"composite wall lining systems"

Digbeth One 2 is a large development of modern apartments located in Digbeth, a thriving and rapidly developing area close to Birmingham City Centre with a mix of high-rise housing, restaurants, arts and technology businesses.With around 20,000m2 of floor area to finish with screed, a flooring solution was required that could be installed quickly and efficiently in line with the build programme.The fast-drying times and early trafficking characteristics of TOPFLOW Screed A FD liquid anhydrite screed enabled fast installation and allowed other trades to follow on quickly, providing continuity and efficiency within the client’s build programme.

Throughout its long history, Donington Park has seen a number of refurbishments and renovations to maintain its pole position amongst the top race tracks in Britain and across the world. Now owned and operated by the prestigious MotorSport Vision (MSV) Group, Donington Park has benefited tremendously from huge investment in recent months to update and enhance the venue in line with MSV’s other circuits. Having previously worked with Tarkett on other projects, MSV was keen to rekindle its partnership when it came to choosing a high quality flooring solution for its new restaurant at Donington Park.

This surreal manor house has been converted with the help of five bespoke Ridgeglaze rooflights from Glazing Vision, to provide a constant flow of natural daylight throughout this new renovation.This secluded manor house in Mawgan Porth near Newquay involved a combination of new-build and refurbishment to help create a special property with interlinked courtyards. Gardens and entertaining spaces that reconnected this house with its rural location.A property which had lost much of its character due to previous poor-quality extensions and renovations was in desperate need of an overhaul and some true care and attention to help provide the clients with a home they could cherish.CSA Architects were entrusted with this mammoth task and working closely with builders P Chapman Construction they have been able to capture the true identity of the property and its marvellous countryside surroundings.From the point of arrival, the driveway leads guests to a grand entrance hall, that seamlessly links the original house and the new buildings, whilst also connecting directly to the surrounding landscaped gardens.Renovating the original house to provide guest accommodation that is both cosy and functional, the extensions have created large open plan living and dining spaces, a sitting room, games room, and functional boot room.The use of 5 multi-part Ridgeglaze rooflights from Glazing Vision add an abundance of natural daylight throughout this new renovation.Providing the perfect addition to the apex roof line, allowing glazing on both returns, and in keeping with the juxtaposition of rustic and contemporary which is almost flaunted throughout the home.Given the history of the building, double glazed rooflights were used with a low e coating for maximum thermal performance. The low e coating on the glass allows most of the visible light to pass through as well as the short-wave heat energy but blocks long wave energy from passing through. This ensures the heat from inside the building is reflected, back into the room, and so heat losses are significantly reduced.Throughout the property, unique characters have been retained but with carefully selected improvements to emphasise the potential within the property. The rustic stone floor and extensive areas of Crittall-style glazing sit against the original stone wall of the house and form part of a rich palette of high-quality materials. The use of reclaimed wood cladding, brick walls and oak beams are brought together around an exposed steel structure that define the main living spaces.

Altro solution brings life to design-led Hull birth centreA complete floors and walls solution from Altro has been used to create a relaxing, stylish home from home environment for mums-to-be in a new birth centre at Hull Women and Children’s Hospital.The new midwife-led Fatima Allam Birth Centre meets the needs of women who want a more natural childbirth experience.Andrew Ledger, contracts manager for Apleona, which provides facilities management for the building, oversaw the new construction and was part of the team that devised the overall concept.“We specified Altro floors and walls from the start because we are using these products elsewhere in the hospital with a great deal of success. They meet all our clinical hygiene and infection control needs, while also offering a superb range of colours and textures, which makes them ideal for creating a modern and stylish environment.“The quality and durability of Altro is a major factor too because, as a PFI project, the long-term cost is under close scrutiny.Adele Howitt, from Studio Eleven Gallery & Workshop in Hull, won a commission from the hospital to design the interior concept.“Once we had decided on colours, we worked closely with Altro to look at the specific products. They completely understood our practical and aesthetic needs.”“I used Altro Whiterock Digiclad to create statement walls from floor to ceiling. This is a fantastic product for design-led projects because you can print any image or photograph onto it, and the quality is superb.”Adele chose Altro Whiterock Satins for the shower rooms. She says “It has some wonderful shades, and the subtle, sheer texture is very stylish.”Flooring for the birth centre was key to creating the homely, nonclinical feel. Andrew Ledger and the project team wanted natural, warm, wood-effect flooring and chose Altro Wood.Andrew says: “Wet areas in clinical environments need to be very safe underfoot, so we chose Altro Pisces safety flooring for both the shower rooms and around the birthing pool. This flooring performs superbly in both wet or dry conditions, and with bare feet or shoes, so it’s perfect for keeping both patients and staff safe. Altro Pisces also looks good enough to work within our design themes and there are some great colours.”The flooring was installed by Floorcovers UK. Partner Phil Morris said: “For quality and reliability Altro is the best, and they are a pleasure to work with."The Altro wall sheet was fitted by Richardson Claddings. Owner Joe Richardson comments:“The beauty of the Altro walls system is that it is so quiet, easy and clean to install. Altro sends the sheets to us ready-cut, which means minimal cutting or shaping on site.”Andrew Ledger says: “We get a lot of medical professionals visiting from around the world and they say the centre is the best of its kind they have seen anywhere.“Most importantly, the mothers who have given birth here are thrilled with it too.“After each birth, the rooms are completely disinfected and cleaned, and the Altro floors and walls are proving very easy to maintain.“We are delighted with this amazing facility.”

