"structure"

The living wall at the new Postal Museum in London demonstrates ground-breaking living wall technology with the integration of 5 post boxes within a 21m × 3m elevation consisting of 3,468 plants in the freestanding vertical garden structure.

Following on from the launch of our Brise Soleil earlier in the year, we were approached by Aztec to provide some external structures for Penketh South Primary School in Warrington. With over 30 years’ experience the Twinfix Technical Team had no problems designing structures to suit both their needs and budget.Our expert team designed, manufactured, and installed a 49 sqm free-standing mono-pitch canopy in the front courtyard of the school and two staircase canopies complete with Brise Soleil.The Brise Soleil served two purposes, while providing additional shelter in conjunction with the canopies running above the external staircases, it also enhanced the aesthetics of the area and complemented the building’s exterior.The canopy roofs comprise of our innovative Multi-Link-Panel NF system, the panels conform to the HSE’s recommended drop test for fragility ACR[M]001:2019 with a B designation, meaning they are classified as non-fragile. The Brise Soleil is made up of vertical ellipsoid blades which are 200mm deep and generally 2.1m height. The aluminium blades were powder-coated in RAL 7035 (light grey) and RAL 3020 (red).The structures were installed in time to protect students and staff from the recent heat wave and also in preparation for the inclement weather that the new school year will bring.

Located between St. David's and Aberdour, the tanker terminal at Braefoot Bay is a base for the export of liquefied petroleum gas. The terminal consists of two jetties located on the north shore of Incholm Island. The gas is piped to the Mossmoran Plant in Fife direct from the North Sea, broken down to form ethane and then converted into ethylene, the basic hydrocarbon 'building block' of the petrochemical industry. The products are then piped the final three mile journey to the Braefoot Marine Terminal where they are fed into tankers and gas carriers for markets in Europe and the USA. The terminal is operated jointly by Shell Expro and Exxon.The jetty was suffering from increasing levels of deterioration of the reinforced concrete structure due to the relentless corrosive action of the marine salt environment on the reinforcing steel. A remedial plan was developed to carry out repairs and to introduce a cathodic protection (CP) system to greatly enhance the protection level and therefore extend the life of the structure. The plan was prepared by structural engineers from Shell, led by Hans Verheyde, and Balfour Beatty Construction Services UK (BBCS) was awarded the contract.Two major factors had to be accommodated within the repair programme. Firstly, the tidal flow that submerged the lower part of the jetty twice every 24 hours and secondly, the jetty is a fully live and very active transport hub and shipping schedules had to take precedence at all times. Round-the-clock flexible working maintained delivery of the twelve-month project.Saint-Gobain Weber's specialised repair concrete products were specified for the remedial actions on the Braefoot Bay jetty and technical application advice was provided for the active phase of the project. A suspended scaffold was designed and installed which allowed fast access when the tide ebbed so that productivity could be maintained. Traditional techniques were used to breakout the spalled and cracked concrete and to wash out the surface chlorides and clean the existing reinforcement steels.webercem five star repair concrete CP is a shrinkage-compensated, high strength, low resistivity, flowing repair concrete designed for use in conjunction with CP systems. This pre-blended cementitious concrete fully complies with the Highways Agency Specification Class 29F for high-strength flowing concrete for major structural repairs. It contains non-reactive aggregates with a low soluble-alkali cement content which is particularly important where CP is to be used. The rapid strength development and dimensional stability of webercem five star repair concrete CP – which reaches 27N/mm² in 24 hours – was especially valuable in the tidal conditions in Fife. Tight shuttering was used on the wide beam sections of the jetty to take the poured concrete which reached an integral bond with the original concrete. This process reformed the structural integrity using products with proven durability.An innovative CP system using Duogard® hybrid anodes from CPT was installed to protect the steel reinforcement with the anodes fixed into the soffits with a special CPT mortar. Where the CP installation required chases to carry the cabling, webercem HB40 high-build structural repair mortar was used to fill and seal the chases. webercem bondcoat, a polymer-modified, cementitious bonding aid and steel reinforcement primer, was first applied into the chases to ensure enhanced bonding. webercem HB40 is an acrylic-polymer modified, single component mortar and is lightweight with high build qualities. It can be applied in layers up to 75mm thick vertically, and 50mm on overhead soffits, and can be used without formwork. It was then applied onto the tacky webercem bondcoat primer and finished flush to the concrete surface.The Braefoot Bay terminal project has been completed successfully and Dewi Miller, contracts manager, BBCS, is confident that the jetty protection will extend the working life of the structure. "The products we have used are excellent and the application methods have enabled us to deliver a high degree of protection and reinstatement to the concrete structure. Working on a live site in a tidal zone has required a flexible work schedule but the whole project has worked exactly to plan and the client is very pleased with the result. The Weber materials have been the key to achieving this success."

