"office"

The London Borough of Sutton Council wanted to breathe new life into a number of communal areas in their large municipal office building. For this iconic refurbishment, they turned to international flooring and interiors specialist Gerflor to provide an array of spectacular world class flooring that would deliver outstanding durability and incredible eye-catching designs. Gerflor supplied over 2500m2 of Creation LVT and Gradus Lunar Carpet tiles for this major renovation.Commenting on the Sutton Civic Centre project Paul Sceats, Specification Sales Manager at Gerflor commented, “At the time the Gradus Lunar collection had recently been launched, it would be an ideal product to consider as the natural and neutral tones would blend extremely well alongside the authentic wood-effect planks of Gerflor’s Creation 70 LVT. The client Rob McNaught used these finishes to very cleverly “sculpt” a walkway through the main carpeted area of the reception.”In supplying a superior interiors finish, the Gerflor floorings for this distinguished project would be installed by South-East London- based Specialised Flooring (Bromley) Limited. Ian Hook, Company Director at Specialised Flooring said,” Our client is extremely delighted with the finished result. Specifying Gerflor products, is for us, a natural choice as they offer a vast range of flooring in a fantastic array of contemporary colours and designs, which are suitable for many demanding applications.”

We have collaborated with spacelab_ to bring the beauty of ESCREO writable walls at Clerkenwell in London just ahead of the 11th edition of Clerkenwell Design Week. All of you can now visit our new showroom to experience first hand the joy that our CO2 neutral whiteboard paint brings before installing it in your office, kids room, school or commercial space. According to Felix Clarke, Operations Manager of Spacelab_ Collaborative Studio, the focus of architects and interior designers is slowly but steadily shifting towards sustainable materials and spaces. So is theirs and they now look for such traits in their partners. He adds: "ESCREO shares our values and fits perfectly in our offering: a European manufacturer with a focus on specifying products which have the environmental issues in mind. (...) ESCREO’s whiteboard paints are water-based, carbon neutral and the team plants trees on behalf of their clients. This is simply amazing!”. We have been rapidly growing in the UK online space but we are also seeing the potential of the UK offline market. This is how we decided together with spacelab_ to now have a dedicated part of the depot_ where our potential clients can experience first-hand the practicality and convenience of our writable walls. They can also see how our whiteboard paints transform any surface into a world of possibilities.

The client was looking for a low maintenance and environmentally friendly alternative to using timber decking on their upcoming refurbishment project on 480 m² of commercial London office space.In addition, as the client was operating a busy worksite they required next day bespoke deliveries to fit their schedule. EnviroBuild, having large stocks and a fleet of delivery vehicles were ideally equipped to deliver the Hyperion wood-polymer composite decking, made of 90% recycled material, at short notice.The SolutionWith EnviroBuild’s expert team on hand to support full project take off, from design to delivery, the client received the full commercial support they required to complete the job on schedule.Utilizing the maintenance free Manticore recycled plastic lumber the client was able to install the decking substructure quickly over their flat roof surface, with the confidence knowing it would never require treating or replacing in years to come. They also used a combination of the modern White Ash and Stone coloured decking boards to break up the different areas of the building with great effect.Customer FeedbackAfter the successful installation and service received from the EnviroBuild team, the client has continued to use the decking products across a number of other large refurb and new build properties.Project DetailsSize: 480 m²Product: Stone & White Ash Hyperion DeckingSubstructure: Manticore Plastic LumberLocation: London

The buildings around Clerkenwell Green in London feature a mixture of architectural styles. The area is designated a Conservation Area and some properties are listed. During the nineteenth century it was a busy centre for specialised crafts and manufacture and the buildings at No 10-11 were originally constructed as warehouses.The Uniform Clothing & Equipment Company (Uniquip) occupied the two buildings from around 1910 to the 1990s and was a well known supplier of band uniforms.Stagg Architects obtained planning permission to refurbish and extend the original 13,000 sq ft building by an additional 7,000 sq ft. The renovated building comprises a new roof extension, flexible spaces on the ground and lower ground floors and offices at the upper levels.A four storey side extension infill was constructed and Clement Windows Group were selected to manufacture the new and replacement steel windows and doors throughout the building. It was very important that the new windows were in keeping with the original building and did not detract from the character and appearance of the surrounding Conservation Area and adjoining Listed Buildings.Windows and doors from the Clement EB20 steel window range were chosen and powder paint coated in black with the accompanying hinges and handles painted to match the frames. The huge wall of steel windows to the side of building includes a patterned glass which allows light to enter while also providing privacy for the neighbouring properties.Photographs taken by Matt Chisnall, @mattchisnall

