"concrete framed systems"

This Edwardian office building in a London west end conservation area has undergone a remarkable transformation, re-emerging as luxury apartments. The project, led by architects De Metz Forbes Knight, redesigned and updated the stone-fronted property on the corner of Great Portland Street and Langham Street, which boasts high windows and fine London. We were appointed to design, supply and install 71 heritage casement windows which would reflect the original styling yet provide modern thermal containment. We created the windows using Slimlite double glazed units with larch frames, and also applied EPDM sealant to further contribute to energy efficiency.

Crimple is a family owned business in North Yorkshire, offering various indulgences. From artisan produce in the Food Hall, locally-sourced meals in the Bar & Kitchen, plants and shrubs in the Garden Centre, to a present in their gift shop, Crimple has it all.  In early 2021, Wirquin assisted in a refurbishment providing our Initio frames.The large front panel means there is easy access for maintenance should any repairs need to be made. This feature mmakes it perfect for hospitality as there is very little disruption and repairs can be carried out easily and quickly. The Initio also boasts a durable metallic structure which is coated in a anti corrosion solution and tested up to 400kg. 

Clement was thrilled to be asked to manufacture the new steel windows and doors for this spectacular Arts and Crafts style house in the Hampstead Garden Suburb. The new leaded Brooking windows and W20 steel doors, look just like the originals – perhaps even better! Hampstead handles were chosen for the windows and Kensington handles for the doors. They were all polyester powder painted in RAL 9005 Jet Black to match the frames. Our client is really pleased with the end result and said:“We placed a large order with Clement of double glazed leaded doors and windows. From start to finish we received a first-class service and the product quality and finish is superb.” 

A prestigious refurbishment contract in Manchester illustrates the appeal of Crittall Steel windows across different sectors. The Redfern building dates from 1936 when it was built for the Co-Operative Wholesale Society. Contractor Russells has upgraded the 60,000sq ft, six storey, brick-clad building originally designed by WA Johnson and JW Cropper and described as being in the Dutch brick modernism style. Crittall W20 windows were specified to replace the original steel fenestration, the new windows boasting frames even more slender than what had been, installed originally, thereby allowing more daylight to enter the offices and new retail units.

Bath Abbey sits at the heart of the historic city of Bathwhere there has been a place of Christian worship onthe site for more than 1,300 years. The Bath AbbeyFootprint Project sought to ensure the 17th CenturyGrade I listed building remained a focal point forgenerations to come. The project aimed to sensitivelyrenovate parts of the Abbey whilst modernising itsfacilities to cater for present-day demands in a buildingwhose origins date back to 1499.Allgood worked with Feilden Clegg Bradley Studiosand Emery Bros Ltd to provide a complete packageof ironmongery and a comprehensive access controlsolution. The project required many bespoke items toaccommodate the Abbey’s historic architecture.Given the age of the building, there were particularchallenges to overcome during the specificationprocess. A highlight being how to bring a 400-yearoldlock back into working order as part of a modernaccess control system. The lock on the main doors of theAbbey had not been used in decades and the key hadbeen lost many years ago. Allgood delivered the lockto its specialist partner, Guardian Lock & EngineeringCompany, who called upon the services of one of theirretired locksmiths to diligently disassemble the lock,repair, and service it before crafting a new key.Another particular specification issue was improvingaccess control for the ancient catacombs which neededconstant airflow to maintain the right environmentalconditions, but they also needed to be secure.Allgood worked with the architect on several optionsto balance these needs in a way sensitive to the 17th Century surroundings. The solution was a door designedto have a clear gap on either side for airflow but narrowenough to maintain security. Allgood Secure also revisedthe internal exit and a second card reader was fitted toboost security, allowing a read in, read out system to givefull visibility of people arriving and departing. To completethe work, a specifically designed stainless-steel cover was fitted to house the electronic locking system.Alex Morris, Associate at Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios,commented: “From early stages in the project, wehave been very pleased to work with the Allgood teamon the ironmongery and access control for the BathAbbey Footprint project. We have benefitted fromtheir expert advice and extensive range of high-qualityproducts, needed to deal with the wide range of projectrequirements.”The Mode 3570 lever handle in a bronze Spectra finishwas specified throughout the Abbey, as well as a fullsuite of matching door furniture. This fully coordinatedrange not only provided the desired aesthetic but is alsodesigned to last. The comprehensive 25-year warrantyand Quadaxial rose, which is tested up to one millioncycles, means the lever handles are perfect for the highfoot traffic the Abbey receives. Allgood Secure also completed an access control systemfor the Abbey. Because many of the doors and frameswere protected by Historic England listing requirements,the team had to develop a sensitive yet functionalsolution. All visible products had the same Spectra bronzefinish to match the ironmongery, as well as installing entrycontrols for much narrower doors than usual.A video entry system was also required - but one thatcould function without disturbing events in the Abbeyincluding the regular choir practices. Rather than anaudio alarm, the team created a visual beacon using a25mm LED fixed to the choir room wall, allowing for anunintrusive system that would draw attention but notdisrupt any rehearsals.The entire access control system is networked sothat each door can be monitored, and access rightsmanaged easily via a simple database. The AllgoodSecure team has provided full training to all thosewho need it and have offered a package of ongoingmaintenance and support for the Abbey.

