"office"

Automatic Systems was asked by Aspex UK Limited to work with them on a project they had won at the head office of Riverside Group.Riverside is a group of complementary businesses driven by a clear social purpose, with a charitable housing association at its core.Established over 90 years ago, they have grown to become a major provider of affordable housing, care and support services in England and Scotland, with almost 56,000 homes in management. Operating at scale and across 160 local authorities, their vision is to transform the lives of the 90,000+ people they house and revitalise the neighbourhoods in which they live.RiversideGroup approached Aspex as a result of Covid to help secure and control the access of their head quarter building.SOLUTIONWith the help of Automatic Systems Aspex came up with a solution that fulfilled their criteria. This included the installation of the newly launched Firstlane and AccessLane.WORK TIMEFRAMEHaving worked with Aspex on a number of previous projects Automatic Systems were the preferred supplier when the contract was won in December 2020. Works took a week to complete as allocated in February this year.FUTURE WORKAutomatic Systems looks forward to working with Aspex on future projects.

Oval VillageKennington North LondonScreed Supplied By: Capital ConcreteScreed Installer: The Progressive Group Ltd.Product Used: Cemfloor NH C25F5Berkeley Group is one of the UK’s leading developers and has won numerous awards for its commitment to quality, design and customer service.Oval Village, located next to the famous Surrey Cricket Grounds, and built on the old Gas Works, is a new luxury development of 1300 homes, along with Retail, Food, and Office spaces.As part of the project brief, there was a need to install a low depth flooring solution. Due to its high flexural strength Cemfloor NH provided the solution as it allowed a 40mm screed depth to be installed, without compromising onquality. Thanks to the pumpability of Cemfloor, Progressive Group were able to pump to height, and install the screed over 18 stories, with the material being pumped over a distance of 160 meters without any issues.The main advantage Cemfloor has over other flowing screeds is the quicker drying times, and that it can accept foot traffic after 24 / 48 hours, meaning that construction could continue quickly and efficiently to meet the projectdeadline.

Clement steel windows were chosen for the refurbishment of this double-fronted office building set within a busy part of the City of London near Smithfield Market. Surrounded by narrow cobbled streets it is situated on the boundary of the Smithfield Conservation Area.Blenheim House Construction (BHC) selected windows from the Clement EB24 range because they best suited the original look of the building and allowed for the maximum amount of light to flow throughout the property. Natural light was an important aim of this high specification refurbishment - central to the building is a mezzanine which creates a dramatic light-filled double height space.The windows are polyester powder coated in matt RAL 9005 (Jet Black) to match the frames as a finishing touch.Matthew Brown, Project Manager at BHC, commented:“We found Clement’s management team to be attentive, promptly addressing queries when raised and offering solutions and advice when called upon. This resulted in the windows being installed in a safe manner as per our agreed programme, and perhaps just as importantly, the client being pleased with the look of the end product.”Photography: CGS Photographers Ltd 

Born in the historic headquarters of a nineteenth-century factory, Lanolin Fabrik is an ensemble of offices, lofts with kitchen spaces, terraces, loggias and green oases that make it a modern, functional and human-sized workplace.Our customer has implemented a new system consisting of domestic water supply and irrigation pumps for this historic complex: Esybox Max was chosen as the mains water booster set, whilst for the irrigation of the green areas the DAB Esytwin compact variable speed booster was identified as the solution.3 Esybox Max is a market leading technologically innovative water booster set, demonstrated to be highly efficient. The use of permanent magnet motors has contributed to a 20% efficiency improvement over industry standard pumps. The solution was designed and perfectly sized to obtain constant pressure for all users but with the minimum possible energy use.All the pumps in the water booster system were connected to a single control panel, which regulates the power supply to the multipump units.The complex consists of 2 buildings, one with 5 and one with 7 floors, and the entire water boosting system that powers it is monitored and managed remotely using the DAB D.Connect cloud based service.

A stunning design by architects Townscape, Peter O’Sullevan House is located at the front entrance of the British Racing School in Newmarket. It provides the horse racing community in East Anglia with a local specialist facility for treatment and training. The facility incorporates a hydrotherapy pool, gymnasium, treatment rooms, changing rooms, conference room, offices and meeting rooms. Forza Doors supplied high dB acoustic American White Oak veneer fire doors and solid American White Oak frames as well as Class 0 spread of flame fire-rated wall cladding panels. All the veneers were laid horizontally to match perfectly down the length of the corridors and open spaces. The feature grooves embedded into the doors provide a smart contemporary look and align with the adjacent panels.  As this innovative building needed a high level of internal finishes and fittings throughout, the contractor RG Carter chose Forza Doors. Just one of several jockey rehab centres we have had the privilege to supply in recent times. Consisting of open plan areas, treatment rooms and hydrotherapy zones, the finished project looks stunning.  

