"concrete blocks"

Housing corporation De Veste is always looking for the perfect home for their customers. In doing so, one of their main focuses is on the sustainability of homes and also creating awareness in the field of energy consumption, therefore the look and feel of their office mus also radiate this vision. That is why they have opted for sustainable Marmoleum Concrete throughout their canteen, lounge and offices. Using it alongside Flotex Vision Floral ensures the homely feeling of the housing co operation.

Specialist lighting design company PSL, were looking for something a little different for their trendy new Bermondsey showroom. Designers, James Plumb obliged with a beautifully crafted and truly unique design that involved much concrete and some special stainless steel kitchen units from GEC Anderson.Drawer cabinets, base cabinets and appliance doors were supplied and installed by GEC Anderson, following the development of the detailed designs.

The Bridgewater Hall in Manchester is a 2400 seat concert hall constructed in close proximity to the cities Metrolink tramway. Ground-borne vibration caused by passing trams was highlighted by Arup as going to cause unwanted structural noise within the performance space. To avoid this the building was constructed off 280 number GERB pre-stressable coil spring bearing assemblies positioned on the concrete column heads and tuned with a vertical natural frequency of 3.5Hz.

Sika supplied a single-source warranty as part of a dual waterproof solution for a large, privately-built concrete basement to guarantee its long-term protection against the perils of damp and water ingress.The 153m2 basement was part of a new build house in Harpenden, Hertfordshire. A toilet, cinema room, games room and a plantroom are earmarked for the below-ground structure; therefore its long-term resistance to water ingress was paramount.

The customer wanted to find a new tile that had a similar aesthetic look to the original clay tiles but also needed to ensure an economical overall installation cost. James Bros Roofing Contractors, who specialise in the re-roofing of domestic properties using natural slate, clay plain tiles or more modern concrete tiles, selected Wienerberger's 20/20 Antique Slate roof tiles to achieve this brief perfectly.

This project, to coat approximately 2000 sq metres of asbestos roof with the BBA Approved Asbestsoeal system is a lesson for all in correct health and safety. Liquasil provides all approved installers with H&S training as standard. This deals with correct use of netting, scaffold, walkways, work platforms and waste water filtration from asbestos roof cleaning. Having already completed 500sq metres on a unit a year previously, the contractor was invited back to complete the rest of the block, which is the best possible endorsement.

The former Royal Military Academy overlooking Woolwich Common finds a new place in history with its stunning restoration, featuring Kingspan OPTIM-R Flooring System. The vacuum insulation panel system was chosen to most of the available space. The original beam and block flooring limited the ability to dig down, so installing the Kingspan OPTIM-R Flooring System in a 30mm thickness allowed for the maintenance of the existing threshold levels whilst also achieving excellent thermal performance.

Creating a charming garden space was the main goal for this homeowner.AG’s latest range of premium block paving with a smooth finish, Tri Stone paving was the ideal match with the close-jointed, straight edges delivering a sleek, modern look with warm colour tones.Additionally, the paving added the extra benefit of being designed to need less maintenance and help prevent moss and weed growth, Tri Stone is both beautiful and practical. Kamden double-sided walling surrounded the paving to complete the garden

Creating a charming garden space was the main goal for this homeowner.AG’s latest range of premium block paving with a smooth finish, Tri Stone paving was the ideal match with the close-jointed, straight edges delivering a sleek, modern look with warm colour tones.Additionally, the paving added the extra benefit of being designed to need less maintenance and help prevent moss and weed growth, Tri Stone is both beautiful and practical. Kamden double-sided walling surrounded the paving to complete the garden.

A thick tile floor covering meant a reduced floor section buildup, plus reduced construction joints to aid tiling. Ground floor 45mm Gyvlon ECO over 90mm insulation on a beam and block substrate First Floor 45mm Gyvlon ECO on a precast plank substrate. Gyvlon was used to reduce the floor build on both floors plus reducing the need for construction joints. This gave the client more flexibility on the thick floor coverings and eased installation with reduced construction joints.

Majunga Tower is a reinvention of an office block. The facades are articulated thanks to 3 bands, over 39 storeys reaching 195 meters high. This singular building has a double-skin envelop. It is made out of glass and aluminum, to allow natural light into the offices while keeping the views and a visual connection to its context. Our motorized BSO with C50 blades are integrated into this facade for complete adaptability of light and shades throughout the day. This efficient system cut lighting and air-conditioning energy consumption.

