"cladding"

Located on the north side of Wrexham town centre, the BREEAM excellent Yale Campus one of the largest projects undertaken by Coleg Cambria across its network of six campus sites, which has a base of 7,000 full time and 20,000 part time students.Maximising daylight and ventilation, the glazed façade spans 1,200 sqm across the building. Specified for proven performance and thermal insulation, TECHNAL curtain walling offers a fully capped, mullion-drained solution. With an aluminium substructure width of 52mm, it creates a slim sightline while also providing the necessary strength and inertia requirements.Contributing to higher credits for the critical Energy 01 part of BREEAM, which is concerned with the reduction of energy use and carbon emissions, TECHNAL A-rated Dualframe 75 Si windows offer exceptional energy efficiency. For the Yale campus, a U-value of 1.1W/m2K was achieved. As well as being inserted within the curtain walling, the windows have also been fitted in a vertical panel format to create a striking rectangular pattern within the gold cladding.

This breathtaking development is characterised by three statement residential buildings and a brand new public realm offering 170,000 sq. ft. of quality retail, dining, lifestyle and leisure options, including luxury health club and a cinema. The principal building is an internal conversion of a magnificent Edwardian masterpiece with the façade and entire external structure retained and refurbished, whilst another hybrid building preserves the Edwardian exterior structure at ground level with new-build framing on upper levels. Completely the Square is an all-new contemporary design, which is anticipated to become one of Islington’s most iconic buildings.CZWG Architects have taken the former Royal Mail sorting office under its wing and presented a forward-thinking vision of London living rarely attained in modern designs.EH Smith worked with CZWG to select and supply the bold mauve coloured rainscreen from our Partners Agrob Buchtal and worked with the specialist cladding contractors, Openwood and Commercial Roofing, to provide the bespoke engineered support system with our partners Systea.

The Friedrichscarrée is a modern office and retail complex in the center of Stuttgart.Named after the former king of Württemberg, Friedrich I., it is characterised by its modern architecture and glass front. In addition to numerous companies, it now also hosts retail, catering businesses and event spaces. The good access to public transportation and the close proximity to restaurants and cultural institutions, make Friedrichscarrée an attractive location for businesses and visitors.As the general contractor for the expansion, Lindner carried out an extensive interior construction - ranging from drywall work to floor systems and wall cladding. In addition to high-quality floor coverings and also partly automated partition walls, the special construction of the hollow floor FLOOR and more® for the pedestal in the barista bar was a central element of the revitalisation. Lindner hallway ceilings LMD, heating and cooling ceilings and acoustic sails were also installed to optimise room acoustics.Furthermore, GiB mbH supported Lindner in upgrading the existing fire protection. The entire conversion was carried out during ongoing business, which required precisescheduling of noise-intensive work.

When completed, A3 New Bailey in Manchester will be one of Europe’s greenest buildings. Not only has it been designed to achieve the toughest sustainability ratings, it will also feature Europe’s largest living wall. But as with any innovative project, it presented some major challenges when it came to the specification of the rainscreen façade system. Meeting the target U-value Lester Cladding NW Ltd were responsible for the design and build of the façade. A rock mineral wool product with a thermal conductivity of 0.035 W/mK had been specified. But when conducting the calculations, they instantly ran into a problem. An insulation depth of 240mm was required to achieve the U-value of 0.15W/m2K.  Jamie Simm, Operations Director at Lester Cladding NW Ltd explained: “There was a strict external and internal boundary, so we needed to keep the façade wall build-up within those measurements. But the amount of insulation needed to meet the target U-value increased the depth of the wall, pushing it over the boundary line.” When looking for an alternative solution, the company approached Knauf Insulation’s Project Specification Team to discuss the brief. As well as meeting the thermal performance requirement, the insulation needed to comply with building regulations that ban the use of combustible materials in the external walls of certain buildings over 18m tall. It also needed to help reduce noise and meet the project’s sustainability targets.  After running 3D U-value calculations, Knauf Insulation’s Technical Support Team recommended 170mm Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab for the ventilated façade, a rock mineral wool insulation which has a thermal conductivity of 0.034 W/mK. For the Steel Frame System (SFS), they recommended 150mm OmniFit® Slab 35, a glass mineral wool insulation with a thermal conductivity of 0.035 W/mK.  This combination reduced the thickness of the wall build-up by a significant 70mm, ensuring the U-value could be met within the required parameter for the wall build-up. Simms said: “Not only did Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab offer superior U-value performance for a slimmer profile, it reduced costs across the whole build. As well as reducing the quantity of insulation required, we could use smaller helping hand brackets and thinner fire barriers for example. It was the product that steered the job through.” In addition to achieving the required thermal performance, both products are non-combustible with a Euroclass A1 reaction to fire classification. This means they will not add to the development or spread of fire, so comply with the building regulations. Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab is also British Board of Agrément (BBA) certified for use in buildings of any height and for the broadest range of thicknesses and build-ups of any rainscreen solution on the market. Mineral wool also has an open fibre matrix, which means it has sound absorbent properties. The insulation will help to reduce noise from the busy city centre location and from disturbing residents. Project complexity The choice of insulation was not the only challenge for the build. There is no template for supporting Europe’s biggest living wall. So, Lester Cladding NW Ltd needed to draw on their own extensive knowledge and expertise, as well as that of the whole supply chain to create a bespoke solution from the ground up.   One problem with this approach, was that every potential solution impacted another aspect of the façade build-up. To overcome this, Lester Cladding NW Ltd took the unusual step of arranging a meeting between representatives from eight different design and manufacturing partners. Together they discussed the whole system ‘screw by screw’.  “Getting everyone sitting around the table meant that all our manufacturing and design partners were completely engaged. They understood what we were trying to achieve, and all worked together to find the best solution.” There was one particular factor that could affect the insulation – water. While a living wall utilises planting schemes that thrive in drier conditions, a 4,000m2 living façade still requires a lot of watering – something that could introduce lots of extra moisture into the system. Knauf Insulation’s Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab has a water-repellent additive that promotes water run-off and ensures the slab will maintain its integrity. A traditional façade system prevents the insulation from getting saturated by rainwater, while the ventilation reduces the build-up of condensation and allows the insulation to dry out if it does get wet.  However, the water-repellent additive does not make the insulation waterproof, so it needed protection from the constant flow of water from the irrigation system. As a result, an additional breather membrane was installed to prevent moisture from penetrating the façade system and affecting the insulation. Sustainability A3 New Bailey has been designed to UKGBC’s Net Zero Carbon Framework and WELL Building Standard principles, as well as to achieve BREEAM Outstanding and Wired Score Platinum ratings. This meant the sustainability of the construction materials themselves was also important.  Here Knauf Insulation’s products ticked all the boxes too. Its glass and rock mineral wool insulation are made from materials that come from either naturally abundant sources or are recycled. For example, its glass mineral wool is made with upto 80% recycled glass from locally collected and processed household bottles and jars. Glass mineral wool has the lowest levels of embodied carbon of any mainstream insulation material. So, combining the use of both Knauf Insulation glass and rock mineral wool meant that the insulation solution for A3 New Bailey had less embodied carbon than a traditional all-rock insulation solution. Both products are also manufactured with ECOSE® Technology, Knauf Insulation's unique bio-based binder that contains no added formaldehyde or phenol. ECOSE® Technology is made from natural raw materials that are rapidly renewable and is 70% less energy-intensive to manufacture than a traditional binder. They also generate low levels of dust and VOCs and have been awarded the Eurofins Gold Certificate for Indoor Air Comfort. This contributes to the health of both installers and residents. Its entire glass mineral wool product range is also Declare Red List Free, which means that it does not contain any harmful chemicals on the ‘Red List’.  Thanks to Knauf Insulation’s advice, technical support and high-performance insulation solutions, Lester Cladding NW Ltd was able to deliver the rainscreen façade for A3 New Bailey – and with it, Europe’s largest living wall.

