"concrete"

The development district now known as London Docklands is an area alongside the River Thames to the East and South East of London. The Harbour Central project involves the construction of a large single storey reinforced concrete basement, high-rise reinforced concrete cores and frames varying in height from 24 to 41 storeys, plus two low-rise reinforced concrete cores and frames.The product used to prevent punching failure throughout the Harbour Central development is the Schöck Bole® reinforcement system. This widely used and trusted Schöck Bole® solution consists of double-headed studs and anchors, with spacing bars, which enable installation after the bottom reinforcement and before the top layer. The two-spacer rods, which are welded to the vertical studs, ensure the correct distance between uprights and the size of the stud heads guarantee a perfect finishing bond with the concrete. As result, when compared with a typical stirrup reinforcement system, an increased shear force resistance of around 70% is achieved. It is cost-effective and timesaving solution and as the Modebest Senior Engineer on site, Sean Togher commented: “The Schöck Bole® product was easy to understand from a reference point of view and we found it really straightforward to install”.

THE BRIEFOutdoor seating for leisure centreLangley Design were pleased to work with Metnor Construction for the first time on Harrow Lodge Leisure Centre, a £20.5 million leisure facility in Hornchurch offering new swimming facilities in addition to a health & fitness suite, sports hall and exercise studio.WHAT WE DIDBespoke concrete benchesWe supplied a number of bespoke concrete benches, in both straight and curved arrangements. This included a large curved planter bench with a buff textured finish to provide seating for the visitors. THE RESULTDurable and modularThe durable and modular pre-cast concrete is available in a range of colours and finishes to match the client’s specific site requirements.These can also be provided with anti-graffiti coating or anti-skate studs for public realm areas, offering additional protection to this long lasting and modern looking product.

This Virgin Airlines hangar at Heathrow Airport needed a flooring finish to resist wear and chemical spills, as well as deliver aesthetic appeal – with a light coloured shiny finish that would reflect light and capture the eye to brighten the 4000 square metre area.ExecutionTo ensure the highest quality finish for the hangar the proven standard Resutile ST floor coating system was organised. Specialist resin flooring contractor Datum Flooring first shot-blasted the concrete substrate under vacuum to achieve a Concrete Surface Profile (CSP) 3 to ensure an excellent mechanical key and long term solution with the coating system. Then a primer coat of Resuflor WB was applied which penetrates the concrete and provides a sound surface seal so that an even finish is achieved with the top coats. This was followed by two roller coats of Resutile ST Colour in Light Grey.

ComFlor 80 has played its part in the creation of a strong and efficient solution making the Burj Khalifa the worlds tallest and arguably most iconic building.Over 45,000m³ of concrete weighing more than 110,000t, were used to construct the concrete and steel foundations, which feature 192 piles buried more than 50 metres deep. 4000m² of ComFlor 80 was used in in the floor construction installed to the very top of the 828 metre spiral structure.

For this project, Sandtoft’s Terracotta Concrete Double Roman roof tiles were chosen to reduce costs.

As with all balcony constructions, the issue of cold-bridging (also known as thermal-bridging) must be addressed and minimised to meet the required building standards - Part L of the Building regulations being of particular relevance. The H-BAU ISOPRO® thermal insulation element from J&P solved this problem by providing structural connection between the internal concrete floor slab, and the external concrete (insitu, or precast) balcony, whilst creating a thermal break to minimise cold-bridging.

Cordek were approached for their technical expertise, providing the moulds for the precasting of the concrete parapet units on this striking project.

SENSO UK teamed up with Room Studio to help create this unique space that uses warm tones throughout the property. Senso creating a seamless look that not only unites the rooms seamlessly but creates a sense of warmth, something that we all look for in a home.‘NO LOCATION IS TOO FAR FOR SENSO’ As you can see this project was on the Isle of Skye. Location is no obstacle for us, if you do have a project that is not in London or surrounding area, we can still accommodate you.Senso helps creates an environment that is not only minimalist but sumptuous. Why stop with the kitchen, continue the Senso look throughout the project from the living area to bedroom and even the stairs ( treds' and risers'). The colour dune has two hues together which create a beautiful fusion.Following this we add in our aggregate of recyclable materials from old concrete remains, this creating a look of polished concrete but without the ramifications you get with a concrete.

