"glass"

The brief for the Aquatics Centre in Aberdeen, Scotland – a joint venture between the University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen City Council and sportscotland – was extremely demanding. Sustainability was put at the forefront of the design. The specification included the awardwinning Cabrillant shower cubicles, plus the versatile, durable Marathon range of Conform cubicles and Wet lockers. The locker doors are manufactured from toughened and laminated glass, which allowed the architect to incorporate quality normally associated with high-end health clubs without compromising safety of use within this heavy traffic public facility.

The Research and Translation Hub at Imperial College, London forms the centrepiece for the innovation district in White City. The completed design for the central atrium wholly pushed the boundaries of performance glazing. Planet AG worked with PLP Architecture to ensure the project stayed commercially viable whilst maintaining the desired impressive design. Curved glass, which reached up to 3.4 metres tall on floors 2-6 and a staggering 5 metres tall on the ground floor had to be heat soaked toughened and was up to 25.5mm thick to support the weight.

Invited to design a steam room for a traditional country farmhouse, with clean, modern convenience, Helo joined with specialist local building contractor, Leon Developments, to create a luxurious, practical Turkish bath for all the family to enjoy. Using subtle contours throughout to create a relaxing environment and ensure natural dispersal of condensation, the room was given a very open and airy feeling with the use of an extra wide safety glass door. This provides a view of the beautifully designed country bathroom from the comfort of full width mosaic tiled benches.

In 2015 the health suite at the Pendle Wavelengths Leisure Centre was destroyed by fire leaving just a shell. Helo re-designed the space with the original experiences to comply with the like for like insurance requirements but were also able to make huge improvements in the aesthetics of the rooms and space. We used wide glass fronts to the thermal rooms and showers. This created a spacious feel and expressed the finishes within each room. The open feeling allows bathers to gauge occupancy levels at a glance and therefore feel comfortable in their choice of thermal experience.

The Experimentarium museum in Hellerup, Denmark has been listed as one of the ‘Greatest Places to visit 2018’ by Time Magazine. Following an extensive renovation, guests can now dive into a virtual submarine safari, zoom in on the world of microorganisms or travel through the Tunnel of Senses to explore sight, touch, smell and sound. Here, architects CEBRA have specified Troldtekt wood wool panelling extensively throughout. These panels, in white and grey, counterpoint the museum’s raw and industrial feel and contrast with the design elements of the copper, aluminium and glass.

Established in Eastbourne over 130 years ago, W.Bruford is proud of its reputation for exceptional service, exclusive choice and attention to detail. They are recognised as a prestigious jewellers and pride themselves in offering the highest quality products and services. We wanted to do their brand justice by working closely with them to make their vision for their entrance come to light.Project Year: 2019Product: ASSA ABLOY SL500 Transparent Sliding DoorProject Background: Having worked with Innovare Design on their shopfront redesign, the client approached us to request a bi-parting all glass automatic door with side screens and pocket screens, and for the operator to sit above the ceiling and be the closest match to the bronze finish on their sign. As a high end jewellery store, both security and a clean and sleek look, were priorities for the entrance.Solution:FAAC Entrance Solutions installed the SL500 Transparent sliding door four panel system and finished the operator cover in a 50% gloss Light Bronze RAL Finish. The pocket screens were replaced by flush mounted EN16005 compliant safety presence detecting sensors which together with the 10.8mm glass and a dotted manifestation, contributed to an elegant yet safe entrance. We integrated mechanical bolt floor locks, and first-entry switch and last-exit push buttons for the use of staff. For more information or assistance with any project, please contact enquiries.esuk@faactechnologies.com where we can provide expert guidance and detailed documentation.

As business evolves and requirements change in our fast-paced world, Movawall Systems Ltd continue to bring ground breaking, intuitive products to the industry and pride ourselves in being able to create unique and bespoke systems for all our clients, whatever the application. One of our latest projects which has been installed and tested has made us particularly proud and set a new standard in acoustic movable walls.The requirements on this project were clear and simple with very specific needs for one of the leading pharmaceutical companies and we were going to tackle it head on. A movable acoustic wall with radiation protection for a research and testing environment needing to maximise flexibility while still offering the safety and protection required in a radiology environment.Our Type 100SE semi-electrically operated movable wall was developed and tailor-made for this requirement; with X-Ray protection and specialised seals to ensure the ground-breaking radiation protection and acoustic levels would be achieved. Each wall weighed in the region of circa 6 tons and the top hung system was fitted with our Type “K“ track which allows for remote and varied stacking locations. The walls varied in width and height but were all finished in Rigato Formica laminate with aluminium protective edge trims. The vision panels in the pass doors were fitted with Med-X type single glazed glass between two layers of 4mm thick toughened glass.

