"library"

Castlebrae Community Campus officially opened its doors in Spring 2022. The new 700 capacity secondary school, which has the potential to be increased to 1,200, was constructed next to the East Neighbourhood Centre and Library (a project Metal Technology also delivered for Hub South East Scotland).Designed by JM Architects and delivered by Morrison Construction, this fantastic new building for The City of Edinburgh Council provides an exciting, inspirational and creative learning hub for the community. It forms one of the final pieces of a 20 yearlong regeneration project to improve housing stock and community facilities in the area. The development was very much a collaborative design, with numerous workshops and meetings to engage the community in the process.The relationship between the interior and exterior of the building was crucial, developing a holistic approach to improve the learning, attainment and health and wellbeing of the community. Metal Technology Ltd supplied its System 4-35Hi+ top hung windows, System 17 curtain walling, System 5-20D Hi+ doors and System 23 louvres and were manufactured and installed by approved fabricator Avtek Ltd.The project has been shortlisted for the following awards: Pupil/Student Experience and Inspiring Learning Spaces at the Education Estates Awards taking place on 18th Oct and Inspiring Learning Spaces at the Learning Places Scotland Awards taking place on 15th Nov.Word has it that the pupils are greatly enjoying and benefiting from their wonderful new learning space and environment – what it’s all about! We’re delighted to have been a part of this build for the Craigmillar community.(Photography Credit – Cadzow Pelosi)

Aylesbury Estate, in South London, has become one of the most significant urban renewal projects in London. There is a new public square at the heart of the regeneration, featuring two separate blocks, from four to fifteen storeys which provide a Community Facility, Public Library, Community Health Care facility and an Early Years Centre.  The sustainability strategy in place for Aylesbury Square is to ‘create a place which meets or exceeds the highest quality standards for a development in London’ – and as the wall connection to the floor or floor slab can be a serious source of linear thermal bridges – the inclusion of the dedicated new Sconnex® type W is a critical addition to the design detailing.  Around 40% of all thermal bridges in a building are caused by walls and supports, resulting in some 10% of heating energy losses. With reinforced concrete construction, minimising linear thermal bridges in these areas has undoubtedly been a perennial problem.  However, the unique new Sconnex® type W offers outstanding insulation performance, combined with an exceptional load-bearing capacity which transmits very high pressure, tensile and shear forces in the longitudinal and transverse direction.  This is made possible by the use of a pressure buffer consisting of ultra-high performance fibre reinforced concrete, which achieves compressive strength in excess of 175 N/mm2 – but with extremely good flexural strength as well.  There is also a significant cost reduction involved when compared to installing insulation beneath the floor slab.

The scope of this project was to provide an effective, maintainable, and robust waterproofing solution to a below ground extension and underground garage to a residential home in Suffolk.Delta Registered Installers, Oaks Damp Proofing Co Ltd along with Delta’s Technical Sales Consultant Paul Callaghan, were appointed as Waterproofing Specialists to undertake the waterproofing design and installation of the waterproofing solution.Basement extensions provide opportunities for increasing a property’s footprint. Basement extensions have the potential to enhance living circumstances, from storage to additional bedrooms or pleasurable spaces, such as games rooms, libraries, or swimming pools. All structures, however damp, degraded or contaminated can be retrofitted into a dry, fully functioning habitable space.Whether retrofitting a waterproofing system or installing a new waterproofing system, BS 8102:2022 protection of below ground structures against water ingress. Code of Practice should always be incorporated into the waterproofing design.The qualified waterproofing design was to achieve grade-3 level and to incorporate two forms. Combination waterproofing systems (two forms) can offer optimal structural protection against water ingress. Where a combination of waterproofing protection is being used, the two systems should offer different performance characteristics to mitigate the risk of failure due to a common cause. The compatibility of the different protection types should be assessed in order to minimise the risks and negate the need for remedial measures.A combination of two forms of waterproofing is preferred when designing a habitable space.

