"building frames"

In 2015, Quinn London Ltd started the refurbishment of The Market Building, in Brentford which involved the conversion of Offices to residential dwellings as a ‘Material Change of Use’ project. Soundis provided acoustic solution options for this project, in order to ensure a cost effective Value Engineering Exercise, on behalf of the Main Contractor.As the 1st floor required a deep void system due to new soil pipes and waste pipes having to be installed along the corridor within the building for kitchens and bathrooms, it was agreed to utilise Soundis Cradle & Batten System. This provided a service void for the pipes of 300mm whilst the other areas of the floor were treated with the system at 80mm FFH. The Soundis cradle & batten acoustic floor was then overlaid with a Soundis a high quality, interlocking dry screed system gypsum fibreboard.The Soundis cradle & batten floor system has been installed on the existing concrete and existing timber structural floors to provide a level floor over the un-even sub-deck. The service void provided by Soundis cradle & batten system can be used for other flooring applications, such as underfloor heating.Our Cradle and Risers are manufactured from 100% recycled materials assisting to the sustainability targets of projects.

The ChallengeStoke Football Club (FC) launched a project of investment and modernisation to achieve first-class facilities at its Clayton Wood training ground and reach the coveted Category One status in the Premier League-driven Elite Player Performance Plan.The site, which is the main training ground for the first team squad, will include modern and technologically advanced facilities on a par with other Premier League clubs and top-flight European teams, which will aid Stoke FC in attracting new talent to the club.The SolutionThe 1,800-square metre site incorporates a full-sized indoor pitch, so players can train throughout the year, regardless of weather conditions. It also offers nine spacious changing rooms, office accommodation, a medical centre, gymnasium, hydrotherapy suite, dining area and press room.The addition of classrooms to the building means the site can now become home to the Club’s football academy where future footballing talent is trained.Forterra supplied their Dark Multi Smooth Butterley Bricks for the development of the club’s training building.Manufactured in the UK at Forterra’s Wilnecote brickworks, this 150-year-old brand provided a perfect, smooth finish and clean lines to complement the building’s glass panels and metallic cladding.The BenefitsStoke FC’s investment and regeneration of its facilities has earned it two construction awards: The Local Area Building Council (LABC) Business Excellence Awards for 2014 for the West Midlands, Staffordshire and Shropshire.

A former HMRC building has been transformed, inside and out, to create Telford’s largest serviced office accommodation with over 52,000 sq.ft of space for 50 offices.As part of the extensive refurbishment programme, the building’s main entrance has also been given a facelift with a new canopy incorporating Radius metal column casings, with a bespoke stepped collar design, as well as bespoke metal bulkheads and fascia's from the Pendock Linea building linings range.

Park Plaza London Park Royal provides tasteful accommodation for all guests whether you are travelling on business or a family getaway in west London. The modern, full-service hotel features 212 spacious guest rooms, four exemplary meeting rooms, a convenient on-site restaurant and a contemporary bar.In the development of this project, Licata Building Systems provided approved and certified systems consisting of high quality products. Licata waterproofing systems were used throughout the building, providing sustainable and effective solutions for the project. Licata resin flooring applied throughout public area of the hotel creating a modern and sleek environment throughout. 

Urban Nation Architects & Associates chose EQUITONE [lunara] for the ground level facade on this residential apartment building in Wemmel, Belgium.  The panels are high-density and require little maintenance or cleaning which makes them ideal for high footfall and traffic areas.  ANAA cut the [lunara] in to linear panels using soft angles to make the facade visually interesting and to catch the eye of anyone nearby. The variable texture of [lunara] invites the viewer to further investigate the facade at a closer range.

