"external wall accessories"

Sto has supplied the StoTherm Mineral K external wall insulation system with StoLotusan render for the new Day Case and Eye Unit building at Chorley and South Ribble Hospital. Specified by Gilling Dod architects of Chorley, who worked closely with the main contractor Tilbury Douglas, the StoTherm Mineral K system combines impressive insulation with excellent fire protection characteristics. With an A2-s1, d0 reaction to fire classification in accordance with BS EN 13501-1, the non-combustible mineral fibre insulation is fully bonded to the substrate and therefore no additional firebreaks are required. Ideal for both new-build and refurbishment projects, its efficient single-leaf construction also means that interior space within the building is not reduced.  For this project, the system’s mineral fibre insulation boards were secured to the lightweight steel frame and sheathing board substrate with mechanical fixings and StoLevell Uni adhesive and levelling mortar. A StoLevell Duo Plus reinforcing coat embedded with Sto-Glass Fibre Mesh was then applied to the face of the insulation boards, with StoLotusan and StoSilco renders used for the final finish on different sections of the building, using light colours from Sto’s architectural colour range.  StoLotusan is the only render available that uses Sto’s patented Lotus-Effect® technology which delivers impressive water and dirt repellence. It forms a unique surface texture, similar to that of the lotus leaf, that causes the rainwater to run off the render quickly and easily, removing any dirt or dust as it goes. Providing outstanding resistance to the growth of algae and fungus, the building will retain its looks for many years to come.  The new Day Case and Eye Unit is the result of a major £17.5 million investment in developing enhanced ophthalmology and day case services. The new Day Case and Eye Unit now offers an extensive range of diagnostic and treatment facilities for patients with medical eye conditions.

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

The Ascent Aluminium Roof Access Steps were specified to meet the clients requirement to create a safe access route up & over the “saw-tooth” roof for maintenance personnel. In this instance the Ascent steps were specified for use with an adjacent MSA Latchways climb-latch fall protection system. If collective protection is required handrails can be supplied to one or both sides of the steps. The Ascent Aluminium steps were specified for this project by Eurosafe Solutions Ltd a specialist fall protection company who also installed steps. The Ascent Aluminium walkway steps are tested for use on the aluminium standing seam roof and are secured back to the roof sheet using a proprietary support clamp. The Ascent aluminium walkway is designed in accordance with BS EN 516:2006 Prefabricated accessories for roofing, BS 4592, Industrial Type Flooring and stair treads, BS EN ISO 14122-3 Stairs, stepladders and Guardrail, BS 7976-2:2002+A1:2013 Pendulum slip resistance. And is manufactured under ISO 9001 and CE 1090 factory production control procedures, creating a walkway that is CE / UKCA compliant.The walkway steps can be configured with a handrail to withstand a loading of either 0.36 kN (general duty) or 0.74 kN (heavy duty) and can be supplied with an optional toe-board if required. The system can achieve these loadings without the need for additional bracing, allowing the walkway to be placed against the area to be accessed. UKCA / CE marked. Designed & Tested in accordance with BS EN 516:2006 Class 1 Type C. Designed & Tested in accordance with BS EN ISO 14122-3:2016 where a handrail is fitted. Designed & Tested in accordance with BS 4592-0:2006+A1:2012 for loadbearing and BS 7976-2:2002+A1:2013 for anti-slip. With or without handrail.Standardized modular system roof walkway system. Can be supplied with a range of fixing kits to suit different roof profiles.

The curved teaching space and the auditorium block are connected by a curved segment known as ‘The Link’ which runs through each floor of the building. This linking component features Schüco FWS 50 curtain walling both in the construction of the walls and horizontally in the roof skylights to let natural light into the centre of the building. The Link also acts as an important device to separate the two geometrically opposed buildings.

