"bricks"

The Osborn consists of 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments, including a top floor 3 bed penthouse. Inspired by a modern industrial design, this building is well-proportioned with generously high ceilings, filled with light from huge Crittall-style windows and doors. Located opposite Brick Lane, moments from Whitechapel Gallery and The Old Truman Brewery, the unique flavour of the area has been enhanced with the inclusion of balconies or terraces, with views towards the London skyline. Cellecta’s ScreedBoard 28 was specified by Moreno Masey due to its high density and unique resilient layer providing unrivalled acoustic performance, typically 5dB better than legislative requirements. It is an award-winning composite acoustic overlay treatment featuring interlocking edges for installation convenience.This 1,000m² Goldenstone development in East London was awarded to Michael Brady.

Ancon STC Steel-to-Concrete Insulated Balcony Connectors have been chosen to securely connect over 1000 bolt-on steel balconies at London’s ground-breaking Embassy Gardens Phase 2 development.Sitting alongside the new American Embassy on London’s South Bank, Embassy Gardens is the centrepiece of one of the Capital’s biggest ever regeneration projects. Phase 2 of the project is delivering a total of almost 900 luxury apartments across three stunning 21-storey glazed towers, traditionally brick-faced to reflect the area’s industrial heritage.Characterised by large modern balconies with views over the surrounding linear gardens and river beyond, the towers are linked together by a raised podium garden and feature a world-first transparent outdoor pool, 35 metres up, allowing residents to swim between the tenth floors of two towers.

“Our primary design goal was to create a building that relates to and respects the surrounding historic city structure while providing a modern addition to the neighbourhood,” said SOM Director Kim Van Holsbeke.This has been achieved through a finely structured façade with large windows – a reference to the neighbouring old warehouse buildings and lofts with brick and natural stone façades. Regularly placed double windows are framed by a grid structure of rectangular ceramic baguettes from the KeraShape® system.The areas between this grid structure and the recessed window openings consist of facade tiles of the ventilated terracotta facade system KeraTwin® K20.This creates a detailed and contrast-rich picture. The elegant, matt black glaze of the terracotta creates a respectful interaction with neighbouring buildings – a contemporary interpretation of the typical Tribeca materials cast iron and stone.

The Bryncae development on Bridgend Road, Pontyclun is a three-phased residential scheme that aimed to bring much needed housing to the growing commuter town in South Wales. In phase one of the development, a mix of flats, bungalows and houses were built, along with three business units which were filled by Co-op Food, Greggs and Bella’s Boutique. Taylor Maxwell worked with architects Buckmaster Batcup, who were appointed by Rhondda Housing Association, to specify and supply Stonepanel stone cladding and weatherboard cladding to the project, along with blue facing bricks in a soldier course detail above and below the windows. The scheme was managed by supply chain partner Wates Group. The second and third stages delivered a further mix of houses and flats, with work carried out by M&J Cosgrove and Morganstone respectively. Holder Matthias Architects were the architects on phases two and three, carrying out the precedent set in phase one.

application area: commercial gas heatinguse type: condensing gas boilersproject scope: line commercial freestanding chimney for condensing operationadded value: corrosion-resistant, air-tight and waterproof finishBackgroundThe combustion gases from the school's boiler room are exhausted through a freestanding 28-metre brick chimney. The structure was not suitable for the wet operation of condensing boilers. FuranFlex-25 Black was the chosen lining material.The new boiler plant required a 500mm diameter flue liner but the chimney could not accommodate a rigid liner this size. A FuranFlex25 Black liner was therefore specified as it expands into the rectangular flue shape when inflated with steam.Statement of workFuranFlex25 comes as a folded and soft tube. Inflating with steam irreversably hardens the liner fixing it in place. Within a few hours of steaming the liner was ready for connecting to the boilers. The appropriate adaptors/terminals were fitted making the chimney ready for operation.

THE PROJECTThe Waterside Park project features multiple banks of a fire rated mailboxes that comply with the BS 476 Part 22 offering a one hour integrity rating that will ‘contain and form a break to a fire’.The bank of mailboxes are recessed into a wall and integrated with a finishing surround frame providing a high quality edging to the products, hiding any gaps between brick and mailbox and ensuring a high quality finish.The mailboxes feature an inward sprung flap, which is a standard feature across the fire rated mailbox range. An intumescent strip is placed on the internal side of the mail flap, which expands when the temperature increases and ensures that the flap is kept closed – stopping the oxygen flow into the mailbox and reducing the risk of fire spreading through the mailbox.Each mailbox used in this project has been fitted with a unique identification numbering vinyl with a black colouring to easily show the users (both residents and postal operatives) where each mailbox is situated.

Project:West Coventry AcademyClient:Department for EducationContractor: Bowmer & Kirkland Architect: Strides Treglown Architects Value; £38.4m Location Coventry:Innovaré Completion Date Autumn 2023 Innovaré duration onsite 30 Weeks GIFA m²:12,099m² Framework:DfE’s Modern Methods of Construction Framework (MMC1) Innovaré System/ Solution:Psi-FAST panels included factory installed windows, insulation, and brick-slip cladding with a Passive Purple Coating to substantially improve airtightness.West Coventry Academy (WCA), which was procured through the DfE’s Modern Methods of Construction Framework (MMC1), is the result of a three-year research journey by Innovaré Offsite and a major investment by our partner Bowmer + Kirkland (B+K). It is the first of five pilot ‘net zero carbon in operation’ schools for the Department for Education (DfE) and used the panelised Psi-FAST solution to deliver a hugely energy efficient, offsite manufactured design. Delivering a PMV of 70%, Psi-FAST improves efficiencies by taking more construction processes offsite into our quality-controlled manufacturing environment. The factory fitting of vapour control, windows, and cladding enhanced the quality and integrity of important detailing whilst also accelerating the construction programme. Innovaré’s Psi-FAST panels included factory-installed windows, insulation, and brick-slip cladding with a Passive Purple Coating to substantially improve airtightness. The hybrid solution integrates Psi-FAST wall panels with roof cassettes and pre-cast concrete floors and stairs. Scope of works also included offsite manufactured volumetric plant rooms for the project which Innovaré designed and delivered in collaboration with our M+E specialist, DBS. Increasing Pre-Manufactured Value to 70%- a key driver for the DfE, the Innovaré building solution achieves thermal and airtightness levels required for net zero carbon in operation. This project exemplifies the development Innovaré has undertaken to advance the application of the Innovaré offsite manufactured Psi-FAST system. The result is a net zero carbon in operation building with high-performing acoustic attenuation combined with maximising natural light: ultimately providing an optimum learning experience for staff and students.

