Refurb Renovation News - Issue 45 by Lapthorn Media

Issue 45 2020

XUL Architecture

reconfigured two adjacent duplex flats to create an enlarged apartment in Hampstead

SHACKERLEY

SURECLAD DELIVERS LONG-TERM GOOD LOOKS FOR MANCHESTER LIFE’S VESTA STREET SCHEME

EARTHBORN DOING THINGS DIFFERENTLY

Interview: CEO of Modus Workspace Toby Benzecry EXPERIENCE THE VICAIMA HEARTBEAT WITH NEW VIDEO FOR TOMORROW’S WORLD

THE FRATRY, CARLISLE CATHEDRAL - PROJECT

CONCRETE OIL Makes Concrete Stain Resistant 610 Satin Natural Ingredients Highly water repellent Protects against dirt & wear Enhances the natural surface

www.osmouk.com

THE SECRETS OF SHOWHOME STYLE WITH CALA HOMES

MODERN FLOORING: LESS CARPENTRY, MORE ENGINEERING

These NEW slim-fit stretch trousers deliver extreme working comfort all day, every day.

EXPERIENCE THE VICAIMA HEARTBEAT WITH NEW VIDEO FOR TOMORROW’S WORLD

Hi-tech fabrics and bodymapping designs in the NEW multi-purpose ALLROUNDWork 4-Way Stretch Trousers from Snickers Workwear ensure maximum working mobility wherever you are on site.

SNICKERS’ NEW 4-WAY STRETCH TROUSERS GIVE MAXIMUM MOBILITY

WOMEN IN BUSINESS INTERVIEW: UK PAINT BRAND SEES 500% SALES INCREASE

SEASONAL SWITCH UP: INTERIOR TRENDS TO UPDATE YOUR HOME THIS AUTUMN

XUL ARCHITECTURE RECONFIGURED TWO ADJACENT DUPLEX FLATS TO CREATE AN ENLARGED APARTMENT

The 4-way stretch fabrics integrated into these Work Trousers deliver maximum freedom of movement for all kinds of work all year round as well as improved ventilation and overall comfort. With great fit and superb value for money they have a slimmer tailored fit for better all-round looks and protection against snagging. Plus reinforced stretch Cordura in the certified KneeGuard System for greater flexibility, comfort and durability. They’re specially designed to take the new D30 ERGO Craftsman Kneepad. Check out all the Stretch Garments from Snickers Workwear – the optimal choice for craftsmen and women who need to get every job done comfortably and efficiently on site. Getting information on the Snickers’ new Stretch Trousers is easy. You can call the Snickers Helpline on 01484 854788, checkout the website and download a digital catalogue at www.snickersworkwear.co.uk or email sales@hultaforsgroup.co.uk

RRN920011 Snickers QP.indd 1

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EXCITEMENT BUILDS AS LANDMARK CONSTRUCTION WORKS ARE COMPLETED AT NOTTINGHAM CASTLE

PROJECT: THE FRATRY, CARLISLE CATHEDRAL

INTERVIEW: TOBY BENZECRY CEO OF MODUS WORKSPACE

FEATURE: AW20 INTERIORS TRENDS

TREAT YOURSELF TO A NEW FIRE OR STOVE THIS AUTUMN

LIGHTING PROJECT: PUTTING A SPOT LIGHT ON BRITISH LEGAL HERITAGE AT LINCOLN’S INN

Contents Lapthorn Media Ltd

Editor Maria Lapthorn editor@rrnews.co.uk

Designer Laura Whitehead laura@rrnews.co.uk

Editorial Assistant Francesca Amato editorial@rrnews.co.uk

Website Content Russel Goldsmith russel@lapthornmedia.co.uk

Editorial Assistant Georgina Baxter georgina@rrnews.co.uk

Circulation Manager Leo Phillips subs@rrnews.co.uk

Tel: 01843 808 102

Sales Manager David Valentine david@rrnews.co.uk

Accounts Richard Lapthorn accountsdept@rrnews.co.uk

www.rrnews.co.uk

Sales Assistant Jane Parker jane@rrnews.co.uk

Publishing Director Paul Attwood paul@rrnews.co.uk

5-7 Ozengell Place Eurokent Business Park Ramsgate CT12 6PB

Issue 45 - 2020

very effort is made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of material published in Refurb & Renovation News however, the publishers accept no responsibility for the claims or opinions made by advertisers, manufactures or contributors. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, mechanical, electronic (including photocopying) or stored in any information retrieval system without the prior consent of the publisher.

Company News SMART BALUSTRADES EXPANDS PRODUCT RANGE AS DEMAND FOR OUTSIDE SPACE SOARS FOLLOWING LOCKDOWN Sub Heading Due to an increased demand for outside space from home owners and house builders, handrail and balustrades specialist SMART Balustrades has expanded its services - adding the installation of platform balconies to its portfolio.

Steel frame platform balconies are subject to planning, but can easily be attached to the walls of properties and are a cost-effective way to add additional space and value to homes.

A recent report by YouGov found that 14% of home buyers now see a balcony as more important following the pandemic.

David Hough, managing director of SMART Balustrades, said: “With housebuilding in the UK at a 30-year high and the impact of Covid-19 on our lifestyle choices, there is now a significantly increased demand for home improvements including expanding or adding outside space.

ince the Covid-19 pandemic began, Staffordshire-based SMART Balustrades experienced an increase in enquiries for its bespoke installations, particularly from home owners and house builders looking to add outside space and new living areas to existing properties.

BLANCO CONTINUES SPONSORSHIP PROGRAMME FOR BUCKINGHAMSHIRE NEW UNIVERSITY KITCHEN DESIGN STUDENTS BLANCO’s commitment to innovation can be seen in every area of the company’s ethos and this includes education.

he premium kitchen sink and tap brand has been helping to foster a new generation of inspirational kitchen designers through sponsorship for the three-year FDA Kitchen Design course at Buckinghamshire New University. This is in partnership with TKET (The Kitchen Education Trust).

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Lucy Heaney is the third in a successful line of students to be supported by BLANCO in this way. The financial contribution from BLANCO is giving Lucy, whose family run Woodbridge Interiors, a kitchen retailer in Melton, Suffolk, the opportunity to start her exciting career via the foundation degree course.

Lucy commented, “I would like to thank BLANCO UK for this wonderful opportunity, offering me the part-sponsorship for the FDA Kitchen Design course. “I am very much looking forward to starting my course learning all about kitchen design. I will of course keep BLANCO updated throughout my time at Bucks New Uni and how I am progressing on with the course.” The scholarship, which starts on 21st September 2020, enables those, like Lucy, with pre-existing passion for design and an interest in the kitchen industry to obtain the skills and qualifications that will lead to success in the industry.

“As platform balconies are not part of the structure of a property, they do not eat into the internal space of the home, but rather create new living areas - ideal for outdoor living, entertaining and simply additional storage space. “I think following the year we have had we are all a little more appreciative of our environment and nature, and the need to access fresh air when we can. Because of this people are looking for ways to create their own outside space at home - or even if they have an existing garden – a space they can access directly from a lounge or bedroom. “These products are popular with both private home owners as well as developers of residential schemes; as they add coveted outside space but also increase sale value. Myself and the SMART Balustrades team are pleased to now offer platform balconies as part of our services and are already busy installing them on sites across the country.” SMART Balustrades provides a range of bespoke glass and stainless-steel balustrades, as well as glass Juliet balconies, which are manufactured at its Burntwood production facility. The firm is part of the Unitech Group and its portfolio includes luxury hotels, universities, retail and leisure facilities, housing developments and private dwellings.

Company News SPA SHOWS HEALTHY RESULTS FROM RECORD YEAR SCOTLAND’S leading procurement solution provider is supporting huge improvements to the country’s social housing and public buildings, after revealing a near 50% jump in the value of projects it delivered.

rojects undertaken through Scottish Procurement Alliance (SPA) - which partners with bodies such as Local Authorities, housing associations, universities and emergency services to fulfil construction, refurbishment and maintenance contracts – totaled £237.8million in 2019-20. The latest annual review by SPA for 2019-20 also reveals it worked with 74 partners to deliver 222 projects across Scotland – compared to the 2018-19 results of work with 43 partners, which delivered 220 projects worth £160m. SPA also achieved a milestone in the last year by signing up its 100th registered partner. SPA Director Clive Feeney said the results provide an overwhelming endorsement of its key role in helping public sector organisations work with Scotland’s supply chain to deliver projects better, faster and more cost-effectively. The £237m package of projects procured by SPA’s partners range from a roof replacement project for NHS Inverclyde to the construction of a new nursery in Dalmilling, South Ayrshire. SPA has a team of dedicated experts who are firmly focused on championing best practice and ensuring partners can benefit from access to specialist procurement solutions that deliver social value in their communities. Clive said that it was important to highlight the support and advice that it continued to give to suppliers and partners as part of the collective drive to navigate out of the Covid-19 crisis. SPA underlines its commitment to improving social value in Scotland’s communities through its Community Benefit Fund. SPA’s Founding Partners worked with the Lintel Trust to hand out grants totaling £120,000 in the last year, including Covid-19 response projects.

MANUFACTURER LAUNCHES ONLINE ‘GLASSOPEDIA’ TO ANSWER CUSTOMERS’ TOP QUERIES Pilkington United Kingdom Limited, part of the NSG Group, has launched Ask Pilkington, a searchable online encyclopaedia of all things glass to help customers get quick answers to technical queries.

osted on the Pilkington UK website, Ask Pilkington offers dedicated zones for trade, homeowners and architects and specifiers. Users can type in a question or keyword to quickly find what they’re looking for. The smart search function gathers relevant answers and related information out of hundreds of articles. While the portal will be constantly updated with the latest information, users can also submit new questions that they want answering. They can also see what the most popular questions are from their peers. The online knowledge centre bolsters Pilkington UK’s range of educational apps designed to provide specifiers and customers with technical information and inspiration, ensuring they have the right glass for the job. Ask Pilkington follows the launch of the Project References app last year, which offers a searchable database of Pilkington glass products that users can browse to find

solutions to their project requirements. It also sits alongside Spectrum and Spec-it!, one of the industry’s most popular glass specifying tools, allowing users to quickly specify glass for a variety of projects. Phil Brown, European regulatory marketing manager at Pilkington United Kingdom Limited, said: “Glass technology has made great strides in the 21st century, with an increasing number of products available for keeping buildings warm, cool, clean, compliant and safe. With so many solutions that play critical roles in buildings, it’s important that people have access to trusted information to help them pick the right glass. Ask Pilkington aims to have all this information in one convenient place for quick reference – something that’s important in meeting the needs of the next generation of digital native glass professionals, homeowners and architects, who are used to finding answers at a click of a button.” Ask Pilkington can be found here: www.pilkington.co.uk/askpilkington

SUSTAINABLE CONSUMPTION AT THE TOUCH OF A BUTTON: GROHE BLUE WATER SYSTEM NOMINATED FOR THE GERMAN SUSTAINABILITY AWARD DESIGN 2021 Having already been nominated for the 13th German Sustainability Award for companies in July, the global brand for complete bathroom solutions and kitchen fittings is now delighted to be nominated for the first German Sustainability Award Design 2021 for its GROHE Blue water system. A top-class jury of experts will decide on the finalists at the end of September. The winner will be announced at the German Sustainability Award ceremony on December 4th 2020 in Düsseldorf.

or the German Sustainability Award Foundation, design is a central factor for change as sustainable design makes an important contribution to the transformation towards a sustainable society. This new award honours these contributions and provides examples for consumers who are looking for sustainable alternatives. “I am proud that not only our commitment to sustainability, but also our resource-saving product portfolio is receiving so much recognition,” says Thomas Fuhr, COO Fittings LIXIL International and Co-CEO Grohe AG.

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“Our GROHE Blue water system makes a major contribution to greater sustainability along the entire value chain and helps consumers lead a more sustainable lifestyle by enabling them to avoid plastic bottles. Along with our Less Plastic Initiative and cooperation with Pacific Garbage Screening, GROHE Blue is thus an important element in our fight against the global plastic waste problem.”

Company News YORKSHIRE-MADE CURTAINS AND BLINDS COMPANY, COUTURE LIVING, LAUNCHES FLAGSHIP STORE Dewsbury based luxury curtains and blinds specialist, Couture Living, is set to move its expertise and service from the web to the highstreet, with the launch of its flagship store on 5th October 2020.

orn and bred in Yorkshire, Couture Living has made a name for its curated collection of the finest designer fabrics, sourced from creative studios and fashion houses the world over. Parent company, Robena, have been outfitting five star hotels and luxury apartments for 30 years, building an impressive network of suppliers now exclusively available to consumers via Couture Living. Brands on

offer include Clarke & Clarke, Designers Guild, Matthew Williamson GP & J Barker, and Prestigious Textiles. All Couture Living products are made-tomeasure, handmade at the company’s Yorkshire workshop - the business prides itself on traditional attention to detail, and skills of hand and eye. Customers can either take measurements themselves, or choose the Couture Full Fit service where the Couture

FLEX-R LAUNCHES NEW RIBA APPROVED ROOF REFURBISHMENT CPD Flex-R has launched a new RIBA Approved CPD Seminar entitled ‘Roof Refurbishment: A Guide to Best Practice’.

here are many different factors to consider when working on roof refurbishment projects. How the roof survey will influence the design? Do you understand the different roof types available? What is the condition of the roof deck and should you strip or overlay?

Danny Cole, National Sales Manager at Flex-R, explained why they had created this new CPD: “Flex-R are a leading supplier of professional cold applied flat roof systems in the UK. As a company we work with our clients throughout the entire process from design all the way through to the installation.

This seminar will guide you step by step through the refurbishment process covering the options available for upgrading the insulation, selecting the correct waterproofing system and what to expect from suppliers. Best practice examples will also be shown through Flex-R projects, demonstrating how the results of the survey and requirements of the client impacted decisions.

We have a lot of experience in roofing projects and realised that specifiers are increasingly looking for the latest information on refurbishment. We wanted to inform them on the correct steps needed to reach a successful outcome.”

RRNews - Issue 45

The CPD also addresses how to avoid common problems with detailing, compatibility and interfaces. There’s a checklist of what manufacturer support to expect, plus advice on compliance with British Standards and Codes of Practice.”

From 1st September Flex-R will be running this CPD through a continuous programme of free online seminars. Held every Tuesday starting at 1:30pm the CPD will run for an hour and include a Q&A session. The CPD qualifies for double points. For more information and how to book contact Fran Makinson on 01494 448792 or email webinars@flex-r.co.uk

Living team will handle the whole process. Visitors to the new store will be able to explore Couture Living’s full catalogue, seeing and feeling fabric samples up close and personal. Fitting specialists and style experts will be on hand to consult on projects of all sizes, allowing customers to make the most of the made- to-measure service, and ensure a perfect fit. As well as curtains, roman blinds and roller blinds, the store will also offer a range of tracks and poles, wallpapers, cushions and further accessories - a one stop shop for furnishings. Ahmed Akudi, Managing Director at Couture Living, commented: “The launch of Couture Living online has gone from strength to strength, and the new store is a fantastic way to help reach new people and spread the beautiful curtains and blinds our talented craftspeople produce. With everything handmade in Yorkshire, it was important to us to open our flagship store here at home. We can’t wait to welcome the public and hear all about their interiors projects!” Given the complications of Covid-19, the Couture Living team are taking every precaution to allow staff and customers to work and shop safely. The store will be outfitted with stickers to show social distancing parameters, with hand sanitiser available and temperature checks for customers on arrival. Numbers will be capped to ensure suitable space within the store, so customers are advised to book an appointment via [booking system / contact].

Coatings, Sealants & Paints EARTHBORN - DOING THINGS DIFFERENTLY Earthborn is delighted to introduce The Earth Collection, a palette of five harmonious new paint shades inspired by the natural world, themed around the earth, land, sand, sea and clouds. The Classic Earthborn colour card will remain unchanged for now; instead a simple bookmark is available displaying real painted swatches of the five new colours. All 5 new colours in the Earth Collection

The new colours, and the full range of 72 shades on the Classic shade card, are available to buy online now, or from Earthbornâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s network of stockists. Crocky Road Inspired by the earth, its faintest green undertone lends Crocky Road an easy, earthy quality. Up Up Away Inspired by the clouds, Up Up Away is a cool, calm and collected off-white shade. Grassy Inspired by the land, this elegant grey-green is reminiscent of misty, mountainous landscapes. Skipper Inspired by the sea, this warm denim shade has a casual charm. Sandy Castle Inspired by the sand, and the feeling of sunlight on sand dunes to create our own take on cream. With Earthborn you get no acrylics or oils, but you get high quality and high performance and a full list of ingredients to help you make a more informed choice. Website: www.earthbornpaints.co.uk

RRN920043 Earthborn HP.indd 1

Solvent-free and non-flammable, Seal It Liquid Membrane is designed for professional roofing applications as the ultimate alternative to bitumen based and GRP roofing membranes: ideal for all existing roof substrates. With outstanding water resistance and weather proofing it is self-levelling, gap-bridging, non-shrinking and non-cracking. You can even apply it when itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wet! Full available system comprises: Primer, Reinforcing Mat, Sealer and Accelerator. Available in either white or grey and in stock now.