The 110m, 29-storey curved on plan Westmark Tower is the tallest residential tower to have been completed in central London in 2021. Part of Berkeley Homes Central London’s prestigious West End Gate development in Marylebone, it features more than 14,000m2 of unitised curtain wall designed and supplied by aluminium fenestration specialists AluK and installed by envelope contractors Martifer. What makes this project really stand out is the collaborative approach that was demonstrated by AluK and the other consultants involved from the outset. With Berkeley at the centre of the process, the technical and commercial elements of the façade were successfully de-risked at pre-tender stage because AluK were able to work directly with lead architect Squire & Partners, delivery architect Design Delivery Unit (DDU), façade consultants Cladtech Associates and structural engineers WSP on a RIBA 4 system design for the unitised envelope. The challenge for AluK was to work with DDU to deliver a design that was true to the architect’s original intent whilst addressing the technical issues of a curved on plan façade from the second to 29th floor. All the unitised cells needed to be dead loaded back to a post tensioned concrete frame with a 3-dimensional floor bracket, whilst catering for the varying facets of the façade.The final unitised solution features more than 2200 unitised cells of three principal configurations. Each floor comprises: a vision cell, typically housing AluK’s concealed vent and full height glass panes, a panel cell, specifically designed to house specialist internal framework to carry articulated GRC (Glass Reinforced Concrete) feature piers and spandrels, and a recessed balcony cell with an integrated floating glass balustrade.With 36 different angles to overcome in a faceted design ranging from 0° to 15°, AluK developed a series of common aluminium extrusions to close the joints and reduce the number of profiles required. The horizontal stack joint uses an aluminium profile to carry the gasket and avoid the incidence of crimping as the cells are stacked around the building structure. What is also significant is that every cell connection provides four lines of system seal to ensure that the façade meets the stringent Cladtech performance specification and the CWCT Sequence B test.AluK’s system, extruded from 6063 T6 alloy, extracted benefits from both a mitred corner and a square cut system by creating a hybrid to suit both the client’s aesthetic desire for a mitred joint to the corners and Martifer’s manufacturing requirements of a square cut for economy.AluK also extruded tailored aluminium bracketry from a structural 6082 T6 alloy which was capable of supporting the system weight and allowing for 3-dimensional adjustment for precise installation.From the onset of the project, the Berkeley director team set out a time and design model of early engagement, specialist designers and fabricators all within a clear programme. This also included a series of productive workshops sharing client expectations and considerations. AluK not only facilitated these meetings but also bought into the collaborative ethos and contributed to a highly successful project for Berkeley.AluK’s designers are all from a fabrication/installation background and, as such, they design a value engineered solution from the outset. Part of this was using 14,000m2 of AluK’s AW86 unitised curtain walling system with minimal bespoke profiles and gaskets, yet it meets every challenge the project presented whilst offering a significant cost reduction in metal and accessories compared to the original specification in a competitor’s system. As part of the project team, AluK worked collaboratively alongside consultants Squire & Partners (concept architect), Buro Happold (thermal and acoustics), WSP (structures), Design Delivery Unit (delivery architect) and Cladtech (façade consultant). The façade design meets the thermal efficiency requirements of the building at 0.95W/m2K, as a weighted average. Using a 43dB Rw(+Ctr) acoustic glass, it also meets the sound reduction targets. Because AluK was involved at such an early stage in the project, the complete RIBA Stage 4 system design enabled façade contractors Martifer to realise significant cost savings for their tender and several months of time saving against their usual post-tender design and iteration phase. This also offered cost certainty for Berkeley and significantly de-risked the post tender delivery of the façade.Alongside the unitised curtain walling, the finished Westmark Tower will feature 241 AluK SC156 lift and slide doors, 750 concealed vents and 58 swing doors.West End Gate is Berkeley Homes’ latest luxury development being built on a 2.66-acre site. Described as a modern interpretation of classic London, it will feature a series of contemporary mansion blocks alongside the 29-storey curved stone tower. Work began on the first phase of West End Gate in the Spring of 2018 and was completed in Spring 2021, with internal fit out nearing the end.

