"sliding"

London Square Bermondsey is a residential-led mixed use development in South-East London and comprises over 400 1, 2 and 3 bedroom homes, both private and affordable, flexible workspaces for small businesses and art studios. To clad the façade of the building, it was decided to use DucoSlide BiFold architectural external solar shading.Overcoming challengesOne of the major challenges at the time of the development was the coronavirus, that had a major impact on fabrication, delivery of materials and project deadlines.Michael Brainbridge, Site Manager explains : «Despite the challenge with the coronavirus, we have overcome this smoothly and can now easily say the product we installed is to a good standard and every party concerned is happy with the result. »Quality-finishing in prestigious projectThe high-end, large-scale project, which was finished in the first quarter of 2022, is located in one of the busiest areas in London. The complex consists of residential buildings beside cozy squares and pedestrian paths and truly oozes luxury and prestige.The DucoSlide BiFold panels blend perfectly into these luxurious surroundings and accentuate the façade design of the building effortlessly. The panels are built into a frame that slides away completely. This creates a clear-cut aesthetic difference between the open and closed positions.Michael Brainbridge continues: “ The benefit of the DucoSlide BiFold sunscreen is that it is light, durable and very functional. The panels are easy to handle, easy to install and the finish of the product is of a high standard and quality. Thanks to the DucoSlide panels, the building's appearance has been raised to a higher level which perfectly matches the environment.”

Upgraded access automation to meet the demands of a modern collegeBased in the hometown of British Aviation, and offering a wide range of Apprenticeships, College and University level degrees across two modern campuses, Farnborough College of Technology is known for their work-focused qualifications.Project Year: 2021-PresentProduct: ASSA ABLOY SL500 FrameProject Background: Having worked with architect Bond Bryan developing the specification of FCOT’s new state-of-the-art Aerospace & Innovation Centre, FAAC (then trading as ASSA ABLOY Entrance Systems) started working with Concept Facilities Management who delivers a full range of building and facilities services to the college. Concept FM has been looking to upgrade and modernise all entrances so that the client has reliable and secure access throughout all buildings.Solution: The SL500 automatic sliding door range offered full versatility, all the while being sturdy and resilient, which makes it perfect for Education buildings where high volume of traffic is expected but security is also a priority. Different versions of this SL500 family (Framed, Slim and Telescopic) have been used throughout the college to meet the specific demands of each block entrance and existing space, but maintaining similar specifications for consistency. The modernisation will also help the building's efficiency, as the fine-tuning of opening and closing times, extra tight-fitting brushes and thermally broken profiles will help to keep energy costs down.For more information or assistance with any project, please contact enquiries.esuk@faactechnologies.com where we can provide expert guidance and detailed documentation.

Bradfield College, located in the heart of Berkshire, is a school for 13-18 year olds, providing an 'education for life'.Set up in 1892, the school has its own church as part of the grounds, which has remained closed for a number of years.However, work has been completed recently to connect the church to the school, and convert it into a learning hub for academic purposes - providing students with the space to work individually or collectively to further their learning, preparing them for life in the 21st century.ChallengeNationwide metal & single ply roofing contractors Salmon Solutions provided the solution when it came to the cladding - using elZinc® standing seam cladding in Rainbow Gold to elevate the cladding, giving a sophisticated modern feel to the metal and glass exterior.SolutionTo get a secure fix, Salmon Solutions turned to use Fixfast SPIDI® Max brackets and rails as part of the vertical cladding solution. SPIDI Max brackets are versatile to be used in a wide range of applications, as well as being suitable for horizontal or vertical applications - one bracket for both fixed and sliding points, and available in 3 material grades: aluminium, A2/304 stainless steel, or A4/316 stainless steel."We have a great working relationship with Fixfast and use their products on the majority of our projects. Fixfast - as always - were reliable and efficient with both service and the technical info, which allowed us to incorporate not just their fixings but the SPIDI helping hand system into this project."Charlie Whitman - Salmon Solutions Ltd

Here's how Freedom has transformed the Troke Family's living space - Why Freedom?Freedom embraces unique features to support independent living scenarios and offers the latest kitchen trends so there’s no need to compromise on style. Key components of safety, style, storage and smart flexibility at the core of the Freedom brand, make it ideal for multi-generational living, including mobility requirements.Meet The Troke FamilyLucille Troke, is a wheelchair user who lives with her family in Aylesbury. Over the last few years, the family’s property has been renovated to enable Lucille, younger sister Josephine and her parents, Leonie and Jon the ability to use and enjoy their new kitchen.  “I look forward to using this amazing kitchen every day! My mum has always been really good at baking pastries and cakes and now I can also enjoy cooking at home”.The family’s previous kitchen had a custom-made fixed lowered worktop, which was helpful to Lucille, but it was back-ache inducing for the rest of the family. The old kitchen had outward opening oven doors which were impractical for Lucille to use.Zoe Paye of OT Healthcare, the family’s Occupational Therapist, provides support to the family and oversaw the design process for the transformation of their bungalow. She suggested Adam Thomas, accessible design consultant, of the Adam Thomas Consultancy and Tara Neil Kitchen Retailer.The Design SolutionsAs part of an early design consultation, a few essential yet practical accessible kitchen features were agreed:Integrated Slide&Hide® ovens positioned at a 90-degree angle to a lowered height fixed worktop to makes it easier, and safer, for Lucille to transfer dishes to and from the oven.A tall larder with i-move pull-down baskets and pull-out drawers, providing quick and easy access to dried food and tins.Various work surface space to make the kitchen ideal for all the family; a standard worktop with sink, a lowered height worktop, an electric rise-and-fall worktop with induction hob and sink.   Additional design features:Pull-out crockery and pan drawers, so the contents are easy to access and visible at a glance. Plenty of manoeuvring space incorporated into the layout to ensure a fit-for-purpose space to support Lucille’s mobility requirements. Le Mans pull-outs in the corner base cabinets, ideal for storing and accessing items in hard to reach corners. A waterfall edge finish to the electric rise-and-fall worktop, to avoid accidental spillages onto Lucille. Flip sockets set within the rise-and-fall work surface to allow easy reach for Lucille. Two sinks, one at a standard height near the dishwasher and the other, a prep sink set within the rise-and-fall work surface providing essential convenience for all the family. Recycling and waste bins integrated into cabinetry, accessible to the whole family.  Products featured: Freedom Urban kitchen in Indigo colourway with chrome handles. Mix of worktop materials in Quartzite and Corian in pale grey and white.Appliances: single bowl sinks, integrated hide and slide ovens, microwave and induction hob, hot tap, integrated fridge-freezer & dishwasher, feature lighting and flip sockets.The Freedom brand is designed in collaboration with the Adam Thomas Consultancy. Adam is an accessible design consultant and industry expert with over 40 years’ experience. Freedom is available from selected retail partners around the UK.

