"landscape"

Arts University Bournemouth Halls of Residence Madeira Road is a significant university development in the Lansdowne area of Bournemouth town centre. This development consists of 374 rooms and four studios, arranged over three blocks, and a 400 space multi-story car park. Each building ranges from three to four storeys, with standard bedroom accommodation in each block; all blocks are set out around a landscaped courtyard, allowing direct access to adjacent blocks.Cellecta’s HEXATHERM XFLOOR 500 was specified by BrightSpace Architects Ltd for its high resistance to compression and closed cell structure that provides unrivalled resistance to water absorption, making them ideal for residential applications.Morgan Sindall Construction was awarded this 9,000m² contract to construct this development.

This Baycroft is a superb luxury 62 bed care home offering 24-hour personalised residential, nursing and dementia care, situated in the village of Great Baddow in the Borough of Essex. Its facilities include a cinema, dining rooms, an open café in the entrance foyer, a quiet room, large lounge areas, a physio room, a library, a hair salon, a spa treatment room, a gym, a craft room, and activity room, and landscaped gardens.Cellecta ScreedBoard 28 was specified for its versatility on all types of floor coverings, making it the ideal option for this project. It features interlocking edges for installation convenience, meaning no screws are required. This can help on site saving installation time.CastleOak Care Partnerships was awarded this 1,850m² contract to develop this care home in Chelmsford.

South Lawns Hotel is an iconic hotel located on a Green Belt site. An additional 25 bedroom extension was constructed for this development, set on a brick plinth, clad in dark boarding, to emulate agricultural York boarding, with a low-profile aluminium roof. The design and materials proposed minimised its visual impact on views across the Forest landscape nearby and contrasted with the white render of the existing building.Cellecta’s DECKfon Batten 70 was specified by Boyle and Summers as they have been rigorously tested and are robust detail complaint for steel, concrete and timber separating floor applications. The battens consist of a layer of recycled, low resonance, open cell, flexible polyurethane foam bonded to an FSC/PEFC certified timber batten.Tuakana was awarded this 1,050m² contract for this development in Milford-on-sea.

This Village Hotel is a six-storey hotel with over 7,700m² floorspace, car parking and associated landscaping, next to the Porsche Centre at Lakeside North Harbour Portsmouth. The hotel has 153 rooms, conference facilities and a leisure club with a 20m swimming pool, gym and fitness studio, costing £17 million. This hotel has excellent transport links to the city of Portsmouth and the wider Hampshire area via the M27 and the A3.Cellecta HiDECK Acoustic Overlay 28 was specified by 3DReid for this project due to the floor treatment’s high density and superior compressive strength resilient layer; it provides outstanding levels of acoustic performance, exceeding legislative requirements. The board has a tongue and groove edge profile, allowing for screw-free installation.Willmott Dixon was awarded the contract to construct this 900m² development.

The new three storey Madras College on the outskirts of St Andrews opened its doors last Autumn, bringing together 1,450 pupils into one single-site secondary school with 15,320sqm of new facilities, including outstanding sports provision. It’s fantastic to see these shots of the build glistening in the autumnal sunshine. Designed by AHR of Glasgow, and delivered by BAM Construct UK for Fife Council, the project incorporated Metal Technology Ltd’s high-performance curtain walling, windows and doors through approved fabricator Avtek Ltd. The college has achieved a ‘Platinum Standard’ sustainability level, measured against Fife Council’s own ‘Sustainability Checklist’, exceeding BREEAM standards. The landscape strategy incorporates the protection of biodiversity, through planting native trees, grassland and wildflowers.

Carrick Yard in Westminster is a residential development comprising 168 one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom apartments, a community space and public sports hall as well as extensive landscaped public areas. The scheme delivers improvements to existing surrounding housing and public spaces and is part funded by Westminster City Council. It is the first development to be completed in the Church Street Regeneration area.The Fire regulations which apply to high-rise living accommodation meant that the kitchens in each apartment would require a fire suppression unit complete with sprinklers to be fitted. These units need to be installed and maintained by a specialist engineer and can also cause damage within a property should they be activated due to a fire.  Therefore, the Firechief Kitchen Stove Guard was chosen as an alternative, unobtrusive design-led fire prevention solution.