For the construction of a large villa of soft and natural colours in the countryside near Bologna, various Atlas Concorde floor and wall-tiles collections were used. Stone and wood effect porcelain stoneware tiles highlight the volumes and geometries in interior design by coordinating with outdoor floors that surround the home. Atlas Concorde floor and wall tiles offer interesting cues and ideas for home furnishing.The private dwelling, divided into two separate blocks, is at the heart of a lusciously green and bright garden rich in walkways made from the Trust stone effect outdoor floor collection. Indoor floors alternate the Axi wood effect porcelain stoneware and stone effect Advance collections. For the bathroom was used wall tiles, a cladding that combines expressive power with practicality, the Ewall collection, inspired by the look of spatula spread cement. Prestigious materials throughout the kitchen. The kitchen of the villa is enriched with style thanks to the Atlas Concorde porcelain stoneware and wall tiles. The tiles distinguish themselves for impeccable aesthetics and decorative character, guaranteeing numerous advantages, such as easy cleaning and maintenance. The low porosity makes the kitchen wall tiles resistant to humidity, stains, mildew and bacteria, and make them perfect for creating the kitchen backsplash, which needs to have other specific requirements, such as ease of cleaning, resistance to stain and resistance to heat. Bathroom tiles in a hose of great aesthetical impact. The bathroom wall tiles of the villa are covered in tiles from the Ewall collection by Atlas Concorde. Inspired to spatula-worked cement, the surface is enhanced by a delicate structuring and reflections of light, for a tremendous aesthetic and visual impact. Atlas Concorde ceramic tiles also guarantee easy cleaning and maintenance when used as a wall tile in showers, where they carefully highlight the elegance of every detail.Safe living outdoor. The surfaces immediately surrounding the villa created using the Trust porcelain stoneware collection give life to outdoor floors that combine the naturalness of stone with resistance to heavy footfall and adverse weather conditions, durability and safety. Outdoor floors in 2 cm thickness are also perfect as patio or terrazzo tiles, to experience the outdoor living of the house in total freedom.

The MFU1200 door hardware was used for a walk-in closet door in the entrance area of a private residence. The goal of the product was to create a hidden door.In this article, the benefits and objectives of this product will be explored. Specifically, the purpose of this project which was to fulfil the client’s request to “have the closet door look like a wall when it is closed.”PROBLEMKey IssuesThe design goal was to create a closet door that could blend in and look like a wall when it was closed.SOLUTIONThe SolutionThe push-to-open door functionality eliminates the need for a handle to be installed on the front of the door.*The door's handle-less design enables it to flawlessly integrate into the wall and give the impression of being practically invisible.Seamless blending into walls*The MFU1200 is a push-to-open type door hardware that does not require a handle to be installed into or on the front of the door. The handle-less design allows for the door to seamlessly blend into the wall and appear to be almost invisible.*Requires handle on back side of door.Click here to see how it works. This “secret” door is only noticeable when you push it, making it a fun and functional design choice.Maximising space in closetsThe benefits of this product are not limited to its appearance.With conventional swing doors, you have to make room in the opening direction of the door to accommodate its opening radius. However, the MFU1200 allows the door to slide open laterally, maximising the space available in the closet.Maximum 70kg for heavy doorsThe door used in this project has a door height of 2700 mm, a door width of 1200 mm, a load capacity of up to 70 kg and has passed 100,000 open-close tests*, making it suitable for marble doors such as those used in this mansion.In addition, the sliding mechanism is equipped with dual dampers. As a result, the door opens and closes softly and gently, the door an upscale feel.The client commented that the heavy marble doors used with the MFU1200 “closed flat against the wall and moved smoothly.”*Internal testing.This product can be used to create wall-like doors, save space and is compatible with heavy doors making it a versatile product for a variety of home interiors.Click here for product videoClick here for installation video

The ChallengeBowthorpe is a high-quality development of 174 new homes together with landscaped open space, community gardens and a children’s play area on an area of undeveloped land in Norwich.The development was inspired by nearby Bowthorpe Hall and explored the idea of an historic walled garden with homes built within its boundary.As part of the site’s high environmental standards, it was critical that existing features, such as important tree belts and hedges were retained while also accommodating a proposed network of cycle and walking routes.The SolutionForterra’s Breckland Reserve – a red, tumbled, wirecut brick – was used alongside flint on the ground floor of some of the homes to create detailed wall work that echoed Bowthorpe Hall.Traditional red tiled roof pitches sit above the wall and reference Bowthorpe Cottages. On top of the wall sit cedar shingle clad upper floors.Traditional terraces form most of the new homes, with flats provided alongside unique mews-style housing.The BenefitsThe building form, the materials selected, and the use of pattern and decoration, helped to create a visual connection to the local area.

