"kent stainless"

Not what you would normally expect a pressure vessel to look like? This unusual toroidal design was driven by our customer’s requirement to pressure test high technology components at high pressure but with minimum foot print and floor load in their test cell.Designed and fabricated entirely by FlexEJ’s in-house team, it’s been a long and successful project for us.Working in close partnership with our customer over many months, using SolidWorks 3D modelling and extensive Finite Element Analysis, our engineering team came up with this shape as the best way to meet all the design constraints. It’s light and compact yet capable of operating in excess of 120 Barg.Fabricated in 5” 304 SS pipe with 100% X-ray Weld examination; dimensions are approximately 2.6m long x 1.6m wide. The flanges are all 1500# and act as the test ports. Complete with the stainless steel support frame underneath designed with ease of installation in mind.FlexEJ specialises in high specification pressure vessels and pressure fabrication in general; if you have a project in mind, our in-house design team is always pleased to discuss.If you are interested in finding out more about FlexEJ's design and manufacturing capabilities, please contact our Technical Sales Team on +44 (0) 1384 881188 or send an email to sales@flexej.co.uk.

Claimed to be the largest Passivhaus development to date in the UK and certainly Camden Council’s largest community investment project, Agar Grove Estate, in North West London, is undergoing a six-phase major regeneration due for completion in 2025. The mixed-tenure scheme will provide 493 new homes to help meet Camden's housing needs. There will be a mix of one, two, three and four bedroom homes, with full width balconies on the upper floors. By meeting Passivhaus standard the development will also achieve the highest levels of sustainability and energy efficiency. However, a critical element in any design process involving efficient thermal insulation is the avoidance of thermal bridging. With the Agar Grove development the risk of thermal bridging is primarily at the connectivity points involving balconies and parapets. One of the most technically advanced countermeasures is the Isokorb® range of structural thermal breaks from Schöck. A major reason for the superior performance of this product type is the thickness of the insulation body, increased from the standard 80mm thick to 120mm. High quality stainless steel bars with improved tensile strength are also an integral part of the unit. With parapets, the conventional method is to wrap the perimeter of the wall with an insulation barrier. However, the Schöck Isokorb® used here offers a solution that is more cost-effective and more thermally efficient than wrapped parapets. Its 120mm insulation thickness results in low psi-values and therefore significantly reduces heat loss.

The Chiswick Point development, at Bollo Lane, in West London, is a £20m contemporary mixed-use residential scheme offering 124 one, two and three bedroom residential apartments, including three penthouses. A sustainable approach was important, with all of the units designed to meet Level 4 of the Code for Sustainable Homes, and the Lifetime Homes code. Constructed in two blocks of six and nine storeys, the frame is mainly reinforced concrete, with the concrete frame floors and cladding providing thermal mass, which absorbs energy and slowly releases it to help reduce temperature fluctuations.Long continuous ribbon balconies provide solar shading to the two blocks and provide the residents with a very pleasant outlook across the London Wildlife Trust nature reserve at the rear of the development. The continuous balconies are a major feature of the scheme and with several hundred metres of them winding across the two blocks, effective thermal insulation was imperative if thermal bridging is to be avoided. To minimise any condensation problems and subsequent mould growth as a result, plus the avoidance of thermal outflow, Schöck Isokorb® T type K heat-insulating load-bearing elements are installed at various strategic positions along the large expanse of balconies. The Schöck Isokorb® T type K provides high thermal resistance by using stainless steel bars to act as tension and shear reinforcement, plus high-strength HTE pressure bearing modules.

Continuing its launch programme, Sayfa Group has innovated the traditional safety post, working to the company's unique 25³ NPD philosophy:25% saving to install25% reduction in cost25% less environmental impactFallSecure™ Post (patent pending) is manufactured from 6082-T6 structural aluminium and 316 stainless components. Fully SATRA tested to BS810:2017 for three users and 14kN rated the maximum system size is 144m with 12m post centres. The system has intermediate, corner, and end brackets with shock absorbers and tension forks. As with all Sayfa, products weather caps are available in high visibility safety yellow or discreet grey.The posts provide a hybrid functionality, offering a SLS that prevents accidental deployment and yet also prevents or significantly reduces forces deployed to the roof structure.With a range of post heights from 180mm to 650mm all weighing less than 5kg, risks with manual handling are much reduced, and carbon contributions from logistics cut significantly.Sayfa+ partner contractors benefit from a proprietary fixing method, reducing the necessity for rebar cutters and drill depth/diametre, helping the product achieve 25% saving in on-site labour.With a 30-year warranty, which increases to 60 years with Sayfa+ approved contractors installation and annual inspection, the materials are almost 100% recyclable. Of all aluminium extracted it is estimated 75% remains in use.

