"polished concrete"

As part of a major rebranding project, global asset management company abrdn reimagined its Edinburgh workspace, with collaboration, choice and well-being were key elements of the design brief. A custom take on Milliken's Comfortable Concrete iconic design and its co-ordinating LVT floor covering Polished Concrete has been installed to create the aesthetic and performance the design team were looking for.

This Norwegian property company's headquarters in a chic and contemporary office space. The circulation areas feature Milliken's bold Three Corners design from the Clerkenwell collection in shades of cream and brown. Tracing Landscape' Field Study SDN design is installed in the meeting spaces in deep, dark tones of Secret Caves. Both carpet products offer exceptional acoustic performance keeping this workplace calm and quiet. For the kitchen and bathroom areas Polished Concrete LVT provides a practical flooring solution with a raw urban feel.

A combination of two cushion backed modular carpet designs - Facet and Coastline and one LVT floor covering Polished Concrete have been specified to colour zone this impressive warehouse transformation project by Wylde IA. Milliken's 10 day delivery service and Comfort Lite cushion backing, for acoustic performance, were key factors in the specification of these floor covering products.

When this Italian insurance giant was refurbishing its Polish headquarters, they chose five Milliken floor covering products for its circulation, office and conference spaces. Chosen for their aesthetics and performance, the carpet and LVT products make an important contribution to the well-being of Generali employees working in this destination workspace.

BMJ transformed its London office into a more flexible and dynamic, ‘smart hub’ style workplace. A combination of Milliken's carbon neutral LVT and modular carpet floor coverings have been define the various collaboration areas, meeting spaces and workstations. This installation is a great example of the flexibility of modular floor coverings and in managing acoustics in a largely open workspace.

For this busy educational building with high footfall, the Unexpected Purpose modular carpet offers rich saturated colour and excellent wear performance. Its Comfort Lite cushion backing also provides additional sound absorbency, particularly important for the quiet study areas in this building. The LVT floor coverings provides the recreational areas with a hard wearing, practical solution and the perfect urban aesthetic.

On this redevelopment project we worked closely with McLaren.Excell Architects to manufacture and supply bespoke concrete kitchen worktops and concrete cladded central island in a newly renovated penthouse flat at a warehouse in Shoreditch.The glass fibre reinforced concrete central island, splash backs and worktops were manufactured using our special GRC BTX concrete, which is lighter and stronger than traditional concrete. We used our unique eco concrete mix technology with a hydrophobic agent to limit moisture absorption. The individual elements were precast in our workshop for assembly on site and then hand polished and treated with a specialist sealant. Living Concrete’s worktops are extremely strong and durable and can be used indoors or outdoors. By using the best of modern technology, we have created a sleek contemporary look that demonstrates how concrete can be both eye catching and functional.

The Living Concrete team provided design consultancy and were selected to project manage the delivery of a new kitchen for a celebrity chef.The glass fibre reinforced concrete central island, table-come-workbench was manufactured using our special GRC BTX concrete, which is lighter and stronger than traditional concrete. We used our unique eco concrete mix technology with a hydrophobic agent to limit moisture absorption. The individual elements were precast in our workshop for assembly on site and then hand polished and treated with a specialist sealant. Large format GAP wall panels with concrete caps in Mist Rough finish completed the design.Living Concrete’s worktops and tables are extremely strong and durable and can be used indoors or outdoors. By using the best of modern technology, we have created a contemporary and elegant space that demonstrates how concrete can be both good looking and functional.

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

The Lift 109 viewpoint designed by Ralph Appelbaum Associates has opened within the rebuilt chimney of Battersea Power Station in London. We manufactured and installed a concrete reception desk for the Lift 109 Experience reception area which is located in the Power Station’s magnificent Art Deco Turbine Hall A.Living Concrete team used an innovative concrete application technique to create custom-built reception desk for our client Beck Interiors. MicroConcrete fluted tiles in Willow Green colour were cladded onto MDF frame, seamlessly achieving a very complex and detailed design. Hand cast and hand polished oval shape concrete worktops in Ivory were assembled onsite. By using the best of modern technology, we have created a modern and robust design that demonstrates how concrete can be both good looking and functional.

