"concrete"

This project transforms an industrial site, featuring 11 buildings with up to 44 storeys, offering homes, industrial and commercial spaces.The Challenge:The Malt Street Redevelopment Project marks a significant milestone as the inaugural strategic initiative within the Old Kent Road Opportunity Area. This project is designed to leverage the rich cultural identity of the community while harnessing the industrial character and diverse heritage of the area.The Malt Street Redevelopment Project is segmented into three distinct phases. Construction activities are actively progressing for Phases 1 and 2, with Phase 3 securing outline planning permission, paving the way for its subsequent development.The project features eleven buildings with up to 44 storeys, offering 1,300 homes, industrial and commercial spaces.Groundworkers often face the challenge of achieving thorough concrete compaction within the liner wall, especially to the underside of the capping beam, where proper encapsulation around the water bar is required.When using a letterbox shutter during the concrete pour of the liner wall, it’s particularly difficult to ensure concrete reaches all the way to the underside of the capping beam – which posed a challenge in this situation.The Solution:Our solution involves using a method similar to ‘tremie pipes’. This involves installing vertical pipes with diameters of 100-125mm through the Rebar cage of the capping beam. This technique allows concrete to be poured vertically at various points along the capping beam. By filling up the pipe and using a concrete vibration poker, the concrete can efficiently fill the shuttered liner wall up to the underside of the capping beam.Premcrete Products Used-Maxiprufe Plus-HydrocreteProject DeliverablesPremcrete are proud to be a part of this project, set to bring a great deal of positives to the area including:1,453 high quality homes, including 40% affordable housing50% of the site as new public space, including an important part of the new Grand Surrey Canal Linear Park5,400 sqm safe, new, adventurous play spaces966 cycle spaces as part of phases 1 and 27,000 square metres of commercial and retail space, including affordable workspaces1,250 construction jobs and nearly 70 local construction apprenticeships392 jobs post-construction

ADP Architecture’s landscape team specified Artform Urban’s High Performance Concrete (HPC) benches for a new plaza space outside the WMG building at the University of Warwick. WMG (formerly known as Warwick Manufacturing Group) is an academic department at the University.Artform Urban were contracted to supply and install these large units, each weighing up to 1500kg. Our technical involvement in the project simplified the supply and installation process for the main contractor including the experience we have of handling and installing heavy concrete units, saving time when the products arrived on site. 

In dairy industries it's vital that hygiene standards are kept to a high standard. Drainage and kerbing are important products that need consideration. To reduce costs, many may opt for concrete, however over time concrete dries out and is prone to cracking. This can jeopardise a hygienic environment as unwanted bacteria will harbour in the cracks Alternatively, drainage and wall kerbing. Stainless steel is resistant to caustic cleaning materials and lactic acid, which are common elements in a dairy. This resistance ensures that the ss surface does not corrode or weaken making it an excellent long term solution.

The Royal College of Pathologists have relocated their London Headquarters to the rapidly changing area of Aldgate, on the Eastern fringes of the city. The new seven storey structure replaces an existing office block, providing a flexible and environmentally efficient building to house their growing needs. The building design includes major conference facilities, meeting rooms, offices, a multi-function auditorium, exhibition space, restaurant facilities and accommodation. Cordek were asked by the specialist concrete frame contractor Oliver Connell & Son to devise a formwork system to allow the construction of ribbed concrete floors.

Buzon UK were commissioned directly by Chelsea Football Club to supply and install the DPH pedestal system to support over 430sqm of EBEMA concrete paving (supplied by Alfresco Floors) to a newly refurbished pitch-side terrace at Stamford Bridge. The terrace areas behind the pitch-perimeter was built up to 200mm to create a raised terrace specially designed for wheelchair users. Buzon pedestals are adjustable from 11 to 1120mm and thanks to their intrinsic strength and reinforced structure are recommended for use with heavier floor coverings such as large format concrete pavers and high live loads.

