"multimedia presentation systems"

Koster Epoxy flooring systems were installed to the concrete bund of a chemical plant in Wales. There was a need to prevent chemical spillages entering the concrete so they could be cleaned in a safe manner. Koster Aquatecnic worked with the engineers and client to design a system which could be installed and offer the most suitable level of protection. The cleaned surface was prepared with Koster Polysil TG500 and Koster NB1 Grey. Koster SL Premium was used to provide a strong level surface to accept the Koster LF-VL on the floor and Koster EM-VS on the up-stands.

Margam Park’s new washrooms needed to be durable, easy to maintain and impress their visitors.Margam Country Park in Wales is owned and administered by Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council. The estate containing a Tudor Gothic Mansion was once owned by the Mansel Talbot family in the 1800s. The 850 acre country park is rich in history, with evidence of over 4,000 years of continuous habitation and use by man. This means it has exceptional historic value, with some of the country’s finest architectural treasures. Paired with its natural beauty, wildlife and many activities and facilities, the Margam Country Park has evolved into a popular attraction which is visited by 350,000 people per year, including locals and tourists alike.Neath Port Talbot Council came to Bushboard Washrooms for the refurbishment of the public washrooms. The main concern for this project was ensuring that the toilets were able to withstand the high traffic the park receives each year. As Alison Lloyd, the Commercial Officer at Margam Country Park, explained “visitors often judge a site on the quality of the loos”, this meant opting for a robust washroom range which offered a modern, high quality finish that will remain presentable at all times.Initially designed for secondary schools with the key focus on privacy, our HiZone for Schools toilet cubicle at standard height was decided as the perfect specification for the country park’s needs. Alison put emphasis on requiring an “indestructible build”, the cubicles pilasters and partitions are fixed to the floor in aluminium channels which creates a strong foundation. The toilet cubicles were manufactured in Solid Grade Laminate which has a compact core making it a highly durable material. It is also impervious to water which makes it easy to clean as the panels do not need to be dried meticulously afterwards to prevent damage.The design of the public washroom was carefully considered. The council wanted to cater for everyone who would visit their park, with additions such as child height basins, family changing areas and enlarged toilet cubicles with grab rails for ambulant/disabled users. In particular, the park recognised parents with their children would regularly visit the park. They designed a superloo style room to utilise space, this was larger than a typical toilet cubicle which gave users more room to manoeuvre within the washroom space.Ease of cleaning was fundamental to the project because of the high traffic the toilet cubicles will endure. Our own brand SanCeram’s Langley WCs and urinals were chosen which both offer a smooth and rimless design to eliminate dirt traps, it also suited the “clean lines” Alison was looking for. Margam Park had sanitaryware and brassware ready plumbed which meant that that it arrived pre-fitted to panels assembled onto a rigid steel frame, this saved both time and money. Being a refurbishment project it meant the washrooms did not have to stay closed to the public for a long period of time.Vanity units were also supplied as Ready Plumbed Modules and designed to hit the parks public washroom brief. Solid Surface Counter Top vanity units are ideal for busy washroom environments as they are easy to maintain. Alison wanted to make sure that the washroom had ‘clean lines to clean’, so integrated inset wash hand basins were supplied which have a flush design leaving no dirt traps for a hygienic hand wash station whilst also creating a seamless, high-end overall look.Alison told us that the colours were “chosen to fit with the Country Park, a wood feel and green panels to make it bold and stand out”. Lime Green and Bleached Oak laminates paired with Apple Solid Surface colours from our standard range complemented the mansion scenes within the washroom perfectly. Overall the review of the new washrooms at Margam Park were “ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT! We opened in time for the Early May Bank Holiday and feedback from public was great and staff love the clean lines and bright colours.”

The revolutionary, award-winning underfloor heating system Schlüter-BEKOTEC-THERM was the natural choice for one of the UK’s greenest self-build projects.

Senior Architectural Systems has taken its aluminium fenestration solutions to new heights after being specified on the new Oaklands Rise mixed-use residential development in London, which is not only one of the UK’s largest regeneration projects but also one of Senior’s largest contracts to date.Designed by CZWG Architects and constructed by the Vistry Partnership, the £175m scheme comprises three major tower blocks which vary in height from ten to 27 storeys. Senior’s slim profile SF52 aluminium curtain wall system has been used to create the striking faceted curved elevation, with the smooth rounded corners of the balconies and corner apartments further accentuating the design. Senior’s robust SPW500 aluminium commercial doors were used externally and installed to the fire exits and main entrance, with SPW600 aluminium doors fitted internally throughout communal areas.With the need to increase energy efficiency and reduce the carbon footprint of the scheme, Senior’s patented low U-value PURe® aluminium windows and PURe® SLIDE patio doors were also chosen for the scheme. As well as contributing to lower energy bills for the residents, the slim sightlines of the PURe® aluminium windows and doors perfectly frame the development’s far-reaching views over London and the attractive green streetscape below. The stylish PURe® SLIDE aluminium sliding doors also provide select apartments with access to individual roof terraces, creating a seamless link between the interior and exterior spaces.

