FC&A November 2018 by Red Hut Media Ltd

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November 18

Issue 105

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A Glimmering Centrepiece

Sustainability – The Lost Message

Russia’s Musical Masterpiece

Studio Stefano Boeri Architetti has

Have we lost touch with truly sustainable

Zaha Hadid Architects has won a

revealed striking plans for its first-ever

specifications? FC&A reports on an

competition to build the new Sverdlovsk

project in Albania, the Blloku Cube

insightful Knauf AMF roundtable

Philharmonic Concert Hall in Russia

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

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Front cover: Studio Stefano Boeri Architetti has revealed its plans for its firstever project in Albania. See page 20.

Magazine November 2018

Welcome

to Future Constructor & Architect...

t goes without saying that sustainability is high on the agenda for all working in the construction industry; whether you’re an eco-conscious manufacturer mindful of the lifecycle of a material, an architect aiming high on the BREEAM and LEED leaderboard or even as a consumer at home going about your day-to-day routine. However, how can you truly be certain that your specification is sustainable as a specifier, and what are the drawbacks of sustainably sourcing? With the heightened publicity surrounding sustainability and the ever-increasing environmentallyfriendly age we’ve come to know and cherish, why aren’t we all embracing sustainability in everyday practice? These were just some of the questions proposed by one supplier within the construction realm, Knauf AMF, during the first week of October. With sustainability serving as the nerve centre of the company, Knauf AMF assembled eight sustainability masters around a large table in the early afternoon of Tuesday October 2nd. Observed by FC&A, a twohour informative and enlightening discussion initiated that afternoon that dug deep into the minds of the sustainably-minded octet – orchestrated by Director of architectural practice Architype, Ben Humphries. Attended by Knauf AMF’s representative, Sacha Conte, Specification Manager for the EU-leading modular ceiling specialist, the debate explored perceptions from a broad range of industry professionals; from architects, suppliers, contractors as well as interior designers.To find out more about Knauf AMF’s educational, eye-opening roundtable event, turn to page 14 of this issue. Elsewhere, pages 20 and 28 of this month’s issue stars two of the architectural realm’s greatest titans.Turn to page 20 where Studio Stefano Boeri Architetti unveils its first-ever project to be located in Albania, and flick to page 28 to explore the latest contribution from the prominent studio of Zaha Hadid Architects. I hope you enjoy this edition. Don’t forget you can also access all of the magazine’s features, product news and supplier information at your fingertips via Future Constructor & Architect’s state-of-the-art app. To download your version free of charge, simply search ‘fc&a’ on Google Play or the App store.

Rebecca

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

Rebecca Kemp Editor, Future Constructor & Architect

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Contents

News 10 Industry Updates:

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

32 Legal & Business:

As we approach a new year, ‘uncertainty’ is unquestionably a term that the nation doesn’t want to stalk the tracks of the UK in 2019. Here, Offsite Solutions’ Richard Tonkinson injects some ‘certainty’ into the realm with his thoughts on off-site methods minimising Brexit’s impact on the industry.

38 Voice of the Industry:

As the industry moves closer to landfill redevelopment, BE Design’s Managing Director, Stephen Oakden, takes a look at some common obstacles faced by developers working on these challenging sites.

Features

Portfolios 40 Build Focus: Hospitality:

WLS has seamlessly integrated two vital systems to generate a seamless evacuation procedure in the event of a disaster. Read up on how the specialist integrated a programmable fire alarm system with a BMS.

42 Technical Focus:

Sean Robinson, Specification Director of Water Management Solutions at Polypipe, talks of the technicalities behind a recent Permavoid blue-green roof project in Amsterdam and explains how the UK can benefit from similar installations.

44 Facades &

Curtain Walling: Adrian Storey, General Manager at Horbury Facades, takes FC&A back in time when brick construction was at its peak. Here, he travels through the eras to modern-day Britain and looks at the rise in popularity of brick slip cladding.

14 Roundtable:

46 Ceilings & Acoustics:

34 Doors & Windows:

50 Disability:

Uncover the conclusions from last month’s Knauf AMF roundtable on sustainability in the construction industry. Turn to page 14 to read up on FC&A’s report on the eight sustainability veterans’ remarks on today’s perception of the all-important topic.

Meesons A.I.’s Services Manager, Martin Washby, explains why a multi-layered approach to security for commercial properties will provide adequate protection against would-be thieves and intruders.

20 Blloku Cube, Studio

Stefano Boeri Architetti: Located in the heart of Albania’s capital, Studio Stefano Boeri Architetti’s multifunctional centre, the Blloku Cube, has commenced construction. FC&A explores the concept of the iridescent, glimmering building in Tirana.

28 Sverdlovsk Philharmonic

Concert Hall, Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA): Zaha Hadid Architects has unveiled stunning visuals after winning a competition to design Russia’s latest leisure facility – the Sverdlovsk Philharmonic Concert Hall. Here, FC&A takes a look at the latest design.

Having successfully achieved a soundappropriate environment amidst the hustle and bustle of Muscat International Airport, SAS International explains how you can achieve an acoustically-sound atmosphere in the cathedral-like proportions of an airport.

AKW’s Head of Product and Marketing, Stuart Reynolds, explains how an inclusive bathroom design has helped both carers and residents at Grade II Listed nursing home, Lypiatt Lodge, in Cheltenham.

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

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Industry Updates

NEWS

FC&A rounds up the latest industry news

In Brief

Tasou Associates transforms historic Camden warehouse

The Association for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP) is pleased to announce that the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has launched a consultation on a new RIBA Plan of Work for Fire Safety.The document represents the culmination of work which was initiated in 2016 when the ASFP convened a panel of stakeholders from across the built environment to investigate how fire protection could be improved throughout the construction cycle. All identified a number of issues with the construction process, including fragmentation within the construction design and build process, multiple sub-contracting and inadequate inspection of works during construction and on completion.Working with AHMM Architects, the stakeholder group recognised that developing a Plan of Work for Fire Safety, which complemented the existing RIBA work plan methodology, would provide a recognisable route for improvement.

Islington architectural practice Tasou Associates has completed its latest refurbishment project, a £200,000 office development in Camden’s Jeffrey’s Street conservation area.

ASFP welcomes launch of RIBA Plan of Work for Fire Safety

RIBA publishes placemaking report

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has published a new set of recommendations ahead of the final publication of Sir Oliver Letwin MP’s Independent Review of Build Out.The final review looks at the cause of the gap between housing completions and the amount of land allocated or granted planning permission in areas of high housing demand. The RIBA’s report identifies the necessary political conditions for building more high-quality housing. It makes recommendations for how quality and supply can be increased through better placemaking, with a greater diversity of tenures and types of homes alongside improved planning, delivery and maintenance.The report sets out 10 characteristics of housing developments where people want to live, illustrated with valuable case study evidence demonstrating the relationship between design quality and the rate of supply in the delivery of much-needed, well-built affordable homes.

The project has seen the practice transform a mid-19thcentury warehouse into a modern, uncluttered office space for client BTU Group, building service engineer. The historic two-storey building dates to around 1850 and was originally designed with small windows and little natural light. Working through design, planning and construction, Tasou Associates navigated restrictions related to the building’s location in a conservation area, as well as

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the limitations of very tight access to the site. The new design rationalises internal spaces and opens up the building to daylight by connecting three floors with a folded steel staircase, making the interior brighter and more open. Commenting on the project, Tom Tasou, Director at Tasou Associates, said: “9 Jeffrey’s Place is a great example of our ability to work within a constrained site to breathe new life into a traditional

building. We’re delighted with the end result, as is our client.” The practice obtained permission for a roof extension, with the new storey featuring a large central skylight, opening up the building so light floods the spaces

BakerHicks appoints business development director

TODD Architects promotes new associates

BakerHicks has appointed John Lawton as Business Development Director to support the continued success and growth of the business. John will support the company’s business development and management teams in implementing their respective sales and marketing strategies within the aviation, defence, life sciences and manufacturing, nuclear, power, public sector and rail industries across the UK and the D-A-CH (Germany and Switzerland) region. The role reflects John’s own experience in successfully running operational and sales teams in Europe, Ireland and the Asia-Pacific.

TODD Architects is delighted to announce a posse of internal team promotions, creating seven new associates with specialisms across a range of sectors, including office, residential, healthcare, education, retail and aviation. Says MD, Paul Crowe:“These well-deserved promotions are part of our continued succession and business development plan, rewarding talent and experience and creating career opportunities to keep those skills within the practice.These promotions will help us deliver our collective aim to empower future leadership by investing in our team.”

Fire Sector Federation appoints a new chair

Personnel

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The Fire Sector Federation has appointed Michael Harper as its Chair. The appointment is part of a wider restructuring of the federation. Changes to the federation’s structure include the appointment of a board to manage the affairs, governance, communications and management of the activities.Vice Chairman, Dennis Davis, has been appointed as Executive Officer, he said: “Michael’s appointment as an independent nonexecutive chair brings fresh expertise to the federation, which will help as it restructures and improves its response to growing demands.”

Industry Updates

In Brief BBA and LABC’s rallying call for 100% Hackitt

below. The additional storey is used as a private office with a long high-level window offering views of the treetops of the gardens behind. A folded steel staircase divides the building in two and reduces wasteful corridor space. It connects all three levels, defining more open and public spaces at the front and private spaces at the back that can be separated.

Working with its client, the practice wanted to restore the original character of the building, and the design retains some of the unique patchworks of brickwork revealed as part of the refurbishment. The new design features rough and natural materials such as mild steel and oak in combination with grey painted plasterboard and glass to reference the

Trending on Twitter AUTUMN BUDGET 2018

“#PhilipHammond announced that he will extend the cancellation of #stampduty for first-time #homebuyers on properties up to £300,000 to first-time buyers of shared ownership #properties valued up to £500,000.” – @orlandoreidldn “Plaid Cymru have criticised the #AutumnBudget saying it's a 'fantasy based on imaginary numbers' and that 'Wales is an afterthought for Westminster' #HeartNews” – @heartwalesnews

“Is the #Budget2018 a ‘missed opportunity’ on housing? @natfednews @KateNHF @SineadBAspire #AutumnBudget” – @CarlJCroft “Interesting to see construction and housing issues addressed in the Autumn Budget last week. With funding allocated to building new houses, now would be the perfect time to plan ahead for the upcoming year. Get in touch with us for all your roofing needs. ” – @RussellRoofTile

original use of the building. Sliding timber shutters provide control of light and privacy to the ground floor of the office, which echo the original stable frontage when closed. Inside, timber lining continues, concealing a small kitchen and WC, that blend into the wall when the doors are closed. www.tasou.co.uk

“Chancellor: I have already allocated £2.2bn to departments for Brexit preparations. And in the Autumn Budget last year I set aside a further £1.5bn to be allocated in 2019-20. Today I am increasing that sum to £2bn…” – @hmtreasury “@edie points out that the #AutumnBudget promises a new business energy efficiency fund supporting energy-intensive companies to make the low-carbon shift and to reduce their bills through increased energy efficiency, which sounds promising…” – @energy_nest

100% Hackitt – an industry initiative to encourage the Government to deliver all of the recommendations contained within Dame Judith’s report – was launched in Westminster on October 22nd by Local Authority Building Control (LABC) and the British Board of Agrément (BBA). These two influential organisations have united to bring focus to industry calls for a full adoption of Dame Judith’s Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety; together, they are launching a new website (www.100-hackitt. co.uk), producing ‘pledge cards’ for supporters to sign up to the initiative and pushing for an Early Day Motion (EDM) debate in the House of Commons. Their message is clear and unequivocal – the Hackitt review recommendations must be implemented in full.

New NBS survey to map digital technologies

NBS, the leading provider of technical information, specification and BIM tools, has released a new survey looking into the use of digital technologies across the industry. Available to complete now, the survey aims to understand the current attitudes and adoption of various technologies as well as predicted use and trends in the future. “As we develop and lead on our own digital transformation within the industry, we also see the need for different technologies to work together within the same process,” said NBS CEO, Richard Waterhouse. “In the past few years, we’ve highlighted and progressed a number of partnerships with technology vendors such as Autodesk, Graphisoft and Vectorworks. We’ve also developed a number of plugins to complement various NBS tools with other leading technology platforms in order for our customers to be able to access and collaborate across different tools, getting the results they need and not limited by technology.”

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Industry Updates

Architect in Profile Craig Jones’ architectural career started in London and Singapore, in practices well-versed in delivering high-end commercial developments, before expanding into high-density mixed-use housing. At the time, he considered this to be the making of himself as an architect, but the move to Boon Brown in 2004 exposed him to far greater project and client diversity. This matured Jones’ business acumen and ultimately led him to launch Boon Brown’s stillexpanding London office in 2014. What is your favourite building and why? I’m currently in Barcelona and revisited Casa Batlló. It’s a fantastic reminder of how it’s possible to create living art for generations from the skills we possess as architects.

Had you always wanted to pursue a career in architecture? While I was always interested in the construction industry and the built environment, I only considered a career in architecture towards the end of my A-levels. Even after I qualified, I didn’t develop the sense of being an architect until I experienced the business-end of delivering projects for real clients and the huge sense of responsibility that entails.

Craig Jones is Architectural Director at Boon Brown

www.boonbrown.com

What has been your most notable project to date? Whilst a small project compared with our practice portfolio, my current project Lake House, a unique 3750ft² contemporary family home in The Cotswolds, has a bold high-specification design with a strong visual connection to its location. Its design success comes from applying commercial architecture detailing at a domestic scale to create a clean order and pure design throughout the exterior and interior.

How do you approach your projects? I approach my projects with a balance of passionate creativity and process-led technical pragmatism. As architects, we hold the reins on the design, but successful projects come from strong collaborative teams working to the same outcome. What do you think is the greatest challenge for designing in sustainability? Unfortunately, design is now ruled by legislation that sets focus on renewable measurements without assessing good sustainable design. Sensitive design principles should consider how buildings naturally breathe, heat, cool and ventilate from orientation, fenestration and plan arrangements. Benefits can be achieved as basic design principles ahead of expenditure on renewables.

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What do you think is the greatest challenge for architects today? The town planning consultation and approval process are in real need of review if we are to create the construction growth targets set by the Government. On the positive, we now live in an exciting tech age where BIM tools provide an exceptional aid to 3D project design and delivery. What advice would you give newly-qualified architects? Boon Brown is committed to training young architects with a programme focused on developing technical and contractual knowledge. In the workplace, you have to work hard to push yourself beyond your comfort zone. What can we expect to see from Boon Brown over the next year? We have experienced significant growth in recent years, reaching a staff level of 60 across two offices in the South West and London. We want to sustain that controlled expansion and develop into markets where we can explore original solutions and create strong pragmatic designs.

■

Jones’ current project, Lake House, is a unique 3750ft² contemporary family home in The Cotswolds with a bold high-specification design and a strong visual connection with its location

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FC&A Roundtable Knauf AMF

Sustainability – have we missed the message?

CHAIR 

Tuesday 2nd October Knauf Clerkenwell 20 Baltic St E, London, EC1Y 0UL

Dr Joe Croft, Head of Environmental and Sustainability at Overbury and Morgan Lovell

PANELLISTS 

Ben Humphries, Director at Architype

Ophélia Gisquet, Head of Interior Design at Upcircle

Andrew Moore, Associate Sustainability Consultant at Hilson Moran

Catherine White, Director at Catherine White Interiors

Shikha Bhardwaj, Senior Environmental Consultant at ChapmanBDSP

Sacha Conte, Specification Manager at Knauf AMF

Peter Kelly, Head of Sustainability at ISG Fit Out and Engineering Services

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Sustainability; one word comprising 14 letters and one significant meaning. A definition we've all grown to familiarise ourselves with. Whether it be opting for sustainable components to achieve that sought-after BREEAM 'Excellent' accreditation, frantically chasing WELL and LEED credits or even at home reaching for that Bag for Life prior to your weekly dash around the supermarket; in a way, sustainability has subconsciously attached itself to many of our lives – regardless of your professional status. That said, with such strong recognition, how has sustainability managed to trickle through the fingers of many within the construction realm? Does it stem from financial restraints? Time pressures? Or is it construction chain matters that have placed sustainability on the backburner? One company that set out to answer these questions is Knauf AMF. With sustainability at the heart of the company, the EU-leading modular ceiling specialist assembled a number of sustainability experts during the first week of October for a roundtable event to address these issues and invited FC&A along to deliver the discussion to the rest of the industry.

