"green applications resources sustainability"

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.

High quality materials and building techniques have been used throughout the project to promote sustainability and longevity. This has often resulted in traditional materials being used in an unorthodox way to great effect – demonstrating a pioneering element to the architectural design throughout the project. This can be noted in the use of Wienerberger’s Ashington Red Multi bricks and special shaped single cants and single cant return bricks, while the beautifully mixed brown multi Gala Waterstruck pavers add a contrasting visual.

The project Le Thémis is a display of sustainability . The north façade is made out of glass to attract natural light and create reflections . Thanks to our Premium Plus Roller Shades with Polyscreen ® 550 , thermal and visual comfort is achieved . The fabric guarantees an excellent thermal protection , managing up 94 % of solar heat, while being a highly efficient sunlight filter .The entire building received several recognitions in terms of energetic efficiency such as HQE, Breeam , Effinergie + Biosourcé .

Lakeside Developments is a unique development offering a selection of six to seven storied apartments, semi-detached and detached houses situated in Coleraine. The homes have been designed to exceed expectations of modern buyers. A cost-effective, aesthetically pleasing, and sustainable facing brick was required to complete the scheme.The exclusive housing development has been ‘highly commended’ in the sustainability category at the Placemaking Awards which celebrates projects, plans, people and organisations that are making places better.The unique project, described as one of the most unique and visionary civil engineering projects ever attempted in the UK, has transformed the 42-acre redundant quarry into a modern housing development with a lake, which was formed using water that had been pumped out of the site.According to Alan Patterson Design the project demonstrates its environmental credentials through its ‘engineering initiative and excellence’ in the re-use of the redundant basalt quarry to meet present day housing needs.AG’s facing brick Woodward in Ashbrooke Smooth was chosen due to its hard-wearing capabilities and long-lasting colour retention. The smooth finish of the brick gives a modern appearance to the houses.Additionally, Homepave Cobble Paving was selected for the walkways and garden of the new development. Due to its rumbled surface, it provides a charming additional to the scheme

The 51 storey tower in the heart of London’s financial district will offer 52,900m² of office, retail and event space. Sustainability has been a key design driver, aiming for a BREEAM Outstanding Rating. Only the most energy efficient technology will be considered to deliver on the BREEAM Outstanding Rating objective. In line with the building’s sustainability design strategy, Belimo EPIVs were specified to be fitted on the Fan Coil Units. A space-saving flushing bypass assembly that incorporated the EPIV and fitted well over the drip tray of the Fan Coil Unit was required. The successful supplier had to work closely with the fan coil unit manufacturers to design the most compact, space saving configuration for the Fan Coil Unit of choice.FloControl offers a prefabrication service, liasing with any Fan Coil manufacturer to work out the best-fitting configuration for the model selected, incorporating any control valve including the EPIV into a DZR ByPass configuration assembled with FlowCon component parts. FloControl was appointed to prefabricate 2500 FloSets Contract for the entire building. FloControl was able to not only incorporate the specified control valve, but also offer bespoke copper pipe connections, saving space, as well as a reliable management process, for testing, pallet and product labelling as well as the call-offs.

The Rowe is a new architecturally designed office space in Whitechapel London, where tradition meets innovation. With outside space on every level, the building sets a sustainable benchmark for new office space in central London. The new elements mimics the horizontal banding of the 1960s concrete building as well as contrasting with a steel structure and dark metal palette.The architects, Allford Hall Monaghan Morris, had used KEIM previously. They contacted KEIM as they wanted a sustainable product in keeping with their core values. Samples were carried out, as shown in the photo below, to determine the most suitable colour.First off, KEIM Concrete Repair Mortar (KEIM Concretal-MR 2.0) was used for large repairs within the concrete. KEIM Fine Finishing Mortar (KEIM Concretal-FSP 0.2) was then used for levelling repairs as it is a much finer aggregate mix.KEIM Soldalit CL018, a light grey colour, was chosen to compliment the steel structure and due to its characteristics, was applied onto the previously painted surface without the need for a primer. It is fire resistant – A2-s1, d0 classified and Cradle to Cradle certified.The Rowe has been shortlisted for an AJ Retrofit Award 2023 in the Workspace (£10m and over) category. It was also awarded BREEAM ‘Excellent’, WELL ‘Platinum’ and received SmartScore certification.