Material and system specification used: Kalzip FC rainscreen in 500mm wide RAL 1035 pearl Beige and RAL 7022 – also Kalzip wall perforated        Stephenson Quarter is a major mixed-use development in the heart of Newcastle upon Tyne by the Clouston Group. The site was home to the Robert Stephenson and Co. Locomotive Works, the crucible of the railway industry, where the revolutionary Rocket was built in 1829. The site includes the new Crowne Plaza Hotel and The Rocket (offices) plus Stephenson qtr Car park   Installation of over 1500 m2 of FC rainscreen cladding to the Rocket building in RAL 7022 and RAL 1035 Pearl Beige in between stone cladding on the Crown Plaza Hotel Kalzip Perforated facade was used to create a feature between the main brick work for the car park Key challenges overcome:  With 3 phases of the project to undertake over a period of 18 months. Working at height in a very tight, exposed city centre location, needed a high quality over-cladding solution with neat joints that was quick and easy to install. The product needed to integrate with the window system and other cladding facade materials   

Lochrin Bain were appointed manufacturer of choice for the 2020 perimeter security requirements on Braithwaite Groups latest Mega Shed project for Farmfoods Ltd. Founded over 60 years ago from a butcher shop in Aberdeen, Farmfoods today Employs close to 4000 staff with over 300 shop locations across the UK, from its new Cumbernauld HQ. The projected consisted of a new 240,000 sq ft warehouse, to house one of the largest freezers in the country along with ambient storage facility of over 130,000 sq ft and new Grade A office space for headquarter staff. From the outset of the 52-week build, Lochrin Bain worked with Braithwaite to ensure a specification that offered their client a peace of mind 25 year guarantee while keeping to the original budget. During initial conversations, it was identified that the new LPS1175 Issue 8: A1 certified Combi SL1 Palisade system would be the perfect choice. Alter Landscapes based at Lochwinnoch in Renfrewshire were awarded the supply and installation of the fencing package with several hundred metres of fencing and various gates supplied and installed.

Westoe Crown Village by Taylor Wimpey is a development of 685 homes near South Shields, Newcastle. The coastal neighbourhood offers a range of apartments, three-storey townhouses and two-storey houses. Designed with the assistance of local community organisations to ensure an innovative and stimulating environment, Northumbria Police also assisted and advised on the best ways to reduce the potential of crime within the environment.Westoe Crown Village also introduced a village square, primary and nursery school, community centre, healthy living facility, shops and offices – all essential for a growing area of Newcastle. The centre of the village was also designed to have a crucial emphasis on disabled access with ramps, dropped curbs and a lack of barriers implemented so as to create a fully accessible centre for those with additional needs.Carlton’s Ridings Gold Antique clay bricks were used to exemplary effect in the construction of the project with the soft pink, orange and red hues providing a summer-y, pleasant glow to the area, perfect for its close proximity to the beach. The brick also provides a fitting complement to the featured off-white facades that surround certain buildings.

Sandwiched between a retail unit and some 2000 square feet of office space, the seven storey shuttered façade reflects the historical military tailors that used to occupy this part of London. Their tailoring techniques, forms of embroidery and bronze detailed shop fronts were an inspiration for the architects Squire and Partners, whose detailed design of the bronze panelled façade, included glimpses of deep red in the shutter reveals with 45mm diameter punched holes intended to replicate the stripes on a Sergeants uniform. Fabricated on a CNC turret punch press using high grade J57S UP aluminium, the exterior featured hook on Unity rainscreen panels finished in bronze anodised and aluminium infills in a red polyester powder coating. The balcony detail was enhanced with impressive folding shutter doors designed to offer, security, shading, ventilation and noise control from the streets below. The outer skin to the shutters was finished in bronze anodised to match the exterior panels. They also featured a regency gold anodised finish to the side plates and a red polyester powder coating to the interior screen that when folded added to the aesthetic design of the building.

Developed by Willmott Dixon and designed by Corstorphine & Wright as part of Devon & Cornwall’s Police and Crime transformation plan, this state-of-the-art police centre and operational hub is the base for up to 450 officers across the area. The project was developed with the intent to improve custody areas for detainees and provide a comfortable, modern working facility for its staff. During the development of the project, suggestions were taken from custody sergeants to help create a better space for staff and detainees.To provide the facilities necessary for 21st-century policing, attention was paid to integrating assets such as a virtual court system, and technology to monitor the health of vulnerable detainees and allow for crisp, modern meeting spaces that cater for a multitude of police functions.Local suppliers were engaged with the project and through training schemes, the project has been able to offer valuable experience to apprentices. Utilising 314sqm of Solar panels also means this build generates a substantial amount of green energy.Blockleys Synthesis S14 was used to create a strong, dark belt around the building which then blends smoothly into vertical strips of glass and contrasting white facades.

The Rathbone Market scheme, part of the Canning Town and Custom House regeneration programme, is a three-phase development that when complete will see the area totally reinvigorated. There will be a new market square at the heart of the community, bordered by around 35,000 sq ft of new shops and cafes. The development will also feature offices; community facilities, two new public squares and 652 new homes.The majority of apartments on the upper levels will have a double aspect and all will have balconies. The intention is to provide a development of great visual depth, using two colours of brick. The balconies are designed with an unusually large 2.3 metre cantilever and to meet this demanding specification, it is the Schöck Isokorb® that is being incorporated into the project. Specifically the product being used at Rathbone Market is the Schöck Isokorb® T type SK for concrete-to-steel connectivity. It is 180mm wide and between 180 and 280mm high to allow flexible adjustment for differing slab thicknesses and contains 80mm of insulation thickness. It can also bear extremely heavy loads and this combination of features makes the units ideal in meeting the various thermal and structural demands involved with such large modern balconies.

