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IDPartnership Specifies Tobermore Paving at £20m Student Village in NewcastleArchitect, IDPartnership, was seeking a hard landscaping solution for Portland Green, a new £20 million student village in Shieldfield, Newcastle upon Tyne, that would be attractive yet functional. Tobermore provided the architect with the perfect solution with the supply of striking Sienna, modern Fusion and smooth Shannon block paving products.The project was managed by Metnor Group and is hoped to breathe new life into the area and boost trade for local restaurants, bars and retail outlets.The first phase, consisting of a 274 bedroom luxury student accommodation building and 2 retail units, was completed in 2013 and the second phase, consisting of a 338 bedroom accommodation building and 4,500 sq. ft. of retail space, was completed in late 2015.David Moore, Senior Associate at IDPartnership, explained that the objective for the outdoor space at the student accommodation complex was to “provide quality hard landscaping around the building and in the centrally located courtyard at a reasonable cost.“We decided that block paving was the most suitable solution as it was in fitting with other paved projects we had designed nearby.“The landscape design concept was to define different areas and routes on campus that could also provide a colourful contrast to the dark brick apartment buildings.”David Moore, Senior Associate at IDPartnershipThe architect liaised with Tobermore’s North East Sales team in a bid to achieve a landscape with aesthetic appeal and sustainability. David said:“What impressed us most about Tobermore was the range of products, the beautiful colours available, and the cost-effectiveness.”A selection of Tobermore’s Sienna block paving in the colours of Graphite and Silver, and Fusion block paving in the colours of Cream, Silver and Graphite was specified for the area surrounding the project.Sienna and Fusion are manufactured with a granite aggregate surface layer that produces a sparkling, modern look, similar to natural granite. Sienna is available in single sizes and duo sizes while Fusion is a modular sized product.IDPartnership also selected Tobermore’s smooth Shannon block paving in the vibrant, blended colour of Heather. Shannon was installed within the courtyard area and has enhanced the beauty of the complex and provided a stylish outdoor space for residents to unwind in.Fusion Kerb in a striking granite aggregate finish was chosen as the appropriate kerbing solution to complement the paving products used across the site.On reflection of the completion of phase two of this project, David Moore said, “I’m very happy with the products supplied by Tobermore, so much so, that we are already using more products on the next two phases.“We would recommend Tobermore for any type of project.”

Medspace Solutions was delighted to be awarded the package to redesign and refurbish the Psychological and Mental Health Services (PAMHS) Department on Level 6 of Great Ormond Street Hospital. Great Ormond Street Hospital is a children’s hospital in London and a part of Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust. The project was installed on behalf of Logan Construction and contained a large amount of bespoke furniture, HTM63 and HTM71 cabinetry and Reception Desks.The Medspace team carried out the design work in March and April of 2023, collaborating closely with Day Architectural and artist Giles Round to ensure the successful integration of design elements. The aim was to create functional, aesthetically pleasing, and therapeutic spaces for mental health services.Patient safety was a primary consideration on this project, with many fixtures incorporating anti-ligature handles and fittings. The installation needed a balance of strength and safety whilst retaining a welcoming and calming environment.A lot of thought had been put into creating the department, geometric shapes and bold colours were particularly important on this project and all play their role to relax and reassure patients. To achieve the artistic vision for this unique project Medspace worked closely with trusted supplier Formica® using their flagship Younique® product. Younique® has allowed Medspace to incorporate patterns directly onto the laminate panels used in the construction of the furniture. This creates a long-lasting hard-wearing surface, resistant to vandalism and colour fade.Another interesting design feature is the backlit cloud panel. Giles Round’s cloud design is featured throughout the department and Medspace incorporated this by fabricating it using translucent Corian® solid surface material. This was then backlit using LED’s creating a soft and relaxing feature in each of the 8 bedroom areas.Installation took place between August and October 2023, and our Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment Package included supplying a functional and stylish reception desk and furnishing and designing the laundry room, kitchen, activity room, bedroom, lounge, study, washroom, dirty utility, teen zone and a quiet space.During the installation, two things were paramount – maintaining cleanliness in a hospital environment and ensuring no patients or their families were disturbed by the work. Our team worked closely with the hospital to ensure there were no issues during the installation period, and we kept disruption to an absolute minimum for everyone, including the staff.The finished design is a massive improvement for the department, and it is now a much more modern department that is fit for purpose and more pleasant for treating the patients who come in.

