"wall light"

THE PROJECT: Recticel supplied the high-performance thermal solution to transform a 100-year-old property in Moseley, Birmingham. Divided into nine apartments, in which two were refurbished to create one, two-storey home, the project caught the attention of the producers of Channel Four's Old House to New Home. Connecting a ground floor property to a flat above led to the creation of a modern and stylish home trimmed with decorative reminders of its structural origins.THE SOLUTION: Eurothane® GP, a high-performance rigid PIR foam board, was selected for the new home's pitched roof, framed wall and floor. Eurothane PL, Recticel's insulation and plasterboard solution was fitted to the property's existing, cavity-less, nine-inch exterior brick walls. The well-sized board ensures minimal thermal bridging during construction.Coupled with Eurothane® GP's 0.022W/mK low thermal conductivity, these products were crucial to attaining a good U-value rating. In total, 130m2 of Eurothane® GP and Eurothane® PL panels were installed.The homeowner, Paul explained:"As we were carrying-out most of the building work ourselves we wanted the best possible insulation for the project. Research revealed Recticel's solutions fitted the bill. Excellent thermal performance and simple to-fit, they were a far superior alternative to other insulants we considered. The panels have done so much to create a welcoming and comfortable interior environment."Used products:Eurothane® GP:Eurothane® GP is a high performance PIR insulation board that is light weight, easy to cut, handle and install. Whether it’s a pitched roof, framed wall or floor, Eurothane® GP is the ideal solution amongst contractors and installers.Eurothane® PL:Suitable for mechanical fixing or dot and dab fixing, this insulated board is consistently sized with extremely tight tolerances, ensuring thermal bridging is minimised. Factory bonded, the plasterboard provides optimum board dimensions and optimum adhesion between layers.

The XR Lab in the STEM Hangar at West Suffolk College is the most advanced augmented reality centre in the UK, predicted to lead the future of digital education.Windsor Patania Architects has created within an existing hangar a 700m2 structure that inspires and challenges from the moment students see it. Central to that impact has been the use of Arnourcoat’s SMG high gloss polished plaster on all exterior facades- including a dramatic three-dimensional geometric feature wall.The £2m design & build project, intended to re-shape vocational training in digital sciences as part of the College’s science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) specialist campus, was completed in just seven months. This was despite featuring numerous bespoke elements, and complex components- of which the feature wall was a significant part, with its combination of planes and angles.Architect Giovanni Patania originally intended the wall to be finished with metal- stainless steel, aluminium or zinc but it proved impossible to create to the standard required within the budget. Armourcoat’s superior luxurious SMG polished plaster delivered a practical, viable alternative, that met all Regulatory requirements for indoor air quality, zero VOC, low embodied carbon, fire resistance an thermal movement.SMG, with its rich, high gloss “lacquer” effect, could be accurately applied to create a seamless finish across the diverse facets of the entire XR Lab structure, building up the layers over the timber and plasterboard framework. In Armourcoat’s own dark grey colour palette, it reflects light to create a dark, reflective finish reminiscent of 2011: A Space Odyssey’s Monolith.The brief was to achieve something that was unprecedented and unique, that inspired future generations but made students feel it was a piece of alien architecture. I don’t think anyone expected the end result to be so impressive.“Armourcoat was superb in its level of support, from samples to being on site to give technical guidance on the plaster’s application. SMG is instrumental in achieving an opulent, reflective, futuristic exterior that inspires students to interact with and participate in the XR Lab experience."Giovanni Patania, Windsor Patania Architects

THE PROJECTThe Landmark Place project is a Barratt London development located on the north bank of the River Thames neighbouring both the Tower of London and Tower Bridge. The development is home to 165 luxury apartments and penthouses set amongst striking architecture, offering unrivalled views across the city of London.Landmark Place is a residence that truly pushes the boundaries of residential facilities, which include 24-hour concierge services, a 20-metre indoor pool, spa, fitness suite, underground parking, cinema, lounge and business suite.The residence is closely located to the underground, overground, rail and river services for quick access to the whole of London, and is perfectly located just moments from London’s financial centre.The Safety Letterbox Company worked with the design team at Barratt London to manufacture a product that met both the style and mail delivery requirements on the project.THE PRODUCTBarratt London required 165 mailboxes that would form a mailroom area situated close to the reception lobby area in the project. The model of mailbox used was the classic COM 2 product which was recessed into the wall. Wall recessed mailboxes are extremely popular in this type of development as they maximise the available space in the area of installation and ensure that all health and safety requirements are achieved in the project walkways.Each mailbox has been number engraved in a contrasting silver infilled colour, allowing both mail delivery personnel and quickly identify which mailbox it is that they need to use. The mailbox engraving correlates to the apartment number of the residents.The COM 2 mailboxes used have been finished in a non-standard IGP Dura colour which was specified by the design team at Barratt London to meet the style requirements of the project. Running around the mailboxes is a surround trim, which provides a clean finish between the mailboxes and the installation wall.All mailboxes use an upgraded locks featuring a matt black finish. The contrasting matt black locks match other hardware on the project such as lighting components and door trims. Bespoke mailbox locks are something that is often specified on high-end projects, contact us for more information about available finishes.

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.

