved glazed screens for the executive meeting rooms. Using a Parallel 50 double glazed system with angled façade abutments, the luxurious design was accompanied with acoustic blank 64mm veneered timber doors, achieving 40dB Rw, and flush bonded Align glazed pivoting doors.Baker Botts’ office fronts comprised of Linear 59 single glazed partitions with adjoining Radii Glide sliding doors and bespoke drywall endcaps. Concealed deflection heads helped to create a flush look with clean lines, while a special bronze finish — applied to the metalwork at Radii’s dedicated in-house powder coating line — complemented the colour palette throughout the space.For small-to-medium size meeting rooms Linear 30 and Linear 64 single glazing, both offering 41dB Rw, were used alongside Parallel 50  fins, Glide glazed sliding doors and Align pivoting doors. All meeting rooms for Baker Botts were installed with retro-fit room booking, facilitated with cable routes provided down the door legs.Finally, Linear 25 single glazed partitioning was placed alongside single glazed Hogan door sets with access controls in Baker Botts’ lift lobby.

The ChallengeWith the architects hoping to realise their vision of space and light on the ground floor, but the fire officer demanding fire safety partitioning around the base of the lift shafts, Pyroguard tendered a stylish, high-performance solution – a lobby encased in glass and steel, capable of delivering best-in-class performance credentials and aesthetic appeal in abundance.Working closely with steel frame and glazing specialist Pacific Fire Control, Pyroguard designed a modern glass wall, with a glazed door and stylish, thin steel frames which were independently fire tested by Efectis France.The scheme amendment was accepted by both the architects and the fire officers, declaring Pyroguard as their manufacturer of choice for this flagship leisure development.The SolutionA subsidiary of India’s largest business conglomerate, the Tata Group, the Indian Hotels Company is known for its relentlessly high standards, which are visible across its portfolio of hotels.Meeting this quality benchmark head-on, Pyroguard supplied 390 square metres of ultra-thin lightweight Pyroguard Firesafe, which offers protection from flames, smoke and radiant heat for between 30 and 120 minutes.This EW-classified product is UV stable and offers exceptional light transmission, making it the perfect solution for encasing the lift lobby. The toughened glass was installed in fire-resistant steel screens and door frames around the lobby.

A version of SLP model D has been developed especially for hospitals, including for use in X-ray departments. This version, called an X-ray platform lift, is built into the floor and can lift the patient up to the correct height for the X-ray machine when, for example, knees or ankles need to be X-rayed. The X-Ray platform lift has support rails that make it safe for the patient to stand on the platform. It has a low built-in height, making it easy to install even with different floor levels. The Hospital of South West Jutland in Denmark has installed the X-ray platform lift in its Department of Radiology, where the head radiographer describes what this has meant for the department in its day-to-day work: “The X-ray platform lift makes for a much better work environment. Previously, we had to use portable stairs. The stairs take up a lot of space and patients have difficulty climbing the high steps. It’s also heavy and carries a risk of work-related injuries. With the X-ray platform lift, you can use a remote control to lift the patient up to the correct height to maintain good contact with the patient. In addition to the above the X-ray platform lift is also time-saving, as it’s always ready for use. This is significant given the fact that around 20 patients go through each X-ray room daily

Michael Laird Architects approached Planet Partitioning to provide high acoustic partitioning screens and doors, across all 4 floors of the scheme, with an extra 5th floor secured upon completion, as a result of the impressive works Planet provided.With audio being the Client’s line of work, the office space not only included meeting rooms, open plan office space and break out areas, but also ‘Jam’ rooms and recording studios. Stringent acoustic attenuation was therefore called for, with PURE100 double glazed partitioning screens and IsoPro doors being used throughout the office and meeting areas, and PURE100 single glazing used in the break out spaces. By using the PURE100 range throughout, the scheme ensured the head and base details remained uniform across all 4 floors.For the Jam rooms and recording studios, Planet recommended specialist PURE200 triple glazed screens, which can achieve staggering acoustics of 64dB Rw, ensuring workers wouldn’t be disturbed while staff ‘rock out’!ech panels were integrated to the partitioning screens surrounding the meeting rooms, as an easy way to book the rooms remotely and to notify staff of when the rooms are booked, and by whom.Planet designed a bespoke ‘zig-zag’ glazed partitioning screen to run along the front of a section of offices. The completed effect was quite striking and greatly received by the client and architect.

As business evolves and requirements change in our fast-paced world, Movawall Systems Ltd continue to bring ground breaking, intuitive products to the industry and pride ourselves in being able to create unique and bespoke systems for all our clients, whatever the application. One of our latest projects which has been installed and tested has made us particularly proud and set a new standard in acoustic movable walls.The requirements on this project were clear and simple with very specific needs for one of the leading pharmaceutical companies and we were going to tackle it head on. A movable acoustic wall with radiation protection for a research and testing environment needing to maximise flexibility while still offering the safety and protection required in a radiology environment.Our Type 100SE semi-electrically operated movable wall was developed and tailor-made for this requirement; with X-Ray protection and specialised seals to ensure the ground-breaking radiation protection and acoustic levels would be achieved. Each wall weighed in the region of circa 6 tons and the top hung system was fitted with our Type “K“ track which allows for remote and varied stacking locations. The walls varied in width and height but were all finished in Rigato Formica laminate with aluminium protective edge trims. The vision panels in the pass doors were fitted with Med-X type single glazed glass between two layers of 4mm thick toughened glass.

