"conduits and trunking"

The Conduit is an existing client of Caribbean Blinds having used our louvered pergolas at their previous club in Mayfair in 2018. Knowing both the benefits of installing louvered pergolas, providing flexible shade and shelter allowing the terrace to be used all year round, therefore providing an important revenue stream for the business along with a unique dining experience for their discerning members along with the service we offer, the Conduit wanted to replicate this at their new club in Covent Garden, albeit on a much larger scale.The new roof terrace, which was on the 7th floor, had a footprint of approx. 300sq/m. The client wanted to cover 2/3rds of this with pergolas, leaving the remaining 1/3rd completely open. The model was to be our Prestige Pod, which they had previously installed, where the louvered roof not only rotates but fully retracts and when closed is completely watertight. A total cluster of 8 modules were required to cover a surface area of c. 200sq/m. The perimeter edges were equipped with screens to offer protection from the elements to the sides. Additionally screens were inserted along with doorways between certain modules so areas could be zoned off for events and private functions. Each module had infra-red heating and festoon lighting installed to create a cosy and pleasant environment year round.A project of this size, requires clear communication, co-ordination and planning. We worked closely with the architect, designer, contractor and end client at every stage, to ensure a seamless process and journey. Site meetings were held with all parties. Full CAD drawings of the structures, positioning and importantly drainage, wiring and post mounting plate positions, which were highly critical as a steel sub frame had to be fabricated and installed and services run were provided. A dedicated project co-ordinator oversaw the entire project to ensure it run smoothly and on-time and in-budget.Like all roof terrace installations there were many challenges, from working at height to access with a road closure required for this project to allow craning of the goods to the terrace. Manufacture from order sign off for the bespoke pergolas was just 12 weeks, with installation taking 2 weeks, via our own trained teams and all in time for a VIP client 4th July party.Anthony Pollak, Facilities Director for The Conduit commented:“Having had a Caribbean blind pergola installation at our previous property we knew the quality of their products.When the opportunity came from our landlord to give us a substantial area to build a roof terrace we knew that we had to include Caribbean Blinds within the design.Installing the Caribbean Blinds pergolas has enabled us to use our roof terrace all year around. In the summer when the weather is good we can open up the space effortlessly and in the winter when the roof is closed, sides are down and heaters on it gives us much needed outside space.From the initial design meetings all the way through to install the Caribbean Blinds team were pleasant and professional to deal with. They made the whole experience very pleasant and straight forward.”To find out more about how we can help you create unforgettable alfresco experiences 365 days a year please contact one of our knowledgeable and friendly team on 0344 800 1947, send us an email projects@cbsolarshading.co.uk or visit our website www.cbsolarshading.co.uk.

The new building reflects the ideology of Qatar Airways and provides a contemporary office and new retail showroom.The new project replaces two late 1940s/early 1950s buildings.Albion Stone supplied Portland Grove Whitbed in block form which was produced into cladding and installed in a ‘wing’ pat.

The Purple and Green MSCPs have capacity for more than 4,000 vehicles across five levels. The project’s scope involved concrete repair, structural strengthening using carbon fibre laminates, the replacement of the conduits, movement joints, drainage channels and deck waterproofing.

When a new COVID-19 Lighthouse Laboratory was approved in Plymouth in November 2020, the Government required a quick turnaround to set up the testing facility in order to meet demand and tackle the virus. After its proven success in supplying the Nightingale Hospitals, Totus Engineering specified Marshall-Tufflex PowerPoles and Odyssey Bio trunking to complete the fit out.

"Boyco did an exceptional job of meeting our unique requirements on this project, and it didn’t stop at the initial installation! Boyco’s installers were regularly on hand to find innovative solutions to unexpected problems arising in the challenging environment – in particular children trying to climb on top of the Teaching Walls. I am very impressed with Boyco’s products and service and would recommend them to anybody looking for a bespoke solution for challenging environments." - Diane Hallworth, Bridglea PRUCHALLENGES & SOLUTIONSOn arrival for the installation, Boyco installers found that steel dado trunking had been installed along the Classroom walls, and the electric sockets were mislocated which caused them to clash with the electric source needed for the Teaching Walls. Our installers carried out all necessary remedial work to align the Teaching wall electrical access points to the wrongly positioned sockets on the dado trunking.After successful installation of the Teaching Walls, we were informed by Bridglea PRU that children had been climbing up the side of the Teaching Walls by suspending themselves between the Teaching Wall and the classroom wall–in an attempt to get on top of the Teaching Walls and climb inside the cabinets. Boyco supplied & installed bespoke infill boxes to the corner of the necessary Teaching Walls, to prevent pupils being able to gain any access to the roof of the Teaching Walls.