THE CHALLENGE Milner Hall, a former chapel in Winchester, is one of the oldest structures in the city and a building of great architectural and religious importance. Built by the Reverend John Milner in 1792, the hall is now used for community events and meetings. In addition to the significant heritage of Milner Hall, an X-ray of the western elevation found a number of voids in the foundation due to hundreds of years of water damage. What’s more, part of an inadequate retaining wall had collapsed onto the same elevation, with the potential to cause further damage if left untreated. When Tarmac’s Limelite team was approached regarding the Milner Hall project, they instantly recommended Tempo PCE who they’d successfully worked with a number of times. THE SOLUTION Tempo PCE commonly chooses Limelite 7 for its projects; a Tarmac grout with hydraulic lime content that’s specially designed for heritage buildings, especially ancient structures such as churches. This was the ideal product to suit the needs of Milner Hall where the grout would need to be injected at a low pressure from the outside, directly filling the internal voids. Tom Phillips, Director of Tempo PCE, said: “We regularly use Limelite products and Limelite 7 was ideal for the work required at Milner Hall. The technical support they offer is incredibly valuable, as well as their reach and industry-reputation. “We strive to only work with manufacturers who can offer value and work with us as partners to ensure the best possible product is provided for a strong finish. We certainly get that with Tarmac’s Limelite team.” Iain Spence, Technical Manager for Tarmac’s Limelite range, added: “Historic structures often present suppliers with a wide number of challenges when it comes to the specification of suitable materials, and their subsequent installation. “In the case of the work at Milner Hall, the requirement was for a fluid, low strength grout that would stabilise the void in the masonry of this Grade II listed building. The Limelite Heritage Grout system provided a breathable low-density solution for these works. “Given the often delicate nature of period and historical structural repair projects, working with dedicated and knowledgeable contractors is essential to achieving the correct end result. Tempo PCE completed the works at Milner Hall utilising their extensive application skills with the Limelite Grout, delivering a much-needed structural support to the building’s foundations which should add many more years to its operational life.” 

DG Timber Solutions, specialist designers and manufacturers of timber frame construction were awarded the contract to build the structure’s wall panels in the factory and install on-site, with the objective of achieving an overall wall U-value of 0.20W/m²K.

As part of the hotel’s ongoing development the client decided in 2014 to create the Cedar Suite, an oval copper-clad structure that would act as a stand-alone wedding and events space for the hotel with its own unique quality and relationship to the garden.

This1970s dwelling in South Dublin’s suburbs was transformed and renovated to a modern detached, energy-efficient home and office. The ultimate aim of this project was to design a taller building, radically reduce the building’s energy consumption, maintain the structural integrity of the building fabric, increase thermal comfort for the occupants, and reduce carbon emissions.A suite of passive strategies was implemented to meet the requirements of the EnerPHit standard. The project incorporated superior airtightness, green thermal bridging solutions, blockwork insulation on the external structure, triple-glazed windows, and mechanical ventilation with heat recovery to attain an A3 energy efficiency rating.Creating an airtight and insulated building envelope is the cornerstone of a Deep Energy Retrofit. Partel’s IZOPERM PLUS phA certified airtight product system delivered maximum airtightness in The Willows project

Tolson’s Mill is a grade 2 listed former mill close to Tamworth. This iconic and unique development consists of 51 new canal side apartments and 10 town houses all offering a bright and stylish finish. These apartments offer a unique waterfront lifestyle, blending tranquillity with a vibrant local community. Set right beside the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal the Mill is divided into floors of 10 apartments. The annex will be divided into a range of 2 to 4 bedroom townhouses making full use of the annex and its dual aspect, which overlooks the canal.Cellecta’s HiDECK Structural was specified by Crosby Granger Architects due to it being a conductive structural floorboard and having outstanding acoustic and fire performance and low thermal resistance.Brookland Group was awarded this 8,940m² contract to construct this refurbishment located in the district of Lichfield.

