"parking"

This is the latest cycle hub designed, manufactured, supplied and installed by Falco as part of a new regeneration at Walkden Railway Station. Boosting sustainable travel access for Walkden residents, the new cycle hub has been commissioned by Salford City Council to help combat congestion, provide dedicated off-street parking and provide greater cycling accessibility to and from the station.The 12m x 4.5m bespoke shelter is based on the UK’s most popular cycle hub design - the FalcoHub and features secure cycle parking for up to 32 bikes, utilising traditional Sheffield cycle stands. The steelwork of the roof has been powder coated in a ‘Traffic Blue’ RAL colour, whilst the rest of the steelwork has been powder coated in a seperate ‘Squirrel Grey’ RAL colour. LED lighting with a occupancy sensor has been fitted to the roof alongside bespoke branding graphics which have been applied to the toughened safety glass cladding.The new cycle hub makes use of the FalcoSmart app-based locking system, which uses Bluetooth technology to activate the locking mechanism from the users smart phone or tablet, with the benefit that they no longer need to carry keys or fobs. Cyclists are able to apply for access to the hub via the Council and having downloaded the ‘App’ are given access rights to the cycle hub for a period of time depending on their subscription.The system has a fully automated back office enabling the administrator to register new locks for new cycle stores as well as adding new users and creating groups and assigning rights. A huge benefit to the local authority is that they are able for the first time ever to assess usage of a cycle parking facility, directly from the back-office app information.The cycle hub was developed by Falco’s in house design team to ensure it met the client’s specification including structural calculations to meet the EN 1090 CPR requirements of UK law.For more information regarding the cycle hub scheme at Walkden Station or any other product from our cycle parking and shelter portfolio, please contact our helpful sales team on 01538 380080.

Client: Bruntwood Estates Specialist Contractor: Grade-2 Structural Repairs Main Products Used: Emseal SJS SystemThis busy, multi-storey, prime location, car park is located between Manchester United’s Old Trafford Football Stadium, Lancashire’s Old Trafford Cricket Ground and Trafford House, a 12-Storey commercial development. The businesses use the car park during the week and then it is reserved for MUFC fans on matchdays and weekends. The car park was undergoing scheduled structural inspection, when it was discovered that the traditional compression joints were failing in the wide structural movement joints on the access ramps. This meant they were now leaking and allowing water ingress, which could lead to damaging salt deposits on expensive vehicles, as well as potential corrosion and damage to the reinforced concrete decks and the structural frame itself. These joints needed to be made watertight and accommodate significant horizontal and vertical movement, as well as traffic impact and weathering. The engineers looked for a solution that could safely repair and seal the joints, but with only minimal ramp closure or downtime, and the Emseal SJS System was selected as the ideal solution, as it could be installed in just two short, phased closures at weekends, when there were no home games. In the first weekend, with only one lane closed, the failed compression joint was removed and the joint arrisses made good with fast setting resin, then on the next weekend closure, the bespoke lengths of Emseal SJS were installed with access only required from above.  

When architects Scott Brownrigg were given a brief to create a new gateway to Cambridge Science Park they knew the building had to be impressive to attract the desired high tech and research and development companies. The design features a colonnade sweeping across the front of the building echoing the curve of the spine road and a new public space. The column spacing guides occupants and visitors to the entrance – a GEZE SlimdriveSCR curved automatic sliding door. Slimdrive SCR was chosen to fit with the building BREEAM Excellent rating. The circular entrance features two sets of automatic bi-parting curved glass sliding doors, creating a lobby that minimises heat loss or gain and so helps to contribute to the building’s environmental credentialsWhen architects Scott Brownrigg were given a brief to create a new gateway to Cambridge Science Park they knew the building had to be impressive to attract the desired high tech and research and development companies. The design features a colonnade sweeping across the front of the building echoing the curve of the spine road and a new public space. The column spacing guides occupants and visitors to the entrance – a GEZE SlimdriveSCR curved automatic sliding door. Slimdrive SCR was chosen to fit with the building BREEAM Excellent rating. The circular entrance features two sets of automatic bi-parting curved glass sliding doors, creating a lobby that minimises heat loss or gain and so helps to contribute to the building’s environmental credentialsIn addition the Slimdrive SCR automatic curved sliding door provides a light and airy all-glass lobby entrance which blends into the façade and the large glass atrium; it combines high performance with unobtrusive operation. Inside the operator’s deep canopy an integrated air curtain was installed to further minimise any heat loss and maintain the aesthetics of the building. The Slimdrive SCR automatic operator also provides uninhibited access and so meets the demands of Part M, BS 8300 and EN 16005, whilst the access control system ensures security. Shortlisted for office awardsRecognising the outstanding design of the building, the Cambridge Science Park has been shortlisted for the 2023 British Council for Offices (BCO) Awards. The BCO’s primary objective is to define excellence in office space. Ross Mcwatt, associate architect at Scott Brownrigg said: "We have worked with GEZE several times, they have the same focus as we do in terms combining sustainability, accessibility and aesthetics." Richard Richardson-Derry, national specification manager at GEZE UK added: "This is an outstanding building, that meets many demands. We were delighted to play a part in creating an entrance and achieving the criteria of the brief." 