ChallengeThe project, at Winston Court in North Walsham, is organised by Benjamin’s Building Company, part of The Benjamin Foundation. Benjamin’s Building Company is a social enterprise that works to create homes, training and employment opportunities for vulnerable people. The ambitious venture will see the development of four, self-contained accommodation units. Seeking help in this task, The Benjamin Foundation turned to CRASH for assistance in locating suppliers and materials.SolutionKnauf Insulation donated 24 rolls of 150mm Loft Roll insulation, 48 rolls of 140mm Rafter Roll 40 and 72 rolls of 110mm FrameTherm® 32 for the project. These glass mineral wool insulation products are extremely easy to handle and install, being lightweight and easily cut to size, benefiting the large project.BenefitsBy its nature, Loft Roll is non- combustible and classified as Euroclass A1 to BS EN ISO 13501-1, a crucial requirement to any public building. Additionally, Loft Roll insulation has been manufactured with ECOSE® Technology which delivers superior environmental performance, as the binder technology is up to 70 per cent less energy intensive than traditional binders. The technology has been developed for Knauf Insulation’s glass and rock mineral wool products, enhancing their environmental credentials without affecting the thermal, acoustic or fire performance. Insulation products made with ECOSE® Technology contain no dye or artificial colours – the colour is completely natural.

As business evolves and requirements change in our fast-paced world, London Wall Design continue to bring ground breaking, intuitive products to the industry and pride ourselves in being able to create unique and bespoke systems for all our clients, whatever the application. One of our latest projects which has been installed and tested has made us particularly proud and set a new standard in acoustic movable walls.The requirements on this project were clear and simple with very specific needs for one of the leading pharmaceutical companies and we were going to tackle it head on. A movable acoustic wall with radiation protection for a research and testing environment needing to maximise flexibility while still offering the safety and protection required in a radiology environment.Our Type 100SE semi-electrically operated movable wall was developed and tailor-made for this requirement; with X-Ray protection and specialised seals to ensure the ground-breaking radiation protection and acoustic levels would be achieved. Each wall weighed in the region of circa 6 tons and the top hung system was fitted with our Type “K“ track which allows for remote and varied stacking locations. The walls varied in width and height but were all finished in Rigato Formica laminate with aluminium protective edge trims. The vision panels in the pass doors were fitted with Med-X type single glazed glass between two layers of 4mm thick toughened glass.

The ChallengeAs part of this strategy, the decision was taken to replace a fully-glazed non-fire-rated internal atrium with a new, high-performance fire-rated solution to ensure the highest levels of fire protection.Spanning five storeys, the atrium would create a functional yet architecturally stunning light-filled centrepiece within the modern office space.Forming part of the broader regeneration of Dublin Landings, bringing this aspect of the project in on time would be critical.As a result, Walls to Workstations were tasked with removing and replacing the five-floor atrium in just six weeks to see the project through to completion.The SolutionWorking closely with W2W, Pyroguard supplied more than 500 square metres of toughened EI30 fire safety glass to the project. Equipping fabricators with the flexibility to deliver on ambitious architectural projects which require large expanses of glazing, Pyroguard toughened glass provides protection against flames, smoke and radiant heat and delivers impact classification of 1B1 to EN12600.Complementing modern architectural ambitions, the inclusion of large areas of toughened glazing within projects helps to safely incorporate natural light into buildings, something which is critical in renovation projects where buildings are being transformed from their original purpose.In practice, this sees spaces flooded with natural light, elevating levels of light transmission throughout a building and having a positive impact on occupants’ wellbeing – crucial in delivering functional and inspiring workspaces.

