"wood"

More than 1,600 litres of Textrol Oil Clear were applied to the Velodrome and whilst we still cannot produce a proper case study until the games has finished, there is some evidence out there now.The 12,000 square metre roof is constructed using a very lightweight double curving cable net, suspended from a steel structure. Beneath it, the oval track is 250m in length, engineered for speed and constructed with great precision entirely from wood.The exterior of the building is clad in 5,000m2 of custom-cut Western Red Cedar shiplap boards. The entire exterior cladding was coated with Owatrol Textrol oil.

Stopgap 800 wearcoat has been used to create a visually striking floor finish at a new organic meat restaurant in South London. First, contractors lifted the old wood floorcoverings to ensure it was suitably sound, smooth, and dry. To guard against excess subfloor moisture, contractors applied Stopgap F77 waterproof surface membrane to isolate excess subfloor moisture. Stopgap 800 Wearcoat was then applied over the entire subfloor. Stopgap 800 was selected due to its capabilities when it comes to upgrading and renovating new and existing internal floors, where floorcoverings are not required to be installed, making it perfect for this project.

Styccobond F49 Hybrid PS vinyl adhesive has been used to install a luxury vinyl tile floor finish at the Pavilion Bar on Norfolk’s Cromer Pier ahead of BBC television programme ‘Antiques Roadshow’ shooting an episode from the pier. Contractors took up worn carpet tiles and securely screwed down plywood sheets over the boardwalk subfloor, prior to installing Altro Wood Safety LVT’s. Styccobond F49 was applied prior to the installation of LVTs. Unlike other water-based adhesives, Styccobond F49 is resistant to water, making it the ideal choice for an installation such as this situated directly above the sea.

F. Ball products have been used to install vinyl and rubber flooring, as part of the refurbishment of the Wellington College fitness centre, in Berkshire. Flooring contractors were called to install luxury vinyl tiles and rubber flooring. After removing the existing floorcovering, contractors built up the raised platform with timber and plywood and applied Stopgap 1200 Pro smoothing underlayment over the raised platform and the screed subfloor. Styccobond F49 Hybrid PS temperature tolerant vinyl adhesive was then used to adhere the floorcoverings. The adhesive enabled contractors to successfully install luxury vinyl sheet, wood effect planks, plus the rubber flooring.

Fast-track products from F. Ball have enabled a school hall to be refurbished after damage caused by floods. To begin with, contractors removed existing wooden blocks from the floor and used a mechanical scabbler to remove old adhesive residues. Stopgap F77 one-part waterproof surface membrane was applied due to high moisture levels in the subfloor, followed by a subsequent application of Stopgap 1200 Pro to provide a smooth surface for the receipt of new wooden floorcoverings. Once cured, contractors used Styccobond B95 high performance wood flooring adhesive to install new oak blocks over the entire floor area.

Floor preparation products from F. Ball have been used in the refurbishment of Cliffs Pavilion, a theatre located in Southend-on-Sea. Firstly, the joisting was repaired and reinforced where necessary. Following this, a 25mm plywood subfloor was installed and primed using Stopgap P131, a primer designed to promote adhesion to smoothing underlayments and prevent uncontrolled rapid drying. Stopgap 500 Micro floor finishing compound was then used to fill the plywood joints and the subfloor was prepared with Stopgap 700 Superflex to create a flat, smooth surface free from undulations. Once dried, Karndean Van Gogh wood floorcoverings were installed.

The development of Canary Wharf has forever changed the skyline of London, turning the ramshackle Docklands area into one of the world’s most prestigious business districts. With a stunning mix of exquisite materials and superior finishes, this stylish office could be assumed to be the interior of a luxurious resort. Vtec’s dark wood Supaslat slatted ceiling beautifully complements the soft carpets and elegant furnishings. Designed for a seamless installation experience and easy integration of lighting, our Supaslat ceilings complete the sleek and sophisticated interior, echoing the superb quality of the building and the overall estate. Explore how SupaSlat was the perfect option in this office design and the ways we helped to make the installation process easy.

We installed new unisex superloos on all levels of this Grade II Listed mixed use building in the heart of Mayfair. The self-contained toilet cubicles include a toilet, vanity unit and hand drying facilities, enclosed behind a full height Alto cubicle door. The cubicle doors were specified with a Koto real wood veneer finish, stained to an attractive dark colour and complemented with matt black powder-coated ironmongery. Each cubicle features a bespoke white Corian vanity unit with integrated waste bin and inset sink with sensor-operated tap along with Concerto integrated duct panelling system, faced with toughed glass.

