"walls"

The Challenge Hunter Street, Chester, is a new development of 77 student residential flats set over six floors, with ancillary and communal facilities, landscaping and car park. Located just within Chester’s city walls, in a redevelopment area, the site is in a prominent position next to the ring road. It is also next to a former Odeon cinema constructed in the 1930s, which has recently been renovated and extended to become the city’s thriving new arts centre, Storyhouse. The Solution It was important that the student accommodation reflect its surrounding environment and so cues for its design were taken from Storyhouse. The brick selected for the project was County Multi Smooth, which is a red, smooth textured, high quality facing brick that complements the modern aesthetic of the copper rainscreen cladding and through coat render used alongside. Extruded brick detailing was included to create a playful relationship with the recessed brick detailing of Storyhouse. The Benefits The use of County Multi Smooth served to connect the structure with the existing masonry buildings adjacent to it, helping to ground it in its environment.

With the business growing at a rapid rate, the firm has expanded its head office to a purpose-built facility which also incorporates a store, café, and an external garden centre.To make the most of its prominent location at the entrance to the new Seaton Hill development, the building was designed to showcase the brand’s iconic identity. The facade of the offices and warehouse are clad primarily in a palette of blacks and greys using Kingspan Dri-Design Flat Cassettes for the office element and QuadCore AWP Wall Panels for the large retail section. This neutral palette provides the perfect backdrop for more colourful facade elements of royal blue and bright orange which ‘pop out’ from the envelope, both literally and visually. These elements include a ribbon style wrapping which recreates a heart-beat reading and symbolises the HQ’s position as the “heartbeat of Derriford”. This dramatic treatment also helps to break-up the massing of the site.  Selecting all these materials from a single supplier also help to simply logistics, minimise onsite waste and ensure complete compatibility between the elevations.

The Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp (KMSKA) The roof being part of the collection ...CHALLENGE The 19th-century neoclassical museum in the South district of Antwerp was in need of an entire refurbishment, including an ambitious extension. Therefore the decision was taken to transform the former inner courtyards into a new vertical museum area. A hidden modern museum showcasing contemporary art within the walls of the old historic one. Two different worlds within one building. To protect the valuable art collection of paintings and drawings a solution was sought to bring as much indirect and northern light into the art rooms as possible. SOLUTIONIn this respect, Claus en Kaan architects created a fabulously ingenious design for the roof. The rooftop would be completed with no fewer than 198 triangular skylights. As well as presenting aesthetic value, the roof triangles are designed in such a way as to have northern light entering the museum. As north-facing windows would allow indirect light, an important feature to protect the valuable works of art inside. In addition, to provide extra reflection of light, the architects opted for a white roof.

The Vantage EMF project was pioneered over a year ago in the boardroom of our partner, The Expanded Metal Company in nearby Hartlepool. Managing Director, Phil Astley discussed the principle and BTS Facades & Fabrications put it into practice.We both deemed the idea as that unique that we engaged an intellectual property firm who achieved the patent pending statusThe system utilises the tried and tested Vantage SF technology. The frame is fabricated and the expanded mesh is cut to size on our Streibig Saw. The mesh showcased here is the Athens although, it also available in Bilbao and Madrid.Vantage® EMF systems were tested earlier this year at the VINCI Technology Centre UK. The mesh is fitted to the frame and then powder coated both sides.The bespoke vantage SF rail with pre positioned hooks and anti rattle gasket is fitted to the wall and then the Vantage EMF panels are hooked into placeOur Vantage CS coping competes the scene here to stunning visual effect. We inserted LED lights in the perimeter of the frames to automatically light up at dusk to compound the effect.

Hale Brown Architects were appointed to redesign 6 Middle Street with the brief to redevelop it into a modern office space that incorporates new sustainable design elements.Set within the narrow cobbled streets along the eastern boundary of the Smithfields Conservation Area this refurbishment included demolition of existing roof structure and replacing it with a feature glazed roof, creation of a mezzanine floor and installation of a cantilevered staircase. The concept was to open up the space to create free-flowing natural light throughout all floors, open up views, create natural ventilation and maximise ceiling heights while incorporating a timber slatted raft concealing service.3v provided a full ironmongery service for this project which including a mixture of brass and matt black products. Black products were used on timber doors and bespoke textured brass pad handles on black frame glass doors, the pad handles were chosen to compliment the detailing in the timber slatted ceiling raft and wall panelling. We think they work seamlessly together! Photography: Neil Kenyon

AJ Wells designed, manufactured and installed just over 1000m2 of vitreous enamel wall cladding with a metal ceiling to modernise the public areas of Three Bridges Station and provide easy access to hidden electrical and telecommunication services.The metal soffit was designed and installed to act as both a water management system and create an aesthetically pleasing ceiling in the subway and platform access areas. The ceiling also incorporated inspection hatches so that the underside of the rail bridges could be inspected periodically by the relevant parties.AJ Wells carried out the installation work under extremely challenging conditions as Three Bridges station is open 24 hours a day throughout the year. As a result the majority of works could only be carried out during the evening and in the early hours of the morning when customer traffic flow was at a minimum.AJ Wells worked closely with the other trades on the project in order to ensure that all interfaces achieved their required purpose.KEY FEATURES:• Vitreous Enamel Cladding system• PM13 ceilingA.J WELLS SERVICES:• Design• Manufacture• Installation

With the success of Media City, Manchester has now become the Media Centre of the UK and the best place to study for a job in TV, Film and Radio.Manchester Metropolitan University has built a brand new Media Facility with industry standard studios to allow them to teach students in the highest quality spaces.Our local branch was employed to design, supply and install the concrete floating floors for 12 studios.The 100 mm thick concrete floating floors supported the drylining walls and ceilings to create box-in-box constructions with very high standards of sound insulation.The 50 mm void beneath the 100 mm concrete floating floors was created using Stravifloor Channel isolation rails and the voids were vented to avoid the trapped air layer reducing the isolation performance.Most of the studios were supported off stiff structural slabs with a natural frequency of >10Hz and the specification for the bearings was given as <8Hz.One of the studios, however, was supported off a supporting slab with a natural frequency of 6Hz and the specification for the bearings was changed to 12Hz in this studio to avoid structural vibration amplification.

