X TRA BUILD
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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
ACPV
ARCHITECTS ANTONIO CITTERIO PATRICIA VIEL ANNOUNCES CONSTRUCTION MILESTONE IN TAIWAN
ACPV ARCHITECTS Antonio
Citterio Patricia Viel, the Milanbased 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 East-meets-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
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
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
NEW MARMOX WEBSITE CONNECTS ACROSS CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
Well known for both product innovation and its responsive customer support, Marmox UK Ltd launched its revamped website on June 3rd to further enhance its offering to the market: covering Contractors, Specifiers, Homeowners and Merchants, within a super-fast and welldesigned site that puts information and system solutions at users’ fingertips.
The easy to navigate site encompasses the entire Marmox range, from its earliest success stories like the very versatile Multiboard to its selection of shower trays and other wetroom solutions, through to its unique answer on cold bridging across the building envelope – Thermoblock – and more recent launches such as Slicedstone and the rock mineral wool cored Fireboard. All are explained in detail, as well as being offered up in response to the requirements and project specific challenges of users.
In addition to being able to download product data sheets and installation instructions on the diverse range, the new website incorporates a more proactive filter on the Specification page, making it easier for users to quickly find and download the exact specification they are after. Importantly, users will be able to read news stories and explore the new Learning Hub, while additional features will be added in the weeks and months ahead. www.marmox.co.uk
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 highquality 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 byproducts, 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. For more information, contact Finnish Fibreboard (UK) Ltd, sales@finfib.fi
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 energyefficient 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
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 high-profile 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
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
GIVE YOUR SPACE STAND OUT STYLE WITH MODULEO MOODS
Moduleo® Moods has been used to bring inspirational flooring design to hotels, offices, restaurants, shops and more.
Through bold geometric designs or subtle tessellating patterns, designers have used its shapes and designs to create extraordinary flooring in receptions and lobbies, bars, meeting spaces, store fronts and more.
Now updated with new patterns and natural wood and stone effects, Moduleo Moods is ready to bring exciting new looks to commercial spaces.
Moduleo’s designers have looked to the Roots collection for Moods, selecting 12 wood and stone effects with four shapes. With Moduleo Moods, designers can make the floor theirs and create something really special for their project.
Paul Webb, commercial manager, says, “The original Moods was an award-winning collection that showed commercial space designers it was possible to do something really unique with luxury vinyl and create floors that played a starring role in the interior design."
"With the new Moods, we’ve built on this, offering fresh new patterns and our best Roots wood and stone effects for a premium design floor that continues the legacy.”
All of the stock options in Moduleo Moods uses Moduleo’s best specification. A 0.55mm wear layer and scratch and stain resistance make sure that Moods can withstand use in busy spaces while staying looking good.
The wood and stone effects are also enhanced with EIR technology for a realistic texture that’s perfectly in sync with the design. Moods Signature
is also available alongside the standard patterns. Expanding the number of shape options to nine and unlocking every single Roots design, Signature brings complete freedom and a floor that’s truly one-off.
Please visit pro.moduleo.com or call 01332 851 50
DURAL ESTABLISHES FRENCH CONNECTION IN SOHO
Daroco, a Parisian restaurant serving Italian food, situated in Soho has now opened. Reinch Architecture taking inspiration from the historical Renaissance movement is responsible for the flamboyant interior! The walls and ceiling are mirrored, tiled lavishly with mosaics, creating both a plush and ambient feel.
The level of detail is obviously challenging, and includes concealed doors, handmade tiles and circles of mosaics! Arctile provided the tiles and Dural were asked to supply the trim to complement such a complex project! The restaurant interior is enchanting, as you step in you are met with textures, colours, marble table tops, and luxurious brass fixtures. You certainly can't ignore the grand mirrored ceiling! Hundreds of painstakingly layered mosaic tiles, create a theatrical experience!
