"construction plant equipment"

Artform Urban Furniture were appointed by Lendlease and Gillespies to provide a number of waste / recycling units and a water fountain to a new public green space in the centre of Elephant and Castle.The Box Litter Bin is a versatile and highly adaptable design that features a variety of finishes to complement a range of external spaces. After receiving a suite of options from our sales team , the client opted for a hardwood clad door option with powder coated steel frame. The combination of materials sit naturally within the new green space. The bins come complete with an anti-graffiti coating and bespoke designed designation plate to front of bins and bespoke stubber plate to top of general waste bins. The Fuente fountains provide fresh drinking water, an environmentally friendly option for members of the public to fill up their water bottles and save on plastic waste.Elephant and Castle is a central London neighbourhood that has a long and fascinating history dating back as long as the reign of the Roman empire. In recent years, £4bn of public and private money has been invested into the area in a major regeneration project. Thousands of new homes are being built and the town centre is being revitalised with new shops, offices, restaurants and the largest new green space in London since the '50s.Elephant Park is a spectacular 2 acre green oasis at the heart of the ground-breaking project - featuring a huge array of plant species, play areas, seating spaces, water features and the aim to be the UK’s first climate positive development when completed.

OverviewThis project saw the refurbishment of King Solomon International Business School, which was changing hands from office use to education. The building now features specialist science rooms, resistant materials workshop, drama studio, outdoor sports hall, music rehearsal rooms, food technology, ICT rooms and language rooms.ChallengesDue to the change of building use, a full survey of the roof covering was required. Excessive moisture was found within the existing asphalt covering, water ingress was present and the internal top floor of the building was not suitable to be used as a teaching space. The roof area presented many challenges with complex detailing to existing balustrade posts, live mobile telephone masts and large quantities of plant / M&E installed.SolutionsAs a starting point, the roof was completely stripped due to the high level of water ingress. The existing asphalt covering was removed ready for installation of a new Excel RBM system, with Hytherm ADH PIR thermal insulation. Much of the existing M&E was found to be redundant and could safely be removed from the roof area.The complex detailing to the balustrades and fire risk areas was simplified using Starcoat PMMA cold applied liquid waterproofing, allowing for a long term, robust and financially viable solution. High level roof areas were also detailed with ease using Starcoat PMMA. Successful installation provided a peace of mind roof covering for the next 25 years, supported by Axter’s Platinum Guarantee.Systems in useExcel®Starcoat® PMMA

Lazise, a picturesque town on the eastern shore of Lake Garda, has become one of Italy's most popular tourist destinations, loved by both Italian and foreign visitors.The landscape from the villa is very impressive, the magnificent view of the lake and its crystal-clear waters are perfect for a weekend of escape and relaxation. Fishing boats can be seen on the water, picturesque cafes line the shores of the lake and frequent festivals enliven streets and parks with colourful kiosks.Villa Collivo is situated in the town. It is a modern green building designed to offer comfort for tourists, boasting a large garden and a swimming pool, overlooking the lake and an estate planted with vines and olive trees. The first floor has five large independent suites for residents and each suite has underfloor heating and air conditioning.The architect of the interior design of Villa Collivo was Francesca Rapisarda and it is characterised by the skilful use of colours which give each room a unique and distinctive atmosphere.The furnishings are composed of modern and contemporary pieces and offer an elegant and bright environment.ECLISSE sliding pocket doors and Syntesis flush hinged doors have been installed in the apartments to effortlessly connect rooms to one another. The pocket doors make it possible to make the most of the available space, especially in the corridors, creating a sense of spaciousness and fluidity.The minimalist design of the flush-to-wall Syntesis doors adds a touch of modernity and elegance to the rooms. Thanks to the absence of any frame and exterior finish the doors help to create a clean and refined look to the entire project.  

Jamie Graham, Operations Manager, StonehengeThe new visitors’ centre at Stonehenge opened in December 2013. It was designed to deal with the increased footfall that we have experienced here, as a result of which we’ve had to open the new Groups Welcome Centre and in that we have installed URIMAT waterless urinals, in addition to the ones that we have at the regular visitors’ centre. These were installed in October 2017. Waterless urinals by URIMAT were specified by the architect as part of the building programme.Here at Stonehenge we’re not connected to any mains water supply so we need to extract water from a borehole, so we need to limit the use of freshwater on site in terms of maintaining our commitment to the environment – URIMAT’s waterless urinals really do help with that process.All of our waste water is treated here at Stonehenge before being tankered away. In terms of the load on the sewage processing plants that we have here on site, the URIMAT waterless urinals really are key to ensuring that that load is reduced.So when we were specifying the groups welcome centre that we have here we were looking at technology that we had already implemented, technology that works well for us, so that’s why we made the decision to install them in the new groups welcome centre.On a busy day during the summer period we can see round about 9,000 or more visitors on site so it’s really important that the technology copes with that amount of footfall, and since installation we’ve had no problems whatsoever.

