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Automatic Systems was asked by Aspex UK Limited to work with them on a project they had won at the head office of Riverside Group.Riverside is a group of complementary businesses driven by a clear social purpose, with a charitable housing association at its core.Established over 90 years ago, they have grown to become a major provider of affordable housing, care and support services in England and Scotland, with almost 56,000 homes in management. Operating at scale and across 160 local authorities, their vision is to transform the lives of the 90,000+ people they house and revitalise the neighbourhoods in which they live.RiversideGroup approached Aspex as a result of Covid to help secure and control the access of their head quarter building.SOLUTIONWith the help of Automatic Systems Aspex came up with a solution that fulfilled their criteria. This included the installation of the newly launched Firstlane and AccessLane.WORK TIMEFRAMEHaving worked with Aspex on a number of previous projects Automatic Systems were the preferred supplier when the contract was won in December 2020. Works took a week to complete as allocated in February this year.FUTURE WORKAutomatic Systems looks forward to working with Aspex on future projects.

Berry Systems completed works on behalf of our client, Bowmer & Kirkland, to deliver effective bespoke edge protection. We also installed rubber column protection and specialised bridge walkway pedestrian barrier to meet their specification requirements.The Porter Building houses 110, 625 square feet of office space for companies to utilise. It is conveniently situated in Slough with excellent transport links to key areas in London and the surrounding cities. The building itself has 100 car parking spaces and 100 bicycle parking spaces for employees and visitors to use. We were tasked with installing edge protection and vehicle restraint systems in the building to ensure both vehicle and pedestrian safety.The system installed was a perforated aluminium edge protection combined with buffer baseplates and mullion attached. This was designed in house by our design team to combine the two products delivering a compliant system meeting BS EN 1991-1-1 standards. Our team also designed the specialised bridge walkway pedestrian barrier to increase pedestrian safety on site. This particular project demonstrates our ability to design VRS solutions bespoke and being able to accommodate additional client requirements. In all of our projects, we work with our client to ensure that safety is the ultimate priority and the necessary industry standards are met.

Schlüter-Systems have become part of a historic refurbishment which will see the grand Chancery Court Hotel, London, a 1914 Edwardian heritage property, revamped with elegant and contemporary bathroom suites.

Beechview Drive is a development by MD Constructions Ltd consisting of 8 brand new, luxury detached family houses set in a secure gated development. Each comprising 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, stunning kitchen diners and integral double garages. Licata Building Systems supplied full silicone render systems and clay brick slips systems for the facades of the houses. The combination of the two finishes created a modern style to the development. Full Licata waterproofing systems were used in the bathrooms of the properties and were also finished of with high quality premium Italian porcelain tiles supplied by Licata.

Working with Epwin Window Systems on any project can be like a breath of fresh air. Putting it simply, our experience & expertise in commercial projects counts. We’ll save you time & money, we’ll always work for the best overall outcome. We know that you’re the construction experts. Our job isn’t to tell you what to do. It’s to help you do what you do best, more economically & more efficiently. Simplifying the task of installation, reduce site damage & cut down on survey times while delivering the right windows & doors for all your projects. Call us.

Client: University of Brighton Consultant: Stripe Main Contractor: Keir Construction Specialist Contractor Thelwell Flooring Main Products Used: Emseal DSM SystemThis new multi-storey car park for the University of Brighton is part of a major redevelopment of the former Preston Barracks site in the City. There are 550 parking spaces on 7 floors, including 55 EV charging bays, plus there is a PV array on the roof with the power stored in batteries on the ground floor, which also includes 330 cycle parking spaces. The car park design uses a Vertical Circulation Module (VCM) that provides a more efficient solution for confined sites, as this contains no external ramps and traffic circulation is via slopes within the floors themselves. This creates more parking spaces in the steel framed structure in the centre, with two lift and stair cores positioned at each end. This design also made it possible to locate the necessary structural expansion joints transversely between these 3 parts of the structure and away from major traffic impact areas. The engineers specified these joints to be a nominal 40mm wide to accommodate a high movement capability of up to +/- 50% (i.e. total 100%), as they knew these could be quickly, securely, and durably sealed using the Emseal DSM System. This also saves time on site as it is installed from above, allowing other trades to continue working below, plus as it is bonded into position, there is no potentially damaging drilling for mechanical fixings.

Berry Systems supplied and installed Internal and external vehicle safety barriers at new Aggreko, Dumbarton plant to protect; doorways, walkways, columns, site and equipment.Aggreko PLC, the world leader in the field of power and temperature control rental, has become the first company in the UK to have Berry Systems’ new Stopbollards installed at its new 170,000 sq ft Dumbarton facility.The many, internal and external vehicle doorways at the brand new Dumbarton site were identified very quickly as needing special protection. Glasgow architects Bradford Robertson considered a number of options before concluding with main contractors, Morgan Sindall, that our SlowStop bollards would prove a cost effective solution. During a collision, the kinetic energy of the impact is progressively absorbed as the post tilts, compressing an elastomeric sleeve within the base. The post is able to tilt from its vertical position to an angle of 20 before it locks within the base. After the impact the post will return back to its vertical position, ready to perform once again. A total of 104 SlowStop bollards were installed at Dumbarton, along with a variety of other products from our range.https://berrysystems.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Berry-Case-Study-Aggreko-Dumbarton.pdf

