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Aluminium cladding that looks like real timber, quite simply put, but it is actually real timber. Chosen for its natural aesthetic and ultimate fire resistance, Technowood has rapidly become a “go-to” cladding facade for Architects and Designers.Considered as a sheltered social project, the two towers are located on a raised outdoor podium on a scale that doesn’t hide its presence. The well-developed landscaping area, which also serves as a central garden area, also includes a shopping centre with 150 stores and a cinema. It has a gallery space aligned with transparent oriental pools. These transparent pools, which form the centre of Next Level, illuminate the shopping centre with the sunlight breaking through the water, giving its guests a relaxing ambience. The 7500 sq. m of landscaping is a recipe for complete social togetherness. The public and private wellbeing have been transformed into an urban area. This also allows a diverse culture, entertainment, work and socialisation.This newly built-up area has also become a new living space for people adopting a modern lifestyle, where business and social life come together. Furthermore, Next Level is designed as a cutting edge mixed-use project of this area, it reflects the development of the region and this contemporary way of life has been well accepted by its new occupants.The mixed materials manufactured by Technowood is a testimony to the company. As well as its ability to work with the demands of the Architect. By having the expertise to deliver complex shaped materials in the same palette, colour and texture.Technowood is an FSC certified product; it uses only 2% of timber when compared to solid timber facades. It uses even less when compared to solid timber structures.Credits and Further informationArchitect: Brigitte Weber ArchitectsLocation: Ankara, TurkeyProject: Commercial, residential and shopping centreMaterials: Technowood CladdingCompletion: 2013

New rehabilitation centre for the nation’s most severely injured military personnel.We were pleased to deliver the full FF&E fit-out including wall protection, blinds and cubicles as well as all the fitted furniture. Working closely with the Steffian Bradley team we also provide bespoke seating and reception counters. Brainchild of the late Gerald Grosvenor, 6th Duke of Westminster, the new DNRC centre was officially handed over in June 2018. The project involved restoration of a Grade II listed Hall, plus over 37,000m2 of new-build. The centre has impressive clinical rehabilitation facilities, including hydrotherapy pools, complex trauma wards, prosthetics and gait analysis facilities, plus Europe’s first multi-sensory CAREN 3D simulator.

Project DetailProject: The Spirit – Dubai Sports CityLocation: Dubai, UAEProduct: TS.9204 and TS.9205 Architectural door closersProject DescriptionThe Spirit, located on the edge of Dubai Sports City, offers a choice of executive and sanctuary suites and one-bedroom apartments. With facilities including a rooftop jogging track and swimming pool, it is a sought-after location for those seeking a chic, urban address.The Spirit installed 150 TS.9204 closers in the bedroom areas in the main apartments and 22 TS.9205 door closers in the entrance area. They chose these ranges because they:Deliver a neat, consistent aesthetic while catering for the differing usage and power requirements within the complexAre quick and easy to installComplement the sleek design scheme with silver and satin nickel finishes

This Village Hotel is a six-storey hotel with over 7,700m² floorspace, car parking and associated landscaping, next to the Porsche Centre at Lakeside North Harbour Portsmouth. The hotel has 153 rooms, conference facilities and a leisure club with a 20m swimming pool, gym and fitness studio, costing £17 million. This hotel has excellent transport links to the city of Portsmouth and the wider Hampshire area via the M27 and the A3.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 900m² development.

C.A.T. AN15R stair nosings lead the way on numerous staircases throughout the centre. With aluminium castellated ATI49.5 inserts, visually the all aluminium profiles define the step edges also creating excellent slip resistance. A C.A.T. survey team member attended the site with the customer to discuss the suitability of products and requirements, which enabled faster project completion. Designed by OMA Architects, the £55m centre creates an interplay between sports and sciences. A rooftop running track with panoramic views of the sea leads down to the science and laboratory departments, auditorium, double-height sports hall, internal running track and a 25-metre swimming pool. Central to the building concept was social communication with large break-out spaces connected by wide, visually open staircases that link up departments. ​ ​

HVM – landscaping with CT Block SeatsStreet furniture | landscape seatingCT Block RangeLocation: Stratford, E15As part of the UCL East Campus Masterplan, 79 of Townscape’s Counter Terror Block Seating was used to landscape a large public realm directly outside of the main entrance to the UCL East Campus on Pool Street, Stratford.The aim of the developments at UCL east is to create a distinct and unique campus that provides an environment fit for learning and socialisation. Townscape’s involvement in the process, particularly Phase 1, has meant that the space has now been transformed into a practical yet engaging domain for students, staff, the local community, and visitors alike.The main contractor was Mace, and the sub-contractor was Maylim. The architects for the scheme were Ove Arup.

