"stone quarried stonemasons restoration"

Bespoke finishing joiner Josh Williams was all too familiar with the impact of noise when he embarked on his first build. When he took up his next build project he considered how to create a quiet, comfortable home from the start.For his home he chose to fit ROCKWOOL Sound Insulation Slab, due to its stone wool composition that gives a non-directional fibre orientation and high density. ROCKWOOL Sound Insulation Slab traps sound waves and dampens vibrations, making it ideal for busy homes and spaces such as gaming and music rooms.

The multi-million pound UK headquarters of TPP (The Phoenix Partnership) in Leeds was purpose-built by contractors ISG and designed by Bowman Riley Architects. The frontal elevation of traditional Yorkshire stone with pitched tiled roofing contrasts to a rear façade featuring a contemporary appearance with extensive curtain walling. neaco supplied bespoke balconies and external balustrade to both sections, combining traditional-style railed infills with a contemporary twist in the form of tapered flat-bar stanchions with laser-cut holes. This combination has achieved design consistency across the building whilst harmonising with the contrasting aesthetics of the front and rear.

Designed by Page and Park, this £21 Million project involved refurbishing the existing atrium space and constructing a stunning new 3000 sq.m. three-story building.  Inspiration was taken from the stunning location on loch Airthrey. Blending seamlessly into the landscape, the exterior features granite rainscreen, grey stone cladding and Senior’s SF52 curtain walling, chosen for its elegant slim sightlines and enhanced thermal performance.  Sustainability was further enhanced by installation of Senior’s patented ultra thermally efficient PURe® windows with an innovative thermal break, and robust SPW501 Doors, certified to PAS24 and Secured by Design standards. 

Washroom delivered new washroom areas on all levels of this refurbished office building - drawing on a range of high-tech man-made materials including lightweight cast concrete to create a unique, contemporary space which hints at the industrial history of the building. Its full height Alto FENIX toilet cubicles were specified in a crisp white colour to contrast with the grey and stone coloured concrete vanities. FENIX is manufactured in Italy by Arpa Industriale using the latest nano-technology to create a highly durable, tough acrylic resin surface with a host of high-performance properties.

As part of the project all the Alto toilet cubicle doors and partitions at this Mayfair office were wrapped using innovative architectural film in a dark slate grey textured ash veneer finish - provided as part of Washroom's Refresh Service. As well as being environmentally-friendly and quick to install, architectural film is also extremely hardwearing and durable so will further prolong the lifecycle of the toilet cubicles. The sleek dark wood veneer finish is just one of more than one thousand different architectural films available to choose from including wood, metal, marble, leather and stone.

Located on the edge of Cambridge’s De Freville Conservation Area, Clare College’s St Regis site has provided accommodation for postgraduate students of the University of Cambridge for over fifty years. In recent times, the need for regeneration became clear and Freeland Rees Roberts Architects was appointed to design a new scheme. The practice worked closely with Vandersanden, selecting brick as the principal element of the attractive new facades.While the old buildings failed to fit into the surrounding urban context and lacked the facilities required, the new scheme provides more and improved student accommodation for the college together with market flats. To achieve this successfully in a residential area, it was vital to consider the massing and perceived scale of the buildings. Consequently, the volumes were broken down to feel more like a series of big houses than large residential blocks.Clearly of a confident, contemporary design, the buildings respect their surroundings, repairing and maintaining the rhythm of the street scene. In large part, this is due to the choice of bricks and the splitting of the facades into separate gables with slopping roofs. Vandersanden’s Majestic and Luna Apollo facing bricks were selected and contribute to the detailing of the facades.“There is plenty of life and colour variation in the bricks,” explains Alexander Hobohm, director at Freeland Rees Roberts Architects. “This assists in breaking down the overall massing of the facades and works well with the dark zinc of the roofs.”The bricks act to soften the appearance of the facades and link the context of the new and neighbouring buildings. The beige grey Majestic brick predominates with the darker grey Luna Apollo providing detailing. It forms the plinth that anchors the buildings while a soldier course of Majestic bricks above provides the transition to the main body of the walls. At the junction with the zinc roof, the detailing is subtle with the transition provided by stepped courses of the Luna Apollo. Panels of projecting brick headers are a further feature, introduced to add a textural quality that brings light and shade to the facades.“The brick’s colour, tone and texture were qualities that other manufacturers couldn’t offer,” says Hobohm. “Usefully, Vandersanden invited us to see a number of projects using the same bricks which was so much more helpful than relying just on sample panels.”Another contributory factor to the look is the choice of mortar. This was specified to create a natural, lime mortar-like appearance and was achieved by fully pointing and, after the initial set, brushing back; there are no struck joint lines.A defining feature of the front facade is the public art. The college commissioned a carving featuring swifts in flight, inspired by the birds that were in residence in the original buildings. Swift boxes have been integrated into the new facades to provide a home for these beautiful birds. Using hand tools and following trials, stonemasons carved some 5-10mm into the face of the brickwork to create the design. A breathable paint finish was applied to highlight the indentations - a single bird at the very top is gold-leafed.  For Hobohm, working with Vandersanden was a positive, supportive and proactive process. “It was very straightforward. Early on, Vandersanden supplied product and technical information, plus a batch of the two brick types, enabling us to create sample panels. The bricks helped deliver the project vision and the client is delighted. It’s now one of the college’s signature buildings and has already won several awards.” To find out more about the bricks used in this project or to see the wide range of high-quality bricks available from Vandersanden, click on the 'View more' link 

