"construction plant equipment"

On behalf of client Adlington Properties, this £110,000 12 month project was delivered in conjunction with specialist commercial fabricator Dempsey Dyer and contractor Gladman's Construction. It features: 300 frames Deceuninck 5000 Series Tilt and Turn 9016 White on White Decoroc

Saracens High School in Colindale, North West London is set to benefit from a brand new building constructed using the Knauf ThroughWall system. The new building will become a hub for the local area including pupils, parents, staff and the wider community.

Brick manufacturer Vandersanden is launching the very first CO2-negative facing brick on the market under the name Pirrouet®. One tonne of Pirrouet® facing bricks absorbs up to 60 kg of CO2 during the curing process and throughout its lifespan. This breakthrough is due to a unique industrial application of carbonation technology. In addition, only 20% of the Pirrouet® brick consists of primary raw materials – the rest comes from residual flows from the steel industry. With this first in the construction industry, Vandersanden is ensuring that attractive facades can contribute to a smaller environmental footprint. “Vandersanden wants to be completely CO2 neutral by 2050. With this CO2-negative facing brick, this intended reality comes a big step closer,” says Darren White, UK Sales Director, Vandersanden.Vandersanden has launched the first CO2-negative facing brick, Pirrouet® in the UK. The brick is unique because it is not fired but cured using CO2 from other industries. During the carbonation process, the CO2 reacts with calcium-containing materials, creating carbonates. This permanent bond creates a hard, limestone-like brick that meets the European standard for ceramic facing bricks. It is the first time a facing brick has been produced in this way.The Pirrouet® brick is largely a circular product. It consists of as much as 80% mineral residues (carbinox and stinox) from the steel industry. These residual flows don’t end up in landfill but are sustainably recycled. Only 20% of the new facing brick consists of primary raw materials such as sand, water and any dyes.The new brick is not only a fine example of sustainability, but it also delivers on aesthetics. Vandersanden achieved this attractive result by giving the Pirrouet® brick a unique surface texture. It is available in 11 colours, giving every facade a unique and aesthetic look. “Years of hard work have gone into developing a CO2-negative and circular facing brick. This innovation brings us another big step closer to our promise of a CO2-neutral future, as set out in our sustainability programme, Together to Zero. We are therefore immensely proud of this achievement by our team. This facing brick is a milestone for our sector, and with it, we are contributing to more circularity and reducing the CO2 footprint in the entire construction sector,” says Darren White, UK Sales Director, Vandersanden.Capturing CO2 from factories for reuseThe most energy-intensive aspect of producing facing bricks is no longer necessary with Pirrouet®. Instead of being fired in a kiln, they are hardened in a CO2 chamber. To fill this chamber, Vandersanden uses CO2 captured from other industries. As a result, a waste product becomes a raw material again and less CO2 is released into the atmosphere. During the production process, each tonne of Pirrouet® facing bricks absorbs as much as 60 kg of CO2, which bonds permanently with the calcium hydroxide present during the curing. To complete the sustainable process, Vandersanden generates most of its green electricity via its own solar panels and windmill.Production started with slim facing bricks and the range will be extended with WF and DF sizes of bricks later this year.Towards a CO2-free futureThe innovations by family company Vandersanden are all part of its sustainability programme, Together to Zero. With this initiative, it is committed to making all its processes, production methods, factories and products even more sustainable. “We are not just doing business for ourselves. We want to contribute to solutions for the major challenges in our society and for this reason we have created Together to Zero. Vandersanden wants to be completely CO2 neutral by 2050. With this revolutionary facing brick, we are one step closer to achieving that goal. We also want to inspire others and we’re calling on all our sector colleagues to work together towards a neutral footprint. We challenge everyone to join this pledge,” commented Johan Deburchgrave, CEO of Vandersanden.The revolutionary Pirrouet® facing brick entered the Belgian and Dutch markets in 2023, to a positive response. The construction and equipping of the new Pirrouet® factory in Lanklaar is almost finished and the first Pirrouet® bricks have been delivered to the very first project to specify them, the pioneering Groen Nobelhorst project in Almere, in the Netherlands, where 60 sustainable homes are being built. “We didn’t choose the name of the brick, Pirrouet®, at random. We wanted to pay tribute to our former CEO, Pirre Wuytack, a visionary man who was the founder and instigator of this pioneering sustainable innovation. The name is also a reference to the 360° rotation, the circular, and represents a movement towards a CO2-neutral world,” comments Darren White, UK Sales Director, Vandersanden.To find out more about the innovative production process of Pirrouet®, visit the Vandersanden website here.