FC&A Roundtable

"The architect or individual in charge of sustainability may have an understanding of it, however, as you hand a project down, the term starts to lose its message" – Sacha Conte, Specification Manager at Knauf AMF

The customer is always right?

Shikha Bhardwaj, Senior Environmental Consultant at ChapmanBDSP, stated that: "Sustainability generally is understood as a 'checklist' or a race to the finish line to achieve certification, however it is, personally, a mindset and a design approach." Bhardwaj revealed that, in her experience, clients, and designers, often relate sustainability only to certification and compliance and rarely to the building design itself. She went on to explain: "Some clients are passionate and more intrigued to explore the potential and long-term benefits of sustainable strategies, yet some are purely focused on achieving a high BREEAM certification. However, it’s our responsibility, to highlight the potential, possibilities and benefits of a sustainable design, rather than limiting our interventions to meet the compliance/certification requirements. As an environmental consultant, I believe it’s my duty to emphasise the importance and impact of a sustainable and environmentally-friendly design to the design team and the client, along with ways of implementing these strategies from early design stages. That said, in the end it's always the client's decision." Focusing on educating clients, Bhardwaj continued that it's about how inclined the clients are to change their perception towards sustainability and in parallel, the willingness of architects to integrate sustainability principles in their design for effective results.

Humphries agreed. Referring to Bhardwaj's checklist reference, he expounded that if a client regards sustainability as a “tick-box exercise”, they'll soon lose interest, but if there are tangible benefits to designing and specifying with sustainability in mind, clients are more willing to embrace the principles.

“Sustainability generally is understood as a 'checklist' or a race to the finish line to achieve certification, however it is, personally, a mindset and a design approach.” – Shikha Bhardwaj, Senior Environmental Consultant at ChapmanBDSP

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n the afternoon of Tuesday 2nd, eight sustainability veterans left their offices and made tracks to AMF's parent company, Knauf's newly-opened showroom in the heart of London’s Clerkenwell to discuss the drivers, understanding and challenges regarding the subject of sustainability in the vast world of construction. At the head of the table chairing the symposium was Ben Humphries, Director of Architype; a leading practice in the field of sustainable architecture. Suspending the panellists’ getting-to-knoweach-other chatter, Humphries opened the debate and put the overarching question to the discussion’s representatives: "Is sustainable design and construction becoming better understood?". After a temporary hiatus, the overall consensus from Humphries' seven peers was a question of "who understands sustainability?". The phraseology surrounding sustainability is often haphazardly launched around the industry, and can frequently be misconstrued as responsibilities and specifications drift down the construction chain. Sacha Conte, Specification Manager at Knauf AMF, confirmed: "The architect or individual in charge of sustainability may have an understanding of it, however, as you hand a project down, the term starts to lose its message." Conte soon went on to label the cause of sustainability’s lost meaning, underlining the all-important obstacle of cost. He accurately indicated that many sub-contractors further down the construction chain will question why they're faced by a price hike for a product that boasts sustainable credentials rather than opting for a cheaper alternative.

FC&A Roundtable

Incentivising the industry

Conte shortly enquired as to whether there are any incentives in place to inspire individuals to follow sustainable attitudes, he mentioned: "In my view, this concept of producing sustainable buildings only works if the parties all the way down the line are on board." Peter Kelly, Head of Sustainability at ISG Fit Out and Engineering Services, subsequently presented Conte with a typical scenario. "If you’re working in a sector in which there’s a valuable asset that will eventually be sold on," he said, "a client will be open to sustainable solutions because this asset will have first-class credentials – allowing it to be worth more. Even on the other end of the spectrum, for instance, you’ve got the client who wants to take an office

block and sell it on as soon as they’ve got a tenant. This type of client will usually follow the preconditions of a certification system such as BREEAM because... they will receive an extra £5 or £10 per m2, for example, to have a BREEAM ‘Excellent’-rated building, so there are some incentives in place." Dr Joe Croft, Head of Environmental and Sustainability at Overbury & Morgan Lovell, asserted: "If a client is willing to incorporate sustainable elements – even if it is purely for ‘tick-box’ purposes – then I'm satisfied they're considering it. Frankly, the only way the industry becomes sustainable is if there is an economic link...if there's no financial gain, people will lose interest. So, the fact there's that measurable difference...means people are considering it.” Croft proposed a solution toward implanting long-term sustainable philosophies into the minds of both the industry and its clients via advanced and reviewed accreditation systems, he submitted: “It’s the easiest thing in the world to criticise the certification schemes, but I believe we need to work with schemes to help them update and improve. The schemes, ultimately, are what's driving the industry – rightly or wrongly…either legislation has to push sustainability further, or the schemes do."

Put down the checklist

"The schemes, ultimately, are what's driving the industry – rightly or wrongly…either legislation has to push sustainability further, or the schemes do" – Dr Joe Croft, Head of Environmental and Sustainability at Overbury and Morgan Lovell

"...What we're doing now is educating the design team and explaining why we're doing what we're doing to move away from that checklist attitude" – Andrew Moore, Associate Sustainability Consultant at Hilson Moran

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Tick boxes, checklists, to-do lists – whatever your synonym preference – appeared to be the impediments of pushing the innovative boundaries and striving for true sustainability. While many may believe they are sustainably specifying – dotting every ‘I’ and crossing every ‘T’ – to achieve favoured credits for building standards, what was evident from the eight experts seated around Knauf’s ground-floor table was that this ‘checklist mentality’ clearly needs to be removed from construction’s demeanour. Probing further into the realm’s checklist approach, Andrew Moore, Associate Sustainability Consultant at Hilson Moran, voiced of his experience as a Sustainability Consultant. "...I think we often get bogged down with more compliance work rather than driving innovation forward," he said. He continued to describe how Hilson Moran is making small steps to eliminate the act of construction teams solely striking through an arm’s-length list of prerequisites in order to achieve credits. "What we're doing now is educating the design team and explaining why we're doing what we're doing to move away from that checklist attitude. It's so easy to fall into and entirely understandable why; time pressures are a hindering factor.”

FC&A Roundtable "…You can spend an awful lot of money chasing one or two credits and end up with something, that actually, in terms of final outcome, is not really that sustainable" – Ben Humphries, Director of Architype

Scrutinise the credentials

Croft agreed with Moore's remark surrounding time pressures and affirmed that short timescales often impede implementation of sustainable principles. Underscoring BREEAM, he said: "It’s been a good thing for contractors like us over the past 10 years, but there are a lot of credits for the process and not a great deal of time dedicated to the end product.We could have a scheme that's purely about the end product, on the other hand; we could have a certification for the process itself." Bhardwaj intriguingly added: "Although, is it possible to produce a ‘good’ product without engaging in a ‘good’ process?". She continued to elaborate: "If your process is well integrated with the sustainable principles, you surely don't have to worry so much about the end product. BREEAM certification – which I’m mindful is beneficial, can be regarded as a guideline and encourages people to take certain decisions to achieve a more sustainable product – is, ultimately, a way to reward and compare different buildings." Later quizzing the panel after a series of diversified opinions on processes and accreditation, Knauf AMF’s Conte raised the question if “BREEAM has lost its visibility?”. Hilson Moran’s Moore and Overbury and Morgan Lovell's Croft concluded that the scheme, fundamentally, “needs to up its standards” and “look at what’s happening in reality”, while ISG’s Kelly suggested the need to incentivise better-performing buildings as a mode of cogently pushing sustainability and standards. Delving deeper into the sphere of accreditation, Humphries cited the Government's Code for Sustainable Homes as an example of how a scheme has enticed house-builders to be more sustainable. Prior to its abolishment in 2015: "...The Code for

Sustainable Homes did force some developers to be more sustainable...but I do have some concerns with some of these programmes.You can spend an awful lot of money chasing one or two credits and end up with something, that actually, in terms of final outcome, is not really that sustainable." Humphries referred to public sector examples of BREEAM accreditations. He talked of Post-Occupancy Evaluations (POEs) at recent school projects, which were all highly BREEAM rated, yet consuming tremendous amounts of energy. Replying to Humphries’ statement on energy efficiency and addressing the crux of a holistic approach to sustainability, Croft rationalised with a commonplace circumstance. "…You may be concerned with the energy efficiency of a project,” he commented,“yet, another party may approach the project whose focus is water usage, for instance, and could question its sustainability in that regard." Focusing on energy, Humphries began to refer to Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs). "EPC methodology is fundamentally flawed," he told, "and the performance gap is there at least partly because of the methodology. So that's why, 10 years ago, we decided that Passivhaus was a better route because it's a methodology that takes on board all regulated and unregulated energy use. And so, you get a building that's much closer to your design. Across Europe, many are now taking on board the Passivhaus standard because you're getting much better, low-energy, high-quality, high-comfort buildings. The performance on POEs we've completed corresponds with the design – which is closing the performance gap. I do think the tools are out there, however, the issue is the industry and the legislation hasn't kept abreast of that."

"I talk to other suppliers and enquire about the eco-footprint of a particular product; however, many don't know – or they confess that an interior designer has never asked before. I just find that really shocking." – Catherine White, Director at Catherine White Interiors

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Hunting down accreditation

Moving on to the sustainable ethos of Knauf AMF, Conte spoke of the company's dedication to sustainability: "We work in approximately 115 countries, and each of these countries has a different testing requirement – even within the EU – so we test to each country's requirements. All of our products are both sustainable and recyclable." Conte advanced to depict Knauf AMF's recyclable tile – a 100% recyclable tile that can be repurposed at the end of its lifecycle. "We launched our recyclable tile approximately five years ago," he revealed, "and since then we have not had one project that's used our takeback scheme." He later announced that, in fact, throughout his seven years at Knauf AMF, he's only had six designers and architects query the sustainability credentials of an AMF product at the beginning of a project – and two of the discerning six were seated around the table. Catherine White, Director at Catherine White Interiors, added: "I talk to other suppliers and enquire about the ecofootprint of a particular product; however, many don't know – or they confess that an interior designer has never asked before. I just find that really shocking.” Humphries related to Conte's remark, notifying that he had only come across two clients that were interested in demountable fit-outs that can be sent back to the manufacturer. "I think it's something we're trying to push as specifiers," he appended. The group agreed that the circular economy is altering and takeback schemes are gradually receiving the spotlight they deserve when it comes to awareness. Moore settled: sustainability "is playing on people's conscience more."

FC&A Roundtable A commercially-minded conclusion

Peter Kelly supplemented White's comment: The concern is "...Everyone talks down the line through the commercial and procurement teams and they're necessarily not the best people to talk to regarding sustainability.Teaching and training our commercial and procurement teams may help this matter." Humphries questioned Kelly about how companies, such as ISG Fit Out and Engineering Services, are changing this deficiency in knowledge throughout the construction chain. "We're encouraging people to know who the right contacts are," he responded. "So, you can ask manufacturers, such as Knauf AMF, what innovation and sustainability credentials they can bring to the table.To illustrate, we've had significant challenges trying to obtain LEED materials that are low in VOCs or formaldehyde-free – attempting to have those conversations with manufacturers and trying to locate the right person to have the discussion with takes a significant amount of time."

"We're encouraging people to know who the right contacts are…so you can ask manufacturers, such as Knauf AMF, what innovation and sustainability credentials they can bring to the table” – Peter Kelly, Head of Sustainability at ISG Fit Out and Engineering Services

Extending on the topic of the scarcity of communication between bodies, Ophélia Gisquet, Head of Interior Design at Upcircle, offered an eye-opening insight into her role. "The great difficulty for me...is if I'm working for a contractor, for example, I have no communication with the architect during the project – I am not permitted to contact the architect. If this changed, it would make a significant difference to how we're undertaking a project...an architect is, effectively, creating the concept of a design and the interior designer should conform to this concept in order to generate continuity." Conte highlighted the concerns of Gisquet's disclosure expressing that an architect may not be working to an equivalent design concept as an interior designer, and may be pursuing demanding sustainability credits, however, without interaction, both parties would unknowingly be unacquainted with the credentials and concept in question.

"...If I'm working for a contractor, for example, I have no communication with the architect during the project – I am not permitted to contact the architect. If this changed, it would make a significant difference to how we're undertaking a project." – Ophélia Gisquet, Head of Interior Design at Upcircle

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Lost in communication

As the sustainability-focused roundtable approached its finale, the conversation promptly moved to Cat A and B fit-outs. Gisquet's design practice Upcircle – a new company with the primary objective of creating sustainable designs and implementing sustainable products within projects – has sustainability at its core. Likening Croft's comment to her experience under Upcircle, Gisquet told: "We're doing a lot of work with contractors for student accommodation projects, and a project's usually refurbished every five years, so we remove the floors, all the furniture; everything and repeat it again and again. I love my job as an interior designer, but it's hard to see so much waste coming out of these projects." White also related to Croft's remark. "I've been working with some landlords on projects like this," she enlightened, "so instead of doing a Cat A finish; what they've been doing is bringing on board a design and build contractor and asking me to help them to, for example, design a lighting layout with highly rendered visuals to show my specification within the space. We can then present these renders to the potential tenants so they can visualise how a finished office will look." Moore added that his team are starting to see a rise in VR. He explained that he believes VR should be encouraged to allow potential clients to visualise how a space would look, rather than fitting the ceilings and flooring into new-build projects. Consequently, White made of suggestion of installing temporary rafts – which can be "demounted and reinstated" – rather than installing a full ceiling. Conte returned to White's proposal with a clear conclusion to the table’s two-hour discussion. "Yes," he agreed, "something demountable and reusable makes more sense when we're talking about sustainability."

Contacts:  info@knaufamf.co.uk  

www.knaufamf.com 0191 518 8600

To find out more about Knauf AMF’s takeback scheme or to discuss a recyclable and sustainable component for your project that goes beyond a ‘tick-box exercise’, do not hesitate to get in touch.

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Blloku Cube, Tirana, Albania

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Blloku Cube, Tirana, Albania

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Blloku Cube, Tirana, Albania

Fact File Architect: Stefano Boeri Architetti Location: Tirana, Albania Year: 2017-ongoing Client: Invest Society shpk Project manager: Ermal Hasa Consultants: SCE Project, E.S.A. engineering, Albana Kocollari (ANK ARCHITECTS), engr. Helidon Kokona, engr. Llambi Karamani (Xhenlux), engr. Petrit Hoxhaj. Services: Concept design, preliminary project, final and executive project and art direction Type: Architecture Programme: Mixed â&#x20AC;&#x201C; shops, offices, car parks Project area: 1,116.80m2 GLA: 6052m2 Status: Ongoing Design group: Stefano Boeri (Founding Partner), Francesca Cesa Bianchi (Project Director), with Jona Arkaxhiu, Orjana Balla, Marco Bernardini, Agostino Bucci, Shilong Tan, Carlotta Capobianco, Moataz Faisal Farid,Yulia Filatova, Andrea Zucchi. Images: Stefano Boeri Architetti

shops, bars and restaurants lining its characteristic and regularly-shaped blocks. It is on these two streets that the main entrances of the building are positioned, to serve the retail centre and the offices. On the ground floor, the square floorplan of approximately 30m on each side presents a significant variant: the way in which the corners have been cut in proximity to the crossroads between the street axes and the main entrance creates a semi-covered square as an extension to the sidewalk, in which the uniformity of the paving between the outdoor and indoor spaces invites passers-by to enter the retail complex.

Slanting surfaces and leaning structures

The floorplan of the ground level extends to the first floor of the volume, also occupied by shops, where the west facade of the building slopes to connect with the floor above, which resumes its regular square shape. The inclination of the glass facade and its supporting elements create a resting point on a slanting surface where a seating system, literally leaning against the facade structure, offers an opportunity to admire the city and the public area below from an unusual viewpoint.

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ocated in the heart of Tirana, in the same urban district as the historical residence of Albanian Communist Party Leader Enver Hoxha, the Blloku Cube is the new multifunctional centre signed by Stefano Boeri Architetti, now under construction. The building stands right on the junction between the streets of Pjeter Bogdani and Vaso Pasha, in the heart of the Blloku, one of the most prestigious districts in Tirana which, in the post-Communist era, has gone from being a military zone of restricted access to a nerve centre of city life, thanks to the proliferation of facilities,

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The building continues to rise with its regular square floorplan for another five levels, all of which are destined to be occupied by offices, and is surmounted by a roof garden restaurant on the seventh floor. The identity of the building

is strongly characterised by special cladding, a stand-out feature that makes it recognisable and unique in the city skyline and, at the same time, high performing in terms of thermal efficiency, thanks to a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;double-skinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; technological system.

