"metal cladding"

Construction of Wolverhampton’s eye-catching modern office development i9 has been completed and marks a major milestone in the creation of a thriving commercial quarter at the heart of the city’s award-winning Interchange. The i9 project follows the success of the i10 complex on the opposite side of Railway Drive in the city centre. Both have been delivered by the council and leading property developer, Ion.Designed by Glenn Howells Architects and constructed by GRAHAM Group, the eye-catching i9 building pays homage to the industrial characteristics of the city’s red-brick Victorian architecture. Approved fabricator APiC UK Limited installed Metal Technology Ltd’s System 17 Capped 50mm and System 17 SP structurally glazed Curtain Walling. Opening vents are System 4-35Hi+ Casement, with System 5-20D Hi+ THERMAL Doors and 10-35 commercial framing system.i9 is already home to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government – the first ministerial office with a regular presence outside London.The new office achieves a BREEAM ‘excellent’ rating and incorporates the latest green technology and thinking to deliver low energy use, low resource use, flexibility and low impact on the surrounding environment. It is the first office in the Black Country to be awarded WiredScore Gold certification in recognition of its digital connectivity and infrastructure.

A roof at teh Jaguar Land Rover premises in Watford was in poor condition and suffering from cut edge corrosion. All of the loose and flaking factory finish was removed using 4000psi pressure washers and the rusted end and mid-laps were ground back to remove the rust. The cut edge corrosion was treated with Liquasil's corrosion primer and the entire roof was coated using the BBA Approved Metalseal.

Product: Canadian Western Red Cedar Over 7000/LM of Canadian Western Red Cedar was provided for this job in London, a workspace environment is suited well to the timber cladding façade. An untreated board, machined to our NWCC1 Chamfered Cladding profile. All associated WRC machined trims, high pressure treated imported battens were also supplied for this project. Being a very high quality of timber both visually the minimal knot content, along with the natural durability the species offers, making Canadian Western Red Cedar a favourite amongst architect and clients alike.

Lang+Fulton products were used extensively at The Emirates Stadium for Arsenal FC as barrier fencing, security screening, balustrading and wall cladding. The Arezzo-25 fence panels with a 76x25mm aperture were supplied with the flat bars running horizontally in order to take a loading requirement of BS6399 – 1:1996. This guaranteed its suitability for use as a barrier fence for the crowd control areas surrounding the Emirates. Alternative fixing methods combined with the versatility of the panels created continuity of design throughout the varied applications within the project.

After successfully completing living walls at the McArthurGlen Designer Outlet in Ashford, we were approached to design and implement a similar scheme for McArthurGlen’s newest outlet on the outskirts of Paris.This development exemplifies McArthurGlen’s commitment to sustainability. The scheme was built according to ‘Excellent’ High Environmental Quality (HQE) standards and includes 20,000 square metres of green roofs, 1,000 square metres of living walls and 120 electric parking spaces.The architect, Arte Charpentier wanted to create a ‘rich and welcoming experience’ for visitors and the living walls contribute to that vision. At the heart of the development lies a central ellipse, adorned with two gracefully curved stretches of Biotecture’s living cladding, each spanning an impressive 90 metres in length and standing at a height of 11 metres. Two more expansive sections of living wall frame the east entrance.The living walls are a visually striking architectural feature and help to cultivate a serene shopping environment. In addition to their aesthetic contributions, the plants will play a vital role in improving air quality and promoting biodiversity within the outlet.

