"office management software"

The data sets for SIEGENIA's ventilation units can now be found in the CAD/CAE software Trimble Nova. This enables architects and planners to carry out easy and reliable planning with the facade and wall-mounted ventilator data as well as components contained in the software.

American software giant Adobe has opted for C-TEC’s innovative SigTEL disabled refuge system at its impressive UK Headquarters in Maidenhead, Surrey.With its powerful controllers and extensive arrangement of fire telephone and disabled refuge outstations, the system is central to protecting the state-of-the-art UK offices of one of the world’s most successful software and technology-based companies. However, according to David King, Installation Manager at Niscayah Group, the company that completed the project at Market House, the installation was far from straightforward as the building already had a SigTEL disabled refuge system installed on one floor which needed to be connected to new equipment so to create one large system for the entire four-storey building.Said David: “The challenge was to interface an additional Master Controller and various outstations to the equipment already in operation. To achieve this we temporarily suspended the system and used C-TEC’s new EVC423 software to completely reprogram it once the new Controller and outstations had been installed.”Although specifically designed for the programming of larger SigTEL systems, C-TEC’s new EVC423 is also excellent for programming smaller disabled refuge/emergency voice evacuation systems.Said David: “The software proved to be a lifesaver on this particular project as it enabled us to program the entire system from scratch very quickly reducing system downtime. The fact that you can edit outstation/extension names using a PC makes programming so much quicker and easier”As a result, Market House now has a fully operational disabled refuge/emergency voice evacuation system. In an emergency situation, the system will enable clear two-way communication between building management and people located in the refuge areas to, firstly, assist rescue teams in finding people and, secondly, to let stranded people know that help is on the way.Based in London, Niscayah Group is a subsidiary of Swedish-headquartered Niscayah AB (formerly known as Securitas Systems AB). Specialising as an integrator, the company offers complete fire and security solutions for customers with high demands for security and efficient solutions.

Storm Model Management is renowned for finding, developing and managing careers for some of the world's top modelling talent. In the heart of the London office, on a polished concrete floor, Planet Partitioning created a striking stadium meeting room using p20 curved glass at both ends and linear joints between the partitioning to ensure a crystal clear, flawless, flush finish. By curving the partitioning channels carefully and then manufacturing and engineering the glass to fit, Planet achieved an excellent curved glass partitioning effect. Eclipse sliding doors were used for the lobby area, ensuring a seamless look throughout the space.

In our first in a series of case studies, we’ve invited FireDNA Alliance Partner, Steve Neilson to share his experiences using the FireDNA system to inspect and catalogue 9422 fire doors in three months, on behalf of Mitie, for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.The Scottish Fire & Rescue Service is the fourth largest in the world and ensures the safety and wellbeing of the people in Scotland. Operating out of 547 buildings across 357 sites, these centres are managed by the UK’s largest ‘Facilities Management’ provider Mitie.Following several months of discussion between Mitie and the Scottish Fire & Rescue Service regarding the status of the fire doors across their property portfolio, a tender was issued for an extensive fire door inspection and evaluation programme to be undertaken.Having secured the works through competitive tender, we further engaged with Mitie and the Scottish Fire & Rescue Service team. Working through their property asset registers in detail we gained a full understanding of the scope and requirements of the project.Following weeks of detailed project planning and final agreement on the timeline, it was evident that we had just over 3 months to inspect and report our findings on 9422 fire doors across the 357 site locations, and this all had to be done during the winter months of late 2021 and early 2022.In order to deliver on such a tight timescale, absolute dedication and collaboration was required from all parties…the project managers, admin staff and fire inspectors as well as the teams at Mitie and Scottish Fire & Rescue Service. To support this challenging task we armed our resources with a new cloud based system called ‘FireDNA’.We had been approached by FireDNA a couple of years earlier to see if we would be interested in helping to beta test their new ‘Fire Door Inspection and Monitoring Software’, to which we agreed, little did we know at the time that this software would prove invaluable to us further down the line!Deploying teams of up to 10 Fire Inspectors at a time, armed with the new and now completed FireDNA Inspection and Monitoring App, we set about working through the phased inspection schedule.Having been involved in the development testing of the FireDNA software, we had no doubt this system would, increase the speed in which the surveys were carried out, and dramatically reduce the time and effort in reporting the findings. Working closely with the FireDNA software support team, who assisted us in the initial software training, our Fire Inspectors were able to work efficiently and effectively ‘at pace’ through the challenge. The FireDNA App also has ‘LiveChat’ built in so any questions or queries by our operatives in the field were easily and quickly dealt with by the FireDNA team, which meant there was very little downtime during the inspection process.One of the great benefits of using the FireDNA App is that everything is ‘real-time’ so our office-based project managers could immediately see how the inspections were progressing. Once the inspection data and supporting photography was in the system report generation was largely automated and nicely formatted into MS Word and Excel documents.These reports could then be initially shared internally with our remedial work/replacement estimators for accurate cost estimates, who in turn could then produce accurate cost estimates and quotes for the works required as each buildings inspection was completed. This created a very fast, efficient and accessible workflow process for the whole team.FireDNA is not only a fantastic fire inspection and reporting tool, but also initiates the ‘golden thread’ of information, allowing building owners and managers like the Scottish Fire & Rescue Service and Mitie to take ownership of the ‘live data’ in the system, which can easily be updated and shared as each fire door asset is inspected, monitored and maintained year-on-year, which will soon become the minimum legal requirement.FireDNA also enables building owners and facility managers to create status reports for O&M compliance, which can be shared with insurers and the like, as well as appointing contractors and maintenance teams to carry out and catalogue remedial works and new installations, which are all date-stamped and locked into the system.In our view, anyone involved in fire inspections, installations, planned preventative maintenance and asset recording of passive fire products, such as fire doors, doorsets and fire screens should be using the FireDNA system. For duty holders such as building owners, facility managers, landlords and surveyors to make sure the assets they are responsible for are safe and compliant and the data unambiguous and accessible by all that need it, including residents.We believe FireDNA is the best system on the market and anyone who uses it will appreciate not only the time and money savings but importantly how this centralised system improves work standards across the full lifecycle of passive fire products. Steve Neilson – FireDNA Alliance Partner – Scotland

