"office"

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. 

Designing a creative hubThe projectCreating a creative community for 1700 people under one roof is no small feat, but one that Havas Media wanted to bring to life for their staff. As one of the world’s largest global advertising and communications groups, they wanted their work environment to bring the best collaboration that a shared space can create. We were involved in the design and renovation of these UK award-winning headquarters at London’s Pancras Square House. With such a large space and a variety of rooms, acoustic solutions were needed to ensure the space was comfortable for all inhabitants.To design a functioning creative community in one building, there are a range of challenges to overcome. Ensuring that the right acoustics were met across a variety of areas within this project was our largest to overcome. Ranging from 200-person auditoriums to open-plan offices, there was no one-fit solution to meet the widespread demands.The solutionThe solution that was selected to help make these spaces comfortable and efficient for all inhabitants was Cube™. This versatile acoustic panel allowed our team to design tailored solutions for each space, boosting collaboration amongst employees while encouraging informal collaboration spaces in sophisticated settings. Having these acoustic features also play a pivotal role in the overall aesthetics helped to meet the desired concept of creating a Havas vertical village. An integrated space providing a truly comfortable experience for all inhabitants.

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.

Project DetailsSystem: INTRAflex XT ♻️ and INTRAflex SPSpecification: Black anodised INTRAflex XT and INTRAflex SP with Elite Black 608 insertsClient: 70 Wilson StreetInstaller: SDS MattingSpecifier: Minife ArchitectsLocation: LondonStepping Out of Line for Creative ImpactWhen Minife Architects refurbished 70 Wilson Street, they chose INTRAflex to continue their linear design aesthetic through the Entrance Matting. The striking, striped design, makes a design statement while meeting the advisable depth of 3m for effective Entrance Matting. INTRAflex XT covers the whole of zone 2 while inset sections of our INTRAflex SP feature in zone 3. Fine Design to Protect Fine FinishesMinife works with INTRAsystems on various projects and knows how best to apply Entrance Matting in creative ways. The design helps remove dirt and absorb moisture efficiently through the revolving and pass door within the first 12m2 section of matting. The subsequent area of inset sections provides extra visual impacts and removes more dirt. This not only reduces slip risk but protects onward flooring - important for six storeys of offices and a reception with oak herringbone parquet and Senso resin floor beyond. Striking and SustainableSustainability is a key part of Minife's design. The building is rated as BREEAM Excellent and billed as a low carbon workplace that even has its own bee hives on the roof! They chose natural materials, net zero and low-impact products throughout the building. So, our INTRAflex EPD helped inform their carbon calculations and specification choices. The linear, fluted and vertical lines inside and out reflect in the Entrance Matting and the attention to detail is impeccable. Minife specified the black anodised finish along with Elite Black 608 fibres to match the black glazing and interior design details. Engineered for Ease and EnduranceMinife picked INTRAflex because it offers easier maintenance and longevity. The plank system is laid in 'lanes' so you can replace each interlocking section to minimise waste or disruption. Depending on wear, you can even swap sections around to extend their lifespan. We provide a 10-year warranty but expect it to last much longer with an effective cleaning regime in this type of environment. You can also cut the planks to shape easily, for quicker and easier installation. Making them more adaptable for a variety of design forms, or neatly fitting around tricky nooks and crannies. Flexible Design ChoicesINTRAflex XT lends itself particularly well to inset designs because each individual unit within the plank system co-ordinated with products using the same aluminium profile. You can see other examples of its creative use in Newgate Street and The Plimsoll Building. INTRAflex is a heavy-duty system suitable for high and heavy traffic locations, so it's equally up to the task in transport hubs as commercial offices. With an open or closed construction, it is also suitable for internal or external use depending on the inserts you choose.

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”.

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.

Artform Urban Furniture were appointed by Lendlease and Gillespies to provide a number of waste / recycling units and a water fountain to a new public green space in the centre of Elephant and Castle.The Box Litter Bin is a versatile and highly adaptable design that features a variety of finishes to complement a range of external spaces. After receiving a suite of options from our sales team , the client opted for a hardwood clad door option with powder coated steel frame. The combination of materials sit naturally within the new green space. The bins come complete with an anti-graffiti coating and bespoke designed designation plate to front of bins and bespoke stubber plate to top of general waste bins. The Fuente fountains provide fresh drinking water, an environmentally friendly option for members of the public to fill up their water bottles and save on plastic waste.Elephant and Castle is a central London neighbourhood that has a long and fascinating history dating back as long as the reign of the Roman empire. In recent years, £4bn of public and private money has been invested into the area in a major regeneration project. Thousands of new homes are being built and the town centre is being revitalised with new shops, offices, restaurants and the largest new green space in London since the '50s.Elephant Park is a spectacular 2 acre green oasis at the heart of the ground-breaking project - featuring a huge array of plant species, play areas, seating spaces, water features and the aim to be the UK’s first climate positive development when completed.

