"care"

High performance, one-coat, weberpral M through coloured monocouche render from Weber has been specified for recent new-build properties at St. George’s Park Retirement Village in Burgess Hill, West Sussex.The new buildings will provide extended accommodation for the retirement community established and run by Augustinian Care which is set in 250 acres of glorious parkland and gardens.The buildings are finished with weberpral M, a one-coat, through-coloured external decorative render. An elegant ashlar architectural detail has been used to underscore the traditional aesthetics required to blend perfectly with buildings already established in this community. The project was designed by award-winning PRP Architects, with practices in London, Manchester and Surrey, who undertook the original brief for the St. George’s Park Retirement Village.  PRP Architects specialise in designing high quality buildings that enrich the lives of users and their communities.The main contractor, Galliford Try Building, is very impressed with the weberpral M decorative render noting that it is a high quality material and that the application work carried out by Complete Rendering Systems was first class and has given the very best possible finish for St George’s Park.weberpral M, a one-coat, cementitious, through-coloured render, is suitable for application to most brick and block work substrates. It is factory produced from carefully selected raw materials for consistency and supplied ready-mixed requiring only the addition of clean water on site. It is formulated for pump application which makes for quick and efficient installation, contributing to shorter programme periods, reducing associated scaffolding and site costs and permitting the completion of ground works at an earlier stage.weberpral M has excellent weather resistance and durability whilst allowing the structure to breathe. The through-coloured render requires no decoration, is truly low maintenance and offers a variety of ways to achieve distinct architectural features. On the St George’s properties ashlar patterns have been applied. weberpral M is applied in a two pass operation to a thickness of 20-28mm and then scraped when green giving a minimum render thickness of 15 to 25mm. When set but not fully hard, the ashlar detail is cut into the render ensuring that a minimum of 15mm is left at the base of any cut. The through-colour characteristic of weberpral M ensures that the overall colour aesthetic is maintained even in the deepest recess.The properties at St. George’s Park Retirement Village have been finished in Ivory, just one of 24 colours in the weberpral M range.  Specialist applicator Complete Rendering Systems of Lewes, East Sussex, were awarded the contract and director Bradley Halls supervised the project. “Our extensive experience of applying Weber render products gave us complete confidence that we would meet the client’s expectations. Overall there was 1000m² of weberpral M applied and the ashlar work covered approximately 600m² with the remaining surface carrying a plain scraped finish. We worked at St. George’s Park Retirement Village over a six month period as the buildings were readied and the colour consistency is perfect.”Weber is the first manufacturer of monocouche renders to be awarded an A+ rating as defined in the BRE Global 2008 Green Guide to Specification. This audited material helps specifiers to make selections that will collectively reduce the environmental impact of their buildings while achieving a higher number of BREEAM material specification credits.St. George’s Park Retirement Village is located on the site of the original Retreat that was the first home established by the Sisters of St. Augustine when it was re-formed in 1866, principally to care for the mentally and physically ill. The Sisters have continued to care for those that need it ever since in several care facilities in Sussex.

Designed by IBI Group, construction of the 7000sqm. Barnsley Blood Centre, was commissioned under the DoH and Social Care’s ProCure 22 Framework. Rockfon retains P22 preferred supplier status and we are very pleased Rockfon® MediCare® Standard has been installed throughout the centre’s four laboratories, open plan offices, meeting rooms and catering facilities. Helping provide a great working environment Chris Sims, NHS Blood and Transplant, said, “It has been fantastic to see the building taking shape. We’re very proud of our new centre... Barnsley will be a great place from which to deliver our life saving and life enhancing services.”

Senior Project Architect Stephen Herbert from HOK were responsible for the design, “We were looking for a ceiling manufacturer that could provide a full range of ceiling systems appropriate to the specific requirements of the function of each space. We were also very careful about specification with regards compliance to the Government’s ‘Health Technical Memoranda’ for the NHS.” The main contractor Skanska said, “We specified Rockfon because of their technical suitability, appearance and easy maintenance. We’re pleased with the finished installation and would certainly specify Rockfon on future projects.” Rockfon Blanka®, Rockfon® MediCare® Standard, Rockfon® MediCare® Plus Rockfon® System MaxiSpan™

Strawberry Gardens is a private housing living development in Yatton which offers independent living with access to on-site care for people over the age of 55. This 1,200m² development of timber frame apartments have created 60 apartments and various houses, shops, a post office, pubs and transport links. Situated 10 miles from Bristol airport and around 30 minutes from the centre of Bristol.Cellecta HEXATHERM XFLOOR 250 was specified on this project for its high resistance to compression and closed cell structure that provides unrivalled resistance to water absorption, making them ideal for residential applications.Oakmere Homes was awarded the contract to construct this picturesque village and civil parish within North Somerset.