Britannia Wharf is a structure consisting of 52 stunning canal-side apartments. This development consisted of the demolition of a 5 storey office building and the construction of an all-wooden private high-end luxury apartments constructed on a large expanse of greenery. With the inclusion of four penthouse apartments on the fourth floor, the entire structure of the building was designed with timber frame overlooking the remarkable wildlife corridor of the reclaimed historic Basingstoke Canal.Cellecta’s DECKfon Batten 70 was specified by ADN Planning as they have been rigorously tested and are robust detail complaint for steel, concrete and timber separating floor applications. The battens consist of a layer of recycled, low resonance, open cell, flexible polyurethane foam bonded to an FSC/PEFC certified timber batten.Consero London was awarded this 6,000m² contract to construct this development in the centre of Woking, London.

Project: GTIMC, University of SheffieldDate: 2022 Background:·        APL were engaged with the architect to provide a solution using APL StrongBak™, having worked with APL on numerous projects before·        APL’s ability to powder-coat its roll-formed profiles provided the client with a large range of anodised-look finishes ·        APL provided all structural, thermal and acoustic calculations Systems:·        2,400m² of APL StrongBak™ long-span structural wall panel system with external profiles being sinusoidal AP18HR and AP45HR with an anodised-look PPC finish·        150² of APL perforated Slimwall™ flat panels with an anodised-look PPC finish·        APL Tritherm™ GALV sub-framing ·        All flashings, fixings and accessories  Building Location:·        Sheffield

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.

South Gloucestershire and Stroud College think that the shade sail structure is an invaluable asset; the unique fabric canopy has brought something special to the area outside of their canteen and now everyone can enjoy eating and socialising outdoors in all weathers.

The site was in a challenging position, the location was confined with additional restricted access, the client also insisted on building with “natural and healthy materials”. Our AIRTIGHT structural panel with exceptional airtightness, effortlessly met the brief, even within a very tight budget.

Triton approved contractors, Advance Property Preservation, installed a Type C (BS 8102 2009) structural waterproofing system in the construction of a luxury domestic basement. The property is a late Victorian, six-bedroomed detached home in Notting Hill, London.

Client: University of Brighton Consultant: Stripe Main Contractor: Keir Construction Specialist Contractor Thelwell Flooring Main Products Used: Emseal DSM SystemThis new multi-storey car park for the University of Brighton is part of a major redevelopment of the former Preston Barracks site in the City. There are 550 parking spaces on 7 floors, including 55 EV charging bays, plus there is a PV array on the roof with the power stored in batteries on the ground floor, which also includes 330 cycle parking spaces. The car park design uses a Vertical Circulation Module (VCM) that provides a more efficient solution for confined sites, as this contains no external ramps and traffic circulation is via slopes within the floors themselves. This creates more parking spaces in the steel framed structure in the centre, with two lift and stair cores positioned at each end. This design also made it possible to locate the necessary structural expansion joints transversely between these 3 parts of the structure and away from major traffic impact areas. The engineers specified these joints to be a nominal 40mm wide to accommodate a high movement capability of up to +/- 50% (i.e. total 100%), as they knew these could be quickly, securely, and durably sealed using the Emseal DSM System. This also saves time on site as it is installed from above, allowing other trades to continue working below, plus as it is bonded into position, there is no potentially damaging drilling for mechanical fixings.

Rawson Carpet Solutions have supplied their structured Riven carpet plank at The Alconbury Civic Hub. The new Civic Hub is designed to provide an innovative and contemporary workspace for Cambridgeshire County Council’s staff. Rawson Carpet Solution’s designer nylon carpet planks have been used to great effect. Over 3000 sqm of Riven in Slate and graphite colourway has been installed allowing for subtle and natural expression in this new exciting building built by RG Carter.The curved building is split into two wings, the Riven plank runs though the internal spaces allowing the natural light to capture its structured design in certain spaces and for the flowing aesthetic of this 2ply solution dyed nylon plank to be truly utilised. The light, open plan office space is designed to Cambridgeshire’s brief of accommodating fixed and flexible workstations. Natural colours along with the structured pattern of the Riven range installed by Northants Flooring help to lighten the modern and comfortable workspace and contribute to a pleasing aesthetic. The 750g yarn weights ensured that the carpet is quiet and comfortable underfoot. The new building has been constructed with as little impact as possible on the environment and is designed to promote more flexible and agile working among staff, linked to technological advances and transformed working practices, and aimed at reducing congestion in Cambridge. An inspired space designed by AHMM

National College for High Speed Rail opened its doors to students in September 2018 following the installation of Jewers' Swift-SEW high speed, automatic bi-folding doors which completed the external structure of the workshops at both Birmingham and Doncaster.

