"ground water control trench sheeting etc"

Nearly forty years after the lights were switched off at Battersea Power Station, a decommissioned Grade II listed coal-fired power station, located on the south bank of the River Thames, this much loved London landmark recently re-opened to the public following a transformational eight-year restorationApple Inc. will be leasing approximately 500,000 sq ft. across 6 floors of the central Boiler House and plans to move all of its 1,400 London employees to the new venue. This will make Apple by far the largest tenant at Battersea Power Station.221m² of Stravifloor Channel, a resilient high-performance floating floor based on floor channels containing steel springs as resilient supports was installed to decouple the acoustically critical listening, screening and control room spaces at Battersea Power Station.The added insulation material between the channels contributes to the acoustic optimization of the spaces by preventing the so-called standing wave effect to take place within the air void.During the installation of the acoustic floating floor, careful attention was paid to the many service penetrations as improper installation would most certainly lead to rigid connection which in turn affect the system’s performance.

Architect: Moses Cameron WilliamsInstaller: Willmott DixonProduct: Gustafs Linear RibThe new Library at the Luton campus of the University of Bedfordshire which opened in June 2016 was designed by Moses Cameron Williams Architects (of Cambridge) and project managed and installed by Willmott Dixon.The University has been around for over 100 years and teaches in a wide range of subject areas as well as conducting award winning research across health, energy and technology, and social policy topics.The library is spread over 7 floors including silent study rooms, group work and meeting spaces, computer labs and presentation facilities and a café as well as miles of bookshelves. Gustafs and LSA Projects supplied over 8,000 linear metres of ribs to the project for both wall and ceiling application covering around 450m2.Over 3,000 individual 28mm deep ribs in natural Oak veneer have been used to clad the impressive open atrium and cafe area as well as throughout the library isles and study spaces. 12mm gaps between ribs give the entire installation depth, texture, and warmth as well as impressive acoustic control; perfect for a busy university library!

PROJECT OVERVIEWAs part of an extensive refurbishment scheme to modernise and transform Glasgow Royal Infirmary University Tower, Norwood were specified by architects Armitage Associates in partnership with main contractors Balfour Beatty Scottish and Southern Ltd. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde commissioned the £12.5 million project to significantly improve efficiency within the University Tower. SCOPE OF WORK The transformation included creation of the new state-of-the-art laboratory, as well as a plant room and an impressive glazed vertical ‘eyebrow’, which was installed on the north elevation to enable hospital staff spectacular views of the city within dedicated break-out zones. We were involved from an early stage in the design process and successfully developed a unique internal wall lining system which allowed the interior of the building to be upgraded whilst reflecting the features of the building exterior. From the outset Norwood understood the Royal Infirmary’s need to work within exceptional project and budget control whilst utilising a new bespoke system for the client. The system’s intelligent functionality was developed and manufactured specifically for the University Tower and as such perfectly demonstrates the capabilities and adaptability of our partitions. We also provided our steel door sets.

Oval Village in Lambeth is a project that comprises affordable residential apartments, with office and commercial space, retail and leisure facilities, and parking.The site is part of a large-scale redevelopment of the former Oval Gasworks site, offering 598 apartments with balconies and terraces for which we designed and developed the paving support system.The balconies used the TerraSmart Pedestal Paving System, which is straightforward to install, powerful and fully non-combustible, with the paving laid safely on our RP-FR, millimetre-perfect adjustable paving support pedestals, with edge spring clips around the edges to ensure uniform spacing for an aesthetically perfect finish.The terraces, with a commanding view of the city at the top of the building, feature a hybrid system starting with the TerraSmart Rail Paving System – super-strong thanks to its overlapping lattice framework – to form the ramps, which transition seamlessly into the TerraSmart Pedestal Paving System for the rest of the area.Throughout the project, we worked closely with Formation Architects, HTA Architects, Building Control, NHBC and Berkeley Group to design the most relevant systems for the project. Fenland Flat Roofing installed the systems for the balconies, while those for the terraces were installed by NAO Landscapes.

