"wall light"

Col.legi Montserrat in Barcelona is one of the most innovative schools in Spain. The school has departed from the traditional system of silence and listening to explanations and encouraging discussions. The means? Acoustic quality and low frequency absorption.

Showcasing two of the worlds most prestigious and admired car brands demands enormous attention to detail. Over a many number of years, Saint-Gobain Ecophon has created acoustic suspended ceilings within countless Jaguar Land Rover dealerships throughout the UK. The architect, SDA Design in Leeds, specifies Ecophon’s Focus Ds or Dg ceiling system for both its aesthetic and acoustic performance. The concealed grid systems help to achieve the clean, crisp style of the interior’s look and feel, reflecting both the sleek lines of the vehicles and the sophistication of the brand.

We recently provided a sleek integrated ceiling design for a world-class prominent financial institution on St. George Street in London’s Mayfair district. This complex design demonstrated our commitment to providing transformative architectural solutions that combine aesthetic and functional achievement. SupaSlat 4-23 was specified in Supalami Cool Oak to enhance the aesthetic appeal and bring uniformity to the space.Importantly, Vtec’s SupaSlat system is tested in combination and classified as Euroclass B, essential for meeting stringent safety standards and Building regulations. 

Our client was engaged to carry out a major office fit out that revolutionised the workplace experience for a global tech company. The design concept involved two separate creative viewpoints that needed to identify with the space to tell the combined story of the brand and the history of its location.Vtec Group were specified in this BREEAM Excellence rated workspace with our MaxiBeam and SupaSlat systems. Explore how we helped to ease the brain pain and eliminate risk of costly problems by creating beautiful flexible design solutions.

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Location: BirminghamMain Contractor: Midgard LtdThe Octagon is a 155m tall residential skyscraper in Birmingham. The 49-storey tower will be the first residential octagonal high-rise building in the world and will deliver 370 quality homes in the heart of Birmingham.Each apartment will enjoy a generous 13-metre facet of the Octagon and a much larger than average outlook, bringing ample daylight into the ‘radial’ arrangement of the internal spaces.Quality Apartments : 370Storeys: 49

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Just a stone's throw from London, a private villa is coloured with traditional Mediterranean style thanks to Atlas Concorde's concrete-effect porcelain tiles. Explore the project.A white wall, a blue sky bursting with the sun's rays, the scent of wild flowers, and the gentle sound of unspoiled nature. It’s a view that immediately recalls the Mediterranean landscapes typical of the coastal countries of Italy, Spain, and Morocco. And that’s exactly the feeling inside a private villa in Bromley thanks to the creation of a space thatconveys the understated allure of maritime residences. In this setting suspended somewhere between Mediterranean charm and the calm of English city life, Atlas Concorde's concrete-effect porcelain tiles were selected to adorn the villa's outdoor spaces.Thanks to the outdoor tiles of Atlas Concorde, the patio and pool area blend the nature, elegance, and freshness typical of the architectural style of southern Europe. White, the tone used for the floors, is also a clear reference to traditional Mediterranean houses where the delicacy of the sea breeze can be enjoyed.The expressiveness of the concrete look clads the outdoor areas of the home with sophisticated elegance by combining technical performance and aesthetic sophistication. The concrete effect is stripped of its typically industrial look to decorate the space with a unique material capable of being the perfect extension of the indoor spaces.The versatility of the concrete-effect tiles, thanks in part to their 20 mm thickness specifically intended for outdoor use, guarantees a product that is safe, weather-resistant, and easy to clean. In some specific settings such as the outdoors, the tiles must not only be beautiful but they also must have technical and application characteristics that limit the risks of falls and slips. Precisely for this reason, non-slip Atlas Concorde floor tiles have proved critical and made it possible to create continuity between spaces that have different purposes and characteristics.The end result is a space marked by an understated, elegant, and bright style where an absolute sense of lightness prevails. An inspiration that offers relaxation and wellbeing for an extremely refined style in perfect harmony with nature.