Cedral Lap fibre cement cladding has been specified as the building material of choice by luxury developer Cedarmill Developments, adding real kerb appeal to its latest residential project in Hornchurch, Essex.Over 450sq.m of Cedral Lap in colour Pewter has been installed across a selection of three storey family homes, creating a contemporary visual appeal that perfectly encompasses the developer’s commitment to providing the highest standard in premium housing.Cedarmill Developments is dedicated to constructing residential and commercial properties across the UK’s Southern regions, offering clients first class functionality and style. The latest site in Havering consists of a combination of luxury detached houses, which will be completed in autumn 2019.Seamus Tattan, Senior Contracts Manager at Cedarmill Developments, said: “This is the first time we have specified Cedral Lap fibre cement cladding and we are already looking to utilise the material on a further two upcoming residential developments as we are so impressed with it.“Initially, we were looking for an exterior solution that offered the highest standards in aesthetics and fire performance, whilst offering the greatest value for money. Cedral surpassed these requirements, enabling us to create a resilient and stylish exterior that we are confident will offer the same impressive kerb appeal in years to come.”The properties’ ground floor is constructed of brick, with Cedral Lap clad across the first and second floors. This creates a contemporary New England style aesthetic that works in perfect harmony with the sleek black windows and doors.Seamus continued: “I cannot fault the Cedral team for their expertise and guidance, from the initial specification process, right through to final installation of the product. We look forward to working with Cedral on our upcoming developments as we continue to create beautiful homes.”Cedral Lap fibre cement cladding is a low maintenance alternative to traditional cladding materials, offering a minimum life expectancy of 50 years. Resistant to rot, attack from insects and the external elements, the easy to install solution is available in a wide range of shades and finishes and has a Class A fire performance rating.

Siberian Larch with NORclad Lite Presevative Treatment All of the external cladding, and fins for the state-of-the-art facility, along with balustrade and handrail components, the same Siberian Larch then runs into the main reception of the building Utilising an certified NORclad® Siberian Larch, the specification includes our NORclad Lite Preservative treatment applied to the timber. The preservative treatment provides a formal warranty on the product for 30 years against rot and fungal decay (out of ground contact). Products specified, Treatment Services applied under ISO 9001 factory controlled conditions.

Siberian Larch was supplied for this project in four different half lap profiles, utilising standard widths of timber to retain the value from the timber, and reduce waste – whilst the different widths board create an interesting image over the vast areas of timber cladding. NORclad Grade B was supplied, offering a fair spread of knots, along with the distinctive grain of the species which can be seen across the images.

Location: Barnet, LondonProject Type: HousingDevelopment Cost: £26mProduct: Balcony Cladding with THX Soffit PanelsFinish: Syntha Pulvin RAL 7022 Matt Umbra GreyFire rating: A2 s1, d0 Non-combustible (Reaction to Fire EN BS 13501-1:2018)Client: Redrow HomesArchitect: Fourpoints ArchitectsMain Contractor: Barratt Developments PlcSub Contractor: Balguard Engineering Ltd

Luxury countryside holiday letsAward winning architectural practice Pocknell Studio were tasked with renovating deteriorating, redundant, two-storey structures in addition to creating new field barns to create spectacular accommodation for a fabulous countryside holiday retreat.This architect has a long-standing preference for using Rainline for their projects so it was no surprise when the galvanised steel guttering and downpipes were specified for the North and South Barns. The Silver Metallic colour option was a perfect selection for the hipped roof design with black and white palette.The field bands are finished in a contemporary take on the traditional black Essex barn and designed to fit into a typical country environment. The brick and timber clad buildings are finished with not only Lindab Rainline rainwater system but also Lindab Seamline standing seam roofing system. The valley roof and staggered fascade design was a particular challenge which required careful detailing and installation to ensure steep falls which allow rapid drainage.Bullocks Farm have tried to create “a quiet haven for people visiting the area and have made each property as comfortable, relaxing and practical as possible”. The architects are very happy that the project has been successful for the client and further development of the site will continue.  

StoVentec Glass rainscreen cladding has a prominent position at the new Very Light Rail National Innovation Centre (VLRNIC) in Dudley. The RAL 3028 red coloured glass panels were installed by Metclad using Sto’s sophisticated sub-construction. This invisible yet indispensable supporting structure forms the structural link between the façade and the substrate and enabled the individual StoVentec Glass panels to be installed and secured easily to provide a bright, colourful façade for the building’s main signage.The VLRNIC was funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council (DMBC), the Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership (BCLEP) in partnership with the Midlands Engine Investment Fund (MEIF), the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP) and Coventry City Council. The Black Country Innovative Manufacturing Organisation (BCIMO) is a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee and the driving force behind this multi-purpose centre which offers a host of unique facilities including a Rail Development and Test Site, Engineering Laboratories, Serviced Offices and an Events Suite. BBA accredited, StoVentec Glass panels are suitable for internal and external use, for new build or refurbishment projects and can be installed within high-traffic areas as the system has passed all industry standard soft-body and hard-body impact tests to CWCT standards. You can choose from a wide range of colours, either single-colour, multi-colour or metallics with a gloss, reflective or matt finish. Design: WSP UK Client: The Black Country Innovative Manufacturing Organisation Sto Applicator: Metclad Sto Expertise: StoVentec Glass A2 rainscreen cladding, RAL colour 3028 Photo credit: BCIMO & Daniel Graves Photography

