"walls"

Johnstone’s Trade’s comprehensive approach to colour has been used to create an inspiring and contemporary learning environment at a state-of-the-art school building in Leicester. Johnstone’s Acrylic Durable Matt was used by decorators in a wide variety of colours to create striking feature walls and walkways. Johnstone's Trade products from the Metal Defence System range were used to provide lasting protection to exposed steel beams in the main sports hall. Johnstone’s Flortred, meanwhile, was applied on floors in the plant rooms across the new building.

Colour experts from Johnstone’s Trade have joined forces with leading artists to create a visually stunning environment for patients at a hospital in Bradford. Bradford-based building and shopfitting contractor, PEC Building and Shopfitting, used Johnstone’s Acrylic Eggshell in off white for the main wall areas and Acrylic Durable Matt for the striking colours required for the feature walls.The two products were not just specified for their aesthetic qualities, however, as both provide excellent durability and are easy to clean; making them ideal for use in a busy hospital environment.

The £55.75 million development, which used a number of Johnstone’s Trade products was shortlisted in the Best Education Project category at the 2016 Partnership Awards. Acrylic Durable Eggshell in off-white was applied to the main wall areas for the striking colours. Other products that were specified for the project included Johnstone’s Covaplus Vinyl Matt on the ceilings, providing a durable finish that is resistant to fading. The doors, frames and skirting boards of the new school was covered with Johnstone’s Aqua Gloss in grey and orange to give a traditional gloss look.

Opened in July 2019, Mercedes Stockport is the largest Mercedes showroom in Europe, with the capacity to showcase 140 of its finest cars in addition to a dedicated AMG suite and further capacity for 100 used vehicles. From Formula 1 simulators, biophilic wall and calming water feature to the dedicated customer bar, ATA Design has carefully considered the interior décor of the showroom to ensure the customer experience is synonymous with the aspirational Mercedes brand. That attention to detail is further evidenced in the careful specification of high-performance entrance matting

This museum is the native home of Enzo Ferrari, this is the house where he first opened his work shop. London architectural studio “Surface Design” were responsible for the creation of this futuristic exhibition gallery. The ceiling gallery comprises of 2700 m² of Barrisol sheet Blanc mat. The walls of the studio are covered with 270 m² of Barrisol sheets Lumiere and Lumiere color and have images, movies and historical documents projected in a multimedia as a permanent part of the exhibition. Architects: Jan Kaplicky (Future Systems) and Andrea Morgante (Shiro Studio).

Former Terry's Chocolate Factory in York is transformed into a spectacular Care Village with the help of Johnstone's Trade. The landmark building is Grade II listed and, after a number of years lying unused and unloved was brought back to life using Johnstone’s Trade’s Covaplus Vinyl Matt and Acrylic Durable Matt. Applied to the walls and ceilings of the interior building, making it ideal for high traffic areas. In addition, Johnstone’s Water Based Undercoat and Gloss were used for the trim and window frames, providing a high sheen finish that will stay whiter for longer.

This particular project was a private residential bathroom in the architects own house. The client wanted a linear channel, but the joist layout prevented the use of a traditional single gradient tray with the drainage at one end, so instead we opted for the wedi "Riofino" shower tray with a central channel with a tileable insert as you can see above.The build also includes the use of our pre-formed wedi "niche" and wedi building boards on all the walls and floor coupled with our 360 and 610 adhesives for the complete system solution and warranty.

Premier Security & Fire fabricated and installed three Secured by Design steel security gates and fencing for instructing clients MDP Communications Services at their project in King’s Cross, North London.Premier’s gates have been tested by the BRE (Building Research Establishment) achieving LPS1175 SR2 security status and sit alongside our dual-certified LPS products in a portfolio of more than 250 designs, including communal entrance doors, screens and curtain walling.Check out our website for more information. www.premier-ssl.com

Llanelli based Atcost Windows (Wales) Ltd won the contract to manufacture and install the glazing for the redevelopment of Oriel in Port Talbot. This striking development has provided 41 new affordable energy efficient homes situated above retail shops in the heart of the town centre. Kestrel Aluminium Systems worked closely with Atcost to ensure the successful delivery of their part of the re-development project. The contract saw the installation of the Kestrel’s 60mm window system, low rise curtain wall system and thermal commercial doors.