Inspiration: Royal Holloway UniversityProduct: Gustafs Panel SystemArchitect: Associated ArchitectsInstaller: Rosguill Developments LtdProduct: Gustafs Panel System for Walls and CeilingsSpecification: Natural and Pigmented Oak and Stained Ash Veneer SM5 PerforationsQuantity: 4,000m2LSA Projects Ltd are pleased to share with you our case study of Gustafs Panel System at Royal Holloway University which was installed in addition to 2,000m2 of Linear Ribs.Alongside an abundance of books and other historical and academic literature the library was designed with student life in mind with a wealth of quiet, individual, and group study space in addition to informal social breakout spaces looking out over the founders square.The statement library is part of a bigger expansion and improvement project for the Top 25 University; beginning with the Emily Wilding Davison library in 2017 the University has recently opened The Beatrice Shilling Building for Electronic Engineering and new Music and Media facilities are planned for the near future.Sold exclusively in the UK by LSA Projects Ltd, Gustafs Panel System is the leading product on the global market for timber veneered (as well as painted and metal or laminate faced) panels and acoustic panels. The panel system has a recommended 50 Year Design Life and a track record in the UK alone of 20 year old projects (and counting) owing to the unique solid panel base provided by the gypsum particleboard which eliminates the risk of panels moving and warping over time as you would expect to see with a solid timber or MDF cored product. The panels are also completely non-combustible achieving Euroclass A2,s1-d0 for Fire Resistance (exceeding the criteria for Class 0) for the whole product build-up from the paper panel backing to the facing veneer and lacquer.Across the space 3 different timber finishes were specified to the project: white washed Oak, natural Oak and black stained Ash. The range of timbers helps to add to the depth and texture of the material and to break-up the finish between spaces and floors whist keeping a consistent theme across the library’s cladding. A mixture of plain and SM5 mini slotted acoustic panels were used to give some acoustic absorption to the atrium space, SM5 perforations mini slot perforations at 5mm x 20mm provide 15% open area and achieve acoustic class C which is perfect for light acoustic control across all frequencies.In addition to the traditional wall and ceiling Gustafs cladding, panels were used to cover pillars and beams within the library. Each piece was made to measure at the factory to ensure a perfect fit using Gustaf’s unique CAPAX profile system for invisible installation.

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.”

Continuing with the roll-out of secure cycle parking facilities to the sites operated by Barts Health NHS Trust, Falco has recently installed a bespoke cycle hub at the Royal London Hospital, based on the UK’s leading FalcoHub cycle hub design.Boasting in excess of 160 cycle parking spaces using the FalcoLevel-Eco two-tier cycle parking rack, the new cycle hub provides patients, visitors and staff members with everything they need in order to visit the hospital by bike.In addition to the cycle racks, the new 18m x 6m cycle hub has also been clad with reinforced safety glass with bespoke St Barts Health Trust branding graphics, LED lighting and a secure access system.The attractive cycle hub has been installed on Newark Street, located to the west of the main building next to clinics two and three.Two key products of this scheme include the UK’s leading FalcoHub cycle hub coupled with the high density FalcoLevel-Premium-Eco two-tier cycle rack and when combined together create the ultimate secure cycle parking facility, providing cyclists with high levels of cycle safety in a spacious and contemporary hub design.The two-tier cycle racks are housed in a bespoke contemporary design of the classic Falco Cycle Hub shelter, which features clean lines through the glass cladding supported by stainless steel glass clamps. The whole shelter is hot dip galvanised to BS EN ISO 1461 but also meets UK structural design laws with EN 1090 accreditation. Rainwater is collected via innovative integral gutters as part of the roof system and a bespoke bund ensure that the cycle hub is weather proof!The Royal London Hospital is just one of numerous NHS hospitals Falco has provided cycle parking infrastructure to UK-wide this year alone. Other recent examples include cycle hubs for St Bartholomew's Hospital, Bradford Royal Infirmary and St Luke’s Hospital in Bradford, Basildon and Southend University Hospital, a bespoke cycle hub for Ninewells Hospital and Medical School in Dundee, a trio of cycle hubs for NHS Grampian hospitals in Aberdeen, FalcoCrea cycle lockers for NHS Forth Valley in Falkirk, two cycle stores for NHS Queen Margaret Hospital in Dunfermline, cycle racks for Royal Berkshire NHS hospital in Reading and a flagship FalcoHub for Newham University Hospital in London.For more information about the scheme here at Royal London Hospital or how Falco can assist your street furniture scheme, please contact our helpful sales team on 01538 380080.

