"building frames"

A remarkable collection of three Georgian Listed buildings in Berkshire, including one on the Buildings at Risk register, have recently been transformed back into 53 stylish apartments.

The Confetti Building was designed by Allan Joyce Architects and completed in 2017. Built to provide a new area for students and include a cafe, LRC, motion capture suite, roof terrace and classrooms, it is intended to mature the institute with enough space for students after a period of rapid growth.The building embraces its industrial heritage with exposed ductwork, structure and brickwork but has been designed to ensure modern experiences are intertwined with the original spaces.A striking external facade is comprised of Blockleys Smooth black with a special BD1.3 shaped brick used for detailing. The Brickwork naturally compliments nearby red brick buildings and provides a balance to the wood and glass used around the building in other areas.

The Porter Building presented a range of demanding challenges for the Aquarian team but now complete, this ?agship project has transformed a key development area in central Slough. Thanks to...

Conservation™ timber windows and doors by Mumford & Wood have been specified by Thomas Croft Architects, London W10, for a new build private home on the idyllic north Norfolk coast.

Starboard Hotels and Maith Architects invited Licata Building Systems and Licata contracting partner Build-Therm Services Limited to assist with the redevelopment of the previous Park Royal bar to provide a 162-bedroom Hampton by Hilton hotel. The original building, lying vacant and in a state of disrepair, has a listed Art Deco façade, which has been retained and refurbished to its former glory, with the new hotel being built in behind and wrapped over with new, substantially glazed floors and Licata FireSafe Brick Slip system. Completed in 2018, the system comprised of 160mm high density mineral fibre, comfortably achieving the target U Value of 0.04W/mK. The brick slips were selected and cut from handformed clay to match the original building.

The Hilda Besse building at St Antony’s College, Oxford, one of the country’s best examples of Post-War architecture, has been refurbished by award-winning architectural and heritage consultancy practice Purcell. As part of a sensitive renovation to enhance the original architecture and ensure the building’s sustainable future, Junckers solid wood flooring was fitted throughout the common rooms, kitchens and the dining hall. Informed by historic drawings and photographs, Purcell specified a dark wooden floor, reverting to the original finish found in the building. Junckers Black Oak plank flooring was fitted in a bespoke geometric pattern designed by the architect, complementing the elaborate ceiling features. Junckers’ Approved Flooring Contractor V. A. Hutchison Flooring sampled the bespoke pattern on site and created all the joints and cuts with their own bespoke methods, specially adapted for such intricate work. The result is an elegant floor fit for purpose, offering both a grand impression and a durable floor surface. Junckers Black Oak is made by mimicking the natural process known as ‘bog oak’ where timber left submerged in bog conditions takes on a rich, dark colour. The colour is drawn deep into the wood, unlike a surface stain. This unique method enables sanding and refinishing of the floor without loss of colour. Specifying a solid hardwood floor for the Grade II listed building ensures longevity of both design and use. A Junckers floor has a long lifespan and will last for generations. Part of the refurbishment and conservation work included improving the building’s sustainable performance as well as the wellbeing of staff and students. A solid hardwood floor from Junckers is one of the most sustainable flooring surfaces available. Junckers has completed EPDs for its wooden floors to ensure all elements of the supply chain, from raw material sourcing to production and distribution, adhere to strict sustainability standards. Wood is naturally low in embodied carbon and can easily be recycled at the end of its long life. Wooden floors contribute to a healthy indoor environment by maintaining an even temperature and counter-acting static from electrical appliances. All Junckers wood floors carry the Danish Indoor Climate Label, ensuring there are no chemical substances in the flooring which adversely affect the air quality in a room. The main contractor for the project was CBRE. 

Allgood doorsets are helping to provide exceptional fire safetyat the new state of the art science, technology, engineeringand maths (STEM) facilities at Kingston University, London.The University, which has roots going back more than 100years and has approximately 19,500 enrolled students, beganconstruction of new science and technology facilities in thesummer of 2016.Replacing the former teaching rooms on the second andthird floors of the main building, the new chemistry andpharmaceutics laboratories are providing students at theUniversity with a modern environment, packed with the lateststate-of-the-art equipment.As with any science laboratory, the consideration of safety wasof paramount importance when it came to specifying elementssuch as the doors, due to the use of flammable, toxic anddangerous chemicals.Additionally, because of the amount of traffic through theSTEM department and thus the doors’ regularity of use, theuniversity felt that reliability and durability were integral when itcame to the ironmongery.As such, Allgood supplied 15 doorsets with traditional exposedlippings. The exposed lippings provide extra protection tothe door faces and ensure they can be easily repaired andreplaced if necessary. Along with the doorsets, Alite levers,latches, surface maglocks and hinges were installed, providingthe laboratories with fire protection for up to 30 minutes.The Alite ironmongery range developed specifically for usein busy commercial environments was ideal for the KingstonUniversity STEM environment – providing a robust and hardwearing ironmongery solution.

