"space heating"

It has been debated over between paper towel and hand dryer industry giants for many years. Both sides of the argument have for some time been able to make viable scientific studies which prove one is better than the other at maintaining washroom hygiene and in a recent article in the Guardian newspaper, they further highlight this very impasse. But, are hand dryers really unhygienic? And who currently reigns supreme in the great paper towels vs hand dryer debate.

Research highlights the importance of hand drying in infection control – and points to electric hand dryers as the best method of hand dryingWhile the benefits of washing your hands have been understood for more than a century, the benefits of hand drying are yet to become public knowledge. Equally, the best method of hand drying has historically divided opinion.

Engineered for strength and reliability over a long lifespan, the Armadillo ECO is made with the most durable materials available and is capable of withstanding constant use.

The new ECO Tapillo Tap Hand Dryers have been designed with both style and function in mind.Both the Tapillo Single Air Tap Hand Dryer and the Tapillo 2 in 1 Air and Water Tap Hand Dryer are beautifully made from top quality 304 stainless steel and manufactured to an exacting high standard.Each dryer boasts an air temperature sensor to automatically reduce the heater power, saving energy and money. A 2x stage air filtration process also provides ultra clean sanitised air.

Successful Funding Claim

Project: Slimming World headquartersClient: Slimming WorldMain contractor: Morgan Sindall ConstructionArchitect: CPMGWith its newly extended headquarters in Alfreton, Derbyshire, weight-loss organisation Slimming World wanted to create a landmark building for the brand that would both provide an ideal working and training space for its people and deliver excellent environmental performance.Glazing plays a key role in the £8.5 million scheme, both aesthetically and in terms of its use of energy.At the heart of the building is a large atrium with a full-height glass front elevation and a glazed roof running right to the back of the space. Meanwhile, one of the wings connected by the lobby area features large ‘picture windows’ that deliver views over the facility’s attractive, leafy grounds.High-performance envelopeBecause much of the building’s envelope is glazed, the designers faced the challenge of avoiding the need for an energy-intensive climate-control system to create a comfortable environment for users all-year-round.Lee Shaw, Business Development Manager at Pilkington United Kingdom, explained: “The twin challenges any building with extensive glazing faces are loss of heat on cold days and excessive heating as result of direct sunlight when the weather is warmer.“The combination of products we have supplied to this project use advanced coatings cleverly to minimise these two effects, helping to smooth out the peaks and troughs that can lead to uncomfortable temperatures, expensive heating and air-conditioning bills and wasted energy.”The curtain walling system uses double-glazed units manufactured by Pilkington, incorporating Pilkington Suncool™ 60/31 T solar-control glass and Pilkington Optitherm™ S1 Plus, a low-emissivity product.The solar-control glass features a state-of-the-art coating that transmits only 31 per cent of the sun’s energy, while still allowing for 60 per cent light transmittance, so that occupants still get a clear view outward.The low-emissivity glass meanwhile features a coating that reduces outward radiation of heat, so that less is allowed to leave the building on colder days.Uninterrupted viewsThe same glass is used in the atrium wall and roof but is held in place using the latest structurally glazed units from Schueco. These deliver glazed surfaces with ultra-low-profile frames to minimise interruption of views from the building, as well as daylight flowing into it.Extra strength is added to the atrium glazing by including a layer of laminated glass on the inner pane, to help the large units stand up to forces exerted on them by the wind and potentially the weight of snow during the winter.Lee Shaw continued: “This project demonstrates the range of glazing solutions we are able to offer, with a combination of curtain walling, structural glazing and roof glass, all of which has been manufactured in the UK.“The architect has used timber slats to deliver some degree of solar shading, but the extensive area of glazing enclosing the space means there would still be significant risk of excessive heat build-up. The glazing specified minimises this effect, saving energy and money while also delivering a more comfortable and stable year-round climate for those using the building.“This is also one of the first projects to feature Pilkington Suncool™ 60/31 Pro T glass, which is now fully manufactured in the UK, following recent re-location of production from Germany. It’s great that we’ve been able to combine a made-in-Britain success story with a new chapter for a well-loved British business.”The completion of the building is the latest chapter in the story of Slimming World, which started when founder Margaret Miles-Bramwell OBE, then 21 years old, first began holding Slimming World groups in Alfreton in 1969. Now, 50 years later, there are 19,000 local groups across the UK and Ireland, run by a network of more than 5,500 self-employed Consultants.The new headquarters includes extensive training facilities, meeting and office spaces, as well as a brand new 550-seater restaurant for staff, guests and Consultants visiting for training.Paul James, Slimming World’s Facilities Manager, says: “People have always been at the heart of Slimming World’s success and so ensuring that our people – our head office staff and Consultants – have the facilities and environment they need to do the best job possible has been a real priority for us. The new building will ensure we have the facilities we need to train and support all of our fantastic Consultants who deliver exceptional service to our members to support them to lose weight and live healthier, happier lives.“Having large expanses of glass has provided us with a beautiful, light-filled space that will be comfortable and inviting for everyone who uses the building right through the year.”