OVER 3000SQM OF SOTECH OPTIMA IPC RAINSCREEN CLADDING HAS BEEN USED IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE BOURNEMOUTH GATEWAY BUILDING (BGB).Working closely with anodising partner United Anodisers, the Optima Interlocking Plank finished in anodised Anolok regency gold, natural and Anolok bronze, the rainscreen cladding forms a prominent part of the building, situated on the St Paul’s site – next to the St Paul’s roundabout on the Wessex Way; a key location on the main route into Bournemouth.Aluminium is one of the most durable and versatile of metals, anodising enhances aluminium and its environmental virtues. It is exceptionally recyclable, requires minimal maintenance and has proven lifetime performance. Due to the nature of the anodising process and the tight quality controls on both the aluminium and the surface treatment, anodising has a homogeneous (matching & consistent) appearance. Anodising enhances the natural qualities of aluminium further; it permits a strongly contemporary finish with incomparable corrosion and abrasion resistance.At five to seven stories high, the building provides a strong visual gateway to the Lansdowne Campus and a landmark entrance to the town.The building, which accommodates the institute’s Faculty of Health & Social Sciences (HSS) delivers a unified base for the faculty education, research and office activities and provides 10,000 square metres of space for the Faculty and the wider BU population.The BGB is designed to be environmentally-friendly with a number of carbon-reduction measures. The full team behind the build is committed to an ‘excellent’ rating for the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Methodology (BREEAM) certification.The building opened officially in October 2020, but access is currently limited to staff and Postgraduate Research (PGR) students while they familiarise themselves with the building.Special thanks to TAC Projects for choosing Sotech to deliver on this project, which was overseen by Kier Construction with architectural firm Atkins.

As part of the BBC DIY SOS build to support the Grenfell community, Structura UK is proud to announce it has helped to realise two ambitious projects to support the survivors of the Grenfell disaster. This includes a brand new Community Centre as well as a replacement for the Dale Youth Amateur Boxing Club which was previously located on the first floor of Grenfell Tower and destroyed in the blaze.Over 200 square metres of Kalwall® translucent cladding has been used along the whole elevation of the new Boxing Club using the newly adapted THERM+ curtain walling system from RAICO.This was the first project realised using the new system and has worked remarkably well. The ability to conceal the fixings and screws coupled with the mill-finished aluminium framing has created a wonderfully smooth and dramatic façade.RAICO President, Dr Stefan Lackner commented, “RAICO has a long standing reputation for innovation and partnerships with customers and associated product suppliers. Working with Structura and Kalwall to develop a solution to integrate windows and glazing into a Kalwall screen has created many potential opportunities. We are particularly pleased that the first live project for our new partnership was for this deserving cause.”

TASIGO Hotels group have used Technowood, to the extreme, in the centre of woodlands; an area of environmental importance and also one where special attention to existing tree positions was an insistence of the permission for this build.The real timber balustrade, handrails, cladding and partitions are all part of the package supplied by Technowood. The consistency, colour and texture of real timber were matched quite easily because it was real timber. With a 2mm thickness of FSC certified timber wrapped over extruded aluminium and sealed with an A2 FR certified chemical… unmatched in other products anywhere in the world.TASIGO Hotels & resorts have, at its centre, a beautiful Spa and Wellness Center surrounded by luxury hotel accommodation. This total structure is presented across a total area of 41 thousand square meters; furthermore, the facility has been designed as a modern sculpture which has adopted the traditions of Architecture and historical consideration of the region.The 3,500 m2 Spa and Wellness Centre, was planned in-ground. This would make full use of the geothermal characteristic of the land; enables natural daylight penetration through the domes placed on top of the terrace.The hotel, with panoramic views of the surrounding countryside, consists of 164 rooms. The facility also includes a 1.400 m2 convention area and multifunctional halls, as well as a 975 m2 pillar-free ballroom, swimming pools, children’s club, bar & restaurants and indoor & outdoor parking areas.Technowood products are innovative and specified around the world because of their adaptability, quality and fire rating of Euroclass A2.Come and see us or we can visit youIf you’d like to see Technowood up close we have a showroom in Amersham at The Sky House Design Centre. We are also more than happy to send our Technical Director to come and give you a CPD. They will bring a full set of samples for you to keep too.

