"library"

Crown Paints’ colour experts have unveiled three new colour trends; ‘Saturated’, ‘Washed’ and ‘Midnight Garden’, which are set to influence colour schemes for the next season. Each with its own distinctive look, the three trends include a palette of signature colours and supporting accent tones together with more neutral hues. Crown Paints’ Colour Services team is on hand to offer expert assistance and advice on all aspects of colour specification. As well as providing bespoke colour cards and a colour library the team can also guide specifiers through the process of creating individual colour schemes, tailored to clients’ requirements.

The conversion of a west London former town hall to include residential accommodation features Crittall windows, carefully designed to preserve the building’s original character. The former Acton Town Hall, in Ealing London Borough, has been partly converted to provide a public library and leisure facilities but the Grade II listed structure also now contains a range of apartments. The building, which dates from 1909, was designed in an Italianate palazzo style, executed in locally made red bricks with Portland-stone dressings.  For the refurbishment and conversion the windows within the original building were replaced with Crittall Corporate W20 profiles.

Leeds Arts University completed a 5-year £22m building expansion with HERADESIGN® Sonic Element and Baffle Element, installed throughout the main entrance, library and the new group spaces to minimise noise disturbance.The design for the project meant all the mechanical services had to be exposed and the lighting integrated into the hanging canopies.Paul King of DLA Design Group said, "We chose HERADESIGN® because, aside of the acoustic performance, we liked the natural, raw wood wool. It’s a striking and versatile material and we were really impressed with how the individual panels could be matched to the chosen colour scheme.”

Planet used p100 demountable double-glazed screens for all the classroom frontages and set black laminated timber classroom doors, and for the offices, 30-minuet fire-rated glass doors into our white aluminium slimline door frames. P20 single-glazed demountable partitioning features in the library and sixth form, which includes a gap between each panel of glass, an aesthetic feature to complement the internal atrium glazing. Eclipse sliding doors were used throughout. Planet's Architectural Glass' in-house design team worked with Aedas to make sure the angled atrium glass was in line with the design intent.

We were called in by the client to look at supplying engineered wood flooring throughout the redevelopment and refurbishment of the Pavilion at Hampton Court.This prestigious private residence “The Pavilion at Hampton Court,” was the traditional summer residence of the royals, and is the only surviving example of four garden pavilions built by Sir Christopher Wren for William III between 1700 and 1702.The building is Grade II listed and we supplied our unfinished engineered wood flooring for the main areas of the house, and our engineered herringbone basketweave for the library. The fitters we recommend did all of the installation and finishing on site. We supplied our specialist flooring for wet areas in the swimming pool area.

Architect: BDP GlasgowInstaller: Linear ProjectsProduct: Shiluvit by Oranit375m2 of Shiluvit panels in 7-501A format and in PEFC Certified Yellow Pine with an Oak effect stain were installed to the ceilings of the mezzanine corridors in the central atrium at Marr College in Troon.Shiluvit panels were chosen in part for their ability to easily incorporate lighting and ventilation into the ceiling whilst also giving ease of access with the tip-and-tilt demountable design.The ceilings were installed to the new £37m wing which was added to the 1935 building, the new wing includes 8 state-of-the-art laboratory spaces and full professional kitchen suites as well as a library, refectory, and break-out social spaces.

The LNER Stadium is home to York Football Club and York Knights Rugby League team.The 8,500 capacity stadium was developed by main contractor, Buckingham Group in what was a £40 Million project and completed in 2020. The extensive stadium is now home to leisure and corporate meeting facilities as well as an NHS outpatient centre, library and a plethora of retail outlets in what is a massive boost to the local community. With the four year project now complete, the stadium should help bring elite sport to the York community and allow the football and rugby league teams to progress up the league tables and into the big time!Find out how ThermoFoam delivered spray foam insulation solutions to the thermal line of the brand new stand to create thermal performance for internally heated spaces.

Housing over 360 apartments, the Wembley Park redevelopment was a huge transformation of a long-neglected space around Wembley Stadium and turning it into a fresh, new part of London.By using Michelmersh’s Floren Polaris, the architect, Flanagan Lawrence was able to create eye-catching, monolithic facades that are easy to recognise from a distance. Chris Kallan of Flanagan Lawrence stated ‘This is a beautiful brick which has a hint of whiteness; because of that it changes colour subtly as the daylight changes to give the facades a real dynamism,’.The project was envisioned to be a multi-use area and regenerate the area into a vibrant, residential retail and entertainment area. First-floor podium gardens allow for playing space for children as well as areas designed to create community spaces for areas such as libraries and further gardens.

