"timber"

High-rise riverside apartment building refurbishmentLocated on the banks of the River Thames, Ocean Wharf is a high-rise apartment building that can be subject to salt-water spray during high tide and windy days. Timber decking had previously been fitted on the balconies and had started to deteriorate, as well as being identified as a fire risk by the Fire Risk Assessor.A high-quality decking system was required to replace the existing balcony decking. The chosen solution needed to have a premium look and feel in line with the luxury standard of the development. Luxura, being A1 fire-rated and resistant to salt which could have affected other types of decking, was the ideal choice for this project.As the installer hadn’t installed non-combustible decking before, they required some on-site support from our team who were able to provide a toolbox talk and check ongoing progress. This resulted in a fantastic end result with the installation completed to a very high standard.“The material was completely new to us, so we were a bit hesitant at first. However, now that we have experienced it, we wouldn’t want to use anything else.” - Installer, Ocean Wharf

Penrhyn Heather Blue slates from Welsh Slate feature on Lincoln’s Inn’s Great Hall. One of London’s most unique buildings is enjoying a new lease of life, thanks to Welsh Slate. The Great Hall and Library Buildings of The Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn, an association of students, barristers and judges and one of the four Inns of Court, have over the past two years undergone an extensive programme of external conservation carried out by expert stone masons Capital Stone.  The programme of work includes replacement of the Great Hall’s slate roof covering. Work is still ongoing, with anticipated overall completion in April/May this year, but the work to the Great Hall roof is complete, as is the striking of the temporary roof covering which brings the new roof into view.  The Great Hall and Library Buildings were constructed from 1843 to 1845. The Great Hall roof was originally covered with lead but was recovered in 1868 with slate. From 1871 to 1873 the Library was extended eastwards by three bays. The building is an important example of 19th Century Gothic Revival architecture and has been listed Grade II* since 1951.  After 154 years, the slates on the roof of the Great Hall required replacing to protect the interior, including a striking fresco and beautifully worked oak. The slates were suffering from surface delamination and a large proportion had slipped due to nail rot, requiring tingles to hold them in place. The existing slates were found to originate from both the Ordovician and Cambrian deposits of North Wales – the former predominately on the eastern elevation and the latter on the western. The large Ordovician slates, typically 850mm long and between 350mm and 500mm wide (and laid to a fixed gauge of approximately 350mm which equates to a head lap of approximately 100mm), originated from what is now Welsh Slate’s Ffestiniog quarry, which is currently mothballed, while the other quarries producing these no longer operate. The Cambrian slates from the Llanberis region, as well as Bethesda where Welsh Slate’s main quarry is based, were even larger, at 850mm long and wider than 450mm, laid to the same gauge. Both slate types were fixed to timber battens on open timber rafters, with the underside torched with horsehair and lime plaster. These were replaced for the closest Welsh slate match – Welsh Slate’s County-grade Penrhyn Heather Blues, at 800mm long, widths of between 400mm and 550mm, and a 350mm gauge and 100mm head lap. These are guaranteed for 100 years, with a useful life of 150 years. While the roof is generally simple in form, with two large slopes, its substantial size at circa 800m2 meant the work took considerable time to complete. To allow for more than a dozen dormers the Welsh Slate had to be cut and fitted to size with double copper clout nails. The thickest slates were used on the eaves, diminishing towards the ridge to maintain the original visual finish. They were also holed from the rear to provide a slight countersink to the face. The Great Hall operates by day as a dining hall for members of the Inn, and by night, as a venue for dinners, receptions and weddings for up to 400 people. Set in 11 acres of beautiful grounds in Holborn, Central London, it is the closest Inn to the Royal Courts of Justice. Henry Skinner, Head of Projects and Facilities Management at The Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn, said: “The replacement of the roof covering was far from straightforward, despite its externally simplistic construction. During stripping of the existing roof covering, we had to deal with atmospheric lead contamination of a horsehair felt that sat between the original slates and close boarding, requiring controlled measures of removal and disposal.  “Furthermore, the close boarding had warped over time, causing an undulation between roof trusses that needed to be spaced out. This was achieved through the introduction of additional battens and packing timbers to create a level surface onto which the new slate could be laid.” Casey Wickers, trainee quantity surveyor with Capital Stone Renovation, said: “The main work of stripping the existing roof was extremely challenging and labour intensive, to not only remove, wash and handle each slate manually through a tight scaffolding design, but also doing so whilst wearing full RPE due to the lead contamination. “With the two stunning roof facades in full view, the quality of the Welsh slates can be seen by all.

The Royal Zoological Society of ScotlandGripsure has teamed up with wildlife conservation charity, the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, to help create an incredible home for Scotland’s only sloths. Moana and Feira have settled in well at Edinburgh Zoo and have been busy exploring their new surroundings (albeit very slowly). They are set to become a visitor favourite and have already begun to draw in the crowds.Gripsure donated 60 square metres of sustainable anti-slip Bamboo decking. It has been used to create visitor walkways through the recently refurbished enclosure. The space is full of greenery and designed to feel just like home for two-year-old male Moana, nicknamed Mo, and one-year-old female Feira, known as Fe.A special partnershipThis unique project - the result of a special Corporate Sponsorship Partnership between Gripsure and the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland - also features Gripsure Graphics. This innovative new non-slip decking has been used to create fun, educational messaging around the enclosure.Staff said Gripsure decking had helped to establish the perfect environment for the new arrivals – and their fans. “The decking featured in the main walkway flows incredibly well with the exhibit, allowing our visitors to walk right through and become immersed in the natural look and feel of the space, which is wonderful,” said Beccy Angus, Head of Discovery and Learning at the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland.Beccy added: “Being able to add our own artwork was a huge positive for our charity. The ability to personalise the decking meant we could completely tailor it to the enclosure, making it one-of-a-kind and offer more opportunities to engage our visitors with educational interpretation and signage.”A new home for Scotland’s only slothsThe zoo’s two-toed sloths have joined large hairy armadillos Nymeria and Diogo in the Sloths and Armadillos building, which tells the story of wildlife in South America. The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland has been supporting conservation partners in South America, the sloth’s native home, for more than a decade.Conservation and sustainability are at the heart of this new area, which made Gripsure a natural partner. Beccy said the team was delighted with the results. “Gripsure’s generous donation has helped our charity create and deliver a first-class visitor experience within our new sloth building,” she said. “As a wildlife conservation charity, sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. Bamboo was selected as a sustainable material both in the immediate production and in the future as it can be recycled.”Bamboo: a sustainable futureThe bamboo poles used to manufacture the Bamboo decking, which is used at Edinburgh Zoo, are harvested after just five years. This makes them the fastest growing timber in the world.Tom Anderson of Gripsure said: “Edinburgh Zoo were seeking a long lasting sustainable timber but were keen to avoid using tropical hardwoods as logging is destroying the sloth’s natural environment in South America. We recommended Moso bamboo, the giant grass species which can grow up to 80cm per day in the growing season. This species also stores huge amounts of carbon in its vast root network in the forests.”Gripsure manufactures the boards using a heat treatment, which protects the timber from decay and insect attack and gives the boards an expected service life of at least 35 years.Moso bamboo has a class one durability rating, a Euroclass B fire rating, extremely stable with virtually no movement. A study from Delft University shows that, even taking into account the transport and manufacturing process, the product is a net carbon sink over its life span.Connecting people with wildlifeThe sloths are said to be settling in well after arriving at the zoo from Europe. Moana came from Aquazoo Friesland in the Netherlands and Feira arrived from Wilhelma in Germany.Expert staff at Edinburgh Zoo are keeping viewing hours limited for the first few weeks to allow the pair adapt to their new surroundings, complete with plenty of trees and ropes to explore at their own pace. Beccy said: “We hope that by welcoming this well-loved species we can help visitors foster a deeper connection with nature and inspire future conservationists to better protect wildlife across the globe.”

