"dining table"

Pear Tree Court is a stunning care home in Waterlooville, Hampshire, which offers a range of care in beautiful surroundings. This care home has the latest in luxury facilities, a café, hair salon, gardens, cinema, its own pub, and 72 en-suite bedrooms over three floors. The home is divided into smaller suites, each with its own lounge, dining room and TV lounge and every bedroom is beautifully decorated and furnished.Cellecta’s ScreedBoard 28 was specified due to it being an award winning 100% recycled, reinforced, non-combustible, calcium sulphate floorboard, ideal for a multitude of new build and refurbishment applications. ScreedBoard 28 was chosen in this project due to its outstanding acoustic performance, ideal for a busy care home!CastleOak Care Partnerships were awarded this 2,376m² contract to construct this care home.

In May 2017, the Main Building which housed the lounge, dining, reception area, and the Taphuis Bar, was gutted in a fire. Only the walls were left standing and all of its contents were destroyed. Because of the historic significance of the building, the project team needed to move through a strenuous process of permissions and approvals to start the rebuild. Part of the brief, was to ensure that as far as possible, original materials would be used, that would reflect the previous look and feel, making the sourcing and availability of crucial importance. This building in particular, dates back to the early 1700's and finding timber for the roof structure was a challenge. They decided to use Spruce.The biggest drawback of using Spruce is that it is a very light and pale coloured timber. To achieve the aged look and feel of the original timber, they used Rubio Monocoat's Pre-Color Easy and Hybrid Wood Protector.

An unconventional idea from a Constructing Architect and former Officer becomes unique design furniture under the Danish designer brand WUM. The furniture collection Urban Outdoor is based on very traditional PcP gratings, usually used, i.e. industrial and construction sectors, where very high strength is needed.About WUMWUM is a Danish designer brand and, in fact, short for "WoodUmix". In 2018, the journey started for Marius Øvrum and Peter Wallbohm Olsen - the partners behind the design company - with the explicit goal of designing and producing lamps and furniture in Denmark. WUM's designs must stand out from the market, and the focus of the concept is to offer products that are both designed, developed and produced in Denmark and could still be provided at competitive prices. WUM has taken the first step with garden furniture sets made in classic and Danish PcP mesh gratings.With Danish production and development, this means that WUM will achieve a sustainable mindset..." It fits our moral compass, and we like the mentality of trying to create sustainable and responsible products", explains Peter Wallbohm Olson, co-owner of WUM.Project criteriaWUM's approach to design projects involves close collaboration with all partners. For example, for the development of garden furniture, the idea of using mesh gratings was already in place. WUM, together with PcP, has developed the requirements for the design project based on the knowledge and experience of PcP. Both in terms of designing a beautiful and durable product as well as keeping costs down."That's very much how we think and work. So how can we create an exciting, new and different design product that we can offer at an attractive price for customers? Here, refining and processing classic industrial components is an obvious option", says Peter Wallbohm Olsen.There was a significant focus on product design; how could you transform a traditional mesh grating to look like a real bench and a table? The criteria of appealing and unique design, durability and easy to produce were the focal point of the cooperation with PcP.Solution and manufacturingTogether with PcP, WUM has developed prototypes for garden furniture. The gratings are made in bespoke dimensions for outdoor tables and benches in three different sizes (Small, Medium and Large).The garden furniture is made of 33/33 mill finish steel mesh gratings with 25/2 bearing bars. Instead of 25x3mm edge bars most commonly used, they are made with 25x5mm edge bars. This solution reduces the deflection of the garden furniture as much as possible. In addition, mounting holes are made in the grates to suit WUM's mounting brackets. Finally, the gratings get an extra-fine finish in the form of sharp edge grinding and welding spray. Once manufactured by PcP, they are sent for surface treatment: electropolish and then powder coating. As a result, the material and construction of garden furniture is a very durable solution for both weather conditions and capacity.

