"natural insulation products"

Working in collaboration with façade specialist Dane Architectural enabled the design to be developed towards a light weight facade solution that combines GRC fin shaped columns and feature beams fixed directly over areas of the curtain wall grid system at locations where insulated panels were present.This strategy had several advantages, in the first instance a weather tight structure was provided early on in the programme, whilst the GRC facade option provided a much lighter solution that provided significant savings in both cost and time. The access strategy, based on mast climber platforms adapted to include lifting beams, enabled glazing and GRC panels to be hoisted swiftly into position.

With more than 1,500 units, Shurgard Greenwich is one of the largest self-storage facilities in Europe. Spread over four floors the facility provides dry, clean and secure self-storage in a secure facility, and the building also achieved an BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating.Around 3,000m2 of Trimapanel® flat insulated panels manufactured using Colorcoat HPS200 Ultra® pre-finished steel was used to clad the external face of the Greenwich Shurgard unit, meeting all the clients requirements and complying with current Building Regulation standards.Tata Steel also supplied 3,000m2 of ComFlor® 60 floor decking, used throughout the facility and installed by Composite Profiles. 

After raising funds to refurbish its paediatric entrance and waiting area (for younger children) the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust consulted with its patients and parents to gather their aspirations and provide inspiration for the look and feel of the space. The consensus was the children wanted a theme that reflected a place where happy family memories are made; the Devon coastline. Following this consultation, the Trust enlisted the help of Studio Hanson and Navada Construction to bring the idea to life. Thanks to its naturally bacteriostatic properties, combined with its natural texture and appearance, Forbo Flooring Systems’ Marmoleum collection has helped to turn the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital’s playful beach theme dream into reality for its paediatric entrance and waiting area.

The Polden tile has been used on various sites in Scotland as a slate solution. With its riven finish and mock bond the tile gives a true natural look but still has all of the benefits of a concrete interlocking tile.

The Royal Zoological Society of ScotlandGripsure has teamed up with wildlife conservation charity, the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, to help create an incredible home for Scotland’s only sloths. Moana and Feira have settled in well at Edinburgh Zoo and have been busy exploring their new surroundings (albeit very slowly). They are set to become a visitor favourite and have already begun to draw in the crowds.Gripsure donated 60 square metres of sustainable anti-slip Bamboo decking. It has been used to create visitor walkways through the recently refurbished enclosure. The space is full of greenery and designed to feel just like home for two-year-old male Moana, nicknamed Mo, and one-year-old female Feira, known as Fe.A special partnershipThis unique project - the result of a special Corporate Sponsorship Partnership between Gripsure and the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland - also features Gripsure Graphics. This innovative new non-slip decking has been used to create fun, educational messaging around the enclosure.Staff said Gripsure decking had helped to establish the perfect environment for the new arrivals – and their fans. “The decking featured in the main walkway flows incredibly well with the exhibit, allowing our visitors to walk right through and become immersed in the natural look and feel of the space, which is wonderful,” said Beccy Angus, Head of Discovery and Learning at the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland.Beccy added: “Being able to add our own artwork was a huge positive for our charity. The ability to personalise the decking meant we could completely tailor it to the enclosure, making it one-of-a-kind and offer more opportunities to engage our visitors with educational interpretation and signage.”A new home for Scotland’s only slothsThe zoo’s two-toed sloths have joined large hairy armadillos Nymeria and Diogo in the Sloths and Armadillos building, which tells the story of wildlife in South America. The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland has been supporting conservation partners in South America, the sloth’s native home, for more than a decade.Conservation and sustainability are at the heart of this new area, which made Gripsure a natural partner. Beccy said the team was delighted with the results. “Gripsure’s generous donation has helped our charity create and deliver a first-class visitor experience within our new sloth building,” she said. “As a wildlife conservation charity, sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. Bamboo was selected as a sustainable material both in the immediate production and in the future as it can be recycled.”Bamboo: a sustainable futureThe bamboo poles used to manufacture the Bamboo decking, which is used at Edinburgh Zoo, are harvested after just five years. This makes them the fastest growing timber in the world.Tom Anderson of Gripsure said: “Edinburgh Zoo were seeking a long lasting sustainable timber but were keen to avoid using tropical hardwoods as logging is destroying the sloth’s natural environment in South America. We recommended Moso bamboo, the giant grass species which can grow up to 80cm per day in the growing season. This species also stores huge amounts of carbon in its vast root network in the forests.”Gripsure manufactures the boards using a heat treatment, which protects the timber from decay and insect attack and gives the boards an expected service life of at least 35 years.Moso bamboo has a class one durability rating, a Euroclass B fire rating, extremely stable with virtually no movement. A study from Delft University shows that, even taking into account the transport and manufacturing process, the product is a net carbon sink over its life span.Connecting people with wildlifeThe sloths are said to be settling in well after arriving at the zoo from Europe. Moana came from Aquazoo Friesland in the Netherlands and Feira arrived from Wilhelma in Germany.Expert staff at Edinburgh Zoo are keeping viewing hours limited for the first few weeks to allow the pair adapt to their new surroundings, complete with plenty of trees and ropes to explore at their own pace. Beccy said: “We hope that by welcoming this well-loved species we can help visitors foster a deeper connection with nature and inspire future conservationists to better protect wildlife across the globe.”