Armourcoat surface finishes have played a central role in the comprehensive refurbishment of the iconic Minster Building in the heart of London’s business district, applying over 600m2 of it's seamless Acoustic Plaster System to the ceilings.The interior design by architects BuckleyGrayYeoman for Ivanhoé Cambridge and its development/asset manager Greycoat Real Estate LLP, has created a major repositioning of the building built around the central eight storey atrium. The ground floor reception is approached by a 30 metre long boulevard from the new entrance on the corner of Mincing Lane and Great Tower Street. The original entrance has also been retained to Minster Court piazza.Designed to optimize the acoustics of interior spaces, the Armourcoat Acoustic Seamless Plaster system offers a clean and smooth mineral surface that can be applied seamlessly over large expanses to both flat and curved surfaces. Comprising of a special mineral wool composite panel that is bonded onto the substrate and finished with a seamless layer, the system offers an elegant marble based plaster finish while allowing sound energy to pass through the surface. The zero VOC system, which consists of over 70% recycled material, achieves class '0' fire rating and a class 'A' Noise Reduction Coefficient rating.Photography: Jonathan Banks

The building features 11,660 m2 of PSA Steel Encapsulated raised floor panels. There are additional areas of BGH which are our Heavy grade panels and BEM Edge Banded panels. These are all manufactured by Bathgate Flooring in our UK manufacturing facility.The project is one of the single largest construction projects undertaken by any higher educational institution in the UK.The completed building will provide an environment for the brightest engineers to innovate and offer real benefits to industry and society. The facilities help to put the University at the forefront of engineering globally.Products UsedThe panels were specified to PSA Standards. The BGM600 Steel Encapsulated panel is medium grade PSA panel which suits most applications. This was used extensively in the installation. In addition there were installations of BEM600 edge banded and Vinyl Bonded panels in appropriate areas.Testimonial“It was a pleasure to work with you and your teams at MECD – a prestigious job that has gone extremely well due to the efforts of your teams in delivering your scope safely.It has been a pleasure working with you and the Bathgate teams. You have always been professional in every way and your site team have always delivered the works safely.”Rajeewa de Fonseka – Project ManagerBalfour Beatty

The Building Centre in the heart of London’s creative Bloomsbury district has long been a hub for innovation, new thinking and exhibitions showcasing state of the art design and architecture projects.

Fed up of renting in London, Joe and Lina decided to build their own on a tiny 38m² plot of land in East London. With a budget of just under £200k they set about delivering Joe’s innovative concept for a six half-floor house with floating concrete slab, designed to maximise the space into a 83m² home, all whilst being filmed by Channel 4’s Grand Designs. However, things soon went south…Within weeks of the project beginning in October 2015, rogue contractors had performed a disastrous basement excavation attempt contrary to the Structural Engineer’s instructions, leaving unsupported banks of earth falling in beneath the street and shutters bursting inwards under the weight of the concrete.This first attempt, described as “spectacularly shambolic” by Kevin McCloud, more than doubled Joe and Lina’s budget for the excavation from £48k to £100k, and caused months of delays in order to get the project back on track.Having already contacted Newton Waterproofing Systems to consult on the poor workmanship, Joe and Newton soon determined that if he were to save his home and get it out of the ground, he would need a specialist contractor to actively communicate, collaborate and listen to him as both the engineer and client.MJ Rooney Construction came on board as contractors in November 2015, and following discussions to determine exactly what was required, modelled the entire project in 4D to ensure that all potential difficulties were solved before work began.With the right lines of communication in place, work recommenced in late January 2016, with the first challenge being to make safe a 3.5 metre high bank of unsupported earth with sheet piles, before creating a new and waterproof structural shell of reinforced concrete.With the shell of the structure in place, Newton and MJ Rooney’s next challenge was a much more welcome one, as they created a bespoke waterproofing solution to accommodate Joe’s ingenious design for a suspended reinforced slab that acted as both a floor and a prop force against the lateral pressure from the basement walls.This entire slab rested on brackets designed by Joe and his structural engineer, insulating it from the external walls by ensuring minimal contact, and only making contact through insulated blocks with enough compressive strength to take the vertical loading. The design also created a cavity around the slab that can be fully insulated, allowing the slab to be used as a thermal mass inside the building without having to insulate the entire external envelope.Working closely with Joe, a solution was devised that enabled the continuity of the waterproofing behind the brackets without compromising the structural design.

