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TVS Group were approached to reduce noise levels in certain areas of the new offices created for Protector Insurance. Working with the client and contractor, TVS proposed and supplied 125 no. TVS ABSorb Baffles wrapped in striking lobster-coloured Camira Lucia fabric. The client is delighted with the level of noise reduction achieved and the way the baffles integrate with the existing office colour scheme.

THE PROJECT: Recticel supplied the high-performance thermal solution to transform a 100-year-old property in Moseley, Birmingham. Divided into nine apartments, in which two were refurbished to create one, two-storey home, the project caught the attention of the producers of Channel Four's Old House to New Home. Connecting a ground floor property to a flat above led to the creation of a modern and stylish home trimmed with decorative reminders of its structural origins.THE SOLUTION: Eurothane® GP, a high-performance rigid PIR foam board, was selected for the new home's pitched roof, framed wall and floor. Eurothane PL, Recticel's insulation and plasterboard solution was fitted to the property's existing, cavity-less, nine-inch exterior brick walls. The well-sized board ensures minimal thermal bridging during construction.Coupled with Eurothane® GP's 0.022W/mK low thermal conductivity, these products were crucial to attaining a good U-value rating. In total, 130m2 of Eurothane® GP and Eurothane® PL panels were installed.The homeowner, Paul explained:"As we were carrying-out most of the building work ourselves we wanted the best possible insulation for the project. Research revealed Recticel's solutions fitted the bill. Excellent thermal performance and simple to-fit, they were a far superior alternative to other insulants we considered. The panels have done so much to create a welcoming and comfortable interior environment."Used products:Eurothane® GP:Eurothane® GP is a high performance PIR insulation board that is light weight, easy to cut, handle and install. Whether it’s a pitched roof, framed wall or floor, Eurothane® GP is the ideal solution amongst contractors and installers.Eurothane® PL:Suitable for mechanical fixing or dot and dab fixing, this insulated board is consistently sized with extremely tight tolerances, ensuring thermal bridging is minimised. Factory bonded, the plasterboard provides optimum board dimensions and optimum adhesion between layers.

Third Space has opened its sixth and most luxurious health club in London with spacious training areas, state-of-the-art facilities, tranquil yoga studio, 20m adult pool, cycle amphitheatre and special facilities for youngsters.Free Weights AreaTVS Group’s heavy-duty, interlocking SPORTEC® Style Tiles, custom-produced black and grey-flecked finish perfectly completemented the gym’s colour scheme. Installing a layer of SPORTEC® Team Cup-X flooring beneath the tiles provided extra protection for the concrete subfloor and will further reduce noise and vibrations, while TVS proprietary rubber ramped edges created a neat transition with adjacent gym areas.Stetching AreaTo offer comfort and durability for the club’s large stretching area, TVS Group installed its SPORTEC® MotionFlex product, a fine-grained polyurethane puzzle-mat. It is ideal for fitness applications involving floor-based movements and wellness activities. The interconnecting tiles are simple to install and neatly shaped to suit most flooring schemes while their elegant dark grey colour set the calming mood for this part of the gym.Athletics-Based Track AreaTVS Sports Carpet was selected for the track as it offers excellent grip underfoot, especially relevant for speed, agility and quickness drills. The durability of the surface also allows athletes to push or drag a sled, helping to further develop their muscular strength and endurance. The track was supplied in a cool, oceanic navy blue and white colour scheme.Main Gym AreaThe expected high usage of the main gym area meant the flooring had to be sufficiently resilient. To achieve this and to ensure a perfectly level flooring finish across the gym, TVS Group first laid a dense rubber shock pad over the concrete substrate. It was overlaid with a covering from the highly wear resistant SPORTEC® Purcolor range. A light grey finish was chosen to reflect the sophisticated look and feel of the club.The StudioIn the studio, where high intensity training will take place, TVS Group opted for a highly elastic shock-absorbing underlay overlaid with a wear-resistant performance layer called SPORTEC® Color. The combination will protect the concrete substrate below while offering a comfortable and safe surface above for those involved in a diverse range of training activities.Other Fitness AreasIn other areas of the gym TVS Group supplied and installed a variety of high performing acoustic underlays, helping reduce noise and vibrations caused by treadmill running and other high impact activities in the studios.

 Scope of Works After more than a dozen years of intensive use, the flooring of Newcastle Academy’s sports hall was showing its age. TVS addressed areas of localised damage and sanded the floor to create a better surface for bonding – all in preparation for a rapid flooring makeover. Next TVS installed a new, self-levelling and seamless polyurethane performance wear layer. It was finished with a new sports grade polyurethane topcoat in RAL 7000 ‘Squirrel Grey’ designed to give the sports hall a more updated look. Then, following discussions with the Academy, priority sports were identified and a customised line marking plan agreed for the compact sports hall. Finally, brand new, extra wide cover details were supplied and installed to ensure protection at all points of entry. The total installation took just 5 days and delivered an instant transformation. For those looking to update, replace or refurbish sports facilities after a decade or more of use, this project underlines the distinct advantages of selecting TVS polyurethane sports flooring, namely: • No necessity to fully remove the existing sports flooring, saving time and expense • No need to re-screed the subfloor or install new shock-absorbing layers Providing existing surfaces still perform to required standards, TVS can rejuvenate surfaces with a new hard-wearing polyurethane layer that transforms its appearance and provides significant time and cost savings. "This is our first time working with the team at TVS Group and its safe to say it certainly won’t be the last! From start to finish we have nothing but praise for the great level of communication, professional advice and guidance we received from the onset of this project. What we found to be particularly helpful was the number of questions and communications that took place to ensure we had the right installation for the Academy, that the specification met with Sport England criteria and, as importantly, that our students and community groups would have an exemplary sports facility available to them. Pre contract health and safety information was provided timely and without issue. The installation team worked fantastically and from a contract management perspective were excellent to work with. Post installation we were provided with the O&M manual. The installation itself is fabulous and our students and staff are amazed at the transformation of the sports facility in just a small number of days. We look forward to many years use of our fantastic new facility!" Vickie Keeling, Trust Director 

