"education science"

“Wow - the children are so excited to have new toilets. The school has had the same toilets since 1930 and they were in desperate need of replacing. The children now take pride in the facilities and love the wash trough hand basin. The impact on all children having nice facilities to use is amazing. The problem I have now is they don’t want to leave the washroom!” - Sue MacAskill, Marian Vian’s Facilities Manager The biggest challenge was the time constraints, due to school term times. Specifying our industry-leading pre-plumbed panelling system Vepps® helped reduce installation time by 50%.

“Staff and students have both been delighted with the outcome of the washroom renovation and plenty of positive feedback has been received. The door thickness and quality really helps to reduce vandalism and provides soundproof privacy for the students. I hope that the students will now take ownership and really look after the new washrooms. What’s more, the washrooms are now a much more open space, making it easier than ever for staff to supervise and oversee the areas.” - Jennifer Jewitt, Finance Director at South Hunsley Secondary School.

Recognised by Ofsted as an Outstanding school, Lyons Hall’s success had resulted in the need for a new teaching block to meet the demand for extra places. The first phase required school toilets for the Early Years pupils and for washroom solutions for general use. As an existing client of Venesta washrooms, Award Winning RIBA Chartered Architects, Laurie Wood Assoicates, were confident of our ability to meet the standards set. Lollipop cubicles are designed specifically to meet the needs of young children. The range offers a fun design, great safety features and shaped doors to allow for discreet adult supervision.

The ProjectLoughborough College provides a range of courses in further education, along with apprenticeships and professional qualifications. It is based on one of the largest student campuses in Europe, sharing the area with Loughborough University. Over 2000 students attend the college, with some living in adjacent halls of residence.The college staircases needed to be refurbished. The flooring was previously terrazzo, and this was to be changed to a rubber flooring. This was suitable in terms of durability and slip resistance for the large amount of people on the campus. To complement the flooring, the stair nosings had to be equally hard-wearing and safe.The stair nosings needed to adhere to all Building Regulations guidelines, along with BS8300:2-2018 and the Equality Act. This meant that they needed to have great slip resistant properties, and stand out from the black flooring to create a ladder effect on the staircases. This would help people to navigate the stairways, especially those with visual impairments.There was a special request from the college which would help to attain this noticeable difference between the stair nosings and the steps: “Hot Rod Pink” tread material, to match Loughborough College colours.The ApproachMidlands Flooring was hired as the flooring contractor for the refurb. As Hot Rod Pink is not a standard stair nosing colour, Dave Wilson from Midlands Flooring got in touch with a number of manufacturers to see if anyone could rise to the challenge.Within 24 hours, Quantum Flooring returned its proposal for manufacturing bespoke Hot Rod Pink tread material specifically for Loughborough College. The unique stair nosing tread would be made from the same material as Quantum’s normal tread, meaning it would be slip resistant and suitable for the frequent foot traffic.Quantum’s SR125R stair nosings were chosen to fit the tread material into. These profiles have a ramped back, to ensure that there would be no trip hazard on the staircases. They are raked back on the riser, to ensure a perfect fit on the steps. Plus, Quantum’s UTA aluminium stair edging trims were fitted, providing a safe and aesthetically pleasing finish to the side of the steps on the open string stairs.The OutcomeQuantum ensured a fast turnaround on the stair nosings, using the QSMS free measuring service. A Quantum representative electronically measured all of the steps to their precise lengths, and sent the results to the distributor Carpet & Flooring in Birmingham for the stair nosings to be cut and drilled.Midlands Flooring fixed the stair nosings with Q-Fix contact adhesive, ensuring a strong bond to the steps. Secret-fix was used to drill the profiles, meaning the tread material could be fitted on site, and there was no need for unsightly plugs to hide the screws in the tread. Quantum’s SR125R stair nosings with Hot Rod Pink tread material look fantastic in Loughborough College. The college was delighted with the results.Loughborough College has a unique, on-brand stair nosing tread for its refurbished stairways. Midlands Flooring did a fantastic job on the project, and Quantum backed them up with innovation and expedience.

