"parking"

Speakers Corner, located on the northeast edge of London’s Hyde Park, close to the world famous Oxford Street. In 1872, an act of parliament set aside this section of Hyde Park for public speaking. Some historic figures were known to use the area to demonstrate free speech. Even today, it's not unusual to find crowds gathering at Speakers' Corner to listen to enthusiasts. Artform were commissioned to supply a number of customised Icaro Notice Boards, as part of the refurbishment to the area, designed to provide visitors with information regarding the history of the location.

The Rhondda Heritage Park is a renowned tourist destination in South Wales, offering a glimpse into the coal mining community that thrived in the area for over 130 years until the early 1980s. Every year, thousands of visitors take a guided tour led by former colliery workers to experience the life of coal miners.The Heritage Park takes great pride in its appearance and the local heritage it represents. However, the aging asphalt roof terraces that covered the old mine shafts had been leaking constantly, damaging the visual appeal of the visitor site.The ChallengeThe Polyroof technical team was called in to help with the waterproofing and refurbishment of the two roof terraces, measuring over 1100m², that protected the underground mining attraction. After conducting a thorough survey of the roof terrace areas, a customized specification was prepared. This specification included a comprehensive set of recommendations for addressing the issues that had caused the aged and worn condition of the terrace areas over the years. To support the proposal, additional information was provided to the client to demonstrate how a liquid system could seamlessly encase and waterproof the terraces while maintaining an aesthetically pleasing solution that was true to the authenticity of the site.Satisfied that the solution proposed would provide the long-term peace of mind they were looking for, the Heritage Park awarded the contract to RM Polymers Ltd.Before starting the work, any areas affected by fungal growth or moss were treated with Polykill Anti-Fungal Wash to eliminate all spores. Any holes in the asphalt were smoothed out or removed, and levelled using Polyroof Structural Repair Mortar. All large cracks and voids were cleaned and repaired using the same mortar.PVC protrusions were removed and surfaces were cleaned with acetone. Any damaged, loose, or unsound concrete or brickwork was removed and repaired using Polyroof Structural Repair Mortar. All repairs were allowed to cure and dry before priming.The SolutionOne of the main features of the tourist attraction is the mining carts that were used to transport coal around the mine tunnels during its operation. Similar to train tracks, the mining cart tracks are fixed into the ground using metal bolts and fixings which over time had become a weak point for water ingress. Concrete and sandstone had been used as a “quick fix” to prevent rainwater entering the mine shaft below but a long-term solution was now needed. The cement and sandstone was carefully chiselled from the rails, exposing the original metal tracks which were then lifted and abraded back to their original condition. Whilst lifted, the underlying surface was made good before the application of the Protec System. Railway sleepers were then laid on a sacrificial layer on top of the waterproof membrane, upon which the tracks and mining carts were re-instated.As the terraces are constantly trafficked by the general public, the client was clear that an anti-slip finish would be required on any walkway areas.Following the application of the Protec System, Polyfinish and Quartz Sand Anti-Slip was applied to all walkway areas, to provide slip resistance and surface protection. A 50mm margin around the perimeters of the terrace was masked off to provide a neat termination of the anti-slip finish. Ensure masking tape was removed whilst resin was still wet. Then a third coat of Protec Resin was applied at a minimum coverage rate of 0.5Litres/m² (2.0m²/Litre) and whilst wet, clean dried quartz sand (0.7 – 12mm) was broadcast at an approximate coverage rate of 4.0kg/m². Once cured, the loose sand was removed.WorkmanshipThe engine houses along the tour experience featured vast amounts of intricate details and unique items and structures, such as “Bertie and Trefor” – the names given by the mine owner to the mine head stock wheels. This presented an exceptional challenge, particularly in regards to the difficulty of working on the intricate details of the degraded mastic asphalt upstands and decking.As a result of many years of weathering and gravity, the vertical sections of asphalt on the raised terraced roof had slumped and rippled, leading to stress cracks and ultimately water ingress. To overcome this ugly problem, the asphalt was stripped from these vertical sections back to the concrete and removed from site in accordance with the Health and Safety policies in place. The contractor then installed new 18mm OSB3 to these areas to create a flat substrate for the Protec System. The incorporation of Polyroof pre-formed GRP Drip trims at the bottom of the OSB3 ensured the timber would not be exposed to any rain water in the future as well as provide a neat, edge detail.To keep the overall aesthetic feel of the site, the application of the liquid waterproofing system at wall abutments was critical. This, combined with the undulating nature of the stone and brickwork meant that the contractor would not be able to install a cover flashing or termination bar. Instead, the contractor carefully dressed the system onto the wall to the standard minimum 150mm upstand height and into a chase.The edging was then finished with a mortar to provide a neat and clean weatherproof finish, in-keeping with the traditional methods of the site at the time of its construction.The roof terraces that cover the old mining areas also act as the main walkways to the Heritage Centre’s tour routes. Therefore, one of the main challenges of the project was the complex planning of the works to ensure that the site continued to operate so not to financially impact the heritage park. It was imperative that works were complete within an 8-week period with 17,500 visitors booked in for their annual Santa’s Grotto Experience Tour beginning in early December.The application speed of the catalyst cured Protec System, combined with communication between the contractor and the site to ensure unobtrusive installation, meant the centre stayed open and the tours running with minimum disruption.The benefits of using a fast-curing liquid waterproofing solution were also vital due to the ever-changing micro-climate in the Welsh valleys. On any single day, the weather would serve up anything from bright sunshine to windy, rainy conditions. Therefore, the fast-curing Protec System, combined with the flexibility of the installation team, who gave up weekends when required, ensured the project was finished on schedule. The works were completed to an extremely high standard with full encapsulation of the roof terrace areas and without a single detail being left exposed to the elements.ConclusionThe unique aspects of this project certainly kept the team on their toes. But they were determined to complete the project on time.The team worked tirelessly, even giving up their weekends to ensure that the project was completed on schedule. Despite the harsh Welsh weather, they pushed on and were determined to make sure that Santa could visit the children of the Welsh Valleys. It was a challenging project but the team’s hard work and dedication paid off.Finally, the project was completed and the results were astounding. The roof terraces are now fully waterproofed and refurbished, and the visual appearance of the visitor site was greatly improved. It was a project that was both memorable and rewarding to all those involved.