" We are thrilled that Accoya was specified for the exterior cladding for Birmingham’s new Starbucks drive thru. Working with Vincent Timber, specialists in cladding, and Accoya has enabled the project to be designed and supplied without problems. By specifying Accoya wood there is no compromise on performance and sustainability, which is key to the Starbucks’ 2030 commitment. This project represents one of many Starbucks projects clad with Accoya in the UK and overseas. As a sustainable company ourselves we are delighted Accoya is part of the future development of their stores and hope to see more stores clad with Accoya in the future.” - Laura Keily @ Accsys Technologies PLCFor full case study, please click on the view more link above.

Washroom created a distinctive staff shower and changing area using playful and bold primary colours and a natural wood finish. It's highly engineered full height Marcato shower cubicles were manufactured from 20mm solid grade laminate (SGL) and specified in a vibrant blue, while the pilasters were manufactured from birch and overlaid with black mesh. The bespoke Legato perimeter benching was manufactured from birch ply slats to complement the shower cubicles, and the Forza lockers were installed above in a Z shape configuration. Washroom also installed a bespoke white Corian vanity unit and make-up counter with inset waste bins.

Here we installed new washrooms on two levels of this Covent Garden office and created a new staff shower and changing area. The new washroom design includes our full height Alto Kristalla glass cubicles. The rebated edge design offers an attractive flush front façade together with the contrasting wood veneer-faced pilasters and back-painted glass cubicle doors. We also installed natural stone vanities as well as our Concerto integrated duct panel system and modesty screens, both faced in toughened, back-painted glass. The shower and changing area features our exceptionally durable Forza lockers and matching benching.

Willowbrook Care Home in Birmingham provides specialist support for people with dementia and mental health problems who need personal care or nursing care on a long term basis. The care home recently extended the premises and Altro floors were used throughout the over 2000m² new build extension. Paul Willis, Care Home Owner said: “We chose Altro Wood Safety, Altro Pisces and Altro Walkway 20 to help provide a homely appearance with excellent sustained slip resistance, durability and ease of maintenance. The end result is superb and we have had many wonderful, positive comments from residents, families and numerous healthcare professionals.”

Inaugurated in 2012, the new headquarters of NedBank in Pretoria, South Africa, is a modern building with an avant-garde design that brings together different materials such as porcelain stoneware, wood, cement and glass.Designed by the Boogertman & Partners Architects studio, the structure has been designed to be a real service centre and point reference point for local financial institutions in the area. Its indoor areas have been covered using Trust technical porcelain stoneware series: the floors, clad in the Titanium colour using a multi-size installation with 40x60, 30x60 and 20x60 modules, finish the space off perfectly thanks to richness of details and natural stone effect surfaces.

TVS Group was tasked with the isolation of a residential property in St. John’s Wood as part of a redevelopment and basement extension. With the property in close proximity to the Jubilee line and the Metropolitan line passing only 5m away from the new basement extension, radiated noise and vibration was a serious concern for the client.An isolation layer utilising varying stiffnesses of Sylomer materials spanned the underside of the basement slab, continued up between the contiguous piled wall and the lining wall, and then across the top of the capping beam and to the side of the ground floor slab.Close work with the design team throughout the planning and specification process, provided a solution that integrated seamlessly with the structure and waterproofing detail.

In the village of Bentworth, the Spanish architectural practice AMPS Arquitectura & Diseño had the task of building a modern residential building adjacent to an existing farmhouse. The planners designed a slender building with a gabled roof that reinterprets the traditional form of a cottage. It takes up the typical local forms and the building material of dark wood – and becomes something new.The entire interior is stylish, minimalist and sustainable, with building services designed for maximum efficiency. This includes the use of selected Gira products, such as E2 pure white glossy, pushbutton sensor 3, Gira G1 and Gira HomeServer. This is how the Spanish have skilfully redefined the idea of a cottage in the heart of England.Photos: Miguel de Guzmán

Project: Bespoke concrete-cladded reception desk for a workspace in South London. Client: K2 SPACE / Glenstone Materials: Large BTX Concrete 3D panels (overlays) in Mist colour and Smooth finish. The panels were cladded over a hard wood carcass. To create an impressive raw industrial look, we used special large format BTX concrete precast 3D panels that were made to K2 Space’s specific design and carefully assembled and finished by our team on site. The results speak for themselves in this stylish modern office space where this stunning 6m long and 1.2 m tall reception desk takes centre stage.