EnviroBuild provided over 200m² of Hyperion Pioneer Granite decking for the incredible penthouse apartment balcony and walkway. For the Centre Point development commissioned by  Almacantar. This ambitious project to revive Centre Point’s iconic 34-storey tower. Constructed of pre-cast concrete segments in the 1960s, the 117 metre (385 ft) Grade II listed tower still dominates the West End skyline today, providing panoramic views across the city.A collaboration between Conran + Partners, Rick Mather Architects and Multiplex Contractors, the brief was to transform the office space into 82 high-end residential apartments ranging from 80 sqm homes to a spectacular 600 sqm double-level penthouse apartment valued at £55M.The refurbishment of this London icon is at the forefront of the current regeneration focused on Tottenham Court Road Station, which will be a major transport hub with the opening of Crossrail in 2018.The EnviroBuild technical team worked closely with SMS, Multiplex and Conran to overcome some difficult design and drainage features, ensuring the finished product was to the exacting standards of one of the capital's most exclusive properties.Project DetailsSize: 200m²Colour: GraniteProduct: Pioneer Range – Hyperion DeckingSubstructure: Manticore Plastic LumberLocation: LondonClient: AlmacantarArchitect: Rick Mather Architects & Conran and PartnersContractor: MultiplexSub-Contractor: Structural Membrane SpecialistsAll images courtesy of Rick Mather Architects & Conran and Partners

Installation completed of 3 number MG200 sliding folding partitions with integral glazing. With this project being over budget for the client ModernGlide were able to offer our range of veneer effects laminates instead of a hard wood veneer to give a saving to the client.The sliding folding acoustic partitions were designed and installed to sepperate the busy worship and social space. This allowed for 1 larger usable room and then to be sepperated with the use of the MG200, each system were manufactured with a access passdoor. Each MG200 system offers a access door panel to get to one side of the opening to the other as standard. Our flush lever door handle has been designed to comply with the DDA regulations. Due to the high level of foot traffic within these areas the MG200 system was ideal as each panel edge being protected with a satin anodised aluminum profile. Manufactured panels have a different level of acoustic reduction, but all of them provide the kind of flexibility needed to work perfectly within any office or commercial environment following a professional installation from ModernGlide. Because there is no need for a structural head support, this makes the MG200 series perfect for smaller openings. The versatility of our sliding folding wall partitions continue through the format of slimline stacking. This means that when the wall is not in use, it will take up minimal space in your environment.

The ChallengeAs part of this strategy, the decision was taken to replace a fully-glazed non-fire-rated internal atrium with a new, high-performance fire-rated solution to ensure the highest levels of fire protection.Spanning five storeys, the atrium would create a functional yet architecturally stunning light-filled centrepiece within the modern office space.Forming part of the broader regeneration of Dublin Landings, bringing this aspect of the project in on time would be critical.As a result, Walls to Workstations were tasked with removing and replacing the five-floor atrium in just six weeks to see the project through to completion.The SolutionWorking closely with W2W, Pyroguard supplied more than 500 square metres of toughened EI30 fire safety glass to the project. Equipping fabricators with the flexibility to deliver on ambitious architectural projects which require large expanses of glazing, Pyroguard toughened glass provides protection against flames, smoke and radiant heat and delivers impact classification of 1B1 to EN12600.Complementing modern architectural ambitions, the inclusion of large areas of toughened glazing within projects helps to safely incorporate natural light into buildings, something which is critical in renovation projects where buildings are being transformed from their original purpose.In practice, this sees spaces flooded with natural light, elevating levels of light transmission throughout a building and having a positive impact on occupants’ wellbeing – crucial in delivering functional and inspiring workspaces.

