"reception"

A dramatic space for a busy officeIssueSovereign House, a busy office building built in the 1980s, has a footfall of 800 people per day. Ben Adams Architect were tasked with creating a renovation that would tolerate this heavy use, while looking impressive and appealing in the longer term.ApproachThe front facade and reception areas of the building needed to be redesigned to create a welcoming and dramatic entrance, and to provide additional office spaces within the existing oversized and underused atrium.SolutionInnovative Altro Flexiflow resin flooring in Doe, a light grey colour, was selected to provide a practical, yet visually appealing solution to a challenging space. Specifying flooring for the reception and ground floor atrium was a challenge because the entrance is on a diagonal, meaning that floor tiles wouldn’t have worked.Altro Flexiflow is tough, flexible and can withstand the kind of movement that other resin floors cannot. It’s designed to recover from scuffs and knocks, so was the perfect choice for the day-to-day high traffic use in this Brighton office space.Altro Flexiflow has the benefits of a standard resin, but in addition is flexible enough to move with your building. Day joints can be overlaid with it and it takes up building movement so can be applied over existing expansion joints, within certain tolerances (see website for details).Altro Flexiflow is a polyurethane resin and couldn’t be easier to install. It’s self-smoothing, giving a seamless and uniform finish with uninterrupted lines, and can be laid over green concrete with Altro Proof™ damp-proof membrane, to speed up installation.It features a PUR top coat for UV colour stability, durability and ease of cleaning, and is available in 27 pastel, solid and bright colours with an eggshell-like finish."We needed a solid, high quality, visually appealing surface that was flexible enough to go down on the existing substrate, without cracking or bending with any structural subfloor movement."Julia Hamson Architect, Ben Adams Architect

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.

EGGER decors help transform a Georgian property into a high end hotel development for Best Western Plus.H3342 ST28 Sepia Gladstone Oak features in all 28 bedrooms. This decor is part of EGGER’s Feelwood collection giving the texture of real wood by using synchronised pore technology.To create a consistent finish H3342 ST28 Sepia Gladstone Oak is used in the public areas, including matching XL laminate for the curved feature reception desk. Uni colours U708 ST9 Light Grey and U741 ST9 Lava Grey feature on accent pieces of furniture to complement the interior.Jacqueline Summers said, "EGGER offers a fantastic selection of great value contemporary decors across a number of formats. This gave us the ability to use their decors across the hotel to give a balanced and relaxing interior with a consistent finish."

The Sandy Park hotel (a £35 million project) is located at the southern end of the award-winning Sandy Park complex found next to the Exeter Chiefs Rugby stadium.Sandy Park Hotel which officially opened in April 2022, has 250 bedrooms, a rooftop bar and a restaurant including state-of-the-art leisure facilities. The building is an eight-story hotel that boasts beautiful views of the River Exe Estuary. At its front is a bridge leading from Sandy Park Complex’s south end and into one of UK’s finest hotels -The Marriott Hotel Reception where guests are welcomed upon arrival.Valcan supplied approx. 2000m2 of Valcan Ceramapanel in charcoal and light slate with a finish of natural textures touch.Valcan Ceramapanel is a non-combustible fibre cement cladding rated A1 to BS EN 13501-01 which was the perfect choice for the building’s facade.

Built in the market town of Sandy, Bedfordshire, Cotton Tails is a prestigious £2.5 million private residential property, the finalist for the RCI Pitched Roofing Awards. The property extends for around 4.8 acres and it includes formal gardens, fenced paddocks, stables, and outbuildings. The incredibly modern five-bedroom mansion offers 6000sq ft of living space characterized by a wealth of attractive features, including an impressive full height reception hall with a floating staircase and enviable underground wine cellar.The Cotton Trails project was managed by Mark Lenn, the landowner, and built by Bartram Timber Frame Buildings Ltd. For the installation of the roof, the landowner selected D Stockwell Roofing Contractor, based upon recommendations, experience, and quality of workmanship. Roofers were instructed to only use high-quality materials to complement the luxurious mansion and interiors of the prestigious property.

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

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.

