"foamglas®"

We were brought in by Middlesbrough Council to complete the roof refurbishment of Abingdon Primary School.Systems in useExcel®Starcoat® ROverviewWe had originally worked with Middlesbrough Council to complete Abingdon Primary School’s first phase of the roofing in 2015, and were asked to review the remaining flat roof areas to bring them in line with the previous phase.ChallengesWith this being a school, all works had to happen outside of school terms, so works began at the beginning of the summer holidays and had to be completed before the start of the September term. This on its own posed challenges to make sure that all roofing works were completed on time so as not to disrupt any of the children’s educations. Logistics were crucial, as was collaboration between Axter, NT Sweeting and Middlesbrough Council.There was also the issue of combustible areas around the perimeter of the building with some cladding details and some windows that could not be detailed in a traditional torch on application.SolutionsWorking closely with Middlesbrough Council from the outset, we surveyed the roof area and ensured the new waterproofing and previously completed phase were compatible. We also liaised closely with NT Sweeting to make sure all products were available and delivered to site on time to avoid unnecessary delays to the roofing works.Our Excel reinforced bitumen membrane system was specified for the main roof area; the membrane is manufactured with the unique Alpa polymeric binder, making it our most technologically advanced RBM system.Axter’s Starcoat R cold applied liquid bitumen PU resin was used to detail combustible items picked up in our report, including interface to windows and cladding abutments in line with Safe2Torch guidelines, which eliminated all fire risk.

This project was part of the vibrant regeneration of Southampton’s waterfront, including 102 apartments with high rise penthouse flats, retail and commercial space. Phase three of the project incorporated a bio-diverse living roof as well as amenity space built above a Morrisons supermarket.ChallengesWith fully accessible amenity gardens including a flowing water feature, it was vital a robust specification was delivered. Due to this space being built above a Morrisons supermarket, careful design consideration was essential to ensure that Axter’s driving philosophy of the right system in the right place was successfully employed.SolutionsFor the main roof area, a robust system was required. The Wilotekt-Plus was specified for system on the podium, main roof and terraces (5000m2). This system is the original and industry renowned second generation hot melt structural waterproofing system. Its pure polymer modified bitumen compound formulation, combined with reinforcement mesh and high strength protection membrane, resulted in a tough, seamless, flexible, self-healing monolithic waterproofing system, with incredibly fast installation speeds, that will last the lifetime of the building.Ecoflex PVC single ply waterproofing (450m2) installed on the canopies, idea due to the system being incredibly lightweight, typically 2-3kg per m2. Ecoflex systems are strong and flexible, are fully reinforced and available for mechanically fixed and adhered applications.Working alongside horticulture specialists and substrate and seed providers, we ensured all elements of the roof complied with the Biodiversity Design Report for the development. This included specially selected grass and flower species, chosen for their ability to withstand windy coastal conditions. When established, these plants will provide shelter and forage to a range of invertebrates and birds.Systems in useWilotekt®-PlusEcoflex®Biodiverse Living Roof

CHALLENGE The first of its kind for Quebec, the “living street” required a paving grid that would provide multi-purpose access along the street whilst also allowing for the aesthetically pleasing natural look to be maintained. A woonerf is a living street that is traditionally implemented as a traffic calming aid and to enforce low speed limit areas. They are often shared space streets where equal priority is given to all modes of transportation including automobiles, bicycles and pedestrians; usually with separate rights of way. The province of Quebec was looking to do a “pilot project” in the city of Montreal to create a woonerf that would not only provide the required access, including disabled access but that would also have a long-lasting beneficial impact on the environment. They were looking for an environmentally friendly ground reinforcement product which would provide the strength and durability required for a heavily used area. As a “living street”, the product needed to allow the growth of natural vegetation and contain no harmful preservatives which could affect the environment in which it is placed. The harsh weather conditions in Quebec also needed to be considered. With such extreme conditions in both winter and summer, the material needed to withstand the temperature fluctuations. Ground reinforcement products traditionally used such as concrete are susceptible to cold crack in winter as it is a porous material. As a requirement, the desired product was to absorb only limited heat in order to promote growing vegetation. The only suitable material for a project with such challenging conditions was hanit®’s recycled plastic heavy duty ground girds, with their durability and environmental credentials meeting the requirements.SOLUTIONhanit®’s Heavy Duty Ground Grids are manufactured from a blend of high-quality recycled plastic polyolefins extracted from post-industrial and post-consumer mixed waste plastics. Heavy Duty Ground Grids have a high impact resistance which makes them suitable for all vehicle access. They have an interlocking system which improves stability and also allows for quick and simple installation. As the woonerf needed to provide numerous different access levels it was important that the Heavy Duty Ground Grids were versatile. They can be filled with either grass, seed/topsoil or gravel. For this project, wheelchair access was provided through a gravel filled pathway.The rest of the “living street” was mostly completed with grass filled areas. As hanit® products transfer limited amounts of heat, they dry out the soil less than concrete. This works as a benefit to the vegetation growing through the grids. Recycled plastic material is not porous and therefore does not absorb any moisture. This gives added benefits in the winter as when absorbed moisture freezes in concrete it causes cold crack. Their open structure also allows for quick infiltration of any rainwater into the ground allowing for sustainable urban drainage requirements to be met.hanit® Heavy Duty Ground Grids are strong and durable and require no maintenance. They are not affected by weathering and decay; therefore once in place, they have a much longer lifespan than any other competing products. Made from 100% recycled material, the woonerf has been an extremely sustainable project. Providing Montreal with a living street has not only added more vegetation to the area but also allows the city to contribute to an environmentally responsible sustainable urban drainage solution. As the products are chemically inert they do not affect the environment and are harmless to all flora and fauna. In total the project has used 8,500 units of Heavy Duty Ground Grids. This equates to almost 77 tonnes of recycled plastic waste which has been saved from going to landfill. The woonerf has been an extremely well celebrated project that has won prizes for its conception and green initiatives. “I recommend Les Dalles Vertes (Heavy Duty Ground Grids) to all my clients. We laid out nearly 30,000 square feet of these pavers for the Woonerf project and it took us half the time and resources that were required to install the old concrete grass pavers." - Tony Scirocco, Ventec

Dura Deck Flip® Composite Decking | Case StudyOver the past six years this Georgian property has been lovingly restored by Ciara and her husband Ben, including underpinning work to the foundations and a new roof.Journalist Ciara’s passion for the unique and creative really shone through in her design for her composite decking area. With a love for creamy based neutrals to complement the earthy red brick tones the house, she chose pretty Dura Deck Flip composite decking in the colour Weathered Cedar for the main decking area. UV resistance, scratch and stain resistant and with a Class C fire rating, it was installed on rot-free Dura Deck Aluminium pedestals and bearers for a low-maintenance ‘fit-and-forget’ decking solution.