Star architect Christoph Ingenhoven’s company provides an extraordinary lifestyle concept in Singapore’s urban space with their smart idea for Marina One. The AXIS planning office implemented the notion of a feel-good indoor climate in the building’s living areas with Villeroy & Boch. Construction time/completion: 2011 - 2017 / 15th January 2018. Area: Gross floor space: 400,000 m². Office space, usable space: 175,000 m². Apartments: 1,042 units (2-4 rooms). Client: M+S Pte. Ltd., Singapore. Architects: Ingenhoven Architects, Düsseldorf. Landscape architecture: Gustafson Porter + Bowman, London. Awards: Green Building: LEED Platinum, Green Mark Platinum (Selection). Interior designer: Axis ID Pte Ltd, Singapore.

800 square meters of Black Webnet creating an innovative Webnet Green Wall ,providing shade and year-round temperature control for this contemporary office building.The innovative design features our Webnet stainless steel mesh system suspended from roof supports to create a strong, secure and long-life structure for plants to climb up. Planters at first floor level encircle the building to provide low level greening, as well as a base for the climbers.Bringing nature to this urban landscape, the green wall not only makes the office look spectacular, but also provides a habitat for wildlife and significantly improves the building’s carbon footprint. The shade and evaporative cooling of the plants also help to cool the building in summer and insulate it in winter, helping to improve thermal efficiency and save energy costs.

An award-winning, luxury home in the beautiful Hampshire countryside, 4 Views is designed to make the most of its location, also makes its own bold statement thanks to an imaginative combination of materials, including lass, timber and bricks created by the innovation-led, manufacturer, Vandersanden. A remarkable new build with a distinctive architectural design from Winchester-based firm, AR Design Studio, 4 Views incorporates Dark Vandersanden Morvan brickwork which creates tonal contrast with cedar cladding and floor to ceiling glass doors and windows to set this home apart, giving it a balanced, calm identity, at one with the landscape.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 patients’ garden at Homerton Hospital in Hackney has been completely transformed with a Stonebound resin bound porous paving finish to the pathways in the newly landscaped courtyard area.SURFACING REQUIREMENTSThe hospital was looking for a minimal maintenance surfacing option for the hospital garden to offer a welcoming, tranquil outside space for visitors and patients. The paving needed to be porous to minimize surface water, seamless and have good slip resistance for comfort and safety underfoot.Addagrip approved contractor D C Flooring was invited by G.K.Works to install 169 sqm of Stonebound resin bound porous surfacing in a Blizzard blend to give a cool and contemporary look to this outdoor area. The surfacing is decorative, porous, allowing access all year round and offers good slip resistance.The installation was completed in August 2021.

This reimagined building in Fitzrovia, which puts people, wellness, and sustainability first, is another project we are particularly proud of and here’s why.The Met Building is 12 storeys high and one of a few such examples in London’s West End. Its design was inspired by one of New York’s landmark buildings, Lever House, one of Manhattan’s leading examples, which inspired decades of US corporate architecture.While the building’s interiors are crafted to appeal to corporates and creatives, the Tower has been designed to put people first, offering breathtaking views across London, and focusing on efficiency and productivity.The whole roof terrace of the Met Building’s Podium was built over the top of the existing roof and on a huge network of steels that are designed to direct the load away from the roof below.The system used on the roof terrace is our TerraSmart® Rail Paving System finished in our Porcelain Paving Range. This system features super-strong, 100% recyclable aluminium joists, overlapping to create a lattice framework that delivers maximum support for the porcelain paving above. In addition to complementing the overall aesthetics of the entire project, the system is fully non-combustible (Class A1 fire-rated) and, as such, in perfect harmony with the focus on the wellness and safety of all the building’s occupants. The porcelain pavers were inspired by nature and feature the performance of high-quality ceramics and environmentally conscious manufacturing that aligns with the project’s focus on sustainability.And to top it all, the entire solution installed is backed by our RYNO® IGNO® 30-year system warranty and 60-year design life.In total, the RYNO® TerraSmart® Rail Paving System was installed on 3 terraces at the Met Building, all built on the existing steel frame, and the planters that add to the outdoor experience have been integrated into the design and placed directly on top of the RYNO paving system.We are proud to have collaborated very closely with Vert Projects (the Main Contractor) and The Landscape Partnership (the Landscape Architect) in delivering this great design.

