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Vandersanden has launched a new online interactive Inspiration Guide ‘Sustainably Attractive Facades'. The specially curated brochure has been designed to both inspire and inform architects about the variety of bricks that Vandersanden offers and their potential to elevate any architectural project.  Mathew Davies, National Specification Manager Vandersanden UK comments: “We wanted to create an indispensable reference tool for architects to deliver not only essential information about the numerous brick finishes and styles that Vandersanden offers, but to share inspiration from some of the outstanding projects that feature our bricks. The brochure offers a comprehensive guide to all our brick shapes, sizes and colourways. We’re confident we have a product that’s suitable for all types of facades and every architect’s vision.” Specifier CollectionsThe guide offers a curated preview of Vandersanden’s wide range of solutions for specifiers, offering insights into the extensive choice of brick types; from hand-formed to wirecut bricks and beyond. Architects will also be able to learn more about the inspiring colour range of bricks available, including bright whites, contemporary greys, bold blacks, rustic reds, soft buffs/yellows and creative pastels.  Project InspirationThe new Inspiration Guide provides architects with inspiration from an impressive range of projects that have featured Vandersanden’s bricks, in all colours and textures. Specifiers can learn from the architects of the award-winning tranquil Spa at South Lodge or the outstanding City Law School, which seamlessly combines both traditional and contemporary architecture. Whether the project requires bricks of a more rich and rustic aesthetic, or a crisp and contemporary finish, Vandersanden can bring to life any architect’s creative vision.Focus on SustainabilityThe new Inspiration Guide also offers insights into Vandersanden’s commitment to sustainability and its drive to develop sustainable products, manufacturing processes and services which have a limited impact on the environment and ecosystem. The company shares an overview of its efforts and results in terms of sustainability and the past year’s performance shows that Vandersanden is on the right track towards CO2-neutrality by 2050. On-going Innovation & DevelopmentVandersanden is a company that continually innovates and this new guide aims to share some of the latest innovations that the company has launched. These include the new Texture Generator, an online tool which enables architects, property developers and other specifiers, to design a facade by combining, different types of bricks and brick slips, colours, laying patterns and joint thicknesses. In total, the texture generator allows more than 1.1 million combinations to be created and compared. The new Inspiration Guide also includes a summary of Vandersanden’s engaging and informative CPD webinars. The sessions are part of Vandersanden’s portfolio of learning and development tools, aimed at architects and specifiers, to help build their knowledge base and keep them updated on new techniques and innovations in brick manufacturing. Created by a team of Vandersanden’s expert professionals, the guide offers an invaluable digital tool to assist specifiers throughout the whole architectural process. Request your copy of ‘Sustainably Attractive Facades', here Request your Inspiration Guide | Vandersanden

For secure mental health units, the safeguarding of both their patients and the general public is paramount. Therefore, it is imperative that patients cannot leave the hospital grounds to ensure that they cannot threaten anyone or themselves. Therefore, secure, sturdy and reliable fencing is a necessity. However, to promote relaxation and recovery for anxious and agitated patients, it is necessary to maximise the capability of this fencing to ensure that it is restful rather than solely restrictive.So, how is it possible to ensure that high-security fencing can also be calming to patients?Secure Mental Health UnitsSecure mental health units in the UK require a high level of security because they often house people who have been previously incarcerated or those who have been admitted to the hospital after committing a crime. In addition, they deliver care to patients who may pose a risk to the general public and try to help their patients recover by offering accommodation, treatment and support.Patients in secure hospitals are not allowed to leave and cannot escape if they pose a danger to themselves or others. Therefore, the security is always extremely stringent inside and outside each unit.What are the Requirments of Secure Units?Security and safety of patients is a priority for NHS mental health units. A mental health unit is not a prison; it is a hospital where patients are cared for and nursed back to recovery with treatment and support. Patients mustn’t feel like they have been locked up, and the environment needs to be calming so that patients can enjoy the restful environment conducive to their recovery.However, it is also essential that patients not come and go because the unit delivers high-level security on a secure mental health unit. Therefore, any perimeter fencing must be extremely secure to keep the patients from leaving the hospital, and patients must also not be able to break down or scale the fencing.Therefore a duality must be created where a prison-like environment exists without the hospital being perceived as a prison by the patients on the unit.The SolutionZaun HiSec Prison fencing is used as a solution to all the requirements of secure mental health units. Every panel of the HiSec 358 close mesh fencing is specifically designed to ensure the safety and security of patients within the unit.In addition to the 358 mesh, the fencing features 1.5mm solid steel sheets, pre-galvanised, powder coated and printed with an image. This provides privacy to the patients inside while maintaining a high-security level. These sheets are then fixed to the fencing with a clamp bar on the post and clamped with an additional clamp bar mid bar to maximise their durability and sturdiness. To achieve tailored and bespoke results, sheets are pre-cut to size before arriving on-site, ready for installation.One of the most important facets of the fencing is the printed image on the front of the sheets. These images, often created by local artists, are created to calm the patients on the mental health unit, making them feel less anxious and improving their positivity. Therefore, they tend to depict calming imagery, such as lush flowers or relaxing scenery.This printed fencing has the dual outcome of keeping patients safe and secure inside the secure mental health unit and giving them restful images to views, such as vibrant yellow sunflowers and the glint of sunlight through woodland. In addition, viewing nature scenes has the benefit of positively improving mental health.

