FC&A April 2018 by Red Hut Media Ltd

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April 18

Issue 98

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Voice of the Industry

Breaking the Ice on Energy Consumption

Build Focus: Listed Properties

Contractors – are you struggling to

Oslo-based interdisciplinary practice

How to retain originality while

effectively handle your public relations?

Snøhetta unveils plans for energy-positive

modernising listed and historically-

Evolve your PR with these top-five tips

Norwegian hotel

significant buildings

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Editorial Comment FC&A is a proud supporter of the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists.

Mixed Media Information Pear Platt, Woodfalls Farm, Gravelly Way, Laddingford, Kent, ME18 6DA Tel: 01622 873229, Fax: 01622 320020 www.fca-magazine.com www.mixedmediainfo.com

Editor Rebecca Kemp rebecca@mixedmediainfo.com Editorial Assistant Paige Smith paige@mixedmediainfo.com Print & Digital Advertising Sam Ball sam@mixedmediainfo.com Andrew Soper andrew@mixedmediainfo.com Print Design Manager Jack Witcomb jack@mixedmediainfo.com Digital Design Manager David Perry david@mixedmediainfo.com Production Assistant Sofia Franchi sofia@mixedmediainfo.com Accounts/Credit Control Charlie Ivy charlie@mixedmediainfo.com Managing Director Sam Ball sam@mixedmediainfo.com

Terms and Conditions: Contributions are invited and when not accepted will be returned only if accompanied by a fully stamped and return addressed envelope. No responsibility will be taken for drawings, photographs or literary contributions during transmission or in the editors hands. In the absence of an agreement the copyright of all contributions, literary, photographics or artistic belongs to Mixed Media Information Ltd.The Publisher accepts no responsibility in respect of advertisements appearing in the magazine and the opinions expressed in editorial material or otherwise do not necessarily represent the view of the publisher.The Publisher does not accept any liability of any loss arising from the late appearance or non publication of any advertisement.

Front cover: Snøhetta’s energypositive design is a first for the Powerhouse standard in a northern climate. See page 28.

Magazine April 2018

Welcome

to Future Constructor & Architect...

ast month’s Spring Statement predominantly pinpointed the struggles encountered by the UK’s SMEs; namely monetary provision for the employment of apprentices. Speaking on 13th March, Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond announced:“We’re committed...to delivering three million apprenticeship starts by 2020 with the support of business through the Apprenticeship Levy.” He went on to declare that the Government “recognises the challenges the new system presents to small businesses looking to employ an apprentice”, and “…the Education Secretary will release up to £80m of funding to support those small businesses in engaging an apprentice”. There is a clear obligation for the UK to address the industry’s skills shortage post-haste if we are to carve a future-proof stockpile of surveyors, bricklayers and additional construction professionals – particularly bearing in mind our departure from the EU; which is formally set to take place in less than a year’s time.With Brexit in mind, as well as the little time we have to confront the crisis prior to our withdrawal from the EU, Mr Hammond’s apprenticeship declaration will unquestionably make an imprint on the scarcity of construction workers.That said, what is required, however, is an element of enticement from the construction industry that will appeal to the juvenility of today. Apprenticeships offer individuals opportunities to master the construction skills necessary for the build in question; absorbing knowledge on site. Furthermore, an apprenticeship programme provides a candidate with a prospect to work their way up the career ladder through the personnel hierarchy. Industry encouragements are indispensable if we are to beat the skills shortage, and one company who has thought outside the box in an incentivising effort is major house-builder, Redrow. Working alongside Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) and Coleg Cambria, the house-building giant has established the UK’s very first house-building degree. The three-year degree will offer candidates an overview of house-building skills and will conclude with a final-year dissertation. Efforts such as Redrow’s innovative academic offering and Mr Hammond’s apprenticeship contribution will indisputably encourage potential candidates to enter the construction realm; allowing new and old methods of construction to be imparted to all across the construction industry. I hope you enjoy this edition. Don’t forget you can also access all of the magazine’s features, product news and supplier information at your fingertips via Future Constructor & Architect’s state-of-the-art app.To download your version free of charge, simply search ‘fc&a’ on Google Play or the App store.

Rebecca

Find all of our features and more online, plus our comprehensive archive area, at fca-magazine.com or on the fc&a app. Search ‘fc&a’.

Rebecca Kemp Editor, Future Constructor & Architect

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Contents

News 10 Industry Updates:

FC&A rounds up this month’s industry news, including awarded contracts, completed projects and much more.

26 Legal & Business:

In a bid to reduce ladder-related injuries, the European Committee for Standardisation published EN 131-1 and 2 back in January. Here, ZARGES demystifies the standard.

34 Voice of the Industry:

Contractors; are you adequately handling your PR – or even at all? Gareth Clements from Rumpus PR has got you covered with his top-five tips for PR success.

Features 32 Coatings & Finishes:

Powdertech Corby’s Richard Besant explains how to achieve an attractive and hard-wearing finish for powdercoated and anodised elements.

36 Build Focus:

Listed Properties:

A nation steeped in history; Britain houses thousands of listed and protected buildings. Inescapably, our history often falls into a state of disrepair, and the call to fuse modern and period architecture frequently beckons. Here, Proteus Facades looks at the aesthetic compatibility of copper against a listed backdrop.

Portfolios 38 Technical Focus:

Cath McLean, Segment Manager for Glass at Promat UK, takes designers and architects back to basics with the technicalities behind the specification of fire resistant glazing.

& Glazing: 40 Glass St James’s Place’s headquarters offers clients and employees an exceptional welcome. Pilkington’s Planar structural glazing system has enabled Scott Brownrigg to include a 12.8m-tall entrance and glazed roof.

42 BIM: With the NBS’ National BIM report exposing that an alarming 72% of its respondents “don’t understand the benefits” of BIM, it’s essential that more firms open up the cost-saving and blunder-preventative world of BIM.

46 Floors, Walls & Ceilings:

Billions have been invested into the airport infrastructure of Oman as a result of the rapidly-expanding Sultanate. Here, GKD talks through the fundamental role its metallic fabric played in Muscat International Airport’s breath-taking design.

14 Oslo Airport, Nordic –

Office of Architecture:

Norway’s most significant airport returns this month offering readers an architectural-focused guided tour around the ornate interior and exquisite external shell of Oslo Airport’s newly-opened terminal extension.

18 Chaoyang Park Plaza, MAD Architects:

Inspired by the inky brushstrokes of traditional Chinese Shan Shui paintings, Chaoyang Park Plaza has been devised to consolidate the artificial and organic. Designed by MAD Architects and led by Ma Yansong, the design’s intent follows Yansong’s philosophy of seeing “humans and nature as co-existing”.

28 Svart, Snøhetta:

Scandinavia; a region that profoundly shapes global designs. Interior design, however, isn’t the only prominent force emitted from our European neighbours; exquisite architecture and innovative energy-saving ideas are also piquing the interest of many. Here, FC&A looks at its latest energy-positive design.

50 Renewable Technology:

House-builders are undeniably under pressure from housing targets, however – as Paul Hutchens from Eco2Solar states – “the incentive to pioneer renewable technologies in the new-build sector is low”.

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Find all of these features and more online, plus our comprehensive archive area, at fca-magazine.com or on the fc&a app. Search ‘fc&a’.

WORK SMARTER, NOT HARDER WITH SMARTPLY DRYBACKER

as an experienced dryliner, Dan was regularly under pressure to get his partitions completed.

cutting this ply down is creating such a mess! really noisy too. guess it means i can’t hear the site manager yelling at me though!

long into the night...

forget about the plasterboard, the patressing isn’t even up yet! the plumber’s onto me too about hanging these sinks...

it was definitely time for dan to start working smarter... there has to be a better way to get the job done! quicker, cleaner and quieter... i really need to keep that site manager happy!

sigh! I’m still here fitting the steel brackets to take the patressing, I haven’t even got to the plasterboard yet!

he discovers smartply drybacker - a pre-cut patressing board, pre-rebated for quick and easy installation.

so, dan gets the job done quickly and professionally, meaning he makes it to the pub in good time.

this drybacker is amazing! it’s going up quickly with no dust, no noise... i’ll have the plasterboard up in no time, and the plumber off my back!

smart one! Beer o’clock already!

Dan was tired of working into the night, drawing the job out for longer than necessary – so he changed to a pre-cut, pre-rebated board speeding the installation time up considerably. Is it time to change yours? SMARTPLY DRYBACKER: Let the product work harder for you. Be like Dan and WORK SMARTER! call 01322 424900 or visit mdfosb.com

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Industry Updates

NEWS

FC&A rounds up the latest industry news

In Brief

Norman Foster Travelling Scholarship welcomes entries from around world The 2018 Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Norman Foster Travelling Scholarship has opened and welcomes applications from architecture students enrolled in schools of architecture around the world. A £7000 grant will be awarded to one winner by a panel of judges which will include Lord Foster and RIBA President, Ben Derbyshire. Lord Foster said: “As a student, I won a prize that allowed me to spend a summer travelling through Europe and to study first-hand buildings and cities that I knew only from the pages of books. It was a revelation – liberating and exhilarating in so many ways. Today, it is my privilege to fund the RIBA Norman Foster Travelling Scholarship, which I hope will have a lasting legacy – offering the chance for discovery and the inspiration for exciting new work – for generations to come.” The deadline for submissions is Friday 20th April.

BREEAM Awards 2018 – a roaring success The winners of the BREEAM Awards 2018, for building projects and professionals with extraordinary achievements in sustainability, were revealed at an event last month at London’s ExCeL. Attended by hundreds of built environment practitioners from around the world, the awards were hosted by Actor and TV personality Robert Llewellyn. The winners include many of the most innovatively sustainable buildings in the UK, and in countries across the globe from China to Brazil. The awards, held this year in partnership with leading construction event ecobuild, also recognise high achievements by architects, M&E consultants and BREEAM assessors – and BREEAM again partnered with GRESB to recognise socially responsible investment.

Beacon of light for Dubai skyline at night His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and Mohamed Alabbar, Chairman of Emaar Properties, have unveiled new designs for Architect and Engineer Santiago Calatrava’s landmark tower in the Dubai Creek Harbour. Images courtesy of Emaar Properties

Santiago Calatrava’s monumental design, chosen out of six proposals from competing firms, is influenced by the

natural forms of the lily and evokes the shape of a minaret, a distinctive architectural feature in Islamic culture.

The iconic structure combines modern, sustainable design with the rich culture and heritage of the UAE.The building’s numerous

New appointments at Leeds firm

Eric Wright Group appoints trio of MDs

Three new appointments have been made at Leeds-based Brewster Bye Architects, following several new contract wins for 2018. Lee Maude joins as a Senior Technician and Waqar Hussain and Jacob Mills as Architectural Assistants. Lee has more than 20 years’ industry experience.Waqar has completed his masters in architecture at the University of Huddersfield. And, Jacob is currently completing an architecture degree at the University of Sheffield.

Eric Wright Group has made a strategic move to strengthen its property businesses by appointing some of the divisional directors to the board as managing directors. Karen Hirst becomes Managing Director of Maple Grove Developments. Colin Hetherington has been appointed as Managing Director of Applethwaite. And, Christine Winstanley becomes Managing Director of Eric Wright Health and Care as part of the suite of promotions, following an eightyear tenure as Divisional Director.

Ground engineering leader expands UK arm

Personnel

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Mainmark is delighted to announce that it has recently enhanced its UK division by welcoming two of its longstanding overseas experts to the British team. Robbie Blanchfield and Victor Chirilas both relocated from Christchurch, New Zealand, and will be joining Mainmark’s Milton Keynes office where their extensive knowledge and wealth of experience in the industry will help support and develop the UK offering.

Industry Updates

In Brief Liquid waterproofing – fastest-growing sector in flat roofing The liquid-applied roofing sector has grown by more than 30% since 2013, making it the fastestgrowing part of the flat roofing market, according to research undertaken by the Liquid Roofing and Waterproofing Association (LRWA). Recent figures from the LRWA’s findings recorded a 35% growth in its members’ turnover – measured in m2 – for liquid-applied waterproofing in the last four years. A rise in LRWA membership also reflects sector growth, with an increase from 16 manufacturer members in 2013, to 25 in 2016 – which has seen the association’s collective turnover grow by 98%.

Redrow reacts to the Government’s Spring Statement Following Chancellor Philip Hammond’s announcement at this year’s Spring Statement, Karen Jones, Group HR Director at Redrow, said:“Apprenticeships are a way of future-proofing the UK workforce, particularly in sectors where there is a considerable skills shortage, such as construction. More needs to be done to incentivise employers to open up the apprenticeship route to young people, particularly given the fall in apprenticeship numbers seen over recent months since the introduction of the Apprenticeship Levy. However, it is positive to see that the Government has recognised the need to address the uptake of apprenticeships by giving smaller employers greater funding.”

observation decks are part of an elongated, oval-shaped bud at the top of the tower.The slender stem serves as the spine of the structure, and the cables linking the building to the ground are reminiscent of the delicate ribbing of the lily’s leaves.The structure also provides a beacon of light at night, with lighting that will emphasise the flower-bud design of the building. Calatrava designed the tower with a large focus on energy efficiency and sustainability. The tower will use a highlyefficient cooling system and the water collected from this system will clean the structure’s

facade. Elegant landscaping and vegetation will encourage solar protection. An integrated shading system and wing doors will also contribute to energy efficiency. The structure will include 10 observation decks, including The Pinnacle Room, which offers unprecedented, 360º views of the city and beyond. The building will also include numerous balconies that rotate outside the facade of the tower. There will be a cafe on one of the three public observation decks and various spaces throughout the building can be used for events.

Wind assessments Recently, BMT has announced that it has taken Dubai’s Creek Tower to 100% design development. BMT’s wind engineering experts have completed aerodynamic shape optimisation studies, wind loading analyses and facade wind pressures assessments. The building’s striking design includes a distinctive net of steel stay cables that attach to a central reinforced concrete column that will reach into the skies.

www.calatrava.com

www.bmt.org

BBA discusses Brexit and industry safety with MP Conservative MP for St Albans, Anne Main, visited the British Board of Agrément to meet with BBA Chief Executive, Claire CurtisThomas.The meeting was to discuss the ramifications of Britain’s disengagement from Europe and how the construction industry can work with Government to ensure safety standards are fully adhered to. Ms Main and Ms Curtis-Thomas discussed some of the challenges to the industry that have arisen as a result of Brexit.They acknowledged that there are some key areas of uncertainty for the UK construction industry over the course of the year. However, it was also agreed that despite these current uncertainties, there is a good opportunity for UK construction to be presented as an attractive investment proposition for investors post-Brexit.

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Industry Updates

Architect in Profile Starting his career at smaller practices to learn the trade, Joe Ashton aspired to work on projects that would give him direct responsibility. After learning the basics, he sought to experience greater schemes so moved to larger firms. Fast-forward to 2018, and Joe is a Senior Architect at gpad london.

Joe Ashton is a Senior Architect at gpad london

www.gpadlondonltd.com

Had you always wanted to pursue a career in architecture/design? Solving problems and making things has always been key. Hence why I became an Architect; to design and watch the structures be built. I’m open to the idea of design taking me in other directions; furniture design, master planning, product design – anything where I can come up with practical ideas. What has been your greatest influence and source of inspiration? Visiting building sites always reminds me of how complex the process is and how everything fits together. It drives home that a few lines on a page represent tonnes of steel and other materials. I need to see the physical space I’m working with. If I’m stuck in the office for too long, my inspiration levels wane.

What is your favourite building and why? I worked on a community project called Sharanam led by Trupti Doshi and Jateen Lad in rural India. Working with a group of unskilled local people, they taught them how to build, starting with making bricks from local soil, then mixing concrete, laying concrete and so on. After 10 years, they’d built one of the largest unsupported brick arches in the world. It’s a pure and complete form of architecture unachievable in a commercial environment.

How do you approach your projects? Frequently, our clients have strong commercial objectives, but quite an open mind about how this may be realised architecturally. As we develop a relationship and a clear understanding of their objectives, it’s common for us to test residential, commercial, retail and mixed ideas on a single site.

What do you think is the greatest challenge for architects today? Usually, retaining control of an infinitely complicated process while making everything work harmoniously together. We’re usually the lead consultant, so we’re responsible for pulling all construction strands together whilst satisfying planning constraints, building control, BREEAM ratings and so forth. As clients look to save time, architects are increasingly under pressure to streamline that process.

What do you think is the most significant challenge for designing in sustainability? Current sustainability targets are set by EU directives, so we’re waiting to see whether we remain committed to these or create our own. The biggest challenge is to convince the UK Government to be a leader in driving a sustainable agenda postBrexit and not diminish its commitment.

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What can we expect to see from gpad london over the next year? We’ve just been long-listed for the competition to transform the Old Street roundabout. Entering more competitions will be on the cards, and we’re hoping to increase our award wins!

■

Joe’s most notable project is a recent mixeduse project in Hatton Garden which included refurbished elements, offices, workshops and residential space

What has been your most notable project to date? A recent mixed-use project in Hatton Garden which included refurbished elements, offices, workshops and residential space. The various functions had their own interwoven circulation routes within a single core, all on a very challenging Central London site. We knocked down the rear section of an existing building and retained the facade. It’s hard to imagine more components coming together.

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Oslo Airport, Gardermoen, Norway

Let’s fly, let’s fly away

Fact File: Location: Gardermoen, Norway

The outer curved profiles and internal sweeping geometries of the prominent Oslo Airport extension may call to mind FC&A’s lighting feature from back in January. Those who checked in to our first issue of 2018 will recall the airport’s stunning illumination design which synchronises with Norway’s daylighting in a bid to save energy. Here, FC&A explores the Nordic — Office of Architecture-designed extension and finds out just how the scheme lives up to its appellation as ‘the world’s greenest airport’.

Building cost: 14bn NOK Fee/value: 350m NOK Timeframe: 2009-2017

per year, with a further potential increase to 36 million passengers. Through stacking of domestic and international zones at the new pier; all travellers are able to use all gates, which improves the passenger flow and journey times. Whilst the floor space has almost doubled, the maximum walking distance remains the same; just 500m.The multi-disciplinary design team applied a holistic approach to sustainability, including the harvesting of as much on-site energy as possible. Snow from the runways will be collected and stored during wintertime in an on-site depot to be used as a coolant during the summer.

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emonstrating cutting-edge Scandinavian design, the Oslo Airport expansion has set new standards for sustainability and passenger wellbeing. It is the first airport building in the world to receive a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating. The expansion doubles the size of the existing terminal to 280,000m2; with the addition of a 300m-long north pier for international and domestic flights, an extension to the main terminal and integrated train station, which sits at the centre of the airport. Overall, the airport’s capacity has increased from 19 to 32 million passengers

Area: 115,000m² (new), 25,000m² (remodelling)

Client: Avinor Oslo Lufthavn Reponsible architects: Erik Urheim (PGL), Roald Sand, Christian Henriksen, Geoffrey Clark, Ole Tørklep, John Arne Bjerknes og Bjørn Olav Susæg, Ingrid Motzfeldt, Ivar Ivarsøy Responsible partner: Gudmund Stokke Partner companies: Team_T: Nordic — Office of Architecture, Cowi, Norconsult, Aas-Jakobsen og Per Rasmussen

Oslo Airport, Gardermoen, Norway

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Oslo Airport, Gardermoen, Norway PLAN LEVEL D.

AXONOMETRIC

ARRIVALS, DUTY-FREE, BAGGAGE, CUSTOMS, TRAIN, BUS AND CAR CONNECTIONS

SHOWING NEW AREAS MARKED IN GREEN

NEW AREAS

KEY:

NON-SCHENGEN

DOMESTIC

01. NORTH PIER,

INTERNATIONAL

INTERNATIONAL (SCHENGEN), ARRIVALS AND DEPARTURES

02. DUTY-FREE 03. FOOD COURT 04. EAST PIER,

2 16

NON-SCHENGEN

INTERNATIONAL (SCHENGEN), DEPARTURES

DOMESTIC

INTERNATIONAL

05. EAST PIER,

INTERNATIONAL

INTERNATIONAL (NON-SCHENGEN), DEPARTURES

06. CHECK-IN 07. SECURITY 08. VEHICLE APPROACH 09. SOUTH PIER,

DOMESTIC

PLAN LEVEL F.

10. WEST PIER,

DOMESTIC, DEPARTURES

MAIN PLAN WITH APPROACH AND CHECK-IN, DUTY-FREE, DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL DEPARTURES IN CENTRAL TERMINAL AND INTERNATIONAL DEPARTURES IN NORTH PIER.