The brief of this project was to carry out a trial on a section of track (the Metropolitan Line) located close to Farringdon station to provide an elastic, permanent repair waterproofing solution which would not cause any detrimental effect to the structure nor the trains passing through it.

Precast concrete Groundwall L-Shaped retaining wall panels, designed and manufactured by Whites Concrete (part of the Naylor Group) with a special rock face finish to blend in with existing surroundings have replaced an integral part of a cemetery wall structure in Wigan.

When HSP Architects and Price & Myers wanted to transform a listed commercial basement in Temple Fortune to create a new community centre, they needed to look no further than Newton Specialist Contractor Arti Construction to perform the waterproofing.ning three of the walls were either fully or partially below-ground and suffering from water penetration. Arti recommended the Newton CDM System, as it is the most safe and reliable form of waterproofing that would deliver a completely dry internal space and cause the minimal amount of disruption to the Listed structure.The basement, part of a four-storey Listed building, was built into a hillside, meaning that three of the walls were either fully or partially below-ground and suffering from water penetration. Arti Construction worked with the design team at an early stage to design a waterproofing solution.With existing Listed basements such as this one, Arti Construction were quick to recommend a Type C cavity drain waterproofing solution in the form of the Newton CDM System. Type C waterproofing is the safest and most reliable form of waterproofing that will deliver a completely dry internal space, whilst also causing the minimum amount of disruption to the Listed structure.Before Arti could proceed with the installation, they first had to re-level the existing concrete slab in order to provide a flat and stable floor.With the structure fully prepared, Arti could then proceed with installing a full cavity drain waterproofing system. This consisted of installing Newton 508 with minimal MultiPlug fixings to the walls and floors to capture the ingressing water. The water is then directed via Newton Basedrain channels to a Titan-Pro sump chamber, for removal by dual NP400 clean water pumps.The complex basement space included existing columns, windows and an internal staircase which all had to be factored into the waterproofing design.Regardless of this, Arti Construction completed the 280m2 installation within budget in just one week, delivering a reliable Type C structural waterproofing system that is also compliant with British Standard 8102:2009.

Client: Grove Developments/Arora HotelsContract value: £362kProducts used:  0.74kN loading stainless steel with glass balustrade to stairs1.5kN loading structural glass balustrade to link bridgesThe dual-brand Crowne Plaza and Holiday Inn Express, which operates under Arora Hotels, is located at Heathrow Terminal 4 and opened in 2018. It consists of 300 rooms as well as business and meeting facilities. The building is directly connected to Heathrow’s Terminal 4 via an air bridge and also offers convenient access to the London Underground, Heathrow Express train service and nearby major motorway routes. We were instructed to supply and install more than 600 metres of balustrades, as well as over 300 metres of wall fixed handrails during the hotel’s construction phase. The balustrades used for the project were 1.5kn structural glass balustrades to bridges and 0.74kN loading stainless steel with glass balustrade to stairs. We provided approximately 300 metres of structural glass balustrades to the hotel’s link bridges. At the design stage of the project, we were advised that the bridges could deflect by 25mm, so our balustrade design had to accommodate this. The solution was simple but very effective – we left a 5mm gap in between each five-metre length of track, which was not noticeable when walking along the bridges but allowed for adequate movement in the structure with no damage to the balustrades or the finishes, and no compromise to the overall look. In addition, we adapted our handrail system to provide protection to the walls where guests wheel trollies and luggage into the hotel. By fixing handrails along the flooring close to the walls, it provided a functional yet attractive solution to avoid any marks or scratches that luggage might create.The overall result was a mix of balustrades to the hotel’s stairs and link bridges, plus handrail finishes to the high-traffic areas of the premises that all fit in with the building’s modern and clean design. 

Newton Specialist Contractor Arti Structural Waterproofing are a leading expert in all forms of residential and commercial waterproofing, with a reputation for delivering high-quality waterproofing installations. For this project, Arti had to provide a reliable and watertight solution to a Listed basement with strict conservation guidelines.