Hush Acoustics were tasked with providing a solution to reduce an impact noise issue on the upper floor of a luxury five-bedroom detached home in Knutsford, Cheshire.Home to a professional football player, the issue stemmed from the noise on the flooring of his snooker room. Impact noise from footsteps when using the room was generating nuisance noise within the living area directly below, which was making it difficult for others in the family to enjoy this space.Working with Short Construction, building contractors based in Wilmslow, Hush supplied 167x sheets of our Hush Panel 33 to solve the issue. This is a versatile, high performing acoustic flooring which is widely used in timber construction, making it ideal for the timber separating floors in this property.With a combination of our eco-friendly acoustic felt and our rubber barrier mat, the Hush Panel 33 performs to all UK Building Regulation requirements as well as the Robust Detail performance targets for timber frame developments. Its unique composition makes it easy to install and quick to use.The product works by creating a high mass barrier and isolating the floor finish from the structure. As the nuisance noise issue in this situation was due to impact noise, it was key to introduce a high performing acoustic floor product to break the connection of the floor finish from the structure. This, in turn, improved the impact performance of noise transmission through the floor structure, giving the client the desired effect and enabling him to use the snooker room as intended.

With the help of a dark colour palette and classic features, owner and Senior Designer of Multiform Copenhagen Lene Halse Hornemann has created a wonderfully sophisticated home, full of glamour. Shades of black and dark grey throughout lend an elegance to the newly renovated home, and luxury materials including velvet, leather and brass introduce texture and comfort.A renovation projectLene and her husband restored the early 20thC villa to its former glory, reinstating many original features and filling the house with timeless design pieces and much-loved antiques. The dark colour scheme is enhanced by natural materials, such as the Junckers solid oak herringbone flooring installed throughout the house. The rigorous geometric pattern softened by the structural grain patterns and colourations inherent in the wood provide a warm and elegant backdrop that will last for generations to come. The flooring was fitted over underfloor heating.A stunning centerpieceThe home’s crowning glory is the kitchen by Multiform, an award winning design.  A large island in brass takes centre stage in the space, contrasted with black stained oak cabinetry and glossy black tiles around the perimeter. The state-of-the-art kitchen oozes elegance and at the same time a practical, functional space to cook, eat, entertain and live in.Good Design LastsUnited in the quest for exceptional quality and traditional craftsmanship rooted in Danish design, Multiform and Junckers enjoy a long-standing collaboration. Many of the kitchen company’s showrooms are fitted solid hardwood floors from Junckers – a perfect partner to the elegant kitchens.

REQUIREMENT: Two temporary laboratories were planned for installation in the hospital parking lot.It was determined that a ramp with a wide platform was necessary to accommodate the diverse range of daily users of the system, including those operating patient-moving equipment, carts, and pedestrians accessing the cabins.END RESULT:A fully compliant ramp featuring an extra-wide metal walkway was designed and successfully installed. This product boasts a secure loading capacity of over one ton!FEATURES INCLUDED:Yellow Tread - this is a safety feature designed to help those with impaired vision identify the nose of the ramp or step. Additionally, it helps users distinguish any level changes.Infill Handrail - if the ramp height exceeds 380mm, Infill handrail is a requirement to prevent users from climbing or falling through gaps.1100mm High Rail - 1100mm handrails are attached to any level sections.Mesh Platform – a self-draining mesh platform allows water to pass through rather than puddle on the surface and potentially freeze. Minimum width: 1500mm.Rest Platform - a rest platform at 5 metres is required to allow the user to pause.Trombone Ends - these are added to the ends of a Rapid Ramp to prevent clothes catching.Standard Continuous Handrail - this handrail system ensures the users always have support to hold onto.EXTRA FEATURE INCLUDED:Yellow 900mm High Handrail To Ramped Sections – designed to be gripped by children and wheelchair users. A bright colour such as yellow is generally the easiest to see because of the colour's ability to reflect light.

