FC&A April 21 by Red Hut Media Ltd

FUTURE CONSTRUCTOR & ARCHITECT

ISSUE 134

APRIL 2021

FC&A – APRIL – 2021

EDITOR’S NOTE Cross Platform Media LTD

W E L C O M E

T O

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FUTURE CONSTRUCTOR & ARCHITECT MAGAZINE EDITORIAL Rebecca Kemp rebecca@crossplatformmedia.co.uk Hannah Woodger hannah@crossplatformmedia.co.uk P R I N T & D I G I TA L A D V E R T I S I N G Sam Ball sam@crossplatformmedia.co.uk Jim Moore jim@crossplatformmedia.co.uk PRINT DESIGN MANAGER Jack Witcomb jack@crossplatformmedia.co.uk D I G I TA L D E S I G N M A N A G E R Matt Morse matt@crossplatformmedia.co.uk ACCOUNTS/CREDIT CONTROL Rachel Pike Rachel@crossplatformmedia.co.uk

APRIL 2021

This time last year, I spoke of our adaptability facing working-from-home practices, social distancing and national restrictions following the coronavirus pandemic. Furthermore, over the past few months, I’ve talked much about our ability to bounce back as a sector and continue to tackle many of the issues encountered within our industry. Two of these widespread critical flaws that we have addressed throughout the past year are the much-needed consideration to fire safety within our buildings and those all-important zero-carbon goals. Undeterred by the resulting challenges of COVID-19, we have successfully maintained education within these divisions; however, there is still much work to be done. Our consciousness of improving fire safety within all buildings has progressed, and we’re coming together to highlight the key areas that still require heightened awareness. This continuation of knowledge sharing must endure, and we cannot rest on our laurels when it comes to improvements. This month, we have spoken to a handful of manufacturers, associations and the like to see how far we’ve come almost four years on from the tragic Grenfell disaster. Firstly, Jonathan O’Neill OBE from the Fire Protection Association (FPA) asks whether competency has become more evident since Grenfell. In this article, he argues that we must place a greater degree of focus on fire safety competence and accountability for those responsible for building design. Turn to page 16 to read the whole story. Meanwhile, on page 30, John Allden from Tamlite Lighting explains that emergency lighting is still an issue tackled in the later stages of a project. Elsewhere, we speak to Kensa Contracting to assess how we’ve been adopting renewable technologies since COVID-19 sent shockwaves through the world. Here, Kensa explains how there’s been a change in attitude towards low-carbon technologies, like ground source heat pumps, over the past year. Turn to page 20 to find out more.

PUBLISHER Sam Ball sam@crossplatformmedia.co.uk Te r m s a n d C o n d i t i o n s : 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 editor’s hands. In the absence of an agreement the copyright of all contributions, literary, photographics or artistic belongs to Cross Platform Media 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.

CROSS PLATFORM MEDIA

SALES SUPPORT & A D M I N I S T R AT O R Klare Porter klare@crossplatformmedia.co.uk

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fcamagazine fcamagazine fcamagazine FC&A Magazine

Rebecca

REBECCA KEMP Editor, Future Constructor & Architect

ON THE COVER: Designed by Mecanoo, The National Kaohsiung Centre for the Arts symbolises the transformation of Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

SEE PAGE 14.

FC&A – APRIL – 2021

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APRIL CONTENTS

NEWS

VOICE OF THE I N DU S T RY:

ON SITE WITH S YK E S:

Jonathan O’Neill OBE, Managing Director of the Fire Protection Association (FPA), explores whether the issue of competency has become clearer since Grenfell.

This month, our regular Columnist and RIBA Architect, Christopher Sykes, explores some pre-spring innovations from the architecture and construction industry.

FEATURES

RENEWABLE T E C H NOLOG Y:

K BB:

DR AINAGE & LA NDS C A PI N G:

TECHNICAL FO C U S:

PAINTS:

30 32

We talk to Kensa Contracting about how attitudes towards low-carbon technologies have changed in the past year and how we can use them with integrated sustainable energy systems that have the potential to decarbonise heating in the near future.

Surfaces have a significant role to play in the overall look and feel of a space. Practical considerations need to be made in the kitchen and bathroom while also bearing in mind visual impact. Here, Simon Boocock from C. R. Laurence of Europe discusses the key trends in surfacing you should look out for.

If COVID-19 has taught us anything, it is the impact that the outdoors has on our health and wellbeing. But a fresh approach is needed to design and select paving for multifunctionality, sustainability and the ability to adapt to changing needs over time – as Chris Hodson of Interpave explains.

Sean Ballard, Managing Director of Sunray Doors, unearths the dos and don’ts of timber fire door specification for high-rise buildings. Speaking on behalf of Sunray’s Timber Fire Door division, he briefly runs through the essential elements to consider for optimum specification and installation.

With the majority of people still working from home, now is the ideal time to refresh workplaces to create an inviting interior that staff will look forward to returning to. In this article, Crown Paints addresses how to style a fresh and on-trend colour scheme that will tick all the right boxes.

BU ILD FOCU S: High-Rise Buildings: As the construction industry emerges from a difficult period where the safety of high-rise buildings has been questioned, Tamlite Lighting explains how, collectively, we can restore confidence.

BRICK S, BLOCKS & S TONE: Scott Denham, Sales Director from IG Masonry Support, gives insight into the limitless design opportunities bricks enable across commercial and residential applications.

PORTFOLIOS

BACA ARCHITEC T S , AS HW I C K E N L A K E :

THE NATIONAL K AOH S I U NG CENTRE FOR T HE ART S , ME C ANOO:

Baca Architects has released visuals of a floating island, the design of which was inspired by the water lilies that abound in the surrounding lake. The island will comprise units of holiday apartments and forms part of Baca’s master plan for Ashwicken Lake, a proposed new eco-resort in Norfolk.

The National Kaohsiung Centre for the Arts symbolises the transformation of Kaohsiung, Taiwan. What was once a major international harbour is now a modern, diverse city with a rich cultural climate. 5

FC&A – APRIL – 2021

OFFSITE CONSTRUCTION

SPECIAL BUILD FOR SPECIAL SCHOOL In the construction industry, it’s sometimes easy to overlook the importance of a simple classroom block. The latest addition to Ty Gwyn Special School may look like a normal school building, but it is packed with interesting features and was delivered using modern methods of construction (MMC). WERNICK BUILDINGS

he block is surrounded by security fencing with access-controlled gates and CCTV to ensure pupil safety when in school, and at either end of the block, bespoke, powder-coated aluminium canopies cover small separate playgrounds for each class, leading to a wider playground with built-in play equipment. However, as the name suggests, Ty Gwyn Special School is no ordinary school, and this is no ordinary classroom block. Ty Gwyn is wholly focused on supporting pupils who have profound or complex needs. Rated as ‘Excellent’ by Estyn, the education and training inspectorate for Wales, the school will educate children from three years to 19 years old, who might present severe or challenging behaviour. The school needed a new block urgently to cater for a rise in pupil numbers – with less than 10 pupils per class, classroom space is vitally important for the school. To procure the new block, Cardiff Council ran a mini-competition via the SEWSCAP framework, which was subsequently won by Wernick Buildings. The building is constructed using 18 individual modules, which were manufactured in

www.wernick.co.uk

Wernick’s dedicated factory in Port Talbot, less than an hour away from the site. These were transported to site by lorry, then craned into position and bolted together to form the core of the building. The brick cladding and trussed roof were then added to the core to give a traditional construction appearance. Manufacturing the building in a factory environment gave the project several advantages. Firstly, the building could be constructed at the same time as the foundations were being prepared, dramatically reducing programme length, particularly on site. Manufacture was also not affected by site conditions

like the weather, making the programme even more reliable. The reliability of modular building was further tested by the outbreak of COVID-19. However, as a large part of the fit-out had already been completed in the factory, Wernick Buildings was able to minimise the operatives needed on site at any one time. Combined with careful site management, this allowed Wernick to continue work during the first lockdown and, ultimately, the building was delivered ahead of schedule. Providing a robust building that would be both a safe and calming environment for

0800 112 4640 7

Ty Gwyn’s pupils, who can sometimes present challenging behaviour, was important. This was reflected in the enhanced specification required by the council, which Wernick embraced fully, enhancing its standard modular system to meet the requirements. The painted internal walls were upgraded with impactresistant plasterboard to better withstand the demanding classroom environment. The floor, apart from being fully non-combustible, was also enhanced to improve rigidity and acoustic performance. All the doors are also equipped with acoustic seals to reduce noise throughout the building and an ALUMASC Safehinge anti-finger trap system to avoid any opportunity for entrapment. Acoustic performance was especially important for the withdrawal rooms off each classroom. These spaces can be used when a child needs a calming and safe environment. The walls and floor of these were padded to ensure child safety, and were also equipped with an observation window and AV system. All classrooms are also equipped with a DDA-compliant toilet and shower room, as well as a ‘nurse call’ system to help staff in emergencies.

enquiries.buildings@wernickgroup.co.uk FC&A – APRIL – 2021

COATINGS & FIXINGS

FIXING INNOVATION STREAMLINES INSTALLATION OF FLAT ROOFS WITH TAPERED INSULATION Roofing and cladding fastening systems specialist EJOT UK has developed a new mechanical fastener solution to help installers save time and money when installing flat roofing with tapered insulation. EJOT UK

he JBS-R/EcoTek combination brings together a high-performing concrete screw (JBS-R 7.5) with a high-quality telescopic tube washer (EcoTek) to provide a fixing solution that is adjustable to fit the required depth of insulation. It is universally suitable too, providing a solution for mineral fibre, EPS, XPS and PIR tapered insulation.

www.ejot.co.uk FC&A – APRIL – 2021

As the main illustration shows, this makes the fastener suitable for any insulation depth of between 70 and 500mm, using fewer fastener/washer combinations than current mechanical fixing approaches. This can easily reduce fastener use for slope insulation of 120 to 260mm by as much as 25%, subject to the application, a site survey and pull-out test.

01977 687040 8

Installation is easy as only one embedment depth is needed. Whatever the insulation, thickness and adjustability is achieved thanks to the innovative way that the EcoTek tube washer is driven into place using a custom tool with the fastener already in place. And where the insulation is especially deep, installers can simply use EJOT’s flanged A-cone and extension – this helps to eliminate the awkwardness of drilling deep using standard SDS drills. Kevin Rackley, Product Manager for Flat Roofing Fastener Systems at EJOT UK, said: “Cut-to-falls insulation is used in around a third of all the flat roofs installed in the UK today, so it is important that we innovate and find ways to make this approach as easy and cost-effective as possible. “This is why the JBS-R/EcoTek fastening system offers huge potential to make a difference for installers. Given the need for only one set embedment, using JBS-R/EcoTek means installers don’t need to think about the usual variety of product combinations on site – the job can be done easier and quicker with an all-round better result. “And using this new EJOT product combination also simplifies ordering and stockholding for contractors with no need to source a variety of different concrete screws and stress plates.” Long-term performance is assured when using the JBS-R/EcoTek fastening system, given the quality materials used to manufacture both fastener elements. The JBS-R concrete screw is manufactured from case hardened steel, and the EcoTek tube washer is formed from high-quality polyamide plastic to provide a lasting solution.

info@ejot.co.uk

COATINGS & FIXINGS

MAINTAINING THE VIBE Powdertech Corby’s eye-catching finish, Evolution™ ‘Sandstorm’, has captured exactly the right aspect for a new £24m apartment block in Liverpool’s Baltic Triangle quarter, south of the city centre. POWDERTECH

his was formerly a major industrial and warehousing site servicing the city’s historic dock economy and is now a vibrant hub for digital and creative businesses, leisure and accommodation. The striking red brick facades of many of the original buildings remain, together with old remnants of industrial hardware, imparting an energetic atmosphere. The new apartment block was designed with the same objective; as one commentator put it: “We wanted to maintain the vibe.” For the aluminium feature panels on the facade, the designers were looking for a finish with a warm appearance that would reflect and update the industrial heritage. Powdertech’s Evolution™ and Landscape™ ranges have many shades with the appearance of rust and terracotta with the benefit of causing no run-off staining to pavement or brickwork.

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FC&A – APRIL – 2021

ARCHITECT IN PROFILE

ARC H IT EC T I N P RO F I LE Sally Lewis describes the start of her career as an exploration of what architectural education could offer. She was a practicing Architect in South Africa by the mid-‘90s, but turned to urban design thanks to a scholarship to study in the UK. By the turn of the millennium, she had completed an MA in urban design and was in the UK for good, building up her career with roles at the likes of Llewellyn Davies, John McAslan + Partners, CABE and HTA. Here, we find out about Sally’s time in South Africa, discover the designs she’s worked on here in the UK and learn more about the opening of her firm, Stitch Architects. STITCH ARCHITECTS

SALLY LEWIS IS THE FOUNDING DIRECTOR AT STITCH ARCHITECTS

Please tell us a bit about your career background. My instinct to bring architecture and urban design together led to the creation of Stitch – my way of integrating the disciplines seamlessly. It wasn’t all smooth sailing though. When I founded Stitch in 2012, I soon became aware that my qualifications weren’t valid in the UK, and I couldn’t legally call myself an Architect. Thus began the arduous journey of having my South African qualifications recognised and taking the Professional Practice Examination at the AA. So, I now have full qualifications in two countries and go about my business as an Architect with my head held high! Needless to say, the learning never stops.

www.stitcharchitects.co.uk FC&A – APRIL – 2021

crafted a new home for democracy, rich in local art, with Nelson Mandela as the client. Then there’s Cindy Walters and Michal Cohen, who gave me a job in the ‘90s. I’m proud to have been their first employee and am continuously inspired by the beautiful work and brilliant leadership at their practice, Walters and Cohen.