The National Assembly Building for Wales is one of the most recognisable buildings in the UK and a landmark project in the use of timber ceiling systems by BCL. The building has gained worldwide recognition, culminating in the project being shortlisted for The Stirling Prize in 2006. BCL’s team designed a panel layout that allowed the complete ceiling, totalling over 3,000 sqm, to be created using only 35 different panel shapes, 99% of which could be flat packed and curved on site, helping to keep logistical costs to a minimum and maximise the speed of installation.

The ChallengeModern paving was required to complement state-of-the-art offices Scott Brownrigg’s design aim was to attract the world’s most high-tech companies to the Science Park. The architecture, design and landscaping of Buildings 1 and 2 was key to setting the tone for the tech hotspot. Buildings 1 and 2 form a new gateway to the dedicated technology estate while collectively making up 210,000ft2 of commercial office space.  The two-building design spans four storeys tall and showcases a striking colonnade. The cladded feature columns provide an impressive new entrance to the park, while echoing the curve of the spine road. Buildings 1 and 2 offer a dedicated pedestrian and cycle area. The public realm space between the two buildings required extensive paving which complemented the state-of-the-art buildings. The client’s primary objective was to remove existing, dated buildings and replace them with state-of-the-art facilities for the scientific community. The master plan has sustainability and efficiency at the core of its design.The SolutionTobermore’s high quality granite aggregate paving accentuates the contemporary office scheme Tobermore supplied paving of exceptional quality to complement the state-of-the-art office hub. The public realm space between the two buildings features Tobermore’s granite aggregate paving in contemporary grey tones. The dedicated pedestrian and cycle area are paved with Braemar, Fusion and Hydropave Fusion which all feature a striking granite aggregate surface which adds to the ultra-modern scheme. Braemar offers a premium concrete paving product with aesthetic appeal of natural granite. It boasts a striking, contemporary look while being a more cost-effective and sustainable alternative to natural stone.  Fusion made a modern striking entrance to the Science Park. The area required a combination of permeable and impermeable paving. It would take a keen eye to spot where the standard block paving ends and permeable paving starts. Hydropave Fusion and Fusion was applied in permeable and non-permeable format which added continuity to the streetscape.  The new buildings achieved a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating. The facilities provide a much-needed innovation hub for scientists and graduates, and successfully generated income for Trinity College. 

FR120MBH

The ChallengeThe Kings Hill development, phase 3, is comprised of 132 new units ranging in scale from two-bedroomed apartments to five bedroomed houses, close to the village of West Malling, in Kent. The wider Kings Hill area is a mixed-use development of over 2,000 homes, commercial and retail space. It is situated on the site of the former RAF Kings Hill airfield, which has been developed over the last 25 years, and is noted for its rich, landscape-led design.The SolutionA more formal, urban design, the scheme provides a departure from earlier phases of Kings Hill by adopting a more contemporary architectural language, albeit one that still fits comfortably within its context.Extensive analysis of the conservation area in the nearby West Malling was undertaken and a contemporary interpretation of the predominantly brick Georgian architecture was proposed, with large windows and crisp minimal detailing, which was lifted and invigorated by extensive brick detailing referencing that found in the local vernacular.The brick chosen to complement the development’s architecture was Cathedral Cream, a buff, stock thrown brick from Forterra’s Ecostock range.The BenefitsThe choice of Cathedral Cream helped to provide a contemporary architectural language that fits comfortably within its context.

The ChallengeAn Italian restaurant in central London wanted its ceiling to be the heart of a new design that would be a visual interpretation of contemporary Italian taste.The SolutionDesigned by Andy Martin Architecture, the intricate ceiling was constructed using 32,155 bricks requiring 55 different dimensions to be cut by hand to create a smooth, curved surface.Forterra’s plain Fletton bricks were found to have the necessary smoothness and hardness to accommodate the amount of cutting required.The colour of the bricks was modified by washing with a lime slurry to achieve a soft, elegant but rustic surface.The BenefitsVisually striking, the sculptural ceiling adds to the dining experience.The project was shortlisted in the 2017 BDA Brick Awards in the Innovative Use of Brick and Clay Products category. Fucina was awarded Best London Restaurant and Best UK Restaurant at the 2017 Restaurant & Bar Design Awards.

