Refurb & Developer Update - June 2023

REFURB & DEVELOPER

FUTURE

METHODS IN WALES

Solutions to Domestic Repairs

A company is only as good as its support sta so at the Magicman head o ce in Brighton, there are dedicated teams of technical experts and call handlers ready to help customers 6 days a week.

Magicman have repair technicians available nationwide so there is always someone ready to help customers in their local area. However the story doesn’t begin or end there, they are supported by dedicated teams of friendly call handlers and technical experts at Magicman’s head o ce and call centre in Sussex. There are specialists in every department ready to help with General Enquiries, Desktop Analyses, Insurance Claims, Bookings and After Care, six days a week.

Customers can upload photos and a few details about their damaged items through Magicman’s ‘Get an Estimate’ form on our website, company Facebook page or FREE APP for iPhone and Android devices. Technical experts with years of experience in the eld, carry out a Desktop Analysis to determine whether a successful and lasting repair can be carried out.

An estimate is then dispatched based on time needed to carry out works. This means that for most customers a site visit is not necessary, speeding up the bookings process and avoiding call out charges.

Suppliers of Specialist Repairs to Wood

Laminates

Veneer

Ceramics

Marble

uPVC

Glass

Chips

Cracks

Dents

Scratches

Holes

Burns Stains

....and much more, just ask!

For a free estimate visit magicman.co.uk/get-an-estimate/ or get our FREE app available for Apple and Android smart phones

KEUCO CELEBRATES TURNING 70!

The beginning of the brand …

KEUCO GmbH & Co. KG was founded in the Westphalian town Hemer in 1953, originally it was formed under the name Paul Keune + Co. KG. A lot has changed in the seven decades since the company was founded, but the goal and vision of the early days has remained: to make bathrooms that are both beautiful and comfortable.

KEUCO’s quality products continue to be developed and produced in Germany and the headquarters are still located in Hemer, Westphalia. The original focus was on bathroom accessories, but KEUCO has continuously expanded, revised and supplemented its range and today offers an abundant range of fittings, accessories, mirror cabinets, washbasins and bathroom furniture all “made in Germany”.

After all these years KEUCO knows how to skilfully merge tradition with innovation to create outstanding bathrooms and have collected numerous design prizes for its innovative bathroom furnishing concepts and products along the way

KEUCO products are sold across the globe, they have more than 500 employees worldwide working as a well-coordinated team, contributing to the positioning of KEUCO in the premium segment of the sanitary industry.

1988 – The solitair cabinet Sesam becomes an icon in the bathroom

2023 – Launch of AXESS in collaboration with Studio FA Porsche

The company is still family run and owned as 100 % of the company shareholders are all members of the original founders. Today, KEUCO is managed by Lubert Winnecken and he is assisted by a management committee, this team is responsible for the day-to-day running of the business.

This continuity means the employees consider themselves to be part of an extended family business, one that values its employees and understands that it is the combination of the company’s historical knowledge with individual expertise that creates the KEUCO brand.

They know that in order to be successful in the long term, you must have happy employees working to develop products that creates satisfied customers.

KEUCO History:

April 1953 Foundation of Paul Keune & Co. KG. Six employees manufacture the first hardware fittings for bathrooms.

1959 The company achieves sales of DM 1 million for the first time.

1960 Construction of the first own factory building.

1961 Development of the first own DE LUXE series.

1962 Market launch of high-quality metal mirror cabinets.

1967 Development of the ELEGANCE series - with over 40 million items sold, the most successful series in the world.

1975 Luigi Colani, the most famous designer in Germany at the time, develops the first revolutionary bathroom design with accessories, light and mirrors made by KEUCO.

1987 Takeover of the largest competitor Turk + Bolte from Iserlohn.

1988 Market launch of bathroom furniture. The solitaire cabinet Sesam becomes an icon of modern bathroom furniture.

1995 Takeover of the metal goods factory TWICK + LEHRKE, Gütersloh, market leader for mirror cabinets in Germany.

1999 Start of development of the world ‘s biggest equipment concept PLAN.

2002 Market launch of water-conducting fittings.

2005 First complete bathroom EDITION 300 (fittings, accessories, mirror cabinets, washbasins and bathroom furniture).

2008 Acquisition of the company LUDEWIG, Bünde, furniture producer.

2009 Market launch of PLAN b_free - the furnishing concept for the bathroom in a universal design with the aim of creating beautiful bathrooms for all life situations.

