"zinc"

Cladding of the newly constructed RVH maternity unit in Belfast, using Spanwall’s own RF50 Rainscreen system the new Maternity unit will be clad with a combination of 2mm Corten Steel and 1mm zinc

Michael Laird Architects have been working closely with Scottish Canals for many years on redevelopment of the former Rosebank Distillery Buildings and this include ANTHRA-ZINC rainscreen and standing seam roofing and cladding.

Driftwood is a 5 bedroom home set in a spectacular location. Yunnie Gillespie Architects have used a number a materials that respect the location. This includes the QUARTZ-ZINC PLUS STRAT standing seam roofs and facades.

AATi have supplied various establishments across the UK including Taunton, Salford Quays and more recently Farringdon.AATi supplied type- SN30/60 Cast Iron anti-slip stair nosings that were zinc plated black.

Stroll down a quiet lane in the Bedfordshire village of Blunham and you might take a second look at a house that catches your eye. The house was built by Fairfield Homes and features a precisely executed coloured zinc roof and cladding which takes your breath away.

One of the most innovative private houses to be completed recently in the UK is this amphibious house, featured twice on Channel 4’s Grand Designs. We spoke to Robert Barker of Baca Architects about how the project came about, and why they chose to use zinc shingles to clad it.

AATi supplied the standard but robust SN30/60 cast Iron anti-slip stair nosing to the Museum located in Pinner Memorial Park close to where the artist worked and lived. These items were zinc plated to give a dark black finish and therefore, achieving a sufficient colour contrast with the surrounding surface assuring building regulation compliance.

Childcare Center, Bruges CHALLENGE Day after day, De Kleine Wereld (The Small World), a building complex composed of 4 separate blocks, is buzzing with activity. Hardly surprising, since this Social Welfare building has been housing a childcare centre for many years. As the building was expanded with a modern new-build extension, it was decided to replace the roof of the existing building as well. After barely 10 years the weathered zinc roof with a solar panel installation was ready for refurbishment. It looked as if the carrier system for the PV panels on the zinc roof could not withstand the high wind load: the zinc had been torn o from roof structure. This resulted in moisture and condensation problems in the building below. Owner, Mintus, was looking for a durable, waterproof and aesthetic solution for the curved roof, and, above all, a reliable system for installing photovoltaics. For the architect it was important that the appearance of the existing metal roof was somehow preserved, preferably with a slightly more modern touch. In-addition there was an important practical issue as well: under no circumstances could the childcare facility be moved to another location during the refurbishment works. So, fi re safety was paramount as well. SOLUTION Building owner, Mintus, fi nally opted for the mechanically fi xed PVC-P roofi ng membrane RENOLIT ALKORPLAN F. The main and decisive reason behind this choice was the innovative RENOLIT ALKORPLAN Solar system, a secure, ultralight and versatile carrier system for mounting photovoltaics. RENOLIT ALKORPLAN Solar has been active on the market for over 10 years without the slightest issue. Direct proof of the reliability and durability of this unique RENOLIT system. For Mintus, the benefi ts were clear.

Bolton College has opened the doors of a brand new state-of-the-art STEM Centre to provide support for learning in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths. The STEM Centre features a futuristic angled façade to Deane Road, which forms a distinctive corner to the campus. This feature is articulated through the use of angled standing seam zinc cladding completed in Nedzink NOVA.

The £1m centrepiece in the restoration of a historic park in Lancashire has been completed, incorporating innovative use of the MX curtain walling system from Technal. The dramatic sculptural pavilion in Avenham Park was the winning design in an RIBA competition. The building has a strong geometric design, which includes a complex zinc-clad ‘saw tooth’ roof and extensive use of timber, aluminium and glass.

