"foamglas®"

In summer 2019, Bradford Hospital had opened their newly built Wolfson Centre for Applied Health Research. As a part of the new building burmatex® osaka carpet tiles were fitted to complete the interior design of the Centre. osaka inkpot is the main carrier, ideal for having on-site cut triangles of osaka sakura and osaka matcha with random colour effect creating zones on the floor. In this office environment, burmatex® heavy commercial class 33 carpet tiles have been chosen to create a unique and eye-catching effect in keeping a high level of performance.

Insworke Mill was originally built in 1590 and survived as a working Mill until the First World War. After falling into disrepair it’s now undergoing a major refurbishment to convert it to its new life as commercial properties to the ground floor with a luxury residential dwelling above. To the first floor a Lewis® Deck/screed solution was used to provide acoustic separating floors with timber beams left exposed, replicating the original beams. On the ground floor; Lewis® was used as part of a warm floor solution above the cellar areas. U/F heating was incorporated in all floors.

 The RIVEN facing was chosen, in a shade in keeping with the building’s black theme. Black illustrates “strength, considered a virtue of Justice, which uses transparency in the form of large glass walls,” (Jean Nouvel). This external colour dominated by black was used by Jean Nouvel in a modern style associated with the classic shapes of the peristyle and columns of the institutional building.Indeed, the RIVEN look of the CAREA® facing is ideally suited to the central thread of this public project, namely the need for square, mineral, black facing. Moreover, the CAREA® Mineral Composite facing is locally produced, manufactured 80 km north of Nantes in fact.

DRU has installed 89 gas fires into Ebury Square, a development of luxury 1-4 bedroom apartments and 5 bedroom penthouses by Berkeley Homes in Belgravia, London. The fires were selected for their contemporary design, easy installation and high energy efficiency. They consist of single-sided and double-sided tunnel models. Berkeley Homes selected DRU because of their unique PowerVent® flue system. Due to the configuration of the apartments, the flues had to be extended up to 64 metres throughout the service ducts in the complex, with most of the fires having external PowerVent® terminals on the roof.

Three villages and 2,450 new homes have been built in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire. We provided 335 metres of 4m high Jakoustic® Commercial and Highway acoustic fencing which was installed on top of the earth bund. Jakoustic® Commercial and Highway fencing is installed on galvanised steel I-beams which provide strength and durability. It is also the only complete timber acoustic barrier system to hold a CE mark. For this project, reflective acoustic fencing was used, which works by reflecting noise away from its flat profile, which is very effective in large open spaces.

M Moser Associates, together with their joinery and solid surface manufacturer Interior Surface Specialists Ltd completed the interior fit our of Wipro Digitals new office in London in 2016. The designer wanted clean lines and a fresh, streamlined look, which mirrored the companies highly creative, digital edge. They originally chose a high pressure laminate, but finally decided on KYDEX® thermoplastic as a more versatile and durable proposition. The combination of crisp white KYDEX® and quality birch plywood edge detailing provided a minimal yet sophisticated look for all of the purpose made workstations.

Senior Architectural Systems has taken its aluminium fenestration solutions to new heights after being specified on the new Oaklands Rise mixed-use residential development in London, which is not only one of the UK’s largest regeneration projects but also one of Senior’s largest contracts to date.Designed by CZWG Architects and constructed by the Vistry Partnership, the £175m scheme comprises three major tower blocks which vary in height from ten to 27 storeys. Senior’s slim profile SF52 aluminium curtain wall system has been used to create the striking faceted curved elevation, with the smooth rounded corners of the balconies and corner apartments further accentuating the design. Senior’s robust SPW500 aluminium commercial doors were used externally and installed to the fire exits and main entrance, with SPW600 aluminium doors fitted internally throughout communal areas.With the need to increase energy efficiency and reduce the carbon footprint of the scheme, Senior’s patented low U-value PURe® aluminium windows and PURe® SLIDE patio doors were also chosen for the scheme. As well as contributing to lower energy bills for the residents, the slim sightlines of the PURe® aluminium windows and doors perfectly frame the development’s far-reaching views over London and the attractive green streetscape below. The stylish PURe® SLIDE aluminium sliding doors also provide select apartments with access to individual roof terraces, creating a seamless link between the interior and exterior spaces.