Newdigate Builders, a thriving construction company with over 30 years of experience, is led by Dave Coventry. Dave, who has always dreamed of building his own home, finally achieved this milestone by purchasing land to build an expansive 6-bedroom property, complete with a basement, garage, and sunrooms.As an established customer of ARP, Dave was already familiar with the exceptional quality of their products. With his extensive knowledge of the pitfalls of uPVC, Dave was determined to use the best possible materials for the rainwater system in his new home. Because of this, he reached out to Nigel Hancock, the Area Sales Manager for ARP.Nigel visited the site and proposed the installation of 125 x 100 Sentinel Deepflow Gutters and 76mm Colonnade swaged aluminium downpipes, a robust aluminium rainwater system designed to meet Dave's high standards.Given the nature of the new build, Dave wanted the gutters and downpipes to complement the stone accents of his property. ARP’s in-house polyester powder coating facility enabled a precise colour match to the stone, ensuring a cohesive and visually appealing finish.Dave promptly placed his order, and ARP's production team swiftly moved to fulfil it, demonstrating their commitment to customer satisfaction.Dave Coventry, Managing Director of Newdigate Builders, remarked: "ARP provides a quality product at an affordable price."Through this collaboration, Dave not only realised his dream but also underscored the importance of selecting high-quality, sustainable materials in construction. This case study exemplifies how Newdigate Builders and ARP together deliver exceptional, lasting results.

Chateau Denmark represents a new concept in hospitality venues, offering an eclectic place to stay in the home of British rock music- Denmark Street London.For the design team of Taylor Howes working with CAW Ventures, the challenge has been to create interiors that paid homage to the innovation, history and drama of the location- where the Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, David Bowie and the Sex Pistols all hung out.The team had to bring cohesion across 55 rooms and apartments over 16 buildings, some of which are listed. Thus, four design narratives across 11 base build designs were conceived to reflect the heritage and rebellion of the properties and their surroundings.To achieve the industrial rawness that is the essence of the Loft build design, Armourcoat’s Concrete Effect panels were specified. The deconstructed look and tactile surface of the panels achieves the unfinished, textured appearance of shuttered concrete in an easy to install, lightweight format.The Concrete Effect panels bring a distinctive industrial style to the interior, with their inclusion of distressed effects and shutter markings. They form part of Armourcoat’s range of three-dimensional castings, alongside stone effect, hand-applied and sculptured artwork cast panels."Chateau Denmark is ultimately about being bold and fierce- and of course materials play an important role in conveying that sentiment. For a number of our rooms and apartments, the Armourcoat concrete effect panels have contributed to a rugged rawness, establishing a unique aesthetic that helps bring together an industrial and utilitarian feel." - Carrie Wicks, Director at Chateau Denmark

Taw Wharf is a new waterfront destination placing contemporary design and modern amenities alongside the historic listed buildings of the medieval Long Bridge. The full development will encompass a range of apartments, penthouses and townhouses adding up to a 172 newly designed homes. Hyperion Composite Fencing was selected for this project. Project BreakdownLed by local housing experts North Devon Homes and Pearce Homes, the 30-acre site will have close references to the character and materials of the site’s maritime history and its riverside wharf location to create a vibrant community.Located in the premier town of North Devon, the project is close to both the country and the coast. To enhance its natural beauty and rural living, all new release townhouses will offer an outdoor area. The development is nearing completion with the first viewings taking place beginning of August 2019.The SolutionEnviroBuild provided 3,118 m² of Hyperion Pioneer stone fencing for the townhouses’ front gardens and parking spaces. The non-rot, low maintenance panels made it the perfect material to fence the residential homes. The contemporary design also made the development blend in perfectly with the area’s historic charm.Working closely with the contractor Pearce Construction, the fencing was installed using granite fence posts included in the purchasing price.Project DetailsSize: 3118 m²Product: Stone Hyperion Pioneer FencingClient: Pearce ConstructionArchitect: Woodward SmithContractor: North Devon Homes & Pearce HomesSub-contractor: Pearce ConstructionLocation: Barnstaple, North Devon

