Building Innovations

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ICON Manufacturer: Howe Green Product: Floor Access Panels Full Story: Page 40 Visit: www.howegreen.com

contents vision

practice news

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gallery

projects and products

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opinion

manufacturers have their say

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the book

building projects, news and information

ecobuild preview news fire protection interiors wallls doors, windows & glazing roofs floors structures external works environmental control projects

Front Cover photograph kindly supplied by Ardex UK Limited, whose products assisted with the refurbishment of the iconic Savoy Hotel in London. www.ardex.co.uk Some of the colour photography used in Building Innovations is provided and paid for by contributors towards the cost of production. Whilst every effort is made by the publishers to ensure that the content of the articles appearing in Building Innovations is accurate, the publishers do not accept liability for errors that may appear in the publication.

Building Innovations is published quarterly, free of charge to a carefully selected readership under the publishers control. Copies are otherwise available on request at cost of £3.75 per single issue including postage. Yearly subscription rates are £12.50 including postage. The views expressed by contributors in this publication are not necessarily the views of the publisher.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying or recording in any storage or retrieval system without the consent of the publisher.

Published by: Link2Media Architectural Publications Limited Editorial Office: 16 Parker Court, Staffordshire Technology Park, Stafford ST18 0WP Tel: 01785 330635 Fax: 0845 862 8639 e:david@link2media.co.uk www.link2media.co.uk

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Title: Archial Completes £43 Million East Surrey College Development Location: East Surrey College in Redhill, Surrey Architect: Archial

Title: Islington’s Waterways And City Basin Opened For Public Access After 100 Years Location: Islington Architect: Whitelaw Turkington

The final phase of a development at East Surrey College in Redhill, Surrey has been completed. This involved a new 18,000 sq m building, and 3,500 sq m major refurbishment of previous facilities on the College’s existing campus at Gatton Point North. Archial, a member of the global Ingenium Group of companies, has designed the new building as part of a development, funded in part by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC), that involves the demolition of all existing buildings with the exception of the Reigate School of Art & Design and the formation of a new main access into the site from London Road. The building features a curved zinc-clad three storey block and translucent cladding panels – the first time this particular system has been used in the UK – which achieve exceptional thermal insulation values while allowing high levels of natural daylight into the building. A number of sustainable features are incorporated into the building design, including rainwater harvesting for toilet flushing, a green roof, a wood chip fuelled biomass boiler and solar panels, and it has been awarded a BREEAM ‘very good’ rating.

www.tpsconsult.co.uk Title: Schal Delivers First Of Kind Academy Status School Location: Tipton Architect: Schal

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The RSA Academy is the first of its kind, an independent Academy that will deliver a new unique curriculum for up to 1100 pupils specialising in Health and Citizenship. The project is part of a two phase development to replace the existing LEA ran Willingsworth High School in the West Midlands. The first stage of the Academy has been completed on time and within budget under management of the DoE’s Construction Project Manager, Schal.

The final phase of the works is set for completion, on time, in February 2011. It comprises of the demolition of the original High School building, capping works on several existing mineshafts on the site, finishing the sports pitches and landscaping of the vast 14.5 hectare site.

Schal, part of TPS and Carillion plc, has worked closely with the Academy’s sponsor, the Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA) throughout the project to ensure that the faculty’s custom-design supports the RSA’s bold, new “Opening Minds” curriculum, which aims to help schools to provide young people with the skills or competencies they need to thrive in the real world.

For the first time in over 100 years Islington’s city basin and waterways has been fully opened for public access. Regeneration of the land and waterways around the City Basin Road site followed a steady decline in industrial activity along the length of Regents Canal. The basin has benefitted from a multi-million pound urban renewal development after remaining inaccessible and unattractive for decades Landscape architect’s Whitelaw Turkington, part of the Grontmij group, was constructive in helping to deliver a significant new civic square for the basin head and decking the existing substation buildings to create a landmark space for Islington. The square and promenade now allows pedestrian access along Regents Canal and is encouraging people back to the underused historic waterways.

Working alongside Groveworld, Miller Developments and British Waterways, the company spent two years regenerating the formerly derelict land. The new public realm opened in late 2009 as the first major milestone of the Basin’s landscape regeneration master-plan. The scheme has boosted Islington’s local economy and attracted new business opportunities and residents to the North London site.

The square has increased public green space for canal users and local residents.

It has become a focal point for the Islington community and was recently used to host a Christmas lunch for the elderly community, served by members of Islington Borough Council.

In line with requirements of the Borough of Islington, the public realm design is paved with Yorkstone and features granite clad planters supporting semi mature trees. Bespoke benches are incorporated to promote social interaction amongst the local community.

Whitelaw Turkington collaborated with Bennetts Architects and URS engineers - to create a high-polished blue brick cladding for the existing substation.

The plant’s three stainless steels chimneys light up at night in bright striking colours, to create a unique landmark feature for the basin.

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ICON Manufacturer: Ardex UK Application: Wall and Floor Preparation Full Story: Page 27 Visit: www.ardex.co.uk

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Rediscover Fibre Cement At Ecobuild With Marley Eternit

Carpet Recycling UK At Ecobuild 2011 Novel re-uses for carpet waste will be highlighted by Carpet Recycling UK on Stand S22 at Ecobuild. A full CRUK seminar programme on Thursday March 3rd will feature innovative developments in the re-use of carpet waste. Key areas cover eco design for recycling, trends in specification for sustainable carpets and using carpet waste as a resource in new applications.

Marley Eternit, leading provider of roofing and cladding solutions, is inviting Ecobuild visitors to call into its rediscovery centre at stand N966 where they can explore the sustainable and aesthetic potential of fibre cement slates and cladding. Marley Eternit will also be unveiling its exciting new range of Solesia PV systems at the show. Visitors to the stand will be able to discover the sustainability qualities of the material both in its raw form and in the finished roofing and cladding products and see how they can be used to help achieve the highest environmental standards in buildings. Marley Eternit will be exhibiting at 2011’s Ecobuild - the world’s biggest event for sustainable design, construction and the built environment.

Marley Eternit’s stand is located in the building products area and is numbered N966. s ENQUIRY CARD/ONLINE NO 1 www.buildinginnovations.co.uk/card

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Osmo Brings Colour To Ecobuild 2011 Osmo UK is returning to Ecobuild 2011 with its full selection of colour products. Osmo sees Ecobuild as a key platform to promote these products to the building industry.

Visitors to the Timber Works Pavilion will find Osmo displaying its Polyx Oil Tints and Wood Wax Finish Creativ products on stand TW01. With both being fairly new to the market and each having particular eco-friendly aspects, Osmo will have flooring experts on hand to discuss the products in detail.

Polyx-Oil Tints was launched in 2010 and has already received great feedback from contractors, architects and end users.

Bringing a touch of elegance and glamour to any room, it is based on the original Polyx-Oil product. The range includes gold and silver tones which with a special level of pigmentation, achieves a glitter finish, especially when the sun catches it.

Visit Ancon at Ecobuild 2011, Stand Number S1210 Ancon Building Products is showcasing its products at ECOBUILD. Stand number S1210 will address important issues such as thermal bridging, featuring Ancon’s range of low thermal conductivity wall ties and thermal breaks at balcony locations.

In addition to Ancon’s stainless steel wire wall ties, the range includes the BBAapproved TeploTie. The innovative Ancon TeploTie is manufactured from basalt fibres and has a thermal conductivity of just 0.7W/mK. Many of Ancon’s products are fabricated from stainless steel; this material has an approximate 60% recycled content, a lower thermal conductivity than carbon steel and is 100% recyclable at the end of a long, low maintenance service life. s ENQUIRY CARD/ONLINE NO 3 www.buildinginnovations.co.uk/card

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Heating And Ventilation Systems That Put Energy Efficiency First Johnson & Starley is highlighting examples of its latest highly energy efficient ventilation and heat recovery systems as well as condensing boilers and warm air heating systems at Ecobuild 2011, Stand S1800.

With the vastly improved standards of insulation and energy efficiency in modern houses, occupants can suffer from a lack of ventilation leading to an uncomfortable living environment and condensation which can ultimately put the fabric of the building at risk. As an effective solution, the Building Regulations compliant Q-Vent HR 260 and Q-Vent HR160 whole house mechanical ventilation systems are highlighted at Ecobuild.

SAP Appendix Q listed, they meet the requirements of developers and home owners in achieving the highest dwelling SAP ratings. Also on show will be the LE 155 and LE 250 whole house heat recovery systems which recover heat energy and provide essential air management. s ENQUIRY CARD/ONLINE NO 5 www.buildinginnovations.co.uk/card

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Luvata - Redefining Copper Architecture At its first Ecobuild, international copper specialist Luvata will be highlighting its innovative and flexible approach to meeting the most challenging architectural designs. On Stand N10, Luvata will be exhibiting an unrivalled diversity of copper surfaces, forms and systems for a wide range of façade, roof, interior and other applications, illustrated with iconic projects from around Europe.

Luvata’s growing range of copper architectural products is driven by designers and offers unrivalled design freedom, supported by the expertise and personal service needed to realise design concepts in copper - no matter how innovative. Surfaces include the innovative Nordic Green which offers architects the ability to control the type and intensity of patina with no limitations on the length of pre-patinated copper sheet or strip.

The same flexibility is available with Nordic Blue as well, based on the patina colour typical of marine environments.

Nordic Brown products are pre-oxidised at Luvata’s factory to give straightaway the brown surface to both faces that otherwise develops over time in the environment: both light and dark versions are available. Other surfaces include Nordic Royal, an alloy of copper which is very stable and keeps its golden shade, brass and bespoke finishes, as well as standard copper.

NEW FORMS In addition to plain copper strip, Luvata explores new forms of copper for architecture with designers, including textured surfaces, press modelled shapes, pierced or expanded sheets and mesh for transparency. Luvata’s copper surfaces and forms can be combined with various systems and techniques, and applied to facades, roofs and other architectural elements of all shapes, as well as other applications such as interiors. In addition to traditional fully-supported copper strip techniques, they are also available as profiled sheets, panels, cassettes and other factory-made systems.

COMPOSITE PANEL LAUNCH Luvata will also be launching its Nordic Composite range of copper-faced panels at Ecobuild, with a unique choice of surfaces including green and blue pre-patination with alternative intensities of colour. Nordic Composite is made up of two copper sheets - each 0.3mm thick – bonded together by a thermoplastic resin using a sophisticated manufacturing process.

As a result, the panels exhibit extraordinary strength, as well as excellent and consistent flatness giving them impressive architectural qualities. Nordic Composite allows crisp, tight corners – as well as smooth curves – to be formed consistently and accurately.

It is ideal for forming into façade panels, particularly for rain-screen systems, and other cladding types, and a fire resistant option is also available.

The growing diversity of surfaces, forms and systems available with Luvata’s Nordic ranges is boosted by its impressive environmental credentials. 97% of Luvata’s copper produced for architectural applications during 2008 and 2009 came from recycled material, with energy consumption and global warming potential less than half than copper generally - already significantly lower than stainless steel and aluminium. www.luvata.com/architectural s ENQUIRY CARD/ONLINE NO 6 www.buildinginnovations.co.uk/card

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NIBE Energy Systems At Ecobuild 2011

Honeywell At Ecobuild It’s simple and cost effective to achieve huge home energy savings while making a home cosier – that’s the message from Honeywell (Ecobuild stand N1661). As 84% of domestic energy is used for heating and hot water, Honeywell says just installing a new energy efficient thermostat and timer is a very easy way to save energy and cut fuel bills – and much more cost effective than replacing a boiler.

Honeywell experts will be on hand to provide energy saving advice and demonstrations of its range of energy saving thermostats and timers.

NIBE Energy Systems will be showing a wide range of its products on Stand S2010 at Ecobuild 2011. With the sharply rising interest in energy conservation from the public, the industry and from Government, Ecobuild is expected to be a vibrant occasion and it’s billing as “The world’s biggest event dedicated to sustainable design, construction and the built environment” seems well justified. NIBE will show a complete range of the company’s systems designed to supply energy for central heating and hot water supply using exhaust air from the home, from air in the outside atmosphere and from ground sources and this will include the launch of the new NIBE SOLAR. s ENQUIRY CARD/ONLINE NO 9 www.buildinginnovations.co.uk/card

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Glazing Vision (GV), the original frameless glass rooflight manufacturer, are delighted to introduce their extensive rooflight portfolio, the new GV X-Vent safety oriented Rooflight. They will be exhibiting at Ecobuild on stand S650.

Launched at their new head office and factory premises in Diss, Norfolk, the GV X-Vent is a vital addition to any commercial building or large residential property.

The GV X-Vent prevents a building becoming smoke logged in the event of a fire, allowing occupants more time to evacuate safely. The GV X-Vent complies with BS EN 12101-2:2003 and has been subjected to rigorous external testing.

These tests included 10,000 cycles, extreme temperature operation from -15°C to +300°C, operation under snow load and various weather testing requirements.

The product will be CE marked as complying with BS EN 12101-2:2003, as well as receiving a certificate issued and audited by International Fire Consultancy (IFC).

The GV X-Vent is the first Glass smoke ventilation system designed, manufactured and tested in the UK with the ability to open to 145o and back.

It also opens to 45o for regular day to day ventilation so is a dual purpose product with many great features. With all the aesthetic qualities of a regular GV Rooflight, the GV X-Vent has dual colour as standard, concealed fixings, thermally broken base and lid extrusions, Plug and Play design for ease of manufacture and maintenance and a fully concealed mechanism when closed. www.glazing-vision.co.uk s ENQUIRY CARD/ONLINE NO 7 www.buildinginnovations.co.uk/card

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Fakro Topsafe For Added Roof Window Security For Ecobuild 2011 FAKRO GB will be highlighting its patented topSafe ® system.

TopSafe provides the highest level of safety and security in standard roof windows today – a minimum Class 3 EN13049. Other products on display will include the Balcony Window and High Pivot Window. The Balcony Window has two sashes, the top-hung upper of which opens through 45° while the lower one slides out to reveal built-in balus trades. The High Pivot Window enables overall glazing height to be extended without taking the window into the wall or relying on additional width. FAKRO will also be exhibiting its SKW Solar Thermal panel system for the first time. s ENQUIRY CARD/ONLINE NO 11 www.buildinginnovations.co.uk/card

Cistermiser will be exhibiting on Stand S1549 at this year’s ECOBUILD. With a wide variety of innovative control valves for washbasins, urinals and WCs, the stand is a ‘must’ for anyone involved in washroom management or design. With outstanding water saving features and anti-vandal properties, the Cistermiser BREEAM compatible products on show will be of particular interest to those involved in health, education, commerce, industry or work in secure environments. All the products shown have been designed for simple installation as well as trouble free use. s ENQUIRY CARD/ONLINE NO 10 www.buildinginnovations.co.uk/card

There’s Only One Rainwater System For The Ultimate In Green Roofs And It’s At Ecobuild

New GV X-Vent Product Launch at GV Head Office

Water Management From Cistermiser At Ecobuild

Lindab’s rainwater control system - Rainline - was recently specified for a building perhaps featuring the ultimate in ‘green’ roofs. Rainline’s carbon footprint appears to be, according to a recent environmental study, significantly lower than many of the rainwater systems currently on the market, making it the ideal choice when sustainability is a key requirement. This combined with high performance and competitive pricing makes Rainline one of the most effective solutions for the control of rain drainage on all types of buildings – including green roofs. See the Lindab sustainable solution for rainwater control on Stand No S1525 at Ecobuild. www.lindab.co.uk

KNX Underlines Its Pivotal Role In The Sustainable Built Environment KNX UK will have a major presence at the Ecobuild 2011 exhibition. The Association will be exhibiting on stand S2430 in the Energy in Buildings showcase and underlining the contribution of KNX intelligent building products and the KNX Open Standard to the creation of an energy efficient, sustainable built environment. There will be an innovative, hands-on KNX visitor attraction which will highlight how the KNX platform integrates all aspects of building and home automation to create fully connected, energy efficient buildings. Alongside the Association itself, KNX UK members will also be exhibiting at Ecobuild 2011. These include Theben on Stand S2425. s ENQUIRY CARD/ONLINE NO 13 www.buildinginnovations.co.uk/card

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BSRIA Services Shown At Ecobuild 2011

Methven Gears Up For Ecobuild And ISH

One display at the forthcoming ECOBUILD exhibition in Docklands’ Excel that will be of interest to almost everyone in the construction industry is Stand S2234 of BSRIA Instrument Solutions.

BSRIA style themselves ‘The Built Environment Experts’ and, as testing in the construction industry becomes ever more complicated, they provide a most comprehensive service to builders of all sorts and sizes. Concerned with the hire, calibration and sale of the most advanced testing equipment, the BSRIA stand will provide answers to the thorny problems surrounding Building Performance Evaluation.

BSRIA is the official Distributor for more than 30 of the leading names in Test and Measurement equipment. Especially featured will be the Thermal Imaging Cameras from FLIR together with the innovative Wi5 wireless data collection system developed by BSRIA Instrument Solutions in conjunction with the manufacturer. The BSRIA product can sit unobtrusively in a home for a couple of years monitoring without the need of intervention, and can then be removed without the need for redecorating.

Methven, the global supplier of showers and tapware with headquarters in New Zealand and offices in Australia and in the UK (formerly known as Deva), is gearing up for a busy start to the New Year with preparations for EcoBuild and ISH. Stands at both shows will feature working displays and the company will unveil its collection of luxury, designer showers and tapware. At EcoBuild – ExCel, stand S251 – Methven will showcase an array of innovative water and energy saving products with Satinjet® twin jet technology, which delivers a superior performing shower with just nine litres of water a minute.

Visitors to the stand will see the award winning Satinjet® Kiri and Tahi collections and the new Satinjet® Kaha collection, plus more. At ISH – Frankfurt, Germany from 15 through 19 March, stand 4.2 J36 – Methven will reveal more of its designer bathroom tapware collections alongside the Satinjet® showers.

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Jaga: Ecobuild Preview - Stand 2110

Itho UK - The ‘Whole House’ Solution This year’s Ecobuild exhibition (Stand S2020) will be the launch platform for Itho UK to introduce its range of whole house system solutions. Having established itself in the UK market with its low energy and high efficiency ventilation heat recovery systems, Itho will now be offering the ultimate in whole house system solutions for builders and specifiers alike. Itho UK is a wholly owned subsidiary of Itho BV of Holland. Technologies include MVHR systems, waste water heat recovery, gas boilers, heat pumps, solar thermal systems and many others. s ENQUIRY CARD/ONLINE NO 17 www.buildinginnovations.co.uk/card

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Dow Supports Simplifying Standards Seminar At Ecobuild Dow Building Solutions – manufacturer of STYROFOAM-A insulation – is sponsoring the “Simplifying Standards, Guides and Tools” seminar stream at Ecobuild 2011. The seminar stream will include discussions on aligning Passivhaus construction principles with building codes and regulations. It will also review changes that will be required in building standards in order to meet zero carbon homes targets, amongst other highly topical subjects. STYROFOAM-A materials were used extensively on the first certified Passivhaus in England, Underhill House in the Cotswolds (pictured).

This year Jaga plans to launch the Vertiga Kirei – the world’s first vertical radiator to work in low temperature heating systems. The durable Kirei casing is made from post-harvest Sorghum plant stalk remains and promises a stunning, unique addition to any room. In addition to the Vertiga Kirei, the Jaga stand will feature the energyefficient Oxygen system – the integrated heating and ventilation solution for domestic and commercial applications. Jaga will also be exhibiting the low H2O DBE products which are recommended for use by many major heat pump manufacturers. s ENQUIRY CARD/ONLINE NO 19 www.buildinginnovations.co.uk/card

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Armourcoat Goes From Strength To Strength Armourcoat announce the addition of Ductal® to their worldrenowned product range.

Developed by Lafarge, Ductal® Ultra-High Performance Concrete (UHPC) presents a genuine revolution in the concrete sector. The material possesses a unique combination of superior properties including strength, ductility, durability and enhanced aesthetics. This enables designers to develop and realize new sculptural approaches to concrete forms. Ductal® is ideally suited to the manufacture of lightweight decorative building façades. It can be cast in large thin panels with an outstanding level of surface finish detail, and has a strength and durability greater than natural stone. Ductal® can be pigmented to a wide range of colours and due to the very fine particle size, it will allow excellent replication of fine surface detail and texture from the mould.

