"ground water control trench sheeting etc"

ASE STUDY PROJECT NAME: DERBYSHIRE HOUSE RENOVATION PRODUCT SUPPLIED AEROMIX SUPPLIED AND INSTALLED BY: CLOCKWORK SCREED INITIAL BRIEF: Garage to a one bed bungalow conversion. Aeromix was chosen for this project thanks to its many benefits of offering warmth, smoothness of finish and speed of install. The floor needed to be strong and warm so by using Aeromix with its thermal properties the finish was amazing. 175mm Aeromix was poured directly over compacted hard core topped with 65mm C20 liquid screed . The builder who completed this project AA BUILDERS DERBY said “The product is amazing and the finish is amazing, I would recommend it to anybody and everybody” Building control, GEORGE REDGRAVE DBCP He was very impressed with the flooring and commented “what a nice finish. , this is the way forward” Aeromix provided the ideal solution for the insulation on this project, compared to the normal concrete floor and other traditional methods, the speed of pumping the insulation coupled with the high thermal properties has contributed in saving the customer both time and money. 

The $18.8 billion Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge, the longest open-sea fixed link on earth, is now protected by fire panels from from global industry leader, Advanced.A network of 31 Advanced ExGo gas extinguishant control panels were installed as part of the active fire protection protocol for one of South East Asia’s most ambitious infrastructure projects. The Advanced network protects the artificial island gateway in Hong Kong that serves as an entry and exit point for the new 34-mile bridge-tunnel hybrid system, used by over a 15 million people a year.The ExGo panels were selected to protect critical server rooms in 10 different structures on the purpose-built island, including police and fire stations ,as well as customs and administrative buildings. Each extinguishing system was designed, installed, configured and commissioned by Peak Trade International Limited, with every ExGo panel connected to at least one remote status indicator unit.

Like every other institute of learning, the University of Bristol has to provide world class educational facilities, but also find new revenue streams. One such area is the provision of commercial conference space. This of course brings an extra pressure in the quality of the space provided to fee paying delegates.The atmosphere of the large open atrium was dependent on controlling the level of reverberation, without compromising on the architectural finish.Working closely with the Main Contractors Site Team, Architect and Client, we were involved in the specification for the new Atrium Feature Wall, along with all complex detailing, including expansion joints, louvres and display cabinets.Working closely with Vinci Construction, to carry out the Absorb-R GypLine αw Acoustic Plaster treatment to the Atrium Feature Wall at the University.Soundis Absorb-R GypLine αw system was installed to give a very desirable natural white stippled effect, combined with a highly absorbent functional wall spanning the length and height of the building, rising a full 5 floors.

IntroductionFollowing consultations with our design team, Surespan designed and manufactured a large double roof hatch for the National Oilwell Varco Dunfermline factory in Scotland.Products suppliedWe supplied;Surespan designed and manufactured bespoke double leaf hatches, measuring 4 metres by 4.3 metres. These hatches enable an external crane to lift the manifold units through the roof.With the use of a key, these hatches are controlled by a small PLC that electrically operates the Hatches in an automated sequence.Features:The bespoke double leaf hatches were specially designed to stay open utilising strut locking to withstand the wind condition they specified with the design team.The projectThe NOV Dunfermline factory experienced difficulties building tall manifold assemblies due to the restricted height of the building. Following a consultation with our experienced design team, they were able to design a solution to solve the issue.The outcome: NOV were able to continue its operation in the existing factory without having to hire temporary premises.

Located in the painstakingly conserved 16th century Riddle’s Court in Edinburgh’s Old Town, the Patrick Geddes Centre is aworld-class centre for learning. Steeped in history, culture andarchitectural wonder, it reopened as a community, conferenceand events space following a £6m restoration in 2017.Allgood was selected by conservation specialist architectsLDN to deliver an ironmongery solution that would providemodern facilities within the picturesque Category A-listedmerchant’s house, without compromising the integrity of theoriginal building.Prestigious heritage hardware brand Frank Allart was chosen,and an antique brass finish was applied to blend in with thehistoric areas of the venue. Throughout the modern quarters,the high-performance and ultra-durable Modric stainless steelrange was used.Bespoke hinges and door closers were developed to matchthe different manufacturers’ ironmongery, while Certifireapproved Alite door closers and Allgood’s integrated securitypackage including secure access controls, intercom andvideo entry systems were employed to deliver a high-qualityfinish.