Kingston University was created as a way to transform the universities presence within the community and to foster a collaborative spirit between different disciplines with the construction of a modern library and performance space. The building is designed to feel open and calming with the idea of welcoming the community into the area with large, clear spaces allowing for appreciation of the collaborative spirit from the streets that overlook the project.Michelmersh’s Freshfield Lane First Quality Multi Bricks are used in colonnades that beautifully showcase the quality of the product and allow for space to be enforced amongst the 6 stories of the building. The value of social cohesion and the spirit of learning were captured through careful and dynamic design by Grafton architects, who are responsible for creating a space that marries together home, belonging and quiet contemplation.Kinston Universities “Town House” was recently awarded the RIBA Stirling award.

The City of Culture of Galicia is one of the most ambitious projects of contemporary architecture in Galicia . Architects Peter Eisenman and Antonio Marono work as a team on this project inspired by the historic center of Santiago de Compostela and the five pilgrimage routes of the famous Camino de Santiago . The complex brings together several buildings that will host museums, exhibition halls, libraries, government offices, co -creation spaces, and meeting rooms . The project has a common element : the large glazed surfaces on the façade, where Bandalux vertical and roller blinds act as a light blockers, providing greater privacy for users . Our products also protect efficiently from intense sunlight, filtering and regulating light according to the needs at any moment of the day . Polyscreen ® fabric is used for its antibacterial properties and easy cleaning . 

This Baycroft is a superb luxury 62 bed care home offering 24-hour personalised residential, nursing and dementia care, situated in the village of Great Baddow in the Borough of Essex. Its facilities include a cinema, dining rooms, an open café in the entrance foyer, a quiet room, large lounge areas, a physio room, a library, a hair salon, a spa treatment room, a gym, a craft room, and activity room, and landscaped gardens.Cellecta ScreedBoard 28 was specified for its versatility on all types of floor coverings, making it the ideal option for this project. It features interlocking edges for installation convenience, meaning no screws are required. This can help on site saving installation time.CastleOak Care Partnerships was awarded this 1,850m² contract to develop this care home in Chelmsford.

Stoneham Park is a primary academy that can place 315 children aged 4 to 11. Sponsored by the University of Winchester, the academy is set over two floors with 11 classrooms, group working rooms, library, multi-use games area and grassed play areas. All the while, it maintains stunning views of its historic deer park setting. Conceived as a lean, compact and energy efficient two-storey form, the building is modest in scale and future-proofed for expansion to the east.Cellecta’s ScreedBoard 28 was specified by Hampshire County Council due to its unrivalled acoustic performance, typically 5dB better than legislative requirements. The interlocking edges on our ScreedBoard 28 makes it easy to install.Morgan Sindall Construction was awarded this 600m² contract to construct this development within the Hampshire area.

Pure Design – Bolidtop 525 and Bolidtop 525 TFColour – S 3500 - N830m2Architect – HCC ArchitectsMain Contractor - Morgan SindallInstallation dates - 2018Hampshire County Council were building a new two storey block for this rapidly expanding secondary school. The project was to use modern and sustainable building materials, and Stratum were asked to provide a seamless resin floor to fit in with the scheme. With longevity and aesthetic both key attributes, Bolidtop 525 was selected as the ideal solution. The library, classrooms, reception rooms and circulation spaces were provided with our standard finish Bolidtop 525, and the WC’s and cleaners cupboards were installed with our Bolidtop 525TF to give a more positive slip resistance in the wet. An integrated 150mm skirting was also used in the wet areas to create a watertight detail and for ease of cleaning. Hampshire were keen to use the same product on the stairs, and we were able to provide an excellent solution with the addition of a proprietary nosing. The nosing was selected to provide adequate LRV differential with the resin, and also to give maximum slip resistance to the stair. Our joint free tread/rise detail created an aesthetically pleasing yet robust detail for both the main and escape stairs.  Challenge-      To select a single flooring solution that was suitable for multiple areas, including the library, classrooms, WC’s, circulation areas, office space and stairs.-      To carefully programme in the work with the main contractor to ensure that the building conditions are suitable (watertight/dry/correct ambient temp), and also that key programme dates are met to facilitate follow on works. -      Coordination with other trades.-      To enable flush electrical floor boxes to be seamlessly incorporated within the floor.Solution-      Bolidtop 525 is sound attenuating, making for an ideal solution for the library and teaching spaces alike. The addition of an anti-slip additive to the top coats means that wet areas can be seamlessly interlinked with dry areas, with a virtually indistinguishable difference in appearance. The stairs worked very well with the addition of a proprietary nosing installed flush with the finished resin. Collaboration with M&E to ensure the correct floor boxes are procured and installed at the correct level.-      Stratum worked closely with Morgan Sindall to ensure there was a successful phased install, navigating around the project whilst maintaining access to adjoining areas for other key trades.-      To arrange delivery of materials in ample time.-      To ensure deliveries were arranged for, and were unloaded outside of school drop off and pick-up times.  Benefits/Installation-      Hampshire County Council had worked with Stratum and used Bolidt products on several projects before, and therefore they knew they were getting a resin floor of the highest quality and installation service to match.Result-      A seamless and elegant floor throughout this very modern school building, with different solutions provided to suit different areas around the building. The longevity of the floor will be proven over time in this very highly trafficked environment. “James is a very collaborative person to work with. He spots problems in good time and tackles them in a positive way. James worked with the design team and main contractor on the installation. He has also provided excellent advice on maintenance to the users of the building.” Rebecca Galbraith | Senior Architect | HCC Architects

