"brick block cutting services"

Sugar House Island's Cooperage Yard is part of a transformative project just south of Olympic Park intending to create a distinctive urban environment that has been carefully designed to create a balance between work, life and leisure.Set next to the Islands creative quarter, Cooperage Yard covers 8000ft2 over of the area. Its immediately recognisable sawtooth-shaped roof overlooks the river and courtyard. Natural light floods both floors of the building and a south-facing roof terrace offers further space for its inhabitants.Freshfield Lane's Danehill Yellow bricks are immediately recognisable and offer a positive contrast to the tones of other nearby brick buildings. The tones are further complimented by shafts of natural light that penetrate the pathways between buildings. When combined, the colour language and open space create a sense of optimism between the structures.

London Brick Multi and White wall panels were specified in the design for a new café at Battersea. Chosen for their natural textures and features, the panels help create real atmosphere. Produced from original walls, Vtec panels contain in excess of 50% natural pigments, oxides and minerals. They're lightweight enough to be used almost on any type of structure, as well as being strong and highly durable - perfect for high traffic areas. Panels were installed either side of Arches, mounted on false walls. Large panel size achieved wall coverage quickly and easily with concealed joints for a seamless finish.

Bombardier Services UK based in Biggin Hill is business related to aircraft services such as manufacturing business jets, services and repairs, and general aircraft expertise. The modern office and manufacturing space aligns with the high-quality business jets that they design and produce.Our team at Helmsman, we have manufactured and installed 40 two-compartment heavy-duty laminate lockers with the measurements to be 1900mm high, 300mm wide, and 450mm deep with the lockers to have sloped top-end panels to match the lockers that were manufactured and installed by Helmsman in 2022.The laminate lockers were powder coated with Greenlam Primeval oak to match the light aesthetics of the room as well as to blend with the other lockers with the body of the locker to be ‘Ice’ which is a shade of grey. The laminate lockers were decorated with oval laminated number plates above the Camlocks made by Lowe & Fletcher. The locks are easy to use, with each staff member being allocated to their own lockers which would make the staff feel secure that their items are protected.It was great to work with Bombardier Services UK again on the project. If you have a similar project or want to know more about laminate lockers, give us a call at 01284 530 427.

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

An award-winning, luxury home in the beautiful Hampshire countryside, 4 Views is designed to make the most of its location, also makes its own bold statement thanks to an imaginative combination of materials, including lass, timber and bricks created by the innovation-led, manufacturer, Vandersanden. A remarkable new build with a distinctive architectural design from Winchester-based firm, AR Design Studio, 4 Views incorporates Dark Vandersanden Morvan brickwork which creates tonal contrast with cedar cladding and floor to ceiling glass doors and windows to set this home apart, giving it a balanced, calm identity, at one with the landscape.To find out more about the bricks used in this project or to see the wide range of high-quality bricks available from Vandersanden, click on the 'View more' link 

A unique residential Pocket Living development recently completed in Barking features highly effective thermal performance and an attractive appearance thanks to an integrated package of insulation and exterior façade products provided by Sto. The company’s StoTherm Mineral external wall insulation system, with Sto-Rotofix Plus fixings and StoCleyer B Brick Slip façade finish, have all been installed on this town-centre project at Whiting Avenue.