Yorkshire Sculpture Park at Bretton Hall estate is the largest of its kind in Europe with growing visitor numbers year on year. As a result the site suffered from insufficient parking with the site’s overflow areas becoming unsuitable with uneven ground prone to rutting, localised flooding and loss of traction. To combat the sloping, poorly drained site ABG provided a highly efficient SuDS drainage system, employing a combination of their Geogrids, Geotextiles, and Deckdrain, all in conjunction with the free-draining surface of the Sudspave 40 permeable paving system to resolve the access and parking issues for the 150,000 vehicles that visit each year.

Better Bankside is a Business Improvement District located in Southwark, London. They invest in the area on behalf of local businesses to help make Bankside a thriving place to work, live and visit. Like many districts, Bankside experienced a significant rise in people arriving to work by bicycle.Cyclists are known to increase the vibrancy of a place, yet the risk of bicycle theft around the UK had risen to an all-time high.Having long advocated the benefits of cycling, Better Bankside saw an increased need to provide further safe and accessible parking for their business members. Their solution? Transform a vacant railway arch into a secure cycle parking space, with CCTV, smartphone access and eye-catching ‘Better Bankside pink’ cycle racks.Cyclehoop provided the six custom powder coated toast racks, creating 60 new spaces for people to park their cycles in Bankside. The custom colour stands out against the character of the brick to create an attractive and recognisable space.The facility immediately proved popular, within two weeks of the launch more than 80 users signed up for access.Cyclehoop is delighted to have helped Banksiders reduce the risk of cycle theft and keep their bikes safe and dry. The park is located on Ewer Street and is available to local employees in the Bankside area. If you work in Bankside, you can find more information here.“More Banksiders are choosing to cycle than ever before. The new secure cycle park was immediately popular: within two weeks of the launch more than 20 businesses and 80 users signed up for access. Cyclehoop were helpful and friendly throughout, offering advice when needed. The new secure facility is one of several initiatives offered by Better Bankside to encourage local employees to adopt cycling as an active form of transport”.Nicole GordonCEO of Better Bankside

In a historic moment blending heritage, accessibility, and community spirit, the much-anticipated Ignatius Sancho Café officially opened its doors in Greenwich Park on Saturday, 23rd March. The launch event, attended by esteemed guests and locals alike, marked a milestone in celebrating the legacy of Ignatius Sancho, a remarkable 18th-century figure whose impact resonates through the centuries.Changing Places, Changing LivesAstor Bannerman was pleased to be involved in the project to contribute to the cafes abilities to cater to diverse needs. The Changing Places facility includes:Astor’s Invincible Height Adjustable Changing TableABW-CP Height Adjustable Wall Mounted Wash BasinOT200 Overhead Ceiling Track HoistGeberit – AquaClean Mera Care Shower ToiletKwickScreen Wall Mounted Privacy ScreenThese facilities underscore The Royal Park’s commitment to inclusion and accessibility.Borras Construction, the construction company behind the project, received accolades for their dedication and craftsmanship. Architect Mark Martines from Architype envisioned a blend of historical charm and modern functionality, transforming the old ranger’s lodge into a vibrant community hub just a stone’s throw away from the picturesque deer park in Greenwich.The CaféThe Ignatius Sancho Café promises to breathe new life into the park, offering an array of lunch items ranging from hot and cold sandwiches, freshly brewed coffees, cakes, salads, and much more. Beyond serving as a place to stop by on your visit to the park, the café aims to be a focal point for fostering connections, promoting diversity, and celebrating Greenwich’s heritage.As guests step through the door of the Ignatius Sancho Café, they engage in an experience that encapsulates the ethos of inclusivity, creativity, and community synonymous with the legacy of Ignatius Sancho.For more information and updates, visit Ignatius Sancho Café’s website.

As described by Eastleigh Borough Council, the £25 million facility underpins the council’s commitment to promoting a healthy borough. It incorporates a high quality design in keeping with the parkland environment and has high environmental standards. The new building will boast many facilities that are larger than at present, including an eight-lane, 25-metre swimming pool, a larger, versatile learner pool, 15-badminton court sports hall, a versatile, multi-station gym and a group spinning studio. This case study will look at the challenges and solutions of this vast project that involved insulating and waterproofing over 8,500m2 of flat roof areas.Following decades of experience using Polyroof’s liquid systems to protect buildings throughout the district, including waterproofing the original Fleming Park Leisure Centre back in the early 1990’s, Eastleigh Council specified the Protec system for the project.