FOAMGLAS® READY BOARD T4+Design Architects: Kohn, Pedersen, Fox Associates – KPF London, Marcus BlanesMain contractor: SkansaConstruction: 2011Application: Compact Roof - FOAMGLAS® Ready Board T4+Finish: Umicore VM ZincThe roof level 41 of the Heron Tower (with a height of 120m) is designed to the most exacting standards for sustainability and efficiency.The building received the BREEAM rating of 'Excellent', with FOAMGLAS® thermal insulation being part of a green and energy efficient building. The roof is composed with FOAMGLAS® READY BOARD insulation and Umicore VM Zinc roofing as a durable finish.FOAMGLAS® insulation has the ability to withstand high structural loads and has developed a special fixing system for metal roofing.Square metal fixing plates are inserted into the upper surface of the insulation and covered with a waterproofing and a separation sheet.This is the perfect system to fully support metal standing seam roofing which is screwed to the metal plates without thermal bridging between the metal roof sheet and the building structure.

This sociable housing project located on a backlands site behind terraces of Victorian houses in Beckenham comprises six homes, with coach house and is an exemplar low carbon, flood resistant scheme. As in all sociable housing schemes, private space is combined with valuable shared amenity which contribute to and support community. The project combines a number of products including ANTHRA-ZINC standing seam roofing. 

The 2022 Stirling Prize was won by Niall McLaughlin Architects for the Magdalene College Library in Cambridge. The exterior of the building combines glazing, timber, brick and an elegant QUARTZ-ZINC PLUS standing seam roof using the BBA certified Structural roof, which is a warm roof (non vented) system. The roof was installed by a VMZINC@WORK partner, All Metal Roofing thus making a 50 year warranty possible.

Poundbury is a new experimental town in the county of Dorset in England, initiated by Prince Charles approximately thirty years ago. A mixture of Victorian architecture and Baroque villas, the town is a concentrate of architectural styles and colours. The most recent addition is Queen Mother square, which serves as the town centre. This Palladian-inspired square houses the town’s first hotel - the Duchess of Cornwall Inn. VMZINC® created impressive zinc ornaments to decorate this new building

The Koster TPO Single Ply membrane was selected to waterproof the flat roof on this new build development. The design called for a warm roof system installed over a timber deck followed by a sedum blanket (on protection membrane).Koster TPO 2mm Fleeceback membrane was used as it is highly resistant against mechanical damage, fully weldable so no weaknesses and it will not contaminate any of the planting such as a PVC membrane would.The Slate Grey RAL 7015 colour was selected to compliment the Zinc cladding.

Located in an historic part of Dublin, surrounded by Georgian and Victorian architecture lies One Percy Lane: 3 high-end townhouses. Underneath the curved, zinc roof, the 3 homes have been designed to maximize light and space. Designed to bring serenity in the bustle of the city, each floor connects to the outside with large windows and terraces. Percy Lane features Reynaers CF 77 and CP 155(-LS) sliding and folding door systems, and CS 77 aluminium window systems.

Tew Farmhouse and Barns is a Grade II Listed farmhouse situated in the Cotswolds. The derelict barns were developed into six luxury holiday lets. With nearly thirty rooflights on the scheme, the Rooflight Company in-house design team worked with the roofing contractors to make sure the installation into the zinc roof would be effortless.In total 28 neo® roof windows in two different sizes were specified with a mixture of manual and cill motorised opening and blinds in varying styles and sizes.

Two bespoke, 8m-span Rundum Original side sliding garage doors have enabled Evans Vettori architects to deliver on their thoughtful, sensitive vision for the modern new premises of a well-established firm of funeral directors in Buxton. Two Rundum Original ‘round the corner’ side sliding doors provide access to the garage for the company’s three large specialist vehicles. A second door designed and manufactured to a matching specification provides the same wide opening directly at the rear of the building, allowing the vehicles to be driven in with ease from the small courtyard.The building’s high quality design and excellent build standard by NSJ Contractors, which resulted in it making the shortlist of the East Midlands RIBA Regional Awards 2020, blends key aspects of the local vernacular with modern design and material choices, including a zinc standing seam roof that extends to form the outward-facing façade.Within this zinc façade is one of the two Rundum Original ‘round the corner’ side sliding doors by Rundum Meir UK that provide access to the garage for the company’s three large specialist vehicles. A second door designed and manufactured to a matching specification provides the same wide opening directly the rear of the building, allowing the vehicles to be driven in with ease from the courtyard to avoid any access or manoeuvring difficulties and making best use of the site’s space.