The Challenge The creation of a retail and leisure destination occupying a 16-acre site on a former chemical works in the heart of the historic market town of Beverley, East Yorkshire. The Solution The development needed to be designed and constructed as a natural extension to the traditional and original town centre. Forterra’s Oakthorpe Red Multi Stock brick was chosen to achieve the desired effect. The Benefits Alongside retail space, the scheme also encompasses restaurants, a multi-screen cinema, college campus, office accommodation, a hotel and 500-space carpark. Since its opening in November 2015, Flemingate has been credited with having a transformational impact on the local economy. 

Welcoming the building users the creatively versatile SAS740 has been installed in the reception area. For the 120-seat lecture theatre, the architects had envisioned a feature ceiling with an angled effect. SAS200 panels were designed at a 16-degree angle to create an angular effect, accomplishing the he architect’s design intent. The offerings on the ground floor also includes a seminar space. For this SAS specified the visually engaging SAS500 baffles which offers enhanced acoustic performance due to double faced panels. In completion, SAS also supplied SAS600 rafts to this purpose-built hub which connects business and academia.

The Tate Modern’s Switch House is a new pyramid-shaped tower is built above the former power station’s subterranean oil tanks. The extension, which can be seen as you approach from the north, comprises ten floors that become incrementally smaller towards the top of the tower and culminates in a spectacular public roof terrace. Visitors to the roof are rewarded with 360-degree views of the river Thames, St Paul’s Cathedral and the London skyline, and you can see as far as Tower Bridge, the Old Bailey and Wembley Stadium.Radmat Building Products supplied a waterproofing solution to roof and viewing platform on the newly opened extension.

The Almac Building in Northern Ireland needed a 2,400 m² storage area for flammable solvents to have an electrically conducting floor. This was necessary to ensure the materials' safe containment and help with explosion control. The floor had to be chemically resistant, support VNA forklift trucks, and meet specific electrical resistance standards. GMP Industrial Ltd. installed the floor using Arturo's static resin floor system, which included primers, repair mortars, and a self-smoothing floor. The project was complex due to the sensitivity of the area and the need for precise electrostatic control. The installation was completed in October 2022, with final approval granted in November 2022.

AG was appointed by Meegan Builders for the provision of hard landscaping products in the construction of a brand-new office and manufacturing building for Combilift, Co. Monaghan.AG supplied its premium Plaza paving in Salt and Pepper for the front of the building structure; a popular 600x200x50 granite water-etched paving, which offers long life with minimal maintenance. AG’s Plaza paving offered the correct power and durability to be fit for purpose, without sacrificing on aesthetics. Plaza is manufactured using extremely high-quality aggregates, giving it uncommon durability and excellent slip resistance that truly lasts under areas of high traffic and pressure.A colour mix of Salt and Pepper was selected to contrast with the lighter building structure and to offer a hard-wearing alternative to traditional granite composites. AG’s Plaza paving is produced in the UK using locally sourced aggregates, with a high percentage of recycled materials in the base mix. 100% renewable energy is used during the production process, something AG has been committed to introducing throughout its product ranges.AG also supplied Steintec products to complement its Plaza paving; in this instance, Tufftop, a high-performance jointing mortar designed for modular paving was selected. This free-flowing grout makes paving surface cleaning very straightforward and when used in conjunction with AG’s Plaza block, ensures longevity and minimal maintenance for Combilift’s new manufacturing base.

The ChallengeNearly 400,000 Forterra-supplied bricks have been used to construct a striking new nine-storey block of apartments in the Baltic Triangle area of Liverpool.Phase 2 of Norfolk House, on Simpson Street, is made up of 100 affordable apartments aimed at young professionals and students, and its architecture creates a link between the Georgian red brick warehouses of the area and the modern aluminium and glass buildings in the city centre.PROJECT INFOPRODUCT DETAILThe SolutionForterra’s recently launched high quality Farmstead Antique facing bricks were manufactured at the firm’s Accrington brickworks, and Norfolk House Phase 2 was the first large-scale project to utilise them.Architect James Tartt said “The Baltic is a trendy, up-and-coming cultural quarter of Liverpool set in the city’s historic docklands, and we wanted the design and brickwork of this scheme to reflect the renovated warehouses of the area, some of which date back to the 18th Century.“To this end, we had sample walls constructed at the site in the early stages before building work began, where we tested different types of brick and mortar to ensure they matched the surrounding architecture as closely as possible. Forterra’s Farmstead Antique bricks were ideal for this job.”The BenefitsIan Shard, Commercial Director of Lancashire Brick, who specified the job, said, “We knew we wanted quality new bricks which matched the area, and using Forterra’s handy online Brick Matching app we were able to find the closest brick type possible for our clients.”Forterra nominated the finished project for the 2018 Brick Awards, in the Large Housing Development category.