The Blloku Cube is the new multifunctional centre signed by Stefano Boeri Architetti, now under construction

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Blloku Cube, Tirana, Albania

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Blloku Cube, Tirana, Albania

The ‘first skin’ consists of a curtain wall, an uninterrupted glass facade providing adequate insulation to the building in terms of energy efficiency and acoustics. While the ‘second skin’ is made up of a sophisticated technological shielding system in anodised aluminium – consisting of 110cm2 modules, which only obscure the light for half of their surface due to the presence of threedimensional triangles welded inside. “The resulting effect is that of a vibrant and iridescent surface, a pattern of aluminium triangles playing with the sunlight to create reflections in different

nuances of colour,” explains Stefano Boeri. Each of the tiny metal sails making up the facade is pointed in a different direction to filter the sunlight and provide optimal natural lighting within, according to the programmed use of each space, as well as making it ever unique, thanks to the multiple viewpoints of the city of Tirana it offers. “This particular cladding solution, specifically designed for our first Albanian project, plays an essential role in defining the uniqueness of the building and contributes to underling its importance as a new landmark of this urban

district,” adds Francesca Cesa Bianchi, Project Director for Stefano Boeri Architetti. The construction, started in July 2018, will be entirely managed by the Tirana branch of Stefano Boeri Architetti, which has already put its name to ‘Tirana 2030’, the new town planning scheme of the Albanian capital with UNLAB and IND and, after winning an international contest, will be engaged in the construction of three schools, destined to become the new hubs of social and cultural activities in the northwestern area of the city.

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The floorplan of the ground level extends to the first floor of the volume, also occupied by shops, where the west facade of the building slopes to connect with the floor above

www.stefanoboeriarchitetti.net

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Sverdlovsk Philharmonic Concert Hall, Yekaterinburg, Russia

Music to the ‘eyes’ Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA) has been selected by the jury of the International Design Competition to build the new Sverdlovsk Philharmonic Concert Hall in Yekaterinburg, Russia.

Performing to full houses all year round, in the existing Sverdlovsk Philharmonic building that dates from 1936, the orchestra’s new home will provide an inspirational venue to meet the increasing popularity of the orchestra’s programme of concerts – and also create a new public plaza for the people of the city. Echoing the physical aspects of sound waves, the design of the new Philharmonic Concert Hall is based on the properties of musical sound resonance creating wave vibrations in a continuous smooth surface.The design reinterprets these physical acoustic properties to define spaces for the auditoria that are suspended within the canopy, appearing to float above the new civic plaza that is both the lobby of the Philharmonic Concert Hall and an enclosed urban square.

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City centrepiece Providing a 1600-seat concert hall and a 400-seat chamber music hall of the highest acoustic standards, these new auditoria are nestled within the surface deformations of the suspended canopy; liberating the lobbies from obstructions to open this space as a vibrant new gathering place for the local community. This new 21st-century addition will inhabit the void between the existing buildings and Weiner Gardens; not competing with these heritage buildings, but complementing the ensemble that will include the preservation and renovation of the current concert hall as an integral element of the new world-class facility that will be one of the focal points of the city’s cultural life.

onsidered the capital of the Urals, the city of Yekaterinburg is Russia’s third-largest economy. Its population has increased by over 10% in the past decade to 1.5 million and continues to grow as the primary hub and meeting point connecting east and west, Europe and Asia; attracting the many cultures, talents and industries from across Eurasia. Yekaterinburg has built a rich musical tradition and established its reputation as a cultural and artistic centre.The city’s acclaimed Ural Philharmonic Orchestra has performed in more than 20 countries and collaborates with renowned artists worldwide.The orchestra cultivates aspiring young talent and has as its foundation a dedicated, passionate and growing society of music lovers in Yekaterinburg and around the world.

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Sverdlovsk Philharmonic Concert Hall, Yekaterinburg, Russia

Similarly, the new building does not impose upon the adjacent Weiner Gardens but seamlessly merges with the natural landscape; opening its transparent glass facade to offer views of the renovated gardens that includes an amphitheatre for outdoor performances throughout the summer. The lobby serves not only as an introduction to the world of symphony music but also as a welcoming public plaza for all members of its local community. The existing Sverdlovsk Philharmonic Hall is housed within the city’s old Civic Assembly Building that was originally built as a club for all citizens to gather. The new design revives and enhances this commendable

civic legacy; its spaces designed to function as a centre of Yekaterinburg’s civic, social and cultural life. Enhancing its connections with the surrounding urban fabric of the city, large glazed facades blur the boundary between interior and exterior; inviting visitors to experience the spaces within that celebrate public gathering, civic forum and creative endeavour. The Philharmonic Concert Hall’s procession of interconnected public spaces continues through the building to its rooftop terrace overlooking the city’s Church of All Saints. Christos Passas, Project Director at Zaha Hadid Architects, said: “Russia has been a formative influence on Zaha Hadid

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Architects’ creative work. From very early in her career, Zaha was attracted to the Russian avant-garde who conceived civic spaces as urban condensers that catalyse a public realm of activity to enrich creativity and community; allowing space itself to enhance our understanding and wellbeing. These principles are embedded within the design of the new Sverdlovsk Philharmonic Concert Hall.” Pavel Krekov, Deputy-Governor of the Sverdlovsk Oblast region, Head of the Project Office for the new Philharmonic Concert Hall and Chairman of the competition jury, said: “This project will enrich the city and provide the highest international acoustic and technical standards.”

Sverdlovsk Philharmonic Concert Hall, Yekaterinburg, Russia SVERDLOVSK PHILHARMONIC CONCERT HALL 3D SECTION

Project team

ZHA graphic design: Silviya Barzakova

Architect: Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA)

ZHA videography: Henry Virgin

ZHA Principal: Patrik Schumacher ZHA Design Director: Christos Passas ZHA Project Architect: Alessio Costantino ZHA design lead: Ben Kikkawa, Melhem Sfeir, Zsuzsanna Barat and Afsoon Es Haghi

ZHA Senior Interior Designer: Sonia Renehan ZHA Cultural Researcher: Vera Kichanova ZHA Administrator: Nastasija Hahonina ■

Dmitry Liss, Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the Ural Philharmonic Orchestra and member of the design competition jury, said: “For musicians, this new hall is crucial. It will be a musical instrument that brings the sound to life.” 47 international teams submitted proposals to the design competition that was organised by the Ministry of Construction and Infrastructure Development of the Sverdlovsk Region with the assistance of the charitable foundation for support of the Ural Philharmonic Orchestra.

ZHA design team: Duo Chen, Christina Christodoulidou, Anna UborevichBorovskaya, Ekaterina Smirnova, Aleksandar Bursac, Alicia Hidalgo Lopez, Maria-Eleni Bali, Eckart Schwerdtfeger, Maria Avrami, Valeria Perco and Sattor Jabbor

www.zaha-hadid.com

ZHA Project Consultant: Liudmila Harrison-Jones

Local architect: SPEECH (Moscow); Sergey Tchoban, Marina Kuznetskaya, Daria Demidova Structural engineering: AKT II (London); Daniel Bosia MEP engineering: Atelier 10 (London); Meredith Davey, Ivan Jovanovich, Piers Watts-jones and Younha Rhee Facade engineering: OPTIMISE (London); Scott Cahill, Adam Willetts and Tim Macfarlane (glass light and special structure) Landscape design: ARTEZA (Moscow); Irina Chebanenko Theatre consultant: Theatre Projects (London); David Staples, Dave Agnes Acoustic engineering design: Marshall-Day (Melbourne, Hong Kong); Peter Fearnside, Peter Exton and Thomas Scelo Lighting design: OVI (New York); Enrique Peininger, Jean Sundin and Markus Fuerderer.

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Legal & Business Richard Tonkinson is Executive Director of Offsite Solutions, the UK’s longestestablished bathroom pod manufacturer. After graduating from the University of Edinburgh, Richard spent 10 years working in the City of London. He has extensive experience in a wide range of capital markets and has worked on numerous corporate transactions. He holds a post-graduate diploma in accounting and is also Executive Director of Offsite Solutions’ sister company, Deanestor – one of the UK’s leading furniture manufacturers for the healthcare, education, student accommodation and laboratory sectors.

How to minimise the impact of Brexit In this article, Richard Tonkinson, Executive Director of Offsite Solutions, a UK-leading bathroom pod manufacturer, looks at the impact of Brexit on the construction industry and how taking an off-site approach can mitigate some of the economic uncertainty.

We believe the use of off-site construction can help to limit the effects of Brexit because of the greater cost certainty it offers. The procurement of bathroom pods, for example, should be prioritised as these will be delivered early in a project – even before the building envelope is installed. A better price can be agreed with early procurement, and the risk of inflation is then completely avoided. As a bathroom pod manufacturer, we can achieve this because we have considerable buying power for bathroom products and materials – from taps, tiles and sanitaryware to timber, steel and oil-based materials for GRP. Long-term agreements with suppliers give us the benefit of fixed annual prices.We place the orders for products and materials as soon as our contract with the client is signed. Off-site manufacturers also have a more stable, multiskilled workforce and so are in a stronger position to protect against wage inflation. With site-based bathroom construction, several packages are tendered separately and typically at a later stage in the build programme. This leaves the contractor or developer more exposed to cost increases for the finishing trades.

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By entering into a contract for factory-built bathrooms at an earlier stage, contractors and developers can secure a price for one of the largest packages in a building project and potentially 12 to 24 months ahead.This provides cost certainty and removes the risk of wage inflation or material price increases. Whilst UK companies are having to grapple with higher costs, skills shortages and further pressure on the value of sterling, there are also some positives. Importing completed bathroom pods from Europe has become significantly more expensive. When this is combined with the longer lead times required for imports and the reduced responsiveness of manufacturers based outside the UK, at the design stages, for delivery scheduling and in aftersales, developers and contractors have been encouraged to focus on UK suppliers. As a result, we have seen much less competition from European bathroom pod manufacturers since the Brexit referendum which has had a very positive impact on our business and has to be good for British manufacturing overall.

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ccording to the RICS, UK construction could lose 8% of its workforce post-Brexit – around 200,000 EU workers. The availability of labour is one of the biggest challenges created by Brexit and could lead to significantly higher project costs. If there are restrictions in the movement of labour, there will be pressure on wage inflation, which could be as high as 15% because of the reduced labour pool. The fall in the value of sterling also means that the UK will be a less attractive work destination and no longer the first choice for construction workers. It is estimated that at least a quarter of all materials used in UK construction are imported – underlining the susceptibility of the industry to currency fluctuations. Reports from manufacturers and construction companies predict material price increases of up to 20% because of the rising cost of material imports and the pressure of the weaker pound. There is also the possibility of additional duties if the UK loses the benefit of the single market and limits are imposed on quantities.

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Doors & Windows

Balancing security and building design

hefts from the workplace can be more damaging than you would think. Cash, computers and personal documents can be taken with ease, whilst the consequences for a business of losing intellectual property or having an IT system hacked from the inside can have a much wider impact. This is why building designers need to make sure that their buildings deter would-be thieves. A multi-layered approach can extend from the outer perimeter to areas within the building, including controlling access to only authorised people. For instance, it is common for office windows to be fitted with secure locks, whilst alarm systems, manned guarding and perimeter intrusion detection mean the premises are protected at night. All these offer good protection, although it still doesn’t address one of the most common ways in which thieves gain access to commercial buildings and that is simply by walking through the front door during working hours. Unfortunately, they

rely on the fact that if there are enough people working in a building, they won’t be challenged.

Avoiding tailgating Improving security in commercial buildings needs to be multi-layered. A good choice for many buildings is a speed gate or security portal that incorporates intelligent anti-tailgating features.Tailgating is where an unauthorised person, either forced or accidental, closely follows behind an authorised user to gain access. A considerable amount of research and development has gone into making sure speed gates and security portals prevent tailgating. These entrance control solutions now provide building owners and managers with the capability to ensure that only valid people gain entry, and unauthorised users are denied access. The latest intelligent anti-tailgating solutions use accurate infrared sensor detection that causes the glass wings on speed gates to close

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on unauthorised users who attempt to follow closely behind the person with valid access. We also have the ability to enhance the level of security by incorporating additional features such as high glass wing gates, glass balustrades and pressure-sensing tops to avoid speed gate vaulting. A variety of third-party access control devices including biometrics (facial recognition, touchless technology and QR readers etc.) can also be incorporated. Meesons’ speed gates are equipped with emergency contacts which allow the units to ‘fail-safe’, avoiding the need for a separate emergency exit.

Withstanding physical attack In certain situations, for example, in an unmanned area or an area open to the general public, determined thieves may use force to gain entry and here security portals are a good choice because they create a robust physical airlock entry barrier. An effective way of making sure your security portal can withstand a physical attack is to specify one that is approved to LPCB’s LPS 1175 standard. This standard is specified across many different sectors including education, finance, healthcare, manufacturing, the public sector, residential, retail and utilities.

Here Martin Washby, Technical Services Manager at Meesons A.I., looks at why hardening commercial buildings against theft requires a multi-layered approach.

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Doors & Windows Until recently, specifiers had to make compromises between safeguarding building occupants and retaining aesthetics of the entrance area. That’s because they really only had two choices: Specify a low-level security solution that looked aesthetically pleasing, such as a revolving door. However, these aren’t designed to resist a forced entry attempt and wouldn’t meet LPS 1175. Specify an LPS 1175-approved doorset that creates a robust physical entrance barrier but won’t prevent tailgating, and because they have minimal glazing, usually look very austere, meaning they are visually unsuitable for many buildings. Neither of these options were ideal, although that changed when we gained LPS 1175 approval on our C190 and C3-S1 to S3 Cylindrical Security Portals. Not only are they now an approved glazed entrance solution but they are aesthetically pleasing with customisable finishes, meaning they are suitable for prestigious entranceways as well as preventing tailgating and being suitable for wheelchair users. That makes them a great alternative to revolving doors. LPS 1175 testing is carried out by BRE, using the test formulated by the LPCB, an organisation that has extensive input from Government, insurance industry and police forces.Within the LPS 1175 certification standard, there are a number of different ratings associated with the level of security provided by the approved products. For instance, the C190 and C3 security portals have achieved a security rating of SR1, SR2 and SR3.The SR3 version provides resistance to determined attempts at forced entry using a range of techniques including those that involve the creation of noise. It’s also worth bearing in mind that our SR3-approved portals incorporate bullet-resistant glazing – BR3/S EN1063. In addition to withstanding forced entry, the LPS 1175-approved security portals have achieved Secured by Design accreditation. This is the national police initiative to help design-out crime through the use of highquality, innovative products and processes.The security portals have to adhere to rigorous test standards required by the police.

Most crime can be avoided by reducing the opportunity for it to happen. Taking a multi-layered approach to security allows you to specify an appropriate physical entry barrier that addresses this and reduces the risk of criminals taking advantage.

For medium-risk buildings, speed gates that incorporate anti-tailgating measures remain an effective layer. As the risk of unauthorised and determined entry attack increases, which can often be linked to the value of items inside the building, business

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owners and facility managers will expect that their premises are ‘hardened’ against thieves with LPS 1175-approved security portals.

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Summary

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Voice of the Industry Projects such as Island Road – a former landfill site with 6m of domestic landfill in Reading where BE Design has delivered a five-unit industrial scheme over two phases – evidence how innovation in sustainable engineering has improved logistics networks

Regenerating former landfill sites As the construction industry is seeing an increasing shift towards landfill redevelopment, Stephen Oakden, Director at BE Design – the multi-disciplinary architecture and engineering practice – outlines the biggest obstacles faced by developers when constructing on such sites and how to meet environmental challenges with practical and safe solutions. Are landfill sites really suitable for redevelopment? In short – yes. Former landfill sites and brownfield land throughout the UK are being earmarked for development as demand for space increases. Naturally, these sites present additional engineering and design challenges. But, when managed effectively, the development of these sites can be a catalyst for regeneration – while protecting existing greenbelt land in the area. The safety of construction teams and end-users on landfill sites is the first challenge to be addressed, and developers should allow additional time to accurately assess the risks in detail before any projects can begin. Sites should undergo rigorous environmental and safety testing, and greater care needs to be taken with

awareness relating to the risks of the site and the necessary protective clothing required. Most disused landfill sites are capped and closed once filled, but one can never be certain what ‘hidden gems’ may be discovered once work begins on site. There has been an instance where a former landfill site uncovered hypodermic needles, highlighting the importance of covering skin and wearing protective clothing at all times. Two of the biggest issues when preparing a landfill site for development are dealing with the gases produced by decomposing material and consolidation.