Kent County Council wanted one-off architectural fencing for its keynote public square, the focal point of a new £16.5m town centre, to celebrate famous Ashford-born mathematician John Wallis.The scheme next to Victoria Road School in Ashford was designed by an artist to commemorate the work of Wallis, a pioneer who developed various mathematical theories and introduced the symbol for infinity. Unfortunately, it required a natural edge to the square that reduced visibility through to the school beyond.The SolutionZaun drew on its specialist bespoke construction skills to produce a complex fencing solution with parallel perforated panels of different-sized holes, creating a zany fence line up to a height of 4m.Different materials and finishes have been used to create an art trail with etched text and symbols relating to his work.Zaun and the main contractor, Volker Fitzpatrick, accommodated several changes from the original designs to reduce overall scheme costs. A pavilion was replaced with an additional planting area, and the architectural fencing was adapted.The £16.5m project secured funding from the Departments for Communities and Local Government and Transport.Victoria Way is a new route to the south of the town centre to link the International Station at Beaver Road and the A28 Chart Road providing better access to the heart of the town.The new road opened in late 2011, providing an attractive, tree-lined avenue from Victoria Road through brownfield industrial land to join with the A28 near Matalan, and includes John Wallis Square, public art displays and new shops restaurants, cafes and homes.

Lightweight but very strong mounting profileCHALLENGEStraight lines, maximum light and a unique, remarkable design. This is how independent architect Lieze Vandael saw her own home. Due to the numerous voids and imposing windows up to 9 meters high, a traditional construction method was certainly not an option. A suitable alternative had to be found. Moreover, Lieze Vandael wanted to see the elegant, minimalist architectural style with straight lines envelop the building: a roof and façade finish in the same material - preferably timber - and moreover, seamlessly blending into each other. To have the building completely wrapped in wood. Definitely a real challenge! A neat and watertight connection between roof and façade is not an easy job at all. Besides, timber is never completely waterproof. So, the challenge for Lieze Vandael was to combine the roof and the façade into one uniform surface, ensuring a perfectly watertight roof.SOLUTIONArchitect Vandael wanted to step away from the traditional lightframe wood structure, and opted for an alternative mass timber construction: a load-bearing construction formed from tongue and groove stacked solid wood beams. After all, this type of construction creates a lot of possibilities and is, besides, a more durable and ecological solution. For the exterior finish of the building the architect chose thermowood Ayous, a knot-free, clear-grade exotic hardwood providing excellent durability. The façade was finished with thermowood in a traditional way. Finishing the roof, however, was a more complex task. Cladding a roof with timber, particularly a highly sloped roof poses a substantial risk. How to achieve a watertight roof?

The new Faculty of Arts building at University of Warwick designed by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios brings the departments of the Arts and Humanities faculties under a single roof for the first time. The light-filled, timber-lined space is formed around and imposing internal staircase clad in Junckers’ solid ash flooring.The stair rises from a base of amphitheatre seating andrises through the building connecting teaching, social learning, public exhibition, and departmental spaces throughout which all branch off the central staircase. Entirely clad in Junckers’ solid ash, the central stair forms the main route through the building’s open, inviting, and flexible spaces. “The stair provides a space for daily informal meeting as well as a place for events and occasions such as documentary filming, graduation photographs and whole faculty celebrations. The use of natural timber, combined with natural light brings a warmth and a sense of timelessness to the space.”David Harris, Associate, Feilden Clegg Bradley StudiosJunckers’ solid ash has excellent strength properties and makes a hard-wearing, long-lasting floor. Often used in contemporary interiors, ash flooring adds natural warmth and character which can provide a good balance to clean lines and hard surfaces. The unique grain structure of ash makes it a characterful floor, similar in pattern to oak but with its own distinct colour tones. With its capacity to reflect an abundance of natural light, it is an ideal flooring choice for the project.The flooring contractor was Capital Floors Ltd. 

