"metal internal wall finishes"

The Craddockstown Housing Development, Naas, Co. Kildare, is one of six sites being developed by John Sisk and Sons using AG facing brick.Woodward Ashbrooke Antique was chosen for the Craddockstown development due to its rumbled finish and subtle tonal range.The detailed product knowledge offered to John Sisks team and backed up by support from our technical and production team made a real difference to the customer.AG’s 60 year guarantee was vital to Sisks and the willingness to develop bespoke colour blends for the project.John Donnellan, AG Regional Sales Manager, said:“We work very closely with Sisks and have supplied a number of their housing developments which are finished to a very high standard. The inclusion of AG Woodward Brick provided Sisks with the textured finish they were looking for, along with the technical performance that Woodward delivers.”John Sisk’s are very pleased with the outcome and are now looking at future projects using Woodward brick.

Mrs Ballard has recently undertaken an extensive refurbishment and extension project at her traditional 1890s Hertfordshire farmhouse.Replacing the original windows at the front of the home as well as specifying new timber sash windows for the new extension, a stunning new front door was also included as part of the project. Mrs Ballard chose a stunning ‘Lydford’ timber front door from the Dale Joinery range, finished in the shade of ‘Chrome Green’.To complete the look at the front of her home, PVD Stainless Polished Brass door hardware from the Coastal range were specified, including the DKB192 Doctor’s Front Door Knocker, REG090 Regent Lever Door Handle and LP400 Sleeved Letter Plate. The PVD Polished Brass finish was the perfect, complementary choice to the dark green finish of the door, and suits the traditional façade.The new front door really is a statement piece, and has added an extra level of beauty to this stunning countryside property.

Efficient and safe goods lifts optimize performance for a large online shopping retailer’s warehouseThe top online fashion retailer improves its productivity, efficiency and safety to meeting higher market demandsOnline orders for the fashion industry have significantly peaked over the last few years, making fashion retailers recognise the need to expand their warehouses. The international and rapidly growing fashion brand has opened a new warehouse in Litchfield to supply their multinational customers efficiently and on time. In 2021, Lödige Industries was contracted to design, manufacture, deliver and install one SHERPA and one ESCORTA goods lift for the new facility. Installation work of the goods lifts was accomplished in November 2021, while the rack system will be finished afterwards.Optimizing space and serving each mezzanine floor efficientlyDue to the increasing number of online orders, the international fashion retailer needed an efficient and space-saving lift solution. The client envisioned a multi-level storage solution, to fully utilise the available warehousing space.Lödige Industries in the UK decided to implement large goods lifts as a solution to access each floor. The free-standing SHERPA and ESCORTA goods lifts fully automate the transfer of goods across five and six floors and were easily integrated into the rack system. The two lifts have been configured specially to help the flow of goods in the building. They have been fitted to align with their vast increase in orders, facilitating their constant success globally. Overall, the cabin sizes of the goods lifts allow the customer to fit all their equipment in the shaft without any disturbances between different stops.Safety and security are key priorities for the customerSafety for employees in installation and operation of goods lifts is one of the key priorities for the fashion brand. Therefore, engineers from Lödige Industries installed the goods lifts in line with Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC. It contains guidelines to minimise any injury to the user or people close to the machine. It specifies the maximum gap in a guard and directives regarding the lift such as lift speeds for different applications, alongside many other guidelines.For the ESCORTA, Lödige Industries fitted a bumper rail to protect the emergency stop button from being damaged. Additionally, rumble strips were installed to prevent the trolley from moving and maintaining the smooth running of the lift. As a result, this reduces downtime of the goods lifts, the amount of call outs and allows them to be more cost efficient.Consistent site coordination to apply the best lift solution for the customerThe biggest challenge for the customer was the limited space available for the goods lifts. Consequently, the customer required a lift solution to fit between the steel building columns and respecting all other work and storage areas. This made the sizing of the lifts become complex.In close collaboration with the customer, the efficiency of the building was maximised by optimising both, general goods flow and use of space within the goods lifts areas. The constant coordination and communication between the customer and Lödige Industries allowed a precise location for the lifts within the space available.SolutionIn order to save space and meeting the available space restrictions, free standing goods lifts were attached to the rack system.The applied safety measurements reduce downtimes of the goods lifts, the amount of call outs and allows the customer to operate more cost efficient.Close collaboration between the go-to fashion brand and Lödige Industries enabled the customer to optimise goods flow while respecting all site specifications.