A popular brewery brand recently expanded its headquarters to support the increase in demand of its craft beer range. John Lord Flooring were approached to specify the resin flooring and Aspen Stainless steel products were utilised for the drainage system. The Uragard-HT62W antimicrobial resin flooring was an ideal solution for the project due to its durability, chemical resistance and anti-slip properties. The floors and drains worked hand in hand to distribute waste water into the central drainage channel within the processing area.Aspen Stainless Davos Plus drain channels were installed to cope with the high level of waste demand within the brewery. The channel profile was carefully designed to provide an easy to clean surface with a self-draining slope feature. The strictest level of hygiene standards are required within food and drink facilities due to the build-up of bacteria and possible cross contamination of liquids.   It's essential the drainage is perfectly compatible with the flooring to ensure a seamless connection and high performance. This partnership with John Lord supports optimum performance compatibility by preventing the elevation of floor plates that can compromise hygienic performance.The drain channels are designed in compliance with EHEDG (European Hygienic Engineering & Design Group) to support safe hygienic engineering in food manufacture. The EHEDG states ‘product contact surfaces must be easy to clean, non-absorbent and not present a toxicological hazard by leaching of substances and foodstuffs’ the cleanability of the drainage is also an important hygiene requirement as stated in the EHEDG ‘Improperly or insufficiently cleaned equipment cannot be effectively disinfected’ A perfectly fitted drainage system will have a positive impact on boosting the hygienic performance of the entire facility. This includes employee health & safety, operational costs as well as consumer safety. The dedicated project managers worked closely with the contractor during the installation process to ensure the highest standards for drainage and protection were achieved. If you have any questions regarding our drainage solutions, please email aspen@canalengineering.co.uk or visit our site and speak to one of our technical advisors for more information. 

A selection of our high-performance aluminium fenestration solutions has been used for this new café and drive-thru at a popular shopping destination in Wales.The new Starbucks at Parc Pemberton Retail Park has been designed by G1 Architects and built by Trojan Construction, with the aluminium fenestration package skilfully delivered by specialist contractor Sherwood Aluminium Systems.The project features both our cost-effective SCW aluminium curtain walling and our robust SFG shop front glazing system, which are both ideally suited for use in the retail sector as they combine slim sightlines with a robust and durable construction. Our curtain wall system has been used to create a bright and airy interior in the café, and the SFG system has been integrated with our SD aluminium doors to provide safe access at the entrance and exit. Our SD aluminium commercial doors have also been used on the drive-thru building, with the powder-coated aluminium frames perfectly complementing the use of timber cladding and grey façade design.The new Starbucks outlet has benefited from both Trojan Construction and Sherwood Aluminium Systems’ extensive experience undertaking similar schemes for the retailer across the UK, with Sherwood Aluminium Systems named as a preferred supplier for Starbucks.

The Skyper building complex in Frankfurt am Main boasts a very special architecture. The three-part complex – consisting of the 153.8-metre Skyper high-rise with 39 floors, the neoclassical Skyper Villa from 1915 and the Skyper Carrée – offers a total of 53,900 m2 of office space for numerous companies and banks. When the existing single access entry systems were dismantled in the summer of 2020 as part of renovation work on the foyer, the owner opted for a new, modern solution that would blend in perfectly with the architecture of the skyscraper. Every day, large numbers of people go the foyer to get to their workplace. Numerous visitors also pass through this area. This called for a solution combining functionality, safety and an appealing design.

The award winning National Waterfront Museum required an access solution to provide quick, easy and safe access to concealed under floor mechanical and electrical equipment. Howe Green’s 7500 Series floor access covers were purpose designed for installation throughout the museum. They run across the reception areas, displays and exhibits. Slim line aluminium show edges present clean and crisp geometry within the many different types of floor covering used throughout the building. The access covers provide a heavy duty and tamper resistant, aesthetically pleasing access solution for the highly trafficked pedestrian area.

Berry Systems supplied and installed perimeter and ramp barriers for new multi-storey car park incorporating very thin  concrete decks.A revised design for the new Heathrow Terminal 2 multi-storey car park called for a floor depth of just 150mm comprising a 60mm deep slab with 90mm structural topping. However, and there’s always a however, a traditional rigid safety barrier post needs fixing with 4 bolts each to a depth of 170mm. Obviously these couldn’t be used,so contractors Laing O’Rourke turned to barrier specialists Berry Systems to provide a solution and appropriate perimeter barriers for the 6 decks and the spiral entrance and exit ramps.Over many years Berry Systems have developed a range of flexible spring steel barriers that ‘give’ on impact. This not only reduces damage to both the barrier and an impacting vehicle but crucially reduces the pull out loading on the anchorage by 50% or more. This in turn allows post fixing to be achieved by using only a single bolt embedded to a depth of merely 110mm - a depth achievable into the new slabs.The specification was completed with Berry Beam safety rails to provide a more attractive appearance than the well known “Armco” style. Post extensions provided mountings for a pedestrian handrail at 1100mm high with integral anti-climb mesh where needed.The thin slabs were developed by Bison Manufacturing and are the thinnest precast concrete planks produced to date in the UK. They led to many benefits which considerably reduced the construction programme. It also allowed 6 floors in the usual height of 5, increasing capacity to 1340 spaces. But perimeter protection would have proved problematical without the expertise of Berry Systems.

The Project New building built under the Governments flagship Priority School Building Plan.Demolition of KS1 accommodation and construction of replacement building.Dudley council received a grant of more than £2.5 million from the Education Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) for the work.  The Challenge All works to being undertaken in a live working educational environment, which places additional demands on the need for the highest health and safety standards on site. Modify vanity units to include for wall panelling to protect the painted walls from splashes from the sinks.  The SolutionEnsure Excelsior fitting teams have all necessary checks in place such a DBS for site works.Soldi Grade Laminate used through the scheme. Harlequin cubicles with profiled doors and partitions are an industry favourite for KS1 student.Wall panelling used above the wash basins to aid cleaning and maintenance and prolong the life of the wall finishings.SpecificationProduct Range: Harlequin Mariner SGLDoors: 12mm Solid Grade Laminate, Polyrey, Pomme Verte, P092Pilaster: 1960mm Overall Height including 150mm Floor ClearancePartition: 12mm Solid Grade Laminate, Polyrey, Pomme Verte, P092Ironmongery: SBAA

Eagle have completed another successful installation for Cala Homes at Sandy Lane Cobham. The installation consisted of 2 sets of electric gates and intercom system to the houses. Compliance with latest directives is essential so these gates were force tested and issued with a declaration of conformity. Eagle support all installations and are able to offer a 24hour emergency call out to offer peace of mind in the unlikely event something should go wrong. In the event of power failure all systems can be manually overridden. All systems are supported with CAD drawings and cabling requirements for intercoms and access control