2021 sees Rolls Royce unveil Testbed 80, the world’s largest & smartest indoor aerospace testbed, as part of a £90million investment. It has been a hard year for the aerospace industry, with production slowing, and cuts in jobs, however this ground breaking facility shows Rolls Royce’s confidence in the future of aerospace for decades to come.HAG Ltd. have proudly worked alongside Buckingham Group to assist in this ground breaking facility that will not only test propulsion systems of the future, but also secure jobs in Derby, UK for many years to come.HAG Ltd. were tasked with designing & manufacturing a roller shutter for this distinctive & state of the art facility, to enable Rolls Royce to test the largest, smartest and most powerful engines in the world by MDS Aero Support Corporation of Ottawa, Canada.HAG Ltd. designed, manufactured and installed 2 Armourguard F1 insulated roller shutters that were 7.5m by 15m. The F1 model is a high quality insulated security shutters delivering the highest level of security and offering thermal protection. A composite of foam filled sections is encased in a flat double skinned interlocking galvanised steel lath.The project:£90million project3 years of construction7,000 square metres, the same size as a Premier league football groundHouses the world’s largest exhaust pipeContains 3,218 tonnes of steelAnd 27,000 metres3 of concreteEquipped with a 40,000 litre fuel tankCapable of testing engines on Sustainable Aviation FuelThe most capable & complex testbed ever designed & builtWarren East, Chief Executive, Rolls-Royce, said: “Testbed 80 is the largest facility of its type in the world. However, it is not only big, it is also smart and features the most advanced testing technology we have ever used. As the new global hub of our testing capability, it will support the next stage of our UltraFan programme as we begin ground testing the first demonstrator in 2022. This incredible piece of infrastructure is a very visible sign of our commitment to this site and secures the future of Derby as the home of large engine development, continuing a history that began in the late 1960s with the RB211.”HAG Ltd. are proud to be part of this monumental development in the aviation industry.

The conversion of a centuries-old house in Soglio presented an interesting challenge to the interior designer and the joiner. The end result is a residential house where the old building fabric and modern comforts complement one another perfectly. The interior designer and the joiner worked closely together to develop the interior. A sliding partition wall separates the bathroom from the bedroom. HAWA Junior 80 Z hardware makes sure it slides smoothly and quietly. Although sliding partition walls are rather atypical for the building type and its era, they are perfect for a house with confined spaces and slanting walls.

THE PROJECTIntroducing the Bradwell Street project that features numerous individual COM 1 mailboxes that are wall mounted underneath an entrance porch to the homes of residents.The COM 1 mailbox is a versatile and popular solution that lends itself to being both used as a single product, or in a bank of multiple mailboxes popular in multi-occupancy residences.The COM 1 used in this project meets the requirements set out in the Secured by Design Homes 2016 guide by using a mail aperture restrictor. The mailbox features numbered engraving to allow for easy identification by personnel delivery mail and a custom colour specified to meet project branding guidelines.The COM 1 mailbox can be wall mounted (as in this project), wall recessed or freestanding – available for both internal and external use.PROJECT DETAILSProject Type: Private Accommodation Product: COM 1 MailboxInstallation: Wall MountedAccessories: Engraving

ARP manufactured a bespoke version of its Legacy heritage-style cast aluminium guttering for a unique house in Yorkshire.Oaklands, built by Cohesion Construction Services, is an entirely round house with an interior core, an outdoor dining area and a fire pit. The unique design presented ARP with a challenge to produce guttering for both the internal and external curved roofline. Following a complete site survey, ARP designed the radius guttering as a bespoke one-off within a tight four-week timeframe. Our team designed a bespoke rainwater system based on our Legacy cast aluminium guttering system, to the exact slate grey colour specified (RAL7015) with a fine finish to add texture. A bespoke mould was created as well as several samples to ensure a perfect fit. This was achieved on the first attempt to within a 2mm tolerance for the full radius, internal and external.Legacy cast aluminium gutters combine modern manufacturing techniques and materials with traditional style and durability. Manufactured using traditional castings as a perfect alternative to cast iron gutters, even on conservation, heritage and listed properties, the Legacy range is produced in five profiles and many sizes to replicate traditional cast iron profiles. During its long 40+ year lifespan, ARP Legacy gutter systems require little or no maintenance.Despite its striking modern design, the client nevertheless wanted to achieve a traditional style for the new-build property. Legacy guttering was matched with our Colonnade circular cast collared aluminium rainwater pipes, giving the house exterior a traditional design twist whilst retaining its modern aesthetic.“This has certainly been a very interesting and challenging project, with hardly a straight line or corner on the whole project,” says Giles White, MD of Cohesion Construction Services. “I have worked with ARP many times as my go-to roofline supplier, and I knew they could rise to the challenge of producing this radiused guttering. They certainly delivered – on time, on budget and right first time – and the project looks spectacular.”ARP products combine the best of traditional design with the latest materials and manufacturing technology to allow new and refurbished buildings to enjoy long-life durability and classic good looks. 

York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust commissioned artistic wall protection from manufacturer Intastop Ltd after its MRI waiting area at York Hospital was suffering damage from the backs of chairs scuffing the perimeter walls leaving unsightly and unhygienic levels of damage.

