"land use planning"

Rockfon was given the opportunity to demonstrate the breadth of its specialist ranges to meet the specific needs of a wide range of spaces while contributing to the BREEAM ‘Excellent’ environmental status of this stunning project.This new five storey medical school enables students to experience real life situations encountered by those in the medical profession. It includes lecture theatres, laboratories, a clinical skills suite with mock consultation rooms to simulate hospital wards or a GP surgery, a pro-section anatomy suite and bio-medical and health sciences library. Professor Mary Stuart was University of Lincoln Vice Chancellor at the time, “It represents more than just a building – it is a commitment to current and future communities in Lincolnshire to develop sustainable healthcare for the region.” HLM were the client architects, ‘The scheme has been modelled to create the optimal sustainable environment through informed decisions on site layout, massing, orientation, building fabric, elevational treatment and Integrated renewable energy systems. To further enhance student mental health and wellbeing, the scheme uses biophilic design principles including natural lighting and ventilation, visual links to natural landscape features and natural materials.’Meeting and exceeding client aspirationsShradha Mishra was Project Manager for the Estates Department at University of Lincoln. At its completion she said, “The Lincoln Medical School… has had a strong focus on sustainability throughout the design and construction process. With this in mind, the strategy for the building required exposed ceilings and therefore it was important to review and manage the acoustic requirements of the spaces to ensure a suitable working and teaching environment. Following extensive design and consultation with acoustic engineers, Rockfon were recommended for installation across the project which included a variety of both suspended ceiling grid tiles and acoustic baffles in open plan areas to support the absorption of sound.”BAM were main contractors for the project with BAM Design leading architectural design. Brebur Limited were responsible for the installation of ceiling and wall systems at Lincoln. Operations Director Vinny Lilley had this to say, “We have an excellent relationship with Rockfon. Their wide range of specialist products always ensures the architectural vision is achieved. They are always on-hand to offer technical advice and commercial acumen, with around 2,500sqm of tile and grid components being supplied by regional distributors.Acoustics reducing stress and enhancing healthAcoustic Rockfon Eclipse® islands are utilised within open plan areas where they are suspended on wires from the soffit, giving the illusion that they float. They can be specified in a variety of shapes with unlimited custom colour matching. Eclipse islands are perfect for thermal mass installations and where a traditional suspended ceiling cannot be installed. At Lincoln they are also present as wall panels to further control sound.Improved acoustics can increase focus by 48% and reduce stress levels by 27%, which aids learning and wellbeing (independent research). The high light reflectance characteristics of Rockfon ceiling and wall systems also help reduce the need for artificial light, saving energy and enhancing health.Elsewhere within the school, Rockfon Blanka® is installed. Available in a wide range of sound control and durability performance characteristics, its non-directional, anti-static surface prolongs product life. The range embodies Class A sound absorption (aw 1.00), 87% light reflection, >99% light diffusion and room to room sound Insulation >26dB. Rockfon’s Chris Carr-Elliman, “All Rockfon ranges are made from inert volcanic rock (stone wool) which offers no sustenance to microorganisms and demonstrates outstanding reaction to fire. Most are available in a full range of formats including concealed, semi-concealed and visible grid options from our extensive Chicago Metallic grid systems.” Specialist ranges for every spaceHTM 60 compliant Rockfon Medicare was the perfect fit at Lincoln where it offers outstanding performance in terms of infection control. Simple cleaning and low particle emission (ISO Class 4) also mark it out as a first choice for healthcare specification, along with its Class A sound absorption and highest fire safety (Class A1). Also within the building, the superior moisture resistant properties and wipe clean surface of Rockfon® Koral™ were important considerations for its use. Affordable, Rockfon® Artic™ was also put to good use in several areas at the school. In common with other Rockfon ranges, both Koral and Artic offer excellent sound absorption and fire safety characteristics.Shradha Mishra continued, “Since completion of the building, we have had positive feedback from building users about both the aesthetic appearance of the Rockfon products along with the acoustic performance of them.” 

Leicester, nestled in the heart of England, has long been celebrated for its historical significance, being the final resting place of King Richard III and boasting a cultural heritage that spans centuries. While its historical charm and cultural heritage continue to draw tourists from around the globe, the city is also a bustling business centre. Beyond the medieval landmarks and archaeological treasures, Leicester also attracts thousands of commuters daily and relies heavily on a well-maintained and efficient transportation network.Recognising the crucial role that roads play in connecting the city’s historical landmarks, thriving businesses, and residential neighbourhoods, Leicester City Council has undertaken a comprehensive initiative of essential road repairs.The council partnered with HMS, a well-known surfacing contractor with over 30 years of expertise in repairing road surfaces all over the country. This collaboration signified a crucial step in the city’s journey to improve its roads and ensure a safe and successful commute to and from the city. PROJECT SCOPEPermanent joint or crack and pothole repairsHAPAS/BBA-approved specialist materialVarious roads in and around the city centre:Catherine Steet with the junction of Ulverscroft Road, including the roundaboutWatermead WayRedhill Way flyover and roundaboutPalmerston WayGlenfrith WayGroby Road, A50Traffic management OBJECTIVESExtend the road surface life in and around Leicester city centre with permanent road repairs that will last for a minimum of 10 years.Reduce the disruption to residents, commuters, and businesses with no costly road resurfacing works.Improving road safety and minimise vehicle wear and tear for all road users.RESULTS16,000 linear metres of joint and crack repairs.Circa 50 pothole repairs with 5 tonnes of HAPAS/BBA-approved specialist material.Completed in just 11 nights. Minimal disruption to residents, businesses, and commuters.Permanent road repairs increase the longevity of the road surface by 10 years or more, reducing the need for resurfacing work.HMS’s In-house traffic management to minimise disruption, reduce project costs, and ensure on-the-job flexibility – which is how we completed it in record time.These accomplishments stand as a testament to the strategic planning and seamless execution of Leicester City’s road repairs. IMPLEMENTATION#1. Traffic Management for Seamless RepairsHMS not only worked nights to ensure minimal disruption to drivers, but also our in-house traffic management ensured a flexible, but well-thought-out plan to minimise disruptions during surface repairs. This flexibility reduced costs for Leicester City Council and ensured the project was finished ahead of schedule. #2. Overbanding to Address Road Joint and CracksOverbanding is used as a targeted solution to address joints and cracks that may have started to appear on road surfaces. The technique involves applying a durable material over the damaged areas creating a seamless and protective layer that enhances the structural integrity of the road.By HMS addressing joints and cracks using this technique, Leicester City Council is proactively preventing further road surface deterioration, reducing the likelihood of more extensive and costly repairs in the future. #3. Pothole Repairs with HAPAS/BBA-Approved MaterialsHMS filled potholes that had appeared on the road surface with materials approved by the Highway Authorities Product Approval Scheme (HAPAS) and the British Board of Agrément (BBA). This ensures that the repairs meet rigorous standards for quality, durability, and safety. 4.      Hot-applied Sealing for LongevityHot-applied material was laid by HMS to create a weather-resistant barrier on the repaired surfaces. It protects against water infiltration, freeze-thaw cycles, and other environmental factors that can compromise the integrity of the road. The application extends the lifespan of the repairs and road surface, contributing to the overall resilience of Leicester’s road infrastructure and reducing road resurfacing costs. 5.      Quality Assurance“Leicester City Council regularly inspects the quality and effectiveness of the road surface repairs and we are very pleased with the quality of workmanship from HMS. The team have worked efficiently to ensure minimal disruption to road users and has completed all road repairs in a timely manner.” Jamie Long, Senior Highways Engineer, Highways Maintenance Team at Leicester City CouncilThe collaboration between Leicester City Council and HMS has resulted in safer roads for residents, commuters, business owners, and tourists who travel in and out of the City Centre. By employing HMS, the project was completed in just 11 nights, meaning minimal disruption to road users. In total, 16,000 linear metres and circa 50 potholes (5 tonne) were repaired, using HAPAS/BBA-approved materials. “The work that HMS has completed not only ensured the safety of our roads but also the longevity of our roads. These road repairs have a lifespan in excess of 10 years, reducing the costly exercise of undergoing road resurfacing works, not to mention the heavy disruptions to road users.”Jamie Long, Highways Engineer, Highways Maintenance Team at Leicester City Council