Hudson Quarter is a modern development consisting of four buildings that surround a central courtyard. The £35 million investment has provided 127 apartments over three buildings and a Grade A office space.The site sits on the former grounds of the city’s first railway station and within the ancient city walls. To remain sympathetic to these historic factors and York’s distinctive character the buildings have been deliberately built close together, to mimic tight spaces in the city. The external walls are angled to reflect the organic nature of York’s core. As a connection with its railway past the apartment blocks are all named after stations – Waverley, Victoria, and Kings. Hudson Quarter’s buildings have been carefully designed to step down from Toft Green towards the City Walls to create a new public pedestrian connection between the nearby train station and the Micklegate area. It is here that Artforms Cestis Litter Bins have been supplied to provide a robust waste management solution.The Cestis litter bin features a stylish and simple design with a cast aluminium pole, a galvanised steel container and cast aluminium cover. Further to this, a number of Cafe Cycle Stands with matching powder coated finish to the bins have been installed running parallel to the exterior of the building and ancient walls. Cafe cycle stands offer a unique approach to cycle parking that elevates a space whilst maintaining a secure structure for cycle locking.Using a careful and considerate approach in a highly sensitive location Hudson Quarter has successfully provided a vibrant new place to live and work in the City of York.

Helmsman’s most recent project was for a company we have enjoyed working with in the past. McCormick are a global leader in flavour, with Schwartz, Franks RedHot and French’s just a selection of their well known brands. Back in 2021, we manufactured and installed a variety of lockers in their new Cambridge facilities, from garment collectors, garment dispensers through to office and visitor lockers.This year we had the pleasure of working with McCormick again for their UK HQ in Haddenham, Buckinghamshire. The client requested lockers for their staff members and so Helmsman supplied and installed 164 mild steel, 1 compartment lockers with sloping tops and stands. The colour scheme was kept bright but professional, with a selection of colours including standard “Ice” coloured body with blue, red and yellow doors.Helmsman’s Essential Metal Lockers are manufactured from mild steel, and powder coated in our factory with our new paint booth. There are a variety of colour options, with those chosen by McCormick being Royale (blue), Cherry (red) and Yellow. The lockers were finished with Lowe and Fletcher Camlocks, a simple, secure and easy to use option, perfect for the lockers required.In addition to the lockers, Helmsman also supplied bench seating for McCormick’s Haddenham HQ. We produced 10 double sided benches, with coat hooks and Ash Hardwood seating slats.The lockers and benches really do look fantastic at McCormick’s Haddenham HQ. It was great to work with McCormick again and we hope to help them with any locker, cubicle or bench seating requirements they have in the future.

Student Loans Company (SLC) are a non-profit making government-owned organisation that administers loans and grants to students in colleges and universities in the UK. Since 2008, one of SLC’s main offices has been located in the North Eastern town of Darlington at The Memphis Building.What was once part of a wool factory is now a leading open plan workspace for hundreds of staff. Over the last fifteen years, the interior has undergone a number of major changes to accommodate the SLC team’s ever changing needs – including the design, manufacture and installation of multiple Glide moving panel systems we delivered in 2021.SLC wanted to implement a solution that would allow them to re-configure the large, open plan and create smaller more private areas for staff when required. All panels are top-hung, meaning there is no obtrusive floor track. Despite this, each individual panel can be locked in to position thanks a foot-operated compression bolt.Half of the panels are equipped with a drywipe surface which allows for extra writing space during team meetings, presentations, brainstorming sessions and more.The other half of the panels feature PET polyester, which incorporates custom cut-out shapes in a variety of colours. In addition to providing a uniquely textured finish, the PET panels offer protection from noise distraction thanks to the material being sound absorbent.The aluminium panel frames – which have been painted to match the PET finishes on show – ensure durability, increasing the system’s lifespan.

Swansea University’s £32m Computational Foundry is a world-class academic facility at the University’s Bay Campus. The Computational Foundry will be home to the Computer Science and Mathematics departments, to enable and encourage cross discipline research. It has been also been designed to increase collaboration between industry and academia and will transform Swansea and the nation as a global destination for computational scientists. Architects, AHR, designed the building so that the entrance leads into a central atrium which houses lecture theatres and specialist laboratories. Over a further four floors, there are a further three atriums with interconnecting bridges which allow natural light to flow through creating impressive visual connections across the building.  With natural break out areas within the building, this inviting space allows for collaborative gatherings or spontaneous moments for students, staff and visitors to meet.Lusso worked in collaboration with the design team and Willmott Dixon to create this fantastic space. The Lusso Atria Glazing System was used to make the most of the natural light and to maintain a high level of connectivity through the different levels of the building. The Lusso 25 Single Glazed Frameless System was used for its minimalistic profile. These were installed throughout the building to create laboratories, teaching laboratories and to create individual offices which complements the overall design.The Computational Foundary is an inspiring place in which students, staff, industry partners and academics from all disciplines can now collaborate and work on new ideas. It is an excellent addition to Swansea University’s waterfront campus and builds upon the university’s existing achievements. 

NSK Bearings Europe Ltd, based in the market town of Newark, was looking for an office washroom refurb and specified KWC DVS products for the project. Inspired Washrooms, a Nottingham based fit-out company, carried out the upgrade with the instalment of a wide range of practical and modern KWC DVS products, including our Miranit washtroughs and our ‘high speed’ hands-in dryer. • 1 x SOLX1800T Washtrough with three wash places and tap holes • 1 x SOLX2400T Washtrough with four tapholes • 5 x CHRX670 Jumbo toilet roll holder • 4 x DRY600 Hands-in dryer The company were looking for a contemporary and clean look with efficient water facilities. Our Miranit washtroughs are made of a highly durable, shatter-proof resin bonded material granite. They are aesthetically pleasing, making them the perfect solution for those requiring a stylish and reliable product. Our DRYX600 hands-in dryer is sensor operated with a drying time of 7-10 seconds, making it perfect for commercial environments where hygiene and water saving are essential. Chris Kightley, Managing Director of Inspired Washrooms, commented, “We work with KWC DVS regularly and can always trust them to provide quality products. Over the years, we have worked on many projects together, and we would consider them one of our most trusted partners. Their Miranit composite range is excellent for completing various projects and complimented the timeless, natural-looking aesthetic that we created for the NSK Bearing washroom.”