Burton Green Primary School is located in the historic city of York, an outstanding school at the heart of a local community this primary school strives for excellence. The challenging and nurturing learning environment allows children to learn and grow, while achieving the highest potential possible in all areas of the 21st century curriculum.When the roof began showing signs of ageing, it was clear that a long-term solution was required. Working with Project Managers Charles Garth and Principal Contractor Castle Special Projects, Polyroof would work towards providing the best solution to refurbish the ageing roof.The work required and condition of the roof needed to be established first, to do this a survey was scheduled to take place. The survey was conducted on roofing area and it was determined that there were 6 flat roofs that required refurbishment. Areas 1 to 2 were constructed of a built up felt with mineral cap sheet, 50mm PUR insulation, bituminous vapour control, asphalt, 12mm fibreboard and a 50mm woodwood slab deck with timber joists. Areas 3 to 5 were constructed of a built up felt with mineral cap sheet, 50mm Jablite insulation, bituminous vapour control, asphalt, 12mm fibreboard and a 50mm wood wool slab deck with timber joists. Roof area 6 was made up of built-up felt with mineral cap, plywood and timber joist. The original build-up of roofs 1 to 5 needed to be stripped back to the asphalt due to the aged condition of the built-up felt, numerous leak reports were reported. Roof 6 and its original waterproofing was to be retained and made good, later this surface would act as the substrate for the new waterproofing system.Once the survey was completed, a bespoke specification was written and it was recommended that the roofing areas would all benefit from a high-performance waterproofing system. In addition to this it was specified that the roof would be thermally upgraded to reduce the risk of condensation and provide lower fuel bills and energy consumption for Primary School further adding benefits to making improvements to the roof.Liquid Roofing Limited an experienced roofing contractor and Polyroof Approved Contractor was chosen to undertake the work to this project. The proposed system for this project would be Polyroof Protec Warm Roof System. Protec’s liquid roof membrane has a unique flexible hybrid polymer formulation and can be applied to virtually all common roof surfaces.The areas that were required for installation firstly needed to be stripped and removed back to the asphalt, areas 1 to 5 required this. Area 6 was then repaired of any defects and made good where necessary. All roofs required a deep clean, removing any dirt or debris that remained from the first stage. Once this preparation was completed an Air & Vapour Control Layer (AVCL) was then installed to roof areas 1 to 5 making sure that all surfaces are smooth and without voids.Using a Polyroof Twin Pack Insulation Adhesive the Polyroof RES insulation (T&G) boards were bonded and laid to each of the 6 roof areas completing the second stage of the warm roof upgrade. Before the last stage of the installation could begin all joints in the insulation were sealed using taping matt and Polyroof Protec Resin. Polyroof’s extra-tough GRP trims were then installed to create neat and robust edge detailing for exposed perimeters before the main Protec system application commenced.During the project there were some challenging aspects that required care and attention. The project featured a large array of different details ranging from installation of new substrates and trims for parapet walls to the removal of and preservation of tiles/cladding so that the Protec system could be applied correctly. These features required delicate work so that the original tiles/cladding could be reinstated after the application of the system was completed. During the project the rooflight that was originally in place was removed and replaced with a new, before this could happen the Protec system was taken up the upstands and then sealed under flange.Once the project was completed within the relevant time frame of the client and within the budget specified, the Polyroof Technical Services team conducted a detailed inspection showing a high level of workmanship which lead to the client gaining the trusted Polyroof Accredited System Guarantee.

Sash Window Renovation At An Iconic Commercial Listed Building In Cardiff: The Bank, Bute StreetCardiff based property developers, Quin & Co, approached Ventrolla to carry out a survey on 66 sash windows, as part of their renovation of The Bank. Originally built by The Cory Brothers in 1874, the property was to be transformed into 15 luxury two-bedroom apartments and a breath taking penthouse.Work on this Grade 2 Listed building – located on Bute Street in Cardiff – required expert, sympathetic and careful crafting of replacement timber sash windows, to maintain the listed elements and retain the character of the historically-important building. Our expertise in creating bespoke wooden sash windows for Listed Buildings, coupled with our experience on commercial projects, made us a perfect partner.Following a detailed technical site survey of the north and east elevations of the building, our team noticed that there were two different horn details on the two different elevations. Guided by us, the client decided to opt for one style throughout. We then created CAD scale drawings of all different window types, to ease the client through the planning process and Listed Building Consent (LBC).Due to the building being on a busy road, the planning application included a road traffic noise condition, requiring acoustic glazing to be fitted into the new windows. We were able to offer the client a range of glazing options for them to choose from, to meet the required specification.From the removal of old sashes to the manufacturing and installing of like-for-like replica hardwood sashes, this was a complex yet very satisfying project to be involved in. Each sash incorporated slim, heritage double-glazing for improved efficiency, as well as our innovative Ventrolla Perimeter Sealing System, to create apartments that were warm and cosy. Integrating our clever sash removal system (SRS) in every window also ensured that future maintenance, redecoration, or repairs will be easy to carry out. All windows were finished with satin nickel hardware throughout to create a high-end look and feel – all part of the overall design detail of this stunning renovation.John Pinn, Director of Quinn & Co. said:"On a project of this scale, it’s of vital importance that we can work with suppliers who we can completely rely on as experts in their field. Ventrolla’s highly skilled craftsmanship, Listed Building expertise and attention to detail ensured that the work ran smoothly. We’re delighted with the windows in The Bank – they match the overall high-end finish of our project, and we know that the heritage of this iconic building has been preserved for generations to come."Since completing the renovation at The Bank, Ventrolla have worked with developers Quinn & Co. on another project, also within the Cardiff area – more to follow on that project soon!If you’d like to discuss your timber window project in detail, contact us below or call 0800 0277 454 to speak to our team.

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.

Traditional Heritage Timber Casement Windows - Enhancing the Charm of Maltsters Tap, ShropshireLocated in the idyllic village of Cardington, near Church Stretton in Shropshire, the Maltsters Tap is a Grade II listed former brewery that recently underwent a remarkable transformation with the installation of traditional flush casement windows. Gowercroft Joinery's expertise in crafting heritage windows proved instrumental in this project, which serves as a compelling case study for architects and specifiers seeking to preserve the timeless appeal of traditional architecture.The property's new owner, Brian Tripp, sought to renovate his acquired dwelling with windows that perfectly complemented the rustic elegance of the countryside aesthetic while providing modern-day performance. Brian first discovered Gowercroft Joinery at the renowned Grand Design Exhibition, where he downloaded their brochure and subsequently reached out to discuss his specific requirements.Traditional Heritage Casement WindowsThe Maltsters Tap resides in the heart of the village, with its focal point being the charming village church. Surrounded by postcard-perfect scenery, it became evident that the choice of windows had to harmonize seamlessly with the picturesque surroundings. As Brian explains, "When we saw the Gowercroft Heritage window at the 'Grand Designs' Exhibition, we knew straight away it was just right for our listed building renovation, both for us and for our local Conservation Officer."The renovation process involved merging the two converted dwellings into a single residence, followed by a comprehensive interior refurbishment. Comfort and traditional styling were paramount, and upgrading the windows played a pivotal role in achieving these goals. The original single-glazed windows were replaced with Gowercroft's Richmond Flush Casement Heritage Windows, meticulously selected to blend with the property's historical character while delivering exceptional thermal efficiency.To retain the traditional look, the windows feature astragals, horizontal bars that replicate the iconic Georgian window design. However, ensuring uniformity presented a unique challenge due to the varying heights of the windows. Gowercroft's skilled team meticulously calculated the glass sizes and determined the number of astragals required for each window, accounting for the non-uniform dimensions characteristic of older properties. Additionally, the double skin insulating plasterboard necessitated adjustments to the frame sections, maintaining consistent sightlines throughout the project.Heritage Casement Windows InstalledIn total, 26 of Gowercroft's Richmond Heritage casement windows were expertly installed, completely transforming the Maltsters Tap and fulfilling Brian's vision for his dream home. This successful collaboration between the homeowner, Gowercroft Joinery, and the local planning officer stands as a testament to the remarkable synergy between traditional aesthetics and contemporary performance.With Gowercroft Joinery's exceptional craftsmanship and commitment to preserving architectural heritage, architects and specifiers can confidently rely on their expertise to enhance the appeal and functionality of projects featuring traditional heritage timber casement windows.

