"office seating"

Vtec’s MaxiBeam system was included in the design for a new reception area in a corporate office building. Both the client and designer wanted a statement feature that had a real ‘wow factor’ that also worked alongside the rest of the scheme. The design involved complex geometry and integrations for a stunning acoustic wall and ceiling in MaxiBeam Light Oak finish. The project involved bespoke angled ends on the interface, precise spacing and complete integration with the lighting scheme. In addition, timescales were extremely tight so drawings with full install details and 3D visuals were turned around very quickly.

Rockfon Mono Acoustic's tile/filler/render system was used to control reverberation in a large open plan office.

Solihull’s Metropolitan Borough Council offices have been transformed with a major refurbishment. The upgrade to the Council’s Church Hill House and Orchard House buildings required alterations and extension works to provide new open-plan office space, a newly formed atrium, and new facades. Replacement of the existing old and rotten windows for new glazed units with high thermal and acoustic performance whilst maintaining the essential character of the buildings was essential. Kestrel Aluminium’s 60mm window system was chosen for the project because of its proven track record in this type of development.

Requiring a professional yet comfortable breakout area to welcome distinguished guests including civil servants and senior politicians, the Customer Experience Suite at Cassidian needed a bold and contemporary scheme to reflect the company’s principles of encouraging collaboration and innovation. The creative design solution provided by Paramount Interiors transformed the interiors into an open and well-lit environment with sleek features such as glass partitions and a plane tail rogue column nodding to Cassidian’s aeronautical connections and adding to a futuristic feel.

Decors from the Formica® Laminate Colors, Woods and Patterns Collection have been specified for a hospitality and boardroom suite for StudioCanal at their offices in Pancras Square, London. McFarlane Latter Architects were looking for a contemporary interior design scheme filled with biophilic colours and natural woodgrains. 

Volksbank Kleverland’s new customer centre is an eye-catching architectural masterpiece. The interior of the bank office consisted of curved and tapering shapes. This required bendable railings and a flexible solution for alignment of the glass infills. A combination of Q-railing’s Easy Glass Slim and Easy Glass Pro glass balustrade systems was the perfect fit. Easy Glass Slim had previously been installed with a bend radius of less than 500 mm, which is unique in the market. In total, more than 130 metres of glass railing was installed on the upper floors and stairways.

Stainless steel splashbacks, by GEC Anderson, were recently deployed in an apartment kitchen, overlooking London’s Hampstead Heath. The specification was a little challenging due to the shape and size of the required pieces. In particular, the curved corner within the kitchen gave the project very much a one-off feel. Rather than merely being an internal feature, the curve follows the outer form of the brick building.The subtle blend of colours exudes calmness but does not appear cold. This is probably due to the lighting as well as the contrasting colours in the adjacent spaces, notably, the red bench seating but also the dark bookshelf that also follows the curvature of the room.The stainless steel splashbacks were made to measure, to precisely suit the design and requirements and were produced in GEC Anderson’s standard brushed satin finish. Measuring and installation was also undertaken by GEC Anderson.GEC Anderson (founded in 1962) specialise in purpose made stainless steel sinks, worktops, cabinets, shelving and splahsbacks. Their products have been specified in a great number and variety of projects, ranging from residential kitchens to commercial and public spaces, including health, education, infrastructure, retail, offices and the arts.

Rawson Carpet Solutions have supplied their structured Riven carpet plank at The Alconbury Civic Hub. The new Civic Hub is designed to provide an innovative and contemporary workspace for Cambridgeshire County Council’s staff. Rawson Carpet Solution’s designer nylon carpet planks have been used to great effect. Over 3000 sqm of Riven in Slate and graphite colourway has been installed allowing for subtle and natural expression in this new exciting building built by RG Carter.The curved building is split into two wings, the Riven plank runs though the internal spaces allowing the natural light to capture its structured design in certain spaces and for the flowing aesthetic of this 2ply solution dyed nylon plank to be truly utilised. The light, open plan office space is designed to Cambridgeshire’s brief of accommodating fixed and flexible workstations. Natural colours along with the structured pattern of the Riven range installed by Northants Flooring help to lighten the modern and comfortable workspace and contribute to a pleasing aesthetic. The 750g yarn weights ensured that the carpet is quiet and comfortable underfoot. The new building has been constructed with as little impact as possible on the environment and is designed to promote more flexible and agile working among staff, linked to technological advances and transformed working practices, and aimed at reducing congestion in Cambridge. An inspired space designed by AHMM

Glass Films worked alongside Peach Design to supply our SX-1254 Reeded Glass Film to a Real Estate Investment Office located in Islington, London, UK. Our stunning decorative glass film was used in the office's breakout areas and reception.

