"green applications resources sustainability"

An External Distribution Warehouse Heating Solution was required by Sports Direct for their main distribution warehouse facility at Shirebrook, Derbyshire. The warehouse being 156m x 134m x 17m with minimal internal space was an ideal application for TEx air rotation units.A key factor is choosing this technology was that they had already experienced the efficiencies of such product in their other facilities. 2 x TEG41 – Heaters Externally Mounted and 2 x TEG 61 – Destratification Units – Externally Mounted were installed at the facility by Imtech with a BMS Integration and Control system employed.Installation time was less than 2 weeks, including flueing and weatherproofing and now the warehouse at Sports Direct distribution centre has required heating level to keep stock and employees at a adequate temperature. The external installation has allowed for more internal space and the PPC colour of the external units blends into the exterior building design.

“From the materials used throughout the build process to how it’s powered, along with creating new areas of natural habitat to enhance the biodiversity of the site and local area, we’re bringing together skills and expertise from across McDonald’s and the partners we work with. From 2023 furniture and construction materials in new and refurbished restaurants will be made with recycled or certified materials and designed to be recycled or reused at end of life ”Construction Director, McDonald’s UK & Ireland The Absorb-R ToughSound acoustic-panels are environment friendly, fully recyclable natural components that offer optimal sound absorption and extensive resistance to fire. Surface applications include ceiling and wall mounting.Absorb-R ToughSound is a high performing high impact sound absorbing wood wool system, concept with excellent eco credentials which store heat from the ambient air.

Timber Yard consists of two residential buildings made up of a collection of 379 modern apartments in Birmingham’s Southside district. The East Block features stylish one, two and three bedroom apartments, while the West Block includes a mix of studio, one and two bedroom apartments; both buildings surround a private courtyard garden. This development provides leisure facilities such as a gym, concierge services, a club lounge and screening lounge, and parking. The location is pedestrian friendly, with Birmingham New Street and Birmingham Moor Street walkable within 10 minutes.Cellecta HEXATHERM XFLOOR 250 was specified by Claridge Architects on this project for its high resistance to compression and closed cell structure that provides unrivalled resistance to water absorption, making them ideal for residential applications.Galliard Homes and Apsley House Capital were awarded this 7,500m² contract to construct this development.

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

Croft Gardens is a four building student accommodation at King’s College in Cambridge, achieving full Passivhaus Classic standards. With 12 rooms across three floors of three crescents and a villa, along with the Victorian Holmcroft building which provides a library, laundry room and common room area, Croft Gardens provides 84 homes for graduate students. Including graduate rooms, communal facilities, landscaping and external works, Croft Gardens will be carbon negative for the first 7-10 years of operation.Cellecta’s HEXATHERM XFLOOR 500 was specified by Feilden Clegg Bradley due to its high resistance to compression and closed cell structure that provides unrivalled resistance to water absorption, making them ideal for residential applications. These insulation boards are used under a concrete slab to comply with part L Building regulations.Gilbert-Ash was awarded this 650m² contract for this development at Barton Road.

Bream Street is a mixed-use development of seven buildings, including 202 modern 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments, retail, employment and leisure spaces. Overlooking the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, this development includes 30% affordable housing. The scheme consists of demolishing a post-war commercial building to deliver a series of buildings set around three shared gardens within walking distance to Hackney Wick Overground station.Cellecta’s ScreedBoard 20 was specified by Allford Hall Monaghan Morris due to it being the ideal overlay floorboard for acoustic applications. ScreedBoard 20 was laid upon the first floor over PIR to achieve U Values, as the build could not accept a wet screed due to weight restrictions upon the ground.L&Q were awarded this 5,500m² contract to construct this development in Fish Village within Bow.

Smugglers Way has been designed with sustainability at its core and will be one of the largest residential and commercial developments in the area, which is currently undergoing rapid regeneration. The 1.41-hectare scheme will see a mix of 554 new build-to-rent and affordable apartments spread across 13 towers, where residents will be able to benefit from far-reaching views across the River Thames, a large extensive communal area, roof gardens, and external courtyard spaces.The development is situated along Swandon Way, the main transport artery through South West London, and only 350 meters from Wandsworth Town rail station. The site will also be home to more than 8,000m2 of commercial space, including new shops, bars, restaurants, workspace, a cinema, a live music venue, a riverside park, and crossings along the River Wandle.For a project that caters to the diverse needs of a variety of land uses in a busy London location, getting the insulation right was a must. URSAPAN BLACK was able to meet these needs. Navigating the city streets A project of this scale naturally comes with challenges due to the volume of work taking place at the same time. On top of this, the fast-paced, busy nature of London adds extra complications to navigate. From a logistics perspective, it is difficult for lorries to gain access to the site when supplying materials as there is limited space for them to manoeuvre on the streets.Project manager at the design and build construction company, McAleer & Rushe, Gerald Laverty, said: “We made a conscious decision to use products that were logistically viable during the procurement stage of the scheme. URSAPAN BLACK was in keeping with this because the slabs are larger than others on the market – meaning you need less of them - and they are very dense which means they can be compressed allowing more to be transported on a pallet truck. Fewer lorries minimised disruption to other road users and helped us reduce our CO2 emissions.”Holly Lawless, commercial manager at building materials supplier, Walls and Ceilings International, added: “URSA engaged with us early in the project development and confirmed availability of the product for the whole three-year period of the build. This played a critical role in the decision to choose URSA. So many in the industry are struggling with supply chain issues but due to the sheer scale of the project and limited on-site storage, reliability of supply has been – and continues to be – vital in order to stay on track with the project’s tight construction timeframes.” Making it easyThe development of Smugglers Way had tight time frames to stick to. While reassurances of supply availability was critical to help keep the project on track, actual features of the product aided in making it easier to maintain the timeline, too. The large, dense nature of the mineral wool made it easy for workers to handle and install. In turn, helping increase worker productivity levels as they have less slabs to work with per area. Steve Martin, contracts manager at brickwork contractor Callan Construction, said: “We found the product very easy to use. It’s compressible so easy to store and rigid so it doesn't flop about when you are building with it. Time-saving qualities like this are vital in a project of this scale where there are many aspects of development that could be subject to issues which could in turn cause time delays later down the line. Using URSAPAN Black meant we could move on to other areas of the build, such as bricklaying, without delay.” Building for a greener futureSustainability was at the forefront of this build. The complex has been designed to achieve a BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) rating of excellent and Home Quality Mark 4.Quality insulation is one of the most cost-effective ways of reducing CO2 emissions and material choice was vital to achieving these enhanced sustainability standards. URSAPAN BLACK was able to support the sustainability ambitions because the product is manufactured to BS EN ISO 9001 Quality Assurance Systems and BS EN 14001 Environmental Management Systems.Gerald concluded: “URSAPAN BLACK was a perfect fit for a number of reasons. It helped us meet our sustainability ambitions which has a positive knock-on effect for end-users who will benefit from a comfortable indoor climate, in turn helping to reduce their energy bills. But, as a mixed-use project, one of the biggest benefits of all, has been increased acoustic comfort for residents who would otherwise be disturbed by the busy surrounding commercial area.” 