An eco-friendly development targeting the Passivhaus Low Energy Building Standard, Castle Hill House provides undergraduate accommodation for students of St Peter’s College, University of Oxford. To ensure the scheme sits comfortably within the historic environment adjacent to Oxford Castle, Design Engine Architects specified Vandersanden’s Chaucer Suffolk and Majestic bricks.The prestigious scheme provides 54 bedrooms on a challenging site. On one corner is Canal House, the Master’s residence with a large garden, on the other, the Law Centre. It is bounded by New Road, a main route into Oxford, and Bulwarks Lane; between the two, there is a one-storey level change in the topography.To address the level change, a podium was created across the site which houses a bike store, plant rooms, toilets and offices. On top of the podium are the two residential blocks with the front building standing three storeys above the podium and the rear four storeys, the building stepping up as the natural ground gradient increases. Between the two is a central courtyard with bedroom windows of both buildings facing across it. This space also allows connection to the main university campus on the other side of Bulwarks Lane. The scheme is in a conservation area that includes listed buildings and Castle Mound, a scheduled ancient monument. Quite a variety of materials are evident in the surrounding buildings but, within the material hierarchy, brick was the most appropriate and Chaucer Suffolk was an ideal match to the ashlar, ‘Oxford’ buff colour of Canal House and the Law Centre. Vandersanden’s Majestic brick matches the greyer rusticated base of Canal House, so was ideal for the podium that runs into the wall at the rear of the site. “We were struggling to find bricks of the right colours, particularly for the grey bricks where we were looking for a very specific match but, once we found Vandersanden’s Majestic, we didn’t look back, they’ve been incredibly successful,” explains Richard James, associate at Design Engine Architects. “The Chaucer Suffolk provided exactly the right buff colour, not only matching the existing stone of the surrounding buildings but having the texture and tonal variety that gives it a warmer feel.”A fairly natural mortar colour was used throughout for both brick types, helping to blend them together and add a little more warmth to the overall tone of the two bricks.A variety of brickwork details have contributed to the success of the scheme. Within the brick piers of the faceted facades are areas of hit-and-miss brickwork that leave out the headers. These allow the window panels in the bedrooms to be left open to create natural ventilation and also provide some rain protection and security. Panels of hit-and-miss brickwork have also been used to fill in and repair existing walls, including the old stone wall on New Road. A staggered zigzag pattern was employed to replicate the texture of the very rough old stone walls on Bulwarks Lane.The buildings follow the site’s irregular shape so a large number of ‘cut stuck’ brick specials were employed to deal with the changes in direction of the walls. Pre-cast, brick-faced lintels and support units were also used at various points across the facades.The development targets the environmental standard ‘Passivhaus Institute Low Energy Building’. Passivhaus buildings are characterised by especially high levels of indoor comfort with minimum energy consumption. This is achieved by significantly improving the building fabric in terms of thermal insulation and airtightness, thereby minimising energy loss to a level that minimum space heating is required. “We’re really pleased with the bricks, the colour match has been even better than expected and the quality of the brick is probably one of the best I’ve seen,” enthuses James. “They’re not the cheapest brick on the market but the effect and the quality is much greater than their expense. Vandersanden will be the starting point for future projects requiring this level of quality.”To find out more about the bricks used in this project or to see the wide range of high-quality bricks available from Vandersanden, click on the 'View more' link

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.

The Dixon Hotel has been created by conversion of the former Tower Bridge Magistrates Court and Police Station, with the historic façade retained, and it is named after John Dixon Butler, the original architect. The redevelopment was carried out by McAleer & Rushe and consists of a 200 bedroom, 5-star hotel, with prestige bars and restaurants, plus business conference facilities, and all just 200m from Tower Bridge. This complex redevelopment project necessitated skillful integration of the historic façades and the original courtroom inside, with a new modern structure having to be built behind and around these original features. This integration meant that it was necessary to seal wide and variable width, external joints running vertically between the historic façade and the new modern structure. This required a movement joint system that could accommodate these different widths and still maintain a watertight seal with up to 100% joint movement capability. Emseal’s innovative Colorseal system was the engineers first choice as the ideal solution to meet these requirements, with the additional advantages that Colorseal is bonded into position, so requires no invasive mechanical fixings to be drilled into sound areas of the historic structure, or indeed, into the new façade panels. 

Stapehill Abbey is a unique estate of 45 two to five bedroom homes. Set within beautiful gardens and grounds, the recently converted Grade II listed refurbishment looks magnificent.The original Abbey House was built in the early 19th century, with the monastic buildings dating back to the 1840s. The twin chapels were designed by Charles Hansom in 1847 and the buildings were completed in 1851. Founded by a small group of nuns led by Madame Augustine de Chabannes, the Abbey was home to The Cross Abbey order of Cistercian Trappist nuns between 1802 and 1990.Dorset based developers Ankers and Rawlings worked painstakingly to retain the original artefacts and period features of this historical site. They chose over 60 Clement Conservation Rooflights for the project including both slate and tile profiles in sizes 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.  Garry Hunter from Ankers and Rawlings said  “The homes at Stapehill Abbey have a mixture of slate and tile roofs, we chose Clement Conservation Rooflights as we needed a product that would look perfect in both. We are really delighted with end result and hope to use Clement rooflights again in the future”.

