"natural plant based glues and adhesives"

Blackhorse Road Railway Station is situated on the corner of Forest Road and Blackhorse Road in Walthamstow serving the area with Victoria Line and Overground services throughout Greater London. The station features four platforms and at peak times, Blackhorse Road sees trains departing every 2 minutes on the Victoria line and 8 trains an hour for the Overground.The main entrance was to be refreshed and recladding this with VitraNamel was the chosen façade panel because of its superior anti-graffiti properties and hard wearing nature of the vitreous enamel coating.

A significant new building project has recently been completed at one of the National Trust’s most popular properties in Hampshire, Mottisfont Abbey. The new development, situated on the banks of the River Test, uses Troldtekt natural wood wool panels to improve the entrance facilities at this historic priory and country estate - visited annually by over 250,000 people. Designed by Burd Haward Architects, the new welcome buildings are arranged around a central courtyard, raised above ground level to avoid risk of flooding and impact on the existing flood plain.

Kirkby Stephen Business Park is the brainchild of two local farmers, who pooled their energy, investment and resources to build new, bright, modern units for local businesses. They chose Steeldor for the new office units, balancing the need for security without compromising on looks.The Park, which enjoys wonderful views of the Pennine Hills and surrounding countryside, is close to the centre of the Cumbrian market town. Nestled between the Lake District, the Yorkshire Dales, those who work and play in Kirkby Stephen are no strangers to the outstanding natural beauty that surrounds them.

The starting point: an awkwardly shaped lot High above the city centre, halfway between the mountains and the sea, there is a building that nobody can fail to notice: 'U Pavayun' proudly showcases the principality’s official colours – white and red – in a way uniquely its own. By combining vivid colours inspired by nature with a bold and modern architectural concept, the building maximises the visual impact of its ventilated façades. To add thermal efficiency to the cladding’s enduring beauty, external insulation has been integrated into the façade system.

Slaithwaite suffered extensive flood damage in 2015 after a blocked debris screen caused Crimble Clough Stream to back up, demolishing the wall at the end of Clough Road, flooding the area and causing extensive damage to local homes and businesses.Slaithwaite is a village within the Metropolitan Borough of Kirklees in West Yorkshire, situated in the Colne Valley five miles south west of Huddersfleld.The devastating flood of 2015 in Slaithwaite The 2012 Kirklees Flood Risk Management Strategy identified that around 2,000 properties were at high risk of flooding with a potential £70 million of damage. When we started our conversation with Kirklees Council, they clearly expressed an interest in a local flood warning and monitoring system to proactively respond to future flood risk.Kirklees Local Flood AuthorityKirklees Council in West Yorkshire is the third largest metropolitan council in the region. As the lead local flood authority for the district, Kirklees manages local flood risk from surface water, groundwater and smaller watercourses and ensures cooperation between local risk management authorities. As part of a smart monitoring project for flood risk areas, funded by Chester University, Andel worked with the Kirklees Council flood risk team to design a local flood alert and monitoring solution for Crimble Clough, enabling the Kirklees Council to better manage the risk of flooding in Slaithwaite.The challengeThe project is designed to monitor high water levels at Crimble Clough caused by debris washed down from the upper wooded catchment and blocking the debris screen. The sensor-based system monitors the difference between water levels, before and after the debris screen, automatically sending alerts for pre-set trigger points.No real-time information: in 2015 the Crimble Clough debris screen became blocked by debris washed down from the upper wooded catchment, with no warning system in place to alert the screen contractors.No strategic information: in 2015, there were many flood hotspots that needed attention but with limited council resources. Because there was no remote monitoring system in place, it was difficult to choose where best to deploy support.Extensive damage: In 2015, due to the stream backing up and demolishing the wall, homes and businesses downstream from Clough Road were flooded and severely damaged.Disruption: following the flood, the clear-up and restoration process for the affected area meant residents had to leave their homes and businesses were closed for months. The economic damage from the 2015 flood was significant with many hours of Kirklees Council labour invested into the recovery. With a monitoring and alert system in place, all of this could have been prevented.The solution – Andel FloodAlertAndel FloodAlert provides 24/7 local monitoring and alerts for areas at risk from flooding. FloodAlert provides real-time information on rising water levels and automatically sends out early flood warnings. The robust and reliable system is easy to install and set up and tracks water levels in watercourses and other parameters for up to 15km from a gateway.From a single water-level sensor to a catchment sensor network monitoring water levels, soil moisture, rainfall data and water quality, FloodAlert provides real-time local flood monitoring and alerts for projects of any size.Installing Andel’s FloodAlert system now means that Kirklees Council has:A cost-effective, real-time local flood monitoring and alert system. A water level monitoring system at the debris screen that sends out SMS and email alerts when water levels reach critical. A system that recognises that the debris screen is blocked by monitoring water levels before and after the screen, sending out SMS and email alerts when the difference is too much. A dataset with detailed catchment data including rainfall, water levels at strategic points and soil moisture in the surrounding farmland – all helping to develop future flood risk models and flood alerts. Live monitoring of sensor data via a cloud-based portal with easy-to-use visualisation accessible from any device with internet connectivity. A system that can communicate with an unlimited number of designated users. Communication via a low-power, low-impact LoRaWAN ® network.The resultsAn effective early warning system: Kirklees Council now receives real-time alerts, allowing for timely response to blockages of the debris screen at Clough Road that has historically caused flooding during periods of heavy rain.Data collection: Kirklees Council can now collect detailed data about how the Crimble Clough catchment responds to rainfall and can develop models to predict future response.Impact measurement: Kirklees Council is developing a baseline to measure the effectiveness of natural flood management interventions at critical locations within the catchment.What the customer saidWorking together on the ‘buildbacktogether’ project was a pleasurable experience, it was essential to have the complimentary skills that made the outcome of the project much more effective. The support from team Andel was very useful and Gerbren Haaksma especially was extremely supportive and efficient with his quick response and stimulating input through the term of the project. I am keen to continue our collaboration and work with the local communities on more engagements like the Slaithwaite project.Namrata Bhattacharya-Mis, Programme Leader, Natural Hazard Management (BA/BSc), Chester University

