"flooring"

This beautiful new build home, close to the shore on Long Island, was to be the Client’s luxury beach house. UK architect David Russel, designed all windows and doors to be pocket style, disappearing into the walls.Much consideration was given to concealment and where possible the curtains also opened out of sight, into their own wall pockets. All Lutron curtain tracks were flush-mounted using TrackTrim by Blindspace, including a number of curved tracks.In some of the windows, Lutron blinds were concealed within Blindspace boxes behind the curtains, all disappearing when not required. These Blindspace products have the additional benefit of being plastered in during construction for minimal visual impact.The unique ground floor design brings the outdoor indoors, using hidden doors and curtains with amazing results.Transcript

Aris House is a brand-new four-story building accommodating 15 one and two bedroom apartments, a passenger lift to all floors, and allocated parking spaces. A specification of 163m² was authorised to this development located in a landmark position on the bustling Highcliffe High Street.Cellecta’s insuBEAM was specified by ARC Architecture Ltd due to its weight saving and quick installation benefits. The system low emissivity foil faced insulation blocks are manufactured to the highest possible specification helping achieve the required U-Value. insuBEAM systems are fully supplied in plot specific quantities reducing waste and transport to site. The system is 42% less CO2 compared to a traditional beam and block system without the transport emissions being included.CBS BUILD was awarded the contract to erect this new development.

This high-profile London office needed a stunning re-design and high-quality finish to reflect the client’s values and surroundings. Vtec was specified to provide visually stunning acoustic ceilings. The contemporary design encompassed a modern reception area leading to a large open office floor with a staircase to breakout spaces and an attractive roof terrace. Finished to an extremely high standard throughout, the design featured Vtec MaxiBeam ceilings in white Supalami and Supacoustic panels in Oak Supalami. In the kitchen area, Supacoustic panels were specified in an oak Supalami finish and circular perforated design (SP4 with 10mm perforations) echos the circular supporting pillars and helps soften the acoustics.Explore how we ensure pinpoint accuracy in the design and production to ensure seamless integration.

THE PROJECTThe Neighbourhood student accommodation is located in Cardiff – one of the UK’s most popular urban destinations that “combines an eclectic mix of history, culture, and fresh and exciting innovations”.The Neighbourhood student accommodation project is situated on the corner of City Road and The Parade in the heart of Cardiff city centre, within a short walking distance to the university, railway station and town centre.The project features cost-effective MODA stainless steel mailboxes configured into a large bank of freestanding mailboxes that are fitted to the floor using bespoke steel plinth supports. Integrated into the bank of boxes are mailboxes finished in a Pure White (RAL 9010) colour that spell out the word “HEY”.The mailboxes are located in the reception lobby area close to the property entrance doors, welcoming visitors and residences to the student accommodation each time they enter the building.

Radii manufactured and installed Parallel 50 double glazed partitioning (45dB Rw) with adjoining Parallel 100 (50dB RW) for TS&W’s glazed fronts on the Ground floor and Level 1, including a number of stunning curved glazed elements. Linear 25 single glazed partitions (38dB RW) were used on Levels 2 to 5.Enhanced acoustic timber doors (40dB Rw) in veneered and painted finishes and with adjoining timber pilasters were utilised for the executive meeting rooms and offices.Auto-operated framed glazed pivoting doors, with visible overhead operators mounted on our top channels, were also installed to give easy access to ‘den’ and collaboration areas.Finally, a fire rated package comprising of structural Ei90 fire rated glazed screens was added on Level 5.

London is a popular location for Versa Wall Pocket installations in the UK.The Versa Team recently visited Wetherby School in Kensington to install four single Wall Pocket dining systems in their multi-use hall – delivering seating for up to 80 students.The school chose custom graphics for the tables to reflect the school’s logo whilst also displaying the different school houses.Wall Pocket is an all-in-one dining system that stores into the wall requiring zero storage space yet delivering optimum capacity. Such flexibility is invaluable for schools where floor space is at a premium and storage limited or non-existent!The Versa Wall Pocket has given Wetherby the flexibility to convert its multi-use hall from an assembly/ sports hall into a dining hall in minutes.

An award-winning, luxury home in the beautiful Hampshire countryside, 4 Views is designed to make the most of its location, also makes its own bold statement thanks to an imaginative combination of materials, including lass, timber and bricks created by the innovation-led, manufacturer, Vandersanden. A remarkable new build with a distinctive architectural design from Winchester-based firm, AR Design Studio, 4 Views incorporates Dark Vandersanden Morvan brickwork which creates tonal contrast with cedar cladding and floor to ceiling glass doors and windows to set this home apart, giving it a balanced, calm identity, at one with the landscape.To find out more about the bricks used in this project or to see the wide range of high-quality bricks available from Vandersanden, click on the 'View more' link 

A stunning refit of a listed building overlooking Green ParkDevonshire House is a Grade 2 listed gem residing in Mayfair, and we worked with Bain Capital and TP Bennett Architects and their respective contractors on the refurbishment of the fourth-floor offices and their four expansive external terraces. The challenge was to find a decking solution that was fully compliant with the latest Building Safety Regulations while maintaining the aesthetic of this historic London property.MyDek’s Luxura – an A1 fire-rated composite – was chosen for the project as it seamlessly aligned with the building’s aesthetics while delivering a robust, enduring surface for the upgraded outdoor spaces. The roof terraces had a limited loadbearing capacity that could not accommodate concrete paving and Luxura emerged as the ideal solution, allowing for top quality decking that remained well within structural limits.

