"walls"

Ingram Micro is one of the largest distributions of IT products and services in the world. The new office in Diegem, Belgium, is a large rectangular space with little daylight. When designing the new office not one wall was allowed to connect straight to another. Everything had to be slanted to enhance this concept, a herringbone design from Allura LVT was chosen for this floor.

Bawtry Mayflower Primary School were experiencing a considerable amount of damage to the corners of its interior walls from everyday wear and tear. it therefore needed to find an effective way of protecting both pupils and the fabric of its building whilst retaining much of its existing colour scheme and minimising the need for ongoing maintenance work.

Sleek minimalist shadow gaps create statement internal design elements, producing clean lines unimpeded by the traditional use of skirting boards, architraves and cornices. The features can be installed between walls, floors, skirting boards, windows, door frames and staircases throughout a building, or in specific areas such as hallways & kitchens to create maximum impact.

Stainless steel ward kitchens by GEC Anderson Limited were specified within new ward facilities at Southend Hospital. The units were chosen and specified by Architects, The Livemore Partnership.Stainless steel worktops with integrated sink bowls and mounted on stainless steel base cabinets were included alongside stainless steel wall cabinets and shelving. 

Meeting a quartet of criteria, Kawneer’s AA®110 SSG (Structurally Silicone Glazed) and AA®100 capped aluminium curtain walling almost completely wraps the new £25 million Citylabs 2.0 development within the Oxford Road Corridor innovation district in Manchester, at the gateway to Europe’s largest clinical-academic campus.

Tata Steel has supplied its leading steel standing seam wall cladding system, Urban Seam® Façade to a new award-winning development in Portsmouth. The Goldsmith Avenue project is among the first in the UK to benefit from the A1 fire rating of the system, as well as its modern aesthetic and long-term durability.

The StoSilent Distance acoustic ceiling and wall system from Sto was specified for the world’s leading museum of art, design and performance and it now creates the perfect acoustic environment for a high-profile display of Renaissance art treasures. The V&A in London recently completed a landmark refurbishment of its Raphael Court where the StoSilent Distance system is now installed.

This recent Type 100M installation at Longwater, perfectly demonstrates the unique properties a movable wall can offer. Working closely with Tate Hindle Architects and BAM Construction we were able meet and exceed their expectations. Oxford Properties now have a conferencing facility with complete flexibility and the ability to cater for multiple clients of various sizes.

Fourteen products from Johnstone’s extensive range have been awarded the coveted EU Ecolabel accreditation and it was Johnstone’s Ecological Covaplus Vinyl Matt from this range that was used. The walls and ceilings of the Castle now boast a finish that is resistant to fading and yellowing, as well as ensuring they have a wipeable surface, excellent opacity, and even better colour retention

THE PROJECTThe Dallston Junction project features two banks of Stainless Steel 2 mailboxes that have been recessed into the wall to minimise the amount of room taken up by the mailboxes in the area of installation. This particular project required the mailboxes to be recessed into the wall to ensure that the project met building regulations in a main walkway through the project.The banks of mailboxes feature a high-quality Sapele Surround which was provided by ourselves with the mailboxes. The Sapele surround was specified by the client and we worked with a specialist joiner who created this surround. The wood is also used in a central storage area where items can be placed when depositing mail into the boxes (as shown in the photographs), or notices can be used by the management for residents to read etc.The Stainless Steel 2 mailbox both accepts and allows for retrieval of mail at the front of the product. This particular project uses engraved mailboxes that have been infilled with a Jet Black (RAL 9005) contrasting colour for the residents and postal workers to easily identify specific mailboxes.