In 2018, Cyclehoop designed and delivered two major Cycle Hubs for the London Borough of Enfield. These were the first cycle hubs to be provided in the borough and were delivered as part of the award-winning Cycle Enfield scheme.Both Cycle Hubs are steel and glass structures with CCTV and provide cycle parking for 50 bikes and three non-standard cycles such as cargo bikes. They can be accessed 24 hours a day, seven days a week by using an access card. Members can make use of a bike pump and repair stand so that they can make quick repairs and keep their tyres pumped whilst on the go.Cyclehoop is managing the membership of both cycle hubs on behalf of Enfield Council.Cycle Hub FacilitiesThe Enfield Town Cycle Hub and the Edmonton Green Cycle Hub are fitted with user-friendly cycle parking and repair facilities, as well as featuring an industry-leading security and access control system.Each Cycle Hub provides cycle parking for 50 bikes and is fitted with Optima Two Tier Racks. This is a space-saving solution that doubles the amount of cycle parking compared with traditional cycle racks. The Two-Tier racks can accommodate most types of bikes and feature gas-assisted moveable upper sections that make it easy to position them in the racking. Members can easily secure their bikes to the locking bar which has been welded into the design rather than the less secure bolted version in our competitors’ solutions. We have installed 3 ground anchors to accommodate non-standard cycles – each with its own marked out space.The door has been fitted with an industry-leading access control system allowing members to get in and out via access card 24 hours a day. Lighting and CCTV cameras are in operation throughout giving extra assurances of security.The Cycle Hubs also feature a Public Repair Stand and an Indoor Pump which provide members with the resources to make repairs on the go as well as pumping up deflated tyres.Design and Build ProcessEnfield Council chose two locations within the borough, each one connected to a local transport link, as well as amenities and shopping centres to accommodate the footfall. These locations were Enfield Town Railway Station and Edmonton Green Railway Station. Planning permission was required to develop the land.Enfield Council required two secure Cycle Hubs that maximised cycle parking spaces and the structure needed to be modular to allow it to be extended in future. Enfield is a growing borough that is regenerating and constantly growing, therefore this needed to be reflected in the design of the Cycle Hub.Each Cycle Hub is a steel and glass structure designed as a modern facility for securely storing cycles. The use of glass provides both good natural lighting as well as excellent visibility and passive surveillance, increasing the security of the facility.The Cycle Hubs also have a sedum green roof which reduces the surface runoff from rainfall, improves local air quality and supports the local insect population.The two custom and secure structures are comprised of:Toughened glass panesPerforated steel kick plates (over 3 tonnes of steel)Toughened glass sliding doorsLow maintenance sedum roofEnfield Council’s Deputy Leader, Cllr Daniel Anderson, said:“If we want to encourage more people to get on their bikes and change their transport habits we need to provide proper, secure parking for cycles. We hope these hubs will encourage people to get on their bikes to visit our town centres and reap all the benefits leaving the car behind will deliver. We are determined to encourage as many people as possible to use sustainable transport as we possibly can and these hubs will play an important role in helping us achieve that aim.”Enfield Council’s Cycle Enfield Scheme aims to regenerate and improve town centres, dramatically improve transport links and encourage more people to use sustainable methods of transport in the borough.

