"green applications resources sustainability"

A highly sustainable Education & Visitor Centre is nearing completion alongside a historic landmark in a south London park, with the fit out including the installation of stainless steel sinks, work-surfaces and shelving units, supplied and installed by sector specialist, GEC Anderson. 

Delivered an elegant Green (Living) Wall at the iconic One Hyde Park building using a a combination of Jakob’s high-quality stainless-steel ropes, rods and planters.Our green wall has been installed to the eastern edge of the One Hyde Park building; where it lines the route of a new pedestrian walkway (Serpentine Walk), just a few steps away from Harrods. The wall creates a stunning green corridor between Hyde Park and the nearby Harrods store and 80 luxury apartments.The Jakob Green Wall system was chosen due to its aesthetic appeal suiting the architectural design of the building and the 21st century trend of city greening.The green wall provides both a visual and physical link between the expansive open spaces of Hyde Park and the busy street scene along Knightsbridge. The greening is also a taster of the views from the opulent penthouse suites above.Alongside the LED lighting, the green wall makes the building unique and distinctive. Ensuring that it looks great, both day and night.

A good example of the before and after effects of laying a sedum roof garden and accompanying deck and paved area onto a small domestic roof terrace. All these products are designed to sit on top of the waterproof membrane (in this case single ply) there was no issue of damage to the roof. The support pads lifted the decking off the roof, eliminating the risk of the timber piercing the membrane, and drainage was maintained through the roof surface since the green roof system has a cavity beneath its own reservoir and drainage layer to allow water run-off.

A new car park has been constructed near the Hornschuchpromenade in Fürth and covered with an extensive green roof system. The car park has capacity for 380 cars and has been designed by The Max Bögl Group (MBG) with ease of construction, cost efficiency, visual impact and low maintenance in mind. In collaboration with contractors Isobautec, they selected MobiRoof green roof system from Mobilane as the most suitable option to cover the 1300 square metre roof expanse.

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

79 of Howe Green’s 7500 Series aluminium access covers were specified for Eco-Friendly primary school, St Bernadette’s in Antonshill. Council architects required a solution to access essential services housed in raised flooring including the school’s sprinkler network, hot and cold water supplies and electric and data cabling. The covers were installed by A. Andrews and Sons to cover a continuous run of 75 metres of floor space with additional multipart units also fitted onto adjoining legs. The access covers were designed to be in-filled with industrial grade carpet to match the surrounding area.

James Donagain's pioneering efforts, backed by Horne Engineering's innovative In-Line Thermal Disinfection Unit (ILTDU), are revolutionizing water safety in healthcare. Trials at Kings College Hospital and other NHS trusts have comprehensively demonstrated the ILTDU's efficacy in reducing Pseudomonas Aeruginosa (PA) counts at the inherently vulnerable water system periphery, allowing substantial cost savings to be realised and patient safety dramatically improved. Thermal disinfection not only significantly outperforms traditional chemical treatments but also promotes environmental sustainability. 

Welcoming tomorrow’s doctors today at Lincoln Medical School is a 110 square metre living wall, full of healthy greenery and packing a sustainable punch alongside the building’s photovoltaic solar panels.

This living wall is one of five different living walls that we have now installed and still maintain for Land Securities. It is on the management suite building at the heart of New Street Square and, especially during the winter months, it is the only bit of urban greening in the area.