The innovative new i-Track from Dorma Hüppe has been designed to make the moving of tall moveable walls both simple and safe for the operator. Modular in design, the system employs a sequence of curves and internal track switches to allow the smooth and easy movement of large, heavy panels. Cleverly harnessing the kinetic energy created by panel movement, i-Track utilises that momentum to effortlessly facilitate a change in direction as each panel passes through the curves, into and out of the parking pocket. Track diverters are used to manually program the carriers to automatically move each panel to the correct parking location.The i-Track really comes into its own where panel height exceeds 5000mm, when weight can become an issue with right-angled track. The use of curves not only improves overall functionality but ensures no point of collision, reducing wear and tear on track and carriers. This significantly extends the operational life of the moveable wall system, contributing to long-term sustainability and ultimately reducing maintenance costs.Since the launch of the i-Track, Style, sole UK distributor for Dorma Hüppe moveable walls, has installed this comprehensive solution in a variety of locations from schools and conference facilities to hospitality venues.“i-Track innovation really is a game changer for moveable wall systems with the days of wrestling oversized panels now a thing of the past,” said Julian Sargent, Style’s group managing director.“As the i-Track makes it easier and safer for the operator to quickly reconfigure multi-functional rooms, the likelihood of the space being used to its full operational potential all day, every day is greatly increased.”If requirements change over time, the modular nature of i-Track allows the existing layout to be cost-effectively altered, rather than requiring an entirely new system.   

The apartment complex, sympathetically designed by the Stirling Prize nominated DSDHA Architects, features our CS 77-HI windows and CW 50 curtain wall aluminium systems in a beautiful bronzed powder coated finish. The prestigious building combines uncompromising levels of specification from fabricator M Price, with quality materials and complex structural engineering.

The Warwick Arts Centre involved a complete upgrade to the original building; Absorb-R SofTone Fabric Panels and Acoustic Flooring Systems...As well as adding a new-build that houses three HD digital auditoria, a large ground floor gallery to exhibit contemporary art, sculpture and photography, plus a spacious new-look foyer.We were contracted to supply and install an Acoustic Fabric paneling system to reduce reverberation and an Acoustic Flooring system to provide anti vibration within three Auditorium Centres.Within all three of the auditoriums of the newly constructed Arts Centre at Warwick University, installed various systems, providing solutions to both the Sound Absorption and Soundproofing requirements. In relation to the Sound Absorption we supplied and installed Soundis Absorb-R SofTone Panels (commonly known as acoustic fabric panels) These were installed on both the side walls along with the back wall of each auditorium providing full coverage of the walls enhancing the performance of the product improving the clarity of sounds emitted within the auditoriums.The second requirement within each of the auditoriums was to provide a solution to the Soundproofing which is where we provided a Soundis Cinesystem – Dry. This system allowed us to provide great acoustic & antivibration performance whilst ensuring the installation was quick to allow us to achieve the programme dates due to the system comprising of elastomeric isolator blocks overlaid with Dry Screed Panels. The fact of this system being completely dry with no concrete or screed elements negates the need for long drying time potentials causing delays on these types of projects.All installation was carried out by UK Acoustic Systems

As part of an extensive refurbishment at the School of Biomedical Sciences, Newcastle University, Style installed the unique Skyfold dividing wall system, delivering fast and effective flexible room configuration to laboratory teaching facilities. Skyfold is a fully automatic, acoustic moveable wall that's housed discreetly in the ceiling cavity and offers unparalleled acoustic integrity of 59dB Rw. “The wall has exceeded our expectations acoustically, visually and practically,” confirms Dr Alison Gregory, technical manager, School of Biomedical Sciences at the University. “We can run independent activities in adjoining labs with large numbers of students with virtually no sound transfer between rooms.

The Koningin Elisabethzaal in the northern Belgian seaport of Antwerp is unusual in every respect. Located at the heart of an architecturally charming city, structurally merged with a world-famous zoo, and boasting an immensely varied history as a concert hall, it transformed from an acoustic ugly duckling into a gleaming swan of aural experience. At the core of this metamorphosis is the design by the renowned American acoustician Larry Kirkegaard, who completely remodeled the hall acoustically. Golden metal fabric by GKD – GEBR. KUFFERATH AG (GKD) plays a key role in his concept. The woven texture really underlines the one-of-a-kind spatial experience in its use as large-scale cladding for ceiling, walls, and balustrades.One of 65 participants in an international competition to redesign and remodel the Koningin Elisabethzaal, the consortium comprised of SimpsonHaugh Architects (London) and Kirkegaard Associates (Chicago) produced the winning design. Kirkegaard’s ambitious concept, which employed structural and technical agility to aim for nothing less than a world-class standard for the new concert hall, played no small part in this success. The original hall was opened in 1897, served as a hospital ward during the First World War, morphed into a venue for boxing and wrestling matches during the Olympic Games a few years later, and was reopened in 1960 following major destruction in the Second World War. The fan-shaped design of this building, which was not intended to be used purely as a concert hall, contributed greatly to its poor acoustics, which achieved only six out of ten points on the rating scale. Plus, although it provided a stage, there were no rehearsal rooms for the orchestra and soloists. One aim of the new building was therefore to finally offer a home to the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra. The new Koningin Elisabethzaal is the centerpiece of the Elisabeth Center, which was also newly built as an ultramodern 25,000-square-meter conference center. When redesigning the concert hall, the planners decided to reduce its size in order to optimize the acoustics. This resulted in an enormous light-flooded foyer with atrium in the Elisabeth Center. Architect Ian Simpson embedded the new building into the historical complex in such a way that the art nouveau façades that had previously been hidden by the building were revealed once more and the old halls remained largely untouched. One of these halls, the Loos Hall, connects the new 2,000-square-meter concert hall with the historical part and also serves as the foyer of the Elisabeth Center. With its high stuccoed ceilings and rich marble decor, it provides a representative space for exhibitions and receptions. The new four-story building comprises various conference and meeting rooms for up to 1,900 participants, the concert hall with a capacity of 2,000 guests, extensive logistics facilities, VIP and catering areas, administrative offices, and soundproofed rehearsal rooms.An acoustic embrace in a shoe boxThe designers selected a shoe box shape for the concert hall, which classical music lovers deem to be a guarantee of optimum acoustics. This is aided by a perfectly balanced distance between the stage and the wall and an unusual seating arrangement in the parterre and the two galleries. Doing without a permanent apron also prevents a loss of sound. A curved wall means that the largest distance between the stage and audience seats is 30 meters, so that every guest feels part of what is happening on stage and can see and hear equally well from all seats. Movable reflectors clad in metal fabric and suspended from the ceiling as well as frames covered in the same fabric ensure that the sound is able to unfold throughout the entire hall. At the same time, the semitransparent membranes conceal the bare ceiling and the technical installations above. In designing the walls, Kirkegaard Associates chose a wave-shaped oak wainscoting. The cavities were filled with lava sand to prevent vibrations. With this construction, the acousticians drew on the sound experience of earlier concert halls, which employed arm-thick stone walls to reflect low-frequency sound back into the hall. As such, the walls and the rear wall of the stage in the Koningin Elisabethzaal form an acoustic embrace which ensures that the echo is not absorbed but is fully reflected to the stage.Metal fabric for good soundThe same fabric that was used for the ceiling elements also covers the movable reflectors on the back wall of the stage: gold-colored powder-coated Alu 6010. For the ceiling and stage wall, GKD fitted a total of 204 frames, some of them wave-shaped, with 1,600 square meters of this fabric type. Four-meter-long and 2.50-meter-wide panels were fastened to the frames provided by the customer with thin stainless steel wires at intervals of ten centimeters. GKD also incorporated the cutouts for the lights exactly according to the specifications. A first for the weave specialists was that the entire construction consisting of frames and fabric was then coated in the desired shade of gold. This required special pretreatment in order to ensure homogeneous coloring of the components made from different materials – steel and aluminum. Prior to selecting the material, Kirkegaard Associates had carried out extensive tests on the GKD fabrics in order to achieve the best possible sound and space experience. As such, GKD was involved in the planning process with architects and acousticians from a very early stage. The decisive factor in opting for metal fabric was the acoustic neutrality. In addition, the exclusive look, flexibility, and robustness of the GKD fabrics corresponded to the ambitious design concept. That is why the fabric from GKD – Omega 1520 with gold-colored coated weft – was also chosen for the balustrades of the galleries. It fits flexibly to the bidirectionally curved corners of the balustrade and is also resistant to impact thanks to tensioning in the direction of the cable. When fitting the front and rear of the balustrade elements with 400 square meters of this fabric type, the curve needed to be followed exactly. GKD selected a slightly conical panel cut for this purpose in order to realize the radius by tracing a polygon.The clever interaction between the design of the hall shape, ceiling, wall, and balustrade is what gives the new Koningin Elisabethzaal its excellent acoustics: with 9.3 out of 10 points on the rating scale, it is considered almost perfect. At the opening concert, Belgium’s Queen Mathilde personally handed over the hall, which offers a world-class space and sound experience, to the public.