At the core of the Brecon Beacons National Trust, amidst the striking landscapes of Pont ar Daf and Pen y Fan, inclusivity becomes a primary focus. The recent inclusion of the Changing Places Toilet facility stands as evidence of Astor Bannerman and the National Trust’s dedication to establishing an environment that caters to everyone’s accessibility needs.Changing Places Facilities Situated at Bannau Brycheiniog in the Brecon Beacons, the Changing Places Toilet facility addresses the needs of individuals with profound and multiple disabilities. This facility is equipped with state-of-the-art amenities, including the:Astor OT200 Overhead Ceiling Track HoistAstor CT Nivano Wall Mounted Height Adjustable Changing and Showering StretcherKwickScreen Wall Mounted Privacy ScreenThe inclusion of these specialised features ensures that visitors with varying mobility requirements can now enjoy the stunning surroundings without facing the barriers that might have restricted their access in the past. The Astor OT200 Overhead Ceiling Track Hoist facilitates safe and efficient transfers, while the Astor CT Nivano Stretcher provides a comfortable changing and showering experience. The KwickScreen Privacy Screen adds an extra layer of dignity and privacy to the entire process.Power In PartnershipThe Astor Bannerman team collaborated closely with the National Trust to design and implement a facility that not only meets the highest standards of accessibility but also blends into the natural charm of the Brecon Beacons. This case study stands as a beacon of inspiration for other natural reserves and parks, encouraging them to embrace inclusivity and make their spaces welcoming to everyone.As visitors embark on the scenic walk through the Brecon Beacons, they can now do so with the assurance that accessibility is at the forefront. The Changing Places Toilet at Bannau Brycheiniog exemplifies the power of collaboration and innovation in transforming landscapes, ensuring that the beauty of nature is accessible to all, regardless of their abilities.Feel free to reach out if you require assistance or guidance with your Changing Places project, or if you need additional support regarding the equipment specifications for Changing Places facilities.

Hadfield Carkwell Davidson specified Tobermore for the 376,737sq ft job at the IKEA retail store in Sheffield.The large-scale scheme, which has created nearly 500 jobs, involved construction and fit-out of the two-storey superstore, providing a sales floor, warehouse, staff facilities, café, and children’s play area, as well as underground and external car parking. The project has received a BREEAM excellence accreditation due to its application of sustainable technologies like solar panels, rainwater harvesting, and electric vehicle charging points on-site.The ChallengeBlock paving was required to meet both SuDs requirements and aesthetic aspiration.The IKEA store was constructed adjacent to the famous Tinsley Viaduct on the outskirts of Sheffield, bringing the popular retail destination to the area near the Meadowhill Shopping Centre.A crucial part of the £60M project was that the hard landscaping design would satisfy SUDs requirements but maintain a high-end aesthetic appeal that would reflect the IKEA brand.The SolutionTobermore Hydropave products provided suitable drainage for the project.The hard landscaping solution created an outdoor area that effectively promoted the IKEA brand. By utilising high-end block paving product Fusion in the cool tones of silver, mid grey, and graphite, the elevated finish was beautifully realised. Permeable paving was employed in certain areas to support drainage that would meet SuDs requirements for the site, exemplifying the project’s green credentials. This in turn made it one of IKEA’s most sustainable stores.Tobermore’s Granite Step Units with Contrasting Nosing allow for the uneven terrain to be navigated elegantly with appealing steps that augment the customer experience at the IKEA store. Hazard Warning flags also ensure that the site fully meets modern accessibility standards for people with impaired vision.Laying patterns and delineation enhanced the area to meet customer expectations, creating spacious parking bays and attractive pedestrianised walkways. Hydropave Pedesta and Fusion paving combined to realise a project that radiates a unique, high-quality feel.

