"concrete blocks"

The 2014 Commonwealth Games’ swimming competition was played out at Tollcross International Swimming Centre. In anticipation of the games, the centre’s facilities underwent a complete refurbishment. Some of the screed below the tiles on the main competition pool floor had separated from the concrete pool tank. The entire floor needed to be re-laid. Glasgow City Council Scott hired, Tilecraft, a specialist tiling works company that delivers high quality tiles, to lay the tiles and specified products from ARDEX UK. A fast track solution which would produce high quality results was needed, and ARDEX UK seemed the logical choice.

Harbour Central is a condominium complex in London’s Docklands, costing £17.6 million and comprising 642 private one, two, and three bedroom apartments divided across five residential buildings. This 30,000m² development also provides eight penthouse apartments with a leisure complex, all only minutes from Canary Wharf.Cellecta YELOfon HD10+ was specified by Rolfe Judd Architecture in this development for is unrivalled acoustic performance when used to isolate a floating screed from a structural concrete floor. This product also works in conjunction with underfloor heating.Galliard Homes UKS was awarded the contract to construct these luxury private apartments.

Cornes buildings are an ambitious residential in Santiago de Compostela, which is next to the first train station of Galicia . This is one of the reasons to promote this space for a new lifestyle . Carbajo Barrios architects use concrete elements for the façade to minimize the impact of sunlight on buildings as well as give a strong architectural character . Bandalux vertical blinds were chosen as a solar control system, creating visual harmony as well as efficient sunlight management . Polyscreen ® fabric perfectly complements the clean style of interior designs, allowing visual contact outside when desired by the owners . Our roller blinds are chosen with blackout fabrics for maximum privacy and intimacy .

Reflections is a complex of luxury waterside apartments, built in a contemporary style, most living areas look over Bournemouth Bay and Southbourne Overcliff Drive. The complex features four 3 bed and five 2 bed apartments.Cellecta’s YELOfon HD10+ was specified by Harlequin Homes due to the system being lightweight, easy to install, and delivers unrivalled acoustic performance when used to isolate a floating screed from a structural concrete floor. YELOfon HD10+ is an acclaimed resilient layer system that carries 3 proprietary Robust Details: E-FC-5, 17 & 18.Glossbrook was awarded this 400m² contract to construct this development in Bournemouth.

Ebury Square is a development consisting of 71 one to five bedroom private apartments and a penthouse featuring opulent design and impeccable finishes. It has easy access to the Victoria Mainline, underground and Gatwick Express.Cellecta’s YELOfon HD10+ was specified by Squire & Partners due to the system being lightweight, easy to install, and delivers unrivalled acoustic performance when used to isolate a floating screed from a structural concrete floor. YELOfon HD10+ is an acclaimed resilient layer system that carries 3 proprietary Robust Details: E-FC-5, 17 & 18.Berkeley Group was awarded this 10,000m² contract to construct this development in the London borough of Belgravia.

The nineteenth-century Ox Barn was formerly home to the oxen that once ploughed our fields. State-of-the-art agricultural architecture in its time, the clients worked meticulously to preserve the extensive beams, soaring arches and original Cotswold stone rubble walls.A contemporary counterpoint to the original barn features, our versatile Iron Grey floor beautifully reflects the rich timber while the satin finish smoothly complements the rustic textures. Over 350 m2 of our polished concrete was installed in just one week.Now, it’s a jaw dropping restaurant with a spectacular bar and a seven-and-a-half metre Charvet open kitchen.

The outstanding qualities of Sandtex Trade High Build Textured Decorative Coating deliver a long-term solution for the protection of buildings, capable of ironing out surface level imperfections at a stroke. Ideal for covering fine cracks and regulating repaired and uneven surfaces, this advanced masonry product offers exceptional coverage and flexibility, providing both a decorative and protective textured coating with the reassurance of 15 years’ durability, independently certified by the British Board of Agrément. Along with a long-lasting finish, the paint is formulated to maintain its good looks with anti-carbonation properties which protect concrete and metal from atmospheric erosion.