A 200 sqm, highly energy-efficient new build project in a remote location in the Highlands of Scotland. Built using sustainable materials, and with the timber frame sourced locally and wood fibre insulation used alongside SuperFOIL Insulation throughout. Powered throughout the year using solar PV and battery storage.Looking to increase the thermal resistance of the building envelope in order to reduce energy usage. With the building using an air source heat pump and underfloor heating, they wanted to make sure that any heat loss was minimised and it was vital that they chose the correct insulation for the walls and roof.Solution: SuperFOIL SF19+ is a multifoil product with a total of 11 layers, made of wadding, aluminium coated PET layers and Foil Laminated Outer Layers. At only 40mm thick and providing an R-value of 2.14 when used in a roof, SF19 can be used on its own or in combination with other types of insulation. A fully flexible product that provides a vapour control layer as well as acting as a radiant barrier.

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.

A Very Victorian Problem The Royal College Building is Category B listed. Designed by David Barclay, the 190s, gargantuan 4-storey Italianate college is a monument to Victorian architecture. It houses the University of Strathclyde's Principal and Vice-Chancellor's residence, alongside various university departments and independent businesses. As you'd expect, the entrance lobby is a grand affair and welcomes thousands of students, staff and visitors through its arched bays and up its curved marble staircase. But, with a Glasgow city-centre location and architecture pre-dating modern draught lobbies or revolving doors, Estates Services were losing a battle with the inclement weather. They needed to take control and prevent water from being traced into the building, making the subsequent tiled floor and marble steps slippery. A Custom ApproachThe University's Building Surveyor contacted INTRAsystems while exploring potential products in their ongoing experiments. After a follow-up call subsequent site visit, it was clear they had a design opportunity to create a unique Entrance Mat for a unique building. With its listed building status, the Entrance Matting system needed to be true to its heritage as a technical college of engineering - practically perfect and sympathetic to the building's aesthetics. Customised Chessboard Tiled Entrance MattingWe advised increasing the Entrance Mat from 4m2 to 10m2, the full width of the Polished red ashlar portico entrance bay and all the way to the marble staircase. However, extending the small matwell wasn't possible because of listed building constraints, so we suggested filling in the existing recessed matwell and installing a surface-mounted system with ramped edges. Fine Details But Heavy DutyWe custom-made 380 x 380mm INTRAshape tiles, with a black anodised finish and combined them with INTRAlux Elite Black 608 and Grey 606 inserts, to match the existing chessboard, monochrome flooring tiles perfectly. INTRAlux Elite has a high-density pile of coarse and fine polyamide fibres made from 100% Econyl (recycled plastics). They boast high moisture absorption (up to 5.4L/m2) and scraping abilities. The heavy-duty inserts also deliver durability, comfort and excellent sound absorption. This combined with the modular INTRAshape system, meets the multi-directional traffic requirement. A Perfect MatchProcurement partner and preferred contractor, Kirkton Flooring, managed the project with our support for layout and drawings, then Master Matting completed the install. First impressions were positive, and it's a marked improvement on earlier mitigation attempts. "It looks fab thanks, just exactly what I imagined it to be like. Thanks for all your assistance and patience on this one, much appreciated." Building Surveyor, Estates Services, University of StrathclydeMastering Entrance Matting with Expertise and InnovationINTRAsystems' specialist knowledge and proprietary products mean we can tackle any challenge of Entrance Matting. Whether you need a sensitive retrofit in a listed building or a contemporary new build system, we can match your Entrance Matting conundrum to enhance safety, design and first impressions.

The new HMRC regional hub at the Arena Central complex in Birmingham has provided over 240,000 sqft of grade A commercial space over its ground and 13 upper floors. The building features an external envelope of geometric glass and aluminium facades that create an iconic feature to this area of central Birmingham. Working closely with the façade contractor NACWL, specialist architectural metal fabricator Metalline have manufactured and supplied over 9000 m2 of aluminium Unity Rainscreen Panels from their recently extended facility in Cannock. Delivery which commenced in September was completed within 10 weeks. The specification also included over 5000 m2 of Ultima Insulated Spandrel panels along with soffits, column casings and transition panels. The detailed design of the building’s façade demanded a uniformity of colours which was achieved using a single ingot of J57S Up aluminium. The Ultima Insulated Spandrel Panels were finished in a black polyester powder coating. The individual Unity rainscreen panels were supplied in a two – tone specialist 1934 and 1953 Unatex silver anodised finish.

Privacy glass on a balcony is becoming a more frequent request. This installation by AC Fabrications in Cornwall on a domestic property perfectly displays how a glass privacy screen can be used. The partially frosted glass increases privacy for those on the balcony, people at ground level will not be able to see them. The non-frosted section allows the residents to enjoy their view from the privacy of their balcony. Taller glass on one side extends the privacy even more, and also will act as a windbreak. Frameless glass balustrade is often used as a windbreak on balconies, the solid pane of glass protecting those on the balcony. The installer has used POSIglaze base fit Silver brushed channel. Designed to provide the greatest possible adjustment opportunities, this system enables each panel to be perfectly aligned during, or even after, installation. POSIglaze is the perfect choice for residential to light commercial installations where up to 1.5kN frameless glass balustrade is required. This innovative patented and market leading screw-clamp technology locks glass panels into position effortlessly, with four immobilising fasteners per meter of channel. 