5500m2 of Optima TFC+ has been used in the completion of the brand new Science, Engineering and Environment building on Salford University’s Peel Park campus.As you can see from the photos, a striking colour palette has been used in the modified window interface details. Interpon’s D2525 Ostuni Y2211I, 3030 High Gloss & 7022 High Gloss in 3.0mm Aluminium 3103 Grade PPC were selected.The unique overhang window details were created using the 20mm overlapping joint that is standard in Optima TFC+. A bespoke sharp edge detail was added to window interface locations for dramatic effect, creating a stunning visual contrast between the bright red window pods against the white vertical cladding as per the architect’s original design intent.Sotech assembled a full-size sample rig in the factory for the client, architect, main contractor and installer to view a full scale mock-up of the final proposed solution. This ensured that any design details or install sequences were scrutinised and fully understood before the project began onsite. Sotech then created a full 3D model of the project alongside their long-term partners Metclad Contracts. This allowed both parties to identify and avoid potential issues at the design stage before panels were fabricated and delivered to site.The SEE Building is Salford University’s brand new £65 million hub for discovery and innovation. Consisting of four stories over 15,500 sq meters, the department will house the university’s departments of Built Environment, Computer Science and Networking, Mechanical Engineering and Human & Natural Science, in addition to the university’s Morson Maker Space – an additive manufacturing and digital fabrication facilityTESTIMONIALS:Jamie Brown of Sotech said: “This is yet another example how close collaboration from day one, involving the full supply chain, ensures projects can be delivered on time and on budget. The very clever and intricate window interface details showcases just how versatile rainscreen cladding can be, whilst staying within the boundaries of a fully CWCT tested and accredited system.”Naveen Sandhu at Akzo Nobel said: “Great to see this installation following an increasing trend of injecting vibrant tones into the elevation. One of a plethora of schemes in Salford and Manchester adopting our enhanced D2525 PPC technology across the envelope. Pleasure to work with the team at Sheppard Robson and delivering yet another outstanding higher education facility with Sotech.”

Located on Science Central, the USB opened in Autumn 2017 and is a new hub for science, business, living and leisure at the heart of Newcastle. The building welcomes the public and academics alike and has been designed to stand out as a beacon of technical innovation Externally, it is striking with a high-tech glass façade. As part of the project development, Hardscape helped supply materials for Science Square – a generous new public realm space. This draws people into the ground floor where the public, technology and data come together in the forum space, café and ‘showcase labs

The client was looking for a low maintenance and environmentally friendly alternative to using timber decking on their upcoming refurbishment project on 480 m² of commercial London office space.In addition, as the client was operating a busy worksite they required next day bespoke deliveries to fit their schedule. EnviroBuild, having large stocks and a fleet of delivery vehicles were ideally equipped to deliver the Hyperion wood-polymer composite decking, made of 90% recycled material, at short notice.The SolutionWith EnviroBuild’s expert team on hand to support full project take off, from design to delivery, the client received the full commercial support they required to complete the job on schedule.Utilizing the maintenance free Manticore recycled plastic lumber the client was able to install the decking substructure quickly over their flat roof surface, with the confidence knowing it would never require treating or replacing in years to come. They also used a combination of the modern White Ash and Stone coloured decking boards to break up the different areas of the building with great effect.Customer FeedbackAfter the successful installation and service received from the EnviroBuild team, the client has continued to use the decking products across a number of other large refurb and new build properties.Project DetailsSize: 480 m²Product: Stone & White Ash Hyperion DeckingSubstructure: Manticore Plastic LumberLocation: London

Keele University based in Staffordshire countryside is world-renowned for its breadth of teaching, being shortlisted for University of the Year in 2020. The latest investment within the University seen a new multi-million-pound state-of-the-art facility for the sector leading Smart Innovation Hub.The Smart Innovation Hub provides accommodation to support the creation and growth of innovation-led businesses, alongside major new facilities enabling the University to grow its established programme of collaborative research, development and innovation support to local firms.The new building has been designed by RIBA award-winning and Sterling Prize-nominated Architects BDP which decided on 998m2 of Fiamma Flagstones (Milaza & Alba). AG’s new premium flagstone delivers an unrivalled aesthetic with its finely textured, beautiful, flamed granite-style finish.In keeping with Keele University’s green ethos, the facility has been planned with a focus on sustainability, resulting in a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating. Therefore, Fiamma was the ideal choice as Enduur Level 1 base and surface technology means each paver contains approx. 70% less embodied carbon per % of cement replaced by using replacement materials.