Lewis Deck was chosen, on this particular project in London, for a number of the key benefits the system brings. These being the strength of the system with only needing a thin concrete screed on top, the acoustic qualities & vibration control properties and the speed an ease of installation. This project even requested much longer sheets than standard in an effort to speed up the installation process. In fact you can see from the main photo above that some of the sheets were extremely long. The longest being just over 6.5m.This project was the installation of a new suspended, loadbearing concrete floor above an existing floor below. The space being used as a plant room for the hospital. The Lewis Deck was installed over a suspended steel grid of Light Gauge Steel C-section joists. A thin concrete was then installed over the top.This was a quick installation with the Lewis Deck being installed and then used as a safe working deck ahead of the screed being pumped in.

Contemporary concrete benches and tables are very much at home in the historic King Edward VI Aston School setting.

The refurbishment at Rose Hill Garage in Oxfordshire was required following signs of excessive spalling and degradation on the premises’ concrete walls.

Premcrete assisted BAM Nuttall on the Heathrow Tunnel project to undertake refurbishment work on the main and cargo access tunnels to the airport.The Challenge:Heathrow Airport has awarded BAM Nuttall a contract valued at more than £85m to undertake refurbishment work on the main and cargo access tunnels to the airport.Part of the refurbishment works was to carry out concrete repairs to the spalled concrete using an R4 Structural Mortar in accordance with BS EN1504.The Solution:Premcrete supplied BAM Nuttall with Teknocem S which met the performance specification.

We were approached by a porcelain tile supplier who needed to elevate porcelain tiles around a new build property in Wales. Initially concrete was used to create a base. However the weight of the concrete bent the lintels. The installation proved very challenging due to such a dramtic fall over such a short distance, creating a severe 5% slope. Fortunately our ‘Balance’ self-leveling range of adjustable pedestals provided the answer. Our service team are on call to advise and support installing contractors throughout their project, including site visits.

Concrete foundations of a wind energy plant: Due to the influences of the weather over the years, the following damages were noticed: •Cracks due to movement •Moisture into the structure •Spalling of the concrete •Corrosion of the reinforcement •Flaking paint The first step in the restoration of the foundation was pressure injecting the cracks - through which an elastic closure of the cracks was realized. The total surface was strengthened with a unique sillicate liquid. A waterproof sloped layer was installed; finally, the moving joint between the foundations and the steel tower of the wind energy plant was sealed elastically.

In Vlaardingen Museum, the Netherlands, old meets new. The use of concrete, aluminium and glass creates a powerful sense of open space and transparency. The many level changes and loft-like spaces meant it was important to find a balustrade solution unobstructed by a conventional handrail or metal grip. The Easy Glass Pro structural glass balustrade offered the ability to make fine adjustments to the positioning of each glass panel from the installation side – invaluable when being installed on the various sections of finished concrete flooring levels.

Fast-Track SolutionClient: Randox LaboratoriesMain Contractor: Corramore ConstructionScreed Installed By: O'Neill Concrete Flooring LtdScreed Supplied By: Robinson ConcreteCemfloor C30F6 was chosen for this project due to the fast-tracked construction of a new laboratory to provide urgently needed Covid-19 test kits.As part of their on-going commitment to produce much needed Covid-19 test kits; Randox Laboratories Ltd invested in a new facility at its existing headquarters in Crumlin, Co Antrim.The specialised laboratory, the development of which was fast-tracked over the space of four weeks, is the first step in a wider diagnostics investment programme from the company.Given the tight construction programme; Cemfloor were contacted and asked to propose a solution for the project.Cemfloor CT C30F6 was specified and over a period of just 2 - days; 3800m2 was installed by O'Neill Concrete Flooring Ltd with the screed being supplied by Robinson Concrete Ltd.Due to the high early strength of Cemfloor C30; the screed was loaded with access lifts 3 - days after installation which ensured that the build programme was able to continue with minimal disruption.A liquid surface DPM was used to allow the vinyl flooring be installed onto the screed only 7 - days after installation.Due to the incredible amount of effort by all parties involved; the entire project finished ahead of schedule with no issues.

