"ventilation systems and ventilators"

The intricate facade on Garden Halls was inspired by the existing large-scale Victorian and Edwardian buildings that populate Bloomsbury, such as the Russell Square Hotel and Victoria House. The windows employ a very thin profile section, achieved with Reynaers CS 38-SL systems, and have a decorated, perforated aluminium screen to the side. This uses an insulated panel that can be opened from the inside for ventilation. The lower level screens are bronze-coloured anodised aluminium, while the upper screens are powder coated.

Eternit’s fibre cement open protected ridges were used to create an effective ventilation system in the bull accommodation unit at Knocknagael Bull Stud Farm - ensuring a constant outflow of stale, moist air. The width of the air gap created by the open ridge was specifically designed for the number of bulls and size of the building. Profile 6 sheeting from Eternit was also specified for the roof, thanks to its durability and low maintenance costs, as well as its noise insulation properties.

When Vitsoe, makers of iconic minimal-modernist furniture, decided to build a new HQ, it was always going to be something special. Central to the design is the saw tooth roof with 240 northlights created using the VELUX Modular Skylight system. The elegant sightlines of the VELUX skylight frame sections complemented Vitsoe's own minimal-modernist design philosophy. " Natural lighting and ventilation from the VELUX Modular Skylights were critical to restoring a connection between the building's users and the world around them."

A new project in Woking showcases the many benefits of Maple’s new Pluto louvred screening system.Designed to hide unsightly HVAC machinery on the roof of a new four-storey independent living development, the system is lighter and easier to install than traditional systems.   It’s perfect for the rooftop location. Seen from the ground, it’s a sleek bank of aluminium louvres – but the modular system also means that installation is safer, with time spent working at height kept to a minimum.  Maple’s Pluto system fixes easily to the building sub-frame using galvanised steel brackets, while an advanced sub-structure of posts, mullions and rails in high grade aluminium will provide hidden support for the 100mm louvre blades.  Despite a practical function of hiding equipment, pipes and ducting, the screening will not detract from the clean lines of the building, which are complemented by a bank of curved louvres (also supplied and installed by Maple) on the west elevation of the building.  The project is a collaboration between Maple, Willmott Dixon, HNW Architects and Woking Borough Council. When complete, the four-storey development will provide a mix of 48 one- and two-bed flats, which will provide independent (but supported) living.

Salisbury Walk is part of the Girdlestone Estate in London, and the last phase to be upgraded by landlord the London Borough of Islington as part of their commitment to delivering decent homes standards.The TaskWorking to our detailed specification, Opus stripped the existing profiled metal roof and built up our TA-30 Flat Roofing System, installing insulation to achieve 0.18W/m2K as advised by current Building Regulations. Ventilation and rooflight hatches were also upgraded and new upstands fitted.The Outcome“Having achieved such a positive result in the refurbishment elsewhere on the estate by utilising the services of Langley and Opus, it gave peace of mind for all stakeholders to re-apply that formula in other works. It brings us a valued perspective, enabling us to make informed decisions going forward about the condition of the estate, knowing we have consistency in approach, design, materials and application. We also have the peace of mind, going forward, that the roofs are all upgraded to a high standard and are assured for decades to come.”Theo Petrou, Mears Group Project Manager

Duco’s solar shading combines functionality with aesthetics at the Student accommodation Fallowfield in Manchester. The vertical solar shading system DucoSun Ellips was chosen for this project and supplied by Contrasol. This solar shading system, in which a blade with of 200 mm was chosen, guarantees not only maximum daylight, thanks to the optimal inclination angle and number of louvre blades. At the same time, DucoSun Ellips 200 ensures that the sun’s rays do not get a chance to heat up the Fallowfield interior spaces directly. The vertically installed solar shading system offers maximum privacy while maintaining the view outside.

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’.