Client: NHS HighlandLocation: Inverness, Scotland, UKYear: 2023Project size: 400 m²Vebro systems: vebrobound StoneAn attractive, slip-resistant alternative to tarmac was required for the outdoor areas surrounding an elective care centre in the heart of Inverness Campus.NHS Highland, one of the fourteen regions of NHS Scotland, provides physical and mental health services across the Highland and Argyll and Bute Council areas, covering an area of 32,500 km² and serving a population of 320,000 people.NHS Highland has opened a new elective care facility at Inverness Campus, a hub for world-class research and development in the life-sciences sector.The National Treatment Centre, based at the Inverness Campus, comprises an ophthalmology outpatient department, ophthalmology and orthopaedic theatres, inpatient wards, an imaging and diagnostics suite, as well as collaborative spaces, educational facilities, and office spaces.Not only does the centre cater to local needs, but it also goes beyond by fostering innovation and research, enhancing the scope and impact of clinical services provided.Vebro Polymers has supplied vebrobound Stone, a fully permeable, SUDs compliant resin-bound aggregate system that is ideally suited for use in public-facing external applications like hospitals and healthcare facilities. The permeable, seamless polyurethane resin bound aggregate system is designed for installation directly onto tarmac or concrete on terraces and external areas of commercial and institutional venues and delivers a stylish and low maintenance alternative to loose gravel, block paving or concrete.Available in a range of attractive aggregate blends, vebrobound Stone can complement existing structures to deliver a stunning welcome to institutional facilities such as this.Hendersons, established over 40 years ago and based in Moray in Scotland, provide first class resin flooring installation throughout Scotland.The company, who also offer a range of other services including painting, decorating and industrial cleaning, deployed their dedicated resin flooring team to transform Glenturret Distillery. Hendersons prides itself on the continual training of existing staff and development of trainees across its business, ensuring it continues to offer an unsurpassable service.

Project:Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Llyn y Forwyn Client:Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council Contractor: Wynne Construction Architect:Arcadis IBI Architects Value:£10m Location: Forwyn in Ferndale Innovare Completion date:December 2024 Innovare duration on site 12 wks GIFA: 1929m²PROJECT SUMMARY The Ferndale school will receive a brand-new building, in a multi-million-pound investment. The 21st Century facility will be built at the former ‘Chubb’ Factory at Highfield Industrial Estate, delivering improved facilities for staff, pupils, and the community in 2024. The proposals will also include ecological enhancement measures including for hedgehog, bats and birds and there will be a landscape strategy with work to boost the biodiversity and ecology of the area. Enhanced outdoor spaces will support the delivery of all curriculum activities, while a staff car park and bus and parent drop-off point will also be provided on site. The new school building will expand the local Welsh Medium primary offer and will include modern, flexible, and accessible facilities with community use. Enhanced outdoor spaces will support the delivery of all curriculum activities, while a staff car park and bus drop-off point will also be provided on site. The new building will also be Net Zero Carbon in operation, supporting the Council and Welsh Government’s climate change commitments. The school is the first of its type to utilise Innovaré Offsite’s psi-FAST sustainable superstructure solution.

Award-winning global practice, WilkinsonEyre, specified bricks and brick slips from innovation-led manufacturer, Vandersanden, to emphasise the horizontal volumes and architectural context of the contemporary, new Graduate Centre at Queen Mary University in London. Zero®, a new brick system from Vandersanden, offers a contemporary joint-free appearance and was WilkinsonEyre’s material of choice for the external walls of this 80m-long, seven-storey ground-scraper. Instead of being pointed up to the face of the bricks, the mortar is set well back, with rainwater draining behind. The use of brick draws attention to the horizontality of the building’s volumes and blends with neighbouring buildings...To find out more about the bricks used in this project or to see the wide range of high-quality bricks available from Vandersanden, click on the 'View more' link