Project: 1 Aylesbury Street, Clerkenwell, London, EC1R 0DRClient: MeritcapeArchitect: Atum Design LabM&E consultant: EngDesignProtecting Cities Against Fire with Advanced GlazingDaylight-flooded spaces command a premium from tenants, but in the densest urban areas – where buildings are very tightly packed – it can be difficult to achieve. Not least because of the need to protect against the spread of fire.This was the challenge for developer Meritcape when they set out to refurbish 1 Aylesbury Street – a converted historic warehouse building in Clerkenwell, East London.The designers wanted to fill every floor of the building with natural light, from both the front and the back of the building by using floor-to-ceiling glazing on every floor. However, the rear of the property was just three metres away from a neighbouring building.To prevent fire spreading from one building to the next, building regulations specify the fire resistance that external walls need to be able to provide. This is given as minimum requirements for integrity – how long they can contain smoke and flames – and insulation, or how long they can prevent the escape of heat. Steve Bond, technical and customer support manager, fire, at Pilkington United Kingdom Limited, said: “When you have two buildings this close together, standard glazing is not an option, as it doesn’t put up enough of a barrier to fire spreading outwards from the building.“That’s where fire-resistant glazing can make a big difference. By providing protection against fire while also letting light flow in, we can create light-filled spaces in very built-up parts of the city where not long ago it wouldn’t have been possible.“As well as sealing in flames and smoke for at least an hour, the glass also provides radiation shielding that reduces the amount of heat energy that can pass outwards through the glass – another key means of spreading fire.” The rear façade of the building is glazed in Pilkington Pyroclear® Plus insulating double-glazed units, delivering not only the right level of fire resistance, but have also been designed to give excellent thermal insulation (U-value) properties to reduce heat-loss from the building.Davood Kiani, Senior Project Consultant at Meritcape said: “Those looking for modern commercial space expect floorplans to be well lit with natural light, and this is one of the main design challenges when working with buildings in the most densely urban areas of the city.“Fire regulations are one of the big reasons for this, so Pilkington fire-resistant glazing means we can achieve the best of both worlds - a building that meets or exceeds all of the safety regulations while also feeling spacious and airy.”A total of 800 m2 of Pilkington glass was used in the project, including in the front façade of the building, in which hundreds custom-sized small double-glazed solar-control units were used to imitate the crittall steel-framed windows that are a signature feature of buildings in the area.Images by S G Photography

Providers of world class investment solutions, Fidelity International recently moved to newly refurbished London offices. Style was contracted to deliver flexible space to the meeting areas, installing four fully automatic Skyfold moveable walls finished in a stunning Kvadrat Floyd fabric. Housed discreetly in the ceiling cavity, Skyfold units take up zero floor space when not required, descending gracefully at the touch of the button to quickly sub-divide an area. With impressive 59dB Rw acoustic integrity, events can run concurrently, entirely undisturbed on either side of the wall. Fidelity has installed nearly 50 Skyfold walls in offices across the globe.

SPIE, who manage and maintain schools for a variety of institutions nationwide, engaged with Yeoman Shield when carrying out lifecycle works for a group of Salford Schools. With a requirement for attractive, clean and damage free environments, for the comfort of students and staff, SPIE contracted Yeoman Shield to install their wall protection panels in areas of the schools which were receiving heavy footfall and impact damage.