The patients’ garden at Homerton Hospital in Hackney has been completely transformed with a Stonebound resin bound porous paving finish to the pathways in the newly landscaped courtyard area.SURFACING REQUIREMENTSThe hospital was looking for a minimal maintenance surfacing option for the hospital garden to offer a welcoming, tranquil outside space for visitors and patients. The paving needed to be porous to minimize surface water, seamless and have good slip resistance for comfort and safety underfoot.Addagrip approved contractor D C Flooring was invited by G.K.Works to install 169 sqm of Stonebound resin bound porous surfacing in a Blizzard blend to give a cool and contemporary look to this outdoor area. The surfacing is decorative, porous, allowing access all year round and offers good slip resistance.The installation was completed in August 2021.

Over 7,500sqm of Addastone Plus resin bonded surfacing has been installed at Glasgow Airport as part of the Glasgow Airport Investment Area (GAIA) project.The infrastructure works, funded through the £1.13billion Glasgow City Region City Deal initiative, began in June 2019 and includes new roads, bridges, cycling routes and pedestrian walkways around the airport.As part of the infrastructure works, Addagrip approved contractor Resarf Flooring Ltd was appointed by main contractor Wills Brothers Civil Engineering Ltd to install 7,575m2 of Addastone Plus Resin Bonded surfacing in a hard wearing 1-2mm Autumn Quartz for the perimeter paths around the site.The durable resin bonded system offers a seamless decorative, highly functional surface with excellent slip resistance.The installation was completed in May 2022.

Part of a masterplan by Brent London Borough Council to redevelop the heart of Stonebridge, and provide much needed new homes for residents, the project provides a total of 73 modern, purpose built affordable residential units across two adjacent sites, linked by a new public open space with playground and outdoor gym.Constructed on a former car park, the development comprises two distinct sections. The larger, Hillside site, is constructed across two blocks, up to 7 storeys in height and linked at first floor level by a landscaped podium and under-croft car park. It comprises a mix of 51 one, two and three-bedroom apartments, each with dual aspect and private balcony. Complementing this, the smaller Milton Avenue site, constructed over three storeys, features a total of 22 4-bedroom townhouses.

Washrooms offering timeless beauty at Trinity Quay, Bristol.Trinity Quay, Bristol, is a modern Grade A office building comprising of high quality office space over the ground and 6 upper floors. The building undertook major refurbishment with ISG awarded the contract and Shire Integrated Systems Ltd installing the washrooms.Sylan Products Supplied:Real Wood Veneer Toilet CubiclesFlush fronted44mm thick doorsInvisible fixing systemFull height cubiclePerfect slip matchingAvailable in 11 Real Wood VeneerReal Wood Veneer Duct PanellingCo-ordinating Real Wood Veneer duct panellingCan match WC, Urinal and Wash Hand Basin panellingAvailable in 11 Real Wood Veneers

The recently refurbished reception of 25 Copthall Avenue by QOB Interiors and John Robertson Architects for developer Helix, includes new floor to ceiling glass, contemporary signage, virtual daylight luminaries and a stunning 120m2 curved Armourcoat 'KonCrete' polished plaster wall to create a striking entrance.The hand-applied polished plaster wall leads through into the transformed reception area, with a design feature that incorporates a custom stencil of the office address. The full height atrium floods light into the heart of the building creating a bright, spacious environment with a business lounge and in-house café.Armourcoat ‘KonCrete’ is an urban range of polished plaster colours and finishes designed for contemporary projects. The range offers a wealth of design options to achieve a distinctive modern look, including distressed effects or recessed ‘shutter’ markings. Photography: © Photobanks

Custom 3D Gustafs walls were designed and created especially for the Weir Group HQ at 1 West Regent Street in Glasgow.The two 35m long feature walls on both the 9th and 10th floors of the building are constructed of bespoke 3D facetted panels with integrated doorways, seating, and a reception desk.Gustafs panels were specified for their A2-s1,d0 resistance to fire, retaining their structure and producing minimal smoke and spread of flame. Gustafs' 100 year history of carpentry and working with wood enabled them to create the 3D wall to the exact specifications of the architect to be installed perfectly by Giotto.LSA Projects also supplied standard flat acoustic ceiling panels and linear ribs to the scheme to give acoustic control in the open plan meeting room area.