St Cecilia’s Hall, today a part of the University of Edinburgh, has been thoughtfully redeveloped by Page Park Architects to create a more inclusive and user-friendly space. To provide the ancillary facilities needed in a modern-day museum, Page Park Architects created a new, modern entrance with improved and updated walkways and circulation areas. Drawing inspiration from the original dark-coloured flooring in the building, the architects specified Junckers’ 140mm wide Black Oak Harmony as flooring and wall panelling in the new areas. In addition, Junckers’ Dark Coco Rustic Oil was used to restore the rich, brown colour of the original wood flooring in the concert room and gallery spaces. 

The Confetti Building was designed by Allan Joyce Architects and completed in 2017. Built to provide a new area for students and include a cafe, LRC, motion capture suite, roof terrace and classrooms, it is intended to mature the institute with enough space for students after a period of rapid growth.The building embraces its industrial heritage with exposed ductwork, structure and brickwork but has been designed to ensure modern experiences are intertwined with the original spaces.A striking external facade is comprised of Blockleys Smooth black with a special BD1.3 shaped brick used for detailing. The Brickwork naturally compliments nearby red brick buildings and provides a balance to the wood and glass used around the building in other areas.

Flooring preparation products donated by F. Ball have been used to install high-quality floorcoverings in the newly-built clubhouse at CB Hounslow United FC. Stopgap P121 acrylic primer was used to prime the subfloor before Stopgap 1100 Gypsum was applied to create a perfectly smooth surface ahead of the installation of the floorcoverings. Styccobond F41 carpet tile tackifier was then used to install high-quality, bitumen-backed Desso carpet tiles to create a border around the perimeter of the function room. Lastly, wood-effect, Tarkett vinyl sheet floorcoverings were installed using Styccobond F46 solvent-free, pressure sensitive acrylic adhesive.

The Project is a remodel of Meliá Milano hotel, one of the most popular hotels in Milano city . Spanish architect Alvaro Sans and Vittorio Grassi architects teamed up to restyle it , proposing a more functional and innovative design . Our Veranda Zip with Polyscreen ® 351 fabric are placed in the breakfast area as a finishing touch on the high skylights , increasing the flexibility of this space . It achieve this goal as well as providing solar protection , intimacy , or visual contact outside . Our Wood Venetian blinds were installed to cover solar control needs on the corridors and some private rooms . They create an elegant and welcoming atmosphere as well as offer the right balance between light and privacy

An intriguing new Milan styled Italian café has opened on Essex Road, Islington designed by well-known Italian studio Vudafieri-Saverino Partners. The 240 sqm ‘Latteria’ is inspired by Milanese culture and style with a warm and informal atmosphere in white and red. This is complemented by Troldtekt wood wool panels on the ceiling painted white to blend in and used to soften the acoustics and reduce background noise. Troldtekt panels are frequently used in this kind of open plan environment to combat noise generated by the kitchen machinery, staff and customers which is exacerbated by bouncing off the hard surfaces. This is particularly true in this project where the design harks back to the 1950’s and features an open-plan kitchen coupled with hard surface lacquers and laminates, polished and satin-finished steel, tiled walls and marble floors. Troldtekt’s acoustic panels absorb both direct and reverberated sound. They help to strike the balance between a lively and welcoming environment and an experience where the venue is uncomfortably loud. This is important because customers’ comfort and a willingness to spend time and money is decreased in a noisy environment. Specified throughout the UK and Europe, the benefits of 100% Troldtekt natural wood wool panels include high sound absorption, high durability, natural breathability, low cost life cycle performance and sustainability. This high performance is recognised by their Cradle to Cradle certification at Silver level. Available in various sizes and in four grades from extreme fine to coarse, the panels can be left untreated or painted in virtually any RAL colour. Samples, case studies and technical information are easily sourced from tel 01978 664255 or visit www.troldtekt.co.uk. 

