"indoor plants"

Crimple is a family owned business in North Yorkshire, offering various indulgences. From artisan produce in the Food Hall, locally-sourced meals in the Bar & Kitchen, plants and shrubs in the Garden Centre, to a present in their gift shop, Crimple has it all.  In early 2021, Wirquin assisted in a refurbishment providing our Initio frames.The large front panel means there is easy access for maintenance should any repairs need to be made. This feature mmakes it perfect for hospitality as there is very little disruption and repairs can be carried out easily and quickly. The Initio also boasts a durable metallic structure which is coated in a anti corrosion solution and tested up to 400kg. 

Products: Flexi light – flexi frames. Flexi heavy – flexi modular frames. Application: Smaller Air-handling units. Roof build-up: Inverted roof design. Diversitech supplied a number of their flat roof plant support frames to the University of Wales new SA1 development, Trinity St. David’s in Swansea. The mechanical contractor chose Flexi Support Systems to support a number of air-handling units, where our flexi light and heavy duty modular frames were required. The flexible nature of our systems combined with even load distribution through our non-penetrative feet, provides the simplest and most cost effective method of support.

Products: Flexi light – flexi frames. Flexi heavy – flexi modular frames & QUAD frames. Application: Air-handling units & Chillers. Roof build-up: Inverted roof design – (upside down roof). Diversitech recently supplied a number of their flat roof plant support frames to the REEC School development in Twickenham. The mechanical contractor on the project, chose Flexi Support Systems to support their rooftop air-handling units and packaged chillers. All flexi frames are fully adjustable, due to their M24 adjustable leg assemblies supplied as standard. Pump House carry out full load management reviews of all services being supported on their frameworks.

Premier Loft Ladders has released technical data and a BIM object on NBS Source for the Supreme Vertical loft ladder. This heavy-duty retractable ladder offers safe and easy access to loft spaces and plant rooms that can only be accessed via an elevated wall hatch. As such, it is easier for architects and designers to find and specify a solution for this otherwise challenging access requirement.The heavy-duty concertina ladder offers a load rating of 200 kg per tread, making it suitable for both residential and commercial projects. It also benefits from being very easy to operate.The product data can be found within section L30 (clause 41 and clause 421).

BMW Hollenstein in Aesch near Basel fully utilizes innovative technology. Completed in 2012, the operations centre uses only pioneering, sustainable infrastructure. The fully electric powered BMW models i3 and i8 are recharged at a special station prominently situated by the entrance. The electricity comes from a powerful solar energy plant located on the top of the roof. Any surplus electricity is fed back into the grid.Little wonder, then, that only doors of usual design and construction were suitable for a building such as this. Again, innovation has found its way here too, enabling us to build one of Switzerland’s first record THERMCORD systems into the entrance porch.www.hollensteinag.com/rundgang

The project gives a new life to a building with structural problems . It follows the values of its owner, putting the comfort and the safety of its patients first . DFG has designed the spaces focusing on users' well -being to allow meetings, relaxation, recreation and waiting . Our OMEGA Venetian blinds play a strategic part in enabling this close relationship while defining a calming atmosphere thanks to warm light and subtle shadows . This system offers an timeless elegance while giving an optimal sunlight management . Also, the slat white color fits perfectly with the interior’s aesthetics, full of plants and highly charged in anthropologic aspects . Photos: Marcello Bochieri, Ragusa, courtesy of DFG Architetti .

Radmat Building Products has supplied the waterproofing roofing system for the Crossrail Place shopping development and roof garden in Canary Wharf. The system provides high performance waterproofing and thermal insulation – guaranteed for the lifetime of the structure – and has enabled the construction of an extensively planted living roof.• The 310m long roof arches 30m over the park and opens to allow natural irrigation• Highly insulating roofing materials help create a microclimate for the gardensRadmat Approved Contractor Prater delivered a 9,300m² roofing solution using PermaQuik PQ6100 Hot Melt Monolithic Waterproofing Membrane, EshaFlex 370 WS Root Barrier and ProTherm insulation.Construction access to the complex inverted timber roof was challenging, so Radmat’s products were chosen for their quick and flexible application and fast-sealing properties.PermaQuik is widely used beneath green roof installations where long-term weather tightness is a necessity, and it was chosen to support the extensive and densely planted gardens, which are the main feature of the Crossrail Place roof terrace.The PermaQuik membrane was followed by EshaFlex 370 WS Root Barrier, a reinforced bitumen membrane that is torch applied to the base sheet. It was selected because of its thermal efficiency and suitability for use with living roof systems. Partnered with ProTherm’s excellent insulation, the complex timber roof now boasts a waterproof system that is BBA Certified to last the lifetime of the building.The wooden structure evokes the ships that once sailed into West India Dock and provides a warm, natural counterpoint to the steel and glass towers of Canary Wharf.And with Radmat’s high performance products and lifetime guarantee, the green roof terrace at Crossrail Place will be a living oasis in the heart of London’s financial district for years to come.

