"computer"

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

Selectaglaze helps create and enhance a computer suite at London homelessness charity, Caritas Anchor House as part of their on-going relationship with the CRASH charity. CRASH Chief Executive, Francesca Roberts contacted Selectaglaze asking if they would be willing to donate secondary glazing for the computer suite at Caritas Anchor House. Selectaglaze was happy to contribute and involved Pilkington with them donating the fire-resistant glass to support the installation. Three Series 40 units with 10mm Pyrodur fire-rated glass were installed, which has a beaded fixed frame system offering 30 minute fire integrity protection.

Multiple teapoint sinktops and cafe servery counters as well as cabinets and panelling were supplied to the UK Headquarters of Sony Computer Entertainment.Integral upstands were specified to all wall junctions for easy of cleaning and to ensure good levels of hygiene and durability. All sink bowls are seamlessly integrated.

Multicoloured Vanceva laminate has been utilized both externally and internally in this redevelopment of the Bernard Crossland Building. The exterior has been adorned with Vanceva laminate fins to produce a facade that is striking in both sunlight and when illuminated at night. The brightly colored laminate theme continues internally producing a modern facility for over 1000 students and staff. Queen's University Vice Chancellor professor, Patrick Johnston said "This state-of-the-art facility will contribute to the vision of the ICT Industry in Northern Ireland to be a world class centre for ICT excellence." GlasSeal are proud to have supplied the toughened, HST laminate utilizing Eastman's Vanceva to this landmark building in the centre of Belfast.

The new Engineering Building for The University of the West of England (UWE) is located at the main Frenchay Campus. Designed by multi award-winning architects, AHR, the iconic building will enable the university to deliver its vision for 21st Century engineering and inspire engineers of the future. It has been designed and operated to BIM Level two and aims to achieve a BREEAM Excellent rating. The building will accommodate up to 1,600 students as well as 100 academic and technical staff. The design brief was to create a space which would encourage multi-disciplinary collaborative learning. The outcome is an ideal environment for students to explore, create, and test ideas to change the world for the better.A large central atrium provides a generous space across multiple stepping floor plates which leads to social learning spaces, manufacturing workshops, wind tunnels, laboratories, computer rooms, and computer-aided design (CAD) suites. At the heart of the building there is also a hub for group study which will encourage students and academics to meet and exchange ideas.Lusso atria glazing was installed within the space to allow natural light into the core of the building and visual connection between different areas .  A combination of Lusso 105 framed glazed partitioning and Lusso 25 frameless glazed partitioning has been used for different specification requirements within the space and combine well with the wood and black coated steel beams to achieve an industrial look. 

The extended structure of the Isaac Newton Building in Lincoln houses the Schools of Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics and Physics which offer unrivalled scientific and engineering facilities for students. This includes new seminar rooms and computer labs in addition to state-of-the-art technology and research rooms, complete with a semi-anechoic chamber.Playing a significant role in creating the curved appearance of the building was our visible grid aluminium curtain walling. This durable and versatile system can be applied to flat or faceted facades and is available in a choice of glazing gaskets and larger glass sizes. Aluminium windows were also installed throughout the building for modern design and complete weather protection.

WHAT IS SOTECH CITY?Sotech City is a fully immersive virtual world, developed to help architects and designers to make informed decisions when selecting a rainscreen system suitable for their scheme. We wanted the experience to be as close to real life as possible and have replicated our offices and manufacturing facility. You emerge into the city from Sotech’s front doors.We have built a low-level building with horizontal panels and a high rise building with vertical panels to give architects and designers an idea of what their project may look like in their chosen Optima system, material and finish.We’ve developed it to allow the user to visualise how each system would look on a full-scale building. But rather than seeing this as a 3D render on a page, they can experience Sotech City ‘in first person’ on their computer screen, or in VR, but putting on a VR headset, diving into our virtual world and walking right up to a building to view the systems like never before.People can see how the shadows fall on the panels, how the building looks in the morning vs. in the evening. Architects care about those details, and so do we. The invention of Sotech City puts the love of design front and centre. HOW IS SOTECH CITY DIFFERENT FROM SOTECH’S VIRTUAL REALITY SHOWROOM?Sotech’s virtual reality showroom is a fully immersive environment where architects can view the full range of Optima rainscreen systems. The panels are designed to be small enough to pick up and examine closely as though you are in our actual showroom.The user can change the material and finish on a given rainscreen system, choosing from our supply partners wide range of colour pallets. Architects can view project case studies of the selected system and read the full specifications. By interacting with the showroom avatars you can learn more about who we are and what we offer.What you can’t do in the showroom is see how that selection looks on large panels on a full-scale building in a virtual environment. Sotech City is the answer to that.There is something uniquely special about putting on a VR head set, shutting out the outside world and really engaging with this unique experience. There is nothing like this currently and we’re excited for architects to experience this more deeply.CAN ARCHITECTS SEE THEIR CURRENT PROJECTS IN SOTECH CITY?Not yet but watch this space! Right now, in Sotech City, architects can see their rainscreen cladding selection on two types of buildings: A high rise tower with portrait panels, and a school-type building with landscape panels.This is a huge development in the way architects can visualise, manipulate and inspect buildings in real time. It’s so much more than a sketch on a page, an artist impression or even a 3D mock up on a screen. This gives architects the opportunity to turn off the noise, immerse themselves in a real time virtual environment and truly consider the possibilities. The user can view it from afar or walk right up to the building to inspect the finish at close range. It gives architects and designers total immersion.It is our intention in time that user would be able to upload a 3D model of their unique building into our virtual city. For now, our hope is that this really helps with the process of creation and the user can now make even more informed decisions, with a much clearer idea of how that finish will look in a real-world environment. WHAT IS SPECIAL ABOUT SOTECH CITY?There has been a lot of excitement around Sotech City and our supply partners have been keen to collaborate. When you select a finish or a colour, you’re not just selecting ‘an idea’ or a theme. You’re selecting one of many real-life options available through our incredible partners. This means the selection is available in real life and can be specified immediately. We don’t have to search it out. We can supply it.We have made it possible to change the time of day and even the weather conditions to give a full appreciation of how the system will look in different environments. Depending on the time of day shadows will fall on the panels differently in the morning to the evening allowing the user to visualise how the buildings will appear in real time.As with the showroom, we put together a testing team and called ourselves the ‘Guinea Pigs’. The team was made up of people from different departments to gain perspective from different personalities and understand their expectations of what the user might enjoy and value. We did this to ensure the final outcome is useful and practical for everyone. It is too easy to focus on your own ideas but with our team of ‘Guinea Pigs’ we had a lot of interaction, enthusiastic input and ideas.And lastly, we wanted this to be fun and surprising. We’ve hidden a few quirks in Sotech City for users to spot and enjoy as they walk around. Hint hint: brum, brum, swoosh, swooshWHEN WILL SOTECH CITY BE AVAILABLE TO ACCESS?Sotech City is live now.Please download the update to your showroom experience or, if this is your first experience of the Sotech VR solution, download the experience here: https://sotech-optima.co.uk/vr/ or contact us to arrange a demonstration. WHICH VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENT IS BEST FOR WHOM?Installers/designers will very likely get the most benefit from Sotech’s virtual reality showroom. They can pick up the panels, inspect the substructure and see how the panels mount to the wall.Architects will get a lot of benefit from the showroom too, as they can visit our learning zone where they can book RIBA approved CPDs, download full system details and learn more about CWCT and BS8414-2 fire testing, which have been carried out on all our Optima rainscreen systems.But there is something special about seeing your design at scale on a building in a city environment. I’d suggest everyone would benefit from exploring the showroom to make their panel selection, and then walk out into Sotech City to see it rendered full scale on a Sotech City building.WHAT IS THE FUTURE OF VIRTUAL REALITY FOR SOTECH?We are putting a lot of time and investment into virtual reality. The lockdowns showed us how much can be done remotely and there is a clear move to virtual working.With all of the current hype around the Metaverse, Sotech wants to get in there early. There is nothing stopping us from being able to hold virtual meetings in the future and for users to upload their own 3D building models or participate in virtual system training.Sotech were having conversations about virtual reality 5-6 years ago. The world wasn’t ready then but one thing that has come out of Covid is that technology has progressed quickly bringing our ideas of a virtual world to reality in 2022. HOW DO I ACCESS THE SHOWROOM AND SOTECH CITY?Both the Showroom and Sotech City can be accessed using a virtual reality headset or via most desktop computers with adjustable settings to allow the most optimised experience.The best and most immersive way to enjoy these virtual environments is through a virtual reality headset. If you’d like to experience this but don’t have access to a headset, you’re welcome to visit our offices in London or County Durham in the North East of England to enter the VR world through our dedicated in-house VR spaces.If you’d like to experience the Showroom or Sotech City without a headset, you can experience it on most laptops and PCs. The programme will automatically detect if a headset is present and start up accordingly. 