When HSP Architects and Price & Myers wanted to transform a listed commercial basement in Temple Fortune to create a new community centre, they needed to look no further than Newton Specialist Contractor Arti Construction to perform the waterproofing.ning three of the walls were either fully or partially below-ground and suffering from water penetration. Arti recommended the Newton CDM System, as it is the most safe and reliable form of waterproofing that would deliver a completely dry internal space and cause the minimal amount of disruption to the Listed structure.The basement, part of a four-storey Listed building, was built into a hillside, meaning that three of the walls were either fully or partially below-ground and suffering from water penetration. Arti Construction worked with the design team at an early stage to design a waterproofing solution.With existing Listed basements such as this one, Arti Construction were quick to recommend a Type C cavity drain waterproofing solution in the form of the Newton CDM System. Type C waterproofing is the safest and most reliable form of waterproofing that will deliver a completely dry internal space, whilst also causing the minimum amount of disruption to the Listed structure.Before Arti could proceed with the installation, they first had to re-level the existing concrete slab in order to provide a flat and stable floor.With the structure fully prepared, Arti could then proceed with installing a full cavity drain waterproofing system. This consisted of installing Newton 508 with minimal MultiPlug fixings to the walls and floors to capture the ingressing water. The water is then directed via Newton Basedrain channels to a Titan-Pro sump chamber, for removal by dual NP400 clean water pumps.The complex basement space included existing columns, windows and an internal staircase which all had to be factored into the waterproofing design.Regardless of this, Arti Construction completed the 280m2 installation within budget in just one week, delivering a reliable Type C structural waterproofing system that is also compliant with British Standard 8102:2009.

Protecting detection systems is vital to fire safety with only a functioning smoke alarm able to protect you in an emergency.Landlord regulations and Government policesLandlords have responsibilities to keep tenants safe in their properties by providing functioning life safety equipment.Regulations introduced in 2015 require private sector landlords to ensure they ‘have at least one smoke alarm installed on every storey of their properties’ as a legal requirement.There is also a proposed change to this regulation, coming into effect later this year, which will mean social housing is also included, making it mandatory that all rented accommodation must have working smoke alarms fitted. It will also be compulsory for landlords to repair or replace any faulty alarms as soon as they are made aware of defects.Fines up to £5000To protect their tenant, it is the landlord’s responsibility to ensure detectors are fitted and working at the start of every new tenancy agreement. Failure to comply with The Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm Regulations introduced in 2015 can result in a hefty fine of up to £5000.One exasperated landlord wrote online that in one of his properties “Two of the detector heads have been tampered with, presumably so that the tenants can smoke in their rooms”. Consequently, this had been causing false fire alarms and it is up to the landlord to repair or replace the alarm.In some extreme cases, landlords have discovered that smoke alarms have been removed all together from properties, due to disturbances when cooking, smoking, etc. It is then up to the landlord to replace the alarm, and so it is advisable to invest in measures to prevent the alarms removal; some recommendations have been made in government legislations such as BS 5839-6:2019.Ultimately, landlords should feel obligated to ensure regular testing of smoke alarms and the replacement of batteries in their properties to reduce the risk of void insurance or a remedial notice. Simply testing smoke alarms can also help to prevent any danger to tenants and damage to properties should a fire occur.BS 5839-6:2019The latest recommendations in BS 5839-6:2019 are primarily concerned with saving lives and reducing injuries caused by fire, but also covers reducing property damage, which can be extremely costly to landlords in the case of fires.The guidance in BS 5839-6:2019 suggests that in environments such as HMOs, where multiple occupants can be disturbed by false alarms, landlords could alter their smoke alarms systems to have delays before the signal is sent to all tenants for the occupier to investigate the cause. This can help to reduce complacency during false fire alarms or the temptation to dangerously compromise smoke alarms.The recommendation also states that landlords should seek alternative smoke alarms that can alert to intervention or disablement of the alarm in the event of tenants continually tampering.Tenants’ responsibilityAlthough it is the landlords legal duty to provide working smoke alarms in all properties, tenants must not tamper with smoke alarm, remove them, cover them up or in any other way damage or prevent them from operating in their intended manner. Failure to comply with this could result in the tenant facing a substantial fine, or termination of their tenancy agreement.It falls to the tenants to take their own safety into consideration and should contact landlords if there are any issues with smoke alarms, such as false fire alarms, so their landlord can test and replace the batteries, or alarms themselves if necessary. Preventing alarms from effectively detecting fires can result in fatal incidents and also fines for misconduct falling to the tenants.One student at Edinburgh University covered the smoke alarm in his room with bubble wrap whilst living in student accommodation. Preventing the smoke detector from working effectively proved a dangerous mistake when a fire started in his room and he had to be pulled to safety after being found struggling to escape the flames while the building was being evacuated. As a consequence for this reckless behaviour, he was fined and ordered to pay £1000 in compensation after being arrested and pleading guilty.Steel Web Stoppers®  Safety Technology International is a specialist manufacturer of a range of fire, safety and security products; their wire cages help to prevent tampering with essential life safety equipment, such as smoke alarms.STI’s Steel Web Stoppers®  are designed to protect against vandalism, misuse and damage to smoke and fire detectors. Constructed from plastic coated, heavy-duty galvanised steel rod, the Steel Web Stoppers can withstand the severest of abuse from vandalism or accidental damage. It also prevents tampering with the alarm, without hindering legitimate use, therefore still allowing the landlord to service the device and replace batteries when appropriate.