The new £65 million, Science, Engineering and Environmental Building (SEE Building) at the University of Salford was designed under the concept of incorporating high sustainability credentials. This supports the university’s pledge in reducing the environmental impact, as part of the wider Salford Crescent and University District masterplan. The SEE building promotes innovation, environmental protection and excellent educational opportunities and offers students state-of-the-art facilities with the aid of the LAMILUX Glass Roof PR60. A stunning skylight measuring an incredible 44 metres long and 9 metres wide, as well as three other Glass Roofs PR60, were installed onto the roof of the four-storey building, illuminating the lecture halls and common areas. This results in enhancing the natural daylight, whilst also allowing for natural ventilation, creating an inspiring environment for learning and development. To avoid overheating and glare inside the building, special 60/30 high performing solar glazing was used. This innovative technology ensures a comfortable indoor climate whilst providing an optimal learning environment.LAMILUX worked with the architect from the early planning stage of the project to design, supply, and install the four rooflights. “Just-on-time” deliveries were planned to enable offloading of the materials, with a crane, from the vehicle to the roof, to minimise loading out as space on site was very limited. Integrated ventilation panels were installed within the three smaller PR60 Glass Rooflights to provide the ideal solution to provide natural ventilation into the building alongside natural daylight.The largest rooflight was glazed with an impressive total of 120 fixed glass panels to make up the impressive 44 metre length and complete the installation. The glass panels were specified with Class 1 Fragility, suitable for walking on for cleaning and maintenance loads, according to CWCT TN 66 /TN 67 & TN92. Before the final handover of the project, extensive water tightness testing was carried out. On site CWCT hose tests were passed successfully, as testament to the quality and durability of the installation led by the LAMILUX installation team. The University of Salford is passionate about sustainability. LAMILUX are proud to be involved with a building project that not only contributes to the progressiveness and commitment to sustainable architecture, but is also considered a BREEAM Excellent-rated facility.

BackgroundThe University of Brighton’s history goes back to when the Brighton School of Art was opened in the Royal Pavilion in 1858. However, it is since it achieved University status in 1992, that the institution has really began to grow to quickly become one of the most popular destinations for students in the South East.  The influx of students over the past three decades has meant a growing demand for accommodation that for many years the city hasn’t been geared up for and this has been an issue particularly in the suburb of Moulsecoomb, a neighbourhood housing the biggest of the four campuses and that has seen itself forced to transform onto a growing number of HMOs that aren’t quite suited for student living and that are struggling to coexist with local residents. Brighton’s architecture is mostly famous for ‘The Laines’ and the iconic Royal Pavilion however the city developed during the Regency, Victorian and Edwardian periods and was also greatly influenced by the Art Deco, Modernist and postmodernist movements resulting in an architecturally rich and diverse townscape that today has over 1200 listed structures with special architectural or historical interest.  The distinctive low rise character of the city is also a consequence of its position between the sea and the downs and although modern living and the scarcity of land available and apt for building put on the table the need for tall construction, the local planning committees are often strict when it comes to high rise and not only expect this type of new construction to demonstrate a high standard of design and to make a positive contribution to the visual quality of the environment but they also require that they live up to the city’s exceptionally fine historic environment context, and its cultural identity.The projectHassell Studio and Design South East were given the gruelling task of heading the regeneration of the Moulsecoomb campus to house the School of Business and Law, the School of Architecture, Technology and Engineering, the School of Applied Sciences, part of the School of Art and Media, state of the art student accommodation for over 800 students and leisure facilities. A project that would be delivered by construction giants Bouygues. The design concept was a cluster of buildings with 5 student halls built on the site of the old Preston Barracks, Watts House and Mithras House and where Goldstone hall was the tallest building of the development. With 18 floors, Goldstone hall not only became the focal point of the development but also the tallest tower to be built in Brighton in the 50 years prior to its construction.  Julian Gitsham, Principal and Education and Science Leader, who headed the project at Hassell, recalls how aware he and his team were of not only the architectural impact but also of the socio-economic significance of the development for the local area and how these aspects led to a meticulous study of all aspects of the project, it made the quality of the scheme non-negotiable and locked the material specification.  There was no doubt that the Goldstone hall would be the heart of the development and as such, that it had to have distinctive features. Julian and his team sought a natural and robust material that would make the building stand out from the lower brick architecture characteristic of the local area however they also wanted to portray the dynamic nature of the future of the building and they were able to achieve that through the use of glazed terracotta panels that reflected the sun light and changed in appearance with the weather, displaying the perception of a different façade every time. Julian comments ‘it is fascinating to see how on darker, foggy days, the building seems to disappear into the sky’. In the spirit of great architectural wit, despite of the contrast in materiality, the architects sought to reflect the neighbouring architecture in the body of the tower and for that they selected 20 different colours found across the local townscape and using a purposedly designed algorithm, these were randomly set out across the facades of the building showcasing the tonalities of the local architecture and the shades of the Brighton sky, gradually from the lower to the upper floors. A challenging task that skilled cladding contractors M Price delivered impeccably. Some of the chosen colours also paid homage to those found on the façade of the now gone The Lectern, which was the local go to pub for the students of the campus.Call-to-ActionTerracotta is one of the cladding resources of choice in the market because it is a natural and versatile material that gives architects freedom of expression whilst it gives cladding and envelope contractors the advantages of a quick and easy installation process.  The Argeton system is one of the principal terracotta systems used Worldwide not only because it is a natural and versatile material but also because it offers a technical and cost effective solution for the residential, commercial and health and education sectors. Argeton is CE and UKCA market and also one of the most tested systems in the market including a BBA and an EPD. NHBC approved and not subject to any restrictions on building height or proximity to boundaries thanks to its Euro-class A1 Fire certification, it is no surprise Argeton is one of the materials of choice not only in new builds but also for refurbishment or re-clad. Durable and fully recyclable, ISO 14025 and EN 15804 (European BREEAM equivalent) certified, sustainability is at the heart of Argeton’s values.' Argeton terracotta is available in a range off the shelf and bespoke profiles, in lengths to suit and in natural, glazes and engobed finishes. https://tellingrainscreens.co.uk/profile-and-finishes/