RAF Museum Cosford, one of the premier tourist destinations in Shropshire, officially opened its brand-new Astor Bannerman Changing Places Toilet last week. Staff at the museum were joined by carers from City of Wolverhampton Council, Adult Provider Services and Aveso CEO Nick Kent for the ribbon cutting ceremony.Located in the visitor centre, the toilet includes a ceiling track hoist for full room coverage and an adult size height adjustable changing table, amongst other essential equipment and the extra space needed to use the toilet safely and comfortably.The equipment in the Changing Places toilet includes: Astor Invincible Changing TableAstor OT200 Ceiling HoistAstor ABW6 Height Adjustable Wash BasinCentrally Placed ToiletPortable Privacy ScreenAccessories including grab railsTalking about the new accessible facility, Paula Kovacs, RAF Museum Community Engagement Manager said:‘As a national museum, we recognise how important it is that each one of our visitors is able to enjoy their day with us in comfort and dignity. This is particularly important for visitors with profound and multiple learning disabilities, and others who need extra support. I am certain that this new facility will have a tremendous positive impact on the visitor experience for those of our visitors with such requirements, as well as their families, friends and carers, enabling them to enjoy as fully as possible their day with us, confident that their requirements are being catered for.’The Changing Places toilet was given a big thumbs up from members of the City of Wolverhampton Council, Adult Provider Services (Day Opportunities), who recently visited the RAF Museum on their first day trip to an attraction in more than a year.One carer said:‘It’s my first visit to the RAF Museum and the Changing Places facility is wonderful. The Museum is amazing, and we will now be able to plan more days out with our members. Without the Changing Places facility, we wouldn’t have been able to bring some of our members.’‘It’s vital when we go out that we have facilities for people to use. Changing Places toilets is something we can’t always find but having one so close will make days out so much better.’Nick Kent, CEO of Aveso, a long-term sponsor of The Changing Places Campaign making venues more accessible for all, said:‘Changing Places are a vital facility for the disabled community and their carers. There are over 1,600 Changing Places rooms in the UK, but this facility is one of the most beautifully designed with the mural of the sky. It’s a great facility for users and carers and ensures the Museum is an attractive day out for everyone.’The Museum’s new Changing Places facility is provided in addition to the standard accessible toilets that can be found in each of the Museum’s buildings. For further details of the various facilities that the Museum offers for visitors requiring additional assistance please visit rafmuseum.org/Cosford.

New corporate headquarters for a growing independent distiller called for the perfect blend of outdoor infrastructure to reflect its strong local identity.Ian Macleod Distillers (IMD) embarked on the new HQ project after outgrowing its nearby Russell House head office.The £4.5 million development features two prominent glass towers representing the traditional ventilation shafts of Scottish whisky distilleries.And when it came to the design and creation of the building's outdoor spaces, Broxap's Litchard range provided a similar timeless yet unique aesthetic for the site.Working for Clark Contracts, Broxap designed, manufactured and installed a suite of furniture including two Litchard Picnic Units and 16 Litchard Benches.Our teams collaborated with the project leaders to create 8 Litchard Seats, as well as tables and short benches, to specific dimensions to enable unique group seating configurations.A Palisade Brise Soleil adds another dimension to the breakout space. Door barriers, complete with tapping bars to meet Scotland’s disability access standards, completed the project.The main building delivers 10,000 sq ft of office space for IMD and is the commercial hub for the independent family firm which owns brands including Edinburgh Gin, Glengoyne, Tamdhu and Smokehead.

The scope of the project was to facilitate a waterproofing solution for a substantial brick built detached property with a large 3 elevation basement situated at the bottom of a steep sloping driveway. The basement when constructed had 1 form of external waterproofing incorporated during the build stage, however the system required a second form of internal waterproofing due to the location of the structure and high-water table, capable of protecting the luxurious basement from unwanted water ingress.The property’s driveway significantly slopes from street level to the front elevation of the property requiring a specialist waterproofing system to protect the structure.Working in conjunction with the homeowner, Timberwise’s CSSW qualified waterproofing surveyors specified a Delta Type C (Drained) Protection waterproofing system to provide the necessary Grade 3 (habitable environment) to enable to homeowner to fully utilise their basement space. For Grade 3 habitable environments, two types of waterproofing may be required.A Waterproofing Designer’s philosophy defines what they wish to accomplish in the design of their waterproofing system and which principles they will use to do so. Identifying a robust and suitable design philosophy is an important aspect when designing a continuous system, as this will not only directly impact in how users install the system but also in future maintenance which will directly impact on the property owner.

