"stone"

AG were tasked with installing paving flags at the new entrance of the Portlaoise Retail Park as well as lifting and replacing the old paving at the existing entrance.The TerraPave® flag, manufactured from aggregates sourced from around Europe, was chosen as a fine quality concrete alternative to natural stone, which helps keep costs down. It was also selected for conforming to current BREEAM sustainability criteria which AG include as standard requirement. TerraPave® also requires little to no maintenance and is completed in ground and textured finishes, giving it a more attractive look compared to other paving solutions.John Donnellan, Key Account Manager AG, said:“We felt the TerraPave® flags were the best products for these highly pedestrianised entrances due to its glowing track record and the similar projects it’s been used for. TerraPave® is easily maintained and retains its colour very well and these were the qualities Harcourt Developments required due to the heavy footfall at the Retail Park. After 6 years the flags now look in pristine condition.”The old paving was replaced with our TerraPave® Genoa Ground flag for its unique design and eye-catching finish.

Opened in April 2019 by the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, Hounslow House is the new greener-energy HQ of Hounslow Council in London.Building plans for the new purpose-built council offices included a rooftop communal area, and, impressed by what the team at AG could offer, it was agreed that AG’s TerraPave® premium granite flags perfectly fitted the requirement for a smooth granite finish flagstone, providing a more superior product than the original spec while also ensuring significant cost savings on the project.The 500m² area was given a beautiful aesthetic look through the use of our TerraPave® Rimini and Milano Ground (400x400x50mm) which was calibrated and laid on pedestals for speed of construction.Offering an attractive, cost-effective and practical alternative to traditional stone paving, TerraPave® is a favourite choice with architects and specifiers – and this is one project that proves why that’s the case.Dan Smith, AG Regional Sales Manager, said:“AG was able to provide better quality and a keener price on the products used. Furthermore, our team was also able to deliver both the experience and project know-how required to ensure the client received best value for money on the overall project.”

The historic Bell Street Stables in Glasgow has recently undergone an extensive conversion, featuring the installation of Alumasc’s Flushjoint aluminium rainwater downpipe system.This magnificent period property has an interesting history. It was built between 1896-98 by A. W. Wheatley, originally to house horses working to pull the Glasgow City Council Cleansing Department’s refuse collection carts. In 1955, the building was redesigned to provide a separate entrance for the Police Department who shared the property with Cleansing until the 1980s. Situated in a prime position within the Merchant City area in the city centre of Glasgow, the building was converted to form 52 mid-market affordable rented flats by the Construction and Manufacturing Group (CCG) on behalf of Glasgow Housing Association (GHA) and Lowther Homes, during a two-year construction programme. The renovation was completed in 2019.A major requirement of the renovation was to conserve as much of the building’s heritage as possible, which included all exterior aspects. This involved the upgrade of the stone elevation, replacing all windows and making repairs to the roof and rainwater system.Flushjoint aluminium downpipes along with contemporary hopper heads were specified for their contemporary design. The installation was completed in a non-standard RAL colour to match and complement the window surrounds. 

Emrys Architects were appointed by Berners & Wells to design this mixed-use development located north of Oxford Street in central London. The building sits across 2 different streets, the lower two floors accommodate flexible retail and restaurant space and the upper floors high end office space.The building has been designed to respond to the historic Character of the local area, some areas were partially demolished while the Edwardian facade on Wells Street was retained, repaired and extended. Portland stone and teal glazed-brick detail was used to create seven two-storey high arches showcasing the grand entrances to the offices and retail units.The ironmongery brief centred around replicating the arches present in both the external entrances and the courtyard, this distinctive shape was also used in the vision panels on a number of internal doors. To fulfil this brief, we worked closely with the architect to design and manufacture bespoke arched push plates in Flat Matt Black(FMB). Where required these were paired with complimentary D-shaped pull handles and simple accessories finished to match. All other ironmongery was finished in FMB including hinges, door closers, signage and accessories.Photography: Neil Kenyon

Designed by AHR Architects, the new UK Hydrographic Office in Taunton has won numerous awards including the BCO National Awards Corporate Workplace Award and Best of the Best Award 2020 and a Regional RIBA Award, RIBA Sustainability Award and RIBA Client of the year 2019.The United Kingdom Hydrographic Office is the UK’s agency for providing hydrographic and marine geospatial data to mariners and maritime organisations across the world. The UKHO is a trading fund of the Ministry of Defence and is located in Taunton, Somerset with a workforce of approximately 900 staff.We worked with the Architects, Client and Contractors to select one of our exclusive GeoBrick range for this prestigious project. The clean sleek lines and hardwearing stone finish provide a stunning façade to this landmark building. The warm texture of the brick also gives depth and character and softens the mass of the building.“The design principles of the building called for a linear brick which was modern and unique whilst complimenting the landscape and a variety of existing brick buildings surrounding the new HQ. The EH Smith Geobrick brindle bricks stood out from all the rest and we are delighted with the results. Personally, this is my favourite material used on this project!”- Johanna Funnell New Build Project Manager - UKHO

As the UK’s leading organisation for advanced materials research and innovation, the Henry Royce Institute plays a pivotal role in the country’s ambitions to develop groundbreaking materials and technologies, while fostering in parallel sustainable growth and development. Its purpose is to provide industry large and small as well as academia with the capability to develop, make, test and characterise innovative products, components and systems. To this effect, it provides easy access to state-of-the-art equipment worth more than £150m (175m euros) and to a highly trained support team. The Henry Royce Institute, known to many simply as ‘Royce’, operates from its brand new building at the University of Manchester and works in close coordination with eight additional, leading institutions across the UK – the Universities of Cambridge, Leeds, Liverpool, Oxford and Sheffield, the Imperial College London, the National Nuclear Laboratory and UKAEA (UK Atomic Energy Authority) – as well as Associate Partner, the University of Cranfield. All in all, Royce coordinates over £300m (350m Euros) of facilities, making it one of the global leaders in material science: it was at the University of Manchester, just a stone’s throw away from the new Hub, that graphene – a game-changing, carbon based supermaterial 200 times stronger than steel – was discovered for the first time.

