"building frames"

Stainless steel sinktop with drainer-recess, integral back upstand, lipped front and side edges (GEC Anderson edge 3) and cut-out for stainless steel hob.Continuous stainless steel worktop with upstand and bespoke shelving.

The ChallengeBrick Kiln Lane is a development of seven, four and five-bedroomed, cottage-style units situated at the end of residential road in a quiet, rural area of Leicestershire. There are two different designs: four L-shaped and three rectangular. Each of the seven houses needed unique elements of detailing – including window variations, render and brickwork – to distinguish it from its neighbour.The SolutionHampton Rural Blend brick was chosen to complement the character style of the development. Combined with recessed mortar joints, the brick blend, which is made up of several shades, creates a more aged appearance that helps the houses to sit comfortably within their environment.The BenefitsThe brick detailing on the units includes dentilation around the eaves and gables, and segmental arches over windows, all of which are in keeping with the traditional architectural style of the units and serve to enhance their aesthetic appeal.

The Challenge The Horsted development in Chatham, Kent, was to provide for a range of housing suitable for its suburban context. Incorporating a mix of two and three storeys, properties ranged from one and two-bedroomed apartments through to two to four-bedroom family homes with gardens, parking and garages, all set with an attractively landscaped setting of shared surface with pedestrian priority zones. The Solution The development incorporates 169 houses, 111 apartments, 9 coach houses and 63 affordable extra-care accommodation The design has been carefully crafted to create a relationship with the surroundings, with the choice of brick being key to achieving this objective. The combination of smooth red stocks and subtle and heavily creased soft mud bricks provide a pleasant aesthetic, alongside a combination of red, brown and occasional black slate roof tiles to give added variety. Chelsea Smoked Red brick from the Ecostock range was the brick selected for this development. Projecting Flemish bond panels and recessed soldier courses create modelling and depth within the elevations of each block and enhance the overall character of the scheme. The Benefits The site strikes a good balance between communal and private space, with the choice of brick adding warmth and connection to the surrounding environment. The brickwork contributes to achieving a high-quality finish. This project won the Large House Builder category in the 2018 Brick Development Association’s annual Brick Awards.

With over 22,000 square foot and 8 bedrooms, we manufactured in total, 13 Casement windows, 46 Spring Sash windows, bi-fold doors, 17 Conservation doors, two entrance doors and side doors.The client was keen to keep the windows and doors classy and elegant, and opted for 'Signal White' across all the windows, apart from the Japanese roof garden, where the Casement Windows were painted 'Anthracite Grey'.The huge entrance doors were finished in 'Jet Black' on the outside, with a high gloss finish, and Signal White on the inside, to match the interiors.We worked very closely with Croft Ironmongery as the client wanted a specific aesthetic achieved. Together, we developed lever handles on a rose, rather than a backplate, to bespoke fit our doors.With indoor pool and jacuzzi, tennis courts, lifts and staff quarters, this was truly a luxurious project, fitting perfectly with our hand-finished products.

6,200 m2 of concealed fixed RF50. Anodised panels were punched or laser cut, routed and folded. The facade leans out at an angle of up to 18 degrees and 900 of the 2000 panels were unique.

In 2020, Paul Dow Joinery approached us to create the kits for a two 5 bed house luxury development he was undertaking in Burntisland. The client wished to create energy efficient, large open-plan house's with wrap around balconies and large glass expanses to allow lots of solar gain but also draw attention to the amazing view of the River Forth right across to Edinburgh.Fast forward to July 2023 and we've only been on site for 4 days and look at the headway that has been made on the first property. The ground and first level are almost complete and ready for the roof. The client has opted for a large glazed roof panel to allow light through the mezzanine level down to the ground level.The houses will promote various renewable's including an air source heat pump, underfloor heating, solar panels and triple glazing to compliment the high level of air tightness provided by the SIPS system.

Extensive roof glazing refurbishment project including complex saw-tooth roof sectionProducts: em.glaze Monopitch, Northlights and a bespoke walk-on installation

Zentia worked with Ryder architects to help showcase products that can provide an in-depth insight and mechanics into behind the scenes of suspended ceilings. Featured areas was specified to use Zentia Axiom C Canopies with Aruba Max Board tiles, this enabled the students to see the suspension systems used and to showcase services behind the canopy.Through the project Aruba Max was used due to excellent acoustic performance for sound absorption and attenuation. Prelude 24mm XL2 grid was specified due to ease and speed of installation. Axiom Transition was used to provide a smooth connection where tiles meet plasterboard boarder margins throughout the project.Hydrabloc was used within the WC areas due to excellent moisture resistance capabilities and providing a Class A sound absorption. Zentia Prelude 24mm Corrosive resistance grid was specified alongside Hydrabloc due to the robust cleaning regime in keeping with being a technical college.Harton Academy can have peace of mind with Zentia 30-year system warranty for Axiom Canopies and Hydrabloc due to it be installed on Zentia Prelude 24mm XL2 grid, whereas Aruba Max comes with a lifetime warranty.These tiles have a high level of recycled content and are fully recyclable at their end-of-life.