THE PROJECTThe Torre Koi in Mexico is the second tallest building in Mexico standing at a huge 917 ft. The tower is in San Pedro Garza Garcia, part of the Monterrey Metropolitan area. The building acts as the centrepiece of four buildings. When the project finished it was the tallest building in Mexico, but the Torres Obispado surpassed the Koi in 2020.VFO Architectos, based in Mexico City, designed, and oversaw the architecture for The Torre Koi. With a mixture of office and residential the skyscraper features 63 floors, 218 apartments, 18 penthouses and 26 floors of commercial office space.THE SOLUTIONThe Safety Letterbox Company was approached by ‘Interni Design Studio’, the interior designers, in charge of the materials for the social areas in the tower. Their requirements were for mailboxes for the residents, with the added requirements of security, efficiency and to be aesthetically pleasing.Quantity requirements and available dimensions were provided to The Safety Letterbox Company, along with design ideas to enable an appropriate product to be specified. The product matched the brief and ticked all the boxes Interni needed on both the practical and creative side of the project.The tower features multiple banks of MODA H 300 mailboxes, fitted to a jet-black support table so they sit freestanding within the mailroom. With a stainless-steel front and a jet-black body these stylish, sophisticated mailboxes really deliver in this incredible skyscraper!

Pembroke House is an assisted living home located in Camberley. The home had a conversion of the second and third floors and construction of a 2 story roof extension to provide 116 affordable apartments, as well as 20 in a dedicated dementia suite. Facilities include a private dining room, lounge areas, restaurant, cinema, library, café, spa bathroom, bistro, library, beauty salon and activities room. Located in the city centre, the building has underground parking, garden terraces on the 4th Floor, and a porte cochere providing outdoor space for residents to enjoy.Cellecta’s DECKfon Batten 70 was specified by PRP Architects as they have been rigorously tested and are robust detail complaint for steel, concrete and timber separating floor applications. The battens consist of a layer of recycled, low resonance, open cell, flexible polyurethane foam bonded to an FSC/PEFC certified timber batten.Wates Construction was awarded this 2,880m² contract to construct this development in Surrey.

Glazing Vision rooflights were used in the re-construction of this mews house situated in the prime real estate and conservation area of Mayfair, London. The building is an exceptional example of stunning architecture and elegant, contemporary interiors. Whilst adding a majestic character to the mews itself with its dark brick façade and impactful balcony, the outer appearance belies the vast size of the residence internally. After the demolition of the former mews house and after 2 years of construction, which had even necessitated underpinning the neighbouring houses, this property now accommodates a basement with indoor pool, lower ground floor with cinema room, open plan living and dining space, 2 floors of bedrooms and bathrooms, as well as additional terraced balconies.Keeping the interiors bright and airy throughout was key to the design concept – floor to ceiling windows and Flushglaze Walk On Rooflights from Glazing Vision were installed to maximise the daylight where it would have been otherwise compromised on the ground and second floors. In addition, a Glazing Vision 3 Wall Box Rooflight provides unimpeded access from an internal staircase to the impressive roof terrace, which is recessed down 1 1/2metres between 2 pitched roofs and which offers a vast outdoor space for entertaining, dining and relaxing.Two Flushglaze Walk On rooflights were specified by the architect to negate the risk of potential dark spots appearing in the dining zone and living area on the ground floor. Engineered by Glazing Vision to bespoke sizes and to meet the future projected foot traffic upon them, they were seamlessly integrated into the balconied terrace on the second floor, thus shedding light through to the bench seating in the kitchen and lounge.Their minimal internal framework was in keeping with the contemporary aesthetic of the interior, and both rooflights augment the quality and quantity of light entering this open plan area, even extending out towards the central stairwell and landing.Two further custom-sized Flushglaze Walk On Rooflights installed on the roof terrace add an intricate design detail but also create a wow factor. Perfect for flat roof terraces, these rooflights lie flush with the wooden decking. Again tested to allow for regular foot traffic and to bear the weight of terrace furniture, the rooflights offer complete safety and watertight integrity. On the second floor below, the two windowless bathrooms are flooded with the light coming through these rooflights – indeed such is the brightness of these rooms that privacy blinds have been installed for occasional use.Seeking to optimise the very large roof space that had been created (4m x 8m) the architect specified Glazing Vision’s 3 Wall Box Rooflight, which would offer easy access all year round to the roof terrace and also provide a contemporary glass feature. For the accommodation of the 3 wall mounted box rooflight a timber box frame had to be built which abutted the exposed brick wall behind.The property’s imposing central staircase provides access to the box rooflight, which in turn maximises the light falling down the stairwell to the bottom of the house. At a touch of a button from an access keypad, the sliding roof retracts to give a 50% clear opening with no “bowing of the head” necessary. The operation is quiet and safe, and the provision of a rain sensor ensures closure from inclement weather.