The ChallengeBowthorpe is a high-quality development of 174 new homes together with landscaped open space, community gardens and a children’s play area on an area of undeveloped land in Norwich.The development was inspired by nearby Bowthorpe Hall and explored the idea of an historic walled garden with homes built within its boundary.As part of the site’s high environmental standards, it was critical that existing features, such as important tree belts and hedges were retained while also accommodating a proposed network of cycle and walking routes.The SolutionForterra’s Breckland Reserve – a red, tumbled, wirecut brick – was used alongside flint on the ground floor of some of the homes to create detailed wall work that echoed Bowthorpe Hall.Traditional red tiled roof pitches sit above the wall and reference Bowthorpe Cottages. On top of the wall sit cedar shingle clad upper floors.Traditional terraces form most of the new homes, with flats provided alongside unique mews-style housing.The BenefitsThe building form, the materials selected, and the use of pattern and decoration, helped to create a visual connection to the local area.

The Challenge Hunter Street, Chester, is a new development of 77 student residential flats set over six floors, with ancillary and communal facilities, landscaping and car park. Located just within Chester’s city walls, in a redevelopment area, the site is in a prominent position next to the ring road. It is also next to a former Odeon cinema constructed in the 1930s, which has recently been renovated and extended to become the city’s thriving new arts centre, Storyhouse. The Solution It was important that the student accommodation reflect its surrounding environment and so cues for its design were taken from Storyhouse. The brick selected for the project was County Multi Smooth, which is a red, smooth textured, high quality facing brick that complements the modern aesthetic of the copper rainscreen cladding and through coat render used alongside. Extruded brick detailing was included to create a playful relationship with the recessed brick detailing of Storyhouse. The Benefits The use of County Multi Smooth served to connect the structure with the existing masonry buildings adjacent to it, helping to ground it in its environment.

Dartington C of E Primary School in Totnes, Devon were in the process of having a new £7 million school built. The new development consisted of 12 classrooms and a variety of contemporary facilities which 315 primary school pupils and 30 Early Years children would benefit from.As part of the design of the new school, the architect was keen to introduce a free-flow from the outside to the inside. It was also important to them that they create an outside space that could be used throughout the school year.The only way to achieve the level of cover required, would have been to install a number of wall mounted canopies adjacent to the school’s classrooms.It was therefore agreed that 130 metres of timber canopies would be installed around the school, wrapping around the building providing almost uninterrupted cover throughout. This included using our standard Tarnhow timber canopies and adding bespoke qualities to them such as a 90° ‘hip’ (external corner) and a 45° ‘valley’ (internal corner) to the buildings’ entrance and variations in the post heights due to the uneven ground height.

Brett Landscaping, a leading provider of innovative landscaping solutions, partnered with Darcliffe Homes on the Stoneham Park housebuilding project in Reading. Stoneham Park is a prestigious development perfectly located on the Western edge of Reading, offering residents unparalleled access to both urban conveniences and scenic countryside. With beautifully landscaped grounds and a variety of residential options, Stoneham Park aimed to provide a desirable living environment. Brett Landscaping’s role in the project was to supply permeable paving, specifically their Alpha Flow range in Autumn Gold and Brindle colours, along with Chaucer paving slabs in Buff and High Kerb in Autumn Gold to complement the paving. The Stoneham Park project commenced in November 2022 and is scheduled for completion in December 2023. The development encompasses a diverse selection of 1 & 2 bedroom apartments, as well as 2, 3, 4, or 5 bedroom houses, catering to a wide range of potential residents. The project aimed to create a harmonious blend of urban and rural elements, with a picturesque backdrop of open fields, views of Sulham Woods, and convenient access to Reading’s amenities.

Initial project meetings first started in early 2008, the clients owned a small cottage on the site which had been extended several times during the 80’s and had permission to make further adaptations. The mixture of building standards meant that their home was extremely drafty and very energy inefficient. The site itself is particularly exposed. The design which achieved planning permission was a crescent form which steps and slides into the slopes on the site. The crescent formation is in direct response to solar orientation.The brief was to design a building which would accommodate the family for many years into the future, the planned occupancy would be for 5 adults. Additionally, the home will be used for large family occasions. A requirement was set for a minimum 16 seated spaces to be available for dining during these family occasions.Op-Deck was added into the scheme very early into the design process as the way of creating the highly insulated structural floor as the house was being designed under Passivhaus standards. The overall U-value of the property is 0.1w/m2K as standard. The system was installed on the lower and ground floors and also the roof.