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

India Buildings in Liverpool is a 10-storey building with 80,000 square feet of office space. An extensive refurbishment from 2017 to 2021 took place on India Buildings with hopes to house a new tenant of up to 4500 occupants. It is a unique building with distinctive historical features that needed to be retained and achieve Grade A office space.ChallengeThe client had concerns over the access control in India buildings as the new tenant would have a high volume of staff and visitors coming in and out, and wanted to prevent crowding in the reception area. As they were set to be housing civil servants in the regional government hub, there was a higher risk to unauthorised access which they needed to prevent without sacrificing the look of India Building’s historical features.To find out more please follow the linkIndia Buildings HMRC - Case Studies - Meesons

Radii joined the fit-out for this asset management company’s new European headquarters in mid-2022, working for approximately 20 weeks to deliver our high-end commercial solutions for 179 offices and meeting spaces across Levels 1 to 4 of the 88,000 sq ft site.Curved double glazed Parallel 50 (45dB Rw) partitions were manufactured and installed by Radii for a number of meeting rooms fronts, while single glazed Linear 25 (41 dB Rw) and double glazed Parallel 100 (50dB Rw) were also deployed to match the variety of acoustic requirements. Mesh glass was used in places on Levels 2 to 4 to provide extra privacy around reception and lounge areas respectively.Partitions were complemented with smoked dark European oak timber veneered doors throughout the space.

182m2 of custom Oranit panels were supplied to the West of Scotland Radiotherapy facility in Lanarkshire in 2015. Panels were installed to the walls and ceilings of the public area at the hospital including a wrap-over feature wall and ceiling behind the main reception desk with integrated lighting and concealed cupboard doors. The American Red Oak panels were built in a custom module format with 48mm wide and 20mm deep horizontal blades at 75mm centres for optimised acoustic performance and minimal overall panel depth. The wall panels were made in custom sizes to suit the installation and require minimal tooling on site.   Oranit panels are suitable for non-clinical healthcare environments; when finished using the standard clear lacquer panels can be reliably cleaned using Actichlor Plus cleaning solutions as approved by NHS Scotland in addition to conventional cleaning products.

Queen’s University is a member of the Russell Group, and one of the United Kingdom and Ireland’s leading universities which continues to shape and serve the world through research and teaching. Based in the heart of Belfast, Queen’s University is committed to enhancing its historic campus and the surrounding conservation area while providing 21st century facilities for education and research.With the entrance atrium combining various double and triple-height spaces over different floors, Armstrong METAL Cellio was the perfect choice to provide a sleek contemporary ceiling that connected and unified these spaces into one recognisable volume, with a sense of lightness and transparency.HERADESIGN® was used throughout the building as a recognisable and repeated element that provided good acoustic performance with texture and pattern. From a wall and ceiling installation highlighting the reception area, to acoustic absorption on the walls in meeting rooms and subtle black hanging baffles in a bar space.

The Lincoln, in Manchester, sits in the heart of Manchester’s Central Business District. With six storeys consisting of 102,000 sq ft of office space, the new building aimed for Grade A status.Achieving an excellent BREEAM rating, The Lincoln opened its doors to tenants in the summer of 2021.ChallengeThe client had a specific requirement to create a secure line connecting the lift lobby to the main building. The purpose of this line was to allow the staff at the reception to have remote control over it. The client was very particular about the design of the speed gates, as they needed to complement the luxurious look of The Lincoln. The gates had to be aesthetically pleasing and blend in seamlessly with the overall design of the building. The client wanted to ensure that the gates would provide security and enhance the guests’ overall experience.To find out more please follow the linkThe Lincoln Manchester - Case Studies - Meesons

This Hotel is a 73 bed seafront Travelodge Hotel that was developed as part of Denbighshire County Council’s Waterfront Regeneration programme for Rhyl. Constructed on the site of the East Parade car park near the former Sun Centre, the three-storey timber-framed hotel has a render finish. It includes four accessible rooms, a ground floor reception, a bar, a breakfast restaurant area, and an onsite car park. This is the first hotel at Rhyl Beach, the company’s 576th Travelodge, and the company’s 27th hotel in Wales.Cellecta DECKfon 26T was specified by Ion Developments due to it being the ideal acoustic overlay treatment to improve the performance of the original structural timber decked floor. The tongue and groove on the floorboard make it quick and easy to install, saving time and money.Wynne Construction was awarded this 1,400m² contract to construct this hotel in North Wales.