The ProjectThe former Met Police HQ which has been redeveloped into a co-working space based on the banks of the Thames. Tintagel House boasts modern design co-working spaces, meeting rooms, roof terraces, bar, cafe, gym and cycle storage for its members. Bellsure were asked by Oakmont Construction to provide the cycle storage for this project. As requested by Oakmont Construction, we provided quotes on bespoke cycle shelters with a selection of cycle storage for the client. We also supplied CAD designs and .dwg files to build into the clients BIM model. The CAD files that Bellsure provided included specified materials, product recommendations, panel details and security fixings.The SolutionThe Streetsure team secured the contract and project managed the supply of the shelters and cycle storage to suit the contractors time frame and budget.For the cycle storage we supplied our Classic double decker cycle racks, Verti-45 semi vertical cycle racks and classic Citihoop stands. These were space planned strategically to fit as many spaces into the area as possible, and provide a greater return on investment for our client.Our bespoke CuvaSpan cycle shelters were the chosen option for this project. The shelter was a bespoke powder-coated steel frame with a PETG roof. Our installers worked alongside the site manager to ensure a smooth snag free handover - complete with an enhanced operations & maintenance manual. 

Kawneer’s aluminium AA®100 zone-drained curtain wall and thermally superior AA®720 entrance doors feature on all elevations of Unit 216 at the UK’s leading science park, while AA®190 TB severe-duty doors have been used on the main entrance. The unit was taken back to a concrete shell and rebuilt with a brick and glazed façade by main contractor Hutton Construction and is now the new home for Amgen, one of the world’s largest independent biotechnology companies.

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

In 2013, the largest and most impressive Wall-Holla in the world was sold to Ketteler Hof - a family-owned Play Park that wanted something truly extraordinary to add to its playground. After extensive research, planning, and customisation tailored to their unique needs, they got exactly what they wished for - an incredible 36m wide Wall-Holla with not one but three thrilling Drop Zone elevators!Turning unused space into a popular family oasisThe Czyżyny Park Avia is an example of how public participation can help create vibrant recreational spaces that benefit the whole community. It provides an opportunity to get outdoors and enjoy nature while engaging in physical activity with friends and family. The park is located in the area of the former bus depot and part of a disused airport where used to be 3 hectares of asphalt and concrete.The playground includes climbing frames, carousels, swings, and a vertical playground Wall-Holla with challenging obstacles that will keep kids entertained for hours. There is also an outdoor gym with Lappset's metal gym equipment.The end result is a very popular recreational family place in the city of Kraków with a nice story still referring to its previous function: planes and buses are part of the pattern on the EPDM surface at the playground.The project was part of THE GREEN CITIES EUROPE AWARD – 2022 and it has been praised for its quality recreational spaces and innovative value.

THE PROJECTCountryside and L&Q are creating over 3,900 new, exceptional homes and open green space for the community. Their vision is to create a place that local people want to be, and can afford to live in. Transport is essential; therefore, they have provided an easy and safe connection to both Beam Park station and Dagenham Dock, making it an exemplar of London developments.THE PRODUCTWe are truly passionate about creating innovative, yet practical, high-quality products that’s why our Secure Information Box SIB (formally known as Premises Information Box) has been tested and certified to the stringent security standards STS205 Resistance class BR2. Suitable for internal and external use.The client wanted a reliable UK Manufacturer to supply their 6 blocks with our high security Secure Information Boxes (SIB). As we are a trusted voice in the industry and offer full UK customer service support, they were reassured that we can educate and guide them through the appropriate processes complying with both the Fire Industry Association (FIA) and National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC).

The scope of this project was to offer a waterproofing solution to a new build high-end property, designed with meticulous attention to detail, offering unparalleled comfort and sophistication.The embodiment of modern living, this property has state-of-the-art facilities and amenities, where every feature is thoughtfully curated to ensure the highest standards of living.Delta Registered Installers, Advance Property Preservation Ltd  were appointed as the Waterproofing Specialists to undertake the waterproofing design and installation of the subterranean space including parking facilities.Selecting an appropriate waterproofing solution always requires careful thought, preferably decided upon at inception stages, and Key factors include the final purpose of the substrate / building, and both the design of a maintainable and repairable system needs to be carefully considered, and all with a comprehensive knowledge of BS 8102:2022. These aspects are crucial for achieving any projects success.And a more informed choice can naturally make the difference between a lasting, resilient structure, and potential detrimental / costly issues further down the line.In the field of structural waterproofing design, the application of two forms of waterproofing, also known as combination protection, is typically recommended, and as notably, a requirement of major specialist warranty / insurance providersThe rationale behind this strategy is to employ two systems with varying performance traits. This diversity ensures that they are not susceptible to the same weaknesses, thereby reducing the risk of a simultaneous failure due to a shared vulnerability.

Pioneer Square is a mixed use retail and leisure development in the the heart of Bicester in Oxfordshire, anchored by a Sainsbury’s superstore and including a 7-screen cinema, offices, library and hotel.As a regeneration project within the city centre, it included a 526 space car park over two levels. Lang+Fulton supplied 134 panels of Terra-34 open mesh grating to act as a security barrier over an area of 1010m2. In addition, 85 panels of Italia-100 louvres in various dimensions were supplied to cover an area of 231m2 which required visual screening.

