"walls"

How to incorporate a fire or stove installation into a self-build project.By Niall Deiraniya, UK general manager, DRU FiresAlways ask for the fireplace specification at the design stage. Modern gas fires and wood stoves require careful planning in order to work as part of the general home heating system.Gas, wood or other fuels?Decide which fuel type best suits your home. Modern gas fires have realistic flame pictures and are much more energy efficient than older models.Wood stoves and fires also have greatly improved energy efficiency due to Ecodesign regulations. The only downside is that there is much more work involved with buying and storing the wood and cleaning the stove after use.Both gas and wood have room sealed options. This means that no air from inside the home is used for combustion and all waste emissions are expelled outside, resulting in clean burning and high efficiency.Finally, sustainable fuels such as Bioethanol produce a very attractive flame picture, burn cleanly with no smell or emissions and are available in a large selection of design formats. Built-in or freestandingIf you are converting a house with an existing chimney, you may wish to retain the chimney, to incorporate a more modern fire. Conventional flue gas fires are designed to fit seamlessly into standard chimneys and require minimal building work. The chimney will almost certainly need sweeping before installation and the fire may require a chimney liner for essential safety.Most wood fires are also designed for chimney installation and make full use of the air circulation properties to provide visually attractive and energy efficient fires. You can either elect for a basic ‘insert’ fire, which matches the dimensions of a Class 1 chimney or a widescreen model, which will require some structural changes.Freestanding stoves are very popular, as they offer greater flexibility of location and provide dramatic room features. They are available in gas, wood or bioethanol and generally need a flue connection to an outside wall or through the roof. No chimney optionsContemporary balanced flue gas fires are designed to be installed without a chimney, so you can incorporate them almost anywhere in a self-build project. However, they still need to be specified at the earliest possible stage. A typical installation will require the fire to be flued through an outside wall, with the flue concealed behind a false chimneybreast. Fires can be located in room-dividing walls and other architectural features so they can be seen from both sides. You can also enjoy fires in kitchens, bedrooms, loft conversions and many other places. These types of installations are made possible by extended, fan-assisted balanced flue systems. They allow for multiple fires to be placed in larger properties, with the flues hidden in crawl spaces and other discreet areas, terminating on the roof.In conclusion, the secret to having attractive and energy efficient fires and stoves in any self-build project is design, plan, cost and implement. And always consult a fully qualified Gas Safe or HETAS engineer.For further information visit www.drufire.com

After embarking on a project to create high quality new learning pods to enhance its facilities, the last thing teachers, staff and children at Carr Lodge Academy in Doncaster were expecting was for excessive background noise to be so much of an issue that it stood in the way of their ability to use and enjoy them.The school wanted to create learning pods for each of its 1-6 year groups to provide a facility that could be used for extra learning, small group teaching or a break-out space for teachers and children. The building contractor appointed to construct the pods worked to an agreed specification and design, but the acoustic conditions that would result from the proposed usage of the spaces, the positioning of the pods and choice of materials for their fit-out was not fully realised. It was only when teachers and staff started using the learning pods that problems with echo and excessive sound reverberation were fully realised. This is a common acoustic issue which results from interiors that feature lots of hard, harsh reflective surfaces with the ultimate impact at Carr Lodge being that the pods were unsuitable for their purpose.The school sought specialist assistance to resolve the issues which started with an acoustic assessment and detailed acoustic report. And following a competitive tendering process, Hush Acoustics was appointed to complete the acoustic upgrade using its sound absorber panels.How absorption resolved the issueThe solution involved manufacturing and installing a series of Hush Absorber 50 panels which were strategically mounted on the walls of the learning pods. The Class A absorber panels are formulated using a 50mm thick acoustic foam which is hand finished in a high quality fabric applied on the face, edges and back – at Carr Lodge, the panels feature a green fabric to match the school’s aesthetics and contribute to the welcoming environment.Various sizes of panels were installed to fit the differing sized spaces within the school. Their positioning was dependent on the size and the layout of the learning pod for the year group. Some year group pods, for example, feature desks, so absorber panels have been installed to be continuous along the desk line, helping the children hear what is being said by teachers. In other desk-free learning pods, the panels were positioned on the walls – symmetrically where possible – to deliver an aesthetically pleasing and acoustically -effective result. Hush Absorber 50 panels work by absorbing soundwaves generated by speech and other sources in a way that hard surfaces such as plastered walls, wood and laminates do not. As a result, less sound is reflected back into the room, so the level of ambient noise is dramatically reduced to deliver a more acoustically comfortable environment that is far more conducive to learning.‘Huge difference’ to the learning environmentSarah Crampton, Principal at Carr Lodge Academy said: “Sound reverberation was causing us real problems and it meant that the learning pods – although fantastic in principle – simply didn’t serve the purpose for which they were intended.“The sound absorber panels have made a huge difference to the useability of our learning pods and provided a solution that did not require major, disruptive work. The quality of the solution provided by the Hush Acoustics team, and their service overall, has impressed everyone involved in this project.”

