"piling services"

ObjectiveDarren Smith Homes is a family run company spanning four generations of house builders.Their vision when investing in 38 apartments in Newgate, Mirfield was to create truly luxurious homes. Initially focusing on the show apartment they aimed to create a ‘spa at home style’ utilising Bushboard’s Nuance range.Nuance is a unique, award-winning bathroom panelling range that is 100% waterproof, extrusion-free and can be installed in a matter of hours offering a wide choice of stunning designs and textures to create individual interiors. Whether the look is traditional, modern or contemporary, Nuance offers a design that will work for any project.ObservationThe Bushboard specification team thrive on helping contractors and support projects from start to finish, ensuring they are nurtured to a mutually successful conclusion.“Bushboard supported us the whole way, the process went very smoothly and really well. From the super fast sample service to visiting us for a design appointment, and demostrating product installation to our team, Bushboard’s service has been fabulous from beginning to end.”OutcomeTony specified the stunning Soapstone Sequoia from the Nuance range, and to complete the luxury feel selected Ivory Glass solid surface from Bushboard’s unrivalled Zenith collection for the vanity surfaces giving the feeling of sheer indulgence and cool, sophisticated elegance."Both Zenith and Nuance were very straightforward to fit, this was the first time for us installing both ranges and it really surprised us how easy it was, with no hiccups along the way at all. The choice of decors combined, gave an excellent finish and we are thrilled with the result. We will definitely be specifying both products again for the remainder of the development."Bushboard strive to develop aspirational products using unique materials, manufacturing processes and installation techniques to create great design.For more information about the Nuance range and other Bushboard products, to request a RIBA CPD, download an NBS specification or to order samples visit www.bushboard.co.uk

Feeling at home when abroad: A short, medium or long-term stay in a fully furnished serviced apartment, equipped with all the paraphernalia of daily life, can be booked in many cities. Customers can move in straight away with their luggage, even staying several months. With the declared goal of understanding today the needs of the traveller of tomorrow, the project team from Apartmentservice, JOI-Design, G&S Planwerk GmbH and iHaus has implemented real model apartments for various target groups.The Apartment.Base 4.0 project undertakes the exhibition-like marketing of all forms of micro-living. These can be viewed in an impressive exhibition space in Unna, Dortmund. Various residential visions for student halls, micro-apartments and alternative serviced apartments have been equipped multifunctionally, efficiently and flexibly, showing how space can be sensibly divided up.The core of the exhibition is the two “apartments of the future”, aimed at creating a pleasant living experience in an unknown city through smart features, designer products and technical refinement. With its comprehensive product portfolio, KEUCO offers individual solutions for creative and demanding bathroom planning, supplementing the project perfectly as a strong partner in bathroom furnishings. The KEUCO range includes fittings, accessories, mirror cabinets and light mirrors, basins and bathroom furniture in a wide range of materials, surfaces and designs for every taste and budget – whether for the business traveller or the student apartment.The initiators’ goal is to support the synergies of suppliers, developers and investors in micro-apartments on a shared platform. Their task is to develop a pioneering concept taking account of the demands and wishes of guests in this sector. Entry into this rising market segment is to be made easier for investors and potential providers – and they should be allowed to profit from the participants’ extensive knowledge of the sector.Not least, the apartment ought to function as a platform and exhibition space for companies that have made a lasting impression on the project partners through innovative interior design and future-oriented technology.

Developed on what was previously the Strathclyde Police Headquarters, Holland Park is a residential complex with 4 towers ranging from 6 to 22 storeys in height, around a courtyard formation.ChallengeSpecialist building envelope company MetalTech Roofing & Cladding were contracted to secure the façade on this new development, with the task of fixing nearly 9,500m2 of façade to the external face of the buildings.SolutionMetalTech approached Fixfast and requested a technical façade calculation for the Fixfast façade support system, which we provided alongside technical advice.The Fixfast façade support system is a system for any application - including SPIDI® Max brackets: one bracket design means the system can be used in vertical or horizontal installation configurations and is engineered for both fixed and sliding points. Essentially, one bracket design means all challenges solved - simplifying material selection and on-site installation management.The unique ribbed bracket design offers superior strength, allowing systems to be engineered for heavier loads, or potentially fewer brackets per square metre for lightweight panels.With MetalTech needing to fix the façade simply but fast, Fixfast were able to work with them to get deliveries to site when they needed them, with the assurance of a versatile façade support system that works in a range of applications - wall cladding, soffits, or ceilings. "In addition to supplying an innovative support bracket for this contract, Fixfast also continued to provide their usual first-class service. Engineering and design services were available from the outset and technical support was gratefully accepted during the build to help overcome some difficult details. We were fortunate in being able to use the same SPIDI Max bracket for both façade and soffit support in both aluminium and stainless steel. This greatly helped to simplify our process from design through to install. And with the site being in a restricted, city centre location, timely and flexible deliveries were required - which Fixfast duly achieved."MetalTech Roofing & Cladding Ltd