Colindale Gardens is a unique mixed-use development in the heart of north west London. Commissioned by Redrow, the full development will bring over 2,900 new homes along with cafes, restaurants and retail facilities to the local community.Project BreakdownDesigned in a collaboration between Broadway Malyan, Fielden Clegg Bradley Studios and Fourpoint Architects, the extensive 19.17 hectare project will encompass a range of residential spaces, from studios to 4 bedroom homes. Each new development will overlook over 9 acres of landscape gardens.Close to Fryent Country Park with 250 acres of rolling fields and woods, the development has been designed with an emphasis on creating a community for relaxation, sports and play. To further enjoy indoor/outdoor living, all new release apartments and duplexes offer a tranquil private balcony and/or outdoor terrace space. The full development is due to be complete 2021.The SolutionEnviroBuild provided just under 400 m² of Hyperion Pioneer Walnut and Oak decking for the residential terraces. The minimal water absorption rate of Hyperion decking made it the perfect material to frame large outdoor planters in the centre of the residential hub.Working closely with sub-contractor Horohoe, the terrace decking was installed on a sub-frame of Manticore plastic Lumber and MESA Support adjustable decking pedestals.Project DetailsSize: 400 m²Product: Oak Hyperion Decking, Walnut Hyperion DeckingSubstructure: Manticore Plastic Lumber & MESA Support Adjustable PedestalsClient: RedrowArchitect: Broadway Malyan, Feilden Clegg Bradley Studio & Fourpoint ArchitectsContractor: RedrowSub-Contractor HorohoeLocation: London

Ross-on-Wye’s skyline has formed the inspiration for new community facilities at a residential development.The iconic St Mary’s Church spire is reflected in the play area and recreation space created by Hand Made Places for families of St Mary’s Garden Village.The secure play area is surrounded by timber picket fencing and accessed via a bespoke arch double leaf gateway.The planed and sanded softwood arch is engraved to read St Mary’s Garden Village.Four further bespoke archways make up a fun walkway leading to a custom-built version of our Milton Play Unit.The play tower features a slide, rockhold ramp, ladder wall and stepped platform with a church-style spire to one end.A Hawkley Adventure Trail, Swing Steps and Bird’s Nest climbing frame are available for older children.And no play area is complete without the swings, with a Double Cradle Swing installed for little ones as well as a Nest Swing.A Star Stage brings role play to life for little ones, with timber Modular Radius Seating, including a bench engraved with the location, also available. Our cute little Hedgehog Animal Face is watching over everyone. Our installers laid a Bound Rubber Mulch safety surface in neutral green and brown colours.In addition to the play area installation, our parent company Broxap Street Furniture manufactured and supplied six Harrogate Senior Cycle Stands for community use. Four cast iron Blackburn Seats, finished with hardwood slats and a black frame, were provided along with a Derby Standard litter bin.

Union Industries, the UK’s leading manufacturer of bespoke industrial doors, has helped food importer and distributer, Taj Foods, improve efficiency through the installation of high-speed freezer doors – the Eiger Door.Taj Foods, specialists in frozen exotic food and prepared meals, was established in 1980 and recently expanded its cold storage at its Sheffield warehouse to meet growing demand. The project undertaken by EJM refrigeration, involved improving its energy efficiency and carbon footprint with the installation of a new CO2 refrigeration system.The two Eiger Doors will enhance operational efficiency in the high-demand environment and will maintain consistent freezer temperatures, while ensuring unimpeded access to cold stores.Since its launch in 2002, the Eiger Door has been installed as a fast-access traffic door at major food retailers, 3PL cold storage and distribution, and frozen food manufacturers across the UK.The Eiger Door ensures that consistent temperatures can be maintained and features an innovative dehumidification system, which prevents snow and ice build-up on the door blade and frame. This feature tackles a consistent issue plaguing other door types, as the freezer encounters humid ambient air entering the cold store.Minimising downtime is also supported by the Eiger Door’s robust construction and its tried and tested crash-out and reset system. Due to the modest difference in size between Forklift Trucks and the door opening, as well as the busy nature of this freezer, this is of particular benefit at this depot when considering the long-term reliability of the Eiger Door.Rob Howe, Union Industries’ Technical Sales Engineer, said: “The installation of the Eiger Doors at Taj Foods showcases our commitment to providing cutting-edge solutions that prioritise efficiency and reliability.“Over the past 20 years, the Eiger Door has consistently proven to be a superior and effective innovation for cold storage access, overcoming challenges such as ice build-up and excessive energy use to maintain consistent temperatures.“We are confident that the Eiger Door will significantly contribute to Taj Foods’ operational success.”Anil Solanki, Managing Director at Taj Foods, said: “We were looking for a reliable door solution to fit in with the redevelopment of our Sheffield warehouse, and after reading about the success of the Eiger Door we approached Union Industries to assist us to improve operational efficiency as we doubled our capacity.“We believe that the advanced features of the Eiger Door will not only enhance the efficiency of our cold storage but also contribute to long-term reliability, minimising disruptions in our day-to-day operations.” 

Woldgate School secured £1.3 million for improvements to its buildings from the Department for Education. The funds were to cover work including the removal and replacement of external walls not of brick construction, as well as windows and doors, many of which were the originals from when the school was first built. Profile 22 Approved Window Contractor Kingfisher Windows was appointed principal contractor for the works. The company undertook the design, manufacture and installation of the window element of the project and worked closely with trusted sub-contractors to deliver other aspects to the high standards the project demanded.