2011 Launch of the successful EDITION 11, designed by Dominik Tesseraux.

2015 Market launch of the innovative fitting series IXMO.

2016 In cooperation with TEAM 7, EDITION LIGNATUR is created, a luxurious bathroom furnishing concept with furniture made of natural wood.

2021 KEUCO produces and achieves an annual turnover of approximately 140 million euros with around 500 employees.

2023 Market launch of AXESS developed in cooperation with the design agency Studio F. A. Porsche.

2023 KEUCO headquarters in Hemer today.

2023 KEUCO celebrates 70th company anniversary.

1975 – German designer Luigi Colani designs a bathroom with accessories, lights and mirrors by KEUCO

2005 – First EDITION 300 bathroom

KönigOutdoor’s new showroom at Sky House Design Centre is the perfect base for the garden designer, architect or homeowner to visually build an outdoor living project. As well as being able to view beautifully built outdoor kitchen displays, a choice of appliances is also available.

KÖNIGOUTDOOR CHOOSES ALFA FORNI FOR SKY HOUSE DESIGN CENTRE SHOWROOM

Alfa Forni was chosen as the exclusive pizza oven supplier. The high-quality, Italian product aligns perfectly with the KönigOutdoor values. The premium brand is made in Italy and has continued to improve the design and innovation of the product since its birth in 1977.

Julia Tasker from Alfresco Concepts (UK distributor of Alfa Forni) gives some background into the brand, “Alfa is based in the ancient town of Anagni, off the road that joins Rome to Naples – the historic heartland of pizza – and all of its products are designed and made by Italian artisans. For more than 40 years, while also building models for commercial kitchens, this familyrun business has been perfecting its domestic pizza ovens. To make a Neapolitan pizza, the oven floor needs to impart heat quickly enough for the crust to be crisp, but not so quickly that it burns. The circulating air must be fiercely hot, allowing the toppings to cook in the short time available. Challenging enough in a restaurant oven; fiendishly hard to recreate for a domestic garden or terrace.”

Tasker continues, “By combining Italian tradition and craftsmanship with cutting-edge materials and engineering, Alfa’s engineers have solved this thermal puzzle. The ovens’ flattened half-dome shape, full-circulation flue system, ceramic fibre insulation and patented refractory brick base allow them to

efficiently reach and maintain temperatures up to 500°C, meaning they can cook a pizza in just 90 seconds.”

Alfa co-founder Marcello Ortuso said, “In Italy, gathering friends and family around us to cook and eat outside is such an important part of our culture. We have seen how more and more people in Britain have begun to discover this pleasure. An Alfa oven can help them bring the real flavours of Italy to those gatherings.”

KönigOutdoor is a sophisticated high-end solution for aspirational outdoor living.

Combining luxurious sintered stone surfaces with a durable weatherproof structure, a KönigOutdoor kitchen provides the look of an indoor kitchen; with the ability to withstand the elements outdoors.

For more information on KönigOutdoor, please visit www.konigoutdoor.co.uk

For more information on Alfa Forni, please visit the brand new UK website –www.alfa-forni.co.uk

LIFESTYLE KITCHENS

FOREST GREEN GALA

The L-shaped design features ample storage to create a clutter free feel, complemented by curved cabinetry for a sleek kitchen space.

A timeless design, Gala is an elegant and under-stated shaker style, now available in seven colours: oyster, grey, cashmere, dakar, grey slate, indigo blue and forest green. The range provides retailers with a versatile furniture selection,

with a choice of wall and tall units in two heights and various widths for maximum flexibility.

Perfect to kick start the spring season, all Lifestyle Kitchens are available to order for quick delivery from Waterline stock, ideal for projects where you want to achieve a swift transformation. Retailers have access to a choice of over 30 modern and classic styles, flexible design elements and over 50 handle options to offer customers. The new forest

Lifestyle Kitchens is delighted to present a stunning new forest green choice to its Gala shaker range, perfect to add a colour injection or mix with neutral tones. Inspired by nature, the new shade takes centre stage in this kitchen scheme, paired with sleek bar handles to achieve a modern fresh look.

green shade is also available in the Locano Touch collection, offering a textured style for consumers.

View the latest Lifestyle kitchen furniture styles and price group information through the online Waterline Blue Book, as well as sharing complementary products to add the finishing touches.

www.waterlinebluebook.co.uk

www.lifestylekitchens.com

Telephone - 01227 742424

NEW CATALOGUE IS BIG ON RANGE

Specialist trade supplier, ElectricalDirect, has launched its latest catalogue featuring best-sellers from its huge range of over 12,000 products, plus a number of new additions. The free catalogue is perfect for browsing project essentials while on the move, so customers can easily find what they need, when they need it.