Le Fitz Roy is a chalet at Europe’s highest ski resort, bustling Val Thorens in the French Alps. Extensively renovated in December 2021, its modern makeover includes a Turkish hammam and a heated pool carved out of the mountain, a bar designed as an open space on the terrace and the ease of ski-in/ ski-out accessibility. In true chalet style, as well as slate-grey interiors there's also plenty of old-school, cosy charm too, from antique wooden skis mounted on the walls, stone and oak architecture warmed by flickering fires, and classical French cuisine in the restaurant.The traditional York roll top tub has been specified in a number of rooms which, after a long day on the pistes, is exactly where you want to come back to.Marlborough

The Spa at South Lodge, in the heart of the West Sussex countryside, is the picture-perfect, luxury destination for those seeking ultimate relaxation in complete comfort, far away from the pressures and strains of modern life. Designed by Hove-based architectural firm, Felce and Guy, this prestigious 44,000 sq. ft building sits harmoniously in its beautiful, natural setting with external facing bricks from Vandersanden selected to provide regular form, nuanced colours and natural texture for the project. Located in Lower Beeding, near Horsham, The Spa at South Lodge is a purpose-built spa within the grounds of an award winning 5-star hotel. It features a state-of-the-art gym and spin studio, indoor pool, outdoor hydrotherapy pool and wild swimming pool, a thermal suite and treatment rooms for members, hotel residents and spa day guests. In addition, The Spa at South Lodge includes the Ridgeview Beauty Bar and Botanica, a Mediterranean-inspired restaurant. Felce and Guy were commissioned to provide a full architectural design, then appointed as lead consultant and contract administrator to oversee the build carried out by main contractor, Beard Construction. The firm’s design balances the specific needs of the hotel and The Spa at South Lodge’s facilities with a sensitivity to the context of the countryside setting and close proximity to the main hotel. The resultant architecture sympathetically responds to these surroundings with the building deep-set into the landscape, minimising its scale, yet taking full advantage of the extensive views available to guests over the South Downs. As the landscape falls away, leading to natural water forms, so too does the new building with external terracing leading out to a vitality pool and down to an external swim pond. After reviewing and testing different samples in advance, Felce and Guy selected Vandersanden’s Lithium brick in a 50mm size for the project. This attractive, hand-formed facing brick comprises a sanded-coated and grained structure in a muted base grey colour with accompanying shades of buff and black to match the stonework colours of the main building at South Lodge Hotel. Over 100,000 bricks were sourced and supplied for the project by specialist brick distributor, N R Taylor of Lingfield, with the thinness of the brick helping to further reduce the visual scale of the Spa building. The horizontal lines of the brickwork act as a softening counterpoint to the vertical natural green oak cladding and large glass panelling that also feature as key elements in The Spa at South Lodge design. Elsewhere, the Lithium brick has been used in the copings, landscaping and dividing walls which create external contours and help to separate the terraces outside of the building. “The Vandersanden brick works with the other materials in the design to present a very organic aesthetic for The Spa at South Lodge,” says John Chapman of Felce and Guy. “It perfectly complements both the dark sandstone used in the original hotel and its mix of greys and brown as well as the natural surroundings. The straight, clean-lines and regular shape of the Vandersanden brick, together with the raked joint we’ve used, has helped emphasise the horizontality of the building and works especially well with the textured finish of the timber panels. As a practice, we set very high expectations which the Vandersanden bricks have undoubtedly satisfied.” In addition to a curving, meadow-grass roof, which helps to attenuate rainwater flow, the Spa at South Lodge benefits from other sustainable technologies and finishes. A biomass boiler system has been installed, and all drainage is contained on site, using reed bed technology. The existing ponds within the hotel grounds have been modified and extended to benefit the local ecology. Vandersanden itself is building a sustainable future for its business, having already invested in renewable solar and wind energy technologies at its major European production plants and committed to a pathway which will see the manufacture of CO2-neutral bricks by 2050. Underlining the significance of the project to the hotel and its management, every member of staff laid one brick as part of their contribution to The Spa at South Lodge. To find out more about the bricks used in this project or to see the wide range of high-quality bricks available from Vandersanden, click on the 'View more' link 