Client: Northacre Consultant: Vinci Technology Centre Main Contractor: Multiplex Main Product Used: Emseal ColorsealThe development of The Broadway creates six buildings on a plan designed to frame views of the Grade-1 listed 55 Broadway across from Victoria Street in Westminster, providing residential, office and retail workspace and a new public space linking Victoria Street with Broadway and Dacre Street. The new building elevations were specifically designed “to reference the local vernacular in the rhythm of facades”, using materials sympathetic to the traditional sandstone and brick of the adjacent historic Conservation Area. The façades and their constituent precast panels were therefore a critical element in the design and construction process, as was ensuring that the joints between them could safely accommodate the anticipated thermal and any other structural movements, whilst always maintaining a watertight seal. This was further complicated by the façade design and necessary construction tolerances, meaning that the joints varied in width, resulting in high joint movement capability demands. A test programme was established with Vinci Testing Houses to determine the most suitable joint solution available to meet these challenges in detail - and the clear winner was Emseal Colorseal. This is a unique, preformed, double-sided, silicone-faced movement joint sealing system, that is bonded in position without invasive metal anchoring. Colorseal is CE-marked and ETA-certified to provide a watertight seal with 100% joint movement capability, thermal insulation, UV stability, and colour coordination with vertical or horizontal substrates.  

Client: Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation Architects & Engineers: Thelwell Gwathmey Siegal Kaufman (concept by Wright in 1951) Main Emseal Products Used: Emseal Colorseal is on Permanent Exhibition at this Landmark Museum following a hugely successful 24- year ‘run’ at the Guggenheim in New York City. Twenty-four years ago Emseal Colorseal system was installed between a neighbouring building and the 10-story Guggenheim museum office extension completed in 1992; it is clearly still as resilient and watertight as the day it was put in. Where’s the Emseal Colorseal? - The joint is between the limestone-faced building extension on the left of Frank Lloyd Wright’s iconic original and the darker neighbouring brick building to its left. For most designers expansion joints are a necessary evil – and ‘Evil’ for their disruption of design aesthetics – although when cleverly positioned, as in this case returned and rebated slightly back from the building face, the joint becomes a part of the shadow line. From just 2-3m away the joint remains essentially an insignificant 'shadow-line', and back in 1992 it was colour matched with the limestone façade as seen when viewed close-up. Today in 2022, the Emseal Colorseal joints are still fully intact and securely non-invasively bonded in position on both sides of the joint. The material is resilient and responsive, the stored energy of pre-compression remains very evident and there are no signs at all that the material is starting to degrade in the joints, even after this length of service in the exposed environment of NYC in Manhattan.

Project DescriptionBioMed Realty’s development comprises 94,000 sq.ft. of new office accommodation over three storeys located in the heart of Cambridge’s Granta Park Estate. Rated BREEAM “Very Good”.The building features a dramatic top-lit central atrium space arranged at the heart of the floorplates. It affords the client, a leading international biotechnology company, to operate in exemplar facilities in a flexible environment to meet current needs, planned growth and evolving working patterns, including future proofing for laboratory uses. Aukett Swanke’s design embodies quality, simplicity and elegance, which enabled rapid construction to meet the proposed occupation date.Specific Project ChallengesThe façade design needed to be optimised so that the building could capture heat in the winter, minimise heat gain in the summer and maximise the use of natural daylight.The south-facing elevation, therefore, required a dynamic screen, acting as a brise soleil, maximising daylight opportunities and simultaneously avoiding excessive solar heat gain in the building interior.Solutions OfferedAsh & Lacy provided a bespoke two-step facade solution, using 3mm natural silver anodised aluminium to meet both the aesthetic and practical requirements at BioMed Realty.South elevation panels were rectangular perforated and mounted on a frame in front of the glazed curtain wall to form the dynamic screen.North, East and West elevation panels consisted of matching solid castellated panels with an embossed pattern matching the dynamic screen panels.

One of Cardiff city centre’s recent regeneration schemes, Capitol Quarter, required a multi storey car park to provide parking for the new office buildings within the development. To ensure the car park was protected and finished with the highest quality materials, the main contractor sought advice from Degafloor Ltd to ensure a suitable cost effective, high performance waterproofing system for the top deck, ramp and an inter deck area over occupied premises was specified. Following a full site visit and having assessed the client’s requirements in full, Degafloor specified the CP TD system with fleeced banding to substrate cracks and all upstands for the top deck, the CP HD system for the ramp and a fully fleeced CP TD for the area over occupied premises. Capital Quarter Multi-Storey Car Park Cardiff Why Degafloor Degafloor car park decking systems use highly advanced fast curing MMA chemistry to create flexible and incredibly durable systems that cure fully within just 1 hour of installation, even at temperatures as low as -10°C. They are completely waterproof, so guard against water ingress that could result in the decline of structures or damage to property (premises or vehicles). This combination of superior performance, skid resistance, rapid cure times and design flexibility, have contributed to the Degafloor range of car park decking systems becoming a popular choice for new build and refurbishment projects where speed and ease of installation, longevity and visual aesthetics are paramount.