Cellweb®TRP is a cellular confinement system specifically designed for tree root protection. The system creates a stable, load bearing surface for traffic or footfall whilst eliminating damage to roots through compaction and desiccation. The distinctive cell size, cell depth and cell wall perforations combine to create the tree root protection system.The Cellweb®TRP system comprises of the three specific elements, Cellweb®TRP, Treetex™ pollution control geotextile and an infill of clean angular stone.Features and benefits:Guaranteed cellular confinement system.Independently tested.No dig solution - loads placed upon it are laterally dissipated rather than transferred to the soil and roots below. Prevents sub soil compaction.100% success rate.Continued water permeation and gaseous exchange, ensuring that nutrient supplies to the tree roots are maintained.Prevents surface rutting; optimising long term performance and aesthetics of the final surface.Simple to install.Complies with BS5837:2012, APN 12 and Tree Preservation Order (TPO) guidelines. 

Parallel opening window vents by Kawneer were specified for a mental health project that is arguably without parallel. Some 88 AA®100 SSG parallel opening vents were used as concealed windows, to maintain the same aesthetic as the façade, within AA®100 mullion-drained curtain walling and AA®720 doors on the new £40 million London headquarters of the world-famous Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families.The Kawneer systems at the Anna Freud Centre were specified by architects Penoyre & Prasad as they were a “cost-effective” solution to their needs and enabled them to use the same systems for all areas of curtain walling and rooflights. The project has enabled the relocation of the mental healthcare charity to bring together its global expertise in practice, research and policy under one roof from its residential properties in Hampstead to a purpose-built facility near King’s Cross. This comprises a six-storey new-build and the refurbishment of a century-old former chocolate factory and warehouse.

Taraflex® Sport M Evolution helped to create a clean look for the Kinghorn Community Centre. They benefitted from the comfort and safety provided by this sports flooring.

IPVIEW Bakers Yard, Reading Case Study IPVIEW® FULL IP/PoE VIDEO ENTRY189 flats, first phaseBERKELEY HOMES

The new £8.5m Allam Diabetes Centre at Hull Royal Infirmary plans to treat and care for patients with diabetes and metabolic bone diseases.It also includes a significant amount of clinical research facilities supporting not only diabetes and endocrinology, but also vascular surgery, neurology and other research departments. Its curved towers flank a glass entrance, which leads to a large waiting area and reception. Spread over three storeys are consulting rooms, specialist treatment rooms, office space and changing rooms as well as a roof terrace on the second floor. Designed to achieve a BREEAM rating of ‘very good’, the thermal performance of the insulation specified for the Allam Diabetes Centre’s flat roof was hugely important. Another crucial factor was fire safety. Although the application doesn’t fall under current fire regulations banning combustible insulation, the architect specified that only non-combustible materials should be used during construction.  Main contractors Zenith Developments appointed specialist contractors Fosters Roofing to install the roof. They in turn tasked DANOSA UK with supplying all the materials for the roof construction, including the insulation. “The build-up of the Allam Diabetes Centre was a single-ply warm roof with a tapered insulation scheme to provide the fall required for rainwater run-off,” explained Steve Downey, Commercial Director at DANOSA UK. “Tapered insulation schemes are always more difficult than traditional flat roofs, so we asked Knauf Insulation for technical advice on how to achieve the required U-value of 0.18 W/m2K.” The Knauf Insulation Technical Support Team recommended Rocksilk® Flat Roof Slab. It is BBA certified for use on mechanically fixed flat roof build-ups and is suitable for all types of roof deck.  As well as excellent thermal performance, Rocksilk® Flat Roof Slab is non-combustible with the best possible Euroclass A1 reaction to fire classification. It also provides excellent sound absorption so will help reduce the drumming effect of rainfall.  Rocksilk® Flat Roof Slab contains a special water repellent additive and is manufactured using Knauf Insulation's Krimpact® Technology which provides high levels of compressive strength and durability. As the project was a tapered insulation scheme, Rocksilk® Flat Roof Slab was manufactured to order to ensure the correct fall was created. The tapered insulation scheme wasn’t the only challenge with the Allam Diabetes Centre – it also features a curved façade, which added complexity for the installation team at Fosters Roofing.  Paul Foster, Managing Director at Fosters Roofing said: “Insulation needs to be carefully cut to the exact shape of the building otherwise heat can escape making it less energy efficient. Thankfully Rocksilk® Flat Roof Slab was easy to cut and quick to install, so it wasn’t a problem.” Rocksilk® Flat Roof Slab has also been designed to knit together during installation so there are no gaps that could affect thermal, fire or acoustic performance. By using Rocksilk® Flat Roof Slab, Fosters Roofing and DANOSA UK were able to achieve the required specification for the tapered insulation scheme on the new Allam Diabetes Centre. This will contribute to the energy efficiency needed to achieve the BREEAM ‘very good’ rating. 

