"research and development"

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

This exclusive up-market housing development in rural Somerset, required surfacing for what would become an adopted residential road. Planning requirements specified that a sustainable form of drainage would be needed to gain planning consent. ULTIPOROUS, Tarmac’s durable porous asphalt was recommended. It would allow full infiltration of rainwater to eliminate puddles and standing water even after heavy rain. It would also achieve a safe, all-weather surface for residents and avoid surface run-off into the local catchment. The approach taken, meant that no drains or manholes were required, which is another advantage of using this product for architects and designers. It would also deliver lasting durability, helping to minimise future maintenance requirements.

Early on in the design of this Social Housing scheme at Stump Cross, Pontefract, it was decided that only a permeable pavement would work as the SuDS solution for this development. As the existing drainage infrastructure in the area was already working close to its capacity any additional run off from this developments could cause surface water flooding. Swales and ponds were not be feasible as there was insufficient space available for them. A permeable pavement was therefore chosen as there was no additional land take involved. To view the whole case study please click the link below.

Marketing Rooms and Apartments for the Wood Wharf Development in Canary Wharf. However they wanted a more select floor which we were able to do by supplying 20% to 25% more than required to create a stunning near virtual Prime Black American Walnut floor at a fraction of the cost.A lot of other trades were also completing work at the site including the fit out of show apartments for the Wood Wharf Development. This meant that the floor had to be covered to protect the surface.The product was our E515 which is a 15mm thick oiled walnut.

Over 100 Optima windows and doors were manufactured and installed in a sustainable townhouse development that offers a contemporary twist on Victorian terraced housing.

Sealants specially developed by Hodgson Sealants for quick and efficient assembly have been helping Victory Leisure Homes achieve faster, safer, greener, and more efficient production at its Yorkshire manufacturing facilities. Hodgson has worked in close partnership with both the Technical and Production teams at Victory to formulate specialist solutions for some of its most common sealing and bonding applications. Working closely in tandem with Victory to provide technical support including site visits and substrate testing along the way, Hodgson’s R&D team has replaced less efficient PU adhesives with high-performance products, for safer, quicker bonding with less waiting time between processes.  HY-SPEC HS50 is Hodgson’s latest addition to its hybrid sealant range and was developed to offer Victory a combination of quick grab, excellent tooling properties, and performance adhesion, all the time retaining flexibility on its fast-paced production applications. It is a neutral cure, high modulus and solvent-free adhesive. Its effectiveness for Victory - a company that is at the leading edge for innovation in its markets - lies in its unparalleled wet grab properties. This means that HY-SPEC HS50 can seal and bond quickly reducing the need for mechanical support to provide leak-free construction and to make production processes at Victory quicker and more accurate. It offers excellent adhesion on a wide variety of substrates allowing Victory the production flexibility to work with a range of materials.  Once cured to its full strength, HY-SPEC HS50 retains excellent flexibility making it the perfect product for sealing and bonding in caravan, leisure, specialist vehicle manufacture, marine or industrial assembly where flexibility is vital to accommodate movement in the joint. Once the assembly is complete the HY-SPEC HS50 cures tack free so it will not pick up dirt, maintaining the home’s good looks for years to come. “The innovation teams at Hodgson and Victory have worked collaboratively to produce an advanced solution for our specific requirements,” says Victory’s Research and Development Director, Steve Bulliment. “The result is a sealant that improves productivity, build quality and working condition in our production facilities. The support they have given us has been exceptional, taking the time to listen to our requirements and understand our processes to produce the perfect solution.”Kevin Nickolay of Hodgson Sealants has equally praised the collaboration: “We are very proud to be supporting Victory Leisure Homes in their quest to be consistently best in class. They are always keen to explore the latest sealant technologies available to ensure they have premium quality, water tight structures which offer the very best in home from home holiday accommodation on the market.” HY-SPEC HS50 is a greener, cleaner alternative to traditional PU adhesives with none of the harmful isocyanates and solvents so they are safer and cleaner to use. Hodgson can also offer the adhesive in foil sausages, giving greater yield and less plastic waste than traditional cartridges.

