"permanent formwork for arches"

Sitting adjacent to Manchester Victoria station, the £185m New Victoria development is a two-phase scheme initially involving two residential towers of 20 and 25 storeys providing 520 one, two and three bed apartments. The second phase being a 13-storey office block. The façade concept is a ‘hooped envelope around a glass box’ with the ‘envelope’ consisting of vertical panels from the first floor to roof level. As with any reinforced concrete slab design, the project is at risk of punching shear failure. Which traditionally has been resolved by adding further concrete, such as downstand beams or localised thickened column heads. However these measures require complex formwork and significantly reduce the benefits of the flat slab design. By incorporating the Schöck Bole shear rail system – with its ready-to-install reinforcement element consisting of double-headed studs with spacing bars to ensure correct positioning – installation is cost-effective and significantly faster than traditional loose links. In fact, Shaun Farrell of Mayo Civils, the concrete frame contractor, comments: “We were pleased to find that by using the Bole shear rail system on the project, installation was four times faster than if we had used shear links.” Shaun goes on to explain that: “when using traditional links the installation time is increased because twelve ties are involved, six of which have to be tied to the bottom steel matt, which involves getting your hands between the rebar. With the Schöck Bole six-stud shear rail, it only involves two ties to the top matt”. 

Brett Martin added a hat trick of international projects to an already impressive portfolio of major sporting venues - Wembley Stadium, Galway Racecourse and Kensington Oval in Barbados.Over 5,000 square metres of Safelight translucent GRP rooflights were installed on the magnificent 90,000 seat Wembley Stadium. The Safelight rooflights cover and brighten a significant area of the stadium directly beneath the iconic arch, providing 70% transmission of diffused natural light. Supplied in lengths ranging from 12.8m to 15.4m, the sheets were installed running from gutter to gutter, creating a series of individual bays without endlaps. Rooflights are an essential design feature for sports stadia, enabling natural daylight to reach the pitch - vital for promoting grass growth and helping ground staff to maintain an optimum playing surface that also looks impressive for televised events. The diffused daylight from Safelight GRP rooflights also improves the ambience for spectators by creating a brighter, more pleasant environment. 

Stargroves, a Grade II listed building, is a manor house and estate in Hampshire. Its best known for being the home of Mick Jagger in the 70s. The on site recording studio has been used by The Rolling Stones, Rod Stewart, and Bob Marley, adding to the rich history of the site.Other bands who have recorded on the grounds include Bob Marley, Iron Maiden and Status Quo.The project entailed the refurbishment of the internal swimming pool area. Main contractor SizeBreed Construction, gave the project to Soundis, to resolve the persistent reverberation issues within the area. Crucially, however, they didn’t want a solution which took away from the character of the building.This was perfect project for the seamless 25mm Spray Plaster Boards. This system can be applied to virtually any surface, including straight and curved walls, dramatic angles and arching domes. Which was particularly helpful on the outside the pool area. Acoustic spray plaster solutions offer a more flexible, discreet alternative to traditional acoustic solutions, such as suspended ceilings.

Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton, SomersetSomerset NHS Foundation TrustContractor:Portakabin®Product:The Coniston Wall Mounted CanopyProduct Size:Phase 1 - 23.8m x 4m – 4.5mPhase 2 - 11m x 4.5m and 2.5m x 4mAccessories:Side panels, planter pads and rear postsFrame Colour: Hipca White – RAL 9910Install Date:Phase 1 - 21st March – 1st April 2022Phase 2 - 19th – 27th April 2022The BriefMusgrove Park Hospital in Taunton, Somerset were looking to increase the space within their hospital and provide a discharge lounge to support patients on the day they are ready to return to their usual home setting.Building a permanent extension would be a lengthy process, so to speed up the project, they opted for a temporary portable building supplied and installed by modular building specialists Portakabin®. The temporary building would be in place until a more permanent solution is found within the next couple of years.Although the building would only be in place for a couple of years, it was established that they would require some form of shade and shelter to connect the new building to the existing brick building and provide shelter above entrances for both buildings.The Solution To provide the shade and shelter the hospital required, Portakabin® contacted Able Canopies having previously worked with us before, to request a quotation. The canopy of interest was the Coniston Wall Mounted Canopy, this is because we have worked with Portakabin® in the past and have developed special brackets so that our Coniston canopy fits onto their modular buildings perfectly we’ve also developed planter pads so that the Coniston is not installed into the ground.These adaptions were introduced specifically for temporary buildings because our canopies are designed to be permanent structures however, the need for high quality canopies attached to temporary buildings was becoming more and more apparent. The adaptions therefore enable us to remove the canopy easily without causing damage to the buildings and groundworks.After a selection of design changes, the final design chosen was a 23.8m Coniston with a 4m projection that extended to a 4.5m projection, a 11m x 4.5m Coniston and a 2.5m x 4m Coniston.Some of the canopies needed to be installed away from the building to allow for the air conditioning units and other obstacles. This is not problem for the Coniston as we can use rear posts to transform it into a free standing canopy which is exactly what we did here.They also chose to have side panels installed onto the canopies for additional protection from driving rain and wind during the colder months.The Installation The installation was scheduled to take place over two phases with the larger canopy being installed first and the smaller two canopies being installed a couple of weeks later. This was so that either the right-hand or left-hand sided ramps could be accessible at all times to all patients, staff and visitors. This was a not a problem as we often install larger jobs over a number of phases to allow the similar circumstances and to fit in with other building works.The varying design of the canopies made it hard to capture the end design in photos however, the technical diagrams below shows both phase 1 and phase 2 canopies.