Capturing all the glamour and splendour of the roaring twentiesthis latest scheme takes to the spotlight. For the restoration of this magnificent building, St. George and TP Bennett turned to a rainscreen which would not only project the right image, yet stand up to the most demanding requirements.For a building with such status and heritage, bothSt. George and TP Bennett opted for a rainscreen solution which would not only project exactly the right image, yet stand up to the most demanding requirements. As a mixed-use development, comprising 209 new homes overlooking a central square, lined with bars and restaurants, and an impressive double-height entrance foyer to the eight-screen Picturehouse Cinema, 'the biggest outside London’s West End,' it was vital that the chosen rainscreen could withstand numerous vying challenges. Thanks to a comprehensive list of intrinsic qualities; including extreme weather resistance, durability, longevity, impact and graffiti resistance, as well as BBA, CWCT and NHBC 2021 certification, Petrarch ticked all the right boxes and exudes pure elegance with its smooth Alabaster finish.Petrarch enrobed Filmworks wins Best Refurbishment project at this year’s Facade AwardsWe’re extremely proud to share that The Filmworks has won the Best Refurbishment project at this year’s Facade Awards. This is the first year that Architectural Panel Solutions has personally entered the awards and we’re thrilled to have debuted as award-winners. We cannot, of course, take all the credit for this project; it is the result of a highly successful collaboration with Richardson Roofing, and talented architect tp bennett for our client Berkeley Group, St George.The Ealing Filmworks by Berkeley Group, St. GeorgeFor a building with such status and heritage, both Berkeley Group, St. George and tp bennett turned to a rainscreen and framing solution which would not only project exactly the right image and retain the splendour of a bygone age, yet also stand up to the most demanding requirements. Blending elegant aesthetics and exacting technical standards; our Petrarch engineered stone rainscreen facade offered the perfect balance.As a £100m mixed-use regeneration scheme comprising: 209 new homes, a central square, lined with bars, restaurants, and featuring a double-height eight-screen Picture-house Cinema (the biggest outside London’s West End) the demands and rigour demanded of the chosen building materials were to be immense.About The Filmworks, in the words of the architect tp bennettGiven the delicate restoration and the fact that this was a conservation area, it was important that the chosen facade retained an elegant and natural aesthetic.’A careful infill within an existing urban block, the scheme has been designed by tp bennett as a contextual response to the surrounding buildings in the conservation areas. Each perimeter facade is designed in a subtly different language, depending on the character of the particular street it is facing. The architectural language changes towards the interior, where the contextual red brick and stone have been complemented with a more contemporary materials palette, including dark blue brick with contrasting green-glazed brick inserts and bronze-coloured cladding laser cut with a distinctive, three-dimensional geometric pattern.‘tp bennett are dedicated to ’creative reuse‘ as a practice – ’our ethos is to re-animate and adapt redundant historic buildings to reinforce a unique sense of place within each project. With our in-house skills and experience to draw from – as well as access to a strong network of conservation specialists – the practice is in a prime position to animate the past and inform the future.‘Here’s what our esteemed installer, Richardson Roofing had to say about Petrarch panels and our level of customer service:‘APS were very easy to deal with during the purchase and logistics process, of getting the Petrarch engineered stone to site. They are very responsive to queries, helpful and went out of their way to assist in any way they could. The team really do know their products well and were very helpful. Despite this being a somewhat difficult site with delivery booking requirements, APS worked with us to optimise logistics for just-in-time deliveries.’Krissy Dawson (Contracts Coordinator)

When colour is the primary concern, and the project is happening over 1,000 miles away, Marley had to get creative. 

Hammerson House is a large, new, innovative care home in the Hampstead Garden Suburb area of London that “will set a new standard of care for the future”, according to its owners, Nightingale Hammerson. The design reflects a luxurious hotel aesthetic rather than that of a traditional care home facility with the development featuring Ledbury hand-formed, facing bricks from Vandersanden. Renowned for their high quality, crafted appearance and texture, these multi-coloured bricks both accentuate the building’s contemporary look and also bring an attractive, natural softness to its facade.Nightingale Hammerson has served the Jewish community for over 180 years as a leading specialist in residential, nursing and palliative care. Located on Bishops Avenue and completed in Spring 2021, the Charity’s Hammerson House development offers 116 bedrooms in a modern, forward-thinking scheme. The building is balanced by two matching wings at its front and rear, with the design centred around the principles of ‘households’. This involves clusters of bedrooms for residents with supporting facilities on a domestic scale, allowing them to socialise in small groups, but then move easily to larger spaces for group activities, if they wish.The setting for Hammerson House is certainly more rural than urban, withdrawn from the avenue, in beautifully landscaped gardens, surrounded by trees. The design takes full advantage of this verdant context with the shape of the building, offering expansive views of the trees and gardens through large, rectangular glazing at multiple points.P+HS Architects developed the design from RIBA Stage 3 and specified the use of Vandersanden’s Ledbury brick, with its varied tones and texture, to ensure that Hammerson House embodies the look and feel of a luxurious hotel that fits naturally within these surroundings.“We developed a series of palette options which reflected a varied response to the client’s vision,” says Cath Lake, Director at P+HS Architects. “The softer, more rustic approach offered by the Ledbury brick, ultimately, became the client’s preferred option. As a practice, we are focused on creating positive environments for long and short-term support and care and Hammerson House will do just that. Vandersanden’s Ledbury brick has enabled us to meet the distinctive, high quality design vision within budget and the client is delighted with the result.”Ledbury is a high quality, multi-coloured brick with a sand-coated and creased structure. The base yellow colour of the brick is augmented by hues of brown, white, blue and anthracite which help to soften the Hammerson House facade as well as the covered accessible walkway at the building’s entrance. The overall effect is to sit the building comfortably, attractively and organically within its environment.To find out more about the bricks used in this project or to see the wide range of high-quality bricks available from Vandersanden, click on the 'View more' link .