Swansea University’s £32m Computational Foundry is a world-class academic facility at the University’s Bay Campus. The Computational Foundry will be home to the Computer Science and Mathematics departments, to enable and encourage cross discipline research. It has been also been designed to increase collaboration between industry and academia and will transform Swansea and the nation as a global destination for computational scientists. Architects, AHR, designed the building so that the entrance leads into a central atrium which houses lecture theatres and specialist laboratories. Over a further four floors, there are a further three atriums with interconnecting bridges which allow natural light to flow through creating impressive visual connections across the building.  With natural break out areas within the building, this inviting space allows for collaborative gatherings or spontaneous moments for students, staff and visitors to meet.Lusso worked in collaboration with the design team and Willmott Dixon to create this fantastic space. The Lusso Atria Glazing System was used to make the most of the natural light and to maintain a high level of connectivity through the different levels of the building. The Lusso 25 Single Glazed Frameless System was used for its minimalistic profile. These were installed throughout the building to create laboratories, teaching laboratories and to create individual offices which complements the overall design.The Computational Foundary is an inspiring place in which students, staff, industry partners and academics from all disciplines can now collaborate and work on new ideas. It is an excellent addition to Swansea University’s waterfront campus and builds upon the university’s existing achievements. 

Based in Somerset, Taunton School was founded all the way back in 1847. While the building’s stunning exterior has been immaculately preserved in the years since, the interior has of course been routinely upgraded during that time in order to support the ever-evolving demands of educational environments – including the recent installation of our Type G100 movable wall system.Type G100 is a glazed partition system that provides effective protection again sound transfer when fully closed, achieving up to Rw 54dB. This particular system is comprised of 10 panels, with half being glass and the other half sporting a solid matte black finish – all housed within a sleek black painted aluminium frame.Thanks to the Type G100, the school’s cafeteria layout can changed within minutes, offering the choice between a large open plan space, or a pair of smaller rooms. A fully solid system would not allow for the transfer of natural light to the smaller of the two spaces created when the system is in use, however the glazed panels mean this is not an issue. A pass door also allows for access between the smaller spaces when the panels are being used.

Salisbury Walk is part of the Girdlestone Estate in London, and the last phase to be upgraded by landlord the London Borough of Islington as part of their commitment to delivering decent homes standards.The TaskWorking to our detailed specification, Opus stripped the existing profiled metal roof and built up our TA-30 Flat Roofing System, installing insulation to achieve 0.18W/m2K as advised by current Building Regulations. Ventilation and rooflight hatches were also upgraded and new upstands fitted.The Outcome“Having achieved such a positive result in the refurbishment elsewhere on the estate by utilising the services of Langley and Opus, it gave peace of mind for all stakeholders to re-apply that formula in other works. It brings us a valued perspective, enabling us to make informed decisions going forward about the condition of the estate, knowing we have consistency in approach, design, materials and application. We also have the peace of mind, going forward, that the roofs are all upgraded to a high standard and are assured for decades to come.”Theo Petrou, Mears Group Project Manager

The TaskOriginally a garage for a local car showroom in the town centre, The Forum has most recently been a storage facility until the College began redevelopment of its kitchens in a 12th Century Grade 1 listed building. This provided improved and expanded catering facilities. During the works, the College still needed kitchen and dining facilities, prompting the re-purposing of The Forum.Northmores Project Management Consultants were contracted by the College to manage the project, designed by Paul Vonberg Architects, to future-proof the building.The Outcome“It was a very tricky project. Logistically, being right in central Cambridge, and during COVID, we had to ensure we were rigorous in our safe practice. Fortunately, the new internal design of the Forum meant it was easy to operate a one-way system for any internal workings making good the linings where the rooflights had been and redecorating. From a reroofing perspective too it was complex. The team at Langley devised a practical solution and were always on hand to support us with technical advice if needed.”

Our client saved 70% installation time on mechanical services throughout their project using Walraven RapidRail system, prefabricated before delivery to site.

