"research and development"

The Beddington Zero Energy Development (BedZED) is the UK's largest carbon-neutral eco-community – the first of its kind in this country; receiving prestigious awards, Civic Trust Sustainability Award 2004 and Housing Design Awards 2003.

As the UK’s leading organisation for advanced materials research and innovation, the Henry Royce Institute plays a pivotal role in the country’s ambitions to develop groundbreaking materials and technologies, while fostering in parallel sustainable growth and development. Its purpose is to provide industry large and small as well as academia with the capability to develop, make, test and characterise innovative products, components and systems. To this effect, it provides easy access to state-of-the-art equipment worth more than £150m (175m euros) and to a highly trained support team. The Henry Royce Institute, known to many simply as ‘Royce’, operates from its brand new building at the University of Manchester and works in close coordination with eight additional, leading institutions across the UK – the Universities of Cambridge, Leeds, Liverpool, Oxford and Sheffield, the Imperial College London, the National Nuclear Laboratory and UKAEA (UK Atomic Energy Authority) – as well as Associate Partner, the University of Cranfield. All in all, Royce coordinates over £300m (350m Euros) of facilities, making it one of the global leaders in material science: it was at the University of Manchester, just a stone’s throw away from the new Hub, that graphene – a game-changing, carbon based supermaterial 200 times stronger than steel – was discovered for the first time.

Boughton’s Intensive green roof substrate has been successfully trialled in a ground-breaking analysis project at Coventry University assessing the feasibility of ‘greening’ landscapes with ecological beneficial habitats.  With the objective being to research the benefits and plausibility of incorporating green space and wildlife-friendly habitats into heavily built-up areas, Coventry University handpicked Boughton’s Intensive IN1 substrate based on its nutrient content, weight, and the inclusion of a water supply in chambers beneath the sub-base.The majority of green roofs in the UK fall into the ‘extensive’ category and are based on a low growing succulent, Sedum, which only requires a few centimetres of substrate to grow, whilst intensive green roofs provide a deeper soil depth and can support a more complex plant system. To this end, Coventry University wanted to explore the advantages of intensive green roofs, which offer greater biodiversity, often create accessible spaces, and offer the best insulation properties and storm water management. The organisation partnered with SEL Environmental, who provided its intelligent water management systems for the project.Boughton’s Intensive IN1 substrate boasts greater organic content than extensive substrates, meaning it supports larger plants and can be installed at greater depths, varying from 100-500cm. IN1 provides a stable growing medium for wide variety of plants in intensive green roof installations, including green roof lawns, shrubs and trees.Depending on the substrate depth and plant type, permanent irrigation systems (above or below ground) are sometimes installed with this substrate to as a backup for extended dry periods. They are not required for everyday irrigation, as the substrate has the ability to hold onto sufficient moisture during ambient conditions. The project, funded by Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) and headed up by Sophie Barron-West, followed plant growth for four years from 2017, with a break due to Covid 19. Dr Stephen Coupe and Dr Liz Trenchard from the University’s Centre for Agroecology, Water and Resilience (CAWR) offered their research expertise.CAWR’s Dr Stephen Coupe says: “The technical requirements of Boughton IN1 were a big part of why we chose it. We also wanted the chance to get as many wildflowers in the space as possible. The nutrient levels were perfect because it wasn’t too rich. In fact, it was a ‘just right’ formulation that wasn’t going to overstimulate but would also deliver enough nutrients for what we needed. Ultimately it was going to be perfect for long-term sustainable plant growth.”He continues: “Reliability was another consideration because we knew we could get it delivered on site on time and, because of Boughton’s location in Kettering, we weren’t concerned about lead times, so that was a plus. It’s safe to say it was a studied choice.”Ground-breaking resultsAccording to the University, the trial resulted in ground-breaking analysis into how different types of green roofs can be created and maintained, as well as what their benefits would be alongside others in a built-up area.  