Bespoke wall protection from contract interior specialist Gradus is creating a fun and attractive atmosphere at a state-of-the-art new medical facility, while also ensuring excellent hygiene and low maintenance costs. Evelina London Children’s Day Treatment Centre, part of Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, has been built to provide more life-changing care for children and young people with rare and complex conditions. Overseen by Morgan Sindall, the project saw Gradus collaborate with Art in Site - a London-based studio of artists, designers and strategists – and ADP Architecture, to create a wall cladding solution with integrated art that helps the hospital’s young patients to heal, learn and thrive.

The Moores Orthopaedic Clinic, located in the picturesque village of Upton Grey, Basingstoke, has completed a major new build project to deliver a specialist veterinary orthopaedic clinic, featuring a 21st century interior using bespoke fitted furniture from David Bailey Furniture Systems Ltd.This successful project called for the design of a veterinary facility that could seamlessly blend innovation, hygiene, and efficiency. The practice also needed to have spaces that catered to various needs, from patient care areas to preparation rooms and theatres.Additionally, as this was a new build contract, it was essential to ensure that every piece of fitted furniture matched the architect's vision and the practice's functional requirements.To deliver the project, The Moores Orthopaedic Clinic partnered with architects, ACD Projects and ACG Contractors Limited. David Bailey Furniture, known for its expertise in crafting bespoke fitted furniture solutions, was chosen as the supplier and manufacturer.The areas within the facility where David Bailey Furniture products were installed included the dog ward, corridors, preparation room, sterilisation room, sterile stores, operating theatres, and a tearoom.A wide range of fitted furniture products were supplied including double base units, double sink base units and open tall, wall and double drawer base units. The selected finish for the furniture was a classic S040 White Frontage, featuring white MFC carcasses with MDF doors featuring chrome D handles.David Bailey Furniture also supplied several bespoke elements such as bullnose fully moulded worktops with ABS lipping in S040 white; worktops, which were also mitred in specific areas for a clean and seamless finish, together with sloping tops, which were added to all wall units to ensure infection control compliance.The collaboration between ACD Projects, ACG Contractors Limited, and David Bailey Furniture led to meticulous planning, numerous revisions, and strict attention to detail during the design and verification phases. The outcome was a veterinary facility that not only met but exceeded the client's expectations. “We are delighted with our new fitted furniture from David Bailey. The quality is excellent and the overall impact is stunning. David Bailey proved to be easy to work with as our plans developed.” commented Richard Hoile, Managing Director, The Moores Orthopaedic Clinic.The Moores Orthopaedic Clinic now boasts a contemporary and functional space that aligns with their commitment to delivering exceptional veterinary care. The bespoke fitted furniture solutions from David Bailey Furniture have played a vital role in creating an environment that promotes the well-being of both patients and staff.The successful completion of this project is another example of the capability of David Bailey Furniture to provide tailored fitted solutions that cater to the unique needs of veterinary healthcare facilities, ensuring that they can deliver the highest standards of care while maintaining operational efficiency and aesthetics.

Comfortable space created for parents and babies at university hospitalIssueLa Paz University Hospital in Madrid is a national centre of expertise in neonatal care. They wanted to transform the Neonatal Acute Unit, to allow families to stay together with their babies while they are receiving treatment and care. In total, 24 units were created to accommodate and make this visit more comfortable.ApproachA homely, family-friendly space was needed that was also hygienic and reduced the transfer of noise. Víctor de las Casas, Architect at EACSN studio, said: “We wanted to modernise the neonatology area: not only in terms of materials, but in the very “neonatal concept” of La Paz, which wants to encourage parents to be with their children in the most normal and welcoming way possible”.SolutionSandra Fuentes, Maintenance and Works Technician at La Paz said: “The professional high standards of the medical team had not been reflected in the quality of the neonatal unit, and that was frustrating.” The flooring needed to be able to cope with foot traffic, hospital beds, trolleys and wheelchairs. It also needed good looks and design flexibility. The hospital team opted for robust Altro Operetta flooring, which provides 4dB impact sound reduction, comfort underfoot and ease of cleaning.Altro Operetta is a robust floor perfect for medium to high traffic areas and is easy to clean and maintain. Designed in line with the Bauhaus ethos that style is as important as function, it has multiple attractive, natural colours and finishes to fit in your interior design scheme."Altro Operetta gives the same warm feeling that carpet does, but also provides safety to both staff and patients." Sandra Fuentes Maintenance and Works Technician, La Paz University Hospital"Basically, all the technical issues have been resolved and the floor has provided more comfort for families staying in the unit." Víctor de las Casas Architect, EACSN Studio