Great emphasis is placed on safety in Pasadena, a suburb of Houston, Texas. As America’s oil stronghold and home to NASA’s legendary Space Center, the region is famous for its particularly dangerous and hazardous working conditions. The Houston Area Safety Council (HASC) was therefore established back in 1990 on the initiative of local industrial operations as a non-profit institution to provide safety training. The objective here was to train workers in order to raise their safety awareness as a way of preventing workplace accidents. Some 25 years later, this idea has developed into a leading international training and occupational safety center that trains over 1,500 people every day. Construction of a dedicated occupational health clinic with emergency care represented another key step on the HASC’s holistic support program. The clinic design by Kirksey Architecture gets its distinctive face from the semicircular main entrance. GKD-USA used a new etching technique for the design of the 100 square meter roof parapet, which is made from semi-transparent Omega 1510 stainless steel mesh from GKD – GEBR. KUFFERATH AG. This led to a silhouette-like panoramic view that reflects the dynamic economic region and the everyday working life of the people that live in it.Oil and gas have been produced in Houston for more than 100 years. However, the region experienced a genuine boom from shale oil drilling and fracking. Today, around one third of all oil produced in the US comes from Texas. With its Mission Control Center, which has enjoyed worldwide fame since the Apollo flights to the moon, the Space Center Houston has been just as important for the development of the city. Space flights are still monitored here to this day and astronauts from across the globe are trained for future missions. The city’s skyline is characterized by massive production plants from the oil, gas, chemical and food industries, as well as research institutes and countless buildings of the supply industry, construction and service sectors. The huge influx of workers resulting from the oil boom led to enormous growth of the city. With 2.3 million residents, Houston is today the fourth largest city in the US – behind New York, Los Angeles and Chicago. Starting in 2009, the new campus of the Houston Area Safety Council was created in three construction stages. It was constructed on a 34 hectare site in Pasadena, just 15 kilometers from Houston, that was acquired one year previously. Local architecture firm Kirksey, which specializes in green buildings for industrial operations, planned the entire project. It designed the campus as a one-stop shop for employee selection, training and development, background screening, workplace and site safety as well as company health and welfare services. The first phase of construction focused on the 6,300 square meter training center with twelve classrooms, a 220-capacity auditorium, computer laboratories with 650 workplaces, various convention and common rooms, as well as a car park for 1,000 vehicles. It was opened in 2013 as the new HQ of the HASC. Just one year later, the campus then opened two further large areas, boasting 2,700 square meters each. Providers of tool and workplace equipment, as well as a training center for practical training, complemented the location’s offer from then on. Construction of a 1,580 square meter occupational health clinic with emergency care marked the third and last major construction phase to date. This meant that within a period of just six years a state-of-the-art campus employing the latest training facilities was established, offering 1,500 practical and computer-based training sessions every day – which represents over a million units per year. To cater to these requirements all buildings were equipped to the latest technical standards. They also set standards in ecological and energy-usage terms and are all LEED-certified.Visualization of identityThe Occupational Health Center of the HASC was also planned with a keen eye for detail. Ceiling-high windows create friendly rooms in the clinic that are flooded with light and whose inviting ambience is underlined by a carefully coordinated interior color concept. The challenge for the planners was to make the atmosphere light and pleasant, yet robust enough to withstand the rough day-to-day operations with heavy footwear or soiled work clothing of the patients. A fully-glazed semicircular entrance area underlines the building’s welcoming effect. Its raised canopy bears the clinic’s name and also creates the stage for one of the rooftop parapets made of stainless steel mesh that follow the semicircular building form. The shimmering texture combines technical aesthetics with a large number of functional performance characteristics. The mesh thereby guarantees efficient solar protection for the recessed windows on the top floor, while granting unrestricted views of the beautifully sculpted green spaces on the campus. Despite its sophisticated appearance, it also offers reliable protection from the hurricanes regularly encountered in the region. Low-maintenance, durable and almost completely recyclable at the end of its useful life, the mesh supports the LEED-certified sustainability of the building. For the architects, however, the decisive impetus for selecting this material came from the specific mesh design, which facilitates imaging by etching. Their design included an illustrated balustrade as an identity-creating element of the clinic that visualizes working life in the region and thereby also the focus of the HASC. The image developed by Kirksey shows the skyline of Houston with skyscrapers, drilling rigs, chimneys and cranes together with the people that work there. This complex perspective was applied to the stainless steel mesh in a silhouette-like form using a special etching process developed in-house by GKD-USA. The smooth surface and relatively tight structure of the Omega mesh provided ideal prerequisites for this. Using blasting abrasives, GKD modified the metallic surface in such a way that the template, which was highly filigree in places, appeared finely contoured. When using etching, all surfaces that are to remain untouched are usually masked off carefully. However, the complexity of the motif specified by the architects at Kirksey presented the mesh specialists with the challenge of designing multiple levels to lend the image the desired spatial depth. Unlike a painting, with etching it is not possible to achieve dimensions, perspective and depth simply by using different colors. In comprehensive tests, GKD therefore developed a process with which the design template could be blasted with the desired level of detail and spatial effect. This led to a visually seamless panoramic view of the hustle and bustle in the region over a total area of 100 square meters, comprising seven panels – each measuring 3.4 x 4.3 meters. Without any further surface treatment, this imagery is both permanently weather-proof and UV-resistant. Depending on the incidence of light and the viewing angle, the images can appear either transparent or opaque. At night, spotlights lend the scenery the appearance of a shadow theater using targeted light accents.

Teesside University’s Greig Building, named in honour of the founding father of computer science Bill Greig, is the home of the university’s Computer and Mathematical Sciences Studies department. When the aged bituminous roof coverings had shown failures including splits, blow holes and crazing, it was of paramount importance that a waterproofing solution could be provided as quickly as possible to prevent the risk of water damage and disruption.The university’s site maintenance team turned to Polyroof for a solution, which started with a detailed survey of the three roof areas totalling 750m2.The ChallengeCore tests taken at appropriate locations throughout the roof areas demonstrated that the existing warm roof build-ups were free from signs of decay. This meant that the roofs could be retained and over-coated with a new waterproofing system allowing for a rapid, minimal-disruption solution.A bespoke specification was put together based on the findings from the Polyroof Survey Report that provided a comprehensive set of recommendations, including remedial instruction for many problematic roof details. With the peace of mind and satisfaction that the various problems on the roof would be solved through Polyroof’s proposals, the client progressed with a tender process that resulted in a successful application by Polyroof Approved Contractor BBR Roofing Ltd.The SolutionPolyroof’s Protec System, a hybrid polymer liquid system with extremely fast curing and installation times was chosen as the ideal solution for the project. Due to its fully cold-applied application, the works could be carried out during the university’s term times, without having to wait for closure periods between semesters.Works began with the existing asphalt and felt coverings being made good where required, including the levelling and filling of blow holes and cracks with Polyroof Structural Repair Mortar. Next, the surfaces were thoroughly cleaned and degreased to provide a sound substrate for the new waterproofing system.Many of the roof perimeters and junctions featured parapet walls which were identified as a potential point of water ingress during the survey. The inner faces and tops were therefore boarded-over with 18mm Polyroof approved plywood which would allow these details to be fully encapsulated with the Protec System, meaning their waterproof integrity would be covered under the new system’s guarantee. Protec can waterproof vertical areas with the greatest of ease due to its thixotropic formulation, which means slumping and running is minimised during application.Polyroof’s extra-tough GRP trims were then installed to create neat and robust edge detailing for exposed perimeters before the main Protec system application commenced. After priming surfaces where required, the first coat of Protec was applied and reinforced with PolyMat 450. With its RapidCure technology, the Protec can be walked on and over-coated after only 30-60 minute after applications, meaning large roof areas can be made fully waterproofed within a matter of hours.After the second coat of Protec was applied to complete the waterproofing system, designated maintenance walkways were formed through embedding quartz sand aggregate into a third coat of Protec liquid.Completion and InspectionThe refurbishment of the roof was completed within the client’s target timeframe and budget. Following a final inspection by Polyroof Technical Services, which highlighted quality workmanship of BBR Roofing, the client received Polyroof’s trusted Accredited System Guarantee and now has the peace of mind the roof will be leak-free for decades to come.

