"vapour control layer"

Situated next to Westfield shopping centre and adjacent to the Olympic Park in Stratford, the Moxy Hotel is the first UK hotel from the Marriott Hotels’ budget brand which was open to the public in October 2017. The works onsite began in February of the same year to deliver extensive work to the hotel façade. The external finish of the hotel was considered to be of particular importance by London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC) and was particularly challenging. As screening on top of the building, it was decided to install the DucoSun 100 C-shaped louvre blades. The screening is ideal for concealing technical areas, thus ensuring a perfect transition with the rest of the façade of this ultra-modern contemporary hotel.

Excellent ventilation combined with excellent acoustics are an absolute must in student accommodations. They have understood this well when optimizing the interior spaces and indoor climate in student house Catherine House the Portsmouth.That is why it was decided to call upon DUCO.Health and concentrationStudents spend a lot of their time at universities and in student residences. It is therefore extremely important that the indoor air in these accommodations is in order. Because if this is not the case, it will have inexorable negative consequences for health and concentration.Excellent ventilation with optimal acoustic performanceThey understood this well when designing student house Catherine House in Portsmouth. The plans were drawn up with excellent ventilation facilities. DUCO was called upon to realize excellent ventilation of the student house, whilst at the same time guaranteeing optimal acoustics.For this purpose, DucoMax SR window vents were installed in the building. DucoMax SR a self regulating, acoustic vent (sound attenuating ventilator), specifically engineered for situations exposed to high levels of noise disturbance. Discover the benefits of acoustic ventilationAttractive design and ideal for high-rise applicationsMoreover, DucoMax SR window vents are the ideal vents to be used in high-rise applications, are attractively designed and offer excellent acoustic performance.In this way, students can fully enjoy a healthy indoor climate without being disturbed by powerful noises from outside, such as traffic, road works, ambulances, honking cars, etc.More about student housing solutions

Design & Build construction of a purpose build student accommodation development to provide 1,025 bedrooms and once completed it will provide a dramatic new addition to the Birmingham skyline.The buildings comprise of two bold, angular towers with sharply defined ‘razor’ edges and a smooth, highly detailed, gloss black finish, rising 13 and 24 storeys respectively. The towers are anchored by a middle section rising to 10 storeys and finished with a traditional, matt brick with defined window reveals and texture.The building is designed to achieve a BREEAM Excellent rating and the student beds arranged principally in cluster units.Noise absorbing window ventsDucoMax SR is a self-regulating, acoustic vent (sound attenuating ventilator), specifically engineered for situations exposed to high levels of noise disturbance. The various types are attractively designed and offer excellent acoustic and airflow performance. Suited to high-rise applications, the SkyMax variant was also placed in this project. The SkyMax SR is an upgraded version of the DucoMax SR making it applicable to heights up to 70 meter. The acoustic vents ensure that the students have a carefree night's sleep in a bustling city. 

Just off Deansgate, in the beating heart of the city, lies the hotel YOTEL Manchester. Expect innovative design, eco-friendly credentials and time-saving technology, in the rooms and beyond. Delivering experiences to Generation YO - 20 and 30 somethings who work hard, and love to socialise -  through creative use of technology and smart, sustainable design.  In order to carry through innovation and creativity into the building's façade and at the same time stimulate the experience of comfort indoors, it was decided to install DucoSun Linear 200 louvres on the façade.Architectural designThe DucoSun Linear 200 louvres are shaped as a parallelogram onto the façade, providing a particular attractive and architectural effect. From the street view, the sleek look and uniformity of the louvres are immediately noticeable. A striking design, which matches perfectly with the striking service the hotel offers to its guests.Sophisticated functionalityBy covering large glass surfaces, the DucoSun Linear 200 louvres combat overheating and deliver a comfortable and healthy indoor climate where guests will enjoy spending time, even during the warmest days of the year. The parallelogram-shaped louvre blades are designed this way they guarentee the maximum amount of diffuse daylight, creating a pleasant atmosphere inside the hotel at all times.In the vision and mission of the hotel lies the endeavour to conserve resources and develop spaces efficiently and sustainably. A better indoor quality and atmosphere and an eye-catching look with the DucoSun Linear 200 louvres definitely fit this purpose and will furthermore stand the test of time as sustainable and futureproof solar protection solution.