Whiskey connoisseurs can now enjoy a favourite tipple at the new Ad Gefrin whisky distillery and visitor centre in Wooler, which has been completed externally with a Sto render system. Ad Gefrin opened its doors to visitors in March 2023 to showcase the unique heritage, ancient hospitality, and contemporary crafts, arts and produce of Northumberland and re-awaken the Northumbrian tradition for Whisky distilling that has slept for over 200 years. The StoRend Flex Cote render system was specified for use on the facades of the new buildings by Elphick Associates, to provide maximum crack resistance, weatherproofing and fade resistance. Using the highest quality materials, StoArmat Classic Plus is a cement-free, acrylic resin-based reinforcing coat, and up to 15 times more flexible than traditional cement-based reinforcing coats, providing exceptional levels of crack resistance with the embedded Sto Glass Fibre strengthening mesh. The system, installed by Edendene Construction Services Ltd, was finished with an attractive, low-maintenance, white StoSilco render, which will keep its good looks for years to come.  StoDécor Flex, a mesh-reinforced system comprising of StoDecosit interior plaster onto StoVentec carrier board was also applied to some internal areas of the building to match the smooth, white exterior of the buildings. StoDecosit combines the best properties ofemulsion-based plasters and silicate plasters in a single product and is suitable for decorating walls to protect against mould and mildew, and for walls in heavy-use areas.Ad Gefrin is a family run business and this outstanding visitor experience includes a distillery, museum, bistro, and shop, and is also helping to deliver economic growth to the local and wider communities of Glendale. Client: Ad GefrinDesign: Elphick AssociatesSto Applicator: Edendene Construction Services LtdContractor: Brims Construction Ltd Sto Expertise: StoRend Flex Cote Render system (externally), StoDécor Flex (internally)Photography: Sally Ann Norman Photography

Roché’s shutters were used throughout the Big Brother house to keep unwanted visitors out and housemates in, safely.Endemol, the production company behind the Big Brother reality TV series, needed a robust physical security solution that could be linked to the building management system and wouldn’t compromise the design of the set. An added challenge was that one of the shutters needed to be especially wide, at 7.8m.Roché provided the solution, installing a number of window and garden shutters, including the i95, as well a shutter for the famous Diary Room. Apart from providing physical security, these shutters also provide heat insulation and a level of soundproofing.

Brookland House is the latest refurbishment project by Beech Holdings, who are known for taking unloved buildings and transforming them into sustainable homes.Formerly a neglected office block, Brookland House now provides 25 contemporary eco-friendly apartments for both students and professionals. Built with sustainability in mind, the apartments benefit from an energy efficient glazing package from Senior Architectural Systems. This includes double glazed SPW600e windows, elegant and thermally efficient SF52 Curtain Walling with slim sightlines and arched frames at the head, plus robust SPW501 commercial doors, which are certified to PAS24 and Secured by Design standards.

Berry Court is a new private ‘build-to-rent’ £27 million residential development of 113 one, two and three-bedroom quality apartments plus 217 multi storey car park in the heart of Bournemouth. Designed by Bright Space Architects, Berry Court reflects the art deco heritage of Bournemouth with clean horizontal banding and sweeping curves. A comprehensive fenestration package from Senior Architectural systems was specified, comprising thermally efficient windows and sliding patio doors for the apartments, plus curtain walling and commercial doors for the main building to make the most of the stunning views over the town and out to sea.

Sustainability and design were the major focus for this new £24 student accommodation project which achieved a ‘Very Good’ BREEAM rating. Senior’s highly thermally efficient glazing package was chosen to meet the scheme’s sustainability criteria and budget. This included thermally enhanced SPW600 windows fitted with a Louvre Guard System in bedrooms and kitchens and with smoke vents in corridors for additional safety and security. With their innovative thermal break offering exceptional thermal efficiency, PURe® Commercial Doors were installed at the security office whist PURe® SLIDE Lift & Slide doors were specified for the large communal area.

Following successful works for the London Underground, Koster were asked to design waterproofing systems for use inside live tunnels for the Glasgow Underground. Following close analysis of the structure, surrounding ground and constant use, a bespoke design was settled upon which involved an area injection system as the main form of waterproofing protection.Koster Injection Gel G4, an acrylic injection material was selected, mainly due to the fact that it has an extremely low viscosity and will not contaminate ground water or soils.When injected in a grid pattern across the substrate (through pre -installed injection ports), it will travel through the pores of the brickwork and "Gel" forming a permanently elastic mass capable of holding back the pressure of water behind the structure.The Koster Technical team become heavily involved in these types of projects, working carefully with the design team and contractors ensuring a successful project completion.For more information or for advice on a similar project, please contact the Koster Technical team on technical@kosteruk.com.

With views overlooking central Manchester from several floors up, the designers for this workspace have utilised glazed partitions throughout to maximise the transfer of light and make the most of the stunning backdrop offered by the city skyline.London Wall was approached to provide a glass moving wall system that could seamlessly integrate in to the overall design of the space by matching the proposed glass partitions, while offering space flexibility.Our Type G200 system was the perfect choice, with a crittal effect indention to the static panels on show elsewhere within the space. The glazed panels can quickly and easily be stacked, allowing staff the choice between a single, large open plan space or two smaller spaces.When the panels are in use, the two spaces both remain easily accessible thanks to a lockable pass door. Type G200’s impressive acoustic performance ensures that sound transfer between the two spaces is kept to a minimum, therefore reducing noise distraction and increasing privacy.