North Acre, a magnificent five-bedroom barn conversion, commands breathtaking views over the picturesque countryside near Shaftesbury in Dorset's Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.Gowercroft products used:Peveril Lift and Slide DoorsKedleston Tilt and Turn WindowsMelbourne DoorsHardwick Casement WindowsAccoya®Vanessa and Bruce Jones, longing to build their dream home in the countryside, were thrilled when they discovered a spacious plot with an abandoned steel-framed agricultural building.The 400-square-meter south-facing structure, once a cattle shed, held immense potential for their vision of a modern, open-plan, eco-friendly family home."North Acre's location captivated us instantly. We realised that, with the right design, this industrial-looking farm building could be transformed into a light-filled, airy sanctuary for our family," shared Vanessa Jones.Uniquely Integrated DesignCampbell Jackson Architects approached the conversion with a focus on celebrating the structure's grand scale, shape, and utilitarian simplicity."Our philosophy is to create buildings that are harmonious and appropriate for their surroundings, revealing the distinctive qualities of each project. In this case, we aimed to maintain the barn's unassuming presence within the rural landscape while welcoming the stunning views into its light-filled interior spaces," explained Jamie Campbell.The original concrete hardstanding served as the footprint for the new design, with the core steel framework supporting a metal-clad roof. The use of pre-cast concrete panels at lower levels and extensive Siberian larch cladding contribute to a contemporary and understated aesthetic.Thoughtfully Framed ViewsThe south-facing elevation of the design purposefully responds to the panoramic views. Landscape Tilt and Turn windows and Lift and Slide doors from Gowercroft Joinery were carefully incorporated, allowing for perfectly framed vistas."We sought high-quality traditional timber windows and doors that would seamlessly blend with the concrete lintels and the Siberian larch cladding. Over time, the cladding will naturally weather from its original blond colour to a sun-bleached patina," shared Jamie.Gowercroft's windows and doors, renowned for their silver-grey translucent finish, were chosen for their contemporary aesthetic. The Accoya® timber's grain pattern shines through, complementing the desired tone.Throughout the project, Gowercroft supplied 22 Accoya® tilt and turn windows and four doors, all finished with their exclusive semi-transparent grey coating. These windows and doors enhance the flow between interior living spaces and offer captivating views of an exquisite indoor winter garden.The Perfect Match"We are absolutely thrilled with our new home. Campbell Jackson Architects' remarkable design has brought our original vision to life in ways beyond our imagination. The quality and beauty of the timber windows and doors from Gowercroft complete the picture," expressed Vanessa Jones.The Gowercroft team went above and beyond, ensuring that every detail, both technical and aesthetic, was meticulously considered to ensure their windows and doors were the perfect match for the new home. The specially developed micro-porous protective finish from Italy guarantees exceptional performance and virtually maintenance-free enjoyment.North Acre stands as a testament to the successful collaboration between Campbell Jackson Architects and Gowercroft, where architectural excellence and exquisite craftsmanship converge.

Electricity interconnectors play a crucial role in the EU’s strategy to achieve a competitive and integrated European energy market to increase energy security and apply downward pressure to wholesale electricity prices.The 500MW EirGrid East–West Interconnector links the British and Irish markets and brings Britain’s interconnector capacity to 4GW with the 2GW IFA to France, 1GW BritNed cable to Holland and 500MW Moyle interconnector to Northern Ireland.The SolutionThe East-West Interconnector project was financed by a €300 million loan from the European Investment Bank, capital investments from commercial banks, EirGrid equity and a €110 million grant from the European Commission.With such huge sums and massive power in play, security is vital on the 47 miles of subsoil and 116 of submarine cable that connects the Woodland HVDC static inverter plant at Rush North Beach, County Meath, and the Shotton plant on Barkby Beach in North Wales.Zaun secured the two inverter plants for Irish national grid operator EirGrid with around 600 metres of ArmaWeave fencing to 3 metres in height, buried in a concrete cill and combined with a 4.6 metre high Harper Chalice electric fence, which systems integrator Crime & Fire Defence Systems installed.The fence line had to be connected to an intricate underground earthing grid and to incorporate vehicular sliding gates, pedestrian turnstiles and manual gates.ArmaWeave achieves the highest rated standards for fencing defending against forcible attacks. Its unique properties and tight mesh pattern provide no climbing aids and resist cutting attacks with hand, powered and non-contact tools.

Fircroft House in Essex has been completely transformed from a tired 1980s detached property into a distinctive home with a contemporary edge.Renovated throughout, Fircroft House features a new ground floor extension, pale grey timber-effect external cladding (replacing a brick and render façade), and brand new Rationel alu-clad windows and doors. In fact, sixteen new windows are installed across the property, including opening and fixed units, two large sliding patio doors, and a solid, grooved front door flanked by glazed side lights and set beneath an arched portico. When planning the refurbishment of Fircroft House, window and door replacement was a project priority, as the original property had single glazed, leaded, all-timber windows which made the interior very dark and were thermally inefficient. All-aluminium glazing was initially considered because the homeowners wanted an affordable, durable and contemporary frame design which looked more attractive than uPVC. They changed their mind, however, when they saw Rationel AURAPLUS alu-clad windows installed at a friend’s home: ‘The idea of a frame which combined timber and aluminium was very appealing,’ they say. ‘It offered the best of both worlds with hardwearing aluminium outside and thanks to the wood, a more tactile finish to the inner frames, so we decided to find out more.’ The homeowners are delighted with their new windows and doors and would happily recommend Rationel: ‘We are very impressed with the package offered by Rationel,’ they say. ‘The windows and doors are all high quality, low maintenance and look great, and the service we received from okoHaus was amazing from start to finish.’

Four residential blocks on Albert Road, North London, have recently undergone renovation, including removal of wooden screen shutters across the frontage of each apartment. The sliding shutters create an attractive appearance as well as performing shade from direct sunlight, but over recent years the wood has warped and deteriorated. Warping meant that the screens no longer travelled smoothly across the windows, and deterioration was causing the louvres to loosen with the danger that they might fall on people walking below. A refurbishment would also provide the opportunity to refit with materials conforming to current fire safety regulations. Considering the refurbishment, the developers were keen to retain the screens and felt that the appearance of wood was appealing, giving the apartments something of a continental appeal, albeit in north London. The blocks were developed and are managed by L&Q, a housing association that aims to deliver high quality affordable homes, and in their own words ‘better places to live’. The screens could easily be replaced using aluminium for the frame aerofoil blades and the look of wood could just as easily be delivered by using a shade from our Wood Finish (PWF™) range. PWF30, a dark shade, was closest to the original wood. In total Powdertech pre-treated and coated 9500 linear metres of extruded aluminium, each individual foil being 1.22m in length. Using aluminium brings the obvious benefits of strength combined with lightweight. The screens will not warp and need only minimal maintenance. Our Wood Finish conforms to the required reaction to fire specification for residential buildings of this type, A2-s1, d0, and the metal itself is non-combustible thus solving a number of issues in one, Wood Finish on aluminium is a winning combination.

