"people"

Jacksons installed Barbican Imperial fencing and gates at St Mary and St Ethelburga Catholic Church in Barking to protect the new Presbytery and prevent people aimlessly or intentionally walking through the church yard, reducing the chance of crime.

The Strand Aldwych is a busy public area well-known as a procession route between Westminster Abbey and St Paul's Cathedral. The area was historically plagued by traffic and pollution, so people were reluctant to dwell for long periods of time.The newly pedestrianised area with stone walls already in place needed public seating outside St Clement Danes Church. Coordinating the wall shape with the stone underneath was imperative, and access was needed to the lighting drivers through the platforms since the stone underneath is illuminated with LEDs. With this in mind, our design team worked collaboratively to develop a bespoke version of our modular RailRoad seating design, based on the principles where interchangeable parts can be easily removed or replaced. A RailRoad wall-top solution was created with a custom curve to match the stone walls, and the platforms have removable hatches for access when needed.The bespoke RailRoad seating solution is manufactured from our triple processed (recycled) steel and powder coated in a distinct metallic copper finish - while the iroko timbers were coated with UV protective finish in teak to maintain their natural look. This project focused on improving air quality, and our AKRI retaining planters were ideal for bringing green into the space. Their flexibility also allowed for matching the geometry of the adjacent stone benches and roads. In order to prevent damage, welded anti skates were incorporated into the solution.The project not only provides health and well-being benefits with the new public landscaped areas, it will preserve the historic character and for the first time allow people to appreciate the nearby listed buildings. The new inclusive seating spaces for people to mix in are seen to be well used as people can enjoy their lunch, meet with friends and colleagues and simply enjoy a sense of community.

Addressing thermal bridging in building design and construction is not just a question of excess heat loss, energy use and carbon dioxide emissions. It is also about the health and comfort of the people who use a building, whatever its shape and size.

Mirrors from the wide range of stainless steel products offered by GEC Anderson have been included within a striking new facility developed for the young people of East Manchester, enhancing both the aesthetics and the safe operation of the building. The £6.6milion HideOut Youth Zone, built by Domis Construction on the old Gorston baths site in the Hyde district of the city, is based upon the successful OnSide Youth Zones 21st Century Youth Facility Model. The development of the centre, which is expected to attract some 1,600 young people each week, was supported by local philanthropist, Fred Done, and Manchester City Council.  In total, 16 of the 1000 x 500 mm highly polished, 1mm thick stainless steel mirrors were supplied for both the general and accessible washroom areas. Widely used in public toilets and sports facilities, the mirrors’ tough, unbreakable nature will both enhance long term maintenance implications and negate the injury risk presented by glass alternatives. Lisa McFarlane, a Director at the Manchester based lead consultants, Seven Architecture, commented: “We were keen to design a truly iconic building for the young people of East Manchester; to give them a real sense of pride and ownership. It’s fantastic to see so much support for the scheme. This is the second Youth Zone we have been involved in designing in the region, with another due to get under way soon in Warrington.  With this being a design and build project, the final specification lies with the main contractor, but stainless steel was preferred for the mirrors as a health and safety consideration, basically being a robust but attractive material.”Since its formation in 1962, GEC Anderson has built its reputation for the supply of top end stainless steel sinks and sanitaryware on a combination of innovative design, top quality materials and expert craftsmanship. In addition to the company’s Decimetric system of cabinets, sinks, drainers and other equipment - widely specified for sectors including health and catering - the company’s custom engineered solutions have been selected for some of the country’s top sports, entertainment and leisure destinations. Adam Farricker, Chief Executive of HideOut Youth Zone expressed his enthusiasm for the outcome saying: “A huge thank you to all of HideOut’s supporters for believing in this charity and for having the vision and determination to make it happen for Manchester’s young people. Their generous support will make a huge difference to the lives of young people and the wider community in East Manchester.”