The project was complex. Dural supplied Z-Flex Curver and Natural Brass Flexible trims. The Z-Flex profile is available in many finishes and sizes and is formed to be able to cleverly
accommodate shaping. They can be easily rounded and bent either curving inwards or outwards. These tile trims can be shaped and formed to fit archways, circular floors and curved areas. The smallest attainable radius depends on the material and the geometry of the profile so that there are no fixed values.
The thinner the shell of the profile, the smaller the radius to which it can be bent. The edging profiles are of course protective in their function but also satisfy a highly demanding decorative brief. Here they make smooth joints and transitions, between the different colours and mosaic areas, creating artistic patterns.
These profiles are manufactured from high quality solid brass. They provide a strong, seamless edge. The natural brass finish provides a high end, expensive finish which was perfect with the beautiful tiles chosen. www.colouredmovementjoints.co.uk
EDINBURGH LAW FIRM SPECIFIES STYLE SCOTLAND FOR SPACE DIVISION
At the Edinburgh offices of Shepherd and Wedderburn, a leading Scottish law firm, Style Scotland recently collaborated with Michael Laird Architects and GHI Contracts to deliver flexible office space using two advanced Dorma Huppe Variflex moveable walls. These semi-automatic systems, including a glass wall with a 52dB acoustic rating and a solid wall with a 59dB rating, transform an open-plan area into versatile meeting spaces.
The design integrates panoramic city views to create a sophisticated environment that enhances both aesthetics and functionality. Style, a market leader in the moveable wall sector, is experiencing a surge in demand particularly in Scotland where sales are up by an unprecedented 32% in the last quarter. A Dorma Huppe Variflex glass moveable wall extends across the full length of the room to create an expansive conference room with a corridor and breakout area. Installed in the centre of the room, a Variflex solid moveable wall abuts the glazed system creating two additional meeting rooms. A stylish manifestation was added to the glazed system, and the Shepherd and Wedderburn logo was added to the solid wall, contributing to the sophisticated interior design. www.style-partitions.co.uk
K3 RADIATORS - MAKING THEIR PRESENCE KNOWN...
K3 radiators have come into their own in recent years as the number of low temperature, renewable heating systems being installed has grown, with more than 60,000 heat pumps installed in the UK in the past year. Lower temperature heating systems can require larger radiators to achieve the comfort heating levels in a home, and in some homes installing larger radiators may be a problem if the wall space does not allow for them.
In these situations, K3 radiators from Stelrad – with three panels and three sets of fins - are an ideal solution – providing 50% more metal heating surface than a standard K2 for example, but from the same size radiator footprint. Alongside better levels of insulation, these radiators can provide the solution required to keep the temperature at the level needed in a home. An alternative solution is the use of vertical radiators which have also grown hugely in popularity, another way of providing larger metal surfaces but in a radiator that takes up wall space form top to bottom of a room rather along the length of a wall space.
Radiators are very much fit for the future and offer a simple to fit, effective heating appliance for new build and replacement heating systems. For more information on the choice of radiators available and for selection and fitting tips head for www.stelrad.com/trade or go to the Stelrad videos on You Tube.
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.
www.colouredmovementjoints.co.uk
HYDROPRO FLOOR PAINT - FAST AND VERSATILE
HMG Paints Ltd has launched HydroPro Floor Paint, an easy to apply, single pack, water-based product that provides an excellent result in the shortest possible time. The latest addition to the Manchester-based firm’s growing Hydro-Pro range of products, the Floor Paint is formulated for either interior or exterior use and can be applied over new, aged or previously painted floor areas in either domestic, workshop or factory situations. It dries in 30 to 45 minutes and can be overcoated after 1 hour.
Offering excellent coverage and obliteration, this high-performance, cross-linked coating is hard wearing and designed to withstand light industrial traffic so it will cope with occasional forklift use. Ideal for shop fitting and refit, two coats can be applied in a short space of time so the client can get back to full business use with minimal delay. Also, the lack of odour means the floor can be painted while people are still working in the vicinity.