Gripsure non-slip decking is providing the perfect platform for families to enjoy an unforgettable wildlife experience. Around 3,000 meters of Gripsure Classic decking has been installed outside eight new luxurious lodges at West Midland Safari Park in Bewdley, Worcestershire, meaning guests can make the most of their prime position, gazing out over the elephant or cheetah habitats from the decking area of their lodge.The Safari Lodges, which officially opened in April, have already proved to be a huge hit, with bookings being taken right up until November next year. Six of the lodges offer the UK’s only overnight accommodation experience with elephants, while two more lodges offer views of the park's cheetahs – also the only experience of its kind in this country.Gripsure’s easy maintenance, non-slip and all-weather design is ideal for the lodges’ external decking areas. The spaces allow families to enjoy a meal or just sit and unwind, overlooking the incredible wildlife. Our durable classic non-slip timber decking achieves the highest safety rating on the market. The low-maintenance FSC and PEFC certified timber boards are crafted from slow-grown Vth grade European Redwood Pine.The overall finish looks the part, too, with the lodge decks blending in with the safari-themed wooden buildings. The double-storey elephant lodges are authentically styled, with thatched roofs, accommodating up to five people. They have large, open-plan living spaces with a lounge, dining area and kitchenette. The balcony with outdoor seating offers views to watch the elephants – Latabe, Five and Sutton – as they approach their pool.The two, single-storey, detached cheetah lodges can sleep up to six guests. The living spaces feature large windows spanning one side of the building, offering panoramic views of the cheetahs in their new habitat. Floor-to-ceiling windows in the bedrooms mean guests can watch cheetahs Azrael and Bappe run and play.The Safari Lodges Team at the Park say Gripsure has ticked all the boxes for this ambitious project. “Using Gripsure has not only provided us with a safe and secure decking solution for our external verandas at Safari Lodges, it has also succeeded visually and aesthetically by blending in with the authentic and natural surroundings that our lodges are nestled within,” said a spokesperson, adding that the Gripsure team have been a pleasure to work with.“We would definitely recommend Gripsure to other attractions,” said Project Manager, Neil James. “Their professional manner and great communication skills really made us feel confident throughout this huge project, particularly during such unprecedented times with the pandemic.”All media is courtesy of West Midlands Safari Park. ©2021 West Midlands Safari Park.

The ChallengeIn 2015 Kier was awarded the £233 million project to build Cheshire’s first smart motorway to help keep traffic flowing between J16 (Crewe) – and J19 (Knutsford), this included 40 Miles of extra lanes, 21 overhead gantries, 18 emergency bays and 258 electronic signs. Hundreds of metres of retaining walls were needed to allow clearance for the emergency refuge areas (ERA’s) and the overhead gantries to be built within the highway boundaries. “As infrastructures had a major impact on the M6 J16-19 critical path a cost-effective solution was needed to reduce the overall time of installation.” A durable, robust, economical, and sustainable retaining wall solution with a British Board of Agreement (BBA) Highway Authorities Product Approval Scheme (HAPAS) certificate was required to satisfy the Highways Agency.The Solution Several EcoCrib mass gravity retaining walls now support the embankments along the M6 J16-J19 to provide clearance for many of the ERA’s and Gantry Bases. Designed, supplied, and installed by PC Construction. Awarded a BBA HAPAS certificate in 2012 with a design life in excess of 120 years, Ecocrib is structurally robust yet the most highly sustainable retaining solution currently available for highway applications. It was the only retaining option that didn’t need heavy lifting equipment to complete the job which made it the safer option. It also allows the installation to be quicker and cheaper than the other options available. Ian Potts quoted on behalf of Highways England “The savings are easily calculated as the installation was priced by a pilling contractor at £41,975 and the installation cost of EcoCrib was £24,177 delivering a saving of £17,798 (£395.51/m). Total savings for the M6 project is 270m ( gantry bases) plus 390m ERA’s @ a total of 590m x £395.51p = £233,350 saving. However, other savings and benefits included: Installation time is 30% of alternative products i.e. 2 days against 7 days. Eliminates the need for lifting equipment, allows working in limited spacing, is environmentally friendly, improves aesthetics, and has a product life of 120 years. “ Developed from timber crib technology, the 50mm x 125mm Ecocrib profiles are considerably more durable than treated timber but possess many of the environmental benefits. Ecocrib profiles are manufactured entirely from recycled UK plastic waste with any wastage or surplus material re-processed to form new Ecocrib profiles. Ecocrib can be recycled when it reaches the end of its useful life. 1478 SQM of EcoCrib was used in the scheme equivalent to 17 million plastic bottle tops or 86 tonnes of plastic waste diverted from landfill. Highways England is now looking at the possibility of using EcoCrib for step installations and retaining wall heights higher than 1.5m. 

Woodlands is a high-quality retirement scheme of 17 luxury apartments by PegasusLife, now part of Lifestory, in exclusive Canford Cliffs, Dorset. Designed by Snug Architects, the building’s striking, contemporary form is crafted to include a carefully specified combination of whitewashed, vertical timber cladding, glazed balconies, bronze-coloured windows and white Antro facing brick slips from leading brick innovator, Vandersanden. “It was the team at PegasusLife that first suggested using Vandersanden brick slips,” explains Mike Worthington, director at Snug Architects. “The very stylish Antro brick complements the whitewashed timber cladding and the bronze metal colour of the windows very well to provide an incredibly mature material palette.” Within walking distance of the beach, Woodlands stands on Flaghead Road amongst age-old pines. The building’s architecture was inspired by its setting and, although bold and contemporary, relates harmoniously to the scale of the surrounding housing. The structure was conceived as a three-storey modern brick envelope with a basement car park that has lift access. Woodlands was built using a reinforced concrete frame construction. Instead of traditional brickwork, Gebrik Brick Cladding Panels featuring Vandersanden’s Antro brick slips were supplied by Aquarian Cladding for the project. These were constructed off-site and installed straight onto the building frame. By using Gebrik panels, the aesthetics of the building were maintained as originally designed while minimising on-site works. A further advantage was that the build programme was more efficient than with traditional construction as the building was watertight more quickly, so interior spaces could be fitted out in tandem with work to the exterior. To complete the facade, Antro brick pistols and splayed/canted brick specials were employed with the bricks wrapped underneath the soffit of window and balcony openings. Vandersanden’s Antro stock facing bricks have a sanded-coated and creased structure. They are a mix of different kinds of clay forms and made with 100% natural resources; the loam that forms the most important base material dates from the Ice Age. By using specific sand types for the surface covering, the desired colour is achieved. Mike Worthington says: “The Vandersanden bricks are good quality and provided the basis for a beautiful and mature materiality for this retirement living development which we were delighted with. They’ve weathered very well and we’re regularly complimented on the scheme and asked who supplied the bricks. We’re very proud of it.” Canford Cliffs is an affluent suburb of Poole with a significant population of retired people. PegasusLife is a retirement living provider on a mission to fundamentally re-think retirement living in the UK. Unsurprisingly, Woodlands was shortlisted for the 2017 RIBA South West Awards. Further details on Snug Architects are available at https://www.snugarchitects.co.uk. To find out more about the bricks used in this project or to see the wide range of high-quality bricks available from Vandersanden, click on the 'View more' link 