Altro help transform spaces for mental wellbeingIssueThe old unit was originally a hospital ward which had been de-canted and empty since the COVID-19 pandemic. This included bedrooms, shower rooms, and kitchens in an old-fashioned community hospital building.ApproachThe building was stripped out and architects Hypostyle were enlisted to re-design all spaces as part of the major refurbishment programme. These spaces included a reception and waiting area, treatment office, corridors, and therapeutic rooms. The local Altro specification consultant provided guidance on suitable products when considering infection control, hygiene requirements, and NHS standards, and local children and young people were consulted on the colour scheme. A natural, calming atmosphere was required, one that reflected the hospital gardens and nearby woods, and Hypostyle provided the internal design specification.SolutionTo create a welcoming, biophilic theme, Altro Suprema in a natural tone and Altro Wood adhesive-free were specified for the reception, corridors, waiting area and treatment rooms.Helping to reduce noise transference, Altro Orchestra with 15dB impact sound reduction, was specified for the offices. For hygiene and safety, Altro Whiterock White and Altro Suprema were specified for the bathrooms.“It takes a lot of courage for young people to attend CAMHs – it can be an anxious time for them and for one of them to say ‘This place is wonderful, it has made me feel better already’ has confirmed that we have achieved our overall goal to create a welcoming, calm and comfortable environment. This is now the standard we will be aiming for in all future projects.”Altro Whiterock White hygienic wall cladding is a proven, high performance alternative to ceramic tiles.Altro Wood adhesive-free creates maximum impact with minimum downtime providing a safe, durable and decorative solution for busy spaces.Altro Suprema is a non-sparkle, low-gloss safety flooring with superior stain, abrasion and scratch resistance suitable for very heavy commercial use, foot and wheeled traffic.Altro Orchestra provides 15dB sound reduction and comfort underfoot in a wide choice of colours and five designs.

With their proficient knowledge and background in conservation and working with listed buildings, 4 S Architecture (4SA) have completed numerous successful residential and workplace refurbishment projects around London, but this year the rising firm has proficiently completed the renovation of the striking Grade II listed 100 Pall Mall building. The design for new interventions is based on the original construction’s paired back ‘stripped classicism’ style by the renowned 1950’s architectural practice McMorran & Whitby geometry and materiality.  4SA’s approach was one of respect for the historic fabric while simultaneously updating the design to suit today’s modern office occupier.  In Hamson’s words: “Our practice’s design methodology starts with understanding the DNA of a building: what are the forms, materials, patterns and shapes that already exist [...]  Rather than introducing new forms and colours, those already present in the building were used to develop the design of the new interventions.  For instance inspiration for the green reception area wall panelling takes its queues from the prominent green marble arches, while the barrel vaulted ceiling informs the arched seating niches and tenant signage recess.Julia Hamson, founder and Director at 4SA, spoke highly of John Holmes’ attention to detail when it came to developing the bespoke ironmongery package for this project which features a combination of brushed brass and a patinated bronze ironmongery. “John asked us about our architectural concept for the design proposals at our first site meeting, which was a refreshing change when speaking with suppliers. We talked about how the existing barrel-vaulted ceiling and the arched green marble portals in the reception were two of our key design drivers in terms of generating what shape we chose for seating niches and tenant boards in the reception. Hearing this, John suggested that the top of the push plates could be arched to match.  At 4SA we firmly believe that paying attention to the smaller details is just as important as getting the big gestures right,  and it is this meticulous focus which can really distinguish a project. John’s suggestions with the ironmongery package throughout really helped to elevate this project.”Julia worked successfully with John at 3v, thanks to their shared design ethos and understanding of the existing building fabric. They worked closely together to develop a tailored hardware package; including the replacement of all existing stainless steel fittings with patinated bronze ironmongery for more utilitarian functional ironmongery elements such as hinges and push plates on smoked oak doors, and brushed brass for new decorative ironmongery elements.Julia recalls that “we received great feedback from client on the project and they were so happy with the design approach to the refurbished staircase with its new carpet, paint, lighting and ironmongery from the ground to first floors, that they rolled it throughout the rest of the building right up to the seventh floor.”Coordinating ironmongery schedules, when every door has an individual requirement, can be difficult, but according to Hamson, “John made me feel comfortable that nothing was going to get missed; this is what you want as an architect. Ironmongery schedules can be complicated and time consuming, and if there is someone who can do something better than you can in-house, then its best to take advantage of that skill and expertise to get the best result.”Photography: Neil Kenyon