08/10/2020 11:34:43

25 YEARS

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A R A N TE E D

RRNews - Issue 45

THE SECRETS OF SHOWHOME STYLE When you’re thinking of moving house, there’s nothing like a showhome viewing to give you plenty of interior design inspiration and maybe a touch of house envy! CALA Homes works with an expert team of interior designers across the UK to create aspirational showhomes with a real wow factor.

ow CALA has brought together a panel of its interior design experts to share some of their secrets to showhome style and help us all create that professional look in our own homes. CALA’s designer panel included:

•

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• • •

Eileen Kesson, Envision Showhomes Pat Nightgale, Blocc Ltd Jon Piling, Abode Felicity Stevens, Haus Interiors

Interior design is forever changing, with trends from the past often coming back with a twist. At Haus Interiors we are fluid with our inspiration, but we do have a few schemes coming up where we have found influence from both the ‘Japanordic’ and ‘colour block’ trends.

What are the hottest interior trends right now? Eileen: What we are seeing are two very different design directions coming through. The first is a soft organic theme of natural materials like grass, cloth type wall coverings, rattan detailing on furniture, pale blonde woods and chalky paints in the full spectrum of greens, all teamed with living planting adding ‘life’ and greenery. In stark contrast, there is also a much more luxe and opulent palette of rich emerald and deep blues, brass or gold detailing, warm walnut wood finishes and bold ‘statement’ panoramic feature walls with super-scale foliage or botanical motifs to add drama. Pat: A colour palette of cool neutrals with natural elements based on bringing nature into the home. Especially during lock-down, the trend has been designing for wellbeing and comfort, enjoying the home and the living space. Natural organic materials, lots of different textures on walls, floors and fabrics to make living spaces tactile and interesting. Furniture style is modern rustic, a blend of old and new, allowing you to up-cycle older pieces of furniture in your home and mix them with some new additions.

Jon: Interior trends are shifting, this is partly to do with the evolution of style, but also people working from home more and being more ‘home focused’. We are seeing all the big bold masculine upholstered walls with brass details and strong colours fading away. Instead, much calmer, peaceful interiors are coming through. We are designing lots of spaces that have ivory/linen tones, subtle accent colours in ochre, watery blues or sage greens, with furniture which is curvy, quirky and design-led. Felicity: Interior design is forever changing, with trends from the past often coming back with a twist. At Haus Interiors we are fluid with our inspiration, but we do have a few schemes coming up where we have found influence from both the ‘Japanordic’ and ‘colour block’ trends. Japanordic sees inspiration from both Japanese and Nordic interior design; think east meets west. Clean lines combined with Scandinavian textures, muted colours with warm hues and lots of natural light. Colour Block is a colourful twist on contemporary interior design. This trend sees the elimination of smaller patterns, instead working with geometric shapes on a larger scale.

such as Pinterest and an infinite amount of interior inspo on Instagram. Find out what you like and hone in on that. Secondly, buy an A2 sheet of white board for each room you want to design. On this, print off any ideas you have found online, any fabrics, furniture or finishes you want to use and then stand back and see if it all works together. This is exactly what we do in the studio to ensure the scheme works. Felicity: First and foremost, plan your space. Think carefully about how you are going to live in that beautiful new home of yours, and do this room by room. It can be overwhelming to say the least, so being methodical at this stage is important. Once you have nailed down the space planning, get creative. Create mood boards, and be fluid. Go as wild as you want at this stage, to really engage your creative juices. Now you have your space planned and your style mapped out, work your furniture and accessories around them. Remember, things take time and your home is not a showhome; it should be comfortable, personal and unique. Where do you get your ideas and inspiration from? Eileen: Interiors are fashion followers too and launch their own ‘catwalk’ shows or exhibitions twice a year which is a great opportunity to catch up on what’s new and covers the whole spectrum from furniture and fabrics to styling ideas. Leading interior design magazines also have their own online platforms which you can access for inspiration and a fresh look at what’s going on. With interior design being such a visual job you are always taking in what you see, and subconsciously filing away bits and pieces that appeal or you feel would work well. Pat: We go to major interior trade shows all over the world a couple of times a year and also in the UK to ensure our ideas are always fresh and exciting. We have to be at least two seasons ahead of what you see on the high street! Of course, fashion is a great source of inspiration, continually watching and sourcing new ideas for style and colours. Jon: Our inspiration comes from all over, but rarely from seeing other people’s interiors. Looking back at work from the past 12 months, we have a scheme that came from a wallpaper sample. It’s a stunning wallpaper from Moooi and Arte that is very impactful and allowed us to pick tones out of the wallpaper to use throughout the house. It also inspired the accessories and artwork too. This is quite often the way that schemes come together, we will find a really key fabric and a furniture style that sets the direction for the entire project. Felicity: Other than the obvious routes for inspiration, such as design shows, editorials and digital platforms, we take inspiration from new suppliers, everyday life and, most importantly, each other. New suppliers are a great way to Eileen Kesson

Pat Nightgale

discover new trends, and working with fantastic trade suppliers from all over Europe, we are able to see first-hand, what is coming through before it hits the retailer’s shelves. Inspiration can come at any time, sometimes when you least expect it, but keeping our eyes and ears peeled at all times means we never miss an opportunity for something new. What design advice would you give to someone working with the blank canvas of a new home? Eileen: A blank canvas soon becomes less daunting when you start to focus on your ‘core choices’. The flooring and your kitchen choices are the two springboard areas that we usually start with in showhome design. From there, you can continue to layer in your other important ‘fixed’ features such as tiling and wardrobe finishes. Take photos as you go; these are great to refer to and allow you to stand back and really consider what might or might not work in a more objective way. Pat: Before you move in, make a plan, measure the rooms then scale in your furniture, that way you know what you have to work with. Don’t be afraid of colour. Have a family conference on everyone’s favourite colours and then decide what you’re going to have. Light neutrals are good on the main walls and bring in a stronger colour on one feature wall in a room or hallway, then echo this in touches throughout the home, in artwork, cushions or bedlinen, so that there is a feeling of coordination. Let the kids choose their own wall colours, this really starts to bond them with their new environment. Have lots of family photos in galleries, in the hallway or on the stair wall. Choosing the right lighting is important, and also add floor lamps in corners and lots of plants, to soften corners and bring in greenery and colour. Jon: Firstly, I would research ideas; there are so many interior design websites and social platforms Jon Piling

Let us in on one design secret or top tip that you use to create wow showhomes! Eileen: Focus on colour coordination, balance and a smooth harmonious flow from room to room. Although each space should always have its own ‘wow’ such as an amazing light or a favourite print, try to keep a ‘thread’ of connection between all the spaces. Personally I am a huge wallpaper fan - a fabulous on-trend wallpaper can add instant pizazz and lift a room in an afternoon! Pat: Create a focal point in each room. Something that draws the eye. It could be a piece of artwork, a mirror, cushions or a light fitting. Something unexpected, and sensational! A brightly coloured rug in a neutral room, or wallpaper the ceiling! Something that introduces character and real style. Jon: For us, the big trick that everyone misses are curtains, they can make or break an interior scheme. Typically we would always try and go for wall to wall, floor to ceiling wave headed curtains to make the room look wider and taller – after all, who wouldn’t want that in their home?! Felicity: Creating a memorable experience is imperative, and impact does not always have to be obvious. We always consider the basic senses of sight, scent and touch.

• • •

Sight - a well-balanced interior that is pleasing on the eye Scent - selecting a scent that creates a memorable experience Touch - using layers of texture so that the interior is interesting to touch

For further information on CALA Homes and to view a professionally designed showhome near you, visit www.cala.co.uk. Felicity Stevens

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250 YEAR OLD HINDMARSH HALL – BRINGING A RURAL COMMUNITY TOGETHER Hindmarsh Hall, Grade II Listed, was originally one of three granaries, later used as a corn exchange at the south-end of the village of Alnmouth, Northumberland.

ying in the realm of one of the top aristocratic landowners; the IVth Duke of Northumberland had the building converted into an Anglican Chapel in 1859 by distinguished architect Anthony Salvin. Over the ensuing years it changed hands and function. During 2003 – 4, the Trustees completed a programme of restoration and updating of the building, making it more inclusive. However, 14 years later, following a comprehensive condition survey, a phased programme of works has started to address some highlighted issues. Giles Arthur Architects were employed to conceptualise the trustee’s vision. It included space planning, as well as addressing the structural issues and insulation improvements, to help the building become more energy efficient and reduce ongoing running costs.

The original leaded lancet windows on the front of the Hall were included in phase one, with the specification of Selectaglaze 4-12-4mm, low-E, sealed unit secondary glazing. This provides enhanced thermal performance achieving U-values of around 1.67.

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The main objective for the secondary glazing was to provide enhanced thermal insulation whilst still allowing full access to the primary glazing. The original leaded lancet windows on the front of the Hall were included in phase one, with the specification of Selectaglaze 4-12-4mm, low-E, sealed unit secondary glazing. This provides enhanced thermal performance achieving U-values of around 1.67.

Fenestral, partner of Selectaglaze for over 20 years, managed the surveying and installation of the project, but had to address some technical hurdles with the architects first. The tall lancet windows posed a challenge due to their height; 3350mm so each of these openings were built up with a Series 41 side hung casement set between two Series 40 fixed light units.

The trustees are extremely happy with the secondary glazing as a noticeable difference in heat can be felt in areas it has been installed and areas without. As an added benefit, the Hall is nice and quiet with the acoustic insulating properties from the new glazing. Hindmarsh Hall is one of the largest, most distinctive and well-used village halls in rural Northumberland. With the refurbishments being made, it will continue to serve the community for years to come and be a more welcoming and warm space for those using it. With fifty years’ experience, and Royal Warrant holders since 2004, Selectaglaze has vast experience of working with the intricacies of Listed buildings.

Contact Selectaglaze on 01727 837271, email: enquiries@selectaglaze.co.uk or visit: www.selectaglaze.co.uk

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MODERN FLOORING: LESS CARPENTRY, MORE ENGINEERING David Connacher, Marketing Manager, Norbord Europe Despite the continual development of new building materials and designs, the construction of suspended floors in the housing sector is still dominated by one material: wood. Admittedly, modern timber suspended floors are a far cry from the traditional combination of sawn joists and nailed planks, but natural timber’s inherent strength and lightness continues to make this the material of choice for most builders. Solid timber components long ago ceased to be the norm. Solid joists and planks must be sawn from large and expensive timbers; today’s engineered wood products are manufactured by jointing and bonding smaller cuts. Modern manufacturing not only makes better use of a raw material that was previously unsuitable for structural purposes; it can also result in a high quality and more reliable product. Instead of the traditional 9” sawn softwood joists from the local timber merchants, builders can now choose from a variety of composite structural beams that employ the same web-and-flange configuration as a hot-rolled steel beam.

When it comes to floor decking, natural wood is generally only employed now for its aesthetic value. Structural integrity is invariably provided by particleboard panels, tongue-and-grooved to provide a solid, continuous floor surface. RRN920053 Norbord HP.indd 1

Time is money in the building industry and housebuilders cannot afford to lose time even when the weather is against them. The suspended first floor of a new house is therefore pressed into service as soon as it is installed, initially as the working platform for following trades, before the roof is installed. Floors are therefore often exposed to the elements for days – or even weeks – while workers complete the brick-and block-work, fit windows and erect interior partitioning. In wet weather, the floor can be drenched with rain; and, in winter, that rain can turn to sleet or snow. Many modern flooring panels are therefore designed to withstand harsh conditions for extended periods without any deterioration. Norbord’s CaberDek, for example, is guaranteed to withstand full exposure to the weather for up to 42 days, when laid in accordance with fitting instructions, and fixed with CaberFix Pro. This is achieved by selecting moisture resistant, load-bearing (P5) particleboard and sealing the surface with a tough waterproof protective film which is peeled away after completion, revealing a pristine surface. In the case of Norbord’s toughest flooring product, CaberShieldPlus, the protective surface is bonded permanently to the board on both sides. CaberShieldPlus is designed for the unpredictable British weather. It is BBA approved for 60 days exposure to the weather when used with CaberFix D4.

Engineered timber flooring products represent a massive improvement over the solid timber floors of a generation ago. They offer a consistent result in terms of performance and quality, plus much quicker and easier installation to closer tolerances. They also have another increasingly important advantage over traditional solid timber, and that is their environmental sustainability. Solid timbers are sawn from large-diameter logs – the trunks of mature softwood trees which could be up to 80 years old. Particleboard, however, is made from millions of softwood particles, resin-bonded under heat and pressure. And typically 75% of the wood fibre that goes into particleboard is recycled. Norbord’s CaberFloor range is made in a factory where the heat used to press the boards is generated from an on-site biomass boiler, fuelled with the lowgrade process residues that are unsuitable for turning into board. Hence, waste is massively reduced and carbon emissions are minimised. The panels used to build suspended floors in today’s houses will represent a minute proportion of the total cost of the building. When you consider that most of them will continue to give good service for decades to come, your floor could prove to be the best investment you never knew you had made. For further information on Norbord, please call 01786 812 921 or visit www.norbord.co.uk. 09/10/2020 13:21:58

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With flanges of softwood and webs of either orientedstrand board (such as Norbord’s SterlingOSB Zero) or a pressed steel lattice, these beams are as light – or even lighter – than a solid timber beam, and just as strong. Crucially, these engineered products are free of the defects, such as knots, splits and cracks, that occur naturally in solid sawn timbers. And being engineered, as opposed to simply sawn to size, their strength and other physical properties can be accurately ascertained.

Products such as Norbord’s market-leading CaberFloor range of flooring systems now dominate the sector, and for good reason. Particleboard products combine structural strength, stability and reliability with low cost and ease of installation. Unlike traditional floorboards, every sheet of CaberFloor flooring is the same as the next because the particleboard from which it is made is, like the modern joist, an engineered product meaning postinstallation defects are less likely in a modern floor.

NEW SMART TECH ROOF WINDOW UPGRADE FROM VELUX® IS DESIGNED TO HELP INSTALLERS REAP THE BENEFITS

Leading roof window manufacturer VELUX® has introduced a new promotion which is set to make it easier for installers to promote the benefits of VELUX INTEGRA® to their customers.

tarting in August and running until the end of the year, homeowners purchasing VELUX INTEGRA® electric and solar powered roof windows* can receive a free VELUX ACTIVE with NETATMO kit worth £220. This complimentary upgrade will make it easier for installers to showcase the impact INTEGRA windows will have on their clients’ projects. VELUX INTEGRA® is an innovative system of roof windows, blinds and shutters that can be controlled with one touch of a pre-paired wall switch, with rain sensors automatically closing roof windows at the first sign of a downpour. VELUX ACTIVE with NETATMO takes the INTEGRA® range to the next level,

“As homeowners everywhere adjust to their new normal, improving our indoor spaces has never been more important, especially in busy areas of the home such as the kitchen or dining room which are ideal places for a VELUX INTEGRA® and ACTIVE combination.”

offering total indoor climate control. Smart sensors continuously monitor temperature, humidity and CO2 levels in customers’ homes and adjust their roof windows to create a healthier indoor climate. Windows can even be controlled when customers are on the go, thanks to the VELUX ACTIVE app, which is compatible with voice-controlled virtual assistants such as Apple’s Siri and Google Assistant. The ACTIVE kit can be delivered to the property where the windows were installed and comes ready to fit and with full instructions included. This means that once it arrives, home owners can install the kit themselves, saving installers time ahead of their next client project. Grant Sneddon, Product Manager at VELUX, said: “As homeowners everywhere adjust to their new normal, improving our indoor spaces has never been more important, especially in busy

areas of the home such as the kitchen or dining room which are ideal places for a VELUX INTEGRA® and ACTIVE combination. “We hope that this offer will give installers a chance to upsell some of our products and drive revenue for themselves in the process.” Installers can help customers take advantage of this offer until the end of December 2020, simply by creating a VELUX Rewards account and uploading their invoice. Approved purchases of VELUX INTEGRA® roof windows will automatically generate an email with instructions to claim a free ACTIVE kit.

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Up to £30 in VELUX Rewards per roof window will also be available, which can be spent with top-brand partners including M&S, Argos, TK Maxx, H&M and many more.

For more information, visit velux.co.uk/activeupgrade *- One free VELUX ACTIVE kit will be offered per invoice where a purchase of VELUX INTEGRA® electric and solar roof windows has been made. Terms and conditions apply, see velux.co.uk/activeupgrade for more details.

Experience the Vicaima heartbeat with new video for tomorrow’s world If music be the food of love, then this new video demonstrates just how deep the love for doors exists and how it plays in perfect harmony with nature. Crafted with sophisticated design and accompanied with a melody that strikes a chord for the future.

s one of the largest European players in the design and production of quality interior timber door solutions, technical doorsets, wardrobes, panels and even furniture; this communication reinforces the Vicaima brand values. With its recognizable signature “Unexpected Harmony”, the video embodies aesthetics and emotional inspiration.

With its recognizable signature “Unexpected Harmony”, the video embodies aesthetics and emotional inspiration.

“It is a great pride to present a work with this visual quality and an author’s music that definitely shows the rhythm and beat of what Vicaima is, a company with a futuristic and avant-garde vision, whose creation of trends is in its genesis. This moment seemed ideal for the launch of this video, which is

inspired by such important themes and which register our reality, such as sustainability and concern for wellbeing and safety anywhere. Our motto “Unexpected Harmony” is also the basis of this creation, because harmony, combined with the surprise element, are the fundamentals that have projected and elevated us over more than 60 years of evolution ”, says Antonio Moutinho, Director at Vicaima Group. Staying true to its role of inspiring customers and partners around the world, Vicaima once again highlights its leading position in the field of innovation and creating trends.

