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In the dynamic realm of commercial infrastructure, where functionality meets aesthetics, Twinfix stands as a beacon of excellence. With a steadfast commitment to design, manufacture, and installation, Twinfix specialises in crafting bespoke canopies and roof glazing solutions for a myriad of industries. From schoolyards to retail spaces, outdoor dining areas to rail platforms, Twinfix’s canopy expertise transforms mundane spaces into vibrant, functional environments. Twinfix’s range of products brings a multitude of benefits to the commercial sector. Firstly, their canopies provide shelter from the elements, ensuring that outdoor spaces can be utilised year-round, irrespective of weather conditions. This feature is particularly invaluable for retail spaces, where outdoor displays and customer seating areas require protection from rain and harsh sunlight. Additionally, Twinfix canopies are designed with durability and longevity in mind. Constructed from high-quality materials, these structures withstand the test of time, requiring minimal maintenance and upkeep. This durability not only ensures a solid return on investment for businesses but also minimises disruption to operations due to maintenance downtime. Furthermore, Twinfix places a strong emphasis on sustainability. Their canopies are engineered to maximise natural light while minimising energy consumption. By harnessing natural daylight, businesses can reduce their reliance on artificial lighting, thereby lowering energy costs and environmental impact. At the heart of Twinfix’s innovative offerings lies the Multi-Link-Panel NF roofing system. This cutting-edge solution combines versatility with performance, offering unparalleled adaptability to diverse architectural requirements. The system’s modular design allows for seamless integration into a variety of commercial settings, from expansive car park canopies to sleek rail platform shelters. Featuring lightweight yet robust panels, the Multi-Link-Panel NF roofing system offers exceptional strength-to-weight ratio, ensuring structural integrity without compromising on aesthetics. It is non-fragile in accordance with HSE’s ACR[M]001:2019, and its quick and easy installation process minimises disruption to ongoing operations, making it an ideal choice for time-sensitive projects. Twinfix’s recent projects at Bolton Market and Heron Mill in Oldham exemplify the company’s prowess in delivering bespoke canopy solutions tailored to the unique needs of each client. At Bolton Market, Twinfix collaborated with Seddon Construction to erect a state-of-the-art car park canopy. This striking structure spanning 136 square metres not only provides shelter for vehicles but also enhances the overall visual appeal of the market, creating a welcoming environment for shoppers and vendors alike. Meanwhile, at Heron Mill in Oldham, Twinfix undertook the construction of a loading bay and loading platform canopy. This project highlighted Twinfix’s ability to seamlessly integrate canopy solutions into industrial settings, enhancing operational efficiency while providing essential protection for personnel and goods. In conclusion, Twinfix’s commitment to innovation, quality, and sustainability continues to redefine the commercial canopy landscape. With their range of products and the revolutionary Multi-Link-Panel NF roofing system, Twinfix empowers businesses to elevate their outdoor spaces, creating engaging environments that inspire productivity and prosperity.­­­

The Rise of Dockless Bikes in City centresIn recent years, dockless bikes have increased in popularity across city centres, offering a convenient and eco-friendly alternative to traditional transportation methods. These bikes have become a common sight in city streets across the UK, promoting active travel and reducing dependence on cars. They offer an active travel option to a wide range of age groups with providers reporting high usage among younger generations who are opting out of car ownership. However, with this rise comes the challenge of managing their parking to ensure they continue to positively impact mobility and not disrupt the lives of people in the urban landscape.The need for dedicated parking baysThe recent BBC article reporting Wandsworth Council’s ban on abandoning e-bikes on town centre pavements highlights the issues faced by councils looking to introduce such schemes. While dockless bike parking enables users to cycle to their destination, a lack of planning and infrastructure can lead to cluttered pavements and obstructed pedestrian paths.To tackle this, the council has launched a scheme to install 111 dedicated parking bays for dockless bikes across the town centres within the borough. This initiative is set to ban dockless bike parking on pavements in busy town centre areas, directing riders to use the new bays instead.Why dedicated parking bays matterDedicated parking bays for dockless bikes are essential for several reasons:1. Preventing clutter: Dockless bikes left haphazardly on pavements can block pedestrian pathways, posing safety risks and causing an inconvenience, particularly for visually impaired individuals and Disabled people. Dedicated bays help keep pavements clear and accessible.2. Promoting orderliness: Organised parking bays ensure that dockless bikes are neatly parked, enhancing the overall appearance of city centres and making it easier for users to locate and access them.3. Preventing damage: High winds and other environmental factors can cause incorrectly parked dockless bikes to fall over, leading to potential damage to the bikes and surrounding property. Dedicated enclosed bays provide a secure and stable parking solution.Introducing the Mobility CorralAt Cyclehoop, we understand the importance of accessible cycle parking. Our Mobility Corrals offer an ideal solution to the challenges posed by the careless parking of dockless bikes.The Corral is designed to allocate parking space both in the carriageway and on pedestrianised areas, preventing bikes from blowing over in high winds and ensuring they remain neatly arranged. They are quick and easy to install, and the simple design makes them easy to relocate, should the need arise. Modular by design, the units can be configured to suit the site requirements, allocating spaces for different parking types. By installing Mobility Corrals in city centres, you can create a more orderly and accessible environment for all.The Benefits of Mobility Corrals- Increased Accessibility: Properly organised dockless bikes are easier to access and use, encouraging more people to choose active travel over cars.- Improved City Centres: Neat and orderly parking bays contribute to the visual appeal of city streets.Case study: Hackney Mobility Corrals for dockless bike hireIn 2021, Cyclehoop was contracted by the London Borough of Hackney to provide seventy-one Mobility Corrals to accompany a new dockless bike hire scheme. The aim of the project was to offer residents a new, environmentally friendly transport option and support the goal set in the Hackney Transport Strategy 2015-2025 Cycling Plan:“To make Hackney’s roads the most attractive and safest roads for cycling in the UK, and a place where it is second nature for everyone to cycle, no matter what their age, background or ethnicity”The scheme proved a success, with Hackney quickly becoming one of London’s highest usage boroughs. Lime reported a 117% increase in dockless bike and scooter trips in London between January and July 2022, a trend sure to continue as popularity grows. The Council also expects to expand the dockless bike bays to increase the visibility and compliance of the scheme.Learn MoreTo learn more about this development, check out the full article on BBC News: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c28808jjrx1oFor more information about our Mobility Corrals and how they can benefit your area, visit our product page: https://cyclehoop.com/product/mobility-corralTo read about the case study on Hackney Mobility Corrals visit: https://cyclehoop.com/case-study/hackney-mobility-corrals-for-dockless-bike-hire/.ConclusionDockless bikes are a valuable addition to urban transportation, offering a sustainable and convenient travel option. To maximise their benefits, investment in infrastructure is required. With dedicated parking bays and innovative solutions like Mobility Corrals, we can create a more orderly, accessible, and enjoyable urban environment for all.