LDA Design specified WoodBlocX Landscaping to provide the raised planters and seating for the courtyard areas of its Westpoint Homes project; One Hyndland Avenue, a development comprising of 63 luxury apartments with beautifully landscaped outdoor spaces in Glasgow’s West End.The design LDA created for the development featured a series of open paved spaces, ample seating and pergolas to add height, with large angular raised planters with integrated seating bordering the perimeters of the site to plant trees, shrubs and plants.Following a consultation with LDA on potential solutions, the WoodBlocX design team took the initial plans and recreated the original footprint using CAD designs of the modular timber blocks. Thanks to the versatility of the system WoodBlocX were able to match the design almost identically, incorporating the shapes and angles of the original outline.WoodBlocX supplied all materials directly to the Westpoint Homes’ site and the structures were assembled by their own teams. The space for materials on site was tight and the size of the planters meant that a large quantity of materials were delivered. WoodBlocX components arrive on site neatly palletised and the individual lightweight pieces are easy to access and manoeuvre when needed.All WoodBlocX structures are built in the same way using a series of light weight blocks which have been pre-drilled and then treated to provide superior strength - there is no waste or cutting needed.With all projects challenges can arise during the build, in this case some onsite changes were required due to manholes and water access getting in the way of original design. Our team swiftly redesigned instructions and supplied suitable components to match the change.

Boughton’s Intensive green roof substrate has been successfully trialled in a ground-breaking analysis project at Coventry University assessing the feasibility of ‘greening’ landscapes with ecological beneficial habitats.  With the objective being to research the benefits and plausibility of incorporating green space and wildlife-friendly habitats into heavily built-up areas, Coventry University handpicked Boughton’s Intensive IN1 substrate based on its nutrient content, weight, and the inclusion of a water supply in chambers beneath the sub-base.The majority of green roofs in the UK fall into the ‘extensive’ category and are based on a low growing succulent, Sedum, which only requires a few centimetres of substrate to grow, whilst intensive green roofs provide a deeper soil depth and can support a more complex plant system. To this end, Coventry University wanted to explore the advantages of intensive green roofs, which offer greater biodiversity, often create accessible spaces, and offer the best insulation properties and storm water management. The organisation partnered with SEL Environmental, who provided its intelligent water management systems for the project.Boughton’s Intensive IN1 substrate boasts greater organic content than extensive substrates, meaning it supports larger plants and can be installed at greater depths, varying from 100-500cm. IN1 provides a stable growing medium for wide variety of plants in intensive green roof installations, including green roof lawns, shrubs and trees.Depending on the substrate depth and plant type, permanent irrigation systems (above or below ground) are sometimes installed with this substrate to as a backup for extended dry periods. They are not required for everyday irrigation, as the substrate has the ability to hold onto sufficient moisture during ambient conditions. The project, funded by Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) and headed up by Sophie Barron-West, followed plant growth for four years from 2017, with a break due to Covid 19. Dr Stephen Coupe and Dr Liz Trenchard from the University’s Centre for Agroecology, Water and Resilience (CAWR) offered their research expertise.CAWR’s Dr Stephen Coupe says: “The technical requirements of Boughton IN1 were a big part of why we chose it. We also wanted the chance to get as many wildflowers in the space as possible. The nutrient levels were perfect because it wasn’t too rich. In fact, it was a ‘just right’ formulation that wasn’t going to overstimulate but would also deliver enough nutrients for what we needed. Ultimately it was going to be perfect for long-term sustainable plant growth.”He continues: “Reliability was another consideration because we knew we could get it delivered on site on time and, because of Boughton’s location in Kettering, we weren’t concerned about lead times, so that was a plus. It’s safe to say it was a studied choice.”Ground-breaking resultsAccording to the University, the trial resulted in ground-breaking analysis into how different types of green roofs can be created and maintained, as well as what their benefits would be alongside others in a built-up area.  The project successfully demonstrated the ecological impact of placing retrofit green roofs onto existing infrastructure, even with a focus on wildflower species and a relatively short development time. An independently-conducted ecological survey recorded five insect species that have national and local rarity value, including two species of bee that are deemed ‘nationally scarce’ and ‘nationally rare’. Of 457 preserved specimens taken on the green roofs at Coventry University, a total of 120 different insect species were recorded, including wasps, sawflies, hoverflies, beetles, and as many as 11 species of bee.  Coventry University’s findings revealed that the innovation in green roofs has improved and increased the total constructed habitat for rare insects. Research has also enabled better water management alongside habitat enhancement. This research has been incorporated into SEL’s product range, where green roofs are now used across four sites in Coventry, London, Aylesford and Blackburn. CAWR’s Dr Stephen Coupe said: “Ecology, biodiversity and wildlife are largely forgotten by planners, designers and builders in developments. Most green roofs installed in the UK are based on sedum, and, while there are additional features that can be added to these green roofs to improve biodiversity, they are rarely incorporated. Our findings, using Boughton’s Intensive green roof substrate, are that the retrofit of green roofs is feasible and, more than four years into development, IN1 has supported verifiably diverse green roofs. The plants on these roofs supported several insects that have rarity status in the UK, which is very positive.” Dr Coupe adds: “Whilst it is probable that substrates take many years to develop anything like the maturity comparable to natural soil, after just four years, IN1 went from having no recordable eukaryotes, to a concentration of organisms, including worms, soil mites and rotifers.”  Boughton Business Development Manager, Jason Lock comments: “Boughton was delighted to be part of this groundbreaking project and buoyed by such positive findings. Our products have been used successfully in a number of iconic green roof developments around the country over the years but it was a pleasure to be involved in such an important trial that would deliver verifiable results assessing the potential for green roofs to create new habitats in urban environments and enhancing local ecological diversity. Boughton offers an extensive range of green roof substrates and we welcome any research that helps further innovation around the application of green roofs.” The experiment at Coventry University is ongoing and the team are set to feed back again at the end of the summer about how prolonged dry weather has affected results. Dr Coupe says: “The beauty of this project is that there is no general timeline for a piece of green space. We need funding to support our ongoing investigations but there are options and opportunities for long-term research. It can last for the lifespan of the site and I think we will see really interesting developments. There is no reason why, over time, these green spaces would be indistinguishable from an existing habitat.” Boughton’s portfolio of green roof substrates are specifically engineered for different types of roof greening, both for domestic and commercial projects. A full product specification is available for each of Boughton’s Green Roof Substrates, and other landscaping products, making exact specification simple and straightforward. There’s also a section on each product listed online, titled ‘to specify (copy & paste)’, designed to make your job even easier. To enquire about your next project, contact Boughton by calling (01536) 510515 or email sales@boughton.co.uk.

