"window"

Plants bring a new dimension to an otherwise dull and lacklustre indoor environment. Desk, shelf and window space does not always allow for houseplants though – but that should never limit the options – there’s the wall space too! Leaf colour, floral interest – plants can bring warmth,visual impact and a welcoming backdrop for employees and visitors in the form of a LivePicture living art wall frame. LivePicture adds nature to any office.

Large scale redevelopment of the old BBC studios in Oxford Road. Each plot is decorated in distinct feature colours. Two enhanced durability bronze metallic shades applied to all window and curtain walling elements, whilst two bespoke matches to glazed terracotta can be found on the lower ground feature mullions.Finishes: Interpon D2525 Y2214F Anodic Bronze & YW283F Bronze + Interpon D1036 purple and cream terracotta.

AluK window and door systems were specified to enhance the views over the South Downs hills, whilst providing the homeowners with a long-lasting solution that will keep their home safe. Overlooking the City of Winchester, this stunning house has been designed to create a positive feel and ambience. Based on the principle that a connection with nature is beneficial to the body, the house provides a space for reflection, offering inspiring views over the city and the beautiful countryside.

An old cinema transformed into a boutique hotel, QT Melbourne is one of Melbourne’s hottest new destinations.Rooms are spacious, and interior design combines Parisian elegance with quirky, stylish touches. QT Corner Room has positioned the Monaco bath (specified in a striking black finish to coordinate with the rest of the hotel’s colour scheme) next to the window, with unrivalled views over Melbourne.Design: indyk architectsDesign: indyk architects

The former Marlow Railway Station dates back to 1873 and stood at the junctions of Station Road and Lock Road. The Old Coal Yard, adjacent to a station platform now only present, has been developed and designed by Bellwood Homes on the concept of three converted Victorian railway terraced buildings.Broadsman House, Palatine Place and Fenman Court consist of three 2-bedroom houses, eight 2-bedroom apartments and one 1-bedroom apartment providing commuters stylish suburban living. Keystones brick slip feature arch lintels and special segmental arch lintels encompass the traditional and contemporary balance of the housebuilders architectural vision.ChallengeThe fashionable commuter town on the Thames has been well preserved, limiting modern styled developments to maintain its original character and historic fabric of heritage buildings. Bellwood homes wanted a sense of purpose for their regeneration project – reconnecting people with what really matters to them, property location and design. The vernacular architecture provides both. A prime location for commuters to ride the branch line into London, renown as the ‘Marlow Donkey’, and fits subtly within the notable context of Georgian, Edwardian and Victorian styles of architecture in Marlow.SolutionKeystone’s technical engineer designed extra heavy-duty brick slip feature arch lintels for ground, first and second floor openings with a 1085mm span and 543mm rise. Over forty brick slip arches were manufactured by Keystone’s production team to a high quality and consistent finish. Each Hoskins Maltings Antique brick was cut to size and bonded using a BBA approved construction adhesive to the load bearing lintels. The patented perforated lintel design allowed the adhesive to squeeze through the perforations and form a ‘mushroom’ on the inside, providing a mechanical lock between the steel lintel and the brick slips.The offsite economical solution did not require skilled bricklayers on site to replicate each traditional arch. This saved approximately labour costs of one bricklayer per arch per day and ultimately weeks of the project build schedule. All prefabricated lintels were delivered to site and ready for final pointing in line with the phased construction plan of the three buildings being erected. The arches produced in a factory control environment were unaffected by torrential weather and winter reduced day light hours limiting productivity. This can often occur on other build schedules which lead to further delays in creating architectural features with real significance to the landscape.The offsite construction method facilitated onsite construction further by supporting bricklayers to recreate window tax designs, bricked up window spaces seen in buildings from the Victorian period. The detail of the façade is prominent most through the repetition of window arches positioned symmetrically on elevations facing the Marlow station. Keystones heavy-duty special segmental arches measuring a 2400mm span, with either a 600mm or 450mm rise provide a modern contemporary twist which feature above glazed bedroom windows and are in complete contrast to the smaller traditional arched windows striking a balance between old and new architecture.Testimonial“From R&D to installation we found Keystones prefabricated lintels very efficient. They reduce brick wastage approximately by 5%. Typically, traditional built arches would require one bricklayer for approximately six hours work. Therefore, this reduced labour costs on site whilst supporting bricklayers to achieve the desired architectural design.”Matthew McGillSite Manager at Bellwood Homes