Combining various types of moveable wall within the same building is fast becoming the latest trend for architects aiming to create the ultimate flexible space solution. One recent example is the London offices of Anglo American, a leading global mining company, where partitioning experts Style installed a complex arrangement of moveable wall systems to divide a single large space into four individual rooms.To achieve the level of adaptability required, Style utilised both solid and glass Dorma Hüppe Variflex semi-automatic moveable walls, as well as vertically rising, fully automatic Skyfold Classic 60 moveable walls.This combination enables the entire space to be re-configured quickly into smaller or larger meeting rooms, with the 57dB acoustic rating of the solid moveable wall, 52dB of the glass moveable wall and 59dB of the Skyfold delivering such an exceptional sound barrier that all rooms can host busy meetings without causing any disturbance between them.Anglo American is a leading global mining company whose products are the essential ingredients in almost every aspect of modern life. Its portfolio of world-class competitive operations, with a broad range of future development options, provides many of the future-enabling metals and minerals for a cleaner, greener, more sustainable world.Style worked with architects, MCM, and contractor, BW, to create wide-ranging flexible space in the ‘Office Zone’ and ‘Innovation Hub’ located at Anglo American’s offices in London. Within the configuration, the Skyfold walls meet with Dorma walls in T shapes, turning this very large room into four individual rooms accessible via a corridor, created when the glass moveable walls are in position.By integrating four fully-glazed pass doors into the glass moveable walls, there is ease of access into each of the meeting rooms from the temporary corridor.“This is a superb example of how a range of complementing moveable walls can combine to deliver truly first class, flexible office space,” said Julian Sargent, Style’s group managing director.“The final configuration gives Anglo American so many options as to how to use the space and is a real showcase for anyone visiting the building.”

The Enterprise Lab at Imperial College, London, benefits from the installation of a DORMA Variflex moveable wall system, allowing the room to be divided into a breakout area and workspace. Partitioning experts, Style was closely involved during the design stage of this project as the basement room is located at the bottom of a tight staircase, causing access issues. “We recommended Variflex as it is such a flexible and adaptable system,” said Julian Sargent, Style’s group managing director. “Most importantly, the panel faces are manufactured separately from the frames, allowing each element to be manually manoeuvred down the stairs”.

The refurbishment of the car park was one of the first steps in the regeneration of New Covent Garden Market; a project which is projected to take 10 years at a cost of £2 billion.Appropriately for a flower and fruit market, BDP designed a green wall facade. Lang+Fulton’s Stereo-3 panels were chosen to clad three elevations of the 7-storey car park, sections of which will become covered in ivy.The design incorporated an aluminium box section framework and feature panels as well as open spaces to create added interest. In total Lang+Fulton supplied 422 grating panels in various sizes up to 2510mm high to cover an area of 1296m2. The grating panels were framed at the top and bottom with bent over lugs for fixing to the aluminium uprights. 

Glazing Vision have worked on a number of projects with Architects, ARCHEA, who are Victorian house experts specialising in adapting period houses into modern homes. These homes regularly demand an uplift in natural daylight, and Glazing Vision have formed a great relationship with ARCHEA to help transform many of their projects into well-lit, healthy, and happy environments for a number of families.These particular homes are all located within 10 minutes of each other in Hackney, London, with all clients looking to transform their period property into a contemporary home. Each project involved an extension and required a significant increase in natural daylight to help better the health and wellbeing of the families residing in each home which is where Glazing Vision stepped in.“When adding a ground floor extension, we often need to include rooflights to add light and views both to the new spaces and existing rooms in the home. Whilst fully glazed roofs can be used, this approach typically incurs more cost and extended lead-times due to the glazing being bespoke and needing to be made to order. By using large format, off-the-shelf rooflights we can incorporate extensive areas of glazing, but at a much lower cost and faster turnaround. We then use these in combination with traditional roof construction techniques, which are simple to construct and maintain.” – Richard Skinner, ARCHEA.ARCHEA regularly specify Glazing Vision’s Flushglaze Fixed Rooflight, a minimalist product with ‘frameless’ internal views designed to allow as much natural daylight into a room as possible. When working with pitched roofs, ARCHEA often opt for the Glazing Vision Pitchglaze Fixed Roof Window which is designed to be installed in pitched tiled roof applications flush with the tiling line, providing you with a vast amount of natural daylight.“We initially chose Glazing Vision because of their wide range of high-quality rooflights, and since working with them on a number of projects we value the help of their Technical Sales Team who are always on hand for technical support. We typically use the Flushglaze Fixed units as the extensions we work with usually involve a flat roof for practical and planning reasons and the Flushglaze offers the largest and best value standard glazing solution on the market. The standard aspect is vital for us as we are often looking for short lead times, and so this element adds so much value. When working with pitched roofs we instead use the Pitchglaze Fixed Roof Window which fit flush within the roof offering a sleek finish.” – Richard Skinner, ARCHEA.You can purchase our off the shelf rooflights and roof windows via rooflights.com, our online rooflight shop!Photography: Mai-ling Leung of ARCHEA

Created as part of the wider regeneration of the former industrial area of Ouseburn Valley, Lower Steenberg’s Yard is a four-storey development comprising ground floor commercial office space and 28 residential apartments on the floors above. Benefiting from stunning riverside views of the Ouseburn, a small tributary of the River Tyne, the scheme has been designed by Xsite Architecture and constructed by Esh Construction for developers PfP igloo.The architectural style of Lower Steenberg’s Yard has been informed by both the neighbouring Victorian-era industrial buildings and Scandinavian design elements, with the latter inspired by Mr Richard Steenberg, the Danish industrialist who established a number of businesses in the area throughout the 1850s. As a result, clean lines and the extensive use of natural light are key features of the scheme. This has been achieved to great effect using Senior’s slimline aluminium fenestration systems which have been fabricated and installed by Crown Doors and Shutters.Each of the apartments feature Senior’s low U-value PURe® aluminium windows, specified as triple-glazed tilt and turn style units to provide safe and secure ventilation and ease of maintenance. Senior’s thermally-efficient PURe® SLIDE and PURe® FOLD patio doors have also been installed to provide access to private terraces which overlook the river. As well as helping to maximise the use of natural light, Senior’s fully Part L compliant PURe® aluminium windows and doors will also help improve energy efficiency, reduce fuel costs and contribute to lowering the overall carbon footprint of the building.The ground floor retail units also benefit from Senior’s PURe® casement aluminium windows, with further daylighting achieved through the use of Senior’s slim profile SF52 aluminium curtain wall system to the main entrances. Senior’s robust SPW501 commercial doors have also been installed to provide safe and secure access.