The Clockwork Building was a complete refurb of a 1960/70’s office building, project managed by Thirdway and landscaping done by Belsize Gardens. We became involved in the early stages when Belsize Gardens and the client wanted 4 large Corten planters at the front of the building to give the entrance a more vibrant natural look.All 20 planters were made in total from 3 mm Corten steel with a folded base and a double folded top to give extra strength. In the large planters we also added 4 mm stainless steel bracing wire due to the very large amounts of soil being added to each planter. This stops possible panel movement when the soil is being tipped inside.There were four larger planters all at 60 cm high, two at 11.2 x 3.8 M and two others at 4.5 x 3.2 M. Lighting was designed into all four planters, a bench incorporated into one of the 4.5 M planters as well as a 6 bicycle stand on the most southern planter. The material had to be Corten steel and needed to be pre-rusted which was done in our EverEdge yard in Staffordshire. The supports were our standard buttress design, all at 500 mm centres. Because the back wall of the planters adjacent to the building followed the contours of the building (windows etc) there were no continuous straight lines, but a series of 90°corners. All these fitted neatly on site and resulted on minimum construction time.In addition to the main entrance planters, there were 12 more planters in the car park area, infilled between the building windows all 250 x 55 cm and 88 cm high. These planters, being smaller, were incorporated with our steel brace system.Lastly 4 large planters for the roof garden were also constructed, 150 x 110 cms and 880 cm high as well as one “trough” planter, 250 X 40 cm.

Project Name: AMRC - Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre North WestLocation: Samlesbury, LancashireMain Contractor: Cartwright PickardCompletion Date: 2021Total Cost: £11mServices Provided: RIBA stages 1-6, Architectural DesignAwards Received:Finalist in BCO Northern AwardsBest Commercial Development in the North West at RICS AwardShortlisted for Project of the Year at Construction News AwardsLancashire Project of the Year at North West Construction AwardsSystem Supplied: Bespoke Fabrications, LandMark I, SnapLok Capping, Soffits, Window LinersFusion Facades, along with AMS Cladding Limited and the supply chain, provided a high-quality facade for the University of Sheffield's Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre North West (AMRC) project. Despite the challenges posed by the global pandemic, Fusion Facades was able to adapt and deliver exceptional service.The AMRC is located at the entrance to the Samlesbury Aerospace Enterprise Zone and features a modern workspace with a flexible high-tech workshop. To blend the 48,000 sqft building into the rural surroundings, lightweight bronze metal cladding was used over a landscaped bund.As a flagship research centre for advanced manufacturing, the AMRC had to meet the highest environmental standards. The office and seminar rooms feature horizontal glazing slots with projecting cappings and perimeter framing for passive solar shading. Reflective solid panels are used within the curtain walls to reduce solar gain while retaining the articulated openings that distinguish the office and seminar rooms from a nearby main road.A neutral colour was chosen to catch the warm tones of the morning and evening light while subtly defining the different internal uses. To break down the mass, junctions between the sheets are articulated with bronze fins denoting where the structural grid occurs internally.Overall, the AMRC project has received numerous accolades and is a testament to the outstanding work done by Fusion Facades and their partners in delivering a high-quality, environmentally sustainable research facility.

Duke Court is a development of 37 affordable homes for rent, built on the site of Fred Styles House, formerly a sheltered housing block, providing 42 bedsits, that had been empty since 2013. The development is part of Royal Borough of Greenwich’s commitment to delivering new high-quality homes and sustainable communities.The new development of 29 houses, 7 flats and 1 maisonette creates a pretty neighbourhood of terraced houses running along Charlton Church Lane, and a series of mews streets which run perpendicular connecting into the urban fabric behind the site. Glazed screens lead into a generous open plan kitchen dining room. Stairs lead up to bedrooms and to a light and airy open plan living room with fully glazed screens leading out onto a secluded sun trap roof terrace.The buildings along Charlton Church Lane alternate in height between two, and three storeys. The houses are built from a beautiful soft and rustic brick that helps ensure that the new homes feel embedded and ‘worn in’ to the surrounding area. The brick selected was Forterra’s Ecostock Belgravia Gault Blend. Its varied tone is important for ensuring the new homes do not feel too monolithic adding visual interest, factors that were integral to reassuring planners that the brick would be sensitive to its surrounding context.Low cost, robust but high quality brick detailing is integral to the project. Traditionally built brick arches front a number of the homes and help create a semi-private space where people can put out pots and plants, wellies and umbrellas etc. Snapped headers create tightly curved external walls where the site requires thinner accommodation. Other brick details include projecting brick surrounds to pop-up windows, arched window heads, soldier and header courses, articulated parapets and beautiful angled window reveals on prominent corners.

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.

