"timber structures"

The ProjectHallsville Quarter is a brand new neighbourhood in the heart of Canning Town, in which Bellsure was asked to supply and install a range of cycle storage products. Following a £3.7 billion regeneration project, Canning Town is set to become an exciting place to call home. Using the experience and knowledge of the Streetsure team, we offered a variety of products that suited the specific elements of the brief. As requested by Bouygues UK Ltd, we provided a Phase 1 quote on bespoke cycle shelters with two-tier cycle racks. Once Phase 2 was completed, we then provided an extension to the cycle shelter to create more room for cycle storage. We also supplied CAD designs and .dwg files to build into the clients BIM model.The SolutionThe Streetsure team secured the contract and project managed the supply and install of these products to budget and within an agreed timeframe.We supplied Orion Cycle racks to this project due to their robustness and compatibility. These were space planned strategically to fit as many spaces into the area as possible. We also designed and installed a secure shelter with Syberian Larch as the specified timber for the shelter. Our installers worked alongside the site manager to ensure a smooth snag free handover - complete with an enhanced operations & maintenance manual.

Dual finish made-to-order double glazed timber flush casements and doors were used to totally transform this previously tired property into a vibrant, exciting and modern family home. Dual finish wooden flush casement windows and doors. Knot free engineered timber. Fully weather-stripped, internally glazed and with espagnolette locking. All tested to meet Part Q of the Building Regulations for Security. 22 High performance flush casement windows. 4 High performance made-to-order timber French doors. 2 sliding, folding bi-fold door sets.

The University launched ambitious new plans for a £40 million state-of-the-art Collaborative Teaching Laboratory (CTL) to facilitate the teaching of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) subjects.Our work for the project included the supply of approximately 684m2 of Soundis Absorb-R timber wall panels. The client opted for a combination of 8/3m Absorb-R WoodTec Grooved and Soundis Absorb-R WooTec Perforated 2/2/0.5 Perforated panels. This combination of the two styles creates a stylish yet elegant finish.Black panels were chosen for the walls and white panels for the railing areas, the contrast of the colours further promoting that modern style for the university.The old choice between Engineering-led functionality, and beautiful design not longer applies. Cutting-edge new technologies allow solid wood panels and multi-layer panels to be micro perforated to serve as highly effective sound absorbing cladding. Panel textures can also be tailored to serve project requirements.

An award-winning restaurant serving sustainable and ethical Japanese cuisine, has added a large outdoor terrace for diners to enjoy using a WoodBlocX seating and planter combination.The owners of MOSHIMO Brighton added the sun terrace to the already architecturally pleasing, modernist building, to provide an indoor/outdoor dining experience, with functional sliding screens that separate the two spaces depending on the weather and decorative evergreen planting around the edge of the dining area.We created a bespoke design which fitted perfectly into the deck space available. With bespoke seating featuring a planter border wrapping around the main seating area and one additional U-shaped planter disconnected from the main structure to provide two access points to the deck.The completed design was then painted in the restaurant’s deep charcoal brand colour to match the interior and exterior design. This dark shade is balanced perfectly with the bright red dining tables and chairs. We provide a Free Design Service to all clients to ensure they get exactly what they need for each project and make any necessary adjustments.The modular design of WoodBlocX means that we can create structures that fit into specific spaces perfectly. Not only can our unique timber system provide a great fit, it is also long-lasting and durable thanks to the way it is built. The combination of treated wooden blocks, dowels and internal buttresses ensures that our structures will not crack or warp. With a design life of 20 years, WoodBlocX is the perfect product to specify in your next landscaping project.

Architects: Bryden Wood Architects Product: Canadian Western Red Cedar Timber Cladding & Blue Label Certigrade Shingles Approximately 24km of Canadian Western Red Cedar has been suppled for this project so far in London, a new build development of 9 blocks, each containing multiple apartments, with undercroft parking. Untreated Canadian Western Red Cedar cladding from NORclad will weather off to a silver grey appearance over time, and settle into the surrounding area. The same species was selected, this time not to be machined into a T&G cladding, but as Blue Label WRC Certigrade Shingles.