This project transforms an industrial site, featuring 11 buildings with up to 44 storeys, offering homes, industrial and commercial spaces.The Challenge:The Malt Street Redevelopment Project marks a significant milestone as the inaugural strategic initiative within the Old Kent Road Opportunity Area. This project is designed to leverage the rich cultural identity of the community while harnessing the industrial character and diverse heritage of the area.The Malt Street Redevelopment Project is segmented into three distinct phases. Construction activities are actively progressing for Phases 1 and 2, with Phase 3 securing outline planning permission, paving the way for its subsequent development.The project features eleven buildings with up to 44 storeys, offering 1,300 homes, industrial and commercial spaces.Groundworkers often face the challenge of achieving thorough concrete compaction within the liner wall, especially to the underside of the capping beam, where proper encapsulation around the water bar is required.When using a letterbox shutter during the concrete pour of the liner wall, it’s particularly difficult to ensure concrete reaches all the way to the underside of the capping beam – which posed a challenge in this situation.The Solution:Our solution involves using a method similar to ‘tremie pipes’. This involves installing vertical pipes with diameters of 100-125mm through the Rebar cage of the capping beam. This technique allows concrete to be poured vertically at various points along the capping beam. By filling up the pipe and using a concrete vibration poker, the concrete can efficiently fill the shuttered liner wall up to the underside of the capping beam.Premcrete Products Used-Maxiprufe Plus-HydrocreteProject DeliverablesPremcrete are proud to be a part of this project, set to bring a great deal of positives to the area including:1,453 high quality homes, including 40% affordable housing50% of the site as new public space, including an important part of the new Grand Surrey Canal Linear Park5,400 sqm safe, new, adventurous play spaces966 cycle spaces as part of phases 1 and 27,000 square metres of commercial and retail space, including affordable workspaces1,250 construction jobs and nearly 70 local construction apprenticeships392 jobs post-construction

ADP Architecture’s landscape team specified Artform Urban’s High Performance Concrete (HPC) benches for a new plaza space outside the WMG building at the University of Warwick. WMG (formerly known as Warwick Manufacturing Group) is an academic department at the University.Artform Urban were contracted to supply and install these large units, each weighing up to 1500kg. Our technical involvement in the project simplified the supply and installation process for the main contractor including the experience we have of handling and installing heavy concrete units, saving time when the products arrived on site. 

In dairy industries it's vital that hygiene standards are kept to a high standard. Drainage and kerbing are important products that need consideration. To reduce costs, many may opt for concrete, however over time concrete dries out and is prone to cracking. This can jeopardise a hygienic environment as unwanted bacteria will harbour in the cracks Alternatively, drainage and wall kerbing. Stainless steel is resistant to caustic cleaning materials and lactic acid, which are common elements in a dairy. This resistance ensures that the ss surface does not corrode or weaken making it an excellent long term solution.

The Royal College of Pathologists have relocated their London Headquarters to the rapidly changing area of Aldgate, on the Eastern fringes of the city. The new seven storey structure replaces an existing office block, providing a flexible and environmentally efficient building to house their growing needs. The building design includes major conference facilities, meeting rooms, offices, a multi-function auditorium, exhibition space, restaurant facilities and accommodation. Cordek were asked by the specialist concrete frame contractor Oliver Connell & Son to devise a formwork system to allow the construction of ribbed concrete floors.

Buzon UK were commissioned directly by Chelsea Football Club to supply and install the DPH pedestal system to support over 430sqm of EBEMA concrete paving (supplied by Alfresco Floors) to a newly refurbished pitch-side terrace at Stamford Bridge. The terrace areas behind the pitch-perimeter was built up to 200mm to create a raised terrace specially designed for wheelchair users. Buzon pedestals are adjustable from 11 to 1120mm and thanks to their intrinsic strength and reinforced structure are recommended for use with heavier floor coverings such as large format concrete pavers and high live loads.

Wallbarn worked with a specialist tile installer, working on a new-build in Carmarthenshire. Initially 600mm deep concrete screed was used for a base, but the weight bent the lintels. The concrete had to be broken out and the whole deck repaired. The installation was challenging with falls over 250mm across the deck. ‘Balance’ self-levelling adjustable pedestals provided the answer. Using bespoke pedestal planning software, MegaPro, the Wallbarn service team was able to work out the exact quantity and height of pedestals required for the scheme, colour-coded on the drawing, guiding installers on where to place each pedestal.

Approximately 5,000 square metres of Marley Edgemere and Marley Concrete Plain Tiles were installed as part of a £44m new-build project by Galliford Try at Wixams Retirement Village. Galliford Try led the Wixams Retirement Village project from start to finish, with NRA Roofing and Marley working together for the installation & manufacture of roofing products. Key reasons for the specification of Marley Edgemere and Marley concrete plain tiles included the cost-competitiveness of the tiles as well as the visual appeal and product attributes which would make the installation process quicker and more efficient.

