"steel"

Located in the painstakingly conserved 16th century Riddle’s Court in Edinburgh’s Old Town, the Patrick Geddes Centre is aworld-class centre for learning. Steeped in history, culture andarchitectural wonder, it reopened as a community, conferenceand events space following a £6m restoration in 2017.Allgood was selected by conservation specialist architectsLDN to deliver an ironmongery solution that would providemodern facilities within the picturesque Category A-listedmerchant’s house, without compromising the integrity of theoriginal building.Prestigious heritage hardware brand Frank Allart was chosen,and an antique brass finish was applied to blend in with thehistoric areas of the venue. Throughout the modern quarters,the high-performance and ultra-durable Modric stainless steelrange was used.Bespoke hinges and door closers were developed to matchthe different manufacturers’ ironmongery, while Certifireapproved Alite door closers and Allgood’s integrated securitypackage including secure access controls, intercom andvideo entry systems were employed to deliver a high-qualityfinish.

The Project £12m investment into a new facility at Dudley College will enable the college to specialise in training people working in construction using brand new/state of the art apprentice standards. On completion of the project, the college have pledged approx. half a million pounds sponsorship into Dudley Academies Trust which will benefit a number of local schools and enable the sharing of resources and expertise. The ChallengeDeliver a package that will inspire the students and present a true representation of the quality and standards expected in the construction industry. Install a full height, flush frontage cubicles system in a warehouse style space with ceiling heights exceeding four meters. Use local trades and services to the Black Country. Offer non-standard products to class-room areas. The SolutionExcelsior Flush 30 Full Height Cubicles installed on 150mm leg with upgraded stainless steel fittings. Complementary Duct panelling installed to house cisterns and associated plumbing work.Manufacture and install Solid Grade Laminate workstations in the classrooms.

BackgroundOccupying a prominent position on the Kingsway, The Curve development is a portfolio of 27 apartments. The key requirement for Cube Homes was to offer residents high quality, low carbon, affordable and sustainable apartments.After extensive planning, K Systems specified a direct fix system with mineral wool insulation and a silicone render finish. Our Direct Fix system for steel frame structures is KIWA BDA certified and provided the ideal solution for these newly constructed mid-rise apartments.Our team designed a façade solution that delivered modern, thermally efficient and aesthetically pleasing homes, meeting the client’s requirements.Our ServiceDue to the number of fixings and the curvature of the property, this was a technical project which required bespoke detailing.In collaboration with Bowker Sadler Architects and our approved installer Profac, we designed a comprehensive specification and were on-site when required, offering Profac technical and installation support throughout the build.The Direct Fix system specified is a cost-efficient solution for steel frame structures, with fewer components for a simpler and faster install. Direct Fix generates exceptional insulation and with a silicone render finish provides high levels of fire rating (A2,s1-d0), allowing Cube Homes to deliver safe and thermally efficient homes.Technical Project DetailsThe EWI needed to be line and level with the ground floor brickwork. To achieve this specific requirement, 300mm mineral wool (which is deeper than available mineral wool) was specified for the project. This meant 110mm and 190mm boards were combined to achieve the required 300mm.This thicker mineral wool meant that the curved elevation on the building was difficult to achieve. The insulation was facetted around the curve and carefully installed by Profac to create a seamless façade. The 300mm mineral wool resulted in a low U-value of circa 0.10 W/m²K, meaning heating costs for the apartments will be minimal and carbon usage will be reduced to a minimum standard.For the finish, silicone render (TC 15) was specified to create a striking curved elevation. Silicone TC incorporates the benefits of silicone technology to provide a water repellent finish with a fresh and modern appearance. The silicone allows water vapour to pass freely through the render whilst allowing the finish to remain weather resistant, making it the ideal solution for a low maintenance, long-term finish.

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

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

Formally known as the Olympic stadium, this structure was constructed in the Stratford district of London for the London 2012 Olympics. After the Olympics, redevelopment of the stadium began, including installation of the new floodlights in March 2015. The 60,000 capacity stadium is now home of West Ham United.The project involved working with 2 different clients on the same project – Populous (Global stadium developers) and Buro Happold (consulting engineers) for 14 no lighting puddles for the London stadium. The driver for the use of composites was seeking a way to reduce the weight at the end of what was then the largest cantilever roof section – so weight at the end was more critical than normal. We also supplied 2000m² of steel gratings to the same project – demonstrating how we can identify the most suitable material for each application.The material used was Flowdeck solid top 41mm deep in RAL 7043. Flowdeck is resin moulded with a 3mm thick applied plate on top of a 38mm thick standard panel. It was fabricated at our facility in Middlesbrough with each one delivered on a phase-by-phase basis to a tight programme.