Nestled at the heart of the University of Warwick campus, Scarman House is a 210-bed hotel accommodation and conference facility. This versatile establishment provides not only comfortable lodgings but also top-notch conference facilities, well-equipped meeting rooms, and enticing on-site dining options.In the summer of 2023, the hotel underwent a three-floor refurbishment project. Towelrads, in collaboration with the architect firm Baker Hicks, was instrumental in identifying optimal heating solutions for both Electric Towel Rails and Radiators. The client’s vision was to maintain a modern yet contemporary aesthetic in the individual rooms.We take pride in crafting a bespoke solution by designing, specifying, and supplying our Pisa Chrome Electrical Towel Rails for the bathrooms. These towel rails are equipped with Smart Thermostatic Elements, enabling occupants to have complete control over time and temperature settings, ensuring a comfortable stay.For the radiators, we selected a range of Vertical and Horizontal Windsor Column Radiators. This option added a touch of modernity blended with a hint of retro charm to the rooms, all while delivering exceptionally high heat outputs.Throughout this project, the collaborative partnership proved essential in navigating and meeting the challenging project timelines, ensuring its successful and timely completion.

Portakabin Ltd. were working on a project for Servicecare Support Services Ltd. to install a temporary canteen and locker room facility. They required the extra building space so they could continue to operate whilst adhering to social distancing measures throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.Alongside the temporary building, they were in need of a wall mounted canopy along the right elevation to provide weather protection above the main entrance to the building that leads to the corridor.Able Canopies have been working with Portakabin for a number of years, adding shade and shelter structures to their temporary buildings. Although our canopies are permanent structures, we have designed above ground planter pads and special wall brackets to enable us to install the canopies and take them down when they are on longer required.These adaptions have been designed for our Coniston Wall Mounted Canopy and have been successfully used for many years now. The staff at Portakabin therefore put the Coniston Wall Mounted Canopy forward to Servicecare Support Ltd. who were pleased with the design and specifications and were happy to go ahead with the installation.The final design was 10m in length with a 3m projection to cover the whole span of the temporary building and provide the weather protection required above the entrance.

Armourcoat surface finishes have played a central role in the comprehensive refurbishment of the iconic Minster Building in the heart of London’s business district, applying over 600m2 of it's seamless Acoustic Plaster System to the ceilings.The interior design by architects BuckleyGrayYeoman for Ivanhoé Cambridge and its development/asset manager Greycoat Real Estate LLP, has created a major repositioning of the building built around the central eight storey atrium. The ground floor reception is approached by a 30 metre long boulevard from the new entrance on the corner of Mincing Lane and Great Tower Street. The original entrance has also been retained to Minster Court piazza.Designed to optimize the acoustics of interior spaces, the Armourcoat Acoustic Seamless Plaster system offers a clean and smooth mineral surface that can be applied seamlessly over large expanses to both flat and curved surfaces. Comprising of a special mineral wool composite panel that is bonded onto the substrate and finished with a seamless layer, the system offers an elegant marble based plaster finish while allowing sound energy to pass through the surface. The zero VOC system, which consists of over 70% recycled material, achieves class '0' fire rating and a class 'A' Noise Reduction Coefficient rating.Photography: Jonathan Banks

Our client, One 17 Design, acted as Architects, Interior Designers and Project Managers for this superb project with involvement from inception through to completion. Their brief was to create a home office / garden room in the grounds of an existing detached home, which was done by extending the detached garage.The material palette for the garden room predominately featured oak and steel. Blackened oak cabinetry and steel fenestration provide a striking contrast against the natural oak frame and cladding. Clever detailing in the relationship between the oak frame and steel doors adds a contemporary twist. The bricks for the outside of the building were selected to match the brickwork of the existing bungalow. Bespoke Clement steel windows and doors from the W20 range were chosen for the project, including an interior door, fitted with reeded glass that leads to the bathroom. All handles were powder coated black to match the steel frames.The project won “Best amazing space” at the 2022 Northern Design Awards.Freddie Garside, Partner and Director at One 17 Design, said:“We and our client were delighted with the finished doors and screens. The narrow framed black steel doors complement the natural oak frame perfectly. Clement were very professional, efficient and responsive throughout the whole project.”Photography: Joe Cotterill