Location: Catford, LondonProject Type: HousingDevelopment Cost: £8.95mProduct: Self-Draining Balcony Soffit Cladding with Integral Gutter​Finish: Syntha Pulvin RAL 7006 Matt Beige GreyFire rating: A2 s1, d0 Non-combustible (Reaction to Fire EN BS 13501-1:2018)Client: Barratt Developments PlcArchitects: ATP Group PartnershipMain Contractor: Barratt Developments PlcSub Contractor: Balguard Engineering Ltd

Project type: Student Accommodation Location: Spreytonway & Moberly House, St Germans Road, Exeter, EX4 6TJ Project Cost: £41m Product: Meridian Coping System Finish: Syntha Pulvin RAL 7016 Anthracite Grey Fire Rating: A2 s1, d0 Non-combustible (Reaction to Fire EN BS 13501-1:2018) Product: Rainscreen Cladding (Dales DF-System Panels) Finish: Powdertech Corby Peat Fire (Corten) Fire Rating:A2-s1, d0 (EN BS 13501-1). Architect: Willmore Iles Architects Contractor: Vinci Construction UK Ltd Sub Contractor: Longworth Building Services Ltd

Canadian Western Red Cedar Timber Cladding with NORclad Brunnea treatment Approximately 7.5km of Canadian Western Red Cedar has been suppled for this project in Wednesbury, machined to our face fix NWC2 T&G profile. Brunnea treated Canadian Western Red Cedar cladding from NORclad offers a formal 30 year warranty against rot and fungal decay. The NORclad Brunnea treatment is a popular choice, containing a pigment and UV inhibitors – there is a good level of colour stability VS uncoated timbers. Being a preservative treatment rather than a coating, there is less involved in terms of maintaining the product.

Woodlands is a high-quality retirement scheme of 17 luxury apartments by PegasusLife, now part of Lifestory, in exclusive Canford Cliffs, Dorset. Designed by Snug Architects, the building’s striking, contemporary form is crafted to include a carefully specified combination of whitewashed, vertical timber cladding, glazed balconies, bronze-coloured windows and white Antro facing brick slips from leading brick innovator, Vandersanden. “It was the team at PegasusLife that first suggested using Vandersanden brick slips,” explains Mike Worthington, director at Snug Architects. “The very stylish Antro brick complements the whitewashed timber cladding and the bronze metal colour of the windows very well to provide an incredibly mature material palette.” Within walking distance of the beach, Woodlands stands on Flaghead Road amongst age-old pines. The building’s architecture was inspired by its setting and, although bold and contemporary, relates harmoniously to the scale of the surrounding housing. The structure was conceived as a three-storey modern brick envelope with a basement car park that has lift access. Woodlands was built using a reinforced concrete frame construction. Instead of traditional brickwork, Gebrik Brick Cladding Panels featuring Vandersanden’s Antro brick slips were supplied by Aquarian Cladding for the project. These were constructed off-site and installed straight onto the building frame. By using Gebrik panels, the aesthetics of the building were maintained as originally designed while minimising on-site works. A further advantage was that the build programme was more efficient than with traditional construction as the building was watertight more quickly, so interior spaces could be fitted out in tandem with work to the exterior. To complete the facade, Antro brick pistols and splayed/canted brick specials were employed with the bricks wrapped underneath the soffit of window and balcony openings. Vandersanden’s Antro stock facing bricks have a sanded-coated and creased structure. They are a mix of different kinds of clay forms and made with 100% natural resources; the loam that forms the most important base material dates from the Ice Age. By using specific sand types for the surface covering, the desired colour is achieved. Mike Worthington says: “The Vandersanden bricks are good quality and provided the basis for a beautiful and mature materiality for this retirement living development which we were delighted with. They’ve weathered very well and we’re regularly complimented on the scheme and asked who supplied the bricks. We’re very proud of it.” Canford Cliffs is an affluent suburb of Poole with a significant population of retired people. PegasusLife is a retirement living provider on a mission to fundamentally re-think retirement living in the UK. Unsurprisingly, Woodlands was shortlisted for the 2017 RIBA South West Awards. Further details on Snug Architects are available at https://www.snugarchitects.co.uk. 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 