Shower and changing facilities bind practicality and design at this new-build office development in Smithfield. At The Haymarket Building, practicality meets excellent design, and Architects Reddy Architecture + Urbanism have created a sophisticated space that the tenants can be proud of. The building is accessed via an impressive double-height lobby, and this grandeur is maintained throughout the entire building, including the washrooms.Split over two floors, the basement houses a gym and self-contained male and female changing rooms with a separate toilet block on the upper basement level. Venesta’s Unity Full Height cubicle range was the product of choice for the designers of this project, due to its versatility.Model Z Active 400mm Bench Lockers were specified for both the male and female changing rooms. The unique Z-shaped locker provides space for storing bags and hanging clothes and has the benches integrated into the locker units saving on floor space for a minimalist room layout. The Model Z Active Lockers come readily constructed for quick, easy installation and are finished in SGL making them hardwearing, impact and scratch resistant.  Read the full case study for more details.

The University of Lincoln invested £19 million in the construction of the Sarah Swift Building which is home to the Schools of Health & Social Care and Psychology. Aluminium Visible Grid curtain walling, doors and windows were specified for this project, and were chosen due to their versatility and aesthetic qualities. This five-storey academic building houses a broad range of flexible learning spaces for students and staff - including new teaching areas, offices, clinical simulation facilities for the school's healthcare programmes and psychological laboratories for extensive research. Furthermore the building also includes the Professional Development Centre, a facility that provides ongoing training for professionals that require skills-based training. Visible Grid curtain walling also offers design flexibility. Available in a choice of glazing gaskets, it achieves superior load distribution and is suitable for flat or faceted facades.Technal’s aluminium doors and windows were also used throughout the building. The specified doors are ideal for high traffic applications and offer exceptional levels of security and thermal performance. The doors were also chosen as they meet the requirements of Part Q of the Building Standards, having achieved PAS 24:2016.

This new 160,000 sq. ft, 18 storey office building evolves the successful Nova formula with a sustainability conscious design, a progressive approach to work and wellbeing, and a vibrant, connected community in the heart of Victoria, London.Throughout the commercial space, a range of off-site constructed washrooms & toilet pods were manufactured in Scotland by Modular Interiors. There was a requirement to increase the finished floor height to allow this space to work effectively.The Knauf GifaFloor system is the ideal partner to this project, particularly to help with efficient programming.FHB38 1200x600mm installed on a pedestal understructure was specified as it creates a solid monolithic floor which can be installed quickly and allows for follow on trades within hours of install. Compared to traditional wet screeds, there is no long drying time, no mess or complicated health & safety issues.GifaFloor is the ideal partner to ceramic finishes such as this project. The ceramic tiles can be adhered directly to the panel, without the need for de-coupling layersThe GifaFloor FHB system offers a high acoustic performance, A1 non-combustible fire rating, limits response to moisture or heat and is manufactured from low carbon gypsum fibre.

A new state-of-the-art Jaguar Landrover showroom was built for the Helston Group in Taunton. The facilities reflect the latest corporate identity concept and comes complete with a new workshop, multi-storey rooftop parking, and an interactive showroom configuration with display systems.The showroom features wide open spaces and a large sales area to provide the customer with a first-class experience. It also affords staff members greater visibility throughout the showroom and forecourt areas. Lusso were appointed by main contractor, Acheson Construction, to provide internal glazing throughout the showroom and workshop area. Lusso 25 frameless single glazed partitioning system and complimentary Lusso glass doors were installed to form individual offices which allow privacy when needed, whilst still maintaining visibility of the showroom. Lusso 105 double glazed frameless partitions were installed to provide a barrier between the showroom and workshop area.The use of stylish internal glazing as part of the backdrop to the stunning Jaguar Landrover range certainly makes an impact. The end result blends functionality and aesthetics, providing a stylish and contemporary showroom worthy of the prestigious Jaguar Land Rover brand.

The new campus of the Erasmus Brussels University of Applied Sciences and Arts is located only a few steps away from the Dansaertstraat. This iconic design is a treat for lovers of minimal design with exposed concrete and very monochrome colour palette. The new campus of the Erasmus Brussels University of Applied Sciences and Arts is located only a few steps away from the Dansaertstraat designed by Architects B-Architecten, B-bis Architecten and B-city.The new campus hosts more than 1000 students. The 2 auditoriums, 40 subject classrooms, the teachers’ rooms, a study landscape, a library, a cafeteria and several sitting corners and terraces are now located in a trendy and lively city district.The building is a prominent and transparent construction with a heavy-set finishing touch. On the ground floor, the openness is transposed by a sunken and covered recreation ground. This big interior space is connected to the square in front of the building. Most public areas such as the students’ cafeteria, the library, the students’ administration office and several meeting areas border the recreation ground. The building opens up towards the square and the entire neighbourhood thanks to a full glass façade.