Project: The Castings, Piccadilly EastLocation: Heyrod Street, ManchesterVCL membrane system supplier: ADA FastfixSystem used: illbruck ME060 A2-Membrane Pro Air and Vapour Control Layer, illbruck TF448 High Performance Bonding Tape, ME322 Internal Tape 100illbruck, a part of CPG UK, have celebrated the successful installation of their new A2 fire classified vapour control layer within an exciting new residential development in the heart of Manchester.The projectThe Castings, Piccadilly East is on a 0.7-acre site in the Manchester Piccadilly regeneration area and includes four stepped building elements rising to 25-storeys high. The development will consist of 352 build-to-rent (BTR) apartments, including a mix of studio, 1, 2, and 3 bed units, alongside roof terrace gardens, retail and amenity space, and a public square. The project was designed with a focus on sustainability, to deliver low energy consumption with highly efficient building fabric.ADA Fastfix, a leading supplier into the construction industry, were approached to find an airtight vapour control membrane which would ensure high levels of thermal performance and energy efficiency in the building. As a ‘relevant building’ according to Building Regulations Approved Document B, the installed membrane needed to be a fire classified solution; an A2 fire classified solution was requested to provide enhanced fire safety for the building and its occupants.The solutionADA Fastfix selected illbruck ME060 A2-Membrane Pro Air and Vapour Control Layer due to its enhanced reaction to fire classification of A2-s1, d0 to EN 13501-1, excellent product performance, and the accompanying technical support from the illbruck team. illbruck ME060 A2-Membrane uses advanced technology to combine reinforced glass fibre with an aluminium and laminated coating, providing long lasting strength and durability. The special coating also improves thermal performance by reflecting up to 95% of heat.  Its airtight and vapour-tight properties, which can be used to comply with Passivhaus, helps improve energy efficiency whilst protecting the building fabric from moisture vapour and condensation.The applicationOver 6,000m2 of illbruck ME060 A2-Membrane Pro Air and Vapour Control Layer was attached to the Steel Frame Structure using TF448 50mm high performance tape. The lap joints and window details were then sealed with ME322 70mm tape. This system can be used on the internal structure of a timber frame or lightweight steel structure to manage air and moisture flow, as well as enhance the building’s thermal performance, energy efficiency, and fire safety. Alongside providing high performance products, the illbruck team also helped the client with detailed drawings, technical service and application guidance, and on-site support – to ensure a smooth installation process and great finished result.Project overviewScott Hurry, Area Sales Manager at CPG UK, said, “illbruck ME060 A2-Membrane was the ideal choice for this fabric first build due to its enhanced reaction to fire classification as well as helping to improve thermal performance in the building. This is the first major installation of our new ME060 A2 fire classified membrane - we’re delighted to work with ADA Fastfix to see our products installed in this development, where our membrane will be helping to protect the building and its residents for years to come.”

Client: Heron Tower, LondonLocation: Bishopgate, LondonSector: Mixed-Use FacilityYear: 2021Project Size: 500 m²System: vebrodeck IDHeron Tower, a mixed-use high-rise development in London, required a bright, welcoming and durable floor coating material for its bike and scooter storage area, an environment used by the residents and staff of businesses based in the building. Heron Tower, located at 110 Bishopgate in the heart of London, is a mixed-use facility providing over 440,000 sq ft of premium office and leisure space over 36 floors. Enhanced to achieve net zero carbon, the building features a façade of solar panels and has achieved a BREEAM rating of Excellent. The impressive contemporary landmark, situated just a short walk from Liverpool Street Station, was — at the time of its construction — the tallest high-rise in the capital, standing at 230m tall including its mast. Featuring a range of corporate office spaces, restaurants and leisure spaces, as well as Britain’s largest privately-owned aquarium in its impressive lobby, the development has been designed to impress, providing building users with a premium experience throughout. This has extended to its more functional areas, with the transformation of its bicycle storage area; a dedicated space where building users are able to securely store their pushbikes and scooters. Installed in a combination of RAL 5018 Turquoise Blue and RAL 7035 Light Grey, the installation of vebrodeck ID has created a welcoming space for the building's climate-conscious cyclists and scooters to safely store their vehicles. vebrodeck ID is a durable resin deck wearing system, designed for use on driveways and parking bays of internal or basement level decks of multi–storey parking structures. vebrodeck ID is a protective deck coating system offering excellent wear resistance. The system deadens noise from unpleasant tyre squeal, is available in a wide range of colours, protects against oils, fuels and de-icing salts and can be tailored to ensure an anti-slip finish. 

DescriptionLocal Smet Supported Partner, master builders NRS Group Construction, machine-applied the LIDL External Render System onto Poroton blocks externally using as Base Coat: Bauprotec 850 M – Lightweight Lime Cement Render, and as Key Coat: Change of substrate concrete/steel pillar/Poroton block or mass concrete and insulated plinths: Bauprotec RHS Multi-Purpose Render.The internal Render System specification onto Poroton blockwork consists of a base of Coat: Bauprotec 850 M, Lightweight Lime Cement Render, sponge floated in warehouse areas, and skim finished in sales areas. Key Coat: Change of substrate concrete/steel pillar/Poroton block: Bauprotec RHS is used.The Irish LIDL render spec, available from SMET consists of:Bauprotec 850 M is a factory-produced Lightweight Lime Cement Render, specially designed for machine or hand application produced to EN 998-1: 2010 and is CE Marked.Bauprotec RHS is a CE Marked, factory-produced highly polymer-modified render specially designed for hand and machine application produced to EN 998-1: 2010.The special render properties; lightweight, low thermal conductivity, high yield, and the Smet Supported Partner’s superior technical backup, are key factors in choosing SMET. SMET is committed to delivering consistently superior quality, German-made Render Systems to Lidl Plastering and rendering/plastering contractors across the UK and ROI.  If you’d like to speak to us about your Lidl job – contact SMET.All LIDL spec SMET Render System products are available directly from Smet Building Products Ltd, who ensures the contractor has a superior level of technical backup in the machine application of the LIDL specification.SMET is committed to delivering consistently superior quality, German-made Render Systems to Lidl Plastering and rendering/plastering contractors across the UK and ROI.  If you’d like to speak to us about your Lidl job – contact SMET.