External door hardware face constant environmental challenges, enduring exposure to pollution, corrosive salt air in coastal regions, and the relentless elements. Unlike their internal counterparts, external hardware requires special attention to maintain optimal functionality and appearance.PROACTIVE MEASURES FOR LONGEVITY:ortunately, these issues can be easily avoided with a proactive approach to care and maintenance. Implementing regular tender loving care (TLC) with the right products can make a significant difference in preventing complications and ensuring customer satisfaction.HOW TO MITIGATE COMMON ISSUES:TEA STAINING AND FLASH RUST ON HARDWARETea staining, a common cosmetic issue on the surface of stainless steel, doesn’t compromise structural integrity but can affect the hardware’s aesthetics. To address this concern:Regular Cleaning: Tea staining can be avoided with routine cleaning. Use a soft cloth and mild soapy water to gently clean the hardware.Proper Drying: After cleaning, ensure thorough drying with a clean, soft cloth to prevent residue accumulation.Correct Cleaning Technique: Rub or wipe the hardware in the direction of the brush or polish lines to maintain its appearance.By incorporating these simple yet effective practices into your hardware maintenance routine, you can extend the lifespan of your external door hardware, promoting customer satisfaction and minimizing the need for costly call-backs. Remember, a little care goes a long way in preserving the integrity and aesthetics of your hardware.

Designed by Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA) for BEEAHGroup, the Group’s new headquarters in Sharjah, UnitedArab Emirates, is a sustainable, modern, and pioneeringbuilding. Powered by its solar array and equipped withthe latest technology, the new headquarters embodiesthe Group’s vision for using renewable energy andsetting the standard for sustainable practice.Working in partnership with ZHA, we provided acomprehensive package of ironmongery and hardwarethroughout the building. Allgood’s commitment to qualityaligned with BEEAH’s philosophy of sustainable practicewith all our ranges built to last using premium materials,offering strength and durability, coupled with lowmaintenance.Our Sembla™ (3623) lever handle was fitted throughoutthe building due to the range’s broad design choicesand durability. Finished in satin stainless steel thehandles are mounted on Allgood’s patented Quadaxial™assembly rose. Tested to one million cycles withoutfailure – five times more than the level required by theEN1906 standard – the rose ensures the handles willperform beautifully. Our 72 series locks were also fittedin various areas across the building.Sembla’s durability is further backed by our 25-yearmanufacturing warranty (available on all our principalranges), demonstrating our belief that our products areengineered to perform over the lifetime of any buildingwithout failure.

When designing a new music department for BirminghamUniversity, Glenn Howells Architects faced the challengeof creating a new construction to fit in with the surroundinggrade II listed buildings, whilst meeting contemporarystandards of accommodation and acoustics.The Bramall Music Building provides a home for thedepartment of music, with a 450-seat auditorium,a domed rehearsal room, various studios, offices andteaching rooms. Working in conjunction with the architect,Allgood created an ironmongery specification that wasclosely aligned to the design concept of the building;classically designed whilst meeting contemporaryperformance standards. The choice of FSB bronze doorfurniture throughout the public areas compliments theaesthetic of the interior but also links the building to themore traditional materials associated with the design of theexisting buildings.The architect wanted to extend the bronze aestheticthrough to the mechanical hardware which provided achallenge as options are limited for fire rated mechanicalhardware in a bronze finish. Allgood were able to applythe unique, simulated Bronze finish to satin stainless steelhardware, continuing the bronze finish throughout thebuilding. Not only did this complete the visual aesthetic butit meant that the hardware would meet all of the fire andbuilding regulations.In addition, Allgood provided electromagnetic holdopen units, signage and door furniture to allow the maincirculation doors through to the auditorium to be held openin pockets. This created a clean, architectural detail thatprovides clear opening widths for visitors to enter through.