Park Central and Quay Central are part of the £5 billion redevelopment Liverpool Waters project to transform 150 acres of historic docklands, the single biggest regeneration project in the history of Liverpool. The Central Docks neighbourhood will be a world class business and leisure district with over 2,000,000 square feet of mixed use floor space, including 710,000 square feet of office space and over 1,000 new waterfront apartments in buildings up to 44 storeys high. PROJECT INFOPark Central is the second phase of the Central Docks residential development. It offers 129 one and two-bedroomed apartments over 14 storeys.Quay Central comprises two blocks offering 96 one-bedroomed and 141 two-bedroomed apartments alongside 5,000 square feet of commercial space and undercroft parking for 50 cars.Elevation design is driven by the historic context of the site, being situated near the Waterloo Warehouse within the wider Waterloo Docks. The site is bound by two contrasting edge conditions. To the south are buildings with a strong industrial character and to the north is a soft landscaped park. The development presents two different external characters depending on the elevation: the south, facing Waterloo Warehouse, features regular punctuated openings with formal recesses while the north pushes out with the use of piers and louvres, expressive depth and verticality towards the green public space.The brick selected for the projects is Woodside Mixture from Forterra’s Butterley range. Made at the company’s Accrington factory, it is a wirecut red clay brick with a printed texture that complements the site’s historic context

The FA wanted only the best for its highest-profile ‘social pitch’ at St George’s Park, its new centre of excellence in Staffordshire, opened in October 2012 by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge – FA President Prince William wife, Kate.The fence at Pitch No 2, the David Beckham Pitch, needed to take sponsorship and branding and keep rattle and noise to a minimum. The FA also wanted to fit in with the landscaping of the National Forest in which the centre sits.The SolutionThe system had to be in keeping with the environment – even down to surfacing the pitch surrounding the same golden colour as the car parks. In addition, it needed to limit noise impact on neighbours and cause minimal disruption to pitch use during installation as the fencing went in after the pitch.They chose a quality system that will last on this high-usage pitch at heights of 2m and 5m with EPDM inserts to insulate the fence panels from the posts to reduce noise during impacts to 72dB compared with the 93dB of wooden panels.Zaun designed its Super Rebound to take branding and sponsorship signs and fencing to remain robust even in brisk winds when the graphics can threaten to act as a ‘sail’.The installation, which is around a pitch that is primarily used by the public rather than for England training, carriesZaun’s industry-leading 12-year product guarantee.Zaun worked closely with East Staffs Borough Council on planning consent and with the St George’s Park groundsmen and facilities team to complete a tight programme of works on the £105m complex on budget and in time for the royal opening.

URSA TERRA Glass Wool specified at major regeneration scheme  Construction giant Kier, has specified over 3,000 square metres of URSA TERRA Glass Wool as part of a £30million regeneration scheme at Manor Street, Braintree, Essex. The scheme will help rejuvenate and revitalise the area, providing essential new facilities and an attractive public realm whilst cultivating a vibrant town centre destination for the local community. Under the ambitious scheme, Kier chose URSA glass wool, as core insulation specification. The architects opted for URSA Walltec Black 32 at 100mm, 140mm and 200mm thickness along with URSA Hometec Roll 35 in a range of thicknesses for use throughout the development. Ian Claydon of URSA explained: “We were first involved in the scheme in July 2020 when approached by our distributor, Encon Insulation (Newmarket) to discuss a series of architect’s drawings and design the specification for a number of different wall types including traditional masonry cavity and rainscreen cladding with both cladding panels and brick outer leaf.  “We undertook numerous U-value calculations covering 18 different wall types. We also offered advice on the ‘buildability’ of some wall types, effect of linear thermal bridges, the fire performance of the walls and fire performance of the insulation. “The specification has evolved since with Kier adding metal roof insulation to their chosen product range and we are now providing a complete insulation solution. “This scheme typifies how our glass wool products are the perfect fit for almost any wall design or construction type that can potentially make up a building. It’s far reaching benefits in terms of performance, durability and flexibility see URSA TERRA specified time and time again in both commercial and residential schemes.” Ian added: “Working closely with Encon Insulation we will be supplying products to site on an as needed basis. Whilst we are facing challenges with imports caused by both Brexit and Covid, we are still devising solutions which allow us to retain strong stock levels and cater for the demands of a large site such as this.” The mixed-use scheme at Braintree will include 35 new homes, a 70-room hotel, health provision, new bus interchange, two-storey car park, and enhanced public realm, which will complement Braintree’s historic Town Hall and provide the perfect backdrop for a new café restaurant. A new healthcare facility will sit at the centre of the development and will also provide a home for Mid Essex CCG’s first Livewell Hub including a GP surgery, pharmacy and further preventative healthcare services. At the centre also will be an accessible garden area which the general public are encouraged to utilise, enjoy and relax surrounded by existing public amenities offered by the library, museum and the historic, Grade II listed, Braintree Town Hall. A new car park across two floors will provide additional parking capacity whist a new hotel feeds into the wider tourism strategy for the district. Partnering remains critical within the wider URSA approach. Technical staff are keen to collaborate with clients at the initial design stage to support the best specification available. Ian concluded: “The Braintree scheme represents the very best of what URSA can offer – from a true sense of partnering with the client to the application of a vast range of products designed for multiple specifications. We continue to demonstrate our agility and strength as a business and are able to present products with assured confidence.” 

Stockport Exchange has been undergoing extensive refurbishment since 2014 with improvements to the train station, a new multi storey car park, new retail and leisure facilities as well as office buildings. Given its location on the doorstep of one of the busiest train routes in the country, connections to London in under 2 hours, and less than 10 minute journey into Manchester - The potential and popularity of the scheme has seen well known brands such as Stage Coach, Music Magpie and many others fully occupying the office spaces. The external area surrounding the buildings is completely pedestrianised with a combination of paved walkways, grass plots, and raised concrete edging for plants and trees. An open green space that is the first thing visitors see of Stockport after leaving the train station.Artform Urban were asked to provide their popular Stone Benches in HPC Granite with a smooth Velluto finish. The unique design and polished finish invites users to interact whether to rest or to climb and play. The solid stone bench becomes an immovable barrier offering security and protection once it has to be maneuvered into place with cranes. A modern and monolithic design that creates a striking visual contrast to the contemporary glass and steel architecture. The stone bench range has recently been expanded with three sizes now being offered in new finishes.The client, George Cox & Sons, have a mission to present a high quality finish on all their projects that provide essential transport links. Stockport Exchange is another excellent scheme added to their portfolio. The regeneration scheme has and continues to be a success for Stockport Council and is a benchmark for future renovations to the town centre. 

This new Multi-Brand Dealership is comprised of three showrooms for the three prestige automotive brands, Jaguar Land Rover, Aston Martin and McLaren and has been built in Hatfield Business Park, Shropshire by the award winning MCS Group. Each of the showrooms have been designed to allow freedom to explore the range of vehicles in a contemporary environment that is both luxurious and inviting. The Aston Martin and McLaren showrooms are also the first in the UK to showcase the newest corporate identities for the brands.The Jaguar Land Rover £15 million showroom is both light and spacious. It provides 18 vehicle display spaces and dedicated vehicle handover suites. There is also a drive-in service area, valet and preparation area. The Lusso 25 single glazed frameless glazed partition system was installed to create office spaces which allows uninterrupted visibility to the showroom. McLaren has a history of exceptional design and engineering, so it is not surprising that the design for the showroom includes a feature curved glazed partitioning system with curved glass sliding doors. Lusso rose to this challenge and bravely executed the complex design requirements. With this statement partitioning, the showroom becomes a be-fitting space for the stunning range of McLaren supercars, providing the customer with an unforgettable shopping experience. As a prestigious brand, Aston Martin is well-known around the world for being a car manufacturer that produces vehicles that turn heads. Their stylish new showroom has been designed to provide a luxurious backdrop for their stunning supercars.The development of the facility has created a bespoke environment with a dedicated customer specification lounge, private handover area and aftersales facilities.With the use of Lusso Glazed Partitioning System, the bespoke showroom has been given a sleek look which was required for this brand.Image - 8