Working with Kier Construction, BOYCO successfully transformed this secondary school's changing room spaces.Project ScopeNorth Chadderton School in Oldham, is renowned for providing a supportive, and creative learning environment. The school was challenged with needing to create additional space for students, sparking a new construction project.Team BOYCO proudly worked with Kier Construction, to help transform the newly developed learning spaces at the secondary school. Part of the Oak Trust, BOYCO supported the school’s expansion project with the design, manufacture and install of a range of changing and cloakroom furniture.The BOYCO WayBespoke DesignTeam BOYCO’s in-house design and project management teams worked closely with the Architects drawings, designers at Kier Construction, to gain a comprehensive understanding of the task at hand. We collaborated closely to create designs that showcased a range of BOYCO’s market-leading changing and cloakroom furniture that seamlessly integrated with the school's aesthetic.Our Peg Rails, Island Bench Units, and Wall Fixed Bench units were carefully chosen to maximise space, whilst meeting the practical needs of both students and staff.Quality ManufacturingFrom our factory in Greater Manchester, we ensured that every piece of furniture was crafted with precision using high-quality materials. The durability of the furniture was a key consideration to withstand the daily demands of a bustling school environment.A bespoke requirement from North Chadderton, was that Oak timber was used. This was a symbolic request from the Secondary School, as they wanted showcase being part of the Oak Trust.BOYCO also acknowledged that the cloakroom furniture would be a frequently used, with placement in a high touch point communal area.Therefore, as per all BOYCO timber, the Oak is coated with anti-microbial lacquer which is formulated to stop bacteria from surviving on the surface – preventing the spread of 99% of known bacteria. This is a suitable fit as it supports a clean and safe learning environment.All metalwork to the Benches, Units, and Peg Rails are coated with our unique ‘Hot Dip’ nylon. This also provides anti-microbial protection and is 500x more abrasion resistant than the next powder coating, a great match for the school’s changing room.Expert FittingBOYCO provided a full fit out service to complete this project. Our expert team of fitters worked to exceed expectations and meet tight timescales, completing the full fit out of all spaces during the schools Christmas Holidays. This ensured that the new learning spaces were ready for when students returned in the New Year.Project Success99% satisfaction score from Chris Gregory, Project Manager at Kier Construction.

Nestled in the fashionable, switched-onNestled in the fashionable, switched-on London borough of Camden, high-performance London Max Fordham House has been completed  to the highest energy saving standards with to the highest energy saving standards with SMARTPLY AIRTIGHT.An ultra-low energy, all-electric, contemporary three-bedroom ‘Passivhaus’, Max Fordham House is specifically designed by bere: architects to feature a thermal envelope geared towards reducing heat loss. The less heat lost from a building, the more overall environmentally efficient it can be. One way to do achieve as little heat loss as possible is making the building airtight, which is the aim of the Passivhaus system.SMARTPLY AIRTIGHT, a structural OSB panel with integrated vapour control developed by MEDITE SMARTPLY especially for use in Passivhaus construction, is the vital ingredient in this project. Specified by the award-winning Bow Tie Construction company, SMARTPLY AIRTIGHT provides a state-of-the-art, engineered vapour barrier with consistently high vapour resistance over the entire surface.“The house uses a fabric-first Passivhaus approach, requiring only a fraction of the energy needed by a similarly sized home built to the minimum requirements of UK Building Regulations, for all uses including “The house uses a fabric-first Passivhaus approach, requiring only a fraction of the energy needed by a similarly sized home built to the minimum requirements of UK Building Regulations, for all uses including heating,” Hagop Heath-Matossian, Business Development Manager at Bow Tie Construction, says.“We chose to specify SMARTPLY AIRTIGHT because it is efficient, reliable and it was important to us that all timber products used were sustainably manufactured and sourced; AIRTIGHT offered us a guaranteed sustainable timber solution. Vitally, the client was delighted with the end result.”Max Fordham House, which was completed in the Spring of 2019 and achieves an Energy Performance Certificate of B 83, is the third project that Bow Tie Construction has specified PROPASSIV for, favouring it for its rigidity and quality assurance compared to a traditional membrane-based system.Hagop explains: “AIRTIGHT was specifically used to insulate the roof of the Max Fordham House, but has been used within the entire interior space in other Passivhaus projects previously, to great success.”In most Passivhaus projects in the UK, a membrane is used as an airtight barrier for the properties’ insulation, however, such solutions can be easily damaged during the construction process. SMARTPLY AIRTIGHT offers a solution to this as it will not come apart during a negative pressure test like a membrane would.