IntroductionThe Keyfix Non-Combustible Cavity Tray has been installed as part of a major housing project , Park East in South East London, helping to improve efficiency onsite, and to exceed building regulations.OverviewPark East is a £95 million development in Erith, designed by ECD Architects and developed by Wates Group. The project comprises 320 new homes, of which 20% are for private sale, 24% for Shared Ownership, and 56% for rent in order to accommodate a mixed tenure community. The modern, stylish homes are in close proximity to the local amenities and parks, with excellent transport links to London.Working alongside brickwork contractor Lee Marley Brickwork, Keyfix supplied 3,772m of its Non-Combustible Cavity Tray (NCCT), 3,528 units of corners, and 20,774 units of its Non-combustible Weep Vents to this project. Keyfix’s sister company Keystone Lintels supplied 890m of its Non-Combustible Cavity Tray Lintel, which was powder coated as per the client’s request.Challenge The main challenge faced on this project was the brevity of the programme, which ran from November 2020 to November 2021. As the project was time sensitive, the main contractor required an accredited solution which could be supplied in line with the tight-build programme. Keyfix’s NCCT presented the ideal solution to this challenge.SolutionKeyfix was able to meet the client’s objectives by providing products in accordance with their tight-build programme. To ensure the maximum efficiency of installation, Keyfix designed various types of bespoke units including preformed corners and pier units to assist Lee Marley brickwork in keeping to its the fast-paced build programme. Due to the scale of the project, the products were prefabricated, allowing the brickwork to be conducted swiftly. Despite the bespoke nature of the products, the first delivery was made just two months after the initial enquiry in September.Duncan Marley, Contracts Director at Lee Marley Brickwork commented: “On the Park East development we required various bespoke products and Keyfix were able to provide a quick turnaround on those. The Keyfix NCCT also helped us to save time significantly because the system is so quick to install. Keyfix also provided us with a scheduled breakdown of components which was a great help.”The Keyfix NCCT was specified due to its ‘one-piece system’ which allows for a very simple and efficient installation. The system is self-supporting as it doesn’t require fixing back to the internal frame, therefore saving valuable time. Additionally, the adjustability of the perp joint allows for the cavity trays to be shunted to match the brick coursing on site, ensuring consistency in the brickwork formation.The NCCT was also chosen due to its A1 fire rating. It is made from non-combustible Grade 304 stainless steel which will never contribute to fire loading in the building. This fully compliant system ensures that the Park East buildings will be future-proofed against the implementation of tighter regulations.The non-combustible nature of the product makes it an effective solution to provide DPC protection over lintels, masonry supports, soffit systems and other elements in the cavity such as fire barriers. Additionally, the fact that the Keyfix NCCT does not rely on tape or mastics to form its watertight joints negates the prevalent cause of product failure and creates a more robust system altogether.In addition to providing NCCTs, Keyfix identified where it could offer technical support, and provided a full technical review of architects drawings, a comprehensive mark-up, and a scheduled breakdown of component location. The team also attended design meetings to ensure that the products were being used correctly, as well as hosting a Tool Box Talk prior to the first install to ensure the system was installed properly.Commenting on the NCCT, Kieran Coyle of Keyfix stated, “The Keyfix Non-Combustible Cavity Tray is an A1 fire rated system, ensuring our customers peace of mind as their buildings are future-proofed and safeguarded against fire, as well as our on-site benefits.”The Keyfix Non-Combustible Cavity Tray has played an important part in the creation of a safe new-build development for future tenants to enjoy.

At a Glance:New £253m resettlement prison required complete and secure cabling infrastructureManufacture and off site build of completed chambers reduced onsite labour by one third minimising COVID / H&S risksLighter, recyclable materials cut fuel use, accelerated installation and reduced environmental impactHMP Five Wells has won 15 major industry awardsThe ClientKier (www.kier.co.uk) is a leading UK construction and infrastructure services company, providing specialist design and build capabilities for vital economic and social building projects across the UK. Kier was awarded the contract by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) for a new build resettlement prison in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire – as part of their New Prisons Programme. The aim of the programme is to reform and modernise the prison estate to provide more safe, secure and functional prison places focused on supporting rehabilitation.The ChallengeKier needed a cable access infrastructure that could satisfy the extremely secure access requirements of a prison environment spanning a 36-acre site.Over 1100 components were supplied to ensure a fully secure cable access system with features such as custom cabling.Kier’s goals for efficiency and cost-effectiveness, as well as for environmental sustainability and social responsibility, is in line with their brand values.The site required a simplified installation, reduced fuel consumption and lower emissions solution that would both endure and be recyclable at the end of their life. The benefits of Kier’s approach came to the fore during the COVID-19 pandemic.As Kier’s project director Rob Stanton explains, ‘new ways of working and offsite manufacture were embraced to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on project delivery’.The SolutionUsing polypropylene products from Clark-Drain, via subcontractor Mitchellson, significantly reduced the weight of the components as compared to traditional concrete. This removed the need for lifting equipment, reduced the on-site labour required (and the attendant health and safety risks), and dramatically shortened the installation time on this £253 million project.From a sustainability point of view, too, these lighter components scored highly, not only in respect of reduced fuel consumption and end-of-life recyclability, but also in terms of provenance, robustness, and therefore long-life durability.Clark-Drain also made several prior visits to site to assess the project requirements, and, based on these early engagements, added further value by designing, building and deploying, in relatively short timeframes, two new chamber bellmouths, to protect below-ground cabling. The bellmouths enable cables to be easily routed within the inner chamber walls during installation by site operatives, but also enable ducts to be securely housed and connected, inside the chamber walls, prior to concrete backfill being applied during installation. Clark-Drain manufactures over 70% of its products inhouse, including the completed chambers, which were manufactured and built offsite at its yard in Yaxley, Peterborough.Demonstrating its commitment to social value and equitability throughout, Kier also involved its Digital Apprentice trainees in the project, and created a project bank account to ensure easier and quicker supplier payment.Outcomes and ResultsThe figures speak for themselves:Cable access for the project is being assembled 22% faster than if traditional construction methods had been usedLighter materials meant that one third less labour was required on-site to install the chambersSurveys were carried out 70% faster using dronesMillions are being saved on post-project snagging using cloud-based review and QA technologiesThe project has won 15 major industry awardsAnd as for the environmental benefits, long life and recycling apart, the polypropylene chambers are only 38% of the density of concrete, greatly reducing the project’s fuel consumption and carbon emissions.Rebecca Wade, Bid Director at Kier, describes the project’s successes: ‘Thanks to the deployment of agile digital methods and next-generation suppliers, we are delivering efficiently and cost-effectively, whilst respecting our commitments to our society, our community, and our planet.’For more information on how Clark-Drain can help your business deliver robust, cost-effective, environmentally responsible cable access solutions, no matter how big or small your project, get in touch.