Signal Iduna Park in Dortmund is the largest stadium in Germany and home to Borussia Dortmund football club. Its shop was replaced by a spectacular new FanWorld, from where not only merchandise and tickets are sold, but also events are hosted and the BVB brand is experienced. The architectural design contributes to the brand experience without overpowering it. Transparency and safety are key. Q-railing’s Easy Glass Slim and Easy Glass 3kN glass balustrades were a solution for both the interior and exterior stairways and balustrades, including curved base shoes, glass and cap rails.

Car Parks, often large structures which need something to soften them within the environment.For Sadlers Mead that material was Timber, covering almost the entire structure with Timber Fins. European Redwood treated with VTX Pigmented treatment was used, this treatment offers a 30 year warranty against rot and fungal decay, whilst also containing brown pigments which will slow the natural weathering process of the timber.A high-pressure treatment as opposed to a coating therefore no requirement for specific ongoing maintenance to the material, a key feature when using timber in ways such as this, where safe access could be difficult.All boards we machined, preservative treated and then cut to length for installation on site.

The new store at Coventry was built using environmentally sustainable building materials. As the first city centre store, it also provides contained parking for 800 cars. Lang+Fulton supplied ventilation screens to the ground floor parking which extended to form a barrier to the first level. Terra-34 grating was chosen with a 34x100mm aperture to comply with anti-climb guidelines. Panels were custom-sized to continue the aesthetic of the surrounding cladding material and mounted to conform with the horizontal and vertical joints. Over 200m² of screening was supplied in a hot-dip galvanized finish incorporating two emergency exits.

The Rhondda Heritage Park is a renowned tourist destination in South Wales, offering a glimpse into the coal mining community that thrived in the area for over 130 years until the early 1980s. Every year, thousands of visitors take a guided tour led by former colliery workers to experience the life of coal miners.The Heritage Park takes great pride in its appearance and the local heritage it represents. However, the aging asphalt roof terraces that covered the old mine shafts had been leaking constantly, damaging the visual appeal of the visitor site.The ChallengeThe Polyroof technical team was called in to help with the waterproofing and refurbishment of the two roof terraces, measuring over 1100m², that protected the underground mining attraction. After conducting a thorough survey of the roof terrace areas, a customized specification was prepared. This specification included a comprehensive set of recommendations for addressing the issues that had caused the aged and worn condition of the terrace areas over the years. To support the proposal, additional information was provided to the client to demonstrate how a liquid system could seamlessly encase and waterproof the terraces while maintaining an aesthetically pleasing solution that was true to the authenticity of the site.Satisfied that the solution proposed would provide the long-term peace of mind they were looking for, the Heritage Park awarded the contract to RM Polymers Ltd.Before starting the work, any areas affected by fungal growth or moss were treated with Polykill Anti-Fungal Wash to eliminate all spores. Any holes in the asphalt were smoothed out or removed, and levelled using Polyroof Structural Repair Mortar. All large cracks and voids were cleaned and repaired using the same mortar.PVC protrusions were removed and surfaces were cleaned with acetone. Any damaged, loose, or unsound concrete or brickwork was removed and repaired using Polyroof Structural Repair Mortar. All repairs were allowed to cure and dry before priming.The SolutionOne of the main features of the tourist attraction is the mining carts that were used to transport coal around the mine tunnels during its operation. Similar to train tracks, the mining cart tracks are fixed into the ground using metal bolts and fixings which over time had become a weak point for water ingress. Concrete and sandstone had been used as a “quick fix” to prevent rainwater entering the mine shaft below but a long-term solution was now needed. The cement and sandstone was carefully chiselled from the rails, exposing the original metal tracks which were then lifted and abraded back to their original condition. Whilst lifted, the underlying surface was made good before the application of the Protec System. Railway sleepers were then laid on a sacrificial layer on top of the waterproof membrane, upon which the tracks and mining carts were re-instated.As the terraces are constantly trafficked by the general public, the client was clear that an anti-slip finish would be required on any walkway areas.Following the application of the Protec System, Polyfinish and Quartz Sand Anti-Slip was applied to all walkway areas, to provide slip resistance and surface protection. A 50mm margin around the perimeters of the terrace was masked off to provide a neat termination of the anti-slip finish. Ensure masking tape was removed whilst resin was still wet. Then a third coat of Protec Resin was applied at a minimum coverage rate of 0.5Litres/m² (2.0m²/Litre) and whilst wet, clean dried quartz sand (0.7 – 12mm) was broadcast at an approximate coverage rate of 4.0kg/m². Once cured, the loose sand was removed.WorkmanshipThe engine houses along the tour experience featured vast amounts of intricate details and unique items and structures, such as “Bertie and Trefor” – the names given by the mine owner to the mine head stock wheels. This presented an exceptional challenge, particularly in regards to the difficulty of working on the intricate details of the degraded mastic asphalt upstands and decking.As a result of many years of weathering and gravity, the vertical sections of asphalt on the raised terraced roof had slumped and rippled, leading to stress cracks and ultimately water ingress. To overcome this ugly problem, the asphalt was stripped from these vertical sections back to the concrete and removed from site in accordance with the Health and Safety policies in place. The contractor then installed new 18mm OSB3 to these areas to create a flat substrate for the Protec System. The incorporation of Polyroof pre-formed GRP Drip trims at the bottom of the OSB3 ensured the timber would not be exposed to any rain water in the future as well as provide a neat, edge detail.To keep the overall aesthetic feel of the site, the application of the liquid waterproofing system at wall abutments was critical. This, combined with the undulating nature of the stone and brickwork meant that the contractor would not be able to install a cover flashing or termination bar. Instead, the contractor carefully dressed the system onto the wall to the standard minimum 150mm upstand height and into a chase.The edging was then finished with a mortar to provide a neat and clean weatherproof finish, in-keeping with the traditional methods of the site at the time of its construction.The roof terraces that cover the old mining areas also act as the main walkways to the Heritage Centre’s tour routes. Therefore, one of the main challenges of the project was the complex planning of the works to ensure that the site continued to operate so not to financially impact the heritage park. It was imperative that works were complete within an 8-week period with 17,500 visitors booked in for their annual Santa’s Grotto Experience Tour beginning in early December.The application speed of the catalyst cured Protec System, combined with communication between the contractor and the site to ensure unobtrusive installation, meant the centre stayed open and the tours running with minimum disruption.The benefits of using a fast-curing liquid waterproofing solution were also vital due to the ever-changing micro-climate in the Welsh valleys. On any single day, the weather would serve up anything from bright sunshine to windy, rainy conditions. Therefore, the fast-curing Protec System, combined with the flexibility of the installation team, who gave up weekends when required, ensured the project was finished on schedule. The works were completed to an extremely high standard with full encapsulation of the roof terrace areas and without a single detail being left exposed to the elements.ConclusionThe unique aspects of this project certainly kept the team on their toes. But they were determined to complete the project on time.The team worked tirelessly, even giving up their weekends to ensure that the project was completed on schedule. Despite the harsh Welsh weather, they pushed on and were determined to make sure that Santa could visit the children of the Welsh Valleys. It was a challenging project but the team’s hard work and dedication paid off.Finally, the project was completed and the results were astounding. The roof terraces are now fully waterproofed and refurbished, and the visual appearance of the visitor site was greatly improved. It was a project that was both memorable and rewarding to all those involved.