The project successfully demonstrated the ecological impact of placing retrofit green roofs onto existing infrastructure, even with a focus on wildflower species and a relatively short development time. An independently-conducted ecological survey recorded five insect species that have national and local rarity value, including two species of bee that are deemed ‘nationally scarce’ and ‘nationally rare’. Of 457 preserved specimens taken on the green roofs at Coventry University, a total of 120 different insect species were recorded, including wasps, sawflies, hoverflies, beetles, and as many as 11 species of bee.  Coventry University’s findings revealed that the innovation in green roofs has improved and increased the total constructed habitat for rare insects. Research has also enabled better water management alongside habitat enhancement. This research has been incorporated into SEL’s product range, where green roofs are now used across four sites in Coventry, London, Aylesford and Blackburn. CAWR’s Dr Stephen Coupe said: “Ecology, biodiversity and wildlife are largely forgotten by planners, designers and builders in developments. Most green roofs installed in the UK are based on sedum, and, while there are additional features that can be added to these green roofs to improve biodiversity, they are rarely incorporated. Our findings, using Boughton’s Intensive green roof substrate, are that the retrofit of green roofs is feasible and, more than four years into development, IN1 has supported verifiably diverse green roofs. The plants on these roofs supported several insects that have rarity status in the UK, which is very positive.” Dr Coupe adds: “Whilst it is probable that substrates take many years to develop anything like the maturity comparable to natural soil, after just four years, IN1 went from having no recordable eukaryotes, to a concentration of organisms, including worms, soil mites and rotifers.”  Boughton Business Development Manager, Jason Lock comments: “Boughton was delighted to be part of this groundbreaking project and buoyed by such positive findings. Our products have been used successfully in a number of iconic green roof developments around the country over the years but it was a pleasure to be involved in such an important trial that would deliver verifiable results assessing the potential for green roofs to create new habitats in urban environments and enhancing local ecological diversity. Boughton offers an extensive range of green roof substrates and we welcome any research that helps further innovation around the application of green roofs.” The experiment at Coventry University is ongoing and the team are set to feed back again at the end of the summer about how prolonged dry weather has affected results. Dr Coupe says: “The beauty of this project is that there is no general timeline for a piece of green space. We need funding to support our ongoing investigations but there are options and opportunities for long-term research. It can last for the lifespan of the site and I think we will see really interesting developments. There is no reason why, over time, these green spaces would be indistinguishable from an existing habitat.” Boughton’s portfolio of green roof substrates are specifically engineered for different types of roof greening, both for domestic and commercial projects. A full product specification is available for each of Boughton’s Green Roof Substrates, and other landscaping products, making exact specification simple and straightforward. There’s also a section on each product listed online, titled ‘to specify (copy & paste)’, designed to make your job even easier. To enquire about your next project, contact Boughton by calling (01536) 510515 or email sales@boughton.co.uk.