Paving with character required for one of UK’s most biodiverse developmentsWorking in conjunction with London Wildlife Trust, Berkeley Group’s design objective was strongly influenced by the environment surrounding the scheme. The overall aim of the multi-functional location was to encourage users to socialise and enjoy the open space and facilities available. Residents can enjoy 13 acres of parkland across 2 new parks in addition to outdoor leisure spaces including an amphitheatre, play areas, and fitness trails. The Green Quarter hard landscaping design needed to tie in with the vibrant nature of the area. A functional yet aesthetically pleasing solution was required, ensuring commuter-friendly paving options. Due to the scale of the location, creative laying patterns were required to add character and break up the space.   Tobermore’s Artro adds vibrancy and personality to transformed development Tobermore worked closely with the project team throughout the design process offering complimentary paving visualisations and bespoke sample panels for the extensive hard landscaping on the scheme. The visualisation and sample service provided confidence in the final product selection.  Outdoor leisure spaces including an amphitheatre, play areas, and fitness trails provide a place for residents to unwind. Community events including outdoor cinema screenings and food markets will create a thriving new community. There will also be a new primary school, health centre and community facility. With creativity at its core, Artro block paving was laid in an interesting five-way colour mix of Heather, Bracken, Autumn, Slate and Carbon in a trendy herringbone pattern. Other pedestrianised zones feature Artro in warm clay-like tones of Heather and Autumn in a stretcher bond laying pattern. Artro’s ability to create unique design patterns by seamlessly blending various colour tones adds originality and personality to the scheme.  Thanks to Tobermore’s PrimeTop hard-wearing surface layer, Berkeley Group can be confident that Artro will retain its original appearance for many years to come.     

Sector:Leisure & HealthcareClient:Houghton Regis Management CompanyDuration:48 weeksArchitect:NORR Consultants LtdCompletion Date:14 January 2022Value:£4.4mThe scheme involved the construction of three stand-alone buildings with: an office and marketing suite which will offer flexible co-working opportunities for the local community, a cafe, and a community hall. The three buildings making up the Farmstead are arranged around beautiful landscaping with a courtyard that has a nature-themed play area, outdoor seating and bike storage.Andrew Morris, Business Development Director for Ashe Construction said: “We’re delighted to be providing this fantastic new community facility. Using sustainably sourced timber and offsite methods of construction we have ensured the most sustainable of buildings that fits with the aspirations of all parties involved. We hope it plays a central part in building a caring and diverse community.”A PLACE FOR SOCIALISING AND COMMUNITYThe Farmstead is the heart and soul of Linmere, a space where everyone is welcome. Sitting within its own landscaped grounds, The Farmstead consists of three barns arranged around a central courtyard. Inside this lively hub you’ll find a café bistro, a community hall for hire, an expanding retail offering, a pop-up for hire, plus yoga and fitness classes to participate in and a nature-inspired children’s adventure playground.A PLACE TO MEET, DINE AND ENJOY!Roam, a brand-new café bistro, offers a high-quality daytime café, proudly serving Really Awesome Coffee, with a range of snacks, cakes, and hot food. This is complemented with an evening bistro serving a modern, quality menu along with a selection of wines and beer.Located in the heart of The Farmstead Linmere, offering residents and visitors alike a social venue open from morning until night, Roam is the go-to venue for coffee, delicious food, and a very welcoming atmosphere. Whether you’re looking for a quick coffee break, a working lunch or a relaxed dinner with friends and family, Roam has something for everyone.

We were delighted to be commissioned by Brogborough Parish Council in Bedfordshire to design, supply, install and safety surface an upgrade to their existing play area, in the summer of 2021. Equipment needed to suit a wide range of ages and as such, a large selection of equipment was included in the scheme. For older children, the Spell Hill multiplay, with its two large slides, rope bridges, towers and climbing activities, was the perfect structure. A bouldering cube provided extra climbing play, whilst perennial favourites in the form of swings and an inclined roundabout complimented the area.For the younger users, a small slide and 4 separate springers including a dog, bike, butterfly and tractor made for a fun, themed area. Given the semi natural location of the playground, surrounded by mature trees and tall grasses, a TigerMulch surface was chosen to compliment the landscape, with its bike like appearance working nicely with the surroundings.

As one of the fastest growing towns in Wales, Newport is undergoing a comprehensive programme of regeneration, of which Friars Walk is a central part.Friars Walk has reshaped the landscape of Newport with retail sales expected to double in the city, adding £120 million per annum and the city’s catchment predicted to increase from 211,000 to 367,000 with an estimated footfall of 10-12 million per annum.The 390,000 sq ft centre features a 90,000 sq ft Debenhams Department Store as well as other retail anchors H&M and Next. The leisure offer includes an eight screen Cineworld multiplex cinema, a Superbowl UK with 12 State of the art lanes and numerous riverside restaurants.Shield Membranes supplied the full ShieldTEC hotmelt system to be used on all roof areas, along with our own ShieldBOARD XPS and ShieldDIVERSE living roof build up.