With the aim of making a somewhat dated house welcoming and comfortable for a young family from Vilnius, the architect Ieva Prunskaitė of the Prusta studio redesigned the interior. The minimal, clean design combines functionality with beauty. Its focus is on simple lines and light spaces, devoid of clutter. Wood, plaster and cement are the three elements that are used throughout the house.The predominantly white walls with ECLISSE Syntesis Flush Hinged white doors contrast beautifully with the wooden flooring. There are also wooden accents across the white kitchen cabinets and wooden panelling defining storage areas and a cloakroom between the main door and the living room.The interior is also interspersed with accents of grey and black in the form of the black marble worktop and black chairs in the kitchen, the minimalist wood burning stove, grey accent wall and grey sofa in the sitting room and a decorative black metal screen with a geometric design separating the master bedroom with the ensuite.The minimalist style of the ECLISSE Syntesis Flush Hinged doors integrate perfectly into this interior being almost invisible, whilst being accented with sleek black handles echoing the colour scheme throughout.The ECLISSE Syntesis® Flush Hinged Door is part of the Syntesis® Flush Collection. This is a range of flush or architrave free products that work in harmony with each other. The collection features a, the concealed hinged door frame (available as a door set or frame only), pocket door system without jambs or architrave and a flush skirting board adapter. The emphasis is on uninterrupted, clean lines for an interior without fuss, where less is more.Architect: Prusta studioProduct: ECLISSE Syntesis® Flush Hinged Door

The Störmede Rittergut, a manorial estate in Geseke, North-Rhine-Westphalia, is a special location for conferences and private events. On its extensive grounds, alongside the listed buildings, a modern hotel has been erected. Behind a wood-clad façade, 55 highly modern and simultaneously very comfortable rooms can be found. Already in the foyer the guest is met by a warm atmosphere, something contributed to not least by the use of great expanses of wood, a friendly colour palette and stylish furniture. The style of the house has been logically extended: high quality and modern, but still inviting feelings of pleasure.A subtle and well-chosen selection of furnishings spreads the harmonious impression throughout the house. In every room, in the semi-public toilet facilities and in the spa area, KEUCO fittings and accessories can be found. They underline the fine, high-quality tone of the interior design. The slender EDITION 400 fittings match the single or double basins harmoniously. IXMO fittings by KEUCO were chosen for the showers because of their minimalist appearance. The special thing about IXMO: the fittings unite several functions in the smallest possible space with a minimalist design. In this way, the Hotel Rittergut Störmede maintains a clear and comprehensible appearance in its showers. IXMO SOLO, a clever combination of single-lever mixer and wall outlet for shower hose in a single unit, is particularly impressive for its ease of use. The consistently modern approach continues in the WC accessories in the bathrooms. Here, the well designed forms and high-quality surfaces of EDITION 400 accessories by KEUCO set a special tone.The Hotel Rittergut Störmede exudes a unique atmosphere with its historical roots and, thanks to its excellent furnishings, offers the guest an extra special stay.

F. Ball products including Styccobond F48 PLUS fibre-reinforced high temperature grade vinyl adhesive, have helped transform a disused agricultural building into a new state-of-the-art distillery and visitor centre at Treggudick Manor, Cornwall.Flooring contractors installed a variety of floorcoverings, including vinyl sheet and tiles, wood and carpet tiles, throughout the 620m2 space at the English Spirit Distillery.The installation began by mechanically grinding the building’s recently installed power floated concrete screed to create a ‘key’ for subsequently applied subfloor preparation products. Stopgap F77 waterproof surface membrane was then applied to create a barrier to prevent excess subfloor moisture attacking adhesives and floorcoverings, potentially leading to floor failure.Following this, contractors primed the surface using Stopgap P141 primer, and once dry Stopgap 300 HD levelling compound was applied in the kitchen that serves the café. Elsewhere, Stopgap 1200 Pro high performance levelling compound was used to create a perfectly smooth base for floorcoverings.Styccobond F48 PLUS was chosen to install Altro Ensemble wood-effect Luxury Vinyl Tiles (LVTs) in the restaurant and shop, each comprising an area of approximately 100m2.In the kitchen, Altro Stronghold ‘Dolphin’ grey vinyl safety flooring was adhered with Styccobond F73 PLUS one-part, moisture-curing heavy-duty adhesive and in the offices, Styccobond F41 carpet tile tackifier created a permanently tacky film to hold Heckmondwike flint grey carpet tiles firmly in place when subject to normal foot traffic but enable them to be lifted and replaced should they become worn or damaged.

