The Architectural Technologists Book, September 2024

THE ARCHITECTURAL TECHNOLOGISTS BOOK

THE CONTENTS PAGE

004 THE DESIGNERS - Design news from around the world

018 NEWS & VIEWS - News and views from the building industry

030 INTERIORS - The latest trends

048 DOORS AND GLAZING - A product and project insight

060 PROJECT NEWS - The latest projects from the building industry

Front cover image courtesy of DRU Fires UK - www.drufire.co.uk Page 2 image courtesy of Duravit - www.duravit.com

Some of the colour photography used in The Architectural Technologists Book is provided and paid for by contributors. The publishers do not accept liability for errors that may appear in the publication. Dedicated to our friend Mike. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without the publisher's consent.

Published by L2 Architectural Media Ltd, Park House, Stafford ST17 4AL. Tel: 01785 291442 www.L2am.co.uk

DESIGN ATB

Designs On Growth For North East Architects With New Work

A North East architecture and design practice is seeing strong growth after winning a raft of new contracts across Northumberland, involving the design of millions of pounds worth of regional development. The AirView Park, Woolsington head office-based Architects-Group has secured six-figures worth of new commissions, driving a 50% increase in projects in Northumberland alone in the first half of the year, as the group targets a turnover of £2.5m by 2025. Revenues are up, contributing to sustainable growth following notable wins that see the firm working on a number of long-term developments including the master plan for a 145-hectare housing and community hub development near Cramlington. The conversion of several existing hotels and former office buildings into holiday homes developments and the regeneration of derelict former police stations in Newcastle, Ponteland and Morpeth into offices, a pub and executive apartments respectively are among further new commissions.

In Cramlington, the firm has been appointed as the master planners and residential design architects to bring forward multiple regional housing developers plans to build an estimated 2,000 homes, including health, community and business hubs as part of a £425 million development to the east of the Northumbria Emergency Care Hospital, now known as Middle Farm.

Elsewhere in Northumberland, interior design work has progressed as part of ambitious plans that will see the former Victorian offices of law firm Brumell & Sample on Morpeth high street converted into five 2-bedroomed holiday-let apartments, in a £1.5m restoration project. The firm’s designs for the former police station on Ponteland high street will see the site transformed into a new bar and restaurant serving traditional and gastro pub food from this summer.

The company has also been commissioned to design new holiday lets and apartments in Morpeth, Hexham and Seahouses, a new build residential and workers dwelling development on a private country estate near Ellingham, and a 60-strong new housing development in the Borders. Interior design work is also underway on the first phase of the estimated £8m redevelopment of the former Morpeth police station, leading to the creation of luxury apartments and detached homes on the site. www.architects-group.com

Nulty Designs A Lighting Scheme For Bromley Town Hall’s

Historic Restoration

International lighting design studio Nulty has completed a lighting scheme for Bromley Old Town Hall, part of a £20 million project to restore the architectural and cultural significance of the historic site. Nulty’s lighting design response supports the wider goals set by architecture practice Cartwright Pickard and interior design studio Fusion Interiors Group, to reclaim the heritage of the Grade II-Listed architecture and breathe new life into the flexible coworking space and all-day dining restaurant that now occupy the building.

The scheme balances the need for contemporary lighting interventions and a sensitive design narrative that prioritises reuse. Nulty reviewed archive photographs of the 1906 and 1939 sections of the building, then refurbished and reinstated traditional light fittings to honour the original aspirations of the old town hall. The juxtaposition of old and new plays out in the reception area, where suspended glass pendants have been used to create a focal point above the desk and seating area.

The composition forms a welcoming path of light, which pulls guests through to the more historically significant areas of the scheme where the traditional lighting language begins. Across the main circulation areas, original decorative fittings were reinstated or replicated to complement period features such as vaulted domed ceilings, cornices, and archways. In the building’s iconic central hall, artificial skylights were used to flood the space with light and pay reverence to the 1930s skylights that were removed

when the floor above was extended. The backlit ceilings are inherently modern and provide dynamic white light that accurately reflects the colour temperature and intensity of external light levels.

A new restaurant takes up residence in the old Courthouse, a historic part of the building that has been opened to the public for the first time. Here, integrated perimeter lighting accentuates the wood panelled walls and uplights illuminate artwork and help to elevate the space.

Decorative glass pendants were reintroduced to ensure that the original design intent has been honoured and supplemented at a lower level by globe pendants to evoke a sense of intimacy. LED technology was integrated in all the workspaces and meeting rooms to deliver the required quality of light for focused work, video conferencing, and face-toface meetings.

The basement has been repurposed to form a new thread of the building and features a dramatic circulation corridor come bike storage area. To compensate for the lack of natural light in this space, linear profiles were positioned along the length of the corridor to reinforce the curve of the exposed concrete walls and improve permeability by leading occupants along a soft cadence of light. www.nultylighting.co.uk

ACPV Architects Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel Announces Construction

Milestone In Taiwan

ACPV ARCHITECTS Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel, the Milan-based architecture and interior design practice, recently celebrated a significant milestone with the groundbreaking ceremony for their latest project in Taiwan – the Capella Kenting resort development commissioned by Riant Capital and Capella Hotels and Resorts. Located in the southernmost county of Taiwan, just north of the scenic Kenting National Park, the resort embodies the Capella Hotel Group’s holistic vision, prioritising guest experience and creating a strong sense of belonging to the place.

To highlight Kenting - a pristine locale synonymous with seafront enjoyment—the architects seamlessly integrate more than sixty villas and related amenities within the natural landscape. By mirroring the contours and slopes of the lush green environment, they deliberately optimise views of the sea and sky, ensuring that each villa boasts panoramic vistas of the ocean.

This organic connection with nature begins on arrival, when guests are greeted by a sunken drop-off area flooded with natural light and greenery. The marked transition from the busy road to a serene, landscaped garden is akin to arriving at a private home within a park.

While offering communion with nature, Capella Kenting remains a social space, striking a balance between privacy and interaction. When ensconced in their villas, complete with private pools and terraces, guests can enjoy moments of secluded relaxation. (cont...)

(cont...) Meanwhile, the resort’s shared spaces - including bars, restaurants, wedding facilities and the signature Capella Living Room and Clubhouse - encourage communal moments. Guests can rejuvenate at the spa, swimming pools, gym and Onsen bathhouses, celebrating Japanese bathing rituals.

Architect Antonio Citterio, Chairman and co-founder of ACPV ARCHITECTS, describes the concept as centred on the interplay between the building site and the sea. He adds, “Every architectural detail is meticulously crafted to provide uninterrupted views of the water and horizon, granting guests a sense of unity with nature.”

Architect Patricia Viel, CEO and co-founder, further explains, “The resort’s design draws inspiration from the rich cultural context of the location. For our first resort in Taiwan, we are integrating traditional craft and construction techniques, including low stacked-stone walls, to minimise visual impact while paying homage to aboriginal culture.”

In Taiwan, ACPV ARCHITECTS’ carefully considered Eastmeets-West approach is evident in such completed projects as La Bella Vita and Treasure Garden residential towers in Taichung, which employ stone construction and contemporary Italian geometric designs.

Meanwhile, The Sky Taipei, the high-rise comprising two hotels that is poised to redefine Asia’s lifestyle centre experience, draws inspiration from Chinese bamboo and the vertical grooves of classic Greek columns to celebrate the city’s unique blend of modernism and tradition.

Similarly, Sensuous Garden (ZuCui), a mixed-use residential and hotel complex in Taipei’s vibrant yet secluded Songshan district, evocatively articulates Italian notions of elegance, refinement and timelessness. On its striking façade made of reflective-glass skin, references to Taiwanese tea culture are made through engraved horizontal lines, evoking lush tea plantations.

Staying on the cutting edge of innovation, ACPV ARCHITECTS has recently partnered with machine learning experts from Reply to bring the process of designing and manufacturing ceramic tiles into the Digital Age. By using AI, the firm successfully streamlined the production process, increased the team’s productivity and creativity, and reduced environmental impact.

In another innovative collaboration, the firm worked with Fondo per l’Ambiente Italiano (FAI), National Trust of Italy, to create digital twins for two historic house museums in Milan, utilising advanced digital methodologies and tools to help preserve heritage assets. www.acpvarchitects.com

The Castings, Piccadilly East - A Brand New Build To Rent Community Launches In Manchester

The Castings, a brand-new Build To Rent community in the up-and-coming Piccadilly East, will open its doors to residents in June 2024. The 352 homes to rent in Manchstester’s newest neighbourhood, will sit at the heart of a vibrant creative hub located just behind Manchester Piccadilly train station. The development is owned by CDL Hospitality Trust (CDLHT), which also owns Manchester’s 5* hotel The Lowry, and is bringing new life to the neighbourhood with its range of studio, 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments. The new lifestyle-led development will also feature a new yoga room and gym, a games room, private dining spaces and a work hub. At ground floor level there are three retail and F&B units ranging from 400 sq ft to 3,000 sq ft which will soon provide amenity for residents and those in the surrounding area.

The Castings is anchored within the city’s most exciting new neighbourhood, Piccadilly East, which was named in the Sunday Times coveted lists of best places to live, and sits conveniently adjacent to Ancoats, New Islington and the Northern Quarter.

Piccadilly East is already home to some of Manchester's most sought-after venues including the highly anticipated Co-Op Live; food, drink & live entertainment venue, Diecast; Ducie Street Warehouse & Blok gym; as well as a host of Manchester-based breweries including Cloudwater, Track and Manchester Union.

The site, built in an area steeped in rich industrial history, pays homage to its past with the name The Castings derived from pouring molten metals and other materials into moulds. The design-led apartments are inspired by these industrial shapes, flowing forms and molten textures.

On the imminent launch, The Castings community manager, Dave Evans, comments: “In just a couple of months, we’ll be welcoming residents into our new community. The focus for The Castings has been to create much more than just apartments; it’s a whole new lifestyle, with the best service and living experience that Manchester has to offer. "

"Piccadilly East is a really exciting area to be part of which already contains some of the most exciting venues within the city, it’s the next generation of Manchester, and following on from the footsteps of Ancoats we hope to continue to create the next bustling creative hub in the city.” www.thecastingsmcr.co.uk

Stora Enso Celebrates The Opening Of Wooden Architectural

Landmark

Building

Wisdome Stockholm

Wisdome Stockholm is a new scientific experiential arena situated in the courtyard of Sweden’s National Museum of Science and Technology in Stockholm. The Wisdome Stockholm building encompasses a wooden architectural design creating an archedshaped room of 1,325 square meters. Stora Enso has been the main partner and delivered sustainable wooden construction materials for the project.