The Project  A new Primary School built as part of the school’s framework agreement with Milton Keynes.  Two storey portal frame build.Jestico & Whiles Architects The Challenge Produce a system suitable for use in an open space.Open plan arrangement of Cubicles and Solid Surface Vanities located directly off the corridor.Ensure safety of the user and create an anti-bulling, completely visible space. The Solution Excelsior Skyline Cubicle Range, a full height system with overhead panel. This extremely popular range is an ideal choice for school environments meeting the demands of modern education and providing complete privacy and comfort to the user.Full height cubicle systems have increased in popularity over the past few years. Skyline Range enables Schools, Colleges and the like to ensure both safety and anti-bulling objectives are met and Excelsior’s rise and fall hinge paired with the bespoke door design enables lift off access in the event of an emergency.Skyline range is an extremely durable system and comes as standard with a ‘P’ section headrail, ‘U’ channel base rail and over-panel providing maximum stability. Optional bolt through fixings are available and recommended.The successful open plan arrangement of cubicles and solid surface vanities in Orange and Pomme Verte is in keeping with the modern vibrant atmosphere of the school.

Crossrail’s new station at Abbey Wood has been built over the railway tracks where the Elizabeth line terminates. From above, the building is shaped like a manta ray, its ‘wings’ extending into canopies sheltering staircases either side which swoop down to platform level below.Stretto-22 Soffit PanelsThe soffit panels for the staircases and elevated walkways were made from Stretto-22 pressure-locked grating, customised to a bespoke 66x22mm aperture to provide an enhanced level of visual screening. Each panel was exactly contoured to match the demanding serpentine shape of the footbridge canopies.Torino-22 Barrier FencingBarrier fencing was made for the platforms from Torino fence panels which were customised and engineered with a heavy intermediate framing bar at the loading point to comply with Network Rail’s specified requirement.DeltaBox-70 Louvred ScreeningStorage areas beneath the stairs were secured with DeltaBox-70 louvred screening panels.Torino-11 and Stretto-11 Protective Screens Lang+Fulton also supplied a Torino-11 screen to protect the overhead lines and track from the threat of thrown objects.An alternative access to the station was enclosed with a Stretto-11 anti-projectile screen.

It is anticipated that when completed in the next ten years or so, the regeneration of Wembley Park, in North West London, will provide up to 7000 new homes. Schöck is supplying its Isokorb structural thermal break systems across a number of different sites on this vast scheme, but one of the largest is South West Lands. This private rented sector residential-led mixed-use neighbourhood will account for around 12% of the new homes on the entire Wembley Park development, up to 900 in total.South West Lands is spread across four separate blocks, which all share a communal basement car park.The reinforced concrete frame buildings, up to 18 storeys high, are finished using traditional brickwork and standing seam metal cladding. To create valuable amenity space at higher levels, as well as offering far-reaching views across London, there are communal roof terraces and a considerable number of private balconies throughout the development.Schöck Isokorb® T type SK products were used on two of the phases at South West Lands for thermally connecting the cantilevered steel balconies to the reinforced concrete slab. The Isokorb® T type SK units were positioned accurately using re-useable balcony width steel jigs.

A selection of our high-performance aluminium fenestration solutions has been used for this new café and drive-thru at a popular shopping destination in Wales.The new Starbucks at Parc Pemberton Retail Park has been designed by G1 Architects and built by Trojan Construction, with the aluminium fenestration package skilfully delivered by specialist contractor Sherwood Aluminium Systems.The project features both our cost-effective SCW aluminium curtain walling and our robust SFG shop front glazing system, which are both ideally suited for use in the retail sector as they combine slim sightlines with a robust and durable construction. Our curtain wall system has been used to create a bright and airy interior in the café, and the SFG system has been integrated with our SD aluminium doors to provide safe access at the entrance and exit. Our SD aluminium commercial doors have also been used on the drive-thru building, with the powder-coated aluminium frames perfectly complementing the use of timber cladding and grey façade design.The new Starbucks outlet has benefited from both Trojan Construction and Sherwood Aluminium Systems’ extensive experience undertaking similar schemes for the retailer across the UK, with Sherwood Aluminium Systems named as a preferred supplier for Starbucks.

Falco has completed the fifth cycle hub installation at Telford Town Park Visitor Centre as part of a new tranche of secure cycle hubs located at key areas across the borough.The scheme which got underway last year involves the design, manufacture, supply and installation of bespoke cycle hubs coupled with associated FalcoLevel-Eco two-tier cycle racks to allow commuters, residents and visitors to quickly and conveniently park their bike whilst on the go.The latest 4m x 4m cycle hub as shown here at Telford Town Park Visitor Centre, is based upon the UK’s most popular cycle hub design – the FalcoHub, which is manufactured from a combination of a hot-dip galvanised steel frame with reinforced safety glass cladding.FalcoLevel-Eco two-tier cycle racks have been installed providing secure accommodation for up to 18 bikes.A convenient FalcoFix 2.0 cycle station has been supplied allowing cyclists to inflate tyres and carry out basic cycle maintenance whilst on the go.The secure cycle hub also comes complete with proximity LED lighting, eye-catching ‘Travel Telford’ branding graphics and powder coating in an Anthracite Grey RAL colour.In addition to the cycle hub here at Telford Town Park Visitor Centre, Falco has also manufactured and installed four other cycle hubs for Telford & Wrekin Council, with other cycle hubs located at The Telford Langely School, Rampart Way – across the bridge from Telford Central Station, at Wellington Civic & Leisure Centre – to the right of the car park entrance, next to the Wellington Town Council building and at Oakengates Station – situated to the right side of the main entrance.The FalcoHub, as shown here for Telford & Wrekin Council, is a contemporary cycle store manufactured from a combination of a galvanised steel frame and reinforced safety glass, designed to be sympathetic to the surrounding area. The FalcoHub was developed by Falco’s in house design team to ensure it met the client’s specification including structural calculations so that the whole design meets the UK/European CPR regulations EN1090 and is CE marked.For more information about the scheme here for Telford & Wrekin Council or how Falco can assist your cycle parking scheme, please contact our helpful sales team on 01538 380080.