Wharncliffe provides technology consultancy, selection, installation and support services to a wide range of businesses and industries. Due to their product offering and bespoke software packages the business has grown over the years and as part of an office furniture refurbishment project, to accommodate their growing workforce, Wharncliffe looked to danfloor to provide a long-term flooring solution for their Sheffield based head office. Not only was look and performance an important part of their decision, but with their technical telephone support team based within the open plan offices an acoustically sound environment was an essential requirement.

Based in London, Mulroy Architects is an award-winning, RIBA-Chartered Practice. They are a small team of nine staff that works mostly on residential projects and projects such as Radley College's rowing centre and a hostel for backpackers in Tower Bridge.When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Mulroy Architects acted early and started working from home within 24 hours. With respect to writing project specifications, Director Andrew Mulroy said that the transition was ‘“seamless’” thanks to NBS Chorus. 12 months on, the team is still working from home, and all specification writing now takes place collaboratively using Chorus.  MOVING TO CHORUSThe practice had been using NBS Scheduler since 2009, but with the move to home-working and most of their other software becoming cloud-based, it made sense to move to NBS Chorus. ‘We had a demonstration of Chorus when the pandemic hit, and we were impressed with its feature set and how intuitive it was compared to NBS Scheduler. We also knew that Scheduler would be retiring later in 2021, so we wanted to make sure we were well prepared. With the help of our account manager and the NBS support and training, we were able to switch over Chorus quickly’, Andrew said. 'We realised that by moving to Chorus, we could reduce our hardware costs and switch to writing specifications on Apple Macs rather than on PC – this was not possible with the older NBS software. With the software being cloud-based, we can now work anywhere with it – another key benefit.'One of the other advantages of using a cloud-based specification platform is that it allows greater collaboration. Chorus enables internal and external collaboration by allowing specifiers to invite other team members into the project environment. This is one of the main features that Mulroy Architects has been utilizing. ‘Even though we’re a small practice, the way we run the office is by having teams of four working on a project; that way, everybody works on everything’, Andrew said. 'We’ve recently started on a project where we’re all collaborating on the same specification as a team. It’s great to be able to see changes that the team are making in real-time and be able to leave notes directly on the spec – it speeds up decision making and how long it takes to complete a project.'  A RANGE OF BENEFITS Greater collaboration also means a greater level of risk management – something that Andrew says the practice has ‘without a doubt’ benefitted from with NBS Chorus due to the latest industry standards always being up-to-date and available at the user’s fingertips. As well as the overall impact on the business, Chorus has also helped to build the business’ level of specification knowledge and skills internally. ‘The guidance and notes on Chorus are brilliant for updates’, he said. 'Standards are automatically updated within Chorus, and reading what's changed helps to improve your knowledge. The product information from NBS Source, that’s available in Chorus, is also useful - knowing which products have third party certification is essential to us when creating a specification, so having that information available saves everybody a lot of time at the design stage.'Andrew also believes that Chorus is helping the practice to specify sustainably.'If you’re working on a project which is BREEAM rated, some of the clauses start to address that. Throughout the guidance notes and product literature, the sustainability information is embedded, which is good.'‘The industry’s shift to digital is a mammoth task and what NBS is doing is great. Cloud-based systems are the way forward’.

The demand for an energy-efficient hot water distribution system was met by a single-pipe system with 850m of RAYCHEM HWAT-R self-regulating heating cables, managed by nine RAYCHEM HWAT-ECO smart controllers that interface seamlessly with the BMS. Eliminating the need for the secondary pipework of a conventional recirculation system saved space and achieved cost savings of between five and ten percent in material and installation time. Pipe freeze protection was also provided by RAYCHEM WinterGard self-regulating cables, supported by an AT-TS-13 surface-sensing electronic thermostat.

Manage acoustics across several UK offices for a high-profile government department. The aim was to create different zones to enhance privacy, manage acoustics and reflect client branding and culture.