Our MR34ZGL louvers were used in this high rise project consisting of residential, office , commercial space and a Premier Inn Hotel.The louvers were powder coated and had an insulated backing panel applied.Part of the development have our louvers incorporated into unitised curtain walling

1400 sqm of the unique Sotech Optima Shingle System has been used on the Collaborative Teaching Laboratory, Birmingham University. The shingles were Anodised Regency Gold 2, 2.5 & 3, the finish was selected to create a scaled texture, which can be seen in the project photography. This stunning façade had to be flexible enough to accommodate the practical demands of a modern building. Due to a requirement to ventilate the high level plantroom, the shingles in this area were perforated and fixed to a bespoke support grid, which integrates seamlessly with the surrounding cladding.

The starting point: an awkwardly shaped lot High above the city centre, halfway between the mountains and the sea, there is a building that nobody can fail to notice: 'U Pavayun' proudly showcases the principality’s official colours – white and red – in a way uniquely its own. By combining vivid colours inspired by nature with a bold and modern architectural concept, the building maximises the visual impact of its ventilated façades. To add thermal efficiency to the cladding’s enduring beauty, external insulation has been integrated into the façade system.

DUCO contributes with sun protection to the £78m project for The University of Manchester. The architectural sun control DucoSun Ellips 200 mm, supplied by Contrasol, was chosen for the Fallowfield campus. The solar shading is so much more than decoration.About the Fallowfield CampusThe Fallowfield is a student accommodation with 8 multi-storey blocks including a Warden’s flat and Energy Centre, amenity hub, landscaping and external works. Each residence will have 10 bedrooms per floor with ensuite bathroom pods and a shared kitchen. 1,122 student rooms are spread over the blocks with a combined floor area of 32,020m2. The Fallowfield Campus is the main residential campus of the University of Manchester. It’s a vibrant place where thousands of students live alongside residents – creating e a real sense of community. The mix of shops, cafes, bars and a frequent bus service to and from the city centre makes it an ideal location to live.Construction detailsThe blocks are constructed using pre-fabricated lightweight steel framing system panels which provide structure to the building when used along with composite concrete floors. External materials are predominantly buff brickwork with feature elevations picked out in charcoal fibre cement slate roofing and cladding. Study bedrooms incorporate built-in storage and furnishings and a high specification pre-fabricated GRP en-suite shower pod.  Solar shading is much more than decorationThe vertical solar shading system DucoSun Ellips was chosen for this project and supplied by Contrasol. This solar shading system, in which a blade with of 200 mm was chosen, guarantees not only maximum daylight, thanks to the optimal inclination angle and number of louvre blades. At the same time, DucoSun Ellips 200 ensures that the sun’s rays do not get a chance to heat up the Fallowfield interior spaces directly. The vertically installed solar shading system offers maximum privacy while maintaining the view outside.

The White Rose Office Park in Leeds; is a purpose-built 27-acre business park owned and operated by Munroe K. In 2014, they unveiled a £12m office for the global banking giant HSBC.Utilising in-depth knowledge, that Munroe K had about their client and the local area; the project had a number of specific requirements that needed to be addressed from the start.The BriefSecurity and Aesthetics were the two key areas taken from the client’s requirements for their car park security fencing. These included the following:A fencing system that would provide open ventilation for the car park.Additional high security fencing to the rear of the car park due to the construction of plant and control equipment compounds.Anti-climb and anti-cut properties to all fencing systems.Aesthetically pleasing without compromising on the inbuilt security.After working through the wide range of car park security fencing systems in the CLD range, the client selected Safeogril Open Mesh Fencing for the front of the car park and Securus 358 Anti-Climb Mesh Fencing System to secure the rear. They required the front of the car park to look visually pleasing and; at the same time, fit within HSBC’s brand to complement the new offices. Alongside the aesthetics, the architects wanted the car park security fencing systems to still encompass a wide range of security features in order to keep the car park secure.The installation was completed by Davison Fencing, a member of CLD Systems Approved Contractors, working with ourselves and the architects for the duration of the installation process.