The power of a good student council has helped to shape six new outdoor areas at Denton Community College.Students at the secondary school in Greater Manchester highlighted the need for sheltered outdoor spaces for recreation, dining and for more comfortable journeys around the buildings.Working for Robertson Facilities Management, which looks after the school, Broxap was contracted to complete six installations.To keep disruption to a minimum, works on site began in July 2022, as soon as Denton Community College had closed for the end of term.Prior to that, our team had been preparing behind the scenes to ensure the design and manufacture stages were complete so the installation could go ahead without delay throughout the school holidays.The project included the survey, design, manufacture and installation of two twin conic tensile canopies; a triple conic tensile canopy; two bespoke link walkway tensile canopies and a bespoke access tensile canopy.The early works were of particular importance as the triple conic canopy and two walkway canopies were situated within a central courtyard.This required specialist plant to be moved into the space to accommodate all of Broxap’s installation processes.Thanks to the fact design works were completed in May and June, manufacturing began on time and the delivery and installation phases maximised the available time frames by working in partnership with other contractors on site.All six canopies were completed by the end of August, and students returned to school in September to three covered dining, study and recreation areas, as well as two covered walkways across the courtyard and a bespoke L-shaped entrance canopy over an inclusive access point to one of the buildings.

ISG has reached a key construction milestone at its £66+ million Exhibition Centre Liverpool and Pullman hotel development. The Exhibition Centre Liverpool has more than doubled the existing 7,125 sqm capacity at ACC Liverpool to 15,225 sq m of flexible exhibition space.The regeneration of this development has linked to the existing arena and convention centre, making the building the only purpose-built arena, convention and exhibition centre in Europe. Architects Denton Corker have created a striking off-set, rectangular ‘tube’ design for the new concrete frame hotel, looking out over the stunning vista across the River Mersey and the city’s UNESCO World Heritage site.In order to complement the striking architecture, Marshalls was approached to supply the new Modal paving, part of the internationally recognised La Linia range. The broad range of tones and plan sizes meant eye-catching patterns and blends could be employed around the contemporary new building to great effect.A range of other Marshalls products including the contemporary Conservation paving, kerbs and steps were also used to complement the areas around the scheme and help create this striking landscaped area.The new Exhibition Centre has helped to secure Liverpool’s place as one of the top visitor destinations in the UK. This great new facility has become the jewel in Liverpool’s expo crown and has further enhanced the city’s global events and conference reputation.The stunning landscaped areas around the architecture has helped to create an impressive, integrated, cohesive scheme that has created a truly creative visual impact.

Situated on the edge of Great Ancoats Street, in the Artisan residential complex featuring luxurious water features and tranquil gardens, this project is very close to Piccadilly and the heart of Manchester City Centre.This attractive residential development was part of a remediation project with the aim of upgrading the building to bring it in line with the latest regulations on fire safety.We worked closely with AEW Architects in the design and specification stage of the decking system and worked closely with Insulated Render Systems Scotland Ltd., who carried out the installation.As is the case with many of our renovation projects, we had to consider the loading criteria required to meet the needs of the balcony walkways, which also formed part of the building’s escape routes.Fire escape routes are required to meet higher loading criteria in accordance with EN 1991-1-1:2002 and the associated National Annex, so our BalcaSmart® Aluminium system was the perfect choice.Designed to fix directly to the balcony steels enabling fast and efficient installation, the BalcaSmart Aluminium system creates safe and secure decked balconies, however challenging the design and performance requirements are. This renovation project presented us with low threshold heights to work with, so we opted for JH50 Joist Hangers to replace the existing timber joists with aluminium ones, which allowed the top of the joist to be flush with the steel frame.Martyn Mounter, Senior Technician – AEW Architects, claimed that this project presented two challenges: balconies with a domestic load and walkways with a heavy load requirement. Martin expressed reassurance with all the technical documentation, certifications, and support provided throughout the project.BalcaSmart Aluminium carries our IGNO mark of assurance, which should provide owners, residents and users with the peace of mind they deserve.