The award-winning and BREEAM Outstanding Engineering Building at the internationally renowned Lancaster University features a complete range of architectural aluminium glazing systems from Technal. Located on the Lancaster University campus in the North West of England, the new engineering facility was awarded Winner of the RIBA National Award for 2015 and was highly commended by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors in the Design through Innovation category at the 2016 RICS North West Awards. Purpose-built to a world-class standard, the scheme comprises of 4,701 sqm of workshop, laboratory and office space in two concrete framed blocks either side of a dramatic four-storey atrium. Using passive techniques to achieve the environmental performance measure of BREEAM 'outstanding' in the design assessment, which is in-line with Lancaster University's sustainability and carbon reduction targets. With this in mind, aluminium doors and curtain walling were chosen for this project. The Facade is featured throughout the building, and was specified for its contemporary aesthetics. The system also includes concealed vents to allow natural ventilation without compromising the architectural integrity of the facade. With natural light being a key part of the specification, Technal aluminium curtain walling allowed larger and heavier glazing units to be installed thanks to its superior load distribution, permitting more natural light to flow through the building's rooms.

The ChallengeInstalled within the reception hall and circulation areas of the two towers, Pyroguard Protect, which was chosen by fire protection specialists, Pyrometal, has helped architect Ateliers Jean Nouvel achieve his ambitious vision, without compromising on safety.Following the successful testing, Pyroguard Protect was installed throughout DUO-1 and DUO-2.In the reception hall, Pyroguard Protect EI120 was fitted inside PYROTEK steel profiles to form full height glass partitions and in the circulation areas on each floor, around 690 square metres of E30 was used inside double-leaf doors with EI60 glass partitions.The same was also used in the corridor doors as a means of compartmentation, which connects various areas to the stairs and lift landings.The SolutionTours Duo rises on a former industrial site on the edge of the River Seine in the Paris Rive Gauche district and at 180 m, DUO-1 is set to be the third tallest building in the capital.The pair of towers, DUO-1 and DUO-2, which lean to form an impressive asymmetrical ‘V’, will house offices, retail spaces, restaurants, a hotel and a top floor panoramic bar.In the design of the mixed-use scheme, Ateliers Jean Nouvel was tasked to create high performing, aesthetically striking buildings and as such, decided to take a bioclimatic approach to reduce energy use and make the most of the outdoor weather conditions.Giving the best protection for people and property, Pyroguard Protect provides integrity and heat insulation for 30 to 180 minutes (EI classification).The solution also provides 1B1 impact classification without the need for additional counterpanes, high performing acoustic properties and peace of mind throughout the lifespan of the product due to its UV stability.

JACKOBOARD® by BEWI offers many benefits for installers of wetrooms and bathrooms. JACKOBOARD® is a waterproof, weight-loading and thermally insulating construction board for use in all types of tiling jobs.Critically, because it is manufactured from 100% waterproof XPS, there is no need to tank wetrooms constructed using JACKOBOARD®, either with a waterproof membrane or a paint-on solution. This saves the installer both time and money, since a separate tanking system is not required and only the joints where the boards meet need to be taped.The NHBC Standard states that “backing surfaces may require protection from a suitable tanking system”.“This guidance is completely correct,” says Martin Harragan from JACKON by BEWI, “but it should not be interpreted to mean that if you are using an XPS backerboard, such as JACKOBOARD®, you have to tank the entire substrate of your wetroom. The closed structure of an XPS board means that it is totally impossible for water to pass through it, in the way that it would through a fibre cement board for instance.”JACKOBOARD® is keen to communicate this message to the many different trades who get involved in the installation of wetroom systems, from the shower tray upwards. Although there are wetroom specialists, this job is often down to plumbers, M&E contractors, tilers, dryliners and flooring contractors. So, as wetrooms continue to increase in popularity, there are different trades who need to be aware of the benefits of XPS backerboards.While offering the benefits of XPS, JACKOBOARD® can also offer a price advantage in the marketplace, due to the fact that the company manufactures its own foam, giving it complete control over cost, product quality and sustainability of manufacturing processes. These factors have enabled JACKOBOARD® to become the UK market leader in XPS construction boards.

“The freestanding Wessex tub worked so beautifully as part of my design because the traditional nature of the tub lends itself to any aesthetic and is a showstopper of a piece no matter what style you are going for!”Dee Murphy dee@murphydeesign.com

The location of the Strand Resort Heiligenhafen is unique. The resort is surrounded by the fine sandy Baltic Sea beach with its unique adventure pier, the 5-star marina with 1,000 berths, the inland lake and the immediately adjacent Graswarder nature reserve.