This is the latest cycle hub designed, manufactured, supplied and installed at the new Salford Royal Greater Manchester Major Trauma Hospital, located at the heart of the Salford Royal Pendleton site.Based on the flagship FalcoLok design, the 5m x 4m glass clad cycle hub is coupled with the FalcoLevel-Eco two-tier cycle parking system, providing secure parking for up to twenty bikes.Back In 2020, Falco installed a large hub at Salford Royal to accommodate 20 cycles with FalcoLevel-Premium+ two-tier racks. In May 2022, Falco were asked to visit Turnpike House by the same client to look at installing a secure shelter that wasn’t too imposing in height and size. The shelter was for staff to replace an old tired flat roof structure. In September last year, the hospital required a further 3m x 3m cycle hub to cope with increasing demand for secure cycle parking. The cycle hub shown here is the fourth to be commissioned by the hospital and to keep the same theme as the previous three sites, Falco used the same mechanical code lock and 11.5mm toughened laminated heat soaked glass in glass clamps, then customized the graphics to match, providing a coherent series of cycle parking across the Salford Royal site. The steelwork of the cycle hub was powder coated in the same attractive NHS blue RAL colour.The whole shelter is a bespoke contemporary design of the classic FalcoHub shelter, which features clean lines through the glass cladding and supported by stainless steel glass clamps. The steelwork is hot dip galvanised to BS EN ISO 1461 and also meets UK structural design laws with EN 1090 accreditation. Rainwater is collected via innovative integral gutters as part of the roof system and a bespoke bund ensure that the cycle hub is weather proof!In addition to the cycle hub shown here for Royal Salford, Falco has also recently installed cycle hubs for many locations across the UK including Fairfield General Hospital, Rochdale Infirmary, Stromness Travel Centre in the Orkney Islands, Crewe, Runcorn, Birmingham International, Warrington Bank Quay and Carlisle station for Avanti West Coast, Bradford Royal Infirmary and St Luke’s Hospital for Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation, The Royal Oldham Hospital for Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, Ninewells Hospital & Medical School in Dundee and a bespoke cycle hub for Leicester City Council.For more information about the project here at Salford Royal or how Falco can assist your cycle parking scheme, please contact our helpful sales team on 01538 380080.

Radii joined this fit out in late 2023, where we worked on the design, supply and install of of a tailored glazed partition package for 28 office and meeting rooms.On Level 2, our team designed and installed a stunning Glide framed glazed screen into quad telescopic track between the reception and adjoining communal area.Large meeting rooms on Levels 2 and 4 comprised Parallel 100 (Rw 50 dB) double glazed partitions with red and blue framework respectively; Parallel 100 and single glazed Linear 30 variation screens with bronze and grey frames were utilised elsewhere in the space depending on acoustic requirements. All aluminium was finished in Radii’s dedicated in-house PPC line, with the bronze finish also used on aluminium faced tech panels. Partitions were accompanied by 64mm timber veneered acoustic doors (Rw 41 dB) and double glazed pivoting Hogan doors (Rw 39 dB).Finally, Radii’s own high-performing FirePro steel-clad fire rated screens rated at E60 were installed on all three levels.

Challenge: Many elements of the iconic skyscraper were facing embedded steel corrosion, including the structural steel lattice columns within the colossal terracotta enclosures. The expansion of the steel caused by the corrosion was severely damaging the masonry cladding and cracking the six-foot-tall terracotta bison heads.Strategy: Installation of an impressed current cathodic protection (ICCP) system at the steel sections with the colonnades on 29th to 32nd floors. The system consisted of LoCem® +point® anode mortar was applied within the bed joints and drilled in to provide 360° protection of the steel surfaces. The bison heads were deconstructed, steel cleaned-up and masonry reconstructed. LoCem® is a low carbon cement alternative (AACM), which can also act as a cathodic protection anode for controlling steel frame corrosion.Outcome: The ICCP system resulted in long-term performance and control for the whole life preservation of our clients’ assets. Using AchillesICP for control over corrosion rate, and AiMS to collect the data, the client had full transparency over structural health and the power to make predictive maintenance decisions.

Skyline fascia soffits from architectural rainwater specialists Alumasc, have been used for the extensive refurbishment of The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon.Driven by the need to enable all-weather play, renovation of the legendary Centre Court included a state-of-the-art retractable roof. From the outset, Alumasc worked closely with Architects Populous of London, on the massive six-year undertaking which resulted in one of Alumasc’s largest rainwater product installations to date. Alumasc’s Skyline soffit system was specified for the underside canopy of the stadium bowl, in order to meet the demanding performance requirements for the arena’s ceiling cladding. 6000 individual soffit modules were supplied, in 80 varying profiles and sizes, totalling an impressive 6500m² of aluminium and associated fittings. Dedication to client support was priority, with Alumasc attending numerous site meetings and manning extra shifts in order to accommodate workload and deadlines. Alumasc’s premium level of technical assistance involved the provision of full product mock-ups prior to manufacture and regular testing of the Skyline system throughout the construction process, to ensure compliance with the client’s requirements at all times.