We supplied our partner, Fast Floor Screed Ltd with SMET LiteFlo® Lightweight Flowing Screed for the first floor of a timber frame house. This lightweight screed is ideal for renovation projects where loading is an issue. This is a high quality pumpable, factory-produced, CE marked, self-levelling screed based on calcium sulphate. German-made SMET LiteFlo® is unique because it’s the first pumpable lightweight flowing screed available. Made from specially selected aggregates – means it’s 30% lighter than conventional flowing screeds and can be laid in reduced thicknesses. The screed offers a high yield, 43kg per m2 @ 40mm.Innovative SMET LiteFlo® is particularly suitable for use in timber-frame builds, suspended timber floors, tower blocks, apartments, and high-rise buildings. SMET demonstrates best practice in construction partnerships – providing a superior level of customer service to their Smet Supported Partners during the installation process.Whether your job is – self-build, retro-fit, floor renovation or repair, design floor, commercial or shop, sustainable build, historical renovation, ECO build, Lightweight, or an industrial flooring venture – SMET have a flooring compound or ready to use product suitable for your application.www.smetbuildingproducts.com or www.smet.ie

Discover the remarkable transformation of Draycott's Canal Side Cottages, a project that has breathed new life into six derelict 200-year-old cottages in Derbyshire. Led by the dedicated efforts of the Derbyshire and Sandiacre Canal Trust and local volunteers, this restoration project has not only created a stunning residential development but also a historical tourist attraction.Gowercroft products used:Chatsworth Sliding Sash WindowsMelbourne DoorsHardwick Casement WindowsRed GrandisOriginally built in the 1820s on the banks of the old Derby Canal, these cottages served as homes for mill workers and local families. However, by 1985, they had fallen into disrepair, on the verge of demolition. In 2017, the Derbyshire and Sandiacre Canal Trust stepped in to rescue the cottages as part of their ambitious plan to restore the disused canal and the surrounding area.With the vision of turning these cottages into a vibrant mixed-use complex, the Trust launched a £650k appeal. The goal was to create three 2-3 bedroom dwellings, a canal side café, commercial spaces for leisure companies, and a museum showcasing the canal's history and the lives of mill workers.ADDC Architects, renowned conservation experts, were entrusted with the task of designing the conversion. They skillfully worked around the intricate history of the original brick buildings, which had gone through multiple alterations and rebuilds in the 19th century. The architects aimed to preserve the unique character of the cottages while ensuring a functional layout suitable for their new purpose.The restoration process involved an incredible community effort, with local tradesmen, contractors, and volunteers coming together to bring the cottages back to life. The extensive work included clearing vegetation and debris, erecting scaffolding, reinforcing timbers, and salvaging original bricks and slates for rebuilding.One crucial aspect of the restoration was the installation of new timber windows. Gowercroft Joinery, a reputable local manufacturer with expertise in heritage and restoration projects, supplied the traditional Chatsworth sliding sash windows for the canal-facing elevations. These windows perfectly matched the original designs, featuring slim finger-jointed frames and Georgian styled glazing bars. At the rear, Hardwick casement windows were installed to maintain a utilitarian look consistent with the building's history.Crafted from solid Red Grandis hardwood, the windows offered both elegance and energy efficiency. The bespoke curved top casements faithfully reinstated, and Melbourne hardwood doors further enhanced the joinery and timber craftsmanship throughout the cottages.The restored Canal Cottages now stand as a symbol of the Trust's broader vision to revive the 13-mile canal and its surrounding areas. Once completed, the canal restoration will create a 25-mile cruising ring, connecting to thousands of miles of navigable waterways across the UK. It will provide opportunities for outdoor activities, such as angling, canoeing, and cycling while promoting wildlife conservation and improving the well-being of local residents.By being a part of this project, Gowercroft Joinery has not only contributed to the architectural heritage but also supported the revival of the Derby Canal, acting as a catalyst for regeneration in the city centre. The Canal Side Cottages showcase the perfect synergy between traditional craftsmanship and modern performance, ensuring years of comfort and enjoyment for all those who experience them.

Bespoke garage and car port doors from Rundum Meir, which provide natural ventilation and daylighting into enclosed garage spaces, can deliver a seamless aesthetic result in contemporary architecture featuring vertical timber board-on-batten cladding. This is illustrated at the Abode development in Cambridgeshire, where the architects delivered uniformity across different housing styles using a limited palette of materials. Horizontal and vertical cladding was extended into the doors for the car ports manufactured in matching oak. These ventilated doors enable fresh air and daylight to flow through the car ports from the rear gardens, adding an interesting visual dimension.