Woodcote House is the contemporary, carefully designed and sustainable replacement for what was previously a series of buildings that had fallen into disrepair amongst the beautiful scenery provided by the South Downs National Park.Designed by Design Engine and Paul Cashin Architects, Woodcote House consists of four large bedrooms, an open plan living, dining and kitchen area and fitted with bespoke joinery the interior is flooded with natural light. Huge windows that allow for picturesque scenes to filter into the internal spaces.Freshfield Lane’s First Quality Multi were used to provide a homage to the original brick buildings that sat on the site prior to development, as well as allowing the structure to impact the environment minimally.

In the village of Bentworth, the Spanish architectural practice AMPS Arquitectura & Diseño had the task of building a modern residential building adjacent to an existing farmhouse. The planners designed a slender building with a gabled roof that reinterprets the traditional form of a cottage. It takes up the typical local forms and the building material of dark wood – and becomes something new.The entire interior is stylish, minimalist and sustainable, with building services designed for maximum efficiency. This includes the use of selected Gira products, such as E2 pure white glossy, pushbutton sensor 3, Gira G1 and Gira HomeServer. This is how the Spanish have skilfully redefined the idea of a cottage in the heart of England.Photos: Miguel de Guzmán

Timber Sash windows, casements and doors were supplied for these prestigious properties in The Bishops Avenue, considered to be one of the wealthiest streets in London and the world. High performance timber sash windows and doors from Lomax + Wood Kensington & Chelsea Range 60 traditional timber double glazed box sash windows with cords and weights. 55 flush wooden-high performance casements windows 50 French doors, single doors and entrance doors all made-to-order in premium engineered timber Sustainable Timber from Certified Sources Supply and install service so there is only one point of contact PAS 24 Security Standard

BMW Hollenstein in Aesch near Basel fully utilizes innovative technology. Completed in 2012, the operations centre uses only pioneering, sustainable infrastructure. The fully electric powered BMW models i3 and i8 are recharged at a special station prominently situated by the entrance. The electricity comes from a powerful solar energy plant located on the top of the roof. Any surplus electricity is fed back into the grid.Little wonder, then, that only doors of usual design and construction were suitable for a building such as this. Again, innovation has found its way here too, enabling us to build one of Switzerland’s first record THERMCORD systems into the entrance porch.www.hollensteinag.com/rundgang

The project Veranda Sun consists in the installation of sun protection at the restaurant terrasse of the hotel “The lodge at the golden gate “ nestled at the northern end of the golden gate bridge in historic Fort Baker .The project is an example of collaborative development which results in unmatched timeless property speeded in history , nature and design . The installation of Bandalux O-Box system with stainless steel rod fasting system and Polyscreen 350 fabric created an airy indoor/ outdoor ambiance while beautiful natural design elements permeate the space. The integration of Bandalux systems provided a sun protection that aligns with the project’s commitment to sustainability as it has already been certified LEED Gold . 

Willowbrook Care Home in Birmingham provides specialist support for people with dementia and mental health problems who need personal care or nursing care on a long term basis. The care home recently extended the premises and Altro floors were used throughout the over 2000m² new build extension. Paul Willis, Care Home Owner said: “We chose Altro Wood Safety, Altro Pisces and Altro Walkway 20 to help provide a homely appearance with excellent sustained slip resistance, durability and ease of maintenance. The end result is superb and we have had many wonderful, positive comments from residents, families and numerous healthcare professionals.”

The North Block expansion (Cork Cancer Centre) at Bon Secours Hospital Cork incorporates a 12,500m2 7 storey development, including Radiotherapy, Oncology, Ward Accommodation, Critical Care and Operating theatre facilities.Forbo products were used almost exclusively throughout as the client recognised its durability over the years in the existing facility.Forbo was able to provide a wide range of flooring solutions from entrance ways and high quality, sustainable floor coverings, to hygienic and slip resistant surfaces.The Marmoleum range met the environmental, technical and maintenance requirements of the development with wide range of available colours assisting in the interior design development and way-finding design.

The stunning Oak Da Vinci flooring adds a touch of sophistication and elegance to the space, while its durable and high-quality construction ensures it can withstand everyday wear and tear.This versatile flooring option is easy to maintain, making it ideal for busy households. Its engineered construction also ensures that it is suitable for use with underfloor heating systems, making it the perfect choice for homeowners looking to incorporate modern heating solutions into their home.Whiteriver’s Oak Da Vinci flooring is not only beautiful and functional but is also eco-friendly, manufactured using sustainably sourced materials. The end result is a stunning floor that adds value to any property while being kind to the environment. 