The National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dún Laoghaire, Dublin, is a hospital rehabilitation treatment for patients who have a physical or cognitive disability due to illness or injury. The new 17,000msq development at the hospital included a fit for purpose ward accommodation block comprising 120 single ensuite isolation rooms with integrated therapy spaces, a new sports hall, hydrotherapy unit, links to the existing building which will ensure full integration between the new development and the existing hospital on the site, and significant campus infrastructure upgrades.

Phase 1b is a partnership between the London Borough of Tower Hamlets and Swan Housing Association. Station Square (Phase 1b) delivered 242 new homes built in three blocks – two at 10 storeys and one of 24 storeys, together with commercial space at ground floor level. The development created a link between the Station and the wider Blackwall Reach masterplan to the North. This phase also includes significant public realm improvements with the creation of a new square around Blackwall DLR station.

The Bath Spa University development is an attractive courtyard design with individual houses for up to 10 students where 561 will be housed in these new residential units amidst the beautiful countryside. The objective of the scheme was to deliver with minimal disruption to the student's experience on a tight schedule maximising the use of the summer holiday period to suit delivering the programme deadline. Phase 2 of the Bath Spa University development consists of over eight blocks, each utilising an application of external wall insulation covering 4,800m2with a value of £665.000.

A newly built student accommodation block in Liverpool features an attractive, colourful external finish, thanks to Cembrit’s Cembonit cladding boards.Plato House is a purpose built student development comprising 86 spacious student rooms complete with a kitchen, en-suite bathrooms and high speed Wi-Fi throughout. Supplied via Vivalda of Manchester, Pemberton-based cladding contractor, Bak Cladding Solutions installed approximately 1000m2 of Cembonit cladding in a combination of Tufa, Pearl and Sand colours.

Larc is a luxurious mansion set on a 495 sqm block within the prestigous area of Hamilton Hill in Australia’s Queensland. We were pleased to have Joe Adsett specify our Click-on Battens across the facade of the home, in a beautiful chocolate oak Wood Finish.Complete with six-bedrooms, six-bathrooms, five car spaces, a gym and expansive wine cellar, the stunning home has been designed by renowned Brisbane architect, Joe Adsett and built by GRAYA™.

The ChallengeSituated in the Rye Lane conservation area in Peckham, South London, the four to seven storey mixed-use development in Rye Green – comprising 27 residential units laid out across six floors, with two retail units on the ground floor – would provide affordable housing for people in the community who are most in need.The scheme had to consider two elements, the first being the redevelopment of the frontage building (Rye Lane) with the retention of its façade, and the second being the six-storey (with set-back seven-storey) block to the rear, on the site of the existing fish warehouse.The SolutionThe architectural design of this residential development incorporates traditional and modern features with an existing brick façade.PROJECT INFOPRODUCT DETAILThe seven-storey block is rectangular in form and has been built with a striking yellow facingbrick with protruding red brick paneling. The contrast between red and yellow brickwork is exaggerated with the introduction of green glaze facing brickwork at street level. This change in texture and brick finish works well with the local vernacular.The new second and third floor additions are set back from the retained frontage.The design is simple and functional, and the specified fabric responds to the historic character of the conservation area.Three facing bricks from Butterley Brick were selected for the build. Arden Special Reserve, a red, light textured brick, and buff Village Harvest Multi – also light textured – were used as the facing material for the main body of the buildings. Wilncote Blue Smooth, a dark toned brick. was used to define the base of the buildings. The set-back top floor of the seven-storey block is clad in zinc shingles to reflect its roof-like character.The BenefitsThe high quality development, together with its associated external landscaping, has contributed positively to its place in Peckham.Butterley Brick offers a range of high quality facing bricks manufactured from locally sourced raw materials; the range carries BES 6001 Responsible Sourcing certification. The bricks contribute to thermal mass and can be recycled at the end of their use.

A scheme designed by the award-winning Architects Guy Hollaway, The Urban Sports Park in Folkestone includes the world’s first multi-storey skatepark. The state-of-the-art facility is set on four levels and includes a skating area, climbing wall, new boxing club and café. Cordek were requested to design and supply a bespoke formwork solution to aid the construction of the integral, reinforced concrete slab soffit for the large skating bowls on the first floor.