In this case study, taken from Episode 29 of The Quiet Mark Podcast - LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACOUSTICS! - we discuss Film Studios with Barry Jobling, Partner with Hoare Lea, who, in addition to working on numerous studios including Dagenham, Elstree and Manchester, recently contributed to a new report from JLL: Reel Estate – Film and TV Studios as an Investment. It reveals that an increased appetite for film and TV content across a growing number of platforms is creating demand for further significant studio capacity in the UK. The report includes contributions from in-house experts at Hoare Lea, along with the British Film Commission and Scott Brownrigg. It highlights that the demand for new studio capacity, services and facilities has never been greater, with up to 4.5m sq ft of new development under consideration in order to meet it. This is more than double the current amount of permanent stage space in the UK.

This Village Hotel is a 4-star hotel and leisure club that opened in December 2018 and is located just north of Bristol in Filton. This hotel has 153 rooms, a licensed pub, restaurant, car park, Starbucks, meeting and events facilities and a gym with a heated swimming pool, steam room and sauna. This hotel is 13.3 miles from Bristol Airport, close to the M4 and M5, and within easy reach of Weston-Super-Mare and Wookey Hole, and close to the UWE Exhibition and Conference Centre. This development has created over 100 permanent jobs within the local community.Cellecta HiDECK Acoustic Overlay 28 was specified by 3DReid for this project due to the floor treatment’s high density and superior compressive strength resilient layer; it provides outstanding levels of acoustic performance, exceeding legislative requirements. The board has a tongue and groove edge profile, allowing for screw-free installation.Willmott Dixon was awarded the contract to construct this 932m² development.

Anaconda Cut, also known as 100 Greengate, is a 44 storey apartment building. Situated next to the River Irwell, it is the tallest building in the City of Salford and one of the tallest in Greater Manchester.It is home to 349 elegant rental apartments, including luxury penthouses. Artform were asked to provide external seating, tables & planters for 2 roof terraces. Our popular range of out-sider products were considered due to the lightweight nature for manoeuvring, material durability and a wide range of colour options.A key factor in the design discussion was the end client's concerns regarding the use of timber products for a variety of reasons, including maintenance resulting in alternative materials being sourced. One of the key benefits of the Loop range of products is that they don't need to be permanently fixed down and can also be filled with either sand or in this instance water, adding ballast weight, taking a product with an initial weight of 37kg to in excess of 250kg.

Renowned for its colourful, bold designs, JA!COCO! has transformed Beer52’s Edinburgh office into a glorious dynamic, flexible and bold space, highlighting the beauty of the Georgian townhouse it is situated in, whilst embodying the brand’s strong identity.As the world’s biggest beer subscription service, Beer52 wanted an office space that was colourful and playful – the crazier JA!COCO! went, the better! Taking inspiration from Roald Dahl and David Lynch, the office space now boasts grand, arched-entrance swing doors, beer taps on receptions and floor-to-ceiling custom window blinds – to name just a few. On the first floor, an eclectic zig zag flooring design has also been created, using Forbo’s Flotex Colour range in the Melon (a burned orange shade) and Crystal (a heather-like hue) colourways. In fact, the colourways influenced the colour scheme for the office space, with similar shades adorning the walls, ceilings and swing doors.JA!COCO! also chose to install Forbo’s Allura Click LVT planks in the Blond Timber colourway throughout the hallway and kitchen spaces, to complement the more ‘stripped back’ décor, which has an almost bar-like atmosphere.

As part of the Wandsworth regeneration programme to increase the number of affordable homes, Wates Residential were awarded the contract to build a new, six-storey block of apartments on the Shuttleworth Road.The structure included 59 concrete balconies, all requiring waterproofing with a product with a minimum fire rating of A2-s1-d0, tested to BS EN 13501-1.Not only were Newton able to recommend a product that had already been used on a similar project this year, they were also able to recommend the expert services of Newton Specialist Contractor Arti Structural Waterproofing.The minimum fire rating of A2-s1-d0 now precludes the polyurethane and polyurea products that were commonly used on balconies, so Newton recommended the cementitious and modified-polymer Newton 103-S membrane. As well as carrying the required fire rating, 103-S can resist extremely high positive and negative water pressure, forming a hard, durable coating with a degree of elasticity that makes it ideal for protecting concrete.Arti also used Newton 203-RM to create smoothing fillets, and Newton 912-RT to reinforce the 103-S over the joints, details and changes in direction.On site, Arti also needed to work flexibly, as the programme could not proceed without the waterproofing and fireproofing of the balcony upstands. However, due to the propping of the concrete formwork to the floors above, Arti had to execute their installation in two phases of efficient and detailed waterproofing.Thanks to a meticulous eye for detail, as well as careful planning and thorough preparation of the concrete balconies, Arti were able to complete the waterproofing of all 59 balconies in two stages. This was managed as well as delivering the required A2-s1-d0 fire rating, and the installation was completed quickly without compromising the programme of the build.

