"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.

With over 22,000 square foot and 8 bedrooms, we manufactured in total, 13 Casement windows, 46 Spring Sash windows, bi-fold doors, 17 Conservation doors, two entrance doors and side doors.The client was keen to keep the windows and doors classy and elegant, and opted for 'Signal White' across all the windows, apart from the Japanese roof garden, where the Casement Windows were painted 'Anthracite Grey'.The huge entrance doors were finished in 'Jet Black' on the outside, with a high gloss finish, and Signal White on the inside, to match the interiors.We worked very closely with Croft Ironmongery as the client wanted a specific aesthetic achieved. Together, we developed lever handles on a rose, rather than a backplate, to bespoke fit our doors.With indoor pool and jacuzzi, tennis courts, lifts and staff quarters, this was truly a luxurious project, fitting perfectly with our hand-finished products.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Take a walk with us through Camberley, a traditional English town located in the county of Surrey, southeast England. Large-scale improvements to Camberley High Street, Princess Way, and Knoll Walk have brought a safer, modern, attractive space to the town centre. The redesign has created a pleasant environment that is pedestrian-and cyclist-friendly, whilst accommodating the needs of parking, servicing, and safer driving conditions for vehicles.„Camberley’s High Street transformation has set a new quality standard for the town’s public realm,“ comments Joao Toscano CMLI Director of Landscape & Urban Design at Project Centre. „Our design proposals were grounded in the latest best practice in streetscape design, and we used bespoke design to elevate a sense of place, identity and quality, whilst promoting pedestrian comfort and traffic calming principles,“ Stefano Scarano, Senior Landscape Architect adds.Taking into account the invisible importance of street furniture when balancing an urban landscape, the studio worked closely with an established international brand, mmcité. Together they furbished the streets of Camberley with refreshing and modern street furniture.The mmcité portfolio is based on products which are universal, fitting in almost anywhere. They are attentively designed down to the finest detail, and even when they’re not seeking attention they have a huge effect on people’s lives in the city. „This is proof of our aim to approach public spaces with respect to their context,“ said mmcité chief designer, David Karasek. „We are setting the bar for outdoor design as if it were conventional furniture. Furniture that must meet standards a thousand times more exacting than anything we have at home, thanks to the host of limitations on materials and technologies, as well as ensuring resistance against bad weather and vandalism,“ he concluded.The flexibility that the spatial design creates, the bespoke detailing of key design features (e. g. the seating planters across Princess Way and Knoll Walk, the green wall in Knoll Walk or the new High Street gate), the careful choice of paving materials and sensitive planting design – all of this illustrates a high level of placemaking ambition and innovation which prepares Camberley town centre for its future.

Shortly before the new school year started, the municipality of Ogre in Latvia opened a brand new sports complex at Ogre’s gymnasium. In the contest “Sustainability in Architecture Construction Design in the Baltics 2023”, organised by the Building Design and Construction Council, the sports complex was awarded 1st place in the category “Most Sustainable Project”. It was constructed by MONUM construction company.The multifunctional and energy-efficient sports hall has stationary and mobile tribunes, therefore providing space for up to 1700 spectators. The sports complex meets the requirements of the International Athletic Federation with four circular (200 meters) and six sprint tracks, a sector for the long jump, high jump, pole vault, and shot put. Also, in the centre of the hall, there are team sports courts suitable for basketball, floorball, tennis, volleyball and other games. On the second floor, the project's developers have built halls for a gym, gym classes and choreography. The building is complex and multifunctional, and four different Riga Wood birch plywood products have been applied here. Perforated Riga Decor and Riga Lacquer panels ensure excellent acoustics during sports activities, while Riga Paint gives an elegant touch to the lobby. Riga Ply has been used for various construction elements.“Riga Wood birch plywood products were chosen due to two main factors: it is a sustainable, renewable material with excellent technical properties and durable, with high wear resistance. Furthermore, in sports halls it is important to ensure good acoustics and perforated acoustic panels made of Riga Wood birch plywood panels serve their duty perfectly,” comments Maksims Žaguļins, project manager at MONUM.Riga Wood birch plywood has a long lifespan, and what is no less important, the maintenance is easy too. “In recent years, birch plywood has been used in many sports halls, especially for acoustic panels. The technologies that we use allow us to adjust the panels to the specific needs of each project with great results”, comments Intars Metums, head of the Wholesale Department of Riga Wood Baltics. “Furthermore, the versatility in our Riga Wood birch plywood products allows us to find the best solution, whether it’s for wall lining, floors or tribunes,” adds Intars.