Wallbarn worked with a specialist tile installer, working on a new-build in Carmarthenshire. Initially 600mm deep concrete screed was used for a base, but the weight bent the lintels. The concrete had to be broken out and the whole deck repaired. The installation was challenging with falls over 250mm across the deck. ‘Balance’ self-levelling adjustable pedestals provided the answer. Using bespoke pedestal planning software, MegaPro, the Wallbarn service team was able to work out the exact quantity and height of pedestals required for the scheme, colour-coded on the drawing, guiding installers on where to place each pedestal.

Approximately 5,000 square metres of Marley Edgemere and Marley Concrete Plain Tiles were installed as part of a £44m new-build project by Galliford Try at Wixams Retirement Village. Galliford Try led the Wixams Retirement Village project from start to finish, with NRA Roofing and Marley working together for the installation & manufacture of roofing products. Key reasons for the specification of Marley Edgemere and Marley concrete plain tiles included the cost-competitiveness of the tiles as well as the visual appeal and product attributes which would make the installation process quicker and more efficient.

A requirement in Corstorphine Wright’s design brief was to avoid horizontal movement joints in the finished façade, which would have been the result had a traditional SFS Infill to concrete frame approach been taken. Working with Willmott Dixon at the early design stages of the contract, Metsec’s in-house design team proposed a continuous walling solution formed from SFS to support glazing and rendered elements that would form the external skin of the façade. Metsec’s solution included the use of fixing cleats to connect the SFS continuous walling to the structure’s concrete frame.

Just a stone's throw from London, a private villa is coloured with traditional Mediterranean style thanks to Atlas Concorde's concrete-effect porcelain tiles. Explore the project.A white wall, a blue sky bursting with the sun's rays, the scent of wild flowers, and the gentle sound of unspoiled nature. It’s a view that immediately recalls the Mediterranean landscapes typical of the coastal countries of Italy, Spain, and Morocco. And that’s exactly the feeling inside a private villa in Bromley thanks to the creation of a space thatconveys the understated allure of maritime residences. In this setting suspended somewhere between Mediterranean charm and the calm of English city life, Atlas Concorde's concrete-effect porcelain tiles were selected to adorn the villa's outdoor spaces.Thanks to the outdoor tiles of Atlas Concorde, the patio and pool area blend the nature, elegance, and freshness typical of the architectural style of southern Europe. White, the tone used for the floors, is also a clear reference to traditional Mediterranean houses where the delicacy of the sea breeze can be enjoyed.The expressiveness of the concrete look clads the outdoor areas of the home with sophisticated elegance by combining technical performance and aesthetic sophistication. The concrete effect is stripped of its typically industrial look to decorate the space with a unique material capable of being the perfect extension of the indoor spaces.The versatility of the concrete-effect tiles, thanks in part to their 20 mm thickness specifically intended for outdoor use, guarantees a product that is safe, weather-resistant, and easy to clean. In some specific settings such as the outdoors, the tiles must not only be beautiful but they also must have technical and application characteristics that limit the risks of falls and slips. Precisely for this reason, non-slip Atlas Concorde floor tiles have proved critical and made it possible to create continuity between spaces that have different purposes and characteristics.The end result is a space marked by an understated, elegant, and bright style where an absolute sense of lightness prevails. An inspiration that offers relaxation and wellbeing for an extremely refined style in perfect harmony with nature.

The Beckett, a new retirement village close to the centre of Royal Tunbridge Wells, in Kent, comprises three luxury apartment buildings of three, four and six storeys. The contemporary design provides 89 quality appointed apartments with a landscaped garden, all arranged around full-height atriums, allowing natural light to reach the centre of the buildings. The upper floors are set back, providing generous terrace areas which include a ‘sky lounge‘. All three buildings are concrete frame and as with any reinforced concrete slab design, The Beckett is at risk of punching shear failure, which traditionally has been resolved by adding further concrete, such as downstand beams, or localised thickened column heads. However these require complex formwork and significantly reduce the benefits offered by the flat slab design. The Schöck Bole shear rail system counters any punching shear risk and is cost-effective and significantly faster than traditional loose links – as much as four times faster in fact. This is because when using traditional links it involves far more ties to the reinforcement matt than when using the Schöck Bole. The ready-to-install reinforcement element consists of double-headed studs with spacing bars to ensure correct positioning. Two spacer bars are welded to the vertical studs, which ensure the correct distance between uprights and the forged stud heads guarantee a perfect finishing bond with the concrete. The dramatically reduced fixing time far outweighs any additional material costs that may be involved with a prefabricated system.  