The new extension for the Donegal Garda is a prominent feature utilising materials that respond to its topology and enhance the building’s civic presence in the town. The dark coloured brick plinth of the semi-basement grounds the building while the upper floors which feature a facade of open mesh grating provide an open and transparent interface with the public whilst maintaining necessary security provisions.Lang+Fulton supplied the bespoke steel mesh cladding for the glazed upper floors of the facade. The grating achieves a contemporary aesthetic and delivers the practical advantages of protection and a brise-soleil solution, while achieving a transparency that offers the public an insight into the activities of the station; the degree of transparency and solar shading creating an interesting variety, dependent on the angle of view, the time of day and light conditions.The Terra-34 grating, which features an anti-climb aperture, was also used to create walkways, soffits and a secure enclosure around the roof-top plant. The gratings were made to 19 different custom-sizes and shapes for each floor with 3038mm high panels for the facade cladding. Slotted tabs were designed for fixing to the support steelwork. The material was supplied in a hot-dip galvanized finish to withstand the coastal environment.Donegal Town Garda Station has won 4 national awards including Best Cultural/Public Building (RIAI). Adjudicators said that, “The project stands out for its laconic civic presence and its no-nonsense adaptation of the spatial culture of a thriving historic town … the building demonstrates that thoughtful architecture can quietly and carefully edify our everyday culture”.

CJ Murfitt were asked to provide an alternative product to replace failing timber products at Castle Special School in Cambridge. The school, which has 165 children attending, was opened in 2006 to replace four existing special schools in Cambridge. The timber had been used to edge planting bays and due to the poor quality of the existing material, large areas are now unusable and unsafe. The recycled rectangular palisade which was used on this project is ideal for challenging outdoor environments. The existing timber had rotted very quickly, due to poor quality preservatives which have been used in timber since the legislation which stopped the use of oil based preservatives came into effect.Recycled plastic products do not absorb moisture, do not rot and are resistant to vandalism. Rectangular palisades look great and their longevity is many times that of timber. There is a great variety of hanit palisades, suitable for creative design in any new development, reconstruction and modernisation project. Strong, durable and weatherproof, the palisades have a smooth splinter free finish. They have strong impact resistance and require little maintenance. The brown textured surface resembles the natural beauty of wood. These products can be easily nailed, cut and screwed. “The square palisades were very easy to install, allowing us to complete the work quickly and efficiently. As the product is maintenance free, we are confident that the project will remain aesthetically pleasing for a very long time.” David Coulson CJ Murfitt Limited - Contractor.

Cargill is an international food, agriculture, financial and industrial products and services business. Cargill connects farmers with markets, customers with ingredients, and people and animals with nourishment.Project/doors:32 doors across six facilities12 Storm, 3 Super, 3 Mini, 6 Insulated Fast Action Roller Shutters, 4 Electric Operated Roller Shutter 4 Special Doors. Ongoing replacement of old doorsThe challenge Hart were consulted to help reduce vermin access mainly from pigeons, seagulls and geese attracted by the feed/agricultural nature of the production process. The doors needed to be capable of thousands of operations in dusty conditions allowing large vehicles fast access to the facilities. The solution With over 30 Hart doors installed across six production facilities, the latest contract replaced existing roller shutters, which remain open all day, with seven Speedor Storms, one Speedor Super and one fast action roller shutter. The emphasis was on speed of open/close cycles to significantly reduce the vermin access and improve energy efficiency. The success The investment by Cargill is also part of a drive to improve energy efficiency by 5% and to maintain a better working environment and temperatures within the building as well as preventing unauthorised access to different areas of the plant. The Review:“I wanted to say I was really pleased with the job David and guys have done. They showed great work ethic, housekeeping was spot on and their attitude to safety on site was great- whenever they were challenged they were very patient and helpful.”Gavin Dunn, Project Engineer, Cargill