Nestled in the heart of London's prestigious Mayfair district.80 New Bond Street stands as a beacon of elegance and luxury. This iconic address is renowned for its exclusive boutiques, high-end galleries, and renowned auction houses, making it a coveted destination for discerning shoppers and art enthusiasts alike. With its historic architecture and contemporary allure, 80 New Bond Street encapsulates the essence of sophistication, offering a unique blend of heritage and modernity.Completed in 2024, it has created new office spaces and has incorporated a sophisticated, spacious reception area.Throughout the development, our flagship product Quadra + was used. It is 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.

Previously occupied for office use, Brook House is being converted and extended to provide a 179 Bedroom Hub by Premier Inn. The Supply of Soundis Acoustic Cradle & Batten Flooring on the 1st Floor and 2nd Floor needed to achieve and provide service voids and flooring depths of 95mm – 185mm – 200mm – 450mm and 550mm. There was also a requirement for a higher performance specification in the bedrooms over the reception area and restaurant.As the site is ‘Material Change of Use’, conversion from Offices to Habitable Dwellings, the 1,000 sq m2 project was required to provide sound test certificates from on-site tests in order to achieve compliance with Approved Document E Building Regulations, which came into effect in July 2003. The Soundis cradle & batten system has achieved test results well in excess of the requirements when tested on this project and similar developments throughout the UK. Our Cradle and Risers are manufactured from 100% recycled materials assisting to the sustainability targets of projects.

True Potential celebrate a contemporary new look for their headquarters in Newcastle upon Tyne. Created by Ward Robinson Design, the smart and agile workspace provides mixed work settings including desks, quiet areas and collaboration zones. EGGER woodgrain reproduction H3430 ST22 White Aland Pine was used throughout the project in matching laminate, door size laminate, MFC and ABS edging. The hard-wearing properties of EGGER laminate make it the ideal choice for collaboration zone bench seating, reception counters and internal doors. The versatile material allows for creative elements such as the curved features and logo routering.EGGER's matching material offer means that desks, case goods and decorative slats could be fabricated in cost effective MFC, removing the additional labour of bonding laminate without altering the design concept. Matching ABS edging gives a uniform finish to all of the furniture elements.

The robust qualities and unique geometrical design of Forbo Flooring Systems’ Flotex Triad planks has helped to refresh the entrance level of this busy university library in Glasgow.The Andersonian Library, located in the Curran building at the University of Strathclyde, is a public facility for thousands of students and staff across Glasgow’s universities. After years of heavy footfall, the original carpet that was fitted in the reception area and corridors of the library was fast deteriorating and imminently becoming a trip hazard.Dawn McNeil, Building Surveyor at the University of Strathclyde said: “When we saw the carpet starting to fail within the entrance level, we knew that we needed a new flooring solution which would be robust stand up to the high levels of traffic, yet also able to retain its aesthetics in years to come. What’s more, as it’s a busy library, it was important for us that the flooring was also easy to clean, as the floors are very prone to food and drink spillages."

The project comprised of a large scale installation of Square GRC concrete floor tiles in two contrasting colours. Large Hazelnut tiles with Anti-slip Sandblast finish were laid around the main reception are. The remaining floor areas we resurfaced with Silver and Hazelnut tiles in Silk finish to emphasise the predominantly neutral colour palette of the interiors and the existing concrete structures which were left exposed.The tiles were manufactured using our special GRC BTX concrete, which is lighter and stronger than traditional concrete. We used our unique eco concrete mix technology with a hydrophobic agent to limit moisture absorption and staining. The challenges for this project were working with such large tiles that were pre-cut and only allowed for minor adjustments on site but the project was completed to a high spec for the client.This project was also featured in Architecture.com in Awards and Competitions section. Read more here: Riba London Award Winners.

