"water meters"

Architect: Faulkner Browns ArchitectsInstaller: Topfix InteriorsProduct: ‘Shiluvit’ by Oranit1000m2 of PEFC Certified Shiluvit panels from Oranit were installed to the ceilings of the swimming pool and gym areas at the new sports facility St John’s School in Leatherhead.Faulkner Brown Architects specified Yellow Pine panels with a white stain for the space, choosing 7-502 modules with 22mm wide by 45mm deep blades with 40mm gaps for impressive acoustic control.Oranit is a specialist ceiling solutions suitable for most installation areas. As standard it is impregnated for Euroclass B,s2-d0 for resistance to fire, achieving top results against surface spread of flames, smoke production, and flaming droplets or structural integrity in case of fire.Additionally for this installation the panels were lacquered for humidity resistance, this treatment provides additional protection to the wood against water damage and can also be used for panels being installed outside.

World renowned architects, Foster + Partners, have a new galley kitchen in their Hester Road studio which features bespoke sinks, surfaces and splashbacks supplied by GEC Anderson.The GEC Anderson fabrications were produced through a series of meetings with the team so as to maximise the very compact space available for the kitchen. The items were delivered direct to site in Battersea for installation by specialist fitters CHC.GEC Anderson create custom engineered solutions to fit any space or specification. In the case of the Foster + Partners studio, stainless steel worktops include integrated sinks as well as cut outs for taps and drip tray. 20mm plain front edges were specified together with the [water tight] integral back upstand. Stainless steel splashbacks were also included.GEC Anderson’s stainless steel kitchen creations offer aesthetics, practicality and the ability to provide an easy to clean, hygienic, highly durable and long lasting environment.

Project BackgroundHoe Bridge School is an independent co-educational pre-prep and prep school in Woking, Surrey. The sports hall had been heated by an old radiant system supplied some 35 years ago. The old system was past economical repair so the school decided to invest in a brand new radiant heating system. Contractor, ABS Ltd had over the years maintained the facility, so the school looked to them for advice on replacement equipment. Powrmatic were approached by ABS Ltd and undertook a thorough survey of the sports hall, with a view of replacing the old system with a new Powrmatic SRP – PCV continuous radiant tube system.Project SolutionAlthough the concept of the new heating system is very similar to the old one, there are sound reasons for the like-for-like type replacement. Radiant heating in sports halls is well established as it provides an environment of uniform heat coverage without stuffiness where sports activities can be performed in complete comfort.The new Powrmatic SRP – PCV continuous radiant tube system comprised two radiant branches, each 22m long, down the length of the hall, each branch containing 2 x PCV 23kW burners, all feeding to a vacuum fan to extract the products of combustion. This arrangement virtually mimicked the original layout to reduce the installation time and costs.Project ResultGas fired continuous radiant tube heating is a proven type product being the most appropriate solution for the challenge presented by sports halls, maintaining comfort levels whilst minimising fuel usage and carbon emissions.The SRP-PCV system combusts fuel at the point of use and has the capability of modulating down to 60% of high fire whilst maintaining efficiency but reducing fuel consumption. The Powrmatic SRP-PCV system is designed and manufactured in accordance with BS EN 17175:2019 for Multi-Burner Systems and incorporates a patented burner metering device.The Powrmatic SRP-PCV & PCV+ systems have been validated following review against government approved high performing energy efficiency criteria, with a Seasonal Space Heating Energy Efficiency (SSHEE) of greater than 90%, thus allowing inclusion onto the ETL (Carbon Trust, Energy Technology List). This high efficiency reduces energy usage, operational costs and carbon emissions.

Dandi Wembley: A new kind of livingWe've been working with architecture and development specialists Dandi Living for 12 years. They wanted a cost effective way of retrofitting a 14-storey office block to accommodate 360 apartments with a hard wearing flooring solution.We've been involved on the York House project from the beginning. Existing floors have been assessed and levelled, and our Impervia White Washed Oak has now been installed.The project, known officially as Dandi Wembley, is located in the heart of North West London. It's designed to offer fully furnished studio and one bed apartments surrounded by elevated communal spaces for socialising, relaxing, working and revitalising. Their aim is to deliver a new kind of city co-living.The benefits of RetrofittingAs part of our commitment to providing the sustainable, safe and healthy choice for waterproof, fireproof, and formaldehyde free flooring, we adopt and promote retrofitting as part of the RetroFirst campaign.Originally developed as a response to the escalating climate crisis, RetroFirst is a campaign led by Architects’ Journal. The campaign’s objectives are simple: to prioritise retrofitting existing buildings over demolishing and rebuilding them.On the York House project, the cost saving of using Impervia®, because of the acoustic back layer and residential warranty of 30 years, was more than 35% of previous estimates.Impervia® is perfect because of its acoustic backing and a rigid core. It will be cleaner than the tiles which will have been professionally cleaned before fitting the Impervia® Flooring.Because there is no movement in the rigid core it means Impervia® can be installed right up to the skirting without the need for any trims. The look will be perfect as if it was the original floor.Floors for residential spaces like homes and hotels require a high level of resistance against mould, dents, water and fire. This is where Impervia® holds its own, boasting a range of features such as water & fire resistance and dent & mould proof.Why White Washed Oak flooring is perfect for residential projectsOur White Washed Oak flooring is finished with a heavy-duty commercial grade wear layer that is waterproof, stain and scratch-resistant. Using patented 5G-i push-fit locking system and built-in acoustic IXPE backing layer which reduces impact sound by 21dB; installation is quick and easy.It can be used with underfloor heating. With no PCPs or Formaldehyde, this rigid stone composite flooring has a textured surface just like real wood with the added advantage of being sustainable and healthy flooring.The white washed Impervia Oak floor creates a warm spacious feel for the apartments, so with a 30-year warranty, it's perfect for residential developments like this.If any boards do get badly damaged, they can be easily replaced as Impervia Flooring has its own acoustic backing and uses the latest push fit click system. No adhesives are needed and water spills will not damage the floor as it is waterproof and fireproof.It's available sizes include:1524 x 180 x 6.5mm (5mm plank + 1.5mm IXEP backing) 10 pieces per carton = 2.76 m21524 x 228 x6.5mm (5mm plank + 1.5mm IXEP backing) 6 pieces per carton = 2.086 m2‍1824 x 228 x6.5mm (5mm plank + 1.5mm IXEP backing) 6 pieces per carton = 2.5 m2If you'd like to discuss sustainable, luxury flooring for your next residential project, get in touch with us today!