CHECK-IN

11. PARK 12. RAILWAY STATION 13. PARKING 14. ROADWAY 15. HOTEL 16. BAGGAGE SORTING 17. BAGGAGE RECLAIM

Pier East Pir øst

DOMESTIC

18. BAGGAGE RECLAIM INTERNATIONAL

2 10

7 6

Pier East Pir øst

Expanded Processor Utvidelse Central Sentralbygning Central EastProcessor Pier Pir øst

Pier East Pir øst

3 7

Pier North Pir nord

Pier East Pir øst

Snow cooling Snow cooling

KEY: Snow cooling Daylight

Snøkjøling Central Processor

Pier East Pir øst

Daylight

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

District heating

Dagslys og passivhus-klimaskall

Pier North Pir nord

Oppriss av Pir Nord, sett fra vest. Målestokk 1:3000. Elevation of north pier, seen from the west. Scale 1:3000.

Snøkjøling

District heating

Varmegjenvinning

Fjernvarmesentral Pier North Pir nord

Local heat-regain

Pier Nort Pir nord

Oppriss av Pir Nord, sett fra Elevation of north pier, see Pir n

DAYLIGHT

Heat-regain from Passive HEAThouse REGAIN municipal waste-water FROM Energibrønner, jordvarme Passasjerbro

Innland

Fje

Energibrønner, jordvarme

Innland

MUNICIPAL WASTEWATER

av Pir Nord, sett fra vest. Målestokk 1:3000. Utland Innland Geothermal technology Oppriss Elevation of north pier, seen from the west. Scale 1:3000. Lokal varmegjenvinning Lokal varmegjenvinning Passasjerbro

Snow cooling

Utland

Pas Pir n

Snøkjøling Utland

Local heat-regain LOCAL HEAT-REGAIN Dagslys og passivhus-klimaskall Daylight Energikonsept. Snitt gjennom Pir nord. Målestokk ca. 1:650. Energy concept. Section through north pier. Scale approx. 1:650.

Passive housePassasjerbro Snow cooling Snøkjøling District heating

Pir n

Innland

Snow cooling Fjernvarmesentral Innland Snøkjøling Utland

Passasjerbro

Varmegjenvinning Dagslys og passivhus-klimaskall fra renset Daylight avløpsvann Utland Dagslys og p Pir nord Heat-regain from

municipal waste-water

Energibrønner, jordvarme

Fjernvarmesentral

Fjernvarmes

District heating

Geothermal technology

Geothermal technology Energikonsept. Snitt gjennom Pir nord. Målestokk ca.varmegjenvinning 1:650. Energikonsept. Snitt gjennom Pir nord. Målestokk ca. 1:650. Lokal Innland Innland Varmegjenv Varmegjenvinning Geothermal technology Energy concept. Section through north pier. Scale approx. 1:650. Energy concept. Section through north pier. Scale approx. 1:650. Lokal varmegjenvinning avløpsvann Passasjerbro Passasjerbro Heat-regain from fra renset av Heat-regain from fra renset

Local heat-regain

Lokal varmegjenvinning

Passive house

Energibrønner, jordvarme

Lokal varmegjenvinning

Pir n

Fjernvarmesentral District heating Local heat-regain Oppriss av den eksisterende og utvidede terminalen, sett fra Pir nord nord. Målestokk 1:3000. Elevation of the existing extended Oppriss av Pir Nord, sett fra vest. Målestokk 1:3000. Energibrønner, jordvarme Varmegjenvinning Varmegjenvinning Snøkjøling seen from thethe north. Scale 1:3000. Elevation Daylight of north pier, seen from the west.og Scale 1:3000. Elevation ofterminal, north pier, seen from west. Scale 1:3000. Dagslys passivhus-klimaskall fra renset avløpsvann Heat-regain from fra renset avløpsvann

Heat-regain from Energibrønner, jordvarme Geothermal technology municipal waste-water Lokal varmegjenvinning Dagslys og passivhus-klimaskall Energibrønner, jordvarme Daylight Fjernvarmesentral District heating HEATING Geothermal technology CentralSentralbygningen Processor Tower DISTRICT Flytårn Lokal varmegjenvinning Passasjerbro Geothermal technology Local heat-regain Varmegjenvinning Fjernvarmesentral Lokal varmegjenvinning District heating Heat-regain from fra renset avløpsvann Snow cooling Snow coolingVarmegjenvinning Local heat-regain Snøkjøling Snøkjøling municipal waste-water Energibrønner, jordvarme Passive house HOUSE Local heat-regain PASSIVE Heat-regain from fra renset avløpsvann municipal waste-waterDagslys og passivhus-klimaskall Dagslys og passivhus-klimaskall Passive house Daylight Energibrønner, jordvarme Daylighttechnology Geothermal Passive house Lokal varmegjenvinning Geothermal technology Fjernvarmesentral Fjernvarmesentral Lokal varmegjenvinning District heating LocalDistrict heat-regain heating

Dagslys og passivhus-klimaskall

Varmegjenvinning

Pas

TECHNOLOGY

Snow cooling fra renset avløpsvann Snøkjøling Heat-regain from Fjernvarmesentral District heating municipal waste-water Oppriss avSnow Pir Nord, sett fra vest. Målestokk 1:3000. cooling

Energy concept. Section through north pier. Scale approx. 1:650.

Heat-regain from fra renset avløpsvann municipal waste-water

CentralSen P

GEOTHERMAL

Varmegjenvinning Daylight Local heat-regain fra renset avløpsvann Heat-regain from Energikonsept. gjennom Pir nord. Målestokk ca. 1:650. Passive house Snitt Energy concept. Section through north pier. Scale approx. 1:650. municipal waste-water Energibrønner, jordvarme Energibrønner, jordvarme District heating Energikonsept. Snitt gjennom Pir nord. Målestokk ca. 1:650. Passive house

Fjernvarmesentral

Varmegjenvinning Heat-regain from fra renset avløpsvann Snow 1:3000. cooling Dagslys og passivhus-klimaskall Oppriss av Pir Nord, sett fra vest. Målestokk Snøkjøling municipal waste-water Pier West Elevation of north pier, seen from the west. Scale 1:3000. Energibrønner, jordvarme Pir vest CentralSentralbygningen Processor Pier North Pier North Pir nord Pir nord Pier South Pir syd Fjernvarmesentral Dagslys og passivhus-klimaskall Daylight Dagslys og passivhus-klimaskall Geothermal technology Lokal varmegjenvinning

Varmegjenvinning

Snøkjøling

Pier Pir CentralSentralby Process

Oppriss av Pir Nord, sett fra vest. Målestokk 1:3000. Elevation of north pier, seen from the west. Scale 1:3000.

Heat-regain from fra renset avløpsvann municipal waste-water

Geothermal technology

Pier North Pir nord

P Oppriss av Pir Nord, sett fra vest. Målestokk 1:3000. Central Processor Expanded Process Central Central Processor Utvidelse Sentralbygning East Elevation of north pier, seen fromPier the west. Scale 1:3000. Pir øst Snow cooling Snøkjøling CentralSentralby Process Pier North Pir nord Oppriss av Pir Nord, sett fra vest. Målestokk 1:3000. Oppriss av Pir Nord, sett fra vest. Målestokk 1:3000. Elevation of north pier, seen from the west. Scale 1:3000. Elevation of north pier, seen from the west. Scale 1:3000. Dagslys og passivhus-klimaskall Daylight CentralSentralby Process Pier North Pir nord Pier North Pir nord Pier North Pir nord Pier East Pir øst

Daylight District heating SNOW COOLING

Varmegjenvinning

District heating

Pier North Pir nord Tower Flytårn

Expanded Processor Snøkjøling Utvidelse Central Sentralbygning

Heat-regain from fra renset avløpsvann municipal waste-water

Daylight

Elevation of north pier, seen from the west. Scale 1:3000.

TRAIN STATION

13 Oppriss av Pir Nord, sett fra vest. Målestokk 1:3000. Elevation of north pier, seen from the west. Scale 1:3000.

Oppriss nord. M termina

Central Processor Oppriss av Pir Nord, sett fra vest. Målestokk 1:3000. CentralSentralby Process

Pier North Pir nord

CentralSentralbygningen Processor

Pier North Pir nord

Snow cooling

Pier North Pir nord Central Processor

BAGGAGE CAROUSEL Pier East Pir øst DOMESTIC

Pier Pir

Pier North Pir nord

Pier East Pir øst

Pier Pir Wes vest

Pier North Pir nord

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Central Processor

BAGGAGE CAROUSEL INTERNATIONAL

Pier East Pir øst Central Processor

Pir nord

municipal waste-water Local heat-regain Energibrønner, Utland jordvarme

Geothermal technology Energikonsept. Snitt gjennom Pir nord. Målestokk ca. 1:650. Lokal varmegjenvinning Passive house Energy concept. Section through north pier. Scale approx. 1:650.

municipal waste-water

Energibrønn Utland

Geothermal technology

Lokal varmeg Passasje

Passive house

Energikonsept. Snitt gjennom Pir nord. Målestokk ca. 1:650. Energy concept. Section through north pier. Scale approx. 1:650.Local heat-regain

Local heat-regain

Fjernvarmesentral Innland Passasjerbro

Passive house

Utland Energikonsept. Snitt gjennom Pir nord. Målestokk ca. 1:650. Energikonsept. Snitt gjennom Pir nord. Målestokk ca. 1:650.

Energy concept. Section through north pier. Scale approx.Energy 1:650.concept. Section through north pier. Scale approx. 1:650. Find this issue plus much more on the fc&a app and fca-magazine.com

Passive house

Energikonsept. Snitt gjennom Pir nord. Målestokk ca. 1:650. Energy concept. Section through north pier. Scale approx. 1

Passive house

Energikonsept. Snitt gjennom Energikonsept. Snitt gjennom Pir nord. Målestokk ca. 1:650. Energy concept. Section through north pier. Scale approx. 1:650. Energy concept. Section thro

Oslo Airport, Gardermoen, Norway

providing reassurance and peace of mind for travellers. A panoramic window at the north end of the pier, the 300m-long skylight and the curved glazed windows on both sides open up the view to the surrounding landscape and beyond. The new departures hall on the second floor is airy and daylit, internal green walls and water features enhance the passenger experience as they move through the terminal.While the green walls and water features are suggestive of Scandinavian forests, the retail units in the newly-designed duty-free areas have been conceived as organic stone forms associated with Norwegian landscapes. Artificial lighting is designed only as a minimal supplement to high levels of natural daylight and can be set to reflect different moods according to weather, season and time of day.

â&#x2013;

Natural materials have been used throughout the entire building. By choosing environmentally-friendlier concrete, the highest degree of recycled steel in armouring, and a wooden roof cladding on the new pier, along with other similar measures, the buildingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s CO2 emissions have been reduced by 35%. Energy requirements will be extremely low due to the use of ground source heat technology as well as harvesting heat from spill water in the adjacent municipality to provide heating. Enhanced levels of insulation enable the project to achieve Passivhaus-level performance standards. Energy consumption in the new expansion has been cut by more than 50% compared to the existing terminal. Efficiency and passenger wellbeing have been key drivers of the design throughout. The compact layout of the building, transparency and open spaces enhances visual legibility and wayfinding,

www.nordicarch.com

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Chaoyang Park Plaza, Beijing

LEVATO MONO

Porcelain paver system and coordinating internal tiling The Deck Tile Co’s new website www.surface360.co.uk now has +150 colours and finishes in their Levato Mono 20mm porcelain ranges plus co-ordinating internal tiling – enabling seamless visual transition between internal and external spaces.

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INTRODUCING OUR NEW WEBSITE: 18 Find this issue plus much more on the fc&a app and fca-magazine.com WWW.SURFACE360.CO.UK

Ideal for balconies, roof terraces and piazzas, for both commercial and residential use Frost proof Height adjustable/slope correcting support system ranging from 9mm up to 550mm

Chaoyang Park Plaza, Beijing

MAD Architects paints picture of co-existence

MAD Architects, led by Ma Yansong, has completed ‘Chaoyang Park Plaza’, which includes the Armani apartment complex. Positioned on the southern edge of Beijing’s Chaoyang Park – the largest remaining park in Beijing’s Central Business District (CBD) area – the 220,000m2 complex includes 10 buildings which unfold as a classic Shan Shui painting on an urban scale.

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Chaoyang Park Plaza, Beijing

aving a similar composition and function as Central Park in Manhattan, but unlike the modern box-like buildings that only create a separation between the park and the city, Chaoyang Park Plaza instead is an expansion of nature. It is an extension of the park into the city, naturalising the CBD’s strong artificial skyline, borrowing scenery from a distant landscape – a classical approach to Chinese garden architecture, where nature and architecture blend into one another. “In modern cities, architecture as an artificial creation is seen more as a symbol of capital, power or technological development; while nature exists independently. It is different from traditional Eastern cities where architecture and nature are designed as a whole, creating an atmosphere that serves to fulfil one’s spiritual pursuits,” says Architect Ma Yansong. “We want to blur the boundary between nature and the artificial and make it so that both are designed with the other in mind. Then, the argument in the modern logic of humans to protect or to destroy nature will no longer exist if we understand and see humans and nature as co-existing. Human behaviour and emotion is part of nature, and nature is where that originates and ends.”

Inspired by traditional Chinese landscape paintings, the design remodels the relationship of large-scale architecture within our urban centres. It introduces natural forms and spaces – mountain, brook, creek, rocks, valley and forest – into the city. The asymmetrical twin-tower office buildings on the north side of the site sit at the base of the park’s lake and are like two mountain peaks growing out of the water. The transparent and bright atrium acts like a drawstring that pulls the two towers together by a connecting glass rooftop structure. The small-scale, low-rise commercial buildings appear as mountain rocks that have endured long-term erosion. They seem to be randomly placed, but their strategic relationship to one another forms a secluded, but open urban garden, offering a place where people can meet within nature in the middle of the city. The two multi-storey Armani apartments to the south-west continue this concept of ‘open-air living’ with their staggered balconies, offering each residential unit more opportunities to be exposed to natural sunlight and, ultimately, feel a particular closeness to nature.

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Emulating organic landscapes

Chaoyang Park Plaza, Beijing

Fact File: Location: Beijing, China Typology: Office, commercial, residential Site area: 30,763m2 Building area: Above-ground 128,177m2, below-ground 94,832m2 Building height: 142m Principal partners in charge: Ma Yansong, Dang Qun,Yosuke Hayano Associate partners in charge: Kin Li, Liu Huiying Team: Fu Changrui, Zhao Wei, Li Guangchong, Lin Guomin, Bennet Hu Po-Kang, Nathan Kiatkulpiboone,Yang Jie, Julian Sattler,Younjin Park, Zhu Jinglu, Xue Yan, Zheng Fang, Matteo Vergano, Wing Lung Peng, Gustavo Maya, Li Yunlong, Tiffany Dahlen and Gustaaf Alfred Van Staveren Client: Smart-hero (HK) Investment Development Executive architects: CCDI Group Facade consultant: RFR Asia Facade optimisation: RFR Asia, Sane Form Interior design (office and commercial): MADA s.p.a.m., Supercloud Studio Interior design (residential): ARMANI/CASA Interior Design Studio Graphic design: Kenya Hara + NDC China Landscape design: Greentown Akin Landscape Architecture Co. Interior lighting consultant: M&W Lighting Landscape lighting consultant: Beijing Junhao Lighting Design Co. LEED certification consultant: Shenzhen Institute of Building Research Co.

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Chaoyang Park Plaza, Beijing The overall environment is shaped by smooth, curved surfaces of black and white, creating a quiet and mysterious atmosphere. It is one that evokes the emotion and aesthetic resonance of a traditional Chinese ink painting, creating a tranquil escape from the surrounding, bustling urban environment. The landscape that weaves itself in between the buildings incorporates pine trees, bamboo, rocks and ponds – all traditional Eastern landscape elements that imply a deeper connection between the architecture and classical space. Japanese Graphic Artist Kenya Hara led the design of the simple and refined signage system for the project.

CROSS SECTION

Climate control The project has been awarded the LEED ‘Gold’ certification by the US Green Building Council, as the idea of nature is not only embodied in the design concept, but in the innovation and integration of green technology as well. The vertical fins seen on the exterior glass facade emphasise the smoothness and verticality of the towers. They also function as the energy-efficient ventilation and filtration system drawing fresh air indoors. At the base of the towers, there is a pond that, while making it appear as if it’s going into infinity, works as an air cooling system in the summer, decreasing the overall temperature of the interior.

Divergent cities

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Chaoyang Park Plaza completely transforms the model of building found in our cities’ central business districts. But even though it is located in the centre of Beijing’s CBD, the intention is for it to have a dialogue with the traditional and classical city of Beijing – reflecting the interdependence between man and nature, both in urban planning and the large-scale presentation of the Shanshui garden. In the painting of Wang Mingxian, an Architectural Historian, he juxtaposed Chaoyang Park Plaza into a classical landscape painting. The architecture and the natural scenery seemed harmonious together, unlike how some might think the buildings do not fit into their urban context. Commenting on this contrast, Ma Yansong said: “I don’t think that’s our problem. The real question is when did the original cultural context of this city disappear? We have the opportunity to try and create a different kind of city, that on a spiritual and cultural level, can be compared to the classical cities of Eastern philosophy and wisdom.”

www.i-mad.com

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Chaoyang Park Plaza, Beijing We want to blur the boundary between nature and the artificial and make it so that both are designed with the other in mind â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Architect Ma Yansong LONG SECTION

DETAIL AXONOMETRIC SECTION

MASTER PLAN

KEY: 01. OFFICE 02. COMMERCIAL 03. RESIDENTIAL

1 3

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Events Many of the areas covered during this roundtable are set to be debated further at the RICS Digital Built Environment Conference 2018 on 21st June in London

Technology has emerged as a pivotal focus for many organisations, firms and professional bodies. While it is certain that innovation will trigger a disruption in property design and management, how organisations adapt to this is less clear.

he Royal Institution of Chartered continue to accelerate the rate of change Surveyors (RICS) has recently hosted within the industry. a series of discussions between As data entry and repetitive tasks are thought leaders to consider how the increasingly automated, the role of the industry is changing with the advancement property manager will also evolve to focus of technology. on human skills that The discussions cannot be automated Real estate is a tackled wide-ranging for firms to continue good place to work… topics, but three to provide value to to continue to attract the themes emerged as clients. “Interpersonal central to the issue: best talent, we need to be skills, professional professionalism, skills, advisory skills; the best industry to work adoption of standards technology cannot and the competition for in, it’s about standards, replace these,” skilled workers. experience, fellowship and argued Clint “Real estate is Academic professionalism…and we Kissoon, undergoing a tectonic Chair at George shift, with professionally have to show people that Brown College. trained and equipped As algorithms there is a future talent defining success in become more this new environment,” – Bob Courteau, sophisticated, said Toby Dodd, questions around how CEO at Altus Group Executive Managing to regulate them also Director at Cushman & Wakefield. become more difficult to answer. What There was a consensus that critical standard are we holding the machines thinking and analytical skills are becoming accountable to? How should we assess the increasingly vital for property professionals quality of the decision-making process? around the globe, as data-driven decisionWhat information has the decision been making and developments in technology based on? How has that information been

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Interpersonal skills, professional skills, advisory skills; technology cannot replace these – Clint Kissoon, Academic Chair at George Brown College interpreted? It is part of the role of a professional to start engaging with these questions; “the role of standards and being a professional is becoming more and more important,” stated John Hughes, Partner at Hemson Consulting and RICS President. Advancement in technology will reshape the market, putting increased emphasis on the adoption of standards to ensure any data collected is applied according to good judgement and industry ethics. “Real estate is a good place to work… to continue to attract the best talent, we need to be the best industry to work in, it’s about standards, experience, fellowship and professionalism…and we have to show people that there is a future,” added Bob Courteau, CEO at Altus Group. Many of the areas covered during the roundtable are set to be debated further at the RICS Digital Built Environment Conference 2018 on 21st June in London. Key topics include collaborative approaches to BIM, use of AR and VR in design, as well as big data.View the full programme and speaker line-up via the website below. RICS has also launched a Technology Affiliate Program to increase awareness and adoption of technology in the real estate and built environment sectors. To find out more, visit www.rics.org/tap.