Tower 12 takes its name from both the number of floors it spans and the fact it was the twelfth building in Spinningfields, Manchester.Due to the area being dominated by commercial developments, often inhabited by financial industry tenants, the Spinningfields area has been dubbed the “Canary Wharf of the North”. Located in the heart of this bustling district, Tower 12’s design offers a unique, holistic, and modern work environment.This vibrant area, furnishing both residents and office workers with entertainment, bars, and restaurants, also features and celebrates the local heritage with the Peoples History Museum located just across the river. This is mirrored with Tower 12 whose façade emanates the industrial heritage of the area but whose function retains modern refinement.Flexible Business Interiors created the terrace spaces on Tower 12 using the pedestal paving system, which is comprised of our specifically designed paving pedestals and porcelain tiles.The overall project design is enhanced by the seamless transitioning from indoor to outdoor spaces: achieved using Ryno’s simply adjusted RP-FR non-combustible paving pedestals.The porcelain tiles, in the shade Argento from the Quadro range, punctuated the space with their elegant, contemporary finish. This paving choice created a stain-resistant, slip-proof, and non-combustible surface ready to face the test of time. 

The Shield is a £18.4m development located on the east side of Newcastle city centre - a regeneration area previously occupied by light industrial buildings, a brick-build office and a warehouse. Comprising of three blocks of student accomodation extending seven storeys at Stoddard Street to the east, this scheme steps down to four storeys at Clarence Street to the west.This building features a refined palette of materials including brick, aluminium and bronze coloured cladding in a range of natural colours to animate the facade. Visible aluminium frame windows punctuate the mass of three blocks and provide a significant aesthetic impact. Installed in a vertical configuration to contrast with the cladding's horizontal lines, side-hung, open-out windows were mostly used with some top-hung, open-out vents - all fitted with exclusive TECHNAL hardware including locking handles and releasable restrictors. Visible Grid Curtain walling is also utilised in this project for its durability and design flexibility. Featured to enhance daylighting in communal spaces, it was installed at ground level alongside aluminium doors, and at height alongside the windows - adding interest by visually zig-zagging on alternate floors.Within walking distance of Northumbria University's City Campus East, and the main Newcastle University Campus, The Shield offers a mix of self-contained studio flats and en-suite bedrooms with shared kitchens and houses up to 400 students.

THE LOCATIONThis Brand-new student accommodation development is situated in Miles Street, London. This new development is set to further back than the current buildings on the street to make it an attractive pedestrian route. The building is within walking distance from Vauxhall Park and the River Thames.THE PROJECTThe Development is a 37-storey high building offering 842 student bedrooms. The development also has a 6-storey office block which features a rooftop area, a multi-use gaming room plus an array of additional amenities which is accessible to local residents and students.THE PRODUCTThe Safety Letterbox team discussed the design, layout and fire specifications of the project with our client and after a few options were presented the client chose our FR2 mailbox. The FR2 mailbox is horizontal in front/out front 2-hour fire-rated (integrity only) mailbox.Our 2-hour fire-rated mailbox range is commonly used within an evacuation route as they are capable of holding backfire or containing a fire for at least 2 hours, satisfying building and fire regulations.The mailboxes we’re powder coated in special colour – MATT Pale Brown (RAL 8025) giving the mailboxes a stunning high-end aesthetic finish whilst being practical and completely secure. Multiple keys were also supplied, and mailboxes were engraved for easy identification.

The challengeA new 53,280ft campus was being built to enable three schools to co-locate. An Additional Support Needs (ASN) unit and a new Early Learning and Childcare Centre (ELCC) would also operate at the site.In total there would be 21 open-plan flexible learning spaces for the potential 747 students, as well as a centrally-located shared administrative areas, gym halls and assembly area, while the ASN has capacity to assist 36 pupils with a varying range of support needs.To ensure the success of this modern and multi-faceted open-plan approach to learning, the specification of ceiling systems with high performing acoustic control and total design flexibility was imperative.The solutionFor maximum acoustic comfort Zentia’s Oplia hA Tegular within a standard 24mm grid was used in offices, classrooms and stores.These tiles perform to Sound Absorption Class A and were also the first mineral ceiling tile in Europe to win Cradle to Cradle™ certification as part of the new generation of sustainable and acoustic ceilings offered by Zentia.In keeping with the modern and sleek design of the campus, Zentia’s integrated ceiling systems featuring Perla OP Tegular 15 planks were also used throughout. Whilst, in the kitchen and changing room spaces, Zentia's Hygiene board mineral tiles on a 24 mm corrosion-resistant grid was specified.

