"green wall"

The University of Winchester programmed the upgrade of 63 student en-suite showers and toilet facilities for their halls of residence through the 2014 summer vacation period over an eight-week program. The walls were covered with tiling. The grout was difficult to clean and the tiles were showing signs of age which required regular repair. It was decided to renew areas with materials that would give long life, reduce maintenance costs and above all make it much easier for the cleaning teams to accomplish their tasks quickly and effectively.

Yeoman Shield engaged with Equans and The Mid Yorkshire NHS Trust to continue to improve the lifecycle of wall coverings in key areas of Pinderfields Hospital.Previously Yeoman Shield Imagery wall protection panels had been installed on the lower section of walls in the gate areas of the hospital. These panels perfectly replicated the design of the wallpaper which was becoming damaged and starting to look unkempt.Showing to be successful in fending off impact damage, scratching, and marking the decision was taken to repeat the same process to the upper part of the wallpapered walls.Yeoman Shield’s team copied images and dimensions from the printed pattern on the original wall covering taking care to align the top and bottom graphics.The designs were programmed into Yeoman Shield’s in-house CNC machine then cut from Yeoman Shield’s 2.0 mm Falmouthex protection panels and fitted together to emulate the design and colourways.The panels were installed by Yeoman Shield’s fixing operatives to provide a decorative, hygienic, and impact-resistant covering that remains true to the original design brief. Minimising future redecoration and repair requirements, the panels will assist in reducing maintenance budgets providing a long-lasting, durable solution to impact damage.Richard Bebb, Equans Lifecycle Manager commented, “The Yeoman Shield fixing team were great and worked well and with respect in live areas and we are very pleased with the product and finished installation.”

St Rollox church of Glasgow recently moved into a brand new, £2.5m community hub, with vibrant design and space flexibility at its heart. Partitioning experts Style was specified to install two semi-automatic moveable walls, allowing the main worship area to be opened out for large services or to be divided for smaller gatherings. The Activity Space can be subdivided to host different events including education and craft classes, exhibitions and concerts. Complementing the exciting interior décor, one moveable wall is double-glazed to maximise natural daylight whilst the other celebrates life, bringing sunshine into the space with brightly coloured solid panels.

Decorative wall linings from the Pendock Linea building linings range are being used at 2 Ruskin Square in Croydon, to conceal mechanical details surrounding a ground floor feature wall & fire curtain, while also providing a consistent finish to lift lobbies on each level of the 10 storey building.Designed by architects, Allford Hall Monaghan Morris, the building provides 340,000 square feet of office space and incorporates retail units at ground level. The bespoke wall linings are manufactured from 3mm thick aluminium with a RAL 8022 finish and were also installed by Pendock using a concealed panel hanging system.

Providing an aesthetically impressive divide that is also intensely practical, Style has installed a DORMA Moveo operable wall system in the boardroom of major fund advisor, Dimensional. With 55dB acoustics this semi-automatic moveable wall offers exceptional privacy when closed, allowing concurrent meetings to run either side, completely undisturbed. Perfectly complimenting the interior décor of this prestigious office, the panels have a chic fabric finish with a sophisticated dark timber skirting. As DORMA’s exclusive UK partner, Style is able to offer the very best choice of moveable wall systems from a global, market leading manufacturer.

Tobermore’s Secura Grand Retaining Wall facilitated the creation of a new shared-use route in Edinburgh. Secura Grand is used as a retaining wall system which also supports a bridge used for walking and cycling. This new path provides a safe, fun and convenient route around the City for pedestrians and cyclists alike. The vital community link connects the Shore in Leith with Portobello Promenade. The route forms part of the City of Edinburgh Council’s Family Network as set out in the Active Travel Action Plan.