Part of the University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Princess Anne Hospital opened in 1981 and is known as a centre of excellence for maternity care. Providing specialist care for women during pregnancy, as well as genetics and breast screening.Project Year: 2023Product: ASSA ABLOY SL500 FrameArchitect: Strata DesignClient: West End ConstructionProject Background: During the first wave of Covid, a piece of art named 'Game Changer' appeared at Southampton Hospital, this was a gift from Banksy to thank the 14000 staff members, as well as honour the work of NHS workers everywhere. The canvas was auctioned to raise money for NHS charities and organisations, raising a total £16.8m.Part of these funds have been used to improve the facilities, and this is where Landscape Architects Strata Design and West End Construction were engaged, to design and build a rooftop oasis for all the hospital staff, to have a place to enjoy and unwind.Solution: Working collaboratively and having surveyed the site where a window was to be turned into a door, FAAC Entrance Solutions proposed a framed SL500 bi-parting sliding door, in order to both maximise the opening width as well as keep the natural light into the building. Being a staff restricted area, access control was also a must, so this was integrated with existing staff passes to facilitate swipe access and with our QFlow traffic light system which regulates occupancy. The SL500’s framed system is a robust resilient door, making it perfect to manage high volumes of traffic as well Southampton coastal wind loads. Additionally, with its thermally broken profiles, additional tight-fitting brushes, it will contribute to keeping energy costs down in comparison to slimmer or manual door entrances.For more information or assistance with any project, please contact enquiries.esuk@faactechnologies.com where we can provide expert guidance and detailed documentation.

The development of a new emergency care centre at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Gateshead was an investment of £32m. The project provided state-of- the-art healthcare services to people across the region. The centre now provides a smoother service to its patients and a more efficient way of treating people.Artform Urban Furniture were asked to provide seating and litter bins to the main entrance of the hospital's drop in centre, as well as the car park and the taxi drop off / pick up point. The products had to complement the soft landscaping whilst also being durable enough to cope with the extensive usage. The Artform team proposed items from the Multiplicity range, with their cast anodised aluminium frames, offering superb longevity and minimal maintenance requirements.The overall project was constructed within a tight budget and the street furniture supplied by Artform needed to be of a very high standard, ergonomically designed for comfort and all delivered within the economic constraints.The products also had to be on site and installed within a short time frame, due to the fast track nature of the project. The Artform team provided full technical drawings and specification information to ensure that the client’s facilities team were supported fully and the installation process was seamless.OutcomeThe completed emergency care centre is now a busy hub for all types of emergency healthcare services and the entrance provides a clean and welcoming first impression to all those using the centre. The landscaped outdoor areas including the entrance, the car park and the busy taxi point, offer an engaging space, for use by staff, patients and visitors alike, with the thoughtful distribution of attractive seating and clean, modern litter bins.Ian Renwick, chief executive of QE Gateshead commented: "This is a unique hospital building and the environment for patients and visitors is really something special."

The BriefFoley Building Contractors were working on a project at the hospital which is run by the Croydon Health Services NHS Trust. Part of their works required several canopies to provide shade and shelter for their patients and visitors whilst queueing outside due to the social distancing measures that were in place. Because the summer had come to an end and the wintery weather was on the way, these canopies were needed with a quick turnaround.The SolutionJust a couple of days after the initial enquiry, we were on site conducting a site survey to enable us to provide the contractor with a firm quotation. We provided them with a price for four Coniston Wall Mounted Canopies; two for their Elective Care and Heart Centre and then another two for their COVID-19 testing units.

TrägerHAUS, an award-winning exclusive new home by HAUS Collective, is designed to take into account every aspect of the external envelope’s design to ensure consistency of form, quality and optimum aesthetic appeal.Whilst the scale and main volume of TrägerHAUS may not be apparent at street level, careful consideration of the materials for the home’s outward-looking elevation and main entrance. Key to this was the decision to utilise an elegant side sliding sectional garage door by Rundum Meir. The door’s manufacture in Siberian Larch ensures consistency with property’s other timber cladding elements which perfectly complement the Caithness stone masonry. Fully automated for ease of opening and closing, the garage door operates with the smoothness and reliability that reflects the level of quality which runs through the whole building.

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.

Earth Trust is an environmental learning charity championing accessible green spaces for all. They care for diverse green spaces of different sizes; smaller wildlife havens and iconic landscapes including over 1,200 acres of farmland, wetland, woodland and five community reserves.Earth Lab is a new skills and learning eco-building at the heart of the Earth Trust, oozing its ethos and values and sitting sensitively in its environment. Earth Lab sits at the foot of the Wittenham Clumps, one of Oxfordshire’s most visited green spaces and a significant wildlife and conservation area and the aim was for Earth Lab to create connections to this unique place. The wildflower roof is an example of those connections, a curved wildflower meadow roof resonating with the wildflower meadow around the Clumps.

Hitherfield Primary School & Children’s Centre provides community and children’s services and extended day care for pre-school age children in Streatham. The £1.2m project at Hitherfield was won by Architype whose philosophy is “to be bold and honest in the use and expression of materials, rooted in environmentally sustainable design and based on simple strong ideas”.Lang+Fulton were asked to supply non-climbable, Novara-34 barrier fencing, adjacent to the ramp which provides wheelchair-friendly access. The 1250mm wide grating panels and 130x15mm flat bar posts with base plate fixings were specified by the architect to accommodate any potential loading to the fencing. Entrance gates were made to match with provision for intercoms.Finish: hot-dip galvanized

The unique and stunning curved blue glass cladding specified for the new hospital posed several design challenges. The insulation used needed to provide high thermal performance, be able to conform the curved surface and be completely non-combustible since the building is in excess of 18m. SuperFOIL Insulation was approached to provide replacement insulation that would meet all fire safety standards and which could be applied without requiring changes to the exterior or interior design of the building. After careful consideration as to what would be the most suitable solution, we supplied 5,500m² of our non-combustible SFNC insulation. SuperFOIL SFNC is the only insulation of its kind to be certified by the Building Research Establishment (BRE) as European Class A1 Non-Combustible, which is the highest possible rating of fire safety.