The initial phase of a large-scale regeneration project featuring community sports facilities, office accommodation and an Enterprise Hub in Irvine, North Ayrshire, has been constructed with the use of 50,000 Carsington Cream bricks produced by Forterra in Measham exclusively for Taylor Maxwell. The construction on Quarry Road, Irvine, houses the office headquarters of a local leisure company and work spaces for Business Gateway, who aim to support local entrepreneurs and business start-ups, encouraging local employment. It provides a gateway into the development that will include local indoor and outdoor sports facilities and multi-use community spaces. The building was designed to mark the development entrance, draw people into the site and set the construction standard for the phases to follow. Andrew Martin, Sales Executive at Taylor Maxwell, said: “We were tasked with finding a suitable facing brick for Irvine Community Hub. With a budget to adhere to and a remit to provide a buff/cream coloured brick with a traditional appearance, the Carsington Cream Facing Brick was ideal. “This brick type is part of a commitment to certain product lines manufactured in the UK and mainland Europe that Taylor Maxwell makes to provide a ‘Select’ range of brick types. This provided Clark Contracts with a commitment on price and availability for a soft mud manufactured brick with the technical qualities needed for the Scottish climate.” Steven Nicolson, Forterra’s Area Sales Manager for Scotland, said: “The Carsington Cream brick is a handmade, low water absorbency brick that was used here to combine with the modern aspect of the building and to complement the surrounding buildings.” Nick Shepherd, Architectural Assistant at Anderson Bell + Christie, said: “Forterra and Taylor Maxwell’s Carsington Cream brick was used to contrast with the residential context and establish the building as a landmark. The tone of the brick was selected to harmonise with the timber cladding, as well as the timber louvres within the window openings which accentuate the texture of the brick.” Forterra nominated the project for the 2018 Brick Awards, in the Public category. 

Artform Urban were approached by Illman Young Landscape Design in 2018 to discuss a range of design led street furniture elements including seating and litter bins to a brand new service station located at junction 1 of the M6 in Rugby, planned to open in 2021. The seating product selected was the Multiplicity Bench, a popular product featuring a cast aluminium leg frame with hardwood seat.The Box Wood Litter Bin featuring a Triangular Ashtray fixture was also supplied. This incredibly popular and versatile waste disposal unit can be customised with 4 different variations of door style. The Rugby Moto services opted for the hardwood timber slats version which complements the surrounding architecture and street furniture.The new MOTO services opened its doors to motorists in April 2021, the build will create 120 jobs and cost investment of £40 million. It is the UK's flagship electric vehicle charging motorway services, offering 24 rapid-charging points.

A Stoke-on-Trent City Council unit required refurbishment due to its poorly insulated roof and subsequent thermal issues. The 2.000ft2 apex roof and adjoining service areas were refurbished to improve thermal performance with a total of 98, 50mm and 100mm thickness Eurothane® GP boards applied to the building.Spencer Crossley, the store owner explained:"The Eurothane® GP panels have done a fantastic job. They’ve made a huge impact on thermal conditions inside the shop. It means I can keep the store open later. The insulation within the refurbished roof has made for a more enjoyable shopping experience for customers and better working conditions. I’m extremely happy with this fantastic product."About 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

The ProjectThe completion of Birmingham City University - Curzon B & Royal Birmingham Conservatoire forms part of the University’s £260 million dedicated investment into new and advanced facilities.Designed by Associated Architects to provide 100,000 square feet of additional facilities the £31 million Birmingham City – Curzon B Building officially opened in January 2018. The facility offers teaching and learning space for 3,000 students and staff.The ChallengePropose a robust cubicle system suitable for a heavy foot fall environment. Deliver all products compliant to BIM Level 2. Manufacture bespoke vanity troughs in a wave design. Manage production, delivery and installation to the high standards set by the industry.  The Solution As a local preferred supplier Excelsior were engaged by Birmingham based Willmott Dixon to supply and install the washrooms. T-Line Cubicle Range offered the perfect solution, with an extruded aluminium frame, inclusive of pilaster and headrail, coupled with Solid Grade Laminate Doors and Divisions ensure a robust cubicle that will stand the test of time.