Marble Arch is a fascinating structure with an intriguing history. Not to mention its unique location and the fact that it is surrounded by some of the most sought-after and expensive properties in London.Originally designed in the 1820s by John Nash the arch was planned to be used as an entrance to Buckingham Palace. It served this purpose for seventeen years before being removed and rebuilt stone by stone in 1851. It then stood as an entrance to Hyde Park for fifty years before it was completely cut off due to a new road scheme.Not far from this historic monument stands two mixed-use buildings that make up Marble Arch Place. A seventeen-storey high-end residential building, The Bryanston and a seven-storey office building adjacent. Designed by Rafeal Vinoly Architects and constructed by Multiplex, this development cost £261 million and is certainly a sight to behold where Mayfair meets Hyde Park.We worked with the architect to fulfil their design aspirations and supplied them our concealed riser doors throughout the 83,000sq ft office building. They provide a sleek, flush finish in the main office spaces whilst next door, Enigma sliding pocket doors were supplied to the residential building.The 54 apartments have a modern interior with floor-to-ceiling windows to maximise the stunning panoramic views across Hyde Park, Oxford Street and beyond. The vision behind the redevelopment as stated by Almacantar ‘was to transform it into a place that not only re-establishes the majesty of its location – but makes a lasting contribution of its own.’

Union Court is located in the Clapham area of South West London. It is made up of bright and varied workspaces to rent.Anton Boekhoudt of KEIM Mineral Paints was contacted by GPAD Architects as they were looking to update and change the façade of the building from a plain stock yellow brick colour. The architect wanted to use a breathable coating as a way of changing the appearance. Changes were also to be made to the window details and signage for the building along with new cladding areas. From their conversation an initial site unseen specification was produced.Following a site visit with the architect and Anton, sample trials commenced. Anton initially produced seven samples using KEIM Soldalit and KEIM Restauro Lasur in a selection of colours. Once GPAD Architects reviewed the samples, two further samples were applied on a larger scale. One sample with the mortar joints painted using KEIM Restauro Lasur and the other without. The preferred option was the brick faces painted only.KEIM Restauro Fixativ was applied to all brick faces and mortar joints. A 1:1 ratio mix of KEIM Restauro Lasur, in colour RB001, and KEIM Restauro Fixativ was then applied to the brick faces only. Two decorating companies worked on this project – Restore & Preserve and Chameleon Brickwork, who both used different techniques. Restore & Preserve used a spray technique after masking up all mortar joints, whereas Chameleon Brickwork hand painted each brick face. Both techniques have worked brilliantly, and you wouldn’t be able to tell the difference.Graeme Winestone of GPAD Architects commented “We are delighted with the service that KEIM offered, including plenty of colour choices and on-site samples that allowed us and the client to make an informed colour choice for the finish of the brickwork.The existing building was given a new lease of life by the use of KEIM Paints, creating a uniform brick colour which complemented the new façade alterations.Frequent site visits provided by KEIM gave us peace of mind with regards to surface preparation and application of the KEIM products producing a very satisfactory end results.”

Preserving Gothic Heritage: Exquisite Heritage Windows for William White BuildingsThe William White Buildings in Audley, Staffordshire, renowned for their Gothic design, required special heritage windows to uphold their distinctive character. Gowercroft Joinery, with their expertise in timber craftsmanship, provided a solution that combined traditional aesthetics with modern efficiency.Architectural Heritage:Designed by esteemed architect William White in 1855, the Grade II listed William White Buildings exhibit remarkable Gothic revival features. The red brick facades, adorned with traditional bond patterns and alternating narrow and wide pointed arches, create a visually striking ensemble.Restoring the Character:Purchased in 2006 as a family home, the property underwent extensive restoration to preserve its unique charm.Retaining the original fabric, including some ceiling lath and plaster, and fireplaces, played a crucial role in maintaining the house's character.Modern Windows, Conservation Standards:The deteriorating condition of the old windows prompted the search for high-quality replacements that would meet building conservation requirements.Gowercroft Joinery's Accoya® timber-framed windows with LandVac vacuum glazing provided the perfect blend of traditional craftsmanship and thermal efficiency.Exquisite Heritage Windows:Gowercroft supplied six Richmond casement windows from their Heritage range, featuring delicate astragal bars, to complement the front and back of the property.The configuration of the first-floor and attic windows, echoing the ground-floor arches, retained the distinct architectural feature.The replacement casements were fitted flush with the internal arch, requiring careful removal and reinstallation of the surrounding brickwork.Testimonial from a Satisfied Customer:"We are delighted with our new casement windows, as they look as though they've always been there," expressed Robert, the owner."The LandVac vacuum glazing has made a noticeable difference in the warmth of our home, combining slim design with the energy efficiency of triple glazing."Gowercroft Joinery's commitment to preserving architectural heritage while integrating modern advancements allowed the William White Buildings to regain their splendour and offer a comfortable living environment for generations to come.