Preserving the unique charm and historical significance of heritage buildings is a top priority for architects and specifiers. However, incorporating modern advancements and energy-efficient solutions into these structures can often pose challenges. In this case study, we highlight the successful collaboration between VGUK and Kingsrock Joinery in restoring a heritage building in London, where LandVac Vacuum Insulated Glazing played a pivotal role in transforming the existing heritage windows.TL:DRHeritage Building Restoration London: Transforming Heritage Windows with LandVac Vacuum GlazingProject Overview:Heritage building restoration in collaboration with Kingsrock JoineryIntegration of LandVac Vacuum Insulated Glazing into heritage windowsOvercoming resistance from planners for energy-efficient solutionsAchievements and Benefits:Visual Impact: Stunning visuals of heritage vacuum glazing units in the restored building Authentic and visually appealing windows that maintain the building's characterThermal Performance: U-value achieved: approximately 0.95 W/m2K Narrow unit width of 8.3mm Exceptional insulation properties reduce heat transfer Improved energy efficiency and reduced energy consumption Enhanced occupant comfort and thermal comfortConclusion:Successful integration of LandVac Vacuum Glazing in heritage windowsOvercame initial scepticism from plannersStunning windows with improved thermal performance and visual appealContributed to energy efficiency and occupant comfortA collaborative success with Kingsrock Joinery in preserving heritage while embracing modern advancementsProject Overview:Working closely with Kingsrock Joinery, we embarked on a mission to preserve the heritage of a remarkable building while embracing modernity. The challenge we faced was the initial resistance from planners who believed that vacuum glazing would clash with the traditional aesthetic of the building. However, Jeremy Murphy, the owner of Kingsrock, strongly believed in the harmonious integration of modern technology with the authentic look and feel of traditional architecture.Solving Resistance with Stunning Results:To address the planners' concerns, we proposed the use of flush casement windows glazed with LandVac Vacuum Insulated Glazing. By employing toughened LandVac Vacuum Glazing, Kingsrock was able to achieve a slight distortion that added a touch of authenticity to the windows. The final result was a perfect blend of modernity and heritage, enhancing the visual appeal of the building while meeting the required energy efficiency standards.Visual Impact:The restored building stands as a testament to the successful integration of LandVac Vacuum Glazing into heritage windows. The stunning visuals showcase the seamless combination of modern technology and the architectural authenticity of the building. The heritage vacuum glazing units perfectly preserve the character of the structure while providing enhanced thermal performance.Thermal Performance:Beyond its remarkable visual impact, LandVac Vacuum Glazing delivered outstanding thermal performance. With a U-value of approximately 0.95 W/m2K, the narrow unit width of 8.3mm ensures minimal heat transfer between the interior and exterior. This significant improvement in thermal insulation not only enhances energy efficiency but also contributes to increased occupant comfort and reduced energy consumption.Conclusion:The successful integration of LandVac Vacuum Glazing into heritage windows for the restoration of a London heritage building stands as a testament to the possibilities of merging modern technology with architectural preservation. By overcoming initial resistance from planners, we achieved stunning windows that seamlessly blend heritage aesthetics with exceptional thermal performance. The project not only enhances the visual appeal of the building but also contributes to energy efficiency and occupant comfort.We extend our gratitude to Kingsrock Joinery for their collaboration and expertise in manufacturing and installing these outstanding heritage vacuum glazing units. Together, we have demonstrated that preserving our architectural heritage can coexist harmoniously with the benefits of modern advancements in glazing technology.

At Polyroof, we take pride in providing innovative liquid roofing solutions that meet the unique needs of our clients. From project conception to completion, our expertise lies in creating high-performance roofing systems that offer both durability and aesthetic appeal.This case study highlights our collaboration with Woodholm, a picturesque property located in Southerness, constrained by the Dumfries & Galloway Council Planning’s “room in the roof” design.The SolutionWoodholm’s owners were determined to create a home that would evolve organically while adhering to the council’s planning regulations. To achieve their vision, they enlisted the services of David Lamb Architectural Services to submit a Planning Application on their behalf, seeking approval for a modification from an existing apex roof design to a curved roof. After going through the rigorous process, the application successfully obtained full Planning Committee approval on 14 February 2017.To realise their desired construction, Woodholm’s owners had a preference for using wood and oak, aiming to incorporate these elements into the design. To accomplish this, they collaborated with Carpenter Oak Woodland, a renowned timber construction company known for their expertise in oak framed structures. The company skillfully designed an oak framed structure that perfectly met the owners’ requirements. By mid-November 2017, Woodholm had a stunning and aesthetically pleasing frame in place.However, finding an ideal roofing solution proved to be a challenging task for Woodholm. Initially considering a zinc roof, they encountered obstacles due to the prohibitive costs and the challenges posed by their maritime environment, as Woodholm is located directly on the shores of the Solway Firth. It was at this point that David Lamb’s initial positive impression of a roofing product caught their attention. Woodholm’s owners approached Polyroof’s simulated metal finishes with their needs and were introduced to the Polyroof technical team. The team guided them through the necessary technical specifications to meet the Scottish Building Warrant for a Warm Roof, ensuring compliance with the required standards.Fortuitously, Woodholm’s owners discovered that Polyroof would be exhibiting at the “Homebuilding & Renovating Show” from 21-22 October 2017. At the event, they had the opportunity to meet the Polyroof team as well as Contractor, Kenny Scott of LK Roofing, Lochmaben. The Woodholm team was highly impressed and reassured by the collective experience, knowledge, and technical expertise demonstrated by Polyroof and LK Roofing. Equally important, they appreciated their ability to attentively listen to and understand their concerns.Following the show, a site meeting was promptly arranged with LK Roofing, allowing all parties to discuss the project in detail. As a result, a comprehensive and competitive quotation was provided, falling comfortably within Woodholm’s budgetary requirements.By early December 2017, Woodholm’s joiner had installed the sub-decking, which served as the foundation for the roofing system. LK Roofing then expertly applied the Alutrix membrane, a high-quality waterproofing layer, providing Woodholm with a watertight working cover.Thanks to our collaborative efforts with Woodholm, the project achieved a seamless integration of their desired curved roof design, wood and oak elements, and our advanced liquid roofing system. Woodholm’s owners were delighted with the final result—a beautiful, organically evolving home that not only met their needs but also exceeded their expectations.At Polyroof, we are dedicated to providing roofing solutions that offer both outstanding performance and stunning aesthetics. The Woodholm case study is a testament to our commitment to delivering innovative products and excellent customer service, tailored to meet the unique requirements of each project.

