17 minute read
Doors & Windows
doors & Windows THE 15-MINUTE CITY APPROACH TO POSTPANDEMIC HOUSE BUILDING
The next big challenge facing the building industry will be meeting the demands of the public for homes that fit in to post-pandemic living with greater homeworking and emphasis on lifestyle rather than location, it is claimed.
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an Grimshaw from Beam Development says the ‘15-Minute City’ principal – a new approach to urban design, in which all city residents can meet most of their needs within a short walk or bicycle ride from their homes – could offer a solution.
“It is possible cities will never return to the way they were before the virus struck and we are now looking at the way buildings are being used in terms of amenities and spaces and examining what people want from the places they live in,” said Dan.
“Even before Covid people were wanting to spend more time at home as technology allowed them to do that, but that has been normalised during lockdown and accelerated, hence the need for proper home office space to accommodate that.
“If the 15-Minute City takes off as a concept it will chime with people looking for more flexibility in their lives and who want to fit their jobs around their home life with space to work from home and, if possible, the space for a home office.
“Creating that space, either through an extension or re-purposing rooms is vital.”
Dan says building design is already starting to change with projects such as the Brabazon development being built at the former BAE airfield at Filton, near Bristol, already adopting the new readymade community model. “One of the positives of the pandemic is it has made people feel more connected with their neighbourhoods and highlighted the need for a diverse range of local businesses and services, with better street space for pedestrians,” added Dan. “Lockdown turned us all into locals overnight, connecting with high street shops and cafes on the doorstep in a way many of us had never done before. With restrictions lifting, it could be time to try new approaches to unlock growth and help reshape our communities for the better.”
The 15-Minute City idea was developed by Sorbonne Professor Carlos Moreno and advocates the creation of a city of neighbourhoods, in which workers find everything they need in terms of work, retail and leisure within 15 minutes of their home.
Mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo has made the 15-minute goal a focus of her seven years in office and is creating 900 miles of bike lanes in the city. She is also converting schoolyards throughout the city into round-the-clock public playgrounds.
Dan Grimshaw is a design and construction specialist based in Bath and London who has worked on premium residential projects for more than 15 years.
He is a mentor to the British Library’s prestigious Innovating for Growth programme and is on the jury for the BLT Built Design Awards 2021.
For further information visit:
www.beamdevelopment.co.uk
f i r m a n g l a s s . c o m Established in 1975 Firman Glass is one of the leading independent glass processors in the UK, manufacturing toughened glass, laminated glass and specialist sealed units. Based in Harold Wood Essex within 5 minutes of junction 28 of the M25 and half an hour from Central London we are ideally situated to service our ever growing and diverse customer base. Manufacturing all forms of processed toughened glass, with comprehensive stocks of clear float, low iron, satin, body tinted, mirrors, laminated glass, acoustic laminated and fire rated glass. w w w With some of the most advanced capabilities in place Firman Glass is able to manufacture high quality products for all markets sectors including architectural, retail, leisure and domestic Products • Toughened glass • Processing • CNC shaping • Laminated glass • Toughened and laminated constructions
f• EVA and Vanceva coloured interlays • Fabric and decorative interlays • Structural interlays
• Specialist insulating glass units • Anti–slip glass • Fire rated glass • UV bonding • Electric switchable glass • Heated glass • Decorative glass • Sandblasting • ColorfirmTM back painted glass Applications • Structural glazing • Glass floors
w• Partitions • Roof lights • Balustrades • Full height barriers • Canopies • Staircases • Treads and stringers • Shower screens • Shelving • Glass doors • Acoustic reduction • Fire rated
w w w . f i r m a n g l a s s . c o m Glass Excellence Established in 1975 Firman Glass is one of the leading independent glass processors in the UK, manufacturing toughened glass, laminated glass and specialist sealed units. Based in Harold Wood Essex within 5 minutes of junction 28 of the M25 and half an hour from Central London we are ideally situated to service our ever growing and diverse customer base. Manufacturing all forms of processed toughened glass, with comprehensive stocks of clear float, low iron, satin, body tinted, mirrors, laminated glass, acoustic laminated and fire rated glass. With some of the most advanced capabilities in place Firman Glass is able to manufacture high quality products for all markets sectors including architectural, retail, leisure and domestic Products w• Toughened glass • Processing • CNC shaping • Laminated glass • Toughened and laminated • • • Decoration Wall cladding Splashbacks constructions • Privacy • EVA and Vanceva coloured interlays • Technical Support • Fabric and decorative interlays • Nationwide Coverage • Structural interlays