The Aldwych area, nestled in the heart of London, has undergone a remarkable transformation in recent years. Aldwych is rich and diverse, originally developed in the early 20th century as a grand thoroughfare, flanked by prestigious buildings and theatres. Over time, it evolved into a bustling commercial hub. However, changing urban needs and traffic management had begun to take a toll on its charm and functionality. “A Vision for Aldwych”LDA Design played a pivotal role in envisioning the revitalisation of Aldwych. Their work was grounded in the belief that urban spaces should be more than just thoroughfares; they should be vibrant, people-centric environments that promote sustainability and community engagement. Collaboration between LDA Design and Westminster Council, aimed to enhance the public realm by incorporating innovative urban design principles and environmentally friendly features, such as tree planting.The primary goal was transforming Aldwych into a welcoming and attractive pedestrian space. This involved expanding pavements reducing vehicular traffic and creating designated areas for social interaction. The existing London Plane trees that lined the Aldwych were seen as valuable assets the design aimed to celebrate and preserve these trees.Drawing inspiration from the Strand design, the project proposed unique street furniture. These pieces added aesthetic value and provide functionality, such as Wi-Fi hubs and charging points.

The combination of old and new architecture provides unusual views and insights.This was certainly the case with the extension of the Batelease Farm owned by the Moody couple in the English county of Devon.The original Batelease Farm was built back in the 15th century and the building has been changed and extended over the centuries. Because the Batelease Farm is a Grade II listed building everything had to be approved by the responsible heritage officials.The modern extension to the old farmhouse creates a contrast between old and new and combines the two - quite literally. Because the goal wasn’t merely to create a new build - it also had to be accessible and enable barrier-free access between the old and new building.This will allow the client, a wheelchair user, to navigate between the buildings independently and to move between the centuries, so-to-speak.A glass structure connects the main house and the new build and covers two floors, including a lift. Barrier-free access has been created between the buildings on both the ground floor and the first floor. There is also an entrance and exit here, which enables the client to enter or leave the building independently at any time.A Guldmann GH1 ceiling hoist system is used in the client’s bedroom with the rail system integrated subtly into an exposed timber beam, so that the practical aid is almost invisible.

Architects Dixon Jones specified 600m2 Junckers solid oak flooring for Marlborough Primary School, a multi award-winning building on a densely populated urban site in the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea. The brief to create a primary school much larger than the original Victorian building on the existing site challenged Dixon Jones to design a school where teaching accommodation is arranged vertically around a series of cascading roof terraces. With nursery and reception classes on the ground, children progress upwards through the building the older they get, with the junior years arranged on the upper floors. The interior forms an equally dynamic environment for students and staff with teaching spaces arranged around communal halls and generous circulation areas. A large main hall and multi-use space, flooded with natural light from two central roof lights, features Junckers wide board oak flooring throughout, providing a natural, unifying backdrop. Junckers’ FSC and PEFC certified floors are a durable, long-lasting choice with low lifecycle costs. Made in solid wood, the floor can be sanded and refinished multiple times without losing its good looks or performance, ideal for a thriving community school. Main contractor: Mace; Joinery contractor: Swift Crafted; Photography: Paul Riddle. 

In Rugby, 57 aerial masts and a radio station are the genesis for the beginning of a new town, centred around the recently finished Houlton School. The carefully considered design of the School by Van Heyningen & Haward (VHH), is the successful retrofit of a collection of historic, grade 2 listed radio station buildings. Its cost-effective evolution into a thriving, sustainable secondary school comes through the careful integration of the previous buildings and by choosing to use products that fitted soundly within the pre-existing vernacular.Adapting the original framework to today’s standards was a job that took years to come to fruition, careful application of steel frame and the restoration of the original brickwork has meant that the two main listed structures, Transmission Hall and Power Hall will become a place of learning for generations of students. Handmade clay bricks provided by Michelmersh were vital to the restoration of the project, where they were used to ensure the structures could be repaired and retained rather than rebuilt from the ground up.Throughout the project, various elements of the building's industrial past have been retained, with arched windows and high ceilings to ensure that the history of this nearly century-old building is revered, but not overpowering compared to its newly instated modern sensibilities.Houlton School recently won the Refurbishment Category at the BDA Brick Awards.