Royal Winchester HouseComer Homes is renowned for the high quality of its residential and commercial developments, which span London, Hertfordshire, Dorset and throughout the South East. Its latest project is Royal Winchester House, a landmark building of one and two bedroom apartments at the heart of Bracknell's new town centre. As a planning requirement of Bracknell Forest Council, Comer Homes was required to provide a sustainable, low energy form of heating that would offer a reduced carbon footprint, as well as being affordable to run.The SolutionComer Homes specified F730 Exhaust Air Heat Pump systems from NIBE for all 337 apartments on the development to ensure they could meet their renewable targets. The new homes builder employed MKP Consultants Limited to undertake the building services design as they had previous experience of NIBE systems on other apartment developments in the area.The NIBE F730 Exhaust Air Heat Pump system was an ideal solution, as it offers mechanical extract ventilation, alongside heating and hot water in a compact design. The heat pump units were installed in a service cupboard in each apartment, as they have a small footprint of only 0.6m2.NIBE F730 operates by recovering energy from the ventilation air and, if desired, extracted from outdoor air, the heat energy is absorbed by the heat pump using a vapour compression process and subsequently transferred to the water-borne heating system, in this case an underfloor heating system. The integrated 180L domestic hot water cylinder also ensures a plentiful supply for the one- and two-bedroom properties.A sustainable solution, NIBE F730 keeps energy consumption to a minimum. The efficient control system automatically adjusts the indoor climate for maximum comfort for the occupant, using a combination of weather compensated control and the low energy inverter driven compressor.Each apartment is also fitted with a NIBE RMU 40 room controller, to allow greater flexibility of control for users and if required can be easily connected to NIBE’s internet remotely monitoring and control platform UPLINK™.Thanks to this innovative heat pump system, residents at Royal Winchester House are set to benefit from lower energy bills and a reduced carbon footprint.The ResultsThe NIBE F730 system complies with Parts L, F and G of the building regulations, and helps to meet planning requirements designed to reduce energy consumption and carbon footprints within residential housing developments. External noise is kept to a minimum and building aesthetics are unaffected by the need for external plant.TestimonialHead of Projects at Comer Homes, Jack O’Brien explains: “We were looking for a heating and ventilation system that would be both sustainable and affordable to run. We have been impressed with the performance of NIBE’s heat pumps, with their high efficiency, low noise and low running costs further enhancing the sustainability of the whole development.”About Royal Winchester HouseRoyal Winchester House is a landmark building of high specification 1 and 2 bedroom apartments available to rent. The unique design and architecture of Royal Winchester House creates a striking and impressive presence from the ground floor retail spaces up to the luxury penthouse levels.Royal Winchester House has been built for the private rental market and the development is being managed by Chancellors estate agency. The apartments benefit from high standards of insulation and air tightness. In addition to the NIBE heat pumps, the whole development has been fitted with a biodigester for the repurposing of food waste, as part of reducing waste sent to landfill and to add to its sustainability.

The project consisted of two similar flat roof areas totalling 1,100m2 above high-rise residential blocks in a city centre location. The existing roofs were an inverted roof design that had been waterproofed with single-ply that had failed prematurely. Numerous short-term, localised repairs had failed to stop the water ingress and leaks had been a long-term problem.It would have been impractical to remove the tons and tons of ballast and insulation from the top of the high-rise building and it was imperative to the client that removal or replacement works were not involved at all. The specific nature of this project required careful consideration, and so a survey of the roof was arranged.The SolutionA report from an independent consultant commissioned by the client identified a problematic challenge with an overlay option. The existing falls of the roof were assessed to be poor, and so standing water would be an issue for any new waterproof covering. The report concluded that this would reduce the lifespan of an overlay waterproofing system and so was advised against. The client initially thought this to be a stumbling block and that costly and impractical modifications to the roof would need to be made.Having worked with Polyroof on scores of other projects, the client turned to Polyroof Technical Services for a solution that could meet their stringent criteria. Following on from the preliminary discussions, Polyroof’s Technical Services assessed the site, taking core samples and then providing a suitable specification to overlay the roof with the Protec System.The BBA certification of the Protec system specifically covers use for zero falls (completely flat) applications, meaning the client had absolute peace of mind that standing water would not be a detriment to the integrity of the waterproofing system. The client was able to achieve the original objective of an overlay system and benefited from the associated cost and time savings. Furthermore, the BBA certificate states that when used in inverted roof scenarios the lifespan of the Protec system is as long as the design life of the roof.Work was started with J R Flat Roofing, a Polyroof approved contractor with national coverage, moving the ballast and insulation to one-side in four phases of 140m2 at a time, exposing the single-ply membrane to which the Protec system was directly applied.Due to Protec’s rapid cure and walk-on times (30-60 mins dependent on conditions), the system is ideal for larger, phased refurbishment, as specific sections of the roof can be made waterproof with the full Protec system in one day. When carrying out the next section, the new Protec membrane forms a totally seamless and watertight joint to the existing Protec-covered areas.Another objective was to reuse the original inverted insulation and ballast pebbles as this was cost saving and negated the need for the lifting logistics that would have been involved in bringing the ballast to ground level. Additionally, it made the process as environmentally compliant as possible by keeping waste to a minimum. The insulation and pebbles were re-applied in its original format and, due to the weight of the pebbles, was a mammoth task that required three miniveyors to help with the handling. A series of special aluminium breather vents were also fitted down to the concrete slab roof substrate to enable the surface to dry out over a period of 12 months.The whole job was completed in three weeks and the client was delighted with the finished work. With a 20-year insurance back-guarantee and a maintenance-free waterproof membrane that will last as long as the roof stands, the client was once again left with total peace of mind that their buildings could not be better protected.

The market town of Peiting has a little under 12,000 residents. Villa Rustica, a stately Roman estate, shows that settlers were attracted to the current town’s geographical situation on the banks of the Lech as long as 2,000 years ago. Today, tourists and locals alike can find almost unlimited opportunities for physical activity, such as cross country, cycling or hiking tours. In the 40 different areas of the town, there are numerous sports facilities, including an ice rink, bowling alleys, a riding arena, tennis courts, football pitches and fitness trails.At the centrally located Birkenried Sports Centre, we have now replaced the previous tartan track – after an incredible 41 years of intensive use by athletes of the athletics club, TSV Peiting. Rekortan AS GT was installed on the running circuit. In the special colour Chili Red, our water-based spray-coated surface is visually eye-catching too. In one of the sectors, lines have been painted for a small, multifunctional playing field. In the opposite sector, are facilities for long jump and high jump. Our water-permeable Rekortan AS GT fulfils all the requirements for competitive running tracks and multi-purpose facilities, and is a viable alternative to conventional pour-coated running track surfaces, not least because it is quick and easy to install. Another advantage: the innovative multisport surface is yet another environmentally product from the Polytan Green Technology portfolio.A unique highlight of the running circuit track is the installation of Polytan SMART, our high-precision system for professional performance diagnostics. It is primarily used for classic running disciplines in athletics, as well as long jump and high jump. The Polytan SMART system consists of integrated, maintenance-free, magnetic timing gates that are permanently and securely installed in the ground. It is accompanied by a sensor weighing only 15 grams and the tried-and-tested diagnostics software from our partner Humotion. Amateur athletes simply use their smartphone, worn in a running belt on their person, combined with the free Smart Run app. The measurements – such as distance, time, number of steps and step frequency – are evaluated and analysed directly in the app. In Peiting, a total of 38 timing gates have been installed in the track: 18 in the two tracks of the hundred-metre sprinting track, 12 in the running circuit, and 8 in the long jump area. Thanks to digital measurement sensors, the renovated running track in Peiting is one of the most cutting-edge in Bavaria – alongside similar tracks at Augsburg University and TU Munich. There, athletes of the TSV Peiting athletics club can train under professional conditions. The club hopes that the highly modern track will attract young people to athletics and generate enthusiasm for the sport.Directly adjacent to the running circuit is a multifunctional, all-weather pitch, equipped with our durable all-round surface, PolyPlay SE. Its smooth surface and good ball bounce make the single-layer synthetic surface ideal for ball sports and a variety of outdoor activities. Its water-permeability helps the surface dry quickly, while also making it fully slip-resistant. As a result, our synthetic surface can be used year round as an all-weather pitch. Thanks to the colour scheme in bold Chili Red, the multifunctional sports pitch matches the neighbouring running circuit – an eye-catching sight against the scenic backdrop of the nearby Alps.