Although home working has become the new norm, there will always be a need for people to meet for collaborative working and negotiations which just cannot be carried out as effectively using online technology. Allowing commercial offices to be quickly reconfigured, the use of moveable wall systems will be a cornerstone to the redesign process, delivering flexible space that can be quickly adapted to help ensure social distancing requirements can be safely maintained.

The ChallengeThis purpose-built, cutting-edge medical research facility forms part of the Karolinska Institutet and is now one of Europe’s largest laboratories.Home to over 1,600 scientists and support staff and with such a high footfall, the safety of individuals took centre stage in the design and construction of the facility.Additionally, ensuring a design aided world-class medical research was of utmost importance. This meant creating inviting, collaborative meeting spaces which were flooded with natural light, as well as rooms that could achieve the correct acoustic and impact performance requirements to contribute to the accuracy of the laboratory’s critical research.To achieve all of these requirements, specifying the correct materials was crucial to achieving the architectural vision of the building, centered around a spectacular glass atrium that connects the outside with the inside. Pyroguard was approached to deliver a solution that would ensure compliance with safety regulations.The SolutionWith glass playing a crucial part in the building’s design, it provided a practical way of delivering adequate fire protection, making Pyroguard Firesafe ideal for the project.With EW-classification, the solution protects against flames, smoke and radiant heat for between 30 and 120 minutes, while also providing additional radiant heat control to deliver greater fire protection.The structural integrity of the product further ensures it can be handled and installed in the most challenging applications, including Biomedicum’s beautiful glass atrium.

CEDARWOOD HOUSE, BATH Customer: ST8 LimitedProject Installation Dates: 2021Flooring Systems Installed: Unique Character – Bolidtop FiftyFiftyColour: HazeArea: 200m2  This high end property developer from Bath knew exactly what to expect from Stratum, being a returning customer. Stratum were a part of this new build design for an eco-friendly modern family home. Since the developer experienced a Stratum resin floor in his previous new build property, he was keen for it to feature across a larger area on this project, with the installation taking place in the kitchen and main living space, hallway, utility room, cinema room and the garage. Challenge-      To select a colour and finish that would sit alongside and compliment a range of different materials chosen for the interior spaces.-      To carefully programme in the work and coordinate with the other trades on the project.-      To achieve the desired level of liveliness in the character of the floor when being mixed and applied. -      To install the floor system alongside a mechanical car lift within the garage Solution-      Bolidtop FiftyFifty was selected for all of the living spaces to create a seamless flow with a bespoke, warm, modern aesthetic. An anti-slip epoxy resin floor was selected to meet the demands of a garage.-      Stratum consistently communicated with the project manager, navigating around the project whilst maintaining access to adjoining areas for other key trades.-      To invite the customer to watch the pour.-      To arrange delivery of materials to site at just the right time. Benefits/Installation-      The developer had experience of working with Stratum and our floor systems which helped with the planning and design stages of the build, e.g substrate, underfloor heating, skirting detail etc.Result-      A beautiful unique floor, for a stunning, environmentally friendly new build home. This floor provides comfort and pleasure with ease of cleaning and will provide many years of use.“This was to be a quality high-end, energy efficient new build family home. We used resin throughout the lower ground floor with under floor heating. The installation was brilliant. We look forward to working with Stratum again.”Nick Sandy | Director at ST8 LIMITED 