A unique £46.5 million redevelopment on London’s Regent Street by Allford Hall Monaghan Morris Architects has created a stunning mixed-use building which incorporates Armourcoat polished plaster decorative finishes. The project for the Crown Estate, working within the confines of an historic grade II listed site, has produced an efficient and sustainable building with flagship retail space and prime office space.Over 400m2 of Armourcoat Spatulata polished plaster was applied to achieve the seamless finish to walls and ceilings in the reception area. The finish is achieved using a superfine stucco paste that is trowel applied in a series of fine layers to create a highly polished decorative surface. Sustainability has been central in the design of W4, achieving an ‘excellent’ sustainability rating under BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method), which measures the environmental impact of buildings. In keeping with the eco specification, Armourcoat polished plaster contains 40% pre-consumer recycled marble and no VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds). Photography © Rob Parrish

Project: Faraday Business ParkDate: 2021 Background:·        APL were engaged with the architect early in the project design and specification process, providing specification and system support through the tender process·        APL’s strong design and engineering capability ensured that the bespoke window pods designed by the architect were incorporated in early details·        Due to APL’s strong supply-chain relationship, all material was able to be procured and delivered on time to meet the projects programme·        APL provided all thermal and structural calculations Systems:·        10,000m² of APL built-up roof system with stucco-embossed mill-finished aluminium trapezoidal AP31/1000RR profile, along with PV support system·        8,000m² of APL built-up wall system with steel sinusoidal AP45HR in RAL 9006 and RAL 7012 as the external profile·        Bespoke window pods fabricated in 3mm aluminium with a Class 2 PPC coating·        APL Tritherm™ GALV sub-framing·        All rainwater goods including gutters and downpipes·        All fixings and accessories  Building Location:·        Fareham

Transforming your child's school environment is truly amazing! Imagine a place where learning and play come together, where education expands beyond the classroom walls into inviting open spaces. We, alongside our partners, strive to bring this vision to life.Creating safe and modern school environmentsEnvision your child in a modernized school setting designed not only for learning but also for inspiring play. Picture them exploring, engaging, and growing in this enriched environment.This primary school reconstruction project in Slovenia was led by our local channel partner, Igras Igrala. It is a testament to our successful track record in creating high-quality, safe spaces for children. Our philosophy revolves around crafting modern school environments that promote well-being through inclusive and inspiring play experiences.We are fully committed to working collaboratively to turn this vision into reality because we firmly believe that every child deserves an exceptional place to learn and play. Let's come together and shape tomorrow's learning environments today!

Holland Park Villas has set a new benchmark for quality in the super-prime central London residential development market. Unparalleled interior finishes combined with exceptional landscapes to show what a truly world-class team can deliver.On arrival, an impressive 30 year old Acer Palmatum tree takes centre stage. Granite paving, hornbeam trees, ornamental planting and a water wall further add to this sense of elegance and quality.This level of quality and attention to detail continues to areas not easily seen by the new tenants. Around 13,200 m2 of Soundis High density dry screed panels able to span between joists were installed by our installation partner UK Acoustic Systems as a raised access floor system. Chosen primarily for the ease of maintenance and future extensions of the underfloor network, the system is also an integral part of the underfloor heating system.Not only does this system demonstrate its practical heating properties, but the new apartments will also benefit from the pleasant acoustic characteristics provided from the floor system.

Work was undertaken at Ringside House in order to convert the building from offices into 46 luxury one and two bedroom apartments.Acoustics are vital for maintaining comfort in private residences, particularly in multi-level apartment buildings with numerous occupants, due to the noise being passed between floors and walls.Soundis along with our installation partner UK Acoustic Systems were brought in by the main contractor PDR Construction to provide 2,862m2 of acoustic flooring. After site visits, we agreed to use one of our Soundis Cradle & Batten Systems, as this system provides excellent impact and airborne noise reduction capabilities, can be used to level out uneven floors, creates an underfloor void for utilities such as piping/ wiring and even underfloor heating. Our Cradle and Risers are manufactured from 100% recycled materials assisting to the sustainability targets of projects. After the project completion, we successfully achieved our goal of providing an excellent flooring solution, which could create a peaceful environment and improve the acoustics within the building, helping add value to the luxury apartments.

Whitethorn Village is an attractive residential scheme positioned adjacent to the centre of Naas. The contemporary development led by Cairn Homes PLC includes a mix of spacious family homes and two apartment buildings. These comfortable, sustainable residences offer the very best in terms of quality and energy efficiency.Developer Cairn Homes collaborated with Horizon Offsite to deliver the impressive 5-storey residential blocks in Whitethorn Village, benefiting from off-site fabrication, accuracy, and rapid completion within a tightly controlled cost plan.The apartments were constructed using an offsite fabricated light gauge steel (LGS) structural system. The external LGS wall panels and floor decking used in this system incorporated a number of Partel’s low carbon building envelope solutions. This included the advanced fire rated components EXOPERM MONO DURO 200 breather membrane and ECHOSEAL ALU FR airtight and windtight tape, the multi-purpose adhesive VERBOND, and also the phA Class Passive House Certified components IZOPERM PLUS vapour control layer and VARA SEAL smart airtight tape.

