"research and development"

Due to the increased popularity of outside living space, this property in Northwest London has maximised this opportunity to increase their privacy from one neighbour with an unusually shaped extension providing the freedom of opening up the entire area. To try and keep in with the local surroundings they wanted to use copper for their cladding that would complement their design. Natural copper can take a long time to weather to a green finish. Metal Solutions offered Aurubis Nordic Green which is a pre-patinated copper where they can benefit from the aged finish from the day it was installed.

Kendrick Homes has selected DRU gas fires for ‘The Ridings’, a development of nine executive properties in the commuter village of Balsall Common, near Coventry. DRU Metro 100XT frameless gas fires are situated in six of the properties, with the other three having DRU Global 70XT models in fire surrounds. Both fires are balanced flue models, which do not require a chimney and are installed into a false chimneybreast. The fires have heat outputs of 7 kW, enough for a large living room. They feature realistic log fire displays and are operated by remote control.

Products used Welded Masonry Support, Brick Slip Lintels, B.O.S.S. System, Titan Max System • Architect Coady Architects in collaboration with Feilden Clegg Bradley • Contractor JJ Rhatigan & Co Ltd (Galway)OverviewIG Masonry Support was able to supply a range of its products within a tight revised timeframe on a new-build student accommodation development at National University of Ireland (NUI) constituent university in Galway.Founded in 1845, NUI Galway is ranked among the top 1% of universities and has been inspiring students for 175 years. NUI Galway has earned international recognition as a research-led university with a commitment to top quality teaching, and has colleges spanning arts and social sciences, medicine, policy and engineering.Designed by Coady Partnership Architects, IG Masonry Support worked with the contractor JJ Rhatigan on Phase 1 of the construction of Goldcrest Village, a major state-of-the-art student accommodation as part of NUI Galway.The 429-bed student residence was constructed to the north of the NUI Galway city centre campus, adjacent to the Lifecourse Science Building and the Science Research Building. Near the existing Corrib Village student accommodation, Goldcrest Village offers a total area of 12,500m2, with apartments of five or six bedrooms with en-suites, shared kitchen, dining and living rooms. Four buildings up to five storeys high enclose two courtyards, with the tallest near a pedestrian and cycle route that links the development to the main campus. Communal facilities and a reception are centrally located for the students to access.For this modern and vibrant build, IG Masonry Support’s products were specified due to an established existing relationship with JJ Rhatigan, a contractor which is well-versed on IG Masonry Support’s systems.The ChallengeThe project’s main challenge was achieving the specified brick soffit in a short amount of time to a high-standard of quality and finish.Due to a large change to Building A’s facade, IG Masonry Support’s teams had to adapt quickly whilst the project was live. The project deadline did not change however, which meant manufacturing times were tight. A six-week job had to be turned around in five days without compromise to delivery or quality.Furthermore, the installation of IG Masonry Support systems was to take place whilst students were on campus. This meant that high standards of health and safety precautions had to be upheld and followed at all times.The SolutionIG Masonry Support manufactured its B.O.S.S. (Brick on Soffit System) and Brick Slip Lintels to be installed on the buildings within the new Goldcrest Village development.The B.O.S.S. range is a lightweight prefabricated system that is faster to install than traditional hanging brick systems. Installed to a pre-fitted masonry support system, B.O.S.S. allows increased adjustability along three axes. Produced offsite, B.O.S.S. offers 90% time saving onsite and negates the need for mechanical lifting. B.O.S.S. also removes the need for brick-cutting onsite, resulting in a quality system that is checked before it arrives onsite.IG Masonry Support Brick Slip Lintels can be used over small openings to eliminate the need for additional masonry support. They are delivered to site as a one-piece unit, complete with brick slips attached, eliminating the need for specialist installation onsite.A simpler and easier install when delivered to site was a huge benefit on this project. Not only did the swift installation enable time and cost savings in terms of labour, it ensured a better-quality finish and met the desired specification. This translated into achieving the required brick patterns and soffit sizes which blended seamlessly with the surrounding brickwork.Going above and beyond even on a project with a tight timeframe, IG Masonry Support delivered Masonry Support from Level 2 of Building A. When this was installed, the contractors could determine the finished bond pattern of Level 1 B.O.S.S. units to inform the patterning of the levels beyond, ensuring the same quality finish was met.Throughout the project, IG Masonry Support’s technical division worked with the teams to ensure all products hit the mark on safety and quality.A striking student accommodation complex within NUI Galway, the presence of IG Masonry Support systems will help ensure students live in areas that are of the highest quality throughout the academic years.

F. Ball products have been used to install floorcoverings in a waterside residential development at Swansea Marina. Stopgap 1200 Pro high-performance levelling compound was used to create a smooth base ready for the receipt of floorcoverings. Contractors then used Styccobond F44 acrylic adhesive to install oak-effect Polyflor vinyl sheet in the kitchens and bathrooms, as well as to install purple Polyflor vinyl sheet floorcoverings in the building’s corridors, stairways and other communal areas. Styccobond F46 pressure sensitive acrylic adhesive was used to install Polyflor wood-effect vinyl planks in the living areas of each of the apartments.

The British museum has seen a number of additions over the years,most recently the £135 million world conservation and exhibitionscentre which was completed in 2014. The brief required a particularfocus on creating an environmentally sustainable building with amodern interior that could hold exhibitions, as the museum did nothave enough space for them.The British Museum was conceived in 1753 after Sir Hans Sloaneexchanged his vast collection of artefacts with King George III for£20,000 to ensure that he left an inheritance for his children. Itopened it’s doors to the public in 1759 and has remained in thesame location in Bloomsbury ever since.The main building exhibits landmark architecture inspired by theGreek Revival. To fit the 19th and 20th century design of the site,the architects Rogers Stirk Harbour worked with Mace group tobuild the new conservation centre using steel frames and Portlandglass and stone, easing the transition between the exterior of themuseum and the new development.With a public building of this magnitude, there is a high amount oftraffic around the building so it was imperative that the ironmongeryperformed to the highest level. For this reason, Allgood suppliedthe highest quality hardware including: triple knuckle hinges, floorspring units and mortice locks. We specified the hinges as they aremade from 316 stainless steel and come with a 25 year guaranteewhilst the other hardware items have a ten year guarantee. We alsosupplied our Modric lever handles on mostof the doors as they aretested to grade 4 against BS EN 1906 and would provide the doorswith the highest quality and most durable handles.As science and research are at the core of the new development,the building needed to be modern, functional and sustainable.We were able to meet the sustainability expectations as all of ourstainless steel door fittings are made from 62% recycled materialsof which 95% can be recycled at the end of the product’s life.Additionally, our packaging is also made from recycled material andcan be recycled once it has been used.The World Conservation and Exhibitions centre has now been openfor 6 months and has further enhanced the British Museum’s statusas a world class institute.

The British museum has seen a number of additions over the years,most recently the £135 million world conservation and exhibitionscentre which was completed in 2014. The brief required a particularfocus on creating an environmentally sustainable building with amodern interior that could hold exhibitions, as the museum did nothave enough space for them.The British Museum was conceived in 1753 after Sir Hans Sloaneexchanged his vast collection of artefacts with King George III for£20,000 to ensure that he left an inheritance for his children. Itopened it’s doors to the public in 1759 and has remained in thesame location in Bloomsbury ever since.The main building exhibits landmark architecture inspired by theGreek Revival. To fit the 19th and 20th century design of the site,the architects Rogers Stirk Harbour worked with Mace group tobuild the new conservation centre using steel frames and Portlandglass and stone, easing the transition between the exterior of themuseum and the new development.With a public building of this magnitude, there is a high amount oftraffic around the building so it was imperative that the ironmongeryperformed to the highest level. For this reason, Allgood suppliedthe highest quality hardware including: triple knuckle hinges, floorspring units and mortice locks. We specified the hinges as they aremade from 316 stainless steel and come with a 25 year guaranteewhilst the other hardware items have a ten year guarantee. We alsosupplied our Modric lever handles on mostof the doors as they aretested to grade 4 against BS EN 1906 and would provide the doorswith the highest quality and most durable handles.As science and research are at the core of the new development,the building needed to be modern, functional and sustainable.We were able to meet the sustainability expectations as all of ourstainless steel door fittings are made from 62% recycled materialsof which 95% can be recycled at the end of the product’s life.Additionally, our packaging is also made from recycled material andcan be recycled once it has been used.The World Conservation and Exhibitions centre has now been openfor 6 months and has further enhanced the British Museum’s statusas a world class institute.