We’ve given a Victorian office building a modern makeover by replacing the existing washrooms with a modern new design. Our flush fronted Alto toilet cubicles, which are designed to provide a virtually seamless façade, were finished with an attractive dark wood effect Engineered Veneer to ensure a consistency of colour for each cubicle door. Laminated duct panels were installed behind the toilets and urinals in a soft grey colour and we also designed bespoke white Corian vanity units.

A modern, high-end apartment building in Newcastle, the Forge combines apartment living with vibrant communal areas for the like-minded residents to enjoy. Style was contracted to create a flexible meeting area in the spacious club lounge, where tenants can gather to socialise or for work. The DORMA Varitrans HSW glass-partitioning wall offered the perfect solution, allowing a meeting room to be formed with ease, whilst retaining the open-plan feel of the room. Creating a stunning feature wall, Style sourced and manufactured a bespoke metal frame that was bolted onto the glass panels, creating a uniquely original crittall-effect.

Working with a number of architects and contractors, Style delivered flexible space solutions in the business school, nursing hub and performing arts centre located in a multi-million-pound development at the University of Gloucestershire. Contemporary Dorma Hüppe moveable wall systems allow lecturers and teaching staff to utilise open plan areas for larger classes, seminars and performances or alternatively, they can quickly divide the space to allow smaller sessions to run simultaneously and undisturbed. Style has also provided the University with a comprehensive annual service and maintenance contract that covers all the partitioning walls, protecting into the future.

Based in Somerset, Taunton School was founded all the way back in 1847. While the building’s stunning exterior has been immaculately preserved in the years since, the interior has of course been routinely upgraded during that time in order to support the ever-evolving demands of educational environments – including the recent installation of our Type G100 movable wall system.Type G100 is a glazed partition system that provides effective protection again sound transfer when fully closed, achieving up to Rw 54dB. This particular system is comprised of 10 panels, with half being glass and the other half sporting a solid matte black finish – all housed within a sleek black painted aluminium frame.Thanks to the Type G100, the school’s cafeteria layout can changed within minutes, offering the choice between a large open plan space, or a pair of smaller rooms. A fully solid system would not allow for the transfer of natural light to the smaller of the two spaces created when the system is in use, however the glazed panels mean this is not an issue. A pass door also allows for access between the smaller spaces when the panels are being used.

Armourcoat’s modular panel system ArmourFX has been specified to stunning effect at the new G-Shock store on London’s Carnaby Street by Double Retail. The new flagshop concept store was designed to physically interpret the core values of the brand and clearly segment G-Shock’s extensive product range.Through the careful use of lighting and materials, such as slate flooring, hot rolled steel surfaces and concrete wall panels from ArmourFX,the environment is an embodiment of G-Shock toughness.The store has elevated this premium offering and created a versatile future-proof space adaptable for specific collections and product launches.ArmourFX concrete effect panels are ideal for a deconstructed urban look for contemporary projects. The panels offer a wealth of design options to achieve a distinctive industrial style including distressed effects or recessed ‘shutter’ markings. Off-site construction is fast becoming the method of choice for both contractors and their clients with projects under tight deadlines for completion, or where it is impractical to work with ‘wet’ plastering trades on site. ArmourFX modular solutions can be highly customized to suit the client, sent directly to site and installed in a few hours. Photography: © Max McClure

Built in 1986, Dukes Court was viewed as a symbol of Woking’s economic growth, offering 220,000 sq. ft. of premium office accommodation. These works will ensure Dukes Court continues to play an important role in the town’s future.The front of Dukes Court underwent an extensive remodelling, creating a landscaped pedestrianised public plaza and restaurant with outdoor seating. The building features an impressive full height living ‘green’ wall, which is one of the tallest in Europe. The building is arranged over five blocks which are accessed via three separate reception areas, leading to the flexible floor plates which all benefit from excellent natural light.Other features include:A larger than life statue of composer and suffragette Dame Ethel Smyth will proudly conduct passers-by in the centre of the pedestrianised plaza.New signage and pedestrian routes which will enhance the visitor experience.Relocation of main vehicle entrance from Dukes Street to Stanley RoadMaybury Road, Stanley Road and The Broadway junctions improvements.Granite from around the world (mainly the far east) included BBS Steel (mid grey) granite, Haze (silver grey) granite, Barzan (black) basalt, and Peppercorn (pink) granite.

In the heart of Rome, thanks to stone-look outdoor porcelain tiles a private villa is coloured with the appeal and practicality of Atlas Concorde products.A welcoming atmosphere and innovative design take shape in an exclusive residence thanks to Atlas Concorde outdoor tiles that give the indoor and outdoor environments an extremely contemporary look. Employed in the outdoor areas, stone-look tiles on both the floor and on the walls translate nature into a material suitable for designing spaces with an enveloping, suggestive atmosphere. The pool area and the surrounding environment are flooded with intense colours and textures, porcelain tiles for the outdoors being used in different sizes and contrasting colours: light tones and bold hues guarantee a pure creativity able to offer superior technical qualities and the aesthetic versatility that distinguishes the original materials. The refined beauty of the stone look in a Grip finish, with the excellent technical performance of porcelain tiles for outdoors, is the perfect choice for the design of outdoor spaces and environments that require the highest standards of durability and safety. Stylish refinement and attention to detail can also be found in some interior spaces of the building where concrete-look porcelain tiles and wood-look porcelain tiles become the protagonists of a modern, sophisticated style of furnishing.

