"water meters"

Architect/Designer: BenedettiLocation: London Project OverviewFront of house refurbishment including developing bespoke signage and hardware to meet the client and architect’s requirements. ServiceFull hardware scheduling service. Bespoke signage & ironmongery. Project Details 3v worked alongside Benedetti architects to provide a full interior hardware package for the beautiful refurbishment of the British Academy of Film & Television Arts headquarters at 195 Piccadilly. This project included development of bespoke signage panels and hardware designed to complement the overall design aesthetic for the refurbishment of this Grade II listed building.The Expansion includes new top floor by raising & restoring two large Victorian rooflight structures & decorative plasterwork considered ‘lost’ for 40 years, from the original 1883 Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours Gallery, built in ‘opposition’ to the Royal Academy across the road.Facilities include: doubled capacity, two cinema theatres, banqueting hall, multipurpose event and exhibition spaces, members’ bars/restaurant/club, roof terraces, judging/meeting rooms and offices.

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

The Scope of the project was to provide a structural waterproofing solution to a private dwelling with new build extension.The property, situated on a sloping site gave the opportunity for the waterproof design to utilise the properties environment to allow for natural discharge of any potential water ingress.The property was detached and retaining to the front and side elevations where the retaining ground slopes down and away from the property to a garden that continues to slope down to a small stream. The retaining walls on either elevation rise at their highest point to approximately 1500mm above the internal floor level.The internal walls of the property were original brick to the front and new cavity built concrete block. The floor to what was the original house is of solid concrete construction joining on to a newer block and beam floor construction.When designing the most appropriate waterproofing system to any given situation, various design factors require addressing such as (but not limited to), final use of the building, the grade of waterproofing requirement under the British Standard, structural considerations based on the form of construction and in some cases, satisfying the requirements of building warranty providers.

For almost a decade, ESCREO whiteboard paints have been helping companies transform their workplaces, making them more creative, organised and open to collaboration. Creativity and innovation are embedded in the DNA of the company and its team from the very beginning. Thanks to this, they manage to find a solution to a problem that negatively affects our productivity and well-being, namely poor air quality. This is how ESCREO Clean Air was born - the latest addition to ESCREO's carbon neutral portfolio of functional paints. ESCREO Clean Air is an interior air purifying paint, which reduces air pollution by more than 90.1%. One of the magic components is an enhanced mineral which attracts and neutralises harmful pollutants, incl. VOCs, odours, air chemicals and CO2. The non-toxic environmentally friendly water-based formula is a great collaboration between modern technology and a clever "problem-solving" approach, through which ESCREO can help commercial building owners use hitherto passive areas such as walls to further purify the air indoors, making the premises more attractive to current and future users.

The ChallengeA former industrial area along the south bank of the Union Canal in Merchiston, Edinburgh required transformation with the expected outcome of becoming one of the places to live in the city centre. A housing development was to provide a stylish addition to the already thriving growing community.The development consists of 11 stylish, one, two and three-bedroom apartments. The apartments feature high quality engineered flooring, bespoke kitchens, designer bathrooms and fitted wardrobes, and each has a terrace or balcony enjoying open views over the canal.It was important that the building materials used were sympathetic to the local sandstone buildings.The SolutionThe original intention had been to use extruded bricks for the project, however, it was decided instead to use Forterra’s buff, stock thrown, Belgravia Gault Blend from its Ecostock range. A total of 55,000 bricks were used in the construction of Horne Terrace.The BenefitsBelgravia Gault Blend complemented beautifully the sandstone aesthetic of the buildings in the locality, while at the same time delivering great technical specification of low water absorption and low embodied carbon.

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.

This exemplary development inserts 76 new homes into a conservation area in a historic market town and preserves a lime-tree avenue and a listed water tower, creating a beautiful setting for popular homes. In addition to large detached houses, it includes affordable family houses and smaller homes for the over-55 market. Saffron Walden is one of England's most beautiful market towns and the design of 'The Avenue' uses this existing context to brilliant effect.In this development Arrive and Enigma were used. Arriva stands out as an exceptionally versatile doorset featuring an outward-opening action. When positioned in front of the concealed flush side, the door gracefully swings open towards you, adding to its user-friendly and adaptable design.Enigma Pocket Doors are recognised space savers and allow the occupiers to use the full footprint of the rooms where they are installed. A conventional door will need a radius of around three feet to open which means around 10 square foot of space needs to be kept free for the door to function. This is all space that could be used for something else.

REQUIREMENT: The planned site improvements included relocating the loading bay and installing compliant access steps to the post room.ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: CAD and technical drawings were designed in-house and based on site measurements taken.END RESULT:We installed the modular access steps within a few hours. Once the installation was complete, the system was instantly usable. This allowed the post room to open within a quick turnaround time.The access steps are fully compliant with documents M & K of the building regulations.FEATURES INCLUDED: Infill Handrail - this product prevents users from climbing or falling through gaps.Yellow Tread - this is a safety feature designed to help those with impaired vision identify the nose of each step. Additionally, it helps users distinguish any level changes.Trombone Ends - these are added to the ends to prevent clothes catching.Mesh Platform - the self-draining mesh allows water to pass through rather than collect on the surface.Continuous Handrail - this handrail system ensures users always have support to hold onto.

Long house is a modern interpretation of a Derbyshire Dales longhouse and houses three generations of their respective families. It was built to Passivhaus standards and to have minimal visual impact on its rural surroundings and featured in a September episode of Channel 4’s Grand Designs. On the ground floor, a combination of floor-to-ceiling windows and a completely open-plan layout fills the house with sunlight and creates a feeling of space and tranquillity. A shared sitting room for Sarah and Mike’s mothers is known as the ‘lady chapel’ and its oversized windows provide spectacular views across the valley.Energy efficiency, thermal performance and sustainability are all key when building to Passivhaus standards. The couple were also keen to meet the Royal Institute of British Architects 2030 Challenge targets for operational energy use, water usage and embodied carbon. Durability and security were also priorities.‘The windows are the stars of the show. The whole house feels full of light and life. The views are spectacular and in every room we feel part of the landscape, but without having to put a jumper on!’

Liquasil's BBA Approved Metalseal 20 roof coating and Gutterseal system were specified for use on the Airspace Trampoline Park in Wolverhampton. The whole roof was pressure washed and a historical cut-edge corrosion treatment was removed before application; the cut-edges were treated with our SWT Corrosion Primer, with additional reinforcement to the mid-laps through the installation of Liquasil's optional HP Butyl Tape.The whole roof was then coated with Metalseal 20 in Goosewing Grey at a filmweight of c. 300 microns to provide a protective, aesthetically pleasing finish.The gutters were cleaned out and dried before being primed with our SWT Corrosion Primer. Once touch-dry, the joints could then be sealed using our Non-Sag Sealer and a single coat of Liquasil One was applied to the entire gutter. Liquasil One can be immediately applied over the top of Non-Sag Sealer, meaning no time is wasted waiting for it to cure before the works can continue.The end result was a revitalised metal roof with a protective, water-resistant coating that is guaranteed for 20 years.

