"ground water control trench sheeting etc"

Over time bricks can discolour and lose their lustre because of the impact of wet weather, air pollution or efflorescence. The result can have a detrimental effect on a building’s visual aesthetic, compromising the architect’s design vision and reducing the value of the property for the owner. Brick manufacturer, Vandersanden is the first company to develop a viable, large scale coating solution to provide superior protection against efflorescence as well as secondary protection against the effects of pollution.Vandersanden’s automated coating formulation makes facing bricks water-repellent and resistant to the effects of air pollution and efflorescence, ensuring façades remain beautiful and untarnished throughout their lifetime. This innovative and environmentally sustainable process which also makes it easier to clean the brick, if dirt or damage does occur, has now been fully rolled out across the entire Vandersanden hand-formed brick range available to UK specifiers.Vandersanden worked with Belgian University, KU Leuven, to develop the solution which treats bricks with a special coating after the firing process. The process penetrates to a depth from 5mm to 15mm whilst retaining the original colour of the brick.The liquids contain no harmful substances or chemicals that can damage the brick or the environment and is automatically applied at Vandersanden’s manufacturing facilities in Belgium and The Netherlands.A coated brick has exactly the same pore structure as a non-coated brick and the number of pores and their size remain the same. However, as the walls of the pores are covered with a water-repellent layer, the water droplets are no longer attracted to the walls and will not be absorbed. As the pores remain open, the bricks also retain their resistance to frost.Applying the coating during the production process, eliminates the need to coat the bricks with an applicator once they have been installed, which is a highly specialised and expensive process. It also reduces the often laborious and costly task of prepping the facade for a coating and the regular maintenance required.“Creating beautiful facades that will stand the test of time remains crucial for Vandersanden,” says Jean-Pierre Wuytack, CEO at Vandersanden. "Thanks to our commitment to innovation in product design and manufacturing, we can ensure a lifetime of colour-safe brick performance for architects and their clients. We are proud of our coated solution which demonstrates how Vandersanden is the natural partner for architects who care passionately about creating the very best, most long-lasting aesthetic for their buildings.”Vandersanden coated bricks come with a 25-year guarantee and the company has worked hard to ensure these bricks can be delivered at the same cost as non-coated bricks.Vandersanden produces a vast array of high-quality bricks in different finishes and colours, ranging from reds and browns, to greys, creams and buffs that will inspire and enable the design and construction of beautiful buildings.To find out more, register for our RIBA approved CPD #2 "How to avoid brick stains and efflorescence" here CPD – Continuing Professional Development | Vandersanden

Viega has supplied its cold applied Profipress and Sanpress Inox press connection systems to the latest refurbishment of the 17th century Queen’s House in Greenwich.Queen’s House, a Grade I listed building and scheduled ancient monument, was originally built between 1616 and 1635 and is the last surviving section of the palace of Greenwich. Queen’s House is now part of the Royal Museums Greenwich and is home to a large collection of important paintings, drawings and sculptures. Over the last few years the 400-year-old building has undergone a program of vital maintenance.The scheduled ancient monument protection is granted to sites of national architectural importance and makes it a criminal offence to damage the monument in question. The importance of the building meant that during the maintenance work the materials and methods used had to be carefully considered. For example, no hot works of any kind were permitted on-site so traditional soldering or brazing of pipework was not an option.Mechanical and electrical maintenance specialist Red100 was selected to carry out the work as the latest in a number of contracts to work on the building. The renewal of the pipework systems included the heating and chilled water systems, for both of which the supply comes off a header pipe from a plant room located in another building. The contract also included work on the greywater system.As a result of the restrictions on hot works, press connection technology was the chosen methodology for the pipe installation. Viega’s Profipress system was selected for use on the copper heating and water pipework while the stainless steel greywater pipe was connected with Sanpress Inox fittings.Stephen Phillips, Director at Red100 said: “We were familiar with press connection technology, having employed it on a number of similar projects. We had been recommended the Viega systems and were impressed by what we saw when we visited Viega’s production facilities in Germany.”Paul Burkett, Technical Sales Manager at Viega commented: “After discussing the requirements with Stephen at Red100 we were confident that the Viega products fitted their needs exactly. Also the range of different press connection options offered by Viega meant that there were suitable products available as the scope of the work expanded.”Due to the historical significance and protected status of the building as well as the priceless nature of the artwork housed within the Queen’s House, the security of the connections was paramount. Any water leaking from incomplete or inadvertently unpressed joints had to be avoided due to damage it would cause. The SC-Contur feature designed into products from across the Viega range, including Profipress and Sanpress Inox, ensure that any missed connections are reliably identified during testing. This avoids expensive and potentially damaging failures once the project is complete.Stephen Phillips concluded: “We were delighted with the performance of the products. The installation on Queen’s House went very smoothly and as a result we have subsequently used the Viega systems on other projects."