Of all our refurbishment projects, this one was one of the smoothest in its deployment, and amongst the most exciting & rewarding in its outcome.Lee Valley is a 10,000-acre (40 km2) Regional Park that offers sporting & outdoor activities, as well as the unique opportunity to get close to nature, learning & exploring its natural surroundings, gardens, and nature reserves.The Lee Valley White-Water Centre, officially opened on 9 December 2010 by Anne, Princess Royal, was constructed to host the slalom events during the London 2012 Olympic Games, and still hosts international events, attracting visitors from across the globe. Since 2012, Lee Valley has hosted the World Championships and two World Cups.In 2023, the ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships will attract over 300 of the world's top athletes to the Lee Valley White Water Centre.A local contractor who knew RYNO was impressed by our composite decking, our service & reputation, and introduced us to the project manager of Lee Valley Park Authority.The project was a full refurb of The Terrace which had an ageing & poorly installed wooden decking and a damaged waterproofing membrane that was leaking through to areas underneath. Some of the boards had already been removed to inspect the damage and reveal the extent of the work that needed to be undertaken. Such was the state of the decking that the area had been cordoned off and the café was unable to make use of this space!What was required was a like-for-like replacement aesthetically, which is why we selected & installed our TerraSmart™ Composite system, featuring our Classic Decking Boards, supported by high-load bearing aluminium substructure & RDA-C ‘Clip-on’ Self-levelling Adjustable Decking Pedestal, ideal for terraces subject to high foot traffic.We recommended Valley Provincial as installers who stated: "The TerraSmart decking system was the perfect choice for this project. The system’s ease of installation enabled our site teams to make excellent progress. From pricing through to delivery, Ryno where very supportive and we look forward to installing their decking system on future projects."The entire project was delivered on budget, on time, and, of course, by the deadline for the next event!

Emma House, Romford, a residential apartment block built in 2007, needed a new waterproof membrane for the entire roof area after the single ply membrane, installed just 10 years earlier, had failed. The specification by our clients asked for a cold applied system to be used during the refurbishment to minimise disruption to residents, while providing a permanent waterproofing solution.The ChallengeCore samples taken of the roof build-up showed there had been extensive water penetration which required urgent remedial action. Impossible to repair, the complete roof system had to be stripped back to the roof deck by Proteus Waterproofing’s approved contractor. The approved contractor installed a new Proteus Pro-System® BUR (built up roof system) incorporating Proteus Pro-Therm insulation, to provide a new seamless roof – an area of some 150 square metres – offering a 20 year guarantee.Why Proteus Pro-System® was specifiedProteus Pro-System® was installed using no heat, providing a seamless waterproofing membrane on completion. Proteus Pro-System® is a high performance, seamless and cold-applied waterproofing membrane for flat and pitched roofs. It cures to provide completely seamless waterproof protection and has excellent thermal and UV stability, making it suitable for use in all climates.Proteus Pro-System® does not brittle, deteriorate or discolour with age. It uses atmospheric moisture to trigger its cure process and unlike conventional polyurethane systems can cure under water, without gassing or foaming. It also becomes resistant to rain damage and may therefore be applied in relatively poor weather, without any subsequent loss of performance or durability – making it ideal for Emma House.About Emma HouseEmma House consists of 14 one-bedroom and 19 two-bedroom apartments just minutes away from the centre of the market town of Romford, which offers shops, services and a wealth of bars and restaurants. When first built in 2010, Emma House offered young professionals an opportunity for affordable housing close to London and has remained at the forefront of the property market in Romford ever since.

THE PROJECTRoché were asked with helping refurbish the Critical Care Unit at Aintree University Hospital by providing a suitable shading solution for their critically ill patients who rarely get chance to leave the ward. The project was part of a £35 million development and marked the completion of the project.THE CHALLENGEThe key design concern for the awnings was ease of use as well as keeping the area aesthetically pleasing for patients and visitors.THE SOLUTIONThe Markilux Syncra Uno Flex freestanding awning frame was installed outside the Trust’s Critical Care Unit. This particular solution is used in cases where fixing options are limited with boxes at the base to stabilise the frame. Larger bases were specially designed to create weighted flower boxes for a unique outdoor effect. The Markilux 6000 full cassette awning was then secured onto the frame keeping the fabric completely enclosed when retracted. Grey fabric was chosen to suit the modern aesthetic of the building with the added benefit of UV protection and water resistance.

We have improved the drainage system at this lorry park and service station in this town to the north of London.  The problem was that the drainage system installed in the area did not have sufficient capacity to drain the rainwater, leading to dangerous accumulations of water on the road surface.Service stations and lorry parks have a constant flow of vehicles. There are also some areas where HGVs turn, making it necessary to guarantee the safety of the installation of the channels in order to prevent breakages and accidents.Good advice on your drainage system avoids problems and gives you peace of mind.In these cases, it is essential to have a consultancy service that, taking into account all the necessary parameters (location, rainfall, surface slope, weight to be borne by the grating (load type) and length of the drainage line), defines the model best suited to the site.In this project, 250 ml of Civil-F polymer concrete channels, model F150K, were installed for load type F900. And it has a grating secured at 8 points. It is important for you to know this.

Opened in 1977, Ocean Park is a marine mammal park, oceanarium, animal theme park and amusement park situated in Wong Chuk Hang and Nam Long Shan in the Southern District of Hong Kong.In 2005 they embarked on a HK$5.5 billion development plan that saw it expand to over 80 attractions and rides, and steadily grow visitor numbers, making it the world's 13th most visited theme park, and one of the largest theme parks in Asia.Due to open in 2019, the Hong Kong Ocean Park Marriott Hotel is being built at a cost of $639m. In addition to 471 rooms, the five-star hotel will include a 16m high aquarium in the lobby, lagoons, a ballroom and a rooftop garden. As well as facilities for families attending the park, it will also be equipped to host meetings and conventions. The hotel and water park are part of a plan to transform Ocean Park into an international resort.Lorient supplied DS acoustic, smoke and fire door seal and LVH44 air transfer grilles to the Ocean's Park theme park in Hong Kong.

REQUIREMENT: Able-bodied access to the cabin. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: We quoted and produced technical and CAD drawings, with reference to the finished floor height measurement supplied by the modular building company.END RESULT:Our expert installers fitted a step system as shown. FEATURES INCLUDED: Mesh Platform - self-draining mesh allows water to pass through rather than collect on the surface.Trombone Ends - these are added to the ends of a step system to prevent clothes catching.Telescopic Legs - these can be adjusted to accommodate different threshold heights.Standard Continuous Handrail - this handrail system ensures users always have support to hold onto.Standard Colour Black - ramps are powder-coated black, to create a durable finish that is tougher than conventional paint.THE COMPLETE RAMP PACKAGE:An all-inclusive, stress-free option which we managed in-house.This package includes a site survey (if applicable), quotation, CAD and technical drawing, supply, and installation. 

James Watt Dock is a development of 137 new-build one- and two-bedroomed flats for social rent. The homes, built over five blocks, will offer residents magnificent views over the historic dock and the River Clyde. Residents will also benefit from parking, amenity units, and a landscaped public space.PROJECT INFOThe site is a brownfield waterfront site adjacent to the Grade A listed Sugar Sheds, which are a unique example of Scotland’s Victorian industrial architecture. The sheds became the design driver, aiding the architects in establishing mass, orientation, position and material.Farmstead Antique, from Forterra’s Butterley range, with its tumbled and distressed multi patches, was selected for its similarity to the bricks used in the Sugar Sheds. It allowed the design of the new development to relate to the historic building while delivering a modern, clean-cut façade.With a water absorbency of only 7%, the brick also offered the high technical performance required owing to the development’s location on the Firth of the Clyde, a robust marine environment.

Hornsby House School, London, have recently had a full washroom refurbishment. Franke Water Systems provided a total of 67 washrooms products for the revamp, including a range of Dart Valley branded taps, WCs, flush valves, and a range of Miranit composite washtroughs for the nursery, boys, girls and staff washrooms.The full range of products provided were:17 x AT03-011 Aquarius DM A45 tap 2 x AT00-002 single station mains kit standard pressure 4 x AT00-003 two station mains kit standard pressure 6 x AT00-004 three station mains kit standard pressure2 x SOLX1800T 3 person Miranit washtrough with three tap holes2 x SOLX2400T 4 person Miranit washtrough with four tap holes16 x WC02-011 concealed plastic cistern kit16 x WC03-002 WC Flushvalve 

The 8,500m2 Biosciences building is clad in silver anodised ACM panels generally 1.3m high and up to 6.4m long that work together to wrap around the complex elevations. Each individual panel purpose-made and pre-curved at Ash & Lacy’s West Bromwich site, to fit around and match the windows on the building. The protruding raked capping details were also manufactured in the same material, in order to provide a fully cohesive design. Original concept architects, Llewelyn Davies Yeang, specified 3,500m2 Ash & Lacy Facade for the extensive new build, to give the building an innovative and hi-tech finish, reflecting the standards of the department itself.The design of the seven-storey building responds to the constraints of a steeply sloping site divided by a service road creating staggered floor levels, interesting external spaces and a flowing façade. The science block also features a sedum green roof fitted with solar panels for the heating of domestic water contributing to the very good BREEAM rating it has secured.