Ductal® is highly resistant to exposure in extreme conditions such as marine environments and is fire resistant, corrosion and stain resistant. At the end of its life cycle, Ductal® may be recycled as an aggregate material. Ductal® is manufactured using industrial recycled waste products such as silica fume, which contributes towards helping our environment. In certain Ductal® applications, the reduction in the quantities of materials (through use of industrial waste raw materials) the embodied energy and global warming impact may be reduced by up to 40%. Expert advice will be available on the stand (S554), together with stunning examples of the full range of decorative finishes available from Armourcoat. s ENQUIRY CARD/ONLINE NO 16 www.buildinginnovations.co.uk/card

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Milliken Contract At Ecobuild Milliken Contract will be at Ecobuild, presenting recently launched carbon neutral certified ranges that provide sustainable carpet tiles across a broad spectrum of public and commercial locations. Situated on Stand S350, Milliken Contract will showcase its Formwork, Fixation, Shadowbox, Scattergraph and Paste Up collections, along with a new brochure highlighting the company’s innovative approach to sustainability that has seen it considered as one of the most progressive carpet tile manufacturers. The Southern Analogue collection, using Aquafil Econyl 95% recycled content yarn will also be available for view for the first time at Ecobuild. The company’s range of high performance carpet tiles feature a unique 85% recycled content PU cushion backing that helps the carpet tiles to absorb wear for increased life-cycle, improved sound absorption and promote underfoot comfort, while stunning designs and textures help to satisfy the style demands of a wide variety of interiors. The Milliken Family of Companies is the only carbon negative manufacturer in the textile and carpet industry, with its initiatives in alternative energy use, renewable resources and forestation removing more carbon from the atmosphere than the sum of its emissions from all global manufacturing activities. From a UK perspective, Milliken Contract’s UK ISO14001 manufacturing facility is supplied with green electricity from renewable resources. The manufacturer has reduced its total waste production by 70% and water consumption by 60% since 1995. s ENQUIRY CARD/ONLINE NO 20 www.buildinginnovations.co.uk/card

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Lathams Gears Up For Ecobuild

More Pleasure, Less Consumption Hansgrohe will exhibit on Stand S551 at EcoBuild with a stylish selection of watersaving showers, taps and thermostatic mixers.

Latest products equipped with EcoSmart technology will be on display including models from the Crometta and Croma shower families and the versatile Raindance EcoSmart AIR collection. The Crometta 85 Green won the ‘Environmental Innovation Award for Bathrooms’ in 2009 and is included on the Water Technology List as part of the government’s Enhanced Capital Allowance scheme. www.hansgrohe.co.uk s ENQUIRY CARD/ONLINE NO 21 www.buildinginnovations.co.uk/card

James Latham is gearing up for Ecobuild 2011 with a host of third party certified products which will be displayed on its stand at S1249.

All of Lathams’ ten UK sites are FSC, PEFC and BM TRADA certified as well as having ISO 9001: 2001 accreditation.

Supporting the creation of a sustainable construction industry remains paramount for the timber and wood based panel products importer and distributor. Products on show at this year’s event include WoodEx, Lathams’ own brand of laminated hardwood and softwood, Accoya, a highly durable, and dimensionally stable certified softwood, Bausen, Lathams’ own brand of high quality solid and engineered hardwood flooring, plus Moralt high specification engineered door blanks as well as FSC African hardwood. s ENQUIRY CARD/ONLINE NO 22 www.buildinginnovations.co.uk/card

Deceuninck Announces Presence At Ecobuild

Mind the Gap - Be Compliant Gaps should not exist between insulation and closer but commonly do, and gaps mean the opening surround is not insulated as intended.

The Continuity Closer provides the solution - it interfaces with partial cavity insulation in cavity walls, yet costs no more than an ordinary closer. The Continuity Closer is exhibited at EcoBuild on stand UP01. www.cavitytrays.com

Deceuninck has just announced that it will have a presence at Ecobuild.

Deceuninck stand will showcase its range of energy efficient products in attractive styles and colours that are ideal for the refurbishment and new build sectors. Deceuninck will have a wide range of its products on display at stand N553 in the North Hall of ExCel. Several new products will be exhibited for the first time at the show. s ENQUIRY CARD/ONLINE NO 26 www.buildinginnovations.co.uk/card

Europe’s leading Exterior Wood Coatings manufacturer Remmers UK, have become members of the Wood Window Alliance (WWA) organization who champion high quality, high performance, sustainable wood windows.

Remmers will be exhibiting their Opaque and Translucent Exterior Wood coatings range alongside the Wood Window Alliance on their stand at this year’s Ecobuild.

With a 10 Year maintenance free guarantee, Remmers’ Induline range of Opaque and Translucent Exterior Coatings offers excellent durability, elasticity and blocking resistance.

Both coatings are available in a wide range of colours and finishes. s ENQUIRY CARD/ONLINE NO 24 www.buildinginnovations.co.uk/card

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It’s Time For Tempra!

Roofs Are Not Dead Space Roofs can provide additional amenity space, contributing to biodiversity, retaining rainwater or generating electricity. Axter provides solutions for all these options, incorporating waterproofing membranes suitable for each application. Their green roofs can be designed to help reduce urban temperatures and to gain a Surface Water Credit (SUR1). Roofs can also be used to generate electricity, in particular by incorporating thin film photovoltaic cells in the top layer of the roof waterproofing.

At Ecobuild 2011 on Stand S1170 Axter will show green roof constructions including the unique Hydropack green roof in a tray and the General Solar photovoltaic integrated roofing system which is registered under the BRE Microgeneration Certification Scheme. s ENQUIRY CARD/ONLINE NO 29 www.buildinginnovations.co.uk/card

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Three key offerings from Kingspan are set to carry forward their ongoing program of supporting sustainable development and providing inspirational design possibilities.

Kingspan PowerPanel systems combine cutting edge photovoltaic (PV) technology with the guaranteed performance of Kingspan’s insulated roof, wall and façade panels. Benchmark, the new architectural business from Kingspan provides a highly versatile architectural slant on the business of constructing high performing aesthetically arresting buildings. Ecobuild also sees the launch of the latest business within the Division: Kingspan Retrofit.

Alpro Architectural Hardware will be exhibiting at Ecobuild on stand N235. Alpro’s extensive product range encompasses electro-mechanical access control products and is complemented by a wide range of mechanical door furniture tailored to the commercial aluminium OEM marketplace. Alpro offers concealed transom door closers (for use in DDA compliant systems), a wide and varied range of pull handles, keypads, electric bolts and a complete range of narrow stile door locks, wth the majority of these products being manufactured from recyclable materials such as aluminium. Alpro will also be show casing their new range of electric strikes. Other additions include a mini-electric bolt, an infra red proximity switch and remote keypad, a mechanical digital lock and a complete range of electronic solenoid bolts. Alpro Hardware is a member of the Council for Aluminium in Building (CAB). s ENQUIRY CARD/ONLINE NO 28 www.buildinginnovations.co.uk/card

Inta Innovation On Show At Ecobuild

Remmers Join The WWA

Triple Offering From Kingspan

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Leading anti-scald manufacturer Intatec and sister company IntaEco will once be exhibiting a wide range of sustainable plumbing solutions at EcoBuild this year.

Intatec recently announced an industryleading stance on water saving by making every tap in its range Water Wise compliant as standard – at no extra cost. Every tap supplied now includes an eco-stop flow restrictor, helping to reduce water usage and contributing to overall household water consumption calculations for projects which are required to comply with new building regulations.

Specialist renewable heating equipment company IntaEco be showcasing its extensive range of green heating technology including, including the H&V Awards Domestic Product of the Year IntaSol – a tried, tested and trusted thermostatic mixing valve for solar systems.

Cynthia Fisher, commercial director for Intec and IntaEco, said: “2010 was a great year for us – refurbishing our Hixon premises, gaining carbon neutral status and expanding our range of anti-scald and eco products. We’re pleased to be back at EcoBuild once again to catch up with old friends as well as meeting some new faces.”

For further information, log onto www.intatec.co.uk or www.intatec.co.uk

See Alpro At Ecobuild

Vent-Axia has launched the new Lo-Carbon™ Tempra – the first single room heat recovery unit on the market which allows contractors and social housing specifiers the opportunity to quickly and easily replace existing, inefficient fans with a discreet, low energy, continuously running alternative.

Providing up to 74% heat recovery, the Tempra is the only unit of its type which can be retrofitted through a 100mm diameter hole in the wall.

This enables standard bathroom, kitchen, toilet or utility room fans to be easily changed for a Tempra without the need to make the hole any larger. The unit’s compact heat exchanger is capable of recovering any heat from extracted air and returning it back into the dwelling. This performance, taken together with Tempra’s integral LoCarbon™ DC motor, brings significant energy savings and will help reduce a home’s carbon footprint. www.vent-axia.com. s ENQUIRY CARD/ONLINE NO 30 www.buildinginnovations.co.uk/card

Lodgwise To Be At Ecobuild Lodgwise the sole UK importers for Honka log homes from Finland, will be on stand number S770 at EcoBuild 2011. The Logwise team of experts will be on hand to answer specific questions and give advice about all aspects of log buildings. Logwise are pleased to be able to offer these stunning log homes that come with outstanding eco-credentials due the sustainable nature of building with wood. This range of bespoke timber buildings offer high quality luxury living at an affordable price.

Logwise staff can guide you through the whole process, from building design, though planning, building control, construction and even furnishing your log home, Logwise can help you through every step. s ENQUIRY CARD/ONLINE NO 31 www.buildinginnovations.co.uk/card

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How can we reduce the risk of flash flooding?

Elta Fans To Introduce Three New Product Brochures At Ecobuild 2011 Elta Fans will be exhibiting its wide range of ventilation products at Ecobuild 2011 on stand N1765. The focus of their stand will be to introduce the brand new energy-reducing Eltadrive Inverters and QUBe centrifugal fan units. Eltadrive Inverters are one aspect in the control of ventilation fans.

They offer cost savings through the reduction of energy usage at reduced fan speeds and the ability to control the fan via sensors such as humidity, temperature and pressure.

QUBe double skinned centrifugal fan units are highly efficient and resistant systems, with models capable of handling the most arduous and elevated temperatures. Each QUBe unit is user and installer friendly with low noise generation. The new high pressure PowerPlus range brochure will also be available.

The range has been specifically developed to tackle higher pressure requirements with a straightforward, efficient and definitive approach. The totally enclosed air over motors, along with their low profile robust U-shaped mounting brackets, allow for maximum open area, reducing velocities through the fan casing and resulting in increased efficiency and a reduction in noise and vibration levels.

Elta Fans is fully committed to the reduction of carbon footprints in new and existing buildings, by using higher efficiency and lower energy products, components and control systems. Recent and developing legislation highlights the need for faster and high quality product and system development in the important area of energy conservation. Demand Control Ventilation (DCV) is an effective way of applying this philosophy as it allows variable ventilation solutions to be efficiently applied to variable occupancy spaces in buildings. s ENQUIRY CARD/ONLINE NO 32 www.buildinginnovations.co.uk/card

CAB Fronts Record Aluminium Area At Ecobuild CAB is delighted to be heading up the Aluminium Area (Stand N230 – CAB 05) feature at Ecobuild 2011, having worked closely with the organisers to create a 150 square metre ‘aluminium village’ style pavilion representing the aluminium in building supply chain.

CAB itself will be updating visitors on the very latest aluminium and sustainability information including a number of major projects that it is involved in such as generic environmental profiling, service life and responsible sourcing.

The growth in interest in the use of aluminium as a sustainable building material is highlighted by the fact that a record 20% of CAB’s membership will be exhibiting at the show either in the Aluminium Area itself or separately. The 7 member company stands on the CAB pavilion are: Alpro; Alumet (Avon Solar Control); Carl F Groupco; Centor Europe; Fieger; LJ Pratley & Partners and Universal Architectural Aluminium Systems.

In addition to a general lounge area CAB will be manning a reception desk and information area where the CAB Team can discuss a range of issues surrounding standards, regulations and sustainability.

The enlarged exhibition in its new location at ExCel, Docklands promises to be one of the largest sustainable construction shows to be held anywhere with an anticipated 50,000 visitors due to attend.

What’s my obligation under the new Flood & Water Management Act?

What effect does permeable paving have on water quality?

What is SUDS?

s ENQUIRY CARD/ONLINE NO 34 www.buildinginnovations.co.uk/card

IN THE DARK ABOUT COMPLEX DRAINAGE ISSUES? THE ANSWERS ARE CLOSER THAN YOU THINK.

s ENQUIRY CARD/ONLINE NO 33 www.buildinginnovations.co.uk/card

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www.marshalls.co.uk/flash

Midair Manufacturing By Kalzip Kalzip has introduced a new on-site production facility which uses a portable rollformer suspended from a crane to manufacture aluminium standing seam sheets where they’re wanted - up on the roof. This creatively engineered midair manufacturing solution is fast, efficient, extremely safe and very versatile as the roll-former can be quickly repositioned to produce long sheets of Kalzip anywhere around the building or site. The new midair manufacturing facility is not attached to the building - the roll-former is mounted on a specially designed carrying cradle which is suspended from a tower or crawler crane. Powered by an integral generator, this self-sufficient production unit is ‘stabilised’ in its midair manufacturing position by virtue of Tirfor winch-tensioned cables which run from its underside to large anchor weights on the ground below. Roof level sheet handling activity is significantly reduced with midair manufacturing. s ENQUIRY CARD/ONLINE NO 35 www.buildinginnovations.co.uk/card

Lime Works Announces The Launch Of Its New Website Lime Works Ltd, who contract across the UK in the application of lime rendering, lime plastering and lime wash, has launched a new website. The site features and promotes Lime Works new business ventures as the company will now be offering the selling of its materials, consultancy and training courses to the general public and to advertise its existing on - site contracting service. Lime Works is a pioneering single-source professional service for architects, specifiers, building contractors and private householders and is recognised for its dedication and success in the innovative development of natural lime-based materials and the high-efficiency application of traditional lime rendering, lime plastering, lime pointing and lime washing. www.limeworks.net s ENQUIRY CARD/ONLINE NO 36 www.buildinginnovations.co.uk/card

New Roofing CPD Tour Announced By Hambleside Danelaw GRP roofing products manufacturer Hambleside Danelaw is touring the country in 2011 with a suite of CPD seminars designed to enhance knowledge of roofing and roofing techniques which maximise environmental performance and reduce a building’s energy costs.

The company is participating in both the CPD RoadSeminar Tour and the RIBA CPD events. Architects and building professionals can update their knowledge on topics such as: environmental performance of GRP; GRP roofing systems and how they differ; flat roofing - designing to avoid common problems; flashings/troughs: lead v plastic v concrete v GRP; and roof ventilation - practical solutions. Venue and date details of these RIBA approved seminars are available at www.hambleside-danelaw.co.uk

Flag-Soprema TPO Meets Highest Sustainability Criteria

s ENQUIRY CARD/ONLINE NO 38 www.buildinginnovations.co.uk/card

The new £9.7 million Bournville school consolidated the existing Infant and Junior Schools into one. Sustainability criteria required achievement of a BREEAM ‘Very Good’ rating, so Flag-Soprema worked closely alongside Approved Contractor Central Cladding Systems to secure specification of its Flagon TPO single ply membrane for the roof waterproofing. As the first TPO to achieve a BRE Green Guide A+ rating, a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating, EPC B-Rating (with a score of 36) and a recycled content of 22% were achieved.

Scott of the Antarctic Completes Charity Ice Marathon

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An intrepid runner from Devizes-based Wrightstyle, which supplies glass and steel systems worldwide, has successfully completed the world’s coldest and most arduous marathon.

Scott Mulligan, who is a CAD draughtsman with the company, finished the annual Antarctic Ice Marathon in a commendable time of 5 hours and 16 minutes – crossing the line in 9th place. The marathon course mainly consisted of compacted snow, with wind-chill temperatures falling as low as minus 20 degrees C. The course started and finished at the marathon’s base camp, just a few hundred miles from the South Pole. Scott was raising money for the British Red Cross, and was also sponsored by Wrightstyle. You can read Scott’s blog of his memorable exploits at www.wrightstyle.co.uk s ENQUIRY CARD/ONLINE NO 39 www.buildinginnovations.co.uk/card

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www.marshalls.co.uk/act

www.marshalls.co.uk/permeable www.marshalls.co.uk/systems

s ENQUIRY CARD/ONLINE NO 40 www.buildinginnovations.co.uk/card

IT’S BETTER THAN A SURFACE WATER SOLUTION, IT’S A TOOL TO REDUCE FLOODING. The ever-increasing risk of flooding throughout our urban environments needs to be dealt with through preventative measures and Marshalls can provide you with all the help you need in order to implement an effective and legislative water management solution. As market-leading experts, we have all the relevant products and industry know-how to ensure sustainable drainage systems (SUDS) are central to your urban planning projects.

Find out everything you need to know about water management at

WWW.MARSHALLS.CO.UK/WM OR CALL MARSHALLS ON 0870 241 4725

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Kaba Door Systems Will Exhibit At easyFairs MAINTEC 2011 Kaba Door Systems will be exhibiting at MAINTEC 2011, to be held at NEC Birmingham on 29th- 31st March and will be showcasing expertise in maintenance and repair of industrial and commercial door systems. Visitors will be able to visit Kaba on stand D8 in Hall 11 where staff will be on hand to offer advice on repair and maintenance issues and information on the full Kaba product portfolio of technologically advanced automatic sliding, folding and swing doors, rollershutter, sectional overhead and high speed doors, fire shutters, fire curtains and grilles. Kaba’s quality accreditation and industry association memberships give assurance of the high standards of service and workmanship you can expect to receive. s ENQUIRY CARD/ONLINE NO 41 www.buildinginnovations.co.uk/card

Stannah - Here To Help By Answering Your Questions With over 300 lift engineers out on the road making 227,000 site visits in one year, Stannah is asked a lot of questions. ‘Lifts: your questions answered’ is a handy spiral-bound booklet that really does answer many questions about owning/ managing lifts, escalators and moving walkways.

Included are up-todate statutes and guidelines, information on refurbishment and improving energy efficiency of existing lifts and how to ensure the safety of passengers and lifting equipment.

Also included is a section outlining how we can help with all your servicing, repair and refurbishment requirements, not only for Stannah products but for products from all manufacturers. s ENQUIRY CARD/ONLINE NO 42 www.buildinginnovations.co.uk/card

Modular Wiring Systems Launches New Website

Proven Fire Protection For Timber Arch Timber Protection has launched its latest specifier literature on its range of industrially applied fire retardant treatments for timber, providing a consistent and assured protection – which may not be achieved with the use of brush applied fire retardant products. The range includes established treatments such as DRICON and NON-COM Exterior, both of which have over 25 years of proven commercial use.

DRICON fire retardant treated timber remains the only product of its type to achieve British Board of Agrément (BBA) certification and continues to provide a proven and permanent surface spread of flame protection for interior and weather protected exterior timber applications. www.archtp.com s ENQUIRY CARD/ONLINE NO 43 www.buildinginnovations.co.uk/card

Modular Wiring Systems, a subsidiary of electrical cable manufacturer Tratos Ltd, has launched its new website, which explains what modular wiring systems are for those unfamiliar with the concept as well as the benefits of such systems over traditional fixed installations. It features an overview of typical power and lighting systems designed and produced by Modular Wiring Systems, with explanations and easy to understand colour diagrams. The different types of cables used within the systems are also detailed; these include Armoured, Unarmoured, Armourlite, Arnourflex, Fire Resistant and Fibre to the Desk cable. A range of support material is available direct from the new web site, including latest news stories, downloadable catalogues and case studies. www.modularwiring.com s ENQUIRY CARD/ONLINE NO 44 www.buildinginnovations.co.uk/card

Sapphire Balustrades Launch Retail Sector Guide Sapphire Balustrades’ extensive experience of fast track retail environments has led the company to publish a brochure dedicated to the sector’s specialist requirements. In addition to the need for completion within fixed deadlines, clients often seek a high degree of customisation to enhance their corporate branding. Sapphire’s service extends from site survey and design advice to project management, installation and aftercare. Bespoke retail requirements include display guards, bump rails, access gates, merchandise walling, increased loading requirements and escalator abutments. Sapphire’s distinctive handrail and balustrade systems can be used internally or externally using a choice of stainless steel, powder coated steel, hardwood, brass or aluminium. s ENQUIRY CARD/ONLINE NO 45 www.buildinginnovations.co.uk/card

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Water-Borne Intumescent Coating Protects Union Headquarters Currently nearing completion, a ninestorey steel framed office building beside London’s Euston Road will not only provide a prestigious new headquarters for the Unison trade union, but also represents the first major application of a new water-borne intumescent coating that answers many of the practical and logistical challenges facing contractors.

The development – which includes three office blocks, residential accommodation to the rear and a retained Victorian property - has been built by BAM Construction, with Squire & Partners being the architectural practice responsible for leading the design team. Graham Wood Structural was the package contractor erecting the main frame and MGN Fire Protection was the specialist applicator of the S708 intumescent coating developed

by Nullifire and Tremco illbruck Coatings.

In the past project teams were faced with all the issues of employing solvent based products when it was necessary to use a sprayed fire protection system for steelwork which was going to remain exposed to the weather. Now Nullifire’s S708 presents a high performance waterborne system that is also environmentally friendly.

Between September 2009 and January 2010, MGN Fire Protection made repeated visits to the Central London site to treat both the structure’s internal steelwork elements and the critical perimeter zones as the floors rose. Despite the fact that the Unison HQ is in close proximity to other business premises and stands alongside one of the capital’s busiest traffic and pedestrian routes, there were no problems regarding fumes or any other effects of the application.

Despite the contract encompassing some of the worst winter weather for a generation, the S708 intumescent coating withstood all the rain, snow and ice without any adverse effects.With just a couple of the residential blocks employing concrete construction, some 4,000 square metres of the S708 was applied

by MGN Fire Protection, with the material being fully weather resistant as soon as it has dried. The S708 also enables clients to utilize a decorative top coat, available in any RAL colour. s ENQUIRY CARD/ONLINE NO 46 www.buildinginnovations.co.uk/card

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Fire Glazing For Southampton University

Kaba Fire Protection Automatic Sliding Doors Protect College Sports Complex At Malvern Kaba Door Systems has provided automatic sliding fire protection doors at Malvern College, Worcestershire. Kaba provided two sets of automatic sliding fire protection doors with a full breakout facility to the new sports and leisure complex at the College.