Crest Nicholson’s multi award-winning Park Central regeneration scheme is a fifteen-year project delivered in partnership with Birmingham City Council and Optima Community Association. Awarded ‘The Placemaking Award’ at the National Property Week Awards and recognised for regenerating the Lee Bank area in Birmingham, the scheme has created 1300 new homes promoting desirable city living. The project required IG’s special bow lintels for the final phase of 355 apartments to achieve the curvature of the façade whilst accommodating large span balcony openings and unusual loading conditions.Challenge:Glenn Howells Architect’s creative design composed of intricate brick detailing throughout the curved façade. The combination and variation of multiple bond patterns presented unusual loading conditions. A three-course stacked soldier bond pattern above window openings significantly reduced distribution of load through adjacent masonry. The heavy concentrated load carried down the brick piers and through the stacked masonry onto the central point on the lintel. IG’s experienced technical experts attended design meetings to find a viable special lintel solution for each application without disrupting the integrity and design of the architects vision.Solution:IG’s technical team designed bespoke special bow lintels to accommodate opening spans up to 4284mm and allowed for a 650mm end bearing for typical sizes to counter the cantilevered effect of the curved openings. In order to further improve the load bearing, IG designed brackets that secured into a pre-cast channel maximising structural strength at the central point of the lintel. The centrally located brackets bolted through the back of the lintel and accommodated the concentrated loads and eliminated the need to prop lintels during construction. IG provided comprehensive technical support throughout every stage of construction process for the most effective structural design solution.Testimonial:“The development has been a resounding success in transforming and rejuvenating the Lee Bank area in Birmingham. IG’s technical team were responsive and receptive to all urgent requirements throughout every stage of the construction process. An outstanding technical service that we have come to expect from IG.”Crest Nicholson

The ChallengeThe Greenwich Village scheme completes the masterplan for the Greenwich Millennium Village development, generating a complex and picturesque arrangement of buildings defined by streets and squares and providing 1,746 homes. The build had to provide a complementary interpretation of an earlier build designed during the 1990s. The largest regeneration project of its kind in London, the challenge was to achieve a holistic, long-term scheme.The SolutionWith a strong focus on street life, the project concept incorporated a mixture of townhouses and apartments in lower-rise buildings of between three and five storeys.Traditional street patterns with narrow mews ensured compatibility with the design of the previous phases but also allowed for some individuality in the new phase. The project strategy centred on the technical and acoustic challenges of the project whilst also recognising the need to provide a sustainable environment.The BenefitsThe build achieved the required density while in keeping with the character of the Village. Forterra’s Dark Moroccan Smooth Butterley Brick was used to provide the desired aesthetics and subtleness for the build whilst also establishing its own identity.

St Pauls’ Way is an award-winning 1, 5, 6, & 7 story building with 23 units consisting of one, two and three bedroom flats over a ground floor community space. This scheme was designed using Building Information Modelling (BIM) to achieve a BREEAM Excellent rating of 72.7%, awarding it winner of 6 national housing awards, including Evening Standard New Homes Award 2019’s ‘Best Regeneration Project'. Constructed of light gauge steel frame and faced with a buff brick, this scheme will contribute to London Borough of Tower Hamlets Community Plan.HiDECK Overlay 18 was specified by Architecture PLB in this project as the overlay flooring solution. It’s ideal for flooring applications incorporating an underflooring heating system due to its high thermal conductivity which provides rapid reaction times, saving on running costs. In addition, its high density makes it perfect for a variety of acoustic applications.Stack London was awarded this 6,300m² contract for this development in Tower Hamlets.

In 1861 a small group of stonemasons formed the Edinburgh Cooperative Building Company to create affordable homes, by and for workmen, to escape from slum landlords. Typically, the terraced houses were arranged back-to-back with individual gardens: the ground-floor front doors facing one direction and first floor front doors on the opposite side with external staircases.The ‘colonies’ design has been widely replicated and recently resurrected with a contemporary approach in a new Edinburgh development by Glencairn Properties. Bellevue Colonies at McDonald Road recreates the original sense of community and interaction between neighbours with shared footpaths, gates and external stairs.Lang+Fulton supplied Modena railings to delineate each private garden space and provide boundary demarcation to the street. The railings were mounted on dwarf walls and were hot-dip galvanized and polyester powder coated for a durable finish in keeping with the quality materials of brick, zinc and slate that were used throughout the development.Awards: Homes for Scotland - Housing Development of the Year (shortlisted)