Penrhyn Heather Blue slates from Welsh Slate feature on Lincoln’s Inn’s Great Hall. One of London’s most unique buildings is enjoying a new lease of life, thanks to Welsh Slate. The Great Hall and Library Buildings of The Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn, an association of students, barristers and judges and one of the four Inns of Court, have over the past two years undergone an extensive programme of external conservation carried out by expert stone masons Capital Stone.  The programme of work includes replacement of the Great Hall’s slate roof covering. Work is still ongoing, with anticipated overall completion in April/May this year, but the work to the Great Hall roof is complete, as is the striking of the temporary roof covering which brings the new roof into view.  The Great Hall and Library Buildings were constructed from 1843 to 1845. The Great Hall roof was originally covered with lead but was recovered in 1868 with slate. From 1871 to 1873 the Library was extended eastwards by three bays. The building is an important example of 19th Century Gothic Revival architecture and has been listed Grade II* since 1951.  After 154 years, the slates on the roof of the Great Hall required replacing to protect the interior, including a striking fresco and beautifully worked oak. The slates were suffering from surface delamination and a large proportion had slipped due to nail rot, requiring tingles to hold them in place. The existing slates were found to originate from both the Ordovician and Cambrian deposits of North Wales – the former predominately on the eastern elevation and the latter on the western. The large Ordovician slates, typically 850mm long and between 350mm and 500mm wide (and laid to a fixed gauge of approximately 350mm which equates to a head lap of approximately 100mm), originated from what is now Welsh Slate’s Ffestiniog quarry, which is currently mothballed, while the other quarries producing these no longer operate. The Cambrian slates from the Llanberis region, as well as Bethesda where Welsh Slate’s main quarry is based, were even larger, at 850mm long and wider than 450mm, laid to the same gauge. Both slate types were fixed to timber battens on open timber rafters, with the underside torched with horsehair and lime plaster. These were replaced for the closest Welsh slate match – Welsh Slate’s County-grade Penrhyn Heather Blues, at 800mm long, widths of between 400mm and 550mm, and a 350mm gauge and 100mm head lap. These are guaranteed for 100 years, with a useful life of 150 years. While the roof is generally simple in form, with two large slopes, its substantial size at circa 800m2 meant the work took considerable time to complete. To allow for more than a dozen dormers the Welsh Slate had to be cut and fitted to size with double copper clout nails. The thickest slates were used on the eaves, diminishing towards the ridge to maintain the original visual finish. They were also holed from the rear to provide a slight countersink to the face. The Great Hall operates by day as a dining hall for members of the Inn, and by night, as a venue for dinners, receptions and weddings for up to 400 people. Set in 11 acres of beautiful grounds in Holborn, Central London, it is the closest Inn to the Royal Courts of Justice. Henry Skinner, Head of Projects and Facilities Management at The Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn, said: “The replacement of the roof covering was far from straightforward, despite its externally simplistic construction. During stripping of the existing roof covering, we had to deal with atmospheric lead contamination of a horsehair felt that sat between the original slates and close boarding, requiring controlled measures of removal and disposal.  “Furthermore, the close boarding had warped over time, causing an undulation between roof trusses that needed to be spaced out. This was achieved through the introduction of additional battens and packing timbers to create a level surface onto which the new slate could be laid.” Casey Wickers, trainee quantity surveyor with Capital Stone Renovation, said: “The main work of stripping the existing roof was extremely challenging and labour intensive, to not only remove, wash and handle each slate manually through a tight scaffolding design, but also doing so whilst wearing full RPE due to the lead contamination. “With the two stunning roof facades in full view, the quality of the Welsh slates can be seen by all.

Rockfon® Lamella has been awarded Product Innovation of the Year in the Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment category of the FIS Innovation Awards 2023. The modular wall system provides Class A sound absorption for commercial projects and boasts a unique range of wood veneers in different colours and dimensions, allowing for an impressive 650,000 design combinations.Nigel Watkins, Commercial Sales Director for Rockfon, expressed his excitement about the recognition, saying, "We are thrilled that Rockfon Lamella has won this award only a few weeks after its launch." Rockfon Lamella's development was based on effective collaboration, knowledge transfer, and partnership along the project team, satisfying two initial criteria for Rockfon innovation: modularity and customisability, and occupiers' well-being through the use of colour, biophilic-inspired design, and natural surfaces.Combining the warmth and beauty of wood with a stone wool sound-absorbent panel, Rockfon Lamella creates a serene and inviting environment inspired by the biophilic design trend. Customers have expressed their satisfaction with the combination of these elements, with Nigel Watkins sharing that "The feedback we’ve had from customers is that the combination of a stone wool sound absorbent panel with biophilic wood makes interiors feel calm and connected to nature."Joe Cilia , Technical Director of FIS who was one of the Innovation Award judges, was impressed that Rockfon Lamella has such comprehensive test data, covering the whole system, not just individual components. “The furniture, fixtures and equipment (FFE) sector suffers from a lack of standardised testing and compliance for acoustic and fire performance, leading to clients choosing products that don’t perform as well as they should. The judges were impressed that Rockfon Lamella has clear, transparent test data that shows how the whole system performs.”Rockfon Lamella sets itself apart from other acoustic fixtures and fittings by offering exceptional fire performance classification of c-S2,d0, in line with EN 13501 standards, and Class A sound absorption that adheres to ISO 11654 regulations. Additionally, accessing all the necessary specification data, BIM Objects, and CAD drawings on NBS Chorus, NBS Source, and pCON is quick and easy, making the specification process quick and effortless.Rockfon Lamella simplifies installation by providing a complete kit that includes all necessary components. In-house facilities teams can easily follow the straightforward installation process, thanks to specially designed mounting clips. As Teemu Rekonen, Head of Design & Innovation at Rockfon, highlights: "This advanced product... enables individual placement of the slats to create the perfect acoustic environment. Once the platform is in place, installing Lamella slats is a quick and hassle-free process that requires no tools".Visit www.soundsbeautiful.com/lamella  for more information on Rockfon Lamella.To view all the FIS Innovation Award winners visit www.thefis.org/membership-hub/fis-awards/innovation/