This major expansion of the deep-water container terminal at Liverpool docks would significantly increase the footprint and capacity of the site. The site handles the world’s largest container ships and connects road, rail and canal networks directly to the heart of the UK mainland. As part of this project, external concrete surfacing was needed that would deliver long term resistance to the high volumes of HGV traffic using the terminal. After discussions with the contractor, the solution proposed was Tarmac’s TOPFORCE fibre reinforced concrete with a combination of synthetic macro and micro fibres. TOPFORCE can eliminate the need for some traditional steel reinforcement, making it quicker and easier to place. It offers excellent longterm durability making it ideal for commercial and industrial sites used by HGV traffic. This solution would deliver a saving in both labour and material costs and avoid the budget impact of the rising cost of steel. As well as improving the durability and structural performance, the use of macro fibres also improved sustainability significantly by reducing embodied carbon compared to traditional steel reinforcement. 

New HQ in Leeds...The national broadcaster first announced it would be opening a new HQ in Leeds in 2019. Almost two years on, around 200 members of staff are beginning to settle into their new home at the Majestic in Leeds city centre.Soundis were contracted to supply & install approximately 2,050 sq m2 of seamless acoustic spray plaster to the industrial style ceilings.Our client opted for the rough texture Absorb-R GypLine VisibleAcoustic Spray Plaster System 35mm thick. We installed the plaster to the surface following the contours of the profiled metal deck, providing a Class A Sound Absorption.The carbon-neutral Absorb-R GypLine visible acoustic spray is a high-quality and environmentally friendly acoustic spray that absorbs unwanted noise and can be used in a wide range of environments.The Absorb-R GypLine visible is a combination of recycled paper, wood adhesive, water and professional installation work. The tubular structure of the cellulosic fibres enables effective reverberation absorption.

The Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics is the astronomical research centre of The University of Manchester. The centre is a world leader in radio astronomy-related research and technology development.Rough textured spray plaster...Our brief was to create a moon like surface ceiling that not only looked realistic, but most importantly to absorb sound and background noise from within the centre.We installed the Absorb-R Gypline Visible Acoustic Spray Plaster to the surface following the contours of the profiled metal deck, providing a Class A Sound Absorption.Absorb-R Gypline Visible Acoustic Spray Plasteris an extremely flexible seamless sound absorption system. The carbon-neutral Absorb-R GypLine visible acoustic spray is a high-quality and environmentally friendly acoustic spray that absorbs unwanted noise and can be used in a wide range of environments.The Absorb-R GypLine visible is a combination of recycled paper, wood adhesive, water and professional installation work. The tubular structure of the cellulosic fibres enables effective reverberation absorption.

On October 22, 2021, the doors to the new Edvard Munch Museum by the waterfront in Bjørvika in Oslo were finally opened. The museum will be a global destination for experiencing Edvard Munch's art and life – but also other art exhibitions and cultural experiences such as music, film, art talks, and various types of performances. With thousands of daily visitors, high demands were placed on the museum's seating furniture to be both extremely durable and robust, but at the same time comfortable and blend into the museum's interior.The new museum is a very prestigious project for Oslo and an inviting meeting place that is characterized by openness. The vision is to expand the idea of ​​what a museum can be, and offer the visitors completely new experiences and perspectives.The 13-storey and 58-meter-high building was designed by the Spanish architectural firm Estudio Herreros and includes eleven exhibition halls. Herrero's design is based on the idea of ​​a tower-shaped museum, where the main functions are organized vertically. With its impressive height and the distinctly leaning top section, the tower is a very visible landmark from all sides. It gives the Oslo skyline a new shape, but bows respectfully towards the surrounding city. The façade, which is clad in recycled, perforated aluminium panels with varying degrees of transparency, gives the museum an enigmatic and ever-changing presence that reflects the fantastic lighting conditions in Oslo that change during the day and the different seasons. In the old harbour area Bjørvika, the new Munch Museum is also accompanied by Snøhetta's opera building and the new library designed by architectural firm Lundhagem.The museum's main hall has extraordinary acoustics and can accommodate up to 700 people while the hall on the 12th floor has a roof terrace with a unique view of the city and the fjord. In addition, there is a cinema in the foyer that can be used for more intimate gatherings. The museum has around 28,000 objects – of which 1,200 paintings and over 7,000 drawings and sketches – created by the extremely productive Edvard Munch in its collections and for the first time, these works will truly have the space they deserve.The museum also wants to deepen and enrich the experience and insights further by inviting visitors to play and express themselves artistically and offers a range of tours and activities for both young and old.Food is also a natural part of the experience. At the very top of the building is a first-class restaurant. In addition, there is a café on the ground level next to the fjord and a bar with a fantastic roof terrace. The kitchen is run by the restaurant group MUMA, known for restaurants like Taco Republica, Ben Reddik, and Mangelsgården.Read more at the link below.

5500m2 of Optima TFC+ has been used in the completion of the brand new Science, Engineering and Environment building on Salford University’s Peel Park campus.As you can see from the photos, a striking colour palette has been used in the modified window interface details. Interpon’s D2525 Ostuni Y2211I, 3030 High Gloss & 7022 High Gloss in 3.0mm Aluminium 3103 Grade PPC were selected.The unique overhang window details were created using the 20mm overlapping joint that is standard in Optima TFC+. A bespoke sharp edge detail was added to window interface locations for dramatic effect, creating a stunning visual contrast between the bright red window pods against the white vertical cladding as per the architect’s original design intent.Sotech assembled a full-size sample rig in the factory for the client, architect, main contractor and installer to view a full scale mock-up of the final proposed solution. This ensured that any design details or install sequences were scrutinised and fully understood before the project began onsite. Sotech then created a full 3D model of the project alongside their long-term partners Metclad Contracts. This allowed both parties to identify and avoid potential issues at the design stage before panels were fabricated and delivered to site.The SEE Building is Salford University’s brand new £65 million hub for discovery and innovation. Consisting of four stories over 15,500 sq meters, the department will house the university’s departments of Built Environment, Computer Science and Networking, Mechanical Engineering and Human & Natural Science, in addition to the university’s Morson Maker Space – an additive manufacturing and digital fabrication facilityTESTIMONIALS:Jamie Brown of Sotech said: “This is yet another example how close collaboration from day one, involving the full supply chain, ensures projects can be delivered on time and on budget. The very clever and intricate window interface details showcases just how versatile rainscreen cladding can be, whilst staying within the boundaries of a fully CWCT tested and accredited system.”Naveen Sandhu at Akzo Nobel said: “Great to see this installation following an increasing trend of injecting vibrant tones into the elevation. One of a plethora of schemes in Salford and Manchester adopting our enhanced D2525 PPC technology across the envelope. Pleasure to work with the team at Sheppard Robson and delivering yet another outstanding higher education facility with Sotech.”