Built from traditional stone and slate, Preston Springs, a four bed home in Leyburn, North Yorkshire, may look like a typical new-build property, but it is far from it. Designed by architects LEAP, Preston Springs is a Passivhaus, meaning it is ahead of its time in terms of air quality, comfort and reduced energy use. It is one of the only properties of its type in the local area, with just over 1,000 Passivhaus properties in the whole of the UK. Passivhaus is a voluntary standard for designing and building very low energy properties that offer high levels of comfort for their occupants. To achieve this, the levels of air tightness and thermal performance far exceed those mandated by building regulations. To meet planning constraints, Preston Springs has been built using a conventional cavity wall construction. The 300mm cavity was fully-filled using two layers of 150mm Knauf Insulation DriTherm® Cavity Slab 34. Manufactured from Glass Mineral Wool, Knauf Insulation DriTherm® Cavity Slab is specifically designed for cavities and uses a water repellent additive to prevent water ingress, making it ideal for its exposed location close to the Yorkshire Dales.Knauf Insulation DriTherm® Cavity Slab 34 was chosen over rigid board insulation. Its structure meant the stone masons could cut and fit the insulation easily on site to ensure it fully-fills the cavity, touching both leaves continuously. This prevents undesirable air gaps that reduce thermal performance. It is worth noting that masonry construction with partially-filled cavities are particularly prone to air gaps between insulation boards or breaks in contact between the insulation and the wall surface.Secondly, because detailing at junctions between the building elements and the openings meant thermal bridging was virtually eliminated, a more cost effective insulation specification could be chosen. Principal architect Mark Siddall was confident that Knauf Insulation DriTherm® Cavity Slab 34 would deliver the 0.1 W/m2K U-Value required to help the project achieve Passivhaus certification. For the loft, Supafil® Loft Blowing Wool was specified after extensive consultation with Knauf Insulation’s Technical Support Team. While Supafil® Loft is very popular in Scandinavian countries, it is not widely used in the UK. However, Siddall believes that blown insulation has a distinct advantage over other insulation types when working towards very high levels of thermal performance. He said: “The advantage of Supafil® Loft insulation is that it can get it into all the nooks and crannies very quickly and easily. This makes it a low-cost solution as far as labour is concerned because installers don’t have to cut and scribe around individual trusses at 400 and 600mm centres – something that would take a huge amount of time. By avoiding these air gaps, the roof can be expected to deliver the thermal performance that was specified.”It was not just the use of Supafil® Loft that was unusual on the Preston Springs project, but its depth; 700mm of Supafil® Loft was installed, delivering a U-value of 0.06, which Siddall believes makes it one of the most highly-insulated lofts in the UK.Siddall explains that to achieve Passivhaus standard, installation is hugely important. He said: “The only way to close performance gaps is through high quality workmanship. I have used the same construction team on several projects. I ensured that the installer had received the necessary training on how to install the Supafil® Loft insulation correctly, so I had the quality assurance that it would perform as specified in practice.”Steve Wise, Programme and Product Development Manager at Knauf Insulation added: “It is always exciting to work on projects that feature products not commonly used in the UK or in applications that differ from the norm, such as the 700mm Supafil® Loft at Preston Springs.“Passivhaus projects allow us as manufacturers to explore what is possible. Preston Springs demonstrates how environmentally-focused design, high performance products and high quality installation can deliver and meet even the strictest thermal standards in a real-world environment.”Typically, Passivhaus properties achieve a 75% reduction in space heating requirements, compared to a standard UK new build. While monitoring is ongoing, anecdotal evidence from the owners show that Preston Springs is performing as designed, maintaining a temperate climate throughout the year. During ‘The Beast from the East’ the internal temperature was a reported 19°C without heating, while the external temperature plummeted to -6°C. Furthermore, the owners report they are delighted with the low energy bills thanks to the very high thermal performance of the insulation combined with the heat recovery system.