Gripsure non-slip decking was chosen for the Samsung offices in Chertsey, South West London, which underwent a refurbishment in the Spring of 2021. 800m2 of our Contemporary profile was installed, replacing decaying slippery deck boards, creating safe access for employees to enjoy the outdoor spaces that surround the building.The smooth profile, with two anti-slip inserts, allow for leaves and debris to be easily swept away, ensuring the decked areas overlooking the lake can be easily maintained and enjoyed safely all year round. Moreover, this modern-looking profile compliments the glass façade of the building giving it a truly stylish finish, without compromising on safety. 

Spitfire Homes chose to use Saige's Solid Grey Decking board for their walkways between offices to create a sleek and safe space.

Built in 1986, Dukes Court was viewed as a symbol of Woking’s economic growth, offering 220,000 sq. ft. of premium office accommodation. These works will ensure Dukes Court continues to play an important role in the town’s future.The front of Dukes Court underwent an extensive remodelling, creating a landscaped pedestrianised public plaza and restaurant with outdoor seating. The building features an impressive full height living ‘green’ wall, which is one of the tallest in Europe. The building is arranged over five blocks which are accessed via three separate reception areas, leading to the flexible floor plates which all benefit from excellent natural light.Other features include:A larger than life statue of composer and suffragette Dame Ethel Smyth will proudly conduct passers-by in the centre of the pedestrianised plaza.New signage and pedestrian routes which will enhance the visitor experience.Relocation of main vehicle entrance from Dukes Street to Stanley RoadMaybury Road, Stanley Road and The Broadway junctions improvements.Granite from around the world (mainly the far east) included BBS Steel (mid grey) granite, Haze (silver grey) granite, Barzan (black) basalt, and Peppercorn (pink) granite.

Armourcoat's three dimensional Sculptural Barcode wall finish has been specified at a high profile office fit-out in Eastpoint Business Park, Dublin. The project interior, designed by Meehan Associates, includes a series of ‘huddle rooms’ and meeting spaces with wonderful use of bold accent colour to help orientate staff. The colours also act to highlight the clean, crisp detailing of the linear ‘Barcode’ design used to link the spaces. Armourcoat Sculptural creates seamless wall surfaces with impactful designs and cast relief. Each design is created from cast GRG (Glass-fibre Reinforced Gypsum) panels, CAD generated to enable a continuous pattern or unique decorative effect.Over 600m2 of Armourcoat’s Sculptural Barcode finish was applied to achieve the seamless finish to walls, together with banded polished plaster finishes in various colours throughout the building.The project was delivered by Meehan Associates to meet USGBC LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) standards.The architects were keen to specify sustainable materials to ensure their positive contribution to the project. In keeping with the eco specification, Armourcoat finishes include 40% pre-consumer recycled marble and no VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds).