Glazing Vision’s three-wall box rooflight has provided a rooftop with more de rigueur, and one which takes advantage of the spectacular views overlooking the Perth shorelines.Keen to unlock and utilise the space on top of this newly built residential home, and further add value to this property, an innovative “glass box” was introduced to provide easy access to the roof terrace.Luxurious, modern and upbeat, this new build property has been carefully created with family life in mind. The floor plan involves family separation and considered zoning of the property.The ground floor provides a secluded escape from the excitement of the first floor, with a detailed layout which enables the clients to relax. A big theatre room and access to the garden offers a chilled out environment, hidden away from neighbours.The first floor is created for living in, with a completely open planned lounge, diner and kitchen. Set higher up, it allows for views across the beach and over the garden courtyard. Thus, it was important to ensure that high quality glazing was specified throughout to make the most of the wonderful views.Tasked with sourcing and installing the windows and doors on this modern new build property, Next Generation Glass director Steve Payne mentions how the client had come to them enquiring about skylights. After a lot of research into the different profiles available in Australia and after various different drawings and ideas, the outcome wasn’t looking good.It was a visit to the UK which led Steve to Glazing Vision, thankful of a recommendation from a contact of his. “Since my first contact, we decided it was a great product and became a distributor of Glazing Vision products in Australia”.After discussing the details of the job, a three wall box rooflight was recommended, helping to provide access to the clients roof terrace and providing wonderful views of the majestic presence of the Indian Ocean in the background.“It really is a great product and all that see it are in awe of it” explains Steve Payne, director of Next Generation Glass.The Glazing Vision three-wall box rooflight is fixed to your existing building structure, thereby facilitating the full use of the roof top terrace but operates in the same way as our freestanding box rooflight. The sleek aluminium framework and perfectly edged glass-to-glass joints create a stunning contemporary finished design which reflects the style of this property.This home’s rooftop terrace is the culmination of meticulous tweaking of the planning codes, and the reward is breath-taking views of Perth, with a beautiful backdrop of the ocean behind. It was in fact these planning codes which guided them towards the three-wall box rooflight, as the extra head height was required when coming up the stairs. Also allowing the homeowner to climb the stairwell whilst the rooflight is retracting into its open position, without having to ‘bow their head’.Fitted with minimal and contemporary outdoor furniture to increase the sense of openness. The new roof top allows the homeowner an additional ‘room with a view’, perfect for entertaining or for relaxing and enjoying the stunning views on offer.Having completed their first project with Glazing Vision, Steve Payne mentions how easy the whole process was, and that most of the hard work was undertaken by Glazing Vision. It was a simple installation process for a company like Next Generation Glass who are used to cranes in their scope of works.

The stunning state-of-the-art, multi-level, Better New Addington Leisure & Community Centre, designed by GT3 Architects for the London Borough of Croydon features buff brick cladding with 3D- textured detailing thanks to external cladding supplier Aquarian Cladding Systems.The project was part of the Southern Construction Framework and followed a string of work carried out by Willmott Dixon for the Borough. It was also home to the building contractor’s first Building Lives Academy, aimed at upskilling young people in the area and providing them with an opportunity to join the construction industry.Originally, another brick cladding system was specified for use, however due to the complexity of the stepped window frame detailing, the additional cladding support rail cost, the time it would take to install, and a lack of product warranty from the supplier, an alternative cladding system was sought to meet the programme and budget.To resolve the challenge, Aquarian and specialist cladding contractor Express Dry Lining, part of Aquarian’s Approved Installer Network, worked closely together to achieve an acceptable finish to match the specified material, which suited the local vernacular thus meeting the aesthetic, programme, and commercial requirements.Peter Head, Director of Express Dry Lining said: “The design and installation support of Aquarian helped us ensure that all stakeholders were supported throughout the process of material selection, buildability, component production and assembly to achieve a photogenic building free of defects which will last. This is one of those projects to be proud of for a very long time.” In addition, the solution had to be a cladding system that used brick slips which could also be produced as standard bricks to build landscaping planters and achieve a seamless ‘hit-and-miss’ brick feature in the façade. As an innovative, panelised, insulating brick cladding system, which has been successfully tested to BS8414 on five separate occasions and has an EN13501 fire rating of B, s1, d0, Gebrik was perfect, with Aquarian supplying 1126m2 to the project.To achieve the 3D features in accordance with the architect’s design brief, eighteen different panel and corner components were produced, 25% of which were bespoke and therefore project-specific.The expertise of Express Dry Lining in the setting out of the substrate ensured the 60mm thick ‘brick wallpaper’ is consistent across the entire façade with perp joint alignment across both the stretcher and stack bond panels. And their attention to detail in ensuring the system was cleaned down after pointing ensured the façade was completed on time and to everyone’s satisfaction. The finished project was completed six weeks ahead of the revised programme with Gebrik significantly contributing to the speed of construction and reduction in programme, leading to significant cost benefits elsewhere. The London Borough of Croydon is delighted with the quality of the completed building, with Councillor Oliver Lewis, cabinet member for culture, leisure, and sport, quoted as saying, “This is a stunning new centre with first-class facilities for everyone in New Addington to enjoy and be proud of.” Peter Head concluded by saying, “It is unlikely any other brick cladding solution could have been used as cost-effectively and efficiently as Gebrik to create a façade of such high quality.”