URSA storey’s high with new Whitechapel development Global insulation manufacturer, URSA, has seen some 25,000 m2 of its specialist insulation materials specified and installed at one of the capital’s largest residential development projects in recent years. Ian Claydon, Technical Manager for URSA UK, describes the specification through to installation journey: “The Silk District is a new development located close to Whitechapel Station and within walking distance to the City of London. The Whitechapel based scheme compromises three residential blocks set around a piazza with private landscaped gardens. New commercial space on the ground floor of The Silk District will welcome many new and exciting restaurants, cafes, bars and shops. The Borough is considered an important area of regeneration for London and will meet the aspirations of neighbouring Shoreditch, Brick Lane, Spitalfields Market and Bethnal Green all of which are less than a 10-minute walk from the development.  “Our work with the London based property development company leading the scheme, Mount Anvil, began in November 2018. We provided advice and guidance on making the correct choice of materials, achieving compliance with Building Regulations (thermal performance, fire resistance requirements and resistance to rain penetration) and compliance with the NHBC Standards. We also provided numerous thermal models, U-value calculations and associated condensation risk analysis. The Mount Anvil team were undoubtedly impressed with the speed and quality of URSA Technical Services. “We were involved with external wall construction as well as the design of a brick clad rainscreen system and continued to work extensively on the scheme throughout 2019 as the design developed further. Work was delayed at the beginning of 2020 due to Covid and re-started in July 2020. Ian explained: “Collaborating with the client in these very early phases ensured that they were able to select a product that is entirely right for each and every one of their primary and secondary needs. Planning was critical within the design and roll out and meticulous attention to detail was applied during these initial phases and throughout. Key products installed included URSA’s Cavity Batt 32 & Walltec 32 – 12,000m2 and URSA Acoustic Roll - 13,000m2.   URSA Walltec 32 is a lightweight, non-combustible, semi-rigid glass mineral wool slab treated with silicon based water repellent. It is faced with a black glass tissue on one side and are ideal for use behind rainscreen cladding systems in both new build and refurbishment projects.URSA Cavity Batt is a lightweight, semi rigid glass mineral wool slab treated with silicon based water repellent. It is suitable for use in both fully and partially filled masonry cavity walls up to 25m high.Mark Guest, Regional Sales Manager for URSA UK continued: “URSA Walltec proved to be the ideal choice due to its outstanding fire performance qualities, with a Euroclass rating of ‘A1’ making it totally non-combustible and the ultimate in safety specification for behind cladding systems. URSA glass mineral wool is manufactured from an abundant, sustainable resource and utilises at least 50% glass waste. From an installation perspective, the black glass fleece tissue facing means that the product could be used behind open joint cladding without being seen.“The Cavity Batt is available in a wide range of thicknesses, ensuring the client was able to meet all appropriate Building Regulations and standards. Our new generation URSA TERRA mineral wool has a ‘soft touch’ feel making it easier to handle and install whilst still maintaining its excellent mechanical properties.“There were several other over-arching factors to consider within this scheme and those included the sheer size and scale of the site and its location in a packed city centre. The lightweight nature of both products meant that they could be compressed therefore saving time and money on transport, effectively halving the number of journeys needed. This meant that more products could be delivered to site and stored in an area where space was at a premium. “Work is now once again very much underway with an anticipated completion date of early in 2021. The property market is thriving once again and Whitechapel is becoming recognised as a hotspot for investment and is now being considered the destination of choice for many new businesses. Our distributor partner, Encon Insulation in Dagenham, worked closely alongside us during the project” Ian concluded: “It’s fantastic to see two of our core product specified at this major residential development. We have enjoyed a collaborative, partnering approach with the client throughout. The client has been keen to specify the safest, most durable, sustainable and quality product available on the market today and we’ve been pleased to support them in their design journey through to installation.”

We met digital content creator and charity ambassador Sally, in her gorgeous detached house in the English countryside in Surrey. Sally, her husband Gav, their three sons, dog and cat live in a beautiful cottage with lots of outdoor space for football, dens and four chickens (all named Barbara). They’re an active, outdoorsy family who love embracing nature, from scuba diving to surfing Cornwall’s finest beaches.Over the years they have built two extensions to their house. In the most recent extension project, Sally chose to illuminate the end of her gorgeous country kitchen/diner with a Vario by VELUX bespoke rectangular rooflight, so we went to visit her for a cuppa and a lovely chat about her impressions and experience on the importance of daylight. Sally, what a bright and stunning space you have in here. Could you please tell us more about your extension project?"We love this house; it has plenty of space and we absolutely love the country lifestyle. We bought a house 12 years ago and that time it was much smaller. The first big extension we did was 9 years ago, but we didn't quite get what we wanted as the building restrictions at the time were very strict.The key thing for us was to bring the light in. A wall of glass made perfect sense, but as the extension has a flat roof, we also started to think about what was above. In a room like this, I think the roof should be seen as the fifth wall.”Your original plan was to put a glass lantern in the extension. What made you change your mind and choose a flat glass rooflight instead?“Initially we thought we would put a glass lantern in like everybody else and it didn’t even occur to me that I could have anything else until I was invited to a rooflight launch event by Vario by VELUX. At the event, I completely fell in love with the idea of having a rooflight in my house. I got all the information and, after I realised that even a modern flat rooflight comes with an upstand and you also get the height of the roof built in, which would also give the room the height we wanted, and that the cost would be less than having a lantern of the same size and with no breaks in the glass, choosing a flat glass rooflight was a no-brainer! What do you love most about owning a bespoke rooflight?“It’s so cool and yet functional. Rooflights brings so much more light in than you would get from a normal side window and the fact is that daylight does make you feel better, especially in winter. On top of that, the customer service was excellent, there is always a backup call from Vario by VELUX to make sure you are ordering the right window, they hold your hand through the whole thing and the whole process of designing and ordering was made fun and easy. They helped me with things like setting the window at a slight angle, so the rain just runs off and we don’t end up with a swimming pool situation on the roof! It’s a really hands on, personal service from a small team, but backed by a big name like VELUX so you know you can really trust them. It’s like the gold standard of roof windows.”How did you perceive the installation process of the rooflight?“The process was really simple, easy and quick. Our constructor was provided with all the information they needed to know, in order to put the rooflight in. Our bespoke rooflight was delivered in 6 weeks and we rented a small crane for a day to lift it in. The crane was literally tiny, it fitted through our side gate. Then it was simply a matter of dropping it into the opening and letting the builders do their thing to seal it in. I have to admit, I was a bit nervous on the installation day as the dog insisted on sitting under the opening and it was very windy, but it all went very well. That moment when the hardboard comes off and you get your first glimpse of the sky above, it’s just magic.”Do you think changing your house has improved your everyday life?“Extending the house, and how we use it, has changed the way we live, the way we work and the way we relax. Having an extension, an extra room, the flow and the light we wanted has definitely increased the value of the house but also the saleability of the house. How many older properties have flat roof extensions and haven’t put in a rooflight? There must be loads and they’re definitely missing a trick. We wanted to build personality and I believe that with the extension and bespoke rooflight we got exactly what we wanted. With more daylight and space, I feel more active, I feel more awake, I feel fresher, I get things done. It has definitely changed the way we live.”

