"concrete blocks"

Naylor supplied Hi-Spec and Fairfaced Lintels to the Hepworth Wakefield which has a gross floor area of 5,232m2 and 1600m2 of gallery space. The Hepworth Wakefield is the only gallery to open outside London in over 50 years. The Hepworth Wakefield houses a collection of sculptures by local born artist Barbara Hepworth alongside the works of other prominent artists. Wakefield Council began project development in 2003 with a RIBA international architecture competition that led to the selection of David Chipperfield as architect. Design development started in 2004 and construction began 3 years later.

Located between St. David's and Aberdour, the tanker terminal at Braefoot Bay is a base for the export of liquefied petroleum gas. The terminal consists of two jetties located on the north shore of Incholm Island. The gas is piped to the Mossmoran Plant in Fife direct from the North Sea, broken down to form ethane and then converted into ethylene, the basic hydrocarbon 'building block' of the petrochemical industry. The products are then piped the final three mile journey to the Braefoot Marine Terminal where they are fed into tankers and gas carriers for markets in Europe and the USA. The terminal is operated jointly by Shell Expro and Exxon.The jetty was suffering from increasing levels of deterioration of the reinforced concrete structure due to the relentless corrosive action of the marine salt environment on the reinforcing steel. A remedial plan was developed to carry out repairs and to introduce a cathodic protection (CP) system to greatly enhance the protection level and therefore extend the life of the structure. The plan was prepared by structural engineers from Shell, led by Hans Verheyde, and Balfour Beatty Construction Services UK (BBCS) was awarded the contract.Two major factors had to be accommodated within the repair programme. Firstly, the tidal flow that submerged the lower part of the jetty twice every 24 hours and secondly, the jetty is a fully live and very active transport hub and shipping schedules had to take precedence at all times. Round-the-clock flexible working maintained delivery of the twelve-month project.Saint-Gobain Weber's specialised repair concrete products were specified for the remedial actions on the Braefoot Bay jetty and technical application advice was provided for the active phase of the project. A suspended scaffold was designed and installed which allowed fast access when the tide ebbed so that productivity could be maintained. Traditional techniques were used to breakout the spalled and cracked concrete and to wash out the surface chlorides and clean the existing reinforcement steels.webercem five star repair concrete CP is a shrinkage-compensated, high strength, low resistivity, flowing repair concrete designed for use in conjunction with CP systems. This pre-blended cementitious concrete fully complies with the Highways Agency Specification Class 29F for high-strength flowing concrete for major structural repairs. It contains non-reactive aggregates with a low soluble-alkali cement content which is particularly important where CP is to be used. The rapid strength development and dimensional stability of webercem five star repair concrete CP – which reaches 27N/mm² in 24 hours – was especially valuable in the tidal conditions in Fife. Tight shuttering was used on the wide beam sections of the jetty to take the poured concrete which reached an integral bond with the original concrete. This process reformed the structural integrity using products with proven durability.An innovative CP system using Duogard® hybrid anodes from CPT was installed to protect the steel reinforcement with the anodes fixed into the soffits with a special CPT mortar. Where the CP installation required chases to carry the cabling, webercem HB40 high-build structural repair mortar was used to fill and seal the chases. webercem bondcoat, a polymer-modified, cementitious bonding aid and steel reinforcement primer, was first applied into the chases to ensure enhanced bonding. webercem HB40 is an acrylic-polymer modified, single component mortar and is lightweight with high build qualities. It can be applied in layers up to 75mm thick vertically, and 50mm on overhead soffits, and can be used without formwork. It was then applied onto the tacky webercem bondcoat primer and finished flush to the concrete surface.The Braefoot Bay terminal project has been completed successfully and Dewi Miller, contracts manager, BBCS, is confident that the jetty protection will extend the working life of the structure. "The products we have used are excellent and the application methods have enabled us to deliver a high degree of protection and reinstatement to the concrete structure. Working on a live site in a tidal zone has required a flexible work schedule but the whole project has worked exactly to plan and the client is very pleased with the result. The Weber materials have been the key to achieving this success."