In cooperation with local partner L-Group, Lindner was responsible for the production and installation of the flooring systems: a total of almost 22,000 m² of the FLOOR and more® G30 and FLOOR and more® G40 hollow floor systems were installed. Despite its low weight, the dry hollow floor impresses with excellent properties in terms of load-bearing capacity, acoustics, fire protection and sustainability. For the server rooms of the administration building, particularly high demands were placed on the floor: Lindner NORTEC G38 ST and VENTEC S38 R38 raised floors were used here ‒ the extremely stable raised floor panels provide the necessary ventilation via the cavity.

The Rednock School in Dursley in Gloucestershire won the people’s choice and awards for sustainability and architectural excellence in the RIBA Regional Town & Country Awards. Wings emanate from a central red hub, designed to be energy-efficient and natural light and airy.So pioneers of transforming the ‘beacon of sustainable school design’ called in experts to design and install their planned multi-use games area (MUGA) and keep the school open while still pushing forward design boundaries.The SolutionThe 1,400-pupil school turned to artificial sports surfaces specialists AP Thompson and MUGA manufacturer Zaun to provide it with a multi-functional state of the art sports pitch.With limited space and the need to keep open throughout the works, contractors built the new school on the old playing fields then demolished the old buildings to make way for the new MUGA.Zaun recommended its Duo6 Sports fencing with fixings every 200mm instead of 400mm. Each fixing point uses a rubber EPDM insert that insulates the panel from the post and reduces rattle during play to a minimum. This is a solution Zaun has developed for schools to minimise noise from outdoor pitches distracting classes being taught indoors.Clever siting of goal recesses makes the MUGA ideal for a full size international standard football pitch or four concurrent 5 a side matches across the width. In addition, Zaun incorporated gates at strategic locations and 4.4m high fencing behind the goal areas to improve ball retention.After four decades, the reincarnation of the school cost £38 million in total and includes a TV studio able to broadcast live to every corner of the school.

THE PROJECTThis incredible project, ‘The Renaissance’ in Lewisham, London was built with design, architecture, visualisation and community in mind. Both residential and commercial, the large development contains 795 private and affordable homes alongside a versatile range of commercial space.It was one of the first large developments in Lewisham Town Centre and contains eight mail buildings ranging from 5 to 24 storeys, each building having its own design, purpose, and appeal.The whole site was designed to increase connections and brig a community together whilst focusing on sustainable homes and the community culture.Within the development is an array of homes from townhouses to 1 bedroom studio apartments all aimed a range of residents from families to singles to create a wider community. These homes were designed to create affordable living through low energy bills and carbon neutral spaces to sustainable communities and vegetable growing areas.THE PRODUCTThe Client wanted a mailbox solution for the development that met their design and architectural needs. They wanted to offer 24-hour mail delivery and pickup for their residents alongside their onsite gym, 24 hour concierge, roof terrace, leisure centre, café, plus much more!The Safety Letterbox Company, having worked with our client on numerous occasions were delighted to work with them again on this futuristic project.Installed were, 238 H1 Lateral mailboxes, engraved and powder coated in Anthracite Grey (RAL 7016). These stunning mailboxes were installed in a creative way by placing part of them on top of a white island with under lighting to create a floating effect.With the high ceilings, monochrome design and a modern interior these mailboxes look absolutely stunning and perfect for the residents to enjoy 24 hour secure mail delivery.

Did you know Vincent Timber supplied both these clubs with their cladding and louvres?BurnleyBurnley Football Club's aim with this development was to raise the standard of their training facility to meet the Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP) Category 1 and 2 standard of infrastructure. Together with Barnfield Construction, they achieved just this.To meet the requirements of the EPPP the build included an indoor area, allowing training to continue through all weathers, complete with a small spectator gallery; as well as multiple developments outside, including three full-sized training pitches and a further two three-quarter size pitches.The new centre was then given a unique finish, clad in four pre-coated, custom colours of Vincent Timber's Thermowood.Thermowood is a versatile timber that serves as internal and external cladding, louvres and even works in saunas thanks to its heat resistant properties.Thermowood is produced by changing the cellular structure of the softwood with a heat treatment making the wood more stable. Its durability and sustainability make Thermowood very popular.ArsenalSupplied by Vincent Timber to contractors Richardson Roofing.With the help of Vincent Timber and Richardson Roofing, Arsenal Football Club were able to transform their training ground at London Colney to provide players with the best possible facilities, at every age group of the club.The facility, featuring a new gym, 40m running track, ice baths, cryotherapy chamber and state of the art analysis and scouting suites, will not only be used by the first team players but it will also house 1st and 2nd year professionals at the academy.The beautiful exterior on the training centre is Western Red Cedar cladding. This attractive, durable material is the ideal choice as it is highly resistant to weather while offering superior quality and sustainability.