TRC was appointed as principal contractor by Barker Associates in May 2019, to carry out specialist sash window restoration works.Trinity Primary Academy is a primary school located in Bounds Green Road, Wood Green, London. It was built in 1899 by Mitchell and Butler and consists of yellow brick and red brick dressings, tiled roofs, irregular fenestrations, and sash windows that give away its Queen Anne Revival style. It's currently categorised as a Grade II Listed building with Historic England, and is part of the Academies Enterprise Trust.Nature of the worksAs the building was Grade II listed, timber window repairs had to be sympathetic and complementary to the historic nature of the property. Many of the existing timber sash windows were inoperable due to the build-up of decorative coatings, timber degradation, and defective and broken sash window ironmongery, as well as opening mechanisms. The requirement was for the windows to be fully refurbished, repaired and operational as originally intended, but also modified to meet health and safety requirements.Phase one of the refurbishment of 200 sash and timber casement windows commenced on the area needing most attention: the west elevation of the building. Following the success of phase one, the client team extended TRC’s appointment to continue around the remainder of the building, systematically completing all other windows, door and roof light refurbishments.This overall refurbishment project included:Stripping back the existing paint from the historic sash windows and repairing any decayed timber.Repairing glazing as and where necessary.Improving the thermal and acoustic containment by installing draughtproofing.Repainting windows and installing ironmongery.Undertaking brick and stone repairs to the building’s exterior.This project also required our specialist attention on some specific areas of traditional glazing. This aspect of the project required the repair and refurbishment of all four oriel bay windows and the oriel bay glazed roofs. Completion included the supply and fixing of new safety glazing and hardwood timber roof rafters, along with the repair and refurbishment of the two existing openable roof lights. The supply and fixing of new code 4 lead flashing, with lead wedges, was also carried out and fully pointed with the correct cement mortar at the wall abutment.Additional detailed work throughout the project included the following:Removal of all existing fitted window blinds for refixing upon completion of works.Removal and repair of existing window ironmongery, including original mechanical winding gear, solid bar opening mechanisms, locking fasteners, slide bar restrictors, cable restrictors, handles and stays.Careful removal and repair of all internal fixed-glazed hopper units, casements and pivot openings.Removal and replacement of all cracked and broken glazing, and replacement of the existing Georgian wired-glazing, with 6mm safety glass or 4mm polished plate glass to areas up to 1.2m height from floor level. Where privacy was required, white opaque glass with thickness in accordance with above was used.Removal and replacement of all loose and defective glazing putties, and removal of all flaking, loose and built-up paint coatings.Exposure of all timber rot and decay ready for repair with Repair Care Systems products, followed by sanding and priming ready for decoration.Vertical sliding sashes repaired, refurbished and rehung on new sash cords and weights, and adjusted as needed. Sashes were routed to accept new brush pile weather stripping. New parting beads and staff beads were serviced with brush pile weather stripping where appropriate.Final internal and external decoration was carried out using Dulux or Leyland trade paints, allowing for one undercoat and one gloss finish.

BackgroundLocated in Stroud, the Park Parade, Park Road refurb project was part of a large refurbishment planned by Stroud District Council. The shopping area and sheltered accommodation scheme were given a complete revamp with internal and external work being completed.MD Group from Bristol were awarded the contract by Stroud District Council and were appointed as the main contractor. A new external wall insulation system was installed, along with an extensive refurbishment to the communal areas, external balconies and roofing. Our approved installer Elite Rendering Systems were contracted by MD Group to complete the exterior wall insulation.Alongside Elite, we transformed the premises aesthetically creating modern homes and commercial premises. The buildings were given a new lease of life, and together with Elite we delivered safe, stylish and energy efficient buildings that will help to reduce fuel bills for residents and help decarbonise the Council’s housing stock.Our ServiceOur Technical team were available to provide hands-on-guidance throughout the duration of the project. As part of our service commitment, our K Systems Site Technician regularly visited the project to inspect progress, offer support and ensure high levels of construction quality.As the ground floor of Park Parade is used for commercial premises, one challenging aspect of the project was the detailing and installing around complex interfaces such as air conditioning/refrigeration units. We transformed the outside of the properties with a durable, low maintenance solution that is fully compliant with fire regulations and fulfilled the Council’s criteria.The combination of finishes used not only delivered the desired contemporary aesthetic but provided an additional benefit of cost savings for the client. Residents of Park Parade, Park Road will enjoy reduced energy bills and better living conditions thanks to the U-value improvement.Technical Project DetailsFollowing design and site meetings with the K Systems Technical team, K Systems M (Mineral Wool) was specified by Bailey Partnership Architects and Stroud District Council. This system incorporates eco-friendly mineral wool insulation boards. As an A2-s1, d0 firerated solution, it is widely specified to provide thermal and aesthetic improvements to buildings, reducing energy usage and therefore energy costs.K Systems M, utilising non-combustible insulation, ensured the latest building safety regulations were met. Thanks to its exceptional properties, the thermal performance of the walls after installation has been significantly enhanced. A U-value of 0.27 W/m²K was achieved, which will help to reduce the residents fuel bills and reduce the level of condensation forming on the inside walls – two key objectives for the client.For the finish, high-performance Silkolitt+ silicone renders were supplied along with our lightweight synthetic brick slips (VBriQ). This combination improved the aesthetics of the buildings for its residents.Silkolitt+ silicone thin coat renders are available in a wide range of colours offering a contemporary finish. The excellent vapour permeability allows the building to breathe and prevents interstitial condensation. The flexibility of the finish provides resistance against cracking and increases the durability, ensuring a long-lasting finish to the properties. It is very user friendly, and its hydrophobic properties reduce maintenance requirements.Accredited by the BBA, the K Systems VBriQ brick slips provide top tier Cateogory 1 impact performance and are ideal for use on this project. This lightweight system is quick and simple to install and has high UV resistance while also allowing the original brick colour to be maintained. An extremely durable finish that will withstand the day-to-day demands placed Park Parade, Park Road.

