"concrete curers hardeners seals"

ProjectSurespan manufactured and supplied a double-glazed access hatch for use on a private residential apartment in downtown San Francisco. ProductThe 915 (36”) x 4115 (162”) hatch was electrically operated for easy operation and allowed easy access to the roof deck for Al Fresco dining in the Californian sun. “The glass hatch is one of the best features of the house.” Glazed hatches feature a frameless design eliminating water ponding. The 28.4mm sealed glazed unit comprised of Pilkington Insulight™ Therm, 6mm Optifloat™ Clear ‘T’ (toughened), 16mm Argon filled cavity, 6.4mm Pilkington Optilam™ ‘K’ Glass Laminated glass.

Surespan manufactured a double-glazed sliding access hatch for use in a private residential apartment in London. Product2640 (103?) x 2020mm (79?) hatch was electrically operated via a key switch for easy operation and allowed access to the roof providing views across the London skyline. The sliding cover was finished in grey external polyester powder coating with a white internal finish. The 35.5mm sealed double glazed unit comprised of Pilkington 6mm toughened K polished all-round outer pane, 20mm Warm Edge silver spacer Bar argon filled, Pilkington 9.5mm toughened & laminated inner pane, divided into two panes.

Preventing punching shear failure with flat slab construction is critical and while traditional solutions such as links in the punching area work fairly effectively, there are disadvantages. They are time-consuming to install and risk installation inaccuracy and positional stability during concreting. A product that does offer a cost-effective, easy-to-install solution, is the widely used and dependable Schöck Bole shear rail; and one of the many construction sites where Bole is the system of choice is the New Green project at Rainham in Essex, where two outdated 13-storey tower blocks are being replaced by mid-rise, high density buildings, providing 197 homes. As with any reinforced concrete slab design, the New Green project is at risk of punching shear failure, which traditionally has been resolved by adding further concrete, such as the use of downstand beams or localised thickened column heads. However these measures require complex formwork and significantly reduce the benefits offered by the flat slab design. By incorporating the Schöck Bole shear rail system, installation is cost-effective and significantly faster than traditional loose links. The ready-to-install reinforcement element consists of double-headed studs with spacing bars to ensure correct positioning.  Spacers allow installation on the formwork, making installation on the construction site and in the precast plant quicker, safer and easier to achieve. The dramatically reduced fixing time far outweighs any additional material costs that may be involved with a prefabricated system.  

Sitting adjacent to Manchester Victoria station, the £185m New Victoria development is a two-phase scheme initially involving two residential towers of 20 and 25 storeys providing 520 one, two and three bed apartments. The second phase being a 13-storey office block. The façade concept is a ‘hooped envelope around a glass box’ with the ‘envelope’ consisting of vertical panels from the first floor to roof level. As with any reinforced concrete slab design, the project is at risk of punching shear failure. Which traditionally has been resolved by adding further concrete, such as downstand beams or localised thickened column heads. However these measures require complex formwork and significantly reduce the benefits of the flat slab design. By incorporating the Schöck Bole shear rail system – with its ready-to-install reinforcement element consisting of double-headed studs with spacing bars to ensure correct positioning – installation is cost-effective and significantly faster than traditional loose links. In fact, Shaun Farrell of Mayo Civils, the concrete frame contractor, comments: “We were pleased to find that by using the Bole shear rail system on the project, installation was four times faster than if we had used shear links.” Shaun goes on to explain that: “when using traditional links the installation time is increased because twelve ties are involved, six of which have to be tied to the bottom steel matt, which involves getting your hands between the rebar. With the Schöck Bole six-stud shear rail, it only involves two ties to the top matt”. 