• Specialist insulating glass units • Anti–slip glass • Fire rated glass • UV bonding • Electric switchable glass • Heated glass • Decorative glass • Sandblasting • ColorfirmTM back painted glass Applications • Structural glazing • Glass floors • Partitions • Roof lights • Balustrades • Full height barriers • Canopies
• Staircases • Treads and stringers • Shower screens • Shelving • Glass doors • Acoustic reduction • Fire rated
Shopspec_glazingexcellence-2018:Firman 01/03/2018 17:04 Page 1 c o m Established in 1975 Firman independent glass processo toughened glass, laminated units. Glass is rs in the glass an one of the leading UK, manufacturing d specialist sealed f i r m a n g l a s s Based in Harold Wood Essex within 5 minutes of junction 28 of the M25 and half an hour from Central London we are ideally situated to service our ever growing and diverse customer base. Manufacturing all forms of processed toughened glass, with comprehensive stocks of clear float, low iron, satin, body tinted, mirrors, laminated glass, acoustic laminated and fire rated glass. w w w With some of the most advanced capabilities in place Firman Glass is able to manufacture high quality products for all markets sectors including architectural, retail, leisure and domestic
P • Glaroducts Toughened glass ss Excellence • Processing • CNC shaping
.• Laminated glass • Toughened and laminated constructions • EVA and Vanceva coloured interlays • Fabric and decorative interlays • Structural interlays • Decoration • Wall cladding • Splashbacks • Privacy
Further information is available from • • o Technical Support Nationwide Coverageur sales and technical offices or visit www.firmanglass.com
Firman Glass,19 Bates Road, Harold Wood, Romford, Essex RM3 OJH Tel: 01708 374534 Fax: 01708 340511 Email: sales@firmanglass.com In association with www.firmanglass.com
• Specialist insulating glass units • Anti–slip glass • Fire rated glass • UV bonding • Electric switchable glass • Heated glass • Decorative glass • Sandblasting • ColorfirmTM back painted glass Applications • Structural glazing • Glass floors
w• Partitions • Roof lights • Balustrades • Full height barriers • Canopies • Staircases • Treads and stringers • Shower screens • Shelving • Glass doors • Acoustic reduction • Fire rated
w w w . f i r m a n g l a s s . c o m Shopspec_glazingexcellence-2018:Firman 01/03/2018 17:04 Page 1 Established in 1975 Firman Glass is one of the leading independent glass processors in the UK, manufacturing toughened glass, laminated glass and specialist sealed units. . Based in Harold Wood Essex within 5 minutes of junction 28 of the M25 and half an hour from Central London we are ideally situated to service our ever growing and diverse customer base. . Manufacturing all forms of processed toughened glass, with comprehensive stocks of clear float, low iron, satin, body tinted, mirrors, laminated glass, acoustic laminated and fire rated glass. . With some of the most advanced capabilities in place Firman Glass is able to manufacture high quality products for all markets sectors including architectural, retail, leisure and domestic
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Toughened glass
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Laminated glass
Toughened and laminated constructions
EVA and Vanceva coloured interlays
Fabric and decorative interlays
Structural interlays • Decoration • Wall cladding • Splashbacks • Privacy • Technical Support • Nationwide Coverage
• Specialist insulating glass units • Anti–slip glass • Fire rated glass • UV bonding • Electric switchable glass • Heated glass • Decorative glass • Sandblasting • ColorfirmTM back painted glass plications Structural glazing Glass floors Partitions Roof lights Balustrades Full height barriers Canopies
• Staircases • Treads and stringers • Shower screens • Shelving • Glass doors • Acoustic reduction • Fire rated
Glass Ex r m a n g l a s s . c o m Established in 1975 Firman Glass is one of the leading independent glass processors in the UK, manufacturing toughened glass, laminated glass and specialist sealed units. Based in Harold Wood Essex within 5 minutes of junction 28 of the M25 and half an hour from Central London we are ideally situated to service our ever growing and diverse customer base. Manufacturing all forms of processed toughened glass, with comprehensive stocks of clear float, low iron, satin, body tinted, mirrors, laminated glass, acoustic laminated cellence and fire rated glass. With some of the most advanced capabilities in place Firman Glass is able to manufacture high quality products for all markets sectors including archit • •ect Decoration Wall claddingural, retail, leisure • Splashbacks and domestic • • Privacy Technical Support • Nationwide Coverage
Glass Excellence
These days, the word “sustainability” seems to crop up everywhere. Whether that’s in news reports, magazine articles, advertising campaigns or emblazoned on the side of lorries. But is it just another business buzzword, or are we genuinely making a shift in the way we think and act, in order to protect and preserve the world we live in for future generations?