Soundis supplied 3,265m2 of a shallow floating floor treatment, laid over an existing concrete structural deck, at Channelsea House in Stratford for City Square.The areas included the Ground, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th Floors. Channelsea House is a former office block being converted to residential apartments, with a one bedroom flat being valued at the half a million pound mark. Located in Stratford, 1.3 miles away from the Olympic Stadium, Channelsea House is in a prime location for high quality accommodation.Soundis were required to provide a high specification shallow acoustic solution to achieve compliance with ‘Impact’ performance criteria when tested on site. The specification implemented by the Architect was 26mm Timber Floor Overlay Board, which was chosen to minimise construction height and to comply with Approved Document E Building Regulations.

Whites Pre-cast concrete panels were used in an unusual project to carry out the ‘re- meandering’ of a historically straightened section of Swindale Beck in the Lake District. Whites Concrete supplied its precast Rockwall and Groundwall panels so that Coffey Construction could quickly and efficiently form a new Coanda screen, fish pass walls and a Crump Weir to Swindale Beck, which is an upstream sub-catchment of Cumbria’s River Eden.

The legacy PVC-U windows, doors and curtain walling at 15 high and low-rise blocks owned by Bristol City Council at Eastville, Easton, Clifton, Redcliffe, Shirehampton and Ashton Gate needed to be replaced to improve thermal efficiency, security and aesthetics. An experienced company was required to carry out the complex, high profile, multi-phase works required. The contract was awarded to longstanding Profile 22 Approved Window Manufacturer Emplas. The Optima 70mm fully reversible window system provides high security locking, child resistant safety catches and achieves a weather performance of 2400pa for wind, 1500pa for water and 600pa for air.

Falkener House is a 17 storey, residential apartment block located near Coventry city centre. It was originally constructed in 1968 to provide council accommodation.New regulations stipulate that buildings of over 18 metres in height must be fire resistant and classify to A2-s1, d0. KEIM Paints are the only paint manufacturer, to date, that meet this classification.Leicester based Elhance Limited, who specialise in cladding and roofing installation and repair, contacted KEIM to provide a fire resistant paint coating. Bryan Roe, Senior Sales Executive of KEIM Mineral Paints, visited site and produced a comprehensive specification. His findings included moss and green growth over the previously painted concrete, particularly on the south elevation and corners. A power spray was recommended to thoroughly clean the surfaces as part of the pre-paint preparation.Upon cleaning, it was found that the previous paintwork was in good condition. KEIM Soldalit-ME was specified due to its A2-s1, d0 fire classification. Soldalit-ME is a durable exterior paint that has the added benefit of breaking down organic material and contaminants, which will keep the surfaces cleaners for longer.The facades will not require decoration for another 10-15 years, if not more.A further two tower blocks, also situated in Coventry, have been commissioned to be painted using KEIM Soldalit-ME again due to its fire resistant and durable benefits

One project with a challenging variety of balconies is Hendon Waterside in North West London, a mixed tenure housing development.  Situated alongside the Brent Reservoir, (known locally as the Welsh Harp, after a public house which used to stand nearby), the scheme involves the regeneration of a 1960s housing estate being built in six phases and scheduled for completion in 2027.  The masterplan will deliver around 2100 new homes consisting of social, affordable and private housing.  These are being constructed in twenty-three blocks, varying in height from three to twenty-three storeys – along with an imposing tower building of twenty-eight storeys. The construction of the many balconies involved vary in their design demands and to ensure the risk of thermal bridging is minimised, Schöck has supplied over thirteen different product variants. The products used here are for concrete-to-concrete and provide optimum solutions through the use of varying tension bar arrangements.  For example one type provides cantilever balcony connections and transfers both negative moments and positive shear forces. Another is a load-bearing thermal break element for transferring shear forces on supported balconies, recessed balconies and for occasional peak shear forces. Others transfer positive shear forces with point support, or transfer positive shear forces with point support and zero stress connection.