Community campaign group, ‘Climate Action Ilkley’, has expanded its e-cargo bike hire scheme with the addition of a new FalcoCargoBox, providing secure storage for its fleet of cargo bikes.This is now the second public Cargo Bike storage facility in the UK following the launch of the Beryl public cargo bike hire scheme in Hackney earlier this month and the FalcoCargoBox hangar has been fitted with a number of enhanced features including;Two internal electric sockets providing a charging facility for each e-cargo bike.A security lock to access the e-cargo bike hangar.A stylish powder coated finish.Distinctive branding graphics advertising the new facility to Ilkley residents.Located on Ilkley car park, on South Hawksworth Street, the new FalcoCargoBox has been commissioned on behalf of City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council and provides secure and sheltered cargo bike accommodation in a purpose-built design.Local residents and visitors are now able to register with the charity to become a member and hire a cargo bike of their choice for free (with a donation recommended to cover upkeep).The images attached here show the new FalcoCargoBox delivered and installed by Falco last week, on a sunny Autumn afternoon. The FalcoCargoBox is just one of four Cargo bike storage products produced by Falco with the full range as follows:FalcoPod-Cargo – standard bike hangar without the bike racks.FalcoCargoPod - as above with an extended back for longer cargo bikes.FalcoCargoBox – specifically designed for larger cargo bikes as per the Ilkley scheme.FalcoLok-Cargo – a walk in store with space for two large cargo bikes and additional equipment.The scheme here for Climate Action Ilkley is the second FalcoCargoBox installation in the UK, with the first launch taking place last month in Hackney offering the UK’s first public cargo bike hire scheme, operated by Beryl Bikes on behalf of the London Borough of Hackney.For more information about the FalcoCargoBox or how Falco can assist your cargo bike parking scheme, please contact our helpful sales team on 01538 380080.

Architect/Designer: Urban meshLocation: LondonProject Overview: Part of a new terrace of contemporary residential houses.ServiceFull hardware scheduling & bespoke finishProject Details3v worked closely with the Urban mesh to provide a full hardware package for this unique project. We always strive to build a close and longstanding relationship with our architects, Oliver Lazarus from Urban Mesh describes below how we worked together to find the best solution for this project.‘During the last 15 years we’ve worked with 3v on over 100 projects across all sectors. 3v provide a fantastic service in terms of specification, scheduling and ensuring that the correct hardware gets to site. We are also big fans of the Vieler ironmongery range for which 3v are the sole UK agents. At Coate St we specified the 05.ER.DG.117.DR-44 . which is a great lever handle and very popular with clients for its clean lines, solidity and smooth action.There were also a number of challenging door and furniture conditions requiring expert input. Most notably the handed front locks to garage and front door grill needed to provide a secure deadlock, be integrated with a door entry system, operate during a power outage, provide ease of egress from inside to outside without the need for additional switches or door release buttons. 3v came up with a great solution that the occupant of the house still enthuses about! Internally 3v specified an excellent ‘Squash court style’ magnetic latch which enabled us to design and detail a double fold hidden door.No other supplier had come up with these solutions previously and this is a great example of where 3v enabled us, with access to their expertise, to push design elements confident in the knowledge that they would understand the design question and go the extra mile to achieve the solution.’For more information about this project visit http://www.urbanmesh.com/iindex.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=151:coate-street-hackney-london&catid=24:projects&Itemid=132Photographs by Charles Hosea

Continuing its work at Wood Wharf development in Canary Wharf, Artform Urban supplied a range of bespoke Cumaru seating to Harbour Quay Gardens as finishing touches to complete an extensive phase of the project.Harbour Quay is a new development of residential blocks, office and retail buildings as well as extensive parks & green spaces located on the Isle of Dogs in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. It is the first time residential properties have been built on the Canary Wharf site. This recent phase seamlessly connects to Artform's previous work at Wood Wharf opening up the waterside space with Cumaru benches and seats running in an impressive line alongside the edge of the docks. The benches and seats feature a traditional and minimal design with high consideration for quality and precision - Cumaru was selected for the benches to ensure consistency across the site, and to match with the boardwalk and existing street furniture. Additional security points were included in a number of seats at certain areas of the site to allow fixings for security barriers.As in the previous project, the seats are branded with laser etched cover plates that feature the Canary Wharf logo whilst also obscuring fixings. Alongside the Cumaru seating, Mooring Point units have been supplied with integrated timber seats on the top. These units securely house all the utility hookup points for boats mooring on the waterfront. The design process was incredibly prescriptive due to the close cooperation needed between the bespoke bench and all the specific utility connection points contained within - becoming one of the most complicated design and approval processes Artform Urban have ever been involved with. The bench consists of multiple internal compartments and individual access doors, some cleverly concealed within the timber cladding.As final additions to the project, Steely Can litter bins have been installed, a product that Artform have consistently supplied to Canary Wharf for over 10 years. The usual design, quality, and service provided by Artform Urban matched the expectations of the UK’s most prestigious developments by delivering high-quality street furniture to this vibrant and continually expanding new urban space.