Private Clinic Blomenburg stands for holism when it comes to the therapy and design concept.A haven in the middle of a beautiful environment in the north of Germany: The 19th Century Blomenburg („Burg“ for castle), is surrounded by a huge park. Away from the everyday hustle and bustle, offering 69 furnished in premium quality, spacious single rooms and suites. The modern bathrooms are equipped with KEUCO furnishings and complement the syntonic interior design. Here the guests can dedicate their soul to regeneration in a quiet and peaceful stylish ambience.The elaborate restoration of the building was carried out taking the historic importance and special use of the Blomenburg into consideration. The new building with its generous glass facade was constructed under the castle rock and now accommodates the guest rooms. Between the old and the new building, there is an approximately 800m² big spa and pool area engrafted in the topography of the castle rock. The historic buildings surrounding the castle yard are used for social purposes, medical fitness, healthy living and mindfulness training of the body, soul and mind. The exclusive design of the indoor rooms is not to be compared with the magnificence of the outside of the buildings.Noble materials and luxurious items of furniture in the guest rooms create an ideal setting for convalescence and relaxation. This temporary home equipped with KEUCO furnishings and accessories in the bathroom offer the guests plenty of storage space for personal care products. Not only do the PLAN vanity unit and tall unit in unobtrusive truffle offer generous storage space, but the light mirror with a frame offers additional storage space. The perfect light lets the windowless bathrooms appear brighter and friendlier. The integrated mirror heating makes it possible to look in the mirror after a hot and relaxing shower.IXMO fittings in a strong design offer intuitive use to reach the right temperature. Matching accessories nicely round-off the bathroom interior in a coherent way and perfectly match the high-class concept of the clinic.

The Pyramids Centre in Portsmouth has had a new lease of life with a £2.5m makeover. The ageing facility is now a modern leisure complex offering a fun attraction to the local families. The new facilities include a state-of-the-art gym, trampoline, and soft play park.Helmsman was sub-contracted to supply the lockers and cubicles package providing a turnkey solution to create a modern and sharp changing room area with a comfortable feel.For the Pyramids Centre leisure project we manufactured, delivered, and installed modern laminate lockers of 3 and 5 doors. They are heavy duty and suitable for a wet environment. A row of three-compartment lockers have an integrated cantilever seat stand matching the Abet Walnut (616) laminate lockers and cubicles. The integrated seat stand on these lockers is a great space-saving solution and is perfect for this area.The front line cubicle range fitted the requirements for the toilet and shower cubicles, installed alongside the lockers. The Walnut laminate runs throughout these changing rooms as one of the dominant colours. The cubicle partitions are in Abet Light Grey (478) to separate each cubicle and bring light into the space to complement the rest of the interior.The vanity units and timber integrated plumbing system (IPS) panels are also manufactured from the matching laminate. The IPS in the toilet cubicles are the same colour as the partitions, giving a natural flow throughout. The wall to floor benches and free-standing benches are in Walnut laminate colour as laminate slats are perfect and protected in the wet areas.Most importantly Helmsman has a dedicated and experienced in-house design team supported by its on-site factory. From the outset, we bring a combination of skills and creativity to influence our clients’ decision-making to ensure that concepts turn into reality. From start to finish, we are committed to providing high standards and exceeding customer expectations.