Project DescriptionThe capital of Austria, Vienna, is home to one of the country's most powerful structures: The parliament building from the 19th century comprises the seat of the two chambers of parliament, the National Council as well as the Federal Council of the Republic of Austria.As part of the general renovation of the historic building complex on Vienna's Ringstrasse, Lindner GmbH was involved in the construction project with numerous products and services. In addition to the repair of damage to the building fabric, the main objective was the general modernization of the property within the framework of the preservation of historical monuments. The combination of Lindner's modern hollow floor system FLOOR and more® and the historic overlay therefore met all the requirements. In order to continue to preserve the classic look of the wall and ceiling surfaces, the entire building services were installed in the access floor - completely in line with the maxim of sustainability.Completed Works:Floors:Calcium sulphate panels                         - FLOOR and more® comfort                - FLOOR and more®Cement fibre panels:                               - HYDRO comfortCeilings:Heated and Chilled Plasterboard Ceilings-Plafotherm® GK HEKDA®Insulation Engineering

Altro brings all things bright and beautiful to children’s hospiceIssueHaven House Children’s Hospice in Woodford Green, Essex, provides the highest level of respite and palliative care to families and young people from birth to 19 years old who have life-limiting or life-threatening conditions.In the hospice children benefit from a range of play activities, as well as day and overnight stays. They also have access to music therapy, aquatic physiotherapy, physiotherapy and therapeutic yoga.ApproachHaven House interiors needed to be hard-wearing and functional, because a lot of areas are clinical spaces. Altro was recommended by Great Ormond Street Hospital.A visit to Altro’s offices at Letchworth proved to be inspiration for the design scheme at Haven House.SolutionThe brightest and boldest Altro floor and wall products have been used, with rainbow staircases and cleverly colour zoned areas making the facility strikingly beautiful inside and out.A few months after the refurbishment, the feedback from children, staff and visitors to their new colourful environment at Haven House has been overwhelming.

The hospitality industry has been hit hard by the pandemic as visitors, for obvious reasons, have been conspicuous by their absence. Hotel Savoy in Luleå took advantage of the situation by completely renovating the hotel’s restaurant with new surfaces, design and furnishings.The old brick wall in the interior of the restaurant had taken its toll. In order to find a new material that would fit in, they looked for a wooden panel that could also contribute to a better atmosphere in the form of an acoustic absorbing solution. But finding such a product that would also meet the fire requirements of the premises was not the easiest thing to do.We at Gustafs received the request at the same time as we were working on the development of our new product, Lamellow+. In short, the Lamellow panels delivered to the Hotel Savoy in Luleå became a pilot project for the product. The panels installed in the restaurant are made of American Oak wood veneer with a grey gypsum core and Wool grey acoustic felt – a combination that feels natural and minimises the contrasts in the product. The panel was also approved by the fire engineers working on the project, thanks to the natural fire protection provided by the reinforced fibreboard.

Travel to London Luton Airport (LLA) is being made easier, faster and greener with the development of the DART people mover.And the final journey between shuttle stop and airport terminal is via a covered walkway designed, manufactured and installed by Broxap.The walkway complements a series of canopies we created for the airport in 2019 as part of a bus and coach station upgrade.Together the DART (Direct-Air-Rail-Transit) system and bus services are designed to encourage more people to leave their cars behind when flying from LLA as well as offer sustainable travel options to employees.The 150-metre bespoke walkway guiding passengers to the terminal from the DART station is based on Broxap’s flagship ‘Newcastle’ design.The freestanding walkway features clear multi-wall polycarbonate cladding and is an essential element in the passenger journey, forming the final connection between ground transportation and the boarding of aircraft.A bespoke Hartcliffe Cantilever Shelter has also been made for the DART building to form a covered entrance area.Testing of the shuttle system is now underway with an announcement on its opening due in early 2023.

The indoor and outdoor spaces of the Vechiul Cazinou in Arad are dressed elegantly by the refined beauty of porcelain tiles for public spaces from Atlas Concorde. Learn more.Built as a promenade and event venue for the aristocracy of the time, the splendid Vechiul Cazinou in Arad represents the history of a building that to this day is a centre for social and cultural events. Following renovations that transformed the structure into a luxury event venue, the Vechiul Cazinou is for all intents and purposes a mix of ancient and modern where the exterior grandeur is matched by a refined interior beauty in sync with today's interior design trends. In this context, Atlas Concorde ceramic surfaces with their various looks were selected to decorate some of the interior and exterior spaces of the prestigious building, bringing a breath of modernity blended with timeless elegance. Floor tiles, wall tiles and furnishing accessories made with marble-effect porcelain create sensations of luxury, hospitality and enjoyment within the building. Featuring a combination of elegant Italian marble in neutral tones and bold colours, marble-effect tiles have created a universe of style with unlimited potential and a wide variety of uses. The beauty and aesthetic refinement of the indoor spaces is also extended to the outdoor spaces where stone-effect and concrete-effect  porcelain tiles adorn the outdoor ventilated facade, the parking area, and the evocative terrace. The exterior ventilated facade, made using stone-look porcelain tiles, replicates and reworks the authentic appeal of the most popular and sought-after limestones, recounting the stories of ancient times and places. The choice of porcelain tiles for the ventilated facade was an ideal solution in terms of appearance and performance because it is a material capable of aesthetically enhancing the structure, ensuring harmony with the external environment, and at the same time maintaining the high level of technical performance necessary for design purposes. Together with the stone-effect surfaces, concrete-effect porcelain tiles complete the decoration of the outdoors, giving them the warmth of a lived-in space, the authenticity of places that are born to a new life, and the understated elegance of industrial recovery. The result is a minimalist ambiance but one with a strong aesthetic personality capable of conveying a sense of feeling at home even in a public space. The mix of textures used on the floors and walls of the prestigious event venue in Arad once again confirm that Atlas Concorde porcelain tiles are the right choice for spaces intended for public use. In fact, porcelain surfaces are the ideal choice for high-traffic spaces because they combine technical functionality and beauty, ensuring a durable, safe material.