A new ferry terminal on Brodick Bay, created as a tourism and community gateway to the Scottish Isle of Arran, has been fitted from stem to stern with door and window systems supplied by GEZE.Maritime design and modern comfortThe ship-shaped terminal, designed by the renowned architectural firm Norr of Glasgow, is part of a £30 million investment which aims to update the harbour, get it ready for 21st century travel, and improve passenger comfort.Natural ventilation thanks to automated windowsThe generously sized lounge with its double height and large wall of windows on the western façade offers visitors a breathtaking view of Brodick Bay. The large windows, which are automatically opened and closed by 30 GEZE Slimchain chain drives, give the reception area at the main entrance to the building a bright and spacious feel. The uniquely slim and understated look of the Slimchain window drives integrates perfectly into the unique façade design of the Brodick ferry terminal.The Slimchain window drives were installed not only on the large windows in the lounge, but rather throughout the entire two-storey building – with the exception of the upper ventilation openings: Powerchain chain drives are used there. These especially powerful window drives were chosen to operate the larger windows, since they allow for large opening widths – which is important for quickly venting smoke in case of a fire.The window drives are connected to a GEZE MBZ 300 SHEV control panel for smoke and heat extraction drives, which is integrated into the building management system of the terminal. This makes it possible to easily control and monitor the complex natural ventilation system.Ventilation, smoke and heat extraction, and emergency exit protectionThe windows in the staircases are also equipped with Slimchain chain drives. If needed, the window systems also allow for natural smoke and heat extraction: In case of smoke and heat, the smoke extraction solutions open the windows and control fresh air openings, so that lifesaving escape routes remain smoke-free and safe to use in case of an emergency. In addition, GEZE OL Line manual fanlight openers provide supplementary natural ventilation.Door systems for accessible fire protection doorsBeneath the glazed western elevation are two automatic swing doors to either side. These are powered by GEZE Slimdrive EMD-F door systems, just like another door on the side façade of the building. The electro-mechanical swing door drives for single leaf fire and smoke protection doors are extremely versatile: They provide power assisted opening and can be initiated using the operating button with constant opening and closing speed. Integrated obstacle detection also identifies potential obstacles and stops the opening or closing process if needed. By doing so, Slimdrive EMD-F drives also ensure easy and safe access for people with mobility issues.Understated design and high access convenienceFrom the main entrance, a glazed corridor leads to a bi-parting sliding door powered by a GEZE Slimdrive SL NTsliding door system, which leads into the foyer of the main reception area. The Slimdrive door drive fulfils two key stipulations here at once: It is suitable for interior and exterior doors with high levels of footfall, and ideally suited for glass façades with high design standards – such as the Brodick ferry terminal – due to its low operator height of just 7 cm.

Royal Winchester HouseComer Homes is renowned for the high quality of its residential and commercial developments, which span London, Hertfordshire, Dorset and throughout the South East. Its latest project is Royal Winchester House, a landmark building of one and two bedroom apartments at the heart of Bracknell's new town centre. As a planning requirement of Bracknell Forest Council, Comer Homes was required to provide a sustainable, low energy form of heating that would offer a reduced carbon footprint, as well as being affordable to run.The SolutionComer Homes specified F730 Exhaust Air Heat Pump systems from NIBE for all 337 apartments on the development to ensure they could meet their renewable targets. The new homes builder employed MKP Consultants Limited to undertake the building services design as they had previous experience of NIBE systems on other apartment developments in the area.The NIBE F730 Exhaust Air Heat Pump system was an ideal solution, as it offers mechanical extract ventilation, alongside heating and hot water in a compact design. The heat pump units were installed in a service cupboard in each apartment, as they have a small footprint of only 0.6m2.NIBE F730 operates by recovering energy from the ventilation air and, if desired, extracted from outdoor air, the heat energy is absorbed by the heat pump using a vapour compression process and subsequently transferred to the water-borne heating system, in this case an underfloor heating system. The integrated 180L domestic hot water cylinder also ensures a plentiful supply for the one- and two-bedroom properties.A sustainable solution, NIBE F730 keeps energy consumption to a minimum. The efficient control system automatically adjusts the indoor climate for maximum comfort for the occupant, using a combination of weather compensated control and the low energy inverter driven compressor.Each apartment is also fitted with a NIBE RMU 40 room controller, to allow greater flexibility of control for users and if required can be easily connected to NIBE’s internet remotely monitoring and control platform UPLINK™.Thanks to this innovative heat pump system, residents at Royal Winchester House are set to benefit from lower energy bills and a reduced carbon footprint.The ResultsThe NIBE F730 system complies with Parts L, F and G of the building regulations, and helps to meet planning requirements designed to reduce energy consumption and carbon footprints within residential housing developments. External noise is kept to a minimum and building aesthetics are unaffected by the need for external plant.TestimonialHead of Projects at Comer Homes, Jack O’Brien explains: “We were looking for a heating and ventilation system that would be both sustainable and affordable to run. We have been impressed with the performance of NIBE’s heat pumps, with their high efficiency, low noise and low running costs further enhancing the sustainability of the whole development.”About Royal Winchester HouseRoyal Winchester House is a landmark building of high specification 1 and 2 bedroom apartments available to rent. The unique design and architecture of Royal Winchester House creates a striking and impressive presence from the ground floor retail spaces up to the luxury penthouse levels.Royal Winchester House has been built for the private rental market and the development is being managed by Chancellors estate agency. The apartments benefit from high standards of insulation and air tightness. In addition to the NIBE heat pumps, the whole development has been fitted with a biodigester for the repurposing of food waste, as part of reducing waste sent to landfill and to add to its sustainability.

Combining all three types of waterproofing system (Types A, B and C) supplied by Triton Systems, at the time of construction this project was believed to be the UK’s largest domestic basement. The three storey habitable space below ground was retrofitted under the existing property, and extends beneath the new build adjacent luxury apartment blocks.