The Royal Voluntary Service Hertford branch wanted to provide a lunch club to bring older people together to enjoy a hot nutritious meal and socialise with friends at the same time. The room to be used for the club was not fit for purpose. Altro donated floors and walls to transform the room to create a warm and welcoming environment. Altro Wood Safety Comfort was used for the floor to provide a good aesthetic and easy to clean floor. Altro Whiterock White was used to provide a smooth, easy to clean surface that is impact resistant and reduces maintenance costs.

VICTORIA VIEWS - ARUNDEL CRESCENT DEVELOPMENTS, PLYMOUTH CLIENT: TIMBER PAK (SW) LTD PRODUCTS USED: PROTECT TF200 THERMO PROTECT TF INTERFOIL PROTECT VC FOIL ULTRA THE CHALLENGE Timber PAK (SW) Ltd, a specialist in closed panel timber frame manufacture from a dedicated factory in Ivybridge, Devon, was given the contract to construct the apartments in structural timber. This involved the production of closed and insulated wall panels, followed by delivery and installation on-site, ensuring strict build tolerances and timescales were met.

A stunning and original Armourcoat Sculptural 'Flow XL' ceiling installed at the haz Restaurant on Mincing Lane in London. Located on the ground floor of Plantation Place building, the restaurant's contemporary interior designed by brand consultancy I-AM is light and spacious with high ceilings and long glass frontage. Armourcoat Sculptural creates seamless wall surfaces with impactful designs and cast relief. Each design is created from cast GRG (Glass-fibre Reinforced Gypsum) panels, CAD generated to enable a continuous pattern or unique decorative effect.

Furnitubes provisioned a number of AKRI raised planter beds for the scheme, the flexibility of the product permitted the creation of a unique stepped solution that was required at specific intervals in the planter to allow for the various changes in levels. A total of 26 meters of AKRI retaining walls were provided in heights of 670mm to accommodate the stepped solution, each planter comprising two internal soil retaining supports to provide increased strength to retain the contents. A return fold with additional anti-skates outlined the rim of the planters to maximise strength and not form a potential harmful edge.

Furnitubes designed and manufactured a number of AKRI retaining steel wall planters with ped and tray system for rooftop scheme in in Bexleyheath, south London. AKRI’s unique ped and tray system allows the planters to be left freestanding, sitting on a layer of waterproof membrane. Decking and pergolas were installed and benches were later retro-fitted to the planters to seamlessly integrate seating, manufactured in all steel to accommodate the required A fire rating, creating stunning landscaped roof tops across both buildings in the heart of a bustling city.

The ASF Balmoral short panel post was used as a parapet railing for the top of a section of refurbished industrial walling alongside the Manchester Shipping Canal. The acorn finial and feature rail knuckles make a decorative and chunky post to house panels made with slightly oversize tube. The overall effect turns this practical 'safety rail' into a design feature that compliments the heritage parts of the famous Salford Quays development. ASF also manufactured many of the stainless steel street furniture products seen in the pedestrian and residential areas of the Quays.

This project transforms an industrial site, featuring 11 buildings with up to 44 storeys, offering homes, industrial and commercial spaces.The Challenge:The Malt Street Redevelopment Project marks a significant milestone as the inaugural strategic initiative within the Old Kent Road Opportunity Area. This project is designed to leverage the rich cultural identity of the community while harnessing the industrial character and diverse heritage of the area.The Malt Street Redevelopment Project is segmented into three distinct phases. Construction activities are actively progressing for Phases 1 and 2, with Phase 3 securing outline planning permission, paving the way for its subsequent development.The project features eleven buildings with up to 44 storeys, offering 1,300 homes, industrial and commercial spaces.Groundworkers often face the challenge of achieving thorough concrete compaction within the liner wall, especially to the underside of the capping beam, where proper encapsulation around the water bar is required.When using a letterbox shutter during the concrete pour of the liner wall, it’s particularly difficult to ensure concrete reaches all the way to the underside of the capping beam – which posed a challenge in this situation.The Solution:Our solution involves using a method similar to ‘tremie pipes’. This involves installing vertical pipes with diameters of 100-125mm through the Rebar cage of the capping beam. This technique allows concrete to be poured vertically at various points along the capping beam. By filling up the pipe and using a concrete vibration poker, the concrete can efficiently fill the shuttered liner wall up to the underside of the capping beam.Premcrete Products Used-Maxiprufe Plus-HydrocreteProject DeliverablesPremcrete are proud to be a part of this project, set to bring a great deal of positives to the area including:1,453 high quality homes, including 40% affordable housing50% of the site as new public space, including an important part of the new Grand Surrey Canal Linear Park5,400 sqm safe, new, adventurous play spaces966 cycle spaces as part of phases 1 and 27,000 square metres of commercial and retail space, including affordable workspaces1,250 construction jobs and nearly 70 local construction apprenticeships392 jobs post-construction