A bespoke timber side sliding sectional garage door by Rundum Meir has proved to be the perfect fit for a private collector of classic 1950s Humber cars.After moving into the period property around six years ago, the owner was keen to redevelop the unloved garage to create a space for housing his collection of mark IV B Humber Super Snipe cars. Having purchased and maintained four of these specific models over the past 15 years, he wanted to ensure the new garage would reflect the beauty of the vehicles as well as mirror the period architecture of his 1910-built home.The vehicles are now housed in a garage accessed via an automated timber side sliding sectional door, featuring glass apertures, designed, manufactured and installed by Rundum Meir UK. The six-section door spans 4m to provide easy access to the garage and painted in a high quality black finish to achieve a period look.The homeowner said: “We’re delighted with our new garage and thankful to Rundum Meir for the sliding doors which have made the dream a reality. When we started on the project we researched numerous garage door types, but we struggled to find one that was out of the ordinary, automated and available in the stable-door style we sought.“Danesch and the team at Rundum Meir were fantastic. Following an initial visit to our home, they helped us explore the options within our available budget and the door that they proposed was perfect. With the windows, it is great to be able to see our Super Snipes in all their glory with ease."The side sliding sectional door installed here demonstrates how Rundum Meir is able to develop a bespoke solution for most applications. All its doors are designed in the UK, hand crafted in Germany and assembled back in the UK prior to installation.

This is a very exciting time for residents of South Shields as the first of its kind is being constructed - a million pound penthouse apartment spanning the entire top floor of the apartment block.Genesis products have been used throughout this project to create stunning finishes.Every bathroom in the executive apartment block features ESA100.94 to create stylish niches and tile edges. The brushed effect surface beautifully compliments the tiling around many of the baths.MHS100.35 movement joints and TDP100.91 have been used to create subtle transitions between doorways where discretion is key and a traditional transition strip is not requested.

Award-winning Surrey-based firm, Fletcher Crane Architects, has specified Vandersanden’s 65mm Antro facing brick for interiors and exteriors at Tree House, an impressive, new, contemporary home in Ealing, West London. Located in a conservation area and constructed on a 12 x 12m former garage site, bounded by rear gardens, Tree House is a two-bedroom property that stands assertively against the characterful and repetitive villas in the street. Fletcher Crane has designed the home as an articulated series of volumes in a split-level arrangement of rooms around a central spine. The kitchen and living room sit on the upper storeys to make the most of natural daylight while the two bedrooms are submerged within semi-sunken floors.Boldly deployed and celebrated for the texture, variation and interest they provide, Tree House’s components are a fundamental part of the Fletcher Crane vision. Inside and outside the home, extensive use is made of three principal materials to create a naturally appealing, raw palette of black ash timber, tubular metalwork and multi-coloured Antro brick from Vandersanden.The load bearing Antro brickwork is exposed and flush-jointed with traditional lime mortar to create a unifying, almost monolithic appearance. ‘Baubuche’ structural timber joists span the brick structure, while, in the basement, the in-situ concrete frame is left bare. The central staircase is encased in ash timber panelling which is set against more curved Antro brickwork and sharp metal balustrades. Outside a sunken planted courtyard is accessed using stepped Antro brick planters and a paddle stair constructed of black cobble setts.“We like the texture, the tones and the variety that the Antro brick gives us at Tree House,” says Harry Reid, Architect at Fletcher Crane Architects. “Vandersanden offers a significant range of these light multi-coloured bricks, both in white and grey hues which are very attractive for this type of project. The company supplied us with a number of sample options for comparison and contrast, and we duly selected Antro as our brick of choice. We’re delighted with it, particularly in how the Antro brick combines with the lime mortar, and other components at Tree House to create the overall feeling of an intimate yet generous home that’s filled with light and rich in materials.”Antro is created from a combination of different clay forms which yield a grey base colour, then coated with specific sand types to bring a grained, creased texture to the brick. The clay structure evokes darker and lighter tones out of the base grey along with shades of white in the overall final appearance.For more information on Fletcher Crane Architects go to https://www.fletchercranearchitects.com/. 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' linkCredit: Photography by Lorenzo Zandri © 2021

Secreted within the grounds of a Victorian villa these 2 new Mews properties and 3 new Townhouses replaces demolished 1980’s office facilities. A strong masonry base envelopes a timber clearstory and gables, aluminium dormers and a Zintek Mediterranean Blue zinc roof, to give a truly contemporary interpretation of a traditional mews building. The Townhouses are formed with complex twisted geometries. As with the adjacent mews, materials were selected incorporating a solid masonry base, timber cladding to the projecting cantilevered boxes, aluminium glazing systems, white render and topped with blue zinc mono-pitched roofs.

TODD Architects completes redbrick business school for Queen’s Belfast. Queen’s University’s £17.5 million business school sits within its south Belfast campus, in front of the Grade II-listed Riddel Hall and enclosed by woodland.The new building, built on a former car park, has teaching and learning spaces for postgraduate students along with facilities for supporting the school’s executive education and leadership programmes, with informal study areas, academic offices and shared spaces.The external palette of materials is restrained to sit within its context, combining red clay brick, bronze-framed aluminium and floor-to-ceiling glazed screens. Red cast stone delineates colonnades at the upper and lower entrances.Inside the circulation spaces, exposed concrete soffits with floating ceiling rafts, board-marked concrete walls, timber wall sheeting and terrazzo flooring, create a robust aestheticOne of the key spaces is a top-lit, triple-height atrium with a feature stair providing access from the ground floor reception to the upper ground level, where informal study booths overlook a landscaped courtyard.Primary teaching spaces are restricted to the lower ground floor with large volume lecture theatres set into the surrounding landscape to lessen their visual impact and massing.A low-energy, ecologically sensitive design approach was adopted from the outset. One measure taken was a major geothermal heat system. Piles were driven to a depth of 125m in an adjoining field to extract heat from the sandstone substrate and provide low-level constant heat via underfloor heating, resulting in a 60 per cent reduction in carbon emissions.The £17.5 million project extends to include the partial refurbishment of a listed property.In 2016, Queen’s Business School merged with the William J Clinton Leadership Institute. It is located in the university's Riddel Hall campus on the Stranmillis Road and planned to expand its facilities in 2017 due to continued growth.Architect’s viewOur appointment arose out of a design competition, promoted by the university. We presented a plan diagram based on how we envisaged people might move through the building and a conceptual architectural approach that proposed carefully knitting the built form into its landscaped setting, both of which are still very evident in the finished building.Externally in respect of materiality, the building echoes the neighbouring, listed Riddel Hall in its use of red brick and cast stone. Internally we have sought to ensure a connectivity for users with surrounding mature woodland, with board-marked concrete and other natural finishes combining to create a calm, robust and understated aesthetic.We promoted a low-energy, ecologically sensitive design approach from the outset, securing a BREEAM Excellent rating, with the building’s renewable energy sources including a major geothermal heat system beneath an adjoining lawn and roof mounted arrays of solar/photovoltaic panels.Peter Minnis, project director, TODD ArchitectsClients’ viewsQueen’s University Belfast is moving towards net zero, and this building – which uses sustainable ground source heating – is an important part of the journey. The design of the building, which is sleek, contemporary, and future-focused, boasts the scenic quality of being nestled in the trees of the Stranmillis Conservation Area.The building is helping us a) grow our international stature and esteem by hosting high-profile events; b) expanding our research-led dialogue with the business community by providing space for collaboration and dissemination activities; and c) offers a fantastic student experience via tailor-made areas for learning and study.Professor MN Ravishankar, dean and head, Queen’s Business SchoolThe new Queen’s Business School is the latest building in Queen’s University’s capital investment programme to support world-class education and research and provide an exceptional learning environment and experience for its students. TODD Architects have exceeded expectations in terms of the University’s estate, with this truly iconic building.To address the significant growth in our student numbers and the unprecedented demand for our graduates, the University with full support from local government and employers, approved a capital investment in excess of £26m in a new Business School Building. Designed by TODD Architects, the building provides state-of-the-art teaching and research facilities for more than 3,000 students and 130 academic staff and will play a key role in the future growth and development of Northern Ireland’s business and finance sectors.Through collaboration and a commitment to excellence, TODD Architects has ensured that this facility will enable the Business School to continue its growth, by attracting the best staff and students from Northern Ireland and around the world, and to produce graduates who will make a positive impact on society.We are delighted with our new landmark building that will take Queen’s Business School into the next phase of its development and serving future generations to come.Sonia O’Hare, school manager, Queen’s Business School https://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/buildings/todd-architects-completes-redbrick-business-school-for-queens-belfast?tkn=1 Project dataStart on site September 2020Completion May 2023Gross internal floor area 6,000m² (including 250m² basement)Form of contract JCT Standard Building Contract with Quantities 2016 EditionConstruction cost £17.5 millionArchitect TODD ArchitectsClient Queen’s University BelfastStructural engineer WSPM&E consultant AH DesignQS WSPLandscape architect McIlwaineAcoustic consultant FR Mark & AssociatesProject manager WSPPrincipal designer WSPBuilding control BCC/Local authorityMain contractor Felix O’HareCAD software used Revit