Kawneer’s aluminium AA®100 zone-drained curtain wall and thermally superior AA®720 entrance doors feature on all elevations of Unit 216 at the UK’s leading science park, while AA®190 TB severe-duty doors have been used on the main entrance. The unit was taken back to a concrete shell and rebuilt with a brick and glazed façade by main contractor Hutton Construction and is now the new home for Amgen, one of the world’s largest independent biotechnology companies.

Beaufort Park is one of North West London’s newest and most desirable residential developments. Alfresco Floors supplied Ebema concrete tiles for use across the tree-lined boulevards and landscaped parkland. The Alfresco Floors range from Ebema is a very design conscious collection and features three surfaces, Carreau, Rockstone and Megasmooth, with a large range of standard colours, and tile sizes all the way up to 1200mm long and 80mm deep. Bespoke colours and sizes can be supplied for orders of just 500 SqM or more.

Surrounded by greenery and gardens in the heart of Mayfair, Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane seamlessly balances award-winning design with the city’s high notes. Wetroom Materials have been supplying wetroom systems throughout their refurbishment. Wetroom Materials were able to work closely with the architects and developers and propose a drainage solution that would create minimal issues during installation and provide a high-end finish that could be in keeping with the hotels’ prestigious status by using our wall mounted drain and our Highline Custom.

Falco has completed the fifth cycle hub installation at Telford Town Park Visitor Centre as part of a new tranche of secure cycle hubs located at key areas across the borough.The scheme which got underway last year involves the design, manufacture, supply and installation of bespoke cycle hubs coupled with associated FalcoLevel-Eco two-tier cycle racks to allow commuters, residents and visitors to quickly and conveniently park their bike whilst on the go.The latest 4m x 4m cycle hub as shown here at Telford Town Park Visitor Centre, is based upon the UK’s most popular cycle hub design – the FalcoHub, which is manufactured from a combination of a hot-dip galvanised steel frame with reinforced safety glass cladding.FalcoLevel-Eco two-tier cycle racks have been installed providing secure accommodation for up to 18 bikes.A convenient FalcoFix 2.0 cycle station has been supplied allowing cyclists to inflate tyres and carry out basic cycle maintenance whilst on the go.The secure cycle hub also comes complete with proximity LED lighting, eye-catching ‘Travel Telford’ branding graphics and powder coating in an Anthracite Grey RAL colour.In addition to the cycle hub here at Telford Town Park Visitor Centre, Falco has also manufactured and installed four other cycle hubs for Telford & Wrekin Council, with other cycle hubs located at The Telford Langely School, Rampart Way – across the bridge from Telford Central Station, at Wellington Civic & Leisure Centre – to the right of the car park entrance, next to the Wellington Town Council building and at Oakengates Station – situated to the right side of the main entrance.The FalcoHub, as shown here for Telford & Wrekin Council, is a contemporary cycle store manufactured from a combination of a galvanised steel frame and reinforced safety glass, designed to be sympathetic to the surrounding area. The FalcoHub was developed by Falco’s in house design team to ensure it met the client’s specification including structural calculations so that the whole design meets the UK/European CPR regulations EN1090 and is CE marked.For more information about the scheme here for Telford & Wrekin Council or how Falco can assist your cycle parking scheme, please contact our helpful sales team on 01538 380080.

Brunswick Park is the largest green space on the University of Manchester campus. It includes seating areas, trees, wildflowers and walkways. The parkland was created to benefit staff, students, visitors and the local community. Artform were asked to supply and install a large number of benches and seats, forming the key seating element at the heart campus. The Cobra Bench was chosen due to its modular form and contemporary take on the traditional timber bench design. In addition to providing space for meeting, relaxation and social gathering, the scheme created a central space for large-scale campus events, including graduation.

A combination of traditional luxury and modern style right in the heart of London. The hotel features an elegant and completely refurbished lobby area, Immaculately designed rooms and suites, boasting luxury amenities including marble bathrooms with TOTO EK WASHLET and TOTO NC Wall hung WCs. The stunning interior is by RPW Design. Through the careful selection of quality materials and thoughtful reworking of room layouts, RPW’s aim was to enhance the sense of luxury and increase the number of suites, making the hotel memorable to guests and the envy of its Park Lane hotelier neighbours.

One Hyde Park is a major residential and retail complex located in Knightsbridge, London. The development includes three retail units totaling 35,800 m2 and 86 residential properties with prices starting at around £20 million. The Outdoor Deck Company supplied and installed premium grade Ipe timber decking to all roofs across all four buildings. The deck boards were supported by 28,000 DPH Buzon pedestals. The project was a success and the Outdoor Deck Company were proud to be involved in installing their first-class products to one of London’s most prestigious developments.

NBDA Architects were working for Parkdean Resorts to renovate a number of their holiday parks across the UK and one of those parks was Trecco Bay in the stunning costal town of Porthcawl in South Wales. They were in need of a large shade and shelter structure that would provide weather protection to their visitors whilst dining alfresco and also double up as an all-weather outdoor entertainment area.The canopy they settled on for Trecco Bay was the Tarnhow Dome, which is a fantastic choice. This stunning canopy can span up to 12 metres and has an unlimited length, making it absolutely perfect for outdoor dining areas and for holding events and entertainment.