Washroom's off-site service allowed the design to be carefully fine-tuned prior to installation on site for this prestigious office refurbishment project. Washroom's full height Alto toilet cubicle doors were specified with a real wood veneer finish, stained to match the solid Douglas fir timber panelling in the reception area. The bespoke polished cast concrete vanity units feature integral waste bins and Tego hinged mirror units above. For the new staff shower and changing room area Washroom's full height Alto FENIX shower cubicles were installed along with Z style Forza SGL lockers.

Ultrascape's BS 7533 compliant mortar paving system has been used to deliver a modern and stylish forecourt outside Swindon railway station. The redevelopment has transformed what was previously a heavy traffic dominated area, into a prestigious pedestrian focused arrival space which features seating, planting, lighting and a millennium clock. Work was carried out by specialist civil engineering contractor, Britannia Construction and included the installation of 500 tonnes of high quality natural granite and Pennant Sandstone using Ultrascape's Pro-Bed HS fine bedding concrete, Flowpoint rapid setting grout and Pro-Prime slurry primer.

The UK’s second busiest airport, Gatwick Airport, is also home to a rail station which handles in excess of 20 million passengers annually – making it one of the 10 busiest stations in the UK outside of London.Network Rail are currently managing a redevelopment project at Gatwick station, which is being delivered by Costain. Part of this project is a new concourse for the station.The redevelopment of the station includes improvement works to create a larger, more accessible interchange between the station and airport. As part of the upgrades to platforms 5-7, Costain worked with Sika waterproofing products and Hanson for the concrete mix to ensure the rebuild was robust and would offer significant longevity.

"You can hear it and feel the difference as soon as you walk in and start to talk"Due to new hybrid working we installed VC kit that better enabled remote calls and meetings for staff. When in-person colleagues around the meeting table would be in conversation with each other, audio would often cut out for those joining remotely, no matter how many speakers and microphones we had in the room. Generally, this was a poor meeting experience for those joining online and we had received feedback about this from our staff. Ceilings in the room are high with concrete beams and so this was probably contributing to the issues. 

Leading UK utility contractor, Telent, have used UltraCrete’s superb ironwork installation materials to repair and install a CW1 access cover in Sutton Coldfield.BackgroundAs part of their ongoing commitment to maintaining the UK’s national utility infrastructure, Telent have used UltraCrete’s latest product innovation Mortar Buoy® to repair a chamber and install a CW1 ironwork access cover in the West Midlands.The ChallengeLocated on a busy junction, it was crucial that the repair and installation of the CW1 cover was carried out quickly to minimise disruption to motorists. With a reputation drawing on decades of experience in the design, build, support and management of the UK’s critical infrastructure, it was imperative that Telent used reputable installation materials that had been tried, tested and proven to work in the road network.The SolutionUltraCrete’s independently tested and approved ironwork installation system was specified by BT Openreach to complete the project.The new CW1 cover was installed using the Install Plus method. To begin, Mortar Buoy® was inflated in the existing chamber to prevent debris falling into the cavity and causing potential damage to the network. Once inflated, the team were able to use Mortar Buoy® as internal shuttering and repair the damaged chamber using QC10 F rapid strength flowable concrete.QC10 F, part of UltraCrete’s range of high specification concretes, is rapid setting fibre modified concrete for backfilling around manhole frames and gullies and for surface repairs.To complete the installation, Mortar Buoy® was used as a dam and Envirobed® CD534 Flowable was poured around the edges of a chamber for a permanent installation.Specially formulated for utility reinstatements, Envirobed® CD534 Flowable high performance bedding mortar is BT LN550 and LN320 compliant and offers superior compressive, tensile and flexural strengths in just 3 hours.Mortar Buoy® is a ground-breaking, innovative, inflatable access frame that acts as a dam, allowing for a flowable mortar ironwork installation in seconds – revolutionising traditional methods.Enhance your specification and upgrade your reinstatement with UltraCrete Mortar Buoy®.ResultsThe project took place on a mild winter day in December 2021. The work was completed without delay and with minimal disruption. Using Mortar Buoy® instead of a traditional damming mortar increased the speed of the installation, reduced costs and made the install less labour intensive for the team.On the performance of Mortar Buoy®, John Doherty, Area Supervisor for Telent commented: “Mortar Buoy® makes life much easier versus traditional shuttering for both chamber repair and bedding the ironwork. It is also much faster.”