Aluminium curtain walling was used for the impressive glass extensions on the pre-existing Great Sankey Leisure Centre building in Warrington. As a part of a multiple-phase, £16 million development, the project transformed the site into a state-of-the-art leisure, health and culture facility.The transformational two-storey glass facade extension was built with 4300m2 of TECHNAL Visible Grid and Vertical Trame curtain walling at double height, incorporating glass and spandrel panels. Now known as the Great Sankey Neighborhood Hub, the centre plays host to a wealth of facilities including swimming pools, tennis courts, a sports hall, 3G football pitch, dance studios, cafe, spa, library and even a GP surgery. The entire site has been designed to be dementia friendly and over 700 locals were consulted over the plans to ensure that everyone's needs were met.

Gripsure supplied Premier non-slip decking for Audley Redwood retirement village in Bristol. The anti-slip timber decking was installed on 14 luxury retirement apartments to ensure the residents’ safety. The retirement village has been built to a high specification. It comprises of 106 apartments and 20 cottages. The 15-acre parkland also features a restaurant, library and health club for residents to enjoy. With unspoilt views of the surrounding greenery, the balconies, have been finished to a very high standard. They include decorative railings that complement the local Georgian architecture. Gripsure Premier non-slip decking combines a traditional grooved timber decking board with two anti-slip strips for a high slip resistance. This ensures the residents of Audley Retirement Village get the most out of their outdoor space all year round in a secure environment.

Auriens is a luxury retirement home for people over the age of 65 that provides 56 high-end one and two-bedroom apartments alongside health and leisure facilities. Echoing the classical Georgian architecture of the area, the build is subtly future proofed with on-site private healthcare and high-spec wellness amenities. These include a pool, spa, personal trainer, salon, speakeasy bar, cinema, top restaurant, sunken garden, and a library.Cellecta’s HiDECK Overlay 18 was specified by Studio PDP as the overlay flooring solution. It’s ideal for flooring applications incorporating an underflooring heating system due to its high thermal conductivity which provides rapid reaction times, saving on running costs. In addition, its high density makes it perfect for a variety of acoustic applications.Multiplex was awarded this 10,000m² contract to construct this retirement home on Dovehouse Street, Chelsea.

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

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

Redland Court is an exceptional landmark development of the former Redland High School, which was transformed into a collection of architecturally unique buildings to create 44 new 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments located in Bristol. Also, an exquisite duplex and townhouse over two floors with an open plan living area, additional mezzanine living space and roof terrace. Many of the original period features will be meticulously retained and restored, with the original Old School Hall and Library.Cellecta Mojave S2-8 was specified by KWL Architects for its high-performance underfloor heating system, it offers a dry and robust floor build-up from one source. XFLO-FF boards are manufactured to suit the pipe diameter and spacing required to achieve the desired thermal output.Juniper Homes were awarded this 600m² contract to develop this collection of architecturally unique buildings.

The Challenge To install an attractive retaining wall solution that complements the beautiful landscaping. Richmond Care Village in Evesham comprises of a 60-bed care home for nursing and dementia care, 46 assisted living suites and 61 independent living apartments. The development is designed within the Richmond Care Villages model of luxury retirement accommodation and includes facilities such as a bar, restaurants, library, wellness spa with pool and gym all set in beautifully landscaped grounds. This luxury retirement village needed a retaining wall with considerable aesthetic appeal. The landscape design was carefully formulated to make a major commitment to the restoration and conservation of the landscape on the original Wood Norton estate. Groundworker R O’Donaghey was tasked with proposing a retention solution that could facilitate curves, corners, stepping down and railings. The project team had considered Gabion Baskets but decided that they would detract from the beautiful surrounding landscaping.