Following successful works for the London Underground, Koster were asked to design waterproofing systems for use inside live tunnels for the Glasgow Underground. Following close analysis of the structure, surrounding ground and constant use, a bespoke design was settled upon which involved an area injection system as the main form of waterproofing protection.Koster Injection Gel G4, an acrylic injection material was selected, mainly due to the fact that it has an extremely low viscosity and will not contaminate ground water or soils.When injected in a grid pattern across the substrate (through pre -installed injection ports), it will travel through the pores of the brickwork and "Gel" forming a permanently elastic mass capable of holding back the pressure of water behind the structure.The Koster Technical team become heavily involved in these types of projects, working carefully with the design team and contractors ensuring a successful project completion.For more information or for advice on a similar project, please contact the Koster Technical team on technical@kosteruk.com.

HMS Belfast, the most significant surviving Royal Navy warship from the Second World War, has been equipped with L1 category fire systems from Advanced. The decommissioned destroyer, which is permanently moored as a museum ship on the River Thames in London, was fitted with eight-loop and two-loop MxPro 5 fire panels, plus a TouchControl touchscreen remote control terminal and repeater.Fitted on behalf of the Imperial War Museum, which owns and operates the historic vessel, the new fire system covers six of the warship’s nine decks, as well as its on-shore visitor pavilion.Advanced’s long-standing partner, ADI Global, was responsible for the supply of the fire alarm control panels for the project at HMS Belfast, while facilities services company Atalian Servest was responsible for the installation, commissioning and networking of the fire panels in accordance with BS 5839. The panels were integrated with around 700 Apollo XP95 detectors and interfaced with VESDA aspirating smoke detection.

Project DescriptionThe new £180M RHSC facility has 1,800 rooms over 50,000m² in a modern and high-quality setting at Little France, Edinburgh. The five-storey building, has a large atrium with a shop and cafe, a stunning skylight linking both hospital entrances, a helipad on the roof and a link building adjoining adult and paediatric emergency departments.Specific Project ChallengesThe single largest ever BIM project undertaken by HLM ArchitectsA roof of highest quality to ensure best environment for patientsThe first acute hospital facility to be procured under the Scottish Government’s Non Profit Distributing Model (NPD)Solutions OfferedThe standing seam system incorporated a series of tapered and straight sheets to ensure that the curved roof plan was achieved without the need for junctions, as well as providing the platform for a vast array of photovoltaics, and a permanent roof access walkway.Ash & Lacy also supplied support in the form of site inspections throughout the construction process, design for roof tapers and all perimeter and feature fabrications and fasteners.

Non-Conductive Fencing, Trench Covers and Access Structures | Case StudyPower and Energy Infrastructure Contractor Morgan Sindall was appointed to design, build and commission the new converter station and chose to work with Dura Composites to provide safe, non- metallic Glass Reinforced Polymer (GRP) utility fencing for the AC/DC Halls, as well as a range of non-conductive access structures, utility trench covers & handrailing across the site.The IFA2 project aims to connect the electricity systems of Great Britain and France using high voltage subsea cables and will be capable of exporting or importing 1000MW of power between the UK and France, enough to power up to 1 million homes. In this project, the client specification mandated the use of non-conductive and non-metallic materials which could be used to construct removable fencing, permanent fencing and sliding gates to enable access to specific authorised personnel, whilst preventing others from accessing high-risk areas.

In Rugby, 57 aerial masts and a radio station are the genesis for the beginning of a new town, centred around the recently finished Houlton School. The carefully considered design of the School by Van Heyningen & Haward (VHH), is the successful retrofit of a collection of historic, grade 2 listed radio station buildings. Its cost-effective evolution into a thriving, sustainable secondary school comes through the careful integration of the previous buildings and by choosing to use products that fitted soundly within the pre-existing vernacular.Adapting the original framework to today’s standards was a job that took years to come to fruition, careful application of steel frame and the restoration of the original brickwork has meant that the two main listed structures, Transmission Hall and Power Hall will become a place of learning for generations of students. Handmade clay bricks provided by Michelmersh were vital to the restoration of the project, where they were used to ensure the structures could be repaired and retained rather than rebuilt from the ground up.Throughout the project, various elements of the building's industrial past have been retained, with arched windows and high ceilings to ensure that the history of this nearly century-old building is revered, but not overpowering compared to its newly instated modern sensibilities.Houlton School recently won the Refurbishment Category at the BDA Brick Awards.

Total Traffic Exopave (TTE®) is a distinctively designed permeable paving system which combines strength with versatility. Made from recycled high-density polyethylene (HDPE), the interlocking pavers can be filled with either grass or gravel providing a SuDs compliant solution. TTE® is a particularly suitable heavy duty paver for permanent and overspill coach or HGV parking applications. TTE® has both high compressive strength and high shear strength, enabling it to withstand much higher loading, accelerating, braking and turning forces than standard heavy duty pavers.Features and benefits:Withstand weight of up to 40 tonnes.Filled with either grass or gravel infill. SuDS compliant.Easy to install and maintain.Designed for HGV traffic.Reduced sub base depths required.High shear strength reduces limitations whilst accelerating, braking and turning.Textured surface for improved grip, and as a result improves user safety.Wheelchair regulations compliant.High water permeability.Alternative to concrete and tarmac surfaces.Sympathetic to the natural environment.