Aurora is a first-class, highly sustainable office building in the heart of the city of Bristol and one of the greenest offices outside London and among only six in the UK to achieve a special BREEAM 2014 Outstanding Environmental Award for its sustainability credentials. Aurora, which provides 95,000 square foot of Grade A office space on the Floating Harbour, also achieved LEED ‘Gold Standard’ and is currently the only building in Bristol to exceed BCO design guide criteria.The aim of the design was to provide a space that is efficient, offers maximum natural daylight and promotes health, wellbeing and productivity amongst users. To achieve this inspiring working environment Lusso provided and installed the glazed partitions to create a stunning glass atrium within the 7-storey building. This was a challenging design which involved close collaboration between Lusso, Bush Consultancy, and Willmott Dixon to create a system where the framework floated off the slab edge. The structural complexity of this atria required a bespoke solution, which involved close collaboration with the architects from conception.The Lusso 25M single glazed framed system was used within the interior of the building which allows the maximum amount of daylight possible uniformly spread throughout the interior making Aurora, arguably, one of the best office space Bristol currently has to offer.

Langley Prep School is located at Taverham Hall in the village of Taverham not far from Norwich in the Norfolk countryside. Completed in 1858, the hall was originally planned as the home for the family of Rev’d John Nathaniel Micklethwait. In 1921, the hall was sold and became a boy’s preparatory school. It was briefly requisitioned during the Second World War before returning to its use as an educational establishment.Set amongst 100 acres of green open space, Taverham Hall is a breathtaking neo-Jacobian building with stunning period architecture to match its idyllic setting. The large chimney stacks and red brick frontage create an attractive aesthetic with the subtle grey roofing slates accentuating the property’s distinctive beauty.

Lok'nStore is a self-storage facility which provides local householders, renters and business users secure steel self-storage units and rooms. The development involved a shop front concept to take advantage of the various locations on busy commuter roads. This not only displays the business to passersby but also contributes by raising the overall urban design quality of the local area.Cellecta’s HEXATHERM XFLOOR 300 was specified by Forum Architecture due to its high resistance to compression and closed cell structure that provides unrivalled resistance to water absorption, making them ideal for a multitude of domestic, commercial, and educational applications.Mitchell Design & Construction was awarded this 140m² contract for this development at Cardington Road, Bedford.

Strawberry Gardens is a private housing living development in Yatton which offers independent living with access to on-site care for people over the age of 55. This 1,200m² development of timber frame apartments have created 60 apartments and various houses, shops, a post office, pubs and transport links. Situated 10 miles from Bristol airport and around 30 minutes from the centre of Bristol.Cellecta HEXATHERM XFLOOR 250 was specified on this project for its high resistance to compression and closed cell structure that provides unrivalled resistance to water absorption, making them ideal for residential applications.Oakmere Homes was awarded the contract to construct this picturesque village and civil parish within North Somerset.

Main contractor John Sisk & Son Ltd looked to specialist roofing and cladding contractor Richardson Roofing Ltd to provide solutions for the various roofs, cladding and façades that make up the exterior of this visually stunning complex.Fixfast provided all the necessary components: including stainless self-drilling screws, lacquered stainless steel screws for the colourful façade areas. together with the many different sealants and accessories needed for such a wide variety of applications. "Gone are the days of waiting weeks for colour matched fixings to complement powder coated flashings and fascias. Fixfast are able to turn around lacquered fasteners within a week thanks to their in-house spraying production line"Andy Inman - Director at Richardson Roofing Ltd

High-end residential refurbishment that required MicroCement installation to all internal walls and floors in two family bathrooms. This large scale, refurbishment project showcased innovative ways MicroCement can be applied to interior bathroom walls and floors without a need for joins or breaks. Its smooth finish was ideal for a modern, minimalist design that our client wanted. MicroCement can be easily installed over existing materials which in turn reduces the time needed for application and maintenance.We also supplied and installed two large precast and hand-polished concrete washbasins that were done in Mist Silk finish. They were treated with our in-house sealant and made to be stain-resistant.