Glazing Vision has helped enhance daylight ina cleverly constructed London home using ourPitchglaze Roof Windows.New build projects in built up areas such as Londoncan be challenging, however Clapton Roadis an example of excellent precision and wonderfullyexecuted construction. Gauld Architecturehave created the perfect modern home usinginsightful architectural detail and two GlazingVision Roof Windows. The drawings called formodern architecture at every corner, from zinccladding to wooden interiors.A single storey doctor’s surgery had previouslybeen converted to a residential building, butunfortunately the home had very little floor area.The property overlooked a private garden behindand suffered from damp as well as a lack ofprivacy from passers-by, and so an upgradewas overdue. Previous planning applications toextend had been refused, and so an alternativeorganisational approach was needed to improveresidential amenity.The proposed works consisted of splitting theaccommodation over three levels, with thebedroom and bathroom a half level belowground, and the kitchen and entrance at streetlevel with the living space a half level above toenable views out over the heads of pedestrians.The split helps to reduce the massing and theasymmetric roof is shaped to minimise impacton the natural light to the neighbour’s windowsand garden behind.Construction commenced on the property, andquickly it was confirmed the boundary brick wallcould be salvaged from the previous structuregiving a familiar and robust public facing edgeand provides a desired sleek finish to the wall.The home also boasts crisp zinc roofing and wallcladding detailing, providing a smooth transitionfrom the exposed bricks to the first storey.The Pitchglaze Roof Windows allowed GauldArchitecture to achieve a seamless junction withthe folded zinc, with the glazing set on the sameplane to give the roof a pleasing continuity.Internally, the glazing is sized so the externalviews are framed only by the lined reveals,with the roof window largely hidden giving asleek finish. The Pitchglaze roof windows wereinstalled by the contractor, an easy installationprocess is guaranteed by following our installvideo or consulting our installation guide. Muchnatural light is captured via the roof windows,positioned strategically to ensure good andeven distribution throughout, while set flushwith the zinc to achieve a surface tension andpleasing solidity to the roof planes. These highqualityelements and considered massing resultin a greatly improved contribution to the street scene.“Glazing Vision helped give guidance on the interface between the roof window and a buildup thatwe were unfamiliar with. Our local Technical Specification Manager was very knowledgeable onintegrating the roof windows into the roof.” – Kevin Gauld, Director, Gauld ArchitectureThe minimalist interior coupled with striking exterior design meet perfectly to ensure a modernand desired look. The Pitchglaze Roof Windows solved a lasting problem with the home and wereresponsible for providing the client with the sought after amount of natural daylight.If you are working on a project which requires rooflights or roof windows get in contact with us on01379 658300 or fill in our contact form.

Three variations of Proteus HR panels – VM Quartz (grey) and VM Anthra (black) in zinc and polyester powder coated aluminium in anthracite grey – feature as rainscreen cladding elements on the first two phases of Greenwich Wharf. Architecture has played an important role in the life of Greenwich since Tudor times when Henry Vlll and his two daughters who followed as monarchs, Mary and Elizabeth, were born at Greenwich Palace. When this fell into disrepair, Queen Anne commissioned Sir Christopher Wren to build a refuge for naval men.