HydroPro Floor Paint is formulated for use on bare or previously coated concrete, tarmac and wooden floors, but not decking. Superior adhesion and durability are the hallmarks of the HydroPro range with resistance to oils and grease. The product can be applied by brush or roller. It is available off the shelf in light, medium or dark grey, yellow, tile red or mid blue while other colours can be provided in batch size quantities. https://shop.hmgpaint.com/products/hydropro-floor-paint-5-litres
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
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
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-oftravel 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
WHY AUTOMATED SLIDING SHUTTERS OFFER A STUNNING SHADING AND PRIVACY SOLUTION
Although still relatively rare in Britain and Ireland, horizontally sliding external shutters could play a valuable role in enabling buildings to respond to the effects of climate change and give homeowners and developers new aesthetic options.
The key benefits of this type of façade-integrated product include their potential to help control the climate inside our properties, as well as reduce the amount of glare and the risk of UV light fading interior furnishings. Interior blinds mounted on walls and window frames can help achieve these goals too, of course, as do
externally mounted solar shading systems. Bespoke sliding shutters, however, offer something very different as one outstanding luxury home project in rural Kent demonstrates.
The way that the automated sliding shutters have been incorporated into the design of Waterfield House by pH+ Architects exemplifies how they can serve a functional purpose as part of a smart building, whilst adding to the visual appeal of a residential property.
A series of external movable shutters was installed by Rundum Meir, a company usually associated only with premium bespoke garage doors.The concept of these shutters, however, is similar to that of the company’s sliding garage door systems, which are regularly specified for unique and high-specification residential properties where the client is seeking to achieve a pleasing design and functionality.
The shutters are a key part of the façade of Waterfield House, which is a modern take on the traditional English country house. The client’s goal for the new property was to create a house which was bold and operated with precision, whilst being intimate and having a strong connection to its site. The façade is articulated elegantly, with large sliding glazed doors sitting behind the movable larch shutters.
These are opened and closed in line with the level of shading, ventilation and privacy required at a given time, whilst casting dappled shadows throughout the day. They deliver a unique external look, which changes throughout the day according to the position of the shutters. But there are variations inside the house too, with the shutters providing adaptability that changes the character of the interior spaces whilst allowing the house to respond sensitively to our ever-changing weather and climate.
The slick controllability offered by the shutters is ideally suited to the technologically advanced home. The expertise of Rundum Meir’s team ensured seamless integration of the shutters into a building packed with sophisticated technology, inspired by the client’s background, which means they open and close at the click of a button.
This reliable mechanisation of the shutters is something that many building facades could benefit from, not only for shading but to create spaces where occupants feel at their safest and most secure. The shifting light patterns resulting from the vertical slats also add an interesting dimension inside the home.
The vertical arrangement of the slats on the Waterfield House shutters makes them very different to sliding louvre systems, which have become a slightly more common sight here in the UK. These products can achieve similar objectives, but they wouldn’t have met the styling goals in this project.
The Rundum Meir team’s experience of working on bespoke projects – which is every single one of their client commissions – meant they could fulfil the unique requirements of the project. This included specifying the most suitable track system that would offer long term reliability and be compatible with the client’s home automation system, as well as being able to accommodate the larch slats in a way that was aesthetically consistent with the rest of the façade. www.rundum.co.uk
THE RISE OF THE PERGOLA
By Shaun Cartwright - National Sales Manager Domestic & Residential Systems, Aluprof UK
Outdoor living areas have experienced significant growth following the pandemic, as the trend of staying at home, unwinding and hosting gatherings in the convenience of our own outdoor space has become increasingly popular.
As the typical average UK garden spans 188 square metres, which is in fact the same size as a regulation tennis court, our outdoor spaces are proving to be one of our most prized possessions. Given the abundance of additional living area this offers, it is hardly surprising that our gardens are evolving into more inviting spaces, mirroring the comfort of indoor living.