The Living Concrete team provided design consultancy and were selected to project manage the delivery of a new kitchen for a celebrity chef.The glass fibre reinforced concrete central island, table-come-workbench was manufactured using our special GRC BTX concrete, which is lighter and stronger than traditional concrete. We used our unique eco concrete mix technology with a hydrophobic agent to limit moisture absorption. The individual elements were precast in our workshop for assembly on site and then hand polished and treated with a specialist sealant. Large format GAP wall panels with concrete caps in Mist Rough finish completed the design.Living Concrete’s worktops and tables are extremely strong and durable and can be used indoors or outdoors. By using the best of modern technology, we have created a contemporary and elegant space that demonstrates how concrete can be both good looking and functional.

With over 22,000 square foot and 8 bedrooms, we manufactured in total, 13 Casement windows, 46 Spring Sash windows, bi-fold doors, 17 Conservation doors, two entrance doors and side doors.The client was keen to keep the windows and doors classy and elegant, and opted for 'Signal White' across all the windows, apart from the Japanese roof garden, where the Casement Windows were painted 'Anthracite Grey'.The huge entrance doors were finished in 'Jet Black' on the outside, with a high gloss finish, and Signal White on the inside, to match the interiors.We worked very closely with Croft Ironmongery as the client wanted a specific aesthetic achieved. Together, we developed lever handles on a rose, rather than a backplate, to bespoke fit our doors.With indoor pool and jacuzzi, tennis courts, lifts and staff quarters, this was truly a luxurious project, fitting perfectly with our hand-finished products.

In response to the aspirations of our up-and-coming fast-food customer, seeking to extend the dining experience into the inviting embrace of summer months, we embarked on a project to seamlessly integrate a patio terrace with their new restaurant. Positioned at the front of the establishment, this terrace would not only enhance the dining experience but also provide patrons with a warm and enticing view of the dining facility.To bring this vision to life, we proposed a sophisticated bi-folding system designed to offer an expansive opening, effectively blurring the boundaries between indoor and outdoor spaces. This innovative solution provided a seamless transition, allowing guests to seamlessly move between the restaurant’s interior and the charming patio terrace. Moreover, the bi-folding system was equipped with an easy-to-use lockable folding door mechanism, ensuring both security and convenience for staff. To further personalise the space and align with the customer’s corporate identity, custom graphics were incorporated, adding a unique touch that resonated with the brand’s ethos and aesthetic.

Zoo Animal Enclosure Heating SolutionIn partnership with HEVAC Services Ltd of Kings Langley, Powrmatic was approached to develop a heating solution for the White Rhino’s House at Whipsnade Zoo, which saw the installation of an overhead gas-fired (LPG) continuous radiant heating system, as the previous electric heating system inside their indoor habitat was not efficient enough and heat was escaping through the timber structureProject BackgroundThe White Rhino house at Whipsnade Zoo is the home to a herd (also known as a “crash”) of seven southern white rhinos, Sizzle being the only male – the six females are; Mikumi, Bertha, Tuli, Jaseera, Fahari, and Nandi. Sizzle and Tuli are the parents of the latest baby rhino Nandi born in August 2021.The heating inside their indoor habitat at Whipsnade was not efficient enough. Localised electric heaters were spread around the large space to create coverage, but the heat was escaping through the timber structure. It was decided to upgrade the structure by foam insulation to the internals of the asbestos roof and to provide a new continuous gas-fired overhead radiant heating system providing blanket heat coverage to the complete floor area of the house.  Project SolutionHEVAC Services Ltd of Kings Langley, Hertfordshire, who undertake servicing of HVAC equipment at Whipsnade Zoo on behalf of Pareto FM for the end client ZSL (Zoological Society of London), approached Powrmatic to develop a heating solution for the rhino’s house. The brief was to provide an overhead gas-fired (LPG) radiant heating system to blanket cover the complete floor area of the rhino house, but also design it so that it could be zone controlled, should one of the herd have a need to be in an area of a higher or lower temperature.The LPG propane tanks for the heating system needed to be sunk into the earth at the edge of the rhino house to avoid having to remove any trees, thus maintaining the conservation ethos of ZSL. For a structure such as the rhino house, being the size of a large sports hall, a Powrmatic SRP-PCV+ continuous gas-fired radiant tube system comprising; 4 x 73kW burners was the proposed solution, arranged in 4 temperature zones, with the new MC400/C controller and just the one flue discharge to atmosphere.Project ResultThe installation of the new PCV+ continuous overhead radiant heating system was skilfully undertaken by HEVAC Services Ltd, with the contract programme being driven by the daily habits of the rhino herd! Whether they wanted to be in their house or out on the field. Thus, the logistics of undertaking the heating installation were unique compared to working in a standard commercial/industrial environment.The White Rhinos now have a refurbished home and a heating system that delivers radiant heat in exactly the same way that we (and the rhinos) receive energy in the form of heat from the sun. Radiant heating systems efficiently radiate infrared radiation, which is the transfer of energy in waveform from a hot surface to a relatively cooler surface without heating the medium between. Thus, the rhinos can bask under the radiant heat, whether indoors or outside under the sun.The ZSL Whipsnade Zoo White Rhino Enclosure now benefits from a highly energy-efficient Powrmatic SRP-PCV+ system, listed on the Carbon Trust Energy Technology List (ETL), endorsing the Seasonal Space Heating Energy Efficiency of; 92.1%, and thus delivering low; energy usage, fuel bills and carbon emissions minimising their impact on the environment.