Sector:     EducationArchitect:  Innes Associates Specified for: ·      Sustainable construction·      Inner timber frame ·      Durable external aluminium·      Design versatility·      Competitive pricingDesigned by architects Innes Associates, the latest addition to Cromer Road Primary School is a distinctive, L-shaped red-brick classroom building which wraps around a newly landscaped play space. VELFAC slim-framed windows and doors are a key feature of every facade, with dark grey external frames emphasising the pattern of shadows created by textured brickwork and inset window apertures. The VELFAC system has also helped architect Corrie Rounding meet challenging regulatory and sustainability targets while maximising usable space, increasing natural light and improving ventilation. ‘We pushed the contractor to specify VELFAC as we knew the composite frame was the right fit for the Cromer Road project,’ says Corrie. ‘The sustainability of the VELFAC system, and its low energy performance, met Department of Education requirements, while the robust external aluminium frame is ideal for a busy school environment. The design of the windows and doors also met our aesthetic brief, especially the inner timber frames. These are clear lacquered to emphasise the wood, provide a link with the trees surrounding the new building, and to deliver a less ‘sterile’ finish than aluminium or uPVC.’The VELFAC system could also meet key ventilation, daylighting and budget targets: ‘To manage costs, and maximise daylight in the right places, we concentrated our glazing allowance at the areas of most activity,’ explains Corrie, ‘but we also used windows to maximise the usability of the interior. For example, we used tall slim VELFAC units to illuminate the staircase but placed larger windows directly under the stairs to create an additional and useful breakout space.’The Cromer Road building is naturally ventilated, unusual for a Department for Education funded primary school project, with VELFAC units carefully configured to support an efficient flow of fresh air: ‘We wanted to make sure the building could stay comfortable without the need for mechanical cooling, even through the hottest summer,’ says Corrie. ‘This meant the placement of smaller windows on south facing facades, to manage solar gain, and the specification of multiple opening units across the building, including high level teleflex-operated lights. These are especially important in the classroom window screens where ventilation is guided by CO2 monitors.’ To ensure the security of children and staff, all windows also feature restrictors, with finger guards fitted to doors as an additional safety measure.Corrie was also pleased with the support provided by the VELFAC team, especially in the early stages: ‘VELFAC provided the estimates and performance data we needed to convince the contractor that VELFAC was the ideal solution for this project,’ she says, ‘and the school was certainly very happy with the end result’.

Cairngorm Mountain Resort is a popular tourist attraction in the heart of the Cairngorm National Park. It is Scotland’s most popular mountain destination thanks to its extensive facilities for people of all ages.The site has undergone some major works over the past few years, including a funicular railway. The addition of our Moveable Planters and Benches marks the end of these works by adding additional seating and greenery to the entrance, car park and other public areas.16 bespoke WoodBlocX Moveable Planters have been added to the entrance, car park and surrounding spaces of the mountain resort, enhancing it and also providing clear boundaries between pedestrian and parking areas. The benches have been positioned in key viewpoints for visitors to sit and enjoy the stunning views.Our Moveable Planters are attached to solid timber bases with treated bearers, which allow for them to be easily moved using a pump truck or forklift so they can be relocated or stored away with ease.All WoodBlocX moveable planters are designed bespoke, and manufactured by us. We build and then ship them directly to site in their completed form to allow for full quality control. We can create standard squares and rectangular shapes or bespoke designs to suit your project using our Free Design Service.

A selection of our high-performance aluminium fenestration solutions has been used for this new café and drive-thru at a popular shopping destination in Wales.The new Starbucks at Parc Pemberton Retail Park has been designed by G1 Architects and built by Trojan Construction, with the aluminium fenestration package skilfully delivered by specialist contractor Sherwood Aluminium Systems.The project features both our cost-effective SCW aluminium curtain walling and our robust SFG shop front glazing system, which are both ideally suited for use in the retail sector as they combine slim sightlines with a robust and durable construction. Our curtain wall system has been used to create a bright and airy interior in the café, and the SFG system has been integrated with our SD aluminium doors to provide safe access at the entrance and exit. Our SD aluminium commercial doors have also been used on the drive-thru building, with the powder-coated aluminium frames perfectly complementing the use of timber cladding and grey façade design.The new Starbucks outlet has benefited from both Trojan Construction and Sherwood Aluminium Systems’ extensive experience undertaking similar schemes for the retailer across the UK, with Sherwood Aluminium Systems named as a preferred supplier for Starbucks.

Hush Acoustics was tasked with providing an acoustic separating floor solution in an extensive material change of use project in Southall. Phoenix House was being converted by Vascroft Construction from an office building to residential flats, in a project which involved building into the basement, adding two floors and expanding at the rear.The development of 149 flats, each of which comprises 2 bedrooms, 1 ensuite, 1 bathroom, 1 kitchen/living area, required an effective design for the separating floors to ensure they would be effectively soundproofed throughout across multiple different floor finishes.After assessing a number of floor construction materials, Hush Panel 28 floating floor panels were selected to meet the acoustic performance targets. Using this panel meant that throughout the bedrooms and living areas a simple underlay could be laid before the finished carpets or engineered timber floor were installed. Hush Panel 28 was also suitable for the floors in the wet rooms and entrance hallways by applying Detromat on top of the panel to form an anti cracking surface.A team of more than 100 operatives worked on site, with every 1000 sq. m of floor completed per week, which Hush Acoustics supported to ensure Vascroft could meet the project’s strict delivery schedule.

The ChallengeAs the building has listed status, any expansion would need to be carefully considered, allowing the building to become more suited to modern demands without losing its heritage.As part of this, meeting the necessary safety requirements of today’s building regulations was crucial – something which could be achieved by specifying materials appropriately.The SolutionTo ensure a product that could meet all the fire and loading requirements was specified, Pyroguard provided expert technical guidance to cater for the project’s constraints of working within a listed building, helping with the specialist design of additional fire-rated glazing to be incorporated in existing timber windows and doors.Due to the ambitious nature of the project, more than 300 square metres of Pyroguard toughened glass, including Pyroguard Firesafe T EW30/6, Pyroguard Rapide Plus EI30/EI60 and Pyroguard Protect T-EI60, was chosen for its unrivalled quality and safety features.Protecting against flames, smoke and radiant heat, the selected glazing range has the advantage of providing Marr College with additional radiant heat control and greater fire protection.In tests this glass demonstrates the ability to maintain the amount of radiant heat to below 15 kW/m2 on the unexposed face, protecting critical evacuation routes for occupants.

Specialist refurbishment and planned works contractor AYM Contracting approached EnviroBuild to supply adjustable decking joist supports for a commercial project near Liverpool Street in the heart of London.The 40 m² rooftop office terrace needed a low-maintenance, durable substructure to safely support Hyperion composite deck boards, so it was decided that MESA Support pedestals would be the best product to achieve this.The SolutionWorking with award-winning international construction services company ISG, EnviroBuild fulfilled the order for over 100 MESA support decking feet. The adjustable joist supports were installed under treated timber joists to ensure a long-lasting base and robust foundation.The easy to install pedestals, made with 100% recycled plastic, also come with a 10-year commercial warranty so the client can rest assured that the decking area will be enjoyed for many years to come.The finished result is a wonderful open-plan roof terrace where employees can relax and appreciate the incredible views across central London.Customer FeedbackThe client was pleased with the excellent service and fast delivery which allowed them to install the decking quickly and efficiently.Project DetailsSize: 40 m²Product: Mesa Support Adjustable pedestals Location: Shoreditch, London

The new £18.9 million Wallyford Primary School opened in February 2019.The school is the first of two to be built in the Wallyford area amidst the construction of 2,050 new houses in the area.Broxap were chosen to supply all external street furniture, cycle shelters and a Keep It Kool canopy.Products included a series of ‘Fallowfield‘ concrete seats which were dressed in Grey BG01 Dressed finish. FSC certified Hardwood Timber planters.Cycle parking is facilitated via Broxap’s Cambridge Junior Shelters with Sheffield Stands beneath.A waterproof Keep it Kool Shade Cairns sail was provided with a Moss Green coloured fabric. This was positioned above a bespoke steel framed bench featuring FSC hardwood Radial Slats, planed and sanded.Also provided in areas around the school were a series of Broxap Synergy 200 MDPE Recycle Bins with general waste and plastic bottles and cans indicators on alternate sides.Roddy Clark, project director for hub South East said, “We’ve delivered a first-class facility for pupils and staff alongside a range of benefits for the wider community. A great deal of work has gone into the design and construction of the new school and the feedback received so far has been extremely positive.”