My Design, an architecture and interior design studio, uses ESCREO whiteboard paint to design comfortable, organised and creative home offices. The passion of their team is to put function above form without compromising on the wishes of the user. This is how they make interiors subject to the daily activities, hobbies and needs of their clients. They also witness the evolution of home and “home office” space, new solutions for more comfort when working from home and new distribution planning trends that can be taken into account in an upcoming residential interior fit out or refurbishment of an apartment. They share that "just as we have not deprived ourselves of the comforts of the modern world, so we want to expand the field of useful materials, surfaces and useful ideas". A traditional whiteboard raises some issues that whiteboard paint does not and one can still write on and wipe off as much as they would like. This is a lot of fun for children and it is expanding the range of writable surfaces for creative expression. It turns out to be fun also for us, the grown-up ones, at the same time convenient and super useful. Today, ESCREO whiteboard paint is part of the evolutionary process of communication. It brings creativity, motivation and productivity to your home office. You can read more details in our interview with Arch. Iva Tsalovska where we discuss applicable home office solutions and the changes in the home interior over the last two years.

Kielder Observatory Surespan designed and manufactured two sets of bespoke double leaf hatch doors for the Kielder Observatory located in England’s largest forest in Northumberland.  The ProjectAs part of the Kielder Art and Architecture program, Charles Barclay Architects designed Kielder Observatory for the Forestry Commission. The all-timber observatory was constructed from Douglas fir with larch cladding, the pier-like building has rotating turrets that house two permanent telescopes and an observation deck. The turrets can be rotated through 360 degrees.The observatory generates its energy using a wind turbine and photovoltaic panels and includes a composting toilet. The observatory has received 2009 awards from the RIBA and The Civic Trust and featured in the inaugural World Architecture Festival.  The ProductSurespan design and manufactured two sets of bespoke double leaf hatch doors for the roof and the front of the Observatory’s two rotating turrets – one to house a 20” Pulsar manual telescope and the other for a small Mead 14” telescope.  FeaturesThese hatches are electrically operated and have been specially designed to open in a specific sequence using remote control via 24v dc actuators.      

IntroductionSurespan design and manufactured two sets of bespoke double leaf hatch doors for the Kielder Observatory located in England’s largest forest in Northumberland. Products suppliedWe supplied;Surespan designed and manufactured two sets of bespoke double leaf hatch doors for the roof and the front of the Observatory’s two rotating turrets – one to house a 20” Pulsar manual telescope and the other for a small Mead 14” telescope. Features:These hatches are electrically operated and have been specially designed to open in a specific sequence using remote control via 24v dc actuators.The projectAs part of the Kielder Art and Architecture program, Charles Barclay Architects designed Kielder Observatory for the Forestry Commission.The all-timber observatory was constructed from Douglas fir with larch cladding, the pier-like building has rotating turrets that house two permanent telescopes and an observation deck. The turrets can be rotated through 360 degrees.The observatory generates its energy using a wind turbine and photovoltaic panels and includes a composting toilet.The observatory has received 2009 awards from the RIBA and The Civic Trust and featured in the inaugural World Architecture Festival.

Born in the historic headquarters of a nineteenth-century factory, Lanolin Fabrik is an ensemble of offices, lofts with kitchen spaces, terraces, loggias and green oases that make it a modern, functional and human-sized workplace.Our customer has implemented a new system consisting of domestic water supply and irrigation pumps for this historic complex: Esybox Max was chosen as the mains water booster set, whilst for the irrigation of the green areas the DAB Esytwin compact variable speed booster was identified as the solution.3 Esybox Max is a market leading technologically innovative water booster set, demonstrated to be highly efficient. The use of permanent magnet motors has contributed to a 20% efficiency improvement over industry standard pumps. The solution was designed and perfectly sized to obtain constant pressure for all users but with the minimum possible energy use.All the pumps in the water booster system were connected to a single control panel, which regulates the power supply to the multipump units.The complex consists of 2 buildings, one with 5 and one with 7 floors, and the entire water boosting system that powers it is monitored and managed remotely using the DAB D.Connect cloud based service.

Leeds University required a New Permanent Exhibition Gallery, and a Changing Exhibits Gallery, both of which would be supplemented with a Public Engagement Seminar Gallery in the University’s iconic Parkinson Building, which fronts onto Woodhouse Lane. Each of these galleries are susceptible to dramatically increased reverberation and echo noise problems once they start filling up with visitors, so a sound absorption solution was investigated and proposed by the Architect. The solution specified was a monolithic suspended raft ceiling rather than fabric wall panels or hanging.Soundis supplied and UK Acoustic Systems installed convex and concave Absorb-R GypLine αw. Absorb-R GypLine αw provided a coverage of 130 sq metres, offering high levels of sound absorption to each gallery, but also more importantly left the walls clear of panels and the ceilings without visible acoustic baffles, providing virtually seamless surfaces. This system was perfectly suited for the Treasures Gallery as it was able to provide an aesthetic finish and solution to improve the experience of the visitors in the galleries.“Vice-Chancellor Sir Alan Langlands said: “We are incredibly proud of our Library with its Special Collections of international importance which have been built up over the past century.”

Our team at Helmsman manufactured and installed 35 three-compartment Laminate Lockers and 55 Solid-grade Laminate cladding for this project. The specifications of laminate lockers were 1800mm high, 300mm wide, and 450mm deep.The body of the lockers was powder coated in our shade of ‘Ice’, whereas the choice of the laminate, our client decided on colour ‘Graphite’. Along with the Heavy Duty Lockers, solid-grade laminate cladding was also requested which was in colour of ‘Graphite’ to match the lockers. Solid-grade laminate top cladding is a great choice as it encloses the lockers and reduces the storage on top of the lockers.The Laminate Lockers at Amazon was finished with vinyl numbering as well as Ojmar combination lock 8001 in ‘Black’. Ojmar combination lock is an excellent choice of lock type, as it provides options of setting the locks as a free-use mode or dedicated mode, which means that it can be used by different users each time or permanently by one. Additionally, it assures the users that their personal belongings are safe and secure in the locks.Laminate Lockers are a fantastic choice for many sectors. The material of laminate lockers is highly durable, which means that there would be less damage, dents, or scratches, as well as aesthetics with the variety of colours we have at Helmsman offer to the clients.