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Technology as the catalyst for change: what should you do about it?

www.rics.org/proptechevent

Legal & Business Will I have to replace existing equipment? Under EN 131, existing ladders do not need to be replaced. However, as ladders are ubiquitous within industrial and trade skills, it is essential that they are regularly reviewed to ensure they meet current safety standards. Commercial users in the UK and Europe are merely asked to adhere to the respective workplace regulations. It’s possible that ladders built with ‘state-of-the-art’ materials can continue to be used. In order to identify compliant models, and consequently help with financial planning, companies should ask their safety officer to perform a risk assessment as soon as practically possible. Ultimately, EN 131-1 and 2 are intended to improve safety. Companies should always prioritise a safe working environment for staff. A small investment now may save far greater costs longterm should an accident happen. ZARGES has put together the following tips to help users assess what they need:

Time to step up – are you compliant with the new ladder safety standards? According to the Health and Safety Executive1 (HSE), approximately 609,000 cases of reportable work-related accidents occur in the UK each year. Thankfully, fatal injuries at work are infrequent, but the most common cause is falling from height (28%). These accidents often involve ladders. What do the o address this problem, the regulations mean? European Committee for

Standardisation has published the standards EN 131-1 and 2 with the intention of reducing ladder-related incidents. These standards establish new design and testing requirements to ensure ladders meet stringent criteria for stability and load-bearing capacity. The regulations came into force on 1st January 2018 in the UK and throughout Europe and will affect companies of all sizes and across a variety of industries.

Under EN 131-1 and 2, all leaning ladders that are 3m or longer will have to be equipped with a stabiliser bar. The new standards include a ‘Professional’ category that will replace BS 2037 Class 1, the current standard for industrial and heavy-duty ladders. Along with stricter test requirements regarding strength and slipresistance, EN 131-2 also sets out additional regulations for mechanical durability tests and torsion tests.

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Regularly inspect ladders: It is recommended that ladders are subject to a pre-use check, as well as more detailed inspection at least once every three months. Take note of the inspector’s qualification: An inspection is considered legally compliant only when it is performed by a certified in-house safety officer or a trained employee of a specialist company. Perform retrofitting: Access systems can be retrofitted to comply with regulations. For example, a stabiliser bar can be added to a leaning ladder in accordance with EN 131-1. Safety first: In addition to annual inspections, companies should always keep an eye on the safety of their ladders and access systems. Specialist companies and manufacturers, such as ZARGES, offer relevant advice, instructions and information to ensure ladders are being used safely in the work environment.

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Under EN 131-1 and 2, all leaning ladders that are 3m or longer will have to be equipped with a stabiliser bar

www.zarges.com Health and Safety Executive: Kinds of Accident in Great Britain, November 2017. http://www.hse.gov. uk/statistics/causinj/kinds-of-accident.pdf 1

Legal & Business

Will NPPF changes solve the UK’s housing crisis? Here, FC&A looks at some of the responses from within the industry to the Prime Minister Theresa May’s changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).

Ben Derbyshire President, RIBA

he Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) welcomes several of the revisions made to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) outlined by the Prime Minister. However, stronger action is needed to support public sector investment in housing and prioritise design quality. RIBA President, Ben Derbyshire, says: “While there is much to welcome in these proposals, the stark truth remains that the housing crisis will not be solved without major direct investment by the Government and local authorities in housing and infrastructure. “We are pleased that the Government have listened to the RIBA and others about the importance of good design in new housing. The NPPF makes numerous positive suggestions that will support the ambitions of architects and developers to build more high-quality, sustainable and affordable new homes.

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Andrew Hayward Managing Director, Russell Roof Tiles

I suspect streamlining the criteria and process is key to its success. “For contractors, the unlocking of potential new sites for house-building could also lead to an increase in business for many contractors supplying house-building developments and these changes may also see a quicker process required, with developers now requiring building material sooner rather than later. “Russell Roof Tiles is part of Crown Roof Tiles in the US and being part of an international group where housing is also in dire need – both in the US and Mexico – it is noticeable how much less red tape there is around planning in those countries and states. We, as a country, should look at other strong economic countries within Europe, with regard to speed and efficiency in planning and construction, irrespective of Brexit, and see what we can implement quickly to meet the 300,000 annual targets. “Education and skillsets are also inextricably linked to this target as well and should start in schools, not in planning or a developer’s office.”

“The proposals to change the rules on viability and developer contributions should provide greater certainty for developers and communities and lead to more transparent relations between those looking to build new houses and those who already live in the area. This is something the RIBA and others have long been calling for, and we hope the proposals will be welcomed by the whole sector. “The problems caused by developers who overbid for land and then use commercial confidentiality to avoid building affordable housing or providing the necessary infrastructure is a source of huge delay and destroys the trust that is vital to securing community support for new housing. “The Prime Minister was right to recognise the critical importance of turning planning permissions into new homes. Urgent action must be taken on delays in the planning system such as the overuse of planning preconditions which hinder development causing design quality to suffer.”

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heresa May’s recent announcement of a reform of the National Planning Policy will encourage developers to stop sitting on land and build more houses once they have gained planning permission. Andrew Hayward, Managing Director at roofing tile manufacturer Russell Roof Tiles, comments on the announcement and advises whether it will help the current housing crisis. “Any focus at senior Government level which gives attention to all relevant parties and the need for speed and efficiency in the UK housing market can only be a good thing. However, it is not as simple as pointing fingers at developers who have not built on approved land. “This is because a number of factors may have a significant impact on the speed and delays in builds.This can include a lack of employee skillsets and the availability of skilled trades, the cost of the build, value for money as well as planning obstacles. “While it is good to hear plans to speed up the planning process even further,

Svart, Svartisen Glacier, Norway

Snøhetta breaks the ice on energypositive designs There’s much to admire about our Scandinavian neighbours; whether it be the outstanding architecture of Stockholm, the minimalistic qualities of the region’s sought-after interior designs or, as suggested by the most recent Carlsberg advertisement, their love of natural environments. Steadily pushing the boundaries of interdisciplinary design, Scandinavia sets a precedence for architecture and design, and Oslo-based practice, Snøhetta, is indeed no exception.

The hotel is the first of its kind to be built in compliance with the Powerhouse standard and will also become the world’s northernmost Powerhouse building

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Svart, Svartisen Glacier, Norway A minimal footprint

The circular body of Svart extends from the shoreline by the foot of the Almlifjellet mountain and into the clear waters of the Holandsfjorden fjord. The circular shape provides a panoramic view of the fjord and an experience of living in proximity to nature. The construction is inspired by local vernacular architecture in the form of the ‘fiskehjell’ (an A-shaped wooden structure for drying fish) and the ‘rorbue’ (a traditional type of seasonal house used by fishermen). The rorbue reference translates into the hotel’s supporting structure which is built from weatherresistant wooden poles stretching several meters below the surface of the fjord. The poles ensure that the building physically places a minimal footprint on the pristine nature and gives the building an almost transparent appearance.

orking under Norway’s Powerhouse umbrella, a collaborative brand that brings together those passionate about fabricating energy-positive buildings, Snøhetta has unveiled its design for Svart, the first building to be modelled after the energy-positive Powerhouse standard in a northern climate. Not only does this new hotel reduce its yearly energy consumption by approximately 85% compared to a modern hotel, but it also produces its own energy – an absolute ‘must’ in this precious Arctic environment, the architects say. In collaboration with Arctic Adventure of Norway, Asplan Viak and Skanska, Snøhetta has designed ‘Svart’ the world’s first Powerhouse hotel, at the foot of the Svartisen glacier that runs through Meløy municipality in northern Norway.The name Svart, meaning black in Norwegian, is a direct tribute to the deep blue ice of Svartisen and the Svartisen name. As the word for black and blue are the same in old Norse, the name is a reference to the natural heritage of Svartisen, its precious glacier and its natural surroundings. Compared to an equivalent hotel built in accordance with modern building standards in Norway, the new hotel reduces yearly energy consumption by approximately 85%. The hotel is thus the first of its kind to be built in compliance with the Powerhouse standard and will also become the world’s northernmost Powerhouse building. “Building in such a precious environment comes with some clear obligations regarding preserving the natural beauty and the fauna and flora of the site. It was important for us to design a sustainable building that will leave a minimal environmental footprint on this beautiful northern nature. Building an energy-positive and low-impact hotel is an essential factor to create a sustainable tourist destination respecting the unique features of the plot; the rare plant species, the clean waters and the blue ice of the Svartisen glacier,” says Founding Partner at Snøhetta, Kjetil Trædal Thorsen.

The circular body of Svart extends from the shoreline by the foot of the Almlifjellet mountain and into the clear waters of the Holandsfjorden fjord

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Svart, Svartisen Glacier, Norway In collaboration with Arctic Adventure of Norway, Asplan Viak and Skanska, Snøhetta has designed ‘Svart’ the world’s first Powerhouse hotel

The poles of the hotel double as a wooden boardwalk for visitors to stroll in the summer. In the winter, the boardwalk can be used to store boats and kayaks, reducing the need for garages and additional storage space.The height of structure also allows for paddlers to paddle under the hotel corpus. The precious nature surrounding the hotel can only be accessed by boat, and there are plans to introduce an energy-neutral boat shuttle from the city of Bodø to the hotel.

An energy-optimised design

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To reach the Powerhouse standard, several cutting-edge design choices have been made. For example, the architects have conducted an extensive mapping of how solar radiation behaves in relation to a mountainous context throughout the year to optimise the harvest of energy.The result of the study has been an important premise for the circular design of the hotel, and hotel rooms, restaurants and terraces are strategically placed to exploit the sun’s energy throughout the day and seasons.The hotel’s roof is clad with Norwegian solar panels produced with clean hydro energy reducing the carbon footprint even further. Due to the long summer nights of this area, the annual production of solar energy will be significant. Secluded terraces provide a shadow play in the facade of the hotel while also ensuring privacy.The facades protect against insolation from the sun in the summer when the sun is high in the sky, removing the need for artificial cooling. During the winter months, when the sun is low in the sky, the large windows of the facade allow for a maximum of insolation to exploit the sun’s natural thermal energy. Materials with low embodied energy have been used to reach the Powerhouse standard. Embodied energy is the amount of energy that is required to produce, transport, build and replace materials and products that go into a building. Embodied energy is highest in materials produced with energy derived from fossil fuels.The use of wood in construction and cladding minimises the environmental impact of the building, and typically energyintensive materials such as structural steel and concrete have been avoided as much as possible. The hotel also uses geothermal wells that are connected to heat pumps.These are used to heat the building, thus reducing the building’s total energy consumption.

www.snohetta.com

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Svart, Svartisen Glacier, Norway The name Svart, meaning black in Norwegian, is a direct tribute to the deep blue ice of Svartisen and the Svartisen name

Not only does this new hotel reduce its yearly energy consumption by approximately 85% compared to a modern hotel, but it also produces its own energy

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Coatings & Finishes: Powder Coating & Anodising

Design for a perfect finish

Top tips for an effortless coating Metal finishing, be it painting, anodising or powder coating, is usually the last process a fabrication will undergo before installation, yet the performance of metal finishing and the effect it can have on the construction process and programme is greatly influenced by early design decisions. Richard Besant, Director at Powdertech Corby, outlines some simple but often overlooked considerations that should be made at the very start of a project. Identify

All are ‘seen’ faces

As designs become ever more intricate, it is particularly important to clearly identify the parts in a manner that won’t be obscured by the powder coating or paint. Marker pen will not do – it will be removed by the pre-treatment process, and it could show through the final coating. Engraving a part number using a simple pen or more sophisticated automatic machine ensures that the finished components are easily installed in the correct location. Design drawings must clearly identify, using standard notation, the extent of seen (primary) faces, coated but not seen (secondary) faces and unseen faces. Using this information in conjunction with suitable jigging points, your powder coater will suspend the parts to ensure that the surfaces are coated correctly and to the required aesthetic standard.

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The final destination The installed location of the metal, both its environment and ease of access, need consideration. Narrow gaps, overlapping joints and deep recesses should be avoided for a marine location as free draining, and easy cleaning is important to limit corrosive activity. This is also true for parts that are difficult to access for regular cleaning in any environment.

Designing for the best outcome Metal finishers want their coatings to be successful and design elements, overlooked in the design process which they have been unable to influence, are frustrating. Compromises have to be made; certain elements may need re-doing and delays in final construction can occur. These issues can be avoided if the design is optimised for coating application. A high-performance, attractive and durable coating will be the result.

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Clear identification code, and pre-planned suspension (jigging) points

Metal finishing is greatly influenced by seemingly small details in the design of the fabrication. For instance, venting and draining holes for galvanising in the correct position and of the correct size ensure that the metal sinks fully into the zinc bath and drains completely on removal. If any part of the fabrication floats, it will form a ‘burned’ surface with incomplete protection and poor surface finish. Components are generally suspended for powder coating, so suitable hanging points in the correct location on an unseen face, once installed, need to be identified in the design drawings. Sharp edges, commonly caused by laser, water and plasma cutting, must be rounded off as they can cause fracturing of galvanising and localised thinning of painting and powder coating. The material must be strong enough to avoid distortion during the powder coating process with temperatures up to 200ºC. Blind holes that trap air and prevent the complete coverage of pre-treatment chemicals must be avoided, and rivets and welds checked to ensure that the chemicals will not become trapped and ‘boil out’ during curing thus ruining the final coat.

www.powdertechcorby.co.uk

Voice of the Industry PR planning should align seamlessly with your broader business objectives

Gareth Clements is Commercial Director at Rumpus PR, an integrated PR and social media agency specialising in the built environment and property.

Top-five tips for PR success

Gareth Clements, Commercial Director at Rumpus PR, discusses the importance of contractors evolving their PR and marketing efforts to remain relevant, responsive and engaging.

s a PR agency that specialises in the built environment, we’ve spent many hours working with a vast array of contractors on their communication strategies. When we first launched Rumpus PR 15 years ago, the communications landscape for builders and developers was relatively straightforward – identify your main customers (existing and potential), and use the media to tell your story to them. Fast-forward a decade or so, and that landscape has evolved beyond almost all recognition. True, we still have traditional media to communicate through, such as FC&A, and these remain a vital part of our recommendations when it comes to PR. However, audiences are engaging digitally, 24/7 which means every minute of every day is a potential sales opportunity. So, how do contractors decide where their PR and communications efforts should be focused, especially when, let’s face it, there’s always something ‘more important’ on their to-do list? Here are our top-five tips for contractors looking to return maximum value from their PR efforts.

1. Review and plan Firstly, pause, take a step back and spend time reviewing your priorities. Do you have any regions or sectors you would like to develop or target? PR planning should align seamlessly with your broader business objectives, so if your annual target for 2018 is to establish a presence in Scotland, for example, then your PR plan should reflect this. Identify key media, online outlets and influencers in Scotland and create a shortterm (three- to six-month) plan to outline how you intend to engage with them. A combination of case studies, news stories and events is a good place to start. Investing time into reviewing your previous communications activity would be beneficial, as this can often highlight successes that can be replicated, and activity that did not provide sufficient ROI. It’s also important to plan for big events, such as industry conferences, and Government announcements that may impact on your sector and/or region.This will allow you to prepare statements or responses in advance, giving you a much better opportunity to secure interest from the media.

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2. Digital We’re now in what’s being dubbed the ‘fourth industrial revolution’ – a digital era that is fusing physical, digital and biological worlds. Every industry, sector and business is affected to some extent by technology, and many of them are beginning their transformation in readiness for a future led by digital. Forward-thinking contractors have embraced digital channels – a critical move if they are to remain on the front foot. As mentioned already, consumers are seeking information online 24/7, and it’s vital that contractors harness the possibility and opportunity this presents. But this goes beyond simply creating profiles on the likes of Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn; it’s about engaging with people in a way that they are comfortable with, that’s relevant and that resonates. Consider carefully what information people are seeking when they are on social media; the purpose of Facebook is very different to that of LinkedIn, and your content should be tailored to reflect that. In addition to social media, digital also encompasses the wealth of influential online publications, blogs and vlogs that can be used. Research your priority areas and sectors to identify where your online influencers are, and build relationships with them. Whether that’s guest vlogging, providing an opinion piece to an online title or getting a blogger to retweet your news; online engagement is absolutely critical to ongoing success.

Voice of the Industry

Forward-thinking contractors have embraced digital channels – a critical move if they are to remain on the front foot

If there’s one mainstay when it comes to PR and communications, it’s having a hunterstyle, proactive approach. The media, both on- and offline, can be a tough nut to crack, and when you throw an ever-expanding online network of influencers into the mix, you can be forgiven for thinking the job’s just too big. However, being proactive when it comes to PR can reap significant benefits. Have an opinion on something and use that to proactively approach a journalist or influencer with a suggested comment or thoughtleadership piece. More often than not, the media will welcome content such as this, as a relevant and well-timed piece of content is likely to drive traffic to their website or incentivise people to buy their magazine. Being proactive also means nailing that PR plan we talked about earlier; planning for comment opportunities affords you time to compile a relevant response from your spokesperson, and means you’re more likely to ‘sell’ your pitch to the media ahead of your competitors. Of course, while being proactive and planning for PR opportunities in advance is key, there is also an element of reactivity when it comes to comms. The Prime Minister’s speech, an unexpected sector announcement or the closure of a major contractor, can all lend themselves well to rapid response PR. Speed and efficiency are critical here; get your comment written and ‘sold into’ journalists ahead of your competitors and watch the coverage roll in.

4. Integrate As we’ve pointed out, there are many elements to a PR and communications campaign, all of which can support the business’ overall objectives. However, the most successful contractors are those that take a holistic approach to this activity; those that ensure their communications strategy is fully integrated and aligned with their wider organisational plan. For example, if your PR efforts are focused on Scotland, but your sales and marketing team are busy canvassing in the South, then neither effort will be maximised or capitalised upon. Unite your strategy, align your thinking and integrate your efforts for greater impact and ROI.

5. Relationships PR is all about building and maintaining relationships with all of your stakeholders. Whether that’s journalists, bloggers, consumers or clients, with the growth of online, it’s critical now more than ever to ensure your relationships are as valued and valuable as possible. Everyone has the potential to review your business, whenever and wherever they want. Word of mouth can now go viral, so it’s critical to create a strong reputation for yourself by building robust relationships both in and outside of your business. Remember, employees are as important as consumers. Get to know your trade journalists, invite them out for a coffee, or drop them a note to congratulate them on a wellwritten article. Present employee-of-the-

month awards and share them on social media. Thank consumers for good reviews, and respond quickly to the negative ones – it’s always possible to turn a negative into a positive. Contractors have an unprecedented opportunity to seize the digital PR world and use it to their own advantage. By taking a proactive, holistic approach to their communication efforts, and aligning it completely with their wider business goals, they can truly engage with audiences across the UK and beyond.

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3. Be proactive (and reactive at times)

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Build Focus: Listed Properties

Cladding – moving with the times Simon Gregory, Sales Manager at Proteus Facades, looks at how modern rainscreen cladding materials are helping architects repurpose buildings that are listed or have other architectural merit, whilst still retaining their originality.

Whilst Storyhouse has undergone dramatic redevelopment, it has still retained its historical character and aesthetics

Bennetts Associates’ Storyhouse in Chester is a great example of how a building once frozen in time has been brought back to life by the addition of a striking copper clad facade

here are thousands of buildings across the UK that are protected by English Heritage listings or which present some other element of architectural interest. However, many are in need of an upgrade as the client or developer looks for ways of making the building appeal to a new generation of owners or occupiers. This can involve contemporary additions that sit harmoniously with the original building, and more often than not, these involve materials that offer some historical context, with copper being a good example. In that respect, historical and listed buildings have always evolved over time as they are made relevant to today’s market. As a result, the majority of older buildings reflect the cumulative changes of different ownership all the way up to modern day. In fact, well-informed decisions about refurbishing a historical building can create notable points of interest that extend centuries into the future.

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Historical context Originally designed with the materials available at the time, which tended to be brick and stone, most older buildings will, at some point, require a practical refurbishment solution. That’s because they have to stand on their own against the multitude of contemporarily-designed new buildings now appearing in our city centres and be upgraded to meet with modern building performance and safety requirements. The challenge that this presents for specifiers is how to ensure that they retain a link with the past and stay in keeping with their original character. An increasing number of architects are choosing to integrate cladding into their designs, particularly when working on the regeneration of listed buildings, due to its aesthetic and performance benefits as well as the fact that it enables the use of traditional materials such as copper and its alloys, a material that has been used on buildings for centuries.