Based in the heart of London’s financial district, LibertySyndicates has taken up new office space at 20Fenchurch Street, more commonly known as the WalkieTalkie.Famed for it’s unique design, the building wascompleted in 2014 by world renowned architect, RafaelVinoly. Unlike most skyscrapers, the walkie talkie adoptsa top-heavy shape which allows it to maximise space onthe higher floors, the most expensive to rent.It also offers a free to use sky garden for the public,situated on the top three levels, which was one of thekey factors in the building receiving planning permission.Liberty Syndicates opted to make six floors of 20Fenchurch Street their new London home, with a view todeveloping a modern and vibrant working space.In a high usage, commercial environment, Allgood’skey brief was to provide a high performing ironmongerypackage. Grade 316 stainless steel Modric pull handleswere supplied on all of the meeting room doorsalongside matching accessories and overhead doorclosers.In the bathroom areas, Allgood supplied a co-ordinatedModric range of signage, WC turns, coat hooks andescutcheons.

In 2015, Quinn London Ltd started the refurbishment of The Market Building, in Brentford which involved the conversion of Offices to residential dwellings as a ‘Material Change of Use’ project. Soundis provided acoustic solution options for this project, in order to ensure a cost effective Value Engineering Exercise, on behalf of the Main Contractor.As the 1st floor required a deep void system due to new soil pipes and waste pipes having to be installed along the corridor within the building for kitchens and bathrooms, it was agreed to utilise Soundis Cradle & Batten System. This provided a service void for the pipes of 300mm whilst the other areas of the floor were treated with the system at 80mm FFH. The Soundis cradle & batten acoustic floor was then overlaid with a Soundis a high quality, interlocking dry screed system gypsum fibreboard.The Soundis cradle & batten floor system has been installed on the existing concrete and existing timber structural floors to provide a level floor over the un-even sub-deck. The service void provided by Soundis cradle & batten system can be used for other flooring applications, such as underfloor heating.Our Cradle and Risers are manufactured from 100% recycled materials assisting to the sustainability targets of projects.

The office “G+P Muller architectes” designed a total of 94 rooms, including classrooms, laboratories, workshops and studios. The Lycée also has its own swimming pool, sports halls and a canteen kitchen with an attached cafeteria. The straight-lined architecture, which uses daylight in a variety of ways and cleverly leads into the building, is captivated by a fresh color concept that takes on an aesthetic and structuring function throughout the building.In order to harmoniously adapt the swimming pool, sanitary areas and canteen kitchen to the color concept, the architects chose two tile series from Villeroy&Boch: PRO ARCHITECTURA and UNIT ONE. In addition to the necessary technical properties for public kitchens and wet areas, the PRO ARCHITECTURA series in particular offers a professional color and format system.For the sanitary area, the architects chose orange, which also appears in the school’s logo, as well as red and white, using several of the system’s modular formats. The swimming pool area is designed around the pool with specially anti-slip tiles from the PRO ARCHITECTURA series. In the surrounding areas, the swimming pool is divided into the colors light and dark gray, which harmonize very well with the concrete elements and the wooden ceiling.

Bombardier Services UK based in Biggin Hill is business related to aircraft services such as manufacturing business jets, services and repairs, and general aircraft expertise. The modern office and manufacturing space aligns with the high-quality business jets that they design and produce.Our team at Helmsman, we have manufactured and installed 40 two-compartment heavy-duty laminate lockers with the measurements to be 1900mm high, 300mm wide, and 450mm deep with the lockers to have sloped top-end panels to match the lockers that were manufactured and installed by Helmsman in 2022.The laminate lockers were powder coated with Greenlam Primeval oak to match the light aesthetics of the room as well as to blend with the other lockers with the body of the locker to be ‘Ice’ which is a shade of grey. The laminate lockers were decorated with oval laminated number plates above the Camlocks made by Lowe & Fletcher. The locks are easy to use, with each staff member being allocated to their own lockers which would make the staff feel secure that their items are protected.It was great to work with Bombardier Services UK again on the project. If you have a similar project or want to know more about laminate lockers, give us a call at 01284 530 427.