Harmer Building Drainage, part of Alumasc Water Management Solutions, has been specified for the luxury apartments at Chelsea Bridge in Battersea. The project is the latest phase of Battersea Park Development, Vista. It is a landmark development, designed by Scott Brownrigg and built by Berkeley Homes, consisting of 1, 2, and 3 bedroom apartments, with the remaining properties ranging from £895,000 to £1.910 million – and they are selling fast. There is extensive outdoor landscaping and each group of apartments benefit from feature terraces and private balconies so they can take advantage of spectacular views over Battersea Park and towards the River Thames.Harmer’s expertise and existing relationship with Architects Scott Brownrigg and Berkeley Homes were major factors in winning the contract. Both were aware Harmer could supply a high-end product in an achievable lead time. Constant open dialogue with all parties helped get the project off to a smooth start. Accurate specification, with Harmer’s in-depth knowledge of products and issues, and close involvement at every stage, means any challenges during the project are quickly rectified. The development is due for completion in 2018.

Design & Build construction of a purpose build student accommodation development to provide 1,025 bedrooms and once completed it will provide a dramatic new addition to the Birmingham skyline.The buildings comprise of two bold, angular towers with sharply defined ‘razor’ edges and a smooth, highly detailed, gloss black finish, rising 13 and 24 storeys respectively. The towers are anchored by a middle section rising to 10 storeys and finished with a traditional, matt brick with defined window reveals and texture.The building is designed to achieve a BREEAM Excellent rating and the student beds arranged principally in cluster units.Noise absorbing window ventsDucoMax SR is a self-regulating, acoustic vent (sound attenuating ventilator), specifically engineered for situations exposed to high levels of noise disturbance. The various types are attractively designed and offer excellent acoustic and airflow performance. Suited to high-rise applications, the SkyMax variant was also placed in this project. The SkyMax SR is an upgraded version of the DucoMax SR making it applicable to heights up to 70 meter. The acoustic vents ensure that the students have a carefree night's sleep in a bustling city. 

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.

Fifty5ive Queen Street, Salford is a new 18 storey, 220-unit residential building in the centre of Salford for local developer Salboy.It includes modern, high-quality 1-, 2- & 3-bedroom apartments and duplexes, amenities include private resident workspace, gymnasium, yoga studios, resident cinema room and a terrace garden. Domis Construction is the preferred construction partner for Salboy on this scheme. In early 2022 they approached Encon Insulation in Chorley looking for a more readily available alternative to the stone wool product already specified. URSA UK Ltd was chosen to fill the void and keep the scheme on track. We supplied over 4500m2 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 are currently being used on Anchorage Quay in Salford with others in the pipeline including Derwent Street in Salford’.     

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.

Chelwood House by Napier Clarke is a clean, modern building in Chesham Bois, Amersham. It was built to replace an existing suburban house and is located within an area of special character meaning it was vital to seamlessly blend into the local area.Napier Clarke elected to use local brick and charred timber to ensure the house’s materials were able to sit visually well within the immediate area. Chelwood’s impressive size (5 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, living space, snug, kitchen/ dining, play area, garage, utility room and an attic yoga room) and modern visual leanings were expected to be a challenge for local planning authorities. However, the building’s sympathetic materials and centrepiece vaulted roofs were inspired by the local area and the proposals were accepted.Chelwood introduces a cantilevered brick upper floor to its design which contrasts the simple design of the ground floor. Internally, the same materials used in its external spaces are repeated, creating a series of truly dynamic focal points.Chelwood uses legacy Michelmersh products in its production and recently won the Individual Housing Award in the 2022 BDA Brick Awards.

Reigate & Banstead Borough Council is transforming Marketfield Way, Redhill, with a brand-new leisure, retail and residential development. The 0.59-hectare site will turn the western side of Marketfield Way into a vibrant destination for both property seekers and visitors to the local area. It is made up of the Council’s former Marketfield Way surface car park and a group of retail and commercial buildings fronting 18-44 High Street.Features of the scheme include:A new multi-screen cinema hosting 7 screens11 new units for restaurants and shops on the ground and first floors150 new one- and two-bedroom homes to be privately rented within buildings up to thirteen storeys in heightLandscaping and public space improvements including a ‘galleria’ pedestrian route through the site flanked by shops and restaurants.The waterproofing and gas proofing of the new mixed use scheme basement area and ground floor was a crucial element of phase 2 of the project. Reigate and Banstead Council therefore called upon contractor Vinci Construction to undertake the waterproofing works, utilising Sika’s solution provided through subcontractor Oliver Connell & Son Ltd