VDG Property Development has recently joined forces with their own construction company Unibouw to develop the new VDG Warehouse Schiphol II. The new building is equipped with a total of 636.5 square meters of vertical greenery divided into two green walls with the MobiPanel system.In addition to the sustainability requirements, BREEAM-NL certification ‘Excellent’, this also enables the building to meet the high-quality requirements in the areas of nature inclusiveness, biodiversity, ecology and living environment. The green appearance of the buildings is the ‘new normal’ at the business park. Schiphol Trade Park aims to be the most sustainable and innovative business park in Europe.‘The area developer and the ambitions of the Schiphol Trade Park area set high requirements in the area of nature inclusiveness. For example, 95% of the end walls of the building had to be green upon completion. The green facades give the building a fantastic appearance. Nature inclusiveness is becoming increasingly important in project development and this is also the future. It will make the Netherlands look all the better,’ says Richard van Campen – project manager at Unibouw B.V.Nature-inclusive buildingFor the development of VDG Warehouse Schiphol II, design choices were made that enhance the ecological value for the surrounding area. For example, the warehouse not only facilitates an efficient logistic process but also creates space for more greenery and biodiversity.Diversity in plant speciesFor each façade, the climatic conditions have been examined and the choice of plants has been adjusted accordingly. The green façade oriented to the North-West contains the plant species; Campanula Stella, Alchemilla Molis, Vinca Minor, Lonicera Maigrun, Geranium Rozanne, Carex Oshimensis ‘Evergreen’, and Bergenia Bressingham White. In the green façade oriented to the southeast are the plant species; Alchemilla mollis, Dryopteris Erythrosora, Bergnia Bressingham White, Lonicera Maigrun, Riarella cordifolia, Carex Oshimensis ‘Evergreen’, Asplenium scolopendrium and Geranium Spessart. In total, there are approximately 23,400 plants in both green walls.VDG Warehouse Schiphol IIVDG Warehouse Schiphol II comprises 9,636 m2 of modern logistics space and consists of two units. With green facades and panels on both sides, VDG Warehouse Schiphol II presents itself as an extremely sustainable distribution centre. With its ecological elements, the development is not only connected to the surrounding nature, but also to the adjacent distribution centre where a MobiPanel green facade has also been installed.Client: UnibouwArchitect: VDG Real EstateConstruction period: 2022Installation: Mobicare

ASF were approached to repair, renovate, refurbish and where necessary remake and replace the ironwork elements of a grade 2 listed stair baluster at the Hannover Buildings, Manchester. Initially a complete baluster rail was brought into the ASF pattern shop and used as a template to make a complete new pattern for the balusters that needed fully replacing. Following a thorough survey of the staircase, totalling 16 flights in 2 blocks over a number of floors, component repairs were also completed so that we could carry out modular replacements where possible, thus retaining as much of the original stair baluster as possible. All replacement parts, including complete baluster castings, were made from 100% recycled cast iron

Orbis OS241 Tension Wire Infill Top FixAt the heart of the North London Hendon Campus, the Ritterman Building is a state-of-the-art teaching facility for Middlesex University, providing five storeys of innovative teaching space.Providing a modern engaging appearance, the Orbis balustrades with tension wire infill was chosen for internal core stairs. Used only by students and staff, and not open to public use, meant that the wire infill could be utilised and for the main contractor this design provided a balustrade solution that was entirely manufactured offsite, and very quick to install.With only three internal stairs but reaching five storeys high, a quick install was a huge benefit on site as individual stair cores were not closed for extended periods of time.

Welcoming tomorrow’s doctors today at Lincoln Medical School is a 110 square metre living wall, full of healthy greenery and packing a sustainable punch alongside the building’s photovoltaic solar panels.

The Ascent stair unit - Industrial stair system was specified to create a safe means of access over roof mounted mechanical and electrical plant and equipment. The roof area is tightly packed with Air conditioning plant creating a unique challenge to design a safe means of access across it. The Ascent step over / stair unit is able to accommodate spans up to 4.5m and was able to be utilised to create a safe access route. The step over unit is supported on rubber spreader feet which provide a non-penetrative support solution on the flat single ply membrane roof. The stair unit is designed in accordance with BS EN ISO 14122-1:2001 + A1:2010 and Building Reg Part K:2013 and manufactured following 1090 factory production control procedures.