Reducing the risks of toxic gases Ground content will continue to decompose even after capping, releasing CO2 and methane gases into the air.

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Stephen Oakden is Director at BE Design – an architecture, civil and structural engineering firm which was formed in 2013 and is based in Newark, Nottinghamshire.

In large spaces, these gases will have very little impact but managing these risks through several tactics is still crucial. Most landfill sites have a metre-thick, impervious capping layer which seals the site and helps to stop pollution, but it is essential to ensure a strong seal between the sealant material and the piling to minimise leaks, together with using piling techniques that do not cause pathways for contamination to enter into underlying soils or groundwater. Under-building ventilation systems also help manage gas emissions. These vary in make-up, but all follow a process that encourages airflow out from underneath buildings, either by natural or mechanical means, to release gases safely. This is often achieved by installing a layer of porous rock on the capped landfill surface, with horizontal piping to direct

Voice of the Industry Care needs to be taken to ensure that differential settlement between the ridged piled structure and the ground-bearing external areas do not cause significant problems. This can be specifically pronounced with drainage which should be checked annually.

Rapid impact compaction was implemented during the second phase of development during 2018, consolidating loose-fill soils on the site to help minimise ongoing settlement

Implementing ground improvement techniques

the air out. This method requires close measurement because, whilst it is safe to allow extracted gas to release straight into the atmosphere, if levels are deemed significant, flaring will need to be introduced to overcome odour problems and comply with environmental regulations. Whilst this system has been successfully implemented in many properties, mechanical ventilation systems do require maintenance for many years, which should be considered as part of the wider cost implications for the owner and any future purchasers of the building. Furthermore, service ducts and vents for cabling and utility services must be sealed in a truly permanent fashion, and it is highly recommended that audible gas detection devices should be installed as a final precaution.

Managing settlement Consolidation – the sinking and settling of the land as waste breaks down – is another of the biggest problems affecting redevelopment on landfill sites. As decomposition occurs, depressions can develop on the site surface, and fluid that trickles out of a landfill (known as the leachate) also carries contaminants and has the potential to spoil the ground water in the surrounding area. Whilst a significant amount of the settlement takes place within five years of a landfill’s closure, it can continue for decades, albeit at a slower rate. Engineers must evaluate the land carefully before making recommendations to build on the site to ensure the area is safely stabilised. Structures will often be piled and suspended to ensure the firm ground beneath it is bearing the majority of the weight, rather than the landfill itself.

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Dynamic compaction was used on the ground during the first phase of the Island Road development in 2017

Ground improvement techniques are continually being developed, employed and refined within the construction industry. Projects such as Island Road – a former landfill site with 6m of domestic landfill in Reading where BE Design has delivered a five-unit industrial scheme over two phases – evidence how innovation in sustainable engineering has improved logistics networks. Dynamic compaction was used on the ground during the first phase of the Island Road development in 2017. This entails the repeated dropping of a heavy weight on the ground at regularly spaced intervals; the density of the soil was increased, and 230mm of consolidation was averaged onsite. The impact of the free-falling weight creates stress waves which can penetrate up to 10m – depending on the weight and the height from which it is dropped. Rapid impact compaction was implemented during the second phase of development during 2018, consolidating loose-fill soils on the site to help minimise ongoing settlement. This technique uses a hydraulic pile-driving hammer to continually strike a plate on the surface of the ground. This constant contact drives energy into the ground, which mitigates concerns over flying debris and creates a uniform support for foundation footing. These methods should be tested on site ahead of time to gauge how it will respond before major works begin. Both techniques should be carefully monitored and recorded; as if either is overused it can create a localised heaving of the soil which is detrimental to the soil strength. The ground can also be tested after the use of this technology to evidence the level of improvement accomplished. Using a cone penetration pressure method, groundwater content and soil density can be measured in comparison to pre-ground improvement statistics. This data is likely to prove invaluable in the future as more waste sites are likely to be earmarked for regeneration – driving the country’s use of brownfield land for construction.

www.bedesign.co.uk

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Build Focus: Hospitality

Integrated fire and security systems for mixed-use regeneration scheme Designed to transform part of East London as part of the £3.7bn Canning Town and Custom House Regeneration programme, a new mixed-used scheme – including a mix of residential, retail and leisure accommodation – presented varied challenges when it came to designing and installing the security and fire safety requirements.

hose challenges were taken up by WLS, a leading fire safety and security specialist that has been responsible for the installation of the fire safety and security measures across phase two of the development – including the varying requirements of the hotel, the residential blocks and the retail accommodation.

Hotel requirements The 196-room hotel requires a robust fire safety strategy, and WLS has installed a fully addressable and programmable fire alarm system that has been integrated with the BMS on a cause-and-effect scenario basis. Explains Jeremy Ewen from WLS: “The guests in a hotel are usually unfamiliar with their surroundings and may find it more

difficult to navigate their way to exits in the event of a fire than the occupants of a residential building – who usually know the location of exit doors and staircases. “The client had already developed a full fire strategy for the hotel, based on the operator’s standard fire protection policies, and we worked closely with them to locate sensors according to their requirements and programme the system to work with their preferred cause-andeffect scenarios.” The fire alarm system installed by WLS features sensors throughout the corridors, guestrooms and social spaces within the hotel and has been designed to escalate the response to risk as additional sensors are triggered.

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Jeremy continues: “In any environment, there must be a balance between responding swiftly to minimise the threat to life and property in the event of an incident, and managing risk effectively to avoid disruption in the event of a false alarm. In a hotel environment, for example, we want to avoid a complete evacuation from a single sensor being triggered by a cigarette, while ensuring that evacuation is triggered promptly and carried out efficiently in the event of a verified risk.” To provide high levels of protection that escalate as the level of threat detected increases, the system installed in the hotel sends the lift to the ground floor after the activation of the first sensor, preventing guests from using it as this would present a danger

Build Focus: Hospitality

Residential and retail The first of the three residential blocks involved in the WLS installation features a cloud-based access control system, which was preprogrammed off-site prior to installation. WLS has integrated this with the door entry system, which controls access to an inner and outer lobby from where a concierge can call individual apartments, with a video handset and panel installed in each apartment. The access control system also controls entry to the residents’ roof terrace and the communal areas at basement level, which include bike stores and parking. WLS has also installed a fire detection and alarm system at basement level and for all the staircases and common areas on the ground floor. CCTV completes the security arrangements for this block as part of a phase two-wide CCTV installation by WLS involving more than 50 cameras across the site, all of which are monitored centrally from a dedicated security room in one of the residential blocks. WLS has also installed a fob and keypadbased access control system in two further blocks as part of the same phase of works, providing secure access to the basement, ground-level entrances, roof terraces and

podium-level bike stores. The company has also installed a fire detection and alarm system across the ground floor retail accommodation and basement car park along with disabled refuges for each block at basement level. All fire and security provision is monitored centrally in the security room in one of the residential blocks, with the varied fire alarms networked together. This ensures that the management team in neighbouring buildings can be alerted to an incident and take appropriate action if a fire is detected anywhere on the complex. Jeremy adds: “While the fire detection and alert systems are largely located in the common areas of each building, the system is so sophisticated that the exact sensor that has triggered the alarm can be identified from the safety and security control room so that informed decisions can be taken about the level of risk for each building and the phasing of any evacuation.”

Rapid progress WLS’ installation at the project is now complete and the development is moving on to phase two.

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in the event of a genuine fire. If a second sensor is triggered, the BMS will shut down all electrical and mechanical plant and the automatic opening ventilation (AOV) system will be triggered to allow smoke to escape. In addition to interfacing with the building’s BMS, the smoke detection and fire alarm system have also been integrated to a pager system, ensuring that the duty manager is notified of any incident, should he/she be out of earshot of the audible alarm. The hotel has also been designed with disabled access and safety in mind. Four rooms on each floor have been designed for use by disabled guests and WLS has installed pull cords for requesting help, along with a vibrating fire alarm to alert deaf guests to danger in the event of a fire. Each level of the hotel has also been fitted with a disabled refuge for every staircase on each landing to enable those unable to use the stairs to call for help and await rescue. Jeremy continues: “Building enhanced safety features for those with physical, visual or hearing disabilities into the fire system is also particularly important for hotel environments to aid evacuation. Combining rooms with disability safety features with disabled refuges and external monitoring for this building significantly enhances guest safety.”

www.westlondonsecurity.com

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Technical Focus

Up on the roof According to a far-reaching study by the Met Office, the UK’s climate is changing; bringing more warm spells and tropical nights. The Met Office also states that while the UK’s summer rainfall has been decreasing on average since the start of the 20th century, it has increased during winter, says Sean Robinson, Specification Director of Water Management Solutions at Polypipe.

or building design in the UK, this could mean a complete rethink in the materials we use and the functionality of buildings. Solutions will be required to minimise the rising temperature hot spots in cities – the urban heat island effect – and to effectively manage the increasingly frequent rain deluges. Green roof systems are promoted as a climate adaptation measure to lower air temperatures and improve comfort in urban areas, especially during intensive dry and warm spells. However, there is much debate on the effectiveness of this measure because of a lack of fundamental knowledge about evaporation from different blue-green roof systems. To further the debate, Permavoid, along with Dutch businesses, Governments and stakeholders have collaborated to conduct an independent study, under the guidance of KWR Watercycle Research Institute, to determine the energetic, hydrological and ecological functioning of different vegetated roof systems in Amsterdam.

Project SmartRoof 2.0 research points to the use of blue-green roofs as a viable, scalable solution that could be effective across UK cities. The Project SmartRoof 2.0 research project started in April 2017 and aimed at determining hydrological, thermal and biodiverse functioning of blue-green roof systems in the urban environment. The goal was to harvest and store as much rainwater for capillary plant irrigation as possible and use drinking water only in cases of extreme prolonged droughts. The hypothesis from the Permavoid experts was that plants in blue-green roof systems have a higher urban cooling capacity, can enable a wider plant species selection due to improved water availability, as well as reduce the precipitation lost to sewer discharge.

Setting up Project SmartRoof 2.0

A total of three research plots (4.2 x 4.2m each) were constructed within a 440m2 blue-green roof garden in Amsterdam.

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One plot was constructed like a conventional extensive green roof, equipped with a 25mm drainage mat and a 4cm substrate layer.The other two plots were equipped with a Permavoid 85mm drainage, storage and capillary irrigation system, with water storage maximised (by overflow) to 30mm out of the available 80mm capacity (due to weight restrictions on the roof). One was covered with a 4cm substrate and the other with an 8cm substrate. Surface and air temperatures on an adjacent reference black bituminous roof were also monitored. A complete array of sensors was installed to measure heat fluxes (incoming sunlight, reflected light, surface temperatures, soil and air temperatures).Weather data was gathered with an on-site weather station (rainfall, solar radiation, air temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and direction). A weighing lysimeter was built into each research area to determine actual plant evaporation in relation to time. Soil moisture and water levels in the Permavoid units were monitored and recorded. A second temperature monitoring station was placed on an adjacent black roof.

Technical Focus After placement of sedum mix blankets, 40 plant species native to Europe were sown on the sedum carpet/substrate to increase the biodiversity and to give insight in the change in plant species distribution over time. All plots received the same initial vegetation and seed mix as well as the same maintenance and fertilisation regime throughout the entire research period.

BLUE-GREEN ROOF IRRIGATION SYSTEM

What the results show

SECTIONS OF ROOF SYSTEM AND VEGETATION INSTALLATION

Water evaporation performance improvements During the research period, the hydrological performance – in the sense of evaporating precipitation water instead of discharging this water to the sewer – was also greatly improved by the blue-green roof system: total average precipitation water evaporation for sedum increased from 290 to 386mm and for the grass/herbs vegetation, from 414 to 515mm. The storage of precipitation and capillary irrigation of the roof vegetation proved to be an effective measure for increasing total annual evaporation. Moreover, due to the higher water efficiency of sedum vegetation, it takes longer before the water runs out in the system and evaporation declines. The results showed that when storing up to 80mm of water, sedum vegetation is sustainable in the long-term.

These blue-green roof systems could bring far-reaching benefits to UK cities. Not only is a blue-green roof relatively simple to install and maintain on a large enough flat roof area, but the spaces created can offer more benefits for the end-users of the site, by increasing usable green spaces for amenities, which, in turn, increases biodiversity and can assist with climate cooling.The research from Project SmartRoof 2.0 demonstrates that in order to have the urban environment benefit of green roofs, we have to add water to these systems so that plants can flourish. A blue-green roof system also enhances how urban space can be better used in a multifunctional way. With the UK climate developing more extreme traits of longer, warmer seasons, interspersed with heavier rainfall, is it essential that our built environment can adapt to the changes in the environment.

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After the initial month of establishment, the plots did not receive any water other than rain. The vegetation started as a sedum-dominated mix and quickly developed into a grass- and herbdominated vegetation on the capillary irrigated plots. The plant cooling capacity is directly linked to the amount of water plants can evaporate during growth. Water availability for plant growth directly determines or limits plant cooling and with that their urban heat island reduction capacity. The three research plots showed distinct differences in actual plant evaporation rates. The capillary-irrigated plots show evaporation fluxes of ca. 3mm/ day (3 l./m2 per day) on average during summer, with up to well over 4mm/ day especially in late spring 2018. This is very much in line with the potential evaporation of normal natural vegetation at ground level in the Netherlands. Actual evaporation of the conventional plot showed prolonged periods with significant evaporation reduction during dry spells, especially during spring and early summer. Observations on the roof indicated that the sedum vegetation on the conventional green roof ran out of water after six to seven days of no rain, where the blue-green systems with grasses and herbs ran out of water after a dry spell of 15 days. The results show that on a conventional green roof with sedum vegetation, total growing season water shortages can be reduced from 28 to 4% by increasing the amount of water stored in the drainage layer from 0 to 80mm. For a grass- and herb-dominated vegetation, water shortage is reduced from 29 to 12%. This lesser reduction is caused by the fact that the modelled potential evaporation of a grass/ herbs vegetation is higher than that of the sedum-dominated vegetation. To achieve maximum evaporation to maintain the growth of roof vegetation and to generate the urban cooling effect, based on 80mm of water storage, 70mm of extra irrigation water would be needed for a grass/herbs vegetation and 15mm for the sedum-dominated vegetation.

www.projectsmartroof.com

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Facades & Curtain Walling The 10-storey mansion-style building contains 85 homes and is situated on the West Grove residential development on Elephant Park in London

In with the old Adrian Storey, General Manager at Horbury Facades, looks at how innovation in modern rainscreen cladding materials is resulting in a rise in brick slip facades.

ating back to 7000 BC, and originally made from dried mud blocks, bricks are one of the oldest known building materials. The clay bricks that we commonly use today were made popular by the Roman Legions, who operated mobile kilns and built large brick public and private structures throughout the Roman Empire. They built walls, forts, cultural centres, vaults, arches and faces of their aqueducts. The Herculaneum gate of Pompeii and the baths of Caracalla in Rome are great examples of Roman brick structures that still stand to this day. During this period, the art of brickmaking was spread throughout Europe, where it became one of the most common construction materials. However, fast-forward to the modern era, and bricks seemed to lose their appeal, particularly in the early 2000s when they were considered old-fashioned by many contemporary architects, who often favoured steel or glass finishes. After World War II, brick was scarcely used for anything other than house-building and, the extensive bombing of cities like Birmingham, Coventry, Hull and Sheffield led to the development of ‘concrete cities’ in the post-War period.

In the 1950s and 1960s, the trend was to reinvent these cities with modern building designs and techniques and Brutalist architecture was born (stemming from the French word for raw concrete ‘brut’). Typical examples of Brutalist architecture include the Guoman Tower near Tower Bridge in London, Park Hill flats in Sheffield, Trellick Tower in London and the Mancunian Way flyover, to name but a few.