A new development of exclusive lodges on the coast of St Ives, Cornwall required a low maintenance, high quality finish that would withstand the types of weather experienced on the coast.Nestled within the 72-acre Tregenna Estate, Castle Approach, is a new development offering stunning views over St Ives Bay and the peaceful grounds of the estate gardens. The original Tregenna Castle at the centre of the estate was built in 1774 as a 12-bedroom private home. In 1878, one year after the Great Western Railway opened its St Ives branch line, the castle began its new life as a hotel. Now a Grade II listed building, Tregenna Castle Resort boasts 99 bedrooms, six private event spaces, gym and golf course.Defining the design requirementsThe lodges at Castle Approach have been under construction since 2008. The architect, Mike Bradbury of Mike Bradbury Designs, designed the properties, and wanted to make the most of the coastal location.The lodges are positioned in a crescent shape to provide residents with sea views. Each lodge is built using a timber frame system with a masonry ground floor structure. The whole structure is then rendered. Mike chose white render to provide a contrast between the dark stained timber frame, the anthracite grey windows and the slate roof.“It was important that we used a render that would withstand the elements over time, particularly as we had chosen such a light-coloured render,” said Mike. “Being by the coast and surrounded by trees, we wanted to prevent algae growth and discolouration on the render.”The building work has been completed in phases and to date, six lodges have been completed, with four more close to completion.Withstanding the weatherAfter the first three properties were completed, Tregenna looked to change the original render system that was installed so approached Nigel Smitheram, the area sales executive at the local Jewsons.  “The developer wasn’t entirely happy with their original choice of render system,” said Nigel. “As a high-end development, the quality of the final finish was very important to them, so they asked me to help find an alternative system. Tregenna was very clear that they wanted a system that delivered on aesthetics and weather resilience. That’s when I reached out to Saint-Gobain Weber.”Phillip Powell, regional applications manager at Saint-Gobain Weber, is part of the technical team that has been supporting Tregenna Estates during the construction of the lodges.“We recommended that the applicator used weberend MT, a BBA approved system for use on render board systems. It incorporates weberend LAC, a lightweight base-coat render, meshcloth reinforcement and a decorative finish of webersil TF,” said Phillip. “This combination of products is particularly suitable for this project as the weberend LAC is polymer-modified which allows some flexibility, a necessity for timber frame systems. Using this with the webersil TF, a silicone based textured finish, makes it much more resistant to the type of weather experienced in these coastal areas.“For each property, an initial 3mm pass of weberend LAC was applied, followed by meshcloth reinforcement and then a second 3mm pass. A coat of weber PR310, a render primer, was used before applying a final finish of webersil TF in Winter White.”The final finishThe technical team at Saint-Gobain Weber stayed in touch with team at Tregenna Estate throughout the construction of each lodge. Saint-Gobain Weber also sourced one of its local recommended installers, Daniel Fish of DMF Plastering, to ensure the products were applied correctly using best practise methods.Neal Peek, contracts manager at Tregenna Estate, said: “From the moment they stepped on site, the service provided by the Weber application team has been brilliant. They are always on hand with technical advice and have visited the site regularly since they first got involved in the project back in 2015.”“We’re pleased with the products. Even when you visit the development now, the first few houses built using Weber’s system look the same as the new builds.”In 2020, Tregenna Estates hopes to start work on the remaining two propertiesAfter working with the Tregenna Estate on this project, Saint-Gobain Weber also donated some of its render products to the local surfing school charity, Board Riders, to refurbish a disused council building in St. Ives

Silverlakes eco village in Dorset is a new build venture where the client wanted to achieve maximum sustainability.The houses, boat houses, garages and also communal areas such as the leisure centre required green roofs and M-Tray® was chosen due to its ease of transport and installation, and its square modular nature. Pre-grown, healthy sedum plants inside the plastic trays were laid onto the flat roofs across the village, providing an attractive dressing and improving storm water attenuation, thermal insulation and a magnet for wildlife.