A major project with two big installation challenges - the very tight timescale and meeting the BREEAM 'excellent' rating. Working in partnership with our technical team from the early planning stage, Graham Construction chose 26,700m2 of Weather Defence to satisfy multiple requirements.

Huddersfield Leisure Centre is a £36 million complex delivered by BAM Construction as part of an expansive regeneration plan for the town. Tobermore supplied a large quantity of Mayfair Flags and Mayfair Step Flags in sparkling Silver for the pedestrian areas around the sports and leisure facility.

In 2020 the River Wye broke its banks and flooded nearby Monmouth Prep School in Wales causing severe damage to the entire ground floor of the Prep School, playground and surrounding fields. According to the latest reports on the impacts of climate change, flooding caused by severe and frequent rainstorms is the UK’s most pressing climate-change risk and could affect millions of people causing extensive damage, disruption and loss. So, once the school was back on its feet, we were delighted to work with their insurance broker, Hettle Andrews, to make sure the property was protected against future flooding. Monmouth Prep School, MonmouthMonmouth Prep School is a fully co-educational Prep School in Wales for children aged three to 11-years-old. The independent school is one of Wales’ leading prep schools and offers boarding and day attendance to pupils in modern and contemporary teaching spaces which encapsulate the very best of traditional, independent education.  We worked with the school’s insurance broker and project facilitator, Hettle Andrews, who work primarily with schools, universities, colleges and charities. The challengeThe school had previously had minor issues with flooding as the River Wye is situated at the bottom of its garden. However, the flood of 2020 was the most devastating. The river broke its banks and flowed into and through the school to the dual carriageway situated on the other side. The flood damaged the entire ground floor of the school, the playground and surrounding fields and the whole school had to be urgently evacuated. No warning: the school is surrounded by a flood bank and had flood gates installed in 2002 however there was no early warning system in place to get the flood gates closed in time.Extensive damage: the 200-year-old school building sustained catastrophic damage and needed large-scale structural repairs to be restored.Sanitation issues: the waste from the surrounding farmlands was washed into the school along with the floodwater, mud and debris causing not only damage but also sanitation issues. Inconvenience: the clear-up process included using five 40 foot skips which were filled with damaged items such as furniture, clothing, educational equipment and floating debris.Disruption: the school had to close for nearly seven months to clear the debris, remove all the damaged school equipment, clean the entire premises, sanitise and eventually re-build.The solution;Andel’s FloodAlert – one of our innovative, industry-unique flood defence solutions which provides an early flood warning for properties not covered by the Environment Agency flood warning service. FloodAlert provides real-time information on rising water levels and automatically sends out early warnings. The robust and reliable system is easy to install and set up and once in, tracks surface water levels for up to 15km from a gateway. This means the school now has:A cost-effective, real-time local flood alert system with three alert levels A sensor which sends SMS and email alerts to give them time to take action to protect their pupils and the school Optional live monitoring on a cloud-based portal, via any device with internet connectivityA system that can communicate with an unlimited number of designated usersCommunication via a low-power LoRaWAN network. The resultEarly warning: the school now has an effective early warning system for rising surface water. Safety first: the school now has safety measures in place to protect its pupils aged three to 11-years-old. Confidence: the early warning system gives the school staff around six hours from the first notification of rising waters to close the flood gates allowing plenty of time to evacuate the children as well as any equipment. Peace of mind: the staff at the school feel relieved knowing the water levels are constantly being monitored at the property especially because they are so close to the banks of the River Wye. Community: we are always quick to try and accommodate schools that require our services as we know they are the centre of the community and provide safe havens to many. We are proud to have been involved in this project alongside Hettle Andrews and to have been able to install our FloodAlert product on a site with such a rich history and provide the school with an effective early warning system plus peace of mind.What the customer said;The 2020 floods were devastating and left us with the fear that it could happen again. Having such little children on site, it was very stressful knowing there was no early warning system in place. Now we have a good five or six hours from the first notification of rising waters to close the flood gates, evacuate the children safely, and make the necessary arrangements to protect the building. With all these flood defence measures in place, we hope to never have a repeat of the destruction and school closure of 2020.Rob Alexander, Caretaker, Monmouth Prep School