After several years without a permanent base, Cambridge City FC are hoping to move into their new stadium ahead of the 2024/25 season.Their new club house will be an asset to Cambridge football club allowing them to host events and have refreshments for match days.Cemfloor was chosen as the screed of choice for this stage of the project thanks to its many benefits includingthe speed of install and depths necessary, with Flowscreed laying 90m3 of screed, at a depth of 60mm, over 2days.Other factors such asReduced drying time compared to other screeds Easy Installation which reduced time and costs Foot traffic allowed after 24/48 hours meant that other aspects of the project could continue without delay

The newly redeveloped Heatherwood Hospital employs a total of 4,200m² of Sudsgrid 40 cellular pavers, filled with free-draining angular aggregate to provide 450 new parking spaces, delineated by yellow markers. ABG’s sub-base design utilises the unique Abgrid geogrid to reduce the thickness of DoT Type 3 stone required for structural stability, and through the use of the ABG Terrex NW non-woven geotextile layer, an additional stage of treatment was provided for the infiltrating water.ABG’s permeable paving limits surface water run-off and minimises the risk of localised flooding, alongside, providing a shallower construction profile. Resulting in reductions in site excavation, off-site tipping, DoT Type 3 stone deliveries and the associated costs.

Eric Wright Construction are an organisation based in the North West of England, providing high quality construction services to customers for over 40 years.Back in 2017, work started on one of their new residential redevelopment projects in Manchester. Due to services and potential contaminates running directly underneath the construction site, they were in need of a zero ground strike fencing system that still held high security properties.The BriefThe brief was outlined by Eric Wright Construction through their specific requirements on the compound that CLD Fencing Systems and Wallbank Fencing needed to follow. Due to their inability to break ground, a permanent fencing system was not going to work.Zero ground strike fencing due to potential contaminates and servicesCompetitively pricedOperation and installation flexibility

A large expanse of Junckers’ Nordic Oak flooring forms part of a new archive and research facility in Cornwall. Designed by Purcell, the landmark development comprises public search, exhibition, education and workshop spaces. Based on historic records, many of the original buildings’ remaining structures were restored. For the floor, the original granite flagstones were lifted and re-laid, installed alongside Junckers’ solid 185mm wide Oak Boulevard flooring in a white-pigmented Nordic finish. Junckers 20.5mm thick solid wood floor can be sanded and refinished up to ten times. A long lifespan, PEFC + FSC certified and produced in a CO2 positive facility, means specifying a Junckers floor is an environmentally sound option. The flooring contractor was Tre Concepts. 

Our team at Helmsman manufactured and installed 30 two-compartment solid-grade laminate lockers at Doug Philips Ltd. The specification of the lockers was 1800mm high, 300mm wide, and 450mm deep. The clients requested for the two-compartment lockers to be manufactured with an internal shelf and angled shoe tray within the lockers. Additionally, all the lockers had a perforated base which allows airflow into and out of the lockers.The body of the lockers was powder coated in ‘Black’ which is from our standard colours, whereas the laminate doors are in colour ‘Artic White’ by BioCarbon Laminate, which is a beautiful colour providing an aesthetic and organised area. The laminate lockers were completed with vinyl numbering as well as Lowe & Fletchers Nimbus combination lock in Black.

Kroll (previously Duff & Phelps) operate within the risk and financial advisory sector, with UK offices based in Manchester’s Northern Quarter for which we had the pleasure of providing a Type G200 folding partition system during a recent refurbishment. The operable wall allows the space to be transformed from a large open plan area into two separate rooms as and when required.The Type G200 system offers impressive acoustic, achieving up to Rw 47dB when fully closed – minimising noise transfer between the two spaces, without compromising on light transfer. In this instance, a fully glazed, full height pass door allows for easy access between the two smaller rooms when the system is in use.