On this fast turnaround project we worked closely with Clarke Penman Architecture to manufacture and install polished concrete kitchen worktops and splash-backs.Concrete worktops are extremely strong and durable and designed to withstand busy family use. These were cast to the client’s individual and unique specifications using our BTX Ultra High Performance Concrete mix with a hydrophobic agent to limit moisture absorption. The worktops were cut to fit various kitchen appliances and then treated and sealed to make them stain proof.Spanning over 6 metres, separate large BTX concrete panels were carefully assembled on site and fitted with brass sink and taps by our experienced team. The finished effect is a modern, industrial look that complements client’s design style and blends perfectly with the raw plastered walls and concrete floors, which together create a truly unique and highly functional kitchen.

On this high profile development project the Living Concrete team worked to very tight deadlines installing 580m2 of self-levelling FluidConcrete flooring throughout the house. FluidConcrete has a smooth, Polished-Concrete-like finish, that makes it perfect for a modern, minimalist design that can be easily combined with materials like wood and ceramic and it is also suitable for under-floor heating. It can be applied to interior surfaces, with no need for joins or breaks.The large format bespoke Plain and Corner concrete panels were cast to the client’s individual and unique specifications using our BTX Ultra High Performance Concrete mix with a hydrophobic agent to limit moisture absorption. The panels were cut to fit around the staircase and walls and then treated and sealed to make them stain proof.The finished effect is a modern, spacious look that complements client’s design style and creates a truly unique and highly sophisticated space.

As part of a redevelopment at Coventry University, the Faculty of Arts and Humanities was transformed to feature a hyper studio designed for cross-disciplinary projects and new reception area.First of three, this new reception desk was assembled and finished by our team on site. Large precast polished concrete sections in Silk Mist finish were carefully fitted with a geometrically shaped Corian surround. We also added LED lighting strips to provide evenly distributed lighting around the area. We used our unique eco BTX ultra high performance concrete mix technology which helps to give our products the durability and performance they need.

Eastcheap Court has been newly re-designed by Trehearne Architects and Fletcher Preist, to provide best-in-class office space within a smart controlled environment.We manufactured and installed a precast concrete reception desk for the newly redesigned reception area. The desk was constructed from two large precast sections, and we used our special eco mix of glass fibre-reinforced concrete for this project. It was created in a White Smooth finish and was had-polished and assembled onsite. We also added LED lighting strips to provide evenly distributed lighting around the area. It was a successful build that the client was very happy with.

Project: Manufacture and installation of 200m2 of oversized bespoke GRC GAP wall panels. Client: Harris Partnership Architects, Kirkland & Bowmer, Muse Developments, Nexus, STC Project scope: Installation of 200m2 of 20mm x 3500mm x 1500mm GRC BTX concrete wall cladding panels in Tempest Grey colour to new and existing masonry walls and steel frame. The oversized bespoke GAP concrete panels with mitred edges were manufactured using GRC concrete, which is lighter and stronger than traditional concrete. The panels were fixed with anchor bolts and specialist adhesive to ensure extra secure installation and later polished and treated with specialist anti-graffiti coating.

Project: Large scale MicroConcrete installation to the reception walls at HKR Hoxton apartment block in London.Client: Tolent ConstructionMaterials used:  Grey colour MicroConcrete coating was hand trowelled in layers to a final thickness between 2 and 3mm and wax polished to achieve a satin finish.This was a large scale renovation project by Tolent Construction of a brand new residential building located on Hackney Road. The MicroConcrete Grey coating was hand applied to the walls in reception area of approx. 160m2.MicroConcrete is a great alternative to traditional polished concrete, and at a minimal thickness and weight it produces a seamless, continuous finish. Like MicroCement it can be applied to interior and exterior surfaces, without the need for joins. It can also be applied over existing surfaces. MicroConcrete is a smoother finish and is more slip-resistant than MicroCement.