This Norwegian property company's headquarters in a chic and contemporary office space. The circulation areas feature Milliken's bold Three Corners design from the Clerkenwell collection in shades of cream and brown. Tracing Landscape' Field Study SDN design is installed in the meeting spaces in deep, dark tones of Secret Caves. Both carpet products offer exceptional acoustic performance keeping this workplace calm and quiet. For the kitchen and bathroom areas Polished Concrete LVT provides a practical flooring solution with a raw urban feel.

Project detailsAfter 30 years of manufacturing, a tumbler room floor at Alinabal Inc.’s facility had begun to seriously deteriorate. The company uses a heavy duty soap to wash and deburr steel parts in their industrial tumblers, then pours the liquid out onto the flooring beneath and rinses it into a trough.Over time, harsh chemicals in the soap began to eat away at the floor. Even to the point that they had begun to expose the aggregate in the concrete! Worried about continued water leakage as well as further contamination to the floor, Alinabal Inc. began to look for a solution.Alinabal Inc. knew that this project would require a unique product, as they were looking for something that would achieve minimal downtime during the repair. They were also in need of a product that would be able to withstand wet conditions regularly, since this area was still to be used for washing and deburring steel parts in the future.In addition to these qualities, Alinabal Inc. wished to use a self-levelling product with minimal floor prep. Having used our products in the past, Alinabal Inc. again turned to our expert sales team for suggestions.Our solutionAlinabal Inc. asked our technical advisors what the best product for the job was. They were recommended and used Flowtop®.Flowtop® is ready for foot traffic in 6 hours. In this case, it drastically cut the downtime during repairs with its quick curing properties, and because it is 3 times stronger than standard concrete, it is also able to withstand the rinsing process that the floor would be subject to post repair.The self-levelling characteristics of Flowtop® were just what Alinabal Inc. was looking for, and as a bonus, it created a slip resistant finish for enhanced employee safety!Through the use of Flowtop®, Alinabal, Inc. was able to obtain a newly finished floor, and return to daily operations in a timely fashion. Employees could again efficiently squeegee water into the disposal trough, and the floor itself was no longer in danger of contamination from

420 stair nosings measured and supplied to a job for N&S Flooring on behalf of Bristol City Council.

Sevenoaks School’s Science & Technology Centre, designed by Tim Ronalds Architects, brings together a diverse set of disciplines and “puts learning, education and experimentation on display”. Daylit and naturally ventilated throughout, the £23m development has a robust interior of expressive structure, evident construction and natural materials, yet feels highly transparent, with views to the landscape and beyond.

School hygiene roomThe height adjustment of the basin, toilet and shower seat is all electrically powered making it quick, easy & effortless.The room can be configured to suit multiple and individual childrens' height requirements, which will inevitably change as they grow.Working heights for different carers can be optimised.The powered toilet and shower seat also act as ‘motorised lifting aids’ helping to protect carers' backs during assisted transfers, whilst enabling the more independent children to self-transfer independently.

DUCO contributes with sun protection to the £78m project for The University of Manchester. The architectural sun control DucoSun Ellips 200 mm, supplied by Contrasol, was chosen for the Fallowfield campus. The solar shading is so much more than decoration.About the Fallowfield CampusThe Fallowfield is a student accommodation with 8 multi-storey blocks including a Warden’s flat and Energy Centre, amenity hub, landscaping and external works. Each residence will have 10 bedrooms per floor with ensuite bathroom pods and a shared kitchen. 1,122 student rooms are spread over the blocks with a combined floor area of 32,020m2. The Fallowfield Campus is the main residential campus of the University of Manchester. It’s a vibrant place where thousands of students live alongside residents – creating e a real sense of community. The mix of shops, cafes, bars and a frequent bus service to and from the city centre makes it an ideal location to live.Construction detailsThe blocks are constructed using pre-fabricated lightweight steel framing system panels which provide structure to the building when used along with composite concrete floors. External materials are predominantly buff brickwork with feature elevations picked out in charcoal fibre cement slate roofing and cladding. Study bedrooms incorporate built-in storage and furnishings and a high specification pre-fabricated GRP en-suite shower pod.  Solar shading is much more than decorationThe vertical solar shading system DucoSun Ellips was chosen for this project and supplied by Contrasol. This solar shading system, in which a blade with of 200 mm was chosen, guarantees not only maximum daylight, thanks to the optimal inclination angle and number of louvre blades. At the same time, DucoSun Ellips 200 ensures that the sun’s rays do not get a chance to heat up the Fallowfield interior spaces directly. The vertically installed solar shading system offers maximum privacy while maintaining the view outside.