Project: Vita CoventryLocation:CoventryMain contractor: Bowmer & KirklandProduct specification: British GypsumContract value: 3 millionProgramme duration: 59 weeks

Closomat is an experienced installer of Changing Places toilets at roadside and motorway service areas. The company has completed multiple projects for leading operators, including Extra, Roadchef, Moto, Westmorland and Cornwall Services.All installs are high-specification and meet full British Standards, or above. Moto, Southwaite and Toddington, include the addition of a Closomat wash and dry toilet, for those who may lack the ability to wipe themselves – allowing the facilities to support a wider range of users. Many of these projects are a direct result of a central government Changing Places fund (for which Closomat is a preferred supplier), distributed to successful bidders for improving inclusive toilet provision on England’s major road network.Closomat provides a range of services to these clients, including design and commissioning, through to project management, supply and installation, as well as maintenance and repair.Changing Places by Closomat can be found at the following service areas:Moto – Rugby, Southwaite and Toddington. Roadchef – Annandale Water, Clacket Lane M25 Eastbound, Norton Cranes M6, Strensham (Northbound), M5, Strensham (Southbound), M5, Tibshelf (Northbound), M1, Tibshelf, (Southbound), M1, Northampton (Northbound), M1, Northampton (Southbound), M1, Clacket Lane (Westbound), M25, Chester, M56, Sedgemoor, M5, Taunton Deane (Northbound), M5, Rownhams (Southbound), M27, Maidstone, M20, Durham, A1MExtra -  Beaconsfield, Baldock, Cobham, Leeds Skelton, CambridgeWestmorland – Gloucester and Tebay servicesCornwall Services – A30 near Bodmin.

A housing development in Southminster has benefitted from having an access road installed with machine lay block paving to deliver a speedy and high quality finish in outstanding time. The access road was only 3m wide and by laying the blocks by hand, there would have been only enough room for two operatives to work side by side. This meant the entire 83m stretch of road would have taken three days to complete and would have delayed follow-on trades so the road surface needed to be completed quickly. To view the whole case study please click the link below.

Durability, safety and aesthetics needed to work together for the Viking House project. With the refurbishment nestled among conventionally built brick buildings there was a need for a contemporary look that mirrored the local vernacular. Viking House, a managed student accommodation at the University of Lincoln made up of three five-storey buildings and standing 20m tall, was designed to reflect the university’s continuing progress. Mechslip was chosen along with Ibstock’s Leicester Red facing bricks, due to its A1 rated non-combustible to EN13501-1 standards making it the ideal choice for a modern high-rise structure.

Looking down for architectural features in any Georgian town and as well as coal hole covers, manholes and the like you'll see all manner of air bricks and grilles, mostly for sub floor ventilation in property walls. Here is an illustration of a cast iron vent underneath a front door in Regency Bath. Like many it's in a pretty poor state. This one's patched up with steel plate and it's suffocating, what is a key part of the ground floor causing damp. Prevent damp in period property basements and below suspended floors...

The Service Department at Helmsman have been hard at work at Felixstowe Leisure Centre. The changing rooms at Felixstowe Leisure Centre were kitted out with Helmsman’s lockers many years ago, and whilst the existing lockers and cubicles had lasted a long time, they were tired and generally needed refreshing.The locker bodies were still great quality, so we manufactured and installed new doors, with new locks and numbering, and supplied wrist straps for the keys. The lockers were a fairly old design, that we don’t often have requested anymore, however as we provide the full package at Helmsman, we can manufacture most bespoke options, including replacements for lockers from other manufacturers. See our Riverside Leisure Centre Case Study for example.Our team manufactured brand new laminate locker doors with matching cubicle doors and facias for this service project. We used BioCarbon’s Carbon Neutral laminate in colour “Graphite” and Abet Laminate in colour “Yellow Pop” to refresh the changing rooms with a splash of colour, completely transforming the area from the white and blue theme that existed before. The locker doors are complete with brand new numbering and Lowe and Fletcher cam locks with wrist straps for the keys. These wrist straps are a great addition for lockers in leisure centres, providing the flexibility for users to wear their key whilst they use the facilities.It was interesting for the team to work with an older design of Helmsman locker, and with the refresh of the lockers and cubicles, the changing rooms at Felixstowe Leisure Centre look brand new again. We’re sure that the updated lockers and cubicles will stand the test of time, but if the leisure centre decide to make another update to their theme, or repair some wear and tear, our service team will be here and happy to help.If you have a similar project, or need some help from our service team on anything else, contact us today on  or call 01284 530427.