Mono M311 Glass Infill Top FixMono M351 No Infill Top FixOrbis OS200 Vertical Bar Infill Side FixPart of a £71 million scheme to construct three new academy schools in the area, Oldham Academy North was designed by Manchester-based architects, Aedas and constructed by Willmott Dixon.The school features a striking glass frontage for the triple height atrium reception with a brick clad teaching block to one side and a vibrant purple frontage to the other. The feeling of light and space created by the school’s two atriums is carried through by HiBuild coated Mono system balustrades with stainless steel handrails. These enable the creation of safe viewing galleries/walkways, overlooking the open plan library mezzanine and the central ‘Agora’ theatre space.The same system was used to create the handrails for the school’s six staircases, maximising natural light and enhancing transparency as students and staff move around the building. Delta Balustrades worked collaboratively with the design team to ensure that the balustrades and handrails not only meet the aesthetic requirements for the scheme but that the fixing detail for the atriums fully comply with loading requirements.

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.  

Buildable"Glass Fibre Concrete (GRC) was identified early on as the ideal material for the project to achieve the desired civic aesthetic but also to avoid adding significant stress to the existing structure." - Nat Keast, Associate, Wilkinson-Eyre.DesignableThe project is an AJ Retrofit Higher Education & Campus Award 2023.The lightweight, three-dimensional GRC cladding panels featuring a stylisation of LSBU’s “sail” emblem give the building a welcoming, civic quality."We worked closely with subcontractor Tellings during the design phase to develop the three-dimensional panels, as well as vertical slats and horizontal bands. Alongside the 100% white bromo brick with white grout used for the existing concrete stair cores and shear walls, GRC helped change the perception of the building."We had to fight hard to keep the GRC through various value engineering exercises, but the university supported us and was able to appreciate the impact of the new facade." - Nat Keast, Associate, Wilkinson-Eyre.SustainableThe building has received a very good BREEAM rating and by retaining the existing structure, total embodied carbon is half of the RIBA 2030 Climate Challenge target benchmark.

Geraint Thomas House in Crawley is a 9-storey new build development of 91 modern homes, designed to impeccably high standards by Ayre Chamberlain Gaunt and Claylens Mills with the additional aspiration of setting a future benchmark for other developments in the area.The apartments have been designed to meet the needs of modern families, with spacious living areas and plenty of storage space. Two-thirds of the apartments are available through shared ownership schemes, making them more affordable for local residents.One of the key features of the development is its incredibly detailed brickwork. The brick façades provide a striking contrast to the glass and steel of the surrounding buildings, and playful patterns create a distinct and detailed façade that stands further sets it apart from previously built local projects. Delicate shades of bronze are prevalent amongst the building’s rain-screen cladding and balustrades.A bespoke blend of Blockleys Sterling Grey and Black Wirecut bricks adds a premium sheen to a project that already oozes impressive aesthetics and cuts a unique shape into Crawley’s existing architecture. Geraint Thomas House was recently shortlisted in the Medium Housing Development at the 2022 BDA Brick Awards.

University of the West of Scotland, Lanarkshire CampusArchitect: Graven Architects, Glasgow
Installer: Elmwood Ltd
Product: Gustafs Acoustic Panel and Linear Rib SystemsBoth Gustafs Linear Ribs and a bespoke Gustafs Acoustic Panel system solution were installed to the new £110m Lanarkshire campus of the University of the West of Scotland.The ultra-modern eco-campus is powered using 100% sustainable energy houses facilities for students including the Students Union, library, computer facilities, and exhibition, lecture and meeting spaces which are available for use by local businesses as well as students.
Gustafs Linear Ribs in natural Birch veneer clad 2 facing 12m high feature walls; the co-ordinating seating areas and integrated TV screens help to integrate the acoustic solution with the collaborative social and study space.The main feature wall in the Welcome Hub is a 3 storey high bespoke concertina wall of RAL 6021 painted and PH10 perforated panels; Gustafs, LSA, and the installer worked to create an elegant installation solution using custom panel edges and solid wood elements to create the zig-zag wall. 

IntroductionSurespan design and manufactured two sets of bespoke double leaf hatch doors for the Kielder Observatory located in England’s largest forest in Northumberland. Products suppliedWe supplied;Surespan designed and manufactured two sets of bespoke double leaf hatch doors for the roof and the front of the Observatory’s two rotating turrets – one to house a 20” Pulsar manual telescope and the other for a small Mead 14” telescope. Features:These hatches are electrically operated and have been specially designed to open in a specific sequence using remote control via 24v dc actuators.The projectAs part of the Kielder Art and Architecture program, Charles Barclay Architects designed Kielder Observatory for the Forestry Commission.The all-timber observatory was constructed from Douglas fir with larch cladding, the pier-like building has rotating turrets that house two permanent telescopes and an observation deck. The turrets can be rotated through 360 degrees.The observatory generates its energy using a wind turbine and photovoltaic panels and includes a composting toilet.The observatory has received 2009 awards from the RIBA and The Civic Trust and featured in the inaugural World Architecture Festival.

Kielder Observatory Surespan designed and manufactured two sets of bespoke double leaf hatch doors for the Kielder Observatory located in England’s largest forest in Northumberland.  The ProjectAs part of the Kielder Art and Architecture program, Charles Barclay Architects designed Kielder Observatory for the Forestry Commission. The all-timber observatory was constructed from Douglas fir with larch cladding, the pier-like building has rotating turrets that house two permanent telescopes and an observation deck. The turrets can be rotated through 360 degrees.The observatory generates its energy using a wind turbine and photovoltaic panels and includes a composting toilet. The observatory has received 2009 awards from the RIBA and The Civic Trust and featured in the inaugural World Architecture Festival.  The ProductSurespan design and manufactured two sets of bespoke double leaf hatch doors for the roof and the front of the Observatory’s two rotating turrets – one to house a 20” Pulsar manual telescope and the other for a small Mead 14” telescope.  FeaturesThese hatches are electrically operated and have been specially designed to open in a specific sequence using remote control via 24v dc actuators.      