Sutcliffe Park Sports Centre built in a Nature Reserve rich in wildlife, was designed to work with its surroundings and enhance the environment. This was achieved with a low-profile building to reduce the visual impact featuring a sleek and stylish façade sympathetic to its parkland location. Senior’s aluminium slim profile SF52 curtain wall, thermally-efficient SPW600e windows and SPW501 robust commercial doors give the centre a light and modern interior, whilst Senior’s bifolding Ali FOLD patio doors provide a comfortable viewing area plus easy access to the centre’s newly refurbished athletics track.

Metrotile Lightweight Steel Roofing now adorns the rooftop of the Bryn Bach Country Park visitor centre near Tredegar, South Wales. Installed to replace the previous leaking so-called ‘traditional’ material roof, that was allowing water ingress in the cafeteria area, the new Metrotile roof has given the facility a new lease of life and an attractive makeover, in time for the busy summer season. Some 2,600 of Metrotile’s vandal proof Slate 900 profile, each covering almost half a square metre but weighing just 4.6kg, now cover the 1,300 square metres roof of the visitor centre.

Triton Systems supplied waterproofing systems specified by waterproofing design specialists, Ink Technical Services, for the upgrade to a below ground car park in North London. BS 8102 (2009) recommends the involvement of a waterproofing specialist at the design stage of any below ground waterproofing project. Involving an expert at this stage also minimises the risk of system failure in the future.

Project: Parking de la Gare (Railway Station), Nancy, France

With an enviable location on the South Bank of the River Thames, Park Plaza London Riverbank is ideal travellers from near and far to central London. Those travelling for leisure return again and again thanks to the prime central location, heated indoor swimming pool, enticing dining options and elegantly spacious rooms.Licata Building Systems was involved with the development of this project, providing several Licata systems, such as waterproofing and flooring systems. Licata waterproofing systems were used throughout the modern bathrooms and swimming pool facility. Licata resin flooring created a sleek and modern finish throughout public area of the hotel.

Aluminium and Equitone rainscreen cladding, cast glass panels, terracotta tiles and vertical aluminium fins give the new 1,200-space multi-storey a bright and modern look. In fact, it’s hard to believe the building (which also houses a new bus station) is really a car park. “There were a few challenges, which Maple addressed really well – ten out of ten for communication,” said Galliford Try’s site manager, Tom Wright. “When you look at the finished product, it’s all been worthwhile. The mix of feature fins, laser-cut and terracotta panels looks great – very close to the architect’s impression.”

Meadows Business Park is undergoing a major repositioning, providing modern working for a post covid-19 world. With 3 refurbished buildings positioned in landscaped grounds, providing workspaces, offices, central café, gym, cycle storage and showers. Located next to Blackwater Railway station, tenants of Meadows Business Park can enjoy pop up shops, street food markets, walks around the 100 acre shepherds meadow and even Peloton bikes, as well as a range of classes in the gym.As part of the refurbishment of these buildings, we worked alongside OD Interiors to manufacture and install the lockers and bench seating for the cycle storage and shower areas. As part of the project, we provided 22 wet specification Laminate Z Lockers for the male changing rooms, 22 wet specification Laminate Z Lockers for the female changing rooms and bench seating for both changing areas and the cycle storeroom.The stunning Laminate Z Lockers were manufactured with an aluminium body, stainless steel door frame and Abet Laminate doors. The colours chosen were Mountain Oak and Ice White from Abet’s range of laminate colours. We work with a variety of suppliers of laminate, allowing us to offer a large selection of colours and finishes, from carbon-neutral options, wood effect styles, through to bright pops of colour.In each changing room, 13 of the 22 Z Lockers were fitted with seat stands, with the remaining 9 lockers fitted to stands. The frames for the stands and seat stands are powder coated in RAL colour white, with the seat slats in Mountain Oak laminate to match the locker doors. To keep the project slick and uniform, the end panels, infills and the cladding to hide the stands are in the Ice White laminate, also matching the doors.The locks chosen for the project were the Digilock Versa Keypad locks. These are a great choice for both assigned, or shared use, and so were perfect for the shared changing rooms at Meadow Business Centre. Plus, they look great as a contrasting matt black colour against the light doors of the Z Lockers.It was great to work alongside OD Interiors again on this project and look forward to some more exciting projects in the future.If you are looking for Z Lockers, or have a similar project you need help with. Our sales team can help. Give us a call on 01284 530427 or click here to get a quote.