Postmark is a new residential development on the site of the former Royal Mail Mount Pleasant Mail Centre. In addition to being involved with the paved roof terraces within the new Pheonix Place development, Ryno worked directly with Broadway Malyan Architects to come up with a decking solution for the private balconies.System UsedTerraSmart® Aluminium was used across each of the balconies, with RD-FR adjustable decking pedestals and joist supporting over 2000m2 of sleek aluminium deck boards. Concrete slabs were laid between the substructure and deck boards to help counter wind uplift by increasing the overall dead load of the system.Testimonial “Approaching Ryno was a really easy thing to do…I felt confident using them.”– Gareth Rowe, Principal Landscape Architect, Broadway Malyan Want to hear more? View Gareth’s full video testimonial here.

What used to be the site of the Cannon Brewery, dating back to the 1670s, and the home of London’s largest brewery, is now a modular arrangement of 198 apartments with a selection of one, two and three bedroom flats and five town houses built around a landscaped courtyard. The project was designed by architects Hamilton Associates and completed in 2022.Literally a stone’s throw from our Studio in Clerkenwell, London, this was a remediation project, where the existing timber was removed and replaced with our BalcaSmart Aluminium system, in order to make sure the building complied with new fire regulations. The rear of the building also features our TerraSmart Pedestal system.Our aluminium decking system is non-combustible, achieves Euroclass A2-s1,d0 to EN 13501-1:2018, is ideal for all steel, bolt-on and cantilever balconies, and most importantly ensures the safety of all residents. This is what futureproofing is all about.

The Santo António Villas, Golf & Spa Resort (previously known as Parque da Floresta) is situated on the far West of the Algarve amongst hilly landscapes. The resort located near the historic town of Lagos, Portugal opened in 1987. It was designed by Pepe Gancedo who was one of Spain’s most famous Architects and has no two holes the same which attracts golfers to return again and again.This project included many different techniques which can be achieved using SureSet resin bound paving. The whole surface was first covered in primer and CRM (crack reduction membrane) to provide additional support to the tiled base below. The surround of the pool was laid in 3mm Popcorn along with a frame created with aluminium edging and 3mm Bronze Medal, a flower design was also installed using the flexible aluminium edging and colours from the Spectrum Range.

The ChallengeA new development of 15 individually designed four and five-bedroomed homes set in over four acres of mature woodlands in Nottingham.Each home in this secluded development was to be built over three storeys and designed and styled with the latest contemporary finishes, both inside and out. With a gated entrance, the private development is set down into its own valley, but still has breath-taking views of the city.The SolutionForterra’s Mandarin Mixture and Yorkshire Red Blend Butterley Bricks were chosen to meet the development’s high specification requirements. The properties were economically designed with underfloor heating, air source heat pumps, and a high level of insulation to keep running costs down.The BenefitsIncluding the latest interior finishes, each home also offers something different, from cinema rooms to beautifully landscaped terraces.

Crossway Quarter is a development of flats situated 5 minutes from Bluewater Shopping Centre and near the M25. The scheme comprises of the demolition of existing buildings and the construction of 258 flats comprising of market housing - 52 one, 201 two, 5 three bedroom flats with associated parking, cycle storage, landscaping and amenity space. These 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments will appeal to investors, first-time buyers and professionals working in the capital and surrounding areas.Cellecta’s YELOfon HD10+ was specified by RM_A Architects and Shepherd Angelo Architecture due to its unrivalled acoustic performance in isolating a floating screed from a structural concrete floor. This product is lightweight making it easy to install. YELOfon HD10+ is also delivered in rolls to ensure it’s easy to handle.Bellway London was awarded this 25,000m² contract for this Robust Detail Registered Site in Kent.

Myatts Field North is a major regeneration project in the London borough of Lambeth, the development consists of 808 new homes, and 172 refurbished properties with 10 per cent fully accessible to wheelchairs. New streets, green spaces, play areas, landscaped park with two seven-a-side football pitches, multi-use games area and a play area, community centre, local store, commercial units, and an energy plant which provides reliable and efficient heating and hot water were also installed.Cellecta’s ScreedBoard 28 was specified by PRP Architects due to its ultimate single layer acoustic overlay treatment. It is frequently reviewed as the solution of choice for new build and refurbishment developments. Its high density and unique resilient layer provides an unrivalled acoustic performance.Regenter Ltd was awarded this 50,000m² contract to construct this regeneration in South London.