Horizons is one of the most recent additions to the skyline on the north bank of the Thames and offers 190 private apartments with stunning views from their substantial private terraces. Two luxury residential developments housed in connected blocks.One of the architectural challenges was to maximise the spectacular panorama and at the same time conserve the local heritage around. The considerable number of balconies involved throughout the development also demanded the minimisation of any possible structural or thermal bridging problems. The Schöck Isokorb® T structural thermal break comfortably met the specification and as the project involved precast balconies, specialists Marble Mosaic had a big part to play as well.The joint MD Dennis Vittle: “This particular project required the balcony units to be not only integral with the main structure, but also insulated and fire-stopped from it. The Schöck Isokorb® T type K was the natural solution. There was a requirement for 345 individual precast balconies throughout the two blocks and the project posed a number of new challenges to MMC’s and the Schöck design team. As well as standard insulated balcony to slab connections there were also a number of downstand and upstand connections required. Also the precast columns were supported off the balcony slab at one end only, so there was a heavy eccentric shear load transfer. The agreed design called for the use of a combination of Schöck Isokorb® T types K and Q to ensure structural integrity with the frame, whilst avoiding any clashes with the concrete frame reinforcement”.

Aylesbury Estate, in South London, has become one of the most significant urban renewal projects in London. There is a new public square at the heart of the regeneration, featuring two separate blocks, from four to fifteen storeys which provide a Community Facility, Public Library, Community Health Care facility and an Early Years Centre.  The sustainability strategy in place for Aylesbury Square is to ‘create a place which meets or exceeds the highest quality standards for a development in London’ – and as the wall connection to the floor or floor slab can be a serious source of linear thermal bridges – the inclusion of the dedicated new Sconnex® type W is a critical addition to the design detailing.  Around 40% of all thermal bridges in a building are caused by walls and supports, resulting in some 10% of heating energy losses. With reinforced concrete construction, minimising linear thermal bridges in these areas has undoubtedly been a perennial problem.  However, the unique new Sconnex® type W offers outstanding insulation performance, combined with an exceptional load-bearing capacity which transmits very high pressure, tensile and shear forces in the longitudinal and transverse direction.  This is made possible by the use of a pressure buffer consisting of ultra-high performance fibre reinforced concrete, which achieves compressive strength in excess of 175 N/mm2 – but with extremely good flexural strength as well.  There is also a significant cost reduction involved when compared to installing insulation beneath the floor slab.

In this stunning building conversion, Milliken's Comfortable Concrete 2.0 'paves' the corridors (Laid Bare) and adds a beautiful dusting of colour (Urban Poetry)to the meeting rooms. In the acoustic booths, Lightbox provides a pops of vibrant, dynamic colour and acoustic performance. Milliken's LVT in the natural wood aesthetic of Open-Shut and mineral effect of Earth Science deliver practical slip resistance and FlexForm Sound™ acoustic performance.