Cottrell + Vermeulen Architecture has designed new, bright and airy postgraduate accommodation for Churchill College, Cambridge with interiors featuring Junckers’ solid maple flooring. Cottrell + Vermeulen won a competition to design the new buildings, 16 years after the studio completed a housing scheme on a neighbouring site. The 35 new units of accommodation comprise five studio flats and 30 en suite rooms with spacious communal areas on each floor, spread across three buildings. The design builds on the original architectural scheme, designed as an extension to CVA’s previous work on the site. The architects sought to recreate the warmth and brightness of the original college rooms from the 1960s and found Junckers maple flooring a good match. The choice of two-strip boards, where two staves of wood make up one floorboard, was also a reference to the narrow boards used in the original rooms. The naturally pale tone of the maple floor is matched by joinery in birch faced plywood to form a comfortable and welcoming space, ready for students to move into at the start of the new academic year. The floor was installed by VA Hutchison Flooring. Quiet floors in multiple occupancy buildings An important consideration for student accommodation is how impact sound travels through floors from one dwelling into another. Building regulations set out minimum standards for impact and airborne sound through floors which apply to residential buildings and buildings converted to new uses, including hotels and care homes. The floor finish will usually act in combination with other elements of the building to achieve the target levels of sound insulation. The design of the subfloor and ceiling beneath play an important role, as does the way the floor finish may need to be isolated from the walls that surround it, but there is no question that the right acoustic floor will control the transmission of impact sound. Junckers has a range of acoustics systems available which comply with building regulations. The newly updated New Era acoustic system is a height adjustable system for use on structural concrete slabs, block and beam floors and almost any other type of sound, dry load-bearing base. The New Era system uses acoustic cradles with 10mm thick recycled rubber pads, factory-fitted to the underside. The cradles are height adjustable using purpose-made packers, supporting laminated timber battens. 50mm thick mineral wool insulation is placed between the battens and Junckers 20.5mm or 22mm thick solid wood floorboards are fixed to the battens to complete the installation. The use of 36mm thick battens achieves an impact sound reduction of 27dB; and a 48mm thick batten achieves an impact sound reduction of 28dB, thus complying with building regulations. For Junckers 14mm thick solid wood flooring installed with Junckers’ Clip System, an impact sound reduction of 19dB can be achieved with Junckers’ 5mm thick CA2 Acoustic Underlay, loose laid with the floorboards installed on top as a floating layer, no fixings required. Junckers’ floor system specifications are available on NBS Plus and draft NBS clauses are available on request. Junckers also provides BIM Objects for all systems. Junckers solid hardwood floor systems are guaranteed for 25 years when installed by a Junckers Approved Contractor. Junckers Approved Maintenance Contractors offer a care scheme where the client’s floor is periodically inspected and maintained so as to keep floor in good condition and to  maximise its lifespan.

Colours inspired by the natural environment, combined with the outstanding performance of Forbo Flooring Systems’ luxury vinyl tile (LVT) and carpet tile solutions, have helped AMH Workspace create an uplifting working environment for Furniture Clinic’s new HQ, which ‘brings the outdoors indoors’.AMH Workspace was brought on board by Furniture Clinic as part of the refurbishment project to create a warm and welcoming new HQ for the company’s 65 employees. With wood being an integral part of the business, it naturally features prominently both on the external façade of the building and internally.A striking feature of the new 50,000 sq ft premises is the atrium area with a cedar slat wall covered with natural moss that catches the eye as soon as you enter the building. Full floor to ceiling height windows and a balcony area with open walkways completes the visual spectacle and have transformed the entrance area into a bright, welcoming and memorable space.“Using Forbo’s Allura Flex LVT flooring in Brown Raw Timber in the ground floor reception area adds warmth to such a vast space,” explained Heather. Available in 34 wood designs, Allura Flex comes in 4 different plank sizes, offering greater design freedom. The matte surface features a natural looking fine wood grain with a true to life embossing, while the tile’s special backing is designed for comfort and improved impact sound reduction. This has helped to control the noise in the expansive reception area.Heather continued: “We chose Allura Flex for its natural looking characteristics. The extra-large 150 x 28 cm planks were perfect for such a large space, while the 5mm thickness and 1mm wear layer offers exceptional performance, making it the ideal solution for this high traffic area.”Forbo’s Tessera Cloudscape carpet tiles in the green hues of Monsoon Cloud and Summer Storm have been used throughout the offices and meeting rooms. In the open office area, Cloudscape has been installed in conjunction with Allura Flex, again in the Brown Raw Timber colourway, to create separate work and meeting/breakout zones. Forbo’s range of Tessera carpet tiles combine well with Allura Flex LVT, as the same adhesive can be used during installation, which means there is no need for transition strips, enabling a seamlessly integrated flooring design.

Vicky and Nick, the owners of Holloway and Holloway, a London based architecture studio, share their story on living and working under the same roof, in a stunning recently extended house where they added an Unlimited Rooflight. Questions to Vicky and Nick:What was the decision-making trigger in choosing daylight from above?To be honest there was no choice here. In a London mid-terraced property, even a semi-detached one, when you do a side infill to increase the rear of the property by filling in the gap between the properties, it creates a dark space in the centre of the property where there is no natural light.So, you generally counter this by adding roof lights in the ceiling over the new extension, and make sure that they are placed fairly close to the back of the room so that you can flood that space with natural light.Vertical windows tend to allow a good level of natural light to penetrate around 6 meters into a building. Not only do roof lights allow a lot more light in a space than a vertical window, but as you can place these in more central areas in the room, they are nearly the only way to get daylight into the centre of your house.We have our office in the central room of the property, so for us, we had to have good natural light levels in this area as we spend the most amount of time here in the whole house.You added a rather large rooflight to your extension - The Unlimited Rooflight. What impact does it have on the space?It is amazing how bright the space is. We get so much light from above that the space always has a wonderful vibrance to it during the daytime.But I think that possibly what’s even more striking than the amount of light itself is the size of the glass, its 5m² total, split into 2 pieces. It makes it feel as though there is more glass than there is solid roof up there, it really is the wow feature of the whole space.Whilst we had expected that when we designed it as it was always meant to be the feature in the room, what we hadn’t realized was how much it would make the space feel bigger. With extensions on a mid-terrace property, you are often limited as to how high you can build so your ceiling height can be capped at a certain level, but having this huge opening in the middle of the room makes the whole space feel like you’ve got this really grand ceiling height, it has such an effect on how the space feels. Tell us what was the timeline from inspiration to finished interiors? I'm sure it's a question you get very often.Indeed. Well we actually only found out about Vario by VELUX as we were on site, they were just about to start the roof construction as we found out about them, so we didn’t have a huge amount of time and had to get things organized very quickly! From finding the products to getting them on site it was only a matter of weeks, once we had chosen a size for the roof lights all we had to do was confirm the opening dimensions to our contractors, and double check with the structural engineer that the roof structure was ok to support the new roof light. Once that was all sorted all we had to do was wait, it was a very easy process. The project took around 4 months on site in total, but the roof lights go in fairly near the end of the project, so once they’re in it’s all very exciting, as you are close to completion.  

