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New floor installation with fast-track – rapid drying floor screed solution, allowing early final flooring installation. SMET supplied Sopro Rapidur® B5 Rapid Drying Screed Binder to Smet Supported Partner, Brendan Doherty Screeding Services, approximately 500 m2, for the flooring renovation and repair in Queen’s University Belfast, School of Law new extension. B Doherty Screeding Services completed the flooring project on behalf of lead contractor Felix O’Hare & Co.Ltd.Y SMETGerman-made Rapidur® B5 Rapid Drying Screed Binder is a special polymer-modified binder for particularly economical ­production of high-strength, rapid-set cement screed – based on DIN 18560 – allowing early floor installation. Rapidur® B5 is suitable for use on heated screeds, bonded screeds, unbonded screeds and floating screeds. This flooring solution is particularly useful for fast-track or tightly scheduled screed laying. The newly laid Rapidur® B5 screed floor is ready to receive floor covering after approx. 3 days – after the achievement of moisture content ≤ 1.8 % CM. Sopro Rapidur® B5 is supplied in 25kg bags, with 40 bags per pallet. SMET delivers another innovative, showcase flooring solution to their Smet Supported Partners. Click the link to see a showcase of jobs completed by Brendan Doherty Screeding Services.

The Hurlford Avenue new build project, situated on the former Garscadden Primary School site, truly harnesses innovation and design. This ‘Modern Methods of Construction’ project, completed in partnership with CCG, showcases technical prowess and constructional excellence.Garscadden Primary School closed back in 2017 but the 1930s school building remained standing. Spotting the potential for something impressive on the site, Glasgow Housing Association proposed a modern replacement – a portfolio of properties.The key requirement was to build modern, energy efficient homes which would provide much-needed affordable housing in the sought-after area of Dumbarton and make a significant difference to the local community.After extensive planning, focusing on matching an appropriate insulation system with a complementary finish, K Systems devised a comprehensive delivery plan using our unrivalled experience and expertise.CCG fabricated the building off-site with timber kits and incorporated elements from our Aricco system, with the final finish being completed on-site. This approach was advantageous for a few reasons, including the speed of construction and a reduction in required labour.Hurlford Avenue is a prime example of our experience with off-site modular builds and our project-specific approach to EWI solutions. We brought Glasgow Housing Association’s vision to life and delivered 28 houses and 42 flats for mid-market rent.Our ServiceThe build of the Hurlford Avenue development wasn’t without its challenges. Precision planning was required to ensure minimal disruption to the residents in surrounding estates. All traffic ways remained free for passage and noise pollution was kept to a minimum.During the build, our team encountered some detailing challenges. However, working directly with the contractor and main contractor, these challenges were quickly resolved by key colleagues within our Technical Team, and the build remained on schedule and of the highest quality.From specification and design to planning, delivery and evaluating, our team transformed a derelict site to a contemporary multi-dwelling development that rejuvenated the Dumbarton area.“I would like to thank everyone on the K Systems technical support team for their contribution in accomplishing the Aricco System project at Hurlford Avenue. The regular visits from senior technicians always go a long way to keeping any project in check and it makes the job of our management much easier by having honest, professional judgement to go back to our guys, with well earned praise on this occasion. Everyone was onboard from the outset in working around any potential difficulties and you will agree it shows in the final results.”Garry Barton, Contractor.Technical Project DetailsAs the client of this project, Scotland based construction company CCG, approached K Systems to provide a suitable façade solution that would complement their design. A build with timber kits and a drained ventilated cavity system was specified, along with a silkolitt thin coat render finish.CCG are renowned for off-site manufacturing (OSM) and manufactured the kits from their production site in near-by Cambuslang. They sourced the correct material according to our exact specification. CCG’s ‘iQ’ System was chosen, which is designed with a fabric-first approach where greater tolerances are determined by fewer junctions and thermal bridges to deliver enhanced U-values and significantly improve airtightness. By incorporating OSM and the iQ system into this project, it is just a small insight into our unrivalled knowledge and expert approach that we take to fulfil the requirements of our clients.For the supporting façade, the K Systems Aricco system was specified - a drained ventilated cavity system perfectly suited for use in low rise buildings, particularly new build projects and timber framed construction. The Aricco system is also the most compatible with offsite/modular construction techniques and boasts an A2-s1, d0 fire rating and therefore complies with the latest building regulations, ensuring the safety of all residents.The finish was just as important as the façade system, with the cost-effective, industry-leading Silkolitt thin coat render specified. Silkolitt renders provide a contemporary finish to new-build applications, something this project very much required to modernise the area. Silkolitt is simple to apply, and its hydrophobic properties makes the render low maintenance. It also has excellent vapour permeability, allowing the Hurlford Avenue properties to breathe and avoid interstitial condensation. It is the most flexible system on the market, making cracking over its lifetime less likely and therefore delivering a pleasing aesthetic with outstanding longevity.The combinations specified by the K Systems team resulted in the build of impressive dwellings boasting a U-value of 0.13W/m ² K – meaning homes were easier and cheaper to heat, a particularly attractive benefit given the current cost of living crisis.

Puddle Ducks is a thriving business welcoming over 20,000 babies and children at a number of locations across the UK every week. Staffed by a highly qualified team, the company prides itself on providing child-led instruction in a safe and nurturing environment.Classes at the swim school’s brand-new, dedicated pool in Barons Quay, Northwich, were flourishing but increased attendance had resulted in unwanted noise, making communication difficult. These conditions can result in a phenomenon known as The Lombard Effect or Lombard Reflex, which often occurs in spaces with poor sound control. It is an involuntary tendency of speakers to increase their vocal effort to enhance the audibility of their voice and can have a negative physiological and psychological influence on wellbeing. Staff members working in these conditions might also suffer vocal damage.Acoustic analysis and guidelinesPuddle Ducks wanted to remedy the situation in the best way possible, so an inspection and measurements of the acoustics in the teaching pool area were commissioned by Rockfon and conducted by Hepworth Acoustics of Manchester. In their report they advise that the most useful description of reverberation is Reverberation Time (RT), which is the amount of time it takes for the sound level to become inaudible after the sound has stopped. The report also mentions that, although there are no specific guidelines for privately operated pools, ‘Acoustic design of schools: performance standards’ Building bulletin 93 (February 2015) (BB93), does offer guidance for design targets for swimming pools in schools. The aim of these guidelines is to provide suitable reverberation times (RTs) to allow clear communication of speech between teacher and student. The RT is quoted in terms of the mid frequency reverberation time Tmf, which is the arithmetic average of the reverberation times in the 500 Hz, 1 kHz and 2 kHz octave bands. The maximum reverberation time for swimming pools with a floor area of less than 280 m2 is 1.5 Tmf, per second. Consultation process and proposalRockfon Area Manager, Natasha Checketts, “Following a referral, I visited the site with Gary Hymanson of Granmore Ceilings and discussed the issues being experienced at the pool with Puddle Ducks Business Development Manager, Jo Warner. In addition to unwanted noise, there were challenges with maintaining the appropriate environmental conditions in the pool hall, meaning a tailored solution would be needed. Following further consultation, I proposed our solution and plan of action to Puddle Ducks and was given the go-ahead.” Granmore’s Gary Hymanson, spoke about the process, “Regarding the installation, the trickiest part was finding a suitable solution to carry out the installation without draining the pool. We decided to board the pool area out so we could use access equipment above the water level. Also, due to the difficulty in reaching the pool through the building, an access point was specially built into the wall of the space, enabling us to get the materials and access equipment in place. Once this was done, the installation went very smoothly.”Specialist systems offer perfect solutionsHACCP certified Rockfon® CleanSpace™ Pro was considered the perfect choice for the project. The range embodies high sound absorption (Class A) and highest fire safety (Class A1), ISO Class 4 low particle emission, and does not contribute to the growth of microorganisms. CleanSpace Pro is highly durable and will withstand numerous cleaning and disinfection regimes. It is available in a full range of formats, in semi-concealed and visible grid options. It also demonstrates humidity and sag resistance up to 100% RH with no visible deflection in high humidity.The ceiling tiles were installed into a Rockfon, Chicago Metallic T24 Click D2890 ECR grid. The grid components and accessories of this specialist system all meet the highest-Class D corrosion resistance protection requirements of EN13964. “The work really has made an amazing difference” The maximum Tmf measured at the pool prior to the new ceiling being installed was 3.46. Once the Rockfon ceiling was in place, this reading was dramatically reduced to 0.93, well within the 1.5 target adopted as a maximum permissible level of reverberation for the Puddle Ducks teaching pool.James Shaw, Senior Consultant at Hepworth Acoustics, “It is clear from the results above that a significant improvement has been achieved. This is consistent with feedback from staff who use the pool.”Rachel Bateson is the Puddle Ducks Manager at Barons Quay, “The pool was opened in August 2021 and we are extremely proud of the facility. Customers loved it but, as numbers increased, we began struggling with an echo in the pool hall which was becoming disruptive. Since the work has been done, the difference has been incredible. Teachers love the change – they are no longer having to strain their voices and are finding it much easier to communicate with parents and children. Customers have also reacted positively, telling us that lessons are a much calmer and more enjoyable as a result. The work really has made an amazing difference.”