Brick is back Now, 60 years on from when Brutalism had its heyday, innovative cladding techniques are providing a way of breathing new life into these cities, many of which are currently undergoing major city centre regeneration and redevelopment; and one of the most popular finishes chosen for these projects? Brick. Brick slips are thin sections of brick that are bonded onto a rainscreen panel, which together imitates the look of conventional brickwork but with considerably less weight, cost and labour required to complete the development. Highwood Garden Terrace is a great example of a modern development that features a seemingly traditional facade,

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made from modern materials. The 10-storey mansion-style building contains 85 homes and is situated on the West Grove residential development on Elephant Park in London; the new £2.3bn multiphase regeneration of the former Heygate Estate based in Elephant and Castle. The scheme is a major mixed-use development that will create almost 2500 new homes and the largest new park in Central London for 70 years. West Grove, which is due for completion in 2019, is the second phase of the development and will contain 593 homes in total. The Highwood Garden Terrace development features an inspirational brick slip Corium facade in grey and red in assorted textures. Glazed terracotta tiles in seven varying shades that graduate from buff to a dark red are also fixed onto playfully arranged infills in a staggered bond of differing lengths. The design of the structure is inspired by traditional London mansion blocks and incorporates a number of tiers where the building steps back to offer terraces to many of the homes.

UK housing crisis Aside from the aesthetics that can be achieved with brick slip, the material is more commonly used for larger residential developments as it enables builders to complete projects more quickly. According to official statistics published in March by the House of Commons, 78,930 families were living in temporary accommodation at the end of December 2017. This includes 120,510 children,

Facades & Curtain Walling Highwood Garden Terrace is a great example of a modern development that features a seemingly traditional facade, made from modern materials

Brick has been used as a building element for centuries and although it fell off the architectâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s radar for a while, the finish it provides is sought-after now more than ever

representing a 75% increase since 2010. With the number of people without a permanently fixed abode in England rising, the pressure is mounting on local authorities and developers to build new accommodation quickly and costeffectively to alleviate the problem. As such, materials that will offer not only great aesthetics but also enable new residential developments to be completed sooner are highly sought-after. Due to its simplicity to install, covering a building with brick slip is vastly quicker than bricklaying. This not only enables earlier project completion but also reduces the costs incurred in areas such as waste disposal, deliveries and storage requirements. Furthermore, as brick slip panels are factory-made, the quality of workmanship is also expected to be higher than traditional brickwork.

Brick slips are thin sections of brick that are bonded onto a rainscreen panel, which together imitates the look of conventional brickwork but with considerably less weight, cost and labour required

Summary The scheme is a major mixed-use development that will create almost 2500 new homes and the largest new park in Central London for 70 years

â&#x2013;

Brick has been used as a building element for centuries and although it fell off the architectâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s radar for a while, the finish it provides is sought-after now more than ever. With a need for more costeffective and energy-efficient buildings to be completed in less time, however, we are seeing most new developments that require traditional facades now include brick slip panels as an aesthetically pleasing alternative to the actual material. As such, the rise in specification of this type of facade looks set to continue.

www.horburygroup.com

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Ceilings & Acoustics

Over 200,000m2 of SAS products have been installed within this stunning transport hub in Oman

Airports are essentially large cathedral-like spaces with a huge amount of volume that helps to limit the loudness of space whilst reducing any sense of claustrophobia

Airport terminals were once characterised by a cacophony of sound from gate announcements and plane noise to the myriad of conversations and footfall of the thousands of passengers that pass through each and every day. Achieving optimum levels of noise control in such a complex acoustic environment is a balancing act between ensuring the intelligibility of public address systems and controlling the noise of passengers whilst at the same time creating a constant level of sound that masks activities from cafes and retail outlets. What options do airport design teams have when it comes to controlling sound and ensuring the passenger experience is stress-free and greatly improved? Stuart Colam, Acoustics Advisor of SAS International, investigates.

hen it comes to airport design, architects want to make terminal buildings look aesthetically pleasing but at the same time perform well. Functionality cannot be compromised in these grand architectural monuments. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s why at the

breathtaking new Muscat International Airport, passengers will not experience a frenetic, noisy environment. Quite the opposite; they will find an oasis of calm. This control of noise has enhanced the wellbeing of passengers. But how is the optimum acoustic environment in airports achieved?

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Airports are essentially large cathedrallike spaces with a huge amount of volume that helps to limit the loudness of space whilst reducing any sense of claustrophobia. For the designer, an aesthetically-pleasing terminal interior is important, however, attention needs to be paid to sound absorption otherwise spaces will become noisy or reverberant. Sound absorption controls reverberation and reduces the ambient noise level. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unlikely that too much sound absorption can be used inside these cavernous spaces.

Noise at source Controlling the source of noise through improved spatial planning has the potential to address noise problems in the first instance. The planning and design of any airport is essentially about controlling the movement of people and spreading passengers across this environment by way of a logical layout. Whether itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s well-spaced check-in desks, improved wayfinding or any feature that helps avoid queues and spreads people around, these solutions can all contribute to noise control in an acoustically-designed airport.

Airport soundscapes

Sound absorption

Express yourself

Waterproofing

with Ecophon Soloâ&#x201E;˘

Photographer: Left: Bartosz Makowski, Right: Studio-e

Ecophon Soloâ&#x201E;˘ is the original acoustic cloud. Launched over a decade ago, it changed the way we improve acoustics. Flatteringly, Solo is often copied, but its creative freedom and product quality has never been bettered. Until now. To learn more visit www.ecophon.com/uk/thenewsolo To discuss how Ecophon Solo and Baffle can be used in your project, contact our specification team on 01256 855 280.

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Ceilings & Acoustics The planning and design of any airport is essentially about controlling the movement of people and spreading passengers across this environment by way of a logical layout

By designing, manufacturing and installing bespoke metal ceilings and architectural metalwork, SAS met the functional, acoustic and aesthetic aspirations of the architects of Muscat International Airport

A ceiling is an obvious and easy place to incorporate sound absorption as it is well beyond the reach of passengers. Ceiling finishes can also discretely cover or hide many of the building services that are commonplace in what are essentially sealed airport buildings. All this pumping of air requires extensive ductwork at a high level which passengers don’t want to see. But these services need to be maintained and accessed despite being largely out of sight. Ceilings can either be suspended in a horizontal or vertical plane.Vertically suspended ceiling baffles obscure what is above and offer an attractive acoustic ceiling to specifiers seeking an exposed soffit for thermal mass cooling. Used to absorb noise in buildings, they can be suspended as individual modules or continual unbroken runs. They form a shadow but still allow complete access into the ceiling zone. Sound absorption depends upon the size of each baffle and the spacing between each one. Ceiling rafts and ceiling discs are also effective at absorbing and reducing sound. The rafts can feature curved bullnoses, formed using the latest folding technology,

which stop dirt and dust gathering and provide ease of cleaning. Rafts can be designed with swing-down panels providing access for any essential maintenance to services behind. Forming a dramatic architectural statement, ceiling discs are suspended from the soffit and can create the appearance of floating in space. In addition to ceiling systems, wall panelling and architectural metalwork can also be designed to offer sound absorption whilst at the same time being robust and attractive. Large perforated panels can provide the necessary acoustic properties for these vast open spaces. An open area of just 3%, for example, can achieve high sound absorption.

Muscat’s spectacular new airport SAS International is showcasing its exceptional architectural metalwork and bespoke metal ceilings at the new $1.8bn Muscat International Airport. Over 200,000m2 of SAS products have been installed within this stunning transport hub in Oman, possibly the largest and most complex ceiling project ever completed by a single manufacturer.

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The breathtaking new 345,000m2 passenger terminal in Oman is poised to set a new era in aviation in the Middle East region and is expected to handle more than 12 million passengers a year. SAS International worked closely with architect firm Hill International to realise the company’s vision of a future-proof airport hub. By designing, manufacturing and installing bespoke metal ceilings and architectural metalwork, SAS met the functional, acoustic and aesthetic aspirations of the architects. This included the main passenger terminal and piers, cargo terminals, concourse, ancillary buildings, escalators and the airport hotel. SAS International Project Manager, Pete Berry, said: “This is one of the most complex projects ever undertaken in the transport sector. A benchmark for airport construction, there are thousands of bespoke components which come together to create an awe-inspiring building. Every single ceiling and almost every panel, within them, was different. There is very little that is standard on this project – everything is bespoke to this remarkable airport.”

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Ceiling to walls

www.sasintgroup.com

Disability

Inclusive bathrooms in practice The bathroom is a challenging place for someone with mobility issues or dementia and here Stuart Reynolds, Head of Product and Marketing at AKW, shows how inclusive bathroom design has helped both carers and residents at Lypiatt Lodge in Cheltenham. He also discusses how these principles can be replicated in any home.

igh surveillance is needed in the bathroom, and there is a range of accessible bathroom solutions available that are stylish, robust and promote independence. An installation that shows the potential of inclusively designed bathrooms is at the Grade II Listed nursing home, Lypiatt Lodge, Cheltenham. AKW enabled the renovation of 31 luxury en-suite bathrooms and Beltaine Designs, an independent spatial and interior design consultancy service, worked in partnership with AKW. All bathrooms within the nursing home were designed to be both dementiaand mobility-friendly, to meet the wide range of needs of its residents. AKW oversaw the full lifecycle of the bathroom renovations, from initial consultation and design to delivery. A full

range of AKW products was used in the renovation. These included TMV3-approved thermostatic mixer taps with extended levers for easy operation, bathroom wall panels and wall boards, bathroom lights and extractor fans. The company also provided electric Low Surface Temperature (LST) radiators, to eliminate burning accidents, and a range of its specialist showering facilities, including low-level access, walk-in showers and wetrooms. The new bathrooms meet the needs of both staff and residents. They feature a contemporary and attractive aesthetic that matches the style Beltaine Designs introduced throughout the rest of the property and provide residents with a safer, more functional environment that allows for easy, comfortable and risk-free use of the bathroom.

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AKW’s launch of the world’s first Bluetooth-enabled smart electric shower has enhanced the experience of both ambulant users and those with reduced mobility

Making the most of technology to promote safety Technology is beginning to play a key role in the creation of safe and inclusive washing spaces. Indeed, leading accessible bathroom and adapted living solutions manufacturers are introducing a new generation of smart electric showers that have been developed specifically to meet these requirements. AKW’s launch of the world’s first Bluetooth-enabled smart electric shower has enhanced the experience of both ambulant users and those with reduced mobility. The BEAB Care and RNIB-certified AKW SmartCare Plus wireless and Bluetooth smart electric shower has proved very popular with end-users and carers in homes across the UK. This is because settings can be personalised, saved and programmed to turn the shower on at specific times. The unit has been designed for easy use by those who are visually impaired. There is also a delayed mode that has also been incorporated to enable carers to transfer special needs users out of the shower before it can be reactivated. Thanks to companies such as AKW, it is now possible to ensure maximum safety and comfort for users, promoting a superior quality of life and dignity.

■

All bathrooms within the nursing home were designed to be both dementia- and mobility-friendly, to meet the wide range of needs of its residents

www.akw-ltd.co.uk

CPDs & Seminars

Kährs launches RIBA-approved CPD

SIMONSWERK launches Specification of Hinges CPD SIMONSWERK’s RIBA-approved CPD on the Specification of Hinges will provide architects with the technical knowledge for specifying the correct hinge for the right application.

Kährs has launched a new RIBA-approved CPD seminar for architects, designers and trade professionals. The seminar, titled ‘Engineered Wood Flooring’, educates on the construction of engineered wood, and how the product can be effectively specified within both domestic and commercial projects. Environmental accreditations, installation methods and examples of references are covered within the 40-minute seminar, with complimentary lunch. Learning aims of the seminar include: what is engineered wood, the installation process, environmental considerations, shaping the design brief, budget considerations, accessories and how to maintain an engineered wood floor. Book your CPD with Kährs via the below website. * sales@kahrs.com

( 02392 453045 8 www.ribacpd.com/kahrs-

uk/4209/overview

he presentation offers guidance on door specification, legislation, Building Regulations, fire and safety in use, CE Marking – MANDEC and the Equality Act. SIMONSWERK has over 35 years of experience in the manufacture of high-quality brass, aluminium and stainless steel hinges for doors, windows and conservatories. The company’s ranges include the outstanding fully concealed TECTUS system and the increasingly popular TRITECH solid brass hinge with concealed bearings and load capacity to 160kg. For further information on SIMONSWERK’s RIBA-approved CPD on the Specification of Hinges or any of the company’s products, please visit the website below. * info@simonswerk.co.uk

( 0121 522 2848 8 www.simonswerk.co.uk

Learning could be a lifesaver GEZE UK has revised a piece of lifesaving learning – its popular RIBA-approved CPD on specifying, installing and maintaining ironmongery for fire doors.The 40-minute seminar explains what fire doors are, identifies their various components, how they work, the

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standards and regulations which surround them and why smoke is so dangerous. It is intended for chartered members of RIBA but is also suitable for facilities managers, property managers and architectural ironmongers and completely updates the 2016 version. It incorporates the latest statistics for England,Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, including the number of people that die from smoke inhalation every year. It also highlights the latest regulations. * info.uk@geze.com

( 01543 443000 8 www.geze.co.uk

Terrazzo flooring masterclass at RIBA CPD Roadshow Flowcrete UK will be holding a seminar on seamless resin terrazzo flooring at the RIBA London CPD Roadshow, which is taking place 29th November at etc.venues Liverpool St – Norton Folgate. Richard Yanez, Flowcrete UK’s London Commercial Specification Manager, will be presenting the CPD, entitled ‘Specifying Seamless Resin Terrazzo’, from 13:45 to 14:45. Seamless resin terrazzo is ideal for large-scale commercial projects looking for an attractive and durable flooring solution. Attendees to the seminar will learn all about this material, including its unlimited design potential, key benefits, how it’s specified and what long-term cost benefits can be achieved. * ukweb@flowcrete.com

( 01270 753000 8 www.flowcrete.co.uk

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t: +44 121 522 2848 e: sales@simonswerk.co.uk

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HVAC/HVP

ErP â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Nortek is ready Warm air, radiant and heating products are now affected by European regulations.

arm air heaters are subject to Lot 21 of the directive and radiant heaters Lot 20. Minimum efficiencies for warm air is now 72%, and radiant heaters is now 74%. Crucially, these minimum criteria are applicable for both new installations and when replacing existing products. As a result, customers can be assured that the heating equipment they are purchasing is highly energy-efficient and emissions of harmful environmental pollutants are constrained. Nortekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ErP-compliant range includes the highly-efficient OUHA series of energysaving condensing gas red unit heaters, which has been ErP-compliant for years.

The OUHA range of oil red unit heaters is suitable for a wide variety of commercial and industrial applications. OUHA units are fitted with a high capacity axial fan for optimum air distribution. The OUHA 60 to 100 models are fitted with twin fans. The OUHA Series oil red heaters are available in five heat outputs ranging from 39 to 103kW, for use on 35-second oil with vertical flue spigot. Each unit is fitted with a two-stage burner.

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8 www.nortek-erp.com * erp@nortek.com ( 01384

489700

HVAC/HVP

Rinnai’s 1200i continuous flow hot water heating unit – for every commercial site Now available from Rinnai UK is the HDC 1200i continuous model for use on all high-demand commercial sites. It is capable of delivering in excess of 1560 litres per hour. It guarantees unparalleled levels of efficiency and hot water delivery for the enduser whilst streamlining installations and guaranteeing future regulatory compliance. This precision-engineered water heating unit can also be combined as multiple units into one single, easy-to-handle module incorporating cascade frames and common flue. Both the HDC 1200 internal and external models turn in a market-leading energy performance of 107% net efficiency and offer superlative ranges of modulation as the system’s internal analytical system can modulate the burner modulation range from 54 to 2.4kW. The Rinnai HDC 1200i is engineered for minimal energy wastage and maximum energy performance.

It is worth remembering that Part L of the Building Regulations 2013 has set minimum thermal efficiency levels of 90% for natural and 92% for LPG, consequently outlawing non-condensing gas-fired water heaters for use in new-build projects. Rinnai is the only manufacturer that can supply a complete range of internal and external ultra-high efficiency condensing continuous flow water heaters, aligned not only to comply but surpass changes on the regulatory horizon.

