"construction plant equipment"

The Box, at Penrith in Cumbria, is an ultra-modern, purpose-built headquarters and manufacturing hub for AST Signs, one of the UK’s leading branding companies. The construction of this project has provided AST Signs with an innovative space that is now used to centralise operations and aid business efficiency.This striking 21,000ft² building sits in the heart of the British countryside and features significant sustainability measures.

Sto Ltd provided a comprehensive insulation solution for this ground-breaking healthcare project built in Northumberland. Innovative offsite construction techniques were used to create the £15m extension to the Northumbria Emergency Hospital in Cramlington, with a combination of StoTherm Mineral external wall insulation system and Sto render finishes being specified to help achieve a striking appearance for the building.

The contractor for the project, Spetisbury Construction, replaced the existing composite decking boards with our non-combustible aluminium decking. The decking boards specified for this project were our ridged Senior Board, chosen for its strength and stability, but also for its excellent slip resistance. This was an important feature to help protect the elderly residents from falls in wet weather.

The Seed is a blueprint for sustainable construction. This new build home used next to no concrete, is insulated with recycled paper, was built around a tree and root protection plan, and incorporates a plan for deconstruction and reuse at the end of its life. Our timber products were another key sustainable element that was carefully specified by the architect, and they are used inside and out for cladding, decking and flooring.

Upon the shore of Caswell Bay, Swansea, sits the iconic surf centre of the charitable organisation Surfability UK, built in collaboration with BBC’s DIY SOS programme. On the Children In Need special episode, viewers witnessed a team of volunteers complete the construction of this permanent facility for young surf students. Polyflor happily donated its Quattro PUR safety flooring to this worthy cause.

Magazine B is a series of Grade II listed brick sheds inRochester, Kent. Its unusual name stems from the fact it wasoriginally used as a Victorian military installation – ‘magazines’were buildings constructed to store gunpowder andammunition.Long left derelict, the site was acquired to convert into aseries of offices – and Southern and County Roofing wereengaged to fit replacement slate.

When the largest timber-frame structure in Scotland needed to meet the challenge of balancing high thermal performance within a specified building footprint, an innovative solution was called for… Project: Ellerslie Road, Sustainable Residential Development Location: Yoker, Glasgow Client: CCG Construction and Manufacturing Group Product: Chi-Gasket Application: Cross Laminated Timber Project Value: £5.5 million

Elephant Park, in essence a sculptural work of art, features rocky boulder mounds over two metres high, covering an area of 420sq metres and is constructed entirely from 600 colourful Prima Porphyry stone blocks and boulders, an igneous rock formed 230 million years ago, all meticulously sourced by Hardscape from a quarry in the Albiano region of northern Italy. 

A full-fledged family home straight from the 3D printer? What might have sounded like science fiction a couple of years ago has long since become reality. Inspired by pioneer projects in the US and China, Germany followed suit and now has its own prototype model – including smart technology made by Gira.Construction done by: PERI

£150m Springfield Hospital Development transforms mental health services for 1.1m south west LondonersSet to open in 2022, the £150m Springfield Hospital Development will revolutionise access to world class mental health services and facilities for 1.1m south west Londoners. It will see the construction of two new mental health facilities set to open in 2022 on the trusts’ largest site in Tooting.

Brookfield is the new home for School of Business at University of Leocester. Sympathetically renovated, Brookfield House was built in 1870 and is the former residence of Thomas Fielding Johnson, founder of the University of Leicester.University of Leicester engineer: Rick SturgessContractor: Henry Boot Construction LimitedArchitect: ChG Architecture & Joseph GoddardAspex supplied: Salto access control solutions, Novista concealed doorsets

TRC Windows were awarded the contract by Oakdean Construction, for the supply, design and installation of fully glazed and factory finished Timber Sash Easy Clean windows for this £100m plus prestigious renovation and convertion into super-luxury apartments, due to their many years of experience and expertise in supplying Heritage replacement windows for large scale historic and Grade II listed buildings restoration projects.

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

NyRock Cavity Slab 032 insulation was specified to meet the specific energy targets.Hallwell by Hugh McGreevy & Sons Ltd is a development of 100 new homes being constructed as part of a larger residential area in Adamstown, Co. Dublin, Ireland.NyRock Cavity Slab 032 - the most thermally efficient stone wool cavity insulation currently available in the UK and Ireland.

Eastside Locks is a 17-storey student accommodation block located in the heart of Birmingham. High-performance aluminium windows and doors from Technal have been incorporated into the off-site modular design. The £30m construction at No.1 City Locks is on what was a brownfield site alongside the Digbeth Branch Canal and forms part of the city's long-awaited Eastside Regeneration Project.