Dulux Trade has undertaken a historic project, breathing life into Alexandra Palace’s old BBC Transmitter Hall. The leading paint brand teamed up with the Alexandra Park Palace Charitable Trust and a range of industry partners to offer their expertise, skills and labour in the transformation of the space. As part of a £28 million renovation project to restore the Eastern part of the historic building used by the BBC as a TV transmitter facility, Dulux Trade took on the brief to design a space for vulnerable users. Each week the space is used for specialised programmes for hundreds of people including young adults with learning difficulties, musical workshops, mindfulness workshops in partnership with the NHS mental health support and a wellbeing cafe to support loneliness. Carefully selecting colour to enable those living with dementia to navigate their way around the old transmitter hall, the space has been created to make the now hundreds of users per week feel comfortable and at home, whilst offering an uplifting space for young adults with learning difficulties. The team applied the principles around healthcare colour scheme research to create a space that has a connection to the outside world - that was calming and inspiring. Earthy ‘Distant Haze’ greens and spiritual ‘Niagara Blues’ and lilacs were selected to produce a rich and verdant collection of shades - with the end user carefully considered. Points of difference were carefully managed between surfaces and space to make the rooms easier to navigate for people with visual impairment and dementia meeting the requirements of the Equality Act. The space was made to feel more intimate by artificially lowering the ceiling height through clever use of colour and design and the light and airy ‘Adobe Pink’ colour chosen, allowed for the perfect environment for the number of groups now using the Transmitter Hall. Colour blocks have been used behind the bar area, adding interest and eliminating the mirrors which can cause stress to people with dementia. Alexandra Palace is part of the Haringey Dementia Action Alliance (DAA) which aims to unite local organisations and improve the lives of people affected by dementia. There are over 1,600 people living with dementia in Haringey and programmes like these support people with dementia and their families to live and connect through the power of music. The new Transmitter Hall was a result of months of hard work by Dulux Trade and parent company AkzoNobel - taking 290 man hours - in conjunction with various other partners including Tarkett Flooring, Willmott Dixon, Speedy Hire, Southgrove Painting Contractors, Lucas Specialist Finishers, Horizontal Ltd and Winchmore. As well as working alongside partner firms, Dulux Trade enlisted the help of the AkzoNobel Research & Development teams to provide labour on the project and Dulux Decorator Centre in nearby Islington to provide workwear and materials to the AkzoNobel ‘Let’s Colour’ team. Dulux Trade has long since recognised the growing global health trend which will see over one million people in the UK diagnosed with dementia by 2025. Working on research led projects with healthcare specialists and the British Research Establishment, the brand has been able to gather evidence on how colour and design can transform spaces and therefore the lives of the people who use them. Using their research, the Dulux Trade Commercial Colour Services team designed an inclusive space within Alexandra Palace which uses the application of colour to enable occupants to more readily identify different areas of the entire space - for example the use of a colour contrast doorway or corridor, and colour, design and textures that discourage access to private areas within the space. In total over £3,000 worth of paint and decorating materials were donated to the project - which saw parts of Alexandra Palace renovated after many years bring the space back to life. Products used for the project included Dulux Trade Supermatt on the ceiling, Dulux Trade Diamond Matt on the walls and Dulux Trade Durable Flat Matt on the columns. Sarah Norton, project lead at AkzoNobel said: “This project has been a labour of love for Dulux Trade. To be involved in the restoration of a building with such historic value has been fantastic. We were able to put our knowledge and research regarding using colour to positively impact occupant wellbeing to good use, including aspects of design that are more considerate of vulnerable guests visiting the space. In this way, we’re pleased to have contributed to making the Transmitter Hall an inclusive, multi-functional space for many people in the local area.”

When your new call centre is too "echoey" meaning your clients can't understand what your team and trying to say down the phone who do you go to for help - JCW saved the day for People HR

Grand Junction at St Mary Magdalene Church is a new venue dedicated to the community, arts and culture. Their mission is to gather young people, families and adults through music, arts and performance. The church provides a café, a performance space, offices and an education room. 

Today, visual learning has been recognized as the easiest way the human mind can perceive information. The more technology is developing, the more people get drawn towards the screens. While tech devices have a definite advantage in providing a highly interactive way of introducing ideas, there are also some drawbacks that most people are very familiar with. Sometimes it’s just best to use a whiteboard wall instead. When we think of a classroom we usually imagine a narrow space with a teacher podium and a wall-hung writing board. The whole attention is drawn to the front centre of the room towards a confined writing space. The teacher-student conversation is a one-sided one where students often feel pressure and inability to respond when asked to step in front of the whole class. Who likes being tested before the judging eyes of a whole room of people, anyway? Teachers understood this problem and decided to take action. Driven by the idea to bring learning closer to students, teachers from the 125th Middle School in Sofia, Bulgaria have reimagined the typical classroom with the help of a product that ESCREO has developed especially with children in mind. The school added a clear dry-erase writing space to one of the side walls of a classroom. What happened after that turned their whole teaching system upside down.