The projectLocated in the heart of the bustling Singapore Business District, Tanglin Trust School is a British International School catering for students from nursery right through to sixth form (3-18 years). Entering its 90th year educating students from all around the globe, Tanglin Trust School was looking to improve their facilities to provide a state-of-the-art learning environment.The classrooms As the classrooms were refurbished, Head of Infant Education Paula Cragie wanted to make sure that the acoustic issues of the classrooms were remedied. Based off the Ministry of Education’s recommendations, Autex set to specify a solution that would bring each classroom’s reverberation time down to 0.6 seconds – allowing a high level of speech intelligibility, and reducing the need for teachers to raise their voices. Prior to the installation, occupants experienced difficulty at the high end of the frequency spectrum with word intelligibility, making it difficult to decipher what was being said. Sounds not heard on the high end of the frequency spectrum are usually the soft sounding consonants that shape and determine words. This is important when teaching small children, as their ability to understand and learn words is less than that of teenagers or adults. To bring the reverberation down to the desired level, Autex Composition® was installed on the walls of the classroom, providing overall sound absorption whilst doubling as a display area. For targeted low frequency absorption, 25mm Quietspace® Panel was used on the back wall opposite where the teacher stands, allowing low frequency reverberation to be absorbed before bouncing back in towards the teaching space.The installationThe colours Calypso and Lime were chosen for the classroom because of the moods evoked. Said to inspire feelings of self-reflection and dignity, the deep purple of Calypso is perfect for the learning environment as it encourages students to reflect on their lessons and apply them to real life situations. The calming green of Lime Composition encourages feelings of balance, judgement, and comprehension, as well as calmness and stillness in movement. This is ideal for the learning space as it boosts engagement through evoking a calm, balanced environment, and helps children to feel content and rested when sitting for long periods of time. The extremely durable nature of Autex Interior Acoustics products means Tanglin Trust School won’t need to worry about damage caused by impact, eliminating the need for continued painting or plastering maintenance. As Composition is a pinnable and ‘hook-n-loop’ receptacle surface, artwork and vital pieces of information can be displayed on the walls without leaving marks or visible holes.The resultBy using Autex products, the school has implemented an innovative acoustic solution that is environmentally friendly, non-toxic, and made from 60% recycled material. Teacher Rosy He states, “speech clarity has been improved during lessons, particularly when those reserved children who are in the front row speak with soft voices, the back row children are now able to hear their answers. Besides this, the sound quality is enhanced; echoes are reduced while singing songs.” It is proven that acoustically treated classrooms result in less sick days for both students and teachers; teachers have less voice strain, and the students experience an increase in academic performance.

“From the materials used throughout the build process to how it’s powered, along with creating new areas of natural habitat to enhance the biodiversity of the site and local area, we’re bringing together skills and expertise from across McDonald’s and the partners we work with. From 2023 furniture and construction materials in new and refurbished restaurants will be made with recycled or certified materials and designed to be recycled or reused at end of life ”Construction Director, McDonald’s UK & Ireland The Absorb-R ToughSound acoustic-panels are environment friendly, fully recyclable natural components that offer optimal sound absorption and extensive resistance to fire. Surface applications include ceiling and wall mounting.Absorb-R ToughSound is a high performing high impact sound absorbing wood wool system, concept with excellent eco credentials which store heat from the ambient air.