Chateau Denmark represents a new concept in hospitality venues, offering an eclectic place to stay in the home of British rock music- Denmark Street London.For the design team of Taylor Howes working with CAW Ventures, the challenge has been to create interiors that paid homage to the innovation, history and drama of the location- where the Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, David Bowie and the Sex Pistols all hung out.The team had to bring cohesion across 55 rooms and apartments over 16 buildings, some of which are listed. Thus, four design narratives across 11 base build designs were conceived to reflect the heritage and rebellion of the properties and their surroundings.To achieve the industrial rawness that is the essence of the Loft build design, Armourcoat’s Concrete Effect panels were specified. The deconstructed look and tactile surface of the panels achieves the unfinished, textured appearance of shuttered concrete in an easy to install, lightweight format.The Concrete Effect panels bring a distinctive industrial style to the interior, with their inclusion of distressed effects and shutter markings. They form part of Armourcoat’s range of three-dimensional castings, alongside stone effect, hand-applied and sculptured artwork cast panels."Chateau Denmark is ultimately about being bold and fierce- and of course materials play an important role in conveying that sentiment. For a number of our rooms and apartments, the Armourcoat concrete effect panels have contributed to a rugged rawness, establishing a unique aesthetic that helps bring together an industrial and utilitarian feel." - Carrie Wicks, Director at Chateau Denmark

Washroom delivered new washroom areas on all levels of this refurbished office building - drawing on a range of high-tech man-made materials including lightweight cast concrete to create a unique, contemporary space which hints at the industrial history of the building. Its full height Alto FENIX toilet cubicles were specified in a crisp white colour to contrast with the grey and stone coloured concrete vanities. FENIX is manufactured in Italy by Arpa Industriale using the latest nano-technology to create a highly durable, tough acrylic resin surface with a host of high-performance properties.

The Salvation Army’s new territorial HQ in London demonstrates the innovative use of lightweight glass reinforced concrete (GRC) skin from Pura Facades.

Student Accommodation company Urbanest installed Flotex Concrete Planks in their new office for a contemporary and forward- thinking space that encourages flexibility and collaborative working.

This site is within what was originally the estate of a large house, known as Longhurst, in south Belfast. It has now been divided into several large residential properties with views across Lagan Valley Regional Park.McGonigle McGarth Architects contacted KEIM Mineral Paints because they wanted to use a breathable mineral paint, applied onto bare concrete and render. On any new build project, McGonigle McGarth Architects use KEIM to allow the mineral paint to penetrate into the unpainted surface and creating a chemical bond that acts to both keeping water out but allows water vapour to pass through. Tony Carter, Senior Sales Executive of KEIM Mineral Paints, visited Longhurst and recommended using KEIM Granital onto the render to provide an opaque finish, along with KEIM Concretal Lasur, a low pigmentation colour wash that acts as a stain, onto the smooth surface to maintain the look and feel of concrete.This project has been shortlisted for the Royal Society of Ulster Architects Awards 2024. The winner will be announced on 9th May 2024.

With the success of Media City, Manchester has now become the Media Centre of the UK and the best place to study for a job in TV, Film and Radio.Manchester Metropolitan University has built a brand new Media Facility with industry standard studios to allow them to teach students in the highest quality spaces.Our local branch was employed to design, supply and install the concrete floating floors for 12 studios.The 100 mm thick concrete floating floors supported the drylining walls and ceilings to create box-in-box constructions with very high standards of sound insulation.The 50 mm void beneath the 100 mm concrete floating floors was created using Stravifloor Channel isolation rails and the voids were vented to avoid the trapped air layer reducing the isolation performance.Most of the studios were supported off stiff structural slabs with a natural frequency of >10Hz and the specification for the bearings was given as <8Hz.One of the studios, however, was supported off a supporting slab with a natural frequency of 6Hz and the specification for the bearings was changed to 12Hz in this studio to avoid structural vibration amplification.