Croft Gardens is a four building student accommodation at King’s College in Cambridge, achieving full Passivhaus Classic standards. With 12 rooms across three floors of three crescents and a villa, along with the Victorian Holmcroft building which provides a library, laundry room and common room area, Croft Gardens provides 84 homes for graduate students. Including graduate rooms, communal facilities, landscaping and external works, Croft Gardens will be carbon negative for the first 7-10 years of operation.Cellecta’s HEXATHERM XFLOOR 500 was specified by Feilden Clegg Bradley due to its high resistance to compression and closed cell structure that provides unrivalled resistance to water absorption, making them ideal for residential applications. These insulation boards are used under a concrete slab to comply with part L Building regulations.Gilbert-Ash was awarded this 650m² contract for this development at Barton Road.

Fowey Hall is a hotel located within a mansion on 5 acres of grounds overlooking the Fowey Estuary. The hotel is a 5-minute walk from Fowey town centre and 8 miles from the Eden Project. The scheme comprises of a refurbishment, reconfiguration and extension of the existing four-star family hotel including rooftop extensions, this provides enhanced facilities including additional guestrooms, new creche and children's playroom, lounge area, and outdoor swimming pool with pavilion. Landscaping works, additional parking, and associated infrastructure. This project also includes associated infrastructure works and access roads.Cellecta’s HiDECK Structural 25 was specified by Jeremy Blake Architects due to it being a conductive structural floorboard and having outstanding acoustic and fire performance and low thermal resistance.Brady Construction Services was awarded this 320m² contract for this development in Cornwall.

The Old Brewery in Salisbury, which was historically known as ‘Milford Street Brewery’ has been restored.  The new residential development includes a selection of contemporary homes and retail units. The overall aim was to revive The Old Brewery, whilst maintaining respect for the listed and historical buildings which dated back to the 15th century.  The area includes a number of pedestrian walkways and parking bays for residents. Tobermore worked closely with the project architects, providing complimentary design visualisations for the scheme. The free design service was well received and assisted with the final product selection.   Tobermore’s vintage themed Tegula block paving in Charcoal was chosen as the primary hard landscaping material. The product’s antique appearance helped to maintain the historic nature of the location, offering an aged yet traditional style finish. Due to its durability, Tegula was suitable for both the walkways and parking bays. 

A £2.5 million investment at Toronto Primary School in Howden has provided a new purpose-built sports hall, as well as a fully DDA compliant main entrance and safe drop-off area. The ethos of the expansion and development of the school’s facilities was to maintain the unique physical character and immediacy of the school’s grounds and green avenues.The external landscaping has made extensive use of Novara-34 anti-climb fencing. Different heights of fences and gates, 1.8m and 1.2m, secure the main perimeter and subdivide the playground areas. The fence panels were installed with wooden posts replicating the theme of the surrounding tree-lined avenue.Novara-34 was also used to create security screens with gated access for both the Janitor’s entrance and a storage area.The fencing was supplied hot-dip galvanized and polyester powder coated RAL3007 Black/Red.

The Valentinerhof hotel is located in the most spectacular mountain landscape of the world, close to the picturesque village of Siusi, an international tourism venue.The building, a wellness resort characterised by contemporary design and elegant atmospheres, was renovated in 2012 using Atlas Concorde ceramic materials that were chosen to clad indoor and outdoor floors, bathrooms and wellness areas.Used on outdoor floors, the Trust series covers the steps, swimming-pool edges and external areas of the spa, providing the opportunity to clad the surfaces with a continuous effect.The architectural project, which won the “2012 Sleep European Hotel Design Awards”, combines respect for the surrounding natural environment with the desire to create harmonious spaces where to regenerate body and soul.Thanks to its precious floor and wall ceramic collections Atlas Concorde consolidates its position as a partner of reference for hospitality design, contributing to the creation of welcoming and alluring atmospheres.