This exciting project, situated close to a major wind farm, required a sheathing board with exceptional pull-over performance; and the need for unusual board sizes meant that waste was an issue, particularly in light of the architect’s BREEAM ‘Very Good’ rating ambitions.The Project: Hugh Baird Community and Higher Education Centre, LiverpoolProject Value: £8 millionMain Contractor: Wates Construction North WestSub-Contractor: Sound Interiors LimitedProduct: VersapanelSize: 1200 — 2800 — 12mmQuantity: 2,000m2About the ProjectAn £8 million, 2,600 square metre project, the new Hugh Baird Community and Higher Education Centre in Liverpool offers an innovative mix of facilities, not only for Hugh Baird’s students and apprentices but also to the local community, schools and businesses.The facility will incorporate a University Centre, a flexible performance and exhibition space, a public library and a Jobcentre Plus. A new Business Development Centre, providing professional training for local businesses, is also to be a core feature.Architects IBI Taylor Young have created a striking modern design, incorporating a semi-rotunda feature and a three-storey overhanging box structure.The ChallengeThere were two key challenges on this project for sub-contractors Sound Interiors Limited. Firstly, the unusual design called for non-standard panel sizes. This is becoming all too common as contemporary architecture moves increasingly toward the unique and, in some cases, the downright eccentric.Secondly, the five-storey structure is located in a windy area; so windy, in fact, that, less than a mile away, you can find the Port of Liverpool 10MW wind farm, capable of generating electricity for 5,500 homes. Where wind is a factor, the pull-over performance of any building boards used is critical, particularly during construction when wind can penetrate the structure and create areas of negative wind pressure.The SolutionSize is EverythingAs modern British architecture moves away from the conventional, the challenges for construction professionals like Sound Interiors increase. Whilst, in the past, construction has largely been a logistically focused endeavour — the ‘when’ and ‘where’ of it all — increasingly, the question that dominates the pre-construction phase of a project is ‘How?’The skill and experience of Sound Interiors came into play not only in applying their technical knowhow to the challenges of constructing an overhanging box and creating a curving rotunda from flat building boards, it also influenced their choice of materials.Said John Sheeran, Contracts Manager at Sound Interiors Limited, “We opted for Euroform’s Versapanel on this project — and numerous other projects — because it’s easy to work with and reliable. Plus we get exceptionally good technical support from the team at Euroform. For the Hugh Baird project, where lots of unusual sizes were required, the fact that Versapanel is available in a larger 1200 — 2800 — 12mm size meant we could dramatically reduce wastage. This material-conscious approach also helps us support IBI Taylor Young’s ambition of achieving a BREEAM rating of ‘Very Good’ for the building.”Under PressureIt’s no coincidence that four 125-metre Nordex N90, 2.5-MW turbines, capable of producing a total of 10MW of electricity, have been strategically located just a mile or so away. This is a windy area of Liverpool. Thankfully, Sound Interiors’ commitment to Versapanel also resolved this second challenge, reducing the effects of negative wind pressure during construction.John Taylor, Business Development Manager at Euroform, said, “Versapanel makes the ideal sheathing panel for challenging construction environments. For areas of high wind load, such as coastal regions, a board with effective wind-load and pull-over performance can be extremely important. Obviously, no two projects are alike, and we’re only too happy to work closely with professionals like Sound Interiors to ensure the best possible outcome.”ConclusionThis isn’t the first time that Sound Interiors, Euroform and Versapanel have come together to overcome adverse weather condition. At Gogarth School in Llandudno, freezing temperatures and driving rain presented a significant challenge. At Hugh Baird, it was strong winds. In both cases a desire to reduce waste was a key commitment of all parties involved. And in both cases, a successful outcome was enjoyed by all.