Kestrel Court is a bespoke development of nine apartments, comprising of one 3 bedroom and eight 2 bedroom high specification properties. Offering tree lined views, off street parking and private gardens, the development is nestled near Ewell Village, granting easy access to shops and restaurants. Its prime location provides A3 access to the M25 and trains to London. Also nearby is Bourne Hall, which features a library, theatre, museum, and various amenities, and Nonsuch Park, an English Heritage-listed historic park.Cellecta’s DECKfon Batten 70 was specified by 1929 Architects as they have been rigorously tested and are Robust Detail complaint for steel, concrete and timber separating floor applications. The battens consist of a layer of recycled, low resonance, open cell, flexible polyurethane foam bonded to an FSC/PEFC certified timber batten.Turnbull Homes were supplied 500m² of Cellecta products for this development in Epsom.

Multi-level stainless steel sinks and worktops, from GEC Anderson, have been installed in the new activity and education space within the renovated Beaney Centre in Canterbury in order to provide an inclusive washing area for all ages and abilities.The Beaney Centre has been home to one of Canterburys main museums and its library since 1899, and is a focus for cultural and heritage activities. This major refurbishment project has restored and enlarged an important heritage building, providing a fully accessible and attractive facility for visitors and the local community.The specification for stainless steel was a result of discussions with the client, Canterbury County Council, in which it was clear that a high quality and durable surface was needed for the education space which, with a full programme of activities lined up, would be in constant use.Architect Paul Martin from Sidell Gibson said “We have had good experience with using GECA for their bespoke surfaces and were therefore happy to specify them again.”

The VELUX Daylight Visualizer enlightens a new-build school academyA new school building project was commissioned with a clear design vision—deliver an exceptional learning facility to best serve pupils and the community.The school design is a steel-framed superblock with a compacted floorplate and accommodating spaces spread over four floors. In the main building, classrooms benefit from daylight provided through vertical glazing. Larger communal spaces such as the main hall, internal corridors, a dining room, and drama studio can be found in the heart of the building. Daylight in these communal spaces is provided through the roof.  Activity spaces such as the sports hall, a gym and library required specific daylight levels to comply with the Department for Education (DfE) output specification requirements. Deep-plan, central locations also required a calculated daylight design, prompting Pozzoni Architects to invite VELUX Commercial to collaborate on the project and assist with the evaluation of daylight provision.To read more about this case study and how understanding daylight analysis simplifies complex design goals, visit our website.

Designed by Shawn Hausman Design this hotel features a retro interior style which some may call kitschy or ‘hippie’ style. But there’s no doubt that this hotel is unlike any other, bursting at the seams with bright, vibrant colours and minimalist furniture and décor reflecting a somewhat 70’s glam style. While the interior might not be everyone’s cup of tea, the exterior is quite a sight to behold. With its brutalist-style architecture, it draws on the curved windows that cover the building as the main focus of the design. Originally built in 1974 as an office block and public library Orms were responsible for retaining this stark exterior. The hotel was heightened by a glass extension across the top of the building that holds a restaurant and club.Perhaps the coolest feature of the hotel, the red pill lift. A single external red pod, contrasting vividly with the plain white concrete frame, that transports its guests to all the 266 rooms and the rooftop bars.Selo provided simple, sleek riser doors that fit in perfectly with this modern look, and allow the eye to be drawn to the more important design features of the interior.

Several disciplines are going to be joining forces under one roof in the future university centre for dentistry (UZB) in Basel. A centre of dentistry competence ranging from basic care to research and teaching is being built. Every year, dentists, dental and preventive care assistants and dental hygienists will be administering more than 80,000 treatments in the 5-storey building.The staircases were a key area of focus on this project, both for architectural reasons and in light of the strict sound insulation requirements. All staircases and landings have a bare architectural concrete finish. Compliance with the requirement of an impact sound level delta ΔLn,w* of 28 dB was mandatory in order to protect the quiet areas (e.g. treatment rooms, lecture halls, library, etc.) from distracting noise.Products from the Schöck Tronsole® range have been implemented for acoustic insulation. These impact sound insulation products enable a structural connection of the staircases and landings with no acoustic bridges whatsoever. Correct planning and installation of Schöck Tronsole® in a system results in a blue line visible at the treated areas. It is the mark of quality for reliable impact sound insulation and acoustic bridge-free installation.