The former Boothen Neighbourhood Centre in Stoke has been given a new lease of life thanks to the MESC Table Tennis Club (MESC TTC) who have taken the facility on as their new base - attracting players from outside the local area. The club, which has been in existence for over 60 years now boasts 90m2 of world class beating Taraflex® Table Tennis Sports floor from international flooring specialist Gerflor in ‘Red’ for their main sports room and it looks first class.MESC TTC is a Table Tennis England “Premier Club and it has members of all ages ranging from 8-80+ years of age. They also coach juniors and have teams in the National Cadet and Junior League. The intention is that the new venue will move the club forward and eventually become a centre of excellence in the area. The building is now in use seven days a week and offers a place for both experienced and developing table tennis players of all ages to hone their skills.Malcolm Dawson, Chairman, MESC TTC commented, “The project came about because we were moving to our new premises, which we took over from the Local Authority as part of a Community Asset Transfer. We had been developing the venue from a very small hall, with offices and storerooms into a fit for purpose table tennis specific venue. This involved security fencing outside, security cameras, installing a new ceiling plus LED lighting, removing internal walls, and finally upgrading the sports floor to an Olympic pedigree solution.”Malcolm Dawson added, “We chose Gerflor’s Taraflex Table Tennis Sports Floor after much research, and as this flooring is approved by the ITTF (which is the Table Tennis’s international governing body), we knew it would be perfectly fit for purpose and our user’s needs.”The installation of the Gerflor Taraflex® Table Tennis Sports floor would need to be undertaken by a company who would meet the high levels of professionalism that the laying of the new floor would demand. Manchester-based XL Gym Interiors Ltd would be the appointed flooring contractor. The staff at XL Gym Interiors have worked in the health and fitness industry for over 20 years, and witnessed trends come and go. Their job is to make sports facilities current, interesting, and an enjoyable space to train and compete in.

The new £8.5m Allam Diabetes Centre at Hull Royal Infirmary plans to treat and care for patients with diabetes and metabolic bone diseases.It also includes a significant amount of clinical research facilities supporting not only diabetes and endocrinology, but also vascular surgery, neurology and other research departments. Its curved towers flank a glass entrance, which leads to a large waiting area and reception. Spread over three storeys are consulting rooms, specialist treatment rooms, office space and changing rooms as well as a roof terrace on the second floor. Designed to achieve a BREEAM rating of ‘very good’, the thermal performance of the insulation specified for the Allam Diabetes Centre’s flat roof was hugely important. Another crucial factor was fire safety. Although the application doesn’t fall under current fire regulations banning combustible insulation, the architect specified that only non-combustible materials should be used during construction.  Main contractors Zenith Developments appointed specialist contractors Fosters Roofing to install the roof. They in turn tasked DANOSA UK with supplying all the materials for the roof construction, including the insulation. “The build-up of the Allam Diabetes Centre was a single-ply warm roof with a tapered insulation scheme to provide the fall required for rainwater run-off,” explained Steve Downey, Commercial Director at DANOSA UK. “Tapered insulation schemes are always more difficult than traditional flat roofs, so we asked Knauf Insulation for technical advice on how to achieve the required U-value of 0.18 W/m2K.” The Knauf Insulation Technical Support Team recommended Rocksilk® Flat Roof Slab. It is BBA certified for use on mechanically fixed flat roof build-ups and is suitable for all types of roof deck.  As well as excellent thermal performance, Rocksilk® Flat Roof Slab is non-combustible with the best possible Euroclass A1 reaction to fire classification. It also provides excellent sound absorption so will help reduce the drumming effect of rainfall.  Rocksilk® Flat Roof Slab contains a special water repellent additive and is manufactured using Knauf Insulation's Krimpact® Technology which provides high levels of compressive strength and durability. As the project was a tapered insulation scheme, Rocksilk® Flat Roof Slab was manufactured to order to ensure the correct fall was created. The tapered insulation scheme wasn’t the only challenge with the Allam Diabetes Centre – it also features a curved façade, which added complexity for the installation team at Fosters Roofing.  Paul Foster, Managing Director at Fosters Roofing said: “Insulation needs to be carefully cut to the exact shape of the building otherwise heat can escape making it less energy efficient. Thankfully Rocksilk® Flat Roof Slab was easy to cut and quick to install, so it wasn’t a problem.” Rocksilk® Flat Roof Slab has also been designed to knit together during installation so there are no gaps that could affect thermal, fire or acoustic performance. By using Rocksilk® Flat Roof Slab, Fosters Roofing and DANOSA UK were able to achieve the required specification for the tapered insulation scheme on the new Allam Diabetes Centre. This will contribute to the energy efficiency needed to achieve the BREEAM ‘very good’ rating. 