Perforated cladding panels like no other from Proteus Facades have helped to transform a defunct 1980s structure in the heart of London into a visually striking, contemporary commercial office space. Once described as unwelcoming and foreboding, York House in Kings Cross, which dates back to 1981, featured a complex brick façade, with a set back entrance and very small windows giving the building a stand-offish appearance as well as a poorly lit interior.Following a £13 million refurbishment, the building, purchased by The Office Group, which provides flexible workspaces in London, Leeds and Bristol, has been transformed into a bright, co-working space, suitable for London’s thriving and growing businesses.Designed by Architects dMFK, the 70,000sq. ft, eight storey redevelopment features both modern and traditional elements. An original Torigenus cast aluminium sculpture sits on the east side of the building, created by sculptor Geoffrey Clarke, whilst bold new additions include a double height entrance with offices above, as well as a set back roof extension and terrace on the 7th floor.

Durability, safety and aesthetics needed to work together for the Viking House project. With the refurbishment nestled among conventionally built brick buildings there was a need for a contemporary look that mirrored the local vernacular. Viking House is a managed student accommodation development at the University of Lincoln. Made up of three five-storey buildings and standing 20m tall, it was designed to reflect the university’s continuing progress. Converted from several repurposed properties, the design of the buildings was in contrast to others in the largely traditional area of Brayford Wharf.One of the main challenges was the University’s desire to complete the project within only six months in order to accommodate the new intake of students at the start of the 2018/19 term, but without compromising on safety.Working in partnership with the Globe Consultants, Ash & Lacy proposed the use of its exclusive MechSlip façade. Developed in conjunction with Ibstock Kevington, MechSlip is a lightweight, mechanically fixed system that offers significant advantages including reduced installation times and associated costs, as well as being completely non-combustible and classified A1 to EN 13501-1 standards.

Apex Heritage Cast Iron rainwater system from leading specialist Alumasc was commissioned as part of the £800 million extension and restoration of St Pancras International, London.The extension and interior of the station comprised all the modern facilities expected in Britain’s most advanced station, however, work on the oldest Grade 1 listed part of the station called for the faithful and painstaking restoration of the gothic red brick façade, to retain the original detail of George Gilbert Scott’s design.Existing rainwater systems, despite being almost 150 years old, were still in use. As part of the redevelopment project English Heritage insisted that any new rainwater details must faithfully reproduce the original patterns of the Victorian rainwater goods used when the station was first built. Alumasc worked closely with the main contractors to produce bespoke moulds, creating cast iron replicas of all the existing pipes and hoppers to take away rainwater from the vast single span roof, which is still the largest of its type in the world.

The Anchorage Gateway in Salford Quays is a new multi-storey building in the centre of Salford. The main wing is 29 storeys high whilst the lower tower tops out at 19 storeys. The ground floor contains almost 400m2 of commercial space and the upper floors contain 290 residential units and 800m2 of amenity space.The building is reputed to be one of the highest brick clad buildings in Europe, Kinlan Brickwork being specialist sub-contractor.Domis Construction is the main contractor on this scheme. URSA UK Ltd was chosen as the preferred insulation manufacturer. We supplied over 11,500m2 of 100mm URSAPAN BLACK - a unique glass mineral wool rainscreen cladding insulation slab;·      Euroclass A1 fire rating (non-combustible).·      Thermal conductivity of 0.035 W/mK.·      BBA Certified. Kate Fox, Area Sales Manager for the Midlands stated, ‘Following the success of this initial partnership URSA are now the preferred supplier of rainscreen insulation and our products have been used on Fifty5ive Queen Street in Salford with others in the pipeline including Derwent Street’.

The ChallengeBowthorpe is a high-quality development of 174 new homes together with landscaped open space, community gardens and a children’s play area on an area of undeveloped land in Norwich.The development was inspired by nearby Bowthorpe Hall and explored the idea of an historic walled garden with homes built within its boundary.As part of the site’s high environmental standards, it was critical that existing features, such as important tree belts and hedges were retained while also accommodating a proposed network of cycle and walking routes.The SolutionForterra’s Breckland Reserve – a red, tumbled, wirecut brick – was used alongside flint on the ground floor of some of the homes to create detailed wall work that echoed Bowthorpe Hall.Traditional red tiled roof pitches sit above the wall and reference Bowthorpe Cottages. On top of the wall sit cedar shingle clad upper floors.Traditional terraces form most of the new homes, with flats provided alongside unique mews-style housing.The BenefitsThe building form, the materials selected, and the use of pattern and decoration, helped to create a visual connection to the local area.

The hospitality industry has been hit hard by the pandemic as visitors, for obvious reasons, have been conspicuous by their absence. Hotel Savoy in Luleå took advantage of the situation by completely renovating the hotel’s restaurant with new surfaces, design and furnishings.The old brick wall in the interior of the restaurant had taken its toll. In order to find a new material that would fit in, they looked for a wooden panel that could also contribute to a better atmosphere in the form of an acoustic absorbing solution. But finding such a product that would also meet the fire requirements of the premises was not the easiest thing to do.We at Gustafs received the request at the same time as we were working on the development of our new product, Lamellow+. In short, the Lamellow panels delivered to the Hotel Savoy in Luleå became a pilot project for the product. The panels installed in the restaurant are made of American Oak wood veneer with a grey gypsum core and Wool grey acoustic felt – a combination that feels natural and minimises the contrasts in the product. The panel was also approved by the fire engineers working on the project, thanks to the natural fire protection provided by the reinforced fibreboard.

To fulfil the requirements of BS8102:2022 and BS 8485:2015+A1:2019 a strategy to develop a specification which combines structural waterproofing and ground gas protection were required for this refurbishment project.The project involved creating additional living space to an existing mid terrace Victorian property in W12. The site of the property, whilst not being located on contaminated land was identified as being potentially at risk, it was near what is classed as contaminated land (an old brick yard).To satisfy Building Control requirements gas protection measures were required to meet BS 8485:2015+A1:2019.Site investigations at former brickworks and landfill sites are within expected UK guidelines for contamination. Ground investigations incorporate both soil sampling, ground gas and groundwater monitoring.In accordance with Table 3 of BS 8485:2015+A1:2019 a residential building is classed as a Type A building, creating a “high risk” requirement for ground gas protection. With the structure requiring a Grade 3 habitable environment attention as required to offer a system which meets all requirements.