Installation of our MG500 flush glazed sliding folding door system to create an L shaped flexible space over looking London. Panel Profiles powder coated white to match the interior design for the client, with the panel profiles being able to be powder coated to any RAL finish this system is a great option to blend in to any office design. Particularly desirable for office spaces, our MG500 hinged sliding folding glazed wall partitions and glass movable walls offer multiple benefits to your workspace and for your employees. The benefit of the MG500 is that we require no structural support within the ceiling meaning this product can be installed anywhere. With the slim back painted border you have clear view visual lines allowing a superior light flow around the office, cost-effective installation, flexibility in the work environment as well as the simple fact that they look elegant and classy. Not only these, but they also offer exceptional sound reduction allowing for privacy to be had amongst clients or for important internal meetings. The hidden hinges allows us to create a smooth Wall, with no interferences. We worked to achieve a high aesthetic level and produce a architectural product for demanding spaces.

Martello Park in Pembroke, South Wales, is one of the latest developments crafted by Persimmon Homes. The housebuilder faced challenges with this project in sourcing a housebuilding product that would blend with the traditional surroundings and vintage charm of Pembroke. That was until Tobermore introduced Persimmon Homes to Country Stone Walling – an attractive yet cost-effective alternative to natural stone

Calming and practical spaces created for neurodiverse residentsIssueA unique housing concept was created on the Foxcote housing development in Heald Green by Bloor Homes and Stockport MBC in partnership with MSV Housing Association and Lifeways care provider. The house was to provide fully adapted, independent living accommodation for young people with autism, learning difficulties and mental health issues.Built on land sold by the Seashell Trust, the house was designed as a single supported dwelling, providing living spaces for three young adults with neurodiverse needs.The home needed to convey a biophilic feeling of space and light, with muted tones and earthy colours.ApproachMSV Housing Association, Sara Darwin of Phi Architects and the parent of one of the young adults worked hand-in-hand to create a specification for the build that considered all requirements. This included a connected, welcoming, shared living, dining and kitchen space that could be separated as and when needed, individual homely bedrooms, a calm and soothing sensory room, safe and hygienic bathrooms and kitchen area – all of which were anti-pick, reduced transference of noise and provided ease of cleaning.SolutionIn the dining and kitchen area, Altro Wood Comfort in colour Aged Oak was specified bringing a biophilic feel into the open areas. The bathrooms were furnished with Altro Whiterock Satins in colour Linen, Altro Whiterock Digiclad (Custom) walls with an underwater theme, and Altro Pisces safety floor in colour Cuttlefish. Altro Pisces was also specified for the individual toilet. Altro Wood Comfort provided comfort and sound reduction throughout the house in the bedrooms, sensory room, and hallways.Altro Whiterock is the hygienic alternative to tiles that’s impact resistant, grout-free and easy to clean.Altro Whiterock Digiclad (Custom) walls give you the ‘wow’ factor in the simplest way. Great for areas where looks count, for feature walls, entire spaces, and to aid with wayfinding, Altro custom walls are ideal for a huge variety of public spaces.Altro Pisces provides superb performance whether wet or dry, in shoes or barefoot in wet environments where the likelihood of a slip is very high.Altro Wood Comfort offers aesthetics combined with comfort and safety. It’s an ideal choice for areas that need to look good while helping to give comfort underfoot.

This Aluminium 'Simplicity' Corrugated Wall Pannelling System has been installed into an Office Reception Area.Finished in both Natural Anodised and white Powder Coating, these interlocking profiles have created a modern, sleek feature.

Having purchased the lands from the Golf Club, Cosgrave Developments wanted to ensure the natural contours of the existing grounds were maintained when building the public amenity park – Honeypark – which is the centrepiece of their development.As a focal meeting point the area contained mature parklands with a man-made lake and childrens play area as the main attraction. With this area being lower in the development a safe, durable and visually pleasing design was needed, Mick Cosgrave chose AG’s Ground TerraPave® natural aggregate flags to meet the specification, with its durable finish and low slip resistance it met all the safety criteria for this major walkway.When laid it’s visually impressive surface draws you to the central focal point of the scheme. To improve safety for the visually impaired AG’s smooth bullnose kerbs setts were used to form the numerous step details complimenting the smooth crisp clean appearance of the paving and flags.The main green space areas also had sloping contours where soil retention was needed to aid structural integrity and drainage, AG’s Vertica Retaining Wall system was selected. The low rise walls meet the engineering specification whilst the choice of colour was in line with the design choice for the scheme. The unique split level design also provided a natural amphitheatre and seating area for the residents, the low level of the walling kept in mind the safety aspects for younger children in the area.In the main residential areas Cosgrave Developments choose AG’s River Stone Blackwater paving for the parking bay areas. Unique in its design due to its undulating face finish this new product has the key benefits of smooth paving, tight joints and an extra sparkle due to the addition of natural granite chippings. Technically its ideal for the durability and hard wearing required to take parked vehicular traffic over long periods of time