HIUs can be commissioned and maintained remotely over the internet For any residential building project, time saved on site is hugely beneficial. Therefore, Evinox Energy has introduced remote commissioning and warranty validation for its ModuSat heat interface units (HIUs), which can significantly reduce the cost of commissioning and time spent on site. Many other HIUs for communal and district heating developments require an engineer to attend site to set up every individual unit manually. Evinox’s electronically-controlled ModuSat HIUs feature SmartTalk communication technology and can be connected over the internet to remote servers, enabling Evinox to check the operation of each unit remotely and adjust settings where required. Once ModuSat units are installed and ready to be commissioned, the installer registers the units using Evinox’s online registration portal, Evinox then checks the operation of each unit remotely and follows up with a site visit to inspect a sample of units. Evinox will then certify the units and issue certificates and the warranty period begins.

Rinnai units and systems are now the number one choice for large buildings and businesses with a heavy demand for constant hot water or where high peaks of demand occur at certain times. Any number of modules can be manifolded, so the water handling capacity is truly infinite. 8 www.rinnaiuk.com * info@rinnaiuk.com ( 01928

531870

New Vitocrossal 200 commercial boiler offers maximum output Viessmann has introduced the Vitocrossal 200, an 800 to 1000kW gas-condensing boiler with an innovative MatriX pre-mix disc burner which sets new standards for commercial boilers. The boiler will be launched at the Viessmann stand (D75) at EMEX 2018 from 21st to 22nd November at ExCeL, London. The Vitocrossal 200’s numerous improvements over its predecessor include an extended modulation range of 1:6 for greater efficiency at partial load and low NOx emissions of less than 40mg per kWh, a modular design for easier installation, and significantly smaller dimensions which make it perfectly suited to smaller plant rooms. For heating larger premises, there is a cascade function for up to eight boilers with a total output of 8000kW. The Vitocrossal 200’s footprint is 27% more compact than that of a boiler with a conventional burner. This is because the new discshaped MatriX premix gas burner is flatter than a conventional cylindrical burner.

* info@evinox.co.uk

* info-uk@viessmann.com

( 01372 722277 8 www.evinoxenergy.co.uk

( 01952 675000 8 www.viessmann.co.ukco.uk

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Building Facades & Curtain Walling

VIA CGI (Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects)

Conference guests touring the Staticus factory

Tomorrow belongs to those who prepare today The Staticus Forum 2018 reveals that the future of facades lies in working together now to embrace technology and innovative design. Here, Aušra Vankeviciute, Chief Commercial Officer at Staticus Group, elaborates.

he future of the facades industry will be shaped by digitalisation, creativity and technology according to an international conference staged by Staticus at its headquarters in Vilnius, Lithuania. The ‘Staticus Forum 2018’ was aptly entitled ‘Tomorrow belongs to those who prepare today’ and introduced delegates to tomorrow’s facades from the point of view of some of the industry’s leading professionals. It’s not the first time Staticus has brought industry experts together to share the key issues in the sector – last year the company also held a successful open house for clients and partners. However, this conference was very much focused on the future and what could be achieved by working together. In fact, the theme of collaboration ran through every presentation – and is a topic close to Staticus’ heart. It underlined the importance of having a strong collaborative network of companies and institutions, both inside and outside the industry, with a goal of developing and delivering the most sustainable and beautiful building solutions to the world.

Achieving that requires design flair, creativity and a willingness to push the boundaries of design to bring new solutions to the market. The forum focused on the importance of technology in bringing those designs to life and creating the kind of sustainable and connected buildings that a modern age demand. Some of the key issues shared included: Digitalisation and AI: Ieva Martinkenaite (Vice President/Telenor Group) This opening thought-provoking talk introduced AI (artificial intelligence). Ieva made emphasis on where AI technology as a whole is heading and the importance of recognising the value of data and identifying which data is unique (strategic) to our industry and to figure out how to collect and use such data. One of the main messages, in keeping with the theme of the conference, was that one cannot embrace this technology alone – the real benefit can only be gained by working with partners in local, regional or global industry ecosystems. Ieva’s message was “think one [community] – not many” and that was

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 Aušra Vankeviciute, Chief Commercial Officer at Staticus Group

a powerful point to make. She pointed out too that competition in AI is global, not local. She provided examples of AI business uptake from Singapore and Canada where collaboration works well and emphasised that AI will not negate the need for creativity, empathy and other emotional skills in the job market. When you consider that 37 billion new things (the so-called Internet of Things [IoT]) will be connected to the internet by 2020, there’s a big challenge ahead for the construction and facade industry to harness this new IoT technology and build AI applications on top of newlyemerging sensor data. In fact, Staticus launched its own digital lab last summer focusing on process, so the importance of AI and machine learning is not new to us. The aim of the team is to create software that makes processes more efficient and it’s a part of the company that is likely to expand.

Building Facades & Curtain Walling

Welcoming the delegates (Olaf Martins – CEO of Staticus Lithuania UAB and the Group)

Digital disruption: Lars Anders (General Manager/ Priedemann Facade Experts) This talk expanded the theme of collaboration, emphasising that you cannot be a big player alone in the market anymore. In a digital world, it’s better to work with specialists rather than try and do everything yourself. The industry still needs talented design engineers, and some solutions will always be human-led, although those that do not embrace the changes will be left behind. Creative solutions in facades: Lina Lahiri (Senior Architect/ Sauerbruch Hutton) The presentation brought creativity and design to the fore. It showed how you can work with the shape of a building and fulfil a client’s needs for the architecture to be special and, ultimately, help shape cities. Looking at previous projects, Lina took us on a tour of how to integrate building and facade designs to better manage and adapt to their environment. It also revealed the impact facades can have on the environmental footprint of a building – and the need to have long-term thinking when deciding on a facade solution. Creative design and mastering the curve: Damian Rogan (Director of Facade Engineering/Eckersley O’Callaghan) Damian underlined the remarkable things that can be achieved with glass when design, technical know-how and collaboration come together to create inspiring structures by curving and manipulating glass panels currently reaching up to 18 x 3.6m in dimension while maintaining their structural and visual integrity.

Dynamic change: Bruce Nicol (Head of Global Design/ Merck Window Technologies) This talk also brought the future of glass into focus and revealed some of the new technology in the industry, including dynamic glass facades that can be adjusted and/or programmed to react in a variety of ways. It left everyone with a feeling that so much more is achievable in an exciting industry by working together to embrace change and utilise technology. Certainly, at Staticus we don’t stand still. The conference also celebrated news that Staticus has produced the first elements of Sauerbruch Hutton’s impressive Stockholm New Building – and gave delegates a chance to tour the company’s facilities where the facades were manufactured. Perched on the edge of a rocky cliff overlooking one of Stockholm’s central districts, Stockholm New is designed to be an iconic site, particularly in the sunless winter days, with its 3D anodised and dyed extruded profiles with 10 different NCS coloured and enamelled glass. The facade will comprise a total of 1800 elements each measuring 2.4 x 3.6m enveloping the 15,000m2 exterior. The 102m-high, 28-floor building will have a ‘step’ facade with a 30cm difference between each successive floor – meaning that the top floor will be 8m wider than the bottom. Installation in Stockholm New is set to be completed by the end of November 2019. Staticus has also been selected to develop the facade solution for the VIA project in Oslo, Norway. Designed by Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects, the VIA project will aim to achieve a BREEAM

Stockholm New (Skanska/Walk the Room)

‘Excellent’ rating by utilising a combination of closed cavity facades (CCF) and single-skin elements that are going to be manufactured in Staticus’ newlyrefurbished production facility. VIA will host exclusive shops and high-end offices in the heart of Oslo, making it one of the most prestigious buildings in the city. With a wide range of projects currently taking place in the UK, too, including X1 Media City, Manchester and the Royal Mint Gardens, London, it’s an exciting time for the business. Staticus is already one of the largest facade contractors in Northern Europe and has worked on a range of high-profile buildings across Scandinavia, the Baltic countries and the UK. Privately owned, and with more than 500 employees, Staticus has been in business for more than 20 years and is one of Lithuania’s most important exporters, thanks to a state-of-the-art 14,000m2 factory in Vilnius, which can operate between 10 and 12 production lines at any one time. With offices in Lithuania, Norway, Sweden and now the UK, Staticus aims to develop unique building facades using the most advanced research and design methods – helping to develop smart buildings where people can live and work in harmony with the environment. Next year, the company is investigating the possibility of moving its annual forum to the UK. So, watch this space – the future of facades is an exciting one.

8 www.staticus.com

* paulius.gurksnys@staticus.co.uk

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Floors, Walls & Ceilings

Your key to reducing height in a heated floor assembly Once upon a time, the specification of a complete heated floor assembly meant numerous products, layers and processes. Then came Schlüter-DITRAHEAT-E-DUO… When the original DITRA-HEAT-E system was released in 2013, it was the first electric underfloor heating system of its kind. Taking its lead from the market-leading uncoupling membrane, Schlüter-DITRA 25, it combines protection and heating into one easy-to-use solution. The debut of DITRA-HEAT-E allowed specifiers to achieve considerable reductions in the height of heated floor assemblies, by negating the need for encapsulation layers and a separate uncoupling layer. Fast-forward to today, and with the latest iteration, you can also eliminate the requirement for a separate soundproofing layer, as well as achieving enhanced efficiency. Schlüter-DITRA-HEAT-E-DUO has set the new standard to surpass in electric underfloor heating. To all the great features

of DITRA-HEAT-E are added two more: thermal breaking and impact sound reduction. These innovative features are achieved courtesy of a unique 2mm fleece laminated to the underside of the DITRAHEAT-DUO matting. The thermal break allows the system to push 80% of its input to the surface during the heat-up phase, whereas alternative systems can lose up to half of the heat into the screed or subfloor. The confirmed impact sound reduction of up to 13 dB is perceived as a 50% reduction by the human ear, resulting in increased privacy and peace. Like DITRA-HEAT-E, the DITRAHEAT-E-DUO system provides bonded waterproofing, uncoupling, crack bridging and vapour pressure equalisation, to ensure that installations go the distance.

8 www.ditra-heat.co.uk * pr@schluter.co.uk ( 01530

813396

Expona Bevel Line ensures stress-free departures Designer Contracts named a top 10 British business Designer Contracts has been named in The Business Reporter’s ‘Best of British Business’ campaign, distributed with The Daily Telegraph, celebrating success stories in British business. The accolade has been awarded to 10 companies in the UK, which have demonstrated leadership, excellence and continue to drive the UK economy. Celebrating its 25th year in business, Designer Contracts originally started in MD Peter Kelsey’s garage and has grown to become the biggest player in its sector. Said Kelsey: “We are delighted to have been recognised for our commitment to the UK economy. We put our success down to making customers our number one priority and ensuring service is at the forefront of everything we do.” 8 www.designercontracts.com * enquiries@designercontracts.com ( 01246 854577

Luxury vinyl tiles from the Expona Bevel Line collection were used as part of a brand-new departures area which was recently unveiled at Cardiff Airport. The £4m project includes a brand-new, spacious extension to the departures area which overlooks the airfield and features Expona Bevel Line in the Portland Stone and Light Oak designs. The light, clean, contemporary design of the Portland Stone tiles complements the classic Light Oak planks, defining seating areas and walkways, and creating a calming, stylish environment perfectly suited for the soon-to-be bustling departure area.Versatile, both designs work well alongside the lounge’s slate grey colour, a decision inspired by the famous Welsh slate heritage. * info@polyflor.com

( 0161 767 1111

8 www.polyflor.com

Dublin apartments feature Magply performance

The full range of performance benefits of Magply boards have been utilised in the specification of an advanced off-site system being employed in the construction of a new apartment building standing alongside a famous central Dublin landmark. The structure has been designed and specified by building surveying consultant, Merriman Solutions, to achieve an A1 building energy rating under Part L of the Building Regulations. 9mm Magply boards are being used to walls and 12mm to ceilings of construction for their strength, fire performance and overall durability as well as their excellent weather resistance during the build period. * sales@magply.co.uk

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( 01621 776252

8 www.magply.co.uk

Floors, Walls & Ceilings

CRL Stone welcomes new specification manager on board With its customer network continuing to expand, leading manufacturer CRL Stone has welcomed a new face to the team, with the appointment of Pat Joseph to the role of Specification Manager. Pat has worked in the commercial specifications market for 18 years, many of them with leading surface manufacturers. In his new role at CRL, Joseph will work closely with architects and designers, developers, building contractors and consultants to ensure CRL Stone is at the forefront of new and existing commercial specifications. Predominantly London-based but overseeing the whole of the UK, Joseph will also be working with CRL’s glass division, to advise on the specification of products including frameless glass hardware for showers, balustrades and staircases. Commenting on his new role, Joseph said: “I am very much looking forward to this new and exciting venture with CRL. They

have a wonderful product range, and I am very excited to be part of the team.” “We are delighted with Pat’s appointment as he brings an array of experience and great relationships with key industry players,” said CRL’s Managing Director, Simon Boocock. “We look forward to working closely with architects on projects requiring wall cladding, floor tiling and worktops.” CRL Stone is a leading supplier of highquality ceramic and quartz large-format tiles and surfaces. 8 www.crlstone.co.uk

* contact@crlstone.co.uk ( 01706

863600

The Principal transformation

When the historic Russell Hotel was refurbished before reopening as the Principal London Hotel, Chiltern Contracts – the tiling contractor for the 338 guest bathrooms and public washrooms – specified Kerakoll products for their “ease of use and eco credentials”.Time was a factor in some areas dictating the use of fast-track products: Keracem Eco, a screed that supports foot traffic after eight hours and can be tiled after 24 hours, Biogel Revolution, the rapid-set version of the award-winning Biogel range that is ready for foot traffic and grouting on floors after three hours, and rapid setting Fugabella Eco Flex. * info@kerakoll.co.uk

( 01527 578000

8 www.kerakoll.co.uk

Sto helps create the right impression for major new Scottish school One of the largest-ever UK projects to be undertaken using StoTherm Classic M insulation and the Sto-Rotofix Plus fixing system has now been completed in Scotland. The Sto products have been used on the Portobello High School in Edinburgh. StoTherm Classic M was chosen to provide high-level thermal performance for the new building. This EWI system features expanded polystyrene insulation boards and non-cementitious rendering components offering impact resistance of 60 joules. Thoroughly proven in many different parts of the world, the StoTherm Classic M system was finished externally with a through-coloured StoSilco K silicone render finish to add extra protection and enhance the appearance. * info.uk@sto.com

( 0141 892 8000

8 www.sto.co.uk

Helifix helps preserve historic Titanic dock pump house Helifix non-disruptive and concealed masonry repair systems have been installed on the large pump house adjacent to the historic 850ft-long Thompson Graving Dock in Belfast. Over 500m of stainless steel HeliBars were bonded into channelled-out mortar beds to stitch cracks in the masonry which, after repointing, were completely hidden from view. Bespoke-manufactured SockFix grouted sock anchors, ranging from 1.2 to 5m in length, were used to reinstate failed arches and lintels, and reconnect main elevations to internal cross walls. Furthermore, providing additional peace of mind, this major repair programme was undertaken by a Helifix-trained approved installer and covered by a Helifix 10-year insurance-backed warranty. 8 www.helifix.co.uk * sales@helifix.co.uk ( 0208 735 5200

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Floors, Walls & Ceilings

Ecophon Solo Baffle Wave comprises innovative shapes designed to complement the traditional straight edge baffle

Ecophon strengthens its Solo offer Ecophon has launched the latest extensions to Ecophon Solo, its market-leading family of free-hanging acoustic panels. The new additions to the already extensive product portfolio of versatile acoustic absorbers provide architects and designers with even greater choice and creative freedom.

aunched as the first acoustic cloud to the market almost 10 years ago, Ecophon Solo is a design-friendly, free-hanging sound absorber that, due to its versatility, can be installed in virtually any space. The Solo range features panels in a

variety of standard shapes including square, rectangular and circles while Solo Freedom allows designers to express themselves creatively with custom shapes and colours. The latest expansion of the range introduces larger sizes, integrated luminaries and new baffle designs.

