"fabric membrane buildings inflatable structures"

Catnic's lintels have given definition to Beaumont, a stunning Country and Coast Homes development of 6 large houses in Highcroft, Exeter. Approximately 60 1.25inch CX cavity lintels were supplied, which support the sharp, unusual shape of the architect-designed buildings, were chosen for their strength, reliability and thermal capabilities.The lintels support the exterior window and door features; special corner lintels support the external over-eaves, while large window openings elegantly contour the shape of each house. Chosen specifically to support the specialist architectural features of the development, offering both the structural and thermal performance required for the building envelopes.Constructed using the traditional brick and block method, the building facades were then finished with a white K-render to all external elevations.Consistent with Country and Coast Homes' portfolio of luxury contemporary homes, the development features superior quality fixtures inside and out. As a brand synonymous with quality in the construction industry, Catnic reflects this too. County and Coast Homes focuses on exceptional attention to detail, it only uses the most reliable and durable products in the construction of its homes. Chris Dodge at County and Coast Homes said: "We have been using Catnic Lintels for over 10 years, they are by far the best. A superbly well organised company who offer exemplary service, their lintels are extremely capable and well suited to our high quality homes."Country and Coast Homes prides itself on a high level of sustainability in each development. Catnic lintels surpassed the energy targets in this particular development by helping deliver the efficiency required to achieve a B on the EPC rating.

PROJECT OVERVIEWOrthoplastics is a global leader in the development and manufacture of orthopaedic implants and components, helping surgeons transform lives around the world. This project, the first phase of a fit out programme for a new facility in Bacup, Lancashire, involved the delivery a new cGMP advanced manufacturing area for the production of Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) sheets used in the manufacture of orthopaedic implants. The requirement was for a production area that can provide a controlled environment, isolated from the rest of the floorplate, during processing periods, while enabling access by a remote controlled mobile crane to remove the completed UHMWPE sheets when the equipment is non-operational.PROJECT SPECThe new Orthoplastics building is a single storey facility and the size and weight of the UHMWPE equipment required excavation of additional space below ground to accommodate both the machine and the building services required to process materials at up to 2400C. The 1000m2 processing area needs to be a cleanable cGMP compliant environment to avoid the risk of contaminants in materials that will be used in orthopaedic surgery. The partitioning for the perimeter is 11m tall and connected to the ceiling of the existing building shell. To provide the structural stability required for such tall walls, the standard Norwood 100mm Mediline partition thickness has been increased to 200mm. The project also included rapid rise doors for access by the remote control crane that removes the large UHMWPE sheets following the process. The fully demountable double skin bi-panel system enabled a fast and robust installation enabling the project to get back on track quickly following interruption by the pandemic. The panels were prefabricated in-house by Norwood, enabling a fast-track installation programme.Norwood was also designed, manufactured and installed a range of their single and double steel doors in blue.

The aquatic centre of Val-d’Europe in Bailly-Romainvilliers is environnment friendly with the HQE label. Designed by the french architect Marc Mimram, special attention has been given to the ceilings. The natural light comes through huge bay windows, decorated by curvy structures made of 3300 m² of Barrisol® Blanc Mat stretch ceilings, along with acoustic solution Acoustics® A30 in it.

The monument, sited on a roundabout on Avenida Circunvalar, near the city’s industrial area, uses a huge steel and aluminium frame to support more than 2,000 m2 (21,500 ft2) of colored laminated safety glass. Arranged in a harlequin pattern, the glazed panels - in shades of red, yellow, green, blue and white - cover the entirety of the structure in a multi-colored façade that is both complimentary and contrasting to the surrounding area.

To ensure the safety of students, Sharpfibre Limited installed passive fire protection via Nullifire products. The intumescent paint Nullifire SC902 was applied in order to protect the outer steel structure from the potential effects of the fire. Thanks to its high coverage potential, the option of applying the required thickness in a single application, and its fast curing, the Nullifire SC902 was able to significantly accelerate the project process.

A three year £24 million programme of works to repair and repaint the roof structure to Bristol Temple Meads railway station is featuring the use of the ZEUS Horizontal fire barrier system from FIREFLY™: employed to enclose a series of shallow arch scaffold beams or ‘cassettes’ that span the tracks, thereby protecting the workforce from any potential train fire as they use the access deck above.