We visited one of our approved installers to check out the refurbishment process underway at The Kingsbury Building project on Horsell Road in Islington, London. Alu-Installations installed our complete non-combustible balcony solution, using AliClad Flow aluminium soffit cladding and AliDeck Junior Ridged aluminium decking boards.

Location: Acton, London Project Type: Housing Development Cost: £160m Product: Balcony Soffit Cladding, Meridian Copings, 101.6 Dia & 76.2 Dia Contemporary Rainwater Finish: Interpon YW255F Golden Beach (Balcony Soffits), RAL 7016 Matt (Meridian Copings & Rainwater Pipes) Client: Countryside Properties Plc Architects: A&Q Partnership (London) Limited Main Contractor: Countryside Properties Plc Sub Contractor: Roweaver Developments Ltd

Jacksons installed Barbican Imperial fencing and gates at St Mary and St Ethelburga Catholic Church in Barking to protect the new Presbytery and prevent people aimlessly or intentionally walking through the church yard, reducing the chance of crime.

Brushed stainless steel column casings from the Pendock Radius range are being used to conceal structural steelwork at University College London’s East Campus at Pool Street on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Stratford.Each of the 12 column casings, which are 775mm in diameter and range in height from 3215 to 3370mm, are installed in four external locations on the third level of the university building’s two towers, which function as student relaxation areas.As the column casings are exposed to the elements, their stainless steel construction is an ideal solution as they’re weather resistant, virtually maintenance free and highly durable.

After first cleaning the roof and attending to rusted areas with Liquasil’s corrosion primer, it was the coated with Metalseal 20 from Liquasil, using airless spray equipment. The specification for this roof was for a special RAL colour. Only Liquasil can make silicone coatings in any RAL colour, so Metalseal 20 was specified for the project. This roof was completed in Forest Green.

This 4,000 square metre roof in Lichfield, completed by Projects UK Ltd, was in need of refurbishment and Liquasil's BBA Approved Metalseal 20 was specified for its 20 year guarantee against manufacturing defects. The roof was cleaned and the cut-edges were treated with our unique SWT corrosion primer before a single coat of Metalseal 20 was spray-applied to the roof to provide a protective and decorative finish leaving the roof sheets looking like new.To get in touch, call our team of Building Surveyors on 0121 709 5352.

As a project local to Vincent Timber here in Birmingham, this was quite an exciting one for us. Contractors Design and Build worked alongside architects Piper Whitlock on behalf of Harvest on this stunning, 30-acre regeneration project, which was formerly an industrial site.The project is a joint Sainsbury's and Landsec venture which features 250,000 sq. ft. of retail and leisure buildings. As you may imagine, the large onsite Sainsbury's, erected upon stilts, is an impressive feature building.“It was very exciting working on this large-scale project, especially with the unique solar shading we created. Being built locally meant it was great to see the site as it progressed.”  - Malcolm Frowen, Head of Cladding and Brise Soleil Sales @ Vincent TimberWhat You'll Find Here The Sainsbury's site not only features an unforgettable glazed movement atrium, most of its elevations are also clad in beautiful vertical timber strips. Other retailers include Next, Marks & Spencer and JD Sports while Nando's and Costa provide a fuel break from all the shopping fun. All of which are fronted with aesthetically pleasing solar shading created using our Sivalbp timber.Design and aesthetic have been a huge focus of this project, combining many wonderful materials and features while heavily incorporating the Worcester and Birmingham canal to create a unique experience that's so much more than shopping. Whilst there is parking for 860 cars onsite, the canal side square connects the site to the centre of Selly Oak, providing easy access for pedestrians and cyclists too. Thanks to its environmentally friendly design this project has a Very Good BREEAM rating. About SivalbpVincent Timber is the UK's sole distributor of Sivalbp, a modern production facility based in the South of France.The facility combines the latest technology in wood processing, with high quality pre-coating preparation and sophisticated environmentally friendly coating methods to produce a range of coated products that are both high performance and aesthetically pleasing.Many profiles can be secret fixed, avoiding visible nail heads and protecting the integrity of the coating.