With views overlooking central Manchester from several floors up, the designers for this workspace have utilised glazed partitions throughout to maximise the transfer of light and make the most of the stunning backdrop offered by the city skyline.London Wall was approached to provide a glass moving wall system that could seamlessly integrate in to the overall design of the space by matching the proposed glass partitions, while offering space flexibility.Our Type G200 system was the perfect choice, with a crittal effect indention to the static panels on show elsewhere within the space. The glazed panels can quickly and easily be stacked, allowing staff the choice between a single, large open plan space or two smaller spaces.When the panels are in use, the two spaces both remain easily accessible thanks to a lockable pass door. Type G200’s impressive acoustic performance ensures that sound transfer between the two spaces is kept to a minimum, therefore reducing noise distraction and increasing privacy.

Originally built in 1986, Dukes Court has formed part of a £77 million regeneration scheme in Woking, Surrey. The redevelopment included new signage and pedestrian routes, updated office space, a new restaurant and a living ‘green’ wall - aimed to improve air quality. Outside of Dukes Court a new pedestrianised public space was designed and required the creation of large wavey planting beds all in corten to sit either side of the entrance to the building. The planter had to adapt to the stairways, slopes and columns present in the final design, adding a lot of complexity to the required planter wall geometry.Our latest solution, AKRI steel retaining planters were best suited for this as they are flexible enough to allow for varying levels and can be manufactured in the desired style of corten to harmonise with the existing building facade. The AKRI planters were then welded on top with a return, to create an attractive wave look. The finished scheme has created a pleasant, open space for tenants and members of the public to enjoy.

"Book your luxury stay." The message to visitors to the Hôtel du Golf website is clear, inviting them to a charming hotel nestled in a sea of ​​green, far from the hustle and bustle of the city centre but close to the pleasures of Deauville, a refined and elite location on the Côte Fleurie in Normandy.Part of the Barrière five-star chain, the Hôtel du Golf has just completed three years of renovations that involved a modernization of its rooms, suites and restaurants.The hotel's aristocratic architecture is complemented by a decidedly contemporary interior design, the signature of an iconic style Made in Normandy: huge sculptures of apples and horses, Chesterfield furniture and Scottish tartans are just some of the most visible features that decorate the rooms.The decor blends with the materials of floor and wall tiles in a symphony of taste and originality, establishing themselves as an exceptional combo for an environment that not only seeks to be refined, but also different and impactful. The majesty of a typically French architecture is enhanced by the particular charm of Atlas Concorde porcelain floor tiles and white body wall tiles used to furnish the bathrooms.Here, lush and captivating nature becomes inspiration for a cutting-edge project that recalls the material essence of stone and its wealth of details. In an enveloping and evocative atmosphere, Atlas Concorde ceramic tiles interpret Luserna stone and quartzitein a new way, giving the spaces a mix of irrepressible earthiness and delicate natural character. Surfaces with intense colours and textures obtained thanks to the most modern and sophisticated ceramic technologies become key components of a vigorous architecture, in harmony with the distinct and personalized character of all the rooms of the French Hotel.The collection chosen for the floors and walls of the bathrooms is the Trust series in the light silver colour and in 30x30 cm and 30x60 cm formats.

We adapted our aluminium window specification to meet the narrower than normal vent dimensions at the best-in-class £52 million student village in Coventry, balancing requirements for daylighting, ventilation, student safety and aesthetics. A total of 3,500 sqm of aluminium windows together with aluminium curtain walling and aluminium high-traffic doors were fitted at the 893 home development. The installation not only contributed to the creation of an uninterrupted, zero combustible facade, but also provided maintenance solution for the building owner. Paradise Street has been architecturally inspired by the originally medieval city of Coventry. The scheme's homes are arranged in a wall, and three towers to address the busy ring road, with a gatehouse opening into a 2,000 sqm piazza. Balancing the ventilation and necessary daylighting requirements led to the introduction of a fixed and opening vent to each room. This presented a whole new design challenge when it came to the window detailing, hailing a true example of design and technical collaboration between the architect, contractor, fabricator and TECHNAL. Complementing the subtle textures used for the facade's anodised aluminium panelling as well as the interior colour scheme, the TECHNAL systems are dual colour. Externally they are finished in pearl beige and white, internally. Other TECHNAL systems used for this project include the visible grid curtain walling. This is installed into an angled brickwork detail, creating an interesting wedge shape design to the common room space. To the main entrance, TECHNAL high traffic aluminium doors have been installed and tested to Secured by Design standards. These feature maglocks and automatic gearing that are tied into the building management system, ensuring all doors open in the event of an evacuation.