St Leonard’s Hospital160 SASH WINDOWS REPAIRED & DRAUGHT-PROOFED AT GRADE II LISTED HOSPITAL BUILDING IN LONDONThe project involved a total of 160 sash windows requiring renovation at the historic premises of St Leonard’s Hospital in Hackney, on Nuttall Street. As part of the scope of works, the sash windows were surveyed, renovated, draught-proofed and had new ironmongery fitted.Ventrolla’s window restoration formed part of a larger refurbishment scheme at St Leonard’s which was implemented by Castons of Ipswich and lasted six months.The Grade II Listed hospital building dates back to 1866 and by 1872 had been extended to provide beds for 503 patients.It played an important role during the Second World War caring for air raid casualties and suffered bomb damage itself in 1941. St Leonard’s stopped receiving in-patients in 1984 and today is used as a home for various district services, including physiotherapy, chiropody, a disability resource centre and a diabetic day centre. It is now administered by the Homerton University Hospital Foundation Trust.A spokesperson for Ventrolla, said:“The condition of the windows varied enormously. Some just needed re-glazing or minor repairs to the window frame, while others needed a complete overhaul.We had to be flexible in the way we worked because the hospital remained operational throughout the project. In some cases, for example when repairing windows in a consultation room, we opted to stay late or come in over a weekend in order to reduce disruption.”Do you deal with commercial projects that have a need for period sash window renovation?Our commercial services include detailed surveys & estimates in line with your window schedule, project management, CAD drawings, help with Listed Building Consent (LBC) and we offer a CPD presentation that is RIBA approved.You can speak to our commercial team about your project on 0800 0277 454, email info@ventrolla.co.uk or by uploading your tender documents here.

33 Charterhouse Street – now known as The JJ Mack Building –  is one of London’s most stylish and sustainable new office buildings, completed in 2022.BCM GRC supplied the intricate, fluted panels that line the ground floor reception area, as well as the cool grey feature panels of the building's lift lobbies – all of which were expertly installed by our partner installer, Henley Stone.

The 10 apartment buildings of the Cerisier Residences development in Bertrange, Luxembourg are surrounded by green spaces. The balconies with glass railings make for a stunning, modern appearance. Q-railing’s Easy Glass Slim glass balustrade system was identified as the perfect fit. It's extremely cost-efficient, since it is quick and easy to install – an important factor, given that more than 1,600 metres of glass balustrade were required for outside balconies and penthouse roof terraces.

Gypsum Fibreboard partitioning by specialist building panel manufacturer fermacell® was specified for a redeveloped research facility for a quadruplet of reasons at least, its fire and acoustic properties, robustness and weight bearing capabilities to name just a few.

BackgroundThe BISF (British Iron and Steel Federation) constructed the Newarthill properties in the 1940’s, utilising steel-framed walls that were initially coated in cement render and vertical steel panels.In previous renovations overseen by the Local Authority, the upper level of the building was clad in PVC weatherboard, while the lowest floor had its exterior re-rendered. The building is characterised by its non-traditional construction style.The houses had extremely poor thermal performance and the flats were difficult and expensive to heat, especially with the rising fuel prices and current cost of living crisis, meaning some residents were in a state of fuel poverty.North Lanarkshire Council required an EWI solution that would achieve the following three key objectives:- Improve the thermal performance of the property portfolio- Specify a system that would achieve a U-value of 0.17 W/m²K and would involve as little technical detailing around the property as possible- Ensure the properties had a modern and aesthetically pleasing look as the current exterior was tired and datedUnderstanding and appreciating K System’s expertise in this sector and innate ability to deliver best-in-class refurbishments, North Lanarkshire Council appointed the partnership of K Systems and Ailsa Building Contractors to tackle the low rise refurbishment project.Our ServiceAs the Newarthill development was already occupied, a key element of this project was to deliver the refurbishment with minimal disruption to current residents and / or neighbouring houses.This is one of K Systems strengths, ensuring jobs are delivered in a timely fashion, without delay, without disruption, and with full disclosure of each phase given to residents throughout the project to build rapport, trust, and confidence.On this particular low rise refurbishment, which had limited access points for all traffic in and out surrounding its immediate vicinity, K Systems had to work closely with the contractor, main contractor, and local authority to ensure they were working in harmony to negate any unnecessary commotion.K Systems’ technical team also carried out regular site visits to make sure the system was installed to the highest standard, in line with specification, and to ensure all involved parties were delivering to time and budget.The refurbishment of the properties is a great example of K Systems’ unparalleled ability to deliver constructional excellence that not only meets but exceeds the expectations of its customers.Technical Project DetailsOn initial scope, the K Systems team identified that a major challenge for this project was going to be the technical detailing between the timber frame sheeted ply at the top storey and precast concrete slab at the bottom. Several U-value calculations were completed by the experienced K Systems team to support the Council’s request of minimal detailing around the property and the target U-value.To meet these requirements, the K Systems P EWI system was specified, which utilises phenolic foam insulation boards. This insulation is lightweight and has a high thermal performance, allowing for thinner sections of insulation to achieve optimal thermal efficiency - perfect for this project, achieving the target U-value of 0.17 W/m²K , up from 0.32 W/m²K.It is a suitable solution for buildings that are restricted in expanding their footprint due to pavements or nearby properties, and can be easily installed on masonry structures, as well as non-traditional structures - an ideal solution for the Newarthill properties.Addressing the request for a modernised aesthetic, a dash render finish was specified. This render is extremely robust, hard-wearing, and low maintenance, ensuring the properties’ refreshed exterior would remain for years to come. The dash render was also complementary to the existing local property portfolio which was something the Council wanted to achieve.This refurb completely transformed cold, weathered, distressed housing in a Scotland suburb into warm, comfortable, aesthetically pleasing homes that met the exact requirements of North Lanarkshire Council and reduced the energy bills for residents due to improved thermal performance.