The design of this bathroom needed to reflect the client’s colourful, modern and eclectic aesthetic, whilst still allowing for a tranquil, restorative space in which to batheHandmade Moroccan concrete tiles by Popham Design in a soft green shade feel serene and natural, but also inject a pop of colour. Elsewhere in the room, design is kept minimal, modern and almost industrial in its simplicity, with a neutral colour palette and brushed nickel tapware. To visually expand the space, the layout of this bathroom was re-designed to make the room feel elongated, and draw the eye in. To complement this, the Moroccan tiles line the floor and furthest wall behind the wet room and back-to-wall Eldon bath.Of the design, designer and stylist Edwina Boase said: “The Eldon bath was perfect for this bathroom; its elegant, modern shape was echoed in the patterned tiles, lighting and tapware. The Eldon design is impactful yet economic with regards to the floor space required, which is preciously what was required for this project!”This house in its entirety was recently unveiled on Channel 4’s home renovation series ‘Ugly House to Lovely House with George Clarke’.Photography: Amazing Productions / Daniela ExleyArchitecture: Chris Dyson ArchitectsDesign: Edwina Boase

In the heart of Rome, thanks to stone-look outdoor porcelain tiles a private villa is coloured with the appeal and practicality of Atlas Concorde products.A welcoming atmosphere and innovative design take shape in an exclusive residence thanks to Atlas Concorde outdoor tiles that give the indoor and outdoor environments an extremely contemporary look. Employed in the outdoor areas, stone-look tiles on both the floor and on the walls translate nature into a material suitable for designing spaces with an enveloping, suggestive atmosphere. The pool area and the surrounding environment are flooded with intense colours and textures, porcelain tiles for the outdoors being used in different sizes and contrasting colours: light tones and bold hues guarantee a pure creativity able to offer superior technical qualities and the aesthetic versatility that distinguishes the original materials. The refined beauty of the stone look in a Grip finish, with the excellent technical performance of porcelain tiles for outdoors, is the perfect choice for the design of outdoor spaces and environments that require the highest standards of durability and safety. Stylish refinement and attention to detail can also be found in some interior spaces of the building where concrete-look porcelain tiles and wood-look porcelain tiles become the protagonists of a modern, sophisticated style of furnishing.

Background Infomation:Wright Lab: Exploring the Invisible UniverseSurespan designed and manufactured a flush floor hatch for the Yale University Wright Laboratory, home to Yale’s iconic particle accelerator, the 100-foot-long atom smasher. In 1987 it was the most powerful particle accelerator in the world and led the research in astrophysics. The Atom Smasher was shut down in 2011 and disassembled in 2014.The projectAs part of a comprehensive renovation, Christopher Williams Architects LLC transformed the concrete bunker-like structure into a series of day-lit workspaces. The central building was opened to become a place where scientists, students and experts could interact. This space also hosts events and researchers from around the world. The design brings natural light into the building and emphasizes collaboration through transparency.Products:Surespan designed and manufactured a 2.7m x 4.5m (9ftx15ft) stainless steel flush floor hatch. The floor door has been reinforced to support a live slow-moving wheel load of 17 tons. (FACTA Class E)Due to the weight of the floor door, the hatch is operated via a hydraulic cylinder and an electrically driven power pack. The finished cover uses Sure-Grip anti-slip surface coating.

Luxury hotel The Ro, Windermere, has 87 tranquil guestrooms with case goods fabricated in EGGER H3403 ST38 White Mountain Larch, from our Feelwood range. The decor creates a finish in the rooms almost indistinguishable from solid timber, giving a high-end appearance.The Feelwood decor has been used in mixed matching materials 18mm MFC, 38mm MFC, and matching edging.APM Design's Project Director Dean McCluskey spoke to EGGER about the design scheme:"The Ro interiors throughout have been designed to reflect the tranquility of their natural park setting. White Mountain Larch was the perfect choice to create a contemporary yet soft look in the bedrooms, where guests can feel at ease."Explaining why EGGER materials were chosen, Dean told us: "The materials are excellent quality as expected from EGGER. APM have worked with EGGER for years. Their team are extremely passionate and knowledgeable about their product range, which acts as a great sounding board for ensuring material suitability."H3403 ST38 White Mountain Larch in mixed matching materials was used for wardrobes, desks, headboards, bedside tables and complementing picture and mirror frames.