FasTop resin flooring was chosen as it provided long term flooring solutions which would be seamless and have the hygienic standards required for this industry and the colours required could be provided . The flooring products supplied by Sherwin-Williams had the necessary fast cure performance with the alternative textures to provide a variety of finishes from smooth easy clean surfaces to heavy duty more textured areas where more non-slip texture was required which would be resilient to aggressive cleaning processes. ART and Sherwin-Williams were able to provie self-smoothing smooth finishes and trowel applied textured finishes.

Following the brief outlined by the water treatment plant the proposal adopted for implementation was for the creation of secure access control. Bi-Folding Speed Gates topped with razor wire were supplied to each of the main entry and exit points to the site. These were supported by PAS 68 rising bollards and rising arm barriers with synchronised operation and traffic light signalling. The gates and barriers were flanked by runs of Jacksons Securi-Mesh® fencing to provide a separate pedestrian entrance to the facility, while static PAS 68 rated bollards were additionally deployed to manage traffic within the site.

Parc Central shopping centre in Tarragona, Spain, has been one of the leading shopping centres in the Tarragona province. In 2013 the second floor was fully refurbished. For the interior, the architects chose Easy Glass MOD 0760 balustrade and a combination of stainless steel and wooden handrails. On the roof terrace 100 metres Easy Glass Slim were installed, with a stainless steel cap rail to create a stylish finish. The full glass balustrade ensures the safety of people sitting outside while they enjoy a clear view of the surroundings.

Logan Hall is an auditorium at the University College London. It is a venue based in the famous 20 Bedford Way building, and is used for various events such as award ceremonies, film screenings and conferences.

When Flipper’s Roller Boogie Palace planned a London venue for its roller-skating experience, it needed a durable, sprung hardwood floor that could withstand the heavy traffic of a busy roller-skating rink. The choice fell on Junckers SylvaSport beech flooring, a trusted floor system suitable for a multitude of activities. Working closely with the designers 93ft, the experienced team at Junckers’ approved flooring contractor Hutchison Flooring devised the optimal layout and choice of flooring system for the best roller-skating performance possible. A meticulous installation plan which encompassed working alongside all trades on site was formulated and consequently followed to the letter in order to bring the project in on time and budget. The building for the new venue is a Grade II listed former power station, which meant there were restrictions on fixing to the original fabric of the building. The brief was that no alterations to the substrate were allowed, nor could the floor be fixed down, the entire flooring system had to be floating. The existing surface to build the floor from was a concrete substrate that was not completely level. To overcome the problem, Hutchison Flooring used a low-level New Era cradle and batten system from Junckers, which provided a laser-perfect level floor surface. Hutchison Flooring lay a polythene membrane with a 150mm overlap and taped joints to ensure sufficient vapour barrier followed by the cradle which involved carefully packing to the exact tolerances for every sprung cradle to ensure a perfectly level and flat floor for the skating ring. 22mm battens where laid in the cradles, brick bond staggered to create a perfect and reliable bond to the floor when nailed onto the battens. Junckers SylvaSport beech flooring was laid using a compression nailer on every batten on every row and 0.4mm spacers were included on every row to allow the correct expansion within the floor. Inspiration for the interior came from the original Flipper’s venue run by Ian Ross in the late Seventies and early Eighties. The client brief was for an immersive roller-skating experience with world-class sound and lighting. Central to the state-of- the-art indoor rink was a jet-black floor, an element the client insisted on. The black surface amplifies the atmosphere by maximising the reflection of the overhead lights, LED screens and mirrored panels on the sides. Junckers black-stained beech SylvaSport flooring has the desired jet-black, matt finish to provide the perfect backdrop to Flipper’s logo which is placed in the centre of the rink. Specialist court marking company MJ Courtmarkers custom made CNC laser cut vinyl templates of the logo which was painted with Junckers’ HP Sportsline line marking paint before being overcoated with HP Sports lacquer. 