Dyson’s low energy hand dryers are helping Welcome Break to reduce its carbon footprint, with the hand dryers emitting 85% less CO₂ than single-use paper towels.[1] Global research and technology company Dyson for Business, and the UK’s leading motorway service provider Welcome Break, are announcing details of a recent partnership which is helping Welcome Break to deliver its sustainability goals by using the latest washroom technology.  The company has installed over 450 Dyson Airblade 9kJ low energy hand dryers across all of its 44 service areas and 31 hotels in the UK. Each hand dryer uses only a sixth of the energy of conventional dryers, corresponding to 9.1 kilojoules of energy per use, and captures 99.95% of particles through its HEPA filter – helping Welcome Break’s 85 million annual visitors dry their hands hygienically and efficiently.[2]  In the wake of COP26 and the implementation of the Government’s Net Zero strategy, businesses are racing to reduce their carbon footprint.[3] One of the main areas where major sustainability gains can be seen is in the washroom. Globally, millions of tonnes of paper towels are used every year, with most going into landfill since they cannot be recycled.[4] But with research showing that damp hands can transfer up to 1,000 times more bacteria than dry hands, customers must be able to dry their hands thoroughly and sustainably.[5] Dyson’s innovative technologies negate these concerns. All Dyson hand dryers include air-cleaning HEPA filters and touchless activation as standard. Dyson hand dryers are just as hygienic as using a paper towel, and the Airblade 9kJ model produces up to 88% less CO₂ than paper towels.[6],[7] Implementing this simple change to its UK washrooms is helping Welcome Break to further its mission of becoming the greenest motorway service, while boosting hygiene levels for customers. Tom Crawford, Global Director of Sustainability at Dyson said: “Dyson was founded on a principle of lean engineering and doing more with less when it comes to our technologies and how we do business. We applied the same philosophy to the development of our hand dryers, making wasteful paper towels redundant with the launch of the Dyson Airblade™ hand dryer. Working with Welcome Break to help the company boost sustainability and hygiene in its washrooms nationwide aligns perfectly with our own goals and we are excited to see how the partnership continues to benefit visitors in the future.” Martyn Brett-Lee, Commercial Director at Welcome Break said: “We are delighted to have installed Dyson Airblade technology across our Welcome Break locations. On our mission to become a more sustainable Motorway Service Area Operator, reducing our CO2 emissions is key and Dyson’s Airblade technology is one of the many ways we’re driving this. Given the last few years we’ve all experienced, we’re pleased to provide our customers assurances that their hand drying is with HEPA-filtered, clean air.” Dyson for Business offers high quality products for professional settings including its award-winning hand dryers and air purifiers. From motorway services to education establishments, Dyson for Business offers peace of mind through its use of the latest technology and engineering innovation. --- [1] Average electricity price £0.1/kWh as of December 2018: See our calculations.[2] https://www.dyson.co.uk/commercial/hand-dryers/airblade-9kj [3] Net Zero Strategy: Build Back Greener, HM Government, https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1033990/net-zero-strategy-beis.pdf [4] https://www.dyson.co.uk/inside-dyson/sustainability/overview[5] Epidemiology & Infection, Residual moisture determines the level of touch-contact-associated bacterial transfer following hand washing, December 1997[6] Frontiers Public Health, Aerosols and Bacteria From Hand Washing and Drying in Indoor Air, 2022 https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2022.804825/full [7] Average electricity price £0.1/kWh as of December 2018. See our calculations.

The British Horse Society headquarters is on a listed deer park with many protected trees. The building’s circular design posed key construction challenges. The single storey office building was constructed in a doughnut shape, to ensure that a mature oak tree on site was preserved. In keeping with its green surroundings Spectraplan SM120 Dark Grey, a polyester reinforced TPE waterproofing system was mechanically fixed to a composite metal deck, ready to receive a sedum blanket.

Chosen in a riven textured finish and in Iceberg, Bordeaux and Basalt colours to create symmetry in the building’s decorative facade, the high quality of each Carea cladding panel creates a stylish finish which met the architect’s vision. In addition special vent tiles were specified which were used above the windows and for kitchen extracts to create an invisible way of creating ventilation for the building.Each of the riven panels were installed by OCL Facades using innovative grooves at the top and bottom edges to create a seamless finish. As well as an efficient secret fix installation process, Carea cladding panels provide several performance benefits. Offering a high degree of insulation, they will play a pivotal role in the development’s thermal efficiency, thereby lowering its heating needs and aiding sustainability. 