Steeped in a rich artistic history, The Now Building in London is an architectural marvel designed to revive the musical majesty of the formerly named 'Tin Pan Alley''.Inspired by the striking lights of Times Square in New York, the new, multi-purpose music venue and art installation is truly a sight to behold. Boasting a foyer that is covered from wall to ceiling with 8K screens broadcasting entertainment, music and digital artworks in breath-taking 360-degree, interactive 4D quality. For such an incredible, interactive and artistic experience – the ventilated flooring grilles were never going to take centre stage! However, the high quality systems were specified to perform and subtly enhance the spectacular digital aesthetic and unmistakeable gold exteriors surrounding them. An immersive experienceRegarded as London’s new home of music, art and culture, The Now Building plays host to 5 stories of interactive digital art, venue rooms, restaurants, studios and more. To achieve such an immersive experience for visitors, ventilated flooring grilles were specially designed and adapted for the floors, skirting and feature walls. INTRA Ceiling Grilles were also specified to hide various structural and functional services above, masking the pipework and HVAC units.The grille flooring uses a bespoke hinge bracket, custom designed for the project, to provide easy access to electrical socket points below. When it came to the feature walls, INTRA created a unique solution; the first of its kind on the market: a tailored version of INTRAgrille T2850, designed to plug the ventilation gaps for the huge 8K screens, allowing airflow to pass through and keep the screens from overheating. A matt black coating keeps this grille work ‘invisible’ – ensuring it doesn’t detract from the visitors’ viewing experience.Truly Spectacular!Proactive developing our existing product range to solve specific challenges for the site was one of the core successes of this project, as we were able to mould new fixings to help achieve Orms original design vision.The finished article is truly spectacular. The Now building and wider Outernet complex is now a centre piece of London’s artistic culture. Having already hosted some of the biggest names in British music and art, our INTRAgrille product enables the immersive experience to take centre-stage.

Two new apartment buildings in Kent have been given a thermally-efficient and visually-striking façade thanks to the use of an external wall insulation system from Sto. The two new blocks in Ashford - Stour Heights and Somerset Heights – have a single-skin construction, comprising a reinforced concrete frame with concrete block infill, and they benefit from the installation of StoTherm Mineral external wall insulation, with a StoCleyer B mineral brick slip and StoSilco render façade finish.“An alternative insulation system was originally proposed for these buildings,” says John Mahoney of Sheffield-based J Mahoney Architects. “As things progressed a different solution was required to meet the demands of the various parties involved in the project. Sto pretty much leads the pack in terms of quality, and the StoTherm Mineral system was able to satisfy everyone’s requirements, so it became the obvious choice. The fact that Sto could work with us and provide technical support was also extremely helpful.”The BBA-certified StoTherm Mineral external wall insulation system uses mineral-fibre boards to provide outstanding thermal performance, combined with reliable fire protection and effective sound insulation. Its efficient single-leaf construction and external installation do not compromise the building’s interior space, and it can be installed without the need for additional expansion joints.For the new buildings, it was installed using Sto’s unique Sto-Rotofix plus mechanical fixing system. The helical Rotofix fixings create a cavity behind the insulation board, which can be easily adjusted after installation to ensure a level outer surface is created. This system combines the ease-of-use of ETICS anchors with the flexibility of a mechanical rail system, but without the material and labour cost of installing the rails.“The StoCleyer B brick slips were specified to meet certain planning requirements,” adds John Mahoney. “An alternative brick solution was originally considered, but Sto was able to manufacture slips which were a perfect match for the proposed original. The fact that they were also fully compatible with the Sto insulation system was another significant point in their favour.”The new buildings have added 109 one- and two-bedroomed flats which are spread across the five floors of Stour Heights, and the three floors of Somerset Heights.