Aston House is a collection of thirty-two apartments in Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire.The one and two bedroomed interiors are complemented by a mix of classic protruding balconies and Juliet balconies, as well as terraces for the top floor homes. The external envelope has a brick-work skin up to the 4th floor and the fifth-floor penthouse apartments have metal rain screen cladding panels. There is also rain screen cladding around the ground floor entrance lobbies.Popular earthy, natural shadesThe architects wanted a warm, natural shade to complement the pale sand coloured brick work. ‘Rusted steel’ from our Landscape/Terrain range was chosen to coat 850sq metres of mild steel forming the rain screen cladding. All the powders we use conform to fire reaction rating A2-s1,d0 and have a 25-year guarantee for gloss, colour and adhesion.BenefitsPowdertech has years of experience in applying additional coating where needed to protect vulnerable metal surfaces. We call this our Plus+ service.Powdertech’s flexible plant can coat a wide variety of shapes and sizes of architectural metal work and fabrications.Powdertech has over 30-years’ experience in professional architectural powder coating.Powdertech has a very wide range of both standard and unusual powder coating shades and textures.Powdertech's rigorous non-chrome pre-treatment system offers the best preparation for architectural aluminium.

System Used - TerraSmart pedestal IGNOThe Botanist is a botanical cocktail bar in the heart of Newcastle. Complete with a rooftop terrace bar, it entices revellers and partygoers with a welcoming and curated look. The natural materials of the terrace bar, mixed with the abundance of plants and natural light, transport customers to a chic, far-off watering hole. To complement and contrast the natural materials in the industrial setting, the bare materials, exposed brick, and stone effect tiles give a suggestive canvas to the biophilic decor. The design function of the terrace is as a high foot traffic area for social meetings. To fully support the paved area in these situations, we have seen a rise in users looking for simple pedestal systems that still provide a robust substructure at an economical rate. The pedestals have a wide base acting as a stable foundation and spacer tabs that equally space the pavers apart to create drainage channels.Sasso porcelain tiles could support the primary use of the space due to their inherent properties. These porcelain paving tiles are naturally non-porous, protecting the finish from staining. This non-porous property also makes the tiles resistant to bitumen and algae. The tile also features a low slip potential in both; wet and dry conditions. Having these properties within a hospitality environment can help make a safe and long-lasting flooring surface.TerraSmart Pedestal IGNO fits into this industrial, chic environment with its simple, robust pedestal structure and hard-wearing but stylish flooring finish, punctuating the space and tying the terrace together. 

The original timber sleepers used for Manchester Royal Infirmary external areas had begun to rot away quite early in their lifespan. We were tasked with replicating the existing footprint of planters to replace them within the confines of the existing paving. All installation works were undertaken in a busy hospital with minimal impact on patients and workers. Using a typographical survey we created CAD outlines for each planter, a number of existing structures featured extremely tight angles, which meant we needed to modify our corner cuts to ensure a perfect match.Our components were all pre-cut ready for installation so there was no need to use any heavy machinery on site. WoodBlocX modular system is guaranteed for 15 years and because the structures are made up of a series of individual blocks, held together by strong dowels, they will not warp or distort, nor will they rot, thanks to the pressure treatment used.WoodBlocX components are manufactured in five different sizes and work in the same way as bricks, in addition, any capping and angled parts are pre-mitred, which saves installers significant build time and eliminates the need for sawing, drilling and disposing of waste. With WoodBlocX you receive a guaranteed standard of material. From the planting of the trees to harvesting of timber all the way through to cutting the WoodBlocX components, we keep on top of every aspect of each process - maintaining the highest standards of timber quality. Using WoodBlocX, specifiers can be safe in the knowledge that the supply chain of their timber products is sustainable and reliable.

An award-winning restaurant serving sustainable and ethical Japanese cuisine, has added a large outdoor terrace for diners to enjoy using a WoodBlocX seating and planter combination.The owners of MOSHIMO Brighton added the sun terrace to the already architecturally pleasing, modernist building, to provide an indoor/outdoor dining experience, with functional sliding screens that separate the two spaces depending on the weather and decorative evergreen planting around the edge of the dining area.We created a bespoke design which fitted perfectly into the deck space available. With bespoke seating featuring a planter border wrapping around the main seating area and one additional U-shaped planter disconnected from the main structure to provide two access points to the deck.The completed design was then painted in the restaurant’s deep charcoal brand colour to match the interior and exterior design. This dark shade is balanced perfectly with the bright red dining tables and chairs. We provide a Free Design Service to all clients to ensure they get exactly what they need for each project and make any necessary adjustments.The modular design of WoodBlocX means that we can create structures that fit into specific spaces perfectly. Not only can our unique timber system provide a great fit, it is also long-lasting and durable thanks to the way it is built. The combination of treated wooden blocks, dowels and internal buttresses ensures that our structures will not crack or warp. With a design life of 20 years, WoodBlocX is the perfect product to specify in your next landscaping project.