Mitie selected TRC to conduct surveys, removals, manufacturing, and installation of more than 600 traditional double-glazed box sash windows in this delightful housing estate, originally designed by George Godwin in 1885.Located in the heart of Chelsea and offering easy access to both Fulham Road and Kings Road, Elm Park Gardens comprises multiple blocks.TRC embarked on the demanding task of surveying the existing windows and balcony doors, obtaining precise manufacturing measurements from within the flats, all without the need for external scaffolding. They maintained a close collaboration with the primary contractor and coordinated appointments with residents over a span of six months.Working within occupied flats, TRC ensured that residents’ expectations were met with cleanliness, protection, and politeness while installing the new bespoke timber windows and balcony doors.The projectThe comprehensive window replacement project covered the following aspects:The new traditional box sash windows were meticulously matched with the original style and proportions, including shape, glazing bar size and placement, overall glazing patterns, opening methods, materials, and finishes.

A hard-wearing durable levelling screed was required for a major redevelopment project at Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy, Fife. Originally opened in 1967, the facility is one of two main hospitals in the county, serving the town and mid-Fife area.  Extended in 2012, the hospital features an East, West and South and a main tower block, housing an accident and emergency department; maternity unit, an ENT unit, anaesthesia, obstetrics and gynaecology, paediatric surgery, mental health services, infectious diseases and operating theatres.   When complete, the latest expansion to the Edinburgh hospital, representing a £33m investment that was approved in early 2021, will see the hospital gain 140 additional parking spaces in a new parking facility, as well as 3 operating theatres, a supporting inpatient ward and associated outpatient facilities.Vebro Polymers has provided v-Cem – a rapid-drying, high-strength, shrinkage-compensated screed that can be applied prior to the installation of commercial floor coverings, including carpet, titles, laminate or hard-wearing resin finishes.Laid at depths between 10.0 mm and 55.0 mm and beyond, v-Cem can be used to form screeds that are bonded, unbonded and floating screed applications, and is suited to use in both internal and external applications — ideal for the in-progress construction site of Victoria Hospital.The expansion of the hospital has included many phases and trades, each keen to maintain momentum to deliver the finished facility in good time. v-Cem will dry in as little as 4 days to receive resin finishes and other resilient floor coverings.

A Stannah Midilift SL has brought access for all in Air Extreme, the South West’s premier indoor trampoline park in Barnstaple, proving once again what a good sport this platform lift is. Essential for people who can’t use the stairs, this hydraulic lift enables access for all to two storeys of high-octane facilities, designed to push fitness levels to the max. The Midilift SL can fit where standard passenger lifts can’t – next to the turned metal staircase in this case, with both freestanding structures sharing the same ceiling aperture to the first floor.