In a historic moment blending heritage, accessibility, and community spirit, the much-anticipated Ignatius Sancho Café officially opened its doors in Greenwich Park on Saturday, 23rd March. The launch event, attended by esteemed guests and locals alike, marked a milestone in celebrating the legacy of Ignatius Sancho, a remarkable 18th-century figure whose impact resonates through the centuries.Changing Places, Changing LivesAstor Bannerman was pleased to be involved in the project to contribute to the cafes abilities to cater to diverse needs. The Changing Places facility includes:Astor’s Invincible Height Adjustable Changing TableABW-CP Height Adjustable Wall Mounted Wash BasinOT200 Overhead Ceiling Track HoistGeberit – AquaClean Mera Care Shower ToiletKwickScreen Wall Mounted Privacy ScreenThese facilities underscore The Royal Park’s commitment to inclusion and accessibility.Borras Construction, the construction company behind the project, received accolades for their dedication and craftsmanship. Architect Mark Martines from Architype envisioned a blend of historical charm and modern functionality, transforming the old ranger’s lodge into a vibrant community hub just a stone’s throw away from the picturesque deer park in Greenwich.The CaféThe Ignatius Sancho Café promises to breathe new life into the park, offering an array of lunch items ranging from hot and cold sandwiches, freshly brewed coffees, cakes, salads, and much more. Beyond serving as a place to stop by on your visit to the park, the café aims to be a focal point for fostering connections, promoting diversity, and celebrating Greenwich’s heritage.As guests step through the door of the Ignatius Sancho Café, they engage in an experience that encapsulates the ethos of inclusivity, creativity, and community synonymous with the legacy of Ignatius Sancho.For more information and updates, visit Ignatius Sancho Café’s website.

ObjectiveSaving Graces Interiors, an interior design company based in Dundee, Scotland, offer a truly bespoke interior design service with a focus on creating beautiful spaces that reflect the personalities and lives of their clients.Working with Piperdam Golf & Leisure to refurbish 8 lodges for luxury getaways, Saving Graces Interior Designer, Antonia Burnett, chose the Bushboard Nuance range for the shower enclosure areas.Observation‘When I started working with Piperdam I needed to find a bathroom wall panel that was not only robust but also attractive. I spent a lot of time researching and when I landed on the Bushboard website I could see that the designs were miles ahead of the competition.’Nuance is a unique, 100% waterproof, extrusion-free panelling system that can installed in a matter of hours. Whether the project look is traditional or contemporary, the designs and textures have been carefully selected to include plain décor, as well as stunning marble and stone designs, and on trend woods.OutcomeAntonia decided to use Silver Travertine, a beautiful timeless design to suit any style of bathroom and work with a variety of paint colours. ‘As an interior designer I need a supplier that is reliable, affordable and who provides good quality products, Bushboard ticks all the boxes.’‘Rebecca Checketts, Business Specification Coordinator was extremely helpful in explaining the benefits of using Nuance and arranging next day samples.’‘Installation was quick and very straight forward and Bushboard have been on hand from start to finish. I am absolutely delighted with the end result and we will certainly specify Nuance again.’For more information about the Nuance range and other Bushboard products, to request a RIBA CPD, download an NBS specification or to order samples visit www.bushboard.co.uk

The House of St Johns’ is a beautifully restored andrenovated Grade I listed building in the heart of Bath, UK.The building now houses a mix of flexible office spaces,dedicated desks, meeting rooms and modern eventsspaces – offering a fully flexible working environment formodern times.Working in close collaboration with architect FelidenClegg Bradley Studios and contractors Emery BrothersLtd, Allgood provided a complete ironmongeryspecification throughout, while Allgood Secure designedand installed a security and access control system thatmet with the client’s requirements.The Modric range in a Spectra bronze finish was chosenthroughout the building as its timeless aesthetic andelegant simplicity matched the architect’s vision for thespace. Our Holt range was also fitted onto the lowerground floor communal doors and shower rooms from European oak, Holt’s super circular design providesa welcoming, warm to the touch feel that suited thedesign intent to provide welcoming spaces.Allgood Secure designed a comprehensive securityspecification for this project, including an access controlsystem, CCTV, and a video intercom system. All of thiswas backed up with powerful cloud-based software,Brivo Access, giving the staff full visibility across the siteand allowing them to lock and unlock doors remotely.The system was also integrated with House of StJohns’ room booking system, meaning members canunlock meeting rooms themselves using their accesscredentials.A key part of the security system was the installationof Eagle Eye cloud-hosted CCTV cameras. Thesecameras are fully integrated with the Brivo Accessplatform, allowing the team to view the live video feedsfrom anywhere and with ease. All of this is backed upwith expertly selected and fitted electronic locks andironmongery from the wider Allgood team, ensuring alldoors are compliant with the relevant fire, escape andaccessibility criteria.

Transforming Small Spaces with Rooflights.In the heart of the English countryside, you’ll find lots of quintessential cottages, often with thatched roofs, just like something you’d find on a postcard. Whilst these cottages are beautiful on the outside, they often lack light and space on the inside.This was the issue a homeowner in Salisbury, Wiltshire ran into when it came to renovating an ensuite shower room in a cottage. The space runs the length of the adjoining bedroom but due to the size of the property, it’s only a few feet wide. The other problem was, it was incredibly dark, with no existing windows or the wall space to install them. The homeowner would need to put their thinking cap on, because this challenge would be the focus of their renovation. Natural light was a top priority to create the bright and airy ensuite space the homeowner imagined for their renovation.With the room not having the wall space to install vertical windows, and because it was in the eaves of the building, there were no floors above it. Thinking creatively, the homeowner opted to use the ceiling space and install rooflights to allow an abundance of natural light to flood into the small space. However, this wasn’t as straightforward as you may think because of the very nature of the homeowner’s quintessential cottage nestled in the English countryside. Being a Grade 2 listed building, planning permission is strict and so the homeowner needed to find the right rooflights that would be in keeping with the property and not upset its overall aesthetic.The Planning Officers themselves were able to help the homeowner with their renovation, pointing them in the direction of the Rooflight Company’s Conservation Rooflight, the Victorian-style rooflight, engineered to modern specification.With their advice, two CR10-2 rooflights were installed to the ensuite bathroom. The finished result is the beautifully light and airy ensuite bathroom that the homeowner had envisioned from the inside, and a period Salisbury cottage still quintessential from the outside.

