"concrete"

Our Allura Flex luxury vinyl tiles have been used to great effect in the new offices of Becherovka in the Centrum Stomovka shopping mall in Prauge. Becherovka is part of the Pernod Ricard group, one of the largest producers of spirits and wine in the world. CAPEXUS was given the task of creating an office with a more distinctive and prestigious appearance, one that would be comfortable, feature interesting materials and, last but not least, be practical. The unifying element of the new offices is a more industrial concept. Not to be overlooked is the open ceiling with its visible concrete beams and ducts. The exposed materials in combination with the wooden furnishings and Forbo’s Allura Wood and Material luxury vinyl tiles create a pleasant atmosphere for work, business meetings in the conference rooms and relaxation.

Knolly’s House, a residential block of flats in London, required refurbishment works to the internal communal walkways and concrete stairwells as the existing waterproofing had reached the end of its serviceable life. The waterproofing needed to be fast cure as the communal balconies were the only access to the flats. Therefore, Proteus Waterproofing specified Pro-BW® Plus system.High Performance WaterproofingAs constant access was required by the residents, a fast cure waterproofing system was vital. Pro-BW® Plus was selected as it can be fully installed in three stages, each only taking forty-five minutes to cure before allowing foot traffic. Pro-Aggregate EM was incorporated for a slip resistant finish. Proteus Waterproofing worked closely with the Proteus Approved Contractor to ensure the project was completed to a high standard, including an aesthetically pleasing finish.Health and SafetyTo minimise disruption to residents, particularly on communal walkways which may also form the fire escape routes, the waterproofing system needed to be fast cure. Proteus Waterproofing’s liquid applied systems are cold installed and therefore remove the risk of fire to the building. The low noise application also allowed the Proteus Approved Contractor to complete the works safely.Long Term PerformancePro-BW® Plus is a high performance, rapid curing protective waterproofing membrane for balconies and walkways making it ideal for refurbishment where structural movement has occurred. Pro-BW® Plus reduces installation time from days to hours. Suitable for a variety of external applications, Pro-BW® Plus can be installed on concrete & asphalt for communal and private balconies, walkways, staircases and pedestrian ramps. As it is a cold applied installation, the system meets health and safety criteria by minimising risk to both operatives and members of the public. Pro-BW® Plus is BBA Certified and manufactured in the UK.

In April 2016, the world-renowned London School of Economics announced that Grafton Architects were to design their next major project. The Marshall Building at 44 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, built by Mace Group, includes an extensive two-storey, mixed-use basement that will house plant areas, squash courts, changing facilities and a sports hall, covering a total of over 2,250m2 of floorspace and presenting quite the project for Newton Specialist Contractor Cast Contracting Ltd (CCL).Newton Specialist Contractor CCL were appointed to design, supply and install the waterproofing by principal contractor Mace Group in late 2019.To provide a completely dry, guaranteed solution on such a high profile project, CCL recommended the Newton CDM System.Otherwise known as Type C waterproofing, the CDM System is the safest and most reliable form of waterproofing.Prior to installation, CCL applied Newton 906 Lime Inhibitor to the new slab to prevent free lime from the concrete from affecting the drainage membranes. The Type A liquid waterproofing membrane Newton 103-S was also applied internally to many of the concrete surfaces as a barrier to water.With preparations complete, over 2,250m2 of Newton 520 eco membrane was installed to the floor and over 570m2 of Newton 508 membrane installed to the walls to create the Newton CDM System. A drainage system of Newton Basedrain channels also directs any water captured by the membranes to the point of discharge, and the whole system was sealed with Newton OverTape.Despite requiring dedicated delivery slots, and working to an extremely tight program of work, CCL were praised on the quality and speed of their installation, which was completed well within the time limit.The Newton recycling service was also a great success, recycling 115 kg of HDPE waste and therefore preventing over 132 kg of CO2 emissions.

At this new-build shopping centre in Shepherd's Bush, West London, the new underground car park was experiencing high levels of water ingress through two movement joints that had failed. Newton Specialist Contractor ASF Waterproofing, who are specialists in injection resins and structural repair work, was therefore called in order to provide a quick solution and fix the leaking joints.Following an initial investigation, the technical team from ASF decided to use the 5-part acrylic rubber sealing resin Newton 324-SR to seal the joint, as it reacts to form a very durable and flexible seal that exhibits exceptional adhesion, making it ideal for movement joints.ASF began by drilling holes at angle into the concrete, and at regular intervals for the 10mm injection packers above the joints. The injection packers were then fitted to each hole, and foam backing rod was used to temporarily block the joint and prevent uncured resin from escaping as it is injected.The five components of the PC 509 Rubber Acryl are mixed to make two solutions, whilst the curing time of the resin can also be adjusted by changing the quantity of initiator used. The resin was then injected through the packers and into the joint using a three-component stainless steel pump.Finally, once the resin was cured and the joints were effectively sealed, ASF ground back the surface of the concrete to either side of the joints and applied Newton 106 FlexProof, a flexible liquid waterproofing material, to provide a final protective seal and finish the job.With two leaking movement joints in a finished structure, the client required a swift resolution to get the area back into use quickly. With the benefit of Newton’s advanced resin and waterproofing products, ASF got to site and delivered the sealed joints within the client’s tight timeframe.