BackgroundThe Injured Jockey Fund (IJF) Oaksey House rehabilitation centre in Lambourn, Berkshire, was opened in 2009 by the IJF Patron, HRH The Princess Royal. Oaksey House provides specialist rehabilitation treatment for physical and neurological injuries, it has a fully equipped gym which includes a state-of-the-art anti-gravity treadmill. The centre has respite accommodation available for those receiving extended treatment and their carers. Educational courses on fitness and nutrition for the general well-being of young and aspiring jockeys are also on offer.Oaksey House is not only a rehabilitation centre for jockeys, but anyone with physical or neurological injuries. Although the centre was only opened in 2009, it was decided that a refit was required to make improvements to further support the people that pass through its doors. The refit included moving the gym to the first floor and building a hydro pool on the ground floor.The ChallengeRelocating the gym to the first floor was no easy task, primarily because the building structure was composed of a steel tray and concrete base. To accommodate gym activity, the floor build-up would need to be enhanced to prevent noise and vibrations travelling through the building.As a charity, the IJF had limited funds to work with, so flooring specialists, Sport & Fitness Flooring, worked with the architect and an independent consultancy to identify an effective solution within the specified budget. Moreover, the floor had to be designed to meet the needs of four distinct areas: a cardiovascular zone, a running track, main gym area and an entrance lobby.The project was unique because various performance requirements had to be met across the four areas but the floor level needed to be consistent throughout to make it accessible for wheelchair users. Sport & Fitness Flooring consulted CMS Danskin Acoustics – Gym Flooring Division to advise on potential solutions to address this challenge while remaining cost effective.The SolutionCMS Danskin Acoustics worked with Sport & Fitness Flooring to undertake on-site subjective testing to determine the level of sound reduction and vibration control that would be required. The primary objectives were to prevent vibration travelling into the structure of the building thus resulting in potential structural damage or unwanted noise levels on the ground floor below. Samples of different build ups were provided by CMS Danskin Acoustics on site for testing within a day of the initial request.“Throughout the planning stages CMS Danskin Acoustics acted as a ‘springboard’ for our ideas. They were extremely helpful in offering their expertise to find solutions to meeting the performance requirements of the floor,” said Darren Wood, Director of Sport & Fitness Flooring.Sport & Fitness Flooring worked with CMS Danskin Acoustics to identify a way of raising the floor in different areas to meet a consistent 84mm thickness throughout, without having an adverse effect on the acoustic performance of the flooring. CMS Danskin Acoustics developed a bespoke specification for the four key areas, with solutions subsequently presented to the architect and approved for use on the project.The ResultCMS Danskin Acoustics was able to meet the performance, volume, and diversity of product needed to effectively treat the floor at a competitive price and on budget.In the main gym area, a high-performance combination of everroll® Multitile (everroll Multitile 27mm) was bonded to Regupol® 40/80 Acoustic Foam and fitted to Regupol® Vibration 300. In the cardiovascular zone, Multitile (everoll Multitile 27mm) was bonded to Regufoam® 270 acoustic PU foam and fitted to ply which was adhered to Regupol® Vibration 300. The track was treated with BOK Sprint track bonded to a everroll® Impact Pad elastic layer, ply build up and Regupol® Vibration 300. Finally, concrete effect Luxury Vinyl Tiles (LVT) were used to create a purpose-built ramp up to the 84mm floor level from the entrance lobby.On day one of the build schedule, there was a timed delivery of the material. The bespoke order was exactly as specified and allowed installation to begin immediately with no delays. CMS Danskin Acoustics attended Oaksey House to provide expert on-site support and technical guidance on the installation. The project finished a week ahead of schedule, on budget and the flooring met all the performance requirements that were specified. Crucially, a consistent floor level was successfully achieved throughout the gym.“It’s quite common for suppliers to just sell a material and move on, but CMS Danskin Acoustics deliver a first-class expert and professional service from initial technical involvement, to tracking, delivery, installation and sign off. We regularly work with CMS Danskin Acoustics on various bespoke projects and are always confident in the solutions and expertise provided,” concluded Darren.

Porth Transport Hub is an integrated bus and rail interchange part of the Porth Regeneration Strategy located at the existing railway station. The hub is modern and attractive at the heart of the Town Centre, providing seamless travel across bus and rail. The development saw demolition of three buildings to include electric vehicle charging points, a taxi rank, cycle stores and several upgrades across the local Active Travel network.Cellecta’s HEXATHERM XFLOOR 300 was specified by Redstart due to its high resistance to compression and closed cell structure that provides unrivalled resistance to water absorption, making them ideal for a multitude of domestic, commercial, and educational applications.Encon Construction in partnership with Rhondda Cynon Taf Council was awarded this 530m² contract for this development in Porth.

If your hospitality establishment is off grid, here at Calor you can benefit from our versatile LPG heating solutions which translate into both fuel and CO2 savings when compared with oil, keeping your customers happy with hot water and piping hot food. Follow the link to read through the case study with one of our clients, Nash Manor House. ''The oil tank has rusted and started leaking and I was concerned about the impact that this might have on the environment. I also didn’t like the fact that oil was a target for thieves – so I wanted a fuel that could not be easily stolen. On paper LPG appeared to be more expensive than oil, but in practice that has not been the case.''