Forbo Flooring Systems’ Marmoleum was the product of choice for a creative breakout space at investment management firm, Triple Point. With its growing headcount, Triple Point appointed AW Spaces to create an environment that could accommodate the company’s hybrid working strategy, whilst developing a light and warm aesthetic.  Founded in 2004, Triple Point employ 215 people and manage over £2.7 billion of private, institutional and public capital across five distinct investment strategies: Social Housing, Energy, Digital Infrastructure, Private Credit, and Venture. Each of these strategies helps to solve a problem society faces, and each one creates opportunities for investors.  With the company’s increased headcount and the new hybrid working strategy, AW Spaces suggested increasing the size of the breakout area available to employees. The aim was to make this area feel different from the working environment, by incorporating warmer colours with a dynamic flooring design.   Another important aspect for this project was the environmental impact. Lisa McLeod, Design Director at AW Spaces spoke on this, saying: “Sustainability was a big part of Triple Point’s brief. As such, when it came to choosing a floor covering for the space, the sustainability aspect led us to look at products such as Forbo’s Marmoleum. After discussing the sustainable flooring with Triple Point, where I also sent them a concept image of a design, we decided it was the perfect solution.  “Not only did Marmoleum fit the sustainability requirements, but it’s also available in a variety of contemporary designs that match in tone with each other, which allowed us to create a very dynamic space. Additionally, it’s a really nice material to work with, which aided the installation process.”   Forbo’s Marmoleum was specified in Terracotta, Titanium and Vintage Blue from the Marmoleum Walton range, and in Neptune Blue from Marmoleum Piano. Lisa commented on these choices, saying: “We chose these colours as they work beautifully together and coordinated with the joinery so it looked as though those elements rise from the ground. We also really liked the warmth of the Terracotta colourway and the brightness of Neptune Blue, which provided some contrast from eachother without looking disjointed from the joinery they connected to. The choice of colours really helped us to convey the feeling that this space was for relaxation rather than work, with all the colours flowing into one-another nicely.”  This refurbishment wasn’t like a typical installation as there were multiple different colourways which had to be combined in different shapes. As opposed to a typical refurbishment where tiles or sheet flooring is laid; this flooring had to be cut into shape in situ. The finished flooring mixes curved edges with sharp points, with all four colourways meeting towards the middle of the floor then flowing out at different angles around the room.  Lisa continued “The pattern was quite complex, so Forbo recommended an installer called Medifloor to us who could take on this challenge. We had worked with them on a couple of occasions before, so we knew they had the credentials, and they did a fantastic job with pinpoint accuracy!  “We’re absolutely delighted with the finished result and I’d say the breakout space remains my favourite part of the entire project.”  With a unique installation, a specialist approach had to be taken by installers, Medifloor. Jim Gordon, the Director of Medifloor, spoke on this, saying: “AW Spaces gave us this amazing design for Triple Point, which was extremely challenging to create with all the different curvatures. So, to achieve it we actually used computer aided templates which allowed us to cut the perfect curve – something that’s really hard to acheive in flooring.   “Forbo’s Marmoleum Walton was perfect for this, as it’s the only sheet flooring that lends itself to the natural materials used in this project and looks amazing when finished.”  With this method, a creative and dynamic flooring solution was created. With the installation starting in July 2022, Triple Point’s office refurbishment was finished in mid-September 2022 and has been well received by the staff who use it.  Luke Francois, Guest and Employee Experience Manager at Triple Point, concluded: “We asked AW Spaces to create a bright and inviting space, with a focus on using sustainable products and services, and Forbo’s Marmoleum ticked all the boxes for this. We’re happy with the end product delivered by AW, Medifloor and Forbo.” For more information about Forbo’s range of office products, visit: www.forbo-flooring.co.uk/offices  

Although home working has become the new norm, there will always be a need for people to meet for collaborative working and negotiations which just cannot be carried out as effectively using online technology. Allowing commercial offices to be quickly reconfigured, the use of moveable wall systems will be a cornerstone to the redesign process, delivering flexible space that can be quickly adapted to help ensure social distancing requirements can be safely maintained.

These are the latest nine smart FalcoPod Bike Hangars, installed this week, for The University of Glasgow’s Gilmorehill Campus - creating a new network of secure cycle parking infrastructure across the Universities West End campus.Commisioned for staff and student use, the nine new bike hangars provide the University with up to 54 secure cycle parking spaces, all within a sheltered, smartphone accessed, secure lockable unit.The design of each bike hangar includes the Universities own logo, instructional signage, a QR code for easy registration and powder coating in an attractive ‘Fir Green’ RAL colour for additional durability.Installed across the campus at locations including the Bower Building, Graham Kerr Building and Cardiovascular Research Centre, each bike hangar takes up no more room than a single car parking space and is capable of accommodating all types of cycles - from road and mountain bikes to bikes with a child seat on the back or storage basket on the front.Each state-of-the-art bike hangar provides University cyclists with quick and easy accessibility via the users smartphone. The user simply downloads the app, registers for a space, is granted accessibility via the back office and then can access their chosen hangar within seconds. For users without a smartphone, a physical key can be supplied instead.The FalcoPod bike hangar, as shown here at The University of Glasgow, is a robust on-street cycle parking solution designed to meet the needs of cyclists who don’t have access to private cycle parking facilities. The improved innovative shape means that users no longer have to remove some baskets or child seats when storing their bike!Falco design is both evolutionary and innovative by nature and the new FalcoPod is no exception. This is the third generation of ‘bike hangar’ type product building on the pedigree of the original street locker the ‘Midi Bike Box’ with some great new features over existing products as follows:Size - fits in half a car parking space and houses 6 bikes, with covered weather protection.Family inclusive – with an ergonomically improved design, the additional space/height (55% more) means there is no need to remove child seats or baskets from the back or front of bikes.Bike security - the six place FalcoSound bike rack has three locking points including the ability to use a ‘D’ lock through the rear wheel and frame.Easy access - single door with integral lock and gas strut for assisted lifting.The effective bike hangar has already been successfully rolled out to the London Borough of Waltham Forest, Brent, Camden, Westminster and Merton Councils. For more information about the FalcoPod Bike Hangar, the FalcoPod Bike Hangar service or your cycle parking scheme, please contact our helpful sales team on 01538 380080. 