THE PROJECTStudent Castle branched into student accommodation in 2012 and has been going from strength to strength ever since.Offering a unique student living experience with modern interior design, prime locations and a long list of additional services, what’s not to love!In York, student castle, converted a property into single flats, duplexes and studios, and being located minutes from the University of York, is in a perfect location for student residents.Student Castle pride themselves on their attention to detail and have utilised an array of colourful mailboxes in the reception lobby area creating a visually interesting space for students to socialise with their fellow residents.THE PRODUCTWithin this student accommodation, there are over 700 mailboxes designed, manufactured, and supplied by The Safety Letterbox Company. These multicolored H1 mailboxes look fun, exciting and modern within the halls of residence.With an array of door colours, custom font engraving, support stands and an SLB security lock on each mailbox that comes with two keys, these mailboxes are really setting the style for student accommodation.

A fault-tolerant network of MxPro 5 intelligent fire panels from Advanced was chosen to protect the 3Ts Redevelopment programme at the Royal Sussex County Hospital.A total of 36 4-loop MxPro 5 panels, 46 repeater panels and two custom-built AdSpecials panels from Advanced were installed as part of 3Ts, a construction programme to modernise the front half of the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton. Phase one involved the construction of a 13-storey building with two basement levels. Incorporating all the functions of a modern hospital. The building includes a three-storey atrium reception, outpatient departments, operating theatres, wards, a teaching facility and administration facilities.The fire system was installed by the team at Essex-based EA-RS Fire Engineering Ltd, who installed Advanced’s industry-leading MxPro 5 fire panels alongside bespoke sprinkler indication and ventilation override panels, all linked to approximately 5,000 Hochiki devices.

Orbis OS211 Glass Infill Top FixOrbis OS200 Vertical Bar Infill Side FixThe main NHS hospital for Blackpool and the Fylde Coast, Blackpool Victoria Hospital has undergone a £16.4 million upgrade to create a new main entrance and a multi-storey car park.The new entrance includes a pharmacy, retail units, café, main reception, waiting area and office accommodation. Featuring extensive curtain walling, the new main entrance has been designed to maximise natural light and provide a feeling of openness. The use of glass for the balustrades helped to enhance this design style throughout the main feature areas and voids, using Delta Balustrades’ Orbis system.Delta Balustrades also supplied the balustrades and handrails for the main and rear staircases in the new multi-storey car park. Delta Balustrades calculated the loadings for all areas of the hospital installation and specified multiple fixing details for the atrium to accommodate variations in floor levels and construction.

Architect: MEDA ArchitectureInstaller: DV McCollProduct: Oranit ShiluvitLSA Projects Ltd are proud to share with you one of our latest Volvo Showroom projects. Since 2015 Volvo have been refurbishing their UK showrooms under a masterplan by MEDA Architects who have kindly specified Shiluvit panels. So far LSA Projects have supplied to almost 20 showrooms with many more to come.The specification for the Volvo showrooms is American Red Oak in the 7-501A format which has 20mm wide and 45mm deep blades at 50mm centres. This panel type allows for 60% open area meaning that installations with 20mm of LSA Black acoustic lining achieve acoustic class A; perfect for busy car showrooms and workshops.Each showroom uses Shiluvit panels as a feature above the main reception desk following through above the waiting areas, meeting rooms, and offices. The warmth of the Oak panels makes for a great contrast against the clean white interior of the showrooms.

The Tytherington is a 4-star hotel and club situated nearby to Manchester airport. The hotel saw the refurbishment of its club and the development of 65 bedrooms, with a bar and tennis court, guests can use the spa, wellness centre, fitness centre, sauna, hot tub, and garden. The new investment sees refurbishment of club facilities including members bars, changing rooms, function rooms, and reception areas. With over 300 onsite car parking spaces, Capesthorne Hall is 7.3 miles from The Tytherington while Fletcher Moss Botanical Gardens is 13 miles away.Cellecta’s ScreedBoard 28 was specified by HPW Architecture Ltd due to it being suitable for all floor types and is frequently viewed as the solution of choice for new build and refurbishment developments. With its interlocking edges for installation convenience, high density, and unique resilient layer it provides unrivalled acoustic performance.J M Scully was awarded this 2,000m² contract to construct this development and refurbishment in Macclesfield.