Situated in an existing stairwell, the lift had to be installed within Historic England guidelines: the guide brackets could not be fitted to the Chapel’s historic walls, so the lift was supplied and fitted within Stannah’s FX structure—a cost-efficient, shaft-within-a-shaft solution that overcomes such obstacles. This BS 9999-compliant evacuation lift plays a vital role in an evacuation strategy by a designated warden for t

Contractors Penenden Heath Developments were selected to install the waterproof system at a four-bedroom property at Darland Farm in Hempstead near Gillingham, Kent. Thanks to the proven properties of Sika’s dual watertight solution, the property’s future occupiers can enjoy the comforts of their classically-designed rural retreat safe in the knowledge the structure will retain a robust defence against whatever elements the exposed location provides.

World renowned architects, Foster + Partners, have a new galley kitchen in their Hester Road studio which features bespoke sinks, surfaces and splashbacks supplied by GEC Anderson.The GEC Anderson fabrications were produced through a series of meetings with the team so as to maximise the very compact space available for the kitchen. The items were delivered direct to site in Battersea for installation by specialist fitters CHC.GEC Anderson create custom engineered solutions to fit any space or specification. In the case of the Foster + Partners studio, stainless steel worktops include integrated sinks as well as cut outs for taps and drip tray. 20mm plain front edges were specified together with the [water tight] integral back upstand. Stainless steel splashbacks were also included.GEC Anderson’s stainless steel kitchen creations offer aesthetics, practicality and the ability to provide an easy to clean, hygienic, highly durable and long lasting environment.

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.

Lionweld Kennedy designed, supplied, fabricated and installed extensions to existing platforms in order to accommodate longer trains and add a new emergency end of platform staircase . The platforms we worked on was Shepherds Bush, Imperial Wharf, West Brompton and Clapham Stations.We provided GRP deck, below deck screens, mesh litter screens, end of platform steps, fencing and lockable gates as well as associated handrails, plinths, fixtures and fittings.The GRP deck panel’s increased strength allows spans of 4000mm clear span with a 5kn/m² pedestrian loading.This meets all network rail load requirements and is fully approved and in use.Additional strengthening to the deck was required to accommodate the lighting/CCTV columns shown above.We added white and yellow edge lines and safety lines as well as the tactile pavers moulded to the deck.The gritted anti-slip surface is also ideal for this application where safety is paramount.

As part of the multi-million-pound restoration of Grade I listed Manchester Town Hall, window restoration specialist Shepley Engineers is restoring, refurbishing, repairing and replacing hundreds of historic leaded and metal casement windows throughout the site using Hodgson Sealants Metal Casement Putty and Leaded Lite Cement. Each piece of glass from the iron-framed leaded lite windows from the state rooms has been removed, cleaned, repaired – or replaced by new fabrications if necessary – and reinstated using Hodgson’s Leaded Lite Cement in Shepley’s on-site restoration studio. The metal casement windows on the lower floors have been removed to Sheffield for restoration using Hodgson’s Metal Casement Putty, a high quality, hand-applied glazing compound that is formulated or bedding and external fronting of single glass into primed steel, timber frames, sealed hardwood and concrete. It is designed to be overpainted as in this project.

A Shading Revamp for ICC WalesThis was a project in which both functionality and aesthetics played a large role. It was important that the shading system installed not only provided a professional aesthetic, but also could boast robust performance.This particular project shows Umbra's top of the range automation systems at their best, the ability to power a whole room of blinds at the press of a button is one that suits large office spaces perfectly.Besides the automation aspect, the KuroLok blackout blinds themselves suited the professional and stylish nature of the project with ease. Self-Zipping edges mean that the blind itself never falls out of the side channels, thus eliminating unwanted light leaks, and the high quality, full blackout fabric provided the privacy and security the project needed.The slim side channels of KuroLok and Umbra's in house powder coating services meant that the blinds matched the style of the room flawlessly providing a professional look.

Blinds for Skylights and Velux WindowsBicester Village is an expansive shopping village located in Oxfordshire. As hub of shopping activity, it is a prominent part of any London tourist’s itinerary.Bicester Village can also boast a selection of KuroLok RL and KuroLok Twin RL blinds, specially designed to provide a blind solution for ceiling light, giving much more flexibility and an added layer of utility when it comes to overhead lighting.The KuroLok RL blind is a specialised roof blind, fitted with a constant tension spring mechanism that ensures that there is no unwanted sagging of fabric despite the challenging angle.The KuroLok Twin RL blinds are much the same, but with the added feature of having two blinds that meet in the middle of the framework. This means that the blind itself can cover more space than the single KuroLok RL, also making it infinitely easier to work around obstructions such as chandeliers or other ceiling décor that may get in the way of a traditional roof blind.

