"natural insulation products"

The Merker site in Baden now houses 45 low-cost apartments where the enameling plant once stood. The five-story structure sets new standards with regard to insulation and energy consumption. Architects Zulauf & Schmidlin have designed 45 apartments as the second stage of converting the site of the former Merker factory in Baden. The owners wanted an energy-efficient building and apartments with different layouts – suitable for singles and families. The folding sliding shutters made of lasered, perforated metal plate are equipped with the HAWA Frontfold 20 hardware.The shutters are powered by the building's electric system.

This project involved the construction of a Data Centre just outside Dublin, with a focus on incorporating a green roof. MOY collaborated with the client, their design team, the main contractor, and the roofing installer to execute the roof installation for an extensive green roof. The green roof utilized MOY's Paraflex FM Global approved Warm Roof System, featuring Paratherm T 120mm insulation board and an anti-root cap sheet. The final touch included the installation of a sedum blanket grown in Ireland, containing native Irish sedum species registered in the national biodiversity database, creating a durable and vibrant living roof.

The next generation of CS 38 is now available from Reynaers – Slim Line 38 (SL 38) is a highly insulated inward and outward opening aluminium window and door system, that combines elegance and comfort with a unique design. The special slender steel look offers the perfect windows and doors for modern architecture and the renovation of steel-frames, respecting the original design but offering a thermally improved solution. Large-framed Crittall Windows complement the industrial aesthetic and gives the building a unique character and identity of its own. The fabricator on the project was AWS Turner Fain Ltd, part of AWS Group.

Single-pipe hot water distribution systems were designed for the new acute inpatient hospital in Wakefield and new diagnostic and treatment centre in Pontefract. 25km of RAYCHEM HWAT-M self-regulating heating cables was used, supported by RAYCHEM HWAT-ECO controllers. The single-pipe design and simplicity of the RAYCHEM installation dramatically eased the modular fabrication process. Fully traced and insulated pipe modules were assembled off-site and delivered to meet strict schedules for connection. Pipe freeze protection for external pipework was provided by some 10 km of RAYCHEM WinterGard self-regulating cables.

External noise has been kicked into touch by a bespoke secondary glazing system, supplied by Granada Glazing, at the historic Stock Exchange Hotel in central Manchester owned by two prominent footballers.Due to the hotel’s city centre location on Norfolk Street close to the Royal Exchange Theatre, noise insulation from traffic and late-night revellers was a key requirement to create a quieter, more comfortable experience for guests. The original single-glazed timber box sash primary windows were retained due to the building’s listed status and a desire to retain the stone building’s character.

This seven-storey buiding in Soho, West London claims some impressive history: dating from the 1930s, it was the former London headquarters of Paramount Studios. Now in a conservation area, its transition to 15 luxury apartments needed to be handled with sensitivity by TF Architecture, to preserve the building’s external appearance. We were delighted to design, manufacture and install 83 traditional box sash windows for the project, made from Accoya. This high-performance timber is created using a patented chemical process to dramatically increase its strength, stability, durability and insulation, while still maintaining the beauty and character of timber.

The Green Roofs Consultancy report looked to the provision of Green Bio diverse roof to address the need to encourage additional species. The ABG Green Bio diverse Roof System includes a mixture of plug planted sedum, cuttings and seeded annual and perennial wildflowers. ABG Roofdrain was used as a reservoir and drainage base layer to optimise water retention and prevent ponding. Special provisions were made to create hibernicula for local endangered species. The roof will benefit the building by providing additional insulation and reducing noise pollution.The roofs substrate filters out dust and pollutants helping improve the environment nearby

The Quadro features a thermally-efficient loft hatch and ladder that can be made-to-measure to fit each customer’s needs. Available as a 3-part folding wooden loft ladder for ceiling heights up to 3.44m. Benefits of the Quadro loft hatch and ladder include…• Made-to-measure loft hatch • Highly insulated (U-value 0.77 W/m2K) • 4-point locking trapdoor for an airtight seal (Class 4 certified) • Concealed hinges • Wide treads with anti-slip profile for comfort and safety • Hatch box finished in white • Pre-drilled hatch box for quick & easy installation.

London Brick Multi and White wall panels were specified in the design for a new café at Battersea. Chosen for their natural textures and features, the panels help create real atmosphere. Produced from original walls, Vtec panels contain in excess of 50% natural pigments, oxides and minerals. They're lightweight enough to be used almost on any type of structure, as well as being strong and highly durable - perfect for high traffic areas. Panels were installed either side of Arches, mounted on false walls. Large panel size achieved wall coverage quickly and easily with concealed joints for a seamless finish.