Project: Manufacture and installation of concrete worktops at the office canteenClient: Everybody’s Music ManagementMaterials used:  Bespoke BTX GRC 2500 x 65 x 30 mm precast and hand polished concrete worktops in Silk Mist finish.Three large concrete panels; each 2500 mm long and 650 mm wide with side returns; were installed by the Living Concrete team in the communal office space at Everybody’s Music Management offices in North London.The worktops were cast to the client’s individual and unique specifications using our BTX Ultra High Performance Concrete mix with a hydrophobic agent to limit moisture absorption. The worktops were cut to fit various kitchen appliances and then treated and sealed to make them stain proof. Concrete worktops are extremely strong and durable and designed to withstand high level of use.

What has been the true impact of 12 months of remote working on UK office staff? A recent YouGov poll by bathroom designer and manufacturer Geberit shows a workforce missing their colleagues and longing for a return to face-to-face meetings. With more than half of us missing the work-life balance that the office offers, its findings also reveal very little resistance from staff when faced with the prospect of a return to the office. Here, Sophie Weston, channel marketing manager at Geberit, reveals more about its insight and the impact of hygiene in the office moving forward – especially the washroom.

A new distribution centre at Littlebrook Business Park features market leading Gatic CastSlot Littlebrook (Orbital 47) is home to several industrial companies which rely on the near constant movement of goods.“Our work involved the installation of Gatic Slotdrain in a distribution centre at Littlebrook,” said Zach Graham, Alumasc Area Sales Manager for London and the South East. “The distribution centre is in an ideal location due to the surrounding environment with easy access to the M25. Further to this, as the loading area was fairly small, it is put under a lot of pressure every day, with constantly turning vehicles. This meant that any surface water management product installed had to be guaranteed to withstand extremely heavy and frequent loads.”In an area where unremitting, slow turning traffic is a major consideration, Gatic CastSlot, from the Gatic Slotdrain range, was an obvious choice in providing a reliable water management system for this project. Gatic specialises in integrated, high capacity surface water management and Engineered Access Covers, its surface water drainage systems have been used to capture, control and return run-off into the natural water cycle, even in high pressure situations.Gatic Slotdrain’s reputation as a front runner for surface drainage systems in infrastructure hubs such as ports, airports and industrial units, made it first choice for this project, and ideal overall for sites such as Littlebrook.

Interconnector UK chose to connect with Brookhouse a year in advance of their lease end date. After a vigorous selection process, it was determined that we offered exactly the high standards of assurance and experience, as well as the unique turn-key approach that Interconnector were looking for.The Chief Financial Officer at Interconnector understood the importance of partnering with an all inclusive company. They were therefore glad to find that Brookhouse would not only design and build a space that worked well for them, but could manage the entire project. This ensured the minimisation of risk throughout the project, while also saving valuable time.Interconnector UK had a vision to create an inclusive work environment. They were keen to incorporate more informal space for collaboration, gatherings and stand up meetings, as well as focus working areas and breakout spaces. This worked exceptionally well with their company culture, as Interconnector encourages their workforce to combine both office work and working from home on a regular basis.How Brookhouse helpedWe worked closely with the Interconnector relocation team, designing a space that exceeded the expectations Interconnector set out with. Our relocation efforts were specifically tailored in order to maximise the client’s ROI, as we carefully interpreted the cost analysis of each decision. While working with us, Interconnector also invested in our furniture and workplace consultancy services. This was a move that proved vital in ensuring their new office location became a well-designed space, while also enhancing practicality and productivity of the workforce.Brookhouse managed the property search and viewings, as well as detailed analyses of potential office spaces for the client. All relocation services were undertaken with the end goal of acquiring the ideal space for our clients’ specific needs. In addition to this, we were able to save them a huge sum of money along the way. Due to terms within their lease contract, Interconnector was likely to be charged a large dilapidation sum upon leaving their previous premises. We were able to use our authority on the project and our leverage in the market to renegotiate the financial settlement, saving Interconnector over an astonishing £270,000.Brookhouse were given a tight deadline for completing the fit-out, ensuring that our client wouldn’t be left without an office at any point in the process. We were able to complete the entire strip out and new design installation within just 7 weeks.Always one step ahead, we provided our client with over 80 removals crates, 12 weeks in advance of their move. This gave Interconnector plenty of time to organise and pack up their assets in preparation for their relocation efforts. By the time it came to “move day,” we were delighted to be able to assist Interconnector as they embarked upon their new venture, as our removals team ensured everything went to plan on the day.What we provided:Property Search and ConsultancyNegotiations of HOT and DilapidationsWorkspace ConsultancyFurniture ConsultationFurnitureFlooringGlass PartitionsCovid19 ProtectionDecorationElectrics and LightingBespoke JoineryKitchen & Breakout SpaceRemoval Services

The £45 million world-class School of Management is the flagship building of the University of Bath. The seven-storey building brings together the entire school under one roof and is a place to inspire new levels of collaboration and showcase the excellent learning, research, and industry partnerships available.The three principles of the design are flexibility, transparency, and collaboration. At the centre of the building is an impressive atrium with a feature steel staircase.   Within the atrium is the pavilion, a double height space flooded with natural light has been designed as a hub of activity where great minds meet. The buildings two arms emerge from a central node, each wing housing an array of academic and research space. The design brief called for openness and transparency which was achieved by the use of Lusso glazed partitioning throughout. The Lusso 25 glazed system and Silenzio doors were used to enhance and divide up space which at the same time allows natural light to filter through the building and encourage connectivity. Where the design required glass partitions in excess of 3.5 metres height the Lusso 105 glazed system was selected to meet the structural requirement which has created a visually impactful atrium.

