"ventilation"

Fearnach House on The Black Isle in the Highlands of Scotland was designed by architect Iain Macbeath, and built by the firm’s sister company, Thermopassive.The house is a 190m² new house, built to the architect’s “Thermopassive” specification with larch timber and render walls and profiled metal roofing. It has PV solar panels with a “diverter” heating up water and charging an electric car. High levels of thermal capacity storage in an insulated concrete floor slab (so it stays warm and flattens out rapid temperature fluctuations) and very good air tightness.There are no cold bridges (which is more important than you would think) and also a heat recovery ventilation system for fresh air.This project uses FAKRO top hung and pivot window preSelect MAX and L-shaped combination windows.When asked, why Fakro roof windows were specified for the project, Ian McBeath told us, “We have been specifying and buying Fakro roof lights for many years. They are well-priced compared with competitive products and of excellent quality and design.The positioning of the handles at the bottom of the window is also a major factor. It makes it much easier to operate a window with the handles at the bottom rather than the top of the window, which is often out of reach of many shorter and disabled people. The windows are also very well insulated and airtight.”The windows have helped achieve an extremely energy-efficient home as well as flooding the upper floor rooms with an abundance of natural light. And the client loves the internal and external finishes.Based in the North of Scotland, Thermopassive Ltd is an architect-owned company which specialises in highly insulated buildings (better than passive house standard) constructed in Structural Insulated Panels (SIPS).

With average daily energy bills of only 24p, the cottages at Howgate Close have earned a reputation as possibly the UK’s most energy-efficient homes*. Built by farmer Dr Chris Parsons, the row of nine, single storey cottages exploits a range of passive solar design principles** - including a southerly orientation, a high thermal mass and a earth-bonding (external walls partially covered in soil) - to create homes which are exceptionally energy efficient and comfortable to live in. The homes are also truly affordable as no artificial heat source is required to deliver a stable internal temperature averaging 21-23 degrees Centigrade. The cottages instead use a mix of passive heat sources, created by people and appliances, and solar gain generated through VELFAC triple glazed aluminium / timber windows. As a result, the energy consumption of a two bedroom cottage is 94% less than the average UK household. The architecture of Howgate Close is based on designs created by sustainability housing experts Hockerton Housing Project** ( https://www.hockertonhousingproject.org.uk/) with performance further enhanced by Dr Jerry Harrall (https://drharrall.com) a consultant in the design and adaptation of fossil-fuel-free buildings. ‘Describing Howgate Close as a development of eco-homes is to understate its performance,’ states Dr Harrall. ‘In fact all nine properties operate beyond zero-carbon, and instrumental to the success of Howgate Close is the installation of VELFAC composite triple glazing, specified for its excellent thermal performance.’ A key feature of every cottage is a large, white framed VELFAC composite window screen installed on south facing facades. The screens combine fixed units and a sliding patio door, and with dimensions of up to 3m x 5m occupy almost the entire wall. ‘The VELFAC windows play a crucial role in achieving a SAP rating for each cottage of around 143, potentially the highest group of SAP rating’s in the country and a significant improvement of the average rating of 63,’ says Dr Harrall. ‘VELFAC triple glazing has a U-value of 0.8W/m2K which reduces the rate of heat loss while bringing more natural light into each home, thereby reducing the need for artificial light,’ says Dr Harrall. ‘Across the development, the windows are actually net gatherers of heat, and contribute to an annual energy surplus which we estimate will be enough to power another similar dwelling.’ Unwanted solar gain is minimised by the exceptional insulation afforded by the triple glazed units, enhanced by low emissivity coatings applied to inner glass panes. Ventilation is primarily mechanical but supported by trickle vents within the window frames, and by cross ventilation using additional, smaller VELFAC windows installed in the rear facade. ‘Triple glazing also delivers excellent acoustic insulation,’ adds Dr Harrall, ‘which is important, as the cottages are located within actively cultivated farmland, and are near a busy road and wind turbines.’ Howgate Close is now a model development for affordable, ultra-low energy homes and is also the focus of a two year research and monitoring project, co-run by Dr Harrall and Professor Anton Ianakiev, Professor in Sustainable Energy Systems at Nottingham Trent University (NTU). ‘I have also co-authored an academic paper on Howgate Close,’ adds Dr Harrall, ‘which aims to show that it is possible to design, construct and live in buildings without resort to fossil fuels.’—ends— * Analysis by Elmhurst Energy, the UK’s largest independent provider of energy assessment, retrofit and property professional training, software and accreditation. * * Principles advanced by Professors Brenda and Robert Vale, architects of the Hockerton Housing Project, the design of which inspired Howgate Close.