The vision for Rochdale Riverside was to provide a revitalised and vibrant town centre incorporating a contemporary architectural form and material palette. In this way it was hoped that it would create a destination experience and re-establish Rochdale as a major shopping centre.The impact of the Stereo-kinetic® wall cladding was fundamental within the design of the project.As described by architects, TP Bennet, “The centrepiece of the scheme, a striking, copper-clad cinema, is set against a background of a dramatic kinetic wall featuring a relief depicting the River Roch, which runs in a culvert underneath the centre”.And also noted within the report by Rochdale Online, “To bring visual interest and activity a unique moving tile wall is proposed which will move with the wind to create rippling effects. It will create a truly distinctive piece of public art and feature at a key entrance point to the town for tram and bus passengers”.Lang+Fulton fitted the 77,500 stainless steel tiles off-site using a template corresponding to the architects design and supplied their panels fully finished with protective, recyclable wrapping for ease of installation.

A self-detached home in Brighton that once blended in with its' neighbours is now arguably the street's most striking resident. The homeowners were passionate about creating a contemporary two-toned look, using materials that are durable and low maintenance.The exterior walls are clad with Hardie® VL Plank fibre cement board, showcasing a mix of a vertical installation on the top half and horizontal installation on the bottom half. The clean, modern lines of the interlock V groove help to accentuate the building's shape, enhancing a sense of spaciousnous.

DAYLIGHTING TAKES OFF AT HEATHROWThe ageing glass skylights of Terminal 4 at London’s Heathrow Airport were in need of repair. The challenges for the project’s main contractor was finding a way to keep the project moving with little disruption to this busy terminal and also maintaining the airport’s security protocol.The answer was a single-source solution presented by Structura UK, the curtainwall engineers who are the exclusive distributor of Kalwall products in the United Kingdom and Ireland.18,836 square feet (1750 square meters) of Kalwall Skyroof® cladding were used above the terminal’s International Departure Lounge and check-in desks to replace the 30+ year old glass skylights. The Kalwall translucent sandwich panels are fully Aviation Security in Airport Development (ASAID) compliant with regards to blast performance and improve the solar control and insulation for the space below. In fact, Kalwall 100™ panels were specifically chosen to exceed code requirements, therefore future-proofing the project.The whole retrofit was completed externally using a custom moving scaffold and during evening hours, meaning there was no disruption to the inside of the building. And, as far as value, the lightweight translucent panels allowed for the existing substrate to be adapted and reused – a savings of nearly $9 million (£7m) in project costs and more than a year off the build timeline.“Structura UK was a new supplier to the major capital projects programme on the Airport (and) they delivered a flawless installation despite multiple challenging circumstances including adverse unseasonal weather, unexpected contaminated materials and multiple design changes,” says Ben Hooper, Senior Project Manager at Heathrow.Structura worked in conjunction with Structural Engineers Webb Yates for a scheme designed by Pascall+Watson architects. The project proved so successful that main contractor Balfour Beatty named Structura as their ‘Most Promising New Supplier 2018’. Kalwall offers complete line-of-sight protection, maintaining privacy for the security screening area and departure lounges while bathing the interior with diffused daylighting, regardless of the weather. Apart from providing the visual protection, its inherent strength and heavy-duty impact resistance make it ideal for secure locations such as this. It offers the highest protection in terms of windbornedebris and resistance to impact, abrasion and point loads. Not only is it man safe, but Kalwall achieves S:AA (BS 476 part 3) and Broof(t4) to EN 13501 part 5 for external fire performance.The exterior face is colour stable and includes a UV resistant, self-cleaning surface. This means that normal rainfall helps to keep the surface free of dust and dirt while at the same time retaining its original colour during the weathering process.