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hile “Green Issues” like recycling and sustainability were on the fringe 20 years ago, these days they’re right at the heart of business with sustainability having a huge influence on every aspect of industry, especially at Eurocell.
PVC-U is a highly sustainable product, robust enough to be recycled and repurposed up to 10 times without its quality or performance deteriorating, giving it a lifespan in the construction industry of 350 years.
At our recycling plants, we process up to 70,000 old PVC-U window frames per week, or around 39,000 tonnes per year. Once recycled, it is used to create a variety of new products, from thermal inserts to our revolutionary Modus window system. By doing this we are able to reuse almost 100% of our production waste.
2021 Targets
Despite 2020 resulting in a number of challenges - Eurocell Recycle still managed to recycle an impressive number of PVC-U frames. Like most businesses, Eurocell Recycle closed it’s doors for a few months in 2020 to keep it’s staff and customers safe, and put in Covid-secure work processes. This being said, for the last 5 consecutive years, (2020 excluded) Eurocell Recycle has managed to beat it’s previous years total recycling number and we plan to make 2021 the biggest year yet, with a target of a record-breaking 3.5 million frames recycled.
The recycling process makes PVC-U stronger
Products manufactured from recycled PVC-U are actually stronger than those made with virgin plastic because of the chemical transformation of the polymers it contains when it goes through the recycling process.
At our consolidated operations in Ilkeston and Selby, Eurocell Recycle now offers the largest and most complete closed-loop process in the UK for collecting and processing used PVC-U frames to be re-extruded and turned into new windows, doors and building products.
We support business that remove a large amount of frames per month, so if you want to sign up for this service and help us reach our recycling targets, please contact us on 0333 777 3042 to arrange a collection.
Doors & windows The Gessner: Way of Life to Launch New DesignLed Residences in Tottenham Hale this Autumn
Way of Life today announces that it has launched The Gessner, 164 brand new, beautifully designed apartments in Tottenham Hale, London, set to welcome the first residents in autumn 2021. The Gessner represents a new direction for Way of Life, taking as its base world-class design, service and amenity, reflective of and inspired by the shifts within modern lifestyle hospitality, to create a full-service, contemporary rental offer for London and the UK.
Rooftop terrace at The Gessner (image credit: Way of Life)
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he Gessner will offer a selection of studios, 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments with superb views across London, with discounted market rates for key workers living and working in the borough. Guest suites for visitors to stay for a minimum of two nights will also launch later in 2021. Amenities tailored to every element of residents’ life include a dedicated on-site café and shop, fully equipped gym, a large rooftop garden with BBQ, free super-fast WIFI, sitting and dining rooms, 24h on-site team, smart lockers for parcels, bike storage and cosy lounges with fireplaces. A rolling programme for residents will include resident clubs, talks and workshops with local creatives and wellbeing initiatives. Prices start at £1,300 per month.
Living room at The Gessner (credit: Way of Life)
All apartments are pet friendly and many include private balconies, while two bedroom apartments feature large bespoke kitchens and living rooms. Three bedroom apartments sit across over 1,000 sq ft, offering spacious living with bright entertainment areas, perfect for young families, and for accommodating guests. Shared spaces throughout the building create a sense of community for residents, including a shared dining room, sitting room and kitchen for socialising, working or just relaxing during free time.
The space has been brought to life by London- and LA-based interior architecture and design studio Fettle Studio, whose previous work includes hospitality brands such as The Marylebone Hotel, The Hoxton Portland and Rome, and aparthotel Schwan Locke.
Residents’ lounge at The Gessner (credit: Way of Life)
The neighbourhood of Tottenham Hale offers a wealth of independent restaurants, community spaces, cafes, artisans and nightlife, all at The Gessner’s doorstep. The location is surrounded by green space and flanked by the River Lea and natural reservoirs, plus excellent transport options with central London just 15 minutes away by train, and Stansted Airport one stop by train.