“Wisdome Stockholm is truly a landmark building that stretches the boundaries of wooden architecture. Wood as a building material is an important part of the solution to battle climate change, enabling storage of CO2 and a sustainable construction process. Today’s inauguration showcases the unique design and sustainability benefits of building with renewable materials,” says Lars Völkel, Executive Vice President, Stora Enso’s Wood Products division.

The wood used for both the LVL (laminated veneer lumber) and CLT (crosslaminated timber) building elements for Wisdome Stockholm came from sustainably managed, certified forests in Sweden and Finland and stores in total 1,178 tonnes of carbon dioxide. The construction incorporates both curved and twisted beams, found in only a few locations worldwide. Situated at the heart of the exhibition hall is a substantial wooden dome equipped with state-of-the-art visualisation technology. “

Being a part of this project from the early stages, we were able to find an innovative way to use standard industrial products, such as CLT and LVL elements from our Sylva by Stora Enso range, to achieve the asymmetrical structure of the building without sacrificing the fantastic design,” says Jessika Szyber, Business Development Manager at Stora Enso. www.storaenso.com

NEWS& VIEWS ATB

FP McCann Invests £90M

To Boost Manufacturing Capabilities And Introduce New Product Ranges

Leading precast concrete company FP McCann is driving forward with its strategy to increase its manufacturing capabilities with the announcement of extensions to several of its factories and the introduction of new product lines. FP McCann £90m investment programme enables the company to support the industry as it responds to the new material demands which will come with the introduction of the Future Homes Standard in 2025, a policy that sets a clear pathway for building the next generation of energy-efficient and climate-resilient homes.

With these changes in mind, the company is investing in a new factory to produce Autoclaved Aerated Concrete Blocks and Panels (AAC). These offer an excellent alternative to traditional dense and medium-dense blocks, making compliance with Part L more achievable. Further new products will come through the development of another bagging line, which will be operational in Q4 2024 and will bolster the company's growth in bagged products, incorporating its specialist mortars and grouts.

In addition, a natural decorative paving range will be available from September 2024 to complement FP McCann's many precast concrete building products. This new paving portfolio includes a premium choice of riven and sawn Indian sandstone and porcelain paving slabs. And the company’s latest investment has also facilitated the development of a new product range which complements FP McCann’s below-ground precast concrete solutions for drainage, water management and utility infrastructure.

A new factory is planned to manufacture HDPE twin wall and PVC-u storm and foul sewer drainage pipes and utility ducting. Buoyed by positive 2024 half-year sales, FP McCann’s strategic investment will create approximately 100 new jobs and represents another vital step in the company's push to maintain and grow its range of highquality, sustainable products. Its range offers solutions for applications including building structures, power generation, major infrastructure, roofing, drainage, fencing and general construction.

The new funding builds on FP McCann’s recent investments, which have seen the introduction of worldleading quality assessment processes at a number of its 12 UK manufacturing facilities to enable FP McCann to stay at the forefront of carbon neutrality. This includes introducing AI quality-checking technology and full traceability across the product range. Central to the company’s strategy is ensuring that specifiers and contractors have access to building products that are compatible with higher thermal standards brought by the 2023 changes to Part L of the Building Regulations, which marked a significant milestone towards delivering the UK’s net zero targets.

A spokesperson for the company stated, “We constantly take on board customer feedback, and the investment in these new products and services is driven by the needs of our customers. As an example, FP McCann’s unique multi-product load offering has been a fantastic success. Builders’ merchants no longer have to coordinate multiple deliveries of single product loads, each often carrying a part-load surcharge. “With the introduction of our new decorative paving range, we can now offer up to eight different products on a single load, and as more products come online, we will expand this service further.” www.fpmccann.co.uk

Decoding Roof Voids

Following on from his seminar presentation at this year’s Fire Safety Event, held in April at Birmingham’s NEC, Dr. Karthick Govarthanam, General Manager for FIREFLY®, explores some of the issues surrounding fire risk in roof voids.

We have been assured in recent years by mainstream media that our firefighters’ main role nowadays is in educating the public as to the risks they face in their homes and installing smoke alarms. Yet the UK fire and rescue services were called out to 627,553 incidents out of which 67,014 of those involved primary fires in the year ending 2022.

Between 2006 and 2008, at least 10,000 of these primary fires originated from the attic occurring in pubs, care homes and schools. Under fire conditions, smoke can travel at an alarming rate of 120 to 420 feet per minute. It’s no surprise, then, that 57% of all fire-related fatalities occur outside the room where the fire started, according to insurance giant Aviva.

It is crucial then that Building Control Officers and others responsible for overseeing alterations in premises such as care homes and apartment buildings, turn their attention to roof hazards – with the most common being faulty electrical wiring, ceiling insulation, flammable roofing materials and leaky roofs.

The latter could cause electrical wirings in the ceiling or attic to malfunction. Indeed, 41% of fire-related deaths in Great Britain were caused by the victim being overcome by gas, smoke or toxic fumes – and it can take as little as 2.½ minutes for a home to be entirely engulfed in

flames. A report published by BRE identified that the four mechanisms of fire spread in roof voids were combustible materials spanning beneath the non-combustible roof covering: absent or poor installation of cavity barriers/ compartmentation, fire spread along the soffit, and heat transfer through penetrations. The document goes on to point out that “not many realise that the party wall (that’s the wall you share with your neighbour) should be completely intact with no gaps right up to the roof tiles.

To mitigate against these lethal risks there are of course legislative requirements governed through the building regulations which includes Approved Document 7 for Materials and workmanship, Approved Document Part B –Volume 1 & 2 for Fire Safety and National House Building Council.

(NHBC) Standards. These documents explain how a large property can be compartmentalised and provides the guidance for minimum fire safety requirements. For example, minimum legal requirements for smoke and flame stipulate that a cavity barrier is required to prevent these products of combustion, i.e. smoke and flame, from penetrating and/ or moving within a concealed space in a fire compartment for 30 minutes and are occasionally required to perform for longer periods of up to 120 minutes.

Legal requirements for insulation, meanwhile, state that a cavity barrier, when exposed on one side, should restrict the temperature rise of the unexposed face to be below 140 C, over ambient temperatures, for 15 minutes – but are now usually fitted with a 30 minute – or greater barrier.

These regulations state that there should be a means of warning and escape, both horizontal and vertical with details on, for example, where a cavity barrier should be sited to ensure a protected stairway enclosure remains safe – especially relevant to flats and HMOs. In fact, upgrading roof spaces within local authority and housing association properties has become a regular application for FIREFLY‘s range of passive fire protection systems.

Most used are the horizontal and vertical flexible fire barriers, installed across existing structural elements or frames assembled from steel angles, fireproof access panels, and the recently launched range of ablative wall and floor batt systems.

The most commonly used Fire Barriers are FIREFLY® ZEUS Lite™ which offers 90 minutes integrity and 30 minutes insulation and FIREFLY® ZEUS Horizontal™ affords a combined 60 minutes insulation and 30 minutes integrity.

For compartmentations within a building where just the integrity is required, as smoke and flame entrapment systems, FIREFLY® PHOENIX Lightweight™, flexible fire rated smoke & flame barrier has been designed to provide, offering up to 120 minutes integrity only, when tested to BS 476 Parts 20 & 22 and BS EN 1364 Part 1.

PHOENIX Horizontal™ also offers up to 120 minutes integrity. The technical support available to ensure compliant installation includes diagrams to illustrate the various types of cavity barriers, along with installed examples in roof voids, backed by high quality photography where appropriate as well as site supervision or inspections.

Critical Compartmentation – Under Roof Tiles - NHBC Standard’s Section 7.2.16, entitled ‘FIRE-STOPPING AND CAVITY BARRIERS,’ advises that compartment walls should stop approximately 25mm below the top of the adjacent roof framing and a soft fire-stopping material should be used, to allow for movement in ceiling or roof timbers.

Whereas the ADB requires that gaps between compartments should be fire-stopped, using materials which achieve the same level of fire resistance as the compartment wall and that it should extend all the way to the underside of the roof covering. Firefly’s new Roof Cavity Closers has been designed to comply to both these contradicting and still provide up to 60 minutes of fire protection.

In the wake of the Hackitt Report, construction professionals have been forced to take a more holistic

approach to fire safety, both in design and execution of work, meaning we should not look at product solutions in isolation, which is why specifiers should carefully consider the ‘critical role of system components and compatible ancillaries’. Certified systems generally have a requirement for specified components to be used to maintain the integrity of the system. For example, with FIREFLY’s flexible barriers, joints would be formed using the stainless steel staples and high temperature adhesive and certain systems use stainless steel wire to stitch them together.

Finally, it is essential to acknowledge that service penetrations present an immediate and permanent threat to the integrity of any fire barrier of compartmentation strategy and that what is installed today could be compromised by new pipework of other installations at any time in the future, which is why FIREFLY® has developed and tested its system solutions to remain fully effective as long as service penetrations are correctly made and managed, using items like Collaroll which feature in many installations, wrapping pipes and isolated structural members, all helping keep occupants safe. www.tbafirefly.com

70 Is The Magic Number

When it comes to unlocking the ultimate in heavy-duty performance with IVC Commercial heterogeneous vinyl floors, 70 is the magic number. With Isafe 70, Iperform 70 and Optimise 70, IVC Commercial has a complete range of heavy-duty floors for all types of location. So, whether tackling corridors with a requirement for safety underfoot, classrooms with a need for improved acoustics or general areas that demand the best in strength; you can rely on IVC Commercial’s magic 70 to deliver.

Every floor bearing the 70 label is made to bring the best in heavy-duty performance so you can confidently recommend them as the ultimate flooring solution. Isafe 70 brings stylish slip-resistance thanks to its easy to look after Hypergrip finish that brings TRRL 36+ slip restraint. Paired with a 0.70mm wear layer, it provides a sure finish underfoot that can withstand heavy-duty use.