Instarmac International’s Swedish partner, Pekuma, have supplied world renowned UltraScape flowpoint to joint 300sqm of paving at Växjö’s newly refurbished bus station and city hall.BackgroundIn the station area, along Norra Järnvägsgatan, is Växjö’s brand new station and municipal building. The old town hall now boasts a better working environment for its 600 employees and a 1,850sqm station which includes waiting area, shops and restaurants.Växjö’s beautiful new town hall has been designed to the highest environmental standards and is fondly known as the ‘greenest city in Europe’.The ChallengeAs part of this exciting project, 300sqm of cobblestones and concrete slabs were installed directly outside the entrance to City Hall to create walkways for pedestrians and stop/start sections for buses.It was imperative that the jointing material used to grout the 100 x 100mm cobblestones and 210 x 210mm concrete slabs would not only fit in with the aesthetic of the newly refurbished building, but would also provide a durable finish that could withstand the constant trafficking from pedestrians and vehicles.The SolutionInstarmac International’s Swedish partner Pekuma, supplied UltraScape flowpoint to Skanska, the contractors working on this project.UltraScape flowpoint smooth is a flowable grout which allows for large areas of paving to be grouted quickly. Suitable for joints from 3mm to 50mm and as deep as 200mm, flowpoint smooth has been developed over a number of years to provide a durable finish which will not crack or stain.With an initial set after just 15 minutes, and a walk on time of one hour, it is unsurprising that flowpoint smooth has become synonymous with fast application, cost-effective and robust jointing.UltraScape flowpoint is available in four varieties – original, eco, smooth and fine – and two colours – Natural Grey and Charcoal. UltraScape have jointing solutions for all designs and tastes.ResultsThe project was completed on time with residents, visitors and employees of City Hall now enjoying the beautiful new station and town hall.

Increased awareness of need for sustainable solutions is causing the construction industry to lean towards wood materials, thus strengthening the position of wooden buildings in the real estate sector.At the Latvian Construction Annual Award 2021 and the Latvian Construction Engineer of the Year 2021 contests, the new regional Customer Center building of Latvijas Valsts Meži was awarded 1st place in the category “Wooden Structures”. The project was developed following the best practices of sustainable buildings, including energy efficiency, material optimisation, and minimising the negative impact on the environment in both the short- and long term.Riga Wood birch plywood was used in various stages of the whole construction process, too. For this project, two Riga Wood birch plywood products were chosen – Riga Decor and Riga Form. Riga Decor is a common choice for interior solutions where functionality shouldn’t overshadow aesthetics. The decorative appearance allows it to be used for the design of furniture and other interior elements. Meanwhile Riga Form, another birch plywood product applied in this project, is among the top choices for concrete shuttering.“For us, this has been a project full of customised solutions – starting from the technical specification to the provided services. Close collaboration between our sales team and customer, as well as mills and the logistics, led to a high-quality end-result,” comments Uģis Ozols, Riga Wood Baltic director. Customer oriented service solutions integrated in the customer’s production line is among top services provided by Riga Wood and Latvijas Finieris team.It’s well known that construction sector accounts for a hefty amount of CO2 emissions, and a wave of urban growth is increasing the global building stock. Construction materials such as concrete, steel and aluminium are among those contributing a notable share of generated emissions globally. Nevertheless, by using smart technologies and shifting one’s way of thinking, constructions can become global CO2 sinks that support climate stabilisation. Wood is the key factor.

F. Ball and Co. Ltd.’s rapid-setting, ultra-smooth floor finishing compound has delivered a fast-track solution for refurbishing the iconic Nelson Staircase at Somerset House, London.As part of ongoing maintenance and improvement works, flooring contractor Carpet Culture was commissioned to restore the steps and one of the main landings of the historic Beaux-Arts staircase, which spans six floors and dates back to the late 18th century, when the Royal Navy occupied the building.Contractors began by removing old floorcoverings and adhesive residues from the steps and the 40m2 landing.The landing was destroyed by a bomb in the Second World War and subsequently restored with concrete, meaning that it would require raising in order for floorcoverings to meet the level of the original stone border, but less than the minimum application thickness of a smoothing compound. Additionally, work required completing over two nights, between the hours of 6-11pm, while the building was unoccupied, meaning there was not time to mechanically prepare the concrete area.Contractors, therefore, applied two coats of Stopgap Micro Rapid floor finishing compound to create a perfectly smooth surface for the receipt of floorcoverings.Stone effect LVTs were then installed on the landing and risers and treads of the stairs, and Stycco Flex rapid-curing, flexible tube adhesive was used to affix Gradus stair nosings. The high strength build-up and fast curing time of the adhesive means it can secure stair nosings and trims in as little as 60 minutes, without the need for mechanical fixings.Tom McCullough, senior flooring manager at Carpet Culture, said: “We were grateful to our F. Ball technical representative for suggesting using Stopgap Micro Rapid as an alternative to applying a smoothing compound so that we could complete the work out of hours, on time. It worked a treat, and we received compliments for how it looked even before the floorcoverings went down.”

Coventry is a city of movements; for struggling workers, for women, for political reformers, for ravers, for refugees. The UK's motor city. The UK's bicycle city. A center of the UK's watchmaking trade. A City of Culture that uses its past to forge its future. Coventry Moves! Its Upper Precinct was a very concrete heavy city center, partly because of the style at the time, and partly out of necessity to ensure it could be re-built as quickly as possible after the Blitz damage. The project had access to a partial fund of £7.75 million from the Government’s Local Growth Fund through Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP) as part of the overall £11.8 million scheme. The package of works included; the installation of enhanced paving, street furniture, lighting, water features, planting, and the restoration of the historical Levelling Stone monument that was originally placed to commemorate the re-build of Coventry after the 1940-1942 enemy attacks. With the initial removal of the 'big green elevator' and huge concrete, once considered an eyesore, a clear view of the cathedral can now be seen, a view that has not been enjoyed since the 1970s. Almost every design element of this project included natural stone of some sort, making the relationship between the contractor Eurovia, the City Council, and BBS as the supplier, vital to complete each task on time and on budget. The circular shaped 'show stopping' water features created in a combination of both Italian Porphyry and Portuguese buff granite - a place where many people are often seen enjoying the weather. The benches and planters created in Portuguese buff granite, none of which barely had the same two pieces throughout, putting the pressure on BBS to individually CAD each and every one. The project covering the entirety of the Upper Precinct and continuing on Market Way, and Smithfield way, saw the complete removal of everything in situ and replaced with an unrecognizable scenery. All in time for Coventry Moves the City of Culture event.