This extremely specific design of the wall panels with each slat being different thickness and depth as well and being chamfered. On the returns these are mitred, with each mitre being different to take into consideration the slat thickness and depth

This exciting installation designed by Sheppard Robson incorporated a bespoke Laudescher LINEA (aw 0.85, Absorption Class B, NRC 0.9) slatted panel with the purpose of managing the reflective nature of the walls within this main entrance area.

Popular German fashion store Laufsteg has transformed its interiors using Amtico Signature. Extended over two floors, the new store opted for two Amtico Signature laying patterns: Key Stone Small and Polygon Key Mini. This impressive floor design combines different tones over the 500sqm space to create a luxurious look and feel. Boasting around 500sqm, the impressive floor design combines different tones from the Signature collection and comes with a 1mm wear layer, offering its customers a 20-year commercial warranty.Image Copyright UNIKUT GmbH

Amtico Signature LVT helped Toggl create the trendy, dynamic environment that would encourage staff to keep their minds active and creative. Amtico was chosen for the wide range of colours and textures that can be used in different laying patterns. Having specified Amtico many times before, Tiiu has always been pleased with the creative results achieved.

The fully shrouded stainless steel wash basin V216 not only is very secure against tampering and vandalism. It has a distinctive and clean appearance with totally concealed pipework. Produced in brushed satin stainless steel to EN 1.4301, the highly functional basin is suited for use in any environment, from highly secure premises to general washrooms and workshops.

Premier PR, located in a 19th Century former warehouse had had thermal and acoustic secondary glazing installed by Selectaglaze to help produce a more amenable working environment for office staff. Selectaglaze installed 115 windows across the ground, first, second and third floors. A wide range of products were combined for the specification, the majority of which were two and three pane horizontal sliders. The Series 30 lift-out unit was specified for one particular opening to allow easy access for cleaning. Another primary window was fitted with a single side hung casement, designed to suit the existing fenestration.

BW Workplace Experts looks to Oscar Acoustics to create health-enhancing workplace of the future Making a sound choiceOffice fit-out professionals, BW Workplace Experts, who specialise in delivering welcoming office environments, enlisted the help of Oscar Acoustics as part of a major workplace fit-out to ensure optimal acoustic comfort for occupants and a calm ‘home from home’ experience for staff.Central to achieving their goal of creating a peaceful office ambience was the issue of noise reverberation. It was imperative that workers using the office space could communicate easily without needing to shout and that staff could work harmoniously without distractions.The challenge: unconventional working spaces Located at Herbal House in Farringdon, London, BW Workplace needed to allow for agile ways of working, providing flexible environments that offer focused work areas, co-working spaces and relaxed break out areas. A combination of both impromptu and formal meeting rooms was also required.  Working alongside architects TP Bennett, Oscar Acoustics were faced with the challenge of how to achieve the perfect acoustic balance within the two-floor Manhattan loft-style space. As office workers would be dealing with important sensitive circumstances, such as judicial matters, unwanted noise needed to be kept to a minimum, allowing staff to concentrate and focus on matters at hand.Leanne Baird, Head of Marketing at BW, said: “We needed an effective design solution to deal with reverberant noise so that staff remained free of distractions and their ability to concentrate was not impaired by excessive noise. “Having worked with Oscar Acoustics previously, we knew we were in safe hands as far as finding an effective noise-reduction solution was concerned. Their expertise in architectural acoustic finishes was crucial to the success of this project.”The solution: calm, inviting interiors that sound as good as they lookChosen for its ability to absorb sound energy instead of reflecting it, Oscar’s SonaSpray K-13 is a seamless acoustic spray with a deliberately industrial, coarsely textured finish that helps control stressful noise reverberation in buildings. Blending in seamlessly with the fluid, flexible workspace, the spray was completed in a single application, allowing BW to keep to important project deadlines, with minimal installation time.  Sustainable acoustic solutionsSonaSpray K-13 also contributes towards many sustainable design and health certification systems including BREEAM, SKA, Living Building Challenge and adds up to 17 points towards the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating of a project. By choosing SonaSpray K-13, all parties could feel confident that the application met the highest health and welfare standards due its non-hazardous, GREENGUARD Gold Certified compliance for Indoor Air Quality. As a seamless M1 certified Low Emitting acoustic spray, it also contains renewable natural resources such as wood, and cotton which effectively lowers the carbon footprint of the building project by sequestering rich stores of carbon for the lifecycle of the structure. In a world where environmental impact is paramount, SonaSpray K-13 boasts further green credentials, having been covered by the Environmental Product Declaration in accordance with ISO 14025 and meeting the Living Building Challenge and LEED requirements. In addition to these, Oscar Acoustics are ISO 14001 certified; completing the environmental jigsaw and making them Great Britain’s most sustainable acoustic solutions provider.Fire rated acoustic sprayIt was also imperative that employee safety was considered, especially in terms of fire safety. Knowing that SonaSpray K-13 not only met but significantly bettered the updated Approved Document B fire requirement (Class 0 to BS476 & B-s1,d0 fire rating), gave both architects and designers complete peace of mind that should the eventuality occur, the acoustic spray would provide little to no smoke and absolutely no droplets, assisting in the safe escape of its occupants.Ben Hancock, Managing Director at Oscar Acoustics says: “When we were first approached by BW, we knew just the solution for this type of acoustic problem in an office space. With years of experience providing acoustic solutions to commercial workspaces, our tried and tested SonaSpray range is our go-to choice for achieving superb acoustic results without design compromise. “Working with BW has been a fantastic experience. With the increased focus on wellbeing and the work-life balance becoming more prevalent, office space must reflect this change. It’s long been recognised that poor acoustics and excessive levels of noise can be bad for occupants’ health so it was great to see this issue being taken seriously, to improve the daily lives of employees using the building day-to-day.”Image credit to Tom Green Photography.