As part of a multi-million-pound development aimed at enhancing the overall shopping experience, Maple undertook the creation of a decorative architectural panel facade. This transformative project was executed in collaboration with Glasgow Fort Shopping Centre, focusing on the redevelopment of their new 601-space multi-storey car park.The primary objective was to augment parking capacity at Glasgow Fort Shopping Centre by 25%, emphasizing the dual purpose of functionality and aesthetic appeal. The design aimed to make a distinct architectural statement, contrasting with the steelwork of adjacent structures while ensuring stability and a visually striking appearance. Given Maple's established reputation for pioneering innovative architectural façades, the collaboration was a natural fit for this ambitious undertaking.Teaming up with contractor McLaughlin & Harvey and architect Cooper Cromar, Maple played a crucial role in bringing this impressive five-floor development to fruition.The centerpiece of the project was a 'living art' façade for the new car park, featuring a curved timber-clad steel enclosure inspired by nature. Enhanced by captivating landscaping and boardwalk frontage, the design sought to harmonize with the environment.The construction of this intricate feature façade involved the use of sustainable materials, including 700m2 of Corten steel cladding, 1,100m2 of vertical timber fins, and 1,200m2 of curved timber fins spanning 75m.Through the thoughtful combination of these materials, Maple successfully contributed to the creation of a visually stunning car park exterior that met both the aesthetic and structural requirements of the project.The Glasgow Fort Shopping Centre car park development served as a testament to Maple's proficiency in designing, manufacturing, and installing architectural facades for landmark buildings, employing sustainable construction materials and showcasing their commitment to excellence.

CHALLENGEAn ambitious project, and one of the first certified PassivHaus homes in the UK - the Denby Dale PassivHaus in West Yorkshire, had to to use 90% less energy for space heating than the average UK dwelling – with a space heating need of only 15 kWh/m2/ year. The three-bedroom property is the first UK Passivhaus to be built in a traditional style using cavity wall construction and had to be built to a tight budget of £141,000.SOLUTION“We decided to go down the cavity wall path and arrived at the design for several reasons including: planning restrictions, thermal store, cost, and maybe most important of all, buildability,” explains Bill Butcher, Project Leader.Excellent performing insulation is obviously fundamental to Passivhaus construction and the Denby Dale house has 300mm Knauf Insulation DriTherm® Cavity Slab 32 in the walls, 500mm Knauf Insulation Loft Roll 44 in the roof void (both of which incorporate ECOSE® Technology) along with 225mm of high-performing Polyfoam® Floorboard Standard* insulation in the floor.“We’re fully filling the cavity with glass mineral wool insulation for the walls above ground, because it helps minimise air movement in the cavity and offers greater flexibility, fitting snugly around the ties, openings and imperfections of the masonry surface.” comments Bill Butcher.Economics, performance, availability, ease of fitting and reducing thermal bypass were all among the benefits of the Knauf Insulation products chosen.*No longer sold through Knauf Insulation.BENEFITSGlass Mineral Wool was specified over rigid insulation to ensure a tight thermal fit. Knauf Insulation DriTherm® Cavity Slabs are flexible enough to eliminate air gaps and prevent heat loss due to their inherent ability to knit together at joints between the slabs. If rigid insulation is used and fitted badly with too many gaps, air movement around and between the insulation boards is increased, which can drastically reduce its insulation value.Knauf Insulation DriTherm® Cavity Slabs are BBA Certified for all exposure zones and formally guaranteed for 50 years to prevent the transmission of liquid water from the outer masonry leaf to the inner masonry leaf.In addition to its thermal performance glass mineral wool also has other sustainable features. In manufacture it uses a high content of recycled glass bottles and requires less overall energy consumption than some alternative products, resulting in less carbon emissions. In addition, it can be recycled at the end of a building’s life and has zero GWP and zero ODP. ECOSE® Technology further extends these established green credentials as it is manufactured with 70% less energy than traditional binders and the products contain no dyes or added formaldehyde – providing the ideal solution to the eco-friendly house.

Marischal Square Bauder Bakor Hot Melt structural waterproofingSynopsisMarischal square is a mixed use complex in the centre of Aberdeen based on the site of the former council headquarters building, St. Nicholas House. In 2011 Muse Developments undertook a £107m redevelopment of the site creating space for two new office buildings, seven restaurants and café bars, a 126-room hotel, a modern civic space and a new public space area in between the new buildings.Bauder Building BoardProject:Marischal SquareLocation:AberdeenRoof Area:5,400m²Client:Muse Development & Morgan SindallApproved Contractor:Briggs AmascoThe specificationWith large parts of the new roofing areas being accessible terraces and areas which will experience a significant amount of foot traffic, the Bauder hot melt structural system was a natural choice. The system was combined with hard and soft landscaping to provide the different aspects of the various terraces, stairways, podium decks and rooftops.The Bauder Hot Melt structural waterproofing system is ideally suited as a waterproofing system beneath paved or ballasted surfacing, car parks, podiums, plazas, green roofs and substructures.Project challengesA key challenge for this project was the fact that Muse Developments and Morgan Sindall, who were working jointly on the development, were looking for a single source waterproofing. Bauder proved to be the perfect fit, covering and delivering all elements of the waterproofing systems.The resultApproved contractor Briggs Amasco carried out the works on the 5,400m² of the separate roof areas, whilst expert Bauder site technicians carried out a total of 26 site visits over the duration of the project to ensure the quality of the installations. Following a final inspection, Bauder was able to issue a 20 year product and workmanship guarantee on the project.System installed1 BauderPLANT E 42Green torch-on root-resistant capping sheet.2 790-11Hot melt rubberised bitumen asphalt with a percentage of post-consumer recycled materials that infills and fully bonds to all minor deviations in the deck.3 DeckPrimed concrete.