Rhodes House is set in a large garden on Oxfords South Parks Road, it was designed by Herbert Baker in the 1920s and is the base for the Rhodes Trust – a charitable trust founded by imperialist Cecil Rhodes which offers scholarships to the University of Oxford.To enable the trust to more forward and offer more scholarships Stanton Williams’ set about “architecturally liberating the building, to unlock its potential as a diverse and inspiring platform for ethical, creative and courageous people across geographies, cultures and disciplines.” The project included restoring the original building as well as creating 40 ensuite bedrooms, improved office accommodation, a range of meeting spaces and a hall for 300 people in the basement.3v worked in partnership with Stanton Williams and Beard Construction to develop the perfect Ironmongery scheme to work with both the old and new elements of the building using a mixture of antique brass for refurbished areas and stainless steel for new accommodation. We also undertook an extensive review of all existing doors and hardware and upgraded hinges, closers and signage to meet current UK fire regulations. Our products work seamlessly with the architects design aspirations helping to create a wonderful collaboration of old and new.Photography: Neil Kenyon

Opened in April 2019 by the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, Hounslow House is the new greener-energy HQ of Hounslow Council in London.Building plans for the new purpose-built council offices included a rooftop communal area, and, impressed by what the team at AG could offer, it was agreed that AG’s TerraPave® premium granite flags perfectly fitted the requirement for a smooth granite finish flagstone, providing a more superior product than the original spec while also ensuring significant cost savings on the project.The 500m² area was given a beautiful aesthetic look through the use of our TerraPave® Rimini and Milano Ground (400x400x50mm) which was calibrated and laid on pedestals for speed of construction.Offering an attractive, cost-effective and practical alternative to traditional stone paving, TerraPave® is a favourite choice with architects and specifiers – and this is one project that proves why that’s the case.Dan Smith, AG Regional Sales Manager, said:“AG was able to provide better quality and a keener price on the products used. Furthermore, our team was also able to deliver both the experience and project know-how required to ensure the client received best value for money on the overall project.”

Built in 1986, Dukes Court was viewed as a symbol of Woking’s economic growth, offering 220,000 sq. ft. of premium office accommodation. These works will ensure Dukes Court continues to play an important role in the town’s future.The front of Dukes Court underwent an extensive remodelling, creating a landscaped pedestrianised public plaza and restaurant with outdoor seating. The building features an impressive full height living ‘green’ wall, which is one of the tallest in Europe. The building is arranged over five blocks which are accessed via three separate reception areas, leading to the flexible floor plates which all benefit from excellent natural light.Other features include:A larger than life statue of composer and suffragette Dame Ethel Smyth will proudly conduct passers-by in the centre of the pedestrianised plaza.New signage and pedestrian routes which will enhance the visitor experience.Relocation of main vehicle entrance from Dukes Street to Stanley RoadMaybury Road, Stanley Road and The Broadway junctions improvements.Granite from around the world (mainly the far east) included BBS Steel (mid grey) granite, Haze (silver grey) granite, Barzan (black) basalt, and Peppercorn (pink) granite.

Closomat has supplied and installed state-of-the-art Changing Places for JD Wetherspoon in multiple locations across the UK. The national pub brand was the first to lead the way in accessibility and inclusion by providing these life-changing toilets for its patrons, engaging Closomat for installation and regular maintenance.The high-quality equipment included in these facilities, enables disabled customers with complex needs to access the toilet safely and with dignity, opening up the option of visiting venues for food and drink that could otherwise be unavailable to them.Under updated building regulations in England, as of January 2021, it is compulsory for any new building used for assembly, recreation or entertainment, including pubs, bars and restaurants, with a capacity of 350 people or more, to include at least one Changing Places toilet. It is also a requirement for existing businesses to install a Changing Places facility if undergoing substantial refurbishment.Changing Places by Closomat can be found at the following:The Booking Office, EdinburghCaptain Ridley’s Shooting Party, BletchleyThe Iron Duke, WellingtonThe Lifeboat, FormbyThe Mossy Well, Muswell HillThe Pilgrim’s Progress, BedfordThe Prior John, BridlingtonRoyal Victoria Pavilion, RamsgateSandford House, Huntingdon, The Troll Cart, Great YarmouthThe Velvet Coaster, Blackpool

In 2015, we delivered our largest ever install of two-tier cycle parking in the UK at the prestigious Cambridge University, the world’s fourth-oldest surviving university.Working with principal contractor Morgan Sindall, we installed 678 two-tier bicycle racks to provide effective and secure cycle parking for over 150 departments, faculties, schools, syndicates and other institutions. This was phase one as part of the overall requirement of 2,000 cycle parking spaces in the university which has been planned over a period of two years.Cyclehoop is the official UK supplier of Jan Kuipers two-tier bicycle racks. This Dutch company are the first in Europe to develop this unique system that uses gas-assisted moveable upper sections. Its space-saving, robust design doubles the amount of cycle parking compared with traditional cycle racks and its gas-assisted mechanism increases its usability.The Dutch Two-Tier Rack is ideal for high-density areas and can be installed at train stations, offices, schools and shopping centres and major transport hubs. Today their two-tier racks have been installed in over 180,000 places at a wide variety of locations throughout Europe.