The National Trust was looking for ways to improve its facilities and services, especially the public toilet block at Lacock. The block was was in poor condition, with no hot water or heating, poor lighting, and frequent blockages. The toilets had received numerous complaints, and so the National Trust wanted to upgrade the facilities.“Previously we had tiled walls which were very cold and not easy to clean as well as suffering from condensation. We had a lot of technical issues as well as issues with the drains. The smell was always bad. We were spending a lot of hours on fixing and maintaining the urinals so these were the issues we wanted to address, alongside improving energy efficiency and lowering the environmental impact of the washrooms.”Andy Webster, Facilities Manager, North Wiltshire National TrustAt a London trade show, Anna Bradshaw met Paul from Ecoprod and Mihail from CONTI, who demonstrated smart taps and accessories that could analyze visitor data. Initially the Trust was interested just in the smart taps however after Ecoprod visited the site it became apparent that they could offer much more than just the taps. The project expanded to include a full refit of the public toilet block, with a focus on efficiency, energy-saving and low maintenance costs.The Trust wanted a solution that was energy-efficient, recyclable, and reusable, and Ecoprod offered a full package that fit these criteria. The upgrade included easy-clean, wipe-down wall coverings, a modular system that allowed for easy repairs, and water-saving taps and urinals. The Trust was able to secure funding for the upgrade because of the quality of the product and its energy and water-saving features. Efficiency of energy usage and low maintenance costs are extremely important to the National Trust so the refit was designed with these priorities in mind.“The biggest draw for me initially was the fact that the taps offered the potential to collect and analyse usage data so we could see how many users we were getting. This is important because the toilet block is in a car park outside of our pay barrier, and therefore difficult to gauge numbers. However, once we started thinking about new taps then we started thinking about improving the basins and it went from there – ultimately we decided to go for the whole refit and have a really smart new look to the loos. Because the other products were also recyclable and reusable and made the whole management of the space more efficient, we were able to secure the budget to do a full refit. The quality of the products was apparent really early on.”Anna Bradshaw, Facilities and Business Support Services“We have gone for an easy clean, wipe down modular system so that if things get damaged, as they do in a public toilet, we’re only replacing small parts rather than the whole system.”Andy WebsterWhat was included in the refit?Ecoprod supplied the National Trust with a complete building project package which included:-Strip out of old toilet blockReconfiguration of walls to create spaceNew flooring and wallingNew lighting, extraction, and heatingNew back panel systemsNew cubiclesNew URIMAT waterless urinalsNew troughs with CONTI+ Lumino tap with localised heater and Ble tool for connectivityToilets with cisterns from Siamp rangeMitsubishi hand dryersBaby changing stationFull project management Working with Ecoprod“We had a pretty clear plan on what we wanted to do and how we wanted to do it and Marcus was very accommodating. Once we got the contract signed it all came together very quickly. As always with jobs like this a few unexpected things came up but Marcus was able to deal with all of them. Whenever an issue arose I made a phone call and Marcus was on it straight away. He was very good at keeping people in the loop and communication was good throughout.”Andy WebsterThe benefits since the new toilet block opened“Previously our main source of complaints for the site were the toilets. They were cold, damp and difficult to keep well presented. For many people their first stop will be a loo visit and we were very aware it wasn’t a good first impression. Since the refit we have received no complaints and visitors are now complimenting them on how clean and bright they are. The new design means they are easier to clean, as we moved from tiles to wall cladding, and troughs rather than individual basins, plus the new non-slip floor surface makes access much safer for our visitors.”Anna Bradshaw“We are looking to grow our relationship with Ecoprod, looking at other sites where we can use this technology. The more positive results we get, the more interest we have from the rest of the National Trust. One of the Trust’s main aims is energy efficiency and climate action is a big thing for the Trust this year so anything that can help us with that is something we will be looking at with great interest.”Andy Webster

Rush Green Primary School, LondonClient: London Borough of Barking & DagenhamProduct: The Coniston Wall Mounted CanopySize: 16.3m x 2.2mFrame Colour: Hipca WhiteInstallation Date: June 2023Brief Having worked with the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham before on a number of projects, they contacted us again regarding their most recent project at Rush Green Primary School. The school which is located in Dagenham were having works completed which included a single storey extension, internal alterations, and refurbishment. As part of the works, they required a wall mounted canopy in their quad courtyard area to provide shade and shelter all year round.Proposal As requested, we provided an estimate for a Coniston Wall Mounted Canopy with a length of 16.3 metres and a projection of 2.2 metres. Because the Coniston is mounted to a wall, it requires a suitable wall to fix to; the building at Rush Green Primary School was a block construction which was covered with render, which is one of the many ideal wall constructions for the Coniston’s requirements. In the case where a wall may not have a suitable construction for a wall mounted canopy, we can supply the Coniston as a free-standing canopy with rear posts. Alternatively, we also have a number of free standing canopies that are similar in appearance to the Coniston which are the Grange Free Standing Canopy and for those with lower budgets, the Grange Junior Free Standing Canopy.Solution Upon comparing our canopy quotation to two other companies, an order was placed for our Coniston Wall Mounted Canopy in May 2023.At the pre-site stage, there was a number of points to be discussed outside of the usual specifics which were:Foundations: Unless otherwise stated, foundations are included in all our canopy quotations. The flooring in at Rush Green Primary School featured raised decking, so we needed to investigate the area underneath the decking to check it was suitable for our foundations and they were.Access and Obstructions: The quad area features a pond which could have made an obstruction however, it was agreed that the pond would be covered over with strong boards so we could work over it.The canopy was installed at the start of June 2023 as scheduled with no problems along the way.If you have a similar project in mind, contact us today to request a free estimate or discuss a bespoke canopy with us.

Wolvercote Primary School, Oxfordshire, first contracted Style to install a folding wall in a classroom in 2015. This proved so useful that when the need arose again, the teaching staff insisted on the same product. Working with architect SixPC and contractor Wensley Group, Style’s team recommended the same Stylefold 120 folding wall but, with an endfold configuration rather than centrefold arrangement, giving added space when the wall is not in use. Boasting an impressive 46dB Rw acoustic rating, the partition enables the school to run adjacent classes either side, or quickly open the room up into one large space.