The roof project in Bermondsey consisted of an accessible green roof for residents on the first floor and a green and brown roof at the next level. Natural Aggregate, 6mm Barley Beach. London

The Bauder green roof on Sharrow Primary School in Sheffield was the first in the country to be declared a nature reserve. A fitting accolade for a school that defies traditional ideas of what a school should be.

Find out more about our work at Grantley Hall in North Yorkshire, which used the ROOFTRAK™ IFP as the base for some stunning natural stone cladding.

The Project  Friargate One is a 150,000 sq ft, 13 storey, low energy building forming part of a £700m project to create a new business district in Coventry.  The building sets the standard for the remainder of the 37 acre Friargate scheme that will include 13 more office buildings, two hotels, homes and shops all set to transform the area around the train station. This project is the largest development in the West Midlands Combined Authority.   The Challenge Deliver a product to satisfy the architects design & meet the highest standards offered within the industry. Provide a full range of accessories to compliment the system. Manufacture bespoke boxed out mirror units complete with rebated lighting strip. Ensure the system is installed to highest standard to create a seamless fronted wall of cubicles and superloos across varying floors.  The Solution Floor to ceiling Flush 44 system installed throughout male & female washrooms and unisex superloos situated over two floors.   The system encompasses a 44mm MR core with a hardwood rebated edge detail. The overall finish is modern and sleek creating a seamless flush wall of cubicles with complete privacy and comfort for the users.Close management of each phase from site survey through CAD drawings, call up and manufacture ensured we had complete control of the project and were able to accurately survey the areas and install the seamless system desired by the client.SpecificationProduct Range: Flush44 HPLDoors: HPL Bonded onto 44mm MR Core, Formica Graphite F7837. Hardwood rebated edgesPilaster: HPL Bonded onto 44mm MR Core, Formica Graphite F7837. Hardwood rebated edgesPartition: Partition: HPL bonded onto 38mm MR Core, Formica Folkstone F7927Ironmongery: Stainless SteelAvailable Finishes:These Systems Are Available In The Following Finishes:• Natural Wood Veneer• High Pressure Laminate• High Gloss LaminateAccessories Product Range W/C'sSpecificationProduct Range: AccessoriesMirror Backing Panels: Blanc Menuires B015 with 4mm Safety Backed MirrorsWaste Bins: Prestige Waste BinOther:Paper Towel HoldersWaste BinToilet Roll HoldersSoap Dispenser

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

Friesland Campina CHALLENGE An absolute must for refrigerated warehouses or dairy processing facilities is to try to keep the building as cool as possible and to avoid all causes of heat, in order to keep the cooling costs as low as possible. Some decisions can have detrimental effects though. Mechanical fixing of the roofing membrane for example, in case the wrong fastenings are used. Thermal bridging may cause cold – or in this case heat - penetrating through the flat roof fasteners resulting in higher energy bills. And, quite important as well, mechanical fixing will perforate the vapour control layer, which in the case of cool buildings sits uppermost on the insulation. The result being moisture-related damage to the insulation! Furthermore, it has also been proved that the darker the roofing membrane, the less the sunlight will be reflected, the more heat will be absorbed. Again resulting in escalating energy costs. Waterproofing a cool storage warehouse is definitely not easy! In this regard Friesland Campina were looking for a durable and ecological roof solution for their brand new refrigerated distribution centre in Maasdam. SOLUTION RENOLIT came up with the perfect answer: the RENOLIT ALKORBRIGHT cool roof membrane. Here’s why! RENOLIT ALKORBRIGHT is a completely white PVC membrane reflecting the sunlight up to 90%. Absolutely the highest solar reflectance rate ever. Thanks to this membrane, which prevents the interior from warming up, there will be no extra air conditioning expenses. In addition, an extra protective coating makes sure less dirt sticks to the roofing membrane. This layer will in turn help to maintain a durable reflection. 

