"building frames"

Having outgrown their previous offices, Smoove – a company operating in the property sector (formerly ULS) – took the decision to take on three floors at Masters Court; a fully refurbished office building in the quaint town of Thame, Oxfordshire. They swiftly appointed HNB and Leap Architects to deliver an overhaul of the dated interior that would better suit the Smoove team.We were approached to deliver a glass moving wall capable of separating the ground floor kitchen and main open plan space when required. Our Type G200 system was chosen, which provides transfer of natural light when partition is closed while simultaneously stopping the transfer of noise.The minimalist manifestations applied to the glazed panels along with their black painted frames have been designed to match a number of fixed glass partitions within the space, offering a consistent design throughout.

Sylan Veneer installed at Majestic, City Square in Leeds. This Grade A office building has been designed to provide a flexible, contemporary working environment in a superb prime location.Sylan Products Supplied:Real Wood Veneer Toilet CubiclesFlush fronted, Real Wood Veneer cubicle systemStrong, secure and luxurious finishInvisible fixing systemFull height cubicleFSC CertifiedAvailable in 11 Real Wood VeneersReal Wood Veneer Duct PanellingAllows continuity in designCan match panelling to cubiclesFSC certifiedAvailable in 11 Real Wood Veneer finishesSolid Surface Washtrough with Veneer UnderpanelsModern designMetal frame systemQuick and easy to installFSC certifiedAvailable in 11 Real Wood Veneer finishesMatch your panelling to your cubicles

Built in the market town of Sandy, Bedfordshire, Cotton Tails is a prestigious £2.5 million private residential property, the finalist for the RCI Pitched Roofing Awards. The property extends for around 4.8 acres and it includes formal gardens, fenced paddocks, stables, and outbuildings. The incredibly modern five-bedroom mansion offers 6000sq ft of living space characterized by a wealth of attractive features, including an impressive full height reception hall with a floating staircase and enviable underground wine cellar.The Cotton Trails project was managed by Mark Lenn, the landowner, and built by Bartram Timber Frame Buildings Ltd. For the installation of the roof, the landowner selected D Stockwell Roofing Contractor, based upon recommendations, experience, and quality of workmanship. Roofers were instructed to only use high-quality materials to complement the luxurious mansion and interiors of the prestigious property.

Project: The Castings, Piccadilly EastLocation: Heyrod Street, ManchesterVCL membrane system supplier: ADA FastfixSystem used: illbruck ME060 A2-Membrane Pro Air and Vapour Control Layer, illbruck TF448 High Performance Bonding Tape, ME322 Internal Tape 100illbruck, a part of CPG UK, have celebrated the successful installation of their new A2 fire classified vapour control layer within an exciting new residential development in the heart of Manchester.The projectThe Castings, Piccadilly East is on a 0.7-acre site in the Manchester Piccadilly regeneration area and includes four stepped building elements rising to 25-storeys high. The development will consist of 352 build-to-rent (BTR) apartments, including a mix of studio, 1, 2, and 3 bed units, alongside roof terrace gardens, retail and amenity space, and a public square. The project was designed with a focus on sustainability, to deliver low energy consumption with highly efficient building fabric.ADA Fastfix, a leading supplier into the construction industry, were approached to find an airtight vapour control membrane which would ensure high levels of thermal performance and energy efficiency in the building. As a ‘relevant building’ according to Building Regulations Approved Document B, the installed membrane needed to be a fire classified solution; an A2 fire classified solution was requested to provide enhanced fire safety for the building and its occupants.The solutionADA Fastfix selected illbruck ME060 A2-Membrane Pro Air and Vapour Control Layer due to its enhanced reaction to fire classification of A2-s1, d0 to EN 13501-1, excellent product performance, and the accompanying technical support from the illbruck team. illbruck ME060 A2-Membrane uses advanced technology to combine reinforced glass fibre with an aluminium and laminated coating, providing long lasting strength and durability. The special coating also improves thermal performance by reflecting up to 95% of heat.  Its airtight and vapour-tight properties, which can be used to comply with Passivhaus, helps improve energy efficiency whilst protecting the building fabric from moisture vapour and condensation.The applicationOver 6,000m2 of illbruck ME060 A2-Membrane Pro Air and Vapour Control Layer was attached to the Steel Frame Structure using TF448 50mm high performance tape. The lap joints and window details were then sealed with ME322 70mm tape. This system can be used on the internal structure of a timber frame or lightweight steel structure to manage air and moisture flow, as well as enhance the building’s thermal performance, energy efficiency, and fire safety. Alongside providing high performance products, the illbruck team also helped the client with detailed drawings, technical service and application guidance, and on-site support – to ensure a smooth installation process and great finished result.Project overviewScott Hurry, Area Sales Manager at CPG UK, said, “illbruck ME060 A2-Membrane was the ideal choice for this fabric first build due to its enhanced reaction to fire classification as well as helping to improve thermal performance in the building. This is the first major installation of our new ME060 A2 fire classified membrane - we’re delighted to work with ADA Fastfix to see our products installed in this development, where our membrane will be helping to protect the building and its residents for years to come.”