Dover’s Waterloo Mansions are treated to a Welsh Slate reroof. An unusual double-mansard roof on a Grade II listed seafront mansion block is enjoying a new lease of life, thanks to Welsh Slate. Some 11,000 Penrhyn Heather Blue Capital-grade slates from Welsh Slate now adorn the roof and elevations of Waterloo Mansions, part of a Georgian terrace which overlooks Dover harbour, designed in the 1830s by Philip Hardwick, architect of the Euston Arch. 

HAG helps keep our emergency services running smoothly.

PaxLock Pro, Net2 and Entry Provide Robust, Wireless Access ControlHumberside Fire and Rescue Service is responsible for the fire and rescue service across the East Riding of Yorkshire, Kingston upon Hull, and North and North East Lincolnshire, serving a population of almost one million people. Providing a professional and skilled emergency response service; 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, Humberside Fire and Rescue Service also offer a range of other services and functions, including assistance with animal rescue, dangerous chemical spillages, local and wide area flooding, road traffic collisions, aircraft and railway incidents.RequirementThe Fire and Rescue Service required an access control solution that could secure multiple sites on a single system. The system needed to be robust and reliable, to maintain the security of the premises whilst allowing ease of entry and exit when responding to an emergency. Flexible access permissions across 12 of the fire stations in the region were also essential.Humberside Fire and Rescue Service worked with Delta Security Systems Ltd to recommend an access control solution that could meet their requirements. Based in Hull, Delta Security Systems supply electronic security systems for domestic and commercial use. They recommended Paxton’s flagship access control system; Net2, with PaxLock Pro; wireless access control in a door handle, and Entry; IP video door entry.Type of sitePublic Sector; Emergency Response LocationHull, UK Number of sites/doors/users12 sites260 doors300+ users Solution requiredManage and control access to all fire stations in the regionFlexible access permissions for short term site accessPin and token authentication for increased site security ResultRead in/read out access control providing fullaudit trail of who is on siteSecure fully manned and on-call stations withcentralised access managementRobust, multi-site access control solutionCentral management with remote access capabilities Paxton products usedPaxLock ProNet2 Plus ControllersNet2Air BridgeNet2 SoftwareEntry Standard panelEntry Standard MonitorP50 ReadersKP75 Readers

Riverside Leisure Centre in Exeter is run by Exeter Leisure and boasts a Gym, Swimming Pool, Health Suite, Sports Hall, Squash Courts and more. Following Helmsman’s work with Exeter City Council on the changing rooms at St Sidwell’s Point Leisure Centre, we were asked to return to Exeter for some repair work at the Riverside Leisure Centre.Whilst Helmsman had not fitted the original lockers and locks, our service department are equipped to help with repairs and replacements for lockers and other products provided and/or fitted by other manufacturers. The Riverside Leisure Centre lockers had a number of faulty digital locks, and so we recommended a new lock that would stand the test of time.Our team removed 290 doors and re-drilled to fix the new Ojmar OTS Advanced RFID locks. The existing doors with new locks were then re-fixed to the lockers. The new locks allow users to open or close lockers by simply pressing a proximity media: card, bracelet or Wellness® key against the doorknob. With a high battery life and vandal proof design, this lock is the perfect choice for a leisure centre changing rooms.It was great to be invited back by Exeter City Council and highlights the high quality of work Helmsman provided at St Sidwell’s Point. We look forward to working alongside the team at Exeter City Council again in the future.If you have a similar project you need updating, replacing or refurbishing, even if Helmsman didn’t supply the products, contact our Service Department on 01284 530427 or email service@helmsman.co.uk