Auriens is a luxury retirement home for people over the age of 65 that provides 56 high-end one and two-bedroom apartments alongside health and leisure facilities. Echoing the classical Georgian architecture of the area, the build is subtly future proofed with on-site private healthcare and high-spec wellness amenities. These include a pool, spa, personal trainer, salon, speakeasy bar, cinema, top restaurant, sunken garden, and a library.Cellecta’s HiDECK Overlay 18 was specified by Studio PDP as the overlay flooring solution. It’s ideal for flooring applications incorporating an underflooring heating system due to its high thermal conductivity which provides rapid reaction times, saving on running costs. In addition, its high density makes it perfect for a variety of acoustic applications.Multiplex was awarded this 10,000m² contract to construct this retirement home on Dovehouse Street, Chelsea.

Shard Place is a 26 story residential development housing 176 apartments from studios to three bedrooms and the third building in Renzo Piano’s Shard Quarter. Situated between St. Thomas Street and London Bridge Street and adjacent to The Shard, Shard Place was previously Fielden House before demolition. Shard Place is one of London’s most central and connected residences, a 28-minute train ride from Gatwick international airport and a short stroll to London’s South Bank. It encompasses five-star amenities, including a rooftop pool, fitness suite, cinema room and private roof garden.Cellecta’s HiDECK Structural 28 was specified by Renzo Piano Building Workshop due to to it being a conductive structural floorboard and having outstanding acoustic and fire performance and low thermal resistance.Mace was awarded this 12,000m² contract for this development in London.

BLÜCHER UK were pleased to supply some bespoke channels and shower drains for a brand new leisure centre opening in the New Year.With a big range of activities and services available, including swimming pools, showers, saunas, steam rooms and communal areas, the installed drainage system needed to be robust, efficient, and visually aesthetic.Offering a contemporary timeless design, with an exceptional flow rate, BLÜCHER channels were the best option. Minimal downtime and maintenance were required by the customer due to the high usage of the leisure centre, with a further focus on retaining a hygienic atmosphere.Working alongside contractors ISG and GHBS, BLÜCHERs stainless steel drainage solution has provided Knaresborough Leisure Centre with a fully functional drainage system, ensuring they can meet the demands of their customers while preserving a safe and hygienic environment.

Fowey Hall is a hotel located within a mansion on 5 acres of grounds overlooking the Fowey Estuary. The hotel is a 5-minute walk from Fowey town centre and 8 miles from the Eden Project. The scheme comprises of a refurbishment, reconfiguration and extension of the existing four-star family hotel including rooftop extensions, this provides enhanced facilities including additional guestrooms, new creche and children's playroom, lounge area, and outdoor swimming pool with pavilion. Landscaping works, additional parking, and associated infrastructure. This project also includes associated infrastructure works and access roads.Cellecta’s HiDECK Structural 25 was specified by Jeremy Blake Architects due to it being a conductive structural floorboard and having outstanding acoustic and fire performance and low thermal resistance.Brady Construction Services was awarded this 320m² contract for this development in Cornwall.

Aluminium curtain walling was used for the impressive glass extensions on the pre-existing Great Sankey Leisure Centre building in Warrington. As a part of a multiple-phase, £16 million development, the project transformed the site into a state-of-the-art leisure, health and culture facility.The transformational two-storey glass facade extension was built with 4300m2 of TECHNAL Visible Grid and Vertical Trame curtain walling at double height, incorporating glass and spandrel panels. Now known as the Great Sankey Neighborhood Hub, the centre plays host to a wealth of facilities including swimming pools, tennis courts, a sports hall, 3G football pitch, dance studios, cafe, spa, library and even a GP surgery. The entire site has been designed to be dementia friendly and over 700 locals were consulted over the plans to ensure that everyone's needs were met.