Client: Tottenham Hotspur Football Club Design: Populous Main Contractor: Mace Main Products Used: Emshield DFR2 and Emseal Security Seal SSW2Tottenham Hotspur Football Club has moved into its new home which also has a partnership with the American NFL that will see at least two major American football games played at the stadium each season. This was made possible by the innovation of a retractable natural grass pitch, which will be used for Spurs home fixtures and an artificial multi-use surface underneath for the NFL matches, plus concerts and other events. With a seating capacity of 62,000, the Tottenham stadium is designed to ensure that the spectators are closer to the pitch than at any other comparable ground in the UK. It also includes the UK’s largest single tier stand, which will hold up to 17,000 fans in the Spurs home-end. As is typical for modern stadium design, there was a critical requirement for wide and high movement joint sealing systems in several important areas. These included joints in the plant service areas and walkways over prestige VIP and hospitality suites that also had to provide fire resistance, plus the important and often difficult heads-of-doors joints. These requirements were all safely and securely met using Emseal DFR-2 and Emseal SecuritySeal SSW2 respectively

A careful combination of A2 fire rated soffit panels, rainscreen cladding and mesh screens from Proteus Facades has helped band together the impressive new £42m Sciences Centre at Durham University. Based within the grounds of the Upper Mountjoy Campus, the new Mathematical Sciences and Computer Science building has been developed to create synergy between the two departments, which have been earmarked for significant growth within the Durham University Strategy – 2017-2027. The building features state-of-the-art teaching facilities and office space, including a specialist IT Lab with a designated server room, a 120-seat tiered lecture theatre and tutorial rooms. While a café and breakout spaces, as well as four enclosed courtyards make up the communal areas. Creating a bright space for students, staff and visitors to meet and relax, Proteus Facades manufactured striking 2.0mm Aluminium Proteus IP interlocking planks with a PPC Traffic White Matte (RAL 9016) finish for use on the façades of the four internal courtyards. GSS Architecture chose the Proteus IP aluminium PPC in Traffic White because it accentuates and reflects natural light creating an enhanced ambience in the teaching spaces that face onto the courtyards, whilst complementing the glass curtain walling system.

Gent Sint-Pieters railway stationCHALLENGE Gent Sint-Pieters, the main railway station in Ghent, is undergoing a spectacular metamorphosis today. The listed main building, constructed for the 1913 World Exhibition, has to remain untouched. Behind the old building however the platforms, waiting rooms and the central passengers corridor are being entirely refurbished. Architect Voncke’s objective was to create a pleasant atmospheric site with a 35,000 sqm open and attractive central hall, broadened and completely covered platforms and renovated rails. Functional, well-designed and above all spacious! As the 12 rail tracks had to stay on ground level, the passengers alley was excavated to a lower level under the railroad tracks. This necessitated permitting considerable daylight to enter the underlying levels.SOLUTION Transparent canopies, featuring large glass sections and translucent floors were all designed with this purpose in mind. To gain even more light the architect chose RENOLIT ALKORBRIGHT for waterproofing the platform canopies. The six long rectangular platform blocks, differing in height, are interconnected and make one large roof. The white highly reflective RENOLIT ALKORBRIGHT membrane on top of the construction reflects the daylight through the high side windows. A clever way to add extra day-light to the underlying areas. 