Rudi Peeters, new CEO of Vandersanden: “Collective Well-being is the reason why I came to Vandersanden”Vandersanden launches its Collective Well-being 2021 report. In this report, Vandersanden provides a transparent annual overview of its efforts and results in terms of sustainability across four areas: the environment, the (construction) industry, its own employees and the community. The past year’s performance shows once again that Vandersanden is on the right track towards CO2-neutrality by 2050.In recent years, Vandersanden has already taken huge strides in the field of sustainability, and time did not stand still in 2021 either. In its new report, Vandersanden provides an overview of its ambitions and concrete achievements of the past year. In 2021, Vandersanden was able to boast its first Great Place to Work certification in four countries, as well as ECO packaging with at least 30% recycled material and 80% less ink, which results in 400,000 kg less CO2 each year. In addition, Vandersanden also took further steps in the development of CO2-neutral bricks, the competence development of its employees was broadened, and the brick manufacturer opened a new showroom in Northern France and in Tolkamer (NL). As a true community builder, in 2021, Vandersanden also invested EUR 500,000 in charities at home and abroad. “Collective Well-being is definitely not window dressing”Whilst it is Vandersanden’s second Collective Well-being report, it is CEO Rudi Peeters’ first time to co-launch the report. For him, Collective Well-being was a deciding factor in joining Vandersanden: “In my first months at Vandersanden, I saw that Collective Well-being is definitely not window dressing. I immediately noticed that Collective Well-being truly is in the company’s DNA. It is present throughout the organisation, at all levels, among all employees,” says Rudi Peeters, CEO of Vandersanden. “Vandersanden has made tremendous efforts to become greener and more sustainable in recent years. I want to continue that approach. This ranges from baking CO2-neutral bricks to a fully electric fleet, including forklifts.”This year, Vandersanden highlights the various aspects of its ‘Collective Well-being’: for the environment, in the industry, at work and for the community. In addition to the initiatives taken and achievements made, special attention is also paid to the history of Collective Well-being, and how the concept itself, as well as the operations, have evolved from a deep-rooted conviction to a strategic priority. In addition, a separate chapter is devoted to training & coaching in the workplace and the report places particular emphasis on collaboration with partners in all areas of Collective Well-being. For example, several pages of the report are devoted to a double interview with NGO Cunina and Vandersanden.   Eddy Deconinck, Collective Well-being Director at Vandersanden comments: “It is thanks to the commitment of all our 800 colleagues and partners that Vandersanden can call itself a leader in Collective Well-being and sustainability. The shared belief in climate improvement and energy efficiency motivates us to keep raising the bar in our industry and, of course, the community to which we belong. Thanks to this broad view, Vandersanden is a leader in Collective Well-being today.”The full sustainability report and more information about Collective Well-being at Vandersanden can be found on the link below: 

Vandersanden, Europe's largest brick-producing family business, plans to reduce its ecological impact by 15 percent by 2023[1] and aims to be fully carbon neutral by 2050. To achieve this goal, the family business is making its packaging more sustainable, using recycled material and less ink. In this way, Vandersanden is taking an important step towards circular packaging. In 2022, Vandersanden will only use plastic sleeves and shrink-wrap that consists of at least 30 per cent recycled material. By the end of that year, a large proportion of the packaging will contain 50 per cent recycled material. This is one of the initiatives the family business is embarking on, to reduce its carbon footprint by 15 per cent by 2023, compared to the benchmark in 2019 and to be completely carbon neutral by 2050."By using covers and sleeves that consist of 30 per cent recycled materials, 400,000 kg less CO2 is emitted annually," explains Raf Jansen, Chief Operations Officer at Vandersanden. "That is equivalent to planting 17,000 trees. In time, we want to increase that share to 50 per cent recycled materials, which in environmental terms is the equivalent of 58 hectares of forest or 29,000 trees. These figures clearly show that the environmental benefits of recycling are enormous."Investing in generationsIn addition to increasing the use of recycled materials, Vandersanden is also ensuring that less ink is used for printing on its packaging. The brick manufacturer will introduce eco-printing at all its production sites during 2022, which means that only a maximum of 10 percent of the packaging surface will be printed. This has several advantages for the environment. The smaller print area requires up to 80 percent less ink, and eco-printed sleeves are also easier to recycle into high-quality material."By printing on a maximum of 10 percent of the packaging surface, we save on ink and our packaging becomes easier to recycle. This is an important step towards circular packaging and a contribution to our long-term goal of being completely CO2 neutral by 2050. I am proud of the efforts of all our employees and partners to make our production processes increasingly sustainable. As a family business, we think in terms of generations, not years," adds Raf Jansen.Innovation through repeated testingIn order to guarantee the quality of the new sustainable packaging, Vandersanden conducted several tests during its development in the past year. This is to ensure the strength of the recycled material packaging is guaranteed. These tests were so positive that further tests are currently underway to make the shrink wrap thinner as well, in order to use even less material.Vandersanden is taking action at all levels of its organisation to minimise its environmental impact and achieve the goal of CO2 neutrality by 2050. For instance, Vandersanden is currently examining how it can deal with pallets in a sustainable way and is taking steps to work with return pallets. Another recent example of sustainability initiatives undertaken by Vandersanden, is the introduction of the most energy-efficient brick kiln in Europe at Tolkamer. The family business also published its first sustainability report in 2021, the Collective Wellbeing 2020 report, with a full overview of all its sustainability initiatives and objectives.[1] compared to 2019