The Manchester Engineering Campus Development at a cost of around 400 Million GBP, is a seven-year project that will deliver a new home for engineering at The University of Manchester.As one of the largest construction projects undertaken by an institution in the UK, at over 76,000m², including a basement structure in excess of 13,000m² MECD is designed to provide the engineering community with a new campus in the heart of Manchester in 2021

Mungret Gate is ideally located just 5km from Limerick City Centre with plenty of activities nearby including a playground, stunning scenery and 2km of walk and cycle paths.The development by Homeland Group consists of 3 and 4-bedroom family homes that are modern and stylish but also sustainable, with an abundance of green communal space for children to play in andfamilies to enjoy. Homeland Group felt that energystore’s TLA would be the perfect fit for their new Mungret Gate development.

Neaco supplied a bespoke specification combining a railed Juliet balcony design with its contemporary glass balustrade to meet the aesthetic requirements of The Pembroke, a prestigious development of luxury apartments in Sevenoaks, Kent. Designed by BHD Architects, the project formed part of an extensive redevelopment of a site at the junction with London Road and Pembroke Road, and included the construction of a new apartment complex comprising 22 properties with parking at basement level. The scheme was designed to fit into the established pattern of development of the surrounding area, in terms of scale and appearance.

In 2020, Paul Dow Joinery approached us to create the kits for a two 5 bed house luxury development he was undertaking in Burntisland. The client wished to create energy efficient, large open-plan house's with wrap around balconies and large glass expanses to allow lots of solar gain but also draw attention to the amazing view of the River Forth right across to Edinburgh.Fast forward to July 2023 and we've only been on site for 4 days and look at the headway that has been made on the first property. The ground and first level are almost complete and ready for the roof. The client has opted for a large glazed roof panel to allow light through the mezzanine level down to the ground level.The houses will promote various renewable's including an air source heat pump, underfloor heating, solar panels and triple glazing to compliment the high level of air tightness provided by the SIPS system.

Neaco has supplied an extensive balustrade specification for a landmark development as part of East Riding College’s new Beverley Campus and Environmental Technologies Centre. Architects Jefferson Sheard worked alongside the College and stakeholders in the development of a concept for a modern facility which acts as the face of the institution and concentrates on the Beverley Minster as an inspirational focal point, sense of place and historic context for students and staff. Neaco’s balustrade with glass infills is featured within an impressive atrium space and multi-functional hub presenting a large, welcoming and open space to visitors.

First fully inspired Cradle to Cradle development in the Netherlands uses Accoya Cladding. The Bosch Siemens HOME (B/S/H) office, called The Inspiration House, is the first building designed for Park 20|20 (the first Cradle to Cradle-inspired full-service development in the Netherlands). The Inspiration House 20|20 was designed by architect William McDonough with Michael Braungart, the founder of the cradle-to-cradle movement. Accoya wood was chosen for the external cladding and windows because it is the only wood product that has achieved the prestigious Cradle to Cradle Gold Certification.

The ETB building is dedicated to research, development and demonstration (RD&D) in sustainable energy technologies. It incorporates energy efficient materials and is designed to minimise its demands for heating, cooling, lighting and ventilation. It actually produces more energy than it requires, heating the neighbouring Institute of Mental Health Building.Approximately 1000m2 of Ash & Lacy Façade was specified on the building’s two main elevations in the VariAL CF1 configuration. VariAL CF1 is a concealed-fix, baffle-jointed cassette rainscreen with a fully adjustable support system, primarily used for horizontal application on walls and for soffits. Designed to fit in with the high-tech building design and to appear to exude their own energy, the panels were manufactured in Alucobond Spectra Sacura ACM finish. This provides a quite stunning two-tone iridescent effect that shows ever changing hues of pink and silver that constantly vary as the angle of view or illumination changes.

This state-of-the-art office building located in the heart of the City of London is the new European headquarters for an international financial organisation.The 10-storey office building was the largest commercial fitout in 2019, housing up to 6000 members of staff with more than one million square feet of space. This modern building is truly unique and offers employees a range of facilities not usually seen in most office developments. Located within the building is an auditorium and conference centre, a health centre, a nursery and playcentre, a fully equipped gym, therapy rooms for sports massage and acupuncture, contemplation and resting rooms. As part of the project build multiple entrances needed to be secured, including the main reception, a gym and childcare centre, a cycle parking entrance and a contractors entrance. The client specified early in the project that all entrance solutions needed to be integrated with a contactless biometric readers, to ensure a high level of authentication. Whilst preventing unauthorised access to the building was crucial, the solution needed to complement the architectural intent and provide the smooth flow of authorised users passing through the prestigious building.

A large new-build office in the heart of Bristol, the Halo development features sandstone-coloured GRC fins and spandrels supplied by BCM GRC as the focal point of its eye-catching façade.Completed in December 2022, Halo was the first office building outside of London to achieve BREEAM Outstanding certification against new sustainability assessment criteria, making it one of the UK's most sustainable offices.The GRC we supplied to Halo was expertly installed by our partner installer, Henley Stone.

Riverlight is the first building to be completed in the Nine Elms area of Battersea by the power station site. Comprising 813 apartments across six glass towers, the project commands an enviable location on the side of the Thames. Seeking high quality flooring for this development, St James chose The Solid Wood Flooring Company to supply Oak and Walnut. With a growing reputation for high dimensional quality and a high standard of durable finish, The Solid Wood Flooring Company manufactured two new products to add to their range of FSC certificated flooring and these complemented the overall finished apartments.