Zaun was contracted to supply high security and anti-protestor fencing for leading fracking companies to protect their sites from trespass or intrusion by protesters.This case study investigates the fundamental role of temporary high-security fencing in protecting sites from protesters.Why was it important to protect the site?Fracking is a subject that often dominates the news and can generate heightened emotions. In addition, fracking regularly attracts protesters, resulting in the crucial necessity for site protection, such as high-security fencing.Protesters could pose a significant danger to the site's running and risk their own health if they could get onto the site.What Fencing Was Selected?Zaun installed two types of high-security temporary fencing systems to protect the site. One of these fencing systems was MultiFence temporary security fencing. Multifence is durable and mobile. In addition, concrete blocks are utilised for mounting the fencing, which can be a viable space-saving option and extremely secure and robust.The second temporary security fencing used at the fracking site was RDS Original, Zaun’s Rapid Deploy Fencing system. Why Were They Selected?Zaun’s Multifence system and RDS system are high-security solutions to temporary fencing needs. Both robust, strong and durable, they have extensive intrinsic security features that deliver the highest level of protection.Both systems have been mob tested, which means they can withstand considerable force from crowds. Thus, they are ideally suited for this purpose. Due to a lack of footholds, protesters cannot climb or scale the fence. This offers dual protection because not only does it prevent protesters from intruding onto the site, but it also significantly reduces the risk of injury to the protesters too.The Multifence and RDS systems have the potential for hostile vehicle mitigation security upgrades to the fencing if necessary. This can be crucial if there is the possibility of hostile vehicles attacking the site.As no ground penetration is necessary for installing either the Multifence or RDS, this protects the environment around the site’s perimeter. It also maintains the integrity of the site ground. They are also easily movable and redeployed over multiple sites.

Lorton Park development has been designed and built with energy and water conservation in mind. With a particular importance placed on the selection and quality of the materials used, Catnic’s innovative TBL was specified for all 46 luxury properties.BRE certified, the Catnic TBL range delivers industry leading linear thermal transmittance Psi values of 0.02 to 0.05 W/mK and safe working loads in line with Catnic’s existing Cavity wall lintels.Chris Watts, Sales Manager at Jewson, worked with Mr Hidari on the product specification,“After comparing different lintels on the market it became clear that Catnic TBL’s were best suited to the specific project requirements.“Due to the medium density concrete blocks being used onsite, AKI Ltd needed a product that could meet its thermal performance requirements and easily achieve the build’s load requirements – the composite design of the TBL made it the perfect choice.”The specifically designed flat top of Catnic’s Thermally Broken Lintel provides a simple, consistent junction with the cavity wall insulation. This removes the reliance on site workmanship, reducing the risk of a ‘performance gap’. There are also no brackets connecting the inner and outer leaf of the lintel and therefore there are no additional point thermal bridges that need to be considered.The large scale development project also benefited from Catnic Lintel Advance Scheduling System (CLASS). Through the fully comprehensive scheduling service, Catnic’s expert team created a concise document which detailed lintel descriptions, price, delivery time and a guaranteed structural accuracy.“This has been a huge, complex project and we needed a product that could deliver on the specific structural and thermal requirements,” commented Mr Hidari. “As the only lintel on the market with a complete thermal break, it seemed like the ideal product. I was particularly impressed by the Catnic team who provided us with a full design and specification for the entire development.”For further information on Catnic’s Thermally Broken Lintel range, please visit https://catnic.com/products/lintels/thermally-broken-lintels/overview

A straightforward hardwearing concrete seal was required at the entrance which would withstand heavy footfall and provide a safe finish. Resuseal WB Clear is a water-based epoxy applied at around 40 microns per coat. This is formulated to penetrate and case harden a concrete surface giving it a much harder wearing surface which is less likely to crumble or degrade. As a clear coat the finish is a semi industrial type look which is often used in retail outlets and commercial buildings. This product is used throughout industry where the principal requirement is to dustproof a surface.

Brett Landscaping played a key role in the completion of Crystal Palace’s new £20m academy and training ground when they were able to offer the best product with the shortest lead time. The leading independent concrete paving manufacturer was selected to provide more than 1,300 square metres of the new high performance Invicta block paving at the Premier League club’s new complex in Beckenham. Architects KSS worked very closely with the Crystal Palace chairman and senior management in selecting premium products for the exterior at the prestigious site -and Brett’s Invicta Pearl and Invicta Onyx met the high standards of everyone at the club. The club and architect required a high-end product, with the flexibility of large plank sizes for larger areas, but that would match up and blend with a more striking pattern in a diamond configuration for the entrance into the academy building itself. Brett was able to provide all of these elements with readily available, high-end aesthetics with multiple sizes and colours which allowed flexible and varied design