Automated parking system will combine storage and service for classic, racing and luxury cars.Lödige Industries has secured a contract from SSR-Performance to deliver an automated car storage system. The 141-space facility in Munich, Germany is billed to be the most modern automated system aimed at luxury and classic car owners.About the new classic car parking facility in Munich SSR-Performance is constructing a 10,000 m² classic, racing and luxury car hub with specialist repair and styling facilities, race sports services and showroom. The new automated classic and sports car storage facility complements these plans. The contract with Lödige Industries includes the planning, construction, installation and servicing of the new robotic system. Work on site has already begun and is scheduled to complete in early 2020. Combining maintenance and storage of classic, racing and luxury cars on a restricted footprintConsistent humidity and reduced levels of oxygen are important to reduce corrosion and fire risk when storing classic cars. Humidity, temperature and atmosphere inside the robotic parking system are controlled to cater for the specific requirements of vintage cars. “I have been looking for a facility like this myself for several years now. When it became clear that it didn’t exist, I decided to build one myself,” says Stefan Schlund, Managing Director of SSR-Performance. “After visiting Europe’s largest public robotic parking facility in Denmark a few months ago, I was impressed. In working with Lödige Industries, I have chosen an experienced partner that not only understood my needs but also knew how to make them happen.”In the fully automated facility, cars will be parked in one of the access cabins from where they will be transported into the system by a flat robot carrying them by their tires onto a transport vehicle and from there onto the parking space.About the customerStarting in spring 2020, SSR Performance GmbH will offer a demanding clientele automotive services with a focus on sports cars, classic automobiles and motor sports under one roof. SSR is opening an automotive competence and service centre in the north of Munich, which will offer a large number of lifting platforms, an air-conditioned four-wheel drive performance test stand, a showroom and fully automated nitrogen storage areas for exclusive cars on 10,000 m² of floor space and six levels.Challenges of storing classic, racing and luxury carsThe German market for classic cars is constantly growing and faces a gap in combined storage and service for classic, racing and luxury cars.Providing enough parking spaces on the restricted footprint, is one major issue SSR Performance faces.When storing classic cars, consistent humidity and reduced levels of oxygen are important to reduce corrosion and fire risk.High security standards need to be provided in storing classic, racing and luxury cars, as they value significantly higherA thorough maintenance and cleaning of the classic, racing and luxury cars is the basic requirement for an optimal storage. This prevents the formation of rust or other deposits on the vehicle.Our solution and benefits for the customerSSR Performance recognised the market gap and took the opportunity to serve high-quality service and storage for classic, racing and luxury cars within a new facility in Munich.Humidity, temperature and atmosphere inside the robotic parking system are controlled to cater for the requirements of vintage cars.The automated parking systems, provided by Lödige, delivers high security for customers, as access to the cars stored within the system is only for authorized personal.Our CUBILE technology uses a flat transport robot, which carries the cars by their tires and therefor reduces the risk of damages.The customized automated parking system for SSR Performance features direct automated access to mechanic workshops. With this fully automated link, SSR can provide the unique combination of storage and maintenance for classic, racing and luxury cars to their customers.“I have been looking for a facility like this myself for several years now. When it became clear that it didn’t exist, I decided to build one myself. After visiting Europe’s largest public robotic parking facility in Denmark a few months ago, I was impressed. In working with Lödige Industries, I have chosen an experienced partner that not only understood my needs but also knew how to make them happen.”- Stefan Schlund, Managing Director of SSR-Performance

Britannia Metalwork worked with building contractors Gilbert-Ash and Architects Hawkins/Brown in designing, fabricating, and fitting bespoke decorative floor grilles to replace the damaged originals in the Orangery at the City of London Freeman’s School.It was a project that we were thrilled to be commissioned for and work that we are extremely proud of - the grilles were manufactured, delivered and fitted within the project timeframe, despite pressures of the ongoing global pandemic of 2021.The 168-year-old City of London Freemen's School is set in 57 acres of Ashtead Park in the heart of Surrey. The masterplan scheme included the renovation works to the Grade II listed Main House (including an energy centre), and some new buildings including junior school, dining hall and assembly hall as well as landscaping and car park works. The total cost of the project was £15 and won a place as a Finalist in the 2022 Conservation & Regeneration Constructing Excellence SECBE Awards.Britannia was commissioned to design and make a total of 33 bespoke cast iron grilles, with bare metal finish, to be placed within the marbled floor of the historic and beautiful Orangery. The focus of the work was to complement the heritage of the iconic building while ensuring good ventilation to allow the building to become a flexible and useful large space for school events.Frequently referred to as Cathedral, Ecclesiastical or Victorian decorative floor grilles and as seen here, often placed over channels holding heating pipes, they provide a practical and decorative heating vent. Originally designed for churches they are increasingly popular in private houses, greenhouses, and commercial building developments. Our grilles can be ordered in cast iron or cast aluminium and finished in a wide variety of options. We also work in association with Gunning Heating, making decorative cast iron grilles that fit seamlessly into their underfloor trench heater units.  See our website for a full list of our grille designs or contact us to discuss your bespoke requirements.

The Stage is a prestigious, high-rise, mixed-use development in the bustling heart of Shoreditch on the site where the Curtain Theatre stood between 1577 and 1624. Considered to be one of the longest-standing Shakespearean playhouses, the historical remains will form the backdrop of a magnificent collection of residential, commercial and entertainment space, along with public parks, bars and restaurants.Galliard Homes are delivering the scheme and have appointed CJ O’Shea as the main contractor.They selected a black colour palette for the bathrooms which demanded a bold, contemporary design. Towelrads worked to the exact specification requirements supplying the Kensington model with a bold, square bar design in black finish.The radiators have been installed as electric-only towel warmers with SMART thermostatic heating elements in matching black controls, which enables temperature adjustment and a boosted power mode.