The DoubleTree by Hilton (Liboa ) is based in a former iron factory from the 20th century, and for that reason, the project is like an “urban retreat”, according to its interior designer . The building is connected with its environment through its large windows, where our Z-BOX roller shades, configured with a blackout fabric offer maximum privacy to the guests . As a complement, Premium Plus roller shades with Polyscreen ® 350 in Ebony color offer the best alternative during the day, conserving both systems the design and the views . 2010 Best Interior Design of Europe (European & Africa Awards); 2010 Best Interior Design of Portugal (European Awards); 2008 Best Interior Design for Bedrooms & Bathrooms by the European Hotel Design Awards; 2008 Andrew Martin Best Design Award

The City of Culture of Galicia is one of the most ambitious projects of contemporary architecture in Galicia . Architects Peter Eisenman and Antonio Marono work as a team on this project inspired by the historic center of Santiago de Compostela and the five pilgrimage routes of the famous Camino de Santiago . The complex brings together several buildings that will host museums, exhibition halls, libraries, government offices, co -creation spaces, and meeting rooms . The project has a common element : the large glazed surfaces on the façade, where Bandalux vertical and roller blinds act as a light blockers, providing greater privacy for users . Our products also protect efficiently from intense sunlight, filtering and regulating light according to the needs at any moment of the day . Polyscreen ® fabric is used for its antibacterial properties and easy cleaning . 

The project is a loft located in Columella street in the northeast of Milan as part of 25 lofts forming the residential complex by modifying a former industrial structure.To cover its double high windows, our B-Box roller blinds are positioned on the exterior for maximum comfort and sunlight protection. They manage to provide human scale to the spaces by combining technology and functionality.The same system is used with two types of guidance. The lateral cable guide is configured with Polyscreen ® 473 in bright orange color in contrast with the planted spaces for excellent thermal protection and light textile appearance. To get better intimacy, B-Box is also configured with aluminium guides U302 and Trend Light Blackout. Those two different uses complete the inhabitant’s needs of Loft Columella.

The biggest challenge of this project was the climate conditions of the location, because of high temperatures and sunlight needs. Also, the purpose of building a Passivhaus home determines its architecture and design : minimalist and sober with a rectangular structure to make the most of isolation elements .The architects combined two of our systems: BSO on the façade and Premium Plus inside. Outdoor Venetian blinds afford highly effective protection from heat and precision sunlight management, contributing to energy savings.Premium Plus roller blinds are completely integrated into the design, being installed in curtain rods and going unnoticed when closing them. They have been configurated with Polyscreen ® 550 - White Pearl color, a fabric with excellent thermal protection, managing up to 94 % of solar heat . Gtote=0,06 – Gtoti = 0.24).

The Opera 35 project is a boutique hotel developed as an existing building extension. Its location offers extended views over the garden and courtyard, reason why solar control solutions were required.The large windows provide plenty of natural light. Indoor curtains provide a textured effect, but do not provide the privacy that guests need.Our Arion motorized roller blinds have been chosen to protect the building's exterior. Their 5 meters high position gives dynamism to the façade without changing its style and elegance, at the same time that they guarantee an optimal solar control.The blinds have a Polyscreen® 351 fabric that offers a 10% openness factor. The Pebbles color has been chosen to match the project tones and provide an optimal optical factor.

The brief for Clearstone was to install a 8m2 prominent resin Seagull logo for Brighton & Hove, Albion Football Club, to welcome all visitors to the club. Clearstone was chosen for the project as they are a specialist resin bound surfacing company with expertise in producing custom paved logos.Clearstone’s design team, overlayed the architect’s drawing, enabling individual elements to be laser cut, and calculated the quantities of materials needed for the complex installation. Clearstone’s team of highly trained craftsmen took the laser-stencil-cut letters and images, carefully pinned them in place, before infilling the design with PrismStone®, Clearstone’s colour coated quartz range, designed for decorative surfaces. This careful process enabled the graphic to take shape exactly as requested by the club. Dural were contacted and asked to supply DUROSOL flexible aluminium trim, 18.5mm.

Award-winning global practice, WilkinsonEyre, specified bricks and brick slips from innovation-led manufacturer, Vandersanden, to emphasise the horizontal volumes and architectural context of the contemporary, new Graduate Centre at Queen Mary University in London. Zero®, a new brick system from Vandersanden, offers a contemporary joint-free appearance and was WilkinsonEyre’s material of choice for the external walls of this 80m-long, seven-storey ground-scraper. Instead of being pointed up to the face of the bricks, the mortar is set well back, with rainwater draining behind. The use of brick draws attention to the horizontality of the building’s volumes and blends with neighbouring buildings...To find out more about the bricks used in this project or to see the wide range of high-quality bricks available from Vandersanden, click on the 'View more' link

The Lindner Group took on a key role in the construction of the MOL Campus. Around 33,000 m² of the FLOOR and more® G40 hollow floor was installed in the high-rise building. The entire system complies with the REI 60 fire protection requirements and can therefore withstand a potential fire for a full 60 minutes, which makes a huge difference in an emergency. In addition, Lindner installed around 1,200 m² of NORTEC control room systems for the server rooms. The implementation of the project required extremely precise coordination on site, especially in close cooperation with electricians and other trades. In addition, there was a particularly tight schedule: At times, up to 2,500 m² of floor were delivered per week. However, with excellent teamwork, these challenges were quickly overcome and the project was completed within a very short time.

ChallengeThe Building Centre, a central information point for all sectors of the construction industry, recently refurbished its London based headquarters. The second stage has seen Knauf Insulation Acoustic Roll supplied to the Construction Products Association, the UK Green Building Council and Design for Homes offices located on the first floor.In order to maximise all potential space available to the offices, it was essential to select a product that would take up as little space as possible, while satisfying the environmental and acoustic criteria required to achieve the BREEAM ‘excellent’ rating.SolutionTo accomplish this, 50mm Acoustic Roll was specified as it is lightweight, flexible, non-combustible and provides a high level of sound absorption, furthermore, it has been specifically designed for friction fitting between members at 400mm and 600mm centres. Acoustic Roll significantly improves the sound insulation performance of partitions whilst at the same time delivering improved thermal and fire performance. Plus, thanks to ECOSE® Technology, offers outstanding environmental credentials.Knauf Insulation products with ECOSE® Technology are made with a formaldehyde free binder technology derived from rapidly renewable, bio-based materials, which reduces embodied energy and delivers superior environmental sustainability. The insulation doesn’t look or feel like any other insulation. It is naturally brown in colour as there are no artificial colours or dyes added and it produces a ‘super softer’, odourless and easier to handle insulation.Colin Henderson, CEO of the Building Centre comments on how specifying Knauf Insulation was an easy decision to make: "After looking at the requirements and from our existing knowledge of Knauf Insulation, we knew the company would be able to meet all our needs quickly and efficiently."Maria Morgan, Market Manager – Building, Non Residential at Knauf Insulation explains: “Our unique position in having a broad product range, coupled with our expertise within the industry, enabled us to fully advise and install the appropriate insulation solution for the Building Centre.”