Made-to-measure brushed satin stainless steel sinks and worktops, from GEC Anderson, have been installed in the breathing apparatus rooms, kit cleaning rooms and kitchens of the new Winchester Fire Station.The station relocated from its home of 74 years at North Walls to its new state-of-art facility inEaston Lane, Winnall,Winchester. The new five-bay fire station is operationally and strategically located on the outskirts of the city on a major access route, close to the M3. The new facility can accommodate 70-plus personnel and provides a continuously crewed facility as opposed to the previous just day-crewed arrangement, thus providing faster emergency cover over a greater area.Freestanding worktops, totalling more than 10 metres, were installed in the breathing apparatus (BA) room and kit cleaning area of the fire station. Industrial sized sinks were included to provide an effective washing facility for the fire crews specialist equipment. Sarah Collins, architect for Hampshire County Councils Property Services Department said, The specialised sinks were chosen for their ability to cope with an environment of high usage. We wanted a material that was robust enough to take the everyday knocks and last for the lifetime of the building. GEC Anderson sinks certainly met this requirement and are performing extremely well.

The priceless collections of the new National Library of Romania, a landmark building in the heart of Bucharest, is protected by ExGo suppression control panels from Advanced.The new library building, which contains more than 13 million individual items, was started in the 1980s but work was halted after the 1989 revolution, only starting again in 2009. Completed and opened in 2012, the building has now been fully equipped with the latest technology, including the ExGo system.ExGo, Advanced’s ultra-dependable extinguishant release system, was configured and installed in the National Library building by Helinick, a key player in the Romanian fire and safety market. The suppression control system comprises 47 inter-linked ExGo panels with LCD displays, LED indicators and manual release buttons.The ExGo panel integrates with the Library’s fire system, which includes over 600 optical smoke detectors, 100 sounders and 200 call points. The ExGo panels monitor and control the valves that release up to 20 tonnes of NOVEC 1230 fire protection fluid. The ExGo range from Advanced has been developed specifically for sensitive and strategic assets such as server rooms, historic and cultural attractions and control rooms. The patented ExGo Extraction Software also allows users to download system status information and event logs, providing a quick and customisable data solution.

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

The ChallengeThe client’s requirements were to provide value for money and create a building that was easy to maintain and appropriate to its function and setting.Deafblind Scotland provided training for the architects so they could gain an appreciation of the barriers faced by those who would use the building. The design was then developed to satisfy funding requirements. Technology was utilised to assist the client’s team with visual impairment to understand the building layout.The SolutionWorking closely with the client the architects carefully selected materials, colours, stair detailing, thresholds and ironmongery. Our Welford Buff brick was chosen for the brickwork.Careful consideration was also given to the pedestrian route configuration that visitors would use when approaching the building – it was important to ensure a strong colour contrast between road and pedestrian walkway.Natural ventilation was maximised to reduce energy consumption and associated costs.The BenefitsThe 7,500 square foot building provides a centre of excellence for deafblind people with a hub for training and development. It is a daily resource for more than 300 deafblind people in the Glasgow area, and a further resource for the 2,700 people across Scotland who are severely dual sensory impaired.The project offers deafblind people more opportunities to learn, enjoy a range of subjects, collaborate, and to become more familiar with IT through the assistance of specially adapted technology and equipment.Feedback from building users has been extremely positive with the client remarking on the ease of way finding and legibility within the layout.