The landmark Health Innovation One building is an innovation hub offering co-location space for external organisations as well as being the new home for Lancaster University’s Medical School and Division of Health Research. The space is designed to encourage collaboration, where external organisations can draw upon the University’s expertise to address significant health challenges and improve health and wealth outcomes in the region and beyond.Architects John McAslan + Partners sought to realise the University’s ambition to establish itself as a major international presence in the field of Health and Medicine through the design of this new HIC. JMP’s campus masterplan will bring together businesses, the NHS, students and academics from a broad range of disciplinary backgrounds. Central to this campus is the Innovation Hub, representing phase one of the development.The scheme comprises a café, quiet reading areas, private meeting rooms, open breakout zones and a business lounge for more formal conversations. Close consultation with the University’s Faculty of Health and Medicine has resulted in a scheme that offers maximum flexibility, the promotion of interdisciplinary working and collaboration, the provision of exceptional working and learning environments, and a holistic building design that is sustainable and energy efficient, targeting an ‘Outstanding’ BREEAM standard.To achieve this performance for the £3M glazing package, fabricator Alucraft working to main contractor BAM Construct, utilised Metal Technology’s System 17 Curtain Walling in a bronze anodised finish and from our Thermal ranges, System 5-20D Doors and 5-20 windows.

Castlebrae Community Campus officially opened its doors in Spring 2022. The new 700 capacity secondary school, which has the potential to be increased to 1,200, was constructed next to the East Neighbourhood Centre and Library (a project Metal Technology also delivered for Hub South East Scotland).Designed by JM Architects and delivered by Morrison Construction, this fantastic new building for The City of Edinburgh Council provides an exciting, inspirational and creative learning hub for the community. It forms one of the final pieces of a 20 yearlong regeneration project to improve housing stock and community facilities in the area. The development was very much a collaborative design, with numerous workshops and meetings to engage the community in the process.The relationship between the interior and exterior of the building was crucial, developing a holistic approach to improve the learning, attainment and health and wellbeing of the community. Metal Technology Ltd supplied its System 4-35Hi+ top hung windows, System 17 curtain walling, System 5-20D Hi+ doors and System 23 louvres and were manufactured and installed by approved fabricator Avtek Ltd.The project has been shortlisted for the following awards: Pupil/Student Experience and Inspiring Learning Spaces at the Education Estates Awards taking place on 18th Oct and Inspiring Learning Spaces at the Learning Places Scotland Awards taking place on 15th Nov.Word has it that the pupils are greatly enjoying and benefiting from their wonderful new learning space and environment – what it’s all about! We’re delighted to have been a part of this build for the Craigmillar community.(Photography Credit – Cadzow Pelosi)

Boston Endeavour Academy is a newly built special school for children age 2-19 with a range of learning difficulties and disabilities, located in the market town of Boston, Lincolnshire. It opened to 100 pupils in September 2021 building to 140 over the coming few years. It features many state of the art facilities including therapy rooms classrooms and a hydrotherapy pool. Key Considerations:Installing ceiling hoists within multi-height ceilings Large spans are required throughoutRequires bespoke solution Working in collaboration with Kier and Wates Construction on this state of the art academy, our Astor OT200 hoisting system and Sensory Integration Swings have provided safe, supportive and comfortable accessibility to the children, allowing them to thrive in their educational setting. Main Equipment: Astor OT200 ceiling hoistH systemBespoke track systemRoom to room gatesTurntablesSensory Integration Swings“ The ceiling hoists are infinitely more convenient for supporting pupils from chairs to the floor to complete their work and postural changes. No longer having to rely on mobile hoists increases the space available that can be deployed for learning activities. The tracking in the pool area allows for speedy transitions to changing rooms reducing waiting times and the number of staff required to support transitions. The Sensory Integration swings have become a much-valued resource for supporting the regulation of many pupils. The advice given by Astor Bannerman representatives to be reliable and leading to excellent outcomes in terms of the resources for our pupils..” Richard Gamman, Headteacher Boston Endeavour Academy 

The ChallengeThe redevelopment of Clyde Campus is part of the fifth stage of a larger programme initiated by Glasgow City Council to re-build and modernise its pre-12 and special education estate. At the heart of the project is the Council’s desire to create an effective educational environment which takes a holistic approach to the design process by combining social, economic and environmental goals, resulting in a sustainable architecture, culture and landscape.The SolutionThe architectural response to the site has a central assembly hall and four radiating wings. This radial plan divides the site and avoids large elevations to the street edge, which is surrounded by low-density, two-storey housing. The design aims to create a new, accessible, attractive, welcoming and sustainable campus with shared community amenities with clear public frontage to the building.The facades have been composed to reflect the differing functions in each wing through choice of material and scale.The majority of the building is clad in a bespoke blend of Forterra’s Dark Tame Valley and County Multi Dragfaced Blend bricks, which evokes a sense of solidity and robustness. Lightweight metal cladding breaks up the brick expanse, helping to identify the campus’s different functions.The BenefitsThe new campus has successfully brought together nursery and primary age schooling under one roof with a range of enhanced facilities for pupils and for the wider community. The choice of building materials is an integral part of defining the different areas on site, from gym halls, to Early Years and classroom blocks.

The development, designed by architect Allies & Morrison, features six mixed-use blocks, including the UK’s tallest residential brick tower. The articulation of the brickwork and terracotta penthouses creates a unique character while referencing the site’s context and industrial heritage.Phase one, featuring two mansion blocks facing onto South Lambeth Road and affordable duplex maisonettes along Wyvill Road, required our Welded Masonry Support, B.O.S.S. A1 (Brick on Soffit System), and Brick Slip Lintels. Our B.O.S.S. A1, which bolts directly to our Welded Masonry Support, helped deliver speed of construction for the large development and, ultimately, the architect’s vision of stepped window heads, adding visual depth to the façade.Phase two consisted of three additional blocks, for which we designed and manufactured our Welded Masonry Support, B.O.S.S., and striking Brick Slip Arches.The corbelled crown details on Block F feature at its highest level and were achieved using our B.O.S.S. A1 fire-rated system.Block E, home to Wyvil Primary School, features a series of our Brick Slip Arches, which play a significant role in the final façade while complementing the original Victorian building.We were chosen as the supply partner for each block in phases one and two due to our reputation and ability to supply high-quality masonry support and brick slip products to large-scale, complex developments.