THE LOCATIONHounslow House is the new headquarters for the London Borough of Hounslow. The new facility creates a distinctive architectural form that gives the new building a strong civic presence within the community, with the design promoting a feeling of openness and creating connections between the public and private functions of the building.THE PROJECTThe seven-storey structure is the new civic centre for London offering a library, adult learning classes and a reception area to help with any enquires. The other floors are offices for the local council workers with a civic chamber placed on the top floor. The new civic chamber is a prominent feature of the building framing the views of Hounslow.THE PRODUCTThe Safety Letterbox Company discussed the requirements and strategy for both mail and parcel delivery, giving suitable consideration to future demands, and the inevitable growth of parcels.Hounslow House decided on COM2 letterboxes in Pearl Gold with manual parcel boxes in the same colour. Hounslow ordered 500 boxes to be placed in their blocks A-D. This mail and parcel combination was a bespoke piece as it’s a free-standing combination including a bespoke table and back braces. These popular COM2 mailboxes from our classic range provide a quality solution, manufactured from aluminium and steel, they provide a strong and attractive solution for mail delivery.Hounslow House also added myRENZbox to make sure they could manage their Parcel deliveries. The myRENZbox modular has ten extensions with different size doors in order to maintain their parcel deliveries. The Safety Letterbox Company has an algorithm to work out how many parcel boxes a building requires. myRENZbox was polyester powder coated with the colour RAL 9005 Jet Black with a Matt finish. Copper House also opted for a barcode scanner to help deliveries become more efficient. myRENZbox has also futureproofed Hounslow House with the option to extend the intelligent parcelbox in the future.

Project: Three Rivers Academy Client:Surrey County Council Contractor:Bam Construction Architect: Scott Brownrigg Value: £27.1m Location:Walton-on-Thames, Surrey Innovaré Completion Date: February 2021 GIFA m²: 7,456m²COMPLEX REQUIREMENTS AND BESPOKE DESIGN TO STRINGENT BUDGET CONSTRAINTS Commissioned by the Surrey based Multi-Academy Trust the brief was to realise the vision of creating a world class learning environment. The proposed design took advantage of Innovaré’s SIP technology to balance the client’s desire for a dramatic 3-YEAR ENGAGEMENT TO DEVELOP THE RIGHT DESIGN Innovaré were approached by engineers Arup at the early design stage for their offsite expertise, to fulfil the distinctive design brief for a 16,000m2 new build. The Academy was set out as series of distinct spaces under a single roof to house teaching facilities, library, drama and sports centre. Working closely with architects Scott Brownrigg a design solution was developed that combined 4 mono-pitched wings off a central spine, where SIPs would be used to make the required cost savings. The Innovaré SIP wrap system would be used to over clad part of the building’s concrete frame, providing an insulating layer and airtightness line. The design phase also involved the tailoring of the panels to the bespoke design requirements, so as not to compromise on the original vision. Through value engineering and early engagement, Innovaré provided a simplified, energy efficient, cost-effective solution for the project. The use of SIP ensured that the structure was weather-tight in under 18 weeks, ensuring that the project was completed within the required timescales as well as budget without compromising on delivering a striking new facility. The school has already received excellent feedback from the pupils, teachers and parents for the difference it is making to the teaching and learning process.

Project:Turves Green School Client:Acivico Contractor:Balfour Beatty:Architect:Atkins Global Value:£23m Location: Birmingham Innovaré Completion Date: February 2021 GIFA m²: 6611m²NEED Located in Birmingham, Turves Green Girls’ School is a secondary school with 750 students. A feasibility study by Balfour Beatty concluded that the original school would not be able to obtain warranties to give the building a viable future. SOLUTION Architects Atkins Global designed a bright and airy new school, filled with natural light, with wide corridors to help ensure a calm and pleasant environment. Advanced offsite construction technology kept the build schedule on track despite the pandemic. Construction partners recognised the need for early engagement to enable the delivery of an efficient Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA) approach. The construction strategy was for Innovaré to be involved right from the outset to bring the team’s offsite expertise to the fore. The building was designed specifically for Innovaré’s i-SIP system and a hybrid approach. To meet the performance and programme goals, an innovative hybrid design was developed integrating Innovaré’s BBA Certified SIP panels, hollow core concrete plank floors, and a lightweight timber cassette roofing system. This offsite hybrid technology has been proven to offer a radically quicker speed of build – reducing environmental impact, preliminary and overall costs. OUTCOME The new school has contemporary classrooms with interactive screens and stylish furniture, a dance studio, an immense sports hall, the main hall features a new sound and lighting system for event and performances – the purpose-built library is the focal point of the school. As Turves Green Girls’ School becomes King Edward VI Northfield School for Girls, the staff and students are determined that the wonderful building will now serve as a catalyst to transform opportunities, build aspiration, and further develop academic success