In one of the earth's paradises located on the island of Fasmendhoo, where sky and sea meet to create unique emotions, rises the Emerald Maldives Resort, designed and built by combining tropical scenery with modern design.The interiors are decorated with a discreet, elegant minimalism designed to dialog with nature and the outdoors. And it is in this context that Atlas Concorde products have created welcoming environments with an extremely contemporary look thanks to a wide range of tiles inspired by natural materials, like the wood-effect porcelain tiles used to furnish the bright apartments.The bathrooms convey intimacy and elegance, decorated with floors and walls inspired by the most refined marble, and a focus on interior design trends is also evident in the furnishings.In contrast, the stone look dominates the outdoor spaces and the areas dedicated to the solarium and swimming pool, for a design that is ever closer to nature. Decisive surfaces that communicate a metropolitan style with an original, pristine, and eternal beauty.

The Valentinerhof hotel is located in the most spectacular mountain landscape of the world, close to the picturesque village of Siusi, an international tourism venue.The building, a wellness resort characterised by contemporary design and elegant atmospheres, was renovated in 2012 using Atlas Concorde ceramic materials that were chosen to clad indoor and outdoor floors, bathrooms and wellness areas.Used on outdoor floors, the Trust series covers the steps, swimming-pool edges and external areas of the spa, providing the opportunity to clad the surfaces with a continuous effect.The architectural project, which won the “2012 Sleep European Hotel Design Awards”, combines respect for the surrounding natural environment with the desire to create harmonious spaces where to regenerate body and soul.Thanks to its precious floor and wall ceramic collections Atlas Concorde consolidates its position as a partner of reference for hospitality design, contributing to the creation of welcoming and alluring atmospheres.

In May 2017, the Main Building which housed the lounge, dining, reception area, and the Taphuis Bar, was gutted in a fire. Only the walls were left standing and all of its contents were destroyed. Because of the historic significance of the building, the project team needed to move through a strenuous process of permissions and approvals to start the rebuild. Part of the brief, was to ensure that as far as possible, original materials would be used, that would reflect the previous look and feel, making the sourcing and availability of crucial importance. This building in particular, dates back to the early 1700's and finding timber for the roof structure was a challenge. They decided to use Spruce.The biggest drawback of using Spruce is that it is a very light and pale coloured timber. To achieve the aged look and feel of the original timber, they used Rubio Monocoat's Pre-Color Easy and Hybrid Wood Protector.

The ETB building is dedicated to research, development and demonstration (RD&D) in sustainable energy technologies. It incorporates energy efficient materials and is designed to minimise its demands for heating, cooling, lighting and ventilation. It actually produces more energy than it requires, heating the neighbouring Institute of Mental Health Building.Approximately 1000m2 of Ash & Lacy Façade was specified on the building’s two main elevations in the VariAL CF1 configuration. VariAL CF1 is a concealed-fix, baffle-jointed cassette rainscreen with a fully adjustable support system, primarily used for horizontal application on walls and for soffits. Designed to fit in with the high-tech building design and to appear to exude their own energy, the panels were manufactured in Alucobond Spectra Sacura ACM finish. This provides a quite stunning two-tone iridescent effect that shows ever changing hues of pink and silver that constantly vary as the angle of view or illumination changes.

McCormick specified that they needed staff, office and visitor lockers and Helmsman supplied. We site surveyed the facility before manufacturing of lockers started to make the most use of the space.We installed five compartment and eight compartment garment dispensers and several garment collectors for the staff changing room on the lower floor. These metal lockers were powder-coated in ‘Smoke’ and ‘Forest Green’ RAL colours to separate the areas. The two and four compartment essential metal lockers made their way to the back end of the changing room in ‘Smoke’ and ‘Royale Blue’ specifically for visitors. The two and five compartment laminate lockers in Abet ‘Ice White’ decorated the upstairs offices. These lockers needed to match the modern style of the office, with the idea to try and blend the lockers into the white walls. All lockers came with either cam locks or hasp & staple locks for extra security.

“It is the first time when technologies like: video analytics, flame detection based on video technology, laser detection, RGB LED displays and RGB LED wall, digital signage, IP based PAVA, IP based clocking with NTP master clock/server, Text-to-Speech technologies wereimplemented for the Romanian railway system. It is also the first integration performed at such level of complexity for a railway terminal.” Alex Vladutoiu explained. Both Fire Detection and Public Address and Voice alarm systems are EN54 compliant and they work togetherin case of an emergency situation such as fire alarm, when PAVA2 automatically plays the evacuation announcements, PACS3 unlock the doors, stops the travellators and elevators and Victor platform delivers with priority to operators the video footage from alarmed zones, andprocedures to react to the alarm in a well defined scenario. 99.9% of time, all subsystems function automatically.