Client: Jedburgh Grammar CampusLocation: Jedburgh, Scottish BordersSector: EducationYear: 2020Project Size: 700 m²System: vebrores PU SL HDOver 700m² of trafficable, solvent-free, flexible and self-smoothing polyurethane flooring for the main entrance and large atrium at the brand-new Jedburgh Grammar Campus in the Scottish Borders.Vebro Polymers provided its flexible, self-levelling, polyurethane flooring system, vebrores PU SL HD, in a deep Graphite Grey shade for use across the campus’ main entrance and atrium. Inspired by Jedburgh High Street, the linear atrium features large sawtooth roof lanterns with scoop up lights and is the heart of the new development. vebrores PU SL HD offers outstanding strength and performance and is ideal for use in high-traffic areas requiring a highly durable, scratch, stain and wear resistant floor finish that is easy to wipe clean. vebrores PU SL HD is a three-component product, mixing the popular vebro EP Universal unit with a special blend of graded filler. Once mixed, the material is spread out across the floor to the required thickness using a steel trowel before being spike rolled twice to both level out and de-aerate the material.vebrores PU SL HD is formulated from bio-based polymers, low to no VOC and phthalate-free – and it meets stringent AgBB low emissions coating criteria, making it an excellent choice for use in public venues such as schools, offices, hospital and community centres.

A high specification sound absorption solution...GRAHAM Construction were appointed to lead the refurbishment of Senate House, part of the University of London which is to house the School of Oriental & African Studies. SOAS is the world’s leading institution for languages, cultures and societies of Asia, Africa and the Middle East.The plan is to improve the student experience significantly by offering state-of-the-art facilities, with a high specification sound absorption solution for reverberation control in the Teaching Rooms, Seminar Rooms, Meeting Halls, Study Units and Lecture Theatres.Increased sound absorption helps to improve speech transmission quality, sometimes as much as 35%, control echo as well as background noise and reduce reverberation times in teaching areas.The SOAS project will accommodate a 25% planned increase of the cosmopolitan student numbers, with staff and students together on one centrally located campus, so reverberation control is paramount in this instance.We have undertaken the supply & installation of 2,650 sq metres of the Absorb-R GypLine αw Acoustic Plaster along site our installation partner UK Acoustics. The Absorb-R GypLine αw system includes 25mm and 39mm Acoustical Absorption Boards which can be fitted direct to soffit, to a shallow narrow void track-line carrier ceiling or a deep void MF Ceiling Grid. The boards are then sanded and treated with a 3mm acoustic spray plaster with a choice of finishes. The Absorb-R GypLine αw System finishes can then be colour coated to any RAL top coat colour and provides a virtually seamless monolithic ceiling with high and exceptional sound absorption levels that meet or exceed typical reverberation criteria.

The Edinburgh Centre for Carbon Innovation (ECCI) is a newcentre for world leading research on carbon innovation. Partof Edinburgh University’s estate, the ECCI acts as a social huboffering teaching, support and information on climate relatedchallenges facing society. The ECCI also doubles up as agreen business venue for events and conferences in the heartof the city centre.Originally built in 1777 by Alexander Laing, the refurbishment ofthe Neo Classical Royal High School was the first refurbishedbuilding in the UK to achieve the BREEAM ‘Outstanding’award. Refurbished by Malcolm Fraser Architects, part of theCentre’s unique design includes careful consideration of thebuilding’s fabric, prioritising sustainable and recycled materials.A facet of the building’s refurbishment was to improve itsenvironmental aspects such as waste, pollution, land use,ecology, materials, management and energy.Reaching this iconic benchmark involved sourcing materialsfrom a sustainable background. When Malcolm FraserArchitects detailed the building’s ethos and aim to achievea BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ award. Allgood proposed a FSBironmongery solution that recycles 100% of the water used inthe manufacturing process and 90% of all FSB products canbe recyled at life end. Once presented with our FSB range andenvironmental manufacturing credentials, Edinburgh Universitywere happy to use Allgood’s ironmongery solution.Overall, Allgood supplied a combined ironmongery, sanitaryand access control package that included: hinges, doorclosers, locks, kick plates, signage, grab rails, soap dispensers,paper towel dispenser and concealed electromagnetic locks.Having successfully supplied to other Edinburgh Universityprojects before, Allgood knew how to approach the project,allowing all items to be delivered on time and within the clientsbudget.

The early 20th century saw the development of a distinct architectural movement often termed ‘Stripped Classicism’. Running in tandem with the Modernist Movement of the Bauhaus School, the movement strove for bold massings, severe angles and a stylised reduction of classical elements. This style was frequently chosen by governments when designing official buildings.Perhaps the best known example of this type of architecture in the UK is the Grade II Listed Waltham Forest Town Hall, the headquarters of the London Borough of Waltham Forest Town Council. Designed by architect Philip Hepworth, construction of the building began in 1938 but was interrupted by the Second World War and so not completed until 1942. In 2019 the council approved an extensive programme of renovation works to the Town Hall which included the replacement of all the original steel windows. Clement W20 steel windows were chosen as the right product for their quality. The new white windows include both top hung and side hung opening casements with complementary fittings in a dark bronze finish.Senior Project Manager at Waltham Forest Town Hall John Cattermole said:“The team at Clement provided a great service in supplying new windows as part of the Town Hall refurbishment. Very specific aesthetic and energy performance criteria needed to be met when it came to the window replacement. The W20 windows supplied by Clement were able to meet all of these requirements.  Despite the project being on site at the height of the pandemic, the windows were delivered to programme which enabled seamless installation. Now the building has been brought back into use really positive feedback has been received from both staff and visitors.”

The Project Joseph Leckie Academy £3.5 million modern new wing received Walsall Council’s planning committee approval in April 2015, and it has been full steam ahead since then. Speller Metcalfe awarded contractor and commenced building the state of the art 21 classroom block in May 2015. The ChallengeThe Architects vision was to create a minimalist washroom décor with flush frontage cubicles and high specification wash stations.The overall finish to be non-fussy and unobtrusive.Cubicles sited below a bulkhead were required to appear to float and all legs and fixing to be hidden.Standard vanity frontages and sinks did not meet the brief, a bespoke wash station was required. The Solution Excelsior Planar 12mm Solid Grade Laminate has proven an excellent choice for the building, the flush frontage provides a seamless finish, and the durability of solid grade laminate panels is perfect for a heavy use environment such as a school. Finished with a ‘P’ section headrail for maximum stability, eradicating any lateral movement provided the rigidity the system needs.The overall aesthetics of the installation is extremely pleasing, the cubicles overall height @ 2100mm on a 50mm leg is a standard height system however having a bulkhead in place has increased the sense of privacy and delivered the opulence of a floor to ceiling enclosure. The 50mm leg is set back inside the cubicle, fixed onto the partition which enhances the seamless finish from the exterior and infers the system is floating.SpecificationProduct Range: Planar 12mm Solid Grade Laminate CubicleDoors: B070 Blanc Megeve )Pilaster: Gris Orage G059Partition: Gris Orage G059Ironmongery: Stainless Steel

13 new dwellings situated in the small village of Doddington, Lincolnshire are providing much-needed affordable housing for people working at nearby Doddington Hall.Located on Main Street, the development enhances this area of the village, providing important infill on the site once occupied by the local school, which was demolished in the 1960s and has latterly been used as a car park and general storage area. It is bordered by a mix of farmland, mature trees and shrubs, and existing housing, and lies partially within a conservation area.The development comprises two 2-bedroomed, five 3-bedroomed and six 4-bedroomed terraced and semi-detached dwellings. One of the terraces fronts onto Main Street while the remainder have been sensitively designed to create an attractive group of dwellings centred around a newly-created ‘village green’.Perhaps the most significant element of the appearance of the scheme is the elevation of the terraces towards Main Street. In developing the specifically tailored to design for this elevation, account was taken of the nature of the surrounding buildings within the village.Although not prominent to public view, the balance of the development has been designed in a manner sympathetic to the architectural vernacular found within the village. With a common thread running-through which will serve to unify the development and reinforce the sense-of-place which is presented by the scheme.In particular, simple, uncomplicated/uncluttered designs have been developed. High quality materials have been utilised for the development, essential in reinforcing the architectural character of the development, reflecting the high-quality of other developments which have been executed within the village recently.The brick selected was Forterra’s Butterley Breckland Multi Reserve, a red brick with a tumbled texture.