The Wilberforce Trust is a charity dedicated to helping and empowering those with sight and hearing loss and impairment in the York and North Yorkshire area to live fulfilling and independent lives. The Trust had tenants in community based supported housing and family homes around York but wanted to deliver an innovative ‘extra care’ housing scheme designed especially for people with a visual impairment and other disabilities; the first of its kind in the area.Wilberforce House offers 30 one-bed, open-plan purpose-built, self-contained apartments along with a Living & Learning Zone – providing education and leisure activities – a courtyard cafe and offices for the Trust itself, all set in four acres of accessible landscaped gardens, including a large sensory garden. The apartments utilise smart home and assistive technology personalised to their lifestyle needs.A consultant was employed to review the development’s plans with regard to fire safety. His report included recommendations for additional fire safety measures including the ability for cooker hobs to be switched off by an alarm, as kitchen fires are a significant risk with 50% of all accidental house fires starting in the kitchen. WHY THE FIRECHIEF KITCHEN STOVE GUARD? The initial solution proposed was costly as it meant hob alarms would need to be hard wired into each apartment’s fuse board. Damian Pocknell, Head of Housing, Facilities & IT at the Wilberforce Trust recalled having seen and read about the Firechief Kitchen Stove Guard and realised that this would be much more cost effective. The fire consultant agreed and subsequently signed off on the Kitchen Stove Guard as the approved solution.  

Client: Jedburgh Grammar CampusLocation: Jedburgh, Scottish BordersSector: EducationYear: 2020Project Size: 700 m²System: vebrores PU SL HDOver 700m² of trafficable, solvent-free, flexible and self-smoothing polyurethane flooring for the main entrance and large atrium at the brand-new Jedburgh Grammar Campus in the Scottish Borders.Vebro Polymers provided its flexible, self-levelling, polyurethane flooring system, vebrores PU SL HD, in a deep Graphite Grey shade for use across the campus’ main entrance and atrium. Inspired by Jedburgh High Street, the linear atrium features large sawtooth roof lanterns with scoop up lights and is the heart of the new development. vebrores PU SL HD offers outstanding strength and performance and is ideal for use in high-traffic areas requiring a highly durable, scratch, stain and wear resistant floor finish that is easy to wipe clean. vebrores PU SL HD is a three-component product, mixing the popular vebro EP Universal unit with a special blend of graded filler. Once mixed, the material is spread out across the floor to the required thickness using a steel trowel before being spike rolled twice to both level out and de-aerate the material.vebrores PU SL HD is formulated from bio-based polymers, low to no VOC and phthalate-free – and it meets stringent AgBB low emissions coating criteria, making it an excellent choice for use in public venues such as schools, offices, hospital and community centres.

The estates at Canary Wharf in London form the largest urban redevelopment project in Europe, with the revitalisation of millions of square feet of office, retail and living space.The creation of a 24/7 lifestyle led location is further boosted by the recent opening of the Elizabeth Line, so visitors are sure to flock there to experience the very best London has to offer.When Gillespies required a range of street furniture solutions over a strict schedule of lead times, Woodscape's considerable experience and dominant presence around many London developments, were evidence that we were well positioned to deliver on this project.The selection of street furniture is varied and impressive, from Parklets to Planters, Tables to Seat Toppers, the many combinations of powder-coated metalwork with the naturally very durable timber that is the hallmark of a Woodscape product is obvious through the Canary Wharf estates.The Parklets create a wonderful place to meet, relax or work, with the underground station nearby along with a great selection of restaurants of shops.Variation on our Southgate circular planter seats show the incredible impact a single piece of street furniture can have on an area, while still maintaining incredibly functionality. Features a large seating area that allows 360 views, around an attractive planting solution.The architects utilisation of our panel planters, with some custom designed seating frame supports, has turned an expansive staircase into a truly unique feature, once again combining the practical with beautiful design.

OverviewThis project saw the refurbishment of King Solomon International Business School, which was changing hands from office use to education. The building now features specialist science rooms, resistant materials workshop, drama studio, outdoor sports hall, music rehearsal rooms, food technology, ICT rooms and language rooms.ChallengesDue to the change of building use, a full survey of the roof covering was required. Excessive moisture was found within the existing asphalt covering, water ingress was present and the internal top floor of the building was not suitable to be used as a teaching space. The roof area presented many challenges with complex detailing to existing balustrade posts, live mobile telephone masts and large quantities of plant / M&E installed.SolutionsAs a starting point, the roof was completely stripped due to the high level of water ingress. The existing asphalt covering was removed ready for installation of a new Excel RBM system, with Hytherm ADH PIR thermal insulation. Much of the existing M&E was found to be redundant and could safely be removed from the roof area.The complex detailing to the balustrades and fire risk areas was simplified using Starcoat PMMA cold applied liquid waterproofing, allowing for a long term, robust and financially viable solution. High level roof areas were also detailed with ease using Starcoat PMMA. Successful installation provided a peace of mind roof covering for the next 25 years, supported by Axter’s Platinum Guarantee.Systems in useExcel®Starcoat® PMMA