There was no brief other than something exceptional. This project is one that has been designed by the home owner and has been executed with so many different details that this traditional malleable aluminium allows. The Traditional Textures aluminium range of finishes have all been used with tapered panels, curved panels, hidden gutters and a variety of different width panels. This product can be used in just the same way zinc and copper is used and offers a weathered look from day one using its textured finishes.This property is a real show house and shouts “WHY NOT”

AATi Commercial supplied over 1500 metres of cast metal anti-slip stair nosings for the Coal Drops Yard project. Historically this site was used to store coal (London’s only available energy source at the time), On the discovery of electricity the use of coal was challenged and electricity prevailed driving the coal sheds into deterioration. Staircases are perfectly poised throughout this re-developed retail quarter providing access to shops and restaurants on all levels. With the vast amount of heavy pedestrian footfall expected, the AATi stair nosing product ref: SN9/55 in Cast Iron (zinc plated black) was chosen.

17 Esther Anne Place in Islington, originally a post office building, has been converted into luxury flats and warehouse style apartments. It is a development that builds on the richness and variety of the area, mixing Edwardian flair with modern living. It retains the redbrick facade of the sorting office at ground level, combined with a zinc-clad frame on the upper floors making it an eye catching centre piece to Islington Square. Product: Classic 99 Eclisse pocket door systems Location: Upper Street, Islington Developer: Sager / Cain Hoy Architect: CZWG Development: 169 private units Completion: Q4 2017

Network RailStation Refit SeatingStreet furniture | Railway seatingPlatform seatingWhen Network Rail extended the platforms at Derby station, the contractors Galliford Try worked with Townscape to design and fit the extended platform with Townscape Voltan seating.This versatile scheme shows a range of seating elements include PRM seating, 3 and 4 person seating, perch seating and Stainless steel bump rails.Product featured: Voltan Multi-Single 4 Seater Mild Steel Seat – Zinc Plated Polyester Powder Coated Finish in a Standard Range Colour with a Pedestal Leg (On or Below Ground Fix) Fitted as Standard.

An extension to a 16th century cottage, Holton Lodge in Halesworth, has utilised Catnic Urban to beautiful effect. This stunning property extension blends the old with the new to create a huge modern kitchen extensionA cost effective alternative to zinc, Catnic Urban steel standing seam roof and cladding met the desired aesthetics – with the quick fit system offering a fast and problem-free installation.Hilary and Robert Garner wanted to open up their existing kitchen with a build that used full height glazing to flood the area with light and give them an unobstructed view of their garden. In response, architect Tim Hannon, from Brooks Architects in Leiston, designed a contemporary extension that provides a stunning focal point, reconnecting the inside to out.“After we were convinced that Catnic Urban could achieve our desired aesthetic, our next concern was that the roofing and cladding could be exactly matched to the window frames and that the colour would stand the test of time. Again, we were assured of the system’s colour matching and stability credentials by everyone working on the project and we’re overjoyed with the result. Catnic Urban has really given the project the wow factor.”Hilary and Robert GarnerHolton Lodge ownersThe vaulted roof was designed to bring drama to the space, with a ridge that was purposely higher than the roof of the main house, so visitors are instantly given a glimpse of the striking design as soon as they approach the house. An overhang provides a covered outside eating area and works to reduce solar gain, with the sleek lines of the standing seam continued down the side of the extension, which is wrapped in matching cladding. Typical of the area, the design also includes a lean-to roof on an area that houses the utility room and cloakroom.“I’ve worked with Catnic Urban on a number of projects and particularly like the fact that it is fully recyclable at end of life. The ease of installation also instils confidence that there will be no problems at fitting stage and the technical support offered by the Urban team is also excellent, with a good level of technical detail provided on abutments and ventilation, so that all the work is neatly finished.”Tim HannonBrooks ArchitectsCatnic Urban steel standing seam roofing and cladding in Anthracite Colorcoat HPS200 Ultra was used across the project, recommended by project contractor Kerslake Construction Ltd, as a cost effective alternative to the zinc roof initially specified, when cost became a concern. “If a customer wants the look of zinc without the price tag, I recommend Catnic Urban”, said Jon, “and in most cases as soon as people look into the product they switch, as it looks great, achieving really smooth, clean lines that flow beautifully.”Catnic Urban’s recommended contractor Steel Roof Installers UK was commissioned by Kerslake Construction to install the roof, as they have worked together on similar projects in the past. After attending a training course back in 2010, owners Chris Bates and Andy Morris were soon turned onto the benefits of building with Catnic Urban and now exclusively work on Urban projects.Catnic Urban (previously known as Colorcoat Urban) is a fully supported standing seam system designed, manufactured and CE marked in accordance with BS EN 14783:2013. Quick build times are possible with neat crisp finishes to complement design and build choices. Manufactured from Tata Steel’s Colorcoat HPS200 Ultra®, and also available in Colorcoat Prisma®, Catnic Urban is a cost-effective alternative to traditional copper and zinc standing seam roof systems. Seven times lighter than tile equivalents, it is easy to handle on site and quick to fix compared with traditional roofing products.