Unlike traditional safety flooring, it’s available in wood and concrete designs, as well as terrazzo and striking all-over colours. Optimise 70 is designed for spaces that need good acoustics. With 19dB of impact sound reduction thanks to a unique compact foam layer, Optimise 70 keeps sound at bay and helps to create a quieter space. Again, with a

0.70mm wear layer, it delivers exceptional durability and comes in 54 different looks to meet the design objectives of any project. In the new Iperform 70, IVC Commercial has created the ultimate heavy-duty sheet vinyl floor.

Thanks to its Performance Barrier layer that brings strength and stability as well as lasting appearance retention, and its 0.70mm wear layer, Iperform 70 achieves the highest possible classification for vinyl floors. In 60 different design options across wood, concrete, terrazzo and all-over colours, it’s also packed full of choice so any project can benefit from a floor with performance and style.

All floors in IVC Commercial’s 70 performance series benefit from Hyperguard+ (Hypergrip on Isafe 70). This advanced treatment not only protects the surface of the floor and enhances scratch-resistance, but it also means that it is easier to take care of without the use of specialist cleaners or top-up treatments. Alongside this low maintenance enhancement, 70 series floors have Sanitec ® technology for lifetime anti-bacterial resistance that prevents the growth of mould. www.ivc-commercial.com

Empowering New Architects

However talented, enthusiastic and determined new architects are, they still need to be empowered to realise their full potential and fulfil their dreams. Despite a long training, architecture is a profession where ongoing learning is essential, but this continuing professional development (CPD) may not always meet expectations. This is sad and worrying because architecture has a direct and often profound impact on our lives.

We all inhabit buildings and, on average, spend eighty to ninety per cent of our time indoors*. Even when out and about, much of our life is spent in some form of built environment, often created by architects. Good architecture has never been more important: professional competence is being scrutinised as never before and we are seeing the introduction of new legislation in the areas of building safety and sustainability.

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) is changing its CPD system to help meet these challenges and the Architects Registration Board (ARB) has gained powers to check architects' competence. Methods of CPD learning are as diverse as the topics covered but the teaching needs to be interesting to be successful. When it comes from manufacturers, it must not simply be a case of them trying to tick all the boxes with their product. It is also vital that it is not boring, repetitive and unnecessarily time-consuming. There is a real danger that new architects who are already under stress at work can find the burden of learning harmful to mental health, especially if it is shoehorned into lunchtimes and other free periods.

To find out more about West Fraser's support for architects and to access useful downloads, visit the architects' page at https://uk.westfraser.com/resources/architect-support/ - for further information, visit https://uk.westfraser.com

Firefly® Spreading The Word On Compliant Compartmentation

Changes to the fire regulations across the UK and the challenge of showing compliance with them, is motivating a growing number of construction professionals to book a place on FIREFLY®’s highly informative CPD seminar. Entitled “The Design and Understanding of Passive Fire Protection and Compartmentation”, the 60 minute presentation provides an introduction to the behaviour of fire and the distinctions between active and passive protection measures, before moving on to explain the various ways in which fully compliant compartmentation can be achieved to prevent the spread of fire within a building.

Daniel Gordon, the Specification Sales Manager for Scotland and Ireland, comments: “Architects and fire assessors are joining to us to learn more about compartmentation and flexible fire barriers in particular and generally wanting us to update their conceptual knowledge of the subject as standards, compliance requirements and indeed solutions available all continue to evolve." Amongst the consultancies that Daniel has delivered the module to in recent times is Keppie Design in Glasgow, a practice responsible for creating some of Scotland’s most prestigious projects. FIREFLY® manufactures and supplies a range of fully tested fire barriers which are suitable for protecting all types of new-build construction as well as being widely used in retrofit situations. www.tbafirefly.com

West Fraser and Falcon TimberWorking In Complete Harmony With Mirrored Brand Values

Here, Stuart Sims, Falcon Timber’s Chief Marketing Officer, outlines the company’s operations and how the team works with West Fraser.

“It's not just a strict supplier/ customer relationship. We believe that the company’s values and operations position West Fraser at the forefront of high-end panel production.”

Falcon Timber is a stalwart of the industry; how does the group look today?

Falcon Timber is the overarching distribution brand for Consolidated Timber Holdings. In 2023, Falcon Panels Products and MBM Forest Products amalgamated to form a new company, Falcon Timber Ltd, resulting in a strong, well positioned timber distribution model that offers true nationwide delivery in the UK. Falcon Timber, alongside the manufacturing division of Hoffman Thornwood and Triesse Ltd, positions CTH as one of the leading timber distributors and manufacturing solution specialists; with a strong product catalogue and impressive team of experts.

What does Falcon Timber offer?

Falcon Timber, as a leading UK wood-based panel products and timber importer, distributor and solutions specialist, supplies softwoods, plywoods, engineered panels, OSB and everything in between, with the vast product library, service levels, and expertise, setting the company apart from others. Providing market-leading ranges of quality products, matched with unrivalled pricing and nationwide delivery services, affords Falcon Timber the opportunity to meet customer expectations with ease.

The on-site port facility at Tilbury, and additional depots in Nottingham, Birmingham, Haydock, Leeds, High Wycombe and Gateshead, are strategically located to offer a responsive, nationwide service and, at each location, we carry a full range of products including the STRE-branded ranges. We also have an extensive collection of FSC© chain of custody-certified products. As the industry evolves, we continue to invest in the development of products.

“It's not just a strict supplier/customer relationship. We believe that the company’s values and operations position West Fraser at the forefront of high-end panel production.”

West Fraser manufactures Falcon Timber’s exclusive STREbord® products. Tell us more about them.

STREbord®, the number one choice in the vast majority of mezzanine floor installations in the UK and abroad, features a specially-engineered T&G 2LE profile designed for strength and ease of fit. STREbord®38mm Mezzanine Decking is available as a P6 Standard or P5 (MR) Moisture Resistant chipboard core with a choice of surface finishes to meet end-user requirements. It is designed for strength and ease of fit while consistency of quality and specification from board to board ensures straightforward installation, a neat professional finish and high user satisfaction.

Protective foil, in silver or white, applied to the underside of the board, provides excellent fire performance characteristics. It’s environmentally friendly, using wood from sustainable forests, and conforms with current formaldehyde emission classes to BS EN 120 – perforator test method. Based on customer requirements and the installation environment, there could be all sorts of different treatments applied to the STREbord® product. Is it going into a chilled environment, for example? Does it need to be able to be moisture-resistant? Will it need to withstand forklift trucks driving over it; or will it need to have wires placed in it to ensure that robots know where they're going!?

What are your key markets? Who buys STREbord® from Falcon Timber?

STREbord® is effectively a one-product market, which is mezzanine flooring and, as such, we don't have hundreds of customers when it comes to STREbord® - it's tens, not hundreds, and they tend to be very high volumes. It’s the huge warehouses you see – think of a large omni channel retailer in the world and you are getting the idea!

What happens at the depots as customers do not generally collect product?

We distribute and deliver from our depots; we have a sales office and warehousing facilities at Tilbury where all our products are delivered to. We then distribute to the eight Falcon Timber depots which, in turn, deliver to their customers. At its simplest, Falcon’s customer base comprises builders’ merchants large and small, timber merchants, and buying groups. In addition, we supply what we classify as end-users such as shopfitters, kitchen manufacturers, and housebuilders.

Why did you choose West Fraser to manufacture your exclusive STREbord®?

Falcon Timber has been working with West Fraser (Norbord and Nexfor beforehand) for over thirty years and supplies us with other panel portfolios including SterlingOSB Zero, CaberMDF, CaberDek flooring, and CaberFloor P5 particleboard. It goes without saying that the products are of the highest quality in the market; that’s why we have supplied them to our customers for decades.

The organisation, and people we work with, match our group values in terms of their environmental positioning; this is the thread that is so important to them and us. Geographical proximity is also key. We are not transferring products too far – which is great for logistics and the environment! It's a long-standing partnership built on mutual trust. Everyone we deal with at West Fraser is a willing participant in our business.

It is not just a supplier/ customer relationship; the West Fraser team is involved with all of our depots and our teams. People such as Mark Lewis-Ranwell, our Account Manager, is effectively embedded within our depots. West Fraser supports the growth of our business by being actively involved in our depot network and looking for opportunities that may be more appropriate for Falcon Timber than West Fraser direct. We understand our lines of demarcation!

A recent anecdote which reinforces our joint brand values was when Falcon Timber’s Operations Director, Aidan Hudson, visited the West Fraser sites in Scotland. He was really impressed as the discipline is front and centre of everything that they do, so there’s some lessons that we’re learning there! Then there’s their investment in the United Kingdom.

I think they hide their light under a bushel somewhat! West Fraser should be justifiably proud of the investments they make in ensuring their equipment is state of the art. Most people know that manufacturing has been on the decline in the UK for many decades, so to see a business like theirs, thriving, is fantastic. For further information, call 01786 812 921 or visit https://uk.westfraser.com

The Solid Response To Scale, Corrosion And Fouling In Commercial Heating Systems

Closed heating and cooling systems are vulnerable to scale, corrosion and fouling which increase energy consumption and reduce equipment life expectancy. The majority of issues with heating systems relate to the quality of the circulating water in the system and for ages heating engineers have been looking for a solution to the problems they encounter time after time with commercial heating systems in a range of buildings from office blocks to large public buildings, where simple straightforward remedial system would clean systems and make them operational in the shortest possible timeframe.

The patented DosaFil-Duo® addresses the key concerns of the HVAC market linked to water quality and treatment control enabling systems to be operated and maintained in line with the guidelines detailed in BSRIA BG29 and BG50. The DosaFil-Duo® is a safe, convenient and effective way to introduce solid or liquid treatment chemicals into hot or cold closed recirculating water systems while also providing constant side stream filtration and continuous air removal. Smart monitoring notifies the user of the need to change the filter bag.

The DosaFil-Duo® is the only device on the market today that combines high performance filtration with air removal and safe chemical dosing capability in both liquid or solid form. DosaFil® standard operating pressure and temperature ranges are unmatched in the market today. Ease of installation and use means that systems fouled with suspended solids and deposits can be cleaned up online potentially eliminating the need for costly offline cleaning and remediation.