In 2016 award-winning landscape designers, The Edible Bus Stop, were commissioned by the Brixton BID to deliver a legacy installation for the Brixton Design Trail as part of the London Design Festival.Their brief was to create a parklet at the entrance to this famously foreboding building. The space had been habitually populated by street drinkers and labelled an anti-social environment by the residents and neighbouring businesses. The brief was to challenge the notion that the addition of seating and creating a space to dwell would increase anti-social behaviour and, on the contrary, that good design could improve perceptions of safety and empower a sense of wellbeing in a community.During the summer, planting beds were refurbished and many edibles and herbs, including fruit trees, were planted. Several Vestre Stripes elements were installed to punctuate the space with communal seating. The parklet was an instant success and quickly populated by residents of all ages, passers-by and visitors to local businesses. As a result, the ‘test-bed’ has now become a permanent legacy; an exemplar of how local stakeholder commissioning and intelligent socially minded design can be an agent of social change to create spaces of genuine community value.Client: Brixton BIDLandscape Design: The Edible Bus StopAddress: Southwyck HouseColdharbour LaneBrixtonLondonSW9 8TX

Avoiding gas reliance when building a new house.Traditional self-build projects have always had heating systems such as gas central heating and solar panels installed. However, with the increasing costs of gas, and the uncertainty of future supplies, a secondary heating source is required.There are options such as ground heating pumps, etc. but a real heating system independent of the grid, plus a stunning focal point has to be a wood burning stove.In fact, wood logs are now the cheapest domestic heating fuel. According to the Stove Industry Alliance, wood now is “costing households 74% less per kWh than electric heating and 21% less than gas heating”. The benefits don’t end there. “Using a modern wood burning stove also costs 29% less to run than an air source heat pump. Wood logs are 87% less carbon intensive than gas, 88% less than electricity and 74% less than an air source heat pump.”Building a traditional steel pipe flue system is always an option, but steel systems are more suitable in retrofit projects where minimum disruption is required. When you are building a house from the ground up, then a more permanent and ultimately lifetime option is the better one.

CHALLENGEIlam Park was a popular tourist destination in the Peak District with a parking problem. The main car park is paved with asphalt but their sloped overflow car park suffered from rutted, unsafe and uneven surfaces due to poor drainage and puddling. More asphalt would create water runoff and drainage problems elsewhere so a permanent and durable permeable paving solution was required.SOLUTIONHanpaveTM was chosen as it’s a freedraining system that’s tested to bear almost any vehicle. There are no more problems with rutting or uneven surfaces. It’s also highly durable, weather-resistant and made from 100% recycled plastic. When installed on a properly engineered permeable base (no pipes or ducting required!), it can be in-filled with gravel or grass for an attractive, stable base that becomes virtually invisible to the average user.CONCLUSIONHanpaveTM was installed in 2019. We called in on a very wet day in November 2022 and the HanpaveTM grids were in excellent condition. Surfaces were even, rutting was gone and, even in torrential rain, puddling could only be found in areas paved with asphalt – not HanpaveTM. Despite some extremely hot summers, Hanpave’s unique expansion absorbing design and professional installation have given Ilam Park an effective, longlasting and attractive solution to their overflow parking problems.

Portakabin Ltd. were working on a project for Servicecare Support Services Ltd. to install a temporary canteen and locker room facility. They required the extra building space so they could continue to operate whilst adhering to social distancing measures throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.Alongside the temporary building, they were in need of a wall mounted canopy along the right elevation to provide weather protection above the main entrance to the building that leads to the corridor.Able Canopies have been working with Portakabin for a number of years, adding shade and shelter structures to their temporary buildings. Although our canopies are permanent structures, we have designed above ground planter pads and special wall brackets to enable us to install the canopies and take them down when they are on longer required.These adaptions have been designed for our Coniston Wall Mounted Canopy and have been successfully used for many years now. The staff at Portakabin therefore put the Coniston Wall Mounted Canopy forward to Servicecare Support Ltd. who were pleased with the design and specifications and were happy to go ahead with the installation.The final design was 10m in length with a 3m projection to cover the whole span of the temporary building and provide the weather protection required above the entrance.

A high-profile project, involving the unique new Sconnex® type W thermally insulating wall connection, is Haberdashers’ Boys’ School, just north of London.   It is one of the UK’s leading independent boys' schools and sets exemplary standards, in both educational terms and in its facilities as well.  Demonstrated by the new reinforced concrete extension to the Preparatory School, where cube_design architects were commissioned to produce a design for three additional classrooms and relocated changing facilities.  Jane Lock-Smith, the founder of cube_design and RIBA Client Design Advisor within the Building Schools for the Future programme, observes: “The design is respectful to the style of the existing building, but offers a contemporary twist through the use of full height glazing and charred timber cladding. A colonnade also minimises the buildings footprint.  Our detailing took into account that around 40% of all thermal bridges in a building are caused by walls and supports.  The Schöck product offers an application-friendly, high-quality solution that contributes to a permanently sustainable building concept”.   The outstanding insulation performance is combined with an excellent load bearing capacity, which transmits very high pressure, tensile and shear forces, both in the longitudinal and transverse direction. The ultra-high performance pressure buffer achieves compressive strength levels in excess of 175 N/mm2. Sconnex® type W also achieves a significant cost reduction when compared with the installation of insulation beneath the floor slab.  