SubFloor flooring was used in a conversion of an industrial premise for youth gaming activities. This allowed insulation to separate the cold floor from the main area and for wiring installations under the floor.This simple and elegant solution raised and levelled the floor to allow for installations and insulation. The joist and screw system allows for quick and easy assembly so that the floor can reach the desired height.95 mm Rigid insulation was positioned on the insulation bearers and a 22 mm chipboard was placed on top.Products:Wooden Joist 45x45x3600 mmSubFloor Screw 200 mmSubFloor Screw FootInsulation Bearer 95 mmHeight Variation: 105 - 236 mmJoist separation: c/c 600 mmSystem Weight - c/c 600 mm: 2.82 kg/m²Materials:Pine T0-C24Fibre-reinforced polypropylenePolyamideCold Galvanised Sheet SteelPoint Load Limit (50 x 50 mm):Load next to screw over joist edge - 9.72 kNLoad between screws over joist edge - 15.85 kN

SubFloor flooring was used to help renovate and raise a concrete floor into a level school floor in Skövde, Sweden.This simple and elegant solution raised and levelled the floor to allow for installations and insulation. The joist and screw system allows for quick and easy assembly so that the floor can reach the desired height.45 mm Rigid insulation was positioned on the insulation bearers to leave a clear void underneath and a 22 mm chipboard was placed on top.Products:Wooden Joist 45x45x3600 mmSubFloor Screw 100 mmSubFloor Screw FootInsulation Bearer 45 mmHeight Variation: 50 - 111 mmJoist separation: c/c 600 mmSystem Weight - c/c 600 mm: 2.66 kg/m²Materials:Pine T0-C24Fibre-reinforced polypropylenePolyamideCold Galvanised Sheet SteelPoint Load Limit (50 x 50 mm):Load next to screw over joist edge - 9.72 kNLoad between screws over joist edge - 15.85 kN

The vision for Rochdale Riverside was to provide a revitalised and vibrant town centre incorporating a contemporary architectural form and material palette. In this way it was hoped that it would create a destination experience and re-establish Rochdale as a major shopping centre.The impact of the Stereo-kinetic® wall cladding was fundamental within the design of the project.As described by architects, TP Bennet, “The centrepiece of the scheme, a striking, copper-clad cinema, is set against a background of a dramatic kinetic wall featuring a relief depicting the River Roch, which runs in a culvert underneath the centre”.And also noted within the report by Rochdale Online, “To bring visual interest and activity a unique moving tile wall is proposed which will move with the wind to create rippling effects. It will create a truly distinctive piece of public art and feature at a key entrance point to the town for tram and bus passengers”.Lang+Fulton fitted the 77,500 stainless steel tiles off-site using a template corresponding to the architects design and supplied their panels fully finished with protective, recyclable wrapping for ease of installation.

Designed to manage and guide the flow of visitors, the Webnet balustrade plays a key role in the organisation of pedestrian traffic during and after the 2012 Olympics hosted at the Queen Elizabth Olympic Park in Stratford, London.The balustrading infill had to accommodate the multitude of curves that were a feature of the balustrade’s design, and the pliable characteristics of the Webnet wire mesh made it the perfect choice.  The Webnet system can adapt to most forms and shapes, making it perfect for creating curves. Featuring high translucency, the Jakob Webnet system is also a discreet and elegant choice for balustrading. The Jakob Webnet wire mesh balustrade infill went through an exhaustive series of tests to ensure it could cope with the large crowds and fulfil a vital security function.Created using marine grade 316 stainless steel, Jakob’s Webnet wire mesh infill continues to provide a robust, weather resistant solution, designed to last for years to come.MMA Architectural Systems (JAKOB's sole UK distributor) also supplied Webnet wire mesh frames for the London Stadium at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. 

Delivered an elegant Green (Living) Wall at the iconic One Hyde Park building using a a combination of Jakob’s high-quality stainless-steel ropes, rods and planters.Our green wall has been installed to the eastern edge of the One Hyde Park building; where it lines the route of a new pedestrian walkway (Serpentine Walk), just a few steps away from Harrods. The wall creates a stunning green corridor between Hyde Park and the nearby Harrods store and 80 luxury apartments.The Jakob Green Wall system was chosen due to its aesthetic appeal suiting the architectural design of the building and the 21st century trend of city greening.The green wall provides both a visual and physical link between the expansive open spaces of Hyde Park and the busy street scene along Knightsbridge. The greening is also a taster of the views from the opulent penthouse suites above.Alongside the LED lighting, the green wall makes the building unique and distinctive. Ensuring that it looks great, both day and night.