Yoko Ono Lennon Centre is a unique teaching and performance building at the University of Liverpool. It has been designed by Liverpool School of Architecture graduates based at UK architecture practice Ellis Williams.The new facility includes The Tung Auditorium – a world class music performance space – together with two large lecture theatres, seminar rooms, café space, a public facing linear park and a new outdoor space for the University.With a floor area totalling around 6500m2 the building was planned around a careful understanding of the site and an innovative response to a challenging brief.PROJECT INFOThe lecture theatres were arranged vertically, which allowed for a much smaller building footprint – freeing up the site to deliver a linear public park alongside the main arterial route adjacent to the south elevation. This also allowed for large volume and height of Tung Auditorium to be placed adjacent to the teaching spaces, separated by the main atrium circulation space. Externally, the building’s form and materials relate to the robust architecture of some of Liverpool’s historic civic buildings and dockside architecture.The University of Liverpool was the original “red brick University” so the use of that material may seem obvious. The facing brick selected was Forterra’s Butterley Farmstead Antique.The bricks here are more than decorative however, they are a key part of the acoustic strategy and were selected for their density as well the colour and tone.The large inward looking spaces of the theatres by definition are without external windows and openings. The curved forms to the corners are used to both soften the impact of the mass (accentuated by the use of double stacked protruding bricks to catch the sun), and as a nod to the curves used in prominent corner buildings that can be seen across Liverpool.

RIBA STIRLING PRIZE WINNER, Evelyn Grace Academy in Brixton South London, benefits from the flowing façade integrating seamlessly with Sotech's Optima IPC Cladding. The external facades of the academy, designed by award wining architect Zaha Hadid, feature flying angles and oblique lines and, to maximise external space the building bridges, a full-length running track. The internal design generates natural patterns of division within highly functional spaces to create four small schools within the whole, each with its own identityIn addition to partnering with the specialist contractor McMullen to identify the optimum solution for the fixing components, a scaled mock-up incorporating the Sotech Optima IPC interlocking plank system, finished to the specification required, was built on site incorporating two sections of the building integrated into the glazed curtain wall. This level of detailing provided the contractor and the architect with the reassurance that the rainscreen system, and the specified colour and finish, would meet the performance and design requirements of the project.The Optima IPC system has been independently tested by Vinci, including both horizontal and vertical planks in the material and finish specified for the Evelyn Grace Academy together with a number of other finishes including copper, aluminium and zinc. Achieving 2Kn serviceable load, the system successfully met the rigorous test requirements.The specification of the highly engineered Optima IPC for the £37.5 million Academy resulted in the bespoke manufacture of each panel, many incorporating complicated angles and tapered corners in two directions, each with a 5mm shadowgap and secret fix joint. Curved soffits and cills completed the package, which totalled in excess of 1500sqm of Optima IPC.

New Farnley Cricket Club in Leeds, when given the greenlight to open their bar and restaurant, wanted to ensure that their returning clientele would feel comfortable by providing facilities in line with the government guidance on Covid 19 safety.Along with clear signage and establishing a one-way system through the club house, New Farnley CC commissioned protective screening from wall & door protection specialists Yeoman Shield.To help protect staff and customers alike from viral loads that can be expelled by coughing, sneezing or shouting, Yeoman Shield installed a bespoke 800mm high screen using 4mm thick clear uPVC affixed around the bar with attractive chrome brackets and fixings.Yeoman Shield portable protective screens were also supplied to help with the configuration and separation of dining tables and the social distancing of patrons whilst waiting in the expected queuing systems.Being lightweight the screens can be moved around easily to accommodate requirements whilst being sturdy enough not to be knocked or tipped over.The portable screens are available in a range of options such as clear or frosted uPVC or with the alternative of a clear top half giving a sense of space coupled with a through coloured, frosted or design printed bottom half.The club’s Chairman, Mr John Baldwin, commented “It’s been great that Yeoman Shield were able to provide us with the right solution to our social distancing requirements to enable the club to re-open, which like other sports clubs, provide amenities to the local community.”Yeoman Shield have also been providing similar solutions for Hospitals, Schools and Offices allowing visitors, students and employees to return to safe environments.

FIREFLY™ APOLLO Lite Specified for Royal Stoke RefurbishmentA leading passive fire protection contractor has been involved in the installation of fully compatible products from the range of TBA FIREFLY™ for the creation of half hour fire barriers within ceiling voids to a major general hospital undergoing extensive refurbishment work in the north of England.Birmingham based Cubic FM is the specialist sub-contractor carrying out all of the passive fire protection work at the Royal Stoke University Hospital in the city’s Newcastle Road. The work is making use of FIREFLY’s well proven APOLLO Lite™ 30:30 barrier system in combination with the equally widely specified Collaroll across areas featuring cable trays, water pipes and other building services. All of the barrier and ancillary products are being supplied by the Birmingham branch of Encon, one of FIREFLY’s main distributors.The Senior Contract Manager for Cubic, Brett Kelly, commented: “This is a family run firm where passive fire protection forms one of our key divisions, serving both private and public sector clients: working in schools, prisons, police stations and MOD properties as well as hospitals. The contract here in Stoke has been particularly challenging because the ceiling void of the Lower Trent Ward contains a variety of services - including gas and water - which could not be isolated due to having to keep adjoining areas of the hospital supplied. Also the presence of steel beams meant the new drywall partitions could not be taken right up to the underside of the slab.”“We were first introduced to the FIREFLY's range some three years ago when it was specified by a client, but we now prefer the systems to the rock mineral wool we used previously. The FIREFLY™ barriers are quicker and easier to install, do not create dust or skin irritation and the company is always ready to provide design guidance or on–site assistance. We currently have half a dozen operatives trained up by FIREFLY™ and another group due to attend the company’s training school soon.FIREFLY™ worked with the architect here after they specified the APOLLO Lite™ 30:30 and have been helping us with installation details, where we are using the special staples and adhesives to secure the barriers, as well as around all the service penetrations – working off scaffolding. Overall the installation is progressing very well.”APOLLO Lite™ 30:30 has been developed for use in vertical separation or compartmentation situations, offering 30 minutes integrity and insulation and is able to be sealed around penetrations. It is widely specified to form fire barriers within roof voids and floor voids in many different property types, including tower blocks and other HMOs.The flexible woven material is easy to cut and fix and is treated with a proprietary coating to improve its cooling properties and therefore prevent temperatures rising in adjoining areas. The system has been fully tested to BS 476 Parts 20 & 22 and is third party certified by IFC. The six metre long rolls of APOLLO Lite™ 30:30 have a minimum thickness of 6mm and are installed using stainless steel staples as well as high temperature adhesive.Employed as part of the FIREFLY™ System and also to wrap the services which penetrate barriers such as PHOENIX, ZEUS Lite™ 90:30 and TITAN Lite™ 120:60, Collaroll comes in a roll 10m long x 300mm wide with a sewn-in concertinaed skirt. The skirt can be moulded to shape to seal it neatly to the upright barrier, which is usually at 90 degrees to the Collaroll and fixed into place using the high temperature adhesive. The R31 Staple Gun and Staples are used to staple the Collaroll to itself tightly around the penetration.