Located in the heart of London's vibrant Marylebone district, Nobu Hotel London Portman Square is the 13th hotel from the iconic Nobu Hospitality brand founded by Nobu Matsuhisa, Robert De Niro and Meir Teper. The new luxury lifestyle hotel and restaurant, designed by David Collins Studio and Make Architects, offers spacious suites, contemporary rooms, wellness facilities and world-class dining. You step into an atmosphere of timeless elegance and modern comfort from the moment you enter through the Crystal Tourniket's revolving glass door.

The project for the offices is positioned at one corner of the existing production building. For acoustic reasons, the volume is detached and surrounded by gardens and planted facades.For the façade and to mark the identity of the brand, 3dny Studio got inspired by the relation with the fashion industry of the company using leather jackets fringes as reference.Behind this curtain facade, the volume is fully glassed. Our B-Box roller shades are used to protect the large openings over the triple height of the hall. In association with a Polyscreen ® 351 in White color, it maintains comfort and views and become part of the graphic façade.

Estudio B76 designed its new headquarters in an industrial warehouse built in the 50s. They kept and revealed reinforced concrete trusses and the perimetral walls made of bricks. The design focuses on using glass and steel to maintain the industrial atmosphere.Thanks to active and passive sustainable measures, such as photovoltaic panels, aerothermal energy, and efficient shading solutions, the project achieves high sustainability.From Bandalux, we proposed a combination of systems suitable for both the working and residential parts of this mixed project:, but Veranda Plus is particularly convenient as it completes without denaturing the former structure of the building.

The project was developed by Wilkinson Eyre Architects, and its glazed structure has created a new independent global hub for debate on sustainable urban living. Its design intends to both reflect the building´s context and at the same time having a degree of transparency to help connect the building with its surroundings. In this project was used insulated glass materials with varying levels of transparency, allowing spaces to be naturally lit whilst controlling solar gain. Effisus Ecofacade system was applied as an integrated solution to ensure water and air tightness of all facade elements connections.

As experts in supplying balustrades to the Education sector, Delta’s powder coated Orbis balustrades with glass infill created an impactful and eye-catching feature stair and communal space for pupils.Delta also installed powder coated Orbis balustrades with vertical bar infills on the stairs.The construction of Pencoedtre High School by Bouygues UK was part of the £34m investment by the Vale of Glamorgan Council and Welsh Government.The three-storey building with state-of-the-art facilities was built to accommodate 1250 pupils and as part of the 21st Century Schools programme to transform educational facilities.

The property, that has been renamed Axis, has four floors and an amazing facade, composed by a structure of beams and supports that cross diagonally. A feature that allows to minimize energy costs, because of the large stainless steel and glass cube that uses the latest technologies to combine a transparent facade with an outer mesh. Effisus Ecofacade SA Edge membranes were used on this project for sealing facade connections. Effisus Pre-Fab True Seal, a pre-fabricated sealing solution, was developed and applied for sealing difficult facade 3D details, minimizing human error possibility.