Optimising acoustic comfort within radiology facility, LondonHush Acoustics transformed the acoustic environment within a radiology facility where staff and clients experiencing noise nuisance within both a boardroom and video conferencing room, which was noticeably affecting speech clarity.Renowned as specialist consultants throughout the UK, Australia and further afield, offering 24-hour radiology reporting, Everlight Radiology offers urgent after hours and daytime consultant radiologists to hospitals throughout the world. Hence, it was imperative that their rooms were treated quickly in order for the practice to continue with their duty of care and excellent service.After considering printed acoustic boards from another supplier, which would have offered Class C absorption, Everlight’s chief executive officer contacted Hush to gain more specialist advice on sound absorption.Upon a visit to the Everlight Office, we found the rooms to be suffering from very high levels of reverberation and echo noise. Through our professional and technical advice, along with carrying out an acoustic assessment, we presented the client with a recommended solution based around Hush Absorber Panels 50 & 50A panels. The reason for including the Hush Absorber 50A panel in the specification was because it was imperative for the ceilings to be treated in order to get the sound result that our client was anticipating.Faced with a vast array of asymmetrical ventilation ducts and lights on the ceilings in the rooms in question, additional consideration was needed regarding the placement of the acoustic panels. A plan was drawn up to give possible layout options, which were agreed by the client.Unlike the client’s initial consideration prior to contacting Hush, Hush Absorber Panels are Class A absorbers, made from fabric wrapped 50mm thick acoustic foam. They have built in support frames to allow for bracket fixing, to provide an air void behind the absorber for enhanced acoustic performance. Class A absorption is of the highest level, with Class E being the lowest and this scale ensures simple comparison between acoustic products, which is important when choosing the right product for maximum impact on sound reduction and speech clarity.Included in the client’s brief was a request for particular panels to be printed. The client wanted to incorporate their brand logo and hero statements, intended to remind their clients and staff members using the room of their key messaging and values. The pictures supplied to Hush were designed in-house and delivered in high resolution which ensured an outstanding result.The client expressed interest in having larger boards for the video conferencing room to the bespoke sizing of 2050 x 1300 x 50mm. These panels were made to order, and provided in colours Chrome and Smoke, which were then organised in a checked pattern on the ceiling. Hush 50A Absorber Panels were installed using suspension packs, which allows for the air void behind, whereas the Hush Absorber 50 Panels were installed using the Hush Absorber Adhesive, making them clean and easy to install.The client was delighted with the finished result, not only in terms of practically and the acoustic improvements but aesthetically too. The colours chosen along with the custom printing reflects the business looking smart, clean and contemporary and resolves the reverberation issues that they were originally facing.