This modern video reiterates the fundamental pillars of the Vicaima brand, taking the audience through varying scenarios and unusual situations, with beauty, safety, comfort and an unpredictable and bold design, capable of projecting with a universal language. A video with music and imagery that reveals the constant heartbeat of Vicaima. This audio visual content has enormous significance for Vicaima, as it represents a path, where the future approaches the present and is seen in infinite possibilities, representing continuity and hope, the latter symbolized by childhood, nature and sustainability.

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Visit the Vicaima website www.vicaima.com.

TOUCH IRONMONGERY LTD www.atouchofbrass.co.uk

210 Fulham Road, Chelsea London SW10 9PJ

THE PERFECT TOUCH Touch Ironmongery is one of London’s leading Architectural Ironmongers

stablished in October 1982

Originally called “A Touch of Brass”, the firm changed their name in 2003 in reaction to slowly advancing market changes in architectural ironmongery which is no longer supplied solely in brass, and to also reflect the broader range of product and finishes that they sell.

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In fact today, Touch can supply a wide range of finishes including Brass, Satin Brass, Polished Chrome, Polished Nickel, Satin Nickel, Copper, Bronze – solid and plated, BMA, Antique Brass, Black, Pewter, Ceramic, Leather, Stainless Steel, Satin Stainless Steel, Gun Metal, and the list keeps growing. Whatever finish you require, Touch can help you get the right look.

Touch occupy their recently refurbished showroom at 210 Fulham Road, Chelsea, where they display a vast range of their 5,000 products. With a customer base including Interior Designers, Builders and Individuals who are interested in the quality end of the Ironmongery market, Touch mainly supply to residential premises but

hotel and office properties also contribute to their vast clientele. The company also have a healthy export market to all corners of the world, namely the Middle East, Europe and the Americas. Touch’s owner and founder, Bill Benham, has 38 years’ experience in the ironmongery trade, as do his colleagues Jim Haselup and Alan Blanchard. Saleem Qureshi is the newest member of our team and has 10 years’ experience, meaning their knowledge is unrivalled in this industry. The range of products supplied by Touch date from circa 1640 French (Louise XIV) and cover all subsequent periods (Georgian, Edwardian & Victorian), art deco and contemporary pieces also make up the product ranges. In addition, Touch showcases the very best of British manufacturing; the best ranges are still produced in the Midlands by craftsmen in factories dating back 200 years or more. Touch Ironmongery have recently become suppliers for Designer Doorware (Australia) who have beautiful products with a cutting edge design Metal, Wood and concrete. We also have the exclusive rights to sell the Olaria (Barcelona)

range in the UK. Olaria make all our bespoke products, they have incredible levels of workmanship. Touch also sell European manufactured goods which is considered to be of a very good quality and in recent years they have introduced some of the far eastern made products, albeit in a limited range but cost effective. With trends continuously evolving new innovative products are constantly under development. Touch understand that keeping up with the fashion-shifts is imperative in order to provide every customer with the best solution for their requirements. Ironmongery can be a difficult and complicated aspect of a building project, as a result Touch aim to take this awkward aspect and make it user friendly and clear to understand by offering an on-site service where they carry out a detailed door by door, window by window, room by room Ironmongery schedule, highlighting all requirements and identifying any items that can be refurbished. Refurbishment is a large part of the business; Touch will undertake complete ironmongery refurbishment projects, and can restore old paint covered door furniture to their former glory, looking as new, at a fraction of the cost to replace.

For more information about Touch Ironmongery or to arrange a showroom visit please call 0207 351 2255 or alternatively visit www.atouchofbrass.co.uk

BRITISH & EUROPEAN MANUFACTURERS SUPPLYING THE FINEST QUALITY IRONMONGERY Touch combine traditional skills with modern manufacturing techniques to produce the most beautiful, quality fittings, built to stand the test of time. As well as specialist bespoke items, Touch supply over 1000 products, available in 23 different finishes to furnish high end residential and commercial properties, royal palaces, government houses, historic castles and stately homes. Olaria, available from Touch Ironmongery www.atouchofbrass.co.uk & www.olariabarcelona.com

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UK PAINT BRAND SEES 500% SALES INCREASE

Refurb Renovation News speaks with Pamela Gruhn, founder of Frenchic – the UK’s fastest growing chalk paint brand, about the brand and how the recent Covid-19 pandemic has impacted the business.

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We have five ranges – the Original Artisan, Lazy, Al Fresco, Chalk Wall Paint and Trim Paint. The Al Fresco Inside/Outside range is hugely popular and sales have gone through the roof during lockdown with people transforming their homes and gardens. It’s durable, weatherproof, UV resistant, self-priming, self-sealing and works on pretty much any material you can imagine.

ow has lockdown and Covid 19 impacted your business? / As a business did you have to adapt in any way? We are very fortunate to be part of an industry that has thrived during this time. We saw a 500% increase in sales, took delivery of 115,000 tins of paint over a six week period and continue to ship tonnes of paint per day. Most importantly though – we were determined to help our network of independent UK retailers survive in lockdown, some of whom didn’t qualify for Government grants. We were working around the clock, seven days a week because many of our stockists offer a contactless delivery service or collection. I was personally out there hand-delivering supplies so that they could still operate. They have now been able to re-open their shops to booming business, and this experience has grown a new and loyal customer base for them. At the start of lockdown, I made a

promise to my stockists that I would get them through by continuing to supply – the success of which I am incredibly proud of. During this time home renovation was highly popular, how did you stay on top of the demand? I think this is mostly covered in the above, but on the rise in popularity of DIY – people are obviously spending more time at home with the capacity for DIY projects and to improve their living space, but upcycling also brings with it a real sense of achievement and satisfaction – especially when it can be done easily and in a cost effective way. There honestly isn’t anything you can’t paint, and it’s been heart-warming to see everyone enjoying the products so much. Our online community has been so important during such a tough period, everyone has been able to share their stories and creations so it’s been a really positive space for them, and for us!

Pam has always had a passion for giving old furniture a new lease of life rather than seeing it relegated to landfill. In 2014, there was an upcycling revolution happening in the UK. A DIY trend was soaring and there was a lot of consumer interest and moral obligation to live more sustainably. Pam recognised a gap in the market and wanted to create a paint that was not only eco-friendly, but easy to use for beginners, as well as being the choice of professionals. A successful product has to have authenticity and be born of a personal passion, and that is how Frenchic was born.

Tell us more about your products? We have five ranges – the Original Artisan, Lazy, Al Fresco, Chalk Wall Paint and Trim Paint. The Al Fresco Inside/Outside range is hugely popular and sales have gone through the roof during lockdown with people transforming their homes and gardens. It’s durable, weatherproof, UV resistant, self-priming, self-sealing and works on pretty much any material you can imagine. Our classic chalk wall paint range is perfect for the home – it’s washable, ultra-matte and has very little odour. It’s also EN 71:3 certified, meaning it’s safe for painting children’s bedrooms. We also have a wide range of accessories including brushes, stencils, wax, sugar soap and more. What was the inspiration behind creating the brand? I’ve always had a passion for bringing old furniture back to life rather than see it go to landfill, and back in 2014 there was somewhat of an upcycling revolution happening in the UK.

A DIY trend was booming and there was a surge of consumer interest and moral obligation to use more sustainable products. I wanted to create a paint that ticked all the boxes - not only eco-friendly, but also easy for beginners and the choice of professionals. A successful product has to have authenticity and be born of a personal passion - Frenchic has both! What are the plans for the future? Will there be new product launches? Our main focus will to continue helping our network of over 500 UK retailers survive - we will always support independent retailers who are at constant threat. We’re always ready to take on more stockists, it’s the heart of this country, and I’ll always support them. Looking to the future, we have more ranges, more colours, more limited editions. I love to keep things different and exciting for my customers, whether it’s releasing new colours and products or giving my colours quirky names – watch this space!

I’ve always had a passion for bringing old furniture back to life rather than see it go to landfill, and back in 2014 there was somewhat of an upcycling revolution happening in the UK. A DIY trend was booming and there was a surge of consumer interest and moral obligation to use more sustainable products. I wanted to create a paint that ticked all the boxes - not only eco-friendly, but also easy for beginners and the choice of professionals.

Using £15,000 from a pension nestegg, Pam decided to wager it all on the business. She found a factory that could accommodate what was needed to get started, and working from her dining table, she launched a few colours with Frenchic’s first Original range – the brand was then built organically from there. She created a Facebook community early on, which encouraged more stockists and allowed Frenchic to broaden their ranges, accessories and reach. Their online community now boasts over 1 million followers, and is a global haven for people to share their creativity and take inspiration from others. Since 2014, the brand has grown year on year and currently supplies over 600 stockists across four continents with a business model built around championing independent retailers – something Pam has personally strived to maintain throughout the pandemic, helping keep local businesses alive and serving their communities in the toughest of times. In April of this year, Frenchic received the Queens Award for Enterprise in the innovation category for their Lazy Range. This was huge honour not just for Pam, but for the entire Frenchic community, who all share in the achievement. Building the Frenchic brand has been a true labour of love – a start-up with humble beginnings and no exterior funding – just a passion for paint.

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with #multipurposefurniture amounting to 2,905 posts on Instagram and experiencing a search increase of 39% since 2019.

SEASONAL SWITCH UP: INTERIOR TRENDS TO UPDATE YOUR HOME THIS AUTUMN AW20 Interior Design Trends - Heal’s Style Report

hilst the global pandemic may have stopped this year in its tracks, some AW2020 interior design trends have still emerged out of lockdown. As the autumn and winter months approach us, we’ve seen styles evolving and being finessed to suit our homes even more. Countless hours have been spent crafting the perfect collections that align with upcoming autumn and winter styles. The key trends that the experts at Heal’s envisage seeing this season include timeless long-lasting furniture, sustainable fabrics and earthy tones. People are turning away from fast furniture and opting for more reliable and sustainable furniture that is more unique and durable.

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Read on to find out the AW20 interior design styles that will flood our Instagram feeds and homes soon enough. Plus, discover expert advice from accessories buyer Emily Dunstan on how to incorporate each style into your home.

Colour has always been a good way of brightening your home and just a few accents means you can get on board with a trend - whether that’s painting the walls or adding a few key accessories to a space. Everyone has different tastes but there appear to be two contrasting palettes, one bold and bright and the other incorporates muted and neutral tones.

Living Lighter This season will be captivated by the idea of living lighter. Conscious consumerism is driving people to buy less and buy better. Gone are the days of buying cheap flimsy furniture that will be thrown away when a new trend arrives. These key pieces will incorporate a perfect balance of solid wood, thick fabrics and muted colours. Emily’s Top Tip: As well as being an interior design trend, living lighter can actually be a way of life, but it doesn’t mean that you have to throw all your belongings away. The key is for the space to feel clean and uncluttered without too many furnishings and accessories and investing in key pieces you won’t throw away. Touches of colour add texture and warmth whilst still feeling sophisticated and harmonious. On Instagram #qualityfurniture contains 67,245 posts, each one includes a lot of solid wood, durable upholstery and quality lifetime pieces. The popularity of the living lighter trend does not appear to be slowing down anytime soon, with a search increase of 41% since 2019. Multipurpose Homes During the past few months our homes have been transformed into personal gyms, office spaces and classrooms. That’s why the experts at Heal’s predict that one of the AW20 design trends will be multipurpose furniture. Whether it is the unique and quirky craftsmanship of a shelf that transforms into a table or the simple but equally exciting universal chair, multipurpose furniture is helping transform homes into a minimalistic haven for living, working and relaxing. Emily’s Top Tip: Small spaces need smart solutions and multifunctional furniture does all that and more. Keep your eye out for sofa beds and coffee tables with hidden drawers and lift-up storage. You won’t know that they are there, but they will keep your clutter out of sight. Multipurpose furniture is up and coming,

AW20 Colour Schemes Colour has always been a good way of brightening your home and just a few accents means you can get on board with a trend - whether that’s painting the walls or adding a few key accessories to a space. Everyone has different tastes but there appear to be two contrasting palettes, one bold and bright and the other incorporates muted and neutral tones. Rich Earth Tones Colours bursting with depth alongside light and airy materials are due to fill homes very soon. From terracotta to deep greens, your home will emulate nature. This style is timeless and loved across the world so you can count on it being relevant for years to come. On Instagram 36,614 posts were accompanied with #neutralinteriors and 831,361 posts included #terracotta. Neutral interiors has seen a 4% increase in searches whereas terracotta has had an increase of 2%. Emily’s Top Tip: Earth tones work for every season and can be incorporated into many different styles, from modern to rustic. Colourful Accents Vibrancy has been painted across our clothes and walls for some time now, often going through phases of popularity. The key to incorporating these bold and daring colours into your home is by accessorising, from cushions to ornaments, this low-effort, highreward trend is very attainable. The #colourfulinteriors has been used 48,953 times on Instagram and the trend has seen an increase of 44% in Google searches. Emily’s Top Tip: Colourful accents can be anything, even coffee table books. If you want a low commitment option try vases, fruit or flowers. With colourful accents, nothing is off-limits. Feel free to mix colours or clash them for the ultimate maximalism fix. Bright & Beautiful Standout colours such as yellow, orange and hot pink are all the craze at the moment and are expected to continue into the coming year. Bold colours are a great way to brighten up your life and your living room.

Colours perfect for Instagram have been used with #brightinteriors 14,164 times and have also seen a popularity increase of 25% via Google searches. Emily’s Top Tip: Bright colours add a youthful look to a room, a dramatically bright sofa is the perfect addition to the living room. Don’t be afraid to cross the boundaries of masculine and feminine colours, they are just colours after all. AW20 Materials Materials are a great way to create an all sensory experience within the home. There are many materials to choose from, but sustainable materials are predicted to be one of the biggest hits. These types of materials are often thick and durable, designed to last a lifetime. Honest Materials The best type of furniture is not temporary, by buying durable materials you can save money and the environment. Sustainability is not a compromise, you can still achieve everything you need within the home but with a green thumb. Whether it is recycled or upcycled fabrics, vintage hardwood or undyed yarns, there are many options. #honestmaterials has been used 2,454 times on Instagram and it is filled with eco-friendly but beautiful designs. The popularity of honest materials has increased by 100% according to Google Trends data. Emily’s Top Tip: Unbleached fabric is much better for the skin, when you touch bleached fabric traces of chemicals come in contact with your skin, this can cause irritation especially for those with sensitive skin. Sustainability Sustainability is a very important movement that has become the newest lifestyle switch and is not going to go away anytime soon. The use of natural and organic materials has increased vastly in recent years and it makes incredible furniture. For lighting, the increased use of LEDs does not seem to be slowing down any time soon. This type of lighting not only revolutionizes your room but is also low-energy. Sustainable furniture is featured on Instagram 43,560 times with the hashtag #sustainablefurniture and has increased in search popularity by an astounding 70% since 2019.

Timeless Design Timeless furniture is as much about the design as it is the material, the piece must stay relevant and be durable enough to last for many years. Furniture heirlooms have come back into style as peoples tastes have changed throughout the years.

#timelessinterior has been used on Instagram 1,937 times and has seen an increase of 32% in google searches, this number is expected to skyrocket in the next year. Emily’s Top Tip: Good quality furniture can stand the test of time. Furniture made from solid wood and stone are pieces that will always be in style. Out-there metal colours such as rose gold are quicker to go out of style. Smart Homes & AI This year has been the year for staying home and making our home lives as easy and enjoyable as possible, this has thrust the smart home and AI industry into immense popularity. Smart technology covers everything from Amazon’s Alexa to washing machines that you control from an app. Being able to answer your door from the comfort of your sofa has given us back the control in our lives that we have very much needed throughout the last few months. #smarthomes has been used 111,515 times on Instagram and has experienced a 34% increase in Google searches since the end of 2019. This growth in smart homes is expected to grow even further in the coming years. Emily’s Top Tip: Some people may find it hard to incorporate smart devices into their home without it looking out of place. If you do want them out-of-sight they are easily stored in cupboards, drawers and behind doors. Cable management is also extremely important, not only for organisation purposes but visually, cables can be unsightly. Biophilia People are discovering the many benefits of being surrounded by plants, from mental health to air-quality, plants have lots to offer outside of aesthetics. Everyone has been loving the green additions to their life, there are plants for everyone, whether you need low-or high-maintenance greenery. The lockdown left many people confined to flats and away from green spaces resulting in our desire to incorporate the great outdoors

The best type of furniture is not temporary, by buying durable materials you can save money and the environment. Sustainability is not a compromise, you can still achieve everything you need within the home but with a green thumb. Whether it is recycled or upcycled fabrics, vintage hardwood or un-dyed yarns, there are many options.

into their interiors. As houseplants are a common feature in our homes, we are now turning to wallpaper, materials and colour to get our nature fix. This trend is by far the most popular, with 4,518,849 posts on #houseplants and a 6% increase in searches, plants are going to become even more popular in the coming year. Emily’s Top Tip: Try adding accent colours through plant pots as an easy way to style up a room. Dried plants and flowers are also a simple but classy way to add character to a room. Chubby Furniture Achieving both comfort and beautiful design, chubby chairs are the next big thing. This style is extremely modern and minimalistic, through the addition of this voluptuous furniture you can achieve interior bliss. #fatfurniture has been used for 307 posts on Instagram and has a 5% increase in searches, this style is an up and comer which has not achieved the recognition it deserves, but it will in 2021. Emily’s Top Tip: Chubby furniture gives an artistic feel to the room, an art exhibit you can sit on. This type of design also has the hidden benefit of being family friendly. Shop these AW20 interior design trends here.