Great Baddow High School was delighted with the dining canopy; the bespoke structure met its needs efficiently and the way it worked with the existing architecture was a great success. It has created a welcoming place for students to gather, eat, chat and have fun during their breaks.

This straight feature stair and glass bridge is located in a spacious office in the heart of London. The mild steel structure accentuated the urban feel of this commercial space. The laser cut risers came complete with brass nosing inserts for a contemporary appearance and completed with a wax finish.

SMART were contracted to design, manufacture and install 250m of stainless steel with glass balustrade, 200m of wall fixed handrail, 100m of trolley bump rails as well as 100m of 1500mm high 3.0kN loading structural glass balustrade to the roof top bar.

The Purple and Green MSCPs have capacity for more than 4,000 vehicles across five levels. The project’s scope involved concrete repair, structural strengthening using carbon fibre laminates, the replacement of the conduits, movement joints, drainage channels and deck waterproofing.

Fed up of renting in London, Joe and Lina decided to build their own on a tiny 38m² plot of land in East London. With a budget of just under £200k they set about delivering Joe’s innovative concept for a six half-floor house with floating concrete slab, designed to maximise the space into a 83m² home, all whilst being filmed by Channel 4’s Grand Designs. However, things soon went south…Within weeks of the project beginning in October 2015, rogue contractors had performed a disastrous basement excavation attempt contrary to the Structural Engineer’s instructions, leaving unsupported banks of earth falling in beneath the street and shutters bursting inwards under the weight of the concrete.This first attempt, described as “spectacularly shambolic” by Kevin McCloud, more than doubled Joe and Lina’s budget for the excavation from £48k to £100k, and caused months of delays in order to get the project back on track.Having already contacted Newton Waterproofing Systems to consult on the poor workmanship, Joe and Newton soon determined that if he were to save his home and get it out of the ground, he would need a specialist contractor to actively communicate, collaborate and listen to him as both the engineer and client.MJ Rooney Construction came on board as contractors in November 2015, and following discussions to determine exactly what was required, modelled the entire project in 4D to ensure that all potential difficulties were solved before work began.With the right lines of communication in place, work recommenced in late January 2016, with the first challenge being to make safe a 3.5 metre high bank of unsupported earth with sheet piles, before creating a new and waterproof structural shell of reinforced concrete.With the shell of the structure in place, Newton and MJ Rooney’s next challenge was a much more welcome one, as they created a bespoke waterproofing solution to accommodate Joe’s ingenious design for a suspended reinforced slab that acted as both a floor and a prop force against the lateral pressure from the basement walls.This entire slab rested on brackets designed by Joe and his structural engineer, insulating it from the external walls by ensuring minimal contact, and only making contact through insulated blocks with enough compressive strength to take the vertical loading. The design also created a cavity around the slab that can be fully insulated, allowing the slab to be used as a thermal mass inside the building without having to insulate the entire external envelope.Working closely with Joe, a solution was devised that enabled the continuity of the waterproofing behind the brackets without compromising the structural design.

Forum "Gold und Silber" with its impressively unusual facade incorporating a thermally separated steel structure. The unusual facade with its warm golden colouring and square cut-outs is fastened to a steel substructure that, in turn, is anchored to the reinforced concrete building with Isokorb® T types SK and K. The design of the magnificent envelope made from aluminium slabs with gold-coloured coating is testament to the goldsmithing that has been a traditional craft in Schwäbisch Gmünd for more than six hundred years. The concept envisaged strict separation of the core from the envelope: A multi-angled lightweight structure made of square façade panels coated with a substance that is reminiscent of gold leaf encases the five-floor reinforced concrete skeleton structure measuring 19 x 19 metres. The aluminium skin is set at a distance and features more than 1000 cut-outs of various sizes at interestingly different intervals.Getting a grip on thermal bridgesThe aluminium panels are fastened to a steel frame anchored with Schöck Isokorb® T type SK elements to the load-bearing reinforced concrete skeleton structure. In addition, Isokorb® T type K elements transfer the loads from cantilevered concrete slabs into the concrete structure. Without these load bearing thermal insulation elements, it would not be possible to implement such a facade design nowadays, given the thermal bridges at the joints. Schöck Isokorb® T type SK transfers negative moments and positive shear forces from steel components, such as cantilevered facade substructures, balconies and canopies, to concrete components. Whereas Schöck Isokorb® T type K is designed for cantilever reinforced concrete balconies and concrete slabs. This Schöck Isokorb® T variant also transfers negative moments and positive shear forces.Modern precious metal designAccordingly the Schöck Isokorb® T plays a key role in enabling implementation of the unusual facade design, which turns the building into a striking statement of modern architecture. A total of 767 aluminium panels were used. Their unmistakable, warm golden colouring comes from Duraflon coating, which is enormously resistant to bleaching and colour changes. Depending on the angle of the sun and the position of the observer, the Swabian nugget on the banks of the River Rems shimmers in different shades of metallic gold, while at the same time proving "all that glitters is not gold". Nevertheless, the Forum Gold und Silber still knows how to impress, long after the State Garden Show has finished.