A great example of 1930s Art Deco architecture, The Douglas Building sits on Great Titchfield Street in London’s West End. Formerly known as The Media Village, Douglas House was acquired by serviced office providers The Office Group (TOG) from landlords The Langham Estate in 2019. TOG together with Note Design Studio transformed the building with a colourful concept that blends the distinctive 1930s features and gives a sense of fluidity, openness and light throughout.As its former name suggests this area of London is a hub for local media and IT businesses operating out of the West End and the brief for the building was to create a flexible workspace where people can feel stimulated by their environment leading to greater productivity. Wellness was also a central focus and the building includes an oxygen room, a parents’ room and a roof terrace which are all integral to enabling and inspiring everyone who enters.Well ventilated and an abundance of natural light have become buzzwords in the COVID era and the more than 300 new steel windows from the Clement EB24 range which were chosen by office fit out and refurbishment contractors Parkeray perfectly facilitate both. Polyester powder coated in Pure White and furnished with Warren handles in a satin chrome finish the windows lend the building a contemporary look on the outside as well as supporting the 21st century ways of working inside.Peter Clement, Chief Executive of Clement Windows Group, commented:“As with all prestigious window replacement projects of this magnitude Clement took part in a competitive tender process. Whilst this was in play we understand that both Parkeray and the client’s team had the opportunity to compare our EB24 steel window to others being considered. We believe it was the quality and overall finish of EB24 combined with an attractive price and fine references that convinced them and the client to proceed with us.”

An architect designed, self-build house with annexe for a multi-generational family built to zero-carbon standards.The scheme’s design is influenced by the architectural vernacular of the area. The surrounding houses are a legacy of the Land Settlement Association scheme, with distinctive mansard roofs, steeply sloping gables and dormer windows, constructed in a simple red brick with terracotta plain tiles.The mansard is reflected in the new house with the roof extending down to form the walls. Instead of terracotta tiles, large format slate has been used to form a modern equivalent. The house is mainly slate tile; however, it was felt important to also reflect local brickwork. As such, brickwork was used for two huge brick-faced chimney stacks that rise through the gable.PROJECT INFOTo form a contrast with the very smooth grey of the slate, a textured red brick with slight colour variation was sought. White mortar lightens the brickwork while recessed mortar joints are used inside to provide shadow to each brick. Perforated brickwork surrounds the stone coping on both chimney stacks, adding visual interest to the building through both the materials and the shadows created by the brickwork perforations.The brick selected was stock thrown Hampton Rural Blend from Forterra’s Ecostock range. It has a rustic finish resembling handmade brick. Ecostock bricks are manufactured using the latest technology in sustainability and production efficiency, producing bricks with low embodied energy as well as advanced colour consistency, dimensional accuracy and quality.The structure incorporated huge amounts of insulation, a mechanical ventilation with heat recovery system, and a solar photovoltaic array at the bottom of the garden, along with a ground-source heat pump. These installations will ensure that the house generates more electricity than it could ever use.

The new purpose-built Health & Allied Professions (HAP) Centre forms part of Nottingham Trent University’s vibrant Clifton Campus and features an array of innovative resources and amenities, including mock hospital wards, specialist equipment and creative teaching spaces, to assist students in their study of nursing, paramedicine and healthcare.The impressive building has been designed by architects Pick Everard and incorporates a number of sustainable features to achieve an ‘excellent’ BREEAM rating. Senior’s fenestration systems, which offer cradle-to-cradle recyclability, were the ideal choice and the building’s striking main façade features both Senior’s thermally-enhanced SF52 aluminium curtain wall system and integrated SPW600 aluminium windows. Senior’s products were fabricated and installed by supply chain partner Logic Aluminium Systems for main contractor Henry Brothers Ltd.As well as a creating a welcoming gateway to the University’s Clifton Campus, the new two-storey building has been designed to provide both visual interest and maximise the use of daylighting. The use of Senior’s slimline SF52 aluminium curtain wall systems floods the main atrium with natural light and provides each of the rooms with extensive views of the campus and surrounding areas. Ventilation is provided by Senior’s robust SPW600 aluminium windows which have been seamlessly incorporated into the curtain wall.The interior features of the new HAP Centre are just as impressive, with flexible teaching and study areas interspersed with state-of-the-art facilities including a virtual reality wall, which enables students to practice emergency medical responses in ‘real life’ settings, and mock hospital wards and domestic flat settings which feature robotically controlled mannequins that allow a range of patient symptoms, illnesses, and scenarios to be simulated and studied.