This elegant beach house bathroom proves that beautiful materials and traditional fittings can create a fresh, modern look that will never date.The design of this home, Bronte House, is inspired by the iconic aesthetic of the homes in Long Islands’ Hamptons. The brief was to combine coastal charm with elegance; a unique style that beach-side Sydney homes manage to showcase so perfectly.Shades of blue, grey and white form the basic colour palette throughout the bathrooms, and offer the perfect backdrop for polished chrome tapware and accessories. Decadent textures such as hand crafted ceramic tiles and marble herringbone floor tiles are paired with softer materials such as fabric blinds and a shiplap-style wooden ceiling. The result is a bathroom that feels elegant yet welcoming and functional.Our Elwick bath was included the design of this bathroom, alongside Perrin & Rowe traditional tapware.Photography: Maree Homer PhotographyDesign: Denai Kulcsar Interiors

Project:Staffordshire University Nursery & Forest School Client:Staffordshire University Contractor:Henry Brothers Construction Architect:Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios Value:£4.4m Location: Leek Road Site, Stoke-on-Trent GIFA:1,000m2Based on the building fabric targets of Passivhaus standards and utilising the latest green technologies the net-zero purpose built facility provides a full day care nursery with a 24-place classroom and observational suite with leading digital technology. See full details... PROJECT SUMMARY Located close to the University’s nature reserve, this brand new £4.4m carbon neutral facility, brings the forest setting to the University’s city campus. It is not only connected with its landscaped and idyllic surroundings, but also provides inspirational and flexible learning spaces that offer developing children digital experiences too. More than doubling the capacity of the University’s previous nursery premises, the new provision provides 100 full day-care places for children aged from 0 to five. It also has the capacity to provide childcare and education for children from five to 12 years outside of term time. The new nursery provision also incorporates a forest school facility that develops links with local schools and provides community participation opportunities. Single storey with Glulam timber frame, sustainable panelised superstructure solution with timber cladding and an external timber canopy covered walkway for social interaction. The building has a high-performance Innovaré Offsite envelope which is highly energy efficient, with the wider build incorporating measures such as Air Source Heat Pumps, Passive Cooling and roof mounted solar PV. KEY FEATURES IN THE NURSERY AND FOREST SCHOOL: • Four inspirational learning spaces with areas for food preparation and wet play as well as flexible floor space. • An authentic woodland experience for schools, especially those based in the city. • Opportunities to experience countless outdoor learning opportunities such as identifying nature, play-based learning, den building and forest art. • Gain digital experiences to help develop prerequisite skills to support future learning within a fast-paced digital world. • Play and learn in large, landscaped play areas. • Observational suite with leading digital technology to facilitate applied learning for trainee teachers, social workers, and University students. In its first year, Woodlands Day Nursery and Forest School was recognised with two awards, Construction Project of the Year in the CEF Awards 2022, and the Sustainability award at West Midlands Insider Property Awards 2022

THE PROJECTManhattan Loft Gardens is an exciting 42 storey cantilevered tower that offers ‘loft living in a high rise’ in the heart of Stratford, London.The development features a variety of residential living and facilities including a seven-storey hotel, spa, two restaurants, three sky gardens, 248 private flats, apartments, lofts and penthouses.The project was designed by the internationally acclaimed architects SOM (Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP). Private accommodation in the building is split between single and double-height apartments that are interwoven into the fabric of the development.Located between the Stratford International Station and the Westfield Stratford City, the Manhattan Loft Gardens has fantastic views over the Olympic Park.THE DESIGNThe design of the development is striking, with three extensive rooftop gardens slicing into the body of the high-rise tower, with the upper levels supported by a cantilever. The open-air spaces offer a modern take on the traditional London rooftop gardens, providing residents with space to relax outside of their home.The façade of the building features a combination of transparent and solid panels manufactured in terracotta and glass. The building has been constructed with a triangular geometric shape to offer a visually-interesting design, pushing the boundaries of modern high-res city developments.THE PRODUCTThe project required 148 mailboxes to securely store the mail deliveries for the residents living within this high-end development. The mailboxes are located on the ground floor in the entrance walkways with access to the mailboxes and building behind a secured external property door.The mailboxes are configured into multiple products in a bank, maximising the quantity of mail that can be securely stored in a minimum amount of space. The large banks of mailboxes are recessed into the walls of the walkways, fixed through the side, top and bottom faces of the product.The mailbox model used in this development was SLB’s brand new and impressive ‘Tile’ product that features composite doors finished in a Stainless Steel grade 316L with a vertical grain flow. This product has been used on other high-end projects such as Rathbone Square and Fulham High Street.The mailbox uses a non-standard lock with a Matt Nickel bespoke finish that secures the front door of the mailbox in style. Each mailbox features contrasting matt black engraved numbers on the face of the stainless steel door. The numbering corresponds to the apartment numbers of the residents in the development, allowing mail delivery personnel granted access to the area, as well as the resident to identify the correct mailbox quickly.They are fully designed and manufactured in our factory in Neath, South Wales.