The two access control systems from SIEGENIA for house and apartment entrance doors leave no desires unfulfilled: the keypad and the fingerprint scanner combine elegant design with maximum ease of use and efficient access management for the building. They are therefore an ideal solution for the increasing demand for smart home applications in private housing construction. The two systems are equipped with a comprehensive access log, simple, clear user administration as well as a rechargeable battery-buffered timer. The emphasis is on ease of use – e.g. with a simple touch of the finger on the fingerprint scanner or the standardised equipment with integrated WIFI and Bluetooth technology. This enables both the use of the smartphone as remote control as well as convenient control and administration with the aid of the SIEGENIA Comfort app. 

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

The newly built Mundaring arena indoor sporting facility is located in the Perth halls district. The building caters for a range of sports such as hockey, basketball and netball and was constructed for the local community now and for future generations. Forbo Flotex was chosen for the functionality and longevity and the new plank designs suited the design visual requested. Additionally, Flotex is a proven floor covering in sporting and gym applications. The 70 million nylon 6.6 fibres per m² offer superior wear characteristics and abrasion resistance when compared with other yarns, making it the ideal flooring for high traffic areas. Flotex is also well known for providing healthier indoor quality and has been awarded the asthma and allergy foundation seal of approval.

Wood finish powder coating to realise vision of a timber facade Overview A brand-new Skills and Innovation Centre has been added to the Earl Street/Broad Street elevation of the South Staffordshire College’s campus, a £28million project. This 7,500 sq metre, 3 storey building will house leading-edge construction, engineering and hybrid vehicle technology workshops, along with innovatively designed social spaces. The building takes pride of place on the college’s town centre site and a suitably striking external envelope has been planned. The architects’ envisaged a facade of long vertical fins giving the appearance of timber. This would also screen a roof-top substation from view. The Project Maple Sunscreening won the contract to supply the extensive vertical fin façade and proposed using lightweight aluminium instead of timber to achieve the of span required. This project is a perfect example of one of the key advantages of PWF on aluminium, over wood, namely the ability to accomplish very long spans with structural integrity. Powdertech Wood Finish (PWF ™) was selected as the most appropriate powder coating since it is formulated to match the natural variations in colour, grain density and grain pattern of wood. Importantly, PWF meets fire reaction classification A2-s1, d0. The client selected the preferred shade from our collection and the aluminium extrusions began to arrive at our plant. We coated 4000 metres of aluminium, comprising mainly rectangular sections of extruded aluminium, of sizes 200mm and 100mm x 50mm. Now installed on the building these look stunning, giving the impression of enormous lengths of wood wrapping around the building. Why PWF?            · The finish combines the strength and longevity of metal with the warm, natural appeal of wood with a high level of colour and gloss retention· Excellent corrosion protection and resistance against abrasion and weather.· Conforms to Fire Reaction classification A2-s1, d0· A high level of sustainability using aluminium, with a coating that can be removed at end of life leaving the underlying metal unaffected· ‘Green’ credentials of PWF – no solvents, no VOCs, no hazardous waste.· Low maintenance - unlike wood.· The PWF range conforms to EN 12206-1 and Qualicoat specifications.· Can be applied to most metallic substrates including aluminium, galvanized steel, cast metals and stainless steel· Powdertech has over 35-years’ experience in professional architectural powder coatings. Colour, tone and texture are our passion and we have the expertise to develop bespoke finishes.  