Procheck A2, the high-performance fire-resistant vapour control layer system from the A. Proctor Group has been selected as part of a £6bn regeneration project that will create over 10,000 homes in Enfield, London, over the next 20 years.Leading regeneration specialist Vistry Partnerships has been appointed for the first phase of the Meridian Water scheme working in partnership with Enfield Council. Meridian One will see the development of 1,000 new homes with a mixed tenure of private sale, private rent (PRS) and 50% affordable housing spanning 13 blocks ranging in height from four to twelve storeys. In addition, the scheme incorporates 2,235m2 of employment space and over 2 hectares of green, parkland and open space.Sam Bennett, Commercial Director at SCL LONDON, a Structural Framing Systems and Drylining specialist, commented.“Procheck A2 was selected because it has a Class A2 performance and excellent vapour-controlling properties. In addition, the membrane comes with a high vapour resistance and is airtight, allowing its use as an AVCL.This means that Procheck A2 provides high levels of airtightness which ensures the thermal efficiency of the building.”“Procheck A2 has an A2-s1,d0 fire classification to BS EN 13501-1, is considered limited combustibility and minimal contribution to fire, and therefore, conforms with the requirements for high rise construction (18m).” The superior performance of Procheck A2 from the A. Proctor Group is the perfect solution, delivering significant benefits to the combination of in-factory manufacture and on- site housing construction.Procheck A2 comprises a unique design consisting of a glass fibre backing with a pure aluminium foil and clear lacquer coating. It is this clear surface which provides Procheck A2 with the added benefit of a low emissivity surface, which, when used with a service cavity, can enhance the overall thermal performance of the building fabric, as well as ensure a high fire protection performance, with an A2-s1,d0 fire classification. Procheck A2 is designed to protect the building fabric from the potential risks of condensation whilst providing the added benefit of serving as an effective airtight barrier.Sam Bennett added,“the technical team at the A. Proctor Group supported us throughout and provided comprehensive installation guides giving vital information for both operatives and clients and helping with sign-off at specific hold points throughout the project.” Based on years of investigation, research and development, the A. Proctor Group can offer a superior range of technically advanced membranes to address the safe design of fire solutions in building construction.The installation of Procheck A2 will ensure a high level of protection throughout the building’s lifespan.

When Barry Daly, company director of BUDA Building and Development, went to visit an old reclaim yard in Rawreth to purchase some oak for a development he was working on, all he found was a barren site. The development, Trenders Barn, consists of four timber frame luxury detached properties, each with a unique design. Along with the need for a high quality finish for such a premium build, environmental performance was also a key deciding factor for the choice of all materials. Hardie® Plank, in midnight black was specified for the facades to stay in-keeping with local Essex design styles.

17 Esther Anne Place in Islington, originally a post office building, has been converted into luxury flats and warehouse style apartments. It is a development that builds on the richness and variety of the area, mixing Edwardian flair with modern living. It retains the redbrick facade of the sorting office at ground level, combined with a zinc-clad frame on the upper floors making it an eye catching centre piece to Islington Square. Product: Classic 99 Eclisse pocket door systems Location: Upper Street, Islington Developer: Sager / Cain Hoy Architect: CZWG Development: 169 private units Completion: Q4 2017

Based in Newbury, Berkshire, Howard Porter founded Polgate Ltd some 35 years ago. Formerly a Chartered Surveyor, he saw the opportunity to start his own company and has never looked back, developing mainly new build residential and commercial properties within around 25 miles of Newbury. Here we speak to Howard to gain his point of view on the Grant Aerona³ heat pump.