The new office development for the New Gorbals Housing Association in Glasgow features a variety of aluminium fenestration solutions. Together these have helped create a light and airy workspace and an impressive centrepiece for the wider regeneration of the area.Located on Crown Street, the new commercial office building is complemented by a new civic piazza and has been designed by Page & Park Architects. Flexibility and adaptability were key focuses for the overall design, with the incorporation of daylighting and natural ventilation strategies to boost wellbeing, and large glazed facades to better connect the building with the local community.The welcoming main entrance has been created using Senior’s slimline and thermally-enhanced SF52 aluminium curtain wall system and SPW501 aluminium commercial doors. The fenestration package also includes Senior’s SPW600e aluminium windows which were used throughout. The ground floor glazing has been recessed to provide privacy to the internal work spaces whilst complementing the overall ‘open’ design of the scheme. In contrast, the first-floor glazing protrudes slightly to maximise views of the surrounding city. Senior’s products were fabricated and installed by Scottech for main contractor CCG.The office environment includes both large areas for group work and smaller, more private booths and is centred around a large timber-clad atrium. The use of internal and external glazed partitions and windows helps balance the space, providing links with both the other areas of the building and the outside. The fenestration package has also been designed to provide those using the building with multiple aspect views and daylighting, whilst avoiding overheating and glare from the summer sun. To further complement the overall façade design which features dark grey zinc cladding, and to boost the durability of the aluminium frames, the windows, doors and curtain wall systems were powder coated.

At 13 storeys high and with a central location that puts the development within easy reach of Glasgow’s main universities, the True Glasgow student accommodation scheme has been designed by KKA Architects. Comprising 315 apartments for both shared and single occupancy, the new True Glasgow scheme on New City Road has been designed to offer inspirational student accommodation. With each apartment offering light and spacious living and study areas, the development also includes an array of exciting communal facilities including a gym and cinema. To balance the scheme’s city centre location, access to greenspaces has been incorporated through the creation of a rooftop garden and a walled courtyard garden at ground level.Specified to provide daylighting and give far-reaching views of the city, Senior’s thermally-efficient SPW600e tilt and turn aluminium windows were installed to the individual apartments. The main façade also benefits from the slim sightlines of Senior’s SF52 aluminium curtain walling, which has been fabricated in a combination of different capping options to create a unique façade design. As a vertical capped option, the slimline curtain wall features a specially designed toggle system which is used horizontally to create externally frameless transoms and to complement the height of the building structure. The SF52 system has also been installed as a completely frameless silicone glazed solution, with additional ventilation achieved via the incorporation of Senior’s frameless SFF aluminium window vents.To complete the fenestration package, Senior’s robust SPW600 aluminium commercial doors have been used to provide safe and secure access.Senior’s supply chain partner and specialist contractor Scottech has fabricated and installed Senior’s aluminium windows, doors and curtain wall solutions for main contractor Ogilvie.

Balance pedestals form Wallbarn provide ultimate in precision and performance for roof terrace construction.This large roof terrace in a luxury residential redevelopment of a commercial block next to the Royal Courts of Justice demanded a high end finish. The roof deck had been waterproofed and insulated and 50mm limestone slabs needed to be raised and supported to achieve optimum drainage and ventilation to the structure.The client wanted a flat upper surface with no ridges or interruptions between individual slabs and the Balance self-levelling pedestals were able to create a smooth upper surface with reduced trip hazard and more attractive aesthetics across the terrace.The self-levelling nature of the headpiece meant any blemishes on the surface beneath such as laps between the waterproofing layers and drains, services etc. were accommodated easily without any noticeable effect on the upper surface.Because the self-levelling headpiece has an optic type mechanism it moves in all directions and achieves a perfectly flat upper level by itself, there is no need for installers to wind up and down separate segments of the head. it creates a better finish in much less time. The installer on this project simply loves Balance and will not use any other brand for self-levelling solutions. The limestone slabs were installed in a staggered layout and the Balance pedestals coped with this easily as the positioning lugs could be snapped off at T junction and other detail areas to create clean finishes. Weight tolerance was a major issue as heavy planters, a large barbecue, seating and other furniture were to be placed onto the slabs. Balance pedestals have a normal weight tolerance of 683kg each and a break point of over 1 tonne, so could cope with the additional weight easily. The end result was stunning. The client was delighted with the result and used this terrace on the show flat for the whole development.