ChallengeBREEAM ‘excellent’ was a key requirement for this project. As a European centre for bioenergy research, Aston University was keen to maintain the sustainable ethos of EBRI within the building itself and make improvements wherever they could be accommodated.SolutionKnauf Insulation worked closely with Associated Architects to specify the correct rainscreen insulation product to meet the necessary requirements.The insulation layer is a fundamental component of any successful rainscreen cladding system and rock mineral wool insulation delivers a number of advantages in this type of application. Knauf Insulation’s Rocksilk® RainScreen HD Slab in a bespoke 120mm size was ideal for the project, delivering exceptional thermal, fire and acoustic performance.Insulation was specified with the help of Knauf Insulation’s regional specification manager Marc Lawson and Technical Advice and Support Centre (TASC). To successfully mitigate the differing dimensions of the constituent elements of glass channel, blockwork substrate and insulation, a smaller than standard slab size was specified, allowing for the edge of the slabs to align behind the joints in the glazed façade, providing an aesthetically pleasing appearance.The early involvement of the regional specification manager in the project and their relationship with the architects and client at the concept stage, made for a very smooth delivery and ensured the required U-value of 0.22W/m2K would be achieved without the need to re-design elements later in the project.Knauf Insulation’s Rock Mineral Wool products deliver exceptional environmental performance and are manufactured using the innovative ECOSE® Technology - a revolutionary, bio-based, formaldehyde free binder technology that is based on rapidly renewable materials, rather than petro- based chemicals. This was a key reason to the insulation being specified for this exceptionally sustainable project."Sustainability is at the very heart of all we do at Aston University. We are delighted with the results: an iconic building that conducts sustainable research in a truly sustainable environment." Alan Charters, Executive Director of Capital Development at Aston University

For many, living in a glorious rural location in a contemporary, minimalist home is the dream. The clean lines, open plan spaces and large expanses of glass to let the outside views and natural light flood in. Danny Reilly, his wife and their children were able to make that dream a reality.Easy on the eye but hard on the earHowever, polished concrete floors, stone kitchen surfaces, floor to ceiling glass and other hard materials, reverberate sound. Add lively children to the mix and the unwanted noise was spoiling the family’s enjoyment of contemporary living.Soft furnishings like cushions, rugs and carpets can help deaden sound to a limited extent but were not what the family wanted. Fortunately, Danny is the Manging Director of market leading Reilly Ceilings and knew exactly what do to get the acoustics in the family home under control.Luckily Danny knew what he had to doDanny Reilly, “As soon as we moved in, we discovered the noise was unbearable – not all of it made by my precious children – and immediately set about retro-fitting Rockfon® Mono® Acoustic.”Mono Acoustic is a discreet, seamless acoustic ceiling which suited the minimalist aesthetic of this family’s home. Its seamless surface looks like plasterboard but has built-in Class A sound absorption to prevent unwanted noise. The installation in this project was a straightforward two stage process: stone wall panels were directly fixed to the existing plasterboard ceiling followed by a smooth acoustic render sprayed onto the panel surface, ready for decoration. Industry recognition and accreditationsRockfon Specification Manager, Deirdre Mulvaney, “Happily for the Reilly family, Danny had the knowledge to solve poor acoustics in this open plan environment. Mono Acoustic is used in high end restaurants, offices and other spaces to provide amazing acoustic control and is a practical solution for the residential sector, too. It has Quiet Mark accreditation which consumers might recognise as attributed to low-noise electrical appliances including some brands of washing machine and kettle. It is also Bronze level Cradle to Cradle Certified® and can contribute to LEED, BREAM and WELL Building Standards.”A versatile seamless acoustic product Mono can be used on ceilings, walls or to create bespoke islands. It can be curved, easily transitioned into plasterboard or integrated into existing mouldings. The system achieves Class A sound absorption and Class A2 fire protection whilst delivering greater than 99% light diffusion.In common with other Rockfon acoustic systems, Mono is made with a core of naturally occurring, non-hygroscopic stone wool, which is virtually non-combustible and provides no sustenance to harmful micro-organisms. It also embodies high humidity resistance and is impervious to most environmental pressures. Danny again, “Using Rockfon Mono, we were able to keep the minimalist features of the house and the results in terms of sound reverberation are unbelievable. We have another two children now and I honestly think that might not be the case if we hadn't sorted out the unwanted noise!”    

Bexley Park Sports and Social Club is home to a wide range of sporting facilities and teams, including bowling, squash, football and rugby. They also have a large function room that is available for hire. Read on to learn how Axter was able to help them with a complete roof refurbishment.Project overviewThe original roof had been on the building for over 40 years. It was coming to the end of its serviceable life and was starting to show signs of aging, such as leaks around the rooflights.Axter were brought in to carry out the roof refurbishment of the main building.Overall, this project ran very smoothly and we were incredibly happy with the result. The writing on the barrel roof was a lovely added touch by our Axtershield Installer partner, Henley’s Roofing Ltd.This case study will focus on the main roof. However, as we will touch on towards the end, the client was so pleased with the work that they decided to go on to refurbish the other three roof areas.ChallengesThis was a complex project for several reasons. Several different parts of the main building had been added over time, so there was a change of level details throughout the roof.Part of the building had a barrel roof section, which added an extra level of complexity to the job.As well as this, there were a few existing features, such as a water tank on the roof surrounded by rotten chipboard, which also had to be taken into consideration when it came to planning installation methods.SolutionsGiven the age of the roof and the defects observed, it was recommended that a full overlay be carried out.As well as the specific roofing considerations, Bexley Park Sports and Social Club were looking to keep within a tight budget. For this reason, the single layer overlay solution worked perfectly to provide a cost-effective option. Our Reinforced Bitumen Membranes (RBM) combine strength with longevity to provide a durable waterproofing system with a 20-year guarantee.The rotten chipboard was removed and replaced with timber cladding. Flame free Starcoat® PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate) was used for the sections where it was necessary to eliminate fire risk. This cold-applied liquid system provided a great non-flammable solution.Systems in useExcel®Starcoat® PMMAAdditional works carried outThe client was very impressed with the quality of the work carried out on the main roof, and our ability to provide them with a cost-effective solution. The work came in under budget and they were so pleased with the job that they accelerated the project and decided to refurbish the other three club roofs – something that hadn’t been on the cards before. The initial work had provided them with the peace of mind that everything would go to plan and enhance the building, all with minimal disruption to the club. So we went on to refurbish the squash court, changing rooms and storage room roofs.Condition surveys were taken across all four of the roof areas. The additional roofing areas all needed re-decking as they were incredibly warn from ongoing water ingress.This meant we had to strip down to and remove the existing support structure, before installing a new ply deck, ready for the waterproofing works to go ahead. The changing room roof was pitched, adding an extra complexity to the job, as the shingle had to be replaced.