Ecoprod recently undertook a complete refurbishment of the washrooms at Dukes Court – 220,000 sq ft of premium office space in central Woking. The project started in January 2020 and handover was July 2020, somewhat later than expected due to the effect of the Covid 19 lockdown in Spring 2020.This project was delivered in collaboration with Designer Contracts Interiors UK Ltd who managed the flooring, walls, ceilings, doors, lighting, tiling, decorating and mirrors. Ecoprod supplied and managed the installation of the cubicles and IPS systems, all mechanical works, and the sanitaryware schedule and equipment.Cubicle and IPS systems – Petrus range by Formwise and Abet Laminati finish in Grey Zebrano5 WCs – Siamp Samoa Deluxe3 waterless urinals – URIMAT Ceramic Compact C22 URIMAT ESG urinal privacy dividers5 miscea LIGHT taps2 Tristone pure white wash troughs2 URIMAT Favorit hand dryers1 Mitsubishi Smart hand dryer1 Bespoke shower enclosure by Mega Glass1 Triton 80i shower setAccessible toilet – WC and handrail set by Disabled Toilets, basin by Conti +, tap Ultra by Conti+

Expanding Exeter College's 700-year-old campus in the heart of Oxford was a privilege given to Alison Brooks Architects: developing Cohen Quad, a hub for students including living accommodation for 90, an auditorium, seminar rooms, social learning spaces, an archive, a café, roof terraces, offices, and fellows' accommodation.Student rooms and fellows' studies are enclosed by patterned stainless steel that folds across wall and roof surfaces, sitting on a stone-clad 'base' that houses the quads' public spaces.The Rimex tiling in the checkerboard pattern really highlights the stunning dormer windows and the beautiful curve of the tiles from the roofline wrap around the roof and down the walls creating a seamless cloak around the building. 17,000 iridescent stainless steel shingles adorn this roof, and the tiles are of a wonderful muted bronze and champagne colour with an unusual texture - catching - but not reflecting the sunlight. "We were given excellent technical and sales support from Fixfast. All stainless steel fixings and shingle clips were supplied in a timely and efficient manner. These factors contributed to Roles Broderick Roofing Ltd winning the NFRC Roofing Award for 2017"Ben Clark - Operations Director at Roles Broderick Roofing Ltd

The Old Grammar School House in Shrewsbury is a Grade II listed historic building, which was formerly part of the school and has been converted to an office space.KEIM were approached by Randle Building Solutions, who had used KEIM Mineral Paints on a previous project in Edgmond, Shropshire. The conventional painted stonework was flaking and blistering due to excess moisture trapped within the substrate. The painted brickwork on the front of the building was in good condition.Bryan Roe of KEIM Mineral Paints recommended stripping the paint off the stonework and the brickwork at the back of the building, using KEIM STS 7M, that was holding damp and flaking. The gloss paint on the stone windows surrounds were to be stripped as much as possible and sanded down to create a key for the mineral paint to bond to.KEIM Contact-Plus was diluted with KEM Soldalit Fixativ to equalise surface textures and fill hairline cracks. KEIM Soldalit, in a bespoke grey colour (KS01 0312) that was matched back to the original paint colour, was applied to create a breathable, long-lasting finish.KEIM Soldalit is fire resistant and A2-s1, d0 classified. The sol-silicate properties mean that it can be applied over unpainted and previously painted surfaces without the need of a primer.

Built on the site of Warranty House, a now demolished office building, Middle Yard is a residential development located on Dudden Hill Lane in London. The regenerative development consists of 136 new homes set back from the road, creating a much sought-after sense of privacy and space. In addition to the 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments, there is also a communal garden, pool and onsite gym for Middle Yard’s residents to enjoy.Designed by Union Developments and Lynas Smith Architects, the development was completed in 2022 and has been extremely popular amongst buyers, with multiple apartments being reserved before completion. The brick-centric homes align with the bricks’ proven record of high durability and low maintenance, and the location is extremely convenient for commuting into central London with multiple transport links extremely close by. The development is also close to a number of amenities, including schools, shops and parks.Middle Yard has provided much-needed new homes in northwest London. The timeless brick construction and eye-catching modern design have helped to regenerate an area of the city. Freshfield Lane’s eye-catching Lindfield Yellow bricks provide unmistakable character to the project and help settle it into the urban environment.

Project DetailProject: BMW Sytner – NottinghamLocation: Nottingham, UKProduct: TS.9205 Architectural door closersProject DescriptionSytner is the second largest prestige motor dealer in England. It recently invested £4 million in a state-of-the-art accident repair centre in Nottingham, which has been fitted out with the very best furnishings, finishings and fixtures.However, it soon became apparent that door closers on several of the office doors needed adjusting and replacing. They had been incorrectly fitted and adjusted, which was causing wear on the products and making the doors bang shut. Due to the complicated engineering, a specialist was required, even for fitting. The centre had been visited by various tradespeople, who attempted to rectify the door closers, but after a short time they found themselves faced with the same problem again.We replaced the existing door closers with TS.9205 door closers because of their:Engineering with precisionDesign assurance and 35 year guaranteeConsistency of movementSteve Maples, Sytner Bodyshop Manager, said: “After being on site for 15 minutes, Rutland were able to cure the issue we had with our existing door closers. Thank you for your help.”