The 110m, 29-storey curved on plan Westmark Tower is the tallest residential tower to have been completed in central London in 2021. Part of Berkeley Homes Central London’s prestigious West End Gate development in Marylebone, it features more than 14,000m2 of unitised curtain wall designed and supplied by aluminium fenestration specialists AluK and installed by envelope contractors Martifer. What makes this project really stand out is the collaborative approach that was demonstrated by AluK and the other consultants involved from the outset. With Berkeley at the centre of the process, the technical and commercial elements of the façade were successfully de-risked at pre-tender stage because AluK were able to work directly with lead architect Squire & Partners, delivery architect Design Delivery Unit (DDU), façade consultants Cladtech Associates and structural engineers WSP on a RIBA 4 system design for the unitised envelope. The challenge for AluK was to work with DDU to deliver a design that was true to the architect’s original intent whilst addressing the technical issues of a curved on plan façade from the second to 29th floor. All the unitised cells needed to be dead loaded back to a post tensioned concrete frame with a 3-dimensional floor bracket, whilst catering for the varying facets of the façade.The final unitised solution features more than 2200 unitised cells of three principal configurations. Each floor comprises: a vision cell, typically housing AluK’s concealed vent and full height glass panes, a panel cell, specifically designed to house specialist internal framework to carry articulated GRC (Glass Reinforced Concrete) feature piers and spandrels, and a recessed balcony cell with an integrated floating glass balustrade.With 36 different angles to overcome in a faceted design ranging from 0° to 15°, AluK developed a series of common aluminium extrusions to close the joints and reduce the number of profiles required. The horizontal stack joint uses an aluminium profile to carry the gasket and avoid the incidence of crimping as the cells are stacked around the building structure. What is also significant is that every cell connection provides four lines of system seal to ensure that the façade meets the stringent Cladtech performance specification and the CWCT Sequence B test.AluK’s system, extruded from 6063 T6 alloy, extracted benefits from both a mitred corner and a square cut system by creating a hybrid to suit both the client’s aesthetic desire for a mitred joint to the corners and Martifer’s manufacturing requirements of a square cut for economy.AluK also extruded tailored aluminium bracketry from a structural 6082 T6 alloy which was capable of supporting the system weight and allowing for 3-dimensional adjustment for precise installation.From the onset of the project, the Berkeley director team set out a time and design model of early engagement, specialist designers and fabricators all within a clear programme. This also included a series of productive workshops sharing client expectations and considerations. AluK not only facilitated these meetings but also bought into the collaborative ethos and contributed to a highly successful project for Berkeley.AluK’s designers are all from a fabrication/installation background and, as such, they design a value engineered solution from the outset. Part of this was using 14,000m2 of AluK’s AW86 unitised curtain walling system with minimal bespoke profiles and gaskets, yet it meets every challenge the project presented whilst offering a significant cost reduction in metal and accessories compared to the original specification in a competitor’s system. As part of the project team, AluK worked collaboratively alongside consultants Squire & Partners (concept architect), Buro Happold (thermal and acoustics), WSP (structures), Design Delivery Unit (delivery architect) and Cladtech (façade consultant). The façade design meets the thermal efficiency requirements of the building at 0.95W/m2K, as a weighted average. Using a 43dB Rw(+Ctr) acoustic glass, it also meets the sound reduction targets. Because AluK was involved at such an early stage in the project, the complete RIBA Stage 4 system design enabled façade contractors Martifer to realise significant cost savings for their tender and several months of time saving against their usual post-tender design and iteration phase. This also offered cost certainty for Berkeley and significantly de-risked the post tender delivery of the façade.Alongside the unitised curtain walling, the finished Westmark Tower will feature 241 AluK SC156 lift and slide doors, 750 concealed vents and 58 swing doors.West End Gate is Berkeley Homes’ latest luxury development being built on a 2.66-acre site. Described as a modern interpretation of classic London, it will feature a series of contemporary mansion blocks alongside the 29-storey curved stone tower. Work began on the first phase of West End Gate in the Spring of 2018 and was completed in Spring 2021, with internal fit out nearing the end.

Wood finish powder coating to realise vision of a timber facade Overview A brand-new Skills and Innovation Centre has been added to the Earl Street/Broad Street elevation of the South Staffordshire College’s campus, a £28million project. This 7,500 sq metre, 3 storey building will house leading-edge construction, engineering and hybrid vehicle technology workshops, along with innovatively designed social spaces. The building takes pride of place on the college’s town centre site and a suitably striking external envelope has been planned. The architects’ envisaged a facade of long vertical fins giving the appearance of timber. This would also screen a roof-top substation from view. The Project Maple Sunscreening won the contract to supply the extensive vertical fin façade and proposed using lightweight aluminium instead of timber to achieve the of span required. This project is a perfect example of one of the key advantages of PWF on aluminium, over wood, namely the ability to accomplish very long spans with structural integrity. Powdertech Wood Finish (PWF ™) was selected as the most appropriate powder coating since it is formulated to match the natural variations in colour, grain density and grain pattern of wood. Importantly, PWF meets fire reaction classification A2-s1, d0. The client selected the preferred shade from our collection and the aluminium extrusions began to arrive at our plant. We coated 4000 metres of aluminium, comprising mainly rectangular sections of extruded aluminium, of sizes 200mm and 100mm x 50mm. Now installed on the building these look stunning, giving the impression of enormous lengths of wood wrapping around the building. Why PWF?            · The finish combines the strength and longevity of metal with the warm, natural appeal of wood with a high level of colour and gloss retention· Excellent corrosion protection and resistance against abrasion and weather.· Conforms to Fire Reaction classification A2-s1, d0· A high level of sustainability using aluminium, with a coating that can be removed at end of life leaving the underlying metal unaffected· ‘Green’ credentials of PWF – no solvents, no VOCs, no hazardous waste.· Low maintenance - unlike wood.· The PWF range conforms to EN 12206-1 and Qualicoat specifications.· Can be applied to most metallic substrates including aluminium, galvanized steel, cast metals and stainless steel· Powdertech has over 35-years’ experience in professional architectural powder coatings. Colour, tone and texture are our passion and we have the expertise to develop bespoke finishes.  

Noise problems eradicated by Secondary GlazingKey features: Domestic, Sash Windows, Renovation, Ventrolla Perimeter Sealing System (VPSS), Double Glazing, Secondary Glazing, Georgian.Ventrolla have helped instil further tranquillity at a period property, Manor House, for its spiritualist home-owner with the addition of slim secondary glazing.Mrs Robertshaw, who trains in the spiritual practice of Reiki, required Ventrolla’s expertise to tackle seven draughty timber sash windows at the Grade II listed building. She was also unable to open the windows after they were painted shut many years ago.The timber sash window experts began the renovation by getting the windows fully operational, which included servicing the pulleys and re-hanging the sashes using new cords. This was followed by installing the unique Ventrolla Perimeter Sealing System (VPSS) to eliminate draughts and rattles and to also upgrade the windows’ energy efficiency.Slim Secondary Glazing was also installed where possible throughout the home.While the work was being carried out, Mrs Robertshaw learnt about Ventrolla’s double glazing product and subsequently asked them back to fit the same seven windows with slim double glazed timber sashes to further improve the thermal efficiency of her windows.Mrs Robertshaw said:“I came across Ventrolla at a listed heritage exhibition and arranged a survey soon after. The sealing system was just what my windows needed and I was thrilled with the end result, especially as I didn’t realise it would also help reduce external noise.”“Finding out that Ventrolla also offered a slim double glazing solution was another bonus. As a period homeowner it’s great to have an option that delivers all the benefits of typical double glazing but doesn’t compromise the historic aesthetics of the property.”“I would highly recommend Ventrolla as they not only offer essential services for listed buildings but are reliable and clean installers, which makes all the difference when you’re having people work in your home.”Manor House was built in Wolverhampton in 1730 and is rumoured to have once been home to an Earl of Shrewsbury. In the 19th century the property was part of a girls school but was used as a domestic home from 1914.Ventrolla has completed works on many listed properties and those within conservation areas and work very closely with Conservation and Planning officers in councils as well as English Heritage, Historic Scotland and CADW.Ventrolla offers a bespoke renovation service for timber sliding sash and casement windows as well as timber doors. The central office is in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, with additional offices located throughout the UK and Ireland.