Roof and facade cover... CHALLENGE For the design of a youth centre a Belgian architect wanted to have a fully homogeneous and waterproof cover for the roof and the facade. This envelope technique needed to be combined with a more ecological and aesthetically pleasing green wall design. SOLUTION For the waterproofing of the roof surface a standard RENOLIT ALKORPLAN roofing membrane was used. For the facades the architects opted for a RENOLIT ALKORSOLAR fixing system as the base to attach the final greenwall system. As the roof and the wall covering (waterproofing) are the same material there were no jointing issues. The whole building has been covered with RENOLIT ALKORPLAN roofing membrane. The facade details were similarly accomplished as standard roof details and RENOLIT ALKORSOLAR profiles were used to fix the rain water pipes from the roof.

Set to be the tallest building in Africa at 250-metres with 55 stories, Mohammed Tower IV is a new high-rise tower designed by Rafael de la Hoz & Hakim Benjelloun to resemble a rocket on its launch pad. The striking development will be visible from 50km in all directions and forms the centre piece in the Bouregreg Valley Development Project, which plays a leading role in the development programme for Rabat, ‘the City of Light,’ in the Moroccan Capital of Culture. Once complete, the project will provide a luxury hotel, commercial offices, high-end residential apartments, and a viewing sky terrace.The ChallengeSustainability and energy efficiency are both primary design considerations in this project, with the client aiming to achieve LEED Gold and HQE quality standards. LEED certification provides an independent guarantee of a building’s green features, with a LEED Gold rating representing first-class leadership in resource-efficient building design, construction, operations, and maintenance.Farrat were contacted via our export partner in the GCC region, UniGroup, to supply a high-performance, robust, and certified fire-resistant thermal break solution to mitigate against thermal bridging across façade connections for contemporary facade design company Glassline Abu Dhabi. Farrat Structural Thermal Breaks are favoured across the construction industry, as the most efficient & responsible way to thermally separate structural connections and prevent heat loss in the building envelope.The thermal breaks would form part of a wider sustainable construction program, alongside smart energy efficiency systems such as 3350 m² of photovoltaic solar panels on the South façade, rainwater recovery and wastewater recycling systems and an internal energy recovery system to produce hot water.The SolutionFollowing a review of the connection designs, Farrat TBF was selected as the optimal structural thermal break material for extensive use across the façade connections of Mohammed Tower, to prevent heat transfer through steel beams where the external building aspects meet the interior.Farrat TBF is an A2 rated non-combustible structural thermal break material capable of maintaining superior structural performance at temperatures more than 1000°C. Farrat TBF also provides high-level thermal performance to solve structural thermal bridge issues and exceeds all current fire regulatory requirements for buildings above (and below) 18m.Following several high-rise fire tragedies across the globe, increasing numbers of building designers are looking to go beyond the standard when it comes to fire safety.The DesignThe inherent non-combustible composition of Farrat TBF was the solution to the fire element of the design, allowing unrestricted use in the high-rise construction. Use of the material’s remarkably high compressive force resistance allowed Farrat to assess the transmission of loads through the structural connection, sufficient to maintain performance under influence from weather stresses.The Outcome“In designing and securing this high-performance project, Farrat utilised the full extent of our material research & development skills and harnessed our extensive experience of thermal bridging projects in all climates and circumstances around the globe,” states Chris Lister, Commercial Manager of Structural Thermal Breaks at Farrat.“The resulting construction details are to the highest levels of structural and fire safety performance whilst also being beautiful in their simplicity.”Structural Thermal Breaks with FarratFarrat Structural Thermal Breaks are favored across the construction industry, as the most efficient & responsible way to thermally separate structural connections and prevent heat loss in the building envelope.#onamission