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

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

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.

Installed by Kawneer’s approved specialist subcontractor FK Group, the £25.3 million project, designed by FCB Studios, was the first to use Kawneer’s newly enhanced AA®110 Curtain Wall system that features a bespoke expansion joint, which allows a building movement tolerance of +/- 15 mm. Creating a sense of scale and vibrancy, the white profiled terracotta ceramic façades contrast the earthy tones of the perimeter buildings in a modern interpretation of the grand Victorian warehouses nearby. The high-performance Curtain Wall was accompanied by AA®720 Side Hung Open-In Windows to deliver a high level of thermal performance throughout. Using passive principles, the high insulation building fabric coupled with solar control glazing, address the energy requirements for heating and cooling.

We recently completed a refurbishment of the washrooms at Fulwell Bus Depot in Twickenham, regularly used by over 300 bus drivers. As part of this project we installed:-4 No. Samoa Deluxe WC packs complete4 No. Urimat Ecoplus urinals with Visutal digital screen upgrades1 No. Tristone wash trough4 No. CONTI+ Ultra GM 20 tapsNew under vanity by Formwise in Grey Zebrano laminateNew WC duct IPS panels by Formwise in Grey Zebrano laminateNew lighting throughout by Ineco EnergyNew hygienic wall cladding throughout by JemicladNew suspended ceiling grid by Gemstone InteriorsNew air extraction system completeNew R12 Safety Vinyl c/w marine style wall upstand by Jemiclad

This beautiful new build home, close to the shore on Long Island, was to be the Client’s luxury beach house. UK architect David Russel, designed all windows and doors to be pocket style, disappearing into the walls.Much consideration was given to concealment and where possible the curtains also opened out of sight, into their own wall pockets. All Lutron curtain tracks were flush-mounted using TrackTrim by Blindspace, including a number of curved tracks.In some of the windows, Lutron blinds were concealed within Blindspace boxes behind the curtains, all disappearing when not required. These Blindspace products have the additional benefit of being plastered in during construction for minimal visual impact.The unique ground floor design brings the outdoor indoors, using hidden doors and curtains with amazing results.Transcript

GEC Anderson were chosen to supply stainless steel classroom worktops, drinking fountains as well as fabrications for the main school kitchen.Classroom worktops have integrated sink bowls and are mounted on wall hung stainless steel base cabinets, also by GEC Anderson. The cantilever arrangement allows for uninterrupted floor cleaning and easier working and access to the sink units. It also facilitates the ability to mount the worktops at the height appropriate for pupils. GB4000 wall hung drinking fountains were specified in the corridor areas. The units can be mounted at any height to ensure access for the children. Within the main kitchen, sinks and and worktops include leg frames with solid undershelves in order to maximise the limited space available.Brushed satin stainless steel (EN 1.4301 grade) was used throughout.

Client: South Western RailwayLocation: Clapham, Farnham, Fratton & Bournemouth, UKYear: 2023Project size: 25000 m²Vebro systems: vebrodeck ID, vebrodeck MMA EDFour of South Western Railway (SWR)’s major traincare depots, required over 25,000 square metres of liquid-applied seamless resin flooring, linemarking and hatching.SWR manages 187 stations alongside 10 traincare depots and stabling sidings located across London and south west England.Train depots are large facilities or yards where trains are stabled adjacent to the main lines. Trains are parked at depots overnight, where routine cleaning and maintenance takes place at what are often 24-hour operational facilities.Having had a previously poor experience with seamless resin coatings, which due to insufficient advice at specification stage had resulted in spectacular failure of the coating across many of the traincare depots, a diligent and open approach was required for the client to regain confidence in the material, application methods and resulting finish.At the time of approaching Vebro, there was no specification in mind, just the urgent need to refurbish the facilities by replacing the existing coatings.Several Vebro Polymers solutions were used across the four SWR sites, all of which were determined through a detailed site survey and evaluation process, in which the specific use of the area in question, service criteria, level of traffic and realistic life expectancy requirements of the floor within the parameters of budget were all consulted.All covered walkways, or ‘roads’ as they are referred to by depot staff that run between tracks, as well as the sunken floors located in inspection pits were specified with the vebrodeck ID system in RAL 7037 Dusty Grey.Inspection pit walls were twice coated with a water-based, gloss-finish, epoxy sealer in RAL 9010 Pure White.Semi-exposed ramps, which are located at the end of each of the sheds, were specified with the vebrodeck MMA ED system to provide additional safeguards against the elements and enhanced UV resistance as well as ensuring the material can be installed within tight weather windows.All linemarking, cross-hatching and demarcation was meticulously completed using the vebro EP Universal LM product – a solvent-free epoxy line-marking paint incorporating a thickening agent to prevent seepage under stencils and tape.