ASF manufactured and supplied the ASF 211 5 Rail Quayside Post System for the above project. Sited on a raised plinth, the baseplate option was chosen. The client decided that all the rails were to be the same diameter - in this case 48mm. The rails were grouped on the lower part of the posts to reduced the risk of 'roll through' into the water and as such increasing the safety for children and young people at the waters edge. The posts are 100% recycled cast iron and are 100% recyclable. Cast iron can be recycled indefinitely with no loss in property. Posts were hand finished in zinc rich metal primer and ASF metal shield top coat. Rails were left galvanised which offers a pleasing contrasting effect.

The ChallengeTramways is a 402-bedroomed new build student accommodation complex for Chester University. It comprises 356 en-suite cluster rooms and 56 en-suite studios incorporating communal kitchens and living rooms.The development was to be split into five blocks of accommodation, with each block between three and five storeys in height.The SolutionForterra’s Dark Multi Smooth and County Multi Smooth bricks were selected for the project’s facing brickwork. Used alongside zinc wall cladding, these red bricks helped to create interest and variety in the external appearance of each of the five blocks.Part of Forterra’s Butterley range of bricks they are both smooth, wirecut bricks. While County Multi Smooth is a fully red brick, Dark Multi Smooth introduces elements of blue.The BenefitsThe juxtaposition of the metallic cladding with the red and blue facing brickwork ensures the Tramways development offers its own, unique architectural interest while at the same time complementing the local built environment of this part of Chester.

In 1861 a small group of stonemasons formed the Edinburgh Cooperative Building Company to create affordable homes, by and for workmen, to escape from slum landlords. Typically, the terraced houses were arranged back-to-back with individual gardens: the ground-floor front doors facing one direction and first floor front doors on the opposite side with external staircases.The ‘colonies’ design has been widely replicated and recently resurrected with a contemporary approach in a new Edinburgh development by Glencairn Properties. Bellevue Colonies at McDonald Road recreates the original sense of community and interaction between neighbours with shared footpaths, gates and external stairs.Lang+Fulton supplied Modena railings to delineate each private garden space and provide boundary demarcation to the street. The railings were mounted on dwarf walls and were hot-dip galvanized and polyester powder coated for a durable finish in keeping with the quality materials of brick, zinc and slate that were used throughout the development.Awards: Homes for Scotland - Housing Development of the Year (shortlisted)

Covering 460,000 square meters, the equivalent of around 70 soccer fields, Starfield in scenic Hanam, just east of Seoul, is one of the largest shopping malls in South Korea. Stepping inside the mall, shoppers are greeted with copious amounts of natural light coming in through the two glass roofs standing at 35 meters above the ground, built to deliver a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere. Our coatings are making sure that Starfield Hanam’s stunning roofs are looking great for the millions of shoppers that the giant mall is catering for.The owner specified a fast-curing primer to increase productivity in the workshop, followed by a high build polyurethane topcoat with a semi-gloss white surface.Intercure 200 was chosen to provide superior long term corrosion protection to the roofs’ steel. The zinc epoxy primer provides rapid cure even under low temperature conditions and is suitable for over-coating within 3 hours in most climatic conditions, speeding up production and throughput in fabrication shops.Semi-gloss and available in a wide range of colors, our Interthane 870 finish coat was used to deliver excellent cosmetics and extended recoatability, assisting in project flexibility.This two coat system boasts a very long global track record.