The Protec System was used to waterproof the domed green roof areas of this striking, sustainable house development which was featured on Chanel 4’s Grand Designs. With an ambitious vision and a tight budget, Robert and Milla Gaukroger set about transforming a dated 1980’s house overlooking Lake Windermere into a state-of-the-art, eco-conscious home. Since the house lay in beautiful hillside surroundings, in order to blend into this setting, the domed roofs of the house were to be covered with a wildflower meadow mix to provide a green roof construction.The SolutionThe Protec System was chosen as a waterproofing membrane for the roofs as it is ideally suited for green roof applications. Lightweight, flexible and highly durable, the system can easily accommodate structural expansion movements and is tough enough to resist root penetration. The Protec system was applied to over 350m2 of domed roof to provide a long-lasting waterproofing membrane.The key reasons why Eastleigh chose Protec are the same reasons that has seen it become one of the fastest growing cold-applied liquid roofing systems in both the new build and refurbishment markets. Combined with the timber cladding to the verticals of the building, the finished aesthetics of the development blended seamlessly with the surrounding areas.A warm roof build-up that can be made waterproof at multiple stages:For larger projects the Protec system can be made temporarily waterproof at two stages prior to the application of the full waterproofing system. The first stage is upon installation of the sealed, aluminium-faced vapour barrier.The second phase follows the reinforcing of the foil-faced insulation board joints with Protec resin and taping mat. This enables a much more controlled approach to the installation with a greatly reduced chance of rain causing disruption and damage during the works.Highly flexible membrane:Regardless of the size of the roof, Protec forms a homegenous membrane, without a single joint or seam and without the need for any expansion joints.RapidCure technology for quick installation:The application of Protec as a liquid, through to the curing process where a solid, tough membrane that can be walked over, takes only 30 – 60 minutes. This enables large sections of the roof to be fully completed in a short space of time.Installing the Roofing SystemsThe Protec System provided waterproofing to all flat roof areas as well as the extensive parapet wall sections. The roof areas were made up of two designs: the Protec Warm Roof System (approx 7,500m2) and Protec applied to concrete as part of an inverted roof design (approx 1,000m2).The roof installation was carried out with a planned, phased approach that was synchronised to the wider construction schedule. For the warm roof areas, the first stage was to fill the troughs of the structural metal roof deck with acoustic insulation infills that will dampen external noise within the leisure centre. Next, the crowns of the deck were primed ready to receive the self-adhesive vapour barrier.The use of a high-performance aluminium vapour barrier not only eliminates the risk of condensation within the roof, but also provides temporary waterproofing protection, which is extremely useful on larger works such as this.The Polyroof RES Insulation boards, which comprised of a two layer system totalling 170mm to achieve a U-Value of 0.14 W/m2K, were bonded using high-performance PU adhesive to the vapour barrier. Following the wind uplift calculations it was determined that mechanical fixings were not required for this application – making for an extremely rapid installation. As you can probably imagine, fixing through 170mm of insulation into the crowns of the metal deck can be a tricky and time-consuming task.A key advantage of using a tongue and groove insulation system is that the finished surface of the roof is smooth and level without any unsightly board steps that can also lead to standing water issues. The insulation board joints were sealed using Protec resin with Polymat Taping Mat 450 which, in addition to providing additional strength to the joints, also creates a temporarily waterproof layer.For the inverted roof sections, Protec was applied directly to the primed concrete/screed surface. The membrane was inspected by Polyroof Technical Services, signed off and then covered with inverted roof components. An interesting fact when using Protec in inverted roof situations is its incredible durability performance – as tested by the BBA, Protec “can provide an effective barrier to the transmission of liquid water and water vapour for the design life of the roof in which it is incorporated”.Monitoring and CompletionThroughout the duration of the contract, Polyroof Technical Services carried out regular site visits that were reported back to Interserve as part of Polyroof’s free-of-charge contract monitoring service. This enabled the client to keep up-to-date with the progress of the roof installation in detail and also provided peace of mind that the original specification was being closely followed and implemented.Polyroof worked closely with the Roofline Group during the installation, enabling the challenges were identified and solved in an efficient and coordinated manner – saving the client time and money.

As part of a mixed-use commercial development in King’s Cross, Ambar Kelly have supplied bespoke riser flooring system. The rise flooring is providing to an ideal riser flooring solution for a complex construction project involving reinforced concrete frame and steel frame buildings, to improve buildability and safety.