Third Space has opened its sixth and most luxurious health club in London with spacious training areas, state-of-the-art facilities, tranquil yoga studio, 20m adult pool, cycle amphitheatre and special facilities for youngsters.Free Weights AreaTVS Group’s heavy-duty, interlocking SPORTEC® Style Tiles, custom-produced black and grey-flecked finish perfectly completemented the gym’s colour scheme. Installing a layer of SPORTEC® Team Cup-X flooring beneath the tiles provided extra protection for the concrete subfloor and will further reduce noise and vibrations, while TVS proprietary rubber ramped edges created a neat transition with adjacent gym areas.Stetching AreaTo offer comfort and durability for the club’s large stretching area, TVS Group installed its SPORTEC® MotionFlex product, a fine-grained polyurethane puzzle-mat. It is ideal for fitness applications involving floor-based movements and wellness activities. The interconnecting tiles are simple to install and neatly shaped to suit most flooring schemes while their elegant dark grey colour set the calming mood for this part of the gym.Athletics-Based Track AreaTVS Sports Carpet was selected for the track as it offers excellent grip underfoot, especially relevant for speed, agility and quickness drills. The durability of the surface also allows athletes to push or drag a sled, helping to further develop their muscular strength and endurance. The track was supplied in a cool, oceanic navy blue and white colour scheme.Main Gym AreaThe expected high usage of the main gym area meant the flooring had to be sufficiently resilient. To achieve this and to ensure a perfectly level flooring finish across the gym, TVS Group first laid a dense rubber shock pad over the concrete substrate. It was overlaid with a covering from the highly wear resistant SPORTEC® Purcolor range. A light grey finish was chosen to reflect the sophisticated look and feel of the club.The StudioIn the studio, where high intensity training will take place, TVS Group opted for a highly elastic shock-absorbing underlay overlaid with a wear-resistant performance layer called SPORTEC® Color. The combination will protect the concrete substrate below while offering a comfortable and safe surface above for those involved in a diverse range of training activities.Other Fitness AreasIn other areas of the gym TVS Group supplied and installed a variety of high performing acoustic underlays, helping reduce noise and vibrations caused by treadmill running and other high impact activities in the studios.

Location: Edgbaston, BirminghamMain Contractor: Winvic ConstructionNew Garden Square commenced in October 2021 and is scheduled to reach completion in June 2024. The project comprises three towers which reach to 9, 10 and 13 storeys.Public spaces in the New Garden Square neighbourhood include a new one-acre central park, along with a striking arrival pavilion building at the site’s gateway, and new shops, cafes and restaurants throughout the siteOBEX Score’N’Snap Cement Sheathing Board System was specified for this prestigious project, eliminating the need for dust control and drastically reducing the cost and time of installation.State-of-the-art Homes: 398Apartment Blocks: 3Storeys: 9,10 and 13

Riverside Housing Association has been a social landlord for over 80 years and has won the Social Landlord of the Year award twice in a row. With such experience and expertise behind them, they know a good roofing product when they see one.So when four 6-storey purpose built blocks of flats required rooftop refurbishments, Riverside decided to use Metrotile’s classic Bond profile, in Charcoal. Prior to the refurbishment, the buildings had a competitor’s Lightweight Steel Roofing System that had reached the end of its life. By replacing the profiles with a Metrotile System, Riverside know that the rooftops are guaranteed weatherproof for 40 years, beating our nearest competitor’s guarantee by a significant ten-year margin.