The Scope of the project was to provide a structural waterproofing solution to a private dwelling with new build extension.The property, situated on a sloping site gave the opportunity for the waterproof design to utilise the properties environment to allow for natural discharge of any potential water ingress.The property was detached and retaining to the front and side elevations where the retaining ground slopes down and away from the property to a garden that continues to slope down to a small stream. The retaining walls on either elevation rise at their highest point to approximately 1500mm above the internal floor level.The internal walls of the property were original brick to the front and new cavity built concrete block. The floor to what was the original house is of solid concrete construction joining on to a newer block and beam floor construction.When designing the most appropriate waterproofing system to any given situation, various design factors require addressing such as (but not limited to), final use of the building, the grade of waterproofing requirement under the British Standard, structural considerations based on the form of construction and in some cases, satisfying the requirements of building warranty providers.

IssueWavendon Community Hub has been created and designed to provide local residents with a place to meet and take part in physical and social activities. In keeping with surrounding properties, Wavendon Community Hub is constructed in red/buff brick, with pitched tiled roofs. The building comprises two separate halves: a community side with a vaulted hall space and a separate, large multi-purpose area with changing facilities. The floors needed to perform for different needs and uses, providing robust durability, safety from slips, but still provide welcoming good looks.ApproachThe project was designed by W E Architecture Ltd and the build was completed by Borras Construction Ltd, with flooring installed throughout by HC Coverings Ltd, using Mapei floor preparation products.SolutionResilient flooring was specified throughout the centre and installed over underfloor heating. Designs specified throughout the 500 square metre area included Altro Wood in the communal areas, Altro Aquarius in the toilets, showers and changing rooms and Altro Walkway 20 in corridors and back-of-house areas.

Arwel House, a mid-twentieth-century brick-built house nestled in the Staffordshire countryside, has undergone a remarkable transformation. Originally constructed in the 1950s, the house had lost its charm over the years due to wear and unsightly alterations.Gowercroft products used:Peveril Lift and Slide DoorsMelbourne DoorsHardwick Casement WindowsAccoya®Initially considering demolition, the owners consulted architect Benjamin Machin, who proposed a more sustainable and cost-effective approach. Machin envisioned a retrofit and remodelling process that would highlight the house's character and unique details, re-establishing its connection with the surrounding gardens and agricultural landscape.The interior rooms were refurbished, and a new two-story extension was added to provide additional living and bathroom space. The outdated veranda and sunroom at the front of the property were removed, along with their degraded PVC-u windows and joinery.A striking garden room now graces the south-facing elevation, featuring an imposing white façade that interacts with the shadows cast by nearby trees. Gowercroft Joinery played a pivotal role in this transformation, manufacturing large timber-framed windows and sliding doors for the garden room. White timber-clad columns, reminiscent of the original veranda, complement the overall design.Two covered external spaces adjacent to the garden room serve as pleasant sitting areas, bridging the gap between indoors and outdoors. Gowercroft's oversized timber-framed lift and slide patio doors, French doorsets, and classic casement windows flood the house with natural light. Their slim profiles harmonise with the surrounding materials and colours, seamlessly blending the transition from brick and quarry tiles to stone paving outside.Throughout the project, one set of Peveril lift and slide doors, three Melbourne French doors, and 22 Hardwick casement windows were installed. Manufactured from sustainable Accoya® wood and equipped with energy-efficient double glazing, these windows and doors ensure a comfortable interior environment while requiring minimal maintenance.Thanks to Benjamin Machin's bold design, Arwel House has been revitalised into a contemporary, light-filled, and inviting family home. The transformation has garnered love and appreciation from the entire family, breathing new life into this once tired and unremarkable 1950s house.“Gowercroft’s windows and doors strike the right balance between low maintenance, energy efficiency and innovation and a heritage rooted in traditional joinery and craftsmanship. Their slim profiles have an elegant simplicity with carefully considered sightlines that complement the overall design.”Benjamin Machin

The RHS Chelsea Flower Show is the greatest horticultural event. It is known all around the world for its fabulous floral displays, thought provoking and beautifully landscaped show gardens and for nurturing gardening trends and talent.Held in the most beautiful grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, the RHS Chelsea Flower Show is guaranteed to inspire and wow everyone who visits.One such garden is the RBC Brewin Dolphin Garden designed by one of House & Gardens Top 50 Garden Designers of 2023, Paul Hervey-Brookes. This stunning Silver-Gilt show garden ‘draws creative inspiration from the way knowledge is passed down from generation to generation and interpreted for the modern world.’To assist with the longevity and sustainable features of this garden, landscaping expert and garden consultant, G K Wilson Landscapes, opted to use UltraScape eco-bed environmentally friendly bedding mortar and slipbond brick slip adhesive to install the beautiful Lunar Sand pavers and Dover Taupe porcelain wall tiles. For the finishing flourish, the paving was grouted using UltraTile ProGrout Flexible in Bahama Beige and Grey.In a Chelsea Flower Show first, garden designer and RHS ambassador for inclusivity and diversity, Manoj Malde married his partner in his own magnificently designed RHS and Eastern Eye Garden of Unity feature garden. This powerful and vibrant garden is inspired by Manoj’s Indian heritage and has inclusivity and sustainability at its heart. Alongside peat-free planting, the garden also embraced the use of reclaimed materials to create the limestone path and used UltraScape eco-bed environmentally friendly bedding mortar to install the limestone paving.Two further award-winning gardens to benefit from Instarmac’s expertise are Darren Hawkes’ Silver-Gilt Samaritan’s Listening Garden and Emma Tipping’s Gold Medal St George ‘Alight Gere’ Balcony Garden.UltraScape were honoured to have supported, and sponsored, each of these beautiful gardens.UltraScape has been manufacturing and providing the industry with high quality, specialist paving installation materials for over 25 years. Their proven and trusted range includes BS 7533 complaint bedding mortars, primers, jointing solutions and brick slip adhesive. UltraScape’s premium products are specified by contractors, architects, consultants and engineers for an ever-expanding portfolio of major schemes across the UK.Choose UltraScape’s proven and certified BS 7533 Mortar Paving System for the performance and assurance that comes with a UKAS seal of approval – you can’t afford not to!To find out more about UltraScape’s range of paving installation materials, please email ultrascape@instarmac.co.uk, visit ultrascape.co.uk or call their team of experts by ringing +44 (0) 1827 254402.