Tata Steel’s building envelope products have played a key role in the delivery of the first phase of the Port One giant e-commerce warehousing and distribution storage complex, and were incorporated into Unit No.4, a new 143,000 sq ft purpose-built unit, designed for Ipswich-based FDS Corporation Limited, a Chinese fulfilment house operator specialising in online retail. This building is 17 metres high and has been designed to store goods on pallets and on racking nine levels high.The external cladding solution for Unit No.4 used over 17,000m2 of our Trisomet® and Trimapanel® insulated panel systems. Around 11,472m2 of Trisomet® 60mm manufactured using Colorcoat HPS200 Ultra® was supplied for the roof in Anthracite Matt, as stipulated by the planning consent; while the external building envelope was constructed using over 6,000m2 of Trisomet® 40mm and Trimapanel® 120mm insulated panels manufactured using Colorcoat Prisma® pre-finished steel. The wall elevations used a contrasting colour mix of Alaska Grey, Anthracite, Oyster Slate Grey and White.

Derek Coffey, a college lecturer, renovated a traditional 1800s-built Dutch barn in Llansilin, near Oswestry, Shropshire. The exterior of the barn is clad in burnt larch which looks fantastic and the interior of the home is equally impressive. When the renovation work reached an end in autumn 2023 the finished result was nothing short of stunning. The converted barn will now be a family home for Derek, his wife and their ten year old daughter.Coffey installed ECLISSE pocket door systems throughout the home in order to provide more usable space and better options for interior layouts. A total of ten pocket doors were installed, which were especially beneficial on both of the upstairs bedrooms leading onto ensuite bathrooms. “Installing pocket doors throughout the barn allowed us to save space and to use the space that we do have to better effect,” says Coffey. “We have another ensuite bedroom downstairs with a pocket door and the pocket doors on the downstairs toilet and utility room are especially beneficial as these doors would otherwise have clashed with one another when open – this problem is eliminated with sliding doors.”

Fifty5ive Queen Street, Salford is a new 18 storey, 220-unit residential building in the centre of Salford for local developer Salboy.It includes modern, high-quality 1-, 2- & 3-bedroom apartments and duplexes, amenities include private resident workspace, gymnasium, yoga studios, resident cinema room and a terrace garden. Domis Construction is the preferred construction partner for Salboy on this scheme. In early 2022 they approached Encon Insulation in Chorley looking for a more readily available alternative to the stone wool product already specified. URSA UK Ltd was chosen to fill the void and keep the scheme on track. We supplied over 4500m2 of 100mm URSAPAN BLACK - a unique glass mineral wool rainscreen cladding insulation slab; ·      Euroclass A1 fire rating (non-combustible).·      Thermal conductivity of 0.035 W/mK.·      BBA Certified. Kate Fox, Area Sales Manager for the Midlands stated, ‘Following the success of this initial partnership URSA are now the preferred supplier of rainscreen insulation and our products are currently being used on Anchorage Quay in Salford with others in the pipeline including Derwent Street in Salford’.     

The Silverstone Interactive Museum is a 600m­² motorsport exhibition located at the world famous Silverstone Circuit in Northamptonshire. The £22 million building, built with a contribution from the National Lottery Heritage Fund consists of a fully refurbished WWII aircraft hangar and a new two-storey extension which serves as the entrance to the exhibition. The TECHNAL curtain walling was a key part of the design and enabled large spans of glass to the front and rear of the building. This provides contrast to the iridescent finish and rainscreen cladding. This curtain wall system enabled large panel sizes of up to 2.8m high and 2m wide without additional steelwork that would have detracted from the intended design and added to the cost. The exposed location meant that airtightness and thermal efficiency were also design considerations. Our curtain walling features a thermally broken construction and high levels of wind and weather resistance. Due to the nature of the building and location close to the circuit, the goal with the acoustic requirements was to achieve a balance of reducing the sound from the track without completely eliminating it. This was achieved with TECHNAL systems using standard double glazing without the need for acoustic glass.

Accessible toileting facilities are crucial in public spaces to meet the diverse needs of individuals. Changing Places toilets, such as the modular Care Capsule™, provide a portable and adaptable solution for those with disabilities, ensuring they can enjoy their outings comfortably. A recent project with the Sussex Wildlife Trust exemplifies the effectiveness of Care Capsule™ in upgrading existing facilities. Despite space constraints in the visitors and education centres, a modular unit was swiftly installed adjacent to the main building, offering accessibility without the need for extensive construction within pre-existing structures.The project, initiated in January 2023, aimed for completion by the end of March 2023. The tight timeline was met through efficient processes, including a prompt site survey, proposal acceptance, and swift groundworks. Overcoming challenges like relocating a power cable, the team successfully hoisted the Care Capsule™ into place. The exterior was clad in local chestnut timber to harmonize with the surroundings, while interior features like Altro non-slip vinyl flooring, White Rock welded wall finishes, and height-adjustable units ensured both functionality and aesthetic coherence.

The North Northamptonshire County Council approached Care Spaces to create a Changing Place facility at East Carlton Country Park due to a high number of disabled visitors. With limited space in the existing Visitor Centre, we installed a Care Capsule™, a modular Changing Place toilet designed offsite for easy transport and assembly. Facing access challenges, the Care Capsule™ had to be delivered in kit form and assembled on-site. Electrical and plumbing services were extended to the location. To minimize environmental impact, ground screws replaced concrete for stability without harming the natural surroundings.The customisability of the Care Capsule™ allowed the client to match the unit with the Visitor Centre's aesthetics, featuring a brick exterior and a steel security door. The unit met Changing Places standards, including Fibo® waterproof internal cladding. Care Spaces provided awareness training to park staff, and the client is pleased with the results, emphasizing the importance of accessible facilities for all visitors. Cllr Matthew Binley expressed delight, stating the facility at East Carlton Countryside Park ensures worry-free visits for everyone.