Den CourtBauder Thermofol single ply waterproofing systemSynopsisConstructed in 1977, Den Court is a large retirement home made up of 24 flats in the small town of Lochgelly in Fife. The regeneration of the sheltered housing by Fife Council involved the demolition of part of the building as well as replacement windows and doors, landscaping and a new car park.Bauder Building BoardProject:Den Court Care Home, CardendenLocation:Lochgelly, Fife, ScotlandProject Type:RefurbishmentRoof Area:1200m²Specifier:Fife CouncilApproved Contractor:Greenroof UKThe specificationThe client was clear that lead effect rolls were essential for this projects roof. In order to achieve this whilst keeping with the original roof of the building and with the other buildings of the area, Bauder’s Thermofol PVC system was specified and approved contractor Greenroof (UK). The resultDuring installation, the approved contractors hand-crafted over 2,000 linear meters of timber battens wrapped in the Bauder THERMOFOL U15 Fleece Back waterproofing membrane. These were then installed on to the 1200m² roof area.Thanks to the hard work and craftsmanship deployed by the approved contractor and the high-quality products used on the project, following a roof inspection from an expert Bauder Site Technician and a leak test, Bauder was able to issue a 20-year product and workmanship guarantee to the roof. System installedBauderThermofol single ply waterproofing system1 Bauder THERMOFOL U15 V FR1.5mm fleece-backed reinforced PVC membrane2 BauderPIR MTissue-faced flatboard insulation3 BauderTEC KSDElastomer bitumen air & vapour control layer, self-adhesive membrane

An industrial inspired floor finish that would act as a protective coating for one of Yorkshire’s newest and hippest events venues owned by luxury holiday hideaway company, Kip & Nook.  Hidden in the grounds of a farm in the the North Yorkshire countryside. you’ll find the whimsical world that is Kip & Nook – offering luxurious accommodation of all kinds.Kip & Nook offers three luxury cabins and a barn to stay in, as well as an uber cool converted container.The Kip & Nook property boasts a unique entertainment venue dubbed, The Workshop.The Workshop is the perfect space for social gatherings including weddings and birthdays as well as the ideal place for Kip & Nook guests to unwind after a busy day exploring the countryside.The Workshop includes a pool table, ping pong table, darts pop-up pizza restaurant and G&T and cocktails van, in a unique setting adorned with high-end vintage cars that are available to rent for the afternoon.Installed in RAL 7031 Blue Grey across the venue, Vebro’s classic self-priming solvent-free epoxy coating vebro EP Universal has been used at 0.60 kg / m² over two coats to deliver a super smooth, super glossy industrial-look floor finish.vebro EP Universal is best suited to coat floors in medium duty dry processing areas where a hard-wearing floor finish is required.This two-component product is easily applied, either by roller or rubber squeegee, and demonstrates excellent resistance to chemicals and cleaning agents. The system’s all round performance protects concrete substrates against a range of day-to-day service criteria. The material is available in a wide range of standard RAL or BS 4800 classic shades. 

13 new dwellings situated in the small village of Doddington, Lincolnshire are providing much-needed affordable housing for people working at nearby Doddington Hall.Located on Main Street, the development enhances this area of the village, providing important infill on the site once occupied by the local school, which was demolished in the 1960s and has latterly been used as a car park and general storage area. It is bordered by a mix of farmland, mature trees and shrubs, and existing housing, and lies partially within a conservation area.The development comprises two 2-bedroomed, five 3-bedroomed and six 4-bedroomed terraced and semi-detached dwellings. One of the terraces fronts onto Main Street while the remainder have been sensitively designed to create an attractive group of dwellings centred around a newly-created ‘village green’.Perhaps the most significant element of the appearance of the scheme is the elevation of the terraces towards Main Street. In developing the specifically tailored to design for this elevation, account was taken of the nature of the surrounding buildings within the village.Although not prominent to public view, the balance of the development has been designed in a manner sympathetic to the architectural vernacular found within the village. With a common thread running-through which will serve to unify the development and reinforce the sense-of-place which is presented by the scheme.In particular, simple, uncomplicated/uncluttered designs have been developed. High quality materials have been utilised for the development, essential in reinforcing the architectural character of the development, reflecting the high-quality of other developments which have been executed within the village recently.The brick selected was Forterra’s Butterley Breckland Multi Reserve, a red brick with a tumbled texture.

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

Leading infrastructure services company, Amey, have used UltraCrete Tough Patch® to repair a failed pothole on the M180.BackgroundLocated between Junction 3 and Junction 2 of the M180, a dangerous pothole was once again in need of urgent repair and Amey Highway Infrastructure Area 12 were the team to fix it for the last time.The ChallengeThe biggest challenge facing Amey was the location of the pothole. The repair needed to be carried out quickly, but permanently, to keep motorists and operatives as safe as possible whilst working on this extremely busy road.The SolutionTo complete the repair, Tough Patch® was applied in 100mm layers and compacted until the same level as the surrounding carriageway.Tough Patch® is a PTS PAS approved, cold lay surface material for road repairs, which utilises a reactive binder that rapidly cures to create a first time, permanent repair that will accept traffic immediately after installation. By utilising Tough Patch®, the amount of time needed for closures and traffic management can be reduced, resulting in a significantly safer working environment for operatives carrying out the work.Quick and easy to apply, Tough Patch® can be used to repair defects in pavements, driveways, car parks and on high speed roads – it even provides a first time permanent repair in wheel turning locations such as junctions, traffic lights and roundabouts.ResultsThe hazardous site was repaired quickly and motorists along the M180 are now enjoying a pothole-free journey.On using Tough Patch®, an Amey representative commented: “Tough Patch is very easy to use and spreads with no big chunks and doesn’t go hard if opened and only used half of the tub.”