TVS was tasked with designing a versatile and multi-functional training area to be rolled out across various newXercise4Less sites.The brief was to include an area for sledge work along with floor demarcations for various activities such as walking lunges, sprinting and battle rope exercises.To fulfil this requirement, TVS first created layout plans to fit the space prior to agreeing the final design with the client. Once the design was signed off, TVS set about ordering materials to complete each of the projects. With the subfloor levelled to within an acceptable tolerance, a hard‐wearingmulti‐sports surface TVS Sports Carpet (Green) was bonded to the substrate to create a central lane for pushing and pulling a sledge.Meanwhile, SPORTEC Color‐0 a black recycled rubber floor covering was installed around the outside of this area.To create a 2‐lane running track with 1m markings, white lines were then applied to the black rubber utilising a 2‐part PU paint.The perimeter edge detail was finished with a black uPVC trim, providing a safe and neat transition between the adjacent floor finishes.The workout area is used effectively for training small groups of people as well as one‐to‐one personal training sessions across multiple sites.

The award-winning Halle Orchestra has a new home in the city after the completion of a £6.6 million three-storey extension to a former church dating back to 1859. To ensure that the resulting extension would meet the orchestra’s exacting acoustic requirements, Architects Stephenson Studio called in TVS Group. TVS was tasked with designing and installing specialist acoustic flooring together with steelwork isolation pads which sit within the floors to take various column loads. The specialist TVS RESi Concrete Metal Floating Floor was installed over three different rehearsal areas.

Owen Street development is one of the city’s most high profile residential-led developments. But how would the planned integration of health and fitness facilities within the complex impact on the tranquillity of residents? TVS was approached by Fisher Acoustics to recommend a specialist acoustic floor build-up that would meet stringent acoustic criteria to protect residents and leisure users from any unwanted transmitted noise. The approved solution from TVS included installation of a specialist TVS RESi Dry Floating Floor System across the two floors incorporating the High Intensity Interval Training facilities and Yoga studios.

TVS was Group was tasked with the isolation of a new luxury residential property in Mayfair from ground-borne noise and vibration from the nearby Jubilee line. A target re-radiated noise criterion of 30dB LAmax,(slow) within the lower ground floor (the worst affected area) meant that a fully floated raft foundation was required with a target natural frequency of 10Hz.A combination of Sylodyn products in 50mm thickness across the base of the raft, and Sylomer materials in 37.5mm thickness up the basement walls, provided this high-performance solution, whilst bespoke treatments around service penetrations and at connections to adjacent buildings ensured that this was not compromised throughout the rest of the construction.Close work with the design team throughout the planning and specification process provided a solution that integrated seamlessly with the structure and waterproofing detail, whilst detailed layout plans, on-site training and supervision resulted in an easily installed system.

TVS Group was tasked with the isolation of a residential property in St. John’s Wood as part of a redevelopment and basement extension. With the property in close proximity to the Jubilee line and the Metropolitan line passing only 5m away from the new basement extension, radiated noise and vibration was a serious concern for the client.An isolation layer utilising varying stiffnesses of Sylomer materials spanned the underside of the basement slab, continued up between the contiguous piled wall and the lining wall, and then across the top of the capping beam and to the side of the ground floor slab.Close work with the design team throughout the planning and specification process, provided a solution that integrated seamlessly with the structure and waterproofing detail.

Because of its position on the upper level of a busy shopping plaza in the heart of London, this gym required a robust flooring solution for the weightlifting area.The selected solution needed to help the gym co‐exist comfortably within the surrounding retail environment.To fulfil this requirement, TVSsupplied SPORTEC Style impact attenuating rubber floor tiles, made from a mixture of black recycled rubber bound together using a polyurethane resin with a coloured EPDM granule added to the wear layer.This product was chosen because the highly resilient material offers substantial protection to the substrate and is particularly effective in busy weight training areas where dumbbells are dropped frequently.The interlocking tiles are simple to install and require little tono maintenance.The resulting floor covering offers good grip underfoot and the bright orange fleck also complements the company’s striking corporate colour scheme.This area of the gym is used for activities such as deadlifting, squatting and bench work using dumbbells.

Set in the centre of Birmingham, BLAZE Studio marked a significant first for David Lloyd Clubs. It was first stand-alone HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) Centre to be created outside its 64-strong network of Clubs. But its creation in the heart of the city’s business district, and its planned dynamic and fast-paced HIIT sessions involving Cardio, Strength and Combat sessions synced to high energy music, presented potential acoustic issues. TVS installed its well-proven RESI Dry Floating Floor System throughout the project area and even isolated individual boxing bags using specially designed isolation pads.

As part of the Rochdale Riverside new development, the TVS Group was approached to assist in the construction of a new 6-screen Reel Cinema to ensure that Reel’s acoustic requirements for the space were met, as well as ensuring that adjacent businesses would not be adversely affected.