The ChallengeStoke Football Club (FC) launched a project of investment and modernisation to achieve first-class facilities at its Clayton Wood training ground and reach the coveted Category One status in the Premier League-driven Elite Player Performance Plan.The site, which is the main training ground for the first team squad, will include modern and technologically advanced facilities on a par with other Premier League clubs and top-flight European teams, which will aid Stoke FC in attracting new talent to the club.The SolutionThe 1,800-square metre site incorporates a full-sized indoor pitch, so players can train throughout the year, regardless of weather conditions. It also offers nine spacious changing rooms, office accommodation, a medical centre, gymnasium, hydrotherapy suite, dining area and press room.The addition of classrooms to the building means the site can now become home to the Club’s football academy where future footballing talent is trained.Forterra supplied their Dark Multi Smooth Butterley Bricks for the development of the club’s training building.Manufactured in the UK at Forterra’s Wilnecote brickworks, this 150-year-old brand provided a perfect, smooth finish and clean lines to complement the building’s glass panels and metallic cladding.The BenefitsStoke FC’s investment and regeneration of its facilities has earned it two construction awards: The Local Area Building Council (LABC) Business Excellence Awards for 2014 for the West Midlands, Staffordshire and Shropshire.

Located in the commercial heart of Belfast, Donegall Place, formerly a bank building, has been part of the city landscape for over 50 years. The 5-storey building expands over 82000 square ft and is comprised of both office and retail space, part of which has been the home to Boots since the 70s.Project Year: 2021Architect: GM Design AssociatesProduct: ASSA ABLOY RD100-3 Wing Revolving doorProject Background: In 2017, the Architect obtained planning approval to extend and refurbish the building and upgrade lobby areas, shop fronts and facades including the main entrance. Looking to install an EN16005 compliant manual activated revolving door with integrated air curtain, the main contractor, Graham Construction, got in touch FAAC Entrance Solutions to submit their proposal for this project.Solution: FAAC presented the RD100 Revolving Door as the best product for this entrance, not only for representing a more cost-effective solution, but also by installing a power assisted automatic door rather than a manual one, made for a safer and more user-friendly entrance, thus providing better value overall. With built in LED lighting and finished in Matt Graphite Grey, the new door complete with COBA Plan.a, the most durable entrance matting, now forms part of the modern and welcoming new entrance of 35DP. For more information or assistance with any project, please contact enquiries.esuk@faactechnologies.com where we can provide expert guidance and detailed documentation.All Pictures by Donal McCann Photography

Park Central and Quay Central are part of the £5 billion redevelopment Liverpool Waters project to transform 150 acres of historic docklands, the single biggest regeneration project in the history of Liverpool. The Central Docks neighbourhood will be a world class business and leisure district with over 2,000,000 square feet of mixed use floor space, including 710,000 square feet of office space and over 1,000 new waterfront apartments in buildings up to 44 storeys high. PROJECT INFOPark Central is the second phase of the Central Docks residential development. It offers 129 one and two-bedroomed apartments over 14 storeys.Quay Central comprises two blocks offering 96 one-bedroomed and 141 two-bedroomed apartments alongside 5,000 square feet of commercial space and undercroft parking for 50 cars.Elevation design is driven by the historic context of the site, being situated near the Waterloo Warehouse within the wider Waterloo Docks. The site is bound by two contrasting edge conditions. To the south are buildings with a strong industrial character and to the north is a soft landscaped park. The development presents two different external characters depending on the elevation: the south, facing Waterloo Warehouse, features regular punctuated openings with formal recesses while the north pushes out with the use of piers and louvres, expressive depth and verticality towards the green public space.The brick selected for the projects is Woodside Mixture from Forterra’s Butterley range. Made at the company’s Accrington factory, it is a wirecut red clay brick with a printed texture that complements the site’s historic context

IntroductionSurespan designed and manufactured multiple recessed floor access hatches, for the construction of the Halley VI British Antarctic Research Station.Products suppliedSurespan designed and manufactured a total of 27 HIAC Recessed Floor Hatches. These hatches provide access and escape requirements for the structure and are located throughout the research station.We supplied;12no HIAC DL/FR30 1180 x 10707no HIAC DL /FR30 1180 x 10703no HIAC 800 Diameter FR304no HIAC 750 x 750 Lift Out FR601no. HIAC 1000 x 1000 FR30 The Features:The hatches supplied feature a fire rating of between 30-60 minutes and radius corners instead of the standard square corners. The projectThe £22 million unique and innovative research station was designed by Faber Maunsell and Hugh Broughton Architects, and built by Matlock-based Morrison Construction.Objectives;Minimize the environmental footprint of the station.Provide a safe, comfortable, and stimulating environment to live in.To be able to be fully relocatable inland.To allow the station to climb above the annually rising snow levels. The research station comprises seven interlinked modules on hydraulic legs fitted with skis, enabling the units to be towed into new positions. The blue modules contain bedrooms, laboratories, and office areas. The red module features a brightly lit, double-height space that is used for social activities.Halley Vi is the world’s first re-locatable and award-winning research facility providing scientists with state-of-the-art laboratories and living accommodation.

The ClientThe Royal Bank of Scotland, an international bank based in the UK, with over £1 trillion of assets and 118,000 employees, has a total estate within the UK of 1,800 branches and 700 other buildings, mainly offices.Their ProblemThe client chose to conduct trials at its premier place Location in London. The building use costly and wasteful paper towels as the hand drying solution in its washrooms used daily by 3,200 staff.The Head of estates was looking for innovative technology solutions to reduce cost, litter, resource and waste to landfill throughout its 50 corporate buildings.Our SolutionSAVORTEX deployed 4 of its EcoCurve 550D Smart hand dryers on trial at 2 RBS locations in London and Manchester, where there is high footfall. The EcoCurve Smart uses an advanced digital brushless motor technology offering 10x more operational life, and consumes power of just 550W against traditional dryers. Further, the Smart dryer uses its patented in-built sensors wirelessly reporting energy usage per dry and washroom footfall to the SAVORTEX web portal, allowing the estate manager to remotely access and manage washroom facilities.During the trial the EcoCurve Smart dryer reported usage on a daily basis with the base data showing usage per hour throughout the day. The average time per dry, as measured over 1,336 uses was 8.34 seconds, and 41 washroom cleaning alerts were generated, resulting in effective cleaning of the washrooms based on actual footfall, introducing new operational efficiencies throughout the estate.