A multidisciplinary teaching and research building at the heart of Salford University Campus.A striking colour palette selected for the modified window interface and rainscreen cladding. Finishes: Interpon’s D2525 Ostuni Y2211I, Interpon D1036 RAL 3030 Gloss

Products: Flexi light – flexi frames. Flexi heavy – flexi modular frames & QUAD frames. Application: Air-handling units & Chillers. Roof build-up: Inverted roof design – (upside down roof). Diversitech recently supplied a number of their flat roof plant support frames to the REEC School development in Twickenham. The mechanical contractor on the project, chose Flexi Support Systems to support their rooftop air-handling units and packaged chillers. All flexi frames are fully adjustable, due to their M24 adjustable leg assemblies supplied as standard. Pump House carry out full load management reviews of all services being supported on their frameworks.

Crown Trade’s Clean Extreme range has been used throughout a new school building to provide a colourful and long-lasting paint finish. Stoneham Park Primary Academy is a brand-new school in Eastleigh which welcomed its first class of five-year-old pupils in September 2020. The school building has been constructed by Morgan Sindall with sustainability firmly in mind and specifying products from Crown Trade’s Clean Extreme range for the school’s paintwork will help reduce future maintenance cycles and save resources.

These are the latest secure bike hangars manufactured, supplied and installed by Falco for Ayrshire College’s Kilwinning Campus on Lauchlan Way, Kilwinning. Commissioned for staff and student use, the four new bike hangars provide the college with 24 secure cycle parking spaces, all within a sheltered lockable unit.The design of each bike hangar includes the colleges own logo, instructional signage and powder coating in an attractive ‘Turquoise Blue’ RAL colour for additional durability.Installed near to the main car park, each bike hangar takes up no more room than a single car parking space and is capable of accommodating all types of cycles - from road and mountain bikes to bikes with a child seat on the back or storage basket on the front.The FalcoPod bike hangar, as shown here at Ayrshire College, is a robust on-street cycle parking solution designed to meet the needs of cyclists who don’t have access to private cycle parking facilities. The improved innovative shape means that users no longer have to remove some baskets or child seats when storing their bike!Falco design is both evolutionary and innovative by nature and the new FalcoPod is no exception. This is the third generation of ‘bike hangar’ type product building on the pedigree of the original street locker the ‘Midi Bike Box’ with some great new features over existing products as follows:Size - fits in half a car parking space and houses 6 bikes, with covered weather protection.Family inclusive – with an ergonomically improved design, the additional space/height (55% more) means there is no need to remove child seats or baskets from the back or front of bikes.Bike security - the six place FalcoSound bike rack has three locking points including the ability to use a ‘D’ lock through the rear wheel and frame.Easy access - single door with integral lock and gas strut for assisted lifting.The effective bike hangar has already been successfully rolled out to the London Borough of Waltham Forest, Brent, Camden, Westminster and Merton Councils. Bike Hangar Management and MaintenanceThrough our ‘Falco Rentals’ team, Falco now offers local authorities and private companies a fully managed bike hangar service dealing with key management and public payments as well as a regular planned maintenance service to support the council with its ongoing public service maintenance obligations.This service is not just restricted to bike hangars though, we are able to provide a rental service for any cycle parking facility, from cycle hubs and bike stores through to individual cycle lockers, the Falco Rentals system is both flexible and simple to use.For more information about the FalcoPod Bike Hangar, the FalcoPod Bike Hangar service or your cycle parking scheme, please contact our helpful sales team on 01538 380080. 