Originally home to Pathé films and situated in the heart of London’s famous Soho district, The Pathé Building at109 Wardour Street is a newly refurbished developmentconsisting of 15 apartments. With exquisite interiors drawingon a classic British palette of textures, the apartments offer2-3 bedrooms with communal area and kitchen. With flatsretailing at the higher end of the market, it was imperativethat Allgood’s specification complemented the luxuryaesthetic of the apartments.Initial discussions revealed that the architect wanted tospecify the same finish throughout the entire building.This presented a challenge for Allgood as there wereseveral different types of doors and door colours:orange, white and grey. Allgood felt stainless steel,while a finish that would suit the décor, would not beappropriate for this type of residential building so abronze finish was agreed upon. The grey apartmentfront doors were supplied with bronze door closers,thumb turns, lever handles, hinges and flushbolts,whilst the bathroom doors were fitted with bronze pullhandles and thumbturns.The building also required signage to direct residentsand guests to various areas of the facility. However,the architect wanted to continue the bronze themeinto this so Allgood manufactured bespoke individualnumerals, letters and various symbols including abicycle in a bronze finish.Like with any central London residential building, spaceis an extremely valuable commodity. In order to maximisespace in the apartments, Allgood supplied bronze pocketdoor locking kits for all the bathrooms.

Mann Island is where cutting edge architecture and modernurban living meet English history. Situated at the heart ofthe Liverpool docklands, the £45 million ‘Building 3’ wasbuilt for commercial use and has since been leased byMersey Travel.The UNESCO world heritage site was once the startingpoint for millions of emmigrants on their journey to the ‘newworld’ countries of America, Australia & New Zealand.Now an architectural hotspot, Mann island has becomeone of Liverpool’s most vibrant and upcoming areas.Comprising of office space and apartments, the waterfrontdevelopment attracts over 25,000 visitors per day alone.Allgood were employed to supply high end ironmongeryand an access control package. Mersey Travel wereparticularly concerned about providing facilities that wereaccessibile to people of all ages and disabilities. To meetthis specification, Allgood Trio both supplied and installedunderfloor and overhead operators in addition to magnetlocking systems to create automatic doors.Allgood provided a full hardware package that incorporatedstainless steel signage, kicking plates and lever actionflushbolts to match the buildings modern interior design.Allgood also worked with the client to design andmanufacture specially made pull and lever handles in orderto match the range of glass, oak and walnut doors.As always, Allgood delivered on time and exactly to theclient’s requirements, ensuring that the building’s interiordesign and functionality were to as high a standard as thearchitecture.

Benenden Hospital is a state-of-the-art private hospital in Cranbrook, Kent specialising in a wide range of discretionary healthcare and well-being services to individual and business healthcare members.• The original hospital opened in 1907 by National Association for the Establishment and Maintenance of Sanatoria - to treat postal workers suffering from tuberculosis. By 1951 the Association had disbandedand the Benenden Healthcare Society took over the sanatorium, dramatically expanding the services available.• Architects C A Vaughan Blundell were appointed to design a new atrium and welcoming area to enhance the patient and visitor experience.• The £55m project attained a Breeam status of ‘Good’.The SchemeThe scheme, designed by architects C A Vaughan Blundell with assistance from SR Architects Ltd, has created a wonderfully light and airy entrance atrium designed to welcome and create an enhanced patient and visitor experience with maximised natural daylight. The extensive breakout and catering facilities support theatres, en-suite rooms, outpatient department and ophthalmic suite along with diagnostic imaging, rest and recovery areas. The main contractor was Willmott Dixon Construction.The AdvantagesThe skylights have a unique ability to bathe interior spaces with diffused and glare-free daylight, which creates a stimulating and healthy environment. In addition, their heavily insulated composition eliminates glare and hotspots, thereby reducing the load on temperature control systems and the need for artificial lighting.They provide additional light in the large atrium projecting it deep into the interior. They were specified complete with highly insulating Nanogel which achieves an impress U value of 0.28W/m2K, helping the project attain a Breeam status of ‘Good’. This is particularly impressive given the amount of curtain walling and clerestory glazing involved in the scheme.Kalwall skylights can be manufactured to large spans up to six metres. The aluminium or thermally-broken grid core with interlocking I-beams gives Kalwall incredible strength. The lightweight system reduces the need for supporting structures while offering the highest protection in terms of wind-borne debris and resistance to impact, abrasion and point loads. The exterior face is colour stable and includes a UV resistant, self-cleaning surface. This means that normal  rainfall helps to keep the surface free of dust and dirt while at the same time retaining its original colour during the weathering process. Furthermore, the inclusion of an erosion-prevention barrier protects the interior from weather exposure and the risk of fibre-bloom, cracking and crazing.The CommentsGeoff Holden, Senior Technician at C A Vaughan Blundell comments, “The use of Kalwall represented the best value balance of energy saving and cost and provided us with the ideal way to achieve spatial daylighting within the requirements of Part L”Jane Abbott, Hospital Director, “We want to ensure our patients have an excellent, efficient and streamlined experience from the moment they arrive until the time they leave.”