When Cardiff High school needed a high-quality multi-use sports flooring solution for their main hall, they chose international flooring specialist Gerflor to supply 700m2 of their world class Taraflex® Multi-Use vinyl sports floor. Gerflor also supplied an Isolsport underlay and their ubiquitous Taraflex® Bateco moveable protective covering which would ensure that the Taraflex® sports floor would remain protected during non-sporting activities.The contracting responsibility for the sports floor would be undertaken by Cardiff-based Floor Furnishings Limited. Nick Jefferies, Company Director, Floor Furnishings Ltd commented, “Gerflor’s Taraflex sports floor was extremely easy to lay. The Isolsport underlay also supplied by Gerflor, enabled us to lay the Taraflex Multi-Use directly over the existing concrete floor, this was a real benefit as the project was on a very tight schedule, due to the hall being required for exams.”The Taraflex® Multi-Use is a P1 category sports flooring, designed for both sport and non-sport use making it ideal for multi-purpose areas. Taraflex® Multi-Use protects users with excellent shock absorption and impact protection of 25% to 35%. Yet it’s tough enough to protect itself against non-sport demands often found in many education environments such as the movement of tables, chairs, and exercise equipment.

In 2013, the largest and most impressive Wall-Holla in the world was sold to Ketteler Hof - a family-owned Play Park that wanted something truly extraordinary to add to its playground. After extensive research, planning, and customisation tailored to their unique needs, they got exactly what they wished for - an incredible 36m wide Wall-Holla with not one but three thrilling Drop Zone elevators!Turning unused space into a popular family oasisThe Czyżyny Park Avia is an example of how public participation can help create vibrant recreational spaces that benefit the whole community. It provides an opportunity to get outdoors and enjoy nature while engaging in physical activity with friends and family. The park is located in the area of the former bus depot and part of a disused airport where used to be 3 hectares of asphalt and concrete.The playground includes climbing frames, carousels, swings, and a vertical playground Wall-Holla with challenging obstacles that will keep kids entertained for hours. There is also an outdoor gym with Lappset's metal gym equipment.The end result is a very popular recreational family place in the city of Kraków with a nice story still referring to its previous function: planes and buses are part of the pattern on the EPDM surface at the playground.The project was part of THE GREEN CITIES EUROPE AWARD – 2022 and it has been praised for its quality recreational spaces and innovative value.

The ChallengeAs part of this strategy, the decision was taken to replace a fully-glazed non-fire-rated internal atrium with a new, high-performance fire-rated solution to ensure the highest levels of fire protection.Spanning five storeys, the atrium would create a functional yet architecturally stunning light-filled centrepiece within the modern office space.Forming part of the broader regeneration of Dublin Landings, bringing this aspect of the project in on time would be critical.As a result, Walls to Workstations were tasked with removing and replacing the five-floor atrium in just six weeks to see the project through to completion.The SolutionWorking closely with W2W, Pyroguard supplied more than 500 square metres of toughened EI30 fire safety glass to the project. Equipping fabricators with the flexibility to deliver on ambitious architectural projects which require large expanses of glazing, Pyroguard toughened glass provides protection against flames, smoke and radiant heat and delivers impact classification of 1B1 to EN12600.Complementing modern architectural ambitions, the inclusion of large areas of toughened glazing within projects helps to safely incorporate natural light into buildings, something which is critical in renovation projects where buildings are being transformed from their original purpose.In practice, this sees spaces flooded with natural light, elevating levels of light transmission throughout a building and having a positive impact on occupants’ wellbeing – crucial in delivering functional and inspiring workspaces.

A new state-of-the-art research and treatment facilityFunded by the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, this new centre was designed with the patient at heart, looks to enhance the treatment experience, help earlier diagnosis and improve and develop new cancer treatments.Project Year: 2022Product: ASSA ABLOY UniTurn – West EntranceProduct: ASSA ABLOY RD3 – North EntranceArchitect: BDPProject Background:  Having been approached by Architect BDP in 2019, we started looking at this new modern building with inclusive design and user comfort as a priority. As a healthcare facility with vulnerable users, the specification called for revolving doors with maximum compartment space, without compromising on aspects such as durability, weather tightness and air permeability to support efficiency.Solution:  Our specification advisers put forward our 2-Wing UniTurn revolving door for the main entrance, which at 3.6m diameter and including centre sliding doors with emergency break out, was the best high capacity option to meet the entrance demands of space where wellbeing and comfort are paramount. For the North entrance, the solution provided was the equally safe but compact fully automated RD3 3-wing revolving door with night closing doors, both of which were equipped with air curtains as well as the durable COBA Plan.a Entrance Matting.For more information or assistance with any project, please contact enquiries.esuk@faactechnologies.com where we can provide expert guidance and detailed documentation.