The new Headquarters of Goldman Sachs in London is in a great location on Farringdon Street in the City of London. This massive office development of 1.1 million square feet includes a large auditorium which is isolated to protect it from tube train noise and to protect the rest of the building.Sandy Brown specified that the box-in-box construction needed 10Hz bearings supporting it.Our local branch worked with Byrne Brothers to design supply and install the concrete floating floors and structural bearings. The complicated 3-dimensional space is supported on 5 separate floating floors with bearings beneath designed to take the column loads.The floating floors consist of Stravifloor Deck isolation rails supporting composite metal decking, reinforcement and concrete.Some of the columns are supported on Stravibase SEB bearings located outside of the floating floor areas.The new building has been named the ‘groundscraper’ due to its mammoth size – it will become one of London’s new collection of landmark buildings.

The newly built Mundaring arena indoor sporting facility is located in the Perth halls district. The building caters for a range of sports such as hockey, basketball and netball and was constructed for the local community now and for future generations. Forbo Flotex was chosen for the functionality and longevity and the new plank designs suited the design visual requested. Additionally, Flotex is a proven floor covering in sporting and gym applications. The 70 million nylon 6.6 fibres per m² offer superior wear characteristics and abrasion resistance when compared with other yarns, making it the ideal flooring for high traffic areas. Flotex is also well known for providing healthier indoor quality and has been awarded the asthma and allergy foundation seal of approval.

MARSHALLS BRICKS & MASONRY DELIVERS SUSTAINABLE ALTERNATIVE FOR THE MERLIN RISE DEVELOPMENTMarshalls Bricks & Masonry’s Mayfair Vintage facing bricks have been used by housebuilder Backhouse on its Merlin Rise development to achieve a high-quality, reclaimed brick aesthetic that also aligns with the sustainability goals of the business.In line with the company’s sustainability aims, Backhouse chose to use concrete facing bricks rather than a conventional clay alternative. Unlike clay bricks, concrete products do not require firing and as a result, only a small amount of additional energy is used in the manufacturing process. Concrete bricks are net absorbers of CO2 due to their continuous carbonation over their lifetime. Therefore, across the total lifetime of the product, concrete’s carbon footprint is as little as 49% that of traditional bricks.BY SELECTING THE MAYFAIR VINTAGE BRICK AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO A TRADITIONAL CLAY BRICK, BACKHOUSE HAS SAVED 93 TONNES OF CARBONCharles Phillpott, Senior Buyer at Backhouse said: “We are focused on creating places that are sympathetic to their location, respect the existing environment and we are serious about how we work with existing communities. Placemaking is at the very core of our developments and we constantly strive to use sensitive methods of construction and materials. Marshalls’ range of facing bricks not only allows us to choose from a range of colours and finishes, it also means we are incorporating an element of sustainability into the homes we build by the very materials we select. This makes our sustainability goals easier to achieve and is at the heart of what we want to do as a business”.Kevin Cafferty, Commercial Director at Marshalls Bricks & Masonry said: “There is nothing more rewarding than seeing the products we are so passionate about actually in-situ and forming part of someone’s home. The Merlin Rise development is testament to Clifton Emery Design and Backhouse; they have designed stunning and sustainable homes. We hope to see more of this sympathetic approach to design from other house builders and architects”.The Merlin Rise development was Highly Commended in the Development of the Year category (20-100 units) at the British Homes Awards 2021 and was shortlisted for the 2021 AJ Architecture Awards, Housebuilder Awards and Building Awards.

The aesthetically pleasing Victorian residences built in the 1870’s by Matthew Allen are still going strong today. TAPERED FOAMGLAS® insulation replaces the original concrete screeds, allowing the roofs to shed water. Excellent thermal performance and long-term reliability ensure that Mr. Allen’s properties will last for a long time.

Intermarché, Saint-Rambert-en-Bugey, France required a flooring which was quick and easy to install, suitable for high traffic retail areas, while being easy to maintain. They also wanted a stylish and attractive finish. The seamless Urban Concrete Grey interlocking loose lay flooring tiles were chosen for their project.

Hydrostop AH-25 liquid roofing was chosen as a better alternative to built-up roofing for installation to a new build Surrey County Council office development. The Hydrostop AH-25 system was applied over a concrete substrate with a bituminous vapour control layer with Eurodeck liquid roofing board and cut to falls insulation.