In the new Ceramic Tile Distributors (CTD) showroom in Woking, Surrey, tile products by Saint-Gobain Weber have been specified for their new 400m² sales facility which includes an extensive showroom and trade counter.Relocation of Ceramic Tile Distributors (CTD) from their original showroom on the junction of Goldsmith Road and Church Street West to Kestrel Road a few miles away was brought about by the £150m redevelopment of Woking town centre."The relocation of CTD has not presented a problem," says Rob Stevens, manager, CTD Woking. "The showroom looks brilliant – it's bigger and better, and our trade custom has definitely increased. We also attract lots of private customers who enjoy the simplicity of the large sample displays and the huge variety of tiles for every location."Several site visits were made by Weber's tile specialists to inspect the floor substrate and identify the appropriate materials. The floor was prepared with weber PR360, a multi-purpose priming solution suitable for most building substrates including wood, anhydrite, plaster and cement/sand screed. This primer regulates the porosity of the substrate and improves adhesion and the flow of levelling compounds.High performance, fibre-modified weberfloor flex was then applied which is a self-smoothing and self-levelling compound suitable for most substrates. It has rapid setting qualities and can take light foot traffic after just 3 hours. It is also one of the many products in the Saint-Gobain Weber range to feature Low Dust Technology™ which makes it cleaner and more comfortable for the applicator to use.Large format GEMINI Young Stone tiles in grey were set with weberset rapid plus ECO which is a very rapid strength tile adhesive for low porosity tiles, such as ceramic, porcelain and natural stone, and has been specifically developed to allow easy bedding of large format tiles. It is suitable for use on solid substrates and is ready for grout in only 2 hours. The new ECO formulation contains cement replacement technology which reduces the product's environmental impact of initial excavation and contributes to a significant reduction in transportation costs.The CTD Woking showroom floor was grouted with weberjoint wide which is suitable for very wide joints from 2-20mm. This is a cement-based floor and wall grout which gives a coarse textured finish. It has the added benefit of Mould Stop Technology which ensures lasting protection from mould growth, it's also abrasive-resistant and available in seven colours.As part of Woking's redevelopment, the bandstand, fire station and market place will all be demolished to make way for a new complex featuring shops, apartments, parking and a hotel. On the old CTD site a brand new state-of-the-art fire station is to be developed providing additional space and working areas for the crews and an improved training facility.

Halamar acquired this site in Beaconsfield. Planning permission was granted for a new build two-storey detached dwelling, replacing the existing residential property constructed in the 1900s.A comprehensive set of architecture plans specified high quality elevations with a ‘classical’ Georgian-esque design. The sub-contractors, B-Bespoke Design & Build Ltd, required Keystone’s brick slip flat gauge headers above multi-pane sash windows and an intelligent bespoke interconnecting brick slip splayed bay system across two floors on the side elevation.ChallengeThe design and scale of the building, along with the arrangement of fenestration and opening detailing, required the careful skill and use of sympathetic materials to ensure the development enhanced the special character of properties in close vicinity.B-Bespoke Design & Build Ltd considered the volume of decorative window openings and availability of local skilled bricklayers when considering the most effective and efficient approach to the build schedule.SolutionAn offsite construction method was deployed by the sub-contractor. Keystone’s technical team were contacted to design brick slip flat gauge headers accommodating brick spans between 1135mm to 1472mm. Each with a 70-degree end skew, 375mm high face brick and 102mm soffit return whilst also incorporating keystone stone headers above specific windows. The prefabricated lintels improved the allocation of time and resources elsewhere on site allowing the build to be completed to a high interior specification still with an exterior full of character.The rigid symmetrical design and gracious classic proportions create a generous sense of space and natural light, with stunning traditional period features created above each window opening. The interconnecting brick slip splayed bay system spans 1695mm and provides a stark contrast to the boxy room profiles often seen with a Georgian home. This architectural feature accommodates the high ceilings and desired aesthetics whilst providing effective structural support to withstand roof and masonry loads above.A consignment of bricks was collected from site and each brick cut and bonded using a BBA approved construction adhesive to the load bearing lintels offsite. The patented perforated lintel design allows the adhesive to squeeze through the perforations and form a ‘mushroom’ on the inside, providing a mechanical lock between the steel lintel and the brick slips.Testimonial“For the new build Georgian styled home, we sourced over thirty bespoke prefabricated brick slip feature lintels from Keystone as well as a unique interconnecting feature brick splayed bay system. As a smaller building contractor, we saved time and money using Keystone Lintels. We did not need to source additional skilled labour on site to create and replicate the intricate brick detailing which included Keystone stone headers. Ultimately this resulted in a faster build schedule for the client.”Nirmal DhaliwalSite Manager at B-Bespoke Design & Build Ltd

Britannia Leisure Centre is a new multi-sport community complex in Hackney. A key driver for the client was that the building should have a compact footprint. This was achieved by stacking the facilities, creating a rooftop MUGA with tennis courts and 5-a-side football pitches.Lang+Fulton supplied the external grating panels which crown the building and offer panoramic views of London. These were made from their Terra-34 grating which features an anti-climb aperture. The narrow panels were designed to continue the architectural theme of the building’s columns and vertical elements and were finished in a graphite grey ppc to compliment the neutral palette of stone, concrete and glass.In addition a grating screen was supplied to secure the upper levels of the stairway providing natural daylight and through visibility to the entrance atrium and cafe area.The steel grating also conformed to the requirement for material durability and low maintenance which were key specification considerations.Philip Glanville, Mayor of Hackney has written, 'I am so proud that we have delivered one of London’s best leisure centres, with absolutely incredible facilities that are affordable for people to enjoy'.The Britannia Leisure Centre has received multiple awards including Overall Building of the Year (New London Architecture).