Project Overview:"This was an exacting and fascinating project to work on. We were even filmed in the process! An introductory video showing how the centre was developed is shown in the auditorium where our powder coating finish is at eye level - close up and touchable."The Wellcome Genome Campus is a scientific research campus built in the grounds of Hinxton Hall, Hinxton in Cambridgeshire. The focal point within a newly designed Conference Centre is a 100m diameter circular screen created around the Francis Crick Auditorium with an image depicting the evolution of life. The image is created by perforations of different size and pitch in the curved aluminium panels - rather like a pixelated image.Precision powder coating was required ensure that powder penetrated even the smallest perforation in order that the image would be fully revealed.Solution:The individual panels were 2.0m by 0.9m and only 3mm thick, with a border frame to retain the curved shape and enable them to be accurately bolted together. The perforations within them had infinitesimal differences in size and pitch, barely visible to the naked eye. Expert care with coating was required in order to ensure that the powder penetrated every single perforation.We trialled a number of powder coating shades and finishes to find which worked best to reveal the underlying image and asoft pale bronze shade from our anomatch range was selected.The different size and pitch of the perforations created darker and lighter areas on the panels. Powdertech pre-treated and coated the panels on both sides.Benefits:Powdertech (Corby) Ltd has over 25 years experience in architectural metal finishing with the know-how and facilities to carry out high precision powder coating.Excellent colour consistency between batches of powder coating used on the numerous individual panels.High performance powder coatings with a 25 year guaranteeSupport and advice on colour selectionImages courtesy of RG Carter

As part of a £40 million re-development of an existing shopping centre in Farnborough, a new Sainsbury’s was to be the anchor store. The development was designed as a mixed use site and after a review of the store it was identified that project contractors, RG Group, would need to prevent the impact/structure-borne noise from travelling from the store and into the residential apartments situated above.RG Group, were required to install Regupol® 6010BA (REGUPOL sonus curve 17) in order to provide high performance as well as ease of use, necessary in meeting the tight deadlines of the project.The SolutionAcoustic consultants, 24 Acoustics, specified Regupol® 6010BA (REGUPOL sonus curve 17) to ‘float’ the entire shop floor. Quick and easy to install, RG Group was able to cover an area of 4,000m2 efficiently against tight timescales.Manufactured from recycled tyre crumb and resistant to ageing and deformation, Regupol® 6010BA (REGUPOL sonus curve 17) has a maximum load bearing capacity of 50kN/m2 and performs well, even under high point loads. This was a specific consideration for Sainsbury’s as various point loads, such as plant rooms, would be apparent in the final fit-out of the store.Regupol® 6010BA (REGUPOL sonus curve 17) has also been proven to retain its performance characteristics for a long and maintenance free lifespan. A sustainable specification, Regupol® 6010BA (REGUPOL sonus curve 17) offers zero GWP (Global Warming Potential) and zero ODP (Ozone Depletion Potential). Moreover, in addition to being manufactured from recycled materials, it is also completely recyclable.The ResultMeeting the tight deadline imposed on the project was facilitated by the efficient and on-time deliveries of material to site and the quick and easy installation of Regupol® 6010BA (REGUPOL sonus curve 17). With an impact sound insulation of 43dB and airborne sound insulation of 65dB, Regupol® 6010BA (REGUPOL sonus curve 17) achieved Sainsbury’s performance specifications and minimised sound transfer from the store.Louis Vandermerwe, RG Group, commented: “We were extremely impressed with the turnaround times from CMS Acoustics. As soon as Regupol was identified as the most cost effective and high performing isolation solution to meet the project requirements, we needed to move quickly to installation. The material was delivered to site exactly when we needed, and proved quick and easy to install.”

Northern Ireland’s artists and designers of tomorrow are moving into a creative new environment enhanced by the stylish appearance and solid functionality of stainless steel sinks and worktops, custom-crafted by leading bespoke manufacturer GEC Anderson. The durable stainless steel products have been installed as part of a major development programme at the University of Ulster, where they will provide essential facilities for various art disciplines. GEC Anderson is a pioneer of made-to-measure stainless steel products for domestic, commercial and specialist applications.The University of Ulster’s School of Art and Design caters for 2,000 students in the Warwick and Orpheus buildings, flanking busy York Street in downtown Belfast. The school provides teaching and research facilities in fine and applied arts, design and visual communication. In the first £12 million phase of a £30 million re-development, the school is commissioning a six-storey extension to the Warwick Building. The overall plan, prepared by Belfast-based Todd Architects, enables the university to expand teaching and recreational activities on an urban site within the Cathedral Quarter conservation area. Project architect Angus Waddington says both existing buildings will be extensively modernised in the later phases.With numerous studios and workshops for “wet” art disciplines – ranging from painting and ceramics to print-making and printed textiles – the school has a significant need for durable worktops and sinks. Although the new building will eventually focus on the digital arts, it will provide temporary accommodation for departments displaced by renovation elsewhere. In the new extension, interior design consultant Colin Sneddon of DEGW specified GEC Anderson stainless steel sinks, worktops and splashbacks to ensure lasting resistance to paints, inks and dyes. “I have worked with these products previously. GEC Anderson provides a robust, quality solution which is ideal in this application,” he says.Installed by Specialist Joinery Fittings, the bespoke worktops from GEC Anderson are made from acid-resisting grade satin finish stainless steel. The worktops, up to 4m in length, feature integral sinks from GEC Anderson’s standard range as well as splashbacks and water-retaining edge details to minimise spills and splashes during daily use. GEC Anderson Managing Director Martin Tye says stainless steel stands up well to sustained heavy use. “It requires minimal maintenance which means low lifetime costs, and is easy to keep clean. These factors, combined with sheer good looks, make stainless steel the ideal material in many different applications.”

According to Alzheimer’s UK, there are around 900,000 people with dementia in the UK and this figure is expected to rise to 1.6 million by 2040. Dementia is an umbrella term and is caused when diseases, such as Alzheimer’s, vascular dementia and other conditions, damage the brain. As well as memory problems, dementia can also cause issues with vision and perception, leading to problems such as a welcome mat by a door looking like a black hole. The Equality Act and Building Regulations (Part M) make provision for people with dementia and there are some, when specifying paving for care homes and in the public realm, that can make a significant difference. One of the key points that can be addressed by speaking to a reputable paving manufacturer is the consistency of light reflection values (RV) throughout the landscape design. LRV measures the amount of light reflected back from a material when illuminated by a light source. The more light reflected, the higher the LRV. It is usually measured using aspectrophotometer. Research by Liverpool John Moores University demonstrated that an ‘uneven’ appearance of ground surface or patches of darker tone or colour can be confusing and potentially cause accidents. The institution also described how paving patterns or changes in colour that are arbitrary can cause confusion. It has concluded that strong paving patterns - such as chequerboard - may cause disturbance, as consistent light reflectance values are required. When Keepmoat Homes was involved in the building of the planned dementia care facilities in Litchfield, Staffordshire, the company spoke to specialists at Brett Landscaping. Keepmoat was working on a centre that would house up to 90 people in six buildings and needed the paving to be suitable for the residents at the centre. It required external paving which registered between 25 and 45 on the light reflective value spectrum. Rigorous and extensive testing of the LRVs of Brett’s products enabled Keepmoat to install paving that falls within the strict parameters of the guidelines. Testing of Brett’s Alpha Flow permeable paving systems at Brett’s manufacturing plants in Kent and Dorset, showed that the LRV was consistent on individual colour ranges. It also revealed that the variance between all three colour ranges (Autumn Gold, Brindle and Charcoal) is ideally suited for the project. Brett’s Alpha Flow paving is already widely used across the country for developments where developers are looking to improve surface water drainage and prevent flooding. Existing Alpha Flow pavements are also still offering between 15 and 20 years of low maintenance service. Other than the consistency of light reflective values, Alzheimer’s UK has called for other work to help those living with dementia. It also recommends carefully selecting materials to avoid reflective or dark surfaces which could confuse perception, planning continuous, level routes and avoiding steps if possible.