Architect: Moses Cameron WilliamsInstaller: Willmott DixonProduct: Gustafs Linear RibThe new Library at the Luton campus of the University of Bedfordshire which opened in June 2016 was designed by Moses Cameron Williams Architects (of Cambridge) and project managed and installed by Willmott Dixon.The University has been around for over 100 years and teaches in a wide range of subject areas as well as conducting award winning research across health, energy and technology, and social policy topics.The library is spread over 7 floors including silent study rooms, group work and meeting spaces, computer labs and presentation facilities and a café as well as miles of bookshelves. Gustafs and LSA Projects supplied over 8,000 linear metres of ribs to the project for both wall and ceiling application covering around 450m2.Over 3,000 individual 28mm deep ribs in natural Oak veneer have been used to clad the impressive open atrium and cafe area as well as throughout the library isles and study spaces. 12mm gaps between ribs give the entire installation depth, texture, and warmth as well as impressive acoustic control; perfect for a busy university library!

The award winning new Vijay Patel building is the bold centerpiece of DMU’s £136million campus transformation project. The tower houses all of the university’s art and design faculties under one roof – so it’s only fitting that the surrounding landscaping should reflect the creative nature of the students using it.The project was made up of three main areas which had multi-uses – the Arts Tower development, the Design Wing and the Food Court. Other changes include open parkland along Mill Lane leading to the edge of the River Soar, creating a new gateway connecting the city’s West End to the city centre. One of the main advantages of the new campus is that it brings all the different areas, under one roof, making it a lot more accessible and convenient for the for the students.Designer Plincke Manchester blended a range of Marshalls paving products to create different textures within the landscape, which help to delineate multi-use spaces.Different sizes of the new Modal paving, part of the internationally recognised La Linia range have been juxtaposed, with long flag units used to complement the lines of the central tower and smaller Conservation X Setts to designate walkways.

AG were tasked with installing paving flags at the new entrance of the Portlaoise Retail Park as well as lifting and replacing the old paving at the existing entrance.The TerraPave® flag, manufactured from aggregates sourced from around Europe, was chosen as a fine quality concrete alternative to natural stone, which helps keep costs down. It was also selected for conforming to current BREEAM sustainability criteria which AG include as standard requirement. TerraPave® also requires little to no maintenance and is completed in ground and textured finishes, giving it a more attractive look compared to other paving solutions.John Donnellan, Key Account Manager AG, said:“We felt the TerraPave® flags were the best products for these highly pedestrianised entrances due to its glowing track record and the similar projects it’s been used for. TerraPave® is easily maintained and retains its colour very well and these were the qualities Harcourt Developments required due to the heavy footfall at the Retail Park. After 6 years the flags now look in pristine condition.”The old paving was replaced with our TerraPave® Genoa Ground flag for its unique design and eye-catching finish.

Inspired by the mountainous views to the west and seaside views to the east, McCarthy O'Hora (MCOH) architects reflected the colours of the natural world that surrounds Temple Carrig School by specifying an array of vibrant shades from Forbo Flooring Systems' Marmoleum range.

Biotecture recently completed this internal living wall at Legal and General's new flagship HQ in The Interchange, Cardiff. The green wall was installed using Biotecture’s naturally resilient hydroponic system and the planting design includes the icon Legal and General umbrella.

Aluminium glazing channels in a natural anodised finish are used for the glass partitioning in a basement leisure space conversion.These versatile profiles include shuffle-less glazing channels and door pivot kits, offering seamless transitions from partitioning to doors.

EQUITONE [natura] in colour Chalk Grey [N162] was used to clad this Nursery School in Munich, Germany. As well as reflecting the natural light, the cladding acts as a blank canvas for the beautifully milled contour design that features so prominently on the face of the building.

Stone: LUNDHS Antique® - honed surface.The freestanding kitchen island acts as a natural focal point in this open plan kitchen and is perfect for both food prepping and entertainment. The combination of the blue cabinetry and Lundhs Antique surface is a great match.

The site was in a challenging position, the location was confined with additional restricted access, the client also insisted on building with “natural and healthy materials”. Our AIRTIGHT structural panel with exceptional airtightness, effortlessly met the brief, even within a very tight budget.

Weston-super-Mare’s Revo Kitchen & Terrace Restaurant has been transformed with high-quality floor to ceiling Kestrel Aluminium Folding Sliding Doors that maximise the views and create a fresh, airy space that allows natural light to flood in.