Burlington House has been a home of the Royal Academy of Arts, the oldest art school in Britain, since 1867. Over the years this canonic site has seen impressive additions by a number of acclaimed architects. Continuing this rich history, in 2018, David Chipperfield Architects completed a major redevelopment of the building, delivering a brand new home to the RA.InOpera Group supplied and installed the terrazzo floors for the major parts of this new space, including Benjamin West Lecture theatre, Cast Corridor, Collection Gallery, hallways and staircases leading to the galleries, and public restrooms.In 2001, the RA purchased Burlington Gardens, the building that sits right behind the Burlington House. Since then, they’ve embarked on a bold masterplan to join the two buildings together for the first time in history.The project was undertaken by, none other than, David Chipperfield Architects. The practice has won more than 100 international awards and citations for design excellence, including the RIBA Stirling Prize in 2007 for The Museum of Modern Literature in Marbach, Germany.With the bold reconfiguration, they’ve created new workshops, library and more studio space for the Schools. Existing spaces, which were built in 1870, were restored to maximize space and light, with improved access and circulation.The requirements for the floor materials prioritised high-traffic endurance, slip-resistance and design that will blend in with the existing interiors of the buildings, which are rich with natural stone and classical elements.For this project, we supplied custom-made cement-based terrazzo with two types of finishes. The polished finish was installed for the gallery spaces, and the honed for the areas with more traffic. The material guarantees even colouration and consistent texture throughout the entire floor area. For the Benjamin West Lecture Theatre, staircases were carved out from custom-sized terrazzo blocks.

THE PROJECTSymons House is a unique student amenities project nestled within the Symons House student accommodation building in Leeds. London and Scottish Student Housing (LSSH) joined forces with award-winning interior design company, 74, to create something truly special.The interior design of Symons House reflects the architecture of the building, with an overarching 1930s theme including brushed brickwork and bronzed metal framework. Created with students firmly in mind, the full amenity space includes a study lounge, library, cinema, games room, communal kitchen, bathroom, gym, and private dining room.The brief for this project was to create a sophisticated, grown-up space which is a stylish change from the traditionally bright and primary-colour-saturated student buildings found elsewhere.THE MAILBOXESThe Symons House project features two banks of freestanding, standard steel H1 mailboxes in the spacious lobby of the building. One bank contains 120 mailboxes, 10 high x 12 wide, and the other bank contains 240 mailboxes which are also 10 high x 12 wide but are back-to-back. This bank acts as a focal point in the heart of the reception lobby area.The mailboxes are in front / out front horizontal products that are freestanding and rest on table supports. These supports ensure that the mailboxes do not need to be mounted or recessed into a wall.As always, we offer a range of options to ensure that the table supports meet the customer needs. They can be polyester powder coated to match the design of the mailboxes or can be clad to create a feature point.The table supports for Symons House were specifically designed to suit the sophisticated theme. The industrial, boxy, aluminium welded legs were powder coated to match the matt black cladding of the mailboxes, creating an overall sleek finish.Working with the stylish interior design theme, the mailboxes have bronze powder-coated doors in a high-end IGP finish which are encapsulated within the matt black body of the mailbox.