Sensor City, a collaborative venture of the University of Liverpool, John Moores University and the Liverpool City Region Local Enterprise Partnership, brings together academia and business to create the first University Enterprise Zone in Liverpool. The building’s purpose is sensor technology — studying, building and expanding sensor systems and applications. Inspired by the building’s intended use, designer Julian Stock, with the help of the architectural firm of IBI Group Inc. could evoke the intrigue of sensor technology on the building’s façade, using a double skin architectural glass curtain wall made of laminated glass containing Saflex® Structural PVB interlayer. Saflex Structural was selected for this project for numerous reasons. As a testament of its structural integrity, glass panels laminated with Saflex Structural offer very high wind load resistance of 3.7 kPa. It was the preferred product choice that could deliver structural performance in combination with colored interlayers to bring to life the designer’s colorful artistic vision. Saflex Structural was paired with Vanceva® Colors PVB interlayers for installation in the exterior applications with open edges exposed continuously to the changing environmental conditions of Liverpool, England. Novum Structures UK, the engineering façade maker for Sensor City, was instrumental in the decision to use Saflex Structural with Vanceva because they had used both previously on a major project in London with great results. Together with Ariño Duglass, the glass laminator, Novum Structures wrapped Sensor City’s exterior in an abstract pattern resembling computer chips. The abstract design was created with silk screen printing in ivory and black enamel incorporated into a double laminated insulating glass unit. The sensor technology theme is further carried out using the color epitomizing electronic conductors — gold. Vanceva® Colors PVB interlayers in Golden Light and Coral Rose were used to simulate this gold color. The golden façade of Sensor City renders color differently depending on the viewer’s location and amount of light. The view inside and outside the building can look different, just as a view from near the building or down the street will make the building look alive — as if it is dynamically altering its appearance based on each individual’s sense — therefore a wonderful structure for Sensor City! With the completion of Sensor City, there is now a building that reflects the field of sensor technology — literally — both inside and out!

Associated Architects chose SAS International to provide the high acoustic and finishing touches to the UoB academic interior fit-out. Anodised gold cladding and bulkheads were selected to encase the atrium lift-shafts, the main staircase and highlighting the university crest on the 4th floor. Three additional acoustic treatments for open soffit areas were specified over computer clusters and lounge spaces. SAS500 baffles and bespoke ring shaped and circular rafts were designed and manufactured by SAS to fulfil this requirement. The architects have effectively linked elements of the build to the next tying the theme of regency with modern amenities.

The Urban Sciences Building is a flagship development housing the Newcastle University School of Computing Science. The surrounding landscape has been well thought out to provide A-grade study spaces and continue the high end feel of the Newcastle Helix project.There are two areas where street furniture is used – on the roof terrace and at ground level in the immediate vicinity of the building. Of prominence are the benches and Squared picnic sets at ground level, as they feature an attractive two-tone colour leg design. For the benches, are standard anthracite grey was used while the inside of the legs was powder coated in bright colours, creating a subtle yet eye-catching splashes of colour at ground level.

From the beginning, architects DLR Group designed Metea Valley High School in Aurora, Illinois, to light up education, both literally and figuratively. The sprawling campus with room for 3,000 students is broken down into a handful of more intimate, human-scale learning spaces, called “think tanks”, where interaction with faculty is encouraged. Two interior courtyards, open to the sky, offer fresh air during free periods. Shaped a bit like a bow tie, Metea combines three concepts – mind, in the midsection, and body and soul on either end – to offer students a truly 21st century school experience.Lighting up Metea in the literal sense comes largely from the extensive use of Kalwall translucent curtain wall throughout the school. Upon coming through the school’s main entrance, visitors are struck by the cheerful, airy, daylighted lobby. Controlled daylight also pours into the school’s innermost areas, traditionally a structure’s darkest, from the courtyards. Kalwall introduces daylight into the vast commons area that serves as the students’ lunchroom. In the gymnasium, Kalwall’s shadowless, glare-free light enhances ball handling in team events; sunlight does not glance off the shiny court surface. The diffuse-light-transmitting panels also prevent glare off computer screens, easing eyestrain. And in a dramatic demonstration of Kalwall’s superb flexibility, the design includes occasional, narrow, horizontal runs of clear glass – some serving as clerestories – adding visual interest as well as clear views to the outside.At 464,000 square feet, Metea could have been an energy-consumption nightmare, adding significantly to its $125 million total project cost. But innovations such as demand control ventilation, energy recovery wheels, and high efficiency boilers will save Indian Prairie School District 204, the state’s fifth largest, thousands of utility dollars every year and pay for themselves in just a few years. In fact, the building’s design is targeted to be 19 percent more efficient than ASHRAE 90.1 requires. Because translucent Kalwall admits so much controlled daylight, the school’s exterior light harvesting system, which monitors indoor light levels, can actually turn off electric lights in public spaces automatically when they are not needed. The harvesting system alone is expected to save the district over £16,000 a year in operational costs with a payback of under seven years.Illinois can get very cold in the winter and quite toasty in the summer. Highly insulating Kalwall helps there, too, keeping temperature extremes outside and lessening the need for and cost of heating and cooling. During the manufacturing process, standard 2-3/4” and optional 4” Kalwall sandwich panels can be infilled with various densities of specialized, translucent insulation. Architects and designers can achieve a thermal insulation value of up to R-20 (0.05 Btu/hr/ft²/F).At Metea Valley High School, DLR Group chose to include Verti-kal™, a unique design variation on the standard shoji or square grid layouts of Kalwall Translucent Systems. The panels incorporate internal, continuous supports to provide a vertical emphasis. As with all Kalwall translucent systems, Verti-kal distributes diffused daylight throughout the school, even on cloudy days, drastically reducing the amount of artificial lighting required and eliminating shadows and glare as well as stark contrasts of light and shade. Verti-Kal can be supplied in panels up to 5 ft. (1.5 m) wide and up to 12 ft. (3.6 m) high, minimizing the number of joints. The unique format creates an entirely different look while still utilizing the most highly insulating, diffuse-light-transmitting, structural composite technology.Any school system must concern itself with maintenance costs, and Kalwall excels there as well. The panels are vandal-resistant and self cleaning; dirt simply washes off with each rainfall. After dark, the diffuse, translucent properties of Kalwall contain interior lighting and prevent direct-beam light pollution. Instead, the exterior surface of the building simply glows beautifully, boosting Metea Valley High School’s aesthetics and welcoming both students and the surrounding community to a true masterpiece of daylighting.Photography: James Steinkamp

At the beginning of this millennium, the great architects of the 70s, 80s and 90s, such as Richard Rogers, Norman Foster and Zaha Hadid, still dominated architecture in Great Britain. This architecture is often simply referred to as high-tech architecture, not because of any similarities in style but due to its use of computer-aided technology reminiscent of design processes in the automotive industry. Hadid’s parametric and seemingly organic buildings are very different from the buildings by Rogers and Foster, which often are technological structures, composed of a series of modular elements. One example is Canary Wharf Crossrail Station and its accompanying pedestrian bridge by Foster + Partner and Adamson Associates. Individual elements are connected to form complex architecture. The station itself is a 250-metre-long and seven-storey-high cylindrical structure, a masterpiece of engineering. The whole building is set in the hollow of the docklands harbour with four storeys submerged underwater. One distinctive feature is the roof construction: short wooden beams are linked by steel nodes to form triangles and create a load bearing structure for inflated cushions and glazed sections. At ground level, there is a long landscaped park or roof garden, offering views of glossy office blocks. Linking the office towers with the station is a footbridge. It too comprises modular elements of bent and folded ALUCOBOND® and looks so dynamic and futuristic that you could expect underground trains to rush through it instead of just pedestrians. All in all, this utopian-looking architecture is a statement of faith in the future, in London, a city beset by economic crisis, terror attacks and Brexit. Today, very disparate architectural styles are being created by numerous successful architecture offices in London. What many of them have in common is that their design concept is still characterised by the use of parametric or modular elements.Project: Canary Wharf Crossrail, London | UKArchitect: Adamson Associates, London | UKFabricator: Booth Muirie Ltd | UKInstaller: Astec Projects Ltd, Reading | UK + Lakesmere Ltd, Winchester | UKFaçade System: Special constructionYear of Construction: 2014Product: ALUCOBOND® solid & metallic colours White 16Photos: Richard Gooding