Heathrow Park is an industrial estate situated close to Heathrow Airport, UK. The construction project involved different collaboration partners – a UK steelwork and installation company and a main contractor, both operating as key stakeholders in the Heathrow Park project. The steelwork company contacted PcP on behalf of the main contractor, looking for a cost-efficient steel maintenance roof walkway to access roof equipment.Project criteria and proposalOn behalf of the main contractor, a steelwork contractor approached PcP to quote for a suitable product for 3,260 square metres of steel flooring for a maintenance walkway. Normally, twisted bar grating is specified for projects of this kind, but PcP CUBE® gratings were suggested to match the customer’s criteria regarding delivery time.The main contractor required grating for a steel flooring platform which had to be supplied by a very tight deadline and at a competitive price but with a high-quality finish. Once the customer accepted the initial proposal for the CUBE® gratings, PcP ensured that the quotation met the all the criteria specified by the client for the planning application. We provided Static load calculations and samples in order to obtain final approval.The solution CUBE® grating – an alternative to twisted bar gratingPcP proposed the new B-CUBE® grating for Heathrow Park flooring as it could be made to suit the spans required at a competitive price. However, and more importantly, the B-CUBE® grating proved a viable proposition to the client due to the low weight of the product compared to other gratings. The delivery time also met the strict site requirements. For the project, the B-CUBE® grating was manufactured over a six-week period using robotic welding on both day and night shifts in order to meet the project schedule.PcP experts delivered tailor-made CUBE® gratings for the steel flooring, and the work included paying special attention to details, accurate technical drawings, and providing all the necessary product certification and datasheets.Customer support, technical expertise and calculationsIn order to address any queries, PcP provided full support from its technical department and customer service team. The following elements were relevant for meeting the strict requirements to both product and delivery:PcP in-house calculation software and expertise was used to provide the know-how required to produce specifications and data sheets in line with British Standards and to meet customer requirements.PcP’s experienced in-house drawing team provided full panel drawings for client approval prior to manufacture.

Northern Ireland’s artists and designers of tomorrow are moving into a creative new environment enhanced by the stylish appearance and solid functionality of stainless steel sinks and worktops, custom-crafted by leading bespoke manufacturer GEC Anderson. The durable stainless steel products have been installed as part of a major development programme at the University of Ulster, where they will provide essential facilities for various art disciplines. GEC Anderson is a pioneer of made-to-measure stainless steel products for domestic, commercial and specialist applications.The University of Ulster’s School of Art and Design caters for 2,000 students in the Warwick and Orpheus buildings, flanking busy York Street in downtown Belfast. The school provides teaching and research facilities in fine and applied arts, design and visual communication. In the first £12 million phase of a £30 million re-development, the school is commissioning a six-storey extension to the Warwick Building. The overall plan, prepared by Belfast-based Todd Architects, enables the university to expand teaching and recreational activities on an urban site within the Cathedral Quarter conservation area. Project architect Angus Waddington says both existing buildings will be extensively modernised in the later phases.With numerous studios and workshops for “wet” art disciplines – ranging from painting and ceramics to print-making and printed textiles – the school has a significant need for durable worktops and sinks. Although the new building will eventually focus on the digital arts, it will provide temporary accommodation for departments displaced by renovation elsewhere. In the new extension, interior design consultant Colin Sneddon of DEGW specified GEC Anderson stainless steel sinks, worktops and splashbacks to ensure lasting resistance to paints, inks and dyes. “I have worked with these products previously. GEC Anderson provides a robust, quality solution which is ideal in this application,” he says.Installed by Specialist Joinery Fittings, the bespoke worktops from GEC Anderson are made from acid-resisting grade satin finish stainless steel. The worktops, up to 4m in length, feature integral sinks from GEC Anderson’s standard range as well as splashbacks and water-retaining edge details to minimise spills and splashes during daily use. GEC Anderson Managing Director Martin Tye says stainless steel stands up well to sustained heavy use. “It requires minimal maintenance which means low lifetime costs, and is easy to keep clean. These factors, combined with sheer good looks, make stainless steel the ideal material in many different applications.”

The redevelopment of Gainsborough’s House in Suffolk required specialist acoustic design to isolate the structure from the vibrations of a nearby silk mill. Regupol Vibration offered a practical solution, but the project was not without its challenges, including a tight site and lockdown restrictions.The ProjectGainsborough’s House is the childhood home of the renowned 18th Century artist Thomas Gainsborough. The house and gardens, which are Grade 1 listed, were purchased by the Gainsborough’s House Society and were first opened to the public in 1961, housing a permanent collection of his work.Ambitious plans for the redevelopment of the house will transform it into a national centre for art in Suffolk, showcasing the influence of Gainsborough over other famous British landscape artists he inspired such as John Constable and JMW Turner, and acting as catalyst for regeneration of the town of Sudbury.As part of this project a new three storey wing is under construction next door to Gainsborough’s House, on the site of a former Labour Exchange. The contemporary building with a staggered roofline has been designed by architects and exhibition designers ZMMA. Complementing the existing listed buildings, which are to be upgraded, the project will create the largest gallery in Suffolk housing the widest collection of Gainsborough’s art and the art of those he inspired. The entire project is valued at £9m and construction began in the Autumn of 2019.Acoustic ChallengesFacilities in the new building will include permanent and temporary galleries, a landscape studio with panoramic views over the rooftops of the town and a new café overlooking the 18th Century garden. Whilst contemporary in appearance the extension will incorporate local materials including bricks from the historic Bulmer brickworks just outside the town, and interiors featuring famous Sudbury Silk.Sudbury has been a major silk manufacturing centre for centuries and five companies still make silk textiles in the town. Vanner’s Silk Mill, directly to the North of the site, has been producing Sudbury Silk for 250 years. However, its proximity to the new gallery is a challenge.Vibration Isolation for Art Gallery FoundationsAcoustic specialists Sandy Brown identified that the silk factory workings are a source of vibration throughout the surrounding grounds and buildings, which has the potential to interfere with the peace and tranquility of the new building.To mitigate this risk, respected engineers Eckersley O’Callaghan worked on a series of foundation design incorporating vibration isolation materials, which isolate the new structure from the surrounding ground. The successful design specified the use of Regupol Vibration Solution products, a range of isolation products which can be used to provide a resilient layer within foundations to isolate a building from structure borne vibrations.CMS Danskin Acoustics are the sole UK distributor of Regupol products. Regupol and Regufoam Vibration product ranges provide a combined 20 different grades of isolation material which can be used in a wide load range between 0.002 N/mm² and 2.5 N/mm². This wide range provides the opportunity to design efficient isolation concepts for even the most challenging vibration scenarios.The new building has a complex foundation plan with multiple stepped foundations and ground beams, producing three different regions of pressure. Each area required a different combination of material thickness and density to provide the appropriate deflection and natural frequency required. CMS Danskin Acoustics worked with the design team to develop a bespoke acoustic insulation strategy for Gainsborough’s House that was both efficient and effective.Working under Covid LockdownConstruction commenced in late 2019 with the demolition of the existing labour exchange where the new galleries were to be built. Principal contractor Thomas Sinden was ready in the spring of 2020 for the installation of the vibration insulation materials by specialist groundworks contractor T Vaughan. The narrow historic streets of Sudbury prevented the use of cranes and all materials had to be delivered by smaller vehicles.Regupol products are manufactured from recycled aircraft tyres in Germany, and the timing of the project during the first Covid lockdown couldn’t have been worse. However, CMS Danskin Acoustics retain good stock quantities and delivery of the required 1400m2 of rolls and tiles was not delayed by the suspension of travel.The design of the vibration isolation scheme called for several layers of Regupol Vibration 300, 450 and 480 in varying thicknesses, which were laid and cut over the foundation according to the insulation strategy. Each layer has staggered joints and the entire scheme is then covered with a separation membrane prior to the pouring of the floor slab.The new galleries at Gainsborough’s House are expected to open to the public in the Spring of 2022, and enjoyment of the spaces will be unaffected by the centuries old industry continuing next door.Vibration Isolation ServicesVibration Isolation is a specialist skill. The vibration team at CMS Danskin Acoustics have a unique ability to specify and supply anti-vibration and structural isolation solutions. Working with architects, contractors, acoustic consultants, developers and structural engineers, we can provide solutions that meet the requirements of all noise and vibration regulations, whether in the construction or industrial sector.We can provideEarly involvement in your projectTechnical recommendations at design stageTechnical support and submittalsOn-site support, prior, during and after installation.Project ParticipantsClient                           Gainsborough’s House SocietyArchitect                       ZMMAAcoustic Consultant       Sandy BrownStructural Engineers       Eckersley O’CallaghanMEP Engineers              Bower FullerGroundworks Contractor T Vaughan LimitedPrincipal Contractor      Thomas Sinden