Artform Urban Furniture was appointed by Seddon Construction to provide external furniture to a state-of-the-art new Veterinary School in Staffordshire. The Harper & Keele Veterinary School is a joint venture with Harper Adams University and is located on Keele University’s campus. The building is a modern take on the traditional surrounding redbrick architecture. Located in North Staffordshire, the rural campus location consists of extensive woods and lakes, an ideal location for the country’s future vets.To complement the building's distinctive raw umber colour the client opted for a range of corten street furniture. Corten Steel is sandblasted before proceeding with the oxidation process, designed to limit water consumption and achieve a more consistent finish. Pre-Weathering reduces the level of washout onto surrounding surfaces, units can be fully sealed with anti washout or wax protection treatment to eliminate leakage altogether.The street furniture package was to be positioned around the building's entrances and main thoroughfares. The selection of pre-weathered Corten Steel products includes Spencer T Litter Bins which have a modern tapered design, Cube bollards that can also be used as seating, and Vision Bollards that have an in-built LED light that provides a subtle ambient light for the walkways and entrance. Removable Stainless Steel Bollards were also supplied to provide restricted access for authorised vehicles to particular areas of the campus. The Harper & Keele Veterinary School is now a site that provides excellent teaching to aspiring vets, and has a safe and harmonious outdoor space for respite from the heavy workload. 

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

The Project Renovation of the community centre has been made possible with the support of funders, volunteers, local businesses and charitable trusts.Around £1.2m has been raised to repair, refurbish and extend the building.The centre will cater for the needs of the positive, vibrant and diverse community coming through the doors.The ChallengeThe project was managed by the church and community inclusion was a key driver on this project.Parishioners, local businesses and the community on the whole are extremely proud of their roots and keen to celebrate them.The local woodland was chosen for the finish on the cubicles and photographs were taken and used to create a digital laminate.The challenge for the photographer was getting the right shot. The washroom space is actually quite small in the centre. The SolutionThe diversity of the community enabled the centre to be creative when designing the washrooms and drawing on the beauty of the local area they decided to install not only a Grade A system but chose a serene digital print which is both innovative and thought provoking. The inspired woodland theme has created a taking point amongst the patrons and is admired and loved by all.Feedback from the client:“It's also worth a day out just to visit our toilets, after decades of nastiness we are proud to have the finest toilets for miles around! We love them loos!”SpecificationProduct Range: Flush 44 HPLDoors: Digital Print HPLPilaster: Digital Print HPLPartition: High Digital Print HPLIronmongery: Stainless SteelAvailable Finishes:These Systems Are Available In The Following Finishes:Natural Wood VeneerHigh Pressure LaminateHigh Gloss Laminate