At this major refurbishment of Sainsbury’s head offices in London, three ranges of burmatex® carpet tiles have been used in a tailored scheme across multiple floors

Rockfon acoustic ceilings are installed in a new state-of-the-art health assessment clinic, Preventicum, in Central London. This specialist healthcare provider offers bespoke, in-depth health evaluation and diagnostics which includes full-body scanning. High-tech luxury Sonnemann Toon Architects designed the clinic’s interior with a high-tech spec that has the feel of a luxury hotel. Architect Galina Borovikova explains how Rockfon® Mono® Acoustic helps create a sense of opulence, “It combines the elegance of a seamless ceiling with outstanding sound absorbing qualities which enhances the sleek interior and creates client privacy.”

Cotton Field Wharf is the first scheme to be completed as part of Manchester Life’s plans to create over 1000 new private rental homes across the Ancoats area of Manchester. The 302 new apartments benefit from Senior’s patented PURe® casement windows, which offer some of the lowest U-values available on the UK market. Senior’s PURe® FOLD doors open onto private terraces, which enjoy picturesque views overlooking the marina. On the lower levels, SF52 curtain walling and SPW501 doors have been used to frame the communal areas, and maximise the sense of light and space.

Sustainability and design were the major focus for this new £24 student accommodation project which achieved a ‘Very Good’ BREEAM rating. Senior’s highly thermally efficient glazing package was chosen to meet the scheme’s sustainability criteria and budget. This included thermally enhanced SPW600 windows fitted with a Louvre Guard System in bedrooms and kitchens and with smoke vents in corridors for additional safety and security. With their innovative thermal break offering exceptional thermal efficiency, PURe® Commercial Doors were installed at the security office whist PURe® SLIDE Lift & Slide doors were specified for the large communal area.

Leeds Arts University completed a 5-year £22m building expansion with HERADESIGN® Sonic Element and Baffle Element, installed throughout the main entrance, library and the new group spaces to minimise noise disturbance.The design for the project meant all the mechanical services had to be exposed and the lighting integrated into the hanging canopies.Paul King of DLA Design Group said, "We chose HERADESIGN® because, aside of the acoustic performance, we liked the natural, raw wood wool. It’s a striking and versatile material and we were really impressed with how the individual panels could be matched to the chosen colour scheme.”

Access Self Storage is one of the largest self storage companies in the UK with over 20 years experience and 50 stores nationwide. Access Self Storage Twickenham is situated on Rugby Road and serves the storage needs of Twickenham, Richmond upon Thames, West London and Surrey. The site offers 24 hour access, large vehicle access and customer parking; as such it is important that site has a secure perimeter with controlled gated access. Jacksons were specified to install Barbican Imperial® fencing and gates combined with EuroGuard® Regular Mesh in order to improve access control and perimeter security at the site.

Recticel Insulation’s innovative insulation board - Eurowall +, which has a tongue and groove joints on all four sides to ensure an airtight fit and improved thermal performance, was selected for a desirable new housing scheme built beside one of England’s eminent waterways.The Magenta Court development in Apsley, Hemel Hempstead is a multi-award nominated social housing project on behalf of Dacorum Borough Council. The £6.5m scheme, which stands alongside the famous Grand Union Canal, comprises 29 one-and-two bedroom flats within four blocks. The buildings’ design was inspired by the surrounding wharf architecture present in a nearby listed cottage, papermill and Apsley Lock.Being delivered by main contractor Jarvis Contracting, working with architects RG+P, key to the programme’s success was achieving an energy-efficient building fabric. This led to the specification of Eurowall®+, a high-performance PIR solution from Recticel.This flagship product helps to achieve a 0.18 U-value with a 90mm-thick panel in a 100mm cavity. The lightweight, easy-to-handle board features a tongue-and-groove joint on its four sides, allowing it to be used as full-fill cavity wall insulation with a 10mm clear cavity. The additional space makes for a rapid, more convenient fit for bricklayers when it comes to installation.Simon Blackham, Technical Manager at Recticel explained:This was a tremendous project to be involved with. It’s a superb housing scheme in a great location. With the buildings’ overall thermal efficiency among the priorities, it’s the type of project Eurowall®+ was created for. Further, it enhanced the programme’s sustainable credentials by reducing on-site labour times, thanks to the additional space it affords installers.Eurowall®+ is an exemplar of how high-performance materials can maximise a home’s thermal performance through a fabric-first approach. Its selection for the Magenta Court development was crucial to the creation of a number of desirable, energy-efficient affordable homes, whilst playing a part in ensuring the contractor remained on track to complete the project to the agreed timeframe. About Eurowall®+:Eurowall® + is a premium, high performance full fill insulation board with precision cut tongue and groove joints on all four sides. This ensures that the boards lock tightly together minimising heat loss through thermal bridging. This unique joint offers increased protection against wind driven rain as well as improved windtightness. Eurowall® + is also designed with a 10mm cavity requirement in mind, so that space can be left for conventional bricklaying techniques.