Ashley Road East (ARE) is a new 183-unit mixed-use development located in Tottenham Hale, set to play an important role in defining the area’s regeneration with the construction of two residential blocks, retail and office space.Due to the developments prime London location, Farrat were contacted at pre-construction phase to help develop a variety of isolation solutions to mitigate against both structural and thermal disturbances impacting building performance.Challenge 01: Low frequency ground-borne noise and vibrationFarrat Solution: Building Vibration Isolation SystemA key challenge when building in London is the surrounding network of the London Underground, railway lines, high traffic roads and activity from the busy city life, and this development is no exception. Vibration generated from the London Underground Victoria Line would cause significant structural problems and without building vibration isolation there would be a high risk of disruption from structure-borne noise.Farrat designed a Base Vibration Isolation system as the most efficient long-term solution for ARE, to ensure a comfortable and safe environment for the entire lifetime of the building. The Farrat assemblies within the system were designed, manufactured and then supplied by Farrat directly to the ARE site. Throughout the construction phase, Farrat supported the project team with regular on-site installation guidance and post-installation inspection.Challenge 2: Thermal bridging in high-rise balcony connectionsFarrat Solution: Fire-rated Structural Thermal Breaks (Farrat TBF)Balconies are a great way of introducing an outside space to apartments and are becoming an increasingly attractive feature to developers, designers and end users alike. Even before COVID-19, a balcony could add up to 12% to the price of a home without a garden and this rises to as much as 25% in Chelsea. With balconies however, comes another leading consideration for designers of apartment buildings – fire safety. It is becoming increasingly critical that all building materials used above 18m are certified as fire safe and that this consideration is worked in at early design stage, to ensure they meet safe buildings standards.With this is mind, our A2 certified fire resistant Structural Thermal Break, Farrat TBF, was selected for use between balcony connections on this new London development. The high rigidity of Farrat TBF will effectively impose stiffness on potentially flexible connections in balconies, avoiding bounce and making for a more reassuring and safe experience.Farrat in London redevelopmentAshley Road East is just one of many projects currently underway in the country’s capital with the help of Farrat. If you take a walk through London you will see evidence of our teams hard work across a large number of redevelopments and projects. #onamission