Steeped in a rich artistic history, The Now Building in London is an architectural marvel designed to revive the musical majesty of the formerly named 'Tin Pan Alley''.Inspired by the striking lights of Times Square in New York, the new, multi-purpose music venue and art installation is truly a sight to behold. Boasting a foyer that is covered from wall to ceiling with 8K screens broadcasting entertainment, music and digital artworks in breath-taking 360-degree, interactive 4D quality. For such an incredible, interactive and artistic experience – the ventilated flooring grilles were never going to take centre stage! However, the high quality systems were specified to perform and subtly enhance the spectacular digital aesthetic and unmistakeable gold exteriors surrounding them. An immersive experienceRegarded as London’s new home of music, art and culture, The Now Building plays host to 5 stories of interactive digital art, venue rooms, restaurants, studios and more. To achieve such an immersive experience for visitors, ventilated flooring grilles were specially designed and adapted for the floors, skirting and feature walls. INTRA Ceiling Grilles were also specified to hide various structural and functional services above, masking the pipework and HVAC units.The grille flooring uses a bespoke hinge bracket, custom designed for the project, to provide easy access to electrical socket points below. When it came to the feature walls, INTRA created a unique solution; the first of its kind on the market: a tailored version of INTRAgrille T2850, designed to plug the ventilation gaps for the huge 8K screens, allowing airflow to pass through and keep the screens from overheating. A matt black coating keeps this grille work ‘invisible’ – ensuring it doesn’t detract from the visitors’ viewing experience.Truly Spectacular!Proactive developing our existing product range to solve specific challenges for the site was one of the core successes of this project, as we were able to mould new fixings to help achieve Orms original design vision.The finished article is truly spectacular. The Now building and wider Outernet complex is now a centre piece of London’s artistic culture. Having already hosted some of the biggest names in British music and art, our INTRAgrille product enables the immersive experience to take centre-stage.

Style first installed DORMA moveable walls at global law firm, Mayer Brown, back in 2007, soon after announcing its exclusive UK partnership with DORMA. After 12 years, Mayer Brown decided to update its flexible space with the latest operable wall technology. Working with MCM Architecture, and contractor Overbury, Style installed two semi-automatic Variflex partitions and three Skyfold vertical-rising, fully automatic systems, both taken from the comprehensive DORMA range of operable walls. Mayer Brown visitors and staff now enjoy outstanding acoustic privacy between divided areas of 52dB Rw for the Variflex’s and 59dB Rw for the Skyfolds.

Qbic Manchester, the fourth property in the Qbic portfolio, mixes striking design with admirable eco-credentials and affordability to deliver a truly eclectic destination hotel. Working with Qbic’s own interior designers and contractor, MY Construction, Style was specified to create flexible space in the hotel’s meeting rooms whilst also complementing the breath-takingly chic decor.Finished in a stunning steel blue, the two identical Dorma Hüppe Variflex glass moveable walls incorporate telescopic end panels, giving a truly aesthetic finish. With 52dB acoustic integrity and semi-automatic operation the walls can be quickly manoeuvred into place, dividing or opening out the meeting areas to meet the demands of the day.Combining a stylish crittall effect with a reeded manifestation added to the glass to match the room’s fixed glazing, these moveable partitioning walls not only add flexibility to the hotel’s space but also enhance the overall interior design.Qbic has reinvented the concept of affordable hotels, by focusing on what matters to its stylish, savvy, environmentally responsible guests. Located on the lively Deansgate strip, the Manchester hotel offers 261 pet-friendly rooms, boasts comfortable king-sized beds, has high-speed WiFi, plus water-efficient power showers and sustainable toiletries.“This hotel oozes the ‘wow’ factor,” said Andy Gibson, Style’s director for the North.“The moveable walls are effortless to manoeuvre, enabling hotel staff to create either three separate meeting rooms, one large and one small room, or open up the entire area."Semi-automatic operation ensures the acoustic seals are always applied to exactly the right pressure, offering high levels of privacy when meetings are in progress. The Qbic design team’s vision of a blue steel finish in this vibrant environment was truly inspiring and something we were proud to be able to deliver.”Style is the UK market leader in moveable, folding and partitioning walls and its glass range has expanded this year with a complete range of acoustic and non-acoustic solutions – each with manual, semi-automatic or fully automatic operation.

THE PROJECTRecticel’s Eurothane® GP and Eurowall® Cavity provided the quality PIR solution for two city-based social housing developments. Melody Gardens and Corporation Road in Salford, Manchester were built on behalf of Places for People and For Housing. Watson Homes carried out the work on both developments. For Melody Gardens, it involved the building of a four-storey block compromising 48 apartments; nine two-storey houses, and a bungalow. The properties were built on a 0.4-hectare site once occupied by a Catholic church.THE SOLUTIONEurothane® GP, a low-thermal conductivity panel, provided Melody Gardens’ groundfloor insulation. In conjunction with Eurowall® Cavity, it was also installed at Corporation Road which comprises 18 one-bed and 15 two-bed apartments. The products’ durable thermal performance ensured both developments become a valued addition to Salford’s social housing portfolio.Mike Watson, Construction Director at Watson Homes explained:"Recticel’s high-quality products were essential to ensuring the fabric of both developments was fitted with insulation that will fulfil the occupants’ long-term domestic needs. In terms of installation, the panels’ easy-fit properties made quicker and lighter work of a potentially challenging project."Used products:Eurothane GP: Eurothane® GP is a high performance PIR insulation board that is light weight, easy to cut, handle and install. Whether it’s a pitched roof, framed wall or floor, Eurothane® GP is the ideal solution amongst contractors and installersEurowall® Cavity:Eurowall® Cavity is a specialist high performance solution for cavity walls, with precision-cut straight edges to ensure gaps between boards are kept to a minimum. It has a low emissivity facing which delivers improved thermal resistance within the clear cavity.  