A bespoke Gatic CastSlot system was installed as part of the redevelopment of the riverside stand for Craven Cottage, home to Fulham FC. The project, which began in July 2021, incorporates Gatic CastSlot Treadsafe, which was chosen to drain away any excess surface water from the seating/standing areas along the deck of the stand. It was installed by main contractors Buckingham Group.The unobtrusive profile of CastSlot sits neatly within concrete, asphalt, and block surface finishes and features an electro painted ductile iron throat section. This is securely fixed to the galvanised steel channel body to provide an exceptionally robust yet discreet drainage system.The treadsafe option was chosen for this project. Treadsafe is available for areas where there is regular foot traffic and is available with a 10mm or 30mm opening—ideal for stadium standing and seating areas.Bespoke access boxes were also created for the new stand, and channel throat depths were also extended for level changes, allowing a constant invert within the channel.

Large scale Aquacrete lining installation to an underground swimming pool in a private house in London.120m2 of Aquacrete cement and quartz waterproof lining in Misty White colour was hand applied and then polished over existing mosaic tiles.

High quality new build development project of balconies and terracesThis prestige development in the historic heritage location of London Dock is a stone’s throw from the iconic St Katharine Docks with its lively community packed with places to eat and relax and beautiful moored yachts. Within easy walking distance to many of London’s signature landmarks, including St Pauls Cathedral, Tower Bridge, The Tower of London, The Shard and Borough Market this beautiful development is proving to be a high demand for those that love the city lifestyle whilst still retaining the ability to “step back” for a while.The development has extensive apartment terraces as well as balconies which give amazing views of the London skyline and have been superbly decked by the AYM team.

As part of the refit, the building required a new roof as it was showing signs of wear and had started to leak. As well as a waterproofing solution, the client wanted to improve the thermal performance in line with current building regulations. For health and safety reasons, the client also requested a flame free roofing solution.

DescriptionSoldi Investments completed the new Lidl store in Chichester, West Hampnett Road.  Soldi Investments machine applied the LIDL External Render System onto Poroton blocks externally using as Base Coat: Bauprotec 850 M – Lightweight Lime Cement Render and as Finish Coat; Mineral Finish Coat K. As Key Coat: Change of substrate concrete/steel pillar/Poroton block or mass concrete and insulated plinths: Bauprotec RHS Multi-Purpose Render with the addition of Bauprotec SLP for plinths.For the internal Poroton walls Smet One Coat Projection Plaster was used at a thickness of 15mm. One Coat Projection Plaster Hard Coat is a factory-produced hard coat One Coat Gypsum Plaster designed for machine application produced to EN 13279-1. It is manufactured from a controlled blend of selected gypsum and other components to give a high-quality, high-strength plastering product that is suitable for use in internal plastering.The LIDL render spec, available from SMET consists of:Bauprotec 850 M is a factory-produced Lightweight Lime Cement Render, specially designed for machine or hand application produced to EN 998-1: 2010 and is CE Marked.Bauprotec RHS is a CE Marked, factory-produced highly polymer-modified render specially designed for hand and machine application produced to EN 998-1: 2010.Mineral Finish Coat – K is a CE marked, factory-produced, mineral-based, high-quality finish-coat render, specially designed for hand and machine application to EN 998-1, 2010.Bauprotec SLP is a CE Marked, factory-produced Lightweight Sand & Cement Render specially designed for hand and machine application produced to EN 998-1: 2010.The special render properties; lightweight, low thermal conductivity, high yield, and Smet Supported Partner superior technical backup, are key factors in choosing SMET.SMET is committed to delivering consistently superior quality, German-made Render Systems to Lidl Plastering and rendering/plastering contractors across the UK and ROI.  If you’d like to speak to us about your Lidl job – contact SMET. All LIDL spec SMET Render System products are available directly from Smet Building Products Ltd, which ensures the contractor has a superior level of technical backup in the machine application of the LIDL specification.