An ambitious self-build project can provide the perfect opportunity to infuse a new home with creative flair, character and lasting appeal. Bringing together these attributes was front of mind for Luke Lawrence, an experienced builder and property developer, when imagining two adjacent family homes for a recent scheme in the affluent commuter town of Hornchurch in Essex. The prime location demanded something quite special and the finished project delivers with a development that marries an attractive, characterful aesthetic with a timeless, contemporary build, achieved with the help of Vandersanden’s multi-coloured Lithium facing bricks.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 

We constructed new LAP and LEAP playgrounds for a large housing developer in Farnham, Hampshire, in the summer of 2022. The estate occupied a pleasant setting on the outskirts of the town, and as such timber equipment was requested to help blend in with the surroundings. The 137100 multiplay anchored the area, providing a great combination of climbing, slides, and challenging play features. A Waltz rotator, zig zag tack, seesaw, and two bay swing complete with a basket swing, 1 x flat seat and 1 x cradle seat completed the area, which is sure to serve as a well loved neighbourhood play area for years to come.

At the new head office of award-winning manufacturer, Sandon Global, Style worked with contractor, H Cumberbirch, and architects, 2M2 Studio, to create flexible space by installing two Dorma Hüppe Variflex moveable walls with 46dB acoustic ratings. With both walls benefiting from semi-automatic operation, the acoustic seals are always applied to exactly the right pressure, delivering exceptional privacy during meetings and events. Creating a contemporary yet highly functional feature of the walls, a combination of acoustic absorbing fabric and writeable glass was used as finishes.Style is the exclusive UK partner to Dorma Hüppe offering a complete range of solid and glass moveable walls with manual, semi-automatic and fully automatic operation.“This is a really stylish head office for Sandon Global, and the Variflex moveable walls not only offer adaptable room space, but they also complement the interior design perfectly,” said Andy Gibson, Style’s director for the North.“The 46dB acoustics on both operable walls ensure that meetings, training sessions, workshops and other events can take place undisturbed. By incorporating a pass door between the board room and seminar area, the wall can be left in place without access issues, only opening up the whole area for occasional large-scale events. In contrast, the meeting room wall is likely to be used most days, depending on numbers.”Between the boardroom and the amphitheatre-style seminar room, writable white glass was applied on the seminar side, with a Creation Bauman Astra Fabric acoustic absorption surface in the boardroom.The moveable wall between the meeting rooms has a mix of the same acoustic absorbing fabric and writeable white glass on both sides – perfect for hosting brainstorm sessions and workshops.Sandon Global manufactures anilox rolls and cylinders used in the flexographic, lithographic and metal decoration print industries, worldwide. The new, purpose-built headquarters in Runcorn, Cheshire, provides additional capacity as well as a state-of-the art research and development function.

Goodluck Hope sits in an enviable position on the banks of the river Thames, directly opposite the 02 Arena. This flagship project from the Irish developer, Ballymore, is a prime example of stunning contemporary design with an industrial edge. Using a mix of blue and green façades, interiors feature bright, colour palettes interspersed with splashes of polished brass in both the kitchens and bathrooms.Towelrads have worked with the M&E subcontractor, Borough Engineering, on every phase of the waterside development and supplied Multicolumn radiators, along with chrome and white towel rails, to the private and shared units. This unique island development features an eclectic mix of contemporary buildings including suites, 1,2-, and 3-bedroom apartments, lofts and townhouses. With so many different plot types, most sizes throughout the project have been made to order with vertical and low-level radiators supplied, some up to 1.6m long.

This new housing development in Leicestershire required porous, all-weather driveway surfacing for the new three, four and five bedroom homes that would manage rainwater and avoid local flooding. Tarmac's ULTIPOROUS provided the solution combining excellent drainage characteristics with proven long term durability and meeting local planning requirements and delivering a sustainable drainage solution.

IKO Permatec, developed by IKO PLC, is a highly advanced and innovative hot melt waterproofing system, which provides environmental benefits as well as market leading performance. Providing zero wrapper waste, lower application temperatures and anti-root protection, the product provides many operational advantages. It is also manufactured in the UK, with a dramatically lower carbon footprint than imported systems.