In 2015, Roger Stretton, an architect and one of the foundersof the practice Berman Guedes Stretton, and Martin Smithcollaborated to bring to fruition their shared enthusiasm forcontemporary, cutting edge, environmentally-friendly residentialdesign.On an attractive, mature garden site near Dorchester in Dorset,two 2,100 sq ft detached, two-storey houses were designedaround south facing courtyards with a one-and-a-half storeyheight living room.When designing the properties, environmentally responsiblematerials, products and processes were at the forefront ofthe specification. To this end, incorporating renewable andinnovative technologies, such as air-source heat pumps and heatrecovery ventilation systems enable the buildings to be highlyenergy efficient.Having previously used Allgood products, Roger recognisedthe brand for its quality and reliability, and consequentlyspecified Allgood’s Alite lever handles and Allgood doorsetsfor the project. He explains, “The new houses have a modern,minimalist design, so it was essential that the ironmongery anddoors complemented this approach, Allgood’s stainless steel Alitehandles and bespoke finished doors met these requirements.”To complement the interior architecture of the buildings, Allgoodsupplied doorsets incorporating fully fabricated and finishedflush doors with rebated frames to create a perimeter shadowgap. An important design feature was a clear line of visionthrough each house along the main axis of the plan. To achievethis, four special, full-height glazed doors with glazed side panelswere supplied. In addition, two 30 minute fire resisting doorswere also specified to the plant-rooms.Arriving on site, factory painted and with hinges and locksalready fitted, the Allgood doorsets provide valuable savings intime, cost and waste as well as a higher quality finish.

Paxman Avenue Secondary SchoolBauderflex bituminous waterproofing system with Euroglaze rooflightsSynopsisPaxman Avenue Secondary School is a new build project situated in Colchester, Essex. The school opened its doors for the first time in September 2019 welcoming 180 year 7 students. It is expected that the school will eventually hold 900 pupils by 2023.Bauder Building BoardProject: Paxman Avenue Secondary SchoolLocation: Colchester, EssexProject type: New buildRoof size: 2500m²Architect: Concertus Design & Property ConsultantsMain contractor: Barnes ConstructionApproved contractor: G.R.M Roofing Company LtdThe specificationThe main contractor, Barnes Construction, was looking for a durable, cost effective roof with longevity, and wanted a waterproofing system which included a comprehensive guarantee with great service and full support from the supplier, and so Bauder’s bituminous system, Bauderflex, was specified. Rooflights were also specified to increase natural light into the building.Bauder’s Rainwater Calculation Software was also used to perform calculations in accordance with BS EN 12056-3:2000 based upon provided data relating to the building’s dimensions, geographical location and the flow rate performance of the selected Bauder rainwater outlet product. This helped to determine the total number of outlets needed for the roof.Products appliedBauderflexA reinforced bituminous membrane system with a choice of self-adhesive and torch-applied membranes that are resistant to high levels of structural and thermal movement. Bauder Euroglaze rooflightsThese rooflights are made to order and the size can therefore be tailor made to fit any roof aperture, with many ventilation and glazing options are available to meet the demands of any type of project.The resultThe client was supported by the Bauder Area Technical Manager, Andy Leggett, from start to finish with help being provided on the design element of the project, and the Bauder approved contractors, G.R.M Roofing Company Ltd, were supported by Bauder site technicians throughout the installation.

When undertaking a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) maintenance and upgrade contract on a North Sea offshore platform, RBG Limited identified that critical noise levels were apparent in a range of working areas.Investigating the issue, RBG Ltd commissioned environmental sound testing, which revealed that ambient noise exceeded a specified minimum of 55dB (A) throughout the electrical workshop, store room, hydraulic workshop, subsea office and mechanical workshop, reaching its highest levels of 88-96dB (A) in the mud pit room. Additional noise generated by operating pumps, cranes and machinery would further increase the noise levels in these areas.As such, RBG Ltd needed to source a high performance industrial acoustic solution that would sufficiently reduce the noise contamination and make the working environment acceptable.Seeking expert industrial acoustics advice, RBG Ltd briefed CMS Acoustics on the project parameters, who responded with a bespoke ISO Acoustic Enclosure Panel system design.The SolutionThe ISO Enclosure Panel is a prefabricated sound reduction system, designed to create noise-protected structures in industrial environments. A self-supporting and robust construction, it offers the additional benefit of a short assembly time, facilitated by the panels being lightweight and easy to handle.The industrial acoustics technical team at CMS Acoustics calculated that a combination of 50mm and 100mm thick ISO Enclosure Panels would be required to achieve the specified noise reduction in the different areas. Depending on panel thickness, fire resistance ranging from 30 minutes to two hours can be achieved.For RBG Ltd, CMS Acoustics manufactured the panels in white and supplied them in ready to assemble kits clearly labelled according to area for installation. Some panels were manufactured to allow removal for maintenance while others were designed to be stud welded to external walls.To increase system robustness, CMS Acoustics integrated acoustic doors and vision panels into the ISO Enclosure design.