The renowned London project developer Dukelease has renovated six historical buildings in the centre of London, and transformed them into 13 luxurious apartments and penthouses. The apartments were equipped with state-of-the-art building technology – a Gira KNX system with the Gira HomeServer and touch sensors from the Gira E22 in aluminium switch range.

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.

Underhill House, a strikingly-modern earth-sheltered home, was the first house in England to achieve certified Passivhaus status - widely regarded as the world's leading standard in energy efficient construction. Underhill House was developed underneath and adjacent to a derelict 300-year old barn. Sensitive restoration of the existing barn and innovative design ensured the project has minimal visual and environmental impact. Not only was the external form of Underhill House designed to minimise visual impact on the surrounding landscape, the interior finish and construction materials were carefully chosen to make the building as environmentally sustainable as realistically possible.

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

Constructed in 2015, the Charles Street building is part of the University’s overall aim to improve the student experience and enhance the University’s reputation. This development brings together the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities and will primarily focus on training teachers and house the Sheffield Institute of Education

The new Mock Veterinary Practice at the University of Nottingham has elevated the existing veterinary facilities by providing 3 separate elements: a fully serviced veterinary practice for small animals, space for general teaching facilities, and larger agricultural facilities for livestock.ChallengeSpecialist building envelope contractor Spectrum Building Envelopes & Façades Ltd were contracted to take responsibility of the façade on the building - and turn to use the Fixfast façade support system, including SPIDI® Max brackets within the construction.SolutionThe Fixfast façade support system is the complete package when it comes to façades. Highly versatile, the bracket and rail system can be configured for any rainscreen façade project - including sloping façades and curved structures.The one-bracket design translates into ease of use on-site - no more separate brackets for fixed or sliding points, SPIDI® Max brackets can be used in either fixed or sliding positions and can be easily adapted to either horizontal or vertical configurations.In conjunction with DrillFast stainless steel self-drilling fasteners, the façade was fixed securely and efficiently into place on-site. "We approached Fixfast for a system solution for the proposed timber rainscreen construction at the New Mock Vets Practice at the University of Nottingham. The timber rainscreen construction consisted of a Sansin coated Thermowood vertically laid, plank on plank timber façade, with a 270mm thick Rockwool Duo Slab insulated cavity, all fixed back to a cross limited timber frame. Fixfast were able to offer a comprehensive design solution, which was tailored to suit our construction depths. The SPIDI Max façade system adopted was a complete package solution. Fixfast provided a quality product coupled with professional and friendly support throughout."Adrian Bidwell - Contracts Manager at Spectrum Building Envelopes & Façades Ltd

THE PROJECT: Recticel Insulation supplied the high quality insulation solution for an old school in Oxford. The main aim of this project, carried out by Touchstone Lofts, was to convert an uninsulated historic school building originally constructed in 1860 into a modern, energy efficient four-bedroom residential unit. The contractor endeavored to create a two storey dwelling and hoped to minimise headroom loss with insulation in both the floor and pitched roof, therefore selecting the right product was paramount.THE SOLUTION: Eurothane® GP, a low-thermal conductivity PIR insulation panel for use in multiple building envelope applications, was the obvious choice for The Institute’s ground floor and loft insulation. The product's thermal performance of λ = 0.022 W/mK enabled an appropriate thickness selection, so the desired minimum headroom loss was achieved giving the completed build an energy efficiency rating of B. The contractor was thrilled with this given the constraints associated with retrofitting insulation into a period building.Paul Johal, Owner of Touchstone Lofts explained:"Recticel’s insulation provided us with a thermal solution that achieved the required U-value targets whilst keeping the overall thickness to a minimum. The quality of the product is excellent and at a competitive price. The extremely proficient technical team of Recticel Insulation were very responsive with U-value calculations, meaning we could move forward with the project more efficiently. Having the right advice and products from Recticel certainly played a crucial role in achieving our aims. We are delighted with the final outcome."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 new office development for the New Gorbals Housing Association in Glasgow features a variety of aluminium fenestration solutions. Together these have helped create a light and airy workspace and an impressive centrepiece for the wider regeneration of the area.Located on Crown Street, the new commercial office building is complemented by a new civic piazza and has been designed by Page & Park Architects. Flexibility and adaptability were key focuses for the overall design, with the incorporation of daylighting and natural ventilation strategies to boost wellbeing, and large glazed facades to better connect the building with the local community.The welcoming main entrance has been created using Senior’s slimline and thermally-enhanced SF52 aluminium curtain wall system and SPW501 aluminium commercial doors. The fenestration package also includes Senior’s SPW600e aluminium windows which were used throughout. The ground floor glazing has been recessed to provide privacy to the internal work spaces whilst complementing the overall ‘open’ design of the scheme. In contrast, the first-floor glazing protrudes slightly to maximise views of the surrounding city. Senior’s products were fabricated and installed by Scottech for main contractor CCG.The office environment includes both large areas for group work and smaller, more private booths and is centred around a large timber-clad atrium. The use of internal and external glazed partitions and windows helps balance the space, providing links with both the other areas of the building and the outside. The fenestration package has also been designed to provide those using the building with multiple aspect views and daylighting, whilst avoiding overheating and glare from the summer sun. To further complement the overall façade design which features dark grey zinc cladding, and to boost the durability of the aluminium frames, the windows, doors and curtain wall systems were powder coated.