Timber Window Project: Restoring Charm to a Matlock CottageDiscover how Gowercroft successfully transformed Robert Jones's quaint stone cottage in Matlock with high-quality timber windows and doors.A Challenging Derbyshire CottageWhen Robert Jones approached Gowercroft for his cottage renovation in Matlock, they faced an intriguing challenge. His 200-square-meter, 5-bedroom cottage nestled into a Derbyshire hillside, offering stunning countryside views. The property had three stories at the front but only one at the rear, with the ground floor patio situated atop an integral garage.Robert aimed to breathe new life into the neglected property by undertaking a comprehensive refit, including new electrics, bathrooms, stairs, carpets, roofing, garage, and replacement doors and windows. He sought a renovation that honoured the local aesthetics, using durable traditional materials like English slate for the roof and energy-efficient timber windows and patio doors to maximise the scenic vistas.Meeting the ChallengeAccess to the property posed a considerable challenge due to its location on a sharp bend with a steep incline at the end of a winding country road. The installation of oversized windows and doors seemed daunting, but Gowercroft embraced the challenges with creative solutions.Gowercroft crafted and installed eleven Hardwick flush casement windows, a Peveril lift and slide patio door, two floor-to-ceiling fixed light windows, an Accoya® front door, and a timber Melbourne stable door at the side. The lift and slide patio doors and glazed screens had to feature 6mm-thick glass to ensure structural integrity, making each unit weigh approximately 200 kilograms.Given the size and weight of the units, manual handling was impractical. Gowercroft enlisted a specialist contractor with a telehandler to navigate the steep drive and hoist the units into place. Additional personnel joined the effort."The job demanded teamwork, meticulous planning, and coordination with the ongoing building work as we removed the old windows and adjusted the existing openings," Robert explained.Exceeding ExpectationsThroughout the installation, unforeseen challenges arose, including the need to cut away patio paving slabs blocking the original patio doors and repositioning the door frame to accommodate the new Accoya® front door. Gowercroft even provided window boards for the new openings.Robert praised the Gowercroft team for their exceptional dedication and problem-solving attitude, stating, "I can't speak highly enough of the Gowercroft team. They tackled every obstacle and challenge with a 'can-do' spirit."Gowercroft's commitment to quality craftsmanship and their ability to navigate complex installations allowed Robert Jones to transform his Matlock cottage into a charming and energy-efficient retreat that perfectly complements its picturesque surroundings.

Surf’s up and Gripsure decking is down at The Camp at The Wave in Bristol!Our Classic non-slip boards have been installed at the first inland surfing destination of its kind in the UK. People of all ages and abilities come here to experience the thrill of riding a wave – or at least having a go. There are different lessons and sessions to suit beginners and experts, as well as a range of activities for children.Just metres from the most consistent surf break in the country, The Camp provides overnight accommodation where guests are perfectly placed for dawn patrols or sunset sessions. The 25 luxury safari tents aim to celebrate the simple things in life, offering a place to escape, chillout, connect, sleep and reset.Gripsure recently provided 9,165 linear meters of our Classic boards to be used for boardwalks around the campsite, as well as porch areas outside each tent. It was the second installment of Gripsure decking at The Wave. Previously, our Classic boards were used to create a pier, boardwalks and a viewing terrace at the popular destination, which attracts hundreds of visitors each year."It was a pleasure to work with Gripsure, they did a fantastic job over The Camp. The whole team were unbelieavably helpful - whether it was back office staff or the tea, that did the installation. Would use their services again in a heartbeart" - Jac Griffiths, Customer Experience ManagerThe Wave’s glamping style tents on its campsite sleep eight people and are kitted out with comfortable beds, a kitchenette, private toilet and a large balcony, where guests can relax after a long day of surfing. There are also two fully wheelchair accessible tents.The team at The Wave wanted to use Gripsure decking for this latest project because we share their strong commitment to sustainability. In recent years, Gripsure has taken great steps towards environmental sustainability, from working with sustainable FSC and PEFC-certified timber to reducing waste. We have just taken this a step further by signing up to a commitment of becoming a net zero carbon business."The nature of The Wave is watersports with kids around and people walking through the campsite in wetsuits. We didn't want people slipping over! Everybody has to be safe around the campsite and we're really pleased with how the latest installment of decking is working out. There have been no issues with anything. It looks really good and is completely fit for purpose." - Sam Jones, Accommodation Supervisor.The Wave also has sustainability built into its ethos. Environmentally, the business is continually striving to be resourceful, finding ways to minimise environmental impact.

DAYLIGHTING TAKES OFF AT HEATHROWThe ageing glass skylights of Terminal 4 at London’s Heathrow Airport were in need of repair. The challenges for the project’s main contractor was finding a way to keep the project moving with little disruption to this busy terminal and also maintaining the airport’s security protocol.The answer was a single-source solution presented by Structura UK, the curtainwall engineers who are the exclusive distributor of Kalwall products in the United Kingdom and Ireland.18,836 square feet (1750 square meters) of Kalwall Skyroof® cladding were used above the terminal’s International Departure Lounge and check-in desks to replace the 30+ year old glass skylights. The Kalwall translucent sandwich panels are fully Aviation Security in Airport Development (ASAID) compliant with regards to blast performance and improve the solar control and insulation for the space below. In fact, Kalwall 100™ panels were specifically chosen to exceed code requirements, therefore future-proofing the project.The whole retrofit was completed externally using a custom moving scaffold and during evening hours, meaning there was no disruption to the inside of the building. And, as far as value, the lightweight translucent panels allowed for the existing substrate to be adapted and reused – a savings of nearly $9 million (£7m) in project costs and more than a year off the build timeline.“Structura UK was a new supplier to the major capital projects programme on the Airport (and) they delivered a flawless installation despite multiple challenging circumstances including adverse unseasonal weather, unexpected contaminated materials and multiple design changes,” says Ben Hooper, Senior Project Manager at Heathrow.Structura worked in conjunction with Structural Engineers Webb Yates for a scheme designed by Pascall+Watson architects. The project proved so successful that main contractor Balfour Beatty named Structura as their ‘Most Promising New Supplier 2018’. Kalwall offers complete line-of-sight protection, maintaining privacy for the security screening area and departure lounges while bathing the interior with diffused daylighting, regardless of the weather. Apart from providing the visual protection, its inherent strength and heavy-duty impact resistance make it ideal for secure locations such as this. It offers the highest protection in terms of windbornedebris and resistance to impact, abrasion and point loads. Not only is it man safe, but Kalwall achieves S:AA (BS 476 part 3) and Broof(t4) to EN 13501 part 5 for external fire performance.The exterior face is colour stable and includes a UV resistant, self-cleaning surface. This means that normal rainfall helps to keep the surface free of dust and dirt while at the same time retaining its original colour during the weathering process.

VDG Property Development has recently joined forces with their own construction company Unibouw to develop the new VDG Warehouse Schiphol II. The new building is equipped with a total of 636.5 square meters of vertical greenery divided into two green walls with the MobiPanel system.In addition to the sustainability requirements, BREEAM-NL certification ‘Excellent’, this also enables the building to meet the high-quality requirements in the areas of nature inclusiveness, biodiversity, ecology and living environment. The green appearance of the buildings is the ‘new normal’ at the business park. Schiphol Trade Park aims to be the most sustainable and innovative business park in Europe.‘The area developer and the ambitions of the Schiphol Trade Park area set high requirements in the area of nature inclusiveness. For example, 95% of the end walls of the building had to be green upon completion. The green facades give the building a fantastic appearance. Nature inclusiveness is becoming increasingly important in project development and this is also the future. It will make the Netherlands look all the better,’ says Richard van Campen – project manager at Unibouw B.V.Nature-inclusive buildingFor the development of VDG Warehouse Schiphol II, design choices were made that enhance the ecological value for the surrounding area. For example, the warehouse not only facilitates an efficient logistic process but also creates space for more greenery and biodiversity.Diversity in plant speciesFor each façade, the climatic conditions have been examined and the choice of plants has been adjusted accordingly. The green façade oriented to the North-West contains the plant species; Campanula Stella, Alchemilla Molis, Vinca Minor, Lonicera Maigrun, Geranium Rozanne, Carex Oshimensis ‘Evergreen’, and Bergenia Bressingham White. In the green façade oriented to the southeast are the plant species; Alchemilla mollis, Dryopteris Erythrosora, Bergnia Bressingham White, Lonicera Maigrun, Riarella cordifolia, Carex Oshimensis ‘Evergreen’, Asplenium scolopendrium and Geranium Spessart. In total, there are approximately 23,400 plants in both green walls.VDG Warehouse Schiphol IIVDG Warehouse Schiphol II comprises 9,636 m2 of modern logistics space and consists of two units. With green facades and panels on both sides, VDG Warehouse Schiphol II presents itself as an extremely sustainable distribution centre. With its ecological elements, the development is not only connected to the surrounding nature, but also to the adjacent distribution centre where a MobiPanel green facade has also been installed.Client: UnibouwArchitect: VDG Real EstateConstruction period: 2022Installation: Mobicare