Delta Registered Installers Timberwise (UK) Limited were called upon to offer a waterproofing design to this Grade II Listed property to meet the requirements of BS 8102:2009 to achieve a dry habitable living space, defined as a grade 3 environment.

Armourplan PVC and Recticel Insulation by SIG Design Technology were selected for a 12,000 m2 roof to a bottling plant in a rural location on the outskirts of an historical Derbyshire spa town, known as Project Merlin. The FMCG company chose to build the new facility away from the site of the natural spring, piping the water some two miles out of town to this green field bottling and distribution site.

A clear first BREEAM certified public management structure where the building interior design demanded sharp attention to detail; Technowood was a clear choice. The saving on solid timber was a driving force in the decision process. Certified FSC and A2 FR were also important considerations when compared to sold timber. Happy New Service Building was designed by the Architectural Bureau.The Municipality new service building has been designed with a creative understanding which explores an interior that maximises the room use. Therefore, the space has an uplifting positivity to the vertical design.Project RequirementsThe building planning consent required ‘green building’ credentials. Furthermore, BREEAM-BESPOKE criteria were used in this project and BRE-GLOBAL prepared tailor-made criteria directly to the specific building type.Turkey’s first BREEAM certified building will be public; this project is expected to bring a lot of innovation including environmental sensitivity. Thus, it is foreseen that similar criteria will be applied in the future construction in the development region.Further, the main features of this project are a passive air conditioning system and natural lighting, double wall and gallery, economical water usage, recyclability of the material where possible. The enviro-friendly green roof and environment considerate plant preferences.Technowood satisfied all build requirements, the planning was especially happy with the aesthetics of such a diverse material. Invisibly fixed vertical columns solved the solution of the curved nature of the design; as well as the speed of installation which made the use of this wood finished product even more cost effective.Technowood is environmentally friendly, efficient to fit, FSC, A2 FR. By using Technowood this project has a timber consumption by 98%.Credits and Further informationInterior design     The Architectural BureauLocation                     TurkeyProject                        GOVERNMENT MUNICIPALITY COUNCIL CHAMBERMaterial                     Alu-Click Technowood Beams

As part of our involvement in this project we supplied a bespoke reception desk and a variety of fire-rated door-sets.

MEDITE VENT and SMARTPLY AIRTIGHT proved to be a winning combination for the first oak frame Passivhaus to be built in the heart of Wiltshire, South West England.Built by award-winning construction company Erigo Developments, Seldom Seen, a private detached residence, was at the time of completion the first house in Wiltshire to meet the Passivhaus standard. It still ranks as only the eighth certified Passivhaus in the South West of England.Designed around a traditional oak frame and finished in oak cladding, the house was strategically sympathetic to its rural Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) setting.The combination of MEDITE VENT and SMARTPLY AIRTIGHT helped to achieve its Passivhaus status.Rebecca Thursby, Director of Erigo Developments commented: “At the time, there was nothing else on the market that fulfilled its role in this location. We used an oak frame to create the external envelope and then choose both MEDITE VENT and SMARTPLY AIRTIGHT to achieve the level of airtightness required to meet the Passivhaus standard. We managed to get the air tightness down to 0.38 ACH @ 50 Pascals, which is very good.”To reach Passivhaus standard, a building must achieve an airtightness level of 0.6ACH (Air Change per Hour) at 50 Pascals or less. In other words, the volume of uncontrolled air leakages in 1 hour must be less than 0.6 times the overall building volume when the difference in air pressure between the indoors and outdoors is 50 Pascals. Named after French mathematician and physicist Blaise Pascal, ‘Pascals’ is the unit by which pressure is measured. In this case, it indicates the air pressure difference between inside the building and outside the building for the airtightness test. Reaching an airtightness level of 0.38 can be considered a remarkable achievement.Perfect for use in low energy buildings, MEDITE VENT is a high performance, breathable sheathing panel, suitable for use in timber frame structures. It boasts high racking strength in excess of Category 1 requirements, and high vapour permeability alongside weather resistance. Its extremely low vapour diffusion factor helps to prevent condensation and because it is manufactured with no added formaldehyde, it contributes to both a healthier working environment for installing contractors and a healthier living environment for building occupants.This intelligently formulated panel is teamed with SMARTPLY AIRTIGHT, an airtight structural OSB/3 panel with integrated vapour control properties, used as structural sheathing in timber frame buildings. These features eliminate the need for additional Air and Vapour Control layer (AVCL) membranes. Its coating also provides a durable, smooth surface perfect for the use of airtight tape at the panel joints. SMARTPLY’s in-house speciality surfacing technology provides this integrated vapour barrier, which delivers high and constant vapour resistance across the whole surface.For this project, the timber frame was in-filled with Icyenene sprayfoam insulation, with SMARTPLY AIRTIGHT lining the interior, alongside plasterboard facing the room. MEDITE VENT was installed on the exterior of the spray foam, which was then topped with Tyvek wrap and finished with the timber cladding.MEDITE SMARTPLY’s entire product range, including MEDITE VENT and SMARTPLY AIRTIGHT, is manufactured with FSC® certified Irish timber, from their own sustainably managed forests, demonstrating a clear supply chain and manufacturing process.Being conscious of how this industry impacts the environment is also something that Erigo Developments takes very seriously. Erigo is an award-winning construction company that puts an exceptionally strong focus on being environmentally responsible. The company demonstrates this by selecting carbon responsible materials and always aiming to achieve zero non-hazardous waste to landfill in all of their projects.“We've made a commitment that we're only going to build to a Passivhaus standard going forward, and to build with carbon responsible materials,” continued Rebecca. “I think everyone needs to do their bit to combat climate change.”“I think that building regulations need to go further in terms of power requirements and what's needed from houses now to achieve energy efficiency. That way, everyone knows what they can do in order to reduce their energy demands. There also needs to be more incentives in place to make people choose carbon responsible materials.”The use of MEDITE VENT and SMARTPLY AIRTIGHT provides a winning formula for sustainable building.