TJX Europe’s landmark new headquarters in the centre of Watford demonstrates how Biotecture’s living walls can transform urban landscapes and create an architectural feature to stunning effect. Standing at 12 storeys high, it is one of the tallest buildings in Watford and features over 620 square metres of living wall, positioned internally and externally both at ground level and with multiple elevations, including a seventh-floor roof terrace. The living wall was installed nearly a year ahead of the the project handover and will contribute to the target BREEAM 'Excellent' rating.

Style has won the coveted Contractor’s Gold award yet again at this year's FIS awards.It makes it the 13th time that Style has won the top award, and with 5 silver accolades also under its belt, Style has won an incredible 18 times during its 24 year history.The award was presented at a gala dinner at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London, with Julian Sargent, Style’s group managing director, picking up the award for Style’s creation of flexible office space at Reckitt Benckiser in Slough.To deliver room flexibility at Reckitts, Style installed a combination of Skyfold, vertically rising, fully automatic, acoustic moveable walls and a Dorma Hüppe Variflex semi-automatic moveable wall, all with impressive 59dB acoustic ratings.Read the full case study of the award-winning installation“We are thrilled to have won the gold award for another year,” said Julian, “and this is a tribute to everyone who works at Style and their incredible professionalism and dedication.“What makes this award even more special is the Skyfold we installed at Reckitt Benckiser was our 300th in the UK market, which goes to show how demand is soaring for this world-class operable wall. If anyone hasn’t seen a Skyfold in action it is worth visiting the videos section of our website as it looks incredible as it descends smoothly into position from a cavity in the ceiling.“I’d like to thank everyone at Style who has worked so hard to make Skyfold such a success, and as market leader we look forward to continuing to offer even better moveable wall solutions for all requirements and budgets across multiple market sectors.”For more information please contact your nearest regional Style office

Working directly with St. Jude’s Academy in Wolverhampton, leading operable wall specialist Style installed a moveable wall to separate a dual-purpose classroom. Dramatically improving the use of space, the sliding partitioning system allows teachers the flexibility to quickly reconfigure the classroom from a single large teaching/activity space into two smaller classrooms that can operate side-by-side. Following the installation, Style was also appointed as the servicing and repair agent for this and five other moveable walls within the school. Routine servicing will protect the school’s investment by ensuring smooth and safe operation of each wall.

Saffron Health medical centre has successfully created highly adaptable space where doctors, nurses and other staff can run meetings and training sessions. Working with P&HS Architects and Wildgoose Construction, partitioning experts Style installed two manually operated Dorma Hüppe Variflex ML100 moveable wall systems, allowing the area to be quickly divided into up to three small rooms, as required. This capital investment will deliver a good return in the long run, saving money by accommodating several meetings at one time, avoiding the need to hire external training rooms or to pay for staff to travel to other medical centres.

Plants bring a new dimension to an otherwise dull and lacklustre indoor environment. Desk, shelf and window space does not always allow for houseplants though – but that should never limit the options – there’s the wall space too! Leaf colour, floral interest – plants can bring warmth,visual impact and a welcoming backdrop for employees and visitors in the form of a LivePicture living art wall frame. LivePicture adds nature to any office.