The Arc was a large and complex project with over 1,000,000 Brick Slip cuts and 235,000 Cut and Bonded Bricks. The Architects AHMM had chosen a bespoke blended product from our wider product range to create a random bond effect for the brickwork, this consisted of 126 different lengths of brick slips which all needed to be manufactured by ourselves.The Arc is a new mixed-use building in east London delivering new retail opportunities, office floorspace, 100 new homes, landscaped roof terraces and a new area of public realm onto City Road.The building is inspired by early 19th century New York towers with three stages of tiered massing in response to the surrounding context heights and Conservation Areas. There is a consistent treatment of the facade materiality across the building with vertically expressed brick piers and a horizontal concrete banding wrapping the building. This treatment relates to the adjacent Victorian warehouse aesthetics and is accented by the use of glazed brickwork in the first two levels.At ground level the main entrance is angled away from City Road and is set behind a two-storey colonnade, providing secure access for both the office and residential tenants. The office lobby design contrasts with the calm external appearance through the use of organic GRG elements developed by interior architects Massive Design. An area of affordable office space is proposed at ground level running through the building and linking Shepherdess Walk to Wellesley Terrace. Restaurants and cafes activate the street frontage around the site and the internal lobby space. Externally, retained elements of the former St Luke’s Parish Workhouse are integrated with a new public space and sculptural bench around the existing London plane tree.Levels one to six comprise the office component of the scheme providing 145,000 square feet of office floorspace. Above the office, at Level 07, the building steps back to form a slender element which contains the residential accommodation. The set-back also generates a large landscaped roof terrace with accompanying residents lounge. All the residential areas are designed by the interior architects Bowler James Bridley.

THE PROJECTSymons House is a unique student amenities project nestled within the Symons House student accommodation building in Leeds. London and Scottish Student Housing (LSSH) joined forces with award-winning interior design company, 74, to create something truly special.The interior design of Symons House reflects the architecture of the building, with an overarching 1930s theme including brushed brickwork and bronzed metal framework. Created with students firmly in mind, the full amenity space includes a study lounge, library, cinema, games room, communal kitchen, bathroom, gym, and private dining room.The brief for this project was to create a sophisticated, grown-up space which is a stylish change from the traditionally bright and primary-colour-saturated student buildings found elsewhere.THE MAILBOXESThe Symons House project features two banks of freestanding, standard steel H1 mailboxes in the spacious lobby of the building. One bank contains 120 mailboxes, 10 high x 12 wide, and the other bank contains 240 mailboxes which are also 10 high x 12 wide but are back-to-back. This bank acts as a focal point in the heart of the reception lobby area.The mailboxes are in front / out front horizontal products that are freestanding and rest on table supports. These supports ensure that the mailboxes do not need to be mounted or recessed into a wall.As always, we offer a range of options to ensure that the table supports meet the customer needs. They can be polyester powder coated to match the design of the mailboxes or can be clad to create a feature point.The table supports for Symons House were specifically designed to suit the sophisticated theme. The industrial, boxy, aluminium welded legs were powder coated to match the matt black cladding of the mailboxes, creating an overall sleek finish.Working with the stylish interior design theme, the mailboxes have bronze powder-coated doors in a high-end IGP finish which are encapsulated within the matt black body of the mailbox.