As part of Soundis’ ongoing work supplying high-quality acoustic flooring at various Premier Inn’s around the UK, we were brought on to provide acoustic flooring to their Penrith site, one of Premier Inn’s many new sites across the UK.Due to it’s service and close proximity to the Lake District, this hotel has become extremely popular in just a short period of time.Just like a number of our other Premier Inn projects, we supplied an acoustic flooring system to the 1st and 2nd floors. This superb system provides excellent levels of soundproofing while being used in a shallow floor build up.We also supplied XPS Insulation on the ground floor with a 22mm T&G chipboard overlay, maximising durability for the increased footfall.The system we supplied reduced the overall noise within the hotel, allowing Premier Inn to fulfill it’s promise of a good night’s sleep. This installation carried out by UK Acoustic Systems proved to be a great success, reducing the noise levels within the building and helped ensure the most comfortable stay possible for guests.

Edgingtons Architects were appointed by the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead to design and deliver a new build sixth form building for Windsor Girls School. The external detailing of the brickwork takes inspiration from a mature oak tree that sits in close proximity to the building, ground floor representing the tree trunk and first floor the texture of the branches and leaves. Internally the building follows a simple layout with a neutral palette of cream, grey and light wood finishes.The ironmongery brief was to specify a simple, robust and affordable ironmongery scheme that would stand up to the typical heavy use of an education setting while ensuring the products were chosen to ensure a long life span. The scheme centres around our Vieler 522 safety lever handle and matching straight pull handle finished in stainless steel. We also supplied all door signage including stainless steel and black door discs denoting room numbers. The simple shape and finish of the ironmongery compliments the project aesthetics beautifully, creating the perfect educational space.Photography: Neil Kenyon

Walsall Council is undertaking a major redevelopment plan to re-imagine parts of the town. Gallery Square, the home of the area’s brand new art gallery, is the first space to be updated under the plans. WoodBlocX Landscaping was commissioned by Acadis UK to supply the street furniture for this part of the project.Gallery Square is a large open space, the designers have used colour in the form of a series of large squares, of differing sizes, painted on the floor to create interest from the ground up. The design and layout of street furniture aims to provide plenty of space within the square for visitors to the gallery and the wider public to use, it also allows for adequate social distancing as and when required.For this project we took the proposed design and recreated it using our versatile modular system. Our team is able to take the technical detail from drawings and create full and detailed design proposals using our bespoke software. Once the plans were finalised, we supplied a series of large seating solutions that were installed by the contractors in March 2021.

THE PROJECTAs part of it’s recent £100 million pound renovation, Roché Awnings were tasked with providing a shading solution which was in keeping with the hotels iconic features, whilst covering the width of their ground floor terrace. The terrace being the location for the hotel’s east smoking terrace, central loggia door entrance and private outdoor dining area.THE SOLUTIONThe challenge was to choose an awning which blended in with the style of the Edwardian building. Originally designed to incorporate the Markilux 730 drop arm awnings, we advised the hotel to choose the Markilux 3300 awnings due to it’s unique design. The awnings were mounted to the buildings stone facade and sit inconspicuously below the hotel’s balustrade. The helped the awning merge beautifully into the architecture of the building.Roché coupled Markilux 3300 full cassette patio awnings to achieve widths of close to 10 and 13 metres, along with a smaller width of close to 3 metres. The awning was installed green fabric, traffic white cassette and uniform awning projection. The positioning provided full protection for the open terrace area.

Travel to London Luton Airport (LLA) is being made easier, faster and greener with the development of the DART people mover.And the final journey between shuttle stop and airport terminal is via a covered walkway designed, manufactured and installed by Broxap.The walkway complements a series of canopies we created for the airport in 2019 as part of a bus and coach station upgrade.Together the DART (Direct-Air-Rail-Transit) system and bus services are designed to encourage more people to leave their cars behind when flying from LLA as well as offer sustainable travel options to employees.The 150-metre bespoke walkway guiding passengers to the terminal from the DART station is based on Broxap’s flagship ‘Newcastle’ design.The freestanding walkway features clear multi-wall polycarbonate cladding and is an essential element in the passenger journey, forming the final connection between ground transportation and the boarding of aircraft.A bespoke Hartcliffe Cantilever Shelter has also been made for the DART building to form a covered entrance area.Testing of the shuttle system is now underway with an announcement on its opening due in early 2023.