Luxurious Outdoor Living: a Sanctuary of EleganceNestled in the heart of central Tunbridge Wells, Kent, UK, this remarkable project showcases the artful synergy of luxurious outdoor living and impeccable design. The sprawling terrace area serves as an oasis of relaxation and an exquisite dining space.Once a family home in need of modernisation, this property has undergone a large transformation overseen by a family who sought not merely a home, but a sanctuary that harmoniously caters to both adults and children, fostering moments of reprieve and conviviality.The front facade is graced with the natural grandeur of McMonagle exterior natural stone wall cladding, a testament to refined taste and architectural finesse. In harmony with the contemporary elements of the roof, front door, and surround, the client chose Silver Quartzite from the Stoneer range. The 'L'-shaped corner pieces emulate the substantial depth of authentic stone walls, adding a depth to the façade.The entire front and side paths of the property are embraced by the sleek embrace of Atlas Concorde Boost White porcelain, its modern concrete finish seamlessly weaving together the chosen colour palette.Venturing to the rear of the property, the vision of local garden designer Sue Blakeley unfolds—an artist known for breathing life into outdoor realms. In her inspired design, a raised dining and socialising sanctuary emerges.A grand staircase descends from the property's first floor, unveiling a 120 m² expanse of outdoor bliss. The choice of oversized 1200x1200mm tiles from the Atlas Concorde Boost White porcelain range amplifies the modernity of the space. Their smooth, refined finish forms the cornerstone of a contemporary aesthetic that gracefully complements the minimalistic outdoor furnishings and architectural accents, crafting a space exuding cohesion and sophistication. Four huge steel planters, each with a beautiful olive tree, sit on either corner of the main terrace square.The alfresco dining area beckons, offering seating for up to 16 guests. Here, culinary delights can be prepared on the integrated BBQ or the countertop-mounted pizza oven, while refreshments are kept cold in the integrated fridges. The selected porcelain, resistant to stains and heat, ensures both ease of maintenance and enduring beauty.Adjacent to this culinary haven, a contrasting border crafted from Atlas Concorde TM Black porcelain draws the eye, defining individual zones within the outdoor haven. Beyond the inviting soft seating area, another area awaits, poised to entertain yet more guests.Gazing back from the lawn towards toe terrace, a gracefully designed set of steps guides one back up to the elevated terrace. Boost White porcelain, mirroring the landing's material, makes a bold statement, accentuated by the grandeur of five six-meter-long steps. The step risers, also composed of Boost White porcelain, exude order and logic. Intriguing, raised planters, chosen for year-round interest, colour and scent, sit either side of the steps, infusing visual intrigue and seamlessly melding with the garden's overall aesthetic, rendering this outdoor haven a masterpiece of design and leisure.Companies involved with this project:Contractor: Mann Contractors, www.jemanncontractors.co.ukGarden Designer and Installer: Sue Blakeley, www.sueblakeley.comArchitect: Coleman Anderson Architects, www.colemananderson.co.ukMaterials used in this project:Atlas Concorde Boost White Porcelain 1200x1200x20mmAtlas Concorde Boost White Porcelain 1200x600x20mmAtlas Concorde Boost TM Black Porcelain 1200x600x20mmMcMonagle Quartzite Wall Cladding Stoneer Silver Flat PiecesMcMonagle Quartzite Wall Cladding Stoneer Silver Corner Pieces

When Cardiff High school needed a high-quality multi-use sports flooring solution for their main hall, they chose international flooring specialist Gerflor to supply 700m2 of their world class Taraflex® Multi-Use vinyl sports floor. Gerflor also supplied an Isolsport underlay and their ubiquitous Taraflex® Bateco moveable protective covering which would ensure that the Taraflex® sports floor would remain protected during non-sporting activities.The contracting responsibility for the sports floor would be undertaken by Cardiff-based Floor Furnishings Limited. Nick Jefferies, Company Director, Floor Furnishings Ltd commented, “Gerflor’s Taraflex sports floor was extremely easy to lay. The Isolsport underlay also supplied by Gerflor, enabled us to lay the Taraflex Multi-Use directly over the existing concrete floor, this was a real benefit as the project was on a very tight schedule, due to the hall being required for exams.”The Taraflex® Multi-Use is a P1 category sports flooring, designed for both sport and non-sport use making it ideal for multi-purpose areas. Taraflex® Multi-Use protects users with excellent shock absorption and impact protection of 25% to 35%. Yet it’s tough enough to protect itself against non-sport demands often found in many education environments such as the movement of tables, chairs, and exercise equipment.