For the redevelopment of a former builder’s yard in Greenwich into a new build block of live-work units and residential flats, the developers were looking for a roof system which would offer long term waterproofing integrity, exceptional green credentials and enhanced aesthetics. The proposed green roof system would also reduce water run-off, create a wildlife habitat and help towards securing Code for Sustainable Homes Level 4.With a waterproofing system required to protect the concrete deck above the flats, a selection of cold-applied products were provided by Proteus Waterproofing that met the client’s requirements. The specialist contractor worked with Proteus Waterproofing on a specification which included the Cold Melt® inverted waterproofing system, Proteus Pro-Therm XPS and finished with a Proteus Pro-Living® green roof.Fast, hassle-free application The 500m2 Cold Melt® insulated Pro-Living® roof system was selected by the client and contractor for its ease of installation, cold application and all-round green credentials. After the pre-cast concrete roofing panels were craned into position, the joints were made good ready to accept the Cold Melt® inverted roofing waterproofing system. The inverted roof system incorporated Cold Melt® and Proteus Pro Therm XPS 150mm insulation. A Proteus Low-K Membrane was then applied prior to the application of the Pro-Living® green roof to complete the system build-up.Quality control Proteus Waterproofing worked in close partnership with the Contractor to successfully deliver the project to a very high standard within the required timeframe.Long term performance Incorporating recycled rubber-crumb and other organically grown products, Cold Melt® creates an elastomeric, seamless, cold-applied membrane and can outlast the lifetime of the substrate on which it is installed.

CHALLENGE The first of its kind for Quebec, the “living street” required a paving grid that would provide multi-purpose access along the street whilst also allowing for the aesthetically pleasing natural look to be maintained. A woonerf is a living street that is traditionally implemented as a traffic calming aid and to enforce low speed limit areas. They are often shared space streets where equal priority is given to all modes of transportation including automobiles, bicycles and pedestrians; usually with separate rights of way. The province of Quebec was looking to do a “pilot project” in the city of Montreal to create a woonerf that would not only provide the required access, including disabled access but that would also have a long-lasting beneficial impact on the environment. They were looking for an environmentally friendly ground reinforcement product which would provide the strength and durability required for a heavily used area. As a “living street”, the product needed to allow the growth of natural vegetation and contain no harmful preservatives which could affect the environment in which it is placed. The harsh weather conditions in Quebec also needed to be considered. With such extreme conditions in both winter and summer, the material needed to withstand the temperature fluctuations. Ground reinforcement products traditionally used such as concrete are susceptible to cold crack in winter as it is a porous material. As a requirement, the desired product was to absorb only limited heat in order to promote growing vegetation. The only suitable material for a project with such challenging conditions was hanit®’s recycled plastic heavy duty ground girds, with their durability and environmental credentials meeting the requirements.SOLUTIONhanit®’s Heavy Duty Ground Grids are manufactured from a blend of high-quality recycled plastic polyolefins extracted from post-industrial and post-consumer mixed waste plastics. Heavy Duty Ground Grids have a high impact resistance which makes them suitable for all vehicle access. They have an interlocking system which improves stability and also allows for quick and simple installation. As the woonerf needed to provide numerous different access levels it was important that the Heavy Duty Ground Grids were versatile. They can be filled with either grass, seed/topsoil or gravel. For this project, wheelchair access was provided through a gravel filled pathway.The rest of the “living street” was mostly completed with grass filled areas. As hanit® products transfer limited amounts of heat, they dry out the soil less than concrete. This works as a benefit to the vegetation growing through the grids. Recycled plastic material is not porous and therefore does not absorb any moisture. This gives added benefits in the winter as when absorbed moisture freezes in concrete it causes cold crack. Their open structure also allows for quick infiltration of any rainwater into the ground allowing for sustainable urban drainage requirements to be met.hanit® Heavy Duty Ground Grids are strong and durable and require no maintenance. They are not affected by weathering and decay; therefore once in place, they have a much longer lifespan than any other competing products. Made from 100% recycled material, the woonerf has been an extremely sustainable project. Providing Montreal with a living street has not only added more vegetation to the area but also allows the city to contribute to an environmentally responsible sustainable urban drainage solution. As the products are chemically inert they do not affect the environment and are harmless to all flora and fauna. In total the project has used 8,500 units of Heavy Duty Ground Grids. This equates to almost 77 tonnes of recycled plastic waste which has been saved from going to landfill. The woonerf has been an extremely well celebrated project that has won prizes for its conception and green initiatives. “I recommend Les Dalles Vertes (Heavy Duty Ground Grids) to all my clients. We laid out nearly 30,000 square feet of these pavers for the Woonerf project and it took us half the time and resources that were required to install the old concrete grass pavers." - Tony Scirocco, Ventec