The ChallengeThe design of two new This large urban regeneration project in Pennywell, Edinburgh, included 719 new dwellings. It comprised four different brownfield areas with existing communities between them, meaning that linkage with the existing communities is essential.Homes are arranged around a central open space within an area characterised by low density housing.The predominant material in the overall development is brick – chosen for its durable, long-lasting qualities and ability to introduce consistency and identity. Zinc cladding, white brick and render, with key entrances defined by coloured blocks, also feature.The SolutionThe design used a simple palette of materials and approach to detailing, to bring a consistent and clear identity. The focus is on attractive, simple proportions, both in the form of the buildings and in the development of the elevations.Two types of brick were proposed: one a red/brown multitone and the other a light brown/red multitone; to be used in conjunction with grey and dark grey rooftiles. The brick selected was Village Harvest Multi for it was consistent with the design and referenced developments nearby.The BenefitsThe architecture used throughout the development provides quality and variety.The buildings complement each other and create a distinct character and identity. The feature materials add to the rhythms and patterns in the elevations to create variety in the streetscape and mark key corners and frontages.The extensive development is a result of an investment of £42 million by the City of Edinburgh Council and includes £7.9 million grant funding from the Scottish Government.

Located on the edge of Cambridge’s De Freville Conservation Area, Clare College’s St Regis site has provided accommodation for postgraduate students of the University of Cambridge for over fifty years. In recent times, the need for regeneration became clear and Freeland Rees Roberts Architects was appointed to design a new scheme. The practice worked closely with Vandersanden, selecting brick as the principal element of the attractive new facades.While the old buildings failed to fit into the surrounding urban context and lacked the facilities required, the new scheme provides more and improved student accommodation for the college together with market flats. To achieve this successfully in a residential area, it was vital to consider the massing and perceived scale of the buildings. Consequently, the volumes were broken down to feel more like a series of big houses than large residential blocks.Clearly of a confident, contemporary design, the buildings respect their surroundings, repairing and maintaining the rhythm of the street scene. In large part, this is due to the choice of bricks and the splitting of the facades into separate gables with slopping roofs. Vandersanden’s Majestic and Luna Apollo facing bricks were selected and contribute to the detailing of the facades.“There is plenty of life and colour variation in the bricks,” explains Alexander Hobohm, director at Freeland Rees Roberts Architects. “This assists in breaking down the overall massing of the facades and works well with the dark zinc of the roofs.”The bricks act to soften the appearance of the facades and link the context of the new and neighbouring buildings. The beige grey Majestic brick predominates with the darker grey Luna Apollo providing detailing. It forms the plinth that anchors the buildings while a soldier course of Majestic bricks above provides the transition to the main body of the walls. At the junction with the zinc roof, the detailing is subtle with the transition provided by stepped courses of the Luna Apollo. Panels of projecting brick headers are a further feature, introduced to add a textural quality that brings light and shade to the facades.“The brick’s colour, tone and texture were qualities that other manufacturers couldn’t offer,” says Hobohm. “Usefully, Vandersanden invited us to see a number of projects using the same bricks which was so much more helpful than relying just on sample panels.”Another contributory factor to the look is the choice of mortar. This was specified to create a natural, lime mortar-like appearance and was achieved by fully pointing and, after the initial set, brushing back; there are no struck joint lines.A defining feature of the front facade is the public art. The college commissioned a carving featuring swifts in flight, inspired by the birds that were in residence in the original buildings. Swift boxes have been integrated into the new facades to provide a home for these beautiful birds. Using hand tools and following trials, stonemasons carved some 5-10mm into the face of the brickwork to create the design. A breathable paint finish was applied to highlight the indentations - a single bird at the very top is gold-leafed.  For Hobohm, working with Vandersanden was a positive, supportive and proactive process. “It was very straightforward. Early on, Vandersanden supplied product and technical information, plus a batch of the two brick types, enabling us to create sample panels. The bricks helped deliver the project vision and the client is delighted. It’s now one of the college’s signature buildings and has already won several awards.” To find out more about the bricks used in this project or to see the wide range of high-quality bricks available from Vandersanden, click on the 'View more' link 