Working through our Midlands contracting office, Planet provided smoke sealed extended height PURE20XL glazing to floors 2 to 7 of the building’s internal atrium. 6.7m high Schueco Jansen Viss screens were placed on ground level, while PURE20XL was also utilised along with rebated 1.5 leaf IsoPro doors (Rw 36 dB).Extended 3.3m LOFT100 screens (Rw 47 dB) with back-painted glass above transom level were placed in the 300-capacity auditorium with double IsoPro doors. Finally, banded LOFT20 partitions and matching IsoTec acoustic doors (Rw 38 dB) and double glazed LOFT54 (Rw 45 dB) with IsoPro doors were installed for the client’s meeting rooms and phone booths respectively.The Unity Place development is a great example of a people-first workplace design that hopes to be a catalyst for the regular return to the office for many of Santander’s staff. The building is set to achieve a BREEAM Excellent rating for sustainable performance, aided by Planet’s EPD documentation for our LOFT and IsoPro solutions.

The Anchorage Gateway in Salford Quays is a new multi-storey building in the centre of Salford. The main wing is 29 storeys high whilst the lower tower tops out at 19 storeys. The ground floor contains almost 400m2 of commercial space and the upper floors contain 290 residential units and 800m2 of amenity space.The building is reputed to be one of the highest brick clad buildings in Europe, Kinlan Brickwork being specialist sub-contractor.Domis Construction is the main contractor on this scheme. URSA UK Ltd was chosen as the preferred insulation manufacturer. We supplied over 11,500m2 of 100mm URSAPAN BLACK - a unique glass mineral wool rainscreen cladding insulation slab;·      Euroclass A1 fire rating (non-combustible).·      Thermal conductivity of 0.035 W/mK.·      BBA Certified. Kate Fox, Area Sales Manager for the Midlands stated, ‘Following the success of this initial partnership URSA are now the preferred supplier of rainscreen insulation and our products have been used on Fifty5ive Queen Street in Salford with others in the pipeline including Derwent Street’.

This breathtaking development is characterised by three statement residential buildings and a brand new public realm offering 170,000 sq. ft. of quality retail, dining, lifestyle and leisure options, including luxury health club and a cinema. The principal building is an internal conversion of a magnificent Edwardian masterpiece with the façade and entire external structure retained and refurbished, whilst another hybrid building preserves the Edwardian exterior structure at ground level with new-build framing on upper levels. Completely the Square is an all-new contemporary design, which is anticipated to become one of Islington’s most iconic buildings.CZWG Architects have taken the former Royal Mail sorting office under its wing and presented a forward-thinking vision of London living rarely attained in modern designs.EH Smith worked with CZWG to select and supply the bold mauve coloured rainscreen from our Partners Agrob Buchtal and worked with the specialist cladding contractors, Openwood and Commercial Roofing, to provide the bespoke engineered support system with our partners Systea.

In Marstrand City Park, you will find the playground 'Kraken' featuring products from Lappset's popular Flora and Finno series. The playground is a themed and inclusive play area that has quickly become a natural meeting point for both residents and tourists.A playground with a maritime theme has dropped anchorMarstrand is one of the most popular summer destinations on the Swedish west coast, surrounded by hundreds of islands and islets with smooth cliffs and a lively coastal life. On September 13th, a new playground was inaugurated in the heart of the city, featuring products from Lappset's popular Flora and Finno series. One of the products was a large and impressive Flora tower and ship, custom-designed to fit the environment and the playground's name, which the children had participated in creating.A close collaborationThe playground design was done in close collaboration between the customer, the local salesperson, and the design team at Lappset.The municipality of Marstrand desired an interesting and inviting product connected to the area and the environment.The proposed theme was one related to the sea and ships, fitting the coastal town of Marstrand.For instance, a sign with fish unique to Marstrand was created. Even the windows with muntins on the product are a detail inspired by the many historical buildings in the surroundings.The name 'Kraken' won the naming competitionWhen the playground needed a name, Marstrand municipality, together with Lappset, organized a naming competition where children were invited to suggest names.To inspire the children, Lappset also sponsored a prize for the individual or individuals who came up with the winning suggestion. The name that received the most votes was KRAKEN.The Kraken is often described as a sea monster, as large as an island, pulling ships into the depths. Fascinating, just like a playground should be.The ship was christened with water-filled balloonsBefore a ship embarks on its maiden voyage, it is christened by breaking a champagne bottle against the side of the boat.This time, children used water-filled balloons for the naming ceremony of the play boat.There were many joyful laughs as the balloons were thrown and burst against the playship.In conjunction with the inauguration, a sign for the park, crafted by a local carpenter, was also unveiled.