The ChallengeSituated in the Rye Lane conservation area in Peckham, South London, the four to seven storey mixed-use development in Rye Green – comprising 27 residential units laid out across six floors, with two retail units on the ground floor – would provide affordable housing for people in the community who are most in need.The scheme had to consider two elements, the first being the redevelopment of the frontage building (Rye Lane) with the retention of its façade, and the second being the six-storey (with set-back seven-storey) block to the rear, on the site of the existing fish warehouse.The SolutionThe architectural design of this residential development incorporates traditional and modern features with an existing brick façade.PROJECT INFOPRODUCT DETAILThe seven-storey block is rectangular in form and has been built with a striking yellow facingbrick with protruding red brick paneling. The contrast between red and yellow brickwork is exaggerated with the introduction of green glaze facing brickwork at street level. This change in texture and brick finish works well with the local vernacular.The new second and third floor additions are set back from the retained frontage.The design is simple and functional, and the specified fabric responds to the historic character of the conservation area.Three facing bricks from Butterley Brick were selected for the build. Arden Special Reserve, a red, light textured brick, and buff Village Harvest Multi – also light textured – were used as the facing material for the main body of the buildings. Wilncote Blue Smooth, a dark toned brick. was used to define the base of the buildings. The set-back top floor of the seven-storey block is clad in zinc shingles to reflect its roof-like character.The BenefitsThe high quality development, together with its associated external landscaping, has contributed positively to its place in Peckham.Butterley Brick offers a range of high quality facing bricks manufactured from locally sourced raw materials; the range carries BES 6001 Responsible Sourcing certification. The bricks contribute to thermal mass and can be recycled at the end of their use.

The Post Building development completely remodels the former Royal Mail Sorting Office located on New Oxford Street in Central London into modern Grade A offices, with street level retail and restaurant space along with rooftop gardens, terraces, and leisure areas. The project received a prestigious RIBA London Award in 2022 and the main roof terrace is open to the public, providing panoramic views over the city. In order to gain planning approval, the development had to be repurposed in line with the ‘SuDS manual’ best practice guidance to minimise surface water run-off in the event of a storm and in order to meet the maximum discharge consent limits set by Thames Water.Basement SuDS storage is expensive and often impractical to achieve in city centre locations. ABG’s blueroof system was therefore chosen as an easy to install alternative to provide stormwater attenuation at roof level. The system is installed across three main roof areas and includes 14 restrictor chambers positioned above rainwater outlets to limit the outflow rate. The system is calculated to control stormwater in the event of a 1 in 100 year storm, based on the local Flood Studies Report (FSR) rainfall data, plus 30% allowance for climatic change.The roof design incorporates a variety of surface finishes, including a resin bound play area, biodiverse green roof areas and paved & decked terraced areas. The roof also includes solar PV arrays and planters supported on top of the blue roof.The ABG blueroof system drains like a normal roof during everyday rainfall events, but throughout the critical design storm periods restricts stormwater run-off, continuously releasing rainwater at a controlled rate until empty.The discharge rate is site specific and forms part of the scheme wide SuDS plan, and means that other downstream measures are not required. The scheme also included sedum green roofs to improve site biodiversity across two further areas.ABG provided project design calculations and all blue roof materials required for the different roof levels, plus our installation service.

Creating Paradise: Alumasc Delivers for the Complete Building Envelope for One Chamberlain Square Paradise Project One Chamberlain Square is the lead project in a wider vision to create Paradise in Birmingham—the most important development the city has seen in a generation. With the help of Alumasc offering solutions for the entire building envelope, One Chamberlain Square is set to be a vibrant mixed use development that will not only be the new home of professional services firm PwC, but will endeavour to maintain a balance between busy urban hub and the natural world. To do this, Alumasc provided a range of products and services encompassing the entire building envelope, specified by Weedon Architects. This included a Blackdown Extensive Brown Roof, applied over Hydrotech Hot Melt Waterproofing, alongside Harmer Roof Outlets and bespoke solutions from Roof-Pro, for building D: an eight-story commercial building over a podium car park. Inside, bespoke blinds by Levolux, also an Alumasc company, were installed. “This is an extremely high-profile development, which demanded trusted, standard setting products,” said Owen Doherty, Director at Weedon Architects and Project Architect for the venture. “All systems decided on were chosen on quality, durability and enhanced design life compared to competition.” ON THE ROOF OF PARADISEBlackdown’s Extensive Brown Roof is a green roof in the making. Covering approximately 4000m2 of roof space for this project, One Chamberlain’s ‘brown’ roof is installed without plant life and will naturally seed from plant material that either blows in from the local environment or that is introduced by birds. In this way, it literally replaces the green space that has been taken up by the construction of the building it lies on, encouraging biodiversity by providing and strengthening habitats for wildlife local to the area, with truly local plant life. Typically, the substrate is mounded to offer habitat variation, therefore the depth of the brown roof can vary be between 92-170mm and have a saturated weight of approximately 113-213kg per square metre, depending on the depths of the substrate. Beneath this, Hydrotech MM6125 roofing, a hot melt rubber bitumen membrane, delivers sound structural waterproofing. The bitumen is heated and combined with a polyester reinforcement and protection sheet to form a weatherproof layer that has a 100% bond to prepared concrete surfaces. With no product failures in over 50 years, Hydrotech Hot Melt roofing is guaranteed for waterproofing integrity for the lifetime of the structure. Working in tandem with each other, the Blackdown Extensive Brown Roof helps to extend and reinforce the life and guarantee of the waterproofing, offering a protective layer of natural insulation. Giving his seal of approval, Owen said: “I only specify Alumasc hot melt at the moment and have done for many years. All products and systems chosen here have had zero product failures and I have never had any issues with technical specifications on previous high-profile buildings.”PROVIDING EFFICIENT DRAINAGEGiven the huge expanse of roof space involved this project, effective flat roof drainage was essential. Harmer AV high capacity aluminium roof outlets were installed for this purpose. Suitable for all regular flat roofing applications with continuous membranes, these outlets are lightweight, durable, non-corrodible and have been proven to drain 40% more roof area than conventional gravity outlets, therefore further ensuring the long life and service of other flat roof systems. Aiding project completion, Roof-Pro support systems were also tailored bespoke to meet the roof structure requirements. Free-standing support and access solutions were devised that would allow work to be carried out safely, efficiently and without causing damage to any of the roofing systems being installed. A WORD FROM THE CONTRACTORChristian Bradley of Briggs Amasco, who installed the roofing, commented: “One Chamberlain Square and the surrounding podium waterproofing form part of the largest construction programme in Birmingham. We are extremely proud to be working on this landmark project. “The products and systems installed all have long legacies of successful projects behind them, and there are no better guarantees than real results. They also offer excellent value for a competitive cost. These are just a few of the reasons why we love working on Alumasc projects. Alumasc offer a single source for all solutions, bespoke design detailing and the technical support is always on-hand when you need it.” Completed in autumn 2019, One Chamberlain Square forms an integral part of a masterplan redevelopment that will transform part of Birmingham City Centre.