Tallest tower in London’s financial district uses market-leading SonaSpray for acoustic perfection.As well as dominating the skyline of London’s financial district with its striking 23-sided glass façade, 22 Bishopsgate has not only rewritten the rules of what a modern office space should look like but also how it sounds. Having become a ‘mecca’ for workplace wellbeing, putting individuals and employees at the heart of its design, it was important that the spaces sounded as good as they looked. With acoustics playing a leading role in delivering overall comfort to a space, partnering interior design studios DesignLSM and The Morris Project turned to experts, Oscar Acoustics, to control sound levels within its buzzing food and dining area - ‘The Market’ for pitch-perfect ambience.  Known as the ‘foodie heart’ of 22 Bishopsgate, its selection of bustling food counters makes it a hub for workers looking to drink coffee, take lunch breaks and host meetings. However, being a lively, open hospitality space, the clink of cutlery and energetic conversation would mean that the café space was at risk of excessively high noise levels, which left unchecked would create an uncomfortable drinking and dining experience for guests.  Karen Taylor, DesignLSM’s lead designer, said: “Providing a healthy environment that would enhance the physical and mental wellbeing of those working in the building was a top priority when designing the 20,000sq ft space. The building itself includes triple-glazed windows to reduce outside noise, but it was important that the internal acoustics were just as well considered to compliment the sense of balance and harmony throughout.  “As a multi-purpose space, The Market area is a dynamic part of the building where the Bishopsgate community can unwind, dine and socialise. Whilst the area needed to have a spirited ‘buzz’ to it, there would also be guests that wanted to relax and recharge, and therefore considering the people and their needs was always at the forefront of our design strategy.” As The Market includes an array of hard surfaces such as tables and chairs in-line with its open dining aesthetic, a solution was needed to counteract noise reverberation and echo, which causes sound levels to climb. To remedy this, DesignLSM turned to Oscar Acoustics’ SonaSpray acoustic spray range. Once applied to ceilings or walls the seamless acoustic finish absorbs sound energy instead of reflecting it, enabling designers to create serene and inviting spaces. In this case, its SonaSpray fcx acoustic plaster finish was used to reduce overall noise for a more calming atmosphere. With strict building deadlines and restrictions to adhere to, SonaSpray was also chosen for its efficiency as it can be applied quickly with minimum disruption, allowing work to continue as promptly as possible.  Importantly, it was Oscar Acoustics’ third-party safety certifications that caught the eyes of designers. With such a large building to consider, fire safety had to be a number one priority. With fire credentials that go above and beyond Approved Document B fire requirements (Class 0 to BS476 & B-s1, d0 fire rating), the SonaSpray range produces little to no smoke and absolutely no droplets – which can assist in the safe escape of occupants should an event occur.  As the first building in the UK to apply for the WELL Building Standard, the premium acoustic spray was a perfect fit due its contributions towards many sustainable design and health certification systems including WELL, BREEAM, SKA, Living Building Challenge and adds up to 17 points towards the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating of a project. It also boasts GREENGUARD Gold certification which shows it has met some of the world’s most rigorous and comprehensive standards for low emissions of VOCs into indoor air, aiding in the creation of healthier indoor environments. Ben Hancock managing director at Oscar Acoustics, said: “22 Bishopsgate has raised the bar in office design and it’s a real feather in our cap to be part of such a pioneering and monumental building.  “When we were approached about the project, we jumped at the chance. The design ethos of 22 Bishopsgate aligns closely with our own values – putting employee wellness and comfort above all else.  “It’s clear that our experience working on some of the UK's biggest office refurbishments has been put into action, encapsulating future thinking around work/life balance, to create a dining destination that offers maximum comfort without comprising on design. “We know from our own independent research that excessive levels of noise are a major deterrent for workers who want to embrace hybrid working – but this building proves that if it handled correctly, it’s possible to create a space where employees want to revisit time and time again.”Image credits to Tom Meredith Photography.