Following the brief outlined by the water treatment plant the proposal adopted for implementation was for the creation of secure access control. Bi-Folding Speed Gates topped with razor wire were supplied to each of the main entry and exit points to the site. These were supported by PAS 68 rising bollards and rising arm barriers with synchronised operation and traffic light signalling. The gates and barriers were flanked by runs of Jacksons Securi-Mesh® fencing to provide a separate pedestrian entrance to the facility, while static PAS 68 rated bollards were additionally deployed to manage traffic within the site.

Project DescriptionLansdowne Place is a luxury residential development located in Ballsbridge, Dublin 4. When fully complete, Lansdowne Place will have a total of 215 apartments, including 24 penthouses. Exceptional features include superb location, extraordinary design, exceptionally high-quality materials, and expert craftsmanship.The Challenge in WorkPartel was engaged and involved with the project to plan and develop the airtightness strategy for apartments. We also consulted on the flat roof build-ups and were able to provide a safe and effective solution by using a high-performance system, to manage airtightness and vapour.The project team installed our integrated and trusted product system including the smart VARA PLUS membrane, IZOPERM PLUS membrane, CONEXO, CONIZO, and CONLEX Butyl airtight tapes.The requirements for airtightness and insulation changed during the project which led to challenges for vapour control. We carried out hygrothermal analysis using WUFI to determine the suitability of the penthouse flat roofs using VARA PLUS. The nature of the structure in some areas with structural beams, columns, and connections made the installation more challenging for installers – Castle Group – but through a patient and detailed installation, results are in the zone of 1 ach @ 50pa.Designed to be compatible with all conventional building systems, the smart vapour control membrane VARA PLUS, together with IZOPERM PLUS membrane and Partel tapes ensures maximum protection against humidity, improves the energy efficiency of the buildings and the comfort of their occupants.

Every building requires a level of security. Whether it is high, medium or low risk is down to the individual business and what specific requirements they have.

To provide a safe and cohesive layout across the car park, a number of parking barriers and demarcation measures were installed including warden swing barriers, timber knee rail fencing, and MaxHite parking height restriction barriers. All products were supplied with a 25 year guarantee.

This case study takes the reader through the need and requirements for providing and implementing a combined smoke and natural ventilation system for the City Academy, Hackney .

From humble beginnings Newcastle Airport has grown vastly and expects 9.4m passengers annually by 2035. Increasing the capacity of the existing storage lagoons is needed to continue meet current and future airport requirements. Due to the high water table there is a risk ground water pressure would cause uplift of pond liners. ABG Pozidrain was recommended to remove any uplift, manage groundwater and allow ground gases to escape. Due to being puncture resistant it also protected the liner. The multiple functions of Pozidrain removed the need for imported stone reducing vehicles to site by 200 and increasing material savings.

Duco’s solar shading combines functionality with aesthetics at the Student accommodation Fallowfield in Manchester. The vertical solar shading system DucoSun Ellips was chosen for this project and supplied by Contrasol. This solar shading system, in which a blade with of 200 mm was chosen, guarantees not only maximum daylight, thanks to the optimal inclination angle and number of louvre blades. At the same time, DucoSun Ellips 200 ensures that the sun’s rays do not get a chance to heat up the Fallowfield interior spaces directly. The vertically installed solar shading system offers maximum privacy while maintaining the view outside.

Harris Invictus Academy Croydon was opened in September 2014 because of the significant demand in the community for new, high-quality school places. Duco provided the Harris Invictus Academy of the solar shading system DucoSun Cubic. The rectangular form of the louvre blade gives the school building in Croydon a particularly sleek effect. The rectangle louvre blades ensure an optimum balance between minimum solar heat gain and maximum daylight entry.