When W & M Given Architects was assigned the prestigious task of designing a new arts and literary centre in Bellaghy that celebrates the life and literature of the late Nobel laureate Seamus Heaney, the architect was determined to create a striking tribute that would do the memory of Seamus Heaney justice.The external works were just as important as the interior design and having worked with Tobermore on numerous projects over the years, W & M Given was confident that Tobermore would have an appropriate hard landscaping solution that would achieve the desired result. Tobermore did not disappoint and provided the architect with a combination of fabulous Fusion and sparkling Sienna Setts block paving with modern Mayfair Flags to create a striking, contemporary landscape design

The Riverside development in Rochdale includes two nine storey apartment blocks comprising a mix of 240 one- and two-bedroom properties for private rent. The Rochdale town centre Riverside regeneration project also includes a 147-bedroom hotel and 43,000 square feet of office space. The Fire regulations which apply to high-rise living accommodation meant that the kitchens in the apartments would require a fire suppression unit complete with sprinklers to be fitted. These units need to be installed and maintained by a specialist engineer and can also cause damage within a property should they be activated due to a fire.  Therefore, the Firechief Kitchen Stove Guard was chosen as an alternative, unobtrusive design-led fire prevention solution. 

BackgroundWith stunning southerly views across to the Isle of Wight and also westerley along the Solent to Hayling Island, Portsmouth and the Millenium Tower, Marineside, a development of three-storey properties at Bracklesham Bay, is a dream location for anyone to live.However, whilst a prominent beachfront location comes with spectacular sunsets and unrivalled tranquillity, it does leave buildings highly exposed and prone to weather damage.This was the case with the Marineside development which showed signs of high coastal corrosion and were in severe need of regeneration both aesthetically and internally to address thermal underperformance.K Systems teamed with CBG, Envirorend SE, and Harrington Design to complete the low-rise refurbishment project, with three main objectives:- Remediate problematic substrate- Improve thermal performance for the benefit of residents- Revitalise a tired and unattractive exteriorAs with all projects, K Systems began a detailed scope and specification process with full involvement from all parties, including deploying digital technology to provide an inspirational viewpoint for the client to understand what the refurbishment would look like at completion.Our ServiceFollowing extensive planning, K Systems brought the client’s vision to life and created a beautiful collection of revitalised waterside homes on the banks of Bracklesham Bay.The refurbishment of Marineside wasn’t a straightforward project and required comprehensive scoping to ensure optimal delivery and 100% satisfaction levels amongst current residents.Therefore, it is a notable triumph for K Systems to have delivered a successful project, within budget, without delay or compromise on quality, that not only met but exceeded the requirements and expectations of the client.Each structurally sound, aesthetically pleasing dwelling boasted excellent thermal performance properties, achieving a U-value of 0.30W/m²K, allowing residents to benefit from more thermally efficient homes and experience a reduction in energy consumption.K Systems in collaboration with CBG, Envirorend SE and Harrington Design delivered beautiful, clean, crisp, aesthetically attractive properties, each with a protective exterior finish which will provide resistance to the elements for years to come.Technical Project DetailsOnce the existing façade was removed it was clear that the block substrate had high level corrosion due to the harsh coastal environment it had endured since being built in the 1940s.Multiple areas of the three buildings had to be completely removed and replaced using a medium density block that achieved superior pull-out test results. This was a recommendation by K Systems which enforced confidence with not just the client but the homeowners too as the best way to ensure longevity of the buildings.The removal also revealed that the substrate was uneven and unsafe. K Systems identified that extensive dubbing out was also needed with these buildings. Dubbing out meant the insulation boards were installed line and level giving a crisp and professional finish.The Marineside buildings were solid block construction making them extremely inefficient and presented an expense to the homeowners during winter months due to insufficient thermal performance.Utilising its years of unparalleled expertise, K Systems specified the industry-proven Mineral Wool insulation system for the project to address the aged façade and significantly boost the thermal performance of the building.K Systems Mineral Wool insulation (a mat of rock fibres which prevents the movement of air) has an industry-leading ability to generate exceptional thermal performance. That made it the perfect choice for the Marineside refurbishment as it would combat the heating issues faced by residents whilst retaining the solid foundations of the existing building.Other technical benefits which made the K Systems 110mm Mineral Wool system the ideal specification for this refurbishment include:- its level of fire resistance and non-combustibility, ensuring the building met all safety regulations required for residential buildings in England- its excellent acoustic properties, ensuring coastal noise absorption further enhancing the peaceful and tranquillity of the area- its environmentally friendly composition as it is free from gases with ODP (ozone depletion properties) or GWP (global warming potential)Due to the coastal location and exposure to the elements, it was vital that this refurbishment guaranteed total water tightness. K Systems worked closely with the roof installers ensuring that the parapet details were correctly detailed making the system as a whole watertight.The exterior finish was just as important as the internal construction and detailing. The Bracklesham Bay area has a level of prestige and the aesthetics needed to reflect that. K Systems finished the Marineside complexes with a silicone thin coat render, which is extremely breathable and resistant to the elements, in shades Limestone White and Granite. This completely transformed the aesthetic of the residential blocks making them much more appealing to potential dwellers.Envirorend SE commented:“ We secured the refurbishment works at Marineside , for a good client and works started in January 2022. The scope of works was to make the 3 blocks more energy efficient. Situated directly on the beach, the location made the install very challenging as the weather was not very forgiving at that time of year. The existing substrate was all over the place so a lot of effort was put in to get the walls looking line and level while staying within the remit of the specification. Works were completed in July 2022 and to a very high standard for all to see. “