Just a stone’s throw from Baden-Baden’s famous festival hall, a trendy and exclusive hotel has opened its doors in the name of Hotel Roomers. The hotel’s rooftop bar is a stand-out feature. Its lightweight steel canopy connects to the main concrete structure with Schöck Isokorb® type KS elements to minimize thermal bridging in the construction. And when it comes to getting a good night’s sleep, the stairwells are fitted with Schöck Tronsole® to stop impact sound transmissions and ensure a restful stay. The building itself is a hotel, medical centre and apartment block all in one, and its radiant white facade complete with full-height windows creates a striking effect. But the real highlight is how the facade changes its appearance depending on the guests decision to shut out the light in their rooms using the integrated window shading systems. It is not just the facade design that makes this hotel so special, but also its energy concept, which is testament to its ambitious efficiency targets. A crucial component of this concept involved minimising thermal bridges, which were a concern in the hotel’s landmark cantilevered entrance canopy. Without the Schöck Isokorb® type KS elements, it would have been difficult – if not impossible – to build the cantilevered element so efficiently and to decouple the structurally challenging thermal bridge at the point of connection between the freely cantilevered steel girders and the reinforced concrete slabs. All stairwells within the hotel feature the Schöck Tronsole®, which allow it to live up to the high expectations of the investors and building owner Franz Bernhard Wagner in terms of both energy-saving aspects and – of course – sound proofing.

Kidwells Estate, on the outskirts of Maidenhead in Berkshire, is undergoing major regeneration involving seven new blocks, which are part timber clad and vary from three to six storeys of structural concrete frame. Long cantilever walkways that service multiple flats are a feature of the new development and the unusual design demands of the walkways presented a technical challenge.The solution required a relatively unusual combination of products and Schöck resolved the various issues by designing in its Isokorb® T type HP. It is a product utilised only if horizontal, tension and compression forces are present in the design and additionally it is necessary to integrate the Schöck Isokorb® T types Q-P as well, for linear or point connection to support high shear loads. Schöck Dorn type SLD Q50 heavy duty stainless steel dowels were also incorporated to enable the transfer of vertical shear forces and allow two directional lateral movements at the expansion joints. The result was a completely secure thermally insulated load-bearing connection at all of the restricted, but key structural points.

Designed by Shawn Hausman Design this hotel features a retro interior style which some may call kitschy or ‘hippie’ style. But there’s no doubt that this hotel is unlike any other, bursting at the seams with bright, vibrant colours and minimalist furniture and décor reflecting a somewhat 70’s glam style. While the interior might not be everyone’s cup of tea, the exterior is quite a sight to behold. With its brutalist-style architecture, it draws on the curved windows that cover the building as the main focus of the design. Originally built in 1974 as an office block and public library Orms were responsible for retaining this stark exterior. The hotel was heightened by a glass extension across the top of the building that holds a restaurant and club.Perhaps the coolest feature of the hotel, the red pill lift. A single external red pod, contrasting vividly with the plain white concrete frame, that transports its guests to all the 266 rooms and the rooftop bars.Selo provided simple, sleek riser doors that fit in perfectly with this modern look, and allow the eye to be drawn to the more important design features of the interior.

Valentines house, an 11,000m2 building in Ilford. Originally a commercial office block, it’s position adjacent to both Crossrail and TFL red routes meant it was a prime candidate for conversion to desirable one and two bedroom apartments.The refurbishment works consisted of extending 4 stories including structural strengthening and new envelope to incorporate full fit-out of 122 residential units and 3 retail areas.As part of the conversion, main contractor John Paul Construction, required the expert installation of around 10,000 m2 of acoustic flooring to achieve Approved Document E Building regulations. As part of the acoustic flooring package, Soundis value engineering option of Soundis 10mm Acoustic Cradles, Base Pads, Riser Stackers and 18mm P5 T&G chipboard was selected. Our Cradle and Risers are manufactured from 100% recycled materials assisting to the sustainability targets of projects. An acoustic cradle and batten system was chosen, to level out floor imperfections and to minimise impact noise from passing footfall. Airborne wasn’t so much of a concern in this build due to the high mass concrete subfloor.