The LNER Stadium is home to York Football Club and York Knights Rugby League team.The 8,500 capacity stadium was developed by main contractor, Buckingham Group in what was a £40 Million project and completed in 2020. The extensive stadium is now home to leisure and corporate meeting facilities as well as an NHS outpatient centre, library and a plethora of retail outlets in what is a massive boost to the local community. With the four year project now complete, the stadium should help bring elite sport to the York community and allow the football and rugby league teams to progress up the league tables and into the big time!Find out how ThermoFoam delivered spray foam insulation solutions to the thermal line of the brand new stand to create thermal performance for internally heated spaces.

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

Park of Poland is one of Europe’s premier holiday centres. Located in Wręcza, around 60 kilometres from Warsaw, the park offers a range of attractions, including an indoor water park, theme parks and other facilities such as hotels, bungalows, office spaces and apartment buildings. Park of Poland was completed at the end of 2019 and is expected to attract millions of visitors each year.Our coatings protect all 4,500 tons of structural steel at Park of Poland and include a high-quality passive fire protection system based on our intumescent coating Hempacore One FD to improve safety for visitors and staff. Applied to the structural steel, Hempacore One FD will expand if exposed to high heat, insulating the steel beneath. In a fire, this will extend the steel’s load-bearing capacity for up to three hours.

Haydn Avenue is a block of 8 purpose-built flats consisting of seven one beds, and one two beds arranged in two interlinked blocks. The front block includes six flats over three floors with two further flats to the rear block over two. This development is located within walking distance of Haydons Road station and offers regular links into central London.Cellecta’s Mojave S2-8 was specified by Papa Architects as it offers a dry and robust floor build up from one source. Mojave S2-8 is a high-performance underfloor heating system which performs at a low flow temperature. XFLO FF boards are manufactured to suit the pipe diameter and spacing required to achieve the desired thermal output.Caldera Construction was awarded this 100m² contract for this development in Wimbledon.

BACKGROUND: The 74,843-square-foot Student Pavilion is situated at the nexus of student activity on the Tempe campus of Arizona State University (ASU). The building, which was designed to be a Net Zero Energy building, delivers green qualities including renewable energy, energy-efficiency and zero waste to showcase of the university’s goals for Climate Net Neutrality and sustainable building systems. SOLUTION: In order to properly daylight the 21,000-square-foot space on each level and meet design goals, Weddle Gilmore Black Rock Studio utilized the Solatube SolaMaster Series 330 and 750 DS-C units. To ensure a consistent amount of daylight, the design team used Solatube’s proprietary Design Calculator to determine the number of units needed on each level and the amount of light that the Solatube Daylighting Systems would bring into the spaces. Thermal insulation panels were also added to limit the amount of heat transfer into the building from the roof, and extension turrets were used to raise the outer domes and limit the amount of shade cast upon the devices. 

Brick manufacturer Vandersanden is expanding its Texture Generator with paver textures for garden and landscape projects. This allows professionals and consumers to render their designs in a detailed and lifelike way. These designs can also be integrated into the CAD programme Vectorworks. Integration with other common software packages for architects is in development. "At Vandersanden, we are constantly pushing for innovation and the digitisation of our offering. This major expansion of the Texture Generator fits in seamlessly with that," said Bart Hesen, Paving Marketing Manager at Vandersanden.Following the launch of the texture generator for facing bricks and brick slips, an online tool to design facades, Vandersanden is now expanding it to include its range of clay pavers for garden and landscape projects. So now the texture generator also visualises paving for gardens and public spaces in a lifelike way and allows users to design and download their own textures. This allows garden and landscape architects, project managers at municipalities, garden contractors and private individuals to imagine the end result in a lifelike way.More than 1.1 million lifelike combinationsAmong other things, users can experiment with formats and laying patterns in the online tool. In addition, they can mix colours themselves to create their own unique colour mix. This possibility is especially valuable for architects.The paver’s textures visualise public spaces or gardens in a lifelike way and help both professionals and consumers make aesthetic choices. After all, there are more than 1.1 million possible combinations at Vandersanden, all of which are available in the texture generator. The texture obtained is also infinitely scalable, with minimal repetition of patterns.Thanks to digital innovation, the brick manufacturer succeeds in making all combinations look lifelike: all pavers are scanned in 3D for this purpose, and lighting is added afterwards.Faster and more efficientThe texture generator works quickly, easily and intuitively. Afterwards, users can also download the creations, including exposure folders (including Albedo, Alpha and Diffuse) and technical specifications, allowing them to integrate the creations into their own design or 3D model."Knowledge sharing, inspiration and convenience for customers are central to us. The digitisation of our offering is indispensable in this respect. With the expansion of our texture generator for the paving of public spaces and gardens, we are taking another step forward on the digital front. We strive for the most realistic representation of our products in 3D visuals," says Bart Hesen, Paving Marketing Manager at Vandersanden.Vandersanden also enables the integration of its texture generator for facades and paving in the most common software packages for architects. This has already been done in the Vectorworks CAD programme; integrations with Archicad and Revit are under development.Try the Vandersanden texture generator here Texture generator | Vandersanden