TODD Architects completes redbrick business school for Queen’s Belfast. Queen’s University’s £17.5 million business school sits within its south Belfast campus, in front of the Grade II-listed Riddel Hall and enclosed by woodland.The new building, built on a former car park, has teaching and learning spaces for postgraduate students along with facilities for supporting the school’s executive education and leadership programmes, with informal study areas, academic offices and shared spaces.The external palette of materials is restrained to sit within its context, combining red clay brick, bronze-framed aluminium and floor-to-ceiling glazed screens. Red cast stone delineates colonnades at the upper and lower entrances.Inside the circulation spaces, exposed concrete soffits with floating ceiling rafts, board-marked concrete walls, timber wall sheeting and terrazzo flooring, create a robust aestheticOne of the key spaces is a top-lit, triple-height atrium with a feature stair providing access from the ground floor reception to the upper ground level, where informal study booths overlook a landscaped courtyard.Primary teaching spaces are restricted to the lower ground floor with large volume lecture theatres set into the surrounding landscape to lessen their visual impact and massing.A low-energy, ecologically sensitive design approach was adopted from the outset. One measure taken was a major geothermal heat system. Piles were driven to a depth of 125m in an adjoining field to extract heat from the sandstone substrate and provide low-level constant heat via underfloor heating, resulting in a 60 per cent reduction in carbon emissions.The £17.5 million project extends to include the partial refurbishment of a listed property.In 2016, Queen’s Business School merged with the William J Clinton Leadership Institute. It is located in the university's Riddel Hall campus on the Stranmillis Road and planned to expand its facilities in 2017 due to continued growth.Architect’s viewOur appointment arose out of a design competition, promoted by the university. We presented a plan diagram based on how we envisaged people might move through the building and a conceptual architectural approach that proposed carefully knitting the built form into its landscaped setting, both of which are still very evident in the finished building.Externally in respect of materiality, the building echoes the neighbouring, listed Riddel Hall in its use of red brick and cast stone. Internally we have sought to ensure a connectivity for users with surrounding mature woodland, with board-marked concrete and other natural finishes combining to create a calm, robust and understated aesthetic.We promoted a low-energy, ecologically sensitive design approach from the outset, securing a BREEAM Excellent rating, with the building’s renewable energy sources including a major geothermal heat system beneath an adjoining lawn and roof mounted arrays of solar/photovoltaic panels.Peter Minnis, project director, TODD ArchitectsClients’ viewsQueen’s University Belfast is moving towards net zero, and this building – which uses sustainable ground source heating – is an important part of the journey. The design of the building, which is sleek, contemporary, and future-focused, boasts the scenic quality of being nestled in the trees of the Stranmillis Conservation Area.The building is helping us a) grow our international stature and esteem by hosting high-profile events; b) expanding our research-led dialogue with the business community by providing space for collaboration and dissemination activities; and c) offers a fantastic student experience via tailor-made areas for learning and study.Professor MN Ravishankar, dean and head, Queen’s Business SchoolThe new Queen’s Business School is the latest building in Queen’s University’s capital investment programme to support world-class education and research and provide an exceptional learning environment and experience for its students. TODD Architects have exceeded expectations in terms of the University’s estate, with this truly iconic building.To address the significant growth in our student numbers and the unprecedented demand for our graduates, the University with full support from local government and employers, approved a capital investment in excess of £26m in a new Business School Building. Designed by TODD Architects, the building provides state-of-the-art teaching and research facilities for more than 3,000 students and 130 academic staff and will play a key role in the future growth and development of Northern Ireland’s business and finance sectors.Through collaboration and a commitment to excellence, TODD Architects has ensured that this facility will enable the Business School to continue its growth, by attracting the best staff and students from Northern Ireland and around the world, and to produce graduates who will make a positive impact on society.We are delighted with our new landmark building that will take Queen’s Business School into the next phase of its development and serving future generations to come.Sonia O’Hare, school manager, Queen’s Business School https://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/buildings/todd-architects-completes-redbrick-business-school-for-queens-belfast?tkn=1 Project dataStart on site September 2020Completion May 2023Gross internal floor area 6,000m² (including 250m² basement)Form of contract JCT Standard Building Contract with Quantities 2016 EditionConstruction cost £17.5 millionArchitect TODD ArchitectsClient Queen’s University BelfastStructural engineer WSPM&E consultant AH DesignQS WSPLandscape architect McIlwaineAcoustic consultant FR Mark & AssociatesProject manager WSPPrincipal designer WSPBuilding control BCC/Local authorityMain contractor Felix O’HareCAD software used Revit

Luxurious Outdoor Living: a Sanctuary of EleganceNestled in the heart of central Tunbridge Wells, Kent, UK, this remarkable project showcases the artful synergy of luxurious outdoor living and impeccable design. The sprawling terrace area serves as an oasis of relaxation and an exquisite dining space.Once a family home in need of modernisation, this property has undergone a large transformation overseen by a family who sought not merely a home, but a sanctuary that harmoniously caters to both adults and children, fostering moments of reprieve and conviviality.The front facade is graced with the natural grandeur of McMonagle exterior natural stone wall cladding, a testament to refined taste and architectural finesse. In harmony with the contemporary elements of the roof, front door, and surround, the client chose Silver Quartzite from the Stoneer range. The 'L'-shaped corner pieces emulate the substantial depth of authentic stone walls, adding a depth to the façade.The entire front and side paths of the property are embraced by the sleek embrace of Atlas Concorde Boost White porcelain, its modern concrete finish seamlessly weaving together the chosen colour palette.Venturing to the rear of the property, the vision of local garden designer Sue Blakeley unfolds—an artist known for breathing life into outdoor realms. In her inspired design, a raised dining and socialising sanctuary emerges.A grand staircase descends from the property's first floor, unveiling a 120 m² expanse of outdoor bliss. The choice of oversized 1200x1200mm tiles from the Atlas Concorde Boost White porcelain range amplifies the modernity of the space. Their smooth, refined finish forms the cornerstone of a contemporary aesthetic that gracefully complements the minimalistic outdoor furnishings and architectural accents, crafting a space exuding cohesion and sophistication. Four huge steel planters, each with a beautiful olive tree, sit on either corner of the main terrace square.The alfresco dining area beckons, offering seating for up to 16 guests. Here, culinary delights can be prepared on the integrated BBQ or the countertop-mounted pizza oven, while refreshments are kept cold in the integrated fridges. The selected porcelain, resistant to stains and heat, ensures both ease of maintenance and enduring beauty.Adjacent to this culinary haven, a contrasting border crafted from Atlas Concorde TM Black porcelain draws the eye, defining individual zones within the outdoor haven. Beyond the inviting soft seating area, another area awaits, poised to entertain yet more guests.Gazing back from the lawn towards toe terrace, a gracefully designed set of steps guides one back up to the elevated terrace. Boost White porcelain, mirroring the landing's material, makes a bold statement, accentuated by the grandeur of five six-meter-long steps. The step risers, also composed of Boost White porcelain, exude order and logic. Intriguing, raised planters, chosen for year-round interest, colour and scent, sit either side of the steps, infusing visual intrigue and seamlessly melding with the garden's overall aesthetic, rendering this outdoor haven a masterpiece of design and leisure.Companies involved with this project:Contractor: Mann Contractors, www.jemanncontractors.co.ukGarden Designer and Installer: Sue Blakeley, www.sueblakeley.comArchitect: Coleman Anderson Architects, www.colemananderson.co.ukMaterials used in this project:Atlas Concorde Boost White Porcelain 1200x1200x20mmAtlas Concorde Boost White Porcelain 1200x600x20mmAtlas Concorde Boost TM Black Porcelain 1200x600x20mmMcMonagle Quartzite Wall Cladding Stoneer Silver Flat PiecesMcMonagle Quartzite Wall Cladding Stoneer Silver Corner Pieces