Britannia Wharf is a structure consisting of 52 stunning canal-side apartments. This development consisted of the demolition of a 5 storey office building and the construction of an all-wooden private high-end luxury apartments constructed on a large expanse of greenery. With the inclusion of four penthouse apartments on the fourth floor, the entire structure of the building was designed with timber frame overlooking the remarkable wildlife corridor of the reclaimed historic Basingstoke Canal.Cellecta’s DECKfon Batten 70 was specified by ADN Planning as they have been rigorously tested and are robust detail complaint for steel, concrete and timber separating floor applications. The battens consist of a layer of recycled, low resonance, open cell, flexible polyurethane foam bonded to an FSC/PEFC certified timber batten.Consero London was awarded this 6,000m² contract to construct this development in the centre of Woking, London.

Manchester Airport Group (MAG) is a leading UK airport group that owns and operates Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands airports, together with a significant property business.In 2011 they began a project of upgrading their entire airport perimeter security fencing and gates to cope with an increase in passengers and estate traffic.The BriefSecurity was paramount when it came to the brief for a new perimeter fence line and physical access control. There are a number of features that have not been included in this case study for security reasons.The fence had to have the ability to be erected in a variety of ways, including on concrete, dug in, base plated and ground buriedSecurity Toppings were requiredStrong anti-cut wires on any meshAnti-climb properties to prevent scalingCost effective due to the size of the fence line

UrbanShore is a four-storey building consisting of a collection of 13 apartments, 7 one bedroom, 2 two bedroom and 4 studio flats. With bin and cycle stores, a formation of parking spaces and a sustainable drainage system, UrbanShore is one of BH1’s most distinguished and characterful collections of apartments. Combining traditional Georgian elegance with generously proportioned and effortlessly elegant interiors, UrbanShore is located just a short walk from the beach, parks, shops, bars and restaurants.Cellecta’s YELOfon HD10+ was specified by ARC Architecture due to its unrivalled acoustic performance in isolating a floating screed from a structural concrete floor. This product is lightweight, making it easy to install. YELOfon HD10+ is also delivered in rolls to ensure it’s easy to handle.CBS BUILD were supplied 500m² of Cellecta products for this development in Bournemouth.

Elements is a complex of nine studio 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments, which all include either a private garden or Juliet balcony. This highly sought after residence near Crystal Palace offers easy access to the transport hub at Norwood Junction, enabling a 17-minute train ride into London. Grangewood Park's open space is also close by.Cellecta’s YELOfon HD10+ was specified due to its unrivalled acoustic performance in isolating a floating screed from a structural concrete floor. This product is lightweight, making it easy to install. YELOfon HD10+ is also delivered in rolls to ensure it’s easy to handle. This product is Robust Detail compliant through conducting sound testing for Part E underscreed.Beasons Construction was supplied 500m² of Cellecta products for this development in Croydon.

Arras Way is a development of 47 units of 17 houses and two blocks of flats built in a traditional style to create a modern and comfortable living experience. The landscaped communal gardens help maintain the feeling of community life this fantastic location offers. It is situated in the coastal town centre of Folkestone, under 20 minutes to Dover and 35 minutes to Calais via the Euro tunnel. Cellecta’s TETRiS was specified by Apex Architecture as it provides outstanding thermal and structural performance. It produces a floor with zero cold bridges and is quicker and easier to install than a concrete block floor. TETRiS is a foil-facing insulation block with excellent thermal performance and very low water absorption; these blocks make the ideal flooring system.Dwyer Engineering was awarded this 2,914m² contract to construct this development in Folkestone. 

South Lawns Hotel is an iconic hotel located on a Green Belt site. An additional 25 bedroom extension was constructed for this development, set on a brick plinth, clad in dark boarding, to emulate agricultural York boarding, with a low-profile aluminium roof. The design and materials proposed minimised its visual impact on views across the Forest landscape nearby and contrasted with the white render of the existing building.Cellecta’s DECKfon Batten 70 was specified by Boyle and Summers as they have been rigorously tested and are robust detail complaint for steel, concrete and timber separating floor applications. The battens consist of a layer of recycled, low resonance, open cell, flexible polyurethane foam bonded to an FSC/PEFC certified timber batten.Tuakana was awarded this 1,050m² contract for this development in Milford-on-sea.