Project: Faraday Business ParkDate: 2021 Background:·        APL were engaged with the architect early in the project design and specification process, providing specification and system support through the tender process·        APL’s strong design and engineering capability ensured that the bespoke window pods designed by the architect were incorporated in early details·        Due to APL’s strong supply-chain relationship, all material was able to be procured and delivered on time to meet the projects programme·        APL provided all thermal and structural calculations Systems:·        10,000m² of APL built-up roof system with stucco-embossed mill-finished aluminium trapezoidal AP31/1000RR profile, along with PV support system·        8,000m² of APL built-up wall system with steel sinusoidal AP45HR in RAL 9006 and RAL 7012 as the external profile·        Bespoke window pods fabricated in 3mm aluminium with a Class 2 PPC coating·        APL Tritherm™ GALV sub-framing·        All rainwater goods including gutters and downpipes·        All fixings and accessories  Building Location:·        Fareham

The ChallengePreston Primary School required cover for their outdoor play area so that their pupils could play outside in all weather conditions at their school in Devon. The school liked the appearance and practicality of the Coniston Wall Mounted Canopy, yet due to the fact that they did not want to fix a canopy to their existing building, they requested information on the free standing canopies available. They also had a fixed budget and therefore required a canopy that would fit into their budget without compromising on quality and size.The SolutionAble Canopies suggested the Grange Junior Free Standing Canopy as the ideal shelter solution for them due to its similar appearance to the Coniston Wall Mounted Canopy, and the fact it also shared many of the Coniston's benefits including its ability to be constructed to an unlimited length. As a free standing structure the Grange Junior does not need to be fixed to a building or other structure which matched Preston Primary school's needs. It benefits from a robust steel frame which is covered with polycarbonate roof panels that offer high UV protection from the sun, making this product ideal for an educational environment.

Canal Architectural were approached to design, manufacture and install a luxury feature staircase for Gresham Street. A leading workspace design company collaborated with the Technical Sales Team to engineer a four flight staircase for the atrium of the building.The 50,000 sq ft of commercial space in the heart of London was developed to connect its employees and working spaces together. The mild steel structure featured oak timber box treads, painted stringers, bronze metallic balustrade and a wrapped brown leather handrail. The entire development was transformed into a contemporary co-working area for a modern and innovative space for the specialist investment firm.The Canal site team worked closely with the contractor throughout the entire installation process to ensure smooth delivery in line with current building regulations. Canal Architectural are proud to have a long-standing collaborative relationship with leading design and build firm. Canal has worked directly with the workspace design company to engineer exquisite architectural metalwork designs for some of the UK’s most prestigious projects over the years including Gresham Street.

Orbis OS211 Glass Infill Top FixThe Birkenhead Community Fire Station was completed in 2013, as part of the North West Fire PFI scheme, a framework of 16 fire stations across North West England. The client’s main objectives were to provide a safe and healthy environment with improved facilities for firefighters and other personnel.Following demolition of the existing fire station, the design and construction of this multi-appliance station, led by Balfour Beatty Construction, included community orientated facilities, training facilities, rest rooms, additional office space and two communal staircases. At early design stages, Delta Balustrades worked closely with Balfour Beatty to meet the client’s objectives of creating well designed facilities to a high architectural standard. The Orbis system was chosen as a cost-effective, high-quality tubular balustrade solution for both staircases.The main stair boasted a brushed stainless steel finish with unique Banjo glass fixings. Savings were made on the rear stairs by selecting powder coated uprights and D type glass fixings.

Orbis OS210/OS211 Glass Infill Side and Top FixThe Eastbourne College Project 150 delivered a sports hall, competition pool, fitness suite, squash courts, dining and common rooms, pavilion and 32 classrooms, while also providing connections between key College facilities. The development, to mark the college’s 150th anniversary, enabled the Eastbourne College to take a giant leap forward providing several high-quality facilities in one substantial build. Delta Balustrades worked with the architect from early concept design stages and provided technical expertise and advice. The Orbis balustrade system throughout provided a consistent glass balustrade style throughout the building and could be utilised for the external pavilion areas also. Whilst mainly throughout new build areas of the college, the look and style of the balustrades was especially important to complement the College’s iconic buildings and environment. Due to the proximity to the sea, special attention had to be given to the materials and finishes for the external balustrades, and 316 grade stainless steel with a Lustre bright polished finish was required to be suitable in a marine environment.