Slip-resistant steps for Villa ParkDegafloor were thrilled to be involved in the redevelopment of Aston Villa’s famous Villa Park football stadium. Slip-resistant steps were required for the Holte End of the stadium in addition to new facilities, including a new bar and suite complex.As part of the project, slip-resistant steps were required. The entire 600m² staircases were treated with Degafloor concrete crack seal, followed by a flexible waterproof membrane to deliver a impervious solution to protect the new bar and suite complex. The staircases were then finished with a bespoke Degafloor Quartz Trowelled with Aggregate System, finished in a unique Terracotta Quartz.To comply with current DDA legislation (Disability Discrimination Act) the stairs were finished with a separately formed nosing in White.Due to the tight project timescale and to overcome traditional British weather constraints, Flo-Dek (UK) Ltd recommended a range of fast curing Degafloor resin systems. As well as being fast curing, all Degafloor systems exhibit excellent UV resistance – essential for external environments – whilst the QTA system applied to the treads offers unrivalled slip resistance to ensure spectator safety, whatever the weather conditions.Speaking on behalf of Flo-Dek (UK) Ltd, Sales Director Dave Cope said, “This was a very complex and demanding project. The colours had to match perfectly and the hand formed nosings required a high level of skill and attention to detail”.

One of our latest projects was for a school in Barking, East London. The school required new waterproofing on their roof and chose OptiTec because we have a range of suitable products to choose from, offering excellent durability and longevity at a great price.Specification – Systems UsedFor this project, a long-lasting system was required with a Broof T4 fire classification for safety. Our technical team advised the OptiPlan-FB (PVC Single Ply) system for this project as it met the brief safety-wise, but it’s also excellent value for money over a large area.The OptiPlan-FB system is a fibreglass reinforced, fleece-backed synthetic waterproofing membrane made from premium quality PVC-P, offering exceptional resistance to weather and UV rays. A great benefit of this system is that it can be installed year-round due to having excellent flexibility in cold temperatures.This system was installed by an OptiTec Approved Contractor to ensure the highest quality of fitting with the option for a labour and materials guarantee if required.Challenges PresentedThere were no real challenges presented during installation and everything ran smoothly. We have a technical team on hand at all times to provide support and advice where required so we can always overcome any challenges presented in the best way possible.ResultsThe results of this project are fantastic and the client has expressed their satisfaction with the professional installation of the system and the overall finish.

Overview The Theatre Royal, Drury Lane is located in the City of Westminster and is the oldest theatre in London still in use. There have been four different theatres built on the site, the first of which opened its doors in 1663. The current theatre was designed by Benjamin Dean Wyatt and opened in its current format in 1812. The theatre, now owned and operated by Andrew Lloyd Webber's company LW Theatres, has just gone through an astonishing £60 million refurbishment, designed by architects Haworth Tompkins, which includes new bars, dressing rooms and even a new 16 person lift to grant easy access to upper levels! Installation Over the past 2 years, C.A.T. has worked closely with the client, the architects and the flooring contractors - to supply a range of solid brass flooring profiles and stair nosings throughout this iconic building. Hand-finished here in the UK, these Brass Nosings adorn the staircases within the theatre's auditorium and many of the original cantilevered staircases in the foyers and Royal Boxes. Alongside Loughton Contracts, C.A.T conducted multiple site visits, to measure and template the hundreds of steps across the theatre. These measurements were conveyed to our fabrication team, who worked extremely hard to bring the nosing’s to life and replicate the detail of the treads, to ensure the overall finish was first class. Last but by no means least, as you walk into the newly refurbished theatre foyer, you will be greeted by the stunning bespoke carpet by Alarwool, expertly finished by Loughton Contracts, with our 16mm solid brass rods, hand-turned by our factory and hand finished in antique brass, to match the nosings and trims throughout. Be sure to look up too, the atrium roof is simply stunning!