Harris Invictus Academy Croydon was opened in September 2014 because of the significant demand in the community for new, high-quality school places. Duco provided the Harris Invictus Academy of the solar shading system DucoSun Cubic. The rectangular form of the louvre blade gives the school building in Croydon a particularly sleek effect. The rectangle louvre blades ensure an optimum balance between minimum solar heat gain and maximum daylight entry.

Working closely with Dimplex’s in-house heating design team, Ability Projects developed a unique centralised control solution, incorporating Dimplex air source heat pump and solar PV technology.

Just off Deansgate, in the beating heart of the city, lies the hotel YOTEL Manchester. Expect innovative design, eco-friendly credentials and time-saving technology, in the rooms and beyond. Delivering experiences to Generation YO - 20 and 30 somethings who work hard, and love to socialise -  through creative use of technology and smart, sustainable design.  In order to carry through innovation and creativity into the building's façade and at the same time stimulate the experience of comfort indoors, it was decided to install DucoSun Linear 200 louvres on the façade.Architectural designThe DucoSun Linear 200 louvres are shaped as a parallelogram onto the façade, providing a particular attractive and architectural effect. From the street view, the sleek look and uniformity of the louvres are immediately noticeable. A striking design, which matches perfectly with the striking service the hotel offers to its guests.Sophisticated functionalityBy covering large glass surfaces, the DucoSun Linear 200 louvres combat overheating and deliver a comfortable and healthy indoor climate where guests will enjoy spending time, even during the warmest days of the year. The parallelogram-shaped louvre blades are designed this way they guarentee the maximum amount of diffuse daylight, creating a pleasant atmosphere inside the hotel at all times.In the vision and mission of the hotel lies the endeavour to conserve resources and develop spaces efficiently and sustainably. A better indoor quality and atmosphere and an eye-catching look with the DucoSun Linear 200 louvres definitely fit this purpose and will furthermore stand the test of time as sustainable and futureproof solar protection solution.

Situated next to Westfield shopping centre and adjacent to the Olympic Park in Stratford, the Moxy Hotel is the first UK hotel from the Marriott Hotels’ budget brand which was open to the public in October 2017. The works onsite began in February of the same year to deliver extensive work to the hotel façade. The external finish of the hotel was considered to be of particular importance by London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC) and was particularly challenging. As screening on top of the building, it was decided to install the DucoSun 100 C-shaped louvre blades. The screening is ideal for concealing technical areas, thus ensuring a perfect transition with the rest of the façade of this ultra-modern contemporary hotel.

The eight storey building Faraday House in London is clad in hand-finished copper alloy, reflecting warm light into the spaces around it. But uncontrolled and excessive sunlight can seriously disrupt the experience of comfort. For this reason, the architect opted for structural solar shading. The DucoSlide panels ensure a drop in the average indoor temperature of up to 12% to combat overheating.The Faraday House in London is a  building with imagination; offering a dazzling composition from the Victorian Railway Bridge. The apartments are part of Circus West Village, the first phase of the Battersea Power Station redevelopment.Full height windows frame views of the River Thames and landscaped courtyard, enhancing the feeling of space and light, whilst private terrace balconies and roof-top gardens provide outdoor space.The eight storey building is clad in hand-finished copper alloy, reflecting warm light into the spaces around it. But uncontrolled and excessive sunlight can seriously disrupt the experience of comfort. For this reason, the architect opted for structural solar shading. The DucoSlide panels ensure a drop in the average indoor temperature of up to 12% to combat overheating. The perforated screens animate the façade and provide home owners with additional solar and acoustic control.The result? A better quality of life for residents and a striking composition for visitors as they travel into London Victoria station.

On the recommendation of Terry Baker Electrical Ltd, a member of the Chamber and also part of the Dimplex Quantum installer network, the Chamber selected Dimplex’s unique Quantum off-peak electric heating system to deliver improved efficiency, lower running costs and improve comfort at the headquarters.