Build Focus: Listed Properties Sitting comfortably side by side

The east side of the striking 10,000m2 Emily Wilding Davison Building features the beautiful brown-red to brown-grey and ochre tones of TECU Bronze cladding panels

Bronze, an alloy of copper and tin, remains a popular choice on these kinds of structures because it looks stunning from the day it is installed and then continues to develop and embellish its aesthetic qualities by taking on subtle earthy brown-red to brown-grey tones through the natural weathering process. It provides the facade with outstanding mechanical abrasion and corrosion-resistant properties that mean it is one of the most durable cladding materials available. Another copper alloy that has the ability to sit harmoniously on architecturally-significant buildings is TECU Brass, an alloy of copper and zinc, which again creates an extremely tough, robust facade. Brass will subtly change from its initial golden colour as a result of the natural weathering process to develop a matt finish on the surface before taking on a subtle and varied brown tone that continues through to a deep, rich dark brown-anthracite. In order to shorten the timescale for achieving the subtle muted tones, specifiers can select pre-patinated options.This is where the oxidised layer is applied before the cladding panels arrive on site, bypassing the gradual development of the earthy tones through natural weathering resulting from exposure to atmospheric conditions once the facade is installed.

Storyhouse Bennetts Associates’ Storyhouse in Chester is a great example of how a building once frozen in time has been brought back to life by the addition of a striking copper clad facade. Cheshire West and Chester Council had a bold plan to deliver a £37m vision for transforming the Grade II Listed ODEON building, which had been closed for many years, into an exciting new communal space. Featuring our Proteus HR rainscreen clad copper ‘head’, the project was an inspired rework and reinvigoration of the 1930s cinema. Whilst the building has undergone dramatic redevelopment, it has still retained its historical character and aesthetics. The success of the award-winning design stems from the way that the TECU Classic copper clad extension containing the theatre spaces was added to the shell of the Grade II building. The ribbed, abstracted rainscreen clad ‘fins’ create a new facade that still pays homage to the original building. However, whilst the proportions of the extension relate directly to the listed structure below, the copper and glass helps to create an aesthetic that provides contrast and identity to the newbuild elements.

Natural progression While listing a building does impose a number of design limitations, it does not necessarily mean that it should be frozen in time. Indeed, many buildings have gained listings because they express a progression of changes over the centuries. Making well-informed decisions about listed and architecturally-significant buildings, such as those taken at Chester and Royal Holloway, can therefore result in this natural progression continuing. Choice of materials is critical to this and copper remains one of the most versatile, attractive and adaptable architectural materials available. It has been used for centuries for roofing, cladding and rainwater systems and remains as sought-after today as it always has been. Recent innovations in how the material is presented now makes its benefits even more accessible to a wider range of projects, particularly when working on upgrading listed buildings or developing new ones to sit alongside.

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The Emily Wilding Davison Building’s facade helps it sit harmoniously in a site steeped in history, flanked on one side by the Grade I Listed Gothic Revival building

In addition to upgrading existing buildings, copper alloy rainscreen cladding materials are also being used to help newly-developed structures integrate with adjacent listed buildings.Take the new Emily Wilding Davison Building at Royal Holloway, University of London’s Egham campus, for example. The east side of the striking 10,000m2 building features the beautiful brown-red to brown-grey and ochre tones of TECU Bronze cladding panels. The subtle colour variations of the bronze facade helps it sit harmoniously in a site steeped in history, flanked on one side by the Grade I Listed Gothic Revival building and surrounded by one of the most beautiful natural campus landscapes of any university in the world. TECU Bronze cladding was selected by designer, Associated Architects, because the ochre’s browns and reds resulting from the natural weathering of the copper alloy material was considered to complement the colour of the brick and clay roof tiles of the adjacent Grade I Listed structure.The size and shape of the bronze cladding panels featured heavily during the design stage, with a decision taken to go with elongated portrait format panels with horizontal joints that aligned with projecting feature ‘tree-house’ meeting pods. The sensitive design response came out of a number of constraints imposed by topological aspects of the site, with one principal factor being a need to limit the height of the new building so that it remained clearly subservient to the listed Founders Building.

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Technical Focus

ire resistant glass is made using various technologies including a modified toughening process, intumescent interlayers and intumescent gels to provide tested levels of fire protection. Standard glass, on the other hand, is highly susceptible to heat and provides little protection in the event of a fire breaking out. Fire resistant glazing will typically provide protection for a period of 30, 60, 90, 120 or 180 minutes. This figure will be displayed next to the following types of protection: Integrity only (E) – Fire glass at its most basic, preventing the flames and hot gases from spreading, but not stopping the heat from penetrating the glass Radiation control (EW) – A step up from integrity glass, offering a barrier to flames and hot gases, plus some of the fire’s heat Integrity and insulation (EI) – The highest level of protection, providing heat insulation as well as a barrier to flames and hot gases. It will maintain the temperature on the unexposed side at 140ºC for the stated period determined by testing. So, if the glass is integrity only and provides 30 minutes of protection, it will be classified as E30. An integrity and insulation glass with 60 minutes of protection would be described as EI60.

Whilst Storyhouse has undergone dramatic redevelopment, it has still retained its historical character and aesthetics

Time to go back to basics Fire resistant glazing plays a key role in creating buildings that give occupiers or users safe routes of escape in the event of an emergency. But as the spotlight falls on the fundamental question of how effective passive fire protection products actually are, it is vitally important that what we think we know is correct in terms of designing and installing fire resistant glazing, writes Cath McLean, Segment Manager for Glass at Promat UK.

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Too much room for interpretation? The variety of standards covering fire protection measures in buildings makes it difficult to know if the ultimate installed products will deliver as intended. At the top of the list is Approved Document B which helps to determine where fire protection measures should be incorporated into a building, and the level of protection required. Unfortunately, it is not specific enough to be more than a guide which leaves the fire safety requirements open to interpretation and puts the onus on the specifier to get it right. When choosing a passive fire resistant glazing system, depending on the type that is proposed, its configuration and location within the building, you may need to accommodate any combination of the following: BS 476 Part 22:1987 BS EN 1364-1:1999 For doors: BS EN 1634-1:2014 BS EN 12600:2002 – Class 1B1 and BS 6206:1981 CE-Marked BS 5234-2 1992 (partition loads) BS 6180 (barriers in and around buildings) EN 12758 (sound reduction/acoustic performance).

Technical Focus

With the right specification, glazed partitions enable designers to balance aesthetics, acoustics, energy efficiency and fire safety. Often, there is a desire to increase the natural light levels in areas such as internal office spaces and atria. A butt-jointed glazing system is ideal in these situations, and these are available with EI passive fire protection system plus acoustic insulation. Promat SYSTEMGLAS is one such solution, with combinations of glass available to increase flexibility and incorporate tinted, coated and patterned glasses. Remember too that there are also options to include fire-rated glass doors within these glazing systems to complete the package. Acoustic challenges can also be addressed in combination with light transmission and fire safety. This can easily be achieved using a combination of acoustic and intumescent interlayers with the fire resistant glasses within a system.

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Aesthetics, light transmission and acoustics

www.promat-glass.co.uk

01. SYSTEMGLAS 02. SYSTEMGLAS SILICONE SEALANT 03. SELF-ADHESIVE NEOPRENE GLAZING TAPE 04. BEAD FIXINGS, STEEL SCREWS 05. GLAZING BEADS, PROMATECT H 06. PERIMETER FRAME, PROMATECT H 07. PROMATECT H OR HARDWOOD SETTING BLOCKS 08. MASONRY FIXING, STEEL ANCHOR OR SIMILAR 09. COMPRESSED ROCK FIBRE 10. SOLID WALL, FLOOR OR SOFFIT WITH FIRE

25MM

RESISTANCE EQUAL TO, OR GREATER THAN, THAT OF THE GLAZING SYSTEM.

≥34MM

4 5

3 7

6 8 9

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Fire resistant glass is one part of a tested construction, along with the framing materials. It is vital, therefore, that the materials used at the point of installation are exactly those specified and tested together. This is the only way to ensure compatibility with the required performance. Substitution of similar products could lead to the systems being compromised in the event of a fire. This is why Promat UK provides a 360° wheel of assurance approach. This involves working with architects to design and specify systems to the appropriate requirement using tested systems within the Promat SYSTEMGLAS range, which incorporates steel, timber and calcium silicate products. This ensures control of the supply chain, working with manufacturing partners and approved installers to ensure what is specified is what is delivered. A final inspection completes the wheel with a certificate of conformity issued.

KEY:

25MM

Design and construct as specified

INSTALLATION EXAMPLE

25MM

Herein lies one of the big challenges.Whilst these standards, guidance and legislation are very well-intentioned it has become difficult for all parties in the supply chain to clearly assess if the installed systems will perform as intended in the event of a fire.This situation is exacerbated because there is no requirement for the competency of the installer.

≥100MM

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Glass & Glazing The high energy performance of the glazing has helped towards the project’s BREEAM ‘Very Good’ rating

Structurally glazed atrium provides focal point for wealth management firm HQ 40

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Glass & Glazing All of the glass is toughened and heat soak tested to provide strength and security to the design

The space sits between the two major elements of the building and is enclosed by a 12.8m-tall vertical entrance screen and glazed roof

The roof is supported by a stainless steel rod tension structure, while the entrance screen features full-height glazed fins

his was achieved in the form of a three-storey atrium, created using the Pilkington Planar structural glazing system.The space sits between the two major elements of the building and is enclosed by a 12.8m-tall vertical entrance screen and glazed roof. The designers wanted for the atrium wall and roof to be an uninterrupted surface, and Pilkington Planar was the ideal solution. The roof is supported by a stainless steel rod tension structure, while the entrance screen features full-height glazed fins, which provide structural strength without compromising on transparency. The fixings used in the installation are unique to the Pilkington Planar Intrafix system and utilise the Planar 905J stainless steel fittings in the vertical screen and Planar 902 fittings on the roof, in conjunction with the Planar Nexus castings.

All of the glass is toughened and heat soak tested to provide strength and security to the design, and the doubleglazed units that make up the surface consist of an outer 6mm pane of glass – incorporating a high-performance 6mm Pilkington Suncool 50/25 Pro T solar-control coating to help reduce heat build-up in warmer months. This reduces transmission of energy from the sun to just 27% while allowing 46% light transmission. On the roof, the inner pane is 19.5mm SentryGlas laminated utilising Pilkington Optifloat toughened and heat soak tested glass, while on the entrance screen it is a single 15mm Pilkington Optifloat toughened and heat soak tested glass. Between the panes of glass is a 16mmthick argon-filled cavity, contributing to the high level of thermal insulation delivered by the system.

The high energy performance of the glazing has helped towards the project’s BREEAM ‘Very Good’ rating. Jason Eggerton, Pilkington Planar Business Development Manager, said: “This project really shows off the impressive capabilities of the Pilkington Planar system. “The minimalist rod rigging structure and the ultra-low-profile stainless steel fittings mean there is a spectacular sense of a freestanding wall of glass. “This is another example demonstrating the position of the Pilkington Planar system as the premier choice for larger structural glazing installations.” Paul Williams, Managing Director at Vitrine Systems, said: “Standing inside the brightly-lit atrium and looking up, you get an almost uninterrupted view of the sky, creating a truly impressive sense of space. “Once again, it has been a pleasure to work with Pilkington. We have a long-standing relationship with them in delivering projects like this as a seamlessly integrated team.” The new 50,000ft2 headquarters is home to 425 employees.

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When architectural practice Scott Brownrigg designed a new building at the headquarters of FTSE 100-listed wealth management business St James’s Place, it wanted to give the building a suitably impressive centrepiece to welcome employees, clients and partners.

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BIM

Such is the transformative power of BIM that it forms a major part of the Government’s Digital Built Britain programme

New dimensions: the rise of BIM in construction projects The principles behind Building Information Modelling (BIM) have been around for years, although its integration into live construction sites is still relatively new. However, as Stuart Cadge, Sales and Marketing Coordinator at GeoSLAM, explains recent developments in hardware and software are making it more accessible to even smaller firms.

ommercial pressures to complete projects on schedule, within budget and to the right specifications have never felt greater. It’s little wonder that architects, project managers and other stakeholders increasingly see BIM as essential for making their operations more efficient. Using cloud-based software, project stakeholders can gain a real-time view of the building (or asset) in the form of a ‘digital twin’ – a highly-detailed, interactive 3D model. Any changes in the design, including associated costs, are built into the digitised plans and shared with all parties (wherever they are in the world) in a matter of seconds, keeping them informed, enabling them to take appropriate action and, ultimately, ensuring that all parties are on the same page. Historically, the project architect would have needed to manually update the drawings and then share the information with the various contractors. With multiple documents in circulation, project managers had to ensure the latest plans were being followed while trying to rein

in the costs. All this was in addition to other unanticipated problems that require remedial work, such as unstable ground or unexpected finds – be they existing utilities or even the discovery of historical remains. As well as speeding up projects, professionals know that BIM makes compliance more straightforward since ISO certifications can be easily shared through the network. Even once the building element to any project is complete, BIM plays an important role in its lifetime (inventory, facilities management, refurbishment/ extension) and, eventually, demolition. Such is the transformative power of BIM that it forms a major part of the Government’s Digital Built Britain programme, unveiled last year. It states that BIM will “support the efficient design, delivery and maintenance of infrastructure and buildings” – which, in turn, helps to boost productivity, professional standards and ensures the development has a long and efficient lifetime. The country’s biggest construction companies, including the likes of Interserve1 and Kier Group2, have invested heavily

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in their digital engineering capabilities in recent years. By embracing BIM, Interserve have reduced materials waste by 20% – enabling them to offer better value for money than ever before, increasing confidence for investors and setting them on the path to secure contracts for largescale capital projects. Improving time and efficiency in large construction projects can essentially protect a business from severe project overspends – and we need look no further than the recent demise of Carillion3 to see what can befall even the largest of industry giants.The failure to keep costs within budget resulted in the construction firm’s collapse into liquidation – threatening the viability of live hospital construction projects such as Royal Liverpool and Midland Metropolitan.The company was overstretched and over-budget with the fallout hitting thousands of smaller suppliers4. Utilising methodologies and technologies which encourage collaboration, increase efficiencies and reduce waste could help prevent such devastating failures in the future. Despite this harsh lesson, digital technologies are by no means universal, and

BIM

Tasked with producing 2D floorplans of a nursing home, which was occupied by vulnerable residents 24-hours a day, the two-person team used GeoSLAM’s handheld ZEB-REVO device to capture the 3D spatial data required. In essence, they required a solution that enabled them to scan every resident’s room, along with staff quarters and communal areas, without using intrusive and time-consuming traditional survey equipment. Thanks to the handheld device (which can collect more than 43,000 measurement points per second with an average accuracy of +/15mm), the operatives scanned the building in 30 minutes, with each of the rooms taking just 10 to 20 seconds to complete.Within 24 hours, they had complete 2D floorplans, which formed the basis of future building work.Without handheld technology, a process

like this would have taken around three days, including post-survey time to draw and check the plans, not to mention the cost, disruption and emotional stress that would have been caused relocating the residents. It’s worth pointing out that a process like this is incredibly straightforward, requiring minimal training for users, who simply walk around the building holding the device. Innovative software allows for real-time data visualisation and processing, whilst the scan is taking place – allowing for on-the-spot progress checks and removing the need entirely for post-processing of data. BIM is rapidly becoming the norm, alongside other digital technologies which add value or greater insights to the industry. In particular, VR, AR and AI, which are already starting to transform architecture, engineering and construction.This means surveyors must now strive to embrace and incorporate these new tools into projects alongside already established technology such as BIM, or risk falling behind the competition.

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many firms still see barriers to adoption. In its National BIM report, the National Building Specification (part of RIBA) found that while nearly 80% of those surveyed see it as “the future of project information” and 72% still “don’t understand the benefits5”. Furthermore, 65% cited lack of client demand as a reason why they had failed to harness the technology, which is certainly at odds with the direction that the Government and industry professionals are moving. There’s no doubt that BIM is a disruptive force, demanding a radical shift in attitudes and operations.The truth, however, is that BIM and other digital technologies have never been more accessible, even for SMEs working on relatively modest projects. One of the most significant developments in the field is the deployment of mobile mapping tools, capable of rapidly capturing building and landscape data with a handheld, lightweight device. With this, project teams can generate highly-detailed 3D models and 2D plans that allow for better decision-making. Using a laser sensor, mobile mapping systems can scan and record any structure or space, including bridges, tunnels and, of course, commercial and residential buildings. But while some use GPS, others are built on a technology called Simultaneous Localisation and Mapping (or SLAM), first developed in the robotics industry. Unlike GPS, which relies on a direct line of sight to satellites, SLAM has no such requirement – allowing its use inside buildings, underground and in other hard-to-reach or potentially inaccessible areas. As well as being a valuable tool on largescale schemes, where rapid and frequent measurement of the site is crucial, this equipment is proving just as important for those working on smaller projects – as was the case for a land survey specialist we recently worked alongside.

www.geoslam.com https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/markets/ special-reports/how-interserve-has-brought-biminto-its-me/8679197.article 2 http://blog.kier.co.uk/category-11/big-data-forconstruction-building-information-modelling/ 3 https://www.ft.com/content/0e29ec10-f92511e7-9b32-d7d59aace167 4 http://uk.businessinsider.com/r-suppliersand-staff-count-the-cost-of-uk-carillionscollapse-2018-1 5 https://www.thenbs.com/knowledge/nbsnational-bim-report-2017 1

As well as speeding up projects, professionals know that BIM makes compliance more straightforward

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KBB Kaldewei supports architects and planners with BIM data

International experts, industry bodies and Government ministries worldwide are firmly of the opinion that BIM will be the future standard for project planning, coordination and cost control in construction. Recognising this, premium manufacturer Kaldewei has picked up on this hot topic and is providing planners and architects with comprehensive support in the shape of digital data for the most important BIM software applications. Kaldewei BIM data is available for download from the website at www.kaldewei.com/service/ architects-planners/3d-and-bim-files. * info-uk@kaldewei.com

( 01480 498053

8 www.kaldewei.co.uk

Offsite Solutions launches new premium concrete and steel bathroom pod solution

Offsite Solutions has launched a new premium bathroom pod which incorporates a concrete base – and becomes the only UK pod manufacturer to offer this type of factory-built wetroom.This latest innovation from Offsite Solutions provides a fully waterproofed pod solution for high-specification wetrooms and bathrooms. It features cold-rolled steel-framed walls with a cast concrete base which removes the need for visible shower trays to create a clean, contemporary appearance.The steel and concrete pods are precision manufactured, fitted-out and factory tested for exceptional performance and quality control. * info@offsitesolutions.com ( 01278 780807

8 www.offsitesolutions.com

Customised gratings for colour-coordinated bathrooms from OTL With the growing trend to customise bathrooms, On The Level (OTL) has produced a spectrum of contemporarycoloured gratings from gold to green – meaning it’s now easier to make a shower or wetroom as individual as you. The range of colours come in matt or gloss, at an additional cost, depending on the size and colour chosen. OTL will replicate any colour required, meaning you can have the same colour grating to match bathroom tiles, towels or a theme. Examples of available colours include blue, green, orange, yellow, pink, red, gold and black. A square floor drain complements a classic wetroom design. 8 www.onthelevel.co.uk * info@onthelevel.co.uk ( 0843 775 3269

The ultimate wetroom system

Ceramique Internationale launches trio of timeless greys Ceramique Internationale’s new Ground range comprises a trio of complementary styles.The Ground glazed plain wall tiles in Grey and Snow provide a subtle backdrop of colour, providing winter shades.These 300 x 600mm glazed plain tiles are designed to coordinate effortlessly with the similarly sized Ground glazed decor tiles in Guess Grey.This stylish rectified accent tile is designed to catch the eye with its stunning herringbone design. Completing the Ground range trio is the large-format, polished porcelain floor tile. This 600 x 600mm lapatto polished tile in Grey provides the perfect partner to the Ground plain and decor tiles. 8 www.tilesandmosaics.co.uk * info@cmq-int.co.uk ( 0113 231 0218

Wetrooms are notoriously tricky to get right. It’s crucial to achieve a waterproof build, to prevent leaks, with exactly the right slope on the floor to ensure drainage. Now, Unislope Wet Room Kits from Alternative Bathrooms offer the easiest and most effective way to create beautiful showers from the floor up. A Scandinavian concept, Unislope’s one-piece floor slopes come in a range of widths and thicknesses, for trimming to size on site. This base is then sealed with the supplied membrane, creating a seamless, waterproof floor ready for stone or tiling. The final element is a collection of sleek, architectural drains, with an emphasis on discreet designs sited against the wall or in corners. * info@alternativebathrooms.com

( 0203 375 9002

8 www.alternativebathrooms.com

Duravit C.1 tap fittings win iF GOLD AWARD 2018

Duravit has received the iF DESIGN AWARD for the 41st time. The iF GOLD AWARD acknowledges the design excellence, execution, consideration of environmental standards, functionality and innovations of the new C.1 tap fittings range. This award again confirms Duravit’s high level of design expertise. In addition, Luv, Vero Air c-bonded and the BioTracer were honoured with the iF DESIGN AWARD. “Our aspiration is to make designer bathrooms come alive. This is guaranteed by the highest quality, original design and comfort-enhancing technology. This brand essence defines our DNA worldwide, and it distinguishes everything we do,” said Chairman of the Board of Management, Dr. Frank Richter. * info@uk.duravit.com ( 0845 500 7787

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Floors, Walls & Ceilings

GKD metal fabric plays a key role in Muscat International Airport’s design

Metallic fabric lends the gateway to Arabian Nights As one of the most sparsely populated countries in the world, Oman has transformed in just five decades from an underdeveloped Bedouin country to a modern state. Today, the Sultanate in the south-east of the Arabian Peninsula is considered the safest country in the Middle East and, as such, is becoming an ever-more attractive destination for business and leisure travel. In order to keep pace with the rapid growth that this has brought about, the Gulf State is investing billions in expanding its airport infrastructure.

he largest and most significant project is the reconstruction of Muscat International Airport, designed by Danish architect practice COWI/LARSEN. In operation since 1972, it experienced the third-largest increase in passenger numbers worldwide in the period 2012 to 2016, according to figures from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). The reconstruction was performed to the latest technical standards and combines great convenience with high-class aesthetics. Metal fabric from

GKD – Gebr. Kufferath AG (GKD) – makes a considerable contribution to the understated elegance of the passenger terminal. Fascinating ceiling and wall solutions, room dividers and large-scale transparent media facades from the MEDIAMESH family are setting new standards for contemporary airport design. Oman’s coastline is almost 2000km long with picture-perfect beaches reminiscent of the Caribbean and a fascinating underwater world. Combined with its spectacular mountain and desert landscapes far from the tourist hoards, this makes the country

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an inside tip for those seeking a relaxing vacation and adventurers alike. Oman pairs this extraordinary diversity of landscapes with authenticity and discreet luxury.You won’t find the gigantomania of the Emirates here; there are neither skyscrapers nor artificial natural wonders vying for attention. Instead, oriental souks and an architecture that calmly reflects the evolved culture of the country enable you to experience the Orient as if in a fairytale. The country draws its special charm from a natural interplay between the flair of Arabian Nights and cosmopolitan modernism.