Being in an overtly-loud space – whether it’s in a restaurant, an office, a gym or anywhere else – is really irritating, right? You’d be reluctant to go back or never return again. Maybe at home, the marble top counter in the kitchen wasn’t the best idea for open plan living, but you’re stuck with it. Or are you?  Rockfon is proud to announce it has been awarded the industry-leading Quiet Mark certification for its Mono Acoustic, Blanka and Color-all acoustic ceiling tile ranges which will help solve these excessive noise issues, and they will look amazing. https://www.quietmark.com/brands/rockfon Here we have a beautiful range of colours and styles that allow you to get as creative - or discreet - as you like with your acoustic ceiling and they all have built-in Class A sound absorption from the stone wool core.   Rockfon is one of a growing number of building material manufacturers to have its products assessed by Quiet Mark. Nigel Watkins, Country Director at Rockfon UK & Ireland, explains why: “Rockfon has been an expert in acoustics for over 60 years, but we understand very well that acoustics can be complex. Quiet Mark certification is a short cut for saying “this product is going to help make your space quieter.” Rockfon Mono Acoustic is a seamless acoustic ceiling. It is often used discreetly in residential properties, heritage projects or offices where it looks like a smooth plasterboard finish, but it has Class A sound absorption. But Mono Acoustic has allowed the imaginations of some architects to run riot, creating big geometric shapes or curves on walls and ceilings, to create Instagrammable moments for their clients in restaurants, shops and public spaces. Not all acoustic suspended ceilings are white. There are 34 contemporary colours in the Rockfon Color-all range which has been curated by Interior Designer, Sara Garanty, chosen to reflect nature’s colours.  The tiles – which come with a matching grid – provide great opportunities for zoning different areas, depending on how you want to make people feel. Greens are relaxing, blues encourage us to think outside the box and be creative, yellows are uplifting, creams and browns feel cosy, and so on. These tones are designed to bring acoustic and visual comfort to interiors, to enhance well-being Quiet Mark is an independent global certification programme associated with the UK Noise Abatement Society charitable foundation. Its international award programme recognises excellence in low-noise products, technology and solutions to unwanted noise. Poppy Szkiler, chief executive and co-founder of Quiet Mark, said: “Because sound is invisible, it is often overlooked. Yet the fundamental impact it has on all the physical rhythms of our bodies, our hormones, heart rate and brain waves, is so profound and inherent to our wellbeing, and therefore also to the design process of the buildings we live in.” “Quiet Mark and our expert team of acousticians are delighted to approve and certify three beautiful acoustic ceiling products by industry leaders, Rockfon, whose vast selection of edge designs, dimensions, colours and shapes help architects create spaces that people can enjoy with their eyes and their ears”.

Client: Sunderland City CouncilLocation: Sunderland, UKSector: Mixed-Use FacilityYear: 2021Project Size: 3,500 m²System: vebro Classic TerrazzoA durable, attractive, impressive terrazzo flooring solution for the atrium, staircase, café, walkways and breakout spaces in the new City Hall development in Sunderland.FaulknerBrowns’s City Hall scheme provides a mix of private and public uses comprising two blocks, one five-storey and one six-storey tower, linked by a covered central walkway.Project backer Sunderland City Council is expected to move around 1,200 employees into the seven-storey building on the plot which, until recently, had laid dormant since the brewery’s demolition in 1999.Bringing together council staff from eight different offices around the city under one roof, the project is set to deliver net operational savings to the council of around £22 million over 25 years. The building will also include customer services areas, a fitness room, and an employment centre.The former Vaux Brewery site in Sunderland has been redeveloped as part of an ambitious £500m plan to deliver state-of-the-art commercial offices, residential, retail, leisure, hotel, and dining space.The brownfield site, which sits to the north-west of the city, is being developed in phases to bring a new mixed-use neighbourhood to the area. With the first phase that originally commenced in 2016 now complete, the second phase of the plan (Vaux 2) comprises the 17,775 square metre, £42 million City Hall, Sunderland.Vebro Polymers supplied its decorative epoxy terrazzo flooring system, vebro Classic Terrazzo, in two unique colour blends, RAL 3009 Red Oxide and RAL 7044 Silk Grey as part of the flooring package at the new Sunderland City Hall, which has been expertly project managed from prep through to finish by the team at MJF Group over a 4 month period.These terrazzo materials have also been used to create several pre-cast elements including the dining hall counter, central feature stairwell, and other items of furniture.vebro Classic Terrazzo is a highly decorative, but highly durable and long-lasting epoxy terrazzo flooring system. The material is installed as a slurry of wet components mixed with a blend of handpicked decorative marble aggregates onto the primed substrate.MJF Group is an established support services company providing specialist solutions to businesses nationwide.Since 2006 the company has built an enviable reputation in the commercial cleaning market, fuelling a later expansion into site services and specialist flooring alongside growth from local to national level.MJFs dedicated team of flooring experts are a group of highly skilled professionals who deliver a first-class service, ensuring all of their flooring solutions achieve outstanding results within an efficient and timely manner.MJF pride themselves on offering their clients extremely competitive prices, without ever compromising results.