For the new distribution centre at Schiphol Trade Park along the A4, living walls have been realised with MobiPanel, the living wall system from Mobilane. With a total surface spanning 750 m2, the facades of the new distribution centre is greened with the latest generation vertical green from Mobilane.Sustainable and innovative distribution centreA lot of attention has been paid to the appearance of the new distribution centre. With the design of Dedato Architecten, sustainability has not only been taken into account on the inside, but also sustainability at the outside of the building has been taken into consideration by including nature-inclusitivity. Dick Venneman, architect and owner of Dedato Architecten tells: “It is a building with its own characteristic appearance, a landmark from the highway. The building is in its materials friendly and accessible. The different surfaces in the facade gives it a human approach. The living walls and the vertically placed solar panels tells something about the sustainability of the building and plays a role in the preservation of biodiversity in the area”. In addition, the MobiPanel living walls makes the environment more sustainable and improves air quality. The installation of the living walls was carried out by Mobicare in collaboration with Zoontjens Boomprojecten. In addition to the living walls, Zoontjens also installed two large roof gardens with various trees, shrubs and 2,600 MobiRoof ECO sedum cassettes totalling 650 square metres.Distribution centre 2.0 Schiphol Trade ParkThe building spans 30.000 m2 of which 3000 m2 is available for offices. Under the distribution centre, there is a car park spanning 7500 m2 with space for 270 cars. The construction of the new distribution centre began in 2020 and is delivered by Dijkham Bouw BV. “From the environment, wellbeing and to prevent a paved environment, for the design it has been chosen to implement living walls, green roofs and ground level. We are very satisfied about this procedure. The execution is very good, the communication was good”, according to Marcel Smeets – Coordinator at Dijkham Bouw BV. The distribution centre was developed by Minerva Development. Minerva Development is an independent developer with years of experience in the development and realisation of business premises. “Since Schiphol Trade Park has set the goal of becoming one the most sustainable logistics centre, as developers we were very happy to take on the challenge. Next to all other facilities such as solar panels, we have opted for a lot of greenery in the design. Not only on the facades, but also in the surroundings of the building and on the roof. We are very happy with the end result and proud of the fact that because of the living walls, this is by far the most beautiful DC in the area. We are very curious about what the result will be over a few months when everything is in bloom”, Bob Lukassen – Minerva Development.Latest generation vertical greenFor greening the distribution, it was chosen for the new living wall system MobiPanel from Mobilane. MobiPanel is an innovative, sustainable and lightweight system for living walls. It is a modular and circular system consisting of omega profiles and pregrown plant cassettes (40 x 40 cm), provided with an automatic irrigation and drainage system. The plants in the cassettes receive water through capillary action. MobiPanel can be installed on flat or curved walls and is suitable for different types of walls, including certain types of sandwich panels. For the facades of the new distribution centre, sandwich panels from Cladding Point have been used. “With Mobilane, as a global expert with many years of experience, we can continue to lead the way in innovation and sustainability. Cladding Point and Mobilane are ready for the future together”, Frank Janssen – Managing Director at Cladding Point. Cladding Point’s Design+ Carrier sandwich panels contribute to the highest BREEAM category.Client: Minerva DevelopmentArchitect: Dedato ArchitectenConstruction period: 2021Installation: Mobicare

These are the latest secure FalcoPod bike hangars installed this month at the new Harper Collins Publishers editorial office and distribution at Robroyston in Glasgow, which is currently the largest logistics development project in Scotland.Falco manufactured, supplied and installed a series of ten secure FalcoPod Bike Hangars, a 12m FalcoQuarter waiting shelter run and a secure FalcoLok-500 refuse store.Each FalcoPod bike hangar provides secure cycle parking for up to six bikes each, providing a total of 60 secure cycle parking spaces for employee use. Each bike hangar has been supplied with instructional signage, powder coated in a Harper Collins blue RAL colour and Harper Collins branding graphics.Installed outside the main entrance, each secure bike hangar takes up no more room than a single car parking space and is capable of accommodating all types of cycles - from road and mountain bikes to bikes with a child seat on the back or storage basket on the front.A 12m waiting and smoking shelter has been installed next to the bike hangars, made up of a series of three 4m FalcoQuarter shelters, one starter section and two add-on sections. The modular nature of the FalcoQuarter allows additional shelters bays to be added or removed in the future.A secure 5m x 4m FalcoLok-500 refuse store has also been installed next to the waiting shelter, clad in sustainable hardwood slats and fitted with double doors and a secure access system.FalcoPod Bike Hangar The FalcoPod bike hangar, as shown here at Harper Collins Publications, is a robust on-street cycle parking solution designed to meet the needs of cyclists who don’t have access to private cycle parking facilities. The improved innovative shape means that users no longer have to remove some baskets or child seats when storing their bike!Falco design is both evolutionary and innovative by nature and the new FalcoPod is no exception. This is the third generation of ‘bike hangar’ type product building on the pedigree of the original street locker the ‘Midi Bike Box’ with some great new features over existing products as follows:Size - fits in half a car parking space and houses 6 bikes, with covered weather protection.Family inclusive – with an ergonomically improved design, the additional space/height (55% more) means there is no need to remove child seats or baskets from the back or front of bikes.Bike security - the six place FalcoSound bike rack has three locking points including the ability to use a ‘D’ lock through the rear wheel and frame.Easy access - single door with integral lock and gas strut for assisted lifting.The effective bike hangar has already been successfully rolled out to the London Borough of Waltham Forest, Brent, Camden, Westminster and Merton Councils. Bike Hangar Management and MaintenanceThrough our ‘Falco Rentals’ team, Falco now offers local authorities and private companies a fully managed bike hangar service dealing with key management and public payments as well as a regular planned maintenance service to support the council with its ongoing public service maintenance obligations.This service is not just restricted to bike hangars though, we are able to provide a rental service for any cycle parking facility, from cycle hubs and bike stores through to individual cycle lockers, the Falco Rentals system is both flexible and simple to use.For more information about the FalcoPod Bike Hangar, the FalcoPod Bike Hangar service or your cycle parking scheme, please contact our helpful sales team on 01538 380080. 

The ChallengeIn 2018 a joint venture of Bam Nuttall and Morgan Sindall was awarded the £200 million smart motorway scheme by Highways England. These works were to improve the flow of traffic between the M6 and the M60. This involved improving the link road between these two busy Highways which is the M62 J10-12.Many Embankments needed to be retained to fit the new ERAs and to allow room for many of the gantries that are needed on a smart motorway scheme.One of the main challenges with all Highway Schemes is coordinating works around your fellow contractors, this can be tough at times with works spread over such a small distance. With careful planning, this was overcome and the work flowed continuously for the duration of our time on the schemeA durable, long-lasting, and low-maintenance wall solution with a Highway Authorities Product Approval Scheme and British Board of Agreement (BBA) certificate was required.The SolutionA sizeable number of mass gravity EcoCrib retaining walls are now built along the M62 J10-12. A total of 44 structures equating to 1546m of walling is now spread across the 3 junctions. With construction speeds exceeding 50m2 a day and a design life in excess of 120 years, EcoCrib is durable, and the most highly sustainable retaining solution. Designed, supplied and installed by PC Construction, certified by the BBA and HAPAS in 2012.EcoCrib profiles are manufactured entirely from recycled UK plastic (bottle tops, car bumpers etc) with any wastage or surplus material re-processed to form new EcoCrib profiles.EcoCrib can be recycled when it reaches the end of its useful life.When considering solutions for developments of all kinds, the lifetime cost means EcoCrib is the more efficient choice.2984 SQM of EcoCrib was used on the scheme, equivalent to 222 tonnes of plastic waste diverted from landfill.

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

St. Anns, London, new mental health inpatient building Blossom Court is undergoing it’s second phase and specified DVS and Franke products for the project. The unit is due to be completed in Autumn 2002 and aims to replace its old mental health wards with modern, state of the art facilities for patients requiring inpatient care. The full range of products provided was: • 2 x VR01-072 V2 High security WC pan less abled with grey top • 3 x VR01-010 High security ligature resistant toilet • 5 x VR01-030 High security V2 basin with integrated backplate (not including sensors) • 5 x VR07-004 Washroom control system kit – for DVS high security backplate & WC • 5 x WC02-014 Concealed plastic cistern kit – vertical – 2” unit • 4 x F0354P Single bowl • 4 x F0359P Single bowl • 6 x F0360P Single bowl • 1 x G22025L DUH hospital disposal unit • 1 x G20605N Stainless steel cistern • 3 x G20055N Centinel janitorial unit – HTM64 The plans for the redevelopment of St Ann’s Hospital were developed with patients, staff and local stakeholders and involve a series of improvements. Following completion of the new inpatient unit in summer 2020, Phase 2 includes the refurbishment of other buildings, a new restaurant for visitors and staff and improvements to the site power and water supplies, roadways, car parking and landscaping. Designing sanitaryware for mental health and high-security environments can be a challenge, however, the DVS branded safe ensuite range is manufactured using advanced technologies, provides the perfect solution. These high-security and ligature resistant products are virtually unbreakable and create a safe solution within all mental health facilities.