The owner of this house wanted to build a purpose-built home to meet the needs of his growing up family. He wanted to live in the village he grew up in but at the same time it was important that the design embraced new concepts and ideas. The end result is a stunning contemporary luxury home that incorporates large glazing areas throughout. There has been a careful use of traditional stone, wood and also unique metal cladding detail with the external design. Internally the feeling throughout is minimalistic clean lines, with the furniture being a perfect complement to the end result.  With the exception of the switchable privacy glass for the window adjacent to the front door, the inclusion of completely concealed fully automated blinds to all other windows are the ’Grand Finale’ to this beautiful home. When not required the blinds are completely concealed but at the press of a button or using their mobile devices, blinds appear as required – providing shading, sun protection, privacy or blackout blinds as required.  A feature of interest is the large gable window in the master bedroom. Here Honeycell Duette® blinds have also been concealed within the sloping ceiling and again appear from their hiding places when required showing that irregular shaped areas can benefit from the Blindspace headboxes which can be made to conceal almost any blind available on the market.

Addagrip are used to seeing their surfacing systems being used for projects all over the country but it is great to see an installation being undertaken in our own town.As part of the Uckfield town centre improvements project, Addagrip approved contractor Street Tree Care Ltd was appointed to install a number of trees and SuDS compliant Resin Bound tree pit surfacing in the newly widened pavements in Uckfield High Street.Field Maple trees were selected for their compact habit, tolerance of pollution and vibrant autumn colour. Once planted, a stainless steel tray was suspended above the tree root ball and filled with a decorative resin bound porous tree pit surfacing system.The Addastone TP tree pit system consists of a 10mm aggregate bound in a PU resin which provides a hard wearing, low maintenance finish that is porous enough to let the water reach young tree roots but robust enough for the urban environment. A drainage pipe and grill was seated in the Resin Bound surfacing to assist with additional watering that will be carried out from April to September over the next few years.A 10mm Trent aggregate was selected for maximum porosity to help alleviate surface water flooding and to provide a decorative finish to complement the new York Stone pavements.

When renowned house-builders, McAllister Developments were tasked with delivering a distinctive and upmarket detached residential scheme at Moneymore, they turned to AG.Working closely with the experienced team at McAllister we were able to provide a range of brick, paving and retaining walling products in a variety of complementary colour blends to help create a truly standout residential development.The highly-regarded Heritage facing brick was selected due to its hand-crafted aesthetic appeal and its renowned durability. The retaining wall used was Anchor® Diamond®, with caps, as it allows for fast installation and it blends in perfectly with the surrounding garden.The Long Stone Fiammata is AG’s newest range of premium, porcelain-effect plank paving and was chosen for its unique minimalist design style and ease of maintenance. Finally, for the paving AG favoured the Rosemount flag for its extreme strength and low slip potential.David Speirs, Head of Specification and Commercial Sales believes they met all the project criteria:“Using our vast experience and range of products for use within the residential market we were able to provide perfect colour blends and styles that complemented each other to help the developer achieve the goal of building an upmarket detached residential site.”

The owner of this house wanted to build a purpose-built home to meet the needs of his growing up family.  He wanted to live in the village he grew up in but at the same time it was important that the design embraced new concepts and ideas. The end result is a stunning contemporary luxury home that incorporates large glazing areas throughout. There has been a careful use of traditional stone, wood and also unique metal cladding detail with the external design. Internally the feeling throughout is minimalistic clean lines, with the furniture being a perfect complement to the end result. With the exception of the switchable privacy glass for the window adjacent to the front door, the inclusion of completely concealed fully automated blinds to all other windows are the ’Grand Finale’ to this beautiful home.  When not required the blinds are completely concealed but at the press of a button or using their mobile devices, blinds appear as required – providing shading, sun protection, privacy or blackout blinds as required.A feature of interest is the large gable window in the master bedroom.  Here Honeycell Duette® blinds have also been concealed within the sloping ceiling and again appear from their hiding places when required showing that irregular shaped areas can benefit from the Blindspace headboxes which can be made to conceal almost any blind available on the market.

Products donated by F. Ball and Co. Ltd., including the company’s Stopgap 1200 Pro levelling compound, have been used to prepare subfloors as part of the renovation of the Coventry Caribbean Community Centre prior to its reopening to coincide with Coventry’s UK City of Culture status last year. Firstly, they removed old floorcoverings, revealing a rough screed. A moisture test also indicated that subfloor relative humidity levels were above the 75% maximum threshold for installing floorcoverings. Installers therefore opted to use Stopgap 1200 Pro to smooth subfloors.Stopgap F77 one-part waterproof surface membrane was then applied to prevent excess subfloor moisture attacking floorcoverings and adhesives, potentially causing complete floor failure.Once dry, the surface was primed using Stopgap P141, which is designed especially to promote the adhesion of levelling compounds to non-absorbent surfaces, including waterproof surface membranes. Another layer of Stopgap 1200 Pro was then used to create a perfectly smooth base for the receipt of new floorcoverings.Once the levelling compound had cured, Amtico Spacia stone-effect LVTs were installed in the majority of the floor area, with cream-coloured hexagon tiles positioned around the bar area for visual interest.

Architectural glazing systems by Kawneer were specified for their “robustness and quality” for two linked 16-storey apartment blocks on the last plot to be developed in one of Britain’s fastest-growing property hot spots - the £37 million BTR (Build To Rent) towers at Erie Basin in Salford Quays, Manchester, a stone’s throw from MediaCityUK.Kawneer’s AA®100 curtain walling features as strip curtain wall to copper-coloured rainscreen areas of the towers at Erie Basin. In addition, AA®110 curtain walling features on link bridges and as floor-to-ceiling screens facing the water. While the AA®100 system uses 50mm sightlines, the AA®110 system uses 65mm but both in this case were zone-drained. They are complemented by AA®541 open-out casement window inserts and AA®720 ultra thermally-efficient entrance doors.The Kawneer systems were installed over eight months by a team of up to 35 from approved specialist sub-contractor FK Group for main contractor GRAHAM and client Glenbrook, the privately-owned property development and investment company, who acquired the site from the Peel Group.The prominent dockside development is GRAHAM’s second project with Glenbrook, with work also underway on another £27 million BTR project in Ellesmere Street, Castlefield, Manchester, which also features Kawneer systems.