Ranked as the best zoo in Europe, and the third best zoo in the world, Chester Zoo, in Cheshire, UK, has long-been considered a pioneering attraction that many other zoos aspire to. With over 1.8 million visitors a year, the Zoo has specified CONTI+ sensor taps for its visitor washrooms as part of a number of water-saving initiatives .In 2018, the Zoo started a refurbishment project of its washroom facilities, choosing the CONTI+ Ultra sensor taps for all their washbasins. Ecoprod– a Conti+ distribution partner and supplier of environmental washroom solutions was the link that enabled this project to happen, through a consultation process.“Working with the Mechanical Services Supervisor at Chester Zoo has been very straightforward as his hands on experience and knowledge of this sector is comprehensive. We provided a few products to install in both ladies and gents washrooms for a trial period to get feedback from staff and other stakeholders. The Ultra tap was quite quickly considered by all to be the preferred choice and was therefore specified going forwards for all washroom refurbishment works”Marcus Rose, Sales Manager Ecoprod.Ultra is one of the most innovative sensor tap solutions from CONTI+. It works particularly well for leisure spaces and attractions as it can be powered by battery, turbine or solar, avoiding the need for electricity in the tap area. The battery lasts for up to four years, meaning maintenance is minimal and, when it is time to change the battery this can be done quickly and easily through an access point on the top of the product avoiding labour intensive access into vanity units.From an environmental and cost-saving perspective, the Ultra ticks all the boxes. Great design, with sophisticated sensor function, water saving can reach an impressive 70% compared with a more traditional tap. And in attractions, with a high volume of users, the touch free system provides a more hygienic way to wash hands, reducing the spread of germs and ensuring each user has a clean tap to use.Of course, as a Swiss-designed and assembled product, manufactured in the Conti+ facilities in Switzerland, Chester Zoo can rest assured that the Ultra taps are built to last and will work first time, every time.

The Project Gloucester Business Park, Plot 1420, takes the form of three buildings grouped around a landscape courtyard, the buildings are split into six self-contained units which are sub-divided floor by floor.  Gloucestershire is excellent for transport links & the parks modern and flexible working environment also provides sufficient parking for all employees and visitors Plot 1420 won Kier Central Site of the Quarter for Jan – March 2015. The site scored 100% when externally audited by the BSI for Quality and Environmental Performance.The ChallengeManufacture, deliver and install premium quality system befitting the development and the client’s requirements.Offer complimentary system for use in the shower areas &produce Solid Surface troughs to bespoke lengths, exceeding 3000mm. The SolutionExcelsior Flush 44 Full Height system provides a sleek flush fronted façade delivering the upmost in quality, design and privacy. Complimentary Mariner Cubicles finished in matching laminate installed in the wet areas. 12mm Solid Grade Laminate is recommended for shower enclosures the core material is manufactured with phenolic resins which ensures the self-supporting panels are impervious to water penetration and will stand the test of time against water/moisture ingressAll Cubicles and Vanities are finished in Oak Classic High-Pressure Laminate along with a Corian Vanity Top in Designer White. All working to complement each other and deliver a harmonious natural colour scheme generating a tranquil & calming atmosphereNick Flexen-Cook at Kier Construction has said – “Plot 1420 was delivered by the best, highest performing team that I have ever been privileged to be a part of. The tenant is rightly delighted with their facility which exceeds their expectations.”SpecificationProduct Range: MarinerDoors: 12mm Compact SGL Sonae Oak Classic M3817Pilaster: 12mm Compact SGL Sonae Oak Classic M3817Partition: 12mm Compact SGL Sonae Oak Classic M3817Ironmongery: Stainless SteelClient:GoodmanContractor:KierArchitect:Frank Shaw Associates LtdLocation:Gloucestershire

GEZE is also a leading provider of door, window and safety technology in the UK. GEZE UK Ltd implemented state-of-the-art door solutions in the John Radcliffe Children's Hospital in Oxford, skilfully combining clinical functionality with a comfortable atmosphere for the young patients.Invisible efficiency: Slimdrive SL sliding door systemsAutomatic glass sliding door system with Slimdrive SL-drives in discreet 70 mm design.The John-Radcliffe Children's Hospital designed by Parry Bowen architects, and built in accordance with the latest hospital architectural standards.. The real eye-catcher of the main entrance is the double-leaf automatic sliding door, with a powerful GEZE Slimdrive SL drive system that works almost invisibly thanks to its construction height of only 70 mm. The Slimdrive SL drive automatic drive fits unobtrusively and elegantly into the contemporary clinic façade, and quietly and efficiently manages thousands of movement cycles every day at the busy children’s hospital."We are delighted by the design of our entrance area. It’s exactly the kind of atmosphere that is expected of a modern children's hospital. The high-quality workmanship makes a key contribution to a comfortable and inviting atmosphere for patients and clinical staff," says Vickie Holcroft, Project Manager at the John Radcliffe Hospital.Automatic swing doors: convenience in the entire clinical areaThe swing door systems from the GEZE TSA drive series are used everywhere in the clinic complex where functionality and ease of access are of particular importance. The automatic TSA 160 door drive ensures light and reliable opening and closing of the automatic doors, even in heavily frequented areas. The TS 4000 overhead door closer provides flexible ease of access at swing doors with manual opening. The closing force of the door closers can be individually set and can be perfectly adjusted to meet the needs of each clinical area. They enable door leaves to be opened with minimal effort, e.g. for children and weak adults. The TSA drives make transportation of beds and/or patients easier for clinical staff.Access control for supervised clinical areasTo safeguard access control to sensitive clinical areas, the swing doors to the operating rooms and intensive card wards were also equipped with a TSA drive with an electromagnetic locking system. This guarantees that only authorised persons can enter these areas.