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

A modern and green Mixed-Use project where people can live, work, shop, and play.  Oval Village is a major regeneration project in the South of London. It will include modern apartments, many new work opportunities, and aim to re-green the area resulting in better biodiversity.The first phase includes the apartment blocks Phoenix Court, Juniper Gardens and The Pinnacle offering modern homes with one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments. Between the buildings, landscaped gardens will offer room for relaxation and some of the buildings also provide access to private roof terraces. Residents will have a magnificent view over the Kia Oval cricket stadium and London’s iconic skyline. The project includes many sustainable initiatives such as attenuation rainwater tanks and recycled rainwater irrigation of green areas. A site-wide district heating network connected to solar panels and a super modern ventilation system shall secure low energy use whilst providing optimal indoor climate control. The space saving FloSet® Compact valve set is installed on each apartment’s FCU to handle heating and cooling duties. The FloSet® Compact was chosen as it is the smallest FCU valve set in the market for pressure independent automatic balancing and flow control. Each FloSet® Compact includes a FlowCon By-Pass Mini with only a 40 mm center distance, a FlowCon Venturi Metering Station, and a FlowCon PICV. The valve set is fitted directly over the FCU drip tray. The valve set offers 5 different operation modes. These include normal operation, back flushing, forward flushing, coil isolation/system flush and full isolation. The FlowCon PICV insert solution provides flexibility in all project stages from selection, setting and commissioning to servicing. All-together a compact and smart solution providing optimal indoor comfort, reduced energy consumption and a better building CO2 footprint.

Created as part of the wider regeneration of the former industrial area of Ouseburn Valley, Lower Steenberg’s Yard is a four-storey development comprising ground floor commercial office space and 28 residential apartments on the floors above. Benefiting from stunning riverside views of the Ouseburn, a small tributary of the River Tyne, the scheme has been designed by Xsite Architecture and constructed by Esh Construction for developers PfP igloo.The architectural style of Lower Steenberg’s Yard has been informed by both the neighbouring Victorian-era industrial buildings and Scandinavian design elements, with the latter inspired by Mr Richard Steenberg, the Danish industrialist who established a number of businesses in the area throughout the 1850s. As a result, clean lines and the extensive use of natural light are key features of the scheme. This has been achieved to great effect using Senior’s slimline aluminium fenestration systems which have been fabricated and installed by Crown Doors and Shutters.Each of the apartments feature Senior’s low U-value PURe® aluminium windows, specified as triple-glazed tilt and turn style units to provide safe and secure ventilation and ease of maintenance. Senior’s thermally-efficient PURe® SLIDE and PURe® FOLD patio doors have also been installed to provide access to private terraces which overlook the river. As well as helping to maximise the use of natural light, Senior’s fully Part L compliant PURe® aluminium windows and doors will also help improve energy efficiency, reduce fuel costs and contribute to lowering the overall carbon footprint of the building.The ground floor retail units also benefit from Senior’s PURe® casement aluminium windows, with further daylighting achieved through the use of Senior’s slim profile SF52 aluminium curtain wall system to the main entrances. Senior’s robust SPW501 commercial doors have also been installed to provide safe and secure access.

Although sustainable building is on the rise, large quantities of the harmful substances in some building materials still manage to slip through into new and refurbished buildings. In a new online theme from Troldtekt A/S, experts present their views on material health and indoor climate – and possible solutions to the challenges.   This problem exists because material health does not always have the same concern as, for example, acoustics, ventilation or daylighting. In an interview with Martha Lewis, head of materials at Henning Larsen Architects, the theme focuses on the health of building materials and their influence on indoor climate.  The theme also features inspiration from some European buildings which excel at being verifiably healthy and have Troldtekt acoustic solutions incorporated into their architecture. For example, it features the newly opened C2C lab in Berlin where all the materials meet the Cradle to Cradle Design criteria. These are valuable and much more detailed calculations than are available elsewhere.   Troldtekt, a leading developer and manufacturer of acoustic ceiling and wall solutions which contains no deleterious materials, wants to be specified for buildings that are healthy for their occupants. This is why the company is working strategically to support the third UN Sustainable Development Goal – ‘Good Health and Well-being.’ In practice is because their products contain no deleterious materials. This theme also explains how the recognised DGNB Certifications focuses on the health and comfort of building users. Specified throughout the UK and Europe, the benefits of 100% Troldtekt natural wood wool panels include high sound absorption, high durability, natural breathability, low cost life cycle performance and sustainability. Available in various sizes and in four grades from extreme  to coarse, the panels can be left untreated or painted in virtually any RAL colour. Samples, case studies and technical information are easily sourced from www.troldtekt.co.uk (tel 01978 664255) while information on Troldtekt’s building health theme can be found at https://bit.ly/2X50oS6Photo: Copyright: ©Kirstine Mengel.