Soundis supplied 3,265m2 of a shallow floating floor treatment, laid over an existing concrete structural deck, at Channelsea House in Stratford for City Square.The areas included the Ground, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th Floors. Channelsea House is a former office block being converted to residential apartments, with a one bedroom flat being valued at the half a million pound mark. Located in Stratford, 1.3 miles away from the Olympic Stadium, Channelsea House is in a prime location for high quality accommodation.Soundis were required to provide a high specification shallow acoustic solution to achieve compliance with ‘Impact’ performance criteria when tested on site. The specification implemented by the Architect was 26mm Timber Floor Overlay Board, which was chosen to minimise construction height and to comply with Approved Document E Building Regulations.

Award Winning Landmark RedevelopmentThe £21.7m Campus Central landmark redevelopment at the University of Stirling scooped the award for the best building in the Education Category in the 25th Scottish Design Awards, July 2022 and won the Scottish Regional Category for the National RICS Awards 2022 – Commercial Development.The aspiration was to enhance the entrance setting of Queen’s Court by putting it at the heart of the University. The life and activity of the new building spills out onto a pedestrian friendly environment that can flexibly accommodate a range of uses throughout the year. The innovative design strategy frees up Queen’s Court from all traffic, relocating bus stops and a new transport hub at strategic locations to access the wider campus.Seamlessly linking three buildings together presented structural and design challenges particularly for the ceiling landscape. With different ceiling heights and the creation of a 5,000sqm space, a versatile ceiling material providing high acoustic performance was required. Retaining the original late modernist building’s structurally impressive interior, the new extension offers a flexible form with exposed in-situ concrete, glulam and cross laminated timber. The choice of Knauf Ceiling Solutions materials was vital for the design in helping define the different student spaces and through its high performance ensure optimum sound absorption. HERADESIGN® Superfine in a Natural colour was installed throughout to create a seamless and unified space, visual impact and to ensure the optimal acoustic control.

The design concept of this project focuses on the demolition of an existing building and replacing it with a new build mixed use development of 6 storeys (plus basement) 9 self-contained units on floors 1-5 and 377sq m of commercial space on the basement and ground floors. During the Phase 1 Primary Risk Assessment, borehole and trial pits revealed Dibenzo (a,h)anthracene, CO², TPH and Asbestos contamination. The proposed remedial strategy to be adopted at the site was one of managing the pathway between the source of contamination and the critical receptors on-site.