Job: New Lidl Store, BlythSmet Supported Partner: Plunkett Tiling ContractorsSMET Product Used: Sopro RS 648 Vibration SlurryRelated DownloadsTDS Sopro RS 648 Vibration SlurrySmet Professional Tiling Systems BrochureDescriptionSopro RS 648 Vibration Slurry was selected for the LIDL tiling system method of vibro-compaction fixing of porcelain floor tiles, in the Blyth LIDL. Smet Supported Partner, Plunkett Tiling Contractors, selected the superior quality German-made, RS 648 Vibration Slurry, for its flexibility as a bonding slurry for the installation of stone and ceramic coverings, making it ideal for use in vibrated floor systems (or indeed conventional methods).In preparing the floor to LIDL spec, the floor screed is placed, struck off to required levels, and pre-compacted using a straight edge. The bonding layer, namely Sopro RS 648 vibration slurry is applied to prepared and pre-compacted floor screed and ceramic tiles are immediately placed with tightly butted joints to LIDL spec.After installation of a vibratable area (10 – 20 m², depending on situation/ambient conditions and resultant setting behaviour of floor screed), a surface vibrator is passed over floor covering and tiles vibrated into adhesive bed. When sufficiently set, hardened and bonded joints are grouted*.Sopro RS 648 Vibration Slurry is a one-component, fibre-reinforced, polymer-modified, trass-bearing, cementitious bonding and contact slurry. Applied as flexible bonding slurry for installation of stone and ceramic coverings using vibrated floor system or conventional methods. It’s ideal for slurry application technique. Sopro RS 648 is particularly suitable for laying tiles with low water absorption (fully vitrified stoneware). For laying large-format units (30 cm × 60 cm) using vibrated floor system. Also, it can be used as slurry-applied bonding layer on substrates and on bedding adhesive.The product's special properties and SMETs superior technical backup, are key factors in choosing Sopro RS 648 Vibration Slurry. Smet Building Products Ltd is committed to delivering high-quality products to the construction of LIDL stores.For more info on our range of SMET Professional Tiling Products.*We always recommend grouting with Sopro FL 526 Flexible Tile grout in the required colour.

Sealants specially developed by Hodgson Sealants for quick and efficient assembly have been helping Victory Leisure Homes achieve faster, safer, greener, and more efficient production at its Yorkshire manufacturing facilities. Hodgson has worked in close partnership with both the Technical and Production teams at Victory to formulate specialist solutions for some of its most common sealing and bonding applications. Working closely in tandem with Victory to provide technical support including site visits and substrate testing along the way, Hodgson’s R&D team has replaced less efficient PU adhesives with high-performance products, for safer, quicker bonding with less waiting time between processes.  HY-SPEC HS50 is Hodgson’s latest addition to its hybrid sealant range and was developed to offer Victory a combination of quick grab, excellent tooling properties, and performance adhesion, all the time retaining flexibility on its fast-paced production applications. It is a neutral cure, high modulus and solvent-free adhesive. Its effectiveness for Victory - a company that is at the leading edge for innovation in its markets - lies in its unparalleled wet grab properties. This means that HY-SPEC HS50 can seal and bond quickly reducing the need for mechanical support to provide leak-free construction and to make production processes at Victory quicker and more accurate. It offers excellent adhesion on a wide variety of substrates allowing Victory the production flexibility to work with a range of materials.  Once cured to its full strength, HY-SPEC HS50 retains excellent flexibility making it the perfect product for sealing and bonding in caravan, leisure, specialist vehicle manufacture, marine or industrial assembly where flexibility is vital to accommodate movement in the joint. Once the assembly is complete the HY-SPEC HS50 cures tack free so it will not pick up dirt, maintaining the home’s good looks for years to come. “The innovation teams at Hodgson and Victory have worked collaboratively to produce an advanced solution for our specific requirements,” says Victory’s Research and Development Director, Steve Bulliment. “The result is a sealant that improves productivity, build quality and working condition in our production facilities. The support they have given us has been exceptional, taking the time to listen to our requirements and understand our processes to produce the perfect solution.”Kevin Nickolay of Hodgson Sealants has equally praised the collaboration: “We are very proud to be supporting Victory Leisure Homes in their quest to be consistently best in class. They are always keen to explore the latest sealant technologies available to ensure they have premium quality, water tight structures which offer the very best in home from home holiday accommodation on the market.” HY-SPEC HS50 is a greener, cleaner alternative to traditional PU adhesives with none of the harmful isocyanates and solvents so they are safer and cleaner to use. Hodgson can also offer the adhesive in foil sausages, giving greater yield and less plastic waste than traditional cartridges.

webertherm XP External Wall Insulation system has been specified for a contemporary new build in a designated conservation area in South West England. The revolutionary system has been used on the walls of the property while weberpral M through-coloured render has been used extensively to long runs of concrete walling.