The now disused St Margaret’s Head Tunnel was a structure originally formed as part of the Dunfermline to North Queensferry railway line, providing a link to the ferry service until the opening of the Forth Bridge in 1890 and remaining in limited use for freight until 1954. The vaulted roof and brick lined tunnel is located 15 metres below the A900 trunk road and the B981, adjacent to the northern approach to the Forth Road Bridge. Cordek were asked to supply a structural fill solution, encapsulated within a protective membrane to fill the entire cavity of the tunnel.

Members-only club in London’s Covent Garden, The Conduit Workspace focuses on sustainability and ethical hospitality, encouraging creativity and collaboration.Featuring relaxed working and dining spaces as well as event space, a library, and rooftop bar and restaurant, it spans across six floors offering everything needed to connect its members.The brand new rooftop terrace was created in partnership with the House of Champagne, Ruinart, with the goal to place nature at the heart. The rooftop features plants chosen specifically for pollination as well as upcycled and recycled furniture and art.To complete the rooftop extension, designer, Alice Crispi, approached us after seeing our RailRoad seating range - she wanted a continuous wavy modular solution that would also accommodate large planter pots within the curved sections. A 15m RailRoad Delta seat with a continuous backrest was delivered in modules making it easily transported to the roof terrace. A UVP protective coating in teak was also applied over the timber slats to maintain the wood’s colouration.Surrounded by greenery, members can relax and enjoy stunning views across London from the rooftop terrace.

Edgingtons Architects were appointed by the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead to design and deliver a new build sixth form building for Windsor Girls School. The external detailing of the brickwork takes inspiration from a mature oak tree that sits in close proximity to the building, ground floor representing the tree trunk and first floor the texture of the branches and leaves. Internally the building follows a simple layout with a neutral palette of cream, grey and light wood finishes.The ironmongery brief was to specify a simple, robust and affordable ironmongery scheme that would stand up to the typical heavy use of an education setting while ensuring the products were chosen to ensure a long life span. The scheme centres around our Vieler 522 safety lever handle and matching straight pull handle finished in stainless steel. We also supplied all door signage including stainless steel and black door discs denoting room numbers. The simple shape and finish of the ironmongery compliments the project aesthetics beautifully, creating the perfect educational space.Photography: Neil Kenyon

Architects: Woods BagotLocation: Wiltshire, UKPhotography: Will PryceMaterial: NATURSOFFIT-W CladdingFinish: RustikThe project by the Woods Bagot architecture studio for the library at St. Mary’s Calne School re-centres the space as the hub of academic and social activity. Completed in 2020 and located in the British county of Wiltshire, the project maintains the school’s traditional aesthetic, all while incorporating a central garden with apple trees.The library’s faceted ceiling is a central part of the design, which evokes spreading tree branches. All of the wood panels are held up by an iron truss structure connected to large pillars, simulating the vertical nature of trunks. The properties of Parklex Prodema’s false ceiling allow continuity for the wood from the interior to the exterior, making it visible through the clerestory windows.The triangular panels that make up the complex faceted geometry are resistant, long-lasting, sustainable, and maintenance-free. They were custom manufactured for this project, including perforations for acoustic purposes, allowing sound to pass through the panel to be absorbed by the insulation behind it.The natural Okume wood panel selected by the architects provides a warm, welcoming atmosphere, creating a point of inspiration for learning. Combined with the garden landscape around it, the continuous ceiling magnifies the building’s appeal and integrates it into his surroundings.

Many of the GRP Riser Floors we install are fitted during the initial build. Using a framework made from GRP profiles, capped with panels of GRP Grating, we fill usually simple shapes as a building goes up, ensuring people and equipment can’t fall down the holes required for services installation.In an older building, the chances are the services are already in place, which means we need to cut around any pipes, cables and ducting to ensure a neat fit with no gaps.Gainsborough House in Richmond was one such installation. The riser gaps were actually quite small so, while there was no risk of a person falling through, dropped tools could, presenting – at worst – a potential hazard to people and equipment below and – at best – an inconvenience as tools need to be retrieved or replaced. We were sub-contracted by Westgreen Construction to bring the spaces around the risers up to the current safety standards and help prevent future accidents.On some floors the gaps were almost full of services trunking and, as an added challenge, electrical cable trays coming forward presented an uneven surface to work on. We built frames between each tray, creating a raised base to fit the grating to. The mesh was then carefully cut to accommodate the various services in place.In other parts of the building the client needed the grating to be 50mm away from already-installed duct work to allow for lagging and requested a kick plate rather than the normal flush fit. This required a modified frame to give the site team something to fix the plate to.GRP is an incredibly flexible material to work with. It’s much lighter than steel equivalents making it relatively easy to manoeuvre into position. It’s also easier to cut and non-sparking so doesn’t require a hot works permit. This allows us to make adjustments onsite, achieving a high level of precision in a fraction of the time, keeping quality up and costs down.No matter what type or age of a building, our expert teams will find a GRP riser solution to ensure site safety. For more information call us on 01206 396 446.