As a specialist in the automation of access control, Automatic Systems is well aware of the issues faced, especially in the light of recent events, and can offer tailored solutions that not only meet student and staff security needs but also the health and wellbeing of all.

The Exterior Colour Book has been created by the Crown Paints Colour Service to provide guidance and inspiration for exterior decoration projects. It includes details on Sandtex Trade, Crown Paints’ external substrate decoration and protection brand, as well as superior wood protection brand Sadolin. When selecting a colour for exterior projects, personal preference is sometimes secondary to concerns such as impact on the local context and the relevant planning regulations. That’s why Crown’s Exterior Colour Book provides information about the built environment, covering topics such as historical styles, geology and local materials, regional colours and colour application.

Floor Furnishings were tasked with fitting flooring in University lecture theatres. The spaces, which would be used by large volumes of people, had to be Equality Act compliant and meet building regulations related to stepped access and slip resistance. Nathan Jefferies, Director of the flooring contractor contacted Quantum to seek technical advice on which Stair Nosings would meet these standards. Quantum provided information on a Stair Nosing that would meet the criteria for this project and this information was passed onto the Architect working on the University buildings.

The Ascent Aluminium fixed ladder system was specified to create a permanent safe access route to the roof for maintenance personnel. As the fixed access ladder was to be installed in a prominent location adjacent the buildings front entrance there was a requirement to ensure that access was restricted with the specification of an anti-climb ladder guard & bottom hoop cover. Hoops were provided throughout for fall protection. The ladder was designed in accordance with BS EN 4211:2005 + A1 2008 and was manufactured in accordance with CE 1090 factory production control procedures.

Finborough School, an independent day and boarding school based in situated in the village of Great Finborough, near Stowmarket, Suffolk, has recently added a brand new Science and Art building to its complex, comprising of art rooms, a photography suite and five science laboratories, along with the refurbishment of the original science and art rooms into additional classrooms for senior and 6th form students.

BackgroundWard Flooring were required to fit a Stair Nosing which met DDA and Equality Act guidelines. Whilst helping to create an attractive and colourful new learning environment for the school’s students.SolutionThe new Q Range, available in 21 special profiles of Stair Nosing proved to be the perfect solution. This unique Stair Nosing design proved to be the most suitable solution for installation in Drapers Mills Primary Academy. Owing to its all over tread design, which provides a slip resistant surface from the nose to the back edge, gives the benefit of extra safety when ascending or descending stairs.The satin etched aluminium riser surface provides the double benefit of being scratch resistant and it inhibits the potential for ‘glare’, which is one of the requirements of the latest BS8300:2008 and Building Regulation guidelines applicable to stairways in areas of Public Access. For more information about the Q Range of Stair Nosings visit www.quantumflooring.co.uk.

Leaders in functional training and sport science.