The Santo António Villas, Golf & Spa Resort (previously known as Parque da Floresta) is situated on the far West of the Algarve amongst hilly landscapes. The resort located near the historic town of Lagos, Portugal opened in 1987. It was designed by Pepe Gancedo who was one of Spain’s most famous Architects and has no two holes the same which attracts golfers to return again and again.This project included many different techniques which can be achieved using SureSet resin bound paving. The whole surface was first covered in primer and CRM (crack reduction membrane) to provide additional support to the tiled base below. The surround of the pool was laid in 3mm Popcorn along with a frame created with aluminium edging and 3mm Bronze Medal, a flower design was also installed using the flexible aluminium edging and colours from the Spectrum Range.

In one of the earth's paradises located on the island of Fasmendhoo, where sky and sea meet to create unique emotions, rises the Emerald Maldives Resort, designed and built by combining tropical scenery with modern design.The interiors are decorated with a discreet, elegant minimalism designed to dialog with nature and the outdoors. And it is in this context that Atlas Concorde products have created welcoming environments with an extremely contemporary look thanks to a wide range of tiles inspired by natural materials, like the wood-effect porcelain tiles used to furnish the bright apartments.The bathrooms convey intimacy and elegance, decorated with floors and walls inspired by the most refined marble, and a focus on interior design trends is also evident in the furnishings.In contrast, the stone look dominates the outdoor spaces and the areas dedicated to the solarium and swimming pool, for a design that is ever closer to nature. Decisive surfaces that communicate a metropolitan style with an original, pristine, and eternal beauty.

The Valentinerhof hotel is located in the most spectacular mountain landscape of the world, close to the picturesque village of Siusi, an international tourism venue.The building, a wellness resort characterised by contemporary design and elegant atmospheres, was renovated in 2012 using Atlas Concorde ceramic materials that were chosen to clad indoor and outdoor floors, bathrooms and wellness areas.Used on outdoor floors, the Trust series covers the steps, swimming-pool edges and external areas of the spa, providing the opportunity to clad the surfaces with a continuous effect.The architectural project, which won the “2012 Sleep European Hotel Design Awards”, combines respect for the surrounding natural environment with the desire to create harmonious spaces where to regenerate body and soul.Thanks to its precious floor and wall ceramic collections Atlas Concorde consolidates its position as a partner of reference for hospitality design, contributing to the creation of welcoming and alluring atmospheres.

The Challenge To install an attractive retaining wall solution that complements the beautiful landscaping. Richmond Care Village in Evesham comprises of a 60-bed care home for nursing and dementia care, 46 assisted living suites and 61 independent living apartments. The development is designed within the Richmond Care Villages model of luxury retirement accommodation and includes facilities such as a bar, restaurants, library, wellness spa with pool and gym all set in beautifully landscaped grounds. This luxury retirement village needed a retaining wall with considerable aesthetic appeal. The landscape design was carefully formulated to make a major commitment to the restoration and conservation of the landscape on the original Wood Norton estate. Groundworker R O’Donaghey was tasked with proposing a retention solution that could facilitate curves, corners, stepping down and railings. The project team had considered Gabion Baskets but decided that they would detract from the beautiful surrounding landscaping.

Located in Earls Court, London, the Lillie Square development will eventually stretch from Chelsea football ground to Kensington Olympia, and comprises of over 800 multi-million pound luxury dwellings. The development will also contain London’s largest private residents’ club, which boasts a lounge, library, private dining room, cinema, gym, spa facilities and 20 metre swimming pool with jacuzzi.Lillie Square Phase 1 required the formation of a watertight basement to house the luxury private residents club serving the entire property development. A large portion of this luxury clubhouse, including a swimming pool, spa, sauna, steam room, gym and function room, is below ground. The project therefore required robust waterproofing to protect the internal environment.Newton Specialist Contractor Stonehosue were consulted at an early stage to be part of the design team and provide a guaranteed waterproofing solution that would comply with the requirements of both BS 8102:2009 and any third-party warranty providers.The long-term partnership between Newton Waterproofing Systems and experienced Specialist Contractor Stonehouse has seen both companies partner on a vast portfolio of properties across the UK, and Stonehouse brought this experience to the table at Lillie Square.In order to provide the maximum level of protection, Stonehouse combined two Types of waterproofing in order to achieve a completely dry ‘Grade 3’ internal environment as per the recommendations of BS 8102:2009.The first of these products was the Type A, cementitious, liquid-applied waterproofing membrane Newton 107F, which was particularly suitable to this large-scale project due to the fact that it could be quickly spray-applied over large areas.The 107F was supported by the Type C Newton CDM System cavity drain waterproofing, installed throughout the basement area of the clubhouse, with four Titan-Pro sump chambers containing dual NP400 pumps, as well as Newton High Water Alarms, Inverters and Battery Back-Up protection creating a truly failsafe system.By working with Sir Robert McAlpine at the design stage it was possible to consider the lifetime performance of the structure as well as the cost in order to design and install thorough waterproofing protection.