Known as the leading financial centre in the UK and its cluster of high-rise buildings, it’s a great place to be away from the hustle and bustle but still be connected with London.The fairly low rise building is home to 174 apartments ranging from studios to penthouses, most of which come with a balcony or 2. An expansive terrace covers the roof which offers outdoor heaters, a BBQ, seating and table tennis. Other social amenities include a self service bar and private dining room available for events on the ground floor, and a screening room with a large TV giving access to Sky and BT sports, a games console, and comfy seating.At 8 Water Street, residents will feel truly connected with nature, with a private landscaped garden overlooking the south dock. Perks of residing here include free access to the Third Space health club, gym, and spa, 24/7 concierge, an app to plan and book private events or join community clubs, fully furnished apartments including 50inch TV and TV licences.We supplied a range of interior doorsets to them including concealed frame doors, concealed riser doors, and concealed sliding pocket doors. These were chosen to match with the subtle luxurious design throughout the interior with smart, classy statement pieces dotted around.A rather nice residence all round!

Based at Manchester’s waterfront in Salford Quays, MediaCityUK Studio Block is the largest media development in the UK and will become centre for the world’s leading creative and digital businesses. The BBC is one of mediacity:uk’s anchor tenants and from 2011 it will be home to five BBC departments including two TV channels and two radio stations; three of them are Radio Five Live, BBC Sport and CBeebies.Many of the studios in the main Studio Block have Stravifloor Jackup jack-up concrete slabs to optimise the sound insulation between noise producing and noise sensitive spaces. These floating floors in combination with the structure of the studios being isolated off Stravibase SEB simple elastomer bearings delivering high performance box-in-box constructions.The TV studios built off the upper floors were built using a heavily damped concrete construction supported at 600mm centres using Stravifloor Deck isolation rails. In these studios the structure of the studios was built off the floating floors to create the box-in-box whilst providing very stable conditions for the TV cameras.

ABOUT CURRAGH:Nestled in the glorious countryside of Southern Ireland sits the Curragh Race Course. Initially founded in the coffee rooms of Kildare, the Irish Turf Club was quickly established as the governing body for horse racing throughout Ireland.The first recorded race on the plain took place in 1727 and now Curragh (from the Irish name ‘Cuirreach’ meaning ‘place of the running horse’) is home to Ireland’s five classic races.ABOUT THE PROJECT:The Curragh site has recently undergone a 65 million Euro redevelopment project across its entirety. Works carried out included the stable yard (featuring 135 stables) and the building of a brand new grandstand with a spectacular sweeping roof. Covering 10,500 square metres the new grandstand can cater for up to 6,000 people within its four levels – in fact, the site as a whole, has an incredible crowd capacity of 30,000 - which is a typical number for events such as Derby Day!Visitor enjoyment and responsible ‘crowd’ control during any event at Curragh are equally important to the site owners and managers; therefore, all aspects of this were to be considered carefully during the planning stage of the redevelopment. Ensuring an event at Curragh is a pleasurable experience takes a lot thought and care. Aspects such as creating the right atmosphere for the different areas and ensuring that everyone can hear race commentaries and announcements, all form part of the overall impression of the day’s event. Taking great lengths to provide all visitors with a memorable day is likely to encourage them to return again in the future.To carry out the works required, a selection of top consultants were selected for the different aspects of communication throughout the site. Dublin based, Sound Productions Ltd was chosen to design and commission the PA/VA and EVC, as well as the TV and other audio distribution systems required for the Curragh buildings and surrounding grounds.The brief to Sound Productions was to supply a flexible multi-zone audio and voice alarm system with top quality audio. The specification was for a complex zone arrangement, with multiple audio inputs from broadcast companies, live commentary, background music and TV audio distribution. This included the requirement for a 98dB sound level trackside, with absolute intelligibility throughout all areas (including those with high reverberation) and, for this, a highquality PA/VA system was needed. It was imperative that these works were delivered on schedule, with ‘quality’ to be considered as the prevailing factor, without exception, throughout the project.The PA/VA system was to be delivered over two phases – the first one being the system rack for the Parade Ring; the second to be the New Grandstand, including two main Baldwin Boxall PA/VA VIGIL control racks delivering power to a network of EN54 loudspeakers. The specification for VIGIL to be the PA/VA system for Curragh was due to Baldwin Boxall’s renowned reputation for product quality and reliability, as well as the company’s excellent track record for the delivery of large projects.Now fully installed and operational, the PA/VA system is equipped to cater for up to 24 analogue and 32 digital audio channels all distributed to over 50 zones. Multi-zone general paging is also delivered using Baldwin Boxall’s BVRD TSM touch screen microphones along with BFM series microphones for emergency purposes.The project’s requirement for disabled refuge call points has been fulfilled by the installation of Baldwin Boxall’s Omnicare EVC system, which is controlled via a 16-way control panel situated in the Security Room.Commenting, Peadar Carley, Project Engineer, Sound Productions said “We are delighted to have been involved with such an amazing project. We have a long-standing professional relationship with Mercury Engineering (the project electrical contractors), who share our ethos of being very particular with detail and passionate about providing the best quality. To know that we were chosen due to our ability to deliver large, complex systems and for our audio knowledge, makes us very proud indeed.”When asked about Baldwin Boxall, Peadar continued, “We have been buying, installing and commissioning Baldwin Boxall products for very many years - over 30 in fact. The systems just keep on going - they really are robust! But it is not only for this reason that we return to Baldwin Boxall repeatedly, but also because of the support we can get from them. They know their stuff, are easy to deal with and I recommend them without hesitation.”

In this case study, taken from Episode 29 of The Quiet Mark Podcast - LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACOUSTICS! - we discuss Film Studios with Barry Jobling, Partner with Hoare Lea, who, in addition to working on numerous studios including Dagenham, Elstree and Manchester, recently contributed to a new report from JLL: Reel Estate – Film and TV Studios as an Investment. It reveals that an increased appetite for film and TV content across a growing number of platforms is creating demand for further significant studio capacity in the UK. The report includes contributions from in-house experts at Hoare Lea, along with the British Film Commission and Scott Brownrigg. It highlights that the demand for new studio capacity, services and facilities has never been greater, with up to 4.5m sq ft of new development under consideration in order to meet it. This is more than double the current amount of permanent stage space in the UK.