The latest catalogue has been launched following various range reviews, with hundreds of new products added, including:

Strip Lighting

The retailer has added a brandnew range of Neon Flex LED strip lights from Integral LED to its lineup. Offering high quality, seamless and dot-free light output even when dimmed, these strip lights mimic Neon effect lighting and can be bent into any desired shape or space. Suitable for both domestic and commercial applications, the lights are IP67 rated to perform even in humid indoor or outdoor environments.

To complete the job, combine the strip lights with complementary accessories, including surface mounted and recessed strip profiles, as well as userfriendly remotes which allow

users to change the colour and brightness of the room with the touch of a button.

Touchpoint Sockets & Switches

From simple on/off switches and blank plates to USB sockets and fan isolators, ElectricalDirect’s exclusive Touchpoint range offers reliable solutions at a competitive price. All of the switches are designed to be easy to install and use, with durable construction that ensures they will stand the test of time.

Altro Panel Heaters

Also exclusive to ElectricalDirect is the new Altro Panel Heaters range. Available in a number of sizes and wattages to suit both small and larger spaces, they’re ideal for improving energy efficiency thanks to the product’s advanced heating technology that ensures every watt of energy is used effectively. The units also benefit from overheat and anti-frost protection and are incredibly easy to install, while their smart controls and LCD display make them simple to use when adjusting to the desired temperature.

Katrina Adamczyk, Head of Category Management & Merchandising at ElectricalDirect said: “We are pleased to introduce our latest catalogue as a useful tool for busy tradespeople to browse while on the go, which show-

cases some of our key ranges, as well the latest additions. Not only that, but since October, we have added over 1,000 new products to our website, providing our customers with solutions from trusted brands like Integral LED, Knightsbridge, JCC, Zinc Outdoor, Vent-Axia, and Crabtree.”

ElectricalDirect has over 12,000 products on its website, with new products added regularly. Professional electricians and contractors can choose from a range of flexible delivery options to meet the needs of their busy schedules, including same day delivery to postcodes in selected areas of London and the East of England, as well as click and collect from 6,500 pick up points across the UK.

To request a free catalogue or to view online, please visit: www.ElectricalDirect.co.uk/ free-catalogue.

OMEGA PLC TRANSFORMS OFFER WITH NEW BRAND NOVUS

Omega PLC CEO Simon Barber says, “The launch of Novus strengthens our product offer and complements our existing kitchen brands and will open new markets, customers, and consumers to Omega.  We believe that our renowned quality, service, and supply stability coupled with the modern, clean, and sleek aesthetic styles within the Novus collection is a compelling proposition for our customers. Retailers and Developers are looking for high-quality handleless kitchen and Novus will allow us to compete with the trends established by European suppliers, backed by the operational strengths Omega have established over the past 25 years.”

Characterised by a modern, clean, and sleek aesthetic the

developer-update.co.uk

minimalist kitchen is designed to offer customers flexibility and choice whilst ensuring ease of installation. The introduction of the New Generation profile system allows for quick, clip-in installation with no visible screw holes and hidden fixings improving the aesthetic finish and overall installation time.

One of the highlights of Novus is the new, innovative Grass V8 drawer system.  Omega PLC is the first UK Manufacturer to offer as standard this award-winning drawer design. The slim and elegant 8mm thin drawers offers up to 16% increased capacity, maximising storage space whilst being 100% recyclable with smooth running and gentle close action. The option of a free glass upgrade is also available.

Novus’s horizontal and vertical profiles are reset and mounted

to the cabinets for effortless opening, with six colour profile options available to complement or contrast to create a personalised design finish. The new clip-in profile system ensures that profiles can be effortlessly updated and replaced.

British kitchen manufacturers Omega PLC expand their offer with the launch of their new brand Novus.

Novus is a modern leading-edge solution in one handleless kitchen that pushes the boundaries of design.

Novus cabinets are all made to order, using precision glue and dowel construction to create a true rigid kitchen, available in three colours, white, light grey, and graphite. The wall cabinets come with coordinating colour profiles for that perfect finish. The striking clean lines are echoed by the end of island panels which creates a distinct style, enabling the profiles to wrap the island.

Omega PLC Retail Sales Director James Bishton says, “We continue to strengthen our partnerships with new product innovation, long-term price stability and holding significant raw material stock to ensure complete deliveries on time. Novus represents a significant opportunity for growth and expansion for Omega matching European suppliers in innovation and design while offering unrivalled reliability in supply with quick lead times and excellent customer service.”