We are the only UK architectural ironmonger with our own, exclusive British manufacturing operation. Our site in Birmingham makes 25% of what we sell, routinely producing over 100,000 products a year including all the tactile ironmongery from our principal ranges. As champions of British manufacturing, over 75% of our supply chain (by spend) is within 20 miles of our factory and logistics hub.With a 25-year manufacturing warranty on all principal ranges, we have always believed in products that are engineered to perform over the lifetime of any building without failure. Our designs are beautifully simple, easy to install and maintain, and complement any project, sector, or trend timelessly.We offer our clients a single source for all their architectural ironmongery and access control requirements – one specification, a single schedule, and an individual contact for delivery. We certify all our products ourselves to make things even easier.We also have our own technical experts who can visit on site to resolve any installation issues, thereby removing the need for replacement products to be sent.We are proud to have held ISO 14001 certification since 2009 and work continuously to reduce our operational and embodied carbon impact

Howe Green Ltd supplied a number of HSE75 Series Hinged Aluminium Floor Access Covers for a new £1.5 billion hospital facility in Stockholm. The requirement was for a solution that would enable regular access to the underground power stations and escape routes located underneath the hospital. The gas assisted hinged HSE75 floor hatches provide easy and safe access ensuring that maintenance can be carried out with the minimum of disruption. The floor hatches have been installed in various areas of the hospital and infilled with both concrete and tiled flooring to provide a seamless, flush floor finish.

Leading moveable wall specialist, Style Partitions, is offering a new range of recycled fabric finishes thanks to its exclusive UK partnership with Skyfold. This fully automatic, vertical-rising partitioning system is now available with either a Marin 1300 or Resolve 1301 fabric finish, both of which use between 90-100%, post-consumer recycled polyester. Complementing any interior décor, the sustainable fabric is available in a wide range of contemporary colourways. With environmental impact being a critical aspect of any development, this green initiative is yet another huge leap forward in Style’s ability to offer the most sustainable moveable wall solutions in the UK. Many years ago, Style was the first supplier to secure a UK Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) certification for moveable walls.The Resolve fabric selection use an incomparable, 100% post-consumer recycled polyester fabric, solving the root cause of the problem by helping keep plastics out of oceans and landfill. Taking sustainability to the next level, during the yarn-extrusion process, a biocatalyst is added to enable anaerobic digestion of the Resolve fabric should it ever end up in landfill or a wastewater treatment plant in the future. Tackling one of the most pressing environmental issues we face today, for every pound of Marin fabric produced, up to half a pound of recovered plastic waste from the ocean is utilised. Combined with other post-consumer recycled polyester, this industry-leading textile range is created using 90% upcycled plastic waste.“This latest enhancement to the Skyfold fabric range means we are even more perfectly positioned to help organisations become more sustainable, and this is also another important development for our range of finishes only a month after we announced the anti-bacterial effectiveness of our laminates,” said Julian Sargent, Style’s group managing director.Style is the exclusive UK partner to Dorma Hüppe, Skyfold and SWG offering a complete moveable wall design, installation and after care service. With an extensive portfolio, customers can choose from simple folding walls through to fully automatic acoustic systems, with a wide range of finishes and glass options to enhance any interior.

We supplied and installed our Spectrum nylon-coated balustrades with glass infills and Neatdek aluminium decking with alternate inserts on every balcony. Frosted glass screens were also supplied between balconies to provide an element of privacy for the occupants. A spokesperson from ENGIE says, “Neaco offered an excellent service from start to finish. They had the task of designing and installing their product to the existing structural steel which they carried out with very few issues and all modifications were handled by the teams promptly and efficiently, so that our programme was maintained throughout. Overall, the service provided was outstanding”.

Barcelona has chosen a revamped model of urban development, designed to enhance the life of its citizens and to adapt to the impacts brought about by climate change. An overhaul of the present with a forward-looking approach; sustaining two paces: that of technology and that of humans.