Duke Court is a development of 37 affordable homes for rent, built on the site of Fred Styles House, formerly a sheltered housing block, providing 42 bedsits, that had been empty since 2013. The development is part of Royal Borough of Greenwich’s commitment to delivering new high-quality homes and sustainable communities.The new development of 29 houses, 7 flats and 1 maisonette creates a pretty neighbourhood of terraced houses running along Charlton Church Lane, and a series of mews streets which run perpendicular connecting into the urban fabric behind the site. Glazed screens lead into a generous open plan kitchen dining room. Stairs lead up to bedrooms and to a light and airy open plan living room with fully glazed screens leading out onto a secluded sun trap roof terrace.The buildings along Charlton Church Lane alternate in height between two, and three storeys. The houses are built from a beautiful soft and rustic brick that helps ensure that the new homes feel embedded and ‘worn in’ to the surrounding area. The brick selected was Forterra’s Ecostock Belgravia Gault Blend. Its varied tone is important for ensuring the new homes do not feel too monolithic adding visual interest, factors that were integral to reassuring planners that the brick would be sensitive to its surrounding context.Low cost, robust but high quality brick detailing is integral to the project. Traditionally built brick arches front a number of the homes and help create a semi-private space where people can put out pots and plants, wellies and umbrellas etc. Snapped headers create tightly curved external walls where the site requires thinner accommodation. Other brick details include projecting brick surrounds to pop-up windows, arched window heads, soldier and header courses, articulated parapets and beautiful angled window reveals on prominent corners.

Created as part of the wider regeneration of the former industrial area of Ouseburn Valley, Lower Steenberg’s Yard is a four-storey development comprising ground floor commercial office space and 28 residential apartments on the floors above. Benefiting from stunning riverside views of the Ouseburn, a small tributary of the River Tyne, the scheme has been designed by Xsite Architecture and constructed by Esh Construction for developers PfP igloo.The architectural style of Lower Steenberg’s Yard has been informed by both the neighbouring Victorian-era industrial buildings and Scandinavian design elements, with the latter inspired by Mr Richard Steenberg, the Danish industrialist who established a number of businesses in the area throughout the 1850s. As a result, clean lines and the extensive use of natural light are key features of the scheme. This has been achieved to great effect using Senior’s slimline aluminium fenestration systems which have been fabricated and installed by Crown Doors and Shutters.Each of the apartments feature Senior’s low U-value PURe® aluminium windows, specified as triple-glazed tilt and turn style units to provide safe and secure ventilation and ease of maintenance. Senior’s thermally-efficient PURe® SLIDE and PURe® FOLD patio doors have also been installed to provide access to private terraces which overlook the river. As well as helping to maximise the use of natural light, Senior’s fully Part L compliant PURe® aluminium windows and doors will also help improve energy efficiency, reduce fuel costs and contribute to lowering the overall carbon footprint of the building.The ground floor retail units also benefit from Senior’s PURe® casement aluminium windows, with further daylighting achieved through the use of Senior’s slim profile SF52 aluminium curtain wall system to the main entrances. Senior’s robust SPW501 commercial doors have also been installed to provide safe and secure access.