All images: Heal’s www.heals.com

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Emily’s Top Tip: Just about any furniture item you find you can source a sustainable version of. Plus, there are so many beautifully sustainable items that are one of a kind.

The popularity of heritage pieces with stories to tell has risen quite dramatically and has given depth to our homes beyond the fastfurniture industry.

XUL Architecture reconfigured two adjacent duplex flats to create an enlarged apartment in Hampstead Situated on the third floor of a Victorian conversion, these two duplex apartments had one major issue to resolve: to improve the circulation throughout the property.

orth London based XUL Architecture considered many options for this property before considering moving the staircase to the centre of the building. There was one hurdle though, how to ensure the staircase could be positioned underneath the chimney stack with millimetres to spare.

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These two adjacent duplex flats were previously converted into one apartment, but the two staircases remained. With this renovation, XUL was keen to resolve this issue, creating greater floor space and greatly-improved movement through the property.

The homeowners were delighted with the project continuing the industrial interior with furniture and lighting to match the decor.

The key to unlocking the potential of this property was installing a staircase which worked with the building. The first section of the staircase rises to a lower landing, turning right underneath the chimney stack and left into a new staircase rising to the upper floor. This clever reduction in the landing height allowed for space to walk under the chimney and created a beautiful feature that is the talking point with all guests. The homeowners, living in Brussels and relocating to London, purchased the property and asked XUL to reconfigure the space to centralise the circulation and have only one staircase. The entire project was designed and managed with the clients living abroad, so good communication was key to its success, one of XUL Architectureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s key factors on all projects. The beautiful bespoke Crittall shower screen reinforced the industrial interior of this flat.

The homeowners were delighted with the project continuing the industrial interior with furniture and lighting to match the decor.

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Why is airtightness important? Airtightness is important for many reasons, including reducing heat loss, improving comfort and protecting the building fabric. Airtightness is achieved by sealing a building to reduce infiltration – which is sometimes called uncontrolled ventilation.

eaking buildings are the biggest single waste of energy for most UK buildings

The more we insulate our homes; the impact of infiltration in relation to reducing the performance of the building envelope is drastically increased. Infiltration or air leakage can account for up to 50% of heat losses in modern homes which in turn also leads to significant reductions in the durability & viability of the structure, not to mention the health & comfort of those who live in them. Reducing energy requirements, energy costs and CO2 It seems obvious that one should place emphasis on ensuring a properly installed, quality insulation is fitted in the external envelope of the building, and of course, that the building envelope is effectively draught proofed or in other words, Airtight. However, this is not the case in the majority of homes we build annually.

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Air ‘leakage’ is defined as the flow (or more aptly, escape) of air through the gaps and cracks in the building fabric: to the walls, floors and roof. When we meet Building Regulations standards (Part L1A) on airtightness, this leakage can be no more than 10m³/h/m²@50pa — or 10m3/hr. What this means is that no more than 10 cubic metres of air can escape per hour for every square metre of the envelope surface area, with an internal air pressure of 50 Pascals.

RIGHT

Figure 1 - Common air leakage paths all of which need to be addressed when building to higher airtight standards.

The most costeffective means of reducing our heating bills and increasing energy efficiency in our homes is to decrease the level of uncontrolled ventilation in the living space. BELOW

Figure 2 - Airtightness testing places the building under pressure, either negative or positive using a Blower Door a fan that is located in a door way in order to input or extract air from the building. Typically a pressure of 50 Pascal’s is used.

Priority in our building regulations has historically been placed on achieving lower, and lower U-values for each elemental area of the building fabric. This inevitably leads to lower levels of heat loss as a result of an increase of the insulation. However, the proportion of heat loss as a result of uncontrolled air leakage through the external envelope of the building has yet to be seriously addressed. Air leakage allows expensive heated air to escape from our homes and buildings. Therefore, the most cost-effective means of reducing our heating bills and increasing energy efficiency in our homes is to decrease the level of uncontrolled ventilation in the living space. The only way to ensure this is

to build a fully and properly airtight structure, even if it is an extension to an existing building. A lack of airtightness dramatically increases the risk of mould growth and structural degradation, particularly in lightweight construction, leading to costly structural repairs, necessitated by the development of mould, rot, damp and condensation. This is as a result of the warm moisture-laden heated air in the living space, penetrating and rapidly condensing within structural elements. Airtightness means designing and installing a continuous seal around the internal fabric of the external envelope to eliminate unwanted draughts. The airtightness won’t increase the U value of the insulation but it does ensure that the insulation functions to its optimum performance and more likely to achieve designed U Value, saving energy and drastically reducing carbon emissions for the lifetime of the building. The airtight layer also ensures that interstitial condensation risk is minimised, ensuring no structural damage from moisture, mould, rot and damp. What do the Building Regulations say about airtightness? The Building Regulations contain 14 individual sections that, in their own words, ‘contain the rules for building work in new and altered buildings to make them safe and accessible

and limit waste and environmental damage’ nothing there about quality or performance then. Within the Building regulations Part L is the section on ‘Conservation of Fuel and Power’ which relates to the thermal efficiency / performance of buildings. This is important because it covers the buildings potential (target) level of efficiency and therefore comfort, it also has implications for running costs and is linked to (largely erstwhile) carbon reduction targets. In particular section 43 of Part L deals specifically with a buildings air permeability, or airtightness, recognising this as a major factor in a buildings energy performance Interestingly the word “airtightness” wasn’t even a word used in connection with domestic buildings, until it was introduced and formalised (through building regulations in the early 2000’s) and has now become a key part of Part L, section 43 goes on to describe how this the means by which a buildings efficiency can be measured. Compliance with Part L is mandatory throughout the UK it applies to new buildings and certain types of work in existing buildings, and is there to enforce minimum standards of energy efficiency. Current Building Regulations require 10 m3/ (h.m2)@50Pa. This is a low standard by anyone’s reckoning, examples of just how bad this is in reality are easily found. A new build terraced house with a tested result of 9.1 m3/ (h.m2)@50Pa passes Building Regulations but the tester pointed out that with external wind at an average of 20mph it would take just 6 and a half minutes to exchange all the heated air from within the building resulting in an expected increase in annual heating bills of around 50%. Once the airtight building is complete it should be viewed in the same manner as one would view a gas pipe or water pipe, it shouldn’t leak on the first day it’s tested, it should maintain an airtight seal for the lifetime of the building and any leaks incurred in the building envelope should be resealed. Protecting the building fabric All buildings should be airtight. This is not the same as being moisture closed, non-breathable or vapour impermeable. Airtightness is important as it protects all building fabrics from the moisture in the air. Movement of moisture by bulk air movement can carry far more moisture than vapour diffusion and if this air enters the building fabric, then interstitial condensation may occur.

4. Communicate verbally, ensure all parties have understood the design, use site meetings, workshops and phone calls 5. Put sensible site management processes in place, employ an airtightness coordinator and educate subcontractors 6. Undertake leakage tests whilst the air barrier is still accessible Don’t forget that a new build that fails an airtightness test immediately becomes a refurb project and retrospectively correcting problems is more complicated and more expensive than getting it right the first time. The five main types of airtightness product are:

• • • • •

Proprietary airtight board Airtight membranes Airtight liquid applied membranes brush, roller or spray applied Airtightness tapes Airtight grommets and other specialist preformed pieces

Some materials used in construction can form part of the air barrier even though they are not marketed as such and these include: • Concrete cast in situ • Precast concrete – with care at edges and joints • Screed • Wet plaster > 5mm depth • Damp proof membranes (polythene sheets) – but likely to need protection from subsequent activities and require secure airtight connection to adjacent elements Products that are airtight and designed to be so include

•

• • •

Brush applied liquid membrane: Blowerproof 5kg tub and 300g cartridge super easy and perfect for pipes penetrations, connections and difficult to treat areas, does not need a primer Durelis Vapourblock airtight racking board, a modified and treated P5 chipboard with air permeability of < 0.001³/ m²/h/Pa at 50Pa also acts as a structural element and vapour control board, seal joints with Tescon Vana. Monolithic airtight vapour control membranes both internal such as Pro Clima Intello+ or Constivap. Typically used on timber construction or elements such as a roof, jointed using Tescon Vana General-purpose airtight sealing tape Tescon Vana 60mm, used for sealing boards, membranes and rigid insulation boards and the 150mm which is perfect for making preformed corners Plaster in airtight tape Contega Solido SL 80mm, around windows and doors, connections and joints wherever a plaster finish is used Window and door sealing tape Tescon Profil Adhesive - Orcon F, glues tapes, membranes and foils to each other and almost anything else, used to seal and stick it’s NOT a sealant.

• • •

•

Tescon Primer – seals porous surfaces before applying tape Pro Clima grommets for pipes and cables– especially for penetrations through membranes and boards Blowerproof non shrink gap filling mortar - this is NOT airtight but is used to close gaps before the application of Blowerproof Liquid Brush or a suitable tape or grommet - see above. Nontoxic, super secure and rapid setting this is infinitely superior to any mastic or foam solution. Lime plaster when applied at >10mm is generally considered airtight, seal joins and connections below with Contega Solido SL 80mm plaster in airtight tape.

Products that should never be used to try and fix leaks. Unless the proposed air barrier is on the list above, don’t assume it is airtight. Products that are commonly used but do not form robust and reliable air barriers, below is a list of Plywood - is NOT airtight (unless all edges and joints are sealed and taped) • OSB- is NOT airtight • Aluminium Foil Tape- is NOT airtight • Decorators Caulk- is NOT airtight • Dot & Dab Plasterboard- is NOT airtight • Skim Finish- is NOT airtight • Vinyl- is NOT airtight • Flooring And Masking Tape- is NOT airtight • Expanding PU Spray foam – unless is specifically designed as an airtight non-shrink foam, you’ll know if you have suitable foam because of the price!! Around 3 to 4 times standard foams and you will have to buy from a specialist supplier. • Silicone sealant – it shrinks, it’s NOT airtight • Decorators caulk and fillers – they are NOT airtight • Acrylic fillers are NOT airtight even if they are called non-shrink • Grab adhesives – they are NOT airtight • PU foam strip – is NOT airtight • General construction tapes – including Gaffer and Duct tapes they do not last and will fail due to the glue and fabric, they are not designed to be airtight. • Acrylic putty is NOT airtight • Multi-purpose fillers (premixed, cartridge or tub) - they are NOT airtight • Cement-based compounds are NOT airtight unless sealed over Until our building regulations seriously address this issue, a lack of airtightness will always be the primary leak in our heating budgets, causing unnecessary energy loss, the strain on our pockets, potential structural damage, and additional environmental damage in a time of precarious balance, not to mention the negative impact on our own health.

For more information on airtightness products visit www.ecomerchant.co.uk or call 01793 847 444

RRNews - Issue 45

Six key things to get right 1. Keep designs simple 2. Choose robust materials and don’t substitute onsite 3. Think about junctions in 3D, visualise how they will be built and produce clear drawings that illustrate this

BELOW Figure 3 - Air movement ‘strips out’ heat from a building protecting insulation from air movement allows the insulation to perform better and limits the transfer of water as a vapour so lowering condensation risk.

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Match your chosen machine with one of our heavy-duty vacuums, with selfcleaning filters and longopac options for 98% proven dust containment, simple innovations for safer and efficient working. Did you know that using the correct “dust extraction” not only improves performance of the diamond tooling but also extends diamond life. We carry large stocks of a huge range of diamond tooling and other surface preparation consumables, alongside spares and component parts for man makes of equipment, all available for next day delivery.

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Advanced is extending its range of emergency lighting solutions with the launch of EasySafe addressable, low-voltage emergency luminaires and exit signs. All EasySafe products are designed to work with LuxIntelligent, Advanced’s emergency light testing system. Powered directly from the LuxIntelligent panel, Advanced’s EasySafe devices require no local power supply and are compatible with any existing LuxIntelligent luminaires and exit signs, enabling the easy installation of devices onto existing wiring to form one intelligent emergency lighting system. The low-voltage lights offer quick and easy fitting and service, with a simple ‘twist and click’ installation onto a first-fix base. EasySafe has been designed to offer true scalability, with just one LuxIntelligent panel supporting up to 400 EasySafe devices alongside an additional 1,592 locally-powered devices. Matt Jones, Advanced’s Emergency Lighting Business Manager, said: “EasySafe is a valuable new addition to our range of emergency lighting solutions for our customers. Quick, simple installation, using the twist and click mechanism, and compatibility with almost any existing emergency lighting system mean less fitting time on site. And that of course brings significant time and resource savings.” Managing maintenance and compliance is easy. Test result data is available at the touch of a button via the cloud-connected LuxIntelligent control panel, PC or mobile app.

Matt added: “After significant product development involving input from installers, service and maintenance engineers, specifiers and facilities managers, we’re confident our customers will find tangible efficiency and compliance benefits from using EasySafe. In essence, EasySafe is an innovative solution delivering the performance, quality and ease of use our customers have come to expect from Advanced.” Advanced, owned by FTSE 100 company Halma PLC, protects a wide range of prestigious and high-profile sites across the globe – from London’s Shard to Abu Dhabi International Airport and Miami’s Sands Pointe development.

RRNews - Issue 45

Halma is a global group of life-saving technology companies with a clear purpose to grow a safer, cleaner, healthier future for everyone, every day.

Advanced is a world leader in the development and manufacture of intelligent fire systems. Advanced’s reputation for performance, quality and ease of use see its products specified in locations around the world, from single-panel installations to large, multi-site networks. Advanced’s products include complete fire detection systems, multiprotocol fire panels, extinguishing control, fire paging and false alarm management systems. Website: uk.advancedco.com RRN920019 Advanced HP.indd 1

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RRNews - Issue 45

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Project News EXCITEMENT BUILDS AS LANDMARK CONSTRUCTION WORKS ARE COMPLETED AT NOTTINGHAM CASTLE Nottingham Castle is a step closer to becoming a world-class visitor destination and heritage site following the completion of major improvement works.

s part of the £30m transformation of Nottingham Castle - specialist restoration works and a brand-new visitors centre has now been handed over by Midlands contractor G F Tomlinson. Funded by the National Lottery through the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF), D2N2, Nottingham Castle Trust and Nottingham City Council, the works involved an extension to the Ducal Palace, significant mechanical and electrical works, specialist restoration, improved access to the underground cave network and the construction of the new visitors centre. The completion of the construction phase of the overall transformation, is a significant landmark and keeps the project on track for the castle to re-open early next year. The improved destination is expected to attract more than 400,000 visitors a year, celebrating the last 1,000 years of Nottingham’s heritage. The regional contractor, G F Tomlinson, was appointed by project lead, Nottingham City Council, due to its established history of delivering heritage sector projects across the region. Preservation of the site was paramount throughout the project, and one of the key and most complex elements of the build was work to the Grade I listed Ducal Palace, which will house the new Robin Hood and Rebellion galleries, telling stories of the city’s legendary outlaw. Working closely with Historic England, stonework and lime plaster restoration was undertaken

to bring the building back to its former glory. A particular focus of the sensitive restoration was ensuring repairs remained in line with the heritage of the original building. Externally the Ducal Palace, which dates back to the 1660s, with the museum opening in the 1870s, now benefits from extensive roof repairs including the refurbishment of roof tiles and the addition of new slate, roof lights and lead gutters. The scaffolding and temporary roof required to safely carry out the restoration works was designed to be free standing, with the structure ballasted with water butts, ensuring the scaffolding didn’t touch the building preventing damage to the masonry. New to the site is the contemporary visitors centre, which will house the ticketing office and café with an outdoor seating area. This was constructed using a steel frame and timber core insulated walls, with the external oak cladding chosen due to its association with Robin Hood and Sherwood Forest. For future tours, access to the caves within the castle rock has also been improved with new handrails and lighting for increased safety and accessibility. The history and heritage of the site, which dates back to Norman times, meant any excavations had to be carefully considered. Extensive surveys were carried out to ensure areas of archaeological interest were identified, and the unique archaeology of the site was preserved, recorded and protected. Whilst on site, G F Tomlinson recycled 97% of its construction waste, contributing positively to the local environment and the climate change agenda. The contractor also provided many

opportunities for local people including 27,000 hours of employment, training and social value initiatives. Further opportunities included local school and college site tours, graduate work experience placements, apprenticeships and employment opportunities, alongside support for local charity Framework - which focuses on housing, health, employment, support and care for people across the Midlands. Nottingham Castle is set to open to the public in early 2021, once all internal fit-out works including state of the art digital installations in the Robin Hood and Rebellion Galleries, and landscaping of the grounds including a new play area are complete. Chris Flint, director and general manager for G F Tomlinson, said: “After two years, we are incredibly proud and honoured to be handing over this project which has been a big part of our lives. It has brought much joy to our hardworking team to provide works for such a pivotal, historic landmark site – promoting and enhancing the rich heritage of Nottingham. “Whilst on site, we’ve been able to offer some amazing opportunities for people in the local vicinity and we are proud to have provided over 27,000 hours in social value initiatives. 97% of local labour was also sourced within 40 miles of site, with many Nottingham SMEs employed, including scaffolding company, Empire Scaffolding and mechanical and electrical specialist, Amptron. “I’d like to thank the entire project team, which includes the core G F Tomlinson team and our supply chain of specialist contractors. Despite the challenges that 2020 has presented with the COVID-19 pandemic, the project team has shown ambition and adaptability, quickly adhering to the government health and safety procedures implemented onsite. “This is a flagship project for any contractor, particularly a regional SME like ourselves, and we are pleased that it will be a part of our legacy for many years to come.”