THE PROJECT: Recticel supplied the low-thermal conductivity insulation boards to ensure new-build homes within a large residential development attained the required levels of thermal performance. The 450-home complex in Salisbury Plain, Wiltshire was fitted with Eurothane® GP boards, which were installed within the properties’ timber-frame cassettes. The insulation was specified for its excellent thermal conductivity of 0.022W/mK. In addition, the boards’ consistent tolerances, straight edges and flatness enhance their usability without compromise to durability. The cassettes containing the insulation were assembled off-site before being installed within the properties’ walls.THE SOLUTION: For this project, the client required a high-performance PIR insulation board that offered walls throughout its collection of houses and bungalows superb thermal performance. This, along with their easy handling ability, made Eurothane® GP boards the ideal solution. It led to the development achieving a U-value of 0.21W/m2K which is above the project’s specific regulatory requirements. It means when the first occupants inhabit this beautifully designed, modern development, they will be inheriting homes that are as comfortable on the inside as they are attractive on the outside.Derek Gough, Senior Estimator at Taylor Lane Timber Frame, which delivered the project’s timber frame properties explained:"Our excellent working relationship with Recticel was key to the success of this project. It’s a collaboration that thrives on their products’ quality, technical expertise and our installation skills and long-held construction experience."About Eurothane® GP:Eurothane® GP is a high performance PIR insulation board that is light weight, easy to cut, handle and install. Whether it’s a pitched roof, framed wall or floor, Eurothane® GP is the ideal solution amongst contractors and installers

The Selection of a sustainable facade system from architectural aluminium specialist TECHNAL satisfies the requirement to deliver a sustainable and energy efficient building for the University of Bath's Institute of Advanced Automotive Propulsion Systmes (IAAPS) - a new, world-class automotive propulsion research facility in Bristol, constructed to achieve BREAAM Very Good standard. The 11,464 m2, two-storey building was designed by architect Stride Treglown who partnered with DKA Architects to realise this ambitious project. Main contractor Rydon constructed it as a single-stage Design and Build contract. The impressive front elevation façade features TECHNAL GEODE MX curtain wall, which is manufactured using Hydro CIRCAL® 75R recycled aluminium - a prime-quality alloy made with at least 75% recycled post-consumer scrap aluminium - the highest share of recycled aluminium on the market.  Stride Treglown Project Architect, Victor Martos, explains why this was such a smart specification choice when constructing to BREEAM standards: “Originally, we had specified another system but switched to TECHNAL as it uses CIRCAL recycled aluminium and REDUXA low-carbon aluminium, which makes the system very attractive for buildings such as IAAPS that target a high level of environmental performance.” Fabricated and installed by Bristol-based Architectural Aluminium and Glass Ltd (AAAG) to a planned eight-week delivery programme, the curtain walling combines a linear and an arc section on plan to create a striking faceted façade that runs 43m and is 10m high. The double-height curtain wall joins the rectangular arched entrance at a sliced angle. Project Architect, Victor Martos talks through the architectural intent, he said: “Aesthetically, it was important for us to highlight the vertical joints over the horizontal joints so as to emphasise the height of the glazing and maintain the architectural proportions with the main entrance arch alongside. The TECHNAL curtain walling system allowed us to achieve this. It is very flexible in terms of the design options for mullions and transoms.” Vertically, the curtain wall mullions have an additional capping piece or “fin” finished in an Anthracite Grey powder coating (RAL 7016). This extends 200mm beyond and goes all the way from the base to the head of the curtain wall, creating a vertical trame design. On the horizontal, SSG silicone sealant transom joints offer a seamless look. “The fact that the external fins could be self-supported without the need of additional structure or ties was fundamental to achieving the desired verticality,” adds Victor. AAAG Bristol Estimating Manager Richard Flicker details how the façade was constructed: “Each vertical height section is split into four panels, which alternate between vision glass and lookalike, opaque spandrel panels to conceal the M&E services behind.” The glass specification is continuous to maintain the same level of reflection and uniformity across the entire curtain wall. It also had to meet thermal requirements, as Richard explains: Thermally, the façade had to achieve low heat gains through the façade, which meant careful glass specification. “Following numerous calculations and close discussion between myself and the construction team, Saint Gobain COOL-LITE SKN 154 solar control glass was selected. This offers a low G Factor (0.28) and helps control the amount of heat that penetrates into the building by reflecting it back to the outside.” The open plan office space behind the floor to ceiling glass panes also contributes to BREEAM Very Good, as Stride Treglown Project Architect, Victor Martos explains: “Ensuring an even distribution of light entering from the north, it reduces the need to use artificial light during the daytime and reduces overall building energy consumption,”  He adds: “Engaging early with specialist suppliers to maintain momentum and quality throughout, meant we could also optimise BREEAM credit opportunities. For example, the external fin feature also assisted in achieving credits regarding the visual comfort and control of glare from sunlight as they provide shade from direct sunlight.”The new IAAPS facility includes offices, test facilities and control rooms for engines, propulsion, power trains and chassis dyno cells. The base build of this world-class facility is now virtually complete and is scheduled to open in 2021 once specialist technology installations are complete. The project will support global automotive industries to deliver future generations of advanced propulsion systems and ultra-low emission vehicles. 