Omega PLC boasts the largest, professional business to business display area in the UK and this state-of-the-art showroom is now home to several new Novus kitchen displays created to inspire both retail and contracts

partners.  Omega PLC Creative Lead Design Manager Ben Jones says, “Visitors come to the Omega showroom to be inspired.  We have designed the Novus kitchens in our showroom to showcase the range and flexibility of the product in terms of the colour palette which has grown significantly, the design which uses open shelving to compliment the kitchen and exciting hidden nooks, pantries and unique storage solutions which give customers ideas and avenues to explore.”

“The colour palette includes on trend neutral shades complimented by warmer tones, nature-inspired colours, and more dramatic dark hues, plus we have a new exclusive beautiful Woodgrain Natural Oak. There are so many different door styles from slab frontal to slim shaker doors, including the new Monarch, a modern smooth five-piece painted shaker door. The new profile system gives more scope for us going forward.  The price point at entry level is very affordable for what is an incredibly aspirational look.”

Omega PLC Contract Sales Director John Cahill says, “Our passion for creating quality cabinets and right-first-time delivery allows us to win repeat business from our customers.  The Novus concept has already been welcomed by our developer partners who are looking for continuous product improvements for their customers to keep them well ahead of their competition at the quality end of the new homes market.  Novus is a step up in quality of engineering with its unique profile system and its ease of installation. Novus also creates an improved finished product for the homeowner with a kitchen that is designed to be aesthetically pleasing.”

The potential for a multidimensional garden in the woods was clear from the start on a three-plus-acre clearing in Great Falls, Virginia. The owners of a Colorado-inspired, stoneand-wood residence sought to enhance their property with a pool, vegetable garden and play space for children. The plan developed by landscape architect Jeff Plusen layered vegetation in organic curves and set stones as nature might have dropped them. He even integrated a faux stream by recycling pool water over a cascade of Delaware River pebbles.

“It’s a tremendous property carved out of the woods, so the connection to the environment was very important,” Plusen notes.

A wild spirit flourishes in the backyard. Stacked fieldstones support a pool sidewall. Irises and grasses sprout among irregular flagstones, a fire circle and pathways to an expansive lawn. For contrast, orderly travertine pavers surround the pool and gazebo.

Garden installation was undertaken by Planted Earth

WOODED WONDER

Landscaping. Starting in 2015, spaces for play equipment and a kitchen garden were established, and serviceberry trees, oakleaf hydrangeas and summer meadow bloomers planted. Close to 100 additional trees replenished the forest edge. “We went with nothing smaller than two-inch calipers,” says thenproject manager Justin Spittal.

An unusual cattle-crossing grate at the front entrance keeps deer out, while welcoming guests with an unobstructed and lush view. “This project was awesome,” says Spittal. “Other than the native forest, there wasn’t a single plant on site when we got started.”

Award: Distinction, Total Residential Contracting (Planted Earth). Landscape Architecture: Jeff Plusen, ASLA, RLA, Plusen Landscape Architects, Catonsville, Maryland. Landscape Contractor: Planted Earth Landscaping Inc., Sykesville, Maryland.

An expert team conjures a welcoming forest reverie in Great Falls

FROM COMICS TO COPINGS

Architectural and landscaping products from Welsh Slate feature on award-winning illustrator’s new home.

Award-winning British comic book artist and illustrator Charlie Adlard is enjoying a new lease of life in a new home featuring a building material that is seriously old!

Charlie has been a “veteran” of the comic industry for more than 25 years and recently finished a 15-year spell working on The Walking Dead series which was adapted for television by US network AMC in 2010. Charlie himself appeared in the pilot as a zombie extra!

Now free to pick and choose his own projects, including life drawing sessions and single illustrations for music, films and other media, Charlie is working from his new home on the banks of the River Severn in his hometown of Shrewsbury, Shropshire.

The house, which was designed as one of a pair by AHR Architecture, uses Welsh Slate products on various aspects – as vertical cladding on elevational features including a “chimney” on the house, and for hard landscaping, as walling and copings to terraces and walls in the landscaped gardens.

The architectural and landscaping products manufactured by Welsh Slate at its main Penrhyn quarry near Bangor are produced from a material that is 500 million years old, but at Charlie’s three-storey, split-level house, it has been used to complement the contemporary aesthetics of the building.

The cladding is from Welsh Slate’s Penrhyn Heather range, in a Honed finish, while the pillared walling is from the same Penrhyn quarry with a textured finish and the same Honed finish also features on the copings.

Charlie said he specified the Welsh Slate products for a variety of reasons. One was sustainability (the garden features an extensive photovoltaic array), the other sentimentality!