Historic Courthouse serves now as an exclusive place of wellbeing. Designed by Garuda and Girish Sanger, along with lead architect Consarc, notable and historic features retained include the entrance doors, floors, stained glass and wooden flooring. Building utilisation: Hotel & gastronomy. Construction time/completion: 2016. Client: ALHI. Architects: Consarc. Products: Venticello Toilets. Memento Washbasins.

This project had a wide ranging number of detailing factors to overcome with cladding abutment details and change in levels to be redesigned and encompassed into a system that also drained the roof areas of their historic high levels of standing water. Some of the existing construction build had not taken into account any suitable maintenance of the roof with sections being completely inaccessible and thus reducing the performance of the waterproofing.

Installing a lift in a top floor apartment must not compromise the stability of the building. The installation of residential lift Cibes A5000 has minimal structural impact and requires very little construction work compared to a conventional lift. The lift shaft of the Cibes A5000 can be glazed on all sides, including the machinery side. Glass looks fantastic and preserves the light and airiness of the space.

INTU worked with Makers Construction on a full car park refurbishment for the main car park at their Milton Keynes location. As well as improving traffic flow through the car park, creating larger spaces and better way finding, intu was keen to install several areas of living wall and car park green infrastructure to provide a stunning visual welcome to all visitors.

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

IssueWavendon Community Hub has been created and designed to provide local residents with a place to meet and take part in physical and social activities. In keeping with surrounding properties, Wavendon Community Hub is constructed in red/buff brick, with pitched tiled roofs. The building comprises two separate halves: a community side with a vaulted hall space and a separate, large multi-purpose area with changing facilities. The floors needed to perform for different needs and uses, providing robust durability, safety from slips, but still provide welcoming good looks.ApproachThe project was designed by W E Architecture Ltd and the build was completed by Borras Construction Ltd, with flooring installed throughout by HC Coverings Ltd, using Mapei floor preparation products.SolutionResilient flooring was specified throughout the centre and installed over underfloor heating. Designs specified throughout the 500 square metre area included Altro Wood in the communal areas, Altro Aquarius in the toilets, showers and changing rooms and Altro Walkway 20 in corridors and back-of-house areas.

Based at Manchester’s waterfront in Salford Quays, MediaCityUK Studio Block is the largest media development in the UK and will become centre for the world’s leading creative and digital businesses. The BBC is one of mediacity:uk’s anchor tenants and from 2011 it will be home to five BBC departments including two TV channels and two radio stations; three of them are Radio Five Live, BBC Sport and CBeebies.Many of the studios in the main Studio Block have Stravifloor Jackup jack-up concrete slabs to optimise the sound insulation between noise producing and noise sensitive spaces. These floating floors in combination with the structure of the studios being isolated off Stravibase SEB simple elastomer bearings delivering high performance box-in-box constructions.The TV studios built off the upper floors were built using a heavily damped concrete construction supported at 600mm centres using Stravifloor Deck isolation rails. In these studios the structure of the studios was built off the floating floors to create the box-in-box whilst providing very stable conditions for the TV cameras.

The Friedrichscarrée is a modern office and retail complex in the center of Stuttgart.Named after the former king of Württemberg, Friedrich I., it is characterised by its modern architecture and glass front. In addition to numerous companies, it now also hosts retail, catering businesses and event spaces. The good access to public transportation and the close proximity to restaurants and cultural institutions, make Friedrichscarrée an attractive location for businesses and visitors.As the general contractor for the expansion, Lindner carried out an extensive interior construction - ranging from drywall work to floor systems and wall cladding. In addition to high-quality floor coverings and also partly automated partition walls, the special construction of the hollow floor FLOOR and more® for the pedestal in the barista bar was a central element of the revitalisation. Lindner hallway ceilings LMD, heating and cooling ceilings and acoustic sails were also installed to optimise room acoustics.Furthermore, GiB mbH supported Lindner in upgrading the existing fire protection. The entire conversion was carried out during ongoing business, which required precisescheduling of noise-intensive work.

Facing concerns about the durability of the concrete and the reliability of the water supply, CONAGUA’s construction team sought solutions that would ensure the durability of their concrete. That led them to sourcing KIM and Hard-Cem admixtures to provide quality waterproofing and abrasion and erosion resistance.With KIM, the construction team’s concrete would reap the benefits of having an award-winning waterproofing admixture that’s been certified by NSF to be safe with potable water. The concrete would become permanently watertight and safe from any waterborne contaminants. And it would all be thanks to KIM’s unique Krystol® technology. Designed to disperse throughout the concrete mix during batching, this technology would imbue the concrete with the ability to chemically react in the presence of water and unhydrated cement particles. As a result, even the slightest presence of water would allow the concrete to react to form solid interlocking crystals, which would fill up the capillary pores and micro-cracks of the concrete. That would ensure that the water would not be able to pass through the concrete and that the concrete itself could self-seal hairline cracks even under heavy hydrostatic pressure.