Floors, Walls & Ceilings Just 30km west of the capital, Muscat, lies the largest and most heavily frequented airport in the Sultanate. As the air traffic hub for Oman, it serves 55 international destinations on the Gulf, in the Middle East, Europe and the Far East. Its $1.8bn expansion is the largest infrastructure project in the history of the Sultanate. A second runway and a new control tower – as a requirement for serving wide-bodied aircraft like the A380 – marked the start of construction in 2014.The opening of the new passenger terminal is the response to the increase in passenger volume, which is growing by 10% every year. 14 million passengers were counted in 2017, 16.5 million are expected in 2018 and 20 million in 2020. For them, the new airport offers an ultra-modern infrastructure spanning a total area of 335,000m2 with a 12,000m2 duty-free area and 8000 parking spaces. Architecturally, the building consists of three wings arranged in a row, each with three floors. It is characterised by an elegant, lightweight roof with exposed steel construction and the consistently implemented concept of inviting openness and transparency. Light, natural colours, lots of glass, steel and marble, as well as discreet golden accents create a high-class atmosphere with no overt showiness.

Grid ceilings reinvented GKD metal fabric plays a key role in its design. Various ceiling solutions (suspended or as grid constructions), wall hangings and room dividers made from Lamelle fabric and three large, transparent media facades shape the feel of the space in all parts of the building. A total of 5865m2 of stainless steel fabric was used. A suspended ceiling above the car rental area conveys an initial impression of the extraordinarily versatile design potential of the woven texture as soon as you step into the arrivals level of Muscat International Airport. 60 panels, each around 1m wide and 2m long, form a grid ceiling whose shimmering elegance is highlighted by downlights integrated into the fabric. Aluminum frames hold the pretensioned panels, which were also riveted to a central rod in order to ensure that the tension is maintained.The client opted for the same system in the third wing, where 200m2 of this grid ceiling mark the transitions to both the north and south piers.The immigration counters mark another optical highlight in the central wing with their projecting roofs made from stainless steel fabric. 52 panels – tensioned in frames in a tightly packed arrangement – cover the desks here over 465m2, creating a representative welcome area. Light strips in the joints give rhythm to the canopy and, together with diffused reflection from indirect lighting, make the fabric appear different from every angle.

Various ceiling solutions (suspended or as grid constructions), wall hangings and room dividers made from Lamelle fabric and three large, transparent media facades shape the feel of the space in all parts of the building

The new passenger terminal of Muscat International Airport is exemplary in many respects for pioneering airport architecture

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Floors, Walls & Ceilings

A total of 5865m2 of stainless steel fabric was used

The largest and most spectacular use of fabric in the new airport awaits passengers in the three piers. Over 3210m2 of a custom fabric specifically developed for Muscat make for a very special spatial experience here. 210 fabric elements shimmering in a soft gold tone form semi-transparent modern baldachins above the moving walkways flanked by large palm trees. Originally, the client had considered the delicate GKD bronze fabric Mandarin for this construction. However, as this was not suitable for this application in terms of both stability and colour accuracy – bronze forms a patina under the influence of humidity – GKD developed a new Lamelle fabric with a similar look. Aluminium weft wires coated a bronze colour in a continuous process and natural-finish stainless steel warp wires combine fine optics with low weight and the required robustness. As such, the steel construction above the panels shines through the delicate membrane and gives the fabric the feel of a leafy canopy shot through with veins. This effect is underlined by a light strip running down the middle, the branches of which distribute their mild

light diffusely. In every pier, 70 of these bronze-coloured panels gently reflect light and movements. No less impressive are the canopies of the six escalators from the arrivals to the departures level and onto the hotel. Four panels made of stainless steel fabric, each almost 13m long and up to 1.25m wide, follow their course in a giant curve along the entire length. Hung freely with 240mm-wide joints, they cleverly conceal the technical installations and stage the escalator journeys as a glamorous event through refined reflections.

Decorative and safe wall design

In the retail area in the third wing, GKD stainless steel fabric provides decorative highlights in the form of large-scale wall hangings. 20 panels, each 6m high and 3m wide, were mounted vertically in front of a high glass parapet like oversized wall paintings. Their metallic shimmer lends the glass balustrade an elegant air without impairing its transparency.Their optical counterpart can be found on the opposite side in the form of a further 12 panels in front of a white wall – each of them 7.5m high and 3.35m wide. 10 panels with a total area of 160m2

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flank each side of a large mixed media screen. Suspended between the floor and ceiling 1.5m in front of the hotel windows, they filter the hotel guests’ views of the artificial gardens like a fine veil. In the oversize baggage reclaim area, the attractive fabric also demonstrates its functional properties in quite an impressive way; ceiling-high room dividers with integrated sliding doors form a security area with restricted access. As an elegant partition, however, they provide an unencumbered view of the goods arriving on the baggage belt at all times. Understated light reflections also transform this application into a high-quality eyecatcher. After almost 10 years of planning and construction for the airport, the result speaks for itself: in terms of design, passenger handling efficiency and recreation quality; the new passenger terminal of Muscat International Airport is exemplary in many respects for pioneering airport architecture. The solutions made from GKD metal fabric that were used here provide virtually boundless inspiration for realising such architecture – functional versatility at its best.

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Canopied moving walkways and escalators

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Renewable Technology

Frugal innovation: why solar PV should be higher on house-builders’ agendas Here Paul Hutchens, Director of solar specialist Eco2Solar, explores the most cost-effective ways for house-builders to innovate and drive long-term sustainability from their developments.

ouse-builders face a number of challenges in getting a new development off the ground; securing the right land at the right price, obtaining planning permission, making sure planning requirements are met, and – crucially – putting in place a strong supply chain to design and complete the build. Just about the only thing that isn’t presenting a challenge at the moment is actually selling the houses.With interest rates set to remain low this year, cuts to stamp duties and growing demand from first-time buyers, the market looks buoyant – for the foreseeable future, at least. In such a favourable market, the incentive to pioneer renewable technologies in the new-build sector is low; the only thing driving this incentive is the sustainability targets set by the Government and local authorities. So why should these technologies be higher on house-builders’ agendas?

Leading the way As well as needing to meet nationwide Building Regulations per house, housebuilders are given sustainability targets by their local planning authority, which specify how much energy should come from renewables per development site. These targets vary significantly depending on region; London, the South East, the Cotswolds and Scotland are currently leading the way, with as much as 20% of site-wide energy on all new-build developments required to come from renewables. But, with the very real prospect of Government targets to build carbon-free homes within the next few years, coupled with a growing societal focus on more sustainable living and the volatile global energy market,

regional energy targets will continue to increase, and it’s happening already. In the future, we’re also likely to see a reduction in our reliance on the power stations, with homeowners able to produce greater amounts of clean, locallysourced energy that’s better matched to their unique usage needs and even selling surplus energy to their neighbours in the same street, village or town. This concept may seem like a distant pipe dream at the moment, but as people become more conscious of the available resources within their home created by solar energy, a sharing economy will become much more commonplace.

The right solution So what are the best energy-saving options for house-builders at the moment? At present, there are numerous materials and technologies developers can use to support energy targets; they could install more insulation and better windows, introduce solar thermal and heat pumps, fit solar tiles or even consider installing electric vehicle charging points, which some authorities are even specifying on plots right now. But, the problem with many of these solutions is that they are expensive to install and require constant maintenance throughout their lifetimes, which is an off-putting prospect to both developers and buyers. House-builders seek technologies which are the most effective, represent the best value and which are aesthetically the most appealing, and the single most effective way to for them to achieve these objectives – as well as meeting energy targets – is solar PV. The benefits are well documented; the price of solar PV has dropped by over

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80% in the last eight years, and that initial lower cost comes down even further when multiple panels are installed across the same plot. And while solar roof tiles may be growing in popularity, they are currently twice the price of solar PV but offer only 90% of the efficiency. As well as being quick and unobtrusive to fit, solar panels don’t require any maintenance once they’ve been installed, and aesthetically, there have been significant developments. Gone are the days of the old blue panels jutting out eight inches above a roof; we now embed all-black integrated systems that sit directly in the roof and appear part of the house. Solar PV is also quite a flexible technology which can be closely adapted to house-builders’ needs. There are multiple options for colours, system types, flashings and fittings that can be matched to fit a particular house or development; this flexibility also enables us to find the most cost-efficient solution for each project.

Avoiding common pitfalls But although the benefits are clear, we often see house-builders encounter the same pitfalls. For instance, developers may choose to install solar PV through mechanical and electrical contractors, who will then sub-contract out the installation process to solar specialists. This seems like the simplest solution because developers can put everything through one order with one contractor, but this can cause countless problems. Firstly, there’s cost; contractors will often add on a much higher margin to existing quoted solar installation, and if they are

Renewable Technology

Looking to the future When we look at the homes of the future, solar PV will play an even more integral part in the technologies we use to drive more sustainable lifestyles. With the smart technologies we’re seeing coming onto the market, homeowners will have complete ability to control the energy in their house using a single app. As these technologies become more widespread, homeowners will become much more accustomed to monitoring and manipulating their home energy by switching things on and off remotely through smartphones and devices. Artificial intelligence will mean a house knows its owner has kilowatts of PV available from their roof system; that they have nothing switched on during the day, that they normally get home around 6pm

The price of solar PV has dropped by over 80% in the last eight years and that initial lower cost comes down even further when multiple panels are installed across the same plot

With the smart technologies we’re seeing coming onto the market, homeowners will have complete ability to control the energy in their house using a single app

With the very real prospect of Government targets to build carbon-free homes within the next few years, coupled with a growing societal focus on more sustainable living and the volatile global energy market, regional energy targets will continue to increase

and that’s when they begin using energy. It also knows that the next-door neighbour is at home during the day, so she could buy the spare available energy being generated. Then there are the innovations in block-chain technology currently happening in Germany, which work by providing a shared ledger of all available energy within a user’s home – and instead of our current model of a user paying for another user’s available energy via the National Grid and utility companies, it enables direct billing and payment between users.

When all of these systems are tied in with technology like battery and EV charging and home security sensors, we are inevitably moving towards a much more automated home. For house-builders, we could begin to see these innovations offered to buyers as part of long-term maintenance contracts where home sensors can detect things like burst pipes, or buyers could be offered ‘bolt-on’ home automation packages that enable them to control their energy security. Until then, solar PV continues to offer house-builders an innovation that best meets their targets; and their budget.

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aligned to a particular solar supplier or technology, they will specify these materials without necessarily taking into consideration whether there’s a better, more cost-effective solution available. Secondly, non-solar specialists may not be up-to-date on the latest technologies and innovations, so if the energy targets presented by a local authority or consultant are inaccurate or out of date or based on old-fashioned panels, the contractor may not realise there’s a better or cheaper solution. One developer we worked with had given 60 plots with solar PV to a roofing contractor, who installed a clumsy on-roof system that cost £60,000 more than a more attractive in-roof alternative. Thirdly, there’s the solar supply chain and the numerous issues we see when the chain breaks down. For example, one site we assisted on where PV was carried out by a roofing contractor, the roofer assumed the developer had completed the application for connection with the National Grid, while the developer assumed it had been done by the electrician, resulting in the Grid refusing connection at the handover stage. Additionally, we have previously seen energy consultants propose systems to be installed in small arrays with very high ballast levels, meaning higher costs and increased loads exceeding structural capacity. Therefore, it’s essential to use a technology-neutral solar PV specialist who can recommend the best systems for your development and create CAD drawings for your architects, with expertise in meeting energy targets and liaising with the relevant authorities and DNOs, SAP assessors to remove any pitfalls along the way.

www.eco2solar.co.uk

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CPD Focus

New CPD on brick matching for renovation and new build Imperial Bricks has introduced a new CPD to guide architects, specifiers and developers to gain a better understanding of brick matching techniques, including recognising brick types, brick blending, colour correction and the use of brick slips for interiors and external facades.The new RIBA-approved CPD is titled ‘Innovative Brick Match Solutions: A Practical Guide to Achieving the Best Brick Match’. Ruth Hughes, Specification Manager at Imperial Bricks, commented: “Many people are yet to learn of the range of handmade, wire-cut and pressed bricks available, and which are suitable for buildings of different periods and character. Our CPD will open up opportunities to those who have previously been restricted in their brick choices for extending or renovating their current properties or building new houses in conservation areas.” * cpd@imperialbricks.co.uk

( 01952 750816 8 www.imperialbricks.co.uk

FILA focuses on tile safety in new RIBAapproved CPD FILA has introduced a new RIBA-approved CPD presentation, entitled ‘Ceramic and porcelain – how a correct cleaning regime can safeguard slip resistance’.The new seminar examines surface maintenance and its importance in terms of health and safety, giving advice on the correct specification, with examples of high-profile UK case studies.With slips and trips a major cause of injury, FILA’s new seminar discusses the link between poor maintenance regimes and, in particular, an inadequate ‘initial clean’.Tile finishes are examined, as well as issues surrounding sealer specification and the use of acid and alkaline-based detergents. FILA then presents best practice advice, in terms of product specification, methods and maintaining slip ratings. * filauk@filasolutions.com

SFS pushes the envelope in new RIBA-approved CPD Leading roofing and cladding fastener systems and door hinge manufacturer, SFS, has launched a new RIBA-approved CPD seminar programme for building specification professionals, providing the latest technical insights into creating high-quality and safe building envelopes. Five complimentary CPD seminars are now available to book at www.sfsintec.co.uk, which can be delivered at clients’ offices and are worth double points to RIBA Chartered Architects. All the seminars provide up-to-the-minute technical information and guidance fo r designing in longevity, safety, security, legislative compliance and client satisfaction.With seminar topics including support systems for rainscreen cladding, envelope airtightness and thermal efficiency, fixing of warm roofs, designing roof safety systems and hinge technology, the CPD seminar programme utilises a wealth of technical know-how from right across the SFS Group. * uk.info@sfsintec.biz

( 0113 208 5500 8 www.sfsintec.co.uk

( 01584 877286 8 www.filasolutions.com

Saint-Gobain Weber introduces WeberSpec and RIBA-approved CPD Saint-Gobain Weber manufactures a range of high-quality products for professional tile fixers and applicators and is recognised for bringing innovative, highperformance technologies to the market.“WeberSpec is a completely free M40 specification

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tool constructed on an easy-touse platform, but when advice is required, our technical team is on hand,” says Tracey Dempster, Head of Marketing at Saint-Gobain Weber.“To support WeberSpec, we have also introduced a new RIBA-assessed CPD,‘Floor Tiling onto Calcium Sulphate Screeds’. This is a subject frequently raised by architects, contractors and applicators with our technical team.” The main learning aim of the new CPD is to assist in the design and specification process. * enquiries@netweber.co.uk

( 08703 330070 8 www.weberspec.co.uk

Vortice runs RIBA-approved CPD sessions covering MVHR Vortice is running a series of RIBA-approved CPD seminars this year.The first two focus on mechanical heat recovery systems, one for the domestic market and one for commercial applications. Named ‘Why ventilation with heat recovery is the right choice’ and ‘Commercial mechanical ventilation with heat recovery guide’, each seminar lasts between 45 minutes and an hour, including time for questions. Russell Beardsworth from Vortice said:“With indoor air quality coming much higher up the agenda for everyone involved in specifying projects, we realised that there was a need to explain the impact of legislation, recent innovations in heat recovery systems and the effect they can have on the health of a property and its occupants.” * cpd@vortice.ltd.uk

( 01283 492949 8 www.vortice.ltd.uk

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Landscaping, Waterproofing & Drainage

With the right lines of communication in place between all parties, work recommenced in late January 2016, with the first challenge being to make safe a 3.5m-high bank of unsupported earth with sheet piles, before creating a new and waterproof structural shell of reinforced concrete. From the ridiculous to the sublime – Joe’s collapsing basement excavation was left in a sorry state by the first contractor before it was rescued

From “spectacularly shambolic” to a Grand Design worth living in Fed up of renting in London, Design Engineer Joe Stuart and Service Designer Lina Nilsson decided to build their own home on a tiny, 38m2 plot of land in East London. With a budget of just under £200k, they set about delivering Joe’s innovative concept for a six half-floor house with floating concrete slab, designed to maximise the space into a small but perfectly formed 83m2 of home, all whilst being filmed by Channel 4’s Grand Designs. However, things soon went south...

ithin weeks of the project beginning in October 2015, rogue contractors had performed a disastrous basement excavation attempt contrary to the structural engineer’s instructions, leaving unsupported banks of earth falling in beneath the street and shutters bursting inwards under the weight of the concrete.This first attempt, described as “spectacularly shambolic” by Kevin McCloud, more than doubled Joe and Lina’s budget for the excavation from £48k to £100k, and caused months of delays in order to get the project back on track.

The Solution Having already contacted Newton Waterproofing Systems to consult on the poor workmanship, Joe and Newton soon determined that if he were to save his home and get it out of the ground, he would need a specialist contractor to actively communicate, collaborate and listen to him as both the engineer and client. MJ Rooney Construction came on board as the contractor in November 2015, and following discussions to determine exactly what was required, modelled the entire project in 4D to ensure that all potential difficulties were solved before work began.

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Innovative Engineering With the shell of the structure in place, Newton and MJ Rooney’s next challenge was a much more welcome one, as they created a bespoke waterproofing solution to accommodate Joe’s ingenious design for a suspended reinforced slab that acted as both a floor and a prop force against the lateral pressure from the basement walls. This entire slab rested on brackets designed by Joe and his structural engineer, insulating it from the external walls by ensuring minimal contact and only making contact through insulated blocks with enough compressive strength to take the vertical loading.The design also created a cavity around the slab that can be fully insulated, allowing the slab to be used as a thermal mass inside the building without having to insulate the entire external envelope. Working closely with Joe, a solution was devised that enabled the continuity of the waterproofing behind the brackets without compromising the structural design.