1,500/M2 3mm Aluminium 1050 Grade H14 in Optima FC and Optima TFC systems has been used in the completion of the striking Onyx Building, Lancaster Circus in Birmingham. Optima FC was selected as the client required a hook-on cladding system with secret fixings for the main extent of the face. Optima TFC was then used in a mechanical fix for the slatted window cover panels due to barrier loading requirements.The building, which has been designed to achieve a BREEAM Excellent rating, comprises of two bold, angular towers with sharply defined ‘razor’ edges and a smooth, highly detailed, gloss black finish, rising 13 and 24 storeys respectively. The towers are anchored by a middle section rising to 10 storeys and finished with a traditional, matt brick with defined window reveals and texture.The Optima FC & Optima TFC systems were used with bespoke detailing where the main façade (Optima FC Hook On) met with a slatted window cover panel (Optima TFC).Sotech and Axalta Coatings created colour matches to Alucobond 887 & Alucobond 888 Metallics to allow this project to proceed via a powder coating route.Now available for students, the 1025 building occupies one of the most prominent sites in the heart of Birmingham City, positioned between Vesey Street, Lench Street and New Town Row.TESTIMONIALSJamie Smith, Estimator:“It’s an eye catching building in a busy area of Birmingham. The mixture of Axalta 887 & Axalta 888 Metallic is almost alien against the traditional brick and terracotta buildings within its proximity.Phil Fisk, Axalta:“The striking, dark colours chosen for this project were bespoke metallic products bonded to gain the highest application stability. Manufactured using Axalta’s Super-durable Polyester resins incorporating higher grade pigments and stabilisers, the enhanced coating provides outstanding exterior durability as well as looking aesthetically impressive”.

"The works compromise the conversion of a former Dominican Church, a protected structure into a Town Library. Our goal was to retain the unique character, spatial and light qualities of the church while also providing a functional & comfortable library space. We chose Forbo as our flooring partners due to their great quality and durability, along with their fantastic range of colour and texture choices. The colours were selected to emulate the stained glass windows and has been very successful"

Secondary glazing supplied by Granada Secondary Glazing has added greater thermal and acoustic efficiency to an historic converted chapel in the Vale of Glamorgan, delivering 21st century levels of comfort for the building’s occupants and helping to lower energy bills.To provide additional thermal insulation and soundproofing to the original single-glazed windows, a total of 15 Granada Glazing’s Vertical Sliders and two-pane and three-pane Horizontal Sliding Units were installed.

Designed by the award winning HCL Architects, Newfoundland is a London icon on Canary Wharf rising 58 storeys above the river Thames with 636 exclusive fully furnished build to rent apartments.InterLace designed, manufactured and installed luxury dimout curtains to all bedrooms, with matching shading curtains in living spaces. All windows are also furnished with beautiful, light sheers to reduce solar heat gain and maximise resident’s privacy and exclusivity.

Living Systems Institute on the Streatham campus at Exeter university.The rainscreen facade is clad in a perforated anodised Vantage® DF panel. Bespoke anodised window pods complete our offering.The main contractor and our customer BAM Construction used the specialist installation skills of Varla Cladding.This new building will bring together mathematicians, scientists and engineers in a bid to revolutionise the diagnosis and treatment for a wide range of human, animal and plant diseases.

The building, called “Galileo” is composed by a single “E” body positioned around two courtyards . Its concept is following the guidelines of Siemens and emphasizes the idea of “intelligent work” into open spaces and large windows to support interpersonal relationships .The combination of our indoors Premium Plus and outdoors BSO allow complete control over natural light and help regulating the temperature for a highly energy efficient building . German Design Award 2020 « Excellent Architecture » 

Far Gosford Street is an iconic development in a historic area of Coventry which has been a focus of recent regeneration work, and is now home to around 300 University students, alongside new restaurant and retail space. This contemporary development, with its strking, curved facade showcases AluK's 58BW Student Accommodation windows and GT55 TB commercial doors. The project was supplied and installed by commercial fabricators, EYG Commercial over a 3 month period.

Despite the potentially catastrophic consequences of changing a specification for fire resistant glazing, doors and windows, specifications are still being routinely altered just to save a few pounds or due to a lack of technical understanding, according to leading fire, thermal and acoustic insulation manufacturer Promat UK Promat UK is supporting the market with a campaign to raise awareness of the significant risks of changing even the tiniest detail in the specification of building elements that are designed to protect lives and properties.

• Location: Thornton House Apartment Tower Block, Birmingham • Contractor: Assured Passive Fire Protection • Challenge: Fire protection required on timber batons around the windows. • Solution: Applying Zeroflame Fire Retardant Treatment on the batons to achieve Class 0 spread of flame and fire propagation as required by building control. Zeroflame Treatment didn't take long to dry between coats, it was very simple to use and it is fully tested and certified for building control.