Landmark London Development is a state-of-the-art office building in the heart of the City of London working asthe new European Headquarters for an international financial organisation. The 10-storey office building was the largest fitout in 2019, housing up to 6000 members of staff with more than one million square feet of space. What’s more, this unique building offers a variety of amenities to its users, including auditorium and conference centre, Health centre, a nursery and playcentre, a fully equipped gym, therapy rooms for sports massages and resting rooms.ChallengeDue to the large scale of this project, the client needed to secure several entrances to the building, including the main reception, a gym and childcare centre, a cycle parking entrance and a contractors entrance. While preventing unauthorised access to the building was crucial, the solution needed to complement the architectural intent and provide the smooth flow of authorised users passing through the prestigious building.To find out more please follow the link.Landmark London Development - Case Studies - Meesons

Colours inspired by the natural environment, combined with the outstanding performance of Forbo Flooring Systems’ luxury vinyl tile (LVT) and carpet tile solutions, have helped AMH Workspace create an uplifting working environment for Furniture Clinic’s new HQ, which ‘brings the outdoors indoors’.AMH Workspace was brought on board by Furniture Clinic as part of the refurbishment project to create a warm and welcoming new HQ for the company’s 65 employees. With wood being an integral part of the business, it naturally features prominently both on the external façade of the building and internally.A striking feature of the new 50,000 sq ft premises is the atrium area with a cedar slat wall covered with natural moss that catches the eye as soon as you enter the building. Full floor to ceiling height windows and a balcony area with open walkways completes the visual spectacle and have transformed the entrance area into a bright, welcoming and memorable space.“Using Forbo’s Allura Flex LVT flooring in Brown Raw Timber in the ground floor reception area adds warmth to such a vast space,” explained Heather. Available in 34 wood designs, Allura Flex comes in 4 different plank sizes, offering greater design freedom. The matte surface features a natural looking fine wood grain with a true to life embossing, while the tile’s special backing is designed for comfort and improved impact sound reduction. This has helped to control the noise in the expansive reception area.Heather continued: “We chose Allura Flex for its natural looking characteristics. The extra-large 150 x 28 cm planks were perfect for such a large space, while the 5mm thickness and 1mm wear layer offers exceptional performance, making it the ideal solution for this high traffic area.”Forbo’s Tessera Cloudscape carpet tiles in the green hues of Monsoon Cloud and Summer Storm have been used throughout the offices and meeting rooms. In the open office area, Cloudscape has been installed in conjunction with Allura Flex, again in the Brown Raw Timber colourway, to create separate work and meeting/breakout zones. Forbo’s range of Tessera carpet tiles combine well with Allura Flex LVT, as the same adhesive can be used during installation, which means there is no need for transition strips, enabling a seamlessly integrated flooring design.

THE PROJECTThe Avant-garde project features multiple banks of mailboxes that include both vertical and horizontal mail types. The mailboxes used in the project were produced using our high-quality Stainless Steel material with a 316L grade finish.The banks of mailboxes are divided between wall mounted and freestanding installation, providing a solution for a project where the available space is limited. The banks of freestanding mailboxes were mounted upon a support frame custom designed for the project to provide a secure and stable base for the banks.All banks in the project are situated in a finish surround created using American White Oak Veneer with a Wenge Stain to enhance the look and feel of the location.The Avant-garde project is based in the trendy urban London hotspot Shoreditch, and required the mailboxes to be of the very highest quality to enhance the mail reception area.PROJECT DETAILSProject Type: Private AccommodationProduct: Stainless Steel 1 (Vertical) Mailbox | Stainless Steel 2 (Horizontal) MailboxInstallation: Freestanding Accessories :American White Oak Veneer Surround, Engraving

THE PROJECTThe ‘Bronze Project’ is a multi-occupancy residential development that has been designed with a distinctive high-end project finish.The development features multiple banks of wall recessed post boxes in the reception lobby area which is located near to the entrance of the building. It is positioned in this area so that both mail delivery personnel can deposit items in a short space of time from a centralised location, and recipients are able to quickly access their deliveries as they pass by the mailboxes.The mailboxes are recessed into the wall which maximise the available space and ensure that Health & Safety requirements are conformed to.The mailbox model used in the ‘Bronze Project’ is the COM 2 Steel Door – 127 product. This type of horizontal mailbox is ideal for developments that require a large number of mailboxes to securely store deliveries for recipients in a restricted amount of space. The horizontal dimensions of the product (small height, large width with a relatively large depth) allow for multiple mailboxes to be stacked on top of each other, maximising the quantity of products in one area.Each mailbox has been engraved with a number which corresponds to their apartment address.