AstraZeneca Case StudyProject: AstraZeneca HQ, CambridgeProduct: Fade acoustic plasterQuantity: 4200m2Main Contractor: MaceSubcontractors: CMS DanskinArchitect: Herzog & de MeuronValue of Overall Project: £50 Million +Introduction: AstraZeneca Acoustic Plaster Case StudyAfter starting the project with Skanska as lead contractors, in 2019 AstraZeneca switched to their current partnership with Mace to complete their multi-million pound HQ. The building is designed with research facilities at the forefront, and is sound insulted using Fade Acoustic technology.About AstraZenecaSince its inception in 1998, AstraZeneca has been a trailblazer in the fields of medical and scientific research. The Swedish-British company has over 90 locations worldwide and is active across Africa, Europe, Asia and North America. Their headquarters in Cambridge will act as a hub for global innovation, and their patents improve the lives of millions each year. Most recently, their Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine was the first COVID-19 vaccine to be approved in the UK, and has since been adopted worldwide. The company is also at the forefront of cancer research, partnering with Cancer Research UK to improve survival rates.About MaceMace Construction has been developing ideas for clients across five continents for the past 30 years. Their project list is extensive: they’ve worked on everything from airports to the world’s largest observation eye, and closer to home with a renovation of TV’s Coronation Street. Like many industries, the COVID-19 crisis has hit the construction industry in unexpected ways. Instead of seeing this as a setback, Mace have innovated their work-from-home technologies, introducing drones and remote technology to future-proof their business. The company is also future focused in their view towards the environment, implementing green ideas across all projects. Recently Mace were lead contractors on 70 St Mary Axe, the curved skyscraper currently under construction in central London. As well as boasting an attractive semi-elliptical design, by using double-glazed wall cladding and vertical shading fins, the skyscraper also boasts incredibly low carbon emissions.About the projectAstraZeneca’s UK based headquarters have been in the pipeline since 2013. Originally valued at £330 million, soaring material costs and increased investment in new technologies raised the cost to £500 million by 2019. The new headquarters is an immense glass-based structure at the center of Cambridge’s Chesterford Research Park. Herzog & de Meuron’s triangular design was chosen to encourage easy movement around the building, and glass panels are used liberally throughout to “promote ‘visible science’, according to AstraZeneca. The central piazza is a nod to the sprawling courtyards of Cambridge University, providing a communal space for socialising and the sharing of ideas. The headquarters will act as a central hub for both research and business, linking commerce and science under one glass roof.About Fade acousticsFade Acoustic plaster is a flexible alternative to traditional acoustic solutions. A fibreglass substrate provides a sound insulating layer which is then sprayed with 3mm of plaster. This extra layer gives a plastered-like finish, completely disguising the panels beneath. This invisible layer makes Fade Acoustics products ideal for preserving integrity of the building’s original design. The modernist Shenzhen Sea World Culture & Arts Center, for example, was completed using Fade Acoustics plus+ to provide seamless insulation that showed off the building’s angular modernist features. The product can me made to fit any type of structure, applied to concrete or timber substrate, or can even be attached direct to grid using Fade Special Washers. Fade Acoustic products have been proven to be durable and humidity resistant, receiving an A+ rating from French regulatory bodies for creating safe indoor environments.Why Was Fade Acoustics chosen?Mace had previously used Fade Acoustics Plus+ on Tottenham Hotspur’s new stadium, chosen for their hassle-free installation and wide range of colour options which allowed for flawless blending with existing plaster. After this success, Fade Acoustics were an obvious choice for AstraZeneca’s HQ. The project’s complex geometric structure required a soundproofing technique that could adapt to the building’s unique shape without hindering design. The HQ required a bespoke thickness due to the installation of sprinklers. This meant the team had to create a custom sized acoustic board by altering fibreglass substrate to 30mm, instead of their regular 25mm or 40mm. Due to travel restrictions during the COVID-19 crisis, the chosen product also needed to be installed quickly without compromising on quality. CMS Danskin were able to acquire the material quickly, meaning WRR UK, long-time contractors with Mace and the project’s approved installer, could start installation within two weeks. Fade Acoustic’s flexible and easy to install product meant the team could install 4200m² of Fade Acoustic plaster in the final two months of the project. The project is due to be unveiled later this year.