FOAMGLAS® T4+ (Slab)Design Architects: C.F. Moller & Purcell Miller TrittonMain Contractor: Bovis Lend LeaseApplication: Compact Roof - Gallery Roof & Restaurant Terrace FOAMGLAS® S3 (Slab )Finish: PaversFOAMGLAS® insulation was specified for the new gallery terrace and restaurant of the National Maritime Museum. With limited height available upon the roof there was no space for a concrete screed to falls. Therefore, architects Purcell Miller Tritton needed a factory machined tapered insulation with a slope to shed water. In addition, the limestone terrace paving must withstand the loads imposed by vehicles and so the insulation beneath had to withstand these dynamic loads without any compression.FOAMGLAS® T4+ slab insulation was specified for the project due to these conditions. FOAMGLAS® does not move or deflect under loads, and is available factory machined with a tapered slope. Its thermal performance is reliable and permanent and it is guaranteed for the lifetime of the building. The new roof of the gallery has paved areas, and green planting with hidden drain age and water supplies.The restaurant terrace gives wonderful view of the World Heritage Site, Greenwich Park and the Royal Observatory. The gallery has some fascinating objects; including jewels which belonged to Sir Francis Drake, journals written by Captain Cook’s during his long voyages, and personal items that survived the sinking of HMS Titanic.

Located in the East Midlands, Mountsorrel Quarry supplies the construction industry with large volumes of essential materials, which are used for construction projects throughout the UK.Due to an industrial fire which left a screen house beyond repair, a complete rebuild was required which included the design, supply and installation of safe, compliant access solutions.RequirementWright Engineering Group required four floors of open mesh flooring, handrail, stanchions and treads to re-build an industrial building at Mountsorrel Quarry that burnt down in November 2022, for the site to be back to full working capacity.SolutionLionweld Kennedy Group designed, manufactured and installed four floors of steel and GRP access solutions to the Mountsorrel site, enabling the building to be rebuilt safely. LK 20mm ball proof Safegrid flooring was required due to the height of the building and permanent access needed under each floor.Customer FeedbackLionweld Kennedy Group were by far the standout choice of all of the suppliers we contacted. From the beginning theservice was second-to-none, all items arrived on their project critical specified delivery dates, and the quality of the products were of a very high standard.Lionweld Kennedy Group remain a preferred supplier within the Wright Engineering Group due to the high quality of products and the excellent customer service always received.Luke Fagan, Construction Manager, Wright Engineering Group

The ChallengeLocated in the city of Nancy, the Centre Prouvé offers a flexible conference space complete with a 3000 m² exhibition hall, two auditoriums, thirteen meeting rooms and a panoramic reception area.With glass playing an integral role in the building design, the architect required a proven smoke control solution that would not distort the aesthetics of the development while adhering to safety regulations. Additionally, due to the high footfall of visitors, the chosen solution would have to be maintenance-free.As a leading fire-glass specialist, Pyroguard was approached by the architect Marc Barani of Atelier Barani to offer a suitable solution.The SolutionTo meet these requirements Pyroguard recommended Smokeguard – a permanent, maintenance-free glazing solution that acts as a smoke barrier, keeping low-level toxic fumes at bay for up to half an hour to give visitors maximum time to exit the building safely.Thanks to its perfect transparency, Smokeguard also met the aesthetic requirements with the 8 mm thick tempered monolithic glass offering 87 percent light transmission, to provide the perfect transparent protective barrier with minimal visual impact.As a result, over 100 m² of Smokeguard was installed in the atrium, escalators, and lift areas utilising its patented fastening system to mount the system to the ceiling areas.Click here for further information on Smokeguard or for further advice and support please contact us.

Liberty Point is a large student accommodation building positioned in a prime location in Southampton, close to the marina and city centre. The old asphalt and felt coverings had begun to display defects including splits, blisters and delamination; through which water ingress was occurring.The property management company responsible for the maintenance of the buildings decided to act quickly and find a permanent solution to the leaking that could be installed without disruption to the busy students living there.The SolutionPolyroof’s Protec System was decided upon as the best option due to the numerous details that would have to be encapsulated on the roof area. There is no liquid system that can do this quicker or more effectively than Protec; its unique RapidCure technology sees it turn from a liquid to a robust and flexible membrane that can be walked on after 30-60 minutes following application. Furthermore, its ability to coat an old roof without the need for stripping existing means that installations can be carried out within stringent time frames and with minimum disruption.CompletionWilliams Roofing Contractors Ltd, a highly experienced Polyroof approved contractor, carried out the installation. The quality of the workmanship coupled with the right choice of roofing material made for a superior refurbishment solution that remedied all the existing issues. The client was delighted with the finished roof and will have guaranteed peace of mind for decades to come.