Located to the south of Newark, Middlebeck is a 694-acre urban extension which will provide new housing, access to local amenities and a new purpose built primary school. The Christ Church C of E Primary School has been constructed to serve the local community and boasts an attractive design by Gollifer Langston Architects, with the L shape plan of the new school forming two sides of a courtyard.Constructed by the Lindum Group, the attractive and contemporary design of the new school building embraces the use of natural daylighting and the extensive use of glazing helps to strengthen the connection between interior and exterior spaces. Senior’s slimline SF52 aluminium curtain wall system has created a light and welcoming entrance, with Senior’s versatile SPW600 aluminium windows and secure SPW501 aluminium commercial doors used throughout.Robust and fully recyclable, Senior’s aluminium fenestration systems were powder-coated to further enhance durability and to complement the white brise-soleil installed to the south side of the building to help control solar gain. Additional solar shading protection from the overhanging roof, in addition to the use of natural ventilation, photovoltaic roof panels and underfloor heating also contribute to the overall sustainable design of the school building.Senior worked closely with supply chain partner Alusec to deliver the fenestration package.

We adapted our aluminium window specification to meet the narrower than normal vent dimensions at the best-in-class £52 million student village in Coventry, balancing requirements for daylighting, ventilation, student safety and aesthetics. A total of 3,500 sqm of aluminium windows together with aluminium curtain walling and aluminium high-traffic doors were fitted at the 893 home development. The installation not only contributed to the creation of an uninterrupted, zero combustible facade, but also provided maintenance solution for the building owner. Paradise Street has been architecturally inspired by the originally medieval city of Coventry. The scheme's homes are arranged in a wall, and three towers to address the busy ring road, with a gatehouse opening into a 2,000 sqm piazza. Balancing the ventilation and necessary daylighting requirements led to the introduction of a fixed and opening vent to each room. This presented a whole new design challenge when it came to the window detailing, hailing a true example of design and technical collaboration between the architect, contractor, fabricator and TECHNAL. Complementing the subtle textures used for the facade's anodised aluminium panelling as well as the interior colour scheme, the TECHNAL systems are dual colour. Externally they are finished in pearl beige and white, internally. Other TECHNAL systems used for this project include the visible grid curtain walling. This is installed into an angled brickwork detail, creating an interesting wedge shape design to the common room space. To the main entrance, TECHNAL high traffic aluminium doors have been installed and tested to Secured by Design standards. These feature maglocks and automatic gearing that are tied into the building management system, ensuring all doors open in the event of an evacuation.

One of the main aims of the project was to future proof and increase the functionality of the building, with high sustainability standards including onPatient comfort was understandably a key part of the design, Contrasol installed the DucoSun Cubic 300 louvres to provide the solar shading required to achieve a comfortable internal environment. The added benefit of the projecting system is that it allows clear views of the surrounding grounds and across the Firth of Forth.

There was a requirement to cut down directly incident sunlight, the idea came up to work with DucoSun Wing in front of the façade. These large, wing-shaped louvre blades were made of a black perforated sheet that was made in special non-standard sizes for this project. This system therefore works as solar shading on the one hand as well as fulfilling an architectural function on the other, which is a defining factor in the architectural appearance of the office building.

To provide optimum weather and thermal performance and to maximise the building’s energy efficiency, ADP Architecture specified a range of aluminium products from Kawneer, installed by approved specialist subcontractor Norman & Underwood. The building’s façade features Kawneer’s AA®100 curtain wall system while AA®190 TB severe-duty doors were specified to handle the high volume of people entering and leaving the building. These were complemented by Kawneer’s AA®720 casement windows with louvreshields which provide both ventilation and fall protection. As the construction is a gateway to the city’s commercial area, the aesthetics were also paramount.