This new build multi residential housing project was constructed using the contrasting tones of EQUITONE [natura] in colour Sepia [N972], against the subtle white hue of EQUITONE [natura] Quartz White in colour [N164], creating a beautiful facade sympathetic to its surrounding environment.

Sheraton Huzhou Hot Spring Resort Location: Huzhou, Zhejiang. Planner: Shanghai Feizhou Group. Construction surface: 65.000 m². Architecture: Mr. Ma Yansong. Interior architecture: HBA. Number of rooms: 282. Fittings supplier: Häfele. Completion: September 2012.

The £14m refurbishment and extension of the Wilfred Brown Building at Brunel University, London, provides a modern and inspiring new home for the College of Engineering, Design and Physical Sciences. Location: LondonContractor: ARJ ConstructionAspex supplied: Doorsets, Ironmongery and Novista Timber Risers Doors 

Wienerberger's Porotherm Cellular Clay Blocks (PTH100, PTH140, PTH190) were used to construct a McCarthy and Stone development, in Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire, consisting of 32 one and two bedroom apartments, and was the third Porotherm development to be undertaken in the West Midlands region.

Location of the project: Hungary, 1014 Budapest, Hess András tér 1-3 Construction time/completion: 2017 Architects: Goddard Lilttlefair Products: O.novo Vita Toilets Subway 2.0 Toilets Subway 2.0 Bidet Subway Bidet Loop & Friends Bath

We were approached to help design the support system for two new district heating pipelines running under a newly constructed bridge spanning the River Avon.There were several complexities on this project including the heavy pipework, pipe expansion, corrosive environment and vibrations.

The former Holmlea Primary School is one of Glasgow’s most distinctive residential developments, comprising Alumasc’s Heritage Cast Aluminium rainwater system, in a remarkable blend of conservation and new build construction.Originally designed by Andrew Balfour and opened in 1908, the school formally closed in 2004 and the site was disused for 15 years before finally finding a new owner in Home Group. The developer purchased the site with the intention of repurposing both the original school building and the janitor’s house, which is Category B Listed, for rented housing, and the all-new construction of an extension and two new blocks. In total, the redevelopment presents a total of 49 homes, in a mix of social and affordable rent.Architects on the project Anderson Bell + Christie worked closely with Historic Environment Scotland to deliver a sympathetic restoration and addition to the existing building, to bring the building back into use and provide much needed housing to the area.

“From the materials used throughout the build process to how it’s powered, along with creating new areas of natural habitat to enhance the biodiversity of the site and local area, we’re bringing together skills and expertise from across McDonald’s and the partners we work with. From 2023 furniture and construction materials in new and refurbished restaurants will be made with recycled or certified materials and designed to be recycled or reused at end of life ”Construction Director, McDonald’s UK & Ireland The Absorb-R ToughSound acoustic-panels are environment friendly, fully recyclable natural components that offer optimal sound absorption and extensive resistance to fire. Surface applications include ceiling and wall mounting.Absorb-R ToughSound is a high performing high impact sound absorbing wood wool system, concept with excellent eco credentials which store heat from the ambient air.

The M4 Junction 3-12 motorway upgrade project, which started construction in July 2018, is designed to increase capacity, and reduce congestion between Junction 3 (Hayes) and Junction 12 (Theale). In the sections where there is no pre-existing hard shoulder for conversion into an additional running lane, a total of 11 overbridges needed to be demolished and replaced with longer decks to enable continuity of the widened carriageway. The £848m project is due for completion in Spring 2022, by which time it is expected that approximately 680,000t of material will have been excavated, 1.8M.m² of new surface laid, 130km of cabling installed and 63km of concrete barrier positioned. Cordek were approached by the Principal Contractor Balfour Beatty VINCI joint venture to provide a lightweight structural fill solution to be used for the embankment construction adjoining the Datchet Road Overbridge, between Junction 5 and Junction 6.

Nerrols is a primary and nursery school which is part of the Richard Huish Trust located in Taunton. Opened in September 2019, Nerrols includes facilities such as 14 classrooms, main hall, kitchen, science and technology room, sports hall library, food technology room and a 3G sports pitch. Built to support a new residential development being constructed, the two-story building school provides 420 places for 4 to 11 year olds and 26 nursery places, with modern colour render above, and features a generous canopy over the main entrance.Cellecta’s Mojave S1-8 was specified due to it being a lightweight option for an acoustic composite floor build up. This system has a low energy use, reducing running costs and co2 emissions, which benefits the environment.Willmott Dixon was awarded this 1,000m² contract by Somerset County Council to construct this development in Somerset.