“The house, as much as possible, is hopefully as environmentally friendly as we could make it, so a natural product like Welsh slate works with that remit. We also wanted to use as much locally sourced product as possible.”

He also explained that his family has a strong connection to North Wales. His wife is Welsh - her family come from Bangor and Anglesey - so to them it made sense to source local materials from that area to complement their house design. They had always known about Welsh Slate, having visited the area many times, and eventually having a holiday home in Beaumaris that virtually looks across the Menai Strait to the quarry.

Charlie added: “The use of the Welsh Slate products has been mainly decorative, and they have made a striking natural addition to the modern look of the building. It’s the first time we have used Welsh Slate and we love it!”

AUTOMOWER® NERA REVOLUTIONISES LAWN CARE

HUSQVARNA, THE PIONEER IN ROBOTIC MOWING AND SMARTMOWING TECHNOLOGY HAS REVEALED THE AUTOMOWER® NERA – ITS FIRST AUTOMOWER® ROBOTIC MOWER THAT SUPPORTS BOUNDARY WIRE-FREE MOWING IN PRIVATE GARDENS.

Set to launch early next year, Automower® NERA supports the EPOS satellite navigation system and makes robotic lawn care even more effortless, as it lets the user create virtual cutting zones with the help of a mobile phone. This gives the user the flexibility of deciding where to cut, when and at what height. Offering an even smoother Automower® experience, the Automower ® NERA range can handle more complex terrains and steep slopes, and steers away from unwanted objects on the lawn.

The Automower® NERA range comes in three models, all of which support boundary wirefree technology. Husqvarna Automower® 430X NERA and 450X NERA can cut lawns of up

to 3200 square metres and 5000 square metres respectively, while Automower ® 320 NERA is optimal for lawns up to 2200 square meters. Both mowers in the 400 series come equipped with the object avoidance feature, based on radar technology, that helps the mower detect and avoid common objects like toys and garden tools. This reduces the stress of always keeping the lawn tidy and reduces the number of unwanted stops. All models come with improved terrain handling, which reduces the wear and tear of the lawn and can also be washed easily with a hose.

More than 25 years ago, Husqvarna launched the world’s first robotic mower and changed the lawn mowing category forever. With NERA, a new chapter of lawn mowing is about to begin for homeowners, where physical boundary wires can be replaced by Husqvarna´s satellite navigation system, EPOS. Husqvarna

EPOS is a well-proven technology, as it was launched for the professional segment two years ago. Husqvarna Automower® NERA can operate with a precision of 2-3 cm and take on rough terrain and slopes with up to 50% inclination. For the NERA range to operate without physical boundary wires, an EPOS plug-in kit will be required, which will be sold as a separate accessory.

“We are thrilled to launch the boundary wire-free solution for private garden owners, as we know that many people have been waiting for this ever since we first introduced that technology in the professional market. NERA really represents the next generation of smart lawn care, with less effort and more precise mowing,” says Ryan Patterson, Residential Segment Manager at Husqvarna UK.

Husqvarna Automower® NERA will be available to customers from early 2023.

www.husqvarna.com/uk.

ZERO-TURN

100% GREAT CUT

MAX MANOEUVRABILITY

MAX POWER

MAX COMFORT WWW.CUBCADET.CO.UK

100% INTERESTED? BOOK YOUR DEMO NOW

Work is progressing at a significant refurbishment project at a school in Merthyr Tydfil which will pave the way for the future construction of educational facilities in Wales.

Morgan Sindall Construction was appointed the contract for Pen Y Dre High School by Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council last summer, which once complete will be the first major school refurbishment project delivering net zero carbon in operation in Wales.

The scheme is partially funded by the Welsh Government, as part of its Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme which aims to invest in and improve educational facilities.

The news follows an announcement from MPs, who have called for a cut in building demolitions to save carbon, instead prioritising retrofit and reuse of buildings over knock down and rebuild.

The project will see the use of CarboniCa, Morgan Sindall’s innovative digital carbon reduction tool that is enabling the contractor to support its customers decarbonise local communities

REFURBISHMENT OF SCHOOL PAVES THE WAY FOR FUTURE CONSTRUCTION METHODS IN WALES

CarboniCa is part of Morgan Sindall’s Intelligent Solutions approach, bringing together digital and platform design capabilities with modern construction methods and innovative carbon reduction tools to create unique, sustainable, and inspiring places for customers. It measures whole life carbon emissions, ensuring potential carbon outputs can be managed and reduced during the design, construction and entire building lifecycle.