Port Glasgow Shared Campus SchoolArchitect: Ingenium Archial ArchitectsInstaller: MoorconProduct: Shiluvit by OranitOfficially opened Spring term 2014 the Port Glasgow Shared Campus School is the first project of its kind in Scotland.The new school building houses both Port Glasgow High School and St Stephens High, as well as sharing its ample resources with the Craigmarloch Additional Support Needs School.500m2 of ‘Shiluvit’ panels in Nordic Pine were used across the atrium and second floor corridors of the new shared campus in Glasgow.The product was chosen for both its excellent fire-retardant properties as well as the brilliant acoustic protection it provides against spaces like this which would otherwise be affected by high levels of sound reverberation.

The Crown Estate's flagship project in Haymarket, London, involved preserving the original façade and structure while modernizing the rear to create world-class restaurants, retail spaces, and open-plan offices. Adexon successfully installed a number of 30- and 60-minute vertical fire curtains at 1 and 2 St James’ Market, all within agreed timeframes; covering multiple floors and ensuring fire safety without compromising the historical integrity. The project, executed with Balfour Beatty and designed by Make Architects, regenerated the West End with 210,000 sq. ft of modern offices, flagship stores, and restaurants within over half an acre of revitalized public space. Despite the challenge of maintaining Grade II-listed facades, the project successfully blended historical preservation with modern development.

800 square meters of Black Webnet creating an innovative Webnet Green Wall ,providing shade and year-round temperature control for this contemporary office building.The innovative design features our Webnet stainless steel mesh system suspended from roof supports to create a strong, secure and long-life structure for plants to climb up. Planters at first floor level encircle the building to provide low level greening, as well as a base for the climbers.Bringing nature to this urban landscape, the green wall not only makes the office look spectacular, but also provides a habitat for wildlife and significantly improves the building’s carbon footprint. The shade and evaporative cooling of the plants also help to cool the building in summer and insulate it in winter, helping to improve thermal efficiency and save energy costs.

The Lindner Group played an important role in the revitalisation of the fifth, sixth and seventh floor with their divisions ceiling and walls.Focus of the remodelling was the arrangement of various small and mediumsized conference rooms: sound-insulated glass and metal partition walls provide the necessary division and acoustics and form a transparent and open finish to the front towards the hallways.Round glass elements in the partition walls are an additional eye-catcher while elegant wooden and glass doors underline the design.Thanks to the installation canopy and heated and chilled ceilings in slat optics, efficient temperature management inside the building is also ensured.Completed WorksPartitionsPartition Systems GlassLindner Life Freeze 137Partition Systems Full PanelLindner Logic 100 TimberCeilingsPlafotherm L 608Plafotherm DS 320

Devonshire Row, 150 Bishopsgate is a residential and commercial redevelopment in Central London. The existing façade was retained amongst the area to be redeveloped. The project consisted of 97,718 square metres of floor space and includes a site area of 5,000 square metres, with 284 residential units, car parking, leisure and entertainment facilities as well as business ventures. KEIM’s remit was to coat the existing Bath stone façade to match and blend seamlessly with the new Portland Stone façade.To deal with the potential for the new stone to age differently, KEIM Fixativ was applied to preserve and prevent the surface from getting soiled.KEIM Soldalit in colour 9295 was applied to all the surfaces, followed by a two-coat application of KEIM Restauro Lasur in colours ST019 and ST002 to mimic the new Portland Stone façade.

Housing over 360 apartments, the Wembley Park redevelopment was a huge transformation of a long-neglected space around Wembley Stadium and turning it into a fresh, new part of London.By using Michelmersh’s Floren Polaris, the architect, Flanagan Lawrence was able to create eye-catching, monolithic facades that are easy to recognise from a distance. Chris Kallan of Flanagan Lawrence stated ‘This is a beautiful brick which has a hint of whiteness; because of that it changes colour subtly as the daylight changes to give the facades a real dynamism,’.The project was envisioned to be a multi-use area and regenerate the area into a vibrant, residential retail and entertainment area. First-floor podium gardens allow for playing space for children as well as areas designed to create community spaces for areas such as libraries and further gardens.

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 comprehensive tile installation at Lina Stores in King's Cross exemplifies how Terrazzo Tiles combines aesthetic elegance with practical functionality. This project not only enhances the visual appeal of the space but also demonstrates our capability to handle large-scale, high-demand installations that stand the test of time. In a significant flooring and worktop overhaul at Lina Stores in King's Cross, Terrazzo Tiles was tasked with installing 1500 square meters of our Birmingham Untamed tiles. This extensive project was not only about achieving a stylish aesthetic but also about ensuring longevity and sustainability in one of London’s most frequented culinary destinations. Birmingham Untamed: A Statement in Durability and Design The Birmingham Untamed tiles are renowned for their robust and striking appearance. With dimensions of 60cm x 60cm, these tiles were selected to accommodate the heavy foot traffic of the restaurant while providing a sleek, modern look. The versatility of the tiles made them an excellent choice for both flooring and worktop applications, creating a cohesive visual flow throughout the premises. Project Execution and Impact This installation at Brill Place required precise coordination and execution, given the bustling nature of King's Cross and the operational demands of Lina Stores. The larger tile size facilitated a quicker installation process and fewer grout lines, leading to a cleaner and more streamlined appearance. The choice of Birmingham Untamed tiles for this project reflects our commitment to providing high-quality, durable materials that meet the functional needs and aesthetic aspirations of our clients. The tiles' natural resistance to wear and ease of maintenance ensure that they will uphold their pristine condition despite the high traffic and frequent use. Sustainability and Performance Consistent with our environmental ethos, Birmingham Untamed tiles are made from natural, sustainably sourced materials. Their production process is designed to have a lower environmental impact, aligning with our goals of reducing the ecological footprint of our projects.   