The Ada Benson Centre for Sixth Form and the Arts used our Topakustik 29/3M system has been utilised to assist the foyer, atria and circulation system to combat Sound Propagation, Reverberation and Sound Pressure levels in line with the Building Bulletin 93.

With an enviable location on the South Bank of the River Thames, Park Plaza London Riverbank is ideal travellers from near and far to central London. Those travelling for leisure return again and again thanks to the prime central location, heated indoor swimming pool, enticing dining options and elegantly spacious rooms.Licata Building Systems was involved with the development of this project, providing several Licata systems, such as waterproofing and flooring systems. Licata waterproofing systems were used throughout the modern bathrooms and swimming pool facility. Licata resin flooring created a sleek and modern finish throughout public area of the hotel.

House of Tomorrow Today... CHALLENGE + SOLUTION Before your imagination runs away with you: HoTT stands for House of Tomorrow Today. This new Dutch concept is based on both the Smart Building and Active House principles. It tries to gather recent innovations as well as new technological developments in one project, entirely in line with future market trends. From the very beginning HoTT gathers together all parties involved in order to have a smooth running building process and thus limiting the number of contacts and intermediaries. Compared with traditional building methods this optimal cooperation already results in at least a 30 % cost reduction. Also it is worth mentioning the construction itself - HoTT strives for prefabrication and modular building components, resulting in a decrease of project schedules, project budget and construction site waste. Although prefabrication had over time developed the stigma of cheapness and poor quality, it has nowadays been turned around into a green trend in construction. The first HoTT healthy home in the Netherlands has just been completed. Comfort, energy and technology are the main issues. It is a house with comfortable living conditions, a lot of natural light and fresh air, and, above all it is energy neutral, modular and durable, reducing its ecological footprint. Electrical wiring, plumbing and wall components can all be easily adapted for the future needs of the building. Both sloping roofs are prefabricated steel frame structures with insulation, vapour barrier and roof covering already included, allowing a fast and easy installation. The less sloping, south facing roof has a RENOLIT ALKORPLAN PVC roof covering, provided with aesthetic RENOLIT ALKORDESIGN roof profiles. Also part of the roof has solar panels which have been installed using RENOLIT ALKORSOLAR profiles. The building is being constantly evaluated by means of sensors gathering data to continuously improve and develop future HoTT buildings. The concept will not only be applicable for detached housing, further developments will also aim at terraced houses, schools, hospitals, etc. This project proves once again RENOLIT is a reliable “green” partner, a company that is responding to the growing demand for ecological products by offering sustainable building materials. It’s the first HoTT of hopefully many more...

Designed to provide 240,000 sq. ft of Grade A commercial space over ground and thirteen upper floors, an iconic building located in the heart of developing city Birmingham utilises a range of Nullifire passive fire protection products to ensure that its complex fire strategy is achieved.