The unique and stunning curved blue glass cladding specified for the new hospital posed several design challenges. The insulation used needed to provide high thermal performance, be able to conform the curved surface and be completely non-combustible since the building is in excess of 18m. SuperFOIL Insulation was approached to provide replacement insulation that would meet all fire safety standards and which could be applied without requiring changes to the exterior or interior design of the building. After careful consideration as to what would be the most suitable solution, we supplied 5,500m² of our non-combustible SFNC insulation. SuperFOIL SFNC is the only insulation of its kind to be certified by the Building Research Establishment (BRE) as European Class A1 Non-Combustible, which is the highest possible rating of fire safety.

This luxury home was designed to have fully concealed blinds in every window. The owners were enthusiastic to design a home that was the best to the last detail. Blinds and curtains are controlled using Lutron® and were installed using the Blindspace® concealment products. Bespoke electric curtains were included to provide softness and the fully concealed blinds were used to control the light and privacy. Through careful planning from the outset of the project, the inclusion of concealed blinds has achieved the best end result. Dark-coloured fabrics have been used where maximum visibility was desired but softer white-toned used in bath and dressing rooms. Bedrooms and media room have been supplied using dark-coloured blackout material to make a statement when used.

Fistral House is a former care home site redeveloped in a building block with a selection of eight 2 to 3 bedroom apartments and 2 penthouses in a private, new build development overlooking the world-renowned Fistral Beach. The building features stone cladding on the ground floor, a crisp white exterior on the second and third floors, and corner glazing on the luxurious penthouse apartments. With views of the seascape and nearby golf course, it is a short distance to Newquay’s seven beaches and is ideally located for exploring Cornwall.Cellecta HEXATHERM XFLOOR 250 was specified by CSA Architects due to its high resistance to compression and closed cell structure that provides unrivalled resistance to water absorption, making them ideal for residential applications.Legacy Properties was awarded this 1,200m² contract to construct this development in Newquay.

The brief for Clearstone was to install a 8m2 prominent resin Seagull logo for Brighton & Hove, Albion Football Club, to welcome all visitors to the club. Clearstone was chosen for the project as they are a specialist resin bound surfacing company with expertise in producing custom paved logos.Clearstone’s design team, overlayed the architect’s drawing, enabling individual elements to be laser cut, and calculated the quantities of materials needed for the complex installation. Clearstone’s team of highly trained craftsmen took the laser-stencil-cut letters and images, carefully pinned them in place, before infilling the design with PrismStone®, Clearstone’s colour coated quartz range, designed for decorative surfaces. This careful process enabled the graphic to take shape exactly as requested by the club. Dural were contacted and asked to supply DUROSOL flexible aluminium trim, 18.5mm.

This luxury home was designed to have fully concealed blinds in every window. The owners were enthusiastic to design a home that was the best to the last detail. Blinds and curtains are controlled using Lutron® and were installed using the Blindspace® concealment products. Bespoke electric curtains were included to provide softness and the fully concealed blinds were used to control the light and privacy. Through careful planning from the outset of the project, the inclusion of concealed blinds has achieved the best end result. Dark-coloured fabrics have been used where maximum visibility was desired but softer white-toned used in bath and dressing rooms. Bedrooms and media room have been supplied using dark-coloured blackout material to make a statement when used.

Kingston University was created as a way to transform the universities presence within the community and to foster a collaborative spirit between different disciplines with the construction of a modern library and performance space. The building is designed to feel open and calming with the idea of welcoming the community into the area with large, clear spaces allowing for appreciation of the collaborative spirit from the streets that overlook the project.Michelmersh’s Freshfield Lane First Quality Multi Bricks are used in colonnades that beautifully showcase the quality of the product and allow for space to be enforced amongst the 6 stories of the building. The value of social cohesion and the spirit of learning were captured through careful and dynamic design by Grafton architects, who are responsible for creating a space that marries together home, belonging and quiet contemplation.Kinston Universities “Town House” was recently awarded the RIBA Stirling award.

Delamere is a residential like no other, raising the bar when it comes to care. Brining together the latest and best therapeutic, somatic and healing practices they insist on providing a welcoming, and nurturing environment and believe passionately that recovery can be fun. Wirquin were part of the project of building Delamere providing bathroom frames. The Initio was the obvious option for this build offering the perfect solution for compact spaces. The large front panel means there is easy access for maintenance, perfect for hospitality. The design and push plate offer a touch of class and luxury which the Delamere offers in bundles. There are number options of push plates to pair with the Initio making it even more versatile and enabling you to match to any decor. The Initio also boasts a durable metallic structure which is coated in a anti corrosion solution and tested up to 400kg. 