Our MG200, recently installed in this contemporary office setting, delivers the desired room dividing solution while maintaining the aesthetic and brightness of the interior space.The ModernGlide MG200 panels can have a whiteboard wipeable and magnetic finish if required.Manufactured panels have a different level of acoustic reduction, but all of them provide the kind of flexibility needed to work perfectly within any office or commercial environment following a professional installation from ModernGlide.Because there is no need for a structural head support, this makes the MG200 series perfect for smaller openings. The versatility of our sliding folding wall partitions continue through the format of slimline stacking. This means that when the wall is not in use, it will take up minimal space in your environment.Additionally, the MG200 sliding partition series comes standard with a pass door panel which allows movement from side-to-side with seamless ease. We are able to offer a complete solution for all of your acoustic sliding partition needs.A continuous acoustic wall partitions system, it is perfect for a quick and easy set-up process and is our most popular budget solution for acoustic partitions that move.MG200 Wall Partitions Key FactsAcoustic reduction from 37dB to 49dBFloor-supportingPanel widths 450mm to 900mmHeight up to 4,000mmPass door as standardCentre-folding or end-folding stacking optionsPanel finishes include melamine, laminate, veneer and white boardIntegral glazing options30 minute fire rating option

A stunning installation of the SPIG-LITEadvanced in Cornwall.If you own a home by the Cornish sea you don’t want to miss out on any of the view. This home, high above the water boasts enormous panoramic sea views. Cornwall is known for its quick changing weather, and high winds could be a downside to this location. However, there is an easy solution! A frameless glass balustrade. SPIG-LITEadvanced can support glass up to 1100mm high. Creating an elegant and stylish windbreak to protect furniture and people on the balcony. Without a channel being used, more of the view can be enjoyed. For this installation, the spigots are placed below eye-level when you’re on the balcony but can be seen from other angles around the property. The SPIG-LITEadvanced is easier to install and transport to and from any site. The lightweight and compact product can fit into smaller vans to fit through those country winding lanes. For our installers, there are many advantages to this product; the easy installation, adjustment, product weight and outstanding test results. SPIG-LITEadvanced can be spaced 500mm apart, enabling just 2 spigots per 1000mm piece of glass. Free water drainage is also a big benefit to this product, rain and water can flow beneath the glass, reducing the chance of water ingress and making this product perfect to use around swimming pools or other wet areas. If you’re interested in reading about the SPIG-LITEadvanced head over to the product page. 

Our double point movable walls allow the panels to stack away in a concealed recessed pocket to give a clear room and flexible spaces. The chosen finish was foamed backed 12mm stretched fabric Kvadrat. Colour name: Remix 3 123 both sides (flame retardancy) with concealed edge profiles, therefore giving the finest attention to detail. Structure opening was 4.5m wide and 2.7m high and consisted of 3 standard panels and 1 telescopic closure panel. The chosen acoustic sound reduction was our 50dB acoustic laboratory construction. As shown in our key facts and specifications above, there are many benefits that come with having movable walls in your environment. The made-to-measure panels of these operable walls work through an internal, retractable mechanism and move quietly and quickly along the head track. In their closed position, the MG100 walls are extremely secure and rigid. An element of flexibility is suddenly added to your space. And therefore the environment can quickly be manipulated to cater for any of your flexible space needs. Whether that be for meetings or a little bit of privacy. Contact Us for movable walls If you are looking to have movable walls installed in your work environment, please get in touch. Call one of our helpful and accommodating staff members on 01932 918 338. Or you can email us at sales@modernglide.co.uk. Alternatively, you can fill in our online enquiry form and we will reply as soon as we can.