The Arc was a large and complex project with over 1,000,000 Brick Slip cuts and 235,000 Cut and Bonded Bricks. The Architects AHMM had chosen a bespoke blended product from our wider product range to create a random bond effect for the brickwork, this consisted of 126 different lengths of brick slips which all needed to be manufactured by ourselves.The Arc is a new mixed-use building in east London delivering new retail opportunities, office floorspace, 100 new homes, landscaped roof terraces and a new area of public realm onto City Road.The building is inspired by early 19th century New York towers with three stages of tiered massing in response to the surrounding context heights and Conservation Areas. There is a consistent treatment of the facade materiality across the building with vertically expressed brick piers and a horizontal concrete banding wrapping the building. This treatment relates to the adjacent Victorian warehouse aesthetics and is accented by the use of glazed brickwork in the first two levels.At ground level the main entrance is angled away from City Road and is set behind a two-storey colonnade, providing secure access for both the office and residential tenants. The office lobby design contrasts with the calm external appearance through the use of organic GRG elements developed by interior architects Massive Design. An area of affordable office space is proposed at ground level running through the building and linking Shepherdess Walk to Wellesley Terrace. Restaurants and cafes activate the street frontage around the site and the internal lobby space. Externally, retained elements of the former St Luke’s Parish Workhouse are integrated with a new public space and sculptural bench around the existing London plane tree.Levels one to six comprise the office component of the scheme providing 145,000 square feet of office floorspace. Above the office, at Level 07, the building steps back to form a slender element which contains the residential accommodation. The set-back also generates a large landscaped roof terrace with accompanying residents lounge. All the residential areas are designed by the interior architects Bowler James Bridley.

The ProjectDobbies, the UK’s largest garden centre retailer, has officially opened its store at The Junction Retail and Leisure Park in Antrim.The 110,000ft flagship store is Dobbies’ second venture in Northern Ireland. This is the largest store in Dobbies’ UK portfolio with outdoor and indoor plant areas, pet, gift, and toy departments, as well as a cook shop and home décor area, a food hall, a children’s soft play area and new restaurant and coffee shop.Tobermore’s Sienna block paving in Silver was used in the flagship store to create a sleek, contemporary look. The striking aggregate finish to the paving perfectly compliments the modern exterior of the building. For the area around the new bowling green. Due to the level of expected footfall, it was important to consider hard-wearing but aesthetically pleasing paving options. The ChallengeModern paving was required for the retail development. Situated in The Junction Retail development in Antrim, and with a massive £10m invested, the 110,000ft2 store is the largest in Dobbies UK portfolio. To complement the modern aesthetics of the retail store, Dobbies sought hard landscaping to amplify the fresh contemporary feel. The store is expected to attract a footfall of around one million visitors per year. With that in mind, ensuring high quality, durable paving was used throughout the project was imperative. In addition to aesthetic and performance desires for the project and with sustainability in mind, Dobbies decided they wanted to source products locally to reduce their carbon footprint.The SolutionTobermore’s Sienna block paving in silver created a sleek, contemporary look. With a wide array of products all locally sourced, Tobermore was the chosen manufacturer to supply Dobbies with a hard landscaping solution which surpassed both aesthetic and performance expectations. Sienna block paving in Silver was used for the 3960m2 area in the retail store. Both areas, interior and exterior were paved with the striking aggregate finished product. Gerard Boyle, Senior Architect at Gray Design said “We chose Tobermore Sienna block paving due to it being produced locally, thus reducing its carbon footprint. We also wanted to support the local economy and Tobermore had a great selection of colours and products to choose from.”

Ten Traffic Street is a 522-bed student accommodation serving luxury living located on a prominent site within Nottingham City Centre. The project was delivered by Jensco and offers excellent amenities such as a cinema, games room, study spaces, onsite coffee shop, indoor and outdoor Gyms and multiple outdoor communal spaces including a roof terrace. Artform Urban worked closely with the Landscape architects, Ares Landscape to provide a substantial package of premium external furniture to ensure the high-end finish extends to the outdoor spaces. The complex is spread across 2 buildings with courtyards and one roof terrace overlooking the city. In total, there are 4 external spaces - each has its own identifiable aesthetic which is driven by the building fascias and window frame colouring which is then reflected in the outdoor furniture.The roof terrace is surrounded by a large Inspira Modular Planting System installation powder-coated in a unique Khaki Grey - bringing colour and natural benefits to the space. The planters house plants and small trees that provide dappled shade to ensure residents can enjoy the terrace on hotter days. Tables, benches, and a Box Litter Bin all in a coordinated colour palette, provide social seating and dining spaces and vibrant plastic Chill Lounger’s and Hop Op 500’s offer a more casual seating option for residents.The ground floor courtyards feature a continuation of benches and Box litter bins - with all steelwork powder coated in a specific colour for each space. An external gym has been provided in the larger courtyard and features two Endurance Wellness Stone installations. These unique sculptural pebbles include stainless steel fixtures to accommodate a variety of exercises. This is the first installation in the UK of these products that are part of a wider range of premium external gym equipment named MyEquilibria. This unique fitness range aims to redefine the workout experience by combining art, high-end design and community. As final additions to the spaces Artform Urban provided an extensive bike parking package as well as Fuente Drinking Fountain’s to encourage students to cycle and reduce plastic waste. 