A programme of works carried out at a Nottinghamshire hospital has seen a number of products from the FIREFLY range employed to upgrade the passive fire protection throughout the roof spaces, with the manufacturer providing site specific design details to assist the highly experienced contractor complete the project on time. DC Fire Protection Ltd., based at Wellingborough in Northamptonshire, works right across the country covering multiple sectors of the construction industry, installing active as well as passive fire protection systems.  For its 10 week contract at the Ashfield Health and Wellbeing Centre at Kirby in Ashfield, the specialist installed dozens of rolls of the Titan Lite™ fire barrier as well as the Apollo Horizontal barrier, Collaroll and two of the 1200 x 600mm FR120 Access Panels to link some of the safety zones being created. Built in 2007, Ashfield Health and Wellbeing Centre is conjoined to the existing Ashfield Community Hospital and offers extended health services to the local community, supplementing the current services by providing purpose-built rehabilitation facilities, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and other community health services.  It also offers consulting rooms, treatment rooms and an activities of daily living suite, rehabilitation and gym areas.A Director of DC Fire Protection, Daniel Mabbott, commented: “We have been dealing with FIREFLY for a number of years, including buying large quantities of the Titan Lite™ and Apollo Lite , which we use for commercial contracts as well as other work.  We often propose the use of FIREFLY systems to clients and in this instance, where we were simply given the performance standard the client required, we proposed the use of Titan Lite plus Apollo Horizontal to upgrade the exiting fire walls which no longer comply with current requirements.” “There were a number of plastic PVC-U soil stacks rising through the roof in what was specified as a Controlled Zone, for which FIREFLY provided us with a bespoke detail to protect them where they passed through the barriers, while we installed a couple of their FR120 Access Panels in addition to the fire doors which we fitted in a number of locations throughout the roof.  The project was completed on time and we have now moved onto another contract where we are again using a number of FIREFLY products.”Third party approved, FIREFY Apollo Horizontal 30:30 provides 30 minutes integrity and insulation to exceed the minimum requirements within the Building Regulations relating to fire barriers.  In common with other FIREFY products, Apollo Horizontal is manufactured using specially treated woven glass fibre fabric, being flexible and lightweight making it easy to install. Specifiers and specialist fire contractors wishing to find more information about the full range of products available from FIREFLY can visit www.tbafirefly.comImages shown are taken during installation and some sections of the installation might be incomplete.

Barr Gazetas worked closely with BW: Workplace Experts and Glazing Vision on the remodelling of this contemporary yet classical office building which involved creating an accessible private terrace for staff and clients to enjoy the views of central London, as well as providing the 6th floor with natural daylight. Utilising a terrace in densely populated areas such as London is a great way to provide a building with more accessible space. Originally the 6th floor offered 2,821 sq ft of space, but with the addition of the terrace area, this increased to 3,790 sq ft.Not only does an accessible terrace supply you with extra room, but, in London, the presence of a roof terrace typically adds 12% to the value of a property, rising to as much as 25% in coveted Chelsea. Other benefits of access rooflights include improved natural ventilation, control of interior temperatures, and the result is also beneficial to the aesthetics of a building such as 6 Duke Street. Barr Gazetas chose Glazing Vision not only due to our vast experience in designing and manufacturing access rooflights, but also for our ‘start to finish’ service. All of our rooflights are designed and manufactured at our HQ in Diss, and we even offer an installation service via our sister company, Glazing Renovations, which provides our clients with peace of mind.Box rooflights are a great way to gain easy access to any roof terrace. Operated at the touch of a button, the user simply climbs the stairs whilst the rooflight is retracting into its open position and walks straight out onto the terrace. Our three wall box configuration is one of the most popular and can offer an almost seamless integration into the fabric of your building. On this particular project, the sliding section when open provides a clear opening of 1927mm on the left side when viewed from the outside and is glazed on the front and top with a built-in fall of 3 degrees, and mounted to walls at the rear and two sides. The rooflight also includes the optional extras of a proximity detector and a battery back up. The rooflight was crane lifted to the terrace so that installation could be carried out by Glazing Renovations.Our Multi-Part Walk On Rooflight has supplied the 6th floor with a large amount of natural daylight which is proven to boost vitamin D, help improve sleep, and can help boost focus. The rooflight also includes Enduro Shield glass protection which provides superior resistance against contamination caused by moisture, hard water, all types of dirt, lime scale, salt spray and pollution, and also helps protect against degradation, staining, corrosion and etching. Our standard glass specification on our Flushglaze Walk On Rooflight is designed to withstand regular foot traffic in domestic applications with uniform loadings of 1.5kN/m² and concentrated loadings of 2.0kN in accordance with EN 1991-1-1-1:2002.The two rooflights perfectly complement each other and work together to provide a vast amount of natural daylight whilst creating a visually impressive, accessible terrace area.“The Walk On Rooflight was key to providing as much light to the floor below as possible, and the box rooflight was a great feature to the terrace, providing easier access than a ‘hatch’ access product.” Pradumn Pamidighantam, Senior Architect, Barr Gazetas.