The range of Koster flooring systems were specified for use on this large warehouse project in Plymouth. The existing concrete slab and coatings were being effected badly from vapour drive and osmotic blistering so following full investigations by the Koster Technical team, the Koster VAP I 2000 was chosen as the primary form of protection thus preventing further vapour drive and outgassing. A fast application and setting material, this meant a short factory down time and a guaranteed solution.Please read the full case study. For more information or if you would like assistance on a similar project, please contact the Koster technical team at technical@kosteruk.com.

The ModernGlide MG100 Top Hung Movable Acoustic Wall provides seamless room dividing options and is ideal for dividing your interior space.Movable Walls Key Facts & Specifications:Acoustic reduction from 37dB to 58dBTop-hung with no floor trackFixing to beam or concrete soffitPanel widths of 650mm to 1250mmHeight up to 12000mmFull height or inset pass door optionsSemi-electric top and bottom seal optionsStacking via single and double point suspensionFinishes include melamine, laminate, veneer, magnetic wipe boardIntegral glazing options30 minute and 1 hour fire rating options

The ModernGlide MG100 Top Hung Acoustic Wall is ideal for large auditorium spaces and halls where room heights can be up to 12 mtrs high.Movable Walls Key Facts & Specifications:Acoustic reduction from 37dB to 58dBTop-hung with no floor trackFixing to beam on concrete soffitPanel widths of 650mm to 1250mmHeight up to 12000mmInset pass door optionsSemi-electric top and bottom seal optionsStacking via single and double point suspensionFinishes include melamine, laminate, veneer, magnetic wipe boardIntegral glazing options30 minute and 1 hour fire rating options

A floor preparation system from F. Ball has been used to install 2,700m2 of floorcoverings at Glasgow University Library. First, old linoleum floorcoverings were removed. Over this area, Stopgap F77 waterproof surface membrane was applied due to excessive relative humidity levels. Stopgap 1200 Pro smoothing underlayment was applied on concrete sections of the subfloor. An F. Ball primer was applied to a ramp constructed from plywood before Stopgap 700 smoothing underlayment was used to receive floorcoverings. In the entranceway, Styccobond F46 adhesive was selected to install vinyl sheets, with Styccobond F41 carpet tile tackifier used to install carpet tiles.

Stopgap 300 HD smoothing underlayment and Stopgap P131 primer have been used to create a ‘textbook perfect’ flooring finish at Amtico’s training academy. Firstly, ceramic tiles were removed from the existing concrete subfloor along with remaining adhesive. Next, Stopgap P131 primer was used to help promote adhesion. Stopgap 300 HD fast-drying, heavy-duty levelling compound was applied to create a smooth, durable base for the new floorcovering. Luxury vinyl tiles were installed using a vinyl adhesive. Finally, entryway matting was installed on one half of the prepared subfloor and carpet tiles were installed on the other half.