Pavillion Point is a Purpose Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) development on London Road in the centre of Brighton in East Sussex, close to the University of Brighton's main campus. Managed by student accommodation specialist Fresh, the building provides 232 student rooms, dedicated social and study areas, a gym, cafe, multimedia space and landscaped courtyard as well as retail units on the ground floor. The five storey development, designed by Corstorphine & Wright, targeted BREEAM Excellent standards as well as high levels of acoustic performance.In addition to the TECHNAL windows, curtain walling, doors and sliding systems chosen, the external facade features a clay brick slip system for the ground to third floors with a grey rainscreen cladding on the set-back fourth floor. The use of TECHNAL's aluminum systems contributed to creating an A1 rated non-combustible facade, a client requirement given the increased focus on fire safety.To ensure high levels of natural light in the student room, the design features large floor to ceiling windows. The aluminium tilt before turn windows were installed above a fixed glazing panel to create this feature. The TBT windows were selected as the inward tilt opening provides suitable ventilation whilst ensure the safety of the residents. The aim of achieving BREEAM Excellent certification as well as the building’s location on a busy road meant that the door, window and curtain walling systems had to also meet a number of specific performance requirements, not least a high level of acoustic performance. This was a challenge due to the size of some of the panels included in the design. TECHNAL system allowed a 41dB sound reduction to be achieved while optimising the weight of the glazed units.

Victorian Library receives perimeter sealing system and sash window repair by VentrollaKEY FEATURES: COMMERCIAL, SASH WINDOWS, PUBLIC BUILDING, RENOVATION, VENTROLLA PERIMETER SEALING SYSTEM (VPSS), VICTORIAN.Ventrolla leant a hand with the renovation at Gants Hill Library, Ilford, repairing 12 period timber windows.The work formed part of a major refurbishment project overseen by Ongar-based construction company, Bolt & Heeks Ltd. The project took three months to complete and involved extensive repairs to the building’s original art deco features, including a number of architectural glass roof lights and the parquet flooring.Paula Garsdon, Marketing Manager for Bolt & Heeks, said:“The library dates back to 1938 and it was important to carry out maintenance work in a way that was sympathetic to its origins. We liaised closely with the Borough’s Conservation Officer and carefully selected partners, including Ventrolla, who specialise in dealing with historic buildings.”“The library has been refurbished throughout and this, together with the renovated windows, creates a comfortable and welcoming environment for visitors to enjoy.”Gants Hill is the oldest library in the London Borough of Redbridge. Now reopened to the public, it features new study areas, an additional eight computer terminals, wi-fi access in the reading room and new themed areas for children and teenagers.Ventrolla offers a bespoke renovation service for timber sliding sash and casement windows as well as timber doors. Its unique Perimeter Sealing System significantly improves the window’s performance and energy efficiency.Ventrolla's central office is in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, with regional Ventrolla offices located throughout the UK and Ireland.

Templeton House, a remarkable Georgian mansion in Roehampton, London, has undergone a meticulous restoration, capturing the essence of its historic grandeur while introducing modern comforts. Led by Richstone Properties, the project celebrates architectural authenticity and exquisite craftsmanship.Architectural Authenticity:Extensive research and collaboration with Historic England ensured the restoration honoured the original layout and design of Templeton House.The exterior structure was restored to its former glory, with meticulous repairs, cleaning, and recreations of features like the Doric portico entrance and Portland stone staircase.Neglected gardens were revived, featuring a reflection pond and replanted cedar trees, reminiscent of the mansion's illustrious past.Craftsmanship and Bespoke Features:Gowercroft Joinery played a pivotal role in the restoration, producing award-winning windows, interior doors, and bespoke joinery.The Winston Heritage sliding sash window was developed and manufactured, providing a blend of traditional aesthetics and modern efficiency, The innovative windows featured Accoya® timber and vacuum glazed units.Our attention to detail extended to replicating traditional putty lines, restoring original ironmongery, and incorporating bespoke elements such as curved top-lights and internal shutters.Recognition and Acclaim:The restoration project received high praise at The Georgian Group's 2019 Architectural Awards.Gowercroft Joinery was honoured with the 2019 British Woodworking Federation's 'Woodworking Project of the Year' award.The innovative Heritage windows developed by Gowercroft garnered industry recognition, including the 'Best Windows' category at the 2017 Build It Awards.Templeton House stands as a testament to the seamless integration of architectural heritage and modern refinement. This remarkable restoration showcases the dedication to preserving history while creating a haven of timeless elegance and contemporary luxury.

Laying ceramic tiles on flat roofs, terraces and podium decks has been made easier with the development of the Rail System, an integrated substructure system to increase stability of suspended tiles. The Rail System incorporates an adjustable height pedestal with a special clip head fitting, a specially profiled aluminium rail which clicks onto the headpiece without the need for mechanical fixings and a top headpiece which slides along the rail to hold and position the tile. By tying the pedestals together via the rail, there is far less risk of an individual pedestal moving or changing height, leading to far less risk of a tile rocking over time. This assures the integrity of the upper surface and gives a health and safety improvement to the area.The rail gives added structural stability as the weight is distributed laterally along the rails and not driven directly downwards onto the pedestal beneath. The top headpiece can be slid along the rail to fit to the corners of the tile above. This means the edge of the tile does not necessarily have to be directly above the pedestal, giving much greater flexibility for positioning.Consider the possibility of a drainage outlet or other awkward detail being directly beneath the edge of a surface tile. Instead of having to cut the tile back, simply move the pedestals away for the outlet and let the rail circumvent the hazard. Position the top head in the correct place to fit around the corner of the tile and the issue is addressed quickly, securely and easily. The rail system brings greater lateral stability to the tiled deck and is a faster, more efficient way to lay porcelain tiles and slabs. It is a major technical improvement to suspended tile and slab installations.

