"general"

One of the world’s largest battery storage facilities is taking shape on the site of the former power station at Roosecote, near Barrow in Cumbria. Commissioned by Centrica, as part of a £180m investment programme to develop new, flexible power plants across the country, the Roosecote battery storage facility is a state of the art project that will store energy harvested from the grid until needed.With work on the site expected to be completed by the end of 2018, when the facility comes online it will boast the capacity to generate a staggering 49MW. That’s enough electricity to power around 50,000 homes at a very nimble response time of less than a second. Containing approximately 100,000 battery cells, it marks a new era for the energy industry.

We were contacted by a customer in Bucharest trying to source our Ipe Timber Tiles. He was concerned about durability as Romania has extremes of hot and cold, and torrential rainfall. We reassured him that even with a minimum gap drainage would be sufficient and the suspended tiles system would ensure longevity. He selected the Ipe timber tiles mounted onto fixed height 14mm Plastic Pad. To protect against the extreme weather the tiles were then treated with a generic wood preserve on site, giving them a rich, luxurious finish and producing the "treasure chest" George Ezra would be proud of. https://www.wallbarn.com/case-study/timber-tiles-cata-romania/

Rokeby School benefits from a generous outdoor space incorporating an all weather multi-use games pitch, a fitness trail and outdoor dining area.Lang+Fulton supplied a Novara-25 perimeter fence to secure the boundary.Novara-25 has an extremely narrow aperture. This delivers excellent anti-climb properties, which comply with NHBS guidelines, for schools, colleges and residential environments. In addition, it is made with a 1270mm wide panel width which provides exceptional rigidity and the fence was supplied with an I-post to reduce the gap between panel and post for increased safety and security.A pivot gate was designed for the main entrance with a double leaf gate providing access for deliveries.

Wrexham General Station is a main line railway station and the main railway station serving Wrexham, north-east Wales. The station was first opened in 1846 and expanded in 1912. It comprises four operational platforms with two disused bay platforms at the southern end of Platform 1. Until the early 1980s what is now Platform 4 of Wrexham General, was a separate station: Wrexham Exchange.After working with MPH Construction on a number of station refurbishment projects across Wales, the Principal Contractor approached Twinfix to carry out the survey for the canopy refurbishment at Wrexham Station as well as designing, manufacturing and supplying the replacement roof glazing for 3 of the platform canopies at the station. The panels were installed by a third-party roofing company.The work spanned 532 square metres and comprised of the innovative Multi-Link-Panel Non-Fragile (NF) system glazed with 6mm Georgian wired polycarbonate.Each panel of the innovative Multi-Link-Panel NF system comprises of a powder-coated aluminium frame and fitted with polycarbonate glazing. The panels are built completely off-site in a quality-controlled factory environment, reducing the risk, and cost, of site mistakes, and are delivered on-site fully glazed and ready for rapid installation. The system has a unique linking design feature that results in incredibly quick installation times, making the system very much suited to rail work due to its restricted possession times.The Multi-Link-Panel NF system is an innovative roof glazing product that has been well utilised for many years on station canopy roofs, and it has been thoroughly tried and tested in that time.It was the chosen system for this project for a number of reasons:sustainability– these panels are virtually unbreakable in manufacture, transit and in situ, meaning that, unlike glass, maintenance costs will be eliminated.safety– Twinfix Multi-Link-Panel NF (Non-Fragile) conforms to the HSE recommended test method ACR[M]001:2019 (as outlined in document HSG33) and achieves a ‘B’ Classification.off-site construction– The panels are pre-assembled in Twinfix’s factory ensuring strict quality guidelines are adhered to, which is not always guaranteed when roofing products are assembled on site.ease of access– The Multi-Link-Panel NF system can be fitted with In-Line Access Hatches, to allow cleaning of gutters and roof. These hatches are hardly visible and allow safe access through the glazing without needing to get on the roof.weight– The Multi-Link-Panel NF is light in weight and due to its modular format, it is very quick to install which allows for short rail possession works.appearance – The Georgian wired polycarbonate glazing combines the appearance of Georgian wired glass with all the material benefits of polycarbonate. As well as improving the overall environment in a lighter, brighter station, the addition of the Twinfix Georgian wired polycarbonate at Wrexham General Station has preserved the building’s unique appearance and character, while providing modern levels of safety for passengers and staff.

The Hurlingham Club is a green oasis of tradition and also internationally renowned. Recognised throughout the world as one of the more exclusive private members’ clubs, it retains its quintessentially English tradition and heritage, while providing modern facilities and services for its members. The Club continually looks at ways in which it can improve standard specifications for both current and future generations.We were contracted by The Hurlingham Club to resolve an issue with reverberation problems in one of its many hallways. The chosen solution was the Absorb-R GypLine αw system.Along with the installation of several feature down-lights, a shadow gap to the ceiling perimeter was incorporated, allowing the preservation of the original ornate cornice, a beautiful feature within the room and essential to the characteristics of the building.