Lazenby were commissioned by AHMM & Mace to install over 5,000m2 of Diamond Polished Concrete flooring to the new Hawley Wharf building within Camden Markets. Due to the incredibly high foot traffic the floor needed to be both resilient and practical. The unusual shape of the building and hundreds of market stalls meant that a tile or slabs would not have been practical and a poured in situ method was the most feasible. Lazenby installed the floors at 100mm deep, the surface was then polished to reveal the aggregate. As many of the floors are open to the elements it was critical that they achieved +36 PTV in the wet as well as having a slight fall towards the perimeter drain. As the building features multiple levels it was critical to the design that the floor finish continued on the multiple staircases within the building. This allowed the space to flow and provides a clear path for visitors to follow and explore.

A stunning refit of a listed building overlooking Green ParkDevonshire House is a Grade 2 listed gem residing in Mayfair, and we worked with Bain Capital and TP Bennett Architects and their respective contractors on the refurbishment of the fourth-floor offices and their four expansive external terraces. The challenge was to find a decking solution that was fully compliant with the latest Building Safety Regulations while maintaining the aesthetic of this historic London property.MyDek’s Luxura – an A1 fire-rated composite – was chosen for the project as it seamlessly aligned with the building’s aesthetics while delivering a robust, enduring surface for the upgraded outdoor spaces. The roof terraces had a limited loadbearing capacity that could not accommodate concrete paving and Luxura emerged as the ideal solution, allowing for top quality decking that remained well within structural limits.

F. Ball and Co. Ltd.’s rapid-setting, ultra-smooth floor finishing compound has delivered a fast-track solution for refurbishing the iconic Nelson Staircase at Somerset House, London.As part of ongoing maintenance and improvement works, flooring contractor Carpet Culture was commissioned to restore the steps and one of the main landings of the historic Beaux-Arts staircase, which spans six floors and dates back to the late 18th century, when the Royal Navy occupied the building.Contractors began by removing old floorcoverings and adhesive residues from the steps and the 40m2 landing.The landing was destroyed by a bomb in the Second World War and subsequently restored with concrete, meaning that it would require raising in order for floorcoverings to meet the level of the original stone border, but less than the minimum application thickness of a smoothing compound. Additionally, work required completing over two nights, between the hours of 6-11pm, while the building was unoccupied, meaning there was not time to mechanically prepare the concrete area.Contractors, therefore, applied two coats of Stopgap Micro Rapid floor finishing compound to create a perfectly smooth surface for the receipt of floorcoverings.Stone effect LVTs were then installed on the landing and risers and treads of the stairs, and Stycco Flex rapid-curing, flexible tube adhesive was used to affix Gradus stair nosings. The high strength build-up and fast curing time of the adhesive means it can secure stair nosings and trims in as little as 60 minutes, without the need for mechanical fixings.Tom McCullough, senior flooring manager at Carpet Culture, said: “We were grateful to our F. Ball technical representative for suggesting using Stopgap Micro Rapid as an alternative to applying a smoothing compound so that we could complete the work out of hours, on time. It worked a treat, and we received compliments for how it looked even before the floorcoverings went down.”

Coventry is a city of movements; for struggling workers, for women, for political reformers, for ravers, for refugees. The UK's motor city. The UK's bicycle city. A center of the UK's watchmaking trade. A City of Culture that uses its past to forge its future. Coventry Moves! Its Upper Precinct was a very concrete heavy city center, partly because of the style at the time, and partly out of necessity to ensure it could be re-built as quickly as possible after the Blitz damage. The project had access to a partial fund of £7.75 million from the Government’s Local Growth Fund through Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP) as part of the overall £11.8 million scheme. The package of works included; the installation of enhanced paving, street furniture, lighting, water features, planting, and the restoration of the historical Levelling Stone monument that was originally placed to commemorate the re-build of Coventry after the 1940-1942 enemy attacks. With the initial removal of the 'big green elevator' and huge concrete, once considered an eyesore, a clear view of the cathedral can now be seen, a view that has not been enjoyed since the 1970s. Almost every design element of this project included natural stone of some sort, making the relationship between the contractor Eurovia, the City Council, and BBS as the supplier, vital to complete each task on time and on budget. The circular shaped 'show stopping' water features created in a combination of both Italian Porphyry and Portuguese buff granite - a place where many people are often seen enjoying the weather. The benches and planters created in Portuguese buff granite, none of which barely had the same two pieces throughout, putting the pressure on BBS to individually CAD each and every one. The project covering the entirety of the Upper Precinct and continuing on Market Way, and Smithfield way, saw the complete removal of everything in situ and replaced with an unrecognizable scenery. All in time for Coventry Moves the City of Culture event.