The contractor will take the existing frame and structure from the 50-year-old building and make it suitable for modern standards, working closely with civils and architects and employing the latest technology.

The design has been tailored for maximum reduction in carbon with the help of CarboniCa and will use air source heat pumps and mechanical electrical equipment, meaning the building will run without the use of fossil fuels. It also incorporates the

reuse of materials and Morgan Sindall Construction has been able to provide a new IT suite for the school.

Pen Y Dre is one of the largest school refurbishments in Wales and will increase its capacity from 800 to 1,100 places for 11-to 16-year-olds.

The new design of the three-storey 14,000 sq metre comprehensive will make the school more accessible, removing a lot of steps from the original site and massively improving provisions.

Plans also include a refurb of the existing swimming pool which is open to the public, enhancing the school’s existing legacy for fantastic sport facilities.

Throughout the development, Morgan Sindall Construction will strive to ensure the building remains as carbon neutral as possible after handover through a range of workshops for teachers and pupils to educate them

on sustainability and how to use the building efficiently.

The main contractor will use its extensive experience in building educational facilities, including navigating live schools, and will build and handover Pen Y Dre in phases to avoid disruption to teaching.

Rob Williams, area director at Morgan Sindall Construction, said: “Pen Y Dre is a hugely important development for us, the local community, and Wales as a whole. It will be the first refurbished net zero school of its size which we believe will shift attitudes about demolishing and rebuilding existing facilities.

“We have made it our priority to engage with the school from the outset to educate them on sustainability, heat loss, and building efficiently to make sure that the efforts we put into constructing a carbon friendly school are continued by those who use it.

“We will take a hand-in-glove approach with the local authority to deliver a state-of-theart school which will inspire pupils and ensure disruption is kept to a minimum for the surrounding area and teaching. We will also collaboratively use Merthyr Tydfil’s knowledge on carbon targets with our expertise from other projects, such as recycling and reusing existing materials.

“We also look forward to working with the school’s Eco Council, which is student-led, and have

planned a series of workshops on sustainability and Net Zero. It is fantastic to see pupils display such passion and enthusiasm for the environment and the future of their school.

“We pride ourselves on nurturing the next generation of talent, and Pen Y Dre will be an exemplar project for apprentices to cut their teeth on a site from start to finish due to the length of construction works.”

As part of Morgan Sindall Construction’s social value plan, it is committed to introduce pupils who may be vulnerable to not going into further education, training or employment by offering work placements and engaging with students from the start of the development.

The main contractor will also continue to back local suppliers throughout construction. To

date, it has routed more than 90% of spend through Welsh subcontractors.

Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council Cabinet Member for Education Cllr Michelle Jones said: “We’re pleased and proud that Pen Y Dre is helping set standards for achieving net zero in Welsh schools.

“The Council has been working for a number of years towards meeting Welsh Government’s targets for the public sector to be carbon neutral, ensuring that all newbuild/refurbishment projects are completely energy efficient – our new bus station is the first fully-electrified one in Wales.

“Pen Y Dre High School has long been known for its high aspirations for all its learners. We are delighted the refurbished building will soon match these aspirations.”

The development was awarded through the £1bn South East & Mid Wales Collaborative Construction (SEWSCAP) Framework, as part of which the main contractor previously completed Pantycelyn Halls for Aberystwyth University.

The work at Pen Y Dre follows a flurry of activity in the region for the tier one contractor including works at King Henry VIII High School in Abergavenny and the completion of Haverfordwest High School.

Naturally high quality design with Silver Kite

Silver Kite’s Arbor range of architectural ironmongery encompasses door, window, and cabinet fittings.

Each item in this unique range is made by combining the beauty of natural wood with the hard-wearing quality of brass components. There are thirteen varieties of wood to choose from (all sourced from sustainable forests), and thirteen different finishes can be applied to the brass components. This makes

a staggering number of 169 different combinations of materials and finishes available for the specifier to select from. In addition, the wooden part can be colour coated to either conceal the product in a minimalist scheme, or to highlight the item in a colourful way.

Their selection of door fittings includes mortice knobs, lever handles, and escutcheons as well as turn and release sets

for bathrooms, and window fittings are available for both casement and sash windows. Their extensive range of cabinet fittings incorporates cupboard knobs and cabinet handles in many different sizes. They can also make special bespoke items to meet a designer`s own requirements.

www.silverkite.co.uk

IG: @silverkiteltd

ELECTRICALDIRECT IS BIG ON BRANDS WITH ITS EXTENDED KNIGHTSBRIDGE RANGE

As part of ElectricalDirect’s continued commitment to ensuring customers have access to trusted brands and quality products, the specialist trade supplier has added even more solutions to its Knightsbridge range.