Aviva Studios, Manchester - The New Home of Factory International:Fire resistant, acoustic joint sealing of the complex facades, has been completed with Emshield-WFR and Emshield QuietJoint from NCC Movement joints Limited. NCC Movement joints have supplied Emshield-WFR-2 and Emseal QuietJoint to seal the wide, high movement capability, expansion joints in the complex facades of the new Aviva Studios in Manchester. Aviva Studios are new arts and cultural venues, which are now the new home of Factory International, and located in the centre of St John’s. This is the 13-acre regeneration project around the old Granada TV studios in Manchester. On this prestige project, the architect was Ellen van Loon, a partner at OMA (Office of Modern Architecture), who designed the buildings to create an eclectic environment for the arts, including striking and complex architectural facades. This included her trademark industrial styled finishes, cladding the facades with corrugated metal panels, and incorporating large exposed concrete surfaces. Structural engineering for the project was provided by Burro Happold. The structural movement joints in the external façade and walls, as well as in some of the floor slabs, had to be designed to accommodate not only significant movement (+/-50% or more), whilst maintaining watertightness, but also to be CE certified fire resistant for at least 2 hours, and it was also essential to maintain the high acoustic soundproofing and thermal insulation of the building across the façades.Emshield-DFR/WFR-2 for internal joint sealing, from NCC Movement Joints Limited was the ideal solution, quickly installed as a complete system to meet all the specified requirements in a single solution, with no mechanical fixings, and without disrupting other trades. The Emshield system was installed by TECL (Thermal Engineering Contracts Ltd) as the acoustic and firestopping specialists on the project, as well as by the specialist façade manufacturers, Lindner Prater.The 13,350 m2 building has been designed to provide open spaces that are flexible, adaptable, and capable of being reconfigured for a wide variety of shows at different scales. The key facilities are The Hall, an auditorium that seats 1,600 but can accommodate 2,000 standing; and The Warehouse, an open performance space 21 metres high, with capacity for 5,000 people, all designed and built with advanced acoustic-insulation. They can function separately or together, with a stage that can stretch back to a depth of 45 meters. Factory International are named after the Factory Records record-label, which was founded by the late Tony Wilson ran Manchester’s Haçienda nightclub in the 1980’s and launched bands such as the Happy Mondays and Joy Division. Their new home at Aviva Studio complex is the first public project by OMA in the United Kingdom, and already regarded as the most ambitious cultural development for the future in Manchester.

OverviewA successful installation of 40 x Powrmatic SRP U Tubes at a hangar facility in Boscombe. With the system design by Powrmatic, ABS, a leading HVAC and installation company, was entrusted with this significant installation project. The installation aimed to provide efficient heating performance, reduce energy costs, and improve the overall comfort and functionality of the hangar.Project BackgroundThe Weighbridge Hangar Building 499 at MOD Boscombe Down operated by QinetiQ required a new heating system due to the life-expired existing system. The hangar required a powerful heating system that would operate efficiently during the cold winter months while reducing energy costs. A new Powrmatic SRP U-tube herringbone radiant heating system was produced in line with the design intent of WYG on their tender documents. J & B Hopkins secured the M & E contract and employed the services of ABS Ltd to undertake the installation of the radiant heating system. ABS Ltd, formed in 1978, offers a full range of professional services including the installation and maintenance of both radiant and warm air heating systems to both commercial and industrial properties throughout the UK.SolutionThe MOD hangar facility, situated on an exposed location, at Boscombe Down required a robust heating solution to withstand the cold winter months. 40 Powrmatic SRP radiant U Tube PVU50 Hi/Low heaters each rated at 50kW on a herringbone system layout with ducted fresh air onto each burner to comply with fire safety standards were installed by ABS Ltd. To maximize efficiency, the heaters mounted at an impressive height of 23 meters in line with Powrmatic’s design drawings were arranged in 8 lines of 5, with 3 heaters connected to one fan and 2 heaters connected to another fan. The heating system incorporated Powrmatic MC200 controllers and black bulb sensors for precise temperature control across the hangar.ResultThe final stage of the installation was completed by J & B Hopkins, arranging for the necessary gas and electrical distribution services to the radiant heaters and discharge fans. The 40 Powrmatic SRP radiant U Tubes installed by ABS Ltd effectively heated the facility, providing a comfortable and conducive environment for the workforce during the winter season. Additionally, the new heating system reduced energy costs and eliminated the need for multiple exhausts on the rooftop hence retaining the aesthetic design principles of the hangar. The commissioning was successfully carried out when all services were completed, providing a satisfied client with a capable heating installation within the hangar, for the exposed site location.

Louise Lyttle – Campus Service Supervisor"I am the campus supervisor in charge of all the cleaning in the University. The waterless urinals were installed in the food court last September as part of the University’s Green Impact initiative.They were installed while I was on holiday. When I came back everyone was gushing about these waterless urinals but I was very sceptical. I thought there was no way that they would work, that they would stink and so on, but they’ve been absolutely amazing.I’m a massive convert – if I had my way they’d be installed all over the campus."No more odour"I can’t believe how fantastic they are and that they work so well without needing any running water. They always look clean, they always smell clean and they’re 100% easier to clean because there’s no water going into them."Much easier to clean"Cleaning them is so much easier than cleaning traditional urinals, and more efficient too. I can’t believe how long the cleaning fluid lasts for. I thought we’d go through bottles and bottles of it but we don’t.With traditional urinals you often have a constant trickle of water through them which means you can get lots of problems with limescale and other marks which can be really difficult to clean off. You don’t have any of these problems with the waterless urinals. They’re much easier to clean and, importantly, they always look clean too."No more blockages or flooding"We used to get a lot of blockages in traditional urinals on campus and they can cause all kinds of problems but we haven’t had any of that with the waterless urinals.The traditional urinals run on battery sensors that regulate the flush. From time to time the battery runs out and if the guys don’t spot that on their check then they don’t flush at all for a few days which causes huge problems with odour. It’s not an issue at all with the waterless urinals.Similarly, we used to get overflows and floods caused by blockages in the traditional flushing urinals. These can be hugely damaging. If they happen over a weekend then you can come in on Monday and find that you’ve got a ceiling down on the floor below. Again, the waterless urinals remove this problem completely."Smells lovely and looks clean"I’m converted. If it was up to me we’d have them all over the campus. It’s such a big difference – if you go in the gents now it alway smells lovely and looks so clean.We have an external cleaning company that does most of the cleaning on campus. When we first installed the waterless urinals we put one of our own cleaners in to clean them, our team leader trained her on the correct method and then trained the external cleaners. They all picked it up straight away. They’ve had no problems with it and they never get mixed up.The feedback from the cleaners is really positive. They find the waterless urinals much easier to clean. You just spray them and wipe round – no more scrubbing or rinsing."Positive feedback from students"We’ve put a sign up explaining to the students what the waterless urinals are about. A few found it strange at first but the only comments we get are about how great it is that the urinals don’t smell like they used to."Great service from Ecoprod"Dealing with Ecoprod is great. The pods need replacing every few months. I raise a purchase order and as soon as Ed sees it he sends out the order and it’s here the next day.It’s fantastic service. I know within two days of placing the order that I’ll have the replacements so I never need to worry. The service from Ecoprod is really good."