The heat efficiency of a Grade II listed Georgian townhouse in the historic city of Bath is set to be dramatically improved as a result of the introduction of Spacetherm® Multi insulation.The challenge of dealing with heating inefficiencies, major heat loss and high heating costs are a common problem with many listed buildings and solid wall dwellings.Property owner Mike Mower explains, “I obtained planning permission to insulate the top floor of my Grade II listed Georgian townhouse as it is single skin 6” Bath stone (Oolite) and very heat inefficient, all walls have the original lime render and skim and so they need to breathe. The property in Bath was built in 1818 and has been in my family for 101 years since 1919! I am the 3rd generation to live in it and it was last renovated in 1935 so it needs serious upgrading!“The architect originally specified another insulation but this would have required encroaching 100mm into the room and would necessitate moving door frames and rebuilding window reveals. After extensive research, I identified the Spacetherm Multi aerogel product from the A. Proctor Group.“The architect was so impressed by the thermal efficiency of the Spacetherm Multi. With a total thickness of 20mm when rendered, this will not encroach onto the floor space, and the door frames and windows will not need to be altered. Subsequently we included Spacetherm Multi on the planning application as an alternative to the traditional insulation originally specified, which was approved by the Conservation officer and building control.”In addition to the Spacetherm SLENTEX® A2 blanket, foil encased Spacetherm A2 (CBS) Cold Bridge Strip was also included at window and door junctions to address areas susceptible to cold bridging.Spacetherm Multi is a high-performance laminate specifically designed to be laid directly onto existing floors & walls. Spacetherm Multi consists of Spacetherm Aerogel insulation blanket bonded to a 6mm Magnesium Oxide Board.At just 16mm thick, the use of Spacetherm Multi has virtually no negative impact on floor space, making it ideal for refurbishment projects where space is at a premium.Typically, a solid wall will have a U value of around 2.1 W/m2K. Following the application of Spacetherm Multi, this can be reduced to around 0.8 W/m2K, dependent on the wall structure.Finally, Mike Mower commented “I think Spacetherm Multi is ideal for listed building insulation as it has a minimal effect on the infrastructure of the original building. It has the potential to be used extensively in old buildings such as we have in Bath where heat loss is at a maximum, the original walls need to be able to breathe when insulated and insulation has hitherto been impossible due to the visual impact encroaching on the listed building. I am also seeking planning permission to use the product to insulate the basement floor and walls.”

The project required the stripping and re-covering of the existing 100-year-old roof which was failing. Due to the prominent location of the building on campus, and it being of historical local interest, Keymer’s handmade Traditional Antique and Elizabethan tiles were selected to ensure a sympathetic renovation that was in keeping with the existing building design principles of Queens’ College.

Yoko Ono Lennon Centre is a unique teaching and performance building at the University of Liverpool. It has been designed by Liverpool School of Architecture graduates based at UK architecture practice Ellis Williams.The new facility includes The Tung Auditorium – a world class music performance space – together with two large lecture theatres, seminar rooms, café space, a public facing linear park and a new outdoor space for the University.With a floor area totalling around 6500m2 the building was planned around a careful understanding of the site and an innovative response to a challenging brief.PROJECT INFOThe lecture theatres were arranged vertically, which allowed for a much smaller building footprint – freeing up the site to deliver a linear public park alongside the main arterial route adjacent to the south elevation. This also allowed for large volume and height of Tung Auditorium to be placed adjacent to the teaching spaces, separated by the main atrium circulation space. Externally, the building’s form and materials relate to the robust architecture of some of Liverpool’s historic civic buildings and dockside architecture.The University of Liverpool was the original “red brick University” so the use of that material may seem obvious. The facing brick selected was Forterra’s Butterley Farmstead Antique.The bricks here are more than decorative however, they are a key part of the acoustic strategy and were selected for their density as well the colour and tone.The large inward looking spaces of the theatres by definition are without external windows and openings. The curved forms to the corners are used to both soften the impact of the mass (accentuated by the use of double stacked protruding bricks to catch the sun), and as a nod to the curves used in prominent corner buildings that can be seen across Liverpool.