A beautiful Yorkshire family home has found a new lease of life with the addition of aluminium doors and windows replacing the existing timber frames. Achieved using Reynaers bi-folding and sliding doors; CF 68 and CP 130, as well as door and window systems; CS 68 and ES 50. Alongside striking visuals, the unique design of the frames makes for excellent performance characteristics, meeting the highest requirements when it comes to insulation, stability and safety, while perfectly framing the garden views. Elsewhere, aluminium windows have improved day-to-day usability, with sliding opening options reducing draughts and improving ventilation.

The elliptical louvre blades on the DucoSun Ellips 150 that are incorporated in the construction as a terrace cover, fulfil both a functional and an aesthetic role. "This type of solar shading system with its elegantly shaped blades, minimalist fixings, simple fitting system and the way that the shade tapers at off at the end with the inclination angle of the blades, fits seamlessly into Livingstone's architectural concept", states Archi 2000. "In addition the light grey of the DucoSun Ellips 150 reflects the light perfectly so that the blades blend in beautifully with the sky."

Cambridge Central Mosque is Europe's first eco-friendly mosque and the first purpose-built mosque within the city of Cambridge. The mosque is well insulated and naturally ventilated, using efficient heat lights in the roof and solar panels on the top to help generate renewable energy.Cellecta XFLO Micro was specified by Marks Barfield Architects as its underfloor heating insulation boards were used to help create an efficient and environmentally friendly heating system. Cellecta ScreedBoard 20 was also specified for the overlay floorboard. It is suitable for all types of steel, concrete and timber floors.Warmafloor were awarded this 250m² contract to develop this eco-friendly structure.

Steeped in a rich artistic history, The Now Building in London is an architectural marvel designed to revive the musical majesty of the formerly named 'Tin Pan Alley''.Inspired by the striking lights of Times Square in New York, the new, multi-purpose music venue and art installation is truly a sight to behold. Boasting a foyer that is covered from wall to ceiling with 8K screens broadcasting entertainment, music and digital artworks in breath-taking 360-degree, interactive 4D quality. For such an incredible, interactive and artistic experience – the ventilated flooring grilles were never going to take centre stage! However, the high quality systems were specified to perform and subtly enhance the spectacular digital aesthetic and unmistakeable gold exteriors surrounding them. An immersive experienceRegarded as London’s new home of music, art and culture, The Now Building plays host to 5 stories of interactive digital art, venue rooms, restaurants, studios and more. To achieve such an immersive experience for visitors, ventilated flooring grilles were specially designed and adapted for the floors, skirting and feature walls. INTRA Ceiling Grilles were also specified to hide various structural and functional services above, masking the pipework and HVAC units.The grille flooring uses a bespoke hinge bracket, custom designed for the project, to provide easy access to electrical socket points below. When it came to the feature walls, INTRA created a unique solution; the first of its kind on the market: a tailored version of INTRAgrille T2850, designed to plug the ventilation gaps for the huge 8K screens, allowing airflow to pass through and keep the screens from overheating. A matt black coating keeps this grille work ‘invisible’ – ensuring it doesn’t detract from the visitors’ viewing experience.Truly Spectacular!Proactive developing our existing product range to solve specific challenges for the site was one of the core successes of this project, as we were able to mould new fixings to help achieve Orms original design vision.The finished article is truly spectacular. The Now building and wider Outernet complex is now a centre piece of London’s artistic culture. Having already hosted some of the biggest names in British music and art, our INTRAgrille product enables the immersive experience to take centre-stage.

A Dimplex air source heat pump forms part of the award-winning energy credentials at a ‘Superhome’ designed to showcase the energy savings that can be made using grants and relatively low-cost improvements.

An exceptional place to live, work and visit, that’s how Fulham Reach can be described. In 2019, Fulham Reach was declared Best Large Development Winner. This award-winning development is a mixed-use riverside destination, where the architectural solar shading provides a sleekly finished look. The choice was made for DucoSun Cubic 100 solar shading blades. Together with the rectangular shape of the solar shading blade, this produces a very clean-cut effect. The solar shading blades and the façade face form a beautiful unit.