AG was delighted to continue our partnership with Braidwater Homes at one of the house builder’s most prestigious private housing development, Castlehill, located just off the Ballygowan Road in Belfast.Braidwater Group’s Chief Operating Officer, Ryan Boyle said:“AG’s paving and walling products which are aesthetically pleasing, tie in totally with Braidwater’s ‘living the dream’ aspirations. For the Castlehill development we had a number of requirements, which included ensuring that the landscaping tied in with the modern feel of this high-end development.” To this end, we utilised AG’s Vertica® and Diamond® retaining walls, where appropriate, together with AG’s River Stone 3’s set pavers in contrasting tones.”AG’s Regional Sales Manager, Barry Scott commented:“We have a really good relationship with the Braidwater Group and are currently involved in a number of their sites across Northern Ireland. The Castlehill contract was an important one for us and we have worked hard to ensure we live up to their high standards. As part of our commitment to Braidwater I personally make visits to their sites to ensure their team always have the products they need. Our personal service supported by speed and ease of delivery is something they appreciate. They also like the fact that by utilising our Anchor® Diamond® mortarless/pin-less segmental retaining wall system their team can work on in wet weather with no breaks in construction.”

This prestigious new development is comprised of 11 superb, terraced townhouses & cottages. Nestled just a stone’s throw away from the beautiful Ballycastle Marina, the exclusive development of The Quay Road Residences showcases a mix of stunning terraced townhouses and cottages.AG’s HomePave Cobble in Auburn was perfect for the new development adding character and warmth to the homes entrance and exterior. Complementing the stunning appearance of the house the driveway creates a bright and charming first impression for homeowners.Rumbled to give a rustic appearance, HomePave Cobble is known for its beautiful finished and distinctive colour with hard-wearing capabilities and exceptional long-lasting colours. Also available in a smooth finish, HomePave paving is extremely popular with homeowners and developers.The driveways benefit from HomePave’s tight joints which make it easy to install and maintain while also helping to prevent weeds. HomePave Cobble is supplied in a single size unit and also a mixed pack of three different sizes. A permeable and smooth option is also available.We understand the importance of sustainability and environmentally friendly practices. That’s why AG’s paving was chosen, meeting high sustainability standards. Our eco-conscious approach ensures that the townhouse development not only looks incredible but also minimises its impact on the environment, with 100% renewable energy used and 90% recycled water used in the manufacturing process, as well as being 100% recyclable.

Our premium granite TerraPave® flagstones were a perfect choice for this scheme at one of London’s foremost rooftop cocktail bars and pizzerias. Skylark Roof Garden, located on Kingdom Street, sits on the 10th floor of Paddington Central, offering incredible views overlooking the beautiful Notting Hill, on the banks of Little Venice. For this project, a combination of Pedestals and TerraPave® flags were utilised. The incorporation of Pedestals (stools on which the flags were laid) , meant no base was required. The depth of TerraPave® flags is calibrated as part of the manufacturing process, delivering exceptional dimensional accuracy which in turn delivered consistent levelling across the terrace. Project architects, Allies and Morrison selected our TerraPave® Flags, in Rimini and Milano Ground due to their rich, distinctive styles and impressive durability in highly pedestrianised areas. These flags are produced with locally-sourced, natural aggregates instead of pigments meaning their unique colouration won’t fade. TerraPave® also offers a cost-effective, and practical alternative to traditional stone paving. The £80m Paddington Central scheme was completed built by Wates Construction and designed by Allies & Morrison. Some of the impressive project’s additional features include London’s highest basketball court, an external glazed stair tower, and a public colonnade around the retail space on the ground floor.

The International Convention Centre (ICC) Wales is an extraordinary venue designed for world class conventions, events and meetings.The result of a joint venture between the Welsh Government and the Celtic Manor Resort, renowned construction company, John Sisk & Son, was the main contractor on this 3500m2 project which also included a permeable and sustainable urban drainage systems (SuDS).AG’s premium granite block paving TerraPave® was the obvious paving choice for the convention centre as it offers a beautiful finish to complement a contemporary design. Additionally, it is a cost-effective, practical alternative to traditional stone paving. TerraKerb® also played its part in this high-profile hard landscaping project, adding a premium appearance to the ICC surrounding. With its widely recognised durability and weather resistance, it is now well established as a market-leading option.Tim Cave, Regional Sales Manager at AG, said:“A key challenge faced by AG was to create a high-quality permeable paving system for a large roof deck, capable of withstanding continuous heavy traffic. Our Xflo® Plaza was the perfect choice. AG’s Plaza block paviour is made using the most modern manufacturing techniques, ensuring it will stand the test of time and retain its high-quality aesthetics, whilst effectively managing the movement of water through the SuDS system. This is a pioneering but proven way of mimicking the natural movement of storm water and replacing conventional storm water drainage systems.”