This jaw dropping project featured Lazenby Light Natural polished concrete floors and cast in situ stairs. The concrete flows from the entrance hallways throughout the ground floor and up the feature staircase to the first floor landing.This 4 week phased project saw the polished concrete floor installed first. The formwork and reinforcement for the staircase was then fixed and built off the floor. Once the stairs had been cast the brass balustrades and handrails were retrofitted to the concrete.This self-supporting concrete architectural feature staircase involved discussions with external engineers who then designed the reinforcement. The complex angles, joins to other structural elements and the sleek elegance was meticulously planned and executed. The polished concrete floor joints carefully designed to enhance the creative charm of this project.Photography by David Butler

Lazenby’s Henley Buff Polished Concrete floor was laid in a new side and rear extension to this stunning property in Cheshire.A key consideration by the clients was that the polished concrete floor be a very close match to the concrete walls which had been cast by the main contractor. Lazenby provided numerous samples for sign off before the client confirmed Henley Buff as the selected colour.The architects wanted to use industrial materials such as concrete and timber throughout the project but still wanted to achieve a warm and homely environment. This was successfully achieved by a clever use of lighting and subtle tones within the materials.To create an ultra modern, flexible space, the polished concrete floor also extends out to the patio area where it connects seamlessly with the internal flooring

The clients wanted a floor that could run continuously throughout. From the kitchen to the garden and pool areas…. even up the stairs. Polished concrete is one of the few materials that can be used to great effect in all of these environments.The effectiveness of the underfloor heating was of great importance to the clients. The use of polished concrete throughout the entire ground floor allowed for maximum efficiency of the underfloor heating by allowing the whole area to have fantastic thermal retention properties. All without having to compromise on style and practicality.One of our most popular shades, Off White is the perfect neutral tone to bring warmth to softer spaces – like the living room and bedrooms – and classic elegance to more functional rooms like the kitchen.The metal stair treads were installed on site ready to be infilled with concrete. We poured approximately 50mm of concrete into the pre-formed tray and then coloured and polished the surface to ensure they were a great match to the adjacent floor.

Cannon Green’s RC cast in situ polished concrete staircase is an Ocubis project in conjunction with John Robertson Architects (JRA), Civic Engineers and Six Smith Build. Lazenby built and installed the 21m long, 7m high and 7.5m wide (at the top) inverted amphitheater cast in situ Pewter concrete staircase. This staircase was designed by JRA and structurally engineered by Civic Engineers, incorporating BIM modelling due of the intricacies of the reinforcement design. This self-supporting staircase is tied into the structure with a steel stringer to convert the loads and moments down through the steel columns.Lazenby installed traditional formwork to create the stepped soffit that leads up to the inverted amphitheatre steps. Lazenby then installed a false work system (from Ischebeck Titan/Inform UK) enabling the formworkers to create the radius former inverted amphitheatre undercarriage that is visible from the restaurant (Drake & Morgan). The reinforcement was then added to the soffit and steps; the carpenters then added formers and attached nearly 700 DDA studs to the formwork prior to the casting of concrete.Lazenby’s integral-coloured Pewter polished concrete was batched on site into a C32/40 concrete supplied by London Concrete. The project used approx. 24 cubic meters of concrete and 6 tonnes of steel reinforcement. Ground floor to the top landing and seating area is just over 4m high, 21m long and 7.5m wide with 24 shallow risers and 3 functional landings. The first 3m wide step widens to a 7.5m inverted amphitheatre style landing featuring single and double height steps.Lazenby’s 8 master craftsmen were onsite for the duration of this 12-week project. Lazenby won the Cannon Green project based on the ability to deliver unrivalled experience for projects of this scale and magnitude. Engineering from Civic Engineers, design by JRA and experience and know-how from Lazenby’s master craftsmen created a steel and concrete masterpiece of exacting standards.

High-end residential refurbishment that required MicroCement installation to all internal walls and floors in two family bathrooms. This large scale, refurbishment project showcased innovative ways MicroCement can be applied to interior bathroom walls and floors without a need for joins or breaks. Its smooth finish was ideal for a modern, minimalist design that our client wanted. MicroCement can be easily installed over existing materials which in turn reduces the time needed for application and maintenance.We also supplied and installed two large precast and hand-polished concrete washbasins that were done in Mist Silk finish. They were treated with our in-house sealant and made to be stain-resistant.