A £40 million investment, 13 roof areas, eight different roof levels, and a steady stream of visiting students to keep happy throughout – the University of Reading (UoR) Library’s complete refurbishment was a large and challenging project spanning three years.Originally opened in 1964 and later extended in 1985, the library’s internal and external revamp was designed to increase space, improve facilities for individual study, provide better access and security across the building, and improve energy efficiency.In addition to a new-build Café extension, a new entrance canopy, a new ground-to-roof level lift and stair core extension – each featuring a new flat roof area – there were also 10 existing flat roof areas refurbished, coupled with the replacement of windows and re-cladding of the building’s exterior.Following a competitive tender based on an outline specification, Owlsworth Roofing, Sika Sarnafil single ply flat roofing specialists, impressed with the level of detail included in their quote and were awarded the contract by main contractor ISG.Roofing:Sika® Sarnafil G410-12 ELF.Sika® Sarnafi G410-12 EL.Sarnavap®-5000E SA.Sarnavap® HD SA.Primer 600.Sikatherm® PIR Insulation and Sarnacol®-2162.

Winner of the MIPM 2010 award for Hotels and Tourism, which is presented for outstanding real state projects worldwide, the Kameha Grand was designed by architect Karl-Heinz Schommer Bonner. The unique elliptical section design did however make serious demands on the requirement for protection against thermal bridging. The architect discussed the issue with Schöck, the European specialists in thermal bridging solutions and it was agreed that a combination of three product variants would meet the requirement.The outer concrete arches on the roof and facade of the building cantilever 1.30 m on each side and this, combined with the subtle design of the facade, meant that it was not possible to use a standard thermal break solution. To minimise any thermal bridging problems along the two outer arcs an inventive solution had to be found by the Schöck design team. This was achieved by dividing the projecting element of the framework into a number of sections and using the appropriate Isokorb® T for the required forces. At the ground floor Isokorb® T type Q is used, with T type D being installed higher up the structure, followed by T type K on the top floor. Because of the arch profile, the Isokorb® T type D was cut and installed at 90 degrees and run under the curved edge of the roof emergency exits, providing F90 fire protection.

Surespan designed and manufactured four access products for the SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California The Project:HKS Architects were behind the architectural design of the stadium by creating an unrivalled sports and entertainment destination. The 5-billion-dollar stadium has created a diverse event space that offers an unparalleled experience from enjoying cocktails and food to immersive sporting events.The stadium offers a ground-breaking video experience that became the first venue to air live football on its roof. Furthermore, the centre-hung Samsung screen is the world’s first halo video board that is roughly 70,000 square-foot, dual-sided and is considered the most LEDs ever used in a sports and entertainment venue.The SoFi Stadium will be hosting several global events from the Super Bowl LVI 2022, 2026 FIFA World Cup and 2028 Summer Olympics opening and closing ceremonies.The Product:Surespan designed and manufactured four access products.  Two electrically operated, double leaf, flush floor hinged access covers to suit an overall frame size of 4267 x 1768mm.  Two electrically operated, double-leaf ceiling access panels to suit an overall frame size of 4267 x 1768mm. The lids have been designed to open downwards.

Tower Hamlets, LondonFunctional public spaceStreet furniture | Street seating | VADForty-two Townscape Half Penny Bollards were used to create a functional public space in Tower Hamlets.Used as a community outdoor space, Oval Space is a multi-purpose venue with over 5,000 square feet of unobstructed statement space, in a unique London setting.The location is adjacent to the iconic Bethnal Green gasholders, Oval Space is used for all kinds of events from corporate functions to product launches and fashion shows through to small and large-scale stills, TV and film shoots.Half Penny Concrete Bollards are a below ground fix and are available in the following colours:Smooth Prestige Mixes:White PP09, Black PP32, Yorkstone PP02, Cloburn Red PP48 and Grey PP08 Exposed.Natural Aggregate Mixes:Natural Round, Ballidon, Mountsorrel, Criggion, Cleehill, Cloburn Red, Harvest Gold, Cornish, Red Aberdeen.See full product infoDownload the datasheetThe architectural team was led by Abhinav Kurup from London Borough of Tower Hamlets, while the Constructor was JB Riney.For more details of how we can help with your own public space requirements, please get in touch.