This office building forms part of the More London complex of offices, retail units and restaurants close to London Bridge. The sleek new washrooms we delivered were designed with a minimal colour palette of natural oak and black. Our popular full height Alto toilet cubicles were finished with a natural oak real wood veneer and completed with matt black ironmongery including the striking vertical flat iron bar pull handles. Our Arpeggio solid surface Corian vanities were manufactured in a light grey shade to provide contrast to the black recessed sinks and tiled splashback while the underpanels were finished using the same natural oak veneer as the toilet cubicles

The natural aesthetics, durable performance and extensive colour palette of Forbo Flooring Systems' Allura Wood luxury vinyl tiles (LVT) collection have all played a significant role in creating a contemporary, stand- out environment for Evoo, a new 'barzeria' in Barnsley, Yorkshire. 'Evoo- The Barzzeria' is a pizzeria and bar, which combines authentic Italian cuisine with Britian's popular cocktail cultur, forming the worlds first 'barzzeria'. Set in a once prominent building that was left derelict for years, Julie Poulter Interior Design (JPID) was tasked by restaurant owner, Jaz Boparai, to design 'the best looking bar' in Barnsley. Subsequently, the project was awarded 'commended' in the Fly Forbo competition 2018/2019.

We were contacted by a customer in Bucharest trying to source our Ipe Timber Tiles. He was concerned about durability as Romania has extremes of hot and cold, and torrential rainfall. We reassured him that even with a minimum gap drainage would be sufficient and the suspended tiles system would ensure longevity. He selected the Ipe timber tiles mounted onto fixed height 14mm Plastic Pad. To protect against the extreme weather the tiles were then treated with a generic wood preserve on site, giving them a rich, luxurious finish and producing the "treasure chest" George Ezra would be proud of. https://www.wallbarn.com/case-study/timber-tiles-cata-romania/

Fletcher Rae's new studio workspace exemplifies the company's own approach to work - open, welcome, flexible and creative. This office environment demonstrates the flexibility of Milliken modular floor coverings. Triangular Path carpet tiles, from the Clerkenwell design collection, are installed to dramatic effect throughout the open space while Culture Canvas's luxurious textural tiles add a new dimension the meeting spaces. Rootwork luxury vinyl tiles from the Change Agent collection provide a natural wood aesthetic to the kitchen area providing a high performance, easy to maintain flooring solution. The products' design, comfort and acoustic performance deliver some important well-being benefits to this calm and productive workspace.

High performance subfloor preparation products and adhesive from F. Ball have been used to create a high quality floor finish at Sky News studios. To provide a firm, smooth base over which the floorcovering could be installed, Stopgap 700 Superflex flexible levelling compound was installed over the plywood subfloor, having first being primed using Stopgap P131 general purpose primer. Once the levelling compound cured, wood-effect LVTs and Norament rubber sheet floorcoverings were installed across the room occupied by cameras and production crew. Styccobond F58 acrylic emulsion adhesive, was used to ensure the rubber sheets would remain firmly in place.

Ryno Signature Decking in ‘Silver Birch’ takes pride of place in this new Brentwood development. The apartment block has a bold red brick exterior, with simple anthracite windows and detailing.The glass balustrades of the balconies allow the maximum level of light to enter the apartments, while making the paved courtyard feel even larger and more spacious.Products UsedTerraSmart® Composite in Silver Birch was used across the private balconies. Silver Birch, from the Signature Range of premium ‘capped’ decking, has an elegant textured wood-grain finish.The terrace spaces had additional height build-up requirements, so fixed-head adjustable pedestals were used to raise the decking to the door thresholds.

Our Allura Flex luxury vinyl tiles have been used to great effect in the new offices of Becherovka in the Centrum Stomovka shopping mall in Prauge. Becherovka is part of the Pernod Ricard group, one of the largest producers of spirits and wine in the world. CAPEXUS was given the task of creating an office with a more distinctive and prestigious appearance, one that would be comfortable, feature interesting materials and, last but not least, be practical. The unifying element of the new offices is a more industrial concept. Not to be overlooked is the open ceiling with its visible concrete beams and ducts. The exposed materials in combination with the wooden furnishings and Forbo’s Allura Wood and Material luxury vinyl tiles create a pleasant atmosphere for work, business meetings in the conference rooms and relaxation.