Waterproofing design is a key and critical component for successful construction of below ground structures. Whether it’s a completely new build or making smaller changes to an existing property, waterproofing design should never be overlooked.Waterproofing might account for just a small fraction of a building’s total cost, but waterproofing defects can result in catastrophic consequences. When waterproofing fails, the implications are significant.Delta’s MD, Kevin Dodds was approached to offer advice and guidance on a failed waterproofing system.The existing structure had an impressive 5-level basement which houses: kitchens, food storage and food preparation areas, spa, plant rooms and accommodation. Near to a large river, the site sited well within the water table. The original waterproofing system was based on the secant piled walls and a block wall internally to provide a basic drained protection system with drainage holes at various points to drain to various levels.Over time, the third floor had become completely saturated with all levels of the basement experiencing water ingress in varying levels from damp patches to significant “jets” of water and flows of water through the secant piles.With remediation waterproofing design strategies, it may take some time to specify a suitable system. It is important that investigations are thoroughly carried out by individuals with the capability of diagnosing the defect, assessing the extent of that defect, and recommending a suitable corrective measure.

Flowers Gallery was first established in 1970 on Lisle Street in London’s West End, more recently moving into a 12,000 sq foot industrial space in Shoreditch, East London. Now, Flowers have two gallery spaces in London and one in the United States. Flowers participates regularly in art fairs internationally. The programme in both the UK and US comprises all media by established and emerging artists. The gallery is an active publisher of prints and multiples with an established department in contemporary international photography. When refurbished in 2014, Dan Flowers contacted GEC Anderson to produce a stainless steel worktop that would be incorporated into the gallery kitchen. The gallery kitchen is used on a daily basis by fifteen staff members and also by outside caterers that are hired to cater for exhibitions. The area is well used on a regular basis and needed to be long lasting and hygienic but also to look smart and professional. Architect, Felicity Atekpe, of White Table Interior Designs in relation to the kitchen “I was trying to get a different kind of space from the normal gallery and wanted it all to be hues of blues and moody (restful) with the stainless steel as the sparkle. Dan suggested GEC Anderson. At the time I showed them photographs which were stills from the Japanese film Floating Weeds by Yasujiro Ozu but they chickened out of painting the walls darker and the floor... You never know though, they might yet.”

The 4-star Mercure Sheffield St Paul's Hotel & Spa is perfectly located in the heart of Sheffield city centre.Fusion Interiors Group an established interior design agency, were approached by Accor Hotels to create luxury bedrooms for Mercure Cardiff and Sheffield. As an approved Accor supplier, Skopos were delighted when Fusion provided the opportunity to work on their scheme.Brief:Brand new luxury suites in both hotels needed a chic and elegant interior. The windows covered a substantial area so large subtly designed curtains and sheers were required.Outcome:The interior scheme included contemporary goemetric shapes for the tables and light fittings with a distressed geometric on the carpet. To fit in with the scheme Oru Husky from the Origiami collection was selected for curtains. The wide width fabric with an Art Deco inspired pattern fitted perfectly within the brief. For additional privacy sheer curtains were  chosen from the Astraeus collection—Charm Ice, also wide width, continued the theme with its matt striped texture.Upholstery fabric for the chair was in complete contrast to the rest of the theme. The soft velvet finish of Tahoe crib 5 upholstery fabric brought a distressed glimmer giving the whole scheme another dimension. The scheme used blues and neutrals to deliver a calm and elegant feel to the interior.Skopos provided a full service offer, including make-up of all curtains and sheers, full site measure and installation.

Cuplas are Liverpool’s first choice for providing wholesale plumbing supplies to the trade and public. They contacted us to assist with a project they became involved with at the Tobacco Warehouse, Liverpool’s luxury waterfront apartments.The Grade II Tobacco Warehouse is the largest brick build building in the world. Formally the storage facility for all of the tobacco coming in to the UK from the new world. It has now been converted into a residential complex with ‘New York’ style apartments of varying sizes. To compliment the modern design, the apartments needed to be fitted out with quality bathroom products.Round table discussions took place with key experts within the business and directly with Cuplas to fully understand the challenge and help them achieve their goals. Following these discussions and numerous visits to site to visualise the setting, our design, specification and product teams worked together to present various solutions to satisfy their demands. After looking at all of the options available, the customer chose our premium WRAS approved concealed cistern range along with our Reef dual flush pneumatic push plate.Testimonial“The two main driving factors on deciding to use TYDE for this job was value for money and reputation. The apartments are top end properties, we wanted to use a manufacturer with a solid reputation for quality. The products were easy to install, they function well and have been faultless so far.”