ChallengesSinclair Watt were provided with a detailed brief to provide accommodation for a new main entrance and reception area, product display hall, meeting room suite, additional office space and customer service telephone hall and ancillary accommodation. By necessity these were required to be large spaces to accommodate large numbers of employees and visitors.The building had to achieve seven basic goals – to allow VELUX to be a good neighbour, to be simple and beautiful, to make arrival a good experience, to be a model of balanced daylight, natural ventilation, good indoor comfort and healthy materials, to apply a well-defined, high-quality structural concept, to obtain good sustainable standards with a minimum use of energy, to be visible and logical, and to create value and express the VELUX values.The ceiling systems had to meet the Class 1, aesthetic, fire and acoustic performance required for the 37,673 ft² two-storey building which features an engineered timber and steel structural frame. The project was the first time Zentia’s Ultima+ Finesse mineral tiles had been installed in Scotland.SolutionsSinclair Watt met the brief by incorporating a regular and prominent engineered timber and steel structural frame that provided a design with a clear distinction between the supporting structure of the building and the facades and roof. This was both to create clarity and logic in the design and to make it possible to replace or update the not-so-permanent parts of the building.The internal design incorporates a central street and atrium that acts as a meeting place as well as a general circulation area and allows the best use of natural sunlight and natural ventilation throughout the building. The building provides good indoor comfort and utilises healthy materials.The three key areas – energy efficiency, healthy indoor environment and renewable energy – constitute the basis of the new building. A fabric-first approach for the building was adopted with high insulation levels and low air permeability rates to reduce overall heat loss from the building. This combined with a natural ventilation and daylighting strategy, and the use of LED lighting and air source heat pumps as the main heating source, resulted in a highly energy efficient and sustainable building.Some 1,1,00 m² of the Zentia Prestige hA+ Tegular15 tiles were used in the ground floor offices and storerooms, while 100m² of the Finesse tiles were used in the restaurant, kitchen and toilets. The Ultima+ range features class-leading light reflectance of 87% and Euroclass A2-s1, d0 fire classification, the Tegular15 variant with Class A sound absorption and Finesse a fully concealed, fully painted edge detail.Architect Iain Mitchell said: “We specified the Zentia systems as they have a good product range, good suspension systems, with good product information and good technical backup. They met all the aesthetic, fire and acoustic performances.“Zentia shadow and transition trims were used so the Zentia ceilings tie in well with adjacent plasterboard walls and ceilings. The client is very happy with the ceiling installation and building as a whole.”Colin Burns, commercial director of specialist sub-contractor PFP, said: “We had some meetings with Zentia to talk through the detailing of the Finesse element and put it to the guys on site but apart from that, and some coordinating with services, it was very straightforward. It looks good as it always does and gives a nice bright finish. It was interesting to be the first installer of Finesse in Scotland.”

One of the world’s largest battery storage facilities is taking shape on the site of the former power station at Roosecote, near Barrow in Cumbria. Commissioned by Centrica, as part of a £180m investment programme to develop new, flexible power plants across the country, the Roosecote battery storage facility is a state of the art project that will store energy harvested from the grid until needed.With work on the site expected to be completed by the end of 2018, when the facility comes online it will boast the capacity to generate a staggering 49MW. That’s enough electricity to power around 50,000 homes at a very nimble response time of less than a second. Containing approximately 100,000 battery cells, it marks a new era for the energy industry.

The Hilda Besse building at St Antony’s College, Oxford, one of the country’s best examples of Post-War architecture, has been refurbished by award-winning architectural and heritage consultancy practice Purcell. As part of a sensitive renovation to enhance the original architecture and ensure the building’s sustainable future, Junckers solid wood flooring was fitted throughout the common rooms, kitchens and the dining hall. Informed by historic drawings and photographs, Purcell specified a dark wooden floor, reverting to the original finish found in the building. Junckers Black Oak plank flooring was fitted in a bespoke geometric pattern designed by the architect, complementing the elaborate ceiling features. Junckers’ Approved Flooring Contractor V. A. Hutchison Flooring sampled the bespoke pattern on site and created all the joints and cuts with their own bespoke methods, specially adapted for such intricate work. The result is an elegant floor fit for purpose, offering both a grand impression and a durable floor surface. Junckers Black Oak is made by mimicking the natural process known as ‘bog oak’ where timber left submerged in bog conditions takes on a rich, dark colour. The colour is drawn deep into the wood, unlike a surface stain. This unique method enables sanding and refinishing of the floor without loss of colour. Specifying a solid hardwood floor for the Grade II listed building ensures longevity of both design and use. A Junckers floor has a long lifespan and will last for generations. Part of the refurbishment and conservation work included improving the building’s sustainable performance as well as the wellbeing of staff and students. A solid hardwood floor from Junckers is one of the most sustainable flooring surfaces available. Junckers has completed EPDs for its wooden floors to ensure all elements of the supply chain, from raw material sourcing to production and distribution, adhere to strict sustainability standards. Wood is naturally low in embodied carbon and can easily be recycled at the end of its long life. Wooden floors contribute to a healthy indoor environment by maintaining an even temperature and counter-acting static from electrical appliances. All Junckers wood floors carry the Danish Indoor Climate Label, ensuring there are no chemical substances in the flooring which adversely affect the air quality in a room. The main contractor for the project was CBRE. 