Overlooking the 4,000 gently rolling acres of the historic Kedleston Estate in Derbyshire, the two five-bedroom houses by Greenbuilt Homes are strikingly contemporary in their design. Key to their success is the careful specification of materials, with Vandersanden’s Lithium hand-formed, facing bricks creating facades with an appealing softness, unity and colour. Greenbuilt Homes has gained a competitive edge through well-conceived architecture, high specification and the use of quality materials. The houses on Kedleston Road, are super energy efficient and won Best Small New Housing Development at the LABC East Midlands Building Excellence Awards 2019.To find out more about the bricks used in this project or to see the wide range of high-quality bricks available from Vandersanden, click on the 'View more' link 

For the recent redesign of the comfort ward of in Geilenkirchen a tasteful furnishing design was chosen, combining a modern ambience with a familiar atmosphere. The bathrooms equipped for the disabled were furnished with fittings, accessories and cosmetic mirrors from KEUCO and offer patients much convenience along with stylish design.Matching the colour schemes of the adjacent rooms, the spacious bathrooms are decorated in warm tones. At the double washbasin, EDITION 400 wall spout fittings in brilliant chrome present a clear and uncluttered picture. As an interesting contrast, these are combined with PLAN lotion dispensers with an anodised aluminium finish. When a closer look is called for, KEUCO's iLook_move cosmetic mirrors with surrounding illumination answer the need. The innovative hinge design allows use of the cosmetic mirror also while seated. Aside from their timeless and universal design, with their clear contours and straight lines KEUCO products are also known for their cleaning-friendliness. Each wash area is also equipped with a KEUCO hair dryer.In the disabled-accessible wet area, patients shower with the innovative IXMO fitting, which combines multiple functions in the smallest of spaces. The PLAN railing system provides support for standing up and adds a welcome sense of security in the shower. The ELEGANCE shower basket for the necessary care products can also be easily reached while sitting on the KEUCO Care shower stool. Space for bathrobes and towels can be found in the bathroom on PLAN towel hooks.The convenience and safety of the patient is taken into consideration even around the toilet. The toilet paper holder, spare paper holder and toilet brush set are mounted at the ideal height. The brilliant chrome finishes contrast beautifully with the sand-coloured tiles. For patients with disabilities, KEUCO drop-down supporting rails encourage more independence.With their modern furnishings, the extremely spacious bathrooms in the comfort ward of St. Elisabeth hospital in Geilenkirchen demonstrate how appealingly safety and convenience can be designed.

The ChallengeThe village of Ewerby sits within the heart of the Lincolnshire Fens, amidst a heavy farming community highlighted and punctuated by the local architecture.Historically, Lincolnshire villages produced their own, indigenous facing bricks from brick pits, and most farm buildings and tied cottages within this community are constructed from Ewerby Yellow facing brick. Together with local Ancaster limestone and handcrafted clay pantiles, this forms the pallet of materials that are considered indicative of the local vernacular architecture. As such, careful consideration needed to be given to the choice of materials used in building The Elms.The SolutionCombining existing detailing and colourings gave architects D.B. Lawrence Associates a strong initial concept for their first stage design process. Sourcing bricks and materials that blend with their surroundings can be challenging, but they were successful in achieving this for The Elms.A yellow stock brick sourced from Forterra was an important part of the concept. The brick was used alongside the use of local Lincolnshire limestone quarried seven miles away at Ancaster. Handmade clay pantiles were sourced to match existing roof tiles.The brickwork was constructed in English Bond to achieve the desired aesthetic and reflect the existing surrounding outbuildings.Complementary Stone quoins, cills and heads together with dog-tooth oversailing courses to the eaves and verges were also used.The brick chosen was Ardleigh Yellow Stock Brick from Ecostock. Ecostock is the most sustainable stock brick available in the UK. It is a high quality facing brick with recycled content. The range carries BES 6001 Responsible Sourcing certification.The BenefitsThe overall intention of the dwelling is to replicate a barn, and careful thought and detailing to the large openings have helped to create the desired effect.When approaching the village of Ewerby from Thorpe, the barn gives the impression of having been there for years, not months. The build has successfully fulfilled the requirements of the planners, and the client has contributed an inspiring development worthy of the village.