The ancient printing house of “De Vooruit” in the Center of Ghent, was completely stripped to only the ancient concrete supporting structure. From there the renovation to an ultramodern student home was to be made with steel, providing safe stairways, safe and easy to walk on platforms, as well as outside sitting areas for the students. This was all to be made in aesthetical harmony with other products, such as COR-TEN steel that was used in the project. This to create a modern look, aspiring to the students.The project criteriaPcP had to meet the criteria for a sustainable, durable product which was safe and comfortable to walk on. At the same time, the product needed to blend in well with the COR-TEN steel being used for other parts of the project, providing a modern look that would appeal to students. Another challenge was installing the new steel structure onto the existing concrete supporting structure of the original building.The solutionLannoo Konstruktie chose the OPTIMO® O2, Spiral treads – Type K and panels, as these high-quality products met all the stated requirements for the new student accommodation building. In addition, it was a bonus that the OPTIMO® O2 perforation is easy to walk on in all types of shoes, and is even suitable for outdoor furniture, such as tables and lounge chairs.“The strength-to-weight ratio of the PcP solution is very favourable. This was very helpful for us, as we had to mount the new steel structure onto the old concrete supporting beams. It was important to have a light but very strong panel and steps. PcP was ideal for this purpose.”– Christophe Lannoo, CEO, Lannoo KonstruktieThe resultThe ancient printing house of ‘Dagblad Vooruit’ in the centre of Ghent was completely stripped back to its concrete supporting structure. The structure was then developed to create ultramodern student accommodation using steel with safe stairways, safe and comfortable platforms as well as exterior seating areas for students. This work all harmonised aesthetically with the other building materials, such as the COR-TEN steel used in the project. The aim was to create a modern and inspiring student residence.Architectural steel platform and spiral stair treadsThe project lasted a total of five months from first production to final installation of the panels and steps. In total, 150 spiral K treads were used for three spiral stairs on the three-storey building. More than 100 OPTIMO® O2 treads were installed, together with almost 300 square metres of OPTIMO® O2 panels, both standard and customised. For Lannoo Konstruktie, it was a very attractive project to be engaged in, and likewise for PcP, which is used to projects which are more industrial in nature.

Gripsure decking has been used to complete a landmark health building. The £41 million Health Innovation One is the new home of Lancaster University’s Medical School and Division of Health Research.The state-of-the-art building is also a regional hub, which brings together industry, research partners, health and care providers, the voluntary sector and local authorities. The focus is to help improve the health and well-being of the area.With such a variety of uses and needs, it was important to get Health Innovation One’s outside space just right.BAM Construction Ltd, the firm behind the project, came to Gripsure because they wanted a safe, non-slip decking area which blended with the style of the building and its natural surroundings. Gripsure Cumaru was the ideal choice. This hard-wearing, non-slip decking range comes with a 25+ year expected in-service life.Up to 3,500 linear metres of our Cumaru boards have been used outside Health Innovation One’s main entrance and for the flooring of an outdoor seating area.“The Cumaru product was offered as a value engineering option and offered a significant saving to the specified product as well as being a high-quality solution.” said Jonah Speaks, Assistant Project Surveyor at BAM Construction Ltd.As well as the quality and look of the product, Jonah said the construction team was impressed with Gripsure’s support and help at every stage.He said: “There was ongoing support from the technical team to propose the correct fixings and interfaces to ensure long term performance and robustness.”Work was completed last year on Health Innovation One, which features various meeting rooms and event spaces – including a dedicated Innovation Lab and Business Lounge and an on-site cafe.The building is part of the wider Health Innovation Campus at Lancaster University. The site will allow external organisations to work with university experts when addressing health challenges in Lancashire, the North West and across the country.Gripsure is proud to have contributed to such an important project.

A combined smoke and natural ventilation system from SE Controls Africa is helping create a comfortable and safe environment for visitors at the Sci-Bono Discovery Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Award winning project in Cambridge. Only natural daylight used during the day. A mixture of Class 1 and Class 2 non-fragile rooflights.Very large single pane units.

In Carpi, in the province of Modena, Atlas Concorde was chosen for the porcelain stoneware floors and white clay wall tiles of a luxurious private residential villa featuring spacious interiors and an equally large outdoor area. Six ceramic collections from the company were used to furnished the rooms of the house, employed in different shades depending on their role.Those who decide to enjoy the interior of the residence find themselves surrounded by elegance. Thanks to modern furnishings and refined colours, the atmosphere is a fresh combination of comfort and luxury.An important contribution is provided by Dwell, the ceramic inspired by the world of brushed concrete and synthetic resins, the perfect ally of contemporary and original architectural projects.Also enriching the interior is Seastone, here chosen in the Greige shade and in the 22.5x90 cm size. Defined by a simple look and multiform, varied traces of fossils, the surfaces of Seastone combine the uncompromising natural beauty of stone with the superior technical and functional performance of porcelain stoneware. With meticulous research and the expert use of mixtures of earth and flakes of different colours and sizes, this ceramic collection gives the rooms a natural, contemporary European flavour, mixing refined design, evocative materials and a guarantee of reliability.Also included in the interior design is Trust, in the Copper colour and Brick composition. With its earthy nature and rich details, stone invades the space, creating enveloping and suggestive atmospheres. In particular, Trust recalls quartzite and Luserna stone with its surfaces featuring intense variations in colour and texture, obtained through the use of the most modern and sophisticated ceramic technologies.Marble and wood alternate in the outdoor floors of the villa.The former thanks to Marvel Pro porcelain tiles, the highest ceramic expression of marble that effectively meets the needs of contemporary design. Installed in the dark Grey Fleuryand in the LASTRA 20mm slab, Marvel Pro stands out for its intense veins, natural shading and refined beauty.In contrast, the warm embrace of wood comes to life thanks to Doga, the collection that evokes sanded slats of oak, and Etic, the family that combines intense natural character and authenticity in a wood effect full of allure and history.