Heritage Vacuum Glazing: A Transformative Case Study for Renovating Listed Buildings and Conservation AreasIntroduction:Renovating heritage properties, including listed buildings and those in conservation areas, presents unique challenges in balancing preservation with modern standards of energy efficiency and sustainability. In this case study, we explore the application of heritage vacuum glazing as a solution for renovating a historic listed building, showcasing its transformative impact on architectural preservation and performance improvements.Case Study: Renovating a Historic Listed BuildingBackground Information:The case study focuses on a remarkable historic listed building dating back to the 18th century. Situated within a conservation area renowned for its architectural significance, the building exhibits exquisite craftsmanship and unique architectural details. However, the existing single-glazed windows posed challenges in terms of thermal inefficiency, noise penetration, and condensation issues.Challenges Faced:The architectural team encountered several challenges during the renovation process. Striking a delicate balance between preserving the building's historical charm and incorporating contemporary elements that enhance functionality was paramount. Compliance with conservation regulations was crucial to ensure the preservation of the building's original fabric and character.Selection of Heritage Vacuum Glazing:After careful consideration and collaboration with conservation specialists, heritage vacuum glazing emerged as the ideal solution for upgrading the building's fenestration. The slim profile of the glazing units closely resembled the original windows, ensuring minimal disruption to the building's architectural aesthetics. The vacuum glazing technology offered superior thermal insulation, acoustic performance, and condensation control, aligning with both conservation requirements and performance objectives.Installation Process and Considerations:During the installation process, the architectural team collaborated with specialist manufacturers experienced in heritage vacuum glazing. Meticulous attention to detail was crucial to seamlessly integrate the new glazing units with the existing window frames while preserving the historic fabric. Preservation techniques were employed to minimise any damage and maintain the building's authenticity throughout the installation.Benefits Achieved:The implementation of heritage vacuum glazing resulted in a multitude of benefits for the renovated listed building. The enhanced thermal insulation significantly reduced heat loss, leading to improved energy efficiency and reduced heating costs. The upgraded windows provided exceptional acoustic insulation, creating a peaceful indoor environment despite the bustling surroundings. Condensation issues were effectively addressed, preventing damage to the building's interior finishes and improving occupant comfort and well-being. Furthermore, the advanced security features of the vacuum glazing enhanced the protection of the building, safeguarding its historic fabric for future generations to appreciate.Testimonials and Feedback:Architects, specifiers, and building occupants expressed their satisfaction with the outcome of the renovation project involving heritage vacuum glazing. Architects praised the technology for seamlessly integrating with the building's original design, while specifiers commended its compliance with conservation regulations. Building occupants enjoyed the improved thermal comfort, reduced noise intrusion, and enhanced visual clarity provided by the heritage vacuum glazing. Their testimonials underscored the success of the solution in achieving a harmonious balance between preservation and modern comfort.Conclusion:This case study highlights the successful application of heritage vacuum glazing in the renovation of a listed building within a conservation area. By effectively addressing the challenges of thermal inefficiency, noise penetration, and condensation, heritage vacuum glazing emerged as a transformative solution. Its ability to preserve architectural aesthetics, enhance energy efficiency, improve acoustic insulation, and safeguard historic fabric makes it a preferred choice for architects and specifiers involved in renovating heritage properties.Through careful consideration of factors like compatibility, authenticity preservation, compliance with regulations, collaboration with specialists, and professional installation, the transformative potential of heritage vacuum glazing can be realised, ensuring a harmonious blend of historic authenticity and modern performance.

Having won a bid for £15m of capital funding in 2020, Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust (BHT) commissioned a new children’s emergency department – including upgraded, expanded facilities and a new overnight observation ward – at Stoke Mandeville Hospital in Aylesbury.Completed in March 2023, the 3,500m2 extension not only provides a dedicated area for children but has also freed up much-needed capacity for adult patients in the existing emergency department, and has reduced overcrowding and improved infection control. The plans also included new facilities to improve access to maternity and gynaecology outpatient services in a modern, purpose-built environment. The buildings adjacent to the children’s department house the hospital’s A&E department and maternity ward, so it was crucial that construction could go ahead without causing any disruption to day-to-day access.Throughout the project, the emergency department drop-off route, blue light route, maternity drop-off route, and A&E entrance remained in use at all times. Designed by London-based architects Hunters, the two-storey buildingwas made using modern methods of construction (MMC) at the main contractor Western Building Systems’ purpose-built in-house manufacturing facilities in Northern Ireland.The decision to build using modular construction resulted in minimal disruption to the hospital, both in terms of number of deliveries and overall time to build. Hospital buildings require many services to be installed so the subcontractors worked closely together, supported by quantity surveyors from MESH Construction Consultancy Limited. Steel structure modules were made at the Western Building Systems factory in Coalisland to form the frame of the building. They were then sheathed in 12mm cement particle boards and wrapped in breather membrane.The modular design specified an efficient, certified External Wall Insulation (EWI) system that met all stringent safety standards. EWI systems have huge thermal benefits for any building by conserving energy, minimising heat loss and reducing CO2 emissions. In addition to this, having a fully certified non-combustible solution offers great peace of mind, as well as a fast-track way to provide an attractive and durable façade.  Once the frame was in place on site, render and EWI specialists from Clarke ECO Wall Ltd installed Saint-Gobain Weber’s webertherm XM – a system they are familiar with, having used it on projects previously, including University Hospital Limerick.he EWI system included webertherm MFD mineral fibre insulation board with carbon tip screw fixings, weberend LAC rapid adhesive render coat and silicone enhanced webersil TF decorative finish. This building was made up of two types of wall: one which used 170mm of external insulation and achieved a U-Value of 0.12 W/m2K and another which used just 70mm of webertherm MFD yet still reached a U-Value of 0.18 W/m2K. Both were combined with additional insulation installed within the frame. The system was finished using webersil TF – a highly weather-resistant silicone decorative finish – in Winter White. “The team from Weber were very helpful,” said Michael Clarke, managing director of Clarke ECO Wall Ltd. “They provided all the specification and completed the necessary pull-out tests, fixing patterns and condensation analysis – ensuring everything was approved and there were no grey areas – and offered our team application support while carrying out the work. They took a very collaborative approach.”A representative from Weber made weekly site visits to support the applicators to ensure the system was installed in line with Weber’s recommended best practice. The EWI system was installed in two phases, totalling eight weeks, between April and November 2022.