A Heritage Oasis in AudleyNestled in Audley, Staffordshire, the William White Buildings embody the essence of 19th-century Gothic architecture—a testament to the village's rich heritage. Once a hub of shops and bustling activity, these structures found a new chapter in 2006 when Robert Walker transformed one of them into his family home.Windows in Distress: A Restoration ChallengeThe William White Building faced a restoration challenge with aging windows, their frames succumbing to rot and double-glazed units showing signs of wear. The conservation dilemma prompted a quest for a solution that seamlessly blended preservation with modern efficiency.Vacuum Glazing's Renaissance: Gowercroft’s Heroic DuoIn came Gowercroft Joinery, armed with a transformative duo—Accoya® timber frames and LandVac Heritage vacuum glazing. The 8mm sleek profile of the vacuum glazing emerged as the hero, offering not just conservation compliance but a contemporary touch to enhance energy efficiency while preserving the historic charm.Preserving History: The Unique Features of the William White BuildingsThe red brick facades, traditional bond patterns, and the iconic series of narrow and wide pointed ground floor arches defined the William White Buildings. Gowercroft’s Heritage range, featuring LandVac vacuum glazing, played a crucial role in safeguarding these intricate details.Crafting the Perfect Fit: Integration ChallengesPreserving the original aesthetic became a meticulous commitment. The flush fitting of replacement casements posed a unique challenge, demanding skilled brickwork surgery to seamlessly blend the new windows into the 1800s architecture.Homeowner’s Delight: A Warm Welcome with New WindowsRobert Walker, the delighted homeowner, shared his joy. The new windows not only looked the part but brought a palpable warmth to their home. The LandVac magic transformed once problematic windows into a symbol of modern efficiency harmonizing with historic charm.Conclusion: A Beacon of Heritage and InnovationIn the tranquil village of Audley, the William White Buildings now stand not just as relics of the past but as a living testament to the seamless integration of heritage and innovation. The LandVac magic has not only preserved history but propelled these buildings into a future of energy-efficient, comfortable living—a true beacon of heritage and innovation.

GEC Anderson stainless steel worktops and units were recently specified within the heart of historic Lancaster Castle.Until 2011, the castle was used as a working prison and courtroom but an ongoing modernisation program is now underway. Educational and visitor facilities to this important legacy make the historical facts available to everyone. Building Design Partnership were employed to deal with this work and GEC Anderson worked with main contractor, Manchester and Cheshire Construction. A continuous stainless steel worktop with integral sinks and stainless steel supports was supplied and installed by GEC Anderson. The unit was tailored to fit within the original, angled, stone wall.

The conversion of a west London former town hall to include residential accommodation features Crittall windows, carefully designed to preserve the building’s original character. The former Acton Town Hall, in Ealing London Borough, has been partly converted to provide a public library and leisure facilities but the Grade II listed structure also now contains a range of apartments. The building, which dates from 1909, was designed in an Italianate palazzo style, executed in locally made red bricks with Portland-stone dressings.  For the refurbishment and conversion the windows within the original building were replaced with Crittall Corporate W20 profiles.