This work at Holborn’s Chancery House  — The Office Group’s largest location to date spanning 127,000 sq ft — focused on a design that accommodates multiple working zones and breakout spaces, enhances wellbeing and offers an abundance of natural light.Radii’s design department provided multiple bespoke solutions for this fit out, working on four of the building’s nine floors.For glazed fronts, our elegant Parallel 50 (Rw 45 dB) double glazed partitions in emulated satin stainless steel finish — a reference to the historic London Silver Vaults that are located at the base of Chancery House — were utilised along with wraparound framing and a custom blade detail to create an eye-catching visual effect.On the Ground floor, single glazed Linear 59 partitions (Rw 39 dB) with a bespoke pocket sliding door into drywall was installed for platform lift access.Finally, E30 fire rated double doors were placed on the Lower Ground Floor to provide fire route protection.

Pura® NFC by Trespa as connecting factor between two building volumesIn close cooperation with Guus Vedder (2•1 Architecten), architect Hendrik Jan van der Valk (Van der Valk Woudst ra) has designed a modern villa, consisting of two main volumes. The villa was for a private client and is located in a rural village in the Veluwe region. One volume is used as living/ dining room and kitchen, while the bedrooms, bathrooms, playroom and technical area are located in the other.The client had a number of explicit requirements for the design of the villa which is located on a large plot in a wooded area. In addition to various aesthetic aspects, the villa had to be sustainable and energy neutral. The facades, roofs and floors were therefore very well insulated and of airtight construction. All window frames have aluminium profiles with optimum insulation and have triple glazing. The whole house is equipped with domotics and all installations are powered by the solar panels that were fitted; there is therefore no need for a gas connection.

With 50 years’ experience in the modular build industry, the challenge for Tingdene Homes was to deliver a cutting edge solution for a new two-storey holiday home construction which was to be built entirely offsite in a controlled factory environment, with the objective of delivering speedier construction, factory engineered quality and cost-effective design.

Project: Plärrer high-rise building, Nuremberg, Germany

This case study is courtesy of Play To Measure and Priory Park Community School. The school sought a specialist play company to convert an unused piece of land into an innovative learning and play environment. Their aim was to merge education, creativity, fun, nature, and most importantly safety, in one holistic design.Before the project commenced, the outdoor space at Priory Park Community School was mostly inaccessible and overgrown, resulting in underutilisation.Play To Measure faced a significant challenge due to the lack of engaging features and safety concerns while transforming this space into an area promoting both learning and play. Ensuring students’ safety while encouraging outdoor learning, creativity, and physical activity was a top priority in the planning process.To address these challenges, Play To Measure proposed a comprehensive solution. This involved creating an outdoor classroom, pond, climbing frame with a slide, hammocks, and more. They also added rubber grass matting underneath suitable structures to cushion falls and ensure the safety of the children.The initial phase involved clearing the overgrown grass and plants, providing the team with a blank canvas to work on. With the area cleared, the team commenced transforming the design into reality.They created a pond filled with self-oxygenating plants to attract various wildlife, making it a potential habitat. Adjacent to the pond, they placed a boat, offering a unique relaxation and learning space.Above the pond, they installed a custom-built Outdoor Classroom with a bridge, serving as a dedicated educational space with a canopy for year-round use.In proximity to the classroom, two handmade hammocks were installed with our protective rubber grass mats underneath, ensuring a safe surface under this unique relaxation area.The subsequent phase involved designing, constructing, and installing a unique climbing frame. Play To Measure's team crafted an innovative play space featuring ladders, a slide, a climbing wall and nets. The climbing frame was assembled and installed on-site, with some help from the school’s students!Rubber grass mats, 23mm in thickness, were then laid and secured around the climbing frame, providing a safety surface for all users. These easy-to-install safety surfacing solutions offer a superb 3.3m critical fall height, ideal for various play spaces. The addition of a play area enhanced the recreational aspect, promoting physical activity while ensuring children's safety during play."Another quality structure completed, featuring a climbing wall, scramble nets, ladders, a platform and a slide!""Thanks to South West Play for all things rope, GCL Products for safety matting and the students at Priory Park Community School for your help in building the structure." - Play To MeasureThe collaboration between Play To Measure, Priory Park Community School and GCL Products successfully transformed an underutilised outdoor space into a vibrant, safe, and educational area. The project achieved a fine balance between education, recreation, versatility and safety, creating an inspiring environment that fosters both learning and play. This exceptional project highlights the value of innovative solutions for outdoor spaces while prioritising children’s safety and well-being."We are delighted with the before and after. The transformation of spaces is what we do. Take an unused space and make it into a play oasis.""Earlier this year it was an empty area... Now there is a Nature Pond, Outdoor Classroom, Boat, Table & Chairs, Hammocks and a large Climbing Frame.""Thank you to Priory Park Community for the opportunity to work at your school." - Play To MeasurePlay To Measure excels in transforming indoor and outdoor spaces, crafting playgrounds, sensory gardens, learning spaces, and home garden projects. Based in Sheffield, they operate throughout Yorkshire, the Midlands and across the UK. This project exemplifies Play To Measure’s commitment to excellence and their capacity to exceed clients' needs and expectations. To discover more about them or discuss a potential project, visit the Play To Measure website.GCL Products are proud to have contributed to the creation of this exceptional safe learning and play space. For more information on our rubber grass mats or to request a quote for an upcoming project, do not hesitate to contact us.You can call us on 01246 418144 or LiveChat with us during office hours. Alternatively, you can leave us a message outside these hours.