Car lift enables new parking garage for MIPIM award winner in AmsterdamSpace saving PEGASOS lift provides access to new basement parking levelThe PEGASOS car lift was delivered in 2019 by Lödige Industries to DCV Bouw B.V. in Amsterdam, Netherlands. About the building and projectThe Diamond Exchange, Diamantbeurs in Dutch, was built in 1911 to a design by Gerit van Arkel as the centre of the Amsterdam diamond trading industry. It housed a large trading hall on the first floor and offices above that. In 2015, the building was purchased by Sijthoff Media Groep and Zadelhoff Beheer and underwent a significant renovation and transformation based on designs by Zwarts & Jansma Architects and Heyligers design + projects. The new design aimed at three objectives: to restore the original qualities of the Diamantbeurs in its full glory, to adapt the interior for use as a modern, flexible office environment and to build a contemporary addition open to the public. The most prominent new addition to the 2020 MIPIM Award winner, is the elongated dome of steel and glass on the roof, called High Light. The curved glass structure incorporates solar cells, which generate solar energy as well as shade. The shape of the structure, which houses a public space, references the property's past as the center of the diamond trade. Today, under its new name, ‘Capital C’, it serves as a centre for the creative industry and houses conference and event venues as well as co-working spaces for various companies. Offering enough parking spaces by enabling access to parking garage via car liftParking spaces around the building located in the centre of Amsterdam are rare and costly. As the Capital C building offers co-working spaces it benefits from the excellent public transport connections in the area. Nevertheless, it needed to find a way to offer parking spaces for cars and bicycles. To solve this a new basement was added to the building to create the space needed for parking. The inclusion of a ramp for access, however, would have severely limited the number of spaces on offer.The PEGASOS © car lift is the most space saving car lift on the market today. It requires neither pit nor engine room and thanks to its extremely slender shaft geometry it offers an access solution even in very restricted space situations.Today tenants of the building simply drive up to the lift, press their remote and enter the lift for a quick delivery to the garage – a fact that is very popular with the users of the co-working spaces in the building. About the customerDCV BOUW B.V. was founded in 2006. Since then, it has grown into an important player in the construction sector of the Netherlands.DCV BOUW carries out a wide range of projects for its clients. Recents projects include the renovation of ‘De Oliphant’ and newbuild of the Orato Offices in Amsterdam, as well as the Aon building renovation in Rotterdam.Challenges of parking at DiamantbeursThe Capital C building was renovated and now houses a new creative centre offering co-working spaces and event venues, leading to increased parking requirementsParking spaces are limited in the city centre of Amsterdam,The building had an underground level for parking cars and bicycles but no space for a conventional access ramp. Given the integration into the existing building, there was limited headroom available above any potential lift.The customer required access not only for cars, but also for bicycles and egress for building management functions such as waste removal.Enabling access to parking garageThe Lödige PEGASOS© car lift installed serves as a space efficient and convenient entry to the underground parking garage.Cars are being transported vertically to the parking garage, without the need for a conventional access rampThe design of the PEGASOS car lift needs no pit and minimal headroom, facilitating integration into the existing buildingCars and bicycles can be comfortably transported to the underground parking garage. The lift also enables easy waste removal and goods delivery.

THE PROJECTCountryside and L&Q are creating over 3,900 new, exceptional homes and open green space for the community. Their vision is to create a place that local people want to be, and can afford to live in. Transport is essential; therefore, they have provided an easy and safe connection to both Beam Park station and Dagenham Dock, making it an exemplar of London developments.THE PRODUCTWe are truly passionate about creating innovative, yet practical, high-quality products that’s why our Secure Information Box SIB (formally known as Premises Information Box) has been tested and certified to the stringent security standards STS205 Resistance class BR2. Suitable for internal and external use.The client wanted a reliable UK Manufacturer to supply their 6 blocks with our high security Secure Information Boxes (SIB). As we are a trusted voice in the industry and offer full UK customer service support, they were reassured that we can educate and guide them through the appropriate processes complying with both the Fire Industry Association (FIA) and National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC).

Challenge: C-Probe's LoCem® +chase® anode mortar has been installed at the Omni Shopping Centre Car Park in Edinburgh, Scotland to 4 levels of underground car parking as part of a comprehensive corrosion management strategy. Overtime the popular car park had succumbed to structural damage and corrosion caused by the ingress of chlorides from de-icing salts from above.Solution: This system comprised of 42 ICCP zones and 7 additional monitoring zones forlevels protected using surface-applied corrosion inhibitors. In addition to this, some 6000 C-Puck galvanic anodes were used to protect newly repaired areas to 2 levels. All the anodes and monitoring could be controlled and data accessed remotely throughoutthe car park with AchillesICP and AchillesIES, helping to extend its service life for 100+ years.Outcome: This ESG compliant approach meant there was no need for demolition or extensive reconstruction using new materials, helping to reduce waste and harmful emissions. Reconstruction was also a near-impossible strategy due to underground facility and electric tram on land, meaning something non-invasive like cathodic protection was essentialto minimise social disruption. 

Our most recent project was in Romford, London. We worked alongside Vincent Stokes on their refurbishment of the changing area at Central Park Leisure Centre. The project included a variety of new furniture for the changing rooms, Helmsman supplied new lockers and bench seating.The client chose our Leisure Lockers, which are manufactured with an aluminium body and solid grade laminate doors. These lockers are specifically designed to withstand an environment subject to high moisture, humidity and chlorine, perfect for swimming pool changing rooms such as this project. The choice of lockers for Central Park Leisure centre were a mix of 1 and 2 compartment lockers.Helmsman’s leisure lockers come in a variety of colours and finishes, and with a variety of suppliers, there’s a huge range of colours to choose from. For this project, Vincent Stokes requested lockers in 3 colours, with Greenlam Laminate doors manufactured in Pearly White, 268 Dust and 297 Blue Galaxy. These colours work brilliantly together and match the rest of the design in the changing rooms perfectly. A popular choice of lock for a leisure centre changing rooms is a coin return lock. The locks used for this project were Ojmar coin return locks, with wrist straps, perfect for a swimming pool environment to keep the keys safe whilst the customer uses the facilities. We also produced bench seating for the project at Central Park Leisure Centre, with both wall to floor benching complete with hook boards, and wall island benching. These were manufactured with Greenlam laminate slats in colour 297 Blue Galaxy to match the lockers and the rest of the changing room design. It was great to work with Vincent Stokes on this project. If you need leisure lockers, bench seating, or have a project you want to chat with us about, give us a call today on 01284 530427 or email specifications@helmsman.co.uk