Project type: Freeport Location: Steelhouse Gateway, Teeside Project Cost: £2.5m Product: Shadex 150 (Drop-in Casette) Finish: Syntha Pulvin RAL 7022 Matt Umbra GreyProduct: Dales Sigma Fascia Finish: Syntha Pulvin RAL 7022 Matt Umbra Grey Product: Dales Lower FasciaFinish: Syntha Pulvin RAL 7030 Matt Stone Grey Fire Rating: A2 s1, d0 Non-combustible (Reaction to Fire EN BS 13501-1:2018) Client: Teesworks  Architect: POD Architects Contractor: Esh Group Sub Contractor: Entec Design Services Ltd

Television Centre in Shepherds Bush, West London, is the iconic former BBC HQ that was opened in 1960. Architects Allford Hall Monaghan Morris and developers Stanhope have now created a multi-media environment that includes apartments, offices, studios, hotels, restaurants and retail, all based around the famous crescents that defined the original complex. DRU Metro 100XT/2 designer gas fires were specified for a selection of the apartments and were installed by DRU dealers Victoria Stone of Tunbridge Wells. They utilise the exclusive DRU PowerVent system, which enables the fires to be installed in apartment complexes and other challenging locations.

Lewis House is a development of 26 one and two bedroom retirement apartments in Upper Norwood in London from McCarthy & Stone. Profile 22 Optima Chamfered Windows deliver specifications required. The window specification required a U-value of 1.4 wm2/k on all windows and Secured by Design accreditation on the ground floor & easily accessible first floor windows. Acoustic glazing was also required because Lewis House is situated on a busy road so traffic noise needed to be minimised. Visually, the local authority had requested a grey exterior to give a modern appearance and provide a close match to aluminum.

Howe Green has supplied around 400 bespoke access covers to the £150 million National Automotive Innovation Centre (NAIC) being built on the University of Warwick campus. The floor access covers were required to provide safe and easy access to building services concealed under the raised flooring. The bespoke 7500 Series Medium Duty Stainless Steel covers were specified by award-winning architects Cullinan Studio. A reduced depth was required to enable the access covers to be infilled with the same flooring used elsewhere in the raised floor system - calcium sulphate floor panels, with the stone pre-bonded

The nineteenth-century Ox Barn was formerly home to the oxen that once ploughed our fields. State-of-the-art agricultural architecture in its time, the clients worked meticulously to preserve the extensive beams, soaring arches and original Cotswold stone rubble walls.A contemporary counterpoint to the original barn features, our versatile Iron Grey floor beautifully reflects the rich timber while the satin finish smoothly complements the rustic textures. Over 350 m2 of our polished concrete was installed in just one week.Now, it’s a jaw dropping restaurant with a spectacular bar and a seven-and-a-half metre Charvet open kitchen.

RESOPAL'S HPL Essential Wall 3562-RM was selected by RDA's team of design experts for table areas because of its realistic stone-effect look, reflecting the urban-industrial theme perfectly and dovetailing with other unique interior features including exposed brick and aged leather seating. The RM laminate texture, with its graining and pores, actually feels like the genuine material, whilst combining the benefits of durability and hygiene. BUILT Custom Burgers is the 'fast casual' version of the award nominated 'The Counter' in Glasgow, serving popular 'Build Your Own' burgers in a cutting edge urban-industrial interior.

The waterproofing to a large residential flatted development in London was carried out using the Koster TPO membrane.This warm roof design incorporated the Koster TPO Fleecebacked membrane mechanically fixed through PIR insulation, Koster Vapour Barrier and into the timber substructure as per the wind load calculation.An interesting project with many challenges that were all individually designed by the Koster technical team in collaboration with the project architects.The final roof incorporates hard standing areas, sedum and green roof sections, a solar panel farm and decorative stones.A beautifully deigned and usable area providing residents an amazing view over London.

Sherwin-Williams manufacture Resubind CP, a polyurethane system used for walkways, patios, courtyards, ramps, car parks and loading bays and public concourses. Resubind CP is usually installed at about 5mms thickness. Stone and resin bound paving Resubind CP uses the latest polyurethane chemistry to combine resins and aggregates for heavy duty walkways, and delivers a modern seamless surface for external environments such as wide-open public spaces, park walkways and driveways. Using natural aggregates for durability and great aesthetics Resubind CP can transform tired looking external areas or be incorporated into new build projects for a great modern look.

Pura® NFC by Trespa brings long-lasting fresh and natural look to hayling island beach homeWith its unspoilt Blue Flag beaches, Hayling Island, off Englands’ south coast, is the perfect location for a relaxing holiday on the seaside. Designer Ian Murray, owner of architectural practice I J Murray Associated Ltd, wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. When he and his wife Carole had the opportunity to buy a plot of land a stone’s throw from the beach, they immediately decided it would be the perfect place for their dream home. And if you are in the business, why not design and build it yourself?