Street furniture | Street PlantersConcrete bollards | HVMTownscape has successfully tendered to Middlesbrough Council for the supply of PAS 68 Counter Terror planters.

Working together with in-house joinery division, Cre8 Joinery Solutions, Washroom created new washrooms using a mix of different materials including dark wood veneer, concrete and bronze. The long trough shaped and wall-mounted, floating Arpeggio cast concrete vanity units in a traditional dark grey shade, reflect the industrial inspiration of the design, with the addition of black power-coated taps and soap holders providing a contemporary twist. The Cre8 joinery team delivered the bespoke lift lobby panels faced in exactly the same dark oak dyed veneer used on the full height Alto toilet cubicles installed in the washrooms.

This project combines SuDS bound permeable paving with the most up to date methods of construction in BS 7533-101 and a variety of build-ups over varying substrates including structural concrete, permeable concrete, made up ground and attenuation crates.The Steintec tuffflow system of permeable bedding and jointing mortars was used to construct a SuDS permeable, bound/rigid pavement. The system allows the designer to capitlize on the low maintenance, high durability of a BS structurally compliant bound/rigid public realm pavement, while avoiding the disadvantages of loose bedding and jointing aggregates used in conventional SuDS pavement construction.

These contemporary new washrooms feature a mix of concrete and Fenix laminate which both add depth to the industrial chic deign. Our full height Alto FENIX toilet cubicles were specified in a deep blue colour with bespoke mouldings and brass effect hardware. As well as being ultra matt and soft to the touch, Fenix laminate also brings with it numerous high-performance benefits including being impact resistant, hydro repellent and thermally self-healing. Complementing the cubicles are the bespoke concrete vanities which we manufactured complete with circular ceramic countertop sinks matching the circular mirrors and pendant lighting above. 

Over 100,000 Ancon Rebar Couplers were used to support the concrete of one of the longest cable-stayed bridges in the world. Reinforcing bars which strengthen the concrete deck, towers and end piers had to be reliably, mechanically connected end to end throughout the structure. To perform this hidden, but vital structural task, Bartec Plus Parallel Threaded Couplers were selected from the comprehensive Ancon range. Various types and sizes, to match rebar diameters from 12-40mm, were supplied, with the three largest sizes being used to join reinforcement running the full height of the three 680ft support towers.

Christ Church URC in Chelmsford, Essex provides a hub for the whole community, hosting mother and toddler groups, social meetings and youth based events as well as traditional religious services. The church’s brick-clad structure includes exposed concrete columns which were showing signs of deterioration due to carbonation together with other factors causing the steel reinforcement to corrode and the surface to crack and spall, leaving the reinforcement bar exposed in areas.Sika supplied the long-term concrete repair and protection solution for a church façade which had displayed signs of deterioration due to long-term exposure to air pollutants.

EGGER’s popular woodgrain decor H3332 ST10 Grey Nebraska Oak and on-trend material decor F186 ST9 Light Grey Chicago Concrete were used throughout the interior at The Run Hub's second store in Dublin. The surface texture of Grey Nebraska Oak provides an authentic feel to the visually weathered wooden surface, whilst the tactile Light Grey Chicago Concrete decor is very well suited to the modern store design.Retail displays and sales unit framing were created using Grey Nebraska Oak, and Light Grey Chicago Concrete features on the store’s eye-catching sales desk.Aspire Interior Solutions were responsible for the design and installation of the project. They chose EGGER laminate to create a contemporary and minimalist interior as required by the client. Warren Beattie of Aspire Interior Solutions said, “We have used EGGER products for some time now and specify them whenever we can. The wide range of decors and finishes, including edging is great. EGGER laminates were chosen for this project and these two particular decors suited the overall store design."