The General Medical Council protects patients and improves medical eduction and practice in the UK by setting and upholding standards for students and doctors.GEC Anderson were employed to supply and install new worktops within its HQ building, located on London’s Euston Road. The project was undertaken by Carmelcrest who asked GEC Anderson to provide the new 5m worktop within the Pantry Kitchen. Access to the room was fairly restricted and, as it was on one of the upper floors of the tower, it was necessary to supply it in two sections. A clamp-joint was used to provide the near seamless and hygienic join. Two sinks were included at one end of the worktop whilst the other end provides the clear, plain, work surface required within the busy kitchen space.

Private Clinic Blomenburg stands for holism when it comes to the therapy and design concept.A haven in the middle of a beautiful environment in the north of Germany: The 19th Century Blomenburg („Burg“ for castle), is surrounded by a huge park. Away from the everyday hustle and bustle, offering 69 furnished in premium quality, spacious single rooms and suites. The modern bathrooms are equipped with KEUCO furnishings and complement the syntonic interior design. Here the guests can dedicate their soul to regeneration in a quiet and peaceful stylish ambience.The elaborate restoration of the building was carried out taking the historic importance and special use of the Blomenburg into consideration. The new building with its generous glass facade was constructed under the castle rock and now accommodates the guest rooms. Between the old and the new building, there is an approximately 800m² big spa and pool area engrafted in the topography of the castle rock. The historic buildings surrounding the castle yard are used for social purposes, medical fitness, healthy living and mindfulness training of the body, soul and mind. The exclusive design of the indoor rooms is not to be compared with the magnificence of the outside of the buildings.Noble materials and luxurious items of furniture in the guest rooms create an ideal setting for convalescence and relaxation. This temporary home equipped with KEUCO furnishings and accessories in the bathroom offer the guests plenty of storage space for personal care products. Not only do the PLAN vanity unit and tall unit in unobtrusive truffle offer generous storage space, but the light mirror with a frame offers additional storage space. The perfect light lets the windowless bathrooms appear brighter and friendlier. The integrated mirror heating makes it possible to look in the mirror after a hot and relaxing shower.IXMO fittings in a strong design offer intuitive use to reach the right temperature. Matching accessories nicely round-off the bathroom interior in a coherent way and perfectly match the high-class concept of the clinic.

The sound effectAt the same time, it provides effective sound dampening with an impressive acoustic class of ‘A’ to create a harmonious environment wherever it is specified. Feltfon Linear’s appearance is akin to wool, it has a strong textural appeal and represents a further exploration of material innovation.Based on a linear design and so in keeping with Gustafs well-known design language, this iteration of Feltfon can be specified with strips of wood in between the felt ribs, creating an appealing nature-inspired surface solution.Although this solution can be customised for each project, it is a uniquely designed ready-to-use system. Unlike most felt installations, Feltfon Linear uses the standard Capax Quick-Up installation system for walls and ceilings. Fully demountableThis system is sturdy for use in high traffic environments, it has the benefit of being able to grip multiple rib widths and it is also fully demountable during or at the end of its useful life. The range has a thickness of 9mm: comparable products do not usually have such generous proportions. This means it is suitable for high-traffic commercial application, for example, in school environments and other public spaces. Gustafs Acoustex material has a fire rating of B-s1,d0, in line with Gustafs continuing commitment to the fire safety of its products.Sustainable and flexible choiceFlexible in its design, the Feltfon Linear ribs can be chosen from a mix of three wool shades of grey, with many widths and depths to choose from as well. It is a sustainable choice too, with this next generation textile composed from a minimum of 50% post-consumer recycled material.Feltfon Linear pushes the boundaries of what is expected of a felt product system creating an attractive practical solution with infinite possibilities.Feltfon LinearFeltfon Wall installationFeltfon Ceiling installation

An architect designed, self-build house with annexe for a multi-generational family built to zero-carbon standards.The scheme’s design is influenced by the architectural vernacular of the area. The surrounding houses are a legacy of the Land Settlement Association scheme, with distinctive mansard roofs, steeply sloping gables and dormer windows, constructed in a simple red brick with terracotta plain tiles.The mansard is reflected in the new house with the roof extending down to form the walls. Instead of terracotta tiles, large format slate has been used to form a modern equivalent. The house is mainly slate tile; however, it was felt important to also reflect local brickwork. As such, brickwork was used for two huge brick-faced chimney stacks that rise through the gable.PROJECT INFOTo form a contrast with the very smooth grey of the slate, a textured red brick with slight colour variation was sought. White mortar lightens the brickwork while recessed mortar joints are used inside to provide shadow to each brick. Perforated brickwork surrounds the stone coping on both chimney stacks, adding visual interest to the building through both the materials and the shadows created by the brickwork perforations.The brick selected was stock thrown Hampton Rural Blend from Forterra’s Ecostock range. It has a rustic finish resembling handmade brick. Ecostock bricks are manufactured using the latest technology in sustainability and production efficiency, producing bricks with low embodied energy as well as advanced colour consistency, dimensional accuracy and quality.The structure incorporated huge amounts of insulation, a mechanical ventilation with heat recovery system, and a solar photovoltaic array at the bottom of the garden, along with a ground-source heat pump. These installations will ensure that the house generates more electricity than it could ever use.