A 150yr old stone built cottage had developed structural faults. The archway entrance was failing due to inadequate support causing distortion of the arch pier, the front door to jam and masonry cracking in the archway walls. HD BowTies were installed through the front elevation stonework and the first two floor joists to provide lateral restraint. HeliBars were bonded into the mortar beds to create masonry beams which assisted in distributing the loads above the arch. Crack stitching was undertaken to repair and stabilise the archway wall which was also secured to the internal cross wall with grouted CemTies.

The Pride development is a £60 million investment which includes a new 122 bed hospital being built on the former Ryhope Hospital site in Sunderland. Laing O’Rourke, the main contractors of this project, specified Polyroof waterproofing systems for the flat roof areas.Barclay Roofing Ltd carried out the works, having previously worked with Laing O’Rourke on the 2013 Roofing Award Winning Durham Gateway Project.The SolutionThe roofs were of a complex nature and involved many details such as vents, level changes, handrail abutments, plant supports, protrusions, stanchion blocks, and parapet walls. It was essential that these details could be waterproofed in the most effective and rapid way possible. Protec, being liquid-applied, was dressed onto the upstands of the details without the need for lengthy and complicated ‘patching’ work, creating a totally seamless interface between the details and the flat roof membrane.The client required designated, permanent walkways for maintenance purposes. Quartz Sand & Polyfinish was used to create a durable and hard-wearing anti-slip finish, without the need for costly ancillary walkway systems. The system is capable of withstanding heavy foot traffic and is impact resistant meaning the client had peace of mind that the walkways can be used without the risk of damaging the waterproofing integrity. Some of the roof areas are to be covered with a green roof system. The waterproofing membrane that was used therefore had to be highly durable, lightweight, fully root resistant and maintenance-free. The Protec System meets all the criteria for use with green roofs and was specified as the ideal solution for the green roof areas.It was essential that health & safety and hazard risks were kept to an absolute minimum during works. Being cold applied and low in VOC content, Protec was able to satisfy the stringent requirements of this aspect of the project.Due to the size of the roof areas, structural expansion and contraction movements had to be considered. Ideally the client wanted a waterproofing system that could accommodate these movements without the need for any additional and potentially costly modifications such as expansion joints. Protec is specially formulated to be highly flexible whilst also maintain its durability and hard-wearing properties.

Resilient, flexible and reliable lift solutions enable logistics services in ZurichIn 2018, Welti-Furrer approached Lödige Industries to install three OLYMPUS heavy goods lifts at their newly build logistics facility in Dielsdorf near Zurich. Logistics service providers and transportation companies are two important service providers across the globe. They ensure that all goods are always reliably and safely in the right place at the right time. Welti-Furrer has been on the road since 1838. As one of the oldest transport companies, Welti-Furrer relies on over 180 years of experience and is therefore very familiar with the central challenges and requirements of lift solutions.Long-term advantages with resilient lift solutionsForklift drivers in logistics centres work highly efficient and at a fast pace. Therefore, it is not possible to completely avoid damage to the facility equipment. However, a large part of the damage can be avoided through intelligent planning of the lift solution. One of the main reasons why Welti-Furrer decided for lift solutions from Lödige Industries is the generic strong resilience of the OLYMPUS heavy goods lift.In addition, other aspects of the lift design were optimised in order to further increase the robustness of the lifts. The wall soffits in the prefabricated concrete shafts were intentionally built smaller than the clear cabin width, thus protecting the whole cabin floor from damage. The outer trays are offset inwards so that they are protected from damage by forklift trucks or similar.Flexible use thanks to integrated card reading systemNext to the resilience of the installed heavy goods lifts, the local service team from Lödige Industries ensures high reliability at any time.Furthermore, in order to maintain the highest flexibility standards, the installed OLYMPUS heavy goods lifts were equipped with an internal card reading system. This functionality allows Welti-Furrer to define individual access rights for their employees.SolutionWelti-Furrer decided for lift solutions from Lödige Industries because of the generic strong resilience of the OLYMPUS heavy goods lift.Several aspects of the lift design, such as the wall soffits and outer trays were optimised in order to further increase the robustness of the lifts.The local service team from Lödige Industries ensures high reliability at any time.The integrated card reading system allows Welti Furrer to define flexibly use the goods lifts.

Material Store is part of The Old Vinyl Factory, a 17-acre site in Hayes.The four ‘warehouse’ blocks of Material Store rise above a podium and surround an oasis of private patios and a large common garden. The parking below the podium is concealed behind 3-bedroom town houses that animate the street with their steps and ‘front’ doors.The roofs of all fours blocks are landscaped as communal gardens. The extended articulated parapet to the tallest block creates an outdoor room and emphasises the building’s position as the tallest element of the masterplan.The 189 build-to-rent homes enjoy generous shared facilities that promote a sense of community in the context of private rented sector (PRS) tenure. These include play areas, a function room, picnic tables, allotments, a concierge service and an onsite maintenance crew. Commercial uses, which front onto the spine street, are intended for sharing with the wider community.The Arriva doorsets plays a key part in this development to create a seamless design. The Arriva system features a split-type EZYJamb®, specially designed to seamlessly integrate with finished wall constructions like stud and plasterboard. This innovative system is ideal for those seeking flush doors with an invisible door frame for a modern and integrated aesthetic.