Howe Green has supplied around 400 bespoke access covers to the £150 million National Automotive Innovation Centre (NAIC) being built on the University of Warwick campus. The floor access covers were required to provide safe and easy access to building services concealed under the raised flooring. The bespoke 7500 Series Medium Duty Stainless Steel covers were specified by award-winning architects Cullinan Studio. A reduced depth was required to enable the access covers to be infilled with the same flooring used elsewhere in the raised floor system - calcium sulphate floor panels, with the stone pre-bonded

Over the last decade, Twinfix have installed 10 canopies on five separate occasions at Green Lane Community Special School, part of Woolston Learning Village in Holes Lane, Warrington.The initial project involved fitting a 35m long 2m wide walkway on this school, and another 32m walkway at the adjacent school on the site, both designed to provide under cover access between car drop-off and the school buildings. Twinfix were approached by main contractor ISG Construction Ltd from Salford to design, manufacture and install these as part of their overall task to refurbish the old Woolston High School campus back in 2014.Since the original project, Twinfix have been invited back on four more occasions by Head Teacher, Paul King to install further canopies. Most recently a free-standing mono-pitch canopy spanning 80 square-metres.All the canopies designed, manufactured and installed by Twinfix have aluminium frames powder coated in blue RAL 5010. As this metal doesn’t rust in use, they will keep their good looks throughout their long life. The roof glazing consists of Twinfix Multi-Link-Panels NF fitted with tough 25mm opal multiwall polycarbonate. The NF denotes that these panels conform to the HSE’s recommended drop test ACR[M]001:2019, as recommended by HSG33. This is particularly important where access could be gained to the overhead glazing.Vertical glazing was included in the design of the walkways at the school which provides additional weather protection, while the canopies providing shelter in play areas were fitted with post protectors to guard the children from bumps and bangs.Paul King Head Teacher explains: “We cater for children from 3 to 18 years old. They’re not like children in a main-stream school, they’re vulnerable and they all have special needs. We wanted them to have covered access to the outside throughout the year and these canopies have enabled us to achieve this. Our children have to be taught how to play and having such large, safe protected outside areas gives us the space to do this. All the areas had to be closed off from pupils for installing the footings for the post supports and again for the actual build – but Twinfix were very accurate in the timings they gave us and they were finished within their promised timeframe. “

The North Devon Enterprise Centre in county Devon was constructed using sustainable materials and techniques.DUCO also played a role in this with its intensive ventilation techniques.Main contractor ISG has constructed the Enterprise Centre at Devon County Council’s Roundswell Enterpise Park development. The centre has been designed to offer flexible office accommodation for small and medium size businesses that are looking to grow. The building was constructed using sustainable materials and techniques.DUCO also played a role in this with its intensive ventilation techniques.Environmentally sustainable buildingThe Enterprise Centre, which is known as NODE, has still a few office facilities for sale, but most of the facilities were sold already by companies both local and from the county.The design and construction of the building was developed with environmental sustainability in mind, resulting in the achievement of the BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) Excellent Status.Intensive ventilation for a healthy indoor climateDUCO is proud to be part of this achievement through the installation of its high-end intensive ventilation products in the Enterprise Centre’s building. One thing’s for sure: no compromises were made on ventilation in this project.No fewer than three high-performance DUCO ventilation products can be found in the building. Combined, they provide sufficient intensive ventilation in the entire building.DucoGrille Solid F 30Z window grilles are made of punched solid louvre blades which are very robust and equipped with an insect screen. A reinforced version of this frame profile can acheive burglar-resistance to Class 2.DucoGrille Solid G 30Z is a recesses mounted wall louvre, manufactured from extruded aluminium profiles. The perforated blade profiles act as an insect screen, whereas the Z-shaped blade ensures a robust design.DucoGrille Close 105 blade dampers were installed and fitted with the DucoGrille Solid window grilles. Thanks to the high airflow rate the DucoGrille Close 105 damper is also suitable for adjustable extract. It allows fresh air from the outside enter the Enterprise Centre building through the building envelope ensuring a healthy indoor climate!