Auckland Castle is just one of the many charming attractions of the Auckland project. The castle is one of the best-preserved bishops’ palaces in the whole of Europe and is at the centre of the Auckland Project. It is based in North England, showcasing fragments of a medieval castle discovered during recent archaeological digs, open to the general public.The project criteria The reconstruction of Auckland Castle required new access walkways, landings and stairs for visitors to be able to access the top, where they can experience stunning views across the town. For this purpose, it was essential to provide a very safe solution that responded to the strict criteria for public access walkways, while also meeting the prescribed design criteria to match the architectural milieu and building. Safe, Practical, Architectural steel walkwaysEven though the stairs, walkways and landings’ primary function is to provide safety for users to wander around Auckland Castle at height, the architects had unique requirements for the design. The solution had to fit perfectly with the rest of the construction with the following prescribed:High quality finish tailored to project requirements and matching the building type and architecture The gratings and treads had to allow natural light to penetrate through, owing to the size and shape of the buildingMaintaining a high level of slip resistance and loading capacity in accordance with relevant British Standards The solutionIn close collaboration among the contractor, architect and PcP, a bespoke solution was designed consisting of a special nosing solution to enable installation off aftermarket nosing, whilst relying on the integrity of the close PcP MESH™ tread.Additionally, slip-resistant requirements were addressed by reducing slip and fall risk to enhance slip-resistance.Utilising our experienced in house drawing office, we initially provided general layout drawings and ultimately panel drawings for client approval, to ensure all items were correct, with any specific site considerations being accounted for.

Arranged around several courtyards and atria, Jaguar Land Rover’s new Advanced Product Creation Centre by Bennetts Associates is a series of inspirational, creative spaces designed to foster interaction and collaboration. As part of a refined materials palette, over 5,000m2 of Junckers solid Nordic Oak Classic flooring has been installed to define zones and provide a warm, natural surface. High levels of natural light fill new offices, restaurant and a 400-seat multipurpose hall, all linked by generous internal streets. The company’s latest vehicle models are proudly displayed on the ground floor, where the flooring had to be able to accommodate both the cars and a Stringo, a specialist vehicle moving truck. Working with AC Flooring Ltd, Junckers provided a solid hardwood floor able to take the weight of a five-tonne load. Richard Aylen, Junckers’ Technical Manager worked with AC Flooring and the architects to find the best solution for the floor to withstand heavy loads: “The wooden floor at Jaguar Land Rover’s new Advanced Production Creation Centre was glued to the subfloor using our Parkett Adhesive. Given a suitable subfloor, this is usually the method that will bear the highest loads. Worryingly, there is a trend towards substituting proprietary adhesive products for cheaper brands. A cheaper adhesive generally contains more filler, which will bulk out the product but do nothing for its adhesive properties. The high amount of filler in in the cheaper adhesives has reduced the bonding ability and projects where such products have been used are beginning to fail with large claims being fought in parts of Europe. This is an issue many flooring contractors may be unaware of. By choosing Junckers Parkett Adhesive the client can be confident that they have the best long-term result.” 

Located in Brixton, The Department Store Studios is a five-storey contemporary office building, offering flexible co-working space alongside generous amenities including a bike storage, showers, lockers, a screening room and a bar and restaurant. The workspace has been designed and built by renowned architecture firm Squire and Partners, to be used as an addition to its own London office, in a new build property framed by cross-laminated timber. Early involvement with brickwork contractor, Lyons & Annoot, allowed for a seamless, homogenous brick build on this project. Working alongside main contractor Lyons and Annoot, from tender stage to completion, Leviat designed and manufactured a bespoke masonry restraint system which was used in the internal blockwork walls, as well as Ancon Wall Ties, Head Restraints and AMR Masonry Reinforcement in the façade.

When charity, Small Steps, secured its new home at the heart of Richmond, it required a warm and welcoming interior environment that would support children living with physical disabilities and their families. Providing the perfect natural canvas, Forbo Flooring Systems' linoleum brand, Marmoleum, was installed throughout the purpose built facility. Spread over three floors of a former office building on Worple Way, the 517 m² site that Small Steps now calls home, was funded through a generous donation. The entire design team – which included JTP Architects, Robert Bird & Partners, MTT Consultants, ISG Ltd, PIP Building Services and P2 Design – worked together, many on a pro bono or reduced fee basis to complete the refurbishment for the charity.