This prestigious new development is comprised of 11 superb, terraced townhouses & cottages. Nestled just a stone’s throw away from the beautiful Ballycastle Marina, the exclusive development of The Quay Road Residences showcases a mix of stunning terraced townhouses and cottages.AG’s HomePave Cobble in Auburn was perfect for the new development adding character and warmth to the homes entrance and exterior. Complementing the stunning appearance of the house the driveway creates a bright and charming first impression for homeowners.Rumbled to give a rustic appearance, HomePave Cobble is known for its beautiful finished and distinctive colour with hard-wearing capabilities and exceptional long-lasting colours. Also available in a smooth finish, HomePave paving is extremely popular with homeowners and developers.The driveways benefit from HomePave’s tight joints which make it easy to install and maintain while also helping to prevent weeds. HomePave Cobble is supplied in a single size unit and also a mixed pack of three different sizes. A permeable and smooth option is also available.We understand the importance of sustainability and environmentally friendly practices. That’s why AG’s paving was chosen, meeting high sustainability standards. Our eco-conscious approach ensures that the townhouse development not only looks incredible but also minimises its impact on the environment, with 100% renewable energy used and 90% recycled water used in the manufacturing process, as well as being 100% recyclable.

Armourcoat polished plaster creates a stunning entrance for the refurbishment of Greater London House in Camden’s Mornington Crescent. The building, owned by Lazari Investments, is a striking example of Art Deco Egyptian revival architecture formerly the Carreras Cigarette Factory. The hand-applied Armourcoat wall finish forms part of the interior design by Forme UK, which pays contemporary homage to the style of the façade and befits the scale, importance and heritage of the building. An entrance ‘portico’ creates subtle references to Egyptian style, shapes and motifs, finished in a dark anthracite coloured polished plaster finish. A silhouette outline of the famous bronze cat sculptures which flank the entrance was incorporated into the surface. The image of a black cat was also a branding device for Carreras, used on the packets of their Craven A cigarettes and is a repeating logo across the front of the building.The Smooth polished plaster finish is similar to the marmorino stucco used extensively in northern Italy during the Renaissance period. Armourcoat Smooth finish resembles natural stone and consists of a natural mineral material composed of hydrated lime and crushed marble combined with special additives to control working characteristics. The final appearance of this finish is dependent on the hand of the individual applicator, making it possible to achieve anything from a plain lightly polished surface to a more highly burred marbelised effect. Photography: © David Barbour

A major live arts venue, that in its heyday hosted The Beatles, Buddy Holly, the Rolling Stones and Cilla Black, has been restored to its art deco glory with the help of Crittall windows.The Globe, Stockton, is the biggest live entertainment venue between Leeds and Newcastle and will re-open shortly with a capacity of 1,650 people seated or up to 3,000 standing.The re-birth is eagerly awaited as the theatre has been closed for the past 45 years. A major refurbishment and restoration programme has been led in recent times by Stockton-on-Tees Council, supported by grant aid from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.The Grade II listed building dates from 1935 and was designed by architect Percy L Browne. Crittall windows were installed originally and these have been replicated in the restoration by the use of bespoke Corporate W20 profiles finished in Turkish Blue. Crittall cold form doors were also supplied.Anthony Dillon, managing director of main contractor Willmott Dixon said: “It has been fantastic working on the restoration of the Globe Theatre, breathing new life into a really iconic building for the community. We look forward to seeing it become a cultural hub once again for future generations to enjoy.”The theatre will play a central role of the Tees Valley Combined Authority’s ambition for the sub-region to be named City of Culture 2025.

Ashton Under Lyne - Town Centre Public Realm (2000m2)Project Description: Ashton Under Lyne’s town centre was transformed with £10.8m of levelling up funding. A transformational & bold project ensuring Ashton’s historic market square is future proofed and fit for modern market needs. New paving means the square is accessible and safe for all visitors and residents. Larsen Streetscape paving mortar system is the preferred option for laying paving. Product Showcase: Larsen Streetscape paving mortar system is a collection of high-performance mortars for the construction of pavements. The products are specifically formulated to exceed performance characteristics, as set out in BS 7533. Products used:            ·  FBC Eco Fine Bedding Concrete - Ideal for pavements constructed with natural stone, concrete & clay paving units. ·  PS Eco Priming Slurry - Applied to the underside of all paving units to create an exceptional bond to FBC Eco Fine Bedding Concrete. ·  FJM Eco Flowable Jointing Mortar - Filled the joints to complete the installation. Rapid setting with high early strength gain, FJM Eco can be opened to foot traffic in one hour.               ·  EM Epoxy Mortar - A three-part pack solvent-free epoxy resin mortar - perfectly suited for areas where exceptional strength and bond are required. For further information or technical data sheets on the Larsen Streetscape product range, please visit www.larsenbuildingproducts.com. 

Project DetailsGodalming College in Surrey had a problem with slippery decking on their campus. It is a highly trafficked area in the middle of the campus and is used as a seating area at lunchtime for staff and students. In dry weather the area does not cause any concerns but in wet or frosty weather the potential for slip hazards was huge. The college had used Watco products on internal floors so they called us to ask for advice. Our Solution"Slippery decking is a major safety issue throughout the year, but more so during winter months." An alternative solution was needed as the college had tried applying anti slip coatings (recommended by another supplier) but these had been applied to slightly damp wood and had flaked off. The potential slip issue was increased by the fact that the decking did not have any grooves in the top surface to offer traction underfoot. To solve these issues, Watco recommended and supplied 50mm wide GRP chamfered edge decking strips.The stone coloured strips were chosen to allow the strips to blend in with the decking but still provide the all important slip resistance underfoot, yellow strips are used to highlight the edges and steps to help meet DDA regulations. The strips are supplied already pre-drilled so the installation was completed in just two days over the Easter break allowing the area to be put back into service in plenty of time for the start of the new term. 

St Luke’s Church of England School is part of Ted Wragg Multi-Academy Trust. They are all about their community to treat one another with dignity and respect and follow their Christian ethos. The school prioritises making students under their care to know and feel that they are highly valued as human beings and are worthy of an outstanding education.Here at Helmsman, we have manufactured and installed 179 four-compartment laminate metal lockers. The specification of the lockers was 1775mm high, 300mm wide, and 450mm deep. The school requested for the lockers to have a sloping top when they were fabricated. For school lockers, sloping tops are a popular option as they prevent the increase of dust and prevent the top of the lockers from being used as storage which can create a safety hazard if any items fall off.The school requested for the body of the locker to be Metal, and the door was to be Laminate. The doors were coated in multiple colours between Paradise Blue, Yellow Crisp, Orange, Hot Pepper, and Stone Grey, and the body of the lockers was powder coated in our standard colour ‘Ice’. The lockers were all finished with oval number plates above the Camlocks which is a great choice for school lockers as students can feel secure that their belonging is safe in the laminate metal lockers.Laminate metal lockers are an excellent choice for school lockers as it’s modern and stylish. Additionally, the material will do better at withstanding scratches, and dents.