About My Prime DentalMy Prime Dental is a cosmetic and general dental practice based in Hampstead Garden Suburb in north London. It has a team of 17 dentists, hygienists and dental nurses with a range of specialisms. The goal of the practice is to offer each and every patient an experience that exceeds his or her expectations – combining excellent clinical skills and outstanding customer service in an atmosphere that is warm, friendly and relaxed. The atmosphere, look and quality of the treatment rooms is therefore paramount. With that in mind, My Prime Dental has installed miscea taps in three of the treatment rooms in its London dental practice. The taps offer both staff and patients the most convenient and hygienic way of cleaning their hands, both pre and post treatment.Why did My Prime Dental install miscea taps?Maintaining strict standards of hygiene is of upmost importance for all dental practices. The miscea Classic’s touch-free functionality makes this easy. The miscea CLASSIC is not just an award-winning hand hygiene system, but also an effective solution for professionals who require the highest possible standards in hygiene.The miscea CLASSIC wall model was installed by Anglian Dental, the leading dental equipment specialist who have more than two decades experience of designing, developing and installing exceptional dental surgeries. Anglian Dental worked in partnership with My Prime Dental. My Prime Dental had researched the equipment market extensively and found that the miscea CLASSIC tap fitted his vision for the development of a specialist referral practice."We installed the miscea taps to provide an ergonomic and efficient clinic dispensing system for soap and alcohol. We have been very pleased with their performance and with Ecoprod’s after sales support."Principal Dental SurgeonTouch-free dispensing of both water and soapThe miscea CLASSIC is ideal for dentists and other medical professionals because it is much more than just a tap – it’s an advanced hand hygiene system, using advanced sensor technology to enable touch-free dispensing of water and a combination of two other liquid products. Its attractive award-winning design means the miscea CLASSIC is also a stylish addition to any surgery or practice.An additional benefit is that miscea taps can reduce water use by up to 60%. This is because miscea taps ensure that water flows only when you really need it and automatically shut off the flow when you don’t. Special aerators integrated into miscea taps also help to reduce water consumption by enriching the water with air, resulting in a luxurious stream of bubbly water that is soft to the touch and splash-free whilst using even less water.

Three villages and 2,450 new homes have been built in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire. We provided 335 metres of 4m high Jakoustic® Commercial and Highway acoustic fencing which was installed on top of the earth bund. Jakoustic® Commercial and Highway fencing is installed on galvanised steel I-beams which provide strength and durability. It is also the only complete timber acoustic barrier system to hold a CE mark. For this project, reflective acoustic fencing was used, which works by reflecting noise away from its flat profile, which is very effective in large open spaces.

Set to be the tallest building in Africa at 250-metres with 55 stories, Mohammed Tower IV is a new high-rise tower designed by Rafael de la Hoz & Hakim Benjelloun to resemble a rocket on its launch pad. The striking development will be visible from 50km in all directions and forms the centre piece in the Bouregreg Valley Development Project, which plays a leading role in the development programme for Rabat, ‘the City of Light,’ in the Moroccan Capital of Culture. Once complete, the project will provide a luxury hotel, commercial offices, high-end residential apartments, and a viewing sky terrace.The ChallengeSustainability and energy efficiency are both primary design considerations in this project, with the client aiming to achieve LEED Gold and HQE quality standards. LEED certification provides an independent guarantee of a building’s green features, with a LEED Gold rating representing first-class leadership in resource-efficient building design, construction, operations, and maintenance.Farrat were contacted via our export partner in the GCC region, UniGroup, to supply a high-performance, robust, and certified fire-resistant thermal break solution to mitigate against thermal bridging across façade connections for contemporary facade design company Glassline Abu Dhabi. Farrat Structural Thermal Breaks are favoured across the construction industry, as the most efficient & responsible way to thermally separate structural connections and prevent heat loss in the building envelope.The thermal breaks would form part of a wider sustainable construction program, alongside smart energy efficiency systems such as 3350 m² of photovoltaic solar panels on the South façade, rainwater recovery and wastewater recycling systems and an internal energy recovery system to produce hot water.The SolutionFollowing a review of the connection designs, Farrat TBF was selected as the optimal structural thermal break material for extensive use across the façade connections of Mohammed Tower, to prevent heat transfer through steel beams where the external building aspects meet the interior.Farrat TBF is an A2 rated non-combustible structural thermal break material capable of maintaining superior structural performance at temperatures more than 1000°C. Farrat TBF also provides high-level thermal performance to solve structural thermal bridge issues and exceeds all current fire regulatory requirements for buildings above (and below) 18m.Following several high-rise fire tragedies across the globe, increasing numbers of building designers are looking to go beyond the standard when it comes to fire safety.The DesignThe inherent non-combustible composition of Farrat TBF was the solution to the fire element of the design, allowing unrestricted use in the high-rise construction. Use of the material’s remarkably high compressive force resistance allowed Farrat to assess the transmission of loads through the structural connection, sufficient to maintain performance under influence from weather stresses.The Outcome“In designing and securing this high-performance project, Farrat utilised the full extent of our material research & development skills and harnessed our extensive experience of thermal bridging projects in all climates and circumstances around the globe,” states Chris Lister, Commercial Manager of Structural Thermal Breaks at Farrat.“The resulting construction details are to the highest levels of structural and fire safety performance whilst also being beautiful in their simplicity.”Structural Thermal Breaks with FarratFarrat Structural Thermal Breaks are favored across the construction industry, as the most efficient & responsible way to thermally separate structural connections and prevent heat loss in the building envelope.#onamission

Fresh Wharf is being developed by Countryside, in partnership with housing association Notting Hill Genesis on a 10-acre, former brownfield site situated along the banks of the River Roding. Demolition of old premises on the site started in early 2018 and Phase 1 of the construction project commenced later that year. After this, construction of the new properties commenced in earnest, with the apartment blocks and townhouses being constructed. Installation was undertaken by sub-contractor, Stanmore, with Metsec using Revit to create the construction level design for the framing system at the early stages of the project’s conceptualisation.

Nuplace are a quality lettings company, owned by Telford & Wrekin Council. It secured planning permission to build 39 new homes on a site in Telford. The window specification was for a White chamfered profile that could achieve an overall U value of 1.4 W/m2K. SBD accreditation was a requirement AND PAS24. The site’s location near a busy road meant acoustic glazing was required on some elevations. Trickle vents were required on some windows, including those with acoustic glazing requirements, which meant non-standard acoustic trickle vents were required.

Cardiff University’s state-of-the-art Innovation Campus, which boasts exciting new centres that act as a magnet for research and investment, is scheduled to open in 2021. Home to two world-leading scientific research establishments - the Institute for Compound Semiconductors and Cardiff Catalysis Institute – the campus will also host SPARK, the world’s first social science research park, and an Innovation Centre – a creative space for start-ups, spinouts and partnerships. Lorient supplied LAS8001 si drop seals, fire seals, and DS acoustic, smoke and fire seals to the project.

Client: Canary Wharf Group Consultant: Adamson Associates Architects Main Contractor: Kilnbridge Construction Ltd Main Products Used: Emseal DFR-2 SystemsWood Wharf Development is certified as a BREEAM Outstanding rated, sustainable mixed-use development that covers a 23-acre site. It consists of 6 individually designed building structures that provide 2 million square feet of curated workspaces and offices, more than 3,500 new residential homes and 500,000 square feet of retail space. The site is being developed as a new 5G and Wi-Fi-6 enabled, London District to include more than 9 acres of interconnected riverside leisure space with boardwalks, squares, and parks to create an oasis of urban green space. The new multistory building structures were designed with 50mm wide structural expansion joints between floor slabs to accommodate the high levels of thermal movement anticipated, as well as the vibrations from traffic and other loadings. These joints also had to minimise any noise transmission through the floors and provide a minimum of 2-hours fire resistance, which is a key reason the consultants selected the Emshield DFR-2 System as it could easily meet all these stringent requirements. In fact the innovative Emshield DFR-2 System can accommodate more than 100% joint movement capability and is CE Marked to EN-1366-4 for up to 4 hrs fire resistance. This unique Emseal solution also has the advantages of not requiring any potentially damaging mechanical fixings into the structure, as it is easily bonded into the joint, with access only required from above. 