The first thoughts about safety at work are always about physical injury prevention as well as inhaling fumes, hazardous substances, etc. However, Occupational Noise, which is the amount of acoustic energy received by an employee of a company, can cause permanent damage if it is continuous.In the UK, The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005, came into effect for all industries from April 2008, which is quite late when you consider that the harm hearing loss can cause. Harm such as Tinnitus, which is the perception of noise in the ear or head, caused by a problem with the inner ear.The sustaining of high noise levels can also mask warning signals, prevent concentration and vital communication.Most authorities around the world have agreed that noise becomes dangerous when it’s higher than 85 decibels during a typical 8-hour work shift. However, noises under 85 decibels can also cause issues with the general public who are in and around the working environment.An example below shows the different examples of noise levels in decibels – the definition of noise is sound that is unpleasant or causes disturbance.ReductionIf a noise can’t be reduced by engineering the equipment, then acoustic quieting is required. This is the process of dampening vibrations from machinery and systems such as flue systems.With the increasing demand for noise attenuation, the demand for noise reduction from flues and chimneys in marine and industrial situations mean that many companies have developed their own silencer programmes. These tend to be combined with flue systems to have a product range which is reducing sound at the design stage

The Project – Global HQ.This new build was a joint project between Leicester County Council and Loughborough University Science Enterprise Park (LUSEP). Together they delivered this stunning building which is to be solely occupied by The Access Group as their Global Head Quarters.Bathgate Flooring were engaged to manufacture, supply and install PSA grade BGM600 steel encapsulated panels throughout to provide the Access Group with Category A finish.Now completed – it will be home to more than a third of the global workforce for this leading technology company.Products UsedThe panels were specified to PSA Standards. The BGM600 Steel Encapsulated panel is medium grade PSA panel which suits most applications. This was used extensively in the installation.Testimonial“It was handed over to a very happy client and client team with some great feedback too. They think the building is great and are very pleased not only with the end product quality, but with the overall approach as a whole from start to finish– well done team LUSEP past and present, great work!  On behalf of the Wates Site Management team, I would like to thank you all for your proactive approach through all the difficulties that the past year has given to us all, you should all be immensely proud of the quality and passion that your workforce put into the project.Mike Martin – Site Manager,Wates Construction Midlands.Architect: Perfect CircleOwner: Leicester County CouncilContractor: Wates ConstructionLocation: LoughboroughSystem Size: 5664 sq. m.Completion: December 2020

The challengeThe old hand dryers had burnt out and were extremely noisy. The washrooms are located close to the reception desk and they often caused background noise problems for staff and visitors.“Choosing a product that was both quiet and eco-friendly, I had reservations about performance, however this was unwarranted. Superb dryer at a bargain price to match.” Emma Davis - Fleet & Facilities, ASE Plc Who are ASE Plc?ASE are a global company specialising in the automotive industry, with head offices in Manchester, UK. They operate in over 50 international markets providing specific motor trade accountancy, professional services and retail performance data. There are approx. 50 staff working in this location, but they have a worldwide team of over 220 peopleThe solutionThis Quiet Mark approved unit with blade technology is one of the quietest in its class. You can turn off the heater element to further decrease the energy use and running costs.Model: Dryflow ViperDry time range: 15 – 20 secondsRated power: 600W – 2000W (4 settings available)Guarantee length: 3 yearsThe results“The noise has dramatically reduced into the reception area and it is now as quiet as is should be.The new models selected are much less powerful and more eco-friendly, however the end result is just as good, dry hands all round. In fact, we just purchased another one”Emma Davis - Fleet & Facilities, ASE Plc

The Wilberforce Trust is a charity dedicated to helping and empowering those with sight and hearing loss and impairment in the York and North Yorkshire area to live fulfilling and independent lives. The Trust had tenants in community based supported housing and family homes around York but wanted to deliver an innovative ‘extra care’ housing scheme designed especially for people with a visual impairment and other disabilities; the first of its kind in the area.Wilberforce House offers 30 one-bed, open-plan purpose-built, self-contained apartments along with a Living & Learning Zone – providing education and leisure activities – a courtyard cafe and offices for the Trust itself, all set in four acres of accessible landscaped gardens, including a large sensory garden. The apartments utilise smart home and assistive technology personalised to their lifestyle needs.A consultant was employed to review the development’s plans with regard to fire safety. His report included recommendations for additional fire safety measures including the ability for cooker hobs to be switched off by an alarm, as kitchen fires are a significant risk with 50% of all accidental house fires starting in the kitchen. WHY THE FIRECHIEF KITCHEN STOVE GUARD? The initial solution proposed was costly as it meant hob alarms would need to be hard wired into each apartment’s fuse board. Damian Pocknell, Head of Housing, Facilities & IT at the Wilberforce Trust recalled having seen and read about the Firechief Kitchen Stove Guard and realised that this would be much more cost effective. The fire consultant agreed and subsequently signed off on the Kitchen Stove Guard as the approved solution.  

Trent is a village and civil parish in northwest Dorset, in the beautiful Yeo Valley. The Trent Conservation Area was designated in February 1970. Many of its structures are listed due to their historical and architectural significance, including Medieval and Tudor buildings.  From 1835 to 1875, Reverend Turner and his wife occupied the village rectory. Together, they built a great number of the buildings that are still in the village today, including the Alms Houses. In 1862, the Turners constructed the National School which was to be for girls and infants. Throughout the years, the National School has seen many changes, including the introduction of boys and the expansion of the buildings. Unsurprisingly, the original metal windows at the school were not fit for purpose and the time came to replace them. This required sensitivity, as it was imperative the new windows looked similar to the originals. The Clement Brooking range was specified because the slim, strong frames could replicate the wonderful shaped heads of the existing windows and they could be fixed directly to stone. The 16mm krypton filled units offer the much-improved thermal performance required and, like all Clement windows, the frames could be fitted with restrictors, essential for safety.Ros Baker, the Deputy Headteacher said: “We are so pleased with the finished result! The transformation the windows have made to our school and local area is fantastic. Many local residents have also commented positively on the ‘new look’ windows. They have been sympathetically upgraded, in keeping with the original school building, and have had a positive impact on our school environment. Furthermore, there was no impact on the staff or the children during the refurbishment.”