DCM Surfaces installs synthetic surfacing at Butlins new pool complex in Bognor Regis.The project, which took two years to complete, accommodates almost 1,000 guests and has unique seaside and fairground-themed rides, a wave pool and a special area for toddlers.Kier was the successful bidder for the contract. Following a rigorous selection process based on quality, cost and Health and Safety, selected DCM Surfaces to install synthetic surfacing for three main areas around the complex.DCM Surfaces was in a unique position to deliver all elements of synthetic surfacing, which included the installation of an Artificial Grass safety surface, Resin Bound Gravel pathway, and Rubber Mulch, which was used to fill several tree pits. A core requirement of the installation was that each surface would be permeable, allowing water to drain through and ensure that it could be used all year round.A Rubber Shockpad was installed beneath the Artificial Grass to give children a soft, impact-absorbing layer to run and play with.The installation, completed on March 19, covered an area of over 1000 sqm.

Nestled in the natural beauty of northern Athens, “Adventure Farm Forest” is an inspiring outdoor playground that beckons families from all corners to come together and have fun!Themed playground in Athens, GreeceDesigned with a harmonious blend between nature's wonderland and creative play activities, it will surely excite imaginations while thrilling your little adventurers. Its centerpiece attraction – Polka - draws many children seeking thrills amidst elastic tiles covering its entire area. For younger kids, there are multiple interactive games such as Mole's Wood adventure or Little House for infants plus several benches for tired parents waiting nearby. A refreshing marble fountain supplies cool water under sunny Grecian skies topped off by a cozy municipal coffee shop only steps away when you need refueling after long hours of family bonding moments within this special place - truly a one-of-a-kind spot in Greece!The project was executed by our local channel partner Intec S.A. in 2012.

Boughton’s Intensive green roof substrate has been successfully trialled in a ground-breaking analysis project at Coventry University assessing the feasibility of ‘greening’ landscapes with ecological beneficial habitats.  With the objective being to research the benefits and plausibility of incorporating green space and wildlife-friendly habitats into heavily built-up areas, Coventry University handpicked Boughton’s Intensive IN1 substrate based on its nutrient content, weight, and the inclusion of a water supply in chambers beneath the sub-base.The majority of green roofs in the UK fall into the ‘extensive’ category and are based on a low growing succulent, Sedum, which only requires a few centimetres of substrate to grow, whilst intensive green roofs provide a deeper soil depth and can support a more complex plant system. To this end, Coventry University wanted to explore the advantages of intensive green roofs, which offer greater biodiversity, often create accessible spaces, and offer the best insulation properties and storm water management. The organisation partnered with SEL Environmental, who provided its intelligent water management systems for the project.Boughton’s Intensive IN1 substrate boasts greater organic content than extensive substrates, meaning it supports larger plants and can be installed at greater depths, varying from 100-500cm. IN1 provides a stable growing medium for wide variety of plants in intensive green roof installations, including green roof lawns, shrubs and trees.Depending on the substrate depth and plant type, permanent irrigation systems (above or below ground) are sometimes installed with this substrate to as a backup for extended dry periods. They are not required for everyday irrigation, as the substrate has the ability to hold onto sufficient moisture during ambient conditions. The project, funded by Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) and headed up by Sophie Barron-West, followed plant growth for four years from 2017, with a break due to Covid 19. Dr Stephen Coupe and Dr Liz Trenchard from the University’s Centre for Agroecology, Water and Resilience (CAWR) offered their research expertise.CAWR’s Dr Stephen Coupe says: “The technical requirements of Boughton IN1 were a big part of why we chose it. We also wanted the chance to get as many wildflowers in the space as possible. The nutrient levels were perfect because it wasn’t too rich. In fact, it was a ‘just right’ formulation that wasn’t going to overstimulate but would also deliver enough nutrients for what we needed. Ultimately it was going to be perfect for long-term sustainable plant growth.”He continues: “Reliability was another consideration because we knew we could get it delivered on site on time and, because of Boughton’s location in Kettering, we weren’t concerned about lead times, so that was a plus. It’s safe to say it was a studied choice.”Ground-breaking resultsAccording to the University, the trial resulted in ground-breaking analysis into how different types of green roofs can be created and maintained, as well as what their benefits would be alongside others in a built-up area.  The project successfully demonstrated the ecological impact of placing retrofit green roofs onto existing infrastructure, even with a focus on wildflower species and a relatively short development time. An independently-conducted ecological survey recorded five insect species that have national and local rarity value, including two species of bee that are deemed ‘nationally scarce’ and ‘nationally rare’. Of 457 preserved specimens taken on the green roofs at Coventry University, a total of 120 different insect species were recorded, including wasps, sawflies, hoverflies, beetles, and as many as 11 species of bee.  Coventry University’s findings revealed that the innovation in green roofs has improved and increased the total constructed habitat for rare insects. Research has also enabled better water management alongside habitat enhancement. This research has been incorporated into SEL’s product range, where green roofs are now used across four sites in Coventry, London, Aylesford and Blackburn. CAWR’s Dr Stephen Coupe said: “Ecology, biodiversity and wildlife are largely forgotten by planners, designers and builders in developments. Most green roofs installed in the UK are based on sedum, and, while there are additional features that can be added to these green roofs to improve biodiversity, they are rarely incorporated. Our findings, using Boughton’s Intensive green roof substrate, are that the retrofit of green roofs is feasible and, more than four years into development, IN1 has supported verifiably diverse green roofs. The plants on these roofs supported several insects that have rarity status in the UK, which is very positive.” Dr Coupe adds: “Whilst it is probable that substrates take many years to develop anything like the maturity comparable to natural soil, after just four years, IN1 went from having no recordable eukaryotes, to a concentration of organisms, including worms, soil mites and rotifers.”  Boughton Business Development Manager, Jason Lock comments: “Boughton was delighted to be part of this groundbreaking project and buoyed by such positive findings. Our products have been used successfully in a number of iconic green roof developments around the country over the years but it was a pleasure to be involved in such an important trial that would deliver verifiable results assessing the potential for green roofs to create new habitats in urban environments and enhancing local ecological diversity. Boughton offers an extensive range of green roof substrates and we welcome any research that helps further innovation around the application of green roofs.” The experiment at Coventry University is ongoing and the team are set to feed back again at the end of the summer about how prolonged dry weather has affected results. Dr Coupe says: “The beauty of this project is that there is no general timeline for a piece of green space. We need funding to support our ongoing investigations but there are options and opportunities for long-term research. It can last for the lifespan of the site and I think we will see really interesting developments. There is no reason why, over time, these green spaces would be indistinguishable from an existing habitat.” Boughton’s portfolio of green roof substrates are specifically engineered for different types of roof greening, both for domestic and commercial projects. A full product specification is available for each of Boughton’s Green Roof Substrates, and other landscaping products, making exact specification simple and straightforward. There’s also a section on each product listed online, titled ‘to specify (copy & paste)’, designed to make your job even easier. To enquire about your next project, contact Boughton by calling (01536) 510515 or email sales@boughton.co.uk.