Whether working on a simple retrofit project or an entire property, installers can now choose from the comprehensive Knightsbridge portfolio that includes lighting, decorative sockets and switches, as well as grid wiring solutions.

modern aesthetic. These are available in six finishes that include matt black, chrome and smoked bronze, so it’s easy to find a style that will add an elevating finishing touch to any room.

Light Place, Right Time

With energy-saving a key consideration for any project, the Knightsbridge lighting range spans a whole host of products suitable for commercial and domestic applications. ElectricalDirect has added 500 new lines that includes LED bulkhead lights, adjustable downlights, battens and more, ensuring customers have a wide choice to meet a variety of specification needs.

Made in partnership with Knightsbridge, ElectricalDirect is excited to introduce a new selection of elegant knurled dimmer knobs that are an ideal solution for retrofit projects. Available in brushed chrome, antique brass and matt black finishes – these textured dimmer knobs can be easily ‘mixed and matched’ with Knightsbridge dimmers, making it an easy job to customise and complement any interior.

Sockets and Switches: Great Deals,

Got It!

Among the broad choice of decorative sockets and switches in stock is the popular screwless collection from Knightsbridge, offering an ultra slim profile design which is well suited for projects requiring a sleek,

“Since January we have introduced hundreds of new product lines from Knightsbridge for domestic, industrial and commercial use,” said Sophie Anthony, Category Manager at ElectricalDirect. “This includes a wide range of metal clad and decorative flat plate grids, as

well as a mix of lighting solutions. We have also extended our sockets, switches and dimmers offering, so installers have everything they need all under one roof. It is all part of our ‘Trusted to Deliver’ promise to provide the trade with quality products when they need them.”

With over 12,000 products in stock, professional electricians and contractors can choose from a range of flexible delivery options to meet the needs of their busy schedules, including same day delivery to postcodes in selected areas of London and the East of England, as well as click and collect from 6,500 pick up points across the UK.

Exclusive Knurled Dimmer Knobs

To browse the full Knightsbridge range at ElectricalDirect, please visit: www.electricaldirect.co.uk/brands/knightsbridge

W EXHIBITION MOVES TO MAY 2024

Organisers of W Exhibition, the UK’s flagship trade show for the furniture manufacturing and joinery industries, have announced that the event will return to the NEC from 19th-22nd May, 2024.

The announcement follows two key senior appointments to W Exhibition’s core event team within Montgomery Group. David Todd, formerly of Reed Exhibitions, joins as event director, alongside new commercial manager, Ranju Singh. The pair have a combined 25 years experience, delivering award-winning international trade shows across a range of industries.

Alongside the team restructure, organisers have undertaken an extensive consultation period with stakeholders, including the associations, trade bodies, industry media and its visiting audience to redefine the show’s proposition. The reimagined format for the show will include a full repositioning of the brand. With just over one year to go until the W Exhibition returns next May, event director David

Todd said: “We’re excited to announce the new dateline for W Exhibition, which will commence with a full relaunch campaign this May as we count down to our return to the NEC from 19th-22nd May 2024.

“Our new team structure, combined with the thorough research process we have conducted of both the show and the markets we serve, all make for a very exciting period ahead. We are on a very clear and defined path to ensure that W Exhibition makes a triumphant return next May.”

The W Exhibition brings together some of the world’s leading suppliers of woodworking machinery, materials, and tooling. The event, which has over 40 years of heritage, will return to the NEC in its new and reinvigorated format from May 19th-22nd, 2024.

www.wexhibition.co.uk

Commercial manager Ranju Singh and event director David Todd

LEFT: Moon Walk

No 1 by Lisa Ledson

BELOW: Space

Bound No3 by Lisa

BOTTOM: Waldo by Jill Sanders

ART ADDS PERSONALITY

Art in all its varied forms can add warmth, tone, colour and bring emotion to a space, be-it an entrance hall, dining area, bar, or boardroom.

Wilma is a new online art gallery providing unique originals and limited edition works by exciting and vibrant international photographers and artists. The gallery showcases the works of extremely talented and exceptionally creative people, who have created beautiful, stylish, and thought-provoking paintings and stunning and evocative photography.

These works of art, in their various forms add definition and feeling to a space, bringing warmth, joy, and light, with each piece having the ability to engage the emotions and lift the spirit. The team at Wilma Gallery work with interior designers and curators to ensure the most desirable works of

art and photographs are available for the correct settings in a variety of locations.