Hush Acoustics helped the developer of a new build apartment scheme in Surrey to deliver high quality homes which are highly insulated against the risk of flanking noise from the properties below and above.Composition Design, the architects tasked with designing the two, three-storey apartment blocks in Cranleigh, approached Hush to advise on what is a relatively common, but sometimes overlooked, issue in multi-occupancy buildings constructed using brick and block walls with timber joisted floors. In addition to ensuring the separating walls and floors were acoustically insulated to levels compliant with Approved Document E of the Building Regulations, measures were incorporated to prevent the potential for flanking noise to transmit between properties through the continuous blockwork.Flanking can be a major issue in buildings created with masonry walls and timber joisted floors because of the lightweight blocks and large voids which are characteristic of this type of construction method, particularly in walls of continuous brick and blockwork for the full height of the building.This can result in a noise issue so significant that projects of this kind are highly susceptible to sound test failures due to flanking. Hence why the architect sought specialist guidance from Hush Acoustics at an early stage.The Fairhaven development features two apartment blocks, which were constructed by Bohunone Building Contractors. One of the blocks incorporates three 2-bedroom flats, and the other provides four 2-bedroom flats and one 1-bedroom property, all designed and built with a traditional brick and tiled roof exterior to complement other properties in this established residential area.To address the flanking issue, the HD1013: Hush System 2003 acoustic floor system was used for all the separating floors within both blocks, and a wall lining was specified for the inside of any masonry walls that rise up continuously to the full height of the building. The wall lining consisted of the Hush Bar Deep resilient bars, Hush Slab 25 acoustic insulation slabs and a single layer of 15mm SoundBloc acoustic plasterboard. It was applied to all of the separating walls of the first floor properties, mostly single sided but double sided on those that are most susceptible to flanking, as well as the walls between any flats and the communal stairway.The HD1013 acoustic floor system consists of a floating floor created using Hush Panel 28, a 19mm plasterboard plank and Hush Slab 100 absorbers within the voids between the timber joists. Hush Bar resilient bars are then attached to the joists to provide acoustic separation, to which two layers of plasterboard are then screwed to form the ceilings – one being a layer of 15mm Fireline and the other a 12.5mm SoundBloc.Both the wall and floor acoustic systems were sealed at the perimeters to further prevent flanking noise. Once approved by the architect, the systems were installed by the building contractor under supervision from Hush Acoustics to ensure all the components and materials were fitted in accordance with its guidelines. The performance was confirmed by the pre-completion sound test. It recorded airborne sound levels as high as 60 dB DnT,w+Ctr for the party walls, demonstrating far higher acoustic performance than the minimum of 45 dB required under Approved Document E. The party floors were found to perform equally well, recording levels as low as 49 dB DnT,w+Ctr for airborne sound and 51 dB L'nT,w for impact sound. The latter also represents a significant improvement compared to the minimum compliance level of 62dB or lower stipulated by the Building Regulations.As the Fairhaven project demonstrates, early design consultation is key to addressing the potential for flanking noise and reducing the risk of sound test failures further down the line. If flanking is not considered and treated in the floor/ceiling or wall design and the building fails a sound test, the cost and disruption associated with remedial work could be extremely high.