More than 20,000m² of Sto’s external wall insulation system has been specified for two residential schemes at Cherrywood, Ireland’s largest urban development driven forward by real estate group Hines and its joint venture partners, APG Asset Management over the past seven years.Located on a 360-hectare site to the south of Dublin, Cherrywood is expected to serve a population of 25,000 people, offering more than 7,700 new homes, six schools, three parks and leisure facilities.Henry J Lyons Architects selected the StoTherm Mineral insulation system for apartment blocks forming part of the first and second phase of the residential construction. Now complete, the first scheme comprises 431 homes divided into two equally-sized blocks. The second consists of 520 units spread across three blocks and is due to be completed in Summer 2023. Sto installation work was carried out by applicators Platt Reilly.Consisting of mineral fibre insulation boards, the StoTherm Mineral system provides a high level of thermal performance and fire protection. It has been installed onto lightweight steel frames using Sto-Rotofix Plus. Thanks to a unique spiral design, these fixings help to create a seamless façade across all the blocks as well as a cavity behind the insulation board allowing any excess moisture to drain. Using the Sto-Rotofix-Plus, any unevenness in the substrate can be easily rectified by adjusting the insulation boards after they have been installed. This means there is no need for unsightly expansion joints and a smooth surface can be created ready for applying the render.All the apartment blocks will be finished with the StoSilco silicone resin render to provide high levels of water repellence and resistance to algae and fungus growth. 

Gypsol TS-15 is a unique and versatile screed format that combines high strength, thin depth, and rapid installation to offer a robust material that can be used either bonded or un-bonded over a solid substrate. No other thin screed solution currently available in the UK market allows such rapid un-bonded installation.

Fire and security service providers, Securecom Claddagh Ltd, carried out the replacement and upgrade of an ageing fire alarm system, installing a Go panel in each of the three-storey apartment blocks.A Go panel was installed near the front door of each building, covering their hallways and landlord areas. The panels were hard-wire integrated with Apollo detectors and with a CSL fire-specific remote monitoring communication device that communicates to an alarm receiving centre, allowing the relevant key holders to be informed when triggered.Securecom Claddagh has been using Advanced fire panels for a number of years in its projects due to their ease of programming and standardisation across sites, as well as the panels allowing effective technical phone support from Advanced in the event of a fault or unwanted alarm.

Limes Place is a modern collection of 19 family homes, situated in Upper Harbledown, on the outskirts of Canterbury. The new Persimmon Homes development features a range of three, four and five bedroom detached houses priced between £377,000-550,000. While the surrounding area is encompassed by rural farmland and rustic woodland, it is also situated close to the busy A2 carriageway which regularly experiences heavy traffic heading to and from Dover and the M2 motorway, generating unwelcomed levels of noise pollution for existing and prospective residents.

This new regeneration project by Crest Nicholson, boasts high quality residences from studio apartments to four bedroom homes. The building provided much needed new housing for the area. Alison Brook architects won the housing section of the Civic Voice Design Awards. The judges said: ‘This is a stunning housing development which provides an interesting contemporary take on a proud local identity’. Eclisse were delighted to provide 55 classic pocket door systems for this important development. Source: www.crestnicholson.com Development: Bath Riverside Product: 55 Classic Eclisse Pocket Door Systems. Developer: Crest Nicholson PLC Architect: Alison Brook Architects

The oldest street in Coventry features a newly built housing development that remains in keeping with the area’s historic background, thanks to the installation of Cembrit’s Jutland fibre cement slates. Far Gosford Street is setting of many historic stories. Now, it features a new gated community, comprising 30 three and four bedroom mews style houses. Kilby Mews forms part of a wider multi million pound private and public sector regeneration project to develop Far Gosford Street.

Easton Square, an exclusive development of four bespoke, luxury 6-bedroom houses, features CUPA 12 R Excellence roofing slates. The product was selected for its superior qualities including its adaptability, longevity and polished finish. The exclusive Langton Homes development is set in large private grounds in Great Easton. Each property features over 5,500 square feet of accommodation and has been tailored towards the individual needs of each occupier. CUPA 12 slate has been used across all four Easton Square dwellings including the properties’ associated outbuildings and garages.

A new Scottish residential development with a strong emphasis on offsite construction and energy-efficiency has highlighted the suitability of Sto’s external render systems for use with modern structural insulated panels (SIPS). The company’s StoRend Flex external render system, which utilizes the StoVentec carrier board, has been installed onto SIPS to create the new detached and semi-detached properties built at Robertland Gardens in Stewartland, North Ayrshire.