DOWNER, OFFERS A HELPING HAND FOR ANS GLOBAL MOXY HOTELOUR ORIGINAL ALUMINIUM RAINSCREEN FRAMING, DOWNER, OFFERS A HELPING HAND FOR ANS GLOBALWe’re really pleased to share this latest Downer framing projects, courtesy of our client ANS Global.Working in conjunction with Jehu Group, ANS Global have been pivotal in developing this £8.65m boutique hotel in Bristol’s City Centre. They were instructed to create three separate living walls, two on the main brick façade, and one under a covered walkway. As you can see in the images.Hidden beneath this impressive living wall facade, is Architectural Panel Solutions' aluminium rainscreen sub-structure framing system Downer – the original helping hand rainscreen framing system. Specifically, our DCS031 helping hand brackets and rails.IN THE WORDS OF ANS GLOBAL:6,240 plants now thrivingOver the three living walls, 6,240 plants are now thriving and growing, bringing benefits for the local environment and the community. In fact, having something as unique and eye-catching as plants on or around your property has in some studies shown to increase real estate values by up to 20%.MORE ABOUT OUR DOWNER THE ORIGINAL HELPING HAND ALUMINIUM CLADDING FRAMINGMade in Britain – our Downer aluminium rainscreen framing is the original helping hand framing system which continues to be created here in our Hastings factory, since 1987.Downer is a versatile ‘off-the-shelf’ rainscreen cladding support for most facades.Downer extrusions are manufactured from grade 6000 structural and recyclable aluminiumOur Downer solutions cover all types of fixing applicationsEngineered to perform: energy efficiency, versatility, strength, durability, protectionBBA approved for complete assurance – tested to the extremeCutting service availableExtensive UK stocks with items dispatched in 2-3 daysFixings specified for each system and stocked (EJOT)Technical know-how underpins our Downer framing salesValue engineered – If you need specific support for your facade framing calculations, thermal calculations, or for advice on how best to maximise your framing solution the APS team is on-hand to help.

Four Glazing Vision Three Wall Box Rooflights were specified on four modern new build homes in the heart of Los Angeles which have provided the clients with access to the terrace which would have otherwise not been possible. The Three Wall Box Rooflights fit perfectly with the modern aesthetic and were chosen to not only give access to the roof deck, but to also increase the amount of natural daylight entering each home.“We think the finished rooflights look great as crowns to each of our buildings. They will be a nice addition to these homes and hopefully inspire developers and homeowners to spread the word throughout Southern California regarding the benefits of the rooflights too!” – Michael Wilson-Katsibas, Partner, KAP Studios.Following the demolition of the existing 1200 sq. ft bungalow, the remaining site was still relatively cramped considering the bungalow was being replaced by four new dwellings. In order to provide enough living space and retain the beautiful views of the Los Angeles skyline, KAP Studios had to come up with a creative solution to achieve their brief.To make the most of the small, 8,400 sq. ft plot, KAP Studios incorporated a basement and terrace area into each home which transformed the buildings from two-stories to four-stories, which helped unlock the full potential of these beautiful homes in Culver City.Starting from the ground up, the basement is partially sunk beneath the pavement and accommodates two parking spaces, meaning more space has been granted to the garden area at ground level. This gives each home its own private back garden, as opposed to a less visually impressive driveway. It also includes a pantry and wine store to round off the basement area. The second floors are occupied by an en-suite bedroom which includes a balcony area overlooking a collection of beautiful LA properties.The east side of the bedroom houses an equally impressive bathroom, making it the second Master Bedroom in the homes. The terraces of each building are by far the most unique feature of the homes. With over 20 years of experience in roof access rooflights, Glazing Vision were engaged to help with this important part of the project. Operated by the touch of a button, our Three Wall Box Rooflights were fixed to the existing building structures at the back and either end. The rooflights take up only 170 square feet on top of the roof, leaving the client with a vast amount of additional living space which can be utilised all year round. Our rooflights are installed by our very own expert installation team.“We wanted to both feature the stairs as light shafts to illuminate the interior spaces throughout the day with the California sunlight as well as allow for seamless roof deck access for the future residents.” – Michael Wilson-Katsibas, Director, KAP Studios.Our Three Wall Box Rooflights are a perfect example of how Glazing Vision can help you utilise your roof space whilst providing your home with added natural daylight.