The former Gaumont Palace Theatre, a grade II listed building had been given a second life to become the Ellen Terry building for Coventry University. Kestrel Aluminium together with HTL Windows and Doors took on the project to give the building a fresh look and combine the historic style with the modern touch. As the building is a remembrance from the golden age of cinema the vital part was to create an elegant run of doors which matched the original façade using modern, thermally broken commercial entrance doors.

Project: Administration building Matterhorn Gotthard Railway, Brig, Switzerland

‘Autobarn’ is an unusual build comprising an elegant five-bay garage and accompanying workshop sitting within the grounds of a Grade-II listed 18th-century home in Somerset.Designed by Bindloss Dawes Architects, the brief was to create a garage with an adjoining workshop to house the client’s classic car collection. The finished result is an aesthetically beautiful building with its deceptively simple wooden barn-themed styling using agricultural materials such as concrete and recycled wood under a zinc roof. With surfaces comprising steel, timber and polished concrete floor, the architects incorporated Troldtekt acoustic panels to clad both the walls and ceilings between the steel frames for sound absorption and to combat the issue of reverberating noise.The added advantage of having services hidden behind the white panelling means the final result is a stunning simplistic and minimalist design allowing the classic cars to be the focus of attention and transforming the space into more of a gallery than a traditional garage.Troldtekt acoustic panels are available in a variety of different surfaces and colours and combine sound absorption with a tactile surface. With an expected life cycle of at least 50 years and resistance to humidity and impact, they are available in various sizes and four grades, from extreme fine to coarse. The panels can be left untreated or painted in almost any RAL colour. Depending on the panel specified, reaction to fire is classed in accordance with EN 13501 as B-s1,d0 or A2-s1,d0 respectively. Founded on the Cradle-to-Cradle design concept and having attained Gold certification, Troldtekt wood wool acoustic panels are manufactured using wood from certified forests (PEFC™ and FSC®C115450) and can contribute positively to a building’s BREEAM, DGNB or LEED points. 

County Hall - LondonSystem Used - TerraSmart Aluminium IGNOA hub for businesses, a site of attractions and accommodation, London's iconic County Hall is as stunning on the outside as it is on the inside, made even more beautiful thanks to our TerraSmart Aluminium.In order to create a venue for events, Coronado Property Developments Ltd needed a solution for the huge steel floor installed into the lightwell.A Grade II listed building required a decking solution that would complement the overall aesthetics and cater for the increased load requirements: the design load went from a 2.0kN Concentrated Load and 2.5kN/m2 uniformly distributed load (UDL) (used for areas of residential activities, typically used for balconies) to a 4.0kN concentrated load and 5.0kN/m2 UDL (as an area where people may congregate).TerraSmart Aluminium was selected as the ideal system to meet the client's loading criteria. Aluminium decking is a lightweight system when compared to other paving solutions, but very strong. Coronado Property Developments Ltd were very impressed with the solution provided by RYNO and the work done by Pritchard & Pritchard, who installed the system in both lightwells in the building.The TerraSmart Aluminium system featured the ADB80 Deck Board, selected specifically for its increased top surface thickness, delivering superior durability, ADS50 Aluminium Joists to suit the spans of the steel frame underneath, and RD-FR Non-Combustible Joist Support Pedestals for guaranteed supporting strength.The steel grillage was supplied by another manufacturer and installed around the decking to meet the ventilation requirements of the air-conditioning units below.The County Hall was opened over 100 years ago by King George V and it's great to see our systems in London's most versatile, historic building.

Zentia helped with sound and sight in a new teaching block. The two to three-storey steel-frame building replaces a 1970s three-storey CLASP-type teaching block to bring accommodation into the 21st Century and was designed to BREEAM “Excellent” and BIM Level 2 standards.Zentia Axiom Knife Edge canopies with Ultima+ tiles and were specified by Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council for the £12.5 million new secondary teaching block at Ystalyfera Welsh Medium Comprehensive School in the upper Swansea Valley in South Wales.Used throughout the new 6,500 m² building, the Axiom Knife Edge with Ultima+ Vector tiles were used, and in addition Perla 600 x 600 mm mineral fibre tiles were also fitted in classrooms and toilet areas.The 19-month long build by main contractor Dawnus Construction as part of the South Wales Regional Contractors Framework was challenging due to the tight site and restricted working spaces. A team of eight from specialist sub-contractor SAM Drylining installed the Zentia canopies and ceiling tiles.SAM Drylining contracts manager Ian Bartlett said: “This was a large extension to a comprehensive school and consisted of several different ceiling make-ups, including Zentia’s Knife Edge canopies, all floating in different areas with no ceilings above, and then several thousand metres of Zentia Lay-In grid."“The programme was a challenging one but was co-ordinated closely with all other subcontractors on site. If alterations to sequence or design were required Zentia’s technical team attended to site to discuss and were able to agree changes at site level, making the installation as painless as you’d expect.”