Apartments at The Gessner are available furnished or unfurnished, with furnished apartments including a dining table and chairs, a sofa, coffee table and more, and ottoman beds, all designed bespoke by Fettle, included in the monthly rent. Tenancies can start from six months all the way to five years.
Way of Life offers a full suite of property services - including viewings, putting down a deposit, and completing reference checks - all of which are handled through a unique online platform. Customers can manage the entire process via one simple digital journey, from viewing a flat through to moving in. This allows for a high degree of transparency for the tenant to fully understand contracts, their rights and status of their application at all times. The platform, built by Way of Life, will facilitate viewings, bookings, reservations, amenity searches and one-click extras all using best-in-class technology to make the process of renting a customer-centric experience from start to finish.
The Gessner is part of a new wave of residences from Way of Life set to launch in London over the next three years.
Gavin Chetty, Creative Director for Way of Life, said: “The opening of The Gessner marks a bold new direction for Way of Life. We are committed to raising the bar, offering apartments that marry the comfort of the home with the highest level of hospitality. Paired with world-class design, a dynamic community and streamlined service, in connected, exciting locations, The Gessner will be a blueprint for a better way to rent. We look forward to welcoming our first residents later this year.”
For more information visit www.wayoflife.com/thegessner
industry news ISO CHEMIE’S WINFRAMER SPECIFIED FOR MODULAR HOUSE BUILDER
ISO Chemie’s thermal insulating and load bearing bracket support system has been specified for a ground breaking modular house design that could impact on the new homes market and environment
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he development sees WINFRAMER units along with WIN2WALL multi-level sealing tape, being supplied to North East-based CoreHaus for installation in its modular properties. The company has a five-year plan to produce around 1,000 precision engineered units a year built using modern methods of construction (MMC) to deliver long term energy cost savings.
Passivhaus certified and fire rated to up to 30 minutes, WINFRAMER is a prefabricated installation frame, manufactured to accommodate cavities up to 250mm that allows windows to be supported independently from the face of the wall regardless of any external cladding being in place.
Quick and easy-to-install, the product’s application on CoreHaus properties comes as the modular housing sector has been given a boost by national housing agency Homes England, which is accelerating the delivery of local authority housing schemes, encouraging greater use of MMC.
ISO-BLOCO WIN2WALL enables window and door gaps between 2 mm to 8 mm to be easily sealed from inside the property. Available in two widths to give the extra thermal insulation equivalent to A Rated (40mm tape) or A+ and A++ windows (65 mm tape), the tape is able to accommodate the vast majority of UK window installations.
Dan Selby, production manager
at CoreHaus, said: “As a house designer, we look at new ways to deliver low carbon structures, which use sustainable technologies. ISO Chemie’s fit and forget products offer innovative solutions for effective window and door sealing, delivering measurable airtight, acoustic and thermal sealing benefits in the process.”
Nick Thompson, ISO Chemie’s technical consultant, said modular housing is gaining increasing traction and WINFRAMER and WIN2WALL can add real value during the initial and post construction phases.
He added: “Using WINFRAMER as a platform for the windows to be moved forward, allows a cavity wall to be created outside the existing one. This can then be filled with insulation to massively improve thermal efficiency. As it’s also very thermally efficient and airtight, WINFRAMER is proving to be an easy and cost-effective way to improve the quality of the modular properties.”
The composite WINFRAMER brackets can bear heavy windows loads, including bi-fold doors, to provide a reliable, strong and high-performance support frame. Installation is quick with windows attached directly and secured mechanically using either standard fixing screws or fixing lugs in the usual manner. A hinged insulation core combines with the composite wood structural bracket to become an integral part of the overall wall structure, providing compliance with window energy saving regulations (EnEV) and the RAL quality assurance association.
Among the key advantages of WIN2WALL are not only its thermal performance, but it is also weather tight to 600 Pa (Violent Storm Force 11) and has excellent acoustic insulation properties. Installing a window or door using WIN2WALL will give the window an equivalent or better thermal property than the window unit itself.
Even the smaller 40mm size tape will give the joint between the window and wall a U-Value of 1.2, equivalent to an Energy A-rated window.