High volume of traffic, heavy use, accessibility and easy cleaning – contemporary sanitary facilities in schools are subject to very demanding requirements. Due to the fact that ceramic tiles have proven their worth as a practical and attractive covering for walls and floors in these settings, the PRO ARCHITECTURA system concept from Villeroy & Boch Tiles was used for the renovation of various sanitary areas in the Cologne-Zündorf school centre. At the Zündorf school centre in Cologne-Porz – comprising Lessing high school, Wilhelm-Busch secondary school and Johann-Amos-Comenius general secondary school – a total of approx. 1,800 students are taught by nearly 140 teachers. The school buildings were constructed in the 1970s, and have been continuously extended ever since. In 2016, work included the spatial optimisation and modernisation of the approx. 250 m² toilet facilities in the main building. The Cologne architecture firm spies architekten developed a colour concept for this project that combines a light and a dark shade of a colour in each setting, to create harmonious contrasts in each area. The resulting colour schemes offer different looks: more feminine rust shades, masculine blues, and fresh variants of green and turquoise. Accessibility requirements were also taken into account. The white sanitary elements are mounted on the darker colours in order to ensure a stark contrast with the walls, allowing them to be more easily recognised even by those with impaired vision. PRO ARCHITECTURA from Villeroy & Boch Tiles made it possible to successfully implement the architects’ design specifications. The colour matrix offers a broad spectrum of classic and contemporary colours in a variety of gradations, while the modular formats on a 100-mm grid provide additional planning scope. This allowed 10 x 10 cm tiles to be laid in staggered arrangements that bring the wall joints to life. The PRO ARCHITECTURA range is equally impressive from a practical standpoint: The ceramic tiles are durable, scratch- and crack-resistant, and do not wear down, even after decades of use. They are also easy to clean and particularly hygienic, as their surfaces are so dense that micro-organisms hardly stand a chance. The ceramic material itself does not give off any vapours, nor does it take on smells, which means that it is also recommended in terms of building biology. And, tiles from Villeroy & Boch are sustainable, because they are made entirely of natural components that occur naturally in almost unlimited quantities, are manufactured by means of environment-friendly processes and are completely recyclable.

Project Details:System: INTRAshapeSpecification: Small rectangle INTRAshape in black, laid in a herringbone pattern, and Elite 606 Grey fibre insert. Client: Franklin Ellis ArchitectsInstaller: SyncrosLocation: 11 Station Street, NottinghamUnique Commercial Office Entrance MattingFranklin Ellis designed the new 50,000 sq ft city-centre Domestic & General office to achieve BREEAM Excellent standard. It welcomes over 500 employees each day through glazed revolving and accessible side doors.The sloped site means the entrance has steps and a wheelchair lift to the right of the doors, giving access to the security turnstiles on the raised ground floor. With multi-directional and wheeled traffic, SpaceInvader Design needed suitable office Entrance Matting to meet the challenge. INTRAshape fits the brief, fulfils BREEAM standards and delivers a unique, modern tessellation for an easy install across the lobby width.Striking Aesthetics Without the StressINTRAshape comes as individually tessellating tiles in a variety of sizes and shapes for infinite creative options – rectangle, square, hexagon, triangle, diamond. There are 22 colour and fibre combinations as well.The office entrance matting is an irregular polygon shape, approximately 8.5m wide x 4m deep. We provided detailed layout drawings based on the construction plans and the chosen herringbone pattern. We labelled every title with a co-ordinating reference and boxed them by type to make installation easier. It also helps that INTRAshape can be cut to shape without any specialist tools.High-quality, Sustainable and PracticalSpaceInvader Design chose INTRAlux Elite Grey 606 inserts, our high-quality 100% recycled practical Econyl – ticking those BREEAM boxes in this instance. As one of our most absorbent inserts, it can hold 5.4L per m2.With a combination of coarse and fine strands, it brushes off dirt and sucks in the moisture from shoes and tyres. It’s hard-wearing and has top fibre resistance and acoustic ratings so perfect for a busy office building.They also chose an anodised black finish for the recycled aluminium frames to complement the rest of the luxurious design scheme. Adding to the palette of gold, greys and greens throughout the building.Grade A Entrance Matting for Grade A OfficesINTRAshape and INTRAlux Elite partner perfectly to deliver easy installation, high-performance and striking design. This isn’t just office Entrance Matting, this is luxurious office Entrance Matting.