Two new apartment buildings in Kent have been given a thermally-efficient and visually-striking façade thanks to the use of an external wall insulation system from Sto. The two new blocks in Ashford - Stour Heights and Somerset Heights – have a single-skin construction, comprising a reinforced concrete frame with concrete block infill, and they benefit from the installation of StoTherm Mineral external wall insulation, with a StoCleyer B mineral brick slip and StoSilco render façade finish.“An alternative insulation system was originally proposed for these buildings,” says John Mahoney of Sheffield-based J Mahoney Architects. “As things progressed a different solution was required to meet the demands of the various parties involved in the project. Sto pretty much leads the pack in terms of quality, and the StoTherm Mineral system was able to satisfy everyone’s requirements, so it became the obvious choice. The fact that Sto could work with us and provide technical support was also extremely helpful.”The BBA-certified StoTherm Mineral external wall insulation system uses mineral-fibre boards to provide outstanding thermal performance, combined with reliable fire protection and effective sound insulation. Its efficient single-leaf construction and external installation do not compromise the building’s interior space, and it can be installed without the need for additional expansion joints.For the new buildings, it was installed using Sto’s unique Sto-Rotofix plus mechanical fixing system. The helical Rotofix fixings create a cavity behind the insulation board, which can be easily adjusted after installation to ensure a level outer surface is created. This system combines the ease-of-use of ETICS anchors with the flexibility of a mechanical rail system, but without the material and labour cost of installing the rails.“The StoCleyer B brick slips were specified to meet certain planning requirements,” adds John Mahoney. “An alternative brick solution was originally considered, but Sto was able to manufacture slips which were a perfect match for the proposed original. The fact that they were also fully compatible with the Sto insulation system was another significant point in their favour.”The new buildings have added 109 one- and two-bedroomed flats which are spread across the five floors of Stour Heights, and the three floors of Somerset Heights.

AboutThe Dubai Metro Red Line, at 52.1 km (32.4 mi), is the world’s longest driverless single metro line. The planning of the metro was in response to a rapidly growing population and severe traffic congestion to relieve motor traffic and provide infrastructure for development.Project/doors200 Insulated Roller Shutters, both fire rated and non-fire ratedThe ChallengeThe Hart contract to manufacture over 200 industrial roller shutters to Dubai Metro, one of the most advanced urban rail systems in the world, was secured through the Al-Futtaim Group, who in turn were awarded by Chadwick Technology Group. Hart not only manufactured the doors but provided training to JT Metro JV, Dubai Metro Project.The SolutionManufacture over 200 Insulated Roller Shutters, both fire rated and non-fire rated for the Jebel Ali, Rashidiya and Al Qusais train depots. The shutters are designed to work in very sophisticated and complex systems including depot protection when driver-less trains are in operation.The SuccessThis was Harts largest export order to date and came on the back of large orders for Hart products for Heathrow’s T5 and the international railway terminal at St. Pancras. Once again Hart successfully delivered on a large scale project due to the engineering knowledge and project management experience.The ReviewYou have shown a high level of technical competence and professionalism in dealing firstly with the lengthy approval process, mainly due to the critical importance of the shutters for the automated operation of the Metro system, and secondly with the various site issues that invariably arrive on a project of this scale and fast track nature. Peter W. Mansell, Project Director, Chadwick SEC

Beneath the streets of Central London lies a network of Grade 2 Listed underground vaults. As Newton Specialist Contractors, Stonehouse were called in to waterproof four of these impressive structures and turn them into a completely dry commercial space. The four vaults were situated just North of the River Thames in Central London, a short walk from such famous landmarks as Smithfield Market and St Paul's Cathedral.The Grade II Listed structures are each over 4 metres in height, and form part of an impressive below-ground infrastructure network. Newton Specialist Contractor Stonehouse were asked to waterproof four of these impressive vaults for the multinational service provider KPMG, in order to turn them into useful commercial spaces.When waterproofing historic vaults such as these, the Newton CDM System provides the ideal solution as it is maintainable, requires minimal fixings and therefore avoids damaging the structure, and crucially is deemed as reversible should the structure need to be returned to its original condition in future.As an experienced contractor, Stonehouse proceeded with an expert installation of a full CDM System to the tricky vaults, including:508 Mesh membrane to the walls, for a direct plaster finish508 membrane and Fibran XPS 500-C insulation boards to the floor.Basedrain channels to direct any captured water towards two Titan-Pro sump chambers, each containing two NP400 pumps.Victron Inverter and a NorthStar battery for reliable backup power.Stonehouse completed an extremely complex and detailed cavity drain installation with precision, resulting in an exceptionally neat waterproofing system, and proving the benefits of using a specialist waterproofing contractor.

A development which incorporates a collection of projects and one of Central London’s largest ever mixed-use developments creating 3,500 new homes. Wood Wharf has been supplied with over 2,000 Unidrain wet room systems, many projects taking advantage of Unidrain’s bespoke service to achieve specific designs. Wetroom Materials worked closely with the POD Manufacturer to present a wetroom system that would be able to adapt to the demands of the POD construction.