Bespoke Kawneer curtain walling adapted for the 11-storey commercial element of the £200 million Atlas building - at 40 storeys the tallest tower in London’s Tech City area - at 145 City Road, Clerkenwell, at the heart of London’s architectural sector.

Western Red Cedar Shingles with FRT Exterior® Fire Retardant Treatment (AA Rating) provided the Welsh Primary School in Swansea with feature cladding to the curved external walls, in order to create what the architect described as a ‘cedar shell’.

The British interior designer and DIY connoisseur Luke Arthur Wells has styled the Fat lever handle in charcoal to perfection. The deep charcoal hue of the inflated lever handle becomes a sharp, elegant accent against the cream-coloured walls. 

The indoor sports facility has utilised one of our wall systems(Topperfo M 16/16/8) to combat sound reverberation, voice intelligibility and to lower the sound pressure levels typically created in such a large hard surfaced area.

For what is one of London’s tallest residential towers, Siderise, leaders in the development of fire, thermal and acoustics insulation solutions, has provided cavity barriers and perimeter fire seals as part of the glazed curtain walling system for the Landmark Pinnacle Tower.

A new youth centre's development is underway to the west of Weribee, in the surronding area of Cherry Creek and Dart Valley Systems have provided products from the Safe Ensuite range for the project.The Safe Ensuite range is manufactored from Glass Reinforced Polyester (GRP) which is a single skin configuration that has three different weaves of glass fibre to give the product a good internal sttructural integrity, this is then impregnated with polyester resin to matrix it all together to produce the strong and extrmely durable composite material. GRP is virtually unbreakbale and ideal for high security and correctional facilities. The range of products provided are as follows:·       178 x VR01-010 High Security Ligature Resistant Toilet·       37 x VR01-072 V2 High Security WC Pan Less Abled with Grey Top

Combining the former Mayble Tylecoate and Grosvenor buildings, MMU’s new Arts and Humanities hub uses INTRAflex XT entrance matting for a classic aesthetic.With the listed portico and the internal glass vestibule providing some shelter from the elements, the architect specified a primary entrance matting system with INTRAlux Elite fibre inserts in Anthracite 607. This fibre has an exceptional tuft count to provide 5.4l/m2 of absorption, combined with the highest Class 33 Wear Rating. To enhance performance with this simple primary entrance matting system, the specification provides a substantial walk-off area.With 19,550mm wide entrance matting, entry through the main portico doors offers nearly 10,000mm of walk-off in either direction. While the adjacent pass doors are protected by entrance matting that measures 3629mm front-to-back.

Elegant glass partitions at Intermediate Capital Group’s new headquarters Intermediate Capital Group (ICG) has recently completed the fit-out of their new London head office. Situated in a highly sought-after spot on Ludgate Circus in the City, this asset management companies’ new office provides a stylish working environment. Used extensively throughout the building, our range of glass partitions helped create an airy and modern space. Furthermore. the integration of our innovative switchable glass partitions at ICG’s new London headquarters enhances privacy within the office. Working alongside architects HLW International and main contractor ISG we created an elegant and sleek fit-out, installing a contemporary, open design built with colleagues and clients in mind.