Had you always wanted to pursue a career in architecture? My first love was fine art, but my parents promptly shot that down! I didn’t capitulate completely, though – I’ve always had a creative streak, which won through in the end. Dad said architecture was a no-go – he didn’t know any famous female architects – so after a year studying law, I presented him with an impressive list of esteemed female architects, and switched degrees.

What has been your most notable project to date? The Acton Gardens regeneration project. My daughter was born in 2008, and I first set foot on the South Acton Estate in the same year, so I’m watching them grow up together. When we started working with the community, 80% of the residents wanted to leave the estate. I came up with the concept to ‘bring back the street’ in the new masterplan, and arrange new homes around a series of community gardens. These ideas are now taking shape, and Stitch has designed three major phases of the masterplan, bringing forward 706 mixed homes and a number of wonderful new streets and parks alongside the other phases being built out. The project is celebrated as an exemplar of community-led regeneration, and now 92% of residents want to stay!

Who has been your greatest influence? Studying at Durban University School of Architecture in its heyday, amongst an amazing cohort of students and teachers, gave me the best possible start. Three Durban women really stand out and continue to inspire me. The first is Janina Masojada, part of a fearlessly talented group of young architects who went on to win the international competition for the new Constitutional Court of South Africa. She

How do you approach your projects? We always start with the big picture. I love to walk the streets around and beyond a new site, exploring the neighbourhood character and community beyond the ‘red-line boundary’ of the site. This process adds richness and flavour to the design process as we start to craft the buildings and spaces, details and features that will bring delight to those visiting and living in the area.

ARCHITECT IN PROFILE

What do you think is the greatest challenge for designing in sustainability? We are designing and building in a climate emergency, and like most architects, we are aiming for all our projects to be zero carbon. But, without client investment and Government legislation, delivering this is a challenge. Architects need to be a driving force to change the status quo. What is your favourite building and why? The experience of moving through Carlo Scarpa’s Castelvecchio Museum has stayed with me, and it will be a place I visit again and again. His attention to detail and appreciation of craft, as he balances the new with the old, creates an instinctive journey through the space. It’s a subtle and joyful masterpiece. What do you think is the greatest challenge for architects today? Being resourceful with our skills, as the traditional role of an architect is increasingly devalued. We are more than designers of buildings, and we need to tap into the wider context of development to increase our impact, engaging with communities to build common venture and social capital through every project.

What do you think is the greatest challenge for architecture students at the moment? Balancing architectural education with on-the-ground experience is critical for students to develop to their full potential. With our Stitch Academy curriculum, we are providing enriching work experience opportunities for architecture students, and most of our team are involved with various mentoring programmes. Students need to find these opportunities and tap into them. What advice would you give to newly-qualified architects? Think about the big picture and get stuck into the detail. Don’t treat it as ‘just a job’ – only boundless passion will get you along your way! What can we expect to see from you over the next year? We have two projects in the Old Kent Road Opportunity Area going through planning this year, both representing big step changes for us. One is a 27-storey residential tower over an operational industrial yard, and the other is a student housing development, which is a new typology for us. Having worked with Southwark Council on the Old Kent Road masterplan for the past few years, it’s going to be great to see these ambitious projects being delivered. 11

FC&A – APRIL – 2021

BACA ARCHITECTS, ASHWICKEN LAKE

BACA ARCHITECTS MODELS FLOATING SANCTUARY ON WATER LILIES Baca Architects has released visuals of a floating island, the design of which was inspired by the water lilies that abound in the surrounding lake. The island will comprise units of holiday apartments and forms part of Baca’s master plan for Ashwicken Lake, a proposed new eco-resort in Norfolk, UK, which has recently been submitted for planning. BACA ARCHITECTS

he purpose behind our design is to evoke serenity amongst guests and synthesise human wellbeing,” says Richard Coutts, Principal of Baca Architects. “Lilies are a symbol of purity, wellness and peace. They float on the surface of the lake and extend their large leaves to attract the sunlight.” The ‘water lily’ is a two-storey structure but, since the embankment is approximately 2.5m higher than the structure’s primary floor, only one storey will be visible above the rim of the lake. All 40 apartments will enjoy a clear view out onto the lake, and the clustered nature of the design will work to create a spacious courtyard for social gatherings in the centre of the island. The form of the water lily is designed to provide a sheltered enclave, achieving a generous sunbathing terrace at lake level with moorings for sailing boats. Access will be by the lake’s electric water taxis or via two footbridges from newlyFC&A – APRIL – 2021

relandscaped areas where bunding and planting at the further extremity of the site will further screen the island and generate a sense of complete sanctuary. “The water lily is both architecture and a living sculpture,” says Richard Coutts. “Imagine holidaying here – it will be so refreshing, pure escapism and unlike anything else that the UK has to offer. It’s been an absolute joy to work on this project and wonderful that the client has been involved at every stage of its evolution.” A £35m investment by Norfolk Farm Leisure will see the 80-hectare site reimagined as a destination for staycations and day trips where outstanding architectural elements will be elegantly combined with an enhanced and tranquil natural landscape. The resort will feature the UK’s first floating clubhouse offering a spa with a pool, a cafe/restaurant and alfresco waterside dining, all of which will be 12

open to both staying guests and local people. The club will be encircled by 132 contemporary lodges, located on or near the water’s edge and each with a mooring. These lodges will be arranged in clusters, interspersed with new planting, trees, follies and water taxi jetties to create different character across the resort. In addition, there will be 22 treehouses nestled in the woodlands. A range of water- and landbased activities will be available to suit all ages. Ashwicken Lake will benefit from seamless environmentally-responsible design. The proposal is aiming for zerocarbon both in production and operation, and areas of nature conservation will deliver a biodiversity net gain. Both the clubhouse and water lily are targeting a BREEAM ‘Very Good’ rating.

www.baca.uk.com

BACA ARCHITECTS, ASHWICKEN LAKE

FC&A – APRIL – 2021

THE NATIONAL KAOHSIUNG CENTRE FOR THE ARTS, MECANOO

MECANOO STEALS THE SHOW WITH SWOOPING OPULENT DESIGN Designed by Mecanoo, The National Kaohsiung Centre for the Arts symbolises the transformation of Kaohsiung, Taiwan. What was once a major international harbour is now a modern, diverse city with a rich cultural climate. The design is located on a former military site, as an integral part of the adjacent subtropical park and has a positive social impact on the residents of Kaohsiung, whose population counts almost three million. MECANOO

he open, protective shape of the local banyan tree becomes a springboard for The National Kaohsiung Centre for the Arts’ design. The trees’ iconic, wide crowns provide shelter against sun and rain and are a perfect expression of Kaohsiung’s humid atmosphere. In the city, the building’s expansive sheltered crown becomes the FC&A – APRIL – 2021

Banyan Plaza, a generous, sheltered, partially-enclosed public space. Designed with the subtropical climate in mind, the open structure allows the cooling wind to blow freely through. Between the four formal performance halls, which form the ‘trunks’ that support the undulating roof, a topography rising from ground level to 5m+ becomes part 14

of the park’s landscape. Residents can wander here day and night, practise Tai Chi or stage street performances along walkways and informal spaces. An openair theatre nestles on the roof where the structure curves to the ground, with the surrounding park forming the stage. The seamless flow between interior and exterior creates opportunities for crossovers between formal and informal performances. The vast, undulating structure is composed of a skin and roof and connects an extensive range of functions. The curved steel structure was built in cooperation between a local and a Dutch shipbuilder. The centre’s iconic canopy – a billowing plane of architectural fabric akin to a tectonic plate – forms the conceptual foundation of the project. This undulating roof is a marvel of structural engineering,

THE NATIONAL KAOHSIUNG CENTRE FOR THE ARTS, MECANOO

with one side scooped out to form a beautifully-landscaped amphitheatre for a plethora of outdoor performances. Seven hectares of green space, balanced between hard and soft landscaping, accommodate event spaces and logistical access while creating a gradient of nature towards the neighbouring Weiwuying Park. Moving inside, curving walls expand and contract like the branches of a banyan tree, generating organic spaces for playing, making, viewing art and taking in performances. The scale of the project is virtually unprecedented, yet the character of each space remains welcoming and accessible to its inhabitants. Different theatres such as the 1981seat concert hall and 2236-seat opera house are located in the five cores (or ‘legs’, as they’re also known) of the

building where the structure meets the ground. The cores connect with one another via foyers in the roof and an underground service floor which houses the backstage area of each theatre. The concert hall is shaped like a stepped vineyard with a stage at its centre and terraces at different floor heights encircling the podium. With seating on all sides of the stage, the audience is in close proximity to the performance itself. The opera house is arranged in the form of a horseshoe with three circled balconies. This theatre is suitable for Western opera, with an orchestra of over 70 musicians. The seating is upholstered in a mixture of red and purple fabrics with a pattern of Taiwanese flowers, contrasting with the darker walls. The 434-seat recital hall has the most intimate atmosphere of the four. With its 15

asymmetrical composition and seating across two levels, it is designed for chamber music and recital performances. The seats in the recital hall have the same golden fabric as the concert hall, and oak lines the walls. The upper part of this hall is enclosed by a circle of soundabsorbing curtains, allowing for the reverberation time within the space to be tuned to specific types of performance. The playhouse, with 1210 seats, is designed to host a variety of drama and dance performances. Flexibility is the core element in the design of this multifunctional space. In the playhouse, the layout is adaptable and can be changed from a typical proscenium stage with the audience in front to a thrust stage with the audience on three sides.

www.mecanoo.nl FC&A – APRIL – 2021

VOICE OF THE INDUSTRY

HAS THE ISSUE OF COMPETENCY BECOME CLEARER POST-GRENFELL?

JONATHAN O’NEILL OBE IS THE MANAGING DIRECTOR OF THE

The Grenfell Tower tragedy exposed fundamental and deep-rooted issues over competency, highlighting major skills and knowledge gaps amongst those responsible for the design, construction, maintenance and day-to-day operation of buildings. In this article, Jonathan O’Neill OBE, Managing Director of the Fire Protection Association (FPA), explores whether the issue of competency has become clearer since Grenfell, and argues that a greater degree of focus must be placed on fire safety competence and accountability for those responsible for building design.

FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION (FPA)

THE FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION (FPA)

Moving competency forward post-Grenfell In the aftermath of the Grenfell tragedy, an Independent Review into Building Regulation and Fire Safety was commissioned by the UK Government. Led by Dame Judith Hackitt, the review urged a “radical rethink of the whole system and how it works”, claiming that the industry “has not reflected and learned for itself, nor looked to other sectors”. So, has it been successful? The Hackitt Review was a significant piece of work that recommended a more robust approach to managing higher-risk residential buildings (HRRBs). The review has put greater pressure on the construction industry and pushed for individuals – including architects and building designers – to increase their understanding of fire risks, as well as the importance of using the appropriate materials and systems to maximise safety. But what specific implications does the review have for building design and construction? It found that the current regulatory system does not properly identify who the key duty holders in the procuring, design and construction of buildings should be and the key accountabilities that flow from these roles. It then goes on to make specific recommendations, including highlighting the roles of principal designers and specialists commissioned to support and the need for them to have robust and accountable systems; recommendations that are aligned closely with those described in the Construction Design and Management Regulations 2015. FC&A – APRIL – 2021

The review identified that all those involved in supporting the principal designer should also have the suitable and certified skills, knowledge and experience (i.e. competency) to perform those roles. The issue of fire safety competence is fundamental to improving standards, yet across the board – including within roles in building design, construction and building and facilities management – tasks are often performed without the necessary skills and experience. We only need to look to the Grenfell and earlier Lakanal House fires as evidence for this. It is recognised that architectural design courses devote only a minor proportion of time to the consideration of fire safety requirements. However, it is vital that architects and designers recognise the limitations of their competence and consult or appoint competent accredited professionals with demonstrable specialist expertise when necessary. For example, while it is understandable that an architect may not have in-depth knowledge of certain fire safety requirements in relation to building design, particularly for complex, multi-occupancy new builds or refurbishment projects, they should engage a competent fire consultant or, where necessary, fire engineer to ensure

VOICE OF THE INDUSTRY

What does competency mean?

that fire safety is prioritised within their designs. They must similarly ensure that they engage with competent specifiers to ensure that product and material choices will meet the design criteria for fire safety performance.

Ensuring accountability Accountability cannot simply be passed down the supply chain as we have seen occur historically. The Hackitt Review’s identification of the need for ‘duty holders’ is a welcome first step in clearly identifying roles and responsibilities, but we have to see this carried through in practice, and we must ensure these individuals – including building designers – have the right skills and competencies themselves.