The Darwin Centre cocoon creates a new architectural icon for the capital, ground-breaking in scale and breath-taking in its originality and creative brilliance.The design features a vast free-standing structure taking the form of an enormous cocoon within a glass atrium. The eight storey high cocoon houses a unique collection of 17 million insects and 3 million plants collected over the last 300 years by scientists including Charles Darwin, Alfred Russel Wallace and Sir Hans Sloane. The building completes the Museum’s life science complex, the Darwin Centre, following the first phase opened in 2002.Design TeamThe response of the architectural design team at C.F. Møller, lead by partner Anna Maria Indrio, was to create an engaging image reminiscent of an essentially organic form. The surface and texture also needed to reflect this, so the subtle sheen of the ivory coloured Armourcoat plaster was chosen. With an intersecting network of ‘silk threads’ that criss-cross the cocoon, the surface allows for movement and provides a visual framework for openings and niches. Armourcoat was specified to devise a unique creative solution combining both the insulation and the final decorative layers. The cocoon performs a genuinely protective job providing thermal mass to inhibit any fluctuations to the internal temperature – essential for the museum’s treasured specimens. The structure also houses state-of-the-art laboratories for 250 international scientists and an interactive visitor exhibition.ConstructionA sixty-five metre long skeletal structure was built by sprayed concrete specialist Shotcrete – the first above ground sprayed concrete structural element in the world. Expanded metal mesh was fitted to the steel re-bar framework and a 250mm thick layer of concrete was spray applied to create a 3,500 m2 raw concrete surface. Armourcoat then applied a resin modified render to the structure to minimize localized variations to the surface, before the polystyrene insulation layer was fixed. Using Dryvit Genesis adhesive and over 16,000 Hilti insulation fasteners, a 50mm polystyrene layer was fitted to the entire surface of the cocoon then covered with a layer of reinforcing mesh bedded into Dryvit Genesis basecoat. To create the silk threads wrapping the structure, a special cutting machine was devised which could cut an accurate slot and create the individual 340 panels which make up the cocoon surface. A total of 5.6km of edge bead was then fitted before Armourcoat’s unique AntiCrack substrate preparation system was applied. AntiCrack is a polymer and fibre modified gypsum skim-coat plaster which creates a first class substrate, keeping the Armourcoat plaster layer in peak condition. Two layers of Armourcoat keycoat were applied prior to the application of the final finish. The finished effect of a giant silk cocoon was achieved using ivory coloured Armourcoat Armuralia polished plaster - an exquisite, smooth finish with subtle tonal variations.The cocoon is a milestone achievement, a unique design and technical solution befitting the historic and social reference of the Natural History Museum. This also is a stunning example of the type of commercial projects now undertaken by Armourcoat, celebrating twenty-five years of creative excellence in 2009.Client: Natural History MuseumArchitect: C. F. MøllerMain Contractor: HBG Construction

Barrisol® is now part of the internal structure at the Charles de Gaulle, airport Paris. An exceptional luminaires project has been designed by the architects « Unanime ». The modular opening frames, designed in a petal-shape, are made with 110 m² of Barrisol® Translucent ceiling.

Built in the heart of Birmingham, this building has 18 floors steel frame around 3 concrete cores. Being a very constrained site, close coordination was required with the structural steel frame contractor. Two deliveries a week were required to ensure their programme was met.

The combination of a lightweight steel and concrete composite ComFlor® 100 slab and a glulam timber beam structure has helped deliver a truly sustainable three-storey office building. The internal climate in the building is supported with a ComFlor® Active system in the roof slab.

Shard Place is a 26 story residential development housing 176 apartments from studios to three bedrooms and the third building in Renzo Piano’s Shard Quarter. Situated between St. Thomas Street and London Bridge Street and adjacent to The Shard, Shard Place was previously Fielden House before demolition. Shard Place is one of London’s most central and connected residences, a 28-minute train ride from Gatwick international airport and a short stroll to London’s South Bank. It encompasses five-star amenities, including a rooftop pool, fitness suite, cinema room and private roof garden.Cellecta’s HiDECK Structural 28 was specified by Renzo Piano Building Workshop due to to it being a conductive structural floorboard and having outstanding acoustic and fire performance and low thermal resistance.Mace was awarded this 12,000m² contract for this development in London.

Fowey Hall is a hotel located within a mansion on 5 acres of grounds overlooking the Fowey Estuary. The hotel is a 5-minute walk from Fowey town centre and 8 miles from the Eden Project. The scheme comprises of a refurbishment, reconfiguration and extension of the existing four-star family hotel including rooftop extensions, this provides enhanced facilities including additional guestrooms, new creche and children's playroom, lounge area, and outdoor swimming pool with pavilion. Landscaping works, additional parking, and associated infrastructure. This project also includes associated infrastructure works and access roads.Cellecta’s HiDECK Structural 25 was specified by Jeremy Blake Architects due to it being a conductive structural floorboard and having outstanding acoustic and fire performance and low thermal resistance.Brady Construction Services was awarded this 320m² contract for this development in Cornwall.

A large expanse of Junckers’ solid hardwood flooring has been installed in the Paul Hamlyn Hall at The Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. The light-filled space is the ideal partner for the dark grey Spicy Pepper Oak floor, adding an elegant backdrop to the smart interior. The magnificent glass and iron structure was originally built as a flower market and now houses a restaurant and champagne bar, where events and performances also take place. A busy public area requires a hard-wearing floor which is able to withstand heavy usage. The choice fell on Junckers, whose floors are reliably durable and easy to maintain, ideal for high traffic areas. The naturally occurring structural grain patterns in oak bring a sense of warmth to the large and open hall, complementing the many original architectural features. The flooring contractors were Junckers’ Approved Contractor PICA Floorings Ltd.