Crystal Palace Football Club play at the legendary Selhurst Park Stadium, based in London. Crystal Palace Football Club has created a brand new 900m² `Fan Zone` which is divided into various settings, including stages, a huge LCD screen, dining areas, shops and a football skills exhibition space. Buzon UK were specified to supply the components to achieve the high live load requirements, which included voids of up to 500mm. The DPH Pedestal system was used, along with the Alfresco Floors Ebema range of high impact concrete pavers. Other areas on pedestals include artificial turf lawns, stages, walkways and ramps.

Cambridge Central Mosque is Europe's first eco-friendly mosque and the first purpose-built mosque within the city of Cambridge. The mosque is well insulated and naturally ventilated, using efficient heat lights in the roof and solar panels on the top to help generate renewable energy.Cellecta XFLO Micro was specified by Marks Barfield Architects as its underfloor heating insulation boards were used to help create an efficient and environmentally friendly heating system. Cellecta ScreedBoard 20 was also specified for the overlay floorboard. It is suitable for all types of steel, concrete and timber floors.Warmafloor were awarded this 250m² contract to develop this eco-friendly structure.

Olympus House is a collection of one and two bedroom apartments, part of the award winning Old Railway Quarter that was a redevelopment on the site of the former Great Western Railway works. This location has multiple amenities on the doorstep such as shopping at the nearby outlet centre, restaurants, and landscaped gardens.Cellecta’s YELOfon HD10+ was specified due to the system being lightweight, easy to install, and delivers unrivalled acoustic performance when used to isolate a floating screed from a structural concrete floor. YELOfon HD10+ is an acclaimed resilient layer system that carries 3 proprietary Robust Details: E-FC-5, 17 & 18.Thomas Homes was awarded this 5,000m² contract for this development in West Swindon.

Victoria Square is a regeneration scheme that includes 35 new apartment homes, a “Livewell” health hub, pharmacy, Travelodge, bus interchange, café and restaurant overlooking a new public open space, and a twin-level car park. The 70 bed Travelodge will bring visitors and generate new jobs, while the bigger bus interchange will be able to provide services to meet the future needs of Braintree’s growing population.Cellecta’s YELOfon HD10+ was specified by AHR for this development as the system is lightweight, easy to install, and delivers unrivalled acoustic performance when used to isolate a floating screed from a structural concrete floor.Kier Group was awarded this 400m² contract to construct this regeneration scheme.

Berwick Green is a new planned development of 102, 2 bedroom flats and 156, 2, 3, and 4 bedroom houses seven miles north of the historic city of Bristol in Cribbs Causeway. This community provides the perfect blend of urban and coastal living with a wealth of amenities, including shops, restaurants, and schools.Cellecta’s YELOfon HD10+ was specified by Focus on Design due to its unrivalled acoustic performance in isolating a floating screed from a structural concrete floor. This product is lightweight, making it easy to install. YELOfon HD10+ is also delivered in rolls to ensure it’s easy to handle.Bellway Homes was awarded this 3,500m² contract for this Robust Detail Registered Site in South Gloucestershire.

Reaching depths of more than 30 metres beneath the streets of London, Crossrail Stations required unique solutions to ensure water tightness. GCP Applied Technologies, a leading supplier on some of the major stations including Canary Wharf, Whitechapel, Liverpool Street, Moorgate, Farringdon, Tottenham Court Road and Bond Street, reached into an extensive portfolio of high performing and easy to install Preprufe® waterproofing products to solve challenges presented by each station. Composed of durable HDPE, the Preprufe® waterproofing membrane adheres directly to concrete with Advanced Bond Technology™ to form an impermeable seal. Find out more from gcpat.com.

To help meet the client’s architectural ambitions and acoustic challenges, Rockfon acoustic ceilings were specified. In designing its new HQ DocuSign wanted to break down barriers and find new ways of working to empower employees. Open plenum ceilings, polished concrete floors and warm timber express the space’s raw, contemporary architecture. Crina Toderic – Henry J Lyons, “…a number of meeting rooms had one solid wall with the remaining three being glazed. It was agreed Rockfon® Mono® Acoustic be installed for its high sound absorption. Being completely seamless, the system allowed us to easily integrate with the rest of the interior aesthetic.”