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.

A recently completed residential complex in the centre of London is where you will find this magnificent building which has been finished to the highest standard. The reception area is welcomed by a circular entrance with a pool of water at the centre. The stone that's been used is a pale cream and the metal work is a light bronze. We provided the pull door handles which complement the colours and materials used. The have been finished in a dark bronze adding a dramatic entrance across the front of the building and on the main entrance. You can find a range of finishes which we offer across a range of products. The front of the building benefits from planted up areas which breaks up the hard lines, this along with the curved stone seated areas creates a pleasant place to sit and sip a coffee. There have also made great use of lighting in the main lobby area and the reception is grand and welcoming. The style of our handles used are Ash 103.

Linea23 is an architectural residential project designed by Studio Sigurtà in Desenzano del Garda, for which various Atlas Concorde porcelain tiles were chosen for the creation of ventilated walls, outdoor floors and walls.The Trust and Studio ceramic collections are the protagonists of the project and outer facades were covered using ventilated walls in which ceramic tiles create a gap that facilitates the circulation of air. The use of ventilated walls also leads to other advantages: the building is protected from moisture while indoor spaces are healthier and do not suffer from thermal shock.The Trust collection by Atlas Concorde, used for the outdoor floors and swimming-pool edges, evokes natural stone and allows for alluring residential venues both indoors and outdoors.The Linea23 project saw the use of various Atlas Concorde products for outdoor floors and walls. Particularly resistant to thermal shock, Atlas Concorde porcelain tiles are the perfect solution also as terrace 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.

With over 22,000 square foot and 8 bedrooms, we manufactured in total, 13 Casement windows, 46 Spring Sash windows, bi-fold doors, 17 Conservation doors, two entrance doors and side doors.The client was keen to keep the windows and doors classy and elegant, and opted for 'Signal White' across all the windows, apart from the Japanese roof garden, where the Casement Windows were painted 'Anthracite Grey'.The huge entrance doors were finished in 'Jet Black' on the outside, with a high gloss finish, and Signal White on the inside, to match the interiors.We worked very closely with Croft Ironmongery as the client wanted a specific aesthetic achieved. Together, we developed lever handles on a rose, rather than a backplate, to bespoke fit our doors.With indoor pool and jacuzzi, tennis courts, lifts and staff quarters, this was truly a luxurious project, fitting perfectly with our hand-finished products.

Architect: Faulkner Browns ArchitectsInstaller: Topfix InteriorsProduct: ‘Shiluvit’ by Oranit1000m2 of PEFC Certified Shiluvit panels from Oranit were installed to the ceilings of the swimming pool and gym areas at the new sports facility St John’s School in Leatherhead.Faulkner Brown Architects specified Yellow Pine panels with a white stain for the space, choosing 7-502 modules with 22mm wide by 45mm deep blades with 40mm gaps for impressive acoustic control.Oranit is a specialist ceiling solutions suitable for most installation areas. As standard it is impregnated for Euroclass B,s2-d0 for resistance to fire, achieving top results against surface spread of flames, smoke production, and flaming droplets or structural integrity in case of fire.Additionally for this installation the panels were lacquered for humidity resistance, this treatment provides additional protection to the wood against water damage and can also be used for panels being installed outside.