Converting the former Olympic Stadium to the London Stadium when it became home to the West Ham football club was a significant civil engineering feat. The landmark structure on the capital’s skyline initially cost £486 million when built to house the 2012 London Olympics.A redevelopment between 2013 and 2016 to transform the Olympic monument into a football stadium for the Premier League club cost a further £323 million. The groundbreaking design included adding the most extensive cantilevered roof globally, powered by state-of-the-art technology typically used on North Sea oil rigs.Additionally, the group installed 21,000 new retractable seats to bring fans in the lower tiers closer to the action, while they also added new catering facilities, toilets and executive facilities. The former Olympic stadium was almost totally rebuilt to create a 54,000-seat dual-use arena that would still be suitable for athletics.Stadium fencing and gatesZaun was commissioned to supply security stadium fencing and gates for the London Stadium. This included our Duo8 SR1 fencing for the perimeter. This double wire welded mesh fencing system is suitable for applications that require Secured By Design accreditation. Tested and approved by BRE to LPS1175 SR1 (A1), this perimeter fencing system features the same benefits as our standard Duo8 perimeter fencing system but with additional security, such as tamper-resistant clamp bars and fixings. The Association of Chief Police Officers has approved it as meeting the Secured By Design accreditation.In addition, we also supplied our Super Rebound and Duo Sports Fencing for the sports pitch. It is a further development of the Duo Sports twin wire sport fencing solutions, designed for applications that have high usage for sports. It is ideal for use at sports pitches subject to high footballs, tennis balls, basketballs, hockey balls and more. It features a high density of double wires that will absorb the balls’ shock, so they are returned to play without delay. The Duo Sports double wire sports fencing system is developed from the Duo 6 and Duo 8 perimeter fencing systems. more...

Where do bikes and bins go in slick commercial buildings in space-strapped cities? A big question answered by a Stannah Goodsmaster 1000 CD Plus goods attendant lift in the revamped Kings House office building in central London. The 1000kg through-car lift moves bicycles and a 1100 litre wheelie bin between the ground floor and the basement storage facility in this extensively reconfigured and refurbished building located on King Street.

Project:The construction of luxury offices and apartments required a bespoke access solution to the roof.ProductSurespan designed and manufactured a boxed glazed sliding rooflight with a glazed vertical upstand.The sliding lid was operated electrically via concealed 24v DC actuators and a push-button switch. The 35.5mm sealed double glazed unit comprises of Pilkington 6mm toughened K polished all-round outer pane, a 20mm Warm Edge silver spacer bar that is argon filled, and a Pilkington 9.5mm toughened & laminated inner pane. The sealed glazed unit has a U-Value of 1.5 W/m²K.Features:Operated electrically via concealed 24v DC actuators35.5mm sealed double glazedPilkington 6mm toughened K polished20mm Warm Edge silver spacer barPilkington 9.5mm toughened & laminated inner pane. U-Value of 1.5 W/m²K.