The new washrooms at London's historic Carpenters' Hall feature our full height Alto toilet cubicles, finished with a walnut real wood veneer, and bespoke Corian vanity units with inset waste bins and individually inset square sinks plus bespoke mirror units. Real wood veneer under panels, in walnut to match the toilet cubicle doors, were installed underneath the vanities. We also installed our Concerto integrated duct panel system, finished in HPL laminate in a neutral colour.

Oaks Park Secondary School, invited Lazylawn East London to tender for around 1000m2 of artificial grass to be installed in the school recreational areas. Due to past experience with artificial lawn installations at the school, with the perimeter of the artificial grass lifting and secured with nails, the school was seeking a more secure and safer perimeter finish for this project. Lazylawn East London proposed VertEdge and the contract was won by Lazylawn last London. VertEdge was used throughout the installation providing a completely safe and secure perimeter finish without the use of mechanical fixings.

We've upgraded the washrooms at a busy shopping centre in Northampton featuring Alavo integrated consumable units from Dolphin Dispensers and bespoke Corian vanities. The washrooms also feature our Senza cubicles, which were manufactured in solid grade laminate (SGL) and finished with an attractive walnut veneer to complement the contemporary style. Our Concerto integrated duct panel system, which was also manufactured in SGL with matching walnut veneer finish to complement the cubicles, was installed underneath the vanities and behind the WCs and urinals.

Longwater Reach is a collection of 74 two, three and four bedroom houses at Green Park Village being created by St Edward, part of the Berkeley Group. Exterior design traits include classic HardiePlank® weatherboarding in colours including Arctic White and Midnight Black, providing a natural timber effect, long-lasting durability and a stunning finish. Coloured matched finely-finished balconies and window frames complete the look, with natural landscaping and pathways, all designed to blend in to the development’s calming waterside backdrop.

The roof of this bingo hall in Hamilton, Scotland was affected by cut edge corrosion. Liquasil's Flexlap cut edge corrosion treatment was specified to solve the problem. All surfaces were first prepared using wire brushes to remove any delaminating finishes, before being prepared with the Liquasil Corrosion primer. Once the primer had cured, the Flexlap hardened silicone top coat was applied to provide a moss and lichen resistant finish, offering 10+ years protection, all backed by Liquasil’s unique, Latent Defects Insurance Warranty.

Oscar Elite exceptionally smooth acoustic plaster used on Grand Design Series 7. Oscar Acoustics' experienced in-house operatives installed Oscar Elite acoustic plaster directly onto the original concrete soffit at a depth of only 25mm and up the vertical faces into the feature light lantern. The end result was a flat white acoustic plaster finish, smoother than most conventional plastered and painted finishes, which made this potential sonic battle ground a relaxing and comfortable place in which to spend time.

Location: Green Park, Reading, BerkshireProject Type: HousingProduct: Raking Fascia with Secret Fix Panel SoffitFinish: Syntha Pulvin RAL 7015 Matt Slate GreyProduct: Meridian CopingsFinish: Syntha Pulvin RAL 9003 Matt Signal WhiteFire rating: A2 s1, d0 Non-combustible (Reaction to Fire EN BS 13501-1:2018)Client: Berkeley HomesArchitects: Broadway MalyanMain Contractor: St Edwards Homes Ltd

Architect: EMAStone: Bela SandstoneThis impressive new residential development consisting of 34 apartments is clad in Aztec Rainscreen façade finished in Bela Sandstone. This buff/blonde sandstone is a perfect match for the historical City of Glasgow and the surrounding Victorian tenements It follows on from the earlier use of this durable stone in North Street. Completed in 2018 and designed by KFK Design, Atrium Gardens is a new-build property with the rainscreen installed by Roof & Façade Systems and boasting its own refined, sleek and contemporary finish.

Five years on from completion, no repairs have been required for any damage to the Academy's partitions or wall linings. The contractor used Siniat LaDura, a hard wearing board for its corridors and classrooms.

In this wooden building in the center of Vienna, the walls, ceilings and floors are made from solid wood(CLT). The construction protection covering and sealing for the individual elements were achieved with the SIGA products Wetguard and Rissan.

The Chesterfield Nuffield Health Hospital, Bristol commissioned Intastop Ltd after its walls in theatre corridors and waiting areas were suffering from high levels of unsightly and unhygienic impact damage.

Specified at the design stage Bioclad’s white antimicrobial PVC system along with BioArmis wall protection including bump rails and corner guards were installed through-out this recent healthcare scheme.

Finish: Interpon D2525 Steel Bronze 1 Y2206F Parts Coated: Windows, Railings, Cladding Panels Architect: PRP

Built overlooking the harbour in a Pembrokeshire town, this stunning property incorporated Cedral Click to create a contemporary finish to the coastal home

Finish: Interpon D2525 RAL 6005 YK205E Parts Coated: Soffits Architect: Grimshaw Fabricator: Baileys Applicator: Baileys