Resilient 250 was installed as a Soft Floor Covering and bonded to the top of the concrete base. The acoustic underlay achieves the Approved Document E UK Building Regulations (The Resistance to the Passage of Sound) performance standards for Floor Type 1.Resilient 250 was bonded to the concrete base with the Sonixx SX900 adhesive in the living areas of 255 apartments. An 8mm PU foam underlay (Super 8) was loose laid over Resilient 250 and a Cavalier carpet stretch fitted on top.In the bathroom areas the Forbo Surestep Laguna vinyl was installed directly onto the Resilient 250 using F46 (Pressure Sensitive Acrylic Adhesive) from F. Ball and Co Ltd.Resilient 250 is a 2.5mm thick, high performing acoustic underlay manufactured using sponge rubber. It achieves an acoustic performance of 19 dB (ΔLw), significantly reducing the transmission of impact sound. It is a versatile underlay and can be used below various floor coverings including carpet, wood, laminate, luxury vinyl tiles, vinyl and ceramic / porcelain / natural stone tiles.The installers had nothing but positive feedback, on how quick and easy the underlay was to work with. At only 24 kg (43 lb) per roll, it is easy to distribute around site. The underlay therefore facilitated a simple, quick, clean and cost-effective installation.Features of Resilient 250:Extremely installer friendly; quick and simple to work with and easy to distribute around site.Ideal for use in Private Homes, Hospitality, Retail, Healthcare, Multi-Family Housing, Apartments and Hotels, Commercial developments, Care Homes, Schools and Education Projects.With a Thermal Resistance of 0.23 Togs, RS250 is excellent for use with underfloor heating systems.As it is manufactured from sponge rubber, it does not mark the walls unlike alternative rubber crumb underlays.Durable - provides long-lasting performance and will not deteriorate or collapse over time.Hygenic - naturally anti-microbial, anti-allergy and resistant to decay with low VOCs.

Instarmac International’s Swedish partner, Pekuma, have supplied world renowned UltraScape flowpoint to joint 300sqm of paving at Växjö’s newly refurbished bus station and city hall.BackgroundIn the station area, along Norra Järnvägsgatan, is Växjö’s brand new station and municipal building. The old town hall now boasts a better working environment for its 600 employees and a 1,850sqm station which includes waiting area, shops and restaurants.Växjö’s beautiful new town hall has been designed to the highest environmental standards and is fondly known as the ‘greenest city in Europe’.The ChallengeAs part of this exciting project, 300sqm of cobblestones and concrete slabs were installed directly outside the entrance to City Hall to create walkways for pedestrians and stop/start sections for buses.It was imperative that the jointing material used to grout the 100 x 100mm cobblestones and 210 x 210mm concrete slabs would not only fit in with the aesthetic of the newly refurbished building, but would also provide a durable finish that could withstand the constant trafficking from pedestrians and vehicles.The SolutionInstarmac International’s Swedish partner Pekuma, supplied UltraScape flowpoint to Skanska, the contractors working on this project.UltraScape flowpoint smooth is a flowable grout which allows for large areas of paving to be grouted quickly. Suitable for joints from 3mm to 50mm and as deep as 200mm, flowpoint smooth has been developed over a number of years to provide a durable finish which will not crack or stain.With an initial set after just 15 minutes, and a walk on time of one hour, it is unsurprising that flowpoint smooth has become synonymous with fast application, cost-effective and robust jointing.UltraScape flowpoint is available in four varieties – original, eco, smooth and fine – and two colours – Natural Grey and Charcoal. UltraScape have jointing solutions for all designs and tastes.ResultsThe project was completed on time with residents, visitors and employees of City Hall now enjoying the beautiful new station and town hall.

Klaudia and Michal purchased a brand-new property in Staffordshire in November 2021, built by David Wilson Homes. The couple’s chic, minimalistic design aesthetic soon gained a following on Instagram with clean lines, sleek finishes, and a focus on simplicity. @ThePolishedGosford has become a popular account with other new-build homeowners with similar proportions and layout.In their quest to enhance their interior design aesthetic, the couple sought out an artistic addition that would perfectly complement their existing décor. They received a recommendation from a friend suggesting KEIM Colourwash, and they eagerly embarked on a project to create captivating feature walls in both their kitchen and master bedroom.Klaudia and Michal desired to incorporate a concrete effect, a task that is often challenging and time-consuming when using conventional materials. Seeking advice, Amie Paxton, Creative Finishes Designer at KEIM, provided personalised colour choices combining KEIM Innostar & KEIM Colourwash to achieve the desired outcome.Available in over 200 colours, KEIM Innostar is an innovative interior paint, requiring just a single coat application to achieve full coverage and a luxuriously fully matt finish. Klaudia commented: “The paint was really easy to use, and the application was better than other brands we’d used in the past.”KEIM Colourwash offers a convenient and hassle-free solution for achieving a beautiful limewash effect. Unlike traditional limewash, which can be time-consuming and potentially hazardous, KEIM Colourwash provides a safe and easy alternative. When used in combination with KEIM Innostar, a trendy “perfectly imperfect” aesthetic can be applied to both bare and previously painted walls and ceilings.Using a KEIM Oval Brush, the couple applied KEIM Colourwash to their selected feature walls, transforming the plain surfaces in a remarkably short time frame of less than 20 minutes per wall. Michal commented: “We originally wanted a concrete effect on our kitchen wall, which seemed very complex to do, unlike using KEIM.”