Faversham Linen Services are one of the leading commercial laundry service providers in the South East and recently moved into their 28,000ft2 state of the art factory. The factory is responsible for washing over 14 million garments every year and the company take great care to minimise their impact on the surrounding environment. With the disruption caused by industrial sized machines working long hours and HGV's going to and from the site throughout the day, Faversham Linen Services chose to install 76m of Jakoustic® Reflective Acoustic Barrier to help minimise the impact of their operations on local residents.

F. Ball and Co. Ltd.’s newest high-performance water-mix smoothing underlayment, Stopgap 1500 AquaPro, has been used alongside the company’s Styccobond F46 pressure sensitive vinyl adhesive to provide a time-saving solution for installing floorcoverings in Derbyshire’s largest hospital.Derbyshire Flooring Contractors installed an eye-catching bespoke vinyl flooring design in the waiting area and connecting corridors of the children’s outpatient ward at Royal Derby Hospital, a total area of 800m2.The floors in the ward required refurbishing as the old floorcoverings had become worn. Work needed to be carried out in the evening, in stages, so that it would not interfere with the day-to-day running of the ward. Requiring a time-saving solution, contractors opted to use Stopgap 1500 AquaPro water-mix smoothing underlayment, avoiding the need to remove old adhesive residues.Stopgap 1500 AquaPro uses the latest technology to offer a water-mix smoothing underlayment that can be applied over old adhesive residues, including bitumen, carpet tile tackifiers and ceramic tile adhesives. In such applications, there is no need to prime beforehand, saving further time and expense. Fast-setting and fast-drying, it is walk-on hard in as little as 60 minutes after application and ready to receive floorcoverings from just four hours.Work began with the labour-intensive task of uplifting old floorcoverings. Stopgap 1500 AquaPro was then applied at a thickness of 3mm over the subfloors to create a perfectly smooth base for new floorcoverings.A bespoke two-tone design, resembling a river running through the children’s ward with ‘islands’ of colour either side, was created by cutting shapes from two different colours of Polyflor Classic Mystique PUR vinyl sheet flooring, with the pieces adhered using Styccobond F46 pressure sensitive adhesive.Styccobond F46 provides instant grab, preventing floorcoverings from sliding when placed, helping with the creation of designs and patterns. The adhesive is also formulated to minimise the incidence of trowel serrations showing through thin vinyl flooring potentially affecting the finished appearance of installations.Commenting on the project, Mark Grant, Managing Director at Derbyshire Flooring Contractors, said: “We like using F. Ball products – they’re really good quality and reliable. Also, their tech reps are always available, if needed, to provide advice on products to use and procedures to follow throughout a project, from start to finish, including keeping us up-to-date with the latest technology that can help us achieve optimum results efficiently. That’s how I found out about Stopgap 1500 AquaPro, which saved us a lot of time outside of normal working hours and enabled us to complete the work while the ward wasn’t in use, minimising disruption to services.”

Case Study for West Yorkshire PoliceStaff lockers and equipment storage forthe emergency services is an importantaspect of keeping working environmentsclean and safe, whilst ensuring ease ofaccess for quick turnaround times.When items to be stored in lockers have a very specificpurpose a bespoke solution is often required. We are ideally placed to supply expertly designed installation’s which meet truly unique requirements.