Advancements in materials have opened up a world of possibilities when it comes to sustainable outdoor textiles, rugs, lounge sets, and lighting that can be just as stylish outdoors as they are indoors. However, it is important to be prepared for the unpredictable Great British weather. Awnings not only provide shade on sunny
days but also create a new outdoor room ambiance. Integrated lighting and heating options allow you to enjoy your outdoor space even in the evening. A more substantial outdoor canopy is another great option.
With the choice of a louvered, retractable or flat solid roof, a canopy can be freestanding or fixed against existing walls and will remain relatively weathertight when closed. Fixed roofs offer simplicity, with the bonus of being able to offer shelter in all but the most inclement weather, whereas louvered and retractable designs allow control over how much light and openness you want on sunnier days.
These options also work well when attached to your house, allowing you to open the roof at the press of a button to draw more light back into your interior space and offer a seamless transition between inside and outside. These freestanding structures are known as ‘pergolas’ and have a long history.
Originating in Ancient Egypt as ornamental features providing shade from the sun, nowadays, they serve similar functions while also providing opportunities to expand living areas.
Garden pergolas can be placed in various locations in the garden to capture the best aspect or midday sun. Aluminium is an excellent material of choice for a freestanding pergola, or lean-to canopies. With its high resistance to corrosion and availability in a wide range of finishes and colours, a structure can be designed to blend in perfectly with any garden.
Aluminium also provides excellent structural capabilities negating the need for any further supporting structural materials. Today’s pergola is an incredibly versatile solution for covering small or expansive areas. It serves as a stylish addition that seamlessly aligns with many contemporary or traditional construction trends.
The pergola is not only beneficial for single-family homes as part of terrace or garden enhancements, but also for commercial structures. It serves as a modern and functional roofing element for outdoor spaces in such places as cafes, restaurants and office complexes.
With the option of additional side screens and sliding glass panels, the pergola can be adapted to be used all year round, regardless of the weather conditions. Aluprof provide two pergola systems, the premium MB-OpenSky 140 and the MB-OpenSky 120.
The concept design of both ‘MB-OpenSky Pergola’ system allows for the installation of Aluprof’s ‘SkyRoll’ side screens or ‘MB-OpenSlide’ sliding glass panels, offering the opportunity to create a unique outdoor space.
Additionally, the pergola can be customised with LED lighting that won't interfere with the roof slats and optional infrared heating units. The lighting design includes an LED strip on the roof slats, a spotlight, and extra lighting around the upper edge of the structure.
The roof structure consists of rotating adjustable slats and a mechanism to change their angle from 0º to 135º. The slats have custom seals to protect against rain and the posts contain a concealed drainage system to
efficiently direct water to a rainwater drain or soak away. Tests confirm that for structures measuring 6 metres in length, 4 metres in width and 3 metres in height, the maximum permissible snow load is 200 kg/m², equivalent to approximately 1m height of snow and a simultaneous wind load of around 59 mph.
There are two system versions to select from, a freestanding arrangement and a wall-mounted design. The wall-mounted version is supplied with custom-designed brackets for wall installation depending on the substrate being fixed to. Both freestanding and wall mounted systems allow for maximum dimensions of 7 metres in length, 5 metres in width, and 3 metres in height per section to be achieved. Several sections can be combined to cover large areas of outdoor space in commercial situations.
The concept of outdoor living is rapidly gaining recognition in the UK as the climate changes and offers significant opportunities from home improvement companies to widen their product portfolio for homeowners wishing to explore options for their outdoor living spaces.
Further information about the wide range of systems on offer and specification support is available through the company’s website at aluprof.co.uk or contact Aluprof’s UK & Ireland’s head office in Altrincham by phoning +44 (0) 161 941 4005.