The Hive is a new creativity & innovation hub, built alongside the existing structures of Headington School and designed to ensure that creative thinking is established as the heart of a Headington Students education.Designed by LSH Architects, the 23,000 sq. ft building consists of sculpture studios, kiln room, photographic facilities, textile studios and 3 artist studios, with media editing suites and a Cinemax screening room also being included. Other facilities specifically suited to a range of creative outputs have been carefully and cleverly built into the project. To enable a sense of openness, high ceilings are used throughout the buildings and the gallery space is further enhanced to allow vast columns of light to permeate the area.Michelmersh’s Hampshire Red Stock Multi ATR was supplied via EH Smith and helped settle the building into the verdant, green backdrop and give the building a warm, comforting feel, as well as allowing the building to fit snugly within the landscape created by the surrounding buildings.

Ibstock Place School opened its newly built refectory in 2021. Designed by Maccreanor Lavington the competition-winning design is a dedicated space for the most communal part of the school. With a high ceiling and intricate woodwork, the open space is functional but uplifting.The high-level roof lanterns form a chimney to pull out hot air during the summer as well as fill the space with soft natural light, which is perfectly accented by acoustic dampening panels of oak.Handmade Bricks from Freshfield Lane were used in the construction of the cloister and work perfectly with the school’s previous uses of brick. Additionally, the choice of bricks helps set the building within its tranquil garden setting. The handmade Freshfield Lane brick helps the building age gracefully into the landscape while retaining a notable elegance. This sophisticated taste is mirrored inside by soft copper notes and long, hanging light fittings.

Walton Court Gardens by BroadwayMalyan and Gillespies for Crest Nicholson is a substantial project offering 375 new homes in Walton-on-Thames on the site of the former Birds Eye headquarters. Walton Court pays homage to the site’s original building by echoing the prior site half hexagonal aluminium facade in its full-height angled facade, evoking the original pattern. The central “jewel” building is sat amongst the surrounding buildings clad in Freshfield Lane’s Danehill Yellows. Sunlight bounces from the centre building offering an ever-changing facade through shadow and light. Streets built for the project will be planted alongside new and existing trees to create harmony between the landscape and architectural vernacular. The project draws on influences from the Birds Eye master plan and retains its strong sense of geometry while ensuring that the site is pedestrian friendly and easy to navigate for its new residential community.

In this case study, taken from Episode 30: Civic, Community & Culture - Well-being focused acoustical design - Adam Cossey - Hawkins\Brown we look at the growing trend for well-being, and the interrelated role of acoustics, in the design and build of commercial offices, educational libraries and town halls; with Adam Cossey, Partner at Hawkins\Brown. Adam shares his experiences working on:●    The new University of Bristol Library - a world class facility for all, to support and enhance the services offered by the University’s broader library and study centres network. It will strengthen the University’s ability to provide high quality study spaces, programmes and events, and services to reach out to an increasing number of new students, researchers and academics.●    The Grade II listed Waltham Forest Town Hall and Assembly Hall, along with the surrounding landscape, which recently, have sensitively been transformed into a place where council staff, local business and residents come together. 

The White City project consists of a 35 storey tower and two 19 storey towers. Two of the buildings are set within a lagoon water feature which cascades towards the lower landscaped gardens surrounding the site. The project is due for completion in 2022. The development will provide 526 private apartments.Quadra is the most complete high-performance metal riser doorsets.Perfect for concealing fire-rated riser doors, access panels, and internal doors in corridors, landings, and other access areas; Quadra+ is supplied as an integral, four-sided frame and door system, pre-constructed to form a single robust unit. Ideal for hidden commercial access solutions, Quadra+ is designed and manufactured to the highest standards.A design innovation – Quadra+ is the original riser doorset from Selo, now featuring an Adjustable Frame to enhance installation speed and fire compliance. The screw-operated adjuster bolts allow for simple and secure Quadra+ frame installation.