FasTop resin flooring was chosen as it provided long term flooring solutions which would be seamless and have the hygienic standards required for this industry and the colours required could be provided . The flooring products supplied by Sherwin-Williams had the necessary fast cure performance with the alternative textures to provide a variety of finishes from smooth easy clean surfaces to heavy duty more textured areas where more non-slip texture was required which would be resilient to aggressive cleaning processes. ART and Sherwin-Williams were able to provie self-smoothing smooth finishes and trowel applied textured finishes.

The Project Aston University Student Union at the heart of the University’s campus has seen a £6.5m investment.  The new, two-story building, home to over 100 student clubs and societies, acts as the social hub for the 13000+ students at the university & replaces the old 1960’s Building. The Universities brief was to incorporate the local area into the project using images of Birmingham City Skyline. The Challenge Offer a full height cubicle system, suitable for the environment and to a specification befittng the digital imagery. Digitally render images onto Laminate and apply to the façade of the full height system. Manage the precise fabrication process through the factory. The Solution  Excelsior’s Flush 30 Cubicle System encompasses a rebated aluminium frame to the doors and pilasters. The aluminium edge detail provides a robust trim and looks innovative within this modern building, an unrivalled system within the washroom market.The images, supplied by the client were digitally rendered onto laminate by Formica Younique and applied to the façade of a full height Flush system.Max McLoughlin, CEO of the Student Union comments: ‘We want the building to make students feel proud to be at Aston University. From a design perspective, we wanted the students to feel fully immersed in life on campus & we are very happy with the result’.

United Utilities Group PLC (UU) is the largest listed water company in the United Kingdom. Covering 5 counties it is responsible for providing water service to nearly 7,000,000 customers.Between 2010 and 2015 it spent almost £3.6billion on upgrading its services and infrastructure to meet the ever-increasing demand for reliability and standards.The BriefTo meet the then current threat levels all fencing and gate systems had to provide the following.Anti-Climb Fencing SystemsLPS 1175 SR2 rated Fence and Gate SystemsA Minimum guaranteed delay against attackSwing and Sliding gates rated to LPS 1175 SR2 to meet the demanding nature of the sites

Waterproofing this historic London landmark – external waterproofing with Newton 403 HydroBond, internal waterproofing with Newton System 500, installed by Newton Specialist Basement Contractor MacLennanUK.Newton Waterproofing were delighted to return for this project at the prestigious Houses of Parliament in London, a landmark that has dominated London’s skyline for over 150 years. Newton Specialist Basement Contractor MacLennan Waterproofing was approached to specify a guaranteed waterproofing solution for the new-build basement.After reviewing the technical drawings, MacLennan decided to bring the job to Newton, whose product range was perfectly suited to the project requirements. Newton and MacLennan are both privileged to be the companies chosen to share in securing the future of the Palace of Westminster.This complex project required the design and installation of an external waterproofing system, an internal cavity drain system, and a polyurea roofing system to ensure a high standard of waterproofing.Externally, Newton’s innovative ‘Type A’ 403 HydroBond membrane was applied extensively to ensure the necessary waterproofing around the basement, whilst internally, Newton 508 and Newton 520 membranes were both applied from floor to ceiling as part of Newton’s complete System 500 cavity drainage solution. With the finished structure in place, the waterproofing was finally completed by the application of both a polyurea coating and further drainage membrane to the roof deck of the basement.With a waterproof basement fully compliant with the requirements of BS 8102:2009, coupled with guaranteed protection against water ingress, this newly completed, large basement area, situated directly next to the River Thames, provides a durable and well-established waterproofing solution, utilising multiple Newton Systems to great effect.

Halamar acquired this site in Beaconsfield. Planning permission was granted for a new build two-storey detached dwelling, replacing the existing residential property constructed in the 1900s.A comprehensive set of architecture plans specified high quality elevations with a ‘classical’ Georgian-esque design. The sub-contractors, B-Bespoke Design & Build Ltd, required Keystone’s brick slip flat gauge headers above multi-pane sash windows and an intelligent bespoke interconnecting brick slip splayed bay system across two floors on the side elevation.ChallengeThe design and scale of the building, along with the arrangement of fenestration and opening detailing, required the careful skill and use of sympathetic materials to ensure the development enhanced the special character of properties in close vicinity.B-Bespoke Design & Build Ltd considered the volume of decorative window openings and availability of local skilled bricklayers when considering the most effective and efficient approach to the build schedule.SolutionAn offsite construction method was deployed by the sub-contractor. Keystone’s technical team were contacted to design brick slip flat gauge headers accommodating brick spans between 1135mm to 1472mm. Each with a 70-degree end skew, 375mm high face brick and 102mm soffit return whilst also incorporating keystone stone headers above specific windows. The prefabricated lintels improved the allocation of time and resources elsewhere on site allowing the build to be completed to a high interior specification still with an exterior full of character.The rigid symmetrical design and gracious classic proportions create a generous sense of space and natural light, with stunning traditional period features created above each window opening. The interconnecting brick slip splayed bay system spans 1695mm and provides a stark contrast to the boxy room profiles often seen with a Georgian home. This architectural feature accommodates the high ceilings and desired aesthetics whilst providing effective structural support to withstand roof and masonry loads above.A consignment of bricks was collected from site and each brick cut and bonded using a BBA approved construction adhesive to the load bearing lintels offsite. The patented perforated lintel design allows the adhesive to squeeze through the perforations and form a ‘mushroom’ on the inside, providing a mechanical lock between the steel lintel and the brick slips.Testimonial“For the new build Georgian styled home, we sourced over thirty bespoke prefabricated brick slip feature lintels from Keystone as well as a unique interconnecting feature brick splayed bay system. As a smaller building contractor, we saved time and money using Keystone Lintels. We did not need to source additional skilled labour on site to create and replicate the intricate brick detailing which included Keystone stone headers. Ultimately this resulted in a faster build schedule for the client.”Nirmal DhaliwalSite Manager at B-Bespoke Design & Build Ltd