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 FasTop RS69 polyurethane cement system was used for this ongoing Bangladesh food production plant project to deliver a heavy duty hygienic floor. Sherwin-Williams FasTop Multi RS69 product used in this system delivered a thickness of 6 mm overall and 9 mm in selected areas under machines where the floor would be subjected to boiling water. The initial area totalled 3500 sqm, and then further areas were done as the applicator worked through the factory. The project was the first time Quality Floors Bangladesh Ltd. team had taken advantage of the FasTop technology which featured extreme application conditions, including temperatures of 34-36oC, day and night, and also air humidity up to 100%.

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

When the idyllic village of Tormarton nestled in the Cotswolds wanted to transform the main room in their village hall, the committee responsible for organising and specifying a replacement floor would choose Taraflex® Multi-Use from international flooring specialist Gerflor.Tormarton has a population of about 350 people from a wide variety of backgrounds. At the centre of village life is the parish hall which provides a blank canvass for a raft of local community activities.Stewart Waters, Chair of the Tormarton Parish Council commented, “We specified Gerflor Taraflex® Multi-Use indoor sports surface as it would cater for a variety of needs. The new Taraflex® sports vinyl floor is much easier to maintain and clean and so much brighter than the old, dated tiles.”Commenting on the project Chris Pursey, Gerflor Area Sales Specification Manager, Southwest & Channel Islands said,” The existing subfloor consisted of old vinyl tiles, which although were well bonded to the substrate, presented a health and safety risk if removed due to possible presence of asbestos.” Chris Pursey added, “For this reason, we specified that the installation should ideally be over an Isolsport membrane, which left the tiles undisturbed and also enabled the installation to be done quickly with minimal floor preparation.”Stewart Waters ended by saying, “We have had lots of positive comments and all parties are really pleased with the refurbishment. We would definitely choose Gerflor flooring again.”Taraflex® sports flooring has been fitted at every Olympic Games since 1976. Approved by many National and International governing bodies as a world class sports surface, it is also widely installed within the education, community, leisure, health, and fitness sectors.

The building that would be the St Margaret’s Primary School, officially opened by Robert Leitch the local parish vicar in 1889 provided education to children up to fourteen. The school underwent many changes in structure throughout its over 100-year existence continuing to provide the high level of teaching it always held. In 2012 it underwent a further change in the form of a huge modernisation project that would extend the school and allow more students to be taken. Unfortunately, leaks were reported on the older parts of the building and despite localised repairs were not ultimately solving the problem.After reports of leaks it was imperative that the roofs in question were inspected to find where the issues were originating, in action to this a site survey was undertaken. The survey highlighted the original build-up consisted of an asphalt on a timber deck, this original system was in a aged condition. It was also shown that standing water and vegetarian had developed on the roof. In order to protect the building from further leaking it was determined that the roof would benefit greatly from the installation of a high-performance waterproofing system.Along with waterproofing improvements, there would also be improvements made to the falls which would reduce the amount of standing water present on the roof.Waterproofing would not be the only recommendation; the roof was also to receive a full thermal upgrade which would further provide the benefit of increase fuel bills and less energy consumption for the school.Taking into consideration all these points, the Polyroof Technical team began creating a bespoke specification that would provide the details needed to make these recommendations a reality. The Polyroof Approved contractor Thomas Cassie & Sons was specifically chosen to undertake this project due to their experience in liquid roofing systems. With a specification and approved contractor ready the project could officially commence.

Date of Project: August - September 2014Project Owner: Occidental PetroleumProject Contractor: Hugh Roberts ConstructionMarket/Environment: Oil ProductionSubstrate: Gunite from the 1960sProduct Used: Five Star Structural Concrete V/0®Project Size: 500+ PailsProject DetailsIn 1965, four artificial islands were built in San Pedro Bay off the coast of Long Island to conceal oil pumping stations. In the year 2000, Occidental Petroleum purchased the islands, known as THUMS Islands or Astronaut Islands, and operations. The islands contain significant landscaping, a waterfall, and tall structures concealing the drilling rigs, including one known as The Condo and often mistaken for "a ritz hotel" by those on land. Island Grissom is the closest to land and contains more sculptured screens than the other islands.The ChallengeOver the years, wind and water have taken their toll on the concrete structures around the island, causing a great deal of deterioration. A few obstacles to overcome were:The depth of repair (Tapcons were driven into the substrate for added reinforcement in the deeper areas of repair)Direct sun/heatHeight of repair was as high as 100 feetLimitations on water saturation for presoak and wet cure.Deliveries had to be scheduled precisely as all products had to be shuttled over to the island via ferry.Five Star® SolutionChosen for this demanding repair project was Five Star Structural Concrete® W/O because of its rapid-setting properties and ability to be used on vertical and overhead surfaces. Moisture-sensitive coatings could also be applied in 8 to 24 hours, speeding up repair time.This high-strength, permanent concrete repair material allowed the workers to make repairs quickly and efficiently, using only one product for thin and thick placement.