In this project Stoneworld have supplied and installed a totally bespoke sandstone staircase, created by cladding a poured concrete structure. Stoneworld create a digital template for each piece by using the latest portable scanning equipment onsite. This data is then used to waterjet individual pieces for the step treads and step risers. Read on to see the details of this project

Architect/Designer: PRPLocation: ManchesterProject Overview: 30 Brown Street is a four-storey brick office building originally built in 1985. The brief was to retain and refurbish the building to provide circa 50,000sqft of adaptable contemporary workspace. ServiceFull hardware scheduling & bespoke finishProject DetailsThis exciting design in the heart of Manchester steers away from using traditional finishes such as stainless steel or brass and instead incorporates a bold use of white RAL9010 PPC ironmongery. Architect David Sharpe explains why‘The building has a lot of exposed raw finishes, including concrete soffits and grey terrazzo flooring, partly inspiring the name, CORE (also referring to the location in the heart of Manchester's office core). Doors and main structural elements were painted a very dark grey to provide a clear contrast with the concrete structure. The inspiration behind the choice of white ironmongery was to provide a high quality counterpoint to the darker raw exposed concrete and painted finishes, and any small part metalwork - eg the lighting, brassware and glazed partition framing, were also specified to be white to match.The contemporary interior was a key ingredient for the brief and although we started with the concept of a mixture of grey and white ironmongery to work with the overall feel of the building during our close work with the architect this was pulled back to a predominantly white scheme with grey pull handles being used for fully glazed doors to create greater contrast and to fulfil the contemporary brief.The choice of specific ironmongery took into account the desire for a minimalist aesthetic, relating to the choices in lighting and brassware.’To find out more about this project visit www.prp-co.uk/project/30-brown-street.html

St Francis of Assisi Catholic College in Walsall, needed to replace their existing flooring in their main sports hall, in order to cater for the demanding needs at the facility.International flooring specialist Gerflor supplied 650m2 of their world class Taraflex® Multi-Use vinyl sports flooring in Light Grey (Concrete) to complete the refurbishment project to the highest standards.Chris Newey, Gerflor Specification Area Sales Manager, West Midlands said, “The existing sports hall floor was in desperate need of refurbishment. The new Concrete effect Taraflex has transformed the look of the hall from a dated school sports hall to a fresh and very modern look.”The management and procurement process of the new sports floor would be the responsibility of the Schools Site Manager Bernie McNally who is a former professional footballer for West Bromwich Albion and has also pulled on the green jersey for his home country Northern Ireland.Bernie McNally said, “We are delighted with the results and how less intrusive Gerflor’s Taraflex sports flooring was to fit, against digging concrete out which would have been a lengthy, costly, and messy process. Our Headmaster is really impressed with the new Taraflex sports floor, which is performing really well and also looks amazing, the before and after pictures speak for themselves.”The installation of the new Taraflex® Multi-Use floor would be undertaken by the Solihull-based FLR Group. Adam Kaid, Contracts Manager, FLR Flooring said, “Gerflor have some of the best options and varieties out there and we are always extremely confident in the quality of their products.”