Sowwah Square is a landmark development situated on theisland of Jazeerat Al Maryah in Abu Dhabi. The complexcomprises four luxury high-rise towers providing 285,000square metres of mixed office and retail space, as well asthe new Stock Exchange of Abu Dhabi building.Working in collaboration with design and architecture firm,Gensler, Allgood initially provided specifications for theStock Exchange building, retail area and the car parks,before later working with Goettsch Partners on the fourluxury towers.Gensler wanted a bespoke lever and pull handle designusing a semi-circular grip profile to complement the interioraesthetic. Allgood worked closely with the architects todesign, prototype, and produce the handles, using itsin-house design and manufacture capabilities. The finalproducts were installed on all 2,600 doors of the StockExchange building and have since been included inAllgood’s Mode range.Goettsch designed each of the four towers surrounding theStock Exchange in its own style. The versatile Sembla rangeof door furniture proved an ideal partner for this vision,given the many possible finishes and materials. For thisthe Sembla range of door furniture was chosen due to itsversatile range of finishes and material options. The clientalso only wanted fittings of the highest quality and durability.Sembla is made from solid grade 316 stainless steel and ismounted on Allgood’s patented Quadaxial™ rose that hasbeen tested to one million cycles without failure.The commitment to quality extended to the choices ofhardware with only the most durable mechanical hardwarebeing specified throughout the project. Allgood providedlocks, cylinders, door closers and panic devices with 10-yearguarantees, while the hinges had a 25-year guarantee.

Falco has completed the design, manufacture, supply and installation of new cycle parking infrastructure at Oxford Brookes University.Installed this winter, the new facility comprises 72 spaces of the UK’s leading two-tier cycle parking system – the FalcoLevel-Premium+ combined with the open and spacious FalcoRail double-sided cycle canopy.Two key products of the scheme here at Oxford Brookes University, are the tried and tested Falco Level Premium + two-tier cycle parking system and the Falco Rail cycle canopy, which When combined together, create the ultimate cycle park - providing cyclists with high levels of cycle security in a spacious contemporary canopy design.Each 4m bay of double-sided FalcoRail cycle canopy features cycle parking for up to 36 bikes utilising double-sided two-tier racks. The double-sided nature of both the cycle canopy and cycle racks provides a maximum number of cycle spaces whilst occupying a minimum of floor space.The new facility, with everything a cyclist will need in order to visit the university by bike, has been installed next to the main reception, adjacent to the car park.Oxford Brookes is a four campus public university with over 16,000 students and three main campuses located in Oxford and a fourth in Swindon.In addition to Oxford Brookes University, Falco has supplied cycle parking infrastructure to many other universities including Cambridge University, University of Edinburgh, The Guildhall School of Music and Drama, University of Brighton, Queen Mary University, Loughborough University, University of Southampton and University of West Scotland. For more information about the scheme here at Oxford Brookes University, or how Falco can assist your cycle parking project, please contact our helpful sales team at sales@falco.co.uk.

Arranged around several courtyards and atria, Jaguar Land Rover’s new Advanced Product Creation Centre by Bennetts Associates is a series of inspirational, creative spaces designed to foster interaction and collaboration. As part of a refined materials palette, over 5,000m2 of Junckers solid Nordic Oak Classic flooring has been installed to define zones and provide a warm, natural surface. High levels of natural light fill new offices, restaurant and a 400-seat multipurpose hall, all linked by generous internal streets. The company’s latest vehicle models are proudly displayed on the ground floor, where the flooring had to be able to accommodate both the cars and a Stringo, a specialist vehicle moving truck. Working with AC Flooring Ltd, Junckers provided a solid hardwood floor able to take the weight of a five-tonne load. Richard Aylen, Junckers’ Technical Manager worked with AC Flooring and the architects to find the best solution for the floor to withstand heavy loads: “The wooden floor at Jaguar Land Rover’s new Advanced Production Creation Centre was glued to the subfloor using our Parkett Adhesive. Given a suitable subfloor, this is usually the method that will bear the highest loads. Worryingly, there is a trend towards substituting proprietary adhesive products for cheaper brands. A cheaper adhesive generally contains more filler, which will bulk out the product but do nothing for its adhesive properties. The high amount of filler in in the cheaper adhesives has reduced the bonding ability and projects where such products have been used are beginning to fail with large claims being fought in parts of Europe. This is an issue many flooring contractors may be unaware of. By choosing Junckers Parkett Adhesive the client can be confident that they have the best long-term result.” 

Crown Commercial Service (CCS) is the biggest public procurement organisation the UK. At its busy offices in Norwich, Style worked with contractor, Sol Services Ltd, to create flexible space in one of the meeting rooms, enabling staff to configure the area into two smaller rooms or to completely open-up the area into one single space.The partitioning experts at Style designed a system that combines two glass folding partitions with impressive 42dB Rw acoustic ratings, alongside a Stylefold 120 solid folding wall with a 50 dB Rw rating, successfully delivering the level of adaptability demanded by CCS.With over 900 employees spread across four UK offices, CCS uses its commercial expertise to help buyers in central government and across the public and third sectors to purchase everything from locum doctors and laptops to police cars and electricity. The new partitioning moveable walls help ensure there is always the required room space available to accommodate the myriad of meetings that happen each week. “This is a great example of how a combination of solid and glass acoustic folding walls can create flexible meeting room space which offers light and visibility but is also very private,” said Steve Williams, sales director for Style Midlands.“These walls are so effortless and light to manoeuvre that the space can be reconfigured in minutes, which means different room options can be created for different meetings throughout the day.“The glass moveable walls also retain that feeling of having open plan space, whilst the impressive acoustic integrity of these folding walls means that meetings can take place completely undisturbed.”Further adding to the interior design of the room, graphics were added to the solid moveable wall with matching manifestations on the glass.

At the heart of Leeds' cultural district lies the new SOYO development - a mixed-use area bringing social and modern living to the city. Alongside the city's creative quarter of the Leeds Playhouse, as well as the BBC Studios and the College of Music, the SOYO development has promised to 'establish one of the very best places to live, work, and visit in Leeds'.The blocks B + C development consists of 331 apartments, as part of a PRS (Private Rented Sector) scheme - including a variety of different apartments with options up to 3 bedrooms in size. Adjacent to the residential accommodation lies workspace for entrepreneurs and agile working - as well as facilities such as a gym, a bike store, and a basement car park for convenience.ChallengeSpecialist roofing and cladding sub-contractor Axis Envelope Solutions provided the external solution for the exterior cladding of the building. With the construction spanning across two buildings at 8 and 14 storeys high, fasteners were required to securely fix back Kingspan composite panels to a lightweight SFS (Steel Framing System), with an aluminium rainscreen exterior fixed directly back to the panel. SolutionFixfast supplied Axis with TIDR A4/316 stainless steel insulation anchors, as well as A4 grade stainless steel pop rivets, and Fixfast's DrillFast A4 stainless low profile fasteners with lacquered heads to blend in and match the specific panel colour on the building. DF25-SSA4 fasteners were utilised within the construction - self-drilling up to 25mm thick steel with ease, and saving time in pre-drilling for easier installation. (image courtesy of Axis Group)"Working with Fixfast has been nothing short of a breeze, they appear to have a fixing for every application, and technical backup to match. We will certainly be using Fixfast again in the future."Jamie Hartley - Senior Design Manager at Axis Envelope Solutions