Weavers Quay and the Flour Building are two projects that form part of the Manchester City Council strategy managed by the Manchester Life Development company. Completed in 2019, the £28m development was designed by Buttress Architects and managed by main contractors Graham Construction. The building’s facade was completed using the Corium brick cladding system, installed by Range Roofing.

The Christies, Paterson Building, Manchester

The ChallengeBuilt in the 1960s, Warwick School’s Guy Nelson Hall was no longer fulfilling the needs of a modern, growing school. As well as not being too small to accommodate increasing student numbers during exams and large events, technical and IT infrastructure upgrades were needed to continue its use as a theatre space for the community.Located at the heart of the school’s site, the hall plays an important role in creating a good first impression for visitors to the school. Any redevelopment of the hall would also need to complement the existing buildings.The SolutionForterra’s County Multi Smooth, part of the Butterley range, a heritage brand that has been synonymous with brick making in the UK for over 150 years and is manufactured at Forterra’s Wilnecote brickworks. It was the ideal construction material for the project, enabling freedom of design with regard to form, scale and mass, while making a visual link with surrounding masonry.The brick gives a modern, uniform finish, which complements the smooth finish of the glass and concrete panels that also form part of the hall’s design.The BenefitsFollowing extensive redevelopment, that included the addition of an entrance foyer, kitchen, performance studios and a balcony area, Guy Nelson Hall has been transformed from school hall to a state-of-the-art 1,000 multi-use venue and concert hall.The clever design and materials used in the hall’s redevelopment have resulted in a building that incorporates modern design elements, such as its sweeping, curved façade, while blending perfectly with the existing vernacular. There has also been a significant improvement to the buildings acoustics.The project was completed in July 2016 ready for the new school intake in September that year.

James Watt Dock is a development of 137 new-build one- and two-bedroomed flats for social rent. The homes, built over five blocks, will offer residents magnificent views over the historic dock and the River Clyde. Residents will also benefit from parking, amenity units, and a landscaped public space.PROJECT INFOThe site is a brownfield waterfront site adjacent to the Grade A listed Sugar Sheds, which are a unique example of Scotland’s Victorian industrial architecture. The sheds became the design driver, aiding the architects in establishing mass, orientation, position and material.Farmstead Antique, from Forterra’s Butterley range, with its tumbled and distressed multi patches, was selected for its similarity to the bricks used in the Sugar Sheds. It allowed the design of the new development to relate to the historic building while delivering a modern, clean-cut façade.With a water absorbency of only 7%, the brick also offered the high technical performance required owing to the development’s location on the Firth of the Clyde, a robust marine environment.

A brand-new £3.1m facility at the University of Exeter, the South West Institute of Technology (SWIoT) building is intended for computer science education at the University's Streatham Campus. Working alongside Morgan Sindall and Progressive Systems, we were pleased to supply our Anvil expanded mesh cladding in a polyester powder coated (PPC) finish to the project.

Handley Street is a small, residential development located within the central conservation area in the Lincolnshire market town of Sleaford.Originally an old, derelict office block, the site now provides six new, much-needed starter homes for the town. Each of the high-specification homes offers two bedrooms, underfloor heating, bi-fold doors to a private garden, and off-road parking, all within a few short steps to the town’s high street.Planning restrictions associated with the conservation area required the use of traditional materials, including timber, sliding sash windows, slate roofs, chimney stacks and brickwork that would match Handley Street’s older buildings, which are built in a vibrant orange brick featuring textural deviation and which was excavated locally.For the new properties, Forterra’s Butterley Breckland Multi Reserve was selected as a good match to the older brick. Varying bonds, that show stretchers as well as headers, have been introduced in the main facing brickwork, complementing the older properties nearby.

When it comes to refurbishing a landmark as historic and luxurious as the Old War Office, every detail counts. The selection of Access Building Products Access Panels for this prestigious project is a testament to the company’s commitment to quality, design, and functionality.The Project: A Blend of History and LuxuryFast forward to today, the Grade II listed Old War Office building, which has been closed to the public for more than a century, has undergone a magnificent transformation. The building has been re-imagined and redeveloped into a luxury hotel and residences, bringing a new lease of life to this historic site. This transformation demanded products that could match its grandeur while maintaining its historic charm.The Challenge: Balancing Aesthetics and FunctionalityEvery customer wants their access panels to seamlessly blend with the interior design, ensuring that the necessary utility access points don’t detract from the building’s aesthetic appeal. This was a critical consideration for such a historical building.The Result: A Seamless Fusion of History and ModernitySupplying a range of discreet steel and plaster in style access panels in the Old War Office refurbishment was a resounding success. These panels not only met the practical requirements but also added to the overall aesthetic, creating a harmonious blend of historic elegance and modern luxury.The Old War Office now stands as a shining example of how to preserve historical charm while incorporating modern necessities. This project has further cemented Access Building reputation as a reliable provider of high-quality access panels, capable of meeting the demands of even the most prestigious refurbishment projects.In conclusion, when history meets luxury, it’s essential to make the right choices. And in the case of the Old War Office refurbishment, Access Building Products Access Panels were the perfect choice.