Client: EncircLocation: Chester, UKYear: 2023Project size: 450 m²Vebro systems: vebroscreed Industrial, vebroflex Decorative UV Plus, vebroflex Comfort UVAs part of its goal to decarbonise by 2025 by using hydrogen in its furnaces, a Chester, UK glass manufacturer has recently undergone an expansion, requiring durable, attractive flooring throughout.Encirc is a leading UK manufacturer of glass containers. Founded in 1998, the company has since grown to become one of the largest and most advanced manufacturers of its kind in Europe.Part of the Vidrala Group, Encirc is based across three sites in Northern Ireland, Italy and Chester, UK. Each year they produce more than 4 billion glass containers for leading global brands, filling many of them for retail across the UK and Europe.As part of the upgrade to the Chester facility, an extension was added that required a new flooring solution to help join the old and new areas of the facility seamlessly.A durable, practical and aesthetically pleasing floor coating solution was required to meet the needs of this modern production facility.Vebro Polymers supplied a package of polyurethane flooring materials as well as a heavy-duty industrial screed for substrate levelling.vebroscreed Industrial, applied at a nominal 10.0 mm across the 450 m2 floor area, is a deep-fill, rapid-setting and hardening, high strength, single-part, cementitious smoothing underlayment screed, that provides a durable sub-floor prior to the installation of resin finishes.vebroflex Decorative UV Plus in Charcoal Grey was chosen for the main area and entrance walkway, and vebroflex Comfort UV in RAL 7037 Dusty Grey was applied in the staff changing area and locker rooms.Both are polyurethane comfort systems, also known as liquid vinyl, are made up from multiple layers of flexible polyurethane resin installed onto a primed substrate or rubber underlay to provide a cushioned effect underfoot.Not only for these systems boast high performance, they also help to enhance the working environment. vebroflex Decorative UV Plus includes tiny polymer beads for a subtle yet attractive finish, while vebroflex Comfort UV features a soft matte finish for a contemporary aesthetic.Quest Industrial Flooring offers a wide range of industrial flooring solutions to suit the huge variety of service conditions required by the demanding industrial industry.Based in Warrington, Cheshire, the team at Quest deliver screeds, high build epoxy coatings and line-marking as well as polishing and grinding of terrazzo and polished concrete flooring.The company’s vast experience in the industrial flooring sector means they are able to offer customers expert advice on the concrete and resin flooring options available, as well as consistently install high quality floor systems on time and on budget.Their attention to detail combined with their aim to provide unrivalled customer service, means customers are supported through their projects from specification through to installation and beyond.

The recent refurbishment of 4 Chiswell Street by Ben Adams Architects includes Armourcoat’s Istria polished plaster wall finish. Situated close to the historic Bunhill cricket ground in Islington, this once tired office building has been re-imagined as a modern and open workspace.Entering through an impressive new façade and front entrance, the architect’s design includes a double height reception space bathed in natural light. A sculpturally fluted wall finished in Istria polished plaster and custom terrazzo floor continue a circular motif repeated throughout the design. With exposed services and stylish use of concrete colours, the structure has been transformed into a contemporary and relevant commercial building with a distinctive urban feel.Named after the characteristic building stone of Venice, the Istria polished plaster finish is made from a combination of slaked lime, recycled marble powder and special additives. The Istria finish is full of ingrained surface movement and creates a matt or honed stone appearance. Tonal variation and surface movement within the finish complements other natural materials including wood, stone and fabric.

The Darwin Centre cocoon creates a new architectural icon for the capital, ground-breaking in scale and breath-taking in its originality and creative brilliance.The design features a vast free-standing structure taking the form of an enormous cocoon within a glass atrium. The eight storey high cocoon houses a unique collection of 17 million insects and 3 million plants collected over the last 300 years by scientists including Charles Darwin, Alfred Russel Wallace and Sir Hans Sloane. The building completes the Museum’s life science complex, the Darwin Centre, following the first phase opened in 2002.Design TeamThe response of the architectural design team at C.F. Møller, lead by partner Anna Maria Indrio, was to create an engaging image reminiscent of an essentially organic form. The surface and texture also needed to reflect this, so the subtle sheen of the ivory coloured Armourcoat plaster was chosen. With an intersecting network of ‘silk threads’ that criss-cross the cocoon, the surface allows for movement and provides a visual framework for openings and niches. Armourcoat was specified to devise a unique creative solution combining both the insulation and the final decorative layers. The cocoon performs a genuinely protective job providing thermal mass to inhibit any fluctuations to the internal temperature – essential for the museum’s treasured specimens. The structure also houses state-of-the-art laboratories for 250 international scientists and an interactive visitor exhibition.ConstructionA sixty-five metre long skeletal structure was built by sprayed concrete specialist Shotcrete – the first above ground sprayed concrete structural element in the world. Expanded metal mesh was fitted to the steel re-bar framework and a 250mm thick layer of concrete was spray applied to create a 3,500 m2 raw concrete surface. Armourcoat then applied a resin modified render to the structure to minimize localized variations to the surface, before the polystyrene insulation layer was fixed. Using Dryvit Genesis adhesive and over 16,000 Hilti insulation fasteners, a 50mm polystyrene layer was fitted to the entire surface of the cocoon then covered with a layer of reinforcing mesh bedded into Dryvit Genesis basecoat. To create the silk threads wrapping the structure, a special cutting machine was devised which could cut an accurate slot and create the individual 340 panels which make up the cocoon surface. A total of 5.6km of edge bead was then fitted before Armourcoat’s unique AntiCrack substrate preparation system was applied. AntiCrack is a polymer and fibre modified gypsum skim-coat plaster which creates a first class substrate, keeping the Armourcoat plaster layer in peak condition. Two layers of Armourcoat keycoat were applied prior to the application of the final finish. The finished effect of a giant silk cocoon was achieved using ivory coloured Armourcoat Armuralia polished plaster - an exquisite, smooth finish with subtle tonal variations.The cocoon is a milestone achievement, a unique design and technical solution befitting the historic and social reference of the Natural History Museum. This also is a stunning example of the type of commercial projects now undertaken by Armourcoat, celebrating twenty-five years of creative excellence in 2009.Client: Natural History MuseumArchitect: C. F. MøllerMain Contractor: HBG Construction