Burton Green Primary School is located in the historic city of York, an outstanding school at the heart of a local community this primary school strives for excellence. The challenging and nurturing learning environment allows children to learn and grow, while achieving the highest potential possible in all areas of the 21st century curriculum.When the roof began showing signs of ageing, it was clear that a long-term solution was required. Working with Project Managers Charles Garth and Principal Contractor Castle Special Projects, Polyroof would work towards providing the best solution to refurbish the ageing roof.The work required and condition of the roof needed to be established first, to do this a survey was scheduled to take place. The survey was conducted on roofing area and it was determined that there were 6 flat roofs that required refurbishment. Areas 1 to 2 were constructed of a built up felt with mineral cap sheet, 50mm PUR insulation, bituminous vapour control, asphalt, 12mm fibreboard and a 50mm woodwood slab deck with timber joists. Areas 3 to 5 were constructed of a built up felt with mineral cap sheet, 50mm Jablite insulation, bituminous vapour control, asphalt, 12mm fibreboard and a 50mm wood wool slab deck with timber joists. Roof area 6 was made up of built-up felt with mineral cap, plywood and timber joist. The original build-up of roofs 1 to 5 needed to be stripped back to the asphalt due to the aged condition of the built-up felt, numerous leak reports were reported. Roof 6 and its original waterproofing was to be retained and made good, later this surface would act as the substrate for the new waterproofing system.Once the survey was completed, a bespoke specification was written and it was recommended that the roofing areas would all benefit from a high-performance waterproofing system. In addition to this it was specified that the roof would be thermally upgraded to reduce the risk of condensation and provide lower fuel bills and energy consumption for Primary School further adding benefits to making improvements to the roof.Liquid Roofing Limited an experienced roofing contractor and Polyroof Approved Contractor was chosen to undertake the work to this project. The proposed system for this project would be Polyroof Protec Warm Roof System. Protec’s liquid roof membrane has a unique flexible hybrid polymer formulation and can be applied to virtually all common roof surfaces.The areas that were required for installation firstly needed to be stripped and removed back to the asphalt, areas 1 to 5 required this. Area 6 was then repaired of any defects and made good where necessary. All roofs required a deep clean, removing any dirt or debris that remained from the first stage. Once this preparation was completed an Air & Vapour Control Layer (AVCL) was then installed to roof areas 1 to 5 making sure that all surfaces are smooth and without voids.Using a Polyroof Twin Pack Insulation Adhesive the Polyroof RES insulation (T&G) boards were bonded and laid to each of the 6 roof areas completing the second stage of the warm roof upgrade. Before the last stage of the installation could begin all joints in the insulation were sealed using taping matt and Polyroof Protec Resin. Polyroof’s extra-tough GRP trims were then installed to create neat and robust edge detailing for exposed perimeters before the main Protec system application commenced.During the project there were some challenging aspects that required care and attention. The project featured a large array of different details ranging from installation of new substrates and trims for parapet walls to the removal of and preservation of tiles/cladding so that the Protec system could be applied correctly. These features required delicate work so that the original tiles/cladding could be reinstated after the application of the system was completed. During the project the rooflight that was originally in place was removed and replaced with a new, before this could happen the Protec system was taken up the upstands and then sealed under flange.Once the project was completed within the relevant time frame of the client and within the budget specified, the Polyroof Technical Services team conducted a detailed inspection showing a high level of workmanship which lead to the client gaining the trusted Polyroof Accredited System Guarantee.

THE PROJECTThe Queensland Curve project features a high-quality collection of mailboxes fitted into a curved surround that gives a unique layout to this bank of Steel 2 mailboxes.The Steel 2 mailbox used in this project is an in front / out front box that securely stores mail until a user accesses the individual mailbox with a coded key. Each mailbox is engraved with an identification number that allows the mailbox users to quickly and easily find their individual mailbox.The surround frame that the mailboxes are fitted into was designed on-site and the bank of mailboxes were designed around the space available.PROJECT DETAILSProject Type: Private AccommodationProduct: Steel 2 MailboxInstallation: Wall MountedQuantity: 75Accessories: Wooden Surround, Engraving

EverEdge ProEdge was used to create borders, pathways and to provide an edge between lawn and driveway at this property in Chailey, Sussex. The 100mm deep ProEdge border addition, with perfectly straight edges and perfect right angles, frames the house and will keep neat lines for years to come. Lengthy pathways installed from drive to patio and then patio through to established gardens keeping gravel and grass separate.ProEdge was chosen because of its thickness (2.5mm steel) and length (2.5m) as this was a large install on varying ground. Install was carried out by J Sutton Landscapes who said they were “very impressed with the product and plan to use it in several upcoming projects”Pleasing to hear and pleasing to see pictures of a great install.

Think Forward uses whiteboard paint to redesign a classroom for digital creators. Writable walls improve creativity, engagement and communication, following the main trend in school architecture, which aims to design the most flexible, open and communicative spaces that create school communities. ESCREO dry erase paint gives everyone the freedom to rediscover the white wall and the childish feeling of creating without limits beyond the fixed literal and metaphorical frames of an A4 format. It is no coincidence that ESCREO is also in Think Forward’s office. You can read more about this project in the interview with our partners where they also share why they use ESCREO not only in educational projects but also in private residential and office spaces.