The new Halcyon Way school was constructed for the community in Oldham - a Special Educational Needs (SEN) school for just over 150 children to grow, learn and develop in a caring and encouraging way.ChallengeMetal roofing and cladding contractor Decron Ltd were contracted to provide the façade for the new school. Turning to Fixfast for a solution for the support system to secure the façade, Fixfast assisted with the intricacies of the project itself - including the large letters that spell out 'Halcyon Way School' at the front of the building.SolutionFixfast were able to provide a detailed façade calculation for Decron, which included details and advice on using our SPIDI Max bracket and rail support system for the wall façade.SPIDI Max is a one-bracket design system that emphasises strength and simplicity - just one bracket can be used in vertical or horizontal applications and can be used for both fixed and sliding points within a façade.The brackets are available in a range of sizes to allow for contoured elevations, and to accommodate a range of cladding zone/cavity depths - from 80mm to 600mm in wall applications, and up to 946mm in soffit applications.Supplied in aluminium or stainless steel to cover a wide range of applications, the unique ribbed bracket design puts strength and ease of use first."Decron extends its sincere appreciation to Fixfast for their invaluable support. Fixfast's expertise in providing a detailed façade calculation and guidance on utilising the SPIDI Max bracket has been instrumental in the project's success. Fixfast's commitment to excellence and innovation reflects the high standards we uphold in our collaborations. Thank you for being a crucial part of our team."Ian Wallbank - Director at Decron Roofing & Cladding

Crest Nicholson is an established developer of sustainable communities, dedicated to both design and innovation. St Clement’s Heights is part of a private housing and supported living project at Sydenham Hill. The development’s collection of 26 apartments and 20 townhouses exhibit impressive architectural elements.Situated at one of the highest points in London, Crest Nicholson incorporated balcony openings into the townhouse design. IG Lintels designed and manufactured a number of large apex lintels to accommodate impressive glazed openings, which provide access to the private balcony.Challenge:The large glazed apex openings provide a rich source of natural light to the second floor master bedrooms helping to create a bright and comfortable living space. The 4048mm openings accommodated glazed sliding doors leading out onto the balcony, where residents can enjoy beautiful views across the city landscape in the distance.IG’s engineers designed a bespoke steel lintel solution to achieve unique architectural features. The Sydenham Hill development required three heavy duty special lintels to accommodate the scale of the second floor openings.Solution:IG designed a bespoke lintel solution to suit the 4048mm span opening and replicated it for each of the three identical openings featured throughout the second floor of the development. The galvanised steel lintel solution accommodated the 2024mm high apex detail, considering the location of the ridge beam to avoid any clash.The end bearings of the lintel were increased to 225mm to help better distribute the loading applied. Additionally, the design incorporated a stiffening plate on the inner leaf to further ensure the structural integrity of the lintel once built-in.

Crest Nicholson is an established developer of sustainable communities, dedicated to both design and innovation. St Clement’s Heights is part of a private housing and supported living project at Sydenham Hill. The development’s collection of 26 apartments and 20 townhouses exhibit impressive architectural elements.Situated at one of the highest points in London, Crest Nicholson incorporated balcony openings into the townhouse design. IG Lintels designed and manufactured a number of large apex lintels to accommodate impressive glazed openings, which provide access to the private balcony.Challenge:The large glazed apex openings provide a rich source of natural light to the second floor master bedrooms helping to create a bright and comfortable living space. The 4048mm openings accommodated glazed sliding doors leading out onto the balcony, where residents can enjoy beautiful views across the city landscape in the distance.IG’s engineers designed a bespoke steel lintel solution to achieve unique architectural features. The Sydenham Hill development required three heavy duty special lintels to accommodate the scale of the second floor openings.Solution:IG designed a bespoke lintel solution to suit the 4048mm span opening and replicated it for each of the three identical openings featured throughout the second floor of the development. The galvanised steel lintel solution accommodated the 2024mm high apex detail, considering the location of the ridge beam to avoid any clash.The end bearings of the lintel were increased to 225mm to help better distribute the loading applied. Additionally, the design incorporated a stiffening plate on the inner leaf to further ensure the structural integrity of the lintel once built-in.

This new Multi-Brand Dealership is comprised of three showrooms for the three prestige automotive brands, Jaguar Land Rover, Aston Martin and McLaren and has been built in Hatfield Business Park, Shropshire by the award winning MCS Group. Each of the showrooms have been designed to allow freedom to explore the range of vehicles in a contemporary environment that is both luxurious and inviting. The Aston Martin and McLaren showrooms are also the first in the UK to showcase the newest corporate identities for the brands.The Jaguar Land Rover £15 million showroom is both light and spacious. It provides 18 vehicle display spaces and dedicated vehicle handover suites. There is also a drive-in service area, valet and preparation area. The Lusso 25 single glazed frameless glazed partition system was installed to create office spaces which allows uninterrupted visibility to the showroom. McLaren has a history of exceptional design and engineering, so it is not surprising that the design for the showroom includes a feature curved glazed partitioning system with curved glass sliding doors. Lusso rose to this challenge and bravely executed the complex design requirements. With this statement partitioning, the showroom becomes a be-fitting space for the stunning range of McLaren supercars, providing the customer with an unforgettable shopping experience. As a prestigious brand, Aston Martin is well-known around the world for being a car manufacturer that produces vehicles that turn heads. Their stylish new showroom has been designed to provide a luxurious backdrop for their stunning supercars.The development of the facility has created a bespoke environment with a dedicated customer specification lounge, private handover area and aftersales facilities.With the use of Lusso Glazed Partitioning System, the bespoke showroom has been given a sleek look which was required for this brand.Image - 8

PROJECT OVERVIEWWorking with BES, we have successfully completed a refurbishment of an existing space into new quality assurance (QA) laboratory for a pharmaceutical blue-chip client. The fundamental requirement was to deliver a purpose- designed laboratory, located at the heart of the client’s busy manufacturing site, to run robust microbiological analytical activities for the next 25 years.SCOPE OF WORKTo meet the project requirements, we utilised several products, including 100mm Mediline partitions, metal pan ceilings, walk-on ceilings and various types of doors. Our in-house team became involved at an early stage of the design process. Working closely with the main contractor and end-users, we were able to recommend different products which would benefit the client’s processes and flow of the building. One of the key solutions we offered was Norwood’s automatic hermetically sealing sliding door system with large vision panels. This specifically designed doors not only saved space but also provided users with an open feel of the facility. It is due to this project that Norwood became a member of the Automatic Door Suppliers Association – (ADSA). Not many companies hold an ADSA membership and being associated with ADSA promotes the highest standards in automatic doors and gives Norwood operatives the qualification for certifying their own automatic doors to BS 7036: 1988. We delivered a modern and energy efficient facility, compliant with Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) requirements, within a controlled budget. The laboratory was finished to the highest standards, with a great attention to detail throughout.This project demonstrates that by involving Norwood at the early design stages, we can add real value, advising on the most suitable solutions, tailored to the specific needs of our clients.