Humber Enterprise Park is an 86-acre site in Brough, East Yorkshire developed on the site previously owned by BAE Systems. Gradus carpet, matting and stair edgings (fitted using Gradus Grip) were used throughout. "Using Gradus Grip adhesive for fixing down the Gradus GTX51 & GXT11 profiles at Humber Enterprise Project was more cost effective as it is quicker than mechanically fixing each nosing, it also shortened the installation time as the adhesive sets quicker so there is no need to shut the staircases off for long periods." Nic Clawson Assistant Project Manager, Sandhurst Flooring

Sixmile Boardwalk is a wooden walkway located in Ballyclare, a town in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. The boardwalk stretches for over a mile through Sixmile Water Park, providing visitors with stunning views of the surrounding natural beauty. The boardwalk is an accessible and family-friendly attraction that allows visitors to explore the park’s wetlands and wildlife, including ducks, swans, and otters. It is a popular destination for walkers, joggers, and cyclists, as well as families and nature enthusiasts. The boardwalk also features several rest areas and interpretive signage, providing visitors with information about the park’s history and ecology.The second phase of the Antrim Boardwalk refurbishment project involved an extension and upgrade of the walkway, including the removal of existing slippery timber deck boards and replacing these with new anti-slip timber deck boards. For this, Gripsure’s non-slip Premier decking were carefully chosen for the new raised boardwalk and viewing platform area, installed by Martin Contracting Services Ltd.Primarily chosen for its safety benefits, Gripsure’s Premier profile achieves a PTV rating of 78 assuring a safe and comfortable walking surface for visitors, even in wet or damp conditions. Gripsure decking has been tried and tested on projects for over 15 years and is now trusted by many household names, such as Center Parcs and Samsung.In addition to the proven safety benefits, the Gripsure decking used at Sixmile Boardwalk is also extremely durable and long-lasting, making it a cost-effective choice for Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council. The decking requires minimal maintenance and is resistant to rot, decay, and insect damage, ensuring that it remains in excellent condition for years to come.Overall, the Gripsure non-slip decking used at Sixmile Boardwalk has been a great success, providing a safe and sustainable solution that enhances the park’s natural beauty and functionality. The decking has helped to increase visitor safety and comfort, and has helped to make Sixmile Water Park a more accessible and enjoyable destination for visitors of all ages and abilities.The Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Billy Webb, said: “These refurbishment works will bring more footfall to Antrim town centre and help us tackle the challenges of climate and environmental change by encouraging active travel whilst also proving a local business with the contract.”All media is courtesy of Martin Contracting Services. ©2022 Martin Contracting Services

Dalton Retail Outlet Park in the North East was modernised in order to create a premium shopping destination. Contemporary external landscaping as well as lighting, bespoke planters, seating and signage were to be part of the planned renovations. Product suggestions made by the Artform team offered a consistent design and complemented the original brief, whilst offering a robust durable result and a cost effective solution. The Stone Bench, Treeline bench, FGP seats and FGP Litter Bins were chosen to suit the overall project theme.

Northamptonshire based DC Fire Protection Ltd., a long-term customer of TBA FIREFLY™, has employed the manufacturer’s ZEUS Lite™ system to create a 90:30 minutes’ fire barrier within the first floor ceiling void of a commercial property in London’s Hyde Park area.

Everyone at Whitemead Forest Park has fallen in love with the bespoke dining canopy. It is a fabulous addition to the facilities and has been invaluable in building the new outdoor space. Visitors can enjoy eating and socialising outdoors throughout the year.

London Hilton on Park Lane, an iconic hotel renowned for it’s luxury, elegance and history have recently updated and renewed it’s Grand Ballroom with the pre-function area which now features an extensive wood veneered aluminium privacy & shading screen system by Technowood.One of the challenges that the team at GA Design have faced was the privacy & shading solution for the large windows that are running along the whole pre-function area.Their designers wanted to utilise a rotatable shading system which is both extremely luxurious and fits in with the aesthetic, yet functional and practical.The desired finish was authentic, real Walnut that is heavily stained to a beautiful beige tone while the visible wood grains create a unique texture for the light reflections and touch.The required sizing for both appearance and practicality have ruled out natural solid wood right away. Panel width of 440mm – yes; nearly half a meter! – with only 40mm thickness would have made these elements way too unstable and heavy if solid wood was used.Technowood UK was able to provide a complete bespoke privacy and shading system for this project: Walnut natural wood veneered aluminium profiles for a synchronized, mechanical rotating system of our design with brushed bronze finish elements & cover plates.Our approved installers PSBK Limited did an outstanding job! The complete installation took less than 2 days during the Easter bank holiday weekend.Some of the key advantages of the system:The privacy & shading blades are near 3 meters long unusually wide and slim; while remaining rigid, solid and dimensionally stable. The bespoke nature of the whole system allowed for a perfect and seamless integration between the marble columns. Installation time is unparalleled. 4 separate systems measuring over 6 meters by nearly 3 meters each. Over 72 square meters of area utilising 57 blades in total.

Starboard Hotels and Maith Architects invited Licata Building Systems and Licata contracting partner Build-Therm Services Limited to assist with the redevelopment of the previous Park Royal bar to provide a 162-bedroom Hampton by Hilton hotel. The original building, lying vacant and in a state of disrepair, has a listed Art Deco façade, which has been retained and refurbished to its former glory, with the new hotel being built in behind and wrapped over with new, substantially glazed floors and Licata FireSafe Brick Slip system. Completed in 2018, the system comprised of 160mm high density mineral fibre, comfortably achieving the target U Value of 0.04W/mK. The brick slips were selected and cut from handformed clay to match the original building.