TVS was Group was tasked with the isolation of a new luxury residential property in Mayfair from ground-borne noise and vibration from the nearby Jubilee line. A target re-radiated noise criterion of 30dB LAmax,(slow) within the lower ground floor (the worst affected area) meant that a fully floated raft foundation was required with a target natural frequency of 10Hz.A combination of Sylodyn products in 50mm thickness across the base of the raft, and Sylomer materials in 37.5mm thickness up the basement walls, provided this high-performance solution, whilst bespoke treatments around service penetrations and at connections to adjacent buildings ensured that this was not compromised throughout the rest of the construction.Close work with the design team throughout the planning and specification process provided a solution that integrated seamlessly with the structure and waterproofing detail, whilst detailed layout plans, on-site training and supervision resulted in an easily installed system.

A QuickZone conventional fire alarm system from UK manufacturer, Advanced, has been installed at BlocHaus Climbing, Manchester’s newest bouldering wall.BlocHaus Climbing boasts an array of facilities at its East Manchester site, including 130 climbable boulders, routing roof and on-site café. As part of the active fire protection for the site, the 4-zone QuickZone conventional fire panel from Advanced has been installed alongside Hochiki conventional heat/smoke detectors, Apollo conventional call points and Roshni conventional sounders.Responsible for the design, installation and commissioning of the fire system at BlocHaus Climbing were Manchester-based, Surefire Protection Ltd. Surefire installed the QuickZone panel alongside music shutdown integration to ensure clear audible notification for all building users in scenarios where the system goes into alarm.

As part of the broader regeneration plan in the northwest of Birmingham, Plot 6 at the Perry Barr Residential Scheme, is one of the largest developments.Providing 268 residential apartments, the eight-storey, mixed-use building also has a large courtyard garden, rooftop gardens and parking facilities for its residents. The living space has been created by blending modern architecture with traditional values.To achieve their vision, Glancy Nicholls Architects specified a range of Kawneer’s market-leading, architectural aluminium glazing systems for the residential scheme.The AA®100 Curtain Wall System, AA®720 Casement Windows and AA®720 Balcony Doors were used throughout the project and were chosen for their design flexibility and thermal performance. The Kawneer systems were installed on the project by approved specialist subcontractor APiC UK Ltd.Photos: Glancy Nicholls Architects

Kawneer played its part in the impressive Hale Wharf regeneration project by supplying our AA®100 Curtain Wall System, known for its excellent thermal performance and flexibility of design choice. The system features on both the ground floor retail and communal entrances of the 21-Storey (Block A) and 15-Storey (Block B) Buildings. It also features our AA®190 TB Doors on Block B that excel in high-traffic environments due to its robust and welded construction. The one and two-bedroom apartments are also fitted with Kawneer’s AA®720 Casement and AA®720 Tilturn Windows and AA®3572 Lift/Slide Doors, giving residents access to their balconies and the far-reaching city views which help set this exceptional development apart.

The Buckland Hospital, Dover is a community hospital that provides a range of local services. Main contractor Interserve PLC enlisted Industrial Construction (Sussex) Ltd to install the roofing and cladding package. Fixfast products were the first choice for ICS and the Facade Support range was an obvious need for this type of contract; coupled with the DrillFast® Stainless and Lacquered products, the external roofing and cladding was installed in the finest possible manner.The external walls use a range of materials - black brick and through-coloured render serve as a background for two types of cladding panels: white fibre cement panels and timber laminated panels manufactured from kraft paper and finished with natural timber veneers. The dark colour of the brick is used as a medium to enhance the crisp lines of the bright cladding as well as the shape and colours of the wooded bank at the rear of the building.

The Lucent Development creates balance that boosts productivity and wellbeing.Lucent W1 is quite literally built around nature, with a tree towering in the central atrium and an internal green wall that stretches the full height of the world-famous external lights. The innovative Fletcher Priest design has created offices that are cocooned away from the surrounding city, while 20 terraces allow panoramic views across the capital.For this design, Selo used the Quarda Riser Door which are the most 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.

Structural Repairs’ office space was beautifully and seamlessly integrated into one of Windsor’s iconic train station arches. This newly built office space boasts from its impressive structural logistics and boldly featured decorative and themed memorabilia at many of its cozy corners.Via a combination of the fire grit machine, TORC system (seen in the images and videos), water by pressure and a DOFF system, the carbon accumulated in the brickwork was removed. These methods, especially the DOFF system, work with high-pressure stream and extremely high temperatures.Brick cleaning is an arduous and labor intensive process by which a brick masonry, also known as a layer of brick which has been laid on the wall’s outermost surface, is cleaned. Brick cleaning is required at various different stages of a building’s life, and with our arch, a cleaning was more than overdue to restore it back to its original condition!