The large sports hall in the new £22.5million Whitwick and Coalville Leisure Centre offers considerable functionality thanks to a Dorma Hüppe Variflex moveable wall installed by partitioning experts, Style. Featuring semi-automatic operation with an impressive 59dB acoustic barrier between divided areas, the wall allows the hall to be quickly separated into two dance and fitness studios or opened-up to accommodate activities requiring the entire area.Ensuring a long-term return on investment, the Variflex panels are manufactured separately from the frame, allowing individual ones to be easily changed if they become damaged. This represents a highly cost-effective solution, compared to having the entire moveable wall replaced, and is an essential feature for a busy facility like this where a wide variety of sports are being enjoyed.A partnership between North-West Leicestershire District Council (NWLDC) and Everyone Active, the new leisure centre boasts a competition-sized swimming pool, learner pool, gym, spin and dance studios, squash courts, a climbing wall, café and spa facilities as well as the eight-court sports hall. Working with architect, GT3 and contractor, Metnor Construction, Style advised installing the Dorma Variflex moveable wall, effectively increasing the useability of the sports hall, allowing the space to be rapidly adapted to meet the varied demands of exercise classes and different sporting groups.Finished in a contemporary pearly grey laminate, the Variflex benefits from semi-automatic operation which means, once the wall has been moved into position, the acoustic seals are applied to the perfect pressure every time without the need for manual intervention.“For dance and fitness studios, it’s critical to have a high quality moveable wall with a top-end acoustic rating,” said Steve Williams, sales director for Style Midlands.“Without this, you suffer competing music and instruction from the classes taking place either side which becomes a real interference and spoils the quality of teaching.“With the 59dB acoustic wall, you are very close to a sound-proofed solution. If music is playing on one side as the wall closes, it’s incredible to witness the noise disappearing as the semi-automatic acoustic seals move into position.

The scope of this ambitious project was to restore and transform an abandoned Neo-Gothic Cemetery Keeper’s Lodge with adjoining public facility into a luxurious mansion in just 12 months.  Works included demolishing the adjoining public facility to enable the construction of a new basement.The proposed new build construction would be a luxury ground floor extension which would run the footprint of the redundant public facility to offer a 4,000 square foot subterrain space with key features such as 13-meter swimming pool, 2 additional bedrooms, a tv games room and office space.Simon Gill Architect designed the ambitious project and was appointed as Project Manager.Delta Registered Installers 5 Star Basements were employed to undertake both dig out and installation of the structural waterproofing with Delta’s Technical Waterproofing Consultant, Paul Callaghan representing Delta. This approach at the design stage, allowed Paul to attend design team meetings and to ensure all criteria’s of BS8102:2009 were met.As aired on Grand Designs on 6th January 2021.

Based on a proven formulation that has been used in more than 60% of the world’s offshore oil and gas facilities, Chartek 7E was the natural PFP choice to secure the specified lifetime of this vessel. This tried-and-tested formulation is the result of AkzoNobel’s decades of technology leadership and continuous innovation, powered by unrivalled testing capabilities that allow coatings to be exposed to a wide array of extreme conditions in order to measure resistance. Combined with the expertise gathered from protecting more than 6 million square meters of steelwork over the last 25 years with Chartek 7 alone, AkzoNobel is highly equipped to provide PFP solutions to the oil and gas industry worldwide.Chartek 7 is one of the core products of the Chartek range, with a track record of over 20 years providing exceptional protection against pool and jet fires, with proven long-term resistance against fire damage and corrosion. Chartek 7E applies the same technology with a self-reinforced formula that is mesh-free, helping to achieve weight reduction through a safety-first approach.

Having purchased a beautiful plot in the Sussex Countryside, our client designed a luxury basement health suite with spectacular lighting effects. Sauna360 UK was invited to provide a specially designed bespoke sauna and steam room to complete this home spa.Bespoke Sauna: Our client came to us with a design idea for a modern, sleek sauna interior that did not use traditional horizontal or vertical wall panelling. Sauna360 UK was able to bring the client's ideas to life using bespoke sauna boards to create a clean, contemporary look that is just as efficient and comfortable whilst also achieving the desired aesthetic. A full glass fascia was used to complete the sauna allowing the client to enjoy a spectacular view of the indoor pool and bespoke space wall art beyond; featuring real still footage captured by the NASA Hubble Telescope!Bespoke Steam Room: Sauna360 also installed an opulent, bespoke steam room alongside the sauna. Finished in a deep blue glass mosaic with generous, sweeping roll front benches, the client is able to relax in comfort and style. 