A large bespoke walk on rooflight from Glazing Vision, split into 20 sections, has enabled plenty of natural daylight into this newly built basement conversion, whilst maintaining their outdoor space.With a mantra of ‘don’t move, improve’ being ever present within the world of today, it is important for homeowners to understand how they can best improve their own home and add value to not only their property but also to their style of living.So, when this homeowner spoke to Goedehuizen Architects, they were keen to understand what could be done to create more space in their home and, in particular, how they could create a new lounge area for entertaining friends. With a lack of space above ground and without removing any garden space, it was decided the best option would be to create a basement extension.One of the common problems when creating a basement extension, is you may not be able to get enough light in and the new room may end up gloomy or always dependent on artificial light. Therefore, to avoid this becoming a problem, Goedehuizen Architects sought out a rooflight option which would enable ample light to enter the basement whilst not impacting on any of the outdoor space.Impressed with his discussions with Glazing Vision Europe, it was decided that the initial concept designed by Maikel Snels, architect at Goedehuizen Architects, could be achieved and would include 3 bespoke double glaze diamond shaped walk on Flushglaze rooflights and a large multi-part walk on rooflight, in a U shape and split into 20 sections.Glazing Vision Walk-on rooflights using Flushglaze technology are designed to be installed flush with external flooring – perfect for flat roof terraces. The multipart construction also allowed the construction beams to become camouflaged within the design.Due to its frameless design the U shaped walk on Flushglaze flat rooflight, measuring 1200mm (span) x 11700mm x 15500mm x 11700mm, was not only able to provide the required natural daylight into the basement, but also created an aesthetically pleasing design that fitted into the garden well and maximised the usable space by enabling the clients to walk on the product.This additional natural daylight has helped to bring new life into the property and showcase a remarkable extension project, which has provided the homeowners with the perfect lounge area for entertaining.“The finished result is really great, we get a lot of positive response on the rooflights. Because of the rooflight the basement is a very light space.” Maikel Snels, Goedehuizen Architects.

The Challenge Modern paving was required for a contemporary farmer market and restaurant  Crimple Garden Centre in Harrogate has increased its retail offering to include a food hall, restaurant, gift shop and art gallery. The vision for the new building was to provide an open plan artisan style farmer market and restaurant that comfortably coexists with the existing garden centre.  The modern building form was driven by its highly sustainable design with natural ventilation, northlights and its saw-tooth style roof adding originality to the scheme. A key point when designing the area was the importance of creating an identity which relates to the adjacent garden centre but gives distinction to the new offering.  A visually appealing external area was important to attract customers into the farmers market and garden centre. Modern paving that could withstand significant footfall was required to complement the contemporary aesthetic of the new market.  The Solution Artro linear paving harmonises the styling, lines and tones of the new building  Tobermore worked closely with the project team to ensure design aspirations were met. Crimple required a unique external area to align with the quirky finish of the new artisan style farmer market and restaurant. Tobermore’s Artro linear block paving was the perfect hard landscaping solution for the main entrance area.  Artro’s strength lies in its ability to adapt its look depending on the colour and laying pattern used. A unique look was created using a mix of two cool grey tones. A high percentage of the lighter Platinum was combined with a low percentage of the darker Carbon. Artro’s stretcher bond orientation naturally guides customers inside the Crimple building. The linear paving blocks offer a modern, hard-wearing surface that will withstand significant footfall and vehicle trafficking, if required. With accessibility in mind, Artro provides confidence with a low slip/skid surface in all-weather conditions. The smooth surface finish is suitable for prams and wheelchair users.  A featured walkway from the front row parking bays to the main entrance was created using Tobermore’s Mayfair Flags. The silver slabs feature sparkling natural granite aggregates that add to the scheme’s contemporary aesthetic. As sustainability was a key consideration of the project, Tobermore’s permeable paving option Hydropave Tegula Duo was chosen with its ability to function as a SuDS paving system. Laid in the warm shade Bracken, the contrast between the paving products helped to zone the pedestrian areas.   Tobermore’s granite aggregate Fusion Edge added the finishing touch to the project with its modern aesthetic.    