Installer – Richardson RoofingMain Contractor – John F Hunt LtdArchitect – Scott BrownriggClient – Firmdale Hotels plcSystem(s) – Vantage®️ SF and bespoke flashingsThis is our premium CWCT tested secret fix rainscreen located in this trendy part of London.The rainscreen is 3mm aluminium and powder coated to RAL 7016 and RAL 7037.It is showcased on all 4 elevations of this residential and office development directly adjacent to the Soho hotel.It was an interesting challenge for our logistics team delivering to this urban development with very limited access and plant.BTS Facades & Fabrications smaller sprinter vehicles were used for handball unload on site.BTS are proud to be involved with yet another Scott Brownrigg architectural design.

For two existing units, a delicate garden terrace pavilion provides additional kitchen dining space and outdoor utility.Project BreakdownThe pavilion is set inside a planted terrace with special focus put on complimenting the existing structure with a delicate palette of materials.Customer FeedbackPioneer Granite Composite Decking set a muted charcoal backdrop for a stage of vibrant vegetation. The sustainable credentials of the materials reflect the harmony of the natural overgrowth and the use of Manticore plastic lumber and MESA Decking Pedestals ensured quick and easy installation.Project DetailsSize: 75 m²Product: Granite Hyperion DeckingSubstructure: Manticore Plastic Lumber, MESA Adjustable Decking PedestalsClient: Birds Portchmouth Russum ArchitectsLocation: London

2mm Reynolux Pre-coat Ral: 6021 material has been used for Roden Court, London.The client selected the precoated finish to replicate a Patina Copper effect in a solid flat colour. The Reynolux material was perfect for the application and system.Roden Court, which was a series of 1960s buildings, has been designed to preserve the mature landscape whilst combining new homes for existing tenants with apartments for sale and an extra-care home. The scheme provides a total of 136 new homes and includes 44 flats sold on the open market.It has been a pleasure working with the team at Stanmore. The entire job was scheduled prior to the material landing at Sotech’s manufacturing plant in Peterlee, making the onward planning of deliveries much more efficient.

Daventry International Rail Freight Terminal (DIRFT) is a rail-road intermodal freight terminal with an associated warehousing estate in Northamptonshire. Owned by Prologis, the business park was originally built in the 90’s, but a recent expansion has added around 4 million square feet of storage and office space. Some buildings are already occupied by leading brands such as Royal Mail, BooHoo, Dunelm, Tesco and Sainsburys.DIRFT’s Unit DC628 (DC10) is a net zero carbon building with 627,707 square foot warehouse space rated BREEAM Excellent. Among its features are solar PV systems, a roof terrace, and enhanced external amenities.Our team was commissioned to provide seating and planting solutions for the outdoor amenity space and roof terrace by BCA Design, Landscape Architects for the project.Our RailRoad modular seating solution with Delta supports, and FSC iroko timber slats, that are left untreated to allow natural weathering, was installed in the outdoor amenity area adjacent to the car park - along with Parallel picnic tables and benches and Zenith 500 litter bins - creating an outdoor lunch break environment in which employees can enjoy during warm weather.Decking supplied by Outdoor Deck was installed on the roof terrace of the building, complete with our AKRI 300 steel planters with 500mm high panels, manufactured from triple process recycled steel, to form a variety of linear shapes filled with plants and greenery to create a peaceful oasis with a view of the countryside.Seating and benches made from FSC Iroko timber which included armrests on some, were integrated onto the planters to provide warehouse staff with quiet spaces to relax. The rooftop planters were complemented by the addition of our Hollo range of freestanding low seating / tables

The Slessor Gardens, in the main parkland of Dundee’s new central waterfront area, is 10,738sqm in size and designed to be a multi-functional space with the capacity to host large events.The team at Optimised Environments focused on developing an area which people could interact with and explore. The design of the space began with the team looking into the influences that Dundee has had on the world. The impact on Medical Science, the fruit farming and jam industry and the trade routes which took Dundee around the world. The overall design had a focus on history, allowing visitors to uncover the story of Dundee as they wander through the gardens.Nick Tolley, one of the lead designers on the project, highlighted that marrying the hard landscaping with the planting is always the key to success. The team work with contemporary materials alongside more traditional methods, allowing them to explore natural systems and forms as well as geometric patterns, which all feeds into the overall look of the space.4 small plots are located to the east and 4 are located to the west sides of the central grassed area. These plots are to contain a series of themed gardens with the others destined to become pavilions and a children’s play area. Four gardens are themed to reflect Dundee’s historic global connections: The Baltic States, Caribbean, Asia and the Americas and a further four reflect key local connections and industries: The Natural Sciences, Health, Food production and Literature. The formation of these Gardens was completed in June and July 2016.The WoodBlocX Landscaping team working with Nick and Optimised Environment came up with a series of planters that would allow them to showcase the edible and medical gardens. The large planters built for the edible garden have 3 separate sections allowing for a variety of soil conditions to be created, and give the planting the best possible base. Our team were able to take the planters from design to delivery in only a matter of weeks helping to keep the project on track and on time.