Dosafil offers green technology designed to optimize energy and water consumption along with industry proven technology combined in one device eliminating the need for a separate by-pass chemical feeder, auto air vent and filter devices. Filtration is possible down to 0.5 microns allowing suspended solids to be controlled within industry standards. The Dosafil Duo range of equipment is easy to use, safe in use and fast. It cleans systems online, reducing or eliminating downtime, it offers a complete treatment – it’s the only device that can combine chemical dosing with air removal and constant side stream filtration.

It offers 2-minute filter change with no specialist tools required and a safe monitor that notifies the user when to change filter bags. It’s the UK’s most environmentally-friendly chemical system offering flexible dosing options and allows you to choose solid chemical options that save you cost, energy and time. There’s a wide range of units available offering standard temperatures from 90 to 130 degrees C and pressures from 10 to 20 bar.

Quite simply, Dosafil Duo makes water treatment what it should be. And the system is all designed and manufactured here in the UK. DosaFil-Duo® becomes the UK’s most environmentally friendly chemical system when combined with SolidTek® solid paste stick chemicals, which are more compact and lightweight than liquid chemicals, and come in fully recyclable packaging.

They save money on storage and transport costs, lessen health and safety concerns - no heavy lifting - and are really easy to dose - just pop them into the DosaFil® device and go. DosaFil® is an official distributor of SolidTek solid paste chemicals, stocking the full range for immediate dispatch. Products available include a range of inhibitors including CLBC-5 inhibitor which has achieved NSF International CIAS - formerly known as BuildCert certification, on-line cleaners and a range of biocides. You can get ahead of the game and get a system health check for your malfunctioning heating systems using Dosfil’s simple 5 step approach.

Request and receive a sample kit through the post from the company and follow the instructions provided and fill each sample bottle with a small amount of system water. Place the samples in the pre-paid postal bag and pop it into your nearest post box. Once received, the water sample is analysed by Dosafil’s partner laboratory and a report is produced. DosaFil® will then provide you with a full, unbiased report and offer recommendations based on the analysis report on how to improve system protection and performance. Contact Dosafil by calling 0345 805 0405, email Dosafil at hello@dosafil.co.uk and take a closer look at what the company offers at www.dosafil.co.uk

INTERIORS ATB

The Height Of Luxury With Keller’s Marbling Moods Kitchen

Classic styles are still very much on trend, and Keller’s all-new Marbling Moods kitchen is a clear sign that this admiration is unlikely to disappear soon. This kitchen maintains modern utility, form, and function alongside its retro design. The suspended cabinets are easy to access and emphasise spaciousness and accessibility, while the island, shielded in marble, features a sink for both classical style and pragmatic benefit.

The Watford door blends well with the rest of the kitchen, thanks in particular to its handle-less design. Employing luxurious crystal marble and lavish natural hues, the colours in this sophisticated set take inspiration from polished 20th century style.

Elegant walnut tones synchronise with fashionable olive-green matt lacquer for a nostalgically retro aura. Subtle touches of red copper to the surface trim and tap accentuate the classic look, and the black matt anthracite sides are a stark but pleasing contrast to the veined, palatial marble. As always with Keller, attainability is paramount. For lower cost but identical quality and appearance, the wood veneer front can be exchanged for a melamine door in wood décor.

Keller is well known for offering the widest range of colours (2,050 NCS) and finishes in the kitchen furniture market – along with a vast range of cabinet options, all produced by the most sustainable means possible. The company is proud to have been a Carbon Neutral kitchen manufacturer since 2017. www.kellerkitchens.com

Schlüter®-DILEX-F

Movement Joints Redefining The

Tiling Landscape

Schlüter®-Systems has developed the Schlüter®-DILEX-F movement joint system to transform the appearance of tiled floors; completely changing the landscape in terms of visual impact: replacing the discordant intrusion of conventional movement joints with a much more discreet and elegant alternative.

An ideal solution for statement kitchens and connected dining or open plan living space, DILEX-F presents a wellengineered set of fully compatible components designed to address a technically and aesthetically challenging task facing flooring and fit-out specialists in both residential and commercial scenarios. The effect is to skilfully overcome typical reservations about using movement joints.

Where, for instance, it is necessary to butt lengths of movement joint together across large floor areas - normally creating highly visible and jarring discontinuities - the DILEX-FCS carrier profiles are unified using the DILEX-FIS insert which is supplied in 30m roll lengths that are easily cut to length and inserted at the very end of the job, when other trades have finished their potentially damaging activities. In the interim, the FCS profiles are protected by an orange strip.

Then a special tool is supplied with each roll of DILEX-FIS insert, which is used to clean the channel after the orange protection strip is removed; with the handy device also serving to push the colour matched insert snugly into place. www.schluter.co.uk

Stelrad Launches First Ever ‘Green Steel’ Radiator Series – With Tata Steel…

Leading radiator manufacturer Stelrad Radiators is going green with another UK powerhouse Tata Steel to offer the first 90% green steel radiator range. Tata Steel is supplying UK made 90% Carbon Lite steel to Stelrad within the radiator market, so that Stelrad customers can choose a Green Compact radiator range that contributes directly to a reduction in atmospheric CO2 today and accelerates decarbonisation in the future.

Tata Steel is a UK leading strip steel manufacturer with steelmaking facilities in Port Talbot in South Wales. The steel comes with a certificate from DNV – Det Norske Veritas to prove the steel has 90% lower embodied CO2 emissions. The process for producing the steel is called Optemis Carbon Lite.

All revenues generated by the process are reinvested to fund additional projects, thereby generating further CO2 savings to be verified by DNV and speeding up decarbonisation efforts within the UK. Each radiator in the new range will bear a ‘Green Series’ radiator badge distinguishing them from the standard ranges and come with a green packaging.

The new radiators will come with a new identity and strapline –“Stelrad Green Series – Made with clean green steel”. Customers purchasing a green radiator from the new Stelrad Green Series will be saving the equivalent expenditure of driving a small car over 250 miles per radiator purchased. www.stelrad.com.

A Reliable Base For A Lasting Education Floor

The affordability, quality and reliability of LION Floor™ makes it the perfect preparation for resilient floors in schools and colleges. The durability and easy maintenance of resilient floors make them popular in schools and colleges, but these floors do require careful attention of the subfloor to bring out their best. With LION Floor™, contractors can ensure that the subfloor is ready for a high-quality resilient flooring installation that will deliver education environments a lasting floor finish that delivers excellent long-term value.

The engineered fibreboard is specially designed for the installation of resilient floors, delivering a substrate that provides a smooth and flat surface. Made in Finland from locally sourced wood by-products, LION Floor is an alternative to BS 8203 complaint plywood. It’s construction and density mean it’s highly durable and impact-resistant and so ideal for education environments. As well as a range of standard sizes, LION Floor is available in large sheets for bigger areas (up to 10’ x 4’). Reliability is a key advantage of using LION Floor.

The fibreboard construction eliminates the problems that come with the core gaps and overlaps found in plywood and unlike other oil-tempered hardboards, it doesn’t need wetting before installation. The flat, strong panel is ready to receive screeds and feather compounds and fitting is simple to, as it is laid in the same way as plywood and can be cut with either a knife or saw. For more information, contact Finnish Fibreboard (UK) Ltd, sales@finfib.fi

Counter-balanced for ease - of-use

Highly insulated hatch to keep in the warmth (U value of 0.63 W/m K )

Noël & Marquet To Launch New Products

At Decorex

Noël & Marquet are providers of premium decorative mouldings and innovative solutions for the interior design and decorative sector. The products are all manufactured in Belgium using 100% renewable electricity sources and include cornices, chair rails, 3D wall panels, skirtings and profiles for indirect lighting. This enables them to offer a design solution that can span from floor to ceiling, creating a space that is totally unique.

Noël & Marquet will be launching a series of new products at Decorex including the stunning ARC S and the ARC C wall panels, whose main feature is a rounded elongated pattern – that epitomises the retro-futuristic style of the 1970’s. In addition, they will be showing the new CANELÉ R l a wall tile that combines perfectly the linear Scandinavian inspired CANELÉ l panels, combined they create sophisticated and dynamic wall compositions. Their stand is at L53 and visitors are most welcome to view the collections. www.noel-marquet.net

Step Intoo A Brighter Future

With loose lay installation, the Intoo 55 range is a positive step toward a brighter future. Moduleo Intoo 55 is the no-hassle loose lay vinyl floor for office spaces that’s easy to recycle through the Recover programme. Made to be installed with tackifier rather than fully bonded, Intoo 55 is fitted in exactly the same way as carpet tiles and compatible with raised access flooring for a no-hassle vinyl floor in receptions, working areas, breakout spaces, canteens, kitchens and tea stations. Fully bonding to the subfloor is not only more hassle, but it also makes it harder to remove the vinyl floor at the end of its life and much more difficult to recycle. More often than not, it will end up in landfill. However, vinyl flooring has the potential to be easily recycled. The problem is not the floor, but the way it is installed. Moduleo Intoo 55’s loose lay installation solves this complication.

The Recover programme works in tandem with the floor’s 100% recyclable construction to recover and find life in products like street furniture. Recover currently takes back installation waste, but Intoo 55’s loose lay installation also makes it possible to re-use the floor in other projects. Loose lay installation and better recyclability are not the only reasons to choose Intoo 55 for office projects. It’s new Excimer technology top layer also helps to extend its useful life with better scratch resistance while creating a matt and more natural appearance for its wood, stone and terrazzo designs. Thanks to better wear resistance and the easy uplift of its loose lay installation, even after its first use in a busy office, Intoo 55 may find another life in social and community projects. Intoo 55 is available in standard plank, standard tile and square tile formats. With nine wood designs, a terrazzo and five tile looks; offices can find a floor that complements the interior and step Intoo a brighter future for flooring. www.moduleo.co.uk

The Fireplace Evaluation. Gas, Wood Or Electric?

An overview by Niall Deiraniya, general manager of DRU Fires UK.

Autumn is a time of crisp, cool days and longer nights. There is no better feeling than returning from a vigorous walk and relaxing next to a warm fire. Do you choose a gas fire, a wood burning stove or an electric fire? Will you convert your existing chimney or select a fire that requires no chimney? Let’s consider the options.