ACOUSTIC insulation experts CMS Danskin Acoustics has worked with historic Standon Hall to specify and supply a range of acoustic products to reduce the impact of airborne and impact sound transmission in the Grade II listed Staffordshire venue.During the course of redeveloping the early 20th century country house into a high-quality wedding and business venue, Standon Hall made acoustics a key element for investment. CMS Danskin Acoustic’s in-house technical team conducted a site assessment in order to specify an insulation strategy to address structure borne noise and absorb sound.The objective was to prevent noise transfer between ground floor functions rooms and nine bedrooms and suites above. Andrey Magiy, Standon Hall’s MD, said, ‘During this two-year project to transform the hall into an outstanding venue we had an opportunity to address acoustics as floors were lifted to install new services. It was as important to prevent sounds from above being heard in meetings and conferences below, as it was to prevent noise from ground floor functions filtering up into the bedrooms.’The resulting acoustics strategy from CMS Danskin Acoustics involved the installation of 600sq m of Smartspan floor panels, Karma TNF70 high density stone-fibre batt and REGUPOL acoustic isolation strip. Challenges included the need to work from above to avoid disturbing fine, moulded lath and plaster ceilings below and the necessity to specify high performance acoustic materials of a thickness that wouldn’t increase bedroom and bathroom floor levels.Andy Hayes, CMS Danskin specification manager and IAO Affiliate, said, ‘Smartspan panels span across bearing structures such as, in this case, joists. They provide high acoustic performance, are easy to install, come in different thicknesses, such as the 32mm and 18mm used at Standon Hall, and have a reaction to fire classification (EN 13501-1) A1.‘Smartspan was also valuable for use in bathroom floors as it has excellent thermal conductivity making it ideal over UFH systems, has surface water absorption of only (EN20535) <300g/sq m is suitable for stone and ceramic finishes and, with a tongue-and-groove profile, it’s straightforward to install.’REGUPOL Acoustic Isolation Strip was also incorporated to reduce impact noise from first floor footfall. The strips are designed to sit beneath all types of partition walls and are described by the company as a simple and effective way to reduce structure borne noise. ‘Quick and easy to install, they provide long term performance without collapse or ‘bottoming’ out under high point loads, are resistant to ageing and deformation, are manufactured using recycled materials and are 100% recyclable.’~Karma TNF70 was also specified in places. Says the company: ‘It’s typically used in refurbishment projects for improving existing structures where access is only available from above and where additional acoustic and fire performance is required, such as in flats, offices, shops, and hotels. It’s lightweight, quick to install and is a dry system that won’t damage sensitive lath and plaster ceilings or fine plaster mouldings.’‘The products have been absolutely brilliant and we have great acoustics results for the primary rooms,’ said Standon Hall’s Andrey Magiy. Standon Hall opened for private hire for weddings and corporate events during 2021 and the bedrooms and suites were completed and launched in spring 2022.

Designed by architects from Qatar, this complex villa has a very different design from the usual house models; Clean and angular forms which are broken up with massive section of timber structures. These structures are not ordinarily large section of timber. They are created in house at Technowood and serve as a “reduced timber option”. Furthermore, with only using 2% when compared to using sold timber for the same project.Stone, metals and glass are the main texture of the design. These white tones of concrete structured against panels of natural timber, it’s most eye-catching feature. Located in Dohada, one of the most modern cities of Qatar, this futuristic house is also accompanied by the tranquil nature of the pool and the wooden sunbathing areas surrounding the secluded exterior.When working with designs for projects, Technowood allows the Architect to think big and realise big at the same time. Unsupported beams of this natural material can span up to 12 metres unsupported… imagine this section in a hard wood, the weight would be tonnes in comparison to the lightweight Technowood option.Credits and Further informationLocationDohada, QatarMaterialsCantilevered Bris Soleil, solid forms and cladding in TechnowoodProjectPrivate Villa

The project Veranda Sun consists in the installation of sun protection at the restaurant terrasse of the hotel “The lodge at the golden gate “ nestled at the northern end of the golden gate bridge in historic Fort Baker .The project is an example of collaborative development which results in unmatched timeless property speeded in history , nature and design . The installation of Bandalux O-Box system with stainless steel rod fasting system and Polyscreen 350 fabric created an airy indoor/ outdoor ambiance while beautiful natural design elements permeate the space. The integration of Bandalux systems provided a sun protection that aligns with the project’s commitment to sustainability as it has already been certified LEED Gold . 

Kota Brown paving was used to create this warm, mediterranean feel in this large landscaping project. Kota Brown hand cut setts were added alongside bespoke natural stone copings.