CUPA PIZARRAS’ CUPA 18 natural slate has been used to achieve a high-quality finish on three luxury, modern, new build properties in one of the most desirable areas of Whitstable in Kent. The new properties, built by local property designer and developer specialist Kapra Developments, are located in Island Wall, Whitstable, close to both the town centre and the scenic Kent coastline. The three storey, five bedroom luxury properties are each in excess of 360 square metres and benefit from views over the nearby golf course.  The unique design of the houses features extensive use of dark grey aluminium glazing systems including rooftop lanterns and large sloping roof windows. The placement of the expansive glazing as well as the layout and orientation of the buildings was devised to maximize the natural light and make the most of the surrounding landscape. In addition to the CUPA 18 natural slate, the design also includes high quality natural timber cladding, sedum green roofing and natural stone blockwork. Kim Brown, Director at Kapra Developments explained: “For the properties on Island Wall, the quality of the materials was very important and the coastal location meant that a durable product was essential. We had used CUPA PIZARRAS’ products on previous projects and so we were confident that the CUPA 18 slate would provide the look, quality and longevity we wanted.” CUPA 18 is a lighter grey slate with a smooth matt surface and has a superior, homogenous finish with only minor variations allowed in the thickness and flatness of the slate. The slate roofs were installed by Bates (Kent), a family owned contractor based near Canterbury, who has worked with Kapra Developments on a number of previous projects. David Clarke, Company Secretary at Bates said: “The Island Wall properties presented a few complexities and challenges due to the steep pitch of the roof and the need to integrate the slate with the other elements such as the large format glazing.  “We’ve used CUPA products on a number of contracts and found the slates very easy to work with. The strength and quality of the slates means that we are able to reduce the amount of wastage compared with other products.” Kim Brown concluded: “To achieve the intended result for these properties has required hard work from everyone involved. We are once again delighted with CUPA PIZARRAS’ products and are pleased with how that element of the build has progressed.” CUPA PIZARRAS’ natural slate is sustainably extracted from quarries in northern Spain. It has an exceptional life span of 100 years and requires minimal maintenance throughout its lifetime.

Floor Painters Limited, have used UltraFloor to complete a 2,100 sqm industrial flooring project at a historic steel forge.Experienced industrial flooring experts, Floor Painters Limited, have used a number of UltraFloor materials to complete a 2,100 sqm industrial flooring project at a historic steel forge in Lincoln.BackgroundBuilt over 100 years ago, the existing floors in the steel forge were damaged and unsafe. After careful consideration, it became clear that replacing the original concrete floor was not a practical option in terms of time and cost.The ChallengeThe steel forge remained fully operational throughout the project and so the challenge was to find a range of flooring materials perfectly suited for industrial use and that could be trafficked quickly so as not to disrupt any work being carried out.The SolutionWith decades of expertise, Floor Painters Limited knew UltraFloor materials were key to a successful outcome.After removing the damaged concrete floor, the concrete substrate was sealed using UltraFloor Prime IT Multi-surface Primer. Formulated to promote adhesion to all UltraFloor smoothing underlayments, Prime IT Multi-surface Primer is pigmented pink for excellent coverage control and is proven to reduce pinholing, minimising the risk of costly failures. With a coverage rate of 200sqm at 3:1 dilution, Prime IT Multi-surface Primer is a must-have product for all flooring installation projects.The following day, Level IT Base was applied, via pump, at an average depth of 50mm. Level IT Base is a heavy duty, deep fill smoothing underlayment, formulated to build depths of up to 50mm thickness. Level IT Base also boasts a high compressive strength – an important requirement for all industrial flooring applications.Once Level IT Base had cured, Level IT Top was pump applied to an average depth of 10mm and left to cure. Ideal for use with Level IT Base, Level IT Top is a heavy duty, abrasive resistant surface finish, designed for use as a wear surface, and can receive forklift traffic after only 36 hours – the ideal product for warehouses and manufacturing facilities where downtime is not an option!Both Level IT Top and Level IT Base can be pump or trowel applied for ease of application, are moisture tolerant, have a 30-40 minute working time and can receive foot traffic after just 3 hours.To complete the installation, the cured floor was then prepared by industrial grinding before the application of two coats of a solvent free epoxy coating – resulting in a flat, hard-wearing, safe and fit for purpose floor.ResultsThe project was completed in six stages, over 36 days, carrying out between 300 and 500 sqm a day, depending on the work space made available. On completion of the project, Terry Rossington, Director of Floor Painters Limited, commented: “Our client was very happy with the standard of the finish and the upgrades made to their working environment, which has improved both visual appearance and functionality of the floor.”