This case study highlights the successful implementation of Britmet’s flat-to-pitch conversion system, BritFrame, and lightweight metal roof tile, Slate 2000. The project, carried out by Jennings Roofing encompassed a total area of 500 square meters and aimed to improve the infrastructure of the existing roof. This case study examines the benefits, challenges, and outcomes of utilising Slate 2000. This case study highlights the successful implementation of Britmet's Slate 2000 roofing system and Britframe structural solution in a social housing project. The client, a new customer of Britmet, discovered the systems at the UK Construction Week (UKCW) exhibition. Impressed by the innovative design and features, the client expressed interest in utilising Britframe for a flat-to-pitch conversion project in their social housing development. The client is a housing association responsible for managing and maintaining a portfolio of social housing properties. They were seeking an effective solution to address various issues with one of their buildings, including an ageing roof with multiple repairs, inadequate insulation, and inefficient rainwater management. The objective was to enhance the building's aesthetics, improve water tightness, increase energy efficiency, and minimize future maintenance requirements. The initial meeting between the client and Britmet took place at the UKCW exhibition, where the client became acquainted with Britframe, a lightweight and versatile structural solution. Intrigued by its potential, the client arranged for an on-site visit to further assess the feasibility of utilising the Britframe and Slate 2000 roofing system for their project.Slate 2000 is a durable and aesthetically pleasing lightweight roofing material that offers long-term performance and weather resistance. It's stylish design and robust properties make it an ideal choice for enhancing the visual appeal and durability of roofs and cladding. During the initial site visit, Britmet's team evaluated the existing roof condition, rainwater management system, and insulation levels. After careful assessment, they provided the client with a budget price estimate for the proposed project. The estimate included the cost of materials, labour, and necessary ancillary items. To streamline the project, the client signed a Project Assist agreement with Britmet. This allowed Britmet to obtain planning drawings and submit the necessary applications on behalf of the client. Additionally, Britmet provided structural calculations, design drawings, and rainwater calculations to ensure compliance with regulatory standards and best practices. The main objective of the project was to convert the existing flat roof to a pitched roof using Britframe and install Britmet's Slate 2000 roofing system. This conversion offered numerous advantages, including improved water tightness, increased insulation, and resolved rainwater management issues. Notably, the internal gutters, which had caused maintenance problems, were relocated externally as part of the new design.Beyond functionality, the new roofing system and structural solution significantly enhanced the building's aesthetic appeal. The modern design of Britframe, combined with the stylish appearance of Slate 2000, seamlessly integrated the property with its surroundings. The improved visual aesthetics added value to the social housing development. One of the key benefits of choosing Britmet's Slate 2000 and Britframe was the assurance of minimal maintenance requirements. Unlike the previous roof covering, which had undergone numerous repairs and reached the end of its life, the new system was designed to be durable and long-lasting. This eliminated the need for ongoing maintenance and reduced future costs for the housing association.Through the adoption of Britmet's Slate 2000 roofing system and Britframe structural solution, the social housing project achieved its objectives of enhanced aesthetics, improved water tightness, increased insulation, and efficient rainwater management. The collaboration between the client and Britmet, from the initial meeting at UKCW to the successful implementation of the project, demonstrated the value of innovative roofing and structural solutions in the social housing sector.

Brand New Oasis Academy, Silvertown Leads Education Facilities by a Mile with Garden Roof Spaces, and Rooftop Sports Pitch In the heart of what is now the Royal Docklands, a former industrial zone south of Royal Victoria Dock lies a brand new carefully considered Academy. Set to serve 600 students in this emerging community, the “superblock” thrusts modern educational facilities well into the 21st century. Despite the constrained site, the building design harmoniously incorporates vantage points from outdoor social spaces at varying levels.There’s no need to worry about a gravelly all weather pitch causing havoc at your hockey match. There’s a state-of-the-art full size Multi-Use Games Area, lush planted external roof spaces, a double height sports hall, and main hall/performance area making up the core of the building inside.CLIENT BRIEF AND DESIGNRenowned in their field, regeneration experts Morgan Sindall required a single sourced end-to-end roofing solution that could deliver a full system specification underpinned by a 35-year system warranty, installation expertise and site management.Understanding the Architect’s vision at award winning Rivington Street Studio to create a transformative educational haven and maximise the potential of the outdoor roof areas helped the Alumasc Roofing team bring this roof to life.PARTNERSHIPWorking with the project teams across Morgan Sindall, Rivington Street Studio and Fenland Flat Roofing pushing the boundaries and setting the standard for the future of the built environment in the Education sector.Tim Mott, Senior Design Manager, Morgan Sindall, “Brian and the Alumasc team have been on-site with additional safety constraints and delivered high-quality regular progress reporting to achieve the deadlines for the students to move in next year and really put these fantastic facilities to use.”Brian Cottington, New Build Regional Manager - South East & London, “The original specification included warm roof build ups which utilised tapered insulation, however this was subsequently adapted and working closely together with the Architect, Morgan Sindall and Fenland Flat Roofing we implemented a universal standard build up using an inverted system, with less complexity whilst achieving the high system performance and BRoof (t4).”Richard Trew, Associate, Rivington Street Studio, “The garden roof areas and outdoor space bring this building to life and against the industrial backdrop create a nurturing school environment. It was great working with the Alumasc team solving problems and overcoming design challenges along the way.”Chris Preston, Estimator, Fenland Flat Roofing, “Working closely with the local Alumasc Roofing Site Technicians and engaging in extensive discussions agreeing the final system requirements meant the installation process ran smoothly.”ENVIRONMENTALLY FOCUSSED SOLUTIONThe high performance Hydrotech inverted roof is a special formulation of refined asphalts and synthetic rubbers with 30% recycled content. Installing insulation with exceptional thermal properties including 300mm extruded polystyrene insulation and 56mm inverted upstand insulation effectively reduces heat loss.SAFETY PERFORMANCEThe application is a one-component, hot-applied, fully reinforced, flexible, self-healing hot melt monolithic membrane, applied in a liquid state to the substrate giving a 100% absolute and seamless bond.The Academy has a 35-year warranty for the works and has a fire classification of BRoof (t4) in accordance with BS EN 13501-5.ABOUTThe Oasis Academy is set to open its doors February 2022. Images courtesy of Rivington Street StudioCompletion: Autumn 2021Main Contractor: Morgan SindallAlumasc Registered Roofing Contractor: Fenland Flat RoofingArchitect: Rivington Street Studio