Our coatings look after the world’s most iconic and acclaimed buildings. Among them is the Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki. Since its redevelopment in 2011, the principal public gallery in Auckland, New Zealand has won 23 awards and counting, including the prestigious World Architecture Festival's 2013 World Building of the Year. The redevelopment plan aimed at restoring and preserving heritage elements and sensitively combining them with 21st-century design. This included earthquake-proofing and heritage restoration of the 1887 and 1916 components of the main building and the addition of new, contemporary elements that increased display space by 50 per cent. One of the most distinctive features of the new building is its roof design, which forms a series of fine ‘tree-like’ canopies that define and cover the forecourt, atrium and gallery areas.Our coatings complemented this architectural challenge of blending old with new. A coatings system comprising of Interzinc 42, Intergard 251 and Interthane 990 was used to protect structural steel, while Interchar 963 was used to provide essential protection from the effects of fire.

Whitethorn Village is an attractive residential scheme positioned adjacent to the centre of Naas. The contemporary development led by Cairn Homes PLC includes a mix of spacious family homes and two apartment buildings. These comfortable, sustainable residences offer the very best in terms of quality and energy efficiency.Developer Cairn Homes collaborated with Horizon Offsite to deliver the impressive 5-storey residential blocks in Whitethorn Village, benefiting from off-site fabrication, accuracy, and rapid completion within a tightly controlled cost plan.The apartments were constructed using an offsite fabricated light gauge steel (LGS) structural system. The external LGS wall panels and floor decking used in this system incorporated a number of Partel’s low carbon building envelope solutions. This included the advanced fire rated components EXOPERM MONO DURO 200 breather membrane and ECHOSEAL ALU FR airtight and windtight tape, the multi-purpose adhesive VERBOND, and also the phA Class Passive House Certified components IZOPERM PLUS vapour control layer and VARA SEAL smart airtight tape.

Kidwells Estate, on the outskirts of Maidenhead in Berkshire, is undergoing major regeneration involving seven new blocks, which are part timber clad and vary from three to six storeys of structural concrete frame. Long cantilever walkways that service multiple flats are a feature of the new development and the unusual design demands of the walkways presented a technical challenge.The solution required a relatively unusual combination of products and Schöck resolved the various issues by designing in its Isokorb® T type HP. It is a product utilised only if horizontal, tension and compression forces are present in the design and additionally it is necessary to integrate the Schöck Isokorb® T types Q-P as well, for linear or point connection to support high shear loads. Schöck Dorn type SLD Q50 heavy duty stainless steel dowels were also incorporated to enable the transfer of vertical shear forces and allow two directional lateral movements at the expansion joints. The result was a completely secure thermally insulated load-bearing connection at all of the restricted, but key structural points.

THE PROJECTPutney Rise is a housing development created by Barratt Homes in the popular south-west London suburb.The development has been designed by Carey Jones Architects to reference the local architecture and design of neighbouring buildings.Putney Rise is located close to Wimbledon Common, Richmond Park, Putney Common, Barnes Wetland and the River Thames; so many green areas nearby that it feels rural.Putney Rise features of mix of 125 apartments and 30 houses set around a series of courtyards and green areas.THE PRODUCTThe Safety Letterbox Company supplied mailboxes for both sections of the development – fire rated mailboxes for the apartment buildings and MEFA Judo individual mailboxes for the houses.The MEFA Judo mailboxes used on the project are finished in RAL 7024 – Graphite Grey; a custom colour that is not typically offered as a standard option. A classic feature of the MEFA Judo mailbox is the contrasting band colour used in the range.The Graphite Grey colour finish of the mailbox matches the window and door designs, with the stainless-steel band reflecting both the window and door hardware.

THE PROJECTThe ‘Bronze Project’ is a multi-occupancy residential development that has been designed with a distinctive high-end project finish.The development features multiple banks of wall recessed post boxes in the reception lobby area which is located near to the entrance of the building. It is positioned in this area so that both mail delivery personnel can deposit items in a short space of time from a centralised location, and recipients are able to quickly access their deliveries as they pass by the mailboxes.The mailboxes are recessed into the wall which maximise the available space and ensure that Health & Safety requirements are conformed to.The mailbox model used in the ‘Bronze Project’ is the COM 2 Steel Door – 127 product. This type of horizontal mailbox is ideal for developments that require a large number of mailboxes to securely store deliveries for recipients in a restricted amount of space. The horizontal dimensions of the product (small height, large width with a relatively large depth) allow for multiple mailboxes to be stacked on top of each other, maximising the quantity of products in one area.Each mailbox has been engraved with a number which corresponds to their apartment address.