The Trumpington Residents’ Association and Cambridge City Council wanted to update a 60-year-old pavilion at the heart of the village in a £600,000 community project.Cambridge architects 5th Studio designed a striking colourful exterior cladding. They turned to an artist specialising in the treatment and perimeter fencing manufacturer Zaun to create the multi-coloured stripe effect with a specialist bright green protective steel mesh ‘cage’.The SolutionTrumpington Pavilion employs an unusual multi-coloured exterior treatment. An artist specialing in the technique has dribbled green, blue, red and yellow randomly onto a corrugated plastic sandwich sheet, which is then covered with Zaun’s Duo8 mesh in bright green, fixed to coloured timber battens.The pavilion includes a main building with a hall, youth room, kitchen, toilets, office and inter-connected changing rooms for two teams plus an officials’ room.The doors to the changing rooms are in boldly contrasting colours. At the same time, an eight-metre green mesh electric sliding gate protects the building but opens to provide unrestricted access to the patio and the King George V Playing Fields beyond.Zaun installed the Diamond cantilever sliding gate with Duo8 mesh in-fill, KeyFob and internally mounted switchto ensure both the safety of all users of the pavilion when the gates are operated especially children, and the security of the contents when the pavilion is not in use.The original pavilion, built in the early 1950s, was about half the size of the new main building, including a small hall and changing rooms.

Sitting adjacent to Manchester Victoria station, the £185m New Victoria development is a two-phase scheme initially involving two residential towers of 20 and 25 storeys providing 520 one, two and three bed apartments. The second phase being a 13-storey office block. The façade concept is a ‘hooped envelope around a glass box’ with the ‘envelope’ consisting of vertical panels from the first floor to roof level. As with any reinforced concrete slab design, the project is at risk of punching shear failure. Which traditionally has been resolved by adding further concrete, such as downstand beams or localised thickened column heads. However these measures require complex formwork and significantly reduce the benefits of the flat slab design. By incorporating the Schöck Bole shear rail system – with its ready-to-install reinforcement element consisting of double-headed studs with spacing bars to ensure correct positioning – installation is cost-effective and significantly faster than traditional loose links. In fact, Shaun Farrell of Mayo Civils, the concrete frame contractor, comments: “We were pleased to find that by using the Bole shear rail system on the project, installation was four times faster than if we had used shear links.” Shaun goes on to explain that: “when using traditional links the installation time is increased because twelve ties are involved, six of which have to be tied to the bottom steel matt, which involves getting your hands between the rebar. With the Schöck Bole six-stud shear rail, it only involves two ties to the top matt”. 

We worked with Squire Sanders, the global law firm, and their architect Jacobs Webber, to design their contemporary headquarters. Based in Central London at 7 Devonshire Square, their space needed to be professional, functional and fit with the aesthetic of the rest of their offices located in various countries around the world.In their building, we fitted secondary doors – for cupboards and storage spaces – that were full-height and designed to discreetly hide the casing of sliding folding walls to create a smooth and sleek interior. They worked perfectly with the architect’s plans so that the company had to make no compromises on the design they wanted within the space that they had.We also spent time drawing up a completely bespoke design for their fire extinguisher cupboards, factoring in aesthetics, function, and safety. The end result consisted of cupboards with a concealed frame, a stainless steel wrapped door, and a vision panel to see within the unit from the exterior.In terms of the doors themselves, we worked with the architect and the law firm to select the Arriva, Innova, models and bespoke SS-Faced Arriva models. These choices allowed us to create designs that worked perfectly for their use and allow the design to flow throughout their headquarters.The end result is effortlessly modern, and the design is consistent with their global branding. The functionality is improved for both employees and clients or guests, and the interior has a timeless professionalism that suits the ethos of the company.Browse the images to see exactly what we did or, if you think your commercial space needs some expert help with contemporary, functional doors, get in touch with our team at Selo, and lets get chatting.

This project was undertaken for a global financial services company with a long and distinguished pedigree. One of the world’s most recognisable investment management brands, it has offices in the Americas, Europe, Asia and Australia.As leading innovators in the design and manufacture of adaptable and reusable solid and glazed partitions, Radii were a perfect fit for this project.We designed a series of systems based on three of our existing Linear 30 single-glazed partitions (Rw 40 dB) and our Parallel 50 and 100  double-glazed partitions (Rw 45 & 50 dB), combined with Hogan pivot doors throughout.To accommodate deflection, we created a bespoke blind box detail capable of a +/- 15mm lateral movement. We also created new extrusions to achieve a +/-59mm deflection, used to deal with vertical movement in isolated locations.Installation of our system was complex because of the variety of partitions used, combined with physical variations between storeys. This meant we had to survey every part of the building separately to ensure our partitions and doors fit perfectly. We co-ordinated with other trades to ensure installation was exactly as required.We began this major fit-out in January 2023 and completed it within 20 weeks – well within schedule. The final partition systems exceeded the prescribed acoustic ratings, while the overall project achieved BREEAM ‘Excellent’ and LEED ‘Gold’ ratings. We were delighted to be awarded with a contractor rating of 9.9 out of 10 for what was a very complex and demanding design and installation.