Appointed to design Hammerson House, Wohl Campus, a new care building, P+HS Architects specified a variety of solutions from Forbo Flooring Systems’ large portfolio, to help bring the vision of a country house hotel to life. Offering 116 bedrooms, with communal lounges, a café, and an inter-generational activity room, Forbo’s Surestep, Safestep and Allura ranges have been installed throughout the building.Hammerson House was founded in 1961 by Sue Hammerson to provide care for older members of the Jewish community. From here Hammerson merged with Nightingale House to form Nightingale Hammerson who run both homes as a joint group. Located on the Wohl Campus near Hampstead Heath, the home is based within beautiful woodlands enabling residents to enjoy the local scenery. Offering medical services, including a visiting GP, a large communal hall, an onsite shop and a hair salon, the care home is able to provide for all of its residents’ needs.Martha MacKinnon, Senior Architect at P+HS commented on the project: “We were tasked with creating a welcoming space that delivered a contemporary vision of a country house hotel, where visitors, residents and staff could feel settled. Therefore, when it came to specifying floor coverings, we had to carefully choose products that could contribute to the warm and welcoming interior we wanted to achieve.“In the resident’s area, on the lower ground floor, it was important that we specified a vinyl flooring, as it needed to be durable, but also provide a warm and homely feel. Additionally, a low-level contrast between the carpeted areas and the vinyl flooring in the bedrooms was also vital, as some of the residents living at the home have dementia.”With the above in mind, and to connect the building back to its countryside roots, P+HS Architects specified Forbo’s Allura LVT (Luxury Vinyl Tiles) in the natural looking Steamed Oak colourway “The wooden aesthetic of Forbo’s Allura really helped us to connect the indoors to the outside, whilst contributing to our design brief, thanks to its warm shades. We mainly used Allura in the household and staff dining areas, and the lower ground floor bedrooms,” Martha explained. “Not only this, but the chosen Allura design has also been accredited by the DSDC (Dementia Services Development Centre), which means it has been approved for use in dementia-friendly environments, making it the perfect choice for this project.“In the areas where spillages are to be expected and therefore slip resistance was a factor, such as in kitchens and the residents’ ensuites, we specified Forbo’s Surestep and Safestep safety flooring. Both ranges deliver guaranteed lifetime slip resistance and are available in a variety of bright, contemporary designs.”Forbo’s Step safety flooring collection meets all the European and HSE safety norms, delivering safety with minimal compromise on cleaning and maintenance, thanks to its PUR Pearl finish, and design.Sara Glaser, Head of Marketing from Nightingale Hammerson spoke about the finished project: “We’re delighted with the work P+HS has done; it looks lovely and really fits the design we had wanted to achieve. We’re particularly happy with how safety conscious it is, as our residents are our primary concern. They like the house and how it looks, so we couldn’t be happier with the end result!”Finished at the start of 2021, Hammerson House, Wohl Campus recently achieved a rating of ‘Good’ from a CQC inspection of the home. Additionally, the building was awarded the Best Social Care development at the Building Better Healthcare Awards 2021 and ‘Commended’ in the Forbo Escapes 2021/22 competition.

When Edinburgh Gin wanted to open its latest pop-up store in Edinburgh city centre, they tasked Exhibeo VM to design a store which reinforced the company’s branding, whilst creating a lasting visual impact. Using a colourful, textured look to elevate the customer experience and entice shoppers into the store, Exhibeo VM specified Forbo Flooring Systems’ adhesive-free Modul’up range in the Coral Terrazzo colourway, to bring the vision to life. After being based at the nearby Frederick Street, Edinburgh Gin decided it was time to go all out and form a brand new, flagship-style destination shop, which prompted a move to the nearby Hanover Street. Arantxa Garcia, Creative Consultant Designer at Exhibeo VM, said: “We wanted to create a pop-up store similar to the existing premises on Frederick street, but almost step it up a bit, moving more towards the feeling of a flagship store. It would be a place where people could go for an experience. We added a mini tasting area too – a space where customers could come in, sit down and enjoy some of the amazing gins on offer. We also wanted to display the products in a zoned fashion to make purchasing easier for customers. “In line with Edinburgh Gin’s brand guidelines, it was important that the shop was colourful and that the colours used helped to evoke thoughts of the botanicals used in the gin distilling process.” With the bottles of Edinburgh Gin lining the walls, Exhibeo VM opted for a candy pink theme to run throughout the shop, with brightly lit wall-mounted shelving and extravagant designs in the glass windows.  The glossy pink theme is aided by Forbo’s adhesive free Modul’up flooring solution in the contemporary Coral Terrazzo colourway – a pattern and texture that is slightly reminiscent of the ingredients used to distil the gin. Arantxa commented on the design choice, saying: “We really liked the finish of the Modul’up sheet - it has this amazing Terrazzo pattern which goes nicely with the candy aesthetic that runs throughout the shop itself. The flooring definitely pulled the design together; it gave us the continuity we wanted. We had specified coloured LEDs to be placed behind all the shelving, to really enhance the colours of the gins and the flooring brought that whole colour palette together.” Forbo’s Modul’up range wasn’t only chosen because of the contemporary colourways it is available in, but also because of how easy the installation is. Typically, flooring is the first port of call for most projects, but Forbo’s Modul’up was installed last on this project, thanks to its quick and easy installation. Arantxa explained: “We actually did the installation in reverse; usually flooring is the first thing installed in a project, but in this case, it was the last thing we put in. It took a team of four installers - recommended by Forbo – just five hours to install in the morning of the grand opening, as it is installed using Forbo’s unique double-sided tape – another big reason behind the choice of floor covering.” Forbo’s Modul’up range can also be easily removed and is immediately ready for recycling via Forbo’s Back to the Floor scheme. The ease of removal also allows the flooring to be reused if needed, reducing waste further. And with no adhesive used, the substrate remains clean meaning the flooring can be replaced without time consuming and expensive subfloor preparation. The Edinburgh Gin shop on Hanover Street was awarded ‘Commended’ in the Forbo Escapes 2021/22 competition.  For more information about Forbo’s Modul’up range, visit www.forbo-flooring.co.uk/fastfit or to learn more about the Forbo Escapes competition, visit www.forbo-flooring.co.uk/forboescapes

Architect: Broadway MalyanContractor: BAM ConstructionStone: YorkstoneThe £28M new Broadway Malyan designed Bradford Royal Infirmary Children’s Ward has now been officially opened by HRH The Princess Royal.The new wing, part of Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, was recognised with the top honour at the Local Authority Building Control awards for West Yorkshire at Wakefield Unity Works. The Children’s ward is clad in Aztec Rainscreen with a façade of our local Yorkstone.Aztec was chosen because of its similarity to other local buildings and for its speed of installation. Bam, having used the system before were confident of Stone Cladding Systems ability to deliver a quality system on time. 