The Oak Cancer Centre at The Royal Marsden’s Sutton site is a state-of-the-art research and treatment facility, designed to bring the hospital’s 400-strong research team and its clinical care facility together under one roof. Specialist brickwork contractors, Lesterose Builders, were appointed by main contractor ISG to design and build the 2,800m2 masonry façade. As a result, they were responsible for ensuring the façade complied with the relevant thermal and fire safety regulations. The time and cost challenge The architect’s specification named a rock mineral wool product, but when Sam O’Keefe, Commercial Manager at Lesterose Builders, tried to place the order, there were two problems. He explained: “The first issue was availability – there was an eight to ten week lead time due to materials shortages. And the second issue was cost. We discovered the original insulation manufacturer had two planned price increases, and the extended lead time and phased delivery schedule meant that the Oak Cancer Centre project would be hit by both.” These two issues would not only delay the build, but would push it significantly over budget. So Lesterose Builders needed another insulation solution. Meeting the specification Lesterose Builders turned to Knauf Insulation, a fellow member of the Association of Brickwork Contractors (ABC). Knauf Insulation’s sales team looked at the specification and was able to offer an equivalent – 200mm Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab.  Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab is a rock mineral wool insulation product with a thermal conductivity of just 0.034W/mK, which meant it would meet the U-value of 0.21W/m2K. It is also non-combustible with Euroclass A1 reaction to fire classification, which means it will not contribute to the development or spread of fire should it occur. It is British Board of Agrément (BBA) certified for masonry façades at any height as well as for the broadest range of build-ups of any rainscreen solution on the market. This meant Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab was suitable for use in the Oak Cancer Centre because it complies with building regulations that ban the use of combustible materials in the walls of relevant buildings over 18m tall. In addition to fire safety and thermal performance, Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab offers excellent sound reduction characteristics. Crucially, Knauf Insulation was able to meet both the schedule and cost parameters for the project. “Once we had confirmation that Knauf Insulation could match the specification and deliver to the planned timescales and budget, it was then a case of getting the architect’s approval. This went extremely smoothly. We just made a technical submittal with the datasheets and environmental product declaration (EPD) and Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab was approved for use without any queries.” Ease of installation The seven-full loads of insulation were purchased through Parker Building Supplies. These were delivered to the site in eight phases in line with the schedule of works. The product is designed to be easy to install correctly. Superior robustness and durability mean it can be manoeuvred easily into place. And unlike some competitor products, it can be installed with either face of the slab against the substrate, speeding up installation and preventing incorrect installation. Furthermore, the natural flexibility of rock mineral wool means it adapts to minor imperfections in the substrate, while slabs knit together when tightly butted, eliminating air leakage that could reduce thermal and acoustic performance. Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab is also manufactured with ECOSE® Technology, Knauf Insulation’s unique bio-based binder that contains no added formaldehyde or phenol. It is made from natural raw materials that are rapidly renewable, and is 70% less energy-intensive to manufacture than traditional binders, so it is more environmentally friendly. Products made with ECOSE® Technology generate low levels of dust and VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and have been awarded Eurofins Indoor Air Comfort (Gold) certification. Construction work is known for its challenges, particularly around budgets and schedules – but thanks to Knauf Insulation’s Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab, Lesterose Builders was able to overcome both these issues and meet the required specification factors for the Oak Cancer Centre. 