Rockfon is very happy to have played its part in ensuring the team at premium British lifestyle brand Joules’ new Market Harborough HQ can work in an interior environment where beauty and acoustic control create the perfect space for collaboration.Founded by Tom Joule over 30 years ago, the Group had ambitious aspirations to create a new home that would support its continued growth over the coming years.  Edge vision melds contemporary with heritageEdge Architecture + Design were appointed to lead the project and chose to specify Rockfon acoustic systems. The result is a contemporary, eye-catching 60,000 sq. ft. new HQ, which brings the brand’s UK-based office teams under one roof for the first time. Amplifying the brand’s heritage and reflecting the site’s semi-rural setting, the campus resembles a series of interconnecting barn structures that appear to have evolved over time. The complex is surrounded by landscaping including wildflower meadows and a kitchen garden which enhances the natural feel of the space. Michael Fern, Principle at Edge, said, “This new space will enable a workplace strategy of nimbleness, agile working and wellness… We also wanted to create a strong sense of place that respects the natural surroundings of the site and have designed the scheme as a human scale experience with the building and the landscape interacting in a symbiotic way. We took the local farmstead vernacular as a starting point for the visual aesthetic and used sustainable materials.”Tom Joule, Chief Brand Officer and founder of Joules, said, “This has been a hugely exciting project for our company and our future. We are delighted with the new HQ which will support agile working and new efficiencies in an environment that will enable our growing business to continue to attract and retain world-class talent. Edge’s design embodies our brand and will help us preserve and support our heritage and culture as we expand.”Agricultural cues inform an 21st Century aestheticThe exterior of the campus looks sharp against the skyline whilst taking visual cues and inspiration from agricultural architecture. The interiors are a mix of single and two storey spaces encapsulating open plan and more defined rooms with levels reached by broad stairways. Structural steel and timber add visual heft to the predominantly white pallete which sees certain elements picked out in oxide red, deep teal and warm grey. It certainly delivers the wow factor and promises to nurture creative thought.Bailey Construction were the main contractor for the project, with Elmsmere Interior Systems responsible for the installation of the Rockfon acoustic systems. Gary Sturgess of Elmsmere spoke about the project, “This was an interesting project with Rockfon Mono® Acoustic used in a variety of roles and settings to help control sound while fitting in with the clean, pared down style of the interiors. Everyone concerned is very happy with the completed work which showcases Mono’s versatility.”Pandemic pause affects design choicesAppointed in 2019, Joules’ CEO Nick Jones joined the Group during the design and construction of the new HQ. However, when the pandemic struck and people shifted to working from home, construction was halted which allowed the company to revise its plans to best suit new methods of working and office culture. In response the company has expanded the central atrium and created more space between desks to promote spontaneous interaction. Meeting rooms are equipped with tech enabling remote workers to easily participate, while floor-to-ceiling windows and outdoor features, including a bug hotel, help to connect the space to the company’s countryside heritage.Nick Jones commented, “With the opening of our new office, we have introduced a new fully flexible approach to how and where our colleagues work, and the space that we have is critical to that. Not only does our new office allow teams to better connect with one and other—whether in the office or working from home—but also brings the countryside in, to help inspire colleagues from across the business.”Rockfon Mono Acoustic – versatility and styleRockfon’s Matt Barratt, “The completed Joules HQ looks fabulous. Throughout its open plan offices Rockfon Mono Acoustic has been installed to great effect, bringing together the seamless, clean lines associated with traditional plastered surfaces and acoustic performance thought only possible with modular systems. Large windows, structural steel and other hard architectural elements can generate unwanted sound within a space. Mono provides Class A sound absorption (0.95αw) which significantly decreases echo and reverberation levels.”The current utility aesthetic is in evidence at ‘the Barn’. Air conditioning, heating, ventilation and other services are on show in several areas, with Mono installed directly above. It offers Class A2 fire protection and remains dimensionally stable at up to 100% relative humidity. It offers 87% light reflection and greater than 99% light diffusion. In common with other Rockfon acoustic systems, Mono is made with a core of naturally occurring inert volcanic rock stonewall, is non-combustible and will not harbour harmful microorganisms and bacteria. It can be installed using a suspended grid system or be directly mounted on to the ceiling soffit or and wall.   