The £40 million gateway scheme in Liverpool’s Lime Street features spectacular artwork commissioned from local artist Anthony Brown, depicting some of the forgotten stories of one of the city’s most famous streets across 11 giant panels displayed above shops and restaurants, featuring Ash & Lacy’s Perforated Metal Façade system.Designed by Broadway Malyan and forward funded by Curlew Capital, and delivered in a partnership between Liverpool City Council, ION Development and Sigma Inpartnership, the project saw the clearance of a series of run-down buildings and the development of new retail, leisure, hotel and student accommodation. Renovation work also encompassed the refurbishment of the listed former ABC Cinema which occupies a prominent location opposite Liverpool’s mainline station.Ash and Lacy worked closely with Anthony Brown to achieve his goal of creating a “Quantum Timeline”, the artist having meticulously researched the area’s history from Victorian times to the present day.Themes covered in the murals include the story of how Lime Street got its name, the Beatles’ song Maggie Mae, the famous old Guinness Clock and the ABC and Scala Super Cinemas. They are LED backlit at night to create an even more stunning effect.

Perched on an elevated plane above the tranquil Suffolk village of Rattlesden, Rising Sun Hill is a bespoke residential housing development that seeks to blend in with its surroundings while standing out among other new builds for its character.The 22 homes include eight that will be offered as affordable housing. Individually conceptualised, the homes feature finishes that draw on traditional materials and designs, such as weatherboarding and rendering. To reflect the space of the surrounding countryside, the homes (which range from 2-4 bedrooms) are roomy, both inside and out. Large, landscaped gardens, stone paths, patios and generous planting of shrubs and trees complete the idyllic setting.But attention to detail hasn’t just been dedicated to aesthetics. Consideration has also been given to the homes’ long-term sustainability, with each home being fitted with an air source heat pump and well-designed insulation.The very fabric of the buildings, from the blockwork to the timber frame, has been scrutinised too. For developer Hartog Hutton, it was just as important to use high-quality materials as it was to give each building its own individual flair.

The Redrock Development, previously known as the Bridgefield site, is a new leisure destination in the heart of Stockport town centre. The Client required a range of products for this project, including the MultipliCITY seats & benches, which were supplied and manufactured under licence in the UK by Artform Urban, the Big Harris Benches which were customised with LED illumination, and two bespoke sedum roof cycle shelters. Artform provided their expert knowledge for the design and installation of these individual products.

Langton Homes is a well-established family-owned company specialising in developing properties throughout the Midlands for more than thirty years.One of their recent projects was four high-end luxury detached six-bedroom houses featuring extensive outbuildings, each set within large private grounds. The main property on the development – Langton House, was being specifically built for the owner of Langton Homes.Having used Mustang® Seamless gutters on projects in the past, they had no issues specifying it again for this development. Existing garages on the development, which had previously been fitted with uPVC as a cheaper option, were now failing and leaking, so they were replaced at the same time as the rest of the development was installed with Mustang® Seamless Aluminium Gutters.Mustang® was ideal for this build due to the sleek, clean lines of the gutter, with no external brackets on view. Mustang seamless gutters are strong and durable but lightweight and easy to install, with most of the preparation work being done at ground level before the gutter is raised to height for the final fixing into place, meaning that it is often safer and quicker than fitting traditional guttering.As the aluminium is roll-formed on-site to the exact dimensions of the building in continuous lengths of up to 30 metres, there is no waste.Once installed Mustang® Seamless Aluminium Guttering requires minimal maintenance. It is the only quality-assured seamless gutter system certified by the British Board of Agrément (BBA) to last over 30 years. A certification ARP has held for over 25 years.Colonnade aluminium downpipes completed the installation and were polyester powder coated (PPC) in Anthracite Grey (RAL 7016) to match the colour of the gutter in our in-house purpose-built PPC facility.Aluminium is a natural, non-corrosive material and needs little maintenance, but it is also fully recyclable. Aluminium will not crack, creek or fade, resulting in a truly ‘fit and forget’ system.Andy Craven, Site Manager of Langton Homes, said:“We have continuously used Mustang® Seamless Guttering as a superior alternative to PVC, we have absolute confidence in the installation and the low maintenance of the product.”