Lang+Fulton have supplied Terra-34 balustrade panels, open mesh flooring, stair treads and louvred screening for escape stairs at three new buildings at Milton Park, Oxfordshire.There were five stair towers in total, 10.7m and 15m high, also designed to provide access to service facilities. The stair treads were manufactured from a heel-proof open mesh grating EF-15x76; the balustrade panels were made using Terra-34 which is an anti-climb architectural grating.The Italia-80 louvres effectively screen all the service ducting and were supplied with demountable panels with D-handles for inspection points at each landing and ground level. The result was a smart solution in keeping with the high specification of the development.The balustrading, stair treads and flooring were hot-dip galvanized; the louvres were supplied with an additional polyester powder coating RAL7016.

Requiring optimal hygiene, adhering to industry regulations and requesting antimicrobial protection, a revolutionary new bio-manufacturing science park in Scotland has now installed 2,000 sqm of BioClad in their high standard (ISO Class 5, 6, 7) cleanrooms and labs. BioClad was chosen to ensure the science park complied with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Good Laboratory Practice (GLP).

The largest centre of medical research and health science in Europe.

Logan Hall is an auditorium at the University College London. It is a venue based in the famous 20 Bedford Way building, and is used for various events such as award ceremonies, film screenings and conferences.

Want to know how to spec a gas tap and how to correctly size your piping for a science lab?

Abingdon School, located in Oxfordshire, commissioned Hopkins Architects to design a new science building in 2008. The building was to replace the outdated facilities and provide modern teaching and research spaces for the school’s science departments. The resulting design is a striking and dynamic building with a distinctive form created by a series of angled, sloping roofs that follow the natural contours of the site.Hopkins Architects chose to clad the building in Michelmersh’s Hampshire Stock Downs blend. Its soft red tones ingratiate itself with the local vernacular while also being easy to maintain and ensuring long-term durability.The Abingdon School Science Building by Hopkins Architects has been a great success, providing modern and flexible teaching and research spaces that are highly valued by students and staff. The building’s innovative design and sustainable features have won numerous awards, including a RIBA Award and a BREEAM Excellent rating. The building seamlessly integrates into its historic surroundings, enhancing the school’s facilities and reducing its environmental impact.

University of Edinburgh’s 9,500sq m Bayes Centre is home to more than 600 expert thinkers working on the application of data science and artificial intelligence (AI)

Aqua Libra Co and CBRE have worked with one of the world class leaders in Customer Data Science, to enhance and evolve their brand-new head office in London.

As part of an extensive refurbishment at the School of Biomedical Sciences, Newcastle University, Style installed the unique Skyfold dividing wall system, delivering fast and effective flexible room configuration to laboratory teaching facilities. Skyfold is a fully automatic, acoustic moveable wall that's housed discreetly in the ceiling cavity and offers unparalleled acoustic integrity of 59dB Rw. “The wall has exceeded our expectations acoustically, visually and practically,” confirms Dr Alison Gregory, technical manager, School of Biomedical Sciences at the University. “We can run independent activities in adjoining labs with large numbers of students with virtually no sound transfer between rooms.