A requirement in Corstorphine Wright’s design brief was to avoid horizontal movement joints in the finished façade, which would have been the result had a traditional SFS Infill to concrete frame approach been taken. Working with Willmott Dixon at the early design stages of the contract, Metsec’s in-house design team proposed a continuous walling solution formed from SFS to support glazing and rendered elements that would form the external skin of the façade. Metsec’s solution included the use of fixing cleats to connect the SFS continuous walling to the structure’s concrete frame.

Just a stone's throw from London, a private villa is coloured with traditional Mediterranean style thanks to Atlas Concorde's concrete-effect porcelain tiles. Explore the project.A white wall, a blue sky bursting with the sun's rays, the scent of wild flowers, and the gentle sound of unspoiled nature. It’s a view that immediately recalls the Mediterranean landscapes typical of the coastal countries of Italy, Spain, and Morocco. And that’s exactly the feeling inside a private villa in Bromley thanks to the creation of a space thatconveys the understated allure of maritime residences. In this setting suspended somewhere between Mediterranean charm and the calm of English city life, Atlas Concorde's concrete-effect porcelain tiles were selected to adorn the villa's outdoor spaces.Thanks to the outdoor tiles of Atlas Concorde, the patio and pool area blend the nature, elegance, and freshness typical of the architectural style of southern Europe. White, the tone used for the floors, is also a clear reference to traditional Mediterranean houses where the delicacy of the sea breeze can be enjoyed.The expressiveness of the concrete look clads the outdoor areas of the home with sophisticated elegance by combining technical performance and aesthetic sophistication. The concrete effect is stripped of its typically industrial look to decorate the space with a unique material capable of being the perfect extension of the indoor spaces.The versatility of the concrete-effect tiles, thanks in part to their 20 mm thickness specifically intended for outdoor use, guarantees a product that is safe, weather-resistant, and easy to clean. In some specific settings such as the outdoors, the tiles must not only be beautiful but they also must have technical and application characteristics that limit the risks of falls and slips. Precisely for this reason, non-slip Atlas Concorde floor tiles have proved critical and made it possible to create continuity between spaces that have different purposes and characteristics.The end result is a space marked by an understated, elegant, and bright style where an absolute sense of lightness prevails. An inspiration that offers relaxation and wellbeing for an extremely refined style in perfect harmony with nature.

The Salvation Army’s new territorial HQ in London demonstrates the innovative use of lightweight glass reinforced concrete (GRC) skin from Pura Facades.

Student Accommodation company Urbanest installed Flotex Concrete Planks in their new office for a contemporary and forward- thinking space that encourages flexibility and collaborative working.

Washroom delivered new washroom areas on all levels of this refurbished office building - drawing on a range of high-tech man-made materials including lightweight cast concrete to create a unique, contemporary space which hints at the industrial history of the building. Its full height Alto FENIX toilet cubicles were specified in a crisp white colour to contrast with the grey and stone coloured concrete vanities. FENIX is manufactured in Italy by Arpa Industriale using the latest nano-technology to create a highly durable, tough acrylic resin surface with a host of high-performance properties.

Chateau Denmark represents a new concept in hospitality venues, offering an eclectic place to stay in the home of British rock music- Denmark Street London.For the design team of Taylor Howes working with CAW Ventures, the challenge has been to create interiors that paid homage to the innovation, history and drama of the location- where the Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, David Bowie and the Sex Pistols all hung out.The team had to bring cohesion across 55 rooms and apartments over 16 buildings, some of which are listed. Thus, four design narratives across 11 base build designs were conceived to reflect the heritage and rebellion of the properties and their surroundings.To achieve the industrial rawness that is the essence of the Loft build design, Armourcoat’s Concrete Effect panels were specified. The deconstructed look and tactile surface of the panels achieves the unfinished, textured appearance of shuttered concrete in an easy to install, lightweight format.The Concrete Effect panels bring a distinctive industrial style to the interior, with their inclusion of distressed effects and shutter markings. They form part of Armourcoat’s range of three-dimensional castings, alongside stone effect, hand-applied and sculptured artwork cast panels."Chateau Denmark is ultimately about being bold and fierce- and of course materials play an important role in conveying that sentiment. For a number of our rooms and apartments, the Armourcoat concrete effect panels have contributed to a rugged rawness, establishing a unique aesthetic that helps bring together an industrial and utilitarian feel." - Carrie Wicks, Director at Chateau Denmark