Perched on an elevated plane above the tranquil Suffolk village of Rattlesden, Rising Sun Hill is a bespoke residential housing development that seeks to blend in with its surroundings while standing out among other new builds for its character.The 22 homes include eight that will be offered as affordable housing. Individually conceptualised, the homes feature finishes that draw on traditional materials and designs, such as weatherboarding and rendering. To reflect the space of the surrounding countryside, the homes (which range from 2-4 bedrooms) are roomy, both inside and out. Large, landscaped gardens, stone paths, patios and generous planting of shrubs and trees complete the idyllic setting.But attention to detail hasn’t just been dedicated to aesthetics. Consideration has also been given to the homes’ long-term sustainability, with each home being fitted with an air source heat pump and well-designed insulation.The very fabric of the buildings, from the blockwork to the timber frame, has been scrutinised too. For developer Hartog Hutton, it was just as important to use high-quality materials as it was to give each building its own individual flair.

Project DetailProject: Motel One – ManchesterLocation: Manchester Piccadilly, UKProduct: TS.9000 range of architectural closers for main reception and TS.3000 range of contract closers for apartmentsProject Description“Manchester has got everything except a beach,” said Ian Brown, lead singer of The Stone Roses. The city in the northwest of England is known as a party and music capital. Bands such as Oasis, The Smiths or The Chemical Brothers have their roots here. However, if you want to experience all the different aspects of this diverse city it would be best if you booked a longer stay at your cheap and centrally located Motel One Design Hotel in Manchester.Brand new and built in a very tight but friendly spot the Motel came as no surprise requiring a couple of door closers for its Hotel and resting overnight stay accommodation. The TS 9205 were chosen for heavily used entrance area and the TS 3204 were chosen for their bedroom doors because:They are supported by an established companyHave excellent right up and guaranteesVery easy and fast to fit and adjust making them the perfect answer for the contractor and door manufacturer.

Project DetailProject: Intercontinental – O2 – HotelLocation: London, UKProduct: TS.9000 range of architectural closers Project DescriptionThe purpose built new InterContinental® London – The O2 features a dedicated riverside conference centre with separate entrance away from the main hotel lobby allowing for complete privatisation of bespoke events for exclusive use hire. The Luxury hotel with a globally recognised brand.With 453 luxury bedroom suites, 5 Restaurants and Bars, 20 meeting rooms, and a complete fitness centre it was important that the door controls not only work well but were guaranteed for many years. Both the TS 9205 and the TS 11204 Cam Action door closers were used extensively on the O2 Hotel as the importance of frictionless customer care and ease of operation was paramount.A Door Closer is a small element of building design, which makes an enormous difference to its operation.You can check out their web site here or visit at 1 Waterview Drive, Greenwich Peninsula, London, the O2, SE10 0TW.For all your Door Closer requirements e: sales@www.rutlanduk.co.uk or t: 01246 261 491

Historic music hall renovationLindab Rainline has been used by Forrest Construction on this new-build residential development project, Queens Court, which comprises of 17 one and two bedroom apartments, each with access to open space.The scheme sits on the original site of the historic Queens Hall where musicians including The Beatles and Stone Roses once played. The hall closed its doors to the public in 2004 and was demolished by the council in 2012 following a fire at the site.Architect, Denovo Design; appointed to the project by Halton Housing Trust; specified galvanised steel rainwater drainage for its durable and recyclable characteristics and to coordinate with safety railings on the upper terraces.Neil Ashworth, head of new build at Forrest said: “The development has seen us regenerate the entire Queens Hall site with new affordable homes built to a high specification of sustainability and energy saving standards”.The project received high critical acclaim, going on to win the Building Excellence Award for Best Small New Housing Development, and the Green Apple Awards Bronze Award for the Built Environment and Architectural Heritage. 

Material Store is part of The Old Vinyl Factory, a 17-acre site in Hayes.The four ‘warehouse’ blocks of Material Store rise above a podium and surround an oasis of private patios and a large common garden. The parking below the podium is concealed behind 3-bedroom town houses that animate the street with their steps and ‘front’ doors.The roofs of all fours blocks are landscaped as communal gardens. The extended articulated parapet to the tallest block creates an outdoor room and emphasises the building’s position as the tallest element of the masterplan.The 189 build-to-rent homes enjoy generous shared facilities that promote a sense of community in the context of private rented sector (PRS) tenure. These include play areas, a function room, picnic tables, allotments, a concierge service and an onsite maintenance crew. Commercial uses, which front onto the spine street, are intended for sharing with the wider community.The Arriva doorsets plays a key part in this development to create a seamless design. The Arriva system features a split-type EZYJamb®, specially designed to seamlessly integrate with finished wall constructions like stud and plasterboard. This innovative system is ideal for those seeking flush doors with an invisible door frame for a modern and integrated aesthetic.