The Maidenhead-based Thames Hospice service has proudly served its community for more than 30 years, offering world-class palliative and end-of-life care and support to people across East Berkshire and South Buckinghamshire.Thames Hospice, “We provide the highest quality nursing, medical and therapeutic care supporting the physical, social and emotional needs of our patients and their loved ones. Our services are free of charge to all who need us, thanks to the generosity of our amazing community and organisations, as well as our 700 incredible volunteers who give their time to support the best possible end-of-life care for local people.” KKE Architects were responsible for the project. They said, “Set in more than eight acres, with stunning views across landscaped gardens and Bray Lake, the new hospice has 28 inpatient beds in individual en-suite rooms. The new Day Centre (the Paul Bevan Centre) offers a wider range of daily therapeutic and social activities for day patients and inpatients and has allowed the hospice to double its day service provision.”Bespoke seamless acoustic islands created on siteIn one part of the building, KKE Architects designed a central double height rotunda from which 11 concrete ‘spokes’ splayed from the structure underneath a circular glass dome. Islands were the best option for acoustic control within these unusual spaces, which the installers – Aspect Ceilings and Partitions – were able to create on site with Rockfon® Mono® Acoustic system components. This approach eliminated any lead time in ordering bespoke, pre-manufactured islands.Rockfon Mono Acoustic is a system comprising grid, panel and acoustic render, which can be used to create ceilings, wall coverings and bespoke islands and rafts.Within the rotunda 1200 x 1200mm panels were initially cut to size and adhered directly to the concrete soffit. They were then taped, jointed, filled and rendered to create seamless, elegant islands which help create a calm atmosphere by providing Class A sound absorption.Aspect Ceilings and Partitions carried out the installation of Rockfon acoustic systems at the Hospice. Company Director Grant Stevens “This was a great project to be involved with. We know the Rockfon team are always available to offer advice. Given the bespoke nature of the design, the installation relied heavily on the creativity of the installation team. The process needed to be precise and the completed work looks great.”Optimum acoustics can improve sleep and reduce anxietyThanks to its core of naturally occurring, non-hygroscopic stone wool, it provides no sustenance to harmful micro-organisms, embodies high humidity resistance and is impervious to most environmental pressures. It is Bronze level Cradle to Cradle Certified® and can also contribute valuably to LEED, BREAM and WELL Building Standards. Rockfon Eclipse® are also used at the hospice, arranged groups of refined frameless panels suspended on wires directly from the soffit, giving the illusion they float in mid-air. Eclipse can be specified in a variety of shapes with custom colour matching and are perfect for thermal mass installations and where a traditional suspended ceiling cannot be installed. Director Phil Kavanagh of KKE architects, “Acoustics were a key consideration in our choice of both Rockfon ranges, where each fitted the brief and offered the best solution. In particular, Mono Acoustic suited the installation requirements within the rotunda where specifically shaped elements needed to fit within the radiused space and deliver a monolithic appearance.” The right solution when it matters mostIn common with other Rockfon acoustic systems, Mono and Eclipse are made with a core of naturally occurring inert volcanic rock stone wool, which is non-combustible and will not harbour harmful microorganisms and bacteria. In addition, their high light reflectance characteristics help reduce the need for artificial light, saving energy and further enhancing wellbeing. Rockfon Business Development Manager, Simon Slade, “The invaluable work done at this hospice made it an important project to be specified for. The whole purpose was to create a calm, quiet environment for those receiving care and for their families. I’m humbled that our products can make a difference to their experience at such a difficult time.”

A client with a strong reputation for sustainable construction needed a flood defence system to protect a large substation in Croydon.UK Power Networks and ClancyUK Power Networks is responsible for electricity distribution and maintenance across London, the southeast and east of England. Clancy contracts for UK Power Networks refurbishing substations. Clancy was founded in 1958 and is now one of the largest privately owned construction firms in the UK. Its vision is to be “trusted to deliver smarter, greener infrastructure brilliantly.”The challengeClancy managed construction and implementation of the Andel flood defence system for UK Power Networks.Location: the substation is located within a flood risk area and is critical for maintaining electricity supply to thousands of homes and businesses.Sustainable: they wanted an environmentallyfriendly approach in line with their commitment to sustainability.Disruption: the aim was to protect transformers from flooding to maintain reliable electricity supplies to homes and businesses.Protection: they needed to protect the transformers from flooding to maintain network resilience.Inconvenience: they wanted a solution that would cause minimum disruption to the site allowing for continuity of service.Cost: they needed a cost-effective solution compared to the costs normally associated with traditional flood defences.The solution Andel FloodWall and Andel FloodBlox® Andel FloodWall is a cost-effective, environmentally friendly alternative for perimeter flood defence and is suited to commercial, residential, new build and retrofit installations. Panels and posts are constructed from robust, 100% recycled, nonporous, post-industrial plastic waste.This means the substation now has:A sustainable, cost-effective and environmentallyfriendly system compared to traditional flood defence systems.A flood defence system with a lower carbon footprint compared to an all-concrete construction.A modular solution that was easy to transport and speedy to assemble on site with minimum disruption.A robust perimeter flood defence designed and tested to meet the requirements of British Standard BS 851188-1:2019 for Flood resistance products.Andel FloodBlox® is an easy-to-use, lightweight, demountable flood barrier for all types of openings such as gates, house doors, patio doors, garage doors, warehouse and factory doors as well as creating easy access within a perimeter flood defence wall.This means the substation now has:A lightweight, easy-to-use demountable flood barrier allowing easy access to the bund.Proven technology that uses the natural pressure and weight of floodwater to create a watertight seal.The result Sustainable: Panels and posts are constructed from 100% recycled, post-industrial plastic waste, reducing the carbon footprint compared to traditional allconcrete flood defences.Convenient: A modular, easy-to-assemble system causing minimal disruption to on-site operations as no heavy machinery was required.Effective: FloodWall and FloodBlox® provide a robust, tried and tested flood defence solution allowing easy access to protected areas.Cost: The modular and flexible system reduced installation time and delivered a cost-effective solution.Excellent communication: The on-site Andel team worked closely with the client, ensuring open and constructive dialogue with regular updates on progress and timescales.Added value: The project also included installation of Andel’s market-leading BundGuard® units, a bund dewatering solution previously supplied to the client and contractor on other sites.What the customer said;We made the right choice working with Andel on the UK Power Networks Croydon project. Andel has worked with Clancy before providing pollution prevention products and maintenance services for the electrical distribution sector.As a safeguard against the increasing risk of flooding, Andel were able to provide a sustainable and cost-effective solution for the Croydon substation, protecting UK Power Networks transformers from the risk of future flooding.Craig Aust, Project Manager, ClancyIt was great to work with Clancy on the UK Power Networks Flood Defence project at Croydon Substation. We were tasked with delivering a robust, reliable and environmentally sustainable solution to protect the transformers on site from the risk of flooding. Working closely with Clancy Project Manager, Craig Aust, we were able to navigate the project to deliver a solution that sat in line with their values of delivering quality and sustainable practices. We are delighted to have successfully delivered a flood defence system that ensures the transformers are protected from the ever-increasing risk of flooding. 

Postmark is a new residential development on the site of the former Royal Mail Mount Pleasant Mail Centre. In addition to being involved with the paved roof terraces within the new Pheonix Place development, Ryno worked directly with Broadway Malyan Architects to come up with a decking solution for the private balconies.System UsedTerraSmart® Aluminium was used across each of the balconies, with RD-FR adjustable decking pedestals and joist supporting over 2000m2 of sleek aluminium deck boards. Concrete slabs were laid between the substructure and deck boards to help counter wind uplift by increasing the overall dead load of the system.Testimonial “Approaching Ryno was a really easy thing to do…I felt confident using them.”– Gareth Rowe, Principal Landscape Architect, Broadway Malyan Want to hear more? View Gareth’s full video testimonial here.