Smet Supported Partner, NRS Group machine applied the LIDL External Render System onto Poroton blocks externally using as Base Coat: Bauprotec 850 M - Lightweight Lime Cement Render, and as Key Coat: Change of substrate concrete/steel pillar/Poroton block or mass concrete and insulated plinths: Bauprotec RHS Multi-Purpose Render.The internal Render System specification onto Poroton blockwork consists of a base of Coat: Bauprotec 850 M, Lightweight Lime Cement Render, sponge floated in warehouse areas and skim finished in sales areas. Key Coat: Change of substrate concrete/steel pillar/Poroton block: Bauprotec RHS is used.SMET is committed to delivering consistently superior quality, German-made Render Systems to Lidl Plastering and rendering/plastering contractors across the UK and ROI.If you'd like to speak to us about your Lidl job - contact SMET on.All LIDL spec SMET Render System products are available directly from Smet Building Products Ltd, which ensures the contractor has a superior level of technical backup in the machine application of the LIDL specification.

Hammerson House will be a world-class, 116-bed residential centre for the elderly Jewish Community in Hampstead. Newton Specialist Contractor Cast Contracting Ltd (CCL) were approached during the planning stages to develop a comprehensive waterproofing solution for the extensive basement.CCL recommended the installation of a Newton CDM water management system to comprehensively waterproof the extensive basement. First, they employed the 8mm Newton 508 membrane to the concrete retaining walls of the basement. The 50mm thick Fibran XPS 500-C insulation was then installed beneath more 508 membrane across the entire concrete slab. Additionally, Basedrain drainage channel was installed around the perimeter, including inspection ports to provide a fully maintainable system.This entire system is served by a series of complete sump and pump systems, each consisting of primary and backup NP400 pumps, high water level alarms, and battery backup systems. These are all controlled by Newton’s advanced Control Panel-Pro to ensure a failsafe system, even during a power outage.Finally, Newton’s 107F cementitious waterproof membrane was spray applied to the concrete upstands of the lightwells and lift pits in order to complete the continuous watertight solution.

Demonstrating Products That Perform!Project Description:Hub Victoria (123-151 Buckingham Palace Road) is a 107,000 sq. ft. self-contained, mixed-use residential, office & retail development, a two-minute walk from London Victoria Station. The public walkway along Buckingham Palace Road has been transformed. Renewed hard and soft landscaping and enlarged retail units create vibrancy and street-level activity. Product Showcase:Larsen Streetscape BS 7533 paving mortar system was the preferred option for the installation of paving. Products used:         FBC Eco Fine Bedding Concrete • Ideal for pavements constructed with natural stone, concrete & clay paving units.PS Eco Priming Slurry• Applied to the underside of all paving units to create an exceptional bond to FBC Eco Fine Bedding Concrete.FJM Eco Flowable Jointing Mortar• Filled the joints to complete the installation. Rapid setting with high early strength gain, FJM Eco can be opened to foot traffic in one hour.For further information or technical data sheets on the Larsen Streetscape product range, please visit www.larsenbuildingproducts.com. 

With sustainable sea-defence needed more than ever before, Sika explores how concrete can combat the tide and how specification promotes more sustainable projects.