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

We've met Nick & Vicky Architects at Holloway & Holloway, when they’d just finished their rear and side extension. As their family is now bigger, they decided to create a brand new loft extension.You’ve just finished remodelling your home. Congratulations! Tell us what was the timeline from buying the house to now?Well, it’s been quite the journey! We bought the house over 4 years ago now. We always bought it as a project, so we knew that it was going to be something that would take a number of years to complete.The house needed a lot of work from day 1. In fact, I have a photo, taken at 9 am the morning after we moved in with my wife sledgehammer in hand, knocking a wall down. I quit work shortly after we moved in and I spent the next few months working on the house, mostly getting the first floor fit for us to live in, but also fixing the kitchen and other areas.We basically took the first floor back to brick work and joists. We fitted new plumbing and electrics, installed a new bathroom, new floors and so on. I managed to get a new kitchen from free-cycle which so we could replace our one, which wasn’t really in a working state.Once that was done, we had a home that we could live in and work from and that was around the time that we started our practice, Holloway and Holloway.As we got busier with work, we started to get a bit more hands off with the actual building work and allow people who were more qualified than I was to start helping us out, and we focused more on the design work.The next stage was the side and rear extension which we did a couple of years later, finishing in early 2021. The idea being that we would have a nice entertaining space for us to spend time in with friends and family before we had children! A couple of weeks after we finished, Covid hit, and that dream didn’t become a reality. It was amazing to have a really lovely space for us to spend lockdown in though.The loft conversion was timed with us wanting to start a family. When Vicky fell pregnant, we started more serious arrangements to start this final stage of the works. It was finished (or mostly finished at least) the same week that our son was born, so we did manage to come home to a quiet house at least.Why did you choose to do the renovation in staged phases?It was mostly to do with money really. There were certain elements that we needed to do straight away to live comfortably in the property, but after we were settled, it was a question of saving up to be able to do the works. As we weren’t in need of extra bedrooms at the time, it seemed that we would get more immediate benefit out of the works to the ground floor so that is why we started there.Even if there wasn’t a need to save up we would likely have tried to do the work in phases so that we could stay in the house during the works. Moving out adds even more to the cost of the works, and as it was just us two in the house at the time, it was easy enough for us to adapt to moving around the house and living through the noise and dust of building works. It would have been a very different story with little ones to take care of as well.Why did you choose to add a loft extension to your home? And what are the most important things to keep in mind when designing a loft extension?For us we needed to build the loft extension to move our office space to the top of the house so that we had somewhere quiet to work. But regardless of our working situation, it is a great thing to do to maximise the space in your home.Converting a loft space or adding a dormer extension, is generally the most cost-effective way to add space to your home, especially in tight urban settings. For us, we were able to add two bedrooms and a bathroom to our home, which is vital for our growing family to expand into. By doing this work, it extends the life of our home for us, now we have a great sized family home, where otherwise we would likely have had to move in the future to get extra space as our family grows.We’ve designed and built lots of loft extensions as architects, so it was really interesting for us to try and take out what we thought were the most important lessons from the experiences we have had and put them all into our own project.Firstly, it is worth noting that our council will override planning policy in some circumstances, in favour of good design, so by using high quality materials, in our case the dark metal cladding, we were able to get permission for a larger extension than would have been allowable otherwise. So, though the cladding material was more expensive, we gained more space, and hence more saleable floor area.The next was insulation, this was a gamble for us as we know the theory about its benefits, but when you are having to balance costs on your building project it seems an easy place to cut back on and save money.Building regulations require a certain level of insulation, but you can go far beyond this, and more insulation means that your home will take on less heat in summer, keeping it cooler, and will let out less heat in winter, keeping it warmer. We decided to go well above the basic requirements, and we have found that just as the theory states, our loft is a much more comfortable space throughout the year than our neighbours, which we know gets uncomfortably hot in summer, to the extent that they struggle to work in the loft in mid-summer.The last lesson would be good ventilation. Though the additional insulation helps keep temperatures steady, when temperatures soar in the UK, it can still get very hot in your loft. This is compounded by the fact that all the warm air in your home will rise up to the top of the house. Adding an openable rooflight over the stairs is an incredible tool for thermally controlling your entire home. Opening it acts as a chimney letting all of the hot air out of the roof and pulling new fresh cooler air in at low level, creating a really nice through breeze in the home. The added benefit is that you also get loads of natural light over the stairs, which trickles down all the way to the ground floor.You’ve chosen to introduce both Vario by VELUX bespoke rooflights, regular VELUX windows, and VELUX curved glass rooflights. Why?There is method to the madness. Over the stairs, we wanted to have a rooflight that was sized to evenly fit the shape of the room, with an even offset from all the walls, so for that we needed the bespoke sizing of a Vario by VELUX flat rooflight.For the bedroom, we wanted to have some light come in from above, and although it would have been visually amazing to have a large rooflight here, we felt the VELUX Curved Glass roof window was more appropriate, as it had integrated blinds that would easily make the window blackout at the touch of a button, which Vario be VELUX will start offering as of December 2021.The VELUX windows are necessary to get light in from the front façade of the property via the pitched roof. These were the only way we could get light into the bathroom, and for our office, it enables the room to be dual aspect, which gives constant direct daylight and also fantastic through ventilation.We love the new studio roof window that VELUX has launched recently, but I just love the way the top hung light open, I think it looks so impressive. Also, as I’m fairly tall, the Top hung windows are great as I can walk underneath them when they are open easily. What impact do the rooflights and roof windows have on your everyday life at home and especially in relation to the thing you do at home?To be honest, we worked from home pre-pandemic, and so we spent a lot of time in our home even before the lockdowns came along and working practices began to change. We are firm believers that you need to make your home work for you rather than be set up for others and that really came to the forefront over the pandemic to a lot of our client’s minds, as they were suddenly not hosting people as much or at all and they had less spaces in the wider world they were able to visit. So, they started to think more about how their home could meet all of their needs.In practice, this could be as simple as putting a sofa bed into the spare room instead of a fixed bed that limits the space and is only used infrequently. This then allows you to turn the rest of the space into an arts and crafts room, or a cinema room for family movie nights. It's about trying to get the most use out of the space that you have.As far as the rooflights go, I’ve already mentioned the practical benefits of ventilation and natural light, but in many ways, I suppose the biggest impact they have is how they change spaces from what could be quite standard spaces into light, bright, modern spaces, they make you feel like you’re living in some sort of architectural magazine, and it is a lovely feeling that doesn’t really dampen over time.  