A new car park has been constructed near the Hornschuchpromenade in Fürth and covered with an extensive green roof system. The car park has capacity for 380 cars and has been designed by The Max Bögl Group (MBG) with ease of construction, cost efficiency, visual impact and low maintenance in mind. In collaboration with contractors Isobautec, they selected MobiRoof green roof system from Mobilane as the most suitable option to cover the 1300 square metre roof expanse.

Manor Park is a new build development of 53 homes, located on the northern edge of Ashford in Kent. RCM supplied 216 planks of 190mm wide Supertech Weatherboard in a stained Light Oak finish. Plastestrip end and starter profiles (Plasticlad) were also supplied colour matched. Supertech Weatherboard proved to be the perfect choice as it has the beautiful look of natural wood without the need for costly maintena

Bainland Holiday Park, located in Bainland Country Park, were looking for a washroom refresh and specified Franke products for the project. Inspired Washrooms, a Nottingham based fit-out company, executed the project with the installation of a wide range of Franke products including Miranit washbasins and accessories from the Rodan range. The full range of products provided was:4 x ANMW411 - Single Quadro Miranit Washbasins with tap hole4 x F3SV1001 - F3 self-closing taps2 x UC07-010 - Urinal Control Systems2 x UC00-001 - Air Brake (Back Flow Preventer)5 x WC03-002 - WC Flush valve Kits & Wave on Sensors5 x WC02-011 - Concealed Plastic Cistern Kits2 x DRYX500N - Hands in hand dryers 1 x F1393 - Franke Airblast Hand dryer4 x CHRX669 - Stainless steel mini jumbo toilet roll holders3 x RODX618 - Stainless steel rodan soap dispensers3 x RODX625 - Rodan Electronic Soap Dispensers

Sixmile Boardwalk is a wooden walkway located in Ballyclare, a town in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. The boardwalk stretches for over a mile through Sixmile Water Park, providing visitors with stunning views of the surrounding natural beauty. The boardwalk is an accessible and family-friendly attraction that allows visitors to explore the park’s wetlands and wildlife, including ducks, swans, and otters. It is a popular destination for walkers, joggers, and cyclists, as well as families and nature enthusiasts. The boardwalk also features several rest areas and interpretive signage, providing visitors with information about the park’s history and ecology.The second phase of the Antrim Boardwalk refurbishment project involved an extension and upgrade of the walkway, including the removal of existing slippery timber deck boards and replacing these with new anti-slip timber deck boards. For this, Gripsure’s non-slip Premier decking were carefully chosen for the new raised boardwalk and viewing platform area, installed by Martin Contracting Services Ltd.Primarily chosen for its safety benefits, Gripsure’s Premier profile achieves a PTV rating of 78 assuring a safe and comfortable walking surface for visitors, even in wet or damp conditions. Gripsure decking has been tried and tested on projects for over 15 years and is now trusted by many household names, such as Center Parcs and Samsung.In addition to the proven safety benefits, the Gripsure decking used at Sixmile Boardwalk is also extremely durable and long-lasting, making it a cost-effective choice for Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council. The decking requires minimal maintenance and is resistant to rot, decay, and insect damage, ensuring that it remains in excellent condition for years to come.Overall, the Gripsure non-slip decking used at Sixmile Boardwalk has been a great success, providing a safe and sustainable solution that enhances the park’s natural beauty and functionality. The decking has helped to increase visitor safety and comfort, and has helped to make Sixmile Water Park a more accessible and enjoyable destination for visitors of all ages and abilities.The Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Billy Webb, said: “These refurbishment works will bring more footfall to Antrim town centre and help us tackle the challenges of climate and environmental change by encouraging active travel whilst also proving a local business with the contract.”All media is courtesy of Martin Contracting Services. ©2022 Martin Contracting Services

At Exeter Park, PFC Corofil offered technical solutions by our ASFP trained technical team for a fully tested range of cavity barriers to enable Longworth design team to specify the correct barriers for each location throughout the open façade.

F. Ball products have helped to create a show-stopping floor finish in the Regent’s Park Rehearsal Studios. In studio 1, the raised plywood subfloor was firstly primed using Stopgap P131 primer to promote adhesion and prevent rapid drying of adhesives and levelling compounds. Since the studio would face heavy footfall, contractors selected Stopgap 700 Superflex levelling compound, which was applied prior to installation of vinyl dance floor coverings. Studios 3 and 4, had Stopgap P131 primer and Stopgap 700 Superflex levelling compound applied, followed by Styccobond F3 flooring adhesive to install cork rubber tiles over the timber subfloor.