Ambar Kelly’s RiserSafe® system proved indispensable during the refurbishment and extension of 1 Triton Square, London, for one of the UK’s premier property developers, British Land. Located in the Regent’s Place mixed-use scheme, the 1 Triton Square project involved a complete renovation of the existing five floors, a modification of the central atrium plus the creation of an additional three floors to the original 1980s structure.

Furnitubes' RailRoad design was the perfect choice for the roof-top of award-winning apartments Green Dragon House, with its modular design allowing seating and planters to be linked to create large structures that can be left freestanding, without the need to bolt down. The RailRoad products were complemented by the use of the Hollo range coffee tables, and a bespoke dining table with Hollo stools completed the suite of products supplied.

Cardiff City Stadium is the new home of Cardiff City FC and Cardiff Blues rugby union team and was opened in July 2009 in time for the start of the 2009/10 season. The stadium is a striking landmark that was developed alongside a new retail park in the Leckwith area of the Welsh capital. 18,000m² of doubled sided profiled steel was manufactured and supplied by Euroclad in Colorcoat HPS200 Ultra® for the vast roof structure.

Vimec, partnered with a trusted local home lift installation specialist to successfully install a home lift with 2 stops in a private home located in Johannesburg, South Africa. The project involved the integration of a white steel structure and a cabin with two glass walls, resulting in a seamless and elegant addition to the homeowner’s residence. This case study highlights how Vimec’s partner effectively addressed the client’s needs and exceeded expectations.

F. Ball and Co. Ltd.’s newest high-performance water-mix smoothing underlayment, Stopgap 1500 AquaPro, and Styccobond F48 PLUS temperature tolerant fibre-reinforced adhesive have enabled a fast-track LVT installation as part of barn conversions to create three holiday cottages in rural Nottinghamshire.Flooring contractors installed floorcoverings in bedrooms, open-plan living and dining areas and corridors of three previously disused farm buildings of varying size, a total area of over 200m2.Work began by sanding down the new concrete bases, which had been installed as part of the renovation of the properties, by mechanically preparing them, removing any laitance, contamination, dust and debris, to leave a solid, sound, micro textured surface to receive floor preparation products.A moisture test was undertaken by one of F. Ball’s technical representatives to ensure that the building’s subfloors were dry enough to receive floorcoverings. Surfaces were then primed using Stopgap P131 general-purpose primer to promote the application characteristics of subsequently applied subfloor preparation products.Stopgap 1500 AquaPro was applied to create a perfectly smooth base for floorcoverings. Fast-setting and fast-drying, it is walk-on hard in as little as 60 minutes after application and ready to receive floorcoverings from just four hours. The product uses the latest technology to offer a water-mix smoothing underlayment that can be applied over old adhesive residues, including bitumen, carpet tile tackifiers and ceramic tile adhesives. As it is moisture resistant, it can be applied to damp subfloors prior to the application of a waterproof surface membrane.Flooring contractors then used Styccobond F48 PLUS to adhere 7-inch wood-effect vinyl planks in each of the three cottages. The temperature tolerant adhesive holds floorcoverings in place when subject to high temperatures, which may be an issue as a result of solar gain caused by large patio doors. This can cause tenting and gapping at the edges of vinyl floorcoverings as a result of repeated expansion and contraction over time. Fibres in the adhesive also provide high initial grab, a benefit when installing LVTs.Commenting on the project, Anthony Holmewood, fitter at Forester Flooring, said: “Using Stopgap 1500 AquaPro meant that we could complete the work in less than a week. We opted for Styccobond F48 PLUS to install LVTs mainly because we like the adhesive, but also for the reason that floorcoverings are exposed to direct sunlight in some areas.”