Nestled in the fashionable, switched-onNestled in the fashionable, switched-on London borough of Camden, high-performance London Max Fordham House has been completed  to the highest energy saving standards with to the highest energy saving standards with SMARTPLY AIRTIGHT.An ultra-low energy, all-electric, contemporary three-bedroom ‘Passivhaus’, Max Fordham House is specifically designed by bere: architects to feature a thermal envelope geared towards reducing heat loss. The less heat lost from a building, the more overall environmentally efficient it can be. One way to do achieve as little heat loss as possible is making the building airtight, which is the aim of the Passivhaus system.SMARTPLY AIRTIGHT, a structural OSB panel with integrated vapour control developed by MEDITE SMARTPLY especially for use in Passivhaus construction, is the vital ingredient in this project. Specified by the award-winning Bow Tie Construction company, SMARTPLY AIRTIGHT provides a state-of-the-art, engineered vapour barrier with consistently high vapour resistance over the entire surface.“The house uses a fabric-first Passivhaus approach, requiring only a fraction of the energy needed by a similarly sized home built to the minimum requirements of UK Building Regulations, for all uses including “The house uses a fabric-first Passivhaus approach, requiring only a fraction of the energy needed by a similarly sized home built to the minimum requirements of UK Building Regulations, for all uses including heating,” Hagop Heath-Matossian, Business Development Manager at Bow Tie Construction, says.“We chose to specify SMARTPLY AIRTIGHT because it is efficient, reliable and it was important to us that all timber products used were sustainably manufactured and sourced; AIRTIGHT offered us a guaranteed sustainable timber solution. Vitally, the client was delighted with the end result.”Max Fordham House, which was completed in the Spring of 2019 and achieves an Energy Performance Certificate of B 83, is the third project that Bow Tie Construction has specified PROPASSIV for, favouring it for its rigidity and quality assurance compared to a traditional membrane-based system.Hagop explains: “AIRTIGHT was specifically used to insulate the roof of the Max Fordham House, but has been used within the entire interior space in other Passivhaus projects previously, to great success.”In most Passivhaus projects in the UK, a membrane is used as an airtight barrier for the properties’ insulation, however, such solutions can be easily damaged during the construction process. SMARTPLY AIRTIGHT offers a solution to this as it will not come apart during a negative pressure test like a membrane would.

An innovative technical training centre, iMet provides high-level skills solutions for the built environment, manufacturing and technology sectors. This new facility offers intensely flexible space thanks to a number of advanced moveable wall systems, installed by Style, allowing staff to rapidly adapt rooms to meet ever-changing daily requirements. Two DORMA Variflex partitioning walls combine to sub-divide a large training area into two or three discrete classrooms. A third Variflex wall creates two smaller training rooms located on the other side of the building. Exceptional acoustics of 55dB Rw ensure training sessions can run concurrently.

The ModernGlide MG100 Top Hung Movable Acoustic Wall provides seamless room dividing options and is ideal for dividing your interior space.Movable Walls Key Facts & Specifications:Acoustic reduction from 37dB to 58dBTop-hung with no floor trackFixing to beam or concrete soffitPanel widths of 650mm to 1250mmHeight up to 12000mmFull height or inset pass door optionsSemi-electric top and bottom seal optionsStacking via single and double point suspensionFinishes include melamine, laminate, veneer, magnetic wipe boardIntegral glazing options30 minute and 1 hour fire rating options

This beautiful and bespoke art deco property is an ode to urban design. The Marlborough bath makes for a classic but contemporary addition to this stylish Australian home. Its unique positioning as part of an enclosed pavilion allows for a luxurious outdoor bathing experience.Design: mf+arquitetosPhotographer: Tom Blachford

This project sees the refurbishment and remodelling of a collection of warehouse buildings to create a new hub for Kensal Green.Project BreakdownThe overall philosophy of the development is to initiate commercial rejuvenation. The project takes a long term view on material quality and build construction that will eventually see it fit into a much larger development.The SolutionThe Gramophone Works, which won the New London Awards 2021 Environmental Prize, is a forward-thinking commercial office building that supports green construction technology. Benefitting from a great quantity of outdoor amenity thanks to spacious terraces covered with Hyperion composite decking.Project DetailsSize: 600 m²Product: Silver Birch Hyperion DeckingSubstructure: MESA Aluminium JoistsArchitect: Studio RHEContractor: Graham ConstructionSub-Contractor: BWC ltdLocation: London

The fate of seldom-used items and kitchen utensils is clear. They almost always end up in wall cabinets where users can hardly reach them. And when they are needed, even tall people will resort to a step stool − just to make sure they can see and find what they are looking for.