Members-only club in London’s Covent Garden, The Conduit Workspace focuses on sustainability and ethical hospitality, encouraging creativity and collaboration.Featuring relaxed working and dining spaces as well as event space, a library, and rooftop bar and restaurant, it spans across six floors offering everything needed to connect its members.The brand new rooftop terrace was created in partnership with the House of Champagne, Ruinart, with the goal to place nature at the heart. The rooftop features plants chosen specifically for pollination as well as upcycled and recycled furniture and art.To complete the rooftop extension, designer, Alice Crispi, approached us after seeing our RailRoad seating range - she wanted a continuous wavy modular solution that would also accommodate large planter pots within the curved sections. A 15m RailRoad Delta seat with a continuous backrest was delivered in modules making it easily transported to the roof terrace. A UVP protective coating in teak was also applied over the timber slats to maintain the wood’s colouration.Surrounded by greenery, members can relax and enjoy stunning views across London from the rooftop terrace.

Rawson Carpet Solutions Felkirk Polypropylene carpet tiles have been installed at the Idsall school Independent Academy in Shropshire, a thriving and highly successful school that believes every student can reach their potential. J Daniel Flooring have installed carefully chosen carpet tile colours to match with the school logo and branding which has provided a great new aesthetic to the refurbished rooms, including the library, corridors, sixth form centre and various teaching rooms.Rawson Carpet solutions provide a broad range of designer and durable contract carpet tiles to suit any design or budget aspiration. Felkirk Carpet Tiles in colours ‘Blackout’ with random Tiles in ‘Turf’ complement the schools branding colours. The entrance matting is Rawson’s primary entrance solution, ‘Dominator’ entrance tiles in colour ‘Anthracite’.Felkirk Carpet Tiles by Rawson Carpet Solutions are a popular choice nationally for Education Carpet solutions as there is a proven durability and reliability in the product after so many years of successful historical use. The Tiles, specifically engineered for the workplace and learning sectors, have class 33 heavy contract rating and offer castor chair suitability.

University of the West of Scotland, Lanarkshire CampusArchitect: Graven Architects, Glasgow
Installer: Elmwood Ltd
Product: Gustafs Acoustic Panel and Linear Rib SystemsBoth Gustafs Linear Ribs and a bespoke Gustafs Acoustic Panel system solution were installed to the new £110m Lanarkshire campus of the University of the West of Scotland.The ultra-modern eco-campus is powered using 100% sustainable energy houses facilities for students including the Students Union, library, computer facilities, and exhibition, lecture and meeting spaces which are available for use by local businesses as well as students.
Gustafs Linear Ribs in natural Birch veneer clad 2 facing 12m high feature walls; the co-ordinating seating areas and integrated TV screens help to integrate the acoustic solution with the collaborative social and study space.The main feature wall in the Welcome Hub is a 3 storey high bespoke concertina wall of RAL 6021 painted and PH10 perforated panels; Gustafs, LSA, and the installer worked to create an elegant installation solution using custom panel edges and solid wood elements to create the zig-zag wall. 

Mono M311 Glass Infill Top FixMono M351 No Infill Top FixOrbis OS200 Vertical Bar Infill Side FixPart of a £71 million scheme to construct three new academy schools in the area, Oldham Academy North was designed by Manchester-based architects, Aedas and constructed by Willmott Dixon.The school features a striking glass frontage for the triple height atrium reception with a brick clad teaching block to one side and a vibrant purple frontage to the other. The feeling of light and space created by the school’s two atriums is carried through by HiBuild coated Mono system balustrades with stainless steel handrails. These enable the creation of safe viewing galleries/walkways, overlooking the open plan library mezzanine and the central ‘Agora’ theatre space.The same system was used to create the handrails for the school’s six staircases, maximising natural light and enhancing transparency as students and staff move around the building. Delta Balustrades worked collaboratively with the design team to ensure that the balustrades and handrails not only meet the aesthetic requirements for the scheme but that the fixing detail for the atriums fully comply with loading requirements.

Leeds University required a New Permanent Exhibition Gallery, and a Changing Exhibits Gallery, both of which would be supplemented with a Public Engagement Seminar Gallery in the University’s iconic Parkinson Building, which fronts onto Woodhouse Lane. Each of these galleries are susceptible to dramatically increased reverberation and echo noise problems once they start filling up with visitors, so a sound absorption solution was investigated and proposed by the Architect. The solution specified was a monolithic suspended raft ceiling rather than fabric wall panels or hanging.Soundis supplied and UK Acoustic Systems installed convex and concave Absorb-R GypLine αw. Absorb-R GypLine αw provided a coverage of 130 sq metres, offering high levels of sound absorption to each gallery, but also more importantly left the walls clear of panels and the ceilings without visible acoustic baffles, providing virtually seamless surfaces. This system was perfectly suited for the Treasures Gallery as it was able to provide an aesthetic finish and solution to improve the experience of the visitors in the galleries.“Vice-Chancellor Sir Alan Langlands said: “We are incredibly proud of our Library with its Special Collections of international importance which have been built up over the past century.”