Armourcoat's 3D Sculptural wall has been specified for innovative healthcare practitioners One Stop Doctors clinic in Hemel Hempsted by luxury interiors specialists Goddard Littlefair.The client design brief was to create a high-end service environment that communicated the calm, soothing and welcoming feel of a patient-centric experience. Bespoke furniture,a Goddard Littlefair design signature element, is used throughout in a range of high-end materials, including velvet, leather and suede in a spectrum of browns, slates, taupes, blues, purples and greys. To complement this, a feature wall of Armourcoat's Sculptural 'Flow Wave' provides the backdrop to the clinic's stunning reception space. Lighting was an important part of the mix, creating features with natural and artificial light. Reflected and diffuse light create moments of drama and art throughout the interior.Armourcoat Sculptural creates seamless wall surfaces with impactful designs and cast relief. Each design is created from cast GRG (Glass-fibre reinforced gypsum) panels, CAD generated to enable a continuous pattern of unique decorative effect.The state-of-the-art centre is the first of eight planned clinics to be located around the M25 corridor area. "We are not looking for the usual clinical healthcare design", One Stop Doctors CEO Ella Tracey commented, "but wanted a designer who could share our vision for creating an ambience that was relaxed, reassuring and tranquil, very comfortable and also aesthetically beautiful. Staff, visitors and patients alike are so impressed with the elegance of the design and the attention to detail, but also appreciate the feeling of warmth and comfort that it creates" Photography © Gareth Gardner

Specialist floor levelling compounds and adhesives from F. Ball have been used to install a mixture of hard-wearing, stylish textile and vinyl floorcoverings at Hampton School in South West London. Starting in the sixth form areas, flooring contractors made a feature of the long and narrow atrium by mirroring the footprint of the mezzanine floor overlooking the breakout area onto the floor below, using a 50/50-split of Calgary Cement and Grey Forbo Flotex carpets.To achieve this, the old fibre-bonded carpet in the 250m2 room was first removed, revealing a sound, dry, concrete subfloor, which was primed using diluted Stopgap P131 general purpose primer before the application of Stopgap Green Bag levelling compound. Once the levelling compound had cured, Styccobond F44 acrylic adhesive was used to secure the PVC-backed carpet. Over in the maths’ corridor, contractors had to remove fibre-bonded carpet tiles affixed to wooden parquet blocks, leaving behind old bitumen adhesive residues. To prepare the subfloor, Stopgap 1200 Pro levelling compound was applied. Once cured, Stopgap F77 waterproof surface membrane was applied as a moisture test had indicated the presence of excess subfloor moisture, with relative humidity levels exceeding the 75% threshold for the project to progress without a moisture management solution.Next, Stopgap P141 primer was used to promote the adhesion of a subsequently applied second layer of Stopgap 1200 Pro. Finally, the 100m2 area was finished with wood-effect luxury vinyl tiles. 

Artform Urban Furniture were appointed by Lendlease and Gillespies to provide a number of waste / recycling units and a water fountain to a new public green space in the centre of Elephant and Castle.The Box Litter Bin is a versatile and highly adaptable design that features a variety of finishes to complement a range of external spaces. After receiving a suite of options from our sales team , the client opted for a hardwood clad door option with powder coated steel frame. The combination of materials sit naturally within the new green space. The bins come complete with an anti-graffiti coating and bespoke designed designation plate to front of bins and bespoke stubber plate to top of general waste bins. The Fuente fountains provide fresh drinking water, an environmentally friendly option for members of the public to fill up their water bottles and save on plastic waste.Elephant and Castle is a central London neighbourhood that has a long and fascinating history dating back as long as the reign of the Roman empire. In recent years, £4bn of public and private money has been invested into the area in a major regeneration project. Thousands of new homes are being built and the town centre is being revitalised with new shops, offices, restaurants and the largest new green space in London since the '50s.Elephant Park is a spectacular 2 acre green oasis at the heart of the ground-breaking project - featuring a huge array of plant species, play areas, seating spaces, water features and the aim to be the UK’s first climate positive development when completed.