Built in 1957, St Cuthbert’s is one of the oldest Secondary Schools in St Helens, and was the first Catholic Secondary Modern to be built since the war. The distinctive main elevation of the school appears largely as it did nearly sixty years ago, but over-all the school’s buildings have increased over the last half century to accommodate increased pupil numbers and more facilities. Last year, Twinfix were approached by BPL Construction to design, supply and install an enclosed free-standing mono-pitch canopy at the school, which would provide additional space for dining, a popular choice for schools looking for a cost-effective alternative to traditional extensions, allowing them to utilise their outdoor areas and provide additional covered space. The canopy covering a total of 129 square metres, manufactured from rust-resistant aluminium and powder coated to RAL 9004 signal black comprises of our innovative Multi-Link-Panel NF roof-glazing system, glazed with 25mm opal polycarbonate. Coloured vinyls were attached to some of the side panels to brighten up the structure and tie in with school branding. Mrs Twist, Head Teacher at the school commented: “We are extremely impressed with the quality and design of the canopy. The onsite team have worked in close proximity to our students and have taken full account of their health and safety.” The addition of the side glazing and doors add extra protection from the elements, making it a usable space throughout the year and a secure area for storage of equipment.

The Project Refurbish existing washroom facilities at Lloyds Head Quarters.Work along side Swift Building Services to complete the project.Specification lead by Pinnegar Haywood Design.   The ChallengeProduce a range of Cubicles, Duct Panels and Vanity units to create an innovative, vibrant space.Solid surface on site jointing and polishing of oversized, bespoke Solid Surface Vanity tops.Manage installation from drawings to completion with a dedicated Contracts Manager. Complete full, detailed survey & provide guidance on discussing feasibility at planning stage. The SolutionExcelsior Select Range in a kaleidoscopic array of colours has created a stimulating, revitalising washroom environment. A valiant use of colour conveyed onto the Vanity Unit completed the installation; Magma Range 100% recyclable Compact Density Fibreboard frame with 12mm Hanex Top to suit semi recessed bowl with a 250mm upstand and a 200mm downstand finished off with 20mm square edge access panels. This Analogous colour scheme proves a break from the norm for washrooms and is testament to the Architect and the combined skills and expertise of Excelsior’s trusted team that resulted in such an accomplished finish.combined skills and expertise of Excelsior’s trusted team that resulted in such an accomplished finish.SpecificationProduct Range: Select 20mm HPL 1960mmDoors: 20mm High Pressure Gloss Laminate (Multiple Colours)Pilaster: 20mm High Pressure Laminate G059 Gris OragePartition: 12mm Solid Grade Laminate G059 Gris OrageThese Systems Are Available In The Following Finishes:Natural Wood VeneerHigh Pressure LaminateHigh Gloss LaminateIronmongery: Aluminium

The development, designed by architect Allies & Morrison, features six mixed-use blocks, including the UK’s tallest residential brick tower. The articulation of the brickwork and terracotta penthouses creates a unique character while referencing the site’s context and industrial heritage.Phase one, featuring two mansion blocks facing onto South Lambeth Road and affordable duplex maisonettes along Wyvill Road, required our Welded Masonry Support, B.O.S.S. A1 (Brick on Soffit System), and Brick Slip Lintels. Our B.O.S.S. A1, which bolts directly to our Welded Masonry Support, helped deliver speed of construction for the large development and, ultimately, the architect’s vision of stepped window heads, adding visual depth to the façade.Phase two consisted of three additional blocks, for which we designed and manufactured our Welded Masonry Support, B.O.S.S., and striking Brick Slip Arches.The corbelled crown details on Block F feature at its highest level and were achieved using our B.O.S.S. A1 fire-rated system.Block E, home to Wyvil Primary School, features a series of our Brick Slip Arches, which play a significant role in the final façade while complementing the original Victorian building.We were chosen as the supply partner for each block in phases one and two due to our reputation and ability to supply high-quality masonry support and brick slip products to large-scale, complex developments.