The automatic bi-parting fire protection doors - SLX-SBF – fitted to the main entrance - prevent the spread of fire and smoke as well as providing a safe escape route, effectively sectioning the area off. The doors, unique to Kaba, provide 30 minute fire protection, reduce smoke spread and on emergency activation, automatically convert into a manual swing doors. In this mode the doors can be pushed open providing an effective escape route. The invisible door closers ensure that the doors close and resume their fire barrier status after every use.

Building 85 lies within the campus of Southampton University, and is the new home for the Institute of Life Sciences.

The core to the design was the use of sustainable and low maintenance materials, a category which included fire glazing systems from Fendor.

Over 40 different fire glazing elements were required, ranging from screens, doors and panels offering 30 minutes fire rating in the atrium to 60 minute fire rated doors and screens in the lift lobby. s ENQUIRY CARD/ONLINE NO 48 www.buildinginnovations.co.uk/card

s ENQUIRY CARD/ONLINE NO 47 www.buildinginnovations.co.uk/card

Non-com Exterior Protects One Of The Largest Western Red Cedar Projects In The UK One of the largest Western Red Cedar cladding projects ever commissioned in the UK, requiring over 4,000 sq metres of material, has been protected with Arch Timber Protection’s Non-Com Exterior fire retardant treatment.

The cladding was supplied by John Brash, a specialist timber manufacturer, and used on The Rock, a £350m mixed use residential and retail development in Bury, Lancashire. The timber has been used to create a rear-ventilated rainscreen cladding system on all façades of the new Debenhams store and Block ‘B’, a mix of residential and retail units. A mechanical secret fix system was specified to fasten the Western Red Cedar to the Debenhams building and a face fix system was used on Block D. Western Red Cedar was specified by Building Design Partnership (BDP) because they were looking for a natural, sustainable material that would add an aesthetic contrast to the grey fibre cement cladding used on other aspects of the development. Non-Com Exterior is the only leach resistant fire retardant protection for timber that is listed and approved by the UK Wood Protection Association and does not require a decorative coating for exterior applications, which allowed the natural beauty of the Western Red Cedar to be a key feature. s ENQUIRY CARD/ONLINE NO 50 www.buildinginnovations.co.uk/card

Eco-Friendly Open Academy Gets Flexible Fire Detection Lesson From Hochiki

Eurotech Turns Up The Heat On Wireless Detectors Eurotech Fire Systems Ltd is turning up the heat on wireless fire detection after partnering with the first company in the UK to meet the latest industry standards.

From March 2011 all wireless fire detection systems have to be approved to the new European EN54-25 Standard. But Eurotech is setting the pace, being the first company to gain Loss Prevention Certification Board (LPCB) approval to the new standard for its wireless detection systems. The Eurotech systems offer a complete approved range, using ‘intelligent’ optical, heat or multi-sensor detectors as well as AV devices and modules. The systems can be fitted from scratch - using wireless-only detectors, sounders, beacons, call points and even voice sounders – or as part of a ‘hybrid’ solution, integrating wireless with hard-wired systems simply by including the appropriate module. For any fire system, reliable and robust interaction between fire detectors and control panels is critical; even more so where a wireless interface is involved. The latest technology includes bi-directional communication, meaning every few seconds the control panel ‘talks’ to each address and every device ‘checks-in’ with the panel. This constant two-way chatter ensures that any signal or unit failures are detected almost instantly. s ENQUIRY CARD/ONLINE NO 49 www.buildinginnovations.co.uk/card

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In 2010, The Open Academy in Norwich moved into a new landmark building designed to be a vibrant, attractive and stimulating learning environment. Hochiki Europe’s innovative fire detection products have been specified throughout, making the most of their unique features and advanced technology.

A BS5839 compliant category L1 addressable fire detection system was required. An L1 system is designed for the protection of life and deploys automatic detectors throughout all areas of the building – including roof spaces and voids – with the aim of providing the earliest possible warning. Hochiki’s products were specified due to their extensive range, proven reliability and excellent support service.

The Open Academy is now home to 483 separate Hochiki devices and the addressable system uses an eight loop control panel at its centre. A wide range of other Hochiki equipment was required, including photoelectric smoke sensors which reduce the likelihood of false alarms, multi-sensors in the science and food technology laboratories, analogue base sounders, multi-heat sensors, loop powered sounders and call points. The tender also specified that the fire alarm sounders should incorporate a class change sound. Hochiki Europe’s system is unique in that it has a programmable option which facilitates this and allows the use of a different audible tone from that of the fire alarm. The design for the Academy includes the implementation of a cross laminated timber system as its structural core, reducing the building’s carbon footprint.

The timber comes from managed forests, creates minimal waste and is fabricated to high tolerances. This unique structure meant that the installation of the fire detection system had to be in accordance with specific guidelines. Architects Sheppard Robson made it clear that cables should not run across this area but should emanate from the centre and spread outwards. The cable had to follow the route of the sprinkler pipes in order to keep it neat and unobtrusive, making the installation aesthetically pleasing. www.hochikieurope.com s ENQUIRY CARD/ONLINE NO 51 www.buildinginnovations.co.uk/card

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ICON Architects: Crittall Windows Ltd Product: Steel Windows Full Story: Page 52 Visit: www.crittall-windows.co.uk

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GALLERY/PROJECT/GRANITE TRANSFORMATIONS

GALLERY/PROJECT/ARDEX

Title: Granite Transformations’ Finishes Feature At Sarah Beeny’s Rise Hall Location: East Yorkshire Application: Italian Granite, Quartz And Recycled Glass Agglomerate Surfaces Visit: www.granitetransformations.co.uk

Title: Ardex Make A Stylish Entrance At The Savoy Location: London Application: Wall and Floor Preparation Visit: www.ardex.co.uk

ARDEX UK worked with Mega Marble Limited, specialist fabricators and installers of Natural Stone, to assist with the completion of the vast £220m restoration of London’s iconic Savoy hotel.

Mega Marble sourced, fabricated and installed the marbles and granites used throughout the public areas within the hotel. ARDEX A 35 rapid setting and drying cement was used to screed the floor areas. ARDEX X 7001 W Rapid Drying Pourable Floor Tile Adhesive in white was used to fix the floor tiling.

One where ARDEX X 7001 W was used to great effect in this project was the famous Front Hall, which has been spectacularly renewed to its former glory with a newly laid, intricate floor of black and white marble tiles, coordinating with columns clad in the same material. ARDEX S 16 W white rapid hardening and drying natural stone adhesive with ARDEX E 90 admix was used to fix the wall tiles. s ENQUIRY CARD/ONLINE NO 53 www.buildinginnovations.co.uk/card

The Italian granite, quartz and recycled glass agglomerate surfaces produced exclusively by Granite Transformations are usually associated with kitchen worktops. But for the TV property series, Beeny’s Restoration Nightmare, the material was used in a quite different way, for cladding walls and bath surrounds

Granite Transformations’ Italian design studio produced computerised renderings for the bridal suite’s corner bath and separate washroom, the feature ‘green’ bathroom and two separate shower rooms. The green issue was a consideration, so the material selected for the feature bathroom was Trend G in Dream Green, made from 70% post-consumer recycled glass and one of the most eco-friendly finishing surfaces on the market.

Exploiting a unique property of this slimline agglomerate, the bath’s fascia panel has been ‘back shaved’ to remove the opaque backing material, enabling illumination from a switchable light source to shine through the now-translucent surface.

in the bridal room’s en suite facilities, two dramatic shower rooms and a particularly flamboyant ‘Dream Green’ bathroom. Emphasising its versatility as an interior finish, it also features as matching 300mm square floor tiles in all five completed rooms.

Far from being part of the ‘restoration nightmare’, which relates to the challenges of renovating a decaying 97-room mansion in East Yorkshire, Granite Transformations’ contribution to the project went very smoothly. Featured in Channel 4’s three-part series, the emerald green bathroom with its backlit bejewelled effect makes an eyecatching appearance, whilst a boxed bath and separate washroom grace Rise Hall’s brand new bridal suite, in readiness for Sarah’s first wedding ceremony.

This back-lit twinkling twilight effect contrasts beautifully with the solid Dream Green panels and tiles used on the walls and floors. The same Trend G ecofriendly, recycled glass finish is used in the first shower room, this time in dramatic Black Star with silvery highlights. The second shower room sees a change of material to Trend R in Rosso Alpi, with its mix of brick red, rose pink, terracotta, deep brown and cloudy white.

For the corner bath in the bridal bedroom and a matching washroom reached by connecting corridor, Sarah selected a muted Trend Q natural quartz finish in Palm Desert, a subtle mix of oatmeal, warm golden brown and flecks of white, grey and black that evokes desert sand at daybreak. The horizontal top slab on the bath surround has a bath-shaped cutout to form a recessed rim, with side fascias creating a stylish oblong box and wall-mounted panels providing waterproof splashbacks.

GALLERY/PROJECT/ABET LAMINATI Title: New Special Topping At Pizza Hut Location: Aberdeen Application: Digitally Printed High Pressure Laminates Visit: www.abetlaminati.com

Specially designed digitally printed high pressure laminates from ABET LAMINATI have been used for Pizza Hut’s new interior design in Aberdeen.

The bespoke design, created by designers Checkland Kindleysides, has been used to clad the back of the circular seating pods as well as some of the tabletops.

Digital Print is perfect for this type of demanding design-led application because it offers the opportunity to reproduce photographic images and almost any design directly into the laminate.

This has introduced a new and stimulating medium through which designers and architects can express their ideas and images. As with all the high pressure laminates from ABET LAMINATI, Digital Print is ideal for this type of heavy duty application. The laminate meets and exceeds all European and British performance standards (BS:EN) for resistance to wear, heat, moisture, impact and scratching.

It is widely installed in situations where aesthetically pleasing interior design, function and form are carefully crafted together to create an attractive visual experience. s ENQUIRY CARD/ONLINE NO 54 www.buildinginnovations.co.uk/card

s ENQUIRY CARD/ONLINE NO 52 www.buildinginnovations.co.uk/card

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GALLERY/PROJECT/STANNAH LIFT SERVICES Title: Stannah Scenic Lift Bridges The Gap At Cardiff Central Station Location: Cardiff Application: Passenger Lift Installation Visit: www.stannahlifts.co.uk

National lift service provider, Stannah, have completed the challenging installation of a scenic Passenger lift within in the Art Deco ticket hall of Cardiff Central Station. Stannah were the Principal Contractor on a 4-month project to install a lift for Arriva Trains Wales and Network Rail to ensure easy access to Platform Zero.

The two-stop, through-door glass passenger lift in a structure supported glass shaft stands in the west side of the magnificent Grade 2 listed ticket hall and is linked to the landing, and exit to the platform, by a seamless steel and glass bridge. Rail travellers have previously had to climb a stairway to access the platform for the train to Ebbw Vale and passengers with impaired mobility, luggage or young children had to walk around the outside of the building.

Each stage of the process had to meet with approval from the listed buildings officer, Arriva Trains Wales, Network Rail and ultimately the Welsh Assembly who provided the funding for the project.

Jerry Sutton, Project Manager for Major Projects Team at Stannah comments: “We are delighted to have completed this interesting project at Cardiff Central Station. As Principal Contractor we have enjoyed outstanding support from Arriva Trains Wales and Network Rail together with excellent work from all the specialist contractors 028

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who helped us achieve our goals. A huge thank you to everyone involved in this successful project to improve accessibility at the station.”

A commemorative plaque was unveiled beside the lift on 12th January 2011 by Deputy First Minister of the Welsh Assembly, Ieuan Wyn Jones AM, who is also Minister for Economy and Transport. The lift will be kept in good working order by the South West England & South Wales service branch of Stannah Lift Services who are based in Bristol.

Stannah Lift Services have completed more than 85 lift refurbishments and installed almost as many new bespoke lifts for Network Rail ‘Access for all’ project to improve accessibility right across the UK rail network.

For more information about Stannah Lift Services call the Major Projects team on 01264 364311. s ENQUIRY CARD/ONLINE NO 55 www.buildinginnovations.co.uk/card

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GALLERY/PRODUCT/JIS EUROPE

GALLERY/PRODUCT/MX GROUP

Title: Compact Newick Towel Rails From JIS Europe Product: Towel Rails Visit: www.jiseurope.co.uk

Title: OPTIMUM – The Ultra Low Profile “Wet Room Look” Shower Tray Product: Ultra Low Profile Shower Tray Visit: www.mx-group.com

Optimum is the latest ultra low profile shower tray from leading shower tray manufacturer MX. It’s the slimmest tray on the market at just 25mm high. It brings an impressive combination of adaptability, strength and light weight – which makes it suitable for most types of shower enclosure, makes it very easy to carry and transport, and results in it being immensely strong and reliable – borne out by its 25 year guarantee.

JIS EUROPE of Haywards Heath has a new range of heated towel rails named NEWICK, the towel rails are manufactured in an elegant round section shape with ten horizontal rails displaying an appearance of refined luxury.

The Newick is ideally suited to areas with limited space such as a small bathroom or cloakroom. The rails are manufactured in two sizes all 600mm high with widths of 750 and 1000mm. They can be used in central heating, electric or dual fuel formats, which will allow the rails to be heated when the central heating is turned off.

The Newick towel rails are manufactured in 100% stainless steel pressure tested to 12 Bar and are available in polished finish with brushed satin finish available to order making these radiators durable and hygienic and they come with a 25year guarantee.

This patented low profile shower tray has been specially designed to complement all of the latest trends in the modern bathroom, helping designers to create an idyllic minimalistic, wet room type look without the installation costs.

s ENQUIRY CARD/ONLINE NO 56 www.buildinginnovations.co.uk/card

s ENQUIRY CARD/ONLINE NO 58 www.buildinginnovations.co.uk/card

GALLERY/PRODUCT/DAVID CLOUTING

GALLERY/PROJECT/VMZINC

Title: High Gloss, Stunning Finish - It Has To Be Zenolite Product: High Gloss Acrylic Decorative Panel Visit: www.davidclouting.co.uk

Title: Zinc Bridges Old And New On Stockport Campus Location: Stockport Application: VMZINC flat lock zinc tiles Visit: www.vmzinc.co.uk

Zenolite, a high gloss acrylic decorative panel exclusively available in the UK from David Clouting, offers an exciting, eco friendly, colourful, tough and light weight alternative to more traditional interior surface materials such as back painted glass, ceramic, aluminium and wood.

Zenolite features a palette of 10 innovative colours including Titan grey (shown) to provide the designer with endless possibilities to create inspirational designs for a wide variety of applications. Highly engineered to deliver a stunning finish, Zenolite’s integrated colour layer offers superb consistency of colour.

Each panel is highly resistant to UV light, cracking, staining or warping and has 25 times the impact strength of glass. Zenolite is available in a range of standard thicknesses and sheet sizes - bespoke sizes are available on request. David Clouting will be exhibiting at the Surface Design show in February 2011 – Stand No 216. s ENQUIRY CARD/ONLINE NO 57 www.buildinginnovations.co.uk/card

Austin Smith Lord’s design of the £100m Stockport College campus redevelopment has seen the use of 8,000m2 of VMZINC flat lock zinc tiles, together with interlocking and sine wave horizontal panels.

Work on the former St. Thomas’ Hospital site and the retention, restoration and creative re-use of some of the most architecturally and historically significant former Victorian Workhouse buildings will ultimately create a collegiate quarter.

The architect has utilised VMZINC ANTHRA-ZINC (black) on all facades to provide distinctly different yet sympathetic styles within the restored development. The choice of high quality cladding materials provides another illustration of how zinc combines well with glass to meet the requirement for a college landmark. s ENQUIRY CARD/ONLINE NO 59 www.buildinginnovations.co.uk/card

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GALLERY/PROJECT/TECHNAL Title: Technal Specified For Iconic Canada Water Library Location: London Application: MX SSG Structural Sealant Glazing And CD Commercial Doors Visit: www.technal.co.uk

Glazing systems from architectural aluminium specialist Technal have been selected by CZWG Architects for Southwark Council’s iconic new library building which is now under construction in Canada Water, London. Spearheading an ambitious programme of regeneration, Canada Water Library resembles an inverted ‘ziggurat’ – a terraced pyramid of successively receding storeys – that partly overhangs the Canada Water basin. Constructed by main contractors ISG Jackson, the four storey £14m building is being clad in anodised aluminium sheets with sequentially expanded perforations, interspersed with recessed curtain wall screens.

The design gives the scheme a sculptural appeal and a striking visual effect. Fabricated and installed by United AG and with a bronze anodised aluminium finish, Technal’s MX SSG structural sealant glazing and CD commercial doors have been specified for the ground floor. MX Visible Grid is being used for the strips of curtain walling to the three upper floors, with MX top hung concealed vents and PXi doors providing access to the balconies.

MX SSG is a flush curtain walling option which meets architects’ requirements for less visible aluminium and clear expanses of glass. The curtain walling is complemented by FXi65 tilt/turn casement windows used as ‘punched hole’ openings set into the cladding.

Commenting on the glazing specification, Anna Ifanti, Project Architect at CZWG Architects said, “The Technal team was very responsive at specification stage and their input in the design and choice of glazing options was helpful and valuable. We needed the façade systems to be robust, lightweight, have slim frames and to meet the required U values, which the Technal products were able to deliver.”

The Canada Water Library also has strong environmental credentials, with ground source heat pumps, grey water harvesting, energy efficient M&E services, and an extensive green roof. The incline of the building also provides a high degree of solar shading for the glazing, minimising glare. The scheme is targeting a BREEAM ‘excellent’ rating.

Due for completion summer 2011, the scheme will sit at the edge of a new civic plaza and forms part of a dynamic new town centre for Canada Water – a historic Docklands area that was once a bustling port. The Canada Water Masterplan has been brought forward by master developers BL Canada Quays in conjunction with Southwark Council and includes around 900 new homes in the first phase, as well as retail, community and public spaces. s ENQUIRY CARD/ONLINE NO 60 www.buildinginnovations.co.uk/card

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GALLERY/PROJECT/WRIGHTSTYLE Title: New Life From Iconic Boathouse Location: Wisbech, Cambridgeshire Application: Glazing Systems Visit: www.wrightstyle.co.uk Photographer: David Wootton Photography

An iconic new building in Cambridgeshire is underlining how worldclass architecture and glazing systems from Wrightstyle can create buildings to breathe new life into areas of dereliction.

The 20-acre waterside site in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire has been transformed with a mixed-use development designed to exceed modern building standards while creating a perfect location for local, national and international businesses.

The centrepiece of the development is The Boathouse, a complex design on the bank of the river Nene, designed in the shape of a boat. Despite having to withstand severe weather and salt corrosion, the design incorporates wide-bay curtain walling and a faceted configuration.

For the Wisbech project, commissioned by Fenland District Council, Devizes-based Wrightstyle installed glazing systems and fire doors to protect fire escape routes, working closely with their customer to design a solution to meet the architectural requirements of Feilden + Mawson LLP. The Boathouse, highly commended in the most recent RICS Awards, is an integral part of creating a gateway to the Wash and to the network of inland canals stretching into Cambridgeshire and the Midlands – an asset that had been in decline. The site, derelict for 20 years, is now a tourist attraction for the town and a major catalyst for further development.

“The Boathouse involved some real design challenges, to develop and fabricate a fire safety solution for a completely unique building design,” said Lee Coates, Wrightstyle’s technical director. “However, we have the capability to meet the most exacting of designs – a reputation that is winning us business around the world.”

Wrightstyle has been closely involved in a number of regeneration projects, in the UK and internationally, most notably for a recent scheme in Hong Kong, now recognised as a milestone in urban renewal, and which includes a 53-storey office tower, a 5-star hotel with 665 bedrooms, rooftop swimming pool and a 600,000 sq ft

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shopping mall – and which now attracts over 100,000 visitors every day.

On a smaller scale, but of regional importance, The Boathouse is the focal point of a wider regeneration project that also has a new business centre, yacht club, and leisure facilities. The strategic vision for the site, its ergonomic design and environmentallyfriendly design features will make it an example of excellence for other regeneration projects across the country.

“Good design is at the heart of all successful regeneration projects, helping to transform and enhance the built environment while offering leisure and working facilities that meet changing expectations.

When it comes to regenerative projects, we are now recognised as a supplier able to design and fabricate complex or large spans of glazing with optically-brilliant glass, and giving comprehensive protection against all natural and man-made threats,” said Lee Coates. s ENQUIRY CARD/ONLINE NO 61 www.buildinginnovations.co.uk/card

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Sliding Glass Door System s ENQUIRY CARD/ONLINE NO 63 www.buildinginnovations.co.uk/card

CRL’s Laguna Series is a beautiful and simplistic Sliding Glass Door System which includes a new ‘anti-lift’ feature, to improve the performance, safety and security of your installation.

• • • • • •

Neaco Receives Praise For Church Contribution Neaco received praise for their contribution to a major refurbishment project at Holy Trinity Church in Ripon, where the company’s Clearline structural glass has been specified by RBA Moody Bros (Contractors) Ltd for balustrading on a mezzanine floor. The installation formed part of an exciting and sensitive reordering of the historic building.

A spokesman for RBA Moody Bros said: “Neaco were engaged to supply and install the bespoke structural glass balustrading for this prestigious project.

They worked diligently and pro-actively with ourselves and the project engineers to ensure that all the ‘tricky’ detailing relative to the facetted balustrading was thoroughly investigated and practically resolved in a manner that in no way compromised the aesthetic aspirations of the client.