Hinchley Wood School in Esher, Surrey is a mixed comprehensive academy, providing education for 11-18-year olds. They tasked Hush with a project to improve acoustic comfort in their sports hall following the success of a previous project to install Hush Absorber Panels within their canteen in 2016.Mike Robeson, Director of Finance and resources at the school, contacted us regarding their purpose-built Sports Hall in which they were experiencing severe reverberation issues. The Sports Hall has been in use for many years to carry out PE lessons and other sporting activities, along with being used as an Examination Hall.When being used for exams, the school were having to temporarily lay a carpet on the floor to dampen the sounds within the hall, hoping to create a calming and relaxing atmosphere with minimal echoes. However, this was unsatisfactory, and they sought an effective long term solution.When conducted a site visit which enabled us to measure the Sports Hall to be 8.5m in height, 27m in length and 18 m wide. The ceiling area features metal trunking around it and measures 486 sq. m in total. We calculated that 230.4 sq. m would need to be acoustically treated.In order to effectively treat the reverberation issues within the area, we specified 192x 50mm Hush Absorber panels to make the hall acoustically fit for purpose and they would need to be directly bonded to the metal deck.The panels that we supplied the school were from our new Polysorb range, in which the product itself is made from polyester as opposed to foam, giving equally excellent acoustic results. We also supplied these panels with a hard face material, to be damage protected from any equipment which may make its way up to the ceiling.The Polysorb panels are manufactured from 100% recyclable Polyester, in which a minimum of 45% is from post consumer waste PET (Plastic Bottles). The panels have been designed for exceptional sound absorption qualities, whilst being light-weight, impact resistant and durable. These panels can also be cut to any required size and finished in your chosen design.We allowed 5 working days to be able to fit the panels and were able to finish within 4. Whilst installing them, we also rescued 12 footballs and a whole host of shuttlecocks from the ceiling area!We are pleased to have been able to help the school with their reverberation issues and to make a positive impact on the pupils learning, as well as making for a more appropriate and less noisy exam hall.

Nestled within the heart of Nottingham’s Island Quarter, Cleaver & Wake has emerged as a culinary gem that pays homage to the past while embracing the present, with born and raised Masterchef winner in 2018, Laurance Henry is the perfect fit for this stand out restaurant. Beyond the tantalizing dishes and enchanting ambiance, one remarkable detail stands out – the bespoke pull handles that adorn its entrance. These handles are more than mere functional tools; they embody the very essence of the buildings design philosophy.A Fusion of Heritage and ModernityCleaver & Wake, the latest sensation to grace the Island Quarter, has embarked on a journey to encapsulate the spirit of Victorian lace dressmakers who once tread upon the very grounds it now stands upon. In tribute to the two historic figures who lent their names to the establishment, the interior architecture and design studio, Macaulay Sinclair, embarked on an artistic endeavour to meld history and modernity.The result is an exquisite interplay between timeless elegance and contemporary sophistication. Every inch of Cleaver & Wake’s interior space whispers stories of yesteryears, harmonizing Victorian aesthetics with a contemporary twist. And at the heart of this artistic fusion lie our bespoke pull handles – an artistic endeavour that connects past and present.Designing with PurposeThe bespoke pull handles of Cleaver & Wake serve as more than just conduits to enter the restaurant; they are a tangible embodiment of the restaurant’s narrative. Just as the restaurant’s name pays tribute to Victorian dressmakers, these handles reflect the dedication to craft and attention to detail that defined the era.The design process of these handles was a meticulous procedure . Every curve, every contour, and every detail was envisioned with the overarching architectural theme in mind. The handles’ shape, inspired by the graceful lines of Victorian attire, mirrors the curvature and symmetry seen in lace patterns, subtly weaving the essence of Cleaver & Wake’s heritage into its very architecture.Craftsmanship and SymbolismThe craftsmanship behind our pull handles is a testament to the commitment to authenticity and uniqueness. They exude a sense of timeless beauty that only skilled artisans can create. Each pull handle tells a story of the past while offering a tactile connection to the present – an embodiment of the Cleaver & Wake experience itself.As patrons grasp these handles, they’re not just opening a door; they’re traversing a portal through time and design, from the elegance of Victorian craftsmanship to the modern-day finesse of Cleaver & Wake’s culinary offerings.A Final FlourishCleaver & Wake’s bespoke pull handles transcend mere functionality; they embody a narrative that seamlessly connects history with contemporary sophistication. They are more than an invitation to enter; they are the first touchpoint that introduces guests to the captivating journey within.Just as the Victorian lace dressmakers of yore painstakingly wove intricate patterns, Cleaver & Wake’s design team, inspired by their legacy, has woven a masterpiece in architectural storytelling. With the unveiling of these bespoke pull handles, Cleaver & Wake beckons all to step into an enchanting world where heritage and modernity intertwine in the most elegant of ways.So, as you find yourself at the entrance of Cleaver & Wake, pause for a moment before grasping those handles. Let your fingers trace the lines that mirror a bygone era and a thriving present, a testament to the art of design and the stories that architecture can tell.