Queen’s University is a member of the Russell Group, and one of the United Kingdom and Ireland’s leading universities which continues to shape and serve the world through research and teaching. Based in the heart of Belfast, Queen’s University is committed to enhancing its historic campus and the surrounding conservation area while providing 21st century facilities for education and research.With the entrance atrium combining various double and triple-height spaces over different floors, Armstrong METAL Cellio was the perfect choice to provide a sleek contemporary ceiling that connected and unified these spaces into one recognisable volume, with a sense of lightness and transparency.HERADESIGN® was used throughout the building as a recognisable and repeated element that provided good acoustic performance with texture and pattern. From a wall and ceiling installation highlighting the reception area, to acoustic absorption on the walls in meeting rooms and subtle black hanging baffles in a bar space.

Boston Endeavour Academy is a newly built special school for children age 2-19 with a range of learning difficulties and disabilities, located in the market town of Boston, Lincolnshire. It opened to 100 pupils in September 2021 building to 140 over the coming few years. It features many state of the art facilities including therapy rooms classrooms and a hydrotherapy pool. Key Considerations:Installing ceiling hoists within multi-height ceilings Large spans are required throughoutRequires bespoke solution Working in collaboration with Kier and Wates Construction on this state of the art academy, our Astor OT200 hoisting system and Sensory Integration Swings have provided safe, supportive and comfortable accessibility to the children, allowing them to thrive in their educational setting. Main Equipment: Astor OT200 ceiling hoistH systemBespoke track systemRoom to room gatesTurntablesSensory Integration Swings“ The ceiling hoists are infinitely more convenient for supporting pupils from chairs to the floor to complete their work and postural changes. No longer having to rely on mobile hoists increases the space available that can be deployed for learning activities. The tracking in the pool area allows for speedy transitions to changing rooms reducing waiting times and the number of staff required to support transitions. The Sensory Integration swings have become a much-valued resource for supporting the regulation of many pupils. The advice given by Astor Bannerman representatives to be reliable and leading to excellent outcomes in terms of the resources for our pupils..” Richard Gamman, Headteacher Boston Endeavour Academy 

Midland Metropolitan University Hospital Case StudyDemonstrating Products That Perform!Project Description:Nestled between Sandwell and West Birmingham, the Midland Metropolitan University Hospital is poised to become the centre of acute and emergency care at our Trust when it opens in 2024.Midland Met is not just a hospital...situated within a designated regeneration zone, this new hospital build represents not just progress in healthcare but opportunity to revitalise the region. Product Showcase:Used in multiple locations across the project including Level 5 Winter Garden, Larsen Streetscape paving mortar system is a collection of high-performance mortars for the construction of pavements. The preferred option for laying paving, the products are specifically formulated to exceed performance characteristics, as set out in BS 7533. Products used:         FBC Eco Fine Bedding Concrete • Ideal for pavements constructed with natural stone, concrete & clay paving units.PS Eco Priming Slurry• Applied to the underside of all paving units to create an exceptional bond to FBC Eco Fine Bedding Concrete.FJM Eco Flowable Jointing Mortar• Filled the joints to complete the installation. Rapid setting with high early strength gain, FJM Eco can be opened to foot traffic in one hour.3 in 1 Seal Plus• A water-based acrylic hybrid dispersion paving sealer, sand stabiliser and protector suitable for most paving. For further information or technical data sheets on the Larsen Streetscape product range, please visit www.larsenbuildingproducts.com. 

Architect/Designer: Norman Foster/Foster + PartnersLocation: The Robert Parfett Building, ManchesterProject Overview: New single storey building arranged around a central spine incorporating a mezzanine level, kitchen and variety of meeting spaces. Scope included a complete ironmongery package for all new glazed and timber doors.ServiceFull hardware scheduling & Bespoke finish.Project DetailsHere at 3v we were honoured to provide the ironmongery for the new Maggie’s cancer centre in Manchester that was designed by one of Britain’s most respected architects, Norman Foster, and engineered by his team at Foster + Partners.The first Maggie’s Centre opened in Edinburgh in 1996, there are now 19 Centres at major NHS cancer hospitals across the UK. The Centres have been set up to offer a non-clinical environment where anyone affected by cancer can stop by for advice or support. The timber frame creates a striking angular structure with tapered wooden columns and beams, however the use of warm wood and glass create a soft light-filled environment for people to gather in. What ironmongery do you choose to work with such a beautiful building? With timber as the primary building material and Nordic Bronze roof cladding we turned to our bespoke range and specified solid bronze ironmongery to compliment the natural feel of the buildings material palette. The simple design of our 304 model pull handle works in perfect harmony with the clean angular structure and homely aesthetic; functional while perfectly blending into the final design. Our most popular raw material is high quality stainless steel but increasingly our clients have been asking for something a bit different or unique. Stainless steel would not have worked in this design scheme, matching the bronze cladding added the perfect finishing touches to the warm and tactile materials used in this amazing structure. If you are thinking about specialist finishes for one of your future projects please contact our experienced team so we can advise you in more detail. To find our more about Maggie’s Manchester and to read Norman Foster’s interview on the design of the new centre follow the below link https://www.maggiescentres.org/about-maggies/news-and-publications/latest-news/designing-maggies-manchester/Photographs © Nigel Young/Foster + Partners