Design and fit-out specialist, Peldon Rose, selects premium TopBrewer coffee experience for office refurbishment project.With a culture very much based on family values, Peldon Rose designed their Wimbledon office to be a welcoming, homely environment that is future-proofed to facilitate collaboration and smart working concepts.With its design-led, minimal aesthetic, the award-winning TopBrewer helps to create a streamlined look and feel to the kitchen area, leaving the worktop area clutter-free and the brewing equipment fitted in the cupboards below out of view."The quality of the coffee has encouraged staff to grab a coffee at the office rather than visiting local coffee shops, which is a great incentive for the team." - Sophie Rutter, Front of House Manager, Peldon Rose

217 Bath Road is an 80,000 sq. ft contemporary office space based in Slough. 217 Bath Road has under gone a huge refurbishment now offering a striking reception and full height atrium, flexible office floors and an onsite café.Sylan Products Supplied:High Pressure Laminate Toilet CubiclesFlush frontedStylish and elegantInvisible fixing systemFull height cubicleAvailable Fronts onlyAvailable in over 30 laminate coloursNo hefty price tagSGL Z Lockers on Cantilever BenchMade from water resistant Solid Grade LaminateHardwearingMultiple locker configurations Available in over 30 colours, you can match to your cubicles

First opening in 1936, The Comet Hotel is named after the locally built de Havilland Comet DH.88 racing aeroplane. The recent refurbishment and extension is based on the rich heritage and period glamour of the original Comet Hotel.Sylan Products Supplied:High Pressure Laminate Toilet CubiclesFlush frontedStylish and elegantInvisible fixing systemFull height cubicleAvailable in over 30 laminate coloursNo hefty price tagHigh Pressure Laminate Duct Panelling SystemMatch to your cubiclesAvailable in over 30 coloursQuick and easy to installQuartz Countertop VanityTimeless designSuitable for deck or wall mounted tapsAvailable in 9 coloursCantilever bracketsQuick and easy to install

The project team responsible for a striking residential property in the Channel Islands used our Dualframe 75Si Windows and the Elegance Curtain Walling, supplied by Pallot Glass & Windows, to match the property's modernist styling, as well as providing outstanding weather performance in a very exposed situation. Island-based Pallot Glass & Windows, was awarded the contract by the main contractor, Hacquoil & Cook Ltd, to supply and fit all of the glazing for the two-storey, five-bedroom Jersey home which has earned wide acclaim and been short-listed for several awards. The package included an entrance screen which combined the Elegance 52 elements with a large bespoke timber door and a fully glazed rear elevation with balconies overlooking the gardens.

GreenCoat PLX Pural BT from steel manufacturer SSAB. Highly durable GreenCoat products feature a bio-based coating whereby a substantial portion of Swedish rapeseed oil replaces the dependency on fossil fuel oils. A patented solution reducing the environmental footprint making GreenCoat the market’s greenest steel for roofs and façades. This formable steel can be worked at temperatures below -15°C and is backed up by a 50-year technical guarantee. GreenLine® colour matched rainwater goods are made from GreenCoat RWS and offer the perfect finish to any project large or small. Easy to install using rubber sealed connection joints. GreenLine® rainwater goods are offered with a 30-year guarantee.

Kroll (previously Duff & Phelps) operate within the risk and financial advisory sector, with UK offices based in Manchester’s Northern Quarter for which we had the pleasure of providing a Type G200 folding partition system during a recent refurbishment. The operable wall allows the space to be transformed from a large open plan area into two separate rooms as and when required.The Type G200 system offers impressive acoustic, achieving up to Rw 47dB when fully closed – minimising noise transfer between the two spaces, without compromising on light transfer. In this instance, a fully glazed, full height pass door allows for easy access between the two smaller rooms when the system is in use.

Roof and facade cover... CHALLENGE For the design of a youth centre a Belgian architect wanted to have a fully homogeneous and waterproof cover for the roof and the facade. This envelope technique needed to be combined with a more ecological and aesthetically pleasing green wall design. SOLUTION For the waterproofing of the roof surface a standard RENOLIT ALKORPLAN roofing membrane was used. For the facades the architects opted for a RENOLIT ALKORSOLAR fixing system as the base to attach the final greenwall system. As the roof and the wall covering (waterproofing) are the same material there were no jointing issues. The whole building has been covered with RENOLIT ALKORPLAN roofing membrane. The facade details were similarly accomplished as standard roof details and RENOLIT ALKORSOLAR profiles were used to fix the rain water pipes from the roof.

THE PROJECTThe SCAPE Corsham project features multiple banks of MODA mailboxes which have been fitted freestanding in the entrance lobby to the student accommodation building. The mailboxes are an in front / out front horizontal type fitted back-to-back which maximise the mail storage available in the installation area.The banks of mailboxes contain products finished in a variety of colours that adhere to the branding guidelines set out by the design team at SCAPE Students. The colours used progress through colour gradients which both complement and enhance the lobby area of the project.The banks of freestanding post boxes feature support stands finished in a Traffic White (RAL 9016) colour which provide a secure base for the boxes to be mounted upon.