The refurbishment was created with a light touch but transformed the main building entrance and reception, upper-floor common areas, WCs and half of the office floors. Work was undertaken whilst the other office floors remained in occupation.The reception refurbishment reused many of the existing high-quality materials, which complements terrazzo, but also helped to transform the space into a contemporary interior whilst retaining the grandeur and sense of arrival.Terrazzo is also in harmony with the edgier interventions such as the distressed metal ceiling raft and lighting which have contributed to the building appealing to the next generation of banking tenants with start-up bank Monzo taking the vast majority of vacant space in the building.The gentle approach to refurbishment and the reuse of materials as well as the use of terrazzo contributed to meeting British Land’s exacting sustainability targets.

When it comes to choosing where to live during university, students expect much more than a just a room with a bed, bathroom and kitchen. Instead, now more than ever they want an accommodation that offers added comfort and includes additional facilities such as wellbeing spaces, gyms and even smart technology suites.Students are also recognising the importance of living sustainably and choosing a building that offers lower living costs and more environmentally friendly solutions, as well as having great curb appeal.So, in order to attract this new generation of students to the University of Exeter’s new East Park building, architects Stride Treglown designed the high quality student accommodation using bespoke rainscreen cladding panels from Proteus Facades as the central visual element.

UrbanShore is a four-storey building consisting of a collection of 13 apartments, 7 one bedroom, 2 two bedroom and 4 studio flats. With bin and cycle stores, a formation of parking spaces and a sustainable drainage system, UrbanShore is one of BH1’s most distinguished and characterful collections of apartments. Combining traditional Georgian elegance with generously proportioned and effortlessly elegant interiors, UrbanShore is located just a short walk from the beach, parks, shops, bars and restaurants.Cellecta’s YELOfon HD10+ was specified by ARC Architecture due to its unrivalled acoustic performance in isolating a floating screed from a structural concrete floor. This product is lightweight, making it easy to install. YELOfon HD10+ is also delivered in rolls to ensure it’s easy to handle.CBS BUILD were supplied 500m² of Cellecta products for this development in Bournemouth.

d² Dura Grating Mini Mesh and Solid Top Raised Flooring | Case StudyNew Glass Reinforced Polymer (GRP) Mini Mesh and Solid Top d² Dura Grating is the ideal raised flooring solution for luxury car valeting centres, car workshops and other automotive facilities thanks to its lower cost, weight saving and improved visual inspection capability versus previous generation grating.The Dura Composites raised flooring solution is a full design and supply system, incorporating both the raised pedestals, floor grating and mounting system. The unique d² Dura Grating design also allows for improved visibility of the substructure below, offering a clear view of draining liquids from the valeting process from a much wider range of angles than were previously achievable.

Riverside Campus at City of Glasgow College has won a multitude of architectural awards for its outstanding design. Home to the world-leading Maritime College, the building features a grand atrium where Junckers 22mm Oak Harmony finished in Ultramatt lacquer was specified for the expansive staircase and walkway. Designed in a joint venture between Reiach and Hall Architects and Michael Laird Architects, the building is BREEAM ‘Excellent’ with many innovative on-site energy generation measures. Junckers solid hardwood flooring is made from renewable, sustainable forests and the entire manufacturing process is powered by Junckers’ own on-site power plant, which uses the residual wood of the forested timber. The Oak Harmony floor adds natural warmth to the large, open space and provides a hard-wearing surface for a busy college environment.

Jaguar Land Rover’s new £500 million engine manufacturing facility at the i54 business park is situated close to the M54 motorway outside Wolverhampton.The new plant, which is the size of 14 football pitches, is JLR’s largest investment for in-house engine design and manufacturing in a generation. As it was impractical to install a perimeter fence to provide adequate screening from the motorway, Lang+Fulton supplied 5 separate compounds with double and single leaf gates made from 400 linear metres of Italia-100 louvres:Waste Compound (2.4m high)Chiller Plant Compound (4m high)Data Centre Compound (3m high)Filter Mist Compound (4m high)Smoking Shelter (2m high)Finish: hot-dip galvanized & ppc RAL7016