The new £8.5m Allam Diabetes Centre at Hull Royal Infirmary plans to treat and care for patients with diabetes and metabolic bone diseases.It also includes a significant amount of clinical research facilities supporting not only diabetes and endocrinology, but also vascular surgery, neurology and other research departments. Its curved towers flank a glass entrance, which leads to a large waiting area and reception. Spread over three storeys are consulting rooms, specialist treatment rooms, office space and changing rooms as well as a roof terrace on the second floor. Designed to achieve a BREEAM rating of ‘very good’, the thermal performance of the insulation specified for the Allam Diabetes Centre’s flat roof was hugely important. Another crucial factor was fire safety. Although the application doesn’t fall under current fire regulations banning combustible insulation, the architect specified that only non-combustible materials should be used during construction.  Main contractors Zenith Developments appointed specialist contractors Fosters Roofing to install the roof. They in turn tasked DANOSA UK with supplying all the materials for the roof construction, including the insulation. “The build-up of the Allam Diabetes Centre was a single-ply warm roof with a tapered insulation scheme to provide the fall required for rainwater run-off,” explained Steve Downey, Commercial Director at DANOSA UK. “Tapered insulation schemes are always more difficult than traditional flat roofs, so we asked Knauf Insulation for technical advice on how to achieve the required U-value of 0.18 W/m2K.” The Knauf Insulation Technical Support Team recommended Rocksilk® Flat Roof Slab. It is BBA certified for use on mechanically fixed flat roof build-ups and is suitable for all types of roof deck.  As well as excellent thermal performance, Rocksilk® Flat Roof Slab is non-combustible with the best possible Euroclass A1 reaction to fire classification. It also provides excellent sound absorption so will help reduce the drumming effect of rainfall.  Rocksilk® Flat Roof Slab contains a special water repellent additive and is manufactured using Knauf Insulation's Krimpact® Technology which provides high levels of compressive strength and durability. As the project was a tapered insulation scheme, Rocksilk® Flat Roof Slab was manufactured to order to ensure the correct fall was created. The tapered insulation scheme wasn’t the only challenge with the Allam Diabetes Centre – it also features a curved façade, which added complexity for the installation team at Fosters Roofing.  Paul Foster, Managing Director at Fosters Roofing said: “Insulation needs to be carefully cut to the exact shape of the building otherwise heat can escape making it less energy efficient. Thankfully Rocksilk® Flat Roof Slab was easy to cut and quick to install, so it wasn’t a problem.” Rocksilk® Flat Roof Slab has also been designed to knit together during installation so there are no gaps that could affect thermal, fire or acoustic performance. By using Rocksilk® Flat Roof Slab, Fosters Roofing and DANOSA UK were able to achieve the required specification for the tapered insulation scheme on the new Allam Diabetes Centre. This will contribute to the energy efficiency needed to achieve the BREEAM ‘very good’ rating. 

The Schuster Annex on the University of Manchester's main campus when built, was intended to become a catalyst for excellence in STEM teaching, and was linked to the circular spaces within the existing buildings. Designed by Hawkins Brown, constructed by sector specialist Wilmott Dixon and fabricated by Dortech, the Science Annex formed part of the universities master plan. James Sutherland, Managing Director of Dortech, commented: “We were awarded the contract for the Schuster Annex by Willmott Dixon, following a competitive tender process; with our package including a number of striking design features.“These included 1,000m2 Technal MX Thermally Broken Curtain Wall with 200mm extending face caps as well as the FY65  ‘punched-hole’ windows in RAL 7043 Traffic Grey, plus some 1,500 linear metres of aluminium flashings. The glazing units feature the use of SGG COOL-LITE® SKN 14 glass with digitally printed artwork.”While the 8mm COOL-LITE® outer leaf provides solar control, the thermal performance of the IG units also benefits from an argon filled 18mm cavity and a 10.8mm thick inner leaf of coated laminated glass. The glazing specification, along with the design of thermally broken framing system also deliver a sound reduction of 40dB or more without special enhancement. Referring to the success of the curtain walling and fenestration solution from Dortech and Technal, Willmott Dixon’s Project Manager, James Goodwin, said: “This was a challenging project, not least because of the building’s proximity to a main road and the MRI (Manchester Royal Infirmary) with ambulances and other emergency services going past all the time. In terms of the acoustics, the transfer of noise, it has performed wonderfully well. Also, the Technal systems meet all of the thermal insulation requirements whilst, aesthetically it looks fantastic. Everyone is pleased with the completed project.”Completed in 2018 at a cost of approximately £11m, The Schuster Annex provides 2,500m² of space across it's four floors with what has been named the "Ideas Mill" and break out spaces at ground level. 

Situated in the heart of the community of Driffield, Kingsmill School is a SEN school which caters for pupils aged 2-19 years. Situated across two sites, the main school site houses Early Years through to Key Stage 4. The school was completed in May 2017 and has been purpose built to meet the needs of its pupils. Alongside eleven new classrooms, the main site also has a new hydrotherapy pool, rebound room, sensory therapy room and sensory rooms.Students aged 16-19 are based at The Kings Mill Student Centre which is based at Driffield Secondary School approximately a mile away from the main site. This comprises three classrooms and a combined common room and food technology area.When the school decided to utilise its outdoor space to provide a safe environment for pupils to learn and play undercover, Twinfix were approached by Main Contractor Hobson Porter to design, manufacture & install four classroom canopies..The free-standing mono-pitch canopies all comprise our innovative Multi-Link-Panel Non-Fragile (NF) roofing system, glazed with 16mm multiwall polycarbonate. The roof is non-fragile in accordance with the HSE’s test for fragility ACR[M]001:2019, an important factor when installing canopies where children may try and access the roof. Each canopy has an aluminium frame, powder-coated to RAL 5015 sky blue to match the school’s building and logo. Other features Twinfix incorporated into the design of canopies are anti-climb guttering and post-protectors, which provided further elements of safety for the students.Being a one-stop shop for designing, manufacturing and installing such outdoor structures we are proud to offer a seamless service to any school or other education establishment looking for a canopy or walkway. We are really pleased that the staff at Kingsmill School are delighted with the latest additions to their school and we know they are planning to use it for all sorts of fun and healthy outdoor learning/playing experiences for their children.

Altro delivers a speedy upgrade to luxury care homeIssueAmana Living is a premium care service provider based in in Australia, who pride themselves on making the welfare of their residents a priority. When the community lounge at Amana Living’s Moline Village needed an upgrade, they knew they needed a speedy solution that would cause minimal disturbance to their residents and offer a superior quality finish.ApproachThe existing vinyl floor was in need of an update, and Amana Living needed a flooring product which would allow them to complete the renovation quickly, with minimal noise, dust, and unpleasant odours but would also look great, and perform even better.SolutionAmana Living chose Altro Wood adhesive-free for their refurbishment. The adhesive-free installation meant that not only were there no adhesive smells, but that the new flooring could be laid directly over the top of the old. This saved valuable time and significantly reduced the amount of dust involved in the project. The time savings that Amana Living made by using adhesive-free flooring meant that they were able to open up the lounge to their residents more quickly than originally planned. The benefits don’t end at the installation either: in their new community lounge, both staff and residents enjoy a relaxing environment with comfort underfoot and 14dB sound reduction. And with the inclusion of Altro Easyclean Technology, the lounge is also much easier to maintain.Altro Wood adhesive-free creates maximum impact with minimum downtime. With 12 colour choices, 14dB sound reduction, a 10-year guarantee and our Altro one in a million slip-resistance reassurance, Altro Wood adhesive-free offers high levels of comfort underfoot providing a safe, durable and decorative solution for busy spaces."The installation was completed in a very timely manner with no take-up of existing flooring, and no dust or adhesive odours causing discomfort to anyone in the facility, all being completed with minimal disruptions." Amana Living"Everyone is delighted with the completed flooring which now delivers great safety underfoot, ease of cleaning and a fantastic looking renovation completed in record time." Amana Living

As one of the pioneers of remote working solutions, Citrix recently chose to reconfigure their offices, taking on an additional space at the Cambridge Science Park. Aiming to create an environment that would facilitate engagement, creativity and productivity, moveable wall specialists, Style worked closely with architect, Gensler, and contractor, Area Sq, to offer intensely flexible workspace.Delivering exceptional acoustic ratings of 55dB and 52dB respectively, Style installed two Dorma Hüppe Variflex solid moveable walls and a single Variflex glass moveable wall, allowing Citrix staff to section off a meeting area from the main hall and then further sub-divide the space as required. Contributing to the vibrant new décor, all walls feature black RAL 9005 profiles and dry wipe magnetic boards to encourage brainstorming. Cambridge Science Park has been home to the UK Citrix Research and Development team for over a decade. Having occupied approx. 30,000 sq ft of space on the first floor, Citrix was keen to refurbish their existing workplace as well as expand operations by taking over additional space on the ground floor.Reflecting the Citrix vision and culture, the new layout and design maximises the potential of the space, allowing staff to establish new ways of collaborating.When all three walls are in place, three smaller meeting rooms are created. Alternatively, a combination of one large and one small meeting room can be formed, or just one very large space using just the glass moveable wall. The entire space can also be opened-up into one large open plan area. “This is an excellent example of how a combination of glass and solid moveable walls can create really adaptable office space,” said Steve Williams, sales director for Style Midlands.“Thanks to the inclusion of three pass doors, access is simplified and also allows the glass wall to be left in place for extended periods if desired, creating a more permanent space. “However, due to the semi-automatic operation of these operable walls, they can be opened up extremely quickly so that the entire space can be reconfigured for different vents throughout the day.” 