The combination of old and new architecture provides unusual views and insights.This was certainly the case with the extension of the Batelease Farm owned by the Moody couple in the English county of Devon.The original Batelease Farm was built back in the 15th century and the building has been changed and extended over the centuries. Because the Batelease Farm is a Grade II listed building everything had to be approved by the responsible heritage officials.The modern extension to the old farmhouse creates a contrast between old and new and combines the two - quite literally. Because the goal wasn’t merely to create a new build - it also had to be accessible and enable barrier-free access between the old and new building.This will allow the client, a wheelchair user, to navigate between the buildings independently and to move between the centuries, so-to-speak.A glass structure connects the main house and the new build and covers two floors, including a lift. Barrier-free access has been created between the buildings on both the ground floor and the first floor. There is also an entrance and exit here, which enables the client to enter or leave the building independently at any time.A Guldmann GH1 ceiling hoist system is used in the client’s bedroom with the rail system integrated subtly into an exposed timber beam, so that the practical aid is almost invisible.

The recently built front extension creates a new threshold for the church, encompassing a large multipart Flushglaze fixed rooflight from Glazing Vision. The rooflight works to fill the entrance lobby with natural daylight and helps to create a lofty, open space with character.Utilising frameless rooflights to accentuate this highly contemporary home, CDC Studio have adopted the perfect balance of imagination and persistence. Designed as a ‘forever home’ for their retired clients, this house is accessible, highly contemporary, low energy, sustainable and secure.Having approached CDC Studio, to create a home which was not too big for two, but big enough to accommodate village parties and wider family coming to stay.CDC Studio replicated the thatched barn and knitted into the local community, encapsulation the character of the village through local crafts and materials of flint, red brick, timber shutters and estate fencing complimenting this with the use of zinc to echo the agricultural aesthetic of the original land use.Adopting a thoroughly modern approach, the kitchen, dining and living spaces are open plan to allow for social gatherings and to provide a smooth flow throughout the home. With three Glazing Vision secure by design flat rooflights along the roofline, natural daylight is allowed to fill the property and create an open space for the homeowners to enjoy.The kitchen sits under a column-free, steel rod hung mezzanine with acoustic damping which was rigorously engineered to avoid the reverberating noise. This creates a sense of enclosure to the kitchen whilst allowing CDC to achieve the fully flexible family / party space requested beyond.Two Glazing Vision electric Visionvents have been included to deliver a continual air flow running through the property and providing a constant temperature and source of natural daylight into the entertainment area of the home.To compliment the contemporary style of this house, a Glazing Vision Sliding over Roof rooflight has been installed, whereby the entire section of glazing retracts out onto the roof space, leaving open, unimpeded views of the sky above. When closed, the amount of glass is maximised to maintain an almost frameless appearance.“CDC Studio have been specifying Glazing Vision for a number of years and our clients have always been very pleased with the results. A combination of standard products and the option to deliver a bespoke solution means that Glazing Vision cater for all types of projects and affordability whilst products are well made and come with the addition of guarantees.” Delphine Dryer, Associate Director CDC Studio.The character of the thatched barn is emphasized by embracing its full height to the ridge, offering modest but usable guest rooms wrapped in painted timber boarding. These were identified for immediate family use, the height helping to overcome their narrow nature on plan, integrated wardrobes, back panels and pegs for hanging make them hard working spaces. A separate master suite spreads into the new volumes providing dressing, bathroom and a private patio area which offers the clients a place for quiet retreat when guests are staying.The house boasts its own private ‘Gin and Tonic’ balcony. The mezzanine space creates a private second sitting area with a concealed timber stair nestled between concrete sheer walls to provide access. It is quiet yet connected to the main space, and commands views to the west with a fully opening sliding over roof rooflight to let the outdoors in. A separate guest suite and shower room afford privacy to occupants and visitors alike.The extended roofline and orientation provide solar shading to the solar controlled west facing glazing with the careful positioning of rooflights to prevent overheating in the height of summer, plus water runoff is directed to a salvaged historical water trough which the clients will use to water the garden. The linear design is extended into the immediate landscape with water rills extending out like fingers into the wider area which over time the clients will begin to accentuate with their planting.This project showed the right combination of imagination and persistence, creating a home which not only fits in with the local village heritage but also manages to stand out and create a ‘wow factor’ for those which bask in its glory.“We have recently been impressed with their ability to comply with the secure by design requirements which not all companies seem aware of. We have used the fixed and venting rooflights on our Stacked house and Y house and a massive bespoke sliding rooflight on our Parkhouse which the clients adore.” Delphine Dryer, Associate Director CDC Studio.