A satisfied customer has returned to Union Industries for the fitting of a second high speed industrial door to enable it to keep production noise to a minimum, while transporting raw materials and products in and out as efficiently as possible.Arbor Forest Products, the UK’s leading independent timber importer and processor, which is based in Barrow Upon Humber, offers a bespoke milling service with the ability to process orders in 10 days.

Brick manufacturer Vandersanden is expanding its Texture Generator with paver textures for garden and landscape projects. This allows professionals and consumers to render their designs in a detailed and lifelike way. These designs can also be integrated into the CAD programme Vectorworks. Integration with other common software packages for architects is in development. "At Vandersanden, we are constantly pushing for innovation and the digitisation of our offering. This major expansion of the Texture Generator fits in seamlessly with that," said Bart Hesen, Paving Marketing Manager at Vandersanden.Following the launch of the texture generator for facing bricks and brick slips, an online tool to design facades, Vandersanden is now expanding it to include its range of clay pavers for garden and landscape projects. So now the texture generator also visualises paving for gardens and public spaces in a lifelike way and allows users to design and download their own textures. This allows garden and landscape architects, project managers at municipalities, garden contractors and private individuals to imagine the end result in a lifelike way.More than 1.1 million lifelike combinationsAmong other things, users can experiment with formats and laying patterns in the online tool. In addition, they can mix colours themselves to create their own unique colour mix. This possibility is especially valuable for architects.The paver’s textures visualise public spaces or gardens in a lifelike way and help both professionals and consumers make aesthetic choices. After all, there are more than 1.1 million possible combinations at Vandersanden, all of which are available in the texture generator. The texture obtained is also infinitely scalable, with minimal repetition of patterns.Thanks to digital innovation, the brick manufacturer succeeds in making all combinations look lifelike: all pavers are scanned in 3D for this purpose, and lighting is added afterwards.Faster and more efficientThe texture generator works quickly, easily and intuitively. Afterwards, users can also download the creations, including exposure folders (including Albedo, Alpha and Diffuse) and technical specifications, allowing them to integrate the creations into their own design or 3D model."Knowledge sharing, inspiration and convenience for customers are central to us. The digitisation of our offering is indispensable in this respect. With the expansion of our texture generator for the paving of public spaces and gardens, we are taking another step forward on the digital front. We strive for the most realistic representation of our products in 3D visuals," says Bart Hesen, Paving Marketing Manager at Vandersanden.Vandersanden also enables the integration of its texture generator for facades and paving in the most common software packages for architects. This has already been done in the Vectorworks CAD programme; integrations with Archicad and Revit are under development.Try the Vandersanden texture generator here Texture generator | Vandersanden

Granada’s secondary glazing is contributing to a quieter environment within the new Bradford Coroner’s Court following its move to a newly refurbished separate building in a more built-up and noisier area of the city.Formerly located inside Bradford Magistrates’ Court, the Coroner’s service moved to an independent site in Cater Street, Little Germany in early 2022 following years of concern over “sub-standard” facilities. It serves families in neighbouring Calderdale and Kirklees, as well as Bradford.

Using INTRAform DM, this back-to-frame Grade A office refurbishment features three bold horizontal stripes of entrance matting to make a striking first impression on visitors. The double-width fibre inserts within the system provide superior dirt and moisture absorption and retention. While the use of the dark-coloured INTRAlux Linear anthracite fibre hides soiling and provides a strong visual contrast to the stone floor.

After moving from busy Stockport in readiness for retirement, accountant Susan and husband Philip, a Manchester University academic, replaced the oil-based heating system at Willow Cottage with a Daikin Altherma high temperature heat pump. 

The Dyson Institute has been established with the ambition of being the best higher education engineering institution in the world. The campus radiates around the two-storey Roundhouse where 220 panels of Rockfon Eclipse® ceiling islands are installed. Rockfon Eclipse is very versatile and can be hung from several kinds of structures where traditional suspended ceilings cannot usually be installed. World leading architectural practice Wilkinson Eyre designed and oversaw the project. Hannah Richmond, “We chose Rockfon because we were looking to construct a floating, acoustic ceiling and found the Eclipse system to be the best product to realise this intent

The Gloucester Gateway M5 motorway services created a new sustainable standard in an area of outstanding natural beauty. The structures are built into the undulating hills softened with organic forms and green roofs. An ambitious landscaping solution required ACO to create a Sustainable Drainage System controlling rainwater run-off, while providing a high-quality habitat for wildlife to flourish.