The new office development for the New Gorbals Housing Association in Glasgow features a variety of aluminium fenestration solutions. Together these have helped create a light and airy workspace and an impressive centrepiece for the wider regeneration of the area.Located on Crown Street, the new commercial office building is complemented by a new civic piazza and has been designed by Page & Park Architects. Flexibility and adaptability were key focuses for the overall design, with the incorporation of daylighting and natural ventilation strategies to boost wellbeing, and large glazed facades to better connect the building with the local community.The welcoming main entrance has been created using Senior’s slimline and thermally-enhanced SF52 aluminium curtain wall system and SPW501 aluminium commercial doors. The fenestration package also includes Senior’s SPW600e aluminium windows which were used throughout. The ground floor glazing has been recessed to provide privacy to the internal work spaces whilst complementing the overall ‘open’ design of the scheme. In contrast, the first-floor glazing protrudes slightly to maximise views of the surrounding city. Senior’s products were fabricated and installed by Scottech for main contractor CCG.The office environment includes both large areas for group work and smaller, more private booths and is centred around a large timber-clad atrium. The use of internal and external glazed partitions and windows helps balance the space, providing links with both the other areas of the building and the outside. The fenestration package has also been designed to provide those using the building with multiple aspect views and daylighting, whilst avoiding overheating and glare from the summer sun. To further complement the overall façade design which features dark grey zinc cladding, and to boost the durability of the aluminium frames, the windows, doors and curtain wall systems were powder coated.

A chapel was first built at Swan Hill in the town of Shrewsbury in 1767. In 1868, this was demolished and replaced with the current building; schoolrooms were then added in 1880. Charters Property Ltd who specialise in property development, consultancy and project management, recently purchased the deconsecrated church and have transformed the building into a prestigious development of four fabulous homes.Sensitivity was key when renovating the property and the majority of the original features have been preserved. Original stone walls, lintels and cills have been repaired and impeccably replaced. The walls and roofs have been insulated and energy saving measures implemented to create a comfortable, efficient living environment.Although it was possible to restore some of the original fenestration, double glazed replacement steel windows were still required throughout the building. Clement were thrilled to manufacture these new steel windows and doors. Various Clement ranges were used to meet the different criteria required for the project. For example, the Brooking range was used for the beautiful arched head windows on the front elevation as it would best replicate the originals which would have been silicone fronted. EB16 was used for other windows where silicone fronting was not required and W20 was used to make the steel doors. In total over thirty individual windows were specified, all in various shapes and sizes.Clement Conservation Rooflights were also specified, which bring masses of light in through the beautiful, high ceilings.James Charters, Director of Charters Property said “We were very pleased with the attention to detail and finish of the steel windows, Clement took ownership of their section of the project and were able to deliver a complex scheme on time and to a very good standard. They remained client focussed throughout and we will happily use their service again.”Photography: Photos supplied by Charters Property and taken by Kate Sanders Photography

Aiming to maximise space at Bank of America's UK offices, Style was contracted to work with TP Bennett and contractor Amspec, to design a partitioning solution that would allow the meeting rooms to be used more flexibly, and encourage collaborative working practices. Two Dorma Hüppe Variflex, semi-automatic, white laminate operable walls divide the main meeting room into two separate areas. Boasting an impressive 59dB acoustic integrity, the walls allow concurrent meetings to run entirely undisturbed. Inspiring lively sharing of ideas, Style also installed six vibrantly coloured, moveable glass ‘squiggle’ panels, providing magnetic, writable surfaces for use in dynamic discussions.

Investment in the infrastructure at Festival Place shopping centre in Basingstoke has included the refurbishment and extension of the 3,000 space car park. Lang+Fulton worked with Bell Associates to design a new façade using their STEREO-KINETIC® Wall cladding. The gradation of the stainless steel tiles was designed to allow for ventilation whilst transforming the appearance of the original car park and linking it to the new extension with one seamless frontage. The panels were mounted on to an independent steel frame which was bolted back to new structural steelwork.

Recently opened, the Engine Shed is Scotland’s dedicated building conservation centre, based in Stirling. Working with contractor, ESH Border and architect Reiach & Hall, Style Scotland installed a Skyfold operable wall to quickly separate the exhibition space from the auditorium, allowing educational seminars to be conducted in privacy whilst the rest of the space remains open to the public. Skyfold, a hugely innovative partitioning solution, is a vertical-rising moveable wall that retracts into the ceiling cavity at the turn of a key, creating an acoustic barrier of up to 59dB Rw.