The structural glass and handrail was delivered to site on time and installed without a hitch”. Suitable for both external and internal use, Clearline’s free standing balustrade requires no supporting uprights - continuous glass

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is fixed in place by aluminium floor channels with integrated rubber seals which insulate the glass and eliminate the need for the more traditional messy mastic detail. Clearline glass is toughened in accordance with BS EN12600 class 1 with options including clear or tinted grey, bronze, green or blue with the option of acid etching or an applied emblem/logo. The range also includes a low iron glass option offering a noticeably clearer panel than the inherent green cast of standard clear float glass used in balustrade applications. www.neaco.co.uk

New anti-lift feature for added safety.

For Wall or Glass Mount Installation For use with 10mm or 12mm Glass All 316 alloy brushed stainless steel construction.

Comes with all fasteners needed for either flush or surface mounting.

The adjustable top rollers make final adjustments quick and easy, without the need to remove the door.

• The solid stainless steel construction and smooth operation of the top rollers minimises maintenance issues.

• Adapter kits available for wooden door applications For heavier glass panels CRL offer a large range of Heavy Glass Sliding Door Systems, please contact us for details.

s ENQUIRY CARD/ONLINE NO 62 www.buildinginnovations.co.uk/card

See us at

Ecobuild Stand N710 1st to 3rd March 2011

For more information call FREE on

00 800 0421 6144 e: CRL@crlaurence.co.uk f: 00 800 0262 3299 w: www.crlaurence.co.uk Charles Babbage Avenue, Kingsway Business Park, Rochdale OL16 4NW

THE BOOK/INTERIORS

THE BOOK/INTERIORS

Retail Therapy With Jotun The new People’s Supermarket in Lambs Conduit Street in London is a truly unique and revolutionary new co-operative venture – designed for the people to be led by the people. When it came to the fitting out of the interior, the obvious choice in keeping with this theme was the SENS range of allergy free paints from Jotun Paints. The paint was applied in white for the ceilings of the two-storey, 4,500sq ft building, as well as some of the pillars supporting the tiled walls. The unique properties of the SENS range ensure that it meets all current environmental standards, including those set out by the Swan and Euroflower labels. SENS is the only paint range to fulfil the NAAF (Norwegian Asthma and Allergies Association) criteria for safe, beneficial to health paint. s ENQUIRY CARD/ONLINE NO 65 www.buildinginnovations.co.uk/card

Ultra Tile Kits Out New Fitness Club Wall and floor tiling applications within Exeter’s new David Lloyd facility have been completed by V Tiles using Ultra Tile products. David Lloyd, the UK’s leading health and fitness group, scheduled the opening of their Exeter club in December 2010. The new build facility required sub-floor preparation in several areas before tiling commenced.

The Ultra Floor commercial flooring range of sub-floor preparation products provide cost-effective, high-quality solutions. V Tiles applied levelling compounds, Level IT one HDB and Level IT super30. Both are rapid setting, polymer modified and protein free.

Ultra Floor Level IT super30 has a set time of only 30 minutes – perfect for fast-track applications! Some surface areas were repaired with Patch IT rapid45®, Ultra Floor’s fast setting and rapid drying mortar. An ideal solution for applying ‘first aid’ to many different types of defect, including holes, depressions and cracks.

V Tiles also used Ultra Tile Prime IT FP to enhance bond strength and prime before applying any adhesive. As an additive Prime IT FP enhances performance of Ultra Tile adhesives and grouts that have not been previously polymer modified. As an acrylic surface conditioner, it is suitable for a variety of building substrates, sealing them prior to the application of an adhesive.

The project was a total of 3000 square metres and 4 different sized porcelain tiles were fixed to the floors using Ultra Tile ProRapid RS. The club’s walls

were finished with porcelain, mosaics and Tethlan panels, all fixed with Ultra Tile ProFlex SP+ES. Both powder adhesives from Ultra Tile, they provide ease of use and an assured fix. Expertly formulated with exceptional bond strength, flexibility and fast setting capabilities, ProRapid RS is ideal for most porcelain and natural stone applications. The adhesive can be applied at a bed thickness of between 3-12mm.

Its open time is 40 minutes and it will be set after just 2 hours drying time. ProFlex SP+ES is the extended set single part flexible floor and wall tile adhesive, suitable for interior/exterior use and in both wet and dry conditions.

Specially formulated with extended workability for large format and intricate porcelain, ceramic and natural stone tile work, with exceptional adhesion and flexural capacity, it is ideal for situations where vibration may occur.

All tiled areas including the pool surrounds, changing rooms and the club’s reception were finished with grouts from Ultra Tile. Formulated fine, wide and flexible grouts in grey, white and anthracite were all used in their respective areas. www.ultratileadhesives.co.uk s ENQUIRY CARD/ONLINE NO 64 www.buildinginnovations.co.uk/card

High Gloss, Stunning Finish - It Has To Be Zenolite Zenolite, a high gloss acrylic decorative panel exclusively available in the UK from David Clouting, offers an exciting, eco friendly, colourful, tough and light weight alternative to more traditional interior surface materials such as back painted glass, ceramic, aluminium and wood. Zenolite features a palette of 10 innovative colours including Carbon (shown) to provide the designer with endless possibilities to create inspirational designs for a wide variety of applications. Highly engineered to deliver a stunning finish, Zenolite’s integrated colour layer offers superb consistency of colour. Each panel is highly resistant to UV light, cracking, staining or warping and has 25 times the impact strength of glass. Zenolite can be fabricated or cut and profiled on site if required to meet the most challenging of designs. Zenolite’s high gloss finish just requires occasional cleaning with a standard detergent and soft cloth. Fully recyclable, Zenolite does not give off any harmful emissions of any kind. David Clouting will be exhibiting at the Surface Design show in February 2011 –Stand No 216. s ENQUIRY CARD/ONLINE NO 66 www.buildinginnovations.co.uk/card

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Howe Green Floor Access Panels Prove A Big Hit At Custard Factory Built by Sir Alfred Bird, the inventor of instant custard, around a century ago to manufacture his famous dessert, the Custard Factory has been revamped as an arts and media quarter for Birmingham. To provide high quality access to essential building services in the development’s entrance atrium, 5000 Series floor access panels from Howe Green were selected for their outstanding reputation.

A 600 yard walk from Birmingham’s famous Bullring shopping centre, the Custard Factory is yet another exciting addition to the city’s centre.

The brief for this collection of early 20th-century industrial and office premises, spanning five acres, was to convert the buildings into affordable, attractive workspaces and to create an environment in which small creative companies could interact and support each other.

Key to this was the emphasis on public open space and interesting common areas, central to which was the courtyard and lake, flanked by cafés and shops and overlooked by many of the studios.

Designed by Glenn Howells Architects, the impressive redevelopment of the Custard Factory was delivered by main contractor Vinci. Specialist subcontractors DSM Flooring completed the various flooring requirements throughout the project, including the installation of the Howe Green access panels necessary to provide access to essential building services located under the floor of the building.

The Howe Green access panels were specified for the company’s widely held reputation as the leading supplier and producer of floor, ceiling and wall access covers. As it was expected that the flooring would be subject to quite heavy foot traffic, as well as the frequent passage of trolleys, the access panels needed to be durable and reliable and it was decided

that five of Howe Green’s 5000 Series aluminium panels would meet the requirements.

In keeping with the high aesthetic standards of the Custard Factory, DSM Flooring inlaid tiles within the covers, matching the existing white porcelain tiles of the floor for an uninterrupted and seamless finish. Laid into the substrate flush with floor level, the panels provide excellent access to building services whilst not presenting a trip hazard. Tamper resistant features provide additional security, whilst double sealing at the edges makes for perfect hygiene.

All of Howe Green’s access panels are built to order at no extra time or cost to the client. Corrosion resistant thanks to their aluminium build, 5000 Series panels are available in a standard depth of 50mm. With inset lifting points, they are easily raised for access to building services with the use of supplied keys.

By using the company’s 5000 Series panels on the Custard Factory, the stylish precinct has ensured impeccable aesthetics and long lasting access to its vital building services. www.howegreen.com sales@howegreen.co.uk s ENQUIRY CARD/ONLINE NO 67 www.buildinginnovations.co.uk/card

s ENQUIRY CARD/ONLINE NO 68 www.buildinginnovations.co.uk/card

LOOKING GOOD. FOR LIFE. Imaginative. Impressive. And the smartest of looks. With stunning profiles and outstanding quality, the brilliant new Twyford collections will inspire new ways of thinking about bathroom design.

For more information call 01270 879777 or email twyford.sales@twyfordbathrooms.com www.twyfordbathrooms.com

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BY APPOINTMENT TO HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN MANUFACTURERS OF BATHROOM & WASHROOM FITTINGS TWYFORD BATHROOMS STOKE-ON-TRENT

THE BOOK/INTERIORS

THE BOOK/INTERIORS

Caesarstone Provides A Winning Concept For Sheffield Hallam University

Yeoman Shield Gives Hospital New Look For The New Year

Sheffield Hallam University prides itself as being one of the most progressive and innovative universities in the UK. When refurbishment works on their learning centre took place over the summer they turned to CaesarStone for a practical solution to upgrade the helpdesk countertops complementing the new modern, brighter space suiting the university’s contemporary aesthetics and providing a lasting finish. CaesarStone was chosen for the new countertops, as their quartz worktops offer longevity, durability and style. It was specified by David Jenkin of Alexi Marmot Associates, who used 6600 Nougat in a 20 mm thickness. The durable properties of the quartz mean the worktop is extremely chip, crack and scratch resistant. Its nonporous nature also means it is hygienic and resistant to staining, and with low maintenance properties it provides an ease of living that will look great for years to come.

Yeoman Shield products including an innovative hand rail have provided an attractive new look to a busy corridor at the University Hospital of North Tees. Yeoman Shield Guardian handrail was fitted (signage incorporated) with 200mm Yeoman Contra protection rail, keeping pedestrians safe from service traffic and providing wall protection.

Steven Taylor, head of design and development at the hospital, explained: “We have used Yeoman Shield products over the years and found them robust and able to stand 24 hour/seven day traffic.” s ENQUIRY CARD/ONLINE NO 70 www.buildinginnovations.co.uk/card

s ENQUIRY CARD/ONLINE NO 69 www.buildinginnovations.co.uk/card

Levolux Shines A Light At The St Botolph Building

High Spec For “The Lancasters” The Lancasters, in Bayswater, was originally an elegant French Renaissance style terrace of 15 magnificent stucco-fronted grade 2 listed houses dating from the mid nineteenth century. The restoration

by London developers Northacre PLC and Minerva, Architects Nilsson Ltd and Interior Designers Intarya is due for completion in summer 2011 and boasts 77 properties with over 800 windows and 1650 doors. The apartments combine lavish contemporary living with Victorian style and not surprisingly therefore the project required classic design conscious architectural ironmongery with exceptional technical performance. John Planck Ltd had no hesitation in specifying the multi-award winning TECTUS door hinges from leading manufacturer SIMONSWERK. s ENQUIRY CARD/ONLINE NO 71 www.buildinginnovations.co.uk/card

The design of the new St Botolph office development in the City of London pushes the boundaries of contemporary architecture, including the internal application of vertical illuminated Louvres from Levolux. Access into the central core of the building is via a split level, double height reception and adjoining circulation areas. Levolux was invited to develop a unique internal louvred solution for the reception and circulation areas, leading to the central core of the building. The bespoke solution incorporated vertical extruded aluminium Louvres, which clad the walls and form a balustrade on the first floor and running alongside eight escalators. To achieve the desired aesthetic, Levolux created a custom aluminium extrusion, to incorporate LED lights at the top and bottom of each Louvre. The single piece extrusion also incorporates a serrated diffuser, which distributes the light along the length of each Louvre. When all Louvres are illuminated together, they create a stunning, ultra-modern aesthetic. s ENQUIRY CARD/ONLINE NO 72 www.buildinginnovations.co.uk/card

The Elegant Afriston Towel Rail From JIS Europe JIS EUROPE of Haywards Heath has a new heated towel rail named THE AFRISTON. The towel rail is manufactured in an elegant round section shape with nine horizontal rails giving an appearance of refined luxury, together with a stylish 90 degree angle on the top rail.

The AFRISTON is 1260mm high and 520mm wide. It can be used in central heating, electric or dual fuel formats, which will allow the rail to be heated when the central heating is turned off.

The AFRISTON towel rail is manufactured in 100% stainless steel pressure tested to 12 Bar and is available in polished finish with brushed satin finish available to order making this radiator durable and hygienic and they come with a 25year guarantee. s ENQUIRY CARD/ONLINE NO 73 www.buildinginnovations.co.uk/card

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Maxiboard – Wedding Venue Sound Reduction Systems Ltd’s high performance acoustic building board, Maxiboard, has been used extensively throughout a state of the art wedding venue in North London. The proximity of the venue to a number of houses meant that planning could only be agreed with the right acoustic specification. Richard Groborz of SRS Ltd’s stockist and approved agent for the area, Trim Acoustics, visited site to advise on the acoustic insulation. He said: “In order eliminate the risk of disruption to the neighbours, and to offer a practical and cost effective solution to the client, we specified a treatment of Maxiboard for the walls and ceilings. The results have been fantastic leaving the venue owners, local council and neighbours delighted.”

In total, over 2000 square meters of Maxiboard was installed by Gama Construction at The Little Princes and Little Princesses Wedding Venue to meet the stringent requirements of the council. Due to the pressing nature

of the project, Trim Acoustics were able to supply the Maxiboard out of their stock at very little notice, ensuring no delays on site.

The Venue, owned by Metro Wedding and Function Halls, is capable of accommodating over 800 people, and was officially opened by local MP, Mr Andy Love, in September.

Maxiboard is an extremely versatile and high performance acoustic building board, designed to be used as an alternative to plasterboard where increased sound insulation is required. Maxiboard ceilings and walls are often used to meet the acoustic standards of Part E of the Building Regulations and can often offer an hour’s fire resistance as well. www.soundreduction.co.uk s ENQUIRY CARD/ONLINE NO 74 www.buildinginnovations.co.uk/card

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Kingspan Panels Colour Bolton’s Renaissance

York Handmade Steams Ahead At Pickering Station The award-winning York Handmade Brick Company is on the right tracks with the North Yorkshire Moors Railway. The company, based at Alne, near Easingwold, has supplied 18,000 high-quality bricks for both the new Visitor and Learning Centres at Pickering Station. The contract was worth £15,000 and included specially manufactured segmental arches. This contract follows hard on the heels of the news that York Handmade had won the biggest contract in its 22-year history. The company is supplying more than 400,000 bricks to the new Chetham’s School of Music in central Manchester. The two-storey Learning Centre opened in May this year, followed by the Visitor Centre in October. Both are on Platform 2 of Pickering Station. s ENQUIRY CARD/ONLINE NO 76 www.buildinginnovations.co.uk/card

A new 794-space, multi-storey NCP car park in Bolton Town Centre utilises Kingspan Insulated Panels to create colour interest and deliver a reduced carbon footprint. Kingspan Micro-Rib and the Benchmark Ceramic Granite façade system were used to create a “dynamic lightweight façade” anchored by solid plinths and stair towers. Kingspan’s insulated panel systems offer designers a comprehensive range of aesthetic wall solutions in cover widths from 600 - 1000mm in 1mm increments, making them ideally suitable for incorporating into buildings where visual impact is a key requirement. s ENQUIRY CARD/ONLINE NO 77 www.buildinginnovations.co.uk/card

Olympic Substation Wins Top Medal In 2010 Brick Awards

Toilet Cubicles & Washroom Systems Manufactured from 13mm thick Compact Grade Laminate and extra heavy duty fittings, the Cairngorm Cubicle System (pictured) offers a waterproof and vandal resistant washroom solution designed to perform in even the most demanding environments.

Cubicle Centre Ltd is a family owned business celebrating over a decade of supplying washroom products manufactured to the highest standards.

An extensive range of toilet cubicles and washroom systems are available on a manufacture and supply basis - all designed to allow for simple installation by any competent tradesman.

January 2011 sees the launch of a new brochure containing the latest technical information and up-to-date product imagery. www.washroomcubicles.co.uk s ENQUIRY CARD/ONLINE NO 75 www.buildinginnovations.co.uk/card

An electrical substation, built as a key part of the utilities infrastructure in the Olympic Park, has won the award for the best brickwork in Britain. The external substation beat off hundreds of competitors to take the prestigious Supreme Winner at the 2010 Brick Awards. A clear emphasis was put on the architectural designs of the substation to ensure the structure fits in with the design of the wider Olympic Park with the use of more than 130,000 of Ibstock’s Aldridge Himley Ebony Black bricks in the design.

With sustainability considerations at the heart of the substation design through the reuse of materials from the demolition of the former Kings Yard buildings, the judges were struck by the way the architects, NORD Architecture, managed to reduce the area of a standard substation by a third and within the cost limits. As well as the Supreme Award – the BDA Building of the Year, the Olympic Substation won the category for the Best Public Building. s ENQUIRY CARD/ONLINE NO 78 www.buildinginnovations.co.uk/card

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Photo Supplied by Craig Holmes

The Cube Is Unveiled – The Largest UK Application Of Wicona Unitised Curtain Walling

The Cube in Birmingham has been unveiled. Featuring 20,000 Wicona unitised panels that form a dramatic, glistening façade, the project is the UK’s largest application of Wicona’s façade system.

Designed by Make, this exceptional £100m 23-storey mixed-use scheme has pushed the boundaries of design and construction.

The 42,000m2 development was inspired by Birmingham’s jewellery and engineering heritage, and is based on the concept of a jewellery box.

The bespoke façade was constructed and installed by HAGA using Wicona unitised curtain walling to provide a geometric blend of projecting gold, silver and bronze anodised aluminium panels and glass. This intricate design is complemented by a decorative metallic fretwork screen.

The 20,000 panels have three different depths, casting a variety of shadows to add texture to the external façade. The internal elevations are different but no less dramatic, designed to emphasise ‘the jewels within the box’. Here, glazed unitised panels twist up through a central courtyard and ‘explode’ at the top to crown the building with the city’s first rooftop restaurant.

The Wicona unitised façade was engineered to allow a higher degree of movement, and removed the need for scaffolding and material storage on this constrained city centre site. Its off-site fabrication also allowed each floor to be clad ready for earlier fitting out as the building rose upwards.

Photo Supplied by Craig Holmes

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Commenting on the building’s design and specification, Frances Gannon, Partner at Make, said, “The building acts as a protective metal box, pure in form, assembled from a multitude of glistening components, which give way to a glassy, crystalline interior of light and colour.”

“The specially-designed unitised cladding solution has been an important part of the building’s identity and successfully echoes the city’s heavy engineering heritage. We are delighted with the end result, which is very beautiful, providing a strong contrast between the external façade and the crisp appearance of the courtyard elevations.”

Paul Ruddick, Specification Manager at Wicona in the UK, said, “This is Wicona’s largest project in the UK to date and demonstrates how unitised façades can deliver an architect’s ambitious vision for a project, different aesthetic requirements for a single scheme and a demanding specification, as well as site-related advantages, such as minimising work on site, and removing the need for material storage space and scaffolding.”

Photo Supplied by Zander Olsen

“The Cube is very different to any other Wicona application – both in the UK and internationally – and its striking, elegant and intricate appearance is testament to the creativity of the design and development team.”

The Cube is a high profile mixed-use project, which has a low energy design. The modular cladding gave the architects the flexibility to tailor the glazing on the external and internal elevations in response to potential solar gain, and provide a high degree of insulation and air tightness, as well as a low U value façade.

The project has created a spectacular new ‘entrance’ to the canal network and city centre, accommodating a 44-bedroom boutique hotel, four floors of waterside retail and restaurants, 244 apartments, Grade A offices for a regional department of the Highways Agency, a rooftop restaurant, and sky bar. www.wiconaprojects.co.uk s ENQUIRY CARD/ONLINE NO 79 www.buildinginnovations.co.uk/card

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THE BOOK/DOORS, WINDOWS & GLAZING

THE BOOK/DOORS, WINDOWS & GLAZING

Geze UK Educates Exeter

Any size, Any shape, Anywhere ®

Wake up to Flushglaze Rooflights

Triangular Flushglaze

Circular Flushglaze

Rectangular Flushglaze

GEZE UK, is once again proving it’s a degree above the rest as several of its elegant door closers are installed at Exeter University. Select Architectural Ironmongery specified more than twenty of GEZE UK’s TS 3000 B surface mounted closers and a GEZE Boxer, an integrated cam action door closer, during the refurbishment of the university’s 1950’s Senate Chamber. Offering style as well as function, the doors can be manually opened with low friction and adjustable speed as well as benefiting from a built in hydraulic back check.

GEZE’s surface mounted cam-action door closer, the TS 3000 B, was selected for doors throughout Senate House, where high footfall areas made ease of opening a necessity. Designed to assist with the need to satisfy the requirements of the Equality Act, and to bridge the gap between the stringent fire door regulations and Approved Document M of the Building Regulations, the TS3000B offers adjustable latching action, closing speed and back check.

The prestigious refurbished doors at the entrance to the chamber also needed to be both accessible and safe, so GEZE’s TS 550 double action closers were specified to meet the high footfall demand. s ENQUIRY CARD/ONLINE NO 81 www.buildinginnovations.co.uk/card

Modular Flushglaze

Videx Introduces New GSM Intercom With Up To 50 Call Buttons The Flushglaze product is a fixed flat glass skylight. The concept is based on an innovative design that helps to achieve maximum daylight, longevity and high performance, in various shapes and sizes to enhance any building.