Our client faced the challenge of transforming a conventional restaurant into a drive-thru establishment without available internal space. In response to their unique requirements, we proposed a comprehensive solution centered around the provision of two separate drive-thru booths. The first booth was designated for payment collection, while the second served as the food presenter window. To expedite the installation process and minimise disruption to ongoing refurbishment works, both pods were meticulously fabricated off-site in our workshop and swiftly assembled on-site.Each drive-thru booth was equipped with a range of featured to optimise functionality and user experience. A notable highlight was the incorporation of a one-piece, large-sized aluminium roof system, providing instant weatherproofing upon installation and ensuring operational continuity regardless of outdoor conditions. Additionally, the pods featured commercial-grade access aluminium doors and large-sized, heavy duty drive-thru windows, meticulously designed to withstand rigorous use while offering ease of operation for end users. By seamlessly integrating functionality, durability, and efficiency, we delivered a turnkey solution that not only met but exceeded our client’s expectations for their drive-thru restaurant conversion project.

Mumford and Wood were approached by Mace Contractors to work on a Grade two listed building within the historic Woolwich Arsenal.Known by many as the ‘Fireworks Factory,’ the building has an important history, having been used as a Tudor dockyard, then from the mid-17th century was at the heart of Britain’s war machine, home to the Royal Artillery and factories that made gun carriages, cannon and munitions. Recently renovated as an arts venue, it now boasts a performance space containing dance studios, artists’ workshops, cafés and rental spaces.As part of the building renovations, Mumford & Wood were instructed to design and manufacture 11 timber windows, including 7 from our Classic range and 4 from our Heritage range. In order to maintain the historic building aesthetic we used putty glazing for authenticity. The box sashes were made for structural openings that were either adjusted or opened back up having being blocked up for a number of years. Section sizes were adjusted on elevation to line through with other adjacent windows that remained in situ, having been renovated.We are proud to have worked on such an important project that has since been recognised by RIBA, winning their ‘London’s Conservation Award.’

The historic Bell Street Stables in Glasgow has recently undergone an extensive conversion, featuring the installation of Alumasc’s Flushjoint aluminium rainwater downpipe system.This magnificent period property has an interesting history. It was built between 1896-98 by A. W. Wheatley, originally to house horses working to pull the Glasgow City Council Cleansing Department’s refuse collection carts. In 1955, the building was redesigned to provide a separate entrance for the Police Department who shared the property with Cleansing until the 1980s. Situated in a prime position within the Merchant City area in the city centre of Glasgow, the building was converted to form 52 mid-market affordable rented flats by the Construction and Manufacturing Group (CCG) on behalf of Glasgow Housing Association (GHA) and Lowther Homes, during a two-year construction programme. The renovation was completed in 2019.A major requirement of the renovation was to conserve as much of the building’s heritage as possible, which included all exterior aspects. This involved the upgrade of the stone elevation, replacing all windows and making repairs to the roof and rainwater system.Flushjoint aluminium downpipes along with contemporary hopper heads were specified for their contemporary design. The installation was completed in a non-standard RAL colour to match and complement the window surrounds. 

A systematic approach of arresting and reducing the flow of water within a cavity wall prior to any change in status of that wall helps balance demands on damp protection measures. In the case of a circular window passing through a curved cavity wall, protecting against damp ingress is easily achieved using a preformed Type K cavitray. The preformed Cavitray is curved to match the wall. Conventional flat material or roll material cannot uniformly match the radius of a wall.

Specifiers looking for a high quality gloss exterior varnish with a true clear finish can lift the lid on a new launch from the superior woodcare brand Sadolin. Sadolin Yacht Varnish has been developed in response to customer demand for a clear, traditional, high gloss varnish for use outdoors on windows, doors and conservatories. The product is ideal for use on new wood and previously coated surfaces, with a translucent finish which maintains the natural colour of the wood.