The Quadrangle building in the historic heart of Cheltenham, once a 1970s landmark, has been completely transformed into a contemporary mixed-use commercial development featuring exclusively AluK window, door and curtain walling systems.Designed by AWW Architects from their Bristol studio and completed by Beard Construction, it now features an inner courtyard, ground floor retail space, four storeys of open plan workspace and the town’s first rooftop restaurant.The fenestration package was absolutely key to retaining the design language of the original building within a more contemporary aesthetic, whilst also meeting the requirement for improved thermal efficiency, more natural light and better natural ventilation.Having been impressed with the design and quality of AluK products on previous projects, AWW specified a comprehensive mix of AluK systems at the Quadrangle – the SG52 capless curtain walling system to give a frameless appearance to the retail façade, the more conventional SL52 capped curtain walling system for the courtyard area and rooftop restaurant, the GT55 system for the entrance doors, and the tried and trusted 58BW window system for the 400+ windows fitted into the existing openings around the façade.The entire fenestration programme was carried out by AluK fabricator Aluminium Sashes, which used its extensive experience in the repair and replace sector to overcome the challenges inherent in surveying, fabricating and fitting windows into openings which, in many cases, were irregular in shape and form and not aligned with the concrete slab finish.Aluminium Sashes worked closely with AluK at planning and detailed design stage to achieve the contemporary look for the façade that the client and architect wanted. For example, where the original windows had a transom and modesty spandrel panel below, the slimmer sightline replacements replicated the line of the transom but with fritted glass below to provide a similar level of privacy with more natural light. They also designed a solution for fixing the anthracite grey windows to the metallic bronze louvre sections specified to break up the uniformity of the façade, give users the option of manual ventilation and to provide fresh air and exhaust points for the AHUs. The reinforcing bar in the windows has effectively become the carrier bar for the louvres and gives the impression that there are two colours in one window panel.

Rise Homes has developed and proudly opened The Ironworks Project in Sheffield. Built by Clegg Construction, the new ten storey build-to-rent scheme comprises 229 apartments & luxury 2- bed duplex’s. With resident lifestyle in mind, The Ironworks features extensive indoor and outdoor amenity areas. Rooftop garden, external courtyard, lounge, workstations for remote working, meeting and movie rooms.Rawson Carpet Solutions have supplied over 11,000 sqm of their Solution dyed nylon range of carpet tiles called ‘Jazz’. In 3 main colours in-keeping with the building scheme and furniture. Taking influence of natural colours, ‘Trism’, ‘Chilli’ and ‘Spanish stripe’ have been used to good effect. The warm colours of chilli nylon carpet tile support the leather finishes to furniture in the breakout spaces. This desert red, natural hew of the carpet tiles promote relaxation and socialisation. work and meeting spaces along with corridors utilise the bright and enthusing blue Spanish stripe, and the remaining spaces receive the natural grey tone of ‘Trism’ coloured nylon carpet tiles.Installed by Titan Flooring, Jazz Nylon Carpet tiles are manufactured Carbon Neutral, they offer class 33 heavy contract rating and excellent sound reduction properties. Working closely with teams in the construction process is vital to ensure the confidence of our customers and so we were very pleased to receive such praise as to the way Rawson Carpet Solutions had supported the project in the provision of carpet tiles for this project.Kevin Gamble of Clegg Construction commented ‘I would like to take the opportunity to thank Rawson’s for their efficient service. All the carpet tiles ordered, arrived on the due dates which allowed us to meet our contract completion date on time.’At Rawson, The long standing relationships we create are of paramount importance to us.Confidence can be gained in choosing the right carpet tile solution for the space to complement the aesthetics, ensure longevity and easy cleaning.Jazz nylon carpet tiles from Rawson Carpet Solutions achieve 26dB sound reduction, contributing to the calming environment and come in a selection of complementing patterns too.In addition, inlay entrance matting was completed by Rawson, providing an impressive, branded entryway to the building

Of all our refurbishment projects, this one was one of the smoothest in its deployment, and amongst the most exciting & rewarding in its outcome.Lee Valley is a 10,000-acre (40 km2) Regional Park that offers sporting & outdoor activities, as well as the unique opportunity to get close to nature, learning & exploring its natural surroundings, gardens, and nature reserves.The Lee Valley White-Water Centre, officially opened on 9 December 2010 by Anne, Princess Royal, was constructed to host the slalom events during the London 2012 Olympic Games, and still hosts international events, attracting visitors from across the globe. Since 2012, Lee Valley has hosted the World Championships and two World Cups.In 2023, the ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships will attract over 300 of the world's top athletes to the Lee Valley White Water Centre.A local contractor who knew RYNO was impressed by our composite decking, our service & reputation, and introduced us to the project manager of Lee Valley Park Authority.The project was a full refurb of The Terrace which had an ageing & poorly installed wooden decking and a damaged waterproofing membrane that was leaking through to areas underneath. Some of the boards had already been removed to inspect the damage and reveal the extent of the work that needed to be undertaken. Such was the state of the decking that the area had been cordoned off and the café was unable to make use of this space!What was required was a like-for-like replacement aesthetically, which is why we selected & installed our TerraSmart™ Composite system, featuring our Classic Decking Boards, supported by high-load bearing aluminium substructure & RDA-C ‘Clip-on’ Self-levelling Adjustable Decking Pedestal, ideal for terraces subject to high foot traffic.We recommended Valley Provincial as installers who stated: "The TerraSmart decking system was the perfect choice for this project. The system’s ease of installation enabled our site teams to make excellent progress. From pricing through to delivery, Ryno where very supportive and we look forward to installing their decking system on future projects."The entire project was delivered on budget, on time, and, of course, by the deadline for the next event!