Two types of Welsh Slate feature on the new roof of London’s Irish Embassy. The £2.5 million re-roof of the Grade II listed Irish Embassy in London, with more than 10,000 Penrhyn Heather Blue slates from Welsh Slate, has required its own exceptional levels of diplomacy. DarntonB3 Architecture had multiple challenges to factor in when it came to specifying the replacement slates, including the City of Westminster’s planning department, which was keen to see as many of the existing slates re-used as possible and required convincing to embrace the “new” metric sizes. Then there were landlords Grosvenor Estates, leaseholders the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Historic England, not to mention the site being opposite Buckingham Palace, on a “Red route” with diplomatic bays nearby, and between two of the most important Conservation Areas of Belgravia. Work began on the landlocked Grosvenor Place site in March 2018, a year after DarntonB3, who are specialist conservation architects, were appointed to oversee the project, and has just completed (January 2019). Two types of Welsh slates have been used on the former terraced town mansion with decorative metal roof crest that was designed by architect Thomas Cundy, who was surveyor to the Grosvenor Estate at the time, and built in 1868 in a French Renaissance style. Roofing contractor Mundy Roofing was involved at an early stage in the project and were ultimately appointed as principal contractor. Specialising in leadwork and natural slate roofing, they were pivotal to the project’s success. A total of 600m2 of County-grade 500mm x 300mm slates have been used on the numerous standard 30° to 35° pitched roofs while Capital-grade bespoke arrow-head slates of the same colour but sized at 400mm x 250mm were used around dormer windows on the 80° mansard roof elements that are reminiscent of Paris and feature lead secret gutter detailing around the perimeter. There is also some vertical slating to the rear elevation.  The old 5mm to 7mm thick slates had been on the roof since it was first built 150 years ago. The rectangular ones had been slightly longer and narrower, at 510mm x 255mm, while the arrow-head slates had been smaller all round, at 350mm x 200mm.  But a roof survey showed they were not laid to the correct bond or headlaps and fixing points were far from ideal and non-existent in places (the headlaps between 0 and 50mm), leading to the hardened sarking underneath becoming sodden in places. In fact, most of the roof had been repaired over the years with different types of slates using temporary lead tags or painted with a bitumen solution in an attempt to prolong its life. DarntonB3 argued that if the roof was re-installed as existing, its appearance would alter as they would have no option but to lay the slates at the correct headlap which would create additional courses. In addition, using the slightly larger arrow-head slates for the mansard roof would enable them to form a more robust detail at the abutments to the dormers and party wall.  Home to the Irish Embassy for the past 70 years, the building comprises office and entertainment space. The traditional timber truss roof featured timber sarking boards with penny gaps, a form of construction usually found in Scotland. The slates were then fixed with copper nails directly to the boarding without any timber battens. Once city planners had agreed to 100% replacement of the Welsh slates, at the new metric sizes (a process that took a year), the addition of timber counter battens, to improve ventilation of the roof and prolong the life of the new slates, was also proposed by the Architects. Mundy Roofing produced sample comparison mock-ups to demonstrate to the conservation officer this change would not be detrimental to the building’s character. As it is, the interface details where slates have been lifted has not altered the character of the building and the introduction of battens would not be known by the general observer.  DarntonB3 senior associate Matthew Jones, who was project manager and lead architect throughout, said: “Westminster City Council are regarded as one of the leading conservation-led councils in the UK, with some of the highest standards and criteria to meet, and dialogue with the conservation officer was detailed and robust. The need for wholesale replacement of the existing slate due to them being at the end of their life was a delicate decision and sufficient evidence of this necessity was proven. The replacement of the slates with metric sizes was also an extensively discussed item but the principal contractor and Welsh Slate worked with us to develop the narrative.” Keith Hamilton, an architect accredited in building conservation, acting for DarntonB3 alongside Matthew was reasonably sure Welsh slates had been used previously but was keen to ensure the correct thickness and grading were eventually used throughout the renewal process.  He said “We have specified Welsh Slate on numerous other projects and their reputation for the highest quality precedes them. We were able to argue the merits of increased ventilation behind the slates using cross battening in lieu of direct nailing to the existing sarking board, which in the majority of areas had survived over 150 years’ performance. “The risk of lack of ventilation on the lower roof pitches behind the slates was particularly relevant at the eaves and head. We had previously considered introducing slate vents and felt underlay to augment any need for ventilation but the existence of the ‘penny gaps’ in the sarking boards encouraged us, to believe that this was not required.  “This was another point of continued discussion with the conservation officer who was against an underlay in this instance. The timber sarking was found to be in remarkable condition considering the lack of existing underlay and the direct fix of the slates, highlighting the quality of the original slates. Hence, there is no secondary layer apart from the slating itself and we trust the quality of the new Welsh slate will replicate the existing quality and last another 100 years.” Due to tight access on the roof, they were also able to widen the lead gutters and set back the lower courses of slates to avoid getting them broken. All the new Penrhyn slates were holed and traditionally fixed with 38mm copper nails as opposed to clipped or other methods. The standard-size slates were able to cope with the wide variation of roof pitches and new rooflights encountered by varying the lap and gauge slightly. In virtually every case, the slate junctions are with lead or copper flashings and as it was appreciated there is some risk of staining, all lead was treated with patination oil. Using new treated timber battens for fixing the new slates proved a great success as direct fixing into the old hardened sarking boarding would have been a major problem and time consuming.  Matthew said the support they had received from Welsh Slate had been “fantastic” and included a site visit to match the type of slate, a letter explaining the need to change from imperial to metric sizing, technical drawings of the arrow-head slates, technical information on the end life of slates and their unsuitability for re-use, on-time deliveries with little if no wastage, and recommending experienced slating contractors. Mundy Roofing were on site for a total of 10 months. Work included the rebuilding of three chimney stacks, involving 30 tonnes of stone and brickwork, and restoration of traditionally-forged wrought ironwork to the pavilion roof crest, all underneath a temporary roof. Russell Mundy said: “This project was extremely challenging due to it being a working embassy but Welsh Slate were excellent with their support in achieving planning consent and the product has received widespread praise from the client.” Matthew said: “Due to the extremely difficult access to this roof, we were conscious to use a slate that will require little maintenance (if any) and satisfy appearance for an extended period of time. Welsh Slate were able to provide technical studies comparing different types of slate and their longevity. This enabled the landlord, Grosvenor Estates, that the new roof should outlast the previous roof and match it entirely with other buildings nearby. Welsh Slate’s evidence on the existing slates being at the end of their useful life, and the lifecycle information of the new slates, helped give the conservation officer comfort that the right approach was being taken for the building.” Keith added: “Essentially, Welsh Slate ensured we got the right slate, quality, consistency and sizes for the varying roof pitches and conditions. There have been no problems with mixing batches or colour variations which can occur. They also met the stringent programme requirements, reducing risks of delay from the main contractor. To our knowledge, there have been no rejects on quality of slates. “The final result is the new slating looks exactly like it was envisaged in 1868, except with the knowledge it is better-fixed and easier to reach for maintenance, with a discreet fall arrest system fitted. The client is extremely happy with the quality of the final works.” Andrea Fox, senior architect with the property management unit of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, said: “The team have provided us with an exceptional and beautiful project that we know will stand the test of time and one we are extremely proud to have commissioned.” “I want to thank the Welsh Slate team for the support they provided during our project and especially in relation to protracted issues relating to the listed building consent approval.” 

Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust boast a brand new Assessment and Treatment Unit at the Lynfield Mount Hospital in Bradford.STJ Projects Ltd manufactured and installed a full range of doorset solutions across the new unit including:R-Quest Severe Duty Seclusion Suite doorsets, which are steel interlaid to provide a severe robustness R-Quest Heavy Duty Fire Rated doorsets R-Quest Heavy Duty Anti-Barricade doorsetsR-Quest Lock Back Frames, both 90 & 180 degree lock back facilitiesThese doorsets look stunning with real Ash hardwood frames and architraves, clear lacquered to show the beauty of the timber, along side the door leaves which varied in colour and material. The Seclusion & Common area Bathrooms were impact resistance and anti-bacterial PVC encapsulated and all other doors were faced with anti-bacterial laminate, with a natural Pearl Grey colour across all common areas with individual bedroom doors having their own unique colour. This ATU facility, for adults over 18 with moderate to severe learning disabilities and mental health problems, whose needs cannot be supported at home, in the community or in other adult mental health wards is a fresh offering to provide the much needed support they deserve from daily living needs to maintaining independent skills.

Sash Window Renovation and casement window renovation on an Imposing Georgian HouseMrs Shepherd had recently bought a beautiful Georgian house, undeterred by the fact that all of its windows were in poor condition. So following a recommendation Mrs Shepherd called in the period window specialists, Ventrolla, to complete the window renovation.Completing the works in three phases, we installed our unique Sash Removal System, made repairs to window sills and crafted new double-glazed sash windows and casement windows, which were all fitted with the Ventrolla Perimeter Sealing System. Mrs Shepherd said:“The reason I chose Ventrolla was I knew that they were sash window renovation specialists.”“[They were] So professional! I’m so pleased with the whole job. Every one of the windows looks amazing, fits perfectly and is completely draught free.”“Thank you Ventrolla, I would recommend you unreservedly.”Mrs Shepherd kindly offered to appear in our video, describing her experience with Ventrolla, you can find it on our website or YouTube channel.We have over 40 years' experience with timber window renovations and repairs. If you have any queries or would like to speak to a member of our team please get in touch on 0800 0277 454.

The Höllentalanger, at 1387m, short of halfway during the initial ascent from Germany's highest mountain, the Zugspitze, is a 'hut' millions of climbers have found shelter since 1893. Despite modernisation over the years however, the building had to be closed in autumn 2013.A replacement building was needed – and quickly too. Stephan Zehl, an architect from Munich, won the tender with his three-level, stepped building design. It has pent roof borders, which protects against avalanche risk from the eastern side; and meets all necessary current standards in providing dining facilities, equipment rooms, drying and shoe rooms and comfortable accommodation to sleep 100 people.During autumn and winter, all paths to the Höllentalanger are closed-off, as the Alpine climate makes it impossible to work for eight months of the year. Even in good weather, there are only walking tracks to the Höllentalanger, with no road access at all – so everything had to be flown in by helicopter. Rapid assembly and efficient transport costs were therefore critical to the budget and a combination of timber and pre-cast element walls were the chosen method of construction. Core-insulated prefabricated element walls were supplied for the ground level building. Due to the extreme temperature fluctuations, the concrete is subjected to pretty extreme expansion and contraction conditions. To counter this and to combat thermal bridging, it was important to install Schöck Thermoankers.