Britannia Metalwork worked with building contractors Gilbert-Ash and Architects Hawkins/Brown in designing, fabricating, and fitting bespoke decorative floor grilles to replace the damaged originals in the Orangery at the City of London Freeman’s School.It was a project that we were thrilled to be commissioned for and work that we are extremely proud of - the grilles were manufactured, delivered and fitted within the project timeframe, despite pressures of the ongoing global pandemic of 2021.The 168-year-old City of London Freemen's School is set in 57 acres of Ashtead Park in the heart of Surrey. The masterplan scheme included the renovation works to the Grade II listed Main House (including an energy centre), and some new buildings including junior school, dining hall and assembly hall as well as landscaping and car park works. The total cost of the project was £15 and won a place as a Finalist in the 2022 Conservation & Regeneration Constructing Excellence SECBE Awards.Britannia was commissioned to design and make a total of 33 bespoke cast iron grilles, with bare metal finish, to be placed within the marbled floor of the historic and beautiful Orangery. The focus of the work was to complement the heritage of the iconic building while ensuring good ventilation to allow the building to become a flexible and useful large space for school events.Frequently referred to as Cathedral, Ecclesiastical or Victorian decorative floor grilles and as seen here, often placed over channels holding heating pipes, they provide a practical and decorative heating vent. Originally designed for churches they are increasingly popular in private houses, greenhouses, and commercial building developments. Our grilles can be ordered in cast iron or cast aluminium and finished in a wide variety of options. We also work in association with Gunning Heating, making decorative cast iron grilles that fit seamlessly into their underfloor trench heater units.  See our website for a full list of our grille designs or contact us to discuss your bespoke requirements.

The Sands - Durham WaterfrontArchitect: Ryder Architecture LtdInstaller: Pennine ContractsProduct: Durlum Polylam BafflesLSA Projects supplied over 300 linear metres of Durlum Polylam baffles to the new facility The Sands on Durham Waterfront in the city centre. The new riverside development was intended to move the County Council headquarters into the city centre for improved public transport connections for staff and other visitors.In 2022 the building applied for change of use planning to convert the landmark building into additional learning spaces for Durham University Business School. The change of use allows the department of the Russell Group university to move straight into the ready-made facility after delays with their original plans for a different site.The £50m facility has space for the 2,300 students and members of staff at the business school across the 1.4 hectare site. In addition to traditional learning spaces the building has modern working space for staff and academics and hopes to attract leading businesses to work with the university and graduates.Durlum Polylam baffles were used for the feature ceiling in the main event space. The ceiling is made up of 320mm deep 100mm wide baffles in concentric squares with the outer square measuring an impressive 20 metres across. Polylam pieces were finished in a Dur-Graphic faux Cherry veneer print and mounted in 9 double-row rings with alternating strip lighting and integrated ventilation systems.Polylam from Durlum is a versatile ceiling system made up of vertical baffles available in a range of sizes up to 100mm wide by 800mm deep. Pieces can be installed using suspension grid systems available from Durlum in a variety of ways including independent mounting and group mounting with regular spacing and options for demount-ability.Baffles are made from either galvanised sheet steel or aluminium and finished in a choice of RAL colour powdercoating as a standard with options for gloss and metallic finishes as well as Dur-Graphic and Duroplan printed designs. Acoustic perforations can also be applied to the baffles as well as incorporating Dur-Sonic acoustic mineral wool filling to the inside of the hollow baffle lengths.