A survey of architects and housebuilders commissioned by Renderplas, the PVC render beading manufacturer, provides an interesting insight into attitudes to sustainable building products in the face of increasing environmental obligations for the construction industry. The survey explored to what extent a product’s sustainability shapes specification, and whether system components like external render beads are subjected to the same environmental scrutiny as the main building elements such as windows, walls, and roofs. “80% of architects and housebuilders surveyed said they specify external render”

The world’s leading museum of art and design, the V&A Museum, appointed Consultancy Webb Yates to carry out significant design upgrade work to its ventilation systems to provide heating and cooling for the staff kitchen and back of house area. A small window provided the only access point to the installation area in the courtyard. S&P UK was selected to supply a heat recovery unit that could fit through the small access point and meet the bespoke requirements of the building

When a blind company was tasked with replacing the electric blinds in a popular highstreet noodle restaurant chain in St Albans, they knew they could depend on Yewdale. They chose YewdaleDefiant® C27 electric cassettes with five blinds in Light Grey 1% Roe fabric. They also specified a fascia that could cover the entire length with three blinds on one barrel, saving the installation of three individual cassettes in one, large window. Read more about this project.

Halamar acquired this site in Beaconsfield. Planning permission was granted for a new build two-storey detached dwelling, replacing the existing residential property constructed in the 1900s.A comprehensive set of architecture plans specified high quality elevations with a ‘classical’ Georgian-esque design. The sub-contractors, B-Bespoke Design & Build Ltd, required Keystone’s brick slip flat gauge headers above multi-pane sash windows and an intelligent bespoke interconnecting brick slip splayed bay system across two floors on the side elevation.ChallengeThe design and scale of the building, along with the arrangement of fenestration and opening detailing, required the careful skill and use of sympathetic materials to ensure the development enhanced the special character of properties in close vicinity.B-Bespoke Design & Build Ltd considered the volume of decorative window openings and availability of local skilled bricklayers when considering the most effective and efficient approach to the build schedule.SolutionAn offsite construction method was deployed by the sub-contractor. Keystone’s technical team were contacted to design brick slip flat gauge headers accommodating brick spans between 1135mm to 1472mm. Each with a 70-degree end skew, 375mm high face brick and 102mm soffit return whilst also incorporating keystone stone headers above specific windows. The prefabricated lintels improved the allocation of time and resources elsewhere on site allowing the build to be completed to a high interior specification still with an exterior full of character.The rigid symmetrical design and gracious classic proportions create a generous sense of space and natural light, with stunning traditional period features created above each window opening. The interconnecting brick slip splayed bay system spans 1695mm and provides a stark contrast to the boxy room profiles often seen with a Georgian home. This architectural feature accommodates the high ceilings and desired aesthetics whilst providing effective structural support to withstand roof and masonry loads above.A consignment of bricks was collected from site and each brick cut and bonded using a BBA approved construction adhesive to the load bearing lintels offsite. The patented perforated lintel design allows the adhesive to squeeze through the perforations and form a ‘mushroom’ on the inside, providing a mechanical lock between the steel lintel and the brick slips.Testimonial“For the new build Georgian styled home, we sourced over thirty bespoke prefabricated brick slip feature lintels from Keystone as well as a unique interconnecting feature brick splayed bay system. As a smaller building contractor, we saved time and money using Keystone Lintels. We did not need to source additional skilled labour on site to create and replicate the intricate brick detailing which included Keystone stone headers. Ultimately this resulted in a faster build schedule for the client.”Nirmal DhaliwalSite Manager at B-Bespoke Design & Build Ltd

When construction and development group Bowmer & Kirkland needed to ensure a £19million project for the YMCA stayed in budget, they asked Eurocell for advice. Making short work of value engineering analysis for the project, Eurocell engineers identified the tight budget could be made to work even harder. By changing the window spec from aluminium to PVC-U in the shape of their Modus Tilt & Turn profile, they could lower costs by up to 37% and increase thermal performance, without altering the design.

The Challenge Commissioned in north London in 2010, this new-build project within a conservation area needed to be discrete and respectful to fit in with the surrounding environment.The SolutionForterra’s Dark Moroccan Smooth Butterley Brick was used to adhere to the necessary requirements along with a pitched roof and flush and square bay windows.The BenefitsThe post-modernist build respects the immediate environment with regard to both material and form.This build was shortlisted for the 2017 BDA Brick Awards in the Individual Housing Development category.