Following the recent growth in the architectural popularity of baffles, Ecophon has taken its offer to the next level with Ecophon Solo Baffle Wave and Ecophon Solo Baffle ZigZag

The innovative glass wool core used in Ecophon panels provides a lightweight, stable solution that is strong and rigid regardless of the size or shape.This makes it possible for Ecophon to produce uniquely large panels.This is seen in the newly-launched 3000 x 1200mm rectangle – the largest on the market – and the 2400 x 600mm-thin rectangle. Ecophon’s Connect Profile and accessories make installation simple and means that even the largest size panels are quick to fit on site. The expanded Solo offering now also offers a combined lighting and sound absorption option.The Ecophon Line luminaire, one of three normally only available in the Ecophon Focus range, has now been integrated into the 2400 x 1200mm Solo panel. Solo Rectangle Line is delivered with the opal integrated into the panel, so installation is as simple as hanging the panel, adding the included luminaire and connecting into the lighting system. Following the recent growth in the architectural popularity of baffles, Ecophon has taken its offer to the next level with Ecophon Solo Baffle Wave and Ecophon Solo Baffle ZigZag, innovative shapes designed to complement the traditional straight edge baffle. Furthermore, due to the growing recognition of the importance of adding sound absorbers to walls, Ecophon has also added Solo Baffle on Wall to the product family.This simple change allows an architect to continue the baffle design onto the walls, making an aesthetic statement while creating an even better sound environment. Ecophon recognises that often, either as part of the design or due to a lack of ceiling height, Solo may need to be installed close to the soffit.To make this simple, Ecophon has developed a new, simple, direct fixing solution which makes it possible to easily install the Solo panels as close as 50mm from the soffit. Will Jones, Marketing Manager at Ecophon, said: “The design of interior spaces has a huge effect on people’s experience, so architects need the freedom to design with solutions that not only deliver the required acoustic performance but also complement and even enhance the design of a space. “The new products and updates to the Solo range strengthen our offer and mean we have the widest range of freehanging absorbers on the market. Since we launched the original system, it has become a favourite among architects, and we are proud to still be building on what we started almost a decade ago.” 8 www.ecophon.com/thenewsolo * info@ecophon.co.uk ( 01256

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850977

Floors, Walls & Ceilings Fibo panels: the perfect finish for Swindon newbuild nursery Fibo wall panels have been used to clad the interior of a new-build nursery in Chiseldon, Swindon. Paul Foggoa, Construction Manager of Swindon Borough Council, comments: “We were impressed with the wall panels as they removed the need for plasterboard, dry-liners, decorators and tilers! The panels are also being specified for the refurbishment of the main building at Chiseldon Primary School.” The nursery was built in just 22 weeks using timber frame and prefab insulated panels for a fast-track construction. A range of Fibo panels in different colours and designs were fitted throughout all seven rooms of the nursery. Fibo wall panels provide a watertight system that can be used in bathrooms, kitchens and as a decorative wipe-clean wall surface. Foggoa continues: “This was the first time we’d used wall panels. The team within Swindon Borough Council found Fibo via the website, and it was agreed that the system suited the project really well.”

Ocean Fish and Chips Restaurant dives into the Palettone collection Opening just off the A6 in Preston, The Flower Bowl, a large, single-storey building (4200m), with a grass roof which undulates to give a natural appearance, is a new mixed leisure destination at Barton Grange that features a premium cinema, curling rink, tenpin bowling alley, crazy golf and several new restaurants. Part of the build was the addition of the Ocean Fish and Chips Restaurant featuring a maritime-inspired decor. Designed by Nigel Phillips Design, six designs from the Palettone PUR range were selected to create the bespoke floor in the dining area of the restaurant. Caramel Kick, Buttered Corn and Hay Grain featured to create a sand effect and the blues of Weekend Sky, Superior Sky and Sapphire Star were used in a waved pattern to create the Sea. To achieve this look, Nigel worked with Polyflor’s in-house design service to build the custom floor design.

* sales@fibo.co.uk

* info@polyflor.com

( 01494 771242 8 www.fibo.co.uk

( 0161 767 1111 8 www.polyflor.com

Safeguard’s Stormdry gets EST ‘verified status’ for energy savings

Stormdry Masonry Protection Cream from Safeguard Europe has been granted ‘verified’ status by the Energy Saving Trust (EST) in respect of its contribution to improving the energy performance of buildings. After considering peerreviewed scientific papers and the results of extensive long-term testing, the EST awarded the prestigious recognition to Stormdry for its claims to enhance the thermal performance of masonry walls. For instance, according to tests conducted on solid wall constructions by the University of Portsmouth, Stormdry treatment of masonry can provide energy savings of up to 29%. It does this by providing a high level of water repellency, preventing rain penetration of brickwork and keeping walls dry. * info@safeguardeurope.com

( 01403 210204

8 www.safeguardeurope.com

Reflect a while with Antron Global Colour Trend Forecast Reflect is one of the defining themes shaping colour in commercial interiors, as revealed in the Global Colour Trend Forecast 2019. Compiled in collaboration with trend expert Anne Marie Commandeur of Stijlinstituut Amsterdam, the Global Colour Trend Forecast looks at how colour will impact commercial spaces in the forthcoming years. Presenting Reflect alongside three other key themes of Play, Primal and Grow; the forecast is now in its fifth edition, available in hard copy and digital download from antron. eu.Through an overarching concept of wellness, Anne Marie Commandeur has explored how our senses are stimulated with colours that capture light and how they manipulate the perception of materials and space within interiors. * myles@selectfirst.com

( 01892 459331

8 www.antron.eu

Kerakoll wins Calacatta pool challenge

Kerakoll adhesives were specified for a prestigious spa in the basement of a private London residence. The project manager at Marble & Ceramic City, the tiling contractor commented: “We chose Kerakoll because we are keen supporters of eco-friendly materials and we always have access to excellent technical support from them.” The spa was entirely produced from Calacatta Oro slabs measuring 1000 x 2500mm; book-matched throughout to stunning effect with the main pool, three separate mini pools, steam room, shower and seating area. The stairs leading out of the basement were also tiled in Calacatta Oro. 8 www.kerakoll.co.uk * info@kerakoll.co.uk ( 01527 578000

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Doors & Windows A breathtaking ‘living’ privacy screen has been created and framed in super-prime grade Walnut which features lush foliage and dense greenery

Simply stunning! James Latham recently supplied 5m3 of super-prime grade Walnut to one of its customers who has used it to create some spectacular doors as well as privacy screening for an outstanding, high-specification residential property in Lancashire.

he project has seen 23, 2.7m-high doors manufactured and installed by specialist bespoke handcrafted joinery company, Woodside Designs of Blackpool.

11 of the doors are handleless, incorporating grooves for handles, plus there are also 3D hinges and drop-down seals as well as top-end Swiss and German ironmongery throughout.

The project has seen 23, 2.7m-high doors manufactured and installed by specialist bespoke handcrafted joinery company, Woodside Designs of Blackpool

In addition, a breathtaking ‘living’ privacy screen has been created and framed in superprime grade Walnut which features lush foliage and dense greenery, invoking an instant calm and tranquil atmosphere whilst simultaneously cleansing the air of toxins. Carl Hulme,Timber Sales Representative for James Latham Leeds, which supplied the timber, commented:“This project is simply stunning.The doors look amazing, and the living privacy screen makes a real statement with the abundant greenery offering a stark contrast to the clean white walls. “The colour of super-prime solid Walnut boasts a unique earthy brown hue which varies between cinnamon and chocolate, and it also finishes beautifully, giving an excellent decorative appearance due to its outstanding grain, colour and pattern. This coupled with the bespoke workmanship on both the doors and screens have produced an outstanding interior space.” James Latham’s range of North American hardwoods is second to none. As well as super-prime grade Walnut, Latham offers American White Oak, Cherry, Maple, Ash and Tulipwood, all available directly from stock via its eight-strong nationwide network of timber depots.

www.lathamtimber.co.uk

* marketing@lathams.co.uk ( 0116

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257 3415

Doors & Windows

Opening doors to Welsh Government services GEZE UK has helped make the Welsh Government fit for the future with a refurbishment of one of its regional offices in Carmarthen, Wales. Picton Terrace has been refurbished inside and out to provide a flexible working environment that reflects the rural communities it serves. An elegant, welcoming entrance was supplied and fitted by GEZE UK – a TSA 325 NT automatic revolving door – fully

glazed with slim aluminium profiles with rounded edges. Activated by a motion detector inside and out, the door gently accelerates and rotates to allow visitors and staff to move through the door without disruption.

Set alongside it is a Slimdrive EMD-f automatic swing door – one of 15 fitted in the redevelopment – which operates a door that has been added for increased accessibility. The electro-mechanical swing door mechanism makes it extremely versatile, providing easy access for those with mobility issues. At just 7cm high, the Slimdrive EMD-F operator is extremely discreet and sits neatly on the frame. It is a low-wear, highperformance system which is exceptionally quiet in operation. From the reception area, a TSA 160 NT – one of four fitted on the premises – operates a door which links the public area to corridors that lead to work areas. The TSA 160 NT is an electronically controlled, hydraulic swing door operator – ideal for heavy doors in high traffic areas. Throughout the complex, more than 100 TS 2000 NV door closers were fitted, all in satin stainless-steel finish with radius covers which provide a sleek finish.

8 www.geze.co.uk

* info.uk@geze.com ( 01543

443000

Deceuninck 2500 aluminium-alternative window ideal for Capital House

GEZE UK ‘family’ celebrates 30th anniversary

Deceuninck’s 2500 Tilt & Turn window provides a high-performance alternative to aluminium for Capital House, a bespoke student accommodation complex in Southampton. Capital House is a £20m refurbishment of an existing 13-storey office building and the development of 11 four-storey student townhouses. Deceuninck fabricator, Dempsey Dyer, manufactured and supplied over 1300 Deceuninck windows for this prestigious development. Deceuninck’s 2500 Tilt & Turn window more than met the spec with outstanding performance – a U-value of 1.3 W/m2K, 0.34 G-value, Class 4 air permeability, Class 8A watertightness and Class A5 2000 Pa exposure.The tilt and turn window is ideal for student and high-rise developments as it gives various ventilation options, ensures residents’ personal safety and can be easily cleaned in the side position. Its smooth, contemporary look closely mimics the appearance of aluminium. In smooth matte grey on grey substrate, the installed windows look like aluminium inside and out, even when open.

2018 is a milestone year for GEZE UK, which celebrates 30 years in the business as a ‘go-to’ manufacturer and supplier of innovative door and window solutions. GEZE UK, part of the global GEZE brand, is a family-run business where traditional values are combined with pioneering strategic vision. So, it was entirely fitting that to mark three decades of business success, its UK workforce and their families should enjoy a fun-filled family day of celebrations, hosted at Rodbaston Hall, Staffordshire. Kaz Spiewakowski, GEZE UK’s MD – who himself celebrates five years at the helm this year – said:“GEZE is most definitely ‘a family business’ and this is reflected in how it treats its employees.There are family members engaged in the business at all levels and GEZE considers each and every member of our 250-strong team very much part of the extended ‘family.’ Everyone contributes so it was wonderful to get together this September to enjoy some downtime, celebrate our achievements and toast our continuing success in the years ahead.”

* chris.jones@deceuninck.co.uk

* info.uk@geze.com

( 01249 816969 8 www.deceuninck.co.uk

( 01543 443000 8 www.geze.co.uk

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Doors & Windows Secured by Design Secured by Design (SBD) is a police initiative to guide and encourage crime prevention measures through design, build and specification. The standards and related tests nominated by SBD must demonstrate the product effectiveness in preventing or reducing crime, usually by resistance to physical attack. Secured by Design developments (those using products and materials that meet Secured by Design standards) are up to 75% less likely to be burgled and show a reduction of 25% in criminal damage.

Increasing security standards promotes development of leading security-enhanced automatic entrances ASSA ABLOY understands that you want the best security for your property â&#x20AC;&#x201C; whether you are working in healthcare, education, retail, transportation, commercial or multi-residential. Simply put, your building must be well protected against risks such as burglary or vandalism.

hanges in Building Regulations are increasing the demands on the products used to gain access to a building. ASSA ABLOY has developed a family of security-enhanced automatic entrances to meet these requirements. What is PAS 24? Within Part Q of Schedule 1 of the Building Regulations, it states that secure doorsets should be â&#x20AC;&#x153;manufactured to a design that has been shown by test to meet the security requirements of British Standards publication PAS 24:2016â&#x20AC;? and these products receive either a pass or fail. This standard was introduced to create an acceptable level of crime-safemanufactured products. PAS 24 is now used to test just about all types of door, and this most recent version has been extended to include sliding doors. The test involves timed manual attacking methods, hard and soft

body impact tests, and static load testing up to 4500NT in order to pass. The locks or locking mechanisms used in PAS 24:2016 doorsets undergo an evaluation against the General Vulnerability Assessment contained in BS 3621 (the standard for thief-resistant locks). To be clear, PAS 24 is a test on the entire doorset; the door, frame and locks, not the individual component parts. What does RC3 rated mean? RC stands for Resistance Classification for manual attack. It is measured against sustained attack by professional invaders using a variety of tools such as drills and hammers. Resistance to manual attack is rated on the basis of the higher the numerical rating, the higher the level of protection on offer. RC3 equates to a total test time of 20 minutes, glazing resistance of P5A and an attack resistance to a range of hand tools over a time of five minutes.

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ASSA ABLOY Protect swing and sliding door systems With the increased requirement for secure entrances, ASSA ABLOY has launched the Protect family of riskreducing, security-enhanced automatic doors. These doors have been developed with designing-out risk to your buildings. The security-enhanced ASSA ABLOY SW300 P swing door system is designed to withstand break-in or attack and conforms to the security requirements of PAS 24 and is Secured by Design certified. With the added benefit of intelligent operators mounted above the doors, access control options can also be included. The perfect combination of strength and flexibility. Available in both single and double arrangements and ready for cable routing, the ASSA ABLOY SW300 P can easily be integrated into your building. Two variants of the ASSA ABLOY SL500 P sliding door system are available. The first has certified RC2 level burglaryresistant technology which helps the door to fight hard against potential perpetrators. This door contains fourpoint locking, operated by a single EU two-way cylinder and is further protected from physical attack by our unique antipull reinforcement. Some buildings, commercial retail properties or public sector spaces are exposed to higher security risks, requiring an entrance solution that is both beautiful and secure. The ASSA ABLOY SL500 P RC3 complies with this higher resistance classification, through enhanced locking and protection measures. Offering increased resistance time to more persistent attempts to break and enter.

www.assaabloyentrance.co.uk sales.uk.entrance@assaabloy.com ( 0333 006 3443 8

Doors & Windows Comar 9P.i High Performance window, door and framing system

Senior’s fenestration systems welcome students into Stirling

Comar Architectural Aluminium Systems delivers the Comar 9P.i High Performance window, door and framing system. Comar 9P.i High Performance framing offers two options of construction, ladder frame or mitre frame. Comar 9P.i windows and 9P.i doors can be hung directly from the frame, reducing the need for additional outer frames, creating a truly integrated solution. Building typologies differ from refurbishment to new build, so Comar 9P.i has profile widths from 78 and 100 to 120mm; creating greater design flexibility.There are three levels of thermal performance; standard, multi-chamber and multi-chamber thermal foam, creating U-values of between 1.6 to 1.0 for a typical grid size with opening vents. Comar 9P.i has slim 65mm sightlines to ensure that architecturallydemanded aesthetics are achieved. Glazing lines are flush, maintaining consistent lines for a sleek external facade providing straight interfacing with walls, internal floors and partitions. Consideration is also given for plaster lines with profiles to cater for differing situations.

International students at the University of Stirling are enjoying world-class facilities thanks to the creation of the new landmark INTO Centre which benefits from a stylish and sustainable fenestration package from Senior Architectural Systems. To create a light and inspirational environment that maximises the use of daylighting, Senior’s thermally-efficient SF52 aluminium curtain walling and low U-value PURe aluminium windows have been fabricated and installed by specialist Linn-Tech for main contractor Morrison Construction.The slim sightlines offered by Senior’s high-performance aluminium glazing solutions perfectly complement the dark grey granite cladding of building, with the SF52 curtain wall system providing a welcoming and highlyvisible facade. Senior’s PURe aluminium windows have been specified throughout, and the large window openings not only create visual interest externally but also help to flood the interior spaces with natural light. As well as offering aesthetic appeal, both Senior’s SF52 aluminium curtain walling and market-leading PURe aluminium windows offer exceptional thermal performance and energy-efficiency.