Hush Acoustics provided a solution to reverberation issues at the newly extended Queen Elizabeth Hall in the village of Layer de la Haye near Colchester.The hall was designed to be used as a multi-functional amenity for local residents and the general public and is host to anything from Scouts groups to wedding receptions. It was therefore imperative that the acoustics within the building were to a good level to be able to comfortably make use of the hall for all the varying activities.As in many domestic and public places, reverberation and in severe cases, echoes, had become a problem in with mid to high frequency sounds (in most cases) of speech causing disruptive and discomforting noise problems.After an initial inspection, Hush Acoustics proposed the installation of 30x Hush Absorber 50A panels. This Class A sound absorber has built in support frames to allow for bracket fixing to provide an air void behind the absorber for enhanced acoustic performance. The absorber panels were fitted over two days which meant the work had minimal impact to the running of the community activities.The client’s feedback was that the acoustics in the hall after installation “are perfect”.

A unique £46.5 million redevelopment on London’s Regent Street by Allford Hall Monaghan Morris Architects has created a stunning mixed-use building which incorporates Armourcoat polished plaster decorative finishes. The project for the Crown Estate, working within the confines of an historic grade II listed site, has produced an efficient and sustainable building with flagship retail space and prime office space.Over 400m2 of Armourcoat Spatulata polished plaster was applied to achieve the seamless finish to walls and ceilings in the reception area. The finish is achieved using a superfine stucco paste that is trowel applied in a series of fine layers to create a highly polished decorative surface. Sustainability has been central in the design of W4, achieving an ‘excellent’ sustainability rating under BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method), which measures the environmental impact of buildings. In keeping with the eco specification, Armourcoat polished plaster contains 40% pre-consumer recycled marble and no VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds). Photography © Rob Parrish

PROJECTSiemens, Warsaw [PL]COMPLETION2020ARCHITECTAPA Wojciechowski ArchitekciINTERIOR DESIGNERMassive Design WarsawPRODUCTSLOOP TYPE 2Aluminium; powder-coated in RAL 9016; deep-drawn perforation with a diameter of 60 mm; free cross-section >50 %; area: 165 m2In 1847, just six years after founding what is now the international corporation of Siemens, work commenced on construction of a railway telegraph line from Warsaw to the Prussian border, the start of the company’s success story in Poland. A success story that continues to the present day.In 2020, Siemens opened a new office building in the Warsaw district of Praga, planned around the concept of Activity Based Working. Our visually seamless LOOP design ceiling blends into this concept perfectly. It was used in the open-plan waiting areas and at reception, accentuating these through its organic shape.Our very aesthetic, open metal ceiling is an integral part of the sustainable, harmonious and feelgood interior design which focuses on flexibilization and optimization of the working environment.

The Asticus Building is a cutting-edge circular office space in the heart of South West London. The light-filled reception area features 250m2 of our Light Natural polished concrete, meticulously installed to complement a statement feature wall. We worked with Iconic Build and Aukett Swanke to create an innovative curved shuttering system. This allowed us to pour the concrete at a consistent distance from the wall, navigating an intricate curved design that featured metal fins and uplighters — all set within the floor. The concrete also flows into three lift reveals while four electrical floor box lids are infilled — cast at just 20mm thick — for a seamless finish. With sustainability in mind, we installed a 100mm void former to reduce the overall depth of the floor by 50%. This allowed us to halve the amount of concrete and cement required leading to significant carbon reductions. Installation was completed in just one week and handed back to the contractor. We returned at the end of the project for our signature seal and polish, ensuring that the floor achieved +36PTV in the wet — a gold standard anti-slip rating.