The innovative new i-Track from Dorma Hüppe has been designed to make the moving of tall moveable walls both simple and safe for the operator. Modular in design, the system employs a sequence of curves and internal track switches to allow the smooth and easy movement of large, heavy panels. Cleverly harnessing the kinetic energy created by panel movement, i-Track utilises that momentum to effortlessly facilitate a change in direction as each panel passes through the curves, into and out of the parking pocket. Track diverters are used to manually program the carriers to automatically move each panel to the correct parking location.The i-Track really comes into its own where panel height exceeds 5000mm, when weight can become an issue with right-angled track. The use of curves not only improves overall functionality but ensures no point of collision, reducing wear and tear on track and carriers. This significantly extends the operational life of the moveable wall system, contributing to long-term sustainability and ultimately reducing maintenance costs.Since the launch of the i-Track, Style, sole UK distributor for Dorma Hüppe moveable walls, has installed this comprehensive solution in a variety of locations from schools and conference facilities to hospitality venues.“i-Track innovation really is a game changer for moveable wall systems with the days of wrestling oversized panels now a thing of the past,” said Julian Sargent, Style’s group managing director.“As the i-Track makes it easier and safer for the operator to quickly reconfigure multi-functional rooms, the likelihood of the space being used to its full operational potential all day, every day is greatly increased.”If requirements change over time, the modular nature of i-Track allows the existing layout to be cost-effectively altered, rather than requiring an entirely new system.   

When the Coleg y Cymoedd (translated meaning is the College of the valleys) in Wales needed to totally refurbish the flooring element of their campus in Ystrad Mynach (near the town of Caerphilly), they turned to international flooring specialist Gerflor to supply over 1000m2 of flooring for numerous areas and spaces throughout the campus. It was a project that provided Gerflor with the perfect platform to showcase a raft of high-quality flooring solutions ideal for the concerned demanding education environment.Tony Thorne, Gerflor Sales and Specification Manager - South Wales commented, “This project started at the specification stage with the Architects Austin-Smith: Lord. Over several meetings, we looked at a number of products to be used in various areas of the building scheme. The installation at the Ystrad Mynach campus is an outstanding example of how a mix of Gerflor innovations can achieve world class results. Mixing gym tiles with sheet vinyl, safety flooring and LVT, yielded incredible results for this college refurbishment project.”Kate Thomas, Director Austin-Smith: Lord commented, “The refurbishment project, part-funded by the Welsh Government’s 21st Century Schools and Colleges Programme, formed part of the college’s plans to continually invest in new facilities and equipment that will allow learners across its catchment area to have access to the latest training opportunities and career paths.”Mark Bond, Estimator and H&S Manager at Floor Furnishings commented, “The client is extremely impressed with the end results. We regularly work with Gerflor products and recommend Gerflor where suitable, in line with our client’s requirements and expectations. Gerflor’s staff are particularly skilled in being able to work in collaboration and alongside both the end user clients, as well as contractors in achieving an excellent final result that is pleasing to the client and meets the complicated design brief.”

Falco has completed the design, manufacture, supply and installation of new cycle parking infrastructure at Oxford Brookes University.Installed this winter, the new facility comprises 72 spaces of the UK’s leading two-tier cycle parking system – the FalcoLevel-Premium+ combined with the open and spacious FalcoRail double-sided cycle canopy.Two key products of the scheme here at Oxford Brookes University, are the tried and tested Falco Level Premium + two-tier cycle parking system and the Falco Rail cycle canopy, which When combined together, create the ultimate cycle park - providing cyclists with high levels of cycle security in a spacious contemporary canopy design.Each 4m bay of double-sided FalcoRail cycle canopy features cycle parking for up to 36 bikes utilising double-sided two-tier racks. The double-sided nature of both the cycle canopy and cycle racks provides a maximum number of cycle spaces whilst occupying a minimum of floor space.The new facility, with everything a cyclist will need in order to visit the university by bike, has been installed next to the main reception, adjacent to the car park.Oxford Brookes is a four campus public university with over 16,000 students and three main campuses located in Oxford and a fourth in Swindon.In addition to Oxford Brookes University, Falco has supplied cycle parking infrastructure to many other universities including Cambridge University, University of Edinburgh, The Guildhall School of Music and Drama, University of Brighton, Queen Mary University, Loughborough University, University of Southampton and University of West Scotland. For more information about the scheme here at Oxford Brookes University, or how Falco can assist your cycle parking project, please contact our helpful sales team at sales@falco.co.uk.

Helmsman’s latest project was an exciting one for the team. We were contacted by Bowmer & Kirkland who we have worked with many times in the past, to create a bespoke set of outdoor lockers for a project in Enfield.Bowmer & Kirkland are the lead contractor for The Chase Farm Development, which when complete, will be home to two new schools, One Degree Academy and Wren Academy, with a Community Hub and Sports Centre, plus 362 New Homes. With a range of outdoor space, the client had requested lockers to be installed along two external walls of the building. Whilst our Wet Spec Laminate Lockers are great for humid and wet environments such as leisure centre changing rooms, it was important that we considered the different impact that outdoor lockers would need to withstand.We designed, manufactured, and installed 158 bespoke, 4 compartment outdoor lockers at Wren Community Hub. The body was made with Stainless Steel, with doors and end panels in Solid Grade Laminate. A selection of colours were used, with Formica Laminate in Peaceful Blue, Lime and Dusty Jade for the doors, and Polar White for the end panels.The client also requested Sloping Tops for the lockers. These are a great addition to stop clutter and other objects being placed on top of the lockers, particularly helpful for lockers in public spaces as this project is. The sloping tops were made from stainless steel with Solid Grade Laminate over the top in Polar White to match the end panels.For the locks and numbering, the client chose oval laminated number plates with Lowe and Fletcher Camlocks, which make a great pairing.It was great to work on this bespoke locker project and highlights that Helmsman can help with a variety of requests and requirements for locker projects. Should you want a bespoke design or solution for your latest project, contact us today on 01284 530427.

The sound effectAt the same time, it provides effective sound dampening with an impressive acoustic class of ‘A’ to create a harmonious environment wherever it is specified. Feltfon Linear’s appearance is akin to wool, it has a strong textural appeal and represents a further exploration of material innovation.Based on a linear design and so in keeping with Gustafs well-known design language, this iteration of Feltfon can be specified with strips of wood in between the felt ribs, creating an appealing nature-inspired surface solution.Although this solution can be customised for each project, it is a uniquely designed ready-to-use system. Unlike most felt installations, Feltfon Linear uses the standard Capax Quick-Up installation system for walls and ceilings. Fully demountableThis system is sturdy for use in high traffic environments, it has the benefit of being able to grip multiple rib widths and it is also fully demountable during or at the end of its useful life. The range has a thickness of 9mm: comparable products do not usually have such generous proportions. This means it is suitable for high-traffic commercial application, for example, in school environments and other public spaces. Gustafs Acoustex material has a fire rating of B-s1,d0, in line with Gustafs continuing commitment to the fire safety of its products.Sustainable and flexible choiceFlexible in its design, the Feltfon Linear ribs can be chosen from a mix of three wool shades of grey, with many widths and depths to choose from as well. It is a sustainable choice too, with this next generation textile composed from a minimum of 50% post-consumer recycled material.Feltfon Linear pushes the boundaries of what is expected of a felt product system creating an attractive practical solution with infinite possibilities.Feltfon LinearFeltfon Wall installationFeltfon Ceiling installation