Once known as a local police station, Westbourne Place was eventually converted into a lavish building with an add-on in the rear. Developed by Redrow, the building retained a number of details from its original design, such as high ceilings and period features. It even remains connected to what was once the police station’s parade ground and is now a scenic and serene courtyard.Still, the building itself is anything but stuck in the past. Redrow’s conversion gave the Westbourne Place more modern features as well. These include fully fitted contemporary kitchen units and engineered oak flooring. All of which benefit the 49 luxury suites there. Those who reside in any one of them will not only enjoy those features in a one-, two-, or three-bedroom unit but will also enjoy the advantage of living within the heart of West London next to multiple transit, taxi, and cycling areas.Of course, to make any of this possible, Redrow needed to restore Westbourne Place efficiently. For that to happen, it was vital that they find a concrete waterproofing solution that would be low-maintenance, set no limits on concrete pouring, and have an easy installation process.SolutionWhen considering a solution that fit all those requirements, the contractor for Westbourne Place decided on KIM as their desired form of concrete waterproofing. As a result, they used 1,000 m3 (35,315 ft3) of KIM-treated concrete to waterproof the building’s basement parkade’s slab and walls. That allowed the contractor to build straight up to the property line and to save on the cost of application. It also allowed the KIM-treated concrete to self-seal if any minor cracks occurred in the concrete and to block water from passing through the concrete, reducing the need for maintenance.For further waterproofing protection, the contractor applied Krytonite Swelling Waterstop and Krystol Waterstop Treatment to all the construction joints and details. With this dual-protection waterstop system, the contractor could ensure that no leaks would occur and that water would not be able to infiltrate the concrete and corrode the steel rebar within. Moreover, this system and KIM will work for the life of the structure, providing permanent protection.

Client: Heron Tower, LondonLocation: Bishopgate, LondonSector: Mixed-Use FacilityYear: 2021Project Size: 500 m²System: vebrodeck IDHeron Tower, a mixed-use high-rise development in London, required a bright, welcoming and durable floor coating material for its bike and scooter storage area, an environment used by the residents and staff of businesses based in the building. Heron Tower, located at 110 Bishopgate in the heart of London, is a mixed-use facility providing over 440,000 sq ft of premium office and leisure space over 36 floors. Enhanced to achieve net zero carbon, the building features a façade of solar panels and has achieved a BREEAM rating of Excellent. The impressive contemporary landmark, situated just a short walk from Liverpool Street Station, was — at the time of its construction — the tallest high-rise in the capital, standing at 230m tall including its mast. Featuring a range of corporate office spaces, restaurants and leisure spaces, as well as Britain’s largest privately-owned aquarium in its impressive lobby, the development has been designed to impress, providing building users with a premium experience throughout. This has extended to its more functional areas, with the transformation of its bicycle storage area; a dedicated space where building users are able to securely store their pushbikes and scooters. Installed in a combination of RAL 5018 Turquoise Blue and RAL 7035 Light Grey, the installation of vebrodeck ID has created a welcoming space for the building's climate-conscious cyclists and scooters to safely store their vehicles. vebrodeck ID is a durable resin deck wearing system, designed for use on driveways and parking bays of internal or basement level decks of multi–storey parking structures. vebrodeck ID is a protective deck coating system offering excellent wear resistance. The system deadens noise from unpleasant tyre squeal, is available in a wide range of colours, protects against oils, fuels and de-icing salts and can be tailored to ensure an anti-slip finish. 

An 11-storey student accommodation facility on Liverpool’s Hotham Street marks the second phase of an exciting redevelopment project for the city. Cladding contractor, BAK UK, has specified URSA’s Façade N35 slab across the vast new build structure.URSA has supplied over 1000m2 of URSA Façade N35 slab to cladding contractor as part of a £35m student accommodation project in Liverpool.Under the scheme, 500 student homes are to be created in a multi-storey environment on the site of the former Odeon cinema on London Road/Hotham Street. A swimming pool, gym and two landscaped gardens also form part of the ambitious city centre development set for occupation later this year.As appropriate for a prestige, high-rise residential and multi-occupancy building, superior materials have been specified throughout including URSA Façade N35 slab.The scheme has been halted for several years due to issues surrounding development funding. Now under new ownership, the design and construction have been scrutinised and it appears that a combustible insulation may have been used in the original cladding system. This has since been replaced and new work completed using URSA’s specialist product.  Ian Claydon, Technical Manager at URSA commented: “As with many high rise buildings developed only a handful of years ago, unsuitable products have been installed that don’t offer the necessary levels of protection to ensure the safety of occupants.”Rainscreen cladding is a lightweight, non-load bearing system attached to the outside of a building using a bracket and rail system. The cladding system provides protection from wind and rain, improves the thermal performance and limits solar gains.  Ian added “URSA Façade N35 is totally non-combustible, Euroclass A1, so doesn’t add any fire load to the building or prejudice the overall fire performance of the wall. The presence of the ventilated cavity behind the cladding system means that cavity barriers are required to prevent the spread of fire and/or smoke. This is a unique and highly effective product that we are seeing specified increasingly across UK and European sites.”    