Hockley Mills is a prestigious mixed-used development comprising 395 apartments and 28,000 sq ft of commercial space with a new entrance to Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter train station – and undercroft parking for 116 cars. Car parks present a unique set of challenges when it comes to the specification of soffit insulation and Hockley Mills was no exception. There were several factors to consider. As well as thermal performance, fire safety was essential – so the insulation had to be non-combustible. It also needed to reduce sound transfer to ensure that residents and workers in the building would not be disturbed by vehicle noise from the car park below.  As well as meeting the specification factors, the insulation needed to be delivered to site in line with a tight schedule of works; an issue that was more complex than usual because it was set against a backdrop of heightened demand for construction products such as insulation.  Meeting the brief With this in mind, Sir Robert McAlpine Ltd approached its Strategic Supply Chain Partner, Knauf Insulation, to discuss the best available solutions for the Hockley Mills car park. Knauf Insulation’s Project Specification Team conducted U-value calculations and recommended that 130mm Rocksilk® Soffit Linerboard would meet the three critical performance requirements of the brief. Manufactured from rock mineral wool, Rocksilk® Soffit Linerboard is designed to insulate structural soffits in applications such as open-sided car parks. It has a thermal conductivity of just 0.034 W/mK, so will deliver the stipulated 0.16 W/m²K U-value required for the separating floor. It is non-combustible with the best possible Euroclass A1 reaction to fire classification, so will not add to the development or spread of fire should it occur. This means it is ideal for enhancing the fire safety of buildings of any height.  Rocksilk® Soffit Linerboard also has excellent sound absorption characteristics, so will help to reduce the transfer of noise from the car park to the properties above. Additional advice and support Once the product had been determined, the Knauf Insulation Project Specification Team provided details about the choice of finish available. Sir Robert McAlpine Ltd opted for Rocksilk® Soffit Linerboard Standard, which has a black tissue face finish. The Project Specification Team also advised on the required fixing pattern and set up meetings with their fixing partner who provided technical support such as pull-out value calculations. When it was time for Sir Robert McAlpine Ltd to order the insulation for Hockley Mills, there were high levels of demand across the whole construction sector causing significant challenges in obtaining materials. Knauf Insulation worked closely with distributor CCF to ensure the insulation was delivered to site in full within the required time frame. Wider benefits of Rocksilk® Soffit Linerboard Standard Rocksilk® Soffit Linerboard Standard has been designed for ease of correct installation. Its enhanced rigidity means it can be quickly manoeuvred into place. Once in position, the mineral wool adapts to the substrate preventing gaps that can reduce thermal, fire and acoustic performance.  Rocksilk® Soffit Linerboard Standard also contributes to the building’s sustainability credentials. It is manufactured with ECOSE® Technology, Knauf Insulation’s unique bio-based binder that contains no added formaldehyde or phenol. It is made from natural raw materials that are rapidly renewable, and is less energy-intensive to manufacture than traditional binders. Products made with ECOSE® Technology are soft to touch and easy to handle. They generate low levels of dust and VOCs, and have been awarded the Eurofins Gold Certificate for Indoor Air Comfort. This means they are kinder to the installers who use them too. By working with their Strategic Supply Chain Partner, Knauf Insulation, Sir Robert McAlpine Ltd received the technical and product advice they needed to choose the right soffit solution for Hockley Mills. A solution that will ensure residents are warm and comfortable, as well as helping to keep them and their homes and businesses fire safe. 

Langton Homes is a well-established family-owned company specialising in developing properties throughout the Midlands for more than thirty years.One of their recent projects was four high-end luxury detached six-bedroom houses featuring extensive outbuildings, each set within large private grounds. The main property on the development – Langton House, was being specifically built for the owner of Langton Homes.Having used Mustang® Seamless gutters on projects in the past, they had no issues specifying it again for this development. Existing garages on the development, which had previously been fitted with uPVC as a cheaper option, were now failing and leaking, so they were replaced at the same time as the rest of the development was installed with Mustang® Seamless Aluminium Gutters.Mustang® was ideal for this build due to the sleek, clean lines of the gutter, with no external brackets on view. Mustang seamless gutters are strong and durable but lightweight and easy to install, with most of the preparation work being done at ground level before the gutter is raised to height for the final fixing into place, meaning that it is often safer and quicker than fitting traditional guttering.As the aluminium is roll-formed on-site to the exact dimensions of the building in continuous lengths of up to 30 metres, there is no waste.Once installed Mustang® Seamless Aluminium Guttering requires minimal maintenance. It is the only quality-assured seamless gutter system certified by the British Board of Agrément (BBA) to last over 30 years. A certification ARP has held for over 25 years.Colonnade aluminium downpipes completed the installation and were polyester powder coated (PPC) in Anthracite Grey (RAL 7016) to match the colour of the gutter in our in-house purpose-built PPC facility.Aluminium is a natural, non-corrosive material and needs little maintenance, but it is also fully recyclable. Aluminium will not crack, creek or fade, resulting in a truly ‘fit and forget’ system.Andy Craven, Site Manager of Langton Homes, said:“We have continuously used Mustang® Seamless Guttering as a superior alternative to PVC, we have absolute confidence in the installation and the low maintenance of the product.”