The StoSilent Distance acoustic ceiling and wall system from Sto was specified for the world’s leading museum of art, design and performance and it now creates the perfect acoustic environment for a high-profile display of Renaissance art treasures. The V&A in London recently completed a landmark refurbishment of its Raphael Court where the StoSilent Distance system is now installed.

The £15million new Tarka Leisure Centre in Barnstaple, was designed to link with the existing Tarka Tennis Centre. There is now a natural flow between the existing and new part of the completed facility. Sport England invested £1.8m of National Lottery funding into the development of Tarka Leisure Centre to support the ‘get active’ initiative by making the facilities accessible and inclusive for the local community. The new centre, officially opened by British Winter Olympics hero Eddie ‘the Eagle’ Edwards, provides a much-needed swimming pool facility, an ‘endless’ indoor ski slope facility, a sports hall with four badminton courts, a large gym, two multi-purpose exercise studios, a spin studio, indoor soft play area, new reception area and café.With leisure centres having a high footfall and being a naturally noisy environment, it was paramount to consider the fire safety and acoustics of the building.  Lusso 105FR, a double-glazed fire-rated system, which provides acoustic performance of up to 54dB and fire performance of up to 60 minutes integrity and insulation was the ideal choice for this environment. Lusso Structural Glazing was installed where a higher specification level was required for edge protection.

This project for Durham Lane Primary School saw the refurbishment of their existing roof. The previous bitumen waterproofing was showing signs of wear. Isolated areas of leaks had started to form, which was presenting classroom disruption.ChallengesFor funding purposes, the roof area was inspected and separated into two phases. Phase 1 of the roofing works presented a number of potential fire risks with combustible substrates and penetrations. The existing make-up performed poorly when tested against current building regulations.SolutionsFollowing minor remedial works, the existing waterproofing system was inspected and deemed suitable for use as the air and vapour control layer. Thermal and acoustic upgrades were introduced through the installation of Hytherm MW mineral wool insulation, ensuring building regulation compliance and an acoustically sound teaching environment in compliance with BB93.To complete the installation, Hyranger reinforced bitumen waterproofing system was installed, achieving a 20 year insured guaranteecovering waterproofing system materials supplied by Axter. In accordance with the NFRC’s Safe2Torch guidance, cold applied liquid waterproofing was required for detailing to fire risk areas; in this instance, Starcoat R was the system of choice due to uniform aesthetical finish and cost efficiency.Systems in useHyranger®Starcoat® R

FORBO’S PORTFOLIO HELPS CONNECT RURAL UNIVERSITY TO COUNTRYSIDE ROOTS Situated in the countryside near Milton Keynes, Cranfield University recently added five new blocks, including a new central hub for the students, to its campus. As the communal area was the standout aspect of the project, Magna Designs Interiors utilised Forbo Flooring Systems’ Flotex planks and Allura Flex luxury vinyl tiles to help connect the university to its countryside heritage. Speaking about the project, Emma Barnes, Interior Designer at Magna Designs Interiors, said: “While the five new blocks were a new part of campus, the university didn’t want them to stand out too much from the existing buildings. Everything had to fit in and look like it belonged, whilst still having a contemporary feel. I worked with the contractor Watkins-Jones to form a basic design idea and then we got to work. The brief the client gave to me was for a modern space, one that gave a nod to the nature around them but also prioritised comfort.” Magna Designs Interiors went with what Emma described as a soft industrial design with exposed pipework in the ceiling and metal framework detailing, but then opted for something to slightly soften that look for the flooring: “We needed something that was comfortable but also hard-wearing and Forbo’s Flotex ticks both those boxes. It almost doesn’t look like a textile floor covering, especially with the designs we used for the project, but it provides great underfoot comfort. We went with this soft industrial look in the communal area, using Flotex Concrete in the Storm and Cloud colourways. This provided a really neutral look. While we combined the Storm and Cloud colourways to break up the design, I knew I wanted to mix this up even further.  “It’s for this reason that I also used Flotex by Starck. It has this nice neutral base which fits with the soft industrial theme, but then transitions from the base grey shade to a crazy and colourful pattern, which I really enjoyed. I’ve worked with Flotex before as it’s been around for years now, but it’s exciting to see how Forbo has reinvented it with their new designs, especially with their designer ranges like Flotex by Starck.” Alongside creating a comfortable and homely feel, Emma was also tasked with giving a nod to the open green spaces that surround the campus. She commented: “We wanted to link the project back to nature, as the university is situated in this beautiful, peaceful countryside area. I used Forbo’s Allura Flex planks in the areas where students could sit together on these sofas, which had earthy tones like browns and greens. It really brought the outside in and we felt it grounded the place in nature, which the campus obviously is! The Allura Flex planks have this lovely wood grain look, which fit in with the overall design but also helped to break up the greys of the Flotex tiles. I even used bark from the surrounding trees on some of the walls, which linked in with the grain of the planks.” Conscious that sustainability is high on many specifier’s agendas, this was another reason behind the specification of Flotex. Flotex is made using 100% renewable energy and the normal Flotex planks are made of 49% recycled content by weight, making it a good sustainable choice. Allura Flex is also made using all renewable energy and contains 24% recycled content by weight. What’s more, both ranges have a long-life cycle – key for education design, where products are needed that can survive for many years with minimal maintenance or upkeep. Emma concluded: “I’m really happy with how the place looks; I feel we definitely captured the essence of what was requested. Everything came together very nicely, and I cannot recommend Forbo highly enough. Elizabeth Bushell, the Account Manager I worked with, was so helpful and had some constructive ideas, suggesting products for me to use. I’m still hearing good reports about the new student central hub now, a year on from completion of that area of the project, so it’s stood the test of time so far!” The final handover of the project was completed in April 2022, but the communal area was completed over a year ago. Magna Designs Interiors’ work on the communal student hub saw them win ‘Highly Commended’ at Forbo Flooring Systems’ 2021/2022 Forbo Escapes competition.All images were produced by Cranfield University  For more information about Forbo’s solutions for the education sector, visit www.forbo-flooring.co.uk/education or to enter the 2022/23 Forbo Escapes competition, visit www.forbo-flooring.co.uk/forboescapes