We have overcome the challenge of installing low channels in an existing reinforced slab at the southern entrance to the French station.We have supplied mini range polymer concrete shallow drainage channels. This range is specially designed for areas with height limitation and load classes up to C250. Since this specific case involved a pedestrian tunnel, channels with heel-proof grates that comply with PMR regulations for people with reduced mobility were installed.

Armourcoat’s modular panel system ArmourFX has been specified to stunning effect at the new G-Shock store on London’s Carnaby Street by Double Retail. The new flagshop concept store was designed to physically interpret the core values of the brand and clearly segment G-Shock’s extensive product range.Through the careful use of lighting and materials, such as slate flooring, hot rolled steel surfaces and concrete wall panels from ArmourFX,the environment is an embodiment of G-Shock toughness.The store has elevated this premium offering and created a versatile future-proof space adaptable for specific collections and product launches.ArmourFX concrete effect panels are ideal for a deconstructed urban look for contemporary projects. The panels offer a wealth of design options to achieve a distinctive industrial style including distressed effects or recessed ‘shutter’ markings. Off-site construction is fast becoming the method of choice for both contractors and their clients with projects under tight deadlines for completion, or where it is impractical to work with ‘wet’ plastering trades on site. ArmourFX modular solutions can be highly customized to suit the client, sent directly to site and installed in a few hours. Photography: © Max McClure

Face fixed panels on constant display on this student accommodation block meant that the original rivet specification was changed to a powder-coated self-drilling fastener, to eliminate the inherent problem of damage often caused by riveters denting or scratching the panels.Fixfast was also able to colour-match the fasteners to a unique NCS colour required, enabling the fasteners to seamlessly blend in with the panels."Good service, quick response, quick advisory on delivery dates. Prompt to visit customers on requirement to undertake colour matching exercise"George Alabaster - Quantity Surveyor

Kensington Row is a residential development of apartments and penthouses in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, London W14, design by the architect company Squire and Partners. The development comprises 160 apartments over 4 blocks and the flats are a mix of private and social rented. In order, to protect the façade elements and ensuring the protection of the building against driving rain and moisture increasing the building energy efficiency minimizing the condensation risk, Effisus Vapour FR and Breather FR Class A1 Membrane so as Effisus Ecofacade P-Fix, were applied.

The demand for centrally located, furnished apartments with services similar to the hotel trade is on the rise. The apartment block in Berlin offers 135 apartments with made-to-measure floor plans and designs à la carte.Depending on their needs, tenants choose an apartment ranging from 17 to 54 square metres that combines all the comforts of an exclusive hotel suite with the feeling of being at home. The sliding doors are made of toughened laminated glass with grey mirrored film and – depending on building structure – attached to either the wall or the ceiling with HAWA Junior 80 GP hardware.

Castle Court in Sheffield was originally constructed in 1962 by Sheffield City Council. Comprising of three-hundred and three apartments in a single apartment block, this project was a massive investment for the area at the time. NorDan alu-clad StormGuard windows had been selected as part of the regeneration works in 1991 and to this very day, the windows are still in excellent working condition – there has not been a single call back on any of the products installed. This is a true testament to the fact that NorDan windows are, and always have been, exceptionally high performing.

Birmingham Metropolitan College (BMet) is a leading provider of further and higher education courses in the UK Midlands. The project architects required a balustrade and staircase railing that reflected the dynamic, high-tech environment of the college. Q-railing’s Easy Glass Slim and Easy Glass 3kN systems were ideal for use on the staircases, and as balustrades on the upper floors, as they create a safety barrier without blocking views or compromising on design in any way. The installation included a bespoke cladding, which makes the railings appear to rise directly out of the floor or stairs.

Blue Fly Interiors, chose Bushboard Washrooms after being impressed previously with the service from initial quotation through to delivery. Tiny Stuff cubicles in HPL were chosen in our vibrant jumble blocks print and pampas or powder blue to compliment.Semi-recessed vanity units and were manufactured to a lower height to accommodate the early years children. We were told the fit out was “at least 75% quicker” by using our Ready Plumbed system. Read the whole case study on our website.