A careful combination of A2 fire rated soffit panels, rainscreen cladding and mesh screens from Proteus Facades has helped band together the impressive new £42m Sciences Centre at Durham University. Based within the grounds of the Upper Mountjoy Campus, the new Mathematical Sciences and Computer Science building has been developed to create synergy between the two departments, which have been earmarked for significant growth within the Durham University Strategy – 2017-2027. The building features state-of-the-art teaching facilities and office space, including a specialist IT Lab with a designated server room, a 120-seat tiered lecture theatre and tutorial rooms. While a café and breakout spaces, as well as four enclosed courtyards make up the communal areas. Creating a bright space for students, staff and visitors to meet and relax, Proteus Facades manufactured striking 2.0mm Aluminium Proteus IP interlocking planks with a PPC Traffic White Matte (RAL 9016) finish for use on the façades of the four internal courtyards. GSS Architecture chose the Proteus IP aluminium PPC in Traffic White because it accentuates and reflects natural light creating an enhanced ambience in the teaching spaces that face onto the courtyards, whilst complementing the glass curtain walling system.

The ProjectCapital Content is a media content production team based in Cobham. The company provides videos, photography, audio, and various other marketing and branding media for a range of businesses and individuals.Capital Content approached G Harding Flooring, a flooring contractor, to “bring their office to life” with design featured flooring. The company records podcasts, film shoots and other advertising material for clients at their workplace, so the designs needed to match their own vision of how they wanted to be perceived.Glenn from G Harding Flooring carried out a site inspection with the owner of Capital Content, and discussed how to best incorporate their business logos and assets into the flooring layout. This would involve sourcing stair nosings and carpet tiles which would match the colours of the company’s branding.The ApproachGlenn contacted Quantum Flooring to talk about which stair nosings would be suitable for the job. Q-Range DUO Stair Nosings have tread inserts on both the tread and the riser of the profile. This enables the profiles to have either one colour on both or, as with this project, a different colour on the tread and riser for design purposes.Q-Range DUO allowed G Harding Flooring to pick colours for the tread and riser to match Capital Content’s branding and logo. As Glenn says: “We wanted to create a visual ‘wow’ factor to the entrance of the office where visiting clients would be first greeted on arrival – the staircase. Samples of additional colours to match Capital Content’s own branding was a big plus.“By using Quantum’s extensive colour bank, not only were we able to find a perfect match, we found 2! The colours, a bold pink for the tread, and a vibrant blue for the riser, gave the stairwell an abundance of colour that would change as you walked up it.”The OutcomeG Harding Flooring installed the Q-Range DUO profiles using Q-Fix Stair Nosing Adhesive. This has ensured a solid, firm and secure fixing which can withstand the traffic anticipated for the workplace. The stair nosings achieve the aim of an eye-catching entrance to the office, while making the stairs safe and easy to navigate.The branded theme is continued throughout the office, where G Harding Flooring installed hand cut logos and patterns utilising carpet tiles. The results are outstanding, with the offices being an excellent example of G Harding’s flooring design skills, and showcasing Capital Content’s brand and logo.As Glenn from G Harding Flooring says: “The client wanted to show the importance of branding, attention to detail and how to stand out from the crowd as this is a key service they provide to their clients. Where best to start and show off their visions? In their very own workspace.”

When the owner of an office building on the Isle of Man took the decision to redevelop the property into four apartments, he partnered with chartered architect Andrew Bentley to arrive at a design. The building had previously been converted from a bar to offices in the 1990s, but the approach adopted to the soundproofing as part of this conversion project would need to be fully assessed and tested for compliance with today’s domestic dwelling standards. STEPPING UP TO HIGHER ACOUSTIC STANDARDSUnder the building regulations covering the Isle of Man, which are consistent with Approved Document E in England & Wales, the separating floors needed to achieve an airborne sound transmission level greater or equal to 43db and, for impact sound transmission, no higher than 64db. Following a comprehensive consultation period by Hush Acoustics soundproofing experts, it was apparent that the existing acoustic flooring design fitted during the original conversion was inadequate. This meant a complete redesign of the floors was required to bring them up to an acceptable residential standard.A SOLUTION THAT EXCEEDED EXPECTATIONS The solution came with the Hush MF Ceiling System. This creates a suspended ceiling, separated from the existing structure using the Hush Acoustic Hangers, allowing for Hush-Slab 100 sound absorber slabs to be fitted into the void created. Two layers of 15mm Soundbloc plasterboard were then installed onto the suspended ceiling’s metal frame.Key to the success of the new acoustic system was the quality of the installation, which the Hush Acoustics team – as with all projects – offered guidance on to the installation contractor. This was important from a fire safety perspective too, with a fire specialist also engaged to ensure all gaps, junction details and products were installed and sealed correctly. ‘BEST EVER’ ACOUSTIC RESULTS As a result of this new acoustic flooring, the flats benefit from soundproofing levels not normally seen in conversion projects of this kind. The airborne sound insulation levels for the floors tested in various rooms ranged from 50db to 67db (minimum level to pass test is 43db) and for impact sound it was between 38db and 50db (must be below 64db).Project architect Andrew Bentley commented:“The test results were so good that the acoustician who carried out the testing of the completed installation said it was the best results he had ever seen. In the lounge of one of the flats, there was virtually no background noise detected despite sound of 107db being generated in the lounge of the flat directly above – that’s a noise level almost as loud as you would experience at a rock concert.”