Architects Gradolí & Sanz designed Imagine Montessori School in Paterna, Valencia with a brief to minimise energy use throughout the lifespan of the building. As a result, the school is the first in Spain to achieve both BREEAM Excellent and GREEN 4 Leaves. Set within a pine forest, accessed through wooden walkways, the school forms a connection with nature at every level. In classrooms where learning zones are accessed freely by the children, the use of timber on both walls and floors sustain the relationship with nature and acts as a peaceful, unifying backdrop. Junckers’ Oak Variation two-strip flooring was matched by wood panelling in pine. The building makes use of building materials with the lowest ecological footprint. The design and carefully selected materials have enabled an energy saving of 70% being achieved compared to similar buildings. Wood, a material with a low carbon footprint, is used in the structure of the building, in the roof panel as well as in interior and exterior enclosures. All Junckers solid wood floors are FSC® and PEFC™ certified and we have recently completed EPDs for all our floors, providing data in relation to the environmental impact of the manufacture of our flooring. 

The Challenge To install an attractive retaining wall solution that complements the beautiful landscaping. Richmond Care Village in Evesham comprises of a 60-bed care home for nursing and dementia care, 46 assisted living suites and 61 independent living apartments. The development is designed within the Richmond Care Villages model of luxury retirement accommodation and includes facilities such as a bar, restaurants, library, wellness spa with pool and gym all set in beautifully landscaped grounds. This luxury retirement village needed a retaining wall with considerable aesthetic appeal. The landscape design was carefully formulated to make a major commitment to the restoration and conservation of the landscape on the original Wood Norton estate. Groundworker R O’Donaghey was tasked with proposing a retention solution that could facilitate curves, corners, stepping down and railings. The project team had considered Gabion Baskets but decided that they would detract from the beautiful surrounding landscaping.

A dated conservatory area is transformed by Breezefree with a retractable glass roof and polycarbonate curtain walling. Nagan Johnson Architects approached Breezefree to refurbish a dated conservatory area as part of the fit-out of the Cuban restaurant group’s second site in London’s Smithfield district. The brief required a modern retractable glass roof, to replace the old lean-to rooflight, and translucent curtain walling, to replace the dilapidated brick walls and windows...

Newcastle University’s Frederick Douglass Centre is a £34 million flagship teaching facility. Seating in the impressive stepped auditorium is maximised thanks to Style’s installation of a world-first, bespoke set of moveable wall systems, dividing the room into two separate lecture halls, seating 500 and 250 students. Style worked in close collaboration with Sheppard Robson, and Sir Robert McAlpine, to design a solution that is fully automatic, concurrently moving a double skin of Dorma Hüppe sliding wall panels, up through the tiered seating. The final installation surpasses the client’s demands for acoustic privacy between divided areas.

Use of NyRock Cavity Slab 032 wall insulation in a full fill application.

Designed throughout for adaptability, space at the new Emily Wilding Davison building, Royal Holloway University, benefits from the installation of numerous moveable wall systems. Partitioning experts Style, worked closely with contractor, Geoffrey Osbourne, and Associated Architects to assist and advise on the design, bringing practical, aesthetic and cost-saving benefits to the project. Demonstrating Style’s extensive portfolio, the final arrangement involved a 50 dB Rw DORMA glass wall in a seminar room, a DORMA Variflex system on which art can be displayed, two 56dB Rw acoustic DORMA moveable walls and a 46dB Rw folding wall dividing meeting/ training rooms.

Split-level stainless steel sinktops and splashbacks were specified in the educational visitor area as well as to the baby-change units and washrooms.20mm edge (7) provide a clean and simple aesthetic and the the worktops include integrated sink bowls Le50. Splashbacks were added for additional durability and functionality. All in EN 1.4301 grade brushed satin stainless steel.

The designer obtained consent under the latest SuDS regulations in the densely build area of London. Restriction on outflow rates to sewers demanded high attenuation. The original design for stormwater attenuation involved discharging tanks under the ground. This was expensive and took up valuable space, an alternative was required. ABG proposed their Blueroof system which could be installed directly on to the hot melt waterproofing system allowing various surface finishes. Due to height limitations a cascade system was used. Various roof finishes included paved access, landscaped areas and bio diverse to attract wildlife. This increased the potential for BREEAM points.