Artform Urban were approached by Illman Young Landscape Design in 2018 to discuss a range of design led street furniture elements including seating and litter bins to a brand new service station located at junction 1 of the M6 in Rugby, planned to open in 2021. The seating product selected was the Multiplicity Bench, a popular product featuring a cast aluminium leg frame with hardwood seat.The Box Wood Litter Bin featuring a Triangular Ashtray fixture was also supplied. This incredibly popular and versatile waste disposal unit can be customised with 4 different variations of door style. The Rugby Moto services opted for the hardwood timber slats version which complements the surrounding architecture and street furniture.The new MOTO services opened its doors to motorists in April 2021, the build will create 120 jobs and cost investment of £40 million. It is the UK's flagship electric vehicle charging motorway services, offering 24 rapid-charging points.

Profile 22’s award winning optima suite of casement and Tilt and Turn Windows along with matching PVCU doors were specified in the refurbishment of two tower blocks in Walsall, West Midlands. The windows are designed to deliver increased insulation and weather protection, which makes them the perfect choice for high-rise, exposed locations. Increasing energy efficiency was one of the key drivers of the refurbishment. They are capable of achieving WER of A++ and U-values of 0.8 W/m2K. Indicative performance measures are 600Pa for air permeability, 600Pa for water tightness and 2400Pa for wind resistance.

Many educational establishments now benefit from one or more partitioning wall systems, delivering flexibility to available space by allowing smaller classrooms to be quickly created, as required. As with any product, the lifespan of a moveable wall can be dramatically extended with routine servicing and timely repairs. Partitioning experts Style, recommends a service contract as the most cost-effective solution, helping ensure safe operation and maximum acoustic performance long into the future. Style also offers a ‘call out’ service for one-off repairs and emergencies and can service almost any moveable wall, even if they were not involved in the original installation

Following a year-long transformation, in September 2021, the ribbon was finally cut on the newly-pedestrianised Greenfield Crescent, in Edgbaston Village.Representatives from a host of nearby businesses came to watch CEO of Calthorpe Estates, Haydn Cooper, and Sir Euan Anstruther-Gough-Calthorpe to officially open the streetscape.Working with Birmingham City Council, Calthorpe Estates, and McPhillips has seen a new streetscape created to help set Edgbaston Village apart, with high quality public realm areas, easier pedestrian access and reduced traffic.With a vision to create a greener, safer and more accessible Edgbaston Village, the newly designed area has new high quality granite surfaces, planters and planting, festoon lights and upgraded signage, which will enhance access to local businesses, bring to life an improved and more convenient leisure location for those living, working and visiting the area to enjoy.Granite included the BBS Toranja Rosa (pink), Gris Sombrio (medium grey), and Blanco (silver grey) all indigenous to Portugal where the stone was also cut to specification. Haydn Cooper, Chief Executive of Calthorpe Estates said, “We open Greenfield Crescent at an exciting time for Edgbaston. The transformation of Greenfield Crescent was a result of successfully working in partnership with Birmingham City Council to deliver a high quality public realm area, which saw Calthorpe Estates invest significantly in the project. Our ambitions have not stopped here – we are improving the walking route to the Edgbaston Village Metro station over coming months and are delivering a popular Artisan Market along Greenfield Crescent to make the location accessible for all.”Edgbaston Village is already home to a variety of award-winning independent restaurants, cafes, bars and shops, including the Michelin-starred Simpsons, The High Field and Loki Wine, which have just been joined by LUX gallery. Recent plans unveiled by Calthorpe Estates showed the potential for even more al fresco dining and shopping options in the area, all of which will be made increasingly accessible following the creation of the new Edgbaston Village Metro stop, set to open at the end of 2021 along with Chapter restaurant & bar and KIN Homes on Greenfield Crescent.

Helping ensure the ongoing safe and reliable operation of any moveable wall system, as well as protecting the acoustic performance, Style has responded to a growing need for scheduled maintenance and repairs by appointing a new service and aftercare director. Sjors Kuijs joins Style from thyssenkrupp Elevator where he held various responsibilities for the company’s service business and brings extensive expertise in national service and support networks. Style offers a comprehensive maintenance support service – whether it’s for a routine visit or the emergency repair of an partitioning wall system.