3900m2 Optima TFC in PPC Aluminium and 1800sqm Optima FC in Axalta PPC Aluminium have been used in the completion of the 400+ room in Salfords student accommodation project. The Optima TFC system was proposed to create a ‘basket weave’ pattern to the façade including a mixture of both landscape and portrait lay orientation, visible in the project photos.The Optima FC included multi-depth panels to create a 3D effect along with secret fix assembled triangle segments to further emphasize the projection.When you stand back from the building, you can see the two separate towers seem to connect ‘through’ each other.The expert team at Sotech worked closely with Britplas Facades and their team of specialists to design the unique façade, ensuring it was both viable and achievable to the installation programme. As a team, we developed a method to secret fix the triangular sections onto standard panels at our fabrication facility, to reduce the quantity of parts the installer would have to handle.No additional testing was required for the project as Optima TFC and Optima FC have been extensively tested and are approved by CWCT and have been tested to BS8414-2 (compliant to BR135).Jamie Brown, Estimating Manager at Sotech said: “This is a truly unique, vibrant and striking building. It was a real pleasure to have been involved in this scheme from concept to completion working closely with our supply chain partner, Britplas Facades, to develop a solution that ticked all the boxes – cost, programme and exceptional quality.”Discovery Quays includes 404 student bedrooms over 10,325 sqft in two blocks. The finished building also provides a coffee shop, library, lounge, media wall, gaming area and a stunning double-story reception.To find out more about how the expert team at Sotech can assist in your next rainscreen cladding project, click here.

Project:Rockwood Academy Client: Acivico Contractor: Morgan Sindall Architect: Associated Architects Value: £14m Location: Birmingham GIFA: 2312m² Completion: October 2020It was identified by the Education Department that Rockwood Academy required an additional 400 plus school places to support the growth of the local community, increasing the school’s capacity from 648 to 1050. The work was funded through the Birmingham City Council Capital Education fund and procured through the Constructing West Midlands framework. SOLUTION Morgan Sindall Construction worked in partnership with Innovaré to complete the expansion of the existing Academy. The scope of works for the £14 million programme included the design, manufacture and assembly of a two-storey 2,200 ft2 building. An additional ten classrooms were built together with a new atrium, library, further science laboratories, a drama studio and a new multi-use games facility. OUTCOME The main structural frame used an innovative offsite modular structural insulated panel system (SIPS) to deliver superior performance and quality. The design champions the use of Innovaré’s BBA Approved i-SIP System – which outperforms traditional building methods, accelerates project delivery, reduces waste and improves sustainability. Images by John Kees Photography SIPS panels are one of the most thermally efficient structural solutions, and by opting for this innovative offsite method of construction, the team managed to maintain programme and reduce risk which was hugely important at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Advanced offsite construction techniques enabled the project to be cost effective whilst being highly energy efficient – reducing heating requirements for the lifetime of the school. Challenges were faced due to the pandemic when construction was disrupted early in the year. The team worked quickly to ensure that social distancing measures were applied consistently throughout the supply chain, meaning work could restart safely and meet the agreed completion date

Unity Square, NottinghamPAS68 seating and plantersStreet furniture | Street Planters | HVMTownscape Products has recently completed the hard landscaping for the Unity Square scheme in Nottingham.Unity Square forms a major part of Nottingham’s southern gateway regeneration project, which includes work to create a new-look Intu Broadmarsh centre, central library, bus station and car park.The hub was forward funded by LGIM Real Assets (Legal & General) and will accommodate HM Revenue and Customs’ (HMRC) new regional centre. The building now comprises of ten storeys and is due to open in late 2021. As the cornerstone of the redevelopment work taking shape across the city’s Southside, Unity Square will truly put Nottingham on the map once complete.”The site will eventually house up to 4,000 HMRC employees. Nicole Newbury, HMRC director and a senior sponsor for the Nottingham Regional Centre, East Midlands Region, said:“We can’t wait to move into our new regional centre. The new building is so much more than just bricks and mortar, it represents an exciting opportunity for us to utilise new technology and develop collaborative, new ways of working.Unity Square is one of ten regional hubs Legal & General has invested in to support the government’s efforts to modernise the civil service and save taxpayers’ money. Its investment in the programme crossed the £1.5bn mark last year. This scheme in Nottingham is particularly ground-breaking not only because of its size and central location but for its potential to transform the city centre, driving regional economic growth and supporting job creation.Working with Bowmer and Kirkland, a range of PAS 68 rated seating and planters were designed, manufactured, and integrated into the scheme.Finished in charcoal prestige, the concrete units were designed to complement the paving finishes.For more details of how we can help with your PAS68 requirements, please get in touch.