The owners of this domestic property in Penn, High Wycombe were looking to decorate their basement garage. They wanted the internal painted in-situ concrete to look like unpainted concrete.Dave Smith, Senior Sales Executive, and Nicola Young, Senior Colourist of KEIM Mineral Paints visited the property in August 2019 to trial samples for the client. It was noted during the visit that the walls were damp and required to be dried out prior to the applying of KEIM Mineral Paints. Pumps and dehumidifiers were installed to help this process.Once the moisture levels in the walls were below 18% by volume, the application of KEIM Design Lasur commenced.A translucent stain was applied to the walls, followed by KEIM Design Lasur sea sponged onto the surface to mimic a concrete appearance.

The main intent of this project was biophilia, and to enhance the well-being along with the overall experience of the spectators. It was a bit challenging as it is both an interior and exterior wall - it is protected from the rain and outside weather, yet still open to it and gets most of the natural daylight that it would get outside. However, with the ANS soil-based living wall system we were able to tailor the plant palette to suit this exposure.

With the aim to support local biodiversity and improve the air quality, we designed the living wall to provide sources of nectar, an alternative ecological habitat through the use of soil and bird boxes, with a changing aesthetic through the seasons providing a variety of pollinators.There are also a large number of species across the wall that have significant air purification properties, which will aid a healthier atmosphere in the immediate area on the plaza.

When it comes to showcasing prestige cars from the likes of BMW, Maserti and Mercedes, it’s vital to find the perfect setting and at the new Pure Cars premises in Wakefield, the slimline SF52 aluminium curtain wall system has helped create a building as impressive as the stock inside.The flexibility of the SF52 curtain wall system has brought the vision of architects The Harris Partnership to life, from the crisp lines of the showroom’s entrance to the smooth curve of the main façade. The eye-catching building boasts a prime location on the approach to the city centre, with the slim sightlines of the curtain wall highlighting the cars on display and offering panoramic views of the surrounding areas for the enjoyment of staff and customers within.The thermal-efficiency of the SF52 system will also help to prevent heat loss from the extensively glazed building which is a flagship dealership for the Pure Cars brand which specialises in the sale of used luxury and prestige cars.With a proven track record of work across the retail sector, Senior has been involved in a number of other car showroom projects across the UK. Senior curtain walling and glazing systems have been designed to help specifers working in this market meet the required environmental requirements by creating high-visibility shop frontages that minimise solar gain to create a comfortable consumer experience.Senior Architectural Systems’ stylish SF52 aluminium curtain wall system has been used to great effect at a new luxury car showroom in Wakefield, creating an eye-catching and thermally-efficient façade that maximises the use of daylighting. The flagship Pure Cars showroom has been designed by The Harris Partnership, with Senior’s fenestration systems fabricated and installed by Vision Aluminium Systems for main contractor Glass Walls and Doors.

A cold, solid wall house on coast of Scotland transformed with Ultra

DAD 009 mailboxes unit - internal use - wall mounted

Insulation of internal walls and ceilings for containerised units by NewSpace Containers.

A.J Wells manufactured three hundred square meters of coloured vitreous enamel cladding covering a lift shaft in the new students centre at the London School of Economics and Political Science on its Aldwych campus.The striking building, known as the Saw Swee Hock Student Centre (SAW), was designed by Dublin based practice O’Donnell & Tuomey Architects with the aim to transform the student social experience by creating a student hub at the heart of LSE’s campus. The centre houses a number of student facilities and offices including a gym, media centre, internet cafe and a pub!Vitreous enamel was specified for the external cladding of the lift shaft because of its durability, low maintenance and unique, vibrant surface finish.