When the Trade Council of Denmark exhibited a real world Danish Living Room at London Design Fair. The stand featured a curated mix of Danish brands to highlight Denmark’s strong heritage within quality design. Facilitated by the Embassy of Denmark in London and sponsored by Junckers, whose Hexparket flooring formed the backdrop to a host of iconic and promising contemporary Danish brands. Made in solid wood, the hexagonal design showcases Junckers’ long-standing tradition for quality and craftsmanship with a contemporary take on the classic parquet floor. The joint stand presented furniture, lighting, homeware, kitchen, TV and sound. Other brands included Fritz Hansen, Overgaard & Dyrman, Spekva, LOP Furniture, Arttiles, Møbel & Rum and Made by Toft. 

A large expanse of Junckers’ Nordic Oak flooring forms part of a new archive and research facility in Cornwall. Designed by Purcell, the landmark development comprises public search, exhibition, education and workshop spaces. Based on historic records, many of the original buildings’ remaining structures were restored. For the floor, the original granite flagstones were lifted and re-laid, installed alongside Junckers’ solid 185mm wide Oak Boulevard flooring in a white-pigmented Nordic finish. Junckers 20.5mm thick solid wood floor can be sanded and refinished up to ten times. A long lifespan, PEFC + FSC certified and produced in a CO2 positive facility, means specifying a Junckers floor is an environmentally sound option. The flooring contractor was Tre Concepts. 

Rockfon® Lamella has been awarded Product Innovation of the Year in the Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment category of the FIS Innovation Awards 2023. The modular wall system provides Class A sound absorption for commercial projects and boasts a unique range of wood veneers in different colours and dimensions, allowing for an impressive 650,000 design combinations.Nigel Watkins, Commercial Sales Director for Rockfon, expressed his excitement about the recognition, saying, "We are thrilled that Rockfon Lamella has won this award only a few weeks after its launch." Rockfon Lamella's development was based on effective collaboration, knowledge transfer, and partnership along the project team, satisfying two initial criteria for Rockfon innovation: modularity and customisability, and occupiers' well-being through the use of colour, biophilic-inspired design, and natural surfaces.Combining the warmth and beauty of wood with a stone wool sound-absorbent panel, Rockfon Lamella creates a serene and inviting environment inspired by the biophilic design trend. Customers have expressed their satisfaction with the combination of these elements, with Nigel Watkins sharing that "The feedback we’ve had from customers is that the combination of a stone wool sound absorbent panel with biophilic wood makes interiors feel calm and connected to nature."Joe Cilia , Technical Director of FIS who was one of the Innovation Award judges, was impressed that Rockfon Lamella has such comprehensive test data, covering the whole system, not just individual components. “The furniture, fixtures and equipment (FFE) sector suffers from a lack of standardised testing and compliance for acoustic and fire performance, leading to clients choosing products that don’t perform as well as they should. The judges were impressed that Rockfon Lamella has clear, transparent test data that shows how the whole system performs.”Rockfon Lamella sets itself apart from other acoustic fixtures and fittings by offering exceptional fire performance classification of c-S2,d0, in line with EN 13501 standards, and Class A sound absorption that adheres to ISO 11654 regulations. Additionally, accessing all the necessary specification data, BIM Objects, and CAD drawings on NBS Chorus, NBS Source, and pCON is quick and easy, making the specification process quick and effortless.Rockfon Lamella simplifies installation by providing a complete kit that includes all necessary components. In-house facilities teams can easily follow the straightforward installation process, thanks to specially designed mounting clips. As Teemu Rekonen, Head of Design & Innovation at Rockfon, highlights: "This advanced product... enables individual placement of the slats to create the perfect acoustic environment. Once the platform is in place, installing Lamella slats is a quick and hassle-free process that requires no tools".Visit www.soundsbeautiful.com/lamella  for more information on Rockfon Lamella.To view all the FIS Innovation Award winners visit www.thefis.org/membership-hub/fis-awards/innovation/