The new £140 million Macallan distillery and visitor experience on the Easter Elchies estate near Craigellachie in Moray features Armourcoat Surface Finishes.Macallan is a luxury single malt Scotch whisky brand, with leading positions in some of the world’s most significant markets including the USA, Taiwan, and Japan. The distillery is designed by Rogers Stirk Harbour and Partners, who were selected to lead the project after an international competition.Over 400m2 of custom coloured Armourcoat Spatulata polished plaster has been applied to the curving staircase walls, boutique store, lift lobbies and reception. Spatulata is Armourcoat's own superfine marble stucco paste developed from traditional materials and manufactured in the UK. It is trowel applied in numerous fine layers by skilled Armourcoat applicators to create a highly polished decorative surface that adds a touch of luxury to interior spaces. Photography: © McAteer Photograph

The stunning refurbishment of 10 Bloomsbury Way for London & Regional Properties by architects BuckleyGrayYeoman includes Armourcoat’s KonCrete polished plaster wall finishes.Situated in the heart of central London, the former 1940’s Ministry of Defence wedge-shaped building has been substantially extended creating a modern open workspace. It includes a new double-height reception, with restaurants and retail space on the ground floor. BuckleyGrayYeoman’s new design has transformed 10 Bloomsbury Way into a contemporary and relevant commercial building with a distinctive urban feel. The redevelopment has achieved a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ green building rating.Armourcoat KonCrete is an urban range of polished plaster colours and finishes designed for contemporary projects. The range offers a wealth of design options to achieve a distinctive modern look, including distressed effects or recessed ‘shutter’ markings. Photography: ©Hufton & Crow

The extension and refurbishment of these offices needed high-quality systems befitting their prestigious location adjacent to Windsor Castle and the listed Eton Central Station.The Windsor Dials complex comprises two buildings, Windsor One and Two. Building one had a double-height entrance installed and a two-storey glazed extension added to the roof. A double-height entrance was also created in building two with a single-storey extension to the roof. The glazed extensions provide the offices with views of Windsor Castle and the surrounding area.Hale Architects designed the project with Corley Woolley as the main contractor. Anglian Architectural fabricated and installed the building envelope. It features Schüco FSW 60 and FWS 50 S curtain walling, providing the contemporary aesthetic the client requested. The project also used Schüco door systems, including the ADS 65 HD and ASE 60 lift-and-slide doors.

Jigsaw Care Home required a reputable supplier to provide quality washroom facilities suitable for their residents.Our specifications team worked in collaboration with the main contractor to understand fully how best to meet the customer's needs. They required products that were gloss white and looked like porcelain to give sanitaryware a less institutionalised feel. Anti-ligature was a must so our Resan range ticked all the right boxes.All options were discussed before deciding on the Resan pan with blue rim, the phantom Pushflo with anti-ligature button and anti-ligature basin with pneumatic controls, large mirror and shelf. Our infra-red touch-free sensors can be used in through-wall applications and with no electrical power required minimising installation costs and ongoing maintenance.Testimonial“The quality of the products is excellent and the installation was hassle-free”

Having outgrown their previous offices, Smoove – a company operating in the property sector (formerly ULS) – took the decision to take on three floors at Masters Court; a fully refurbished office building in the quaint town of Thame, Oxfordshire. They swiftly appointed HNB and Leap Architects to deliver an overhaul of the dated interior that would better suit the Smoove team.We were approached to deliver a glass moving wall capable of separating the ground floor kitchen and main open plan space when required. Our Type G200 system was chosen, which provides transfer of natural light when partition is closed while simultaneously stopping the transfer of noise.The minimalist manifestations applied to the glazed panels along with their black painted frames have been designed to match a number of fixed glass partitions within the space, offering a consistent design throughout.