Products:OS210 Orbis Glass Infill Side & Top FixV511U Vista Extended Laminated Glass Infill U-Profile Top FixContractor: Wynne ConstructionArchitects: TACP Architects – WrexhamIt’s great to yet again be helping the success of the Wrexham Yale College project with our balustrade systems. Delta have been manufacturing and installing balustrades to various phases of Wrexham Yale College over decades and are delighted to continue supplying quality products throughout the ongoing redevelopments.Most recently, we supplied and fitted:130m of Curved Vista Balustrade to the feature stair and voids, specified up to 1.5kNm of loading.160m of Stainless Steel Orbis Glass Infill systems to 5 other staircases throughout the building, including the hall, sports arena, theatre and more.14m of high loading balustrade (3kNm) in the sports hall viewing area.19m of Vista balustrade to the external balcony, 1.5kNm of loading.This new three-storey, 96,000sqft college in Wrexham is to house facilities for catering, creative arts, and sports students along with providing general teaching and IT studios, replacing the elements of the campus’ existing buildings, which will be demolished. The facility will also be home to the National Library of Wales digital archive, where members of the public can access information on Welsh culture and heritage.With construction taking place over the course of the pandemic, Wynne Construction prioritised the health and wellbeing of workers during the build and ensured minimal disruption was felt by students and staff. Additionally, there was a real focus on sustainable technologies in the construction of this building, continuously present through use of natural daylight and natural ventilation within the building – we have reviewed light considerations further in our article disclosing ‘Five Top Tips for Specifying the right Balustrade System‘.The balustrades at Yale College were a very central part of the scheme providing a high quality, contemporary feel enabling maximum daylight to penetrate through the central feature areas particularly.Photo credits: Wynne Construction

Essex Pedal Power is a community project focused on cycling access and inclusivity. The scheme provides free bikes to eligible applicants along with associated services including training and group activities. Piloting in coastal towns Clacton-on-Sea and Jaywick Sands, the project aims to connect residents with key local services while harnessing the health, wellbeing and social benefits of regular cycling.Parallel to the free bike element of the scheme, supporting infrastructure is vital to make cycling a viable and practical transport solution for participants and regular cyclists alike. Essex Pedal Power identified seven key public locations including the train station, library, community centres and schools as prime destinations for cycling journeys. The challenge was to provide high quality, cost effective cycle parking, and to publicise each site as cycle friendly. The answer came in the form of our Bike Ports; robust parking racks with eye-catching bike icon facias.Cyclehoop were commissioned to supply and install six Bike Ports and two Bikehangars. Custom orange powder coating and vinyl wrapping match the colour of the Essex Pedal Power branding and their distinctive orange bikes. All six Bike Ports were installed in just two days, owing to the innovative self-supporting design and the vast experience of our fitters. The Bike Port’s unmistakable appearance instantly identifies each site as a bike storage space, while the striking orange hue fosters affinity with participants. As a component of the Pedal Power scheme, the Bike Ports help residents access important local facilities, quickly and conveniently in a healthy and sustainable way.As a result of the success of the pilot scheme in Jaywick Sands and Clacton-On-Sea, which launched in June 2021 and has distributed over 90 bikes to the local community, the scheme will be rolled out in Colchester, launching Summer 2022. This is only the beginning, with further locations planned across Essex as a direct result of the overwhelming support and benefits delivered to the local community.The feedback has been extremely positive; stakeholders have been impressed with the impact the orange bike ports are having in the area.Kris RadleyEssex Cycling Strartegy Leader