We’ve installed new unisex ‘superloos’ to make the most of the available space on every floor of the iconic Heal’s building in London following an extensive refurbishment programme. The self-contained 'superloo' cubicles each has its own vanity unit and hand drying facilities. Natural stone vanities, featuring inset waste bins, were installed along with wall panelling and our Concerto integrated duct panel system both finished in toughened glass. Our full height Alto toilet cubicle doors, which were metal faced and feature bespoke door handles, specially designed for this project, complete the design.

application area: domestic heatinguse type: gas fireplace project scope: restore fireplaces, rebuild chimney, line chimney ductadded value: 25-year guarantee on liner, quick and clean install, non-destructiveBackgroundThe camera survey revealed cracks in the chimney flue of a large victorian house in Muswell Hill. To protect against carbon monoxide leaks, the chimneys had to be lined before the gas fireplaces could be fitted. A flexible and uninflated FuranFlex tube was placed inside the chimney duct. Each FuranFlex liner is produced to fit the dimensions of the duct. Hot steam is used to inflate and harden the liner, fixing it in position.Statement of workThe installation took one day per chimney. The jointless and air-tight liner provides good draught and a clean and safe operation for the fireplaces. When FuranFlex liners are inflated they take up the shape of the chimney, providing maximum lined diameter and natural draught.

We are proud to have been contracted by Galliford Try, one of the UK’s leading construction groups, to replace over 1,800 timber sash windows at the Dolphin Square site. The window restoration project is estimated to last for 12 months, during which TRC Windows aims to install over 150 windows per month.Galliford Try chose TRC Windows as its preferred supplier due to our unmatched reputation for providing high-quality, durable timber sash windows. We have over 30 years of experience in the industry and our team of skilled craftsmen has a keen eye for detail and a commitment to excellence.TRC Windows’ project team worked closely with Galliford Try to create a detailed project plan that would ensure the smooth and efficient installation of the new windows. The plan includes a comprehensive schedule of work, a risk assessment, and contingency plans for any unforeseen issues that may arise during the installation process.

The indoor and outdoor spaces of the Vechiul Cazinou in Arad are dressed elegantly by the refined beauty of porcelain tiles for public spaces from Atlas Concorde. Learn more.Built as a promenade and event venue for the aristocracy of the time, the splendid Vechiul Cazinou in Arad represents the history of a building that to this day is a centre for social and cultural events. Following renovations that transformed the structure into a luxury event venue, the Vechiul Cazinou is for all intents and purposes a mix of ancient and modern where the exterior grandeur is matched by a refined interior beauty in sync with today's interior design trends. In this context, Atlas Concorde ceramic surfaces with their various looks were selected to decorate some of the interior and exterior spaces of the prestigious building, bringing a breath of modernity blended with timeless elegance. Floor tiles, wall tiles and furnishing accessories made with marble-effect porcelain create sensations of luxury, hospitality and enjoyment within the building. Featuring a combination of elegant Italian marble in neutral tones and bold colours, marble-effect tiles have created a universe of style with unlimited potential and a wide variety of uses. The beauty and aesthetic refinement of the indoor spaces is also extended to the outdoor spaces where stone-effect and concrete-effect  porcelain tiles adorn the outdoor ventilated facade, the parking area, and the evocative terrace. The exterior ventilated facade, made using stone-look porcelain tiles, replicates and reworks the authentic appeal of the most popular and sought-after limestones, recounting the stories of ancient times and places. The choice of porcelain tiles for the ventilated facade was an ideal solution in terms of appearance and performance because it is a material capable of aesthetically enhancing the structure, ensuring harmony with the external environment, and at the same time maintaining the high level of technical performance necessary for design purposes. Together with the stone-effect surfaces, concrete-effect porcelain tiles complete the decoration of the outdoors, giving them the warmth of a lived-in space, the authenticity of places that are born to a new life, and the understated elegance of industrial recovery. The result is a minimalist ambiance but one with a strong aesthetic personality capable of conveying a sense of feeling at home even in a public space. The mix of textures used on the floors and walls of the prestigious event venue in Arad once again confirm that Atlas Concorde porcelain tiles are the right choice for spaces intended for public use. In fact, porcelain surfaces are the ideal choice for high-traffic spaces because they combine technical functionality and beauty, ensuring a durable, safe material.