FlexEJ has completed the design and fabrication of a batch of metal expansion joints for a UK pharmaceuticals manufacturer.Specifying an expansion joint in a pharmaceutical production line can be problematic. For this project, the piping design required expansion joints but a fundamental requirement was ease of cleaning and a complete avoidance of product retention.A possible solution could have been a pharmaceutical rubber expansion joint which is crevice free but its inherent design limits its flexibility and – as with any rubber expansion joint – it has a relatively low operating temperature limit.This formed the basis of the specification brought to FlexEJ’s engineering team. The design case was to meet 270 Deg. C and 10 Bar G with a high degree of flexibility so a metal bellow would be best suited to this application. But in a conventional bellow or expansion joint the convolutions are prone to retain product or contaminants. A liner can sometimes be used but again product can get behind the liner so the problem is not entirely eliminated.So how to maintain the highest standards of cleanliness inside the bellow once installed and in operation? The solution lay in designing a specific ‘open’ convolution profile which prevents contaminants getting lodged within the joint. The team’s clever design of profile, combining with the unit being used in vertical alignment leads to the bellow being self-draining – and at all movement positions. To achieve the high levels of purity and cleanliness required for this application’s flowing media, the bellow had to be fabricated in 316 stainless steel with a very high surface finish.The expansion joint also includes threaded mounting bars – these enable the bellows to be contracted slightly to enable easy removal from the pharmaceutical line when required. The smooth, polished rods seen in the image here are limit bars to prevent accidental over-extension. Each joint is also fitted with pharmaceutical grade aseptic flanges – smooth on the inside and sealed with an ‘o’ ring. On completion, the complete units were electro-polished for additional surface improvement and cleaning – and that gives them their photogenic qualities seen here.If you are interested in finding out more about FlexEJ's range of pharmaceutical & aseptic metal bellows, please contact our Technical Sales Team on +44 (0) 1384 881188 or send an email to sales@flexej.co.uk.

Accessible toileting facilities are crucial in public spaces to meet the diverse needs of individuals. Changing Places toilets, such as the modular Care Capsule™, provide a portable and adaptable solution for those with disabilities, ensuring they can enjoy their outings comfortably. A recent project with the Sussex Wildlife Trust exemplifies the effectiveness of Care Capsule™ in upgrading existing facilities. Despite space constraints in the visitors and education centres, a modular unit was swiftly installed adjacent to the main building, offering accessibility without the need for extensive construction within pre-existing structures.The project, initiated in January 2023, aimed for completion by the end of March 2023. The tight timeline was met through efficient processes, including a prompt site survey, proposal acceptance, and swift groundworks. Overcoming challenges like relocating a power cable, the team successfully hoisted the Care Capsule™ into place. The exterior was clad in local chestnut timber to harmonize with the surroundings, while interior features like Altro non-slip vinyl flooring, White Rock welded wall finishes, and height-adjustable units ensured both functionality and aesthetic coherence.

Inverness College, University of the Highlands and IslandsArchitect: BDP, GlasgowInstaller: DV McCollProduct: Shiluvit by Oranit and Gustafs Panel System1200m2 of Shiluvit panels in 7-501A formation and stained Yellow Pine were installed to ceilings in the main concourses at Inverness College at the University of the Highlands and Islands.The grand space combines bright blue oxidised copper cladding to the central column (which extends above the building itself) and timber cladding for a colourful and warm space.Staining Yellow Pine to look like Oak is a popular choice across Oranit installations, Pine is not only has a more defined grain than other timbers it also comes fully PEFC certified for sustainable wood sourcing and ethical management of the entire production chain of custody.In addition to the Oranit timber panels at the University, 460m2 of Gustafs Panel System were supplied for the Sports Hall and Performance Studio at the Campus. Panels in Gemini Oak veneer were used in the sports hall for consistency of colour and grain structure across the installation. Panels in plain white laminate were also installed in the hall to be used as whiteboards for classes and exams held in the space.