The National Physical Labratory, the UK’s National Metrology Institue, was due a washroom upgrade and Dart Valley Systems provided products for the project. Developing and maintaining national primary measurement standards, the NPL has been responsible for building eliable and successful measurment foundations that help towards evolving antibiotics to tackle resistence, more effective cancer treatments, superfast 5G and unhackable quantum communications. The range of products provided are as follows: • 40 x AT03-011 Aquarius DM A45 tap spout only in s/steel with pex hose • 40 x WC02-013 Concealed plastic cistern kit – vertical – 1 ½“ • 40 x WC03-013 Low voltage WC flushvalve with programmable sensor (1 ½“ base c/w mains PSU) • 17 x WC02-001 Concealed plastic cistern – cistern only – 1 ½“ • 17 x UC00-002 Auto-Syphon for cisterns – 8 ¼“ x 1 ½“ BSP • 12 x AT00-007 Two station mains kit low pressure 0.5-1 BAR • 3 x AT00-003 Two station mains kit standard pressure 1-10 BAR • 1 x AT00-002 Single station mains kit standard pressure 1-10 BAR • 1 x AT00-004 Three station mains kit standard pressure 1-10 BAR • 2 x AT00-006 Single station mains kit low pressure 0.5-1 BAR • 2 x AT00-008 Three station mains kit low pressure 0.5-1 BAR • 7 X UC01-024 Flushmatic downlighter kit for suspended ceilings in White - Mains • 24 x AC17-047 Thermostatic mixing valve 4in1 15/22mm Our DVS no-touch WC flushing system is an electroincally operated drop valve which replaces the traditional syphon and delivers a measured volume of water from the cistern to the lavatory bowl. A simple wave of a hand past the fitted sensor will acitivate the electronic Flushvalve.The system typically saves 30% on water costs, is vandal proof and easy to install a maintain. For over a hundred years, the NPL has worked with it’s customers to convert scientific proficiency into economic success, proficent employment and the enhanced quality of life. As an insitute that has aided in saving lives and protecting our enviroment National Physical Labratory has played a huge role in helping the British public feel safe and secure. 

Center Parcs Whinfell is an award-winning village located on the edge of the stunning Lake District National Park in Cumbria. Offering one of the most picturesque destinations for short break holidays, it is a haven for nature-lovers and provides countless activities to keep the whole family happily. New to the village is The Pancake House, an all-time guest favourite restaurant offering sweet and savoury pancakes in traditional Dutch style. Center Parcs needed to replace their well-used decking area outside of the restaurant which forms a main thoroughfare around the the village's eateries, overlooking the water. Gripsure's Classic deck boards were specified for this public walkway to ensure the safety of their guests; with 3 non-slip aggregate inserts, our Classic deck boards achieves the highest non-slip safety rating on the market. Not only that, this profile has a smooth board offering a stylish and contemporary finish, in keeping with Center Parc's modern facilities. In addition to this, Gripsure's Boardwalk Heritage profile was specified to replace a decked bridge connecting the eating quarters to the rest of the village. This innovative profile features 100m wide aggregate insert, offering excellent coverage whilst managing to retain the feel of using a natural product. The finishing touches to the project were applied to the steps connecting the different deck levels. For this, a custom profile was created for stair nosings using bold and contrasting coloured aggregate to alert guests and staff of the height change, whilst maintaining a sophisticated look. The high aggregate coverage ensures optimum safety for little feet running around at speed, big feet which have just been in the water, and friendly paws along for the ride. A representative for Center Parcs said "Center Parcs have been working with Gripsure for over 6 years. A great relationship has evolved in that time and they have not only worked with us to put together a standards document for the different areas that we use decking products, but they have also developed products for us to overcome specific challenges. The team at Gripsure are great to work with and they have also delivered CPD sessions to key managers within our business. We specify their products for use across all of our villages because of the range of products that can be applied across different areas, from boardwalks and bridges to decks and steps and the non-slip performance and quality are excellent." Gripsure previously worked with the team at Center Parcs Longleat to replace its iconic wooden boardwalk. You can take a look at the case study here.

The National Physical Laboratory, the UK’s National Metrology Institute, was due a washroom upgrade and Dart Valley Systems provided products for the project. Developing and maintaining national primary measurement standards, the NPL has been responsible for building reliable and successful measurement foundations that help evolve antibiotics to tackle resistance, more effective cancer treatments, superfast 5G and unhackable quantum communications. The range of products provided are as follows: ·       40 x AT03-011 Aquarius DM A45 tap spout only in s/steel with pex hoses ·       40 x WC02-013 Concealed plastic cistern kit – vertical – 1 ½“·       40 x WC03-013 Low voltage WC flush valve with programmable sensor (1 ½“ base c/w mains PSU)·       17 x WC02-001 Concealed plastic cistern – cistern only – 1 ½“ ·       17 x UC00-002 Auto-Syphon for cisterns – 8 ¼“ x 1 ½“ BSP ·       12 x AT00-007 Two station mains kit low pressure 0.5-1 BAR·       3 x AT00-003 Two station mains kit standard pressure 1-10 BAR ·       1 x AT00-002 Single station mains kit standard pressure 1-10 BAR ·       1 x AT00-004 Three station mains kit standard pressure 1-10 BAR·       2 x AT00-006 Single station mains kit low pressure 0.5-1 BAR  ·       2 x AT00-008 Three station mains kit low pressure 0.5-1 BAR·       7 X UC01-024 Flushmatic downlighter kit for suspended ceilings in White - Mains ·       24 x AC17-047 Thermostatic mixing valve 4in1 15/22mm  Our DVS no-touch WC flushing system is an electronically operated drop valve that replaces the traditional syphon and delivers a measured volume of water to the lavatory bowl from the cistern. A simple wave of a hand past the fitted sensor will activate the electronic Flush valve. The system typically saves 30% on water costs, is vandal-proof, and is easy to install and maintain. For over a hundred years, the NPL has worked with its customers to convert scientific proficiency into economic success, proficient employment, and an enhanced quality of life. As an institute that has aided in saving lives and protecting our environment, National Physical Laboratory has played an enormous role in helping the British public feel safe and secure. 