Ahmarra Door Solutions manufactured over 200 fire doors for the Pears Building, which is situated next to the Royal Free Hospital in London.The FD30 and FD60 doorsets incorporated Halspan Optima door blanks.The Pears Building will accommodate the UCL Institute of Immunity and Transplantation. This is a state-of-the-art medical research centre which will advance the understanding of diseases such as cancer, diabetes, HIV, and tuberculosis, and for traditional and tissue-developed transplants.Designed by Hopkins Architects and constructed under main contractor, Willmott Dixon, the building’s seven-storey structure includes laboratory space, research facilities, offices and two levels of patient accommodation, which will enable people undergoing clinical trials to rest and recover there.Designed to achieve BREEAM Excellent, sustainability was at the heart of the building’s creation. As such, Ahmarra Door Solutions used Halspan as all Halspan fire door blanks are made from FSC® certified timber.Photography courtesy of Cannon Photos Ltd.

The new Faculty of Arts building at University of Warwick designed by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios brings the departments of the Arts and Humanities faculties under a single roof for the first time. The light-filled, timber-lined space is formed around and imposing internal staircase clad in Junckers’ solid ash flooring.The stair rises from a base of amphitheatre seating andrises through the building connecting teaching, social learning, public exhibition, and departmental spaces throughout which all branch off the central staircase. Entirely clad in Junckers’ solid ash, the central stair forms the main route through the building’s open, inviting, and flexible spaces. “The stair provides a space for daily informal meeting as well as a place for events and occasions such as documentary filming, graduation photographs and whole faculty celebrations. The use of natural timber, combined with natural light brings a warmth and a sense of timelessness to the space.”David Harris, Associate, Feilden Clegg Bradley StudiosJunckers’ solid ash has excellent strength properties and makes a hard-wearing, long-lasting floor. Often used in contemporary interiors, ash flooring adds natural warmth and character which can provide a good balance to clean lines and hard surfaces. The unique grain structure of ash makes it a characterful floor, similar in pattern to oak but with its own distinct colour tones. With its capacity to reflect an abundance of natural light, it is an ideal flooring choice for the project.The flooring contractor was Capital Floors Ltd. 

Regupol studwork isolating strips helped prevent flanking sound between suites at the new Hard Days Night hotel in Liverpool.The ChallengeWhen a suitable site was finally found for Hard Days Night, the eagerly anticipated Beatles themed hotel in Liverpool, an ambitious two-year development plan was put in place to convert the historic listed building into a prestigious four star hotel.Extensive alterations to the internal area of the building created 110 guest bedrooms, which included two exclusive Lennon and McCartney suites, bars, restaurants and function rooms as well as a wedding chapel.Designed to create a unique environment with a high quality feel, it was essential that Hard Days Night lived up to the expectations of the many visitors it would welcome. Part of this meant ensuring that bedrooms were adequately soundproofed, to ensure guests were not disturbed.As with many refurbishment projects, the floor construction was timber, which left Hornport Construction, the main contractors on the project, tasked with finding a compatible acoustic treatment that would help prevent sound transfer between bedrooms.The SolutionAlthough internal wall isolation was the specified acoustic treatment, Hornport Construction was able to make the final purchasing decision as to which products would be used. After consultation with CMS Acoustic Solutions, Regupol studwork isolating strips were identified as the most cost effective solution to deliver the required acoustic performance.Manufactured from recycled polyurethane (PUR) foam, Regupol studwork isolating strips are supplied at a standard thickness of 6mm, and widths to suit specific development requirements. Sitting beneath all types of timber partitions, the studwork strips reduce structure borne noise by absorbing sound and de-coupling the connection between floor and wall constructions.Resistant to ageing and deformation, Regupol studwork isolating strips offer long-term performance and will not collapse under high point loads.Available exclusively in the UK through CMS Acoustic Solutions, Regupol studwork isolating strips are supplied with comprehensive installation guidelines, making it simple for contractors to install independently on site. Easily laid, the Regupol material is bonded straight to the subfloor, with the partition erected directly on top.The ResultAt the Hard Days Night Hotel, Regupol studwork isolating strips were used to isolate the party walls separating the corridors and bedrooms. Designed specifically for use with timber, Regupol studwork isolating strips offered the ideal solution to isolate a party wall sitting on an existing timber floor.Gerry Abraham, site manager, Hornport Construction, concludes: “The Hard Days Night is a four star hotel, so high acoustic standards were imperative. We initially looked at timber sole plates with pre-fitted isolating strips, but this was quite an expensive route. We consulted CMS Acoustics who were able to provide a cost effective and high performing alternative with the Regupol studwork isolating strip – which was just as quick and easy to use.”