The £30 million Barbara Hepworth Building at the University of Huddersfield houses the School of Art, Design and Architecture for the University. Named after the famous Yorkshire-born sculptor, this new addition to the campus represents an excellent achievement in modern architecture and can be found by the side of the canal that runs through the University.Working closely with Morgan Sindall Construction and AHR Architects, OOBE were tasked to deliver a landscape masterplan for the new addition to the University’s campus. The brief was to design a landscape that fitted seamlessly with the industrial context of the building and natural nearby environment, whilst providing opportunities for students and faculty to socialise.OOBE incorporated the significant level changes between the building and canal into the design, developing several terrace spaces into this previously underused space. The internal environment also inspired the landscape design, which includes a new plaza and sculpture court that wraps around the building, helping showcase the University’s innovation and creativity.As a neighbour of the University of Huddersfield, with our head office being only five miles away, Marshalls has been a proud supplier for a large number of the University’s outdoor spaces for years, and we are thrilled to supply our British-made Modal Concrete Paving for the hard landscaping around this new, iconic building.We spoke to Mike Goodall, the Director of OOBE, about their work on the canal-side and his choice of materials “We had to make sure that the landscape design for the canal side sat in harmony with this award-winning building, its surroundings and wider masterplan proposals, including work around the main entrance carried by other landscape architects. By incorporating the same high-quality, durable landscaping materials used across the campus from Marshalls, it was great to find the right product from their range of options that complemented the building and helped bring to life this vastly inspirational space.”

REQUIREMENT: A robust step system with handrails to aid a visually impaired tenant in accessing their garden.The council owns the property; therefore, the specifier required a product that can easily be removed in the future and leave little to no impact on the building.Our system was ideal because safety features, including yellow tread strips, could be fixed along each step nosing, and a rubber crumb cover could be laid over the surfaces to prevent the tenant from slipping.The product is also easily removable and only requires minimal bolting.ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: CAD and technical drawings were designed by our specialist designer in-house.END RESULT: A step system with three risers and a platform was installed in less than a day. The steps fully comply with Part M and K of Building Regulations for dwellings. All council properties must adhere to these guidelines. FEATURES INCLUDED:Trombone Ends - these are added to the ends to prevent clothes catching.Mesh Platform - the self-draining mesh allows water to pass through rather than collect on the surface.Standard Handrail - this handrail system ensures users always have support to hold onto.Standard Colour Black – Systems are powder coated black to create a durable finish that is tougher than conventional paint.Telescopic Legs - Legs can be adjusted to accommodate different threshold heights.EXTRA FEATURES INCLUDED:Yellow Tread - this is a safety feature designed to help those with impaired vision identify the nose of the ramp. Additionally, it helps users distinguish any level changes.Safetread Rubber Surface - This is a soft, slip-resistant surface that reduces the impact of falls. The product is made from the same materials used in soft play areas and is ideal for nurseries, schools, and public facilities. It is available in a range of colours and will continue to perform in all weather conditions.

Dallochy House owners Mark and Jenny Sykes had always dreamed of building their own home. And after house-hunting for a number of years in Aberdeenshire, realised they would have to make their dream come true to get a property that ticked all their boxes! They were searching for a new home which would be warm and easy to heat, in their local village and in the catchment area for a good school.  Paul McWilliams from Annie Kenyon Architects, orientated the house to optimise south facing solar gain, with expanses of glazing from Rationel to make the most of the views, and stilts to accommodate the sloping topography. The couple incorporated stone from the former cottage on the site, into the gable-end of the new build.  “It has been a very happy and stress-free journey,” say Jenny who chose James Hall Joinery as main contractors. “I cannot rate the professionalism of Paul and James highly enough. We expected stress, hiccups, problems but James project managed everything so smoothly that he took the stress out of the whole process.”  “We chose Rationel windows for a number of reasons. James Hall recommended them to us having used them on several other builds. He was able to provide photos of windows, doors and testimonials. Their distributors ADW have a showroom, at Sauchen, which was very convenient for us to visit and it was particularly helpful to see so many products on display. We were impressed with the quality, the choice available and could tell that the investment was absolutely worth it. The colour choices were to our liking, as was the option to have alu-clad external finish onto the natural timber frames.  We think the windows just look really good with the cladding and stone work and of course allow you to appreciate the views.” 

More than 20,000m² of Sto’s external wall insulation system has been specified for two residential schemes at Cherrywood, Ireland’s largest urban development driven forward by real estate group Hines and its joint venture partners, APG Asset Management over the past seven years.Located on a 360-hectare site to the south of Dublin, Cherrywood is expected to serve a population of 25,000 people, offering more than 7,700 new homes, six schools, three parks and leisure facilities.Henry J Lyons Architects selected the StoTherm Mineral insulation system for apartment blocks forming part of the first and second phase of the residential construction. Now complete, the first scheme comprises 431 homes divided into two equally-sized blocks. The second consists of 520 units spread across three blocks and is due to be completed in Summer 2023. Sto installation work was carried out by applicators Platt Reilly.Consisting of mineral fibre insulation boards, the StoTherm Mineral system provides a high level of thermal performance and fire protection. It has been installed onto lightweight steel frames using Sto-Rotofix Plus. Thanks to a unique spiral design, these fixings help to create a seamless façade across all the blocks as well as a cavity behind the insulation board allowing any excess moisture to drain. Using the Sto-Rotofix-Plus, any unevenness in the substrate can be easily rectified by adjusting the insulation boards after they have been installed. This means there is no need for unsightly expansion joints and a smooth surface can be created ready for applying the render.All the apartment blocks will be finished with the StoSilco silicone resin render to provide high levels of water repellence and resistance to algae and fungus growth. 

Margam Park’s new washrooms needed to be durable, easy to maintain and impress their visitors.Margam Country Park in Wales is owned and administered by Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council. The estate containing a Tudor Gothic Mansion was once owned by the Mansel Talbot family in the 1800s. The 850 acre country park is rich in history, with evidence of over 4,000 years of continuous habitation and use by man. This means it has exceptional historic value, with some of the country’s finest architectural treasures. Paired with its natural beauty, wildlife and many activities and facilities, the Margam Country Park has evolved into a popular attraction which is visited by 350,000 people per year, including locals and tourists alike.Neath Port Talbot Council came to Bushboard Washrooms for the refurbishment of the public washrooms. The main concern for this project was ensuring that the toilets were able to withstand the high traffic the park receives each year. As Alison Lloyd, the Commercial Officer at Margam Country Park, explained “visitors often judge a site on the quality of the loos”, this meant opting for a robust washroom range which offered a modern, high quality finish that will remain presentable at all times.Initially designed for secondary schools with the key focus on privacy, our HiZone for Schools toilet cubicle at standard height was decided as the perfect specification for the country park’s needs. Alison put emphasis on requiring an “indestructible build”, the cubicles pilasters and partitions are fixed to the floor in aluminium channels which creates a strong foundation. The toilet cubicles were manufactured in Solid Grade Laminate which has a compact core making it a highly durable material. It is also impervious to water which makes it easy to clean as the panels do not need to be dried meticulously afterwards to prevent damage.The design of the public washroom was carefully considered. The council wanted to cater for everyone who would visit their park, with additions such as child height basins, family changing areas and enlarged toilet cubicles with grab rails for ambulant/disabled users. In particular, the park recognised parents with their children would regularly visit the park. They designed a superloo style room to utilise space, this was larger than a typical toilet cubicle which gave users more room to manoeuvre within the washroom space.Ease of cleaning was fundamental to the project because of the high traffic the toilet cubicles will endure. Our own brand SanCeram’s Langley WCs and urinals were chosen which both offer a smooth and rimless design to eliminate dirt traps, it also suited the “clean lines” Alison was looking for. Margam Park had sanitaryware and brassware ready plumbed which meant that that it arrived pre-fitted to panels assembled onto a rigid steel frame, this saved both time and money. Being a refurbishment project it meant the washrooms did not have to stay closed to the public for a long period of time.Vanity units were also supplied as Ready Plumbed Modules and designed to hit the parks public washroom brief. Solid Surface Counter Top vanity units are ideal for busy washroom environments as they are easy to maintain. Alison wanted to make sure that the washroom had ‘clean lines to clean’, so integrated inset wash hand basins were supplied which have a flush design leaving no dirt traps for a hygienic hand wash station whilst also creating a seamless, high-end overall look.Alison told us that the colours were “chosen to fit with the Country Park, a wood feel and green panels to make it bold and stand out”. Lime Green and Bleached Oak laminates paired with Apple Solid Surface colours from our standard range complemented the mansion scenes within the washroom perfectly. Overall the review of the new washrooms at Margam Park were “ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT! We opened in time for the Early May Bank Holiday and feedback from public was great and staff love the clean lines and bright colours.”