Automated parking system will combine storage and service for classic, racing and luxury cars.Lödige Industries has secured a contract from SSR-Performance to deliver an automated car storage system. The 141-space facility in Munich, Germany is billed to be the most modern automated system aimed at luxury and classic car owners.About the new classic car parking facility in Munich SSR-Performance is constructing a 10,000 m² classic, racing and luxury car hub with specialist repair and styling facilities, race sports services and showroom. The new automated classic and sports car storage facility complements these plans. The contract with Lödige Industries includes the planning, construction, installation and servicing of the new robotic system. Work on site has already begun and is scheduled to complete in early 2020. Combining maintenance and storage of classic, racing and luxury cars on a restricted footprintConsistent humidity and reduced levels of oxygen are important to reduce corrosion and fire risk when storing classic cars. Humidity, temperature and atmosphere inside the robotic parking system are controlled to cater for the specific requirements of vintage cars. “I have been looking for a facility like this myself for several years now. When it became clear that it didn’t exist, I decided to build one myself,” says Stefan Schlund, Managing Director of SSR-Performance. “After visiting Europe’s largest public robotic parking facility in Denmark a few months ago, I was impressed. In working with Lödige Industries, I have chosen an experienced partner that not only understood my needs but also knew how to make them happen.”In the fully automated facility, cars will be parked in one of the access cabins from where they will be transported into the system by a flat robot carrying them by their tires onto a transport vehicle and from there onto the parking space.About the customerStarting in spring 2020, SSR Performance GmbH will offer a demanding clientele automotive services with a focus on sports cars, classic automobiles and motor sports under one roof. SSR is opening an automotive competence and service centre in the north of Munich, which will offer a large number of lifting platforms, an air-conditioned four-wheel drive performance test stand, a showroom and fully automated nitrogen storage areas for exclusive cars on 10,000 m² of floor space and six levels.Challenges of storing classic, racing and luxury carsThe German market for classic cars is constantly growing and faces a gap in combined storage and service for classic, racing and luxury cars.Providing enough parking spaces on the restricted footprint, is one major issue SSR Performance faces.When storing classic cars, consistent humidity and reduced levels of oxygen are important to reduce corrosion and fire risk.High security standards need to be provided in storing classic, racing and luxury cars, as they value significantly higherA thorough maintenance and cleaning of the classic, racing and luxury cars is the basic requirement for an optimal storage. This prevents the formation of rust or other deposits on the vehicle.Our solution and benefits for the customerSSR Performance recognised the market gap and took the opportunity to serve high-quality service and storage for classic, racing and luxury cars within a new facility in Munich.Humidity, temperature and atmosphere inside the robotic parking system are controlled to cater for the requirements of vintage cars.The automated parking systems, provided by Lödige, delivers high security for customers, as access to the cars stored within the system is only for authorized personal.Our CUBILE technology uses a flat transport robot, which carries the cars by their tires and therefor reduces the risk of damages.The customized automated parking system for SSR Performance features direct automated access to mechanic workshops. With this fully automated link, SSR can provide the unique combination of storage and maintenance for classic, racing and luxury cars to their customers.“I have been looking for a facility like this myself for several years now. When it became clear that it didn’t exist, I decided to build one myself. After visiting Europe’s largest public robotic parking facility in Denmark a few months ago, I was impressed. In working with Lödige Industries, I have chosen an experienced partner that not only understood my needs but also knew how to make them happen.”- Stefan Schlund, Managing Director of SSR-Performance

The Park Plaza Hotel, Hercules House is positioned just south of Westminster Bridge overlooking the River Thames with spectacular views across London. The hotel provides high-end dining and premium facilities such as the spa, sauna and swimming pool. Within walking distance of London’s most famous attractions inclduing the London Eye, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament and the London Aquarium, Hercules House is the ideal place to stay in the Capital. Licata Building Systems was involved with the development of this project, providing several Licata systems, such as waterproofing and flooring systems. Licata waterproofing systems were used throughout the modern bathrooms and swimming pool facility. Licata resin flooring created a sleek and finish throughout public area of the hotel. 

THE PROJECTThe One City Park development, designed by architect Sheppard Robson, is being built on a former police HQ site, is the first Grade A office scheme delivered in Bradford city centre for 20 years to address the need for high-quality offices. As a five-storey high rise building, the basement required an effective below-ground waterproofing solution to the main building core that would be fully compliant with the client's requirements and the relevant codes of practice and stand the test of time. The main contractor for the project, Caddick Construction engaged specialist concrete contractor Howard Civil Engineering for the basement build who then contacted Fosroc for assistance in producing a tailored waterproofing specification solution that would address the requirements of the project. As a trusted supplier of building materials and technical specification advice, Howard Civil Engineering has utilised Fosroc’s products for many other projects previously.THE SOLUTIONFosroc specified a full product solution for installation in accordance with BS8102 supported by a fully detailed waterproofing design provided by Waterproofing Design Services Limited. This included one of Fosroc’s innovative self-healing Supercast CWA product – crystalline waterproofing additive for concrete, Supercast SW20 and Supercast SWX waterstops in conjunction with Proofex Engage waterproofing and Proofex Total damp proof membranes. Materials were available to order ready to commence installation when required.THE BENEFITSThe main core works and basement project element is now complete, allowing the next construction phase to continue. Fosroc’s Supercast CWA will allow any small cracks to ‘heal’ with free lime crystal before they create damp problems, and the tough damp and water proof membranes will protect against ground gas, chemicals and corrosion. As the Fosroc products are designed to work together, a truly reliable and robust solution is delivered that keeps long-term costs of repair and maintenance to a minimum. Additionally, the contractor was able to access high quality technical advice from specification through to application, allowing them to mitigate potential problems and delays before they happened.