Granite Exchange offers serviced office space to businesses and individuals. Companies can lease meeting rooms, private offices, or shared desk areas to operate from. The ultra-modern design and high specification facilities in Granite Exchange are ideal for businesses who want to offset high property rates while maintaining a sleek and professional outlook.

SubFloor flooring was used to help renovate and raise a 250 m² floor into an office with a large void in Stockholm, Sweden.This simple and elegant solution raised and levelled the floor to allow for installations and insulation. The joist and screw system allows for quick and easy assembly so that the floor can reach the desired height.Products:Wooden Joist 45x45x3600 mmSubFloor Screw 300 mmSubFloor Screw FootHeight Variation: 65 - 314 mmJoist separation: c/c 300 mmSystem Weight - c/c 300 mm: 3.99 kg/m²Materials:Pine T0-C24Fibre-reinforced polypropylenePolyamidePoint Load Limit (50 x 50 mm):Load next to screw over joist edge - 9.72 kNLoad between screws over joist edge - 15.85 kN

Capital One, a top UK credit card provider, recently relocated their London offices to the White Collar Factory, a state-of-the art development in Old Street. A showcase for modern working practices, partitioning experts Style worked with architects, HLW International LLP, and contractor, BW Workplace Experts, to create flexible room configuration in the meeting area. Allowing the space to be rapidly reconfigured, Style installed a DORMA Moveo semi-automatic glazed moveable wall, which quickly forms a central divide to create two substantial meeting rooms. A second DORMA wall sub-divides that space into two further, smaller rooms.

Split over basement, ground and three upper floors, the Charles Doll Building on Grape Street, London, offers a contemporary and functional specification in this stunning office refurbishment. The development mixes industrial elements with a crisp modern aesthetic by carefully combining characterful architectural features, including vaulted ceilings with exposed brick and steelwork.Named after its architect Charles Fitzroy Doll, the building is clad in decorative thé-au-lait (“tea with milk”) terracotta – Doll's use of grand façades is understood to have resulted in the expression, ‘all dolled up’. The first floor has been fitted out to a high standard with office furniture from Vitra, providing the perfect space for those who want to move in and get straight to work.The lobby mixes vibrate contemporary wall art with industrial light fittings and brickwork. Forza’s in-house CAD team planned the bespoke black oak Firescreen partition wall to match the architect's design. As a market leading passive fire product, this Firescreen provides both integrity from Smoke and Fire and insulation from heat. This is important because in a fire emergency heat has been shown to ignite secondary fires to items, such as curtains or carpets, that are near the other side of non-insulated partitions.Via the Thinking Space Design & Build, Forza Doors supplied twenty FD30 Fire Doors with stained frames and skirting boards to match throughout the five floors of The Charles Doll Building. Chosen to match the steelwork throughout the development, the dark satin finish of the doors was selected from Forza’s Creato range of dyed veneers. This ‘Illunis’ finish is one of twelve fashionable choices in the range. Dyed veneers are an increasingly popular choice with designers as they offer cost savings over stained veneers without compromising quality.The Doors with glass vision panels, required to allow light through to the stairwells, feature our flush and quirk bead. A minimalist design option where one side of the doors is completely flush right up to the glass vision panel and the other side has a very simple elegant bead detailing.