In April 2016, the world-renowned London School of Economics announced that Grafton Architects were to design their next major project. The Marshall Building at 44 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, built by Mace Group, includes an extensive two-storey, mixed-use basement that will house plant areas, squash courts, changing facilities and a sports hall, covering a total of over 2,250m2 of floorspace and presenting quite the project for Newton Specialist Contractor Cast Contracting Ltd (CCL).Newton Specialist Contractor CCL were appointed to design, supply and install the waterproofing by principal contractor Mace Group in late 2019.To provide a completely dry, guaranteed solution on such a high profile project, CCL recommended the Newton CDM System.Otherwise known as Type C waterproofing, the CDM System is the safest and most reliable form of waterproofing.Prior to installation, CCL applied Newton 906 Lime Inhibitor to the new slab to prevent free lime from the concrete from affecting the drainage membranes. The Type A liquid waterproofing membrane Newton 103-S was also applied internally to many of the concrete surfaces as a barrier to water.With preparations complete, over 2,250m2 of Newton 520 eco membrane was installed to the floor and over 570m2 of Newton 508 membrane installed to the walls to create the Newton CDM System. A drainage system of Newton Basedrain channels also directs any water captured by the membranes to the point of discharge, and the whole system was sealed with Newton OverTape.Despite requiring dedicated delivery slots, and working to an extremely tight program of work, CCL were praised on the quality and speed of their installation, which was completed well within the time limit.The Newton recycling service was also a great success, recycling 115 kg of HDPE waste and therefore preventing over 132 kg of CO2 emissions.

The new headquarters of interior design brand Brabantia in Valkenswaard was recently completed. Several green living walls have been installed in the office, contributing to the company’s sustainable image. The entire office was built according to the BREEAM standard, designed by Gert Jan Kruijning of AA Architects. The vertical greenery in the building was installed by Ten Brinke Interieurbeplanting.Sustainable DesignBrabantia’s new head office was built climate-neutral according to BREEAM standards. The building’s skeleton is made entirely of wood. The green walls in the office bring in the more natural look and also provide many benefits such as oxygen production and an improved indoor climate.Thomas Deenen, Commercial Director Brabantia Benelux & DACH: ‘Implementing vertical greenery in the design was an idea of the architect, following Brabantia’s requirements. The requirements were; lots of green, sustainable, pleasant atmosphere and a natural transition from outside to inside. The green living walls are a real eye-catcher, a real image-defining part of the interior. The vertical green looks very nice, gives a warm and natural feeling and a fresh smell’.Innovative and sustainable green wall systemThe green walls were installed by Mobilane dealer Ten brinke Interieurbeplanting using the LivePanel Indoor system. LivePanel Indoor is an innovative and sustainable system in the field of vertical greenery. It is suitable for installation against new and existing walls. It is possible to water the green walls manually, automatically or by means of a tank. For the walls at Brabantia, automatic watering was the option chosen.A century of quality and designBrabantia started out in 1919 as Van Elderen & Co in Aalst, producing milk churns, jugs, sieves and funnels. Over the years, Brabantia has grown into a global interior design brand, known for its smart and stylish household products.Client: BrabantiaArchitect: AA ArchitectenConstruction period: 2022Installation: Mobicare

CLIENT The National Centre for Food Manufacturing at University of Lincoln leads the way for food industry innovation for businesses and employees.PROJECTProcurement of a hand dryer suitable to use within food manufacturing areas. It must be hygienic, dry hands quickly, make minimal noise and limit the creation of slip hazzards.SOLUTION- V7-300Over 300 jets of strategically placed air remove water from both sides of hands simultaniously without needing continuous hand movement. The Veltia V7-300 hand dryer uses patented technology to stop water from your hands ending up on the floor surface. This range uses Microban technology - an antibacterial protection impregnated at the manufacturing stage (that doesn’t wear out) which inhibits the growth and transference of microbes and harmful bacteria. There is also a ZeroSmell feature that neutralises bad odours. If that wasn’t enough, the V7 boasts of low noise and low energy use, too.The National Centre for Food Manufacturing (NCFM) is dedicated to helping food industry employees advance their careers. They understand the demands of working in this fast moving, dynamic industry. V7-300 hand dryers were fitted into NCFM factory areas two years ago, and the units continue to be easy to clean, quiet and perform their task very well. The hand dryer gives a very good first impression to our visitors as they pass through our hand washing systems. Alongside an extensive academic offering the NCFM is also committed to spurring innovation within the sector. An important role of the NCFM is to help food companies see what good looks like within the food industry.“The V7-300 continues to hit the high standards we set out for training and education work.”

Reducing pavement clutter in Hackney.Dockless hire bikes are a great way to get around, but they can lead to inconsiderate parking and increased pavement clutter.To encourage responsible parking, Hackney opted to create designated parking areas for both the end-user and the scheme operator. They selected 71 locations and Cyclehoop installed their newly launched Mobility Corral, which offers clear advantages over simple road-marked boundaries and built-out parking options. When installed on the carriageway, it creates a physical barrier to separate dockless bikes from other road users, helping prevent damage from falls or vehicle strikes. The enclosure encourages neat, ordered parking for a tidy streetscape. High level signage makes the corrals visible to users from a distance. Signage can also be customised with branding and instructions. The modular construction and minimal ground fixings allow corrals to be relocated, expanded or reconfigured to meet changes in demand.