Unity Square, NottinghamPAS68 seating and plantersStreet furniture | Street Planters | HVMTownscape Products has recently completed the hard landscaping for the Unity Square scheme in Nottingham.Unity Square forms a major part of Nottingham’s southern gateway regeneration project, which includes work to create a new-look Intu Broadmarsh centre, central library, bus station and car park.The hub was forward funded by LGIM Real Assets (Legal & General) and will accommodate HM Revenue and Customs’ (HMRC) new regional centre. The building now comprises of ten storeys and is due to open in late 2021. As the cornerstone of the redevelopment work taking shape across the city’s Southside, Unity Square will truly put Nottingham on the map once complete.”The site will eventually house up to 4,000 HMRC employees. Nicole Newbury, HMRC director and a senior sponsor for the Nottingham Regional Centre, East Midlands Region, said:“We can’t wait to move into our new regional centre. The new building is so much more than just bricks and mortar, it represents an exciting opportunity for us to utilise new technology and develop collaborative, new ways of working.Unity Square is one of ten regional hubs Legal & General has invested in to support the government’s efforts to modernise the civil service and save taxpayers’ money. Its investment in the programme crossed the £1.5bn mark last year. This scheme in Nottingham is particularly ground-breaking not only because of its size and central location but for its potential to transform the city centre, driving regional economic growth and supporting job creation.Working with Bowmer and Kirkland, a range of PAS 68 rated seating and planters were designed, manufactured, and integrated into the scheme.Finished in charcoal prestige, the concrete units were designed to complement the paving finishes.For more details of how we can help with your PAS68 requirements, please get in touch.

Project: Kingsgate Primary SchoolProduct: Shiluvit by Oranit in White Washed Nordic PineArchitect: Maccreanor LavingtonInstaller: Lacunar LtdKingsgate Primary School, London (2018) Photos by Michael Whitestone PhotographySpecification:
Shiluvit 7-501White Washed Nordic Pine
20 x 45mm Blades with 40mm Gaps
Quantity:
1300m2LSA Projects Ltd are delighted to share with you a new award winning Oranit installation at Kingsgate Primary School in London.The £18 million, 5000m2 school has created over 420 new primary school places at the purpose built facility which is comprised of two connected two storey teaching blocks with generous picture windows throughout for an abundance of natural light.The site also has ample external space including running tracks, a science garden, and covered playing spaces in addition to being part of a community development project linking the site to a neighbouring park developed from unused green space in the area.The saw-toothed roof and external appearance of school was designed to reflect its industrial past and the cool tone light brickwork and generous windows bring the design up-to-date with current trends and the requirements of a modern building.Inside the school there is a consistent airy and neutral palette with white walls and ceiling interspersed with pale wood feature walls and stairways in addition to the white washed Nordic Pine Shiluvit panels.Oranit Shiluvit panels were chosen in part for the ceilings of the spaces due to their impressive acoustic power; the configuration chosen which included LSA Black High Density Acoustic mineral wool achieves an overall rating of Class A for acoustic absorption making it perfect for ensuring minimal reverberation across the spaces helping to keep a calm atmosphere.Nordic Pine timber was chosen for its depth of texture as well as its PEFC Certification, the timber was then white washed for a clean and bright appearance.

The JACKOBOARD range from BEWI is “ideal” for use as a tile backerboard on projects where increasingly popular underfloor heating systems are being installed, the company says.Made from extruded polystyrene foam (XPS), the construction boards are said to be inherently waterproof because the structure of the board does not allow water to penetrate. They are designed to be easy to work with and cut, as well as truly lightweight.They are finished on both sides with a special coating and reinforced fibreglass mesh, ready to be tiled, rendered or plastered. The boards are said to possess excellent thermal insulation properties, which give them enormous advantages over plasterboard or cement board. They are especially suitable for interior construction, the company says, especially in rooms subject to high moisture levels.According to BEWI, JACKOBOARD goes “beyond bathrooms” and can be used in any room of the house and as a backerboard for virtually any tiling project.The boards are suitable for quickly and effectively levelling uneven walls and floors, for partition walls, compensating for cracks in substrates and for creating substrates for laying tiles on non-adhesive surfaces.JACKOBOARD is also said to provide the best waterproof, insulated, tiling substrate for underfloor heating projects. Whether electric mats or hot water systems are being installed, BEWI says, JACKOBOARD – laid underneath the heating elements or pipework – will help to decrease warm-up times of the system by pushing the heat directly up to the tile layer. In this way, the heat generated by the system is used in the most efficient way, not just during the initial heat-up stage, but in general usage with the continued thermostat-controlled use of the heating system.As builders are forced to reduce the carbon footprint of their projects, the materials they choose to build with can provide a key to unlocking the thermal performance of a building. The XPS foam used on JACKOBOARD products reportedly achieves excellent insulation properties. It’s designed to help maximise the energy efficiency of walls and floors, improving the overall thermal performance of any property.www.bewi.com