St Martin’s Courtyard, originally developed in 2011, has recently been refurbished. This is a mixed-use restaurant and retail destination and the architects, Brimelow McSweeney, wanted a particularly eye-catching new coating for facades and panelling enclosing the courtyard space and its entrances. The objective was a finish that would appear to change in colour and tone as the sun moves across the sky, finally being illuminated from within the panels as dusk falls. The SolutionWorking with the architects, we developed a bespoke textured red/gold powder coating within our Evolution range, a collection that reflects the beauty of natural metals and metal patination. Brimelow McSweeney and the developer visited our plant to see powder coating in action and discuss the shade they were looking to achieve. We made a range of Evolution sample panels and the final choice was a red/gold shade with a highly textured surface, rather like large golden rain drop. It seems to glow, with or without sunlight. We called it ‘Molten Rain’.Around 500 m2 of flat and perforated aluminium façade were coated. Large petal shapes formed by perforations in the aluminium are illuminated by light-boxes at night to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere.This unique shade forms an appealing backdrop for visitors enjoying eating, drinking and shopping within the courtyard space.Benefits of Using PowdertechPowdertech has over 30 years’ experience in professional architectural powder coatingColour, tone and texture are our passion and we have the expertise to develop bespoke finishes.The Evolution range has a 25 year guarantee for gloss, colour and adhesion.Powdertech's rigorous pre-treatment system will help to keep the panelling free from corrosion for up to 40-years.Powdertech’s flexible plant can coat a wide variety of shapes and sizes of architectural metal work and fabrications.

The new three storey Madras College on the outskirts of St Andrews opened its doors last Autumn, bringing together 1,450 pupils into one single-site secondary school with 15,320sqm of new facilities, including outstanding sports provision. It’s fantastic to see these shots of the build glistening in the autumnal sunshine. Designed by AHR of Glasgow, and delivered by BAM Construct UK for Fife Council, the project incorporated Metal Technology Ltd’s high-performance curtain walling, windows and doors through approved fabricator Avtek Ltd. The college has achieved a ‘Platinum Standard’ sustainability level, measured against Fife Council’s own ‘Sustainability Checklist’, exceeding BREEAM standards. The landscape strategy incorporates the protection of biodiversity, through planting native trees, grassland and wildflowers.

The project is a loft located in Columella street in the northeast of Milan as part of 25 lofts forming the residential complex by modifying a former industrial structure.To cover its double high windows, our B-Box roller blinds are positioned on the exterior for maximum comfort and sunlight protection. They manage to provide human scale to the spaces by combining technology and functionality.The same system is used with two types of guidance. The lateral cable guide is configured with Polyscreen ® 473 in bright orange color in contrast with the planted spaces for excellent thermal protection and light textile appearance. To get better intimacy, B-Box is also configured with aluminium guides U302 and Trend Light Blackout. Those two different uses complete the inhabitant’s needs of Loft Columella.

ASF worked with a local urban designer to develop a unique bollard design for the Whitwood Project. ASF's in house pattern makers worked with the designer to produce a polystyrene tool, then a handmade timber model of the product which was used for wider approval in the scheme. Once approved the pattern was handmade and the bollards hand cast on our furane (airset) plant. The iron used was 100% recycled, melting down old, used vehicle brake discs and turning the molten metal into the sand moulds to manufacture the bollards.Although the bollards are cast iron, a material often associated with traditional styles, these particular ones offer sleek tapered lines and a steeply mitred top. The benefit of casting is that complex detailing can be included so these bollards have an inset leaf motif with an elongated teardrop that runs almost the full length of the post.

Riverside Campus at City of Glasgow College has won a multitude of architectural awards for its outstanding design. Home to the world-leading Maritime College, the building features a grand atrium where Junckers 22mm Oak Harmony finished in Ultramatt lacquer was specified for the expansive staircase and walkway. Designed in a joint venture between Reiach and Hall Architects and Michael Laird Architects, the building is BREEAM ‘Excellent’ with many innovative on-site energy generation measures. Junckers solid hardwood flooring is made from renewable, sustainable forests and the entire manufacturing process is powered by Junckers’ own on-site power plant, which uses the residual wood of the forested timber. The Oak Harmony floor adds natural warmth to the large, open space and provides a hard-wearing surface for a busy college environment.

Millets Farm is a family run farm centre including farm shop, garden centre, leisure attractions and activity areas.  This award winning location has now turned to Marsh Industries twice in 5 years for expert advice on how to best support the expanding facilities onsite.In the first instance, a sewage treatment plant was required for its Children’s Activity Centre in 2017.  A Marsh Ultra:Polylok 125PE was selected for this popular destination.In 2021 this thriving regional attraction identified that the existing sewage treatment arrangements for the main Farm Shop, Restaurant and Function rooms needed to be upgraded.  Millets Farm again turned to Marsh Industries.  This time a Marsh Ultra:Polylok 250PE was required to cover the variety of facilities and their associated footfall alongside the increased staff numbers. With installation successfully completed in the Autumn between school holidays.