We worked with Squire Sanders, the global law firm, and their architect Jacobs Webber, to design their contemporary headquarters. Based in Central London at 7 Devonshire Square, their space needed to be professional, functional and fit with the aesthetic of the rest of their offices located in various countries around the world.In their building, we fitted secondary doors – for cupboards and storage spaces – that were full-height and designed to discreetly hide the casing of sliding folding walls to create a smooth and sleek interior. They worked perfectly with the architect’s plans so that the company had to make no compromises on the design they wanted within the space that they had.We also spent time drawing up a completely bespoke design for their fire extinguisher cupboards, factoring in aesthetics, function, and safety. The end result consisted of cupboards with a concealed frame, a stainless steel wrapped door, and a vision panel to see within the unit from the exterior.In terms of the doors themselves, we worked with the architect and the law firm to select the Arriva, Innova, models and bespoke SS-Faced Arriva models. These choices allowed us to create designs that worked perfectly for their use and allow the design to flow throughout their headquarters.The end result is effortlessly modern, and the design is consistent with their global branding. The functionality is improved for both employees and clients or guests, and the interior has a timeless professionalism that suits the ethos of the company.Browse the images to see exactly what we did or, if you think your commercial space needs some expert help with contemporary, functional doors, get in touch with our team at Selo, and lets get chatting.

Client: Rothschild FoundationLocation: Waddesdon, UKYear: 2023Project size: 100 m²Vebro systems: vebroflex Comfort UV PlusA resin floor was required to ensure a seamless visual transition between the floors and walls at a unique, 12 metre high, wedding-cake-shaped venue, colour matching perfectly to the vibrant pastel pallet of the tiles and sculptures adorning the exterior façade.Set in the beautiful English countryside in Buckinghamshire, Waddesdon Manor was built by Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild to display his collection of arts and to entertain his friends.According to Rothschild Foundation, who manage the house, “The contemporary ethos of the estate looks to ensure all of its assets are cared for holistically and the past, present and future combine and are presented to the highest standard and level of inspection at all times”.Standing within a grove of trees on the estate of Waddesdon Manor, this ceramic sculptural pavilion – in the form of a three-tiered wedding cake – is the latest Rothschild Foundation commission from celebrated Portuguese artist Joana Vasconcelos.Aptly named Wedding Cake, over 25,000 gleaming, icing-like ceramic tiles decorate the cake – all made in a traditional Portuguese manufactory – glazed in pale pinks, greens, and blues.100 square metres of Vebro Polymers’ vebroflex Comfort UV Plus system was installed in two colours – RAL 6019 Pastel Green in the central area atrium with RAL 9010 Pure White around the perimeter.vebroflex Comfort UV Plus is a solid-coloured, UV-stable, elasticised, polyurethane liquid-vinyl resin that achieves up to 200% elongation at break. Once cured, the material delivers a smooth, matt-finish surface that deadens sound transfer between floors by up to 4Db. Additional sound absorption can be achieved with a liquid membrane or rubber matting.The cementitious screed was reinforced using vebroscreed R&S (Repair & Strengthen) to improve the compressive strength of the sand / cement screed.vebroscreed R&S is a transparent, solvent free, epoxy material used to penetrate fine crack and fissures in cement-based semi-dry cementitious levelling screeds – injecting additional strength and reinforcement prior to the installation of floor coverings.One of the most interesting aspects of the install involved an intricate mandala formed in brass, which was positioned in the centre of the lower atrium floor, creating a stunning central focal point underfoot for visitors.The pigmented aliphatic comfort resin was used to infill each of the brass trim petals using a large syringe. Each petal was meticulously injected one by one, taking a whole day to complete.Resin Flooring Specialists (RFS) are one of the UK’s leading resin flooring installers, based in Kent, and working throughout England.RFS works alongside the UK’s largest construction companies, as well as working direct for clients across a wide range of industry sectors.Mindful of slip resistance, cleaning, performance and aesthetics, RFS pride themselves on being able to deliver the right solution for all resin flooring needs no matter what the environment.RFS are members of the Resin Flooring Association – FeRFA – and Construction Line as well as being an Alcumus Safe Contractor and CHAS Accredited contractor.