Penrhyn Heather Blue slates from Welsh Slate feature on Lincoln’s Inn’s Great Hall. One of London’s most unique buildings is enjoying a new lease of life, thanks to Welsh Slate. The Great Hall and Library Buildings of The Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn, an association of students, barristers and judges and one of the four Inns of Court, have over the past two years undergone an extensive programme of external conservation carried out by expert stone masons Capital Stone.  The programme of work includes replacement of the Great Hall’s slate roof covering. Work is still ongoing, with anticipated overall completion in April/May this year, but the work to the Great Hall roof is complete, as is the striking of the temporary roof covering which brings the new roof into view.  The Great Hall and Library Buildings were constructed from 1843 to 1845. The Great Hall roof was originally covered with lead but was recovered in 1868 with slate. From 1871 to 1873 the Library was extended eastwards by three bays. The building is an important example of 19th Century Gothic Revival architecture and has been listed Grade II* since 1951.  After 154 years, the slates on the roof of the Great Hall required replacing to protect the interior, including a striking fresco and beautifully worked oak. The slates were suffering from surface delamination and a large proportion had slipped due to nail rot, requiring tingles to hold them in place. The existing slates were found to originate from both the Ordovician and Cambrian deposits of North Wales – the former predominately on the eastern elevation and the latter on the western. The large Ordovician slates, typically 850mm long and between 350mm and 500mm wide (and laid to a fixed gauge of approximately 350mm which equates to a head lap of approximately 100mm), originated from what is now Welsh Slate’s Ffestiniog quarry, which is currently mothballed, while the other quarries producing these no longer operate. The Cambrian slates from the Llanberis region, as well as Bethesda where Welsh Slate’s main quarry is based, were even larger, at 850mm long and wider than 450mm, laid to the same gauge. Both slate types were fixed to timber battens on open timber rafters, with the underside torched with horsehair and lime plaster. These were replaced for the closest Welsh slate match – Welsh Slate’s County-grade Penrhyn Heather Blues, at 800mm long, widths of between 400mm and 550mm, and a 350mm gauge and 100mm head lap. These are guaranteed for 100 years, with a useful life of 150 years. While the roof is generally simple in form, with two large slopes, its substantial size at circa 800m2 meant the work took considerable time to complete. To allow for more than a dozen dormers the Welsh Slate had to be cut and fitted to size with double copper clout nails. The thickest slates were used on the eaves, diminishing towards the ridge to maintain the original visual finish. They were also holed from the rear to provide a slight countersink to the face. The Great Hall operates by day as a dining hall for members of the Inn, and by night, as a venue for dinners, receptions and weddings for up to 400 people. Set in 11 acres of beautiful grounds in Holborn, Central London, it is the closest Inn to the Royal Courts of Justice. Henry Skinner, Head of Projects and Facilities Management at The Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn, said: “The replacement of the roof covering was far from straightforward, despite its externally simplistic construction. During stripping of the existing roof covering, we had to deal with atmospheric lead contamination of a horsehair felt that sat between the original slates and close boarding, requiring controlled measures of removal and disposal.  “Furthermore, the close boarding had warped over time, causing an undulation between roof trusses that needed to be spaced out. This was achieved through the introduction of additional battens and packing timbers to create a level surface onto which the new slate could be laid.” Casey Wickers, trainee quantity surveyor with Capital Stone Renovation, said: “The main work of stripping the existing roof was extremely challenging and labour intensive, to not only remove, wash and handle each slate manually through a tight scaffolding design, but also doing so whilst wearing full RPE due to the lead contamination. “With the two stunning roof facades in full view, the quality of the Welsh slates can be seen by all.

Belle Vue is a 5,700 square metre retirement community of 60 one and two-bedroom apartments in Hampstead, designed by Morris+Company. It’s surrounded by carefully landscaped gardens and manicured courts, with which it offers a communal environment for its residents.Inside the feeling of community is continued with a restaurant, cafe, library, spa, gym, lounges and activity rooms. All are thoughtfully considered to ensure the residents are catered for in all ways. Journeys throughout the project are open to communal areas as well for further social considerations.Due to Belle Vue’s surroundings, Floren.be’s Avorio brick was used to retain a similar, but a visually distinct homage to the brick structures in the multiple local conservation areas. The lightness and fluctuating tonality of the red Avorio allows the building to appear as light and airy externally as it is inside, due to its large windows, open plan layouts and community spaces.With a clientele whose average age is around 77, it’s insightful that Pegasus Life Pegasus Lifestory chose to hire from architectural practices who had no previous experience in the retirement sector. Modern sentiments are clearly visible throughout, but care and consideration are shown to its inhabitants where a calm environment is melded with the benefits of inner-city living.Belle Vue was recently shortlisted for the 2022 RIBA London awards.