The striking First Direct arena boasts a unique 'honeycombed' external façade that has been based on a mathematical diagram to create a pattern of varying cellular shapes, which are further complemented by glazed panels and the use of coloured lights.Creating such an unusual façade was no easy feat - Lakesmere worked very with main contractor BAM Construction to devise a specification that would satisfy the vision of the extensive design team (headed up by architects Populous), while also providing a practical and economical solution.The Lakesmere team therefore suggested the use of a built-up cladding system featuring aluminium shingles and perforated rainscreen cladding, which come to life through the use of kaleidoscopic lighting."By far, Fixfast are the best company to deal with for fixings"Richard Wingate - International Director

C.A.T. AN15R stair nosings lead the way on numerous staircases throughout the centre. With aluminium castellated ATI49.5 inserts, visually the all aluminium profiles define the step edges also creating excellent slip resistance. A C.A.T. survey team member attended the site with the customer to discuss the suitability of products and requirements, which enabled faster project completion. Designed by OMA Architects, the £55m centre creates an interplay between sports and sciences. A rooftop running track with panoramic views of the sea leads down to the science and laboratory departments, auditorium, double-height sports hall, internal running track and a 25-metre swimming pool. Central to the building concept was social communication with large break-out spaces connected by wide, visually open staircases that link up departments. ​ ​

Canal Architectural were approached to design, manufacture and install a feature staircase for an iconic art Deco building in London. The commercial development is home to an array of international businesses and features a large interconnecting staircase and large terrace.The 35,000 sq ft development featured a large helical, mild steel staircase in the central atrium. The posts were fixed through the timber treads and featured 8mm steel tread plates and a satin polished handrail. The entire staircase site sprayed to suit the client specifications and blend with the avant garde surroundings.The Canal site installation team worked closely with the contractor throughout the entire process to ensure smooth delivery in line with current building regulations. Canal Architectural are proud to have engineered exquisite bespoke architectural metalwork on this iconic project.Photo credit: Signature London

A new youth centre’s development is underway to the west of Werribee, in the surrounding area of Cherry Creek and Dart Valley Systems have provided products from the Safe Ensuite range for the project. The Safe Ensuite range is manufactured from Glass Reinforced Polyester (GRP) which is a single skin configuration that has three different weaves of glass fibre to give the product a good internal structural integrity, this is then impregnated with polyester resin to matrix it all together to produce the strong and extremely durable composite material. GRP is virtually unbreakable and ideal for high security and correctional facilities. The range of products provided are as follows:178 x VR01-010 High Security Ligature Resistant Toilet 37 x VR01-072 V2 High Security WC Pan Less Abled with Grey Top