The building brings together the Kent Business School and the School of Mathematics, Statistics and Actuarial Science to promote synergies, collaboration and interaction, foster knowledge exchange and enhance the reputation of both schools. The development had a construction cost of approximately £26m and was completed at the end of 2016.The 8,200m2 building for University of Kent’s Business School and School of Mathematics, Statistics and Actuarial Science is located towards the northern edge of the Canterbury campus. The £26m facility creates a vibrant new campus destination and allows two of the University’s most successful departments to expand and improve their current activities.Designed to achieve BREEAM Excellent a series of interventions integrate the building into the campus and the ecology including new cycle and pedestrian pathways and green roofs that help increase biodiversity. Passive measures of natural ventilation with thermal mass and night time cooling are prioritised over active measures. Extensive roof mounted photovoltaic panels provide in excess of 10% renewable energy.Shield Membranes supplied all waterproofing, insulation and finishes to all roof areas on the Sibson Building.

Les Quennevais School - Education New Build

Project: UCLAN, Foster and Hamilton Buildings
Product: Shiluvit by Oranit in Stained Yellow Pine
Architect: AHR Architects, Manchester
Installer: The Giotto GroupUniversity of Central Lancashire, Foster and Hamilton Buildings.(2017) Photos by Paul WhiteSpecification:
Shiluvit 7-501 in A-9-1 Stained Yellow Pine
20 x 45mm Blades with 40mm Gaps
Quantity: 966mLSA Projects Ltd are pleased to share with you a great new Oranit installation at the University of Central Lancaster, Preston Campus.
The new £8 million addition to the Preston campus includes additions to two seperate buildings at the university; an extension to the Foster building and a linking space between the Harrington and Greenbank buildings.The new building is the first part of a £200m regeneration masterplan to expand the campus over the next 5 years, giving additional teaching and learning space as well as contributing to the regeneration of Preston city and the Adephi Quarter.The two new additions to the campus were designed by AHR Architects in cooperation with the University and Students Union to create functional social spaces that would fit the needs and desires of the students who will be using them. Both social hubs have spaces for staff and students to mix and meet socially or for work as well as facilities for refreshments, pool tables, and public computers.Oranit Shiluvit panels were chosen in part for the ceilings of the spaces due to their impressive acoustic power; the configuration chosen which included LSA Black High Density Acoustic mineral wool achieves an overall rating of Class A for acoustic absorption making it perfect for ensuring minimal reverberation in the busy social spaces helping to keep a relaxed casual atmosphere.Yellow Pine timber was chosen for its depth of texture as well as its PEFC Certification, the timber was then stained to resemble the tone of Oak.