Award winning architect uses Lomax + Wood traditional box sash windows for this superb new build property in Oxfordshire. A property of this statue requires timber windows to match. A key feature for the architect was that Lomax + Wood provided a high performance product sympathetic to the buildings traditional Georgian features.Lomax + Wood designed, supplied and installed custom box sash windows that helped create the historic Georgian look of this amazing new development.

Founded in 1541 by King Henry VIII, The King’s School is a prestigious co-educational independent school with a rich history, educating children from 4 -18 years of age.

We were approached to transform the rear decked terrace of this lovely destination pub with stunning views on the Ridgeway in Enfield...

Paint-grade door-sets supplied to the refurbishment of staff Offices at St. Marys Hospital - Portsmouth. Each Door-set was supplied factory painted with individual colour scheme requirements for each office area.

About Mumford & Wood

At the heart of the new Pontoon Dock development is the ‘Royal Wharf Medical Centre’. As part of the internal fit-out package we were included for the supply of bespoke internal Fire doors, Screens and Architectural Ironmongery.Laminate door-sets were chosen to provide durability and great aesthetics. With A.W.Oak Linings and screens a great overall appearance was achieved that fully complies with the stringent requirements of a demanding environment.

Throughout the refurbishment of the Acute Medical Unit we were pleased to be involved with the supply of fully encapsulated postformed door-sets and ironmongery to offer a seamless package and ensure an effective, durable finish was achieved.

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

Boardwalk Short break experts Center Parcs contacted Gripsure when replacing its iconic wooden boardwalk with a new structure. Center Parcs Longleat Forest in Wiltshire needed to replace the boardwalk, which formed a main thoroughfare for the village and had been well used by visitors for the past 20 years. Gripsure Heritage was the perfect choice to revamp the walkway. Its innovative non-slip decking guarantees the safety of guests and staff, whatever the weather. A representative for Center Parcs Ltd, said: “The Heritage board within the Gripsure range very much matched what we were looking for by giving good coverage in terms of non-slip but also retaining the feel of using a natural product. We are very pleased with the results. We had trialled some of the boards in another area of the village so were confident about how it would perform but the decking has really helped to give an excellent finish to the whole look of the boardwalk.” The structure was designed and installed by B and B Innovations, who chose the thicker 50mm decking, due to the span and use of the boardwalk. The firm created an innovative boardwalk with no bolts passing through any of the structural timbers. Unusually the decking was also fixed underneath to minimise water ingressions and maximise the life of the boardwalk. The team at Center Parcs were so impressed with the quality, safety and finish of the product that they have since used Gripsure non-slip decking on bridges, boardwalks, steps and deck areas. Subtropical Swimming Paradise Gripsure supplied 1,200 linear meters of solid green Gripsure Aquadeck® for part of the development of the Subtropical Swimming Paradise at Center Parcs Sherwood Forest. The water park is considered the crown jewel of the family friendly short break destination. The refurbishment of the pool marks the 30th anniversary in the UK for Center Parcs, which had its first British site in Sherwood Forest. The Subtropical Swimming Paradise is heated to 29.5c all year round. It is adorned with tropical plants and features water rides, flumes, a wave pool and family cabanas. New additions to the water park at Sherwood Forest include Tropical Cyclone, an exciting four-person raft ride, as well as family-friendly water play areas Venture Bay and Venture Harbour. Vibrant green Gripsure Aquadeck® was used for an outdoor poolside lounge area. The non-slip decking features two anti-slip rubber inserts that are soft underfoot and therefore suited for barefoot use. Unlike other rubber crumb products Gripsure Aquadeck® benefits from drainage channels designed to allow water to drain through the timber board. This ensures safe use in both wet and dry conditions for guests of all ages, making it the perfect non-slip solution for any poolside application.