The BriefFlitwick Football Centre is a charity in Bedfordshire that aims to provide excellent opportunities to grow and develop sport in the local community of Flitwick. They had a 15m x 9m patio terrace on their grounds and required a canopy that would provide protection from the rain and the sun, so they could use it as a permanent marquee for events.They had browsed our website and liked the look of the Codale Junior Free-Standing Tensile Canopy and requested an estimate for a 15m x 9m structure. Shortly after, they also requested prices for 10m x 6m and 10m x 5m structures.Requesting prices for different sizes and products is a great way to discover your perfect shade and shelter solution that fits within your budget. We’re always happy to discuss your options and find the perfect product for both your needs and available funds.The Solution The volunteers at the football club were pleased with the prices and the specification of the Codale Junior, opting the 10m x 5m option and requested a full site survey so we could provide a firm quotation.To enable the football club to gain the maximum usage from their canopy, they were looking into the possibility of having lighting added to the canopy as well as side panels. These are both possible with the Codale Junior. Cables for lights can be run through the canopy posts as long as they are outdoor IP rated cables and are set within trunking.We also supply tensile fabric side panels for the Codale Junior that can be rolled up when not required. We can supply and install the side panels at a later date so there was no need for the club to make any commitment when ordering the canopy.Upon receipt of the canopy order, we organised a pre-site meeting to finalise the power connections, dimensions, access points, health and safety measures and contacts at the location. This is a standard procedure that applies to all canopy orders before the installation.At the pre-site stage, it was established that planning permission was required however, Able Canopies offer a free service and can submit planning documents, removing any unnecessary stress from our customers. A few years previous in 2019, we installed a canopy nearby at Flitwick Children’s Centre which also required planning permission, so having dealt with the local council before, we liaised with our existing contact to ensure we covered any issues that could arise, ensuring a speedy and smooth planning process.The Installation Once planning was approved, the canopy was installed as scheduled over two days in June 2021 and went ahead smoothly. The volunteers at Flitwick Football Club were pleased with their new shade and shelter structure and were looking forward to gaining a lot of use from it, especially as summer was in full swing.