Glazing Vision’s three-wall box rooflight has provided a rooftop with more de rigueur, and one which takes advantage of the spectacular views overlooking the Perth shorelines.Keen to unlock and utilise the space on top of this newly built residential home, and further add value to this property, an innovative “glass box” was introduced to provide easy access to the roof terrace.Luxurious, modern and upbeat, this new build property has been carefully created with family life in mind. The floor plan involves family separation and considered zoning of the property.The ground floor provides a secluded escape from the excitement of the first floor, with a detailed layout which enables the clients to relax. A big theatre room and access to the garden offers a chilled out environment, hidden away from neighbours.The first floor is created for living in, with a completely open planned lounge, diner and kitchen. Set higher up, it allows for views across the beach and over the garden courtyard. Thus, it was important to ensure that high quality glazing was specified throughout to make the most of the wonderful views.Tasked with sourcing and installing the windows and doors on this modern new build property, Next Generation Glass director Steve Payne mentions how the client had come to them enquiring about skylights. After a lot of research into the different profiles available in Australia and after various different drawings and ideas, the outcome wasn’t looking good.It was a visit to the UK which led Steve to Glazing Vision, thankful of a recommendation from a contact of his. “Since my first contact, we decided it was a great product and became a distributor of Glazing Vision products in Australia”.After discussing the details of the job, a three wall box rooflight was recommended, helping to provide access to the clients roof terrace and providing wonderful views of the majestic presence of the Indian Ocean in the background.“It really is a great product and all that see it are in awe of it” explains Steve Payne, director of Next Generation Glass.The Glazing Vision three-wall box rooflight is fixed to your existing building structure, thereby facilitating the full use of the roof top terrace but operates in the same way as our freestanding box rooflight. The sleek aluminium framework and perfectly edged glass-to-glass joints create a stunning contemporary finished design which reflects the style of this property.This home’s rooftop terrace is the culmination of meticulous tweaking of the planning codes, and the reward is breath-taking views of Perth, with a beautiful backdrop of the ocean behind. It was in fact these planning codes which guided them towards the three-wall box rooflight, as the extra head height was required when coming up the stairs. Also allowing the homeowner to climb the stairwell whilst the rooflight is retracting into its open position, without having to ‘bow their head’.Fitted with minimal and contemporary outdoor furniture to increase the sense of openness. The new roof top allows the homeowner an additional ‘room with a view’, perfect for entertaining or for relaxing and enjoying the stunning views on offer.Having completed their first project with Glazing Vision, Steve Payne mentions how easy the whole process was, and that most of the hard work was undertaken by Glazing Vision. It was a simple installation process for a company like Next Generation Glass who are used to cranes in their scope of works.

Project DescriptionThe refurbishment of the historic Central Bank site into the iconic Central Plaza, which is a multi-phase scheme, is one of the largest and most prestigious construction projects being carried out in Dublin city centre, Ireland.Partel was playing its part since the early stages of the restoration, and this year brought again its expertise in fire-rated vapour control systems, supporting the latest expansion scheme of the building with a two-storey glass-roofed structure, that completes the existing tower.Teaming up with Castle Group, the plan for roof expansion involved passive fire protection measures and an appropriate airtightness strategy, using Partel’s IZOPERM PLUS A2 vapour control system.Steel Roof Structure and Internal WallThe design of the new steel roof construction has a complex geometric structure, following the exposed suspensions of the building – with cantilevering triangles. It consists of multiple steel RHS that are connected to each other by hidden connections. The contemporary structure is a monolithic steel frame without expansion joints. Quite a challenge in regard to thermal expansion. For this project, fire protection of the roof structure and internal wall assemblies were top priorities, considering the specific requirements regarding stability, structural integrity and fire safety in the building.Airtightness and Fire ProtectionPartel’s Euroclass A2-s1,d0 product system – IZOPERM PLUS A2 membrane and ECHOSEAL ALU FR adhesive tape – were used in order to improve the fabric performance. The solid walls had to be airtight, insulated, and fire-resistant in order to ensure that what was designed could be delivered.The team chose to deliver airtightness measure to external walls with an appropriate fire-rated vapour control system, such as IZOPERM PLUS A2, with high durability, mechanical strength, and moisture management properties. With unrivalled low emissivity of 0.05, the reflective surface can dramatically improve the thermal performance and prevent heat radiation. The team wanted to make sure a tested and compliant solution will be implemented, and the products will perform in a scenario where the building is exposed to a fire.In addition, fire safety in this tall, high-risk building with a large number of visitors and tenants, with open spaces and mobility consideration, the IZOPERM PLUS A2 fire-rated membrane plays a crucial role when incorporated into the wider fire engineering strategy. The membrane offers superior levels of fire performance and a very limited contribution to fire, furthermore, during a fire it will not pose a risk of smoke inhalation for people, as it produces minimal to no smoke and does not release flaming droplets.Sealing the membrane overlaps using Partel ECHOSEAL ALU A2 non-combustible adhesive tape, secured the level of airtightness and fire-resistance. This aluminium foil tape provides excellent cohesion, adhesion, and thermal stability, serving as an excellent barrier against moisture, and flame.The steel roof construction was covered with 152 glass units to facilitate maximum light.Designed by the Henry J. Lyons Architects, the rooftop venue incorporates a 360° viewing terrace of 15,500 sq ft, a crowning touch of this modern restoration project.The previous phase scheme of the Central Plaza redevelopment improved the energy efficiency of the building, airtightness and thermal performance using the ECHOFOIL IZO membrane together with CONEXO MULTISEAL adhesive tape.