The Helensburgh Waterfront Development project is about creating a vibrant and attractive waterfront for the town.The main feature of the £22 million development project will be a leisure facility operated by live Argyll. Incorporating a main swimming pool and teaching pool, two state-of-the-art fitness studios, a gym and a café all under one roof, with associated parking and a public realm to meet the needs of the local community and attract day visitors to Helensburgh.The state-of-the-art leisure facility is on track to open in 2022 and is set to provide residents and visitors with new swimming and studio pools and a gym and cafe with stunning views of the Clyde.We supplied and Installed Absorb-R SofTone acoustic wall panels to improve acoustic absorption by reducing reverberation and background noises, providing great psycho physical benefits for users.

Location: Barnet, LondonProject Type: HousingDevelopment Cost: £26mProduct: Balcony Cladding with THX Soffit PanelsFinish: Syntha Pulvin RAL 7022 Matt Umbra GreyFire rating: A2 s1, d0 Non-combustible (Reaction to Fire EN BS 13501-1:2018)Client: Redrow HomesArchitect: Fourpoints ArchitectsMain Contractor: Barratt Developments PlcSub Contractor: Balguard Engineering Ltd

Neaco’s structural glass balconies are adding beautiful minimalist looks in keeping with the impressive contemporary design of Oakapple Group’s mixed-use development in the centre of Clapham. Designed by Harris Architects, the scheme comprises 10,000 sq ft of grade A commercial space and 40 luxury apartments with communal external terraces on upper floors. With a choice of glass-fronted designs, Neaco’s Clearview balcony range is renowned for its superior visual appeal and the free-standing structural glass option offers the ultimate in contemporary style with no supporting stanchions required.

As part of the Lincoln High Street improvement scheme Lincolnshire County Council required seating with a significant visual presence to be used as part of traffic-calming measures as well as providing useful short term seating for shoppers. Furnitubes’ in-house designers developed a unique circular bench for the scheme. The steelwork was supplied in a hardwearing corten effect nylon coating, with the iroko hardwood slats in a finish coat to maintain good long term colouration. Overall the scheme has provided this section of Lincoln High Street with a new lease of life.

The MicroSlat System was specified in three areas of this premium development, each space requiring very unique shapes. Bespoke spacing was required in order to accommodate LED strips between the grooves. The client ordered MicroSlat 25-18 that was spray finished to a high quality sheen using a bespoke lacquer finish to match other materials at the site. Black slat core and black acoustic backing complete the look to help transform the interior. MicroSlat was specified as it's a lightweight, modular system that's easy to install, which provides excellent acoustic absorption for a space with such high ceilings.

Keele University based in Staffordshire countryside is world-renowned for its breadth of teaching, being shortlisted for University of the Year in 2020. The latest investment within the University seen a new multi-million-pound state-of-the-art facility for the sector leading Smart Innovation Hub.The Smart Innovation Hub provides accommodation to support the creation and growth of innovation-led businesses, alongside major new facilities enabling the University to grow its established programme of collaborative research, development and innovation support to local firms.The new building has been designed by RIBA award-winning and Sterling Prize-nominated Architects BDP which decided on 998m2 of Fiamma Flagstones (Milaza & Alba). AG’s new premium flagstone delivers an unrivalled aesthetic with its finely textured, beautiful, flamed granite-style finish.In keeping with Keele University’s green ethos, the facility has been planned with a focus on sustainability, resulting in a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating. Therefore, Fiamma was the ideal choice as Enduur Level 1 base and surface technology means each paver contains approx. 70% less embodied carbon per % of cement replaced by using replacement materials.

The University of Lincoln invested £19 million in the construction of the Sarah Swift Building which is home to the Schools of Health & Social Care and Psychology. Aluminium Visible Grid curtain walling, doors and windows were specified for this project, and were chosen due to their versatility and aesthetic qualities. This five-storey academic building houses a broad range of flexible learning spaces for students and staff - including new teaching areas, offices, clinical simulation facilities for the school's healthcare programmes and psychological laboratories for extensive research. Furthermore the building also includes the Professional Development Centre, a facility that provides ongoing training for professionals that require skills-based training. Visible Grid curtain walling also offers design flexibility. Available in a choice of glazing gaskets, it achieves superior load distribution and is suitable for flat or faceted facades.Technal’s aluminium doors and windows were also used throughout the building. The specified doors are ideal for high traffic applications and offer exceptional levels of security and thermal performance. The doors were also chosen as they meet the requirements of Part Q of the Building Standards, having achieved PAS 24:2016.