The Hurlingham Club is a green oasis of tradition and also internationally renowned. Recognised throughout the world as one of the more exclusive private members’ clubs, it retains its quintessentially English tradition and heritage, while providing modern facilities and services for its members. The Club continually looks at ways in which it can improve standard specifications for both current and future generations.We were contracted by The Hurlingham Club to resolve an issue with reverberation problems in one of its many hallways. The chosen solution was the Absorb-R GypLine αw system.Along with the installation of several feature down-lights, a shadow gap to the ceiling perimeter was incorporated, allowing the preservation of the original ornate cornice, a beautiful feature within the room and essential to the characteristics of the building.

Ancillary rooms to a total of seven operating theatres were upgraded with stainless steel worktops, base cabinets and wall cabinets by GEC Anderson.The ancillary rooms included anaesthetic and recovery areas, adjacent to the main theatres within the busy Heartlands Hospital in the Bordesley Green area of Birmingham.Stainless steel worktops with integrated sinks and watersafe edge profiles were specified throughout. Base cabinet and drawer cabinets were included at low level. At high level, stainless steel wall cabinets provided additional storage. Installation was handled by GEC Anderson and was conducted over two phases. An especially condensed installation period was met, to minimise disruption to the heavy workload associated with these vital areas within the hospital.

The brief for the Aquatics Centre in Aberdeen, Scotland – a joint venture between the University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen City Council and sportscotland – was extremely demanding. Sustainability was put at the forefront of the design. The specification included the awardwinning Cabrillant shower cubicles, plus the versatile, durable Marathon range of Conform cubicles and Wet lockers. The locker doors are manufactured from toughened and laminated glass, which allowed the architect to incorporate quality normally associated with high-end health clubs without compromising safety of use within this heavy traffic public facility.

Handsmooth House is a characteristically bright white house perched on a hill overlooking the Oxfordshire countryside. Initiated in 2007, the 837-square-metre house and its 141-square-metre guest lodgings took a decade to complete. Handsmooth House, a reinvention of the country house, became the winner of the RIBA South East award and RIBA Regional Sustainability awards. Wetroom Materials not only supplied the 4K wetroom kit, but also installed the waterproofing to the rooms allowing the main contractor to provide their clients with a 10 Year No Leak Guarantee.

Accoya was selected as the ideal material to clad the new Performing Arts Centre for Pipers Corner School, High Wycombe. Over 1200 m2 of Accoya cladding, soffits and trims were used throughout the project for phase 1 of the build. Designed by Nichols Brown Webber Architects and Landscape Planners, Accoya was chosen due to its Class 1 durability and low maintenance upkeep. Accoya was also used due to its sustainability credentials as the building has been targeted to achieve a BREEAM ‘very good’ rating.

As part of their flood prevention strategy Bassetlaw District Council required the distribution centre to be fully SuDS compliant . Logistics and warehousing company DB Symmetry requested that the hard-landscaping for their car park must be a permeable solution, so a sustainable drainage system (SuDS) was designed. Permeable paving was chosen as a key part of the overall surface water drainage strategy as this achieved all of the requirements of the planning team, while maximising the use of the land available for the project for the client. To view the whole case study please click the link below.

When work started on the Southern section of the HS2 line, they realised the site periemeters came very close to the curbline of the public footpath and in fact needed to step out into the road. SCS Rail needed a construction hoarding system that would protect the site and passers-by whilst also restricting visibility to the public. They also wanted to reuse and realign the hoarding system in question for a more sustainable and cost-effective solution over the traditional timber hoarding. After searching for an alternative to timber hoarding on our website, the FenceSafe Hoard was selected for the project.

Located near Pett in South Essex, this family home combines sustainability with an eye on the future. The house, which has an internal floor area of 400 square metres, was completed in 2014, after a construction period of 18 months. The aim of Alma-nac architects was to create a building that makes the most of its enviable location in the natural environment, offering 360° views. The upper level of the Split House features CUPACLAD® 201 Vanguard, helping to prevent moisture in while enhancing the contemporary look of the house.