The structureThis residential property emerged from the ashes of a World War II bomb site formerly occupied by a coach house, and was constructed circa 1945 by a local postman to serve as a family home.The distinctive characteristicsSurrounded by grand white stucco houses, this property was a joyful oddity amongst the archetypal street. With an off-centre pitch, horizonal windows and a central door, the owner was keen to work with and improve the existing fabric. The renovation The property had been re-built under a new centred pitched roof extending across two storeys to the rear. Stepping down at ground floor to a deep brick-finned façade opening onto a protected and peaceful walled garden.At the front, the old and new bricks were sewn together under a coat of bagged lime wash and mineral paint and insulated internally. The rendered base speaks to its stuccoed neighbours and grounds the building; the subtle depth of the relief creates a play of light across the front facade in the evening sun, celebrating its distinctive character.Why KEIM?The owner had been aware of the unique properties of mineral paints for allowing bricks to be painted but crucially to breathe, understanding so often houses are painted with non-breathable paints and the suffocated bricks lead to condensation. A mineral paint was required that can be painted over brickwork as well as the rendered base.The owner reached out and arranged a site visit with James Best, Senior Sales Executive at KEIM Mineral Paints. Following his expert guidance, it was recommended to utilize KEIM Soldalit for the project. Samples of five distinct shades of white were provided for testing across various façade orientations and times of day. The owner ultimately selected KEIM Soldalit in colour 9870, commenting “It is the perfect white. It is warm without being yellow and looks great in direct sunlight, shadow and of course our many overcast days.”

Premium finishes and designs with broad appealThe projectCatherine Birch of Birch Freeman Design and Nikki Rees of Nikki Rees Interior Design were engaged to design two turn-key offices on King William Street. The sixth-floor commercial spaces, situated prominently along the Monument Station walkway, were earmarked as an ideal central London location suitable for any business.The challenge Understanding that there were no specific incoming tenants to design for was crucial to Catherine and Nikki’s approach to the brief. “It was important to create an interior that would appeal to a wide range of future clients without appearing bland and overly neutral,” explained Catherine.The solutionHaving known each other for 25 years, Catherine and Nikki combined their shared love of texture and colour to collaborate and develop a design befitting the building’s premier location. Across both spaces’ flowing, open-plan layout, they combined a light, modern colour palette with rich, premium finishes to create thoughtful points of interest. In the reception areas, Catherine and Nikki selected a lacquered joinery framework and complementary Autex Acoustics® Groove panels. Available in over 20 colours with a selection of suggested and bespoke design options, the team opted for a fluted Groove style in Parthenon, a natural earthy fawn tone.The resultAs well as improving the zone’s acoustic comfort, the Groove panels, when combined with the joinery, created a soft, feature wall effect. “The moulding helped to give the Groove panels an art installation quality, “shared Catherine. “Groove’s depth and softness created a warm and inviting first impression of the spaces whilst maintaining a subtlety.” Leveraging their design expertise, Catherine and Nikki effortlessly shaped two blank canvases into welcoming spaces equipped to host a variety of occupants. “The spaces were snapped up quickly by incoming tenants, which made for a very satisfied client,” said Catherine on the project’s success.