A series of 10 newly built affordable Council houses in Montrose, Scotland has been fitted with a high-performing variable-permeability vapour control layer from the A. Proctor Group. Procheck® Adapt is designed to protect the building fabric from the potential risks of condensation and act as an effective airtight barrier.The project, led by Angus Council comprises of a mix of one, two and threebedroom properties which will be built with energy efficiency in mind, providing residents with high-quality affordable homes which will be low-cost to heat and run.Jason Noble, Architect with Angus Council commented on the requirement for a high-performance solution to achieve the desired levels of vapour control and airtightness. “We required a high performing vapour barrier and air tightness layer, that could be installed on site by our contractor and achieve our performance specification. We wanted an effective vapour barrier and airtightness layer that when installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations and in combination with the timber kit construction would provide an effective airtightness rating of 4 when tested.”Contractor, Andrew Shepherd Construction proposed the use of the Procheck Adapt available from the A. Proctor Group, who has been serving the construction industry for 50 years with an extensive portfolio of technically advanced thermal, acoustic and membrane products.Thanks to its unique design, the Procheck Adapt membrane offers variable permeability which adapts to changes in humidity levels and allows the structure to dry out in the summer and in sunny days during spring and autumn while protecting it from moisture overload in the winter. This is possible because the membrane adapts its vapour resistance to the environment i.e., vapour tight in the winter and more vapour open in the summer.This ensures that the building fabric is protected from damaging moisture levels during cold, wet winter months, and allows the fabric to dry out effectively in warmer, drier months. The introduction of Procheck Adapt will ensure that it provides a high level of protection throughout the lifespan of the properties.Procheck Adapt has a translucent structure which eases fixing to structural frames and in combination with its integral tape allows for a fast installation time. Procheck Adapt is suitable for a variety of commercial and residential applications and provides airtightness to the structure as well as vapour control.

Described by Dezer Developments and the Porsche Design Group as ‘engineered luxury’, the $560 million Porsche Design Tower is a 57 storey ultra-luxury structure occupying 2.2 acres (8,900 m2) of beachfront land on Collins Avenue in Sunny Isles Beach, Florida. The tower – the first of its kind anywhere – comes equipped with a speedy 600 ft (183 m) per minute elevator for the residence owner’s cars – allowing owners to park their vehicles right next to their apartments, no matter what floor, in their own sky garage

An innovative and comprehensive waterproofing solution was required to facilitate a £18m state of the art hotel and with a double story basement in Englefield Green, near Windsor. The hotel will offer exceptional overnight breaks, award-winning dining & an exclusive spa facility once completed.

Client: Whitelink Ltd Contractor: Floor & Wall Ltd Main Products Used: Emseal SJS SystemWhitelink is the leading ferry operator across the Solent from the mainland to the Isle of Wight and carries more than 5 million passengers a year. Their Portsmouth car ferry terminal in Gun Wharf has benefited from White-link’s £45m investment programme to upgrade the facilities, with new double deck parking and boarding ramps. The wide deck and ramp joints needed to be designed to safely accommodate high levels of movement from the combination of thermal and direct frequent traffic loadings, with simultaneous exposure to the marine environment, as well as maintaining watertightness to protect the structure. The engineers knew that selecting the right expansion joint system was going to be critical to the success of the project and their evaluation showed the Emseal SJS System was the best solution. Unlike most trafficable expansion joint systems, the Emseal SJS solution was extremely cost effective, required no potentially damaging mechanical fixings and with installation from the top side only, therefore the works could continue with minimal disruption to ongoing ferry services and the normal White-link customer experience.