Following the Hackitt Review, the Competence Steering Group (CSG) – a cross-industry body backed by the Government, Industry Safety Steering Group (ISSG), Dame Judith Hackitt herself and representing over 150 organisations – also released its report, ‘Setting the Bar: a new competence regime for building a safer future’, in October 2020. This provided a blueprint for improving competency and outlines the requirements of duty holders in the building design and management process. The CSG’s report is welcomed; however, the size of the task at hand is significant. An ISSG report from 2020 identified a “lack of widespread, proactive” leadership on building safety. 17

While events such as Grenfell have shone a light on the varying levels of competency within the industry, there is currently still no consistent definition of what competency means, which makes holding people accountable much more difficult. Both the Hackitt Review findings and the subsequent Setting the Bar report have suggested that the idea of competence must be relevant to the individual situation. However, this does not take away from the fact that individuals must have sufficient training, experience or knowledge to allow them to act within best practice. It is the FPA’s view that best practice should, of course, be determined with thorough reference to current guidelines, but that in many cases, these don’t go far enough. For example, while Building Regulations enforce stricter fire safety requirements for buildings over 18m tall, these are general guidelines and don’t take into account the specific requirements of the building or the occupants within it. Nor for that matter do they consider the stated requirements of the client, which may look beyond the basic legislative requirements for life safety to include aspects that will ensure a building’s resilience to fire. Individual design features have their own specific impact upon fire safety, and it is, therefore, vital that these factors are properly assessed by a competent individual, with recommendations acted upon – even if they are to the detriment of planned design features or material choices. A truly competent architect or construction professional should not make decisions based solely on the height of the building. They must consider, amongst many other things, the fundamental issues of occupancy type, occupant profile, the evacuation procedure and how the building will be used. We must see Building Regulations and associated prescriptive guidance published in the Approved Documents as the bare minimum and seek to go above and beyond this to protect lives and property alike. It is critical for all those involved in the design, construction and management of a building to remember that they play a vital role in the future of its safety and the welfare of its inhabitants. Therefore, constructors and architects should be taking all necessary steps to ensure they are operating in alignment with fire safety best practice and seeking the appropriate, competent external support in order for them to do so.

www.thefpa.co.uk FC&A – APRIL – 2021

COLUMN

ON SITE WITH SYKES CHRISTOPHER SYKES I S A N A R C H I T E C T W H O T R A I N E D AT T H E B A R T L E T T S C H O O L O F A R C H I T E C T U R E AT U N I V E R S I T Y C O L L E G E LO N D O N . A F T E R H E Q U A L I F I E D , H E W O R K E D I N B O T H LO N D O N A N D S W E D E N . H AV I N G W I D E N E D H I S W R I T I N G A N D J O U R N A L I S T I C S K I L L S , H E S U B S E Q U E N T LY S TA R T E D H I S O W N P U B L I S H I N G C O M PA N Y S P E C I A L I S I N G I N B U I L D I N G M A G A Z I N E S A N D E V E N T S . A S A H O B B Y, H E U S E D T O W R I T E S I T C O M F O R T H E B B C .

The modular Red House is the latest addition to the ‘Home by Urban Splash’ portfolio

The winner of Cuprinol’s Shed of the Year in 2017

SPRING FORWARD

by award-winning architect firm shedkm. It offers the boldest and most modern aesthetic to date, characterised by vibrant red cladding and oversized floor-to-ceiling windows. It comes in a choice of three sizes with the same footprint; two-storey, two-and-a-half-storey with a roof terrace and threestorey with a fantastic master suite. As with all House by Urban Splash homes, layouts can all be customised by the buyer to suit their lifestyle and taste.

The latest RIBA CPD theme focuses on the ‘bubble’ that surrounds us as we live, play and work indoors. It suggests that as the physical boundary between the conditioned and unconditioned environment of a building, the building envelope must keep its users safe while also addressing the practicalities of day-to-day living. Many of the manufacturers and service providers which these CPDs feature are industry leaders in providing that protection. It reminds us that many of their popular seminars are still available online. Below are a selection of other pre-spring observations.

AJ Retrofit Award This winner from a host of interesting others is a project that transformed an unloved 1970s Brutalist council office in Euston into a hotel – a scheme the judges described as “remarkable”. The building was originally designed by Camden Council’s in-house architects as an annexe to the town hall. Despite being identified as detracting from the character of the local conservation area, Orms and its client Crosstree Real Estate Partners worked to retain it, converting it into a 266-bed boutique hotel while retaining 94% of the primary structure including basement and piling. FC&A – APRIL – 2021

Interior design trends 2020 Market Recap Evidence of the impact that COVID-19 has had on homeowners and renters has come to the fore now and will likely keep shaping how we design residential spaces for years to come. Interior Design Studio Fibre’s newsletter spotlights that popularity of the home office has increased by 39% in the third quarter of 2020. Insights into several health and wellness categories also showed demand for exercise rooms and flexible spaces within homes, in addition to products for improving indoor air quality. The requirement for task lighting also rose in popularity. This has meant that more than ever, renters are aware of the importance of sound-proofing, good natural light, efficiencies in layouts and accessibility to quality outdoor space. 2021 trends will see water filtration and air purification systems, plus innovative circadian electric lighting technology to promote regenerative sleep. Community apps will enhance residents’ daily lives to assist in connecting with each other and the wider community in helping to break down the social barriers we are seeing due to restrictions. Studies are showing a large majority of people would like to continue to spend at least half of their working week from home. Given this information, there is a huge expectation that residential design will ensure these growing demands are captured in a sympathetic way. All of the above has meant that the BTR (Build to Rent) sector is more relevant than ever.

The judges commended the three-storey extension for responding to the existing building – the addition clad in stainless steel, with columns threaded down through existing waffle slabs to the first-floor transfer slab. A reinstated public garden to the south reconnects the building to the local streetscape.

Modular housing addition Modern house-builder, House by Urban Splash, has introduced a new typology. Row House is the fourth to be added to its portfolio of modern homes. Like Town House and Mansion House before, Row House is designed 18

COLUMN

Sheds of the Year Prepare to discover what new heights of creativity the nation’s ‘sheddies’ have scaled during lockdown – as Cuprinol Shed of the Year returns for 2021 (www. readersheds.co.uk). The past year has seen unprecedented amounts of time spent in homes and gardens. This has resulted in a DIY boom that has reshaped our living environments – by creating office spaces, back garden pubs and peaceful refuges away from the world outside. That’s why Cuprinol is predicting that the 15th year of its much-loved Shed of the Year competition will be the most exciting one yet, once the April deadline for entries is passed.

The new regulator It is worth noting that recently the Government announced that a new national construction products regulator has been set up to ensure homes are built from safe materials – https://www.gov.uk/government/ news/new-regulator-established-to-ensureconstruction-materials-are-safe. The regulator must also support the ‘Golden Thread’. This means simple access to digital records about construction products that are based on testing standards and processes that are transparent and accurate. Only when this is done will the design teams, constructors and clients have the assurances that the products they have specified are built and maintained.

This 1970s original London council office has been transformed into a luxurious hotel and is a major winner in the recent AJ Retrofit Awards

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FC&A – APRIL – 2021

RENEWABLE TECHNOLOGY

EXPLORING THE EFFECTS OF THE PANDEMIC ON OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH RENEWABLE TECHNOLOGY During the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been an increased focus on renewable technologies and the part they will play in the country’s road to economic recovery as the UK ‘builds back greener’. KENSA CONTRACTING

n this article, leading supplier and delivery partner Kensa Contracting explores how attitudes towards lowcarbon technologies like ground source heat pumps have changed in the past year and how they can be used with integrated sustainable energy systems that have the potential to decarbonise heating in the near future.

A borehole drill rig

The role of renewables in building back greener As Teresa May left parliament in July 2019, she set the UK the goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 – committing the country to the world’s most ambitious climate change target in decades. When the coronavirus outbreak began in the UK in early 2020, it seemed like this national emergency would put the brakes on the country’s efforts to move towards decarbonisation. FC&A – APRIL – 2021

However, reviewing energy trends from the past year shows that during the pandemic – in a time when the production of energy from fossil fuels such as oil, gas and coal fell overall – renewable generation rose significantly compared with previous years, demonstrating its increasing importance to the national energy mix. The social restrictions necessitated by the pandemic greatly reduced people’s mobility, and this, as well as a shutdown of industry, caused a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants such as nitrogen oxide and carbon dioxide. These widely reported environmental benefits led to a heightened awareness amongst the public of the need to be more eco-friendly and motivated them to campaign to continue the positive impact that it had on our planet. 20

Public opinion was backed up by Westminster, and in November 2020 the Government announced a robust 10-point plan committing to making homes greener and decarbonising the UK’s electricity supply, setting the country back on track to meet its net-zero carbon target. Branded a ‘green industrial revolution’, the plan aims to boost the low-carbon economy, creating 250,000 jobs. However, reduced social mobility alone is not enough to curb air pollution and halt climate change, nor is it something that anybody wants to see long-term. It is worth noting that according to the CCC, 40% of the UK’s carbon emissions come from the domestic heating sector. With more people staying indoors and working from home, figures show that domestic energy consumption rose by 2.5%, with an increase in demand for gas, especially during the cold winter months.

RENEWABLE TECHNOLOGY

“In the last 12 months, the people I’ve been speaking with have been much more engaged and receptive when it comes to ground source heat pump systems.”

This is an area Kensa believes that ground source heat pumps could have a massive impact on. Ground source heat pumps can achieve higher efficiencies than any other heating system by using the freely available and naturally replenished heat energy from ground and water sources. The Government’s 10-point plan announced that heat pumps will play a crucial role in the journey to net-zero carbon, with 600,000 projected installations per year by 2028. However, fewer than 1% of homes in England currently use one, so production and installation of the technology will need to be massively scaled up over the next few years if we are to achieve the target.

“In the past, some people would shut down conversations about ground source because of the misconception that it was too expensive. They now realise that the technology often costs less than they thought and works out cheaper than air source and PV, whose efficiency fluctuates depending on the weather and season. Ground source heat pumps also have lifespans of 20 to 30 years and minimal maintenance costs, which is particularly useful for local authority housing association specifiers whose costings are based on 30- to 40year cycles.” Over the last 12 months, Kensa has received an increase in enquiries, especially in the new-build private sector, where the technology is seen as increasingly viable due to economies of scale. Kensa has developed an innovative shared ground loop system architecture, which is unobtrusive, scalable and perfectly suited for large domestic developments.

Architects and specifiers thinking outside the box The Government recently provided motivation for architects to specify more heat pump systems with its long-awaited response to the Part L Future Homes Standard. The consultation response states that from 2025, no new homes will be built with fossil fuel heating systems, such as natural gas boilers, and anticipates that “heat pumps will become the primary heating technology for new homes”. George Gillow, Sales Manager for the South West at Kensa Contracting, confirmed that the new legislation is certainly on the agenda of the specifiers, architects and M&E consultants that he regularly speaks with. He said: “In the last 12 months, the people I’ve been speaking with have been much more engaged and receptive when it comes to ground source heat pump systems. I think this is certainly to do with the new legislation – ground source offers top scores on compliance with Part L. It could also possibly be because they have more time at home due to COVID to do proper research into the low-carbon heating technologies that they will increasingly be specifying in the future. 21

Ambient temperature pipework links clusters of boreholes to a network of heat pumps in individual properties. The shared ground loop system acts as a thermal energy supply grid, circulating low-grade heat from the ground, water or waste heat processes around a network of pipes. The heat pumps then upgrade this heat at the point of use to deliver heating and hot water whenever it is needed in the separate dwellings. George explains the significance of ground source heat pump infrastructure: “The stumbling block for the widespread adoption of the technology has always been the ground array. Whether a system uses boreholes, slinkies or utilises a water source, installing the pipework needed to extract heat from the ground has often been regarded as the costly and difficult element of a ground source heat pump system. However, rather than a cost burden, at Kensa, we view ground arrays as an asset that can unlock all the advantages of our technology. “We have developed a split ownership model that separates the cost of the heat pump unit from that of the ground array, allowing external funders, such as energy or water companies, to own and operate heat pump infrastructure that mimics the existing gas network. This provides a viable pathway for the widespread adoption of the technology. In a new-build scenario, a single decisionmaker can ensure every household is connected from the outset, and it also means less cost for the house-builder.”

www.thekensagroup.com FC&A – APRIL – 2021

KBB

SCRATCHING THE SURFACE OF KITCHEN AND BATHROOM TRENDS

he materials used for kitchen and bathroom surfaces have a tremendous impact on the design of the space overall, both visually and practically. Now more than ever before, comfort and luxury are at the heart of kitchen and bathroom design. These are rooms that need to be as big on practical benefits as they are on style. The kitchen is a multi-functional space at the heart of our homes, while the bathroom is a homespa, a place of sanctuary and escapism, and it is the surfaces chosen for these two areas that will have the biggest impact. Surfaces such as worktops, countertops, walls and floors are all highly visible. This means that from an aesthetic viewpoint, the style and colours chosen really do matter. The kitchen and bathroom are also hightraffic areas, of course, so practicalities are just as important. Materials that are easy to wipe clean and can withstand high temperatures and spillages must prevail. For work surfaces in the kitchen, heat and stain resistance are of extreme

Surfaces have a big role to play in the overall look and feel of a space. In the kitchen and bathroom, in particular, practical considerations need to be made while also bearing in mind the visual impact of such visible fixtures as worktops, countertops, splashbacks and even flooring. Here, Simon Boocock, Managing Director of C. R. Laurence of Europe, takes us through the key trends in surfaces to look out for. C. R. LAURENCE OF EUROPE