MODERN COASTAL ARCHITECTURE CREATED USING TECHNAL SYSTEMSLayered recessed glazed facades, created using TECHNAL aluminium systems, maximise occupant views and deliver a sleek seafront architectural focus for new, luxury apartments overlooking the beach at Gorey in Jersey.Designed by Jersey-based Morris Architects, the development called The Beach comprises six apartments across four floors with undercroft car parking. Constructed by main contractor, Camerons, the glazing package was coordinated by installer Style Windows who worked with fabricator Bonam and Berry Ltd to develop the specification. “Using layered glazed balconies and recessed facades, the building takes on a stylish streamlined appearance. A sweeping corner provides an open, translucent structure, which minimises impact on the adjacent cottages and the beach. Secondary vertical columns have been used to help articulate the horizontal curved form of the balconies.”Ricardo Marques, architectMaximising the beautiful view for the building’s occupants using minimal profiles was a priority for the design team, without compromising the façade’s weather performance at this exposed location. This was achieved using a range of aluminium systems from the extensive TECHNAL range.  For easy access to the balcony area on the seaside elevation, the TECHNAL C160S Lift & Slide aluminium door system has been installed to each level, combining minimal sightlines and high thermal performance with a user-friendly slide action that glides, effortlessly. One of the door sets is an impressive 4.5m wide x 2.4m high, comprising only two panes, both of which are sliding. "Coastal developments always require a diligent approach to glazing specification. The architect had a clear vision for the building and the facade required a precision specification to achieve the right balance between aesthetic and performance in relation to the building's exposed location. Whilst installing beach-side was challenging, the finished facade looks impressive."Dave Sutcliffe, Style WindowsTo achieve the curved glazed corners at each storey level, TECHNAL Elegance 52 ST Curtain Walling has been fabricated to the specified quadrant, with an external radius of 1.9m, resulting in an impressive glass arc width of almost 3m. Combined with the 2.4m floor to ceiling height, the Elegance 52 ST system has allowed for a truly breathtaking sweeping curve to the building. Internally, the mullion of the curtain walling aligns perfectly with the adjacent Lift & Slide doors, giving the façade an elegant, continuous flow across the elevation."This is the beauty of TECHNAL systems. Even with the high wind loads of this exposed location, we have been able to create a sleek facade solution."Ricardo Marques, architectOther TECHNAL systems used on the project include four single doors and one double-set from the Dualframe Dualsecure 75mm range as well as its STII Doors to the entrance and escape doors. A selection of Dualframe 75mm SI windows in top hung, side hung and pivot configurations have also been installed throughout the building.Taking advantage of the dual colour facility and to combat the extreme weather conditions of this coastal location, externally the systems are anodised to Anolok™ Umber 543 in contrast with the white rendered walls. Internally, a white powder coat finish has been used to maintain the light bright design inside the apartments.To the north facing elevation, standard low-e toughened glass was specified with the rest glazed using solar control glass."Bonam and Berry has supplied TECHNAL architectural aluminium products continuously for over 40 years, and uses the complete range of systems for residential, commercial, educational and all public and private sector applications."Andrew Spencer, Commercial Director at Bonam & Berry

Experience Spectacular Laminated Glass Designs with evguard® Allifab Custom Metal Frames With PriWatt® Glass in New YorkProject Description:The construction project at hand is a collaboration between Allifab and Smart Glass Tech, with the key element being switchable privacy smart glass.The project involves the construction of a new office space within a private residence in New York City. The homeowners were seeking a way to create a dedicated workspace within their home that would allow for privacy and focus, while also taking advantage of natural light.To achieve this, Allifab and Smart Glass Tech partnered to incorporate switchable privacy smart glass into the office design. PriWatt® smart glass was used in the office’s partition walls, allowing the homeowners to easily switch between a private, distraction-free workspace and an open, light-filled space.One of the key benefits of working with Allifab and Smart Glass Tech was the short lead time for the project. The companies were able to complete the installation of the switchable privacy smart glass within just 60 days, meeting the tight deadline set by the homeowners.Conclusion:The result was a beautifully designed and highly functional office space that met the homeowners’ needs for privacy and focus. The switchable privacy smart glass was a key component in achieving this balance, and the collaboration between Allifab and Smart Glass Tech was crucial to the project’s success.Photo: provided by Smart Glass TechnologiesFor sensitive inlays like LC-films, meshes, LED and other materials, which are used in glass laminates, is mandatory to have a lamination film that flows easily into gaps without affecting or harming the inlay to obtain good results.The tailor-made melt viscosity of evguard® laminating film enables the lamination of added-value materials. evguard® laminating film perfectly fills the gaps without harming or destroying sensitive inlays like LC films, LED, meshes, solar cells, perforated steel, metals, papers and other substrates.https://youtu.be/kbDbZnyF3Hkhttps://www.smartglasstech.com/allifab-custom-metal-frames-with-smart-glass/Elevate your office appearance with a sleek, modern design that complements any style. PriWatt Glass – setting new standards in modern living, glass that doesn’t just meet standards but sets new benchmarks in safety and durability. Perfect solution for dynamic privacy control, heat management, and UV protection. With PriWatt Glass you have the power to actively adjust your privacy settings, ensuring a comfortable and secure environment.Upgrade your shower experience with PriWatt® Switchable Glass – where innovation meets indulgence!Call Smart Glass Tech today for more information on the project:Smart Glass Techwww.smartglasstech.com(833) 333-8556sales@smartglasstech.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/smart-glass-tech/Other projects: https://www.smartglasstech.com/blog/Call Glass Lamination of America for #evguard®:US: 803-487-4950Email: sebastian@glamofa.comwww.glamofa.comGlass Lamination of America Contact GlassParts for #evguard® in UK & IrelandTony Mallick +44 7392 458390tony@glassparts.co.ukwww.glassparts.co.uk