ASF were approached with a very much open book brief to offer a solution for a church square in Mytholmroyd, West Yorkshire. The area needed a wall top parapet, some glass balustrade, seating and tree grilles.ASF specified a wall top quayside post and rail, but using materials that offered the minimum interference with the view for people using the square whilst still meeting the needs of building regulations and parapet requirements. Uprights were from thinner, laser profiled materials with no T piece to make them as unobtrusive as possible and the rails were intermediately staggered with tension cables for the same reasons. Once installed the whole post and rail system was fully welded together on site to increase rigidity and strength. The job was then fully polished to offer a sublime finish quality.A small area of glass balustrade was installed at one end of the square where ground levels dropped away. A seat was paced in this area to allow people to sit and observe the river and wildlife through the glass.ASF 6012 seats were used all around the site offering seating for up to 36 people at one time.ASF 100% recycled cast iron tree grilles were also installed, and finished in a simple clear lacquer which maintains the gunmetal look of a new casting with just slight areas of oxidisation that are used as a feature of the finish.

Precision and attention to detail were the vital ingredients Hardscape and its sister company IP Surfaces brought to the project to create the Carrara marble Glade of Light memorial to the 22 people who died in a terrorist attack at Manchester Arena on 22 May 2017. 

The Stress Research Institute in Stockholm, Sweden, conducted a study with Ecophon in a real-life office environment to examine how sound affects people in open-plan offices. During the study the sound environment went from poor to good and back to poor again.

Ronafix Pre-packed Wearing Screed 15mm+ was used in the plant rooms and loading bays at One Canada Square. The London skyscraper is the 3rd tallest building in the UK, has nearly 10,000 people working on-site and takes 130,000 deliveries each year!

Priors Court School embarked on an expansion project to enable them to support an additional 13 young people severely affected by autism. The EcoBatcher will save a project of this size 696 single-use plastic buckets! Read the full case study on our website.

One of the largest and busiest ports in Europe required a major upgrade to its perimeter security fencing. Due to an increase of migrants trying to cross the borders illegally, there was a need to improve the fencing around the port to ensure people who did not have the correct paperwork or permissions to travel across the border were kept safe and out of harm’s reach whether it’s those attempting illegal breaches into the port site or those responsible for preventing them from doing so.The fencing was designed to prevent migrants from trying to stow away on trucks; usually, this would happen as the truck slows or comes to a stop, and the migrants would run and get inside the trucks to hitch a ride across the border.A migrant camp nearby, which it is reported housed more than 10,000 people, ensured a constant threat of illegal migrants trying to cross the border. Many displaced migrants congregate here in an attempt to cross the borders by illegal and dangerous means. People smugglers were a constant problem, many promising migrants jobs and security once they had crossed the border.The SolutionZaun HiSec 358 Fencing was installed along both sides of the main road into the port, which aimed to prevent the migrants from getting onto the vehicles as they slowed or came to a halt. This anti-climb mesh fencing system features 12.7mm x 76.2mm tight mesh apertures, which prevents people from getting a foothold and scale the fencing to get over and prevents objects from being passed through the fabric. It also provides resistance to cutting by conventional hand tools and is employed extensively in higher security applications supported with detection and surveillance technologies.In addition to the anti-climb mesh, Zaun’s Flexible Security Topping (FST) was also installed to the top of the fencing to ensure that anyone who did somehow manage to scale the fencing could not get a grip over the top of the fencing. FST is designed in such as way what it moves as people try to climb it. Installed with concertina wire, this provides the port with a fence that works as a visual deterrent and a practical one.High-security temporary fencing and barrier systems, including SecureGuard, were also installed around the port, which provides high security, a movable border that can not only be easily converted into a PAS68 HVM perimeter but is also movable if the perimeter needs reducing or expanding for any reason. This movable barrier system also featuring FST and concertina wire as a topping for an additional deterrent.

When the ACCORD Hospice in Paisley, Scotland, needed to modernise its Inpatient Unit, which offers specialist palliative and end-of-life care for people with complex needs along with support facilities for their families, the uppermost driving factors were infection control, comfort and aesthetics.

Whilst good design is about creating a balance between aesthetics and functionality, great design evokes emotions. Historic architecture and interior design represent a place in time that people connect with; a historic building has charm whilst modern designs have the ability to inspire.