Developer Manchester Life is transforming the residential market in the city of Manchester and Senior Architectural Systems is proud to have partnered with them to create a number of apartment schemes including Cotton Field Wharf, Weavers Quay and New Little Mill. Lampwick Quay is the fourth and most recent project to have been undertaken by Senior as part of this successful repeat business relationship.Located in Manchester’s thriving new community in Ancoats, the new Lampwick Quay development comprises 213 apartments across three blocks of five, six and ten-storeys, with ground floor retail units and communal facilities including a gym and residents club room. A mix of Senior’s aluminium windows, commercial doors and curtain wall solutions have been used extensively throughout the development and installed by supply chain partner Aire Valley Architectural Aluminium for main contractor John Sisk & Son Ltd.To help reduce heat loss and energy costs, Senior’s low U value and Part L compliant PURe® aluminium casement windows have been installed to each of the apartments to create a comfortable living space. The stylish window system also provides the perfect frame for the development’s views of Manchester’s New Islington Marina.Energy-efficiency has also been addressed in the communal, retail and ground floor areas through the use of Senior’s thermally-enhanced SF52 aluminium curtain wall system which maximises the controlled use of use of natural light.To meet the scheme’s stringent safety and security requirements, Senior’s robust SPW501 aluminium commercial doors were installed to the main entrance and exit points. The SPW501 commercial door system is ideally suited to high pedestrian use and meets the requirements of Secured By Design. Key elements of the fenestration package have also been designed to work as part of the scheme’s overall passive fire protection strategy, with the use of Senior’s SPW600 automatic opening ventilation (AOV) aluminium windows in the communal areas and stairwells. Although visually similar to Senior’s popular SPW600 system, these AOV windows are fitted with a smart actuator which allows for quick and automatic ventilation in the event of a fire, helping to remove smoke from the air.The development’s low pitch sawtooth roof design pays homage the area’s industrial heritage, with the slim aluminium frames of the fenestration package further complementing the main façade of zinc cladding, brick and coloured panels. Initially designed by CallisonRTKL, the Lampwick Quay development was delivered by jmarchitects.

When MCR Property Group purchased Unity Square in Liverpool, a £17m partially built student living scheme, it wanted to complete the project as quickly as possible.The specification required a non-combustible insulation solution that complied with building regulations for the acoustic insulation of internal walls and separating floors. The company needed a large quantity of insulation delivered within a very short lead time to coincide with the period when hired vehicles would be on site. With this in mind, Knauf Insulation suggested Rocksilk® Flexible Slab, its multi-purpose Rock Mineral Wool insulation.Designed for use in a wide variety of applications including internal walls, floors and partitions, and separating floors, and with excellent thermal performance, Rocksilk® Flexible Slab exceeded the specification requirements. Furthermore, Rocksilk® Flexible Slab has a non-combustible Euroclass A1 reaction to fire classification, making it suitable for internal use on residential dwelling buildings over 18m tall as outlined in the recent changes to Approved Document B.As well as thermal and fire performance, Rocksilk® Flexible Slab has excellent sound absorption properties, providing high levels of sound insulation. As a result, the installation of the product in the 204 bedrooms and 36 studio flats will make life much more comfortable for the students living on the campus.Rocksilk® Flexible Slab is manufactured with ECOSE® Technology, Knauf Insulation’s unique bio-based binder that contains no added formaldehyde or phenol. Products made with ECOSE® Technology generate low levels of dust and VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and have been awarded Eurofins Indoor Air Comfort (Gold) certification.Builders’ merchant, Selco Ardwick in Manchester, supplied Rocksilk® Flexible Slab direct to site. In total, 32 pallets were used, equating to nearly 3,500m2 of insulation.For ease of installation, Rocksilk® Flexible Slab features a flexible edge which is designed to optimise friction fitting between studs, joists and rafters. MCR Property Group team found that its flexible edge combined with its lightweight design made the product much easier to install than alternative Rock Mineral Wool insulation they had used previously.Thanks to Knauf Insulation’s speed of delivery, MCR Property Group was able to keep to a tight schedule that saw Unity Square open its doors in September in time for the start of the academic year. And while most of the students probably won’t give a second thought to the insulation, they will enjoy their safer, warmer and quieter new homes!