The £15million new Tarka Leisure Centre in Barnstaple, was designed to link with the existing Tarka Tennis Centre. There is now a natural flow between the existing and new part of the completed facility. Sport England invested £1.8m of National Lottery funding into the development of Tarka Leisure Centre to support the ‘get active’ initiative by making the facilities accessible and inclusive for the local community. The new centre, officially opened by British Winter Olympics hero Eddie ‘the Eagle’ Edwards, provides a much-needed swimming pool facility, an ‘endless’ indoor ski slope facility, a sports hall with four badminton courts, a large gym, two multi-purpose exercise studios, a spin studio, indoor soft play area, new reception area and café.With leisure centres having a high footfall and being a naturally noisy environment, it was paramount to consider the fire safety and acoustics of the building.  Lusso 105FR, a double-glazed fire-rated system, which provides acoustic performance of up to 54dB and fire performance of up to 60 minutes integrity and insulation was the ideal choice for this environment. Lusso Structural Glazing was installed where a higher specification level was required for edge protection.

Project DetailProject: The ShardLocation: London, UKProduct: TS.9205 & TS.11204 Cam Action ClosersProject DescriptionBuilt to shine across the London Skyline and provide an icon to visit, to stay at or just to have lunch. Know for its unique Steel and Concrete structure that towers some 310m (1016 ft) and covered in a glass facade.Levels 4,5 and 6 enjoy the beauty of the well known Rutland brand of door closers and enhance the doorways where ever they control.Whether you are a patient in the Private Hospital on floors 4,5 or 6, or you are a visitor to the viewing platform on level 68 to 72, or work on one of the floors in the Shard you will enjoy the benefits of the doorways that have the Rutland softclose door closers.It was important that the door controls not only work well but were guaranteed for many years. Both the TS 9205 and the TS 11204 Cam Action door closers were used extensively on The Shard as the importance of frictionless customer care and ease of operation was paramount.A Door Closer is a small element of building design, which makes an enormous difference to its operation.

Several disciplines are going to be joining forces under one roof in the future university centre for dentistry (UZB) in Basel. A centre of dentistry competence ranging from basic care to research and teaching is being built. Every year, dentists, dental and preventive care assistants and dental hygienists will be administering more than 80,000 treatments in the 5-storey building.The staircases were a key area of focus on this project, both for architectural reasons and in light of the strict sound insulation requirements. All staircases and landings have a bare architectural concrete finish. Compliance with the requirement of an impact sound level delta ΔLn,w* of 28 dB was mandatory in order to protect the quiet areas (e.g. treatment rooms, lecture halls, library, etc.) from distracting noise.Products from the Schöck Tronsole® range have been implemented for acoustic insulation. These impact sound insulation products enable a structural connection of the staircases and landings with no acoustic bridges whatsoever. Correct planning and installation of Schöck Tronsole® in a system results in a blue line visible at the treated areas. It is the mark of quality for reliable impact sound insulation and acoustic bridge-free installation.

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

Lorton Park development has been designed and built with energy and water conservation in mind. With a particular importance placed on the selection and quality of the materials used, Catnic’s innovative TBL was specified for all 46 luxury properties.BRE certified, the Catnic TBL range delivers industry leading linear thermal transmittance Psi values of 0.02 to 0.05 W/mK and safe working loads in line with Catnic’s existing Cavity wall lintels.Chris Watts, Sales Manager at Jewson, worked with Mr Hidari on the product specification,“After comparing different lintels on the market it became clear that Catnic TBL’s were best suited to the specific project requirements.“Due to the medium density concrete blocks being used onsite, AKI Ltd needed a product that could meet its thermal performance requirements and easily achieve the build’s load requirements – the composite design of the TBL made it the perfect choice.”The specifically designed flat top of Catnic’s Thermally Broken Lintel provides a simple, consistent junction with the cavity wall insulation. This removes the reliance on site workmanship, reducing the risk of a ‘performance gap’. There are also no brackets connecting the inner and outer leaf of the lintel and therefore there are no additional point thermal bridges that need to be considered.The large scale development project also benefited from Catnic Lintel Advance Scheduling System (CLASS). Through the fully comprehensive scheduling service, Catnic’s expert team created a concise document which detailed lintel descriptions, price, delivery time and a guaranteed structural accuracy.“This has been a huge, complex project and we needed a product that could deliver on the specific structural and thermal requirements,” commented Mr Hidari. “As the only lintel on the market with a complete thermal break, it seemed like the ideal product. I was particularly impressed by the Catnic team who provided us with a full design and specification for the entire development.”For further information on Catnic’s Thermally Broken Lintel range, please visit https://catnic.com/products/lintels/thermally-broken-lintels/overview