Cann Hall Skate Park in Waltham Forest, East London had been closed after the steel frame and plywood structure had fallen into disrepair. A refurbishment proposal was put together with funding from the Council’s Greenspace department, government funding secured by the Council’s youth service team and a donation from the local police Safer Neighbourhood Team. The designer chose TOPTINT coloured concrete as part of a high contrast design that would emphasise the bold geometric shapes used. Available in a wide range of colours, TOPTINT would deliver the smooth, durable finish required for the skate park surface in the bright, contrasting colours that the designer was looking for.TOPTINT coloured concretes use liquid colour pigment which is UV stable meaning that the colour will not degrade over time from natural sunlight. Also, because this liquid pigment is evenly mixed throughout the concrete, the colour resists surface wear, even in busy locations like skate parks.Read the full story at: https://tarmac.com/case-studies/coloured-concrete-for-london-skate-park/

Surespan have recently completed the design and manufacturing of a large stainless steel hydraulic opening recessed floor door for a project in Sri-Lanka.The ProjectThe $850 million Waterfront integrated Resort (Cinnamon Life) is Sri Lanka’s largest and most iconic mixed development, located in the capital city of Colombo. Balmond Studio has designed and constructed the resort as a ‘city within a city’ offering two 5-star luxury hotels, offices, residences and premium retail and entertainment. They hope the resort will become one of the iconic and identifiable landmarks in Asia.The no-limits project is symbolic of Sri Lanka’s ambition, drive, and growth. The ProductSurespan were approached to manufacture the hatch to suit an opening of 6.5m by 4.1m and capable of withstanding a slow-moving wheel load of 10kN/m2. The pan-type door will be re-cessed for receiving 30mm of Natural Stone Slab infill with an approximate infill weight of 2 tonnes.Features The largest recessed floor hatch has been manufactured to provide a theoretical sound reduction of 45dB. To assist with installation, lifting points were designed to the frame exterior.

The VELUX Daylight Visualizer enlightens a new-build school academyA new school building project was commissioned with a clear design vision—deliver an exceptional learning facility to best serve pupils and the community.The school design is a steel-framed superblock with a compacted floorplate and accommodating spaces spread over four floors. In the main building, classrooms benefit from daylight provided through vertical glazing. Larger communal spaces such as the main hall, internal corridors, a dining room, and drama studio can be found in the heart of the building. Daylight in these communal spaces is provided through the roof.  Activity spaces such as the sports hall, a gym and library required specific daylight levels to comply with the Department for Education (DfE) output specification requirements. Deep-plan, central locations also required a calculated daylight design, prompting Pozzoni Architects to invite VELUX Commercial to collaborate on the project and assist with the evaluation of daylight provision.To read more about this case study and how understanding daylight analysis simplifies complex design goals, visit our website.

Cambridge Biomedical Campus. (CBC) created a vibrant and groundbreaking health care community at the forefront of science and medicine.Dortek’s brief was to supply and installation of doors to a very specific programme, across primarily 3 floors.Our Dortek doors were installed within the BRF rooms, laboratories, holding room, procedure rooms, CL3 labs, equipment store, changing rooms, and circulation routes. The type of doors we installed were GRP hinged and sliding in stainless steel frames, many with integrated privacy panels.SolutionThe particular project requirements that made our doors suitable was the durability, acoustic performance, non organic door quality of our SS frame which ensures suitability to this environment. The SS frame had previously been used at Francis Crick Institute also. We fulfilled the clients expectations by meeting the specification and programme, and working closely with planners to interface with other trades. There was some complexity about the project as most doors are very large for equipment access and some have acoustic requirements, also to include is there are a lot of doors in a concentrated area.