Headquartered in London, vXtream is a leading Private Cloud Managed Service Provider that has 7 global data centre locations. Having built up 2 years’ experience, vXtream services are relied upon by international companies, businesses of all sizes, and creative professionals. In order to protect their vast clientele’s data and hardware, a multi-layered security approach has been put in place featuring 24/7 on-site security, high-definition CCTV cameras, and biometric security approved by the NPSA (National Protective Security Authority). ChallengeDue to the ISO27001 certification that vXtream holds, they are committed to continuous improvement and risk management; therefore, a further layer of security was identified as needed for their data hall. This further layer of security had the challenge of preventing tailgating into the data hall to ensure access could be controlled and monitored. The solution would also need to integrate with vXtream new biometric system to enable fingerprint recognition entry. As well as this, the space within the data hall needed to be preserved so that further expansion could happen in the future with the data centre’s planned growth.  Solution To gather a good understanding of what vXtream challenges were, Meesons visited the site to gather a good perspective. With this, the FPJ140 2S Security Portal was proposed as a suitable solution. Since this product offers a high level of security, it helped overcome the risk of tailgating with the 2-zone pressure mat that provides a second level of verification, ensuring only one person is present in the portal at once. On top of anti-tailgating, the FPJ140 2S pressure mat is also capable of detecting hardware being removed from the secure zone. ResultsWith the FPJ140 2S Security Portal in place at vXtream, it proves as an effective security solution that prevents tailgating. It has created a secure line to the data hall and works well with the access control system that the data centre uses. With stainless steel cladding, we helped vXtream achieve a premium look that complements the surrounding environment. 

Doncaster Council sought out to develop a new leisure destination that complements the existing attractions in the nearby lakeside area.The new £7.7m retail park is a new destination where people can enjoy restaurants and leisure facilities next to the existing VUE cinema at the popular Lakeside in Doncaster.This development includes Europe’s first-ever Drive-Thru Dunkin’ Donuts, as well as a mix of local and national fast food outlets. These buildings are surrounded by service yards and 181 parking spaces, nine of which are electric car charging points.The green potential for the Herten Triangle was high on the agenda. The space includes sustainably-sourced timber-clad elevations, solar PV arrays, over 5000 plants and shrubs and 120 trees.Working with Willmott Dixon as the main contractor, Smeeden Foreman delivered hard and soft landscape designs for the external works for this new development.A whole host of Marshalls products were used for this project to help bring a modern and appealing feel to the complex. Modal textured in Light Granite, Anthracite Granite, Silver Grey Granite, Indian Granite and Mid Grey Granite were used in the light trafficked areas around the buildings. Saxon paving in Natural was used on the pathways in the social areas. Keyblok in Natural, Charcoal, Brindle and our White Marker blocks were used for the car parking bays. All of the above were installed alongside Conservation X and British Standard kerbs and edging, as well as Blister Paving for crossing areas.Neil Tyler the Senior Build Manager at Willmott Dixon had this to say:“The service provided by Marshalls was excellent, particularly with the quantities of paving required in a relatively short period of time. The quality of finish and dimensional accuracy of the products is also very good, and was recognised by all involved.”All manufactured in mainland UK, the products have provided a functional and aesthetic outcome for this retail space that is perfect for the public to use and enjoy.Imagery: Marshalls and some supplied from Smeeden Foreman