Scientific research into the development of new cancer treatments across the UK is vital, with accurate new medicines and therapies, such as immuno‐oncology, being introduced to help ensure an increase in survival rates among patients. In line with the developments, new cancer care centres are being opened to provide these bespoke treatments for patients. Building Design Partnership (BDP), an international architecture firm, was appointed to design a new 11-storey cancer centre in the heart of Liverpool – the city’s first dedicated cancer hospital that comes as part of a £162 million investment in cancer centres in the region. With cleanliness, hygiene and inclusive design in mind, BDP turned to PPG Architectural Coatings to provide a Johnstone’s Trade paint specification for Clatterbridge Cancer Centre, Liverpool. In an environment where cleaning, sanitation and hygiene practices are of the highest importance, BDP needed to provide a coatings solution that could be thoroughly cleaned regularly, while retaining a high-quality finish and colour. On the recommendation of the project’s main contractor, Laing O’Rourke, BDP specified a range of Johnstone’s Trade paints including Acrylic Durable Matt. Acrylic Durable Matt is a premium emulsion, designed to provide a tough, durable finish. With a Class 1 Scrub Rating, it is ideal for high traffic areas that need regular cleaning – such as healthcare environments. The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre provides specialist chemotherapy and other drug therapies and services so, when it came to specifying paints, it was critical that BDP provided a durable solution with hygiene and quality in mind. As the building will be home to a high number of vulnerable patients and need to be extremely clean at all times, it was crucial that the paint chosen could withstand regular wear and be cleaned and scrubbed regularly, without compromising on quality or colour. For BDP, Acrylic Durable Matt was the perfect solution. Johnstone’s Trade Microbarr Anti Bacterial Acrylic Matt was also used in the Brachytherapy Suite, and HDR and Anaesthetic rooms. Formulated using Silver Ion technology, the coating is a suitable choice for healthcare settings like Clatterbridge Cancer Centre – Liverpool as it to prevent the spread of harmful bacteria and infections, while having a tough, easily washable finish. Another consideration throughout the cancer centre was design and colour. BDP proposed a colour scheme that tied the building and departments together, starting with the referencing of one of The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation Trust’s corporate colours at the main entrance levels. BDP wanted to create an environment that was inclusive for all patients, visitors and staff within the centre, taking into account dementia-friendly design while also matching the Trust’s colours – the output of their design needed to be the perfect balance. PPG helped them to do this with its colour-matching service. They worked in collaboration to develop the colour scheme and submitted that to a Dementia Focus Group for their approval before decoration took place at the centre, to ensure the design took into account their needs as well as looking good. BDP used the bold Trust colours in the reception areas within the building, and worked with PPG to create tonal variations that were used throughout the corridors and rooms on each floor. Each floor had its own colour identity from the PPG Voice of Colour collection. A calming range of blues such as Mystic Iris and Ocean Skies were included within the inpatients ward, contrasting with bright, bold greens such as Be Spontaneous and Funky Frog in the reception area.

TYDE was recently approached by Garry Wells at Wells Commercial Refurbishment Solutions Ltd who were looking for a solution for a project they were working on for the refurbishment of Norton public toilets on behalf of Stockton on Tees Borough Council. The brief that Garry and his team had from Stockton on Tees Borough Council included a requirement for Anti-Vandal WC Pans and Basins.After researching our Resan® products online the team at Wells Commercial Refurbishment contacted one of our Business Development Managers to find out more about what kind of solution we could provide. After some initial discussions we were invited to meet with Garry and his team to go through the requirements of the project in more depth.Over a period of time, we worked together to create a comprehensive list of exactly what would be needed to complete the job to the high standards demanded by Stockton on Tees Borough Council. We provided samples of our recommended products to Garry and his team and satisfied that Resan® was what they were looking for, Wells CRS placed the order for our products via Crosslings Merchants in Stockton on Tees.In order to ensure that the installation of the products went smoothly for Wells, our Resan® Specification Manager attended the site several times to offer advice and suggestions on all aspects of installation and setup. This helped to ensure that Garry and his team at Wells CRS met the high expectations of their client who were delighted with the finished project. Stockton on Tees Borough Council are confident that the finished project will serve the community of Norton for many years to come.This project highlights the benefits of using our Resan® products on projects of this type due to their damage resistant qualities. It also provides further evidence that the excellent onsite expertise and service we can offer to contractors will always guarantee the best quality finishes.Gary Wells from Wells Commercial Refurbishment Solutions Ltd commented, “The new toilet block is an important facility for the popular High Street and anti-vandal sanitaryware was essential. The Resan® range from Dudley was perfect for what we needed and the experts at TYDE were fantastic throughout the project from our initial conversation to completion."

A new self-build farmhouse in the beautiful Scottish countryside has been fitted with the high-performing Wraptite air-barrier. The project is designed to Passivhaus standards by Architect Frances Strachan-Friar. Talla Fiodha (‘timber or wooden hall’ in Gaelic), Charleston Farm, near Errol, Perthshire, will be the new home for Frances and her husband.From the outset, the aim was to achieve a more sustainable design and follow a different approach from the traditional timber kit. After undertaking significant research into different types of construction, the architect selected Xilonor CLT cross-laminated timber installed by Glulam Solutions Ltd., Inverurie.Frances Strachan-Friar commented on how the selection of Wraptite has benefitted the development. “The specification of the correct type of airtightness barrier was critical in achieving thermal efficiency. Wraptite was chosen because it allows the airtightness layer to be fitted to the outside of the construction. In doing so, the external application of Wraptite provides essential protection in the form of waterproofing and weatherproofing for the CLT during the build.“The Wraptite system was great and easy to apply, especially around junctions, enabling us to seal all of the junctions completely. The use of a traditional membrane would not have given the same performance. I have previously specified products from the A. Proctor Group, but this was the first time using Wraptite. Proctors provided a comprehensive Toolbox Talk and have been a great support throughout the project.”The Wraptite system is the only self-adhering vapour permeable air barrier certified by the BBA. It combines the critical properties of vapour permeability and airtightness in one self-adhering membrane. As a result, it provides high vapour permeability in a continuously sealed, airtight membrane.The high vapour permeability of the Wraptite air barrier allows the substrate beneath to dry quickly and moisture vapour to escape and reduces the likelihood of mould, mildew, condensation, timber distortion and metal corrosion. The vapour permeability of Wraptite also allows any water vapour to escape efficiently, thereby avoiding interstitial condensation problems.Designed to replace traditional airtightness methods cost-effectively, Wraptite is a low-resistance vapour permeable air barrier, durable, flexible and lightweight, allowing for easy installation, with the added benefit of providing temporary protection against the elements during construction

An innovative new residential property built on Passivhous principles, located on the site of a former walled garden within a classic Georgian country house estate, utilises Promat SYSTEMGLAS® Celare fire resistant glazing system from fire, thermal and acoustic solutions specialist Promat UK. With the aim of maximising natural daylight, the design incorporates a number of full height modern slim floor to ceiling windows using the SYSTEMGLAS® Celare glazing system. By choosing SYSTEMGLAS®, the architect and builder have been able to benefit from Promat UK’s ‘360 degree wheel of assurance’ for fire rated glazing systems.