The challenge was to construct a roof top extension on top of the luxury hotel NOBU in Shoreditch. The plan was to add an additional 1 storey of hotel rooms, suites, dining areas and open terraces that would replace the existing planted roof. The chosen solution was Tarmac Toplight C lightweight structural concrete in a pump mix with the addition of steel fibres, ensuring maximum weight loss of 35% with no compromise on structural concrete performance.By adding steel fibres into the lightweight mix the composite metal deck system could be installed without the need for traditional expensive and slow steel reinforcement across the deck. The use of lightweight concrete, furthermore, reduced the load by 35% which meant the existing structure did not need to be reinforced or under pinned. The construction programme time was also reduced considerably.

Project:Surespan designed and manufactured several floor access covers for the £6.5m Liffey Service Tunnel Project in Dublin Ireland.The service tunnel is one of the crucial links for the rejuvenation of the docklands, it will carry water mains to the docklands and transfer wastewater to the treatment plant at Ringsend. The 260m tunnel will also carry district heating pipes, gas mains, and electrical and telecommunication cables.Products:Surespan designed and manufactured several floor access covers including SAC Flush floor access covers and HIAC Recessed floor covers.All the access covers were supplied with either a gas spring-assisted opening, hydraulic or electric with a retractable safety grid and pedestrian (FACTA Class ‘A’) Loading. A hydraulic HIAC was also supplied with a FACTA Class ‘D’ Loading which is the equivalent of an 11-tonne wheel load.

A community space in the heart of central London has been completely transformed and by 6a architects. The new building, incorporating an old basement gymnasium, is home to Holborn Community Association, has a 100-year history which has been sensitively referenced in artwork created by artist Caragh Thuring on the façade of the building. What was solely an old basement gymnasium has been rebuilt as a light-filled, naturally ventilated, low energy space, extending upwards with two new public-facing floors. 6a architects specified Junckers solid Oak Harmony Driftwood Grey two-strip flooring, a pale shade of grey. Suitable for multi-purpose use, the sprung floor fitted in the gym as well as in the club rooms, will enable the community centre to maximise earnings through hires, being able to offer a safe space for everything from various sports to arts and social events. Said Stephanie Macdonald of 6a architects: “The floor looks fantastic and really unusual, a beautiful warmth of timber and colour for the gym and the clubrooms which is going to allow them to be used equally well for hires and events - a really beautiful set of spaces for community use”. Throughout the building, an emphasis on pale, light-reflecting colours and materials minimises reliance on artificial lighting. The light-coloured Junckers Driftwood Grey Oak provides the centre with a durable floor which helps maximise natural light levels. It can be sanded and refinished up to ten times without loss of performance and will serve the centre well for 60 years plus. Junckers floors carry the Danish Indoor Climate Label, which is recognised by BREEAM. Having undergone extensive degassing and odour testing to ensure there are no harmful chemicals, a Junckers floor will help maintain a healthy indoor climate. Stirling Prize nominated 6a architects worked closely with Thuring whose artwork features throughout the architecture. For the etched glass façade which runs the width and height of the building Thuring drew on stories from the community and local area which are inscribed onto the glass alongside irregular mortar lines of the original brickwork. For the gymnasium, Thuring created a bespoke woven fabric, echoing the brickwork motif of the façade, which lines the acoustics panels on the upper walls. The flooring contractor was Junckers Approved Contractor Hutchison Flooring. 

Background & BuildingA brand new headquarters for the Aston Martin Racing Formula 1 team, based at Silverstone Race Track. A state of the art building solely designed to build, run and service Aston Martin’s Formula 1 racing vehicles. Built by the side of the historic Silverstone Grand Prix racing track in Northamptonshire.The Brief in BriefThe project requirements demanded good DB ratings, full height doors, privacy for Mission Control with Smart Glass and privacy to Exec area with blinds. An Atrium to flood light into the ‘street’ below. Plus offices, meeting rooms, a Mission Control racing hub, a large Atrium screen over indoor areas, open plan design offices, breakout and communal areas.Komfort’s SolutionPrior to the start of the project we had numerous pre-start meetings with the design team and H&S visits with our external advisors to ensure the project would run smoothly from the start.To achieve a system and design the client desired, Komfort built mock-up sample office onsite during the design stage to highlight the design elements such as acoustic double glazed glass in Polar 100 and our deflection head system. We also supplied samples of our blinds, with the system in situ to demonstrate the operating fixtures and fittings. All samples were supplied in the clients choice of colour including matt black blinds to match the trackwork.The double glazed full length Atrium required teams working on both sides of the glass, installation from the office side and safety (fall arrest) from the street side. The atrium glazing over the machine shop area required glass lifting equipment, to ensure the fire rated glass could be sealed properly from both sides.The client made numerous changes to the design during installation, which had to be accommodated. The final project involved 800 sqm of glass and 50+ Sonik doors throughout the building site. It was a challenge and one that Komfort rose to admirably.The end resultModern open plan offices with a selection of meeting rooms. Large executive offices with blinds/locks for privacy. A large full length atrium from the offices above to the workshops and indoor street below. All areas of the racing team on 1 floor (design office, HR, Exec offices, Mission Control, finance etc).