• Maximise the light • Uncompromised style • Enhance your living space

Call for a brochure on: 0333 8000 881

DERS N

www.glazingvision.co.uk

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s ENQUIRY CARD/ONLINE NO 80 www.buildinginnovations.co.uk/card

WO R

Fax: 0333 8000 882

Hand Built in the UK

Videx Security’s popular 4000 Series functional GSM intercom system now has the capability to connect to up to 50 call buttons. Following in the success of the first generation, the new GSM employs quad band technology for use anywhere in the world.

It also includes a USB interface for PC programming and can be used with the vast range of 4000 Series modules available including coded keypads, proximity readers and information modules. The GSM intercom is self contained and to operate only requires an external 12-15Vdc power supply unit and an antenna.

Each call button has the facility to call up to two telephone numbers, if the first is busy or not answered, the call will automatically divert to the second. Additional features include a “dial-in to open” facility. Push to exit button, auxiliary button inputs and auxiliary outputs and a text alert, which is triggerable via an auxiliary input, are also featured together with balance check and signal strength check facilities. Programming of the GSM can be carried out either via SMS text message or a specially designed PC program using the built in USB port.

Besam Makes An Entrance At The Hub The Hub is a newly designed Award winning lottery-funded youth project, providing a range of leisure, sporting, educational and recreational facilities. Aimed at 13-19 year olds, they played a strong role in drawing up the brief for the project, helping with fundraising and contributing to the design process with Browne Smith Baker Architects of Darlington.

The highly innovative design had to meet a number of challenging environmental and operational demands, not least an entrance solution that provides uninterrupted access for BMX riders through reception to the track. Working with Besam to identify the ideal

solution, Browne Smith Baker specified two Uni-turn-36 revolving doors to provide a range of benefits including: Straight line access for BMX and disabled traffic, providing an environmental seal on the building and maintaining a constant welcoming entrance.

Besam design, manufacture, supply, install and maintain many types of automated entrances including Revolving, Swinging, and Sliding Systems. Besam is part of the ASSA ABLOY Group, the global leader in door opening solutions. s ENQUIRY CARD/ONLINE NO 83 www.buildinginnovations.co.uk/card

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“Project architect and home-owner Helen Seymour-Smith RIBA specified the 7m wide Rundum Original timber automated door for her Cotswold Stealth House – the first accredited passive house in England. Rundum Meir are pleased to have manufactured, supplied and installed our timber garage door system on such an exciting and interesting project.”

© Tim Crocker

Image credit: Image courtesy of Dow Building Solutions and Sto Ltd Photographer: Samuel Ashfield

Most garage door manufacturers have a large range of garage door systems, each of which has different structural opening requirements. Often the garage door is overlooked at the early stages of a project, which then can result in design compromises. Considering how large a garage door is in relation to the overall elevation of a building, it pays to consider the design of a garage door from the outset.

The wide ranges of materials Rundum Meir use in the construction of their garage doors include aluminum, insulated steel and a variety of timbers, including oak. All of these materials are ideal for architect led projects, refurbishment and conservation of listed and traditional buildings.

Their sliding garage door can be made to follow the curvature of a building or unusual shapes and their custom made garage doors operate very quietly and have many additional advantages and features such as electric remote automation and insulation. Both their bespoke wooden and metal doors have numerous options for personalization and adaption into a wide variety of installations.

Rundum Meir’s comprehensive service includes the ability to offer technical and creative direction within the parameters of their door systems to effect the implementation of many design requirements. www.rundumuk.co.uk

Bespoke Garage Doors From Rundum Meir Rundum Meir has 40 years of experience making bespoke automated side sliding doors, overhead garage doors and front doors to match. Celebrating thier 10th year in the UK, Rundum Meir is pleased to have been specified on award winning projects around the UK. Garage doors often have to meet specific design requirements that come about as a result of the location or period of an existing building. Often conservation areas or listed properties demand particular door designs.

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Occasionally doors are designed to remain true to a building such as a coach house or a mews property. Some schemes express the desire to reconcile old with new, such as mews houses that are contemporary in their conception and treatment, while echoing original mews planning where vertical timber sliding doors are preferred. Ventilated garage doors for underground, car lift and multi user garages are frequently specified.

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British by Design

THE BOOK/DOORS, WINDOWS & GLAZING

British by Design

Glass Canopies Add Contemporary Touch At Hospital

Tooting Library Resplendent in Glazing

Move Benefits Fleetwood Architectural Customers

A series of frameless glass canopies installed using SFS intec’s VDS fixing system has provided the finishing touch to one of Scotland’s most architecturally important art deco hospitals. Complementing the high performance windows and doors are six frameless glass canopies which provide the entrance door shelter. SFS intec helped meet the challenge of attaching frameless glass canopies to tall, arched-headed 1300mm wide double doors. Using its VDS canopy system, the rear edge of each glass canopy was secured into the door transom with precisionengineered fixing brackets.

Crittall steel windows have been instrumental in the restoration of London’s Tooting Library.

Externally W20 profiles from the Crittall range were specified to replace the existing steel windows. The profiles provide strength and security, without detracting from the visual appearance of the building. The eye-catching full height bay window involved Crittall’s expertise, with glazing supplied in a wide plate of colours to create a visually striking effect. Crittall also were responsible for the manufacture of exact copies of the original window fittings which were required to add further to the aesthetic goal of the project.

Fleetwood Architectural Aluminium, specialists in the design, manufacture and installation of aluminium windows, doors, façades, curtain walling and rainscreens, now has impressive new premises in Bath Road, Slough. FAA reports that consolidating operations and disciplines under one roof has led to increased operating efficiency and an enhanced service to customers. The £1 million relocation represents a significant investment. The new premises house an enlarged state-of-the-art manufacturing operation and an in-house pressed metal and powder coating facility including full pre-treatment.

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Sonic Windows For Manchester Piccadilly’s Prize Winning Car Park Sonic Windows recent contract was the old portable building that had served as an office, a point of contact with the parking public and a base for APCOA staff at Manchester Piccadilly.

It was decided to replace it with a custom built new building attached to the outside of the station. A pleasant and practical design for a new Customer Service Enquiry Centre was agreed upon; a single storey building with staff facilities at one end and a square office at the other with a large L-shaped window overlooking the parking area.

Main Contractor, OCON Construction, undertook the building and called on Sonic to supply and fit the window system. The result has proved extremely popular with all staff. The Sonic design consists of a large ‘picture’ window facing forward and a smaller window at the side with only a slip pillar in between. s ENQUIRY CARD/ONLINE NO 88 www.buildinginnovations.co.uk/card

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Sustainable Strength Sustainable Strength Is the cornerstone of a Comar Aluminium Façade

Is the cornerstone of a Comar Aluminium Façade

Comar sustainability comes from longevity and the real end of life use for this material.

Longevity is provided with a standard 25 year guarantee for polyester powder coating or 35 Comar sustainability comes from and themaintenance, real end ofaluminium life use for material. years for anodised finishes.

Added to longevity this, with minimal hasthis almost Longevity is design provided a standard 25 year for polyester powder coating or 35 an indefinite life. with Aluminium is the best knownguarantee recyclable material; it can be recycled again and again with no loss to its form or years for anodised finishes.

Added to function. this, with minimal maintenance, aluminium has almost

an indefinite design life. Aluminium is the best known recyclable material; it can be recycled Comarand strength from ourtoaluminium’s properties. Its high-strength-to-weight again againcomes with no loss its form orunique function. ratio means that less material can be used to achieve large glazed areas and meet the most demanding design brief.

Comar strength comes from our aluminium’s unique properties. Its high-strength-to-weight ratio means that material can be used to achieve large walling glazedand areas andwalling, meet the most Comar is British by less Design, with aluminium windows, doors, window curtain demanding brief. that continuedesign to provide solutions now and for future generations.

Comar is British by Design, with aluminium windows, doors, window walling and curtain walling, For further information, that continue to providecontact solutions now and for future generations. projects@parksidegrp.co.uk or simply call on 020 8685 9685 to organise a meeting with your For further information, contact regional Comar Consultant.

projects@parksidegrp.co.uk or simply call on 020 8685 9685

www.comar-alu.co.uk

THE BOOK/DOORS, WINDOWS & GLAZING

THE BOOK/DOORS, WINDOWS & GLAZING

Charter Launch New Website – Inspired Security Shutter Solutions

L-Shaped Glass Canopy Optimises Aesthetics In Contemporary Curtain Wall Façade Universal Aluminium’s new MU4200 curtain walling system has combined with SFS intec’s VDS canopy attachment system to meet the brief of creating a complementary but architecturally distinctive new access tower for an important Grade II Listed Manchester building. The slimline curtain walling system and frameless glass canopy were approved for use in the construction of the three-storey access tower at the Hartley Hall. Using SFS intec’s VDS canopy attachment system, the glass canopy is installed above the main entrance doors to the access tower. The structural integrity of the MU4200 semi-structural curtain walling is such that securing the large L-shape glass canopy was possible without the need for heavyweight bracketing - crucial from an aesthetic perspective.

Charter Specialist Security are launching an updated website dedicated to the discerning architect/specifier.

The site showcases the Charter-Integr8 security shutter range, including the 180BS Brise Soleil system for light and climate control as well as an innovative ‘vertical rise’ shutter, which closes by rising from the ground.

Charter pride themselves on offering intelligent design solutions ensuring the highest degrees of security and enhanced aesthetics.

The shutters form an integral part of the build make up and are finished in any RAL/BS colour. www.chartergroupuk.com s ENQUIRY CARD/ONLINE NO 92 www.buildinginnovations.co.uk/card

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Sonic Windows Helps Boost London Overground When the East London Line from Dalston Junction to West Croydon went into operation as part of the newly named London Overground in May this year it opened up a whole new option for travellers, especially commuters to the City of London since the new Shoreditch Station is a mere five minutes walk from both Liverpool Street and Bishopsgate.

Needless to say for such an ambitious project the very best in planning, rail expertise and materials were required and one example of the attention to detail demanded is in the construction of ticket office facilities, that most important area of first contact between traveller and station staff.

Working closely with main contractor Balfour Beatty-Carillion and subcontractor Mansell, Sonic Windows Ltd., the acknowledged experts in this field since the company has installed many hundreds of secure, yet welcoming railway and Underground ticket offices over the last 25 years, was called upon for this function, working to produce window systems suited to the very different surroundings and decors of four of the new stations: Dalston Junction, Haggerston, Hoxton and Shoreditch High Street.

The combination of security against violent theft and attacks on staff on the one hand and friendly, uninterrupted access for the customer on the other was the prime design priority, The screened areas were glazed in 28mm polycarbonate glass capable of resisting attacks by shot gun or even a .44mm Magnum handgun but were totally clear, giving unhampered interaction between traveller and ticket officer.

Countertops are generously sized with a bag shelf, the intercom system allows clear, undistorted dialogue and induction loops are fitted for the comfort of hearing aid users. On the staff side the counter incorporates two workstations at different heights. The higher section at counter height has a cash bowl as opposed to a regular cash tray while the lower section has a polished stainless steel cash till with lockable removable cash boxes for easy staff change-over. There is a total of 13 screens servicing the four stations. www.sonicwindows.co.uk s ENQUIRY CARD/ONLINE NO 90 www.buildinginnovations.co.uk/card

Digital Technology For A World Without Keys Ronis has developed an innovative keyless electronic lock for facility operators for the securing and organisation of lockers, safe deposit boxes and functional furniture in leisure facilities. The main benefits are maximum security, easy to operate for users with maximum autonomy to its facilities. It can be locked without keys or maintenance and adapted to any kind of locker. The Tronic + is suitable for both wet and dry environment, such as swimming pools and sauna changing rooms. A truly durable product, meeting the demands and expectations of the leisure industry. www.ronis-dom.co.uk 0800 9884348 s ENQUIRY CARD/ONLINE NO 93 www.buildinginnovations.co.uk/card

For all four, however, the basics were the same but due to fire hazard no timber was used in the fabrication of these window systems and to save disruption on site, the tubular steel frames, the clear glazed areas and the stainless steel countertops and surrounds were in each case fabricated in Sonic’s manufacturing workshops. With virtually no margin for error, precision was essential but no problems were encountered in installing the prefabricated units.

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ICON

THE BOOK/DOORS, WINDOWS & GLAZING

Kawneer Passes The Test At Headingley Carnegie

New Alitherm 300 ‘A’ Rated Window System

Kawneer were specified for the new Carnegie Pavilion at Headingley Carnegie Cricket Ground. Kawneer’s AA®110 curtain walling was inclined 14º from the vertical at the top of the concave south elevation overlooking the ground and was complemented by AA®601 top-hung casement window vents and AA®605 low/medium duty swing doors on the £21 million replacement for the Winter Shed Stand and Television Media Centre.

The curtain walling is glazed in an irregular chequered mixture of opaque and clear glass panels which are punctuated with pairs of small steel balconies and a cantilevered box that forms an internal auditorium. It hangs from a structural steel top deck that extends from the second floor upwards from an in-situ concrete frame. The 3,700m² state-of-the-art pavilion will replace and upgrade the existing space with facilities for up to 1,000 people that surpass requirements for test match venues as well as providing unique, practical lecture and teaching areas.

Smart Architectural Aluminium’s new Alitherm 300 residential window system is designed to exceed the latest requirements of the Building Regulations Document L 2010. It incorporates an extended Polyamide thermal break which improves the overall U Value of the profile, allowing Alitherm 300 to achieve a Window Energy ‘A’ Rating when used in conjunction with the correct double or triple glazed unit. The system is suitable for all residential and light use applications as internally or externally beaded, side or top hung open out windows.

The 53mm Profiles have the option of either ovollo, chamfered or square edges. Profile options are available for both standard and slim-line friction hinges. Alitherm 300 has been successfully weather performance tested to BS 6375 Part 1, and achieved the following classification in Air: Class 4, 600pa, Water: Class E, 1200pa and Wind: Class E, 2400pa.

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Manufacturer: Dow Building Solutions Product: Insulation Full Story: Page 13 Visit: www.styrofoam.co.uk

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COMAR 9P.i High Performance Framing, Windows & Door System Comar Architectural Aluminium Systems unveil the new Comar 9P.i High Performance Framing, Windows and Door System. A recent extensive market research, indicated that a thermally efficient future-proof facade system was required, with off-site manufacture and value engineering solutions that actively seek to reduce material content.

Comar 9P.i high performance framing offers two options of construction, ladder frame or mitre frame. 9P.i windows and 9P.i doors hang directly from the frame, reducing the need for additional outer frames, creating a truly integrated solution.

Canopy Adds Contemporary Finishing Touch At Faith School A large frameless glass canopy installed using SFS intec fixing systems has provided the finishing touch to the new Khalsa Primary School in Southall, west London.

With the entrance being an important focal point of the school building, the remit included the provision of a canopy above the main double-sliding doors which reflected the school’s contemporary design in a culturally sympathetic way. The solution was a 3m x 1.5m frameless glass canopy attached using SFS intec’s VDS tiebar based system which provides adequate cover for the entrance without impacting on the important visual appeal. s ENQUIRY CARD/ONLINE NO 96 www.buildinginnovations.co.uk/card

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GEZE’s Picture Portfolios Focus On Sectors GEZE UK has developed three sector-specific illustrated portfolios to inspire and inform architects, architectural ironmongers and specifiers. Featuring a range of projects in the transport, leisure and education sectors, the handy portfolios show how GEZE UK’s range of automatic operators, manual door closers and sliding wall systems can be used to provide both functionality and aesthetic appeal. The transport portfolio includes striking images from St Pancras International, while the leisure portfolio includes examples from Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium. In the education sector, GEZE UK’s extensive work at Doncaster College’s multi-million pound Waterfront campus, the Hub, provides some eye-catching photographic examples of sliding automatic operators and heavy-duty swing door operators. s ENQUIRY CARD/ONLINE NO 98 www.buildinginnovations.co.uk/card

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THE BOOK/DOORS, WINDOWS & GLAZING

Crittall Windows Retain The City Character

Sweeping Balcony Curves For Swinhay’s Stunning Views Spectacular sweeping curved glass balconies, supplied and installed by Balcony Systems, provided the bespoke balustrading solution for the multi-million pound Gloucestershire dream home of one of Britain’s leading industrialists. Spread over seven levels, the 2,800 sq metre futuristic, high-tech property is a fabulous fusion of glass, stone and metal roofing incorporating several self-contained apartments, a swimming pool, winter garden and viewing tower.

The former dairy farm site, near Wotton-under-Edge, also contains a second smaller property reflecting Swinhay House’s contemporary style and materials. Both buildings use more than 45 metres of Balcony’s elegant balustrading system, which was specified to meet the projects’ complex design and aesthetic requirements.

As the system relies on the handrail for the necessary strength, the glass balustrades require minimum vertical supports to provide uninterrupted views of Swinhay’s formal gardens, parkland and countryside beyond.

Curved and straight 10mm toughened glass panels blend seamlessly and stylishly with the mansion’s extensive glazed elements for maximum visual appeal.

An exciting project, it presented some interesting challenges as Effi Wolff, Balcony’s Managing Director, pointed out: “All the balconies were highly unusual shapes in combinations of convex and concave curves, slopes and cut out of stone work to follow the building’s unique shapes and changing levels. Not one balcony had a 90 degree corner in it!”

Glass balconies with curves of 15 metres or more are achievable without the need for posts – offering endless design opportunities. This is due to the inherent strength of the curve – or arch as seen horizontally – combining even greater support with the handrail to give stunning results.

Structural work was project-managed by Swinhay Developments Ltd whose Managing Director Iain McMurtry praised the versatility of the Balcony system in delivering a highly-effective curved and straight balcony solution for both properties.

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“An initial inquiry for two curved glass balconies on the smaller estate house led us to specify the Balcony System for four balconies on Swinhay House,” he explained.

“We wanted glazed and anodised aluminium balconies and Balcony fitted the bill with a bronze handrail to match the colour scheme. Assistance with surveys and technical design was backed up with excellent service.

The whole installation went very smoothly.

“From an installation and contracting perspective, the Balcony system ‘ticks all the boxes’. More cost-effective and simpler to install than a traditional glass balustrade, it performs very well. I am very pleased with the finished product which convincingly achieves the look of a much more expensive system,” added Iain.

Self-cleaning glass coating on balconies Introducing a self-cleaning glass coating option across its entire product range has put Balcony Systems at the forefront of innovative and practical balustrading solutions. The patented new coating is available on all its Juliette balconies, external glass balconies and curved patio doors, greatly reducing maintenance.

The coating is applied simultaneously to both sides of the glass, including tinted panels, using a special ‘vapour chamber’ process. This creates a smooth surface that quickly repels water, dirt and grime to help keep the glass looking clean for longer.

Glass Juliette balconies with the self-cleaning glass coating can now be ordered ‘off-the-shelf’ following rising customer demand for an immediate and low-maintenance balustrading solution. www.balconette.co.uk s ENQUIRY CARD/ONLINE NO 99 www.buildinginnovations.co.uk/card

95 Gresham Street is a gem in the heart of the City of London. The £35 million refurbishment of the site makes extensive and impressive use of glass and steel to contrast with the existing external facade of Portland Stone. And for the glazing element, Crittall Windows supplied and installed its Corporate 2000 and W20 profiles for optimum visual impact and long lasting performance. The installation of the new windows was a like-forlike replacement, with the Crittall profiles helping to retain the character and traditional appearance of the external facade, whilst at the same time providing modern, advanced glazed units that comply with all thermal and energy efficient requirements.

Crittall’s involvement extended beyond just supplying the profiles, as architect, George Corrigan of architects, Rolfe Judd explained. “95 Gresham Street actually comprises both Princes House and Bartlett House,” he said. “One of the tasks that Crittall Windows was faced with was to refurbish the cast iron framing and panels to some of the fenestration in Bartlett House prior to installing the new profiles. This was done successfully, with the rest of the replacement window project completed on time and to the standards required for this conservation area. Crittall’s ability to offer this complementary service greatly contributed to the smooth progression of the scheme.” s ENQUIRY CARD/ONLINE NO 100 www.buildinginnovations.co.uk/card

Introducing The New DOM Access Control Range DOM has a complete range of access control devices ideal for hotels, offices, colleges and hospitals easily integrated into existing access control systems. DOM Protector uses the latest advances in transponder technology. Access control meets mechanical locking with this unique mechatronic solution.

The development of intelligent transponders and software support means that the DOM protector lends itself particularly well to hotel applications DOM Protector EE is the solution for Emergency Exits as well as DOM Protector FR for integration with fire resistant doors.

In some buildings, for data protection reasons, it is necessary to store data within the electronic cylinder which is where the DOM protector PP (Privacy Protection) would be used. With the new DOM Guardian, DOM has incorporated all the electronic properties of the DOM Protector into a fitting. The reader unit, functional parts, mechatronics and the battery compartment are DOM Guardian, Dom Protector, DOM ITT and DOM AccessManager in the external fitting therefore the fitted reader can be mounted on the external side or within the internal plate. The DOM Guardian works online with an RF NetManager and events at the door are relayed in real time. The DOM Guardian is available with a choice of handles and colours. The Protector range has been designed for compatibility with euro profile lock cases. Available as an online or offline solution other products include a DOM keypad, DOM Access Manager, DOM NetManager as well as DOM ELS mobile software. www.ronis-dom.co.uk 0800 9884348 s ENQUIRY CARD/ONLINE NO 101 www.buildinginnovations.co.uk/card

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VEKA Tweaks Energy Calculator Leading system supplier VEKA has updated its unique downloadable WER calculator to keep fabricators fully up to speed with the latest legislation.