Kew House School is a co-educational independent senior school for students aged 11-18 years. Open since September 2013, their recent Ofsted Report noted that the faculties “ambitious vision and relentless drive have established a school that promotes the highest standards and aims for excellent achievements for its students”. Under the leadership of veteran Headmaster, Mark Hudson, the school has put a concerted emphasis on the individual; establishing confidence that encourages students to maximise their personal achievements in every facet of school life.With higher education never more popular amongst young people, Kew House School excel at providing smooth passage of students from sixth form to university. While the traditional values of academic excellence and achievement remain pivotal, Kew High School are continuously exploring dynamic modern approaches to encourage and nurture independence and leadership.Kew House School’s vision is encapsulated by their Sixth Form Centre, a new build, designed specifically to encourage independence and individuality for students approaching adulthood. Spread across 6 floors, the stunning construction features an independent learning area, a café, library, break-out spaces and quiet study areas. The building also includes an audio-visual suite, recording studio, classrooms and Sixth Form Seminar rooms. It creates a dynamic environment; extolling campus life within the secure and nurturing confines of school.Streetspace Urban Structures became involved in the project when a single-source canopy solution was sought for the top floor roof deck. The striking canopy featured a symmetric central ‘spine’ design with in-line support columns and finished with a perimeter cable edge. The canopy’s signal white steelwork complemented the champagne finish of the PVC membrane fabric. The installation used two existing steel support plates and the speedy construction involved components being craned up to the 6th floor.With its translucency, colour, clearspan and softness of form, the ORION Shield Tensile Membrane Canopy, proved to be the perfect solution, with the gentle curve of the shield design providing both an attractive aesthetic and a unique ambience to an outstanding build that provided a stunning finish to a prestigious project.

Located in Earls Court, London, the Lillie Square development will eventually stretch from Chelsea football ground to Kensington Olympia, and comprises of over 800 multi-million pound luxury dwellings. The development will also contain London’s largest private residents’ club, which boasts a lounge, library, private dining room, cinema, gym, spa facilities and 20 metre swimming pool with jacuzzi.Lillie Square Phase 1 required the formation of a watertight basement to house the luxury private residents club serving the entire property development. A large portion of this luxury clubhouse, including a swimming pool, spa, sauna, steam room, gym and function room, is below ground. The project therefore required robust waterproofing to protect the internal environment.Newton Specialist Contractor Stonehosue were consulted at an early stage to be part of the design team and provide a guaranteed waterproofing solution that would comply with the requirements of both BS 8102:2009 and any third-party warranty providers.The long-term partnership between Newton Waterproofing Systems and experienced Specialist Contractor Stonehouse has seen both companies partner on a vast portfolio of properties across the UK, and Stonehouse brought this experience to the table at Lillie Square.In order to provide the maximum level of protection, Stonehouse combined two Types of waterproofing in order to achieve a completely dry ‘Grade 3’ internal environment as per the recommendations of BS 8102:2009.The first of these products was the Type A, cementitious, liquid-applied waterproofing membrane Newton 107F, which was particularly suitable to this large-scale project due to the fact that it could be quickly spray-applied over large areas.The 107F was supported by the Type C Newton CDM System cavity drain waterproofing, installed throughout the basement area of the clubhouse, with four Titan-Pro sump chambers containing dual NP400 pumps, as well as Newton High Water Alarms, Inverters and Battery Back-Up protection creating a truly failsafe system.By working with Sir Robert McAlpine at the design stage it was possible to consider the lifetime performance of the structure as well as the cost in order to design and install thorough waterproofing protection.

An openair swimming pool of a design described as the finest in England is being restored to its former elegance with Crittall windows playing a significant role.Saltdean Lido, some five miles east of Brighton, is a Grade II* listed Art Deco masterpiece built in 1938 utilising an innovative reinforced concrete structure designed by architect Richard Jones. It is one of only three Grade II* listed lidos in the country and has been on Historic England’s Heritage at Risk register for many years.The structure epitomises the essence of the modernist movement with sweeping lines designed to elevate Saltdean’s status as a resort. In its heyday, immediately before the Second World War, holidaymakers and local residents would flock to it paying sixpence to swim and to sunbathe on the adjacent lawns.After the war, during which it was used for Fire Service training, it lay derelict until restored by Brighton Borough Council and stayed in use until the late 1990s when local people banded together to defeat a developer’s plan to demolish the lido and build apartments on the site.A Community Interest Company campaigned successfully to have the pool brought back into use which was achieved in 2017. Now it was the turn of the buildings currently being restored by Buxton Building Contractors of Surrey.Once completed the building will house an Art Deco event space, suitable for weddings, an exercise studio, library, community hub, café and heritage learning zone plus workspace.A key element of the design is the generous area of glazing facing the pool. Here will be installed Crittall Homelight Plus steel windows that replicate the original fenestration and, because of the slender frames, maximise the benefits of natural light on this bright coastal location.The windows are also hot dipped galvanised to prevent corrosion and Duralife coated with marine grade polyester powder which will offer the highest level of protection against the aggressive wind-borne sea salts that caused damage to the original building.Duncan Wilson, Historic England’s Chief Executive, commented: “The handsome Saltdean Lido was inspired by contemporary ocean liner and aircraft design and is architecturally probably the finest in England.”Once completed, thanks to the streamlined white concrete surfaces and the sparkling Crittall windows, the building will once more provide, quite literally, a shining example of its genre.