Chichester Free School opened in 2013, holding 1,280 students aged 4–19. Located in Chichester, West Sussex, the school was damaged in a fire in 2009; this led to demolition and a part refurbishment of the former Carmelite convent. It includes a 600m² sports hall, a 250m² hall, dedicated music and performance spaces, multi-use games facilities and external landscaping.Cellecta YELOfon HD10+ was specified by Hunters South Architects for this development for its acclaimed resilient layer, which isolates floating screed from the structural concrete floor. YELOfon HD10+ has superior impact sound-deadening properties, is lightweight and is easy to handle and install.This 6,500m² development was awarded to Farrans to restore the school at £26.5 million.

The Fforestfach site is a busy passenger transport depot for the Local Authority, managed by the Place Directorate, serving a variety of users. Severely weathered and corroded, the original 1,800 sqm roof on the depot comprised of old asbestos corrugated sheets that had degraded over the years, to the point that heavy rain resulted in overflowing gutters and severe internal leaks to the building. Garland UK Technical Manager, Dale Thomas, was asked by the Swansea Councils Property Maintenance team to carry out a full detailed roof survey and specify a waterproofing solution that would overcome the existing asbestos challenges of the depot roof and upgrade the external site offices, whilst minimising any disruption to the daily operations of the active depot.

When W & M Given Architects was assigned the prestigious task of designing a new arts and literary centre in Bellaghy that celebrates the life and literature of the late Nobel laureate Seamus Heaney, the architect was determined to create a striking tribute that would do the memory of Seamus Heaney justice.The external works were just as important as the interior design and having worked with Tobermore on numerous projects over the years, W & M Given was confident that Tobermore would have an appropriate hard landscaping solution that would achieve the desired result. Tobermore did not disappoint and provided the architect with a combination of fabulous Fusion and sparkling Sienna Setts block paving with modern Mayfair Flags to create a striking, contemporary landscape design

Portsmouth’s iconic Spinnaker Tower in the UnitedKingdom is described as one of the most spectaculardesign projects. With a leading powder coating fromSherwin-Williams, the tower is guaranteed to stayshipshape for years to come.Soaring 170 meters above Portsmouth’s historiccoastline, the Spinnaker Tower marks the completionof a massive £84M redevelopment scheme: TheRenaissance of Portsmouth Harbour. As a majorlandmark on the South Coast, the sail-shapedproject demanded the ultimate aesthetic anddurability from a powder coating finish.Sherwin-Williams approved-applicator MetalionLtd applied Syntha Pulvin coating products to thetower’s lift areas and observation deck. The finisheswere specially mixed to replicate the color of theexternal render for the project.

This is the fourth branch the luxury gym brand has opened in London and the second we’ve delivered eye-catching luxury shower and changing rooms for. We manufactured our Luminoso glass shower cubicles with bespoke saloon style cubicle doors specifically for Barry’s Boot Camp to create a sleek contemporary finish without external door pull handles. The unique cubicles were completed with black finish ironmongery to complement the black tiles around the showers. We also designed and installed bespoke Corian vanity units and grooming shelves, which were manufactured in the dark grey and heavily veined ‘Cosmos Prima’ colour, adding to the industrial-chic style of the changing area. 

On a leafy street with shops and eateries, this modern hotel with a striking facade is a 9-minute walk from West Ealing tube station and 4 miles from events at Wembley Stadium. Incorporating an asymmetrical curtain wall design the Aluprof MB-TT50 curtain wall system provides the design aesthetic and performance required to meet the architectural intent with Aluprof MB-59S windows to the side and rear elevations.

Helmsman have manufactured and supplied three compartment luxury Glass Lockers that have been installed at Eos Interiors office in Birmingham. The formica storm colour against the white interior walls and Ojmar OCS combination locks give a modern finish. Special numbering plates were used to match the modern style. The Glass Lockers are floating in the middle of the wall thanks to our locker stands and cladding.

Rather than using modern interlocking tiles, Wienerberger’s Alban Sussex Blend tiles were used to create the roof and walls of Kingsdown House. The versatility of the Alban Sussex Blend tile was highlighted: the tiles blend beautiful design with a stunning aesthetic result. The tiles were chosen because they enabled the architect to use a single material for the roof and walls, creating a simple, attractive façade that complements its neighbours .