F. Ball and Co. Ltd.’s newest high-performance water-mix smoothing underlayment, Stopgap 1500 AquaPro, and Styccobond F48 PLUS temperature tolerant fibre-reinforced adhesive have enabled a fast-track LVT installation as part of barn conversions to create three holiday cottages in rural Nottinghamshire.Flooring contractors installed floorcoverings in bedrooms, open-plan living and dining areas and corridors of three previously disused farm buildings of varying size, a total area of over 200m2.Work began by sanding down the new concrete bases, which had been installed as part of the renovation of the properties, by mechanically preparing them, removing any laitance, contamination, dust and debris, to leave a solid, sound, micro textured surface to receive floor preparation products.A moisture test was undertaken by one of F. Ball’s technical representatives to ensure that the building’s subfloors were dry enough to receive floorcoverings. Surfaces were then primed using Stopgap P131 general-purpose primer to promote the application characteristics of subsequently applied subfloor preparation products.Stopgap 1500 AquaPro was applied to create a perfectly smooth base for floorcoverings. Fast-setting and fast-drying, it is walk-on hard in as little as 60 minutes after application and ready to receive floorcoverings from just four hours. The product uses the latest technology to offer a water-mix smoothing underlayment that can be applied over old adhesive residues, including bitumen, carpet tile tackifiers and ceramic tile adhesives. As it is moisture resistant, it can be applied to damp subfloors prior to the application of a waterproof surface membrane.Flooring contractors then used Styccobond F48 PLUS to adhere 7-inch wood-effect vinyl planks in each of the three cottages. The temperature tolerant adhesive holds floorcoverings in place when subject to high temperatures, which may be an issue as a result of solar gain caused by large patio doors. This can cause tenting and gapping at the edges of vinyl floorcoverings as a result of repeated expansion and contraction over time. Fibres in the adhesive also provide high initial grab, a benefit when installing LVTs.Commenting on the project, Anthony Holmewood, fitter at Forester Flooring, said: “Using Stopgap 1500 AquaPro meant that we could complete the work in less than a week. We opted for Styccobond F48 PLUS to install LVTs mainly because we like the adhesive, but also for the reason that floorcoverings are exposed to direct sunlight in some areas.”

Our Partner, Fast Floor Screed Ltd, pump-applied self-levelling, Südanit 280 Alpha Hemihydrate Screed in this new wonderful Passive house, A1 rated self-build in Cork. The delivery, completed using their mobile screed factory, enabled our Alpha Hemihydrate flooring solution to be installed quickly and efficiently over the entire project. The architect Wain Morehead Architects, described the screed ‘the response time in your screeds also helps maintain comfort – verified during this week during monitoring/testing’, which we knew but are delighted to hear this also from Wain Moore Architects.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 following trades to proceed without delay.The major delivery, completed using their mobile screed factory enabled our Alpha Hemihydrate flooring solution to be installed quickly and efficiently over the entire project. 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. This ensures the Fast Floor Screed Mobile Screed Factory produces Sudanit 280 Alpha Hemihydrate floor screed to a consistently high quality. Have a look at some previous projects we delivered to Fast Floor Screed Ltd.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.Did you know…?This Alpha Hemihydrate Screed can be installed in a heated floating-floor screed construction, uniquely, with the commissioned underfloor heating system up and running @ 25°C?!Smet Building Products Ltd in partnership with Fast Floor Screed Ltd, demonstrates, once again, a superior level of customer service, both pre and aftercare. Whether your job is self-build, retro-fit, floor renovation, design, commercial or an industrial venture – we have a floor compound suitable for you.Contact Smet Building Products Ltd for any advice regarding your substrate.

About Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Milton KeynesHotel MK is a Hilton-branded hotel built into Stadium MK, home of MK Dons FC and 2015 Rugby World Cup venue. It has 304 bedrooms as well as multiple event spaces. Its conference space regularly accommodates up to 700 people for banquets, 1,000 for conferences and up to 2,500 on match day. Consequently the urinals in the conference area can experience very high usage. The hotel operates under the Hilton brand and so must comply with Hilton’s brand standards. It also takes part in Hilton’s Lightstay programme, designed to reduce energy and water usage throughout the Hilton portfolio.In 2016 Sue Dawson, the hotel’s Operations Director, was tasked with arranging the refurbishment of the two blocks of toilets in the hotel’s conference area. Waterless urinals were already in use in the Stadium and the hotel was keen to reduce its water usage further by installing them in the conference areas.Why did Hotel MK choose waterless urinals?Waterless urinals offered several benefits to the hotel. The conference area is not used every day so moving to waterless urinals means no water is used on the days that the conference area is not used. The hotel also needed to ensure that the installation fitted with Hilton’s brand standards for design. Waterless urinals offer an aesthetic advantage as the waste from them simply runs directly into the drains, eliminating the need for ugly pipes on show or any need to box pipes in. Draining into a wide pipe, rather than a narrow pipe as is the case with traditional urinals, also means that waterless urinals are highly unlikely ever to block.Why did Hotel MK choose URIMAT urinals?"I searched online for waterless urinals but none of the ones I looked at were particularly nice looking and it was very important to us to get something that fitted with the overall look of the facility and with Hilton’s own brand standards. When I came across Ecoprod I felt that their products were much more attractive and fitted with the clean look we wanted to achieve. They ticked all the boxes for us.The key selling points were the fact that the urinals were eco-friendly and the aesthetics of their design – that’s what sold me."Sue Dawson, Operations DirectorSmooth and quick installationThe installation was done by the hotel’s in-house team of builders and joiners in conjunction with external plumbing contractors and took only a few days to complete."I liaised with Edward at Ecoprod and together we agreed a plan and a delivery date. Everything went very smoothly. The products were all delivered on time. We arranged a split delivery so that one set of urinals could be installed while a second set remained in use."Sue Dawson, Operations DirectorPositive feedback from staff and customers"There have been no operational issues at all since launch. Edward came down to demonstrate the cleaning regime and everything is really hunky-dory. Ecoprod has been very helpful and on the case the whole time, very diligent and attentive, making sure we had everything we needed on time and knew what we were doing the whole time."Sue Dawson, Operations Director"Conference people notice the new urinals, and we do a lot of show arounds. They look so much better – much more hygienic than standard urinals.The cleaners have also noticed a difference. These urinals are mounted onto a wood board rather than tiles, so there’s no grout or other areas where dirt and residue can accumulate. The wood is much easier to wipe around. The hotel design is all driven by making things easier to clean so this is a really important consideration for us."Mark Watson, Operations Manager."It’s a very modern-looking facility – we’re very happy with the results – it feels fresh and modern."Sue Dawson, Operations Director