RENOLIT ALKORPLAN scores high on Deltion College! CHALLENGE A sports field on top of the roof. A surprising and exceptional RENOLIT achievement that absolutely draws the attention… Deltion College in Zwolle (NL) really is an exceptional case. This college offers amongst others education courses to prepare for service in the Armed Forces - Navy, Army as well as the Air Forces. No doubt sports are an important part of life on the campus. Then came the inspiration to install an artificial grass sports field on top of the roof of the newly constructed multifunctional building. Space-saving and functional! The choice to specify RENOLIT ALKORPLAN as roofing material was a shrewd decision, as RENOLIT ALKORPLAN offers a solution not only for mechanically fixed roofs but also for ballasted roof systems… SOLUTION The highest rooftop, a steel frame construction, has been installed with a PES-reinforced mechanically fixed RENOLIT ALKORPLAN F roofing membrane. For the lower concrete roof – the sports field to be – a different product was required: RENOLIT ALKORPLAN L! A glass fleece reinforced membrane with an excellent resistance to microorganisms, specifically conceived for ballasted roofs. Before installing the insulation, a bituminous vapour barrier was placed on top of the concrete. Next came a first layer of 70 mm thick aluminium-faced PIR insulation, followed by a second layer of 100 mm thick unfaced polystyrene insulation. To avoid direct contact between the roofing membrane and the PS insulation a glass fleece separation layer was added. Afterwards the RENOLIT ALKORPLAN membrane was loose laid and hot air welded. In accordance with the RENOLIT installation instructions the seams were sealed with RENOLIT ALKORPLAN seam sealer. A little bit of effort for extra security! 

The remarkable 22 Bishopsgate Project stands as the second tallest building in the United Kingdom and Western Europe, showcasing its architectural prominence. On its 58th floor, an awe-inspiring viewing gallery offers breathtaking vistas. Perched even higher, on level 59, a discreetly hinted restaurant is poised to offer an unparalleled dining experience, with a renowned chef at the helm. Although the details remain a secret, the restaurant promises to be a highlight. Beyond its striking stature and exclusive amenities, the project's core objective revolved around enhancing the base build construction to optimize noise levels for the activities and events within the Viewing Gallery. Aiming to strike a balance, the project sought to both amplify the permissible noise levels for these events while curbing any potential noise breakthrough into adjacent spaces.In the dynamic context of 22 Bishopsgate, where concrete installation was unfeasible due to location and occupied lower floors, a visionary solution was sought. Over 1246m², the innovative Stravifloor Channel floating floor system was meticulously installed. In lieu of concrete, a bespoke approach utilizing high mass calcium sulphate boards was designed, ensuring both functionality and practicality. Addressing concerns about floor height, custom-designed bearings were engineered to maintain top-tier acoustic performance, with a mere 30 mm thickness.Despite a demanding timeline to unveil the viewing gallery, the project remained on track. Stravifloor Channel, with isolated steel battens, played a pivotal role. Galvanized steel channels provided robust support over isolation pads, while the optimized discrete supports allowed minimal contact points to the subfloor.

Berry Systems supplied and installed perimeter and ramp barriers for new multi-storey car park incorporating very thin  concrete decks.A revised design for the new Heathrow Terminal 2 multi-storey car park called for a floor depth of just 150mm comprising a 60mm deep slab with 90mm structural topping. However, and there’s always a however, a traditional rigid safety barrier post needs fixing with 4 bolts each to a depth of 170mm. Obviously these couldn’t be used,so contractors Laing O’Rourke turned to barrier specialists Berry Systems to provide a solution and appropriate perimeter barriers for the 6 decks and the spiral entrance and exit ramps.Over many years Berry Systems have developed a range of flexible spring steel barriers that ‘give’ on impact. This not only reduces damage to both the barrier and an impacting vehicle but crucially reduces the pull out loading on the anchorage by 50% or more. This in turn allows post fixing to be achieved by using only a single bolt embedded to a depth of merely 110mm - a depth achievable into the new slabs.The specification was completed with Berry Beam safety rails to provide a more attractive appearance than the well known “Armco” style. Post extensions provided mountings for a pedestrian handrail at 1100mm high with integral anti-climb mesh where needed.The thin slabs were developed by Bison Manufacturing and are the thinnest precast concrete planks produced to date in the UK. They led to many benefits which considerably reduced the construction programme. It also allowed 6 floors in the usual height of 5, increasing capacity to 1340 spaces. But perimeter protection would have proved problematical without the expertise of Berry Systems.