Ross-on-Wye’s skyline has formed the inspiration for new community facilities at a residential development.The iconic St Mary’s Church spire is reflected in the play area and recreation space created by Hand Made Places for families of St Mary’s Garden Village.The secure play area is surrounded by timber picket fencing and accessed via a bespoke arch double leaf gateway.The planed and sanded softwood arch is engraved to read St Mary’s Garden Village.Four further bespoke archways make up a fun walkway leading to a custom-built version of our Milton Play Unit.The play tower features a slide, rockhold ramp, ladder wall and stepped platform with a church-style spire to one end.A Hawkley Adventure Trail, Swing Steps and Bird’s Nest climbing frame are available for older children.And no play area is complete without the swings, with a Double Cradle Swing installed for little ones as well as a Nest Swing.A Star Stage brings role play to life for little ones, with timber Modular Radius Seating, including a bench engraved with the location, also available. Our cute little Hedgehog Animal Face is watching over everyone. Our installers laid a Bound Rubber Mulch safety surface in neutral green and brown colours.In addition to the play area installation, our parent company Broxap Street Furniture manufactured and supplied six Harrogate Senior Cycle Stands for community use. Four cast iron Blackburn Seats, finished with hardwood slats and a black frame, were provided along with a Derby Standard litter bin.

A secure and flexible solution with DORVISIONAs part of a programme of reducing maintenance costs whilst improving security across its stadium and ancillary club buildings, Blackburn Rovers FC has launched a new “open and closed doors” policy. As part of the policy, the football club has installed DORVISION, an innovative GPRS based door controls system developed by dormakaba, global leader in the development of door technology products and systems. Enabling the remote opening and closing of multiple doors from one central location, the system has enabled the Football Club to significantly achieve its goals of reduced costs and increased security.dormakaba’s contribution to the projectAn extensive review of the way the club manned the many entrances associated with its estate and the costs involved with using staff to maintain security, highlighted the rising costs associated with manually unlocking and locking its doors plus emergency and regular maintenance visits. Requiring a solution that would cut man hours associated with manually opening and closing doors as well as reduced service costs, and having been satisfied with the dormakaba automatic door controls used throughout the stadium, Blackburn Rovers Football Club turned to the company’s innovative DORVISION solution.DORVISION was installed onto the existing twelve sets of doors which included dormakaba’S automatic sliding door operators ES200 and ES90 and the electro-hydraulic swing door operator ED200. These were located at various parts of the stadium including entrances for fans and players, a reception area and a retail shop. The club had the additional requirement for a retail shop, located offsite in Blackburn city centre which also required a remote opening, closing and locking facility on the existing dormakaba automatic doors

dormakaba helps provide ‘Access for All’ at £14.5M Clapham Junction Station refurbAs Europe’s busiest railway station with 41 million trains passing through each year, Clapham Junction welcomes hundreds of thousands of passengers onto its platforms every day. Delivered by Network Rail with main contractor Osborne, the improvement package makes the station fully accessible for all passengers, including those with reduced mobility, heavy luggage or children.dormakaba's contribution to the projectDelivering smooth operation and closing reliability in all weathers and seasons, dormakaba’s ED 100 swing door operators proved perfect for the entrance‘s new automatic doors.During in-house testing at temperatures of -15°C, the ED 100 was proven to provide full performance, and reliable closing. Also equipped with dormakaba Wind-Load Control, the ED 100 swing door automatic operator can recognise and compensate for wind loads with a force of up to 150 N (maximum admissible force) making it the perfect solution for doors subjected to high winds and extreme temperature.As part of the major improvement works, dormakaba FFT folding space saving doors completed the construction of the brand new ticketing facilities, travel information screens and toilets in a fully-refurbished ticket hall.For the entrance to the new lift lobby at Platform 17, dormakaba supplied the ES 200 sliding door operator. Easy to install and set-up, it features a powerful motor and a dynamic acceleration/deceleration control capability to ensure reliable operation. The operating performance of the ES 200 is matched by its clean design that complements any building.

Cecil Square contains 45 homes on a 1.5-hectare site in Stamford which was formally the location of Stamford AFC football club. It is a well-planned development of executive homes, founded upon the strong principles of good quality urban design and environmental sustainability.With its long history, spectacular town centre, and vibrant sense of community, Stamford is a special place in which to live and work. The local authorities, landowners, developers and other stakeholders all acknowledged there was a challenge and a responsibility to help this much-cherished town grow and meet the needs of its current and future residents.The client, Burghley House Preservation Trust entrusted Adam Architecture and house builder Morris Homes to bring their vision and values to reality, resulting in a stunning development completed in late 2019.Following a thorough tendering process including assessment of quality, environmental, technical capability and accreditations by the client, architect and the developer, Arden windows were selected as the preferred supplier and installer of the timber window and door package. Products supplied include timber sliding sash windows, flush casement windows, and double and single residential doors.The bespoke window and door designs supplied by Arden achieve the requirements of the traditional aesthetics essential in such a key location, thus ensuring that the new development is in keeping with the local architecture. In addition to meeting this requirement, all products were manufactured within an IOS9001 Quality Management System, are fully certified to all current UK building regulations and are secured by design accredited.Arden undertook the full sub-contract supply and installation of the window and door package which was managed directly by their contracts director and installation teams.

GEC Anderson stainless steel worktops were recently specified by Architects, Dannatt Johnson within the new Learning Spaces and Tea Points within the historic and acclaimed museum. Working for kitchen and bathroom specialists, Brandt Kitchens, GEC Anderson supplied and installed a total of four areas, all within the remit of main contractor, Buxton Building.  Bespoke stainless steel worktops were deployed in two Tea Point and two Learning Spaces. GEC Anderson were able to meet the special detailing requirements prescribed for the various units. 5.0mm SolidTop worktops were specified for the Tea Points that included double sinks and provision for Zip hot water taps and drip trays. In the Learning Spaces, made to measure sink tops with lipped edges and integral back upstands were located in ‘hide away’ areas, behind sliding door sections of the rooms. Managing Director of GEC Anderson comments “This was a really nice project to have been involved with and, actually, is a great showcase of some of the many options that we are able to offer. For instance, in the Learning Space on Level 2, special sized sink bowls were required to fit within the bespoke [narrow] space available, whilst at the same time having space for our lipped edge detail (3) at the front and sides of the worktop perimeter, as well as our upstand edge (10) at the back.  Meanwhile, in the Tea Points, we had the exiting new 5.0mm SolidTops (solid stainless steel, as opposed to the normal, folded, edges). The result of using this detail is always striking with its slim simplicity of form.”