In February 2018 Preston’s much anticipated multi-million-pound market hall opened its doors to customers for the first time. The new facilities are housed underneath the restored Victorian Canopy, which dates to 1875, with huge glass walls creating an open atmosphere with plenty of routes in from the streets surrounding the central location. Outside the hall is the refurbished outdoor market space and Box Market shipping containers that are tall enough to walk inside. These containers are used by traders on the former Fish Market as a base from which to sell their goods.

Granada Glazing has treated Hallamshire hospital’s stroke unit in Sheffield with a bespoke secondary glazing solution that provides acoustic, thermal and privacy benefits for patients accessing the city centre facility.Working to locally based JTP Architects’ specification, Granada Glazing designed, manufactured and installed horizontal sliding secondary glazing units, finished in white, in two, three and four-panel configurations to line up with the primary windows. Low-E glass was supplied to enhance thermal performance and achieve a 1.9W/m2K centre pane U-value.

The Las Fluras residence was built on a beautiful, sunlight-soaked raised ridge in Flims Waldhaus. The multifamily residence feels part of the surroundings: generous, room-high windows and glass balustrades offer unrestricted views of the forest and mountains. Be it on the recessed terrace or in the living/dining area: nature is always included in the ensemble and is a part of the whole. The 3rd floor apartment on serves a married couple as a refuge; a large part of its furnishings and fittings are made from local materials. Internal sliding doors feature space-saving Hawa Junior 40 B

This visually stunning building, constructed for Northern Racing Ltd, provides twelve corporate hospitality boxes, hospitality lounges and a glass-fronted restaurant which provides an exceptional view of the track. The DrillFast Lacquered fasteners fit perfectly into this luxury environment, being colour matched precisely to the scheme and with a neat low profile finish. The use of genuine A2 stainless steel also makes this construction a real investment for the future of the racecourse and facilities."No problems, no complaints - always served us well"Sue Jenkins - Buyer at Southern Industrial Roofing Ltd

Ngurah Rai International Airport, which carries a unique and futuristic building design, is the first airport in Indonesia that blends modernity and tradition. The roof is shaped like a wave, giving the iconic airport a representation to Bali’s famous sea waves and beautiful beaches. The airport is designed with a substantial use of glass to achieve optimal lighting, and the climate means regular maintenance is required to prevent staining. A bespoke fall arrest system was designed to ensure operators are able to practice 100% Fall Arrest tie off work methods when conducting maintenance activities.

Improving accessibility has always been a recurring theme in the specification of Neaco’s products and so it proved again when the company’s balustrade systems were called into service for entrance ramps at Humberside Fire and Rescue Service’s new cutting-edge Hull Central Fire Station. Jefferson Sheard Architects sought to design an accessible and welcoming facility to serve the local community. Neaco’s contribution was integral to this objective with aluminium handrails and balustrade to steps and two extensive ramps at the main entrance. The system was also specified with glass infill panels for a first-floor terrace.

As part of the £200m New Waverly development of Edinburgh’s historic old town, a new Premier Inn was commissioned. Overlooking the characterful Royal Mile, the exterior facade of the new building had to seamlessly integrate old with new. The design of the building takes a traditional sandstone material and combines with glass and aluminum to form a stunning, contemporary finish. The striking colouration of Stanton Moor sandstone features a buff base with brown and gold variation, matching closely with the materials used in the historic city. Carboniferous sandstone from Stanton Moor quarry. A buff sandstone with technical properties....

A luxury lakeside retreat in North Wales is exemplifying the lasting appeal of Neaco’s balustrade systems, almost ten years after they were installed. In 2009 Neaco’s aluminium balustrade was specified for the external terraces, using glass infills to maximise the spectacular views over Llyn Tegid. This year the property was converted into four self-catering suites featuring a host of new fittings. Much has changed but Neaco’s balustrade – renowned for maintenance-free durability and enduring aesthetic quality – has been retained as an integral feature and specified for a second time on a new balcony.