This project, forms a significant part of the University of Reading’s efforts to further encourage interaction between business and academia. Once completed, the Science Park will provide 800,000 sq ft of laboratory and office space in a campus style setting designed to foster collaboration between innovative, technology-led companies. It is designed to anticipate change, be flexible and adaptable to suite a new generation of occupiers. For this endeavour, Effisus has contributed with the Effisus Ecofacade P-FIX solution, the most efficient and sustainable solution for weatherproofing facade connections.

The manufacture and installation of the 300 Optima casement windows was awarded to longstanding Profile 22 Approved Window Contractor Select Windows. The project was part of the Nehemiah Housing Project, which is designed to build successful, sustainable and diverse communities by providing housing in a culturally sensitive way to their tenants. Profile 22’s Optima system fitted the bill perfectly. It is an award-winning 70mm system that delivers superior thermal efficiency thanks to features such as a 6-chambered outerframe and 5-chambered sash and unique innovations such as additional centre seals.

Functional, sustainable and adapted to regional conditions: the residence of the German Embassy in Tajikistan, designed by architect André Janka. The sliding shutters are exposed to extreme weather conditions: cold winters and hot summers with violent sandstorms. Following a year-long test phase with sample hardware, a total of 4 sliding systems with 2 or 3 leaves and equipped with HAWA Frontslide 60 matic hardware were installed on the ground floor and top floor. They are operated by push-button controls inside the building and can be moved into any position.

Ancon TeploTie, the innovative low thermal conductivity Wall Tie, has been used in the UK’s first retrofit to achieve zero-carbon Level 6 of the Code for Sustainable Homes. TeploTie wall ties are ideal for retrofit projects as they can be resin-fixed into existing walls. The project involved the refurbishment of a semi-detached home, built in the 1840s with solid brick walls. The front elevation is internally insulated to preserve the original brickwork. The U-value of the walls is now 0.11W/mK2, 16 times better than before.

SAS International supplied 1,200m2 of sophisticated metal ceilings and acoustic baffles to complement the building’s sustainable design. As a linear design is prominent in the lobbies and in hallways, SAS750 battens were chosen for their ability to run the length of the corridor, opening up the space. A high level of sound absorption was required in the main lobby, SAS500 baffles were selected to meet both the architect’s aesthetic vision as well as acoustic performance requirements. In the main breakout area SAS740 baffles fitted the curve of the space, achieving the multiple radii required within the area.

Spanning an impressive 8,500m2, the three-storey building makes a striking centrepiece on the water’s edge. With its BREEAM requirements, waterfront position, and proximity to the coast, it was essential that the building’s roof be designed and installed to meet sustainability criteria, whilst being watertight and robust to withstand the elements. As the system needed to exceed a lifespan of 20 years in a coastal region, Sarnafil specified its thickest membrane with a 25-year guarantee – a 2mm membrane, Sarnafil HD, to withstand the elements on the main field area which it currently is doing extremely well.

Style was recently contracted to design and install a creative moveable wall system to divide the main space at the Kadampa Meditation Centre in London. Allowing different groups to enjoy this quiet haven in privacy, the DORMA Moveo glass partitioning wall delivers an incredible 50dB Rw acoustics, thanks to semi-automatic seals and toughened safety glass. DORMA’s products lead the way in sustainable solutions with environment product declaration (EPD) in accordance with ISO 14025 and EN 15804, meaning that this is not only a highly practical solution, but an ethical one too.

The Burry Port Community School is the first Passivhaus School in Walesa in a design collaboration between Carmarthenshire County Council and Architype architects. A major contribution to the pleasant environment was the choice of Troldtekt acoustic ceiling panels, especially in the classrooms and potentially noisy open spaces. Specified throughout the UK and Europe, the benefits of the 100% natural wood fibres panels include high sound absorption, high durability, natural breathability, low cost life cycle performance and sustainability documented by Cradle to Cradle certification at silver level.