Ghelamco Arena CHALLENGE Ghent’s football club, KAA Gent, had big ambitions – having a big stadium was one of them. Its brand new home was built in order to seat more spectators and take the club to the top of the Belgian league. As the first newly-built stadium in Belgium since 1974, the multi-use Ghelamco Arena opened its doors in 2013. The stadium hosts - besides KAA Gent matches - a multitude of events throughout the year, as well a gym, supermarket, office facilities and a Guide Michelin restaurant. It’s located near the historical centre of Ghent, just outside the city. The arena, which seats 20,000 supporters, is one of Europe’s most modern stadiums. A stadium specifically designed for the ultimate football experience! How could RENOLIT help make the new stadium a success?SOLUTION The Ghelamco Arena is a real eye-catcher: impressive, fashionable in design and an architectural beauty. The stadium, however, is more than just design, it is above all environmentally friendly. The stadium was constructed with considerations towards its ecological footprint and as a result, the roof was made waterproof by means of the ecological, reflective RENOLIT ALKORBRIGHT waterproofing membrane. This completely white roofing membrane, together with the special protective coating on top of the membrane ensures a high reflection of the sunlight, which in summertime has a positive impact on the climate inside the building. With an initial reflection of 90%, the RENOLIT ALKORBRIGHT concept can consider itself to be at the absolute top of the “cool roof” roofing membranes. 

The ChallengeNo. 1 Horgan’s Quay is one of the development’s three office buildings, with the upper floors of the new modern structure cantilevered over the site’s original Goods Shed. The lobby area features a large glazed partition on the first floor, helping to create an open, light space, as well as sympathetically blending the old restored structure with the new.KCC Group, a door and glazing contractor, were appointed to deliver the EI30 SWS Screen works on the project. Site Contracts Manager, Ger McNamee, said: “In order to ensure the safety of those within the building, 30-minute fire protection was required for the reception area, providing a fire barrier between the lobby and the first floor. Once we had the fire safety glass specification from the architect, O’Mahony Pike Architects, it was up to our team at KCC Group to source a supplier – this is when our relationship with Pyroguard began.”The SolutionTo ensure that the desired aesthetic was achieved, while also meeting building safety regulations, Pyroguard Infinity T-EI30/24-2 SWS fire safety glass was chosen by KCC Group and installed in the glazed partition, within a Jansen steel profile system.Pyroguard Infinity is a range of fire safety glass certified for butt-joint applications. With no vertical frame profiles required, it’s the ideal solution for providing visually appealing seamless partitions. Manufactured to EI classification, Pyroguard Infinity provides the highest level of integrity and heat insulation, protecting against flames, smoke and heat.

Surespan designed and manufactured multiple recessed floor access hatches, for the construction of the Halley VI British Antarctic Research Station.Products suppliedSurespan design and manufactured a total of 27 HIAC Recessed Floor Hatches. These hatches provide the access an escape requirement for the structure and are located throughout the research station.We supplied;12no HIAC DL/FR30 1180 x 10707no HIAC DL /FR30 1180 x 10703no HIAC 800 Diameter FR304no HIAC 750 x 750 Lift Out FR601no. HIAC 1000 x 1000 FR30 The Features:The hatches supplied feature a fire rating of between 30-60 minutes and radius corners instead of the standard square corners. The projectThe £22 million unique and innovative research station was designed by Faber Maunsell and Hugh Broughton Architects, and built by Matlock-based Morrison Construction.Objectives;Minimize the environmental footprint of the station.Provide a safe, comfortable, and stimulating environment to live in.To be able to be fully relocatable inland.To allow the station to climb above the annually rising snow levels. The research station comprises seven interlinked modules on hydraulic legs fitted with skis, enabling the units to be towed into new positions. The blue modules contain bedrooms, laboratories, and office areas. The red module features a brightly lit, double-height space that is used for social activities.Halley Vi is the world’s first re-locatable and award-winning research facility providing scientists with state-of-the-art laboratories and living accommodation.

Student Loans Company (SLC) are a non-profit making government-owned organisation that administers loans and grants to students in colleges and universities in the UK. Since 2008, one of SLC’s main offices has been located in the North Eastern town of Darlington at The Memphis Building.What was once part of a wool factory is now a leading open plan workspace for hundreds of staff. Over the last fifteen years, the interior has undergone a number of major changes to accommodate the SLC team’s ever changing needs – including the design, manufacture and installation of multiple Glide moving panel systems we delivered in 2021.SLC wanted to implement a solution that would allow them to re-configure the large, open plan and create smaller more private areas for staff when required. All panels are top-hung, meaning there is no obtrusive floor track. Despite this, each individual panel can be locked in to position thanks a foot-operated compression bolt.Half of the panels are equipped with a drywipe surface which allows for extra writing space during team meetings, presentations, brainstorming sessions and more.The other half of the panels feature PET polyester, which incorporates custom cut-out shapes in a variety of colours. In addition to providing a uniquely textured finish, the PET panels offer protection from noise distraction thanks to the material being sound absorbent.The aluminium panel frames – which have been painted to match the PET finishes on show – ensure durability, increasing the system’s lifespan.