The £25 million redevelopment of the hospital includes a new emergency department. Working alongside our clients Willmott Dixon Interiors Ltd, GDL were appointed to manufacture and supply the Acoustic Louvres and the Clip-on Louvre screening as part of the 23 hour assessment and A&E refurbishment. Our acoustic Louvres are designed to attenuate medium and high frequency noise breakouts from ductwork and plant room openings and were selected for the existing plant area along Pond Street. This product can be manufactured to suit any bespoke size requirements and is available in single bank or for higher levels of attenuation, double bank.  Our Louvre screening can be located at basement, ground, mid or roof level and can be fixed in a conventional 45º angle or inverted depending on the privacy requirements of the designers and architects. We can also supply single or double leaf doors providing secure access to the screened areas. 

Composite Decking - Interlocking Dura Deck Tiles | Case StudyThe RHS Chelsea Flower Show is a renowned annual garden exhibition held for five days each year by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) in the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea in Chelsea, London.Gorilla Carts and Kiosks were chosen to supply anti-slip modular flooring to enable safe access around the food courts. Using the innovative fast-fit interlocking Dura Deck Tile product designed and manufactured by Dura Composites, Gorilla Carts and Kiosks were able to quickly and easily install hundreds of square metres of outdoor flooring which provided clear demarcation of pedestrian standing and seating areas. Anti-slip, durable, and with an attractive woodgrain composite timber finish, the tiles interlock quickly and easily for set up and removal – and can be laid on virtually any existing hardstanding to create a simple decked area.

The clients wanted a floor that could run continuously throughout. From the kitchen to the garden and pool areas…. even up the stairs. Polished concrete is one of the few materials that can be used to great effect in all of these environments.The effectiveness of the underfloor heating was of great importance to the clients. The use of polished concrete throughout the entire ground floor allowed for maximum efficiency of the underfloor heating by allowing the whole area to have fantastic thermal retention properties. All without having to compromise on style and practicality.One of our most popular shades, Off White is the perfect neutral tone to bring warmth to softer spaces – like the living room and bedrooms – and classic elegance to more functional rooms like the kitchen.The metal stair treads were installed on site ready to be infilled with concrete. We poured approximately 50mm of concrete into the pre-formed tray and then coloured and polished the surface to ensure they were a great match to the adjacent floor.

Challenge:For the first phase of 80 retail units, Phoenix Brickwork required IG’s bespoke arch lintels accommodating a range of opening spans between 910mm to 6000mm for ground and first floor shopfront door and window openings.Solution:IG’s technical team worked closely with Phoenix Brickwork and developed a one-piece lintel design solution taking into consideration loading conditions for each application.All special lintels were delivered to site as part of the project build schedule and helped to achieve the desired façade complementing both the fascia and canopy design. The welcoming shop fronts are sympathetic to building and have helped contribute to an attractive retail and leisure development.The 30,000m2 of retail space built over two phases will eventually consist of 125 retail units, generate 1,200+ additional jobs and create a new retail destination for the region with the aim to attract over 39 million tourists a year.

Lomax & Wood are delighted to have been involved with the window installation for 1 Warwick; the latest members’ House from the Maslow’s family, housed in a Neo- Baroque mansion on the corner of Warwick, Brewer, and Glasshouse Street — a slice of London that has played muse to writers, artists, poets, and musicians over the centuries.At 1 Warwick, Maslow's theory of human motivation and happiness serves as the inspiration behind the design of the six-storey mansion. The space features a range of beautifully designed workspaces, members' lounges, event spaces, a studio, and a gym. Guests can also indulge in a tempting array of culinary delights throughout the venue, all overseen by executive chef Tom Cenci. The rooftop restaurant, bar, and terrace Yasmin is exclusively available to members and offers a delicious Middle Eastern menu. Meanwhile, Nessa, a playful neighbourhood bistro and bar located on the ground floor, puts an imaginative twist on British classics.

Sika supplied a fully-comprehensive solution to provide the ultimate watertight protection for a basement within a commercial superstructure that is destined to earn ‘landmark’ status in London’s Canary Wharf.Located within the capital’s thriving dockside district, 1 Bank Street will occupies a 5,000m2 footprint. The stunning 28-storey building, which is 145 metres above ground, is designed to include cutting-edge trading floors on three levels. A large slip form core forms a significant part of the fully fitted-out building which has achieved an ‘Outstanding’ BREEAM rating, making it one of the most sustainable and desirable buildings of its type in London. Designed by globally-renowned architects, Kohn Pederson Fox Associates (KPF) in conjunction with structural engineers, Arup, 1 Bank Street provides capacity for 6,000 full-time equivalent jobs, enhancing the role of Canary Wharf as a prime London office and employment location.