The £82 million redevelopment of Coventry’s rail station has seen the creation of a new entrance building and multi-storey car park, with Senior Architectural Systems playing a key role in its creation.Designed by AHR Architects, the West Midlands station is one of the busiest outside of London. The project is the latest to have been delivered by Senior and its long-term supply chain partners Elite Aluminium Systems and Buckingham Group Contracting Ltd.Senior’s slimline SF52 aluminium curtain wall system was specified for the main station building, helping to flood the concourse with natural light. Senior’s robust SD automatic commercial sliding doors were also installed to provide secure, safe and accessible access to the thousands of passengers who use the station every day. Additionally, the new-look station also features a footbridge to allow easier access to the platforms and bus interchange.Senior’s slim profile SF52 aluminium curtain wall system provided the ideal balance of aesthetics and performance by allowing copious amounts of light to enter the building and offering enhanced thermal efficiency. The aluminium frames were powder coated to boost durability and also complement the station’s feature grey and red cladding. Senior’s SPW501 aluminium commercial swing doors were also specified throughout to provide a safe and secure solution to such a high traffic environment.The extensive use of glazing on the building also pays homage to the original station building which is located nearby but owing to its Grade II status, could not be extended or developed to meet the increased demand on Coventry’s rail network. Ahead of the wider refurbishment of the original building, the large glazed panels have been used to frame various artwork from local artists and create another focal point for visitors to the city.

At this new-build shopping centre in Shepherd's Bush, West London, the new underground car park was experiencing high levels of water ingress through two movement joints that had failed. Newton Specialist Contractor ASF Waterproofing, who are specialists in injection resins and structural repair work, was therefore called in order to provide a quick solution and fix the leaking joints.Following an initial investigation, the technical team from ASF decided to use the 5-part acrylic rubber sealing resin Newton 324-SR to seal the joint, as it reacts to form a very durable and flexible seal that exhibits exceptional adhesion, making it ideal for movement joints.ASF began by drilling holes at angle into the concrete, and at regular intervals for the 10mm injection packers above the joints. The injection packers were then fitted to each hole, and foam backing rod was used to temporarily block the joint and prevent uncured resin from escaping as it is injected.The five components of the PC 509 Rubber Acryl are mixed to make two solutions, whilst the curing time of the resin can also be adjusted by changing the quantity of initiator used. The resin was then injected through the packers and into the joint using a three-component stainless steel pump.Finally, once the resin was cured and the joints were effectively sealed, ASF ground back the surface of the concrete to either side of the joints and applied Newton 106 FlexProof, a flexible liquid waterproofing material, to provide a final protective seal and finish the job.With two leaking movement joints in a finished structure, the client required a swift resolution to get the area back into use quickly. With the benefit of Newton’s advanced resin and waterproofing products, ASF got to site and delivered the sealed joints within the client’s tight timeframe.

In 2014, Cyclehoop was commissioned by Network Rail to find a cycle parking solution for Victoria Station.These improvements were to ensure a more cycle-friendly environment, to encourage more people to combine rail and cycle travel and to reduce congestion within and around the station. Used in conjunction, bicycles and trains can help reduce carbon, provide a door-to-door commute and deliver huge environmental benefits, all of which are issues that Cyclehoop are incredibly keen to encourage.The locations that were chosen for the cycle parking were the front and the rear of the station by the car park and taxi rank, due to convenience for users and also the CCTV coverage which enhances bike security.We designed the 100-strong custom made cycle parking facilities in line with Victoria Station’s interior aesthetic. This comprised Two-Tier Cycle Racks, maximising its footprint, as well as fencing securely enclosing the racks, adding an extra deterrent to thieves.The success of the cycle parking prompted a request several months later from Network Rail to upgrade the facility into a repair hub. We installed our Public Bike Pump and Repair Stand to provide a convenient repair hub for commuters in an emergency situation, or just for a quick shot of air. The idea of adding pumps and repair stands at major stations prevents abandoned bicycles and ensure people who cycle can get to their destination swiftly in the event of any fault with their bicycles.“Overall we have found the racks have been a source of positive feedback from station users. They significantly increased capacity, coverage by CCTV and a more convenient location allows us to provide a more effective customer service to our passengers. Equally their design allows a more efficient use of space at the station and offers a modern and user friendly experience.” – Adrian Gogay, Network Rail

Here at Symphony, we pride ourselves on leading the way in design and manufacture innovation. We are also always ensuring that sustainability is at the forefront of everything we do. That’s why we were thrilled to work with Barratt Developments to create the first zero carbon home concept from a major housebuilder. The Zed HouseWith carbon neutral homes being such a hot topic, with everything from the move to heat pumps to electric car charging at home, we were honoured to be invited to work with leading housebuilder Barratt Developments on its unique and flagship zero carbon home concept. The Zed House will be the first new home in the UK built by a major housebuilder to go beyond the new Future Homes Standard by delivering a carbon reduction of 125%. The Future Homes Standard ensures that all new homes built from 2025 will produce 75-80% less carbon emissions than homes under current regulations. The carbon reduction of 125% is from 100% regulated and 25% unregulated energy using heat recovery, low carbon and renewable technologies. The Zed House will be lived in and monitored over time in order to assess its performance on an ongoing everyday basis. We can’t wait to see the results.The future of housebuildingDesigned and developed to show what is achievable for the housebuilding market in terms of sustainability, the Zed House is a great example of how our homes could look in the next few decades. At Symphony we have a constantly evolving list of eco credentials that we use in everything we do. How this project worked is that Barratt challenged its supply chain partners to bring in the most cutting-edge products to help reduce its carbon footprint. We chose our Urban kitchen in Grey Walnut, as the door and drawer fronts are made from 100% recycled chipboard and the handles contain renewable coconut fibre. Not only that but the cabinets are also made from 49% recycled board while cutlery trays and drawer storage are all Hemp and Kenaf based. We thought this was the perfect example of how kitchens can be a sustainable and environmentally friendly purchase without sacrificing style. The stainless-steel sink from Franke was chosen as it contains 80% recycled materials and was supplied with a waste disposal unit that processes organic waste to reduce the amount of food waste going to landfill. The Insinkerator 4 in 1 tap supplies filtered water to reduce the need to purchase bottled water and therefore encourages the reduction of single use plastic. It also replaces the need for a kettle by providing boiling water, which reduces both energy usage from boiling a kettle but also only provides the amount of boiling that is required. The appliances were also selected for their sustainability credentials including energy efficiency and minimising water use. The worksurface is a carbon neutral material from the Sunlit Days collection from Silestone by Cosentino, the first carbon neutral quartz range in the engineered stone industry that contains recycled glass and minerals. Eco buildThe Zed House itself is made from a closed panel timber frame with highly insulated cladding. It also includes EV charging points, PV solar panels and battery storage. The interior comes with infra-red electronic hands-free taps, reducing water consumption by up to 80%, and a smart electric tariff that automatically moves energy usage to access the cheapest rates. EV charging pointWith more and more people looking to swap their fuel-guzzling car to an efficient electric model, the Zed House also comes with its own EV charging point. The Zed House is located on the main campus at the University of Salford. It contains a knowledge hub built into the garage to display all the products, technologies and results of the home’s occupation on an ongoing basis. We are thrilled to have been a part of this exciting project and can’t wait to see what the future holds.Further informationHead to https://www.barrattdevelopments.co.uk/showcase/z-house for more information on Barratt Homes and www.symphony-group.co.uk/sustainability for more information on Symphony’s sustainability credentials.