Glazing Vision’s three-wall box rooflight has provided a rooftop with more de rigueur, and one which takes advantage of the spectacular views overlooking the Perth shorelines.Keen to unlock and utilise the space on top of this newly built residential home, and further add value to this property, an innovative “glass box” was introduced to provide easy access to the roof terrace.Luxurious, modern and upbeat, this new build property has been carefully created with family life in mind. The floor plan involves family separation and considered zoning of the property.The ground floor provides a secluded escape from the excitement of the first floor, with a detailed layout which enables the clients to relax. A big theatre room and access to the garden offers a chilled out environment, hidden away from neighbours.The first floor is created for living in, with a completely open planned lounge, diner and kitchen. Set higher up, it allows for views across the beach and over the garden courtyard. Thus, it was important to ensure that high quality glazing was specified throughout to make the most of the wonderful views.Tasked with sourcing and installing the windows and doors on this modern new build property, Next Generation Glass director Steve Payne mentions how the client had come to them enquiring about skylights. After a lot of research into the different profiles available in Australia and after various different drawings and ideas, the outcome wasn’t looking good.It was a visit to the UK which led Steve to Glazing Vision, thankful of a recommendation from a contact of his. “Since my first contact, we decided it was a great product and became a distributor of Glazing Vision products in Australia”.After discussing the details of the job, a three wall box rooflight was recommended, helping to provide access to the clients roof terrace and providing wonderful views of the majestic presence of the Indian Ocean in the background.“It really is a great product and all that see it are in awe of it” explains Steve Payne, director of Next Generation Glass.The Glazing Vision three-wall box rooflight is fixed to your existing building structure, thereby facilitating the full use of the roof top terrace but operates in the same way as our freestanding box rooflight. The sleek aluminium framework and perfectly edged glass-to-glass joints create a stunning contemporary finished design which reflects the style of this property.This home’s rooftop terrace is the culmination of meticulous tweaking of the planning codes, and the reward is breath-taking views of Perth, with a beautiful backdrop of the ocean behind. It was in fact these planning codes which guided them towards the three-wall box rooflight, as the extra head height was required when coming up the stairs. Also allowing the homeowner to climb the stairwell whilst the rooflight is retracting into its open position, without having to ‘bow their head’.Fitted with minimal and contemporary outdoor furniture to increase the sense of openness. The new roof top allows the homeowner an additional ‘room with a view’, perfect for entertaining or for relaxing and enjoying the stunning views on offer.Having completed their first project with Glazing Vision, Steve Payne mentions how easy the whole process was, and that most of the hard work was undertaken by Glazing Vision. It was a simple installation process for a company like Next Generation Glass who are used to cranes in their scope of works.

How to incorporate a fire or stove installation into a self-build project.By Niall Deiraniya, UK general manager, DRU FiresAlways ask for the fireplace specification at the design stage. Modern gas fires and wood stoves require careful planning in order to work as part of the general home heating system.Gas, wood or other fuels?Decide which fuel type best suits your home. Modern gas fires have realistic flame pictures and are much more energy efficient than older models.Wood stoves and fires also have greatly improved energy efficiency due to Ecodesign regulations. The only downside is that there is much more work involved with buying and storing the wood and cleaning the stove after use.Both gas and wood have room sealed options. This means that no air from inside the home is used for combustion and all waste emissions are expelled outside, resulting in clean burning and high efficiency.Finally, sustainable fuels such as Bioethanol produce a very attractive flame picture, burn cleanly with no smell or emissions and are available in a large selection of design formats. Built-in or freestandingIf you are converting a house with an existing chimney, you may wish to retain the chimney, to incorporate a more modern fire. Conventional flue gas fires are designed to fit seamlessly into standard chimneys and require minimal building work. The chimney will almost certainly need sweeping before installation and the fire may require a chimney liner for essential safety.Most wood fires are also designed for chimney installation and make full use of the air circulation properties to provide visually attractive and energy efficient fires. You can either elect for a basic ‘insert’ fire, which matches the dimensions of a Class 1 chimney or a widescreen model, which will require some structural changes.Freestanding stoves are very popular, as they offer greater flexibility of location and provide dramatic room features. They are available in gas, wood or bioethanol and generally need a flue connection to an outside wall or through the roof. No chimney optionsContemporary balanced flue gas fires are designed to be installed without a chimney, so you can incorporate them almost anywhere in a self-build project. However, they still need to be specified at the earliest possible stage. A typical installation will require the fire to be flued through an outside wall, with the flue concealed behind a false chimneybreast. Fires can be located in room-dividing walls and other architectural features so they can be seen from both sides. You can also enjoy fires in kitchens, bedrooms, loft conversions and many other places. These types of installations are made possible by extended, fan-assisted balanced flue systems. They allow for multiple fires to be placed in larger properties, with the flues hidden in crawl spaces and other discreet areas, terminating on the roof.In conclusion, the secret to having attractive and energy efficient fires and stoves in any self-build project is design, plan, cost and implement. And always consult a fully qualified Gas Safe or HETAS engineer.For further information visit www.drufire.com

Over 100m2 of Gerflor’s newest loose-lay innovation Taralay Libertex has been installed at Alverton Woodland Nursery, Cornwall. The refurbishment solution was a fast-track product that saved the End User significant install time with minimal disruption on site.Taralay Libertex provides installers with a rapid, high quality, easy-to-lay flooring product. It’s where practicality meets creative flair head-on to provide a harmonious union. Taralay Libertex is the ideal flooring choice when time really is money, providing up to a 30% saving on installation costs for new builds and renovations as it can be laid directly onto most existing or uneven subfloors.Taralay Libertex features a new generation of textile backing across the sheet vinyl range, specifically developed for commercial applications such as education, hospitality and shops, offices, care homes, together with housing and common areas.