An eco-friendly development targeting the Passivhaus Low Energy Building Standard, Castle Hill House provides undergraduate accommodation for students of St Peter’s College, University of Oxford. To ensure the scheme sits comfortably within the historic environment adjacent to Oxford Castle, Design Engine Architects specified Vandersanden’s Chaucer Suffolk and Majestic bricks.The prestigious scheme provides 54 bedrooms on a challenging site. On one corner is Canal House, the Master’s residence with a large garden, on the other, the Law Centre. It is bounded by New Road, a main route into Oxford, and Bulwarks Lane; between the two, there is a one-storey level change in the topography.To address the level change, a podium was created across the site which houses a bike store, plant rooms, toilets and offices. On top of the podium are the two residential blocks with the front building standing three storeys above the podium and the rear four storeys, the building stepping up as the natural ground gradient increases. Between the two is a central courtyard with bedroom windows of both buildings facing across it. This space also allows connection to the main university campus on the other side of Bulwarks Lane. The scheme is in a conservation area that includes listed buildings and Castle Mound, a scheduled ancient monument. Quite a variety of materials are evident in the surrounding buildings but, within the material hierarchy, brick was the most appropriate and Chaucer Suffolk was an ideal match to the ashlar, ‘Oxford’ buff colour of Canal House and the Law Centre. Vandersanden’s Majestic brick matches the greyer rusticated base of Canal House, so was ideal for the podium that runs into the wall at the rear of the site. “We were struggling to find bricks of the right colours, particularly for the grey bricks where we were looking for a very specific match but, once we found Vandersanden’s Majestic, we didn’t look back, they’ve been incredibly successful,” explains Richard James, associate at Design Engine Architects. “The Chaucer Suffolk provided exactly the right buff colour, not only matching the existing stone of the surrounding buildings but having the texture and tonal variety that gives it a warmer feel.”A fairly natural mortar colour was used throughout for both brick types, helping to blend them together and add a little more warmth to the overall tone of the two bricks.A variety of brickwork details have contributed to the success of the scheme. Within the brick piers of the faceted facades are areas of hit-and-miss brickwork that leave out the headers. These allow the window panels in the bedrooms to be left open to create natural ventilation and also provide some rain protection and security. Panels of hit-and-miss brickwork have also been used to fill in and repair existing walls, including the old stone wall on New Road. A staggered zigzag pattern was employed to replicate the texture of the very rough old stone walls on Bulwarks Lane.The buildings follow the site’s irregular shape so a large number of ‘cut stuck’ brick specials were employed to deal with the changes in direction of the walls. Pre-cast, brick-faced lintels and support units were also used at various points across the facades.The development targets the environmental standard ‘Passivhaus Institute Low Energy Building’. Passivhaus buildings are characterised by especially high levels of indoor comfort with minimum energy consumption. This is achieved by significantly improving the building fabric in terms of thermal insulation and airtightness, thereby minimising energy loss to a level that minimum space heating is required. “We’re really pleased with the bricks, the colour match has been even better than expected and the quality of the brick is probably one of the best I’ve seen,” enthuses James. “They’re not the cheapest brick on the market but the effect and the quality is much greater than their expense. Vandersanden will be the starting point for future projects requiring this level of quality.”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