Transforming a run-down pub into a sleek, modern restaurant and bar was made all the easier with the latest Dulux Trade ScuffShield Matt. With its unique formulation and ultimate scuff resistant technology, it’s perfect for maintaining that crisp, just painted look for longer. Paul Schofield Managing director of PA Schofield Ltd explained: “New Dulux Trade ScuffShield Matt is a great product that really works. It has really good application and absolutely no flashing at all. The clients are over the moon with the finish and durability of the product, and so are we. We will use it again without question.” As director of PA Schofield Ltd, based in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, Paul was given complete responsibility for conceiving and implementing all design decisions. For his starting point, Paul paired statement wallpapers with contemporary floor finishes. He complimented the wallpaper through a colour scheme that combined colours such as Coyote Grey, Perfectly Taupe and Winter Avenue. Ceilings were painted in Dulux Trade Vinyl Matt, while Dulux Trade Satinwood was used on the trim and Dulux Trade ScuffShield Matt on the walls, along with Dulux Trade Diamond Matt in some areas. Dulux Trade ScuffShield Matt is an ultra-tough formulation, designed to cope with the scuffs and everyday wear and tear of busy commercial spaces. And he identified a number of benefits from using it on the project, explaining: “It flowed really well on rollers and brushes and left an excellent finish overall. “And there was no flashing or colour difference from roller to cutting in. “It’s really brilliant for touching in, too. We’d often have to redo entire walls as spots we’d touched in stood out like a sore thumb, but there was none of that with the new Dulux Trade ScuffShield Matt.” Paul was supported on the project by Lee Crossland, Leeds and Yorkshire Technical Support Manager for Dulux Decorator Centre 360. Lee said: “I’d heard PA Schofields was about to start work on the high-end restaurant conversion so got in contact with Paul to let him know about our new product that would be perfect for him. “I talked Paul through the benefits of Dulux Trade ScuffShield Matt and that the appearance of the finish would be an ideal fit for the design he was looking to achieve, while explaining how the improved durability would allow the restaurant to look better for longer. From start to finish the process took 18 months. And Paul has been checking in to see how the Dulux Trade ScuffShield Matt has been performing. He added: “The clients are very happy that the paint cleaned easily without removing the paint from the plaster substrate. For more information visit: https://www.duluxtradepaintexpert.co.uk/content/scuffshield

BackgroundThe owner and operator of a luxury retirement village in Warwickshire approached Hush Acoustics to improve the acoustic comfort in its main social area after feedback from residents raised concerns about excessive background noise.Lime Tree Village at Dunchurch features a superbly equipped bar and sun room as part of its extensive range of facilities, where residents can relax and socialise. Despite it being a relatively new development, the managers of the complex were receiving feedback from residents that the quality and useability of these rooms was being seriously affected by excessive background noise and sound echoing.Tackling the issue Keen to resolve the situation, the site’s managers approached Hush Acoustics for assistance. Step one was for Hush to visit the site and undertake an extensive survey of Lime Tree Village’s affected spaces – the sun room and the adjoining bar. The acoustic survey carried out by Hush at Lime Tree Village quickly revealed the cause of the background noise issue – common types of reflective, hard surfaces such as plastered walls and wooden furniture were indeed responsible for reverberating sound back into the room. And it was immediately evident that users of the spaces were having to do what most people do in rooms affected in this way – increase their level of speech to try and be heard, which means the issue spirals as everyone attempts to speak over the growing background noise.The solutionThe reverberation solution provided by Hush centres on its Hush Absorber 50 sound absorber panels, which are designed to be strategically mounted on walls or ceilings inside rooms affected by excess background noise. The absorber panels are Class A for the highest sound absorption performance, formed of a 50mm thick acoustic foam which is hand finished in a high quality fabric applied on the face, edges and back.After the site visit, the Hush team were able to calculate how many panels were needed to control the issue and where they would be mounted. A report was prepared for the retirement village managers with a quotation for the supply and installation of the panels recommended and Hush was commissioned to deliver the solution in November 2022. Installation of the Hush Absorber panels was completed in just one day which meant very minimal disruption to the facilities and the improvements were noticed immediately.Client feedbackA representative from Lime Tree Village said:“We always aim to create the best quality environment for our residents, so we are delighted that Hush Acoustics has been able to respond quickly to deliver an effective solution for our sun room and bar. From the initial enquiry to their recommendations and installation service, the process has been professionally managed throughout, and our staff and residents are delighted with the results.”

This surreal manor house has been converted with the help of five bespoke Ridgeglaze rooflights from Glazing Vision, to provide a constant flow of natural daylight throughout this new renovation.This secluded manor house in Mawgan Porth near Newquay involved a combination of new-build and refurbishment to help create a special property with interlinked courtyards. Gardens and entertaining spaces that reconnected this house with its rural location.A property which had lost much of its character due to previous poor-quality extensions and renovations was in desperate need of an overhaul and some true care and attention to help provide the clients with a home they could cherish.CSA Architects were entrusted with this mammoth task and working closely with builders P Chapman Construction they have been able to capture the true identity of the property and its marvellous countryside surroundings.From the point of arrival, the driveway leads guests to a grand entrance hall, that seamlessly links the original house and the new buildings, whilst also connecting directly to the surrounding landscaped gardens.Renovating the original house to provide guest accommodation that is both cosy and functional, the extensions have created large open plan living and dining spaces, a sitting room, games room, and functional boot room.The use of 5 multi-part Ridgeglaze rooflights from Glazing Vision add an abundance of natural daylight throughout this new renovation.Providing the perfect addition to the apex roof line, allowing glazing on both returns, and in keeping with the juxtaposition of rustic and contemporary which is almost flaunted throughout the home.Given the history of the building, double glazed rooflights were used with a low e coating for maximum thermal performance. The low e coating on the glass allows most of the visible light to pass through as well as the short-wave heat energy but blocks long wave energy from passing through. This ensures the heat from inside the building is reflected, back into the room, and so heat losses are significantly reduced.Throughout the property, unique characters have been retained but with carefully selected improvements to emphasise the potential within the property. The rustic stone floor and extensive areas of Crittall-style glazing sit against the original stone wall of the house and form part of a rich palette of high-quality materials. The use of reclaimed wood cladding, brick walls and oak beams are brought together around an exposed steel structure that define the main living spaces.