VIEGA’S VISIGN RANGE AND PRE-WALL SYSTEMS SPECIFIED FOR THE LONDONER HOTEL

Park Farm Barns are barn conversions set in the Shropshire countryside. The simple, elegant interiors have been curated by Charters Property, with sustainability at the forefront. Beautiful designs and detailing has been evident, from the original roof boards, gravity arches and beams to the soft lime plastered walls. KEIM Mineral Paints were chosen on these barn conversions due to its breathability and sustainability credentials. The mix of lime plastered walls and gypsum walls were decorated using KEIM Optil in a warm neutral palette. It is a modern mineral paint, ideal for application onto historic and contemporary buildings. KEIM Innostar, which is a one coat paint, was applied onto the gypsum ceilings for a clean healthy living environment. It allowed rooms to be occupied the same day.

Custom 3D Gustafs walls were designed and created especially for the Weir Group HQ at 1 West Regent Street in Glasgow.The two 35m long feature walls on both the 9th and 10th floors of the building are constructed of bespoke 3D facetted panels with integrated doorways, seating, and a reception desk.Gustafs panels were specified for their A2-s1,d0 resistance to fire, retaining their structure and producing minimal smoke and spread of flame. Gustafs' 100 year history of carpentry and working with wood enabled them to create the 3D wall to the exact specifications of the architect to be installed perfectly by Giotto.LSA Projects also supplied standard flat acoustic ceiling panels and linear ribs to the scheme to give acoustic control in the open plan meeting room area.

The Lindner Group played an important role in the revitalisation of the fifth, sixth and seventh floor with their divisions ceiling and walls.Focus of the remodelling was the arrangement of various small and mediumsized conference rooms: sound-insulated glass and metal partition walls provide the necessary division and acoustics and form a transparent and open finish to the front towards the hallways.Round glass elements in the partition walls are an additional eye-catcher while elegant wooden and glass doors underline the design.Thanks to the installation canopy and heated and chilled ceilings in slat optics, efficient temperature management inside the building is also ensured.Completed WorksPartitionsPartition Systems GlassLindner Life Freeze 137Partition Systems Full PanelLindner Logic 100 TimberCeilingsPlafotherm L 608Plafotherm DS 320

The landscape at Blenheim Palace has undergone a transformation to include a large state of the art adventure playground for visiting children. ASA Landscape Architects led the project, overseeing the preparation and install. Playground specialists CAP.Co provided the apparatus while we were asked to fabricate the CorTen steel retaining walls and landscape edging. Within the design are various winding, sloping pathways and we were tasked with providing long lasting and durable edges of varying heights. EverEdge Titan heavy duty steel edging was specified for use on the pathways alongside EverEdge Custom 3.0mm thick CorTen steel retaining walls supported by buttresses bolted into a concrete base. The fabrication was especially tricky on this job as the retaining walls required curves, a taper and a 30mm wide flat top edge.We worked closely with Radcot Groundworks to ensure the product met with a demanding set of specifications and, once installed, the steel walls have become a beautiful feature in the design of the play area.The finished product is long lasting, hard wearing and maintenance free making it ideally suited to the site and the CorTen finish sits attractively within the landscape. 

University of the West of Scotland, Lanarkshire CampusArchitect: Graven Architects, Glasgow
Installer: Elmwood Ltd
Product: Gustafs Acoustic Panel and Linear Rib SystemsBoth Gustafs Linear Ribs and a bespoke Gustafs Acoustic Panel system solution were installed to the new £110m Lanarkshire campus of the University of the West of Scotland.The ultra-modern eco-campus is powered using 100% sustainable energy houses facilities for students including the Students Union, library, computer facilities, and exhibition, lecture and meeting spaces which are available for use by local businesses as well as students.
Gustafs Linear Ribs in natural Birch veneer clad 2 facing 12m high feature walls; the co-ordinating seating areas and integrated TV screens help to integrate the acoustic solution with the collaborative social and study space.The main feature wall in the Welcome Hub is a 3 storey high bespoke concertina wall of RAL 6021 painted and PH10 perforated panels; Gustafs, LSA, and the installer worked to create an elegant installation solution using custom panel edges and solid wood elements to create the zig-zag wall. 