We supplied our Südanit 280 Alpha Hemihydrate Binder to our Smet Supported Partner, Fast Floor Screed Ltd, who pump-applied their self-levelling, Südanit 280 Alpha Hemihydrate Screed in this amazing new apartment development for Cairn Home Plc in Dublin.The delivery, completed using their mobile screed factories, enabled Alpha Hemihydrate Screed flooring solution to be installed quickly and efficiently over the entire project over two sessions. The apartments are amazing looking: https://www.cairnhomes.com/new-homes/marianella/This CE marked, self-smoothing, self-levelling screed is the most technologically advanced floor screed available, complying with the performance requirements of EN 13813.Südanit 280 Alpha Hemihydrate Screed’s advanced composition means that it reacts with water quickly – providing consistent, reliable drying characteristics and considerably faster drying times – enabling follow-on trades to proceed without delay.The Fast Floor Screed Mobile Screed Factory – is a unique system. The lorry mounted rigs carry Sudanit 280 Alpha Hemihydrate binder, sand & aggregates and water in separate compartments. The automatic production process ensures materials are precisely weighed, fed to the mixing bin, and into the pump for easy, mess-free installation. Ensuring the Fast Floor Screed Mobile Screed Factory produces Sudanit 280 Alpha Hemihydrate floor screed to a consistently high quality. Have a look at Fast Floor Screed past projects.The floor is remarkably quick to walk-on – applied at 500m² per day and walkable within 6 hours and it’s particularly suitable for use with UFH, fully encapsulating pipes and services – increasing the performance of underfloor heating, maximising your insulation, and therefore improving your building’s U-Values performance.Check out more projects using this screed:https://www.smetbuildingproducts.com/projects/by-product/casea-sudanit-280-alpha-hemihydrate-binder/Whether your job is self-build, retro-fit, floor renovation, design, commercial or industrial venture – we have a floor compound suitable for you.Contact Smet Building Products Ltd for any advice regarding your substrate.Related DownloadsTDS CASEA Sudanit 280 BinderEPD – CASEA Calcium Sulphate Flowing ScreedTDS SMET_Tiling Onto Calcium Sulphate Floor Screed_System ITDS SMET_Tiling Onto Calcium Sulphate Floor Screed_System II

8300 SQM of Optima FC+, Optima FC+ perforated panels and Optima IPC (soffits) have been used in the completion of the 23-storey New Bailey building in Salford Quays.Optima FC+ was selected for a number of reasons on this project.Predominantly, it is an incredibly user friendly system – panels can be quickly and easily adjusted on site and the system can be fixed top down, or bottom up with individual panel removal and replacement. This makes Optima FC+ a highly desirable choice for designers and installers.However, the panels were specifically adapted for this project to enable a completely secret fix system, as per the architects vision. Therefore the top return fold was increased to 50mm instead of 38mm. This allowed for the security fixings to be completely concealed by the panel above, allowing the customer to easily fit the panels from ground up.Sotech worked closely with the design team and installer at the very early design stages to make this modification possible. The teams used a 3D modelling route, which allowed the customer to comment and make changes to the model without physical cost.Optima FC+ perforated panels were chosen as an additional aesthetic feature and Optima IPC was selected for the soffit areas as the architect requested a secret fix system.A bespoke window reveal and bracket was included in the panel design. This allowed for an extended side return which was used to hook on the panels and enable a secret fix. The Optima IPC system was perfect for this part of the design as it enables hidden mechanical fixings and is a cost-effective solution using 2.0mm aluminium.Black PPC aluminium was used as backing trays to enhance the appearance of the perforations, prevent views through the perforations and close off the cavity.Optima FC+ has been independently tested and certified to meet CWCT rigorous specification for rainscreen cladding and has been fire tested to BS8414-2 and classified to BR135 for high rise buildings. This makes it the perfect solution for Plot C1, now the tallest residential building in the New Bailey plot.Plot C1, which features a six-storey podium with an exclusive rooftop garden terrace for the wellbeing of residents, incorporates a number of sustainability measures including surface water drainage attenuation, minimising off site spoil disposal, reduced water consumption.The project has been shortlisted in the 2022 Facade Awards UK for ‘Best use of a rainscreen system using aluminium’.

BackgroundOccupying a prominent position on the Kingsway, The Curve development is a portfolio of 27 apartments. The key requirement for Cube Homes was to offer residents high quality, low carbon, affordable and sustainable apartments.After extensive planning, K Systems specified a direct fix system with mineral wool insulation and a silicone render finish. Our Direct Fix system for steel frame structures is KIWA BDA certified and provided the ideal solution for these newly constructed mid-rise apartments.Our team designed a façade solution that delivered modern, thermally efficient and aesthetically pleasing homes, meeting the client’s requirements.Our ServiceDue to the number of fixings and the curvature of the property, this was a technical project which required bespoke detailing.In collaboration with Bowker Sadler Architects and our approved installer Profac, we designed a comprehensive specification and were on-site when required, offering Profac technical and installation support throughout the build.The Direct Fix system specified is a cost-efficient solution for steel frame structures, with fewer components for a simpler and faster install. Direct Fix generates exceptional insulation and with a silicone render finish provides high levels of fire rating (A2,s1-d0), allowing Cube Homes to deliver safe and thermally efficient homes.Technical Project DetailsThe EWI needed to be line and level with the ground floor brickwork. To achieve this specific requirement, 300mm mineral wool (which is deeper than available mineral wool) was specified for the project. This meant 110mm and 190mm boards were combined to achieve the required 300mm.This thicker mineral wool meant that the curved elevation on the building was difficult to achieve. The insulation was facetted around the curve and carefully installed by Profac to create a seamless façade. The 300mm mineral wool resulted in a low U-value of circa 0.10 W/m²K, meaning heating costs for the apartments will be minimal and carbon usage will be reduced to a minimum standard.For the finish, silicone render (TC 15) was specified to create a striking curved elevation. Silicone TC incorporates the benefits of silicone technology to provide a water repellent finish with a fresh and modern appearance. The silicone allows water vapour to pass freely through the render whilst allowing the finish to remain weather resistant, making it the ideal solution for a low maintenance, long-term finish.

Sixmile Boardwalk is a wooden walkway located in Ballyclare, a town in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. The boardwalk stretches for over a mile through Sixmile Water Park, providing visitors with stunning views of the surrounding natural beauty. The boardwalk is an accessible and family-friendly attraction that allows visitors to explore the park’s wetlands and wildlife, including ducks, swans, and otters. It is a popular destination for walkers, joggers, and cyclists, as well as families and nature enthusiasts. The boardwalk also features several rest areas and interpretive signage, providing visitors with information about the park’s history and ecology.The second phase of the Antrim Boardwalk refurbishment project involved an extension and upgrade of the walkway, including the removal of existing slippery timber deck boards and replacing these with new anti-slip timber deck boards. For this, Gripsure’s non-slip Premier decking were carefully chosen for the new raised boardwalk and viewing platform area, installed by Martin Contracting Services Ltd.Primarily chosen for its safety benefits, Gripsure’s Premier profile achieves a PTV rating of 78 assuring a safe and comfortable walking surface for visitors, even in wet or damp conditions. Gripsure decking has been tried and tested on projects for over 15 years and is now trusted by many household names, such as Center Parcs and Samsung.In addition to the proven safety benefits, the Gripsure decking used at Sixmile Boardwalk is also extremely durable and long-lasting, making it a cost-effective choice for Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council. The decking requires minimal maintenance and is resistant to rot, decay, and insect damage, ensuring that it remains in excellent condition for years to come.Overall, the Gripsure non-slip decking used at Sixmile Boardwalk has been a great success, providing a safe and sustainable solution that enhances the park’s natural beauty and functionality. The decking has helped to increase visitor safety and comfort, and has helped to make Sixmile Water Park a more accessible and enjoyable destination for visitors of all ages and abilities.The Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Billy Webb, said: “These refurbishment works will bring more footfall to Antrim town centre and help us tackle the challenges of climate and environmental change by encouraging active travel whilst also proving a local business with the contract.”All media is courtesy of Martin Contracting Services. ©2022 Martin Contracting Services