Minimising disruption for patients, staff and visitors was a priority for the University Hospital of North Tees team, responsible for the refurbishment of a vast area of new flooring in the hospital’s main public corridors. As such, Forbo Flooring Systems supplied its adhesive-free Modul’up Compact sheet vinyl – a resilient flooring solution that was easy to install and could be walked on immediately after installation. Built in the 1960s, the hospital in Stockton has seen much maintenance over the years and visually, had become dated. Therefore, the aim of the refurbishment was to bring the hospital interior into this century to create a more pleasant and comfortable environment for everyone. As well as speed of installation, the hospital team’s specification priorities were cleanliness and hygiene, especially as these main corridor routes lead on to clinical areas. But also, the spaces experience high footfall and are tested to the limit with heavy medical equipment and trolleys being moved around; the flooring had to perform well in terms of durability. “We were looking for something different and when our Forbo Area Manager, Jon Rogers, put forward the Modul’up solution, we identified a few advantages that appealed immediately,” explains the Project Manager for the University Hospital of North Tees, Michael Jones. “Firstly, speed of installation. It’s a vast area of flooring to cover. In fact, we’ve not done an area this size before, all at once. As you can imagine, we were apprehensive with it being such a dynamic environment. It’s hard to co-ordinate one installation let alone having to snag or worse re-lay. We liked the fact that Modul’up is tried and tested to meet all the current standards, but is also much easier to install and is easy to clean. “Secondly, from a subfloor maintenance angle we saw great benefits. The building was constructed in the 1960s, so in certain areas from time to time there are repairs to be done to the subfloor beneath. “With Modul’up you can cut the weld, roll back, fix the floor and re-lay with no patching required. If you have subfloor issues with normal vinyl floor you would have to lift it with the adhesive. This often causes damage to the vinyl and if patching is required then potentially you don’t get a match.” Phase One of the project involved the installation of 1,573m2 of Forbo’s Modul’up Compact in Natural Oak in the general circulation areas and corridors. Creating a fresh, contemporary and airy feel, the wood-effect flooring has been selected to complement the corridor walls, which feature a split wall colour scheme with the lower half painted in a strong, modern graphite grey and the top half in a lighter, almost white, grey.  Also commenting on the specification, Drew McColgan, managing director of Rimick Flooring, the installer, said: “We have worked with the hospital for 15 plus years. The building is old and we often have issues with the subfloor; installing a loose lay product makes it easier for us to access the subfloors for repair without having to patch the vinyl back. It was also quicker for us to install in an environment where time is of the essence. The client is delighted with the appearance of the vinyl too.” The hospital team, Rimick Flooring and Forbo worked together to ensure a smooth install as Drew explains: “Forbo came to visit the site a number of times to meet with us and the client. They attended meetings with screed representatives too and provided expert support throughout with samples aplenty; including a decent sized part roll so the fitting team could familiarise themselves with the product. Jon Rogers, and the customer support team (particularly Jason Livingstone) were there to help us every step of the way.” Drew talks through the installation process and hints at the longer-term benefits: “During the night shifts, the team lifted the existing linoleum, screeded the existing surfaces using a non-ammonium smoothing compound and fit (with set-in skirting detail) from there. Modul’up helped us to save approximately an hour a night, “Going forward, there’s no need to patch areas should there be a problem with the subfloor, and it negates the need to use an adhesive, which is good as it’s odour free and means the floor can be used immediately.”  Providing primary protection at the main entrances, Forbo’s Nuway and Coral entrance flooring systems have been installed too – helping to prevent dirt and moisture from being traipsed indoors. Forbo’s new Coral interior was also installed to complete the hospital entrance flooring system. Looking ahead, Michael Jones, University Hospital of North Tees Project Manager concludes: “So far, we’re impressed with Modul’up. There are other buildings on site which now may also be considered to be refreshed with this loose lay product.”

The purpose:Taylor Wimpey’s Eclipse development was the final phase of the large-scale modernisation and renewal strategy for the London Borough of Walthamstow Forest, known as The Blackhorse Lane Action Plan. Eclipse would offer affordable social and private housing via 500 homes in two six-storey apartment blocks.To help satisfy one of the Plan’s objectives- “to ensure new developments incorporate the highest levels of sustainable design and their impact on climate change is minimised”- we installed green roofs on both blocks. As it was the final development phase, space was limited; time was also an influencing factor in facilitating the tight build programme,avoiding delays, and enabling the client to deliver much-needed new homes.Our solutionTo enable fulfilment of the brief, we recommended our HM-40 Paratech Hot Melt Roofing System as the inverted waterproofing base for the green roof. A fully-bonded system, HM-40 is a robust, durable, and highly flexible monolithic, self-healing hot-melt waterproofing system for protected roofs, green roofs, terraces, and podium decks with a 40-year durability statement. In addition, it is firerated for unrestricted use when covered with a green or ballast roof.Unlike other hot melt systems that use fleeces, the Paratech system incorporates a reinforcement mesh: this allows the system to be rolled out, making waterproofing installation faster, thereby enabling the contractor to lay the top roofing layer of artificial grass and landscaped green roofs. Unfortunately, an on-site compound to store the roofing components was unavailable. We worked closely with T&T Roofing and Taylor Wimpey to ensure deliveries arrived in build sequence for immediate use, but without adversely impacting residents who had already moved into their newhomes.“The features of the flat roof system provided a seamless, issue-free roof installation, with rapid installation time causing minimal disruption. Langley’s technical team was always on hand to provide assistance when necessary, working collaboratively to guarantee a consistent and highquality installation.”