FC&A – APRIL – 2021

importance, which accounts in large part for the growing popularity of materials, including quartz and ceramic. Extremely hard-wearing, these materials are non-porous, stain-, scratch-, heat- and shock-resistant and also very strong and simple to care for, making them ideal for kitchens. Quartz and ceramic can be chosen in a wide range of colours and patterns, as the CRL Quartz and Ceralsio collections from CRL Stone demonstrate, making these materials an extremely flexible option for kitchen design in contemporary and classicallystyled properties alike. From a style viewpoint, large slabs can be used to create astonishing vertical surfaces on kitchen walls and offer endless possibilities for floors and countertops, visually expanding spaces with fewer design interruptions. Visual appeal is one of the main drivers for the popularity of marble-inspired patterns in the kitchen. The elegance of marble accounts for much of its appeal, yet the material itself is not overly suited to the kitchen environment due to its high-maintenance needs. Alternatives such as ceramic

KBB

and quartz offer the opportunity to embrace this trend, both from a style and functional perspective. Although they can be chosen as imitations of natural materials such as marble and wood, quartz and ceramic don’t need to be sealed, which means maintenance is straightforward. Revised classy marble and granite patterns displaying elegant veins used on kitchen worktops and on bathroom walls and floors create a sophisticated ambience that is the epitome of luxury and sophistication. The ancestral charm of stone makes it one of the most popular materials in contemporary design, with materials such as quartz and ceramic ensuring that this look is solid, durable and extremely versatile. CRL Stone surfaces, for example, are designed to interpret both more minimalist tastes as well as the more refined and stylish ones. And with industrial styling being a hot look in contemporary interior design, surfaces made from quartz and ceramic enable materials commonly associated with professional kitchens to be included, making a powerful statement with their sheer simplicity. Packed

full of modern style, concreteeffect big slabs inspired by this industrial material’s simplicity and strength are an ideal choice for creating a minimalist look and feel. Composite surfaces that celebrate the dramatic effects and contrasting colours created during the ageing process of raw metal, with a bold and arresting appearance, are perfect for urban and industrial settings. Mixing dark and light tones on worktops is very much ontrend and creates an individual look that is particularly effective across large and open-plan spaces. Using different surfaces for different areas of an open-plan kitchen also helps differentiate – important in today’s multi-functional kitchen living areas. Some ‘zones’ within the larger space, such as where food is to be prepared, may require a more durable or water-resistant surface than others too, providing another opportunity to mix and match materials appropriately. Overall, the latest trends in surfaces for the kitchen and bathroom give creative freedom while ensuring the finished space works on a practical level too.

“From a style viewpoint, large slabs can be used to create astonishing vertical surfaces on kitchen walls and offer endless possibilities for floors and countertops, visually expanding spaces with fewer design interruptions.”

www.crlstone.co.uk 23

FC&A – APRIL – 2021

DRAINAGE & LANDSCAPING

POST-PANDEMIC PAVING

gardens, as centrally-located self-driving electric cars become a reality. With uncertainty about how new requirements will pan out over time, a flexible and adaptable approach to urban paving is essential. Designers should now seize the opportunity to reinvent the public realm and take the lead in developing innovative, sustainable and attractive solutions.

If COVID-19 has taught us anything, it is the importance of the outdoors – the spaces between and around buildings, as well as the public realm – to our health, safety and wellbeing. But a fresh approach is needed to designing and selecting paving for multifunctionality, sustainability and the ability to adapt to changing needs over time – as Chris Hodson of the trade association Interpave explains. INTERPAVE

ational and local Governments’ initial responses to the pandemic included a raft of temporary measures, including street narrowing and closures, raised planters and a sea of barriers, bollards and signage, all intended to transfer more space for people from traffic, enabling social distancing. Many of these measures proved unpopular and should be removed over the coming months. But simply reverting to the previous vehicle-led designs is not the answer, and new, attractive solutions are needed for the future.

Re-usable assets Modular concrete paving systems are ideally placed to meet these new challenges, whether on new or retrofitted schemes. Adopting the principles of ‘modern methods of construction’, factoryproduced modular concrete paving delivers fast, lowcost installation, with limited intervention – particularly essential for retrofits. Importantly, in these uncertain times, layouts can easily be altered and modular concrete paving taken up and re-used to meet changing demands, providing a long-term, sustainable asset. The distinct, modular units and designed variations in colour, texture and shape can break up areas giving ‘kerb

Rethinking the urban environment It is now clear that the pandemic has triggered a fundamental rethink about other aspects of how we live and work. The Government has launched ‘active travel’ initiatives encouraging walking and cycling to reduce obesity, while home working and the growth of online shopping have created a debate about new ‘15-minute neighbourhoods’ and the reinvention of the suburbs as well as town centres. The new ‘low-traffic neighbourhoods’ – a reminder of previously adopted ‘home zones’ – highlight a move away from car dependency and the paving needed for them, in favour of shared spaces where pedestrians and cyclists feel at home and car drivers considered as visitors. These initiatives are being embraced again by local authorities in planning policies and masterplans. One visionary example is the Essex new town of Chelmsford Garden Village, where limited car parking will gradually be converted to new uses, such as communal FC&A – APRIL – 2021

appeal’ and a human scale not possible with monotonous, formless materials. So, modular concrete paving delivers a unique combination of predictability, safety and accessibility for all, with scope for endless variety in shape, scale, colour and texture to enrich the urban environment. It offers potential for real ‘places for people’ that are both multifunctional and adaptable to change. With COVID-19, many longer-term issues, considered important for some time but left on the back-burner, are now resurfacing with the current emergency acting as a catalyst accelerating action. Stemming from our approach to water in the urban environment with climate change, these issues have major implications for the built environment, including paving for both new and regeneration projects. In particular, this winter’s flooding is a timely reminder of the importance of sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) in reducing the damaging impacts of rainwater run-off.

DRAINAGE & LANDSCAPING

Multifunctional SuDS But SuDS techniques, such as permeable paving, offer far more than flood reduction. As well as structural pavements suitable for applications ranging from container terminals to pedestrian areas, concrete block permeable paving also provides an inherent drainage system that requires no additional land take for water storage, treatment or conveyance. It can retain water within the paving construction during flood events, for gradual discharge. And it also removes water-borne pollution, providing a controlled flow of clean water at the head of the ‘SuDS management train’, enabling safe, open SuDS features on the surface. Water from permeable paving is important for biodiversity and green infrastructure – particularly trees, essential to cooling our towns and cities in summer and reducing air pollution. And the presence of water within permeable paving itself offers potential for evaporative cooling, in addition to the high solar reflectance (or albedo) of many concrete paving surfaces.

Paving safety and comfort Rainwater puddles are eliminated, reducing the risk of ice forming on the surface and preventing splashing from standing water, as are the ubiquitous potholes that threaten cyclists as well as vehicles. Permeable paving can provide a completely level, welldrained, firm and slip-resistance surface accessible to all, without the need for crossfalls, channels, gulleys or other interruptions. As well as for full-depth, new paved areas, the multifunctional benefits of concrete block permeable paving 25

technology can also be exploited to regenerate existing conventional streets and other areas. Applied as a thin overlay on existing road bases, concrete block permeable paving infills between kerbs raise the surface up to footway level, transforming the whole area into an appealing, safe and comfortable shared surface. Rainwater runs straight off the surface without gulleys and is attenuated and cleaned before discharging – potentially to adjacent, planted rain gardens or bioretention areas to sustain green infrastructure.

www.paving.org.uk FC&A – APRIL – 2021

TECHNICAL FOCUS

THE DOS AND DON’TS OF TIMBER FIRE DOOR INSTALLATION AND SPECIFICATION In this article, Sean Ballard, Managing Director of Sunray Doors, unearths the dos and don’ts of timber fire door specification for high-rise buildings. Speaking on behalf of Sunray’s Timber Fire Door division, he briefly runs through the essential elements to consider for optimum specification and installation, and outlines key points you should address to ensure high performance and compliance. SUNRAY DOORS

here are several specification and installation dos and don’ts to consider when it comes to new or existing highrise buildings. Here, I look at a few critical points you must think about when opting for timber fire doors for a high-rise project:

The dos

1. Appoint a competent and qualified Fire Door Inspection Scheme (FDIS) surveyor in the first instance to understand and formally report the level of existing compliance or non-compliance issues 2. Identify the key areas which are critical to providing passive fire protection. For example, in residential high-rise applications, these will include residents’ front doors, as well as all subsequent internal doors within apartments. 3. Identify public or communal areas of access, such as stairwells, entrance and lift lobbies, bin stores, underground parking access and any other points within the complex that could require a level of passive fire protection 4. Ensure the substructure around the fire door provides fire integrity, i.e. is it a real fire stop or fire break? Undertake a core sample if in doubt. 5. Ensure the correct level of fire door rating is appropriate for the application, i.e. using the minimum rating of FD30 may not be adequate in a high-rise building. Therefore, an upgrade may be required in the form of FD120. Also, make sure all internal doors provide an equal rating. 6. Consider door security as well as fire integrity. Sunray offers a combined SR- and FD-rated product. FC&A – APRIL – 2021

SEAN BALLARD IS THE MANAGING DIRECTOR OF SUNRAY DOORS

The installation of fire doors must be undertaken in accordance with the manufacturer – or, ideally, installed by the manufacturer 8. Make sure the product specified conforms to accredited ratings such as BM TRADA and request proof from the manufacturer. This should also include the locking and hardware, vision panels and any additions to the door. 9. Request samples for evaluation and assurance of quality 10. Ascertain the product’s origin of manufacture.

The don’ts

1. Do not believe the performance marketed by any given manufacturer until you have the certification to back it up 2. Never compromise safety and product performance over budget

Key questions

1. Does the product meet UK Building Regulations for your specific application? 2. Are the installers competent, trained and certified in such products? 3. Post-specification and -installation, what is the warranty or lifespan of the product and its components? 4. Is there a service and maintenance schedule to ensure warranty validation?

www.sunraytimberdoors.co.uk 26

Sunray Doors’ Timber Fire Door division manufactures and installs its range of timber fire doors and dual fire and security doors to a detailed methodology accredited by BM TRADA and Certifire

P O LY P I P E A D VA N TA G E

MORE THAN FABRICATION Polypipe Advantage is more than fabrication. But what do we mean by more? From quotation to final delivery, you’re in control. With access to our team of specialists, full details on scheduling and logistics, detailed information and visual designs – all at your fingertips. Fabricated water supply systems and drainage stack solutions arrive on-site, fully configured and ready to install. Whilst a dedicated project manager and technical team cover every detail to ensure that it fits perfectly; first time, every time. What’s more, using the Polypipe Advantage Service gives you more time savings, more cost-effective installations and makes a complex project, simple. What more could you possibly need?

Add more to fabrication, visit polypipe.com/polypipeadvantage 27

FC&A – APRIL – 2021

PAINTS

SETTING THE TONE FOR COMMERCIAL INTERIORS

Crown’s colour consultants work with specifiers to help create spaces that benefit the user, applying elements of colour psychology to make that a reality. Many environments demand different interior colour schemes depending on their use – office space, meeting rooms and canteens, for example, will all require a slightly different approach. Green, in particular, has become a popular interior colour recently, with its instant association with nature and sustainability. And with the well-known link between nature and wellbeing, it’s undoubtedly a colour to consider for commercial buildings, particularly areas where a calming, restful space is needed.

Carefully considered colour schemes for commercial buildings such as offices can benefit users by assisting with wayfinding, wellbeing and even productivity. With the majority of people still working from home at the moment, now is the ideal time to refresh workplaces to create an inviting interior that staff will look forward to returning to. Here, Crown Paints’ Colour Consultant, Kathryn Lloyd, addresses how to style a fresh and on-trend colour scheme which will tick all the right boxes. CROWN PAINTS

Wellness and wellbeing When it comes to our health and wellbeing, the use of colour is essential as it plays a major role in the overall atmosphere in a commercial building’s interior. Colour is almost entirely subjective, which means that every individual responds to different shades uniquely, so preferences can’t always be generalised. Culture, language and memories all contribute towards the impact colour has on our behaviour. The field of colour psychology explores the impact colour has on human behaviour. While this remains an area where there is so much more to learn, continuous research is developing our knowledge and understanding. FC&A – APRIL – 2021

As a general rule, muted shades are seen as calmer, while vibrant colours are more energetic, and this can have an effect both mentally and physically. Muted colours can set the scene for quiet individual working areas, while brighter bold shades encourage creativity and are best suited to meeting rooms or breakout areas. That said, there needs to be a balance – it’s relatively easy to propose calming blue or green hues in an office, but this could result in an uninspiring space. It has been shown that bland colour schemes can result in people being understimulated, leading to restlessness. In contrast, an overly busy scheme can cause irritability and over-stimulation.

PAINTS

Signposting to help with wayfinding Equally, you can use colour to help wayfinding, especially in corridors and other circulation areas. Specifying different colours in different locations or levels of a building, known as ‘zoning’, is a simple way to help users navigate their way around easily. Colour is also a key consideration for creating inclusive and fully-accessible environments that cater to those with dementia, autism, or with visual impairments. Something as simple as highlighting the edge of a stair tread with an intense colour can help visitors easily distinguish steps. Colours must complement each other and provide the required level of tonal contrast. Contrast can be determined by

the light reflective values (LRVs) of each colour, which relates to the amount of visible light reflected when illuminated by a light source. On a scale from 0 to 100 – where zero is assumed to be an absolute black and 100 to be an entirely reflective white (white paint has an LRV of 90) – it is recommended that there is a difference of approximately 30 points between the colours. You can use contrast shades to highlight features such as doorways, access areas and handrails, as required under the Equalities Act.