A luxury lakeside retreat in North Wales is exemplifying the lasting appeal of Neaco’s balustrade systems, almost ten years after they were installed. In 2009 Neaco’s aluminium balustrade was specified for the external terraces, using glass infills to maximise the spectacular views over Llyn Tegid. This year the property was converted into four self-catering suites featuring a host of new fittings. Much has changed but Neaco’s balustrade – renowned for maintenance-free durability and enduring aesthetic quality – has been retained as an integral feature and specified for a second time on a new balcony.

Neaco’s glass balustrade and aluminium grille systems are once again proving their value in contemporary design schemes following a specification at Fawcetts Yard, a development of luxury homes in Harrogate. Designed by Bramhall Blenkharn and built by HACS Construction, the select development comprises four stylish three-storey homes alongside a workshop/studio. The balconies on each home feature Neaco’s Techdek decking as well as their Elan semi-structural balustrade system with aluminium stanchions and handrails in a grey powder coated finish. The result is an attractively minimalist aesthetic in keeping with the development’s modern design and finish.

Better Gym, North Greenwich, is one of London’s most technologically advanced gyms. The moment you walk through the doors, your Technogym MyWellness Key will provide access to the facility, equipment and of course the Prospec lockers. Working to the exacting specification of Bignell Shacklady Ewing, the Cabrillant 600 cubicles and glass lockers in a purple and white colour scheme creates a feel of modern opulence. The OTS locking system provided operates on Mifare 1k technology which is compatible with the RFID of the Technogym MyWellness Key, allowing the user to gain access to all the facility has to offer.

CBRE wanted to replace their existing automatic doors at the front and rear of their newly refurbished building with stylish doors which are safe, reliable and ensured effortless pedestrian flow. Two record K41 stainless steel four-leaf revolving doors constructed from glass to provide a modern, minimalistic look were installed. A stainless steel swing door complete with a record DFA 127 operator has also been installed next to revolving door at the main entrance to provide a wider opening for disabled access and deliveries of large, bulky items to the premises.

The Hackitt Review has brought to the broader public attention the myriad of standards and testing or assessment methods that specifiers and the fire protection sector has had to carefully navigate for many years. And whilst the debate continues about the best way forward in respect of specific applications, one positive step that fire door manufacturers can take right now is to go back to basics and check whether their supply chain for fire resisting components is opening the door to risk.Fire resistant products like fire rated glass, intumescents and core materials are composed to precise specifications.

The sides of the pontoon, bridge and ramp at Battersea’s river boat service required ultra safe balustrades. These had to be a natural fit to the industrial environment. The Square Line 60x30 stainless steel balustrade perfectly suited the job. Its stainless steel posts were welded to the pier for extra robustness, and toughened glass infills of 10 mm thick were added. The Q-lights Spotlight LED system was invisibly embedded in the handrails for extra safety at night. The industrial looking stainless steel elements of the Square Line 60x30 system add to the appearance of the pier.

Located inside in Reading, Fora have opened their first flexible workspace outside of London. Planet worked with ISG and Piercy & Co on the internal glazing requirements for the new location. Planet’s LOFT54 partitioning was specified for the rentable meeting rooms and offices. The demountable partitioning was paired with Planet’s IsoTec doorsets which are a perfect aesthetic match for the LOFT system. LOFT100 was used for the first and second floor meeting rooms, due to its excellent acoustic ratings. The glazing consists of two layers of glass, 12.8mm and 14.8mm, which combined reached a 54dB Rw rating.

The eye-catching Vista luxury apartment complex brings a powerful new architectural statement to the London skyline. The unusual organic way in which the architect has stacked the two modern buildings with near-transparent residential layers resembles the structure of an animal skeleton. Located in an enviable location near Chelsea Bridge, the large glass frontages of many of the apartments afford outstanding views of Battersea Park. The apartments have spacious, glazed terraces and patios that are seamlessly interconnected both inside and out. The development also features two extensive courtyards.

The steel framing system that was introduced in the UK to provide EI fire protection in butt jointed glazing is now available as a complete, safety-assured glazing system with the launch of the SYSTEMGLAS® Ferro range from Promat UK. SYSTEMGLAS® Ferro is a complete glazing system suited to contemporary interiors with the fire glass, steel framing, beading and setting blocks supplied directly by Promat for maximum traceability. It is installed exclusively by a network of approved installers to ensure total peace of mind for specifiers, backed with the confidence of Promat UK’s 360 degree wheel of assurance.