The Pavilions comprise of seven residential buildings alongside the railway, providing a mix of 156 one, two and three bedroom sustainable homes with 35% affordable housing. As a site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC), this 'Development of the Year’ maximises the residential capacity without compromising the nature conservation designation. This is achieved by incorporating an educational nature trail and bird hide, with generous open spaces planted with trees, green roofs to encourage biodiversity, and solar panels. Cellecta’s ScreedBoard 20 was specified by Jestico + Whiles as it is a dry light weight Robust Detail solution compatible with Metec System LGS system, and the ideal overlay floorboard for acoustic application incorporating underfloor heating applications due to its high thermal conductivity. This enables the system to run more efficiently, saving on running costs and improving reaction times.Telford Homes was awarded this 14,350m² contract for this development at Caledonian Road in Islington.

The Osborn consists of 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments, including a top floor 3 bed penthouse. Inspired by a modern industrial design, this building is well-proportioned with generously high ceilings, filled with light from huge Crittall-style windows and doors. Located opposite Brick Lane, moments from Whitechapel Gallery and The Old Truman Brewery, the unique flavour of the area has been enhanced with the inclusion of balconies or terraces, with views towards the London skyline. Cellecta’s ScreedBoard 28 was specified by Moreno Masey due to its high density and unique resilient layer providing unrivalled acoustic performance, typically 5dB better than legislative requirements. It is an award-winning composite acoustic overlay treatment featuring interlocking edges for installation convenience.This 1,000m² Goldenstone development in East London was awarded to Michael Brady.

Nerrols is a primary and nursery school which is part of the Richard Huish Trust located in Taunton. Opened in September 2019, Nerrols includes facilities such as 14 classrooms, main hall, kitchen, science and technology room, sports hall library, food technology room and a 3G sports pitch. Built to support a new residential development being constructed, the two-story building school provides 420 places for 4 to 11 year olds and 26 nursery places, with modern colour render above, and features a generous canopy over the main entrance.Cellecta’s Mojave S1-8 was specified due to it being a lightweight option for an acoustic composite floor build up. This system has a low energy use, reducing running costs and co2 emissions, which benefits the environment.Willmott Dixon was awarded this 1,000m² contract by Somerset County Council to construct this development in Somerset.

Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys is one of three secondary schools in the Tunbridge Wells area. The school has been extended and modernized to offer further school places to the local community. The expansion includes a new a three-storey satellite facility that houses general teaching classrooms, ICT and food technology spaces, and a five-court sports hall. An expanded dining room has also been created through the refurbishment of the existing sports hall.Cellecta’s YELOfon HD10+ was specified by Bond Bryan Architects due to its unrivalled acoustic performance in isolating a floating screed from a structural concrete floor. This product is lightweight making it easy to install. YELOfon HD10+ is also delivered in rolls to ensure it’s easy to handle.Willmott Dixon were awarded this 7,950m² contract to construct this latest school project in Sevenoaks.

Through this project, a dynamic education hub is taking shape, with Ark Swift Primary Academy, Harmony Nursery, and the Adult Community Education Centre, all undergoing a revamp. A dedicated youth zone catering to the younger generation is also being developed. This regeneration project also introduces 132 housing units, comprising 55 one-bedroom and 77 two-bedroom apartments, tailored to the needs of local residents and essential workers, including teachers. The transformation extends further with the creation of a public square and pedestrian and cycling routes aimed at reducing travel time and enhancing access to nearby transportation nodes.Stofix products are being used in block C of this project – a 95,000 sq ft office building of the highest grade, complete with terraces, meeting spaces, and a crowning top-floor penthouse. This endeavor paves the way for a brighter, more interconnected community future.

Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust (CNTW) continuously strive to provide better education for the next generation of medical professionals. As such, with help from NTW Solutions they wanted to create a modern learning space for their medical education centre in Gosforth. Forbo Flooring Systems' Flotex, Modul'up and Allura Flex ranges all played a key role in bringing this project together .NTW solutions was established in 2017 by CNTW NHS Foundation Trust to provide a range of important services, across a variety of teams. They work alongside stakeholders such as NHS Foundation Trust to provide high-end project outcomes. Offering a variety of foundation placements, the medical centre will provide young nurses and doctors with a good base level of education to then move forwards in their chosen speciality. To do this there was a variety of factors to review when looking at designs.