Jo Richardson Community SchoolProduct: Tarnhow Dome Free Standing Timber CanopyTimber Stain Colour: Antique PineCanopy Size: 35m x 11mEstimated Value: £90,000Installation Date: August 2017Contractor: KCH Contractors Ltd.The BriefJo Richardson Community School is a large school in east London. The School has around 1400 pupils between 11 – 19 years of age.In one part of the School there is a generous sized space that is enclosed on three sides by school buildings. The School has many courtyard spaces like this but this one is the busiest because it is next to the canteen and on the most direct route to the separate sports hall. As the space is uncovered it offers little shelter to pupils and staff. To transform this area, so that it could be protected and safe to use for dining, break times and other activities, the school wanted to cover it with a canopy.Initially they requested a steel framed canopy with no central posts. This would allow maximum use of the space (with no posts to restrict the flow of people or potential uses). There were two major drawbacks to this approach. The first was cost. A steel structure large enough to cover the space and work without central posts would not be cheap. The second was that using a steel structure, that was big enough to fit the space, had the potential to not be sympathetic to the surrounding buildings and environment.As this was such an important project it was essential that any solution satisfied both practical and aesthetic requirements. This can be seen in the rendered image below which shows how the all steel structure would have looked.A second, more cost-effective option was then proposed. This still used steel but included posts that would support from the centre. This gives more flexibility to the installation process and reduces costs, but does place limitations on the use of the space and flow of pupils under the canopy.In both cases a steel canopy was proving not to be the ideal option.The SolutionTo overcome the issues of using steel we suggested to the School that they consider our Tarnhow Dome Free Standing Timber Canopy. This would allow them to maximise the space, work within a manageable budget and use a material that would complement the existing buildings and make a strong and appealing visual statement.The final size was a canopy that measured 35 metres in length, by 11metres wide, with a height of 5 metres. This could be installed without central posts, thereby ensuring the space could be maximised and used for different activities and occasions.While timber was not the first thought for the customer it proved to be the perfect choice. With its good looks, provision of effective weather protection and value for money price, it ensured the school achieved their project goal of a transformed space that would provide value for them well into the future.InstallationThe final installation not only gave the school everything they needed in terms of weather protection but it also looked extremely impressive with the dramatic lines of the wooden Tarnhow frame drawing the eye through the structure to the end wall. The substantial height of the canopy added to the feel of space and depth that will mean the school can use it for all sorts of activities and events and not just as a seating area.It also allows large number of pupils to move around the space safely with plenty of room for seating and other equipment, such as a hot snack trolley, to be used.The installation itself was a textbook process with the frame going up quickly and then the roof panels being added to the structure. Our pre-installation visits and accurate measurements allowed us to have all the elements in place before the agreed installation date, meaning we could finish on time and on budget. We were even able to design and construct a neat bespoke solution where the canopy had to fit with the existing building – see image to the right.This meant that the protection from rain and snow was complete wherever you were under the canopy and would allow the school to get the most from their new space all year round.

Improve the Student and Staff Experience at LSEThe new building, which opened its doors in January 2022, demonstrates the School’s ambition to create a world class estate and university quarter in the heart of London. Designed by Dublin-based Grafton Architects, the large, multi-purpose building occupies a pivotal position at the southern corner of Lincoln’s Inn Fields. The Marshall Building is LSE’s largest building with ten storeys plus two basement levels. It accommodates the Departments of Accounting, Finance and Management, as well as the Marshall Institute of Philanthropy and Social Enterprise, the Systemic Risk Centre and the Financial Markets Group.HERADESIGN® Fine and HERADESIGN® Superfine were chosen for its acoustic performance, aesthetics, economy and low carbon. The impact resistant type was also specified for the sports areas. Alongside, Armstrong METAL R-H 200 panels provide a sophisticated open and contemporary look. They were chosen for areas where more service access was required but where a consistent aesthetic was also important. The metal panels were also used as ‘floating canopies’ so a high perimeter was specified to give a finished look at all sides.