The inner courtyard garden at Winchelsea Primary School has been transformed into a sensory space for pupils with the centrepiece being a circular raised planter bordered by two curved planters to complement the range of interactive sensory features included within the overall design of the garden created by Senteq.Each planter has been designed at a height which is easily accessible for youngsters and planted with a wide variety of fragrant herbs.Curved planter designsCurved planters are popular choices for schools and other educational settings, softening spaces to create natural and fluid shapes.Being a modular system means we are able to create curved designs across all of our structures, including raised planters, street furniture and retaining walls. From full circle shapes to curved sides, it can all be achieved using WoodBlocX.

Armourcoat have been specified throughout the VIVI restaurant, a 1960’s inspired eatery in the Centre Point building in London’s West End. VIVI promises to deliver traditional British food with an innovative twist.VIVI’s 290 cover dining room serving delicious British favourites has its interior design inspired by 1960’s colours and fabrics including a handmade chandelier by British designer Vibeke Fonnesberg Schmidt. The new restaurant, created by Rhubarb – the team behind Sky Garden and Verdi Italian Kitchen at the Royal Albert Hall, is part of a wider refurbishment of Richard Seifert’s celebrated Grade-II listed high-rise tower. Armourcoat finishes have been used to spectacular effect in the entrance lobby, restaurant reception, bar and dining area with close to 300m2 of hand finished Armourcoat polished plaster applied to the walls.

Rosa Alpina is a boutique Alpine hotel that boasts a two Michelin-starred restaurant and a scenic setting in the Dolomites – one of the world’s most beautiful places.The original building dates to 1850 and local antiques, wood carvings and old photographs complement its wood-panelled ceilings and thick, frescoed walls. Fresh flowers and roaring fires complete a convivial vibe.The 51 spacious rooms and suites each feature a seating area and subtle cream and grey colour scheme. Newer guestrooms offer more contemporary design, with glass-encased fires and sleek timber furnishings, yet still respect local traditions with wood-panelled ceilings, fire wood baskets and ceramic stoves. The new Vetralla bath has specified within these new contemporary rooms.Photography: © Six SensesPhotography: © Six Senses

Architect: Archial NORRInstaller: GHI ContractsProduct: Gustafs Panel System500m2 of Gustafs Panel System in Gemini Walnut veneer were installed to the feature wrap-over wall and ceiling at the multi-million-pound makeover of the Gardyne Campus at Dundee College.SH8 acoustic perforations were used on small section of the panels in the main atrium. Slotted perforations give the illusion of a grille whilst providing class C acoustic absorption above the college walkways.Gemini Walnut veneer was chosen for the space to achieve a greater consistency in colour, tone, and texture, across the space. Gemini veneers from Gustafs are natural veneer that is stained to match a chosen timber species; doing this achieves a consistent colour across the panels as well as making them less photosensitive and less susceptible to natural colour variation over time.

Architect: Austin-Smith:LordInstaller: Lacunar LtdProduct: Gustafs Panel SystemOver 400m2 of Gustafs Panel System was installed to the walls of the Birmingham Royal Ballet during their £2.7m refurbishment in 2015. Acoustic panels were installed to two ballet rehearsal studios as well as the new informal performance space.In addition to the visual refurbishment of the space; the regeneration project aimed to improve the facility by upgrading the lighting, heating and ventilation, and accessibility, as well as improving administration and welfare areas.A mix of of SM5 and SM8 mini slotted acoustic perforations as well as nano acoustic perforations were used on the Birch, Oak, and White laminate faced panels. Slotted perforation styles give an elegant and dramatic finish to the panels whilst Nano perforations are almost invisible on the face of the panel, all three options provide up to Class B acoustic performance.

Architect: Paul Murphy ArchitectsInstaller: TKS UK LtdProduct: Gustafs Linear Plank150m2 and 500 individual Walnut veneered planks were used inside the private hotel bedrooms and corridors at the RAF Club Squash Court Redevelopment in Piccadilly, London.Gustafs Linear Planks are a great compromise between the Gustafs Linear Rib and Panel systems for use in smaller installations with multiple small sections which do not lend themselves to the larger panel system. Planks use similar invisible fixing Capax profiles for quick and efficient installation and subtle closed butt joints across the plank area.The plank system at the RAF Club is made up of 100mm wide natural Walnut veneer wrapped planks installed to the feature wall sections in 12 hotel rooms as well as in the lift lobbies over 4 floors at the club in Piccadilly.