Devils Pit Farm is a detached farmhouse and is situated in the Blackdown Hills, an area of natural beauty near Taunton.The client had been experiencing problems with the existing uPVC gutter – it had begun to fail, and the joints had separated, which led to dampness creeping into the building, causing damage to the paintwork.The client was impressed after Mike from Simply Seamless Guttering (SSG) demonstrated the Mustang® Aluminium Seamless Gutter Machine.Mike from SSG visited the property to measure up and provide a quotation to replace the whole system, including aluminium downpipes. This was accepted, and shortly after, SSG installed the new rainwater system on-site.Mustang® Aluminium Seamless Guttering is a unique joint-less system and is the only seamless gutter system approved by the British Board of Agrément (BBA).Mustang gutters are roll-formed on-site in lengths of up to 30 metres with no joints, meaning no leaks, creating a neat, maintenance-free product of the highest quality that adds extra visual appeal with the additional peace of mind a premium product has been fitted. Mustang® guttering is manufactured from 90% recycled Aluminium and can be recycled at the end of its useful life.Mustang® Seamless Aluminium Guttering teamed with Colonnade swaged aluminium downpipes is an ideal replacement for the existing uPVC gutters because it is lightweight, non-corrosive and cost-effective. Made from recycled aluminium, it is durable and long-lasting and has an expected life span of over 30 years.The homeowner was particularly keen on the benefits of having a low-maintenance and unique joint-less system.Mike Smith of SSG is a Mustang® approved contractor, meaning he has received training, and ARP has inspected his work to ensure it meets the highest standard. ARP are happy to recommend him on future contracts knowing he will use quality ARP products.For Mike, the ability to offer a BBA Accredited System gives his clients the peace of mind that a quality system has been installed and will last for at least 30 years with little maintenance. 

Lush sees PanDOMO® as the perfect option for feature walls in their retail locations. It offers rapid installation and provides a unique finish that can be colour matched to their different concepts.

The stunning appearance of the finishing surface produced by the PanDOMO® Wall System integrated with the ambient lighting effect perfectly, whilst complying with the owners quick installation and drying requirements.

Challenge: Many elements of the iconic skyscraper were facing embedded steel corrosion, including the structural steel lattice columns within the colossal terracotta enclosures. The expansion of the steel caused by the corrosion was severely damaging the masonry cladding and cracking the six-foot-tall terracotta bison heads.Strategy: Installation of an impressed current cathodic protection (ICCP) system at the steel sections with the colonnades on 29th to 32nd floors. The system consisted of LoCem® +point® anode mortar was applied within the bed joints and drilled in to provide 360° protection of the steel surfaces. The bison heads were deconstructed, steel cleaned-up and masonry reconstructed. LoCem® is a low carbon cement alternative (AACM), which can also act as a cathodic protection anode for controlling steel frame corrosion.Outcome: The ICCP system resulted in long-term performance and control for the whole life preservation of our clients’ assets. Using AchillesICP for control over corrosion rate, and AiMS to collect the data, the client had full transparency over structural health and the power to make predictive maintenance decisions.