This brand-new sophisticated working environment in London was designed with best-in-class facilities, so it was an honour for Helmsman to be asked to supply the lockers. With the cycle to work scheme fast becoming more popular amongst workplaces, its no surprise that 72 Welbeck Street provided 114 spaces for bicycles, 9 showers and 138 lockers in their luxurious new commuter facilities.It was great to work with Specialist Joinery Group again on this project. In order to optimise the storage for the lockers, the client chose a variety of locker designs, including Z Lockers and 3 Compartment Laminate Lockers.Z Lockers are a great choice as they allow 2 people to store their items in the footprint of one locker and allow hanging of clothes, perfect for those who have cycled to work and are getting changed. While laminate lockers are perfect for a professional heavy duty finish.Both the Z Lockers and Laminate lockers chosen were manufactured from aluminium and stainless steel with Abet Laminate doors in colour Spring White. These materials are designed to withstand a wet environment and so are perfect for the changing rooms at 72 Welbeck Street. The Z Lockers also featured stands with seats, with slats in matching laminate from Abet.All of the lockers were finished with black circle number plates and Lowe and Fletcher camlocks. The perfect choice to keep the changing rooms looking slick and modern.This was another great project to be a part of in the heart of London, and it’s great to see that our lockers look and feel just like the designer intended.If you need Z lockers, Laminate lockers or want to chat with us about any bespoke locker requirements, give us a call on 01284 530427.

The Award winning Erwlon Caravan and Camping Park in Llandovery, Southwest Wales is a family run park with a large range of facilities open all year round. It is an ideal base for touring, exploring, walking, mountain biking or cycling on the edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park and the Cambrian Mountains. Erwlon Caravan Park contacted Frontier Pitts to upgrade their site entry and exit access control to an Automatic Rising Bollard system.The 600mm lift height stainless steel bollard was installed complete with safety photocells, safety vehicle detector loops and dual direction LED traffic light system. The bollard was connected to ANPR (automatic number plate recognition) which is linked back to a popular booking system for Holiday and Caravan Parks called ‘Anytime’. The complete system allowed visitors to book their holiday online and allows authorised visitor vehicles to gain access to the park during their stay, even allowing entry in the middle of the night when reception is closed. On the last day of the stay the system automatically deactivates the vehicle registration number after a predetermined time. Easter Holidays are known to be one of the busiest times of a Caravan and Holiday Parks year, and Erwlon Caravan Park were very pleased with the system. Frontier Pitts manufacture a range of made to order perimeter security barriers, bollards, and gates. We have installed equipment at many sites nationwide and have a network of Technical Consultants that will visit any site in the UK to provide you with a full proposal and quotation. We also provide a range of maintenance contracts and response times to suit your sites individual requirements.

The new Halcyon Way school was constructed for the community in Oldham - a Special Educational Needs (SEN) school for just over 150 children to grow, learn and develop in a caring and encouraging way.ChallengeMetal roofing and cladding contractor Decron Ltd were contracted to provide the façade for the new school. Turning to Fixfast for a solution for the support system to secure the façade, Fixfast assisted with the intricacies of the project itself - including the large letters that spell out 'Halcyon Way School' at the front of the building.SolutionFixfast were able to provide a detailed façade calculation for Decron, which included details and advice on using our SPIDI Max bracket and rail support system for the wall façade.SPIDI Max is a one-bracket design system that emphasises strength and simplicity - just one bracket can be used in vertical or horizontal applications and can be used for both fixed and sliding points within a façade.The brackets are available in a range of sizes to allow for contoured elevations, and to accommodate a range of cladding zone/cavity depths - from 80mm to 600mm in wall applications, and up to 946mm in soffit applications.Supplied in aluminium or stainless steel to cover a wide range of applications, the unique ribbed bracket design puts strength and ease of use first."Decron extends its sincere appreciation to Fixfast for their invaluable support. Fixfast's expertise in providing a detailed façade calculation and guidance on utilising the SPIDI Max bracket has been instrumental in the project's success. Fixfast's commitment to excellence and innovation reflects the high standards we uphold in our collaborations. Thank you for being a crucial part of our team."Ian Wallbank - Director at Decron Roofing & Cladding