Peri Ltd, one of the world's largest manufacturers of formwork and scaffolding, recently had Gatic CastSlot installed at its extensive multi-purpose service yard, where heavy lorries and vehicles come and go constantly.Our Area Sales Manager who worked on the project - Zach Graham revealed “The Gatic system was opted for due to its great hydraulic capacity and extensive reputation.” “This particular project required a safe solution that could bear the load of up to 40 tonnes, or D400, in technical terms. However, the Gatic range is designed to meet the needs of delivery or distribution areas where load ratings can reach up to 90 tonnes, or to F900 level, making it well within its capabilities.”Where continuous, slow turning traffic is a major consideration, Gatic CastSlot, from the Gatic Slotdrain range, is the front runner for ensuring a reliable water management system. The reputation of Gatic Slotdrain as the go to drainage range for infrastructure hubs such as airport runways and major ports, made this the obvious choice for this project.

Conningbrook Lakes is a modern development of what will be over 300 new, state of the art homes, situated beside the beautiful lakes and rural scenery of Ashford, Kent.A timeless reimagining of the traditional Kentish village, a variety of homes to suit all tastes and lifestyles have been created using Alumasc Rainwater Infinity steel gutters and downpipes.Phil Lapping, Regional Sales Manager and Estimator at Gutterworks Limited, who supplied all rainwater management systems, said: “This beautiful new development deserves nothing less than the best.“Having been built to a high standard by Chartway Construction on behalf of Westerhill Homes and Latimer, it was specified that all water management was to maintain the overall look and feel of each property. On many of the houses there are modern stainless-steel balconies, therefore, to put plastic gutters and drainpipes on these houses, although functional, just wouldn’t look right.“Additionally, the environmental benefits of a steel system vastly outweigh that of a plastic system, which was an important factor in the decision-making process.”Alumasc Rainwater Infinity stainless steel gutters and drainpipes were the most natural choice.Finishing the houses to the best standard possible meant ensuring all accessories matched and upheld the high standards of Chartway Construction and Alumasc.Rainwater Infinity Steel was developed by Alumasc to offer a contemporary, eco-friendly and cost-effective alternative to plastic gutters, that look sleek and have no risk of shrinking, leaking or colour fading.

Amazon has invested heavily in its UK operations in recent years and more recently with the accelerated growth of online shopping, significantly increasing its number of warehouses across the UK. One such distribution centre is in Kingsnorth, Kent. This 34,000 square metre warehouse opened in 2018 and has benefitted from the installation of a Gatic Slotdrain CastSlot system.With its high-capacity surface water intake and high-performance loading capabilities, the CastSlot system from the Gatic Slotdrain range is specifically designed to bear load ratings of up to F900, which amounts to 90 tonnes – making it the ideal product for major distribution centres such as this. In an area where unremitting, slow turning HGV traffic is a major consideration, Gatic’s CastSlot drainage system provides reliable water management.“Gatic CastSlot was specified by global professional services firm RPS, to provide high-capacity drainage that had a discreet finish, within the service yard and car park for the distribution centre,” said Zach Graham, Gatic Area Sales Manager for London and the South East. “They valued the design put forward to them and accepted to take away unnecessary costs to client and project without reducing performance of the system.”“In addition, RPS have used the Gatic range before and will look to use the system on a design whenever possible.”

Alicante Port, the well renowned commercial and cruise ship terminal has been upgraded to benefit from a Gatic Slotdrain high-capacity surface water drainage system.Slotdrain UltraSlot was specified during the re-conditioning of Dock 19 to increase capacity from 300,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU) to 463,000 TEU.“UltraSlot was chosen by specifier SETI, SA, who are well established within the ports sector and who have worked with Gatic products for many years,” said International Sales Manager – Luis Triguero “The engineer in charge was familiar with the mechanical and hydraulic advantages of UltraSlot and requested a competitive price for the project. As Gatic is so well established in the Spanish market, we could exceed their expectations.”UltraSlot is used in external concrete areas which are subject to constant traffic, such as airports and ports. This high-capacity system is designed to ensure sufficient depth of concrete cover over the main body of the channel to withstand ultra-heavy-duty loads of up to F900 - 90 tonnes.“The biggest challenge we faced was ensuring the system could withstand the consistent, heavy traffic that will always be moving throughout the port,” continues Luis. “However, thanks to its capacity to bear heavy loads, UltraSlot proved to be one of the best drainage options on the market.”