Folly Farm Adventure Park and Zoo was established in 1988 in Wales when the old dairy farm grounds were converted into an adventure park and zoo. So when they were preparing for the arrival of a pride of African Lions, one of the top priorities was to design and manufacture their enclosure fencing. The main requirements for this project were to protect the welfare of the lions whilst holding security features for visitors and staff when observing. The lion enclosure consisted of CLD Fencing Systems Dulok Double Wire Fencing using a dark green RAL colour for coating. The whole enclosure featured 2 paddocks, 4 dens and 5 yards to offer the very best comfort for the African Lions.

The creation of this new store for supermarket chain Lidl is a part of the larger residential led mixed-use Waterline development which has seen the creation of a striking 27 storey residential tower block providing 251 new homes in Wembley, London.Formerly known as Minavil House, the demolition of the derelict commercial building has provided ample scope for the regeneration of the wider area and the new mixed use scheme provides a variety of facilities including retail and office space.The ground floor level supermarket has been designed to complement the main buildings whilst providing a practical solution for a high traffic retail space.Our SF52 aluminium curtain wall has been used to great effect on the main façade of the store, with feature fins and sloped glazing elements. To provide safe and secure access, and help reduce maintenance requirements, our robust SPW501 aluminium commercial doors were also installed by our supply chain partner Soundcraft. Designed by Alan Camp Architects, the Waterline development has been built by HG Construction.As well as adding to Senior’s order book in London and the South East, the creation of the new Lidl supermarket also draws on our expertise of delivering curtain wall and commercial door solutions for the retail sector. The thermal efficiency of our slim line SF52 aluminium curtain wall system makes it ideally suited to reducing the environmental impact of retail buildings, by meeting the requirements of Part L, and also maximising the use of natural light. In fact, our SF52 aluminium curtain wall system made its debut on the flagship Sainsbury’s superstore in Sheffield.

Situated in Portsmouth Historical Dockyard, the Boathouse was a development that required an acoustic raised batten system for hardwood decking, Oak plank flooring and a plywood substrate for the 1st floor. New Era Cradles were specified to provide a finished floor height range from 74-190mm and was fitted at 400mm centres. This proved a versatile and cost effective way to overcome all the different levels

This prestigious residential development in Knightsbridge demanded the highest specification for all trades. New Era Acoustic cradle system was specified to conform to Document E regulation. The floor height was 125-165mm using a 46mm batten at 400mm centres with a 22mm T&G plywood glued and screwed to the battens. This gave a perfectly acoustically isolated sub-floor for the carpets and oak flooring to be fitted on

Capella Development, Handyside, Kings Cross LondonDeveloper: ArgentMain contractor: Laing O’Rourke Architects: Chapman TaylorSub Contractor: InstaGroup120 newly built residential apartments received InstaCoustic's 'dry' cradle & batten system combining under floor heating & topped with Knauf GifaFloor FHB25.Original plans were to install a T&G chipboard to finish the acoustic floor system, however it was determined that there were deflection risks around the proposed large format tile finish.As a result, the chipboard was replaced by the high density, gypsum fibreboard Knauf GifaFloor FHB25. This resulted in:Quicker install & less use water than a wet screed systemImproved acoustic performanceImproved fire performanceImproved thermal efficiency resulting in reduced energy costs for the end userHigher loading performance, creating a solid substrate for the finish to be applied directly toReduction in overall embodied carbon & installation of a product that offers a high recycled contentLifetime guarantee of the buildingClick the link below to read the full case studyhttps://www.instacoustic.co.uk/case-study/kings-cross-london-n1c/

When Solihull Borough Council was looking for a block paving system for the refurbishment of Hurst Lane Place, the council was seeking something that would meet both aesthetics and performance of the busy urban site. Tobermore presented a variety of product offerings and the council was particularly impressed with Tobermore’s Fusion block paving with its striking granite aggregate surface.