Oval Village in Lambeth is a project that comprises affordable residential apartments, with office and commercial space, retail and leisure facilities, and parking.The site is part of a large-scale redevelopment of the former Oval Gasworks site, offering 598 apartments with balconies and terraces for which we designed and developed the paving support system.The balconies used the TerraSmart Pedestal Paving System, which is straightforward to install, powerful and fully non-combustible, with the paving laid safely on our RP-FR, millimetre-perfect adjustable paving support pedestals, with edge spring clips around the edges to ensure uniform spacing for an aesthetically perfect finish.The terraces, with a commanding view of the city at the top of the building, feature a hybrid system starting with the TerraSmart Rail Paving System – super-strong thanks to its overlapping lattice framework – to form the ramps, which transition seamlessly into the TerraSmart Pedestal Paving System for the rest of the area.Throughout the project, we worked closely with Formation Architects, HTA Architects, Building Control, NHBC and Berkeley Group to design the most relevant systems for the project. Fenland Flat Roofing installed the systems for the balconies, while those for the terraces were installed by NAO Landscapes.

Wireworks London approached us looking for a modern industrialised Oak to clad onto a winding staircase in a beautiful London home. Amongst the options we presented was our CH-E780. This a White Oak with a brushed and band sawn surface giving it a clean yet worn texture. The rusticgrade Oak allows for some knotting to appear without it overpowering carefully detailed floorboards.These boards are finished with a commercial grade UV cured oil that makes it hard wearing and easy to maintain. This particular product has also been fitted throughout the busy, modern offices at 3 Shortlands, Hammersmith. It is easily one of our most popular surfaces and finishes.Wireworks didn’t want a separate stair nose component, instead opting for mitring the length of the boards to a 45-degree angle and jointing them together with a biscuit and high quality PVA glue. The effect is a stunning cascade of band sawn Oak which looks like it was purpose built in a specialist workshop or factory. This an excellent example of the ingenuity of the team at Wireworks and the adaptability of wood flooring.Would you like to see this type of cladding in using a herringbone parquet? Then please see our case study: Cladding Stairs in Engineered Herringbone Parquet

The Links ELC – CoventryCoventry ELC is a Pupil Referral Unit for Key Stage 3 & 4 pupils who have struggled to access mainstream school education due to Social, Emotional & Mental Health (SEMH) issues.They have recently increased security around the whole facility. Heightened door and window security was delivered thanks to our E37 electric shutters.THE CHALLENGEThe client was looking for increased security for their facility, to cover windows and doors.We worked with their contractor the Darwin Group to work out the best solution and completed the installation of 31 E37 shutters of varying sizes to the external doors and windows.THE SOLUTIONThe E37 is made from an strong extruded double skinned aluminium slat which can be powder coated any RAL colour. With a narrow 37mm slat it is capable of rolling tightly with a 2m high shutter capable of rolling into a 180mm box. It is widely used for domestic and light commercial applications for securing windows and doors up to 4m wide. It is very popular with schools, offices and modular building companies.The E37 comes with numerous control options including manual, key switch or remote control, including group control options.

Factory International will transform the former Granada Studios into a world-class cultural and arts venue in the heart of Manchester. It features The Hall, a large auditorium, and The Warehouse, a flexible multi-purpose space that is taller than four double-decker buses, longer than a jumbo jet and can accommodate 5,000 visitors.Alongside the two public events spaces are The Towers, which house the ground floor entrance foyer, five floors of office space and a plant room at the top of the building. Noise reduces productivity by 66% so when it came to specifying the soffit insulation for The Towers, the architect wanted a solution that would limit airborne sound transfer and reverberation.The insulation would be on display, so aesthetics was also important, and because Factory International will cater for large crowds of people, the chosen solution needed to be non-combustible.Meeting the briefThe architects specified Knauf Insulation’s 50mm Heraklith® Tektalan A2 SmartTec for the soffit insulation in the ground floor foyer of the Warehouse area, main feature staircase, offices and plant room of The Towers.Heraklith® Tektalan A2 SmartTec is a cement-bonded wood wool panel combined with a rock mineral wool insulation core. Both materials have an open structure that naturally absorbs the kinetic energy of sound waves, turning them into heat. It is also non-combustible with an Euroclass A2-s1,d0 reaction to fire classification.Crucially, the Heraklith® wood wool range is also designed for applications where aesthetics is important because the panel is on display. It features bevelled edges and comes in nature tone as standard, or can be ordered in any RAL colour upon request, to create a stylish, uniform finish.To compliment the design schemes in the different zones across the building, contractors, Mansell Building Solutions, ordered the panels in a combination of midnight blue, pebble grey, anthracite and black.Scheduling deliveriesAs the Factory International site is quite compact, there was little room available for storage. So, Knauf Insulation worked closely with distributor Encon Insulation to ensure the insulation was held in stock. Smaller deliveries were then made in line with Mansell Building Solutions’s schedule of works. This ensured that the insulation could be installed as soon as it arrived on site.The product is quick and easy to install. Panels are fixed into position by installing Heraklith® DDS Plus Concrete Screws into each corner and the centre of the panel. The fastener heads have a patented wood wool texture to enhance the finished appearance.Ultimately, installing Heraklith® Tektalan A2 SmartTec onto the soffits in The Towers and the ground floor foyer of the Warehouse not only compliments the design scheme and contributes to fire safety, but it will enable the team behind the events at Factory International to enjoy a quieter working environment too. 