RESTORATION ENSURES SUSTAINABLE FUTUREThe historic Bath Abbey has undergone extensive repair and conservation work along with the addition of new facilities. With its Footprint project, Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios sensitively restored the 1300-year-old place of worship and improved the accessibility, flexibility, and sustainability of the building. As part of reworking and improving the Abbey’s back of house facilities, FCBStudios designed the Song School, a new, timber-lined choir practice room where up to 60 singers can rehearse. The oak-panelled room features Junckers solid 20.5mm Oak Harmony plank flooring installed by Moran Floors. The solid oak further enhances the acoustics in the room, an important consideration to the Abbey. Said Huw Williams, Director of Music, Bath Abbey: ‘The floor of the new Song School is a beautiful feature, we are particularly appreciative of the acoustic properties of the floor. It really helps to create a suitable acoustic for rehearsing which has given our choirs a huge boost following a difficult year of lockdowns. The standard and finish of the floor is exceptional, it provides a warmth in contrast to the natural stone features and contributes enormously to the professional and high-quality character of these unique new spaces.’ The importance of high ethical standards was a key objective for materials sourcing on the project, and FCBStudios was able to rely on Junckers’ experience in procuring sustainably sourced and manufactured material in the specification process. Naturally low in carbon, Junckers solid hardwood flooring comes with sustainability credentials including EPDs, FSC®, PEFCTM and Indoor Climate certification as well as an A+ rating in the BRE Green Guide, which played an important part in the architects’ specification. Said Alex Morris, Associate, Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios: ‘FCBStudios selected Junckers wooden floors for the Bath Abbey offices and new choir rehearsal spaces because we needed to provide hard wearing and elegant floor finishes that would be sympathetic to the character and historic significance of the Grade 2 listed Georgian buildings.” In addition, Moran Floors fitted Junckers’ 15mm single stave blocks made in solid oak in a single herringbone pattern with a 129x15mm oak plank border in the ground floor reception area. The floor was sanded and finished with Junckers’ Rustic Oil on site. The reception spaces are made up a series of domestic-scale rooms original to the Georgian terrace, which contain many original features. The parquet floor was selected to complement and enhance the elegant grandeur of the building as a whole. A solid hardwood floor from Junckers has a crevice-free surface which cannot harbour dust or mites, easy to keep clean and contributes to a healthy indoor climate, one of the RIBA’s targets in its 2030 Climate Challenge for architects. Junckers floors carry the Danish Indoor Climate label, recognised by BREEAM, and have undergone extensive degassing and odour testing to ensure no harmful gasses are released into the room. Installing timber in an interior helps minimise static from electrical appliances and helps maintain an even temperature. A very old, historic building which forms part of the UK’s architectural heritage has been updated and adapted to secure its sustainable future. Junckers flooring with its proven long lifespan was an integral part of the project - expected to last well over 60 years, the floor forms part of the design to future-proof the Abbey. The Bath Abbey Footprint Project by FCBStudios has been shortlisted for Renewable Energy Project of the Year in the BusinessGreen Leaders Awards 2022. The awards celebrate the best of the UK’s green economy and burgeoning net-zero transition. This category recognises projects that have demonstrated a wide range of environmental and economic benefits associated with clean energy deployment and development. The £19.3 million programme of restoration, building works and interpretation will help to secure the Abbey’s physical future. This included repair and restoration of 2,400 floor stones conserved and re-laid, and a revolutionary underfloor heating system harnessing water from Bath’s hot springs. 

of the Church at Abbey Lane reaches right back to theemergence of Non-Conformity and the Free Church tradition in Britain.John Bradford, one of the first protestant martyrs to suffer in QueenMary’s reign (he was burnt at the stake at Smithfield in 1555),preached in Saffron Walden a number of times. Doubtless his life andthe manner of his death had a great influence on the people of SaffronWalden, causing many to leave the Established Church. These earlydissenters remained faithful to their belief through many years and itwas largely their descendants who were responsible for the founding ofthe church at Abbey Lane. This is traditionally regarded as having beenfounded in 1665, making 2015 the 350th anniversary of the church.The Toleration Act of 1689 enabled nonconformiststo spring into action, withthe erection of a meeting house atAbbey Lane being completed in 1694.Key events in the subsequent history of the Church include:The opening of the current church building in 1811The election of five members of Abbey Lane Church as Town Councillors in 1835 after therepeal of the Test and Corporation Actwhich had barred non-conformists frompublic service. These included AldermanJohn Player J.P., the first mayor of theBorough after the passing of theMunicipal Corporation Act and theBorough’s first Justice of the PeaceThe construction of the schoolroom andclassrooms in 1861 to celebrate theJubilee of the Church buildingAt the beginning of the 20th century, Abbey Lane was a flourishingchurch, attended mostly by trades people of the town. The church hada large choir and a good Sunday School which met twice on Sunday aswell as attending the morning service. On special occasions such asHarvest Festivals extra chairs had to be placed in the aisles.Of late unfortunatly a leaking roof caused significant damage,eventually leading to the ceiling collapse with cornice and panelmoulding falling.A C PLASTERING pulled down the remaining loose ceiling &decorative mouldings, stabilised the existing. Then re-lathed andplastered with Limecote supplied by Best Of Lime.A new cornice and panel mould was run to replace the damagedareas.

Resilient 250 was installed as a Soft Floor Covering and bonded to the top of the concrete base. The acoustic underlay achieves the Approved Document E UK Building Regulations (The Resistance to the Passage of Sound) performance standards for Floor Type 1.Resilient 250 was bonded to the concrete base with the Sonixx SX900 adhesive in the living areas of 255 apartments. An 8mm PU foam underlay (Super 8) was loose laid over Resilient 250 and a Cavalier carpet stretch fitted on top.In the bathroom areas the Forbo Surestep Laguna vinyl was installed directly onto the Resilient 250 using F46 (Pressure Sensitive Acrylic Adhesive) from F. Ball and Co Ltd.Resilient 250 is a 2.5mm thick, high performing acoustic underlay manufactured using sponge rubber. It achieves an acoustic performance of 19 dB (ΔLw), significantly reducing the transmission of impact sound. It is a versatile underlay and can be used below various floor coverings including carpet, wood, laminate, luxury vinyl tiles, vinyl and ceramic / porcelain / natural stone tiles.The installers had nothing but positive feedback, on how quick and easy the underlay was to work with. At only 24 kg (43 lb) per roll, it is easy to distribute around site. The underlay therefore facilitated a simple, quick, clean and cost-effective installation.Features of Resilient 250:Extremely installer friendly; quick and simple to work with and easy to distribute around site.Ideal for use in Private Homes, Hospitality, Retail, Healthcare, Multi-Family Housing, Apartments and Hotels, Commercial developments, Care Homes, Schools and Education Projects.With a Thermal Resistance of 0.23 Togs, RS250 is excellent for use with underfloor heating systems.As it is manufactured from sponge rubber, it does not mark the walls unlike alternative rubber crumb underlays.Durable - provides long-lasting performance and will not deteriorate or collapse over time.Hygenic - naturally anti-microbial, anti-allergy and resistant to decay with low VOCs.