The Maidenhead-based Thames Hospice service has proudly served its community for more than 30 years, offering world-class palliative and end-of-life care and support to people across East Berkshire and South Buckinghamshire.Thames Hospice, “We provide the highest quality nursing, medical and therapeutic care supporting the physical, social and emotional needs of our patients and their loved ones. Our services are free of charge to all who need us, thanks to the generosity of our amazing community and organisations, as well as our 700 incredible volunteers who give their time to support the best possible end-of-life care for local people.” KKE Architects were responsible for the project. They said, “Set in more than eight acres, with stunning views across landscaped gardens and Bray Lake, the new hospice has 28 inpatient beds in individual en-suite rooms. The new Day Centre (the Paul Bevan Centre) offers a wider range of daily therapeutic and social activities for day patients and inpatients and has allowed the hospice to double its day service provision.”Bespoke seamless acoustic islands created on siteIn one part of the building, KKE Architects designed a central double height rotunda from which 11 concrete ‘spokes’ splayed from the structure underneath a circular glass dome. Islands were the best option for acoustic control within these unusual spaces, which the installers – Aspect Ceilings and Partitions – were able to create on site with Rockfon® Mono® Acoustic system components. This approach eliminated any lead time in ordering bespoke, pre-manufactured islands.Rockfon Mono Acoustic is a system comprising grid, panel and acoustic render, which can be used to create ceilings, wall coverings and bespoke islands and rafts.Within the rotunda 1200 x 1200mm panels were initially cut to size and adhered directly to the concrete soffit. They were then taped, jointed, filled and rendered to create seamless, elegant islands which help create a calm atmosphere by providing Class A sound absorption.Aspect Ceilings and Partitions carried out the installation of Rockfon acoustic systems at the Hospice. Company Director Grant Stevens “This was a great project to be involved with. We know the Rockfon team are always available to offer advice. Given the bespoke nature of the design, the installation relied heavily on the creativity of the installation team. The process needed to be precise and the completed work looks great.”Optimum acoustics can improve sleep and reduce anxietyThanks to its core of naturally occurring, non-hygroscopic stone wool, it provides no sustenance to harmful micro-organisms, embodies high humidity resistance and is impervious to most environmental pressures. It is Bronze level Cradle to Cradle Certified® and can also contribute valuably to LEED, BREAM and WELL Building Standards. Rockfon Eclipse® are also used at the hospice, arranged groups of refined frameless panels suspended on wires directly from the soffit, giving the illusion they float in mid-air. Eclipse can be specified in a variety of shapes with custom colour matching and are perfect for thermal mass installations and where a traditional suspended ceiling cannot be installed. Director Phil Kavanagh of KKE architects, “Acoustics were a key consideration in our choice of both Rockfon ranges, where each fitted the brief and offered the best solution. In particular, Mono Acoustic suited the installation requirements within the rotunda where specifically shaped elements needed to fit within the radiused space and deliver a monolithic appearance.” The right solution when it matters mostIn common with other Rockfon acoustic systems, Mono and Eclipse are made with a core of naturally occurring inert volcanic rock stone wool, which is non-combustible and will not harbour harmful microorganisms and bacteria. In addition, their high light reflectance characteristics help reduce the need for artificial light, saving energy and further enhancing wellbeing. Rockfon Business Development Manager, Simon Slade, “The invaluable work done at this hospice made it an important project to be specified for. The whole purpose was to create a calm, quiet environment for those receiving care and for their families. I’m humbled that our products can make a difference to their experience at such a difficult time.”

Burleigh Medical CentreA new build two storey primary care medical centre and integrated Pharmacy.The scheme was to create a space both inside and out that was contemporary and engaging for the service users. The client’s vision was to pay homage to Barnsley's historic mining community which is reflected in the choice of materials both inside and out.The heavily contrasting external materials of dark anthracite cladding with white sparkling block work are reflected back within the interiors. Bold geometric shapes are used throughout the scheme referencing shapes found in geologic materials. Hexagonal forms were used for the children’s built in feature seating and also within the Soundtect Freestyle acoustic panels which meant contemporary Artwork patterns could be formed. Soundtect Acoustic Freestyle panels were selected as the product of choice as they provided versatility with form and a rich colour palette to complement the interior design

At the Chapel is a Grade II listed boutique hotel, as well as a bakery, wine shop, café, bar and restaurant. Hidden within a 17th century coaching inn, and offering a chic retreat of just eight rooms, the current owners acquired the building in 2000 and have worked extensively since then to restore and conserve the surviving architectural features. Work to convert the listed building into boutique hotel rooms was carried out by Mackenzie Wheeler Architects and a lot of care was taken to adapt the building in such a way that as much of the original historic fabric as possible could be revealed.Of the Victoria + Albert collection, the designer involved said: “The pieces sit so comfortably next to the historic features of the listed building, while also complementing the predominantly contemporary feel of each space. Achieving this aesthetic was important to us”.Designer: Mackenzie Wheeler ArchitectsPhotography: Iain Kemp

Over 100m2 of Gerflor’s newest loose-lay innovation Taralay Libertex has been installed at Alverton Woodland Nursery, Cornwall. The refurbishment solution was a fast-track product that saved the End User significant install time with minimal disruption on site.Taralay Libertex provides installers with a rapid, high quality, easy-to-lay flooring product. It’s where practicality meets creative flair head-on to provide a harmonious union. Taralay Libertex is the ideal flooring choice when time really is money, providing up to a 30% saving on installation costs for new builds and renovations as it can be laid directly onto most existing or uneven subfloors.Taralay Libertex features a new generation of textile backing across the sheet vinyl range, specifically developed for commercial applications such as education, hospitality and shops, offices, care homes, together with housing and common areas.