Dundee College Gardyne CampusArchitect: Archial NORRInstaller: GHI ContractsProduct: Gustafs Panel System500m2 of Gustafs Panel System in Gemini Walnut veneer were installed to the feature wrap-over wall and ceiling at the multi-million-pound makeover of the Gardyne Campus at Dundee College.SH8 acoustic perforations were used on small section of the panels in the main atrium. Slotted perforations give the illusion of a grille whilst providing class C acoustic absorption above the college walkways.Gemini Walnut veneer was chosen for the space to achieve a greater consistency in colour, tone, and texture, across the space. Gemini veneers from Gustafs are natural veneer that is stained to match a chosen timber species; doing this achieves a consistent colour across the panels as well as making them less photosensitive and less susceptible to natural colour variation over time.

The scope of the works was to design, specify and install a suitable waterproofing solution to 2 large properties engineered from ICF construction which required waterproofing. Areas where attention from a skilled specialist were required, was to the rear and two side walls which were earth/ground retaining.When specifying a suitable waterproofing solution, consideration to the final use of the building, designing a system to be maintainable and repairable along with a deep understanding of BS 8102:2009 is essential in ensuring project success.From a waterproofing design perspective, we use three grades to define waterproofing systems.These 3 grades are:Grade 1 – Some water seepage and damp are tolerable depending on the intended useGrade 2 – No water penetration is acceptableGrade 3 – No dampness or water penetration is acceptableIn existing basements and new build properties which will be habitable, Grade 3, is always required.

On this fast turnaround project we worked closely with Clarke Penman Architecture to manufacture and install polished concrete kitchen worktops and splash-backs.Concrete worktops are extremely strong and durable and designed to withstand busy family use. These were cast to the client’s individual and unique specifications using our BTX Ultra High Performance Concrete mix with a hydrophobic agent to limit moisture absorption. The worktops were cut to fit various kitchen appliances and then treated and sealed to make them stain proof.Spanning over 6 metres, separate large BTX concrete panels were carefully assembled on site and fitted with brass sink and taps by our experienced team. The finished effect is a modern, industrial look that complements client’s design style and blends perfectly with the raw plastered walls and concrete floors, which together create a truly unique and highly functional kitchen.

Newham Hospital provides all the services expected of a local hospital including emergency care, surgery, children’s health, women’s health, maternity services, specialist medicine, long-term care and diagnostics.They see more than 500 patients in their A&E department every day and have one of the largest maternity units in the UK with more than 6,000 births each year. Their state-of-the-art Rainbow Centre is fully geared up to meet the needs of their young patients and their families in a child-friendly environment and are dementia friendly across the whole site.This project was a conversion of the first floor office space to form a 24 bed ward at this busy London Hospital.The client chose Dfendoors in American White Oak and Peppermint to create a really effective contrasting finish.This was cleverly matched with the Dfend wall protection products.

ASF were asked to produce handrailing and glass balustrade for a facelift project at the site of the re-purposed Bradford library. 3 main products were selected: The ever popular ASF 5006 handrailing for the steps - supplied as central double rails and single rail at the wall sideASF Max Channel, 3kn Frameless Glass Balustrade hosted between granite piers on the walkwayThe ASF Adaptions, Stud Mounted Glass Balustrade that finished off the barrier section of the public terrace when approached from the top, and complimented the step units when viewed from below.The finished effect of the Adaptions balustrade on this project celebrated 2 of this system's key benefits. From the top it brought the viewing platform barrier to a full 1100mm whilst not interrupting the view across the city and from below offers a visually impressive architectural feature.

The Schuster Annex on the University of Manchester's main campus when built, was intended to become a catalyst for excellence in STEM teaching, and was linked to the circular spaces within the existing buildings. Designed by Hawkins Brown, constructed by sector specialist Wilmott Dixon and fabricated by Dortech, the Science Annex formed part of the universities master plan. James Sutherland, Managing Director of Dortech, commented: “We were awarded the contract for the Schuster Annex by Willmott Dixon, following a competitive tender process; with our package including a number of striking design features.“These included 1,000m2 Technal MX Thermally Broken Curtain Wall with 200mm extending face caps as well as the FY65  ‘punched-hole’ windows in RAL 7043 Traffic Grey, plus some 1,500 linear metres of aluminium flashings. The glazing units feature the use of SGG COOL-LITE® SKN 14 glass with digitally printed artwork.”While the 8mm COOL-LITE® outer leaf provides solar control, the thermal performance of the IG units also benefits from an argon filled 18mm cavity and a 10.8mm thick inner leaf of coated laminated glass. The glazing specification, along with the design of thermally broken framing system also deliver a sound reduction of 40dB or more without special enhancement. Referring to the success of the curtain walling and fenestration solution from Dortech and Technal, Willmott Dixon’s Project Manager, James Goodwin, said: “This was a challenging project, not least because of the building’s proximity to a main road and the MRI (Manchester Royal Infirmary) with ambulances and other emergency services going past all the time. In terms of the acoustics, the transfer of noise, it has performed wonderfully well. Also, the Technal systems meet all of the thermal insulation requirements whilst, aesthetically it looks fantastic. Everyone is pleased with the completed project.”Completed in 2018 at a cost of approximately £11m, The Schuster Annex provides 2,500m² of space across it's four floors with what has been named the "Ideas Mill" and break out spaces at ground level. 