Ecoprod recently undertook a complete refurbishment of the washrooms at Dukes Court – 220,000 sq ft of premium office space in central Woking. The project started in January 2020 and handover was July 2020, somewhat later than expected due to the effect of the Covid 19 lockdown in Spring 2020.This project was delivered in collaboration with Designer Contracts Interiors UK Ltd who managed the flooring, walls, ceilings, doors, lighting, tiling, decorating and mirrors. Ecoprod supplied and managed the installation of the cubicles and IPS systems, all mechanical works, and the sanitaryware schedule and equipment.Cubicle and IPS systems – Petrus range by Formwise and Abet Laminati finish in Grey Zebrano5 WCs – Siamp Samoa Deluxe3 waterless urinals – URIMAT Ceramic Compact C22 URIMAT ESG urinal privacy dividers5 miscea LIGHT taps2 Tristone pure white wash troughs2 URIMAT Favorit hand dryers1 Mitsubishi Smart hand dryer1 Bespoke shower enclosure by Mega Glass1 Triton 80i shower setAccessible toilet – WC and handrail set by Disabled Toilets, basin by Conti +, tap Ultra by Conti+

As part of the BBC DIY SOS build to support the Grenfell community, Structura UK is proud to announce it has helped to realise two ambitious projects to support the survivors of the Grenfell disaster. This includes a brand new Community Centre as well as a replacement for the Dale Youth Amateur Boxing Club which was previously located on the first floor of Grenfell Tower and destroyed in the blaze.Over 200 square metres of Kalwall® translucent cladding has been used along the whole elevation of the new Boxing Club using the newly adapted THERM+ curtain walling system from RAICO.This was the first project realised using the new system and has worked remarkably well. The ability to conceal the fixings and screws coupled with the mill-finished aluminium framing has created a wonderfully smooth and dramatic façade.RAICO President, Dr Stefan Lackner commented, “RAICO has a long standing reputation for innovation and partnerships with customers and associated product suppliers. Working with Structura and Kalwall to develop a solution to integrate windows and glazing into a Kalwall screen has created many potential opportunities. We are particularly pleased that the first live project for our new partnership was for this deserving cause.”

Calm and non-clinical environment for busy ICUChallengeHospital environments are created to heal; yet supporting both physical and mental health needs in clinical environments can be challenging. The Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Harrogate District Hospital required a refurbishment to its walls and wanted a non-clinical design, but with hygienic properties. Approach The unit had different areas with different functions – it needed to have hygienic, clean, wipe down walls which were also robust and could withstand bumps and scuffs. In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the refurbishment needed to be completed quickly with minimum downtime to ICU. The team also wanted the unit to have a non-clinical feel. Solution Altro Whiterock White, Altro Whiterock Chameleon, and Altro Whiterock Digiclad (Custom) were selected for the walls in the ICU. The hospital’s paediatric unit had Altro hygienic wall sheets installed previously and knew they were robust and trusted products. The ICU staff and project design team took time to select artwork of cherry blossom branches that would be cheerful yet calming for patients, as well as inspiring and uplifting for hardworking staff. The images were printed to create the Altro Whiterock Digiclad (Custom) wall sheets.

Timber curtain walls

With health and wellness a top priority, a high performance commercial entrance matting system is essential within hospitals and healthcare settings. Using INTRAform DM Low Profile entrance matting with a combination of inserts, BDP created multiple safe and hygienic entrance points to Grange University Hospital (GUH). About the building Serving over 600,000 people, this world-class healthcare facility treats patients needing complex emergency or critical care. Offering 471 beds, it is home to more than 40 specialist services. In addition to the main entrance, the building has multiple access point including staff changing areas, ambulance entrance with associated trolley traffic and other pedestrian entrances to different clinical areas. Many of these entrances are in use 24 hours a day and exposed to the elements. The Solution Following consultation with the INTRAsystems specification team, the architect selected clear anodised INTRAform DM Low Profile entrance matting. With its heavy-duty closed construction aluminium planks, INTRAform DM Low Profile is ideal for locations with high foot and wheeled traffic, such as this busy hospital. The closed construction offers ease of cleaning, while the low-profile design provides a cost-effective solution without compromising performance. Extra-wide insert sections ensure maximum contact with footwear and wheels to deliver optimum dirt and moisture absorption over smaller areas. Along with the clear anodised finish, they also help to minimise strobing which can be an issue when specifying contrasting fibre and wiper bars. Modified Zonal System To maximise performance, all entrances to the hospital use a modified zonal system within a single internal, recessed matwell. All the mats feature an initial section of multidirectional rubber inserts which gives exceptional scrapping action to remove debris and excess moisture at the threshold. At the main and ambulance entrances to the hospital where traffic is heaviest, the mats feature between 2 and 4-metre sections of rubber to ensure multiple footsteps or wheel rotations are affected. Following the initial sections of rubber, INTRAlux Elite fibre inserts thoroughly remove the remaining dirt and moisture. INTRAlux Elite offers exceptional tufting per square metre which provides superior comfort and acoustic absorption. With 92,990 tufts per square metre, INTRAlux Elite can absorb and retain 5.4L/m² - perfect for the inclement Welsh weather. By specifying a modified zonal system, the architect has created a robust yet cost effective entrance matting system to maintain safety within the building and extend the life of internal floor coverings. Learn more With entrance matting providing the first line of defence against dirt and contaminants a robust entrance matting specification in hospitals and healthcare settings is critical. To learn about the nuances of specifying entrance matting in a healthcare setting, read our article on Specifying Entrance Matting for Hospitals & Healthcare on ribacpd.com