October 2021 Cheshire East Council officially marked the reopening of Castle Street in Macclesfield following the completion of a scheme to transform the area and support the town’s regeneration. After delays, the work began in April 2021 and has seen footways widened and roads resurfaced with a natural cobblestone-style paving, newly planted trees, and improved street lighting.Artform Urban Furniture was appointed by Ringway Jacobs Ltd to provide seating and cycle parking to the new external space. The seating option selected was the robust and sizable Canape Bench.The units consist of a powder-coated steel frame topped with exotic hardwood timber slats and backrest, providing a spacious bench for a number of users. In order to maintain the appearance of the benches, custom skate deterrents have been integrated into the design. The benches are positioned in rows of three, complementing the new resurfaced space and surrounding architecture. To further improve the space a number of Lucchetto Cycle Stands featuring a sealed Corten and stainless steel finish installed at the end of the new road providing stylish cycle parking. Lucchetto stands have the unique appearance of a padlock creating an original cycle parking offering. The project is part of a larger strategic regeneration of Macclesfield town centre to encourage greater footfall and business to the area. Castle Street was previously an underused space with vehicles having priority. The road has been opened up to the public to move freely and businesses can also apply for an alfresco dining license to expand their seating to the outside.Much of the Bailey Street Furniture Group workforce have been raised in and around Macclesfield, making this project a privilege to be a part of.

Architect/Designer: PRPLocation: ManchesterProject Overview: 30 Brown Street is a four-storey brick office building originally built in 1985. The brief was to retain and refurbish the building to provide circa 50,000sqft of adaptable contemporary workspace. ServiceFull hardware scheduling & bespoke finishProject DetailsThis exciting design in the heart of Manchester steers away from using traditional finishes such as stainless steel or brass and instead incorporates a bold use of white RAL9010 PPC ironmongery. Architect David Sharpe explains why‘The building has a lot of exposed raw finishes, including concrete soffits and grey terrazzo flooring, partly inspiring the name, CORE (also referring to the location in the heart of Manchester's office core). Doors and main structural elements were painted a very dark grey to provide a clear contrast with the concrete structure. The inspiration behind the choice of white ironmongery was to provide a high quality counterpoint to the darker raw exposed concrete and painted finishes, and any small part metalwork - eg the lighting, brassware and glazed partition framing, were also specified to be white to match.The contemporary interior was a key ingredient for the brief and although we started with the concept of a mixture of grey and white ironmongery to work with the overall feel of the building during our close work with the architect this was pulled back to a predominantly white scheme with grey pull handles being used for fully glazed doors to create greater contrast and to fulfil the contemporary brief.The choice of specific ironmongery took into account the desire for a minimalist aesthetic, relating to the choices in lighting and brassware.’To find out more about this project visit www.prp-co.uk/project/30-brown-street.html

Mono M310/M311 Glass InfillSt George’s junior school is an independent Roman Catholic school with a high standard of facilities. Construction of ‘The Ark’ provided a new early years teaching block, which includes modern classrooms, a dedicated IT suite, a new assembly room and outdoor learning areas. The two-storey building has a staircase at each end and Delta Balustrades’ Mono™ system was specified with powder-coated steel balusters and 11.5mm toughened and laminated glass infill panels. The Mono™ system handrails were provided in oak to offer a warmer finish in the primary school environment and each staircase features a dual handrail with one handrail mounted at a 600mm height for the children and the other in parallel at 900mm for the teachers. The Ark features an outdoor teaching area at first floor level with a balcony accessed from the internal classrooms. Once again, Delta Balustrades’ Mono™ system was specified with powder coated balusters to match the grey of the window casings. The 11.5mm toughened and laminated glass infill panels have no handrails but have been installed at a height of 1500mm to provide additional edge protection. A further small triangular balcony at the side of the building has been specified with the same system as the main first floor balcony. At ground level, the building features steps and ramps and a combination of Mono™ balusters and Orbis™ handrails with a Sigma stainless steel finish have been used to provide guarding, with 10mm toughened glass infill panels.Finally, the stone steps leading to the nursery classrooms were specified with an Orbis™ handrail.