Gas fires - Gas heating will be here for the foreseeable future. It provides real flames, comfortable heating and high energy efficiency. DRU has a range of gas fires that can be installed with or without a chimney, are suitable for modern or traditional homes and offer superior design and performance.

A good example is the DRU Maestro 75XTU Tall model, with its 1.3-metre-high, 3-sided window. Not just a fire but an architectural feature that will make a dramatic statement in your home.

Wood burning fires and stoves - wood stoves are a sustainable heating option, with beautiful flames and generous heat. DRU produces them under its Dik Geurts brand. They include the Ivar, which fits UK chimneys and designer stoves like the Oval, for rural retreats or urban lofts. The range also includes built-in models, including 2-sided, 3-sided and see-through tunnel fires.

Electric fires - Today’s electric fires have evolved from functional appliances to models with impressive design and performance. Consumers are turning to electric for its low carbon footprint and compatibility with media walls, which also accommodate gas fires and wood stoves. DRU Virtuo Evolve electric fires feature realistic flame images, authentic logs and glowing embers, all controlled by an app on your phone.

There are no flue connections and they can be used for heating or purely as decorative fires. To choose the ideal fireplace for your project, visit a DRU dealer. They have a wide selection, in all fuel types, on live display. They will advise you on the best option and offer full design and installation services. To find your nearest dealer, visit www.drufire.co.uk or email info@drufire.co.uk

Custom Powder Coated Trims

Hoffman Tiling & Bathrooms, New Romney, Kent is a trade member of the Tile Association, they worked in conjunction with Dural to renovate and tile a bathroom of a new oak barn for Edridge Green Bespoke based in East Sussex. The client’s inspiration was the luxury brand Mandarin Stone. The bathroom is contemporary in feel. It features a beautiful freestanding bath on a high quality patterned hexagonal tiled floor.

The bathroom furniture is matt in texture, and cleanly white, this contrasts with the gorgeous bottle green glaze of the wall tiles. The bathroom furniture is tactile and rounded, the tiles long and geometric, creating an interesting feature for the room. The trims were custom powder coated by Dural to match the exact colour of the tiles as part of their Alternative Finishes Range. RAL 6011 was specified.

Dural offers a complete service that allows the customer to use a sample from their desired project and powder coat your trim or profile to match seamlessly. Coloured

accessories are available in any RAL colour and for this project Dural matched them to the tile colour. They are often used in bathrooms because of their durability. All the powder coated finishes are hard wearing. Colour matching allows you, as the designer, to introduce a whole new dimension to your project.

Here the client chose to colour match but equally a strong, contrasting colour choice can be striking. For those wanting a minimal feel to their project, it is also possible to colour match the edging accessories to the grout colour.

Here the elongated pattern was varied and the clean, white grout importantly showed the clever way the tiles were placed, creating a geometric pattern which leads your eye to the shower area. Dural aims to provide you with a colour matched sample within 2-3 days. Dural also provides highly competent advice and support for any tiling project. www.colouredmovementjoints.co.uk

Make Your Tile Installation More Regal

The updated Regal collection exclusively from Parkside Architectural Tiles brings a complete high performance porcelain tiling solution.

Made up of wall and floor tiles, mosaics alongside coordinating grouts, thresholds and trims, the new-look Regal collection introduces a palette of neutral tones and different surface effects making it suitable for a large array of projects.

Nine sophisticated neutral colours including tones of vanilla, grey and ash, are all available in a range of sizes across polished, matt and grip (36+ PTV) finishes, so that projects can enjoy a beautifully coordinated tile installation from floor to ceiling. And with a durable porcelain frost-proof construction, the smart look can be continued in outdoor spaces too.

Alongside this impressive array of standard pieces come etched Geo and Orbital design feature tiles that can be used to add even more visual interest. With every Regal installation, specifiers and designers can select from a range of complementary grouts, thresholds and trims. www.parkside.co.uk

Premier League Specifies First Class Moveable Walls For

Offices

The London offices of Premier League, the organising body for Premier League football, have recently benefited from a refurbishment which included the installation of three, high specification, Dorma Hüppe moveable wall systems. Style, the sole UK distributor for Dorma Hüppe, improved the flexibility of the main boardroom by installing a single glazed Variflex moveable wall down the entire length of the room, intersected with two solid Variflex moveable walls. This configuration allows the area to be divided into either one large room with a separate meeting room, or three individual rooms.

For larger events, all three walls can be neatly stacked to one side, opening up the entire space. The three Dorma Huppe walls all come with semi-automatic operation, ensuring the seals are applied to the correct pressure every time to optimise acoustic performance.

The glazed moveable wall system offers a 52dB acoustic rating, and each solid wall a 57dB rating, ensuring concurrent meetings can take place undisturbed, With RAL9004 frames on the glass and a fabric finish on the solid panels, the moveable walls are also a chic and stylish enhancement to the interior design of the boardroom. www.style-partitions.co.uk

Laurent Black Offers Unmatched Durability And Striking Style

Dark, sophisticated and dramatically stylish; introducing Laurent Black, the latest addition to the Ceralsio ceramic surface range from CRL Stone. This visually striking addition offers a striking black marble appearance that does not compromise on durability. Laurent Black features a rich black background adorned with bold orange veining, instantly capturing attention and adding a touch of sophistication to any space.

This exquisite surface is ideal for homeowners and designers seeking a statement piece that enhances the aesthetic appeal of kitchens, bathrooms, and more. Ceralsio is renowned for its hardwearing and versatile qualities, engineered to meet the demands of contemporary living. Laurent Black upholds this tradition with features that make it the perfect choice for various applications. Its heat resistance makes it ideal for kitchen countertops, as it can withstand high temperatures without damage.

Its wear and tear resistance makes it perfect for high-traffic areas, maintaining its beauty even under constant use. The UV resistance of Laurent Black makes it suitable for both indoor and outdoor use, ensuring the surface remains vibrant and untarnished by sunlight. Additionally, its impenetrable surface makes it completely impermeable, resistant to stains, and easy to clean.

Available in over 20 finishes and in thicknesses of 6mm, 12mm, and 20mm, the Ceralsio range offers endless design possibilities. Laurent Black can be used for a variety of applications, including kitchen islands, creating a dramatic centrepiece that combines functionality with stunning visual appeal. It is also perfect for feature walls, adding a sophisticated touch to living spaces and making a bold statement. For more details call CRL Stone on 01706 863600, or visit www.crlstone.co.uk

Minimalistic Design, Versatile To Use

Treat the bathroom to a touch of Scandinavian elegance: with the Luv bathtub by Cecilie Manz, it transforms the room into a stylish design oasis. Inspired by the simple charm of a water bowl, the impressive bathtub with its gently curved, oval silhouette blends seamlessly into any interior. Made from the velvety mineral-cast material DuroCast®, the bathtub provides high levels of comfort – in the bathroom at home or in a luxury hotel.

Eye-catching design with a feel-good factor - The Luv bathtub demonstrates its adaptability across a range of applications. For example, in the “Blaue Burg” boutique hotel in the Allgäu Alps, the calming atmosphere created by the pared-down design and quality workmanship comes to the fore. “We were impressed straight away both by how the Luv bathtub looks and feels. It blends perfectly into the space and offers our guests a perfect feel-good experience,” said Simon Schlachter, hotelier of the “Blaue Burg”.

Luv as a master of metamorphosis - The Luv bathtub continues to demonstrate its versatile potential in a range of scenarios in other highprofile projects. These include for instance the Seaview Bungalow in Montauk, California, and the Hotel Villa Copenhagen in the Danish capital. In each case, the bathtub impresses with its high design standards and sleek elegance. Whether freestanding, in the corner, or as a back-to-wall version, a suitable model is available for any application. www.duravit.com

DOORS /GLAZING ATB

Aluprof Sets a New Standard in Aluminium Windows and Doors

By Kevin MellorAluprof Product Development & Technical Manager

Window design has seen many incremental changes over the last decade providing ever higher performance systems. It is not often that we see a product that offers a real step change in performance but, Aluprof can lay claim to such an innovative step change withthe launch of the MB-79N system.

Successor to the company’s popular MB-70 system, the new system provides class leading thermal insulation properties within a slim 70mm depth of frame. With a U w starting at just 0.79 W/m 2 K at CEN size and just 0.64W/m²K at 1700mm x 2700mm for a Part L compliant system. The slim depth of frame reduces material content without compromising on thermal performance, which translates into increased economy.

Available as an open-in, open out window complete with door options, the system is set to become a favourite with many specifiers offering exceptional performance, slim sight lines, durability, and aesthetics for both residential and commercial projects.

Thermal efficiency of the new system is achieved through the use of advanced thermal break technology, multi-chamber profiles and high-quality insulation materials which help to create a highly effective reduction of thermal conductivity for heat transfer.

These features help create a comfortable and energy-efficient indoor environment all year round. It is the first time that such

a slim frame, just 70mm depth, can offer class leading thermal insulation down to 1.18W/m²K with DGU & 0.79W/m²K Passive House level U values available in such a slim system. Slim sightlines are available alongside large operational sizes allowing for greater application across more projects. Similar to other Aluprof systems, the MB-79N profiles are available in three thermally efficient variants.

The efficiency version, MB-79N E, features a one component central seal. The MB-79N ST version is offered with a two component central seal and the MB-79N SI variant is provided with a two component central seal along with inserts of thermal insulation cores for the highest performance levels. For external doors, Aluprof also offers the MB-79N SI+ variant that comes with an internal perimeter gasket and insulation cores inside the profiles.

Together with thermally efficient framing profiles the new system can accommodate double or triple glazed units up to 62 mm thickness in windows and up to 53mm thickness in doors. These options make it possible to specify common thickness of glazed units, including acoustic glazing.

The new system is PAS24/Q-marked for windows and doors and furthermore, the MB-79N System is designed to offer security glazed doors, rated RC1 to RC3 including the option of providing panel doors in an extensive range of designs. The MB-79N aluminium system joins a wide range of architectural aluminium systems provided by the leading European systems company.

UK Product Development & Technical Manager, Kevin Mellor explains the design concept behind the new system, “The Aluprof product portfolio includes many popular systems favoured in the UK.