Lazenby were commissioned by AHMM & Mace to install over 5,000m2 of Diamond Polished Concrete flooring to the new Hawley Wharf building within Camden Markets. Due to the incredibly high foot traffic the floor needed to be both resilient and practical. The unusual shape of the building and hundreds of market stalls meant that a tile or slabs would not have been practical and a poured in situ method was the most feasible. Lazenby installed the floors at 100mm deep, the surface was then polished to reveal the aggregate. As many of the floors are open to the elements it was critical that they achieved +36 PTV in the wet as well as having a slight fall towards the perimeter drain. As the building features multiple levels it was critical to the design that the floor finish continued on the multiple staircases within the building. This allowed the space to flow and provides a clear path for visitors to follow and explore.

The Northern School of Art’s new Middlesborough campus is a development of regional importance, a major focal point for innovation and creativity in the Tees Valley.Located on a town centre site, the £14.5m iconic scheme comprises over 5,000m2 set over three floors, providing a range of studios for fine art, textiles, fashion, digital media, photography and 3D product design. Its concrete structure with exposed thermal mass, moderates the internal temperatures.Seven Architecture were responsible for the concept and master plan at the new school. Seven Director Simon Parker said, “To ensure a distinct and striking design for this gateway scheme we have introduced glazed terracotta panels to envelope the building which reference the long tradition of ceramics courses provided by the School. They also allow for glimpses into the building via long vertical windows which provide great levels of daylight within the art studios.“Once inside, internal finishes will provide the perfect backdrop for creativity; an exposed concrete frame and polished concrete flooring, coupled with splashes of colour throughout, will create a simple and robust yet flexible space for the students. The design strategy has been carefully established through extensive user consultation and the collaborative nature of this design has created a true flagship building.” Design, build and installation working hand-in-handBAM Construction were design lead and main contractor for the Project. Bill Mordue Interiors carried out the installation of the acoustic systems at the school. Jon Day of the firm, “We were very pleased to be involved with this prestigeous and innovative development. The work progressed smoothly with support from the Rockfon team as and when required. It offered Rockfon the opportunity to demonstrate how versatile their ranges are and how successfully they could control sound within this busy multifaceted setting.”In addition to the various studios and offices housed within the building, Rockfon acoustic systems really earn their place in the workshops, canteen, library, lecture rooms, busy thoroughfares and entrance hall where the pressures of controlling and containing sound in each space offer their own unique challenges. Challenges Rockfon is happy to meet, as independent research shows stress levels are reduced by 27% and focus is increased by 48% by improved acoustics.Performance, versatilty and beautyRockfon’s Jim Lundy, “Across all three floors throughout the school a mixture of Rockfon Universal Baffles, Rockfon® System Eclipse Islands™ and Chicago Metallic™ Infinity® Islands were installed in a variety of larger rectangular formats, sometimes alongside slimmer shapes, to work with the services already installed around and above them. In some instance, lighting and air conditioning are fixed within the panels, demonstrating their versatility. Rockfon Blanka® Activity B wall panels were also used within certain spaces to further control sound and help create the perfect environment for students to study, create, collaborate and socialise productively.”Ideal for thermal mass areas or where easy access to services is required, Rockfon® Universal™ Baffles offer an elegant and innovative acoustic solution. They have a smooth, easy clean fleece surface encased with corrosion resistant powder coated steel in two formats – two end-capped or four fully framed edge, and feature a multi-functional clip assembly which enables several installation and suspension possibilities. Delivering up to 77% light reflectance and diffusion, they are available in white or a selection of colours.The benefits of acoustic systems – seen and unseenThe high light reflectance offered across all our systems optimises natural light, aiding wellbeing and helping provide the best working conditions whilst minimising energy usage and costs. Vitally they all also demonstrate superior reaction to fire due in large part to the inert volcanic rock (stone wool) which forms their core. This stone wool also means Rockfon systems offer no sustenance to organisms which can lead to the growth of bacteria seen in some other ceiling systems.Rockfon Eclipse can be used as ceiling islands and as wall panels. Eclipse can be specified in a variety of shaped formats with a clean minimalistic A-edge and almost unlimited custom colour