Conversion of listed Cotswold coach houseDesign Storey architects are thrilled with the transformation of this curtilage-listed coach house located in a walled garden within a conservation area in a small Cotswold town. The task was to extend the ground floor of the property to create a new boot room and dining room, increase the amount of light into the property and improve connection of the house with the garden. The project proved particularly tricky due to the listed and conservation status which made selection of materials especially sensitive. Having specified Lindab guttering for these reasons and for its longevity and minimal appearance, the architect was assisted with samples so that the client could choose their colour palette on site. They opted for Anthracite Metallic coated finish gutters and downpipes and square hoppers which the architect said, “contributed to the overall quality of the build and visual appearance of the final building”. Following this, Design Storey are using Lindab guttering on a number of further projects including a school extension and a family home, stating that Lindab, “provide a quality range of products to suit a number of solutions.”

Pura® NFC by Trespa as connecting factor between two building volumesIn close cooperation with Guus Vedder (2•1 Architecten), architect Hendrik Jan van der Valk (Van der Valk Woudst ra) has designed a modern villa, consisting of two main volumes. The villa was for a private client and is located in a rural village in the Veluwe region. One volume is used as living/ dining room and kitchen, while the bedrooms, bathrooms, playroom and technical area are located in the other.The client had a number of explicit requirements for the design of the villa which is located on a large plot in a wooded area. In addition to various aesthetic aspects, the villa had to be sustainable and energy neutral. The facades, roofs and floors were therefore very well insulated and of airtight construction. All window frames have aluminium profiles with optimum insulation and have triple glazing. The whole house is equipped with domotics and all installations are powered by the solar panels that were fitted; there is therefore no need for a gas connection.

With its ten cinemas and six restaurants, the East Square leisure complex in Basildon in Essex is part of an ambitious master plan to restore the town centre’s appeal by creating daytime and evening entertainment and dining opportunities. Partly inspired by the city’s artistic past, when Basildon was known for its 1960s ceramic murals, the building also evokes the modern edge of digital images. The set of multicoloured hexagonal cassettes designed by Pollard Thomas Edwards’ architects in London evokes the shape of coloured pixels in the digital images projected on the cinema’s screens. This combination of four surface coverings - AZENGAR®, ANTHRA-ZINC®, QUARTZ-ZINC®, GOLD lacquered zinc - and two types of installation - MOZAIK® cassettes and hexagonal shingles - on some 4,000 m2 of facades creates a playful and dynamic effect. A future image is coming into view. The irregularity of the facade’s upper edge is a good illustration of the city’s urban renewal project; it seems to show that the city’s future is still being constructed and rewritten in this very place. 

As part of the major refurbishment project, Artform Urban was approached by City Design to transform an underutilised internal courtyard into a vibrant communal space that encourages social interaction and relaxation.To achieve this, the design needed to incorporate a variety of outdoor furniture elements that complemented the modern aesthetics of the refurbished building while withstanding the rigours of an outdoor environment. The design and layout were also guided by the unique and playful ground markings that help to break up the ample space visually.Artform Urban worked closely with the client to provide a comprehensive range of outdoor furniture that met the project's specific needs. The supplied products included:Stone Benches: These uniquely designed pebble-shaped benches are manufactured from High-Performance Concrete and add an artistic touch to the courtyard. The stones can be supplied in 3 sizes and also feature a specialist Comfort option that has a heated element for additional user comfort on colder days. Rivola Seat: A really well-priced unit, the robust granite Rivola Seats feature a wavy design that echoes the ground markings. These can be positioned in 3 different ways for added flexibility. As well as being highly durable and low maintenance the Stone and Rivola are ideal in student environments for encouraging informal group gatherings or solitary lounging and relaxation thanks to their intriguing organic shapes. Loop Arc and Hop Op 500: this range of contemporary, rotationally moulded plastic seating and stools features an ergonomic design and is available in a range of vibrant colours. The client opted for a white bench to complement the newly resurfaced area and ground markings - creating a visually appealing and comfortable seating solution for students, perfect for casual meetings or studying outdoors. It is also possible to install these free standing and self-weight internally with water or sand. Holgate Picnic Sets: To foster a sense of togetherness and encourage outdoor dining, Artform Urban provided picnic sets. These sturdy and durable sets offered a practical dining solution for students to enjoy meals together in the courtyard.Rubino Litter Bin: To maintain cleanliness and hygiene in the courtyard, Artform Urban supplied the Rubino Litter Bin. This heavy-duty yet stylish granite waste disposal unit seamlessly blends with the modern design of the space. By providing various furniture options that combine aesthetics, durability, and comfort, the newly refurbished courtyard will play a crucial role in enhancing the living experience for the students at iQ Wilmslow Park in Manchester.