‘Elements of drama and delight’ Petrarch accents bring a sense of elegance and refinement… As the centrepiece of the magnificent £20 million Dylan Coastal Resort, the design brief for Milk Wood House Spa dictated the need for laid-back luxury. ‘Heralded by the luxury resort sector as ‘world-class,’ Milk Wood House Spa sets a new benchmark.’“We wanted to create a building that felt as though it was hewn out of the landscape, embracing and engaging with its setting. The design inspiration was both the immediate and distant setting on the edge of the River Taf Estuary.Lead architect and Associate Director of LP ArchitectsInspirational design “The building is contemporary and sleek, and we wanted the interior to feel seamless with the architectural design – so we worked closely with the architects and client to select the building cladding, which we then wrapped into the interior to unify with the exterior and enhance the connection to the outdoors.”Interior designer, Louise James of Blackthorn Design StudioWhy Petrarch? Created primarily from crushed marble Petrarch was a fitting choice in terms of the ecological ethos of the development. It’s lightweight nature and appealing aesthetic were also key reasons for its utilisation. https://www.prp-co.uk/what-we-do/architecture/milk-wood-house-499

The Long Barn in East Sussex looks as if it has nestled in the Wealds for centuries. Owners and developers Max and Judi Erde had a mission to prove the viability of recreating vernacular architecture in a new sustainable modern living environment. With larch cladding (being more sustainable and easier to work than oak), and warmed via an air source heat pump, the home further features sustainable wall finishes, on the basis that those details contribute 7% of a building’s embodied carbon.Thus, Armourcoat’s innovative Clay Lime Plaster, which has low embodied carbon and produces zero emissions, has been applied throughout the two storey Wealdon style barn.The ethos behind The Long Barn was to mirror and replicate the historic aesthetic, but to utilise modern, sustainable solutions as far as possible to minimise its environmental impact. With its combination of natural minerals, longevity, eco- friendliness, ease of application and choice of finishes, I was more than happy to use Armourcoat’s Clay Lime Plaster. "The fact that we could choose different pigments and finishes to give colour and tone to the interior was an added bonus- I don’t need to decorate again!" Max Erde 

Expanding Exeter College's 700-year-old campus in the heart of Oxford was a privilege given to Alison Brooks Architects: developing Cohen Quad, a hub for students including living accommodation for 90, an auditorium, seminar rooms, social learning spaces, an archive, a café, roof terraces, offices, and fellows' accommodation.Student rooms and fellows' studies are enclosed by patterned stainless steel that folds across wall and roof surfaces, sitting on a stone-clad 'base' that houses the quads' public spaces.The Rimex tiling in the checkerboard pattern really highlights the stunning dormer windows and the beautiful curve of the tiles from the roofline wrap around the roof and down the walls creating a seamless cloak around the building. 17,000 iridescent stainless steel shingles adorn this roof, and the tiles are of a wonderful muted bronze and champagne colour with an unusual texture - catching - but not reflecting the sunlight. "We were given excellent technical and sales support from Fixfast. All stainless steel fixings and shingle clips were supplied in a timely and efficient manner. These factors contributed to Roles Broderick Roofing Ltd winning the NFRC Roofing Award for 2017"Ben Clark - Operations Director at Roles Broderick Roofing Ltd

Luxury countryside holiday letsAward winning architectural practice Pocknell Studio were tasked with renovating deteriorating, redundant, two-storey structures in addition to creating new field barns to create spectacular accommodation for a fabulous countryside holiday retreat.This architect has a long-standing preference for using Rainline for their projects so it was no surprise when the galvanised steel guttering and downpipes were specified for the North and South Barns. The Silver Metallic colour option was a perfect selection for the hipped roof design with black and white palette.The field bands are finished in a contemporary take on the traditional black Essex barn and designed to fit into a typical country environment. The brick and timber clad buildings are finished with not only Lindab Rainline rainwater system but also Lindab Seamline standing seam roofing system. The valley roof and staggered fascade design was a particular challenge which required careful detailing and installation to ensure steep falls which allow rapid drainage.Bullocks Farm have tried to create “a quiet haven for people visiting the area and have made each property as comfortable, relaxing and practical as possible”. The architects are very happy that the project has been successful for the client and further development of the site will continue.  

Architect: Moses Cameron WilliamsInstaller: Willmott DixonProduct: Gustafs Linear RibThe new Library at the Luton campus of the University of Bedfordshire which opened in June 2016 was designed by Moses Cameron Williams Architects (of Cambridge) and project managed and installed by Willmott Dixon.The University has been around for over 100 years and teaches in a wide range of subject areas as well as conducting award winning research across health, energy and technology, and social policy topics.The library is spread over 7 floors including silent study rooms, group work and meeting spaces, computer labs and presentation facilities and a café as well as miles of bookshelves. Gustafs and LSA Projects supplied over 8,000 linear metres of ribs to the project for both wall and ceiling application covering around 450m2.Over 3,000 individual 28mm deep ribs in natural Oak veneer have been used to clad the impressive open atrium and cafe area as well as throughout the library isles and study spaces. 12mm gaps between ribs give the entire installation depth, texture, and warmth as well as impressive acoustic control; perfect for a busy university library!

It can be difficult to find a lift that will operate outside without providing complete shelter from the elements. Full enclosures can have a significant impact on the building appearance and there may also be space constraints in lightwell situations. Penny Hydraulics Ltd uses design automation to quickly produce layouts based on its modular lift systems that can be adapted for external installation. The company has been manufacturing lifts in the UK for over 30 years and so has much experience to help find solutions that it knows will work well for the end user. Blueprint Studios in Manchester were experiencing problems moving audio equipment up to the first floor recording studio safely. It would have been very costly to fit internally both in terms of cost and space so a Penny Hydraulics MezzLift was installed externally within a minimal black frame and polycarbonate clad shaft to satisfy Listed Buildings consent. This saved considerable building works whilst enabling the Studios to become safer and more efficient. If the change in level is below 1.5 metres then a Loading Bay Lift could have been used that has much less impact over a more traditional style lift.