Project:Turves Green School Client:Acivico Contractor:Balfour Beatty:Architect:Atkins Global Value:£23m Location: Birmingham Innovaré Completion Date: February 2021 GIFA m²: 6611m²NEED Located in Birmingham, Turves Green Girls’ School is a secondary school with 750 students. A feasibility study by Balfour Beatty concluded that the original school would not be able to obtain warranties to give the building a viable future. SOLUTION Architects Atkins Global designed a bright and airy new school, filled with natural light, with wide corridors to help ensure a calm and pleasant environment. Advanced offsite construction technology kept the build schedule on track despite the pandemic. Construction partners recognised the need for early engagement to enable the delivery of an efficient Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA) approach. The construction strategy was for Innovaré to be involved right from the outset to bring the team’s offsite expertise to the fore. The building was designed specifically for Innovaré’s i-SIP system and a hybrid approach. To meet the performance and programme goals, an innovative hybrid design was developed integrating Innovaré’s BBA Certified SIP panels, hollow core concrete plank floors, and a lightweight timber cassette roofing system. This offsite hybrid technology has been proven to offer a radically quicker speed of build – reducing environmental impact, preliminary and overall costs. OUTCOME The new school has contemporary classrooms with interactive screens and stylish furniture, a dance studio, an immense sports hall, the main hall features a new sound and lighting system for event and performances – the purpose-built library is the focal point of the school. As Turves Green Girls’ School becomes King Edward VI Northfield School for Girls, the staff and students are determined that the wonderful building will now serve as a catalyst to transform opportunities, build aspiration, and further develop academic success

SMARTPLY SITEPROTECT was specified to withstand the worst of the elements to provide durable, aesthetic protection during construction of a multimillion pound grandstand at Bath Racecourse, Britain’s highest flat racing venue. Located 230 metres above sea level, the course is often affected by strong winds, making SMARTPLY SITEPROTECT the ideal choice as a long-standing safe hoarding for public and site workers alike.

Contractors building new offices and warehouses in Staffordshire have used Nullifire’s SC902 to complete the passive fire protection of the exposed steel frames successfully despite harsh winter conditions. Main contractor, McLaren Construction, is building the new Redhill Business Park in Stafford for Staffordshire County Council. The 40-acre greenfield site comprises seven plots earmarked for industrial, manufacturing and warehousing development.

The Latvian National Museum of Art, located in the Capital, Riga, is host to the richest collection of national art in Latvia. Reconstruction of the museum was completed in 2015, transforming the space inside to maximise the viewing experience. The ceiling was constructed using 5,578 FR treated Riga Prime boards cut, machined, and primed "in house" by Latvijas Finieris. The finished panels were then attached to a steel frame with concealed fixtures.

Crown House, Barking, LondonThis project consisted of over 550,000 brick slips, including bespoke headers, pistols, and reveals. A choice of two brick types was selected for this project, both from our core range of products, the Mystique and the Rustington Antique.Client - Thorp precastBrick Types - Mystique, Rustington AntiqueProject timescale - 6 monthsConstruction Method - Pre Cast Concrete

The client, a rugby club in Leicestershire, had recently upgraded their facilities to include new function rooms. They were now planning to improve their 4500m2 car park to replace the existing loose planings with a safe, permanent all weather surface. Using Ultifastpave reduced the construction time by half compared to conventional surfacing, generating a significant cost saving for the client. For more details visit the Tarmac website.

After nearly 15 months of construction, the EnBW Youth Training Centre for VfB Stuttgart was inaugurated at the end of 2014. The building, which cost approximately 9 million Euros, is located on the club grounds in Bad Cannstatt, and offers new dressing rooms with more space and comfort for young VfB talent in the U11 to U23 categories.Architect: 'asp' Architekten StuttgartPhotos: Sven Carlin

Cambridge Judge Business School was founded on the Grade II Old Addenbrooke’s Hospital site originally constructed in the mid-eighteenth century, in the historic centre of Cambridge. This new Centre reflects the evolving culture of the University through the changing requirements for learning environments.InterLace designed, manufactured and installed electric and hand-operated roller blinds to provide user controlled and automated shading in teaching and lecture spaces.

The timber construction had several challenges of a swimming pool environment. The Laudescher LINEA 2.4.3 (aw-0.90, Absorption Class-A, NRC–0.90) manufactured for its properties to not swell, absorb or mutate while bringing in the usual high quality acoustic properties that absorbs the reflective sounds that will promote greater communication in the pool environment which is vital for teaching and ultimately the safety of the students, teachers, and coaches.

The new 2,500m2 research facility for the University of Nottingham provides laboratory, office and support accommodation for the UK Government Energy Acceleration Research Initiative alongside the university. Using Passiv Haus certified Aluprof MB-TT50 curtain walling and MB-104 Passive windows and door systems, the building achieved Passiv Haus accreditation. Architect: Lewis & Hickey Main Contractor: Robert Woodhead Construction

The new Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre will provide four times the exhibition space as the current AECC and increase the maximum capacity to 12,500 visitors in the arena. It is the 2nd largest construction site in Scotland. We have now supplied 198 units to site to date (131 for the hotel and 67 for the conference centre) direct from our factory in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire to AECC Aberdeen.