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

After a particularly contentious and protracted planning process, this semi-detached, red-bricked house, part of a group of five properties that form Regent’s Mews in affluent London NW8, finally boasts an impressive third storey extension as a result of the erection of a mansard roof.The new dormer windows to its front aspect lend this 1980’s property a delightfully modern aesthetic, whilst the provision of a green roof to the rear aspect underlines its eco-credentials. The installation of Glazing Vision’s elegant sliding-over fixed rooflight above the stairwell, together with 4 additional fixed rooflights, has maximised the light streaming into this new living space, and also provided an all-important source of ventilation.Initial proposals to convert this house from two to three floors were rejected way back in 2001 by the local Planning Department on the grounds of it being “visually intrusive, overbearing massing not part of the existing architectural language and overlooking neighbours”. These same considerations faced Robinson Leigh Architects, whose track record of successful planning application had led to their appointment in 2013 by a client keen to find a solution to the planning impasse.There were a number of challenges for the architects, as they sought to design a scheme that would prove more successful through planning. The house is situated in St John’s Wood Conservation area, where restrictions on the character and appearance of all buildings are strictly applied. Normally any roof extension in this area would not be permitted and the house, indeed the entire mews, had been identified as an “unlisted building of merit”. Consequently the planners insisted that all new work to the house “must match existing original work in terms of choice of materials, method of construction and finished appearance in order to maintain the cohesion of the mews.The variety of roof forms in the mews, however, presented an opportunity for the architects to put forward their proposal of a flat-topped mansard roof as “a modern interpretation of the surrounding architectural precedent” said Leigh. Critically, the new mansard roof would also not add height above the general roof level of the neighbouring properties in Regent’s Mews, and thus would not be visually intrusive. The design of the three new dormer windows at the front of the house did depart from that of the dormer windows on the other mews houses though – they were square in contrast to the prevalent curved headed windows. However, given that they were really only visible from within the actual mews, the planners considered this alteration in form to be acceptable. Furthermore, the recessed glazing of the dormer windows ensured that the privacy of the occupants using the living spaces would not be compromised.The choice of materials also had to conform to the surrounding properties: the dormer windows were lead-clad, and the roof was tiled in Welsh slate, which softens its appearance and reduces the “apparent bulk of the structure.Another complication for Robinson Leigh related to the impact upon the large villas of Langford Place to the rear of the property. Vehement objections from these residents, who were concerned that the roof extension would shatter the illusion that they are set in extensive grounds led the architects to revise their proposal: the pitch of the northwest slope of the mansard roof was adjusted to a 70 degree angle in order to reduce its prominence in the views from these villas, particularly from 5 Langford Place. A second flat roof, which adjoined the house was removed, and Robinson Leigh extended the mansard roof to the parapet. This then gave the client more internal space, eliminated any overlooking issues, and created a more homogenous and symmetrical design.The architects cleverly designed both the main roof level of the mansard to be landscaped with indigenous flora in order to respect the planners’ preference for ecological biodiversity in the area as well as to attenuate water run-off.In conjunction with these structural requirements imposed on Robinson Leigh’s design of the mansard roof, unlocking natural daylight in the “dark zones” in the interior of the new storey was a key priority. Mindful of the rejection of the glazed roof proposal from 2001, which the planners had deemed to be too intrusive on the neighbours and at odds with the surrounding architecture, the architects sought to reduce the amount glazed by 50%, whilst simultaneously addressing the problem of reduced levels of natural daylight resulting from the recessed dormer windows.Robinson Leigh’s solution was to propose a more sympathetic glazing arrangement to the flat-top of the mansard roof, comprising four large fixed rooflights and a sliding over fixed rooflight from Glazing Vision, that would achieve the high specification they desired. These rooflights, pointed upwards to the sky, would maximise the amount of daylight entering the extension and bouncing off the hardwood timber, which had been used extensively, as Leigh points out, to “draw together several disparate elements of the interior design, such as the sliding walls, pocket doors and floor-to-ceiling shelving and cupboards”.Glazing Vision’s sliding over fixed rooflight was to inhabit the space immediately above the stairwell, which had also been lined in timber to subtly link the top floor with the ground floor and to help draw the eye upwards. Timber frames had also been used on the windows. As with the other four rooflights, Glazing Vision’s sliding over fixed rooflight needed to be made to a bespoke size – the architects required it to be the exact size of the stairwell, or indeed over-sized, so that the frames were not visible from below. Precision-engineered at the Glazing Vision factory in Norfolk, the special sliding over fixed rooflight was supplied in two sections, with an overall span of 2400mm and a width of 2240mm. The minimalist internal framework, finished in pure white rather than the standard grey, ensured that there were unfettered, sky-only views from the inside, thereby enhancing the impression of space and loft. Through the clear glazing of the Glazing Vision rooflight natural daylight absolutely flooded the stairwell, permeating also down to the lower floors.Given the stringent planning controls on the appearance of the mansard roof and the concerns of the vociferous neighbours, Glazing Vision’s sliding over fixed rooflight offered another invaluable benefit to Robinson Leigh. The footprint of the unit on the roof remained fixed, both open and close. This meant that there was no bulky additional furniture required, whilst the minimalist exterior framework was finished in slate grey to blend harmoniously with the Welsh slate roof tiles.No less important was the need for natural ventilation in the mansard roof extension. The architects were keen to create a venturi effect in the central core of the house and stairwell by channeling the airflow through the opening of the rooflight. The Glazing Vision rooflight, specified by Robinson Leigh to slide side-to-side rather than up and down, is electronically controlled at the touch of a button from inside the house, retracting the sliding section over the fixed section of glazing. Once the sliding section is fully retracted, there is a 50% clear opening in the rooflight, out towards the sky, thus providing superior air quality within the top floor, as well as intensifying the amount of natural daylight. An essential security feature of the Glazing Vision sliding-over fixed rooflight is that it is supplied with a manual override as standard.The design, approval and erection of the mansard roof extension took three years but Robinson Leigh have succeeded in updating a tired-looking 1980’s mews house with a new, sophisticated, modern exterior, that quietly complements the surrounding properties. The new third storey has exceeded the client’s needs for additional living space, and the clever use of rooflights has ensured the interior is light, bright and inviting.