The Oak Cancer Centre at The Royal Marsden’s Sutton site is a state-of-the-art research and treatment facility, designed to bring the hospital’s 400-strong research team and its clinical care facility together under one roof. Specialist brickwork contractors, Lesterose Builders, were appointed by main contractor ISG to design and build the 2,800m2 masonry façade. As a result, they were responsible for ensuring the façade complied with the relevant thermal and fire safety regulations. The time and cost challenge The architect’s specification named a rock mineral wool product, but when Sam O’Keefe, Commercial Manager at Lesterose Builders, tried to place the order, there were two problems. He explained: “The first issue was availability – there was an eight to ten week lead time due to materials shortages. And the second issue was cost. We discovered the original insulation manufacturer had two planned price increases, and the extended lead time and phased delivery schedule meant that the Oak Cancer Centre project would be hit by both.” These two issues would not only delay the build, but would push it significantly over budget. So Lesterose Builders needed another insulation solution. Meeting the specification Lesterose Builders turned to Knauf Insulation, a fellow member of the Association of Brickwork Contractors (ABC). Knauf Insulation’s sales team looked at the specification and was able to offer an equivalent – 200mm Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab.  Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab is a rock mineral wool insulation product with a thermal conductivity of just 0.034W/mK, which meant it would meet the U-value of 0.21W/m2K. It is also non-combustible with Euroclass A1 reaction to fire classification, which means it will not contribute to the development or spread of fire should it occur. It is British Board of Agrément (BBA) certified for masonry façades at any height as well as for the broadest range of build-ups of any rainscreen solution on the market. This meant Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab was suitable for use in the Oak Cancer Centre because it complies with building regulations that ban the use of combustible materials in the walls of relevant buildings over 18m tall. In addition to fire safety and thermal performance, Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab offers excellent sound reduction characteristics. Crucially, Knauf Insulation was able to meet both the schedule and cost parameters for the project. “Once we had confirmation that Knauf Insulation could match the specification and deliver to the planned timescales and budget, it was then a case of getting the architect’s approval. This went extremely smoothly. We just made a technical submittal with the datasheets and environmental product declaration (EPD) and Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab was approved for use without any queries.” Ease of installation The seven-full loads of insulation were purchased through Parker Building Supplies. These were delivered to the site in eight phases in line with the schedule of works. The product is designed to be easy to install correctly. Superior robustness and durability mean it can be manoeuvred easily into place. And unlike some competitor products, it can be installed with either face of the slab against the substrate, speeding up installation and preventing incorrect installation. Furthermore, the natural flexibility of rock mineral wool means it adapts to minor imperfections in the substrate, while slabs knit together when tightly butted, eliminating air leakage that could reduce thermal and acoustic performance. Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab is also manufactured with ECOSE® Technology, Knauf Insulation’s unique bio-based binder that contains no added formaldehyde or phenol. It is made from natural raw materials that are rapidly renewable, and is 70% less energy-intensive to manufacture than traditional binders, so it is more environmentally friendly. Products made with ECOSE® Technology generate low levels of dust and VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and have been awarded Eurofins Indoor Air Comfort (Gold) certification. Construction work is known for its challenges, particularly around budgets and schedules – but thanks to Knauf Insulation’s Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab, Lesterose Builders was able to overcome both these issues and meet the required specification factors for the Oak Cancer Centre. 

This month, Falco supplied and installed over 90 spaces of the FalcoLevel-Eco two-tier cycle rack, for what will become Scotland’s largest hotel, located on Drum’s Candlerigg’s Square site in the heart of Glasgow’s historic Merchant City.The new £300m development, will transform Glasgow’s original flourishing fruit and vegetable market which has lay neglected and unused for 20 years, becoming a derelict site in an otherwise vibrant and thriving neighbourhood. Candleriggs Square, bound by Wilson Street, Hutcheson Street, Candleriggs and Trongate is regarded as the last and most significant piece of the Merchant City regeneration jigsaw and will provide a vibrant mixed-use community bringing together new homes, offices, hotels and local amenities.As part of the state-of-the-art development, a requirement for secure, easy to use, cycle parking for over 90 cycles was required, to be located within an accessible, underground facility.Falco manufactured, supplied and installed a series of over 90 double-sided FalcoLevel-Eco two-tier cycle parking spaces within an underground facility at the prestigious development, providing employees and visitors with secure and accessible cycle parking.The popular FalcoLevel-Eco design was chosen for its capability to be located within compact areas, such as the underground facility shown here, providing cyclists with twice as many cycle parking spaces that would have otherwise been available when using traditional cycle racks and stands.Double-sided variations of the popular cycle rack were used to fit inconspicuous within the tight constraints of the space envelope available.The recent installation shown here at Candleriggs Square is just one of many underground environments Falco has supplied and installed cycle parking equipment for. Other recent examples include two-tier cycle parking for Macquarie Bank in London, three flagship Selfridges stores across the UK, VelowUp® vertical cycle stands and two-tier cycle racks for the University of Edinburgh, 150 two-tier cycle rack spaces for Marks & Spencer at Paddington Basin in London as well as semi-vertical cycle parking for Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London.The FalcoLevel-Eco is a high density and budget friendly two-tier cycle parking system which accommodates twice the number of bicycles compared to any other traditional cycle rack or stand. The FalcoLevel two-tier series is the UK’s best-selling high density cycle rack and is used at the UK’s first ever cycle hub at Leeds City Station as well as the UK’s two largest cycle hubs at Cambridge and Chelmsford Stations.For more information about the FalcoLevel-Eco cycle parking system or how Falco can assist your cycle parking scheme, please contact our helpful sales team on 01538 380080.

The largest centre of medical research and health science in Europe.

Smugglers Way has been designed with sustainability at its core and will be one of the largest residential and commercial developments in the area, which is currently undergoing rapid regeneration. The 1.41-hectare scheme will see a mix of 554 new build-to-rent and affordable apartments spread across 13 towers, where residents will be able to benefit from far-reaching views across the River Thames, a large extensive communal area, roof gardens, and external courtyard spaces.The development is situated along Swandon Way, the main transport artery through South West London, and only 350 meters from Wandsworth Town rail station. The site will also be home to more than 8,000m2 of commercial space, including new shops, bars, restaurants, workspace, a cinema, a live music venue, a riverside park, and crossings along the River Wandle.For a project that caters to the diverse needs of a variety of land uses in a busy London location, getting the insulation right was a must. URSAPAN BLACK was able to meet these needs. Navigating the city streets A project of this scale naturally comes with challenges due to the volume of work taking place at the same time. On top of this, the fast-paced, busy nature of London adds extra complications to navigate. From a logistics perspective, it is difficult for lorries to gain access to the site when supplying materials as there is limited space for them to manoeuvre on the streets.Project manager at the design and build construction company, McAleer & Rushe, Gerald Laverty, said: “We made a conscious decision to use products that were logistically viable during the procurement stage of the scheme. URSAPAN BLACK was in keeping with this because the slabs are larger than others on the market – meaning you need less of them - and they are very dense which means they can be compressed allowing more to be transported on a pallet truck. Fewer lorries minimised disruption to other road users and helped us reduce our CO2 emissions.”Holly Lawless, commercial manager at building materials supplier, Walls and Ceilings International, added: “URSA engaged with us early in the project development and confirmed availability of the product for the whole three-year period of the build. This played a critical role in the decision to choose URSA. So many in the industry are struggling with supply chain issues but due to the sheer scale of the project and limited on-site storage, reliability of supply has been – and continues to be – vital in order to stay on track with the project’s tight construction timeframes.” Making it easyThe development of Smugglers Way had tight time frames to stick to. While reassurances of supply availability was critical to help keep the project on track, actual features of the product aided in making it easier to maintain the timeline, too. The large, dense nature of the mineral wool made it easy for workers to handle and install. In turn, helping increase worker productivity levels as they have less slabs to work with per area. Steve Martin, contracts manager at brickwork contractor Callan Construction, said: “We found the product very easy to use. It’s compressible so easy to store and rigid so it doesn't flop about when you are building with it. Time-saving qualities like this are vital in a project of this scale where there are many aspects of development that could be subject to issues which could in turn cause time delays later down the line. Using URSAPAN Black meant we could move on to other areas of the build, such as bricklaying, without delay.” Building for a greener futureSustainability was at the forefront of this build. The complex has been designed to achieve a BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) rating of excellent and Home Quality Mark 4.Quality insulation is one of the most cost-effective ways of reducing CO2 emissions and material choice was vital to achieving these enhanced sustainability standards. URSAPAN BLACK was able to support the sustainability ambitions because the product is manufactured to BS EN ISO 9001 Quality Assurance Systems and BS EN 14001 Environmental Management Systems.Gerald concluded: “URSAPAN BLACK was a perfect fit for a number of reasons. It helped us meet our sustainability ambitions which has a positive knock-on effect for end-users who will benefit from a comfortable indoor climate, in turn helping to reduce their energy bills. But, as a mixed-use project, one of the biggest benefits of all, has been increased acoustic comfort for residents who would otherwise be disturbed by the busy surrounding commercial area.” 