A new crematorium facility for Huntingdon Town Council, Huntingdon Crematorium is a collection of buildings equipped with ceremonial spaces and the appropriate crematory functions. The specification of Vandersanden’s Perla and Morvan bricks has resulted in buildings that have made a striking contribution to the landscape of the greenfield site while also helping to change the accepted perception of crematorium buildings. “We were looking for a way of making the process of going to an end of life ceremony uplifting and hopeful,” explains Mark Doohan, managing director at Benchmark Architects. “We had the idea of creating a curved, white, brick building within which there are beautiful, light filled and airy spaces.” When envisioning the scheme, the team at Benchmark Architects realised that by inserting a black brick wall across the site they could create a ‘canvas’ that provided the separation between the front of house and working areas of the crematorium. Against this, on one side, they packed three curved white brick volumes to create the key spaces, adjusted in height according to the hierarchy of their importance: the entrance lobby, waiting room and chapel. Out of sight, behind the wall, are the cremators, plant rooms, offices and other functional elements. The design focuses on a central drum flooded with natural light. The main building contains the ceremonial hall for 125 people, waiting rooms and crematory with capacity for two cremators. A second building contains a multi-purpose function room - that can be used for wakes - and a café with associated catering facilities and administrative offices. Having created the design vision, the choice of appropriate bricks was crucial. Good white bricks are hard to come by, often they’re tinged with yellow or beige; finding black bricks that are not simply colour coated or are a dark blue is equally hard, says Doohan.“We were delighted when we were able to find the Vandersanden bricks. We genuinely love the texture and through colour quality of Vandersanden’s white Perla and black Morvan bricks. They set off our concept perfectly, with the white brick capturing the light in the way that we envisioned when first sketching out the idea.” A double soldier course heads the windows to form a band around the building and is repeated close to the top of the main drum. There is also a recessed course 500 mm off the ground that creates a scored line at the base, bringing additional balance to the building. This is achieved by setting one course back by some 25 mm. Another advantage of the Vandersanden bricks is that they can be used in the ground below DPC level, visually rooting the building to the landscape. It was essential that the volumes were homogenous in feel so a good mortar match was vital. Lime mortar was selected and was aesthetically important due to its colour, texture and because its flexibility reduced the number of movement joints required. The lime used, NHL 3.5, was naturally white; for the black brickwork it was pigmented. When seen from a distance, only the overall form of the building is perceived but, on getting closer, the brick details start to stand out. Then, when really close, the contribution that the texture, pattern, shape and almost handmade quality of the individual bricks makes to the quality of the building becomes clear. We’re always keen to specify products where we get really good technical support, notes Doohan. “Vandersanden were excellent at providing advice and technical backup whenever we had a question. Since becoming aware of Vandersanden products, they are our go-to source for brick. As architects, we’re image-based creatures so the website is incredibly helpful. It’s an excellent way of being able to see the bricks in loads of different and inspiring building types. Many brick suppliers don’t show that connection. Most importantly, our client for Huntingdon Crematorium is delighted with the brickwork.”To find out more about the bricks used in this project or to see the wide range of high-quality bricks available from Vandersanden, click on the 'View more' link

The Challenge Hunter Street, Chester, is a new development of 77 student residential flats set over six floors, with ancillary and communal facilities, landscaping and car park. Located just within Chester’s city walls, in a redevelopment area, the site is in a prominent position next to the ring road. It is also next to a former Odeon cinema constructed in the 1930s, which has recently been renovated and extended to become the city’s thriving new arts centre, Storyhouse. The Solution It was important that the student accommodation reflect its surrounding environment and so cues for its design were taken from Storyhouse. The brick selected for the project was County Multi Smooth, which is a red, smooth textured, high quality facing brick that complements the modern aesthetic of the copper rainscreen cladding and through coat render used alongside. Extruded brick detailing was included to create a playful relationship with the recessed brick detailing of Storyhouse. The Benefits The use of County Multi Smooth served to connect the structure with the existing masonry buildings adjacent to it, helping to ground it in its environment.

Challenge: Many elements of the iconic skyscraper were facing embedded steel corrosion, including the structural steel lattice columns within the colossal terracotta enclosures. The expansion of the steel caused by the corrosion was severely damaging the masonry cladding and cracking the six-foot-tall terracotta bison heads.Strategy: Installation of an impressed current cathodic protection (ICCP) system at the steel sections with the colonnades on 29th to 32nd floors. The system consisted of LoCem® +point® anode mortar was applied within the bed joints and drilled in to provide 360° protection of the steel surfaces. The bison heads were deconstructed, steel cleaned-up and masonry reconstructed. LoCem® is a low carbon cement alternative (AACM), which can also act as a cathodic protection anode for controlling steel frame corrosion.Outcome: The ICCP system resulted in long-term performance and control for the whole life preservation of our clients’ assets. Using AchillesICP for control over corrosion rate, and AiMS to collect the data, the client had full transparency over structural health and the power to make predictive maintenance decisions.

A BREEAM Excellent development with a Wired Score Platinum Certification, the Ewart has exemplary sustainable and technology features throughout, including Kingspan PSA grade raised access floors.Working with our certified installation specialists in Northern Ireland, Drew Wylie Building Services, we supplied circa 25,000 sq m of Kingspan RMG600 & FDEB_H systems, both tested in accordance with the PSA specification.

United Anodisers first became aware of the project in 2009 and supplied the technical advice and specification ultimately utilised on the building.The £100+ million project is shaped like the ill fated Titanic’s Hull, comprises of 3,000 Anodised Aluminum Pressings arranged into a complex asymmetrical design to give an impression of waves reflecting and moving around the façade of the building.The development and specification was produced in conjunction with Todd Architects to give a marine guarantee to the facade.