Derbigum + BluRoof = Sustainable Drainage Solutions Mitigate your risks with Alumasc BluRoofs Think Stormwater Management - Derbigum BluRoof SolutionsA 5-minute hop from Cardiff Queen Street and you’ll find the first blue roof in Wales. Upon what was formerly 1960’s office accommodation the Cromwell House site has been transformed into an 8 storey, 120-bedroom easyHotel with a rooftop stormwater management system. OUR DESIGN PROCESSOur clients at Carter Lauren Construction were interested in learning about the benefits of a blue roof to meet planning conditions. ” Working in a compact city centre environment where ground attenuation was not possible, it made sense to install a blue roof. The Alumasc team demonstrated how their BluRoof System attenuates stormwater via controlled discharge over a 24-hour period at roof level.” Kevin Jenkins, Surveying Director, Carter Lauren Construction. CLIENT BRIEF AND DESIGNWorking closely with the appointed consulting engineer and architect, our team of technical experts designed a solution for stormwater attenuation to comply with planning and meet all other project objectives. Alumasc’s Matt Davies, Area Technical Manager - Mid, West & South Wales commented, “Given the urban location, the Alumasc BluRoof system was the perfect fit in providing a fully warranted single-source waterproofing and sustainable drainage solution.”The Alumasc technical team provided a full specification service and specialist drainage design using key data from the project brief. By incorporating our BBA Accredited Derbigum APP polymer modified bituminous waterproofing system the longevity of the total solution is assured with a proven track record since 1967. Other key components comprise of a BluRoof geotextile filter fabric, BluRoof interlocking void former, flow control outlets, and overflow system.ENVIRONMENTALLY FOCUSSED SOLUTIONExtreme weather events are now the new normal, says the World Meteorological Organisation. Our rainfall patterns are becoming increasingly unpredictable, and we must plan accordingly to adapt the built environment to help alleviate flood risk. PARTNERSHIPWorking with the contractor to construct the first blue roof in Wales. Kevin Jenkins, Surveying Director, Carter Lauren Construction, “Matt and the Alumasc team were available throughout the design and installation process. We knew that installing the BluRoof by Alumasc was the right decision for the future of the easyHotel and the benefit to reduce pressure off the drains.” SAFETY PERFORMANCEThe easyHotel has a 35-year warranty for the works and life expectancy of up to 50 years.ABOUTEasy Hotel Cromwell House, Cardiff - Wales’s first blue roof. Completion: Spring 2021 Main Contractor: Carter Lauren Construction Architect: Axiom Architects 

Stow House is a boutique bed and breakfast set in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales. They had the Topseal waterproofing roofing system installed and a sedum roof to finish the new extension.

We are delighted to share that our Climate Resilient Schools program in partnership with the Greater London Authority, the Department for Education, and Thames Water, received recognition at the prestigious Flood and Coast Awards. This accolade is a testament to the effectiveness and innovation of our approach to climate resilience. We are grateful for the opportunity to contribute to London's sustainability goals and support the city's commitment to addressing climate change.At Meristem Design, we are proud to have been awarded the prestigious Climate Resilient Schools contract by the Greater London Authority (GLA). Our mission was to design, build, and install 564 SuDS Rain Planters across London's most flood-prone schools. In collaboration with the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, the Department for Education, and Thames Water, our aim was to enhance the resilience of these schools in London, ensuring they are better prepared to face the challenges posed by climate change. Through this project, we aimed to create sustainable, climate-resilient environments while educating children on the importance of nature in combatting global warming.FOCUSING ON FLOOD-PRONE SCHOOLSThe Climate Resilient Schools project focuses on schools that are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Priority is given to the top 10 percent of schools facing the highest surface water flood risk and falling within the most severe bands of the Climate Risk Map. Flooding can have a devastating impact on schools, as was evidenced in the summer of 2007 when extensive flooding in England led to widespread school closures, resulting in a staggering loss of 400,000 pupil school days and an estimated economic cost of £12 million.Outlined below are the key elements of the program along with a list of participating schools:SuDS Rain Planters: To mitigate flood risk, 72 schools have received 564 Sustainable Drainage System (SuDS) rain planters. These planters effectively capture rainwater from rooftops, providing a dual benefit of flood reduction and supporting biodiversity. The feedback from schools has been overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing satisfaction with their SuDS rain planters. In fact, one enthusiastic Year 2 student, while participating in the planting process, expressed their aspiration to become a gardener in the future.Smarter Business Visits: Thames Water's Smarter Business Visits program offers free assessments to identify leaks and install water-efficient fittings in schools. Measures such as tap restrictors, urinal sensors, and conversion from single-flush to dual-flush toilets have been implemented in 28 schools.Weather Stations and Educational Resources: To monitor the effectiveness of the SuDS rain planters, weather stations with loggers have been installed in 24 schools. This network of weather stations is one of the most extensive in any school system. Further details and data regarding this project can be accessed on the FreeStation website.Climate Adaptation Plans: Bespoke climate adaptation plans have been provided to 60 schools to assist in identifying potential measures for future implementation, aimed at addressing the risks associated with a changing climate and extreme weather events. Each school underwent a survey to determine high-risk areas within their premises, following which appropriate measures and interventions were suggested. Examples of such measures include green roofs or window shading to mitigate overheating. The SuDS planters have proven to be a remarkable success, as they operate autonomously without requiring additional watering. The flourishing plants, nurtured by harvested rainwater, have delighted the children involved in the planting process. As part of the team at Meristem Design, we are proud to have contributed to the fabrication of the SuDS planters and the successful delivery of this project.