Students are now, more than ever acutely aware of carbon footprints and energy efficiency. Installing a super energy efficient hand dryer not only saves your establishments money, it also shows your students that you care and are doing whatever you can to make a difference. 

Nothing says sophistication in a washroom more than high performing hygienic quiet hand dryers, especially when they have a significantly lower sound output than customers’ might be used to. It’s surprising how simple ambience and a pleasant method to dry one’s hands after visiting the bathroom in a restaurant, bar or workplace can heighten the overall experience of the visit.

Castle Park View is the tallest residential building to have been built in the city of Bristol to date. At 26 storeys high, the residential tower block forms part of the wider Castle Park View scheme, which is also the largest Urban Green Space in the city.The development also features a main block and a 10-storey tower, creating in total 375 new one and two bedroom apartments. Senior’s slimline SF52 aluminium curtain wall system and patented low U-value PURe® aluminium windows and doors have been used across the scheme and were fabricated and installed by Denval, for architects Chapman Taylor and contractors Bouygues UK.Created following the extensive regeneration of a brownfield area and built on the former site of an ambulance station, sustainability is a key part of the design of the Castle Park View and the residential scheme has achieved a level four standard in the Code for Sustainable Homes certification.Both Senior’s thermally-efficient SF52 aluminium curtain wall system and Part L compliant PURe® aluminium windows and doors are highly durable and fully recyclable, making them the ideal choice for a modern development that is also striving to help reduce the energy bills of its residents. The thermal performance of the aluminium fenestration system complements the other sustainable features including the use of the UK’s largest water source heat pump, the nearby Castle Park Energy Centre, as the development’s main heat source.

The ChallengeNo. 1 Horgan’s Quay is one of the development’s three office buildings, with the upper floors of the new modern structure cantilevered over the site’s original Goods Shed. The lobby area features a large glazed partition on the first floor, helping to create an open, light space, as well as sympathetically blending the old restored structure with the new.KCC Group, a door and glazing contractor, were appointed to deliver the EI30 SWS Screen works on the project. Site Contracts Manager, Ger McNamee, said: “In order to ensure the safety of those within the building, 30-minute fire protection was required for the reception area, providing a fire barrier between the lobby and the first floor. Once we had the fire safety glass specification from the architect, O’Mahony Pike Architects, it was up to our team at KCC Group to source a supplier – this is when our relationship with Pyroguard began.”The SolutionTo ensure that the desired aesthetic was achieved, while also meeting building safety regulations, Pyroguard Infinity T-EI30/24-2 SWS fire safety glass was chosen by KCC Group and installed in the glazed partition, within a Jansen steel profile system.Pyroguard Infinity is a range of fire safety glass certified for butt-joint applications. With no vertical frame profiles required, it’s the ideal solution for providing visually appealing seamless partitions. Manufactured to EI classification, Pyroguard Infinity provides the highest level of integrity and heat insulation, protecting against flames, smoke and heat.

Project BackgroundDesigned by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Zaha Hadid in 2004, before London won the bid for the 2012 Summer Olympics, the London Aquatics Centre is an indoor facility with two 50-metre (160-foot) swimming pools and a 25-metre (82-foot) diving pool. Its iconic wave-like roof sweeps up from the ground and was inspired by the fluid geometry of water in motion, creating spaces and a surrounding environment in sympathy with the river landscape of the Olympic Park.Project SolutionPowrmatic Wall Opensky louvred ventilators were at the heart of the smoke and natural ventilation system at the London Aquatic centre in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford, east London. The ventilation systems were designed and installed by Air Design Systems Ltd.The wall mounted Opensky louvred ventilators are used to provide a high-free area at the back of the stands for heat exhaust and smoke extract. The units were double-stacked and provided with a white polyester powder-coated finish.Air Design Systems Ltd also made provision for the control system that included local control panels, electrical wiring, override switches and full commissioning and demonstration of the system.Project ResultTested for use as smoke ventilators to BS EN 12101-2, Powrmatic’s Opensky ventilators can be roof or wall mounted for exhaust or inlet and can be supplied with a hinged base for use as an access hatch. They have been specifically designed for both smoke and heat exhaust and natural ventilation applications and combine an attractive style with a discreet, low profile.