Some in the industry may still not be clear the latest changes but the revised tool means VEKA fabricators have all they need to make an accurate calculation in line with current legislation. The calculator instantly gives predicted WER values of the thousands of design permutations available using VEKA profile. Its results can be used as a U-value certificate and can also identify appropriate glazed units to achieve BFRC ‘A’–‘C’ Ratings.

VEKA fabricators can register for access to the calculator via the VEKA website www.vekauk.com

THE BOOK/ROOFS

Technal Publishes Specifier’s Guide For Its Revolutionary New Low Rise Glazing System

Fakro Roof Windows Thwart Attempted Burglary

Technal has published a new guide to specifying MODAL – the UK’s first low rise façade system to achieve such a high level of security, performance and thermal efficiency as standard. MODAL uses a highly engineered and innovative modular framing system, which reduces work on site and gives specifiers the widest choice of configuration options currently available in the UK for low rise façades. The new technical literature for MODAL is designed to provide architects and contractors with clear, concise information to simplify specification. MODAL features a number of new innovations which allow it to achieve an unprecedented level of security This makes it ideal for projects to be specified and fabricated to meet Secured by Design criteria. The system is also fully tested to BS 7950 – the British Standard for the enhanced security performance of windows.Both the glaze-in and glazeout fixed lights can be used on the same elevation without any alteration to the sight lines. This feature offers maximum security and ease of glass replacement wherever needed on the façade.

In terms of security a product has to be tested to virtual destruction to determine whether it truly performs. Even so, the ultimate proof is a real life situation and in the case of FAKRO’s topSafe® system the results of an attempted burglary has provided it. 3 roof windows were targeted but met with failure. The patented, topSafe® system provides the highest standard of security and safety. It employs a combination of additional steel reinforcement built into the lower part of the sash, improved lock security and longer screws driven in at an angle prevent hinges being ruptured.

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Sarnafil Contributes To Achieving Lowest Carbon Living In UK The green credentials of roofing solutions specialist Sika Sarnafil’s single ply was just one of the reasons for its use in a recently completed project in Leeds. Setting new standards in low-carbon living, the Greenhouse development has created 172 apartments plus office space. Its roof features solar thermal panels to heat occupant’s water, wind turbines to generate electricity, and a waste and rainwater collection system.

With the roof home to so many ancillary technologies, flexibility and a strong environmental performance were required.

2,500sq m of Sarnafil’s G410-12EL membrane in Light Grey were fitted to the roof.

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Kee Lite® Fittings For Cost Effective Handrailing Kee Lite®, from Kee Safety, the tubular structures specialist, is a range of versatile, economical and durable tube fittings which enables more efficient handrailing installation for interior and exterior applications.

Manufactured from a high grade Aluminium Silicon Magnesium alloy, Kee Lite® fittings are much lighter than ordinary fittings, ensuring an especially easy to handle and quick to assemble solution. Using these ultra-light fittings, architects, contractors and end-users can design and build, then change and extend tubular structures simply and cost-effectively. s ENQUIRY CARD/ONLINE NO 107 www.buildinginnovations.co.uk/card

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THE NEW COMFORT FAÇADE FROM SOLARLUX is a double-skin façade. It uses the thermally insulated SL65 folding wood and glass door with an outer façade of the SL25 XXL frameless floor to ceiling slide-and-turn system which forms an uninsulated glazed shell. For a brochure on this innovative concept in efficient energy utilisation contact Solarlux.

VMZINC Hits The Heights At Heron Tower Heron Tower is undoubtedly set to become one of the best known landmarks on the central London skyline. The VMZINC PLUS® standing seam system was used on the 38th and 41st floor roofs of the 46 storey building, making it among the tallest in which the ‘compact warm roof’ system has been used.

VMZINC PLUS needs no supporting ventilation, so views are not spoiled by unsightly vents across the span. Precise wind loading calculations were required for fixing, and it was important that the specified metal should present no visual interference to aircraft. Pre-weathered QUARTZ-ZINC® was the perfect choice as its natural patina continues to develop over time while also offering an exceptional standard of colour retention.

In addition to its use with cellular glass, VMZINC PLUS can be used with mineral wool, PIR and composite insulation boards, using panels in either straight or curved profile up to 13 metres in length. s ENQUIRY CARD/ONLINE NO 108 www.buildinginnovations.co.uk/card

FOLDING DOORS | GLASS CANOPIES | WINTERGARDENS

SOLARLUX Systems Ltd | Tel 01707 339970 | info@solarlux.co.uk 060

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Luxury Showcase Home Gets Top-Flight Roof Panels From Unilin Systems Thermal insulation, ease of installation, a multi-span of up to 8 metres, first rate service and price have been identified as the key reasons for the use of Unilin Systems structural insulated roof panels at a luxury home development in the South of England.

Using a design conceived by international firm David Reid Homes but adapted to suit the location, property developer Marc Hodghton’s latest project pushes the boundaries in terms of meeting design and performance.

Building a home that utilises the benefits of modern methods of construction, Marc was able to combine exceptional style with vital practical requirements of a 21st Century home.

Thanks to the considerable attributes of Unilin System’s roof panels, Marc was able to deliver a solution that enjoys high levels of thermal performance for minimum energy consumption as well as improved sound insulation, vital due to the home’s location near a busy flight path.

The five-bedroom luxury home features 473m2 of Unilin Systems panels on pitched, pent and flat roof structures.

Unilin Systems roof panels are not only excellent thermal insulators, contributing to reducing energy consumption, but have been indentified as offering multiple benefits to contractors and installers alike.

The house will now become a UK showhome for Australasia-based David Reid Homes, showcasing the company’s positive approach to the development of sustainably focused homes that reduce energy consumption and consider the impact of the external environment. s ENQUIRY CARD/ONLINE NO 109 www.buildinginnovations.co.uk/card

Top Notch Rainwater Systems – From Polypipe

Sandtoft To Play A Part In New Channel 4 Series

Polypipe Building Products has launched its enhanced and extended Elegance cast iron effect uPVC rainwater system with the addition of the revolutionary notched gutter concept for its new Ogee profile to add to the original and already popular half round profile. The Elegance range has been designed in such a way that each profile in the range utilises a common downpipe.

It has also launched a new range of soil and vent products in a matching cast iron effect finish. The new notched Ogee profile guttering provides a secure fit and counters the problem of gutters becoming dislodged from their retaining clips during warm weather due to heat expansion.

Six craftsmen appearing in a new TV series ‘Rome Wasn’t Built in a Day’ aims to find out if they can reconstruct a Roman villa using only most basic tools, materials and construction methods. from AD 20, have received a helping hand from Sandtoft Roof Tiles. The show starts on 20th January 2011 on Channel 4. Sandtoft’s specialist heritage team has provided expert advice and training to the craftsmen. A total of 1474 Tegula tiles and 1206 Imbrex tiles in Natural Red have since been handmade at Sandtoft’s Broomfleet factory and will appear on the ‘Villa Urbana’. www.sandtoft.com s ENQUIRY CARD/ONLINE NO 111 www.buildinginnovations.co.uk/card

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Meta-Slate® Provides The Answer For Skipton School A co-educational special school located in Skipton has replaced the old fibre cement slate-effect roof tiles on its existing timber frame with Meta-Slate®, an innovative slate-effect metal roofing sheet system from Steadmans. Brookland School’s new roof combines the traditional appearance of natural slate with the advantages of today’s lightweight, pre-engineered roofing materials.

Steadmans supplied over 4,000 lin metres of Meta-Slate® to replace four monopitch roofs on buildings set out in a quadrangle at the school. The company also supplied matching flashings and dry verges to provide a total external roof envelope. s ENQUIRY CARD/ONLINE NO 113 www.buildinginnovations.co.uk/card

rainline sustainable rainwater systems in steel

Rainline – no matter what the colour, it will always be green In Sweden they know a thing or two about manufacturing sustainable building products and their impact on the environment, so it’s not surprising that Lindab’s Rainline carbon footprint is significantly lower than many of the rainwater systems currently on the market.

This combined with high performance, quality and competitive pricing makes Rainline one of the most effective and ‘green’ solutions for the control of rain drainage on all types of buildings.

How To Keep A Roof Garden Green DACHFIX® from Hauraton Ltd is a discreet, shallow drainage system that controls water saturation of the soil or sand substrate on roof gardens, terraces and green roofs. This system balances the moisture in the substrate ensuring water logging does not occur during winter months and helps to reduce plant die-back in dry weather. Instead of using a drip or sprinkler system, irrigation water can be introduced into the channels, directly into the substrate. This method saves water by reducing evaporation from the soil’s surface.

With a much higher drainage volume than gravel catch points, the low profile channels and point drainage gullies are offered in depths from 45mm to 75mm. The components have slots in their vertical wall which allows rain water to percolate into the substrate, but then drains away any excess water.

Channels are available in galvanised steel, stainless steel, PP or the company’s recycled PE-PP, all matched with slotted or mesh gratings. DACHFIX® channels and gullies can also be supplied with adjustable feet to allow for greater substrate thicknesses up to 110mm. Under-surface, cross-intersection ducting to connect gullies to the channels is also included in the system. s ENQUIRY CARD/ONLINE NO 110 www.buildinginnovations.co.uk/card

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Silver Metallic

Lindab Ltd

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Building Products Division

Telephone: +44 121 585 2780

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Shenstone Trading Estate

Facsimile: +44 121 585 2782

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Halesowen

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West Midlands

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Manufactured from high quality, zinc coated part recycled galvanised steel; Rainline offers all the features you would expect from a system manufactured by one of Sweden’s leading companies.

Available in a range of attractive high build polyester colours, the finish of which is guaranteed for 15 years, Rainline is also available in natural copper, Aluzinc and plain galvanised.

For an information pack contact us at the address below.

B63 3XB

Email: buildingproducts.sales@lindab.co.uk

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www.lindab.co.uk

ISSUE 1 2011

063

OPINION

OPINION

geze.co.uk

www.esab.co.uk

Article By: GEZE UK Title: Accessing The Right Prescription Author: Paul Ryan

Article By: ESAB Title: Developments In Welding Contribute To Higher Productivity And Profitability In The Construction Industry Author: Mick Andrews, Superintendent

As the Government’s white paper “Liberating the NHS” sets out a new strategy for the way the NHS will operate, contracts and service director Paul Ryan looks at how the changes could affect the building and maintenance of hospitals or surgeries and how hospitals like Oxford’s John Radcliffe are already finding sustainable access solutions.

In the age of austerity, even the Government’s ‘sacred cow’ is under pressure to reform and save costs. The NHS has benefited from a building boost in recent years, and at GEZE UK, we’ve been working with contractors and specifiers to install sustainable, long-term access solutions that will serve staff, visitors and patients safely and effectively, even during the leaner years.

Quality and patient safety are major themes of the white paper, and the intention to give patients and clinicians greater control of services looks set to increase the role of the private sector in public healthcare, which could boost private investment in healthcare construction. While planned spending for the NHS is set to increase in real terms over the next few years, efficiency savings of £20 billion by 2014 must match this. For manufacturers and developers, it’s essential that durable, high quality, sustainable solutions are specified for new builds and refurbishments to meet this need.

Oxford’s flagship John Radcliffe Hospital is already benefiting from sustainable solutions in its West Wing and Children’s Hospital, with a wide range of high quality automatic and manual door closers throughout the six-storey building. The demanding nature of the hospital meant that we had to provide safe, durable products that could stand up to constant use, be energy efficient and have low ongoing costs, but also fit the bright, friendly, comforting aesthetics of the building.

At the Hospital’s entrances, the contractors Parry Bowen chose five biparting Slimdrive SL sliding door operators, which met both practical and

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aesthetic demands. Durable enough to stand up to the heavy footfall over many years and small enough, at just 7cm high, to be integrated into the door, the glass entrances complemented the stylish facade.

Accessibility is always important in all public buildings, but in a place where many people will be infirm or unable to pass through normal doors, automatic operators are the ideal solution. Two sets of doors formed a lobby area, with access to the hospital and covered car parks. This ensured that there was minimal heat loss, saving energy costs. Regular maintenance of the automatic operators will also keep ongoing costs low.

Automatic operators at the busiest parts of the hospitals can also reduce the number of infection hotspots, by removing the need for handles, helping prevent the spread of killer bacteria including MRSA or C. difficile.

Architectural Ironmongers, Elite Ironmongery, also chose our products throughout the West Wing and Children’s Hospital of the John Radcliffe Hospital, including more than a thousand TS 4000 overhead door closers for the hospital’s inner doors. At the entrance to wards, the TS 4000 S was used because it has a delayed closing action, allowing extra time for slow or immobile people to pass safely through the door.

At the entrance to theatre preparation rooms, operating theatres, children’s wards and other areas which needed restricted access, 20 TSA 160/162 automatic swing doors were installed and fitted with an electro magnetic locking system. This locking system keeps children in wards safe from unauthorised visitors and stops members of the public entering highly sterile areas including operating theatres, while allowing quick, easy access to surgical staff.

Popular in healthcare environments, the TSA 160 and TSA 162 are used when a door is too heavy to operate manually and an automatic swing door system is the perfect solution. Its double door arrangement means that just one leaf needs to be active, with the slave leaf only coming into operation when needed, for example, to allow hospital beds to pass through. This saves energy and reduces heat loss.

Sustainable solutions are not just about energy efficiency – keeping running costs low and preserving the life expectancy of the product is also essential.

This can be achieved with regular maintenance, which also ensures life safety standards are upheld, and is vital to avoid accidents and ensure public safety. All automatic doors require regular testing and maintenance to ensure safety at all times and the code of practice for automatic doors, BS 7036:1996, states that automatic doors should be regularly serviced by trained and knowledgeable engineers.

By focusing on innovative products and good maintenance schemes, we can all maximise the value of every penny invested in healthcare construction over the next few years. But we must also lay the foundations for ongoing cost savings, helping reach Government targets and freeing up cash for vital healthcare. I’m convinced that durability, quality and sustainability will be the new watchwords for everyone involved in building the future of healthcare.

Steel is a wonderfully versatile construction material and welding is the ideal method for making joints that are as strong as the parent metal and will never work loose due to vibration, thermal cycling or even vandalism. In many respects welding is a mature technology, yet there are still significant developments that are boosting productivity.

Today the pressure to raise productivity is greater that ever. On the one hand this is resulting in more work being completed off-site and, on the other hand, ways are being sought to increase the productivity of individual processes - but without compromising quality. In a drive to reduce costs, the number of apprenticeships has been reduced and cheaper (lower-skilled) operatives are employed wherever possible.

Another trend in the construction industry is the increased use of newer, high-strength grades of steel due to the combination of design freedom and overall cost reductions. Health and safety in the construction industry has seen considerable improvements over the last ten years, with welding being one area that has received attention.

Responding to these trends, ESAB has developed an array of innovative products. A major productivity boost comes from the use of submerged-arc welding (SAW), which is an automated welding process in which up to six welding heads can feed filler wires into a weld pool that is protected from atmospheric contamination by being submerged beneath flux.

Where high rates of weld metal deposition are required in automated, semi-automated or manual processes, another development is the latest generation of cored welding wires; various powders can be used inside the wire to increase deposition rates and/or provide self-shielding so that a separate gas supply is not required. As well as self-shielded wires, there are also metal-cored, basic and rutile wires. One example of a state-of-the-art cored wire is ESAB’s OK Tubrod 14.13, which is suited to the rapid welding of fillet and butt joints in the flat and horizontal positions. The arc action is stable at all current levels, resulting in an excellent weld appearance with the absence of spatter.

New solid wires have also been developed for applications where gas shielding can be used. ESAB’s OK AristoRod 12.50, for example, is a manganesesilicon alloyed wire that benefits from Advanced Surface Characteristics (ASC) technology instead of the more commonly applied copper coating.

Characteristic features of this wire include excellent start properties, trouble-free feeding at high wire speeds and over long feed distances, a very stable arc at high welding currents, extremely low levels of spatter, low fume generation, reduced contact tip wear and improved protection against

corrosion of the wire during storage. Moving away from consumables, the choice of equipment depends greatly on whether the welding is taking place off-site or on-site. If off-site, a three-phase electricity supply is likely to be available so that high-power welding equipment (typically 400/500A) can be specified for higher deposition rates.

For on-site welding, the equipment might have to be capable of generating a good welding arc despite being powered by a ‘dirty’ supply from a generator set, and on many sites the choice of equipment is further restricted by the need to work with a 110V supply. Nevertheless, today there are welding sets available to suit all requirements, however weld-friendly or hostile.

In the relatively cosseted environment of a fabrication shop, welding equipment can be selected either to match a specific requirement or, alternatively, versatile machines are available if they are likely to be used on many different jobs. Today’s welding sets often use a modular design so that the power source, wire feeder, control panel, welding torch and accessories can be ‘mixed and matched’ to the customer’s requirements.

To help less-skilled operatives produce better welds, manufacturers of welding equipment have turned, once again, to software. ESAB has developed its Qset technology for optimising the welding parameters for short-arc welding without the need for trial-and-error set-up procedures; all the operator has to do is select the wire feed speed and Qset automatically sets the correct welding parameters for the given wire/gas combination.

Qset can also improve weld quality and reduce the need for post-weld cleaning.

Going a step further, ESAB’s AristoMig power sources are available with Synergic Lines to simplify set-ups and control welding parameters automatically. Provided the correct welding wire and shielding gas are used, when the user selects pulsed MIG from the settings on the welding machine, the optimum voltage and pulse parameters are set automatically.

Furthermore, whatever wire feed speed is being used, the machine automatically adjusts the welding parameters to suit.

While the bulk of welding sets purchased by the construction industry are used on non-alloyed steels, a significant number of projects today use stainless steel for features such as balustrades. Traditionally Tig (tungsten inert gas) welding has been used for this type of work, as it produces an excellent finish with minimal post-weld cleaning required.

Although Tig is still preferred for welding stainless steel thinner than, say, 3mm, there is today an alternative to Tig that produces a finish that is very nearly as good as that from Tig, but with a speed that is closer to that attainable with Mig. Known as Aristo SuperPulse, this software-based technology is available on ESAB’s U8 control panels.

Two of the main welding-related health hazards are the arc and fumes, the risks from which can be controlled by the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). Arc eye can be avoided by means of high-quality autodarkening welding visors, whereas protection from welding fumes can be achieved in several different ways.

If working outdoors with plenty of ventilation, then the risk is low, but working indoors or in confined spaces will require the use of fume extraction equipment, on-torch extraction or a face mask with a fresh air feed. Of course, better health and safety is another argument in favour of automating welding, as it avoids the need for an operative to remain in close proximity to the joint being welded.

ISSUE 1 2011

065

OPINION

OPINION

www.ingersollrand.co.uk/RRFSO Article By: Title: Closing The Door On Problems Author: Architect Christopher Sykes

Fire-resisting doors serve three important functions: To restrict the initial development of a fire - a correctly fitted and functioning fire-resisting door can help to suppress a fire by restricting the amount of oxygen available.

To restrict the spread of fire - a closed fire-resisting door is designed to resist direct attack by fire for a specified period of time. This should restrict the spread of fire through the building, gaining time for evacuation of the premises and for fire protection systems to activate and fire-fighters to mobilise.

Architect Christopher Sykes reports on the importance of correctly specifying fire door hardware.

It is well-documented that detailed research in the 1970s found that although hardware for internal doorsets accounted for only about 1% of the building costs it was the cause of more than 80% of complaints, failures and maintenance costs.

This still appears to be the case today because Ingersoll Rand Security Technologies recently identified that 95% of all problems associated with door closers and exit hardware were due to incorrect installation or application rather than a fault of the product itself. It is when a door assembly comprises different components that problems can arise. The wealth of regulations around correct specification of exit hardware and door closers, whilst complying to the different demands of the Regulatory Reform Fire Safety Order (More information can be found at www.ingersollrand.co.uk/RRFSO), European Standards, Code of Practices and the DDA, mean that great care is needed when selecting products.

Unfortunately, care does not stop there because problems can continue on site as the accurate fitting of devices is critical to the successful performance of the door and, ultimately, the reduction of accidents and the saving of lives. Leading architectural ironmongery manufacturers, such as Ingersoll Rand, are at the cutting edge of technology and make major investments in design and R&D to ensure their products are always up to the highest standard.

As a result it is hardware like the Briton, Normbau and CISA brands which are widely specified because of their high standards of quality and conformity.

Another example are Martin Roberts fire resistant steel doorsets, designed to provide complete solutions which comply with the latest standards and Codes.

It is to help solve problems cost-effectively that Ingersoll Rand Security

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Technologies introduced the Accufit System for the correct installation of door closers saving installation time and the possible need for retrofit adjustments.

The essence of the Accufit System is a unique low-tac self-adhesive template, mounting backplate pre-assembled arm.

The Peel & Stick template comes together with easy-to-read instructions for a quick, easy and accurate installation which will enable the closer to be fitted quickly and accurately.

The mounting plate, with universal hole pattern incorporates dowel fixings to position the closer body plus a spring clip mechanism for quick and positive fixing of the body cover.