However, our customers are asking us to reduce frame sizes and optimise the design to provide a competitive system. We believe the MB-79N system accomplishes that, and showing our commitment to the UK architectural market we have suited into the new system an open-out window arrangement as well.

We believe it will be a game-changer for architects, designers, and developers who prioritise sustainability, performance, and aesthetics in their projects.” MB-79N is also compatible with two existing Aluprof systems, the MB-86 and the MB-104 Passive, both of which are well known to the company’s customers. These systems share the same accessories and gaskets with popular multi-point locking systems by renowned companies such as Roto,

FUHR and GEZE. Aluprof is a renowned brand in the UK construction industry, with a reputation for delivering high-quality aluminium systems that meet the evolving needs of the market. The MB-79N system is backed by extensive research, development, and testing, ensuring compliance with the latest industry standards and regulations.

Aluprof UK also provides comprehensive technical support, including specification and design assistance, installation guidance, and after-sales service, to ensure a smooth and successful implementation of the MB79N system in any project.

Further information about systems and specification support is available through the company’s website at aluprof.co.uk or direct from their UK head office in Altrincham by phoning +44 (0) 161 941 4005.

Industrial Steel Loft

Doors From Hörmann – Steel And Glass In Perfect Harmony

Inspired by the minimalism of our industrial heritage the range of steel loft doors from Hörmann have been designed to create a feeling of light and space. Providing the perfect combination of large, glazed panels with high quality slim steel profiles, the range offers specifiers and consumers endless opportunities to create stylish doors and room screening for both living and workspaces.

Available in three versions; hinged, sliding and the new pivot option, Hörmann industrial loft doors can be configured with either single or double leaves. The addition of side elements and transoms means that large opening spaces can be created to provide unobstructive views between living or working areas.

The flexible nature of the range means that doors-sets measuring up to 5000mm wide and 4000mm high can be achieved, whilst the new frameless pivot door will allow a single door leaf of up to 2000mm in width making it an adaptable, yet sophisticated choice. The range offers two slim glazing beads – an angled version with exposed screw heads creates a traditional industrial look, whilst a narrow, angled 15mm bead without the exposed screw heads provides a modern, sleek appearance.

The large glazing panels are manufactured from 6mm laminated safety glass and are available in either Clear or Clear white, whilst the steel profiles are supplied in RAL 9005 Jet black matt as standard. Five additional preferred colours, including Traffic white and Anthracite grey, are available together with the option of RAL colours of choice, whilst textured and pearl-effect finishes provides further opportunity for originality. Further enhancements to the range include an optional door closer for the hinged doors, which closes the doors gently and a Smart-Stop set for single or double-leaf sliding doors that offers almost silent closing and locks the door leaves securely in the end-of-travel position.

Whilst the recent introduction of a Retro-loft sliding door track profile allows for the creation of single and double-leaf retro sliding doors which accentuate their industrial legacy with striking rollers on a track profile. A comprehensive range of lever handle sets, push-bar handles, and recessed handles, in either Jet black RAL 9005 or stainless steel as standard, completes the industrial styling and design of the range. www.hormann.co.uk

Fenestration Specialist, ASWS, Facilitates ‘Forensic’ Demolition Work

The finesse and forensic attention to detail displayed by Associated Steel Window Services (ASWS) when removing, cataloguing and eventually reinstating old windows or other architectural metalwork could not be further removed from the world of the wrecking ball, or Fred Dibnah burning timber props from beneath a factory chimney. It is a capability that the South London-based company – a longstanding member of the Steel Window Association – has developed over decades of working with main contractors, their demolition contractors, and leading firms of consultants, evolving originally from being tasked with removing windows so that hoists and waste chutes can be deployed; or to allow bulky items of M&E such as fan coil units to be installed.

Such is the sophistication of the service offered by ASWS that the specialist is often called in at the earliest pre-contract stages in order to assess the condition of fenestration, providing documents and drawings crucial to gaining permission for work from Heritage England or councils’ conservation officers. Dependant on the requirements of the project, ASWS are able to produce high quality document presentations, including electronic and physical records. These can contain data and drawings of every window, which can be passed to the planners and heritage officers, as well as forming the basis of the contract pricing document. The service also extends to involving structural engineers on bracing larger frames for removal while ASWS has even supplied screen-prints of the fenestration as a temporary aesthetic measure. www.asws.co.uk

TORMAX Automatic Doors Compliant with Martyn’s Law Security Requirements

In response to the forthcoming Martyn's Law, officially known as the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill, TORMAX is proud to confirm that our automatic entrance systems already comply with the new security standards. Martyn's Law, introduced in the wake of the 2017 Manchester Arena attack, mandates public venues to implement enhanced security measures to protect against terrorist threats, particularly in venues with capacities over 100 people.

The Automatic Door Suppliers Association (ADSA) has welcomed the new legislation, highlighting the importance of access control systems in improving public safety. ADSA points out that powered pedestrian doors, equipped with emergency lockdown functions, are critical in responding swiftly to potential threats. These security upgrades, recommended by Martyn’s Law, include integrating doors with smart control systems that facilitate immediate lockdown and threat detection, enhancing both security and operational efficiency. “TORMAX has long recognized the importance of safety and security in public spaces,” confirms Simon Roberts, MD for TORMAX.

“Our automatic entrance systems are already designed with an emergency close function, providing a rapid and effective response in critical situations. Unlike systems that deactivate safety sensors during lockdowns, TORMAX solutions can be set to maintain sensor functionality, ensuring safe and secure closure without compromising public safety.” www.tormax.co.uk

Replacement Timber Windows and Doors by The Sash Window Workshop

The Sash Window Workshop were contacted to upgrade the windows and doors at a property in the Cotswolds. The new joinery needed to improve energy efficiency, while being in keeping with the architectural style of the building. The customer decided to proceed with new sashes in 16 sash windows.

As the property was in a conservation area,and the windows were not being replaced like-for-like, the customer needed to obtain planning permission for the new windows.The sashes were manufactured in the company’s workshop in Berkshire. The sashes were manufactured using Accoya wood, which is a FSC certified timber and comes with a 50-year anti-rot guarantee. The sashes were then fully factory finished in a bespoke semigloss paint.

The customer was very happy with the work, so they decided to place several additional orders for more work. This included three new timber doors, a new casement window, and new double-glazed sashes in ten casement windows. The Sash Window Workshop select the highest quality materials, enabling them to produce windows and doors that provide the best possible performance, combining minimum maintenance with maximum lifespan. The company’s new joinery is designed to be energy efficient and to suit the architectural style of the property. They offer a supply only service for new joinery across Great Britain, with a supply and installation service for properties across London and the South. Where necessary, they can comply with Conservation Area and listed building requirements. www.sashwindow.com

Rundum Original Meets Bavarian Brief For Contemporary Elegance

A Rundum Meir slide sliding door spanning 11m has provided the ideal solution for a stunning contemporary new build dwelling in northern Bavaria. The architect-led project has created an extensive new home on a site near the town of Neumarkt adjacent to mature woodland.

Linear in its form, the property’s main three storey block features large areas of full-height glazing to the upper floors which is shielded by external timber fins, assisting with shading but also adding a natural aesthetic feature.

These timber elements blend comfortably with the local stone masonry to achieve superb aesthetics and make this property a stunning example of modern European architecture. And one of the most visible timber elements is the simple, elegant 11 m wide single direction Rundum Original side sliding door made from Larch.

The brief was to provide a door that capable of spanning a four-bay garage and be consistent with the rest of the timber used throughout the property.

This was perfectly suited to Rundum Meir, who manufacture every garage door specifically to meet a project’s requirements, which in this case was to use sustainably sourced Larch. This door was hand-made at Rundum Meir’s manufacturing centre near Munich.

Every timber door created here by Rundum Meir’s craftsmen and women is formed in a way that maximises consistency in the woodgrain across the width of the door for the ultimate end-result.

The company also provided the technology to automate the door operation too, utilising Rundum Meir’s sophisticated and reliable automation system. This will give the property owners long term peace of mind regarding operational reliability and security.

To find out more about Rundum Meir bespoke garage doors and how they can provide the ideal solution in outstanding contemporary architecture, visit www.rundum.co.uk

Together we build the Future

Building a Brighter Future with Vicaima

As we stand on the brink of potentially a major refocus for the construction sector and a new emphasis upon delivering living, learning, leisure and workspace fit for future generations incorporating designs to meet ever-changing aspirations, we must not lose sight of the need for maintaining quality, regulatory and environmental standards.

In the realm of fire safety, Vicaima has established itself as a leading manufacturer of timber doors and door kits, setting a benchmark in the industry with comprehensive certification and third-party accreditation.

With a commitment to design quality and performance, Vicaima has consistently demonstrated its ability to produce doors that not only meet the needs of current living, but forever look to the future. With an unwavering attention to sustainability goals, Vicaima products integrate seamlessly with the needs of the built environment.

Lasting good looks - A perfect example of how Vicaima combine tough products with real room appeal is in the use of the recently expanded Dekordor HD Colours range. In a world where skills and labour shortages on site are a constant concern, the argument for using factory assembled door kits and pre-finished products is selfevident.

HD Colours presents a high resistance, durable continuous pressure laminate that affords long lasting good looks, with a choice of 14 on-trend colour options. Already extensively used for student accommodation, education and commercial environments, HD Colours has a proven track record, making it a worthy alternative to the everpresent and widely used white door and frame.

Fresh for Summer 2024 has been the introduction of four new finishes, including Twilight Blue, Granite Grey, Green Mist and Light Grey. These neutral colours add an ideal subtle touch for rooms. Designed for a brighter future in living and workspaces.

Sustainability / ESG - The Vicaima Group is committed, within the framework of the ESG (Environment, Social and Corporate Governance) criteria, to making its contribution towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) defined by the United Nations. Vicaima acts with the responsibility of providing the market with solutions that have a reduced impact on the environment, are accessible to all and ensure people’s safety and well-being and contributing to a more inclusive way of living.

Being sustainable in today’s timber doors market, is not just about having all your products covered under FSC certification. While that is the case with Vicaima, their aims and aspirations go well beyond ticking obligatory boxes. As the saying goes, actions speak louder than words and so it is a measure of the importance Vicaima sets in its ESG obligations that it has laid out the Facts and Figures of its path through sustainable.