News that The Curve in Slough has won an LABC award in the “Best Public Building” category, has delighted Metalline who supplied a wide range of architectural aluminium fabrications on the project. At the heart of a £450m regeneration scheme, The Curve is Sloughʼs premier cultural centre. Now complete, it houses a new library, café, museum, performance venue and learning rooms. The iconic project features a bespoke cladding system curved on plan and in section. The complex geometry involved to the North, East and West elevations meant that Metalline were involved from an early stage with contractors Colorminium, who took responsibility for the detailed design and delivery of the full building envelope. Once Colorminium had specified their requirements for the project to Metalline, the architectural aluminium was supplied promptly and to the exact measurements and detailing. The bespoke cladding system features a range of Metallineʼs curved and straight fascia panels, Secret Fix soffits and curved Secret Fix hook on Unity rainscreen panels complete with welded studs to the rear and curved carrier system. All panels and soffits were finished in a polyester powder coated RAL 9006 metallic silver finish to give the building a modern and high quality appeal. Metallineʼs aluminium rainscreen cladding now has CWCT certification which has provided architects and specifiers with limitless possibilities for their projects enabling them to use unique and elegant rainscreen designs.

High quality Anicius facing bricks from manufacturer, Vandersanden, are a key ingredient in the success of the new home of the City, University of London’s Law School designed by award-winning global practice, WilkinsonEyre.This impressive WilkinsonEyre scheme has retained two of the site’s existing buildings and integrated these with two distinct new-build blocks that form a corner at Sebastian Street and Goswell Road in London EC1 to create a new 7,240m2 City Law School Building.The new facility provides high quality academic space to support the University’s strategic plans, while, at the same time, creating a sense of community and place on a site that has previously been under-utilised.The scheme is conceived as a series of united blocks and includes two retained 1920s light industrial buildings arranged around a central atrium space. At the corner of Sebastian Street and Goswell Road, a striking seven storey glazed tower employs an innovative ventilated double-skin with patterned interlayers to control temperature and glare. The four blocks each retain their distinct, individual character yet function as one coherent building.As well as bringing all law students together under one roof, the new building will boast several innovative features, including a mock court room; and dynamic social spaces that encourage creativity and interactive learning, alongside the law school library, which is given an added sense of presence by the continuation of the brick detailing, internally.The building will also house a legal clinic, where students will be able to put their learning into practice by advising real people on real legal issues. The attractive features extend to the outside with a relaxing outdoor space.The form of the building negotiates between the scale of the Georgian residential streets and the larger more varied grain of Goswell Road, a key arterial road into the City of London.The choice of brick to help manage this blended transition between the new development and existing buildings was, therefore, significant with the Anicius brick from Vandersanden, successfully meeting WilkinsonEyre’s design ambitions.Its attractive colour hues and texture met the requirement of the architect’s CGI visualisation that had been approved by the planners and the Conservation Officer, the building being on the edge of the Northampton Square conservation area, and the brick was specified on review of a large sample panel supplied by Vandersanden.Anicius is a hand-formed, multi-coloured brick from Vandersanden with a sanded-coated and creased structure. The base colour is a warm brown which is muted by subtle tones of white, grey and ochre, achieved through the use of specific sand types in the brick’s surface covering.A total of 210,000 bricks have been used by contractors BAM to create the external walls of the new City Law School Building and meet the desired characterful aesthetic.The choice of the Vandersanden Anicius brick for this project was the result of much research into finding a brick with the desired aesthetics, which would also meet the technical requirements, including the detailing around the chamfered reveals of the library windows. In the end, this brick was a unanimous choice amongst those involved in the decision-making process.To find out more about the bricks used in this project or to see the wide range of high-quality bricks available from Vandersanden, click on the 'View more' link 