Capturing all the glamour and splendour of the roaring twentiesthis latest scheme takes to the spotlight. For the restoration of this magnificent building, St. George and TP Bennett turned to a rainscreen which would not only project the right image, yet stand up to the most demanding requirements.For a building with such status and heritage, bothSt. George and TP Bennett opted for a rainscreen solution which would not only project exactly the right image, yet stand up to the most demanding requirements. As a mixed-use development, comprising 209 new homes overlooking a central square, lined with bars and restaurants, and an impressive double-height entrance foyer to the eight-screen Picturehouse Cinema, 'the biggest outside London’s West End,' it was vital that the chosen rainscreen could withstand numerous vying challenges. Thanks to a comprehensive list of intrinsic qualities; including extreme weather resistance, durability, longevity, impact and graffiti resistance, as well as BBA, CWCT and NHBC 2021 certification, Petrarch ticked all the right boxes and exudes pure elegance with its smooth Alabaster finish.Petrarch enrobed Filmworks wins Best Refurbishment project at this year’s Facade AwardsWe’re extremely proud to share that The Filmworks has won the Best Refurbishment project at this year’s Facade Awards. This is the first year that Architectural Panel Solutions has personally entered the awards and we’re thrilled to have debuted as award-winners. We cannot, of course, take all the credit for this project; it is the result of a highly successful collaboration with Richardson Roofing, and talented architect tp bennett for our client Berkeley Group, St George.The Ealing Filmworks by Berkeley Group, St. GeorgeFor a building with such status and heritage, both Berkeley Group, St. George and tp bennett turned to a rainscreen and framing solution which would not only project exactly the right image and retain the splendour of a bygone age, yet also stand up to the most demanding requirements. Blending elegant aesthetics and exacting technical standards; our Petrarch engineered stone rainscreen facade offered the perfect balance.As a £100m mixed-use regeneration scheme comprising: 209 new homes, a central square, lined with bars, restaurants, and featuring a double-height eight-screen Picture-house Cinema (the biggest outside London’s West End) the demands and rigour demanded of the chosen building materials were to be immense.About The Filmworks, in the words of the architect tp bennettGiven the delicate restoration and the fact that this was a conservation area, it was important that the chosen facade retained an elegant and natural aesthetic.’A careful infill within an existing urban block, the scheme has been designed by tp bennett as a contextual response to the surrounding buildings in the conservation areas. Each perimeter facade is designed in a subtly different language, depending on the character of the particular street it is facing. The architectural language changes towards the interior, where the contextual red brick and stone have been complemented with a more contemporary materials palette, including dark blue brick with contrasting green-glazed brick inserts and bronze-coloured cladding laser cut with a distinctive, three-dimensional geometric pattern.‘tp bennett are dedicated to ’creative reuse‘ as a practice – ’our ethos is to re-animate and adapt redundant historic buildings to reinforce a unique sense of place within each project. With our in-house skills and experience to draw from – as well as access to a strong network of conservation specialists – the practice is in a prime position to animate the past and inform the future.‘Here’s what our esteemed installer, Richardson Roofing had to say about Petrarch panels and our level of customer service:‘APS were very easy to deal with during the purchase and logistics process, of getting the Petrarch engineered stone to site. They are very responsive to queries, helpful and went out of their way to assist in any way they could. The team really do know their products well and were very helpful. Despite this being a somewhat difficult site with delivery booking requirements, APS worked with us to optimise logistics for just-in-time deliveries.’Krissy Dawson (Contracts Coordinator)

Stainless steel splashbacks, by GEC Anderson, were recently deployed in an apartment kitchen, overlooking London’s Hampstead Heath. The specification was a little challenging due to the shape and size of the required pieces. In particular, the curved corner within the kitchen gave the project very much a one-off feel. Rather than merely being an internal feature, the curve follows the outer form of the brick building.The subtle blend of colours exudes calmness but does not appear cold. This is probably due to the lighting as well as the contrasting colours in the adjacent spaces, notably, the red bench seating but also the dark bookshelf that also follows the curvature of the room.The stainless steel splashbacks were made to measure, to precisely suit the design and requirements and were produced in GEC Anderson’s standard brushed satin finish. Measuring and installation was also undertaken by GEC Anderson.GEC Anderson (founded in 1962) specialise in purpose made stainless steel sinks, worktops, cabinets, shelving and splahsbacks. Their products have been specified in a great number and variety of projects, ranging from residential kitchens to commercial and public spaces, including health, education, infrastructure, retail, offices and the arts.

The North Northamptonshire County Council approached Care Spaces to create a Changing Place facility at East Carlton Country Park due to a high number of disabled visitors. With limited space in the existing Visitor Centre, we installed a Care Capsule™, a modular Changing Place toilet designed offsite for easy transport and assembly. Facing access challenges, the Care Capsule™ had to be delivered in kit form and assembled on-site. Electrical and plumbing services were extended to the location. To minimize environmental impact, ground screws replaced concrete for stability without harming the natural surroundings.The customisability of the Care Capsule™ allowed the client to match the unit with the Visitor Centre's aesthetics, featuring a brick exterior and a steel security door. The unit met Changing Places standards, including Fibo® waterproof internal cladding. Care Spaces provided awareness training to park staff, and the client is pleased with the results, emphasizing the importance of accessible facilities for all visitors. Cllr Matthew Binley expressed delight, stating the facility at East Carlton Countryside Park ensures worry-free visits for everyone.

Described as Dorchester’s most iconic building, the Brewery – once the source of the much-quaffed Eldridge Pope ales – has been transformed into a high-end residential setting with Crittall windows playing a central role in retaining the heritage aesthetic of this historic structure.For nearly a century and a half the building, with its tall chimney, towered above the Dorset town as a symbol of local industry and prosperity. Designed by architect WR Crickmay, the brick building was completed in 1880.  At a staggering 13% the brewery’s Thomas Hardy Ale once featured in the Guinness Book of Records as the strongest commercially brewed beer in the country.The brewery eventually closed in 2003 and the site remained unused until, in 2007, planning permission was granted for a new public square overlooked by the impressive building, restored to its former glory containing 29 one, two and three-bedroom apartments.LMA Architecture of Bournemouth has retained many of the unique features of the original building including riveted steel beams, cast iron columns and exposed brickwork.Crittall W20 steel windows and doors were a natural choice, glazed in small panes to replicate the original configuration of the tall brewery windows.

Mono M311 Glass Infill Top FixMono M351 No Infill Top FixOrbis OS200 Vertical Bar Infill Side FixPart of a £71 million scheme to construct three new academy schools in the area, Oldham Academy North was designed by Manchester-based architects, Aedas and constructed by Willmott Dixon.The school features a striking glass frontage for the triple height atrium reception with a brick clad teaching block to one side and a vibrant purple frontage to the other. The feeling of light and space created by the school’s two atriums is carried through by HiBuild coated Mono system balustrades with stainless steel handrails. These enable the creation of safe viewing galleries/walkways, overlooking the open plan library mezzanine and the central ‘Agora’ theatre space.The same system was used to create the handrails for the school’s six staircases, maximising natural light and enhancing transparency as students and staff move around the building. Delta Balustrades worked collaboratively with the design team to ensure that the balustrades and handrails not only meet the aesthetic requirements for the scheme but that the fixing detail for the atriums fully comply with loading requirements.