The Silverburn shopping centre is one of the largest in the UK, with over 100 stores and a 100,000m2 car park. With more than 2000 parking spaces spread over many levels, can you imagine how many people pass through every day? Effective drainageThe previously installed drainage system had begun to fail, causing the car park to flood in some areas. The old system needed replacing with something innovative and new Kompaqdrain CityThe Max-Flow® effect of our Kompaqdrain channel ensured effective drainage. Comprising an original design with curved grating inlets and an anti-slip and water-directing surface, optimising water collection and utilising the water's energy to increase speed and drainage capacity. User safetyThe channel and grating of the Kompaqdrain City model form a single monolithic system ensuring strength throughout the whole channel. As the grating forms part of this system and is not separate there are no risks of lifting of shifting coupled with smaller collection holes thus preventing trips and falls!

We supplied our Irish-produced Streetscape® BS 7533 compliant laying course materials including; bedding course, jointing, and priming mortars, to Scottish-based principal contractor, RJ McLeod (Contractors) Ltd for the hardscape element of the new Helix Park project in Falkirk, Scotland.The hardscape element of the Helix Park, comprising of open-space paving and connecting pathways, totalling 9,000 m2 of granite paving, was expertly laid by paving contractor, Granite Paving Specialist Ltd. The SMET Streetscape® portfolio complies with the rigorous requirements of BS 7533 with all products undergoing independent testing and certification to confirm compliance. By providing a superior level of customer service and focused aftercare to our Smet Supported Partners with the Streetscape® brand, we demonstrate best-practice in Streetscape Hardscaping construction partnerships. Click for more detailed information on the SMET Streetscape® BS 7533 range: https://www.smetbuildingproducts.com/products/streetscape/Click for more on some of the projects we have supplied to:https://www.smetbuildingproducts.com/projects/by-product/streetscape-high-strength-bedding-concrete/Contact SMET for any Streetscape enquiries.

The new Winchester Sports and Leisure Park has succeeded in making a centre that is accessible for everyone. Through a collaboration with LA Architects and Pressalit, Winchester City Council installed not just one, but FIVE high specification Changing Places bathrooms in its recently opened state of the art sports and leisure complex.These Changing Places rooms will enable severely disabled people and their carers the chance to enjoy the new centre by providing safe and secure environments for changing and toileting before and after using the leisure centre facilities.

Client: Durham County Council Main Contractor/Manufacturer: Retro Bridge Specialist Contractor: St Astier Consulting Contractors Main Products Used: Emseal BEJS SystemThe Witton Park Road Bridge near Bishop Auckland crosses the River Wear at the same place as the historic Witton Park Railway Viaduct, but at different angles. The main central bridging structure was being replaced as the old structure had deteriorated and become structurally unsound. The new prefabricated replacement section of the bridge is a Retro Beam Bridge design, made from thermally galvanised steel for long term durability and is 64 metres long, with a single-lane road carriageway plus a cycle path. The new bridge section was installed in just 3 days through the Victorian brick arches of the Viaduct by Retro Bridge. Then the teams from Durham County Council and St. Astier Consulting Contractors were able to work on the bridge deck expansion joints at each end, to ensure that these had an equally durable, watertight seal. To do this quickly and efficiently, as well as ensuring the long-term durability of the exposed joints, they selected the Emseal BEJS System provided and supported by NCC (Movement Joint Systems). The Emseal BEJS System can handle harsh environmental conditions and has greater movement capability, better low temperature flexibility and higher temperature stability than other joint movement technologies. In a single installation, BEJS provided a watertight durable seal, with a joint movement capability over 100%, including 3-dimensional movement, plus it required no invasive mechanical anchoring as it is bonded in position.

Hand-formed Crème bricks from high quality manufacturer, Vandersanden, are core to the design vision behind Westbourne Park Baptist Church, a recently completed mixed-use development in West London, designed by award-winning architects, Allies and Morrison. A Baptist church was first established on this site, close to the Royal Oak Underground station, back in 1875. This original church was damaged beyond repair during the Second World War but its replacement, erected in the 1960's, had become outdated, was poorly configured and expensive to maintain. A community-led project and partnership between social housing provider, Dolphin Living, and Westbourne Park Baptist Church, appointed Allies and Morrison to design a scheme that would include new accommodation for the church, a family centre, and the Paddington Children's Library alongside a community hall and 33 intermediate affordable homes. Winner of a Highly Commended accolade in the Civic Trust Awards 2021, the Allies and Morrison design creates an exemplar in the integration of religious, community and residential uses through a compact mixed-use development. A 'campanile' provides a focal point that announces the presence of the church at the heart of the scheme. The main building itself features large windows which signal the location and provide generous direct daylight into the five upper floors of apartments. As well as reflecting its multi-use character, this scheme also addresses the sensitive heritage of the site and its residential context. Here, the choice of brick as a material was significant. Allies and Morrison selected Vandersanden’s Crème facing brick in a 50mm size for the project. “We went through an extensive design review process in brick selection before settling on Crème from Vandersanden,” says Richard White, Associate at Allies and Morrison. “This hand-formed cream-coloured brick helps elevate the status of the design, forming a consistent and restrained material and colour palette of brick, steel, aluminium and glass that sits harmoniously with the stucco of the adjacent villas. The geometry of the brick modules is important both in expressing the building’s aesthetic and helping to harmonise its scale with its architectural context.” Crème is created from a combination of different clay forms which yield a white base colour, then coated with specific sand types to bring a grained, creased texture and shades of yellow to the overall final appearance. At Westbourne Park Baptist Church brick headers and stretchers are layered alternately in each course with headers centred on the stretchers of the course below in an attractive Flemish bond. At the same time, the 50mm format of the Crème brick, in combination with splayed reveals on the campanile, pulled headers on the building’s uppermost recessed storey and evenly placed vertical break lines help order the building’s massing as it steps down to mediate between the taller mixed-use buildings of Porchester Road and the smaller-scale residential character of the historic Westbourne Park Villas. Approximately, 150,000 bricks were sourced for the project.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 