Dynamic interior spaces created for flagship care homeIssueQuantum Care were launching their flagship care home, Mantles Court, and wanted an interior design that created a warm, welcoming and comfortable space. They asked WHAT IF? Designs to create the interior fit out with a non-clinical feel, making the state of the art, 78-bed care facility feel like a home-from-home for residents.ApproachWHAT IF? Designs looked at the flow of resident living spaces and the needs for each area. Communal spaces including lounges, dining and kitchen areas needed floors that were easy to clean, look fantastic and provide safety from slips. For the ensuite bathrooms, a softer, neutral coloured floor that provided slip resistance for both staff and residents was needed, while bedrooms needed a more homely, domestic feel, with comfort under foot as a priority.SolutionAltro Wood was chosen for the dining room, bedrooms and the hair salon for its natural, homely, good looks. Altro Aquarius and Altro Pisces, with their wide colour palette and lifetime sustained slip resistance, were selected for the ensuite bathrooms, providing safety for shoe and barefoot users. And in the communal areas, Altro Ensemble was chosen for its flexibility and design choices as well as its noise reduction and comfort underfoot.Altro Wood is an attractive wood-effect vinyl flooring helping you create the right look for areas where people live and work. It has sustained slip resistance for the lifetime of the floor.Altro Aquarius was developed for lasting performance in shoes or barefoot, providing lifetime sustained slip resistance in wet and dry environments.Altro Ensemble is a modular flooring system of luxury vinyl tiles that gives complete design freedom to create stunning floors for interior spaces. Altro Ensemble has 15dB sound reduction with added comfort underfoot.Altro Pisces provides superb performance whether wet or dry, in shoes or barefoot in wet environments where the likelihood of a slip is very high."We would recommend Altro to other designers. There is always support when we need it and we will definitely include them in future schemes." Penny Green Co-founder, WHAT IF? Designs"There is a wide range of colour and technical specifications which provided us with the creativity we needed." Penny Green Co-founder, WHAT IF? Designs

Project detailsIconic London restaurant The Ivy has undergone a major renovation project that has taken five months to complete. This dramatic refurbishment was completed in time to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the restaurant. Although dramatic, much of its original identity such as the trademark stained glass windows remains.The interior design team behind ‘The Ivy’ has previously worked on other restaurants in the same group including Scott’s, the J Sheekey Oyster Bar and Daphne’s in South Kensington.The restaurant has had a modern makeover, the bar has been relocated to the middle of the room and is surrounded by pink leather and mohair bar stools, in the main restaurant booths as well as private corner tables have replaced the original seating arrangement. Project overviewWorking alongside our clients we manufactured and supplied the internal ventilation grilles and diffusers throughout the restaurant including linear bar grilles, floor grilles, linear slot diffusers and air valves.Our products provided both supply and extract ventilation with accessories and optional paint finishes to suit our clients’ exact requirements. We manufactured all our products in the UK at two locations in Glossop and Sheffield giving us complete control over the quality of our production process and lead times. Benefits of using GDL Products on the projectWe offer a full turnkey package including design, manufacture and install.We manufacture standard and bespoke products to suit your exact requirements.

The TaskOriginally a garage for a local car showroom in the town centre, The Forum has most recently been a storage facility until the College began redevelopment of its kitchens in a 12th Century Grade 1 listed building. This provided improved and expanded catering facilities. During the works, the College still needed kitchen and dining facilities, prompting the re-purposing of The Forum.Northmores Project Management Consultants were contracted by the College to manage the project, designed by Paul Vonberg Architects, to future-proof the building.The Outcome“It was a very tricky project. Logistically, being right in central Cambridge, and during COVID, we had to ensure we were rigorous in our safe practice. Fortunately, the new internal design of the Forum meant it was easy to operate a one-way system for any internal workings making good the linings where the rooflights had been and redecorating. From a reroofing perspective too it was complex. The team at Langley devised a practical solution and were always on hand to support us with technical advice if needed.”