Most recently, Vicaima announced that Sustainable Production and Consumption was one of its major areas of action, working actively to extend the life cycle of its solutions, by optimising the entire value chain and minimising waste.

The Vicaima Group's approach to this issue has produced concrete and measurable results. In 2023, a total of 4,139 tonnes of waste was generated, representing a 15% decrease compared to the previous year. From this volume, of which wood waste represents a significant part, 96% was valorised through reuse in new products, recycling or the production of thermal energy.

During all operations, the different waste circuits are continuously monitored and categorised, making it possible to optimise the separation and forwarding of waste for recovery via the various duly accredited waste partners or operators, with the aim of being reused and reintroduced into the value chain, thereby avoiding the final destination to be landfill.

In this context, priority is given to progressively include in Vicaima’s manufactured products or those that it integrates throughout the supply chain, renewable materials, high percentage recycled materials or woodbased products made from fast-growing natural fibres, rather than virgin raw materials.

As we look to the future, Vicaima continues not only to lead the way in product performance, but also to ensure this goes hand in hand with design and innovation, for a safe and sustainable environment. To find out more visit www.vicaima.com or email technical@vicaima.com

PROJECTS ATB

Moduleo Roots Herringbone Brings

The Vibe Touch

Vibe Business Interiors opted for Moduleo Roots Moduleo Roots Herringbone in Classic Oak because of its hardwearing and practical nature, and its ability to be both professional and refreshing. Cydnee Glenn, interior designer, Vibe Business Interiors, says: “I chose to fit Moduleo Roots herringbone in the teapoint and breakout areas as I wanted to create spaces that felt bright and refreshing. I wanted the meeting rooms to be more fun but also create a professional environment, so I used the LVT to echo the other areas in the office and create a visual feature that brought an additional element of excitement to the office, which was easily done with Moduleo flooring. The floor achieved the desired effect while bringing unity to the space.” Made in Belgium, Moduleo Roots Herringbone Classic Oak is a high-quality luxury vinyl floor that’s ready for the task of busy office environments.

Hardwearing thanks to its 0.55mm wear layer, water-resistant, fade-resistant and scratch and stain protected; the floor met the allimportant practical objectives of the project while remaining soft, quiet and comfortable to walk on. “We needed to ensure longevity of the finish, so I was positive that the floor would withstand any fading and scratches from foot traffic as well as the obvious spills that occur in a busy office environment,” continues Cydnee.

“The great quality of Moduleo Roots gives us the confidence to recommend it as a finish that would still look as great after five-years as the day it was fitted.” A total of 182m2 of Moduleo Roots Herringbone was used alongside carpet tiles to give Vibe’s project a unique look ready to withstand commercial use. www.pro.moduleo.com

Dialling Down Noise At Seven Dials Market

Seven Dials Market in Covent Garden is a market and dining space occupying the 19th Century Thomas Neal’s Warehouse. Designed by architects Stiff+Trevillion for client Kerb, the scheme comprises 23,680 square metres of food, drink and entertainment space.

Centred around a large open atrium under a large skylight, the two-floor market features a rich and diverse collection of 20 independent food and drink businesses offering cuisine from around the world.

Part of the Stiff+Trevillion’s design was to draw on the building’s history as a former banana storage warehouse and the resultant space is contemporary in style yet rooted in its heritage. The design of the building retains many original features carefully restored and refurbished including cast iron beams and

brickwork arches on a flagstone floor. As with all large, open spaces covered with hard surfaces, controlling acoustics was essential in providing a comfortable space for staff and visitors. As a result, Troldtekt wood wool acoustic panels in a black finish were specified for use around the central skylight to help acoustical performance.

This is an excellent example of how acoustic panels can be incorporated into a project allowing architects to design modern, large spaces with hard surfaces but mitigating the problems stemming from long reverberation time and reflected sound.

Troldtekt acoustic panels are available in a variety of different structures and colours, combining superior sound absorption with an award-winning design.

The Troldtekt range has a minimum expected life cycle of 50 years coupled with excellent resistance to humidity and tested to meet ball impact standards. The range is available in various sizes and structures, from extreme fine to fine. They can be supplied as natural wood or finished in almost any RAL or NCS colour. Depending on the panel specified, reaction to fire is classed in accordance with EN 13501 as B-s1,d0 or A2-s1,d0 respectively. Cradle to Cradle Certified® at Gold level, Troldtekt wood wool acoustic panels are manufactured using wood from certified forests (PEFC™ and FSC®C115450) and can contribute positively to a building’s BREEAM, WELL or LEED points. Samples, case studies and technical guidance are available from www.troldtekt.co.uk or see our product listings on NBS (https://bit.ly/3vxoTfq) or Material Bank (www.materialbank.eu). Photos: Andy Stagg

Proctor Air® Delivers Performance for The Future In Historic Roof As Part Of Prestigious Manchester Town

Hall Renovation

Proctor Air, the roofing membrane for the future developed by A. Proctor Group, is being installed as part of the renovation of Manchester Town Hall. Once construction work on the historic building, which is nearly 150-years old, is complete it will benefit from Proctor Air’s combination of vapour permeability and air permeability. The scheme to redevelop the Grade 1-listed Town Hall is one of the biggest heritage projects in the UK. Known as the ‘Our Town Hall’ project, work is underway to every aspect of the building during the partial restoration and full refurbishment. While the renovation is not yet complete, the quality of some of the work already carried out on the building has already been recognised by organisations including Historic England and the Victorian Society.

Air and vapour permeability in an historic roof - At roof level, the restoration efforts include dismantling and rebuilding 30 of the 34 chimneys, and replacing 140,000 roof tiles. Removing the roof finish has afforded the opportunity to install a new pitched roof underlay. The project architects specified Proctor Air, with Mac Roofing & Contracting Ltd carrying out installation. As an historic building, the Manchester Town Hall roof features many intricate details. The complexity of the roof forms, combined with the age and heritage value of the building fabric, means opportunities to provide modern roof ventilation are limited.

A key advantage of Proctor Air, as an air permeable low-resistance (APLR) membrane, is that it removes the need for separate roof ventilation. In fact, it provides a more uniform flow of air in the roof space than normal vents, ensuring there are no ‘dead zones’ where the complexity of the roof form could otherwise have restricted air movement. Air permeability performance is important, but must work alongside good vapour permeability performance. With an Sd value of 0.015m and a vapour resistance of 0.075MNs/g, Proctor Air is one of the highest performing vapour permeable membranes on the market.

The “invisible story” behind preserving heritage - During the restoration carried out so far, Manchester City Council has worked to promote the “invisible story” of the project – the elements of the scheme that won’t necessarily be obvious to most people, but which help to preserve the Town Hall’s heritage. Pitched roof underlays are a true ‘fit and forget’ product. Hidden from view, they attract little interest from building users but play a vital role in protecting people from the elements, and from unhealthy indoor climates.

Proctor Air might be a modern product, but it is preserving the building’s heritage in its own way. When the weather-tight wrap and 3700 tonnes of scaffolding are finally removed from the Town Hall, the building and its users will benefit from a reliable, high performance APLR underlay. Thanks to the selection of Proctor Air, the roof should be capable of facing Manchester’s changing weather and climate for many years to come. www.proctorgroup.com/products/proctor-air

ITP Vapour Control Layer

Featured On 200-Unit Conversion Project

ITP’s FlameOut Block FR vapour control layer has been extensively specified for a major office to residential conversion scheme at Station House in Milton Keynes. The 1980s Modernist building has been transformed into 200 apartments offering a mix of studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom formats. Station House, along with Phoenix House and Elder House, are non-designated heritage assets which surround Station Square, next to Milton Keynes rail station.

Originally designed by Christopher Woodward in the heart of the town’s 1970s masterplan, the building is characterised by its linearity and mirrored glass façades.FlameOut Block FR was sourced via builders merchant, Penlaw Fixings, and installed by specialist contractors, Bul Interiors, to provide long-term protection to the building envelope.

The product uses advanced textile technology to increase air tightness and provide an effective barrier preventing interior warm air moisture from reaching the insulation layer. The polyethylene-based membrane has a monofilament reinforcement scrim to provide excellent tensile strength. FlameOut Block FR is independently tested to EN 13501-1 and has a Euroclass B-s1, d0 fire rating which is fully compliant for use in high-rise buildings.Marisa Schofield, ITP Account Manager, said:“FlameOut Block FR has become a fixture at multi-storey residential projects throughout the UK. This landmark project is the latest example. Installing our vapour control layer will help to ensure that this striking transformation stands the test of time.” www. itpltd.com

Wykamol-Triton Systems Waterproof Classic Car ‘Cavern’

An 18-month refurbishment and reconstruction project in Kent is set to create a cavernous basement showroom to house a private car collection in stunning and pristine conditions, where a selection of fully compatible products from the Wykamol-Triton range have been specified to waterproof the subterranean structure, being built into steeply rising ground. The work on the house is being carried out by London based Cosgove Design and Build with Structural Waterproofing Contracts being the specialist contractor employing the Wykamol-Triton products including the Sureproof Ultra bentonite carpet, laid across the formation level sub-soil.

Then all of the ready-mix concrete is being batched with TT waterproofing admixture, while TT Swell Mastic and TT Waterstop will protect the joints along with Hydraflex Tanking Slurry. Finally, when the structure is complete, the manufacturer’s renowned CM8 cavity drain membrane will line the walls to direct any seepage into floor level channels, before the walls are covered by Gyplyner metal trays, insulation, Duplex boards and a hard wall plaster finish. The BBA approved Wykamol-Triton CM8 and CM20 Waterproofing Membranes – manufactured from high density polyethylene - are routinely specified as an extra layer of protection for the walls and floors of cellars and basements, with their studded form allowing any water to be directed into perimeter channels and then a sump, which is automatically emptied by an electric pump. www.wykamol.com

Crisp Design For An Elegant And Unfussy Roofscape

Sort Trae is a newly built PassivHaus situated on a steeply sloping site in Thurgoland, Barnsley. The owner, a former architect, conceived the design up to the planning stage. HEM Architects were subsequently engaged to translate the design intent into an ultra-low energy and comfortable home, overseeing the construction process on-site. The dwelling comprises two bedrooms, with the lower floor nestled into the hillside. Additionally, there is an attached weaving studio where the owner pursues their work. Taking full advantage of the picturesque southern views, the house stands as a striking contemporary structure clad in black timber and open-jointed stone.