Firefighters from South Wales Fire & Rescue Service are getting hands-on training in evacuation alert systems following the installation of an EvacGo system at the Cardiff Gate Training & Development Centre.The Centre trains around 1,400 firefighters in a range of advanced facilities, including industrial and domestic training buildings, a multi-purpose climbing and abseiling tower, dedicated area for road traffic collision simulations, a confined space tunnel, rope rescue structure and areas for hazardous materials. Most recently the Centre opened a state-of-the-art Real Fire Training Facility, enabling crews to undertake drills in a range of real-life scenarios – the first of its kind in Wales.Facilities like this are essential for ensuring firefighters receive the best possible training to respond effectively to a wide range of emergency scenarios. The addition of an EvacGo panel means that operational crews will be able to familiarise themselves with the operation of an evacuation alert system, ensuring they are able to use it successfully should they encounter one during the course of their work.

We designed and installed a beautiful LEAP for a housing developer in Wickham, Hampshire, that added a fantastic new play area to the estate. Given the rural nature of the site, with a stream running adjacent to the park and wild meadows next door, a natural theme was required for the surfacing and equipment. Lappset’s Flora range was ideal for the setting, and a Spell Hill multiplay made for a fantastic centrepiece to the area. A Basket Swing, standard swings, springers, and junior multiplay completed the area, which was surfaced in a green blend TigerMulch mix.

The Award-winning housing developers, Autograph Homes, required a sustainable paving source and wanted to create a generous size resin bound access road that provides a relaxed, natural feel to welcome residents to their homes.

Long-term fabrication and installation partner A&B Glass, included the market-leading Logik PVC-U window system as an alternative to aluminium frames, to meet developer and homeowner demand at the Beaulieu Park housing scheme.

Leicester City Council has worked collaboratively with Asda, ISG and ACO Water Management to achieve a first in sustainable urban drainage within a supermarket development. The solution is an integrated drainage solution that combines proprietary and vegetative systems to achieve effective surface water management, whilst introducing a level of biodiversity never attained before on a retail development.

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

CUPA 9 slates have been specified as part of a modern luxury housing development in Yorkshire. The company’s natural Spanish slates were chosen on account of their aesthetic value, long-term durability and competitive pricing.  Set amongst the foothills of the Yorkshire Wolds and with panoramic views of the Humber Estuary, ‘The View’ in Swanland is a luxury 14 house development, which has been led by main developer, Church Gate Homes. The high-end collection of properties has been delivered using premium building solutions, including CUPA PIZARRAS H9, with each property featuring around 10,000 individual slates. Excelling in terms of aesthetics and long-lasting performance, natural roofing slates are capable of enduring extreme temperatures, are fire-resistant and unaffected by UV light. Incredibly durable, solutions manufactured from slate can offer a lifecycle of over 100 years. Additionally, the natural make up of the material ensures that it is also the most sustainable roofing option on the market. Specifically, CUPA 9 is a grey slate with a very smooth surface and is taken from one of CUPA PIZARRAS’ own quarries in Riofrío de Aliste in Northern Spain. With its traditional beauty, the natural slate is ideal for use across heritage projects. However, the stylish aesthetic of the material also lends itself equally well to modern developments, such as ‘The View’ where it can be used to create sleek roof designs. Speaking on the project, Calum Cowham, Marketing Manager at Burton Roofing Merchants Ltd commented: “The project team needed a roofing solution that both looked and performed perfectly. With the CUPA 9 slates that’s exactly what they got. What’s more, the company’s natural slate product range is available at a highly competitive price point, which owes a lot to CUPA PIZARRAS’ efficient and effective production methods.” Martin Sutton, Operations Manager at Church Gate Homes commented: “When working on high-value properties, it is important to offer customers products, which combine durability and aesthetic value. This is exactly what CUPA PIZARRAS slates allowed us to do at ‘The View’. The company’s natural products perfectly suited the prestigious nature of the site.” As well as offering quality slate solutions, the CUPA PIZARRAS specialists were also on hand to assist the installation team at Church Gate Homes with specific advice on how to fit the slates in line with all relevant standards and requirements. Similarly, the installation team benefitted from the onsite support of leading roofing merchant, Burton Roofing Merchants Ltd. Burton Roofing’s team helped to ensure products were safely delivered to site when required and provided further technical assistance where necessary. “The roofing installation at ‘The View’ was very straightforward and the finished results look great,” commented Martin. “The CUPA PIZARRAS slates have provided a clean and tidy appearance, which fits well across all of the properties. What’s more, we were able to carry out the installation with very little waste, which further bolstered the product’s cost-effective and environmental credentials.” To this end, natural slate solutions also have the added benefit of requiring no chemical or heat treatments that need gas during their production. To ensure even greater environmental performance, CUPA PIZARRAS also endeavours to recycle all of its processing water via a closed circuit, and works to restore exhausted quarries by hydroseeding native plants and ensuring the natural recovery of the local flora and fauna. CUPA PIZARRAS has also been recognised and certified by the Carbon Trust as a carbon neutral company. This recognition highlights the company’s comprehensive effort in sustainability and makes it the first slate production company to achieve carbon neutrality within its operations. All properties at ‘The View’ were sold prior to the commencement of the development. Work at the site continues to progress with the project team working to complete the bespoke designs of its individual customers.  