TRC was appointed as principal contractor by Barker Associates in May 2019, to carry out specialist sash window restoration works.Trinity Primary Academy is a primary school located in Bounds Green Road, Wood Green, London. It was built in 1899 by Mitchell and Butler and consists of yellow brick and red brick dressings, tiled roofs, irregular fenestrations, and sash windows that give away its Queen Anne Revival style. It's currently categorised as a Grade II Listed building with Historic England, and is part of the Academies Enterprise Trust.Nature of the worksAs the building was Grade II listed, timber window repairs had to be sympathetic and complementary to the historic nature of the property. Many of the existing timber sash windows were inoperable due to the build-up of decorative coatings, timber degradation, and defective and broken sash window ironmongery, as well as opening mechanisms. The requirement was for the windows to be fully refurbished, repaired and operational as originally intended, but also modified to meet health and safety requirements.Phase one of the refurbishment of 200 sash and timber casement windows commenced on the area needing most attention: the west elevation of the building. Following the success of phase one, the client team extended TRC’s appointment to continue around the remainder of the building, systematically completing all other windows, door and roof light refurbishments.This overall refurbishment project included:Stripping back the existing paint from the historic sash windows and repairing any decayed timber.Repairing glazing as and where necessary.Improving the thermal and acoustic containment by installing draughtproofing.Repainting windows and installing ironmongery.Undertaking brick and stone repairs to the building’s exterior.This project also required our specialist attention on some specific areas of traditional glazing. This aspect of the project required the repair and refurbishment of all four oriel bay windows and the oriel bay glazed roofs. Completion included the supply and fixing of new safety glazing and hardwood timber roof rafters, along with the repair and refurbishment of the two existing openable roof lights. The supply and fixing of new code 4 lead flashing, with lead wedges, was also carried out and fully pointed with the correct cement mortar at the wall abutment.Additional detailed work throughout the project included the following:Removal of all existing fitted window blinds for refixing upon completion of works.Removal and repair of existing window ironmongery, including original mechanical winding gear, solid bar opening mechanisms, locking fasteners, slide bar restrictors, cable restrictors, handles and stays.Careful removal and repair of all internal fixed-glazed hopper units, casements and pivot openings.Removal and replacement of all cracked and broken glazing, and replacement of the existing Georgian wired-glazing, with 6mm safety glass or 4mm polished plate glass to areas up to 1.2m height from floor level. Where privacy was required, white opaque glass with thickness in accordance with above was used.Removal and replacement of all loose and defective glazing putties, and removal of all flaking, loose and built-up paint coatings.Exposure of all timber rot and decay ready for repair with Repair Care Systems products, followed by sanding and priming ready for decoration.Vertical sliding sashes repaired, refurbished and rehung on new sash cords and weights, and adjusted as needed. Sashes were routed to accept new brush pile weather stripping. New parting beads and staff beads were serviced with brush pile weather stripping where appropriate.Final internal and external decoration was carried out using Dulux or Leyland trade paints, allowing for one undercoat and one gloss finish.

We were delighted to have succeeded in a competitive tender to carry out the playground refurbishment works at Decoy Park, Newton Abbot, Devon, in the summer of 2021. Decoy Park is a beloved recreational space in the town, with a large lake, woodland trails, and adjacent football pitches complimenting the play equipment at the park. Our design reflected the semi rural nature of the landscape, with a huge Treehouse structure sitting as the centrepiece of the area, standing almost 6m tall with a tube slide coming off the top level.A dynamic area aimed at older children featured two aerial runways, a beautiful glue laminated hardwood robinia climbing frame, and an overhead rotator. A spinning machine, a unique play piece that spins the seated user vertically 360 degrees, added a unique twist to the zone, something not seen in your everyday playground!The toddler zone is a heaven for the smallest children, with tastefully designed animal graphics, a variety of spinning, balancing and rocking activities, and a fun play ship featuring telescopes, play panels and steering wheels.A variety of different safety surfaces were laid at the area, to suit the various requirements of each zone. Wet pour rubber was used for the Toddler area, as its array of colours made designing and creating the animal graphics a possibility. TigerMulch was chosen for the adventure zone, with its natural looks and hard wearing properties ideal for the dynamic activities taking place here.Decoy Park was one of those special, unique projects that don’t come around very often, and we had so much fun designing and building the new playground. Thanks to Teignbridge District Council for commissioning us to do the works, we hope you enjoy it as much as we did making it!

The £82 million redevelopment of Coventry’s rail station has seen the creation of a new entrance building and multi-storey car park, with Senior Architectural Systems playing a key role in its creation.Designed by AHR Architects, the West Midlands station is one of the busiest outside of London. The project is the latest to have been delivered by Senior and its long-term supply chain partners Elite Aluminium Systems and Buckingham Group Contracting Ltd.Senior’s slimline SF52 aluminium curtain wall system was specified for the main station building, helping to flood the concourse with natural light. Senior’s robust SD automatic commercial sliding doors were also installed to provide secure, safe and accessible access to the thousands of passengers who use the station every day. Additionally, the new-look station also features a footbridge to allow easier access to the platforms and bus interchange.Senior’s slim profile SF52 aluminium curtain wall system provided the ideal balance of aesthetics and performance by allowing copious amounts of light to enter the building and offering enhanced thermal efficiency. The aluminium frames were powder coated to boost durability and also complement the station’s feature grey and red cladding. Senior’s SPW501 aluminium commercial swing doors were also specified throughout to provide a safe and secure solution to such a high traffic environment.The extensive use of glazing on the building also pays homage to the original station building which is located nearby but owing to its Grade II status, could not be extended or developed to meet the increased demand on Coventry’s rail network. Ahead of the wider refurbishment of the original building, the large glazed panels have been used to frame various artwork from local artists and create another focal point for visitors to the city.

Part of the University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Princess Anne Hospital opened in 1981 and is known as a centre of excellence for maternity care. Providing specialist care for women during pregnancy, as well as genetics and breast screening.Project Year: 2023Product: ASSA ABLOY SL500 FrameArchitect: Strata DesignClient: West End ConstructionProject Background: During the first wave of Covid, a piece of art named 'Game Changer' appeared at Southampton Hospital, this was a gift from Banksy to thank the 14000 staff members, as well as honour the work of NHS workers everywhere. The canvas was auctioned to raise money for NHS charities and organisations, raising a total £16.8m.Part of these funds have been used to improve the facilities, and this is where Landscape Architects Strata Design and West End Construction were engaged, to design and build a rooftop oasis for all the hospital staff, to have a place to enjoy and unwind.Solution: Working collaboratively and having surveyed the site where a window was to be turned into a door, FAAC Entrance Solutions proposed a framed SL500 bi-parting sliding door, in order to both maximise the opening width as well as keep the natural light into the building. Being a staff restricted area, access control was also a must, so this was integrated with existing staff passes to facilitate swipe access and with our QFlow traffic light system which regulates occupancy. The SL500’s framed system is a robust resilient door, making it perfect to manage high volumes of traffic as well Southampton coastal wind loads. Additionally, with its thermally broken profiles, additional tight-fitting brushes, it will contribute to keeping energy costs down in comparison to slimmer or manual door entrances.For more information or assistance with any project, please contact enquiries.esuk@faactechnologies.com where we can provide expert guidance and detailed documentation.