We've met Nick & Vicky Architects at Holloway & Holloway, when they’d just finished their rear and side extension. As their family is now bigger, they decided to create a brand new loft extension.You’ve just finished remodelling your home. Congratulations! Tell us what was the timeline from buying the house to now?Well, it’s been quite the journey! We bought the house over 4 years ago now. We always bought it as a project, so we knew that it was going to be something that would take a number of years to complete.The house needed a lot of work from day 1. In fact, I have a photo, taken at 9 am the morning after we moved in with my wife sledgehammer in hand, knocking a wall down. I quit work shortly after we moved in and I spent the next few months working on the house, mostly getting the first floor fit for us to live in, but also fixing the kitchen and other areas.We basically took the first floor back to brick work and joists. We fitted new plumbing and electrics, installed a new bathroom, new floors and so on. I managed to get a new kitchen from free-cycle which so we could replace our one, which wasn’t really in a working state.Once that was done, we had a home that we could live in and work from and that was around the time that we started our practice, Holloway and Holloway.As we got busier with work, we started to get a bit more hands off with the actual building work and allow people who were more qualified than I was to start helping us out, and we focused more on the design work.The next stage was the side and rear extension which we did a couple of years later, finishing in early 2021. The idea being that we would have a nice entertaining space for us to spend time in with friends and family before we had children! A couple of weeks after we finished, Covid hit, and that dream didn’t become a reality. It was amazing to have a really lovely space for us to spend lockdown in though.The loft conversion was timed with us wanting to start a family. When Vicky fell pregnant, we started more serious arrangements to start this final stage of the works. It was finished (or mostly finished at least) the same week that our son was born, so we did manage to come home to a quiet house at least.Why did you choose to do the renovation in staged phases?It was mostly to do with money really. There were certain elements that we needed to do straight away to live comfortably in the property, but after we were settled, it was a question of saving up to be able to do the works. As we weren’t in need of extra bedrooms at the time, it seemed that we would get more immediate benefit out of the works to the ground floor so that is why we started there.Even if there wasn’t a need to save up we would likely have tried to do the work in phases so that we could stay in the house during the works. Moving out adds even more to the cost of the works, and as it was just us two in the house at the time, it was easy enough for us to adapt to moving around the house and living through the noise and dust of building works. It would have been a very different story with little ones to take care of as well.Why did you choose to add a loft extension to your home? And what are the most important things to keep in mind when designing a loft extension?For us we needed to build the loft extension to move our office space to the top of the house so that we had somewhere quiet to work. But regardless of our working situation, it is a great thing to do to maximise the space in your home.Converting a loft space or adding a dormer extension, is generally the most cost-effective way to add space to your home, especially in tight urban settings. For us, we were able to add two bedrooms and a bathroom to our home, which is vital for our growing family to expand into. By doing this work, it extends the life of our home for us, now we have a great sized family home, where otherwise we would likely have had to move in the future to get extra space as our family grows.We’ve designed and built lots of loft extensions as architects, so it was really interesting for us to try and take out what we thought were the most important lessons from the experiences we have had and put them all into our own project.Firstly, it is worth noting that our council will override planning policy in some circumstances, in favour of good design, so by using high quality materials, in our case the dark metal cladding, we were able to get permission for a larger extension than would have been allowable otherwise. So, though the cladding material was more expensive, we gained more space, and hence more saleable floor area.The next was insulation, this was a gamble for us as we know the theory about its benefits, but when you are having to balance costs on your building project it seems an easy place to cut back on and save money.Building regulations require a certain level of insulation, but you can go far beyond this, and more insulation means that your home will take on less heat in summer, keeping it cooler, and will let out less heat in winter, keeping it warmer. We decided to go well above the basic requirements, and we have found that just as the theory states, our loft is a much more comfortable space throughout the year than our neighbours, which we know gets uncomfortably hot in summer, to the extent that they struggle to work in the loft in mid-summer.The last lesson would be good ventilation. Though the additional insulation helps keep temperatures steady, when temperatures soar in the UK, it can still get very hot in your loft. This is compounded by the fact that all the warm air in your home will rise up to the top of the house. Adding an openable rooflight over the stairs is an incredible tool for thermally controlling your entire home. Opening it acts as a chimney letting all of the hot air out of the roof and pulling new fresh cooler air in at low level, creating a really nice through breeze in the home. The added benefit is that you also get loads of natural light over the stairs, which trickles down all the way to the ground floor.You’ve chosen to introduce both Vario by VELUX bespoke rooflights, regular VELUX windows, and VELUX curved glass rooflights. Why?There is method to the madness. Over the stairs, we wanted to have a rooflight that was sized to evenly fit the shape of the room, with an even offset from all the walls, so for that we needed the bespoke sizing of a Vario by VELUX flat rooflight.For the bedroom, we wanted to have some light come in from above, and although it would have been visually amazing to have a large rooflight here, we felt the VELUX Curved Glass roof window was more appropriate, as it had integrated blinds that would easily make the window blackout at the touch of a button, which Vario be VELUX will start offering as of December 2021.The VELUX windows are necessary to get light in from the front façade of the property via the pitched roof. These were the only way we could get light into the bathroom, and for our office, it enables the room to be dual aspect, which gives constant direct daylight and also fantastic through ventilation.We love the new studio roof window that VELUX has launched recently, but I just love the way the top hung light open, I think it looks so impressive. Also, as I’m fairly tall, the Top hung windows are great as I can walk underneath them when they are open easily. What impact do the rooflights and roof windows have on your everyday life at home and especially in relation to the thing you do at home?To be honest, we worked from home pre-pandemic, and so we spent a lot of time in our home even before the lockdowns came along and working practices began to change. We are firm believers that you need to make your home work for you rather than be set up for others and that really came to the forefront over the pandemic to a lot of our client’s minds, as they were suddenly not hosting people as much or at all and they had less spaces in the wider world they were able to visit. So, they started to think more about how their home could meet all of their needs.In practice, this could be as simple as putting a sofa bed into the spare room instead of a fixed bed that limits the space and is only used infrequently. This then allows you to turn the rest of the space into an arts and crafts room, or a cinema room for family movie nights. It's about trying to get the most use out of the space that you have.As far as the rooflights go, I’ve already mentioned the practical benefits of ventilation and natural light, but in many ways, I suppose the biggest impact they have is how they change spaces from what could be quite standard spaces into light, bright, modern spaces, they make you feel like you’re living in some sort of architectural magazine, and it is a lovely feeling that doesn’t really dampen over time.  