SOLID WOOD FLOOR SYMPATHETIC CHOICE FOR HERITAGE BUILDING Junckers Black Oak flooring has been installed as part of the restoration of Paisley Town Hall. Architects Holmes Miller transformed the Grade A listed building into a high-end venue and public space with careful restoration work to preserve the grand Neoclassical architecture. With a focus on future-proofing the venue in terms of environmental performance and adaptability, Holmes Miller’s design overhauled the existing building by stripping it right back and upgrading services to modern standards, including replacing the heating and ventilation systems with tempered air fed through concealed ducts hidden beneath the wooden floors and using destratification fans to recycle warm air, especially useful in auditorium which has a high ceiling. Accessibility was improved and new functions for previously unused spaces were introduced. As well as a live venue, the town hall now includes a dance studio, café and bar, wedding suites, banqueting, screening room and commercial catering. Junckers’ flooring was installed in several areas, including the main auditorium where the stage was entirely rebuilt to incorporate a rise-and-fall functionality. To introduce more flexibility to the space, the ground floor seating was replaced by a retractable system. The hard-wearing surface of a Junckers’ pre-finished solid hardwood floor is very resistant to the wear and tear associated with a retractable system and the sprung quality of the flooring system will remain intact. Junckers Black Oak Harmony flooring was identified by Holmes Miller during the design stage analysis as a sympathetic choice for the heritage building. The two-strip floorboards, also prevalent in the Black Oak Twin Herringbone installed in some areas, give a narrow parquet appearance in keeping with the original flooring and the dark colour is historically appropriate. Junckers Black Oak is made by mimicking the natural process where oak submerged in a bog takes on a dark hue which pen- etrates the tree trunk. The Black Oak stain is drawn deep into each floorboard which means it can be sanded and refinished without loss of colour. It also means the floor is much more resistant to superficial damage compared to a stained floor- board. Steven Coulson, Associate at Homes Miller added: “The flooring was specified due to a great mix of quality, sustainability credentials and sympathy to the heritage building aesthetic.” The £22M restoration forms part of Renfrewshire Council’s regeneration programme of Paisley’s historic cultural venues. Upgrading historic buildings, particularly public buildings, is a fast-growing trend towards re-use rather than demolishing and building new. By taking a long-term view to retrofit and restore Paisley Town Hall, the Council has secured its sustainable future whilst remaining sympathetic to its history. The flooring was installed by Partnership Flooring. The main contractor was Morrison Construction. 

University of BournemouthProduct: Two Bespoke Kensington Solar CanopiesCanopy Colour: Anthracite Grey RAL7016Canopy Size: 21.9m x 4.9m eachInstallation Date: September 2017The project in briefAs part of a major infrastructure development Bournemouth University created a new transport hub to connect the University to the wider area. Shelter for waiting passengers was part of the plan. Uniquely it had to fit in with the wider design themes of the development and deliver on the University’s sustainability goals by utilising solar technology. To meet those requirements Able Canopies created a bespoke canopy design based on our stylish Kensington system. The addition of solar panels, effective drainage, plus seating and under canopy wind protection, were all elements that the adaptable Kensington can handle. The result was a standout look for a practical transport hub that provides effective weather protection and longer term pay back via renewable energy generation.Growth at Bournemouth UniversityThe new Talbot Campus development at Bournemouth University is an important and prestigious project, not just for the University but for the local area which benefits from the success of the University and its students. The £3 million investment in new campus buildings and other infrastructure is a long-term commitment that will see the University widen its learning provision and all-round facilities. Part of the benefit for students, and the wider Bournemouth area, is the construction of a new transport hub that will provide joined up public transport connecting the University campus to Bournemouth itself.  A key part of the new transport hub is the weather protection provided to passengers as they wait for buses. To ensure that this essential part of the development met the standards required of the project Able Canopies entered early design discussions with the University. This evolved and in April 2017 Mildren Construction awarded Able Canopies the works for the new bus hub.Project Proposal & InstallationThroughout the development and design process we thought that our Kensington Dual pitch would be the ideal product for this installation. The more the design developed and requirements were added, such as the solar roof panels, the more convinced we were that it was perfect for the client’s needs. The Kensington is a robust, steel frame system that will stand up to all that the weather has to throw at it. Its architectural good looks mean that it makes a strong aesthetic statement, which was a key requirement here. We worked closely with the solar panel provider Polysolar who had overall control of the installation. Their panel fitted perfectly into the Kensington roof with some minor alterations to our working method to provide clean, efficient and sustainable energy for the transport hub. In addition, we had to consider how all cables were concealed and accessed at later dates. To achieve this access panels were installed in the 2 higher posts, one dealt with DC cables from the solar panels and the other with AC cables for the lighting. The final 2 lower posts on each canopy were designed to be integral rain water pipes and dispersed all water from the roof into a drainage connection below the paving.The Finished CanopiesAs the images show, the canopies look great and they are doing their job effectively in the transport hub which is now up and running. The solar panels are producing energy efficiently and help to provide a safe and comfortable shelter for the Campus’s transport users.The Tech SpecsMain Structure 21.9m x 4.9m overall canopy size (each)Powder coated and hot dip galvanised steel frame Inclined from 3m low end to 4m high end126 PS-CT Series Solar Panels per canopy (8mm thickness)Bespoke laminated glass end panelsMicro connectors to all solar panels to ensure all cabling was discreteSabre Architectural LED lightingBespoke underground drainage connectionsBespoke electrical access panels18kw system in totalGalvanised steel cable trunking & aluminium cable trays Underside Windbreaks10mm toughened glass windbreaks fixed to heavy duty steel frameGalvanised steel & hardwood benchesStainless steel glass clamps