The Gresham Aparthotel is a luxurious refurbishment of the old Fenwicks Store into 121 one and two bed apartments and studios, spread over four floors. There is also a rooftop bar and a gym featured in the hotel. Rooms can be accessed via a lift or via the staircase - which is the original staircase and includes all the original handrails and balustrades. The iconic building was created in the 1800s by local architect Isaac Barradale for Joseph Johnsons, a local draper. In 1962, it was taken over by retailer Fenwick, which occupied the site until its closure in March 2017.Cellecta’s ScreedBoard 28 was specified by RG+P Architects due to its unrivalled acoustic performance and its installation convenience due to interlocking edges. ScreedBoard 28 is frequently viewed as the solution of choice for new build and refurbishment developments.Cube Construction was awarded this 2,000m² contract to construct this refurbishment in Leicester.

Installer – County RoofingMain Contractor – Barnwood ConstructionArchitect – Scott BrownriggClient – Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience InternationalSystem – Vantage® SF (Secret Fix)Showcasing our premium CWCT tested Vantage® SF (Secret Fix) in 3mm aluminium powder coated to Ral 7016 anthraciteThe project received many accolades and awardsCABI HQ shortlisted for AJ Architecture AwardConstructing Excellence SECBE 2021 Awards - WinnerOxPropFest 2021 - WinnerUK Roofing Awards 2021 - FinalistArchDaily Building of the Year 2021 - NominatedSECBE People's Choice Award 2021 - NominatedFuture Cities Forum Awards - Highly CommendedAJ Architecture Awards - ShortlistedWe feel very humbled to be associated with such a fantastic project and a big well done to all involved

Arable farmer Ivan Banister talked to various agricultural building companies for advice before using local contractors to construct both parts of the new grain store. The first part of the new building was constructed with the secondary expansion undertaken and completed in time for the harvest. Eternit Profile 6 roofing sheets were selected for the project and installed by MJ Barrett.The roof was the most important consideration for Ivan and it was vital that the roofing material used on the store would resist the pressure from temperature and weather without cracking. Any problems in the roof and subsequent leakage would cause serious damage to harvested crops.Condensation had also proved a problem in older, steel roofed storage facilities at Warden Farms and the vapour permeable nature of Eternit fibre cement roofing sheets helps to minimise moisture levels within the new storage building.

Completed in July 2012 the Shard was in construction for 3 years. Grainger’s, are proud to say we supplied our perimeter access flooring pedestals on several their exposed levels. This helps to create the unique shape of the shard. Access flooring has provided over 200 miles of wiring to be hidden underfoot. Making Irvine Sellar's ambition to create such a luxurious space into a reality. 95% of construction material were recycled during the fit out. Including 95% recycled content in pedestals.Back in 2015, the Grainger family celebrated a 21st Birthday, visiting the Shard. 360 views of the capital, on a clear day provided outstanding memories for such a special occasion. Whilst looking out it was easy to spot various other jobs and projects we had worked on over the years. We were all proud to be a part of the making of The Shard.