Over the next ten years Nine Elms will see 20,000 homes built, along with new schools, parks, cultural centres, a pedestrian and cycle bridge over the Thames; and the opening of two new London Transport underground stations as part of the Northern Line extension. The residential and commercial heart of this huge development is Embassy Gardens, London's new diplomatic precinct on the riverside. The first release of apartments in Embassy Gardens is the Ambassador Building, adjacent to the new US Embassy. It comprises six distinct cores, which house not only the residential apartments boasting high ceilings, abundant natural light and walnut parquet flooring throughout – but also a fully equipped private members club to rival the best in any international hotel.Inevitably, the development has attracted a sophisticated level of residents who demand the highest standards of detail throughout these buildings; and one of the key features is the wide variety of balcony types, each governed by unit size and orientation. The specific requirements at the Ambassador building involved the Schöck Isokorb® T type K, K-WU an SK. The diverse range of Schöck Isokorb® T load-bearing thermal insulation products guarantees totally verifiable performance standards, meets full compliance with the relevant UK building regulations and offers BBA Certification and LABC Registration. 

Designed by Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA) for BEEAHGroup, the Group’s new headquarters in Sharjah, UnitedArab Emirates, is a sustainable, modern, and pioneeringbuilding. Powered by its solar array and equipped withthe latest technology, the new headquarters embodiesthe Group’s vision for using renewable energy andsetting the standard for sustainable practice.Working in partnership with ZHA, we provided acomprehensive package of ironmongery and hardwarethroughout the building. Allgood’s commitment to qualityaligned with BEEAH’s philosophy of sustainable practicewith all our ranges built to last using premium materials,offering strength and durability, coupled with lowmaintenance.Our Sembla™ (3623) lever handle was fitted throughoutthe building due to the range’s broad design choicesand durability. Finished in satin stainless steel thehandles are mounted on Allgood’s patented Quadaxial™assembly rose. Tested to one million cycles withoutfailure – five times more than the level required by theEN1906 standard – the rose ensures the handles willperform beautifully. Our 72 series locks were also fittedin various areas across the building.Sembla’s durability is further backed by our 25-yearmanufacturing warranty (available on all our principalranges), demonstrating our belief that our products areengineered to perform over the lifetime of any buildingwithout failure.