Crown Paints, invest heavily in developing new colour trends each year, using their expertise to consider several factors from a broad appeal to the feeling particular shades can evoke. Such trends are inspired by what is current to make them relevant and anchored in the here and now but are devised to avoid looking dated as soon as the new season’s trends are announced. This year, Crown has identified and curated six unique trends in response to the feelings evoked by the last 12 months of uncertainty and lockdowns. There is a real thirst for colour right now. People are turning to colour to help enhance their mood – which is always the case in uncertain times. The desire to express ourselves, experiment and not

Trends with real longevity While interior design trends are regularly refreshed and updated, they differ from the ‘here today, gone tomorrow’ approach of fast fashion trends. Many paint brands, like 29

follow a well-trodden route of tried and tested colour combinations all drives current colour trends. Crown is seeing specifiers embracing the opportunity to bring more of the colours they love into their designs. From natural, earthy tones to lively bold colours and contemporary, futuristic schemes, Crown’s 2021 colour trends are fluid, with different colours and shades all sitting within each palette so that there’s plenty of scope to add individual personality and style. This offers designers the option to take as much or as little inspiration from the trends to create a perfectly tailored look for each commercial building and the staff who call it home during the working day.

www.crownpaintspec.co.uk FC&A – APRIL – 2021

BUILD FOCUS: HIGH-RISE BUILDINGS

BUILD FOCUS:

HIGH-RISE BUILDINGS

This month, John Allden from Tamlite Lighting explores safety within high-rise buildings and explains that emergency lighting is still an issue that is being tackled in the later stages of a project.

JOHN ALLDEN IS THE MANAGING DIRECTOR AT TAMLITE LIGHTING

SHINING A LIGHT ON THE SAFETY OF HIGH-RISE BUILDINGS As the construction industry emerges from a difficult period where the safety of high-rise buildings has been questioned, Tamlite Lighting’s Managing Director, John Allden, explains how we can collectively restore confidence. TAMLITE LIGHTING

ver the last few years, the safety of buildings, and the people occupying them, has reached an ever-higher profile in the public’s consciousness. Whilst there had been a long-held feeling throughout the construction industry that something needed to be done to guarantee greater consistency in the design and construction quality of buildings, the tragedy that unfolded at Grenfell Tower in June 2017 brought things into a terrible focus. Dame Judith Hackitt’s Independent Review of Building Regulations, ‘Building a Safer Future’, in the aftermath of Grenfell concluded that a major reform was needed. FC&A – APRIL – 2021

Many of her recommendations regarding the delivery of a more robust regulatory system were reflected in the Government’s draft Building Safety Bill, which easily represents the most sweeping change to building safety in the last 40 years.

Restoring confidence One of the biggest concerns being addressed is the need for greater accountability at every stage of the construction process, establishing a chain of custody and holding those in charge throughout the various stages of the building’s existence accountable for any mistakes. 30

The appointment of a Chief Inspector of Buildings to lead and set up the new Building Safety Regulator (BSR) will ensure the new rules are enforced and action taken against anybody deemed to have broken them. Whilst accountability throughout the lifecycle of a building plays a key role in restoring confidence in the design, construction and maintenance of highrise buildings; further initiatives will focus on the products being used, ensuring they are fit for purpose. At the start of the year, the UK Government announced it was establishing a regulator for construction products who will have the power to remove any product from the market that presents a significant safety risk. They will also have the power to prosecute any companies who flout the rules on product safety. In addition, organisations such as the Construction Products Association (CPA) and British Board of Agrément (BBA) have also launched their own consultations, which will look at how product information is presented and marketed and how to drive forward products safety. Collectively, this provides precisely the kind of transparent reassurance that has been sought for many years. Critically, for building

BUILD FOCUS: HIGH-RISE BUILDINGS

occupiers, it will provide long-term reassurance about the quality targets for, and development history of, a given building. The message is clear; not only do construction firms and their partners need to do everything they can to make new builds as safe as possible – they need to be seen to be doing so. As a leading lighting manufacturer, we see it as vital that we show leadership in raising awareness of the scope and importance of initiatives that improve building safety. We believe they will have a much-needed positive impact on the specification process. This is particularly relevant given the new powers to better regulate materials and products and ensure they are safe for use.

No compromises Regrettably, lighting has often been an area that has fallen victim to spec-breaking. It is arguable that the issue has become more acute in the LED era with a fresh wave of low-price – but not always high-quality – luminaires hitting the market. More than ever, making a case for the long-term benefits of higher-end solutions is going to be critical – we can no longer aim for minimum compliance to get the job done. Put simply; quality must never be compromised at any point in the supply chain. The case for high-quality solutions which enhance building safety can be highlighted when it comes to the installation, ongoing testing and maintenance of emergency lighting. 31

To industry outsiders, it would be easy to assume that emergency lighting is a priority in the development and maintenance of all buildings. Now required to be installed and tested in line with British Standard BS 5266:1 2016, emergency lighting should provide adequate lighting levels and directional indication in the event of a mains failure, allowing occupants to move around and/or exit the building without accident or injury. The risk of value-engineered solutions is emphasised in terms of warranties. Whilst the emergency luminaire may have a five-year warranty, the ‘lifesaving’ battery is far less. Unfortunately, our experience indicates that, all too frequently, emergency lighting is still an issue that is being tackled in the later stages of a project; and sometimes by those with inadequate knowledge of the technical and legal requirements. This must change. It is an area where responsible manufacturers are working hard to inform and educate the market, providing advice that offers real peace of mind. There must be no compromises. This is why we advise specifiers and architects to specifically look for threeyear warranties on batteries to ensure peace of mind. To achieve this, collaboration is essential. Everybody across the building services sector needs to work together to maintain building safety and offering the highest levels of accountability. As a manufacturer, we have an important part to play in educating the market and will be working hard to communicate a clear case for quality solutions that deliver excellence, consistency and reassurance. There is no doubt that it will take some years for confidence to be restored in the safety of buildings. But, collectively, we can all play a key role in building a culture of responsibility, paving the way forward to a brighter, safer future.

www.tamlite.co.uk FC&A – APRIL – 2021

BRICKS, BLOCKS & STONE

GETTING CREATIVE WITH BRICK DESIGN Bricks are one of the world’s oldest building materials and have been used in the construction of many iconic structures, including New York’s Empire State Building. Scott Denham, Sales Director from IG Masonry Support, gives insight into the limitless design opportunities bricks enable across commercial and residential applications. IG MASONRY SUPPORT

rick has been around for centuries and has been used and specified by architects across many generations, mainly because of its consistent shape, compressive strength and ability to absorb water. Whilst trends towards other materials come and go, architects’ love affair with it continues. Over the past decade, however, brick has been competing with other solutions, including the likes of cladding.

FC&A – APRIL – 2021

Now, brick is seeing something of a resurgence, and with this has come a wave of clients wanting to emulate modern interpretations of classic architecture. Architecturally, the intricate detailing that brickwork enables is like no other. Brick detail in the form of brick soffits, deep reveals and flying beams continually make for stunning exteriors, enabling architects to create truly unique facades.

Brick has long been the go-to material in the UK and Ireland, but the likes of the modern cladding system have become quick and cost-effective ways to create bright and modern looking buildings. However, it comes at a cost and this is partly due to the longterm aesthetics, as modern cladding systems can look tired and dated over time. There can be no denying that many brick facades look as impressive today as they did when they were created decades ago.

Create beautiful brickwork As a result of brick’s popularity and limitless design potential, there has been a need for a market solution that enables intricate brickwork patterning to be achieved in many iterations. IG Masonry Support designed and manufactured five soaring corbelled brick slip feature arches with bond patterns that span the entrance facade of the Hendrick’s Gin Palace foyer in Scotland, a project designed by Michael Laird Architects and built by main contractor McLaughlin & Harvey. In total, 10 arches featuring on the front elevation were successfully manufactured to the same quality finish in factorycontrolled conditions and fitted seamlessly with the brickwork on site. Internally, three deep soffit arches were manufactured off site and then supplied to site. The same levels of consistency and quality were essential on the Defence and National Rehabilitation Centre (DNRC) project designed by Purcell, Steffian Bradley Architects and John Simpson Architects, built by main contractor Interserve and brickwork contractor Lee Marley, and featuring builders’ merchants, EH Smith. Over 1000 brick slip feature arches and just under 3km of offsite cornice were manufactured and designed. It would have been a time-consuming, highly-skilled task to create arches and cornice using traditional methods on site, but offsite solutions enabled the creation of identical arches of various designs and cornice detail that would achieve the architect’s desired aesthetic.

BRICKS, BLOCKS & STONE

The uniformity that was essential to these projects run the risk of being compromised if traditional trades were employed. However, with modular construction, this replication simply isn’t an issue. Taking the construction of complex brick features off site into factory-controlled conditions drives the level of quality and consistency that is needed to achieve excellence. On both of these projects, intricate brickwork detailing was completed to stunning effect, enabling the same quality finish every time.

A bespoke solution for architects At IG Masonry Support, not only do we understand that architects need to be given creative authority over prefabricated brick features, but we also realise the importance of regulatory compliance and quality. Achieving deep brick soffits and intricate brick bonds around window heads and openings is quick, easy and cost-efficient to achieve with our Brick On Soffit Systems (B.O.S.S. and B.O.S.S.+). These tailor-made bespoke solutions are designed and manufactured to meet the client’s specification. The systems are highly adjustable, enabling architects to design various shapes and depths of brick soffits whilst accommodating a wide range of bond patterns. 33

IG Masonry Support designed and manufactured the B.O.S.S. systems for 57 Broadwick Street and Stonebridge Park, London. On the first project – designed by Rolfe Judd Architecture, built by main contractor Blenheim House Construction and brickwork contractor Grangewood, and featuring EH Smith – curved and straight B.O.S.S. units and deep soffit panels were created to achieve a range of deep-tiled soffits, slender brick piers, and tile and brick banding on the building’s facades. For Stonebridge Park, London – built by main contractor Durkan and designed by architect firm Cullinan Studio – B.O.S.S. units were designed and manufactured for the intricate corbelled brick feature at the site’s entrance. This design was delivered in separate components that facilitated optimum adjustability, so the intricacy of the design could be achieved without compromising the speed and quality of construction. To meet changes to Building Regulations, IG Masonry Support engineered B.O.S.S.+, an A2 fire-rated system suitable for use on projects that require Building Regulations Document B compliance. The second generation of its original B.O.S.S. system, B.O.S.S.+ comprises a stainless-steel framework with a cement particle board backing element to which the brick slips are adhesively bonded and mechanically fixed. In short, this BBA-certified solution ticked the boxes in all of the required areas and was available to the market in 2019. Not resting on its laurels, IG Masonry Support’s next step was to create a fully non-combustible and carbon-neutral product. The BBA-certified B.O.S.S. A1 system is ‘A1’ fire-rated and has been subjected to hygrothermal testing. The product passed the rigorous examination with ease. As well as meeting current fire regulations regardless of the building’s height or purpose, the manufacturing process and environmental impacts will be significantly reduced. No matter how ambitious the design, IG Masonry Support’s easy-to-install solutions can deliver significant reductions in installation time by up to 90%. Any higher initial costs can be offset by saving time and money in terms of labour. A quality finish that meets the required aesthetics and blends seamlessly with the surrounding brickwork can also be achieved. Brick is a building material that has always been here to stay. Now that the likes of IG Masonry Support have engineered a solution that assures intricate brick detailing can be executed without compromise to quality, it will surely be used on many stunning structures for years to come.

www.igmasonrysupport.com FC&A – APRIL – 2021

DOORS & WINDOWS

HIGH-PERFORMANCE SEALED UNIT SECONDARY GLAZING INSTALLED IN A 250-YEAR-OLD GRANARY Grade II Listed Hindmarsh Hall was originally one of three granaries at the south end of the village of Alnmouth, Northumberland. The fourth Duke of Northumberland had the building converted into an Anglican Chapel in 1859. SELECTAGLAZE

n 1876, the chapel was made redundant, so the building was used and referred to as the ‘Town Hall’ for the ensuing 60 years. Leonard King Hindmarsh bought the dilapidated property in the 1930s, then some years later had it refurbished and gave it to the community of Alnmouth. During 2003 and 2004, the trustees completed a programme of restoration and updating of the building; however, 14 years later, the building needed further renovations, following a comprehensive condition survey. Giles Arthur Architects was employed to conceptualise the trustee’s vision, addressing structural issues, space planning and making

the building more energy efficient. Selectaglaze 4-12-4mm, low-E, sealed unit secondary glazing was specified to provide enhanced thermal insulation. All the openings have deep splayed reveals, so the secondary was fixed with a maximum cavity close to the wall face where it was wider, framing the primary window, allowing unrestricted opening of the units. Fenestral, partner of Selectaglaze, managed the surveying and installation of the project. The tall lancet windows posed a challenge due to their height; 3350mm. Each of these openings were built up with a Series 41 side-hung casement set between two Series 40 fixed light units.

www.selectaglaze.co.uk

01727 837271

enquiries@selectaglaze.co.uk

NEW EURAMAX HIRE TO SPEARHEAD CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT

ISO-CHEMIE IS BIM-READY

EURAMAX SOLUTIONS

Euramax Solutions, a manufacturer of fenestration products to the construction, modular and leisure markets, has appointed an expert to spearhead constant improvement processes within the business. Tom Howard joins the company as the new Continuous Improvement and Process Engineering Manager, and with extensive experience in the military equipment sector, he’s the perfect man for the job. He brings with him a wealth of expertise, having previously worked as a Senior Continuous Improvement Engineer at Naylor Industries, and as a Production Engineering Manager at Niftylift, where he had complete responsibility for all production engineering staff. But it’s the skills and knowledge he gained as a Senior Project Engineer at MTL Advanced, a manufacturing specialist in the metal sector, that really sets him up to push innovation at Euramax. Here, Tom was the project lead for the manufacture of armoured vehicle cabins, responsible for the external supply chain management for projects.