Roofing slates by Welsh Slate star in presenter’s new TV programme.Roofing slates by Welsh Slate were the material of choice for TV property expert Sarah Beeny’s own home-in-the-making which is the star of the Channel 4 series “Sarah Beeny’s new life in the country”.The “Homes on 4” series follows Sarah and her family (husband and four sons aged 11 to 17 years) as they swap London life for a new start on a 220-acre, semi-derelict former dairy farm in Somerset, where they are building a modern and sustainable stately home of their dreams.

THE PROJECTThe Safety Letterbox Company are excited to be involved in the re-development of the historic Television Centre project. Previously home to the BBC since it’s launch in 1960, the Television Centre has been re-developed to provide private residential apartments, offices, television studios, restaurants and a range of other health & wellness amenities.The Safety Letterbox Company worked directly with the Stirling prize award-winning architects Allford Hall Monaghan Morris and bespoke joinery and carpentry specialists, Atlantic Contracts on the project.THE PRODUCTAllford Hall Monaghan Morris architects had a specific design requirement for the integration of the mailboxes in the development. The product had to feature a minimalistic design finish, ensuring the mailbox blended into the project location, whilst enhancing the overall design of the area of installation.The development required multiple banks of mailboxes, with each bank located in lobby areas throughout the project, allowing residents to quickly collect their mail when passing through the space. The installation wall features a convex curve that gives a unique layout to the bank of mailboxes.As is popular with prestigious projects, the sub-contractor required a site survey which The Safety Letterbox Company completed to ensure an understanding of the site profile was used, also enabling any outstanding issues to be resolved before progressing.All of the mailboxes have been recessed within the wall, optimising the space in the lobby area and ensuring that all health and safety requirements are achieved in the project walkways.The mailbox models used were the NW2 and COM 2 – 180 mailboxes. Both of these mailbox models are extremely popular having been used on notable projects including Fitzroy Place and King’s Cross Tapestry (NW2), Barratt Homes – Nine Elms and Reflections (COM 2).The bank of COM 2 mailboxes are finished in a high-quality non-standard Bronze colour finish (code: D2525 YW283F), and the bank of NW2 mailboxes use a designer colour finish (Tiger Hochwetterfest | 068/15069). Both of these finishes conform the specific project branding guidelines and match other project hardware. Mailboxes are engraved in a contrasting silver numbering etched on to the face of the mailbox, corresponding to the resident’s apartment number.USE AS A TV STUDIOThe Television Centre development is now home to a variety of daytime TV programmes including This Morning, Lorraine, Good Morning Britain, Loose Women and Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway.The Centre was initially used as a short-term location for filming ITV television programmes whilst their home in ‘The London Studios’, located in Waterloo, London, was redeveloped. In October 2018 it was announced that this would be the permanent home for filming going forward.Take a look at the video below featuring Philip Schofield and Holly Willoughby talking about their new home in the Television Centre development and a little about the history of the location.

Originally built in 1889, in 2007 the Savoy Hotel closed for a four-year-long £220m restoration project which saw the Edwardian structure reinforced, rationalised and restored, bringing the facilities up-to-date whilst maintaining and celebrating the glamour and luxuriousness of the original Art Deco styling. The Savoy re-opened in 2010 and quickly re-established its status as one of the top hotels in the world.Unfortunately, the structural changes made did not foresee the subsequent changes to Health & Safety requirements and last year it was established that further works needed to be undertaken to protect maintenance staff.After providing an initial quote back in October 2019, work commenced onsite on the 29th July 2020 and the next 12 days were spent installing 80 QuartzGrip GRP 38mm Open Mesh Grating Riser Floors over ten storeys of the historic building. Retro-fitting Riser Decks is always more challenging when being involved during the construction of a property; access is restricted and you’re working around structures and fittings that would ideally be installed AFTER the riser floors are in place. However, the work was made a little easier by the COVID-19 enforced closure of the hotel. There were no guests to work around and staff levels were at a minimum. Whilst access was still difficult, at least disrupting residents’ stays with construction noises wasn’t an issue.There was a documentary about the 2007 renovations and more recently, a TV series following the daily activity at the Savoy which ended as the hotel locked down in March 2020. Viewers are still waiting to find out if there’ll be a second season, but here’s hoping that by 2021 life there will be back to normal. To find out how riser floors can improve the safety of your property call Amber on 01206 396 446.