Altro delivers a speedy upgrade to luxury care homeIssueAmana Living is a premium care service provider based in in Australia, who pride themselves on making the welfare of their residents a priority. When the community lounge at Amana Living’s Moline Village needed an upgrade, they knew they needed a speedy solution that would cause minimal disturbance to their residents and offer a superior quality finish.ApproachThe existing vinyl floor was in need of an update, and Amana Living needed a flooring product which would allow them to complete the renovation quickly, with minimal noise, dust, and unpleasant odours but would also look great, and perform even better.SolutionAmana Living chose Altro Wood adhesive-free for their refurbishment. The adhesive-free installation meant that not only were there no adhesive smells, but that the new flooring could be laid directly over the top of the old. This saved valuable time and significantly reduced the amount of dust involved in the project. The time savings that Amana Living made by using adhesive-free flooring meant that they were able to open up the lounge to their residents more quickly than originally planned. The benefits don’t end at the installation either: in their new community lounge, both staff and residents enjoy a relaxing environment with comfort underfoot and 14dB sound reduction. And with the inclusion of Altro Easyclean Technology, the lounge is also much easier to maintain.Altro Wood adhesive-free creates maximum impact with minimum downtime. With 12 colour choices, 14dB sound reduction, a 10-year guarantee and our Altro one in a million slip-resistance reassurance, Altro Wood adhesive-free offers high levels of comfort underfoot providing a safe, durable and decorative solution for busy spaces."The installation was completed in a very timely manner with no take-up of existing flooring, and no dust or adhesive odours causing discomfort to anyone in the facility, all being completed with minimal disruptions." Amana Living"Everyone is delighted with the completed flooring which now delivers great safety underfoot, ease of cleaning and a fantastic looking renovation completed in record time." Amana Living

This year, the playgrounds in Kazincbarcika are being beautified again. The refurbishment across the city's 22 playgrounds began this spring with the replacement of rubber coatings and the refurbishment of sandboxes, followed by the necessary repairs to equipment and structural elements. The work is expected to be completed by autumn.With the arrival of spring weather, many are eager to spend time outdoors, and families with young children enjoy spending time on playgrounds. Among the city residents we surveyed, many consider the area around the Boating Lake a prime destination due to its proximity to nature and the presence of a playground nearby.It is important that children can play in the safest, well-maintained environment possible. Barcika Park Nonprofit Ltd. is responsible for the operation of 22 playgrounds, which include 220 play equipment. The company's staff continuously repair any detected faults and deficiencies, and they annually review the condition of the playground equipment. Some of the equipment is repaired on-site, while others are taken to their workshop for repairs after transportation.Parents can also assist the professionals with their observations through the city's official mobile app, KolorApp. Thanks to these reports, it was discovered that the rubber coatings on the playgrounds were worn and damaged, prompting the company to replace all of them for the safety of the children. Additionally, they regularly rake the sand surfaces, disinfect and refill the sandboxes, and refurbish or install new playground equipment, as communicated by Márton Rosza, the construction group leader at Barcika Park Nonprofit Ltd."The major replacements and repairs, for example, are taking place at the Barátság Square playground, the Völgy Street playground, the Instrument Technician Street playground, and in the Völgy Park. Currently, the replacement of spring toys, balance swings, and swinging swings is underway. We strive to show the residents potential innovations," stated the expert.Márton Rosza added: His colleagues also take care of emptying waste containers, managing green areas, caring for vegetation, and cleaning sandboxes, shock absorbers, and coatings. Safety is also ensured by a regulation that mandates a triennial review of the playgrounds, which is always performed by an expert company. Thus, everything necessary for uninterrupted and high-quality relaxation is available in Kazincbarcika. However, during the maintenance work, they ask for the patience and cooperation of the children and their parents.

Controlling noise and acoustics is a key element in design and particularly when designing for the elderly. The need for more assisted-living and retirement accommodation continues to rise to match the ever-growing ageing population whether it’s to combat the cost of living independently, downsizing, increased care needs or just a sense of community and freedom.Care Homes and Day Centres play an important role in our society and can improve the quality of life for its users through an increased sense of security and to combat isolation. New accommodation is frequently designed to replicate the comforts of a home and to minimise transitional stress but all too frequently ambient levels of noise add to the challenges faced by the elderly. The impact of noise pollution on the elderly is far worse than in younger years. Presbycusis, (hearing loss that occurs gradually for many of us as we grow older) along with cumulative lifetime noise exposure, decline in physiological resilience and dementia all have an impact. The McManus and McClenaghan (2010) study recommended that “having a good acoustic environment can support inclusion and reduce confusion in people with dementia”. Today’s trends of designing with hard surfaces means that all too often the problem is exacerbated with residents, staff and visitors suffering from noise pollution adding to increased levels of stress and anxiety.Danish acoustic panel manufacturer Troldtekt is a world leader in designing and developing acoustic panels to create calm, healthy, comfortable environments with their long-lasting solutions for effective sound control combined with colour to create characterful design. Troldtekt acoustic panels are available in a variety of different structures and colours combining superior sound absorption with award-winning design. The Troldtekt range has a minimum expected life cycle of 50 years coupled with excellent resistance to humidity and tested to meet ball impact standards. The range is available in various sizes and structures, from extreme fine to coarse. They can be supplied as natural wood or finished in almost any RAL or NCS colour. Depending on the panel specified, reaction to fire is classed in accordance with EN 13501 as B-s1,d0 or A2-s1,d0 respectively.