Brunel House is a listed building being converted into luxury apartments. Replacing the primary windows was not permitted, so our client needed to look at a different solution to gain the thermal performance required.The windows were large sashes, requiring heavy duty frames with tilt facility, providing simple access to the primary windows for cleaning and maintenance. An unusual and bespoke feature of this project was - at the architect’s request - trickle vents installed in the bottom of the secondary glazing track.The end result is that, without any visible sign of works “Replacing the primary windows was not permitted” being done, tenants would experience comfort levels that match modern day double glazing, even though their windows are over 100 years old.

Alison Park Hotel is a conversion of a former hotel to a complete renovation of the building creating ten new apartments and a townhouse. The project also included a new building extension to a further townhouse, as well as a revamping of the garages into 3 cottages. Situated in the centre of the picturesque and well-known spa town of Buxton, Alison Park Hotel benefits from features such as mock timber framing, and oriel windows and doors.Cellecta ScreedBoard 28 was specified for this project due to its unrivalled performance. The unique interlocking edges on our ScreedBoard 28 mean that no screws are required, making it easy to install, a convenience on site saving installation time.Amos Group was awarded this 1,500m² contract to develop this refurbishment and extension.

Strawberry Gardens is a private housing living development in Yatton which offers independent living with access to on-site care for people over the age of 55. This 1,200m² development of timber frame apartments have created 60 apartments and various houses, shops, a post office, pubs and transport links. Situated 10 miles from Bristol airport and around 30 minutes from the centre of Bristol.Cellecta HEXATHERM XFLOOR 250 was specified on this project for its high resistance to compression and closed cell structure that provides unrivalled resistance to water absorption, making them ideal for residential applications.Oakmere Homes was awarded the contract to construct this picturesque village and civil parish within North Somerset.

We were excited to start on this project for EBMS at a school in North London, and the finished scheme look fantastic upon completion. A large motoric track multiplay acted as the centrepiece for the area. This structure contains an enormous amount of play features, with two tall slides, net play, bridges, fireman’s poles, climbing tracks, monkey bars, and much, much more!Along with the centrepiece, three new sets of swings were installed, with a basket swing and two sets of flats swings, together with a challenging trim trail. A Stork’s nest climbing frame complete with new wet pour surfacing and ground works finished the project, with the kids at the school chomping at the bit to start playing.

A client with a strong reputation for sustainable construction needed a flood defence system to protect a large substation in Croydon.UK Power Networks and ClancyUK Power Networks is responsible for electricity distribution and maintenance across London, the southeast and east of England. Clancy contracts for UK Power Networks refurbishing substations. Clancy was founded in 1958 and is now one of the largest privately owned construction firms in the UK. Its vision is to be “trusted to deliver smarter, greener infrastructure brilliantly.”The challengeClancy managed construction and implementation of the Andel flood defence system for UK Power Networks.Location: the substation is located within a flood risk area and is critical for maintaining electricity supply to thousands of homes and businesses.Sustainable: they wanted an environmentallyfriendly approach in line with their commitment to sustainability.Disruption: the aim was to protect transformers from flooding to maintain reliable electricity supplies to homes and businesses.Protection: they needed to protect the transformers from flooding to maintain network resilience.Inconvenience: they wanted a solution that would cause minimum disruption to the site allowing for continuity of service.Cost: they needed a cost-effective solution compared to the costs normally associated with traditional flood defences.The solution Andel FloodWall and Andel FloodBlox® Andel FloodWall is a cost-effective, environmentally friendly alternative for perimeter flood defence and is suited to commercial, residential, new build and retrofit installations. Panels and posts are constructed from robust, 100% recycled, nonporous, post-industrial plastic waste.This means the substation now has:A sustainable, cost-effective and environmentallyfriendly system compared to traditional flood defence systems.A flood defence system with a lower carbon footprint compared to an all-concrete construction.A modular solution that was easy to transport and speedy to assemble on site with minimum disruption.A robust perimeter flood defence designed and tested to meet the requirements of British Standard BS 851188-1:2019 for Flood resistance products.Andel FloodBlox® is an easy-to-use, lightweight, demountable flood barrier for all types of openings such as gates, house doors, patio doors, garage doors, warehouse and factory doors as well as creating easy access within a perimeter flood defence wall.This means the substation now has:A lightweight, easy-to-use demountable flood barrier allowing easy access to the bund.Proven technology that uses the natural pressure and weight of floodwater to create a watertight seal.The result Sustainable: Panels and posts are constructed from 100% recycled, post-industrial plastic waste, reducing the carbon footprint compared to traditional allconcrete flood defences.Convenient: A modular, easy-to-assemble system causing minimal disruption to on-site operations as no heavy machinery was required.Effective: FloodWall and FloodBlox® provide a robust, tried and tested flood defence solution allowing easy access to protected areas.Cost: The modular and flexible system reduced installation time and delivered a cost-effective solution.Excellent communication: The on-site Andel team worked closely with the client, ensuring open and constructive dialogue with regular updates on progress and timescales.Added value: The project also included installation of Andel’s market-leading BundGuard® units, a bund dewatering solution previously supplied to the client and contractor on other sites.What the customer said;We made the right choice working with Andel on the UK Power Networks Croydon project. Andel has worked with Clancy before providing pollution prevention products and maintenance services for the electrical distribution sector.As a safeguard against the increasing risk of flooding, Andel were able to provide a sustainable and cost-effective solution for the Croydon substation, protecting UK Power Networks transformers from the risk of future flooding.Craig Aust, Project Manager, ClancyIt was great to work with Clancy on the UK Power Networks Flood Defence project at Croydon Substation. We were tasked with delivering a robust, reliable and environmentally sustainable solution to protect the transformers on site from the risk of flooding. Working closely with Clancy Project Manager, Craig Aust, we were able to navigate the project to deliver a solution that sat in line with their values of delivering quality and sustainable practices. We are delighted to have successfully delivered a flood defence system that ensures the transformers are protected from the ever-increasing risk of flooding. 