Leading partitioning specialist, Style, has launched a new glass sliding wall solution for balconies and terraces (BSW). Transforming a balcony into functional space, glass panels are used to enclose the area, creating a barrier against weather and noise without impeding the view. On fine days, the upper section of the glass panels can be neatly folded and stacked to one side, allowing people to sit out and enjoy the sunshine.For terrace rooms that open straight out into a garden or external seating area, Style’s new glass sliding wall allows the boundary between the two spaces to be easily removed on sunny days, whilst successfully combining weather protection with uninterrupted views of the outside during inclement weather.With a discrete guidance track that can be fitted flush to the floor, the BSW system creates a truly a streamlined aesthetic. “This is an exciting addition to our portfolio of glass moveable, folding and partitioning walls,” said Mark Cowley, who heads up the glass solutions division at Style. "With space at a premium, it makes sense to extract the maximum functionality from what is available.”“Our sliding-folding glass wall system brings the outdoors in, effectively expanding the living space in residential homes. In commercial settings, such as restaurants for example, the BSW can be used to increase capacity by making use of a balcony or external area that would otherwise only be enjoyed in good weather.” Making for a welcoming environment, even when a terrace room or balcony is entirely enclosed by the glass panels, air still circulates internally thanks to tiny, 3mm gaps between that provide continuous ventilation. Any condensation is quickly filtered outside thanks to unobtrusive drainage vents and guttering.Fitted with a sophisticated roller system, the individual glass panels also incorporate autonomous pivot point identifiers, ensuring smooth and effortless manoeuvrability every time.Ideal for residential and hospitality settings, the BSW system also offers opportunities for sports clubs, retail outlets and commercial offices, wherever a more enjoyable experience could be offered by opening-up an internal area to incorporate an outdoor space.

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.”    