The second phase with sustainable timberPlease Be Seated is a uniquely designed public artwork by London based designers, Paul Cocksedge Studio. The design allows locals and passers-by to stop and watch the world go by whether sat or even lying down. The structure was designed with locations in mind, not wanting to obstruct the busy shopping centres or detract from the surrounding architecture.The artwork was first designed and placed in London using reclaimed scaffolding boards. The second Chinese version of the artwork, however, used Accoya Wood. The structure was fabricated in partnership with UAP and the Accoya was sourced and supplied by local Accoya approved distributor, Jiangsu Dragon Wood (JDW). Paul Cocksedge Studio worked with JDW to complete and install, managing the entire process remotely as a result of Covid restrictions.The artwork is made from 1,440 planks of sustainably sourced, high-performance Accoya timber. A key benefit of Accoya that made it the material of choice is the Cradle to Cradle Gold Certification. This recognises that Accoya is fully circular, with no added synthetic materials, fully recyclable and non-toxic. The Accoya planks are supported by a framework of bent steel designed to be easily assembled and disassembled for travelling.Please Be Seated made its debut in China in 2020, in partnership with Swire Properties. The installation was relocated across numerous locations in China, starting at the Temple Plaza of Sino-Ocean Taikoo Li in Chengdu, before travelling to Guangzhou, Shanghai, and finally Beijing in 2021 where the public artwork is permanently residing.

Fircroft House in Essex has been completely transformed from a tired 1980s detached property into a distinctive home with a contemporary edge.Renovated throughout, Fircroft House features a new ground floor extension, pale grey timber-effect external cladding (replacing a brick and render façade), and brand new Rationel alu-clad windows and doors. In fact, sixteen new windows are installed across the property, including opening and fixed units, two large sliding patio doors, and a solid, grooved front door flanked by glazed side lights and set beneath an arched portico. When planning the refurbishment of Fircroft House, window and door replacement was a project priority, as the original property had single glazed, leaded, all-timber windows which made the interior very dark and were thermally inefficient. All-aluminium glazing was initially considered because the homeowners wanted an affordable, durable and contemporary frame design which looked more attractive than uPVC. They changed their mind, however, when they saw Rationel AURAPLUS alu-clad windows installed at a friend’s home: ‘The idea of a frame which combined timber and aluminium was very appealing,’ they say. ‘It offered the best of both worlds with hardwearing aluminium outside and thanks to the wood, a more tactile finish to the inner frames, so we decided to find out more.’ The homeowners are delighted with their new windows and doors and would happily recommend Rationel: ‘We are very impressed with the package offered by Rationel,’ they say. ‘The windows and doors are all high quality, low maintenance and look great, and the service we received from okoHaus was amazing from start to finish.’

Client: Durham County Council Main Contractor/Manufacturer: Retro Bridge Specialist Contractor: St Astier Consulting Contractors Main Products Used: Emseal BEJS SystemThe Witton Park Road Bridge near Bishop Auckland crosses the River Wear at the same place as the historic Witton Park Railway Viaduct, but at different angles. The main central bridging structure was being replaced as the old structure had deteriorated and become structurally unsound. The new prefabricated replacement section of the bridge is a Retro Beam Bridge design, made from thermally galvanised steel for long term durability and is 64 metres long, with a single-lane road carriageway plus a cycle path. The new bridge section was installed in just 3 days through the Victorian brick arches of the Viaduct by Retro Bridge. Then the teams from Durham County Council and St. Astier Consulting Contractors were able to work on the bridge deck expansion joints at each end, to ensure that these had an equally durable, watertight seal. To do this quickly and efficiently, as well as ensuring the long-term durability of the exposed joints, they selected the Emseal BEJS System provided and supported by NCC (Movement Joint Systems). The Emseal BEJS System can handle harsh environmental conditions and has greater movement capability, better low temperature flexibility and higher temperature stability than other joint movement technologies. In a single installation, BEJS provided a watertight durable seal, with a joint movement capability over 100%, including 3-dimensional movement, plus it required no invasive mechanical anchoring as it is bonded in position.

Radmat Building Products has supplied the waterproofing roofing system for the Crossrail Place shopping development and roof garden in Canary Wharf. The system provides high performance waterproofing and thermal insulation – guaranteed for the lifetime of the structure – and has enabled the construction of an extensively planted living roof.• The 310m long roof arches 30m over the park and opens to allow natural irrigation• Highly insulating roofing materials help create a microclimate for the gardensRadmat Approved Contractor Prater delivered a 9,300m² roofing solution using PermaQuik PQ6100 Hot Melt Monolithic Waterproofing Membrane, EshaFlex 370 WS Root Barrier and ProTherm insulation.Construction access to the complex inverted timber roof was challenging, so Radmat’s products were chosen for their quick and flexible application and fast-sealing properties.PermaQuik is widely used beneath green roof installations where long-term weather tightness is a necessity, and it was chosen to support the extensive and densely planted gardens, which are the main feature of the Crossrail Place roof terrace.The PermaQuik membrane was followed by EshaFlex 370 WS Root Barrier, a reinforced bitumen membrane that is torch applied to the base sheet. It was selected because of its thermal efficiency and suitability for use with living roof systems. Partnered with ProTherm’s excellent insulation, the complex timber roof now boasts a waterproof system that is BBA Certified to last the lifetime of the building.The wooden structure evokes the ships that once sailed into West India Dock and provides a warm, natural counterpoint to the steel and glass towers of Canary Wharf.And with Radmat’s high performance products and lifetime guarantee, the green roof terrace at Crossrail Place will be a living oasis in the heart of London’s financial district for years to come.