Location: Lots Road, Chelsea, LondonProject Type: HousingDevelopment Cost: £60mProduct: Rainscreen CladdingMeridian Wall CopingsShadex 150 Privacy ScreensPerforated Secret Fix Soffit Panels (To Balconies)Finish: Syntha Pulvin RAL 7012 Matt Basalt Grey S4L0891: Qualicoat 2Fire rating: A2 s1, d0 Non-combustible (Reaction to Fire EN BS 13501-1:2018)Client: CK Asset Holdings LtdArchitect: FarrellsMain Contractor: Rollecate Facades LtdSub Contractor: Rollecate Facades Ltd

Situated in the middle of the London Borough of Hackney, Will Wyatt Court is a 511-room residential building providing student accommodation.ChallengeRoofing & façade contractor Russell Roofing Ltd were contracted to carry out refurbishment works externally on the Will Wyatt Court building - recladding and subsequently transforming the building with BTS Façades and Fabrications' Vantage® IP Interlocking Plank rainscreen system in alternating metallic colours.SolutionThe rainscreen panel used has a secret fix fastening system, which means that the majority of the fasteners are hidden - but the remaining exposed fasteners have to colour match exactly the panel in order to blend in with the building.Using Fixfast DrillFast low profile lacquered fasteners, Fixfast were able to colour match the fastener heads so Russell Roofing could install the fasteners knowing they'd match perfectly with the external panels.Fast forward to 2023 and Russell Roofing were awarded 'best refurbishment project' in the 2023 UK Façade Awards for the Will Wyatt Court refurbishment and re-cladding of the building. "Working with Fixfast at Will Wyatt Court was a great experience all round. Their unwavering commitment to providing technical support, cost-effective solutions, and exceptional customer service has not only streamlined our processes but elevated the overall success of the project."Frazer Simpson - Director at Russell Roofing Ltd

Architects: IDOMLocation: Donostia, SpainPhotography: Iñaki BergeraMaterial: NATURSIDING-WFinish: RustikThe Aldapeta María Ikastetxea School is the interpretation of modernity, sustainability, and innovation poured into architecture. With the original building demolished, which dated back to the 19th Century, the new school building accompanies the view of education into the future, leveraging new technologies.Efficiency has been key to this project through the use of geothermal energy and natural light used as a shaping tool of space. Our durable rain-screen system wood panels embrace the refinement and warmth typically of wood into the structure in juxtaposition with other materials such as concrete and metal resembling Japanese architecture, with its pure lines, rhythm, dynamism, and sobriety.To accentuate the rhythm and promote harmony between concrete and wood, we have opted for the vertical placement of the slats that evokes the patterns of the wood framework. Achieving such effect is possible given the aesthetics enhanced by the small piece that attains a harmonious relationship between wood and concrete. With an innovative setup in the architectural sphere composed of a hidden system with no visible screws or rivets, the slatted cladding can be placed vertically even in large buildings, and in an easy way that provides a sense of strength and uniformity to the whole. The PARKLEX PRODEMA panels new setup system allows achieving distinctive finishes with the warmth of the wood, longevity, durability, and limited to no maintenance requirements.

Investment in the infrastructure at Festival Place shopping centre in Basingstoke has included the refurbishment and extension of the 3,000 space car park. Lang+Fulton worked with Bell Associates to design a new façade using their STEREO-KINETIC® Wall cladding. The gradation of the stainless steel tiles was designed to allow for ventilation whilst transforming the appearance of the original car park and linking it to the new extension with one seamless frontage. The panels were mounted on to an independent steel frame which was bolted back to new structural steelwork.

AWMS Skyline specified in prestigious educational projectThe INCA 2019 New Build Award Winner features one of Alumasc Water Management Solution (AWMS) most innovative products. AWMS Skyline range helped to create the now nationally recognised £5 million Shipston on Stour project.The construction of the Shipston High School began in November of 2017 and was completed last March (2019). Originally requiring a new teaching section, the educational institution acquired an entire new block. The successful new addition to the building was provided through extensive reviews of the building’s estate and cost modelling.With its new contemporary architectural design, the school earnt itself the winning position as the 2019 New Build and Judges’ Choice award. Shipston High School was said to demonstrate impressive window detail, as well as a simple and effective overall minimalist design.As the construction of the project focused on a simple and modern style, it comes as no surprise that AWMS Skyline products were specified for the school’s cladding, capping and trims.

This Aerospace project utilised the whole Troax Commercial Partitioning offer. Utilising our Single Skin and Double skin steel partitioning. Using full steel panels, Steel glass steel panels and steel mesh steel panels, this project truly encapsulated all different bespoke offerings. Troax Lee grid ceilings were also installed on this project and half height partitioning also to section off certain areas.