The project was part of huge regeneration plans for Thurrock. The new three-storey Civic Centre, designed by LSI Architects, built by Kier Construction (Eastern) and clad by specialist façade contractor A2O Ltd, incorporates a council chamber, café, registrar service, staff offices, committee rooms and service area for the public.LSI Architects selected the MechSlip Brick Cladding System, supplied by Aquarian Cladding Systems, to achieve a non-combustible, through-coloured, textured, real brick façade, which provided sufficient form to ensure a statement building that was not subservient to the surrounding buildings. MechSlip proved vital for the project, which kick-started the Thurrock transformation.

An innovative door design was required for a new manufacturing process about to be introduced in the new Nissan battery plant manufacturing facility. Project/doors:100 Bespoke Conveyor screensThe challengeNissan required a unique door for a new production facility. The doors needed to give 60-minute fire resistance and be capable of completing up to 400,000 open/close cycles a year. Further, the doors needed to meet strict air leakage criteria and be able to withstand sudden air-pressure increases. The doors also had to interface with third-party equipment such as conveyor belt controls and fire alarms. Each required an LCD display control panel that provided a quick and easy diagnosis of what each door was doing at any point in time. The solution Using an already proven design solution which Hart developed for the baggage handling system in Heathrow’s Terminal 5, Hart adapted the product to suit this new requirement. As this was not a product already on offer, invention and rigorous testing were required.The successA decade has passed since the doors were installed and commissioned. The facility continues the manufacture of the battery cells and the doors remain a critical part of the success of the plant and have proved exceptional reliability and total cost of ownership

The £350 million Grange University Hospital is the centrepiece of a new model of healthcare delivery, which aims to transform health service delivery across Gwent. The new super hospital includes a 24-hour Emergency Department and assessment unit for major emergencies, resuscitation, and 370 critical care beds for those requiring onward intensive care.The hospital has been divided into two sectors over five levels, with care services at one side and treatment areas on the other. It has been designed to offer the highest quality patient environment, whilst being flexible, adaptable and expandable for changing needs. The hospital will be home to more than 40 specialist services. To attract and retain the best workforce, the building has been designed to offer a workplace which has high quality staff areas with a highly connected environment. Lusso were procured to supply and install all of the glazed partitions and glazed door sets throughout the hospital, including bespoke Lusso single and double-glazed systems designed specifically for healthcare installations. Due to the pandemic and the increased need for critical care services, the hospital was fast-tracked for completion a year early, whilst retaining the exacting standards expected of a high-profile project. 

Opened in April 2016, as a new build, Sheffield Custody Suite is a custom 50-cell custody suite with associated charge, interview, and ancillary accommodation for other forces estate teams.Designed and procured through the Scape Group’s Major Works framework, the £14 Million project was completed on time and on budget by Willmott Dixon.The BriefScreening the transit area of a modern custody suite required a dedicated brief for the privacy security fencing. In early 2016 we carried out a site visit , with Davison Fencing and Willmott Dixon, to assess the scope of the brief.358 LPS 1175 SR1 Fencing SystemsIntegrated ScreeningAnti Climb MeshPerimeter Security FencingPhysical Access Control Solutions