On the Grand Union Canal in Hemel Hempstead, the Nash Mills Wharf housing development features a range of stylish new build 1-4 bedroom houses and luxury apartments offering high quality waterside living in this Hertfordshire town.With a waterproofing system required to protect the concrete podium above the ground floor car park, a selection of hot and cold applied products were provided by Proteus Waterproofing that met the requirements of the client Linden Homes. The licensed roofing contractor worked with Proteus Waterproofing on a dual system specification which included the fast and economical Proteus Hot-Melt waterproofing system, and for the intricate detailing around upstands and to avoid hot works around the plastic soil and vent pipes, the Cold Melt® waterproofing system was the ideal solution.Fast, hassle-free applicationWith the podium deck covering 3000m2, the Proteus Hot Melt® system was the optimum waterproofing solution for a robust, cost effective, seamless and fast application. This solution worked exceptionally well for the Licensed Contractor and is compatible with the fast applied Cold Melt® solution which was used for high detail items including plastic soil and vent pipes and upstands. There was also the added challenge of wet brickwork and an exacting building program to keep to. To overcome this problem, Proteus isolated the wet substrate with Pro-DPM Primer (Damp Proof Primer) which can be applied to green concrete 3 days old and then followed immediately by the Proteus waterproofing system. This enabled the Cold Melt® to be installed on to the vertical elevations will no loss of time.Quality controlProteus Waterproofing worked in close partnership with its Licensed Contractor to successfully deliver the project to a very high standard within the required timeframe.Long term performanceIncorporating recycled rubber-crumb and other organically grown products, Cold Melt® creates an elastomeric, seamless, cold applied membrane and can outlast the lifetime of the substrate on which it is installed.

Increased awareness of need for sustainable solutions is causing the construction industry to lean towards wood materials, thus strengthening the position of wooden buildings in the real estate sector.At the Latvian Construction Annual Award 2021 and the Latvian Construction Engineer of the Year 2021 contests, the new regional Customer Center building of Latvijas Valsts Meži was awarded 1st place in the category “Wooden Structures”. The project was developed following the best practices of sustainable buildings, including energy efficiency, material optimisation, and minimising the negative impact on the environment in both the short- and long term.Riga Wood birch plywood was used in various stages of the whole construction process, too. For this project, two Riga Wood birch plywood products were chosen – Riga Decor and Riga Form. Riga Decor is a common choice for interior solutions where functionality shouldn’t overshadow aesthetics. The decorative appearance allows it to be used for the design of furniture and other interior elements. Meanwhile Riga Form, another birch plywood product applied in this project, is among the top choices for concrete shuttering.“For us, this has been a project full of customised solutions – starting from the technical specification to the provided services. Close collaboration between our sales team and customer, as well as mills and the logistics, led to a high-quality end-result,” comments Uģis Ozols, Riga Wood Baltic director. Customer oriented service solutions integrated in the customer’s production line is among top services provided by Riga Wood and Latvijas Finieris team.It’s well known that construction sector accounts for a hefty amount of CO2 emissions, and a wave of urban growth is increasing the global building stock. Construction materials such as concrete, steel and aluminium are among those contributing a notable share of generated emissions globally. Nevertheless, by using smart technologies and shifting one’s way of thinking, constructions can become global CO2 sinks that support climate stabilisation. Wood is the key factor.

Clarke is a Construction Company based in Ballymena, Northern Ireland with over 25 years in business.In line with the company’s sustainability strategy of designing and building safe, eco sustainable and elegant buildings the office building is paved in AG’s TerraPave® Rimini Ground flagstones.With sustainability in mind, AG’s TerraPave® flagstones were the perfect choice. The striking granite aggregate finish of the flags ensures to complement the modern finish of the building. TerraPave® flags are manufactured from specially selected granite and other natural aggregates. Their exceptional appearance is achieved by using the most up-to-date manufacturing and finishing equipment.TerraPave® flagstones has now also the added benefit of Enduur 1 concrete technology which enhances the surface colour and reduces efflorescence. The enhanced mix increases strength, resistance to wear and tear, longevity and delivers more vibrance to the surface finish

Project: The Renaissance Date: 2022 Background:·        APL’s strong supply-chain relationships enabled the correct specification of aluminium and paint coating for a marine environment to be secured at a time of severe material shortages·        APL’s design team worked closely with the installer, helping to detail the challenging interfaces between different cladding types·        APL provided all structural calculations Systems:·        1,000m² of APL SnapLoc™ traditional standing seam system on marine-grade aluminium with a PvF2 coating in RAL 9002 and RAL 9006·        APL Tritherm™ GALV sub-framing to SFS and concrete substructure for APL SnapLoc™ areas·        100m² of APL Custom Bespoke Newton-range castellated profile in aluminium·        PPC aluminium infill panels and copings·        Complex bespoke feature flashings in PPC aluminium ·        All flashings, fixings and accessories  Building Location:·        Hove