Split over basement, ground and three upper floors, the Charles Doll Building on Grape Street, London, offers a contemporary and functional specification in this stunning office refurbishment. The development mixes industrial elements with a crisp modern aesthetic by carefully combining characterful architectural features, including vaulted ceilings with exposed brick and steelwork.Named after its architect Charles Fitzroy Doll, the building is clad in decorative thé-au-lait (“tea with milk”) terracotta – Doll's use of grand façades is understood to have resulted in the expression, ‘all dolled up’. The first floor has been fitted out to a high standard with office furniture from Vitra, providing the perfect space for those who want to move in and get straight to work.The lobby mixes vibrate contemporary wall art with industrial light fittings and brickwork. Forza’s in-house CAD team planned the bespoke black oak Firescreen partition wall to match the architect's design. As a market leading passive fire product, this Firescreen provides both integrity from Smoke and Fire and insulation from heat. This is important because in a fire emergency heat has been shown to ignite secondary fires to items, such as curtains or carpets, that are near the other side of non-insulated partitions.Via the Thinking Space Design & Build, Forza Doors supplied twenty FD30 Fire Doors with stained frames and skirting boards to match throughout the five floors of The Charles Doll Building. Chosen to match the steelwork throughout the development, the dark satin finish of the doors was selected from Forza’s Creato range of dyed veneers. This ‘Illunis’ finish is one of twelve fashionable choices in the range. Dyed veneers are an increasingly popular choice with designers as they offer cost savings over stained veneers without compromising quality.The Doors with glass vision panels, required to allow light through to the stairwells, feature our flush and quirk bead. A minimalist design option where one side of the doors is completely flush right up to the glass vision panel and the other side has a very simple elegant bead detailing.

The ProjectThree Snowhill is the final element of the Snowhill Plaza, forming part of Birmingham’s 20-year plan to redevelop Snowhill, known as ‘Vision 2030’, the largest ever speculative city centre office scheme built outside London. Featuring full height windows designed to take full advantage of the city views, and 32,000 square metres of space for office, retail, café and plant space, Three Snowhill stands as a landmark tower in this growing city The ChallengeWork alongside BAM design team to bring the clients vision to life. Bespoke Superloo facilities designed to include for boxed out mirror units with hidden services, solid surface vanity stations including soap, water and waste accessories. Coordinate delivery and installation in-line with the programme dates and in harmony with associated trades on site The SolutionExcelsior have proudly worked alongside BAM construction and Weedon Architects to bring this vision to life. Working to innovative specifications we have fitted out this office space with a combination of Flush 44 Natural Wood Veneer WC Cubicles and Superloo, all complete with stylish solid surface vanities, hidden waste disposal, and boxed out mirrored wall units housing paper towel dispensers. Building bespoke specifications, we ensure we are delivering exactly what both the customer and specific scheme requires. Here, our bespoke service has allowed for a beautiful high-end installation for optimal use in this landmark business location.Client:Snowhill Building ThreeContractor:BAM ConstructionArchitect:Weedon ArchitectsLocation:Birmingham SnowhillSpecificationProduct Range: Flush 44 Natural Wood Veneer CubiclesDoors: Natural Wood Veneer bonded onto 44mm MR Core, Excelsior ‘Toasted Oak’ VeneerPilaster: Natural Wood Veneer bonded onto 44mm MR Core, Excelsior ‘Toasted Oak’ VeneerPartition: HPL bonded onto 36mm MR Core, Excelsior White c/w Hardwood Oak Rebated JointIronmongery: SSS Stainless Steel

Tudor House was opened as the offices for Hatfield Rural District Council by the Marquess of Salisbury in 1930. A grand old building, it was built in a Georgian style with a host of period features.When its purpose as a public administration building was over, a proposal for a conversion (material change of use) into apartments was put forward by Lioncrest. Whilst not a listed building, they proposed to retain all of the period features and, where time had taken its toll on the building fabric, restore and renovate the brickwork and stonework back to its former glory.Permission has been given to convert the offices into seven new luxury apartments comprising of four two bedroom apartments and three one bed apartments. The largest apartment was constructed in the roof space which entailed reconstructing the existing roof incorporating two large dormer windows and five roof lights. The building includes a large basement which was converted into stores for the occupants and for each of the apartments to have an allocated car parking space.Lioncrest consulted with Hush Acoustics at the design stage of this development for soundproofing advice and assistance with the design, specification and supply of the materials needed.There were a number of design issues to take into account due to the history of the building and the period features. Our soundproofing experts worked closely with Lioncrest to develop the most economical and convenient acoustic system to achieve the high results sought. The detailed and careful installation of the Hush materials allowed some fantastic sound reducing results giving the owners of the apartments a very good standard of living.A variety of products were combined to achieve the necessary sound reduction throughout the building’s separating floors, ceilings and walls. These included Hush Panel Cem 28, Hush Slab 100 Sound Absorber, Hush Seal 20 perimeter strip, Hush Bond Panel Adhesive, Hush MF Ceiling System and Hush Acoustic Hangers.Through detailed planning from Lioncrest with regard to the schedule, Hush Acoustics were able to deliver all acoustic materials to site ensuring that the deadline for completion was met. 

As a consequence of the Grenfell tragedy, an assessment of the building envelope was carried out on the 275nr residential apartment block in the centre of Leeds. It was found to be non-compliant with current regulations and in urgent need of replacement.The VariAL-SF system was selected as it complied with an A2 fire rating, with EN13501-1 classification by third parties, and satisfied the detailed planning constraints.The importance of the cladding refurbishment and replacement on this high-rise residential building cannot be understated. The building was identified by West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service late in 2019 as being high risk from the perspective of residents safety, due to the fact it was clad in flammable panels and onus was placed on the building owner to take swift action to make the building safe. As such, an ambitious 52 week programme for complete removal of the existing cladding and replacement was set out and achieved by the project team, despite significant limitations in terms of access and logistical challenges.To the passer-by, there is barely any discernible difference in the aesthetic of the building’s new facade, the colour-matching of the panels is incredibly accurate and allowed for a seamless transition to a much safer environment for the building’s residents.The apartment block was in the middle of a built up residential area. The contractor needed to obtain road closures from Leeds city council for two main roads which ran the full length and one side elevation.Furthermore the other main elevation was a pedestrian walkway with access to the apartment block , a hotel and several commercial buildings therefore safe access routes and segregation had to be installed and coordinated with the various parties involved.In addition, the building had to be reclad using 125ft cherry pickers working off the main road and pedestrian walkways therefore protective tracking systems had to be laid over the tarmac and paving to protect the existing materials.Throughout the building refurbishment, which took exactly 52 weeks, access to all the various buildings was maintained and contractor site personnel worked closely with adjacent building owners and especially the management team of the apartment block which accommodated 270 apartments to ensure minimal disruption.

Premium acoustics are a quintessential part of any modern-day theater or performance space. Noise coming in from other rooms or even from outside can disturb live performances.In ‘s-Hertogenbosch, the Netherlands, construction of the new performing arts theater is well underway. Planned to open in the second half of 2023, ‘Theater aan de Parade’ will house 2 multifunctional halls, each with its own atmosphere and programming. The different spaces are all connected by spacious foyers, with plenty of natural light and views of the Parade, the main town square.The new theater is designed to invite passersby to come in, enjoy one of the many performances or simply hang out and relax.The solution selected to acoustically decouple the multifunctional hall, one of the 2 main halls of the building, from the rest of the theater, was a complete box-in-box construction, using a Stravifloor Jackup-R floating floor system.The total hall surface area is about 543 m², divided over three zones. An impressive 272 boxes were installed. Boxes were installed with 2 different types of springs combined in three different configurations. The overall span between the boxes in this project is around 1,4 to 2 m.The added value of a jack-up system in this specific project was that despite the loads not being homogeneously distributed across the entire surface, it is possible to create a stiff concrete slab with a homogeneous thickness before to place it on springs.A jack-up system allows for better control of the slab level across all construction phases, concrete slab thickness, and the final deflection of each bearing, different in number, type and tributary area.The entire installation process was spread across two phases, the installation of the boxes together with the insulation material and PE-foil which took less than one week, and the second phase in which we were jacking up the boxes until the entire floor was raised to the desired level. This last step took 4 days, including cleaning and preparing the area for the next intervening parties.