Minimalist design and style for a perfect outdoor setting, Atlas Concorde's concrete-effect porcelain tiles add a touch of glamor to the poolside of a private French villa.Essential shapes, simplicity, and hospitality are the main aspects that describe the exterior of a charming private villa in St. Emilion, a town that’s associated with good French wine. It’s a simple outdoor space that incorporates modern technology to support comfort and reflects a close attention to detail, where the choice of colours and materials represent the basis for the decoration of a space that embodies the principles of a modern, minimalist outdoor style. And it’s based on these design needs that the concrete-effect tilesof Atlas Concorde were called upon to clad the edges of the swimming pool outside the villa. Applied in a neutral shade in sync with the overall style, the concrete-effect surfaces adorn the space with a single continuous material, capable of transforming the environment into an oasis of intimacy, conviviality, and relaxation. The outdoor flooring makes it possible to project one’s style outside in safety and continuity, extending the design possibilities. Using a dry laying process, the outdoor tiles were placed directly on the ground, ensuring easy laying and the possibility of quick removal for any future changes. With their non-slip Grip finish and 20 mm thickness, the porcelain slabs selected for the poolside are an optimal, safe solution for the outdoor space. Resistant to external heat and the chemical attack of certain products, the outdoor tiles also maintain their flatness and original size, while also hindering the proliferation of bacteria, molds and fungi, thus ensuring a high level of healthiness. Combining beauty and practicality, the outdoor space and swimming pool of the French villa convey an atmosphere of relaxation and hospitality in harmony with the evocative setting that surrounds the private residence.

Project: 1 Aylesbury Street, Clerkenwell, London, EC1R 0DRClient: MeritcapeArchitect: Atum Design LabM&E consultant: EngDesignProtecting Cities Against Fire with Advanced GlazingDaylight-flooded spaces command a premium from tenants, but in the densest urban areas – where buildings are very tightly packed – it can be difficult to achieve. Not least because of the need to protect against the spread of fire.This was the challenge for developer Meritcape when they set out to refurbish 1 Aylesbury Street – a converted historic warehouse building in Clerkenwell, East London.The designers wanted to fill every floor of the building with natural light, from both the front and the back of the building by using floor-to-ceiling glazing on every floor. However, the rear of the property was just three metres away from a neighbouring building.To prevent fire spreading from one building to the next, building regulations specify the fire resistance that external walls need to be able to provide. This is given as minimum requirements for integrity – how long they can contain smoke and flames – and insulation, or how long they can prevent the escape of heat. Steve Bond, technical and customer support manager, fire, at Pilkington United Kingdom Limited, said: “When you have two buildings this close together, standard glazing is not an option, as it doesn’t put up enough of a barrier to fire spreading outwards from the building.“That’s where fire-resistant glazing can make a big difference. By providing protection against fire while also letting light flow in, we can create light-filled spaces in very built-up parts of the city where not long ago it wouldn’t have been possible.“As well as sealing in flames and smoke for at least an hour, the glass also provides radiation shielding that reduces the amount of heat energy that can pass outwards through the glass – another key means of spreading fire.” The rear façade of the building is glazed in Pilkington Pyroclear® Plus insulating double-glazed units, delivering not only the right level of fire resistance, but have also been designed to give excellent thermal insulation (U-value) properties to reduce heat-loss from the building.Davood Kiani, Senior Project Consultant at Meritcape said: “Those looking for modern commercial space expect floorplans to be well lit with natural light, and this is one of the main design challenges when working with buildings in the most densely urban areas of the city.“Fire regulations are one of the big reasons for this, so Pilkington fire-resistant glazing means we can achieve the best of both worlds - a building that meets or exceeds all of the safety regulations while also feeling spacious and airy.”A total of 800 m2 of Pilkington glass was used in the project, including in the front façade of the building, in which hundreds custom-sized small double-glazed solar-control units were used to imitate the crittall steel-framed windows that are a signature feature of buildings in the area.Images by S G Photography

Raising the bar of commercial space in the city centre, the new 77,000 sq. ft. of prestigious office space required a premium washroom shower cubicle solution.Unity Full Height shower cubicles were specified in the basement shower area of Dublin Landings. With minimal floor and ceiling clearances and flush fronts, Unity Full Height ensures maximum privacy for end users.A sturdy, waterproof and easy to maintain material was required for the 19 new shower cubicles, so Solid Grade Laminate (SGL) was specified. Also impact, scratch and heat resistant, SGL is an ideal choice for busy washroom facilities such as these at Dublin Landings. To complement the modern décor of the room, our popular light grey laminate ‘Cloud’ was selected for the full height shower cubicles, creating a bright, fresh and calm environment.Unity’s stainless steel and satin anodised aluminium hardware is durable and corrosion resistant, ideal for commercial shower areas. Some of the cubicles' rise and fall butt hinges were set to fall open, allowing office staff to easily identify vacant shower cubicles.Read the full case study for more details.