Museum of London - Visionary RoofSynopsisThe Museum of London opened in 1976 on the historic London Wall and is a few minutes’ walk from St Paul’s Cathedral. A visionary approach to roofing had been adopted on a building that, will not only green as much of the exposed roofs as possible, but also provide a strong research aspect for future green roof projects. As with many buildings, the original roofs needed to be upgraded or replaced, at the same time as being brought up to date using environmental and sustainable solutions.Through the recommendation of waterproofing and green roof manufacturer Bauder Ltd, the Museum invited Dusty Gedge, one of the UK’s leading independent green roof consultants, to work directly with them to design 3500m² of varying habitats that encompassed the museum’s sustainable vision. and help in the provision of environments that would attract a range of wildlife, as well as being able to help the city adapt to climate change.Bauder Building BoardProject:Visionary roof, Muesum of LondonLocation:LondonProject type:RefurbishmentRoof size:9512m²Specifier:Museum of LondonRoofing contractor:Russell Trew LtdThe specificationAn independent consultant had previously carried out an energy model on the Museum of London buildings. When the museum inputted the green roof specification, it showed a potential energy saving of 10% per year, as well as a reduction on the future replacement costs of the heating and cooling plant. Some of the green roofs were funded through Drain London, a partnership project led by the Greater London Authority and funded by Defra. The project aims to better understand surface water flood risk across London, with a view to promote interventions (such as green roofs) to reduce surface water flooding. The museum has used the Bauder green roof system and worked closely with Dan Costen of Bauder and the roofing contractor Russell Trew Ltd, to deliver the various green roof spaces.These include:The refurbishment of the lower garden in the central courtyard with hard landscapingThe installation of Bauder’s new wildflower blanket to the upper garden in the central courtyard (funded through Drain London)Plug planting the roofs of the recently completed garden and terrace rooms that provide high quality corporate hire (matching the colour scheme chosen for the rotunda garden refurbishment and integrated with the new rainwater harvesting system funded by Renaissance London)An integrated sustainable urban drainage system (SuDS)Plug planting in other individual small roof areas including outside the boardroom and committee roomsTwo different planting schemes on an area of the main museum roof where the Drain London Project aims to carry out water attenuation researchThe resultRetrofitting green roofs will help to realise the Mayor of London’s ambition, to increase green cover in central London by 5% by 2030. The Museum of London is one of the largest retrofit green roof projects in the City and is certainly to be commended for allowing its roofs to be used for research purposes. Not only will it provide a benchmark for best practice, but it also demonstrates that retrofitting green roofs onto existing buildings is both environmentally and economically viable and is the way forward in helping London adapt to climate change.System installedBauderflex Green 1 BauderPLANT E 42A torch applied SBS elastomeric bitumen capping sheet. This product features chemically treated bitumen to deliver superior root resistance which has been tested and approved by the FLL2 BauderTEC Sprint DUOA self-adhesive elastomeric bitumen underlayer with DUO lap technology. This product has a glass fleece reinforcement feature for stability and strength.3 BauderPIR FA-TEFlatboard insulation boards containing rigid polyisocyanurate (PIR).4 BauderTEC KSD FBSA self-adhesive SBS elastomeric bitumen air & vapour control layer, with a mica finish.XF 301 Sedum System1 BauderGREEN XF 301Sedum vegetation blanket instantly providing at least 90% coverage on an extensive green roof. Integrated water retention and filter layer.2 BauderGREEN AL 4040mm high perforated edge/drainage trim frames and retains the Bauder XF 301 sedum system.3 BauderGREEN SDFMulti-functional drainage and filtration layer which prevents the roots of sedum plants from becoming waterlogged.4 BauderPLANT ETorch-on root-resistant capping sheet green.AdvocacyGavin McCourt MRICS, Project Manager for The Museum of London said:“In producing the business case for installing green roofs, reference was made to the extensive published documents on the benefits of green roofs. In this case as the museum building had already been energy modelled by outside consultants, it was decided to input the green roof specification into the model. The results showed a potential energy saving of 10% per year, as well as a reduction in future replacement costs for heating and cooling plant. These factors, combined with the longer life cycle replacement of green roofs compared with normal felt roofing systems, enabled me to produce a robust business case for green roofs. With increasing energy prices the economic benefits of installing green roofs can only become more viable”Dusty Gedge added:“One of the major issues that London faces is flash floods during the summer, when sudden rainfall levels overwhelm the current drainage network. With the support of Drain London we will be researching the rainwater run-off for different green roofs. This will help us validate the kind of roofs and depth of substrates that will negate the costly effects that the sudden rainfall has on the infrastructure of the City.”

In China, the name Shenzhen is associated with frenetic pace. The city’s metamorphosis from a fishing village with 30,000 residents into a 15-million strong metropolis took just 30 years. A start-up at this location required only two decades to become the world’s fourth largest industrial enterprise. Tencent, the high-tech concern that started out as an e-mail provider, has already overtaken Facebook in terms of its market value. The new HQ of the high-flying company was designed by NBBJ Architects from New York as a statement of a new era of campus buildings. Two towers made of glass and steel, that shimmer in the sun and unite the copper-colored pedestrian bridges, resemble robots hugging one another. When deciding on the cladding for the gigantic atrium, the company went for a golden metal fabric from GKD – GEBR. KUFFERATH AG, which was recommended by French designer Alain Bony.Shenzhen lies directly on the border with Hong Kong in the Southern Chinese province of Guangdong. Named a special economic zone in 1980, the once sleepy fishing village has developed into a prosperous market economy under state control. Countless skyscrapers today form a skyline that can hold its own in comparisons with Manhattan. One in three smartphones sold in the world is fabricated here. Yet Shenzhen has developed from the world’s workbench into China’s Silicon Valley. The majority of residents are less than 30 years old. Numerous international concerns are based here, and nowhere in China is the per capita income higher. Thanks to massive economic growth, Shenzhen is one of the fastest growing cities in China, making property in the city a geographically restricted commodity. Despite being one of the city’s most famous children, Internet giant Tencent is still not well known outside China. The inventor of the two most popular apps in China – QQ and WeChat – is today also market leader for online games, offers video streaming services, and generates 20 percent of its revenue from advertising alone. The company has been working hard on international expansion for quite some time and has shareholdings in various companies, including Snapchat and Tesla. It has been enjoying constant and fast growth since being founded. Just one year after completion of the first new company building in Shenzhen for 15,000 employees, planning work started on a new global HQ, which offers enough space for a further 12,000 employees. Tencent commissioned the renowned American architecture firm NBBJ, which has already built many award-winning headquarters for high-tech companies such as Amazon, Google, Microsoft, or Samsung, to design the new building. The team around Jonathan Ward fended off six competitors to win the order with a completely new campus concept. Tencent was looking for a classic campus based on the US model. The goal was to create a comfortable central meeting point in a spacious, attractive, natural environment, where people could automatically meet, chat, and find new ideas. However, the plot for the new HQ was located right in the heart of the city at an intersection of the multi-laned city expressways. As such, the only way to secure sufficient space in the small footprint was to design a skyscraper. Yet Tencent was concerned that a building of this type would not allow employees from various teams, departments, corridors, and floors to engage in regular contact with one another. NBBJ therefore merged the benefits of both approaches – inspiring spaciousness and inner city spatial efficiency – to create a completely new concept that re-imagines the campus idea and implements it vertically. To this end, the concept of a skyscraper was divided up into two buildings and then given the qualities of a classic campus. The Tencent Seafront Towers comprise two towers, boasting 50 and 39 floors respectively, which were constructed to give the appearance of being slightly intertwined with one another. The offset height reduces the load of the tropical winds common in the region, while at the same time providing ventilation for the atrium located between the two towers. The towers also provide shade for one another and thereby support the intelligent integrated energy concept.The key to the vertical campus concept, however, are the three skybridges, which cross as horizontal meeting areas. From a visual perspective, the copper-colored walkways give the towers a soul, as they appear to be hugging one another. They are logically referred to as links and make a contribution to movement and networking with topic-specific offers. While the link on the first floor above the lobby with café, exhibition space and auditorium is used for cultural exchange, the central link on the 21st floor is ideal for rest, recovery and health promotion. Staff can relax and unwind here in meditation rooms, a basketball court, a gym, a swimming pool, games rooms and even a running track. The highest of the three links on the 34th floor is dedicated to the topic of knowledge, boasting a library and multiple conference rooms. All of the links have roof terraces containing landscaped gardens. To ensure that they actually cater to their intended function as places of communication, collaboration, and inspiration, the architects at NBBJ designed an elevator system for the HQ, so that all employees can regularly spend time in these meeting areas. Express elevators from the lobby travel only as far as the bridges. The employees then enter local elevators to take them to their floor. From a design perspective, this is the fastest way to reach any office or location in the towers. This makes the links the perfect counterpart to the central square in a traditional campus, where employees automatically meet, even if they work in different buildings. They engage in spontaneous conversations here on their way from the bus station located beneath the towers or the parking areas to their office, in the queue for the juice bar or even on their way to play sports. Thanks to the bridges, these social meeting points are distributed across the entire HQ like in a city. This allows social networks, the key focus of operations for Tencent, to become genuinely accessible and experienceable. This systematically designed and yet organic networking produces precisely the kind of synergies that lead to the collaboration and inspiration Tencent strives for – as a prerequisite for further growth.The conceptual design of the lobby, which is open to the public from two sides, provides for additional hustle and bustle, as well as social meetings. This makes it a much-used route from other parts of the city to the Nanshan high-tech district. Just like the entire building, this central intersection between the inside and outside world was designed by the architects as a conscious statement of networking. When cladding three sides of the atrium, which is located above the lobby, the architects therefore chose metal fabric from GKD. A total of 1,850 square meters of this material is used to create a golden net that encapsulates the three-floor auditorium. Some 28 panels, each measuring four meters wide and 16.5 meters high, were used to create these hanging shrouds. Their sophisticated texture facilitates views into the atrium from the lobby, as well as open views down into the entrance hall. The textile shell also serves as efficient fall guard protection here. Visually, it acts like a delicate veil in harmonizing the effects of the corridors and rooms of the atrium located behind it. GKD was commissioned with developing a new special fabric for the design of the cladding. To create it, golden-anodized aluminum wires and tubes were interwoven in three-wire warp wire groups made of untreated stainless steel at varying intervals. The various diameters of the fabric components – 4 mm thick wires and 12 mm thick tubes – lead to significant differences in tension in the weaving process. These were completely equalized using special weaving techniques, so that the fabric reliably complies with the static requirements of the large-format skin. Installation of the special fabric also required the experts from Germany to demonstrate their decades of expertise. For example, the tubes had to be aligned precisely in the panels to create the appearance of a seemingly endless texture. Definition of the golden color to be used was also a particular requirement of the planners. The homogeneity of this color not only needed to be guaranteed across the entire area, but also meet the high expectations of the designers with regard to the appearance of the fabric when viewed in various light conditions. The subtle luster of the soft golden color ultimately chosen allows the atrium to appear caressed by the sun and lends the lobby a sense of warmth to contrast with its cool gray marble floor, walls, and aluminum screens. In the atrium itself, the selected color scheme also matches the wooden finish of the wall and ceiling cladding. The golden membrane then acts like a fine business card for the HQ, which underlines the image of a truly important concern thanks to its size and aesthetics and combines this with maximum interaction of the environment and employees.