Hamburg architect Jan Störmer's design of The Fontenay luxury hotel is an homage to the Hanseatic city. The sculptural and organic circle-shaped architecture successfully achieves a balance between the urban character of the city and its natural surroundings. Situated directly on the Alster, it is an island of tranquillity in the middle of Hamburg. The exquisite structure makes it possible to experience the Hanseatic slogan "modern classic" first hand: an open-minded outlook together with a cosmopolitan lifestyle, but with a marked penchant for the classical.  Because of the way the bright, curvy and light-flooded architecture is designed, all 130 rooms and suits face outward, and many offer a view of the Alster. The interior design of the guest rooms by Christian Meinert of the architectural firm Aukett + Heese in Berlin employs perfectly coordinated colours that harmonise wonderfully with the surrounding waterside park landscape. Light beige tones, green onyx walls, warm white nuances, and turquoise and royal blue accents faithfully mirror the natural surroundings. In the hotel bathrooms, light natural stone is used. Here, too, the products and materials chosen with special care ensure an overall impression of refinement and complete harmony. The furnishings, which include KEUCO cosmetic mirrors, stools and accessories with brushed nickel finish, are ideal – a perfect synthesis of the classical and the modern – simply a "modern classic". The refined and matt shine of nickel, its extreme durability, and its solid value are what makes this finish so special and attractive, and the first choice in The Fontenay hotel. Particularly in a hotel, the bathroom furnishings must always meet the high expectations of guests and management. Lasting brilliance is guaranteed by the first rate "made in Germany" workmanship and the strict controls on quality.  Because of the careful attention given to the choice of products, time spent in the bathroom is a special experience for every hotel guest. For beauty care, the illuminated cosmetic mirror is a coveted utensil, and the bathroom stool with wooden seat invites you to stay a bit longer. With their pronounced design the accessories round off the bathroom setting perfectly. The Fontenay hotel in Hamburg is an architectural masterpiece par excellence. The meticulously thought-through concept and the stylish attention to detail resonate consistently throughout the entire premises. With their brushed nickel finish, KEUCO's accessories are the perfect complement and emphasize the exclusive and modern character of the bathrooms even more.  

Radmat has supplied a comprehensive range of systems for 20 Fenchurch Street, AKA the ‘Walkie Talkie’, in the City of London. Radmat’s PermaQuik, ParaFlex and EshaUniversal roofing membranes were installed during the creation of the Sky Garden – one of the highest green roofs in the world, offering breathtaking views over the capital.Designed by world-renowned architect Rafael Vinoly and jointly developed by Land Securities and Canary Wharf Group, 20 Fenchurch Street is constructed with impressive sustainability credentials to achieve an ‘Excellent’ BREEAM rating. The 38 storey tower incorporates a vibrant garden spanning the top three floors which is open to the public and by appointment. Described as the terraced ‘hanging gardens of modern Babylon’, the fifth-of-an-acre garden utilises drought resistant Mediterranean and South African flowers, shrubs and ferns, in soil up to a metre deep. The gardens also provide Rosemary, Thyme and other herbs to three restaurants within the building.Now London’s highest public park, the publicly accessible roof gardens include a viewing area, terrace, café, bar and restaurant. For such a unique space, it was crucial that the roofing system chosen delivered thermal performance, watertightness and long-term reliability for the client – specialisms of Radmat products. Land Securities and Canary Wharf Group awarded the work to Radmat on the basis of the company’s established reputation and expertise in all types of flat roofing.For the pitched green roofs, sectioned into a series of individual 45° slopes, EshaUniversal waterproofing was specified as part of a Radmat roofing system that included insulation and drainage layer. Made from recycled materials and 100% recyclable – EshaUniversal proved ideal to meet the demands at this sustainable development.Offering an efficient and safe installation, EshaUniversal is ideal for green roofs. More durable than elastomeric roofing, the system is also weather proof, UV stable and offers flexibility, durability and high puncture resistance making it ideal for challenging applications.Project Manager, Paul Nelson, said: “We have installed waterproofing systems over the concrete decks from ground up to second floor level then levels 34, 35, 36, 37 and 38. This required our installations teams to make repeated visits to site, using both internal and external hoists for access; with work completed in March 2014.”“The inverted roof arrangement means the waterproofing is covered by insulation and either paving, ballast or planted medium,” he added. “Then there is also the sky garden at an angle of 45 degrees planted with trees and shrubs, which will be accessible to clients using the restaurant there.”For public-access terracing across levels 34-38 – as well as a series of applications on the Ground Floor, second floor and the concrete staircase – over 1,200m² of Radmat PermaQuik PQ6100 was applied. With an independently verified durability ‘for the lifetime of the building’ and a market leading guarantee, the liquid-applied PQ6100 waterproofing system delivers exceptional performance befitting of this unique build.On level 37, where visitors can enjoy 360° views of the capital, additional waterproofing was required following the installation of a glass internal cladding system. With the glass already in place and challenged by high winds and low temperatures, the fast curing, cold applied ParaFlex waterproofing system was specified. Suitable for application at temperatures below zero reliable sealing can even be achieved at -5°C. Utilising collaborative working practices and a responsive and interactive design process, Radmat have created a stunning waterproofing and green roof application of the highest standard. Radmat’s proven range of waterproofing solutions met all the client’s demands and has ensured that visitors from all over the world can enjoy this stunning venue for many years to come.