ChallengesSinclair Watt were provided with a detailed brief to provide accommodation for a new main entrance and reception area, product display hall, meeting room suite, additional office space and customer service telephone hall and ancillary accommodation. By necessity these were required to be large spaces to accommodate large numbers of employees and visitors.The building had to achieve seven basic goals – to allow VELUX to be a good neighbour, to be simple and beautiful, to make arrival a good experience, to be a model of balanced daylight, natural ventilation, good indoor comfort and healthy materials, to apply a well-defined, high-quality structural concept, to obtain good sustainable standards with a minimum use of energy, to be visible and logical, and to create value and express the VELUX values.The ceiling systems had to meet the Class 1, aesthetic, fire and acoustic performance required for the 37,673 ft² two-storey building which features an engineered timber and steel structural frame. The project was the first time Zentia’s Ultima+ Finesse mineral tiles had been installed in Scotland.SolutionsSinclair Watt met the brief by incorporating a regular and prominent engineered timber and steel structural frame that provided a design with a clear distinction between the supporting structure of the building and the facades and roof. This was both to create clarity and logic in the design and to make it possible to replace or update the not-so-permanent parts of the building.The internal design incorporates a central street and atrium that acts as a meeting place as well as a general circulation area and allows the best use of natural sunlight and natural ventilation throughout the building. The building provides good indoor comfort and utilises healthy materials.The three key areas – energy efficiency, healthy indoor environment and renewable energy – constitute the basis of the new building. A fabric-first approach for the building was adopted with high insulation levels and low air permeability rates to reduce overall heat loss from the building. This combined with a natural ventilation and daylighting strategy, and the use of LED lighting and air source heat pumps as the main heating source, resulted in a highly energy efficient and sustainable building.Some 1,1,00 m² of the Zentia Prestige hA+ Tegular15 tiles were used in the ground floor offices and storerooms, while 100m² of the Finesse tiles were used in the restaurant, kitchen and toilets. The Ultima+ range features class-leading light reflectance of 87% and Euroclass A2-s1, d0 fire classification, the Tegular15 variant with Class A sound absorption and Finesse a fully concealed, fully painted edge detail.Architect Iain Mitchell said: “We specified the Zentia systems as they have a good product range, good suspension systems, with good product information and good technical backup. They met all the aesthetic, fire and acoustic performances.“Zentia shadow and transition trims were used so the Zentia ceilings tie in well with adjacent plasterboard walls and ceilings. The client is very happy with the ceiling installation and building as a whole.”Colin Burns, commercial director of specialist sub-contractor PFP, said: “We had some meetings with Zentia to talk through the detailing of the Finesse element and put it to the guys on site but apart from that, and some coordinating with services, it was very straightforward. It looks good as it always does and gives a nice bright finish. It was interesting to be the first installer of Finesse in Scotland.”

Using the SFC 85 Aluminium stick facade system to transform this educational building.

AluOne is a self-supporting, lightweight and recyclable open balcony system. Designed for structural simplicity and ease of installation, whilst stylishly complimenting the building facade.Manufactured at our state-of-the-art production facility, and constructed using a four column self-supporting lightweight system, AluOne ensures ease of implementation on site.Suitable for new builds, renovations and retro-fitting to existing buildings. We have a suitable solution for every building. Guaranteed durability, practicality and a high quality finish, AluOne is a truly bespoke modular system.Available in a wide-range of RAL colours, AluOne can be customised specifically for each project with a choice of balustrade and floor tile options.AluOne comes with a tiled floor of concrete paving slabs. The plates have been carefully sandblasted to allow the natural stone ballast in the plate to appear. Thanks to our manufacturing method, this plate has an unique colour resistance. The paving slabs are 400 x 400 in size and available in three colour shades.Always designed with drainage management in mind, AluOne has a hidden system in the balcony for optional rainwater drainage. The water flows discreetly under the paving slabs, allowing it to move into the drainage pipe via a gutter in the balcony frame. This is connected to the building's drainage system or to a drainage pipe that ensures the balcony rainwater discharge is properly managed.AluOne is available ins 12 different sizes. You can choose between four different widths and three depths, each in convenient increments of 400mm.