St Laurence School is a comprehensive academy in the historic Wiltshire town of Bradford on Avon. Find out this new case study - SureSet Natural Aggregate, 10mm Barley Beach, BA15 1DZ

Comprising of nine shops and several residential flats, properties 29-47 High Street Polegate required a full roof refurbishment after complaints of water ingress into the residential buildings. Proteus Waterproofing conducted a thorough survey which revealed that the existing roof build up, made up of a timber deck and 2-layer felt, had been previously repaired but was now at the end of its serviceable life.Being a residential building with a combustible deck, protecting individual properties from internal fire spread was a key consideration. Compartment walls were identified allowing Proteus Waterproofing to provide a solution that would meet regulatory guidance relating to the junction of compartment walls and roofs in Approved Document B whilst meeting the needs of the client.Proteus Waterproofing specified their robust reinforced bitumen membrane range of Proteus Pro-Felt®, including a bespoke hybrid insulation approach, where instead of a full replacement consisting of entirely non-combustible insulation, a scheme was designed to meet the requirements above and either side of the compartment walls, offering the client the most cost-effective solution possible that would also mitigate any unnecessary increase of weight loading elsewhere on the roof.High Performance WaterproofingThe waterproofing and existing deck were stripped back and re- decked with 18mm plywood. When removing the existing waterproofing, our approved contractor, carefully recorded the exact location of the party walls as no drawings of the upper story flats were available.Proteus Pro-Felt® SA AVCL was used as a vapour control layer to allow for the application of the hybrid combination of 150mm Proteus Pro-Therm PIR insulation and 150mm Proteus Pro-Therm Mineral Wool insulation. A thermal calculation was undertaken to ensure that the final result met the requirements of Part L of the National Building Regulations. These were both adhered with Proteus Pro-Bond Foaming Adhesive. Proteus Pro-Felt® SA Underlay Plain was laid and finished with Proteus Pro-Felt® Ultima Plus Fireguard Mineral Capsheet, providing the client with a fully waterproofed Part B and Part L compliant roof, guaranteed for 20 years.Proteus Waterproofing worked closely with the Proteus Approved Contractor, to ensure the project was delivered to a high standard.Health & SafetyWhen working on occupied buildings, safety is always of utmost importance, as well as keeping disruptions to a minimum. The Proteus Pro-Felt® range have been tested to the highest European Classification of BROOF(t4), making it the ideal system to use on all buildings, as the risks to residents, property and members of the public are greatly reduced. All Proteus Waterproofing specifications promote fire safe installation methods conforming to the industry lead Safe2Torch guidelines. Proteus also have a range of cold liquid applied membranes which are also BROOF(t4) certified.Long Term PerformanceProteus Pro-Felt® offers high-performance bituminous membrane systems, tested to perform in extreme temperatures and weather conditions, while offering clients a robust and cost-effective waterproofing solution. Proteus Pro-Felt® Ultima Plus range retains its high polymer performance. Its class leading, high quality modified bitumen content allows this flexible membrane to move with the building and ensure long term durability and performance with third party BBA accreditation and guarantees available up to 30 years.

The new part of Sct. Hans hospital, designed by KHR Architecture and Rubow Arkitekter, is a beautiful example of the healing architecture of our time. The total 20,700 m² building contains a brand new forensic psychiatric department with 126 beds. The architecture is based on the beautiful surroundings in a hilly and varied terrain that slopes down towards Roskilde Fjord. The new part of St. Hans Forensic Psychiatry incorporates the surrounding nature into the architecture, where the location of the buildings is adapted to the landscape's topography, so that the buildings become part of the landscape and the landscape a part of the building. Throughout the project, there has been an intensive focus on creating healing architecture based on the latest knowledge in the field.Nature and light have a documented positive impact on patients' well-being and Sct. Hans is therefore built into the landscape in a way that ensures beautiful views both from patient rooms and corridors and common areas. There is never a view from one patient room to the other, and high-placed windows provide a view even for bedridden patients.Throughout the construction, nature has been thought of, where wood in both interior design and furniture creates a sense of homeliness, sensuousness, and presence. Nature is constantly drawn into the building via large windows and window sections from floor to ceiling. Outside, fantastic sensory gardens, outdoor activity areas as well as gardens and spaces for quietness and reflection have been created.Hudevad has delivered Our P5 Vertical in a beautiful, muted color for installation in the beautiful wooden panels that create warmth and coziness in many of the building's rooms. Our white P5 Vertical adorns many of the long corridors and ensures that the cold draft from the large windows is limited.