RRNews - Issue 45

G F Tomlinson worked alongside Purcell as lead designer, Mace Group as project manager and Gleeds as quantity surveyor. Other specialist contractors within the supply chain include Messenger, Martin Brooks, Trent and Peak Archaeology, Amptron, Standard Patent Glazing, Jericho Joinery, Van Elle, MJ Robinson, Cantifix and Diomet.

“Despite the challenges that 2020 has presented with the COVID-19 pandemic, the project team has shown ambition and adaptability, quickly adhering to the government health and safety procedures implemented onsite.”

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Project News £60M REDEVELOPMENT OF ONE OF UK’S LARGEST INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS COMPLETES THE multi-million-pound redevelopment of one of the largest independent schools in the UK has completed, delivering state-of-the-art facilities for students in Macclesfield.

he King’s School employs 250 people and provides education for more than 1,200 students from pre-school through to sixth form. This £60m redevelopment scheme unites two previous sites across the town into one central area, with the new campus sitting adjacent to the school’s existing sports pitches at Derby Fields. 21,000m2 of new academic building has been built, creating 350 rooms, along with a separate sports centre and 75-acres of sporting and outdoor facilities. The new sports centre houses a 25m, six-lane swimming pool, a six-court sports hall, an indoor cricket centre, a dance and martial arts studio, a fitness suite and a café. Outside, students will have use of five new rugby football pitches, a rounders field and two floodlit AstroTurf hockey pitches, and netball courts. National independent property, construction and infrastructure consultancy Pick Everard has provided full design and engineering services for the project. Duncan Green, managing partner, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have completed this large-scale scheme for The King’s School, creating a high-quality central site for its students to thrive in – especially important as pupils return to the classroom after months of online learning.” Natalie Clemson, director and project lead, said: “We worked very closely with VINCI Construction UK, the main contractor for the scheme, from the pre-contract stage. This meant we were able to fully

integrate the team into the design process early on, creating a synergy and ensuring that detailed knowledge of the scheme and design intent was retained from start to finish – something extremely important to the headmaster and governors. “Completing a significant project like this during the COVID-19 pandemic has been a challenge, but it was here that our close relationship with VINCI Construction UK benefitted everyone. Like many construction projects across the UK, we felt the impact and we had to change our working methodology completely. We introduced virtual site visits during the fit-out stages to suit social distancing and safety measures and held our site project meetings remotely. Despite the challenges, this had minimal impact on the scheme itself, which is a testament to the working relationships developed throughout the project and the professionalism of all involved.” It was important to the school that the new facilities provided a reduction in its carbon footprint, while also improving budgets through energy efficiency, so that money saved on fuel bills can be reinvested back into the curriculum for the benefit of the students. The new, sustainable facility has been rated as BREEAM ‘very good’, and incorporates ecofeatures including sustainable drainage systems (SuDS), bat and swift boxes, beehives and outdoor classrooms to further connect pupils to their natural surroundings. Simon Hyde, who was Headmaster during the design and construction phase, said:

“This has been without a doubt the most ambitious project for the school in its 518-year history, and we could not be happier with the finished product.” “A connection to nature has been very important to us at the school, and we are incredibly lucky to be set in our rural, woodland location. The new campus will allow us to expand what we offer, for example the new floodlit netball courts will allow us to host netball tournaments, something we simply could not do before. We also have Cheshire’s only indoor cricket centre.” Dedicated art, music, science and computing rooms for both the infant and junior divisions have been built, as well as a dedicated hall, lecture theatre and library. In the senior division, teaching and learning areas have been organised by faculty, with the science department also benefitting from 15 high-tech laboratories, prep rooms and office space. Martin Horton, project manager at VINCI Construction UK, the main contractor, added: “The new school site sits perfectly in the landscape, and along with its spacious and naturally-lit spaces is a very impressive facility. We were very pleased to work in close conjunction with Pick Everard to deliver the new school, while ensuring the safety of all those on site.” Preliminary works started in August 2018, with the aim of the school being ready for the start of the 2020/21 academic year. The school has now welcomed back its pupils in line with the latest government guidance regarding COVID-19. The large indoor and outdoor areas including extremely spacious corridors, are helping the school to operate in a Covid-safe way.

RRNews - Issue 45

The project has been funded by the school selling its previous two sites in Fence Avenue and Cumberland Street to housing developers, areas which will provide sustainable and affordable homes, along with retirement and assisted living options.

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INTERVIEW:

TOBY BENZECRY

RRNews - Issue 45

Refurb Renovation News speaks with the CEO of Modus Workspace Toby Benzecry, about the launch of their new service Tenant Ready, and the impact of Covid 19.

What is Tenant-Ready? Tenant Ready is a term we created - and trademarked - for providing office space that can be immediately occupied. Our clients are landlords, flex operators, serviced office and coworking businesses; any situation where a company seeks to offer pre-fitted space for tenants. The Tenant Ready product is the design, construction and furnishing of plug-and-play office space, but can include marketing support, logistics, maintenance and finance.

Tenant Ready differs from traditional, tenant-acquired Cat B fit out in that the space is often being created without knowing who the occupier will be; and indeed, with an eye to several future occupiers. There seems to be lots of new terms like Cat A Plus flying around, what new value is Tenant-Ready bringing to the table and how does it compare? I don’t really like the term Cat A plus – what they really mean is “Cat B paid for by the landlord”. Tenant Ready is a much broader approach that recognises that the pre-fitting of the space might be carried out by a number of different parties – not just the landlord – and that success comes from renting quickly for the right price, with longevity and minimal future voids. This is a much more sophisticated approach that calls on all our experience, expertise and resources to assist our clients in defining, creating and marketing their product. The role of the office has changed for many as a result of Covid-19, is that what led to the development of Tenant Ready? No, even pre-Covid the demand patterns for office space were changing and it was becoming increasingly apparent that tenants want a much more flexible relationship with their landlords and do not want to deploy their own capital when fitting out their offices. The increase in demand for our Tenant Ready services stems directly from this change in the market. In fact, Modus has been providing Tenant Ready space through our serviced office clients for over two decades. In recent years the market has expanded almost exponentially with the growth of coworking, the entry of flex operators such as Knotel

and introduction of landlord offerings such as British Land’s Storey. Because of the level of demand for these products we decided to create a specialist team and last year we came up with the Tenant Ready name to describe these services. Will Tenant Ready type spaces become the new norm? Certainly not, but it’s going to be very common and a lot of occupiers will seek Tenant Ready when looking for a new home. However, many companies will still want to take long leases and own the design of their office space. For instance, it’s difficult to imagine some of the larger legal practices or banks ever abandoning their core real estate, although they may well put project teams in Tenant Ready space. Equally there will always be smaller businesses who feel that location and design are intrinsic to their brands and will want a traditional relationship with their offices – Modus is definitely in that camp; we’ve been in the same building for 26 years and feel that it’s part of our DNA. Our guess is that eventually 50% of the market will be pre-fitted. Will Covid see the death of the office and what does a post-Covid workplace look like? Covid has increased the need for flexibility and that won’t be going away. We have empirical evidence that companies are already exiting traditional leases and moving to more flexible arrangements directly in response to the pandemic. However, whilst there is much talk in the media about the reluctance of companies to return to the office – unfortunately now supported by public policy - we believe that in the long run corporates will recognise the role that physical space plays in their businesses and will want

CEO of Modus Workspace Toby Benzecry

ABOVE

Modus has been providing Tenant Ready space through our serviced office clients for over two decades. In recent years the market has expanded almost exponentially with the growth of coworking, the entry of flex operators such as Knotel and introduction of landlord offerings such as British Land’s Storey.

their people – at least periodically - to congregate in buildings. The alternative is unpalatable: the death of all the small urban businesses that rely on commuters, huge damage to the commercial property industry, the relocation of hundreds of thousands of jobs to lower cost regions (including overseas), the loss of corporate identity, the cessation of knowledge transfer in the workplace. We sincerely believe that businesses will rediscover competitive advantage through the collaboration of their people in physical workplaces and that those companies who choose to be forever online – except in some niche cases – will fade away. But commuting just to use a desk is clearly a thing of the past. Offices will need to offer much more and be focused on facilitating the activities that don’t work well remotely; pretty much anything to do with collaboration. Our challenge is to define what these new, ultra-flexible offices will look like, and to develop commercial real estate products that will work in a post-Covid world.

RRNews - Issue 45

Latest News FOREST GREEN ARRIVES AT WICKES Wickes’ Chester Kitchen Range has now been extended to include a brand-new, stylish and on trend colourway, Forest Green.

his premium painted narrow framed shaker provides a versatile update on a classic style and can be fashioned three different ways – traditional, modern and ultra-modern, just by the choice of handles and accessories. New Forest Green joins Wickes’ collection of Showroom Kitchens with the total portfolio now offering renovators 44 trend-led kitchens to choose from. Available from the 8th September, the launch of the Chester Forest Green colourway taps into the growing interior trend for dark tones and creates a stylish and sophisticated personality with a sense of balance and renewal. Bringing the outdoors inside with this restorative green colour scheme, produces a beautiful and vibrant yet natural atmosphere. A green kitchen can contrast seamlessly against white walls or alternatively, the ‘colour of life’ can also be used as a backdrop to the kitchen, or as a strong statement. When it comes to

styling, shoppers can introduce soft pastels and metallics to complete the look. Paul Bangs, Category Director of Kitchens & Bathrooms at Wickes, says “We’re always listening to our customers to ensure we keep our fingers on the pulse when it comes to new trends, colours and materials, which is why we are excited to launch the Chester Forest Green colourway. We’ve seen customers fall in love with our Midnight coloured kitchens and believe this new rich shade will have the same impact, perfect for those customers looking to make their kitchen not just functional but interior and style led.” Not only can customers buy their new kitchen from Wickes, they can complete the look with tiles, paint and flooring at the same time. Earlier this year, Wickes announced the launch of a new Virtual Design Service which allows customers to create their dream kitchen or bathroom from home if they don’t want to come into the store. Customers are able to request their appointment via the Wickes website, or via phone. Once confirmed, a Design Consultant will be on hand every step of the way, from arranging either the virtual or face-to-face session, to providing inspiration, advice and guiding through the design process.

UNIQUE CONCEPT FOR THE PRODUCTION OF FLAME-RETARDANT WOOD ALL-IN-ONE by Woodsafe offers a unique package of expertise where all parts of the flameretardant wood production chain are gathered under one roof. “With our partner, we take control of the entire process. We guarantee our clients exactly the quality they want,” says Thomas Bengtsson, CEO of Woodsafe.

s a purchaser of flame-retardant wood, it can be difficult to gain an overview of the entire value chain, as it often involves different suppliers, sometimes in several countries.

RRNews - Issue 45

Woodsafe is now launching ALL-IN-ONE by Woodsafe, a quality-assured production chain where only one player takes care of and documents the quality of the wood material, from raw material preparation to final delivery.

“Architects and developers struggle to gain insight and determine the quality differences between the various delivery options for treated wood. Our ALL-IN-ONE concept brings together the entire supply chain for flame-retardant wood under one roof and is a premium choice for quality-conscious clients,” explains Thomas Bengtsson, CEO of Woodsafe. Woodsafe’s ALL-IN-ONE concept is a unique value chain where the processing of

wood raw material into finished high-end products is quality assured by the same supplier at every stage. This clearly defined concept is the foundation for the any given construction project. Excellence and quality assurance at e.g. advice when purchasing, raw materials, planing, sawing, profiling, flame retarding, surface treatment and the right documentation, are clearly reflected in the end product. The ALL-IN-ONE concept is available through Woodsafe’s approved ALL-IN-ONE partner Bäckegårds List AB, Located in Burseryd in the countryside of southern Sweden. “Building with wood and taking a chance on fire safety and the quality of the wood just to find the cheapest solution is not a good idea. With ALL-IN-ONE by Woodsafe, we ensure that the unique character of the wood emerges with flame-retardant properties that are not visible or that disrupt the overall impression,” says Thomas Bengtsson, owner and founder of Woodsafe. Woodsafe is part of a sustainable value chain with trusted suppliers and players. This provides unique opportunities to satisfy set sustainability goals while still being able to give free rein to the developer’s requirements and the architect’s creativity. “Wood as a building material is bio-economic and promotes the reduction of CO2. Woodsafe’s processing methods also guarantee fire safety for residents as well as enviromental benefits, adds Thomas Bengtsson.

Latest News ZOOPLA REVEALS: CITIES WITH THE MOST HOMES IN NEED OF RENOVATION MyJobQuote recently found that 78% of Brits are unhappy with their homes as lockdown has left many restless and wanting to move.

ut with the UK now in a recession and unemployment at an all time high, relocating isn’t an easy task.

Fret not, however, as a cheaper option is available: some Brits are looking for fixerupper properties in a different location to avoid hefty prices. So, which city has the most of these incomplete properties for sale? MyJobQuote sought to find out. By scouring Zoopla for house listings, the number of houses ‘needing renovation’ compared to the total number available can be revealed! RESULTS: If you’re into DIY, Belfast may be your dream location! In first place and according to Zoopla’s data, 60.6% of houses for sale in the city require extra work. It’s perfect for anyone seeking a mini restoration project of their own.

Belfast is followed by Derry in second place, with 35.9% of listed properties in need of renovation. Third place is awarded to an English city. Of the 1,188 listed houses, 35.2% (418) of those in Brighton need work. Whether it’s due to an increase in new homeowners easing onto the property ladder, or just a city of avid DIY enthusiasts, Brighton proves a great place to make a house your home. In fourth, fifth and sixth place are Wolverhampton, Hull and Canterbury with 32.8%, 31.4% and 29.5% of houses requiring work respectively. And to make the top ten cities for availability of fixer-uppers, other entries include: • Aberdeen – 29.5% of houses need work • Exeter – 25.9% of houses need work • Leicester – 23.2% of houses need work • Worcester – 22.4% of houses need work

HOMES BOOST FOR BRADFORD AND KEIGHLEY AS MANNINGHAM HOUSING ASSOCIATION SEALS £50.5 MILLION FUNDING DEAL Manningham Housing Association (MHA) has secured a £50.5 million financial package to provide affordable homes in Bradford and Keighley.

he deal, which is made up of £36.05 million of new cash from Royal Bank of Scotland and £14.45 million of existing funds, will enable MHA to increase its housing stock by more than 100 properties over the next five years. Lee Bloomfield, MHA Chief Executive, said the agreement would add another chapter to the association’s growing success story less than four years after it received poor performance ratings from the Regulator of Social Housing. “In late 2016, MHA had its governance rating downgraded from G1 to a non-compliant G3, followed shortly afterwards by a financial viability reduction from V1 to V2,” he explained. This led to a major organisational review, resulting in the recruitment of a new Chair in Barrington Billings, new board members and my own appointment as Chief Executive in January 2018.

“Having been unable to add to our housing stock for a considerable period, we aim to grow our

Shendi Keshet, MHA Director of Finance and Resources, said the growth in housing stock would be achieved by a combination of new build properties, acquisitions on the open market and a programme of bringing empty homes back into use.

forward to deliver as many as we can. On average, we receive over 50 bids within a week of one of our properties being advertised with larger family homes attracting even greater interest. “The vast majority of MHA homes are in the most deprived areas of Bradford and Keighley with high BME populations. We will always be committed to these neighbourhoods and, guided by our Unit Growth Strategy, are firmly focussed on ensuring the new funds are used to greatest effect.”

“A Unit Growth Strategy was finalised well in advance of the funding package being agreed,” she continued. It equips us with a coherent roadmap to invest in the purchase and refurbishment of existing properties, as well as the construction of new affordable homes. This carefully considered approach will help us to reduce any risk to the resources we are putting in and allow MHA to address local housing needs in the most efficient and effective way possible.” Barrington Billings, MHA Chair, praised the level of professionalism across the staff team and pledged the board’s full support in delivering the association’s ambitious plans for the future. He said: “There is a national shortage of affordable homes and it is vital that MHA steps

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“Later that year, following rigorous inspections, the Regulator restored MHA’s financial viability rating to V1. Governance was also improved to G2 before being raised to G1 in March 2020, meaning the association now holds the highest gradings available. The team has gelled incredibly well throughout this period and expanded further, including the arrival of Shendi Keshet as Director of Finance and Resources to lead negotiations on the funding deal.

property portfolio by around 10% over the next five years – taking the total number of units to more than 1,500. These are exciting times for MHA, particularly in the wake of the changes made to improve what we do and how we do it. We can now concentrate fully on our core mission of providing high quality affordable homes to individuals and families in Bradford and Keighley who really need them.”