Patalab architects were commissioned to convert an intriguing building off Acton High Street in the London Borough of Ealing into a new certified school for children with Special Education Needs and one with a special focus on pupils with severe autism. Snowflake School is an Ofsted-outstanding teaching environment in a building which was originally a purpose-built hall for the Salvation Army before being turned into an animation studio. Inserted steelwork mezzanines over a herringbone-floored hall contributed to a mishmash of conversions. Given the nature of the school and the links between autism and noise sensitivity, Troldtekt’s acoustic wood wool panelling was specified to minimise sound reverberation and to promote a healthy sound environment and calmness.Project Architect Sophie Fuller explains “The double-height central space works really well as the school’s main hall. In order to minimise sound reverberation, we chose to clad the upper half in acoustic panelling made from wood wool. The texture and neutral colour of the panelling also help to make this tall space feel friendlier and warmer.” Following design guidelines, as well as meeting fire protection and safety requirements, meant many aspects of the building’s history had to be covered although glimpses remain. For example, the original parquet floor used in the assembly hall, original metal handrails protruding from new plywood balustrades and relocated doors as internal windows. At the same time, ramps and a platform stair lift have been added to create accessibility. Founded on the Cradle-to-Cradle design concept, Troldtekt’s natural and inherently sustainable panels are available in a variety of different surfaces and colours and contribute positively to a building’s BREEAM, DGNB and LEED ratings. In addition to their high sound absorption and tactile surface, they offer high durability and low cost lifecycle performance. Available in various sizes and in four grades from extreme fine to coarse, the panels can be left untreated or painted in virtually any RAL colour.

The JACKOBOARD range from BEWI is “ideal” for use as a tile backerboard on projects where increasingly popular underfloor heating systems are being installed, the company says.Made from extruded polystyrene foam (XPS), the construction boards are said to be inherently waterproof because the structure of the board does not allow water to penetrate. They are designed to be easy to work with and cut, as well as truly lightweight.They are finished on both sides with a special coating and reinforced fibreglass mesh, ready to be tiled, rendered or plastered. The boards are said to possess excellent thermal insulation properties, which give them enormous advantages over plasterboard or cement board. They are especially suitable for interior construction, the company says, especially in rooms subject to high moisture levels.According to BEWI, JACKOBOARD goes “beyond bathrooms” and can be used in any room of the house and as a backerboard for virtually any tiling project.The boards are suitable for quickly and effectively levelling uneven walls and floors, for partition walls, compensating for cracks in substrates and for creating substrates for laying tiles on non-adhesive surfaces.JACKOBOARD is also said to provide the best waterproof, insulated, tiling substrate for underfloor heating projects. Whether electric mats or hot water systems are being installed, BEWI says, JACKOBOARD – laid underneath the heating elements or pipework – will help to decrease warm-up times of the system by pushing the heat directly up to the tile layer. In this way, the heat generated by the system is used in the most efficient way, not just during the initial heat-up stage, but in general usage with the continued thermostat-controlled use of the heating system.As builders are forced to reduce the carbon footprint of their projects, the materials they choose to build with can provide a key to unlocking the thermal performance of a building. The XPS foam used on JACKOBOARD products reportedly achieves excellent insulation properties. It’s designed to help maximise the energy efficiency of walls and floors, improving the overall thermal performance of any property.www.bewi.com

Elevating Modern Workspaces.280 High Holborn, a highly specified modern office building developed by Hines in 2011, stands as a beacon of contemporary design and functionality. This commercial space offers a range of amenities and features, including floor-to-ceiling windows, VRF air conditioning, raised floors, and a host of sustainable and user-friendly elements. As part of a broader development vision, 280 High Holborn seamlessly blends modern aesthetics with the historical charm of its surroundings.The ambitious project aimed at creating 100,000 sq ft of commercial office space, six adjacent apartments, and a retail presence in Mid-Town London. The design needed to be flexible, column-free, and capitalize on views over the historic Lincoln’s Inn Fields to the south. The challenge was to seamlessly integrate the building into its urban context while providing a versatile and attractive environment for various uses.The building’s form optimizes its plan to blend with the adjacent townscape, offering an articulated floorplate that supports flexible space planning solutions. The mix of office, residential, and retail spaces necessitated the incorporation of flexible office floorplates that could be easily customized for different needs.In the pursuit of modernity and functionality, our contribution to 280 High Holborn involved the supply of bespoke metal riser doors. Concealed, fire-rated, and designed to be flush with the surroundings, these doors seamlessly integrate into the modern aesthetic of the building. Placed strategically throughout the structure, these doors contribute to the safety of the occupants while maintaining a sleek and unobtrusive appearance.The building’s floorplates offer a ceiling height of 2.7m clear, providing a versatile canvas for both open-plan and cellularized office configurations. Six apartments at the southern end capitalize on views over the Inns of Court, adding a residential component to the development. Additionally, a new civic space at the base of the building enhances engagement with the surrounding community.With a focus on sustainability, 280 High Holborn achieved a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating, underlining its commitment to environmental performance and occupant well-being.