The Beckett, a new retirement village close to the centre of Royal Tunbridge Wells, in Kent, comprises three luxury apartment buildings of three, four and six storeys. The contemporary design provides 89 quality appointed apartments with a landscaped garden, all arranged around full-height atriums, allowing natural light to reach the centre of the buildings. The upper floors are set back, providing generous terrace areas which include a ‘sky lounge‘. All three buildings are concrete frame and as with any reinforced concrete slab design, The Beckett is at risk of punching shear failure, which traditionally has been resolved by adding further concrete, such as downstand beams, or localised thickened column heads. However these require complex formwork and significantly reduce the benefits offered by the flat slab design. The Schöck Bole shear rail system counters any punching shear risk and is cost-effective and significantly faster than traditional loose links – as much as four times faster in fact. This is because when using traditional links it involves far more ties to the reinforcement matt than when using the Schöck Bole. The ready-to-install reinforcement element consists of double-headed studs with spacing bars to ensure correct positioning. Two spacer bars are welded to the vertical studs, which ensure the correct distance between uprights and the forged stud heads guarantee a perfect finishing bond with the concrete. The dramatically reduced fixing time far outweighs any additional material costs that may be involved with a prefabricated system.  

With the success of Media City, Manchester has now become the Media Centre of the UK and the best place to study for a job in TV, Film and Radio.Manchester Metropolitan University has built a brand new Media Facility with industry standard studios to allow them to teach students in the highest quality spaces.Our local branch was employed to design, supply and install the concrete floating floors for 12 studios.The 100 mm thick concrete floating floors supported the drylining walls and ceilings to create box-in-box constructions with very high standards of sound insulation.The 50 mm void beneath the 100 mm concrete floating floors was created using Stravifloor Channel isolation rails and the voids were vented to avoid the trapped air layer reducing the isolation performance.Most of the studios were supported off stiff structural slabs with a natural frequency of >10Hz and the specification for the bearings was given as <8Hz.One of the studios, however, was supported off a supporting slab with a natural frequency of 6Hz and the specification for the bearings was changed to 12Hz in this studio to avoid structural vibration amplification.

This site is within what was originally the estate of a large house, known as Longhurst, in south Belfast. It has now been divided into several large residential properties with views across Lagan Valley Regional Park.McGonigle McGarth Architects contacted KEIM Mineral Paints because they wanted to use a breathable mineral paint, applied onto bare concrete and render. On any new build project, McGonigle McGarth Architects use KEIM to allow the mineral paint to penetrate into the unpainted surface and creating a chemical bond that acts to both keeping water out but allows water vapour to pass through. Tony Carter, Senior Sales Executive of KEIM Mineral Paints, visited Longhurst and recommended using KEIM Granital onto the render to provide an opaque finish, along with KEIM Concretal Lasur, a low pigmentation colour wash that acts as a stain, onto the smooth surface to maintain the look and feel of concrete.This project has been shortlisted for the Royal Society of Ulster Architects Awards 2024. The winner will be announced on 9th May 2024.

Durable Fallowfield concrete and timber seating and smart new cycle stands have been positioned along Edinburgh's tram network to make it accessible for everyone.

Street furniture | Street PlantersConcrete bollards | HVMTownscape has successfully tendered to Middlesbrough Council for the supply of PAS 68 Counter Terror planters.

Old Meldrum DSR using Renderoc HB45 and Renderoc Primer for concrete repairs. Nitodek FS was used for waterproofing the outside of the tank and Nitoseal MS600 to seal the joints.

Working together with in-house joinery division, Cre8 Joinery Solutions, Washroom created new washrooms using a mix of different materials including dark wood veneer, concrete and bronze. The long trough shaped and wall-mounted, floating Arpeggio cast concrete vanity units in a traditional dark grey shade, reflect the industrial inspiration of the design, with the addition of black power-coated taps and soap holders providing a contemporary twist. The Cre8 joinery team delivered the bespoke lift lobby panels faced in exactly the same dark oak dyed veneer used on the full height Alto toilet cubicles installed in the washrooms.