Eikon Design has successfully undertaken a major renovation of the Spirit AeroSystems main reception area, creating a stylish, energised space that integrates perfectly with the new corporate branding on its recently completed, world-class £28m Aerospace Innovation Centre.Spirit AeroSystems is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of Aerostructures for commercial airplanes, defence platforms, and business and regional jets. Eikon Design won the contract to design and project manage the reception area renovation.From the start, the designer felt that the refurbished reception area needed to reflect the dynamism and vitality projected by the Innovation Centre. The designers first thoughts were that they had to explore ways of using quality lighting and natural daylight on surfaces to create an impressive, engaging experience for visitors.The colour scheme - The designer Susan Anderson chose a neutral colour scheme that would reflect that used on the exterior of the Aerospace Innovation Centre, which was predominantly silver and grey. Surfaces – HARMONY pre-fixed slatted acoustic felt . Susan wanted to bring the reception area to life with surfaces that had different textures, depending on the light available and where the visitor stood in the room. After researching the market, Susan chose the Harmony ribbed-felt wall acoustic panels which Saxen sourced from the manufacturers, Soundtect. They were the perfect solution – grey fibre slats on a black acoustic sheet, as they had the structure, texture and colour she was looking for. Plus they were hypoallergenic and non-toxic, with up to 1.0 NRC (noise reduction co-efficient) – and a totally sustainable addition to the project, having been manufactured third-generation from recycled PET.The PET (polyethylene terephthalate) bottles are first recycled into exhibition carpets and then, at the end of their short second life, converted again into highly efficient acoustic felt by carefully re-layering the fibres to use as the core for this impressive, elegant, ribbed acoustic treatment.The Harmony panels are manufactured with fireproofing built-in, because the original carpet fibres were already fireproof so this critical safety component is integral to the product and not simply sprayed on. The Cause was responsible for fitting all the ribbed Harmony wall panels.The wooden wall panels behind the reception desk were dated, so the designer decided to repurpose them.- they were prepped, base coat applied and sprayed with two beautiful tones of metallic silver by Scottish Architectural Spray painters. Visual contrast was provided by prepped and coated matt white wall areas. LightingHaving found the perfect panelling, the designer had to consider the lighting and the role it would play. She worked with Seren Lighting, using a combination of existing products and bespoke lighting in ways which were both innovative and functional – using light to define spaces and surfaces. Depending on the way they were lit – whether artificial light, natural light or a mixture of both – the texture on the Harmony panels created subtly different moods. Also, as there is a fair amount of daylight flooding into the reception, the atmosphere of the whole space changed with the passing of time and the amount of daylight with both the ribbed and silver metallic panels creating different atmospheres depending on where you stood. All the lights installed in the project follow ‘circular economy’ principles and can be cost-effectively maintained and serviced – parts can be replaced with no need to throw the whole light away and buy a new one. The reception deskFor most of the day in summer and for short periods in winter, the reception area is flooded with natural light from two sides, so lighting the reception desk workstation needed a careful response.The workstation was located behind the reception desk, so using standard lighting methods would have detracted from the overall impression and been unnecessary for long periods. In developing the solution, the designer followed the basic principle, ‘put light where you want it, when you need it’. So an LED ultra-effect strip in diffuse profile was used under the top surface of the reception desk which threw a subtle light onto where the receptionist was working on the computer. The receptionist can switch this strip on or off as appropriate.The Cause remodelled and reformatted the reception desk to the design, which involved removing the angled elements and large posts, and replacing them with a concealed door. They also fitted the reception desk surface with a stylish, matt, dark-grey laminate, installing the lighting, graphic panel and ribbed panelling to the front. The panelling’s flexibility ensured a perfect fit around the curve in the reception desk.The reception desk skirting was painted the same colour as the staircase handrail.The Wing LightsThese were designed to develop the Wing Lights from first principle. The Wing Lights deliver light upwards, so it bounces off the various surfaces to enhance the textures and reflective differences. They also project a visual link to the ‘star’ element of the Spirit AeroSystems logo and took several attempts to create the final geometric shape. However, the Wing Lights now act as dramatic focal point within the space, capturing the essence of Spirit AeroSystems’ business and the designers overall design vision.CeilingThe existing suspended ceiling was off-white in colour, and looked rather tired so it was spray-painted with a dark metallic silver, which transformed the appearance of the ceiling and changed the whole look of the reception area. Lighting the upper-level walkwayThere were issues with uneven wall surfaces on the upper-level walkway. The solution was to apply architecturally inspired Harmony, lit by dramatic custom-made LEDs, to create the total effect – an utterly stunning, modern wall. The lights used were twin gimbal heads – round lights that can swivel in two directions. These were specially adapted from standard lights in the Seren range. The twin gimbal heads were installed in false pockets, clad with ribbed-felt. They provide functional lighting to the walkway, while adding a dramatic effect on the wall panelling.Finally, a pelmet was constructed to conceal a new LED Cob profile, allowing it to wash diffused light between the ribbed features of the Harmony panelling.The panels above the pelmet were spray-painted silver – the same colour as the ceiling – to give a much more dramatic effect.Other features…The wooden bannister handrail was stripped back and layered with different metallic colours to give a changing surface effect with different shadows and highlights. It was then coated in a high-gloss lacquer. This introduced an accent of colour, which also reflected the company’s corporate colours.StructuresDominating the reception area are two high columns, one of which contains a lift. Given the solidity and simplicity of the shapes, the designer decided on a lighting solution that would create an architectural feel, so she used beam-controlled light bars at the top of the structures to project a subtle wash down the full length of the columns.Carpets and furnitureThe existing carpet tiles were removed and upgraded. They were colour coordinated with the new, striking Italian Quadrifoglio furniture, sourced through Saxen. This furniture was the cornerstone of the designers vision vision, and its style, shape, colours and textures tie the space together.ConclusionThe success of the project was very much down to careful planning, creative thought and good people working together. Products used: Freestyle. Harmony

5500m2 of Optima TFC+ has been used in the completion of the brand new Science, Engineering and Environment building on Salford University’s Peel Park campus.As you can see from the photos, a striking colour palette has been used in the modified window interface details. Interpon’s D2525 Ostuni Y2211I, 3030 High Gloss & 7022 High Gloss in 3.0mm Aluminium 3103 Grade PPC were selected.The unique overhang window details were created using the 20mm overlapping joint that is standard in Optima TFC+. A bespoke sharp edge detail was added to window interface locations for dramatic effect, creating a stunning visual contrast between the bright red window pods against the white vertical cladding as per the architect’s original design intent.Sotech assembled a full-size sample rig in the factory for the client, architect, main contractor and installer to view a full scale mock-up of the final proposed solution. This ensured that any design details or install sequences were scrutinised and fully understood before the project began onsite. Sotech then created a full 3D model of the project alongside their long-term partners Metclad Contracts. This allowed both parties to identify and avoid potential issues at the design stage before panels were fabricated and delivered to site.The SEE Building is Salford University’s brand new £65 million hub for discovery and innovation. Consisting of four stories over 15,500 sq meters, the department will house the university’s departments of Built Environment, Computer Science and Networking, Mechanical Engineering and Human & Natural Science, in addition to the university’s Morson Maker Space – an additive manufacturing and digital fabrication facilityTESTIMONIALS:Jamie Brown of Sotech said: “This is yet another example how close collaboration from day one, involving the full supply chain, ensures projects can be delivered on time and on budget. The very clever and intricate window interface details showcases just how versatile rainscreen cladding can be, whilst staying within the boundaries of a fully CWCT tested and accredited system.”Naveen Sandhu at Akzo Nobel said: “Great to see this installation following an increasing trend of injecting vibrant tones into the elevation. One of a plethora of schemes in Salford and Manchester adopting our enhanced D2525 PPC technology across the envelope. Pleasure to work with the team at Sheppard Robson and delivering yet another outstanding higher education facility with Sotech.”

The Glucksman Library at the University of Limerick is one of the biggest campus libraries in Ireland and one of the most digitally advanced in the world. The €30m project includes a 7,600sqm extension and new facilities that offer students advanced computing, collaboration and communication spaces. Acoustic ceilings from Rockfon® are fitted throughout and play a pivotal role in helping the university realise its vision.