Built on a largely derelict gap site, The Works is a development of 34 two-bedroomed apartments in the popular Yorkhill / Finnieston area of Glasgow, offering panoramic views over the city and the River Clyde. To accommodate the site’s slope, the development comprises a four-storey north side and a six-story south side.The development had to overcome a number of issues, including planning issues around daylighting and massing, and the challenge of building immediately adjacent to the Yorkhill railway tunnel.PROJECT INFOThe Works provides residents with off-street parking and use of a large communal garden, with ground floor properties having private rear gardens. Design emphasis is on open-plan layouts and generous room sizes. To take advantage of the views, the apartments feature south-facing and Juliet-style balconies.Ecostock Belgravia Gault Blend was selected to meet the requirements of both the client and planning for a high quality, light buff brick with grey tones that would match the surrounding buff sandstone tenements. The sustainability credentials and technical performance of Ecostock, with its low water absorption suiting the wet weather typical of the west of Scotland’s, also contributed to the selection decision.

A safety railing on the River Thames. London’s longest pier, Royal Wharf includes a 162m² viewing platform for unparalleled views along the River Thames, now surrounded by a glass balustrade safety railing. Like many river-side locations, the view is spectacular and is preserved for the enjoyment of those walking by. The glass balustrade keeps the views in tact while also providing a safety barrier and windbreak along the length of the pier. The Royal Wharf Pier opened in 2019, after a refurbishment, and now provides quick transport to and from central London by water taxi. The use of MEGAgrip keeps the view of the River Thames while providing the necessary safety feature on the pier. MEGAgrip is Pure Vista’s answer to a heavy-duty and fully adjustable balustrade system. The internal glass clamps allow for easy alignment of the glass within the channel, making this one of the most easily adjustable systems available. MEGAgrip is ideal to be used as a public space barrier in busy locations such as transport hubs or venues. A benefit to this product is that it can be upgraded, with the use of a converter kit, to become bomb-resistant. For this project, MEGAgrip provides the most suitable safety railing on the River Thames.

Dart Valley Systems (DVS) were thrilled to be chosen for the refurbishment project at Heathrow Terminal 5. DVS worked with Heathrow Airport (formerly known as Heathrow Airport) for over 15 years, providing brassware and water controls and have become established as a trusted partner. The Terminal 5 design team at Heathrow Airport worked with DVS to expand the range to include flush valves, urinal controls, automatic taps amongst others to fulfil their requirements. This specification was then carried forward to future Terminal projects.After a thorough review of washroom products from leading suppliers, the Heathrow Airport design team nominated DVS as the preferred supplier. There was a high level of confidence in the reliability of the products and support provided from previous successful collaborations. The results, achieved through close collaboration, have provided both parties with significant benefits, Heathrow Airport obtained the exact specifications they required and DVS was able to produce some of their next generation products. With an anticipated 35 million passengers a year passing through the terminal, the products needed to be robust and able to withstand a high footfall, along with offering cost and operational savings. 

IssueA 15-year-old bathroom in a housing development was looking tired and dated and the owner wanted to refresh the area with minimal disruption in a quick timescale. The bathroom had three walls of ceramic tiles, and a sink splashback, which were in good condition but were unfashionable and required high levels of maintenance to remove limescale and mould.The property, a first floor flat, had easy access but no lift, so equipment, materials and any waste needed to be carried up and down the stairs.Approach“We wanted to replace the ceramic tiles, without having to re-plaster the bathroom walls which would mean a complete renovation and redecoration project,” said Helen Green, the owner. “We live in an area with hard water and limescale is a real problem so a wall that is easy to keep clean would be ideal.”SolutionAfter liaising with Altro customer services, the new Altro Walls ShowerKit was recommended as being the ideal solution as the wall panels can be installed over existing ceramic tiles and provides ease of maintenance for residents. There is also no requirement for construction materials or heavy equipment as Altro Walls ShowerKit is lighter to transport than ceramic tiles.