A high-profile project, involving the unique new Sconnex® type W thermally insulating wall connection, is Haberdashers’ Boys’ School, just north of London.   It is one of the UK’s leading independent boys' schools and sets exemplary standards, in both educational terms and in its facilities as well.  Demonstrated by the new reinforced concrete extension to the Preparatory School, where cube_design architects were commissioned to produce a design for three additional classrooms and relocated changing facilities.  Jane Lock-Smith, the founder of cube_design and RIBA Client Design Advisor within the Building Schools for the Future programme, observes: “The design is respectful to the style of the existing building, but offers a contemporary twist through the use of full height glazing and charred timber cladding. A colonnade also minimises the buildings footprint.  Our detailing took into account that around 40% of all thermal bridges in a building are caused by walls and supports.  The Schöck product offers an application-friendly, high-quality solution that contributes to a permanently sustainable building concept”.   The outstanding insulation performance is combined with an excellent load bearing capacity, which transmits very high pressure, tensile and shear forces, both in the longitudinal and transverse direction. The ultra-high performance pressure buffer achieves compressive strength levels in excess of 175 N/mm2. Sconnex® type W also achieves a significant cost reduction when compared with the installation of insulation beneath the floor slab.  

Situated in one of the most expensive boroughs in the Capital, this grade 2 listed building houses 24 luxury apartments, and 1 penthouse across its 6 floors.This building was ahead of its time in 2008-10, with a curved façade and panoramic views for each apartment, designed by award-winning architects Dixon Jones. Dixon Jones Architects closed its door in September 2020 after 30 years. The architects state they were negatively affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and were both in their 80s when they closed. Some of their most famous projects include the Royal Opera House, National Gallery and Oxford and Cambridge Universities to name a few.The prices of the apartments range between £1-2 million and its understandable when the interior features contemporary finishes, full-height windows, balconies with private terraces, lift access and a car parking space. It’s set in an ideal location with 3 stations all within 0.6 miles and Chelsea football club, and Westminster hospital both within walking distance.We worked with the Architects to reach the solution of our timber leaf riser door system, Una. This allowed them to fit standard ironmongery including locks, flush bolts, and handles. The architect chose to go with our butt hinges to allow for a contemporary finish to match the interiors, although these riser doors were installed in the corridors.

About the projectFrisby Lakes Lodge Park is an award-winning East Midlands site with a plan to develop 59 luxurious Finnish Log lodges made from 100% renewable material. Situated in the beautiful Leicestershire countryside with lodges overlooking a large fishing lake, this stunning park has a lot to offer for those wishing to move to an upcoming, safe-haven location for the over 45’s including beautiful electric-operated FAKRO roof windows.These timber-built Finnish Log lodges use materials sourced from managed forests and other controlled sources, which are crucial to sustainability and are FSC® certified. FAKRO roof windows add to the eco credentials as they use FSC-certified pine to make their high-quality pine frames.Which FAKRO products are installed?Installed into the luxury lodges are FAKRO’s FTW-V P2 Z-Wave roof windows with ARF Blackout Z-Wave blinds that are controlled remotely. At the flick of a switch, residents are able to specify the airflow through the room as well as automating the operation of the blinds, giving them the best of both worlds in one window system! Why were FAKRO products chosen?The eco-credentials of FAKRO windows were very important to this build. In terms of environmental impact, FAKRO products are designed to provide the highest standards of thermal efficiency while being manufactured using replenishable natural resources.

A residential developer approached Hush Acoustics after an acoustic test conducted on their project in St Leonards on Sea failed to achieve the acoustic compliance level needed under Approved Document E of the Building Regulations.The problem stemmed from a separating wall between two bedrooms which was constructed using a timber stud wall and had an overall thickness of 170mm. Its acoustic design was adequate on paper, but there was one issue that had not been correctly treated.One of the rooms measured 37m3 and the other 29m3 in size, with one notable consistent feature being a screed laid over a concrete floor.An airborne sound insulation sample test was carried out with no floor covering in place and this revealed a result of DnTw+Ctr 31dB.Levels of ‘flanking’ sound were significant - this meant sound was passing under the separating wall via the floor screed. The solution proposed by Hush Acoustics was to install Hush Mat 15 over the screed floor in both rooms.The effectiveness of this solution was evident in the follow-up test result of DnTw+Ctr 44dB. Whilst this result would be regarded as an average performance in most other types of buildings, the improvement here from a poor DnTw+Ctr of 31dB to 44db showed that Hush Mat 15 had delivered significant improvement and provided a solution to flanking transmission sound sources.The ensured the residential development satisfied the requirements of Approved Document E.

Solid wood floor specialist Junckers worked closely with world-renowned architects BIG (Bjarne Ingles Group), to create a custom finished oak floor for the M/S Maritime Museum in Helsingør, Denmark. The textured floor acts a link within the interior scheme of the award winning building, bringing together elements of concrete, glass and steel, housed in an amazing 150 metre long, old concrete dock. The architects’ brief was for a solid hardwood floor that can withstand the heavy footfall of a national museum, with a rustic quality to soften the raw and patinated concrete and large glass panels featured throughout the building. Junckers created a textured finish solid oak floor, which gives contrasting warmth to the overall impression of the museum. By using a specially developed hard brushing technique, the outer sapwood layer of the timber is removed, leaving a tactile, textured surface to expose the beautiful grain patterns naturally inherent in oak. The floor is finished in Junckers Ultra Matt Lacquer resulting in a matt, very hard-wearing floor. The lively two-strip oak floors really come into their own in the large, open spaces of the museums galleries. When natural light from the floor to ceiling glass wall hits the surface of the floor at an angle, it creates a spectacular effect. Following the immense success of the project, Junckers has added the incredible textured finish to many of its floors, both two-strip and wide board planks.

The ProjectA well established contractor asked us to provide a range of products on a supply only basis. Using the experience and knowledge of the Streetsure team, we offered a variety of products that suited the specific elements of the brief. We supplied CAD designs and .dwg files to build into the clients BIM model. We provided quotes on a mix of bespoke and standard range cycle parking, corner protectors, mesh panelling, mailboxes, lockers, benches and planters.The SolutionThe Streetsure team secured the contract and project managed the supply of these products to budget and within an agreed timeframe.We supplied Double Decker Cycle racks, space planned strategically to fit as many spaces into the area as possible along with corner protectors to reduce any damage when loading/unloading bicycles. Our ‘08 series’ recessed option was the mailbox of choice for this project. We sent off for an anomatch colour - a bespoke colour which we purchased and applied at the manufacturing facility to create a unique one-off product, perfectly matched to the architects specifications. Streetsures secure lockers were supplied for a key fob access mail room. Bespoke STRATA timber benches with steel legs and aluminium planters, powder coated in RAL 8028 were supplied for a resident only access rooftop location, creating a unique viewing experience over the London skyline. 

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.

Vehicle/Pedestrian safety barriers for the new 627 space, 6 storey car park at the Derriford Hospital in Plymouth.Like many hospitals, Derriford in Plymouth has to match ever-increasing numbers of patients, visitors and staff with limited parking availability. The new 627 space multi-storey car park on the North West Quadrant will go a long way towards easing the situation for the daily 8,000 footfall to the hospital. Part of a 6.6 hectare site being developed by Wharfside Regeneration for Plymouth Hospitals Trust, the new car park was designed by international architects S333 and built by Sir Robert McAlpine Limited.The eco-friendly design features green walls with climbing plants on the two lowest levels, steel latticework on the next two and timber latticework on levels 5 and 6. We recommended our RB1X Spring Steel Buffers that ‘give’ in a collision to absorb impact forces and minimise damage to the barrier, the vehicle and the car park deck that the barrier is mounted on. After an impact, the barrier returns to its original position to provide ongoing protection. Berry Beam rails were used to give a more refined  appearance than the traditional Armco ‘W’ section.A BS 6180 compliant pedestrian handrail was mounted above the barrier on post extensions of 1,100mm high and the space in between filled with anti-climb mesh to stop pedestrians from falling through, or even climbing over the barrier.