Excellent service and communication sees Broomfield Primary School extension completed on time with AlumascBroomfield Primary School in Essex has benefitted from multiple water management installations from Alumasc to complete its brand-new extension. These included Skyline aluminium Fascia and Soffits, GX pressed aluminium box gutters and Flushjoint aluminium downpipes.The specification of the integrated ‘Rain to Drain’ Alumasc Skyline and Rainwater ranges came as a result of Alumasc’s highly regarded product offer and strong working relationship with subcontractor on the project, Ipswich based Specialised Fixings Ltd.John Hemphill, Technical Sales Manager at Alumasc, explained: “Specialised Fixings is one of our Alumasc recommended installers that we have collaborated with on many projects.“This good working relationship which hinges on a high level of communication and readily available service and support from our products and technical teams, is what ensured we finished this project on time, to the highest specification.“Meeting deadlines can be a challenge for some ambitious projects, but certainly this year it has been for the whole industry!John continued: “We are very proud that our Alumasc Technical Services and Technical Sales Managers are able to provide such in depth help and support to our recommended installers and subcontractors, which benefits them out in the marketplace."

There is nothing quite like an ambitious project executed to the highest standard.This complete rebuild and extension of a late Victorian terraced house in Brockley, south east London, presented challenges at every turn. The existing house suffered from the addition of poor-quality extensions and structural problems, but was redesigned by Conibere Philips architects with the specification of Alumasc Rainwater Flushjoint downpipes and hoppers. This ensured elegant and efficient water management, as well as security against water ingress into the new masterpiece of a home.“It’s extremely unusual for a mid-terrace to be demolished and rebuilt in this way, but it was decided as the most economic and sensible course of action to take in this case. This also allowed us to adapt the property on rebuilding to look much more contemporary and elegant,” explained Robin Philips, Partner Director at Conibere Philips. Elegance was also firmly the desired direction when considering water management.“We chose to specify Rainwater Flushjoint downpipes and hoppers from Alumasc to maximise on their sleek and minimal design that would further contribute to the contemporary look of the building,” Robin confirms.“The joints in the RWP sections are very elegant. The whole effect is much less cluttered than most other RWP products. A simple, modern elevation would have been ruined with more traditional RWP products.”

Holborn, London's historic law district, has been transformed into a bustling and energetic neighbourhood. A gaming technology firm established new roots in its Fetter Lane, EC4 high-rise by combining classical and modern structures. The MaxiBeam system, a lightweight acoustic beam, was specified to vitalise the design. The system is featured in the break-out space was inspired by the end client's ethos of creative software innovation. Vtec's MaxiBeam ceiling and featured return wall added a high level of aesthetic value creating fluidity and motion. Explore why this ceiling design encouraged community and engagement and how easy installation was.

Premium TopBrewer coffee experience at 6 co-working sitesBE Offices own and operate over 700,000 sq ft of flexible office space across London and southern England, designed to the highest spec to create corporate-class facilities and service in a professional working environment.BE Offices installed TopBrewers and TopWaters across 6 sites to deliver a top-quality beverage experience for staff."Our clients love our pro-working business lounges with their TopBrewer coffee machines, so much so that this is now an integral part of our model going forward for all refurbished space."

The new clubhouse of the Machrihanish Golf Course has had its water management upgraded thanks to the installation of two Alumasc Rainwater products: Aqualine Box Extruded Aluminium Gutter and Flushjoint Aluminium downpipesThe golf course, founded in 1876, recently had its clubhouse rebuilt after a fire in December 2018 destroyed the original building. Local contractor McKinven and Colville Ltd carried out the work on the new clubhouse which was designed by G1 Architects. The building offers unparalleled panoramic views across the Championship and Pans courses.“For this project, two Rainwater products, Aqualine Box and Flushjoint were specified and installed for the new clubhouse on the golf course,” said Nicola McGowan, Area Sales Manager, Scotland. “It’s an elegant, modern building with stunning views over the Atlantic.“The Aqualine Box Extruded Aluminium Gutter and Flushjoint downpipes were chosen for their sleek, modern design, and durable, non-corrodible features.”

The Old War Office is a magnificent refurbishment of Winston Churchill's headquarters during the World War II. The sensitive restoration of this Grade 2 historic building includes a 125-room world class Raffles Hotel and 85 luxury residences, along with restaurants, exclusive bars, a Spa and Wellness centre. Referred to as London’s anticipated destination, this architectural landmark opens its doors to the public in Summer 2023.RYNO’s involvement in the scheme included providing the paving and substructure to the Centre triangle Courtyard and the Penthouse Roof Terraces. The triangle Courtyard was finished with a RYNO Quadro porcelain range and supported on our TerraSmart Rail system. The system uses a double lattice structure to provide superior support to the pavers even around the complex curves of the planters on the courtyard and penthouse terraces. The design and detailing of the build-ups from concept to completion has been brilliant, fully complementing the building’s magnificent heritage and unique character.RYNO worked very closely with The Gardenists to ensure the rail layout and build-ups were designed to absolute perfection. Seeing is believing and as Calvin Dalrymple, Specification Manager at RYNO, testifies “to come to the site and see the results…, they really just speak for themselves. Knowing and understanding the coordination that's gone into this whole project and now to see it looking so fantastic has really been a huge reward.” Home to Winston Churchill and David Lloyd George, the Old War Office was designed in a trapezium shape to maximise the use of the land in Whitehall. Of the 25 million bricks that make up the building, the first was laid in 1901: the building was completed in 1906. For all Bond-fans out there, the building has featured in the background of many films: its first Bond-appearance was in 1983.