AstraZeneca Case StudyProject: AstraZeneca HQ, CambridgeProduct: Fade acoustic plasterQuantity: 4200m2Main Contractor: MaceSubcontractors: CMS DanskinArchitect: Herzog & de MeuronValue of Overall Project: £50 Million +Introduction: AstraZeneca Acoustic Plaster Case StudyAfter starting the project with Skanska as lead contractors, in 2019 AstraZeneca switched to their current partnership with Mace to complete their multi-million pound HQ. The building is designed with research facilities at the forefront, and is sound insulted using Fade Acoustic technology.About AstraZenecaSince its inception in 1998, AstraZeneca has been a trailblazer in the fields of medical and scientific research. The Swedish-British company has over 90 locations worldwide and is active across Africa, Europe, Asia and North America. Their headquarters in Cambridge will act as a hub for global innovation, and their patents improve the lives of millions each year. Most recently, their Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine was the first COVID-19 vaccine to be approved in the UK, and has since been adopted worldwide. The company is also at the forefront of cancer research, partnering with Cancer Research UK to improve survival rates.About MaceMace Construction has been developing ideas for clients across five continents for the past 30 years. Their project list is extensive: they’ve worked on everything from airports to the world’s largest observation eye, and closer to home with a renovation of TV’s Coronation Street. Like many industries, the COVID-19 crisis has hit the construction industry in unexpected ways. Instead of seeing this as a setback, Mace have innovated their work-from-home technologies, introducing drones and remote technology to future-proof their business. The company is also future focused in their view towards the environment, implementing green ideas across all projects. Recently Mace were lead contractors on 70 St Mary Axe, the curved skyscraper currently under construction in central London. As well as boasting an attractive semi-elliptical design, by using double-glazed wall cladding and vertical shading fins, the skyscraper also boasts incredibly low carbon emissions.About the projectAstraZeneca’s UK based headquarters have been in the pipeline since 2013. Originally valued at £330 million, soaring material costs and increased investment in new technologies raised the cost to £500 million by 2019. The new headquarters is an immense glass-based structure at the center of Cambridge’s Chesterford Research Park. Herzog & de Meuron’s triangular design was chosen to encourage easy movement around the building, and glass panels are used liberally throughout to “promote ‘visible science’, according to AstraZeneca. The central piazza is a nod to the sprawling courtyards of Cambridge University, providing a communal space for socialising and the sharing of ideas. The headquarters will act as a central hub for both research and business, linking commerce and science under one glass roof.About Fade acousticsFade Acoustic plaster is a flexible alternative to traditional acoustic solutions. A fibreglass substrate provides a sound insulating layer which is then sprayed with 3mm of plaster. This extra layer gives a plastered-like finish, completely disguising the panels beneath. This invisible layer makes Fade Acoustics products ideal for preserving integrity of the building’s original design. The modernist Shenzhen Sea World Culture & Arts Center, for example, was completed using Fade Acoustics plus+ to provide seamless insulation that showed off the building’s angular modernist features. The product can me made to fit any type of structure, applied to concrete or timber substrate, or can even be attached direct to grid using Fade Special Washers. Fade Acoustic products have been proven to be durable and humidity resistant, receiving an A+ rating from French regulatory bodies for creating safe indoor environments.Why Was Fade Acoustics chosen?Mace had previously used Fade Acoustics Plus+ on Tottenham Hotspur’s new stadium, chosen for their hassle-free installation and wide range of colour options which allowed for flawless blending with existing plaster. After this success, Fade Acoustics were an obvious choice for AstraZeneca’s HQ. The project’s complex geometric structure required a soundproofing technique that could adapt to the building’s unique shape without hindering design. The HQ required a bespoke thickness due to the installation of sprinklers. This meant the team had to create a custom sized acoustic board by altering fibreglass substrate to 30mm, instead of their regular 25mm or 40mm. Due to travel restrictions during the COVID-19 crisis, the chosen product also needed to be installed quickly without compromising on quality. CMS Danskin were able to acquire the material quickly, meaning WRR UK, long-time contractors with Mace and the project’s approved installer, could start installation within two weeks. Fade Acoustic’s flexible and easy to install product meant the team could install 4200m² of Fade Acoustic plaster in the final two months of the project. The project is due to be unveiled later this year.

O1A Architects oversaw the conversion of a former Gordon Ramsay restaurant in Islington into two luxury town houses with roof gardens and many unique features. O1A chose DRU Metro 100XT/2 corner gas fires for the main living areas in the properties. They utilise the balanced flue system to be flexibly located anywhere in the building without the need for a chimney. False chimneybreasts have been created in each property to house the impressive log-effect fireplaces. They also accommodate the flat screen TVs making perfect focal points and conceal the concentric flues, which exit the building through the roof.

Tower Hamlets, LondonFunctional public spaceStreet furniture | Street seating | VADForty-two Townscape Half Penny Bollards were used to create a functional public space in Tower Hamlets.Used as a community outdoor space, Oval Space is a multi-purpose venue with over 5,000 square feet of unobstructed statement space, in a unique London setting.The location is adjacent to the iconic Bethnal Green gasholders, Oval Space is used for all kinds of events from corporate functions to product launches and fashion shows through to small and large-scale stills, TV and film shoots.Half Penny Concrete Bollards are a below ground fix and are available in the following colours:Smooth Prestige Mixes:White PP09, Black PP32, Yorkstone PP02, Cloburn Red PP48 and Grey PP08 Exposed.Natural Aggregate Mixes:Natural Round, Ballidon, Mountsorrel, Criggion, Cleehill, Cloburn Red, Harvest Gold, Cornish, Red Aberdeen.See full product infoDownload the datasheetThe architectural team was led by Abhinav Kurup from London Borough of Tower Hamlets, while the Constructor was JB Riney.For more details of how we can help with your own public space requirements, please get in touch.

Roché’s shutters were used throughout the Big Brother house to keep unwanted visitors out and housemates in, safely.Endemol, the production company behind the Big Brother reality TV series, needed a robust physical security solution that could be linked to the building management system and wouldn’t compromise the design of the set. An added challenge was that one of the shutters needed to be especially wide, at 7.8m.Roché provided the solution, installing a number of window and garden shutters, including the i95, as well a shutter for the famous Diary Room. Apart from providing physical security, these shutters also provide heat insulation and a level of soundproofing.

Pear Tree Court is a stunning care home in Waterlooville, Hampshire, which offers a range of care in beautiful surroundings. This care home has the latest in luxury facilities, a café, hair salon, gardens, cinema, its own pub, and 72 en-suite bedrooms over three floors. The home is divided into smaller suites, each with its own lounge, dining room and TV lounge and every bedroom is beautifully decorated and furnished.Cellecta’s ScreedBoard 28 was specified due to it being an award winning 100% recycled, reinforced, non-combustible, calcium sulphate floorboard, ideal for a multitude of new build and refurbishment applications. ScreedBoard 28 was chosen in this project due to its outstanding acoustic performance, ideal for a busy care home!CastleOak Care Partnerships were awarded this 2,376m² contract to construct this care home.