Heating Feature

DOES THE FUTURE HOMES STANDARD REALLY SIGNIFY THE END OF GAS BOILERS? With the first instalment of the Future Homes Standard published, the Government are continues to mandate the end of all fossil fuel heating systems in all new homes by 2025. But what will that actually look like? And is this really the end of gas boilers as we know it? Simon Green, Managing Director of Green Building Design Consultants, who are leading specialists in low carbon building design, shares his thoughts on what the Future Homes Standard will really mean and his predictions for the future of gas.

hat does the future hold for the heating of buildings and fossil fuels?

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The Future Homes Standard is looking to increase thermal performances above current standards. This will require low carbon heating solutions, better air tightness and reviews on ventilation, all of which will have a very big impact on how we design, think and live in new houses. Although the full details are not yet known, the first instalment gives a good indication of what will be included in the standard when it is published in 2025. In my personal opinion, I expect the standard to include increased measures for energy efficiency, with a focus on heating using low carbon systems such as ground or air source heat pumps. Better air quality and reduced water usage could also be included, to help the UK work towards a more sustainable future. Gas heating, as it currently stands, will be non-compliant, so other alternatives are needed.

At the end of the day, gas boilers are a fossil fuel emitting carbon. Whilst huge strides are being made into the R&D of hydrogen boilers, which will be the only option for the diehards who will or cannot change to low carbon, I predict that the Government will begin adding large carbon taxes to gas, making it more expensive and a less attractive option. Of course, the gas boiler will not disappear completely as some applications will still need them. Large and instant hot water loads are tricky to heat and store with low energy, and very small properties simply do not have the required space for new water tanks and heat pumps.

“In my personal opinion, I expect the standard to include increased measures for energy efficiency, with a focus on heating using low carbon systems such as ground or air source heat pumps. Better air quality and reduced water usage could also be included, to help the UK work towards a more sustainable future.” The general rule of thumb of the Future Homes Standard is that from 2025, to install a gas boiler in a new home, PV panels on the roof will be a necessity. Have you witnessed an increase in demand for PV panels? Many of our clients are requesting PV panels to be installed at their properties, and we have seen a steady rise in the number of installations over the last 12 months. This is largely due to our clients wanting to be as carbon neutral as possible, however, some have expressed the need for PV panels as a pre-requisite to installing a gas boiler, where there are space constraints or other barriers to installing low carbon alternatives. So, is this the end of gas boilers as we know them? Yes, it probably is. At the end of the day, gas boilers are a fossil fuel emitting carbon. Whilst huge strides are being made into the R&D of hydrogen boilers, which will be the only option for the diehards who will or cannot change to low carbon, I predict that the Government will begin adding large carbon taxes to gas, making it more expensive and a less attractive option. Of course, the gas boiler will not disappear completely as some applications will still need them. Large and instant hot water loads are tricky to heat and store with low energy, and very small properties simply do not have the required space for new water tanks and heat pumps. With such change afoot, how can individuals and companies prepare? Here at Green Building Design Consultants, we are talking to and educating our clients on the changes that are coming. In addition, we are transparent about some of the common pitfalls with low energy solutions, allowing people to understand how best

to heat their homes efficiently, whilst reducing their carbon footprint. It is not a one solution fits all, with many factors for individual homes needing to be taken into account, to ensure the most appropriate low carbon heating system is installed to meet specific restrictions and requirements. As we approach the end of 2020, the regulations are getting ever closer – so what does Green Building Design Consultants predict for the future? We see gas boilers generally being replaced with heat pumps, but the Government needs to help with the cost of installation and offer ways to make it cheaper to incentivise people to switch. They have already announced the Green Homes Grant, which comes into force at the end of this month, providing financial help for individuals to make energy efficient improvements to their home, including installing low-carbon heating. However, more support will be needed to help people afford the changes and alter their mind-set towards heating their homes. So is it really the end for gas? We predict that gas is going to cost a lot more in the future and will be subject to large green carbon taxes, however, we cannot underestimate the work being done into the feasibility of hydrogen gas boilers. We have witnessed the de-carbonisation of electricity over the last decade, and it is possible that gas will follow suit, using hydrogen as a ‘greener’ gas to fit with the planned targets. On the whole though, we believe this signifies the end of gas as a primary fuel source. As individuals, we are all much more aware of our carbon production and the impact on the environment, and there is an appetite for us all to play our part in creating a more sustainable future.

Heating, Ventilation & Insulation

Smart Panasonic online tools for design and selection of heating & cooling solutions Panasonic offers smart tools for installers and engineers to design systems and select Panasonic products for heating and cooling solutions. Panasonic’s tools, such as the new CO2 Refrigeration Designer, the VRF Designer and the Aquarea Designer are all available to download from the Panasonic PRO Club. Advancing its latest innovations, Panasonic recently launched a new online selection tool, the CO2 Refrigeration Designer, for its full range of cold chain and commercial refrigeration units. This handy tool enhances productivity, maximises efficiency and provides further support for users, by simplifying calculations to ensure the best solution and results are achieved. Not only is the new tool able to help save time, but it also avoids calculation errors. The estimated average time of calculation completion when using this tool is just two minutes, whereas pre-existing calculation tools can usually take up to an hour. For added convenience, the calculator can also be used on mobile devices, such as smartphones or tablets, with results being printed on paper or saved to a PDF to be accessed anywhere. Panasonic also offers the advanced VRF Designer software, providing air conditioning system designers, installers and dealers with a program to remotely design and size projects for Panasonic’s VRF ranges; it is possible to create piping and wiring diagrams and to issue bills of quantities with a simple push of a button. To find out more, please visit www.aircon.panasonic.eu

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Heat From Stone Stoves EccoNatural Design 2022 Stone built wood fired stoves providing clean, natural heat Emissions ready through much more of the home than traditional stoves.

Stone built wood fired stoves Store heat for up to 12 hours after the fire has gone out providing clean, natural heat while through much more of thedistributing balanced heat. home than traditional stoves. Free heat plan estimates available for your home. Store heat for up to 12 hours after the fire has gone out while distributing balanced heat.

● Eco Design Ready 2022

Ecco Stove Ltd | RRN720011 ECCO Stove HP.indd 1

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● Unparalleled Heat Distribution ● Stone Stoves sales@eccostove.com | eccostove.com | 01527 857814 ● Natural Heating

More than just a stove, Wraps your Home in Warmth

TREAT YOURSELF TO A NEW FIRE OR STOVE THIS AUTUMN

Global by DRU 55XT gas fire

The Coronavirus pandemic has seen many of us confined to our homes over the spring and summer, only going out for essential reasons such as food shopping and exercise.

ne of the few positive outcomes of the crisis is that we are falling back in love with improvements to our homes and gardens, so this autumn, think about transforming or replacing your old fireplace.

and golden leaves dramatically transform the landscape.

Autumn can be a magical time of the year. There’s a chill in the air, the nights draw in and red, brown

And today’s contemporary fires offer a wealth of design options and striking architectural features that will grace any home, from a modest urban terrace to a rustic rural retreat.

Spartherm Premium Triple wood fire

When returning from your evening walk or from a long day at work, there is no better welcome than the dancing flames and comforting glow of a modern, clean burning fire or stove.

Refurbish your existing fireplace

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Dik Geurts Aste wood stove

The traditional British fireplace is an iconic structure, which is renowned throughout the world. Its distinctive size and shape makes it a fundamental part of our culture. However, we don’t just have to settle for a traditional fire that looks just like the one our parents or grandparents would have enjoyed. You can easily replace your fire and surround with elegant new designs in gas or wood, which also deliver low emissions and much greater energy efficiency. Take, for instance, the new Global by DRU 55XT CF gas fire. It fits into a Class 1 chimney with minimal building work, features the latest DRU Truflame log fire effect, can be combined with a range of beautiful fire surrounds and is at least 75% energy efficient.

because of high running costs, poor efficiency and unrealistic flames. But that is all changing! There is now a new generation of electric fires that are rivalling the desirability of their gas and wood counterparts. Prominent among these is the recently launched DRU Virtuo. Soon to be available in single-sided, 2-sided and 3-sided models, the Virtuo has a stunning video enhanced flame picture that looks just like a real fire. It is easy to install, includes a remote control and can be adjusted to show a huge variety of images, with or without heat. Bioethanol - the green solution Many people are seeking alternative, green fuels to replace wood, gas or electricity as primary sources of home heating. One option that is becoming increasingly popular is bioethanol, an odourless, colourless liquid derived from renewable plants such as grain crops and hay. The 55XT is also available as a balanced flue fire. This means that it can be installed with or without a chimney, either using a false chimneybreast to conceal the flue, or by inserting the fire inside a cavity wall. Either way, you have a stunning fireplace that will transform your living room. The wonder of wood Wood fires and stoves are still hugely popular and the latest, most efficient models are another great way to transform a tired looking fireplace. Firstly, you can install a modern, holein-the-wall wood fire into your existing brick chimney with the help of a qualified HETAS engineer. You can even make use of the depth of the chimney to have a 2-sided or 3-sided model Spartherm Premium Triple pictured here, creating a beautiful flame picture from multiple viewing points. Or how about hollowing out the chimney opening to accommodate a freestanding wood stove? This is easily achieved with models such as the Dik Geurts Ivar or Aste, which are designed to fit into Class 1 chimneys and combine rustic charm with modern, efficient performance.

You can also select a stunning freestanding gas stove like the DRU Passo Eco Wave model, which has a fashionable cylindrical shape and a variety of elegant colour finishes to compliment your dĂŠcor.

ABOVE DRU Maestro 75 Tall gas fire

Go electric!

Contemporary gas fires with the balanced flue system are not limited in size, design or capacity in the same way as chimney fires. You can have 2 or 3-sided fires, seethrough tunnel fires, widescreen fires and extra tall fires like the new Maestro 75 Tall pictured above.

Electric fires have historically been the poor relation to gas and wood fires

DRU Passo gas stove with pearl finish

These fires can be effortlessly controlled using a smartphone or tablet using the exclusive DRU Eco Wave app, integrating them into smart building control systems. Contemporary wood fires and stoves have many of the same advantages but with even more possibilities. There are spectacular circular models, like the Dik Geurts Odin, freestanding or suspended cubic stoves like the Dik Geurts Bora with its fine selection of log storage units and built-in wood fires like the Spartherm Premium series, which have automatically controlled vertically sliding glass doors and many other clever features.

BELOW

Bioethanol fires are available in a surprising range of sizes and designs, including built-in, table-top and freestanding models. The Ebios Passo E bioethanol stove was voted Best Fireplace Suite (other fuels) at the 2019 Hearth & Home awards and the Ebios One 1000 is a versatile 1 metre long coffee table model that can be used in many places around the home. Fires fuelled by bioethanol are 95% energy efficient, release water vapour with no harmful emissions and most require no chimney or flue, so they are the natural choice for a sustainable future. So, freshen up your home as we emerge from lockdown. Choose a new fire or stove and settle down to enjoy the warmth and comfort it brings as we drift slowly into autumn.

For more information visit www.drufire.com

Create a new architectural feature with your fire Once you move your fire or stove away from the confines of your existing chimney, the possibilities are endless.

The DRU Maestro and Metro series of gas fires come in sizes up to 2 metres wide with many design variations, fire bed styles, interior finishes and heat outputs.

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Contemporary gas fires with the balanced flue system are not limited in size, design or capacity in the same way as chimney fires. You can have 2 or 3-sided fires, see-through tunnel fires, widescreen fires and extra tall fires like the new Maestro 75 Tall pictured above. They can be hidden behind false chimneybreasts, suspended from the ceiling, or integrated into dramatic room dividing walls and other architectural features.

Latest News “CREATING THE EXTRAORDINARY” - SUSTAINABLY AND STYLISHLY How do you balance rejuvenating a dilapidated Grade II* listed building with creating a carbonzero new-build extension to provide the function, form, aesthetics and efficiency expected in a luxury retreat? At Grantley Hall Relais & Chateau near Ripon, the answer has been found within the Northern Powerhouse. The £70m revitalisation project has fused architectural design, construction and M&E expertise from Yorkshire with air movement specialisation from Lancashire. Most of the refurbished hall that has been transformed into a five-star hotel and the newlybuilt, carbon-zero Spa & wellness facilities feature ventilation diffusers from Gilberts (Blackpool), installed by Wheatley Mechanical and Machenair. ‘Stand-out’ components are bespoke curved slot diffusers up to 16m long across a 5m radius, and an innovative perforated return air grille for the swimming pool. Feature elements of the ventilation include: • seven GSLC curved linear slot diffusers varying between 8m and 16m in length, with radii from 4.8m to 5.7m in the main function rooms, providing smooth, accurate airflow even when installed in a recessed ceiling, which is underlit to resemble the sky • 110 HSL high capacity linear slot diffusers between 600mm and 5500mm in the hotel rooms • GD swirl diffusers in the gym • GSFE circular perforated diffusers in the night club bar • a bespoke 1.4m x 2.6m perforated return air grille in the swimming pool, screen-printed with the Grantley Hall logo. Explains Seb Rowe, Gilberts Regional Sales manager for the project.

“Ordinarily, swimming pools need, and thus have, large louvres to extract the moist air and return it to the air handling unit. Grantley is all about creating the extraordinary; we felt this provided an extraordinary, dramatic solution. The perforated screen overprinted in gold with the Grantley Hall logo conceals the function, whilst allowing the performance.” The work at Grantley Hall typifies Gilberts’ ability to develop appropriate solutions for modern life, including projects as diverse as louvres for a huge grain silo and diffusers for Twitter’s European headquarters through to natural ventilation at the Natural History Museum. The company’s range of air distribution solutions for natural and mechanical ventilation includes grilles,

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ADVECO AD: TOUGH, HIGHLY EFFICIENT COMMERCIAL WATER HEATING Commercial hot water and heating specialist Adveco, announces the AD range. A new generation of sleekly designed, modulating commercial floor-standing gas condensing water heaters to be used with a buffer for high demand semiinstantaneous hot water applications in sports & leisure centres, hotels, spas, schools, stadia, and large commercial buildings.

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Bill Sinclair, technical director, Adveco said, “The titanium-stabilised stainlesssteel construction of the AD range’s heat exchangers is the perfect response to counter the concerns of corrosion in soft, or softened water applications. Compact, lightweight yet still powerful, the AD’s patented space-saving design makes it equally applicable to both new projects or renovation work where a lack of space would traditionally stall or quickly drive up costs of a project.”

With each water heater composed of one to four 70 kW heat exchangers, the AD range offers appliances from 70kW up to 280 kW. This approach optimises the supplied output (up to 160 litres/minute) ensuring maximum efficiency when providing DHW. Models with multiple integrated heat exchangers offer load balancing for optimal long-life operation and inbuilt redundancy guaranteeing continuity of service. Tough and efficient, AD water heaters are all equipped with premix burners made of Fecralloy metal fibre for large modulation RRN920023 Adveco HP.indd 1

diffusers, internal and external louvres, plus acoustic, smoke and fire options. Founded 55 years ago, Gilberts Blackpool is Britain’s leading independent air movement specialist, and is unique in its ability to develop components, be it ‘mainstream’ or bespoke - entirely in-house, from initial design through tooling, production, testing and supply, at its 95,000 ft2 manufacturing facility. Its state of the art test centre, designed and built in-house, is one of the most technically advanced in the country. T: 01253 766911 E: info@gilbertsblackpool.com W: www.gilbertsblackpool.com 18/09/2020 11:33:51

range with excellent functionality at extremely high temperatures. Using a premix burner ensures the AD requires less gas, making it more cost-effective, plus reducing harmful NOX and CO emissions. The AD’s heat exchangers will also work in direct contact with chlorinated mains water. The AD range can be configured to operate in a cascade of up to eight water heaters. The AD’s controller provides full temperature control and self-check maintenance functions. The controller also accommodates 0-10 input, MODBUS communication, and alarm output for seamless system integration. Additional information • Five-year warranty on AISI 316Ti heat exchangers • Compact floor standing arrangement: AD 70T & AD140T H1180 x W600 x D945mm / AD210T & AD280T M1880 x W600 x D896mm • High maximum run pressure up to 11 bar • Low emissions, built with Class 6 technology for NOx at 27 mg/kWh GCV • Available for natural gas or LPG • Acid condensate neutraliser included • Ideal for soft water applications. Hard water areas over 150ppm require use of a water softener down to 100ppm. • Supports standard flue systems using low cost 110-160 mm diameter PP Adveco - Expertly engineered for you. Visit www.adveco.co 18/09/2020 12:13:57

High temperature CO2 heat pump increases hot water efficiency Mitsubishi Electric has announced the launch of a new commercial heating system running on CO2 (R744) to deliver hot water up to 90°C and help businesses increase the efficiency of hot water production whilst significantly reducing their carbon footprint.

he 40kW Ecodan QAHV high temperature air source heat pump is specifically designed for commercial sanitary hot water applications in hotels, leisure centres, hospitals, care homes, restaurants, schools and universities. Traditionally these are areas where gas boilers, combined heat and power systems (CHP) or electric water heating have dominated, but as the national grid has become ‘greener’ and decarbonised, the case for modern, electrically-powered air source heat pumps has become stronger and stronger. “This new unit is the perfect choice for organisations looking to meet their carbon reduction plan, and offers a low carbon solution that utilises the natural and stable refrigerant CO2” comments James Chaplen, the Senior Product Manager responsible for the QAHV. “These high performing units deliver an environmentally clean solution that enables compliance to strict local planning laws and helps to boost BREEAM points”. Capable of flow temperatures from 55°C up to 90°C, the QAHV can produce large delta T’s when it maintains an inlet water temperature lower than 29°C. This also enables it to achieve a Coefficient of Performance (COP) of 3.88. Seasonal efficiencies of the QAHV when producing sanitary hot water at 65°C have also been calculated to be 3 which, when compared to a typical gas boiler, can equate to overall carbon savings of up to 78%. These high levels of efficiency also provide significant savings in running costs and carbon emissions against direct electric heating systems. “Commercial heat pumps have been proven to be incredibly efficient for low temperature heating but they have struggled to show the same levels of carbon savings when producing sanitary hot water,” explains Chaplen, “the Ecodan QAHV has been designed specifically to address this and, with the use of CO2, it also helps future-proof businesses in line with the next phases of the F-Gas Regulations.”

effect of water and also helps to reduce pressure loss within the heat exchanger which contributes to enhance efficiency.

with 2 points through the use of CO2 as the refrigerant and another one point from the fact that the circuit is hermetically sealed.