INNOVATIVE OFFICE INSTALL CREATES STYLISH AND SUSTAINABLE SPACE Forbo Flooring Systems’ Allura Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) range was specified by design and fit out company, Oktra, to transform an office building into a stylish and modern workspace. It was also installed adhesive free using IOBAC MagTabsÒ, to help achieve Akoya’s sustainability requirements.  Oktra were recruited by Akoya and Brunswick Property Partners, to repurpose an office building to create a vibrant and attractive space for young professionals and entrepreneurs to work in. Formally known as Knollys and Stephenson House, the building will be rebranded as Mosaic East, a comprehensive refurbishment of one of East Croydon’s most iconic office developments.  Typically, carpet tiles or exposed raised access flooring are the go-to solution in these scenarios, however with a premium design required, Oktra opted for something different, as Danielle La Porte, Designer at Oktra explains: “Akoya wanted to create a range of category A office suites that would be memorable to tenants, while also meeting sustainability requirements. With this brief in mind, we specified Forbo’s Allura Flex LVT, which is available in range of elegant colourways and wood effect designs – perfect for this project! “We wanted to add some brand identity within the category A suites, so we decorated some of them in a light pink colour with linear LED lighting, and other suites in a light sage green colour. To complement the colour palettes, we chose Allura Flex LVT in the Light Honey Oak shade. We then asked the flooring contractors, The Commercial Flooring Company, to install the planks in a beautiful herringbone pattern to really enhance the aesthetics of the space.” However, appearance wasn’t the only area of concern, with Akoya also conscious of the sustainability requirements. Danielle addressed this, saying: “The aesthetics of the flooring weren’t the only thing we had to keep in mind, we also had to ensure that whatever floor covering we specified would meet Akoya’s sustainability aims. It was for this reason that we specified Forbo’s Allura Flex, as it can be easily installed adhesive free, using IOBAC MagTabsÒ.” IOBAC’s innovative MagTabsÒ provide a two-dimensional hold, with one side being magnetic and the other a dry-tack adhesive. This means they can be easily magnetised onto metal raised access flooring, like those at Mosaic East, and the chosen flooring simply placed on top, negating the need for traditional adhesives. Ian Spreadborough, Founder and Director at IOBAC explains further: “Our MagTabsÒ essentially allow flooring contractors to quickly place floor coverings down onto raised access flooring, without damaging the substrate or the flooring itself. The phrase we use is ‘hard to shift, easy to lift’. The idea is that the flooring is securely fitted but can then be lifted back up to be reused elsewhere, or simply be replaced by another floor covering further down the line. “Oktra approached us as they had used our MagTabsÒ on a previous project and had been extremely impressed by their performance, so were keen to use the product again. Additionally, Forbo’s LVT and carpet tiles are approved for use with the MagTabsÒ, making it the logical choice. On top of this, Brunswick, who own the raised access flooring itself, were keen to maintain the condition of its asset, so, the tabs served a double purpose, protecting both a heavy carbon embodied asset, in the raised access flooring, and Forbo’s floor coverings.” Jon Cochrane, Director - Asset Management & Sustainability at Brunswick Property Partners, commented on the use of IOBAC’s MagTabsÒ, saying: “Cleaning adhesive residue off sub-floors in between leases is often messy, expensive and time-consuming. In some cases, the raised access floor panels are so badly contaminated that they must be completely replaced, something which isn’t sustainable, environmentally or financially.  However, using IOBAC MagTabsÒ to install floor coverings removes this issue completely. This means that our asset, in this case the raised access flooring, is protected and kept damage-free for longer-term usage.” It wasn’t just the sustainability benefits that drew Oktra towards MagTabsÒ, with the installation benefits of the tabs also a deciding factor. Daniel Hassan, Operations Manager at The Commercial Flooring Company, commented on this, saying: “Thanks to IOBAC’s MagTabsÒ, it took a team of three fitters around five days to install 900m2 of flooring in a herringbone pattern, which is challenging to install and would have taken much longer to do through traditional methods. This provided a great time saving and allowed the other trades to work around us whilst we fitted the flooring.” The time saved during the installation stage meant the project as a whole was able to be completed in just 10 weeks, a quick turnaround for such a large job. Danielle concluded: “We’re really happy with the finished project, as are Akoya; the flooring looks amazing and we’re delighted to have been able to get it fitted so quickly, as well as meet Akoya’s important sustainability aims.” To find out more about Forbo’s offering for office spaces, please visit: www.forbo-flooring.co.uk/offices.To find out more about using IOBAC MagTabs, please visit: Adhesive-free Flooring Installation System - IOBAC MagTabs® | IOBAC | NBS Source (thenbs.com) 