When HSP Architects and Price & Myers wanted to transform a listed commercial basement in Temple Fortune to create a new community centre, they needed to look no further than Newton Specialist Contractor Arti Construction to perform the waterproofing.ning three of the walls were either fully or partially below-ground and suffering from water penetration. Arti recommended the Newton CDM System, as it is the most safe and reliable form of waterproofing that would deliver a completely dry internal space and cause the minimal amount of disruption to the Listed structure.The basement, part of a four-storey Listed building, was built into a hillside, meaning that three of the walls were either fully or partially below-ground and suffering from water penetration. Arti Construction worked with the design team at an early stage to design a waterproofing solution.With existing Listed basements such as this one, Arti Construction were quick to recommend a Type C cavity drain waterproofing solution in the form of the Newton CDM System. Type C waterproofing is the safest and most reliable form of waterproofing that will deliver a completely dry internal space, whilst also causing the minimum amount of disruption to the Listed structure.Before Arti could proceed with the installation, they first had to re-level the existing concrete slab in order to provide a flat and stable floor.With the structure fully prepared, Arti could then proceed with installing a full cavity drain waterproofing system. This consisted of installing Newton 508 with minimal MultiPlug fixings to the walls and floors to capture the ingressing water. The water is then directed via Newton Basedrain channels to a Titan-Pro sump chamber, for removal by dual NP400 clean water pumps.The complex basement space included existing columns, windows and an internal staircase which all had to be factored into the waterproofing design.Regardless of this, Arti Construction completed the 280m2 installation within budget in just one week, delivering a reliable Type C structural waterproofing system that is also compliant with British Standard 8102:2009.

Providing the solution for EWI retrofit on non-traditional build housingHaving successfully completing the previous 2 phases, K Systems were approached to provide a specification for EWI installation onto two non-traditional build housing types: 5M and Caspon. Both archetypes are of timber frame construction with single skin brick infills at ground level and a mixture of hanging tiles or cladding on upper floors. Typical of non-traditional build housing, the technical team at K Systems had to pay particular attention to bespoke detailing to derive a suitable EWI solution to meet the client’s requirements.The hanging tiles and cladding were removed from the upper floor(s) and replaced with timber sheathing boards to allow for a uniform aesthetic and a striking contemporary finish.Delivering a robust, safe and aesthetic system solution to meet the project requirementsHull City Council wanted to improve the thermal efficiency of their housing stock whilst provide a durable and more contemporary aesthetic look for the project. A combination of K Systems M Silicone and K Systems M VBriQ was used to achieve a u-value of 0.28 using varying thicknesses of A1 non-combustible mineral wool (80mm to 150mm) to adapt to the variety of substrates typical of non-traditional build housing. The combination of acrylic brick slips and polymer enhanced silicone topcoats achieved an appearance that is durable and elevated the dated look of the estate to a more modern feel. Our team worked extensively with the appointed architect preparing bespoke detailed drawings for the various archetypes, particularly transitions between the brick and timber substrates, cills, verges, rooflines, gas boxes and below DPC. Weekly demand planning meetings ensured timely delivery of materials to the appointed contractor.We ensured the correct fixings were specifiedK Systems commissioned pull-out tests to determine the optimum fixings and washers to be used to anchor the EWI system to the different substrates. A combination of hammer fixings and screw fixings were specified.

Working with architect, T P Bennett and contractor, Overbury, moveable wall specialist Style was recently specified to create flexible seminar space on floor 1 of Aviva’s new London head offices in Fenchurch Street.A single Dorma Huppe Variflex ComforTronic, semi-automatic moveable wall, boasting an outstanding 59dB acoustic performance, separates the seminar area from the catering and breakout zone. A second Variflex system allows the space to be further sub-divided into two smaller rooms. Both walls are finished in a chic Kvadrat Encircle fabric, one grey and the other a deep green, perfectly complementing the interior décor.Aligning with Aviva’s commitment to achieve Net Zero by 2040, the Variflex system has an EPD (Environmental Product Declaration) in accordance with ISO 14025 and EN 15804. This certification provides transparent and verified information about the environmental impact of the product across its lifecycle. Aviva’s new head office is spread over multiple floors, providing modern and spacious working areas that aim to facilitate collaboration and innovation amongst the 1,500 employees that work there. “This is a very sophisticated seminar area,” said Michael Porter, Style’s group managing director, “and thanks to the ease of manoeuvrability and high-end acoustic ratings of the two Dorma Huppe Variflex moveable walls, it can be quickly transformed to cater for one large, or two small, seminars.“Once the seminars are over, the room can also be fully opened up into a vast open plan area for catering and networking, making this an exceptional solution for Aviva whose requirements can change daily.”Style is the exclusive UK partner to Dorma Huppe, offering a wide range of manual, semi-automatic and fully automated moveable walls.Further attesting to the sustainability of the installation, Style is accredited under the ISO 14001:2004 Environmental Management System. This certification ensures that the company adheres to practices that maximize sustainability and minimize waste throughout their operational processes​.