matching. Quick and easy to install, ceiling islands can be suspended by elegant wires, rods or fixed directly to the soffit.Seven Architecture Associate Architect Dean Murphy, “We felt Rockfon had a clean robust minimalistic design approach for both the suspended baffles & islands which clearly complemented the simplicity of our building design. Rockfon product ranges worked seamlessly alongside our design ideals for this building and worked well with our budget restraints.”The Rockfon Blanka range is available with semi-concealed and visible grid options for use as a suspended ceiling or as wall panels, offering a wide choice of alternatives for installation and usage. All embody Class A sound absorption (aw 1.00), 87% light reflection and >99% light diffusion and room to room sound Insulation 26dB-46dB. Blanka’s easy clean, anti-static surface prolongs product life and is non-directional, speeding up installation, saving time and money.Dr Martin Raby, The Northern School of Art’s Principal, “The increased visibility and accessibility of the School will generate benefits for the region and town, attracting more students and footfall. In turn, this will bring significant economic benefit for the area and help to redefine the image of the Tees Valley for inward investors, students, and visitors.”

SENSO UK teamed up with Room Studio to help create this unique space that uses warm tones throughout the property. Senso creating a seamless look that not only unites the rooms seamlessly but creates a sense of warmth, something that we all look for in a home.‘NO LOCATION IS TOO FAR FOR SENSO’ As you can see this project was on the Isle of Skye. Location is no obstacle for us, if you do have a project that is not in London or surrounding area, we can still accommodate you.Senso helps creates an environment that is not only minimalist but sumptuous. Why stop with the kitchen, continue the Senso look throughout the project from the living area to bedroom and even the stairs ( treds' and risers'). The colour dune has two hues together which create a beautiful fusion.Following this we add in our aggregate of recyclable materials from old concrete remains, this creating a look of polished concrete but without the ramifications you get with a concrete.

Opened in September 2014, Solent Enterprise Zone is home to Fareham College’s Centre of Excellence for Engineering, Manufacturing and Advanced Skills Technology (CEMAST) providing training opportunities for 900 students. It also includes the new Fareham innovation centre providing small workshops and office space for start-up and micro businesses on easy-in, easy-out terms.Around this innovative new build, creative use of hard landscaping was required to enhance the site, to develop and identify areas within the perimeter for pedestrian use, to contribute to safety underfoot on flights of steps and around the bicycle shelter areas as well as providing sustainable urban drainage solutions (SuDS) for the approach to the site and within the car park.In the showpiece location at the approach to the college and inside the grounds around the planted beds and seating areas, Pallas and La Linia block paving have been installed. These elegant, high performance combined concrete block and paving ranges use high quality exposed aggregates across Client: Fareham College Contractor: Woodman Civil Engineering & Leadbitter Construction Products Used: Pallas & La Linia Block Paving, Priora Permeable Block Paving, Tegula Block Paving, Keyblok Block Paving, Saxon Paving and Conservation Kerb a broad range of integrated plan sizes to create striking visual effects. La Linia is a subtly textured paving range ideal for pedestrian areas in contemporary civic and retail schemes which is also suitable for occasional vehicular overrun. Pallas successfully combines vivid colour with a highly polished texture designed to accent contemporary architecture and enhance landscapes with a modern feel. Also on the approach to the college and around the bicycle shelters, Marshalls Saxon Textured Flag Paving has been specified. Saxon is blended with a hard Yorkstone aggregate to deliver a unique surface finish, whilst the consistency of the textured surface ensures superb durability and non-slip properties. This paving has also been installed on flights of steps within the development, incorporating tactile flags at the top and the base of the steps together with visibility strips for safety and performance. In areas around the car park, Marshalls Priora has been selected. Priora is Marshalls’ original Concrete Block Permeable Paving (CBPP) system, combining the ever popular aesthetics of Keyblok block paving with a sourcecontrol sustainable urban drainage system (SuDS). Priora brings together excellent aesthetics and flood risk mitigation, removing surface water without the need for additional linear drainage systems.Hard landscaping at Fareham College has successfully enhanced the areas surrounding the buildings as well as contributing towards improving aesthetics within the college grounds and promoting pedestrian safety. Use of Priora within the car parking areas has ensured compliance with local building regulations in terms of the installation of naturally permeable surfaces.