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

The first phase of Allies and Morrison‘s “Hale Wharf” development consists of 249 new homes across two buildings, and a pedestrian bridge that sits on a slender island overlooking the River Lee at Tottenham Hale. The venture also includes external spaces for communities to enjoy and easy access to public transport and nearby nature spot. Commercial areas are also included on the ground floor to further improve the area.Freshfield Lane First Quality and Selected Darks are used to striking effect as a homage to the characteristics of London’s historic canals. The hues embodied within the bricks allow for the structure to complement the modernisation of the area while also complimenting the waterfront green areas and the development of nearby nature parks.Hale Wharf represents an exciting opportunity for an area of London that needed a number of new properties to fulfil local needs, as such, a number of units in the development have been built to be affordable. Further developments are planned along the island with Phase 2 starting construction in 2022.

The Bodmin Jail on the edge of the Bodmin Moor in Cornwall was originally built by military engineer John Call during the reign of King George III in 1779, as part of the ground-breaking Prison Reform. The buildings in their current form were completed by 1881. The later 19th century saw part of the site transferred to the Admiralty, and the Bodmin Royal Naval Prison was established by 1887. The building is statutorily listed at grade II and has been renovated as a luxury 70-bedroom boutique hotel and a museum.Over the course of history, the roof structure and slate have suffered significant degradation, which has given Mallino Developments Ltd. the challenge of immediate renovation. Twelve Architects, a London-based firm are behind the design of the hotel, while the main contractor C Field Construction and engineers ARUP Group turned the design into reality. Close attention was paid to the design aesthetics required to achieve a contemporary looking roof structure on the historic building.

The Perry Barr Residential Scheme forms part of an exciting £700m regeneration project in north-west Birmingham.When complete, it will welcome thousands of new residents to over 1,400 modern homes. They’ll also have vibrant restaurants and retailers right on their doorstep, along with upgraded transport infrastructure.Towelrads provided radiators for Plot 7, a six-storey residential building with ground floor retail. These included bespoke non-UK market sizes which Towelrads successfully manufactured and shipped into the UK, fulfilling a quick turnaround on a prompt call-off basis. Towelrads also supplied all the chrome electric towel rails in the apartments’ bathrooms.Originally planned to be the Athletes’ Village for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, the first residents are due to move into the former Birmingham CityUniversity site in 2023. They’ll be setting up home in houses and apartments spanning the private sector, shared ownership and social housing overseen by BirminghamCity Council.

Project OverviewMount Earl Gardens is a new residential development in Streatham, South London, built on a site formerly occupied by old garages. Modular construction has been used to create a building of one, two and three storeys, creating as little impact as possible on the views from existing houses. Walkways have been designed within the block, with 'modernist' screening which allows light and fresh air into these areas whilst still keeping them safe and secure for residents. The aluminium screening runs along the length of the buildings and is also utilised in sections, including garden division screens, throughout the entire block of thirty-two apartments. To achieve the design vision, the building needed an homogeneous appearance to blend with the external red brick facade.Off-site build and finishThe client selected the perfect shade from our Landscape™ Terrain range of powder coatings - 'Original Terracotta'. All of our architectural powder coating have excellent durability, requiring minimal maintenance. Powder coating as a process brings further benefits, particularly to a modular build. The apartments were entirely built in a factory, leading to a faster installation time, less time spent on site and a 90% reduction in on-site waste. Powder coating is also a factory controlled process, thereby reducing time spent, and waste generated on site, and not dependent on weather conditions as is the case with air drying wet paint.Powdertech Corby coated nearly 3000 linear metres of aluminium which was fabricated into screens off-site and delivered to site just in time for installation.BenefitsPowder coating is an offsite process. It is factory controlled leading to improved consistency, less wastage and reduced environmental impact.The powders have excellent weather resistance and colour stability.Powdertech's rigorous pre-treatment system will help to keep the facade elements free from corrosion for up to 40-years.Powdertech plant and the operational team have the capacity to process large quantities of material within a short time frame, with no compromise on quality.

Controlling noise and acoustics is a key element in design and particularly when designing for the elderly. The need for more assisted-living and retirement accommodation continues to rise to match the ever-growing ageing population whether it’s to combat the cost of living independently, downsizing, increased care needs or just a sense of community and freedom.Care Homes and Day Centres play an important role in our society and can improve the quality of life for its users through an increased sense of security and to combat isolation. New accommodation is frequently designed to replicate the comforts of a home and to minimise transitional stress but all too frequently ambient levels of noise add to the challenges faced by the elderly. The impact of noise pollution on the elderly is far worse than in younger years. Presbycusis, (hearing loss that occurs gradually for many of us as we grow older) along with cumulative lifetime noise exposure, decline in physiological resilience and dementia all have an impact. The McManus and McClenaghan (2010) study recommended that “having a good acoustic environment can support inclusion and reduce confusion in people with dementia”. Today’s trends of designing with hard surfaces means that all too often the problem is exacerbated with residents, staff and visitors suffering from noise pollution adding to increased levels of stress and anxiety.Danish acoustic panel manufacturer Troldtekt is a world leader in designing and developing acoustic panels to create calm, healthy, comfortable environments with their long-lasting solutions for effective sound control combined with colour to create characterful design. Troldtekt acoustic panels are available in a variety of different structures and colours combining superior sound absorption with award-winning design. The Troldtekt range has a minimum expected life cycle of 50 years coupled with excellent resistance to humidity and tested to meet ball impact standards. The range is available in various sizes and structures, from extreme fine to coarse. They can be supplied as natural wood or finished in almost any RAL or NCS colour. Depending on the panel specified, reaction to fire is classed in accordance with EN 13501 as B-s1,d0 or A2-s1,d0 respectively.