dormakaba supplies leading Exivo system to luxury YourApartment - a serviced aparthotel accommodation group, located in Bristol Looking to provide guests with a completely contactless service at its 34-studio Clifton Village aparthotel, YourApartment required a smart solution that would integrate with the booking systems, without needing to drill into the existing doors. dormakaba worked closely with the aparthotel to install its Exivo keyless system.Providing affordable lodging for the modern traveller, with a focus on interior design and tech-driven services, YourApartment accommodation aims to offer a guest experience that feels like home regardless of the length of stay. In 2020, the YourApartment Group announced plans to open accommodation in the Clifton Village area of Bristol having acquired the lease on a former student block, Merchants House. A £1.6m redevelopment, the owners wanted to ensure the new aparthotel was in keeping with its deluxe standards. The plans included a streamlined system that allowed guests contactless check-in and access their rooms using a smartphone. However, the lease for Merchants House included a stipulation that, to ensure flexibility of the property, the doors could not be screwed into, and existing door hardware could not be removed or replaced. Determined to offer guests a flexible and high-tech check-in experience, the group sought a contactless, smart solution that would integrate seamlessly with the Your Apartment booking system, that could be both installed and uninstalled at the end of the lease, with no alterations to the door itself. dormakaba overcame stiff competition win the tender for the project, and impressed with its Exivo system, which included Digital Cylinders, a Wireless Hub, and Wireless Extenders. Requiring no cabling within the door, the Exivo Digital Cylinders are powered by a standard battery, and were incredibly easy to fit within minutes without specialist tools or drilling into the existing door required. Thanks to this speed of installation, it took a little over a week for every door to be retrofitted with this smart solution. The product is incredibly simple to use, with users able to access their accommodation using the simple Evolo Smart app, and wireless functionality making it possible for management to transfer access rights remotely. By integrating with the Your Apartment booking system, rights could also be granted automatically, saving on time and maintenance and ensuring security at all times. The Exivo system has impressed so much, that dormakaba has since been invited to provide solutions for the wider YourApartment portfolio. Daniel Robinson, Marketing Manager for YourApartment, said, “The dormakaba Exivo system matched our requirements perfectly, integrating seamlessly with our Mew PMS System for bookings and Revinate CRM system for email automation. The speed of installation and minimal disruption allowed us to open Clifton Village on schedule, with a completely contactless booking and check-in process. “YourApartment is looking to expand into all major UK cities in the next five years, and we want to ensure all of our guests experience the same seamless and convenient check-in experience, so we will work with dormakaba again to integrate wireless, smart systems for our accommodation across the country.” Daniel Robinson Marketing Manager YourApartment

An exceptional place to live, work and visit, that’s how Fulham Reach can be described. In 2019, Fulham Reach was declared Best Large Development Winner. This award-winning development is a mixed-use riverside destination, where the architectural solar shading provides a sleekly finished look. The choice was made for DucoSun Cubic 100 solar shading blades. Together with the rectangular shape of the solar shading blade, this produces a very clean-cut effect. The solar shading blades and the façade face form a beautiful unit.

Newton System 500 provides a complete waterproofing solution for a boathouse situated on the River Thames, installed by Newton Specialist Basement Contractor Stonehouse. Newton Waterproofing Systems were contacted to provide a solution for a delightful boat house on the River Thames.The property originally had a wet dock but this had been back filled and capped with a concrete floor. The client wished to use the ground floor as a bedroom, but during a recent flood the water level had reached 500mm internally.Newton System 500 provided the ideal solution, as it works by redirecting the water, rather than trying to hold water back – which would be impossible under such pressurised conditions. Newton 508 Mesh was chosen for the walls, Newton 520 to the floor with a Newton Basedrain ring around the perimeter. Two Newton Titan Pro pump systems were used, which included a battery back up system.Newton System 500 was installed to this property by Newton Specialist Basement Contractor Stonehouse BasementsRather than holding water pressure back, therefore, it was accepted that the river would penetrate the structure and would be pumped out. The system is designed so that ingressing water is depressurised by the Basedrain and then moved around the Basedrain ring to the two Titan sump chambers. The chambers each had 40mm discharge lines exiting the structure. Both pump systems had non-return valves so if the river rose over the level of the pipe the pumps would still be effective.The full waterproofing system was installed in a little over a week. The major test came when the River Thames rose against the property to a depth of over one metre! The Newton System 500 waterproofing system coped with the water ingress as designed. At the height of the flooding, all three pumps in each sump chamber were operational. The system proved to be fully successful.

Surespan supplied a number of circular dome rooflights with triple layers to The Key, situated in the new Science Central development at Newcastle University. These large 1500 (49”) and 2000 (79”) diameter polycarbonate domes feature triple layers providing a U-value of 1.8 W/m²K. The rooflights were supplied with electric opening actuators to allow ventilation to control the temperature of the fabric structure. Surespan Dome skylights were specified due to their high sustainability and small impact on the environment. The triple layers ensure compliance with energy-saving requirements and offer excellent air tightness.

The ideal fire curtain when radiation tenability is of concern.

There was a requirement to cut down directly incident sunlight, the idea came up to work with DucoSun Wing in front of the façade. These large, wing-shaped louvre blades were made of a black perforated sheet that was made in special non-standard sizes for this project. This system therefore works as solar shading on the one hand as well as fulfilling an architectural function on the other, which is a defining factor in the architectural appearance of the office building.