Recently, our good friends over at R & A Pressure Washing shared with us a customers garden furniture that was in dire need of restoration.They had a garden swing and a BBQ Prep station / organiser that was looking a little worse for wear. Being much loved and used had taken its toll. Luckily, Roger knew exactly what to do to restore them to their former glory.Firstly, Prepdeck was used to strip the previous coatingAs both the swing and the prep station had been previously coated, Roger had to strip off the old finish. This is a very important step and if you fail to do this it will alter your overall finish. Owatrol products need to penetrate into the wood to give the desired finish. This simply cannot be done if there is a previous coating on the wood.Roger worked in areas that could be completed in around 15 mins and applied the Prepdeck undiluted onto the furniture.After about 15 minutes, you can test a small area with a nylon scrubbing brush to see if the finish is lifting. If it is, scrub the area with a stiff nylon brush. Or, alternatively, a pressure washer at 1000 – 1500 psi (70-103 bars). The psi needed will vary depending on the type of wood you are using it on.Once sufficiently scrubbed, rinse with copious amounts of fresh water.Secondly, Net-Trol was used to clean and neutralise the woodRoger then used Net-Trol to lighten and restore the natural colour of the wood – without bleaching it.One of our favourite products, Net-Trol effortlessly removes ground in and surface dirt in as little as 15 minutes, leaving the furniture looking bright and vibrant.Before applying Net-Trol, Roger wet the furniture with clean water.Once both the pieces of furniture were sufficiently wet, he then applied Net-Trol with a synthetic brush and scrubbed the wood with a stiff synthetic brush. Roger worked to ensure that he had scrubbed the Net-Trol thoroughly making sure to get into all the small nooks and crannies.After leaving the Net-Trol to stand for approximately 15-20 minutes (if it started to dry, Roger applied a mist of water to keep it wet), he used a presser washer (max. 60 bar) to clean the furniture. If you don’t have a pressure washer, you can scrub the surface whilst simultaneously rinsing it with water.Lastly, the furniture was finished with Aquadecks in the shade honeyAquadecks is a water-based penetrating wood finish that can be used on both new and weathered wood.It’s easy to apply and maintain, with no labour-intensive sanding or stripping required.Roger applied a liberal amount of Aquadecks with a brush, working in the direction of the grain.As soon as the ‘wet look’ of the first application had disappeared, Roger then applied the second coat and allowed it to penetrate. This took around 15-20 minutes. It’s important not to let Aquadecks become touch dry between applications and to work in sections that will take no longer than 30 minutes to complete.Next, in order to avoid Aquadecks drying as shiny spots on the surface, he wiped up any excess that had not penetrated into the decking.As Aquadecks is water-based, Roger could then wash the brush and cloth in soap and water.Take a look at those beautiful finished results! We think they look absolutely brilliant. It’s just a shame the customer will have to wait for the warmer weather before using them again!You can find out more information about about Aquadecks by clicking here.

This £40 million retrofit transformation of Brindley Place, a well-known site in the Westside of Birmingham city centre, raises the bar for sustainability and wellness in an urban regeneration and commercial refurbishment project. The ‘back to frame’ concept combines 10 Brindley Place with the adjoining 8 Brindley Place to create over 200,000 square feet of offices with serviced apartments and one of the largest floorplates in the city. Amenities include an on-site café, fitness facilities, a fitness studio and bouldering wall, storage for 100 cycles, electric vehicle charging points, and two communal roof terraces with impressive views. Associated Architects have created a bold new identity for the site. The façade was completely redesigned using 245,000 locally sourced bricks from a sustainable quarry. Each one was installed by hand to cover an area of 40,000 square feet. The system was constructed off an exterior steel frame consisting of a breather membrane, thermal insulation, fire cavity barriers, and helping hand brackets and rails. Grooves were cut into the bricks before they were slotted into these rails and mortar was then applied to all brick joints.The Leicester Grey Stock, Atlas Dark Grey, and Blue Glazed bricks selected complement each other and create a modern and distinctive aesthetic that responds positively to the renovated building’s Broad Street context. Floor to ceiling windows on the large floorplates complete the design, which blends impeccably with the nearby Metro line and adjacent development. The identity is also carried through to the interior styling. This interior, that boasts a striking double-height reception area, was developed in partnership with Willmott Dixon.In addition to its impressive appearance, the renovated Brindley Place also utilises smart building technologies to provide real-time energy monitoring. The building also has excellent thermal performance, achieved a high WiredScore and an excellent BREEAM rating. Occupier wellness is also at the heart of the new design. Indeed, Brindley Place was the first building in Birmingham to receive a Fitwel accreditation. In summary, this highly acclaimed urban redevelopment has both shifted perceptions of Broad Street as an address and set new standards for the reinvention of office space in the city. It has transformed the site and provides one of the most attractive and well-equipped office buildings in the country. 