Hardwearing luxury vinyl tiles from Polyflor’s Expona Design range were recently installed at the busy Klein Architects offices in Auckland, New Zealand. The Dark Grey Concrete design was chosen for the new office fit out. The flooring was installed by Comfloor flooring contractors. Ricky Lam, Senior Associate at Klein Architects commented, “This design was chosen, as it has a similar visual texture and colour as polished concrete while retaining its integrity as a unique aesthetic. The tile format means individual modules can be easily replaced if damaged."

‘Autobarn’ is an unusual build comprising an elegant five-bay garage and accompanying workshop sitting within the grounds of a Grade-II listed 18th-century home in Somerset.Designed by Bindloss Dawes Architects, the brief was to create a garage with an adjoining workshop to house the client’s classic car collection. The finished result is an aesthetically beautiful building with its deceptively simple wooden barn-themed styling using agricultural materials such as concrete and recycled wood under a zinc roof. With surfaces comprising steel, timber and polished concrete floor, the architects incorporated Troldtekt acoustic panels to clad both the walls and ceilings between the steel frames for sound absorption and to combat the issue of reverberating noise.The added advantage of having services hidden behind the white panelling means the final result is a stunning simplistic and minimalist design allowing the classic cars to be the focus of attention and transforming the space into more of a gallery than a traditional garage.Troldtekt acoustic panels are available in a variety of different surfaces and colours and combine sound absorption with a tactile surface. With an expected life cycle of at least 50 years and resistance to humidity and impact, they are available in various sizes and four grades, from extreme fine to coarse. The panels can be left untreated or painted in almost any RAL colour. Depending on the panel specified, reaction to fire is classed in accordance with EN 13501 as B-s1,d0 or A2-s1,d0 respectively. Founded on the Cradle-to-Cradle design concept and having attained Gold certification, Troldtekt wood wool acoustic panels are manufactured using wood from certified forests (PEFC™ and FSC®C115450) and can contribute positively to a building’s BREEAM, DGNB or LEED points. 

Hamilton Gallery’s international reputation, required Lazenby’s master craftsmanship, to maintain exacting standards. Over 150m² was installed quickly and efficiently, so that the Gallery remained closed for the shortest period possible.The deceptively simple interior design, features a 100mm Lazenby polished concrete floor throughout. The C35 mix was pumped into the period building, in one day, with concrete lorries arriving at pre-arranged times. Logistics are carefully managed, to avoid delays in the pour and avoid multiple lorries having to park in busy London streets.The floor was installed over 20 years ago and is still there today. However, it now features a lightly exposed aggregate finish, as it was accidentally painted and Lazenby were asked to bring the floor back to its albeit, slightly altered former glory.The floor now features a 'Salt & Pepper' finish with a slight fleck of aggregate showing.

A Rundum Original bespoke garage door provided the ideal solution for a stunning new contemporary home on the banks of Loch Tummel overlooking Perthshire’s famous mountain, Schiehallion. The building envelope’s dramatic parallel walls of sawn Caithness stone and polished concrete flank both sides of the house, with the property’s northern end featuring a dramatic main sitting room surrounded by two-storeys of frameless glass. An elegant Rundum Original side sliding garage door features to maintain the external beauty of the property, hand crafted to a bespoke design in Germany using Western Red Cedar.