Based in Somerset, aerospace company Leonardo's large new logistics hub combines 8 warehouses onto one site, maintaining Leonardo's fleet of helicopters alongside component storage. A range of environmentally friendly features have been included as part of the task to weave sustainable practice into the building: rainwater harvesting tanks, full LED lighting, a heat recovery system, and electric charging points for EVs. This innovative facility translates into reduced operating costs for Leonardo, whilst maximising helicopter component logistics worldwide.ChallengeIndustrial roofing and wall cladding experts ABS Elbrow were contracted for the construction of the building envelope. This included installing the Firth Steels Protex system using A2/304 stainless steel bi-hex moulded MatchFast fasteners in a range of colours, to fix back the twin skin roof and wall construction. SolutionFast to install, with UV resistant colour heads, these fasteners simplify on-site installation: looking good at the same time. MatchFast fasteners are available in 3 grades of steel, including A4/316 grade for maximum corrosion resistance, and with a range of drillpoints to suit a variety of applications - including light and heavy steel, timber, and stitchers for end and side lap details. "This was a large project for us with the added challenge of a fast-paced installation programme. We needed to be sure that we used a reliable supplier that was able to ship large quantities of fixings & mastics etc, at short notice. Fixfast didn't let us down and proved to be an invaluable part of the supply chain."Vince Cook - Contracts Coordinator at ABS Elbrow

The ClientThe Royal Bank of Scotland, an international bank based in the UK, with over £1 trillion of assets and 118,000 employees, has a total estate within the UK of 1,800 branches and 700 other buildings, mainly offices.Their ProblemThe client chose to conduct trials at its premier place Location in London. The building use costly and wasteful paper towels as the hand drying solution in its washrooms used daily by 3,200 staff.The Head of estates was looking for innovative technology solutions to reduce cost, litter, resource and waste to landfill throughout its 50 corporate buildings.Our SolutionSAVORTEX deployed 4 of its EcoCurve 550D Smart hand dryers on trial at 2 RBS locations in London and Manchester, where there is high footfall. The EcoCurve Smart uses an advanced digital brushless motor technology offering 10x more operational life, and consumes power of just 550W against traditional dryers. Further, the Smart dryer uses its patented in-built sensors wirelessly reporting energy usage per dry and washroom footfall to the SAVORTEX web portal, allowing the estate manager to remotely access and manage washroom facilities.During the trial the EcoCurve Smart dryer reported usage on a daily basis with the base data showing usage per hour throughout the day. The average time per dry, as measured over 1,336 uses was 8.34 seconds, and 41 washroom cleaning alerts were generated, resulting in effective cleaning of the washrooms based on actual footfall, introducing new operational efficiencies throughout the estate.

The Mitie depot in Blackheath required a re-roof and re-clad due to the existing ACM (Aluminium Composite Material) panels that needed to be replaced. ChallengeBlade Roofing undertook the re-roof and re-clad works, however, the project presented several challenges: including the removal of the ACM panels, as well as adhering to stringent standards to ensure that the highest level of safety was paramount throughout the project. The building also needed to remain operational during the replacement of the panels, requiring careful planning and organisation, including scheduling the work to ensure minimal disruption to the building's occupants and working capabilities. SolutionReplacing the ACM with Kingspan QuadCore 115mm thick panels to the roof, and 80mm panels to the walls, Blade Roofing used Fixfast's MatchFast stainless steel composite fasteners, suitable for both light and heavy steel, with washers to suit the various applications.Specialist commercial and industrial roofing contractor Blade Roofing successfully completed the refurbishment to the exterior with 0 HSE incidents, the same high standard of work seen across all their projects, and no impact on daily activities, meaning the building remained fully operational throughout the project.(With thanks to Blade Roofing for both images and text statements)"Facing unexpected changes from Light Gauge to Heavy Gauge and unique fixings challenges near a neighbouring building, Fixfast stood by us with unwavering support. Their expert guidance and swift service were crucial in overcoming these hurdles, ensuring our project stayed on track. Fixfast truly delivered when it mattered most."Ben Gill - Head of Contracts at Blade Roofing

SFS specialist fastening systems were used to secure the striking shingled, multi-coloured, metal façade on the first direct Leeds Arena.Using SFS fasteners resulted in significantly reduced fixing times and helped keep the project on its critical timeline.Comprising of 6,000 square meters of aluminium shingles in five different colours, the cladding was installed in layers onto stainless steel clips and held in place using 35,000 SFS aluminium BULB-TITE® rivets.In addition, 3000 self-drilling SL3/2 fasteners were supplied to fix the perforated, aluminium mesh rainscreen panels to the structural backing wall. 7000 low profile, irius® fasteners were also used to fix Kalzip’s Kal-Plank system, at the rear of the building. The design and construction achieved a BREEAM ‘Very Good’ rating.The result provides a spectacular display surface for the coloured lighting which transforms the exterior façade at night by reflecting the mood of the concert within.The 13,000 capacity concert venue features an impressive uninterrupted interior construction, designed to allow all seats perfect sight-lines to the stage. The complex 3500 ton steel structure was topped out by a 45 meter long proscenium beam spanning the width of the building.Headed up by Leeds City Council, the £60 million project was completed in 96 weeks and opened in September 2013. The venue has helped increase job prospects and the region's economy.A success story for Leeds, Yorkshire and all involved in designing and building this venue.