The ProjectAlbion Mills is a high-end, purpose-built office complex near Willerby Shopping Park in Hull. It is a two-storey building, with numerous office suites for businesses to utilise.The custodians of Albion Mills planned to revitalise the interior of the offices. The new-look space would need a design with an understated colour scheme, which would be suitable for a working environment. This would include resilient flooring in parts, with carpet tiles adjacent to it. To link the vinyl and carpeted areas, a flooring transition would be needed.The flooring transition would need to bridge the gap between the two floorcoverings, incorporating the different thicknesses of the resilient and carpeted flooring without creating a trip or slip hazard. The design of the new offices called for the transition to be curved into different shapes, meaning that they would need to be suitable to curve on-site.The ApproachFloors Hull were appointed as the flooring contractor for the refurbishment. After deciding on the floorcoverings they would use for the project, they needed a flooring transition that would link the two together. Floors Hull decided that Quantum Flooring Solutions’ TopClip transitions range would offer the best option.TopClip is a range of flooring transitions which consists of 4 uPVC tops, which can fit into 6 different bases; 2 aluminium and 4 uPVC. All of the uPVC bases can be curved to a radius of approximately 750mm. Between them, the TopClip range can transition between practically any different gauge or type of floorcoverings.For the Albion Mills project, Quantum’s QTC42R top was used with the QVB1 uPVC base. This meant that the profiles could be curved into the necessary shapes. In order to get around tight curves, it can help to gently heat the profile with a hot air gun. This would have to be done skilfully by Floors Hull, so the profile would not become distorted.The OutcomeSteve McDonald from Floors Hull fitted the flooring in Albion Mills, along with the TopClip transition profiles. The end result looks fantastic, with the QTC42R and QVB1 curving well. As Steve says: “A very small amount of heat was used to create this tight radius, but the product itself was very flexible and went round with ease. Fantastic transition profile.”TopClip tops have 3 “teeth”, which allow them to be pushed flush to both floorcoverings which they transition between. This ensures that TopClip fits snugly on both the carpet and vinyl in Albion Mills, minimising the risk of trips. The tops are also slip resistant and durable, for extra safety.The flint coloured QTC42R tops look great with the dark and light grey carpet tiles. They fit perfectly with the aesthetic of the refurbished offices. Floors Hull, with the help of Quantum Flooring, have ensured that Albion Mills has a modern, professional design scheme for prospective tenants.

Triton Square is an office building in London’s West End. It was originally designed in the 1990’s and has recently been transformed to suit today’s workstyles.The re-development included doubling the floor area and creating an exemplary sustainable and healthy workplace. It was essential that BREEAM guidelines were met. Large quantities of bespoke taps and soap dispensers were needed within a tight delivery timeframe. Water saving technology was also a major requirement.We worked closely with our customer to understand their goals and how best to achieve them. Our specifications teams discussed which products would be suitable, fit in with the contemporary design and would meet all regulatory requirements and presented options and recommendations. Our WRAS approved Electroflo Horizon touch-free electronic taps and soap dispensers were chosen due to their water-saving features, hygienic operation and modern style. The products were delivered and installed within budget and timescales.Testimonial“We had an urgent requirement for contemporary, water-saving bathroom products from a trusted supplier to conform with BREEAM regulations. We needed to successfully adopt a sustainable solution in a cost-effective manner. The Dudley Electroflo Horizon range was perfect for the job and they could also offer us an extended size and a variety of finishes. The expertise and service from the staff at TYDE were second to none and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them.”

When designing a new music department for BirminghamUniversity, Glenn Howells Architects faced the challengeof creating a new construction to fit in with the surroundinggrade II listed buildings, whilst meeting contemporarystandards of accommodation and acoustics.The Bramall Music Building provides a home for thedepartment of music, with a 450-seat auditorium,a domed rehearsal room, various studios, offices andteaching rooms. Working in conjunction with the architect,Allgood created an ironmongery specification that wasclosely aligned to the design concept of the building;classically designed whilst meeting contemporaryperformance standards. The choice of FSB bronze doorfurniture throughout the public areas compliments theaesthetic of the interior but also links the building to themore traditional materials associated with the design of theexisting buildings.The architect wanted to extend the bronze aestheticthrough to the mechanical hardware which provided achallenge as options are limited for fire rated mechanicalhardware in a bronze finish. Allgood were able to applythe unique, simulated Bronze finish to satin stainless steelhardware, continuing the bronze finish throughout thebuilding. Not only did this complete the visual aesthetic butit meant that the hardware would meet all of the fire andbuilding regulations.In addition, Allgood provided electromagnetic holdopen units, signage and door furniture to allow the maincirculation doors through to the auditorium to be held openin pockets. This created a clean, architectural detail thatprovides clear opening widths for visitors to enter through.