The overriding narrative here is the link between the inside and outside, with a strong focus on plants and nature. Based on experience with other offices, we know that the best option is to fit the louvre blades horizontally on a south façade because the sun is high. The DucoSun Wing is perforated and thus assures perfect harmony between solar shading and shadow. The fin-shaped louvre blade has an urban design and can rotate with the sun which means the light entering can be controlled.

Architect: Austin-Smith:LordInstaller: Lacunar LtdProduct: Gustafs Panel SystemOver 400m2 of Gustafs Panel System was installed to the walls of the Birmingham Royal Ballet during their £2.7m refurbishment in 2015. Acoustic panels were installed to two ballet rehearsal studios as well as the new informal performance space.In addition to the visual refurbishment of the space; the regeneration project aimed to improve the facility by upgrading the lighting, heating and ventilation, and accessibility, as well as improving administration and welfare areas.A mix of of SM5 and SM8 mini slotted acoustic perforations as well as nano acoustic perforations were used on the Birch, Oak, and White laminate faced panels. Slotted perforation styles give an elegant and dramatic finish to the panels whilst Nano perforations are almost invisible on the face of the panel, all three options provide up to Class B acoustic performance.

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

This mixed-use development is located on the former site of the Elizabeth Arden factory in North Acton, hence the fragrant name! In fact some elements of the Art Deco factory still remain.There are a number of new buildings on the site, however Renson were brought in by Ardmore to provide the ventilation louvres on the tower blocks, which were actually designed to mimic perfume bottles.Our 414 (50% Free Area) louvres were supplied with backing panels only, insulation to be installed on site. We can usually adapt and supply our louvres exactly how you want them, this is what the customer wanted, so that is what they got!Finally, our close relationships with glazing system suppliers means we can coordinate on projects such as this to ensure smooth installation and matching finish. 

The Quadrangle building in the historic heart of Cheltenham, once a 1970s landmark, has been completely transformed into a contemporary mixed-use commercial development featuring exclusively AluK window, door and curtain walling systems.Designed by AWW Architects from their Bristol studio and completed by Beard Construction, it now features an inner courtyard, ground floor retail space, four storeys of open plan workspace and the town’s first rooftop restaurant.The fenestration package was absolutely key to retaining the design language of the original building within a more contemporary aesthetic, whilst also meeting the requirement for improved thermal efficiency, more natural light and better natural ventilation.Having been impressed with the design and quality of AluK products on previous projects, AWW specified a comprehensive mix of AluK systems at the Quadrangle – the SG52 capless curtain walling system to give a frameless appearance to the retail façade, the more conventional SL52 capped curtain walling system for the courtyard area and rooftop restaurant, the GT55 system for the entrance doors, and the tried and trusted 58BW window system for the 400+ windows fitted into the existing openings around the façade.The entire fenestration programme was carried out by AluK fabricator Aluminium Sashes, which used its extensive experience in the repair and replace sector to overcome the challenges inherent in surveying, fabricating and fitting windows into openings which, in many cases, were irregular in shape and form and not aligned with the concrete slab finish.Aluminium Sashes worked closely with AluK at planning and detailed design stage to achieve the contemporary look for the façade that the client and architect wanted. For example, where the original windows had a transom and modesty spandrel panel below, the slimmer sightline replacements replicated the line of the transom but with fritted glass below to provide a similar level of privacy with more natural light. They also designed a solution for fixing the anthracite grey windows to the metallic bronze louvre sections specified to break up the uniformity of the façade, give users the option of manual ventilation and to provide fresh air and exhaust points for the AHUs. The reinforcing bar in the windows has effectively become the carrier bar for the louvres and gives the impression that there are two colours in one window panel.

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.

Kelly is a lifestyle writer whose popular blog, My Norfolk Home, covers home decor ideas & renovation inspiration. Kelly selected a Dimplex Grand Noir Opti-MystTM fire. The Grand Noir, is a beautiful electric stove, combining the classic feeling of a wood burning stove with modern electric functionality.