AluOne is a self-supporting, lightweight and recyclable open balcony system. Designed for structural simplicity and ease of installation, whilst stylishly complimenting the building facade. Manufactured at our state-of-the-art production facility, and constructed using a four column self-supporting lightweight system, AluOne ensures ease of implementation on site. Suitable for new builds, renovations and retro-fitting to existing buildings. We have a suitable solution for every building. Guaranteed durability, practicality and a high quality finish, AluOne is a truly bespoke modular system.Available in a wide-range of RAL colours, AluOne can be customised specifically for each project with a choice of balustrade and floor tile options. AluOne comes with a tiled floor of concrete paving slabs. The plates have been carefully sandblasted to allow the natural stone ballast in the plate to appear. Thanks to our manufacturing method, this plate has an unique colour resistance. The paving slabs are 400 x 400 in size and available in three colour shades. Always designed with drainage management in mind, AluOne has a hidden system in the balcony for optional rainwater drainage. The water flows discreetly under the paving slabs, allowing it to move into the drainage pipe via a gutter in the balcony frame. This is connected to the building's drainage system or to a drainage pipe that ensures the balcony rainwater discharge is properly managed. AluOne is available ins 12 different sizes. You can choose between four different widths and three depths, each in convenient increments of 400mm.

Client: Bristol City Council Consultants: Chapman Taylor Architects & Arup Design Main Contractor: Bouygues UK Specialist Contractor: Optimum Dry Wall Systems Main Products Used: Emshield DFR-2 SystemOn the site of the former ambulance station adjacent to Castle Park, the largest urban green space in Bristol, this development is designed to provide 375 new homes, with a mixture of build-to-rent and affordable housing units. This comprises a new 26-storey tower, which will be the tallest building in Bristol, together with a 10-storey block, plus a third central building connecting the two, and providing a business centre and leisure facilities for the residents, as well as direct access to the park. The architects designed wide structural expansion joints to accommodate the anticipated levels of movement between the different building structures, as well as in and between the main reinforced concrete floor slabs and the structural frame of the building. They also wanted to reduce any noise transmission through the joints and to ensure that the designated levels of fire protection were maintained, which meant that the joints had to be treated to provide 2-hours fire resistance. To meet all these demands, the answer was a single solution using Emshield DFR-2 (horizontal floor joints) / WFR-2 (for vertical wall joints) systems. These produce a watertight joint, that can accommodate high movement up to 100% (+/- 50%), greatly reduce sound transmission (STC 62; OITC 52), and which are CE Marked to EN-1366-4 for up to 4 hrs fire resistance. 

The eight storey building Faraday House in London is clad in hand-finished copper alloy, reflecting warm light into the spaces around it. But uncontrolled and excessive sunlight can seriously disrupt the experience of comfort. For this reason, the architect opted for structural solar shading. The DucoSlide panels ensure a drop in the average indoor temperature of up to 12% to combat overheating.The Faraday House in London is a  building with imagination; offering a dazzling composition from the Victorian Railway Bridge. The apartments are part of Circus West Village, the first phase of the Battersea Power Station redevelopment.Full height windows frame views of the River Thames and landscaped courtyard, enhancing the feeling of space and light, whilst private terrace balconies and roof-top gardens provide outdoor space.The eight storey building is clad in hand-finished copper alloy, reflecting warm light into the spaces around it. But uncontrolled and excessive sunlight can seriously disrupt the experience of comfort. For this reason, the architect opted for structural solar shading. The DucoSlide panels ensure a drop in the average indoor temperature of up to 12% to combat overheating. The perforated screens animate the façade and provide home owners with additional solar and acoustic control.The result? A better quality of life for residents and a striking composition for visitors as they travel into London Victoria station.

The ChallengeThe designer of an exhibition at Tate Modern in London wanted to build a series of stools and benches out of bricks, but instead of using ordinary, rectangular bricks they wanted to use something more unusual.The live, public exhibition, called Endless Book Club, would see reading enthusiasts from notable book clubs sit on the brick benches and stools while discussing their chosen books, in the Turbine Hall of the famous art gallery.The SolutionForterra’s Cradley Heath facility provided over 500 special shaped bricks to create more than 20 seats as part of the exhibition.Cradley Special Brick has provided millions of non-standard bricks for refurbishments of listed buildings, luxury newbuilds and one-off projects including schools and leisure centres. Forterra have made more than 7,000 different bespoke bricks over the years for clients across the UK and as far away as Saudi Arabia and Scandinavia.The BenefitsBook clubs from the Royal College of Art and the Institute of Psychoanalysis took part in the event, which was produced by Self Publish, Be Happy.Bruno Ceschel, Director of Self Publish, said, “The brick seats are visually very striking and we’re thrilled with the results.”