In September 2022, Bradbury Group installed eight ClassicAL doors at a low-rise block of flats for Central Bedfordshire Council.The replacement doors installed were a combination of Front Entrance and Rear entrance doors, providing fire integrity and security protection to the communal housing, as well as Network Communication Systems Limited, NCS, Chorus remote access management. The new intelligent door sets were designed to replace existing doors which were aged and not secure, leading to several instances of anti-social behaviour.

London-based architect, WHAT_Architecture has specified CUPA PIZARRAS’ CUPACLAD 101 Logic as the ideal rainscreen cladding system for a new and unusual housing block in Peckham. Crucial to this decision was the system’s ease of installation and its natural aesthetic, which helped the contemporary design to also complement the surrounding and traditional urban landscape. We chose the CUPACLAD 101 Logic as its design layout also reflects that of the brick base, without actually using brick,” said Diana Kulacka, Project Architect from WHAT_Architecture.

In July 2021, construction began on 242 new homes on land to the east of Coldean Lane, Brighton, bringing new affordable options to the area.A mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom flats in six blocks of five to seven storeys were detailed as part of the plans and made best use of the sloping 3.3-hectare site in which the development was to be situated.PMC Construction were contracted to undertake the works and through the project’s architects, HGP Architects, Sika was called upon to provide a waterproofing solution for the flats.

Stack London were awarded the contract to provide 26 residential units in a 5 floor block of apartments which consisted of a variety of different sized dwellings ranging from two to five bedrooms and included wheelchair specific access for two of the apartments.An area of approximately of 1,300 sq metres of acoustic flooring was required. The system chosen was a Soundis bespoke flooring system which consisted of Soundis Dry Screed Panels at 20mm, Latex Screed, 25mm EPS, 5mm Rubber Matting and Flanking Roll.

Damage from the build up of moisture results in mould, mildew and condensation on windows and in the loft space. Additionally, where there is a moisture problem in the wall cavity, damage readily occurs to the insulation and wall ties, affecting wall plates, the timber frame itself and installed joinery. Preventing this from occuring is obviously a priority in the minds of all designers and builders interested in quality construction. SureCav Provides the Solution. By building with the SureCav panels instead of a using a block leaf you are providing a barrier to protect from wind driven rain.

Gregg’s has an eye-catching livery with its logo of large white lettering, four orange coloured blocks and the sky blue background The façade was updated with 2mm aluminium cassette panelling coated in Evolution ‘Peat Fire’. This shade is similar to Corten but there is no run-off or staining of surrounding material. The panelling has feature perforations which create an interesting effect, enhanced by the consistent inconsistency of the weathered steel appearance of the coating. The façade will look smart for years with a guarantee of up to 25 years for gloss, colour and adhesion.

Inspired by and integrated within the natural landscape around it, the River Building at Grace Farms, which was designed by SANAA, gently slopes, bends and ‘pools’ with its surroundings.For a place in which people gather to experience nature, encounter the arts, pursue justice, foster community and explore faith, the use of glass, steel, concrete and wood is particularly fitting. In the building’s bathrooms, d line sanitary ware was used for its simple lines and the natural rawness of its material.

Hardanger Bridge is the longest tunnel to tunnel suspension bridge i n the world, connecting the east and west of the main highway in the southern part of Norway without the need for a ferry. The bridge is an impressive 1,380 metres long; the two concrete bridge towers protruding more than 200 metres into the sky. With greatly varying weather conditions and construction environments to consider, Jotun had the properties needed to perform across every aspect of this major infrastructure project.

Tegola's black asphalt shingles look like slates and a special kiln firing process ensure a fade free appearance. Tegola only weight 10.5 kgs/sq.m., a quarter of the weight of concrete tiles, and this produced economies in the support structure, and their economic price led to significant cost savings. Tegola shingles have an excellent life span as they are stronger than the British Standard requirements, and have a design life of 35 years and have a top fire rating.

Marlborough Sports Garden, a long-time community recreation space in London Bridge, has been regenerated and reopened, featuring unique hexagonal planters made from MEDITE® TRICOYA® EXTREME. Transforming the once graffitied concrete space into an urban oasis, the planters were a central feature at the official opening, attended by British Olympian Tom Daley and MP Jo Cox’s sister Kim, alongside her parents Mr and Mrs Leadbeater.