Barr Gazetas worked closely with BW: Workplace Experts and Glazing Vision on the remodelling of this contemporary yet classical office building which involved creating an accessible private terrace for staff and clients to enjoy the views of central London, as well as providing the 6th floor with natural daylight. Utilising a terrace in densely populated areas such as London is a great way to provide a building with more accessible space. Originally the 6th floor offered 2,821 sq ft of space, but with the addition of the terrace area, this increased to 3,790 sq ft.Not only does an accessible terrace supply you with extra room, but, in London, the presence of a roof terrace typically adds 12% to the value of a property, rising to as much as 25% in coveted Chelsea. Other benefits of access rooflights include improved natural ventilation, control of interior temperatures, and the result is also beneficial to the aesthetics of a building such as 6 Duke Street. Barr Gazetas chose Glazing Vision not only due to our vast experience in designing and manufacturing access rooflights, but also for our ‘start to finish’ service. All of our rooflights are designed and manufactured at our HQ in Diss, and we even offer an installation service via our sister company, Glazing Renovations, which provides our clients with peace of mind.Box rooflights are a great way to gain easy access to any roof terrace. Operated at the touch of a button, the user simply climbs the stairs whilst the rooflight is retracting into its open position and walks straight out onto the terrace. Our three wall box configuration is one of the most popular and can offer an almost seamless integration into the fabric of your building. On this particular project, the sliding section when open provides a clear opening of 1927mm on the left side when viewed from the outside and is glazed on the front and top with a built-in fall of 3 degrees, and mounted to walls at the rear and two sides. The rooflight also includes the optional extras of a proximity detector and a battery back up. The rooflight was crane lifted to the terrace so that installation could be carried out by Glazing Renovations.Our Multi-Part Walk On Rooflight has supplied the 6th floor with a large amount of natural daylight which is proven to boost vitamin D, help improve sleep, and can help boost focus. The rooflight also includes Enduro Shield glass protection which provides superior resistance against contamination caused by moisture, hard water, all types of dirt, lime scale, salt spray and pollution, and also helps protect against degradation, staining, corrosion and etching. Our standard glass specification on our Flushglaze Walk On Rooflight is designed to withstand regular foot traffic in domestic applications with uniform loadings of 1.5kN/m² and concentrated loadings of 2.0kN in accordance with EN 1991-1-1-1:2002.The two rooflights perfectly complement each other and work together to provide a vast amount of natural daylight whilst creating a visually impressive, accessible terrace area.“The Walk On Rooflight was key to providing as much light to the floor below as possible, and the box rooflight was a great feature to the terrace, providing easier access than a ‘hatch’ access product.” Pradumn Pamidighantam, Senior Architect, Barr Gazetas.