INNOVATIVE OFFICE INSTALL CREATES STYLISH AND SUSTAINABLE SPACE Forbo Flooring Systems’ Allura Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) range was specified by design and fit out company, Oktra, to transform an office building into a stylish and modern workspace. It was also installed adhesive free using IOBAC MagTabsÒ, to help achieve Akoya’s sustainability requirements.  Oktra were recruited by Akoya and Brunswick Property Partners, to repurpose an office building to create a vibrant and attractive space for young professionals and entrepreneurs to work in. Formally known as Knollys and Stephenson House, the building will be rebranded as Mosaic East, a comprehensive refurbishment of one of East Croydon’s most iconic office developments.  Typically, carpet tiles or exposed raised access flooring are the go-to solution in these scenarios, however with a premium design required, Oktra opted for something different, as Danielle La Porte, Designer at Oktra explains: “Akoya wanted to create a range of category A office suites that would be memorable to tenants, while also meeting sustainability requirements. With this brief in mind, we specified Forbo’s Allura Flex LVT, which is available in range of elegant colourways and wood effect designs – perfect for this project! “We wanted to add some brand identity within the category A suites, so we decorated some of them in a light pink colour with linear LED lighting, and other suites in a light sage green colour. To complement the colour palettes, we chose Allura Flex LVT in the Light Honey Oak shade. We then asked the flooring contractors, The Commercial Flooring Company, to install the planks in a beautiful herringbone pattern to really enhance the aesthetics of the space.” However, appearance wasn’t the only area of concern, with Akoya also conscious of the sustainability requirements. Danielle addressed this, saying: “The aesthetics of the flooring weren’t the only thing we had to keep in mind, we also had to ensure that whatever floor covering we specified would meet Akoya’s sustainability aims. It was for this reason that we specified Forbo’s Allura Flex, as it can be easily installed adhesive free, using IOBAC MagTabsÒ.” IOBAC’s innovative MagTabsÒ provide a two-dimensional hold, with one side being magnetic and the other a dry-tack adhesive. This means they can be easily magnetised onto metal raised access flooring, like those at Mosaic East, and the chosen flooring simply placed on top, negating the need for traditional adhesives. Ian Spreadborough, Founder and Director at IOBAC explains further: “Our MagTabsÒ essentially allow flooring contractors to quickly place floor coverings down onto raised access flooring, without damaging the substrate or the flooring itself. The phrase we use is ‘hard to shift, easy to lift’. The idea is that the flooring is securely fitted but can then be lifted back up to be reused elsewhere, or simply be replaced by another floor covering further down the line. “Oktra approached us as they had used our MagTabsÒ on a previous project and had been extremely impressed by their performance, so were keen to use the product again. Additionally, Forbo’s LVT and carpet tiles are approved for use with the MagTabsÒ, making it the logical choice. On top of this, Brunswick, who own the raised access flooring itself, were keen to maintain the condition of its asset, so, the tabs served a double purpose, protecting both a heavy carbon embodied asset, in the raised access flooring, and Forbo’s floor coverings.” Jon Cochrane, Director - Asset Management & Sustainability at Brunswick Property Partners, commented on the use of IOBAC’s MagTabsÒ, saying: “Cleaning adhesive residue off sub-floors in between leases is often messy, expensive and time-consuming. In some cases, the raised access floor panels are so badly contaminated that they must be completely replaced, something which isn’t sustainable, environmentally or financially.  However, using IOBAC MagTabsÒ to install floor coverings removes this issue completely. This means that our asset, in this case the raised access flooring, is protected and kept damage-free for longer-term usage.” It wasn’t just the sustainability benefits that drew Oktra towards MagTabsÒ, with the installation benefits of the tabs also a deciding factor. Daniel Hassan, Operations Manager at The Commercial Flooring Company, commented on this, saying: “Thanks to IOBAC’s MagTabsÒ, it took a team of three fitters around five days to install 900m2 of flooring in a herringbone pattern, which is challenging to install and would have taken much longer to do through traditional methods. This provided a great time saving and allowed the other trades to work around us whilst we fitted the flooring.” The time saved during the installation stage meant the project as a whole was able to be completed in just 10 weeks, a quick turnaround for such a large job. Danielle concluded: “We’re really happy with the finished project, as are Akoya; the flooring looks amazing and we’re delighted to have been able to get it fitted so quickly, as well as meet Akoya’s important sustainability aims.” To find out more about Forbo’s offering for office spaces, please visit: www.forbo-flooring.co.uk/offices.To find out more about using IOBAC MagTabs, please visit: Adhesive-free Flooring Installation System - IOBAC MagTabs® | IOBAC | NBS Source (thenbs.com) 

High performance resin for mortuary flooring areasAs with many high-care environments, mortuaries and post-mortem rooms require high performance flooring to cope with extremely demanding conditions. Any floor finish must be slip-resistant, hygienic, totally impermeable and incredibly durable.Traditional mortuary flooring specificationTraditionally, mortuaries and post-mortems rooms have utilised vinyl sheet or terrazzo floor tiles. However, both have inherent problems such as failed joints, cracks and poor slip resistance making them less than ideal. The failure of these traditional finishes can allow water and other contaminants to penetrate into the substrate below, which creates significant hygiene challenges.In addition to hygiene challenges, failed floors can create health and safety issues such as trip hazards and any repairs will be time consuming and disruptive.High performance mortuary specificationDegafloor have developed an alternative, high performance flooring specification, ideal for post-mortem and mortuary flooring. The Full Broadcast and QTA systems are ultra durable, seamless and highly slip-resistant finishes that can be easily cleaned.Both offer a profiled surface finish that provides outstanding slip-resistance and durability. Despite the surface texture, Degafloor flooring systems are easy to clean and and the seamless nature of these floors results in outstanding durability, avoiding contamination issues.Degafloor high performance flooring systems can bond to a variety of substrates, and cure both chemically and physically within 2 hours of installation. This ensures that every solution we deliver can be installed extremely quickly and cost effectively, resulting in minimal disruption.Our mortuary flooring projects include; Peterborough City Hospital, Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, Barnsley General Hospital, Luton and Dunstable Hospital and Basingstoke & North Hampshire hospital.