When Ace Kind Ltd was asked to refurbish and retile the shower and changing facilities at the prestigious Shifnal Golf Club, they were expecting a fairly straightforward job. However, Adrian Holt, a director of the Staffordshire-based building contractors, had no idea that the original plasterboard had started to disintegrate behind the tiles. When the contractor highlighted the problem to golf club managers they were given the go-ahead to replace the plasterboard, but rather than repeat the mistakes of the past Ace Kind opted to use Hardie® Backer board.

Creating a Passivhaus home Balancing sustainability and style, Sort Trae is the culmination of a retired architect’s vision for a home and creative space that blends into a South Yorkshire hillside. HEM Architects helped the client to bring this dream to life, using Knauf Insulation’s glass mineral wool insulation to achieve the incredibly high Passivhaus standards for energy efficiency. Low carbon and high comfort The client envisioned a sustainable build using Passivhaus, a voluntary standard for designing and building properties with very low energy consumption, that offer high levels of comfort for their occupants. To achieve this, the levels of air tightness and thermal performance far exceed those mandated by building regulations. FrameTherm® Slab 32 was friction-fitted within the 140mm thick timber frame walls on the first floor, while DriTherm® Cavity Slab 32 was used to fill the stone-clad masonry cavity walls on the ground floor.  “We try to specify fully filled masonry cavity walls where possible, sometimes up to 200mm wide, to maximise the use of mineral wool insulation. It pays dividends for the client”, explained Liam Seaman, Architectural Technologist for HEM Architects. Thermal performance is critical to the Passivhaus approach. The FrameTherm® Slab 32 provided a calculated U-value of 0.137 W/m2K in combination with the black timber frame wall and cladding. For the masonry cavity wall on the ground floor, a fractionally higher U-value of 0.138 W/m2K was achieved using thermally broken wall ties and DriTherm® Cavity Slab 32. This has contributed to Sort Trae’s exceptional thermal efficiency. Because glass mineral wool is flexible and fibrous, slabs knit together and adapt to minor imperfections in the substrate. This tight fit contributed to an overall air change of 0.54 ach (air change per hour), comfortably below the Passivhaus standard of 0.6 ach, meaning the property is air-tight while still providing good ventilation. Sustainable practices Liam explained his reasons for choosing Knauf Insulation, “The alternative products are often oil-based and the application of these is outweighed by the environmental impact of their production and lifecycle.” Both FrameTherm® Slab 32 and DriTherm® Cavity Slab 32 are manufactured with ECOSE® Technology, Knauf Insulation’s unique bio-based binder that contains no added formaldehyde or phenol. The binder is made from natural raw materials that are rapidly renewable and is 70% less energy-intensive to manufacture than traditional binders. Knauf Insulation’s glass mineral wool insulation contains up to 80% recycled content, mostly glass bottles and jars. It is also compressed so more product can fit per pack or pallet, and less packaging is used. This means there’s more product per truck, resulting in fewer vehicles on the road, and less packaging per m2 of insulation. Achieving the Passivhaus standard In collaboration with HEM Architects and other suppliers, the client has created a stunning home and an inspiring set-up for her loom-weaving workshop. “It is general practice for us to specify Knauf Insulation as standard because we find the product information available to be really clear and useful”, Liam added. Knauf Insulation’s practical, detailed product information made it HEM Architects’ first choice to achieve the Passivhaus standard for thermal performance. 

The project, designed by Uno-A, welcomes 110 flats in three different types of buildings linked by several planted areas; and various common areas, such as a coworking space and an equipped gym.The façades use GRC (Glassfibre Reinforced Concrete) panels and coloured glass panels to provide architectural identification.Bandalux worked closely with both the architect and the real estate Iempa Immobiliare to provide shading solutions depending on the location and type of building. Z-Box, B-Box Systems and Cofre style awning are place externally, being three different options to management sunlight.Polyscreen® 403 and Trend Light BO fabrics configured these systems according to the lighting needs: visual contact or perfect occultation. On the other hand, Premium Plus roller blinds s are installed inside, providing optimal solar control and comfort.

Vega is a 37-storey new build property in Vauxhall, South London ideally located near to Kings College London, University College London, University of London, and University of Westminster.  The building houses a variety of 841 studio and shared student apartments and has a roof garden terrace, an on-site gym, cinema room, private dining area, and gaming zone all for student use, as well as a six-storey open-plan office. As the student accommodation had cooking facilities which included a hob, fire safety protection was considered to be of particular importance. Due to its unique benefits and ease of use for the students and the fact that other Downing Student properties across the UK had requested it, the Firechief Kitchen Stove Guard was chosen to be installed as standard in 497 apartments to complement the passive fire products which had also been fitted.