Project: Solina observation tower and gondola stationClient: PKL and PFR GroupsThe Prime Minister of Poland, Mateusz Morawiecki, hailed the opening of a new observation tower and gondola lift in the Bieszczady Mountains as an investment that will strengthen the magnetism of Solina, a major tourist hotspot.At the opening, Morawiecki remarked how Solina is a beautiful place where nature is untouched by the human hand*. The picturesque holiday destination in South East Poland is famous for its forest-covered peaks and vast open water, home to the largest artificial lake in the country.These surroundings make Solina equally as popular with birds as it is for tourists. The area is home to 130 species of birds, including eagles, hawks, sparrowhawks, smews, black terns and songbirds; while also being located on a main migratory route.Protecting Solina’s bird population was therefore a top priority for the two groups behind the tourist attraction, the PKL Group (Polish Cableways), which provide sustainable mountain tourism services, and the PFR Group (The Polish Development Fund), a state-owned financial group which invests in sustainable social development, who paid close attention to the needs of bird species throughout the design and construction phases.They turned to specialist glass for the gondola station and the observation tower to help protect its feathered neighbours.Glass designed to protect birdsPilkington AviSafe™, an innovative glass designed to protect birds, was specified for the project’s glazing. Its unique patterned UV enhanced coating disrupts the reflection on the glass, helping birds to see a clear barrier.Jason Eggerton, UK specifications manager at Pilkington United Kingdom Limited, part of the NSG Group, explained: “Experts distinguish three effects leading to birds colliding with glass.“The mirror effect is where birds mistake the glass’ reflection as reality. Corners of buildings or narrow passageways can also lead to collisions as they allow birds to see the habitat on the other side of the building. Thirdly, the fly-through effect is where birds may also not see the transparent barrier and aim to fly into a building to a perching spot, such as within an atrium.“The gondola station and observation tower are surrounded by forests making bird collisions due to reflections of the trees a particular risk. Ultimately Pilkington AviSafe™ disrupts these reflections making the glass more visible”The coating is designed on the principle that birds see in a different light range to people, making Pilkington AviSafe™ glass more visible to birds while remaining aesthetically appealing on the exterior surface. From the inside however, it’s barely visible to the human eye.It was used in the large, modern glass facades of the gondola station in combination with Pilkington Suncool™ 70/35 and Pilkington Optilam™ glass, which ensures effective thermal insulation, solar control and safety.The Pilkington AviSafe™ glass was manufactured at the Merseyside manufacturing site of Pilkington United Kingdom Limited, part of the NSG Group, in St Helens.Jason Eggerton continued: “Making buildings truly sustainable goes beyond emissions and energy efficiency. Architects and specifiers increasingly need to consider how their projects impact local wildlife too.“Pilkington AviSafe™ has clear value amidst nature reserves, forests and mountains in Solina. But many of the world’s major cities are located on bird migratory paths, where tall, glazed buildings can increase the chance of collisions.“We’re proud to support a project of such high prestige and economic significance in Poland, and to play our part helping Solina’s tourism industry to maintain its minimal impact on nature and local wildlife.”

Designing, specifying and installing fire rated timber framed butt-jointed glazing is now easier with the assurance of a fully traceable supply chain with the launch of SYSTEMGLAS® Ligna by Promat, one of the country’s leading manufacturers of fire, thermal and acoustic solutions. Ligna gives designers the ideal balance of assured fire protection and maximum light transmission in all kinds of timber framed glazed partitions and screens. Ideal for offices, healthcare, education, retail and public sector applications, it has been tested to provide integrity and insulation (EI) fire protection from 30 minutes up to 60 minutes (EI30 to EI60).

The newly redeveloped Downing Place United Reformed Church in Cambridge required Selectaglaze secondary glazing for thermal insulation and improved energy efficiency. The Church was built in 1891 and stands within the Historic Core Conservation Area.56 units were installed; comprising of four Series 45 side hung casements in the Chapel and 52 Series 46 slimline fixed lights installed in the Nave. A timber mullioned cartwheel frame was crafted to securely hold the secondary glazing in a large circular window in the Nave. Seven bespoke Series 46 fixed light segments were made for it and glazed with 6mm toughened glass.     

Metrotile Lightweight Roofing’s classic ‘Roman’ profile adorns the rooftops of a five building renovation ‘pilot’ project at Davis Road, DoncasterEach of the buildings is a prefabricated Hawksley Bungalow and has been modified throughout the yearsTo bring the homes up to ‘Decent Home’ standards, two major changes were made to the building’s exteriors. The first was a brick ‘skin wall’, that was built around the metal walls of the homes (adding a layer of insulation in the process). The other major alteration was that of a new roof in the form of a Metrotile lightweight tile system providing swift installation, traditional aesthetics and a low weight to reduce the load on the Hawksley Bungalow’s structure.

Delivered at a cost of £46.5 Million the scheme comprises four 6-17 storey accommodation blocks housing 864 student units. Acoustic performance was key for the glazing in noisy roadside areas and lower levels. The solution was Senior’s energy efficient SPW600e windows fitted with acoustic energy efficient insulated glass units to achieve a sound reduction index (RW) rating of 43.   A light and welcoming space, was created in communal spaces using Senior’s thermally enhanced SF52 fully capped two-storey aluminium curtain walling, whilst perimeter capped silicone glazed SF52 was chosen for the link bridge between accommodation blocks.