Viega’s Megapress press connection technology has been installed across 11 floors of a new £85 million development, 125 Deansgate in Manchester. Selected for its speed of installation and its reputation as a trusted method for connecting thick walled steel tube without hot works, the Megapress connections have been used throughout the heating system.With 12 floors in total, 125 Deansgate echoes the industrial Victorian architecture of the Deansgate area and comprises 117,000 square foot of offices above 12,000 square foot of retail space at ground floor level. The development is expected to achieve a BREEAM Excellence rating on completion.Briggs & Forrester Engineering Services Ltd. were awarded the M&E contract by main contactor Marcus Worthington & Co. Ltd. and began on site in May last year. Briggs & Forrester had not previously worked with Viega’s Megapress system in its northern region so this was the team’s first experience of the product.On the decision to use it in this development, Richie Jones, Site Manager for the company commented: “The project specification suggested using a crimp system for the pipe connections, but Briggs & Forrester Engineering Services do not use lightweight carbon steel crimp systems, so we were looking for an alternative.“Our sister company, Briggs & Forrester Living highlighted that they had used a Viega press connection system on one of their projects and had also been on a Viega factory tour where they had been impressed with the Megapress system. After researching Megapress and the installation process ourselves, we decided to use the product for 125 Deansgate.”In total, approximately 7,000 Megapress connection joints were installed, with somewhere between 500 and 650 joints being used per floor across the 11 floors of office space.Richie highlighted that while Briggs & Forrester were working to a tight programme, Viega’s Megapress helped the company to meet its installation targets though its simple installation process.Using Megapress press connections can provide a 60% to 80% time saving compared with alternatives such as welding, grooving or threading tube. Viega’s proven SC-Contur technology is also designed to deliver a 100% positive leak if a fitting is left unpressed which is clearly discernible during leakage testing or when the system is filled for the first time. This prevents costly remedial work that might be required later on and can again save contractors a significant amount of time on site.Richie continued: “The installation of the Megapress connections was simple and we did not have any issues with the products. There is a good selection of connections to choose from to suit any installation requirement and the system is also simple to clean which reduces the flushing time and overall cost.“We will definitely use Megapress again - using Viega is like going back to using traditional heavy grade steel pipe systems but with a modern twist.”Paul McCormick, Senior Project Manager at Marcus Worthington & Co. Ltd commented, “As yet, Briggs and Forrester have not started to test the system; however, from a safety stand point the Megapress system is much better than traditional brazed pipework as it cuts down on the number of live hot works permits required at any one time and is also less prone to workmanship errors. I look forward to seeing the system prove its reliability during testing.”

ChallengesSinclair Watt were provided with a detailed brief to provide accommodation for a new main entrance and reception area, product display hall, meeting room suite, additional office space and customer service telephone hall and ancillary accommodation. By necessity these were required to be large spaces to accommodate large numbers of employees and visitors.The building had to achieve seven basic goals – to allow VELUX to be a good neighbour, to be simple and beautiful, to make arrival a good experience, to be a model of balanced daylight, natural ventilation, good indoor comfort and healthy materials, to apply a well-defined, high-quality structural concept, to obtain good sustainable standards with a minimum use of energy, to be visible and logical, and to create value and express the VELUX values.The ceiling systems had to meet the Class 1, aesthetic, fire and acoustic performance required for the 37,673 ft² two-storey building which features an engineered timber and steel structural frame. The project was the first time Zentia’s Ultima+ Finesse mineral tiles had been installed in Scotland.SolutionsSinclair Watt met the brief by incorporating a regular and prominent engineered timber and steel structural frame that provided a design with a clear distinction between the supporting structure of the building and the facades and roof. This was both to create clarity and logic in the design and to make it possible to replace or update the not-so-permanent parts of the building.The internal design incorporates a central street and atrium that acts as a meeting place as well as a general circulation area and allows the best use of natural sunlight and natural ventilation throughout the building. The building provides good indoor comfort and utilises healthy materials.The three key areas – energy efficiency, healthy indoor environment and renewable energy – constitute the basis of the new building. A fabric-first approach for the building was adopted with high insulation levels and low air permeability rates to reduce overall heat loss from the building. This combined with a natural ventilation and daylighting strategy, and the use of LED lighting and air source heat pumps as the main heating source, resulted in a highly energy efficient and sustainable building.Some 1,1,00 m² of the Zentia Prestige hA+ Tegular15 tiles were used in the ground floor offices and storerooms, while 100m² of the Finesse tiles were used in the restaurant, kitchen and toilets. The Ultima+ range features class-leading light reflectance of 87% and Euroclass A2-s1, d0 fire classification, the Tegular15 variant with Class A sound absorption and Finesse a fully concealed, fully painted edge detail.Architect Iain Mitchell said: “We specified the Zentia systems as they have a good product range, good suspension systems, with good product information and good technical backup. They met all the aesthetic, fire and acoustic performances.“Zentia shadow and transition trims were used so the Zentia ceilings tie in well with adjacent plasterboard walls and ceilings. The client is very happy with the ceiling installation and building as a whole.”Colin Burns, commercial director of specialist sub-contractor PFP, said: “We had some meetings with Zentia to talk through the detailing of the Finesse element and put it to the guys on site but apart from that, and some coordinating with services, it was very straightforward. It looks good as it always does and gives a nice bright finish. It was interesting to be the first installer of Finesse in Scotland.”