An architectural masterpiece in Dubai Marina setting a new global benchmark.Standing at 365m, the high-rise development is set to become the world’s tallest hotel, containing 1,042 luxury suites and serviced apartments set across 82 floors.IntroductionThe award-winning, sculpture-like design has been conceived to embrace the benefits of vertical living, with a glass curtain wall façade offering panoramic views across the city, whilst its gently curved form reflects the ever-changing daylight. To ensure this striking design achieved the necessary passive fire safety, specifying a fully tested and certified perimeter fire barrier system solution from an experienced manufacturer was vital.Design and specificationThe skyscraper’s beautifully curved unitised glass façade presented an interesting challenge when it came to specifying suitable passive fire protection. In accordance with the UAE Fire and Life Safety Code, the curtain wall elevations required a perimeter fire containment system, comprising a firestopping system installed continuously between the floor slab edge and spandrel panel at each floor and included protection to the spandrel zone. This solution also needed to have proven its fire resistance performance in achieving a challenging 2 hour minimum (EI 120 or FT 120) fire rating. What’s more, the specification called for the use of perimeter firestopping seals that could maintain their integrity around the curved elements of the design, and that would be able to continue providing the required fire resistance should sections of the façade collapse. It also stated that any firestopping assembly should be procured from a single manufacturer that had a minimum of three years’ experience in the market.With over 50 years’ experience in the development, manufacture, and supply of passive fire protection products, Siderise were ideally placed to meet the project’s strict criterion and its enhanced perimeter fire barrier system was specified from the outset.The chosen system uses CW-FS Curtain Wall Firestops to provide 2 hour fire resistance for floor-to-floor horizontal compartmentation and zone-to-zone vertical compartmentation at each partition and curtain wall interface. This was supported with a single layer of CW-FB Curtain Wall Fireboard to provide the required 2-hour fire resistance to the spandrel and vertical mullions at each building level. The UAE Fire and Life Safety Code compliant system designs for this project was based on two tested and certified systems, one to EN 1364-4: 2014 and the other ASTM E 2307.The EN 1364-4 test included movement cycling of CW-FS Firestop to EAD 350141-00-1106 before fire testing to demonstrate that the perimeter fire barrier will be able to withstand the constant deflection of the façade due to forces such as wind and occupancy loads acting upon it. The product easily accommodates this movement thanks to its unique pre-compressed vertical-fibre stonewool Lamella construction. This also makes it ideal for ensuring integrity within the curved elements of the construction as its compression allows it to fit tightly against the floor slab and curtain wall, even in areas with an inconsistent void gap.Installation and inspectionInstallation quality is fundamental to the performance of passive fire protection products. To ensure this is achieved, our UAE technical team along with GIG’s site services team conducted site installation training. This included constructing a façade mock-up assembly for each fire rated design to clearly illustrate how to properly install the spandrel protection system and demonstrate the expected standard of work to identify the corrective actions that need to be taken before sign-off by the project consultant.