Project Overview: Re-imagination of a first-generation Canary Wharf building. ServiceFull hardware scheduling service. Project Details This clever redesign of YY London by Architects Buckley Gray Yeoman (BGY) centres around the wellbeing of its occupants created by maximising natural light, reducing overall energy demand and choosing materials that support health and well being. The space was reimagined to incorporate a new triple height lobby with feature staircase, floor to ceiling glazing throughout to maximise natural light and the addition of outside terraces on most floors.3v worked in partnership with BGY to develop the perfect Ironmongery scheme to enhance their design aspirations. Scheduled in the aftermath of Covid, the scheme included a full hardware scheduling service incorporating the use of a biocote anti bacterial finish in high traffic areas on all tangible stainless steel products such as pull handles and push plates. ‘Chris and the 3v team were a pleasure to work with and proactive in helping us adapt the ironmongery package in response to the pandemic. We’re really pleased how seamlessly the ironmongery has been integrated into the joinery finishes and look forward to continuing our collaboration on future projects.’Adam Whitlock Wood, BGYOur ironmongery is often the first physical product visitors interact with in their journey through a space, it is important that it looks good, feels right and functions correctly to fulfil the user experience and the architects design intent. Our simple 250 and 234 pull handles add an elegant finishing touch to this inspiring and vibrant space.An outstanding project to be involved with.Photography: Neil Kenyon

The challengeQueen Elizabeth University Hospital were looking for a ceiling manufacturer that could provide a ceiling solution that offered excellent cleanability, resistance to disinfectants and offered a balance of sound absorption and attenuation to help improve patient wellbeing.This is one of the largest retrofitting projects to implement Zentia’s mineral fibre tiles and ceiling systems. Zentia provide a range of solutions for healthcare applications that improve patient outcomes by improving light reflectance, cleanability and helping to reduce noise in the hospital environment.The solutionThe tiles selected where over 110,000 m² of Zentia’s Biobloc Acoustic Board 600 x 600mm and 1200 x 600mm with its antimicrobial performance and enhanced water repellency is an ideal solution for healthcare environments with average or severe risk of infection. These where installed on a Prelude 24mm and Prelude 24mm corrosive resistant grid which has a patented design for improved strength and stability that is also easier to cut than standard grid types.30,000m² of Zentia’s lifetime-guaranteed Aruba Max Tegular24 mineral tiles was selected to provide the perfect balance of sound absorption and attenuation for patients wellbeing in general circulation areasA variety of Zentia suspension systems were used on the project including 10,000 linear metres of Axiom Transitions profiles (which help with ceiling level changes, floating ceiling construction and lighting integration) and over 40,000 accessories including connecting brackets, clips and hanging brackets.Zentia also provided a recycling service as part of the retrofitting process for the older ceiling tiles, helping to reduce the environmental impact of this large-scale project.

The Beckett, a new retirement village close to the centre of Royal Tunbridge Wells, in Kent, comprises three luxury apartment buildings of three, four and six storeys. The contemporary design provides 89 quality appointed apartments with a landscaped garden, all arranged around full-height atriums, allowing natural light to reach the centre of the buildings. The upper floors are set back, providing generous terrace areas which include a ‘sky lounge‘. All three buildings are concrete frame and as with any reinforced concrete slab design, The Beckett is at risk of punching shear failure, which traditionally has been resolved by adding further concrete, such as downstand beams, or localised thickened column heads. However these require complex formwork and significantly reduce the benefits offered by the flat slab design. The Schöck Bole shear rail system counters any punching shear risk and is cost-effective and significantly faster than traditional loose links – as much as four times faster in fact. This is because when using traditional links it involves far more ties to the reinforcement matt than when using the Schöck Bole. The ready-to-install reinforcement element consists of double-headed studs with spacing bars to ensure correct positioning. Two spacer bars are welded to the vertical studs, which ensure the correct distance between uprights and the forged stud heads guarantee a perfect finishing bond with the concrete. The dramatically reduced fixing time far outweighs any additional material costs that may be involved with a prefabricated system.  

The ClientThe Royal Bank of Scotland, an international bank based in the UK, with over £1 trillion of assets and 118,000 employees, has a total estate within the UK of 1,800 branches and 700 other buildings, mainly offices.Their ProblemThe client chose to conduct trials at its premier place Location in London. The building use costly and wasteful paper towels as the hand drying solution in its washrooms used daily by 3,200 staff.The Head of estates was looking for innovative technology solutions to reduce cost, litter, resource and waste to landfill throughout its 50 corporate buildings.Our SolutionSAVORTEX deployed 4 of its EcoCurve 550D Smart hand dryers on trial at 2 RBS locations in London and Manchester, where there is high footfall. The EcoCurve Smart uses an advanced digital brushless motor technology offering 10x more operational life, and consumes power of just 550W against traditional dryers. Further, the Smart dryer uses its patented in-built sensors wirelessly reporting energy usage per dry and washroom footfall to the SAVORTEX web portal, allowing the estate manager to remotely access and manage washroom facilities.During the trial the EcoCurve Smart dryer reported usage on a daily basis with the base data showing usage per hour throughout the day. The average time per dry, as measured over 1,336 uses was 8.34 seconds, and 41 washroom cleaning alerts were generated, resulting in effective cleaning of the washrooms based on actual footfall, introducing new operational efficiencies throughout the estate.