IssueSheffield Olympic Legacy Park Stadium was created after a collaboration of key institutions decided to deliver an Olympic legacy through the four themes of sport, community, environment and economy. The park has an ethos to achieve physical and mental health and wellbeing by providing world-class facilities for community sports, from grassroots up to elite levels.ApproachWith the need to provide inspirational interiors for aspiring Olympians, Alex Parojcic, Architect at Whittam Cox knew that a high-end design, complemented by technical performance and ease of maintenance was required for the new changing areas, showers and physiotherapy suite. “Ceramic tiles had originally been specified for the showers and changing rooms, but we switched to Altro Tegulis when we realised the installation would be quicker, give a fantastic look and feel to the areas,and provide the cleanliness and hygiene standards required for such busy areas.”Joe Richardson of Richardsons Cladding who completed the installation, added “Altro Tegulis was a quick and easy install which assisted with the contractor’s tight programme. If this had been done in the ceramic tiles it would have impacted the programme massively.”SolutionAltro Tegulis, partnered by Altro Aquarius were specified for the showers, providing safety from slips in shoes and barefoot. For the changing rooms, where traffic from football studs, sports shoe spikes and bumps/knocks from sports bags and equipment would be experienced, Altro Atlas 40 was specified. Altro Wood provided a less clinical finish in the physiotherapy suite.Altro Tegulis tile-effect wall panels offer the ideal alternative to traditional tiles for wet rooms, bathrooms, kitchens, and retail spaces. With a range of tile-effect patterns offering a grout-free alternative to tiles, Altro Tegulis offers a more familiar feeling than traditional wall panel sheets.Altro Atlas is well suited to areas where the risk of a slip is high, including heavy duty industrial use and sports changing rooms. Hard wearing, stable, and resistant to mechanical damage and chemicals, Altro Atlas 40 provides long term durability and slip resistance, and is easy to clean and maintain.Altro Aquarius is a specialist solution for combined wet and dry, shoe and barefoot areas. Keeps you safe with common contaminants such as shampoo and conditioner.Altro Wood is a general purpose 2mm wood-effect vinyl safety flooring available in a range of designs with different plank sizes.

The result of the first project of this type is a house with an organic, soft design - the furnishings minimalistic, high-quality and modern. The house consists of triple-shelled walls that are filled with insulating mass. With the help of a giant 3D printer, the concrete mass was applied layer by layer. And within only a few months, a single-family house with 160 m² of living space was created.Nothing was to be missing from the house with its furnishings; the aim was to emphasise the high-quality and special style of the building. The concrete layers were to remain visible inside and out - reduced, clean and yet expressive in its style. This claim runs consistently through all rooms of the house. The bathrooms are equipped with KEUCO IXMO fittings in the shower and on the bathtub. The minimalistic fitting elements blend into the futuristic image, restrained yet strong in design. The shiny chrome finish, reflect a brilliant contrast to the dark tiles in the shower.Aligning with the principle of the house "without corners and edges", round cover plates were chosen for the fittings.  The accessories at the washbasin and WC also fulfil the credo of the design concept: EDITION 400 with its round form language is filigree and the accessories are high-quality eye-catchers. They enhance the bathroom with their understatement.What once started as a pilot project could influence building in the future and also offer installation and plumbing companies with completely new challenges.The materials and fittings of the bathrooms were chosen to match the special wall texture. "Without corners and edges", the EDITION 400 accessories from KEUCO perfectly fit to the motto, as does the KEUCO IXMO bath mixer with round cover plates.In addition to numerous accessories for the toilet and washbasin area, the EDITION 400 range also includes many hooks and towel rails. The accessories are very filigree in design and nicely round-off the bathroom design in a discrete and elegant way.  The IXMO fittings in the shower are not only outstanding in terms of design, but also from a technical point of view: the water quantity and temperature are regulated via the single-lever mixer. The shower holder integrates a diverter, where you can choose between a large overhead shower and a hand shower. Two in one: The KEUCO free-standing accessory for the toilet area is the flexible solution for a toilet paper holder and toilet brush set. Thanks to the large base plate, it is particularly stable.  

ClientManchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) Market SectorHealthcare The Project BriefWythenshawe Hospital is a major acute teaching hospital part of the Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT). Its area of specialisms includes cardiology and cardiothoracic surgery, heart and lung transplants as well as cancer and breast care services and supports patients from across the North West and beyond.During the upgrade of the Emergency Department (E.D) the team decided on both protection and preventative measures to ensure only the highest of standards were adhered to which were in line with the Hospital’s renowned reputation. The SolutionIntastop Ltd was chosen to supply and fit a range of protective products designed specifically to integrate seamlessly with the hospital aesthetics.They included Bed Head Protection, Hand Rails, Sanparrel® Wall Sheet and Corner Guards from the Inpro product range in addition to Intastop’s innovative I-Gienic Smooth Hygienic Sheet and Rigid Frame Guards. Impact protection sheet along with the other products installed at Wythenshawe Hospital boast a plethora of benefits including high impact resistance, Class ‘O’ Fire Rated; tested to BS476 Parts 6 & 7 and available in a variety of colours. Additional Benefits of Impact Protection SheetEnsures staff and patient safety in the event of a fire by maintaining fire integrity of the surface.Protects against localised damage.Maintains a clean, safe environmentAchieves colour contrast for critical surfaces to assist with visually impaired staff and patientsWhat the client saysMarcus Ashurst, project manager for the emergency department said“With a collaborative approach from the inception of the project through to completion, the Trust was mindful that the new emergency department operating 24 hours a day would require careful thought and consideration with regards to the finishes selected. With leading healthcare architects IBI plans were drafted with full engagement with the clinical teams to develop an extremely well-considered and effective design – fit for purpose.Working with Interserve, the principal supply chain partner appointed to construct the new development, Intastop were nominated to supply and install a fully comprehensive system of door and wall protection that would not only withstand and protect the built environment, but also enhance the aesthetics of the environment. The holistic approach taken and end result was indeed most satisfactory.”

Urban development within St. Helier, the capital of Jersey is gathering momentum with URSA seeing its specialist insulation products specified at one of the capital’s newest and most ambitious developments. The largest of the Channel Islands, St. Helier is a lively harbour town and has become one of the UK's most popular tourist attractions, creating a high demand for ongoing residential and commercial development. Both its commercial port and marina, as well as the centre and the main neighborhoods, are undergoing an in-depth study for the renovation of its building stock and the transformation of the urban landscape it offers. The ultimate objective is a profound urban regeneration carried out through the creation of a commercial heart open to the sea, in the city centre, and modern, sustainable and healthy residential developments on the outskirts to ensure the demands of future growth. It also aims to reduce traffic and create a walkable city for pedestrians and cyclists with green spaces and open spaces. In the north of the city is Ann Court, a large development located next to a large municipal park built on the site of a former car park that has been demolished. Being developed by Andium Homes, construction is nearing completion on the development of 165 new homes of different sizes and orientations (with internal and external courtyards), but with a common standard: the energy efficiency and sustainability of the whole complex. To support the sustainable objectives, architects have specified a ventilated façade that guarantees thermal and acoustic comfort, whilst preventing moisture penetration and condensation. A correctly designed ventilated façade system also guarantees a fire safe structure, prolongs the life of the building and enhances its energy efficiency. As part of the specification, 2,400 square meters of 220mm URSA Walltec Black 32 were specified. The choice of material was the direct decision of the architect Stephen Marshall of Axis Mason Architects, who decided on the glass wool slabs after learning about their performance and the knowledge provided by URSA's technical office. URSA Walltec Black 32 is a semi-rigid glass wool slab treated with a water repellent additive. The slabs have a black glass fibre tissue to one side only that helps to hide the insulation in ventilated façades with open joints. It is a non-combustible product that does not contribute to the spread of fire, is water repellent and has high performance to ensure the thermal and acoustic comfort of the entire residential complex. Once the insulating material has been fixed, the façade is completed with the installation of the cladding to create cavity that ensures the properties of the system. This imposing façade enveloping the courtyards of Ann Court facilitates a new building in the north of St. Helier where social interaction, tranquility, quality, comfort and healthiness are guaranteed.  Ian Claydon, URSA UK Technical Manager, said: “We first became involved in this scheme in June 2020. We were approached by the architect for recommendations on correct choice of product and the thermal assessment for the external walls.  “During the early stages of the project, we were in regular contact providing advice on the target U-value in the wall(a commendably low 0.18 W/m2K), as well as the impact on Jersey SAP energy assessment and the technicalities of rainscreen cladding. The team were particularly impressed with the speed of response and our wider technical knowledge, helping to support the perfect specification.” 