With 16 research clusters, one of the largest technology-oriented research landscapes in Europe is being created on the RWTH Aachen Campus. The distinguishing feature of the Bio-Medical Engineering Cluster, which can be seen from great distances, is the new CT2 Center for Teaching and Training of the Medical Faculty of the RWTH Aachen University. As the first investor-financed building in this Cluster, it marks another milestone. In a Europe-wide investor selection process, Frauenrath group of companies, Heinsberg, and the architects from slapa oberholz pszczulny | sop architects, Dusseldorf, won the order with their distinctive concept. They designed the building as a standalone construction that is flooded with light and takes on the role of a gateway to the Campus Melaten thanks to its shape and prominent position. Two of the façades are clad with 1,900 square meters of OMEGA 1520 metal mesh from GKD – Gebr. Kufferath AG.As an elite center of learning, RWTH Aachen University is one of the state’s flagship institutions in higher education. Around 44,500 students, 550 professors, and almost ten times as many research associates help secure the reputation of the RWTH as an internationally renowned university – above all for technical and medical degree programs. Founded in 1870, the university’s campuses are spread across the city. With an unprecedented Excellence Initiative, RWTH Aachen University has been expanding its reputation as one of the world’s leading technical universities since 2009. The RWTH Aachen Campus consists of the Campus Central – with the historic main building and the distinctive Super C meeting center in the shadow of the cathedral and city hall –, Campus Melaten and Campus West. The result is a campus that integrates into urban life. On a total area of 800,000 square meters, 16 research clusters are being built successively to answer future questions arising from the challenges of megatrends. Six of these clusters are already in the course of implementation. These include the Bio-Medical Engineering Cluster in the direct vicinity of University Hospital Aachen. This consists of four centers, each of which is dedicated to a specific field. In these operating units, academics from the Faculties of Medicine, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Natural Sciences collaborate with experts from industry on methods and products that are set to revolutionize both diagnosis and therapy.Visually seamless façadeThe CT2 Center for Teaching and Training is the first investor-financed building in the Bio-Medical Engineering Cluster. The seven-storey building was constructed with an investment volume of around €20 million. By networking theory and clinical practice the building offers state-of-the-art training opportunities for students of Medicine, Dentistry, and Biomedical Engineering. It also sets new standards in the further training of physicians and medical personnel, as well as the testing of medical equipment. The aim here was for the CT² to also reflect this function in terms of its architectural design. The architects from sop designed a cube on the slightly sloping terrain that resembles an inverted “U” thanks to its fully glazed upper façades and thereby has the appearance of a gigantic gateway to the campus located behind it. This impression is underlined by the projecting exposed concrete of the side walls which serves to frame the frontal façade. The lateral façades with ribbon windows along their length are spanned by a shimmering skin made of metallic mesh that creates a visually seamless surface. At the same time, the spaces located behind it remain visible thanks to the transparency of the metal fabric. This shell comprises twelve panels of OMEGA 1520 stainless steel mesh – each measuring 29.5 meters long by 5.4 meters wide. There were several reasons behind the decision to go with the woven membrane. These include the fact that the metallic skin underlines the building’s high-tech aspirations and lends the field of biomedical technology both a contemporary and appropriate face. Interacting with the glass façades, it facilitates communication between the interior and exterior. The attachment type is also in keeping with the philosophy of design purism. In line with the patented Fusiomesh NG system, the upper and lower edge of the stainless steel mesh is embedded in a special adhesive between two flat profiles and thereby bonded. Clamping forks ensure that the mesh can be perfectly aligned and handle the requisite static preload based on the anticipated wind and impact loads. The panels are attached to a continuous steel profile in a way that makes them visible at the bottom. At the top edge of the building, on the other hand, the material is bent over backward, so that only a fine edge of the mesh can be seen here. To reduce horizontal movement and the shearing forces at a façade height of 29.5 meters, seven stainless steel tubes run horizontally behind the mesh as intermediate attachment levels. The mesh is then attached to these tubes from the outside with wire clamps that are invisible once fitted. GKD not only manufactured and assembled the mesh for this project, but also took care of the installation.Efficient contribution to sustainabilityBeside the special aesthetics of the metallic membrane, its functional properties were the key reasons for its selection. For example, the stainless steel shell serves as solar protection that reduces the surface temperature of the façade. Yet despite this, the open mesh structure still allows unrestricted natural daylight into the rooms, as well as clear outward views. As such, it not only contributes to improving the building’s energy balance, but also makes it a more pleasant place to spend time and thereby helps boost employee performance. Since stainless steel can be fully recycled at the end of its useful life, the membrane also supports the sophisticated sustainability concept of the new building. The openness and interaction already visible from outside continue consistently into the atrium housed inside the building that is flooded with light. Numerous bridges and wide galleries allow a wide range of visual connections with all floors. The guiding principle of communication and interdisciplinary collaboration then becomes a reality that can be experienced throughout the entire building. Further highlights include a multifunctional auditorium that can house 400 people, as well as a demonstration operating theater equipped with the latest technologies. As and when necessary, these two functional rooms can be combined with the foyer in the basement to create an end-to-end event area which can, for example, be used for symposia. When operated at maximum capacity, the building can then host up to 1,200 guests. Its shimmering stainless steel mesh façade allows the gateway to the future to be seen from great distances.

Profile 22’s Optima windows were chosen for the refurbishment of two tower blocks and the construction of a new low rise apartment block to create 224 one- and two-bedroom independent living apartments in Nottingham.

Our INTRAgrille XT system in stainless steel was specified for the project. Designed for high-traffic areas and suitable for wheelchair access, INTRAgrille XT’s open construction allows air to flow freely, making it perfect for the application.

New pedestrian surface linking Tooley Street with the southern end of Tower Bridge. Bound construction using natural stone setts and slabs to form the main pedestrian route and a variety of private and community amenity spaces.

Sirius and Ganton Academy is a dynamic 21st century learning environment created to accommodate state-of-the-art facilities in Hull. It is also the UK’s first academy to be constructed using Technal’s revolutionary low rise glazing system.

Kindred House is a 25-storey block made up of 128 one to three bedroom residential apartments overlooking the Croydon Flyover. Of these homes, 60 are affordable, and includes above flexible office and retail space, and 1000m² of flexible commercial space adjacent to the road. These all act as a buffer for the affordable apartments on the opposite side of the plan. The building has been stabilised with RC lift cores and RC shear walls and supported on reinforced concrete piled foundations.Cellecta’s YELOfon HD5 was specified by Pitman Tozer Architects on this project for its excellent high impact sound deadening properties ideal for a block of flats. It is a lightweight, easy to install non-crosslinked polyethylene foam.Henry Construction was awarded the 10,000m² contract to construct these modern apartments.