THE PROJECTParadise Student Village is in a prime location being only a short walk from Coventry City Centre and the main University campus. This impressive site contains over a thousand rooms, and this is likely to grow.The company behind this development is AXO, a student accommodation provider, who is committed to going that extra mile for their residents. The living experience of the student community is their top priority, with a range of future-proofed attractive facilities.One of the new services on offer at Paradise Student Village is the intelligent parcel management system myRENZbox delivered by The Safety Letterbox Company, part of the RENZ Group.Available to all couriers, this system allows students to manage their parcel deliveries and returns with utmost security and discretion via mobile app or online portal. It can also be used as a safe storage location or to securely exchange personal items between residents or for collection of packages by local services, such as dry-cleaning companies.Not only does myRENZbox save time for users, but having this system as a secure central delivery location also increases the number of successful first-time deliveries at Paradise Student Village. This intelligent parcel box solution has a positive impact on the environment, as there are fewer journeys made by delivery personnel.For AXO, the headache of intercepting and organising parcel deliveries has been solved by myRENZbox. Deliveries are made directly into the system, so the front of house staff can concentrate on offering the best living experience to the students. The responsibility for lost or damaged parcels becomes a thing of the past!For students, myRENZbox streamlines the process. There is no waiting time to pick-up their parcels. They are in control of their deliveries via the mobile app. As soon as they receive a notification of delivery into the system, they can collect their items.The myRENZbox configuration installed expertly at Paradise Student Village comprises of a control module, two 533mm extension modules and seven 300mm extension modules. It has been designed to fit snuggly in the alcove space available. The system has been powder coated in Traffic White (RAL9016), which is one of many standard colours. The overall appearance is clean and bright and allows the myRENZbox logo to stand out.

Glazing Vision rooflights were used in the re-construction of this mews house situated in the prime real estate and conservation area of Mayfair, London. The building is an exceptional example of stunning architecture and elegant, contemporary interiors. Whilst adding a majestic character to the mews itself with its dark brick façade and impactful balcony, the outer appearance belies the vast size of the residence internally. After the demolition of the former mews house and after 2 years of construction, which had even necessitated underpinning the neighbouring houses, this property now accommodates a basement with indoor pool, lower ground floor with cinema room, open plan living and dining space, 2 floors of bedrooms and bathrooms, as well as additional terraced balconies.Keeping the interiors bright and airy throughout was key to the design concept – floor to ceiling windows and Flushglaze Walk On Rooflights from Glazing Vision were installed to maximise the daylight where it would have been otherwise compromised on the ground and second floors. In addition, a Glazing Vision 3 Wall Box Rooflight provides unimpeded access from an internal staircase to the impressive roof terrace, which is recessed down 1 1/2metres between 2 pitched roofs and which offers a vast outdoor space for entertaining, dining and relaxing.Two Flushglaze Walk On rooflights were specified by the architect to negate the risk of potential dark spots appearing in the dining zone and living area on the ground floor. Engineered by Glazing Vision to bespoke sizes and to meet the future projected foot traffic upon them, they were seamlessly integrated into the balconied terrace on the second floor, thus shedding light through to the bench seating in the kitchen and lounge.Their minimal internal framework was in keeping with the contemporary aesthetic of the interior, and both rooflights augment the quality and quantity of light entering this open plan area, even extending out towards the central stairwell and landing.Two further custom-sized Flushglaze Walk On Rooflights installed on the roof terrace add an intricate design detail but also create a wow factor. Perfect for flat roof terraces, these rooflights lie flush with the wooden decking. Again tested to allow for regular foot traffic and to bear the weight of terrace furniture, the rooflights offer complete safety and watertight integrity. On the second floor below, the two windowless bathrooms are flooded with the light coming through these rooflights – indeed such is the brightness of these rooms that privacy blinds have been installed for occasional use.Seeking to optimise the very large roof space that had been created (4m x 8m) the architect specified Glazing Vision’s 3 Wall Box Rooflight, which would offer easy access all year round to the roof terrace and also provide a contemporary glass feature. For the accommodation of the 3 wall mounted box rooflight a timber box frame had to be built which abutted the exposed brick wall behind.The property’s imposing central staircase provides access to the box rooflight, which in turn maximises the light falling down the stairwell to the bottom of the house. At a touch of a button from an access keypad, the sliding roof retracts to give a 50% clear opening with no “bowing of the head” necessary. The operation is quiet and safe, and the provision of a rain sensor ensures closure from inclement weather.