Forbo Flooring Systems’ Marmoleum was the product of choice for a creative breakout space at investment management firm, Triple Point. With its growing headcount, Triple Point appointed AW Spaces to create an environment that could accommodate the company’s hybrid working strategy, whilst developing a light and warm aesthetic.  Founded in 2004, Triple Point employ 215 people and manage over £2.7 billion of private, institutional and public capital across five distinct investment strategies: Social Housing, Energy, Digital Infrastructure, Private Credit, and Venture. Each of these strategies helps to solve a problem society faces, and each one creates opportunities for investors.  With the company’s increased headcount and the new hybrid working strategy, AW Spaces suggested increasing the size of the breakout area available to employees. The aim was to make this area feel different from the working environment, by incorporating warmer colours with a dynamic flooring design.   Another important aspect for this project was the environmental impact. Lisa McLeod, Design Director at AW Spaces spoke on this, saying: “Sustainability was a big part of Triple Point’s brief. As such, when it came to choosing a floor covering for the space, the sustainability aspect led us to look at products such as Forbo’s Marmoleum. After discussing the sustainable flooring with Triple Point, where I also sent them a concept image of a design, we decided it was the perfect solution.  “Not only did Marmoleum fit the sustainability requirements, but it’s also available in a variety of contemporary designs that match in tone with each other, which allowed us to create a very dynamic space. Additionally, it’s a really nice material to work with, which aided the installation process.”   Forbo’s Marmoleum was specified in Terracotta, Titanium and Vintage Blue from the Marmoleum Walton range, and in Neptune Blue from Marmoleum Piano. Lisa commented on these choices, saying: “We chose these colours as they work beautifully together and coordinated with the joinery so it looked as though those elements rise from the ground. We also really liked the warmth of the Terracotta colourway and the brightness of Neptune Blue, which provided some contrast from eachother without looking disjointed from the joinery they connected to. The choice of colours really helped us to convey the feeling that this space was for relaxation rather than work, with all the colours flowing into one-another nicely.”  This refurbishment wasn’t like a typical installation as there were multiple different colourways which had to be combined in different shapes. As opposed to a typical refurbishment where tiles or sheet flooring is laid; this flooring had to be cut into shape in situ. The finished flooring mixes curved edges with sharp points, with all four colourways meeting towards the middle of the floor then flowing out at different angles around the room.  Lisa continued “The pattern was quite complex, so Forbo recommended an installer called Medifloor to us who could take on this challenge. We had worked with them on a couple of occasions before, so we knew they had the credentials, and they did a fantastic job with pinpoint accuracy!  “We’re absolutely delighted with the finished result and I’d say the breakout space remains my favourite part of the entire project.”  With a unique installation, a specialist approach had to be taken by installers, Medifloor. Jim Gordon, the Director of Medifloor, spoke on this, saying: “AW Spaces gave us this amazing design for Triple Point, which was extremely challenging to create with all the different curvatures. So, to achieve it we actually used computer aided templates which allowed us to cut the perfect curve – something that’s really hard to acheive in flooring.   “Forbo’s Marmoleum Walton was perfect for this, as it’s the only sheet flooring that lends itself to the natural materials used in this project and looks amazing when finished.”  With this method, a creative and dynamic flooring solution was created. With the installation starting in July 2022, Triple Point’s office refurbishment was finished in mid-September 2022 and has been well received by the staff who use it.  Luke Francois, Guest and Employee Experience Manager at Triple Point, concluded: “We asked AW Spaces to create a bright and inviting space, with a focus on using sustainable products and services, and Forbo’s Marmoleum ticked all the boxes for this. We’re happy with the end product delivered by AW, Medifloor and Forbo.” For more information about Forbo’s range of office products, visit: www.forbo-flooring.co.uk/offices  

Concrete effect Expona Flow PUR sheet vinyl flooring was used to create a contemporary interior design scheme at Staffordshire University’s Mellor Building in Stoke-on-Trent. The £4.5 million project to refurbish the top three floors of the Mellor Building, home to the Schools of Computing and Engineering, is part of a £40 million project to improve Staffordshire University's Stoke-on-Trent campuses. Installed by Westcotes Flooring Ltd contractors, the Dark Grey Concrete design used in break out and study areas inside the Mellor Building is from the Expona Flow Concrete collection of heterogeneous vinyl flooring.

Shower cubicles at the 100 pitch Thames side park have recently been completely upgraded and, as Andrew Townsend, a partner in the business explains, Bridge Villa aims to offer visitor’s a high quality caravanning or camping experience.“Caravanner’s invest significant amounts of money in their ‘vans and towing vehicles and we were aware that visitors to our site expect on site facilities to reflect their investment. In our opinion, it is only right that the facilities at the sites they visit should be first rate and the washrooms always make the first impression,” he explains.The owner’s took the decision to completely upgrade the two storey washroom and toilet block at the site and opted to install Rada Sense digitally controlled showers that provide no touch water flow and temperature control while also offering the maintenance team a range of easy to perform service functions.In total there are 12 Rada Sense units in the shower block and as well as producing an aesthetically pleasing look, the user response has been very positive. The showers bring a very modern look to the washrooms with their chrome plated control panels which are supported by a range of high quality fittings.As Roy Minett, Commercial Marketing Manager of Kohler Mira explains, with its T-logic digital intelligence, Rada Sense is smarter, safer and more hygienic than any other tap/shower control on the market and satisfies a range of issues addressed by The Health and Safety Commission’s ‘Approved Code of Practice L8’.“Rada Sense is not an ordinary ‘no-touch’ tap because not only does it allow the user to initiate water flow, it also allows the selection of the water temperature without touching the panel,” he explains. “For safety, precise maximum and minimum water temperatures and flow times can be pre-set using a remote hand held computer and these settings are maintained even if there are water pressure or temperature fluctuations.“The Rada Sense digital mixing valve also incorporates an intelligent ‘duty flush’ feature that monitors the time since the outlet was last used. If it has not been used for a pre-determined time (say 24 hours) the appliance is automatically flushed through at a safe temperature to clear water that may have been stagnant in the pipe work or, more importantly, in any dead legs,” he adds.This feature is particularly relevant to site’s such as Bridge Villa where, in order to maintain best practice in the water supply system, regular flushing of the showers to prevent potential legionella and bacteria problems developing within the hot water system dead legs must be undertaken. This can be both time consuming and labour intensive if undertaken manually.“The Health and Safety Commission’s ‘AcoP L8’ also recommends routine thermal disinfection as a means of preventing or controlling legionella," explains Roy Minett. “With Rada Sense this can be achieved by activating its thermal disinfection mode which – under supervision – allows hot water at a temperature of at least 60°C to be flushed through the electronic mixing valve and all outlet pipe-work. Of course this is simply not possible where conventional TMV’s are fitted,” he adds.Other key features of the Rada Sense T-logic technology include a facility that performs 5 safety checks, 40 times a second, a ‘lock out’ facility that activates if a fault is detected and a second temperature sensor that will close down the system if for any reason the water temperature exceeds a safe level. The mixing unit is also supplied factory-set to comply with TMV3 safe temperature settings for hospitals.“We are delighted with the new look washrooms and have even been recommended by a number of our visitors to put forward the complete installation for the ‘Loo of the year’ award,” concludes Bridge Villa’s Andrew Townsend. “We are sure the Rada Sense showers will give us a head start over many other caravan and camping sites.”The washroom upgrade and Rada Sense installation was undertaken by Warburton Building Services of Farmoor, Oxfordshire.

HALO is an imaginative, innovative and inspirational regeneration initiative to revitalise Urban Cities and Towns of the UK.A first for Scotland is HALO Kilmarnock at the heart of Kilmarnock town center. The HALO project will support the growth and resilience of the Ayrshire economy. HALO will create a dynamic commercial, educational, cultural, leisure and lifestyle quarter of the town, fueled by renewable energy, where people can live, work, learn and play.This multi-faceted regeneration of a 28-acre site, was supplied over £80,000 worth of AG Plaza Paving, TerraKerb® and TerraPave® Step Units to complement the stunning architectural work of the modern building and surrounding areas.David McCandlish Regional Sales Manager at AG stated: ‘This was a major win for AG. We supplied a range of hard landscaping products around the new project. Our Plaza premium granite paving, TerraKerb and TerraPave step units provided the perfect combination of durable paving and modern sleek design for this stunning project.’The focal point of HALO will be an Enterprise and Innovation Hub being created to stimulate digital learning, inspire innovative thinking and provide a conducive environment for spin-out, new-start, scale-ups, digital, manufacturing and cyber businesses.The completed HALO will feature a new Urban Park, surrounded by entrepreneurial businesses in computer technology, cyber research, engineering, fashion, financial services and light manufacturing.