University of West LondonLocated in the heart of England’s Capital, the University of West London (UWL) is committed to playing a leading role in tackling the global climate crisis by becoming net zero carbon by 2030. The University reported a 60% reduction in carbon emissions in 2021 compared to 2005. However, with a long way still to go before it is able to operate at net zero, UWL welcomed a £5 million award from the Government’s Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS) in 2021. With aspirations to retrofit its main sites in Ealing and Brentford, the funding unlocked a major opportunity to improve air quality around the borough whilst taking a big step towards meeting its net zero pledge by 2030.The SolutionUWL contracted Ameresco as principal contractor and designer, who partnered with NIBE Energy Systems and JKN Renewables, Ltd. The first and main challenge was to design a ground source heat pump (GSHP) system for the university without disrupting the main car park on the campus to reduce the impact on students. This, in turn, resulted in an innovative solution, combining a ground source heat pump system working with boreholes and solar PVT panels. The designed system not only supplies 222 kW of PV electricity generation but, crucially, acts as a collector system for the GSHP, capturing naturally occurring energy in the air to drive the heat pump process, and therefore reducing the number of boreholes required. The old gas boilers previously heating the campus were replaced with 584 solar PVT panels in combination with 34 169-meter boreholes to provide 900 kW of heating and hot water throughout the site. Further reducing disruption across the campus, JKN Renewables carried out an off-site build, with the pre-built PVT and plant room modules being delivered on time despite constraints caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The heat pumps and solar PVT were supplied by NIBE Energy Systems, and JKN Renewables undertook the design, installation and commissioning of the system.The ResultsThis transformation really highlights the benefits of combining multiple technologies to deliver efficient, low-carbon solutions. Whilst the full capacity could have been delivered using boreholes, which would have been a less costly option, the University welcomed the installation of PVT as an innovative and space-saving option.The major project will save an estimated 500 tonnes of carbon each year, and 9,460 tonnes across the equipment’s lifetime. It will also save 3,116,738 kWh of gas-derived energy per year (equivalent to 70 heated homes) whilst improving local air quality.The project is thought to be one of the world’s largest PVT projects, and positions UWL as a leader in higher education for addressing the climate crisis. The project was recognised by the Energy Managers Association’s (EMA) Energy Management Awards, receiving the Highly Commended designation in the Decarbonisation Project Category.Testimonial“We have invested more than £150 million in our campus recently to create an inspiring social and learning environment for our students. But we know all this great work will be for nothing, unless we do our bit to tackle climate change. We have been taking a leading role in our community to tackle the global climate crisis… Recently, the university declared a climate emergency and pledged to become a zero net carbon institution by 2030. A big step to meeting this pledge, has been our decarbonisation program, that has seen the university harness the latest renewable technology to create our own energy and introduced energy saving measures across the campus. Backed by more than £5 million of Government funding, the project is the largest of its kind in the higher education sector, and really underlines our ambition to be one of the most sustainable universities in the UK.”Anthony WoodmanProfessor, deputy vice chancellor and provost for health of the University of West LondonAbout the installerJKN Renewables are specialists in low energy heating, cooling and hot water systems. They provide design, consultancy and installation services to both domestic and commercial sectors, with a range of experience in the renewable heating sector. They pride themselves on providing expert advice and quality installations of ground and air source heat pumps, underfloor heating and solar thermal.

SIKA SUPPLIES PROVEN TOP TO BOTTOM SOLUTION FOR HISTORIC BUILDING REFURBISHMENT Sika showcased the scope of its construction sector specialisms during the refurbishment and conversion of an historic, Grade II-listed building – with its industry-leading products selected for both roof and basement works.

This project, built by Ashe Construction, has been designed to comply with the Passivhaus standard. The main structure is Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) and has been protected from the elements with Pro Clima Solitex Adhero, a weatherproof self-adhesive breather membrane and rain jacket for the building. 

Cavendish School in Hemel Hempstead, a Specialist Sports school, were having a new purpose built Sports Hall constructed during their summer break. Gerflor’s Taraflex Sport M Plus flooring was their preferred option as it provides their users with a safe, technically advanced sports floo

Liverpool University new accommodation building required high security without having to modify existing doors. Aperio partners HE Simm, Ocon Construction and ACS were behind the installation off 1,000 Aperio Offline Escutcheons... Click on the link below to read more.

Originally designed and constructed as a basement car park for the offices above, the building was renovated and converted in to a luxury hotel. The car park became a habitable space including the kitchens and associated storage. A waterproofing solution was required for both the concrete walls that were to remain and for a new replacement concrete slab.

Funded by Northumberland County Council, this new state-of-the-art leisure centre has replaced the old centre in Berwick. Designed by GT3 Architects and built by Tolent Construction, we were contracted by Tolent to design, supply and install the living walls which form part of the façade design.

Profile 6 fibre cement roofing sheets were used on Cefnamlwch Farm to keep condensation levels to a minimum. The farm is also subjected to strong coastal winds, so the hardwearing, durable sheets made them an ideal choice from which to construct the new build’s roof.

The global company adidas has always manufactured at a German location – to be more exact, in Herzogenaurach in central Franconia. The adidas AG World of Sports had a state-of-the-art building constructed there under the leadership of the architects of kadawittfeldarchitektur. This building fits into the existing ensemble as the functional centrepiece. It is named Laces

The BLB Aachen has realised another new construction project for the RWTH Aachen University: the Center for Mobile Propulsion (CMP) research centre, a competence centre for the exploration and advancement of engine technology. The three-part building complex was designed by Lepel & Lepel in Cologne.Photos: Jens Kirchner

Lombard Street is situated in the centre of the capital’s banking district, designed to be a highly-sustainable commercial office development sitting in 58,000sq feet.Location: LondonContractor: ISG ConstructionArchitect: TP BennettAspex supplied: Novista Riser Steel Doors & Novista Riser Timber Doors.