A noteworthy feature of the residence is the roof lights adorning the studio. Positioned prominently atop the roof, these lights form an integral part of the architectural composition, satisfying the architect's preference for a sleek and uncluttered roofscape.

FAKRO flat roof windows were specifically selected for their exceptional thermal performance and the effectiveness of their integrated kerbs. Paul Testa, Director at HEM Architects, commented, "We have consistently specified FAKRO on our projects whenever possible. They have consistently set the benchmark in terms of thermal efficiency, and their technical support is superb."

The FAKRO windows incorporated into the design are as follows:

2 x FAKRO DXF-DU6 02K flat roof windows – 60x 90cm

1 x FAKRO DXF-DU6 11k flat roof window – 120x220mm

1 x FAKRO DXF-DU8 04k flat roof window – 80x80cm

HEM Architects, a firm comprising 10 staff members, is headquartered in Sheffield. Renowned for their expertise in PassivHaus design and their adeptness at navigating planning challenges, they have established a solid reputation within the industry. www.fakro.co.uk

Waterfall Design Flows Beautifully

Near Angers (France), an original and contemporary architectural creation captures the essence of the tree surrounding it, serving as a remarkable physical metaphor. This exceptional design embodies harmony, perfectly adapted to its natural setting, creating a spectacular combination where elegance and functionality results in breath taking fusion.

Architect Anaïs Bordeau, specialist in wooden constructions, was chosen for this project. In collaboration with the client, the design of the house aims to be contemporary yet suited to its environment. The property is situated in a small village on the banks of the Mayenne River, where all construction projects are subject to approval by the Architects of the Buildings of France (ABF).

Their mission is to ensure consistency with heritage preservation and spatial planning. To comply with the ABF regulations and the contemporary approach, the architect proposed a bold combination of vertical wooden cladding and the CUPACLAD Design Waterfall solution, featuring graphic lines that reach elegantly toward the sky. This design is unique, as it is the only CUPACLAD design where natural slates are installed vertically instead of horizontally. According to the architect, the Waterfall aesthetics are reminiscent of the verticality of trees and evoke their ascent towards the sky. Trees, in growing upward, seek light and growth.

Anaïs Bordeau explains: "wood ages better standing, the tree grows standing. The vertical installation of the slate is a nod to the wood." To meet the desire for a modern creation, the architect adds, "the irregular installation adds dynamism and renders the material contemporary." The client, initially skeptical about using slate on the facade, was immediately convinced by the renders presented. In addition to the aesthetic aspect, CUPACLAD offers acoustic and thermal advantages that appealed to the owner. In a more general sense and in line with this project, the architect emphasises: "the idea of my work is to guide clients toward constructions on well-thought-out and controlled surfaces that make sense in relation to the environment; the chosen materials are natural and noble." The installation of Waterfall was a first in France and worldwide. Nevertheless, like all CUPACLAD systems, it fulfills all national technical requirements. www.cupapizarras.com/uk/rainscreen-cladding

Haddonstone Stars In 19th Century Church Restoration

A two-year project to repair and extend a popular Greek Orthodox church in Hertfordshire has involved a variety of traditional trade skills and conservation techniques, as well as the sourcing of materials to match the style of the existing structure. As the consultants and contractors navigated planning and practical considerations, Haddonstone, managed the design and manufacture of bespoke dry cast enrichments.

The Twelve Apostles Church in Brookmans Park serves a thriving congregation and local community whose diverse needs had put pressure on the existing facilities, inspiring church leaders to raise funds for a substantial extension in keeping with the building's history. This led to Letchworth-based MP Building Ltd being appointed as principal contractor, while GLA Architecture and Design Ltd was responsible for obtaining planning permission and leading the design work.

The £1m scheme echoes the style of the 19th century building with a structural steel frame enclosed behind blockwork and brickwork, plus traditional napped flint walling and steeply pitched, clay plain tile roof. The cast stone elements frame the main door and three different style windows, while the roof gables feature quoins and sculpted apex stones.

MP Building's Contracts Manager, Alex Simpson explains: "I had used Haddonstone before and was already on the company's supplier data base so when it was decided move from a natural stone, to be casted in a semi dry material. Haddonstone sales team made clear what the characteristics and benefits of the two options - wet cast and dry cast - were the GLA Architecture and Design Ltd to make the best choice."

"They then went through a process of providing samples so that we could match the colour on site, while we had to add in our special pre-formed lintels onto the architects' drawings so that the CAD drawings could be produced for sign off and the manufacture of the stone. The quality of the components was very good and we brought in an experienced stone mason to install all of the different components, so that the finished work matches the client's expectations."

All produced using Haddonstone's widely specified semi dry mix in the bath stone colour, the window surrounds are up to 4m in height with traditional gabled arch heads, while the main entrance doorway measures 3.6m tall by 2.3m wide. The surrounds feature a distinctive decorative profile with a series of three bevels. Then the quoins for the gable ends were produced with a 470 rake to their top face, while they reduced in size from 700 x 350mm at the eaves to 617 x 350mm at the apex.

A spokesperson for the Twelve Apostles Greek Orthodox Church adds: "The new building for our church, with the blessing of His Eminence Archbishop Nikitas of Thyateira & Great Britain, is by far the most significant project our small community of The Twelve Apostles in Brookmans Park has ever undertaken."

"It will be a lasting legacy, providing facilities for our young children, youth, and senior citizens. The new building provides safe accommodation for our Sunday school, a facility for adult baptisms and storage for our thriving food bank."

Haddonstone is a founder member of the UK Cast Stone Association whose portfolio encompasses a wide selection of traditional, classical and contemporary designs to suit virtually any setting, and therefore all types of commercial as well as residential development.

The members of its building and construction team combine more than 100 years of experience while the craftspeople in its workshops can produce moulds to fulfil virtually any bespoke order. www.haddonstone.com

Firefly Vertical Systems Selected For Nottinghamshire Hospital Upgrade

A significant redevelopment project at a specialist mental health hospital in Nottinghamshire is nearing a successful completion, with two of FIREFLY’s versatile and fully certified systems being employed by one of the manufacturer’s approved contractors installing the lightweight, but high performing fire barriers, to protect the ceiling spaces.

The work at the Millbrook Mental Health Unit in the Sutton area of Mansfield is being carried out by Tilbury Douglas on behalf of the Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and includes the construction of a new dementia ward as well as the refurbishment of two existing wards. The new facility will create a low-stimulus environment containing 18 single bedrooms with en-suite shower rooms, while the refurbished building is being upgraded to meet current NHS guidelines, as well as to achieve compliance with the latest requirements of Approved Document B and the Building Safety Act 2022.

Coventry based KRASI Fire Protection Limited was awarded its package under competitive tender and had up to 10 of its highly trained operatives on site during the four-month contract. Manufactured from woven and non-woven glass, the FIREFLY® range is designed to optimise resistance to flame and smoke as well as offer heat protection in a wide range of scenarios. The barriers are easy to install horizontally or vertically using a full selection of FIREFLY® ancillary products to ensure a fully tested and certified installed system. www.tbafirefly.com

Kent Self-Builder Shields Basement Structure Using Wykamol/Triton System Solution

The comprehensive product range offered by waterproofing and timber treatment specialist Triton Systems, part of the Wykamol Group, has proved to be the perfect fit for a Kent self-builder undertaking his first selfbuild project in challenging ground conditions. The 3/4 bedroom home in Chatham will have a total floor area of 420 m² across three floors, with the client making use of the Nadura Insulated Concrete Formwork or ICF system which will create a highly energy efficient structural envelope.

The solution recommended by Wykamol Group’s technical team employs both tanking and internal drainage products, ensuring any water which does penetrate the structure is safely removed. The 300 mm thick foundation slab was cast on top of a layer of Shield membrane which is turned up the sides of the shutters to interface with the protection to the outside of the wall structure. Once the first lift of ICF system has been poured and gained sufficient strength for any bracing to be removed, the outer face will be covered in a continuous layer of Sureproof Ultra, a composite double drain membrane which channels any groundwater down into a land drain at the base.

Internally, the walls are lined with the BBA approved Wykamol-Triton’s CM8 Waterproofing Membrane, while a layer of CM20 will be laid across the top of the floor slab. Both of these products are made from high density polyethylene. Sureproof Ultra comprises a very stable polyethylene film offering a consistent reaction to longitudinal and transverse forces, having been developed for the waterproofing of basements, foundations, walls and flat or ventilated roof structures. www.wykamol.com

Trust In Pop Up Power Supplies

As part of the restoration program to Chiswick House, in London, The Chiswick House and Gardens Trust were looking for a reliable, safe and secure outdoor power source to place within the gardens. The Trust contacted Pop Up Power Supplies® and after an initial consultation their range of retractable service units were recommended.

It was important to the Chiswick House and Gardens Trust that the units would not permanently impact on the beautiful aesthetics of the gardens, while being able to provide a safe source of electricity for the outdoor events they hold throughout the year. These units would supply electricity to power those outdoor activities, including seasonal events at the Burlington Pavilion.

Retractable service units were ideal for the needs of the Trust, as the units are buried out of site beneath the gardens when not in use. When there is an outdoor event the power units are raised by turning a removable handle. George Parker, Director at Pop Up Power Supplies®, commented, “When Chiswick House and Gardens Trust contacted us requesting an outdoor power supply, we discussed our range of pop up power units.These units are simple to install and only require a small digger to create the opening in the ground. This was important to the Trust as it meant there was minimal disruption to the gardens.”

The integrated electric outlets provide either a 16A or 32A power supply in both single and three phase sockets, all with RCBO protection. In addition, the units specified at Chiswick House have a robust circular cast iron cover, which protects the units when they are fully retracted. Chiswick House is a magnificent neo-Palladian villa set in beautiful historic gardens and is a popular tourist attraction. These gardens were fully restored in 2010 in a £12.1 million project and are maintained by the Trust, offering visitors stunning vistas, architectural delights, hidden pathways and a dazzling array of flowers, shrubs and trees. www.popuppower.co.uk

Scan