ISO-CHEMIE

As one of the leading manufacturers in the field of sealing technology, Iso-Chemie is now able provide architects and specialist planners with BIM-ready product data for its sealing and in-front-of-wall installation solutions. Building Information Modelling (BIM) is playing an increasingly significant role in the implementation of large and complex planning tasks. The first step was to create a range of BIM data from the ‘joint sealing tapes’, ‘multifunctional joint sealing tapes’ and ‘in-front-of-wall installation systems’ product families; these are available for download as BIM-ready objects. More products are at the planning stage. The BIM data can be used free of charge, either via the in-house ISO-PORTAL at portal.iso-chemie.eu or using an external BIM database. It can also be used in CAD software such as Autodesk Revit. An electronic CAD product catalogue will be available as a supplement to this.

www.iso-chemie.eu/en-GB/home 07837 337220 a.swift@iso-chemie.co.uk FC&A – APRIL – 2021

Selectaglaze is a specialist in secondary glazing, established in 1966 and a Royal Warrant Holder since 2004.

www.euramaxuk.com

0330 1340290 info@euramaxuk.com

DOORS & WINDOWS

BESPOKE CURTAIN WALLING BY KAWNEER HELPS GROUND A LANDMARK OFFICE BUILDING

Image: ©Make Architects

Bespoke curtain walling by leading UK manufacturer Kawneer was preferred for an 11-storey office building at the heart of London’s architectural sector. KAWNEER

awneer’s AA 265 unitised system was adapted by the company for the commercial element of the £200m Atlas building – at 40 storeys, the tallest tower in London’s Tech City area – at 145 City Road, Clerkenwell. Concept-designed by Make Architects and delivered by the design delivery unit of Scott Brownrigg, the commercial building actually featured a total of three types of Kawneer’s curtain walling – the traditional stick system AA 110 (zone drained) on the ground floor, the adapted AA 265 on the floors above and standard unitised AA 201 on the 10th-floor return elevation to the existing building. The adapted AA 265 modular system incorporated GRC and

aluminium rainscreen cladding and glazed vision areas in each panel. Some 3m wide, 3.85m high and one tonne in weight, each unit was delivered to site and hoisted into position by a tower crane, complete with the cladding and glazing in place. Kawneer’s Technical Proposals Engineer, Dave Fletcher, said: “The basic AA 265 design was revised to accommodate the building movement that had been identified by the structural engineers as it could accommodate the size of units and the GRC rainscreen units being pre-fixed to the panels. “The system developments, including new profile and accessory design such as 19 project-specific dies, were all carried out by our technical department at our head office.”

Installed by specialist sub-contractor Mace Facades for main contractor Mace, the Kawneer systems also included thermally-superior AA 720 entrance doors on all floors.

www.kawneer.com

01928 502500

ASSA ABLOY DOOR GROUP’S WHOLE-LIFE APPROACH TO TIMBER AND STEEL DOORSETS ASSA ABLOY DOOR GROUP

ASSA ABLOY Door Group, a unit of ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions UK & Ireland, offers a cradle-tograve approach for its steel and timber doorsets while the UK prepares for a year of recovery. Despite the UK expecting a slow movement back towards normality, there’s no doubt that 2021 will still see the majority of us spending more time at home. Experts suggest that during this time, architects, specifiers, contractors, landlords, facilities managers and house-builders should ensure living environments are up-to-date, safe and secure. ASSA ABLOY Door Group, on top of offering a complete doorset solution by manufacturing doors, hardware and ironmongery, boasts the capability of managing the entire doorset process.

www.assaabloyopeningsolutions.co.uk

0289 266 2200

aasdsales@assaabloy.com

GLASS VISIBLE TO BIRDS DEVELOPED TO HELP PROTECT WILDLIFE PILKINGTON UNITED KINGDOM

Pilkington United Kingdom, part of the NSG Group, has developed Pilkington AviSafe – a new glass with a special coating designed to help prevent birds from colliding with the windows and facades of buildings. Most birds collide with glass when they confuse what’s visible in its reflection for the real thing, such as trees or an open sky. Pilkington AviSafe features a UV-enhanced pattern that’s more visible to birds than it is to humans, which helps to prevent these collisions and ensures maximum transparency, while maintaining the aesthetical appeal of glass in architecture.

www.pilkington.co.uk 35

SENIOR TAKES AN ACTIVE ROLE IN THE LEISURE SECTOR SENIOR ARCHITECTURAL SYSTEMS

With daylighting and natural ventilation having an important impact on both physical and mental wellbeing, Senior Architectural Systems has seen an increase in demand for its aluminium fenestration systems in the fitness and leisure sector. Senior has provided the full fenestration package for various contracts across the UK, with specifiers opting for the effective combination of energyefficient and low-maintenance aluminium curtain walls, windows and commercial doors sourced from a sole supplier. The company’s expertise in the fitness and leisure sector has led to the creation of a strong supply chain and number of repeat business opportunities, including multiple contracts with main contractor Pelikaan and specialist fabricator and installer Elite Aluminium Systems.

www.seniorarchitecturalsystems.co.uk 01709 772600 info@sasmail.co.uk FC&A – APRIL – 2021

DOORS & WINDOWS

HELPING TO PRESERVE AN INDUSTRIAL LANDSCAPE Two former furniture factory buildings in East London have been transformed into high-end apartments with the help of Crittall Windows. CRITTALL WINDOWS

ong Street in the Hackney conservation area was a key component in Shoreditch’s industrial heritage. The area was once the heart of the capital’s furniture trade and, following the Second World War when large tracts of land were earmarked for comprehensive re-development, the then London County Council sought to preserve the district’s characteristic built environment as well as local business by constructing what were termed ‘flatted factories’. The four-storey structural steel-framed blocks were built in Long Street in 1959 with plenty of natural daylight and generously-sized lifts for

transporting uncut sheets of plywood to the upper floors. The two blocks now form part of a luxury residential development, Long and Waterson. Architect firm Fletcher Priest has taken its design cue from the industrial lineage of the area, retaining original external brickwork and window settings and adding two rooftop penthouse levels, creating a total of 71 apartments. Crittall Corporate W20 and MW40 systems were specified in fixed and opening format together with Crittall cold form tubular doors that meet the RC3 burglary resistance security standard; a choice that preserves both the original appearance and the industrial heritage of the area.

www.crittall-windows.co.uk

01376 530800

hq@crittall-windows.co.uk

DRIVING SECURITY FORWARD WITH THE COMPLETE PACKAGE If you were selecting a car for security reasons, would you be looking for one that just had four wheels, an engine and a door you could lock? No, of course not! You would rightly be interested in its overall performance, verified roadworthy tests, the quality of its components; not to mention other safety features and, naturally, its appearance and stylish kerb appeal. Selecting the right Secured by Design (SBD) doorkit is not dissimilar. VICAIMA

t’s not simply a case of meeting the minimum requirement, with a piece of paper that says SBDtested. After all, there is so much more to consider in the modern build environment, from fire rating to lifecycle expectations and installation to design flexibility. Portaro SBD interior timber entrance doorkits from Vicaima provides just that scope, with ease of assembly, quality materials, outstanding performance and design appeal as standard, all encased in one of the most comprehensively certificated products on the market. Of course, one of the first considerations for any project or development is how will it look and fit in with the project design theme.

The Portaro SBD system provides a rarity in today’s somewhat limited market. With matching door, frame and architrave in a myriad of veneered, foil, laminate, paint lacquered and even special finishes, the Portaro system offers complete design freedom, so that performance does not equate to compromising aesthetics. Beyond the finish itself, design configuration also offers flexibility, with a choice of either a conventional architrave or for a seamless face the Inverse system, where the door sits flush with its surroundings. All door systems incorporate a threepoint locking system, handle and security escutcheon, together with an automatic dropseal.

www.vicaima.com FC&A – APRIL – 2021

01793 532333 36

info@vicaima.com

DOORS & WINDOWS

STAYING SAFE UNDER FIRE Staying safe may have taken on a new meaning in the past year, but fire safety remains top of the agenda for the construction industry. Susan Sinden, Commercial Manager of ESG Group, explains why fire safety glass is still one of the most important safety measures in keeping occupants safe in a wide variety of non-domestic properties. ESG GROUP

hen building or refurbishing almost any commercial or public building, it is essential to observe and comply with The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, which came into force in October 2006. Since that time, awareness of fire safety measures has improved greatly, and the range of products designed to minimise the risk of the spread of fire has also increased. One such product is fire-resistant safety glass, which has become surprisingly better developed and versatile over the past decade and a half. There are several versions of fireresistant safety glass, so it is essential to specify the most appropriate type for any individual project. Perhaps the most pressing consideration is the amount of time that would be needed to evacuate the property in the event of a fire. In the past, fire-resistant safety glass usually came in two main types. The first is integrity-only fire-resistant safety glass, classified as type ‘E’ under BS 476 Pt 22 and BS EN 1364 Pt 1 1999. In the event of a fire, this integrity-only glass contains flames, smoke and gases, but not heat. The second type is integrity and fully insulating fire-resistant safety glass, denoted as type ‘EI’ under the same regulations. In addition to containing the fire, this second type of glass also limits the transfer of heat. Using modern processing methods, however, we can now produce a hybrid product, which can

www.esg.glass

deliver a partial containment of radiated heat, but without carrying a prohibitive price tag. This is denoted as type ‘EW’ under BS regulations and is increasingly popular with specifiers, as it represents a ‘best-of-both-worlds’ option. In the event of a fire, EW classified glass will help to safeguard the property’s occupants, but will also help limit the damage to the building itself. This gives the architect scope to realise their design using a practical, affordable product, while also providing the property’s owners, and its legally responsible person, with added peace of mind. Fire-resistant safety glass is specified according to the time for which it can delay fire from spreading. This is assessed under strict testing in fire conditions. For many properties, 30 minutes is entirely adequate for evacuation, especially if it used mostly in business hours by relatively fit and active people. However, if the property is to be used for sleeping, by the elderly, or those with limited mobility, it is vital to delay any fire for longer. This may apply to hospitals, care homes, hotels and even secure premises such as prisons. The use of the premises is usually critical. Manufacturing premises, where flammable materials are stored, will also often fall into this category. In these settings, a product that provides 60 minutes of protection will be more appropriate. Full insulation is also

01376 520061 37

possible using a multi-layered fireresistant glass, which can provide up to 120 minutes of protection, so it is also a good idea to ask the glass processor for advice on the best product to use. If in any doubt, it is wise to consult the owner or end-user, and to take advice from fire and rescue services before specifying. The efficiency of fire-resistant safety glass is also partly dependent on the frames in which it is installed, so do make sure that the glass and the frames are compatible before specifying. When specifying, it is wise to look for Certifire approval, which is a good indication of a quality product. Certifire is an independently-run, UKAS-accredited centre that assesses test evidence from fire-resistant safety glass products and gives guidance on the kinds of materials with which they can be used, without compromising their effectiveness. In the past, it has been difficult to source large panels of integrity-only fireresistant safety glass to use with steel frames. With the advent of glass such as ESG’s Pyrotech 660, a toughened laminated fire-safety glass that passes all relevant BS standards, this problem has been solved, and the larger sized panes are now freely available. It should be noted that the performance of fire-resistant safety glass can be compromised if cracked or broken, so any damaged panels should be replaced immediately.

sales@esg.glass FC&A – APRIL – 2021

FLOORS, WALLS & CEILINGS

FAST-SETTING CONCRETE REPAIRS WITH MAPEGROUT SV T NOW AVAILABLE IN GREY Mapei’s Mapegrout SV T is a quick-setting and hardening thixotropic mortar for repairing concrete slabs, both flat and sloped, and for repairing concrete elements such as drains and urban fixtures. MAPEI

apegrout SV T can also be used for bedding, setting and fixing of manholes, drains and street furniture. Due to its thixotropic nature, it can also be used on vertical surfaces. Produced in the UK, the shrinkage-compensated mortar is suitable for repairing concrete slabs, industrial floors and for construction work in areas that need to be reopened to traffic quickly, such as roads and other places including airports, ports, shopping centres and warehouses. Mapegrout SV T is also suitable for fixing road signs, crash barriers and fences in place. Due to its excellent hardening properties, Mapegrout SV T can be subjected to both foot and vehicle traffic in less than two hours after application. This one-component, high-strength pre-blended mortar comes in powder form and can be applied up to 120mm on horizontal surfaces and up to 50mm in one application of vertical surfaces. It’s available in black and grey for all concrete repairs.

www.mapei.co.uk

0121 508 6970

info@mapei.co.uk

GUIDING THE FUTURE OF SWIMMING POOLS Across Europe, there has been a surge in the swimming pool sector. With many more people staying at home and foreign travel restricted, both domestic and commercial pool manufacturers have seen a rise in new builds and renovation of existing pools. TROLDTEKT

n the UK, it is expected that now Brexit has been finalised, investors in UK hotels, spas and high-end residences will drive the wet leisure market further. In a new feature on its website, leading acoustic panel manufacturer Troldtekt summarises the knowledge, trends and examples which will help influence the design of swimming centres today and in the future. The feature includes 16 trends compiled by the International Association for Sports and Leisure Facilities. These cover everything from economics and digital features to new uses and products which influence the architecture of pools and their construction. Pools can be used for different purposes and by quite different groups of people. This places demand on designers and developers to provide perfect layouts and solutions to create the best atmosphere. One of the most important aspects, and one universally agreed across all types of user, is

www.troldtekt.co.uk FC&A – APRIL – 2021

the control of noise. For example, absorption of the loud sounds from splashing, shouting and playing is essential. This is why Troldtekt’s acoustic wood-wool panels are often specified, because of their durability and appearance. They are also naturally breathable, meaning they will absorb and release moisture making them perfect for wet area installations. Founded on the Cradle to Cradle design concept, the natural and inherently sustainable panels are available in a variety of different surfaces and colours, and contribute to a building’s BREEAM, DGNB and LEED ratings. In addition to their high sound absorption and tactile surface, they offer high durability and low-cost lifecycle performance. Available in various sizes and in four grades from extreme to coarse, the panels can be left untreated or painted in virtually any RAL colour.