Good practice dictates that accurate installation will not only enhance the life of the product but will have beneficial effect on the operation of the whole door. Incorrect specification of door furniture or inaccurate fixing can be very detrimental, particularly when it has a ‘knock-on’ effect on other door hardware, the door itself and the surrounding structure. The possible consequences are not only financial and legal - in some cases, they can be fatal.

Fire And Escape Doors Last year the DHF and GAI issued a comprehensive Code of Practice covering Hardware for Fire and Escape Doors. Aimed at architects, building control officers, fire officers and any other ‘responsible person’, the Guide addressed the latest legislative requirements covering doors, doorsets and ironmongery as well as other aspects of fire safety and maintenance.

To protect escape routes - the provision of protected escape routes is a requirement of Building Regulations. Any door opening on to an escape route or operating across an escape route is likely to be designated a fire-resisting door, to ensure that persons using the route have protection from fire while they escape. After evacuation, fire-resisting doors should continue to provide some protection for fire-fighters entering the building.

Testing of fire doors is very rigorous and needs to comply with either BS476:22 or BS EN 1634-1. When doorsets are built into masonry, the whole assembly normally comprising three hinges, a door closer and a lock or latch are tested.

It is important to note that if components are swapped out, the replacement needs to be tested to the same standard to ensure that compliance is still maintained.

Finally, maintenance is of paramount importance to ensure continued smooth and safe operation of the door. Hinges and door-closers, for example, need to be monitored to ensure that the door continues to swing free and does not drag or catch or ‘stick’ in an unacceptable position.

Ongoing maintenance is critical on panic and emergency exit devices which form an essential part of a fire exit route. For example, hydraulic fluid leakage can have an adverse effect on the fire-resistance qualities of the door while latches which fail to engage properly may cause the door leaf to remain ajar which could have serious consequences on a fire door.

It is also important to check that all fittings, such as door bolts, pull handles, protection plates and signage - although not classified as essential - must not interfere with the correct function of the door.

ISSUE 1 2011

067

OPINION

OPINION

www.wiconaprojects.co.uk Article By: Wicona Title: Unitised Façades – Applying Modern Methods Of Construction To The Building Envelope Author: Ian Smith

Safer work on site - The units are installed using a platform or hoist, reducing the need for scaffolding and for work at height, which has huge site safety benefits.

Faster return on investment - Earlier fitting out is possible on a floor-by-floor basis, as the building envelope on each level is completed – leading to earlier occupation and a faster return on investment for the developer.

Cost savings - There are cost savings on site preliminaries and scaffolding, and there is the option of standardisation to achieve economies of scale and material optimisation.

Reduced storage and handling - The storage of cladding materials and glass handling on site can be completely eliminated – a major advantage for constrained city centre sites and where access and storage space is restricted.

Less wastage - There is more efficient control of materials in a factory environment compared to a building site that is exposed to the elements and with no protected and secure storage space. The result is significantly reduced wastage, loss and damage.

Building movement - There is no limit on building movement, and the frame sections can be optimised for project-specific loads, such as high wind loadings.

A Unitised Façade for Sheffield’s Tallest Building

Ian Smith from Wicona, looks at the increasing demand for unitised façades, the advantages of this innovative approach to the building envelope, and at how it was used for Sheffield’s tallest building.

Whilst unitised façades are still relatively new to the UK, the approach is widely used in Europe and internationally. This is a purpose-designed solution, based on established façade technology, but using framing sections that are designed specifically for each project.

This innovative solution to façade design therefore lends itself very well to technically challenging projects, and to more complex and bespoke façades.

In Qatar, for example, more than 30,000sqm of Wicona unitised curtain walling have been used to striking effect for the award-winning Tornado Tower on the shores of Doha Bay. But the approach can also be used for fast track schemes, as well as both new build and refurbishment projects – and is ideal for city centres where sites can be highly constrained.

cladding; metal, composite or polycarbonate panels; windows, doors and fixed light glazing; brise soleil sunshading, and photovoltaics.

What are the Advantages?

So why are more specifiers and contractors than ever before now considering a unitised approach to the building envelope?

Shorter programme times - Unitised solutions will help contractors and architects meet the increasing demand for shorter programme times, and can achieve impressive reductions in time on site of up to 70 per cent.

How Unitised Solutions Work

Improved quality control - Because the façade panels are completed off site, and the external envelope is less affected by inclement weather, quality control is much easier with unitised façades, giving greater peace of mind for the contractor, specifier and developer.

Unitised façades comprise prefabricated units, which are typically the width of a glazing bay and one or two storeys high. Each panel is fully glazed and sealed off site, allowing the units to be moved to site for fast installation on to preprepared fixings to either steel or concrete frames. The unitised panels can use any combination of profiles, infills, external feature caps and glazing to give building designers complete aesthetic flexibility. Variations can include stone

Aesthetics - The façade has a huge impact on the marketability of a building – whether it is for commercial office space or apartments for market sale. Both grid and structural glazing are possible with unitised façades, and conventional cladding can be eliminated because the units can hold cladding panels as well as glass. This gives a single point of responsibility for the façade and means there are no difficult interfaces between different cladding systems.

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A 32-storey tower, designed by Conran & Partners, features 6,000sqm of Wicona unitised curtain walling, delivered in a £5m façade contract by Solaglas Contracting. Built by Shepherd Construction, the 101m tower is part of the City Lofts St Paul’s Apartments scheme – an ambitious £40m development and the focal point of a major regeneration project.

Designed to be light and slender, the tower is iconic in stature and highly glazed, using nearly 700 Wicona unitised panels. The units were pre-glazed and installed in just six months, at the rate of a floor per week.

This innovative approach to façade construction eliminated the need for scaffolding, improved site safety and cost efficiency, and allowed faster completion of the building envelope for earlier fitting out.

Commenting on the project, Teresa Wesley, Associate Director at Conran & Partners, said, “We worked closely with the Wicona team during the design phase. Our aim was to create a highly reflective façade for the tower, with contrasting clear and opaque areas of glass. The unitised approach allowed us to achieve the visual impact we had envisaged, and offers many site-related advantages. It provides much greater quality control, safety improvement benefits, and less material wastage. We would definitely specify this solution again.”

Jon Mangham, Project Manager at Shepherd Construction, said, “The Wicona unitised solution removed the need for scaffolding or mast climbers on this project which was a really important safety benefit for the construction of such a high structure. The loadings on the scaffolding would have made it dangerous to work at such a height.” “By completing the units off site in a manufacturing environment, we benefited from improved quality control and greater cost efficiency. This more systematic approach to façade construction reduced the risk of remedial works and gave us more programme certainty. It also allowed us to start fitting out at an

earlier stage, as well as meet the most stringent performance and wind loading specifications. This is a vastly superior alternative to conventional methods of façade construction, combining safety, quality control, efficiency and speed. I would definitely recommend it for similar projects.”

A Highly Glazed Façade The highly glazed Wicona unitised façade for the St Paul’s Apartments scheme comprises clear glass to the vision areas and enamel-coated black opaque glass as vertical strips to conceal insulated walls. Champagne-coloured vertical spandrel panels with concave pressings conceal structural columns and party walls, and aluminium-faced infill panels are used as horizontal bands between floors.

The curtain walling is capped to form a visible grid for a ‘picture frame’ appearance, and the aluminium frames are finished in light brown. Bottom hung full-height vents inserted into the unitised panels naturally ventilate the bedrooms, with a tilt/slide door for the living areas.

The tower now forms a commanding presence on the skyline of Sheffield. It features a variety of complementary external treatments – specially-designed terracotta rainscreen to the building ends and bronze cladding at rooflevel, creating an elegant envelope for this landmark building.

Its construction also used the latest off-site fabrication techniques, including pods for the kitchens and bathrooms, prefabricated cylinder cupboards as well as the unitised façade. The tower provides 230 one and two bedroom apartments and penthouses, with a contemporary Conran design for city centre living. The two lower floors of the building accommodate retail and leisure facilities.

What Next?

The biggest challenge for unitised façade specialists is to overcome the resistance to change among many building designers and contractors, and the misconception that unitised solutions have to be more expensive and are only suited to the very largest of schemes. There has been a lack of innovation in façade design in the UK – but if the aesthetic requirements are balanced with cost, an innovative, bespoke and sustainable design can be produced to a budget.

If all the benefits of unitised solutions are to be realised, façade fabricators will have to take a more manufacturing approach to the building envelope, whilst ensuring they have the production and storage capacity in place that off-site construction demands.

ISSUE 1 2011

069

OPINION

Article By: Forest Industries Intelligence Ltd Title: American Hardwood: Could This Be The Most Environmentally Friendly Building Material On The Planet?

Author: Environmental Consultant Rupert Oliver

The American hardwood industry believes it has an environmental profile that is hard to beat. In fact it’s so confident of this claim that it is subjecting its production and distribution chain to independent environmental assessment.

Of all the numerous environmental benefits of American hardwoods, just one should make many users and specifiers of building materials sit up and take notice. This fact is that – supported by national forest assessments undertaken by the U.S. federal government every ten years – between 1953 and 2007, the volume of hardwood standing in U.S. forests more than doubled from 5 billion m3 to 11.4 billion m3. This huge expansion of the resource, which actually coincides with a period of significant increase in U.S. and international wood demand, is testament to a long term commitment to good forest governance and sustainable hardwood production in the United States.

The U.S. contributes nearly one fifth of the world’s production of hardwood saw and veneer logs. It is also the largest external supplier of hardwood to the EU, accounting for one quarter of all imports of hardwood lumber and veneer. Around 20% of all hardwood consumed in the UK derives from the United States.

Despite its global significance, the U.S. hardwood industry is very much a community affair. Some four million individuals and other private entities own the 110 million hectares of hardwood and mixed oak-pine forest types in the U.S, with many driven by enjoyment of forest ownership than profit.

Selection harvesting, involving removal of only a few trees per hectare, rather than clear-felling, is typical in American hardwood forests.

The size of harvesting operations is limited by the small size of forest holdings which rarely exceed ten hectares. After harvesting, forest owners usually rely on natural regeneration, which is abundant in the deep fertile forest soils of the U.S. Long term management of U.S. hardwood forests for sustainable timber production also makes a significant contribution to carbon storage. Each year for the last 50 years American hardwood forests stored around the equivalent of 165 million tonnes of carbon dioxide (excluding all harvested material). That’s

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enough to offset about 14% of U.S. annual residential emissions in 2006, or 9% of U.S. annual transport emissions in the same year. This direct contribution of America’s hardwood forests to carbon sequestration excludes the carbon held in long term storage as a component of American hardwood products. With useful lives spanning generations, furniture, flooring, cabinetry and trim crafted of American hardwoods act as an additional carbon store for many decades.

A preliminary assessment by the American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC) of the carbon footprint of American hardwoods from forest to European distributor suggests that carbon sequestration during forest growth of the tree will more than offset the total carbon emissions resulting from harvesting, processing and transport.

The AHEC assessment also suggests that transport is a relatively minor factor in the overall carbon footprint. This is particularly true of ocean transport where transporting American hardwoods by ship across the Atlantic, a journey of over 6000km, requires little more energy than an overland journey of 500km. In fact, even a complete circumnavigation of the world by sea (40,000km) is likely to be readily offset by the carbon sequestered in the wood product. AHEC is now encouraging the on-going movement towards a more science-centred approach to green specification and design using environmental Life Cycle Assessment (LCA).

Although there is some way to go before LCA becomes a deciding factor in material specification throughout the UK and wider European market, there are clear signs of movement in this direction. Green building rating systems like BREEAM in the UK, HQE in France, and DGNB in Germany are becoming more widely used and all draw on LCA for allocating credits for building materials.

In line with this market shift, in 2010 AHEC commissioned the largest LCA study ever undertaken in the international hardwood sector, and is a massive undertaking for AHEC. Leading LCA consultants PE International is carrying out the first phase of data collection for the ground breaking study which will conform to the ISO14000 series of Standards for LCAs. Life Cycle Inventory data is being gathered for American hardwood lumber and veneer covering environmental impacts of every process from point of extraction through to delivery to the importers yard in Europe and East Asia.

The study also includes a full life cycle impact assessment for a number of high priority finished construction and furniture products manufactured from American hardwoods in the EU market.

The study will also allow preparation of Environmental Products Declarations (EPDs) for American hardwood species and products - widely recognised as the most effective method of comparing the full environmental profile of products through provision of structured, science based, and verified information. The full results of the study are anticipated for the end of the year.

So is American hardwood the most environmentally friendly building material on the planet? Well, the truth is we don’t know – yet. We’ll just have to await the results of the PE International study and more widespread publication of EPDs. But American hardwoods must be a contender – given their unique ability to combine a vast and rapidly expanding resource base, low intensity extraction, carbon sequestration properties, low emissions during processing, strong performance in-use, and an industry with demonstrable commitment to transparency and improved environmental performance.

ICON

www.americanhardwood.org

Manufacturer: Cubicle Centre Limited Product: Cairngorm Cubicle System Full Story: Page 44 Visit: www.washroomcubicles.co.uk

THE BOOK/FLOORS

THE BOOK/FLOORS

Ardex Takes A Trip To The Country Manufacturer of premium quality flooring & tiling systems, ARDEX UK, delivered a high performance flooring solution for a store extension on behalf of retailer, SCATS Countrystores.

SCATS Countrystore in Dorchester completed a £1million extension and makeover, making it the flagship within the portfolio of 20 stores across the South East. The floor areas received ARDEX DPM 1 C, which provides a surface damp proof membrane and barrier to rising ground moisture.

ARDEX DPM 1 C is a one coat system which guarantees the early laying of floorcoverings and can accommodate Hygrometer readings up to 98% RH. Following the application of ARDEX P 82 primer to the cured DPM, ARDEX K 11 Levelling and Smoothing Compound was applied to provide a smooth and flat surface. Developed for use from 1.5 and 10mm thickness, (6mm on ARDEX DPM) ARDEX K 11 is a cost effective solution for levelling and smoothing sub-floors such as cement/sand screeds, gypsum screeds and concrete. Fast track projects benefit from the specification of ARDEX K 11, which is walkable after only 2½ hours, and floorcoverings can be applied the next day. A vinyl floorcovering was installed throughout the new extension using ARDEX AF 100 Pressure Sensitive Acrylic Flooring Adhesive. The benefits of ARDEX AF 100 include high yield, low odour and compatibility with under floor heating systems. s ENQUIRY CARD/ONLINE NO 116 www.buildinginnovations.co.uk/card

Forbo CPD For Entrance Flooring That Maximises Performance And Minimises Risk The inadequacy and sheer ineffectiveness of many entrance flooring systems installed around the UK has been clearly exposed by the extreme weather conditions experienced this winter. Forbo’s RIBA certified CPD seminar “Entrance Matting Systems: Complete Solutions to Maximise Performance and Minimise Risk” is designed to help specifiers to deliver well designed, fully integrated entrance flooring that will keep interiors clean, dry and safe in all weather conditions, thereby prolonging the life of floor coverings and finishes, reducing maintenance and cleaning costs and contributing to pedestrian safety.

Forbo is the UK market leader in this sector, offering attractive, longlasting and highly effective primary and secondary entrance flooring solutions for every conceivable type of commercial and public building, including airports, shopping centres and underground railway stations. The company’s made-to-order Nuway Tuftiguard rigid engineered barrier matting and Coral textile ‘wipe off’ ranges can be installed solus or in combination as integrated colour co-ordinated systems.

Forbo’s CPD seminar covers applicable Building Standards, guidelines for product selection, environmental and safety matters and inspirational case studies. It also includes sustainability issues as Nuway and Coral are the only entrance flooring systems to have BRE certification after undergoing stringent assessment to measure their environmental impact at every stage in their life cycles.

This is one of seven RIBA certified CPD seminars offered by Forbo Flooring Systems.

For further information please telephone 01592 647283, email stephen.mckay-salt@forbo.com or www.forbo-flooring.co.uk/CPD s ENQUIRY CARD/ONLINE NO 115 www.buildinginnovations.co.uk/card

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Styrofoam Insulates UK’s First Rural Affordable Housing Passivhaus Scheme FLOORMATE 300-A – a STYROFOAM-A insulation material manufactured by Dow Building Solutions – is being used to insulate what is set to be the UK’s first rural affordable housing scheme to gain Passivhaus certification.

FLOORMATE 300-A is being installed below the concrete floor slabs of the groundbreaking 14 dwelling development in Wimbish, Essex. The Hastoe Housing Association development aims to provide affordable homes for a rural community - whilst at the same time aiming for high levels of sustainability.

The houses are designed to be super energy efficient, and will not only comply with Passivhaus principles but also meet the demands of Level 4 of the Code for Sustainable Homes. Passivhaus standard buildings retain heat from passive solar gain, eliminating the need for central heating and reducing fuel costs. The standard requires very high levels of insulation, a design that makes the most of solar energy and superb sealing throughout.

“As well as air tightness we’re aiming for U-values below 0.1 W/m2K for the walls, roof and floor in order to meet Passivhaus standards - which meant specifying effective insulation throughout,” explained Chris Parsons of Parsons & Whittley architects, the Norfolk-based designers of the scheme.

FLOORMATE 300-A is highly durable with excellent moisture-resistance and compressive strength, enabling the insulation to perform outside the waterproofing envelope.

Parsons & Whittley’s design for the development, which is assessed against Passivhaus standards by specialist consultancy Inbuilt, is based on FLOORMATE 300-A insulation running below the entire floor slab, solid aircrete external walls wrapped in over 250mm of foam insulation, and conventional insulated ceilings. s ENQUIRY CARD/ONLINE NO 117 www.buildinginnovations.co.uk/card

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THE BOOK/STRUCTURES

THE BOOK/EXTERNAL WORKS

Yorkon’s Challenging Roof-Top Cranage Project At Harrogate Hospital Off-site construction specialist and Portakabin subsidiary, Yorkon, has completed the installation phase of a challenging project to expand facilities at Harrogate District Hospital by craning a new storey on to an existing ward building.

The ProCure21 project is Yorkon’s fourth healthcare contract for main contractor Interserve Project Services. Designed by AFL Architects, the project is part of a rationalisation of office accommodation across the hospital, and will provide offices for around 50 staff. By constructing the new scheme on top of an existing traditionally-built two-storey building, the Trust can create a centralised hub for administration and help address the constraints of the site.

The use of off-site construction is minimising any disruption to the hospital during the building project, will significantly reduce the programme, and overcame the challenge of severely restricted access. Working over a weekend and using a 500-tonne crane, Yorkon installed the fully-fitted steel-framed modules in just two days without the need for decanting the building below. The scheme is designed to achieve a BREEAM ‘very good’ rating to minimise impact on the environment, and will be brick-clad to blend in with other buildings on the hospital site. s ENQUIRY CARD/ONLINE NO 118 www.buildinginnovations.co.uk/card

Lanes Lines Chamber To Keep Lincolnshire Watertight

Sapphire Low Maintenance Wood Effect Handrails Leading balustrade specialists Sapphire Balustrades’ latest innovation is Naturex™, a unique wood-effect powder coating for toprails. ‘Naturex’ is available in a variety of exceptionally authentic grain styles which provide colour consistency not easily achievable when using timber. Unlike natural material, Naturex will not rot or require restaining if used externally, while the metal core enables handrails to be used where timber might fail to meet the required loading specification. As an environmentally sustainable alternative to timber, Naturex can be applied to any Sapphire range. s ENQUIRY CARD/ONLINE NO 121 www.buildinginnovations.co.uk/card

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Imagine Better With Marshalls Water Management Solutions

Lodgico Appear On UKTV Home’s ‘My Flat Pack Home’ Show My Flat Pack Home, presented by Amanda Lamb, featured this architect designed log home as a farm owners dwelling. The show, which aired in 2010, focused on the incredible speed of build and cost savings that the clients made by using this form of construction. Lodgico were delighted to be approached by the television production company that wanted to feature a log home style building as part of the series as they recognised the growing market for log homes in the UK.

Lanes for Drains has used Ultracoat, a revolutionary waterproofing rehabilitation system, to help a Drainage Board keep its patch of Lincolnshire free from flooding for another 50 years. The Upper Witham Internal Drainage Board (IDB) is one of 130 such organisations across the country which, together, look after water levels in over 1.2 million hectares of low-lying areas. Their job is to ensure that the excess water, which drains off the land and into the ditches, is directed into the rivers - and ultimately, out to sea. For Upper Witham IDB, that means keeping the rainwater that falls on 20,000 hectares of land flowing through 319 kilometres of maintained drains. It was at one of these stations - at North Hykeham - that Lanes was called in to tackle a problem with a leaking chamber. IDBs are single interest Local Authorities, so the work was subject to a tender process, but the contractor who was awarded the work was unable to fulfil the project as tendered. A date was agreed to coincide with a forecast of dry weather, and preparation began. The pump was isolated, and the chamber outputs bunged up. Any remaining water and silt was removed using one of Lanes’ super jetvac units, before the team went in to hack off and remove all the loose render from the surface.

That had to be completed by hand and taken away before the internal surfaces were coated with Ultracoat, a two-part, 100% solid, structured, epoxy lining which is applied hot using special spraying equipment to the required thickness. The whole project took just three days, and the result is a smooth and flawless waterproof surface which should keep the chamber leak-free for at least another 50 years.

Portakabin Achieves Business Superbrands Status – And Jumps 67 Places In 3 Years Portakabin has been revealed as one of the UK’s strongest business brands in 2010 by the Superbrands organisation, jumping 67 places since 2008. Portakabin was placed 191st in the prestigious annual listings, moving from 258th in 2008 and 233rd in 2009.