HMP Five Wells, Millers Park, Wellingborough HMP Wellingborough is Britain’s biggest prison holding 1,680 inmates. A flagship, mega, category C jail, aimed to rehabilitate offenders with rooms flooded by natural light and barless windows. There are dedicated classrooms and workshops for ‘high quality academic and vocational learning’.The new seven staggered cross-shaped buildings ensure that corridors are broken up into smaller zones, which enables staff to have more direct contact with inmates. They have been designed in this way to offer better use of outside space for sports and gardening facilities.The aim of the programme was to modernise the prison estate to build a more efficient, safer and focused supporting rehabilitation for inmates.KEIM paints were specified for the project due to it being recommended and applied at HMP Wrexham previously.Dave Smith, Senior Sales Executive of KEIM Mineral Paints, was on hand to help during the entire decoration of the prison. Discussions were carried out with the contractor regarding VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds), BREEAM and algae and fungal resistance.In order to maintain a consistent colour, KEIM recommended that the precast concrete was painted. This provided both a cost effective solution for colouring the concrete as well as ensuring consistency of finish.A training session was held by Dave & Nicola Young, Senior Colourist of KEIM, for the sub contractor to show them the application of the paint.KEIM Concrete Cleaner and KEIM Soldalit-ME were specified to clean and decorate the concrete exterior of the housing, administration block, and the medical wing. KEIM Soldalit-ME has particular environmental benefits as it helps to degrade nitrogen oxide pollutants from the atmosphere, offering durable protection for years if not decades to come.

A new paradigm of beauty and functionality: Atlas Concorde's concrete-effect porcelain tiles decorate the exterior floors of a luxurious private villa.In a refined residence on the outskirts of Memphis, the spacious, bright spaces boast the traits of an exclusive designer identity based on a perfect balance between technical performance and aesthetic research. Capable of ennobling the surrounding environment thanks to their value and uniqueness, Atlas Concorde concrete-look tiles were chosen to furnish outdoor paving and the edges of the outdoor swimming pool. An expression of an original urban chic style, the ceramic surface selected for the outdoor spaces is enhanced by textures featuring a blend of the warm shades of oxidation and the cooler hues typical of concrete. In a setting where harmony reigns, the ceramic material stands out not only for its marked personality, but also for the characteristics of safety and reliability necessary when designing outdoor environments. In fact, the large garden of the American residence features concrete-look porcelain tiles in the large 120x120 cm grip format with a 2 cm thickness specific for outdoor pavers: a guaranteed non-slip – and therefore safe – surface. The light colour also makes them ideal for outdoor paving where people walk barefoot during the summer: by absorbing little external heat, the surface is less warm to the touch. The permanence of the ceramic material and the simplicity of cleaning ensure a refined, pleasant external environment over time. With a variety of effects and textures, Atlas Concorde's large format tiles satisfy a wide range of tastes and trends, interpreting the diversity of their original materials and transforming them into an authentic visual and tactile experience that can enhance any project.

refurbishment project posed particular challenges in respect of the flat roof, which consisted of a solid concrete deck, followed by screed laid to falls, a thin dense concrete layer and three bituminous membrane layers. The new roof specification required the application of new insulation to upgrade the thermal performance and a new single ply waterproofing membrane. Due to the location of this project and the presence of existing bonded layers, adhesive application was ruled out at an early stage and a mechanically fastened solution was sought.Initial pull-out tests confirmed that fixing was required through the existing screed and direct into the concrete deck. With the roof’s high exposure rating and dimensions, wind load calculations indicated that only corner and perimeter zones should be used, which demanded a high density of fasteners in these areas.the solutions provided by SFS included its TIA adjustable fastener in combination with the isoweld® 3000 heat induction welding system. This fastener system included specially coated isoweld® stress plates combined with 230mm and 300mm FI-R-20 sleeves and the 150mm long TIA fastener. These were installed through the insulation and screed layers and were mechanically fastened into the concrete substrate.The fasteners were applied through the insulation boards in a field fix grid pattern followed by the Protan SE single ply waterproofing membrane, which was then installed using the specialist isoweld® 3000 system, welding the membrane directly onto the isoweld® stress plates. This provided an extremely secure fix, without having to duplicate fasteners, and the associated drilling, and without the need to penetrate the waterproof membrane as would be necessary on seam fix systems.

Kings Cross Package 4. The tanking material had to succeed where the specified competiton fell short : all weather installation; self-healing/sealing capabilities; one product application ; mechanical not chemical bond to concrete. It also had to meet the specified requirements of BS8102 1990 Grade 4. The solution was 8000m2 of Voltex, containing zero VOC, installed in almost any weather conditions to green concrete, and proven effective on both new and remedial waterproofing projects worldwide. Aided by CETCO holding both ISO 14001 & 9001, and the properties of Voltex, the project achieved its CEEQUAL award, scoring above 75%, and rating Excellent.