Orbis OS210/OS211 Glass Infill Side and Top FixThe Eastbourne College Project 150 delivered a sports hall, competition pool, fitness suite, squash courts, dining and common rooms, pavilion and 32 classrooms, while also providing connections between key College facilities. The development, to mark the college’s 150th anniversary, enabled the Eastbourne College to take a giant leap forward providing several high-quality facilities in one substantial build. Delta Balustrades worked with the architect from early concept design stages and provided technical expertise and advice. The Orbis balustrade system throughout provided a consistent glass balustrade style throughout the building and could be utilised for the external pavilion areas also. Whilst mainly throughout new build areas of the college, the look and style of the balustrades was especially important to complement the College’s iconic buildings and environment. Due to the proximity to the sea, special attention had to be given to the materials and finishes for the external balustrades, and 316 grade stainless steel with a Lustre bright polished finish was required to be suitable in a marine environment.

Funding was secured to renovate a Grade II listed lido in Pontypridd. The lido, which had remained derelict since 1991, was given a new lease of life after the local authority clinched the funding required to restore it back to its former glory. As part of the scheme, the existing derelict buildings would be renovated and the Lido bathing area remodeled into three heated pools. The restoration included external covered showers, heated changing facilities and a learning and historical interpretation centre. The client needed a coloured product that was highly durable, easy to place and maintain, available in a range of colours and, most important of all, capable of retaining its colour and beauty. TOPTINT coloured was recommended as the ideal solution. TOPTINT contains an integral colour pigment which is UV stable meaning that the colour will not degrade from natural sunlight. Also, because a liquid pigment is used the colour is evenly mixed throughout the concrete. As this pigment is integral to the mix it is a long lasting and frost-resistant solution, requiring little on-going maintenance and therefore making it a more sustainable long term solution.

Winchester Council has opened a new multi-functional sport and leisure centre to cater to activity needs of the local population. Designed as a highly sustainable building, Winchester Sport and Leisure Park is one the UK’s greenest leisure centres, achieving a BREEAM rating of excellent. The new sport and leisure park by LA Architects provides state-of-the-art facilities for the community, including a 50m eight-lane swimming pool, a 20x10m teaching pool, a large fitness suite, two exercise studios, a spin studio, an eight-court multi-use sports hall, four squash courts, a café, and a climbing area. The large sports hall and squash courts have been fitted with Junckers solid wood sports flooring systems, offering a safe, high-performing, and long-lasting floor which fully complies with EN 14904 class A4. Junckers’ approved flooring contractor Courtcraft Ltd installed Junckers 22x129mm solid Maple flooring in the sports hall over the New Era UnoBAT undercarriage system; as well as SylvaSquash Beech Champion in the four squash courts. Junckers flooring is a product with a long-standing history of caring for the environment, an important consideration for the architect in the specification process. Said Mike Lawless of LA Architects: ‘When designing to change the face of sports and leisure facilities in the UK and create a place of quality everything matters. Every detail, material, and every specification matters. It is enormously important to consider quality in every part of the building; to seek out manufacturers who can work with us to deliv- er the quality and creativity that the UK sports and leisure industry must strive for.” Junckers’ floors hold independently verified sustainability accreditations to verify its environmental credentials, including EPDs, FSC®, PEFCTM, the Danish Indoor Climate Label, and an A+ BREEAM rating. Junckers’ sports floors are made in solid hardwood, one of the most durable surfaces available and virtually unbeatable in terms of life cycle costs. The floor has a very long lifespan and can be sanded and re-finished eight to ten times during its life. With 12-year intervals between sandings, a typical lifespan of 60 years will comfortably be exceeded. And, at the end of its long life, a Junckers floor can often be re-used or re-purposed or it will degrade naturally without adding to landfill sites. All Junckers sports floors meet the design guidance provided by Sport England and SportScotland. 

A stunning design by architects Townscape, Peter O’Sullevan House is located at the front entrance of the British Racing School in Newmarket. It provides the horse racing community in East Anglia with a local specialist facility for treatment and training. The facility incorporates a hydrotherapy pool, gymnasium, treatment rooms, changing rooms, conference room, offices and meeting rooms. Forza Doors supplied high dB acoustic American White Oak veneer fire doors and solid American White Oak frames as well as Class 0 spread of flame fire-rated wall cladding panels. All the veneers were laid horizontally to match perfectly down the length of the corridors and open spaces. The feature grooves embedded into the doors provide a smart contemporary look and align with the adjacent panels.  As this innovative building needed a high level of internal finishes and fittings throughout, the contractor RG Carter chose Forza Doors. Just one of several jockey rehab centres we have had the privilege to supply in recent times. Consisting of open plan areas, treatment rooms and hydrotherapy zones, the finished project looks stunning.  