* projects@parksidegroup.co.uk

* info@sasmail.co.uk

( 0208 685 2318 8 www.comar-alu.co.uk

( 01709 772600 8 www.seniorarchitectural.co.uk

Opening doors for GEZE UK throughout Scotland

GEZE UK has strengthened its automatic door systems team with the recent appointment of John Clark, who joins the renowned manufacturer of door and window systems as Area Sales Manager, covering Scotland. Supporting GEZE UK’s planned growth north of the border, John will focus on developing first-class customer relationships, analysing and proposing technical solutions from the company’s extensive automatic door range and providing first-level contact for incoming enquiries. He believes that a strong product portfolio – including what he describes as the “favourite choice of architects, the aesthetically pleasing 70mm Slimdrive automatic operator” – gives GEZE “a major edge over competitors.” * info.uk@geze.com

( 01543 443000

8 www.geze.co.uk

Schueco concealed vent facade system has strong aesthetic appeal The importance of visual aesthetics to architects is demonstrated by the popularity of the FWS 60 CV concealed vent facade from Schueco UK.The unique feature of this state-of-the-art aluminium system for floorto-ceiling ribbon windows is that from the outside, it is impossible to see which vents open and which vents are fixed.This innovative design first, which also has the benefit of maximising light transmission through the facade, is achieved by merging the vent with the load-bearing structure. Even from inside, the only indications of an opening unit are a flat slimline shadow gap and the presence of the window handle. * mkinfobox@schueco.com

( 01908 282111

8 www.schueco.co.uk

Urban Front’s steel doors are on the way

Many of Urban Front’s clients have been asking for larger oversized doors made out of steel, so the company is introducing new steel doors to its portfolio later in the year. Commenting on the launch, a spokesperson for Urban Front explains: “We really hope clients like them as much as we do”. There will be some exciting new textures and finishes including a rust finish, black steel finish, bronze and leather – and sizes will include doors up to 2m wide. Contact the company if you’d like to specify any of these new offerings for future projects with delivery from 2019. For further information, please get in touch via the email address below. 8 www.urbanfront.co.uk * info@urbanfront.co.uk ( 01494 778787

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Roofing, Cladding & Decking

Bauder launches Wildflower Blanket and Substrate Sedum Blanket The new eco-friendly Bauder vegetation blankets utilise a jute fibre carrier that biodegrades as the vegetation establishes and matures. The latest additions to Bauder’s green roof product line are the Wildflower Blanket (WB) and Substrate Sedum Blanket (SB) for lightweight, extensive green roof projects.The blankets follow Bauder’s high-quality standards for the maturity and vegetation cover and are grown on a jute matting.This plant fibre matting will break down completely, making the

carrier 100% biodegradable. The natural fibres in the jute matting actively encourage new roots to grow down and through the fibres, these then embed quickly into the Bauder FLL-compliant substrates, dramatically improving the establishment times for the vegetation.

Levolux in the groove at Hackney Wick, London Following a £25m redevelopment project, Hackney Wick Station is impressing passengers and staff with its board-cast concrete staircase, weathered Corten steel cladding and a custom external screening solution from Levolux.The new overground station has been comprehensively overhauled. A significant proportion of the new station is cloaked in a Levolux external screening solution, featuring vertical aluminium fins.The rectangular-shaped fins, each measuring 250mm deep by 50mm wide, are set at 170mm centres to create an interesting architectural feature.The vertical fins, which are formed from extruded aluminium sections, were not only chosen for their shading and screening characteristics.The grey-brown coloured fins provide a visual cue to the weeping willows and reeds that were synonymous with the area.This is most effective where they enclose the main staircases. Levolux’s Infiniti Fin system was the obvious choice for the project. Its unique, patented design has concealed fixings for an uncompromised appearance.

Bauder SB Substrate Sedum Blanket The SB Blanket uses the same high-quality species mix as was used in Bauder’s XF300 sedum blanket. The sedum species in the blanket are selected especially to thrive in the demanding environment of green roofs. The mix gives a range of both sunloving and shade-tolerant species so that the best species suited for each particular location and roof orientation will become prominent and surpass those that find the conditions less favourable. Bauder WB Native Wildflower Blanket The Bauder WB Blanket uses British native seed, harvested using the Flora Locale code of conduct. This code ensures the seed has been selected from an appropriate British native origin. The mix of wildflowers produce excellent colour with an extended flowering season and is approved as ‘Perfect for Pollinators’ by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS). 8 www.bauder.co.uk * info@bauder.co.uk ( 0845

271 8800

Marley Eternit antislip decking creates striking community boardwalk Marley Eternit Antislip decking has been specified on a pioneering project to build a brand-new community in Leicester.The European redwood decking has been used to create a stunning timber boardwalk, providing a scenic pedestrian link and acting as a focal point for the entrance of the New Lubbesthorpe development. Creating a natural aesthetic for the site was important, and landscape architect FPCR Environment & Design has been involved in the project since its inception in 2008.The firm designed a large boardwalk to provide pedestrian access to the new homes and to make an impressive entrance feature for both residents and visitors. Marley Eternit’s Antislip Plus decking, with a smooth profile, was chosen to create the boardwalk, giving pedestrians the opportunity to walk over, or around the lake, adding a park-like aesthetic to the entrance of the site. The curved boardwalk also features wooden benches, so residents can stop and take in their surroundings.

* info@levolux.com

* info@marleyeternit.co.uk

( 0208 863 9111 8 www.levolux.com

( 01283 722588 8 www.marleyeternit.co.uk/decking

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Doors, Windows & Louvres

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

January 16 Issue 71

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American white oak helps achieve seamless spatial flow

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

Greenhouse An innovative screen solution prevents residential property from overheating

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

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Fire Protection

Advanced emergency lighting protects exclusive Knightsbridge hotel One of London’s most prestigious hotels, The Berkeley in Knightsbridge, London, is now protected by a Lux Intelligent emergency lighting test system and MxPro fire panels from Advanced. With a history dating back to the 1800s, the current 214-bedroom Berkeley Hotel was built in 1972, incorporating elements of the original building, and it has recently been subject to a major refurbishment covering all bedrooms, suites, terraces, the lobby, the restaurant, the iconic Blue Bar and the main entrance. Lewis Bowden, spokesperson for Surreybased Alarm Communication – the company that specified and installed the system – explained:“Hotels require state-of-the-art emergency lighting systems to safeguard their staff and residents in an emergency situation, helping to facilitate an orderly evacuation and also to guide firefighters coming into the building. As a long-time Advanced partner,

we believed that Lux Intelligent, alongside Advanced MxPro fire panels, was the right choice for The Berkeley, offering the stand-out capabilities, features and reliability required of a system of this type.” More than 200 Advanced luminaires have been installed in the historic hotel, on Wilton Place, which is part of the same stable as Claridge’s. They are monitored and controlled by a Lux Intelligent panel, connected to the building’s fire system. Most of the luminaires are from the Advanced LED-Lite range, which can be recessed into ceilings, offering an aesthetically-pleasing solution in the public areas of the prestigious building.

Ken Bullock, Regional Sales Manager for Advanced, said:“Our Lux Intelligent system offers many benefits including real peace of mind, the ability to work with almost any light, and cost and admin savings. Alongside the MxPro multiprotocol fire panels, we’re proud to be providing market-leading protection to the staff and residents at The Berkeley.” 8 www.advancedco.com

* sales@advancedco.com ( 01670

707111

FDS Consult provides expertise to Capital Towers development, East London FDS Consult has provided its fire strategy services to the Capital Towers development in East London. By specifying a 0.5m² mechanical smoke shaft per tower as part of the strategy, FDS Consult’s team of experts were able to provide significant space saving within the building while providing the necessary levels of smokeclearance required along the single staircase approach for each tower. FDS Consult classified the residents’ gym, creche and private lounge as ancillary accommodations to the residential areas, allowing the extension of the mechanical smoke shaft from the above levels to provide the required levels of smoke ventilation without the need for additional smoke ventilation systems. After a careful analysis of each area of the building, FDS Consult recommended extending the mechanical smoke shaft from the levels above to provide the required levels of smoke ventilation for the ancillary areas.

As these facilities will only be used by residents who are familiar with the building’s escape routes in the event of a fire, the FDS Consult team were able to justify the use of a residential sprinkler system, providing substantial savings by avoiding the installation of unnecessary additional systems. While it is required under Approved Document B for buildings measuring over 30m in height to include sprinklers throughout, FDS Consult was able to provide a safe and cost-effective solution that only included the sprinklers within the residential apartments. This engineered out the need to extend the sprinkler coverage to car parking areas, gym, creche, other ancillary areas and the development’s standalone retail unit, providing additional space for residents and also significant cost savings.

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8 www.firedesignsolutions.com * info@firedesignsolutions.com ( 01322

387411

INNOVATIVE INNOVATIVE FIRE FIRE ENGINEERING ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS CONSULTANTS

At At FDS FDS Consult, Consult, we we take take a a bespoke bespoke approach approach to to each each and and every every project. project. Our Our expert expert fifire re engineers engineers will will bring bring all all the the technical technical At FDS Consult, we take afor bespoke approach tothey’ll each and every project.ofOur expert fire engineers will bring allwouldn’t the technical know-how know-how you’re you’re looking looking for to to your your project, project, but but they’ll also also bring bring a a level level of creative creative thinking thinking that that you you probably probably wouldn’t expect. expect. know-how you’re looking for to your project, but they’ll also bring a level of creative thinking that you probably wouldn’t expect. We’ll work work holistically holistically with with your your building building to to fi find nd solutions solutions that that enhance enhance its its safety safety whilst whilst remaining remaining true true to to its its design design concept concept and and We’ll We’ll work holistically with your building to find solutions that enhance its safety whilst remaining true to its design concept and working working practically practically with with its its end end use. use. Contemporary Contemporary buildings buildings need need to to maximise maximise safety safety whilst whilst exploiting exploiting modern modern construction construction working practically with its endarchitect’s use. Contemporary vision. buildings need to maximise safety whilst exploiting modern construction techniques techniques and and delivering delivering the the architect’s aesthetic aesthetic vision. techniques and delivering the architect’s aesthetic vision. Contact Contact us us to to fifind nd out out more more about about what what our our innovative innovative approach approach to to fifire re safety safety consulting consulting could could deliver deliver for for you. you. Contact us to find out more about what our innovative approach to fire safety consulting could deliver for you. Telephone: Telephone: +44 +44 (0)1322 (0)1322 387 387 411 411 || Email: Email: info@fdsconsult.com info@fdsconsult.com || Visit Visit us us at: at: www.fdsconsult.com www.fdsconsult.com Telephone: +44 (0)1322 387 411 | Email: info@fdsconsult.com | Visit us at: www.fdsconsult.com

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Building Elements

This system makes transportation simple, and once on site, the panels are erected as normal

First fix 11 windows off site in just 23 minutes Timber frame and SIPs panel manufacturers can speed up the installation of windows and doors by using the Sidey Kitfix system.

With the Sidey Kitfix system, windows and doors can be accurately fitted at the factory stage

ressure is on for builders and developers to get on and off site faster. This means looking at ways to reduce the time spent installing windows and doors. “With the Sidey Kitfix system, windows and doors can be accurately fitted at the factory stage,” says Steve Hardy, Managing Director of fenestration and off-site construction specialist, Sidey Solutions. “It’s quick too – 11 windows can be first fixed in 23 minutes. They are installed when the walls are horizontal in the factory, and the innovative Kitfix brackets are twist fitted to the window or door frame. Airtightness, thermal and acoustic seals can also be included at this stage. “This system makes transportation simple, and once on site, the panels are erected as normal. This means homes are wind-, watertight and secure much sooner, and makes the build much faster. It also eliminates the need for separate deliveries of windows and doors, with no site storage required either. “The latest changes to planning laws announced on 5th March mean there is even more pressure to get the job done quicker,” adds Steve. “Choosing Kitfix to install windows and doors will help builders and developers build fast.” 8 www.kitfix.co.uk

* info@sidey.co.uk ( 01738

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634803

Building Elements McAvoy awarded first residential contract

The McAvoy Group has been awarded its first contract in the residential sector following the announcement of its expansion into off-site housing.The £4.7m contract for Clanmil Housing Association will be the first off-site housing scheme to be built in Northern Ireland.The use of the McAvoy off-site housing solution will reduce the build programme by around 60% to just 40 weeks.The Joymount development in Carrickfergus will provide 40 much-needed homes to help address the severe shortfall in social and affordable housing in Northern Ireland. It will feature eight one- and two-bedroom apartments for couples and families; 17 two-bedroom apartments for active older people, and 12 two-bedroom houses for families.

Manufacturer of the year award for Offsite Solutions Offsite Solutions has reaffirmed its position as a UK-leading bathroom pod manufacturer with its second ‘Manufacturer of the Year’ award.This latest award was presented at the Business Leader Awards and follows the ‘Manufacturer of the Year’ award which Offsite Solutions won at the Made in the South West Awards last year. Commenting on this latest accolade, Richard Tonkinson, Executive Director of Offsite Solutions, said: “We are all delighted to receive this brilliant accolade for our business.The award is well-deserved recognition for the dedication, hard work and talent of everyone involved in manufacturing our industry-leading products and for making our business the success it is today.” 8 www.offsitesolutions.com * info@offsitesolutions.com ( 01278 780807

* info@mcavoygroup.com ( 0288 774 0372

8 www.mcavoygroup.com/sectors/housing

Office Principles supports premium travel brand’s UK expansion

Office Principles has completed a full-service project for DER Touristik UK, parent company of the premium worldwide travel company Kuoni, at its new offices in Dorking, including designs to reflect the company’s collaborative culture as it looks to expand in the UK market. The contract, which comprised workplace consultancy, office design, project management, fit-out and relocation, was completed by the award-winning design and workplace consultancy in just under 16 weeks. Work on the 30,000ft2 space included a tea point, a coffee bar, an ampitheatre, all mechanical facilities, bathroom facilities, floors and ceilings and the introduction of DER Touristik UK and its consumer travel brand Kuoni, across all three floors. * info@officeprinciples.com

( 0118 9131811

8 www.officeprinciples.com

Select Interiors supports Biz Space across seven key locations

Select Interiors has completed a roll-out of refurbishment projects for emerging serviced office provider, Biz Space, across seven key UK locations, including Wimbledon, Basingstoke, Nottingham, Altrincham, Nelson, Gateshead and Letchworth. Partnering with interior design expert,Territory Interior Design, Select interpreted the designs to create seven unique and individual working spaces. Each project comprised the refurbishment of all common areas including receptions, hallways and corridors, meeting spaces, bathroom and kitchen facilities and breakout spaces.Work across all sites included demolition, asbestos removal, lighting design, the installation of M&E services, data, IPS/cubicles, new ceilings and flooring, fire shutters and the build and fit of bespoke joinery and upholstery. * info@select-interiors.com

( 0161 445 4040

8 www.select-interiors.com

Make fuss-free RTA assembly a reality TITUS has launched a service to help manufacturers of ready-to-assemble (RTA) furniture make their products faster and easier to assemble, enhancing customer perceptions and boosting sales. The TITUS CAF Service uses a simple formula to assign a Consumer Assembly Friendliness (CAF) score to items of furniture. This not only allows ease of assembly to be accurately quantified but also reveals areas where improvements can be made. The TITUS CAF score takes into account the number of parts needed to assemble an item, the number of actions it takes to assemble the parts and the number of types of parts. Scores can be produced for complete items of furniture, for sub-assemblies and even components themselves. * uk@titusplus.com

( 01977 682582

8 www.titusplus.com

Walls that tell stories with Granorte Storywall by Granorte is the manufacturer’s latest innovative surface to harness the beneficial properties and low impact of cork. Taking cork recycled from the wine stopper industry, Granorte uses direct digital print to create patterns onto large-format wall tiles. Capturing modern colourful pixelates, distinct geometrics and stripes along with classic floral and embellished motifs, Storywall brings new meaning to pattern, layering these designs above cork’s unique and unmistakable natural aesthetic. Made from 100% post-industrial recycled cork, printed with water-based inks and finished with a water-based protective Aquadur lacquer, Storywall is a wall finish with a low impact, as well as excellent acoustic and thermal properties. 8 www.granorte.co.uk * myles@selectfirst.com ( 01785 711131

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