"SINK"

The Wren Academy sponsored by the Diocese of London and situated in Friern Barnet North London, recently underwent large-scale regeneration.What started out as a refurbishment project, with some new build, soon became a new build academy, with some refurbishment. A total budget of 23 million was used to turn the Academy into a fine example of a 21st century school.Architects Penoyre & Prasad, already praised for their education projects with two RIBA awards, created a unique learning environment for the pupils, who are actively encourage to take ownership of the school. The new building section of the site includes a new entrance, teaching blocks, library and toilet facilities, for which GEC Anderson supplied three special feature wash troughs within the uni-sex toilets.The facilities area has kept with the open air feel in line with the rest of the new build. The anti-bullying concept of a light and airy space, without a door to main washroom area, also promotes maturity and responsibility.The wash troughs in the toilet area created a slight industrial, but professional and clean look. There also offer water saving advantages over a standard sink or basin configuration.Martin Tye, managing director of GEC, said “The academy is a great example of modern design and architecture and for our products to be specified is a great honour and achievement.”“The wash troughs were of particular significance, architecturally, as they were seen to provide the flow and contemporary design that is simply not available with alternative materials” added Martin.

The responsive service and high standard of craftsmanship offered by stainless steel specialist, GEC Anderson has led to the manufacturer repeating the success of a previous collaboration with a design practice renowned for its expertise in historic buildings: creating a commercial style kitchen within a very confined space in the undercroft to London’s French Protestant Church.  Although it was established in London by Royal Charter five centuries ago in 1550, the French Protestant Church’s current home in Soho Square was designed by Sir Aston Webb and was completed in 1893. The current contract came about partly as the result of an aspiration for improved facilities, able to cater for larger numbers of people and a pressing need to replace the sub-structure’s failing tanking system. Caroe Architecture Ltd. was duly appointed as the lead consultant while Coniston Ltd. was the main contractor for the work.Having worked with GEC Anderson on previous projects such as The Old Deanery in the City of London, Caroe Architecture was confident in seeking the company’s advice on the possibilities for the refit in the very confined space of the barrel-vaulted crypt. GEC responded by conducting a detailed site survey, followed by a ‘templating’, supply and installation contract.  The Project Architect, Alanah Honey, commented: “Not only was the existing, domestic scale kitchen beneath the French Protestant Church not meeting its full needs, but the failure of the old waterproofing measures required the walls to be taken right back to bare brickwork for repair.From previously just providing tea and coffee, the client wanted to move to more of a commercial scale installation, but unfortunately there wasn’t the space or the extract capacity for a full commercial facility, we therefore went for the highest specification we could, calling on the services of GEC Anderson on the basis of our past experience of working with the company.”  “The fit-out has gone very well with GEC installing all of its stainless steel drawer units, shelves and work-surfaces as well as providing a detailed specification for the church to purchase all the appliances direct, to help keep within budget. We are delighted to have been appointed to York Minster this year, having been nominated as Inspecting Architects to a number of other Cathedrals and major churches over the last 10 years. So our work is expanding significantly beyond London and Cambridge – also involving National Trust properties as well as the Oxbridge Colleges – so there is the likelihood for further cooperation with GEC.”   Benedicte Fougier, the President of the Consistory stated, “On the advice of our architects, Caroe Architecture Ltd., we contracted GEC Anderson to design and build a kitchen in our quirky, grade 2* historical building which was no small feat given the many architectural constraints. GEC Anderson has been terrific, coming up with creative ideas and delivering exactly what we needed and more. They have been extremely professional and personable throughout, very engaged with us through constant communication and adjusting their design until the last minute to take into account our needs”. Since its formation in 1962, GEC Anderson has built its reputation for the supply of top end stainless steel sinks and sanitaryware on a combination of innovative design, top quality materials and expert craftsmanship. In addition to the company’s Decimetric system of cabinets, sinks, drainers and other equipment - widely specified for sectors including health and catering - the company’s custom engineered solutions have been selected for some of the country’s top sports, entertainment and leisure destinations. 

The Project Joseph Leckie Academy £3.5 million modern new wing received Walsall Council’s planning committee approval in April 2015, and it has been full steam ahead since then. Speller Metcalfe awarded contractor and commenced building the state of the art 21 classroom block in May 2015. The ChallengeThe Architects vision was to create a minimalist washroom décor with flush frontage cubicles and high specification wash stations.The overall finish to be non-fussy and unobtrusive.Cubicles sited below a bulkhead were required to appear to float and all legs and fixing to be hidden.Standard vanity frontages and sinks did not meet the brief, a bespoke wash station was required. The Solution Excelsior Planar 12mm Solid Grade Laminate has proven an excellent choice for the building, the flush frontage provides a seamless finish, and the durability of solid grade laminate panels is perfect for a heavy use environment such as a school. Finished with a ‘P’ section headrail for maximum stability, eradicating any lateral movement provided the rigidity the system needs.The overall aesthetics of the installation is extremely pleasing, the cubicles overall height @ 2100mm on a 50mm leg is a standard height system however having a bulkhead in place has increased the sense of privacy and delivered the opulence of a floor to ceiling enclosure. The 50mm leg is set back inside the cubicle, fixed onto the partition which enhances the seamless finish from the exterior and infers the system is floating.SpecificationProduct Range: Planar 12mm Solid Grade Laminate CubicleDoors: B070 Blanc Megeve )Pilaster: Gris Orage G059Partition: Gris Orage G059Ironmongery: Stainless Steel