Located in East London, on a water gateway between the River Thames and over 2,000 miles of navigable canals, the six-building Limehouse Basin development comprised of a white EPS insulation board that was fixed to horizontal PVC rails that created a drained cavity between the insulated façade system and the substrate.Due to strict regulations introduced in December 2018 following the Grenfell tragedy, which states any building exceeding 18 metres in height must have walls comprised of non-combustible materials, this building was deemed non-compliant, unsafe, and not fit-for-purpose.Development owners Beckford, supported by the Building Safety Fund (BSF), required an expert team to execute the removal of the existing EWI and replace it with an appropriate alternative, without disrupting the unique aesthetic of the building.The combination of K Systems and Retrofit UK, two companies renowned for their expertise, quality of service, and superiority in the market, was an obvious choice for Beckfords.We have a good portfolio of BSF projects to date, and Limehouse Basin is another great example of how our team along with one of our approved installers can help make a building fit for purpose, whilst overcoming numerous challenges along the way. Unrivalled expertise and professional delivery are apparent in every groove and corner of this refurbishment.Our ServiceTogether with Approved Installer Retrofit UK, K Systems continued works despite Covid restrictions (adhering to Government guidelines) to deliver the Limehouse Basin project within the agreed timeframe and with minimal disruption to residents as requested by the client.Removal of the existing EWI system took place in rotation with the installation of the new system, and a robust programme was put into place by the contractor to ensure the building was not exposed to the elements for long periods of time, ensuring the residents were kept as comfortable as possible especially during the winter months. Decanting of the residents did not take place, so we worked alongside all parties to ensure the health, safety and welfare of the residents were prioritised during the works.Due to the nature of this project, technical monitoring from the K Systems team was increased, and weekly visits were planned along with a reactive approach to any on-site issues that arose from a technical perspective. Our technical teams actioned regular quality assessments and maintained open communication with all stakeholders.The result – an industry-leading insulated façade solution that fulfilled Beckfords’ criteria and delivered an outstanding architectural design and structure, fully compliant with fire regulations and boasting a better U-value which translates to better living conditions for the residents.Technical Project DetailsThe key objective for the Limehouse Basin project was to remove the non-compliant EWI system and replace it with a non-combustible system to meet current building regulations.Our team insist on being involved from the very concept of any BSF project to ensure an accurate specification could be developed and allow any initial underlying issues to be identified and rectified swiftly. Therefore, our Technical Team witnessed the removal of the existing system and inspected the substrate thoroughly.After extensive scoping, the K Systems M, mineral wool insulation, system with a silicone render finish was chosen as the preferred option, meeting the demands and needs of the client and current building regulations. This system provides high levels of fire resistance and non-combustibility (an A2-s1, d0) bringing it in line with mandatory Government requirements for buildings over 18m tall.With superb acoustic qualities and excellent environmental properties, the M System didn’t just tick the fire resistance box. The thermal performance of the building was significantly enhanced, with a U-value of 0.30W/m².k being achieved.The shape of the buildings were complex, with numerous curved areas of various facades. This meant the finish required an expert eye and a skilled hand to deliver seamlessly. Both K Systems and Retrofit are renowned for their expertise and superiority in the market, and therefore such challenges were overcome, and high standards of workmanship delivered.Another very challenging aspect of the build was the replication of the rainscreen cladding to the front of the buildings. This detail was successfully created by using tape joints, stop beads, and black silicone mastic to create a shadow gap – further testament to the expert capabilities of our team. This particular finish not only delivered the desired aesthetic but delivered an additional benefit of cost savings for the client.We worked closely with Retrofit UK throughout the duration of the refurb and as a result the Limehouse Basin buildings have a contemporary finish and attractive aesthetic worthy of the projects postcode, and one we are confident existing residents welcomed and potential residents appreciated.

Glassfields is a new high-spec office development which forms the gateway to Bristol’s Temple Quarter. The completed building offers the perfect environment for how businesses work today.With 93,000 square feet of high-quality office space, it has been designed with the tenants’ well-being in mind and provides a flexible, adaptive, and creative space. The design of the interior called for an industrial look which made Lusso 25 Geometric glazed partitioning system, with its black powder coated frames and banded look, the ideal choice. High acoustic Silenzio doors and Lusso 25 frameless single glazed system, also powder coated in black, were used to complement the design. The overall look provides a stunning, dramatic, and classy environment in which to attract and retain talent.The building has achieved BREEAM Excellent accreditation and an EPC rating A, embracing industry best practice, energy efficiency measures and sustainable technology.

World of Books is the UK’s largest online retailer of second hand books. As part of the ongoing improvements to their head office, they were looking to refresh their existing washrooms to a hard wearing cubicle system that is durable enough to withstand daily use from its staff.Read the full case study on our website.

Dunhams were tasked with designing upscale, premium washrooms to complement the newly refurbished office spaceFull Height Vista flush front cubicle systemFull height IPS duct panels to conceal plumbingBespoke Solid Surface washtroughs in Corian Glacier WhiteBespoke matching HPL mirror frames

For the refurbishment of Edinburgh College’s busiest campus, its FM team called upon Forbo Flooring Systems’ Modul’up adhesive free sheet vinyl for its unique ability to be installed quickly and easily, while reducing downtime and disruption to day-to-day college life – as the floor covering could be walked on immediately after installation.

Yeoman Shield recently supplied and installed a handrail system in an NHS Trust’s seven mental health accommodation units.With a requirement for a handrail that was also sensitive to the nature of service users, an Anti-Ligature Guardian Handrail was chosen from the Yeoman Shield range to be fitted to corridor and passage way walls, offering both support as a handrail for those who may require it as well as a form of protection from impact damage to walls from footfall and wheeled equipment.Using a continuous fixing bracket running the full length of the handrail installation eliminates points where ligatures can be attached. Close fitting wall return ends ensures complete enclosure of all mechanical parts of the rail.Supplied in Red, the contrasting colour not only adds to the interior décor but can assist in wayfinding. Manufactured from a rigid PVCu material Yeoman Shield’s Guardian Handrail products do not promote the growth of mould or viruses and are easy to clean, being impervious to commercial cleaners.

Donabate Portrane Library, recently refurbished by the Fingal County Council, is now a warm and inviting community library as a result of products chosen from Forbo Flooring Systems. The Marmoleum and Tessera products were chosen for their practicality, cleanliness and variety of interesting designs. And Sarlon Topography from Forbo’s acoustic vinyl collection was a must providing a quiet reading or studying environment.

Nearly 600 PVC-U tilt-turn windows in the Profile 22 system were chosen for The Gateway, a £22million student accommodation in Lincoln. The tilt-turn windows were fabricated by Profile 22’s Approved Window Contractor, Polar Windows, using the fully chamfered system, foiled with smooth finish RAL 7016 Anthracite grey as a special order to colour match the aluminium design scheme. The work was carried out in line with strict deadlines, and the project was completed in good time ready for the beginning of the academic year.