The chosen colours for the brighter abstract paving zones are from our very own recycled glass range called Spectrum®, the glass chippings are of the smallest size available and average around 3mm. The recycled glass is always tumbled (no shape edges) before colour coating begins which is completed in-house to guarantee a colour consistency and UV stability.The striking and fun paving zones SureSet installed feature four bright colours of;Lemon and limeTutti fruityAquaUltramarine blue.The colours were separated using straight aluminum edging provided by our supplier Dural UK Ltd. To keep it fun and interesting triangular shapes were incorporated into the design. These increate areas of abstract triangles were installed by hand using a hand float, to ensure the coloured resin bound glass had the best finish.

The Buckland Hospital, Dover is a community hospital that provides a range of local services. Main contractor Interserve PLC enlisted Industrial Construction (Sussex) Ltd to install the roofing and cladding package. Fixfast products were the first choice for ICS and the Facade Support range was an obvious need for this type of contract; coupled with the DrillFast® Stainless and Lacquered products, the external roofing and cladding was installed in the finest possible manner.The external walls use a range of materials - black brick and through-coloured render serve as a background for two types of cladding panels: white fibre cement panels and timber laminated panels manufactured from kraft paper and finished with natural timber veneers. The dark colour of the brick is used as a medium to enhance the crisp lines of the bright cladding as well as the shape and colours of the wooded bank at the rear of the building.

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.

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.

Building performance is crucial if the UK is to meet its ambitious net zero targets. But there’s a big challenge ahead. There are 29 million homes in the UK and buildings generate one third of the UK’s CO2 emissions, 50% of which relate to heating.To address this, the government has announced a clear regulatory roadmap introducing ever-stricter thermal performance requirements.But there’s a bigger issue that tougher thermal performance measures alone will not address. Industry research suggests 27 million homes are not delivering the performance stated on their Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). That’s because EPCs require no physical measurement on site, assumptions are made based on answers to questions such as whether a property has insulation or a condensing boiler. It does not account for any of the variables that influence actual performance, such as build and install quality or location. This means homes are less energy-efficient, use more carbon and are more expensive to run than their EPC suggests. As a result, the Government’s EPC Action Plan will see EPCs shift from being a notional tick-box exercise to a genuine, evidence-based record of a building’s actual performance.That leaves the construction industry with a problem. How will it ensure buildings actually perform as designed?A genuine, evidence-based recordThe only way to address the issue is to measure real energy performance, but this has been difficult and costly – until now. Knauf Insulation and Knauf Energy Solutions have undertaken two pilot projects which have combined accurate measurement and Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology with a quality-controlled retrofit of Mineral Wool insulation to deliver impressive results.The solutionThe two companies have invested in six years of research and development. The result is ground-breaking sensor technology that accurately measures the real energy performance of a home, which is used alongside quality-assured installation of retrofit measures to create buildings that perform as intended.Until now real performance could only be measured via expensive, lengthy, and invasive co-heating tests. By contrast, Knauf Energy Solutions sensors can be fitted unobtrusively to occupied buildings, making the technology discreet, scalable, and cost-efficient.Over 12 weeks, the sensors capture an accurate picture of the building’s performance using machine learning to combine energy meter readings with humidity, temperature, CO2 levels, Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), and weather data. It then calculates the heat lost through the building roof, walls, and floors to create an accurate picture of each home’s thermal performance. It essentially gives an ‘mpg’ for a home or building.The sensors can be used to ensure new buildings are performing as designed and specified. Or they can inform ‘smart retrofits’ that improve existing buildings’ energy performance and track the subsequent energy bill savings.Retrofits that deliver resultsKnauf Insulation and Knauf Energy Solutions have undertaken the UK’s largest ever real performance retrofit project, to upgrade the thermal performance of 28 homes on a 1970s social housing estate run by Great Places Housing Group in Trafford, Manchester. Early investigation showed the existing insulation had been incorrectly installed and had degraded. Adding to the complexity, the homes also contained unusual build features, such as a stagger between terraces meaning one wall acted as both a party and external wall, each with different thermal characteristics. The companies built a full-scale mock-up of the junction to develop clear protocols for the removal of existing insulation and installation of Knauf Insulation Mineral Wool products. This innovation has enabled the successful installation of Supafil® Party Wall in a staggered party wall – a world first which can be replicated in tens of thousands of other ‘hard to treat’ properties with similar staggers across the country.The second project took place in Eccles, Salford, where the 12 houses had been built to Part L1A in 2014.Sensors were used to benchmark the thermal performance of the properties before commencing quality-controlled refurbishment programmes on both estates, using Knauf Insulation products including Supafil® 34, Supafil® Party Wall, Loft Roll 40 and Rocksilk® RS100.The retrofits were ‘cost-optimal’ delivering results usually targeted by whole-house retrofits with only fabric improvements. To achieve this, the standard of installation was key. Contractors were chosen and managed for quality, and included approved Supafil® contractors, who are certified and actively monitored by Knauf Insulation. Supafil® 34 was injected directly into the cavity using a calibrated blowing machine, ensuring each cavity was fully filled so the specified thermal performance could be achieved. Loft installations were carefully designed and installed so the Loft Roll 40 met up with the Supafil® to provide continuity of insulation and minimise thermal bridging.The two pilot projects delivered impressive results.Trafford31% average fabric efficiency improvement per homeOne home experienced a 51% improvement£411 average annual bill reduction for residentsAverage space heat demand: 65.57 kWh/m2yearAverage CO2g/m2/year: 14.23Eccles17% average fabric efficiency improvement per home28% improvement in one semi-detached homeMoist air leakage risks corrected, preventing sustained structural deteriorationAverage space heat demand: 32.79 kWh/m2yearAverage CO2g/m2/year: 6.78The need for a fabric first approachAccurate measurement alone will not create net zero homes – despite the improvements, all 28 homes in Trafford retained EPC ratings of grade D or E. Similarly in Eccles, the EPC ratings remained mostly static. The refurbishments simply brought their real-world performance in line with the theoretical EPC performance.But the project does show that Knauf Insulation and Knauf Energy Solutions have developed a viable solution for measuring real performance that can be used to underpin net-zero housebuilding and retrofitting by taking a fabric first approach.Bringing benefits to the whole supply chainBefore the refurbishment, residents on the Trafford estate regularly complained their homes were cold and expensive to heat, despite being insulated. In fact, a survey by energy supplier E.ON found this is common, with 49% of landlords saying they didn’t know how to improve the energy efficiency of their properties. This new technology not only gives landlords that information, but by making real-world measurement viable at scale for the first time, it brings benefits to the whole supply chain:Housebuilders can ensure quality control and compliance with the ‘fuel and energy performance’ aspects of the New Homes Ombudsman scheme.Builders and developers can measure thermal performance with certainty and demonstrate they’re delivering for their clients.Tenants and purchasers will enjoy better thermal performance, lower energy bills and a more comfortable living environment, and they can also assess the operating costs of prospective homes.The government, councils, housing associations and landlords can verify the return on investment on refurbishments.Ultimately if we are to achieve net-zero, we must first accurately measure building performance. By combining the use of sensor technology with a quality-controlled insulation installation or retrofit, we can close the performance gap of every building – new and existing. The building fabric component of an EPC will be based on real evidence and homeowners and tenants can save money with lower energy bills.Low carbon insulation for low carbon homesKnauf Insulation undertakes Life Cycle Assessments to evaluate the embodied carbon of its products. Its products can be considered low in embodied carbon, with transparent evidence available in Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) across its ranges.Knauf Insulation has proactively reduced the embodied carbon in its products over the years, as part of a broader set of activities to reduce its environmental impact. Specific actions to minimise its carbon footprint include the introduction of ECOSE® Technology, its unique bio-based binder, which is 70% less energy-intensive to manufacture than traditional binders, as well as initiatives to reduce road miles in both sourcing and distribution. Its Glass Mineral Wool products are manufactured using up to 80% recycled glass collected from the local communities around its factories, and the finished products are compressed by up to 10:1 to fit more product into each lorry reducing transport emissions.“From day one, Knauf Insulation brought a level of quality control we haven’t previouslyexperienced in other projects. The measurement service is the first time wehave been offered any certainty that our homes have actually been improved.”Sarah McClelland, Environmental Manager, Great Places