The University of Salford’s new Science, Engineering and Environmental (SEE) building features a white RainScreen façade, punctuated by contrasting red window reveals with a sloping sill to form recessed windows. While this creates an impactful design statement, it proved challenging when it came to evaluating the RainScreen insulation performance.The thermal performance challengeFrom the outset the designers, in conjunction with the University, outlined a desire for non-combustible insulation. But the feature red reveal details meant there were restricted cavity widths near the windows, which would affect the depth of insulation that could be installed. Several Mineral Wool insulation manufacturers had been unwilling to undertake U-value calculations. This was because it was challenging to understand the weighted U-value across the different façade build-ups and determine the U-value uplift required to compensate for the shallower window reveal areas.Architects Sheppard Robson had previously worked with Knauf Insulation and engaged its Project Specification Team to discuss the challenge and develop calculations.After receiving the plans, Knauf Insulation undertook 3D U-value calculations and confirmed that they could meet the required thermal performance – and crucially it would mean no changes to the design or impact on the cavity widths.Accurate 3D U-value calculationsSo how could Knauf Insulation meet the brief when other manufacturers could not?The crucial factor was the type of U-value calculation used. Most manufacturers use the standard method, which calculates the U-value for the build-up without the metal substructure. Because this method doesn’t consider the effect of the metal penetration through the insulation, a blanket correction factor is added, which can lead to the under- or over-specification of insulation. Either way, it means that the insulation used in the finished project may not deliver the thermal performance that has been specified. And in the case of the SEE building, calculating the weighted U-value to prevent this was critical.Knauf Insulation uses numerical modelling (also known as 3D U-value calculations) as standard for all RainScreen façade projects. This methodology thermally models the build-up taking into account the complex interaction between the insulation and the bars and brackets of the steel framing system (SFS). As a result, it creates the most accurate available picture of how the build-up will perform thermally after construction.For the SEE building, the team undertook several different calculations changing elements of the build-up, including the substructure material and insulation widths, until they determined the optimal combination.High performance insulationBy using this rigorous calculation method, Knauf Insulation was able to meet the brief with a combination of 50mm and 160mm Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab, along with 200mm OmniFit® Slab 35.Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab is a Rock Mineral Wool slab that is BBA certified for use at any height and for the broadest range of thicknesses and build-ups on the market. It has a thermal conductivity of 0.034 W/mK.OmniFit® Slab 35, a Glass Mineral Wool slab with a thermal conductivity of 0.035 W/mK, is ideal for use in the SFS.Both Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab and OmniFit® Slab 35 are non-combustible with the best possible Euroclass A1 reaction to fire classification so they will not contribute to the development or spread of fire should it occur. Thanks to their sound absorption characteristics, critical for low mass rainscreen structures, they will help create a quieter environment for the computer and science labs.A sustainable solutionThere was one other specification factor to consider – sustainability. The SEE building had been designed to minimise its environmental impact in line with the University of Salford’s campus master plan.Matthew Taylor, the project architect from Sheppard Robson, noted: “From early on, sustainability has been high on the SEE building agenda, including becoming one of the first all-electric University educational building.” The building will also be supported by photovoltaic panels on the roof.But while the use of renewable energy sources and high performance insulation will help lower the building’s operational carbon, it was important to keep embodied carbon to a minimum.Here Glass Mineral Wool scores highly too because it has the lowest embodied carbon of any mainstream insulation material.Knauf Insulation has proactively reduced the embodied carbon in its products over the years, as part of a broader set of activities to reduce its environmental impact. Specific actions to minimise its carbon footprint include initiatives to reduce road miles in both sourcing and distribution.For example, its Glass Mineral Wool products are manufactured using up to 80% recycled content, including glass collected from the local communities around its factories. The finished products are then compressed by up to 10:1 to fit more product into each lorry reducing transport related carbon emissions.Another innovation is ECOSE® Technology, its unique bio-based binder contains no added formaldehyde or phenol. It is made from natural raw materials that are rapidly renewable and is 70% less energy-intensive to manufacture than traditional binders, so it is more environmentally friendly.Products made with ECOSE® Technology are also soft to touch and easy to handle. They generate low levels of dust and VOCs and have been awarded the Eurofins Gold Certificate for Indoor Air Comfort.Ongoing supportThe through-wall build-up was installed by Metclad Contracts. As this was the first time they had worked with Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab, they also turned to the Specification Team for installation advice. They wanted to know whether the insulation should be fixed into the sheathing boards or the SFS.Knauf Insulation provided details of the fixing pattern together with the installation guide. They also facilitated meetings with their fixing partner to provide specialist technical support about pull out values and requirements for fixing into the substrate.Thanks to Knauf Insulation’s extensive technical expertise and ongoing support, the vision for the University of Salford’s state-of-the-art SEE building has become a reality – without any compromise on thermal performance, fire safety, acoustic or sustainability.

GEC Anderson’s stainless steel worktops, sinktops, doors and splashbacks have been chosen for the modern Café Bar at The Hepworth Wakefield art gallery in West Yorkshire, for their contemporary and accurate appearance as well as their hygienic qualities associated with food service. The stunning building is formed of ten different sized trapezoidal blocks constructed using pigmented, self-compacting concrete and recently listed in The Times ‘Top 50 Galleries in the World’. The continuous stainless steel worktop installed behind the main serving counter of the Café Bar incorporates sinks, plinth, cupboards doors and splashbacks, all in brushed satin stainless steel.