Restoration of the Old Rectory in Clifton Village, Nottinghamshire: A Testament to Exquisite Craftsmanship and Heritage PreservationThe Old Rectory, a remarkable Grade II Listed Georgian-style property dating back to the mid-1700s, has undergone a magnificent restoration, showcasing the timeless beauty of timber sash windows. This noteworthy project, carried out with the assistance of Gowercroft Joinery's exceptional craftsmanship, serves as a testament to the commitment to heritage preservation and attention to detail.Key DetailsThe Old Rectory, a Grade II Listed Georgian-style property in Clifton Village, Nottinghamshire, has undergone a £5 million restoration project.Tomlinson Homes, a division of G F Tomlinson Group, collaborated with architects CBP, Nottinghamshire County Council's conservation team, and the local community to ensure the preservation of the property's heritage assets.The restoration project retained and reinstalled many period features, including the original square stairwell with wooden cantilever stairs and purpose-built rooms.Gowercroft Joinery's Classic Range timber windows and doors were chosen as high-quality fixtures and fittings that respected the property's heritage.Products Used48 traditional Chatsworth sliding sash windows with elegant Georgian glazing bars and durable Accoya® frames.23 Hardwick casement windows.6 Kedleston tilt & turn windows.12 Melbourne doors with traditional styling and performance features.17 sets of internal decorative shutters in various designs, maintaining the period look.OverviewThe restoration of the Old Rectory in Clifton Village, Nottinghamshire, stands as a remarkable example of a meticulously executed heritage restoration project.Tomlinson Homes, a division of G F Tomlinson Group, collaborated closely with architects CBP, Nottinghamshire County Council's conservation team, and the local community to ensure the preservation of the property's historic character.The £5 million development, known as Rectory Gardens, encompasses the conversion of the iconic landmark into luxury homes while respecting and restoring its heritage.Preserving the HeritageThroughout the restoration process, great care was taken to retain and restore the property's distinctive period features, including its original square stairwell with wooden cantilever stairs and spacious purpose-built rooms.The project aimed to honour the heritage assets that had withstood the test of time, ensuring that the finished design harmoniously merged the old and the new.Exquisite Timber Windows and DoorsGowercroft Joinery's Classic Range timber windows and doors were meticulously selected as high-quality fixtures and fittings, perfectly suited for this prestigious restoration project.The Old Rectory's original wooden sash windows were replaced with 48 traditional Chatsworth sliding sash windows. These windows faithfully replicated the elegant Georgian glazing bars, featuring slim and durable Accoya® frames with a stunning maintenance-free white finish.Complementing the sash windows, the restoration included 23 Hardwick casement windows, six Kedleston tilt & turn windows, and 12 Melbourne doors. All these products were carefully chosen from Gowercroft's Classic portfolio, offering a perfect blend of traditional aesthetics and high-performance features.A Thoughtful RestorationAs part of the restoration, Gowercroft Joinery also supplied 17 sets of internal decorative shutters in a range of opening and fixed designs. These shutters beautifully complemented the carefully restored period look of the property, adding a touch of sophistication and functionality.Andrew Madge, Managing Director of Gowercroft Joinery, expressed immense pride in contributing to the conversion of this historic property into a collection of exceptional residential homes. He emphasised how the Classic windows and doors from Gowercroft offer architects and specifiers an ideal solution for upgrading older properties while preserving their traditional appearance, thanks to their well-balanced proportions, exceptional energy efficiency, and remarkable durability.For architects and specifiers involved in large construction firms, the Old Rectory restoration project exemplifies the meticulous attention to detail and commitment to heritage preservation that elevate any development into a truly exceptional masterpiece. The inclusion of Gowercroft Joinery's Classic Range timber windows and doors ensures a seamless blend of timeless aesthetics, superior performance, and enduring quality.

At Metropolitan Gaming in Mayfair, London, Style worked with architects, Whitebox, and contractors, Modufit Interiors, to create the facility to section off part of the main gaming area for a private VIP lounge. A glass HSW (Horizontal Sliding Wall) was installed, giving staff the ability to rapidly divide the room into two, sectioning off a VIP gaming area to create a unique experience for clients. The moveable wall neatly divides the VIP area away from the main public gaming room, with a lockable full height intermediate door for ease of access. The bronze opaque textured glass allows light to flow through the entire area but offers the level of privacy required for a private room. Decorative transom bars bonded onto the glass add perfectly to the opulent room design.Metropolitan Gaming boasts a wealth of experience in both gaming and hospitality. It is committed to bringing a new perspective to the casino experience and is continually innovating to deliver a unique and authentic experience for its guests in each of its individual locations. “This manually operated, glass moveable wall offers a truly chic, yet practical solution for Metropolitan Gaming”, said Michael Porter, Style’s group sales director.“When not in use, customers enjoy a large open plan gaming area in this very exclusive Mayfair venue. But when a separate VIP lounge is required, away from the public areas, it can be moved into position in a matter of minutes.”According to Mark Cowley, who heads up the glass division at Style, demand for non-acoustic glass moveable walls is growing particularly quickly, with shop frontages, banks, restaurants, reception areas, residential homes, winter gardens, airports and sports stadia/arenas all using these to create flexible space.A new section of the Style website is dedicated to glass partitioning solutions with updated literature ensuring architects, contractors and end-user customers have access to all of the information they need to reach informed decisions.

More than 5,000 m² in porcelain stoneware for Germany’s largest leisure pool – Villeroy & Boch tiles in the Stegermatt Swimming Pool in OffenburgSport, wellness and leisure spanning more than 10,000 m² – the largest leisure pool in Germany, Stegermatt Swimming Pool in Offenburg, opened in late July 2017. Along with an outdoor area with 50-metre swimming pool, wave slide and adventure pool, indoor visitors can look forward to a fitness courses pool, a teaching pool, a diving pool with two diving platforms and a 25-metre competition pool. The sauna landscape comprises a variety of saunas, a steam bath and a cold-water area with adventure showers and a plunge pool. The developers for the project were the City and Technical Operations of Offenburg. 4a Architekten of Stuttgart were the architects in charge of planning for the project. The tiling work, with a volume of EUR 2.5 million, was performed by the Freiburg subsidiary of Fliesen Röhlich GmbH; with a staff of around 300 professional layers of tile and natural stone, the company is considered the largest tile specialist in Germany. For an entire year, this major project in Offenburg had 15 employees working constantly, increasing to 25 in peak periods. As a result, in spite of at times difficult weather conditions, the work was completed on time.  With the exception of the swimming pools themselves, the entire bathing level, including the changing rooms in the interior of the facility, was designed in the X-PLANE range of vilbostone porcelain stoneware by Villeroy & Boch Tiles. The range features a trendy concrete look with fine colour gradations. Spanning an area of 5,000 m², cream-coloured tiles in the two modular formats of 30 x 60 cm and 15 x 60 cm were laid in a brickwork-effect pattern, creating a space with a harmonious and at the same time vibrant look. Another approx. 600 m² of matching mosaic tiles were also used. With the special 5 x 5 cm format and a slip-resistance class of R10 they are suitable for use in shower areas.