Located on the edge of Bodmin Moor is the historic Bodmin Jail, a ruinous prison transformed into an award-winning hotel.The legacy of the historic Bodmin JailLocated on the edge of Bodmin Moor is the historic Bodmin Jail. Built in the 1770s by military engineer Sir John Call and prisoners, the jail was considered a milestone in prison design and reform. Built using 20,000 tonnes of local Delank granite and stone, Bodmin Jail featured individual cells, segregated areas for male and female prisoners, hot water and light. This reformed design also included open spaces for prisoners to live and work for an income. Nearly 100 years later, the jail was declared unfit for purpose. As a result, an entirely new prison is constructed with limestone mined from the nearby moor. Evolving with the ideals of prison reform at the time, this 'total institution' featured 220 cells with separate wings for men and women, a chapel and a new area for debtors. Officially decommissioned in 1927 and sold at auction to demolition men, the jail survived attempts to blow it up, with the nearly metre-thick and formidable walls proving too challenging to deconstruct. Despite various incarnations since its closure, it wasn't till 2004 that works would begin to restore and reinvent a few areas of the jail into a historical exhibition. Rebuilding a remarkable tourist destinationIn 2015 Bodmin Jail would see its next evolution, with a £40 million investment to create a state-of-the-art attraction, four-star hotel, and restaurant within its Grade II listed facade.  The ChallengeThe project presented many challenges. Due to demolition attempts, large areas of the jail had been without a roof for nearly a century, resulting in large sections falling to ruin. With exposure to the elements, what remained was heavily saturated with water, with ivy and other biological materials spread across the remaining masonry. Further, pigeons and multiple species of bats were now occupying the former cells, hibernating behind the plaster on the walls.Technical and aesthetic considerationsKeeping the history of the building and as many original features as possible was key to the project. From a technical perspective, protecting the historic fabric while significantly improving the walls' thermal performance was imperative. To successfully convert the heavily saturated jail cells into luxury hotel rooms, the team focused on how to manage moisture efficiently. Further, the solution needed to accommodate the hustle and bustle of a busy hotel and withstand a knock or two from guests' suitcases while maintaining a sophisticated feel.Modern insulation systems had the severe risk of restricting moisture movement, which would risk damage to the historic fabric and cause mould and other moisture-related issues. In addition, organic systems, such as woodfibre and cork, would be unlikely to cope with the extremely high moisture content of the walls without the fear of interstitial condensation and rot.The solutionWorking closely with the project team, Cornerstone's Insulating Render was chosen for the jail's internal rendering. Manufactured with St. Astier Lime, recycled aggregates and additives, Insulating Render would be highly breathable and flexible whilst still providing the durability required. Additionally, as a mineral-based render, the lack of organic content meant that the render would not break down under extremely high moisture loads. The next challenge was approaching the 100,000 tonnes of render to be applied. With pressing timelines, Insulating Render would allow the team to work quickly and apply thicker, significantly reducing the application time required. Designed with lightweight features, Insulating Render could be applied directly onto the stonework and built out in depths of up to 50mm per pass and over 70mm as a total depth, with just a week between coats. The walls were either left bare or finished with Cornish Lime's CLM66 lime putty plaster for the final finish.To ensure the jail's characterful stonework received the attention and durability it deserved, a mortar sample was tested to determine the binder and aggregate type. Once the analysis was complete, a mortar was designed and developed to match the original colour found within the masonry and used extensively for internal and external re-pointing.ResultsDue to Cornerstone Insulating Render's porosity, the render began to pull water out of the background substrate, assisting the heavily saturated walls in drying. This breathability will continue to buffer relative humidity and manage the risk of condensation and mould while improving air quality. Further, the hotel will be able to provide the thermal comfort expected of a luxury four-star hotel. With its superior insulating properties, a 70mm coat achieved a U Value of 0.7, which was needed for the hotel's complex heating, ventilation and cooling systems.Since its opening, Bodmin Jail has been nominated for several awards by organisations, including The Cornwall Tourism Awards, VisitEngland, and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).

The LAMILUX Glass Roof PR60 was designed and installed as a continuous atrium using 60 panes of glass covering an area of 14m X 15m. The framing detail ensured a seamless transition to the wall abut at the head, whilst sitting on perimeter supports at the verge and cill. High performing glazing with double silver coating prevents overheating in addition to the glazing designed to be walked on for cleaning and maintenance purposes. LAMILUX were able to provide a better solution than the original concept by using larger panes arranged in four flush tiers installed with a 3° surface inclination.

In the summer of 2007 the country witnessed extensive flooding with areas in England experiencing “over two months rainfall in just 14 hours.” Loss of water and electricity supply was experienced with thousands of homes. Providing protection against a 1 in 1000 year flood event involved building over 1 kilometer of reinforced concrete and sheet piled walls. As well as protecting the site from future flooding, the team at RHI Industrials worked in partnership with Lochrin Bain to ensure the security fencing system was fully integrated with the substations new flood defences.

This inspirational building succeeded in redefining the London skyline before it was even completed. Invited to supply and fit for the exclusive private penthouse apartments, Majestic created a collection of Beyond Bespoke™ alcove, Wetroom panel and hinged door solutions in response to the engineering and design challenge posed by designer Daniel Goldberg at State of Craft for glass panels on an enormous scale. The bespoke glass panels were recessed into the wall and floor with ceiling support provided only with the use of our 50mm ceiling brackets. A high quality fit and finish for one of London’s most prestigious builds. 