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.”

Delish is a new Pizza, Milkshake & Kebab chain based in Sheffield.Impact supplied and installed ImpactPRO Gloss to the main restaurant area in a shocking pink to match the company branding. We also installed Stainless Steel Cladding behind the cook lines.

As the demand for more cost effective and simple drainage systems grows, Marshalls Mono Beany was selected to help improve a busy A road along the south coast.

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.

£75M revamp to Pier 5 at Gatwick airport.

When PDP Associates was seeking a “high quality” hard landscaping product for David Wilson Homes’ lavish development Grey Towers Village in Nunthorpe, the vintage style and charm of Tobermore’s Tegula and Retro block paving proved to be the perfect solution

The NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde district board faced challenges in seeking a modern, sustainable landscape for the new £842 million Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow. Tobermore came up with the successful solution. The Queen Elizabeth University Hospital has replaced the previous Southern General Hospital, and amalgamates it with the Royal Hospital for Sick Children at Yorkhill, the Western and Victoria Infirmaries and the Mansionhouse Unit. The facility, which extends to 28.6 hectares, forms one of the largest acute hospitals in the UK.

When Solihull Borough Council was looking for a block paving system for the refurbishment of Hurst Lane Place, the council was seeking something that would meet both aesthetics and performance of the busy urban site. Tobermore presented a variety of product offerings and the council was particularly impressed with Tobermore’s Fusion block paving with its striking granite aggregate surface.

MNM Developments carefully crafted the 55 apartments at award-winning Harbour Green in Portobello to complement the aesthetics of the coastal suburb. Placing as much importance on the exterior of the landmark development located on the seafront at Portobello Promenade, the developer was looking for a paving product that would look as good as the Harbour Green interior.