The ChallengeThe former Gourock Ropeworks building on the banks of the River Clyde had been refurbished back in 2006. As part of a multi-million-pound regeneration from the Scottish government, Forterra supplied 170,000 bricks to the site adjacent to the Ropeworks for 41 new social homes.The design of the four-storey blocks of residential apartments was to tie in with the original design of the former Gourock Ropeworks.The SolutionForterra’s Farmstead Antique brick type was put forward for the build owing to its highly textured face and warm appearance, which sat well with the tone and texture of brickwork in the surrounding properties.The BenefitsSteve Nicolson, Area Sales Manager for Forterra, said, “The Farmstead Antique was a good match to the local vernacular, and is also pretty hard-wearing, which made it very suitable for this location on the banks of one of the longest rivers in Scotland, as it will need to withstand the elements.”Adelle Jess, Project Architect for JM Architecture, said, “Due to the site being located within the historic curtilage of a listed building, the development needed to provide a strong frontage to Bay Street with fenestration, proportion and material finishes relative to the context in which it sits.”“Forterra Farmstead Antique was selected as the main finish to the buildings so as to tie in with the existing surroundings and contribute to the overall design concept of a modern interpretation of the site’s industrial past.”

Located in the heart of Central London, Bloomberg L.P.’s stunning new European headquarters is now operational. Located in the heart of London between the Bank of England and St. Paul’s Cathedral, the building had to meet modern-day efficiency expectations while establishing itself as a notable visual icon within such constantly developing and advancing city.Radmat and Prater were contracted to supply and deliver the installation of the waterproofing and thermal insulation to parts of the building, most notably its green/biodiverse roof.

As part of the regeneration programme within the bid for the 2012 Summer Olympics, the Olympic Village (now known as the multiple award-winning East Village) was designed to house the athletes based on reusing the buildings after the games as a new residential district for Stratford.The 67 acres site, provided for 11 residential plots, each made up of 5 to 7 blocks, built around communal squares and courtyards, with water features accentuating the proximity of the River Lea.Radmat Building Products provided the waterproofing system and the MedO Extensive living green roofs on much of the apartments, to provide a low maintenance and self-sustaining plant community. Working with expert horticulturalists, Radmat Building Products have developed the MedO range of living green roofing systems. All systems are suitable for both new and refurbishment projects and are constructed using the appropriate drainage board, filter fleece and growing medium for the planting required.

Accoya was chosen for the heritage building No.9. Uncoated Accoya products were installed by the BS&R Group. Accoya was chosen for the sash windows & exterior millwork due to its ability to last 50 years above ground & the fact that it can be left to weather, requiring minimal maintenance. Accoya was also selected as its long-lasting even in the most extreme weather environments. BS&R were delighted to be involved with saving such a historical piece of heritage & were also happy to use Accoya as it’s a green building material.

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

The ChallengePark View is a residential development of 175 units, including one and two-bedroomed apartments and three, four and five-bedroomed homes. The site sits alongside Saltwell Park, one of Britain’s finest Victorian parks. A conservation area, the design of the site sought to blend tradition with a modern urban feel.The local council required a premium finish for which the choice of brick would play an important part in achieving.The SolutionAfter reviewing several options, Forterra’s Southdown Multi from its Butterley brand range was chosen. It is a high-quality facing brick with a tumbled texture.For some plots on the site, the bricks were laid in an English Garden Wall bond, closely reflecting the brickwork of some of Saltwell Park’s buildings.Alongside modern features, such as rainscreen cladding projections and timber finishes, the development also includes a number of bespoke elements appropriate to the conservation area: reduced window reveals, timber doors and windows coloured in a modern dark grey, natural slate roof tiles, exaggerated roof pitches to accentuate prominent plots and full height feature windows.The BenefitsThe use of Southdown Multi brick has proven to be an effective choice in the successful blending of traditional and modern, ensuring the new development quickly settled within its surrounding environment.

Flexible workspace providers x+why’s new 33,000 sq ft location at 100 Embankment aims to provide “an impressive space from which to grow and thrive” for start-ups and established businesses across Manchester.Radii, working through our northern contracting office, joined John Robertson Architects and ADT Workplace in May 2023. Working across Ground, Mezz and 1st and 2nd Floors of the space, Radii’s popular single glazed Linear 25 (Rw 39 dB) and Linear 30 (Rw 41 dB) partitions and Hogan single and double pivoting doors (Rw 47 dB) were used for glazed fronts for a variety of different size meeting spaces and offices. Many of these were installed with our popular ‘Rio’ banding.Ei30 single glazed fire rated screens, complete with timber door frame junctions, provide exit route protection.The finished space also benefits from some of the 11 Ei60 FireTec double door sets installed across all eight levels of the building during the original base build Cat A fit out in 2020.