BackgroundK Systems’ retrofit of the REEMA non-traditional construction Properties in Swindon, South-West England, is a stellar example of the company’s ability to harness years of expertise with forward-thinking innovation to meet the needs of its clients.Swindon Borough Council had a development of 50+ properties in Upper Stratton all with aged facades and poor thermal qualities, some with U-values as inadequate as1.59W/m ² K.K Systems supported Swindon Borough Council, led by Projects Surveyor John Black, to completely refurbish this residential development and deliver on five primary objectives:- Improve the thermal performance rating of each home (SAP rating)- Deliver greater thermal comfort for residents- Choose a solution with acoustic benefits and non-combustable benefits- Reduce tenants’ energy consumption- Deliver an attractive aesthetic that would uplift the areaHaving a good reputation for matching systems with finishes to deliver its clients’ visions, K Systems partnered with approved installer, Rateavon Ltd, to scope out theproject and specification in fine detail, with particular focus on insulating properties and aesthetic.Our ServiceK System worked in collaboration with Swindon Borough Council and Rateavon Ltd to upgrade these poorly insulated houses and deliver a total revamp of the properties, resulting in thermally efficient homes.One of the primary requirements was to improve the performance rating of each home, with a target U-value of 0.30W/m²K. In fact, K Systems exceeded that in the project delivery by achieving a U-value of 0.29W/m²K.The project was completed with minimal disruption to existing residents, and due to forward planning and regular site visits by an experienced K Systems project manager, where processes and progress were monitored and evaluated, the project was completed within the agreed timescale.Digital technology was deployed from the very beginning to produce models and CGIs (Computer Generated Imagery) to not only assure Swindon Council the finished project would meet its specific requirements, but to also guide the design process and ensure compliance with all health and safety regulations.Regular inspections and site audits were carried out alongside Swindon Council to ensure the same level of care and attention to detail that applied when specifying theproject was being applied during its implementation and delivery.Technical Project DetailsOn initial inspection, K Systems found a problematic substrate. The REEMA hollow panel non-traditional construction properties are constructed of a concrete frame with thin concrete panels to the exterior façade. This type of thin panel construction created a significant challenge for the team to find a suitable EWI fixing, but with the help from Rawlplug, one of our EWI fixings suppliers a robust and safe fixing solution was found, without compromising the existing REEMA construction.Harnessing years of EWI system design knowledge and unrivalled expertise in this field, K Systems worked closely with Rawlplug and a structural engineer to identify a suitable fixing detail and pattern which would not only be robust but also suitable for this type of substrate.With a structurally strong solution agreed, focus then turned to the appropriate insulation solution.After a comprehensive scoping process taking into consideration client requirements, project objectives, budgets and timeframes, K Systems specified the industry proven K Systems M, Mineral Wool EWI system to not only significantly boost thermal performance of the buildings but also reduce noise pollution for the tenants.K Systems 100mm Mineral Wool insulation has an industry-leading ability to generate exceptional thermal performance. That made it the perfect choice for the refurbishment as it would combat the increased heating costs faced by residents whilst retaining the solid foundations of the existing building and reducing the risk of condensation or mould damage.Other technical benefits which made the K Systems Mineral Wool system the ideal specification for this refurbishment include:- non-combustibility, A2-s1,d0 fire rated- its excellent acoustic properties, reducing noise pollution- its environmentally friendly composition as the insulation is free from gases with ODP (ozone depletion properties) or GWP (global warming potential)- its workability and easy to cut format, reducing labour time across the board for the team.Having identified solutions that improved structure and thermal performance, K Systems then offered the best quality finish for the properties – an aesthetically pleasing, cost effective combination of VBriQ+ clay brick slips and Silkolitt+ silicone render that both Swindon Council and the residents would be proud of.VBriQ+ is a lightweight, highly durable, clay brick slip system and a more cost-effective finish option in comparison to tradition brick systems without compromising on quality, weather resistance, workability and durability. This made it perfect for a project of this scale – a project which required maximum and long-lasting impact without incurring maximum costs.The Silkolitt+ silicone render finish rejuvenated the properties’ exteriors and massively enhanced the area’s overall aesthetic, making it a much more appealing place to set up home.Yet again going the extra mile for clients to ensure unrivalled workmanship and longevity, K Systems finished all 52 properties with K Pro - a water-based protective treatment used to provide long term enhanced water repellent properties to external render and other masonry surfaces, helping combat the problems associated with water intrusion including efflorescence, frost, water-soluble pollutants and algae growth meaning the substrate will stay clean and dry for longer.K Systems and approved installer Rateavon Ltd delivered an excellently designed and expertly executed refurbishment, that exceeded the expectations and requirements of the client, Swindon Council, and the residents of the newly improved homes.John Black, Projects Surveyor at Swindon Borough Council, said:“Throughout the project K Systems have supported Swindon Borough Council agreeing all detailing to ensure current day Building Control Regulations were met. They supported resolutions throughout the project lifecycle and were really reactive, visiting site and supporting when required. They carried out weekly detailed spot check reports with photographic evidence and also checked batch numbers of materials. They delivered a great service. A really successful project.”

St Mary’s School in Calne, Wiltshire, is a leading UK independent boarding and day school for girls aged 11-18. It was founded in 1873 by local vicar, The Reverend John Duncan, who believed that the daughters of the town’s Anglican families at the time lacked access to a wide-ranging education. The school moved to the current site in 1907 and over the years as the school grew, nearby properties were bought and new buildings were established.Clement Windows Group was chosen to manufacture and install almost 40 new steel windows to replace the original steel windows on the front and gable ends of the Plumer Wing which comprises classrooms for music, computing, Religious Education and art. Windows from the EB20 steel window range were chosen and these were polyester powder coat painted RAL 7016 (Anthracite Grey) instead of white like the original windows.This was the second phase of work for Clement who had previously manufactured the steel windows for the rear elevations of the building. The school acted as the main contractor and CDM lead for the job and Clement was the sole contractor on site. The project was completed to programme and budget during a break from the school term with minimum disruption to the school overall.Bob Lunn, Director of Estates at St Mary’s said “The installation of 83 high quality Clement windows, which were installed in two phases during 2021 and 2022, have significantly enhanced the aesthetics and environmental efficiency of this building. Installation was very efficiently completed by Clement operatives within the specified installation timeframes.”

Architectural solar shading combats overheating and contributes to a comfortable indoor climate in Van Marcke's new office building. Vertically installed aluminium DucoSun Wing louvre blades provide an answer in combating overheating. At the same time, they provide added architectural cachet structurally. These wing-shaped louvre blades act as an extra shell for the curtain wall. They cut out the sunlight, thus preventing the interior temperature from rising too high on hot days. Annoying reflections on computer screens are thus definitely a thing of the past.

Victorian Library receives perimeter sealing system and sash window repair by VentrollaKEY FEATURES: COMMERCIAL, SASH WINDOWS, PUBLIC BUILDING, RENOVATION, VENTROLLA PERIMETER SEALING SYSTEM (VPSS), VICTORIAN.Ventrolla leant a hand with the renovation at Gants Hill Library, Ilford, repairing 12 period timber windows.The work formed part of a major refurbishment project overseen by Ongar-based construction company, Bolt & Heeks Ltd. The project took three months to complete and involved extensive repairs to the building’s original art deco features, including a number of architectural glass roof lights and the parquet flooring.Paula Garsdon, Marketing Manager for Bolt & Heeks, said:“The library dates back to 1938 and it was important to carry out maintenance work in a way that was sympathetic to its origins. We liaised closely with the Borough’s Conservation Officer and carefully selected partners, including Ventrolla, who specialise in dealing with historic buildings.”“The library has been refurbished throughout and this, together with the renovated windows, creates a comfortable and welcoming environment for visitors to enjoy.”Gants Hill is the oldest library in the London Borough of Redbridge. Now reopened to the public, it features new study areas, an additional eight computer terminals, wi-fi access in the reading room and new themed areas for children and teenagers.Ventrolla offers a bespoke renovation service for timber sliding sash and casement windows as well as timber doors. Its unique Perimeter Sealing System significantly improves the window’s performance and energy efficiency.Ventrolla's central office is in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, with regional Ventrolla offices located throughout the UK and Ireland.