Two types of Welsh Slate feature on the new roof of London’s Irish Embassy. The £2.5 million re-roof of the Grade II listed Irish Embassy in London, with more than 10,000 Penrhyn Heather Blue slates from Welsh Slate, has required its own exceptional levels of diplomacy. DarntonB3 Architecture had multiple challenges to factor in when it came to specifying the replacement slates, including the City of Westminster’s planning department, which was keen to see as many of the existing slates re-used as possible and required convincing to embrace the “new” metric sizes. Then there were landlords Grosvenor Estates, leaseholders the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Historic England, not to mention the site being opposite Buckingham Palace, on a “Red route” with diplomatic bays nearby, and between two of the most important Conservation Areas of Belgravia. Work began on the landlocked Grosvenor Place site in March 2018, a year after DarntonB3, who are specialist conservation architects, were appointed to oversee the project, and has just completed (January 2019). Two types of Welsh slates have been used on the former terraced town mansion with decorative metal roof crest that was designed by architect Thomas Cundy, who was surveyor to the Grosvenor Estate at the time, and built in 1868 in a French Renaissance style. Roofing contractor Mundy Roofing was involved at an early stage in the project and were ultimately appointed as principal contractor. Specialising in leadwork and natural slate roofing, they were pivotal to the project’s success. A total of 600m2 of County-grade 500mm x 300mm slates have been used on the numerous standard 30° to 35° pitched roofs while Capital-grade bespoke arrow-head slates of the same colour but sized at 400mm x 250mm were used around dormer windows on the 80° mansard roof elements that are reminiscent of Paris and feature lead secret gutter detailing around the perimeter. There is also some vertical slating to the rear elevation.  The old 5mm to 7mm thick slates had been on the roof since it was first built 150 years ago. The rectangular ones had been slightly longer and narrower, at 510mm x 255mm, while the arrow-head slates had been smaller all round, at 350mm x 200mm.  But a roof survey showed they were not laid to the correct bond or headlaps and fixing points were far from ideal and non-existent in places (the headlaps between 0 and 50mm), leading to the hardened sarking underneath becoming sodden in places. In fact, most of the roof had been repaired over the years with different types of slates using temporary lead tags or painted with a bitumen solution in an attempt to prolong its life. DarntonB3 argued that if the roof was re-installed as existing, its appearance would alter as they would have no option but to lay the slates at the correct headlap which would create additional courses. In addition, using the slightly larger arrow-head slates for the mansard roof would enable them to form a more robust detail at the abutments to the dormers and party wall.  Home to the Irish Embassy for the past 70 years, the building comprises office and entertainment space. The traditional timber truss roof featured timber sarking boards with penny gaps, a form of construction usually found in Scotland. The slates were then fixed with copper nails directly to the boarding without any timber battens. Once city planners had agreed to 100% replacement of the Welsh slates, at the new metric sizes (a process that took a year), the addition of timber counter battens, to improve ventilation of the roof and prolong the life of the new slates, was also proposed by the Architects. Mundy Roofing produced sample comparison mock-ups to demonstrate to the conservation officer this change would not be detrimental to the building’s character. As it is, the interface details where slates have been lifted has not altered the character of the building and the introduction of battens would not be known by the general observer.  DarntonB3 senior associate Matthew Jones, who was project manager and lead architect throughout, said: “Westminster City Council are regarded as one of the leading conservation-led councils in the UK, with some of the highest standards and criteria to meet, and dialogue with the conservation officer was detailed and robust. The need for wholesale replacement of the existing slate due to them being at the end of their life was a delicate decision and sufficient evidence of this necessity was proven. The replacement of the slates with metric sizes was also an extensively discussed item but the principal contractor and Welsh Slate worked with us to develop the narrative.” Keith Hamilton, an architect accredited in building conservation, acting for DarntonB3 alongside Matthew was reasonably sure Welsh slates had been used previously but was keen to ensure the correct thickness and grading were eventually used throughout the renewal process.  He said “We have specified Welsh Slate on numerous other projects and their reputation for the highest quality precedes them. We were able to argue the merits of increased ventilation behind the slates using cross battening in lieu of direct nailing to the existing sarking board, which in the majority of areas had survived over 150 years’ performance. “The risk of lack of ventilation on the lower roof pitches behind the slates was particularly relevant at the eaves and head. We had previously considered introducing slate vents and felt underlay to augment any need for ventilation but the existence of the ‘penny gaps’ in the sarking boards encouraged us, to believe that this was not required.  “This was another point of continued discussion with the conservation officer who was against an underlay in this instance. The timber sarking was found to be in remarkable condition considering the lack of existing underlay and the direct fix of the slates, highlighting the quality of the original slates. Hence, there is no secondary layer apart from the slating itself and we trust the quality of the new Welsh slate will replicate the existing quality and last another 100 years.” Due to tight access on the roof, they were also able to widen the lead gutters and set back the lower courses of slates to avoid getting them broken. All the new Penrhyn slates were holed and traditionally fixed with 38mm copper nails as opposed to clipped or other methods. The standard-size slates were able to cope with the wide variation of roof pitches and new rooflights encountered by varying the lap and gauge slightly. In virtually every case, the slate junctions are with lead or copper flashings and as it was appreciated there is some risk of staining, all lead was treated with patination oil. Using new treated timber battens for fixing the new slates proved a great success as direct fixing into the old hardened sarking boarding would have been a major problem and time consuming.  Matthew said the support they had received from Welsh Slate had been “fantastic” and included a site visit to match the type of slate, a letter explaining the need to change from imperial to metric sizing, technical drawings of the arrow-head slates, technical information on the end life of slates and their unsuitability for re-use, on-time deliveries with little if no wastage, and recommending experienced slating contractors. Mundy Roofing were on site for a total of 10 months. Work included the rebuilding of three chimney stacks, involving 30 tonnes of stone and brickwork, and restoration of traditionally-forged wrought ironwork to the pavilion roof crest, all underneath a temporary roof. Russell Mundy said: “This project was extremely challenging due to it being a working embassy but Welsh Slate were excellent with their support in achieving planning consent and the product has received widespread praise from the client.” Matthew said: “Due to the extremely difficult access to this roof, we were conscious to use a slate that will require little maintenance (if any) and satisfy appearance for an extended period of time. Welsh Slate were able to provide technical studies comparing different types of slate and their longevity. This enabled the landlord, Grosvenor Estates, that the new roof should outlast the previous roof and match it entirely with other buildings nearby. Welsh Slate’s evidence on the existing slates being at the end of their useful life, and the lifecycle information of the new slates, helped give the conservation officer comfort that the right approach was being taken for the building.” Keith added: “Essentially, Welsh Slate ensured we got the right slate, quality, consistency and sizes for the varying roof pitches and conditions. There have been no problems with mixing batches or colour variations which can occur. They also met the stringent programme requirements, reducing risks of delay from the main contractor. To our knowledge, there have been no rejects on quality of slates. “The final result is the new slating looks exactly like it was envisaged in 1868, except with the knowledge it is better-fixed and easier to reach for maintenance, with a discreet fall arrest system fitted. The client is extremely happy with the quality of the final works.” Andrea Fox, senior architect with the property management unit of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, said: “The team have provided us with an exceptional and beautiful project that we know will stand the test of time and one we are extremely proud to have commissioned.” “I want to thank the Welsh Slate team for the support they provided during our project and especially in relation to protracted issues relating to the listed building consent approval.”