THE PROJECTAbel Homes is an independent, family-owned business that specializing in developing energy efficient low-cost homes. Their homes are built with efficiency and style in mind, with high quality finishes, Solar PV in every home, sustainably sources materials and interior design based on low maintenance and a contemporary feel.These individual homes in Norfolk range from bungalows to 4 bedroom detached homes, all triple glazed windows as standard, flooring throughout and EPC A ratings.THE PRODUCTAbel homes wanted individual numbered mailboxes to be mounted on the walls outside of each home. This allows you to remove the letterflap from your door and create a more energy efficient home. They chose to have both the MEFA Pear and MEFA Ruby, which are both front entry and front retrieval mailboxes.These idyllic mailboxes are powder coated in the very stylish colour of Basalt Grey (RAL 7012) and all these individual mailboxes have white large vinyl lettering for easy identification for both residents and the postman.Incorporating mailboxes into individual residential homes is becoming more and more popular as we look to remove the letterflap from doors. These convenient mailboxes help towards the sustainability and energy saving goals for residential homes.

Luxury hotel The Ro, Windermere, has 87 tranquil guestrooms with case goods fabricated in EGGER H3403 ST38 White Mountain Larch, from our Feelwood range. The decor creates a finish in the rooms almost indistinguishable from solid timber, giving a high-end appearance.The Feelwood decor has been used in mixed matching materials 18mm MFC, 38mm MFC, and matching edging.APM Design's Project Director Dean McCluskey spoke to EGGER about the design scheme:"The Ro interiors throughout have been designed to reflect the tranquility of their natural park setting. White Mountain Larch was the perfect choice to create a contemporary yet soft look in the bedrooms, where guests can feel at ease."Explaining why EGGER materials were chosen, Dean told us: "The materials are excellent quality as expected from EGGER. APM have worked with EGGER for years. Their team are extremely passionate and knowledgeable about their product range, which acts as a great sounding board for ensuring material suitability."H3403 ST38 White Mountain Larch in mixed matching materials was used for wardrobes, desks, headboards, bedside tables and complementing picture and mirror frames.

Five new towers at the University of Brighton’s Moulsecoomb Campus are now protected by a fault-tolerant network of MxPro 5 fire panels from Advanced.The 13 networked MxPro 5 panels have been installed to protect the five student accommodation towers varying between eight and 18 storeys, which will provide more than 800 student bedrooms as well as ground-floor fitness facilities and amenities for the students’ union. Responsible for the fire system design, supply and commissioning were West Sussex-based Southern Fire Alarms (SFA) Ltd, who installed the equipment alongside mechanical and electrical engineers J&B Hopkins.The fire system is integrated with multiple third-party interfaces, including automatic opening vents (AOVs), sprinklers and access control. Careful consideration was given to the complex cause and effect programming that needed to be applied across the site. Each building is configured with a six-minute investigation period, with sounders on the floor of origin initiated after a single device activation. A single subsequent device activation will escalate into full evacuation of the specific tower. A master key switch has also been introduced, to allow for full evacuation of all towers if required.

Rhodes House is set in a large garden on Oxfords South Parks Road, it was designed by Herbert Baker in the 1920s and is the base for the Rhodes Trust – a charitable trust founded by imperialist Cecil Rhodes which offers scholarships to the University of Oxford.To enable the trust to more forward and offer more scholarships Stanton Williams’ set about “architecturally liberating the building, to unlock its potential as a diverse and inspiring platform for ethical, creative and courageous people across geographies, cultures and disciplines.” The project included restoring the original building as well as creating 40 ensuite bedrooms, improved office accommodation, a range of meeting spaces and a hall for 300 people in the basement.3v worked in partnership with Stanton Williams and Beard Construction to develop the perfect Ironmongery scheme to work with both the old and new elements of the building using a mixture of antique brass for refurbished areas and stainless steel for new accommodation. We also undertook an extensive review of all existing doors and hardware and upgraded hinges, closers and signage to meet current UK fire regulations. Our products work seamlessly with the architects design aspirations helping to create a wonderful collaboration of old and new.Photography: Neil Kenyon

Built on the site of Warranty House, a now demolished office building, Middle Yard is a residential development located on Dudden Hill Lane in London. The regenerative development consists of 136 new homes set back from the road, creating a much sought-after sense of privacy and space. In addition to the 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments, there is also a communal garden, pool and onsite gym for Middle Yard’s residents to enjoy.Designed by Union Developments and Lynas Smith Architects, the development was completed in 2022 and has been extremely popular amongst buyers, with multiple apartments being reserved before completion. The brick-centric homes align with the bricks’ proven record of high durability and low maintenance, and the location is extremely convenient for commuting into central London with multiple transport links extremely close by. The development is also close to a number of amenities, including schools, shops and parks.Middle Yard has provided much-needed new homes in northwest London. The timeless brick construction and eye-catching modern design have helped to regenerate an area of the city. Freshfield Lane’s eye-catching Lindfield Yellow bricks provide unmistakable character to the project and help settle it into the urban environment.