The new YMCA Community and Activity Village in Newark, Nottinghamshire is the first project of its kind to be constructed in the UK. The innovative community and activity centre provides a mix of facilities from sports and hospitality to training and childcare, with the building ranging in height from two to three storeys and comprising some 59,000 square feet of usable space.The core services available have been separated into three distinct zones – hospitality, education, and activity. The first area includes a café and function room, with the educational facilities available including classrooms and teaching areas for both adults and children. The activity zone features a gym and multi-purpose activity space as well as the Climbing Hall. This includes a 15m Olympic standard climbing wall that rises to the full height of the three-storey building and is the largest of its kind in the UK.The building also features a range of aluminium fenestration solutions supplied by Senior.Close collaboration and early engagement within the supply chain was key to the successful delivery of this multi-purpose building. The project saw Senior’s architectural advisor Michael Reynolds work alongside Rayner Davies Architects and main contractor R G Carter Construction to design and provide suitable aluminium doors, windows and curtain wall solutions which were fabricated and installed by Acorn Aluminium.The striking main entrance of the building has been created using Senior’s SF52 aluminium curtain wall system which incorporates SPW501 thermally broken doors complete with automatic swing operators. A key feature of the north elevation entrance is the extra-large PURe® commercial door measuring 2920mm x 3045mm. Across the remaining elevations, Senior’s curtain wall system has been further complemented by the incorporation of SPW600e aluminium windows, specified as both insert vents and fixed light windows. Senior’s versatile SPW501 commercial doors have also been used throughout and on the west elevation, Senior’s patented PURe® SLIDE aluminium doors provide additional access.

Schöck solution combines architecture with horticultureThe striking facade of this building in Berlin is the concept of Sergej Dott, a locally-based pop art painter who chose medicinal herbs to represent the building's use as a major medical centre. The Treptow Medical Centre, named after the district in which it is located, is a 19th century listed building and recent refurbishment work has seen the interior transformed into twelve surgeries and a pharmacy. The final flourish of the restoration activity is the addition of the pop art herbs, each one metre in diameter, up to twelve metres high and 600kgs in weight, all grouped around three sides of the building.To incorporate them into the structural design, additional steel beams had to be installed inside the building at varying floor levels and Lorenz Linnhoff, whose engineering firm carried out the structural planning for the building comments: "The optimum solution for fastening the giant flowers to the building envelope was the Schöck Isokorb® T type S, which made it possible to transfer the load of the flower installation via the steel beams to the load-bearing building".The Isokorb® T type S has been developed to create thermal breaks in steel structures, where the modules are used to transfer tensile forces and pressure/shear forces. With this application the product is used only for the latter purpose, as on this occasion it has to perform a structural function rather than ensure thermal partition. Each flower is connected by two T type S modules at the top of the stalk and their modular capability meant that off-site pre-fabrication was possible, helping to reduce on-site costs. Two head plates were welded to the stalks off site and another two head plates attached to the main steel structure with the T type S modules bolted to them. Then flower stalk was then lifted into position and the two plates simply bolted to the exterior connections of the T type S units. The community arts and culture scene in Treptow will benefit too, as each of the herbs is to be sponsored, with the proceeds donated to various art institutions.

At SharkNinja’s flagship offices within the iconic Battersea Power Station development, partitioning expert Style worked with Bowman Riley architects, and contractor, Ben Johnson Interiors, to create flexible internal space to meet the working needs of this forward-thinking company.A Dorma Hüppe Variflex glass moveable wall divides a section of the café, creating a large meeting room. A solid Variflex wall allows the space to be further divided into two smaller areas.This chic solution perfectly complements the contemporary décor whilst the impressive acoustic ratings of the walls of 52dB and 55dB respectively, provides exceptional privacy when the café is busy. The semi-automatic operation of both systems ensures the acoustic seals are always applied to exactly the correct pressure whilst improving ease of manoeuvrability for staff.SharkNinja, is the maker of class-leading Shark® vacuums and the innovative line of Ninja® kitchen appliances, positively impacting daily life in homes around the world. The new offices at Battersea Power Station spread over 25,000 square feet and forms a key part of the company’s continued expansion.Style is the UK’s sole distributor for both Dorma and Skyfold partitioning walls, offering specialist solutions for all requirements and budgets across multiple market sectors.In addition to the two Dorma Hüppe Variflex walls, Style also installed a simple, yet highly effective manually operated folding wall in the demonstration room, allowing the space to be divided into two separate areas, when required.“This is a great example of how different types of moveable walls suit different requirements,” said Michael Porter, Style’s group sales director.“As a key area for gatherings and meetings, the combination of the glass and solid Variflex systems was perfect for the café area as it maintains an open plan feel, and a very stylish design, while also offering the practicality of being able to create adaptable meeting rooms when required.“In the demonstration room, the requirements were specific, and the folding wall was just what was needed to create simple space division.”

The Schuster Annex on the University of Manchester's main campus when built, was intended to become a catalyst for excellence in STEM teaching, and was linked to the circular spaces within the existing buildings. Designed by Hawkins Brown, constructed by sector specialist Wilmott Dixon and fabricated by Dortech, the Science Annex formed part of the universities master plan. James Sutherland, Managing Director of Dortech, commented: “We were awarded the contract for the Schuster Annex by Willmott Dixon, following a competitive tender process; with our package including a number of striking design features.“These included 1,000m2 Technal MX Thermally Broken Curtain Wall with 200mm extending face caps as well as the FY65  ‘punched-hole’ windows in RAL 7043 Traffic Grey, plus some 1,500 linear metres of aluminium flashings. The glazing units feature the use of SGG COOL-LITE® SKN 14 glass with digitally printed artwork.”While the 8mm COOL-LITE® outer leaf provides solar control, the thermal performance of the IG units also benefits from an argon filled 18mm cavity and a 10.8mm thick inner leaf of coated laminated glass. The glazing specification, along with the design of thermally broken framing system also deliver a sound reduction of 40dB or more without special enhancement. Referring to the success of the curtain walling and fenestration solution from Dortech and Technal, Willmott Dixon’s Project Manager, James Goodwin, said: “This was a challenging project, not least because of the building’s proximity to a main road and the MRI (Manchester Royal Infirmary) with ambulances and other emergency services going past all the time. In terms of the acoustics, the transfer of noise, it has performed wonderfully well. Also, the Technal systems meet all of the thermal insulation requirements whilst, aesthetically it looks fantastic. Everyone is pleased with the completed project.”Completed in 2018 at a cost of approximately £11m, The Schuster Annex provides 2,500m² of space across it's four floors with what has been named the "Ideas Mill" and break out spaces at ground level. 