ChallengesSinclair Watt were provided with a detailed brief to provide accommodation for a new main entrance and reception area, product display hall, meeting room suite, additional office space and customer service telephone hall and ancillary accommodation. By necessity these were required to be large spaces to accommodate large numbers of employees and visitors.The building had to achieve seven basic goals – to allow VELUX to be a good neighbour, to be simple and beautiful, to make arrival a good experience, to be a model of balanced daylight, natural ventilation, good indoor comfort and healthy materials, to apply a well-defined, high-quality structural concept, to obtain good sustainable standards with a minimum use of energy, to be visible and logical, and to create value and express the VELUX values.The ceiling systems had to meet the Class 1, aesthetic, fire and acoustic performance required for the 37,673 ft² two-storey building which features an engineered timber and steel structural frame. The project was the first time Zentia’s Ultima+ Finesse mineral tiles had been installed in Scotland.SolutionsSinclair Watt met the brief by incorporating a regular and prominent engineered timber and steel structural frame that provided a design with a clear distinction between the supporting structure of the building and the facades and roof. This was both to create clarity and logic in the design and to make it possible to replace or update the not-so-permanent parts of the building.The internal design incorporates a central street and atrium that acts as a meeting place as well as a general circulation area and allows the best use of natural sunlight and natural ventilation throughout the building. The building provides good indoor comfort and utilises healthy materials.The three key areas – energy efficiency, healthy indoor environment and renewable energy – constitute the basis of the new building. A fabric-first approach for the building was adopted with high insulation levels and low air permeability rates to reduce overall heat loss from the building. This combined with a natural ventilation and daylighting strategy, and the use of LED lighting and air source heat pumps as the main heating source, resulted in a highly energy efficient and sustainable building.Some 1,1,00 m² of the Zentia Prestige hA+ Tegular15 tiles were used in the ground floor offices and storerooms, while 100m² of the Finesse tiles were used in the restaurant, kitchen and toilets. The Ultima+ range features class-leading light reflectance of 87% and Euroclass A2-s1, d0 fire classification, the Tegular15 variant with Class A sound absorption and Finesse a fully concealed, fully painted edge detail.Architect Iain Mitchell said: “We specified the Zentia systems as they have a good product range, good suspension systems, with good product information and good technical backup. They met all the aesthetic, fire and acoustic performances.“Zentia shadow and transition trims were used so the Zentia ceilings tie in well with adjacent plasterboard walls and ceilings. The client is very happy with the ceiling installation and building as a whole.”Colin Burns, commercial director of specialist sub-contractor PFP, said: “We had some meetings with Zentia to talk through the detailing of the Finesse element and put it to the guys on site but apart from that, and some coordinating with services, it was very straightforward. It looks good as it always does and gives a nice bright finish. It was interesting to be the first installer of Finesse in Scotland.”

Junckers solid oak Herringbone flooring has been installed at the National Gallery of Ireland as part of extensive refurbishment works. Architects Henegan Peng’s brief to provide a more accessible route through the collections has resulted in an elegant and historically sensitive upgrade for the Gallery. The solid wood parquet floor in the Dargan and Milltown Wings was installed by DJ Kelly & Co Ltd. The new floor in the Milltown Wing replaced an original timber floor and in the Dargan Wing, Junckers created a bespoke wood block to replicate the pattern of the original tiled floor. Herringbone parquet floors, historically found in country estates, castles and mansion houses, have become one of Junckers’ most popular floors. The elegant aesthetic of the geometric pattern coupled with the naturally occurring structural grain pattern found in solid oak has made parquet the flooring of choice for anything from public buildings and offices to homes and apartments. A solid oak floor by Junckers is very durable and can be sanded and refinished several times, ensuring the floor will last a lifetime. 

Canal Architectural were approached to design, manufacture and install a luxury feature staircase for Gresham Street. A leading workspace design company collaborated with the Technical Sales Team to engineer a four flight staircase for the atrium of the building.The 50,000 sq ft of commercial space in the heart of London was developed to connect its employees and working spaces together. The mild steel structure featured oak timber box treads, painted stringers, bronze metallic balustrade and a wrapped brown leather handrail. The entire development was transformed into a contemporary co-working area for a modern and innovative space for the specialist investment firm.The Canal site team worked closely with the contractor throughout the entire installation process to ensure smooth delivery in line with current building regulations. Canal Architectural are proud to have a long-standing collaborative relationship with leading design and build firm. Canal has worked directly with the workspace design company to engineer exquisite architectural metalwork designs for some of the UK’s most prestigious projects over the years including Gresham Street.

This scheme was based around a prestigious new commercial office development which included a public realm space. The goal was to create an attractive outdoor space that would provide a relaxing outdoor environment for workers and serve as a communal space that the general public could also utilise. By diligently selecting a range of design led external furniture items from Artform Urban Furniture, the completed project has resulted in a sophisticated and popular external space that enhances the local area and will be enjoyed by a wide variety of people for many years to come.The Box Litter Bin is a popular option from Artform due to its flexible design options. The main structure is manufactured from a robust 6mm thick sheet with various options for the door finish. From the most popular timber-clad versions to Steel rods, and solid or laser-cut steel plate. For Wellington Place, the solid steel door with integrated ashtray was chosen with the addition of customised decals that coordinate with the area's recognisable branding. The design is simple and robust making it perfect in a whole host of external spaces.