You’ve likely seen the work of Charlie Davis amongst the pages of your favourite home renovation magazines. A Sussex-based Freelance Stylist specialising in interiors, Charlie has more recently turned her attention to the renovation of a double-fronted Victorian property. This outstanding example of 19th Century architecture will become a Location House, which with Charlie’s creative vision will be available for hire for photo shoots, tv, film and events.The spare room of the house was to become the perfect photography backdrop, reminiscent of perfectly imperfect Venetian plaster. The walls and cornicing would be decorated to replicate a historic limewash finish, a trend we continue to see grow in popularity.Charlie spoke with Amie Paxton, Technical Sales Advisor for KEIM Mineral Paints, on how to create the perfect finish. With just a handful of inspiration photographs, Amie produced a selection of sample boards combining award-winning KEIM Innostar with KEIM Restauro Lasur, a colourwash similar in appearance to limewash and just as breathable but composed of mineral pigments and potassium silicate for a permanent chemical bond.Charlie opted for KEIM Innostar 9314 with KEIM Restauro Lasur 9529 for the walls and KEIM Innostar 9255 with KEIM Restauro Lasur 9249 for the decorative cornice, commenting on receipt of the mock ups; “the samples look absolutely gorgeous, they are just what we wanted.”Armed with KEIM’s Oval Brush and with minimum application guidance, Charlie created an authentic looking and elegant limewash finish throughout the spare room of her Location House, available to hire via 07.crescent_locationhouse on Instagram.The process of creating a limewash finish onto any interior mineral substrate, whether previously painted or bare, is much easier than you may think and can be as simple as just two coats of paint. If you’re inspired to create your own serene space or would like further information, contact Amie Paxton via sales@keimpaints.co.ukCharlie commented “we have finally finished the room with your products and it looks incredible! I have already had people ask about it and I have referred them to you. It is exactly what I was hoping for and looks so incredibly stylish! Thank you.”The exterior of the property was also decorated using KEIM Paints. KEIM Fixativ was applied onto the lime render, followed by KEIM Soldalit Grob to equalise textural differences from the lime patch repairs. KEIM Soldalit-ME 9197 and AG71 was chosen for this Victorian property, including the porch and mouldings.  

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

OverviewKEA Dublin is a 2787m² shopping centre in Ballymun Ireland which required a full smoke ventilation system from Powrmatic.Project BackgroundIKEA Dublin is 30,000 square-foot shopping centre in Ballymun Ireland which required a full smoke ventilation system from Powrmatic.Project SolutionPowrmatic supplied 73 Roof Opensky smoke ventilators to the new IKEA store in Dublin. Specified and installed by Air Design Systems Ltd, the installation is providing full smoke ventilation to five separate areas within the store.The second area is the show room and café which were naturally ventilated by louvred ventilators and split into zones using a fixed smoke curtain. A similar approach was taken with the self-serve warehouse and checkout area, which was also naturally ventilated using louvred ventilators and fixed smoke curtains. Polycarbonate blades are used on the louvred ventilators to allow natural light to enter the spaces. Additionally, the escape staircases were ventilated using louvred ventilators at the head of the stairs and a local control panel with an emergency break glass.Project Result“We were involved from the very early in the design stages of the project, using our knowledge and experience of installations within other IKEA stores and warehouses to engineer a suitable, cost-effective solution,” recalled  Air Design Systems Ltd Director Alan Clare.“Within these works we have had to include for three separate main control panels, all electrical wiring run in fire-protected cable, local control panels with emergency break glasses and a mimic control panel linking all smoke ventilation zones. We also provided rain sensors, roof access hatches, and head of lift shaft cowls,” he added.Due to the success of the project, there was a requirement within a year of opening to extend the warehouse area. Air Design Systems Ltd was awarded the sub-contract to extend the system into the new space and link back to the existing control system. In total, a further 14 Powrmatic ventilators were installed in the warehouse roof & walls and at the head of the two additional emergency staircases.Powrmatic’s Roof Opensky ventilators are attractive, low-profile units that have been specifically designed for both smoke and heat exhaust and natural ventilation applications. The Opensky can be roof or wall mounted for exhaust or inlet and can be supplied with a hinged base for use as an access hatch. They are tested for use as smoke ventilators to BS EN 12101-2.

Inspiration: Royal Holloway UniversityProduct: Gustafs Panel SystemArchitect: Associated ArchitectsInstaller: Rosguill Developments LtdProduct: Gustafs Panel System for Walls and CeilingsSpecification: Natural and Pigmented Oak and Stained Ash Veneer SM5 PerforationsQuantity: 4,000m2LSA Projects Ltd are pleased to share with you our case study of Gustafs Panel System at Royal Holloway University which was installed in addition to 2,000m2 of Linear Ribs.Alongside an abundance of books and other historical and academic literature the library was designed with student life in mind with a wealth of quiet, individual, and group study space in addition to informal social breakout spaces looking out over the founders square.The statement library is part of a bigger expansion and improvement project for the Top 25 University; beginning with the Emily Wilding Davison library in 2017 the University has recently opened The Beatrice Shilling Building for Electronic Engineering and new Music and Media facilities are planned for the near future.Sold exclusively in the UK by LSA Projects Ltd, Gustafs Panel System is the leading product on the global market for timber veneered (as well as painted and metal or laminate faced) panels and acoustic panels. The panel system has a recommended 50 Year Design Life and a track record in the UK alone of 20 year old projects (and counting) owing to the unique solid panel base provided by the gypsum particleboard which eliminates the risk of panels moving and warping over time as you would expect to see with a solid timber or MDF cored product. The panels are also completely non-combustible achieving Euroclass A2,s1-d0 for Fire Resistance (exceeding the criteria for Class 0) for the whole product build-up from the paper panel backing to the facing veneer and lacquer.Across the space 3 different timber finishes were specified to the project: white washed Oak, natural Oak and black stained Ash. The range of timbers helps to add to the depth and texture of the material and to break-up the finish between spaces and floors whist keeping a consistent theme across the library’s cladding. A mixture of plain and SM5 mini slotted acoustic panels were used to give some acoustic absorption to the atrium space, SM5 perforations mini slot perforations at 5mm x 20mm provide 15% open area and achieve acoustic class C which is perfect for light acoustic control across all frequencies.In addition to the traditional wall and ceiling Gustafs cladding, panels were used to cover pillars and beams within the library. Each piece was made to measure at the factory to ensure a perfect fit using Gustaf’s unique CAPAX profile system for invisible installation.