Equipped with Mitsubishi Electric’s latest inverter scroll compressor technology, the QAHV can significantly increase the annual efficiency of a building. R744 or CO2 has a Global Warming Potential (GWP) of 1, which is the lowest possible, yet the unit can still provide full heating capacity down to -3°C outdoor temperature and operate efficiently and effectively right down to -25°C.

In addition to all of these improvements, because it is designed as an indirect system, the heat exchanger is protected in hard water areas and there is no requirement for the Water Regulations Advisory Scheme (WRAS) approval. At the same time, the system still meets all Health & Safety Executive guidance for Legionella.

“We’re launching the QAHV at a time when interest in high temperature heat pumps is growing due to the decarbonisation of the grid”, adds Chaplen. “We’ve designed the QAHV to outperform other type of high temperature air source heat pump currently available on the market.” The QAHV delivers significant improvements over current high temperature heat pumps including superb low noise levels of only 56 dB(A). Up to three BREEAM points can be achieved with the use of the QAHV,

“We are expecting a lot of interest from designers of places such as hotels, hospitals and student accommodation but the system will work equally well in manufacturing processes or anywhere needing high volume and high temperature sanitary hot water,” adds Chaplen. “We can install the QAHV in a modular array of up to 16 units allowing for a total capacity of 640kW per system.” Overall, the new unit is ideal for anyone with strong carbon reduction targets who needs sustainable, energy efficient hot water production.

Further details on the system can be found here: https://les.mitsubishielectric.co.uk/products/heating/commercial/ecodanqahv-monobloc-air-source-heat-pump

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The QAHV is designed to deliver high efficiency at high flow temperatures and uses a unique and patented twisted and spiral gas cooler to enhance energy efficiency. Three connected refrigerant pipes are wound around a twisted water pipe which maximizes heat transfer. The continuous spiral grooves in the twisted pipe accelerates the turbulence

INTERVIEW: TIM SPANN Q and A on lifestyle and kitchens with Tim Spann of Keller

ow will home working influence kitchen designs?

Consumers spending so much time at home will influence future kitchen design and going forward flexibility and adaptability will be the buzzwords. Multi-use will also be crucial to family and work time and multi-plan rather than open plan will become more popular as consumers organise their life at home. What is the impact on spatial planning and décorative choice? How does this differ from open-plan or broken plan schemes? There will be a change to divided space; not so open plan. Utility rooms will grow in popularity; it may be a different room or a cleverly divided space. It will be all about stylish new functionality and, although traditional design can offer a comfort factor in challenging times, there is room for a contemporary take on the classics. Will there be less focus on socialising and more on a home working space in a lifestyle kitchen? It will be all about flexibility; we have all spent more time in the kitchen lately so it needs to do everything! Home teaching, working, socialising, cooking, baking, eating! There will be no less focus on socialising; in fact, there will be more if we are allowed to as we grow to love the room and Winter is here!

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How has the lifestyle kitchen influenced product development and your portfolio?

These are early days! Lifestyle changes will continue to evolve in terms of the way we live. Choice, flexibility and kitchen personality will always carry importance. People spending more time in the kitchen will have new ideas and inspirations that designers will harness and adopt. As a flexible manufacturer with the ability to change, offering broad choice will continue to be a considerable factor for Keller. What should designers consider when creating a lifestyle kitchen and what do they sometimes overlook? Clever storage and the best use of space will always be key. With the

ABOVE Pictured is Tim Spann, National Sales Manager UK for Keller Kitchens.

We work in a solutionsbased industry where there has been a seismic shift within an extremely condensed period of time. The ripples of change will continue for many years to come. Recent experiences will no doubt fashion kitchen thinking for a new generation of kitchen style. Lifestyle kitchens are here to stay and exciting times are ahead for manufacturers, designers, retailers and developers alike.

increase in home deliveries and the return of the “big shop” ethos, people may need more ingenious solutions for more things! Chaos ensues with too little or badly designed storage. Kitchen Karma should rule. What proportion of your kitchen sales do you believe could be considered as “lifestyle”? The large majority of kitchens are lifestyle-driven kitchens. Are lifestyle kitchens solely for customers with a grand space and equally large budget or can any space be transformed to be a cooking/living/working area? Lifestyle kitchens are not exclusive to grand space and big budgets. A good kitchen design will transform any space into a multi-use hub with ingenuity and thinking outside the box. Pull-outs and drop-downs will inevitably be features that will help where less space is available. How do you see the trend for lifestyle kitchens developing over the next couple of years? We work in a solutions-based industry where there has been a seismic shift within an extremely condensed period of time. The ripples of change

Lifestyle changes will continue to evolve in terms of the way we live. Choice, flexibility and kitchen personality will always carry importance. People spending more time in the kitchen will have new ideas and inspirations that designers will harness and adopt. As a flexible manufacturer with the ability to change, offering broad choice will continue to be a considerable factor for Keller. will continue for many years to come. Recent experiences will no doubt fashion kitchen thinking for a new generation of kitchen style. Lifestyle kitchens are here to stay and exciting times are ahead for manufacturers, designers, retailers and developers alike. As always, Keller Kitchens offers complete versatility with over 1950 NCS colours to choose from in a wide array of finishes. This makes it possible for every homeowner to incorporate elements of this kitchen set in a way that suits their style. For further information, please visit www.kellerkitchens.com

UNDERFLOOR HEATING TICKS ALL THE BOXES! by Steven Rooney, Sales Director at Gaia Underfloor Heating When it comes to heating, there is no single off-the-peg solution that suits every situation and it is no longer a case of considering the individual components in isolation. Now the emphasis is on looking at the whole project design and mixing and matching various systems to achieve the most appropriate overall solution. This is being driven by the building regulations which, in turn, are taking account of the sustainability agenda, energy use and reduction of CO2 emissions in buildings. As a consequence, suppliers that provide total designed solutions rather than individual products are in a winning position. Underfloor heating (UFH) - whether wet or electric – is well placed to be part of a holistic design solution. It scores well in terms of environmental performance and is regarded as economical, ultraefficient and comfortable. Simple to install and control, UFH wastes no heat at ceiling level and frees up valuable wall space, providing complete design freedom. Wet systems circulate water at low temperatures through a series of continuous pipe loops laid within a screed, or between timber joists, beneath the floor surface. Electric systems consist either of cables laid within the screed or cable mats laid on top of existing subfloors. Importantly, UFH has the ability to tick the boxes when it comes to working with renewable energy and sustainable solutions yet it cannot do this in isolation. It must be considered in terms of the other components that make up the floor such as insulation, screed and floor coverings as well as in relation to the energy source, the overall specification of the building and level of sustainability being sought. In this market, it is increasingly important for companies to deliver a one-stop-shop, solution-driven service that ‘bolts’ together multiple products to deliver true value to the client. And value, in these terms, represents more than price and product; it is about customer service

and certainty with one point of contact, bespoke design, shortening of the build programme, ease of installation, compliance with regulations and enduser appeal, plus a warranty based on the knowledge that the company is well established and is still likely to be in existence in ten years time. Gaia offers total solutions for any sized project. Gaia’s approach is one that includes design and installation of wet and electric underfloor heating, along with comprehensive specification advice. This year as Gaia celebrated 30 years in business they launched the new Gaia Decoupling Membrane and Heating Cable system and the new Smart Thermostat with no need for a hub, ticking even more boxes!

For further information contact Gaia, call 01359 242 400 email info@gaia.co.uk or visit www.gaia.co.uk.

RRN920024 Gaia HP.indd 1

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THE FRATRY, CARLISLE CATHEDRAL

Feilden Fowles has completed the transformation of the Grade I-listed medieval Fratry at Carlisle Cathedral - the most significant physical intervention on the cathedral site for more than 150 years. A new entrance to the refurbished Fratry hall and undercroft has been created, reached through a newly built red sandstone entrance pavilion and link structure connecting old and new.

he project, completed following a long gestation (the cathedral has been working on it for 15 years, and the architects for the last six), gives the Fratry renewed purpose and welcomes the public for the first time, enriching the cathedral’s benefits to the wider community. It is the seat of the Anglican Bishop of Carlisle, Cumbria, north west of England. Built in 1122 in a Norman architectural style, and extended in the 13th and 14th centuries, the cathedral precinct’s solid masonry is of local red St Bees sandstone, which has darkened over time.

The pavilion is located to the north west of the Fratry, on the site of the former west range of the original Augustinian priory cloister, destroyed during the Reformation; the lot had become dead, windswept land, serving only as a thoroughfare. Positioned 90 degrees from the Fratry, the pavilion and its green fringe delineate a new space and aim to create the atmosphere of the cloister that inspired the design. The pavilion reintroduces a reflective and sheltered public space at the heart of the cathedral precinct and city.

The elevations of the pavilion are inspired by Gothic arches found across the cathedral precinct, and in particular, the western window of the Fratry. Designed following extensive public consultation in 2016, this dropped arch profile fans out to a simple rectilinear leading edge, which has a refinement reminiscent of the Perpendicular Gothic tracery found in the east window of the cathedral. The resolution of the curved and perpendicular forms creates a subtle play of light and shadow across the sandstone elevations. Internally, it is a clear, bright space: walls are rendered in lime plaster to mimic the stone columns internally; the ceiling is lined with acoustic felt panels; generous natural light sweeps across the exposed stone and timber surfaces; and the polished concrete floor extends to the undercroft, all of which bring a level of comfort to the Fratry.

The project balances high-tech innovation (CNC-cut stone, 3D and 2D modelling, complex geometries) with low-tech solutions (specialist hand carving) to enhance the historic precinct and create a pleasant space to dwell. The solidity of the pavilion’s

Entry to the Fratry is now through a lightweight, fully-glazed bronze structure accessed via stairs or lift at the southern end of the pavilion. The tall and slender link was designed in collaboration with engineers Structure Workshop. Looking up to the bronze lattice overhead, the

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Feilden Fowles’ new entrance pavilion is made from Dumfries red sandstone, Locharbriggs, cut and installed by local stonemasons. The Fratry was built in the 1500s as the priory refectory, and houses one of the finest cathedral library collections of books in the country.

CNC-cut stonework and contrasting transparency of the glazed bays formed by the arches provide visitors clear views to the cathedral and the surrounding listed buildings. A new welcome area and public café have been created, providing dedicated space for the clergy to greet visitors and school groups, and allowing the cathedral to engage with more people in new ways and transform its teaching and learning activities. Education work will benefit from the newly refurbished undercroft beneath the Fratry hall, which has become an open, uncluttered space able to accommodate 80.

Images by Peter Cook

“This has not been a project for the fainthearted; it has been a tremendous team effort. The result is a building worthy of this site, which in every way meets the brief the Chapter first gave to the architects to make the Fratry an asset to the cathedral.” stanchions divide into a diagrid roof inspired by the stone ceiling motifs in the Fratry pulpit. Contrasting with the heavy sandstone of the pavilion and Fratry, the lightweight link connects the pavilion to the half levels of the refurbished Fratry building, where new entrance openings have been formed. The late 19th century porch entry to the Fratry has been removed, and the original Robert Smirke doorway - which had been reversed and lowered when the porch was built - has been returned to its original orientation and position, and restored with new hand carving. By doing this, the reliefs and carvings around the doorway are now framed by the new link entrance. Creating the new entrance to the undercroft from the link proved an interesting engineering challenge, as a culvert was found crossing the location of the opening during the preliminary investigation works. The new opening is set centrally on the undercroft arch. Internally, a rich palette of materials aims to give a sumptuous and historic feel, resonating with the quality of the original craftsmanship and materials. Bronze, sandstone, steel and lime plasters all have rich textures, tones and patinas.

The Fratry project marks the opening of the hall to all for the first time - to visit the building and library, and attend events. The Fratry has now been equipped to host exhibitions, performances and events. Flexible lighting and new AV systems have been discreetly integrated, and the hall’s adaptability will provide the cathedral with novel income streams. Both the Fratry hall and undercroft have been de-cluttered and opened up by removing partitions and barriers subdividing the spaces. The refurbished undercroft opens up views down its full length, and the space can now be used for teaching and learning activities with local schools and communities. Carlisle Cathedral is part of the city’s historic quarter, which includes Tullie House and Carlisle Castle. The project has been made possible by funding from the Friends of Carlisle Cathedral, grant-making trusts, generous donations by members of the public, cathedral activity and a major contribution of £2m from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. The Dean of Carlisle, The Very Reverend Mark Boyling, said: “We are thrilled to have the Fratry brought back to life. We now have wonderful spaces in which to tell the cathedral’s stories of faith, hope and love, as we serve the city, the county and our visitors. This has not been a project for the fainthearted; it has been a tremendous team effort. The result is a building worthy of this site, which in every way meets the brief the Chapter first gave to the architects to make the Fratry an asset to the cathedral.” Ingrid Petit, Associate, Feilden Fowles, said: “It has been a real privilege to deliver this project after six years in the making. It’s been a truly rewarding process to work closely with so many from the cathedral community, the design team consultants and the artisans, to enhance the Cathedral Precinct with this carefully-crafted addition and improve the visitor experience.” Peter Laidler, Director, Structure Workshop, said: “Archaeological excavations magnified the sense of history associated with this site, as well as our responsibility for finding appropriate solutions to the challenges posed by the ambitious proposals. The technical challenges culminated at the junction between the new and the old, where the slender bronze link abuts the medieval structure, where a Roman culvert runs under the wall and where the most significant alterations to the hall and undercroft were required.”

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AW20 INTERIORS TRENDS “2020 has seen a monumental shift in the way we use our kitchens. For many they’re now multipurpose, a space for cooking and eating, a make-shift office, school/nursery and a meeting room.

“

s kitchens become the modern hub of the home, it’s essential they are built to be robust yet stylish. Not only do the designs need to emulate the owner’s preferences, the material specified must also be able to withstand the intense, daily activity within this room. “Given the ongoing pandemic, good hygiene is more important than ever. Low

maintenance, waterproof and easy to clean surfaces are becoming increasingly popular, especially when applied in conjunction with new mod-cons, such as hands-free taps. Aesthetically, neutral tones remain popular, particularly for surfaces. These muted tones provide an unfussy background on which the homeowner can inject their own style tastes and playful pops of colour. “Furthermore, sustainable materials, manufactured to faithfully replicate the appearance of natural stone, continues to entice customers. These offer an ideal design solution, delivering the same look and feel, without a hefty price tag or the constant upkeep required of less resistant, porous surfaces such as marble and limestone.”

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Website: www.neolith.com/en

Lighting & Electrical

LIGHTING & CIRCADIAN RHYTHM Our natural circadian rhythm is vital in ensuring general wellbeing, affecting everything from our all-important sleep patterns to the molecular clocks that regulate the timing of our cellular activities. Keeping this rhythm in check, means we not only feel better but also perform better too, hence companies and organisations are keen to ensure they provide the right environment for their workers, with the correct lighting playing a big part in this. Having good lighting in stores

too has been shown to create a better shopping experience for the customers, leading them to purchase more. Modern day living can play havoc with this natural rhythm as we have learnt to rely on artificial stimulants such as caffeine and artificial lighting, hence it is important to make sure our lighting at least, works as best as possible for our natural wellbeing. Studies have shown that spending time in the great outdoors greatly helps our natural circadian rhythm, bringing huge health benefits, whilst helping to reduce stress and increase productivity. Unfortunately, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not always possible to be exposed to natural light, therefore, the perfect way to replicate this is by having sufficient lighting indoors. Incorporating an elegant shade such as those from our glass range, helps to create a soft glow that replicates that of natural lighting.

Pair with a dimmable lighting switch, which allows you to adjust the settings throughout the day. One such project we worked on was with natural fragrance and skincare brand, The Bath House. As a brand with nature and well-being at the centre of their ethos, they wanted to ensure that when customers entered their shops, they felt relaxed and welcomed, connecting with their brand in a sensory way. They recognised that high quality lights bring a luxurious feel to interiors and are crucial to setting the tone and vibe of a room. They selected our exposed filament bulbs and glass pendants to contrast against their dark wall, whilst giving a natural look. The company understood the relationship between nature and peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s natural circadian rhythm; hence they selected our handcrafted lights made from natural, raw materials which made the ideal accompaniment to their natural environment and unique products.