Located at Swansea University’s Bay Campus, and designed and constructed by SPECIFIC Innovation and Knowledge Centre, the Active Office and Active Classroom are both designed to be energy positive buildings, capable of generating more solar energy than they consume during a typical annual cycle.The Swansea area of South Wales is synonymous with steelmaking as Tata Steel’s Port Talbot steelworks is just a few miles away from the Bay Campus. For this reason, SPECIFIC wanted to use steel as much as possible on these structures and so a Tata Steel wall and roof cladding system was chosen using Colorcoat Prisma® pre-finished steel, all made in Wales.The Active Classroom also feature Tata Steel’s Colorcoat Renew SC® transpired solar collectors, The system captures heat from the sun and draws it into the building through a microperforated collector on the exterior of the building. Heated fresh air from the cavity is then used as a pre-heater to the main heating system. A transpired solar collector can collect around 50% of the energy falling on its surface, which equates to approximately 500wp/m2 of the collector’s surface area and can deliver around 250KWH/m2per year or up to 50% of space heating requirements.

Residential New Build apartment and spa area, consisting of 141 apartments.21 loft apartments required a design lead shower solution for which waterproof XPS round shaped floor shower elements, bathboards for tileable cladding of baths and XPS building boards were supplied in 12.5mm thickness for walls and 10mm thickness for floors.120 Apartments had XPS floor level shower elements featuring a drainage channel right next to the wall, a completely continuous slope right to the channel and more flexible adjustment for the channel. 12.5 & 10mm XPS building boards were used on walls and floors.This was the first installation that we know of in the UK where the boards in the shower area were fixed to the studwork solely by a versatile single component adhesive sealant (wedi 610), ensuring no penetrations through the boards. The special formulation is especially suited to waterproof butt joints of building boards, and has outstanding resistance to the elements; and to chemicals; and is also free of solvents, silicon and PCP.As an abP-approved system, the use of the adhesive sealant and XPS building boards reduces installation time by up to 50% because no further sealing is required, even in areas of high humidity.

Caribbean Blinds have been an external shading expert since 1987. based in Sudbury provide from outdoor living to solar shading, exclusively designing and UK manufacturing luxury external shading systems.Helmsman manufactured, delivered and installed 22 two compartment heavy-duty laminate with camlock locker door. The specification of the locker is 1800 high, 300 wide and 450 deep, powder coated in black and with a laminate door colour of ‘Fenix Nero’.‘Fenix Nero’ is an aesthetic style of laminate, which has low light reflectivity with a matt surface. Additionally, it has a soft touch as well as being anti-fingerprint colour.On the laminated lockers the clients decided to have an oval laminate number plate with a key, making it easy for staff to use as they will be allocated a locker and a key to keep their personal belongings secure.The bespoke lockers were designed and manufactured at Helmsman. Some of the lockers were created to fit in alcove and were fitted with cladding and end panels in matching laminate to make the project look aesthetically pleasing.Get in touch today if you have a similar project, or want any more information on the products discussed, contact us today on 01284 530 427.

Twice the height of any other building in Cyprus, the ONE Tower commands the skyline of Limassol. Sitting on the palm tree lined seafront close to both the city’s bustling business district and its quaint old town, the new development offers 83 luxurious residences, leisure and commercial opportunities set across 37 floors. Its award-winning curved design reminiscent of a yacht’s sail, stands at 170 m high which, coupled with its coastal location, presented a unique set of passive fire requirements for its facade. Key informationCompletion dateSummer 2020SectorResidential | Retail | LeisureEnd clientPafilia Property Developers Ltd.Main contractorArabian Construction Company (ACC) | JV Partners | Joannou & Paraskevaides Group (J&P Group)Facade contractorGlassline Industries LtdArchitectWKK ArchitectsDistribution PartnerDPS TechnoIndustrial Ltd Products usedSiderise RH Horizontal Cavity Barriers for Ventilated CladdingSiderise RVG Vertical Cavity Barrier (galvanised mild steel brackets)Siderise OSCI Open State Cassette Insert DesignThe sheer height of the tower meant it was vital to ensure the facade construction contained adequate passive fire protection, complying with local regulations and ensuring ongoing safety throughout the building’s lifetime. After working with our products and our Cypriot distribution partner DPS for a number of years, facade contractors Glassline specified a combination of open state Siderise cavity barriers and cassette inserts. The RV vertical and RH horizontal cavity barriers are designed to allow the facade system to maintain airflow and drain away any moisture within its construction but, in the event of a fire, rapidly close the ventilation gap to create an effective hot smoke and fire seal. Both products achieve Class A1 to EN 13501-1 and provide 120 minutes fire integrity. The barriers are complemented with the use of OSCI Cassette Inserts which are Class A2 rated. All these products have undergone rigorous third party testing to ensure dependable performance. These include single product tests and testing as part of a large-scale system, such as BS 8414 (1&2) and NFPA 285, demonstrating their performance within a complex, high-rise cladding system such as that used on the ONE Tower. For more detail about the standards the products meet, please visit the individual technical data pages. In addition to providing straightforward passive fire protection, the stonewall lamella core of the RVG vertical cavity barriers allows them to accommodate the natural movement associated with rainscreen facades. This is especially important on this exposed seafront project. It is also for this reason that the cavity barrier brackets were specified in robust galvanised steel, protecting them from corrosion caused by the sea air.InstallationAll Siderise products are designed to be easily installed— a key benefit on this large-scale project, enabling it to be finished to a high standard without compromising the project timeline. The RV vertical barriers and then the RH horizontal barriers were cut to the correct size and installed by Glassline using Siderise galvanised steel brackets and foil tape. Where the two products met, they were simply tightly abutted, and the joints sealed with foil tape to ensure continuity of intumescence and therefore fire protection. The OSCI cassette inserts were then fitted as part of the cladding system, installed directly behind the cassette panels and in parallel and centrally aligned to the RVG and RH cavity barriers. This helped to simplify detailing and ensure the ventilation gap met the project requirements. Technical support and site services were provided by our partner DPS throughout the design and installation process, in-keeping with the Siderise ethos of standing by the side of our customers to deliver optimum results.Final CommentsCreated in collaboration with a number of renowned international and local firms and suppliers, ONE Limassol Tower not only stands as a symbol of the city’s exciting future, but also of what can be achieved when diverse skills, expertise and vision are brought together. The selection of tested Siderise products chosen for the project will help to ensure that the building remains a safe and beautiful home and landmark for the people of Limassol for many years to come.Image copyright (C) Pafilia www.pafilia.com 