Aluminium is an established and well used metal in Architecture. In the development of the Eastern Gateway apartments, Accord Indesign have been courageous in combining colour with shape and form creating a multi-layered, multi-coloured and highly visual façade. The variety of cladding solutions is successful breaking up the façade as well as providing a strong commercial versus residential statement. Interlocking Shingles breaking up the central core and interlocking reveal panels that create a linear regimentation in close keeping the traditional brick-built buildings along the High Street. Blended colours deliver a high level of interest.

A re-development in an historic area of Bristol is the latest UK site to feature ACO’s Eyeleds – a combined surface water management and lighting system.

Proposing the Regal range of colours – developed by Knauf for its Presto render range – has enabled Cavanna Homes to work closely with South Hams District Council’s planning department to achieve a pleasing external aesthetic at its Origins development, set in the heart of the Devon village of Dartington.

Recticel Insulation’s innovative insulation board - Eurowall +, which has a tongue and groove joints on all four sides to ensure an airtight fit and improved thermal performance, was selected for a desirable new housing scheme built beside one of England’s eminent waterways.The Magenta Court development in Apsley, Hemel Hempstead is a multi-award nominated social housing project on behalf of Dacorum Borough Council. The £6.5m scheme, which stands alongside the famous Grand Union Canal, comprises 29 one-and-two bedroom flats within four blocks. The buildings’ design was inspired by the surrounding wharf architecture present in a nearby listed cottage, papermill and Apsley Lock.Being delivered by main contractor Jarvis Contracting, working with architects RG+P, key to the programme’s success was achieving an energy-efficient building fabric. This led to the specification of Eurowall®+, a high-performance PIR solution from Recticel.This flagship product helps to achieve a 0.18 U-value with a 90mm-thick panel in a 100mm cavity. The lightweight, easy-to-handle board features a tongue-and-groove joint on its four sides, allowing it to be used as full-fill cavity wall insulation with a 10mm clear cavity. The additional space makes for a rapid, more convenient fit for bricklayers when it comes to installation.Simon Blackham, Technical Manager at Recticel explained:This was a tremendous project to be involved with. It’s a superb housing scheme in a great location. With the buildings’ overall thermal efficiency among the priorities, it’s the type of project Eurowall®+ was created for. Further, it enhanced the programme’s sustainable credentials by reducing on-site labour times, thanks to the additional space it affords installers.Eurowall®+ is an exemplar of how high-performance materials can maximise a home’s thermal performance through a fabric-first approach. Its selection for the Magenta Court development was crucial to the creation of a number of desirable, energy-efficient affordable homes, whilst playing a part in ensuring the contractor remained on track to complete the project to the agreed timeframe. About Eurowall®+:Eurowall® + is a premium, high performance full fill insulation board with precision cut tongue and groove joints on all four sides. This ensures that the boards lock tightly together minimising heat loss through thermal bridging. This unique joint offers increased protection against wind driven rain as well as improved windtightness. Eurowall® + is also designed with a 10mm cavity requirement in mind, so that space can be left for conventional bricklaying techniques.