This contemporary new washroom space was designed with deliberately crisp, clean lines, providing the perfect addition to the building’s newly refurbished workspace and common areas. Washroom's bespoke vanity units combined with space-saving Dolphin Alavo mirror units, which incorporate all the facilities needed for visitors to wash, soap and dry their hands, provided the perfect solution for a compact modern washroom space. The rectangular shaped white Corian vanity units were designed with inset waste-bins to keep the washrooms clutter-free. The Alto toilet cubicles in dark woodgrain high pressure laminate to contrast with the white vanity units.

The reception area had to set the tone for the rest of the building so we designed the bespoke Corian reception desk to mirror the angular lines of the unique feature staircases in the building’s central atrium. The new washrooms feature our full height Alto toilet cubicles, specified with a real wood walnut veneer finish. We designed the bespoke white Corian trough-style vanity units with an integral handbag shelf, back-painted glass splashbacks and Tego hinged mirror units. In the basement staff shower and changing area, our SGL Forza lockers provide staff with a durable, secure storage facility.

Furnitubes' designers were set the challenge of devising a 3-part seating arrangement for Mark Street Gardens in Hackney. The seating would fit between existing lines of granite setts and alongside retained planting. The benches combine galvanised steel plate ends and sub frame, which sit well within this urban environment, and oiled iroko hardwood slats. Armrests have been carefully positioned to allow maximum usage of the seating area but also to deter rough sleeping which has been an issue at the gardens in the past. We wish Hackney well in their upcoming Green Flag application for Mark Street Gardens.

Neaco have supplied a major balustrades specification at Bradford Royal Infirmary’s new multi-million pound hospital wing. Stairwells, ramps, bridges and void areas feature Neaco’s Spectrum powder coated aluminium balustrade with a variety of infills appropriate to their location, including vertical rails, midrails, glass and perforated mesh. Neaco’s Spectrum range of handrails, balustrade, balconies and structural glass offers a choice of modular components with versatility to suit any design requirement. Available in powder coated aluminium or stainless steel, Spectrum is characterised by smooth, clean lines offering a high architectural aesthetic which is extremely durable and maintenance-free.

A combination of Pendock Radius column casings and Pendock Linea pilaster linings are installed at Sheffield’s Royal Hallamshire Hospital to conceal structural supports, hospital services and waste pipework.Manufactured from pre-formed ply/MDF, every bespoke casing is finished in durable and easy-to-clean high-pressure laminate (HPL), which not only resists damage but also supports hygiene regimes.In addition to concealing electrical cabling and pipework for hand washing, the casings also incorporate a range of facilities, such as wash basins, electrical power outlets, light switches and nurse call buttons, which are all mounted to the surface.

Strategically located in the heart of the University’s Social Sciences campus, this award-winning 17,000m² building brings together five of the faculty’s departments under a single roof, and provides a range of world-class teaching, research, scientific and social facilities for use by students and staff across the faculty, as well as the local community.Referred to as ‘The Wave’ for its flowing lines, rhythmic design and striking glazed façade, it is the University’s first net-zero in operation building. Designed by Sheffield-based HLM Architects, the unique building achieved the coveted BREEAM Outstanding Design Stage certificate - further supporting the University’s mission towards sustainability in both architecture and operation.

Planet used p100 demountable double-glazed screens for all the classroom frontages and set black laminated timber classroom doors, and for the offices, 30-minuet fire-rated glass doors into our white aluminium slimline door frames. P20 single-glazed demountable partitioning features in the library and sixth form, which includes a gap between each panel of glass, an aesthetic feature to complement the internal atrium glazing. Eclipse sliding doors were used throughout. Planet's Architectural Glass' in-house design team worked with Aedas to make sure the angled atrium glass was in line with the design intent.