Entering a building is usually the only way to find out what takes place inside. But that’s not the case with the Manchester Metropolitan University’s new School of Digital Arts (SODA). It acts as a giant canvas to illuminate digital content produced by students, thanks to an LED rainscreen façade on its northern face. The five-storey, 5,200m2 SODA building is adjacent to the Manchester School of Art and will provide space for a digital innovation and User Experience (UX) lab, film studios, green screens, edit suites, sound, music and production studios; alongside a screening room and gallery space. Like all rainscreen façade projects, the SODA building needed insulation to meet the required thermal, fire safety and acoustic performance, but the LED façade added complexity to the specification. The chosen rainscreen panels were perforated with small holes to allow the lights to shine through – but this also meant the insulation could be seen from certain angles, so the insulation needed to look aesthetically pleasing too. During the design process, architects Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios had specified Knauf Insulation’s Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab for the project. It is non-combustible with a Euroclass A1 reaction to fire classification, so complies with building regulations that ban combustible insulation on certain buildings over 18m tall in England and Wales.  Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab also has a thermal conductivity of 0.034 W/mK so could meet the U-value of 0.19 Wm2K. And thanks to its sound absorption characteristics, critical for low mass rainscreen structures, it will help create a quieter space for the students. The principal contractor Kier Construction had tasked specialist façade contractors Maple Sunscreening with determining the required thickness and aesthetics. So they contacted Knauf Insulation to discuss the best solution.  Knauf Insulation’s Technical Support Team undertook 3D U-value calculations and confirmed that a 150mm slab should be used for the project.  What’s more, Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab is manufactured with ECOSE® Technology, Knauf Insulation's unique bio-based binder that contains no added formaldehyde or phenol. This gives Knauf Insulation’s mineral wool its unique brown colour, so the insulation won’t stand out behind the perforated rainscreen panels. It also makes it soft to touch, easy to handle and generates low levels of dust and VOCs. As a result, products made with ECOSE® Technology have been awarded the Eurofins Gold Certificate for Indoor Air Comfort. Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab is designed to be easy to install correctly. Slabs are robust which makes them easy to manoeuvre into place. Once in position, they butt tightly together and adapt to any imperfections in the substrate. This prevents unintended air gaps that can compromise thermal, fire safety or acoustic performance. Using Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab was the optimal solution for the SODA building providing both the high thermal, fire safety and acoustic performance demanded of modern buildings. And thanks to its unique brown colour, the mineral wool insulation won’t be a distraction, instead acting as the perfect backdrop for the dazzling LED light displays created by the students. 

Stone: LUNDHS Royal® - silk/leather surface.The beautiful combination of natural stone, blue cabinets and oak details makes this one of our all-time favorite kitchens.

Nestled in Hawick in the Scottish Borders, Little Landisfarne is a minimal modernist’s dream. The clients wanted their house to be as sustainable as possible and Russwood's homegrown Scotlarch® cladding ticked all the boxes.

A chic forest retreat in the Scottish Highlands opted for our Accoya® timber cladding which offers a an attractive finish but also has the benefit of being low maintenance and sustainable.

The University of Liverpool and University of West England are among a growing number of higher education establishments choosing BioScapes® as part of ongoing initiatives to sustainably manage grounds and support biodiversity. 

To help meet the client’s architectural ambitions and acoustic challenges, Rockfon acoustic ceilings were specified. In designing its new HQ DocuSign wanted to break down barriers and find new ways of working to empower employees. Open plenum ceilings, polished concrete floors and warm timber express the space’s raw, contemporary architecture. Crina Toderic – Henry J Lyons, “…a number of meeting rooms had one solid wall with the remaining three being glazed. It was agreed Rockfon® Mono® Acoustic be installed for its high sound absorption. Being completely seamless, the system allowed us to easily integrate with the rest of the interior aesthetic.”

Architecture and design practice KSS Associate, Trevor Gidlow commented, “We were commissioned by interior fit-out specialists, Portview, to review various ceiling systems for application within Coal Drops Yard. Five were reviewed including monolithic and stretched fabric systems. Our assessment criteria included - appearance, sustainability, acoustic class, fire resistance, combustibility, weight, installation angle and curved edge profiles. Rockfon® Mono® Acoustic was our final recommendation and main contractor selection based on the ability to install as a multi-gang operation, thereby gaining significant programme benefits. The appearance of the installation fully achieved the original design vision”.

Coal Drops Yard, the new retail and lifestyle district where acoustic performance was vital for the SamsungKX experience space. Rockfon® Mono® Acoustic provides Class A sound absorption helping create the perfect environment for visitors to interact with Samsung technology. Associate Trevor Gidlow from KSS, “The installation fully achieved the original design vision”. ROCKFON Mono Acoustic is a unique product providing the elegance of a seamless ceiling with high performance sound absorption, previously thought only possible with modular suspended ceilings. Craig Wheatley, Pacy & Wheatley Acoustics, “What an amazing project, from design to completion, another real flagship project for us.“

Self building allows one to shape their own future, that's what Olaf Mason and Fritha Vincent did when they bought the land to develop their new home. They faced a complex puzzle which they solved with expertise and determination to achieve their dream home.Due to the sheer nature of the build, their house was dubbed one of the 'trickiest' builds ever seen on Channel 4's Grand Designs, where the project featured, an exceptional, unique triangular-shaped home that was carved with Olaf's exceptional skills and vision as a carpenter and the use of appropriate products – including ROCKWOOL® insulation.ROCKWOOL FLEXI® slab became an integral piece in this complex 3D geometrical jigsaw.