South Lanarkshire College (SLC) in Scotland has opened a new, ‘zero-energy’ teaching block on its East Kilbride campus. Specifically designed with first-rate environmental credentials in mind, it boasts a whole host of efficiency-enhancing measures – including highly insulated floors, walls and roofs, triple-glazed windows, low-energy lighting and electrics, rainwater harvesting and solar PV panels on the roof. The college approached NIBE Pro Installer Anderson Floor Warming and Renewables in search of a system that would meet the heating requirements of the eight-classroom block in the most sustainable, cost-effective and reliable way possible.The SolutionSLC already has a range of NIBE products in its on-site renewables training centre, which students use for practical sessions, so a heat pump from NIBE was the natural choice to heat the new block. Mike Anderson, director at Anderson Floor Warming and Renewables, specified, designed and fitted a NIBE F1345 40kW ground source heat pump (GSHP) system to complement the building’s water-based underfloor heating, which operates at similarly low flow temperatures.ResultsNow up and running, the NIBE system is so efficient that it has been awarded a rating of A+++ in line with energy labelling criteria under the ErP Directive. SLC’s new teaching block has become the first building in the UK to achieve a BREEAM sustainability rating of ‘Outstanding’, with the facility excelling in all 10 assessment categories – from energy, waste and water to health and wellbeing.Customer Testimonials“We pride ourselves on our forward-thinking approach to sustainability at SLC, and we couldn’t be happier that our new teaching block has been deemed ‘Outstanding’ by BREEAM assessors. The NIBE heat pump system and the solar PV panels combined generate enough renewable energy to meet the block’s entire heating and power needs, making it a ‘zero-energy’ building. It really is a huge asset to the whole college – not only from a resource point of view, but also as a real-life example of sustainability in action. As well as being a valuable learning space for our construction and energy students, it’s a place for us to bring local businesses and community groups, and showcase the benefits of low-carbon, low-resource buildings first-hand.”Stewart McKillop, principal at South Lanarkshire College

The Quartermile development is a cosmopolitan mix of luxury apartments, cafes and businesses in the heart of Edinburgh city centre. The masterplan for the new area is designed by Foster + Partners and enjoys views of some of Edinburgh’s greatest landmarks. The access to the new building (adjacent to the old Edinburgh Royal Infirmary site) is elevated from the North Meadow Walk pedestrian walkway and cycle route. The pathways and landscaped areas in front of the development needed a structural drainage solution and reinforced turf area that would be suitable for trafficking by maintenance and emergency vehicles when required.ABG’s high strength Roofdrain 60S+RX geocomposite was specified to provide sub-surface drainage across the base of the podium deck. The drainage board provides a high flow capacity void to channel water pressure to the surrounding perimeter drains. By utilising a 60mm drainage layer the need for much deeper and harder to install drainage stone layers can be minimised. The carbon footprint for the product is just 3.3 kgCO2e per m2 which is an approximate 50% saving compared to the embodied carbon of quarrying, transportation and installation of the equivalent thickness of drainage aggregates. Once installed the Roofdrain core is filled with pea gravel to provide a rigid sub-base beneath a bedding layer and resin bound gravel pathways. The drainage core features regular perforations to allow surface water to percolate and drain to the underside of the board. Adjoining rolls can be easily overlapped with the cups designed to slot  into one another. The Roofdrain was overlaid with a Terrex NW9 geotextile to prevent fines entering the drainage core. The Roofdrain can be stepped to cascade into lower sections to suit the landscaping layout. The main green area to the front of the building was cultivated using the Advanced Turf reinforced grass system. The Netlon Advanced Turf System (Netlon ATS) is a high performance, mesh-element reinforced natural grass rootzone system that provides a SuDS compliant free-draining grassed surface. It consists of a high quality, sandy soil rootzone into which thousands of playing card sized polypropylene Netlon plastic mesh elements are pre-blended. The composite mesh reinforced rootzone and selected turf are then delivered to site as a system. ATS was specified for this development to support loading by occasional MEWP vehicles such as cherry pickers, and in the event emergency vehicles need to traffic onto the grass.

The fit-out of a new primary school building in North-West London has featured the installation of half a dozen different configuration of high quality stainless steel work-surfaces within its teaching, staff and family areas, specified for their durability and visual appeal as well as the creation of hygienic, easy to clean and maintain facilities.The Edith Neville Primary School in Camden has been built by Orpington based Neilcott Construction for the London Borough of Camden with Hayhurst and Co. Architects leading the design team. Project Architect, Jamie Wakefield, commented: “I had seen GEC sinks on another project and we specified them as part of a full Stage 4 design for the Edith Neville Primary School, which has been built for the London Borough of Camden. Schools inevitably get some very heavy usage, but with stainless steel it is easy to clean the surfaces up and get them looking smart again and they’ll still look good in ten years’ time. The different GEC fabrications feature throughout the new school as classroom art sinks, tea-point countertops and in spaces such as the family centre. There is also one in the staff kitchenette and a special studio space. We’re very pleased with how they look and they are working well for the school.”The many and varied units supplied by G. E. C. Anderson include a total of 16 in varying sizes from 1440mm long x 600mm deep and up to 3073mm long x 650mm deep, all with flat surfaces for food preparation and stacking dishes, including ten units supplied with one full size sink and six with a full sink together with half sink, plus three with cut out for cooker hobs, while 300mm high splashbacks- again in stainless steel, help prevent water or waste material staining or damaging the walls. The tops also incorporate five different edge details for such purposes as preventing water run-off.Since its formation in 1962, GEC Anderson has built its reputation for the supply of top end stainless steel sinks and sanitaryware on a combination of innovative design, top quality materials and expert craftsmanship. In addition to the company’s Decimetric system of cabinets, sinks, drainers and other equipment - widely specified for sectors including health and catering – it is able to create custom engineered solutions to exactly fit any space or specification.

Our technical team were invited to complete a roof survey and condition report of this residential project, where the existing roof area which was suffering from repeated leaks, failed repair attempts and significant standing water.ChallengesUpon inspection it was clear the roof covering had been recently renewed, but the workmanship, attention to details and drainage falls were sub-standard and no doubt contributory to the ongoing leaks and consequential ceiling damage to the areas below.Although the client preferred a robust torch-applied reinforced bitumen waterproofing system, our Safe2Torch assessment picked up some redundant roof plant, combustible cladding interfaces and complex penetrations which necessitated a localised flame free solution.Our team also carried out a level-survey to ascertain the existing falls, and what, if anything, could be done to alleviate the standing water without excessive cost.SolutionsOur comprehensive roof survey report included a dimensioned roof plan, identification of Safe2Torch areas/details, bespoke waterproofing designs for complex penetrations, and a thorough assessment of the existing roof make-up (via core samples) and drainage.Given the apparent age and good condition of half the roof area, it was left in-situ and overlaid with Hyranger single layer RBM system. Minor improvements to the drainage layout, via the introduction of a tapered insulation scheme central to the roof where the outlets where positioned, helped to significantly improve falls. Elsewhere, the rest of the existing roof covering and thermal insulation were stripped back to expose the original asphalt.The asphalt received a new air and vapour control layer before the same Hyranger system, including a mix of both flat board and tapered Hytherm ADH insulation, was installed to improve the falls and correct the thermal performance balance.A Safe2Torch abutment detail to existing cladding was identified early on in the Axter roof survey report as a fire safety hazard, so in accordance with our specification and recommendations, our accredited Axtershield Installer - N R A Roofing & Flooring Services Ltd - expertly installed a Hyranger Neo-Bitumen Flame Free membrane solution around a 900mm wide margin.The Axtershield Installer worked efficiently and to a very high standard to complete the project on budget whilst delivering an aesthetically pleasing and robust waterproofing solution.Systems in useHyranger®Neo-Bitumen® Flame Free