The Canaletto residential tower at 257 City Road in London is located halfway between Old Street and Angel Stations in Islington, alongside the regenerated City Road Basin. It comprises a 31-storey tower with 190 luxury one, two and three bedroom apartments built to the standards of Code 4 Sustainable Homes Level 4.The tower is concrete frame and has a curving facade of metal and glass that breaks the volume into a series of three-to-four storey clusters. In turn, each cluster contains grouped balcony terraces, which are a striking feature of the building. The balconies are of steel construction connected to the concrete frame and as always with cantilever construction elements of this nature, one of the early design considerations had to be the prevention of thermal bridging.For the high specification Canaletto project the Schöck Isokorb® T type SK offers the ideal solution. It is a concrete-to-steel connectivity module that sits between the outer and inner structural connection points and blocks the outflow of heat through the use of high quality polystyrene insulation foam. The Isokorb® T type SK provides a clean and unobtrusive connection detail, minimises on-site assembly time and enables a high level of prefabrication.

West End Gate, at 285A Edgware Road, London, is a residential development by Berkeley Group Holdings, designed by Squire & Partners. Comprising four distinct buildings around a landscaped garden square, it offers one to four-bedroom apartments and penthouses with luxurious finishes, including timber floors, custom kitchens, and marble bathrooms.West End Gate’s facade is made of a mix of materials, including brickwork, metal panels, and glazed elements, creating a striking and modern appearance. The brickwork used in the project is a key feature of the development, with a variety of patterns and textures used to create interest and depth in the facade. Michelmersh’s Hampshire Stock Downs Blend is used perfectly throughout the project, with the soft tones homogenise perfectly with Paddington Basins aged red brick while contrasting the leafy greens that surround the project and the project’s pre-existing neighbours. Throughout the day the bricks provide a warm glow to the area as the sun permeates the site, ensuring natural light is capitalised upon.The development includes 128 intermediate and socially rented apartments, with window designs matching local typology. Located near Hyde Park and Paddington Station, it boasts excellent transport links and amenities in a prime London location.

Award-winning Surrey-based firm, Fletcher Crane Architects, has specified Vandersanden’s 65mm Antro facing brick for interiors and exteriors at Tree House, an impressive, new, contemporary home in Ealing, West London. Located in a conservation area and constructed on a 12 x 12m former garage site, bounded by rear gardens, Tree House is a two-bedroom property that stands assertively against the characterful and repetitive villas in the street. Fletcher Crane has designed the home as an articulated series of volumes in a split-level arrangement of rooms around a central spine. The kitchen and living room sit on the upper storeys to make the most of natural daylight while the two bedrooms are submerged within semi-sunken floors.Boldly deployed and celebrated for the texture, variation and interest they provide, Tree House’s components are a fundamental part of the Fletcher Crane vision. Inside and outside the home, extensive use is made of three principal materials to create a naturally appealing, raw palette of black ash timber, tubular metalwork and multi-coloured Antro brick from Vandersanden.The load bearing Antro brickwork is exposed and flush-jointed with traditional lime mortar to create a unifying, almost monolithic appearance. ‘Baubuche’ structural timber joists span the brick structure, while, in the basement, the in-situ concrete frame is left bare. The central staircase is encased in ash timber panelling which is set against more curved Antro brickwork and sharp metal balustrades. Outside a sunken planted courtyard is accessed using stepped Antro brick planters and a paddle stair constructed of black cobble setts.“We like the texture, the tones and the variety that the Antro brick gives us at Tree House,” says Harry Reid, Architect at Fletcher Crane Architects. “Vandersanden offers a significant range of these light multi-coloured bricks, both in white and grey hues which are very attractive for this type of project. The company supplied us with a number of sample options for comparison and contrast, and we duly selected Antro as our brick of choice. We’re delighted with it, particularly in how the Antro brick combines with the lime mortar, and other components at Tree House to create the overall feeling of an intimate yet generous home that’s filled with light and rich in materials.”Antro is created from a combination of different clay forms which yield a grey base colour, then coated with specific sand types to bring a grained, creased texture to the brick. The clay structure evokes darker and lighter tones out of the base grey along with shades of white in the overall final appearance.For more information on Fletcher Crane Architects go to https://www.fletchercranearchitects.com/. To find out more about the bricks used in this project or to see the wide range of high-quality bricks available from Vandersanden, click on the 'View more' linkCredit: Photography by Lorenzo Zandri © 2021