Moveable walls are a vital resource for the hospitality sector as they immediately enable businesses to increase revenue by using the same space for more events. Clearly demonstrating how a partitioning system can offer an excellent return on investment, Crown Banqueting, a lavish Asian wedding venue, recently worked with operable wall specialist Style to design and install a sophisticated partitioning system to their expansive event space. Delivering excellent acoustic privacy between divided areas, the sliding wall panels can be quickly manoeuvred into place, allowing Crown Banqueting to successfully cater for up to 700 guests split between two separate areas

Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council headed the plans to regenerate Bedlinog Square in Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales, in 2015. The construction contract for the £300,000 project, which was part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Government, was awarded to Alun Griffiths. As a public realm initiative, the choice of hard landscaping materials was a significant factor in achieving the aesthetics envisioned for the scheme. Already familiar with the quality paving and walling range available at Tobermore, Alun Griffiths had trust in Tobermore products. The contractor was not disappointed as Tobermore provided a full paving, kerb and step solution that created an attractive, modern new look at Bedlinog Square.

As part of a £1.7m investment, Loughborough University recently remodelled Quorn Hall into an impressive 560-seat lecture theatre. Adding functionality to the new facility, Style was contracted to install a 57dB Dorma Hüppe Variflex ComfortDrive moveable wall system with fully automatic operation, allowing the vast space to be divided into two separate areas. A complex project, Style was specified by Core Architects to design a system that not only accommodated the exceptionally high ceiling but that also incorporated the stepped-rise of the seating.

After standing vacant for some years, the iconic Tower Gardens Pavilion in Skegness has been completely refurbished to create a multi-use council facility. Delivering flexibility to the main hall, partitioning expert Style was contracted to install a Dorma Hüppe Variflex moveable wall, successfully creating one large and one smaller room that can accommodate two events running concurrently. A sustainable and cost-effective option, the Variflex elements are manufactured separately to the frame, which means only panel facings need to be changed in the future, to match a new interior décor for example, or if one becomes damaged.

In 2020, Hewlett Packard Enterprises relocated to The 210 Building, an inspiring office development in the heart of Winnersh Triangle. Working with architects, Perkins and Will, and BW Construction, Style was specified to create an extensive range of flexible space within the meeting rooms as well as a chic, collaborative working environment.Using a combination of 52dB Dorma Hüppe semi-automatic Variflex glass moveable walls, 55dB solid semi-automatic Variflex moveable walls and Style’s ingenious ‘working wall’ pivot panels, a supremely flexible and stylish training and meeting suite has been created. Hewlett Packard employees enjoy a contemporary environment with the freedom to rapidly change room configuration as often as required. The 210 Building offers 62,000 sq ft of newly refurbished office space, of which 31,000 sq ft has been let to Hewlett Packard Enterprise. Aiming to enhance the work/life balance of employees and staff located in the Winnersh Triangle, the Park offers a plethora of amenities including fitness facilities, cafes, open spaces for walking and cycling, an on-site nursery and even its own dedicated railway station. “This is a stunning installation,” said Julian Sargent, Style’s group managing director. “Everything about it is first class, making this a project we’re incredibly proud of.“The Variflex moveable walls offer top-end acoustic integrity, which means meetings and training sessions can take place undisturbed. The combination of glass and solid panels deliver a wonderful blend of privacy and transparency, while bringing a light and airy feel to the floor space.“The mix of fabric and writeable white board finishes offer a chic interior design yet a practical one too, and the pivot panels offer the perfect solution for collaborative working and break out groups.”Style’s agile, floating panel ‘working walls’ remove the usual barriers of meeting and training rooms, segregated work desks and cubicles, instead offering companies a space where individuals can group together, team up quickly on projects, share ideas and change their environment to suit the task in hand.