ObjectiveDurkan was established in 1970, the company has grown from a small, family contractor to become a leading construction and development company in London and the Home Counties.Durkan were contracted to construct 55 new build apartments on Amelia Street, London. They required a bathroom product that was easy to install and simple to clean but without comproming on decor choice, Nuance ticked all the boxes.Bushboard have been developing kitchen and bathroom surfaces in the UK since 1935, with the idea that everyone deserves a great design whatever their budget.ObservationThe Nuance product was recommended to Durkan Ltd and once they had researched it themselves they were pleased with the variety available.‘Nuance provided a solution in a variety of colours and finishes which were attractive to our clients.’Nuance is all about great design with a flexible and integrated approach for all bathroom layouts.Whether your design calls for wall hung, semi-recessed or the latest sit-on basins, the range offers co-ordinated or matching surfaces in laminate or luxurious solid surface.OutcomeDurkan specified ‘Ice’ surfaces creating a stylish, sleek finish to their bathrooms.A laminate worksurface gives a smart and integrate design look with little maintenance required.‘No challenges occured during the installation process, it was straightforward.’The Nuance worksurfaces give a real flexibility to shape the perfect bathroom along with peace mind of with a three year joint guarantee when installed with Bushboard’s BB Complete adhesive and sealant.For more information about the Bushboard products, request a RIBA CPD, download an NBS specification or order samples visit www.bushboard.co.uk

THE PROJECT: Recticel supplied the low-thermal conductivity insulation boards to ensure new-build homes within a large residential development attained the required levels of thermal performance. The 450-home complex in Salisbury Plain, Wiltshire was fitted with Eurothane® GP boards, which were installed within the properties’ timber-frame cassettes. The insulation was specified for its excellent thermal conductivity of 0.022W/mK. In addition, the boards’ consistent tolerances, straight edges and flatness enhance their usability without compromise to durability. The cassettes containing the insulation were assembled off-site before being installed within the properties’ walls.THE SOLUTION: For this project, the client required a high-performance PIR insulation board that offered walls throughout its collection of houses and bungalows superb thermal performance. This, along with their easy handling ability, made Eurothane® GP boards the ideal solution. It led to the development achieving a U-value of 0.21W/m2K which is above the project’s specific regulatory requirements. It means when the first occupants inhabit this beautifully designed, modern development, they will be inheriting homes that are as comfortable on the inside as they are attractive on the outside.Derek Gough, Senior Estimator at Taylor Lane Timber Frame, which delivered the project’s timber frame properties explained:"Our excellent working relationship with Recticel was key to the success of this project. It’s a collaboration that thrives on their products’ quality, technical expertise and our installation skills and long-held construction experience."About Eurothane® GP:Eurothane® GP is a high performance PIR insulation board that is light weight, easy to cut, handle and install. Whether it’s a pitched roof, framed wall or floor, Eurothane® GP is the ideal solution amongst contractors and installers

Savills rolls out Pod Point electric vehicle charging points for shoppers.

The £6 million Sandiefield Building Scheme for New Gorbals Housing Association – comprising 29 offices and flats – was completed in July 2019 and constructed by CCG limited and Interlocked Construction.AG supplied its well-established Plaza paving, in Salt + Pepper (400x200x80), to provide a beautiful and robust hard landscaping solution for the surroundings outside the centre. This product was integrated into the design to create polished, smooth lines and was supplied in various sizes (Plaza Pepper 200x100x80) to create aesthetically-pleasing patterning effects to the finished look.David McCandlish, Regional Sales Manager at AG Scotland, said:“We quickly identified Plaza, in Salt and Pepper, as the perfect fit for this major project. Plaza is a heavy-duty solution that is equipped with slip resistance, which will be important, given the high volume of footfall at the centre. This project tied in with another Medical Centre at New Gorbals for which Plaza and Xflo Plaza products were used.”AG’s Plaza paving is produced in the UK using locally sourced materials. 100% renewable energy is used during the production process, something AG has been devoted to implementing across all of its manufacturing locations.

High performance timber windows and doors from the award-winning Conservation™ range by Mumford & Wood have been specified for a unique collection of 10 private new homes in a charming village close to the vibrant county town of Ipswich.

SSQ’s world-class Riverstone phyllite has been used to outstanding effect on a multimillion-pound residential development in Limehouse, East London. The Copenhagen Place project has seen a stretch of canal-side East London transformed into a luxurious housing complex, consisting of 45 individual dwellings spread across a number of five storey apartment buildings – all of which were roofed with 60×30 Riverstone Ultra. A collaboration between architects Stockwool and Bellway Homes, the £10m development required a roofing material that didn’t just offer great aesthetics, but robust, long-lasting performance, too. Visit our website to read in full.