The Project Joseph Leckie Academy £3.5 million modern new wing received Walsall Council’s planning committee approval in April 2015, and it has been full steam ahead since then. Speller Metcalfe awarded contractor and commenced building the state of the art 21 classroom block in May 2015. The ChallengeThe Architects vision was to create a minimalist washroom décor with flush frontage cubicles and high specification wash stations.The overall finish to be non-fussy and unobtrusive.Cubicles sited below a bulkhead were required to appear to float and all legs and fixing to be hidden.Standard vanity frontages and sinks did not meet the brief, a bespoke wash station was required. The Solution Excelsior Planar 12mm Solid Grade Laminate has proven an excellent choice for the building, the flush frontage provides a seamless finish, and the durability of solid grade laminate panels is perfect for a heavy use environment such as a school. Finished with a ‘P’ section headrail for maximum stability, eradicating any lateral movement provided the rigidity the system needs.The overall aesthetics of the installation is extremely pleasing, the cubicles overall height @ 2100mm on a 50mm leg is a standard height system however having a bulkhead in place has increased the sense of privacy and delivered the opulence of a floor to ceiling enclosure. The 50mm leg is set back inside the cubicle, fixed onto the partition which enhances the seamless finish from the exterior and infers the system is floating.SpecificationProduct Range: Planar 12mm Solid Grade Laminate CubicleDoors: B070 Blanc Megeve )Pilaster: Gris Orage G059Partition: Gris Orage G059Ironmongery: Stainless Steel

Riverwalk features two organically shaped buildings of 7 and 17 storeys, connected by a central podium and incorporating 116 high specification one, two, three and four bedroom apartments, plus penthouses. The design focus is on light, space and service, as well as exceptional views across the River Thames. Extensive planting on roofs, balconies and terraces, most significantly on the first floor podium terrace, also contribute to a substantial improvement in the green footprint and biodiversity of the site.With such a high specification development it is not surprising to find that enormous consideration was given to the avoidance of the thermal bridging at the critical balcony connections; and the structural thermal break module specified throughout is the latest generation Schöck Isokorb® XT type K. The XT type K – for concrete-to-concrete applications – offers such a high level of insulation that the Passivhaus Institute in Darmstadt has awarded the product with the "low thermal bridge construction" certificate and confirmed its suitability even for passivhaus construction.A major reason for the superior performance of the Schöck Isokorb® XT type K is the thickness of the insulation body. This is increased from the standard 80mm thick to 120mm, providing an even more efficient solution. The Isokorb® XT type K not only improves thermal insulation performance by up to 30% in comparison to to the standard range, it also improves impact sound insulation by around 50% as well. High quality stainless steel bars with improved tensile strength is an integral part of the unit and while the same load-bearing capacity is maintained, there is a smaller rod diameter and therefore a reduction in the thermally conducting cross-section, resulting in a further increase in the heat insulation performance.

Named after Francis Crick, the scientist who helpeddiscover the structure of DNA, the institute is an ambitiouscollaboration of six founding research partners: the MedicalResearch Council, Cancer Research UK, Wellcome Trust,UCL (University College London), Imperial College Londonand King’s College London.The world-class biomedical research facility aims todiscover how and why disease develops in order to findnew ways to prevent, diagnose and treat conditions suchas cancer, heart disease and stroke, as well as infectionsand neurodegenerative conditions. Located in centralLondon, the steel, glass and terracotta clad buildingoccupies a full city block and creates strong architecturallinks to historic local buildings. Large cantilevered baywindows and tall glass atria reduce the building’s impact atstreet level and maintain natural light in workspaces andpublic areas. The challenge for Allgood on this project wasto create an ironmongery specification in keeping with thefacility’s elite standards.The Contego range is an antimicrobial copper product,made from a copper alloy, giving it the appearance ofstainless steel while incorporating the bacteria fightingqualities of copper.Killing 99.9% of bacteria within minutes of exposure, therange offered a unique functional capability to the researchcentre, while still matching the interior aesthetic. Contegolever and pull handles were supplied to glass doorsincluding: office and lab doors, while push plates weresupplied to the auditorium and back of house areas.Additionally, Allgood Secure supplied automatic dooroperators to the main entrances of the labs, with fobreaders fitted for Contego lever handles in higher securityareas.