Novel Grasscrete installation within an area of the zoo subject to point loads and rare bread traffic

Novel Grasscrete installation within an area of the zoo subject to point loads and rare bread traffic

Grasscrete not only armored the spillway but on completion blended into the park surroundings.

QUOTED AS THEIR LARGEST CONSTRUCTION PROJECT WORLDWIDE, PROJECT DOVE IS NESTLE'S £200 MILLION COFFEE PRODUCTION FACTORY IN TUTBURY, STAFFS. The production factility will see all Nestle's Coffee Production produced from one site. Hailed by David Cameron as “brilliant news for UK manufacturing and for the local community” it is also brilliant news for Naylor Lintels. We are proud to have supplied hundreds of our Hi Spec, Fair Faced and Fire lintels to this production facility through Caxton Builders, who are sub contracting to John Sisk Ltd and all supplied by Dunpark Civils and Lintels, Bilston.

The recently refurbished reception of 25 Copthall Avenue by QOB Interiors and John Robertson Architects for developer Helix, includes new floor to ceiling glass, contemporary signage, virtual daylight luminaries and a stunning 120m2 curved Armourcoat 'KonCrete' polished plaster wall to create a striking entrance.The hand-applied polished plaster wall leads through into the transformed reception area, with a design feature that incorporates a custom stencil of the office address. The full height atrium floods light into the heart of the building creating a bright, spacious environment with a business lounge and in-house café.Armourcoat ‘KonCrete’ is an urban range of polished plaster colours and finishes designed for contemporary projects. The range offers a wealth of design options to achieve a distinctive modern look, including distressed effects or recessed ‘shutter’ markings. Photography: © Photobanks

Located in Tower Hamlets, Gayton House and Sleaford House are managed by housing association Poplar HARCA. Following amendments to Building Regulations, which banned the use of combustible materials in external walls of high-rise buildings above 18m, StoTherm Mineral K was specified to replace the existing EWI system.BBA-certified, StoTherm Mineral K comprises mineral fibre insulation boards and the system is classified with an A2-s1, d0 reaction to fire in accordance with BS EN 13501-1.Working on behalf of Westminster Building Company, Square 1 Architectural Solutions was responsible for removing the existing EWI and installing the StoTherm Mineral K system onto four elevations on each 23-storey block. The non-combustible mineral fibre insulation boards were secured to the existing concrete substrate using adhesive and mechanical fixings, and without the need for additional expansion joints.A StoLevell Duo Plus reinforcing coat embedded with Sto-Glass Fibre Mesh was then applied to the face of the insulation boards. This was followed by the application of 1.5mm stippled StoSilco, a silicone resin render that provides high levels of water repellence to protect the walls from weathering.

At this new-build shopping centre in Shepherd's Bush, West London, the new underground car park was experiencing high levels of water ingress through two movement joints that had failed. Newton Specialist Contractor ASF Waterproofing, who are specialists in injection resins and structural repair work, was therefore called in order to provide a quick solution and fix the leaking joints.Following an initial investigation, the technical team from ASF decided to use the 5-part acrylic rubber sealing resin Newton 324-SR to seal the joint, as it reacts to form a very durable and flexible seal that exhibits exceptional adhesion, making it ideal for movement joints.ASF began by drilling holes at angle into the concrete, and at regular intervals for the 10mm injection packers above the joints. The injection packers were then fitted to each hole, and foam backing rod was used to temporarily block the joint and prevent uncured resin from escaping as it is injected.The five components of the PC 509 Rubber Acryl are mixed to make two solutions, whilst the curing time of the resin can also be adjusted by changing the quantity of initiator used. The resin was then injected through the packers and into the joint using a three-component stainless steel pump.Finally, once the resin was cured and the joints were effectively sealed, ASF ground back the surface of the concrete to either side of the joints and applied Newton 106 FlexProof, a flexible liquid waterproofing material, to provide a final protective seal and finish the job.With two leaking movement joints in a finished structure, the client required a swift resolution to get the area back into use quickly. With the benefit of Newton’s advanced resin and waterproofing products, ASF got to site and delivered the sealed joints within the client’s tight timeframe.