Nestled between parklands, at a mere stone’s throw from Lea Valley and Hackney Marshes, and in the heart of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park with its world-class sporting facilities, an incredible new neighbourhood is arising. Chobham Manor is the first of five new developments to be built in this history-rich area in Stratford, east London. 6,800 new homes will be constructed in total over the next 20 years, along with health centres and multi-purpose community spaces. SOPREMA provided the waterproofing solution and insulation materials for Chobham Manor, as well as collaborating closely from the design stage onwards with Taylor Wimpey, one of the top-five housebuilders in the UK, and SOPREMA-approved contractor Skyler Contracting.

Heathside and Lethbridge is one of London’s biggest estate regeneration programmes, and is planned to be carried out over six phases. The regeneration works being undertaken by Family Mosaic and the London Borough of Lewisham are transforming the estates into an attractive mixed tenure development, with over 1200 high-quality private and affordable homes.Phase three saw 218 homes built including 102 homes for social rent, the rest being for sale and shared ownership. Phase 4a and 4b saw 236 new homes built.Shield Membranes supplied the waterproofing, insulation & external finishes to all external areas with great efficiency, making sure everything was on site as and when it was required in order to keep each phase on track.

Family houses renovated... CHALLENGE 134 single family houses needed to be renovated to liveable conditions. The main problem for the architect and building contractors was the fact these houses had to remain occupied during the works. SOLUTION For the roof two prefabricated timber roof elements covered with the RENOLIT ALKORDESIGN roofing system were installed to replace the existing roof structure. The roofing elements consisted of a layer of OSB, a layer of 350 mm cellulose fibre insulation, another OSB plate and a 2 mm thick RENOLIT ALKORPLAN roofing membrane. The prefabricated roof element has a U-Value of 0.11 W/m². On top of the prefab roof elements hot water panels were installed. 

5 Everyman cinemas have been built in a new building in the centre of Harrogate which houses several other retail and leisure facilities.The cinema directly above the ground floor retail units required a concrete floating floor whilst the 4 other cinemas required heavy dry floating floors with large floor voids.Our local branch supplied and installed the floating floors which consisted of Stravifloor Channel isolation rails supporting timber/cement board sandwich constructions or Stravifloor Deck solution supporting a concrete slab.The wall isolation and ceiling hangers completed the box-in-box construction delivering the required sound insulation between cinemas and to the retail units beneath.

Viega has supplied its cold applied Profipress and Sanpress Inox press connection systems to the latest refurbishment of the 17th century Queen’s House in Greenwich.Queen’s House, a Grade I listed building and scheduled ancient monument, was originally built between 1616 and 1635 and is the last surviving section of the palace of Greenwich. Queen’s House is now part of the Royal Museums Greenwich and is home to a large collection of important paintings, drawings and sculptures. Over the last few years the 400-year-old building has undergone a program of vital maintenance.The scheduled ancient monument protection is granted to sites of national architectural importance and makes it a criminal offence to damage the monument in question. The importance of the building meant that during the maintenance work the materials and methods used had to be carefully considered. For example, no hot works of any kind were permitted on-site so traditional soldering or brazing of pipework was not an option.Mechanical and electrical maintenance specialist Red100 was selected to carry out the work as the latest in a number of contracts to work on the building. The renewal of the pipework systems included the heating and chilled water systems, for both of which the supply comes off a header pipe from a plant room located in another building. The contract also included work on the greywater system.As a result of the restrictions on hot works, press connection technology was the chosen methodology for the pipe installation. Viega’s Profipress system was selected for use on the copper heating and water pipework while the stainless steel greywater pipe was connected with Sanpress Inox fittings.Stephen Phillips, Director at Red100 said: “We were familiar with press connection technology, having employed it on a number of similar projects. We had been recommended the Viega systems and were impressed by what we saw when we visited Viega’s production facilities in Germany.”Paul Burkett, Technical Sales Manager at Viega commented: “After discussing the requirements with Stephen at Red100 we were confident that the Viega products fitted their needs exactly. Also the range of different press connection options offered by Viega meant that there were suitable products available as the scope of the work expanded.”Due to the historical significance and protected status of the building as well as the priceless nature of the artwork housed within the Queen’s House, the security of the connections was paramount. Any water leaking from incomplete or inadvertently unpressed joints had to be avoided due to damage it would cause. The SC-Contur feature designed into products from across the Viega range, including Profipress and Sanpress Inox, ensure that any missed connections are reliably identified during testing. This avoids expensive and potentially damaging failures once the project is complete.Stephen Phillips concluded: “We were delighted with the performance of the products. The installation on Queen’s House went very smoothly and as a result we have subsequently used the Viega systems on other projects."