01978 664255 38

info@troldtekt.co.uk

INVERTED ROOF? INSIST ON SIKABIT PROMELT

Ballast

Sikatherm Insulation

When it comes down to it, you want a hot-applied liquid waterproofing system that’s durable, versatile, quick to install and delivers exceptional performance and real peace of mind.

SikaBit Hot Melt Compound

With SikaBit ProMelt, you get all that, plus extensive technical and application support, access to a hand-picked network of experienced Sika Certified Contractors and a range of guarantees from one of roofing’s most trusted names.

SikaBit Hot Melt Compound

Sikatherm Aquazone SikaBit Roof Access Layer SikaBit Roof F-50 Sika Igolflex P-15UK

Concrete Substrate

Make sure you get it right. Make sure it’s SikaBit ProMelt. LIKE TO KNOW MORE?

Visit www.sikabit.co.uk Email enquiries@uk.sika.com 39

FC&A – APRIL – 2021

RCI

ILLUMINATING NORDIC COPPER A bespoke perforated solar screen, formed from Nordic Blue Living 3 pre-patinated copper, defines the new Senior Learning Centre building at Ravenswood School for Girls in Gordon on Sydney’s North Shore, creating a fresh landmark along the Pacific Highway. AURUBIS

rchitect firm BVN’s design for the multifunctional senior learning centre optimises a 6.5m-level difference across the site, with extensive glazing to the lower two floors opening out onto terraces, a garden and other external space. The upper two floors are differentiated by Nordic Blue Living 3 copper screens, creating a transparent skin enwrapping the building and jettied out over the lower levels. Upper-level gabled facades reflect the roof form, inspired by residential houses previously on the site and still found throughout Ravenswood campus. Large window openings with deep, copper-clad reveals ‘punch’ through the copper screen to break up the elevations, enable clear, uninterrupted views across the grounds and introduce coloured light via glass bricks.

Striking Nordic Blue During the design stages, different facade materials were assessed via a series of in-context visualisations and samples of natural copper, various pre-aged copper

FC&A – APRIL – 2021

surfaces and other metals reviewed. BVN Senior Associate, Phillip Rowden, commented: “Nordic Blue Living 3 prepatinated copper was selected for the perforated screens because of its striking colour contrast with the predominantly masonry surroundings on campus. Our material palette required high proportions of recycled content and low embodied energy. High-quality materials, such as copper, were selected for the exterior with longevity a key consideration – materials that are robust, beautiful and will stand the test of time.” To create the perforated screens, a distinctive repeat pattern – inspired by the shape of gum tree seedlings found on site – were laser-cut into the prepatinated copper sheets by supplier/ fabricator CASA Systems. Installer ARC Roofing then worked closely with the architects on complete facade detailing, also taking on the sub-framing, required to be as light and unobtrusive as possible. Detailed layouts of the 500 or so panels were created to ensure continuity of the

pattern and panel alignment – which ARC mastered with enthusiasm – followed by 95% offsite manufacture. The exceptional quality of installation, attention to detail and execution of the project pays testament to ARC’s expertise in architectural copper.

Mediating heat and light Being set in front of the thermal envelope of the building, the copper screens mediate light and thermal penetration, reducing cooling load whilst allowing the interiors to feel light and airy. The resulting combination of colours from framed areas of amber and blue glass bricks, vignettes of clear open views and areas with filtered light from the perforated copper screen give each space a unique feel and view. Phillip Rowden added: “When you’re in the classrooms, the perforated screen throws dappled light on surfaces and shadows onto the white walls, creating an ever-changing canvas. The light falls on surfaces in very different ways, making it a living element, changing throughout the day. But at night, the building undergoes a transformation, acting as a lantern illuminating outwards to the community.” Nordic Blue is a factory-applied patina developed with properties and colours based on the same brochantite mineralogy found in natural patinas all over the world. In marine climates, the natural copper

RCI

patina contains some copper chloride giving it a blue-green colour, and this is emulated with Nordic Blue using 100 % brochantite. Another range, Nordic Green, is produced with a hint of iron sulphate yellow, replicating greener natural patinas.

Living surfaces With both ranges, the process can be accurately controlled so that, as well as the solid patina colours, other intensities of patina flecks can be created, revealing some of the dark oxidised background material. These products are easily bent and formed, and there are no limitations on the length of copper sheet or strip because whole coils are treated on the production line, not just limited size panels. Other architectural copper surfaces include Nordic Standard ‘mill finish’, as well as Nordic Brown pre-oxidised copper giving either light or dark brown oxidisation that otherwise takes time to develop in the environment. Copper alloys are also available for architectural applications, such as Nordic Bronze, Nordic Brass – which is also available pre-weathered – and the innovative Nordic Royal, an alloy with a long-lasting golden colour. The Nordic Copper range of architectural copper products is available from Aurubis, part of the world’s leading integrated copper group and largest copper recycler.

www.nordiccopper.com

01875 812144 41

g.bell@aurubis.com FC&A – APRIL – 2021

BUILDING ELEMENTS

UNIFOLD GUTTER SYSTEM SPECIFIED FOR WELSH DISTRIBUTION CENTRE PROJECT AMPTEAM

Over 130m of the Unifold Gutter system was recently installed on a project for a distribution centre in Talbot Green, south Wales. The gutter capacity has been increased, and the lining system, as always, was completely engineered with this particular solution – which contained 32 siphonic outlets. All fabricated items are designed by Ampteam and made in-house, reducing the need for complicated site work and leaving operatives on site with only the double-sealed joint to complete.

www.ampteam.co.uk

01384 252777

unifold@ampteam.co.uk

STO EXTERNAL WALL INSULATION SYSTEM CHOSEN TO HELP MEET BREEAM TARGET STO

An external wall insulation system from Sto has been used to help a new care home building achieve an impressive BREEAM rating. The company’s StoTherm Mineral system was specified for the Figbury Lodge Care Home in Poole, for its outstanding thermal insulation performance. The StoTherm Mineral system was installed onto a lightweight steel frame using Sto’s innovative Sto-Rotofix Plus fixings. These unique spiral fixings allow the insulation boards to be installed quickly and easily while retaining a high degree of flexibility. The boards can be adjusted by the spiral fixings to accommodate any unevenness in the substrate and so create a perfectly level surface ready for the render finish.

www.sto.co.uk

0141 892 8000

info.uk@sto.com

ROCKWOOL LAUNCHES FLAT ROOF ZONING TOOL TO SUPPORT DESIGN AND SPECIFICATION

PREMIER MODULAR AWARDED £9.8M PROJECT FOR NEW UNIT AT ST PETER’S HOSPITAL PREMIER MODULAR

Premier Modular, one of the UK’s leading offsite construction specialists, has been awarded a £9.8m project for Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to build a 62-bed priority assessment unit at St Peter’s Hospital in Chertsey. Main contractor Premier will be supported by strategic delivery partner Claritas Group. Due for completion by summer 2021, this fast-track building project will reduce the programme by up to nine months compared to in-situ construction. The speed of offsite manufacturing and fittingout will allow earlier occupation to support the increased demand for emergency care. Designed by BDP and delivery architect firm P+HS, the two-storey scheme will provide a new priority assessment unit.

www.premiermodular.co.uk 0800 316 0888 info@premiermodular.co.uk

CROWN PAINTS ANNOUNCES COLOUR TRENDS SET TO SHAPE SPRING/SUMMER 2021

ROCKWOOL

ROCKWOOL has unveiled a new flat roof zoning tool designed to help specifiers and roofing contractors balance performance criteria, regulation compliance and design targets when choosing insulation. Hosted on the ROCKWOOL website, the tool has been created in recognition of the increasing prominence of flat roofs in contemporary building design. The new tool simplifies and optimises insulation design by zoning flat roofs according to how each area will be used. Users start by drawing a plan outline of the roof, then create zones before setting properties for each area. Via the tool, users can incorporate details including rain noise performance (BB93), airborne noise reduction, thermal performance and product mechanical strength. Once inputted, the tool recommends the best ROCKWOOL non-combustible stone wool insulation for each roof zone. With time-saving at its heart, the ROCKWOOL Flat Roof Zoning Tool allows results to be easily exported for integration into wider design and specification plans.

CROWN PAINTS

www.rockwool.co.uk 01656 862621 customersupportcentre@rockwool.co.uk

www.crownpaintspec.co.uk

FC&A – APRIL – 2021

Crown Paints has named its three latest key colour trends, which will shape interior design and architecture for spring/summer 2021 and beyond. This year, Crown Paints’ panel of colour experts sought inspiration from the world around us. The result is three considered colour trends for 2021. The three trends each have a distinct identity, and the panel highlights both hero shades and complementary colours within each. The panel has identified the trends for spring/summer as ‘Witty’, ‘Foresight’ and ‘Cocoon’. ‘Witty’ is upbeat and quirky – a real celebration of colour. The second colour trend is ‘Foresight’. Although it’s primarily about looking to the future, this trend is inspired by the Arts and Crafts movement. Taking a different approach is the final colour trend ‘Cocoon’. This trend is centred around the desire to create a place of sanctuary and quiet calm, using soft neutral tones and muted shades to soothe and comfort.

0330 024 0310 info@crownpaintspec.co.uk

BUILDING ELEMENTS

GET SPRING-READY

A WELL-EXECUTED WELLNESS HUB

DR. SCHUTZ

HELMSMAN LOCKERS AND CUBICLES

Now that the days and evenings are becoming brighter, brown patios, green fencing and grubby outdoor furniture are just some of the sights we’re beginning to see. To aid the dreaded task of exterior cleaning and maintenance, Dr. Schutz brings you three of its most popular products perfect for transforming your outdoors. Restore the natural colour of your outdoor wood with an intensive cleaning agent for all wood surfaces which have turned grey with Dr. Schutz Wood Refresher. Stone Care is a concentrated cleaner for the removal of dirt, grime, grease and other micro-organisms on stone and tile floors. This product benefits from a high coverage of 1000m2/litre. Intensive Cleaner is a thoroughly-effective and powerful deep cleaner for the removal of dirt, grime, algae, moss, grease and micro-organisms from any outdoor surface. Garden furniture, decking, fencing, stonework, brick walls, garden ornaments, steps, driveways, paths, patios and concrete are just some of the surfaces which can benefit from using this cleaner.