THE PROJECTWe start 2018 with a case study that is truly the epitome of ingenuity and design! What a privilege to be involved in Gas Holders.King’s Cross is inextricably linked to London’s industrial past. The telescopic gasholder was invented in 1824 and provided the storage needed to meet the demand of an ever-expanding city.The interlocking gasholder triplets were built and revised between 1860 and 1880 and now, some 150 years later, they are once again responding innovatively to The Capital’s ever increasing population. Architects Wilkinson Eyre have produced a truly stunning and extraordinary development.Luxury apartments designed by Jonathan Tuckey Design have designed internal beauty that benefit from a Regent’s canal waterside location, breath-taking communal roof gardens, and an array of amenities elegantly furnished and dressed by London interior designers No12 Studio. Amenities include spa and gym, residents lounge and a sophisticated entertainment suite including private dining and catering kitchen, a 14 person screening room, with an adjacent elegant games room, for use before or after the show.The Gasholders lobby displays extraordinary attention to detail in its integration of the building’s industrial heritage with contemporary design and style. A 24-hour concierge team operates from a bespoke desk made in natural stone, while polished concrete floors with brass inlay, a sweeping spiral staircase and feature light sculpture introduce guests to the drama of the interior. It also houses the bespoke brass mailboxes painstakingly developed and created by our Innovation team.THE PRODUCTBack in 2014, we were approached by Wilkinson Eyre Architects to create a curved bank of mailboxes with particular emphasis on the hinge and finish, the overall requirement for a suitably stunning yet functional solution.Houston Cox Central were awarded The Triplets contract to design, manufacture and install all specialist joinery, which included the solid brass bespoke mailboxes that formed an integral part of the reception area. The joinery design presented its challenges, working within a cylindrical building with zero design tolerance. All the joinery interfaced (between panels, doorsets, wardrobe and vanity units) with each other to form an integral part of each living space. As on previous projects, we worked closely with Houston Cox Central over many months to ensure the clients brief was met. The bespoke designed mailboxes aligned with full height panels following the curved atrium wall within the ground floor reception area. The unique design of the brass mailbox doors with robust solid continuous brass hinges are very fitting for this iconic building. Houston Cox Central are delighted with the end result, having completed the installation late 2017.

Medspace Solutions was delighted to be awarded the package to redesign and refurbish the Psychological and Mental Health Services (PAMHS) Department on Level 6 of Great Ormond Street Hospital. Great Ormond Street Hospital is a children’s hospital in London and a part of Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust. The project was installed on behalf of Logan Construction and contained a large amount of bespoke furniture, HTM63 and HTM71 cabinetry and Reception Desks.The Medspace team carried out the design work in March and April of 2023, collaborating closely with Day Architectural and artist Giles Round to ensure the successful integration of design elements. The aim was to create functional, aesthetically pleasing, and therapeutic spaces for mental health services.Patient safety was a primary consideration on this project, with many fixtures incorporating anti-ligature handles and fittings. The installation needed a balance of strength and safety whilst retaining a welcoming and calming environment.A lot of thought had been put into creating the department, geometric shapes and bold colours were particularly important on this project and all play their role to relax and reassure patients. To achieve the artistic vision for this unique project Medspace worked closely with trusted supplier Formica® using their flagship Younique® product. Younique® has allowed Medspace to incorporate patterns directly onto the laminate panels used in the construction of the furniture. This creates a long-lasting hard-wearing surface, resistant to vandalism and colour fade.Another interesting design feature is the backlit cloud panel. Giles Round’s cloud design is featured throughout the department and Medspace incorporated this by fabricating it using translucent Corian® solid surface material. This was then backlit using LED’s creating a soft and relaxing feature in each of the 8 bedroom areas.Installation took place between August and October 2023, and our Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment Package included supplying a functional and stylish reception desk and furnishing and designing the laundry room, kitchen, activity room, bedroom, lounge, study, washroom, dirty utility, teen zone and a quiet space.During the installation, two things were paramount – maintaining cleanliness in a hospital environment and ensuring no patients or their families were disturbed by the work. Our team worked closely with the hospital to ensure there were no issues during the installation period, and we kept disruption to an absolute minimum for everyone, including the staff.The finished design is a massive improvement for the department, and it is now a much more modern department that is fit for purpose and more pleasant for treating the patients who come in.