The ChallengeParmiter’s School needed five of their washroom blocks refurbished and work was initially planned to take place during term time for two of the quieter rooms and Summer for the other ones.The main objective for the school was to increase the amount of cubicles in all the washrooms to accommodate their increased student numbers.The SolutionBrookhouse, having created a strict methodology for term-time work, was able to refurbish both the Sixth Form Washroom and Gym toilets during term time with minimal disruption.The washrooms were designed utilising the spaces effectively to obtain the maximum amount of full-height enclosed cubicles which increased capacity by over 30% for each room.Superbly stylish, practical and highly durable, these solid grade laminate cubicles were the exact finish that Parmiter’s School were hoping for. We Provided:Full Height Washroom Cubicles and IPSSolid Grade Laminate (SGL)Contrasting Colour Doors and PanelsAutomatic Infrared Taps & Soap DispensersHygienic Hand-DryersModern Solid Surface TroughStructural SteelDrainage Groundworks

Wood finish powder coating to realise vision of a timber facade Overview A brand-new Skills and Innovation Centre has been added to the Earl Street/Broad Street elevation of the South Staffordshire College’s campus, a £28million project. This 7,500 sq metre, 3 storey building will house leading-edge construction, engineering and hybrid vehicle technology workshops, along with innovatively designed social spaces. The building takes pride of place on the college’s town centre site and a suitably striking external envelope has been planned. The architects’ envisaged a facade of long vertical fins giving the appearance of timber. This would also screen a roof-top substation from view. The Project Maple Sunscreening won the contract to supply the extensive vertical fin façade and proposed using lightweight aluminium instead of timber to achieve the of span required. This project is a perfect example of one of the key advantages of PWF on aluminium, over wood, namely the ability to accomplish very long spans with structural integrity. Powdertech Wood Finish (PWF ™) was selected as the most appropriate powder coating since it is formulated to match the natural variations in colour, grain density and grain pattern of wood. Importantly, PWF meets fire reaction classification A2-s1, d0. The client selected the preferred shade from our collection and the aluminium extrusions began to arrive at our plant. We coated 4000 metres of aluminium, comprising mainly rectangular sections of extruded aluminium, of sizes 200mm and 100mm x 50mm. Now installed on the building these look stunning, giving the impression of enormous lengths of wood wrapping around the building. Why PWF?            · The finish combines the strength and longevity of metal with the warm, natural appeal of wood with a high level of colour and gloss retention· Excellent corrosion protection and resistance against abrasion and weather.· Conforms to Fire Reaction classification A2-s1, d0· A high level of sustainability using aluminium, with a coating that can be removed at end of life leaving the underlying metal unaffected· ‘Green’ credentials of PWF – no solvents, no VOCs, no hazardous waste.· Low maintenance - unlike wood.· The PWF range conforms to EN 12206-1 and Qualicoat specifications.· Can be applied to most metallic substrates including aluminium, galvanized steel, cast metals and stainless steel· Powdertech has over 35-years’ experience in professional architectural powder coatings. Colour, tone and texture are our passion and we have the expertise to develop bespoke finishes.  

The creation of an ultra-modern Teaching Building as a new core to a long established school in Oxfordshire, has included the installation of custom designed and manufactured stainless steel sinks, worktops and splashbacks and other units from GEC Anderson for several of the different technical spaces.The Tudor Hall School, originally founded in 1850 by the Rev TW and Mrs Todd at a site in Salisbury, has been at its present location at Wykham Park in Banbury since World War II, while the past decade has seen some £15 million invested in ensuring the Independent Girls Boarding and Day School offers the best possible facilities.The Birmingham office of ADP Architects has been responsible for the design work on this latest project, while Clegg Construction Ltd of Nottingham was the main contractor carrying out the work. Acting as a specialist sub-contractor, GEC Anderson conducted site visits and liaised with the project team in order to ensure its custom fabrications met the schools’ health & safety as well as technical and teaching requirements. The manufacturer also worked closely with Tudor Hall’s Bursar, Neil Farquhar to ensure its site installation visits in no way interfered with the academic activities as lessons continued throughout normal term time. One of the architects involved with the project from early on commented: “The GEC Anderson sinks, work-surfaces and other fabrications were specified for the Food Technology Area as well as units for the Ceramics and Textiles rooms. The new centre opened on schedule last Easter in time for the start of the 2018 summer term and everyone involved has been pleased with the results.”A spokesperson for Tudor Hall added: “The new Teaching Centre is the largest and most ambitious addition to Tudor Hall facilities to date and sits at the heart of the school site. Designed to provide teaching spaces for the core subjects of Mathematics and English and specialist classrooms for the creative arts, the Teaching Centre transforms the teaching provision which Tudor Hall offers and we are delighted to have it operative, and we are already witnessing its impact.” Since its formation in 1962, GEC Anderson has built its reputation for the supply of top end stainless steel sinks and sanitaryware on a combination of innovative design, top quality materials and expert craftsmanship. In addition to the company’s Decimetric system of cabinets, sinks, drainers and other equipment - widely specified for sectors including health and catering – it is able to create custom engineered solutions to exactly fit any space or specification.