This month, Falco supplied and installed over 90 spaces of the FalcoLevel-Eco two-tier cycle rack, for what will become Scotland’s largest hotel, located on Drum’s Candlerigg’s Square site in the heart of Glasgow’s historic Merchant City.The new £300m development, will transform Glasgow’s original flourishing fruit and vegetable market which has lay neglected and unused for 20 years, becoming a derelict site in an otherwise vibrant and thriving neighbourhood. Candleriggs Square, bound by Wilson Street, Hutcheson Street, Candleriggs and Trongate is regarded as the last and most significant piece of the Merchant City regeneration jigsaw and will provide a vibrant mixed-use community bringing together new homes, offices, hotels and local amenities.As part of the state-of-the-art development, a requirement for secure, easy to use, cycle parking for over 90 cycles was required, to be located within an accessible, underground facility.Falco manufactured, supplied and installed a series of over 90 double-sided FalcoLevel-Eco two-tier cycle parking spaces within an underground facility at the prestigious development, providing employees and visitors with secure and accessible cycle parking.The popular FalcoLevel-Eco design was chosen for its capability to be located within compact areas, such as the underground facility shown here, providing cyclists with twice as many cycle parking spaces that would have otherwise been available when using traditional cycle racks and stands.Double-sided variations of the popular cycle rack were used to fit inconspicuous within the tight constraints of the space envelope available.The recent installation shown here at Candleriggs Square is just one of many underground environments Falco has supplied and installed cycle parking equipment for. Other recent examples include two-tier cycle parking for Macquarie Bank in London, three flagship Selfridges stores across the UK, VelowUp® vertical cycle stands and two-tier cycle racks for the University of Edinburgh, 150 two-tier cycle rack spaces for Marks & Spencer at Paddington Basin in London as well as semi-vertical cycle parking for Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London.The FalcoLevel-Eco is a high density and budget friendly two-tier cycle parking system which accommodates twice the number of bicycles compared to any other traditional cycle rack or stand. The FalcoLevel two-tier series is the UK’s best-selling high density cycle rack and is used at the UK’s first ever cycle hub at Leeds City Station as well as the UK’s two largest cycle hubs at Cambridge and Chelmsford Stations.For more information about the FalcoLevel-Eco cycle parking system or how Falco can assist your cycle parking scheme, please contact our helpful sales team on 01538 380080.

For the new distribution centre at Schiphol Trade Park along the A4, living walls have been realised with MobiPanel, the living wall system from Mobilane. With a total surface spanning 750 m2, the facades of the new distribution centre is greened with the latest generation vertical green from Mobilane.Sustainable and innovative distribution centreA lot of attention has been paid to the appearance of the new distribution centre. With the design of Dedato Architecten, sustainability has not only been taken into account on the inside, but also sustainability at the outside of the building has been taken into consideration by including nature-inclusitivity. Dick Venneman, architect and owner of Dedato Architecten tells: “It is a building with its own characteristic appearance, a landmark from the highway. The building is in its materials friendly and accessible. The different surfaces in the facade gives it a human approach. The living walls and the vertically placed solar panels tells something about the sustainability of the building and plays a role in the preservation of biodiversity in the area”. In addition, the MobiPanel living walls makes the environment more sustainable and improves air quality. The installation of the living walls was carried out by Mobicare in collaboration with Zoontjens Boomprojecten. In addition to the living walls, Zoontjens also installed two large roof gardens with various trees, shrubs and 2,600 MobiRoof ECO sedum cassettes totalling 650 square metres.Distribution centre 2.0 Schiphol Trade ParkThe building spans 30.000 m2 of which 3000 m2 is available for offices. Under the distribution centre, there is a car park spanning 7500 m2 with space for 270 cars. The construction of the new distribution centre began in 2020 and is delivered by Dijkham Bouw BV. “From the environment, wellbeing and to prevent a paved environment, for the design it has been chosen to implement living walls, green roofs and ground level. We are very satisfied about this procedure. The execution is very good, the communication was good”, according to Marcel Smeets – Coordinator at Dijkham Bouw BV. The distribution centre was developed by Minerva Development. Minerva Development is an independent developer with years of experience in the development and realisation of business premises. “Since Schiphol Trade Park has set the goal of becoming one the most sustainable logistics centre, as developers we were very happy to take on the challenge. Next to all other facilities such as solar panels, we have opted for a lot of greenery in the design. Not only on the facades, but also in the surroundings of the building and on the roof. We are very happy with the end result and proud of the fact that because of the living walls, this is by far the most beautiful DC in the area. We are very curious about what the result will be over a few months when everything is in bloom”, Bob Lukassen – Minerva Development.Latest generation vertical greenFor greening the distribution, it was chosen for the new living wall system MobiPanel from Mobilane. MobiPanel is an innovative, sustainable and lightweight system for living walls. It is a modular and circular system consisting of omega profiles and pregrown plant cassettes (40 x 40 cm), provided with an automatic irrigation and drainage system. The plants in the cassettes receive water through capillary action. MobiPanel can be installed on flat or curved walls and is suitable for different types of walls, including certain types of sandwich panels. For the facades of the new distribution centre, sandwich panels from Cladding Point have been used. “With Mobilane, as a global expert with many years of experience, we can continue to lead the way in innovation and sustainability. Cladding Point and Mobilane are ready for the future together”, Frank Janssen – Managing Director at Cladding Point. Cladding Point’s Design+ Carrier sandwich panels contribute to the highest BREEAM category.Client: Minerva DevelopmentArchitect: Dedato ArchitectenConstruction period: 2021Installation: Mobicare