NV Buildings is one of the most prestigious and iconic residential sites in Greater Manchester.The distinctive sail-shaped buildings are a major landmark in Salford Quays. The blocks have a curved main elevation providing a unique aesthetic on the skyline and are one of the most popular developments in the area.With a prominent location in Salford Quays, adjacent to the Lowry Theatre and Media City TV headquarters, the apartment blocks feature in many iconic photos of the area.The project itself was funded by the Building Safety Fund, the Government’s £4.5 billion fund to remove unsafe non-ACM cladding on residential and mixed-use properties that are 18 metres and over and do not meet building safety regulations.Our Approved Installer QFF Facades were contracted to complete the exterior wall insulation and rendering which upgraded the fire performance of the cladding, ensuring the safety of both the building and residents.Three 15 storey blocks were refurbished, with a safe and thermally efficient façade solution.Our ServiceWe worked in close partnership with QFF Facades throughout the duration of the project.Deliveries and install were strictly monitored and a very systematic approach was followed. A planned install programme was agreed to ensure minimal disruption to the residents of N V Buildings, who remained in their homes while the work was carried out on this prestigious site.We produced a bespoke specification which included various detailing such as soffits, balconies, and full height panels.A partnership approach was vital, as we worked with QFF Facades, Thomasons Consulting engineering, and the fire officer to agree upon and deliver specific detailing at abutments, openings, and for the drained cavity of the façade system.Particular attention to detail was afforded to the drained cavity fire-stops, including fire-stop details between floors, at party walls for each apartment and around openings.As part of our service commitment, our technical team were available to provide hands-on-guidance, offer support, technical guidance and ensure high levels of quality.Technical Project DetailsAfter testing, the existing cladding had been deemed a fire safety risk by experts and therefore needed to be removed and replaced with anon-combustible alternative.The project was a strip-and-refit of a drained cavity external wall insulation system, which included an expanded polystyrene insulation system.Our Approved Installer QFF Facades installed a K Systems Exicco M, Drained Cavity External Wall Insulation System for steel frame buildings, utilising Mineral Wool insulation. This high performing system provides high levels of fire resistance and non-combustibility.The fire classification of the façade for N V Buildings was upgraded to A2-s1, d0 and therefore complies with the latest building regulations, ensuring the safety of its residents.For the finish, high-performance thin coat silicone render (Silicone TC) was specified. Our Silicone TC render has a number of fantastic advantages including ease of application, and its hydrophobic properties make the render low maintenance. Available in a wide range of colours the topcoat finish used on NV Buildings is a light grey to match the original façade, meaning aesthetically the iconic buildings maintained their distinctive design.

One of the earliest surviving railway stations in the world is enjoying a new lease of life, and TV stardom, thanks in part to Welsh Slate.

Times Square in New York is frequented by more than 460,000 people every day. It is the world’s most popular tourist destination, attracting 42 million visitors a year.Times Square is a small area of Manhattan in New York. Its centre, where Broadway intersects with 42nd to 45th Streets, is a bustling cultural and commercial hub. Many of New York’s most famous theatres are located there, as well as TV stations (including MTV), banks, tourist attractions and other media companies, like Reuters and Viacom.Times Square is the only area of the city that requires tenants to install neon signs on the outside of their premises, turning it into a spectacular icon for New York City. Times Square is named after The New York Times, which moved its headquarters there in 1904. In 2010, Norwegian architects Snøhetta were awarded the contract to redesign the square.Developer: Times Square AllianceArchitect: Snøhetta

Designed by world famous architects Foster + Partners, 200 Gray’s Inn Road was built for ITN in 1990 as its headquarters and broadcasting hub. The iconic building, owned by The Great Ropemaker Partnership, now provides high quality offices and TV studio space for multiple tenants including ITN, ITV and Channel 4. Our flagship INTRAflex XT Entrance Matting can be used to create stunning designs without compromising on functionality. Combined with INTRAlux Linear the matting at 200 Gray’s Inn Road forms a robust system. In the revolving doors we utilised INTRAform Radial Matting to offer unrivalled moisture absorption capabilities

The main auditorium of the Theatre has been refurbished with 900 new seats, sound desks and lighting systems, as well as the installation of a café, licensed bar and TV gallery. The foyer, studio theatre and entrance areas have been modernised. As part of the project, Gradus was chosen to supply and fit continuity LED step lighting to provide a contemporary linear effect and complement the new modern interior of the theatre. Not only does step lighting add to the design, but it also allows customers and staff to move around safely in darkened lighting conditions.