Matching their generosity Safety Technology International have partnered with a community charity to preserve and protect a life-saving donation for when it is needed most.The Post Office Anglers Society (POAS) is a family fishing club with a long history stretching back to the early 1970s; initially the brainchild of now honorary member David Butt and a fellow group of Post Office Telephone Engineers the Society now has nearly 300 members.In 2005, the Southend-on-Sea based Society purchased a 4.5 acre site in Sutton, Essex to develop their very own two lake fishery, Beauchamps, to supplement their existing leased fishery. The POAS’ Beauchamps Fishery was recently fortunate enough to receive an automatic electronic defibrillator (AED) donated by the Finish Line Fund.The AED was to be installed in the fisheries meeting area, a location partially open to the elements and only accessible to members. It was vital, therefore, the new life safety device be properly protected for use in an emergency.As is customary, the AED operator’s manual offered clear instructions for proper installation and maintenance, including guidance on impact protection, equipment visibility and environmental protection requirements.Drawing on the life safety expertise of its membership, STI’s AED Protective Cabinet (STI-7531AED) was identified by the POAS and carefully chosen to protect the sophisticated medical device as it exceeded all of the criteria set out by the manufacturer and all with a three-year guarantee.POAS Member and Fire Safety Professional, Ken Pearce, said: “The POAS contacted STI to discuss the enclosure and its importance in protecting the possibly life-saving AED.“We were delighted to hear that STI offered to donate the enclosure to the club to safeguard the AED from the elements and allow us to be able to carry out the installation in line with the AED manufacturer’s guidance.”It was determined the impact-resistant UV-stabilised polycarbonate enclosure could withstand any amount of accidental knocks from fishing equipment and fishery maintenance tools; the clear polycarbonate housing and thumb lock allowing the portable AED to remain both highly visible and easily accessible, vitally important in an emergency.From the scorching days of the POAS Summer League matches to the chilly Winter League matches fished by the hardiest of fishermen, the typical working properties of -40°C to 121°C greatly exceed the wildest of temperatures expected at the fishery throughout the year – An internal gasket guards against ingress.Ken added: “The AED Protective Cabinet was installed by a member of the POAS Maintenance Team who found the installation to be extremely straightforward, and was particularly pleased with the supplied wire shelf and steel mounting backplate, which ensured a secure installation – The enclosure was successfully installed in under an hour.“All members would like to thank STI for this great donation and we can have confidence that the equipment, should it be needed, will be easily accessible and well protected.”

Fire extinguishers are a vital piece of the Active Fire Protection puzzle; often the first line of defence they are integral to preventing costly fire damage and ultimately, loss of life.The importance of fire extinguishers is highlighted in Chapter 4 of the UAE Fire and Life Safety Code of Practice: “Portable Fire Extinguishers are the best available first response to table the fire at its incipient stage.”The Code of Practice adds that to ensure this first aid response, fire extinguishers shall be “kept in their designated places at all times when they are not being used” and “conspicuously located where they will be readily accessible and immediately available in the event of fire.”However, the misuse and neglect of fire extinguishers and their accessories in Dubai’s buildings is not uncommon, rendering them inaccessible or ineffective in a real emergency.As part of the Office of the UAE Attorney General’s ongoing campaign to increase the public’s level of awareness of the law, it was announced that fines and even jail sentences would be handed down for fire extinguisher misuse.The office states in Article 311 of the Federal Penal code, that: “Any person who removes a fire extinguisher or changes its location or renders it unfit for use shall be punished by a jail sentence for no less than one year or a fine of not less than 50,000 AED.”With requirements for extinguishers to be installed near doors or exits, it is all too tempting for fire extinguishers to be used as temporary doorstops.Seeking to improve airflow, the removal of fire extinguishers to wedge open doors threatens to undermine fire safety, making the extinguisher difficult to locate in an emergency.Safety Technology International’s Extinguisher Stopper® is a sturdy, tamperproof, standalone alarm that prevents the misuse or unwanted removal of fire extinguishers. Strong PVC coated metal rope wraps around the neck of the extinguisher and when removed from the unit will activate a piercing 95/106 dB alarm to alert you to any misuse or removal.Acting as a physical safety seal and audible tamper indicator, the Extinguisher Stopper® helps the person responsible for the inspection and maintenance of extinguishers avoid fines or a jail sentence for failing to keep them fit for use.The self-contained unit will leave the extinguisher accessible for emergencies and will not interfere in the event of a real fire; the alarm is also useful in the case of an actual emergency acting as a pre-alarm, helping to alert people in the surrounding areas to the fire before an official alarm has sounded.The compact design of the UV-stabilised polycarbonate unit means it mounts easily next to a vulnerable fire extinguisher, the alarm is easy to install and a deactivation cable is supplied for ease of servicing the protected extinguisher – a requirement of the UAE Fire and Life Safety Code of Practice.Recent updates to the unit include universal sound symbols for global recognition and space for a choice of 21 different language labels that are provided, including Arabic. Wireless options allowing for remote monitoring are also available using STI protocol.