IMAGE CREDIT: THE BATH HOUSE - @THEBATHHOUSESHOP | INDUSTVILLE - WWW.INDUSTVILLE.CO.UK RRN920030- Lighting Feature- HP.indd 1

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Bromleighs

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RRN920021 Bromleighs HP.indd 1

Phone: 01208 79490

Website: www.bromleighs.com 18/09/2020 10:26:52

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Email: info@bromleighs.com

PUTTING A SPOT LIGHT ON BRITISH LEGAL HERITAGE AT LINCOLN’S INN The Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn is recognised as being one of the world’s most significant professional bodies of judges and lawyers in the world. Lincoln’s Inn itself is one of the four Inns of Court of London (Middle Temple, Inner Temple and Gray’s Inn being the others).

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incoln’s Inn is a busy society of barristers, situated on a large estate of historic buildings, contemporary facilities, and tranquil grounds. This renowned and historical landmark covers over 11 acres in Holborn, London’s Borough of Camden, and is thought to have been named after Henry de Lacy, the 3rd Earl of Lincoln. It is a multifaceted organisation but is primarily focussed on the training and professional development of its members at all stages of their careers. It is a cultural and architectural landmark, recognised around the globe.

Lincoln’s Inn is a busy society of barristers, situated on a large estate of historic buildings, contemporary facilities, and tranquil grounds. To that end, any restoration or modernisation work must be carried out very carefully and sympathetically indeed with the close involvement of architectural and heritage specialists. A site of this nature requires a long term and well thought through restoration programme which on this occasion concerned the reinstallation of columns and restoration of the historic lighting around the estate. William Sugg & Co. Ltd are specialists in heritage lighting and we were brought in to work alongside Franklyn Air (who specialise in the maintenance and installation of air conditioning in London and are also experts in installation of gas lights), to refurbish the gas lighting, lampposts and lanterns at Lincoln’s Inn. A number of the beautifully and intricately designed historic lanterns needed to be put back to their formal glory having fallen into disrepair over many, many years and this is where we came in.

and attention. They also needed to be brought up to modern standards and returned to their former glory as an important focal point around the site. Our highly skilled artisan craftsmen worked on each one individually to ensure their functionality and aesthetic would last for generations to come.

The project, which we worked on for a number of months, demanded a mixture of skills and specialisms. The external gas light fittings and columns positioned at various locations around the site required a full restoration. Some light fittings required a certain level of care, and others something totally different. Some had lost their functionality while others required some general love as they had been removed from site and had been damaged whilst in storage.

In 2003 the introduction of the new BS5489 lighting standards brought with it the need to provide effective lighting with reduced lighting levels utilising whiter light sources in order to reduce power requirements. Part night dimming and part night operations were also introduced to reduce wasted energy. Within this type of restoration work, where necessary, we provided LED solutions with greatly reduced power consumptions while not compromising the design objectives, visual appearance or public safety.

The first challenge was to identify the specific needs of each of the light fittings and organise them into a form that each fitting could be given the specific attention it required to restore it back to its former glory!

The newly refurbished lanterns and lamp posts can be seen in and around Lincoln’s Inn and are a striking example of how culture and heritage are so important to London’s landmarks and society, even today.

Our role within this was to provide consultation and work out the best approach for each fitting or column, and then for our team to actually carry out the restoration in our Horsham factory.

William Sugg has been supplying interior and exterior decorative and heritage lighting for over 175 years. Examples of William Sugg’s highly prestigious work can be seen lighting thoroughfares, parks and important buildings throughout London and the world.

It was clear from the outset that as the columns and light fittings were made using heritage techniques and dated back hundreds of years, they required personal and individual care

Franklynair Ltd is a specialist in the installation and maintenance of all types of gas lighting. Their team of engineers, who are compliant with gas safe legislation, were fully trained by William Sugg & Co Ltd. For more info visit www.williamsugg.co.uk or on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook or Instagram @WSuggLighting

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The team used a combination of heritage and more modern techniques depending on the setting. Castings, columns and overthrows can also be replicated where new patterns are required, this coupled with modern production techniques ensure that reproductions can be completed to the highest of standards.

SURECLAD DELIVERS LONG-TERM GOOD LOOKS FOR MANCHESTER LIFE’S VESTA STREET SCHEME Located in Manchester’s trendy New Islington district, One Vesta Street, developed by Manchester Life Development Company (MLDC), brings 169 new apartments and three townhouses to the site of a former iron foundry.

arly engagement between the project team and ventilated façade specialist, Shackerley, led to a change in specification to Shackerley’s SureClad® Ceramic Granite system, which is certified Class A1 to BS EN 13501-1 for fire safety. The result is an elegant, creamy-beige residential development with excellent fire safety credentials. Long-Term Aesthetics The eight-storey One Vesta Street apartment block features Shackerley’s

“Installing so many different panel types in such a complex configuration was like completing a giant 8,000 piece jigsaw, but Shackerley’s production team worked closely with us to manufacture the panels and store them ahead of time.”

SureClad® Ceramic Granite ventilated system on every elevation, totalling a façade area of 5123m2. The creamybeige ‘Lopar’ panels provide a natural, grained effect to give a limestone-like appearance to the building. The SureClad® Ceramic Granite panels will ensure that the building keeps its high quality, contemporary aesthetic for longer. The panels are completely impervious so will not discolour due to weathering or pollution. The Shackerley ceramic granite is also resistant to freeze/thaw damage, U/V, algae and graffiti. Supply Chain Engagement Creating a great first impression was such an important part of the design intent that material selection for the façade was a detailed and involved process. Shackerley provided a number of large samples, with mounted panel sections to demonstrate how the façade would be installed, as well as how it would look. The company then invited members of the project team to its ISO 9001 production plant in Lancashire.

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The façade design involved 280 different SureClad® Ceramic Granite panel sizes, all plotted on the façade design and required on site in line with the installation sequence. Every panel

type and consignment was given a unique barcode, linked to Shackerley’s production system, to ensure deliveries were fully traceable and arrived aligned to the installation schedule. Aston Blake from the project’s cladding contractor, Speedclad Limited, comments: “Each section of the installation involved 12 panel sizes and each configuration of 12 panels was repeated randomly across the façade. “Installing so many different panel types in such a complex configuration was like completing a giant 8,000 piece jigsaw, but Shackerley’s production team worked closely with us to manufacture the panels and store them ahead of time. This meant that we could simply call off what we needed as the installation progressed and have them delivered to site, ensuring we could avoid any delays.” The Speedclad team used both the Queen’s Award winning SureClad® Access installation system and the SureClad® Hang On system to meet the needs of the project. Aston continues: “Most of this installation used the SureClad® Hang On system because it was more suitable for the layout of the different panel types. However, for some areas, such as the horizontal banding created by using 1198 x 598 mm panels in a horizontal orientation at ground level, the SureClad® Access system was our preferred option. Having the flexibility to switch between the two was a significant advantage for our team.”

Website: www.shackerley.com Phone: 01257 273114

It takes a long time to create perfection.

Once in a while a product comes along and changes everything, from the way itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s crafted to the way it works. Products are often copied and many are great ideas that never really see true success in their application. Many years are spent searching for a product that will ultimately surpass expectations, stand the test of time and become recognised as the leader in its field. We created one of those successful products nearly two decades ago and still today it has never been equalled. Why? Because we have never compromised on quality.

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Fire Safety Feature SCHOOLS TWICE AS LIKELY AS OTHER BUILDINGS TO BE HIT BY A BLAZE Comprehensive study of all English schools shows ‘perfect storm’ of risky buildings and poor fire detection and prevention measures • Zurich Municipal analysis of data on 26,800 schools in England shows the average fire risk in schools is almost double that of nonresidential buildings • Despite being at greater risk of a fire starting, school inspections carried out by the insurer show two thirds (66%) lack adequate fixed fire protection measures, such as sprinklers, and a quarter (24%) are rated ‘poor’ for fire detection • Firefighters have been called to nearly 2,000 school blazes in the last three years • Calls for sprinklers to be made mandatory in England as government pledges £1bn+ school rebuilding programme for England

chools in England are nearly twice as likely to suffer a blaze as other types of commercial building, according to new research by Zurich Municipal, the leading insurer of schools in the UK. In the most comprehensive analysis of its kind to date, Zurich analysed the fire risks posed by 26,866 primary and secondary schools in England. It found the average school posed a fire risk 1.7 times greater than non-residential buildings (with a fire risk score of 0.58 and 0.33 respectively according to Zurich’s model). When compared to 2.9 million nonhousehold properties, schools were also three times more likely to fall into the “high” fire risk category (58% vs 20%), as defined by the study.

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Data scientists analysed 33,000 fires from the last six years to identify factors that increase the likelihood of a blaze from which they produced a fire risk score. These factors include listed status, presence of cooking equipment and size of the building itself.

“It costs far more to repair fireravaged schools than it does to install sprinklers. Even so, cash strapped schools cannot be expected to pick up the bill. The government’s COVID-19 investment is a critical opportunity to ensure schools are more resilient to fire. Unless minsters change the law on sprinklers, much of this funding will be wasted on repairing the fire damage that sprinklers could have easily prevented. The government should also gather and disclose more data on school fires to help fully understand the risks they pose and their wider financial and social impacts.”

Despite being far riskier than average when it comes to fires, many schools also lack the equipment needed to prevent small fires becoming major disasters. Of more than 1,000 school inspections carried out by Zurich, 66% were rated as having ‘poor’ fixed fire protection systems, such as sprinklers, which are proven to significantly reduce the damage caused by fire. Just 14% were rated ‘good’ or ‘excellent’. A further quarter (24%) were judged ‘poor’ for fire detection measures, such as smoke detectors and fire alarms. Firefighters have been called to nearly 2,000 school blazes in the last three years. Malfunctioning appliances or equipment, faulty electrics, arson and kitchen blazes are among the leading causes of school fires. Larger fires in schools cost on average £2.8 million to repair and in some cases over £20 million. Bigger and older schools, including those with a canteen, and secondary schools – which have more complex and dangerous equipment – were identified as particularly at risk. A correlation between poor OFSTED ratings and greater risk of fire was also identified in the analysis. The findings have led Zurich to launch a parliamentary petition (https://petition. parliament.uk/petitions/549558) to urge MPs to change the law on sprinklers in schools. Whilst sprinklers are compulsory in all new or major refurbished school buildings in Scotland and Wales this is not the case in England. In fact, they are fitted in fewer than one in six new schools. Tilden Watson, Zurich Municipal’s Head of Education, said: “An alarming number of school buildings pose a high fire risk - yet many are poorly protected against a potential blaze. Unless Ministers bring England into line with other parts of the UK, where sprinklers are mandatory, large fires will continue to blight

schools. This is harming children’s education and putting lives at risk. “Burnt out schools and classrooms cause major disruption to children’s education, with repairs leading to months or even years of upheaval. They also result in the loss of spaces which local communities rely on out of school hours. As well as protecting pupils, sprinklers drastically reduce the extent of damage when there is a blaze, often confining the fire to a single room. This gets children back into schools and classrooms quicker as well as saving taxpayers’ money.

“Countless young people have already had their schooling upended by the coronavirus pandemic. We cannot allow school fires to further disrupt young people’s education, and jeopardise their futures.” Nick Coombe, Protection Vice Chair and Building Safety Programme Lead for the National Fire Chiefs Council, said: “The case for sprinklers is compelling. Of almost 1,000 fires over five years in buildings where sprinklers were fitted, our research found they controlled or extinguished blazes in 99% of cases. We want to see a greater inclusion of Automatic Fire Suppression Systems (AFSS), including sprinklers, across the built environment. “Sprinklers can dramatically reduce fire damage, making the reopening of a school much easier. This not only minimises the disruption to a pupil’s education, but also the impact on their family, the community and the wider education establishment.” According to Zurich’s analysis, seven million (7,036,327) primary and secondary school children are taught in the 58% of buildings that are a high fire risk. In June, Boris Johnson pledged £1bn to fund a decade long school rebuilding and repair programme and a further £560m in early August. Based on large fires alone, Zurich estimates that the repair for school fires could hit £320 million over 10 years – a significant portion of the government’s slated investment. Zurich wants the government to ring-fence some of its promised investment to improve the resilience of schools at high risk of fire. Insurers work closely with schools to help them manage their fire risks but the installation of sprinklers minimise the dangers from the outset. Watson added: “It costs far more to repair fireravaged schools than it does to install sprinklers. Even so, cash strapped schools cannot be expected to pick up the bill. The government’s COVID-19 investment is a critical opportunity to ensure schools are more resilient to fire. Unless minsters change the law on sprinklers, much of this funding will be wasted on repairing the fire damage that sprinklers could have easily prevented. The government should also gather and disclose more data on school fires to help fully understand the risks they pose and their wider financial and social impacts.”

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Company News PERMAROOF ACHIEVES TWO MONTHS OF RECORDBREAKING SALES IN THE MIDST OF COVID-19 PERMAROOF, the UK’s leading importer and distributor of Firestone RubberCover, is celebrating its most successful May and June in its 19-year history despite the nationwide challenges faced by all businesses due to the coronavirus pandemic.

ith a 26% increase in sales in May 2020 compared to 2019 and a staggering 86% increase when comparing June 2019 to 2020, it’s been two amazing consecutive months for the Derbyshire-based team with the likelihood of a healthy July too. This follows reports of 2019 being its most successful year to date with 24,000 orders completed: the highest figure in its history.

Adrian Buttress, managing director of Permaroof, attributes the success to a fast response to Covid-19, investment in an already solid team, and diversification into new services and products. Adrian said: “Despite the challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic – such as supply issues, merchants closing, and roofing projects being delayed or put on hold – our team has managed

to buck the trend and deliver amazing results that are a true testament to the service they offer, as well as the strong relationships we have with customers nationwide.” After increasing its warehouse capacity in 2019, as well as broadening its offering by acquiring The Skylight Company and becoming the sole distributor of Permafence, the team met the challenges posed by coronavirus rapidly and decisively. Additional stock had already been purchased in preparation for Brexit, ensuring ample supply to meet any level of demand from contractors, many of which still needed to fix damaged and leaking roofs in need of urgent maintenance. New products were also added to Permaroof’s portfolio including a disinfectant spray to help customers work safely, while investment in the team was crucial with a strong focus on marketing and a new marketing co-ordinator recruited to push out a formal communications strategy.

FOUR FURNITURE MANUFACTURERS SECURE SUPPORT FROM MADE SMARTER Four furniture manufacturers have secured support from Made Smarter, the movement helping SMEs join the Industry 4.0 revolution.

use Contract Furniture (Blackburn), Integral Surface Design (Skelmersdale), Starlight Bedrooms (Bolton) and Inscape Interiors (Chorley) have begun working with the North West technology adoption pilot to help them introduce digital tools and technologies to help boost productivity and growth, as well as navigate the impact of Covid-19.

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Almost 950 SME manufacturers have secured support, including specialised advice and £2.5M of funding, since the launch of Made Smarter 18 months ago.

This support includes expert, impartial technology advice, digital roadmapping workshops to help manufacturers take their first steps to transform their business, leadership development programme developed in partnership with Lancaster University, and funded digital technology internships. 104 of the businesses have now secured matched funding for 115 projects and are forecast to deliver an additional £100M in gross value added (GVA) for the North West economy over the next three years.

Some manufacturers are developing projects using technologies which enable them to integrate systems, capture and analyse data, and even create simulations of their plants and processes. Others are using 3D-printing, automation, and robotics to solve business challenges and meet increased demand. By adopting cutting-edge technologies, these businesses benefit from improved productivity and revenue, increased exports and job creation, an upskilled workforce, lower energy bills, and a reduced carbon footprint. Rob Barrows-Langford, Operations Director for Starlight Bedrooms, said:

“We are thrilled to have the support of Made Smarter in driving forward a technology project which will bring real value to our company and customers. The project will unlock growth potential and deliver enhanced resource efficiency and employment opportunities.”

At the same time, Permaroof adapted its offering to work closely with modular companies for the first time, supplying fast flat roofing solutions to four emergency NHS projects in the first month of lockdown. Adrian continued: “Clear communication to both staff and customers has been vital. Pushing forward with marketing has allowed us to do this while reinforcing our brand and putting out messages of stock availability at a really important time. I have no doubt that this has been crucial to breaking our sales records during the UK lockdown. “I hope that our success proves that there is still opportunity out there for UK SMEs and that the building and construction sector is ready to bounce back and thrive. We’re certainly committed to supporting both the contractors and merchants we work with and hope that the next quarter is as positive for them all.” Permaroof offers products and services that provide “permanent solutions to age old problems.” They offer this through a variety of products – its central offering of Firestone RubberCover EPDM roofing – as well as artificial grass through its Permalawn brand and maintenance free fencing via Permafence.

Specify CFA members and

Specifying a CFA member for your next flooring project could mean the difference between success — or a flooring failure. Most of the UK’s largest and best known Manufacturers, Distributors, Contractors and Consultants are CFA members — and for good reason. • CFA members promote high standards, knowledge and expertise • Specifying CFA members will maximize your investment and minimize costly flooring failures • All members have to pass a vetting process

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Tel: 0115 941 1126

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www.cfa.org.uk Email: info@cfa.org.uk

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