The ROOFTRAK® IFP provided a vital part of the package to install solar PV on the vast roof areas of the Ikea Distribution & Contact Centre in Peterborough where approximately 2800 PV panels have been installed as part of its People & Planet Positive Strategy.

The heart of Hemel Hempstead’s shopping area has been transformed into a unique place offering something for everyone that is vibrant during the day, evening and night. The changes are expected to attract more visitors, business and investment and make it a place that people want to shop, work, live and enjoy.

One of the most common ways in which people do so is by spending their hard earned cash on expensive new furniture. However, that’s not always necessary as this customer proves!Boyd restored his garden chairs back to their original colour for a fraction of the cost using Owatrol Polytrol.

The past few years have really thrust hygiene into the spotlight. From robust cleaning to hand hygiene, people have become increasingly aware of the role that cleanliness plays in managing infection transmission. ​Steve Levy looks forward to what this might mean throughout 2022.

A hospital facility in Norrland, Sweden has been renovated extensively with wood-based products, owing to the universal belief that natural materials help people heal better. This serene and homely sanctuary functions as a temporary home for families with young children suffering from long-term illness.

Increasing numbers of machines, people, buildings and technology means our world is getting noisier. And this issue isn’t just limited to the outside world, with new research by Geberit finding that unwanted noise inside the home affects more than half of us – and it’s having a direct impact on our wellbeing.

The fate of seldom-used items and kitchen utensils is clear. They almost always end up in wall cabinets where users can hardly reach them. And when they are needed, even tall people will resort to a step stool − just to make sure they can see and find what they are looking for.

The Carlsberg Group is one of the leading brewery groups in the world, with a large portfolio of beer and other beverage brands. The flagship brand – Carlsberg – is one of the best-known beer brands in the world. More than 40,000 people work for the Carlsberg Group and products are sold in more than 150 markets.

Shooting Star Children’s Hospices, a charity which cares for babies, children and young people with life-limiting conditions and their families, needed an urgent refurbishment within one of their hospices. The communal area at Shooting Star House, their hospice in Hampton, was tired and dated, and didn’t reflect the vibrant nature of the charity.

Project BackgroundThe Harrow Club in London W10 has been creating positive futures for marginalised young people in West London since it was formed in 1883 as The Harrow Mission Church. Through general youth clubs and specialist interventions, they aim to empower young people to complete their education, avoid anti-social behaviour and become positive contributors to society. They work with up to 500 young people each week across 6 clubs, helping them to recognise their full potential.The Harrow Club with high ceilings, period windows, and exposed beams has a large sports hall which is a preserved reminder of the Club’s heritage, plus a smaller dance studio, both of which were heated by an old continuous gas-fired radiant tube system that had ‘life-expired’.Project SolutionBuilding Services Engineering Consultants, SS and A of Great Portland Street were commissioned by the Harrow Club to explore options for the replacement of the old radiant heating system. They called on the expertise of Powrmatic to review possibilities and offer a solution.The installation of the new systems was expertly undertaken by Industrial Commercial Environments Ltd of East Sussex. Radiant heating is the most suitable form of heat for both sports halls and dance studios as the lower air temperature for the same comfort level is approx. 5ºC lower than with a warm air system, thus producing a beneficial environment for the activities. A new Powrmatic SRP-PCV+ continuous gas-fired radiant tube system was the proposed solution. This enabled the installation to follow the route of the existing thus minimising costs and disruption during the works.Project ResultThe new Powrmatic SRP-PCV+ continuous radiant heating systems in the two halls have provided the Harrow Club with energy-efficient heating for the next two to three decades. These systems deliver the comfortable environment crucial for the well-being of the young people that the club nurtures in their quest to improve their futures.The Harrow Club now benefits from the energy-efficient Powrmatic SRP-PCV+ systems, listed on the Carbon Trust Energy Technology List (ETL), reducing their fuel bills, carbon emissions and thus their impact on the environment.

Labelled as Birmingham's most sustainable office building, One Centenary Way offers modern, dynamic workspaces for up to 3,500 people. Discover how Boon Edam's entrance solutions facilitate seamless, secure access and align with the building's sustainability and design vision.Read the full case study here.

ELAM is a world-class 16-19 Academy which opened in one of the most deprived areas of the UK. ELAM offers young people everything that they will need to lead successful lives within the music, games design and film and television sectors – the Recognition, the Access and the Relevant skills to become ‘Industry Ready’.