Hammerson House is a large, new, innovative care home in the Hampstead Garden Suburb area of London that “will set a new standard of care for the future”, according to its owners, Nightingale Hammerson. The design reflects a luxurious hotel aesthetic rather than that of a traditional care home facility with the development featuring Ledbury hand-formed, facing bricks from Vandersanden. Renowned for their high quality, crafted appearance and texture, these multi-coloured bricks both accentuate the building’s contemporary look and also bring an attractive, natural softness to its facade.Nightingale Hammerson has served the Jewish community for over 180 years as a leading specialist in residential, nursing and palliative care. Located on Bishops Avenue and completed in Spring 2021, the Charity’s Hammerson House development offers 116 bedrooms in a modern, forward-thinking scheme. The building is balanced by two matching wings at its front and rear, with the design centred around the principles of ‘households’. This involves clusters of bedrooms for residents with supporting facilities on a domestic scale, allowing them to socialise in small groups, but then move easily to larger spaces for group activities, if they wish.The setting for Hammerson House is certainly more rural than urban, withdrawn from the avenue, in beautifully landscaped gardens, surrounded by trees. The design takes full advantage of this verdant context with the shape of the building, offering expansive views of the trees and gardens through large, rectangular glazing at multiple points.P+HS Architects developed the design from RIBA Stage 3 and specified the use of Vandersanden’s Ledbury brick, with its varied tones and texture, to ensure that Hammerson House embodies the look and feel of a luxurious hotel that fits naturally within these surroundings.“We developed a series of palette options which reflected a varied response to the client’s vision,” says Cath Lake, Director at P+HS Architects. “The softer, more rustic approach offered by the Ledbury brick, ultimately, became the client’s preferred option. As a practice, we are focused on creating positive environments for long and short-term support and care and Hammerson House will do just that. Vandersanden’s Ledbury brick has enabled us to meet the distinctive, high quality design vision within budget and the client is delighted with the result.”Ledbury is a high quality, multi-coloured brick with a sand-coated and creased structure. The base yellow colour of the brick is augmented by hues of brown, white, blue and anthracite which help to soften the Hammerson House facade as well as the covered accessible walkway at the building’s entrance. The overall effect is to sit the building comfortably, attractively and organically within its environment.To find out more about the bricks used in this project or to see the wide range of high-quality bricks available from Vandersanden, click on the 'View more' link .

The combination of old and new architecture provides unusual views and insights.This was certainly the case with the extension of the Batelease Farm owned by the Moody couple in the English county of Devon.The original Batelease Farm was built back in the 15th century and the building has been changed and extended over the centuries. Because the Batelease Farm is a Grade II listed building everything had to be approved by the responsible heritage officials.The modern extension to the old farmhouse creates a contrast between old and new and combines the two - quite literally. Because the goal wasn’t merely to create a new build - it also had to be accessible and enable barrier-free access between the old and new building.This will allow the client, a wheelchair user, to navigate between the buildings independently and to move between the centuries, so-to-speak.A glass structure connects the main house and the new build and covers two floors, including a lift. Barrier-free access has been created between the buildings on both the ground floor and the first floor. There is also an entrance and exit here, which enables the client to enter or leave the building independently at any time.A Guldmann GH1 ceiling hoist system is used in the client’s bedroom with the rail system integrated subtly into an exposed timber beam, so that the practical aid is almost invisible.

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.

THE PROJECTPaddington Exchange is a collection of 123 high specifications one, two and three bedroom apartments arranged over fourteen spacious floors developed by Taylor Wimpey Central London.The development is located in a sought after canal-side location, situated on the site of the former North Western Community School, offering easy access to a number of high-end street cafes, restaurants and shops. A wealth of transport links around the city are found at the site of the Paddington Exchange project.THE PRODUCTThe project features multiple banks of wall recessed fire rated 2 mailboxes located in the entrance lobby area. The mailboxes contain a series of features and benefits that result in a ‘one hour integrity’ rating that conforms to the BS476 Part 22 fire standards. For more information, please visit our fire rated mailbox page.The mailboxes are finished in an IGP-DURA®xal paint using a Dark Bronze – E82987 colour. Each mailbox features engraved numbering in a COPASETIC NF font on the opening flap coloured with a contrasting black infill.The banks of mailboxes are completed with a surrounding trim used to mask the join between the mailboxes and the installation wall. Large panels are used in conjunction with the banks of mailboxes which allow for easy identification of the relevant mailbox for both the residents and postal delivery workers.

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.

Located near Highgate in North London, the Chester Balmore project consists of three elegant brick-clad blocks, housing a contemporary collection of 53 super-insulated one, two and three-bedroom flats, all set around a landscaped courtyard. The development is designed to achieve Code for Sustainable Homes Level 4 and the high levels of insulation employ good use of solar and internal heat gains, plus excellent air tightness and minimal thermal bridges. It is claimed that the air tightness on the Chester Balmore development is around twenty times better than that required by Building Regulations.Preventing thermal bridging along the parapets was a critical consideration for such a high performance development, because as with balconies, parapets can allow conductive materials to transfer energy through the thermal barrier. Conventionally, in the majority of cases, the method of insulating parapets and parapet walls is to wrap the perimeter of the wall with an insulation barrier. However, the Schöck Isokorb® T type A offers a cost-effective and more thermally efficient alternative. Its 60mm insulation thickness results in low psi-values and therefore significantly reduces heat loss – and there is no wrapping required. It offers a more sophisticated construction opportunity for greater freedom of design and offers flexible distance between elements according to load requirements.