Recently we have received a review from a customer that used Polytrol to revive their Ifor Williams horsebox.Andy was looking to revive the faded colour of his Ifor Williams horsebox and decided to try a sample of our Polytrol colour restorer. He even supplied us with before and after images so we can see how well it worked.Here’s what Andy had to say;I have been an Engineer all my life and have used many products that purport to do unequalled repair or unrivalled transformations. But I cannot remember ever being so impressed with a product.After using the sample pot of Polytrol colour restorer I thought to take some pictures of the project. The whole trailer was thoroughly cleaned with a pressure washer along with the roof and fibre glass front roof panel. Mould and algae were removed with a scrubbing brush and Cillit Bang mould remover.The side panels are painted flat aluminium sheet which had faded quite considerably over the years. Their appearance was also marred by a previous owner putting transfers on them, which I removed only to discover a darker silhouette, which further spoiled its appearance.To the painted panels, I applied Polytrol liberally with a brush and then left for 15 Mins. After this, I then used a cloth soaked with Polytrol but with excess squeezed out, to smooth out the excess on the surface and provide an even light coating to dry. I treated the plastic mudguards the same way with fabulous results.For the “dimple” surfaced aluminium roof and front panel, I found a Scotchbrite pad and soaked it with Polytrol. I then wiped it off once again with a saturated cloth and left it to dry.I applied the Polytrol on a pleasant day with no excessive sunshine and all was touch dry within 2 hours. By the following day it was perfectly dry and ready for new OEM Decals.The pictures show it all, what an outstanding transformation.

Project Name: AMRC - Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre North WestLocation: Samlesbury, LancashireMain Contractor: Cartwright PickardCompletion Date: 2021Total Cost: £11mServices Provided: RIBA stages 1-6, Architectural DesignAwards Received:Finalist in BCO Northern AwardsBest Commercial Development in the North West at RICS AwardShortlisted for Project of the Year at Construction News AwardsLancashire Project of the Year at North West Construction AwardsSystem Supplied: Bespoke Fabrications, LandMark I, SnapLok Capping, Soffits, Window LinersFusion Facades, along with AMS Cladding Limited and the supply chain, provided a high-quality facade for the University of Sheffield's Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre North West (AMRC) project. Despite the challenges posed by the global pandemic, Fusion Facades was able to adapt and deliver exceptional service.The AMRC is located at the entrance to the Samlesbury Aerospace Enterprise Zone and features a modern workspace with a flexible high-tech workshop. To blend the 48,000 sqft building into the rural surroundings, lightweight bronze metal cladding was used over a landscaped bund.As a flagship research centre for advanced manufacturing, the AMRC had to meet the highest environmental standards. The office and seminar rooms feature horizontal glazing slots with projecting cappings and perimeter framing for passive solar shading. Reflective solid panels are used within the curtain walls to reduce solar gain while retaining the articulated openings that distinguish the office and seminar rooms from a nearby main road.A neutral colour was chosen to catch the warm tones of the morning and evening light while subtly defining the different internal uses. To break down the mass, junctions between the sheets are articulated with bronze fins denoting where the structural grid occurs internally.Overall, the AMRC project has received numerous accolades and is a testament to the outstanding work done by Fusion Facades and their partners in delivering a high-quality, environmentally sustainable research facility.

REQUIREMENT:A ramp to the entrance of the council house.Rapid Ramp’s demountable system was ideal as it requires no groundwork.Once no longer needed, the ramp can be removed and reinstalled at a different property owned by the local authority.END RESULT:The front door ramp was installed within only a few hours. The system fully complies with Document M, Volume 1, Dwellings.FEATURES INCLUDED:Mesh Platform - the self-draining mesh allows water to pass through rather than collect on the surface.Trombone Ends - these are added to the ends of a Rapid Ramp to prevent clothes catching.Standard Handrail - this handrail system ensures users always have support to hold onto.Powder coated Finish – Rails are coated with thermosetting powder to provide a non-conductive, non-slip and scratch resistant surface.Telescopic Legs - these can be adjusted to accommodate different threshold heights.EXTRA FEATURE INCLUDED:Step & Gate Unit - access for able-bodied users.