Completing the Grand Design With a pristine below-ground and waterproof concrete structure in place, complete with ‘floating’ slab, MJ Rooney and Newton handed the site over to the next stage in June 2016. Despite the overall project cost coming in at £250k for Joe and Lina, to overcome such challenges and revive their dream home from a collapsing hole in the ground is a testament to the power of collaboration and teamwork between supplier, contractor, engineer and client. 8 www.newtonwaterproofing.co.uk

* tech@newtonwaterproofing.co.uk ( 01732

806980

Landscaping, Waterproofing & Drainage Image courtesy of NBBJ

Harmer’s bespoke design for new state-of-the-art building

New technology set to take water sector by storm

Harmer Building Drainage, part of Alumasc Water Management Solutions (AWMS), has been specified for Norwich’s Quadram Institute building.The original specification called for Harmer’s standard Modular 120 stainless steel channel drainage for the inside of the building, and for standard Modulock drainage to the outside. However, it soon became clear that a bespoke solution was needed to cope with the space restrictions of the site and the lengths of channel needed. So the specification changed to a custom-made system that included terrace slot channels. AWMS’ Rolf Vollet comments: “The project became a build as you go – which we were able to do with ease as almost all our projects have a bespoke element. Alongside the terrace slot channels, we supplied bespoke stainless steel channels and oversaw the approval process.”

Waterscan is delighted to unveil Intellistorm – the future of water reuse and flood resilience. Intellistorm combines rainwater harvesting, attenuation and intelligent data-gathering into one system. It drastically reduces site water consumption and discharge to drain. Responding to live weather forecast data, Intellistorm enables a site to maximise water reuse and reduce discharge to drain by intelligently storing and using collected rainwater for non-potable applications. The possible implementations for this system are extensive. “Designed to enhance flood resilience while reducing water consumption, this patented, attitude-changing technology is a major step forward in alleviating issues surrounding the widespread uptake of water re-use systems,” says Barry Millar, Operations Director at Waterscan.

* info@alumascwms.co.uk

* info@waterscan.com

( 0808 100 2008 8 www.harmerdrainage.co.uk

( 01243 839880 8 www.waterscan.com

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HVAC/HVP

After the installation of a Nor-Ray-Vac system in the high bay and main locomotive shed at Orient Express 28 years ago, the system needed replacing

Reznor steams ahead in railway installation Stewarts Lane railway depot, Battersea, has been providing maintenance and stabling for the South East’s rolling stock since 1862 and was, at one point, the largest locomotive capacity in the Southern region. One of the depot’s main uses today is for the maintenance of the prestigious Orient Express.

fter the installation of a Nor-RayVac system in the high bay and main locomotive shed at Orient Express 28 years ago, the system needed replacing. Orient Express approached Multigas and asked for assistance with the replacement of the existing system and an additional two areas that were previously unheated. Entrance and exit doors often occupy the full width of the building and may be left open for many hours a day.When doors are open at both ends, a wind tunnel effect is created and cold air at high velocity is drawn into the shed. Keeping the shed warm enough for employees to work comfortably is compounded by the often northsouth alignment of the tracks, which allows very little sunshine to warm the interior. Nortek Global HVAC was able to offer the ideal heating and most effective and economic heating solution under the Reznor brand. Blanket heat coverage was not a necessity in the rail shed as only the areas where personnel are working needed to be heated. When operatives are working on one part of the train, zoning enables all other parts of the radiant heating system to be switched off. Over time, this produces considerable fuel economies and cost reductions.

Economy and effectiveness were the two key criteria specified when selecting the heating system for the rail maintenance shed. Finding a solution to both in a single heating system can be challenging. One form of space heating technology, ideally suited to this cold, inhospitable working environment, is the NorRay-Vac radiant tube heating system. The project was completed in three stages. Phases one and two are where the complete rebuild of the carriages takes place for the Orient Express trains and were previously unheated bays. Phase one – an area of 41 x 15m and 7m high – saw the installation of the Nor-Ray-Vac system consisting of six 24kW burners with one flue discharge. Phase two – an area of 30 x 15m and 7m high – saw the installation of a Nor-Ray-Vac system consisting of six 18kW burners with one flue discharge. Phase three was the high bay and the main locomotive shed where the steam locomotives are maintained on a regular basis. The Nor-Ray-Vac system was an exact replacement of the original to minimise installation costs. The high bay area – 30 x 20m and 12m high – saw the installation of the Nor-Ray-Vac system consisting of 10 18kW burners with one flue discharge

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installed going around the perimeter of the bay, below the crane beam. The main locomotive area – 77 x 15m and 7m high – received a Nor-Ray-Vac system consisting of 18 18kW burners arranged in three zones with two flue discharges. The Nor-Ray-Vac system combusts the fuel at the point of use enabling maximum efficiency with no distribution losses and has a rapid response to changed conditions. It is uniquely designed to accommodate the building constraints and required zoning for the method of working within the shed. The flexibility of the radiant heating system meant that specific areas could be heated as required by the work patterns within the shed, keeping staff warm. Orient Express now benefits from a radiant heating system capable of maintaining the depot in a comfortable environment well into the late 2030s.

The Nor-Ray-Vac system combusts the fuel at the point of use enabling maximum efficiency with no distribution losses and has a rapid response to changed conditions

8 www.nortek.com/europe

* ryan.ashley@nortek.com ( 01384

489700

HVAC/HVP

MoD chooses Rinnai hot water for shower blocks Rinnai has recently completed an installation of 20 HDC 1500i units on shower blocks at an MoD barracks. LPG is the on-site fuel for all the Rinnai systems. Rinnai designed the systems in close cooperation with the local contractor – who installed all the units – and the on-site facilities management company. Rinnai continuous flow condensing units were specified based on previously completed projects on many army camps spread throughout the country.

The end-user, facilities provider and installing contractor were all agreed on the excellence of Rinnai product performance, energy savings on fuel, product reliability and durability.

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Comprehensive site surveys were completed between Rinnai and the services provider and designs for the systems were based on using two of what were then plant rooms which housed two extremely large calorifiers. Each plant room was re-engineered with the installation of 10 high-performance, highefficiency Rinnai HDC1500i (59.5kW) continuous flow, instantaneous water heaters per plant room. Each plant room of 10 units was installed in ‘banks’ of five units and set with the Rinnai (MECS) Manifold Electronic Controls. This intelligent energy optimising system brings additional water levels into operation only when required, meaning energy is only used when needed. Each of the ‘banks’ of five units was also designed and supplied with a common header flue system which provides a compact, neat installation, as well as minimising plant room terminations and offering a quicker, easier installation and a more efficient maintenance programme. 8 www.rinnaiuk.com * info@rinnaiuk.com ( 01928

531870

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The air you breathe is important, for indoor air quality solutions contact Vortice

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HVAC/HVP

Green light for underfloor air conditioning in Romania AET Flexible Space is presently commissioning the system and equipment supplied to German IT and software solutions company, iQuest, for its new-build headquarters in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. AET UK has worked closely with Romanian distributor, Convergo Energy, on the first underfloor air conditioning installation in the country, and the high-profile project will create firstclass, Grade A office space for the owner-occupier. Underfloor air conditioning systems use the plenum beneath a raised floor as the ventilation duct, eliminating the need for ceiling ductwork, potentially reducing new-build construction height by up to 10% and making it easy and economical to adapt to workplace changes.The system supplied to the iQuest project is a CAM-V system, where zonal downflow units feed conditioned air into the plenum beneath the raised floor, and then receive return air at high or ceiling level for re-conditioning.The CAM-V system is ideal for easy reconfiguration as there is no division of

the plenum into supply and return channels. The conditioned air is introduced into the workspace from the plenum using modular fan terminal units, known as Fantiles, which are easily relocated with 600 x 600mm raised floor tiles and feature integrated controllers permitting users to personally adjust temperature and fan speed settings. The project covers an area of 18,200m2 on a former factory site in the centre of ClujNapoca, approximately 6000m2 of which will be office space situated over five floors, and the building will be surrounded by generous

green space and public areas. A total of 34 CAM-V33/V22 zone units and 484 Fantiles were supplied; the Fantiles comprising 386 TU4 and 98 slimline TUS units on the fourth floor with a shallower floor void. All Fantiles were specified with EC fans for enhanced energy efficiency, and the whole system is connected together and communicates with the main BMS via the bespoke AET Flexgateway module. 8 www.flexiblespace.com

* lucy@flexiblespace.com ( 01342

310400

Rinnai hot water – instant, continuous, limitless and sensibly economic Rinnai’s Infinity range of ErP A-rated continuous flow gas-fired water heaters now includes many models specifically designed for all light commercial and larger domestic sites. The Rinnai units guarantee the highest efficiencies and lowest running costs at consistent temperatures 24/7 compared to any method of hot water delivery in lighter commercial sites. The Rinnai Infinity range of continuous flow – sometimes referred to as ‘tankless’ – water heating units are being specified and installed in domestic properties, cafes, pubs, restaurants, offices, shops, hairdressers, commercial units, caravan parks and leisure facilities as installers and end-users become aware of their energyand cost-saving benefits. The reason for the increase in uptake is that continuous flow heater systems are proven to be more energy-efficient than conventional storage systems and are now

experts’ preferred method of hot water provision. Rinnai units easily cater for any size project that needs high volumes of water at intermittent times of day delivered accurately. Rinnai’s Infinity multipoint 16i water heater, for example, eliminates the problem of sudden changes in water temperature, resulting in cold showers or scalding hot baths – the water temperature you set is the water temperature you get. So, if somebody is happily showering at 42°C and a tap is turned on to draw a bath elsewhere in the property, the temperature

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does not vary, and there is no chance of either user running out of hot water. The Rinnai Infinity 16i interior model measures 675 x 370 x 139mm and weighs in at 18kg – a one-man lift.The room-sealed unit has a temperature range of 35 to 60°C with direct electronic ignition. 8 www.rinnaiuk.com * info@rinnaiuk.com ( 01928

531870

January 2016 Download the fc&a app for iPhone, iPad and Android. Search ‘fc&a’

January 16 Issue 71

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American white oak helps achieve seamless spatial flow

Sustainability in Development Conran and Partners completes 20 hectare regeneration in Tokyo, Japan

Greenhouse An innovative screen solution prevents residential property from overheating

Design & Desire Regional showpiece in Azerbaijan hosts the nation’s cultural programs

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Floors, Walls & Ceilings

Why movement joints are vital Fluctuations in temperature and moisture cause movement in the subfloor and result in cracks transferring to tile and stone coverings – or worse, cause a loss of bond between the covering and the substrate which can result in overall damage to the surface covering. For this reason, industry standards state that all tile and stone installations should include the use of movement joints. Movement joints are often overlooked or left to the contractor; however, a lack of movement joints can be a contributing factor to many different types of failure. Furthermore, if movement joints are not included in the

specification, liability for any resulting problems (even if the problem doesn’t directly relate to a lack of movement joints) could fall to the architect, as it’s their responsibility to specify the type of joint and location of them.

The question, however, is how do you provide the movement joints necessary to ensure a durable installation and what movement joints should you use? Movement joints have to go through screed to the covering, with consideration to intermediate surface joints and therefore need to be designed into the specification. Understanding the types of movement that can occur will help when deciding which type of movement joint will best counteract the resulting stresses. In floors, there are two basic types of movement joints: structural and nonstructural. Both types will be subject to different movement patterns – for example, whether movement will occur from the covering through to the floor slab or just in the covering assembly – and this will affect the type of joint needed to prevent damage. Pre-formed joints can accommodate roughly 15 to 20% of their movement zone. Schlüter-DILEX movement joints offer complete protection and are available to specifiers in a wide selection of materials, colours and movement capability. 8 www.schluter.co.uk * pr@schluter.co.uk ( 01530

813396

Imperial Bricks introduces new Reclamation Handmade bricks Boston branch of Buildbase supplying YBS insulation for conversion work

Being able to offer customers viable alternatives to familiar products is an important factor for growing merchant businesses, with a branch of Buildbase in Lincolnshire now supplying the YBS product range to deal with a shortage of conventional insulation and to provide a more flexible solution where space is at a premium. Buildbase in Boston has been stocking YBS SuperQuilt and BreatherQuilt since autumn last year, with the two multilayer products proving popular with local contractors involved in refurbishment and conversion work. 8 www.ybsinsulation.com * sales@ybsinsulation.com ( 01909 721662

Imperial Bricks has added a new 3" Reclamation brick to its range following growing demand. It’s also available in a metric version, suitable for new-build projects across the UK. Historically used on traditional buildings in the region, the imperial-sized Reclamation Handmade is ideal for a period property extension, renovation or new-build that requires a sensitive approach. The rustic red handmade brick is a like-for-like alternative to genuine reclaims which are difficult to source. The Reclamation Handmade brick undergoes a traditional weathering and tinting process to produce a reclamation finish for an instantly aged appearance. Also in the range is the nonreclamation Handmade which is available in imperial and metric sizing. * sales@imperialbricks.co.uk ( 01952 750816

8 www.imperialbricks.co.uk

Remmers exhibits at Hayward Gallery The world-renowned Hayward Gallery is a contemporary art gallery within Southbank Centre, London. As part of a two-year restoration project, Remmers’ restoration products were selected by Cemplas to complete extensive concrete repair and renovation works to the internal architectural concrete elements of this prestigious major arts venue. Remmers’ Arte Mundit was applied to remove the decades of superficial dirt that had built up on the concrete walls and ceilings. Arte Mundit is a self-vulcanising cleaning paste that dries into a peelable natural latex. It provides thorough water-free removal of residues to varied substrates, and there is no development of dust making it the ideal product for specialised restoration projects. * sales@remmers.co.uk

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( 01293 594010

8 www.remmers.co.uk

Floors, Walls & Ceilings

Mapei launches Dursilite Gloss – a semi-gloss enamel paint

Dursilite Gloss is an internal enamel wall paint based on special acrylic and polyurethane resins and has a smooth, semi-gloss finish that enhances the brightness of colours.

Dursilite Gloss allows you to create a high-end finish, is durable and resistant to yellowing and, thanks to its polyurethane resin content, is highly resistant to staining and can cope with the most rigorous cleaning regimes and comes with a Class 1 wet scrub resistance, which conforms to EN ISO 11998. Dursilite Gloss bonds perfectly to all types of wall, plaster, skim coats and old paintwork that are sound and well-bonded; it also has good hiding power and is easy to apply. An elegant, high-quality finish is achieved when using Dursilite Gloss in residential or commercial environments. Due to its hard-wearing protection, excellent cleanability and low dirt pick-up, Dursilite Gloss is recommended for use in areas that are used by the general public that are particularly exposed to high wear and dirt. Dursilite Gloss, along with all products within the Dursilite product family, can be tinted using the ColorMap automatic tinting machine. Other products within the Dursilite Gloss family include Dursilite Plus and Dursilite Matt. 8 www.mapei.co.uk * info@mapei.co.uk ( 0121 508 6970

National Tile Week celebrates tiles in all their glory for the third year running

Now in its third successful year, National Tile Week is back and set to make an impact in 2018. Sponsored by British Ceramic Tile, the weeklong campaign, from 9 to 15th April, will celebrate tiles in all their glory and demonstrate how versatile they can be for many projects large or small. National Tile Week will reveal the latest trends sweeping through the design world, dispel some common myths about tiles and share practical tips and solutions when it comes to updating interior spaces. National Tile Week 2018 is fronted by interiors guru, Julia Kendell, best known for her work on DIY SOS and 60 Minute Makeover. ( 0207 490 0338

8 www.nationaltileweek.com

FILAMARBLE AID launches in the UK FILA has launched a protective treatment for natural stone surfaces. FILAMARBLE AID is an odourless, solvent-free treatment that protects against the aggression of staining, blocking the damaging effects of acids, alkalines, stains and heat. It creates a natural-look polished barrier for stone, marble, limestone and travertine that won’t yellow, discolour or create an ‘acrylic’ look. FILAMARBLE AID has a safe, water-based formulation, with a low VOC content. It can be applied to new and existing surfaces, where it ‘buys time’ by giving protection for up to 24 hours. Unlike traditional treatments, which are UV-cured and removed by grinding, the new protector is applied onto a clean, dry surface, in two coats, with a short-hair applicator. * filauk@filasolutions.com

( 01584 877286

8 www.filasolutions.com

Instarmac announces latest tiling brand – UltraTileFix

Instarmac is dedicated to finding the best solutions to meet industry needs and has worked hard to improve its service levels, the performance of its products and tried to identify the best way to support its loyal customer base.With this in mind, Instarmac is delighted to announce the launch of its new and improved tiling brand – UltraTileFix. UltraTileFix will merge the best and most popular qualities of the company’s UltraTile and Granfix brands to provide you with premium products for all project types backed up with outstanding service and experience. UltraTileFix will continue to deliver the products and services you know and love but bigger and better than ever before. 8 www.instarmac.co.uk * ultratilefix@instarmac.co.uk ( 01827 254402

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Floors, Walls & Ceilings

Solo baffles and direct mount Master F were an ideal combination, giving the aesthetic look required along with the desired amount of Class A absorption

Ecophon acoustic solutions adorn multimillion-pound New Adelphi Building Those who started at the University of Salford in September 2016 were the first intake of students to reap the benefits of the award-winning New Adelphi Building. This pioneering, multi-million-pound, seven-storey construction is also known as the Gateway Building because it forms an entrance to the campus from Salford Crescent railway station.

t provides a fantastic new home to the schools of arts and media, the performing arts, and music, as well as the school of the built environment. In July 2017, Sandy Brown, the acoustic consultancy for the building, was named winner in the Architectural Awards: Education Buildings category by the ANC (Association of Noises Consultants). The state-of-the-art facilities include a 350-capacity theatre, two large TV acting studios, rehearsal studios six industrystandard recording studios, 12 amplified performance studios, 14 instrumental tuition rooms, a 100m2 band-room/live room and a suite of flexible performance spaces with an adjoining roof terrace. Ecophon’s Martin Keogh described Ecophon’s involvement in the project: “Ecophon were approached to work alongside the architect and main contractor

in developing the specifications in line with the acoustic strategy. Exposed soffits and a large central atrium with open balustrades can prove very challenging from an acoustic perspective. Solo baffles and direct mount Master F were an ideal combination, giving the aesthetic look required along with the desired amount of Class A absorption.” Stride Treglown was the architect of the 1486.45m2 new build and responsible for coordination of the design as well as architectural design. Associate Architect, Thomas Sheehan, explained why the building needed excellent acoustics: “The building houses the University of Salford’s departments of music, performance, architecture and art.There are multiple acoustically-sensitive areas within the building, such as recording studios, a theatre,TV studios and performance spaces, as well as sources of noise such as 3D workshops.”

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The Solo baffles were installed in the atrium and open-plan teaching areas as part of a rhythm of lighting, acoustic baffles and service routes. Master F was used in the atrium and circulation areas.

He described the main areas where Ecophon acoustic solutions were installed: “Ecophon have a well-designed family of products, which allow flexibility of design. The Solo baffles were installed in the atrium and open-plan teaching areas as part of a rhythm of lighting, acoustic baffles and service routes. Master F was used in the atrium and circulation areas, where clear head height and visibility was a priority. “Solo Square helped us to create a ceiling plane allowing service distribution above.” Thomas continues:“The design and installation of the products are straightforward, and the Ecophon team was very helpful. The end result is a smart appearance, and we’ve had some positive feedback on the acoustic performance of the spaces.” BREEAM recognises the importance of acoustics in sustainable design; and because of this issues credits for and complying with an acoustic strategy, which usually follows BB93 Acoustic for Schools as a guide. The Adelphi Building will achieve a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating in line with the university’s sustainability agenda. The green space and paved areas in Chapman Square will provide a perfect venue for students and staff to relax and socialise outside the building. “New Adelphi is an inspirational and exciting development which staff and students have embraced with gusto,” concludes a spokesperson from Stride Treglown. 8 www.ecophon.co.uk

* info@ecophon.co.uk ( 01256

850977

Floors, Walls & Ceilings

Mapei launches Mapetherm Flex RP – a flexible, readymixed skimming base coat

Mapetherm Flex RP is a ready-mixed, cement-free flexible skimming base coat that is extremely elastic and, due to added BioBlock technology, is resistant to the biological attack of mould and algae. Developed by Mapei’s worldwide R&D laboratories, Mapetherm Flex RP is excellent for repairing deteriorated insulating systems and/or micro-cracked render to form reinforced skim coats on insulating panels and thermal insulation systems. Thermal insulation systems offer protection from bad weather and help to contain energy losses which can be costly and increase the levels of CO2 emissions. These systems sometimes require maintenance and, in worst cases, may need to be completely removed and replaced. If the damage deterioration has been identified in time, it’s possible to carry out repairs using a technologically-suitable product and, if applied by skilled workers,

the intervention will be reliable, durable and economically advantageous. Mapetherm Flex RP contains versatile characteristics that have been successfully used to carry out repair and maintenance work that is efficient and has an aesthetically-pleasing finish. An innovative use of resin ensures that Mapetherm Flex RP is highly elastic. It also adheres perfectly to insulating panels, old and new render, organic and cementitious skimming compounds, paint and coatings including those deteriorated – as long as they are sound, well-bonded to the substrate and do not suffer from rising damp. A high impact strength also ensures that impact loads are dissipated by its elastic structure.