The Project Derby Manufacturing University Technical College (UTC) has received planning permission by Derby City Council. BAM Construct UK will build the £8 million centre which has been designed by Maber Architects.The UTC will have capacity for up to 600 young people aged 14 to 19. They will study core GCSE's, A levels and engineering qualifications enhanced by project-based learning, work placements, employer site visits and industry expert lectures. The Challenge Produce a system suitable for use in an open space.Open plan arrangement of Cubicles and Solid Surface Vanities located directly off the corridor.Ensure safety of the user and create an anti-bulling, completely visible space.Standard vanity frontages and sinks did not meet the brief, a bespoke wash station was required. The Solution We are proud to have worked alongside Bam Construction supplying and installing our Skyline Range on the Derby Manufacturing UTC Project.The Skyline Range is the perfect fit in open washroom spaces. With full height doors, pilasters and partitions providing complete privacy, elegance, and discretion for the user.Used within increasingly popular open washroom spaces, these full height cubicles are the perfectly solution in open spaces, unisex washrooms and gender-neutral facilities.The Skyline Range is available in three different specification options to meet both budget and durability requirements.SpecificationProduct Range: Skyline SGLDoors:12mm Compact SGL G059 Gris OragePilaster: Polyrey G003 Gris PerlePartition:Polyrey G003 Gris PerleIronmongery: Satin Anodised Aluminium

A small farm cottage in a Cornish Village has been transformed with a stunning large modern extension and balcony.The team of Camel Glass installers have been heavily involved in this home with the installation of windows, doors and the glass balustrade. This home is situated on the grounds of an old quarry, with views over the valley towards an engine house. The customers wanted to be able to enjoy their view to the maximum and using glass balustrade provides a safe and solid railing. This home is highlighted throughout with copper oxide furnishings, the front door and elements of the kitchen follow this theme while the sink splash back is made from glass petals in a beautiful glass meadow scene. The balcony glass was the last outside job to be done, having to wait for the kitchen counter to be installed through the French doors it was safer to install the glass after this had been carried over the balcony. Now that winter is coming the indoor jobs can be finished off and the home owners can enjoy their newly renovated home! This installer has used POSIglaze base-fix in black. Balcony Seal® has also been used to ensure water can run off the balcony under the channel without causing water ingress. Most balconies and flat roofs are built with a slight pitch to encourage rainwater to drain towards the edge of the roof. In these cases, the balustrade installer needs to allow for drainage points under the channel, to avoid water pooling around the edge of it. The Balcony Seal® system works by subtly raising the channel a few millimeters above the substrate on drain blocks. Notches on the top side of the drain blocks locate into the rebates of the POSIglaze channel, locking it into position before the system is bolt-fixed to the substrate through each block. 

A small farm cottage in a Cornish Village has been transformed with a stunning large modern extension and balcony.The team of Camel Glass installers have been heavily involved in this home with the installation of windows, doors and the glass balustrade. This home is situated on the grounds of an old quarry, with views over the valley towards an engine house. The customers wanted to be able to enjoy their view to the maximum and using glass balustrade provides a safe and solid railing. This home is highlighted throughout with copper oxide furnishings, the front door and elements of the kitchen follow this theme while the sink splash back is made from glass petals in a beautiful glass meadow scene. The balcony glass was the last outside job to be done, having to wait for the kitchen counter to be installed through the French doors it was safer to install the glass after this had been carried over the balcony. Now that winter is coming the indoor jobs can be finished off and the home owners can enjoy their newly renovated home! This installer has used POSIglaze base-fix in black. Balcony Seal® has also been used to ensure water can run off the balcony under the channel without causing water ingress. Most balconies and flat roofs are built with a slight pitch to encourage rainwater to drain towards the edge of the roof. In these cases, the balustrade installer needs to allow for drainage points under the channel, to avoid water pooling around the edge of it. The Balcony Seal® system works by subtly raising the channel a few millimeters above the substrate on drain blocks. Notches on the top side of the drain blocks locate into the rebates of the POSIglaze channel, locking it into position before the system is bolt-fixed to the substrate through each block. 

Gripsure decking has been used on an office roof terrace in the heart of the City of London’s financial district. Workers in the tall building in Fenchurch Street, home to many corporate offices and company headquarters, can now take time out on a stylish, non-slip decking area.Gripsure supplied 586 of the MOSO® Bamboo X-treme with black Gripsure non-slip inserts and a smooth finish for the project, completed last year. The private roof terrace serves as a ‘breakout area’ for office staff to relax, meet and entertain in an outdoor setting, which has fantastic views over the Thames.The existing timber deck had come to the end of its service life and risks of slips and falls had meant that the terrace area had to be closed. Contractors MJ Ferguson stripped away the old boards and installed 150m sq of MOSO® Bamboo X-treme with Gripsure decking. These sustainable, durable boards are Euroclass B fire rated, providing further peace of mind.Company staff have already been making the most of their new safe, contemporary-looking rooftop terrace, which can be used in all weather conditions.Gripsure have been supplying bamboo decking to the UK market for the past four years as a sustainable alternative to composite and tropical hardwood products. There are thousands of species of bamboo and our decking is made from a giant species, called Moso. This bamboo is a woody perennial, so has more characteristics in common with a timber, rather than a grass. Like grass, however, Moso grows rapidly – up to a metre a day in the height of the season. There has also been a carbon study, which shows that the product is a net carbon sink over its lifespan, even taking into consideration transportation and manufacturing.