Following the specification process with the London office of Planit-IE Landscape Architects, Artform Urban Furniture were appointed by Vastint UK to provide a considerable number of bespoke concrete benches alongside street furniture elements including litter bins, cycle parking and picnic sets to a newly built neighbourhood in the east of London. At the time one of the largest residential developments in Europe.The bespoke concrete block benches, some of which are clad in hardwood toppers, were designed and manufactured specifically for this project, echoing the light reflective architecture of the newly built studios and apartments. Great lengths were taken to find the perfect mix of aggregates to achieve the specifiers preferred colour mix and match paving being used on site. Sample blocks in the concrete and granite were supplied with & without timber toppers to make sure all stakeholders were happy with the final look/ colour. Stainless steel cycle stands are abundantly scattered around the car-free space, encouraging a peaceful and emission free environment. Likewise the sophisticated minimal design of the Spencer litter bin reflects the surrounding ambiance whilst keeping the area clean and tidy.The 26 acre project to revitalise this once-crumbling industrial site began back in 2013. Garnering widespread attention for its simplistic and sustainable design.The entire neighbourhood is divided into 13 plots, each designed by one of nine different architects.The Dane’s Yard area is the first completed phase of the Vastint UK master plan in bringing a brand new neighbourhood to London. The name of the area, Strand East, was changed to Sugar House Island in 2017 with Vastint looking for a name that has stronger ties to the community and its history. The sentiment is evident throughout the project in the refurbishing of old warehouse buildings, yards, and alleyways.Once completed in 2024 Sugar House Island will feature more than 624,000 square feet of office space, 1,200 homes, and nearly 131,000 square feet of green space. Developers have also made room for new restaurants, cafés, shops, a primary school, and a 350-bed hotel. Developers expect the project to create 2,500 new jobs.

Artform Urban Furniture was appointed by Sager House (Almeida) to provide seating and cycle parking to a mixed-use community space in Islington, North London.Hidden behind an Edwardian façade of a former postal sorting office, Islington Square has been over a decade and a half in the making after the plot was initially bought in 2003 by Developers Cain International. After years of careful planning and construction, the site is now complete and comprises of independent retail units, restaurants, galleries, event spaces, a cinema, and 263 new flats.The intention of the project was to bring variety back to the high street and as well as the boutique shops, unique retailers and events spaces this consideration was echoed in the choice of street furniture. A selection of our stone seating and planter elements have been supplied to the site that feature distinctive designs to stand out. The Up Bench is a sculptural and modular bench, manufactured from a binding compound of granite that has been bush hammered and treated against deterioration. Inslington Square features combined runs of Up benches that create snaking blocks of social seating.The Arrowhead range of benches and planters are dotted around the space bringing natural colour as well as further social seating opportunities. These curvaceous monolith-shaped units offer a low-maintenance and resilient alternative to traditional street furniture. Their weight and mass also allow their placement to be considered in terms of building pedestrian protection from vehicles.Finally, considerations for cycling visitors and residents have been met with a selection of our premium cycle stands. The Ride Cycle Stand features concealed connections and discreet leveling glides to make the stand appear balanced in air. The cast aluminium flat ribbon frame marks it as a member of the Metro40 family of street furniture. 25 Units were supplied which provide great bicycle support with the capability for attachment at two points and holds two bicycles creating parking space for up to 50 bikes. Islington Square is an inclusive, pedestrian-friendly hub that sits at the heart of the surrounding community and brings something different to both residents and visitors.

When a new mental health unit planned to provide a safe and secure environment for their patients and staff, CLD Fencing Systems and a Littlewood Fencing were asked to design, manufacture and supply the perfect solution for this project.Hafan Y Coed (Haven of Trees) Mental Health Unit at the University Hospital Llandough opened the doors of their £ 88 million facility back in 2016 offering patients a modern, therapeutic and recovery-focused unit.Powell Dobson and Laing O’Rouke designed and constructed the detailed mental health unit, and in order to match the level of safety of the building, their hospital security fencing needed to encourage privacy and security throughout.The BriefSecurity of patients and staff was paramount when understanding the brief for the new perimeter fence line and security access control. The following requirements were set out to maintain their security needs:Create a safe and secure environment for staff and patients by implementing high security perimeter fencing.Feature anti-climb, anti-cut and anti-ligature properties for both fencing and gate solutions.Provide privacy screens for specific areas of the unit to promote recovery.Manufacture 18 gate solutions for easy access for staff through the entire site.

Nearly forty years after the lights were switched off at Battersea Power Station, a decommissioned Grade II listed coal-fired power station, located on the south bank of the River Thames, this much loved London landmark recently re-opened to the public following a transformational eight-year restorationApple Inc. will be leasing approximately 500,000 sq ft. across 6 floors of the central Boiler House and plans to move all of its 1,400 London employees to the new venue. This will make Apple by far the largest tenant at Battersea Power Station.221m² of Stravifloor Channel, a resilient high-performance floating floor based on floor channels containing steel springs as resilient supports was installed to decouple the acoustically critical listening, screening and control room spaces at Battersea Power Station.The added insulation material between the channels contributes to the acoustic optimization of the spaces by preventing the so-called standing wave effect to take place within the air void.During the installation of the acoustic floating floor, careful attention was paid to the many service penetrations as improper installation would most certainly lead to rigid connection which in turn affect the system’s performance.

The Hold, Ipswich, contains important historical archives, records and artefacts, pertaining to the Suffolk area and is operated by Suffolk County Council.An impressive new archive centre, sited on the Ipswich waterfront, has recently been added. Architects, Pringle Richards Sharratt were responsible for the project and the contstruction was completed by RG Carter. The new facility includes an auditorium, learning spaces, archive and restoration rooms, gallery, shop, café and significant circulatory spaces.GEC Anderson stainless steel sinks, worktops and cabinets were specified within the conservation areas. The units were supplied and installed by GEC Anderson during the first lockdown phase of the Covid pandemic of 2020. Despite the obvious difficulties presented by the restrictions associated with the outbreak, work was able to progress as planned, under the special safety arrangements imposed by the main contractor.Managing Director of GEC Anderson, Martin Tye, comments “We do feel fortunate to be included within so many interesting and imaginative projects, such as The Hold. It is always inspiring to visit site, personally. In this instance, the special challenges of the times did not make our work easier but, under the expert guidance of RG Carter, we felt safe at all times whilst on site.”

Conserving a Grade I listed building with renovating plaster.Halifax’s Grade I listed Piece Hall is a true monument to the town’s industrial heritage. As part of Calderdale Council’s ambitious plans to conserve the building and transform it into a cultural and commercial hub for Halifax, a series of delicate remedial works were outlined to future-proof the structure’s original features and ensure it would be able to live up to the rigours of 21st century life. Under the schedule of works, Tarmac’s Limelite renovating plaster was chosen to provide a durable solution which was both sympathetic to the age of the building, yet robust enough to provide long-lasting results.The ChallengeFirst constructed in 1779, the Grade I listed Piece Hall takes its name from its original use as a cloth hall, where local weavers were allowed to sell their ‘pieces’ at the height of the industrial revolution. As an iconic reminder of Halifax’s prominence in the Georgian wool trade, the site is understandably a treasured landmark for local people.The aim of the Piece Hall transformation project was to conserve the historic fabric of the building and create an outstanding heritage destination fit for the 21st century. This would see the property, which consists of 315 rooms centred around a 66,000 sqft piazza, return to its previous grandeur and be reinvented as a new cultural and commercial centre for the town.The Piece Hall transformation project was delivered by Calderdale Council and made possible by funding from the Council, a generous £7 million grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund – thanks to National Lottery players – and kind support from both the Garfield Weston Foundation and the Wolfson Foundation. The Piece Hall is now operated by an independent body, the newly formed charity The Piece Hall Trust.It was vital that a specialist heritage renovating plaster was specified, to ensure that any remedial work undertaken would be in keeping with the property’s original features and sympathetic to the materials used during the building’s original construction in 1779.The plastering contractors chosen to undertake the work, Manchester Screeding Contractors (MSC), were challenged with plastering the inside of the iconic arches which surround The Piece Hall’s piazza, as well as re-plastering walls within a number of rooms on the ground floor. Given the need to use a specialist heritage plaster, MSC turned to Tarmac’s Limelite team for help.For the interior work, damaged and ageing plaster had to be removed, revealing solid stone walls which needed to be plastered in keeping with the heritage of the building. Time and weather had also eroded the exterior arches, and an appropriate solution needed to be found.Installation time was also a challenge on the project as the construction phase was nearing hand-over to The Piece Hall Trust, with the building due to be reopened to the public in August 2017.The SolutionTo satisfy the specification, MSC first chose to use Tarmac’s Limelite Easy Bond as a primer, given its ability to effectively control suction and salts, as well as improve the level of adhesion when working with difficult substrates. Following this, two coats of Limelite Renovating Plaster were applied as a backing plaster to the surfaces to remove undulation.Tom Emery, Specifications Co-ordinator at Tarmac’s Limelite division, comments: “A traditional lime plaster could take months to dry out whereas renovating plaster only takes 24 hours to dry per coat. This was essential in helping the team to cope with the tight timescales of the project.“Moisture, damp and mould growth were also found in the building. Renovating plaster is ideal in scenarios like this, as the level of breathability it offers will allow moisture to easily pass through it. It is this breathability that will significantly reduce the likelihood of damp occurring.Tom continues, “The renovating plaster was followed with a final coat of Limelite’s High Impact Finishing Plaster. The High Impact Finishing plaster is extremely durable, which is ideal given the municipal use of the building. What’s more, it’s great for use in heavily trafficked areas as it provides a shell to the backing plaster.”In total, seven tonnes of product were supplied to the project in the two-month timeframe, with MSC working through the weekends to get the job done.Karl Hodgkiss, Managing Director of Manchester Screeding Contractors, commented: “Internal and external plastering as well as restoration plastering are key specialist areas for our business, and this was a significant project for us that we were excited to be a part of. I had used Limelite’s renovating plaster before in smaller quantities and knew it would provide a breathable covering for the original stonework.”