Here at Helmsman, we manufactured and installed Laminate lockers within the office. We offer commercial office lockers which are an excellent addition to maintaining organisation within the offices.

In its largest building project in over 100 years, the Victoria and Albert Museum’s Exhibition Road Quarter achieves architectural cohesion between museum and street with the help of Alumasc Water Management Solutions (AWMS) and Alumasc Roofing Systems. In a project that demonstrates expertise across the full building envelope, Alumasc Wade HCE drainage channels and access covers were installed to provide almost invisible yet functional water management, and a bespoke hybrid roofing system installed using Hydrotech and Derbigum waterproof roofing.Designed by Stirling Prize-winning Architect Amanda Levete and her practice AL_A, the landmark project aimed to “break down the barrier” between the great cultural artery of Exhibition Road and home of over 5000 years’ worth of cultural history.The entire project encompassed the construction of the Salisbury Gallery, a flexible 1100m2 temporary exhibition space, the Blavatnik Hall, a new entrance into the V&A from Exhibition Road, the Aston Webb Screen, a newly created colonnade formed from the original 1909 structure, and the Sackler Courtyard, a key area that strives for unity between the street, the museum, the historical and the modern.

The Royal Albert Hall in the heart of vibrant west London is distinctive for its unique circular architecture and Victorian styling, and famous for bringing a wealth of high-brow art and culture to the city since it opened in 1871.A building such as the Royal Albert Hall is not only a building, but part of the heritage of its surrounding community. For this reason, the Royal Albert Hall Grade One Listed and meaning all proposed renovation works must meet strict regulations put in place to ensure the preservation and respectful enhancement of the building.Sir Robert McAlpine were awarded the overall contract to deliver a programme of upgrade, renovation and refurbishment work. So, when it came to replacing the original water management systems that had been in place since it’s opening, the challenge was on to find a manufacturer and installer that would bring the Hall the best products possible that were also in keeping with these requirements.Gutterworks, an Alumasc approved installer, installed Alumasc Rainwater management systems during the refurbishment in 2018. Alumasc was chosen for its ability to analyse and precisely recreate the original gutter and pipe mouldings that were used in the originally installed systems, therefore contributing to the preservation of the historic building. Over ten years ago, Alumasc Rainwater management systems were installed in a similar project at Kings Cross St Pancras Station.

The re-development by Liveman Properties has converted the Dock Office into a mixture of one, two and three-bedroom apartments, with an additional 14 new duplex apartments constructed on the existing building roof. DV Architects, Liverpool, specified Technal’s MX Toggle Glazing curtain walling for the steel frame extension and Technal FY65 windows. Architect Billy Hodge commented, “The Dock Office is a local heritage asset and great care has been taken to make sure that the character of the building is not altered.

As part of a major transformation of Wembley Park, which includes Olympic Way, Wade Stainless Steel Linear Channels and Streamline, and perforated gratings were installed beneath the Olympic Steps to provide an effective and long-lasting drainage solution.Built by developer Quintain in a joint project with Brent Council, the Olympic Steps come at the end of Olympic Way—the stretch of road linking Wembley underground station to Wembley Stadium. It was named Olympic Way after it was originally constructed for the 1948 London Olympics.The final stages of this redevelopment were the iconic steps that lead up to the national stadium. The original ramp, known as the pedway, was built as part of the old Wembley Stadium and acted as a bridge over the old coach parks. The Olympic Steps development replaced the outdated, concrete pedway and extended the Olympic Way, increasing the width by 50% and improving accessibility for all visitors in and around Wembley Park. Volker Fitzpatrick was the main contractor on the project.“Working closely with Mick Hawkins, the Site Manager, the aim of the project was to fulfil the client’s drainage requirements to tight deadlines,” says Brian Holden-Earl, Area Sales Manager. “The area is frequently used by visitors, so it was important to deliver our services within a specific timescale.”

Designed by AHR Architects, the new UK Hydrographic Office in Taunton has won numerous awards including the BCO National Awards Corporate Workplace Award and Best of the Best Award 2020 and a Regional RIBA Award, RIBA Sustainability Award and RIBA Client of the year 2019.The United Kingdom Hydrographic Office is the UK’s agency for providing hydrographic and marine geospatial data to mariners and maritime organisations across the world. The UKHO is a trading fund of the Ministry of Defence and is located in Taunton, Somerset with a workforce of approximately 900 staff.We worked with the Architects, Client and Contractors to select one of our exclusive GeoBrick range for this prestigious project. The clean sleek lines and hardwearing stone finish provide a stunning façade to this landmark building. The warm texture of the brick also gives depth and character and softens the mass of the building.“The design principles of the building called for a linear brick which was modern and unique whilst complimenting the landscape and a variety of existing brick buildings surrounding the new HQ. The EH Smith Geobrick brindle bricks stood out from all the rest and we are delighted with the results. Personally, this is my favourite material used on this project!”- Johanna Funnell New Build Project Manager - UKHO