The Hising Bridge is to become the new landmark of Gothenburg. Spanning over the central part of Scandinavia’s most significant commercial harbour, The Hissing Bridge will replace the existing Göta River Bridge from 1939.Aesthetically, the Hising bridge will become ‘a street’ within the city, for people to walk on and below and, to enjoy spectacular views. The Hising bridge will bind the Göta River shores for cars, busses, trams, pedestrians, and bicycles.The Hising Bridge project involves many partners, entrepreneurs, and subcontractors. PcP was involved in the project to design and supply safety solutions for access walkways, platforms, stairs, and architectural ceilings. The new bridge is approximately 440 metres long.Project criteriaThe construction work for the Hising Bridge began in 2013 and will replace the old worn-out bridge from 1939. The project involves a range of highly experienced partners within construction and infrastructure: Trafikværket and Skanska, to name a few. The project prescribed stainless steel gratings to decorate the bridge with an architectural ceiling that would blend into the atmosphere and surroundings. The purpose is to give people an unforgettable experience of the architecture and the bridge lights during the day and on a “special” night.The criteria for the ceiling of stainless-steel gratings were prescribed in the project to fulfil an aesthetic design as a ceiling and at the same time provide a functional safety platform for maintenance workers.Additionally, the project had prescribed the need for safe access walkways, stairs, and service platforms to ensure maximum safety for workers on the entire bridge.SolutionThe project partners chose PcP to provide the complete solution: ceiling, stairs, walkways, and service platforms.The different applications involved close collaboration between the partners throughout design, development, test and delivery. The range of applications was a thorough process of designing, drawing and technical advice. The entire solution involved PcP products from OPTIMO, CUBE and Guardrail.CUBE® as architectural ceiling1000 m2 CUBE® gratings decorate the ceiling below the bridge with a multifunctional purpose combining design and functionality. The unique design is simplistic and efficient and provides excellent light penetration at night.

Safety Technology International have donated protective covers to help a local community charity with false alarms at a time when they need it most.Wildgoose Rural Training is a charitable care farm in Hallow, just outside of Worcester, that supports adults and young people with a variety of learning disabilities.Starting in 2000 with just a handful of students, Wildgoose has grown into a 42-acre site with a thriving 6-acre farm where students from all backgrounds can learn horticulture, animal care, woodworking, arts and crafts, and carry out conservation work.Wildgoose supports students in a ‘happy and inclusive family atmosphere’ and focuses on teaching practical and meaningful land-based skills.One student had recently taken a liking to setting off the fire alarms in the main building at Wildgoose, resulting in frequent unnecessary evacuations.Not only did this cause a great deal of upheaval in having to evacuate the students from their buildings to the fire assemble points, but in students with sensory sensitivity and hearing issues these fire alarms caused a great deal of distress, panic and shock.On contact with STI, Wildgoose were recommended the Euro Stopper® call point covers with a sounder alarm to discourage the student from setting off the fire alarm. The protective covers were duly installed over the call points in their main building to prevent accidental or malicious tampering with the fire alarm without restricting legitimate operation in an emergency.Managing director of Wildgoose Rural Training Centre, Jim Hidderley said: “The call point covers provided by STI have reduced our regular false fire alarms from a weekly occurrence down to 0, the covers with sounders prove to be a sufficient deterrent from any mischievous hands.”“More importantly, the cover has ensured that our students are not put under any stress that is unwarranted due to false fire alarm triggering”The Euro Stopper® is a tough polycarbonate cover that can withstand the toughest of knocks and has an optional 96dB integral sounder that draws immediate attention to the area to dissuade unwanted activation of call points, therefore reducing false fire alarms.

Ahmarra Door Solutions manufactured over 200 fire doors for the Pears Building, which is situated next to the Royal Free Hospital in London.The FD30 and FD60 doorsets incorporated Halspan Optima door blanks.The Pears Building will accommodate the UCL Institute of Immunity and Transplantation. This is a state-of-the-art medical research centre which will advance the understanding of diseases such as cancer, diabetes, HIV, and tuberculosis, and for traditional and tissue-developed transplants.Designed by Hopkins Architects and constructed under main contractor, Willmott Dixon, the building’s seven-storey structure includes laboratory space, research facilities, offices and two levels of patient accommodation, which will enable people undergoing clinical trials to rest and recover there.Designed to achieve BREEAM Excellent, sustainability was at the heart of the building’s creation. As such, Ahmarra Door Solutions used Halspan as all Halspan fire door blanks are made from FSC® certified timber.Photography courtesy of Cannon Photos Ltd.

Turning a roofscape into a power station just got better. The combination of GreenCoat PLX with integrated, almost invisible solar functions to deliver green energy and good looks. The solar modules are bonded directly onto the metal roof within the controls of a factory environment at Metal Solutions Ltd, Bolton. Lightweight and maintenance free with no access requirements for cleaning the solution is a real game changer. Each module is 358mm wide and sits between the Snaplock® standing seam profile. In harmony with GreenCoat Mountain Grey the solar modules are virtually invisible from the street. A traditional Glass Crystalline module would add substantial weight, wind sheer load on the standing seam fixings and require access for bi-annual cleaning with the then risk of damage during that process.The thin, flexible solar modules do not detract from the design of the house and offer an excellent yield even in low light conditions.