This new 160,000 sq. ft, 18 storey office building evolves the successful Nova formula with a sustainability conscious design, a progressive approach to work and wellbeing, and a vibrant, connected community in the heart of Victoria, London.Throughout the commercial space, a range of off-site constructed washrooms & toilet pods were manufactured in Scotland by Modular Interiors. There was a requirement to increase the finished floor height to allow this space to work effectively.The Knauf GifaFloor system is the ideal partner to this project, particularly to help with efficient programming.FHB38 1200x600mm installed on a pedestal understructure was specified as it creates a solid monolithic floor which can be installed quickly and allows for follow on trades within hours of install. Compared to traditional wet screeds, there is no long drying time, no mess or complicated health & safety issues.GifaFloor is the ideal partner to ceramic finishes such as this project. The ceramic tiles can be adhered directly to the panel, without the need for de-coupling layersThe GifaFloor FHB system offers a high acoustic performance, A1 non-combustible fire rating, limits response to moisture or heat and is manufactured from low carbon gypsum fibre.

We recently completed a noteworthy project, supplying custom-designed sliding louvre doors for a delighted customer in Goring-On-Thames. Nestled alongside the picturesque River Thames in South Oxfordshire, Goring is known for its charming village and serene surroundings.The star of this project is a stunning detached house that now boasts the distinctive touch of Sunshield's sliding louvre doors. These panels, meticulously crafted to perfection, cover an expansive area, each measuring just over 5 square meters. While two of these panels gracefully glide along rails spanning 4.8 meters, the third panel commands an impressive 10-meter rail.One of the key highlights of this installation is the meticulous attention to detail. To ensure a flawless and seamless appearance, the rails were seamlessly integrated into the floor and ceiling during the house's construction phase. This thoughtful approach not only enhances the aesthetics but also guarantees a smooth operation that aligns seamlessly with the house's architectural integrity.The sliding frames of these louvre doors are made with Western Red Cedar louvres, positioned at a precise 25-degree angle. This angle not only offers a visually appealing touch but also allows for captivating views through the panels. While the wooden louvers remain fixed, the sliding panels effortlessly glide from left to right and back again, all operated manually for ease and convenience.In terms of aesthetics, these sliding louvre doors are coated in RAL 7016 anthracite grey, lending a modern and sophisticated touch to the house's façade. However, these panels are not just about looks; they serve a trifecta of functions. First and foremost, they provide effective protection against both wind and sun, ensuring that the residents can enjoy their outdoor spaces in comfort, regardless of the weather. Secondly, they contribute significantly to the house's overall aesthetic appeal, blending seamlessly with the owner's vision and elevating the property's curb appeal.This project stands as a testament to our commitment to delivering not just louvre doors, but transformative solutions that enhance the functionality, aesthetics, and comfort of outdoor spaces. With Sunshield's sliding louvre doors, this Goring-On-Thames residence now enjoys a unique and dynamic architectural element that not only adds value but also elevates the overall living experience.

Valette Square is a community of 33 mixed 2, 3 and 4 bedrooms townhouses with private gardens and terraces, built in Salford’s historic centre. Developed by @buttressarchitects , it was designed to introduce new homes to the area, create easy links to nearby areas and for community spaces to exist where possible.The area is named after Pierre Adolphe Valette – a French impressionist who taught the local painter L.S Lowry, and taught at the Manchester Municipal School of Art. The local existing Georgian aesthetics were echoed in the development with Floren’s Brunello bricks being selected for their tones and subtlety, leaning towards nearby red brick buildings.Amongst numerous sustainable efforts, the townhouses’ façade and positioning make the most of natural daylight to reduce the amount of artificial lighting needed, improved insulation and smart heating systems.Valette Square was shortlisted for the Housing Design Award in 2020

Myatts Field North is a major regeneration project in the London borough of Lambeth, the development consists of 808 new homes, and 172 refurbished properties with 10 per cent fully accessible to wheelchairs. New streets, green spaces, play areas, landscaped park with two seven-a-side football pitches, multi-use games area and a play area, community centre, local store, commercial units, and an energy plant which provides reliable and efficient heating and hot water were also installed.Cellecta’s ScreedBoard 28 was specified by PRP Architects due to its ultimate single layer acoustic overlay treatment. It is frequently reviewed as the solution of choice for new build and refurbishment developments. Its high density and unique resilient layer provides an unrivalled acoustic performance.Regenter Ltd was awarded this 50,000m² contract to construct this regeneration in South London.