This is the new bespoke cycle hub Falco recently designed, manufactured, supplied and installed this spring for Kenley Station in south Croydon. Making use of the flagship FalcoHub design, the new cycle hub has been fitted with the tried and tested FalcoLevel-Eco two-tier cycle rack, providing commuters with up to 16 secure cycle parking spaces.The bespoke 6.5m x 4.2m cycle hub has been fitted with an electric sliding door, a secure access system, LED lighting, a FalcoFix 2.0 cycle repair station, bespoke branding graphics and a cladding combination of sustainable hardwood slats coupled with powder coated galvanised steel in a ‘Moss Green’ RAL colour.The cycle hub also provides secure accommodation for up to four cargo bikes, e-cargo bikes, adaptive bikes, recumbent bikes, tandems, tricycles, oversized and upright cycles or bike trailers.In addition to the cycle hub, Falco also provided a bespoke solution to store the clients refuse units.Rail passengers using pedal power can apply at the ticket office for a free security fob to gain entrance to the facility now.The images attached show the new cycle hub addition, installed next to platform 2, off Station Road.The whole shelter is a bespoke contemporary design of the classic Falco Cycle Hub shelter, which features clean lines through the glass cladding and supported by stainless steel glass clamps. The steelwork is hot dip galvanised to BS EN ISO 1461 and also meets UK structural design laws with EN 1090 accreditation. Rainwater is collected via innovative integral gutters as part of the roof system and a bespoke bund ensure that the cycle hub is weather proof.For more information regarding the cycle hub scheme at Kenley Station or any other product from our cycle parking and shelter portfolio, please contact our helpful sales team on 01538 380080.

Created as part of the wider regeneration of the former industrial area of Ouseburn Valley, Lower Steenberg’s Yard is a four-storey development comprising ground floor commercial office space and 28 residential apartments on the floors above. Benefiting from stunning riverside views of the Ouseburn, a small tributary of the River Tyne, the scheme has been designed by Xsite Architecture and constructed by Esh Construction for developers PfP igloo.The architectural style of Lower Steenberg’s Yard has been informed by both the neighbouring Victorian-era industrial buildings and Scandinavian design elements, with the latter inspired by Mr Richard Steenberg, the Danish industrialist who established a number of businesses in the area throughout the 1850s. As a result, clean lines and the extensive use of natural light are key features of the scheme. This has been achieved to great effect using Senior’s slimline aluminium fenestration systems which have been fabricated and installed by Crown Doors and Shutters.Each of the apartments feature Senior’s low U-value PURe® aluminium windows, specified as triple-glazed tilt and turn style units to provide safe and secure ventilation and ease of maintenance. Senior’s thermally-efficient PURe® SLIDE and PURe® FOLD patio doors have also been installed to provide access to private terraces which overlook the river. As well as helping to maximise the use of natural light, Senior’s fully Part L compliant PURe® aluminium windows and doors will also help improve energy efficiency, reduce fuel costs and contribute to lowering the overall carbon footprint of the building.The ground floor retail units also benefit from Senior’s PURe® casement aluminium windows, with further daylighting achieved through the use of Senior’s slim profile SF52 aluminium curtain wall system to the main entrances. Senior’s robust SPW501 commercial doors have also been installed to provide safe and secure access.

Developed on what was previously the Strathclyde Police Headquarters, Holland Park is a residential complex with 4 towers ranging from 6 to 22 storeys in height, around a courtyard formation.ChallengeSpecialist building envelope company MetalTech Roofing & Cladding were contracted to secure the façade on this new development, with the task of fixing nearly 9,500m2 of façade to the external face of the buildings.SolutionMetalTech approached Fixfast and requested a technical façade calculation for the Fixfast façade support system, which we provided alongside technical advice.The Fixfast façade support system is a system for any application - including SPIDI® Max brackets: one bracket design means the system can be used in vertical or horizontal installation configurations and is engineered for both fixed and sliding points. Essentially, one bracket design means all challenges solved - simplifying material selection and on-site installation management.The unique ribbed bracket design offers superior strength, allowing systems to be engineered for heavier loads, or potentially fewer brackets per square metre for lightweight panels.With MetalTech needing to fix the façade simply but fast, Fixfast were able to work with them to get deliveries to site when they needed them, with the assurance of a versatile façade support system that works in a range of applications - wall cladding, soffits, or ceilings. "In addition to supplying an innovative support bracket for this contract, Fixfast also continued to provide their usual first-class service. Engineering and design services were available from the outset and technical support was gratefully accepted during the build to help overcome some difficult details. We were fortunate in being able to use the same SPIDI Max bracket for both façade and soffit support in both aluminium and stainless steel. This greatly helped to simplify our process from design through to install. And with the site being in a restricted, city centre location, timely and flexible deliveries were required - which Fixfast duly achieved."MetalTech Roofing & Cladding Ltd

The buildings at Lisgar Terrace in Fulham are one of many Samuel Lewis Housing Trust Estates in the London area, each comprising of a solid brick structure characterised by large chimney stacks and high cornices.Samuel Lewis was a Victorian philanthropist who earned his fortune through finance and money-lending. On his death in 1901 he left an endowment of £670,000 to set up a charitable trust to provide housing for the poor; a high sum at the time and one that equates to around £30 million in today’s values.E Harry Davis an original trustee of the Estates and brother-in-law to Samuel Lewis, became chairman of the Board of Trustees in 1916 following the successful development of the first three estates in Islington, Chelsea and Camberwell. Davis continued the legacy of Samuel Lewis; using the endowment wisely in the development and management of rented properties so that the Trust became one of the largest providers of accommodation in the Southeast of England.The blocks at Lisgar Terrace were built in 1927 and are a fine example of Victorian architecture, although the timber sliding sash windows which were nearly 100yrs old were in need of replacement.Durkan where appointed by Southern Housing Group to undertake a £30m refurbishment of the estate a number of years ago. Arden worked with the architect to design a bespoke solution for the windows that met the aesthetic, thermal, and security requirements of the project. Samples were manufactured and approved by the client and conservation officer and Arden supplied the windows to the first four phases, which were installed by others.In late 2019 having proven the product quality & manufacturing capability throughout the supply of products to the first phases, Arden tendered for and were subsequently appointed by main contractor Durkan to undertake the full sub-contract supply and installation of windows and a number of doors to Phase 5 of the window replacement works.Work commenced on site in March 2020 and despite the challenges of programme revisions, supply chain disruption and site closures due to the Pandemic; the project was completed on time and within budget.