Reckitt’s unrivalled range provides health, hygiene and nutrition for people in 200 countries around the world, and at its offices in Slough, Berkshire Style worked with architects, Tetris Design & Build and contractor, BW Interiors, to create flexible space throughout the building.What made this installation particularly notable for Style was that it was the company’s 300th installation of a Skyfold – the market leading, fully automatic, vertically rising, acoustic moveable wall.Installing Skyfolds in both the main boardroom/meeting room and also in the lounge and shop/display area, the moveable walls offer incredible 59dB acoustic ratings and are housed, out of sight, in a ceiling cavity when not in use.“When we introduced Skyfold into the UK market 15 years ago, it was a completely new, ground-breaking moveable wall solution,” said Julian Sargent, Style’s group managing director.“At the push of a button it descends gracefully from a ceiling cavity, and once in place it offers superb room separation with top end acoustic integrity.“Initially it took time to raise the profile of Skyfold with architects, contractors and potential end-user clients, however once the benefits of this operable wall became recognised the numbers of specifications grew rapidly, as it is a truly outstanding form of room separation.”At Reckitt, the Skyfolds enable staff to very quickly divide the rooms, and when not in use they take up no floor space whatsoever and are completely out of sight.Finished in a stylish Kvadrat Steelcut Trio fabric, they also complement the interior design of the building creating a real showcase for anyone visiting the offices.In addition to the Skyfolds, Style was also specified to install a Dorma Huppe Variflex semi-automatic moveable wall in a ground floor studio, also with a 59dB acoustic rating and in an Egger laminate finish.Style is the UK market leader in moveable, partitioning and folding walls and the exclusive UK partner to Skyfold, Dorma Huppe and SWG.

Project: 1 Aylesbury Street, Clerkenwell, London, EC1R 0DRClient: MeritcapeArchitect: Atum Design LabM&E consultant: EngDesignProtecting Cities Against Fire with Advanced GlazingDaylight-flooded spaces command a premium from tenants, but in the densest urban areas – where buildings are very tightly packed – it can be difficult to achieve. Not least because of the need to protect against the spread of fire.This was the challenge for developer Meritcape when they set out to refurbish 1 Aylesbury Street – a converted historic warehouse building in Clerkenwell, East London.The designers wanted to fill every floor of the building with natural light, from both the front and the back of the building by using floor-to-ceiling glazing on every floor. However, the rear of the property was just three metres away from a neighbouring building.To prevent fire spreading from one building to the next, building regulations specify the fire resistance that external walls need to be able to provide. This is given as minimum requirements for integrity – how long they can contain smoke and flames – and insulation, or how long they can prevent the escape of heat. Steve Bond, technical and customer support manager, fire, at Pilkington United Kingdom Limited, said: “When you have two buildings this close together, standard glazing is not an option, as it doesn’t put up enough of a barrier to fire spreading outwards from the building.“That’s where fire-resistant glazing can make a big difference. By providing protection against fire while also letting light flow in, we can create light-filled spaces in very built-up parts of the city where not long ago it wouldn’t have been possible.“As well as sealing in flames and smoke for at least an hour, the glass also provides radiation shielding that reduces the amount of heat energy that can pass outwards through the glass – another key means of spreading fire.” The rear façade of the building is glazed in Pilkington Pyroclear® Plus insulating double-glazed units, delivering not only the right level of fire resistance, but have also been designed to give excellent thermal insulation (U-value) properties to reduce heat-loss from the building.Davood Kiani, Senior Project Consultant at Meritcape said: “Those looking for modern commercial space expect floorplans to be well lit with natural light, and this is one of the main design challenges when working with buildings in the most densely urban areas of the city.“Fire regulations are one of the big reasons for this, so Pilkington fire-resistant glazing means we can achieve the best of both worlds - a building that meets or exceeds all of the safety regulations while also feeling spacious and airy.”A total of 800 m2 of Pilkington glass was used in the project, including in the front façade of the building, in which hundreds custom-sized small double-glazed solar-control units were used to imitate the crittall steel-framed windows that are a signature feature of buildings in the area.Images by S G Photography