A range of premium and high performance products from Kingspan Insulation has been installed on a stunning new beachfront home on the Isle of Wight, featured on Grand Designs. This includes Kingspan Kooltherm K8 Cavity Board, which was used to insulate the majority of the walls throughout the property, and Kingspan Kooltherm K7 Pitched Roof Board, which was were applied to the ground floor overhang. With thermal conductivities as low as 0.020 W/m.K, the products delivered the required thermal performance with a slim build-up, helping to maximise space within the rooms.

A regeneration development in Vauxhall by the Ballymore Group has seen the biggest transformation story London has ever seen. It has added an entirely new urban quarter to London. The South Bank regeneration stretches from the Shard in the east to Battersea Power station in the west. The area known as Embassy Gardens is at the heart of Nine Elms and includes up to 1.750 new homes and over 20,000sqm of office and flexible workspace spread over 8 building plots covering an impressive 241,548 sqm. RCM’s Y-Wall was used in its construction.

Located on the former Anglia Ruskin University site, in the heart of Chelmsford, City Park West is a newly created vibrant community. The scheme started in 2013 and has already delivered homes and new green space with commercial units. The second phase includes the construction of 426 new homes, 4,900sqm of commercial floor space, new public open spaces and underground parking. RCM were appointed by Conneely Facades to supply fabricated Alucobond A2 cassettes, Y-wall sheathing boards, Aluminium façade support frame and fixings to the construction of phase 2.

Sir James Smith Community School recently contacted NBB in need of a shelter for their outdoor recreation space. After liaising with our site surveyors, it was decided that a bespoke Winterbourne freestanding shelter with guttering would fit the space best. To install, freestanding posts were subsurfaced into the ground, and clear 16mm triple wall polycarbonate was used for the roof glazing. The finished shelter measured L15000mmxD8000mmxH2400mm in the colour Umbra Grey - RAL 7022. The shelter was treated with Triplex anti-corrosion multi-layer powder coating to ISO 12944, which guarantees the shelter for 25 years.

The new Muscat International Airport is designed to transform the airport experience not only in the Middle East but on the global stage. A smooth and pleasant customer journey is at the core of the design. Since its conception in 2011, SAS has been heavily involved in realising the aims for each area of the building. SAS has supplied more than 200,000m² of column casing, acoustic wall panelling, staircase cladding and bespoke metal ceilings to the project. Each product has been carefully designed to provide essential acoustic absorption for visitors as well as service integration and accessibility for staff.

Bringing a variety of new brands to the region, Robinsons is located in Dubai Festival City is the first in the Middle East. SAS International supplied a bespoke SAS200 system to the project to match with the urban brand decor. Using a traffic grey coated panels, SAS200 was selected to smoothly integrate with the clients choice of wall panelling. Designed by the SAS Dubai Technical Team, a 19mm diagonal-pitch perforation was also developed to compliment the industrial look of the fit-out. A concealed grid product, the system gives access to M&E services while providing a continuous look.

All acoustic products which were installed on this project by UK Acoustic Systems were manufactured by Soundis, specifically their Soundis Absorb-R WoodTec range, which the client and architect approved due to their versatility, and the fact they were able to manufacture the products exactly to the project specific specification.The Micro Perforated Timber panels were located and installed on the curved rear wall of the auditorium. The timber core panels were faced with Micro Perforated Formica and the client decided upon the colour red which contrasted the other products within the auditorium tremendously.

In dairy industries it's vital that hygiene standards are kept to a high standard. Drainage and kerbing are important products that need consideration. To reduce costs, many may opt for concrete, however over time concrete dries out and is prone to cracking. This can jeopardise a hygienic environment as unwanted bacteria will harbour in the cracks Alternatively, drainage and wall kerbing. Stainless steel is resistant to caustic cleaning materials and lactic acid, which are common elements in a dairy. This resistance ensures that the ss surface does not corrode or weaken making it an excellent long term solution.

Bolton Gate were specified to provide the security grilles for the recently completed extension and refurbishment of the BMW Motorcycle showroom in Manchester. In keeping with the prestigious appearance of the building and high-end motorcycles on show, parallel mesh electric grilles in polished stainless steel were chosen to protect the showroom and external windows. In order to remain unobtrusive during trading hours, the bottom rails and side guides were powder coated white to match the surrounding walls and ceiling. For ease of operation, all grilles were electrically linked to allow simultaneous operation.