A faceted on plan curtain wall completed in AluK’s SL52 system is the centrepiece of the two storey community hub known as The Curve in the Bryn Gaer Place housing development. AluK’s technical team worked closely with their commercial fabrication partners Vellacine to design the curtain walling for the project in Newport, which also required an external canopy to be attached to the system. The challenge was to deliver the faceted on plan design in a practical and cost effective way. This was achieved utilising AluK’s SL52 curtain walling system with a variable gasket solution and a single mullion to ensure that the glazing complemented the external façade design. AluK’s SL52 flexible, capped curtain walling system met the aesthetic, thermal, wind and water performance requirements set down by the north Wales based architects Ainsley Gommon. 

The patients’ garden at Homerton Hospital in Hackney has been completely transformed with a Stonebound resin bound porous paving finish to the pathways in the newly landscaped courtyard area.SURFACING REQUIREMENTSThe hospital was looking for a minimal maintenance surfacing option for the hospital garden to offer a welcoming, tranquil outside space for visitors and patients. The paving needed to be porous to minimize surface water, seamless and have good slip resistance for comfort and safety underfoot.Addagrip approved contractor D C Flooring was invited by G.K.Works to install 169 sqm of Stonebound resin bound porous surfacing in a Blizzard blend to give a cool and contemporary look to this outdoor area. The surfacing is decorative, porous, allowing access all year round and offers good slip resistance.The installation was completed in August 2021.

The £26m Dover District Leisure Centre features the first swimming pool in Kent to be purpose-built to Sport England specifications for a county standard competition swimming pool. Other facilities at the centre include a learner pool with a moveable floor, sports hall, interactive climbing arena, fitness studios, gym, squash courts, outdoor five-a-side 3G pitches, sauna and steam room, café, and 250 parking spaces.SolutionDortek doors are specially designed for wet applications and meet the Sport England design guidance requirements. Dortek access solutions are built to withstand severe temperature variations and damp conditions, they are also bacteria and corrosion-resistant. Their timber free construction means they will not rot, rust or warp even after years of exposure to water and cleaning agents.

Arts University Bournemouth Halls of Residence Madeira Road is a significant university development in the Lansdowne area of Bournemouth town centre. This development consists of 374 rooms and four studios, arranged over three blocks, and a 400 space multi-story car park. Each building ranges from three to four storeys, with standard bedroom accommodation in each block; all blocks are set out around a landscaped courtyard, allowing direct access to adjacent blocks.Cellecta’s HEXATHERM XFLOOR 500 was specified by BrightSpace Architects Ltd for its high resistance to compression and closed cell structure that provides unrivalled resistance to water absorption, making them ideal for residential applications.Morgan Sindall Construction was awarded this 9,000m² contract to construct this development.

Arras Way is a development of 47 units of 17 houses and two blocks of flats built in a traditional style to create a modern and comfortable living experience. The landscaped communal gardens help maintain the feeling of community life this fantastic location offers. It is situated in the coastal town centre of Folkestone, under 20 minutes to Dover and 35 minutes to Calais via the Euro tunnel. Cellecta’s TETRiS was specified by Apex Architecture as it provides outstanding thermal and structural performance. It produces a floor with zero cold bridges and is quicker and easier to install than a concrete block floor. TETRiS is a foil-facing insulation block with excellent thermal performance and very low water absorption; these blocks make the ideal flooring system.Dwyer Engineering was awarded this 2,914m² contract to construct this development in Folkestone. 

Does the new library bring the Bilbao effect to Alexandrina?The cultural centre Bibliotheca Alexandrina opened in April 2002 was built under the auspices of UNESCO, and aims to build on the glorious past of the ancient library.dormakaba's contribution to the projectOnly 30 metres separate the library from the Mediterranean. Its deepest sections lie 18 m underground and 12 m below sea level, calling for sophisticated structural measures. Library stocks had to be wellprotected against both water and fire.To guarantee this protection and user comfort, the architects turned to dormakaba. The fire protection and smoke check concept includes TS 93 cam-action door closers and ITS 96 integrated door closers, some with electromechanical hold-open, plus BTS 80 and BTS 80F floor springs.

The currently ongoing project at Latham’s Yard is a large-scale refurbishment of a range of apartment buildings with new cladding and decking to adhere to post-Grenfell fire legislation.Project BreakdownThis multi-phase project see’s no less than 10 high-rise apartment buildings being fitted with building materials that pass updated safety regulations.The SolutionOur 150 Aqua Channel Aluminium Decking was chosen for this balcony refurb as it is easy to install and has an A-class fire resistance rating. These deck boards are extremely low-slip and feature a passive drainage system that allows for management of water runoff.Project DetailsSize: 4000 m²Product: 150 Aqua Channel Client: :  Taylor Wimpey Architect: PRP ArchitectsSub-contractor: KDD ConstructionLocation: London