Lululemon specified ARDEX polished Concrete Topping (PCT) as it gave them the complete freedom to accomplish almost any design they desired whilst still offering a durable retail floor system.

CHALLENGEIn Toronto, ON a large mail sorting facility was having an issue with chemicals coming from a concrete processing plant bordering their employee parking lot. The customer was looking to create both a visual and physical barrier from the equipment and excess dust. The fence had to be 2.4m tall, solid and without worry of material maintenance. They wanted to replace the existing fence that was just chain link with tarps, and an eyesore on their property.SOLUTIONA much more visually appealing and effective solution was found with hanit® 100% recycled plastic tongue and groove boards by HAHN, supported by galvanized steel beams. The 3.6m long beams were sunk 1/3 of the length into concrete, then filled with the 3.8cm x 13cm x 2133cm long T&G boards. Each panel was further reinforced at the base using a small hanit® support. The result was a simple, long-lasting privacy fence that met the customer’s needs. Shown here nearly three years after installation, the privacy fence has been a continued success. After numerous seasonal changes and close exposure to the conditions produced by the concrete plant, this installation demonstrates the durability and potential applications of hanit® 100% recycled plastic products. 

Client: P D Hook (Hatcheries)Location: Duns, ScotlandSector: Food & BeverageYear: 2020Project Size: 400 m²System: vebrocrete MFVebro Polymers recommended its medium-duty polyurethane concrete flooring system, vebrocrete MF installed at 4.0 mm for use across the site in an electric blue shade.This system offers excellent chemical, UV and wear resistance – and as it has a similar co-efficient of thermal expansion to the concrete slab below will expand and contract if the ambient temperature warms or cools, making it an excellent flooring option for food processing environments subject to thermal shock and swing.vebrocrete MF is a three-component product that is mixed on-site, spread out across the prepared and primed concrete substrate using a serrated steel float or trowel, before being spike-rolled to assist with levelling and de-aerating the finish. The resulting finish delivers a smooth matt surface that offers excellent wear, abrasion and impact resistance properties.Laid in a seamless application with minimal joints the floor is easy to clean, maintain and sterilise and offers excellent lifecycle cost saving efficiencies compared to other materials such as epoxy flooring or ceramic tiles.

The Canaletto residential tower at 257 City Road in London is located halfway between Old Street and Angel Stations in Islington, alongside the regenerated City Road Basin. It comprises a 31-storey tower with 190 luxury one, two and three bedroom apartments built to the standards of Code 4 Sustainable Homes Level 4.The tower is concrete frame and has a curving facade of metal and glass that breaks the volume into a series of three-to-four storey clusters. In turn, each cluster contains grouped balcony terraces, which are a striking feature of the building. The balconies are of steel construction connected to the concrete frame and as always with cantilever construction elements of this nature, one of the early design considerations had to be the prevention of thermal bridging.For the high specification Canaletto project the Schöck Isokorb® T type SK offers the ideal solution. It is a concrete-to-steel connectivity module that sits between the outer and inner structural connection points and blocks the outflow of heat through the use of high quality polystyrene insulation foam. The Isokorb® T type SK provides a clean and unobtrusive connection detail, minimises on-site assembly time and enables a high level of prefabrication.

5 Everyman cinemas have been built in a new building in the centre of Harrogate which houses several other retail and leisure facilities.The cinema directly above the ground floor retail units required a concrete floating floor whilst the 4 other cinemas required heavy dry floating floors with large floor voids.Our local branch supplied and installed the floating floors which consisted of Stravifloor Channel isolation rails supporting timber/cement board sandwich constructions or Stravifloor Deck solution supporting a concrete slab.The wall isolation and ceiling hangers completed the box-in-box construction delivering the required sound insulation between cinemas and to the retail units beneath.