The Palm Tower, a new landmark from master developer Nakheel, under construction at the heart of Dubai's iconic Palm Jumeirah, promises that each of its luxury hotel rooms and apartments will feature one of the best views in the city.To achieve this, the 52-storey, 240-metre-tall hotel and residential building will be clad entirely in glass.Of course, Dubai’s climate means that preventing excessive heat build-up inside heavily glazed buildings will always be a priority. For this project, the architect chose to install 50,000 square metres of Pilkington Suncool™ One 30/21 solar control glass so that residents and guests enjoy both stunning vistas in cool, comfortable surroundings.Silver liningThe glass features a state-of-the-art multi-layer coating that incorporates a microscopically thin layer of silver to help reduce heat transmission to just 21 per cent, while maintaining a neutral colour balance in the light passing through, maximising the views.The building is clad in an area of glass equivalent to 192 tennis courts, but because of the advanced magnetron sputtering technique used to apply the coating, just eight kilogrammes of silver was needed to cover the whole tower. That’s a piece of silver approximately the size of a laptop.Pilkington Suncool™ One 30/21 was originally developed by Pilkington United Kingdom Limited, part of the NSG Group, for Intraco UAE, which has used the glass on a number of projects in the past.Leo Pyrah, product manager at Pilkington UK said: “The view you will get from these hotel rooms and apartments is one of the major draws of this building, but clearly a fully glazed skyscraper in such a hot climate creates challenges from an energy management perspective.“The bespoke coating we have developed alongside Intraco lets the developer and its customers enjoy the best of both worlds – a stunning view with much reduced solar heating.”CentrepieceAs the centrepiece of the world-famous Palm Jumeirah, The Palm Tower is set to become a new landmark for Dubai. When completed, the mixed-use complex will feature 432 apartments and 290 hotel rooms, as well as a rooftop dining and recreation destination featuring a 360-degree roof top infinity pool, a high-end restaurant and a public viewing deck offering sweeping views of The Palm, the Arabian Gulf and the Dubai skyline.As well as creating a comfortable climate for users, the solar-control glazing will also significantly reduce the need for air conditioning, reducing costs and emissions.Leo Pyrah continued: “Dubai is a city that is pushing architectural and technological boundaries and we’re excited to have played a role in shaping the look of its iconic and ever-evolving skyline.”Project: Palm Tower, DubaiClient: NakheelGlazing distributor: Intraco UAE

Optima FC+ in 3.0mm Aluminium PPC Interpon D2525 Y2217f has been used in the completion of Lancaster Universtiy's School of Mathematics.Optima FC+ was specified in order to create the feature `Zig-Zag` pattern. The expert team at Sotech manufactured multiple panel depths, engaging with carrier rails set to irregular angles to create the architect’s vision.The four story building included a rooftop terraced area for students to relax and study, has a unique and iconic look, making it an immediate landmark for people travelling into Preston City Centre. Lancaster University School of Mathematics (LUSoM) is a specialist school that will deliver world-class mathematics education for 16 to 18 year-olds.Optima FC+ is an evolution of Sotech’s original secret fix hook on rainsreen. Featuring an innovative slide and lock adjustment mechanism, the rainscreen system now features carrier rail hooks, which can be locked in position on site by installers, rather than in the factory, leading to significantly reduced lead times for all parties. Its versatility is such that a multitude of materials and thicknesses (from 2.0mm to 4mm) used on one universal carrier.Optima FC+ has been fire tested to BS8414-2:2015, and classified to BR135 for high rise buildings. A full range of Euroclass A1 and A2 – s1,d0 panel materials from 2mm – 4mm are available. Mechanical fixing methods and no use of adhesives, providing true A1 and A2 cladding systems.TESTIMONIALSJamie Brown, Estimator at Sotech, noted: “This was an extremely difficult layout to accommodate onsite. Early-stage discussions ensured that all queries were actioned before the design commenced to ensure a streamline process of transferring information. The team at Saxon Contracting have done a fantastic job in bringing the concept to life!”Naveen Sandhu, UK and Ireland Specification Manager: “A distinct tapered cladding design needed to be complemented with a finish equally befitting it. The Pozzoni team wanted to replicate the look and feel of anodised aluminium but without the associated practical pains. They identified our D2525 Anodic Collection as the perfect solution, proposing a sleek metallic bronze finish, offering strong depth and naturality to the aluminium surface. D2525 Anodic boasts a strong track record in decorating a wide array of higher education establishments which instilled future confidence with the end client.”Lee Banks, Design Manager at Saxon Contracting: “The secret fix panels on this project needed to be completely bespoke to the Optima FC+ standard details, working with the Sotech team they highlighted any production issues early in the design which avoided any un-necessary re-design work or unsightly site fixes. The complexity in the setting out and the majority of time taken building this project is hidden behind the panels with the support bracketry so the site team deserve a special mention for their expertise.”