Two types of Welsh Slate feature on the new roof of London’s Irish Embassy. The £2.5 million re-roof of the Grade II listed Irish Embassy in London, with more than 10,000 Penrhyn Heather Blue slates from Welsh Slate, has required its own exceptional levels of diplomacy. DarntonB3 Architecture had multiple challenges to factor in when it came to specifying the replacement slates, including the City of Westminster’s planning department, which was keen to see as many of the existing slates re-used as possible and required convincing to embrace the “new” metric sizes. Then there were landlords Grosvenor Estates, leaseholders the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Historic England, not to mention the site being opposite Buckingham Palace, on a “Red route” with diplomatic bays nearby, and between two of the most important Conservation Areas of Belgravia. Work began on the landlocked Grosvenor Place site in March 2018, a year after DarntonB3, who are specialist conservation architects, were appointed to oversee the project, and has just completed (January 2019). Two types of Welsh slates have been used on the former terraced town mansion with decorative metal roof crest that was designed by architect Thomas Cundy, who was surveyor to the Grosvenor Estate at the time, and built in 1868 in a French Renaissance style. Roofing contractor Mundy Roofing was involved at an early stage in the project and were ultimately appointed as principal contractor. Specialising in leadwork and natural slate roofing, they were pivotal to the project’s success. A total of 600m2 of County-grade 500mm x 300mm slates have been used on the numerous standard 30° to 35° pitched roofs while Capital-grade bespoke arrow-head slates of the same colour but sized at 400mm x 250mm were used around dormer windows on the 80° mansard roof elements that are reminiscent of Paris and feature lead secret gutter detailing around the perimeter. There is also some vertical slating to the rear elevation.  The old 5mm to 7mm thick slates had been on the roof since it was first built 150 years ago. The rectangular ones had been slightly longer and narrower, at 510mm x 255mm, while the arrow-head slates had been smaller all round, at 350mm x 200mm.  But a roof survey showed they were not laid to the correct bond or headlaps and fixing points were far from ideal and non-existent in places (the headlaps between 0 and 50mm), leading to the hardened sarking underneath becoming sodden in places. In fact, most of the roof had been repaired over the years with different types of slates using temporary lead tags or painted with a bitumen solution in an attempt to prolong its life. DarntonB3 argued that if the roof was re-installed as existing, its appearance would alter as they would have no option but to lay the slates at the correct headlap which would create additional courses. In addition, using the slightly larger arrow-head slates for the mansard roof would enable them to form a more robust detail at the abutments to the dormers and party wall.  Home to the Irish Embassy for the past 70 years, the building comprises office and entertainment space. The traditional timber truss roof featured timber sarking boards with penny gaps, a form of construction usually found in Scotland. The slates were then fixed with copper nails directly to the boarding without any timber battens. Once city planners had agreed to 100% replacement of the Welsh slates, at the new metric sizes (a process that took a year), the addition of timber counter battens, to improve ventilation of the roof and prolong the life of the new slates, was also proposed by the Architects. Mundy Roofing produced sample comparison mock-ups to demonstrate to the conservation officer this change would not be detrimental to the building’s character. As it is, the interface details where slates have been lifted has not altered the character of the building and the introduction of battens would not be known by the general observer.  DarntonB3 senior associate Matthew Jones, who was project manager and lead architect throughout, said: “Westminster City Council are regarded as one of the leading conservation-led councils in the UK, with some of the highest standards and criteria to meet, and dialogue with the conservation officer was detailed and robust. The need for wholesale replacement of the existing slate due to them being at the end of their life was a delicate decision and sufficient evidence of this necessity was proven. The replacement of the slates with metric sizes was also an extensively discussed item but the principal contractor and Welsh Slate worked with us to develop the narrative.” Keith Hamilton, an architect accredited in building conservation, acting for DarntonB3 alongside Matthew was reasonably sure Welsh slates had been used previously but was keen to ensure the correct thickness and grading were eventually used throughout the renewal process.  He said “We have specified Welsh Slate on numerous other projects and their reputation for the highest quality precedes them. We were able to argue the merits of increased ventilation behind the slates using cross battening in lieu of direct nailing to the existing sarking board, which in the majority of areas had survived over 150 years’ performance. “The risk of lack of ventilation on the lower roof pitches behind the slates was particularly relevant at the eaves and head. We had previously considered introducing slate vents and felt underlay to augment any need for ventilation but the existence of the ‘penny gaps’ in the sarking boards encouraged us, to believe that this was not required.  “This was another point of continued discussion with the conservation officer who was against an underlay in this instance. The timber sarking was found to be in remarkable condition considering the lack of existing underlay and the direct fix of the slates, highlighting the quality of the original slates. Hence, there is no secondary layer apart from the slating itself and we trust the quality of the new Welsh slate will replicate the existing quality and last another 100 years.” Due to tight access on the roof, they were also able to widen the lead gutters and set back the lower courses of slates to avoid getting them broken. All the new Penrhyn slates were holed and traditionally fixed with 38mm copper nails as opposed to clipped or other methods. The standard-size slates were able to cope with the wide variation of roof pitches and new rooflights encountered by varying the lap and gauge slightly. In virtually every case, the slate junctions are with lead or copper flashings and as it was appreciated there is some risk of staining, all lead was treated with patination oil. Using new treated timber battens for fixing the new slates proved a great success as direct fixing into the old hardened sarking boarding would have been a major problem and time consuming.  Matthew said the support they had received from Welsh Slate had been “fantastic” and included a site visit to match the type of slate, a letter explaining the need to change from imperial to metric sizing, technical drawings of the arrow-head slates, technical information on the end life of slates and their unsuitability for re-use, on-time deliveries with little if no wastage, and recommending experienced slating contractors. Mundy Roofing were on site for a total of 10 months. Work included the rebuilding of three chimney stacks, involving 30 tonnes of stone and brickwork, and restoration of traditionally-forged wrought ironwork to the pavilion roof crest, all underneath a temporary roof. Russell Mundy said: “This project was extremely challenging due to it being a working embassy but Welsh Slate were excellent with their support in achieving planning consent and the product has received widespread praise from the client.” Matthew said: “Due to the extremely difficult access to this roof, we were conscious to use a slate that will require little maintenance (if any) and satisfy appearance for an extended period of time. Welsh Slate were able to provide technical studies comparing different types of slate and their longevity. This enabled the landlord, Grosvenor Estates, that the new roof should outlast the previous roof and match it entirely with other buildings nearby. Welsh Slate’s evidence on the existing slates being at the end of their useful life, and the lifecycle information of the new slates, helped give the conservation officer comfort that the right approach was being taken for the building.” Keith added: “Essentially, Welsh Slate ensured we got the right slate, quality, consistency and sizes for the varying roof pitches and conditions. There have been no problems with mixing batches or colour variations which can occur. They also met the stringent programme requirements, reducing risks of delay from the main contractor. To our knowledge, there have been no rejects on quality of slates. “The final result is the new slating looks exactly like it was envisaged in 1868, except with the knowledge it is better-fixed and easier to reach for maintenance, with a discreet fall arrest system fitted. The client is extremely happy with the quality of the final works.” Andrea Fox, senior architect with the property management unit of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, said: “The team have provided us with an exceptional and beautiful project that we know will stand the test of time and one we are extremely proud to have commissioned.” “I want to thank the Welsh Slate team for the support they provided during our project and especially in relation to protracted issues relating to the listed building consent approval.”