In close consultation the decision to use DucoSun Cubic 300, combining functionality and aesthetics, was made quickly. The unique rectangular louvre blades in DucoSun Cubic 300 not only ensure that the heat from solar radiation gets absorbed efficiently, but they also give a sleek, linear accent which definitely adds architectural value. The blades of DucoSun Cubic 300 were installed vertically in front of the glass windows. Vertical solar shading guarantees maximum privacy, while still allowing an adequate outside view at the same time. Using DucoSun Cubic 300, we were able to achieve the desired aesthetics and performance requirements.

One of the main aims of the project was to future proof and increase the functionality of the building, with high sustainability standards including onPatient comfort was understandably a key part of the design, Contrasol installed the DucoSun Cubic 300 louvres to provide the solar shading required to achieve a comfortable internal environment. The added benefit of the projecting system is that it allows clear views of the surrounding grounds and across the Firth of Forth.

Watling Place, situated in South Kilburn in London, contains 152 apartments. The project is part of upgrading work being carried out in the London Borough of Brent.The DucoSlide sliding panels consist of aluminium frames holding wooden or aluminium louvre blades. Thanks to the wide selection of louvre blades, the architect or client always has a large choice that will seamlessly fit any project. The architect opted for DucoSlide Wood wooden louvre blades. These louvre blades lend the façade a warm appearance and are an effective solution for regulating solar heat and the privacy of the residents.

Architectural solar shading combats overheating and contributes to a comfortable indoor climate in Van Marcke's new office building. Vertically installed aluminium DucoSun Wing louvre blades provide an answer in combating overheating. At the same time, they provide added architectural cachet structurally. These wing-shaped louvre blades act as an extra shell for the curtain wall. They cut out the sunlight, thus preventing the interior temperature from rising too high on hot days. Annoying reflections on computer screens are thus definitely a thing of the past.

For a groundbreaking and prestigious residential building in the very heart of fashionable Knightsbridge, the levels of engineering innovation led to SIDERISE being the obvious choice for developing an acoustic material that could offer exceptional sound transmission performance at one of the noisiest junctions in London.

Fireshield® vapour permeable membrane, which is designed specifically to improve the fire protection behind cladding has been chosen for a new Science Centre at Bevington Primary school in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, London.The project includes a brand new Science Studio, plus before and after school club buildings.SIP Build UK was appointed as frame subcontractor for the project and chose the Fireshield membrane as part of the SIPS panelling system. Chris Duckworth from SIP Build UK explains: “We chose Fireshield as it provided the project with a number of really important benefits. Fireshield is a high-performance breather membrane which enables us to achieve the requirements in terms of fire protection without compromising on vapour control.Fireshield was also ideal because it is easy to use and allowed us to achieve the requirements in one process, using just the membrane, rather than the typical approach of two, cement board and a membrane.”Fireshield is the culmination of leading research to produce a vapour permeable membrane with a intumescent coated surface, which has a unique composition that actively reacts to help protect the materials underneath. The intumescent coating helps protect the substrate by reducing the risk of fire taking hold and significantly reduces the formation of droplets and smoke.The BBA Certificate awarded to Fireshield confirms that it has enhanced performance in relation to reaction to fire classification, will reduce the risk of interstitial condensation, and will have a life equal to that of the building in which it is installed.Fireshield complies with BS5250, BS4016 and NHBC requirements for vapour permeable walling underlays. It is installed and fixed to the substrate in the same manner as standard breather membranes using mechanical fixings. Applications include both commercial and residential buildings including apartments and student accommodation, as well as Rainscreen cladding and applications over 18m high (11m in Scotland).

As part of an on-going, planned flat roofs refurbishment, the Hotel flat roofs existing, ageing coverings were found to be in various state of deterioration. Following surveys by Proteus Waterproofing, some of the flat roofs were assessed to be still suitable to be overlaid, some had aged beyond economic recovery, requiring removal. Proteus Waterproofing were asked to design and supply a high-performance replacement, selecting the most suitable roof system from its wide range, for each roof. This phase required:One roof to be overlaidOne roof to be stripped back and upgrading the roof deck by over-decking with new 18mm plywood.Once prepared, both roofs received the new Proteus Pro- Felt® Ultima Plus Built Up Roof system with Proteus Pro- Therm Insulation PIR to deliver the required performance to comply with Building Regulations Part L and BS 6229:2018.  Long Term PerformancePro-Felt® Ultima Plus BUR offers a durable waterproofing and protection solution for new build and refurbishment projects, is BBA Certified and available with a range of guarantees.High Performance WaterproofingWorking on occupied buildings, safety is always of the utmost importance. Pro-Felt® Ultima Plus BUR system reduces risk by incorporating a cold installed, self-adhesive air vapour control to be bonded to the new plywood roof deck. Proteus Pro-Therm Insulation is cold bonded to the air vapour control, to comply with current Building Regulations Part L. The specification was prepared according to the NFRC ‘Safe2Torch’ guidelines.