Located in Tower Hamlets, Gayton House and Sleaford House are managed by housing association Poplar HARCA. Following amendments to Building Regulations, which banned the use of combustible materials in external walls of high-rise buildings above 18m, StoTherm Mineral K was specified to replace the existing EWI system.BBA-certified, StoTherm Mineral K comprises mineral fibre insulation boards and the system is classified with an A2-s1, d0 reaction to fire in accordance with BS EN 13501-1.Working on behalf of Westminster Building Company, Square 1 Architectural Solutions was responsible for removing the existing EWI and installing the StoTherm Mineral K system onto four elevations on each 23-storey block. The non-combustible mineral fibre insulation boards were secured to the existing concrete substrate using adhesive and mechanical fixings, and without the need for additional expansion joints.A StoLevell Duo Plus reinforcing coat embedded with Sto-Glass Fibre Mesh was then applied to the face of the insulation boards. This was followed by the application of 1.5mm stippled StoSilco, a silicone resin render that provides high levels of water repellence to protect the walls from weathering.

Capella Development, Handyside, Kings Cross LondonDeveloper: ArgentMain contractor: Laing O’Rourke Architects: Chapman TaylorSub Contractor: InstaGroup120 newly built residential apartments received InstaCoustic's 'dry' cradle & batten system combining under floor heating & topped with Knauf GifaFloor FHB25.Original plans were to install a T&G chipboard to finish the acoustic floor system, however it was determined that there were deflection risks around the proposed large format tile finish.As a result, the chipboard was replaced by the high density, gypsum fibreboard Knauf GifaFloor FHB25. This resulted in:Quicker install & less use water than a wet screed systemImproved acoustic performanceImproved fire performanceImproved thermal efficiency resulting in reduced energy costs for the end userHigher loading performance, creating a solid substrate for the finish to be applied directly toReduction in overall embodied carbon & installation of a product that offers a high recycled contentLifetime guarantee of the buildingClick the link below to read the full case studyhttps://www.instacoustic.co.uk/case-study/kings-cross-london-n1c/

Cannon Park Shopping Centre in Coventry has undergone a significant transformation. Led by MPR, the redevelopment project includes refurbishment of the existing shopping centre, construction of a new 780-bed student residence, and the addition of a new 400-space multi-storey car park. Biotecture was brought on board to incorporate living walls into the development.In 2021, Biotecture installed a 690 square metre green wall on the multi-storey car park as part of the project’s first phase. We then continued to collaborate with the project’s architects, Urban Innovations, and landscape architects, Parkhood, on phase 2; 9 living walls on the student accommodation phase. The vertical greening was an important part of the scheme, helping to help soften the development, improve air quality, contribute to biodiversity net gain.The living walls are integrated into the building fabric. We worked closely with the design team to ensure that the living walls not only aligned with the desired aesthetics but also met the technical requirements.We used our BioPanel system which uses Grodan® as the growing medium. Grodan is dimensionally stable, chemically inert, and water retentive resulting in healthier and longer-lasting plants.

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

Tilt and Turn Windows in a new developmentGowercroft's expertise shines through in their remarkable tilt and turn windows project on Bishops Avenue, London, known as "Billionaires Row." Overcoming technical challenges with meticulous attention to detail, Gowercroft delivered high-quality windows and sliding doors, elevating the new build project to a regal level.Gowercroft products used:Kedleston Tilt and TurnPeveril Lift and SlideAccoya®The Advantages of Tilt and Turn Windows:Tilt and turn windows, popular in continental Europe, are particularly suitable for large residential and commercial buildings. These windows have both vertical and horizontal hinges, allowing them to function like regular casement windows when opened horizontally. When opened vertically, they provide excellent ventilation while maintaining optimal security, as the opening mechanism remains inaccessible from the outside. Tilt and turn windows also feature multiple locking points for enhanced security when closed.Overcoming Technical Challenges:The architect initially specified standard casement windows for the property, which featured large sliding doors. However, Gowercroft recommended installing tilt and turn systems instead to better suit the building's style. The challenge arose due to the height of some window units exceeding 2 meters, placing significant stress on the hinges and mechanisms. Gowercroft's technical director, David Brown, conducted extensive research to identify the best gearing and specially designed frames to withstand these increased stresses.A Testament to Exceptional Craftsmanship:Gowercroft's bespoke tilt and turn units outperformed those of other companies in terms of functionality, aesthetics, and projected longevity. The windows, doors, and joinery at Bishops Avenue were meticulously crafted in American Black Walnut with bronze inlays and accessories, resulting in a tasteful and luxurious finish.Extensive Installation and Impeccable Functionality:The project involved the creation and installation of over 200 windows and doors, internal door sets, architraves, staircases, rails, furniture, and skirting boards, amounting to almost 2 years of dedicated work. Completed in 2008, the multifunctional window and door units remain fully operational, a testament to their exceptional quality and longevity. Gowercroft continues to maintain and service the tilt and turn windows at 49 Bishops Avenue, ensuring their optimal functionality and eliminating the need for customer maintenance.Testimonial from Barry Glantz, WillowAcre Investments & Developments Ltd:Barry Glantz, of WillowAcre Investments & Developments Ltd, praises Gowercroft for their commitment to quality and professionalism, recommending them without hesitation. Glantz highlights Gowercroft as a company that goes the extra mile, adding value to every project.Elevate your architectural designs with Gowercroft's tilt and turn windows, exemplifying excellence, durability, and functionality. Experience the difference of meticulous craftsmanship and customer satisfaction that extends beyond project completion.

Project Overview:The iconic Hampton House, located in the heart of London, consists of three striking towers known as "The Corniche." Rising to heights of 85 meters and spanning 15 to 27 storeys, these towers house 253 apartments, office spaces, a restaurant, cafe, bar, gym, pool, and spa area. The towers offer breathtaking views of prominent landmarks such as Westminster Palace, Tate Britain, and the London Eye. The distinctive architectural design with arched structures allows for panoramic views and an abundance of natural light. Guttermaster Limited played a significant role in providing Concealed Rainwater Pipes, Soffits, and Bespoke Fabrications to adapt to the building's unique arched layout, offering custom solutions to meet the project's specific requirements.Project Details:Scope of Works:Concealed Rainwater PipesSoffitsBespoke FabricationsProject Challenges:The primary challenge of the project was to adapt all aluminum profiles to the arched layout of the building. Given the distinctive architectural design of The Corniche, a number of custom solutions had to be developed to ensure that Guttermaster's products were seamlessly integrated with the building's structure.Guttermaster's Approach:Guttermaster Limited embraced the project's unique challenges with a focus on custom design, precision engineering, and innovative solutions:Custom Fabrication Expertise: Guttermaster's team developed a Concealed Rainwater Pipe system, Soffits, and Bespoke Fabrications that could seamlessly conform to the arched layout of the project.Adaptive Engineering: Innovative engineering techniques were employed to ensure the concealed rainwater pipe joints could expand with floor-to-floor concrete movement and also provide efficient rainwater management.Balancing Form and Function: The challenge of maintaining architectural integrity while delivering effective rainwater solutions was met through the creation of custom profiles that were both visually pleasing and functional.Results:The collaborative effort between Guttermaster Limited and the project team resulted in the successful integration of Concealed Rainwater Pipes, Soffits, and Bespoke Fabrications at Hampton House:Architectural Synergy: The custom-designed Guttermaster solutions seamlessly integrated into the arched design of the building, preserving its distinctive form and allowing for an abundance of natural light while efficiently managing rainwater.Enhanced Aesthetics: The project showcased Guttermaster's ability to balance form and function, ensuring that the concealed rainwater pipes, soffits, and bespoke fabrications contributed to the building's exterior aesthetics.Innovative Engineering: The custom solutions demonstrated the innovation and adaptability of Guttermaster's engineering team, creating profiles that met the specific needs of the project.Conclusion:The success of Guttermaster Limited in providing Concealed Rainwater Pipes, Soffits, and Bespoke Fabrications for Hampton House, The Corniche, exemplifies the company's dedication to delivering tailored, aesthetically pleasing, and functional rainwater solutions. This project underscores the value of precision engineering, custom design, and the ability to adapt to unique architectural challenges, resulting in a harmonious and iconic addition to London's skyline that seamlessly integrates aesthetics with rainwater management.