Washroom's off-site service allowed the design to be carefully fine-tuned prior to installation on site for this prestigious office refurbishment project. Washroom's full height Alto toilet cubicle doors were specified with a real wood veneer finish, stained to match the solid Douglas fir timber panelling in the reception area. The bespoke polished cast concrete vanity units feature integral waste bins and Tego hinged mirror units above. For the new staff shower and changing room area Washroom's full height Alto FENIX shower cubicles were installed along with Z style Forza SGL lockers.

For many, living in a glorious rural location in a contemporary, minimalist home is the dream. The clean lines, open plan spaces and large expanses of glass to let the outside views and natural light flood in. Danny Reilly, his wife and their children were able to make that dream a reality.Easy on the eye but hard on the earHowever, polished concrete floors, stone kitchen surfaces, floor to ceiling glass and other hard materials, reverberate sound. Add lively children to the mix and the unwanted noise was spoiling the family’s enjoyment of contemporary living.Soft furnishings like cushions, rugs and carpets can help deaden sound to a limited extent but were not what the family wanted. Fortunately, Danny is the Manging Director of market leading Reilly Ceilings and knew exactly what do to get the acoustics in the family home under control.Luckily Danny knew what he had to doDanny Reilly, “As soon as we moved in, we discovered the noise was unbearable – not all of it made by my precious children – and immediately set about retro-fitting Rockfon® Mono® Acoustic.”Mono Acoustic is a discreet, seamless acoustic ceiling which suited the minimalist aesthetic of this family’s home. Its seamless surface looks like plasterboard but has built-in Class A sound absorption to prevent unwanted noise. The installation in this project was a straightforward two stage process: stone wall panels were directly fixed to the existing plasterboard ceiling followed by a smooth acoustic render sprayed onto the panel surface, ready for decoration. Industry recognition and accreditationsRockfon Specification Manager, Deirdre Mulvaney, “Happily for the Reilly family, Danny had the knowledge to solve poor acoustics in this open plan environment. Mono Acoustic is used in high end restaurants, offices and other spaces to provide amazing acoustic control and is a practical solution for the residential sector, too. It has Quiet Mark accreditation which consumers might recognise as attributed to low-noise electrical appliances including some brands of washing machine and kettle. It is also Bronze level Cradle to Cradle Certified® and can contribute to LEED, BREAM and WELL Building Standards.”A versatile seamless acoustic product Mono can be used on ceilings, walls or to create bespoke islands. It can be curved, easily transitioned into plasterboard or integrated into existing mouldings. The system achieves Class A sound absorption and Class A2 fire protection whilst delivering greater than 99% light diffusion.In common with other Rockfon acoustic systems, Mono is made with a core of naturally occurring, non-hygroscopic stone wool, which is virtually non-combustible and provides no sustenance to harmful micro-organisms. It also embodies high humidity resistance and is impervious to most environmental pressures. Danny again, “Using Rockfon Mono, we were able to keep the minimalist features of the house and the results in terms of sound reverberation are unbelievable. We have another two children now and I honestly think that might not be the case if we hadn't sorted out the unwanted noise!”    

To help meet the client’s architectural ambitions and acoustic challenges, Rockfon acoustic ceilings were specified. In designing its new HQ DocuSign wanted to break down barriers and find new ways of working to empower employees. Open plenum ceilings, polished concrete floors and warm timber express the space’s raw, contemporary architecture. Crina Toderic – Henry J Lyons, “…a number of meeting rooms had one solid wall with the remaining three being glazed. It was agreed Rockfon® Mono® Acoustic be installed for its high sound absorption. Being completely seamless, the system allowed us to easily integrate with the rest of the interior aesthetic.”

Architect Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners specified Howe Green when they required a unique, reliable access solution for the WCEC. Howe Green designed and manufactured a circular access cover in 316-grade stainless steel. The bespoke cover offered a stylish and discreet solution, capable of withstanding 40kn load and meeting the specification for aesthetics and performance. Each box section of the cover had built-in cable access and voice/data plug-in points. Slotted steel lids were made for when services were in use. The access covers also accept coloured polished concrete inserts made to match the surrounding Ed Lazenby floor.