Lorton Park development has been designed and built with energy and water conservation in mind. With a particular importance placed on the selection and quality of the materials used, Catnic’s innovative TBL was specified for all 46 luxury properties.BRE certified, the Catnic TBL range delivers industry leading linear thermal transmittance Psi values of 0.02 to 0.05 W/mK and safe working loads in line with Catnic’s existing Cavity wall lintels.Chris Watts, Sales Manager at Jewson, worked with Mr Hidari on the product specification,“After comparing different lintels on the market it became clear that Catnic TBL’s were best suited to the specific project requirements.“Due to the medium density concrete blocks being used onsite, AKI Ltd needed a product that could meet its thermal performance requirements and easily achieve the build’s load requirements – the composite design of the TBL made it the perfect choice.”The specifically designed flat top of Catnic’s Thermally Broken Lintel provides a simple, consistent junction with the cavity wall insulation. This removes the reliance on site workmanship, reducing the risk of a ‘performance gap’. There are also no brackets connecting the inner and outer leaf of the lintel and therefore there are no additional point thermal bridges that need to be considered.The large scale development project also benefited from Catnic Lintel Advance Scheduling System (CLASS). Through the fully comprehensive scheduling service, Catnic’s expert team created a concise document which detailed lintel descriptions, price, delivery time and a guaranteed structural accuracy.“This has been a huge, complex project and we needed a product that could deliver on the specific structural and thermal requirements,” commented Mr Hidari. “As the only lintel on the market with a complete thermal break, it seemed like the ideal product. I was particularly impressed by the Catnic team who provided us with a full design and specification for the entire development.”For further information on Catnic’s Thermally Broken Lintel range, please visit https://catnic.com/products/lintels/thermally-broken-lintels/overview

The first to enjoy the latest generation of Lödige Industries' proven technology are the homeowners of a luxury residential complex containing 29 luxury apartments for the over 60s on Fitzjohn’s Avenue in London. The building’s footprint could not accommodate enough conventional parking spaces and street parking was not a viable option. To meet this challenge, Lödige Industries, on behalf of the London-based residential development company Lifestory Group, installed a fully automated parking system with capacity for 29 vehicles, all equipped with electric vehicle charging docks, at a depth of 10m over two levels.Today's cars are bigger, heavier, and more and more often electric. We are responding to this development with a major update of its RESPACE technology. Among other things, we have increased the load capacity of the automatic parking solution to 3 tons, adapting the equipment and drives as well as expanding charging technology for electric vehicles. Globally the number of electric vehicles is on the rise. In 2019 alone, global e-vehicle stock climbed by 43%. Architects and developers alike are forced by regulations as well as buyer intent to offer e-charging in their parking facilities. This has long been an issue for many automated parking technologies, especially since car manufacturers have yet to agree on a standard for wireless charging.  The new RESPACE offers 100% e-charging for all spaces. Following an engineering breakthrough, the new technology is resilient against dust and dirt and responds automatically to periods of high system activity to ensure vehicles can be retrieved quickly and efficiently at any time. The new e-charging technology supports individual billing per vehicle and can be retrofitted in existing systems. Furthermore, an intelligent load management system automatically exchanges a fully loaded car with an empty car, if not all parking spaces are equipped with a charging facility. RESPACE uses a sliding pallet system and provides optimal use of space in residential developments as it eliminates the need for drive or walkways within the parking system and the requirement for internal or external access ramps, the combination of which can save more than 60% of the space taken up by traditional car parks.  Faster installation and commissioning times are another major benefit of the optimised RESPACE technology. This increases the number of parallel movements possible, whilst avoiding any single point of failure. New engineering software integration also means that system configurations can be tested early in the development process using simulation programmes to optimise planning and give a greater range of viability options to developers.An improved cabin setting means that drivers accessing the system are now going to benefit from a much-improved user guidance. Users of the system will enjoy the new on-screen visualisation with specific step-by-step task focused instructions, on larger, eye friendly screens. In-cabin panels have been given a modern design overhaul in line with Lödige Industries’ successful CUBILE technology and are now equipped with security and motion sensors, cameras and number plate recognition technology if requested.  In addition, a new app, called ParkGO!, now available in iOS and android app stores, enables users to park and recall their vehicles with the touch of a smartphone. A handy system status view allows retrieval of cars during less busy periods. With its overhaul of the cabin and introduction of the app, Lödige Industries has brought the luxury parking experience that has defined their public automated parking systems in outstanding architectural objects in Denmark and elsewhere to private parkingUSP -       The Car Park System RESPACE is an extremely space-saving option - up to 60 percent more cars can be placed in the same space in comparison to traditional car parks. -       Residents will use a modern and intuitive smartphone app ParkGO! developed by Lödige Industries to retrieve their cars.  -        Due to the increase of e-vehicles, the new RESPACE offers 100% e-charging for all spaces. Easy parking and unparking guaranteed by parking aids, safety checks and the provision of the vehicle in the direction of travel. “This solution ticked all our boxes. With Lödige’s RESPACE, every apartment has its own parking space and owners will benefit from a seamless parking experience; they will simply drive their car onto a pallet in a cabin, the only interface between the driver and the car park. From then on, the process is entirely automated.”David Newey, Director of Development at Lifestory Group