Client: NHS HighlandLocation: Inverness, Scotland, UKYear: 2023Project size: 400 m²Vebro systems: vebrobound StoneAn attractive, slip-resistant alternative to tarmac was required for the outdoor areas surrounding an elective care centre in the heart of Inverness Campus.NHS Highland, one of the fourteen regions of NHS Scotland, provides physical and mental health services across the Highland and Argyll and Bute Council areas, covering an area of 32,500 km² and serving a population of 320,000 people.NHS Highland has opened a new elective care facility at Inverness Campus, a hub for world-class research and development in the life-sciences sector.The National Treatment Centre, based at the Inverness Campus, comprises an ophthalmology outpatient department, ophthalmology and orthopaedic theatres, inpatient wards, an imaging and diagnostics suite, as well as collaborative spaces, educational facilities, and office spaces.Not only does the centre cater to local needs, but it also goes beyond by fostering innovation and research, enhancing the scope and impact of clinical services provided.Vebro Polymers has supplied vebrobound Stone, a fully permeable, SUDs compliant resin-bound aggregate system that is ideally suited for use in public-facing external applications like hospitals and healthcare facilities. The permeable, seamless polyurethane resin bound aggregate system is designed for installation directly onto tarmac or concrete on terraces and external areas of commercial and institutional venues and delivers a stylish and low maintenance alternative to loose gravel, block paving or concrete.Available in a range of attractive aggregate blends, vebrobound Stone can complement existing structures to deliver a stunning welcome to institutional facilities such as this.Hendersons, established over 40 years ago and based in Moray in Scotland, provide first class resin flooring installation throughout Scotland.The company, who also offer a range of other services including painting, decorating and industrial cleaning, deployed their dedicated resin flooring team to transform Glenturret Distillery. Hendersons prides itself on the continual training of existing staff and development of trainees across its business, ensuring it continues to offer an unsurpassable service.

Wexham Park Hospital, an acute NHS hospital situated near Slough in Berkshire is protected by a network of 20 MxPro 5 fire panels.The 588-bed hospital is one of three managed by Frimley Health NHS Foundation trust, one of the top performing NHS trusts in the United Kingdom. As well as the main hospital building, the site has a large post graduate building, ambulance station, staff accommodation and a new £49 million, state-of-the-art, four-story Emergency Assessment Center. Responsible for the design, supply, installation, testing and commissioning of the system was Advanced’s partner, Static Systems Group.In addition to the MxPro 5 panels, the system also comprises 18 MxPro 5 repeater panels and 2,000 Apollo field devices which are installed in a number of hospital buildings and departments including Intensive Care, Sterile Services, Radiology and its new 9,300 sq. meters Emergency Assessment Center.

A long term solution which is flexible and seamless is provided with SofTop Comfort SL polyurethane comfort floor. The system has proven durability for school use yet is soft and comfortable to walk on with sound deadening properties and enhanced health and safety performance.Although both the adults and the students have taken good care of their beautiful school, the passing of time still ravaged the concrete and the roof with damage and decay. The school was subsequently renovated, and by 2015 the buildings were once again ready to host its students after a thorough rebuilding, where the floors were nautrally renewed.The school area was approximately 8,000m2. Linoleum was chosen for one half and SofTop Comfort SL on the remaining 4,000m2. After two and a half years there was already clear differences in how the two floor types had met the challenge that the schools nearly 700 hundred students had inflicted on a daily basis.

The UK government aims to significantly increase the number of Changing Places toilets, designed for disabled individuals, across the country. In response, the Chancellor allocated a Changing Places Fund of £30 million in Budget 2021 to expedite their provision in existing buildings in England. Over 250,000 disabled individuals lack access to suitable public toilets in the UK, hindering their experiences in public spaces. Changing Places toilets, equipped with specialized facilities like ceiling hoists and adult-sized changing benches, address this gap. East Suffolk Council, with assistance from Care Spaces, integrated a Changing Places toilet into the redevelopment of East Point Pavilion, ensuring compliance with accessibility standards. The facility received positive feedback during its grand opening, emphasizing its importance in creating an inclusive environment. The success of this project was showcased in a Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities webinar as a Best Practice example during the second round of Changing Places funding.