Also the largest public cultural space in Europe, the new 35,000m² Library of Birmingham replaces the old Central Library and is seen by Birmingham City Council as a flagship project for the redevelopment of the city.Designed by architects Mecanoo, working with multi-discipline engineers Buro Happold and main contractor Carillion, the multi-tiered roof of the library features two garden terraces which have both contributed to the BREEAM Excellent rating.Radmat Approved Contractor Prater delivered a roofing solution that is BBA Certified to last ‘the life of the building’. Consisting of Radmat PermaQuik PQ6100 Hot Melt Monolithic waterproofing membrane, root resistant Cap Sheet and ProTherm inverted roof insulation, the entire roof was electronically tested for integrity prior to the installation of aluminum powder coated cappings to the perimeter roof upstands.Once the installation of the 7,500m. of PermaQuik PQ6100 roofing system on the roof and ground level podium deck was signed off by a Radmat Technical Adviser, Prater brought in specialist green roof contractor Frost Landscapes. They then carried out the installation of the complex intensive green roofs, at levels 3 and 7, which were created to attract local wildlife and to offer visitors a pleasant environment to enjoy all year round.Combining durability and flexibility with independent verification of life expectancy and a market leading guarantee the PermaQuik PQ6100 Hot Melt Monolithic waterproofing system is set to deliver exceptional performance befitting of the uniquely designed structure which has set a remarkably high standard for library design.With Radmat’s high performance roofing solution providing weathertight protection for years to come, the Library of Birmingham looks set to not only form the catalyst for further regeneration within the city but also how future libraries are designed and perceived by the user.

Hydrock is an award-winning, multidisciplinary engineering design consultancy working with clients across the UK. With 16 offices and over 500 staff, their work covers various sectors, including acoustics, nuclear, fire, civil + structural and building performance engineering. Director of Building Performance Engineering, Anuran Wickramasinghe, caught up with us to tell us more about the work Hydrock does for its clients and why the business uses NBS Chorus on its projects.WORKING COLLABORATIVELYAs a multidisciplinary consultancy, Hydrock work on a wide range of exciting projects, from concept to detailed construction drawings to post-occupancy evaluations. Recent projects have included the new facilities for the English National Ballet, UWE's engineering faculty and Bristol’s inland surfing destination, The Wave. According to Anuran, the ability to work on projects in the cloud has been one of the most useful features of NBS Chorus. As a cloud-based specification platform, Chorus allows multiple users to work on a specification remotely and on a range of devices, which has been extremely useful for Hydrock given the distance between their offices - and around 90% of their technical staff are currently working from home. “We’re dispersed all around the country and are working from home so having an online version of the spec is very helpful,” he said. "Having an online platform makes things much easier for us while working from home because now the engineers can access the specification and share information without overloading our servers"IMPROVING CONSISTENCYBefore adopting NBS Chorus, Hydrock used desktop product NBS Create, which is due be retired. Anuran highlighted the consistency and standardisation benefits that NBS Chorus’ stylesheets feature provides as one of the significant benefits the business has seen since making the switch. “One of my main tasks last year was to standardise our specifications and projects, and that is why we decided to use NBS Chorus. NBS's automatic updates to the standards and guidance take away a big slice of our work because we cannot dedicate a team to continually update our standard template. We’re pushing hard on our branding and thanks to the Stylesheets feature; we’ve now got the front page of our documents looking standardised which is great progress.” “Shortly, we want to utilise the Masters' feature and have one standardised template that we can work on to create our specifications and projects.” In terms of helping Hydrock create more robust specifications, Anuran says that the prompts and guidance notes provided within Chorus have helped improve decision-making during the specification process. The ability to start specifying early describing system performance before developing a fuller specification defining products and execution requirements is also of benefit. “The prompts on whether to park or specify something have helped us to progressively develop a robust specification because we can always revisit the specification and make sure that we haven't missed something that could lead to an omission on a project which could be extremely detrimental."SUMMARYIn summary, NBS Chorus is not only helping Hydrock to create more robust and more effective specifications, but it’s also helping to improve collaboration across the business’ different locations and disciplines. "Having up-to-date information and the template there help us to produce the documents much more efficiently. I don’t like the ‘copy and paste’ style of doing things because you could be working on a residential project and accidentally insert a clause from a healthcare project which happened to be the last specification the engineer worked on. The efficiency comes from being able to use the template as a starting point and not having to write a specification completely from scratch," Anuran said. “The collaboration aspect of NBS Chorus is the key because it means that the different disciplines can access and work together on the document at the same time."