An openair swimming pool of a design described as the finest in England is being restored to its former elegance with Crittall windows playing a significant role.Saltdean Lido, some five miles east of Brighton, is a Grade II* listed Art Deco masterpiece built in 1938 utilising an innovative reinforced concrete structure designed by architect Richard Jones. It is one of only three Grade II* listed lidos in the country and has been on Historic England’s Heritage at Risk register for many years.The structure epitomises the essence of the modernist movement with sweeping lines designed to elevate Saltdean’s status as a resort. In its heyday, immediately before the Second World War, holidaymakers and local residents would flock to it paying sixpence to swim and to sunbathe on the adjacent lawns.After the war, during which it was used for Fire Service training, it lay derelict until restored by Brighton Borough Council and stayed in use until the late 1990s when local people banded together to defeat a developer’s plan to demolish the lido and build apartments on the site.A Community Interest Company campaigned successfully to have the pool brought back into use which was achieved in 2017. Now it was the turn of the buildings currently being restored by Buxton Building Contractors of Surrey.Once completed the building will house an Art Deco event space, suitable for weddings, an exercise studio, library, community hub, café and heritage learning zone plus workspace.A key element of the design is the generous area of glazing facing the pool. Here will be installed Crittall Homelight Plus steel windows that replicate the original fenestration and, because of the slender frames, maximise the benefits of natural light on this bright coastal location.The windows are also hot dipped galvanised to prevent corrosion and Duralife coated with marine grade polyester powder which will offer the highest level of protection against the aggressive wind-borne sea salts that caused damage to the original building.Duncan Wilson, Historic England’s Chief Executive, commented: “The handsome Saltdean Lido was inspired by contemporary ocean liner and aircraft design and is architecturally probably the finest in England.”Once completed, thanks to the streamlined white concrete surfaces and the sparkling Crittall windows, the building will once more provide, quite literally, a shining example of its genre.

300 sash windows restored at grade II listed Manchester University by VentrollaKEY FEATURES: COMMERCIAL, GRADE II LISTED, SASH WINDOWS, RENOVATION, EDUCATION, VENTROLLA PERIMETER SEALING SYSTEM (VPSS), SASH REMOVAL SYSTEM (SRS), VICTORIAN.The Samuel Alexander building, part of the University of Manchester’s Language Centre, is located on a prominent site in Oxford Road and includes a library, multimedia suite and study area.For this latest chapter in the building’s history, and part of a wider refurbishment project on most of the University buildings worth £14 million, the Samuel Alexander building now has newly renovated, single-glazed sliding sash and Venetian windows in keeping with its heritage.The £220,000 project assigned to the Ventrolla specialists involved more than 300 windows being restored to their former glory and was completed in April 2014.Ventrolla’s patented Sash Removal System (SRS) and unique Ventrolla Perimeter Sealing System (VPSS) were installed to combat draughts, reduce external noise and enable easy maintenance. All the inner windows were then woodstained and painted white to retain the building’s classic exterior.David McGinnis of Graham Construction, contractors of the project said:“I was very happy with the work carried out by Ventrolla on site. Due to the building’s difficult access requirements we only had small pockets of time to get the work completed, sticking to a tight schedule.”“The Ventrolla team were professional and flexible. They understood the project and how important it was to upgrade and repair the existing windows to the highest standard.”Samuel Alexander, who the building is named after, was a Professor of Philosophy at the University of Manchester from 1893. Percy Scott Worthington, architect of the building and a prominent industry figure at the time, was awarded a gold medal from RIBA in 1930 and was also knighted in 1935.With over 40 years experience, Ventrolla offers a tailored range of period window solutions including repair and renovation, new timber windows, double glazed replacement sashes, secondary glazing solutions and a wide range of window hardware.The company’s head office is based in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, and regional offices are also located throughout the UK and Ireland.