Minimalist design and style for a perfect outdoor setting, Atlas Concorde's concrete-effect porcelain tiles add a touch of glamor to the poolside of a private French villa.Essential shapes, simplicity, and hospitality are the main aspects that describe the exterior of a charming private villa in St. Emilion, a town that’s associated with good French wine. It’s a simple outdoor space that incorporates modern technology to support comfort and reflects a close attention to detail, where the choice of colours and materials represent the basis for the decoration of a space that embodies the principles of a modern, minimalist outdoor style. And it’s based on these design needs that the concrete-effect tilesof Atlas Concorde were called upon to clad the edges of the swimming pool outside the villa. Applied in a neutral shade in sync with the overall style, the concrete-effect surfaces adorn the space with a single continuous material, capable of transforming the environment into an oasis of intimacy, conviviality, and relaxation. The outdoor flooring makes it possible to project one’s style outside in safety and continuity, extending the design possibilities. Using a dry laying process, the outdoor tiles were placed directly on the ground, ensuring easy laying and the possibility of quick removal for any future changes. With their non-slip Grip finish and 20 mm thickness, the porcelain slabs selected for the poolside are an optimal, safe solution for the outdoor space. Resistant to external heat and the chemical attack of certain products, the outdoor tiles also maintain their flatness and original size, while also hindering the proliferation of bacteria, molds and fungi, thus ensuring a high level of healthiness. Combining beauty and practicality, the outdoor space and swimming pool of the French villa convey an atmosphere of relaxation and hospitality in harmony with the evocative setting that surrounds the private residence.

Great to see AG's Tavira Flagstones looking the part at St Marys Faughanvale GAA Club.The Tavira Flags in Silver are manufactured with Enduur 1 advanced concrete technology – engineered to deliver an impressive range of product enhancements, from increased strength, durability and longer lasting colours to a lower carbon footprint and advanced hydrophobic performance.

The renovation to the domes on the historic Harrods Repository was a fascinating project to have become involved in. Extensive concrete repairs were carried out using Koster corrosion protection and mortar repair materials followed by waterproofing systems installed internally and facade treatments externally on the tiled surfaces.These domes will dominate the London skyline for many years to come!

GreenCoat PLX Pural BT from steel manufacturer SSAB. Highly durable GreenCoat products feature a bio-based coating whereby a substantial portion of Swedish rapeseed oil replaces the dependency on fossil fuel oils. A patented solution reducing the environmental footprint making GreenCoat the market’s greenest steel for roofs and façades. This formable steel can be worked at temperatures below -15°C and is backed up by a 50-year technical guarantee. GreenLine® colour matched rainwater goods are made from GreenCoat RWS and offer the perfect finish to any project large or small. Easy to install using rubber sealed connection joints. GreenLine® rainwater goods are offered with a 30-year guarantee.

THE PROJECT The Stephen A Schwarzman Centre is a new state-of-the-art performing arts and exhibition development that will house the University of Oxford’s Humanities department. The architect, Hopkins, is well known for designing environmentally efficient buildings, and the main contractor Laing O'Rourke has a wealth of experience of building large complex structures. Fosroc was invited to provide a full waterproofing system for a two-level basement due to their technical expertise, customer care, and proven products. Three forms of waterproofing were proposed; pre-applied membrane, waterproof concrete and a cavity drain system. The project also included a complex detail where the new basement needed to punch through the secant wall into an adjacent basement. THE SOLUTION Fosroc entered into an early design development phase with Laing O'Rourke to progress the waterproofing design and overcome some of the particularly challenging aspects of the scheme. Design meetings were held to address these issues in advance of the scheme going to site. The primary protection proposed for the base was the robust Type A Proofex Engage pre-applied fully bonded membrane. Its unique mesh system allows a full bond to concrete and prevents water tracking between the concrete and membrane. Type B watertight concrete containing Supercast WCP – an integral hydrophobic pore-blocking admixture was used as secondary protection for the base and primary protection for the walls. Secondary protection for the walls was provided by the Type C Proofex Cavitydrain drained cavity system, that channels water ingress into the basement drainage system. Laing O’Rourke then appointed Fosroc’s in-house design service WDS to complete the design with the required professional indemnity insurance cover. WDS has delivered a fully detailed coordinated set of design drawings to detail the waterproofing installation, helping Laing O'Rourke to complete to the very highest standard. THE BENEFITS Fosroc were able to calculate approximate quantities for the scheme, including all ancillary items. This, coupled with a planned project programme enabled the supply of materials to be accurately scheduled, avoiding delays and improving the level of cost certainty for the client. By using the three types of protection, the basement of the four-storey academic building is afforded the maximum level of long-term protection against water ingress. The installation team have been very satisfied with the design provided by WDS, and the products and service received from Fosroc throughout the installation.