Just off Deansgate, in the beating heart of the city, lies the hotel YOTEL Manchester. Expect innovative design, eco-friendly credentials and time-saving technology, in the rooms and beyond. Delivering experiences to Generation YO - 20 and 30 somethings who work hard, and love to socialise -  through creative use of technology and smart, sustainable design.  In order to carry through innovation and creativity into the building's façade and at the same time stimulate the experience of comfort indoors, it was decided to install DucoSun Linear 200 louvres on the façade.Architectural designThe DucoSun Linear 200 louvres are shaped as a parallelogram onto the façade, providing a particular attractive and architectural effect. From the street view, the sleek look and uniformity of the louvres are immediately noticeable. A striking design, which matches perfectly with the striking service the hotel offers to its guests.Sophisticated functionalityBy covering large glass surfaces, the DucoSun Linear 200 louvres combat overheating and deliver a comfortable and healthy indoor climate where guests will enjoy spending time, even during the warmest days of the year. The parallelogram-shaped louvre blades are designed this way they guarentee the maximum amount of diffuse daylight, creating a pleasant atmosphere inside the hotel at all times.In the vision and mission of the hotel lies the endeavour to conserve resources and develop spaces efficiently and sustainably. A better indoor quality and atmosphere and an eye-catching look with the DucoSun Linear 200 louvres definitely fit this purpose and will furthermore stand the test of time as sustainable and futureproof solar protection solution.

The quality of Ravago Building Solution products has been recognised by the UK’s leading specialist building envelope contractor Prater, who utilised Ravatherm XPS X 300 SL and MK for Prime Development’s new luxury London hotel and apartment project. Set to open in 2022, the exclusive Belgravia development has been insulated with an impressive 2000m2 of high-performance Ravatherm XPS products.Launched in 2016, Ravatherm XPS 300 SL is Ravago’s next generation XPS thermal insulation for inverted flat roof applications. With a declared lambda of 0.030 or 0.031, depending on thickness and a coveted BRE Green Guide Rating A+, the shiplapped edged boards are the superior choice for exceptionally stable, energy efficient insulation. The Ravatherm XPS X MK filter/water-flow-reducing layer further improves thermal performance, by minimising heat loss and thus reducing the volume of insulation required.Chris Gimson, Commercial Director UK & Ireland, Ravago Building Solutions, said: “Prime Development have ensured that the prestigious new Peninsula Hotel uses only the very best products in its construction, right down to the insulation. It’s wonderful to know that Ravatherm XPS X insulation will take pride of place in such a spectacular flagship hotel overlooking Buckingham Palace Garden.”A spokesperson from Prime Development said: “As specialists in standard-setting premium development, all of our projects are completed to the highest specification. Ravago, having a 60-year legacy as market-leading manufacturers of insulation, fit our vision for the prestigious Peninsula London development perfectly. 

The first thoughts about safety at work are always about physical injury prevention as well as inhaling fumes, hazardous substances, etc. However, Occupational Noise, which is the amount of acoustic energy received by an employee of a company, can cause permanent damage if it is continuous.In the UK, The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005, came into effect for all industries from April 2008, which is quite late when you consider that the harm hearing loss can cause. Harm such as Tinnitus, which is the perception of noise in the ear or head, caused by a problem with the inner ear.The sustaining of high noise levels can also mask warning signals, prevent concentration and vital communication.Most authorities around the world have agreed that noise becomes dangerous when it’s higher than 85 decibels during a typical 8-hour work shift. However, noises under 85 decibels can also cause issues with the general public who are in and around the working environment.An example below shows the different examples of noise levels in decibels – the definition of noise is sound that is unpleasant or causes disturbance.ReductionIf a noise can’t be reduced by engineering the equipment, then acoustic quieting is required. This is the process of dampening vibrations from machinery and systems such as flue systems.With the increasing demand for noise attenuation, the demand for noise reduction from flues and chimneys in marine and industrial situations mean that many companies have developed their own silencer programmes. These tend to be combined with flue systems to have a product range which is reducing sound at the design stage