dormakaba was awarded the contract to provide an integrated IT solution for the first college that was built on the new Heslington East site- Goodricke College, named after the British astronomer John Goodricke, offering accommodation and other facilities for students. dormakaba installed a fully integrated solution at the college, comprising dormakaba Exos system, CardLink standalone components, C-Levers and pExtra high securitymechanical cylinders. Geoff Brown, Security Manager at University of York commented: “dormakaba's Exos system is the software that allows us to centrally manage the system. The University of York has 9 colleges and in each college we have residential students. Residential students have a dormakaba card that allows them access to the main building and also we allow access to communal areas, including the cycle shed.” Installing fully integrated system enabled the university to have a cost effective and flexible access control on any door, barrier, lift or access point coupled with a reliable and accurate time recording solution for staff, students and contractors. Mark Barber added: “One of the big plus points of it, is that we are able to feed Exos on a nightly basis with records from our people data base which contains all our current staff and students- so we always have up-to-date list of university members in the Exos data base. One of the by-products of that, is that we can also feed through into Exos expiry dates of when staff or students are about to leave so without any other interventions, by setting certain parameter within the interface, people’s access right can be revoke automatically and universally in the dormakaba system”. Further developments under one unified dormakaba Exos system, included control of doors at the Physics and Electronics building that has been added onto the existing campus. A further online Exos doors, C- Levers and pExtra cylinders were installed at various new department buildings throughout Heslington East, including Theatre, Film and TV (TFTV), Law and Management (L&M), Computer Science Building (CSB) and the Communal Area(HUB). The University of York bears testament to the success of a complete dormakaba solution. dormakaba technology has ensured all online and stand alone systems can be integrated which not only provides diversity in levels of security but also future proofs the University of York’s investment. “We needed to find a security solution that is flexible and capable of providing a variety of options, dormakaba met those needs and provided a good customer service and I believe they can offer further solutions. dormakaba have provided the University of York with the exceptionally good solution and I’m certainly happy to recommend dormakaba to any other universities.” Geoff Brown Security Manager University of York

Cherwell Secondary School in Oxford is a high-profile project in a prominent setting. IKO were given complete responsibility for the specification and planning of the building’s 2000m² flat roofing system.The school had severe problems with water ingress for a number of years. Water ingress was causing major damage and disruption to the school, including damage to computers. Some classrooms had to be closed during bad weather. The roof features many valley gutters and rooflights. IKO was invited to inspect the roof and supply a suitable specification.As fire resistance was a key consideration, the roof consists of a built-up felt roofing system based on IKO Ultra Prevent membranes featuring graphite firewall technology.

Armourcoat’s Sculptural three-dimensional wall finish features in the ground floor foyer at One Blackfriars residential tower in London’s South Bank. The building designed by Simpson Haugh and Partners is a compelling architectural achievement, with a stunning arc of glass taking inspiration from Sarpaneva’s Lansetti II vase.Inside the building the curves continue with a vast, immaculate resident foyer and lift lobby by London based luxury interior design studio, Goddard Littlefair. With their signature quality and attention to detail it provides the feeling of a five-star hotel entrance. Armourcoat’s seamless ‘Fluted’ Sculptural design was specified by the studio for the flanking feature walls to provide a sense of scale and grandeur on entering the space.Armourcoat Sculptural wall designs are created using a combination of traditional hand sculpting and computer aided design to ensure total accuracy during installation whilst retaining the essence of hand crafting. The panels are mineral based and incorporate up to 30% post-consumer recycled content. They are non-toxic and completely non-combustible. Once the panels are installed, each design can be finished in a range of decorative surface finishes. Photography by Franklin & Franklin

The Head of Security at a prominent London University was faced with key security issues when the organisation took over the security of an old building. The large ground floor building led directly onto a public pavement and housed academic and research staff with valuable computer equipment. The Security Team needed to find a way of securing the building, especially the large windows, without replacing them entirely.Bernadette Duncan (MBE) Chief Operating Officer of AUCSO explained the options they looked into:“We considered installing bars on the windows but did not want the building to look like a jail block or draw attention to it. The staff were also concerned about the sunlight on the south facing side of the building, so we would also need to install blinds. After looking at several options we selected 𝐒𝐄𝐂𝐔𝐑𝐀𝐁𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐃𝐒® as the best option to maximise security, as well as giving the occupants the option to use the blinds on sunny days.”Bernadette went on to explain the other benefits of 𝐒𝐄𝐂𝐔𝐑𝐀𝐁𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐃𝐒®:“From the public side, the blinds looked like normal vertical blinds, so did not draw attention as a highly protected building or a potential target for thieves. In the evening when the lights were on, the blinds could be closed to provide privacy and at night time could be locked to provide a secure screen against vandalism or a forced entry. It was the ideal solution for us.“The 𝐒𝐄𝐂𝐔𝐑𝐀𝐁𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐃𝐒® team measured the windows and manufactured them for a bespoke fit. The delivery and installation timings were agreed and everything was fitted in time for the building to be occupied. The blinds gave the staff the required feeling of privacy and security, without feeling barred in. A great product which suited the building and a good team behind them.”Bernadette Duncan (MBE) Chief Operating Officer of AUCSO

A careful combination of A2 fire rated soffit panels, rainscreen cladding and mesh screens from Proteus Facades has helped band together the impressive new £42m Sciences Centre at Durham University. Based within the grounds of the Upper Mountjoy Campus, the new Mathematical Sciences and Computer Science building has been developed to create synergy between the two departments, which have been earmarked for significant growth within the Durham University Strategy – 2017-2027. The building features state-of-the-art teaching facilities and office space, including a specialist IT Lab with a designated server room, a 120-seat tiered lecture theatre and tutorial rooms. While a café and breakout spaces, as well as four enclosed courtyards make up the communal areas. Creating a bright space for students, staff and visitors to meet and relax, Proteus Facades manufactured striking 2.0mm Aluminium Proteus IP interlocking planks with a PPC Traffic White Matte (RAL 9016) finish for use on the façades of the four internal courtyards. GSS Architecture chose the Proteus IP aluminium PPC in Traffic White because it accentuates and reflects natural light creating an enhanced ambience in the teaching spaces that face onto the courtyards, whilst complementing the glass curtain walling system.

Walsall College is the largest provider of qualifications for 14-to 19-year-olds in the West Midlands Borough of Walsall. In addition, it also provides education and training for adults, which is delivered both at the college campuses and on-site at workplaces and community centres. In total, more than 11,000 people study vocational technical qualifications, apprenticeships and higher education programmes with the college each year.Its main Wisemore Campus was built in 2009 following a multi-million-pound investment programme designed to provide a vibrant, lively environment that inspires and motivates students. The state-of-the-art facility includes bespoke areas for studying business, creative arts, computing, health, public services and automotive.As is the nature of modern building design, the Wisemore Campus features many hard interior surfaces such as plastered walls, glazed partitions, large windows and carpet-tiled floors. Despite being integral to creating a visually appealing, energy-efficient, safe, secure and comfortable learning environment.Hush Acoustics were invited to carry out a site survey in these relatively poor acoustic environments by Lee Bate, Head of Operational Services. He sought to find an effective response to a large number of complaints from college users in relation to noise in these areas of the building, chiefly as a result of sound reverberation, echo and ambient noise. These issues are known to affect the concentration, focus and engagement of students and staff in schools, colleges and universities, so Walsall College were keen to take the necessary action.The learning pods are used for online training, enabling students to participate and collaborate in Zoom and Teams calls or simply access a quiet area to work. Due to the construction of these rooms, there was a significant acoustic issue that could only be addressed by the introduction of a Class A sound absorber. These would prevent noise reflecting back into the room, which was the cause of the issue.The boardroom presented similar issues. It also features many hard reflective surfaces which were causing it to be very echoey, especially during conference calls and training sessions. To reduce the issue here, a number of Class A absorbers would also need to be installed.Step one was for Hush Acoustics to conduct a site survey. This allowed information to be gathered in order to carry out a series of reverberation calculations with a view to determining how sound absorbers could be used in the affected spaces to control and reduce reverberation and echo.The solution came with Hush Absorber 50 panels installed to the ceilings and walls. These Class A absorber panels utilise a specially formulated 50mm thick acoustic foam, hand finished with interior fabric that is applied to the face, edges and back return. They are designed to fit on any alignment and angle including slopes and ceiling in both portrait and landscape, with a choice of stylish and visually pleasing designs available in sizes, colours and finishes to suit any internal environment.Hush Absorber 50 panels have been highly effective in controlling the problem noise within the areas, dampening the sound issue with a level of absorption material that complies with the design guidance of BB93.The transformation of the learning pods and boardroom has been a great success according to Walsall College’s Head of Operations for the campus, Lee Bate. He said:“We are delighted with the difference the Hush Absorber 50 panels make and the service from Hush. We are extremely happy with how the areas are instantly more comfortable to work from and the panels look good in the spaces they have been installed.”