Rush Green Primary School, LondonClient: London Borough of Barking & DagenhamProduct: The Coniston Wall Mounted CanopySize: 16.3m x 2.2mFrame Colour: Hipca WhiteInstallation Date: June 2023Brief Having worked with the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham before on a number of projects, they contacted us again regarding their most recent project at Rush Green Primary School. The school which is located in Dagenham were having works completed which included a single storey extension, internal alterations, and refurbishment. As part of the works, they required a wall mounted canopy in their quad courtyard area to provide shade and shelter all year round.Proposal As requested, we provided an estimate for a Coniston Wall Mounted Canopy with a length of 16.3 metres and a projection of 2.2 metres. Because the Coniston is mounted to a wall, it requires a suitable wall to fix to; the building at Rush Green Primary School was a block construction which was covered with render, which is one of the many ideal wall constructions for the Coniston’s requirements. In the case where a wall may not have a suitable construction for a wall mounted canopy, we can supply the Coniston as a free-standing canopy with rear posts. Alternatively, we also have a number of free standing canopies that are similar in appearance to the Coniston which are the Grange Free Standing Canopy and for those with lower budgets, the Grange Junior Free Standing Canopy.Solution Upon comparing our canopy quotation to two other companies, an order was placed for our Coniston Wall Mounted Canopy in May 2023.At the pre-site stage, there was a number of points to be discussed outside of the usual specifics which were:Foundations: Unless otherwise stated, foundations are included in all our canopy quotations. The flooring in at Rush Green Primary School featured raised decking, so we needed to investigate the area underneath the decking to check it was suitable for our foundations and they were.Access and Obstructions: The quad area features a pond which could have made an obstruction however, it was agreed that the pond would be covered over with strong boards so we could work over it.The canopy was installed at the start of June 2023 as scheduled with no problems along the way.If you have a similar project in mind, contact us today to request a free estimate or discuss a bespoke canopy with us.

INTU worked with Makers Construction on a full car park refurbishment for the main car park at their Milton Keynes location. As well as improving traffic flow through the car park, creating larger spaces and better way finding, intu was keen to install several areas of living wall and car park green infrastructure to provide a stunning visual welcome to all visitors.

Manufactured with an extruded polystyrene foam core and a special coating on both sides, Jackoboard construction boards from Jackon by Bewi can be used as part of a system approach for tiling.With a range of shower trays and drain kits, Jackon says Jackoboard can help create a perfect wetroom or bathroom environment.Jackoboard construction systems provide the flexibility to meet modern requirements in bathroom design. “What was once considered a mere washroom has now been elevated to a private wellness oasis,” Jackon says. “In recent years, the demands placed on bathroom finishes have changed dramatically to allow refurbished bathrooms to shine like new with flexible and high-quality renovations.”The current British Standard for tiling, BS 5385-1:2018, requires the wider use of more appropriate materials for construction, and for receiving tiles in water sensitive and wet areas. This has reportedly increased the demand for the Jackoboard range in new build applications as well as in renovation works.The products are manufactured sustainably and, being superb insulators, they can be used in the design of energy-efficient homes, the company says. The protection of the environment is key to parent company Jackon by Bewi. The company says that plastics, when used as long-term construction materials can greatly reduce the need for heating energy and can therefore make a positive contribution to tackling the climate crisis. In fact, Jackon has been running a campaign in recent years to supply beehives made from the company’s polystyrene bead to the Bee Centre in Chorley. Like Jackoboard, the company says, these beehives will last a lifetime and provide better insulation than the alternatives, enabling the Bee Centre to continue its outreach work in support of honeybees and beekeeping.The surfaces of the Jackoboard system are said to provide an extremely strong bond for the tile adhesive and can be used on virtually any substrate. The boards are waterproof, thermally insulating, very lightweight and strong.The range can form the basis for a tiled finish, but it can also provide a substrate for wallpaper, paint or plaster. “So the possibilities for personal expression are virtually unlimited, allowing every bathroom to benefit from its own individual style,” Jackon says.Due to their core made of extruded polystyrene foam (XPS), Jackoboard construction boards and the wider product range are all lightweight and waterproof – a key benefit for bathroom new build and renovation.Jackoboard also makes installation “simple and easy”. The construction boards, bath panels and angle elements can be trimmed to the desired dimensions with standard tools, while their insulation values reportedly enable them to maximise the benefits of underfloor heating.The range is available in sizes and board thicknesses from 4-80mm to suit all building requirements. A suite of ancillary items are also available, from installation and sealing kits through to washers, fixing dowels and BoardFIX.J-Drain Linear and J-Drain Wall are recent additions to the family of wetroom products from Jackoboard. These products provide what the company calls a high-tech design solution to enable the creation of a totally minimalist walk-in shower.Both products are designed be used in combination with Jackoboard Sloping Boards for the floor and Plano Boards for the walls, to provide everything needed for a “highly fashionable and innovative walk-in shower solution”.“From a design point of view, these products are completely on-trend, given that the minimalist look for walk-in showers is very popular at the moment,” Jackon says. “Achieving this with a highly effective drain solution, which also showcases the tiling to maximum effect, is a key selling point for these new products, used together with Jackoboard backerboards.”