Product: Gustafs Panel System and Gustafs Linear RibsLSA Projects supplied over 1000m2 of Gustafs Panels and more than 450m2 of Gustafs Ribs to the refit of the Royal College of Surgeons flagship facility in central London in 2021. The historic premises was originally completed and gifted to the college in the early 19th century as home to the Hunterian Museum in addition to a teaching facility for the association. The building has undergone regular regenerations to keep the facility up to date as well as reparations after damage in World War 2.The 2021 renovation project at the headquarters in Lincoln’s Inn Fields was intended as a major overhaul to the day-to-day use of the spaces as well as the environmental impact of energy efficiency of the building. Architects chose to maintain the original building façade including the exterior columns and portico whilst transforming the inside of the building to meet modern environmental standards for insulation, energy use, and sustainability. Central to the redevelopment is the addition of versatile event and conference facilities including the Lumely Library and The View which can host and cater for up to 300 delegates.Internally, designers chose to use natural timber products throughout for a timeless, enduring design while maintaining the traditional feel of the building. Gustafs Panels and Ribs were specified to clad the walls surrounding the central atrium space as well as in the main conference suite and ground floor lobby area. Bespoke panel and rib solutions were designed in collaboration with LSA to include hidden storage details within the walls as well as recessed alcoves displaying a collection of historic sculptures and paintings.Both Gustafs products used included acoustic treatments. The panel system areas used nano perforations which provide acoustic class B control with 0.5mm surface holes in the face veneer and high performance ‘sound chamber’ perforations in the gypsum panel core. The ribs installed elsewhere used standardised mounting system to achieve 50mm centres between ribs. This mounting format achieves acoustic class C with minimal mounting build-up.All timber elements used in this renovation scheme were required to meet strict standards for sustainable and responsible timber sourcing. The veneers for both Gustafs Panel System and Gustafs Linear Ribs for this project were supplied with FSC certification.

Revitalising High Streets Across Wembley, Harlesden and Kilburn with our Planter and Parklets. As we all know our High streets have been hit hard by our changing online shopping habits along with the uncertainty and unpredictability following the after-effects of the COVID lockdown.As many of Brent’s residents have shifted towards working from home and spending more time in their own local neighbourhoods, the council wanted to refresh the high streets for the new daytime generation to enjoy.  The new initiatives have included everything from aesthetic and environmental improvements to new youth facilities and public artwork.Wembley High RoadFor Wembley High Road the council wanted to carry out improvement works to enhance the appearance and character of the high road including, new footway paving, lighting, seating areas and greenery with new trees and plants.  This is where our planters and parklets came into the equation, the planters with integrated seating allow the residents to sit and rest during their shopping and local residents in the surrounding flat to come out and enjoy the sunshine.Harlesden Town CentreHarlesden being a vibrant and multicultural centre within Brent is a priority area for the council.  There are a lot of major developments taking place and therefore the challenge is to retain the character and sense of place.In early 2020, Brent Council acquired the former Picture Palace cinema building on Manor Park Road, Harlesden, and set aside funding for the renovation and refurbishment of the building.Meristem was asked to install a series of planters surrounding the Picture Palace cinema to brighten up the frontage, and provide greenery, trees, plants and seating opportunities. Kilburn High RoadKilburn High Road is an important local town centre and is designated as one of 35 ‘major centres’ according to the Mayor’s London Plan.The high road has lots of shops – both large retailers and small independents – a market, library, restaurants, pubs, and the Tricycle Theatre and Cinema. These all help to create Kilburn’s character and offer a wide range of goods and services to residents as well as to evening visitors to the restaurants and other attractions.The objectives of the Kilburn High Road improvement scheme are to reduce the dominance of traffic on the high road, help create a place that people want to visit and spend time in, and support businesses.The feedback led to our green interventions to make the high street greener through the inclusion of trees, planters, shrubs, and seating.