Project Name: AMRC - Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre North WestLocation: Samlesbury, LancashireMain Contractor: Cartwright PickardCompletion Date: 2021Total Cost: £11mServices Provided: RIBA stages 1-6, Architectural DesignAwards Received:Finalist in BCO Northern AwardsBest Commercial Development in the North West at RICS AwardShortlisted for Project of the Year at Construction News AwardsLancashire Project of the Year at North West Construction AwardsSystem Supplied: Bespoke Fabrications, LandMark I, SnapLok Capping, Soffits, Window LinersFusion Facades, along with AMS Cladding Limited and the supply chain, provided a high-quality facade for the University of Sheffield's Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre North West (AMRC) project. Despite the challenges posed by the global pandemic, Fusion Facades was able to adapt and deliver exceptional service.The AMRC is located at the entrance to the Samlesbury Aerospace Enterprise Zone and features a modern workspace with a flexible high-tech workshop. To blend the 48,000 sqft building into the rural surroundings, lightweight bronze metal cladding was used over a landscaped bund.As a flagship research centre for advanced manufacturing, the AMRC had to meet the highest environmental standards. The office and seminar rooms feature horizontal glazing slots with projecting cappings and perimeter framing for passive solar shading. Reflective solid panels are used within the curtain walls to reduce solar gain while retaining the articulated openings that distinguish the office and seminar rooms from a nearby main road.A neutral colour was chosen to catch the warm tones of the morning and evening light while subtly defining the different internal uses. To break down the mass, junctions between the sheets are articulated with bronze fins denoting where the structural grid occurs internally.Overall, the AMRC project has received numerous accolades and is a testament to the outstanding work done by Fusion Facades and their partners in delivering a high-quality, environmentally sustainable research facility.

SMET Supported Partner, Brendan Doherty Screeding Services supplied Südanit 280 Alpha Hemihydrate Screed and SMET LiteFlo® Lightweight Flowing Screed for the floor solution in this self-build in picturesque West Donegal.The ground floor was prepared with 280 Alpha Hemihydrate Screed at 50mm with UFH, maximising the clients’ insulation. The first floor was completed at 50 mm SMET LiteFlo® Lightweight Flowing Screed poured on UFH on timber joists.The 280 Alpha Hemihydrate Screed self-levelling liquid screed is remarkably quick to walk-on – applied at 500m² per day and walkable within 6 hours thus ensuring the follow-on trades were not delayed. it’s particularly suitable for use with UFH, fully encapsulating pipes and services, providing excellent heat transfer – and with thinner floors and more insulation – this increases the performance of underfloor heating.SMET LiteFlo® Lightweight Flowing Screed used on the first floor of the timber frame house is ideal where loading is an issue. SMET LiteFlo® Lightweight Flowing Screed is a high-quality, innovative, pumpable factory-produced, CE marked, self-levelling screed based on calcium sulphate.German-made LiteFlo® is unique, in that it’s the first pumpable lightweight flowing screed. Made from specially selected aggregates, makes it 30% lighter than conventional flowing screeds and therefore 70% lighter than traditional sand & cement – ultimately this means less is required per m2. LiteFlo® complies with EN 13813: 2002, is CE-marked, and is available in 27Kg bags or bulk silos.TDS SMET LiteFlo® Lightweight Flowing ScreedAftercare SMET LiteFlo® Lightweight Flowing ScreedSMET Floor Screeds and Compounds Product SelectorHave a look at the Northern Builder MagazineTop 5 Liquid Screeds Article.  Read about SMET LiteFlo® in the Irish Construction News.SMET delivers another innovative, showcase flooring solution to their Smet Supported Partners.

Whiskey connoisseurs can now enjoy a favourite tipple at the new Ad Gefrin whisky distillery and visitor centre in Wooler, which has been completed externally with a Sto render system. Ad Gefrin opened its doors to visitors in March 2023 to showcase the unique heritage, ancient hospitality, and contemporary crafts, arts and produce of Northumberland and re-awaken the Northumbrian tradition for Whisky distilling that has slept for over 200 years. The StoRend Flex Cote render system was specified for use on the facades of the new buildings by Elphick Associates, to provide maximum crack resistance, weatherproofing and fade resistance. Using the highest quality materials, StoArmat Classic Plus is a cement-free, acrylic resin-based reinforcing coat, and up to 15 times more flexible than traditional cement-based reinforcing coats, providing exceptional levels of crack resistance with the embedded Sto Glass Fibre strengthening mesh. The system, installed by Edendene Construction Services Ltd, was finished with an attractive, low-maintenance, white StoSilco render, which will keep its good looks for years to come.  StoDécor Flex, a mesh-reinforced system comprising of StoDecosit interior plaster onto StoVentec carrier board was also applied to some internal areas of the building to match the smooth, white exterior of the buildings. StoDecosit combines the best properties ofemulsion-based plasters and silicate plasters in a single product and is suitable for decorating walls to protect against mould and mildew, and for walls in heavy-use areas.Ad Gefrin is a family run business and this outstanding visitor experience includes a distillery, museum, bistro, and shop, and is also helping to deliver economic growth to the local and wider communities of Glendale. Client: Ad GefrinDesign: Elphick AssociatesSto Applicator: Edendene Construction Services LtdContractor: Brims Construction Ltd Sto Expertise: StoRend Flex Cote Render system (externally), StoDécor Flex (internally)Photography: Sally Ann Norman Photography

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.