‘Autobarn’ is an unusual build comprising an elegant five-bay garage and accompanying workshop sitting within the grounds of a Grade-II listed 18th-century home in Somerset.Designed by Bindloss Dawes Architects, the brief was to create a garage with an adjoining workshop to house the client’s classic car collection. The finished result is an aesthetically beautiful building with its deceptively simple wooden barn-themed styling using agricultural materials such as concrete and recycled wood under a zinc roof. With surfaces comprising steel, timber and polished concrete floor, the architects incorporated Troldtekt acoustic panels to clad both the walls and ceilings between the steel frames for sound absorption and to combat the issue of reverberating noise.The added advantage of having services hidden behind the white panelling means the final result is a stunning simplistic and minimalist design allowing the classic cars to be the focus of attention and transforming the space into more of a gallery than a traditional garage.Troldtekt acoustic panels are available in a variety of different surfaces and colours and combine sound absorption with a tactile surface. With an expected life cycle of at least 50 years and resistance to humidity and impact, they are available in various sizes and four grades, from extreme fine to coarse. The panels can be left untreated or painted in almost any RAL colour. Depending on the panel specified, reaction to fire is classed in accordance with EN 13501 as B-s1,d0 or A2-s1,d0 respectively. Founded on the Cradle-to-Cradle design concept and having attained Gold certification, Troldtekt wood wool acoustic panels are manufactured using wood from certified forests (PEFC™ and FSC®C115450) and can contribute positively to a building’s BREEAM, DGNB or LEED points. 

RIBA STIRLING PRIZE WINNER, Evelyn Grace Academy in Brixton South London, benefits from the flowing façade integrating seamlessly with Sotech's Optima IPC Cladding. The external facades of the academy, designed by award wining architect Zaha Hadid, feature flying angles and oblique lines and, to maximise external space the building bridges, a full-length running track. The internal design generates natural patterns of division within highly functional spaces to create four small schools within the whole, each with its own identityIn addition to partnering with the specialist contractor McMullen to identify the optimum solution for the fixing components, a scaled mock-up incorporating the Sotech Optima IPC interlocking plank system, finished to the specification required, was built on site incorporating two sections of the building integrated into the glazed curtain wall. This level of detailing provided the contractor and the architect with the reassurance that the rainscreen system, and the specified colour and finish, would meet the performance and design requirements of the project.The Optima IPC system has been independently tested by Vinci, including both horizontal and vertical planks in the material and finish specified for the Evelyn Grace Academy together with a number of other finishes including copper, aluminium and zinc. Achieving 2Kn serviceable load, the system successfully met the rigorous test requirements.The specification of the highly engineered Optima IPC for the £37.5 million Academy resulted in the bespoke manufacture of each panel, many incorporating complicated angles and tapered corners in two directions, each with a 5mm shadowgap and secret fix joint. Curved soffits and cills completed the package, which totalled in excess of 1500sqm of Optima IPC.

The new office development for the New Gorbals Housing Association in Glasgow features a variety of aluminium fenestration solutions. Together these have helped create a light and airy workspace and an impressive centrepiece for the wider regeneration of the area.Located on Crown Street, the new commercial office building is complemented by a new civic piazza and has been designed by Page & Park Architects. Flexibility and adaptability were key focuses for the overall design, with the incorporation of daylighting and natural ventilation strategies to boost wellbeing, and large glazed facades to better connect the building with the local community.The welcoming main entrance has been created using Senior’s slimline and thermally-enhanced SF52 aluminium curtain wall system and SPW501 aluminium commercial doors. The fenestration package also includes Senior’s SPW600e aluminium windows which were used throughout. The ground floor glazing has been recessed to provide privacy to the internal work spaces whilst complementing the overall ‘open’ design of the scheme. In contrast, the first-floor glazing protrudes slightly to maximise views of the surrounding city. Senior’s products were fabricated and installed by Scottech for main contractor CCG.The office environment includes both large areas for group work and smaller, more private booths and is centred around a large timber-clad atrium. The use of internal and external glazed partitions and windows helps balance the space, providing links with both the other areas of the building and the outside. The fenestration package has also been designed to provide those using the building with multiple aspect views and daylighting, whilst avoiding overheating and glare from the summer sun. To further complement the overall façade design which features dark grey zinc cladding, and to boost the durability of the aluminium frames, the windows, doors and curtain wall systems were powder coated.