As part of the regeneration programme within the bid for the 2012 Summer Olympics, the Olympic Village (now known as the multiple award-winning East Village) was designed to house the athletes based on reusing the buildings after the games as a new residential district for Stratford.The 67 acres site, provided for 11 residential plots, each made up of 5 to 7 blocks, built around communal squares and courtyards, with water features accentuating the proximity of the River Lea.Radmat Building Products provided the waterproofing system and the MedO Extensive living green roofs on much of the apartments, to provide a low maintenance and self-sustaining plant community. Working with expert horticulturalists, Radmat Building Products have developed the MedO range of living green roofing systems. All systems are suitable for both new and refurbishment projects and are constructed using the appropriate drainage board, filter fleece and growing medium for the planting required.

The White City project consists of a 35 storey tower and two 19 storey towers. Two of the buildings are set within a lagoon water feature which cascades towards the lower landscaped gardens surrounding the site. The project is due for completion in 2022. The development will provide 526 private apartments.Quadra is the most complete high-performance metal riser doorsets.Perfect for concealing fire-rated riser doors, access panels, and internal doors in corridors, landings, and other access areas; Quadra+ is supplied as an integral, four-sided frame and door system, pre-constructed to form a single robust unit. Ideal for hidden commercial access solutions, Quadra+ is designed and manufactured to the highest standards.A design innovation – Quadra+ is the original riser doorset from Selo, now featuring an Adjustable Frame to enhance installation speed and fire compliance. The screw-operated adjuster bolts allow for simple and secure Quadra+ frame installation.

The client, East Lindsay District Council, planned to build a brand new £7m state of the art Public Sector Hub facility in Horncastle, Lincolnshire to provide office space for the District Council, Boston College, along with Lincolnshire Police and local medical organisations. A sustainable approach was needed towards the construction of the large 220 space car park required to serve the new building to avoid surface run off and flood risk to the surrounding area.  Using Tarmac's ULTIPOROUS meant planning conditions and would keep the car park free from standing water, even after heavy rainfall. It also avoided the need for additional costly drainage systems and was far less labour intensive than alternatives like block paving, which helped saved time and cost for the client. The smooth, even finish also met the client’s requirement for a safe, low maintenance, all weather surface.

This Grade II listed farmhouse in Monmouthshire has recently been redecorated using the KEIM Granital system. The 16th – 18th century limewashed lime rendered property needed a freshen up. The limewash was delaminating and powdery, lower sections on the northern elevation were damp with black mould, green growth moss and algae were prevalent on all elevations, as well as hairline cracks within the render.   It was specified that all elevations should be cleaned free of excessive mould and green-growth and powdery residue from the limewash. KEIM Algicid-Plus to be applied and left to dry on the surface before coating. The lower exposed render on the front elevation was suffering from splash back off the paving stone, it was recommended that an application of KEIM Silan Primer was applied on the first 0.5m of this elevation, to allow improved water repellence. The KEIM Granital system was then used to obliterate hairline cracks and provide a breathable coating.  

Addagrip Addaset BBA resin bound surfacing has recently been installed in this street scheme as part of the redevelopment of the Bull Yard area in Coventry City Centre.The £2million redevelopment of the site, close to the Wave, included the requirement for a seamless paving solution that would be hard wearing and offer a safe, slip resistant, low maintenance porous surface for this busy retail area.The existing surfacing consisted of old asphalt and paved areas. Addagrip Terraco approved contractor Total Protection transformed the area with 1,770m2 of BBA approved Addaset resin bound porous surfacing in a Hazelnut blend to create seamless pedestrian areas alongside the water feature and children’s play area.The finished project enhances what is seen as a key arrival point into the city from Coventry railway station.Work commenced early 2020 but the planned April finish date was set back due to Covid-19 and was eventually completed in August 2020.

World renowned architects, Foster + Partners, have a new galley kitchen in their Hester Road studio which features bespoke sinks, surfaces and splashbacks supplied by GEC Anderson.The GEC Anderson fabrications were produced through a series of meetings with the team so as to maximise the very compact space available for the kitchen. The items were delivered direct to site in Battersea for installation by specialist fitters CHC.GEC Anderson create custom engineered solutions to fit any space or specification. In the case of the Foster + Partners studio, stainless steel worktops include integrated sinks as well as cut outs for taps and drip tray. 20mm plain front edges were specified together with the [water tight] integral back upstand. Stainless steel splashbacks were also included.GEC Anderson’s stainless steel kitchen creations offer aesthetics, practicality and the ability to provide an easy to clean, hygienic, highly durable and long lasting environment.