When Liverpool’s leading specialist heart and chest hospital trust wanted to set-up a drive through COVID-19 testing facility, Twinfix were approached by Actua to find a solution to provide shelter within their client’s COVID 19 testing pick up points.The area was a small courtyard and the proposal was to create a turning circle where vehicles could drive in and pick up their testing kit and drive out, the canopy would provide shelter for the vehicles whilst doing so.There were further complications as the area is also used for general hospital deliveries therefore meaning the height of the canopy needed to facilitate lorry/wagons.With the hospital’s requirements in mind, Twinfix designed two bespoke structures spanning a total of 82 sqm:Section 1: Free standing duo-pitch canopy completely independent of the building·Section 2: Wall mounted lean-to mono-pitch canopy with vertical glazed screen to side & front elevation.Section 1 comprised of galvanised steel posts with upper aluminium sub-frame roof, whereas, the full structure of Section 2 was manufactured in aluminium.Both structures were fitted with our non-fragile Multi-Link-Panel roof-glazing system glazed with 25mm clear polycarbonate.Joe Astley, Capital Projects Officer at LHCH commented: “The trust is very pleased with the services received. From a quick turnaround in manufacturing to a trouble free and speedy installation, Twinfix did a great job at LHCH.”These canopies not only look great, but also utilise the outdoor space providing shelter for patients and staff throughout the testing process.

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.

Alma-nac's "House-within-a-house" is a fantastic example of a building retrofitted to adapt to new challenges. Sitting in a row of typical 1950's houses, the project gave an existing home a contemporary facelift while complimenting the surrounding buildings traditional London brick.12,670 Michelmersh bricks were used in the project to provide an economical and thermally efficient shell to the original building, which is nestled inside the outer structure. Elements of the project that may have ended up in landfill were reused where possible and the combination of reused concrete and the brick skin means an increase of thermal efficiency that could save 4 tonnes of Carbon a year.House-within-a-House recently won the "Individual Housing Development" in the 2021 Brick Awards, judges praised it's complementary nature to the area without "trying to mimic the naturally aged material".

Crossway Quarter is a development of flats situated 5 minutes from Bluewater Shopping Centre and near the M25. The scheme comprises of the demolition of existing buildings and the construction of 258 flats comprising of market housing - 52 one, 201 two, 5 three bedroom flats with associated parking, cycle storage, landscaping and amenity space. These 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments will appeal to investors, first-time buyers and professionals working in the capital and surrounding areas.Cellecta’s YELOfon HD10+ was specified by RM_A Architects and Shepherd Angelo Architecture 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 London was awarded this 25,000m² contract for this Robust Detail Registered Site in Kent.

Beachcliff Hotel and Apartments are an eight bedroom and two flat period property in the Edwardian seaside town of Penarth, Wales. It is the perfect base for exploring the local area, located opposite the Victorian Penarth Pier and beach and town centre. Both apartments have a view of the sea. Initially built in 1904, the Beachcliff building became a central part of Penarth’s historic waterfront. However, years of weathering from the Bristol Channel led to the structure’s decay; most of the property had to be dismantled and rebuilt as a gabled Edwardian pastiche façade.Cellecta’s FIBREfon 28C was specified due to its acoustic performance. The Cellecta solutions were recognised as the ideal products for the acoustical and soundproofing demands of the domestic and commercial development. FIBREfon 28C is an acoustic overlay board designed for concrete floors requiring a high compressive treatment.Richard Hayward Properties had ownership of the contract to develop this 1,000m² rebuild.

Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys is one of three secondary schools in the Tunbridge Wells area. The school has been extended and modernized to offer further school places to the local community. The expansion includes a new a three-storey satellite facility that houses general teaching classrooms, ICT and food technology spaces, and a five-court sports hall. An expanded dining room has also been created through the refurbishment of the existing sports hall.Cellecta’s YELOfon HD10+ was specified by Bond Bryan Architects 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.Willmott Dixon were awarded this 7,950m² contract to construct this latest school project in Sevenoaks.

Clarke is a Construction Company based in Ballymena, Northern Ireland with over 25 years in business.In line with the company’s sustainability strategy of designing and building safe, eco sustainable and elegant buildings the office building is paved in AG’s TerraPave® Rimini Ground flagstones.With sustainability in mind, AG’s TerraPave® flagstones were the perfect choice. The striking granite aggregate finish of the flags ensures to complement the modern finish of the building. TerraPave® flags are manufactured from specially selected granite and other natural aggregates. Their exceptional appearance is achieved by using the most up-to-date manufacturing and finishing equipment.TerraPave® flagstones has now also the added benefit of Enduur 1 concrete technology which enhances the surface colour and reduces efflorescence. The enhanced mix increases strength, resistance to wear and tear, longevity and delivers more vibrance to the surface finish

Croft Gardens is a four building student accommodation at King’s College in Cambridge, achieving full Passivhaus Classic standards. With 12 rooms across three floors of three crescents and a villa, along with the Victorian Holmcroft building which provides a library, laundry room and common room area, Croft Gardens provides 84 homes for graduate students. Including graduate rooms, communal facilities, landscaping and external works, Croft Gardens will be carbon negative for the first 7-10 years of operation.Cellecta’s HEXATHERM XFLOOR 500 was specified by Feilden Clegg Bradley due to its high resistance to compression and closed cell structure that provides unrivalled resistance to water absorption, making them ideal for residential applications. These insulation boards are used under a concrete slab to comply with part L Building regulations.Gilbert-Ash was awarded this 650m² contract for this development at Barton Road.