Gripsure decking has been used to complete a landmark health building. The £41 million Health Innovation One is the new home of Lancaster University’s Medical School and Division of Health Research.The state-of-the-art building is also a regional hub, which brings together industry, research partners, health and care providers, the voluntary sector and local authorities. The focus is to help improve the health and well-being of the area.With such a variety of uses and needs, it was important to get Health Innovation One’s outside space just right.BAM Construction Ltd, the firm behind the project, came to Gripsure because they wanted a safe, non-slip decking area which blended with the style of the building and its natural surroundings. Gripsure Cumaru was the ideal choice. This hard-wearing, non-slip decking range comes with a 25+ year expected in-service life.Up to 3,500 linear metres of our Cumaru boards have been used outside Health Innovation One’s main entrance and for the flooring of an outdoor seating area.“The Cumaru product was offered as a value engineering option and offered a significant saving to the specified product as well as being a high-quality solution.” said Jonah Speaks, Assistant Project Surveyor at BAM Construction Ltd.As well as the quality and look of the product, Jonah said the construction team was impressed with Gripsure’s support and help at every stage.He said: “There was ongoing support from the technical team to propose the correct fixings and interfaces to ensure long term performance and robustness.”Work was completed last year on Health Innovation One, which features various meeting rooms and event spaces – including a dedicated Innovation Lab and Business Lounge and an on-site cafe.The building is part of the wider Health Innovation Campus at Lancaster University. The site will allow external organisations to work with university experts when addressing health challenges in Lancashire, the North West and across the country.Gripsure is proud to have contributed to such an important project.

Paving with character required for one of UK’s most biodiverse developmentsWorking in conjunction with London Wildlife Trust, Berkeley Group’s design objective was strongly influenced by the environment surrounding the scheme. The overall aim of the multi-functional location was to encourage users to socialise and enjoy the open space and facilities available. Residents can enjoy 13 acres of parkland across 2 new parks in addition to outdoor leisure spaces including an amphitheatre, play areas, and fitness trails. The Green Quarter hard landscaping design needed to tie in with the vibrant nature of the area. A functional yet aesthetically pleasing solution was required, ensuring commuter-friendly paving options. Due to the scale of the location, creative laying patterns were required to add character and break up the space.   Tobermore’s Artro adds vibrancy and personality to transformed development Tobermore worked closely with the project team throughout the design process offering complimentary paving visualisations and bespoke sample panels for the extensive hard landscaping on the scheme. The visualisation and sample service provided confidence in the final product selection.  Outdoor leisure spaces including an amphitheatre, play areas, and fitness trails provide a place for residents to unwind. Community events including outdoor cinema screenings and food markets will create a thriving new community. There will also be a new primary school, health centre and community facility. With creativity at its core, Artro block paving was laid in an interesting five-way colour mix of Heather, Bracken, Autumn, Slate and Carbon in a trendy herringbone pattern. Other pedestrianised zones feature Artro in warm clay-like tones of Heather and Autumn in a stretcher bond laying pattern. Artro’s ability to create unique design patterns by seamlessly blending various colour tones adds originality and personality to the scheme.  Thanks to Tobermore’s PrimeTop hard-wearing surface layer, Berkeley Group can be confident that Artro will retain its original appearance for many years to come.     

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.

Following the specification process with the London office of Planit-IE Landscape Architects, Artform Urban Furniture were appointed by Vastint UK to provide a considerable number of bespoke concrete benches alongside street furniture elements including litter bins, cycle parking and picnic sets to a newly built neighbourhood in the east of London. At the time one of the largest residential developments in Europe.The bespoke concrete block benches, some of which are clad in hardwood toppers, were designed and manufactured specifically for this project, echoing the light reflective architecture of the newly built studios and apartments. Great lengths were taken to find the perfect mix of aggregates to achieve the specifiers preferred colour mix and match paving being used on site. Sample blocks in the concrete and granite were supplied with & without timber toppers to make sure all stakeholders were happy with the final look/ colour. Stainless steel cycle stands are abundantly scattered around the car-free space, encouraging a peaceful and emission free environment. Likewise the sophisticated minimal design of the Spencer litter bin reflects the surrounding ambiance whilst keeping the area clean and tidy.The 26 acre project to revitalise this once-crumbling industrial site began back in 2013. Garnering widespread attention for its simplistic and sustainable design.The entire neighbourhood is divided into 13 plots, each designed by one of nine different architects.The Dane’s Yard area is the first completed phase of the Vastint UK master plan in bringing a brand new neighbourhood to London. The name of the area, Strand East, was changed to Sugar House Island in 2017 with Vastint looking for a name that has stronger ties to the community and its history. The sentiment is evident throughout the project in the refurbishing of old warehouse buildings, yards, and alleyways.Once completed in 2024 Sugar House Island will feature more than 624,000 square feet of office space, 1,200 homes, and nearly 131,000 square feet of green space. Developers have also made room for new restaurants, cafés, shops, a primary school, and a 350-bed hotel. Developers expect the project to create 2,500 new jobs.

Essex Pedal Power is a community project focused on cycling access and inclusivity. The scheme provides free bikes to eligible applicants along with associated services including training and group activities. Piloting in coastal towns Clacton-on-Sea and Jaywick Sands, the project aims to connect residents with key local services while harnessing the health, wellbeing and social benefits of regular cycling.Parallel to the free bike element of the scheme, supporting infrastructure is vital to make cycling a viable and practical transport solution for participants and regular cyclists alike. Essex Pedal Power identified seven key public locations including the train station, library, community centres and schools as prime destinations for cycling journeys. The challenge was to provide high quality, cost effective cycle parking, and to publicise each site as cycle friendly. The answer came in the form of our Bike Ports; robust parking racks with eye-catching bike icon facias.Cyclehoop were commissioned to supply and install six Bike Ports and two Bikehangars. Custom orange powder coating and vinyl wrapping match the colour of the Essex Pedal Power branding and their distinctive orange bikes. All six Bike Ports were installed in just two days, owing to the innovative self-supporting design and the vast experience of our fitters. The Bike Port’s unmistakable appearance instantly identifies each site as a bike storage space, while the striking orange hue fosters affinity with participants. As a component of the Pedal Power scheme, the Bike Ports help residents access important local facilities, quickly and conveniently in a healthy and sustainable way.As a result of the success of the pilot scheme in Jaywick Sands and Clacton-On-Sea, which launched in June 2021 and has distributed over 90 bikes to the local community, the scheme will be rolled out in Colchester, launching Summer 2022. This is only the beginning, with further locations planned across Essex as a direct result of the overwhelming support and benefits delivered to the local community.The feedback has been extremely positive; stakeholders have been impressed with the impact the orange bike ports are having in the area.Kris RadleyEssex Cycling Strartegy Leader