A Very Victorian Problem The Royal College Building is Category B listed. Designed by David Barclay, the 190s, gargantuan 4-storey Italianate college is a monument to Victorian architecture. It houses the University of Strathclyde's Principal and Vice-Chancellor's residence, alongside various university departments and independent businesses. As you'd expect, the entrance lobby is a grand affair and welcomes thousands of students, staff and visitors through its arched bays and up its curved marble staircase. But, with a Glasgow city-centre location and architecture pre-dating modern draught lobbies or revolving doors, Estates Services were losing a battle with the inclement weather. They needed to take control and prevent water from being traced into the building, making the subsequent tiled floor and marble steps slippery. A Custom ApproachThe University's Building Surveyor contacted INTRAsystems while exploring potential products in their ongoing experiments. After a follow-up call subsequent site visit, it was clear they had a design opportunity to create a unique Entrance Mat for a unique building. With its listed building status, the Entrance Matting system needed to be true to its heritage as a technical college of engineering - practically perfect and sympathetic to the building's aesthetics. Customised Chessboard Tiled Entrance MattingWe advised increasing the Entrance Mat from 4m2 to 10m2, the full width of the Polished red ashlar portico entrance bay and all the way to the marble staircase. However, extending the small matwell wasn't possible because of listed building constraints, so we suggested filling in the existing recessed matwell and installing a surface-mounted system with ramped edges. Fine Details But Heavy DutyWe custom-made 380 x 380mm INTRAshape tiles, with a black anodised finish and combined them with INTRAlux Elite Black 608 and Grey 606 inserts, to match the existing chessboard, monochrome flooring tiles perfectly. INTRAlux Elite has a high-density pile of coarse and fine polyamide fibres made from 100% Econyl (recycled plastics). They boast high moisture absorption (up to 5.4L/m2) and scraping abilities. The heavy-duty inserts also deliver durability, comfort and excellent sound absorption. This combined with the modular INTRAshape system, meets the multi-directional traffic requirement. A Perfect MatchProcurement partner and preferred contractor, Kirkton Flooring, managed the project with our support for layout and drawings, then Master Matting completed the install. First impressions were positive, and it's a marked improvement on earlier mitigation attempts. "It looks fab thanks, just exactly what I imagined it to be like. Thanks for all your assistance and patience on this one, much appreciated." Building Surveyor, Estates Services, University of StrathclydeMastering Entrance Matting with Expertise and InnovationINTRAsystems' specialist knowledge and proprietary products mean we can tackle any challenge of Entrance Matting. Whether you need a sensitive retrofit in a listed building or a contemporary new build system, we can match your Entrance Matting conundrum to enhance safety, design and first impressions.

TODD Architects completes redbrick business school for Queen’s Belfast. Queen’s University’s £17.5 million business school sits within its south Belfast campus, in front of the Grade II-listed Riddel Hall and enclosed by woodland.The new building, built on a former car park, has teaching and learning spaces for postgraduate students along with facilities for supporting the school’s executive education and leadership programmes, with informal study areas, academic offices and shared spaces.The external palette of materials is restrained to sit within its context, combining red clay brick, bronze-framed aluminium and floor-to-ceiling glazed screens. Red cast stone delineates colonnades at the upper and lower entrances.Inside the circulation spaces, exposed concrete soffits with floating ceiling rafts, board-marked concrete walls, timber wall sheeting and terrazzo flooring, create a robust aestheticOne of the key spaces is a top-lit, triple-height atrium with a feature stair providing access from the ground floor reception to the upper ground level, where informal study booths overlook a landscaped courtyard.Primary teaching spaces are restricted to the lower ground floor with large volume lecture theatres set into the surrounding landscape to lessen their visual impact and massing.A low-energy, ecologically sensitive design approach was adopted from the outset. One measure taken was a major geothermal heat system. Piles were driven to a depth of 125m in an adjoining field to extract heat from the sandstone substrate and provide low-level constant heat via underfloor heating, resulting in a 60 per cent reduction in carbon emissions.The £17.5 million project extends to include the partial refurbishment of a listed property.In 2016, Queen’s Business School merged with the William J Clinton Leadership Institute. It is located in the university's Riddel Hall campus on the Stranmillis Road and planned to expand its facilities in 2017 due to continued growth.Architect’s viewOur appointment arose out of a design competition, promoted by the university. We presented a plan diagram based on how we envisaged people might move through the building and a conceptual architectural approach that proposed carefully knitting the built form into its landscaped setting, both of which are still very evident in the finished building.Externally in respect of materiality, the building echoes the neighbouring, listed Riddel Hall in its use of red brick and cast stone. Internally we have sought to ensure a connectivity for users with surrounding mature woodland, with board-marked concrete and other natural finishes combining to create a calm, robust and understated aesthetic.We promoted a low-energy, ecologically sensitive design approach from the outset, securing a BREEAM Excellent rating, with the building’s renewable energy sources including a major geothermal heat system beneath an adjoining lawn and roof mounted arrays of solar/photovoltaic panels.Peter Minnis, project director, TODD ArchitectsClients’ viewsQueen’s University Belfast is moving towards net zero, and this building – which uses sustainable ground source heating – is an important part of the journey. The design of the building, which is sleek, contemporary, and future-focused, boasts the scenic quality of being nestled in the trees of the Stranmillis Conservation Area.The building is helping us a) grow our international stature and esteem by hosting high-profile events; b) expanding our research-led dialogue with the business community by providing space for collaboration and dissemination activities; and c) offers a fantastic student experience via tailor-made areas for learning and study.Professor MN Ravishankar, dean and head, Queen’s Business SchoolThe new Queen’s Business School is the latest building in Queen’s University’s capital investment programme to support world-class education and research and provide an exceptional learning environment and experience for its students. TODD Architects have exceeded expectations in terms of the University’s estate, with this truly iconic building.To address the significant growth in our student numbers and the unprecedented demand for our graduates, the University with full support from local government and employers, approved a capital investment in excess of £26m in a new Business School Building. Designed by TODD Architects, the building provides state-of-the-art teaching and research facilities for more than 3,000 students and 130 academic staff and will play a key role in the future growth and development of Northern Ireland’s business and finance sectors.Through collaboration and a commitment to excellence, TODD Architects has ensured that this facility will enable the Business School to continue its growth, by attracting the best staff and students from Northern Ireland and around the world, and to produce graduates who will make a positive impact on society.We are delighted with our new landmark building that will take Queen’s Business School into the next phase of its development and serving future generations to come.Sonia O’Hare, school manager, Queen’s Business School https://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/buildings/todd-architects-completes-redbrick-business-school-for-queens-belfast?tkn=1 Project dataStart on site September 2020Completion May 2023Gross internal floor area 6,000m² (including 250m² basement)Form of contract JCT Standard Building Contract with Quantities 2016 EditionConstruction cost £17.5 millionArchitect TODD ArchitectsClient Queen’s University BelfastStructural engineer WSPM&E consultant AH DesignQS WSPLandscape architect McIlwaineAcoustic consultant FR Mark & AssociatesProject manager WSPPrincipal designer WSPBuilding control BCC/Local authorityMain contractor Felix O’HareCAD software used Revit