The M4 Junction 3-12 motorway upgrade project, which started construction in July 2018, is designed to increase capacity, and reduce congestion between Junction 3 (Hayes) and Junction 12 (Theale). In the sections where there is no pre-existing hard shoulder for conversion into an additional running lane, a total of 11 overbridges needed to be demolished and replaced with longer decks to enable continuity of the widened carriageway. The £848m project is due for completion in Spring 2022, by which time it is expected that approximately 680,000t of material will have been excavated, 1.8M.m² of new surface laid, 130km of cabling installed and 63km of concrete barrier positioned. Cordek were approached by the Principal Contractor Balfour Beatty VINCI joint venture to provide a lightweight structural fill solution to be used for the embankment construction adjoining the Datchet Road Overbridge, between Junction 5 and Junction 6.

This housing development required a retaining wall solution but presented challenges in terms of limited space and existing services. Two retaining walls were required at the sides of the entrance to Nicholls Lane housing development. While a Geogrid Reinforced Backfill method was appropriate for the Secura Grand retaining wall on the righthand side of the development, the retaining wall on the left was met with the challenges of limited space and existing services. The highway boundary limited the amount of space available to construct the retaining wall on the left- hand side. The existing services present within the retained soil caused further complexities. On this occasion minimising excavation was crucial due to the services within the retained soil. Efficient use of land was vital as the Secura wall didn’t have the room at the back for geogrid or for no-fines concrete backfill. It was desirable that both walls at the sides of the entrance looked the same despite their different conditions.

Client: RAF LossiemouthLocation: Moray, ScotlandYear: 2023Project size: 1300 m²Vebro systems: vebrocrete SR, vebrores EP SL SR, vebrores EP HBCA range of durable, high performance floor coating systems were required for the main garage, workshop, foam storage areas, corridors, kit room and mechanical and electrical plant rooms in the new crash, fire and rescue station at RAF Lossiemouth.The new crash, fire and rescue station at RAF Lossiemouth was part of a £10.7 million scheme awarded by Britain’s Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO).Built by South-Derry firm, Henry Brothers, as part of a wider upgrade programme at the Moray station, the new building allows RAF Lossiemouth’s professional in-house firefighters to reach any part of the airfield in under two minutes.The main garage, workshop, foam storage areas, corridors, kit room and mechanical and electrical plant rooms represent the finishing touches to the north-east Scotland station, with construction of the new facility beginning in August 2021, future-proofing the Moray station for years to come.The site had already benefited from early completion of the resurfaced runways, installation of advanced communications and improved drainage among other enhancements to its operating capability.Several Vebro Polymers’ seamless resin-based flooring products have been expertly installed by Rothes based contractor, Hendersons, within various locations across the new site, including the main garage, workshop, foam storage areas, corridors, kit room and mechanical and electrical plant rooms.A slip-resistant, 6.0 mm polyurethane concrete system – vebrocrete SR – has been used in all engine bays alongside complementary coving within the main garage, to deliver sufficient compressive strength to withstand the rolling load from heavy 13-tonnes fire safety vehicles as well as ensure a slip-resistant profile underfoot to optimise safety, minimising slip / fall risks.  vebrores EP SL SR has been chosen for areas subject to slightly less arduous service criteria and lighter loads, including foam storage areas, service areas, corridors.In the less frequented, and therefore less trafficked, back-of-house mechanical and electrical plant rooms, as well as in the Engine Test Facility, vebrores EP HBC, was chosen.  As the latter area required a routine refresh, the surface was prepared, primed and re-coating before adding vibrant yellow linemarking to regulate traffic movement.Established over 40 years ago, Hendersons Ltd provide a range of industrial painting, decorating and flooring services.Hendersons’ dedicated resin flooring team carry out work in the construction, distilling and brewing, food manufacture and aerospace industries. Continual training of existing staff and development of trainees in all of the company’s service offerings ensures that Hendersons continue to offer an unsurpassable service. 

Award-winning Surrey-based firm, Fletcher Crane Architects, has specified Vandersanden’s 65mm Antro facing brick for interiors and exteriors at Tree House, an impressive, new, contemporary home in Ealing, West London. Located in a conservation area and constructed on a 12 x 12m former garage site, bounded by rear gardens, Tree House is a two-bedroom property that stands assertively against the characterful and repetitive villas in the street. Fletcher Crane has designed the home as an articulated series of volumes in a split-level arrangement of rooms around a central spine. The kitchen and living room sit on the upper storeys to make the most of natural daylight while the two bedrooms are submerged within semi-sunken floors.Boldly deployed and celebrated for the texture, variation and interest they provide, Tree House’s components are a fundamental part of the Fletcher Crane vision. Inside and outside the home, extensive use is made of three principal materials to create a naturally appealing, raw palette of black ash timber, tubular metalwork and multi-coloured Antro brick from Vandersanden.The load bearing Antro brickwork is exposed and flush-jointed with traditional lime mortar to create a unifying, almost monolithic appearance. ‘Baubuche’ structural timber joists span the brick structure, while, in the basement, the in-situ concrete frame is left bare. The central staircase is encased in ash timber panelling which is set against more curved Antro brickwork and sharp metal balustrades. Outside a sunken planted courtyard is accessed using stepped Antro brick planters and a paddle stair constructed of black cobble setts.“We like the texture, the tones and the variety that the Antro brick gives us at Tree House,” says Harry Reid, Architect at Fletcher Crane Architects. “Vandersanden offers a significant range of these light multi-coloured bricks, both in white and grey hues which are very attractive for this type of project. The company supplied us with a number of sample options for comparison and contrast, and we duly selected Antro as our brick of choice. We’re delighted with it, particularly in how the Antro brick combines with the lime mortar, and other components at Tree House to create the overall feeling of an intimate yet generous home that’s filled with light and rich in materials.”Antro is created from a combination of different clay forms which yield a grey base colour, then coated with specific sand types to bring a grained, creased texture to the brick. The clay structure evokes darker and lighter tones out of the base grey along with shades of white in the overall final appearance.For more information on Fletcher Crane Architects go to https://www.fletchercranearchitects.com/. To find out more about the bricks used in this project or to see the wide range of high-quality bricks available from Vandersanden, click on the 'View more' linkCredit: Photography by Lorenzo Zandri © 2021