The hydraulic system providing water to the two swimming pools, changing rooms, and a lounge area is operated by DAB pressure boosting sets and recirculating systems. The installed pumps ensure efficiency, energy conservation, and require minimal maintenance, offering maximum reliability to meet the demands of this contemporary facility.Utilizing Evoplus B and D electronic circulating pumps for the heating system, a consistent pressure is maintained within the system even as the flow rate fluctuates, preventing disruptions in the event of transient operational variations. Delivering an energy efficient system and CO2 reduction.

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.

Duco responds to the requirement to create a healthy as well as (acoustically) comfortable indoor climate by using self-regulating window ventilators in the form of DucoFit 50 ‘SR’, DucoMax ‘SR’ and GlasMax ‘SR’. “DucoFit 50 ‘SR’ lends itself perfectly for use on the lower floors of the tower blocks whereas DucoMax ‘SR’ and GlasMax ‘SR’ window ventilators are eminently suitable at heights between 20 and 40 metres.

The bulk of the project, spread over seven large blocks, used DucoWall Basic to provide plant screening. One element, where higher level glazing needs privacy screening from the walkways below, DucoWall Classic W 50Z is installed inverted so that the areas gain maximum light without sacrificing privacy. Another challenge was to incorporate louvre doors into the plant screening areas without interrupting the aesthetic appearance. Here again a standard DucoDoor solution provided exactly what was required. The DucoDoor can use the full range of DucoWall blades to provide a beautiful and uniform result.

The elliptical louvre blades on the DucoSun Ellips 150 that are incorporated in the construction as a terrace cover, fulfil both a functional and an aesthetic role. "This type of solar shading system with its elegantly shaped blades, minimalist fixings, simple fitting system and the way that the shade tapers at off at the end with the inclination angle of the blades, fits seamlessly into Livingstone's architectural concept", states Archi 2000. "In addition the light grey of the DucoSun Ellips 150 reflects the light perfectly so that the blades blend in beautifully with the sky."

Study shows the significant benefits of LLumar® films for saving energy, reducing CO2 emissions, improving thermal comfort, and controlling glare: Energy: - 3.9 year simple payback - 42 % annual savings on electrical energy - conditioning cooling - Savings of €125 800 on energy costs over operational lifetime of the film - Reduction of 46 tonnes annual CO2 emissions Thermal Comfort: - Reduction in indoor temperatures of up to 5 °C when HVAC cooling switched off - Productivity savings estimated at €40 per employee per cooling month Lighting and Glare: - Significant reduction in glare

Having worked on multiple projects within the Broadgate development, Boon Edam was appointed by Parkeray to deliver a layered entrance control solution at Broadgate Exchange House. Integrating sophisticated speed gates and elegant Crystal Tourniket revolving doors, our solution enhances security, optimises traffic flow, and ensures a seamless entry experience for occupants and visitors.

RENOLIT ALKORPLAN scores high on Deltion College! CHALLENGE A sports field on top of the roof. A surprising and exceptional RENOLIT achievement that absolutely draws the attention… Deltion College in Zwolle (NL) really is an exceptional case. This college offers amongst others education courses to prepare for service in the Armed Forces - Navy, Army as well as the Air Forces. No doubt sports are an important part of life on the campus. Then came the inspiration to install an artificial grass sports field on top of the roof of the newly constructed multifunctional building. Space-saving and functional! The choice to specify RENOLIT ALKORPLAN as roofing material was a shrewd decision, as RENOLIT ALKORPLAN offers a solution not only for mechanically fixed roofs but also for ballasted roof systems… SOLUTION The highest rooftop, a steel frame construction, has been installed with a PES-reinforced mechanically fixed RENOLIT ALKORPLAN F roofing membrane. For the lower concrete roof – the sports field to be – a different product was required: RENOLIT ALKORPLAN L! A glass fleece reinforced membrane with an excellent resistance to microorganisms, specifically conceived for ballasted roofs. Before installing the insulation, a bituminous vapour barrier was placed on top of the concrete. Next came a first layer of 70 mm thick aluminium-faced PIR insulation, followed by a second layer of 100 mm thick unfaced polystyrene insulation. To avoid direct contact between the roofing membrane and the PS insulation a glass fleece separation layer was added. Afterwards the RENOLIT ALKORPLAN membrane was loose laid and hot air welded. In accordance with the RENOLIT installation instructions the seams were sealed with RENOLIT ALKORPLAN seam sealer. A little bit of effort for extra security! 