The North Devon Enterprise Centre in county Devon was constructed using sustainable materials and techniques.DUCO also played a role in this with its intensive ventilation techniques.Main contractor ISG has constructed the Enterprise Centre at Devon County Council’s Roundswell Enterpise Park development. The centre has been designed to offer flexible office accommodation for small and medium size businesses that are looking to grow. The building was constructed using sustainable materials and techniques.DUCO also played a role in this with its intensive ventilation techniques.Environmentally sustainable buildingThe Enterprise Centre, which is known as NODE, has still a few office facilities for sale, but most of the facilities were sold already by companies both local and from the county.The design and construction of the building was developed with environmental sustainability in mind, resulting in the achievement of the BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) Excellent Status.Intensive ventilation for a healthy indoor climateDUCO is proud to be part of this achievement through the installation of its high-end intensive ventilation products in the Enterprise Centre’s building. One thing’s for sure: no compromises were made on ventilation in this project.No fewer than three high-performance DUCO ventilation products can be found in the building. Combined, they provide sufficient intensive ventilation in the entire building.DucoGrille Solid F 30Z window grilles are made of punched solid louvre blades which are very robust and equipped with an insect screen. A reinforced version of this frame profile can acheive burglar-resistance to Class 2.DucoGrille Solid G 30Z is a recesses mounted wall louvre, manufactured from extruded aluminium profiles. The perforated blade profiles act as an insect screen, whereas the Z-shaped blade ensures a robust design.DucoGrille Close 105 blade dampers were installed and fitted with the DucoGrille Solid window grilles. Thanks to the high airflow rate the DucoGrille Close 105 damper is also suitable for adjustable extract. It allows fresh air from the outside enter the Enterprise Centre building through the building envelope ensuring a healthy indoor climate!

Mumford and Wood were approached by Mace Contractors to work on a Grade two listed building within the historic Woolwich Arsenal.Known by many as the ‘Fireworks Factory,’ the building has an important history, having been used as a Tudor dockyard, then from the mid-17th century was at the heart of Britain’s war machine, home to the Royal Artillery and factories that made gun carriages, cannon and munitions. Recently renovated as an arts venue, it now boasts a performance space containing dance studios, artists’ workshops, cafés and rental spaces.As part of the building renovations, Mumford & Wood were instructed to design and manufacture 11 timber windows, including 7 from our Classic range and 4 from our Heritage range. In order to maintain the historic building aesthetic we used putty glazing for authenticity. The box sashes were made for structural openings that were either adjusted or opened back up having being blocked up for a number of years. Section sizes were adjusted on elevation to line through with other adjacent windows that remained in situ, having been renovated.We are proud to have worked on such an important project that has since been recognised by RIBA, winning their ‘London’s Conservation Award.’

The Double Red Duke, situated in the Cotswolds village of Clanfield, is one of Oxfordshire’s most iconic inns, with a history dating back to the 1600s. This luxury boutique hotel, bar and restaurant, with its unique and carefully balanced approach, has modernised the property without compromising its much-loved character and aesthetic.The owners of this property specified The Rooflight Co's Conservation Rooflights - with a whole unit u-value of 1.4W/m2K and a design inspired by the cast-iron rooflights of the Victorian era. The Double Red Duke owners were able to ensure the building performed to modern standards, with rooflights that fit perfectly with the aesthetic of the heritage building.The frameless appearance of the interior finish on the rooflights is achieved by installing the plasterboard up to the underside of the timber linings provided. From the external view, the rooflights are designed to be installed flush with the roof tiles. The resulting impact is a seamless integration with the building inside and out.

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

The new £100m Heatherwood Hospital in Ascot, Berkshire has been designed by leading architects BDP to put the wellbeing of patients and staff at its heart. The new state of the art building comprises a multitude of resources, from treatment rooms to operating theatres, day and out-patient facilities and specialist x-ray, MRI and radiology services. The overall design of the hospital has been greatly influenced by the woodland that surrounds it, with our aluminium fenestration systems framing the expansive views and maximising the use of natural light.The ’open’ design of the building has been created using our slimline SF52 aluminium curtain wall system, with the ground floor areas benefitting from our robust SFG shop front glazing system and integrated SD commercial doors. To provide safe and secure access, our SPW501 aluminium commercial doors were chosen for the main access points and our thermally efficient SPW600 aluminium windows were used throughout. All our aluminium fenestration products were expertly fabricated and installed by our supply chain partner Soundcraft for main contractor Kier.The use of our energy-efficient aluminium windows, doors and curtain walling complements the new hospital’s other sustainable design features which include photovoltaic solar panels and a green nature roof to manage rainwater absorption. Our technical team and locally based architectural advisor were also on hand to provide specification support and guidance, including help with U-value calculations and Part L compliance.The new-build hospital replaces the older dilapidated building that will be demolished to make way for a new housing development.