A high profile residential development located on the derelict site of the once mighty Wimbledon FC, completed in 2008.OverviewAxter designed and supplied a complete structural waterproofing, insulation, drainage and landscaping solution to all elevated podia. The areas were intensively landscaped combining hard and soft finishes, creating a mixture of meandering pedestrian walkways and landscaped recreational gardens with a combined area of 6000m2.ChallengesThe primary challenge was to achieve a robust structural waterproofing system that could provide construction programme design, installation and cost efficiencies.A complex site drainage strategy, combined with multiple hard and soft landscaped finishes of varying depths, resulted in the need for additional drainage and water retention measures to be designed and implemented throughout the site.A high cost and varied landscaping design, with a relatively short seasonal installation time frame, demanded a waterproofing system designer and manufacturing partner that could meet these challenges.SolutionsThe design supply and installation of Wilotekt-Plus, unique second generation hot melt structural waterproofing system, provided 30% quicker on site installation speeds than traditional first generation hot melt systems. This ensured the waterproofing was completed swiftly, in excess of 500m2/day, which enabled landscaping finishes to be installed within deadline.The drainage strategy was simplified across all podia through the creation of a horizontal drainage zone above the waterproofing. Axter’s combined reservoir and drainage board was installed, retaining appropriate moisture levels for the specified plant requirements, whilst allowing excess moisture to drain freely away. It also acted as a permanent shutter for concrete works that allowed secondary structures to be built off these areas without contacting the waterproofing system or interrupting the drainage zone.Intensive hard and soft landscaping was completed by Frosts Landscapes Ltd using conveyor technology to distribute the soil and plants across the podia with ease.Systems in useWilotekt®-Plus

"Expanding boundaries, horizons, capturing space and transforming it into new, modern, and welcoming lines": it is with this leitmotiv that the Pietra Perla reception hall in Sannicandro di Bari welcomes its guests, accompanying them in an experience where exclusivity and elegance reign supreme.In this evocative and dreamlike setting, a pearl of the small town in the Apulia region, Atlas Concorde has contributed to furnishing some of the indoor and outdoor spaces of the facility with a contemporary style.The romantic entrance comes to life thanks to the combination of different formats and contrasting colours, where the earthy essence of stone and its rich details bring together the refined look of natural materials with the excellent technical performance of porcelain tiles.The beauty and practicality of the stone effect is repeated in the floors of the interior spaces, like halls and restaurants, where warm shades make the rooms welcoming and give them a clean, avant-garde design.Decorations inspired by simple geometries with metallic-effect inserts further enrich the furnishing project, covering the walls of the bathrooms in perfect harmony with the dark nuance of the concrete-effect floor for a unique compositional balance.

Working on the Ground Floor Lobby, First Floor Gym, Level 10 and Level 17, Planet’s southern contracting team provided an extensive range of fire-rated and non-fire rated partition and door solutions to Building D of the Nine Elms development in Battersea.In the Ground Floor Lobby, non-fire rated single-glazed automatic bi-parting sliding doors were installed along with with 3150mm high LOFT20 XL partitions with reeded film. IsoPro doors (40 dB Rw) provided access to co-working spaces and meeting rooms.FireTec Ei30 fire rated doors and LOFT transom bars provided exit route protection on Level 1 in communal areas and on Level 10 along with a FireTec Ei60 window.On Level 17, two FireTec Ei30 double door sets with overhead panels provided access to the indoor lounge area and bar area, while a single LOFT20 screen offered additional natural light passage between the lounge and adjoining demonstration kitchen.

The existing conservatory, offering panoramic ocean views, needed replacing to bring it up to the superior specification of the rest of the estate. Alongside some much-needed aesthetic enhancements, the primary requirement of the new build was to create a more comfortable indoor environment; the existing uPVC extension was plagued with temperature issues consistent with extensions of a certain age.Coastal’s Regent Door Handle and Regent Window Handle were specified from their BLU Range of 316 Marine Grade Stainless Steel Hardware. The classic styling of the BLU Regent Handles fitted perfectly with the luxurious ambience of the hotel. And with The Carbis Bay Estate situated right on the coast, fitting hardware made from 316 Marine Grade Stainless Steel to the orangery was an absolute must. Salt air is extremely corrosive and harmful to hardware and studies have shown 316 Marine Grade Stainless Steel to be the best metal to withstand this corrosion. The Regent Door and Window Handles ticked that box as well, being made from solid 316 Stainless Steel they are well able to withstand the corrosive salt air.

For almost a decade, ESCREO whiteboard paints have been helping companies transform their workplaces, making them more creative, organised and open to collaboration. Creativity and innovation are embedded in the DNA of the company and its team from the very beginning. Thanks to this, they manage to find a solution to a problem that negatively affects our productivity and well-being, namely poor air quality. This is how ESCREO Clean Air was born - the latest addition to ESCREO's carbon neutral portfolio of functional paints. ESCREO Clean Air is an interior air purifying paint, which reduces air pollution by more than 90.1%. One of the magic components is an enhanced mineral which attracts and neutralises harmful pollutants, incl. VOCs, odours, air chemicals and CO2. The non-toxic environmentally friendly water-based formula is a great collaboration between modern technology and a clever "problem-solving" approach, through which ESCREO can help commercial building owners use hitherto passive areas such as walls to further purify the air indoors, making the premises more attractive to current and future users.