The developer of an apartment conversion scheme in the Pennine hills village of Diggle near Oldham wanted to achieve superior sound reduction standards in the walls and floors and go beyond the minimum requirements set out by the Building Regulations.The Old Mill House project involved transforming a Victorian industrial building into several residential dwellings. The project’s design needed to comply with the requirements of Approved Document E, which sets out minimum standards in England and Wales for airborne and impact sound transmission between dwellings where there is a Material Change of Use.However, to deliver the highest quality living accommodation to potential buyers, the developer insisted that the acoustic specification not only met the minimum standards but went beyond them.To achieve their goals for the floors and walls, they approached Hush Acoustics for assistance in developing the specifications and providing the required products.Given the unique nature of the properties being created, the acoustic design for the flooring had to be compatible with underfloor heating and more unusual floor finishes such as stone tiling.The specification developed by Hush Acoustics for the separating floors beneath the floorcoverings featured a plywood timber deck, below which was the underfloor heating system and 8mm Hush FFR resilient underlay.For the ceiling side, Hush recommended standard acoustic insulation for use within the timber joists, two layers of 15mm Fireline plasterboard attached to the underside of the joists, the Hush MF Ceiling System to allow Hush Slab 100 to be fitted in the void created, finished with a layer of 15mm Soundbloc plasterboard.For the separating walls, two specifications were developed according to the types of walls. In areas where there was an existing masonry wall, a wall lining consisting of independent stud work, Hush Slab insulation and Soundbloc plasterboard was developed. In other areas of the scheme, a twin timber stud wall is recommended, again featuring Hush Slab insulation and Soundbloc plasterboard.As part of the process, the Hush Acoustics team undertook many site visits and guided the design and build process to ensure the correct installation was followed, and pre-completion testing was also arranged.The solutions developed and provided by Hush Acoustics fully met the developer’s goals to go beyond Approved Document E’s compliance standards according to the pre-completion tests.

The Crouch End Picturehouse in North London is an interesting example of how Kalwall® can be used to convert an ugly 1950’s concrete building into a state-of-the-art space suitable for the 21st Century.  •   This project by Panter Hudspith Architects forms part of a wider initiative within the London suburb of Haringey aiming to re-establish the area as one of London’s cultural and arts centres. The result is a remarkable transformation of a building, originally a factory then an office, into a £4.5 million cinema complete with café, bar, restaurant and community rooms.  •   The unique style of this four-screen cinema has attracted much interest, not only because of the dramatic transformation but also because of its new external elevation. •   The use of Kalwall, coupled with other sustainable measures including solar panels and a green wall, means the picturehouse has achieved a BREEAM rating of Very Good. The Solution Panter Hudspith Architects replaced the original curtain wall and specified Kalwall® for the front elevation. Unusually, this unique translucent cladding is fitted with a tight 150mm wide grid, known as Verti-Kal™, which not only serves to emphasise height but is the first of its type in the UK. On this scheme the Kalwall panels also insulate to 0.78 w/m2 making the building eye-catching and sustainable. Unlike conventional glazing, Kalwall eliminates shadows and glare and the stark contrasts of light and shade. The system also enhances simplicity by eliminating the need for blinds, curtains or solar control. Even on cloudy days, the interior is bathed with natural daylight, which means less artificial lighting and, because Kalwall is highly insulating, energy costs are reduced. Kalwall is increasingly being used in the UK for new buildings and also for the refurbishment of cladding or rooflights on aged buildings. One of the main attractions of specifying Kalwall is its unique effect on both the interior and exterior. Although translucent, it offers the big advantage of privacy while the elevations appear crisp and simple. When illuminated at night they emit an inviting ethereal glow.  The CommentsArchitect James Jeremiah comments, “This is the first time we’ve specified Kalwall and it fulfils our vision of retaining the modernist characteristics of the building. One of our original concepts for the building was of a zoetrope (one of the earliest forms of moving image) and there’s a strong history of using transparency in films with people moving behind the shadows. We felt the Kalwall system was a very good fit for what we wanted to achieve”. Amanda Birch, Technical Editor Building Design writes, “To appreciate fully the building’s transformation, it is best viewed from the street. The concrete structure has been retained along with its striking line of concrete columns, which are now a strong feature of the front elevation. The original coloured insulated glass panelled system has been replaced at first and second floor levels with Kalwall’s 75mm thick insulated cladding system creating a dynamic façade that is particularly effective at night.