Background Opened in 1955, Stinchcombe Village Hall has been at the heart of the community in the Gloucestershire village for decades, and it continues to thrive thanks to the dedication of a group of local residents and regular users. An active programme ensures the hall is regularly used for a whole host of activities, classes, clubs, and events for residents, maintaining its original mission to provide a facility that supports physical and mental wellbeing, training and recreation.The committee works to ensure the village hall’s facilities are maintained to a high standard. The hall features dimmable lighting, a stage with seating area, kitchen; and toilets accessible to disabled users, plus another meeting room known as the ‘Committee Room. Over the years Stinchcombe Village Hall has benefited from various upgrading projects, including in recent times improved heating and energy efficient lighting throughout. However, the committee are constantly looking at how they can improve things further, including acoustics.ProblemCharlie Oakhill, Chairman of Stinchcombe Village Hall, approached acoustic specialists Sound Reduction Systems (SRS) to explore the potential for reducing excessive reverberation within the hall during use. The committee had taken the initiative prior to contacting SRS by completing and submitting SRS’s online 3 Step Estimator Form.They wanted to take action to make the hall more acoustically comfortable during regular activities. Users often found it difficult to hear speech and music easily because of the high levels of ambient noise that developed, particularly during performances and busy activities.SolutionUpon receiving key information about Stinchcombe Village Hall, including the dimensions, surface finishes and photographs of the ceiling and walls, SRS were able to input this data into their Sonata acoustic modelling software. This was able to evaluate the existing acoustic performance of the room and specify exactly how much Sonata Class A sound absorption would be required to solve the issue.The Stinchcombe Village Hall committee were then presented with a report detailing predicted before and after performance and a budget estimate for the treatment. Once this had been approved, the next step was for an SRS technical advisor to visit the hall and carry out a dimensional survey to confirm the specification and quote.SRS Sonata Aurio absorbers are a practical and cost effective way to control reverberation inside buildings like this village hall where there are a lot of hard surfaces. The panels comprise a technical, non-shedding, acoustic foam with an acoustically transparent fabric finish to the face and sides. They are easy and quick to install and can be directly bonded to walls and ceilings, and because they are robust, they are perfect for gyms, sports halls or anywhere where ball strikes may occur.Results The site survey was carried out by SRS Director, Alex Docherty. He said:“The presence of hard, acoustically reflective surfaces and lack of soft furnishings was creating a high level of reverberation and echo. This was creating an environment that wasn’t ideal for many activities undertaken within the hall and making speech intelligibility particularly poor. Once the details of the hall had been entered into the SRS computer prediction programme, it showed an estimated mid-frequency reverberation time (Tmf) of 3.73s – way higher than the recommended value of <1.5s for a room of this usage.”After the quotation was approved by the committee, approximately 52m2 of class A Sonata Aurio acoustic panels were installed to the walls and ceiling within the hall, with fantastic results.Client feedbackFollowing completion of the installation, Charlie Oakhill, Chairman of Stinchcombe Village Hall commented:“Thank you for completing the acoustics promptly and a very tidy job. The panels have made a tremendous difference in our hall and I am sure we will get a lot of positive feedback from our users.“Jed the installer did a great job and left everything neat and tidy, he is a credit to SRS. Thanks again and finally we are happy to speak to any potential customers and also happy if they want to come and have a look and a listen.”Products used·       Sonata Aurio panels

Architects Gradolí & Sanz designed Imagine Montessori School in Paterna, Valencia with a brief to minimise energy use throughout the lifespan of the building. As a result, the school is the first in Spain to achieve both BREEAM Excellent and GREEN 4 Leaves. Set within a pine forest, accessed through wooden walkways, the school forms a connection with nature at every level. In classrooms where learning zones are accessed freely by the children, the use of timber on both walls and floors sustain the relationship with nature and acts as a peaceful, unifying backdrop. Junckers’ Oak Variation two-strip flooring was matched by wood panelling in pine. The building makes use of building materials with the lowest ecological footprint. The design and carefully selected materials have enabled an energy saving of 70% being achieved compared to similar buildings. Wood, a material with a low carbon footprint, is used in the structure of the building, in the roof panel as well as in interior and exterior enclosures. All Junckers solid wood floors are FSC® and PEFC™ certified and we have recently completed EPDs for all our floors, providing data in relation to the environmental impact of the manufacture of our flooring. 