The 110m, 29-storey curved on plan Westmark Tower is the tallest residential tower completed in central London during 2021. Part of Berkeley Homes Central London’s prestigious West End Gate development in Marylebone, it features more than 14,000m2 of unitised curtain wall.Anodic Bronze and GRC Effect PPC was applied expertly across the envelope.

A state-of-the-art leisure centre in Bristol designed by LA Architects features extensive use of Technal’s aluminium curtain walling to help create a vibrant new facility and encourage more local people to participate in sport and physical activity. The privately financed project is also one of the first centres in the UK with a 50m swimming pool to achieve a BREEAM ‘excellent’ rating.

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 design comprised of a three-storey-high, bespoke GRC concrete staircase with floating precast steps and landings, all in Rustic Grey finish.For the floors and landings we used Microconcrete coating in Lead Grey colour to create a contrasting effect with the lighter coloured walls and the imposing ceiling suspended fireplace surround was hand coated with Microconcrete in Metallic Bronze finish.

As part of an exciting regeneration project in Cardiff, Lowfield Timber Frames specified SMARTPLY AIRTIGHT panels alongside a supply of their timber kits for a development of 12 two-bedroom houses in Heath, Cardiff.As part of an exciting regeneration project in Cardiff, Lowfield Timber Frames specified SMARTPLY AIRTIGHT panels alongside a supply of their timber kits for a development of 12 two-bedroom houses in Heath, Cardiff.The homes are built to strict Passivhaus standards, offering improved health and wellbeing conditions for occupants whilst requiring very low levels of energy for space heating or cooling. Additionally, using timber frame for the construction lowers the carbon footprint of the development.The major benefit of a Passivhaus build is the reduced energy consumption during the operating life of the structure. This will ultimately lead to reduced energy costs, heating bills, and even lower carbon emissions for the planet.The average air test result for the 12 homes came in at below 0.5 ACH. A Larsen truss panel (a lightweight wall extension which creates extra wall space to a house insulation) was also used in the project. It was 330mm deep with the finished wall make-up being closer to 500mm.Darren Jarman, Managing Director of Lowfield Timber Frames, commented: “The Highfields scheme in Cardiff was just one of several passivhaus schemes we have completed over the past 2 years. We now have an external wall build-up that not only meets the passivhaus standards, but also has extremely low embodied carbon credentials.“The external wall has been fire tested and achieves the airtightness required, all in all, reducing the heating requirements and the running costs of the property.”SMARTPLY AIRTIGHT is an airtight OSB/3 panel with integrated vapour control and air barrier properties for use as structural sheathing in timber frame structures. The airtightness is engineered into the OSB panel substrate, whilst the factory applied specialist surface finish technology provides increased and constant vapour resistance on the warm side of construction. The panels are suitable for both new build and renovations.The distinctive green layer of SMARTPLY AIRTIGHT is a UV cured coating providing increased and constant vapour diffusion factor. In addition, it provides a smooth and durable surface for taping the connections.The panels made to OSB/3 grade, are moisture resistant and can be used in humid conditions (service class 2). The hygroscopic nature of the OSB panel acts as a humidity buffer to help prevent interstitial condensation within the timber frame structure in limited cases of reverse diffusion.Jarman concluded: “Whilst there are other products available which will achieve the airtightness, we feel SMARTPLY AIRTIGHT is the most robust solution available and eliminates the possibility of accidental damage, resulting in a failed test.”The ambitious project is part of the ‘Cardiff Living’ programme, a 10-year partnership between Cardiff Council and Wates Residential, which will deliver 1,500 new homes at sites across the city.Discover more about SMARTPLY AIRTIGHT and its applications here: https://mdfosb.com/en/products/smartply-airtightFind out more about Lowfield Timber Frames here: https://www.lowfieldtimberframes.co.uk/Twitter: @LTFltd