Inaugurated in 2012, the new headquarters of NedBank in Pretoria, South Africa, is a modern building with an avant-garde design that brings together different materials such as porcelain stoneware, wood, cement and glass.Designed by the Boogertman & Partners Architects studio, the structure has been designed to be a real service centre and point reference point for local financial institutions in the area. Its indoor areas have been covered using Trust technical porcelain stoneware series: the floors, clad in the Titanium colour using a multi-size installation with 40x60, 30x60 and 20x60 modules, finish the space off perfectly thanks to richness of details and natural stone effect surfaces.

Working with Main Contractor Stone Edge and Architects Brownhill Hayward Brown, Selectaglaze installed 47 secondary glazing units to several large gothic arched stained-glass windows in Grade II Listed St Philips Church, Wolverhampton for the purpose of noise insulation and thermal insulation. Selectaglaze installed 34 units to 11 openings, a combination of 11 Series 10 slimline horizontal sliding units and 23 Series 46 slimline fixed light units. Fixed light secondary glazing can be coupled together with other products units as over lights or side lights - ideal for arched windows as they can be shaped or curved to a full circle.

A few kilometres from Copenhagen, where history blends with modernity generating new currents and trends in total respect of the environment, Atlas Concorde’s green philosophy fully satisfies the requirements of a private villa in Karlslunde, with a strong contemporary style.The large windows that overlook the outdoor green area illuminate the minimal geometries of the structure, enhancing the elegance of Trust in Silver colour; its texture, inspired by quartzite and Luserna Stone, is particularly suitable to celebrate the design potential of this house. The seamless flooring obtained with 60x60 cm format tiles, alternates with the matching 30x30 cm mosaic that characterises the counter and the scenographic walls, enhancing the clean and rigorous lines of the spaces.

This Edwardian office building in a London west end conservation area has undergone a remarkable transformation, re-emerging as luxury apartments. The project, led by architects De Metz Forbes Knight, redesigned and updated the stone-fronted property on the corner of Great Portland Street and Langham Street, which boasts high windows and fine London. We were appointed to design, supply and install 71 heritage casement windows which would reflect the original styling yet provide modern thermal containment. We created the windows using Slimlite double glazed units with larch frames, and also applied EPDM sealant to further contribute to energy efficiency.

Here we installed new washrooms on two levels of this Covent Garden office and created a new staff shower and changing area. The new washroom design includes our full height Alto Kristalla glass cubicles. The rebated edge design offers an attractive flush front façade together with the contrasting wood veneer-faced pilasters and back-painted glass cubicle doors. We also installed natural stone vanities as well as our Concerto integrated duct panel system and modesty screens, both faced in toughened, back-painted glass. The shower and changing area features our exceptionally durable Forza lockers and matching benching.

300 sash windows restored at grade II listed Manchester University by VentrollaKEY FEATURES: COMMERCIAL, GRADE II LISTED, SASH WINDOWS, RENOVATION, EDUCATION, VENTROLLA PERIMETER SEALING SYSTEM (VPSS), SASH REMOVAL SYSTEM (SRS), VICTORIAN.The Samuel Alexander building, part of the University of Manchester’s Language Centre, is located on a prominent site in Oxford Road and includes a library, multimedia suite and study area.For this latest chapter in the building’s history, and part of a wider refurbishment project on most of the University buildings worth £14 million, the Samuel Alexander building now has newly renovated, single-glazed sliding sash and Venetian windows in keeping with its heritage.The £220,000 project assigned to the Ventrolla specialists involved more than 300 windows being restored to their former glory and was completed in April 2014.Ventrolla’s patented Sash Removal System (SRS) and unique Ventrolla Perimeter Sealing System (VPSS) were installed to combat draughts, reduce external noise and enable easy maintenance. All the inner windows were then woodstained and painted white to retain the building’s classic exterior.David McGinnis of Graham Construction, contractors of the project said:“I was very happy with the work carried out by Ventrolla on site. Due to the building’s difficult access requirements we only had small pockets of time to get the work completed, sticking to a tight schedule.”“The Ventrolla team were professional and flexible. They understood the project and how important it was to upgrade and repair the existing windows to the highest standard.”Samuel Alexander, who the building is named after, was a Professor of Philosophy at the University of Manchester from 1893. Percy Scott Worthington, architect of the building and a prominent industry figure at the time, was awarded a gold medal from RIBA in 1930 and was also knighted in 1935.With over 40 years experience, Ventrolla offers a tailored range of period window solutions including repair and renovation, new timber windows, double glazed replacement sashes, secondary glazing solutions and a wide range of window hardware.The company’s head office is based in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, and regional offices are also located throughout the UK and Ireland.