Leicester, nestled in the heart of England, has long been celebrated for its historical significance, being the final resting place of King Richard III and boasting a cultural heritage that spans centuries. While its historical charm and cultural heritage continue to draw tourists from around the globe, the city is also a bustling business centre. Beyond the medieval landmarks and archaeological treasures, Leicester also attracts thousands of commuters daily and relies heavily on a well-maintained and efficient transportation network.Recognising the crucial role that roads play in connecting the city’s historical landmarks, thriving businesses, and residential neighbourhoods, Leicester City Council has undertaken a comprehensive initiative of essential road repairs.The council partnered with HMS, a well-known surfacing contractor with over 30 years of expertise in repairing road surfaces all over the country. This collaboration signified a crucial step in the city’s journey to improve its roads and ensure a safe and successful commute to and from the city. PROJECT SCOPEPermanent joint or crack and pothole repairsHAPAS/BBA-approved specialist materialVarious roads in and around the city centre:Catherine Steet with the junction of Ulverscroft Road, including the roundaboutWatermead WayRedhill Way flyover and roundaboutPalmerston WayGlenfrith WayGroby Road, A50Traffic management OBJECTIVESExtend the road surface life in and around Leicester city centre with permanent road repairs that will last for a minimum of 10 years.Reduce the disruption to residents, commuters, and businesses with no costly road resurfacing works.Improving road safety and minimise vehicle wear and tear for all road users.RESULTS16,000 linear metres of joint and crack repairs.Circa 50 pothole repairs with 5 tonnes of HAPAS/BBA-approved specialist material.Completed in just 11 nights. Minimal disruption to residents, businesses, and commuters.Permanent road repairs increase the longevity of the road surface by 10 years or more, reducing the need for resurfacing work.HMS’s In-house traffic management to minimise disruption, reduce project costs, and ensure on-the-job flexibility – which is how we completed it in record time.These accomplishments stand as a testament to the strategic planning and seamless execution of Leicester City’s road repairs. IMPLEMENTATION#1. Traffic Management for Seamless RepairsHMS not only worked nights to ensure minimal disruption to drivers, but also our in-house traffic management ensured a flexible, but well-thought-out plan to minimise disruptions during surface repairs. This flexibility reduced costs for Leicester City Council and ensured the project was finished ahead of schedule. #2. Overbanding to Address Road Joint and CracksOverbanding is used as a targeted solution to address joints and cracks that may have started to appear on road surfaces. The technique involves applying a durable material over the damaged areas creating a seamless and protective layer that enhances the structural integrity of the road.By HMS addressing joints and cracks using this technique, Leicester City Council is proactively preventing further road surface deterioration, reducing the likelihood of more extensive and costly repairs in the future. #3. Pothole Repairs with HAPAS/BBA-Approved MaterialsHMS filled potholes that had appeared on the road surface with materials approved by the Highway Authorities Product Approval Scheme (HAPAS) and the British Board of Agrément (BBA). This ensures that the repairs meet rigorous standards for quality, durability, and safety. 4.      Hot-applied Sealing for LongevityHot-applied material was laid by HMS to create a weather-resistant barrier on the repaired surfaces. It protects against water infiltration, freeze-thaw cycles, and other environmental factors that can compromise the integrity of the road. The application extends the lifespan of the repairs and road surface, contributing to the overall resilience of Leicester’s road infrastructure and reducing road resurfacing costs. 5.      Quality Assurance“Leicester City Council regularly inspects the quality and effectiveness of the road surface repairs and we are very pleased with the quality of workmanship from HMS. The team have worked efficiently to ensure minimal disruption to road users and has completed all road repairs in a timely manner.” Jamie Long, Senior Highways Engineer, Highways Maintenance Team at Leicester City CouncilThe collaboration between Leicester City Council and HMS has resulted in safer roads for residents, commuters, business owners, and tourists who travel in and out of the City Centre. By employing HMS, the project was completed in just 11 nights, meaning minimal disruption to road users. In total, 16,000 linear metres and circa 50 potholes (5 tonne) were repaired, using HAPAS/BBA-approved materials. “The work that HMS has completed not only ensured the safety of our roads but also the longevity of our roads. These road repairs have a lifespan in excess of 10 years, reducing the costly exercise of undergoing road resurfacing works, not to mention the heavy disruptions to road users.”Jamie Long, Highways Engineer, Highways Maintenance Team at Leicester City Council

A chapel was first built at Swan Hill in the town of Shrewsbury in 1767. In 1868, this was demolished and replaced with the current building; schoolrooms were then added in 1880. Charters Property Ltd who specialise in property development, consultancy and project management, recently purchased the deconsecrated church and have transformed the building into a prestigious development of four fabulous homes.Sensitivity was key when renovating the property and the majority of the original features have been preserved. Original stone walls, lintels and cills have been repaired and impeccably replaced. The walls and roofs have been insulated and energy saving measures implemented to create a comfortable, efficient living environment.Although it was possible to restore some of the original fenestration, double glazed replacement steel windows were still required throughout the building. Clement were thrilled to manufacture these new steel windows and doors. Various Clement ranges were used to meet the different criteria required for the project. For example, the Brooking range was used for the beautiful arched head windows on the front elevation as it would best replicate the originals which would have been silicone fronted. EB16 was used for other windows where silicone fronting was not required and W20 was used to make the steel doors. In total over thirty individual windows were specified, all in various shapes and sizes.Clement Conservation Rooflights were also specified, which bring masses of light in through the beautiful, high ceilings.James Charters, Director of Charters Property said “We were very pleased with the attention to detail and finish of the steel windows, Clement took ownership of their section of the project and were able to deliver a complex scheme on time and to a very good standard. They remained client focussed throughout and we will happily use their service again.”Photography: Photos supplied by Charters Property and taken by Kate Sanders Photography