Stowford Mill, built in 1787, is one of Devon’s oldest historic industrial sites to still be expanding.Because of its iconic features and characteristic atmosphere, Stowford Mill has long been established as one of the trendiest places to work, eat and shop, bringing commerce and prosperity to the surrounding area, and forcing the town to expand to make room for tourists who just never wanted to leave.Part of this expansion will eventually include Burrington Estates’ eight-acre vibrant community of contemporary new homes. This new development, for which the main contractor is URBN, is due for completion in 2023.Started in March 2018, the existing homes already include Alumasc Rainwater Infinity Steel gutters and downpipes, specified to provide eco-friendly, discreet and resilient water management that will last. Crucially, this system was favoured to the use of plastic systems, to meet the demand for a readily available product that was both environmentally- and price-conscious.As the new development creates a unique new environment in which to live, work and relax in the midst of the historic area, the most important part of the project was to keep the best of the stunning architectural heritage already there, whilst finding innovative ways to incorporate the latest modern building design. Helping to bridge this gap between the historic and the modern, AWMS offered a solution.“Alumasc systems were chosen as it was the project’s requirements to specifically use steel for gutters and downpipes,” David Loader, Key Account Manager at Alumasc, explained.

Office Principles North designs London office for ArcadisLeading built environment consultancy Arcadis has moved from its Kings Cross HQ to 80 Fenchurch Street (80Fen), in the heart of the City of LondonThe move reflects an evolution in ways of working, in which choice and flexibility are key; an approach that has led to Arcadis being named Best Big Company to work for in LondonOver 20 different types of workspace will be available, enabled by Arcadis’s own Building Intelligence technology to manage capacity and support ‘activity-based’ workingOn 8 June 2021 Arcadis announced the opening of its new London office at 80 Fenchurch Street, in the heart of the City of London. From 14 June 2021, the business has been operating out of new premises, with over 40,800 sq ft of new office space across two floors, purpose-built around the needs and preferences of its people.The move signals a fundamental change in Arcadis’s approach to its office estate, with the emphasis on ways of working increasingly shifting from ‘where’ to ‘how’. It comes as part of a global review and ongoing commitment to embrace remote and fully flexible ways of working, which began in 2020 and has since been both reinforced and accelerated by changes resulting from the pandemic. As such, 80Fen will provide a blueprint for future offices both in the UK and worldwide.According to a series of internal engagement surveys, Arcadis found that 70% of its people would like to visit the office between 1-3 days per week, post-pandemic. The office clearly still has an important role to play, but the data shows the extent to which people value sustainability, flexibility and choice. Nearly half of respondents reported that they would want to visit the office to work on specific tasks or projects with colleagues, and nearly 40% to socialise and be part of a work community.Arcadis’s approach at 80Fen has therefore been about enabling people to make choices that satisfy both personal and work commitments – and recognising that these are not set in stone and may continue to change over time. Employees will have complete autonomy to manage where they work, in a way that best suits their needs. This flexible ‘no one-size-fits-all’ approach to the workplace has contributed to Arcadis being named Best Big Company to work for in London, and among the top 3 Best Big Companies to work for nationally.At 80Fen the concept of ‘activity-based working’ will be key, with the office providing far greater diversity of work settings. There will be more than 20 different types of workspace - ranging from open plan desks to collaborative and private workspaces, project areas, touchdown areas, call rooms and informal meeting areas, in addition to a purpose-built innovation area and a flexible event space, all of which enable people to work as flexibly as possible.Technology sits at the core, with ‘smart’ features embedded as a key design principle. The space is equipped with Arcadis’s own Building Intelligence software, provided in partnership with ICONICS. This incorporates a unified suite of apps, including environment and utilisation sensors, digital access, a branded Visitor Management System, and apps for mobile and digital signage, along with touch-free desk booking systems and the ability to control individual temperature and light settings in enclosed spaces.Not only does this help people find the right spaces for their tasks, but the resulting data also gives a rich picture of how the building is operating and how people are engaging within it. It means the space can be flexed in different ways. For example, monitoring energy and water consumption can help to manage and reduce use; air quality and thermal comfort sensors will better regulate the environment and ensure people are comfortable; and desk booking systems can be used to help manage capacity requirements, with available spaces being turned ‘on’ and ‘off’ as required. This can help to reduce space requirements by over 30%. Meanwhile, improving the performance of a building can reduce the energy needed for heating, ventilation and air conditioning by as much as 75%, with a further 25% reduction in lighting energy. This will make a significant difference not only in terms of lowering costs, but also reducing carbon consumption and mitigating environmental impact.80Fen has been designed as a place for collaboration, shared ideas and social interaction, but crucially also in a way that supports the health of employees. It features a range of social and wellbeing environments including quiet libraries, coffee lounges, a winter garden and contemplation and wellness rooms.As one of a new breed of sustainable office buildings, 80Fen has a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating, and reflects best practice in sustainable design and health and wellbeing by maximising natural and atmospheric light and incorporating biophilic design and planting.Mark Cowlard, CEO of Arcadis UK and Ireland said:“The move to 80Fen represents an exciting new chapter for Arcadis. Over the last 12 months, we have been helping our clients chart a path to recovery, and are now practising what we preach through a flexible, inclusive, sustainable, and digitally-enabled new London base. We firmly believe that we still need offices and office space, but it must be a different type of space that reflects the changing nature of the work-day and our workforce.“The continued strength of the City office market demonstrates the importance of having a place for collaboration, shared ideas and social interaction, and the impact this has not only on productivity, but crucially the health and wellbeing of employees.“For us, 80Fen isn’t just a one-time fit-out, it’s a step change in how we use and curate space. It’s about people working in a very different, more mobile, flexible and even healthier way; which they can do at 80Fen. This approach has been reinforced by changes to the way we work during the pandemic, but for Arcadis, the shift started long before, and we can’t wait to call the City of London our home.”Speaking on behalf of the City of London Corporation’s Planning and Transportation Committee, Deputy Chairman Oliver Sells QC, added:“We are pleased to welcome Arcadis to their new home in the City of London. Big business moves such as this show that the Square Mile continues to be an attractive location from which to trade.“Arcadis relocating to the fantastic space at 80Fen shows that demand to return to the office is now being realised by business owners. We know that many workers are fatigued with remote working and employers are also keen to get back to a central office as Government restrictions ease.“We are confident that the City will remain a magnet for world-class talent, as we embark on our exciting plans to boost attractiveness even further through additional culture, leisure and great spaces.”John Dickie, Chief Executive at London First, said:“This move is a huge vote of confidence in the capital as one of the greatest places in the world to do business.“Arcadis was recently recognised as one of the best companies to work for in London, and its commitment to building a great environment for its staff shows that they are firmly at the heart of its plans for the future.”Soundtect was approached to supply the ceiling acoustic treatments throughout the building, and as a manufacturer of sustainable and recyclable products these worked perfectly with the company’s sustainable beliefs and design, which heavily focused on BREEAM. The Freestyle baffles, which were supplied in a number of lengths and colours for the different zones, worked perfectly with the overall design theme for the project and slotted in nicely with the planned layout and overall feel of the building, to handle the spread of noise and retain a calm atmosphere once the client’s many employees had moved in.