The ChallengeIn 2015 a joint venture of Balfour Beatty, Costain, and Skanksa (A14 integrated delivery team) was awarded £1.5bn by Highways England to improve the A14. These improvements included a new major 12-mile bypass, the widening of the A1 and the existing A14, improving the junctions on the A14, and building new access roads.The A14 carries around 85,000 vehicles per day; 26% of this is HGV traffic. It is frequently congested and traffic is often disrupted by breakdowns, accidents, and roadworks.As part of the A14 major scheme, a new retaining wall was needed to be constructed as new road works were encroaching on the pre-existing embankments. A durable, long-lasting, and low-maintenance wall solution with a Highway Authorities Product Approval Scheme and British Board of Agreement (BBA) certificate was required.The SolutionA vast number of EcoCrib mass gravity retaining walls are now constructed to support the embankments along the A14. The EcoCrib Mass Gravity Retaining Wall began its erection on 24th July and was completed on 10th October 2019. With a design life of over 120 years, EcoCrib is durable, and the most highly sustainable retaining solution. Designed, supplied, and installed by PC Construction, certified by the BBA and HAPAS in 2012.EcoCrib profiles are manufactured entirely from recycled UK plastic (bottle tops, car bumpers, etc) with any wastage or surplus material re-processed to form new EcoCrib profiles. Developed from timber crib technology, the 50mm x 125mm EcoCrib profiles are considerably more durable than treated timber but hold many environmental benefits.EcoCrib can be recycled when it reaches the end of its useful life.When considering solutions for developments of all kinds, the lifetime cost means EcoCrib is the more efficient choice.1838 SQM of EcoCrib was used in the scheme, equivalent to 212 tonnes of plastic waste diverted from landfill.

Hadfield Carkwell Davidson specified Tobermore for the 376,737sq ft job at the IKEA retail store in Sheffield.The large-scale scheme, which has created nearly 500 jobs, involved construction and fit-out of the two-storey superstore, providing a sales floor, warehouse, staff facilities, café, and children’s play area, as well as underground and external car parking. The project has received a BREEAM excellence accreditation due to its application of sustainable technologies like solar panels, rainwater harvesting, and electric vehicle charging points on-site.The ChallengeBlock paving was required to meet both SuDs requirements and aesthetic aspiration.The IKEA store was constructed adjacent to the famous Tinsley Viaduct on the outskirts of Sheffield, bringing the popular retail destination to the area near the Meadowhill Shopping Centre.A crucial part of the £60M project was that the hard landscaping design would satisfy SUDs requirements but maintain a high-end aesthetic appeal that would reflect the IKEA brand.The SolutionTobermore Hydropave products provided suitable drainage for the project.The hard landscaping solution created an outdoor area that effectively promoted the IKEA brand. By utilising high-end block paving product Fusion in the cool tones of silver, mid grey, and graphite, the elevated finish was beautifully realised. Permeable paving was employed in certain areas to support drainage that would meet SuDs requirements for the site, exemplifying the project’s green credentials. This in turn made it one of IKEA’s most sustainable stores.Tobermore’s Granite Step Units with Contrasting Nosing allow for the uneven terrain to be navigated elegantly with appealing steps that augment the customer experience at the IKEA store. Hazard Warning flags also ensure that the site fully meets modern accessibility standards for people with impaired vision.Laying patterns and delineation enhanced the area to meet customer expectations, creating spacious parking bays and attractive pedestrianised walkways. Hydropave Pedesta and Fusion paving combined to realise a project that radiates a unique, high-quality feel.

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

The Clockwork Building was a complete refurb of a 1960/70’s office building, project managed by Thirdway and landscaping done by Belsize Gardens. We became involved in the early stages when Belsize Gardens and the client wanted 4 large Corten planters at the front of the building to give the entrance a more vibrant natural look.All 20 planters were made in total from 3 mm Corten steel with a folded base and a double folded top to give extra strength. In the large planters we also added 4 mm stainless steel bracing wire due to the very large amounts of soil being added to each planter. This stops possible panel movement when the soil is being tipped inside.There were four larger planters all at 60 cm high, two at 11.2 x 3.8 M and two others at 4.5 x 3.2 M. Lighting was designed into all four planters, a bench incorporated into one of the 4.5 M planters as well as a 6 bicycle stand on the most southern planter. The material had to be Corten steel and needed to be pre-rusted which was done in our EverEdge yard in Staffordshire. The supports were our standard buttress design, all at 500 mm centres. Because the back wall of the planters adjacent to the building followed the contours of the building (windows etc) there were no continuous straight lines, but a series of 90°corners. All these fitted neatly on site and resulted on minimum construction time.In addition to the main entrance planters, there were 12 more planters in the car park area, infilled between the building windows all 250 x 55 cm and 88 cm high. These planters, being smaller, were incorporated with our steel brace system.Lastly 4 large planters for the roof garden were also constructed, 150 x 110 cms and 880 cm high as well as one “trough” planter, 250 X 40 cm.

Perimeter fencing for a national distribution centreAs part of the development of a new national distribution centre, IAE Fencing Division supplied it’s Zebex fencing system to secure the perimeter and internal areas of the site.2000m of FencingThe supply included over 2000m of fencing, which enclosed areas containing the main distribution warehouse, company office, staff car park, and company vehicle maintenance yard.Safety & SecurityPerimeter fencing is included to prevent accidental ingress and deter malicious intruders.The site has the potential to be very dangerous, as there are lots of heavy good vehicles and forklifts moving around. The perimeter fence provides a significant boundary, preventing members of the public from accidentally entering the site, and channelling site visitor to designated access points. This is important as the site owners are liable for the safety of anyone on the site, and one of the most effective ways to protect people is to make sure they can’t access potentially dangerous areas to being with.The fence also provides a significant obstacle, acting as a deterrent to more malicious intruders such as thieves and vandals and reducing the likelihood of costs associated with theft and damage.Flexible SystemIAE’s Zebex is a flexible system that can be adapted on site to most ground conditions.The distribution centre included many areas of uneven ground with extended sections of the site boundary including substantial inclines.The Zebex system was simply stepped using the pre-drilled holes in the posts to account for the undulating ground.Zebex Site GatesTo complete the perimeter around the site IAE supplied several gates clad with Zebex mesh panels for a consistent look with the rest of the perimeter, including pedestrian access and main goods vehicle entry points.Specifying IAE’s Zebex Perimeter FencingZebex Perimeter Fencing is one of IAE most popular fencing system and has been installed on hundreds of sites across the country. To add the system to your project, check out the featured products section below, or contact IAE Fencing Division directly.