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 awardwinning 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 A2s1,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
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
A1 RATED CEMGOLD BOARDS PROTECT CARE HOME PATIENTS’ MEMORIES
A new care home complex has made use of IPP’s A1 non-combustible Cemgold boards to create Memory Boxes that will help patients find their rooms and orientate themselves by storing photographs or other memorabilia. Prominently positioned in the corridor wall outside each of the rooms is one of the 600 x 400 mm boxes with a lockable door, which were fabricated on site by Highwood’s own carpenters, with the room number featured in large, high contrast numerals.
On the room side of the boxes, however, a similarly sized panel of 12.5 mm thick Cemgold replaces the plasterboard lining to offer half-hour fire resistance. The Project Architect for Harris Irwin, Michael Bond, recounts: “Because the Memory Boxes are made up using standard blockboard, they required separate fire protection for which we specified a material meeting the requirements of Euro Class A2 should be utilised. The main contractor, Highwood then proposed Cemgold which met all of the criteria.”
Available in thicknesses of 6, 10, 12.5, 16 and 18 mm, the 1,200 x 2,400 mm sheets of Cemgold are widely specified across the construction industry for interior and exterior applications including in combination with IPP’s Magply boards. www.magply.co.uk
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 self-build 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. www.wykamol.com
BRADITE PROVES A BOON FOR COMMUNITY CAFÉ
Bradite’s One Can has helped create a bright, airy and welcoming atmosphere in a South Croydon community venture. Boon Café Croydon was conceived, in the words of its founder Georgina Arsalides, as “a space for families to enjoy, a place for groups to meet and new friendships to form.”
The non-profit enterprise has been transformed in appearance thanks to One Can paint, 50 litres of which were donated by Bradite. “While putting together our vision for Boon, we saw Bradite One Can and were able to choose a beautiful sky blue colour in their RAL colour range.” says Georgina. “Bradite was happy to gift the paint which we are so very grateful for, and the vision came to life.”
Friends joined Georgina to do the decorating. “I was amazed at the coverage and how far the paint went. All the painting volunteers found the paint easy to use and were equally impressed with the two-coat prime and paint system.”
She adds: “we had a quick turnaround of the renovation period, and the fact that the paint dries quickly and doesn't have a strong odour was hugely beneficial. It was great that we didn't have an overpowering smell whilst painting, which made the process more enjoyable and comfortable!”
Boon Café provides a hub for community activity and, in addition to the teas, coffees and tasty cakes, provides space for family storytelling, creative workshops and parties. And the colour scheme has not gone unnoticed.
Georgina says: “I have had so many compliments on the colour of the room. People have been asking where it's from, as they want to redecorate their house in the sky blue!” www.bradite.com
MANCHESTER HOUSING PROVIDER PICKS ISO-THERM INSULATION TO UPGRADE OLDER STOCK
One of the leading providers of affordable housing in the North-West has begun utilising slimline and waterproof ISO-THERM insulation, recently introduced to the Wykamol range, to help address issues of condensation and mould growth in some of its older properties, with the manufacturer present at the first installation to help train the customer’s staff.
Wythenshawe Community Housing Group manages some 14,000 homes across Manchester and prides itself on offering residents high quality accommodation, meeting the needs of a diverse population, including those with complex health challenges. Wykamol’s Technical Manager, Kevin Topping was invited to give a presentation to a cross-section of WCHG’s staff, including surveyors and housing managers, together with some of the potential applicators.
This meeting allowed the housing provider to understand some of ISO-THERM’s technical benefits including its ability to create an isolation layer to keep damp out of dwellings, while offering an uplift in thermal performance approximately equivalent to installing up to a 25 mm thick layer of polystyrene. www.wykamol.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 includes the construction of a new dementia ward as well as the refurbishment of two existing wards.