ChallengeWork is underway to create a new theatre that will transform the existing 1932 Royal Shakespeare Theatre whilst retaining the original Art Deco and Victorian elements of the building. Due for completion during 2010, the theatre will give artists and audiences alike the best environment in which to perform and enjoy Shakespeare with improved public spaces both inside and surrounding the theatre.The challenge for the project design is to blend the key aspects of the existing buildings with the new theatre designs. Specialist roofing contractor, Varla (UK) Limited were awarded the contract to design, manufacture and install the zinc standing seam roof and wall package. Varla (UK) Limited challenged Knauf Insulation to propose a solution to meet the demanding specification for this unique project.SolutionKnauf Insulation provided detailed ongoing technical support during the design stages of the project and proposed solutions based on the results of unique three-dimensional heat loss calculations. The unique 3-D calculation support service, provided by the Technical Advisory Centre, was an integral part of the product specification process to ensure that the exact thickness recommendations were proposed in order to meet the project’s specific U-value requirements.Knauf Insulation were able to provide a solution that met all of Varla’s insulation requirements by using 160mm of Knauf Insulation FactoryClad Roll 32. This is a flexible, lightweight roll of resilient Glass Mineral Wool with exceptionally high tear strength and a thermal conductivity of just 0.032 W/mK.In addition, Knauf Insulation FactoryClad Roll 32, recommended for this project, is manufactured from Glass Mineral Wool, which is ideal for limiting the spread of fire since it holds a Euroclass A1 reaction to fire classification for non-combustibility. The product will not burn, will not give off toxic smoke nor will it suddenly ignite in a fire due to ‘flashover’. For public buildings such as this, superior fire performance is crucial.

BACKGROUND: The Pavilion was being refurbished, ready to be re-open as a new café to help increase tourism to the town.Plans included creating a new terrace at the front, a small rear extension, and a portable office/store at the back.REQUIREMENT: A modular ramp to the terrace for pedestrian and wheelchair use. END RESULT:Our installers fitted a Rapid Ramp, which included a pedestrian walkway with a loading capacity of 1,000kgs. It is designed to safely support the weight of varies public traffic, including walkers, prams, wheelchairs, and mobility scooters.The installation was completed within a few hours on a snowy late evening.FEATURES INCLUDED: Mesh Platform - self-draining mesh allows water to pass through rather than collect on the surface.Trombone Ends - these are added to the ends of a Rapid Ramp to prevent clothes catching.Telescopic Legs - these can be adjusted to accommodate threshold heights.Continuous Handrail - this handrail system ensures users always have a support to hold onto.Standard Colour Black - ramps are powder-coated black to create a hard finish that is tougher than conventional paint.EXTRA 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 the ramp and helps users distinguish any level changes.CONCRETE VS PEDESTRIAN METAL RAMP INSTALLATIONS:Unfortunately, newly poured concrete must be protected from freezing for the first 24 to 48 hours and requires drying time before use. Therefore, concrete installations are heavily reliant on good weather conditions, and cannot be completed in snow or frozen temperatures.Unlike concrete, our pedestrian ramps can be installed in most weather conditions, including snow. Plus, the product is manufactured from galvanised steel.Galvanising is a process where a protective coating of zinc is applied to prevent rusting and to kill moss.