A new £5m refurbishment and extension to the Blyth Sports Centre in Sunderland has been completed by Brims Construction. Designed as a ‘wellness hub’, the facility includes a new stateof-the-art gym and spa together with a modernised pool and changing areas. For the scheme by JDDK Architects, Helmsman Lockers and Cubicles designed, supplied and installed a range of lockers and seating in both the spa and dry areas of the centre. To keep the look uniform across the project, high-pressure laminate was used for both seating and lockers. The spa area features ‘wet spec’ bespoke bench seating topped with an Abet laminate in a teak finish and complemented with matching two-compartment leisure lockers. The woodgrain effect exudes an air of luxury throughout the space, and the clever use of extending it to the bench seating and adding a floor in complementary tones creates a stunning overall effect.

www.helmsman.co.uk www.drschutz.co.uk

01296 437827

01284 727626 hello@helmsman.co.uk

TAKING A BOLD STEP PREMIER LOFT LADDERS

Loft ladders do not come any bolder than this stunning Elite concertina loft ladder from Premier Loft Ladders. Two identical ladders were ordered for export to the USA. The heavy-duty Elite is supplied without a hatch, making it ideal for a wide range of applications. Furthermore, the advanced counterbalance system makes it very easy to operate. For this project, safety was the main priority, so the Elite loft ladders were finished in a durable ‘sulphur yellow’ powder coat and fitted with two telescopic handrails. Visit Premier Loft Ladders’ website to read the full case study.

www.premierloftladders.co.uk

0345 9000 195

sales@premierloftladders.co.uk

FIRE PROTECTION UPGRADE FOR WEST LOTHIAN COMMERCIAL PROPERTY TBA FIREFLY

Scotland’s biggest building services contractor has just completed upgrading the fire compartmentation within an existing West Lothian warehouse building. The property is making use of products from the range of TBA Firefly, including APOLLO 30/30 membrane to create new fire barriers, together with TBA’s expert advice and installer training. Stirling-based FES Group’s fire-stopping division carried out the installation of the APOLLO 30/30 fire barriers as part of a far-reaching update of the property’s mechanical and electrical services, on behalf of the owner who will also operate the storage facility. The APOLLO Lite 30/30 has been developed for use in vertical separation or compartmentation situations, offering 30 minutes’ integrity and insulation, thereby exceeding the minimum requirements of the Building Regulations.

www.tbafirefly.com

01706 758817

technical@tbafirefly.com 43

KNIGHTSBRIDGE PLAYS ITS SMART HAND KNIGHTSBRIDGE

In a move to offer contractors and its customers the benefits of smart home technology, Knightsbridge is launching a comprehensive range of intelligent wiring accessories and lighting products that can be controlled by its very own app, SmartKnight. At the heart of the range are the two 13A, two-gang, smart switched sockets, manufactured to match the designs of its existing square and curvededge range of moulded switches and sockets. These feature a power monitoring function so that the homeowner can see live power usage on the socket in kWh, and a green indicator on the socket shows if the relevant gang is on. Appliances attached to the socket will be controllable remotely or by voice.

www.mlaccessories.co.uk 01582 887760 sales@mlaccessories.co.uk FC&A – APRIL – 2021

BUILDING ELEMENTS

INTRODUCING KOMFORT WASHROOMS KOMFORT WASHROOMS

Fire protection solutions manufacturer Advanced has launched two new courses to aid understanding of the BS 8629 Code of Practice recommendations and the EvacGo system designed to meet them. ‘A Guide to Meeting BS 8629’ is a continuing professional development course, approved by the FIA and the CPD Certification Service, suitable for all those responsible for fire safety in tall residential buildings. Delivered online by the Advanced evacuation alert team – Ken Bullock, Advanced’s Business Development Manager, and Shaun Scott, Applications Engineer for Evacuation Alert Systems – the one-hour session covers a range of essential BS 8629 facts, from key clauses, evacuation alert zones and siting of devices, to evacuation alert control and indicating equipment, its commissioning and handover. As well as the accredited CPD course, Advanced has also launched a new training programme for its EvacGo evacuation alert system. Aimed primarily at installers and engineers, the training course covers practical content, including panel and software configuration guidance.

Following the pandemic, there have been huge advances made in washroom design. As part of Komfort’s ongoing commitment to meet the needs of the modernday commercial space and using its extensive product knowledge, the brand has introduced its Komfort Washrooms collection. Partnering with innovative product and interior designers, this washroom range reflects Komfort’s reputation for quality and product design. The Komfort Washroom collection brings together the latest trends in bathroom design, materials and colour with the eco and technological credentials demanded of future washrooms. The range focuses on creating efficient spaces with plenty of contemporary style and a sense of comfort, luxury and practicality. Choice is key with this collection – the offer includes a variety of full-height, individual and glass cubicle systems along with complementary bespoke vanity units, sanitaryware and brassware. The collection includes every element needed to create stylish and individual contemporary washrooms. With a carefully-selected range of completely interchangeable key finishes, colours and shapes, there is a unique solution for every project.

www.advancedco.com

www.komfort.com

IMPROVE YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF BS 8629 WITH ADVANCED ADVANCED CO

0345 894 7000 jmountain@advancedco.com

0121 332 2550 washrooms@komfort.co.uk

Weatherproof your gutters at a cost you can afford.

ECO-LINER from Ampteam. Another clever but cost effective product designed to last. Ampteam have created a family of innovative products that combat the ever increasing deluge of bad weather we have in the UK.

Unrivalled excellence in gutter lining technology. www.gutterliners.com

FC&A – APRIL – 2021

BUILDING ELEMENTS

SIKA ENHANCES PERFORMANCE OF ITS LIQUID-APPLIED WATERPROOFING SOLUTIONS Staying true to its culture of innovation, Sika has launched Sikalastic-625N, an upgraded version of one of its most popular liquid-applied single-component polyurethane waterproofing membranes, Sikalastic-625. SIKA

www.sika.co.uk/roofing

his versatile, durable cold-applied membrane is used up and down the UK in a range of flat roof applications, from industrial and commercial roofs to balconies and walkways. The new and improved Sikalastic-625N incorporates Sika’s patented i-Cure Technology, an enhanced chemistry that gives the product greater temperature stability, extended shelf life and improved workability. Thanks to these benefits, the waterproofing membrane is capable of curing in a wide range of conditions, making it ideal for use in the unpredictable UK climate. Application is quick, easy and will not be delayed by adverse weather, which is a huge benefit for the specifier, contractor and client. Gavin White, Marketing and Product Manager at Sika Roofing, said: “We’re excited to be able to offer our customers the benefits of our exclusive new i-Cure Technology with the launch of Sikalastic-625N. It delivers a whole host of performance enhancements while maintaining the trusted weather-resistant waterproofing properties of its predecessor. “Sika has been manufacturing high-performance protection and waterproofing systems for over 50 years, and we’re proud of that expertise. Our aim isn’t just to pioneer new market-leading technologies, but also to continually improve existing ones – especially those that are already loved by our customers.” The high quality and durability achieved by this membrane is evidenced by its BBA and ETA accreditations. Sikalastic-625N is a direct replacement and upgrade to the existing Sikalastic-625 formulation and will be available in the same colour range and tin sizes. Coverage rates and guarantees – 10, 15 and 20 years – also remain the same.

01707 394444

enquiries@uk.sika.com

47 IS THE NEW 50 – HAVE YOU SWITCHED YET?

ISO-CHEMIE HAS NEW CAPITAL WINDOWS INSTALLATION SEALED

SIMPSON STRONG-TIE

ISO-CHEMIE

Building safer, stronger structures requires more than just topquality joist hangers; equally important is choosing the correctsized joist hanger. Regularised timber is now the UK standard, which means 50mm hangers are yesterday’s news. Unlike rough sawn timber, where the width of a joist can be anything up to 50mm, regularised timber is planed down and the edges rounded for consistency, so regularised timber is always 45mm. At Simpson Strong-Tie, the company knows that size matters. Regulated hanger sizes have long been offered across its hanger ranges. National Builder’s Merchant Sales Manager, Steve Allen, explains: “Our 47mm range provides the correct, secure fit. Using 50mm-wide hangers leaves a gap between the hanger and the joist, which not only requires structural packing in order to meet regulations, but can still result in twisting timber and squeaky floors. The wider the hanger, the more important it is to use regularised sizing – and Simpson offer it as standard.”

Improved levels of acoustic and energy insulation will be provided following the specification of Iso-Chemie’s advanced sealing tape for windows at a new mixed-used development in Central London. More than 1000m of ISO BLOCO 600 tape and 300m of BLOCO ONE tape has been installed to support the conversion of unused office space to a high-class entertainment venue at 6 Grafton Street in Mayfair, providing long-term protection against wind-blown rain ingress as well as an effective acoustic and thermal seal. The self-adhesive BLOCO ONE, which uses ‘smart’ foam technology impregnated with different substances to create a measurable U-value as low as 0.6w/m2k, can offer excellent thermal insulation and can contribute to acoustic sound reduction by 63 dB. Specified to meet stringent project sealing and quality requirements, the sealant tape is part of a fenestration installation package, which includes Schüco Jansen windows, completed by architectural metalwork engineer, Martec Engineering.

www.strongtie.co.uk

www.iso-chemie.eu/en-GB/home/ 07837 337220 a.swift@iso-chemie.co.uk

01827 255663 ndixon@strongtie.com 45

FC&A – APRIL – 2021

BUILDING ELEMENTS

A POP OF COLOUR OSMO UK

ROCKWOOL SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2020: USE LESS, GREEN THE REST ROCKWOOL

Trucost, part of S&P Global, has classified all ROCKWOOL Group products as having a positive impact on the UN Sustainable Development Goals, while the company has met or exceeded two of its six sustainability targets ahead of time. As Governments and societies continue grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic, greening the economic recovery takes on even greater significance. ROCKWOOL Group’s Sustainability Report 2020 details the contribution the company’s product makes toward this goal, including updates on operational improvements and progress on supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Reducing energy and resource consumption is essential to addressing the global climate challenge, and ROCKWOOL products play a key role.

www.rockwool.co.uk 01656 862621 customersupportcentre@rockwool.co.uk

Country Colour from Osmo UK offers an opaque, satin wood finish for exterior wood. Available in 19 standard colours, 186 RAL Classic and 1950 NCS colours, it is the ideal finish to renew previously stained, weathered or discoloured wood surfaces and provide a standout colour feature to your property. The range promises premium durability and a rich colour, hiding the natural colour and grain of the wood whilst enhancing its natural texture. The finish not only rejuvenates the wood, but leaves it protected against the unpredictable British weather for many years to come. Country Colour can be applied to a range of wood species, including oily and exotic materials.

www.osmouk.com

01296 481220

sales@osmouk.com

SAPPHIRE MEETS DELIVERY CHALLENGE AT GREENWICH MILLENIUM VILLAGE SAPPHIRE

Sapphire’s industry-leading balcony design and offsite manufacturing capabilities were integral to success when the programme for Greenwich Millennium Village (GMV) phase 5 was shortened so the development could be completed ahead of schedule. Balconies for 71 homes had to be delivered quickly and efficiently, without compromising on precision and quality control. The principal challenge was the delivery time. Sapphire’s offsite modular balcony system, featuring its Glide-On technology, provided the perfect solution. Sapphire was able to manufacture, prepare and store balconies for the project at its offsite location, saving the client storage space on site. The balconies, including Crystal frameless, structural glass balustrades, decking and soffits, could then be delivered as needed.

www.sapphire.eu.com

0844 880 0553

sales@sapphire.eu.com

DEANESTOR DELIVERS £1M CONTRACT TO FIT-OUT THE LARGEST NEW SCHOOL PROJECT IN SCOTLAND DEANESTOR

Deanestor has completed a contract worth over £1m for Morrison Construction for the manufacture and installation of fixed furniture for The Barony Campus in Cumnock, East Ayrshire – the most innovative, ambitious and inclusive learning facility in Scotland. Deanestor fitted-out 324 rooms across the 23,000m2 campus, helping to create an outstanding learning environment. This has included the manufacture and installation of bespoke furniture such as 117 primary and secondary learning walls, 1800 storage cabinets, 1500m of linear worktops, lockers, benching for the sports facilities and kitchens for three food technology laboratories. Height-adjustable tables throughout the campus were designed to meet DDA requirements, and there is a kitchen for the life skills room.

www.deanestor.co.uk/education

01623 420041

enquiries@deanestor.com

WILLMOTT DIXON AWARDS £3.5M BATHROOM POD CONTRACTS TO OFFSITE SOLUTIONS OFFSITE SOLUTIONS

Willmott Dixon has awarded two contracts totalling £3.5m to Offsite Solutions to supply bathroom pods for a £78m regeneration scheme in Birmingham. This use of offsite manufacturing will increase time efficiency by 30% as well as maximise the cost, quality and sustainability benefits. Offsite Solutions is manufacturing 692 steel-framed bathroom and en-suite shower pods for two apartment buildings. Each pod features contemporary grey floor and wall tiles, a wall-mounted D-shaped hand basin and heated towel rail. The bath has a hand-held shower on a sliding rail. The shower rooms are fitted-out with a hand-held rain shower, a large shower tray and sliding glass door. There is also a single-bar towel rail adjacent to the shower or bath.

www.offsitesolutions.com FC&A – APRIL – 2021

01278 780807

info@offsitesolutions.com 46

IDS EXCLUSIVE UK DISTRIBUTOR FOR SWISS KRONO BE.SAFE ANTIVIRAL SURFACE PROTECTION INTERNATIONAL DECORATIVE SURFACES (IDS)

Global decorative panel manufacturer Swiss Krono has launched BE.SAFE, a pioneering anti-viral treatment that offers triple protection from viruses, bacteria and fungi. The innovative new BE.SAFE surface technology can be specified across the entire Swiss Krono One World range, on any of the 128 decors and any material combination in melamine-faced chipboard, MF MDF and compact density fibreboard (CDF), which are widely used in furniture manufacturing in the kitchen, bedroom and bathroom sector, as well as in commercial, leisure and hospitality applications. The BE.SAFE One World products will be exclusively available for nationwide delivery through IDS, with whom Swiss Krono has a long-established exclusive distribution partnership.

www.idsurfaces.co.uk 0845 023 0376 solutions@idsurfaces.co.uk

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FC&A – APRIL – 2021

FC&A April 21

Articles inside

BRICKS, BLOCKS & STONE

BUILD FOCUS: High-Rise Buildings

PAINTS

RENEWABLE TECHNOLOGY

TECHNICAL FOCUS

KBB

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BACA ARCHITECTS, ASHWICKEN LAKE