The client was looking for a low maintenance and environmentally friendly alternative to using timber decking on their upcoming refurbishment project on 480 m² of commercial London office space.In addition, as the client was operating a busy worksite they required next day bespoke deliveries to fit their schedule. EnviroBuild, having large stocks and a fleet of delivery vehicles were ideally equipped to deliver the Hyperion wood-polymer composite decking, made of 90% recycled material, at short notice.The SolutionWith EnviroBuild’s expert team on hand to support full project take off, from design to delivery, the client received the full commercial support they required to complete the job on schedule.Utilizing the maintenance free Manticore recycled plastic lumber the client was able to install the decking substructure quickly over their flat roof surface, with the confidence knowing it would never require treating or replacing in years to come. They also used a combination of the modern White Ash and Stone coloured decking boards to break up the different areas of the building with great effect.Customer FeedbackAfter the successful installation and service received from the EnviroBuild team, the client has continued to use the decking products across a number of other large refurb and new build properties.Project DetailsSize: 480 m²Product: Stone & White Ash Hyperion DeckingSubstructure: Manticore Plastic LumberLocation: London

Radii designed, manufactured and installed solutions for 71 offices and meeting rooms across Baker Botts’ new 27,000 sq ft space.The standout contribution to this project was the installation of stunning curved glazed screens for the executive meeting rooms. Using a Parallel 50 double glazed system with angled façade abutments, the luxurious design was accompanied with acoustic blank 64mm veneered timber doors, achieving 40dB Rw, and flush bonded Align glazed pivoting doors.Baker Botts’ office fronts comprised of Linear 59 single glazed partitions with adjoining Radii Glide sliding doors and bespoke drywall endcaps. Concealed deflection heads helped to create a flush look with clean lines, while a special bronze finish — applied to the metalwork at Radii’s dedicated in-house powder coating line — complemented the colour palette throughout the space.For small-to-medium size meeting rooms Linear 30 and Linear 64 single glazing, both offering 41dB Rw, were used alongside Parallel 50  fins, Glide glazed sliding doors and Align pivoting doors. All meeting rooms for Baker Botts were installed with retro-fit room booking, facilitated with cable routes provided down the door legs.Finally, Linear 25 single glazed partitioning was placed alongside single glazed Hogan door sets with access controls in Baker Botts’ lift lobby.

The Hurlford Avenue new build project, situated on the former Garscadden Primary School site, truly harnesses innovation and design. This ‘Modern Methods of Construction’ project, completed in partnership with CCG, showcases technical prowess and constructional excellence.Garscadden Primary School closed back in 2017 but the 1930s school building remained standing. Spotting the potential for something impressive on the site, Glasgow Housing Association proposed a modern replacement – a portfolio of properties.The key requirement was to build modern, energy efficient homes which would provide much-needed affordable housing in the sought-after area of Dumbarton and make a significant difference to the local community.After extensive planning, focusing on matching an appropriate insulation system with a complementary finish, K Systems devised a comprehensive delivery plan using our unrivalled experience and expertise.CCG fabricated the building off-site with timber kits and incorporated elements from our Aricco system, with the final finish being completed on-site. This approach was advantageous for a few reasons, including the speed of construction and a reduction in required labour.Hurlford Avenue is a prime example of our experience with off-site modular builds and our project-specific approach to EWI solutions. We brought Glasgow Housing Association’s vision to life and delivered 28 houses and 42 flats for mid-market rent.Our ServiceThe build of the Hurlford Avenue development wasn’t without its challenges. Precision planning was required to ensure minimal disruption to the residents in surrounding estates. All traffic ways remained free for passage and noise pollution was kept to a minimum.During the build, our team encountered some detailing challenges. However, working directly with the contractor and main contractor, these challenges were quickly resolved by key colleagues within our Technical Team, and the build remained on schedule and of the highest quality.From specification and design to planning, delivery and evaluating, our team transformed a derelict site to a contemporary multi-dwelling development that rejuvenated the Dumbarton area.“I would like to thank everyone on the K Systems technical support team for their contribution in accomplishing the Aricco System project at Hurlford Avenue. The regular visits from senior technicians always go a long way to keeping any project in check and it makes the job of our management much easier by having honest, professional judgement to go back to our guys, with well earned praise on this occasion. Everyone was onboard from the outset in working around any potential difficulties and you will agree it shows in the final results.”Garry Barton, Contractor.Technical Project DetailsAs the client of this project, Scotland based construction company CCG, approached K Systems to provide a suitable façade solution that would complement their design. A build with timber kits and a drained ventilated cavity system was specified, along with a silkolitt thin coat render finish.CCG are renowned for off-site manufacturing (OSM) and manufactured the kits from their production site in near-by Cambuslang. They sourced the correct material according to our exact specification. CCG’s ‘iQ’ System was chosen, which is designed with a fabric-first approach where greater tolerances are determined by fewer junctions and thermal bridges to deliver enhanced U-values and significantly improve airtightness. By incorporating OSM and the iQ system into this project, it is just a small insight into our unrivalled knowledge and expert approach that we take to fulfil the requirements of our clients.For the supporting façade, the K Systems Aricco system was specified - a drained ventilated cavity system perfectly suited for use in low rise buildings, particularly new build projects and timber framed construction. The Aricco system is also the most compatible with offsite/modular construction techniques and boasts an A2-s1, d0 fire rating and therefore complies with the latest building regulations, ensuring the safety of all residents.The finish was just as important as the façade system, with the cost-effective, industry-leading Silkolitt thin coat render specified. Silkolitt renders provide a contemporary finish to new-build applications, something this project very much required to modernise the area. Silkolitt is simple to apply, and its hydrophobic properties makes the render low maintenance. It also has excellent vapour permeability, allowing the Hurlford Avenue properties to breathe and avoid interstitial condensation. It is the most flexible system on the market, making cracking over its lifetime less likely and therefore delivering a pleasing aesthetic with outstanding longevity.The combinations specified by the K Systems team resulted in the build of impressive dwellings boasting a U-value of 0.13W/m ² K – meaning homes were easier and cheaper to heat, a particularly attractive benefit given the current cost of living crisis.

The Trumpington Residents’ Association and Cambridge City Council wanted to update a 60-year-old pavilion at the heart of the village in a £600,000 community project.Cambridge architects 5th Studio designed a striking colourful exterior cladding. They turned to an artist specialising in the treatment and perimeter fencing manufacturer Zaun to create the multi-coloured stripe effect with a specialist bright green protective steel mesh ‘cage’.The SolutionTrumpington Pavilion employs an unusual multi-coloured exterior treatment. An artist specialing in the technique has dribbled green, blue, red and yellow randomly onto a corrugated plastic sandwich sheet, which is then covered with Zaun’s Duo8 mesh in bright green, fixed to coloured timber battens.The pavilion includes a main building with a hall, youth room, kitchen, toilets, office and inter-connected changing rooms for two teams plus an officials’ room.The doors to the changing rooms are in boldly contrasting colours. At the same time, an eight-metre green mesh electric sliding gate protects the building but opens to provide unrestricted access to the patio and the King George V Playing Fields beyond.Zaun installed the Diamond cantilever sliding gate with Duo8 mesh in-fill, KeyFob and internally mounted switchto ensure both the safety of all users of the pavilion when the gates are operated especially children, and the security of the contents when the pavilion is not in use.The original pavilion, built in the early 1950s, was about half the size of the new main building, including a small hall and changing rooms.

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.