Architect: Waugh Thistleton Architects. Maximising the location and view in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty was key to this redevelopment and new-build on the North Norfolk coast. The site contained a 1950s houses and outbuildings that were out of keeping with the area, and so in its place the owners were granted permission to build a sustainable, low-energy new-build family home, clad in locally sourced timber and stone, and including IDSystems' theEDGE2.0 ultra-slim sliding doors to make the most of the stunning view over the salt marshes and estuary.

Over fifty Howe Green 5000 and 7500 Series Aluminium Floor Access Covers were supplied for the award winning Collaborative Teaching Laboratory (CTL) at the University of Birmingham’s Edgbaston Campus. The 6,700m2 brick structure was designed by architects Sheppard Robson. It has won four awards in the RIBA West Midlands Awards 2019, including RIBA West Midlands Building of the Year. The CTL has also achieved a BREEM Excellent standard and an EPC A Rating for efficiency. The building design was meticulously detailed and the materials used were chosen to minimise maintenance and enhance the life expectancy of the building.

Three of the UK’s leading access specialists have come together to form the Access 360 portfolio, providing a total manufacturing solution for roof, ceiling, wall and floor access products for the construction industry. Access 360 comprises Bilco UK, Profab Access and Howe Green. These well-established brands all have a strong reputation for delivering innovative solutions to address the challenges of safe access within a building or external environment. The brand identities have been updated, reflecting the holistic offer that Access 360 presents to the market, to represent the synergy between the brands and the complementary nature of the products.

This project involved a high-rise office being refurbished. Being in the Central London and nearing completion meant a busy site. Ultra fast and mess-free installation was essential. M-Tray®’s were delivered to site on pallets and quickly unloaded. The M-Tray®’s stackable design meant it was easy to transport through the (finished) building and elevator. The individual trays were then carried up the final flight of stairs to the rooftop. As the trays simply clip together they are quick and easy to install. In just 4 hours a the roof space was transformed into a green roof.

During the autumn of 2023, we installed this beautiful, natural themed new play area at St Martin’s, Jersey. This project saw a collaborative design approach with a local playground expert on the island, who helped select the equipment, surfacing, and shape the landscaping elements of the works.The centrepiece item was a modified version of the ever popular Lappset Spell Hill, where a set of monkey bars, fireman’s pole, and a different specification slide were added to the original design, to increase the play value and age ranges of who can use the equipment.Two new sets of swings, a seesaw, two spring riders, and musical play panels ensured a well balanced playground that appeals to all ages and abilities. Making the park inclusive for all, no matter their physical abilities, was an important consideration when designing the area, and the large, upright basket swing and sensory attributes of the musical chimes, together with the tasteful landscaping created a welcoming environment for all.The surfacing chosen was mix of green and beige wet pour rubber, ensuring the natural theme carried through to all elements of the design.We loved working on this project, and it was great to shape the design with the input of local people on the island. Get in touch today for any similar requirements!