Croft Gardens is a four building student accommodation at King’s College in Cambridge, achieving full Passivhaus Classic standards. With 12 rooms across three floors of three crescents and a villa, along with the Victorian Holmcroft building which provides a library, laundry room and common room area, Croft Gardens provides 84 homes for graduate students. Including graduate rooms, communal facilities, landscaping and external works, Croft Gardens will be carbon negative for the first 7-10 years of operation.Cellecta’s HEXATHERM XFLOOR 500 was specified by Feilden Clegg Bradley due to its high resistance to compression and closed cell structure that provides unrivalled resistance to water absorption, making them ideal for residential applications. These insulation boards are used under a concrete slab to comply with part L Building regulations.Gilbert-Ash was awarded this 650m² contract for this development at Barton Road.

This stunning Grade II* Surrey property was built in 1932 by renowned architects Connell, Ward and Lucas and is a rare example of the Modernist Movement in architecture.Described at the time as ‘more like an invention by Picasso than a house’ the building was revolutionary for its time and divided opinion. Built using reinforced concrete with a flat roof it is designed to prioritise light and space.The windows are key to the original concept which is based on the movement of the sun – in the morning the breakfast room gets the early sun and the living room benefits from the light in the late afternoon.Windows from the Clement EB20 range were manufactured and polyester powder coated in a matt Pastel Blue. The Clement EB20  double and single doors include Clement’s multi-point locking door system which can achieve PAS4:2016 in accordance with approved Document Q. 

Lucent House is a redevelopment scheme of nine residential flats ranging from one, two and three bedrooms with a commercial unit on the ground floor. This six-floor development with a penthouse occupying the top level, offers private balconies or terraces to all apartments. Each home is built with natural light and space at the heart of the design, the name Lucent was chosen to reflect this central theme. Offering access to the city via convenient transport links, the abundance of greenery is overwhelming.Cellecta Gobi G2-25 was specified by Manor Architects due to it being the ideal solution to level an uneven concrete separating floor and provide all the benefits an underfloor heating system can deliver, with the added advantages of rapid heat transfer capabilities and outstanding acoustic performance.Goldrose Sharpe Developments was supplied 1,000m² of Cellecta products to develop these flats in Stoke Newington in Hackney.

Beachcliff Hotel and Apartments are an eight bedroom and two flat period property in the Edwardian seaside town of Penarth, Wales. It is the perfect base for exploring the local area, located opposite the Victorian Penarth Pier and beach and town centre. Both apartments have a view of the sea. Initially built in 1904, the Beachcliff building became a central part of Penarth’s historic waterfront. However, years of weathering from the Bristol Channel led to the structure’s decay; most of the property had to be dismantled and rebuilt as a gabled Edwardian pastiche façade.Cellecta’s FIBREfon 28C was specified due to its acoustic performance. The Cellecta solutions were recognised as the ideal products for the acoustical and soundproofing demands of the domestic and commercial development. FIBREfon 28C is an acoustic overlay board designed for concrete floors requiring a high compressive treatment.Richard Hayward Properties had ownership of the contract to develop this 1,000m² rebuild.

Ancon STC Steel-to-Concrete Insulated Balcony Connectors have been chosen to securely connect over 1000 bolt-on steel balconies at London’s ground-breaking Embassy Gardens Phase 2 development.Sitting alongside the new American Embassy on London’s South Bank, Embassy Gardens is the centrepiece of one of the Capital’s biggest ever regeneration projects. Phase 2 of the project is delivering a total of almost 900 luxury apartments across three stunning 21-storey glazed towers, traditionally brick-faced to reflect the area’s industrial heritage.Characterised by large modern balconies with views over the surrounding linear gardens and river beyond, the towers are linked together by a raised podium garden and feature a world-first transparent outdoor pool, 35 metres up, allowing residents to swim between the tenth floors of two towers.

Alma-nac's "House-within-a-house" is a fantastic example of a building retrofitted to adapt to new challenges. Sitting in a row of typical 1950's houses, the project gave an existing home a contemporary facelift while complimenting the surrounding buildings traditional London brick.12,670 Michelmersh bricks were used in the project to provide an economical and thermally efficient shell to the original building, which is nestled inside the outer structure. Elements of the project that may have ended up in landfill were reused where possible and the combination of reused concrete and the brick skin means an increase of thermal efficiency that could save 4 tonnes of Carbon a year.House-within-a-House recently won the "Individual Housing Development" in the 2021 Brick Awards, judges praised it's complementary nature to the area without "trying to mimic the naturally aged material".