In May 2018, Australia’s visionary theatre, La Mama, was destroyed by fire. Thanks to the generosity and hard work of The La Mama Community, this iconic theatre has now reopened to the public and UltraScape are delighted to have played a part in its restoration.BackgroundLocated in Victoria, Australia, La Mama Theatre is home to responsive, inclusive and diverse independent theatre making. With a reputation steeped in visionary arts, La Mama Theatre is the number one destination for audiences to discover the next generation of theatre artists.The ChallengeA fire devastatingly destroyed this much-loved theatre in May 2018. The damage was so extensive, La Mama theatre needed to be completely rebuilt. Part of the restoration included an additional structure to the front of the theatre and new paved area.The SolutionThe incredible La Mama community raised over $3,400,000 to help restore the theatre back to its former glory. To grout the Recycled Brick Paving at the theatre, Instarmac International’s Australian partners, and specialist paving distributors, Prolific Stone International, supplied UltraScape flowpoint smooth.Greysea Group, the contractors completing the paving installation, have been using flowpoint since it was first introduced into Australia in 2020.UltraScape flowpoint smooth is a flowable grout which allows for large areas of paving to be grouted quickly. Suitable for joints from 3mm to 50mm and as deep as 200mm, flowpoint smooth has been developed over a number of years to provide a durable finish which will not crack or stain – even in the hot Australian temperatures.With an initial set after just 15 minutes, and a walk on time of one hour, it is unsurprising that flowpoint smooth has become synonymous with fast application, cost-effective and robust jointing.UltraScape flowpoint is available in four varieties – original, eco, smooth and fine – and two colours – Natural Grey and Charcoal. UltraScape have jointing solutions for all designs and tastes.ResultsLa Mama Theatre opened to the public in December 2021 with great applause. The newly refurbished theatre is fully accessible, has a dedicated rehearsal space, new bar, green room and mezzanine floor for their next generation of theatre artists to perform on.

Essential Protection for Tall Buildings.As one of the world's leading coatings companies, we strive to be at the forefront of design trends and our International range of protective coatings and passive fire protection products is developed to complement architectural innovations.With its curved façade and spiralling form symbolizing China’s emergence as a global financial power, the Shanghai Tower is world's second tallest building (behind Burj Khalifa in Dubai), after its six-year construction was completed at the end of 2015.Shanghai Tower is one of the most advanced sustainable tall buildings in the world and goes to great lengths to generate its own energy.Around 200,000 liters of our protective coatings and intumescent fire protection products, including Interchar 1983, were used to provide fire protection for stair steel structures and the façade’s supporting steel structures for up to 90 minutes.We were the company of choice for the owner, painting applicators and the fabricator.

Challenge:For the first phase of 80 retail units, Phoenix Brickwork required IG’s bespoke arch lintels accommodating a range of opening spans between 910mm to 6000mm for ground and first floor shopfront door and window openings.Solution:IG’s technical team worked closely with Phoenix Brickwork and developed a one-piece lintel design solution taking into consideration loading conditions for each application.All special lintels were delivered to site as part of the project build schedule and helped to achieve the desired façade complementing both the fascia and canopy design. The welcoming shop fronts are sympathetic to building and have helped contribute to an attractive retail and leisure development.The 30,000m2 of retail space built over two phases will eventually consist of 125 retail units, generate 1,200+ additional jobs and create a new retail destination for the region with the aim to attract over 39 million tourists a year.

Project DescriptionThe new £5.5m state-of-the-art Beacon building was created as part of a £40m investment in Staffordshire University’s City campus in Stoke-on-Trent. A three storey, metal-clad building, it features innovative learning and social spaces. These include 12 timetabled teaching areas and general teaching rooms, flexible, multi-sized space for lectures, IT labs, seminar spaces, and The Pavilion Café which offers a street-food style menu.Specific Project ChallengesMaintaining the critical system interface details from the SFSinstaller to the rainscreen cladding installer.Ensuring colour continuity from one anodised aluminimum batch to another.Unique project featuresA bespoke natural anodised plank system, designed to seamlessly facilitate linear vertical modules.New anodising finishing techniques, featuring etched, brushed and polished finishes.A fully designed and warrantied through–wall solution from a single manufacturer.

One of the fastest-growing aerospace companies, EnduroSat, has collaborated with ESCREO to transform the casual and boring walls into writable ones with whiteboard paint. For them, as for every fast-growing company, it is very important to incorporate all the new technology in the office environment. They have an innovative approach not just to the pure business side but also to the premises where the space magic happens. Everyone can write down a new idea the moment it comes to their mind. This is the magic of ESCREO and ESCREO writable walls. The generation of ideas is more facilitated than ever but even more is the presentation of those ideas to all concerned parties. Efficiency is improved and the workflow becomes much smoother.EnduroSat shared with ESCREO how having writable walls all over the office is helping them to fulfil their mission. You can read the full interview to also learn what they have to say about their choices, thoughts and future.