Over time bricks can discolour and lose their lustre because of the impact of wet weather, air pollution or efflorescence. The result can have a detrimental effect on a building’s visual aesthetic, compromising the architect’s design vision and reducing the value of the property for the owner. Brick manufacturer, Vandersanden is the first company to develop a viable, large scale coating solution to provide superior protection against efflorescence as well as secondary protection against the effects of pollution.Vandersanden’s automated coating formulation makes facing bricks water-repellent and resistant to the effects of air pollution and efflorescence, ensuring façades remain beautiful and untarnished throughout their lifetime. This innovative and environmentally sustainable process which also makes it easier to clean the brick, if dirt or damage does occur, has now been fully rolled out across the entire Vandersanden hand-formed brick range available to UK specifiers.Vandersanden worked with Belgian University, KU Leuven, to develop the solution which treats bricks with a special coating after the firing process. The process penetrates to a depth from 5mm to 15mm whilst retaining the original colour of the brick.The liquids contain no harmful substances or chemicals that can damage the brick or the environment and is automatically applied at Vandersanden’s manufacturing facilities in Belgium and The Netherlands.A coated brick has exactly the same pore structure as a non-coated brick and the number of pores and their size remain the same. However, as the walls of the pores are covered with a water-repellent layer, the water droplets are no longer attracted to the walls and will not be absorbed. As the pores remain open, the bricks also retain their resistance to frost.Applying the coating during the production process, eliminates the need to coat the bricks with an applicator once they have been installed, which is a highly specialised and expensive process. It also reduces the often laborious and costly task of prepping the facade for a coating and the regular maintenance required.“Creating beautiful facades that will stand the test of time remains crucial for Vandersanden,” says Jean-Pierre Wuytack, CEO at Vandersanden. "Thanks to our commitment to innovation in product design and manufacturing, we can ensure a lifetime of colour-safe brick performance for architects and their clients. We are proud of our coated solution which demonstrates how Vandersanden is the natural partner for architects who care passionately about creating the very best, most long-lasting aesthetic for their buildings.”Vandersanden coated bricks come with a 25-year guarantee and the company has worked hard to ensure these bricks can be delivered at the same cost as non-coated bricks.Vandersanden produces a vast array of high-quality bricks in different finishes and colours, ranging from reds and browns, to greys, creams and buffs that will inspire and enable the design and construction of beautiful buildings.To find out more, register for our RIBA approved CPD #2 "How to avoid brick stains and efflorescence" here CPD – Continuing Professional Development | Vandersanden

The Hising Bridge is to become the new landmark of Gothenburg. Spanning over the central part of Scandinavia’s most significant commercial harbour, The Hissing Bridge will replace the existing Göta River Bridge from 1939.Aesthetically, the Hising bridge will become ‘a street’ within the city, for people to walk on and below and, to enjoy spectacular views. The Hising bridge will bind the Göta River shores for cars, busses, trams, pedestrians, and bicycles.The Hising Bridge project involves many partners, entrepreneurs, and subcontractors. PcP was involved in the project to design and supply safety solutions for access walkways, platforms, stairs, and architectural ceilings. The new bridge is approximately 440 metres long.Project criteriaThe construction work for the Hising Bridge began in 2013 and will replace the old worn-out bridge from 1939. The project involves a range of highly experienced partners within construction and infrastructure: Trafikværket and Skanska, to name a few. The project prescribed stainless steel gratings to decorate the bridge with an architectural ceiling that would blend into the atmosphere and surroundings. The purpose is to give people an unforgettable experience of the architecture and the bridge lights during the day and on a “special” night.The criteria for the ceiling of stainless-steel gratings were prescribed in the project to fulfil an aesthetic design as a ceiling and at the same time provide a functional safety platform for maintenance workers.Additionally, the project had prescribed the need for safe access walkways, stairs, and service platforms to ensure maximum safety for workers on the entire bridge.SolutionThe project partners chose PcP to provide the complete solution: ceiling, stairs, walkways, and service platforms.The different applications involved close collaboration between the partners throughout design, development, test and delivery. The range of applications was a thorough process of designing, drawing and technical advice. The entire solution involved PcP products from OPTIMO, CUBE and Guardrail.CUBE® as architectural ceiling1000 m2 CUBE® gratings decorate the ceiling below the bridge with a multifunctional purpose combining design and functionality. The unique design is simplistic and efficient and provides excellent light penetration at night.