‘Autobarn’ is an unusual build comprising an elegant five-bay garage and accompanying workshop sitting within the grounds of a Grade-II listed 18th-century home in Somerset.Designed by Bindloss Dawes Architects, the brief was to create a garage with an adjoining workshop to house the client’s classic car collection. The finished result is an aesthetically beautiful building with its deceptively simple wooden barn-themed styling using agricultural materials such as concrete and recycled wood under a zinc roof. With surfaces comprising steel, timber and polished concrete floor, the architects incorporated Troldtekt acoustic panels to clad both the walls and ceilings between the steel frames for sound absorption and to combat the issue of reverberating noise.The added advantage of having services hidden behind the white panelling means the final result is a stunning simplistic and minimalist design allowing the classic cars to be the focus of attention and transforming the space into more of a gallery than a traditional garage.Troldtekt acoustic panels are available in a variety of different surfaces and colours and combine sound absorption with a tactile surface. With an expected life cycle of at least 50 years and resistance to humidity and impact, they are available in various sizes and four grades, from extreme fine to coarse. The panels can be left untreated or painted in almost any RAL colour. Depending on the panel specified, reaction to fire is classed in accordance with EN 13501 as B-s1,d0 or A2-s1,d0 respectively. Founded on the Cradle-to-Cradle design concept and having attained Gold certification, Troldtekt wood wool acoustic panels are manufactured using wood from certified forests (PEFC™ and FSC®C115450) and can contribute positively to a building’s BREEAM, DGNB or LEED points. 

Riverwalk features two organically shaped buildings of 7 and 17 storeys, connected by a central podium and incorporating 116 high specification one, two, three and four bedroom apartments, plus penthouses. The design focus is on light, space and service, as well as exceptional views across the River Thames. Extensive planting on roofs, balconies and terraces, most significantly on the first floor podium terrace, also contribute to a substantial improvement in the green footprint and biodiversity of the site.With such a high specification development it is not surprising to find that enormous consideration was given to the avoidance of the thermal bridging at the critical balcony connections; and the structural thermal break module specified throughout is the latest generation Schöck Isokorb® XT type K. The XT type K – for concrete-to-concrete applications – offers such a high level of insulation that the Passivhaus Institute in Darmstadt has awarded the product with the "low thermal bridge construction" certificate and confirmed its suitability even for passivhaus construction.A major reason for the superior performance of the Schöck Isokorb® XT type K is the thickness of the insulation body. This is increased from the standard 80mm thick to 120mm, providing an even more efficient solution. The Isokorb® XT type K not only improves thermal insulation performance by up to 30% in comparison to to the standard range, it also improves impact sound insulation by around 50% as well. High quality stainless steel bars with improved tensile strength is an integral part of the unit and while the same load-bearing capacity is maintained, there is a smaller rod diameter and therefore a reduction in the thermally conducting cross-section, resulting in a further increase in the heat insulation performance.

Rawson Carpet Solutions have been chosen to supply the Modern Artesian Building Studio Apartment blocks in Liverpool. The building sits in a bustling creative area of Liverpool in the heart of the Baltic Triangle.500 sqm of Rawson’s Dash carpet tiles have been installed by the flooring contractor Bogans. Rawson Dash Tile is a commercial durable, carpet tile with a dash linear pattern. The Carpet tiles provide a subtle but pleasing aesthetic to the floor complementing the bright wall colouring and imagery.Rawson Carpet Solutions is a long established UK Manufacturer offering a vast range of carpet sheet and tile solutions to suit any commercial or public space project, whether the criteria is durable and competitive or high end designer.