Southern Green, a landscape architecture firm based in Gateshead, was appointed to design the landscape at Northshore Innovation Centre, a project that is part of a wider regeneration masterplan in Stockton-on-Tees, which has been referred to as one of the most exciting regeneration developments in the north of England in recent years. Tobermore provided Southern Green with a variety of hard landscaping products that offered modern aesthetics to complement the new building whilst protecting against pavement shifting.

A variety of Tobermore paving and step products were specified as an aesthetic and functional hard landscaping solution for the grounds at this £25 million regeneration project. The retail site was opened by HRH, The Duchess of Gloucester, in an official ceremony in September 2015.

Tobermore provided a beautiful hard landscaping solution at West Mill, a stunning Westpoint Homes in Edinburgh. The project was awarded ‘Apartment Development of the Year’ at the 2015 Scottish Home Awards and ‘Best Show Home’ at the 2015 Glasgow Property Herald Awards.

The ChallengeModern paving was required to complement state-of-the-art offices Scott Brownrigg’s design aim was to attract the world’s most high-tech companies to the Science Park. The architecture, design and landscaping of Buildings 1 and 2 was key to setting the tone for the tech hotspot. Buildings 1 and 2 form a new gateway to the dedicated technology estate while collectively making up 210,000ft2 of commercial office space.  The two-building design spans four storeys tall and showcases a striking colonnade. The cladded feature columns provide an impressive new entrance to the park, while echoing the curve of the spine road. Buildings 1 and 2 offer a dedicated pedestrian and cycle area. The public realm space between the two buildings required extensive paving which complemented the state-of-the-art buildings. The client’s primary objective was to remove existing, dated buildings and replace them with state-of-the-art facilities for the scientific community. The master plan has sustainability and efficiency at the core of its design.The SolutionTobermore’s high quality granite aggregate paving accentuates the contemporary office scheme Tobermore supplied paving of exceptional quality to complement the state-of-the-art office hub. The public realm space between the two buildings features Tobermore’s granite aggregate paving in contemporary grey tones. The dedicated pedestrian and cycle area are paved with Braemar, Fusion and Hydropave Fusion which all feature a striking granite aggregate surface which adds to the ultra-modern scheme. Braemar offers a premium concrete paving product with aesthetic appeal of natural granite. It boasts a striking, contemporary look while being a more cost-effective and sustainable alternative to natural stone.  Fusion made a modern striking entrance to the Science Park. The area required a combination of permeable and impermeable paving. It would take a keen eye to spot where the standard block paving ends and permeable paving starts. Hydropave Fusion and Fusion was applied in permeable and non-permeable format which added continuity to the streetscape.  The new buildings achieved a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating. The facilities provide a much-needed innovation hub for scientists and graduates, and successfully generated income for Trinity College. 

The NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde district board faced challenges in seeking a modern, sustainable landscape for the new £842 million Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow. Tobermore came up with the successful solution. The Queen Elizabeth University Hospital has replaced the previous Southern General Hospital, and amalgamates it with the Royal Hospital for Sick Children at Yorkhill, the Western and Victoria Infirmaries and the Mansionhouse Unit. The facility, which extends to 28.6 hectares, forms one of the largest acute hospitals in the UK.

Take the next generation shopping experience… add 800 metres of WallPlanter… watch as a bland, grey car park view transforms with its new green lease of life…all expertly installed by Hedera Screens … and what do you get? A true central focal point within the next generation of shopping and leisure experiences in Bracknell town centre, our Mobilane WallPlanter has created a stunning tapestry along the car park and walkways. The majesty of the WallPlanter green expanse offers both beauty and function, shielding an otherwise bland car park façade whilst also allowing unhindered ventilation.

Bad acoustic design is not just annoying, but also unhealthy. This is particularly true for elderly residents in nursing homes. Scientist Nicole van Hout conducts research into acoustics in care of the elderly.

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Location: LondonMain Contractor: Berkeley HomesOval Village is a mixed-use development in Kennington, London SE11, built on the site of the Oval Gasworks. The 2ha site overlooks the Oval Cricket Ground and will be redeveloped with 738 new homes, offices, retail and leisure facilities.This is another landmark project where the OBEX CORTEX 0500FR Class B Membrane and the 0771FR Class B Paste Adhesive were specified - critical to the installation achieving the required performance standards and fire-classification.New Homes: 1309Acres: 8Office Space: 12798 sq.mRetail Space: 2525 sq.m

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