Converting the former Olympic Stadium to the London Stadium when it became home to the West Ham football club was a significant civil engineering feat. The landmark structure on the capital’s skyline initially cost £486 million when built to house the 2012 London Olympics.A redevelopment between 2013 and 2016 to transform the Olympic monument into a football stadium for the Premier League club cost a further £323 million. The groundbreaking design included adding the most extensive cantilevered roof globally, powered by state-of-the-art technology typically used on North Sea oil rigs.Additionally, the group installed 21,000 new retractable seats to bring fans in the lower tiers closer to the action, while they also added new catering facilities, toilets and executive facilities. The former Olympic stadium was almost totally rebuilt to create a 54,000-seat dual-use arena that would still be suitable for athletics.Stadium fencing and gatesZaun was commissioned to supply security stadium fencing and gates for the London Stadium. This included our Duo8 SR1 fencing for the perimeter. This double wire welded mesh fencing system is suitable for applications that require Secured By Design accreditation. Tested and approved by BRE to LPS1175 SR1 (A1), this perimeter fencing system features the same benefits as our standard Duo8 perimeter fencing system but with additional security, such as tamper-resistant clamp bars and fixings. The Association of Chief Police Officers has approved it as meeting the Secured By Design accreditation.In addition, we also supplied our Super Rebound and Duo Sports Fencing for the sports pitch. It is a further development of the Duo Sports twin wire sport fencing solutions, designed for applications that have high usage for sports. It is ideal for use at sports pitches subject to high footballs, tennis balls, basketballs, hockey balls and more. It features a high density of double wires that will absorb the balls’ shock, so they are returned to play without delay. The Duo Sports double wire sports fencing system is developed from the Duo 6 and Duo 8 perimeter fencing systems. more...

THE PROJECTFulwith Mill in Harrogate is located in an exclusive upmarket area – so much in fact, in 2019 Fulwith Mill Lane was named by Zoopla as the most expensive road in Yorkshire. For this new build project, Fosroc were asked to specify suitable products for the waterproofing aspect of the basement construction. The main challenges included a high water table, high clay concentration in surrounding area leading to a perched water table, and potential for hydrostatic pressure against the basement construction. Howard Civil Engineering was the main contractor for the project, with Fosroc being selected as materials supplier due to a long standing relationship between the companies, and a number of previous deployments.THE SOLUTIONFully bonded Proofex Engage membrane was used on the basement slab, combined with Supercast Watertight Concrete Powder (WCP) to provide a high level of resilience to both water ingress and potential defects. Supercast WCP is a concrete admixture that reduces porosity and permeability, increasing water and corrosion resistance. The vertical elements were cast in Supercast WCP with Proofex 3000, to provide a greater degree of flexibility to enable the contractor to install effectively in the tight spaces around the site, and around the complex shape of the structure. Proofex 3000 is a cold applied, highly flexible waterproof membrane – ideal for application of membrane around intricate building features.THE BENEFITSThe products specified for this project provided multi-layered and seamless protection to the underground element of this exclusive residence to meet stringent BS8102 Type A waterproofing standards. Proofex Engage provides water, water-vapour and gas protection to water excluding structures such as basements, and protects concrete from aggressive ground salts, chemicals and hydrocarbons. It is supplied with a self-adhesive strip on one side of the roll to provide sealed laps and comes with a range of auxillary products (for this project, Supercast SW20 Hydrophillic Waterstop) to form a complete waterproofing solution and simplify application for the contractor. Its unique mesh system bonds permanently to concrete, remaining in pace even if settlement takes place – the exceptionally high bond strength of Proofex Engage - 2.96kN, sets it apart from the competition, at 70% stronger than the leading chemically bonded membrane.

THE PROJECTThe village of Comrie is located towards the western edge of the Perth & Kinross Council area, approximately 40 kilometres west of Perth in Scotland. The waterproofing system used to cover the buried water tank at Comrie Distribution Service Reservoir (DSR) was many years old and had failed. As part of the ongoing Scottish Water SR21 framework, Fosroc and The Fraser Bruce Group have developed a wide range of solutions for waterproofing water tanks that have been proposed and agreed by both Morrison Construction and Scottish Water. This project involved removing the soil overburden and the existing waterproofing system, before mechanically preparing the deck and applying sheet membrane.THE SOLUTIONOnce the overburden and existing waterproofing were removed it was apparent that there was severe ponding on the tank roof. The decision was taken to prepare the deck and apply an external self-leveler to prevent the ponding of water. The perimeter and upstand detailing was carried out before Fosroc’s self-adhesive sheet membrane Proofex 3000 was applied to the primed, horizontal surface. The surface was then protected with Proofex Sheetdrain 80, a drainage and protection membrane. After the membrane was laid, the access hatch upstands received two coats of Nitocote CM210 before more Proofex 3000 was applied and terminated just below the height of the new overburden. The access hatches were then sealed in place with Nitoseal MS600.THE BENEFITSProofex 3000 membrane, which is cold applied and comes in 1m x 20m rolls, is self-adhesive, thereby reducing the amount of product and application time. The applicator was able to cover large areas in far less time. The membrane is made from cross laminated HDPE film to protect against damage, while still being sufficiently flexible for detailing around corners. It is resistant to ground water, soluble sulfates and chlorides, offering robust protection from aggressive ground salts. Its use with Sheetdrain achieved a high quality, reliable installation compliant with EN 13707:2004. By combining the use of Nitocote CM210 and Proofex 3000, Fosroc were able to provide solutions for both exposed and buried areas of the tank with no compatibility issues between the products.