There has always been a relationship between design and the marrying up of form, function and aesthetics. While popularity of materials and styles comes and go over the years, how products look, feel and perform is constant. This interesting interplay is explored in the latest online theme from Troldtekt A/S, the Danish manufacturer of acoustic panels. Comprising expert articles, white papers and interviews, the ‘Architectural Beauty’ theme looks at the concept of architectural beauty and the importance of aesthetics in leading certification schemes for sustainable building. It acknowledges that it is not always possible to harmonise the aesthetic with the practical but that there are some ways in which they can be combined to provide value to a building while enhancing its beauty. Australian artist and designer Jay Dee Dearness sums it up well - “Beauty is the melding of functionality and aesthetics in just the right proportions to achieve the desired result.’ Acoustic product manufacturers, such as Troldtekt, embrace this relationship and are at the forefront of practical, aesthetic and high performance products and design. Troldtekt’s wood wool panelling is a perfect canvas allowing architects and designers to realise their most creative schemes, safe in the knowledge that acoustical performance will not be compromised.Since 1903, Copenhagen has presented annual awards for beautiful buildings, landscaping and urban spaces within the city. The Copenhagen Building Award comprises four categories - new buildings, restoration, refurbishment and urban environments. “We present the awards to honour the architects, engineers and developers behind the projects. Also, we’re keen to support projects and urban spaces that are of particular benefit to the city and its citizens”, comments Camilla van Deurs, City Architect of the City of Copenhagen and chair of the building award jury.Copenhagen’s Grøndalsvængets School (pictured), is one of the winning projects chosen by the Copenhagen Building Awards 2020. The school has undergone thorough renovation and expansion, all designed by JJW Arkitekter. It now has a fully modern learning environment where the original qualities have been preserved – and where the indoor climate is exemplary. Like most schools, it used to be noisy by nature from the exuberance of children. Now, this stunning example of architectural beauty shows how large bright spaces, natural daylight and interesting design works well with aesthetic high performance products. It also shows how wood wool acoustic panels make such designs possible while dampening ambient and reverberated noise which would otherwise be unbearable for users.  Many buildings have unique challenges relating to acoustic issues but all can benefit from acoustic panelling to help contribute towards improving the interior environment. Specified throughout the UK and Europe, the benefits of 100% Troldtekt natural wood wool panels include high sound absorption, high durability, natural breathability, low cost life cycle performance and sustainability. Available in various sizes and in four grades from extreme to coarse, the panels can be left untreated or painted in virtually any RAL colour. Samples, case studies and technical information are easily sourced from www.troldtekt.co.uk (tel 01978 664255). In addition, information on Troldtekt’s Architectural Beauty theme can be found at https://www.troldtekt.com/news/themes/architectural-beauty or https://bit.ly/3jvFmV2

Make an Impact With Office Entrance Matting AXIS House, office design and fit-out company, is in the business of Shaping Futures and with this project, they revolutionised the past by transforming a dull, industrial, 1950s warehouse unit in Dorset into a modern masterpiece of functional office space with inspiring showrooms.The matting brief was to create an entrance with an unexpected wow factor, marrying design, performance and sustainability. The team wanted to create a lasting first impression for visitors coming in from the drab industrial surroundings outside, to enter a modern building filled with possibilities.Create a Dramatic TransitionEntrance Matting fills the entire lobby. But it’s not your average Entrance Mat. The enclosed space offers a dark, dramatic transition area with one of our more exclusive products INTRAshape and using the higly moisture-absorbent Ultimate fibre. This delivers a luxurious, carpet-like impression as visitors pass through into the double-height, open plan office beyond. A space filled with light, plants, and natural materials.AXIS House chose INTRAshape in a small rectangular form and brickwork pattern for the mat well. Ultimate fibre inserts in Anthracite (907) fill the matwell, which is four metres long.The overall effect is thick and luxurious, more like plush carpet than Entrance Matting and absorbs everything the British Weather throws at it too!Wow, Wow, Wow; Design, Sustainability, and PerformanceAs our sister company, AXIS House naturally looked to INTRAsystems for their Entrance Matting!The team hadn’t worked with Agata, the Interior Designer before, but she was “impressed with the choice of colours and designs” and “thrilled with the project.” We helped the team visualise a more striking finish; taking what is a functional product and turned it into a real design feature.It works, looks brilliant, and will stay that way for a long time.DesignThe Entrance Mat design mirrors the LED ceiling light-well above as well as the width of the double doors. The shape also echoes other dynamic rectangular design features throughout the building.Bronze, anodised aluminium adds a layer of luxury and ties in perfectly with the die-cut company logos on the facing wall. To complete the look, the perimeter border is laid in sheet form with INTRAlux Ultimate in contrasting warm neutral Lichen (912), a beautifully on-trend grey green.INTRAshape breaks design boundaries and Entrance Matting traditions, offering distinctive design possibilities. There’s nothing else like this on the market. With an extensive range of shapes and colours to choose from, you have the freedom to unleash your creativity, combining forms and textures with infinite possibilities to create rhythm, movement, and perspective.Sustainability INTRAshape and INTRAlux Ultimate perfectly aligned with AXIS House’s commitment to sustainability and their SKA rating ambitions.INTRAlux Ultimate features ECONYL®; 100% recycled content and they specified PureBase; our PVC-free backing option. Sustainable choices that help shape a better future.PureBase has a significantly lower environmental whole-life impact, from production to disposal. It’s also much easier to handle and install as it is 20% lighter and 3 x more flexible. ECONYL® is regenerated waste nylon. It has the same properties as brand new nylon, but can be infinitely recycled and re-moulded. ECONYL® is cradle-to-cradle certified and eligible for LEED® v4 points.PerformanceOur products helped AXIS House achieve the prestigious WELL Building Standards and SKA Gold rating (soft flooring criteria) for the entire building.High-performing Entrance Matting contributes to WELL Standards on air quality management by absorbing dust, liquids, and air pollution efficienty.The final specification also delivers outstanding performance and aesthetics. This office Entrance Matting provides excellent protection for hard floor surfaces, ensuring durability and longevity for commercial office settings. The INTRAlux Ultimate inserts have a 900g/m² pile weight and feature the latest fibre innovation for three-times-faster moisture absorption. Excellent Bfl-s1 fire resistance and a 10-year warranty complete the high performance stats.INTRAsystems Provide Everything You NeedAs always, we supported AXIS House throughout their project. Our dedicated team helped find the perfect specification to meet the brief. Combining high-end design with sustainability, as well as emphasising AXIS House’s attention to detail for potential clients visiting their offices. We shared samples, specification documentation, environmental credentials, and BIM data.“INTRAsystems provided everything we needed and made the design process much easier – CAD and BIM helped us to incorporate the product fully into our design. We could see things and adjust the design easily with 3D modelling.”Agata Stachnik, AXIS House Interior Designer