In the construction industry, contractors move at lightning speed to source the best products at the right price for their projects, all with the goal of ensuring client satisfaction and meeting tight deadlines. Renowned for our leading sealing, bonding, and insulation solutions, a selection of illbruck products were chosen through our extensive distribution network for the New Avenue project in Oakwood, London.The ProjectErected in an affluent neighbourhood within the London Borough of Enfield, New Avenue is an idyllic development boasting the peace and tranquillity of suburban life, whilst being only a stone’s throw from the hustle and bustle of Central London.Due to consist of over 400 mixed-type homes, ranging from apartments, maisonettes, as well as houses, this eight-year development will also include a community and energy centre, in addition to a new nursery. The SolutionDuring phase two of the new housing scheme, illbruck’s expertise were called upon to provide a vapour control layer for the Reinforced Concrete (RC) frame element of the project. This was to restrict warm, moist air from the interior of the finished structure from entering the fabric of the building. For the 11-storey block of flats, Central Essex Interiors required a solution at a competitive rate from a manufacturer with a good supply chain, due to the extensive size of the project.As a brand of CPG UK, illbruck has been recognised for over 70 years across the UK, Europe, and around the globe for supplying high performing solutions that meet the stringent requirements of the construction industry. Catering to a wide range of installation environments for both interiors and exteriors, from major building schemes to home improvements, our solutions can be tailormade to you or your client’s specification.The ApplicationProcured through one of our distribution partners, AC Fixings Ltd, illbruck ME003 Vapour Barrier was stapled into the party walls of the construction to achieve adequate vapour control. 500 rolls of this innovative 3-ply solution were required to protect the fabric of the building and its insulation, by providing a vapour and airtight seal. This in effect will help to improve the overall energy efficiency of the New Avenue apartment block, due to the product’s high-grade granules, which means that the SD value (resistance to vapour diffusion) is not lowered. The flexible and tear-resistant nature of this product boasts ease of application due to its lightweight properties, and is compatible with a number of illbruck’s intelligent window membranes and adhesives.Following the installation of ME003, illbruck’s ME315 Total Protection Tape was used to provide a high performance air and weather tight seal. This special tape is suitable for a wide variety of applications, and achieves a permanent bond to all illbruck indoor and outdoor building protection membranes. This fully compatible solution is highly UV and moisture resistant, quick and easy to install, and can be used within partially open facades. ME315 is also certified to EMICODE EC1 due to its low emission production, contributing to the energy efficient properties of ME003 to provide a total green solution for New Avenue.Scott Hurry, Area Sales Manager for illbruck, commented: “It has been a pleasure to work with our valued customer, AC Fixings, who in turn have supplied Central Essex Interiors with two of our leading products from our sealing and vapour control range.“illbruck was chosen due to being a highly recognised name within the marketplace, and we have been able to work with the Client to supply the products at a competitive rate and turn the project around quickly. The installation is due to span over a course of seven months with completion scheduled for late 2023.“When working with illbruck, however, you will receive more than just products. Behind our brand is a team of experts beholding a wealth of knowledge and industry experience, all of whom are well versed in applying the technique of illbruck’s innovative, high-quality products into the complexities of today’s construction environments. “As a customer of illbruck, you will receive technical support as and when is required, in addition to our suite of training, which encompasses everything from CPD seminars for architects, application tutorials for contractors and installers, as well as trade mornings for distributors.”