The 115,000 square feet, 12-storey office scheme Eden/A3 Bailey in Manchester is designed with the ambitious goal of becoming one of the most environmentally friendly offices in the UK.  This ambitious goal included one of the biggest green wall façades in Europe in accordance with Passivhaus principles. As such, it was imperative the products specified were both sustainable and high performing to meet the demands of the brief.The challenge would be to strike a balance between performance on site and sustainability in the long term. This meant suppliers who could demonstrate a commitment to sustainability within their supply chain were at an advantage. Combined with their quality and high-performance products, Knauf were chosen.Neil O’Toole, sub-contractor for Linear Projects elaborates: “Given the aim of the project, we needed to use specialist products. This combined with the familiarity we had with Knauf meant that they were specified for use within the building itself.”Rahul Vishwakarma, the architect for the project from Make Architects continues. “Knauf offered guidance not just on their own products but on overall wall build ups which assisted in making design decisions . Furthermore, we found that their sustainability credentials aligned with the project.”The specialist products used included Knauf Shaftwall. Designed to meet fire safety requirements and building codes, Shaftwall provides high levels of fire protection enhancing the level of safety within the building for occupants. Using Knauf Shaftwall also allows for greater space optimization, by allowing for the creation of fire-rated vertical shafts, including elevator or stairway enclosures and horizontal shafts for electrical and plumbing services. Ensuring centralized services within designated areas and freeing up space.What made Knauf Shaftwall really stand out for Rahul though was the versatility it offered. As he explains. “Knauf Shaftwall was perfect for use on this project because it can be adapted to different building designs and configurations. Giving us much greater flexibility in terms of the build-up and layout, thus allowing us to customize the system to meet the specific needs of the project. That it is durable and long-lasting was an additional benefit.”A range of Knauf High Performance Plasterboard was used to meet the acoustic requirements of the office space. Knauf Soundshield Plus and Performance Plus were used to ensure a quieter more comfortable working environment and to provide Knauf Performer wall types as partitions throughout the building.  Furthermore, Knauf boards contain Recycled Gypsum along with Natural and FGD gypsum to form a strong core and system performance.Knauf Encasement system with Fire Panel was used to meet the safety requirements for the building, by offering fire protection to encase the steel work throughout the building.Knauf Test Data was used to enable the boards to contribute to the holistic performance required. This was particularly attractive for the architects given the use of heat pumps throughout the building.Knauf Ready Mix Finish provided a sustainable addition to the products used. As not only did reduce the amount of water that needed to be introduced into the build, but it also reduced the amount of waste produced. This is because any unused product can be put back into the bucket and used for another project.Whilst these products assisted in the development of the Eden/A3 Bailey, there were challenges.Something that Neil elaborated on. “At the start there wasn’t a full design, which meant we had to be agile and smart with how we approached the build. We were having to adapt as we went along, something we were only able to do thanks to Knauf. Their familiarity with the systems we were using meant they gave us advice on the best way to put things together. And if we had any questions or needed help, they were always on hand to provide it.”Neil Shaw, Contractor at B&K expanded on these issues. “Initially, there were a few challenges regarding getting a fire system installed. We needed one that had fire test data to meet the requirements of the project and be compliant with regulations. We tested a few systems and eventually settled on Knauf Fire Panel as it was the system that best met our needs.”Throughout all these challenges, both Neils felt that Knauf were incredibly helpful and supportive.As Neil O’Toole explained. “I’ve known some of the team at Knauf for a long time. They were fantastic, they assisted with the design and provided site audits, ensuring that any questions we had were answered and any help we needed was provided.”Rahul agreed with the sentiment. “The project is quite a tricky one in terms of what we are hoping to achieve, but the team at Knauf are brilliant. It’s been really helpful being able to talk to the team at Knauf who are really knowledgeable about the field and are always quick to respond to any questions we’ve got.”The project is ongoing, but the signs are there that it will achieve its aim of being one of the most environmentally friendly building within the UK.