Acoustic Boards were used to assist with the reverberation within the main hall and assist with the overall acoustic performance.

Considered an inspiration to science and culture, the architect's vision of absolute homogeny and clarity was realised with PanDOMO® offering the clean, virtually seamless surfaces required, whilst meeting the demands of high traffic areas.

This facility is home to some of the worlds most experienced science professionals working at the frontiers of medicine. Dortek installed GRP K& F type sliding doors and MF5 hermetically sealing doors across the facility.

Rockfon brings the Wow and the Ssh to Sheffield Hallam Adsetts Library Rockfon welcomed the challenge of collaborating to conceive a ground-breaking acoustic ceiling installation that not only looks great but controls sound beautifully, helping create the perfect environment for students to read and study in. Sheffield Hallam University appointed an alliance team to undertake their larger scale construction works over for the next six years, in partnership with BDP Architects, BAM Construction and CBRE Facilities Management. Adsetts Library – a vital resource and haven The library provides an impressive, balconied, multi-storey focal point for students and staff, to educate, learn, read and study in a variety of open plan and more formal spaces. Traditionally the library also provides a haven where a certain hush can be relied on by its thousands of users – something Rockfon understands the mechanics and science of more than most. BAM invited installation specialists Brebur to find a solution to the university’s needs at the library. In turn, they, approached Rockfon in order to explore options and generate plans to design and install a replacement, taking in to consideration site access and the library’s vast height, inclines and span, alongside the need to retain services for students and staff. Brainstorming a bespoke solution Brebur Commecial Director, Tommy Burke, talked about the project, “Working with the Hallam alliance team, BAM construction and our supply chain partners, Rockfon, we looked for the structural and aesthetic solution that would best fulfil the acoustic requirements. Brainstorming sessions resulted in a unique specification that would ‘tick all the boxes’ whist also improving the efficiency and performance of the building.” Rockfon Technical Manager, Tim Spencer, recalls the development and specification process, “Initially we looked at options for traditional wire-suspended ceiling islands, but these were quickly discounted due to the available space for fixing and the varying pitch of the structure. Fortunately, Rockfon had developed an innovative new direct fixing system for its Rockfon Eclipse® Islands, for use in situations of restricted height. Even so, installing islands at pitches of 45 and 60 degrees was new territory. Thoughts then turned to designing a system of grid steelwork to successfully fix the islands, which would handle the loads over a 3m span, whilst also subsequently accommodating lighting specified by the client. The answer proved to be our Chicago MetallicTM 55mm structural ‘I’ profiles positioned at 600mm centres, fixed with a unique combination of U-bolts and bracketry.” Due to the library ordinarily being open 24/7, the first national lockdown in early 2020, offered an opportunity to carry out the necessary works while the space was being less utilised. Following complete removal of the existing panels and substrate, work began to install the Rockfon scheme. The perfect fit for a unique space Around 400 1170mm x 1160mm Eclipse islands were installed throughout the library’s vast, multi-faceted space, which is four storeys high at its apex. Clear glazed roof sections to one side allow natural light to flood in and reflect against the smooth, deep-matt, super white surface of the Eclipse islands which provide high light reflection and light diffusion. Eclipse islands can be specified in a variety of shaped formats with bespoke colour matching options. They provide superior sound absorption and reduce reverberation – allowing design freedom without compromising on performance. All Rockfon ranges are made from non-hygroscopic, non-combustible, stone wool, which is impervious to most environmental pressures, embodying very high humidity resistance, up to 100% RH. Their anti-static surfaces repel dirt while providing no sustenance to harmful micro-organisms such as mould and fungi, playing an important role in limiting the spread of bacteria. Brebur’s Tommy Burke, “The project was a challenge – you can say that again – but, as ever, with the assistance of the project team and of course, Rockfon, it was successfully delivered to the highest standard, on time, within budget and to the satisfaction of the whole team.”

Designed by Atkins Global and opened by HRH The Princess Royal, the 30 Million Charnock Bradley Building houses University of Edinburgh's Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies - a world-leading centre of excellence for animal science.