Job:Wilton House BelfastSmet Supported Partner:Kelly Bros Contracting for Poplar Investments LtdProducts:bauprocalc KG – Hydraulic Lime-Based Skim Coatbauprocalc 830 – Hydraulic Lime-Based Render/PlasterRelated DownloadsTDS CASEA bauprocalc KG – Hydraulic Lime-Based Skim CoatTDS CASEA bauprocalc 830 – Hydraulic Lime Based Render/PlasterEPD – CASEA bauprocalc 830SMET and Haldane Fisher NHL BrochureCLEAN WALL® BrochureDescriptionbauprocalc KG – Hydraulic Lime-Based Skim Coat and bauprocalc 830 – Hydraulic Lime-Based Render/Plaster was selected for the internal plastering and external render in the renovation of this important historical building in Belfast. Principal building contractor, Kelly Bros. on behalf of Poplar Investments Ltd was tasked with this mammoth renovation project which comprised 15 Luxury Apartments, in-situ concrete frame, brick and render & Zinc standing seam Facade, completed with a flat roof.WHY USE LIME-BASED RENDER AND PLASTER?SMET’s bauprocalc products are CE-marked, factory-produced hydraulic hardening skim coat plasters and render based on lime, specially designed for hand and machine application produced to DIN EN 998-1. bauprocalc KG and bauprocalc 830 contribute to a healthy internal atmosphere. They are an excellent alternative to plaster and renders containing gypsum or patent cement that have less vapour permeable qualities.They are ideal for kitchens, bathrooms, and rooms where high humidity levels are expected. bauprocalc KG produces a mortar that is softer than cement mortar. After the initial set, stability and strength gradually build up over time, allowing enough flexibility to cope with minor settlement or movement in the building during this period, thereby reducing the risk of cracking.bauprocalc 830 has unique properties, making it suitable for application on low, medium and high-density substrates, especially suited for the renovation of old /listed buildings and ecological new builds. Good vapour permeability performance allows an unhindered transference of excess internal moisture through the building to the outside, thereby contributing significantly to a balanced and healthy internal atmosphere.SMET is delighted to have supplied its bauprocalc plaster and render for the lime rendering and plastering of Wilton House, helping Poplar Investments Ltd & Kelly Bros transform the 19th-century Belfast city centre building into unique, hotel-like, serviced apartments. Michael Brannigan from Poplar Investments said, “Historical features are preserved not only in the appearance of the building but also in the actual buildup, which was exemplified by the use of lime plaster as it was done 200 years ago to ensure wall breathability” (Source: NB 32-4).Check out SMET’s range of lime and lime-based products available from Smet Building Products Ltd.

Architect: Beyer Blinder Belle Architects Contractor: Turner Construction The Facility: World Trade Center - Towers 3 & 4 Inpro® Products Used: A total of 365 linear meters of standard Fireline 520® fire blanket in top-mount configuration. Joint widths varied from 76mm-609mm. Water Guard®blankets in bottom-mount and wall-to-wall mounts were also installed. 

Plants bring a new dimension to an otherwise dull and lacklustre indoor environment. Desk, shelf and window space does not always allow for houseplants though – but that should never limit the options – there’s the wall space too! Leaf colour, floral interest – plants can bring warmth,visual impact and a welcoming backdrop for employees and visitors in the form of a LivePicture living art wall frame. LivePicture adds nature to any office.

Aluminium curtain walling by Kawneer has helped an award-winning and cutting-edge combination of industry and academia achieve a BREEAM “Excellent” rating. The National Automotive Innovation Centre (NAIC), at the University of Warwick, is one of the largest centres of its kind in Europe, and a partnership between WMG (University of Warwick), Jaguar Land Rover and Tata Motors UK and features Kawneer’s AA®110 mullion-drained curtain wall.