The former Gaumont Palace Theatre, a grade II listed building had been given a second life to become the Ellen Terry building for Coventry University. Kestrel Aluminium together with HTL Windows and Doors took on the project to give the building a fresh look and combine the historic style with the modern touch. As the building is a remembrance from the golden age of cinema the vital part was to create an elegant run of doors which matched the original façade using modern, thermally broken commercial entrance doors.

Luxury boutique hotel Sir Joan, located in Ibiza Town, houses 12 hotel rooms and 2 rooftop suites with private pools and stunning views of the port of Ibiza. The black and white façade combines traditional and current Ibizan architecture. The openings in the façade offer privacy to guests and create natural ventilation and lighting. This stunning aesthetic was achieved using Reynaers CF 77 and CP 155(-LS) sliding and folding door systems, and CS 68 aluminium window systems.

This lovely old Kensington home has been completely renovated from top to bottom including complete basement development to create a modern-day family home. The traditional style hall leads to an open plan kitchen living area with a distinctive modern feel. The Swedish owner included dual blackout/screen roller blinds to the windows and skylight, incorporated luxury Lutron® blinds, within the Blindspace® concealment system, designed and installed by Grants Blinds.

Finish applied: Y4310I GRC Effect Architect: Leach Rhodes Walker One of many new additions to Liverpool docks, 21 Stanley Street is part of growing number of developments choosing to adopt GRC effect powder coating. Y4310I was expertly applied to all aluminium window surround elements, helping to achieve a refined and viable aesthetic. Formulated in an enhanced polyester resin technology, Y4310I is supported with an enhanced guarantee ensuring that design life requirements can be realised within marine environments.

Project: 327 Woodstock RoadDate: 2021 Background:·        APL were involved from an early stage with the architects, designing a custom profile to meet the architects vision·        APL’s strong relationship with a range of suppliers enabled the client to have a large range of colours available and settled on an anodised-bronze Systems:·        450m² of Oxford-range custom bespoke in aluminium with a PPC coating in an anodised-look bronze·        All cappings, flashings and bespoke window surrounds·        All fixings and accessories  Building Location:·        Oxford

Location: Chippenham, WiltshireProject Type: Retirement HousingDevelopment Cost: £10mProduct: Meridian Wall CopingDF Rainscreen PanelsWindow SurroundsFinish: Syntha Pulvin RAL 7036 Matt Platinum GreyFire rating: A2 s1, d0 Non-combustible (Reaction to Fire EN BS 13501-1:2018)Client: McCarthy & Stone Retirement HomesArchitects: HGP LtdMain Contractor: McCarthy & StoneSub Contractor: Stafford Rainwater Systems Ltd

A strong vision from Northacre and one that has certainly been achieved when you look at the end result of The Broadway, a collection of luxury apartments in the heart of Westminster. Situated on the former site of the Metropolitan Police headquarters and just a short walk from Victoria Station, The Broadway is one of Central London’s largest prime residential sites at 1.72 acres. It comprises six impressive towers with a striking architectural presence thanks to their bold oversized windows inspired by neighbouring art deco buildings.

The Little Kelham project is a housing development created by CITU Homes consisting of 153 1 – 4 bedroom homes and a variety of creative spaces, cafes and shops. The project features the popular MEFA Letter mailbox wall mounted on to the external walls of the properties to securely store mail. The MEFA Letter mail box has been finished in a basalt grey colour to match the design guidelines set out for the project and used across the door frames, window frames and general hardware throughout the development.

For the eye-catching new Gateway Pavilion is the first completed project in Knight Dragon's ambitious vision for the redevelopment of London's Greenwich Peninsula. SAS International designed, supplied and installed the bespoke ceiling solution. The ability to meet both the form and function of the design was a critical reason SAS International was chosen for the project. Described as taking a marketing suite to a whole new level, the Pavilions act as a shop window to the seven million people who visit Greenwich or pass close by each year.