Tower Supplies is an industry leader in PPE and workwear.They desperately needed to bring their office up to date to be in line with their operation.There was a need to have a functional office whilst maintaining a hardworking culture. Tower spent time and money with three other office design specialists, on all accounts the designs and solutions blew their budget putting the project out of reach.How we helpedThrough workshops and consultancy we were able to provide a 3 phase project that would provide Tower with the facility they required whilst still operating.We are able to provide a large multi-purpose workspace with kitchen, lunch area, directors offices, presentation area with moving partition, washrooms, shower rooms, reception and meeting spaces.By value engineering the project we were able to provide, within budget, an office with a modern and professional design that reflected the companies industrial roots. We ProvidedOffice DesignSpace Planning / 3D VisualsElectrics and LightingFlooringMoving PartitionsGlass PartitionsCeilingsBespoke JoineryWashroomsFitted FurnitureAudio VisualReception AreasKitchen & Breakout SpaceAgile WorkspaceDecorationAcoustic BafflesAir-ConditioningBlinds

When property and construction consultants, Thomas & Adamson, wanted to adopt a new way of working with a more flexible mix of home and office based working, it was clear that a different office layout would be needed.To facilitate the move to a hybrid working model, Form Design Consultants were appointed to refurbish the Edinburgh and Glasgow offices. The aim was to create a welcoming environment which would improve productivity, creativity and staff wellbeing by offering structure, sociability, independence and flexibility.

Located on the picturesque waterfront of West Kirby, Wirral, The Sail is home to eight luxury apartments on South Parade overlooking the River Dee estuary to Wales. The building itself has a striking geometric form with a unique glass façade, reminiscent of art deco coastal properties from the 1930s.The apartments occupy four storeys over one thousand square metres and are flooded with an abundance of natural light thanks to the floor to ceiling windows, which also emphasise a strong connection to the outdoors. Alumasc Water Management Solutions were asked to assist and supply a number of bespoke products including aluminium fascia, modular soffit and coping systems from Skyline.  “Skyline was specified for its quality and ability to provide bespoke designs and solutions,” says Ivan Colvil, Senior Skyline Technical Sales Manager. “Numerous profiles were needed due to the building’s unique shape, which presented a challenge. It took a great deal of technical support and working with the architect to fulfil the brief.

Design consultants AECOM delivered efficient hot water distribution using 800m of RAYCHEM HWAT-M self-regulating cables, to provide a single-pipe system throughout the building. Its compact design, eliminated the need for recirculation pipes, thus enabling the system to be installed in restricted spaces. Pipe freeze protection was achieved using 300m of RAYCHEM WinterGard self-regulating cables. Snow and ice prevention on the car park access ramp was provided by 1200 metres of RAYCHEM EM2-XR selfregulating cable controlled by a VIA-DU-20 multi-sensor control unit.

nVent was brought in to employ a variety of heating solutions at the London Rolex Building. Rolex was looking to convert its heating to a simpler, lower cost single pipe system requiring less maintenance. nVent provided hot water services using the RAYCHEM HWAT single pipe hot water temperature maintenance system. More than 400 meters of cable were installed to provide hot water all the way to the point of use, 600 metres of pipe freezeprotection to safeguard the chilled water supply lines from freezing. In addition, the entrance foyer welcomes visitors with the warmth of RAYCHEM QuickNet floor heating systems.