After embarking on a project to create high quality new learning pods to enhance its facilities, the last thing teachers, staff and children at Carr Lodge Academy in Doncaster were expecting was for excessive background noise to be so much of an issue that it stood in the way of their ability to use and enjoy them.The school wanted to create learning pods for each of its 1-6 year groups to provide a facility that could be used for extra learning, small group teaching or a break-out space for teachers and children. The building contractor appointed to construct the pods worked to an agreed specification and design, but the acoustic conditions that would result from the proposed usage of the spaces, the positioning of the pods and choice of materials for their fit-out was not fully realised. It was only when teachers and staff started using the learning pods that problems with echo and excessive sound reverberation were fully realised. This is a common acoustic issue which results from interiors that feature lots of hard, harsh reflective surfaces with the ultimate impact at Carr Lodge being that the pods were unsuitable for their purpose.The school sought specialist assistance to resolve the issues which started with an acoustic assessment and detailed acoustic report. And following a competitive tendering process, Hush Acoustics was appointed to complete the acoustic upgrade using its sound absorber panels.How absorption resolved the issueThe solution involved manufacturing and installing a series of Hush Absorber 50 panels which were strategically mounted on the walls of the learning pods. The Class A absorber panels are formulated using a 50mm thick acoustic foam which is hand finished in a high quality fabric applied on the face, edges and back – at Carr Lodge, the panels feature a green fabric to match the school’s aesthetics and contribute to the welcoming environment.Various sizes of panels were installed to fit the differing sized spaces within the school. Their positioning was dependent on the size and the layout of the learning pod for the year group. Some year group pods, for example, feature desks, so absorber panels have been installed to be continuous along the desk line, helping the children hear what is being said by teachers. In other desk-free learning pods, the panels were positioned on the walls – symmetrically where possible – to deliver an aesthetically pleasing and acoustically -effective result. Hush Absorber 50 panels work by absorbing soundwaves generated by speech and other sources in a way that hard surfaces such as plastered walls, wood and laminates do not. As a result, less sound is reflected back into the room, so the level of ambient noise is dramatically reduced to deliver a more acoustically comfortable environment that is far more conducive to learning.‘Huge difference’ to the learning environmentSarah Crampton, Principal at Carr Lodge Academy said: “Sound reverberation was causing us real problems and it meant that the learning pods – although fantastic in principle – simply didn’t serve the purpose for which they were intended.“The sound absorber panels have made a huge difference to the useability of our learning pods and provided a solution that did not require major, disruptive work. The quality of the solution provided by the Hush Acoustics team, and their service overall, has impressed everyone involved in this project.”

The essential plaster for restoration and repairs Older houses rarely feature the levels of insulation and damp proofing we take for granted today, so damp walls and brickwork are often a problem. That’s why Limelite is the clear choice in repair and restoration projects. Following treatment with an injected damp proof course, Limelite will help older, damper properties dry out by allowing balanced moisture movement through its coating. The superior workability of Limelite products means they can be applied to any sound substrate as easily as conventional gypsum based plasters. They can even be used on timber and lath walls, which still crop up in refurbishments after existing plaster layers have been hacked away.

THE PROJECTThe Royal Mail Pigeon Hole Boxes project uses a large bank of through the wall mailboxes that used a securely front panel on the box along with a open rear that allows for easy retrieval of the posted mail. These pigeon holes are built through a panel and access to the rear of the boxes is only available to security-approved personnel. This bank of pigeon boxes contains a larger box at the base of the bank which can receive large mail/small parcels.PROJECT DETAILSProject Type: Commercial Post Office Mail SortingProduct: COM 2 mailbox chassis w/ open backInstallation: Through the WallQuantity: 200+Accessories: Oak surround / Support legs

Global engineering consultancy, WSP, recently relocated 850 Manchester-based staff to new offices situated in the prestigious, No8 First Street building. The refurbished office space focuses on the wellbeing of employees, creating relaxing spaces where they can unwind and spend time with colleagues. Contributing to this positive lifestyle environment, Style installed two DORMA Varitrans glass moveable walls, effectively separating breakout areas and creating either two smaller rooms or one large open plan space. A further eight DORMA Variflex, fully automatic moveable walls were installed across two other floors, allowing WSP to create three larger meeting rooms or seven smaller ones.

Bespoke wall protection from contract interior specialist Gradus is creating a fun and attractive atmosphere at a state-of-the-art new medical facility, while also ensuring excellent hygiene and low maintenance costs. Evelina London Children’s Day Treatment Centre, part of Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, has been built to provide more life-changing care for children and young people with rare and complex conditions. Overseen by Morgan Sindall, the project saw Gradus collaborate with Art in Site - a London-based studio of artists, designers and strategists – and ADP Architecture, to create a wall cladding solution with integrated art that helps the hospital’s young patients to heal, learn and thrive.

PROJECT CONTRACTOR: Electra-B.S.T Registered Partnership/HAGIVAY.H. LTD PROJECT MANAGER: Electra-B.S.T: Silvivan ChachmoPROJECT ENGINEER: Electra-B.S. T: Offer Luzon / HAGIVA Y.H.: Priel LewMARKET/ENVIRONMENT: InfrastructureSUBSTRATE: Steel/ConcretePRODUCTS USED: Five Star® Fluid Grout 100 and Five Star® GroutPROJECT SIZE: Five Star Fluid Grout 100: 30,000 Kg / Five Star® Grout: 55,000 KgTHE CHALLENGETo construct an environmentally friendly, covered, 30,000-seat stadium in Israel's largest city of Haifa for the convenience of spectators, players, and judges. As such, two of the country's predominant construction entities were selected. A partnership was formed between Electra BST Registered Partnership and constructor Yossi Shiran, the largest engineering company in Israel, to complete this 80-million-dollar stadium over the course of five years.THE SOLUTIONFive Star® Fluid Grout 100 and Five Star Grout enabled contractors to create a unique stadium that is both meticulous and intentional in catering to the convenience of its visitors and players. Five Star's industry-leading cement-based, non-metallic, non-shrink Fluid Grout 100 and Five Star Grout were integral to the stadium's construction.