Polysafe flooring helps bring hospital wards to University of Derby campus

8 www.mapei.co.uk * info@mapei.co.uk ( 0121 508 6970

Skyfold a great fit in Scotland’s Engine Shed

A variety of Polysafe safety flooring products from Polyflor were chosen to create a new learning environment for health and social care students at the University of Derby’s Chesterfield Campus. Polysafe safety flooring was installed around the campus by Diamond Flooring, including in a clinical skills suite, six-bed NHS-standard mock ward and an immersive simulation suite. Polysafe Wood fx PUR vinyl safety flooring in Sun Bleached Oak was used alongside textile-effect Polysafe Arena in Steelwool in communal break areas. Polysafe Verona PUR flooring in the Dolphin Grey and Café Noir shades was selected for the mock hospital ward learning areas.

The Engine Shed is Scotland’s dedicated building conservation centre, based in Stirling. Working with contractor, ESH Border, and architect practice, Reiach & Hall, Style Scotland installed a Skyfold operable wall to quickly separate the exhibition space from the auditorium, allowing educational seminars to be conducted in privacy. Skyfold, a hugely innovative partitioning solution, is a vertical-rising movable wall that retracts into the ceiling cavity at the turn of a key, creating an acoustic barrier of up to 59 dB Rw.“We were thrilled to be involved in this project,” said David Louden, Style’s Director for Scotland.“Skyfold adds the ‘wow factor’ to the Engine Shed when visitors see it descend into position, forming the front wall of the auditorium and creating an acoustically private space for audio-visual presentations.”

* info@polyflor.com

* sales@style-partitions.co.uk

( 0161 767 1111 8 www.polyflor.com

( 01202 874044 8 www.style-partitions.co.uk

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Floors, Walls & Ceilings

Good acoustics for art and design Bedales School is set in an area of outstanding natural beauty on the edge of the South Downs National Park in Hampshire. Its new art and design building, designed by architect firm Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios, has a strong sense of countryside drawing references from traditional agricultural buildings by creating a series of connected barn forms. Materials were used in their natural state throughout.This includes renewable natural products including sustainably-sourced timber

for cladding and Troldtekt’s wood-wool panels for acoustics, all of which help to reduce the embodied carbon in the construction.

The form and east-west orientation of the pitched roofs on the five new buildings define a series of carefully scaled, north-lit studio spaces.Their dramatic pitched ceilings comprise Troldtekt acoustic panels on one side to absorb sound and improve acoustics. On the other side, natural light is maximised and the need for artificial lighting reduced. In what is otherwise a lightweight building, the thermal mass of exposed concrete surfaces contributes to a stable internal temperature. Specified throughout the UK and Europe, the benefits of 100% Troldtekt natural woodwool panels include high sound absorption, high durability, natural breathability, low-cost lifecycle performance and sustainability as documented by Cradle to Cradle certification at ‘Silver’ level. They are specified to improve acoustics in many different projects such as schools, leisure centres, pools, commercial, private and public buildings. Available in various sizes and four grades from extreme fine to coarse, they can be left untreated or painted in virtually any RAL colour. 8 www.troldtekt.co.uk * info@troldtekt.co.uk ( 01978

664255

Conren launches new website

Noppe Stud Tiles create space for architecture students

SaarFloor Noppe Stud Tile flooring in a variety of colours was recently used to help create an inspirational educational environment in the refurbished Keith Green Building, home to the School of Architecture at Loughborough University. Noppe stud flooring is a hard-wearing rubber tile with a low-profile studded surface for heavy commercial use, available in 12 colours with a 3.0 or 4.0mm gauge. Over 1000m² of this flooring in six different shades was installed by Lincoln-based construction and interior fit-out specialist Acorn Partitions & Storage Systems (APSS). Noppe Stud Tiles in the limestone green, steel, black coal, mercury, cobalt and cool blue shades were fitted throughout the classrooms and computer suite. 8 www.polyflor.com * info@polyflor.com ( 0161 767 1111

Conren has launched its new website. The focus of the website has been to improve the format to make it even easier to source the latest technical information on Conren’s wide range of resin coatings, screeds, waterproofing compounds, highways, anti-skid and safety surfacing. The design of the site has specifically taken into account the use of smartphones and tablets to quickly download and view datasheets and technical literature whilst on the move. The company’s brochure, ‘Surfacing Solutions’, is also available to download from the site. Help is also at hand for architects and specifiers who can now access the appropriate NBS specification clauses and BIM Objects for Conren’s extensive range of surfacing products within the product section. * info@conren.com ( 01978 661991

8 www.conren.com

Polyflor flooring brings style and safety to extra care apartments A variety of Polysafe safety flooring and Expona luxury vinyl tiles Polyflor were recently used to complete the construction of Needham House in Devizes, Wiltshire. Over 2000m² of Polyflor vinyl flooring was installed in the 47 self-contained apartments and communal areas. Expona Commercial PUR luxury vinyl tiles in the Light Classic Oak design were selected for the building entrance and lobby areas, the dining hall, staircases, circulation areas and corridors.While Polysafe Wood fx PUR safety flooring in Classic Oak was installed inside each of the apartments. And, Polysafe Verona PUR in the Café Noir shade was used to create safe working environments for staff in the kitchen and servery areas. * info@polyflor.com

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( 0161 767 1111

8 www.polyflor.com

Floors, Walls & Ceilings Amtico creates an impact with new Spacia Parquet Polyflor helps complete cancer centre project

Expona Flow sheet vinyl flooring from Polyflor was recently installed at the new NGS Macmillan Unit at Chesterfield Royal Hospital, a pioneering centre for people affected by cancer across North Derbyshire. Expona Flow PUR vinyl flooring in the Light Grey Concrete and Cool Concrete shades was installed throughout the NGS Macmillan Unit in the reception area, circulation areas, corridors, staircases and wards. 2000 PUR homogeneous sheet vinyl flooring in Stream was also used for the staff kitchenette area. Ian Summers, Estates Project Engineer at Chesterfield Royal Hospital, commented: “The Expona Flow concrete designs give a sophisticated, modern look to the new unit that is far removed from the clinical look of traditional hospitals.” 8 www.polyflor.com * info@polyflor.com ( 0161 767 1111

Amtico has introduced Spacia Parquet as the latest addition to its popular Spacia Collection.This classically proportioned laying pattern is perfect for commercial applications, offering interior designers and specifiers a versatile, hard-working luxury vinyl tile (LVT) flooring that is incredibly practical in any space. Not only is it simple to install, it also benefits from ease of cleaning and compatibility with spatial architecture.To further bolster Spacia Parquet’s credentials, it can be supplied with an acoustic backing for enhanced sound reduction.This is especially useful in projects such as offices, hotels or student accommodation, where keeping sound transmissions to a minimum is a priority. * info@amtico.com

( 0121 745 0800

8 www.amtico.com/commercial

Designer Contracts celebrates 25th year with expansion

Designer Contracts is to open three regional facilities across the country and has announced two senior internal promotions. The new facilities in Yorkshire, Kent and East Anglia will be operational by spring and represent a significant milestone for the company in its 25th year of business. To support the expansion, the company has promoted Louise Walters, who has worked with the company for 14 years, to Merchandise and Marketing Director and Gary Tynan to Divisional Director. Gary will continue to oversee the smooth running of the Southern, Thames Medway, Thames Valley and South East and Louise will continue to head up the company’s buying team as well as handle all marketing. * enquiries@designercontracts.com

( 01246 854577

8 www.designercontracts.com

EXTERIOR WOOD PROTECTION

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Floors, Walls & Ceilings Being an old building, the corridors were out of square to the main entrance but Zanetti & Company had the resourcefulness to overcome this by taking out the tolerance in the border

Marble provides exquisite entrance for award-winning five-star hotel The magnificent marble entrance hall at the awardwinning Gainsborough Bath Spa Hotel has been created by National Federation of Terrazzo, Marble and Mosaic Specialists (NFTMMS) member Zanetti & Company.

his is a perfect example of the high-quality of craftsmanship for which federation members are renowned,” commented NFTMMS Secretary, Brian James. Zanetti was commissioned to install 220m2 of Calacatta Oro, Grigio Carnico and Nublado natural marble to the entrance hall and corridor areas of this five-star hotel, named England’s top hotel in the AA Hospitality Awards 2017. “We worked closely with contractor Galliford Try and EPR Architects on this project,” said Mr Zanetti. “Recognition of

our experience and expertise in being able to undertake and deliver the high-quality work required, together with a competitive price, helped us win the contract.” The Gainsborough Bath Spa is housed in a historic Grade II Listed Building in the centre of Bath, a World Heritage site.With distinguished Georgian and Victorian facades, the building was the city’s original hospital and now a hotel named after one of Bath’s most famous residents, the highly-acclaimed Artist, Sir Thomas Gainsborough.The hotel is centred around spa village Bath and has privileged access to the natural thermal, mineral-rich waters.

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Zanetti was commissioned to install 220m2 of Calacatta Oro, Grigio Carnico and Nublado natural marble to the entrance hall and corridors areas of this five-star hotel

“In addition to the entrance hall, we supplied and installed bespoke-cut, natural marble benches, plus a stunning mosaic feature in the sauna and steam room areas,” said Mr Zanetti. “In any project of this size, there were inevitably issues we had to overcome. For example, being an old building, the corridors were out of square to the main entrance but we had the resourcefulness to overcome this by taking out the tolerance in the border.” The NFTMMS represents companies which wish to maintain and improve the standards of craftsmanship and technical control on which the industry depends. It includes organisations involved in terrazzo, mosaic, marble, granite, limestone and quartz and NFTMMS members freely offer technical advice and assistance with specifications. 8 www.nftmms.co.uk

* bjames@nftmms.org ( 0845

609 0050

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‹‹‹ for iPhone, iPad and Android swipe to see more! Free download available now BROWSE | SPECIFY | SOURCE | DIGEST The smarter way to access news and products for the sustainable building market. With its easy-to-navigate format, users can benefit from a variety of useful tools, such as the magazine’s latest issue, digital archive, suppliers and newsbank. The App is also synced with SBP Library (www.sustainable-buildingproducts.com) providing an essential specification portal. | Bespoke, reader-friendly features tailored to professionals on the move | | Timely industry news delivered at the touch of a button | | Manage print & digital subscriptions |

Doors, Windows & Louvres GLASSOLUTIONS brings light to Greenwich Peninsula ‘modern village hall’ Backing the best of office architecture

GEZE UK is backing the very best in office architecture by sponsoring the ‘Office Architect of the Year’ category in the BD Architect of the Year Awards for the third year running. Entries showcase one project built in the last three years and another either built or unbuilt. The ceremony for the awards will take place on 18th April 2018 at Westminster Park Plaza Hotel, London. Said Kaz Spiewakowski, Managing Director of GEZE UK: “We understand that the quality, quantity and breadth of work across all categories this year is particularly high and we look forward to helping celebrate the very best in office architecture at the awards ceremony.” 8 www.geze.co.uk * info.uk@geze.com ( 01543 443000

The unique mullion-only VS-1 glazing system from GLASSOLUTIONS has been installed at a new community hub in south-east London to create a light, bright social space with a welcoming ambience. GLASSOLUTIONS fitted a glazed building envelope comprising the flagship VS-1 curtain walling system, supplemented with traditional curtain walling. A notable feature of the design for the aperture was the inclusion of high levels of glazing at ground floor level, with the aim of creating a light, bright interior.These plans required GLASSOLUTIONS to design and specify an attractive glazed building envelope with narrow sightlines and a minimum of visible fixtures to let in as much daylight as possible. * enquiries@glassolutions.co.uk

( 0844 892 2690

8 www.glassolutions.co.uk

New ISO-CHEMIE portal for fenestration installers and specifiers

A new online resource from ISO-CHEMIE provides improved access to a range of sealant tape-related project services and special tools for fenestration installers, retailers, designers and architects.The secure ISO-PORTAL at www.isochemie.co.uk will improve the support offered to customers and specifiers around the planning and management of building and refurbishment projects. Some basic information is available to all visitors, but more is available free of charge once the user has created a private account for access. Features include numerous training video clips, plus a tool to quickly and easily calculate the quantity of ISO-TOP WINFRAMER thermal insulating and load-bearing bracket systems required for a job, helping to minimise product waste and simplifying the ordering process. * a.swift@iso-chemie.co.uk ( 01207 566867

Back to business for Jack in The Office Group refurb

8 www.iso-chemie.co.uk

Aesthetic automatic access from TORMAX for cathedral

IDF Aluminium has used Jack Aluminium Systems’ JD47 non-thermal shopfront system as part of an office refurbishment for shared workspace pioneer,The Office Group.The building has been fully refurbished by The Office Group, creating a modern, commercial space that will be let to a range of workforces, including creative agencies and start-ups.Will Woods, Director at IDF Aluminium, explains: “The client wanted to create partitioning within the building to separate the workspaces.They wanted something with a distinctive, retro-feel so it was as much about an aesthetically-pleasing solution as a practical solution.We knew that Jack Aluminium’s JD47 system was the perfect choice because we have used it previously on other office refurbishment projects.”

A magnificent Grade I Listed building, Birmingham Cathedral (St Philips) is a rare and very fine example of English Baroque architecture. As part of a significant refurbishment of the interior,TORMAX was contracted to supply and automate two sets of traditional, wood-framed glass swing doors, providing DDA-compliant access to the main lobby area. Helping maintain the architectural integrity of the building, the doors are powered by unobtrusive TORMAX 1201 operators, delivering smooth and reliable opening with whisper-quiet precision.The automatic swing doors installed by TORMAX feature glass panels etched with an ecclesiastical design.The powerful motor in the 1201 operator was precision-engineered at the TORMAX HQ in Switzerland and is more than capable of powering the doors installed at the cathedral.

* sales@jackaluminium.co.uk

* sales@tormax.co.uk

( 0247 646 7449 8 www.jackaluminium.co.uk

( 01932 238040 8 www.tormax.co.uk

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INSPIRE WITH

visit www.marshalls.co.uk/naturalstone

Doors, Windows & Louvres

Last year, Axim had a face-lift with a new revamped logo, which joined the new website and technical literature which offers extensive technical, specification and installation information

Richard Reeve to take Axim to new heights TPG, The Parkside Group, is pleased to announce that Richard Reeve, Sales Director, will be exclusively looking after one of its major divisions, Axim Architectural Hardware.

ichard has been with TPG for 15 years and is excited to take the leading hardware brand to even greater heights. Richard said: “Axim is one of the most trusted brands in the industry for reliability and quality. Axim celebrated 30 years of business last year

and, having worked throughout the industry, I know that the Axim TC-8800 series of concealed transom closers is well known for its superb long-term performance – and as part of TPG, Axim is backed up by marketleading delivery to its European-wide distributor and partner network.”

Over the last 30 years, Axim has extensively developed its product range to include all the hardware that top-quality commercial doors require

Over the last 30 years, Axim has extensively developed its product range to include all the hardware that top-quality commercial doors require. Richard commented that:“Everyone knows the top performer the Axim TC Series of concealed closers, however, I am not sure that everyone is aware of how extensive the Axim product range is.The Axim PR Series Panic Exit range is comprehensive, and the Axim panic exit locking handle is one of the most high-quality products I have seen which fits across the entire range.” The Axim branded product range includes emergency and panic exit devices that are certified to BS EN 179 and BS EN 1125, a range of handles including D-handles, lever handles, pad handles, pull handles and tube handles, floor springs – which can take a door weight of up to 150kg – locks including mortice, deadlatch, extension flush bolts for security slave doors. The Axim TC-8800 Series of concealed transom closers will fit most major manufacturer’s doors and has three different strengths.The TC9900 is a universal closer which is ideal for repair and maintenance and, where closers have failed; the TC9900 offers a fast solution without the need for costly repairs. Richard continues: “Axim is known very well in the aluminium door industry, however, the surface-mounted door closer, the Axim FC Series, offers a solution for both aluminium and timber doors; in fact, it even comes as standard with fixings to suit both materials. This means that installers and distributors can minimise the closers they carry, and the Axim FC-1000 Series has been tested for fire rating to BS 476-22 1987.” Offering innovative solutions has been at the fore of Axim, launching new products such as the Axim ES-2100 Electric Strike, a remote access product that offers installers a reduction in installation and maintenance time.The Axim LK-2100 reversible deadlatch offers a nonhanded solution which means that installers and distributors can reduce their stockholding by only stocking one deadlatch instead of two. Last year, Axim had a face-lift with a new revamped logo, which joined the new website and technical literature which offers extensive technical, specification and installation information with speedy navigation to get you to the place you need to be. Axim designs and supplies a comprehensive in-stock range of transom closers, panic exit devices, electric strikes, deadlatches, surfacemounted door closers, floor springs, flushbolts, letter-plates, locks and handles through a pan-European distributor supply chain. 8 www.axim.co.uk

* axim@parksidegroup.co.uk ( 0208

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685 9685

Doors, Windows & Louvres

Selectaglaze passes the test with flying colours

Mr and Mrs Coombes moved to Oakham in Rutland, where they purchased a Grade II Listed Georgian house. The property was constructed in the 18th century and is one of the town’s landmark houses. Due to its listing, the original features had to be retained. The study, dining room and two bedrooms at the front of the property suffered from noise ingress, and the rear bedrooms and living room were subjected to heat loss and draughts. “When we walked into our bedroom in the winter, and we could see our own breath, we just knew we had to do something to dramatically improve the thermal efficiency of the property,” said Mr Coombes. A total of 12 units were fitted into eight openings; many of which had insufficient window board depth to accommodate the secondary glazing, so extended sill timbers were fitted. All the grounds were colour matched to the secondary glazing, to negate the need for on-site decoration.

All units including the two splay bays at the rear of the property blend in seamlessly and are barely noticeable. “The secondary glazing has made a remarkable difference. We can now sit and have a civilised conversation in the dining room without the interruptions of passing traffic, and the rooms at the rear of the property are a comfortable temperature. We are absolutely delighted with the final product,” added Mr Coombes. Working on all building types from newbuild to listed properties, Royal Warrant Holder Selectaglaze offers a wide product range to make buildings warmer, quieter and safer.

8 www.selectaglaze.co.uk * enquiries@selectaglaze.co.uk (

P C Henderson wins Export Award at North East Business Awards

01727 837271

Schueco’s new panoramic sliding door has additional design benefits

Sliding and folding door hardware manufacturer, P C Henderson, has been crowned the winner in the Export category at this year’s North East Business Awards – Durham, Sunderland and South Tyneside region.The awards are the biggest of their kind in the UK and aim to celebrate successful and innovative businesses that are achieving fantastic things. P C Henderson will now go on to compete against the winners of the Northumberland and Teesside heats in order to win the overall Export Award. Trevor Cossins, Managing Director at P C Henderson, said: “We are delighted to once again be recognised for our exporting achievements.Taking a tailored and localised approach to each specific market has allowed us to significantly grow and sustain the exporting side of the business.”

Schueco UK has launched a new version of its highly successful panoramic door system. Designated the Schueco ASE 67 PD, the new door provides the same minimal sightlines with an outer frame that remains concealed in the building structure, resulting in a huge panoramic area of glass. However, it can now be configured in a variety of opening combinations utilising two, three or four leaves, each up to 3.2m wide and 3.5m high. The moving vent can be double or triple glazed. The Schueco ASE 67 PD door is available in two options with different size outer frames. Both versions offer a very slim central mullion width of 31mm and can accommodate glass widths from 36 to 49.6mm.