Social trends in sports are changing. Urban activities traditionally consigned to the urban landscape are now being embraced by the mainstream and incorporated into the interior sports environment. Sports such as parkour, street football and street basketball have been adopted by leisure companies to attract younger members and to keep people moving. This new encouragement in sports, movement and activity, has led to a new generation of buildings offering urban activities in a raw industrial environment and which require specialist architectural innovation. For example, Troldtekt wood wool panelling is frequently used to combat the effects of noise and reverberation around these large spaces while offering visual aesthetic appeal.  This trend is examined in detail by Troldtekt in its latest theme on sports and movement which can be found here https://bit.ly/2vR90l6. The theme includes expert articles and interviews with architects and sport science lecturers along with relevant case studies. A good example is the 23,000 sqm Holbaek Sportsby in Denmark which encompasses a swimming pool, racquet sports, multi-purpose hall and mountain bike trails together with a modern Health Centre. Here, Troldtekt acoustic panels offer robustness and strength and natural breathability from the wood. The panels. with their superior acoustic properties, dramatically reduce reverberation where physical activity takes place.  However, with cities having less space to build on new solutions have also emerged to integrate sport and movement inside the built environment itself. This involves innovative thinking to create the efficient use of existing facilities, such as schools which can have a major impact on children’s activity levels because it is easier and more convenient to be active in buildings you are already using. Even sports parks on city roofs and corridors turned into race-tracks are become more frequent.  The essential characteristics of a good activity environment is accessibility and flexibility, inviting and comfortable zones and movement areas which are green and sustainable. Troldtekt acoustic solutions are an important part of the design, especially where activity noise is increased and the space must accommodate everyone from keen football players to jubilant children. In addition, robustness and strength, such as impact resistance to balls hitting ceilings and walls, are vital. This is why Troldtekt is so widely specified where the focus is on movement. Specified throughout the UK and Europe, the benefits of 100% Troldtekt natural wood wool panels include high sound absorption, high durability, natural breathability, low cost life cycle performance and sustainability. Available in various sizes and in four grades from extreme  to coarse, the panels can be left untreated or painted in virtually any RAL colour. Samples, case studies and technical information are easily sourced from www.troldtekt.co.uk (tel 01978 664255) while information on Troldtekt’s CSR, Environmental and Sustainability can be found at https://www.troldtekt.com/News/Themes/Create-architecture-for-sports-and-movement or https://bit.ly/2vR90l6Photo Credit:Photo: Rasmus Hjortshøj/COAST Studio

Factory International will transform the former Granada Studios into a world-class cultural and arts venue in the heart of Manchester. It features The Hall, a large auditorium, and The Warehouse, a flexible multi-purpose space that is taller than four double-decker buses, longer than a jumbo jet and can accommodate 5,000 visitors.Alongside the two public events spaces are The Towers, which house the ground floor entrance foyer, five floors of office space and a plant room at the top of the building. Noise reduces productivity by 66% so when it came to specifying the soffit insulation for The Towers, the architect wanted a solution that would limit airborne sound transfer and reverberation.The insulation would be on display, so aesthetics was also important, and because Factory International will cater for large crowds of people, the chosen solution needed to be non-combustible.Meeting the briefThe architects specified Knauf Insulation’s 50mm Heraklith® Tektalan A2 SmartTec for the soffit insulation in the ground floor foyer of the Warehouse area, main feature staircase, offices and plant room of The Towers.Heraklith® Tektalan A2 SmartTec is a cement-bonded wood wool panel combined with a rock mineral wool insulation core. Both materials have an open structure that naturally absorbs the kinetic energy of sound waves, turning them into heat. It is also non-combustible with an Euroclass A2-s1,d0 reaction to fire classification.Crucially, the Heraklith® wood wool range is also designed for applications where aesthetics is important because the panel is on display. It features bevelled edges and comes in nature tone as standard, or can be ordered in any RAL colour upon request, to create a stylish, uniform finish.To compliment the design schemes in the different zones across the building, contractors, Mansell Building Solutions, ordered the panels in a combination of midnight blue, pebble grey, anthracite and black.Scheduling deliveriesAs the Factory International site is quite compact, there was little room available for storage. So, Knauf Insulation worked closely with distributor Encon Insulation to ensure the insulation was held in stock. Smaller deliveries were then made in line with Mansell Building Solutions’s schedule of works. This ensured that the insulation could be installed as soon as it arrived on site.The product is quick and easy to install. Panels are fixed into position by installing Heraklith® DDS Plus Concrete Screws into each corner and the centre of the panel. The fastener heads have a patented wood wool texture to enhance the finished appearance.Ultimately, installing Heraklith® Tektalan A2 SmartTec onto the soffits in The Towers and the ground floor foyer of the Warehouse not only compliments the design scheme and contributes to fire safety, but it will enable the team behind the events at Factory International to enjoy a quieter working environment too.