Project Overview 103 Colmore Row is an architectural tour de force. This landmark building – the tallest office development in Birmingham – offers 230,084 sq ft of office space. There’s also an extensive restaurant on the top two floors, giving occupiers unrivalled views of the city.ChallengesIn this busy, 26-storey development, fire safety is of paramount importance. We received briefs from occupiers of a number of floors, requesting us to modify the fire suppression system to ensure safety and compliance. We were asked to deliver the fit-out package in accordance with LPC Rules incorporating BS EN 12845. The layout included new offices with walls, partitions, pods and suspended ceilings.Since these finishes were design-led, we had to work with the fit-out contractor and architect to align their design aesthetic with the sprinkler layout.Completing the fit out within the defined project schedule and budget, while delivering maximum efficiency, was a challenge.SolutionsWith nearly 140 years of innovation behind us, we’re world leaders in sprinklers, fire suppression systems and wider integrated solutions. Using this expertise, we designed a fit-out package to meet our customers’ goals – ensuring maximum fire safety and compliance. Since 103 Colmore Row is a finished, occupied building – not a  building site – the biggest challenge was logistics. We had to work closely with the landlord to plan routes, split deliveries and protect our routes to the floor. We needed to do all of this at agreed times to minimise disruption to the other tenants. Having installed the base build, we already understood the building and had a strong relationship with the landlord, which was a great benefit. The importance we placed on our relationship and  communication with stakeholders was key. This allowed us to work closely with the fit-out company to understand their programme and sequence of work. We became an extension of their team, working alongside them to complete the programme. Owning the supply chain also played an important role in delivering the project on time. We had the ability to place a call-off order for materials on the same day, which is essential in a project of this nature. We worked with our supply chain partners to meet the programme demands of the site. Due to the nature of the work, we needed to be flexible with labour – which our use of subcontractors allowed for.Results By fostering close working relationships with the fit-out company, we were able to deliver the package on time and within budget. To ensure compliance with LPC Rules incorporating BS EN 12845, while respecting the architectural finishes of the building, we took a consultative approach with the client. Our specialists were able to integrate sprinkler modifications into the architect’s design — resulting in a safe, cohesive environment that meets our customers’ needs.

London Square Bermondsey is a residential-led mixed use development in South-East London and comprises over 400 1, 2 and 3 bedroom homes, both private and affordable, flexible workspaces for small businesses and art studios. To clad the façade of the building, it was decided to use DucoSlide BiFold architectural external solar shading.Overcoming challengesOne of the major challenges at the time of the development was the coronavirus, that had a major impact on fabrication, delivery of materials and project deadlines.Michael Brainbridge, Site Manager explains : «Despite the challenge with the coronavirus, we have overcome this smoothly and can now easily say the product we installed is to a good standard and every party concerned is happy with the result. »Quality-finishing in prestigious projectThe high-end, large-scale project, which was finished in the first quarter of 2022, is located in one of the busiest areas in London. The complex consists of residential buildings beside cozy squares and pedestrian paths and truly oozes luxury and prestige.The DucoSlide BiFold panels blend perfectly into these luxurious surroundings and accentuate the façade design of the building effortlessly. The panels are built into a frame that slides away completely. This creates a clear-cut aesthetic difference between the open and closed positions.Michael Brainbridge continues: “ The benefit of the DucoSlide BiFold sunscreen is that it is light, durable and very functional. The panels are easy to handle, easy to install and the finish of the product is of a high standard and quality. Thanks to the DucoSlide panels, the building's appearance has been raised to a higher level which perfectly matches the environment.”

This external solar shading system with aluminium sliding panels in front of the glazing means the sun's rays do not get a chance to heat up the interior directly. DucoSlide also ensures maximum privacy by screening off the glazed areas, while maintaining the view outside. DucoSlide also adds value to the façade of the building from an aesthetic point of view. The slim and robust frame profile, light weight, fine louvre blades and aluminium colour of the panels, perfectly complements the colour of the building.