CHU Martinique is a public health facility providing a threefold mission of Care, Teaching and Research. The Fort-de France CHU is the principal multidisciplinary hospital operator in Martinique. As a health care institution for the local population, it caters for some 160 000 people in the North Caribbean area and Fort-de-France.

A small development of new build properties has been completed near Helston in Cornwall, homes which will be exclusively available to local people with long-standing associations with the area. The homes have renewable heating systems installed with Aerona³ air source heat pumps and cylinders all supplied by Grant UK.

The World Trade Centre in Marseille is a multi-functional office space with a conference and business centre. With a daily footfall of almost 1000 people spread over the 2500m2 of the convention centre and 600m2 of the business centre, the new space at City Center Vieux-Port underwent a redesign and renovation to accommodate a busy office environment.

In 1858, Florence Nightingale expressed the following words: ‘Unnecessary noise is the most cruel absence of care which can be inflicted upon either the sick or well!’ Today, more than 100 years after, research shows that we are still struggling with noise wherever people live, work, sleep and recover.

 Across Europe there has been a surge in the swimming pool sector. With many more people staying at home and foreign travel restricted both domestic and commercial pool manufacturers have seen a rise in new builds and renovation of existing pools. Trends indicate that 2021 will see a further rise in local markets as more people cocoon and less people travel abroad. Commercial pool operators are also seeing a rise in popularity and are taking the opportunity of enforced closures to update and renew existing infrastructure. In the UK it is expected that now Brexit has been finalised, investors in UK hotels, Spas and High-end residences will drive the wet leisure market further. In a new feature on their website, leading acoustic panel manufacturer Troldtekt summarises the knowledge, trends and examples which will help influence the design of swimming centres today and in the future.  The feature includes 16 trends compiled by the International Association for Sports and Leisure Facilities. These cover everything from economics and digital features to new uses and products which influence the architecture of pools and their construction. Pools can be used for different purposes and by quite different groups of people. This places demand on designers and developers to provide perfect layout and solutions to create the best atmosphere.  One interesting aspect is how modern swimming centres need to satisfy many expectations from different types of user. For example one pool needs to accommodate the needs of elite swimmers with those people wanting to exercise, young families and wellness enthusiasts. Each group is looking for a different type of experience and unless planned, there is a risk of friction between them. Architects such as GPP Arkitekter and Bay Arch have succeeded in this balancing act as shown in the newly built Frederikssund Swimming Centre.  One of the most important aspects and one universally agreed across all types of user is the control of noise. For example, absorption of the loud sounds from splashing, shouting and playing is essential. This is why Troldtekt’s acoustic wood wool panels are often specified because of their durability, appearance and are natural breathable meaning they will absorb and release moisture making them perfect for wet area installations. Manufactured from certified wood, a 100% natural material, and cement extracted from Danish mineral resources, they achieve high levels of technical and acoustical performance and can be disposed of harmlessly, breaking down in the soil.  Founded on the Cradle-to-Cradle design concept, the natural and inherently sustainable panels are available in a variety of different surfaces and colours and contribute to a building’s BREEAM, DGNB and LEED ratings. In addition to their high sound absorption and tactile surface, they offer high durability and low cost lifecycle performance. Available in various sizes and in four grades from extreme to coarse, the panels can be left untreated or painted in virtually any RAL colour. The theme is available at https://www.troldtekt.com/news/themes/swimming-centres/ or https://bit.ly/2LJJiGU while samples, case studies and technical guidance is available from tel 01978 664255 or Troldtekt.co.uk. 

The Proteus SC cladding panels are arranged in a striking half-hexagon design that appears to float outward from the main structure. The 6 metre high façade, where the panels themselves are embellished by intricately designed, leaf-shaped perforations, has the ability to stop people in their tracks while they gaze at the intriguing, shimmering aesthetic.

The £8m project involved the demolition of an existing derelict 120-bed nursing home on Pevensey Bay Road in Eastbourne and the development of a new 80-bed care home for a Barchester Healthcare Mortain Place Care Home – which has been specifically designed to provide high-quality residential care to older people.

Albino and his family were keen to create a space to entertain guests and family. “I’m Italian, so when we have family get-togethers there are at least 20 people! We wanted to entertain, host parties and have friends over for dinner using both the indoor and outdoor spaces really easily”.