Gripsure has played a key part in the transformation of the Story Museum in Oxford. The much-loved attraction has undergone a £6 million revamp, which involved extending, altering and refurbishing a mixture of existing buildings to create space for interactive exhibitions, displays, theatre performances and activities.At the museum’s core, is a courtyard with a bespoke steel and timber feature staircase and walkways, which connect the three main buildings, including the 19th Century Rochester House and a former postal office. Gripsure’s Classic boards with three non-slip aggregate inserts have been used to provide a safe, non-slip surface on the courtyard’s feature staircase and along the curved walkways.Our Classic deck boards achieve the highest non-slip safety rating on the market, meaning museum-goers – many of them young children – can safely work their way up, down, back and along the circular route as they explore various magical storytelling worlds, including a whispering wood and an enchanted library.Project manager Barry Doyle of Buckingham-based construction firm Edgar Taylor said Gripsure decking was a great choice. “It had to be non-slip because it’s a museum and there are children going up and down the stairs all the time,” said Barry. “The decking needed to be safe.”Gripsure’s Classic boards were chosen with a mixture of widths selected to suit the curved nature of the staircase. Gripsure’s Step profile was also used, which has a wide insert. As well as being a safe choice, the contemporary look of the Classic timber boards blends in well with the style of the museum’s timber and steel staircase and walkways.“This was a project of passion for the people that ran it,” said Barry Doyle, adding that it was vital to get details, such as the decking exactly right. “The staircase and external walkways are an important part because they effectively tie the buildings together on all floors.”The Story Museum was founded in 2003 and initially operated as a virtual museum before moving to premises in Rochester House, Pembroke Street. The redevelopment project first started in 2018 and was broken down into ‘chapters’.The Story Museum, which has worked and associated with and associated with authors and illustrators including Michael Morpurgo, Philip Pullman, Terry Pratchett, Jacqueline Wilson and Quentin Blake, was finally able to open its doors again in 2020, to the delight of children and their families.The extraordinary renovation project - led by Purcell architects – has been mentioned in the RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) Journal.The museum was also a finalist in the Art Fund’s 2022 museum of the year.See storymuseum.org.uk; edgartaylor.co.uk

THE PROJECTManhattan Loft Gardens is an exciting 42 storey cantilevered tower that offers ‘loft living in a high rise’ in the heart of Stratford, London.The development features a variety of residential living and facilities including a seven-storey hotel, spa, two restaurants, three sky gardens, 248 private flats, apartments, lofts and penthouses.The project was designed by the internationally acclaimed architects SOM (Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP). Private accommodation in the building is split between single and double-height apartments that are interwoven into the fabric of the development.Located between the Stratford International Station and the Westfield Stratford City, the Manhattan Loft Gardens has fantastic views over the Olympic Park.THE DESIGNThe design of the development is striking, with three extensive rooftop gardens slicing into the body of the high-rise tower, with the upper levels supported by a cantilever. The open-air spaces offer a modern take on the traditional London rooftop gardens, providing residents with space to relax outside of their home.The façade of the building features a combination of transparent and solid panels manufactured in terracotta and glass. The building has been constructed with a triangular geometric shape to offer a visually-interesting design, pushing the boundaries of modern high-res city developments.THE PRODUCTThe project required 148 mailboxes to securely store the mail deliveries for the residents living within this high-end development. The mailboxes are located on the ground floor in the entrance walkways with access to the mailboxes and building behind a secured external property door.The mailboxes are configured into multiple products in a bank, maximising the quantity of mail that can be securely stored in a minimum amount of space. The large banks of mailboxes are recessed into the walls of the walkways, fixed through the side, top and bottom faces of the product.The mailbox model used in this development was SLB’s brand new and impressive ‘Tile’ product that features composite doors finished in a Stainless Steel grade 316L with a vertical grain flow. This product has been used on other high-end projects such as Rathbone Square and Fulham High Street.The mailbox uses a non-standard lock with a Matt Nickel bespoke finish that secures the front door of the mailbox in style. Each mailbox features contrasting matt black engraved numbers on the face of the stainless steel door. The numbering corresponds to the apartment numbers of the residents in the development, allowing mail delivery personnel granted access to the area, as well as the resident to identify the correct mailbox quickly.They are fully designed and manufactured in our factory in Neath, South Wales.