The archive’s single-storey extension was clad in Corten steel Hook-on cassettes on both the walls and the mono-pitch roof. These weathered steel panels naturally oxidise to form a patina veneer, giving the façade a distinctive “rusted” look that shifts from a vibrant orange before settling to a dark red after several years of exposure to the elements. Architect: Hugh Broughton Architects

A.J Wells designed, manufactured and installed around 1500 square metres of vitreous enamel artwork cladding at the New Griffith House building and boundary wall at Chapel Street, London, as part of a London Underground Upgrade Package.Renowned textile artist Jacqui Poncelet provided the design which was screen printed onto each panel measuring 1.8 x 1.2 metres.

A full stainless steel ward kitchen was provided by GEC Anderson in the Royal London Hospital, part of the Barts NHS Trust.Working with main contractor, John Sisk & Son, GEC Anderson supplied the entire kitchen, comprising sinks and worktops, stainless steel legs and supports, base cabinets and wall cabinets. Some of the units were mobile (on castors) to facilitate cleaning.

YY217E Anodic Gold Pearl adorning the full rainscreen, curtain walling and external columns of the new and improved Warwick Arts Centre situated on the University of Warwick’s campus.Designed by Ellis Williams Architects with Bond Bryan as delivery architect an, the Warwick Arts Centre involved a complete upgrade to the original building and forms a key venue for Coventry’s year of UK City of Culture in 2021.

The £1m centrepiece in the restoration of a historic park in Lancashire has been completed, incorporating innovative use of the MX curtain walling system from Technal. The dramatic sculptural pavilion in Avenham Park was the winning design in an RIBA competition. The building has a strong geometric design, which includes a complex zinc-clad ‘saw tooth’ roof and extensive use of timber, aluminium and glass.

The danish interior designer and influencer Emil Thorup is the master behind this stunning heritage apartment in Østerbro. The space embraces a classic herringbone parquet and bright walls that makes every room light up. The balance is reached through the edgy details, that gives the classic apartment a younger feel. For the bathroom, Emil used products in brushed stainless steel from the Qtoo collection.

Transformation of a 1960's office block to a state-of-the-art student accommodation. Metal Technology’s System 17 Silicone pointed and High Rise curtain walling was used extensively thought-out the project. The end result is testament to System 17’s limitless flexibility and aesthetic appeal whilst meeting all structural requirements and delivering high levels of thermal and weather performance

Wales Air Ambulance have a new headquarters with a new purpose-built office bringing the charity and the airbase together. Local aluminium fabricators and installers Atcost Windows of Llanelli won the contract to supply and fit all the glazing products throughout the building. Kestrel’s curtain walling was specified to create an impressive frontage to the building and maximise natural light to the common areas and meeting rooms.

Not long after completion, the Foundation Stage and Children’s Centre building at Layfield Primary School in Yarm started leaking. Water ran down internal walls and damp patches spread across ceilings. Fortunately, the problem has now been solved with the help of SIG Design & Technology, which specified its SIGnature Torch on System to remediate the leaking roofs once and for all.