THE PROJECTThe Great Minster House project is a high-end residence that features a freestanding bank of H1 lateral mailboxes. The mailboxes were fitted onto a bespoke table support created specifically for the project. Once mounted upon the table, the mailboxes were back-fixed to the rear wall to maximise stability and security of the items.The mailboxes were designed in conjunction with the project architects to ensure the style and design of the mailboxes chosen was the most appropriate for the project.The mailboxes used in this project feature engraving which has been centralised on the front opening door. The engraving has been filled with a gold colour finish which matches the brass locks used on the mailboxes. The engraving identifies each mailbox using incremental numbering, allowing the residents and postal delivery workers to easily find the specific mailbox required.The mailboxes were finished in a bespoke ‘Bitter Chocolate – Matt’ finish (Product code BS 08B29) to meet the specific branding guidelines set out for the project. The Safety Letterbox Company offer a range of RAL colours as standard at no extra cost, but can supply any RAL colour or BS finish at an additional cost.

In the picturesque Wachau Valley, among numerous vintage taverns and art galleries, lies the city of Krems an der Donau, an ancient town on the Danube that enjoys an exclusive natural landscape surrounded by greenery.A short walk from the city centre, nestled among the surrounding vineyards, the Steigenberger Hotel and Spa offers guests a warm welcome with a modern style where they can breathe in a calm ambiance with relaxing views of the old town of Krems or the Danube Valley. In this setting suspended somewhere between tradition and the search for contemporary style, the elegance and practicality of Atlas Concorde products stand out in some indoor areas of the building. Realism, simplicity, and technical performance: the strength of a natural material inspired by stone covers the walls of the rooms in a warm shade, creating a strong yet natural and welcoming atmosphere. Veins, shading, and inclusions of materials offer a contemporary design, creating a synergy between reliability and beauty. On the other hand, the interpretation of the concrete effect in a ceramic material creates the perfect background to experience moments of relaxation in the suites and the spa. Original decorations and elegant porcelain surfaces embellish these spaces, the floors and tiles interacting in perfect chromatic harmony.

Buildable"Glass Fibre Concrete (GRC) was identified early on as the ideal material for the project to achieve the desired civic aesthetic but also to avoid adding significant stress to the existing structure." - Nat Keast, Associate, Wilkinson-Eyre.DesignableThe project is an AJ Retrofit Higher Education & Campus Award 2023.The lightweight, three-dimensional GRC cladding panels featuring a stylisation of LSBU’s “sail” emblem give the building a welcoming, civic quality."We worked closely with subcontractor Tellings during the design phase to develop the three-dimensional panels, as well as vertical slats and horizontal bands. Alongside the 100% white bromo brick with white grout used for the existing concrete stair cores and shear walls, GRC helped change the perception of the building."We had to fight hard to keep the GRC through various value engineering exercises, but the university supported us and was able to appreciate the impact of the new facade." - Nat Keast, Associate, Wilkinson-Eyre.SustainableThe building has received a very good BREEAM rating and by retaining the existing structure, total embodied carbon is half of the RIBA 2030 Climate Challenge target benchmark.

A stunning design by architects Townscape, Peter O’Sullevan House is located at the front entrance of the British Racing School in Newmarket. It provides the horse racing community in East Anglia with a local specialist facility for treatment and training. The facility incorporates a hydrotherapy pool, gymnasium, treatment rooms, changing rooms, conference room, offices and meeting rooms. Forza Doors supplied high dB acoustic American White Oak veneer fire doors and solid American White Oak frames as well as Class 0 spread of flame fire-rated wall cladding panels. All the veneers were laid horizontally to match perfectly down the length of the corridors and open spaces. The feature grooves embedded into the doors provide a smart contemporary look and align with the adjacent panels.  As this innovative building needed a high level of internal finishes and fittings throughout, the contractor RG Carter chose Forza Doors. Just one of several jockey rehab centres we have had the privilege to supply in recent times. Consisting of open plan areas, treatment rooms and hydrotherapy zones, the finished project looks stunning.  

Over the years ESCREO has realised many projects together with Cachè Atelier - a leading architectural and interior design studio, to make office spaces more productive and more creative. Cachè Atelier have realised a number of sustainable and creative office fit out and refurbishment projects in their own distinctive style. Depending on the specific needs of each company, they have been making use of ESCREO whiteboard paint, ESCREO clear whiteboard paint and ESCREO magnetic whiteboard paint in their interior design projects. We are glad that we are their trusted partner as well as that ESCREO whiteboard paint products have been best serving their needs when it comes to writable surfaces in office fit out and refurbishment projects. If you are interested in learning why they choose ESCREO writable walls for their interior design projects and what ESCREO brings them you can read the full interview with them on our website. You will also learn how together we create office spaces specific to each company, to accommodate and serve their true needs rather than creating universal office spaces that work for all clients.

Project: Cast GRC concrete bespoke floating steps and concrete tiles for private residence in CobhamMaterials used: GRC concrete with hydrophobic agent and stain proof finishThe Living Concrete team were commissioned to design and create 180 square metres of large format exterior concrete tiles to surround the pool area, patio and paths of an exclusive private residence in Cobham.Working closely with the client, we drew up plans which also involved a cascade of floating steps to create seamless access on what was quite a difficult tiered site. Having assessed all the practical and logistical issues, we worked out a tight schedule of measuring, landscaping, pre-cast and on-site casting and, finally, staged installation of all the elementsas well as laying the pool area and surrounds, we undertook on-site casting of fair-faced concrete garden walls in our Storm-coloured plain Rough finish.This project had many challenges in its design and execution and covered a large external area on different levels incorporating very heavy concrete elements – creating this stunning feature.

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