The University of Salford’s new Science, Engineering and Environmental (SEE) building features a white RainScreen façade, punctuated by contrasting red window reveals with a sloping sill to form recessed windows. While this creates an impactful design statement, it proved challenging when it came to evaluating the RainScreen insulation performance.The thermal performance challengeFrom the outset the designers, in conjunction with the University, outlined a desire for non-combustible insulation. But the feature red reveal details meant there were restricted cavity widths near the windows, which would affect the depth of insulation that could be installed. Several Mineral Wool insulation manufacturers had been unwilling to undertake U-value calculations. This was because it was challenging to understand the weighted U-value across the different façade build-ups and determine the U-value uplift required to compensate for the shallower window reveal areas.Architects Sheppard Robson had previously worked with Knauf Insulation and engaged its Project Specification Team to discuss the challenge and develop calculations.After receiving the plans, Knauf Insulation undertook 3D U-value calculations and confirmed that they could meet the required thermal performance – and crucially it would mean no changes to the design or impact on the cavity widths.Accurate 3D U-value calculationsSo how could Knauf Insulation meet the brief when other manufacturers could not?The crucial factor was the type of U-value calculation used. Most manufacturers use the standard method, which calculates the U-value for the build-up without the metal substructure. Because this method doesn’t consider the effect of the metal penetration through the insulation, a blanket correction factor is added, which can lead to the under- or over-specification of insulation. Either way, it means that the insulation used in the finished project may not deliver the thermal performance that has been specified. And in the case of the SEE building, calculating the weighted U-value to prevent this was critical.Knauf Insulation uses numerical modelling (also known as 3D U-value calculations) as standard for all RainScreen façade projects. This methodology thermally models the build-up taking into account the complex interaction between the insulation and the bars and brackets of the steel framing system (SFS). As a result, it creates the most accurate available picture of how the build-up will perform thermally after construction.For the SEE building, the team undertook several different calculations changing elements of the build-up, including the substructure material and insulation widths, until they determined the optimal combination.High performance insulationBy using this rigorous calculation method, Knauf Insulation was able to meet the brief with a combination of 50mm and 160mm Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab, along with 200mm OmniFit® Slab 35.Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab is a Rock Mineral Wool slab that is BBA certified for use at any height and for the broadest range of thicknesses and build-ups on the market. It has a thermal conductivity of 0.034 W/mK.OmniFit® Slab 35, a Glass Mineral Wool slab with a thermal conductivity of 0.035 W/mK, is ideal for use in the SFS.Both Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab and OmniFit® Slab 35 are non-combustible with the best possible Euroclass A1 reaction to fire classification so they will not contribute to the development or spread of fire should it occur. Thanks to their sound absorption characteristics, critical for low mass rainscreen structures, they will help create a quieter environment for the computer and science labs.A sustainable solutionThere was one other specification factor to consider – sustainability. The SEE building had been designed to minimise its environmental impact in line with the University of Salford’s campus master plan.Matthew Taylor, the project architect from Sheppard Robson, noted: “From early on, sustainability has been high on the SEE building agenda, including becoming one of the first all-electric University educational building.” The building will also be supported by photovoltaic panels on the roof.But while the use of renewable energy sources and high performance insulation will help lower the building’s operational carbon, it was important to keep embodied carbon to a minimum.Here Glass Mineral Wool scores highly too because it has the lowest embodied carbon of any mainstream insulation material.Knauf Insulation has proactively reduced the embodied carbon in its products over the years, as part of a broader set of activities to reduce its environmental impact. Specific actions to minimise its carbon footprint include initiatives to reduce road miles in both sourcing and distribution.For example, its Glass Mineral Wool products are manufactured using up to 80% recycled content, including glass collected from the local communities around its factories. The finished products are then compressed by up to 10:1 to fit more product into each lorry reducing transport related carbon emissions.Another innovation is ECOSE® Technology, its unique bio-based binder contains no added formaldehyde or phenol. It is made from natural raw materials that are rapidly renewable and is 70% less energy-intensive to manufacture than traditional binders, so it is more environmentally friendly.Products made with ECOSE® Technology are also soft to touch and easy to handle. They generate low levels of dust and VOCs and have been awarded the Eurofins Gold Certificate for Indoor Air Comfort.Ongoing supportThe through-wall build-up was installed by Metclad Contracts. As this was the first time they had worked with Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab, they also turned to the Specification Team for installation advice. They wanted to know whether the insulation should be fixed into the sheathing boards or the SFS.Knauf Insulation provided details of the fixing pattern together with the installation guide. They also facilitated meetings with their fixing partner to provide specialist technical support about pull out values and requirements for fixing into the substrate.Thanks to Knauf Insulation’s extensive technical expertise and ongoing support, the vision for the University of Salford’s state-of-the-art SEE building has become a reality – without any compromise on thermal performance, fire safety, acoustic or sustainability.

When people think of data centres, the first things that come to mind are telecommunication providers and cloud operators such as Amazon, Microsoft and Google, or streaming service suppliers such as Netflix, who rely on large computing capacities. However, data centres are of great importance for the over-all future viability of commercial enterprises and society as a whole, because the digital infrastructure has long since become a central focus and is the starting point for all considerations regarding new company ventures. 

Sensor City, a collaborative venture of the University of Liverpool, John Moores University and the Liverpool City Region Local Enterprise Partnership, brings together academia and business to create the first University Enterprise Zone in Liverpool. The building’s purpose is sensor technology — studying, building and expanding sensor systems and applications. Inspired by the building’s intended use, designer Julian Stock, with the help of the architectural firm of IBI Group Inc. could evoke the intrigue of sensor technology on the building’s façade, using a double skin architectural glass curtain wall made of laminated glass containing Saflex® Structural PVB interlayer. Saflex Structural was selected for this project for numerous reasons. As a testament of its structural integrity, glass panels laminated with Saflex Structural offer very high wind load resistance of 3.7 kPa. It was the preferred product choice that could deliver structural performance in combination with colored interlayers to bring to life the designer’s colorful artistic vision. Saflex Structural was paired with Vanceva® Colors PVB interlayers for installation in the exterior applications with open edges exposed continuously to the changing environmental conditions of Liverpool, England. Novum Structures UK, the engineering façade maker for Sensor City, was instrumental in the decision to use Saflex Structural with Vanceva because they had used both previously on a major project in London with great results. Together with Ariño Duglass, the glass laminator, Novum Structures wrapped Sensor City’s exterior in an abstract pattern resembling computer chips. The abstract design was created with silk screen printing in ivory and black enamel incorporated into a double laminated insulating glass unit. The sensor technology theme is further carried out using the color epitomizing electronic conductors — gold. Vanceva® Colors PVB interlayers in Golden Light and Coral Rose were used to simulate this gold color. The golden façade of Sensor City renders color differently depending on the viewer’s location and amount of light. The view inside and outside the building can look different, just as a view from near the building or down the street will make the building look alive — as if it is dynamically altering its appearance based on each individual’s sense — therefore a wonderful structure for Sensor City! With the completion of Sensor City, there is now a building that reflects the field of sensor technology — literally — both inside and out!

Project: Ayr Academy, ScotlandProduct: OranitArchitect: BDP, GlasgowInstaller: Linear Projects, GlasgowAyr Academy, Scotland. BDP Architects (August 2017) Photos by Graeme DuncanSpecification:Oranit 7-501 Panels in Yellow PineQuantity:138m2  Oranit panels in PEFC Certified Yellow Pine were installed in rafts to the ceiling of the atrium space at the Ayr Academy campus which opened to students in September 2017.Shiluvit by Oranit was specified for it’s ease of design and installation as well as the stunning effect of slatted natural timber. The panels were installed in 12 rafts of 16 panels suspended at a slight angle to mirror the tilt and dimension of the true ceiling.The 6-year secondary school has state of the art classroom facilities for an engaging and high-tech learning experience as well as professional quality all-weather sports pitches as well as fitness, and dance suites which are available to the wider community. The school has followed suit from other local colleges and universities by including informal social and learning spaces in the atrium.The new campus is a huge step-forward from the previous historic 1880’s school and is inspiring enthusiasm and pride in all of it’s staff and students.In addition to the Oranit panels, LSA supplied Linear ribs to support the acoustics in the open plan main plaza of the school. The central drum clad in natural Oak ribs is a functional focal point of the space, housing a learning resource centre inside and hosting a computer classroom and social space on top.

Installer: LSA Projects Ltd and GeschwenderProduct: Geschwender Lockers and Metra Locking SystemLSA supplied almost 1000 lockers to Nottingham Emmanuel High School as part of a regeneration project in 2008. The lockers were commissioned by the school and designed by Geschwender to make the most of the space available in the curved concourse of the school.Lockers were also installed with Metra electronic locking, the school chose an RFID system which used the students existing ID cards to open their allocated locker when presented to the central access panel. Using existing cards meant that the school had minimal ongoing running costs as cards can be set-up and replaced by school staff without needing to order replacement keys or locks for students.Electronic locking also makes locker allocation and re-allocation easy and straightforward, master computers are managed by the school allowing remote access to lockers for changing user access settings and opening individual lockers without the key card if required.