Unity Square, NottinghamPAS68 seating and plantersStreet furniture | Street Planters | HVMTownscape Products has recently completed the hard landscaping for the Unity Square scheme in Nottingham.Unity Square forms a major part of Nottingham’s southern gateway regeneration project, which includes work to create a new-look Intu Broadmarsh centre, central library, bus station and car park.The hub was forward funded by LGIM Real Assets (Legal & General) and will accommodate HM Revenue and Customs’ (HMRC) new regional centre. The building now comprises of ten storeys and is due to open in late 2021. As the cornerstone of the redevelopment work taking shape across the city’s Southside, Unity Square will truly put Nottingham on the map once complete.”The site will eventually house up to 4,000 HMRC employees. Nicole Newbury, HMRC director and a senior sponsor for the Nottingham Regional Centre, East Midlands Region, said:“We can’t wait to move into our new regional centre. The new building is so much more than just bricks and mortar, it represents an exciting opportunity for us to utilise new technology and develop collaborative, new ways of working.Unity Square is one of ten regional hubs Legal & General has invested in to support the government’s efforts to modernise the civil service and save taxpayers’ money. Its investment in the programme crossed the £1.5bn mark last year. This scheme in Nottingham is particularly ground-breaking not only because of its size and central location but for its potential to transform the city centre, driving regional economic growth and supporting job creation.Working with Bowmer and Kirkland, a range of PAS 68 rated seating and planters were designed, manufactured, and integrated into the scheme.Finished in charcoal prestige, the concrete units were designed to complement the paving finishes.For more details of how we can help with your PAS68 requirements, please get in touch.

Queen Mary’s Grammar school located in Walsall, West Midlands is one of the oldest schools in the country and proud of its traditions having been founded in 1554 by Mary Tudor. Now a member of the Mercian Multi-Academy Trust, the school is committed to shaping a new and exciting learning landscape for current and future students. The school was looking for a solution to turn an outside dining area into a covered space students could use year-round. The area situated between school buildings was formerly an old car park converted into a playground, and was often unusable during inclement weather with the added problem of standing rainwater.A range of canopy designs are available to cover spaces like this, and after discussing design concepts with the school, Streetspace installed a stunning 20m x 8m ORION Barrel vault tensile membrane canopy, providing shade from the sun, UV protection and cover from the rain. The soft membrane fabric helps to create an ambient environment while also absorbing the sounds of rain, voices and echo. To overcome the standing water concerns, aluminium guttering and downpipes matching the structure were added, allowing rainwater to flow off the canopy and into the existing drains.The new dining area presents an impressive and stylish seating area for students and staff alike. The aesthetically pleasing blue steel frame and Ocean Blue canopy, coupled with the symmetric form and clean minimalist design means the structure integrates seamlessly with the adjacent buildings, and makes good use of this valuable outdoor space. The one piece PVC fabric membrane means no joins to attract dirt and is combined with a PVDF surface coating to stop dirt getting ingrained and help reduce maintenance.The Barrel Vault design provides a wide, clear-span area with the tall centreline helping to maximise the sense of space. The space therefore benefits from minimal obstruction, creating free flow of movement and a flexible covered area that can be used for a wide range of different applications.

Falco recently took to the design, manufacture, supply and installation of a bespoke cycle hub based on the traditional FalcoLok-500 design. Installed at Anson House, south Westminster, in view of the River Thames, the new cycle hub has been coupled with the FalcoVert-Pro cycle rack to provide secure accommodate for up to 24 bikes.Installed on behalf of Westminster City Council, the new cycle hub features electrogalvanised perforated sheet cladding, powder coated in a Jet Black RAL colour, along with a secure access system.The whole shelter is a bespoke contemporary design of the classic FalcoLok-500 shelter, which features clean lines through the glass cladding and supported by stainless steel glass clamps. The steelwork is hot dip galvanised to BS EN ISO 1461 and also meets UK structural design laws with EN 1090 accreditation. Rainwater is collected via innovative integral gutters as part of the roof system and a bespoke bund ensure that the cycle hub is weather proof!The cycle hub was commisioned to help reduce congestion and provide greater cycling accessibility for residents of Anson House.The FalcoVert-Pro as shown here at Anson House, is a space saving cycle rack design ideal for highly popular densities such as stations, cycle hubs, shopping centres, high streets and car parks etc. Bicycles are parked semi vertically with both front and rear wheels located in a custom designed trough.Falco cycle hubs can also incorporate a world of features including; smart LED lighting, green sedum roofs, CCTV and Help Point facilities as well as numerous other cost-effective features for the cyclist such as lock holders, helmet lockers, seating and bike repair facilities. For more information about the FalcoHub cycle store, a demonstration of the FalcoSmart app-based lock, the FalcoPod bike hangar or any other Falco product, then please speak to one of our friendly customer service staff on (01538) 380080.

These are the two eye-catching FalcoCrea cycle lockers Falco manufactured, supplied and installed for NHS Forth Valley Hospital in Larbert, Falkirk, last month. Creating additional cycle parking facilities for visitors, patients and members of staff when travelling to and from the hospital, the two new cycle lockers adds a sixth designated cycle parking zone across the NHS Forth Valley site.The FalcoCrea cycle lockers, purchased in collaboration with Cycling Scotland and Transport Scotland, accommodate up to four bikes each, in a purpose designed cycle locker with integrated cycle rack and secure access. The new facility is located at the west side of the Blue Car Park, outside the main entrance and promotes cycling as a method of transport to all visitors heading for the main entrance, thanks to its bold, eye-catching wrap design.The FalcoCrea has proven to be a highly popular cycle locker since its launch last year providing hospitals, local authorities and private businesses with a cycle parking solution which answers three common problems; security, spacing footprint and branding. The FalcoCrea is designed to provide maximum security, within a compact space saving design and fully capable to incorporate branding to promote cycling as a prominent mode of transport.  In addition to the scheme shown here at Forth Valley, the popular cycle locker has already been commissioned for a number of schemes across Scotland including recent installations at Moray Carshare charity, Queens Cross Housing Association for Glasgow City Council, The Social Bite Village in Edinburgh, Rouken Glen Park in Glasgow and Barra and Oban Airports.With the use of an electric cycle charging point (FalcoCrea+), the cycle locker can be transformed into a convenient charging hub for electric bikes whilst retaining all of the benefits from the standard model.For more information about the eye-catching FalcoCrea cycle locker, please contact our helpful sales team on 01538 380080.

Coventry Building Society recently opened its new, ultra-modern head office at Binley Business Park. With strong green credentials, the 40,000 sq ft development prioritises staff wellbeing through healthy workplace design.In a key meeting area, Style worked with contractors, Barnwood, to divide a large, open-plan space into two separate rooms.Combining effortless manoeuvrability with exceptional acoustic performance, a Dorma Hüppe Variflex moveable wall was installed, allowing separate meetings to run concurrently, undisturbed. Supporting the sustainability aims of the development, the Variflex system has an environmental product declaration (EPD) in accordance with ISO 14025 and EN 150804. In addition, Style is the only UK partitioning specialists that is accredited under the ISO 14001:2004 Environmental Management System, ensuring operational processes maximise sustainability goals whilst limiting wasted resources.Recently named one of the best places to work in the country, Coventry Building Society has designed the new head office to include relaxation and quiet areas, a multi-faith room, eat-and-meet hubs for socialising as well as kitchen areas with complimentary drinks and fruit. Throughout the building there is a range of collaborative spaces for in-office employees as well as zoom pods for hybrid working.The building itself is powered by renewable energy and 632 high-efficiency solar panels produce 30 per cent of the electricity required. Outside, the car park has electric vehicle charging points, and inside, an entire wall is covered in moss, helping improve air quality and absorb noise.“Specifying a moveable wall system with an EPD, shows you are serious about your carbon footprint, said Steve Williams, sales director for Style Midlands.“An EPD delivers science-based, verified and comparable information about the environmental performance of a system, including areas such as global warming potential, for example.“This is a top end moveable wall from Dorma Hüppe, delivering a 55db acoustic rating and sustainability qualifications that are second-to-none.”