Crossway Quarter is a development of flats situated 5 minutes from Bluewater Shopping Centre and near the M25. The scheme comprises of the demolition of existing buildings and the construction of 258 flats comprising of market housing - 52 one, 201 two, 5 three bedroom flats with associated parking, cycle storage, landscaping and amenity space. These 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments will appeal to investors, first-time buyers and professionals working in the capital and surrounding areas.Cellecta’s YELOfon HD10+ was specified by RM_A Architects and Shepherd Angelo Architecture due to its unrivalled acoustic performance in isolating a floating screed from a structural concrete floor. This product is lightweight making it easy to install. YELOfon HD10+ is also delivered in rolls to ensure it’s easy to handle.Bellway London was awarded this 25,000m² contract for this Robust Detail Registered Site in Kent.

Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys is one of three secondary schools in the Tunbridge Wells area. The school has been extended and modernized to offer further school places to the local community. The expansion includes a new a three-storey satellite facility that houses general teaching classrooms, ICT and food technology spaces, and a five-court sports hall. An expanded dining room has also been created through the refurbishment of the existing sports hall.Cellecta’s YELOfon HD10+ was specified by Bond Bryan Architects due to its unrivalled acoustic performance in isolating a floating screed from a structural concrete floor. This product is lightweight making it easy to install. YELOfon HD10+ is also delivered in rolls to ensure it’s easy to handle.Willmott Dixon were awarded this 7,950m² contract to construct this latest school project in Sevenoaks.

The M4 Junction 3-12 motorway upgrade project, which started construction in July 2018, is designed to increase capacity, and reduce congestion between Junction 3 (Hayes) and Junction 12 (Theale). In the sections where there is no pre-existing hard shoulder for conversion into an additional running lane, a total of 11 overbridges needed to be demolished and replaced with longer decks to enable continuity of the widened carriageway. The £848m project is due for completion in Spring 2022, by which time it is expected that approximately 680,000t of material will have been excavated, 1.8M.m² of new surface laid, 130km of cabling installed and 63km of concrete barrier positioned. Cordek were approached by the Principal Contractor Balfour Beatty VINCI joint venture to provide a lightweight structural fill solution to be used for the embankment construction adjoining the Datchet Road Overbridge, between Junction 5 and Junction 6.

Postmark is a new residential development on the site of the former Royal Mail Mount Pleasant Mail Centre. In addition to being involved with the paved roof terraces within the new Pheonix Place development, Ryno worked directly with Broadway Malyan Architects to come up with a decking solution for the private balconies.System UsedTerraSmart® Aluminium was used across each of the balconies, with RD-FR adjustable decking pedestals and joist supporting over 2000m2 of sleek aluminium deck boards. Concrete slabs were laid between the substructure and deck boards to help counter wind uplift by increasing the overall dead load of the system.Testimonial “Approaching Ryno was a really easy thing to do…I felt confident using them.”– Gareth Rowe, Principal Landscape Architect, Broadway Malyan Want to hear more? View Gareth’s full video testimonial here.

Soundis supplied 3,265m2 of a shallow floating floor treatment, laid over an existing concrete structural deck, at Channelsea House in Stratford for City Square.The areas included the Ground, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th Floors. Channelsea House is a former office block being converted to residential apartments, with a one bedroom flat being valued at the half a million pound mark. Located in Stratford, 1.3 miles away from the Olympic Stadium, Channelsea House is in a prime location for high quality accommodation.Soundis were required to provide a high specification shallow acoustic solution to achieve compliance with ‘Impact’ performance criteria when tested on site. The specification implemented by the Architect was 26mm Timber Floor Overlay Board, which was chosen to minimise construction height and to comply with Approved Document E Building Regulations.

The 36 storey Grade-II listed, white-concrete high-rise tower, has been completely overhauled. Previously containing offices, but has now been converted to accommodate 82 apartments, including a penthouse ranging in price from £3 million to £55 million.During the refurbishment architects clustered corridors and bathrooms in the centre of the tower, making room for living areas and bedrooms to run alongside the windows, to make the most of the London skyline view.With approximately 12,700m2 of medium density gypsum fibre panels engineered with tongue & groove edges for ease of installation to create a monolithic robust surface over underfloor heating trays and 6mm Isorubber working as an impact vibration reduction mat. The panels installed were chosen due to their excellent thermal conductivity, a requirement for the system to work in conjunction with the desired underfloor heating system.

This housing development required a retaining wall solution but presented challenges in terms of limited space and existing services. Two retaining walls were required at the sides of the entrance to Nicholls Lane housing development. While a Geogrid Reinforced Backfill method was appropriate for the Secura Grand retaining wall on the righthand side of the development, the retaining wall on the left was met with the challenges of limited space and existing services. The highway boundary limited the amount of space available to construct the retaining wall on the left- hand side. The existing services present within the retained soil caused further complexities. On this occasion minimising excavation was crucial due to the services within the retained soil. Efficient use of land was vital as the Secura wall didn’t have the room at the back for geogrid or for no-fines concrete backfill. It was desirable that both walls at the sides of the entrance looked the same despite their different conditions.