OverviewThe UK’s first dedicated horticultural scientific centre of excellence has opened to the public – protecting the future of plants, people, and the planet at the iconic RHS Garden Wisley, situated in Woking, just 30 minutes outside London. RHS Hilltop has been dubbed The Home of Gardening Science, and at a cost of £35 million, is the largest ever investment in horticultural science. The site boasts 3 purpose-built laboratories, a herbarium and digitisation suite, learning studios & a teaching garden, interactive displays and a world class collection of horticultural exhibits across 3 gardens that brim with ideas that reflect the latest research. RHS Wisley’s library and archive contain rich and varied collections, including botanical art, 28,000 horticultural books & records, which places itself as the most complete record of the UK’s horticultural heritage. PartnershipHAG Ltd. were chosen by Geoffrey Osborne Ltd. to work on RHS Wisley’s impressive and forward-thinking purpose-built space to offer fire protection & security solutions across the site, including in the herbarium and café. With over 35 years of industry experience, and being well known for our quality, integrity, and reliability, we were the perfect choice to offer solutions to fire protection and security needs, meaning a more streamlined experience for the main building contractor. Andy Jasper, Programme Director of the Wisley Strategic Investment Programme:“We are so proud to announce the opening date of RHS Hilltop – The Home of Gardening Science. Working so closely and collaboratively with Contractors and Consultants was wonderful and together we have overcome the challenges of Covid-19. We would like to express our most sincere thanks to all the teams and individuals involved in this project who have worked so hard and with such passion and commitment.” The ProjectLike many new builds, RHS Hilltop used the very latest in environmentally friendly techniques in their build process. This included installing their own renewable energy sources, using high levels of insulation and astonishingly, 99% of waste during construction was recycled. The RHS Hilltop facility measures 4,750 square meters and was part of a wider 5-year transformation program at RHS Wisley. With an investment of £35 million, it is easy to see how seriously the Royal Horticultural Society are taking their legacy and setting themselves in good stead for scientific research in the future. HAG installed fire curtains and fire shutters across the site, which are essential to ensure safety and time to exit the buildings in the event of fire. Our insurance-certified roller shutters were supplied and fitted to their exacting standards and are fully covered by LPCB Certification, to give optimum security protection. We were pleased to be involved in such a stunning development and look forward to working with both Geoffrey Osborne Ltd and the RHS again in the future.

The purpose: Water penetration into classrooms alerted theOfsted “outstanding” rated Colchester County HighSchool for Girls in Essex to a problem with its roofs.Its premises advisors, Archer Building Consultancy,turned to Langley to offer technical support for themost efficient best-value rectification, with fundingprovided by the school’s governing body, The AlphaTrust.Our solution: We carried out an in-depth roof condition report which highlightedthat the four flat asphalt and 10° pitched copper standing seamroofs urgently need repair.We advised the most efficient solution and use of resources wasto strip the copper roof back to the plywood deck and form a newwaterproof layer from our TA-30 Flat Roofing System and theasphalt roofs overlaid with TA-30 and our Liquid Roofing System.By leaving the original roof, we were able to minimise disruption.In the process, we assessed the roofs for their suitability forphotovoltaic (PV) installation, then helped address energy costs:one over a three-storey building was deemed appropriate. Finally,in partnership with Archers, we supported the detail required toapply for Salix funding to cover the supply and installation of thePV array.

Exchange Square, designed by DSDHA, is a refurbishment of a major 1.5-acre public park above the tracks of Liverpool Street Station in London. Our terrazzo was supplied throughout, including water features, amphitheatre steps, paving and planter edges with complex 3D pieces. The challenge for In Opera was to provide over 3000 pieces, 90% of which were unique and many having to fit into each other perfectly. The 1.5-acre park will see a four-fold increase in the amount of planting and dramatically enhance biodiversity, with 25% of the area featuring green space that is accessible to all.Quadrupling the amount of green space at Broadgate, the aim is to boost the emotional and physical well-being of those that work at Broadgate and the local community while supporting British Land’s commitment to sustainability and biodiversity.We are proud to have been involved in such a major development, which aims to draw people together and help the communities thrive in a better environment. What was once a dark uninviting space has been transformed into a light and welcoming place where people can truly live, where communities and businesses can thrive, and that helps the planet to flourish. It is a more attractive, less corporate environment for Broadgate, which creates places to dwell, not just pass through.

A raised garden patio has been secured by a glass railing, supported by SPIG-LITEadvanced. The first few images of installations have been arriving and we love this one by Veon Glass Ltd. A raised patio must have it’s edges protected, but not everybody likes the look of wood or metal railing options. Glass provides a sleek and modern aspect to the garden. The SPIG-LITEadvanced raises the glass above the ground, allowing water to flow beneath, making it the ideal balustrade solution for poolside or wet areas. The product is lightweight and compact, enabling easy and quick installation. As with all Pure Vista products, the glass angle can be adjusted to ensure the glass is perfectly aligned. The best windbreak solution, when you have a view, is glass balustrade. As can be seen from the photos, the glass provides protection from the wind and allows a clear line of sight onto the lawn. A great solution for this family home and everybody can enjoy watching a game of football from the patio. To find out about what building regulations require of your glass balustrade project, refer to our building regulations web page.Installation and photos by Veon Glass Ltd.

Hotel Café Royal has just undergone a complete refurbishment and internal re-build. Part of the new complex is a state-of-the-art Spa and Gym which is located in the basement. Directly next to the hotel is Regent Street, below which runs the Bakerloo underground train line.Structure-borne noise levels from the trains were far too high to create the relaxing environment required for a top class Spa. The acoustic consultants therefore specified that all of the noise sensitive spaces must be isolated on a Stravifloor Deck concrete floating floor system.Café Royal’s 1,200 sqm Wellbeing Centre provides a personal and intimate holistic experience. It has a large lap pool and four different areas, corresponding to the four natural elements: spa/water, gym/fire, yoga/air and organic bar/earth.The spa offers a variety of Watsu hydro-experiences, a private and communal Hammam and signature Akasha treatments. Moods are enhanced by restorative music, aromas and gentle lighting. The gym has the most advanced fitness equipment, including Kinesis machines. There is a spacious aerobics studio and a private training room. Yoga, Tai-Chi and Pilates are offered in the calming area, with bespoke classes.