Tobermore’s smooth Shannon block paving was the ideal hard landscaping material for the outdoor dining area at this McDonald’s outlet is Birmingham as the smooth, deep coloured surface is ideal for pedestrian use and wheeled traffic such as prams etc.

Catnic's lintels have given definition to Beaumont, a stunning Country and Coast Homes development of 6 large houses in Highcroft, Exeter. Approximately 60 1.25inch CX cavity lintels were supplied, which support the sharp, unusual shape of the architect-designed buildings, were chosen for their strength, reliability and thermal capabilities.The lintels support the exterior window and door features; special corner lintels support the external over-eaves, while large window openings elegantly contour the shape of each house. Chosen specifically to support the specialist architectural features of the development, offering both the structural and thermal performance required for the building envelopes.Constructed using the traditional brick and block method, the building facades were then finished with a white K-render to all external elevations.Consistent with Country and Coast Homes' portfolio of luxury contemporary homes, the development features superior quality fixtures inside and out. As a brand synonymous with quality in the construction industry, Catnic reflects this too. County and Coast Homes focuses on exceptional attention to detail, it only uses the most reliable and durable products in the construction of its homes. Chris Dodge at County and Coast Homes said: "We have been using Catnic Lintels for over 10 years, they are by far the best. A superbly well organised company who offer exemplary service, their lintels are extremely capable and well suited to our high quality homes."Country and Coast Homes prides itself on a high level of sustainability in each development. Catnic lintels surpassed the energy targets in this particular development by helping deliver the efficiency required to achieve a B on the EPC rating.

Designed to manage and guide the flow of visitors, the Webnet balustrade plays a key role in the organisation of pedestrian traffic during and after the 2012 Olympics hosted at the Queen Elizabth Olympic Park in Stratford, London.The balustrading infill had to accommodate the multitude of curves that were a feature of the balustrade’s design, and the pliable characteristics of the Webnet wire mesh made it the perfect choice.  The Webnet system can adapt to most forms and shapes, making it perfect for creating curves. Featuring high translucency, the Jakob Webnet system is also a discreet and elegant choice for balustrading. The Jakob Webnet wire mesh balustrade infill went through an exhaustive series of tests to ensure it could cope with the large crowds and fulfil a vital security function.Created using marine grade 316 stainless steel, Jakob’s Webnet wire mesh infill continues to provide a robust, weather resistant solution, designed to last for years to come.MMA Architectural Systems (JAKOB's sole UK distributor) also supplied Webnet wire mesh frames for the London Stadium at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. 

Client: Heron Tower, LondonLocation: Bishopgate, LondonSector: Mixed-Use FacilityYear: 2021Project Size: 500 m²System: vebrodeck IDHeron Tower, a mixed-use high-rise development in London, required a bright, welcoming and durable floor coating material for its bike and scooter storage area, an environment used by the residents and staff of businesses based in the building. Heron Tower, located at 110 Bishopgate in the heart of London, is a mixed-use facility providing over 440,000 sq ft of premium office and leisure space over 36 floors. Enhanced to achieve net zero carbon, the building features a façade of solar panels and has achieved a BREEAM rating of Excellent. The impressive contemporary landmark, situated just a short walk from Liverpool Street Station, was — at the time of its construction — the tallest high-rise in the capital, standing at 230m tall including its mast. Featuring a range of corporate office spaces, restaurants and leisure spaces, as well as Britain’s largest privately-owned aquarium in its impressive lobby, the development has been designed to impress, providing building users with a premium experience throughout. This has extended to its more functional areas, with the transformation of its bicycle storage area; a dedicated space where building users are able to securely store their pushbikes and scooters. Installed in a combination of RAL 5018 Turquoise Blue and RAL 7035 Light Grey, the installation of vebrodeck ID has created a welcoming space for the building's climate-conscious cyclists and scooters to safely store their vehicles. vebrodeck ID is a durable resin deck wearing system, designed for use on driveways and parking bays of internal or basement level decks of multi–storey parking structures. vebrodeck ID is a protective deck coating system offering excellent wear resistance. The system deadens noise from unpleasant tyre squeal, is available in a wide range of colours, protects against oils, fuels and de-icing salts and can be tailored to ensure an anti-slip finish. 

Franke were thrilled to provide products to one of the UK’s leading theme parks and attractions for a recent refurbishment, which consisted of a large male toilet room, a large female toilet room and a less abled disabled washroom. Water conservation was also an important aspect. Franke supplied a number of self closing Pureline taps, which only release water for a controlled amount of time, bringing down water usage in the washroom. Stainless steel table top soap dispensers (SD80) were also supplied, removing the possibility of spillages onto the vanity units and making the area easier to clean.