DescriptionSmet Supported Partner, B Team Shopfitters machine applied the LIDL External Render System onto Poroton blocks externally using as Base Coat: Bauprotec 850 M – Lightweight Lime Cement Render and as Finish Coat; Mineral Finish Coat K.  As Key Coat: Change of substrate concrete/steel pillar/Poroton block or mass concrete and insulated plinths: Bauprotec RHS Multi-Purpose Render with the addition of Bauprotec SLP for plinths.The Internal Render System specification onto Poroton blockwork consists of a base of Coat: Bauprotec 850 M, Lightweight Lime Cement Render, sponge floated in warehouse areas, and skim finished in sales areas. Key Coat: Change of substrate concrete/steel pillar/Poroton block: Bauprotec RHS is used.The LIDL render spec, available from SMET consists of:Bauprotec 850 M is a factory-produced Lightweight Lime Cement Render, specially designed for machine or hand application produced to EN 998-1: 2010 and is CE Marked.Bauprotec RHS is a CE Marked, factory-produced highly polymer-modified render specially designed for hand and machine application produced to EN 998-1: 2010.Mineral Finish Coat – K is a CE marked, factory-produced mineral-based, high-quality finish-coat render, specially designed for hand and machine application to EN 998-1, 2010.Bauprotec SLP is a CE Marked, factory-produced Lightweight Sand & Cement Render specially designed for hand and machine application produced to EN 998-1: 2010.The special render properties; lightweight, low thermal conductivity, high yield, and Smet Supported Partner superior technical backup, are key factors in choosing SMET. SMET is committed to delivering consistently superior quality, German-made Render Systems to Lidl Plastering and rendering/plastering contractors across the UK and ROI.  If you’d like to speak to us about your Lidl job – contact SMET.All LIDL spec SMET Render System products are available directly from Smet Building Products Ltd, which ensures the contractor has a superior level of technical backup in the machine application of the LIDL specification.Related DownloadsTDS CASEA Bauprotec 850 M – Lightweight Lime Cement RenderTDS CASEA Bauprotec RHS – Multi-Purpose RenderTDS CASEA Bauprotec SLP Tanking and Plinth RenderTDS CASEA Mineral Finish Coat – KSMET Render and Plaster Product Selector

These are the latest cycle hubs designed, manufactured, supplied and installed by Falco for four hospitals on behalf of Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust, complete with everything a cyclist may need in order to visit each hospital by bike.Wrightington Hospital, Thomas Linacre Centre and Royal Albert Edward Infirmary, all located within Wigan, Greater Manchester, received a bespoke version of the FalcoHub cycle hub, complete with reinforced safety glass cladding, FalcoLevel-Eco two-tier cycle racks, a cycle pump and repair stand, helmet lockers, powder coating and bespoke branding graphics.All 6m x 3m cycle hubs, capable of accommodating 22 bikes each, are clad in toughened safety glass with bespoke NHS branding graphics chosen by the client and the galvanised steel framework has been powder coated in an attractive ‘Fir Green’ RAL colour. Each cycle repair stand is equipped with a cycle pump and a number of convenient tools in order to carry out basic cycle maintenance whilst on the go.Leigh Infirmary, also based in Greater Manchester, received a bespoke version of the FalcoLok cycle store complete with traditional hardwood cladding, FalcoVert-Pro semi-vertical cycle racks to accommodate 10 bikes and five convenient helmet lockers.All FalcoHub cycle hubs as shown here at Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust, are a contemporary cycle store manufactured from a combination of a galvanised steel frame and reinforced safety glass / hardwood cladding, designed to be sympathetic to the surrounding area. The FalcoHub was developed by Falco’s in house design team to ensure it met the client’s specification including structural calculations so that the whole design meets the UK/European CPR regulations EN1090 and is CE marked as per UK law.In addition to the cycle hubs shown here, Falco has also recently installed cycle hubs for many locations across the UK including Rochdale Infirmary, Stromness Travel Centre in the Orkney Islands, Crewe, Runcorn, Birmingham International, Warrington Bank Quay and Carlisle station for Avanti West Coast, Bradford Royal Infirmary and St Luke’s Hospital for Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation, The Royal Oldham Hospital for Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, Ninewells Hospital & Medical School in Dundee and a bespoke cycle hub for Leicester City Council.For more information about the project here at Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust or how Falco can assist your cycle parking scheme, please contact our helpful sales team on 01538 380080.