North Acre, a magnificent five-bedroom barn conversion, commands breathtaking views over the picturesque countryside near Shaftesbury in Dorset's Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.Gowercroft products used:Peveril Lift and Slide DoorsKedleston Tilt and Turn WindowsMelbourne DoorsHardwick Casement WindowsAccoya®Vanessa and Bruce Jones, longing to build their dream home in the countryside, were thrilled when they discovered a spacious plot with an abandoned steel-framed agricultural building.The 400-square-meter south-facing structure, once a cattle shed, held immense potential for their vision of a modern, open-plan, eco-friendly family home."North Acre's location captivated us instantly. We realised that, with the right design, this industrial-looking farm building could be transformed into a light-filled, airy sanctuary for our family," shared Vanessa Jones.Uniquely Integrated DesignCampbell Jackson Architects approached the conversion with a focus on celebrating the structure's grand scale, shape, and utilitarian simplicity."Our philosophy is to create buildings that are harmonious and appropriate for their surroundings, revealing the distinctive qualities of each project. In this case, we aimed to maintain the barn's unassuming presence within the rural landscape while welcoming the stunning views into its light-filled interior spaces," explained Jamie Campbell.The original concrete hardstanding served as the footprint for the new design, with the core steel framework supporting a metal-clad roof. The use of pre-cast concrete panels at lower levels and extensive Siberian larch cladding contribute to a contemporary and understated aesthetic.Thoughtfully Framed ViewsThe south-facing elevation of the design purposefully responds to the panoramic views. Landscape Tilt and Turn windows and Lift and Slide doors from Gowercroft Joinery were carefully incorporated, allowing for perfectly framed vistas."We sought high-quality traditional timber windows and doors that would seamlessly blend with the concrete lintels and the Siberian larch cladding. Over time, the cladding will naturally weather from its original blond colour to a sun-bleached patina," shared Jamie.Gowercroft's windows and doors, renowned for their silver-grey translucent finish, were chosen for their contemporary aesthetic. The Accoya® timber's grain pattern shines through, complementing the desired tone.Throughout the project, Gowercroft supplied 22 Accoya® tilt and turn windows and four doors, all finished with their exclusive semi-transparent grey coating. These windows and doors enhance the flow between interior living spaces and offer captivating views of an exquisite indoor winter garden.The Perfect Match"We are absolutely thrilled with our new home. Campbell Jackson Architects' remarkable design has brought our original vision to life in ways beyond our imagination. The quality and beauty of the timber windows and doors from Gowercroft complete the picture," expressed Vanessa Jones.The Gowercroft team went above and beyond, ensuring that every detail, both technical and aesthetic, was meticulously considered to ensure their windows and doors were the perfect match for the new home. The specially developed micro-porous protective finish from Italy guarantees exceptional performance and virtually maintenance-free enjoyment.North Acre stands as a testament to the successful collaboration between Campbell Jackson Architects and Gowercroft, where architectural excellence and exquisite craftsmanship converge.

Lomax + Wood have supplied high performance made-to-order timber box sash windows and doors for this stunning country home in the county of Berks. Based on the classic Georgian window proportions this new build property shows a full range of Lomax + Wood products, all suited to provide elegant and pleasing sightlines and proportions.In total 39 high performance made-to-order timber sash windows and doors.26 Traditional timber box sash windows with slim 18mm double glazed units.Made-to-order entrance door, with insulated panels incorporating steel inserts for security.3 French door sets hung only for surface fitted espagnolette locking.6 Dormer casement windows with horizontal glazing bars.Supplied using engineered timber with under the Lomax + Wood FSC® Chain of CustodySet within a country landscape this substantial country house has incorporated a number of period features to create a traditional country style. Lomax + Wood worked closely with the clients to ensure their vision was upheld and that the high performance timber windows and doors produced the correct proportions throughout the property.From matching the paint colour to sourcing the desired ironmongery and finishes Lomax + Wood’s made-to-order service ensured the clients requirements were listened to and acted upon.A primary concern of the architect and client was to ensure the timer was truly from a sustainable source. Lomax + Wood are committed to sourcing from sustainable sources, to this end we have worked hard to achieve FSC® Chain of Custody which is deemed by many to be an environmental gold standard. This work was undertaken in partnership with BM TRADA who are also deemed to be a mark of quality in our industry. Too many companies in the industry are passing off their product as from a sustainable source without ensuring it is through industry certification.Lomax + Wood products have also been independently tested to ensure the building regulations are met including Part Q, this involved a full range of intruder testing by Exova BM Trada.All Lomax + Wood products are made-to-order and whether you require a traditional style or more contemporary the product options are available to meet your requirements.

SURFIN Polska was GI EMEAI top customer for 2018. Only in that year, Sherwin-Williams Company sold to SURFIN over 1.200 tonnes of powder coatings Syntha Pulvin®Sherwin-Williams history with this Polish distributor of powder coatings started in 1999. We are celebrating over 21 years of successful collaboration. The company SURFIN Polska was established in 1996 with its headquarters in Bielsko-Biała, Poland. SURFIN is one of the main distributors of Sherwin-Williams products in Poland. The reason for SURFIN Polska to continue to work first with INVER S.p.A and then with Sherwin-Williams, is the confidence we built during all these years; our production capacity to satisfy their requests, our flexibility, and our selling attitude that is going beyond normal selling contex - our caring attitude for our customer. SURFIN is an example of good cohabitation, we support this customer to grow and they help us in the promotion and sale of our products. Over 90% of SURFIN product portfolio is destinate to the architectural market and provides powder coatings to some of the leading producers of aluminium systems in Europe like ALUPROF, PONZIO Poland, ABC Colourex, etc. “Good selling requires that you understand well the product and work to satisfy customer’s requirements. But before and beyond that, the basis of all successful selling is confidence” - this is the quote that guides Sherwin-Williams sales team working with SURFIN Polska. Thanks to the big capacity of storage in Bielsko-Biała city in Poland, SURFIN can have many of our products on stock so they can provide fast order fulfilment, and short waiting time for the ordered product. The team of SURFIN is composed of highly specialised personnel that in coordination with Sherwin-Williams technical and sales team is a pure success story. Initially, SURFIN was buying only from our Minerbio, Bologna, Italy production site. Today, SURFIN trusts and makes orders from Polish, French, and English sites as well. We offer complete Syntha Pulvin® range to the market in Poland: Qualicoat, Class 1 and Class 2 products. Together we work on new products and collection development looking towards our fruitful collaboration in the future. 

The Vaughan Way development in Leicester features state-of-the-art apartments above a two storey car park. While this gives residents the best of both worlds – city living and parking in a limited footprint – it represents a challenge for developers in the form of thermal bridging.Most car parks feature open walls to allow adequate ventilation of exhaust fumes, so the separating floor must be well insulated to prevent warm air from the flats escaping into the car park below. With this in mind, main contractor Winvic approached Knauf Insulation for advice on the best insulation to specify in order to achieve the specified U-value of 0.2 W/m²K.Knauf Insulation’s Technical Support Team conducted U-value calculations to determine the thickness of Soffit Linerboard required. They then worked closely with Winvic to provide technical advice to ensure all design considerations were addressed.Soffit Linerboard is a robust Rock Mineral Wool slab. It is a high-performance thermal insulation and offers excellent sound absorption to provide high levels of sound reduction; something residents will appreciate when their neighbours are parking below.Soffit Linerboard is also non-combustible, with an A1 Euroclass Reaction to Fire Classification, essential to comply with changes to the building regulations, as Vaughan Way will be more than 18m tall when complete.Soffit Linerboard is one of more than 40 Rock Mineral Wool insulation products produced at Knauf Insulation’s Queensferry plant. It is manufactured with ECOSE® Technology, Knauf Insulation’s unique bio-based binder that contains no added formaldehyde or phenol. It is made from natural raw materials that are rapidly renewable, and is less energy-intensive to manufacture than traditional binder, so it is more environmentally-friendly.Products made with ECOSE® Technology are soft to touch and easy to handle. They generate low levels of dust and VOCs, and have been awarded the Eurofins Gold Certificate for Indoor Air Comfort.The insulation was delivered direct to site by distributors Encon in Nottingham and was installed by sub-contractors L Reynolds.From the additional warmth, to noise reduction and improved safety, adding Soffit Linerboard to the separating floor between the car park and flats will make city living even more pleasant for the residents of Vaughan Way.