Initial project meetings first started in early 2008, the clients owned a small cottage on the site which had been extended several times during the 80’s and had permission to make further adaptations. The mixture of building standards meant that their home was extremely drafty and very energy inefficient. The site itself is particularly exposed. The design which achieved planning permission was a crescent form which steps and slides into the slopes on the site. The crescent formation is in direct response to solar orientation.The brief was to design a building which would accommodate the family for many years into the future, the planned occupancy would be for 5 adults. Additionally, the home will be used for large family occasions. A requirement was set for a minimum 16 seated spaces to be available for dining during these family occasions.Op-Deck was added into the scheme very early into the design process as the way of creating the highly insulated structural floor as the house was being designed under Passivhaus standards. The overall U-value of the property is 0.1w/m2K as standard. The system was installed on the lower and ground floors and also the roof.

dormakaba sets high standard at quick service restaurants nationwideAs part of a national refurbishment programme for McDonald’s, dormakaba was appointed to install high quality automatic doors from dormakaba at 169 restaurants across the UK, helping to deliver the utmost levels of safety and convenience.dormakaba’s modern, sleek and stylish automatic doors help provide a reliable and pleasant experience for customers entering the restaurants, as well as offering a stable and comfortable environment for those dining inside.McDonald’s Restaurants (GBR)dormakaba ES 200 automatic door operators were specified for their sleek design, reliability and service backup. For entrances where space is restricted, such as with refurbishment schemes, swing door operators are a convenient solution.dormakaba’s contribution to the projectSpecified for their robustness, reliability, green credentials and nationwide backup service, dormakaba ED 100 Low Energy units enable doors to be opened under power when required.In Automatic mode, dormakaba ED 100 operators are especially suitable for external doors where they recognise and compensate for tough weather effects. 

Orbis OS210/OS211 Glass Infill Side and Top FixThe Eastbourne College Project 150 delivered a sports hall, competition pool, fitness suite, squash courts, dining and common rooms, pavilion and 32 classrooms, while also providing connections between key College facilities. The development, to mark the college’s 150th anniversary, enabled the Eastbourne College to take a giant leap forward providing several high-quality facilities in one substantial build. Delta Balustrades worked with the architect from early concept design stages and provided technical expertise and advice. The Orbis balustrade system throughout provided a consistent glass balustrade style throughout the building and could be utilised for the external pavilion areas also. Whilst mainly throughout new build areas of the college, the look and style of the balustrades was especially important to complement the College’s iconic buildings and environment. Due to the proximity to the sea, special attention had to be given to the materials and finishes for the external balustrades, and 316 grade stainless steel with a Lustre bright polished finish was required to be suitable in a marine environment.

The VELUX Daylight Visualizer enlightens a new-build school academyA new school building project was commissioned with a clear design vision—deliver an exceptional learning facility to best serve pupils and the community.The school design is a steel-framed superblock with a compacted floorplate and accommodating spaces spread over four floors. In the main building, classrooms benefit from daylight provided through vertical glazing. Larger communal spaces such as the main hall, internal corridors, a dining room, and drama studio can be found in the heart of the building. Daylight in these communal spaces is provided through the roof.  Activity spaces such as the sports hall, a gym and library required specific daylight levels to comply with the Department for Education (DfE) output specification requirements. Deep-plan, central locations also required a calculated daylight design, prompting Pozzoni Architects to invite VELUX Commercial to collaborate on the project and assist with the evaluation of daylight provision.To read more about this case study and how understanding daylight analysis simplifies complex design goals, visit our website.

THE PROJECTAs part of it’s recent £100 million pound renovation, Roché Awnings were tasked with providing a shading solution which was in keeping with the hotels iconic features, whilst covering the width of their ground floor terrace. The terrace being the location for the hotel’s east smoking terrace, central loggia door entrance and private outdoor dining area.THE SOLUTIONThe challenge was to choose an awning which blended in with the style of the Edwardian building. Originally designed to incorporate the Markilux 730 drop arm awnings, we advised the hotel to choose the Markilux 3300 awnings due to it’s unique design. The awnings were mounted to the buildings stone facade and sit inconspicuously below the hotel’s balustrade. The helped the awning merge beautifully into the architecture of the building.Roché coupled Markilux 3300 full cassette patio awnings to achieve widths of close to 10 and 13 metres, along with a smaller width of close to 3 metres. The awning was installed green fabric, traffic white cassette and uniform awning projection. The positioning provided full protection for the open terrace area.