From the beginning, architects DLR Group designed Metea Valley High School in Aurora, Illinois, to light up education, both literally and figuratively. The sprawling campus with room for 3,000 students is broken down into a handful of more intimate, human-scale learning spaces, called “think tanks”, where interaction with faculty is encouraged. Two interior courtyards, open to the sky, offer fresh air during free periods. Shaped a bit like a bow tie, Metea combines three concepts – mind, in the midsection, and body and soul on either end – to offer students a truly 21st century school experience.Lighting up Metea in the literal sense comes largely from the extensive use of Kalwall translucent curtain wall throughout the school. Upon coming through the school’s main entrance, visitors are struck by the cheerful, airy, daylighted lobby. Controlled daylight also pours into the school’s innermost areas, traditionally a structure’s darkest, from the courtyards. Kalwall introduces daylight into the vast commons area that serves as the students’ lunchroom. In the gymnasium, Kalwall’s shadowless, glare-free light enhances ball handling in team events; sunlight does not glance off the shiny court surface. The diffuse-light-transmitting panels also prevent glare off computer screens, easing eyestrain. And in a dramatic demonstration of Kalwall’s superb flexibility, the design includes occasional, narrow, horizontal runs of clear glass – some serving as clerestories – adding visual interest as well as clear views to the outside.At 464,000 square feet, Metea could have been an energy-consumption nightmare, adding significantly to its $125 million total project cost. But innovations such as demand control ventilation, energy recovery wheels, and high efficiency boilers will save Indian Prairie School District 204, the state’s fifth largest, thousands of utility dollars every year and pay for themselves in just a few years. In fact, the building’s design is targeted to be 19 percent more efficient than ASHRAE 90.1 requires. Because translucent Kalwall admits so much controlled daylight, the school’s exterior light harvesting system, which monitors indoor light levels, can actually turn off electric lights in public spaces automatically when they are not needed. The harvesting system alone is expected to save the district over £16,000 a year in operational costs with a payback of under seven years.Illinois can get very cold in the winter and quite toasty in the summer. Highly insulating Kalwall helps there, too, keeping temperature extremes outside and lessening the need for and cost of heating and cooling. During the manufacturing process, standard 2-3/4” and optional 4” Kalwall sandwich panels can be infilled with various densities of specialized, translucent insulation. Architects and designers can achieve a thermal insulation value of up to R-20 (0.05 Btu/hr/ft²/F).At Metea Valley High School, DLR Group chose to include Verti-kal™, a unique design variation on the standard shoji or square grid layouts of Kalwall Translucent Systems. The panels incorporate internal, continuous supports to provide a vertical emphasis. As with all Kalwall translucent systems, Verti-kal distributes diffused daylight throughout the school, even on cloudy days, drastically reducing the amount of artificial lighting required and eliminating shadows and glare as well as stark contrasts of light and shade. Verti-Kal can be supplied in panels up to 5 ft. (1.5 m) wide and up to 12 ft. (3.6 m) high, minimizing the number of joints. The unique format creates an entirely different look while still utilizing the most highly insulating, diffuse-light-transmitting, structural composite technology.Any school system must concern itself with maintenance costs, and Kalwall excels there as well. The panels are vandal-resistant and self cleaning; dirt simply washes off with each rainfall. After dark, the diffuse, translucent properties of Kalwall contain interior lighting and prevent direct-beam light pollution. Instead, the exterior surface of the building simply glows beautifully, boosting Metea Valley High School’s aesthetics and welcoming both students and the surrounding community to a true masterpiece of daylighting.Photography: James Steinkamp

Capella Development, Handyside, Kings Cross LondonDeveloper: ArgentMain contractor: Laing O’Rourke Architects: Chapman TaylorSub Contractor: InstaGroup120 newly built residential apartments received InstaCoustic's 'dry' cradle & batten system combining under floor heating & topped with Knauf GifaFloor FHB25.Original plans were to install a T&G chipboard to finish the acoustic floor system, however it was determined that there were deflection risks around the proposed large format tile finish.As a result, the chipboard was replaced by the high density, gypsum fibreboard Knauf GifaFloor FHB25. This resulted in:Quicker install & less use water than a wet screed systemImproved acoustic performanceImproved fire performanceImproved thermal efficiency resulting in reduced energy costs for the end userHigher loading performance, creating a solid substrate for the finish to be applied directly toReduction in overall embodied carbon & installation of a product that offers a high recycled contentLifetime guarantee of the buildingClick the link below to read the full case studyhttps://www.instacoustic.co.uk/case-study/kings-cross-london-n1c/