Belle Vue is a 5,700 square metre retirement community of 60 one and two-bedroom apartments in Hampstead, designed by Morris+Company. It’s surrounded by carefully landscaped gardens and manicured courts, with which it offers a communal environment for its residents.Inside the feeling of community is continued with a restaurant, cafe, library, spa, gym, lounges and activity rooms. All are thoughtfully considered to ensure the residents are catered for in all ways. Journeys throughout the project are open to communal areas as well for further social considerations.Due to Belle Vue’s surroundings, Floren.be’s Avorio brick was used to retain a similar, but a visually distinct homage to the brick structures in the multiple local conservation areas. The lightness and fluctuating tonality of the red Avorio allows the building to appear as light and airy externally as it is inside, due to its large windows, open plan layouts and community spaces.With a clientele whose average age is around 77, it’s insightful that Pegasus Life Pegasus Lifestory chose to hire from architectural practices who had no previous experience in the retirement sector. Modern sentiments are clearly visible throughout, but care and consideration are shown to its inhabitants where a calm environment is melded with the benefits of inner-city living.Belle Vue was recently shortlisted for the 2022 RIBA London awards.

The pinnacle of luxury living, 250 City Road in Islington features stunning 1–3-bedroom apartments in one of London’s most sought-after locations. Residents are offered such benefits as exclusive membership to world-class spa facilities, featuring a 20-metre pool, and a perfect environment for rest, inspiration, and productivity, ranging from a luxurious screening room to a reading room and business lounge.Designed by Foster + Partners with the vision of transforming a business park into a distinctive landmark location for Islington, the project is a development by Berkeley Group.In true RYNO fashion, we worked very closely with the team at Berkeley to provide non-combustible paving supports to this very high-end development project. The pedestals used on the balconies are our fully adjustable, self-levelling RPA-FRs with built-in lockable slope-correction, supporting (450x450x40mm) granite pavers.The roof terraces which offer a stunning view of the city and canal basin were supplied with our TerraSmart Rail Paving System supporting granite paving and blending perfectly with the soft landscaping of the entire project.To top it all, 250 City Road is just a short walk from Clerkenwell and our Studio, which is where architects and specifiers can get hand-on with the our systems including the one used in this project.

Project DetailProject: Red Cow Moran HotelLocation: Dublin, IrelandProduct: TS 9205 Door closersProject DescriptionThe Red Cow Moran 4 star Hotel in Dublin is recognised as one of the most conveniently situated Hotels, located at the Red Cow Intersection which is the gateway to Ireland’s provinces.One of the best located Hotels in Dublin just off the M50 and N7, the Red Cow Moran Hotel is accessible from all parts of the country, in addition to Dublin City Centre, Dublin Airport and Heuston and Connolly train stations.Maintaining a prominent position it has recently being upgraded to increase it’s capacity in many areas. Facilities for conferences, events, weddings, business meetings and many more 4* Bedrooms with en-suits make it a very affordable hotel.The Red Cow Moran Dublin Hotel boasts luxury hotel accommodation in Dublin, and therefore a choice the TS 9205 highly engineered Door Closer was a must for all ages to operate. With it’s easy to open, soft close abilities, vary power adjustments made it an essential item on the different sized doors and door ways.When it comes to door controls for ease of access and re known high engineering Rutland Trading Co Ltd have your interest at heart.

Albion Way, Brent is a stunning new 15-floor accommodation building for 245 students on behalf of Watkin Jones. Dorplan supplied a total of 484 doors with ironmongery using our exclusive ‘Expa-fit’ system which reduces fitting time by around 30% per door.Most of the doors, in a beautiful crown-cut oak veneer, were bedroom entrance doors. These needed to be specially recessed to accommodate access control locks, for which Dorplan worked alongside access control company TLJ. Also part of the project were fire compartment corridor doors and doors for the ground-floor communal area. All doors were matched to meet the design brief and were delivered in phases over 6 months.This project is the latest in a series of buildings Dorplan has supplied for Watkin Jones and we are looking forward to our next project with them, a new student accommodation building in Wilder Street, Bristol.Watkin Jones project manager, Elliott Robinson, said: “Rob and the team at Dorplan have been great to deal with from start to finish. Having worked with Dorplan on a number of projects, I have been very impressed with the level of expertise offered. From original enquiry to delivery, Dorplan have given intelligent advice and excellent service.”