A retaining wall was the perfect solution at Meadowbank Sports Arena for resisting pressures from the heightened land beside the running track as well as creating a safe boundary area for the outdoor facilities on site.

A systematic approach of arresting and reducing the flow of water within a cavity wall prior to any change in status of that wall helps balance demands on damp protection measures. In the case of a circular window passing through a curved cavity wall, protecting against damp ingress is easily achieved using a preformed Type K cavitray. The preformed Cavitray is curved to match the wall. Conventional flat material or roll material cannot uniformly match the radius of a wall.

Yeoman Shield protection panels have been a great success at Springwell School in Hartlepool. The environment is safe, nurturing and stimulating, so that every child reaches their full potential with the help of Yeoman Shield products.Yeoman Shield protection panels have been an un-mitigating success at Springwell School in Hartlepool.The school caters for children aged 3 to 11 years who have a broad range of specialist needs and the vibrant and busy spaces can suffer from impact damage caused by the everyday activities of the students and staff.To counteract such damage and to keep the classroom and communal areas looking clean and welcoming the school have previously utilized Yeoman Shield FalmouthEx Wall and Door Protection Panels.Site Manager, Dean Henson commented “We already have Yeoman Shield protection panels on walls and doors in areas around the school, including the hall which can be used for many things ranging from a dining hall to activities hall. The panels have been in place for around 5 to 6 years and still look as good as new.”Having proved to be long lasting and durable the school decided to bring Yeoman Shield installers back during the February half term to continue the wall protection panels throughout corridors.Yeoman Shield 2.0mm thick FalmouthEx protection panels were supplied on this occasion in attractive mid grey and lilac colours with the addition of a waved top giving a decorative feel to the walls.Manufactured from a non- porous rigid PVCu the protection panels are not only easy to clean but are inherently hygienic as they do not promote the growth of bacteria or mould.As recognised by Springwell School the implementation of wall and door protection systems can reduce the amount of time and money spent on the repair and re-decoration of wall and doors throughout the buildings, extending the lifecycle of the interior decor.

Facade systems from Technal helped the University of Leeds to set a new benchmark for student accommodation in the city. More than 3,00sqm of Technal glazing systems for the Charles Morris Halls were fabricated and installed, and the £21m student halls of residence comprises of two half-hexagon buildings sited around a central landscaped courtyard, providing 457 hotel-style study bedrooms.The challenging glazing specification involved the construction of large oriel glazing bays that project 300mm in front of the cladding, and contrasting projecting bays to the corners of the two buildings. The oriel bays provide a different architectural feature and an alternative to more conventional recessed panels of glazing. The floor to ceiling glazed units, which maximise natural light were constructed using aluminium curtain walling inset with top-hung casement windows. These were fabricated and installed into the bays in more than 30 different sizes to create a less regimented appearance for the building envelope. Laminated glass with coloured interlayers adds further interest to each facade - in panels of green where the glazing is set into red brickwork on the external elevations and orange for the courtyard elevations to complement the cream-coloured brick cladding. Long runs of curtain walling using 1500mm modules enclose the common room and the link bridge between the two accommodation blocks. The window units in the common room are linked to the air conditioning system, which allows them to open automatically according to CO2 levels. All other opening units on this scheme are operated by low-level levers to allow anyone, regardless of any disability to open the windows.