IssueA 15-year-old bathroom in a housing development was looking tired and dated and the owner wanted to refresh the area with minimal disruption in a quick timescale. The bathroom had three walls of ceramic tiles, and a sink splashback, which were in good condition but were unfashionable and required high levels of maintenance to remove limescale and mould.The property, a first floor flat, had easy access but no lift, so equipment, materials and any waste needed to be carried up and down the stairs.Approach“We wanted to replace the ceramic tiles, without having to re-plaster the bathroom walls which would mean a complete renovation and redecoration project,” said Helen Green, the owner. “We live in an area with hard water and limescale is a real problem so a wall that is easy to keep clean would be ideal.”SolutionAfter liaising with Altro customer services, the new Altro Walls ShowerKit was recommended as being the ideal solution as the wall panels can be installed over existing ceramic tiles and provides ease of maintenance for residents. There is also no requirement for construction materials or heavy equipment as Altro Walls ShowerKit is lighter to transport than ceramic tiles.

A safety railing on the River Thames. London’s longest pier, Royal Wharf includes a 162m² viewing platform for unparalleled views along the River Thames, now surrounded by a glass balustrade safety railing. Like many river-side locations, the view is spectacular and is preserved for the enjoyment of those walking by. The glass balustrade keeps the views in tact while also providing a safety barrier and windbreak along the length of the pier. The Royal Wharf Pier opened in 2019, after a refurbishment, and now provides quick transport to and from central London by water taxi. The use of MEGAgrip keeps the view of the River Thames while providing the necessary safety feature on the pier. MEGAgrip is Pure Vista’s answer to a heavy-duty and fully adjustable balustrade system. The internal glass clamps allow for easy alignment of the glass within the channel, making this one of the most easily adjustable systems available. MEGAgrip is ideal to be used as a public space barrier in busy locations such as transport hubs or venues. A benefit to this product is that it can be upgraded, with the use of a converter kit, to become bomb-resistant. For this project, MEGAgrip provides the most suitable safety railing on the River Thames.

Located in Tower Hamlets, Gayton House and Sleaford House are managed by housing association Poplar HARCA. Following amendments to Building Regulations, which banned the use of combustible materials in external walls of high-rise buildings above 18m, StoTherm Mineral K was specified to replace the existing EWI system.BBA-certified, StoTherm Mineral K comprises mineral fibre insulation boards and the system is classified with an A2-s1, d0 reaction to fire in accordance with BS EN 13501-1.Working on behalf of Westminster Building Company, Square 1 Architectural Solutions was responsible for removing the existing EWI and installing the StoTherm Mineral K system onto four elevations on each 23-storey block. The non-combustible mineral fibre insulation boards were secured to the existing concrete substrate using adhesive and mechanical fixings, and without the need for additional expansion joints.A StoLevell Duo Plus reinforcing coat embedded with Sto-Glass Fibre Mesh was then applied to the face of the insulation boards. This was followed by the application of 1.5mm stippled StoSilco, a silicone resin render that provides high levels of water repellence to protect the walls from weathering.

Cannon Park Shopping Centre in Coventry has undergone a significant transformation. Led by MPR, the redevelopment project includes refurbishment of the existing shopping centre, construction of a new 780-bed student residence, and the addition of a new 400-space multi-storey car park. Biotecture was brought on board to incorporate living walls into the development.In 2021, Biotecture installed a 690 square metre green wall on the multi-storey car park as part of the project’s first phase. We then continued to collaborate with the project’s architects, Urban Innovations, and landscape architects, Parkhood, on phase 2; 9 living walls on the student accommodation phase. The vertical greening was an important part of the scheme, helping to help soften the development, improve air quality, contribute to biodiversity net gain.The living walls are integrated into the building fabric. We worked closely with the design team to ensure that the living walls not only aligned with the desired aesthetics but also met the technical requirements.We used our BioPanel system which uses Grodan® as the growing medium. Grodan is dimensionally stable, chemically inert, and water retentive resulting in healthier and longer-lasting plants.