Canaan Lane Primary School has been built within the Grange Conservation Area in Edinburgh, an affluent suburb of early Victorian villas. The context of the project therefore called for thoughtful consideration of the neighbouring buildings and the use of a natural palette of materials.The bin store area for refuse and recycling collection occupies a prominent position between the front of the building and the low stone boundary wall to the street. Durability and quality were therefore prime considerations in the choice of product.The wheelie bin stores were made from Italia/100, a robust steel louvred product which provides total visual screening. The double leaf doors were supplied with extra heavy 100×100 SHS posts with base plate fixings to meet the special loading requirement for an environment with small children. A site survey ensured that the hinges were precisely positioned on the posts in a staggered arrangement, to suit the existing slab which was stepped across the rising ground.Each compound was divided with lateral bump rails to accommodate 1100 litre eurobins; in addition the back panel was protected from potential damage by an internal bump rail. Panels and posts were hot-dip galvanized and polyester powder coated RAL7043.Lang+Fulton also supplied Siena fencing around the playground boundaries; a railing fence which provides secure perimeter protection and features a conical top for a smart, traditional appearance.

Brennan & Wilson Architects undertook the transformation of The Barn in East Lothian into an EnerPHit Passive House, emphasising sustainability.The project involved the conversion of a stone outbuilding, with the addition of a large kitchen extension with a planted sedum roof. The owner wanted an energy-efficient home, with no reliance on fossil fuels, which was adaptable to their changing needs should they eventually require single-level living. Rooflights were key to achieving good natural light levels inside the house, due to existing boundary restrictions with neighbouring properties. The selected FAKRO products included quadruple-glazed rooflights tailored for both pitched and flat roofs, aligning with the project's objectives. Installation was efficient with well-packaged products and clear structural guidance provided by FAKRO.The outcome is a remarkable improvement in insulation within The Barn, ensuring year-round comfort while notably reducing energy consumption. Stewart MacKenzie, FAKRO's Regional Manager for Scotland, played a crucial role in providing tailored support, ensuring the selected products met the project's unique requirements.This collaboration showcases the effective integration of architectural design with sustainable, high-quality products, creating a home that emphasises environmental consciousness and occupant comfort. Brennan & Wilson Architects are based in East Lothian, Scotland and have over 20 years experience of designing sustainable, low-energy buildings.

System Used - TerraSmart pedestal IGNOThe Botanist is a botanical cocktail bar in the heart of Newcastle. Complete with a rooftop terrace bar, it entices revellers and partygoers with a welcoming and curated look. The natural materials of the terrace bar, mixed with the abundance of plants and natural light, transport customers to a chic, far-off watering hole. To complement and contrast the natural materials in the industrial setting, the bare materials, exposed brick, and stone effect tiles give a suggestive canvas to the biophilic decor. The design function of the terrace is as a high foot traffic area for social meetings. To fully support the paved area in these situations, we have seen a rise in users looking for simple pedestal systems that still provide a robust substructure at an economical rate. The pedestals have a wide base acting as a stable foundation and spacer tabs that equally space the pavers apart to create drainage channels.Sasso porcelain tiles could support the primary use of the space due to their inherent properties. These porcelain paving tiles are naturally non-porous, protecting the finish from staining. This non-porous property also makes the tiles resistant to bitumen and algae. The tile also features a low slip potential in both; wet and dry conditions. Having these properties within a hospitality environment can help make a safe and long-lasting flooring surface.TerraSmart Pedestal IGNO fits into this industrial, chic environment with its simple, robust pedestal structure and hard-wearing but stylish flooring finish, punctuating the space and tying the terrace together. 

A former pub located in the heart of Taporley village, Cheshire, has been converted into a luxury health and welbeing centre, featuring a state-of-the-art-gym, treatment rooms and apartments for staff use. Instinct Gym and Wellbeing aims to help improve the health and mental wellbeing of the local community through new initiatives. When it came to selection the best floor coverings, having worked with JA Flooring on previous projects  Enigma Holdings Group, the owners of the building, called upon the flooring contractor once more. As aesthetics and durability were key objectives of the project, JA Flooring advised the use of an array of solutions from Forbo Flooring Systems’ portfolio including its Allura luxury vinyl tiles (LVT), which played a significant role in the renovation works.The natural wood and stone aesthetic, combined with the benefits of strong, comfortable vinyl tiles, meant that Allura was installed in the gym, treatment rooms, spin studios and circulation areas. In the treatment rooms where a more serene surrounding was required, Allura Wood in the Whitewash Elegant Oak colourway was used.In the entrance and reception area, a bespoke Coral Logo entrance flooring mat was produced to reinforce the Instinct Gym and Wellbeing branding – helping to create that all important first impression, whilst offering protection in extreme traffic conditions and maximum functional performance.Finally, Tessera Earthscape carpet tiles in Iceberg were installed in the apartments; and in the changing facilities and kitchens, the Surestep range in various neutral colourways helped to complement the overall sophisticated interior of the health and wellbeing centre.