Split over basement, ground and three upper floors, the Charles Doll Building on Grape Street, London, offers a contemporary and functional specification in this stunning office refurbishment. The development mixes industrial elements with a crisp modern aesthetic by carefully combining characterful architectural features, including vaulted ceilings with exposed brick and steelwork.Named after its architect Charles Fitzroy Doll, the building is clad in decorative thé-au-lait (“tea with milk”) terracotta – Doll's use of grand façades is understood to have resulted in the expression, ‘all dolled up’. The first floor has been fitted out to a high standard with office furniture from Vitra, providing the perfect space for those who want to move in and get straight to work.The lobby mixes vibrate contemporary wall art with industrial light fittings and brickwork. Forza’s in-house CAD team planned the bespoke black oak Firescreen partition wall to match the architect's design. As a market leading passive fire product, this Firescreen provides both integrity from Smoke and Fire and insulation from heat. This is important because in a fire emergency heat has been shown to ignite secondary fires to items, such as curtains or carpets, that are near the other side of non-insulated partitions.Via the Thinking Space Design & Build, Forza Doors supplied twenty FD30 Fire Doors with stained frames and skirting boards to match throughout the five floors of The Charles Doll Building. Chosen to match the steelwork throughout the development, the dark satin finish of the doors was selected from Forza’s Creato range of dyed veneers. This ‘Illunis’ finish is one of twelve fashionable choices in the range. Dyed veneers are an increasingly popular choice with designers as they offer cost savings over stained veneers without compromising quality.The Doors with glass vision panels, required to allow light through to the stairwells, feature our flush and quirk bead. A minimalist design option where one side of the doors is completely flush right up to the glass vision panel and the other side has a very simple elegant bead detailing.

The Luton DART (Direct Air-Rail Transit) transfers passengers from Luton Airport Parkway station to the terminal of London Luton Airport in under four minutes, spanning a distance of 2.3km. The replacement of the conventional bus service with the DART cable car-hauled system marks a significant leap in efficiency and convenience for travellers. To provide adequate ventilation at the Luton DART terminal, where all travellers congregate, DUCO was called in.A breath of fresh air in the busily visited terminalA lot of travellers pass through the terminal every day which means the space needs to be well ventilated. Two DUCO intensive ventilation products were used for this purpose: DucoWall Classic 50/75Z and DucoGrille Clasic 50HP.DucoWall Classic 50/75ZThe reason for selection of this continuous louvre wall system was the requirement to match the claddings 75 mm alignment. The sample provided gained approval swiftly. Notably, this system offers extensive spanning capabilities with minimal support sections, coupled with a large airflow and water resistance. The DucoWall Classic 50/75Z series offers a continuous aesthetic appearance and its unique click and turn clips ensured a fast installation.DucoGrille Classic 50HPThe sheer volume of passengers carried by Luton DART means a large build-up of stale air. The high airflow of the DucoGrille Classic 50HP at a huge 60% ensured that this could be evacuated quickly and that a large amount of fresh air could replace it.Impact of the DUCO intensive ventilation productsThe integration of DucoWall Classic 50/75Z and DucoGrille Classic 50HP systems within the Luton Dart Terminal also contributed to the interior environment. Not only do these solutions optimise ventilation, ensuring a constant flow of fresh air, but they also contribute to the terminal's sleek architectural appeal. The continuous louvre wall serves as both a functional screening and cladding element, elevating the terminal's aesthetic while maintaining operational efficiency.In essence, the collaboration between innovative ventilation solutions and architectural design exemplifies a harmonious blend of form and function, setting a new standard for modern transportation hubs.