Buildable"Glass Fibre Concrete (GRC) was identified early on as the ideal material for the project to achieve the desired civic aesthetic but also to avoid adding significant stress to the existing structure." - Nat Keast, Associate, Wilkinson-Eyre.DesignableThe project is an AJ Retrofit Higher Education & Campus Award 2023.The lightweight, three-dimensional GRC cladding panels featuring a stylisation of LSBU’s “sail” emblem give the building a welcoming, civic quality."We worked closely with subcontractor Tellings during the design phase to develop the three-dimensional panels, as well as vertical slats and horizontal bands. Alongside the 100% white bromo brick with white grout used for the existing concrete stair cores and shear walls, GRC helped change the perception of the building."We had to fight hard to keep the GRC through various value engineering exercises, but the university supported us and was able to appreciate the impact of the new facade." - Nat Keast, Associate, Wilkinson-Eyre.SustainableThe building has received a very good BREEAM rating and by retaining the existing structure, total embodied carbon is half of the RIBA 2030 Climate Challenge target benchmark.

Built on a largely derelict gap site, The Works is a development of 34 two-bedroomed apartments in the popular Yorkhill / Finnieston area of Glasgow, offering panoramic views over the city and the River Clyde. To accommodate the site’s slope, the development comprises a four-storey north side and a six-story south side.The development had to overcome a number of issues, including planning issues around daylighting and massing, and the challenge of building immediately adjacent to the Yorkhill railway tunnel.PROJECT INFOThe Works provides residents with off-street parking and use of a large communal garden, with ground floor properties having private rear gardens. Design emphasis is on open-plan layouts and generous room sizes. To take advantage of the views, the apartments feature south-facing and Juliet-style balconies.Ecostock Belgravia Gault Blend was selected to meet the requirements of both the client and planning for a high quality, light buff brick with grey tones that would match the surrounding buff sandstone tenements. The sustainability credentials and technical performance of Ecostock, with its low water absorption suiting the wet weather typical of the west of Scotland’s, also contributed to the selection decision.

The Rathbone Market scheme, part of the Canning Town and Custom House regeneration programme, is a three-phase development that when complete will see the area totally reinvigorated. There will be a new market square at the heart of the community, bordered by around 35,000 sq ft of new shops and cafes. The development will also feature offices; community facilities, two new public squares and 652 new homes.The majority of apartments on the upper levels will have a double aspect and all will have balconies. The intention is to provide a development of great visual depth, using two colours of brick. The balconies are designed with an unusually large 2.3 metre cantilever and to meet this demanding specification, it is the Schöck Isokorb® that is being incorporated into the project. Specifically the product being used at Rathbone Market is the Schöck Isokorb® T type SK for concrete-to-steel connectivity. It is 180mm wide and between 180 and 280mm high to allow flexible adjustment for differing slab thicknesses and contains 80mm of insulation thickness. It can also bear extremely heavy loads and this combination of features makes the units ideal in meeting the various thermal and structural demands involved with such large modern balconies.

Ashton Old Baths is a Grade II listed building which Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council has transformed into a business hub and data centre; an idea for heritage sites which could be transferred to many other ‘at risk’ buildings.The primary concern for the project was to create a sympathetic dialogue between the historic and the modern.Lang+Fulton were approached by the architect to provide an appropriate solution for a compound to surround and screen the unsightly sub-station, data centre generators, and cooling plant that were required to service the new complex. Their Corten louvre, made from weathering steel was selected to match the tonal qualities of the original red brick façade of the Victorian bath house and preserve the sensitive context of the site. The Italia-Corten panels sit between an expressed steel framework, which was hot-dip galvanized before polyester powder coating in a dark grey to reference the regeneration of the site to the area’s industrial past. The continuous structure creates 80% visual screening and the robust steel louvres provide excellent security.The compound was supplied with double-leaf and tri-fold gates to provide the required access.

Material and system specification used: Kalzip FC rainscreen in 500mm wide RAL 1035 pearl Beige and RAL 7022 – also Kalzip wall perforated        Stephenson Quarter is a major mixed-use development in the heart of Newcastle upon Tyne by the Clouston Group. The site was home to the Robert Stephenson and Co. Locomotive Works, the crucible of the railway industry, where the revolutionary Rocket was built in 1829. The site includes the new Crowne Plaza Hotel and The Rocket (offices) plus Stephenson qtr Car park   Installation of over 1500 m2 of FC rainscreen cladding to the Rocket building in RAL 7022 and RAL 1035 Pearl Beige in between stone cladding on the Crown Plaza Hotel Kalzip Perforated facade was used to create a feature between the main brick work for the car park Key challenges overcome:  With 3 phases of the project to undertake over a period of 18 months. Working at height in a very tight, exposed city centre location, needed a high quality over-cladding solution with neat joints that was quick and easy to install. The product needed to integrate with the window system and other cladding facade materials   

The O2 in London is the world’s most successful music and entertainment venue. Project Mint was the development within the O2 dome of 80 new retail outlets to form a 400,000 sq ft designer outlet “Icon Outlet” for the owner and operator AEG. Designed by architect Callison RTKL, and with ISG as main contractor Lindner Interiors contributed to the construction of the fit-out with a scope of works included: 4,500 m2 SFS, 8,500 m2 of dry lining, 2,000 m2 of ceilings – including: Render, Timber Baffles, Metal Copper GRG. In addition, 4,500 m2 of Façade finishes including: Metal Rain Screen Cladding. Render Cladding, Brick Slip Cladding, Copper Cladding, & Glass Smoke Screens. With multiple finishes, specialist trades and products this challenging project has created an attractive public space that is truly an Icon that Lindner Interiors are proud to have been a part of. The Icon Outlet is now home to world famous brands such as Kurt Geiger, Levi’s, Osprey, Ted Baker, Tommy Hilfiger to name but a few.Completed WorksPartitions Wall and ceiling panels Plasterboard partition systems