In one of the earth's paradises located on the island of Fasmendhoo, where sky and sea meet to create unique emotions, rises the Emerald Maldives Resort, designed and built by combining tropical scenery with modern design.The interiors are decorated with a discreet, elegant minimalism designed to dialog with nature and the outdoors. And it is in this context that Atlas Concorde products have created welcoming environments with an extremely contemporary look thanks to a wide range of tiles inspired by natural materials, like the wood-effect porcelain tiles used to furnish the bright apartments.The bathrooms convey intimacy and elegance, decorated with floors and walls inspired by the most refined marble, and a focus on interior design trends is also evident in the furnishings.In contrast, the stone look dominates the outdoor spaces and the areas dedicated to the solarium and swimming pool, for a design that is ever closer to nature. Decisive surfaces that communicate a metropolitan style with an original, pristine, and eternal beauty.

The Boutique Workplace Company selects TopBrewer for its design-led co-working facility in St. Paul's.'A space less ordinary,' The Boutique Workplace Company’s St Paul’s location offers 14,000 sq ft of stylish co-working space. Set across 5 floors, it includes office space, meeting rooms, lounge areas, and a stunning rooftop terrace – all conveniently close to St. Paul’s Cathedral.TopBrewer was the ideal choice to seamlessly blend into the design-focused communal area with its stunning looks and a wide range of customisable specialty drinks. For The Boutique Workplace’s clients, coffee plays a crucial role in their day, so the availability of a premium coffee experience is a key priority when selecting the next home for their business.“Knowing that there is a reliable, free source of quality coffee available all day really helps us to sell our office space.”

Stainless steel worktops, sinks, splashbacks and shelving, from GEC Anderson, have been installed at The Lab at Fitzjohns Primary School in Hampstead. They provide a durable, professional looking kitchen area as well as adding valuable light to an otherwise dark space.The work carried out in the Lab, a science and cookery facility, is part of a phased transformation of the school, involving a complex programme, designed to cause minimum disruption to the occupied school.The school is split into four blocks; the main block being listed and over 150 years old. The Lab is located on the ground floor of this block in an old culvert space which had been open to the elements and was used as a dumping area!Frank Swan, Bursar for Fitzjohn Primary said, “The Lab was built to put an additional focus on science in the school and to have a dedicated learning space for the subject.”

Canal were approached to manufacture and install an exclusive feature staircase for a private residence in Derby. The Cantilever staircase structure was manufactured in mild steel and features American Black Walnut box treads with a laminated glass balustrade.The upper floor featured structural glass balustrading with a stainless-steel slotted handrail that connected to the staircase structure. The handrail was fully welded, satin polished and featured a floating balustrade. The treads underneath the staircase featured strip lights to create ambience and blended perfectly with the contemporary and minimalistic features of the property. The client commented that the finished structure ‘looked superb and was pleased with the overall result’At Canal Architectural we take on board all specification requirements to ensure that the finished staircase design is functional, practical and aesthetically pleasing. The Canal site team worked closely with the contractor to ensure smooth fitting in line with current UK building regulations.