We visited David and his family in Essex, UK, who recently completed a rear kitchen and dining extension that began in June 2021 and was completed in October.   One of their main goals was to include natural light and ventilation in the design by using opening rooflights.  Tell us more about your home and why you decided to renovate. The family fell in love with the house because at the time they thought it had all of the space they needed.  'It was really obvious when we first moved into the house that we didn't have a joint space where all of us could be together, cooking and eating, playing or watching TV. That's when we said; 'okay, we need to do this project.' Before the family completed the renovation, a lot of their time was spent in individual rooms. Therefore, they made a decision to create a joined-together family space, they felt essential for creating memories and bonding with one another.  'We wanted to make sure we had a rooflight over the kitchen to create light in that space and make sure we had enough light to the existing part of the house.'  Adding a rooflight to your kitchen can be a great way to bring in more natural light and improve the overall ambiance of your home. Positioning and size of the rooflight, are important for including light in harder-to-reach areas, such as an existing part of your home. Make sure to take the necessary precautions and consider all the factors involved in such a project. Check out our top tips on what to consider when renovating or extending.  How important was the option of having bespoke rooflight design for you? 'The importance of bespoke design was really around size, and what size we needed for the space. When we first started looking around for skylights, they were often a lot smaller than we needed. What we found with Vario by VELUX is essentially, they took that problem away.' We had options, we could have chosen different colours, and different styles of glass, but we were able to choose something that matched the rest of the living space, as well as being functional.' 'The reason we went for two rectangular rooflights was really to fit in with the design of the rest of the extension. What I like about the VELUX Windows is that internally we really do just see that flat glass at the top and it finishes it off really nicely.' It's great that you had the option to choose different colours and styles of glass for your rooflights. By matching the rooflights with the rest of your living space, you have created a cohesive and harmonious design that enhances your home’s overall look and feel.   Why opening rooflights? 'The coolest thing about these rooflights is that they can open.' 'We decided to invest in large windows, one of the things we wanted to do is get the most out of them. Having the automatic opening, meant that we can open and close the windows to keep the air quality.' VELUX Active can add a modern touch to your home and can increase its energy efficiency by reducing the need for air conditioning or heating. We are glad to hear that the decision was made to optimise your indoor climate and invest in Vario by VELUX rooflights.  'One of my favourite moments to do with the rooflights, was when we first brought the children into the property, my son pointed out the rooflights and when we opened them, he was astounded!' 'Traditionally, this back part of the house was quite dark. So by coming out with an extension and having the rooflights put in above, it means we get more natural light earlier – quite often from very early in the morning.' The rectangular rooflights you chose to install sound like they fit perfectly with the design of the extension and provide a modern and clean look whilst making your space the place where family comes together. Natural light and ventilation is not only essential for our physical health, but also our emotional well-being. By having more natural light earlier in the morning, you can start your day in a better mood and with positive energy. How do you use your new extension now? 'I would say actually we spend 80 to 90% of our time now just in this room. The joy for us is sitting together and eating, whether that's at the breakfast bar or the dining table, having the kids playing along the side of the kitchen. We are delighted with the end result.' 'We are now seeing the benefits of what this means to us as a family and the wider family. Being able to host and have parties and social gatherings.’ 'Everything happens in this space now.' It's wonderful to hear that your home renovation project has transformed your living space and has made it a central gathering place for your family and friends. Hosting social gatherings and spending time with loved ones is an important aspect of life and it's great that your home now provides a comfortable and welcoming environment for those special moments. It's always a great feeling when a home renovation project meets or exceeds expectations, and it sounds like that is exactly what has happened in this case. Congratulations on your beautiful new space and we wish you very happy memories there! 

Central M40, a 70 acre industrial estate situated off J11 of the M40 in Banbury, comprises six warehouses totalling over 1 million sq ft of accommodation – equivalent to roughly 17 football pitches. The estate was developed speculatively by db Symmetry*, who specified CA Group’s robust Twin-Therm® Built-up Roof and Wall systems.A key component of the Twin-Therm® building envelope system is Therma-Quilt, a bespoke high-performance Glass Mineral Wool insulation. It is manufactured by Knauf Insulation specifically for CA Group and is the result of a long standing partnership between the two companies.Therma-Quilt is ideally suited for non-residential cladding applications. It offers outstanding performance and functionality available in different thicknesses to support the Twin-Therm® system, delivering enhanced thermal U-values as low as 0.09W/m2K. It is non-combustible with a Euroclass A1 Reaction to Fire Classification, meaning it will not contribute to the development or the spread of a fire.Therma-Quilt is also a high-performing acoustic insulation. In Twin-Therm® roof applications, it helps reduce the drumming effect of rainwater, while in Twin-Therm® wall applications, it aids with sound reduction and can minimise the reverberation of internal sound when used in conjunction with perforated metal liner sheets. Therma-Quilt has been developed with water resistance in mind and uses materials that help prevent water ingress.The Twin-Therm® system has been designed with sustainability in mind and Therma-Quilt is no exception. Knauf Insulation’s Glass Mineral Wool products contain up to 80% recycled materials. This saves on virgin raw materials and energy demands, cuts carbon emissions, and reduces waste going to landfill.It is manufactured with ECOSE® Technology, Knauf Insulation's unique bio-based binder that contains no added formaldehyde or phenol. It is made from natural raw materials that are rapidly renewable and is 70% less energy-intensive to manufacture than traditional binder, so it is more environmentally-friendly.Products made with ECOSE® Technology are soft to touch and easy to handle. They generate low levels of dust and VOCs and have been awarded the Eurofins Gold Certificate for Indoor Air Comfort.In total, more than 70 tonnes of Therma-Quilt insulation were used on the six megasheds on the Central M40 development. While the industrial estate was built speculatively, its strategic location has previously attracted premium occupiers including Hellofresh, Prodrive Motorsport, TVS Supply Chain Solutions and Rinkit.Thanks to the Twin-Therm® system with its Therma-Quilt insulation, the warehouses have achieved BREEAM ‘Very Good’ ratings, while the businesses using them will enjoy more comfortable, warmer and safer working environments – and lower energy costs. *db Symmetry has rebranded as Tritax Symmetry

SADOLIN has been drafted in to help transform a pub into a stunning venue in the heart of the East Midlands with a range of superior woodcare solutions. The Maltsters Country Inn was in a state of disrepair when Merlin Griffiths, bartender and owner of Greenhouse Pubs, took over. To help with the restoration project, he turned to Sadolin PV67 Heavy Duty Varnish and Sadolin Superdec after hearing glowing reports about the products. Merlin Griffiths, a well-known face in the drinks industry with appearances on TV screens and in the media, also owns a second pub in Kilburn, London.