The ChallengeCumbria County Council decided to invest in new, future-proof headquarters rather than invest a similar amount of money into refurbishing and maintaining its multiple existing sites.The project would allow the Council to downsize its office portfolio from 22 locations in and around the city to just two.Housing 700 staff, the new £10.4 million development would reflect a major rejuvenation of the area, designed to be a major gateway into Carlisle city centre.The SolutionThe new building is laid out to house two functions. The first, a two-storey elevation, houses public, customer-facing activity, while the second contains private, open-plan work areas for 450 people, along with ‘hot desks’ for visitors.The building makes use of a range of sustainable technologies, such as photovoltaic solar panels, to improve the building’s efficiency.Forterra’s County Multi Smooth brick from its Butterley range complements the natural stone and glass also used in the building’s design.The BenefitsAs well as saving Cumbria County Council money, Cumbria House brings a wide range of benefits, including improved working conditions for staff. Chief Executive, Diane Wood, commented “The new offices will provide a fantastic working environment for staff. It will support our ‘one team’ ethos with everybody working together in one building. Cumbria House is a much more environmentally-friendly building and, importantly, it’s better for our customers in Carlisle because they can now access all our services from one place”.

This property in a picturesque town in Cornwall, was in need of some TLC. The exterior walls are exposed to the seaside climes, making it perfect as the first project in the UK to use KEIM Twinstar, 2in1 masonry exterior paint.Prior to re-decoration, it was recommended that the painted stone gable walls were stripped back to enable the property to breathe, which reduces the paint from blistering and flaking due to moisture being trapped within the substate. KEIM Twinstar, in colour 9354, was applied by KEIM lover, Ry Spencely of Airborn Painting & Decorating.  KEIM Twinstar is the latest exterior and masonry paint solution, designed to ‘buy you time’ with its 2in1 system where paint is applied wet on wet. There’s no drying time between coats, which reduces waiting, labour and time. It allows a two-coat paint in one work step.Simply mix and apply the paint undiluted, straight from the bucket to ‘saturate’ the surface, then apply more of the same paint working into the existing wet paint layer.The decorator commented, “Another top quality product from KEIM. Application was very nice, it’s a thick chunky product as you’d expect and it covered a dream. The finished look was that signature luxurious KEIM super matt finish, all the while it’s letting the building breathe. Winner!”Ry Spencely of Airborn Painting & DecoratingKEIM Twinstar is the latest product development, designed specifically to speed up application and project time, whilst offering the full suite of sustainability credentials associated with KEIM.

The owner of this converted church in Leven, Fife consulted an architect who specialises in the restoration of churches, Des Cairns, about the ongoing maintenance and decoration of her property. Des Cairns recommended Tony Carter, Senior Sales Executive of KEIM Mineral Paints to visit site to assess the existing wall paint, and suggest a plan for future painting.Des discussed with the owner that with old stone buildings, churches, palaces etc, KEIM is the paint of choice for restoration as it allows the building to breathe.During Tony’s visit, he explained how KEIM Paints are still made using a 140 year old recipe that consists of natural mineral pigments. It allows the walls to breathe, preventing flaking paint in the future. The colour is guaranteed not to fade or change over time, even up to 100 years.KEIM have their own Exclusiv colour range along with other standard colours and offer a colour match facility.KEIM Optil was chosen as it can be applied to previously painted surfaces such as painted plaster, plasterboard and sandstone window mullions without the need for primer.The owner said, “The painter was impressed with how well the paint covered”.“I am delighted with the result and finish of KEIM Paint. It is reassuring to have the architect’s recommendation and the knowledge that the paint will work with the building in the long term and last. It was a very big job to paint the inside of the church, in part it is 33 feet high and the whole job took several weeks. It is something I hope not to have to do again in my lifetime, so I wanted the best. I can strongly recommend KEIM Paint.”

Midland Metropolitan University Hospital Case StudyDemonstrating Products That Perform!Project Description:Nestled between Sandwell and West Birmingham, the Midland Metropolitan University Hospital is poised to become the centre of acute and emergency care at our Trust when it opens in 2024.Midland Met is not just a hospital...situated within a designated regeneration zone, this new hospital build represents not just progress in healthcare but opportunity to revitalise the region. Product Showcase:Used in multiple locations across the project including Level 5 Winter Garden, Larsen Streetscape paving mortar system is a collection of high-performance mortars for the construction of pavements. The preferred option for laying paving, the products are specifically formulated to exceed performance characteristics, as set out in BS 7533. Products used:         FBC Eco Fine Bedding Concrete • Ideal for pavements constructed with natural stone, concrete & clay paving units.PS Eco Priming Slurry• Applied to the underside of all paving units to create an exceptional bond to FBC Eco Fine Bedding Concrete.FJM Eco Flowable Jointing Mortar• Filled the joints to complete the installation. Rapid setting with high early strength gain, FJM Eco can be opened to foot traffic in one hour.3 in 1 Seal Plus• A water-based acrylic hybrid dispersion paving sealer, sand stabiliser and protector suitable for most paving. For further information or technical data sheets on the Larsen Streetscape product range, please visit www.larsenbuildingproducts.com. 

Streamlight Tower is a residential skyscraper in London that was completed in 2012. The building has 24 stories and contains a total of 174 dwellings ranging from 1-5 bedroom apartments. The upper floors of the tower offer panoramic views of the city, and many of the apartments feature floor-to-ceiling windows.The Streamlight Tower is a striking addition to the Providence Square development in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. The slender, tower stands out against the brick and glass of its surroundings, and its simple form is punctuated by a series of recessed balconies. The tower has a signature angled roof, which provides a dramatic focal point for the development. The Streamlight Tower is an excellent example of contemporary architecture, and its unique design is sure to make it a popular landmark in the area.Just a stone’s throw from Streamlight Tower are restaurants, coffee shops, a gym, convenience stores and much more. A short drive is The O2 which is home to many shopping outlets, bars, restaurants and a Cineworld cinema. There are plenty of places to visit including Central Park and Crazy Putt London.The Facade has recently been updated with approximately 3400m2 of Valcan’s VitraDual which has been installed onto the building. VitraDual’s benefits from a A1 rating (to BS EN 13501-1 fire classification) which means the product non-combustible.As always, it’s been great working with MK Facades on this project who have installed the cladding panels. The team at MK Facades has worked hard on this project and we’re very happy with the progress, and look of this magnificent building.