The announcement follows a rigorous independent selection process administered by The Centre for Brand Analysis. Now in its tenth year, the Business Superbrands listing identifies the brands that have ‘established the finest reputation in their fields, and which offer significant advantages over their competitors, which customers want and recognise’. The views of over 1,700 business professionals and a voluntary Expert Council of 25 senior figures were analysed, and of the thousands of brands considered, only the top 500 are deemed to be Business Superbrands. The Business Superbrands Expert Council and UK business professionals judge each brand against three key factors – the quality of its products and services, consistency of delivery against its promises, and the values that differentiate it from its competitors.

Portakabin has also just achieved the highest possible rating from Dun & Bradstreet, the world’s leading source of business information. This coveted award puts Portakabin in the top 15 per cent of all companies in the UK and Ireland for financial stability. In addition to its financial stability and the recognition of its brand strength, Portakabin offers unrivalled commitments to customer service. Over the past four years, it has delivered 99.6 per cent of buildings on time and on budget, rising to an unprecedented 99.9 per cent in the last 12 months.

Marshalls has launched a new water management campaign to tackle the issue of flooding throughout our urban environments.

Although water management is a complex subject, Marshalls can help make getting it right easy with the right products and support services to save you time and hassle in creating the most effective water management solutions possible.

Now Marshalls superior products and unrivalled expertise in water management has been brought together via a new website portal dedicated to answering your queries and offering advice, opinions and product solutions to ensure you comply with new SUDS legislation and meet your regulatory obligations.

The new website also includes a video showing thought provoking research by leading SUDS expert Chris Jefferies of University of Abertay and Dundee and challenges our industry and provides clients with all the data they need to make informed decisions.

Visit the new website at www.marshalls.co.uk/select/ watermanagement where you will find all you need to know about SUDS, current legislation, product information and latest industry news and get involved by contributing to ‘This Weeks Poll’ questions and posting a message on the Linkedin site which encourages opinion and discussion about the subject. s ENQUIRY CARD/ONLINE NO 123 www.buildinginnovations.co.uk/card

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Keeping Prisoners Safe And Secure A new hot water installation based on Alfa Laval AquaProtect technology is providing a French prison with hot water on demand while eliminating the risk of Legionella and other bacterial infections. San Quentin prison, close to Lyon, has overcome both of these problems by replacing an antiquated and potentially dangerous, domestic hot water system with five AquaProtect, anti-Legionella tap water systems from Alfa Laval. AquaProtect is a plug and play system, so installation is quick and easy. Once installed, it needs very little maintenance. No additional energy is required to provide thermal disinfection since an integral heat exchanger recovers sufficient energy for the purpose. Consequently, the system is extremely energy-efficient.

KNX Demonstrates Integration Capability In Award Winning Property Grovelands, a very large luxury self build house which took five years to complete, saw KNX UK Association systems integrator member E-Life push the boundaries of smart home technology. As well as a large array of control and home entertainment products for the property, E-Life used KNX intelligent building control technology for the heating, air-conditioning, lighting, curtains and blinds as well as other aspects of the living environment to provide a fully integrated solution.

The KNX building system controls the building services within the property, including all internal and external lighting which features mood lighting, simulated occupancy, panic buttons, night lights, integration with the property’s security alarm and energy saving daylight sensing for external lights. Security was also high on the agenda and the client wanted to fully integrate the CCTV, security alarm and gate entry system. E-Life interfaced the CCTV cameras, which can be viewed on all TV’s, linking them into a Crestron system so they can be viewed and controlled from the wall mounted touch panels. KNX controls the underfloor heating throughout the house and it has also been linked to a BACNET gateway controlling the property’s BMS which operates the plant room boilers and air handling units for comfort cooling. s ENQUIRY CARD/ONLINE NO 125 www.buildinginnovations.co.uk/card

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BSRIA Monitoring In ‘Retrofit For The Future’ Project The Retrofit for the Future project commissioned by the Technology Strategy Board [TSB] aims to take typical dwellings, retrofit them with the latest energy saving systems and monitor the results closely to establish an accurate assessment of energy savings. The monitoring equipment is being supplied by BSRIA Instrument Solutions who have developed a complete wireless monitoring package specially designed to the TSB’s project requirements.

The first of the dwellings involved in Retrofit for the Future has already been refurbished and fitted with green, energy efficient heating systems. The house had a SAP rating of 62.

The BSRIA Instrument Solutions monitoring package will provide logged data about the energy performance in the house every five minutes for the next two years. The basic monitoring package from BSRIA Instrument Solutions consists of three internal and one external temperature and humidity sensors, a carbon dioxide sensor in the main living space and a data hub where the information is accumulated. At the end of the two year period the monitoring system will have provided invaluable statistics on the extent of energy savings achieved by the various systems used in the house, which will be evaluated not only by the TSB, but also such bodies as the Energy Saving Trust [EST] and myriad commercial interests in the construction industry.

NIBE Heating For New Estate Opened By Minister Pollards Close, a delightful new development with homes set round a large brick–floored courtyard broken up with borders planted with flowering trees, is close to Welwyn Garden City and was declared officially open at the end of October by the Rt. Hon. Grant Shapps, Minister of State for Housing and Planning and also the local Member of Parliament.

The development consists of 24 affordable new houses commissioned by national housing association Affinity Sutton Housing, all of which are designed to be super energy efficient, as well as aesthetically pleasing. An important guest was new resident Mrs. Watson who was so delighted by her new home she declared “I feel as if I had won the Lottery!”

Effective, energy saving heating for the hot water system and central heating in the new houses has been provided

by NIBE Energy Systems Ltd, experts in extracting energy from the atmosphere, from the ground, from water where there is a lake or large pond or even from the exhaust air expelled from a building during essential ventilation.

This last system has been used in all but one of the Pollards Close homes.

The oxygen-poor air that has been heated within the house, but would normally be expelled into the outside atmosphere at a temperature of, say, 70º degrees is instead harvested and transmitted to a NIBE Heat Recovery Pump.

This strips the warmth from it, passes it through a heat exchanger that vastly increases the energy content and then at last expels the exhaust air into the atmosphere at a temperature close to freezing and with virtually no carbon emissions. The saved energy is passed to a super-efficiently lagged hot water tank for transmission into the house’s heating system. The one remaining dwelling uses a NIBE air-to-water system that is equally effective. www.nibe.co.uk s ENQUIRY CARD/ONLINE NO 127 www.buildinginnovations.co.uk/card

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NIBE Contributes To Freshney Green’s ‘Code 5’ Sustainable Home Freshney Green is set to become one of the showpiece developments in the Grimsby area, transforming an ex-Council Estate into a pleasantly green community of 440 modern, eco-friendly homes split 60/40 between private and Affordable Housing. The latter is taken by the Shoreline Housing Partnership, and among the new houses is one of the first in the country to conform to the stringent requirements of Code5 of the CSH [Code for Sustainable Homes]. A NIBE F370 Exhaust Air Heat Pump has been installed which generates efficiencies in heating and hot water buy extracting warm air generated from the wet rooms and utilising this via a heat exchanger to assist recycling to heat the dwelling. Th Code 5 dwellings have additional PV solar panels installed on the roof which generate electricity and are utilised to further reduce the overall electricity consumption of the dwelling. s ENQUIRY CARD/ONLINE NO 128 www.buildinginnovations.co.uk/card

Zinc Key To Heritage Restoration

Student Power Brings Easyflush To Cardiff School One regular complaint from Schools Committee representatives at Cathays High School in Cardiff is that the boys frequently failed to flush the toilets after they have used them. This led to consideration of Cistermiser’s ‘hands free’ flushing system already in successful use in other schools and colleges. The need was for a flush system that could be activated automatically without any effort on the part of the user and Cistermiser’s answer was the Easyflush system but with ‘walkaway’ operation. Under this new mode of operation a flush is automatically triggered whenever a user gets up or walks away from the toilet. The IR sensors operate on a dual flush system, delivering a part flush if the user leaves within 45 seconds or a full flush it that period is exceeded. The ‘walkaway’ method is simple, hygienic and economical since it restricts water use to a minimum. www.cistermiser.co.uk s ENQUIRY CARD/ONLINE NO 129 www.buildinginnovations.co.uk/card

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Among the many heritage refurbishment projects being undertaken by traditional metal roofing contractors, VMZINC is now providing specialist advice to a growing number of architects.

Experience drawn from regular restoration work using zinc throughout Europe has led to the company supplying materials for projects such as St Mary’s Church Plas Power and the highly acclaimed Clapham and Sheffield Bandstands.

St Mary’s Plas Power is of late 19th century construction and still owned by the Fitzhugh family. As the last remaining privately maintained chapel in Wales to hold regular services, Heritage and CADW funding was obtained to replace the original zinc roof and rainwater system, dating from 1875. Use of pre-weathered zinc not only captured the style of the decades old patina but provided a colour which will continue to age normally.

By contrast, the £1.2m refurbishment of Clapham Common’s Grade II listed bandstand involved VMZINC in the manufacture of a bespoke, 62-section natural zinc roof and central finial.

In 1995 it had been placed on English Heritage’s ‘Greater London Buildings at Risk’ but had fallen into serious disrepair. Among factors affecting zinc’s specification by architects Dannatt Johnson were its resistance to corrosion, weight and the ability to meet a highly complex roof design. 1:1 roof replication was undertaken, manufacture being divided into sections

for cutting and shaping. Plaster prototypes were also used to create drilled sections and to design the punching moulds. A finely crafted curved wooden structure was built to support the zinc covering and the end result is an exceptional illustration of zinc’s versatility.

Renovation of the derelict Grade II listed Victorian bandstand in Weston Park Sheffield formed part of a £2.7 million Heritage Lottery funded project to create the city’s first municipal park. It is again thought to be the only surviving example of such a design, VMZINC’s 0.8 gauge natural zinc having been fitted using sliding caps, one of the earliest techniques for constructing a zinc roof.

The material was laid hollow, supported by timber boarding, and wired to the wrought ironwork frame. Archive photographs were used to ensure all original detailing was accurately replicated.

Zinc has proved to be equally suited to church projects in which a combination of styles was required. There is no better example than the Community Centre Annex to St Pancras RC Church Lewes. The sweeping curves of the pre-weathered, standing seam zinc complement the traditional Victorian style in which clay plain tiles and brick have been used. s ENQUIRY CARD/ONLINE NO 130 www.buildinginnovations.co.uk/card

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Benchmark Takes Control Of The Sky The striking aesthetics of Benchmarks metallic façades and premium insulated panel products made them the ideal choice for the construction of the new landmark £6m Air Traffic Control centre at Jersey Airport which acts as the main gateway to the Channel Islands. Local builders AC Mauger installed 850m2 of Optimo in Spectrum Silver on the two storey main operations building which is linked at both levels to the 39 metre control tower, where 1200m2 of Benchmark Metallic Façade ACM (Aluminium Composite Material) hook-on-cassettes in a metallic silver finish was installed to complement the main building.

Suitable for vertical or horizontal applications, the ultra-flat Optimo insulated panels can be used to create a stylishly sleek look to the building profile and are available with a number of different vertical joint options and cover widths from 600 up to 1000mm in 1mm increments.

They offer lifetime continuity, thermal performance and airtightness of less than 5m3/hr/m2 at 50 Pa. Available in an array of different colours, ACM metallics can be tailored to individual projects providing a truly bespoke modern stylised appearance. s ENQUIRY CARD/ONLINE NO 131 www.buildinginnovations.co.uk/card

The World First For Kalwall

Iridescent Blue Copper A dramatic addition to a listed building, forming part of an impressive new youth facility in Widnes, is defined by prepatinated copper from Luvata with a unique Nordic Blue Living surface. The new extension wraps around the rear of the building as an uncompromisingly contemporary intervention, ending with an offset copper rhomboid form which breaks through glazed walls and continues inside. Vertical and horizontal surfaces of the rhomboid – both inside and out – are clad in long trays of Nordic Blue Living 2 pre-patinated copper with a distinctive iridescent surface appearance. Particular care was taken in detailing and setting out to align the copper tray joints meeting at various angles, all expertly installed

by Carlton Building Services. The Widnes project will be featured at Ecobuild on Luvata’s Stand N10. s ENQUIRY CARD/ONLINE NO 132 www.buildinginnovations.co.uk/card

The Kalwall diffused daylighting system is lighting up the world’s biggest Audi centre in West London.

Tthe translucent cladding is a major feature of this state of the art architectural design. The crispness of the structure’s modelling and the clever use of natural daylight are designed to showcase the expensive stock which is displayed on three floors to such dramatic effect. Located by the Chiswick flyover on London’s Great West Road, the building presents a stunning image by day and emits an ethereal glow by night. Unlike conventional glazing, Kalwall eliminates shadows and glare and the stark contrasts of light and shade. The system also enhances simplicity by eliminating the need for blinds, curtains or solar control. U values as low as 0.28 W/m²K, equivalent to a solid wall, can be achieved by including translucent Nanogel silica aerogel within the panels. www.stoakes.co.uk s ENQUIRY CARD/ONLINE NO 133 www.buildinginnovations.co.uk/card

Benchmark Gets An Education Ceramic Granite from Benchmark has provided the ideal solution for the refurbishment of the Learning Resource Centre at Sutton Coldfield College in Birmingham. Ceramic Granite was specified for the principal elevation of the building.

Ceramic Granite was also chosen for the college’s new Business Centre building.

Suitable for both refurbishment and new build projects, the Ceramic Granite range combines all the benefits of the Benchmark Karrier Panel, with the appearance of natural stone. The loadings on the substructure and building exterior are also dramatically reduced when compared with naturally quarried stone. s ENQUIRY CARD/ONLINE NO 134 www.buildinginnovations.co.uk/card

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Striking Wheelchair Lift For Historic Library Durham University recently spent £2.9m refurbishing its Palace Green Library, which stands in the historic town’s heart between the cathedral and the castle. movemanSKG installed a Prestige A401 wheelchair lift that allows less able visitors to access new exhibition space on the upper floor.

Established in 1833, Palace Green Library holds early printed books, archives and other special collections. These include over 100 medieval manuscripts, artefacts, over 70,000 books printed before 1850, maps, prints, and over 100,000 photographs. The refurbishment is the first phase of an outreach program to make the university more accessible to the public. Future plans include a new conservation room and further reading rooms. To comply with Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) requirements Durham University made the new exhibition space wheelchair accessible. The library is Grade II listed and changes must not compromise its historical integrity. movemanSKG’s Prestige A401 platform lift is different because it runs on a belt-drive system as opposed to screw drive. This allows customers to specify glazing in all four sides of the shaft, which gives the unit a subtle, nonintrusive appearance. Prestige A401 is available in a range of colours and materials. Durham University opted for full glazing along with a stainless steel finish and external lighting. The result is a superb-looking lift, which blends seamlessly with its surroundings. Palace Green Library’s Prestige A401 lifts 400kg and travels approximately 4m between two landings. It resides in a shallow pit to sit flush with the floor, simplifying entry for wheelchair users. Because Prestige A401 is belt-driven, it does not require oil changes like hydraulic units. This means no waste oil to dispose of or messy leaks, making the lift environmentally-friendly and easy to maintain. It runs quietly too, minimising disruption to work areas. s ENQUIRY CARD/ONLINE NO 135 www.buildinginnovations.co.uk/card

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labour. Further interfaces with other building systems such as heating ensure energy losses are minimised, also giving cost savings during the life of the building.

Opening windows are designed into buildings to provide light, offer ventilation and give occupants a view out of buildings, as well as maybe providing smoke ventilation in the event of a fire. Windows may also be hard to reach or in a larger quantities too impractical to operate by hand.

By motorising each window, a bank of windows can easily be operated from one place at one time.

New Naturally Ventilated Wing To Kew’s Herbarium Since the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew’s Herbarium, Library, Art and Archives was first founded in 1852, much has changed in the world of plant classification. Until a few decades ago only the physical appearance of plants guided how taxonomists classified species. Today, genetic analysis enables scientists to reassess ideas of relatedness of plants, and also to deduce the order in which groups of plants diverged from each other as they evolved.

Kew’s Herbarium is expanding during the United Nation’s International Year of Biodiversity with a new state-of-the-art 5000m² extension. Kew will take advantage of the additional space provided by the new wing to reorganise its collection of plant specimens to conform to the DNA-based Angiosperm Phylogeny Group (APG) system of classification.

Designed by Edward Cullinan Architects, they explain the new wing was carefully designed to complement the existing building and go on to say “The concept for the building is generated by juxtaposing the vault-like, climatecontrolled archive (that keeps the specimens at a constant 15°) with airy, day-lit research spaces. These glass and timber research areas undulate around the 3 storey, brick-clad archive enabling scientists to work in close proximity to the collection.”

To ensure that the research spaces within the new wing are kept well ventilated, adaptive natural ventilation specialists SE Controls were specified to provide automation to the windows and roof vents. Adaptive natural

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ventilation is a solution offering the best air circulation with much lower energy input compared to mechanical ventilation plant. In its basic form it involves the installation of windows or vents in a building envelope that open and shut automatically according to set parameters for the space within the building. These parameters are usually based on indoor air quality and temperatures, correct levels being essential to maximise concentration levels and thus productivity of occupants.

Adaptive natural ventilation is often coupled with smoke detection systems in modern buildings using the same vents and windows offering a positive saving on building costs. Natural ventilation systems are not just for new buildings.

Many existing buildings can easily be automated with little modification, offering huge savings in energy costs whilst improving building comfort.

There are two main principles of naturally driven ventilation in buildings: the wind effect and the buoyancy or stack effect.

Wind driven ventilation utilises wind pressures on an external elevation of a building to push fresh air inside.The buoyancy or stack effect is that of warm air rising drawing with it stale air and leaving a low pressure zone which in turn draws in fresh air through low level open windows and dampers.Adaptive natural ventilation responds to internal and external conditions of a building using sensors & controls, and adjusting vent positions accordingly to maintain optimum conditions, thus adding value to the building by improving the productivity of the occupants, which in real terms means a higher return on

the fire alarm system, as well as the BMS. Opening vents in the windows and curtain wall areas were fitted with SCCO 24 30 concealed actuators, approved for use with Schüco’s AWS 102 SK windows tested to EN121012 smoke ventilation regulations, again offering both smoke control and natural ventilation via the fire alarm and BMS. In order to provide manual override each zone of actuators have been provided with local open/close switches.

By working closely with the installer SE Controls have ensured that all power supply cables have been neatly concealed inside the aluminium curtain wall transoms and mullions.

Cables are then gathered under the suspended floor void and then follow cable ducts to the control units. In total 24 independently controlled zones, or banks of automatic opening windows, are served by SE Controls equipment and are operated by a single control panel, complete with battery back-up.

To get the best possible natural ventilation solution it is best to design window automation during the facade design either as a full natural ventilation system or as a combined smoke and natural ventilation system.

Well planned natural ventilation designs can offer significant energy savings and therefore reduce a client’s carbon footprint. The importance of getting a specialist on board at an early design stage cannot be over stressed. By careful design at the early stages of building design, adaptive natural ventilation solutions will be more effective in use and more cost efficient overall, at contracting and operational stages.

Natural smoke ventilation utilises the inherent buoyancy of hot smoke, letting it rise and escape from the building whilst allowing cooler, heavier air, to enter at low level into escape routes to allow safe exit for occupants or to aid in the fire services entry into the building to the possible effected area. This is achieved by introducing automatic vents at high level that open upon detection of smoke, allowing the smoke to escape into the atmosphere.

Automatic opening inlet vents and windows at low level maintain the smoke reservoir at a safe level above head height to increase occupant’s visibility and ensure sufficient fresh air to survive during escape from a building. On the new wing at Kew, SE Controls worked in partnership with the glazing specialist, Melayway Glass Assemblies Ltd. Schüco AWS systems were specified for the windows and doors, with FW60+ Curtain wall. All external finishes were specified and anodised by LHT to Uncol Anolok 541 ‘Pale Umber’. Internal finishes were specified in RAL 8080 matt powder coating.

For the roof lights, 24 no. ‘TGCO 24 20’, 250 mm stoke, chain actuators were fitted on bespoke brackets to provide both smoke control and natural ventilation. Operated by a 24 volt supply, these actuators are provided with a battery backed controller connected to a fireman’s override switch and to

Once installed, checked and commissioned, the installed system needs little maintenance, unlike mechanical air conditioning systems. Preventative maintenance is recommended at 6 monthly intervals to ensure that smoke control systems are fully operable in case of emergency, and can be combined with the glazing manufacturers’ recommended maintenance visits for windows, thus reducing overall maintenance costs. SE Controls Maintenance Division has been providing building owners with such services for nearly 30 years.

The original Kew Herbarium building has been extended six times, starting in 1877. The new wing extends the capacity of the Herbarium, Library, Art and Archives by about 40 years, providing climate-controlled storage and adjacent research areas. As well as housing hundreds of thousands of plant specimens, it provides new, state-of-the-art space for the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew’s outstanding Library, Art and Archives Collection. Scientists from other institutions and amateur botanists will get greater access to the collections when the new wing opens as part of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew’s year-long celebrations to mark the UN’s International Year of Biodiversity. The project engineers on the new Herbarium, wing are Buro Happold and construction services were provided by Willmot Dixon. www.secontrols.com s ENQUIRY CARD/ONLINE NO 136

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ICON Manufacturer: JIS Europe Product: Afriston Towel Full Story: Page 42 Visit: www.jiseurope.co.uk