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

Architect Hawkins\Brown specified Howe Green 7500 Series Medium Duty Stainless Steel Floor Access Covers for one of the office spaces within BT Sport located at Here East, the new digital quarter for East London. The covers were required to address the challenge of easily and safely accessing drainage junctions located beneath a raised floor system in the corridors of the building. The 7500 Series were specified with stainless steel Z profiles to provide additional support to the access cover within the raised floor. The access covers were initially covered with plywood and then infilled with a vinyl flooring finish.

THE PROJECT Introducing our latest collaboration – Parc Gelli Werdd in South Wales, showcasing 15 Q doors – the pinnacle of resilient, superbly insulated industrial door systems.Nestled in Parc Gelli Werdd lies a cutting-edge development of workshops, industrial units, and offices, conveniently located just an hour away from Cardiff, the vibrant capital of Wales. Engineered for adaptability, these units cater primarily to advanced manufacturing, agri-food technology, creative industries, and energy & environmental sectors. The exterior amenities include generous parking spaces, electric vehicle charging stations, a service yard, bike storage facilities, and meticulously crafted landscapes.At the heart of this business park lies a commitment to sustainability, reflected in both its design ethos and operational practices. By embracing Active Building and Passivhaus principles, which prioritize superior insulation, our premium Q doors, renowned for their exceptional insulation properties and longevity, seamlessly align with the development’s sustainability objectives.This endeavor, aimed at achieving ‘Net Zero carbon in-use,’ has garnered remarkable accolades, boasting an impressive BREEAM “Excellent” rating and an EPC “A” certification. BREEAM evaluates sustainability aspects encompassing energy usage, water conservation, and material selection, while the EPC rating system in the UK measures energy efficiency on a scale from A to G, considering factors such as insulation and heating efficiency. Securing both distinctions underscores the project’s commitment to sustainability and its exceptional energy-efficient design.THE PRODUCTQ Doors boast exceptional thermal insulation capabilities, delivering long-term cost savings while enhancing both security and the architectural allure of any structure.Functioning as a versatile bi-folding solution, Q Doors can be seamlessly installed externally to address spatial limitations, thus optimising space within appliance bays. With a plethora of customisation options available, you can tailor your Q Door to meet specific needs, including the incorporation of insulated double-glazed windows, an array of colour choices, and the flexibility of manual or electric operation.In harmony with our sustainability objectives, we offer customisation options such as personnel doors, reducing the need to fully open the Q Door. This strategic approach not only conserves energy but also diminishes the building’s carbon footprint, aligning seamlessly with our commitment to environmental stewardship. The Q Doors sealing system complies with top European requirements, and still met them at 3 times the required test pressure! (The top European class 3 for air leakage describes air leakage (T Value) as at best 1.5m3/m2/h at 50 Pa pressure. i.e. 1.5m3/m2/h to 150 Pa).

Stoneworld have supplied Brazilian Slate and Raj Green Sandstone paving and pool copings

The new generation of M-Tray® modules were used on this office building in Poklington, Yorkshire. This project was in the heart of the Vale of Yorkshire, within and Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and planning sensitivities dictated a green roof was needed on the office building. The clients wanted the existing farm buildings, which had been converted into offices and storage space, to blend into the hillside with the structures having the very lowest impact on the surrounding countryside.The timber framed building meant a low weight solution was required so the 100mm deep pre-grown modules were ideal.

Developed as three separate buildings, the existing tower is being refurbished as high quality apartments with offices and retail, whilst the podium is being replaced with new offices and roof garden. With a fully glazed lobby, a reduced and rationalized core cased in luscious marble and innovative dark bronze-cased windows which sit in the steel frame. The building will be 80% more energy efficient when complete. Effisus Ecofacade Pre-fab Profiles were used to seal façade connections – not only to protect the building from water damage, but also to improve building airtightness and energy efficiency.