The new flagship Pencoed Primary School near Bridgend in Wales needed the ideal flooring for the project across a range of environments within the school. They specified a range of Gerflor products included their award-winning Taralay Impression Control and Taralay Impression Comfort, their Tarasafe Ultra and Ultra H20 together with Mural Calypso shower wall and 300m2 of Taraflex Multi Use sports flooring.

Located on the north side of Wrexham town centre, the BREEAM excellent Yale Campus one of the largest projects undertaken by Coleg Cambria across its network of six campus sites, which has a base of 7,000 full time and 20,000 part time students.Maximising daylight and ventilation, the glazed façade spans 1,200 sqm across the building. Specified for proven performance and thermal insulation, TECHNAL curtain walling offers a fully capped, mullion-drained solution. With an aluminium substructure width of 52mm, it creates a slim sightline while also providing the necessary strength and inertia requirements.Contributing to higher credits for the critical Energy 01 part of BREEAM, which is concerned with the reduction of energy use and carbon emissions, TECHNAL A-rated Dualframe 75 Si windows offer exceptional energy efficiency. For the Yale campus, a U-value of 1.1W/m2K was achieved. As well as being inserted within the curtain walling, the windows have also been fitted in a vertical panel format to create a striking rectangular pattern within the gold cladding.

Project DescriptionThe new £6M Savoy Cinema Multiplex is the latest phase in the transformation of the former Tresham College site, which has seen Corby Borough Council and the Homes and Communications Agency (HCA) merge their land to provide large-scale commercial development opportunities. Savoy Cinemas complex is capable of seating more than 900 people across six wall-to-wall screens in spacious, stadium seated auditoria.Specific Project ChallengesConsiderable budget restraints for envelope materialsExpedited 9-month build programmeBespoke, complex curved roof and façade designSolutions OfferedSite rolled top sheets were supplied to provide a continuous seamless finish to the standing seam roof, whilst also offering time savings against programme.2mm thick, anodised aluminium plank, supported by a bespoke helping hand support system, to provide a cost effective, yet flexible and accurate façade solutionA single point 25-year warranty covering roof and façade products, including interface detailing between systems.

Spearheading an ambitious programme of regeneration, Canada Water Library resembles an inverted ‘ziggurat’ – a terraced pyramid of successively receding storeys – that partly overhangs the Canada Water basin.The £1.4m building sits at the edge of a civic plaza and a stretch of open water. The expanding pyramid form integrates a compact footprint at ground level with progressively wider floors above. The building is clad in light bronze anodised aluminium panels with sequined perforations, interspersed with recessed curtain wall screens. This design gives the project a sculptural appeal and a striking visual effect.Finished in bronze anodised aluminium, the structural sealant glazed facade and commercial doors were specified for the ground floor. A Visible Grid Facade has being used for the strips of curtain walling to the three upper floors, with top hung concealed vents and aluminiumdoors providing access to the balconies.The library forms part of the vibrant quayside at Canada Water - a historic Docklands that was once a bustling port. It was designed to exemplify the importance of the library, education and community facilities for local people and focus on the new phase of regeneration.

Parallel opening window vents by Kawneer were specified for a mental health project that is arguably without parallel. Some 88 AA®100 SSG parallel opening vents were used as concealed windows, to maintain the same aesthetic as the façade, within AA®100 mullion-drained curtain walling and AA®720 doors on the new £40 million London headquarters of the world-famous Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families.The Kawneer systems at the Anna Freud Centre were specified by architects Penoyre & Prasad as they were a “cost-effective” solution to their needs and enabled them to use the same systems for all areas of curtain walling and rooflights. The project has enabled the relocation of the mental healthcare charity to bring together its global expertise in practice, research and policy under one roof from its residential properties in Hampstead to a purpose-built facility near King’s Cross. This comprises a six-storey new-build and the refurbishment of a century-old former chocolate factory and warehouse.