The maintenance-free finish of Neaco’s powder coated aluminium balustrade has made it a long-standing favourite in the education sector, with countless specifications throughout the UK, and the latest example is a £14 million development at Elthorne Park High School in Ealing. Designed by Re-format and built by Balfour Beatty on behalf of Ealing Borough Council, the building includes a new multi-purpose performance and activity space, extended library facilities, additional Sixth Form teaching and study space. The balustrade features a metallic finish to handrails and stanchions complemented by glass panel infills for a contemporary appearance.

As one of the pioneers of remote working solutions, Citrix recently chose to reconfigure their offices, taking on an additional space at the Cambridge Science Park. Aiming to create an environment that would facilitate engagement, creativity and productivity, moveable wall specialists, Style worked closely with architect, Gensler, and contractor, Area Sq, to offer intensely flexible workspace.Delivering exceptional acoustic ratings of 55dB and 52dB respectively, Style installed two Dorma Hüppe Variflex solid moveable walls and a single Variflex glass moveable wall, allowing Citrix staff to section off a meeting area from the main hall and then further sub-divide the space as required. Contributing to the vibrant new décor, all walls feature black RAL 9005 profiles and dry wipe magnetic boards to encourage brainstorming. Cambridge Science Park has been home to the UK Citrix Research and Development team for over a decade. Having occupied approx. 30,000 sq ft of space on the first floor, Citrix was keen to refurbish their existing workplace as well as expand operations by taking over additional space on the ground floor.Reflecting the Citrix vision and culture, the new layout and design maximises the potential of the space, allowing staff to establish new ways of collaborating.When all three walls are in place, three smaller meeting rooms are created. Alternatively, a combination of one large and one small meeting room can be formed, or just one very large space using just the glass moveable wall. The entire space can also be opened-up into one large open plan area. “This is an excellent example of how a combination of glass and solid moveable walls can create really adaptable office space,” said Steve Williams, sales director for Style Midlands.“Thanks to the inclusion of three pass doors, access is simplified and also allows the glass wall to be left in place for extended periods if desired, creating a more permanent space. “However, due to the semi-automatic operation of these operable walls, they can be opened up extremely quickly so that the entire space can be reconfigured for different vents throughout the day.” 