Suma International Manufacturing Company fabricated 26 Halspan FD90 64mm for Jawaher Residential Building.Halspan 90 internal fire door blanks feature Halspan's unique 3-layer particle board. Specifically designed for the purpose, using a complex combination of chemical and engineering development, these blanks produce doors of altogether superior quality, strength and overall preformance.The Jawaher Residential Building is suited in Salmiya, Kuwait, and compromises of 13 floors featuring luxury apartments, a gymnasium, and a rooftop swimming pool overlooking the city.This project featured 26 fire-rated doors fabricated using Halspan’s FD90 64mm unique 3-layer particle board that is durability tested to severe duty and is suitable for veneer, laminate, or paint finishes.The doors were used in the primary entrances for all floor levels and are latched single-acting single doors (LSASD) featuring a wooden frame and solid red meranti lipping with beech veneer facing.This project was contracted by Main Contractor; Al Daleel General Trading & Contracting Co and was fabricated by Suma International Manufacturing Company.Photography courtesy of Suma International Manufacturing Company.

The £15million new Tarka Leisure Centre in Barnstaple, was designed to link with the existing Tarka Tennis Centre. There is now a natural flow between the existing and new part of the completed facility. Sport England invested £1.8m of National Lottery funding into the development of Tarka Leisure Centre to support the ‘get active’ initiative by making the facilities accessible and inclusive for the local community. The new centre, officially opened by British Winter Olympics hero Eddie ‘the Eagle’ Edwards, provides a much-needed swimming pool facility, an ‘endless’ indoor ski slope facility, a sports hall with four badminton courts, a large gym, two multi-purpose exercise studios, a spin studio, indoor soft play area, new reception area and café.With leisure centres having a high footfall and being a naturally noisy environment, it was paramount to consider the fire safety and acoustics of the building.  Lusso 105FR, a double-glazed fire-rated system, which provides acoustic performance of up to 54dB and fire performance of up to 60 minutes integrity and insulation was the ideal choice for this environment. Lusso Structural Glazing was installed where a higher specification level was required for edge protection.

Various collections in stone-effect porcelain stoneware and in marble- effect porcelain stoneware by Atlas Concorde were used in the prestigious renovation project of a semidetached-house near Morchiuso (CO) be it indoors, outdoor floors or garden floors.The Marco Castelletti architectural studio added the finishing touch to the project, following energy efficiency criteria, using materials to reduce consumption. In the house ambiences, the bathroom and kitchen claddings were designed to meet the highest technical and aesthetical standards.The bathroom claddings, created by Atlas Concorde, bestow an added value to the project as a whole, perfectly complying with the needs of practicality and by outlining spaces where well-being and relaxation come to the fore.Indoors in the core area, a suggestive swimming pool takes centre stage, located in an area that requires high technically performing products.The Trust collection, a prestigious stone-effect porcelain stoneware series with a strongly substantial and contemporary look, dresses surfaces with hues recalling the most precious quarry stones.The Style collection, in its Bianco Winter version, traces all the beauty of marble- effect porcelain stoneware tiles, enriching bathroom claddings and kitchen claddings with elegant and refined charm.

Designed by architects from Qatar, this complex villa has a very different design from the usual house models; Clean and angular forms which are broken up with massive section of timber structures. These structures are not ordinarily large section of timber. They are created in house at Technowood and serve as a “reduced timber option”. Furthermore, with only using 2% when compared to using sold timber for the same project.Stone, metals and glass are the main texture of the design. These white tones of concrete structured against panels of natural timber, it’s most eye-catching feature. Located in Dohada, one of the most modern cities of Qatar, this futuristic house is also accompanied by the tranquil nature of the pool and the wooden sunbathing areas surrounding the secluded exterior.When working with designs for projects, Technowood allows the Architect to think big and realise big at the same time. Unsupported beams of this natural material can span up to 12 metres unsupported… imagine this section in a hard wood, the weight would be tonnes in comparison to the lightweight Technowood option.Credits and Further informationLocationDohada, QatarMaterialsCantilevered Bris Soleil, solid forms and cladding in TechnowoodProjectPrivate Villa