Forming an important part of a £200m redevelopment, the flagship three building Llys Cadwyn (Chain Court) mixed-use riverside development encompasses office and retail units alongside a state-of-the-art library, café, leisure fitness and community facilities in the heart of Pontypridd. Owner client, Rhondda Cynon Taff County Borough Council, awarded the design of this eye-catching project to Darnton B3 Architects, who have worked with Willmott Dixon since 2018, to bring the innovative, ambitious £38m scheme to fruition. Around 9500m2 of Rockfon acoustic ceiling and wall systems are installed throughout the three building scheme to add a wow factor and help create healthy interiors where people can work, visit, study, socialise and relax. Architecture that looks and feels good The facades of two of the buildings are glazed, with those facing the riverside designed with sun-deflecting vertical fins in a mix of warm primary colours from yellow through to orange and red – adding a positive, contemporary accent. The third building sits in contrast to the others with its organic, aardvark curved outer shell clad completely in shimmering zinc tiles, reminiscent of the futuristic Bullring in Birmingham and the Guggenheim in Bilbao. The twin buildings required high levels of sound absorption due to the predominantly open-plan office interiors on their upper floors. Independent research shows that stress levels are reduced by 27% and focus is increased by 48% by improved acoustics in these environments. The high light reflectance offered by our ceiling systems optimises natural light, aiding wellbeing and helping provide the best working conditions whilst minimising energy usage and costs. Ensuring the desired Shhh In the Library, sound control was an obvious specification requirement. Happily, Rockfon ranges - including Rockfon® Universal™ Baffles - offer acoustic performance which deliver the desired Shh. Elsewhere in the café, gym and community spaces, our products are tough enough to deal with the impact of heavy use. Darnton B3 Project Architect, Martin Hurley, “I met with our client to discuss the acoustics in a large atria which sits between the children’s, and general reference libraries. We agreed to create a feature art wall using a selection of colours influenced by the council’s own corporate identity. The completed design works really well, delivering the visual impact and sound control we desired. Rockfon Eclipse® wall panels were used to create the stylish art wall, featuring dark greys, purples, turquoise, teal, lime and orange which were NCS-matched. Eclipse can be specified in a variety of shaped formats with a clean minimalistic A-edge and unlimited custom colour matching. Quick and easy to install, the fixing kit allows panels to be set at varying distances from the wall to enhance creative possibilities. Delivering the dream Tonypandy-based M&P Group, were responsible for the installation. The firm’s Andrew Pearce commented, “Co-ordinating the process of installation across three buildings within a tight, riverside, city-centre site presented particular challenges. It was vital the supply line remained on schedule, with deliveries on-time and in good order – something the Rockfon team helped ensure. In fact, the project came together well and everyone is very pleased with the completed job.” Nevill Long Area Sales Manager, Mike Parkin, “This was a technically and aesthetically interesting project to be involved with. It was a pleasure to work with Rockfon to ensure the correct materials were delivered on time and in full.” Great performance and fabulous looks Rockfon Specification Manager Rowan Green, “It was really beneficial to be part of the design specification process for this landmark build from an early stage. A guiding requirement was to achieve the least visible grid, using a selection of Rockfon ranges to create aesthetically pleasing results with high levels of sound absorption. In addition to the Eclipse feature wall, versatile, technologically advanced Rockfon Blanka® was installed throughout the three buildings, with specialised Blanka Bas utilised in meeting rooms to promote speech intelligibility. Rockfon® Koral™ was used exclusively within washrooms and lobbies.” The Rockfon Blanka range offers a wide choice of alternatives for installation and usage. All embody Class A sound absorption (aw 1.00), 87% light reflection and >99% light diffusion and room to room sound Insulation >26dB. Blanka’s easy clean, anti-static surface prolongs product life and is non-directional, which speeds up installation, saving time and money. Within the futuristic building, an arrangement of elegant, circular, Rockfon Eclipse islands, in white, are hung from ceiling wires, creating the illusion they are floating in mid-air. In common with other Rockfon ranges, Rockfon Koral offers excellent sound absorption and the highest fire safety characteristics. It is easy to clean with a vacuum or a damp cloth and is available in semi-concealed and visible grid options.

Aylesbury Estate, in South London, has become one of the most significant urban renewal projects in London. There is a new public square at the heart of the regeneration, featuring two separate blocks, from four to fifteen storeys which provide a Community Facility, Public Library, Community Health Care facility and an Early Years Centre.  The sustainability strategy in place for Aylesbury Square is to ‘create a place which meets or exceeds the highest quality standards for a development in London’ – and as the wall connection to the floor or floor slab can be a serious source of linear thermal bridges – the inclusion of the dedicated new Sconnex® type W is a critical addition to the design detailing.  Around 40% of all thermal bridges in a building are caused by walls and supports, resulting in some 10% of heating energy losses. With reinforced concrete construction, minimising linear thermal bridges in these areas has undoubtedly been a perennial problem.  However, the unique new Sconnex® type W offers outstanding insulation performance, combined with an exceptional load-bearing capacity which transmits very high pressure, tensile and shear forces in the longitudinal and transverse direction.  This is made possible by the use of a pressure buffer consisting of ultra-high performance fibre reinforced concrete, which achieves compressive strength in excess of 175 N/mm2 – but with extremely good flexural strength as well.  There is also a significant cost reduction involved when compared to installing insulation beneath the floor slab.