To demonstrate the wide and varied range available, we have selected two artists, painter Lisa Ledson, and photographer Jill Sanders. We have shown how the images, large or small, can enhance the ambience of a room.

Lisa Ledson – a self-taught abstract artist began her career in 2017 after a major shift in her personal life. Her energy-filled abstract paintings draw inspiration from creative forms of self-expression, her own emotional experiences, and exploration of the spiritual world. For Lisa, painting is a form of active meditation and has been a catalyst for her personal transformation.

Jill Sanders - based in Palos Verdes, California, Jill is a fine art landscape photographer, who studied in NYC in the 80’s and 90’s. After receiving a BFA in Photography, she travelled extensively to broaden her social perspective of the planet and document the infinite beauty it offers. Her images stir a sense of stillness and peace upon the viewer as she blends her painterly effects of light and shadow with long exposure techniques.

Find these artists and many others at www.wilmagallery.com

Stall, in Kirkstall, Leeds, is set on a brownfield site and is being funded by Close Brothers Property Finance, part of the FTSE 250 Close Brothers Group plc, who is a committed supporter of sustainable residential development.

The development has an expected 18-month build schedule, with the first homes available for occupation at the end2023. The modular closed timber frame panels are designed in-house and manufactured in the Citu factory, located just miles from the site. Operating a vertically integrated delivery model focuses on the reduction of embodied carbon and is designed to dramatically reduce operational carbon for incoming home owners.

CITU BEGINS WORK ON £16MILLION MMC

SUSTAINABLE SCHEME FUNDED BY CLOSE BROTHERS

Citu, a leading sustainable developer, has started construction on a 51 unit MMC scheme of low energy homes, designed using the Passive House Principles, with a Gross Development Value of £16million

The properties are designed to passive house standards using the passive house planning package (PHPP). The homes will heat the hot water using air source heat pumps and will use Mechanical Heat Recovery Ventilation (MHRV) units to regulate the internal air quality and temperature. The MHRV units, combined with the high levels of insulation, mean that energy required for heating is around five times lower than the average UK house. The use of 100% on and off site renewable electricity, as opposed to gas, significantly reduces the carbon footprint, whilst also equating to lower bills than the average home. The development will be set up as a Community Interest Company (CIC) and have a solar array, which will be co-owned by all of the residents and will provide a source of clean, renewable energy on-site.

Located on the banks of the Leeds-Liverpool canal, the homes at Stall will border a green corridor that passes Kirkstall Valley Nature Reserve and the famous Kirkstall Abbey, providing a convenient route for cyclists and pedestrians directly into central Leeds. There will also be a wealth of natural landscaping and the preservation of existing trees incorporated in the design of the scheme.

Jonathan Wilson, Managing Director at Citu, comments “Our partnership with Close Brothers has enabled our business, and the communities we are building, to grow. We are excited to collaborate on this latest venture in Kirkstall and deliver places and homes with purpose that give equal priority to people, nature and high-standards of living.”

Daniel Joyce, Director at Close Brothers Property Finance, comments: “Building sustainable housing has never been more important and we are committed to funding futureproofed homes, which are designed to reduce their carbon footprint as well as energy usage. We have a strong track record of supporting low carbon developments in the UK and working with the very best developers in the industry to move MMC and passive housing from being a one-off bespoke design model, to a reality for everyday homeowners. Developers such as Citu are leading this charge, we’re proud to be supporting them on their journey and look forward to continuing to work with them.”

For further information on Stall please visit: https://citu.co.uk/citu-live/citu-arrives-in-kirkstall

Architextural, part of William Smith Group 1832, are the leading stockists of architectural films in the UK. Architectural finishes are durable, self-adhesive vinyl’s that provide the new way to upcycle your existing spaces without the disruption or cost a traditional method of refurbishing would incur.

Architextural, part of William Smith Group 1832, are the leading stockists of architectural films in the UK. Architectural finishes are durable, self-adhesive vinyl’s that provide the new way to upcycle your existing spaces without the disruption or cost a traditional method of refurbishing would incur.

With hundred of patterns available from leading brands like 3M DI-NOC and Cover Styl’ to choose from, and a UK wide network of installers, we have a game-changing solution for your interior design renovation projects.

With hundred of patterns available from leading brands like 3M DI-NOC and Cover Styl’ to choose from, and a UK wide network of installers, we have a game-changing solution for your interior design renovation projects.

Finishes created to feed your creativity.

Finishes created to feed your creativity.

1000+ patterns available.

1000+ patterns available.