* hello@pchenderson.co.uk

* mkinfobox@schueco.com

( 0191 377 7345 8 www.pchenderson.com

( 01908 282111 8 www.schueco.co.uk

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Doors, Windows & Louvres

An air of academic excellence GEZE UK has provided a breath of fresh air to an extraordinary facility which boasts academic excellence and innovation. The refurbishment of West Court – part of Jesus College, Cambridge – incorporates GEZE’s natural ventilation system to create the ideal learning environment. It is integrated into four areas of the development, including a conference room with the iconic Lantern Tower, lobby and reception area, and uses GEZE’s awardwinning Slimchain automatic window drive, and is managed by the WS 1000 indoor climate building control. This is connected to a weather station, and together they balance internal conditions such as air quality, temperature and humidity with external elements such as rain and wind speeds to achieve the desired requirements. Experts believe that improving indoor air quality by utilising natural airflow significantly improves cognitive performance – ideal for a building which houses the college’s new Intellectual

Forum, a spearheading research organisation that applies critical thinking to global problems. GEZE UK provided a full suite of natural ventilation products which include Slimchain window actuators for outward-opening vents, DMS 5 open/close controllers, temperature sensors, weather station and WS 1000 touchscreen controller. The Slimchain actuator range is extremely versatile and an ideal choice for creating a climate control package. It has a broad range of applications and meets diverse requirements for varying loads, upstroke lengths, opening widths and the widest range of installation types. With a maximum upstroke of 800mm, it achieves a large aerodynamic opening width, meaning

that it can also be used in natural smoke and heat extraction devices (SHEVs) in line with EN 12101-2. 8 www.geze.co.uk

* info.uk@geze.com ( 01543

443000

ASSA ABLOY Security Doors launches fire doors safety white paper

The Grenfell Tower incident raised many questions surrounding how we can prevent the spread of fires in commercial and social housing buildings. With fire doors being one of the most important and effective elements of a building’s passive fire protection, ASSA ABLOY Security Doors, a UK division of ASSA ABLOY, the global leader in door opening solutions, has launched a thought-provoking white paper focusing on the critical subject of fire door safety.The white paper covers key topics of fire door safety which includes the purpose and effectiveness of fire doors, fire door regulations, manufacturing and installation, and will be available to download from http://marketing.assaabloy.co.uk/fire-door-white-paper. * aasdsales@assaabloy.com ( 0289 266 2200 8 www.assaabloy.co.uk/securitydoors

Intastop offers easy installation door edge guard A popular PVC-u door edge guard range from leading door protection specialist Intastop is now offering even greater choice. Celebrating 25 years, the company continues to protect doors, people and places in this specialised field and now has a 10mm PVC-u door edge guard version added to its extensive range, the largest in the UK. The PVC-u 10mm door edge guard is fitted with intumescent fire and smoke seals which are vandal-resistant yet easy to replace making all Intastop PVC-u door edge guards ideal for maintaining fire integrity and door safety, an essential part of fire door safety maintenance in keeping people and buildings safe. * sales@intastop.com

( 01302 364666

8 www.intastop.com

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Wakefield Acoustics launches independently tested acoustic louvres range Wakefield Acoustics has launched its latest range of acoustic louvres.The new innovative louvres are believed to be one of the only such ranges currently on the UK market which have been independently tested by Salford University to the latest international standard BS EN ISO 101402:2010. Designed to provide optimum noise control performance, the new range has been developed and tested as part of the company’s latest research and development project and encompasses standard singlebank acoustic louvres available in depths of 150 and 300mm. Non-standard louvre depths can be accommodated to suit specific applications.

8 www.wakefieldacoustics.co.uk * noise@wakefieldacoustics.co.uk ( 01924 418940

Doors, Windows & Louvres

Leading the field SIMONSWERK is Europe’s leading hinge supplier with a history spanning more than 125 years in the manufacture of high-quality brass, aluminium and stainless steel hinges for doors and windows. SIMONSWERK UK provides the architectural ironmongery and builders hardware industries with a combined supply source for over 4000 catalogue items backed by its award-winning customer service. The online ‘ProductSelector’ function takes all the headaches out of selecting the right hinge, guiding specifiers by a simple series of door and application filters to home in on the correct hinge.

TRITECH hinges – strength and elegance The attractive solid brass TRITECH hinge with concealed bearings has quickly become the hinge of choice for architectural specifiers. They offer a future-proof ‘fit and forget’ product and 25-year performance guarantee. TRITECH is suitable for heavy flush doors, is maintenance-free, with a weight carrying capacity of 160kg – Grade

TECTUS hinges – concealed perfection TECTUS hinge systems offer an extensive range, multi-award-winning iconic design and precise engineered functionality. These fully concealed hinges allow for three-dimensional adjustments for perfect door alignment, contain maintenancefree bearings and present a flush fitting, clean line design. Created for safety, with

NATURAL WOOD FINISHES YOU CAN RELY ON

minimum pivot gaps to prevent finger injury, they are available in an unrivalled range of finishes and sizes carrying up to 300kg door weights.

14 – and are available with CE-Marked 60- or 30-minute fire-rated options and an extensive selection of 14 designer finials, 16 standard finishes and five PVD finishes. 8 www.simonswerk.co.uk

* sales@simonswerk.co.uk ( 0121

522 2848

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RCI

Bauder launches roofing solution for construction within flood-sensitive areas As climate change causes more extreme weather patterns, the construction industry faces new challenges with an increase in excessive rainfall resulting in flash flooding and standing water. Continued development in built-up areas where existing drainage systems can be depleted, and natural infiltration is limited, has prompted the introduction of Sustainable Urban Drainage System (SuDS) legislations by local authorities. To combat these issues, Bauder has originated a Blue Roof system which will simultaneously attenuate heavy rainfall and manage its discharge over a 12- to 24-hour period.This limits water egress to five to 10 litres per second, per hectare; the same flow rates for regional greenfield sites. Each BauderBLUE roofing solution is unique, as calculations for the flow restrictor are specific to each project to ensure that the water runoff during storm conditions meets drainage requirements of

local planning authorities whilst controlling the time it takes to disperse the water. Nigel Blacklock,Technical Director at Bauder, comments: “The Bauder brand is recognised for the proactive approach we take to developing our roof systems and the high standards to which we deliver.With the introduction of the SuDS legislation and the subsequent requirements for developments in built-up and flood-sensitive areas, the evolution of our ever-popular green roof

system was a natural process. Using rooftop and podium solutions will address the excess water issue at source by providing the necessary drainage to ensure structural integrity along with regulation compliance and optimal waterproofing.” 8 www.bauder.co.uk * info@bauder.co.uk ( 0845

271 8800

Scientific solutions for Eastleigh College

Lead alternative Leadax gains coveted BBA Certification A lead alternative that its manufacturer says is cheaper, lighter and faster to install than traditional lead, but delivers comparable waterproofing performance, has been awarded a prestigious Agrément Certificate by the British Board of Agrément. Leadax, a patented polyvinyl butyral (PVB)-based flashing material with an aluminium mesh reinforcement, has been certificated for use in flashing applications on flat and pitched roofs (Agrément Certificate 17/5466). As part of the certification process, the product’s weathertightness, properties in relation to fire, strength and durability were assessed, together with adherence to Building Regulations. 8 www.bbacerts.co.uk * clientservices@bbacerts.co.uk ( 01923 665300

Eastleigh College in Hampshire has been dramatically transformed, with new and refurbished structures, fitted with eye-catching, perforated solar shading and screening solutions, courtesy of Levolux. Levolux developed contrasting external solar shading and screening solutions for two linked buildings. For the south-facing elevation of the main teaching block, which accommodates art and design, hair and beauty as well as financial services departments, Levolux provided an external solar shading solution, featuring light green vertical louvres. In total, Levolux crafted 50 perforated vertical louvres or fins, each measuring 6.2m high by 550mm wide, which are fixed across first and second floor glazed openings. * info@levolux.com

( 0208 863 9111

8 www.levolux.com

RAVATHERM UK appoints technical and specification manager

A new Technical and Specification Manager, Rob Firman, has joined the RAVATHERM UK team. The POLYFOAM XPS insulation manufacturer has expanded its technical support offering with Rob’s appointment. Rob has more than a decade of technical specification experience in the construction industry, working in similar roles previously for the likes of PIR insulation manufacturer, Celotex, industrial engineering firm, Permastore, as well as flat roof waterproofing system manufacturer, Bauder. At RAVATHERM UK, Rob will work closely with architects, specifiers, contractors and distributors to troubleshoot specification queries. He will also complete U-value calculations and condensation risk analysis for projects across the UK. * info@ravatherm.co.uk ( 01429 855100

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RCI

Healing daylight at Benenden Kalwall translucent cladding is the architectural focus of the new £45m development of Benenden Hospital in Cranbrook, Kent. The scheme, designed by architect practice C A Vaughan Blundell with assistance from SR Architects, has created a wonderfully light and airy entrance atrium designed to welcome and create an enhanced patient and visitor experience with maximised natural daylight. The extensive breakout and catering

The

facilities support theatres, en-suite rooms, the outpatient department and ophthalmic suite along with diagnostic imaging, rest and recovery areas. The main contractor was Willmott Dixon Construction. The Kalwall skylights provide additional light in the large atrium projecting it deep into the

interior. They were specified complete with highly insulating Nanogel which achieves an impress U-value of 0.28W/m2K, helping the project attain a BREEAM status of ‘Good’. This is particularly impressive given the amount of curtain walling and clerestory glazing involved in the scheme. The skylights have a unique ability to bathe interior spaces with diffused and glare-free daylight, which creates a stimulating and healthy environment. In addition, their heavily insulated composition eliminates glare and hotspots, thereby reducing the load on temperature control systems and the need for artificial lighting. Kalwall is a popular choice for projects where performance, long lifecycle and low maintenance are required, coupled with an aesthetic finish.The aluminium or thermally-broken grid core with interlocking I-beams gives Kalwall incredible strength. The lightweight system reduces the need for supporting structures while offering the highest protection in terms of wind-borne debris and resistance to impact, abrasion and point loads. 8 www.structura-uk.com/kalwall * kalwall@structura.co.uk ( 01233

501504

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Building Elements

British Standard 8102:2009 Code of Practice for Protection of Below Ground Structures Against Water from the Ground (BS 8102:2009) recommends that every design team/waterproofing project incorporates a waterproofing design specialist

Do I really require a waterproofing design specialist? Waterproofing design is a complex task. In short yes! Gone are the days of architects undertaking the role of waterproofing design in a project. Getting the design correct prior to construction will save significant costs. What is a waterproofing ritish Standard 8102:2009 Code design specialist? of Practice for Protection of

Below Ground Structures Against Water from the Ground (BS 8102:2009) recommends that every design team/waterproofing project incorporates a waterproofing design specialist. As set out in Section 4.2 of BS 8102:2009 under the heading ‘Design Team’, the code states: “A waterproofing specialist should be included as part of the design team so that an integrated waterproofing solution is created. The waterproofing specialist should: a) Be suitably experienced b) Be capable of devising solutions that accommodate the various project constraints and needs c) Provide the design team with information and guidance that assists with and influences the design, installation and future maintenance of the waterproofed structure.”

A waterproofing design specialist offers expertise in structural waterproofing. A waterproofing design specialist should: Be able to list the principal considerations for a robust waterproofing design Have CSSW as a minimum standard of qualification Offer knowledge of waterproofing systems Have an in depth understanding of BS 8102:2009 and its requirements Have desktop study and risk assessment knowledge – these should form part of any designer’s report and waterproofing design Have an understanding of sources of water (such as how it flows through the soil and interacts with the structures) Have structural knowledge Have knowledge of ground gases Have geotechnical knowledge (to be able to understand the implications of a soil report) Produce a design report, method statements and waterproof design drawings.

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Every construction project is different. A waterproofing design specialist should be introduced at the earliest stages of design to ensure the structural waterproofing system is compliant to BS 8102:2009. A waterproofing design specialist should attend site, undertake site investigations, produce reports and manage documentation in relation to the design, ensuring at all stages that sufficient protection is designed into the project. Warranty providers such as NHBC require that a criterion has been accomplished prior to issuing a warranty. If you are developing a property and are intending to sell it, rent it or refinance it – you will need a building warranty or a Professional Consultant’s Certificate (PCC). Mortgage lenders will only lend on a property if it is covered by an approved warranty policy.

How do you find a waterproofing design specialist? The Property Care Association has devised a register which provides a central point for individuals with the relevant waterproofing design skills. To be accepted as a PCA waterproofing design specialist, applicants must be able to demonstrate that they have the necessary skills in: Diagnostic investigation and problem-solving Report writing Understand all the aspects of BS 8102:2009 and other relevant industry standards Building construction and waterproofing techniques Knowledge of the products and techniques commonly used in waterproofing.

Structural warranty provider requirements Structural warranty providers such as NHBC stipulate that it is a mandatory requirement that a CSSW-qualified waterproofing designer is involved in the waterproofing design process and other warranty providers such as Premier Guarantees and LABC are following suit. Delta Membrane Systems offers CSSW training and examinations at its fully functional training facilities in Epping, Essex, hosted by the PCA.All of Delta’s technical team are CSSW-qualified surveyors and registered to the Waterproofing Design Register. Delta’s technical team would be delighted to help with your waterproofing designs/projects. 8 www.deltamembranes.com

* info@deltamembranes.com ( 01992

523523

Building Elements

Schöck Natural Frequency Calculator for 2.3m balconies The third phase of the Rathbone Market project in Canning Town, East London, awarded ‘Development of the Year (schemes of over 200 homes)’ at The Sunday Times British Homes Awards in 2017, is a £160m mixed-use development. It has created 652 new homes, and on the upper levels, many apartments have a double aspect – with balconies that have an unusually demanding 2.3m cantilever. Schöck Isokorb structural thermal breaks have been incorporated that can meet the structural and thermal demands of these large free cantilever steel balconies. However, large balconies can be prone to undesirable vibration when people move about on them heavily, and as the perception of discomfort varies from one individual to another, no precise limit can be imposed that guarantees satisfaction for everyone. Assessment of acceptable vibration is not straightforward, and the sensible approach is to design structures with

a natural frequency sufficiently beyond potential excitation frequencies. To assess this, Schöck has employed its latest Natural Frequency Calculator software, which is a free downloadable programme which uses geometric and material variables. When applied, it was found that the natural frequency of the balcony constructions was comfortably above the recommended limit frequencies. In general, depending on the type of structure, published data indicates limit frequencies of between 4 and 7.5Hz and experience has shown that adopting a

limit frequency of 7.5Hz for steel balconies not only eliminates the possibility of undesirable vibration, it also enables costefficient design. 8 www.schoeck.co.uk

* design@schoeck.co.uk ( 01865

290890

Washroom makes offsite work at Paddington Central offices Washroom Washroom has utilised its off-site service to deliver the perfect design solution for a highspecification office washroom and changing area. 4 Kingdom Street is a nine-storey building encompassing a number of wellbeing design features. Washroom utilised its off-site construction methods in order to fine-tune the design before installation on site. The full-height Alto toilet cubicle doors were specified with a real wood veneer finish, stained to match the solid Douglas fir timber panelling in the reception area. Washroom took the lead on this and undertook several trials, adjusting the colour of the stain until a nearperfect match for the distinctive pale grey Douglas fir was achieved. * sales@washroom.co.uk

( 0800 999 8888

8 www.washroom.co.uk

uvex CBR65 lens ensures relaxed and focused vision with blue light protection uvex’s latest innovation in its safety eyewear portfolio is the new CBR65 lens tint, which protects eyes from harm while delivering relaxed, focused vision with sharp contrast and blue light reduction. So, what does ‘CBR’ mean? The ‘C’ denotes improved contrast, giving clearer vision, reducing strain from harsh light or reflective surfaces and increasing comfort, making the lens ideal for indoor and outdoor applications.The ‘B’ indicates blue light reduction of up to 50% up to 450nm, rendering the lens perfect for screen work and use in bright, harsh, unnatural light.The ‘R’ signifies a relaxed field of vision, with 65% transmission of light, making the lens spot-on for tasks with high visual requirements. * safety@uvex.co.uk

( 01252 731200

8 www.uvex-safety.co.uk

The Expanded Metal Company announces certification for walkway mesh A heavy-duty walkway product from The Expanded Metal Company has been proven to offer an exceptional level of grip – making it highly suitable for use in hazardous environments, and for the construction of fire escapes, evacuation routes and disabled access ramps.The N7478 Supagrip walkway mesh has now been tested and certified to BS 7976 Part 2.The testing, which was carried out in December 2017, showed that across a range of gradients and in both wet and dry conditions, the N7478 Supagrip walkway mesh offered up to 268% more slip resistance than the minimum standard set for a product’s low slip potential. 8 www.expandedmetalcompany.co.uk * sales@exmesh.co.uk ( 01429 867388

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Building Elements

Powdertech Corby Evolution range on Great Portland Street Powdertech Corby has recently finished powder coating a mixed-use apartment building occupying a prominent corner position on Great Portland Street in London’s West End. The street is an interesting mix of small shops, grand 18th-century buildings and newer constructions with the imposing architecture of Portland Place and Harley Street nearby.Vabel has designed and built an additional two storeys onto the corner building to contain penthouse apartments. The 1980s facade of the building looked tired and out-of-keeping with the surrounding streetscape.Vabel has upgraded the entire facade in high-quality materials complementary to the surroundings. Expanded aluminium mesh was used, and this needed a metal finishing that would not only offer protection from weather and corrosion but would create a visual impact amongst the surrounding architecture. Powdertech Corby supplied several samples of aluminium mesh coated

Schöck appoints technical manager Robert Oakes is the new Technical Manager at the Schöck UK Head Office in Bicester, where he has overall responsibility for the specification engineering services department. Robert comments: “Our focus is always on providing architects and engineers with the optimum solution for any project, combined with the best possible technical support.” Robert, a Civil Engineer, has been with the company since 2014, most recently as a Project Engineer. He hands over this former role to Diana Vega, a newcomer to the company. Diana, also a Civil Engineer, has a great deal of experience in the construction industry having worked previously for Sika and Hilti. 8 www.schoeck.co.uk * design@schoeck.co.uk ( 01865 290890

in shades from the metallic range of the company’s Evolution collection of powder coatings. The selected shade was used to coat 75 panels of expanded mesh covering a total area of 230m2 and 150LM of angle components. “Our Evolution range of powders reflect the look of metal in its natural and weathered states. They provide a metal finishing that offers excellent protection from weather and corrosion and also looks that little bit different,” said Richard Besant, Director at Powdertech Corby.

8 www.powdertechcorby.co.uk * pcl@powdertechcorby.co.uk ( 01536

400890

Simpson expands range with masonry reinforcement and render mesh

Simpson Strong-Tie has introduced its latest product offerings – masonry reinforcement and render mesh solutions for timber and masonry construction. New products include: Bricktor for crack control reinforcement, Brickforce for structural reinforced masonry applications, Bricktie – developed to overcome the problems associated with lifting heavy blocks in the construction of 215mm and greater thickness walls – as well as STUCANET HGBM and EBM, purpose-designed steel welded wire mesh plaster and render carriers. Sales Director, Jon Head, comments:“The introduction of a complete suite of masonry reinforcement products means that, along with our wall ties, frame ties and joist hangers, we can now offer the widest range of masonry connectors to the UK construction sector.” * sgreenway@strongtie.eu

( 01827 255600

8 www.strongtie.co.uk

McAvoy announces record year and supports call for greater use of off-site The McAvoy Group has announced a record financial year, achieving a 10% growth in turnover to £60m. The business is on track to achieve its target of £100m turnover by 2020, and its £10m investment programme is now well underway. Eugene Lynch, Managing Director of the McAvoy Group, said: “We wholeheartedly support the Government’s commitment to prioritising the use of off-site manufacturing and modern methods of construction to improve the cost-effectiveness, productivity and speed of construction delivery. There is still a clear need for transformation in the construction sector to make it more efficient, faster, more sustainable and to apply better use of technological advancements such as digital construction.” * info@mcavoygroup.com ( 0288 774 0372

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Glazing for Life

The ﬁre resistant glazing system fails. Who in the supply chain allowed that to happen?

Story to be continued...

If fire resistant glazing is not designed, manufactured and installed correctly, it’s just glazing. Change the fire glass specification and lives are at stake – stick with Promat SYSTEMGLAS®. Find out more at promat-glass.co.uk/specifiedforareason.

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