Jubilee Bridge was constructed in 1977 - chloride contamination was causing corrosion of the suspended and cantilever reinforced concrete support beams, half-joint elements and the soffits of the beamsICCP was used to protect cantilever beams, half-joints and suspended slab elements. Over 8,500 anodes were drilled in and are controlled in 20 zones with separate control of the beams and the half-joints.

Each floor posed a different challenge during the refurbishment of this 1960s building. Some substrates contained bitumen, or old adhesive residues, whilst others had uneven and damaged concrete with rising damp. ARTIDEX NA was the only choice, as it covers all subfloors without the need to prime, and ARDEX DPM 1 C provided the ultimate moisture control solution.

The Seed is a blueprint for sustainable construction. This new build home used next to no concrete, is insulated with recycled paper, was built around a tree and root protection plan, and incorporates a plan for deconstruction and reuse at the end of its life. Our timber products were another key sustainable element that was carefully specified by the architect, and they are used inside and out for cladding, decking and flooring.

Quinn Architects, on behalf of the Director Laurence Quinn and his family, undertook the renovation of an eleventh-floor four bedroom Barbican tower apartment. The Barbican is a radical project and has been designated as a site of special architectural interest for its scale, its cohesion and the quality of the architecture. The complex is architecturally important as it is one of London’s best examples of concrete brutalist architecture.

This stunning bespoke stone staircase, created from La Roche limestone, forms part of a large project that Stoneworld have collaborated on: After digitally templating the bare concrete structure onsite, individual step treads and step risers have been cut on the water jet cutter in our masonry factory. These have then been expertly fitted by the contractor.

Projects Information: Type: Public Swimming Pool Room: Shower area for women/men, shower Location: Berlin Kaulsdorf Construction company: Heidrich Fliesen, Zernitz-Lohm Project Description: 50m pool Non-swimmer pool with slide 2 sauna cubicles 95°C, steam bath, samarium 4 water wheelchairs, no lift, but flat, rounded Disabled parking spaces Products/Systems used: wedi Building Boards in different thicknesses wedi 610 Adhesive and Sealing Material wedi Tools Reinforcement Tape Special production (8 units each) with Fundo Requirements: Very short assembly times on site Support from AD + AWT in setup/instruction Very short drying times Water-tight material Quick processing

The children’s hospital is the largest centre for child heart surgery in the UK and one of the largest centres for heart transplantation in the world. The hospital is constructing a new building which will contain an Intraoperative Magnetic Resonance suite as well as physiotherapy and rehabilitation facilities. The suite will enable surgical teams to check whether complex procedures have worked, before patients wake up.Dortek supplied our specialist hybrid doors which are hygienic, lead-lined, fire-rated, automated and hermetically sealing. Our doors are specifically constructed for high hygiene areas and are completely free from timber or other organic materials which can harbour bacteria. The doors play an essential role in preventing cross-contamination as well as providing certified fire and x-ray protection and ensuring safe and efficient access for patients and staff.

Grade II listed hotel in the heart of the City of LondonHyatt Regency London Blackfriars is located in the historic Square Mile, directly outside Blackfriars station, and is a short stroll from St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Tate Modern and Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. The Grade II-listed five-star hotel is steeped in regal history, residing on the former grounds of King Henry VIII's Bridewell Palace.195 rooms had wedi XPS shower tray formers (the wedi Fundo Riolito neo) featuring a linear drainage channel with continuous slope right to the channel and more flexible adjustment for tiling. Providing a complete abP-approved, CE marked and BBA accredited waterproof system, removing the need for labour intensive tanking because no further sealing is required.