The scope of this ambitious project was to restore and transform an abandoned Neo-Gothic Cemetery Keeper’s Lodge with adjoining public facility into a luxurious mansion in just 12 months.  Works included demolishing the adjoining public facility to enable the construction of a new basement.The proposed new build construction would be a luxury ground floor extension which would run the footprint of the redundant public facility to offer a 4,000 square foot subterrain space with key features such as 13-meter swimming pool, 2 additional bedrooms, a tv games room and office space.Simon Gill Architect designed the ambitious project and was appointed as Project Manager.Delta Registered Installers 5 Star Basements were employed to undertake both dig out and installation of the structural waterproofing with Delta’s Technical Waterproofing Consultant, Paul Callaghan representing Delta. This approach at the design stage, allowed Paul to attend design team meetings and to ensure all criteria’s of BS8102:2009 were met.As aired on Grand Designs on 6th January 2021.

Dulux Trade has undertaken a historic project, breathing life into Alexandra Palace’s old BBC Transmitter Hall. The leading paint brand teamed up with the Alexandra Park Palace Charitable Trust and a range of industry partners to offer their expertise, skills and labour in the transformation of the space. As part of a £28 million renovation project to restore the Eastern part of the historic building used by the BBC as a TV transmitter facility, Dulux Trade took on the brief to design a space for vulnerable users. Each week the space is used for specialised programmes for hundreds of people including young adults with learning difficulties, musical workshops, mindfulness workshops in partnership with the NHS mental health support and a wellbeing cafe to support loneliness. Carefully selecting colour to enable those living with dementia to navigate their way around the old transmitter hall, the space has been created to make the now hundreds of users per week feel comfortable and at home, whilst offering an uplifting space for young adults with learning difficulties. The team applied the principles around healthcare colour scheme research to create a space that has a connection to the outside world - that was calming and inspiring. Earthy ‘Distant Haze’ greens and spiritual ‘Niagara Blues’ and lilacs were selected to produce a rich and verdant collection of shades - with the end user carefully considered. Points of difference were carefully managed between surfaces and space to make the rooms easier to navigate for people with visual impairment and dementia meeting the requirements of the Equality Act. The space was made to feel more intimate by artificially lowering the ceiling height through clever use of colour and design and the light and airy ‘Adobe Pink’ colour chosen, allowed for the perfect environment for the number of groups now using the Transmitter Hall. Colour blocks have been used behind the bar area, adding interest and eliminating the mirrors which can cause stress to people with dementia. Alexandra Palace is part of the Haringey Dementia Action Alliance (DAA) which aims to unite local organisations and improve the lives of people affected by dementia. There are over 1,600 people living with dementia in Haringey and programmes like these support people with dementia and their families to live and connect through the power of music. The new Transmitter Hall was a result of months of hard work by Dulux Trade and parent company AkzoNobel - taking 290 man hours - in conjunction with various other partners including Tarkett Flooring, Willmott Dixon, Speedy Hire, Southgrove Painting Contractors, Lucas Specialist Finishers, Horizontal Ltd and Winchmore. As well as working alongside partner firms, Dulux Trade enlisted the help of the AkzoNobel Research & Development teams to provide labour on the project and Dulux Decorator Centre in nearby Islington to provide workwear and materials to the AkzoNobel ‘Let’s Colour’ team. Dulux Trade has long since recognised the growing global health trend which will see over one million people in the UK diagnosed with dementia by 2025. Working on research led projects with healthcare specialists and the British Research Establishment, the brand has been able to gather evidence on how colour and design can transform spaces and therefore the lives of the people who use them. Using their research, the Dulux Trade Commercial Colour Services team designed an inclusive space within Alexandra Palace which uses the application of colour to enable occupants to more readily identify different areas of the entire space - for example the use of a colour contrast doorway or corridor, and colour, design and textures that discourage access to private areas within the space. In total over £3,000 worth of paint and decorating materials were donated to the project - which saw parts of Alexandra Palace renovated after many years bring the space back to life. Products used for the project included Dulux Trade Supermatt on the ceiling, Dulux Trade Diamond Matt on the walls and Dulux Trade Durable Flat Matt on the columns. Sarah Norton, project lead at AkzoNobel said: “This project has been a labour of love for Dulux Trade. To be involved in the restoration of a building with such historic value has been fantastic. We were able to put our knowledge and research regarding using colour to positively impact occupant wellbeing to good use, including aspects of design that are more considerate of vulnerable guests visiting the space. In this way, we’re pleased to have contributed to making the Transmitter Hall an inclusive, multi-functional space for many people in the local area.”

Pinewood Studio in Cardiff may be the location where Dr Who regularly saves the Universe but there was no intergalactic crisis when the building’s 16,000m2 roof needed to be refurbished recently. Instead, Sika Liquid Plastics’ Sikalastic® 625 cold applied liquid membrane provided the ideal solution to protect the building from Wales’ famously wet climate while enabling a low key project that didn’t disrupt filming on the many Hollywood movies and acclaimed TV shows filmed there, which have included James Bond, Harry Potter and Sherlock. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayB4ekA7FfM&feature=youtu.be

The BBC TV Centre at Wood Lane London is world renowned for its television output over many years. Completed in February last year, much of the interior was extensively redesigned by HOK architects, with refurbishment and construction carried out by the BDL Group, one of the largest specialist dry-lining contractors in the UK. One of the key factors to ensure that noise was kept to a minimum and reverberation time reduced. The solution was high performance Troldtekt acoustic panels which were used to line all the ceilings and the soffit around the circular atrium.