Aluroll were engaged by a client working on behalf of Foster and Partners (F&P) to develop a unique barrier system for the Apple Store in China.The ChallengeAluroll were engaged by a client working on behalf of Foster and Partners (F&P) to develop a unique barrier system for the Apple Store in development at the Sands Cotai Casino in Macau, China.Due to structural constraints and aesthetic requirements a standard roller shutter solution will not work. These requirements were set by the building’s landlord and without satisfying them the project would not be approved.The SolutionOnce the client had made their preferred shutter style choice (welded tube & link), Aluroll commissioned a second round of prototype tests which involved building a full-scale 9153mm x 5000mm prototype with removable 150mm guide channels.Weight and barrel calculations from the smaller prototypes suggested a maximum tube and link roll diameter of 388mm, which was within the 400mm space. All three tube and link curtain design options were built to full scale and tested on the same barrel and guide channel framework.Aluroll’s extensive research, design and testing stages ensured the final product met the unique requirements of the initial brief successfully. Aluroll visited site in Macau in December 2018 to survey site and confirm all dimensions for manufacture. Apple and F&P requested that Aluroll co-ordinate the installation via a local contractor (YK).Read Dezeens take on the store opening here

The Ladderswood Development is a regenerative project based in the London Borough of Enfield. There are 112 properties, all overlooking a central sculpted landscaped area within the development. Given the interior shape and goal of creating comfortable living spaces, both contractor and installer agreed that Knauf offered the performance they needed. The project was award to drylining specialists S&R London Ltd. in April 2022. Interior work began in January 2023, and they were tasked with bringing the internal aspects of the development up to specification. Elion Mucaj, Quality Manager for S&R London explains. “When we got the project at Ladderswood early last year, we were initially asked how we were going to ensure it was completed to a high standard that would make the development attractive to future residents. We explained our operating process, and what we were aiming to do to ensure that the client’s needs were met.”“Once the client was satisfied, they mentioned they wanted Knauf products used internally because of their previous experience using their range. Coincidentally that was our thoughts too! We knew when we saw the specification, we wanted to use Knauf throughout to hit those performance targets.”Meeting the brief.Being a residential development, fire performance and safety was one of the key considerations for product choice. To achieve this, it was decided that Knauf Fire Panel should be used, with Elion commenting. “Knauf Fire Panel was brilliant; it has the fire performance we needed for the project and of course the warranty it comes with means that we had peace of mind that the product would be secure.” To achieve the level of acoustic performance and comfort for the apartments, Knauf Soundshield Plus was put to good use. “We knew we needed a solution which would ensure minimal sound transfer between the homes. From using the product before and speaking with Knauf, we opted for Soundshield Plus. It was ideal for use within the main walls of the properties.” To round out the overall performance of the properties, Knauf Moisture Panel was used in each of the bathrooms. Chosen for its excellent moisture resistant properties, Moisture Panel helped to minimise any potential damp-related issues and reduce snagging.“Knauf Moisture Panel was the first thing we thought of when it came to the bathrooms. We knew that it is perfect for places that get very humid, and with its material makeup it can really reduce the amount of damp related issues that could develop in the properties. In the long run, it would save everyone a lot of hassle.”Supporting factors.When looking back over the reasons for specifying Knauf for the interior, Elion recalls it wasn’t just the performance guarantees which helped swing the decision.“We have used Knauf in the past and the benefits of using their products are many, but the key thing for us is the technical support. It’s phenomenal and is available as and when we need it.”“Whenever we had questions, we’d get in touch with Knauf and they’d happily answer, no matter how big or small. They also made regular site visits to make sure that everything was going well and that we were all on the same page.”With performance being at the heart of the offer, Knauf was the first choice for both S&R London Ltd. and the client, Mulalley. However, it highlights the importance of the support behind the products which can make the difference on site. Being able to quickly answer technical queries, offer visits to site, and performance guarantees, all adds up for a compelling manufacturer offer. 

Warmup inscreed cables were installed throughout this brand new development of 12 exclusive 3 and 4 bedroom family homes.Warmup’s underfloor heating was installed under the hallway’s beautiful oak, rustic brushed and UV oiled bevelled flooring and the underfloor heated wooden flooring continues into the lounge areas.

A top end housing development in the heart of the West Country features the conservation of a listed mill property as well as elegant new roof designs: all articulated using CUPA PIZARRAS, specified for their quality and long lifetime guarantee, as well as their highly aesthetic appearance. Tail Mill in Merriott, close to Crewkerne in Somerset, is being refurbished and converted along with the construction of new residential properties, built by developer Zero C - with the three and four bedroom executive homes commanding asking prices of £4-500,000.