Based at Manchester’s waterfront in Salford Quays, MediaCityUK Studio Block is the largest media development in the UK and will become centre for the world’s leading creative and digital businesses. The BBC is one of mediacity:uk’s anchor tenants and from 2011 it will be home to five BBC departments including two TV channels and two radio stations; three of them are Radio Five Live, BBC Sport and CBeebies.Many of the studios in the main Studio Block have Stravifloor Jackup jack-up concrete slabs to optimise the sound insulation between noise producing and noise sensitive spaces. These floating floors in combination with the structure of the studios being isolated off Stravibase SEB simple elastomer bearings delivering high performance box-in-box constructions.The TV studios built off the upper floors were built using a heavily damped concrete construction supported at 600mm centres using Stravifloor Deck isolation rails. In these studios the structure of the studios was built off the floating floors to create the box-in-box whilst providing very stable conditions for the TV cameras.

A £5m renovation scheme in Warrington has been presented with the “Best Change of Use to Existing Building” regional award by LABC (Local Authority Building Control) and Warrington Borough Council.The scheme required the conversion of a former office building, Kings Court, in Central Warrington, into 32 luxury flats, comprising of a mix of one and two bedroom apartments, arranged over three floors of accommodation. These flats are situated above retail units and restaurants. The renovation included a further two exclusive duplex penthouses for Phase 2.As part of the renovation, Main Contractor Emerald Bay Construction required an acoustic flooring solution to meet Approved Document ‘E’ Building Regulations and therefore provide overall resident comfort, in terms of Sound Insulation between separating floors. As the building structural floor was primarily concrete, Soundis put forward a solution that involved 2,072 m2 of Soundis ChipPanel 28 to help with Impact Noise. This shallow deck floating floor is ideal for concrete floors where Airborne Noise is not an issue but Impact Noise Attenuation needs to exceed the requirements of current Building Regulations.

The Scope of the project was to provide a structural waterproofing solution to a private dwelling with new build extension.The property, situated on a sloping site gave the opportunity for the waterproof design to utilise the properties environment to allow for natural discharge of any potential water ingress.The property was detached and retaining to the front and side elevations where the retaining ground slopes down and away from the property to a garden that continues to slope down to a small stream. The retaining walls on either elevation rise at their highest point to approximately 1500mm above the internal floor level.The internal walls of the property were original brick to the front and new cavity built concrete block. The floor to what was the original house is of solid concrete construction joining on to a newer block and beam floor construction.When designing the most appropriate waterproofing system to any given situation, various design factors require addressing such as (but not limited to), final use of the building, the grade of waterproofing requirement under the British Standard, structural considerations based on the form of construction and in some cases, satisfying the requirements of building warranty providers.

Canal designed and installed and impressive steel and glass feature staircase for a commercial setting. This bespoke design comprised of four joint free, smooth helical staircases, connected by an intermediate landing fabricated from reinforced concrete. The Canal team designed each staircase to comply with BS5395: Part 2, 1984 (spiral and helical staircases) and Building Regulations Approved Document K.

The newest stadium in London, at a capacity of 17,250, Brentford Community Stadium is the joint home of Brentford FC and London Irish. Many years in the making, the stadium forms the centrepiece of a mixed-use masterplan, offering residential accommodation and regenerative opportunities.Four stands bound by a triangular form – AFL’s distinctive design has been influenced by a uniquely shaped site. The 17,250 capacity stadium is surrounded on all sides by the M4 and two railway lines. Even with these restrictions, the bowl maximises seat capacity with exceptional views, creates a strong foundation for adjacent residential developments, and leaves room for future expansion.Environmental factors were a primary concern throughout the planning and construction process. The amount of reinforced concrete used in construction was halved when compared with the original scheme. Arup’s structural engineers also reduced the amount of primary steel by a third, further cutting embodied carbon and costs. Energy, noise and emissions levels are all well within the London planning framework requirements and the stadium has achieved a BREEAM Very Good sustainability rating.In order to meet planning requirements, a lightweight external envelope had to match the aesthetic appearance of concrete, requiring a mixture of soft varying tones and textures. A highly durable and resistant finish was also needed to suit panels installed at low level and in the pedestrianized areas around the perimeter of the building.Development work with the architect resulted in the selection of a superdurable powder coating applied to the VariAL-TF panels, designed to imitate the appearance of concrete panels and offering additional protection to the facade panels, which benefit from superior colour stability and gloss retention, even in harsh environments.The panels were pre-routered on the rear, enabling flexibility in achieving tolerances of the complex angles on site. This enabled the installers to adjust individual panels as required on site.