Office acoustic panels are the best way to fix reverberation in spaces where sound becomes noise. A lot of modern offices end up in need of acoustic panels as contemporary designs use hard surfaces, vaulted ceilings and plenty of glass. While this creates bright office spaces, they are often noisy and difficult to focus in.We partnered up with Yorkshire Soundproofing to go and treat a local office in York that was suffering from terrible reverberation issues.Acoustic problems in the officeAcoustic problems in Monitor’s offices meant people were unable to focus, take a phone call or speak with colleagues easily. These office spaces were newly decorated and refurbed, but sound hadn’t been considered in the office designs. Ultimately, the glass partition, high ceilings, hard floor and in-room kitchenette meant the space wasn’t user-friendly. Luckily, management at the company took sound seriously and decided to get the problem resolved with proper sound absorption.They chose the grey Still Note panels which come in different sizes and suited their aesthetics. They are also a superb retrospective sound design choice as they can be added to ceilings or walls and configured to fit the current space.Why acoustic panels are good in office spacesAcoustic panels are a good fit for office spaces because they can be hung from the ceiling out of the way. In this example, the office still felt light and open after the installation was finished. Acoustic panels can also be adhered directly to the walls. This was done in a smaller side office where two desks were close to a wall which increased reverberation.The acoustic panels are lightweight, which means no additional structural changes need to be made before installation. Our Still Note panels were hung from wire fixings which are adjustable to fit any ceiling height. It is best to allow a gap between the panel and the ceiling, if possible, as absorption is increased. You can see in this example that a 25cm gap was left to improve the performance of the acoustic panels.How were the panels installed?The panels were installed with a fixing and wire system which was simply screwed into the ceiling. Each acoustic panel is hung from multiple pigtail screws that are twisted into the material. This makes the panels easy to install and take down for light maintenance.It is best to spread acoustic panels around an office so that the absorption is evenly distributed. In this case study you can see that the panels go from one end to the other. We generally advise covering around 1/3 of hard surfaces, but this depends on your space and sound issues. For this example, the ceiling treatment alone was sufficient for good sound attenuation.Did the acoustic panels work?Yes, the acoustic panels worked and reduced reverberation in the office. The video above has a before and after audio example, so you can hear how acoustic panels work for yourself. Before installation, the room was too noisy and speech could be hard to focus on. After the installation, sound was controlled and it was easy to talk while other activities carried on.This has made a huge difference to the office and made it far better to work in. Now the office space has been successfully treated, they are installing acoustic baffles in their meeting room. This will make in-person meetings and video calls far easier and more professional.

Demonstrating flexibility and meeting requirements where other manufacturers weren’t able to has seen Instanta products specified at a hospital within the London NHS Trust.Inevitably, patient access to hot water needs careful consideration to ensure any risk of scalding is minimal. A decision was made to ensure water boilers within patient areas have a maximum dispensing temperature of 76°C - lower than the majority of standard water boilers.Not having used Instanta before, but needing a change from the existing supplier that couldn’t offer an adjustable temperature, the technical supervisor researched alternatives and was impressed with Instanta’s wide product range. “On reviewing our existing water boilers, we decided that we needed a product that could actually be modified so its maximum temperature is set at 76°C, an important safety measure for users,” commented the technical supervisor. “We were impressed with Instanta’s range. One of their wall-mounted products was just what we were after, however, its temperature was only adjustable to 80°C.The hospital’s enquiry led to further discussions with Instanta’s operations director and a feasibility study determined that it was indeed possible to modify an existing product; a 6 litre SureFlow Touch Wall Mounted Boiler (WMS6PB) to achieve the facility’s maximum temperature requirement of 76°C.“Instanta’s willingness to help and meet our requirements has been brilliant,” continued the technical supervisor. “As per our request, they made sure the maximum dispensing temperature was set at 76°C. Over the past year we have monitored this closely and we’re pleased to report that it has remained at this temperature, which affords us invaluable peace of mind.” In total, 20 wall-mounted boilers were purchased and placed in areas where patients have access to water heaters.

The original Ironmonger Row Baths site was built in the 1930s with swimming pool and traditional style bathing house of hot rooms and cold plunge in the basement. These facilities were completely upgraded in 2012 with saunas and steam rooms added.  In January 2022, the basement spa was destroyed by a fire. A complete restoration of the area was required of the builder’s work, fabric and services and Sauna360 UK was honoured to be commissioned to design and install all wellness areas. In January 2024 the "bathing house" re-opened to a wonderful reception.There has been a transformation of the area and a feeling of space, tranquillity and relaxation. Huge full height tiles adorn the walls throughout. Longitudinal floor tiles subtly take the eye to the glass fronted Salt sauna at one end and the backlit image and relax zone the other.  On arriving from the changing area the guest has a choice of contemporary facilities of saunas, aroma steam rooms, feature showers and ice to the left or traditional hot rooms, cold plunge and massage slabs to the right with large relaxation areas in the centre.  In the contemporary zone there are two large saunas: The Juniper Sauna This sauna  is operated at 75-85C with automatic infusion for a medium humidity. To the front a Juniper wall provides a beautiful detail with its own natural spicy aroma.  Behind the benches, and hidden within the wall, are Infra red panels. These allow the room to be operated in separate sessions at a lower temperature 40-45C with the benefits of IR bathing.The Salt Sauna The Salt Sauna is hot (85-95C) and dry like a traditional Finnish sauna and provides the ideal environment for the large salt wall. The impressive sauna has the height for a third bench in the hottest zone. The glass front allows the backlit salt wall and attractive finishes to be viewed from outside and the feeling of space appreciated from within. The Aroma Steam Room This opulent room has copious amounts of steam infused with seasonally changing essence. The stunning, large format, dark marble tiles are paired with subtle underbench lighting to create a relaxing ambience. Inclined backrests are used for ultimate comfort.Salt Inhalation Steam Room Contrasting beautifully with Aroma Steam Room, this thermal experience infuses the area with a mint or lemon essence to complement the automated salt spray within the steam environment for enhanced inhalation benefits.Completing the area are two Feature showers with warm and cool programs using essence plus a Cool room with ice feature and icy mint spray.Infrared Benching In the central area there is a long Recliner bench in ergonomic ceramics with gentle Infra red heating plus an expansive relaxation zone.Hot Rooms In the traditional zone there are the Hot Rooms. A series of interlinked rooms in large ceramics with increasing temperature as you get further in for the ultimate thermal experience.Drench Bucket & Plunge Pool Outside the hot rooms one will find a drench bucket cleansing shower and a large Plunge pool. The plunge pool now includes a unique heat recovery system which uses the heat removed from the plunge pool water to provide heat to the existing learner pool.Massage Slabs & Footrests The traditional zone also has twin heated Massage slabs for wet massage treatments by the spa therapists. The area is completed by additional heated benching with heated foot rests, below the backlit feature wall.