Following the devastating effects of the Grenfell Tower tragedy, Hatfield Close & Gerrard House fell into the category of social housing buildings that needed to be reclad to meet safety standards and Terracotta cladding offered a solution that satisfied the required standards and ticked all the boxes. BackgroundOn the 14 June 2017, a disaster that shook the nation taking away the lives of 72 people, injuring many others and devastating families and a whole community became the core of public unrest and resulted in a mass scale enquiry that identified around 2,000 buildings over 18m tall clad in dangerous combustible materials in England alone. The cladding crisis exposed that not only did the buildings pose an immediate fire risk to residents but also saw flat owners facing building insurance premiums, extensive and costly remedial work and mortgage lenders deeming the properties unsafe and ceasing to lend money against them. The Grenfell tower tragedy resulted in the review of the building regulations nationally and internationally in countries including Australia, Malta and The United Arab Emirates and in a government pledge of over £5bn towards the remediation of fire safety problems in high rise buildings. The three Hatfield Close & Gerrard House blocks were identified as being clad with ACM, the cladding material used at Grenfell. The projectAlthough originally constructed as a concrete frame with brick infill sections, the Hatfield Close & Gerrard House buildings experienced weather penetration issues during the 1980s and the 1990s that led to a programme of improvements which included the introduction of an ACM rainscreen system in the 2000s which during the post Grenfell tall buildings cladding mass review was found unsafe. Only weeks later emergency works to strip the hazardous cladding began.  Although the primary objective of the project was to improve the fire safety performance of the three blocks, the project team took the opportunity to redevelop the buildings to also improve their aesthetic and structural and thermal properties. The nature of the project called for a holistic approach led by a multidisciplinary team which included Michael Dyson Associates Ltd, a housing consultancy firm that specialises in the social housing sector, social housing main contractor United Living, a Lewisham Homes & Fire risk manager, independent consultants and resident representatives. The team, with guidance from the planners selected terracotta cladding as the material of choice due to its non-combustible A1 fire rating and robustness. In addition to its essential non-combustible fire classification, terracotta offered a large range of tile colours, shapes, profiles and textures that gave the team design freedom and opened the possibility to improve the aesthetic appearance of the blocks at the same time as offering durability due to being a natural product with no synthetic dyes and a life expectancy of 60 years +. The terracotta cladding system offered the façade contractor Novo Facades a simple method that allowed them to deliver a clean and non intrusive installation process which was key as the residents were living in the buildings all along. The project became a construction referent of inclusion and savoir faire. It was a winner in the Inside Housing 2020 Resident Safety Campaign Awards, it was shortlisted for ‘Best Community Engagement’ and Won ‘Project of the Year £10 million to £25 million’ awards at the 2021 National Building & Construction Awards. SolutionTerracotta facade panels are one of the cladding resources of choice in the market because it is a natural and versatile material that gives architects freedom of expression whilst it gives cladding and envelope contractors the advantages of a quick and easy installation process. The Argeton system is one of the principal terracotta systems used worldwide not only because it is a natural and versatile material but also because it offers a technical and cost-effective solution for the residential, commercial and health and education sectors. Argeton is CE and UKCA marked and one of the most tested systems in the market including a BBA and an EPD. NHBC approved and not subject to any restrictions on building height or proximity to boundaries thanks to its Euro-class A1 Fire certification, it is no surprise Argeton is one of the materials of choice not only in new builds but also for refurbishment or re-clad. Durable and fully recyclable, ISO 14025 and EN 15804 (European BREEAM equivalent) certified, sustainability is at the heart of Argeton’s values. Argeton terracotta cladding systems are available in a range off the shelf and bespoke profiles, in lengths to suit and in natural, glazes, digital print and engobed finishes. https://tellingrainscreens.co.uk/profile-and-finishes/

Groupe Atlantic’s mission is to help society rise to the challenge of reducing energy consumption and increasing the use of renewable energy whilst still satisfying the demand for thermal comfort. So when RFD Interior Architecture was asked to design and build the interiors for its new Expert Training Academy in East Yorkshire, where the heating and hot water industry could learn about the next generation of renewable energy sourced appliances, it was key that the academy’s interior should itself have minimal impact.With this in mind, the project focused on mirroring Groupe Atlantic’s commercial approach by using sustainable materials and recycled products wherever possible to provide a practical, low maintenance interior with authentic natural aesthetics.

Designing distinctive and confident pieces inspired by vintage fashions, RIXO has become a cult British brand. So when it came to fitting out its latest high street store in London’s trendy Carnaby Street, founders Henrietta Rix and Orlagh McCloskey wanted an individual look with a nod to past decades that would also allow the personality of their hand-printed clothing ranges to shine.Appointing design studio Cúpla to create an empowering interior, RIXO was keen to stay true to their sustainability commitment by choosing British designs and family run suppliers. In line with their philosophy of designing one-off pieces that will become tomorrow’s classics, the aim was to create a welcoming environment and a memorable personalised experience.

Home Bargains, a leading UK retailer, sought to embrace sustainable infrastructure by introducing EV charging across their UK car park network. Partnering with Rolec EV, a pioneer in EV technology, they installed a mix of 25 AC fast and DC rapid chargepoints across 14 sites, with plans for further expansion. Tailored to meet the needs of both customers and fleet vehicles, the charging network offers bespoke branding and smart back-office management for seamless operation. This initiative not only optimizes fleet charging, reducing downtime, but also contributes to the advancement of the UK's public charging network, promoting the transition to electric vehicles.Click "view more" to read the full case study.

The Cyclepods Canterbury 40 Bike Compound is a secure facility for bikes with the ability to add extension units to suit most spaces. Shelter manufactured from hot dipped steel Galvanised 50 x 50 box section to BSEN ISO1461 Transparent PET 4mm roof Optional Transparent PET 4mm sides Aluminium fixing straps Anti-climb end panels No crawl under perimeters Angled roof Rear security panel Front security swinging gate Padlock/Hasp locking mechanism BREEAM AND CODE FOR SUSTAINABLE HOMES COMPLIANT This cycle compound can help contribute towards gaining ENE8 Cycle storage credits when used in the appropriate situation

A Classic versatile bike shelter. Galvanised box section construction with a clear UV rated PET-G roof and optional sides. Can be easily configured to form compounds as well as add on extension units. Shelter manufactured from hot dipped steel Galvanised 50 x 50 box section to BSEN ISO1461 Transparent PET 4mm roof Optional Transparent PET 4mm sides Aluminium fixing straps Anti climb end panels No crawl under perimeters Angled roof BREEAM AND CODE FOR SUSTAINABLE HOMES COMPLIANT This cycle compound can help contribute towards gaining ENE8 Cycle storage credits when used in the appropriate situation