Magestic match for larch claddingThis larch cladded, timber frame construction sits within a beautiful silver birch woodland site in the north of Scotland. A galvanised rainwater system was selected for the one and a half storey, two bedroom detached house by architect David Dittman. Client, Kevin Grant, says, "Rainline was specified by our architect, however, I have seen it used extensively in the area and was particularly keen to have it myself anyway". Local contractor MacGillivray Construction was used for the build, the rainwater system was purchased through online merchant Roofing Superstore. The client was pleased with the product and submitted the project as an entry to our My Rainline competition. Mr Grant has since built a garage and will be installing a matching Rainline system himself.

Modular buildings are becoming a more popular solution as they demonstrate cost savings, shorter construction time and sustainability benefits. Go Modular Technologies (UK) Ltd manufactured ten flats constructed by nine large modules on three levels over the concrete commercial ground floor for this project in Poole. We were able to offer an affordable A2 fire rated solution to finish the building envelope which resulted in the facade being completed in Hardie® Architectural Panel. The planning approval was originally for render and buff brick so we were able to provide a similar look with our Smooth Sand texture which was chosen in three of our core colours to give this coastal location a modern and contemporary look.

The StoVentec Glass rainscreen system featured on the upper part of this 84,000 sq ft Marks & Spencer store in Maidstone was specified by architects Corstorphine & Wright for this £25 million project. 900m2 of StoVentec Glass panels were manufactured on a completely bespoke basis and finished in a pre-specified RAL colour to complement the modern design of the building and the other construction materials that were used. The StoVentec Glass system was designed and installed by specialist contractor Southern Maze Ltd, using Sto’s innovative sub-construction that can be mounted onto virtually all substrates, with no visible frames, rails or fixings. The store is regarded as a flagship out-of-town project for Marks & Spencer and features a bakery and food hall alongside other retail spaces. 

FOAMGLAS® S3 (Slab)Design Architects: Chamberlin, Powell and Bon, LondonConstruction: 1982Application: Compact Roof - FOAMGLAS® S3 (Slab ) Finish: PaversBarbican Centre in the City of London is a residential, commercial and performing arts centre, it has an array of buildings which has pushed the forefront of architecture.The centre is the largest of its type in Europe and despite its construction many years ago, the centre continues to attract many visitors from around the world not only for its arts and performances but its 1970's Brutalist Architecture.The client, City of London Corporation, is the third largest arts funder in the United Kingdom.In 2001 the Barbican Complex became a Grade II listed building.

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

PROJECT CONTRACTOR: Electra-B.S.T Registered Partnership/HAGIVAY.H. LTD PROJECT MANAGER: Electra-B.S.T: Silvivan ChachmoPROJECT ENGINEER: Electra-B.S. T: Offer Luzon / HAGIVA Y.H.: Priel LewMARKET/ENVIRONMENT: InfrastructureSUBSTRATE: Steel/ConcretePRODUCTS USED: Five Star® Fluid Grout 100 and Five Star® GroutPROJECT SIZE: Five Star Fluid Grout 100: 30,000 Kg / Five Star® Grout: 55,000 KgTHE CHALLENGETo construct an environmentally friendly, covered, 30,000-seat stadium in Israel's largest city of Haifa for the convenience of spectators, players, and judges. As such, two of the country's predominant construction entities were selected. A partnership was formed between Electra BST Registered Partnership and constructor Yossi Shiran, the largest engineering company in Israel, to complete this 80-million-dollar stadium over the course of five years.THE SOLUTIONFive Star® Fluid Grout 100 and Five Star Grout enabled contractors to create a unique stadium that is both meticulous and intentional in catering to the convenience of its visitors and players. Five Star's industry-leading cement-based, non-metallic, non-shrink Fluid Grout 100 and Five Star Grout were integral to the stadium's construction.

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

The beautifully transformed St Helen’s Tower designed by TTSP created an environment that considered both functionality and comfort for staff and visitors. The design and build project was constructed by COMO (now Mace Interiors) and wonderfully installed by TMJ Interiors.

Corstorphine + Wright Architects utilised cost effective construction and materials including Thrutone Smooth fibre cement slates throughout this highly energy-efficient private house situated on a 180-acre arable farm in West Sussex.