The new 2,500m2 research facility for the University of Nottingham provides laboratory, office and support accommodation for the UK Government Energy Acceleration Research Initiative alongside the university. Using Passiv Haus certified Aluprof MB-TT50 curtain walling and MB-104 Passive windows and door systems, the building achieved Passiv Haus accreditation. Architect: Lewis & Hickey Main Contractor: Robert Woodhead Construction

The decision by the British Museum to move a substantial part of its collection of historical artefacts from storage in London to a new state-of-the-art facility in Reading has led to a major fire-stopping contract for a specialist sub-contractor; featuring the use of the FIREFLY™ TITAN Lite™ 120:60 from the TBA FIREFLY™ range.The development at Cutbush Lane East, in the Shinfield district, has seen main contractor Graham Construction awarded a £30million contract for the erection and fit out of the new facility and while the original specification for the well proven and widely used FIREFLY product came from project architects, John McAslam + Partners, the installation and on site expertise was provided by St. Albans based Loftus Construction Solutions Ltd. in installing the 60 rolls of TITAN Lite™ in line with the manufacturer’s standard details and project specific guidance.The Project Manager for Graham Construction, Andrew Gardner, commented: “The British Museum is closing down its storage facility in central London and moving it here to the new research and storage building in Reading, which we expect to complete early next summer (2022). In terms of the fire barriers these have been designed with both life safety and asset protection prioritised: preventing break out of fire from places like plant rooms, and also the protection of dividing walls from both sides.“This has meant the use of in excess of 30 different details including bespoke ones which has led to TBA/Loftus assisting in further developing the initial specification by JMP to suit the unique site conditions. FIREFLY made several visits to site and offered a lot of useful technical guidance and assisted with alterations being made, while Loftus Construction Solutions Ltd has done very good work on the installation of these complex solutions.”Patrick Loftus, MD of Loftus Construction Solutions Ltd, added: “As an ASFP accredited contractor in conjunction with our FIRAS and LPCB Accreditation’s for Passive Fire Protection System we are familiar with the FIREFLY range and have, in fact been using another product from the range (PHOENIX) for three years in work at Whitechapel Station as part of the overall Crossrail Scheme. Again this has enabled us to be meet our Clients’ needs for multiple unique details on another complex project. TBA complements our on-site activities with their excellent technical support which ensures we can deliver on all aspects of projects to our Clients requirements.Combined with all the site reports, our operatives have undergone training from FIREFLY, including training delivered on-site. The work here in Reading is progressing very well in terms of all the compatibility of connection details and all stakeholders involved are pleased with the results and suitability of the products and installation work carried out.”As a flexible, woven material TITAN Lite™ is easy to cut and fix and is chemically treated to improve its cooling properties, meaning it will prevent temperatures rising in adjoining areas when used to create compartmentation. It is installed as a three-layer, staggered system to achieve 120 minutes integrity and 60 minutes insulation. The system has been fully tested to BS 476 Parts 20 & 22 and is third party certified by IFCC.

With average daily energy bills of only 24p, the cottages at Howgate Close have earned a reputation as possibly the UK’s most energy-efficient homes*. Built by farmer Dr Chris Parsons, the row of nine, single storey cottages exploits a range of passive solar design principles** - including a southerly orientation, a high thermal mass and a earth-bonding (external walls partially covered in soil) - to create homes which are exceptionally energy efficient and comfortable to live in. The homes are also truly affordable as no artificial heat source is required to deliver a stable internal temperature averaging 21-23 degrees Centigrade. The cottages instead use a mix of passive heat sources, created by people and appliances, and solar gain generated through VELFAC triple glazed aluminium / timber windows. As a result, the energy consumption of a two bedroom cottage is 94% less than the average UK household. The architecture of Howgate Close is based on designs created by sustainability housing experts Hockerton Housing Project** ( https://www.hockertonhousingproject.org.uk/) with performance further enhanced by Dr Jerry Harrall (https://drharrall.com) a consultant in the design and adaptation of fossil-fuel-free buildings. ‘Describing Howgate Close as a development of eco-homes is to understate its performance,’ states Dr Harrall. ‘In fact all nine properties operate beyond zero-carbon, and instrumental to the success of Howgate Close is the installation of VELFAC composite triple glazing, specified for its excellent thermal performance.’ A key feature of every cottage is a large, white framed VELFAC composite window screen installed on south facing facades. The screens combine fixed units and a sliding patio door, and with dimensions of up to 3m x 5m occupy almost the entire wall. ‘The VELFAC windows play a crucial role in achieving a SAP rating for each cottage of around 143, potentially the highest group of SAP rating’s in the country and a significant improvement of the average rating of 63,’ says Dr Harrall. ‘VELFAC triple glazing has a U-value of 0.8W/m2K which reduces the rate of heat loss while bringing more natural light into each home, thereby reducing the need for artificial light,’ says Dr Harrall. ‘Across the development, the windows are actually net gatherers of heat, and contribute to an annual energy surplus which we estimate will be enough to power another similar dwelling.’ Unwanted solar gain is minimised by the exceptional insulation afforded by the triple glazed units, enhanced by low emissivity coatings applied to inner glass panes. Ventilation is primarily mechanical but supported by trickle vents within the window frames, and by cross ventilation using additional, smaller VELFAC windows installed in the rear facade. ‘Triple glazing also delivers excellent acoustic insulation,’ adds Dr Harrall, ‘which is important, as the cottages are located within actively cultivated farmland, and are near a busy road and wind turbines.’ Howgate Close is now a model development for affordable, ultra-low energy homes and is also the focus of a two year research and monitoring project, co-run by Dr Harrall and Professor Anton Ianakiev, Professor in Sustainable Energy Systems at Nottingham Trent University (NTU). ‘I have also co-authored an academic paper on Howgate Close,’ adds Dr Harrall, ‘which aims to show that it is possible to design, construct and live in buildings without resort to fossil fuels.’—ends— * Analysis by Elmhurst Energy, the UK’s largest independent provider of energy assessment, retrofit and property professional training, software and accreditation. * * Principles advanced by Professors Brenda and Robert Vale, architects of the Hockerton Housing Project, the design of which inspired Howgate Close.

Surespan designed and manufactured multiple recessed floor access hatches, for the construction of the Halley VI British Antarctic Research Station.Products suppliedSurespan design and manufactured a total of 27 HIAC Recessed Floor Hatches. These hatches provide the access an escape requirement for the structure and are located throughout the research station.We supplied;12no HIAC DL/FR30 1180 x 10707no HIAC DL /FR30 1180 x 10703no HIAC 800 Diameter FR304no HIAC 750 x 750 Lift Out FR601no. HIAC 1000 x 1000 FR30 The Features:The hatches supplied feature a fire rating of between 30-60 minutes and radius corners instead of the standard square corners. The projectThe £22 million unique and innovative research station was designed by Faber Maunsell and Hugh Broughton Architects, and built by Matlock-based Morrison Construction.Objectives;Minimize the environmental footprint of the station.Provide a safe, comfortable, and stimulating environment to live in.To be able to be fully relocatable inland.To allow the station to climb above the annually rising snow levels. The research station comprises seven interlinked modules on hydraulic legs fitted with skis, enabling the units to be towed into new positions. The blue modules contain bedrooms, laboratories, and office areas. The red module features a brightly lit, double-height space that is used for social activities.Halley Vi is the world’s first re-locatable and award-winning research facility providing scientists with state-of-the-art laboratories and living accommodation.