Accoya selected for the cladding & decking of the new Forest of Genetic Resource Department, Korea. To date, this project marks the largest wooden scale structure in the whole of Korea. Because of this iconic status the construction had to ensure that the most advanced materials such as Accoya were chosen. Due to the project being 4 storeys high Accoya was selected for its extreme durability & stability. Designed by IDS architects, Accoya was also chosen because of its natural & bespoke aesthetic. Due to Accoya’s light appearance the cladding could be painted to satisfy the designers requirements.

When Westminster Cathedral’s roof was first asphalted back in 1903, it would have utilised naturally occurring asphalt deposits dug up from an overseas lake. These days, things are done a little differently. Instead, IKO’s Permaphalt – a polymer modified mastic asphalt – was specified for the extensive reroofing of the Cathedral by Architect, Michael Drury from St Ann’s Gate Architects. “Asphalt had worked well for the Cathedral in the past and there was no reason why it shouldn’t again,” he said, adding the new roofing’s 25 year guarantee clinched the decision for a like-for-like replacement.

WMOR Architects completely redesigned the ground floor to include a flexible living area to open into the garden. Accoya was chosen as the ideal material for the extension because of it aesthetic appearance as well as its ability to provide better insulation than other materials. & the owners wanted to use the most sustainable material they could. The Accoya extension which houses the show piece kitchen will be left to weather naturally and match the pale grey flooring. This was specifically designed so that in the summer, when the sliding door completely opens, the interior & exterior space will merge seamlessly.

Gaming giants Tombola recently completed the construction of their flagship £7m headquarters at Wylam Wharf in Sunderland. It is situated within a conservation area on the banks of the River Wear. In line with the overall design brief, the high-quality natural materials used were to reflect the location of the site within the conservation area. Artform were specified to supply extremely durable tropical hardwood timbers, given the coastal location for the benches and picnic sets provided. The scheme has created an improved environment for staff whilst establishing a network of paths linking to the wider area.

Integrating over two thousand employees from across Dublin into one location, Microsofts new offices take on a human-centric form. Covering 33,000 sq m of floor space the new development connects employees from over seventy two different nationalities. Using both Aluprof MB-SR50N capped curtain wall and MB-SR50N EFEKT capless curtain wall systems the project achieves the architectural performance and aesthetics desired. Providing the building users with exceptional natural daylight. Architect: RKD Architects Main Contractor: BAM

Selfridges is one the UK’s most famous high-end department stores founded in 1908. It’s Grade II listed flagship store is located on London’s Oxford Street. Buzon UK were commissioned to supply and install over 200sqm of the Buzon ALUrail and pedestal system to the newly renovated roof terrace area. The ALUrail installation system offers a complete structure for the raised installation of outdoor spaces. The system can be used for various substrates, 20mm porcelain, concrete and natural stone pavers. Practical and functional, the ALUrail system can be used where the void is limited.

Accoya was selected as the ideal material to clad this Burleigh Brewery project in Australia. Burleigh Brewing began on 1 July 2006 and immediately set about pioneering the craft beer movement on the Gold Coast. Distributed by Britton Timbers, Accoya was chosen because the project called for a low maintenance, sustainable external cladding with a high-end appearance. Accoya was also ideal due to its natural blonde aesthetic, which was carefully selected to ensure the Brewery logo was as prominent and distinctive as possible. Roughly 4 m3 of Accoya was used with an Integrain coating.

Simple design and soft light… The Victoria & Albert museum of London, famous for Art and Design, has recently renewed its art gallery and its coffee shop. The challenge of Gareth Hoskins' architects was to bring natural light into this space without damaging the exposed works, drawing 400 years of history. Thus, the architect imagined and created lighting paths and wells of light using Barrisol Lumière® ceiling. Today, the place benefits from a soft and pleasant light. A Barrisol® matt stretched ceiling offers a simple and minimalistic design on the remaining surface.

This long run of railings brought with it a number of manufacturing challenges and techniques. They needed to be curved in profile so they form a quayside post, curving and leaning inwards so they do not make a 'natural ladder' beside the water. The panels themselves are manufactured in mild steel, finished galvanised and then painted in satin finished graphite grey. The top rails are of a contrasting polished finished grade 316 stainless steel, finished satin brushed. The run of railings has a combination of straight and curved panels, meaning each individual horizontal infill bar needed to be curved individually.