AG is proud to have played an intrinsic part in the redevelopment of the Curragh Racecourse in Co Kildare – Irish racing’s biggest ever capital development project, which opened to the public in May at an estimated cost of over €80 million.AG supplied TerraPave® flagstones in Genoa (Ground and Textured) to internal and external areas of the new grandstand and outer buildings. The internal flags for Phase 2 were Genoa Ground 600×400, manufactured with a square edge. Internally, AG also supplied made-to-order steps with strip inserts and a unique notch to the underside to improve safety.The external flags were Genoa Textured 600×400, which were used on the external balcony areas of the stand.“At a site meeting with the client, John Sisk & Sons (main contractor), Grimshaw Architects from London and NMA Architects from Dublin, it became clear that AG were the sole company that could meet all the criteria for all parties,” said Brendan Reynolds, Specifications & Commercial Sales Consultant.“The original specification was for natural granite, but time, costs and consistency of colour became issues for all involved. AG suggested TerraPave® Genoa, in both textures, to suit the internal and external areas, which matched the colour requirement of the specification. We were also able to provide matching steps to meet Part M Building Regulations and a square edge to the flags, which the client wanted.“Finally, we were able to agree a production programme which met with Sisk’s requirement to hand over the building in the first week of April 2019.”

When you design a building that will be used by lots of people, like a tower block, you need to make sure that the building has the correct level of fire prevention and fire protection equipment. In instances where this isn’t the case, tragedies like the Grenfell Fire can happen. The importance of passive and active fire protection methods are vital for the safety of the intended occupants, but how can you ensure they’re going to be safe?

A stunning design by architects Townscape, Peter O’Sullevan House is located at the front entrance of the British Racing School in Newmarket. It provides the horse racing community in East Anglia with a local specialist facility for treatment and training. The facility incorporates a hydrotherapy pool, gymnasium, treatment rooms, changing rooms, conference room, offices and meeting rooms. Forza Doors supplied high dB acoustic American White Oak veneer fire doors and solid American White Oak frames as well as Class 0 spread of flame fire-rated wall cladding panels. All the veneers were laid horizontally to match perfectly down the length of the corridors and open spaces. The feature grooves embedded into the doors provide a smart contemporary look and align with the adjacent panels.  As this innovative building needed a high level of internal finishes and fittings throughout, the contractor RG Carter chose Forza Doors. Just one of several jockey rehab centres we have had the privilege to supply in recent times. Consisting of open plan areas, treatment rooms and hydrotherapy zones, the finished project looks stunning.  

During the construction of Unity Academy, a state-of-the-art Alternative Provision (AP) primary school in Kidderminster, Portakabin approached Twinfix to design, manufacture, and install a playground shelter .Twinfix’s expert team designed a canopy that contributes to the school’s welcoming and supportive environment, providing shelter for students, staff, and visitors while promoting sustainability and enhancing the building’s aesthetics. Given the school’s focus on catering to students with special educational needs, safety considerations were of utmost importance.The canopy, covering a total area of 12 square metres, features an aluminium frame powder-coated in RAL 7016, anthracite grey, enhancing the modern aesthetic of the new school. The design includes anti-climb gutters and incorporates the Multi-Link-Panel Non-Fragile roofing system, glazed with 16mm polycarbonate. This system is classified as non-fragile in compliance with the HSE’s drop test ACR[M]001:2019.When the school opened its doors last year, there was an apparent need to utilise the outdoor space and introduce covered areas for learning and play. The school asked Twinfix to provide additional canopies, facilitating outdoor learning and offering a range of benefits to their students.