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
POP UP POWER SUPPLIES ARE WEMBLEY WINNERS
Nestled between Wembley Stadium and The SSE Arena, Wembley, Arena Square covers a huge area roughly the same size as Leicester Square. It hosts Europe's largest interactive fountain and is home to the Square of Fame which holds handprints of famous artists who have played here. It’s a great place to grab a bite to eat and enjoy the water fountain lightshow.
Pop Up Power Supplies® were thrilled to be asked to install six retractable service power units here. The half ton units were required for the recreational area and were safely buried out of sight beneath the perimeter. When electricity is needed each unit can be cleverly raised out of the ground. Outside the SSE Arena, there is relaxed seating and great views of Wembley Park’s two iconic venues.
Here the PUPS 01 units are used to power stands for food, drink and merchandising when events are scheduled. The cover of each unit was neatly recessed and therefore accommodates the exact surface surrounding the power supply. Pop Up Power Supplies® have a range of products including electricity through Bollards in a variety of designs to suit the surroundings. www.popuppower.co.uk
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
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
RUNDUM MEIR SIDE-SECTIONAL DOOR TURNS ON THE STYLE IN CHELSEA
An aluminium clad Rundum Meir side sliding sectional garage door proved the ideal solution for a development of luxury properties in London’s fashionable Chelsea neighbourhood, whose design was inspired by a famous porcelain pioneer. The mixed retail, office and residential development in the Cheyne Conservation Area of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, has transformed a previously underused site with its statement architecture.
Within the development is a high specification townhouse named after the director of the first-ever porcelain factory in England which began production on this site in around 1745. A stand-out feature of the property’s contemporary architecture, which fuses old and new influences, is the side sliding sectional garage door that is finished in aluminium to complement the colours and tones of surrounding materials.
Rundum Meir were commissioned to provide this feature, created with a bespoke, fully automated garage door spanning a width of 5m at a height of 2.2m. The stunning result provides clear access to the garage, within which is a car stacker to maximise the space available for secure parking. Vehicular access is also assisted through a car turntable installed in the external courtyard. www.rundum.co.uk
ISO CHEMIE’S WINFRAMER SPECIFIED FOR RESIDENTIAL REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT
ISO Chemie’s thermal insulating and load bearing bracket support system has been specified to provide energy efficiency improvements on a residential conversion project in South West England. The move sees WINFRAMER units specified by Bristol architects Argyll Design Partnership for a private residential development that includes the renovation of several old stone cottages in the Bristol South West area.
The project features the use of the ISO Chemie system to attach new windows to the properties before the installation of insulation around the WINFRAMER units and the application of an exterior screed finish, in a move designed to significantly improve the building’s U values and heat retention capabilities. Passivhaus certified and fire rated to up to 30 minutes, WINFRAMER is a prefabricated installation frame, manufactured to accommodate cavities up to 250mm that allows windows to be supported independently from the face of the wall regardless of any external cladding being in place.
The composite WINFRAMER brackets can bear heavy windows loads, including bi-fold doors, to provide a reliable, strong and high-performance support frame. Installation is quick with windows attached directly and secured mechanically using either standard fixing screws or fixing lugs in the usual manner. A hinged insulation core combines with the composite wood structural bracket to become an integral part of the overall wall structure, providing compliance with window energy saving regulations (EnEV) and the RAL quality assurance association. www.iso-chemie.eu/en-GB/home
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
EDINBURGH LAW FIRM SPECIFIES STYLE SCOTLAND FOR SPACE DIVISION
At the Edinburgh offices of Shepherd and Wedderburn, a leading Scottish law firm, Style Scotland recently collaborated with Michael Laird Architects and GHI Contracts to deliver flexible office space using two advanced Dorma Huppe Variflex moveable walls. These semi-automatic systems, including a glass wall with a 52dB acoustic rating and a solid wall with a 59dB rating, transform an openplan area into versatile meeting spaces.
The design integrates panoramic city views to create a sophisticated environment that enhances both aesthetics and functionality. Style, a market leader in the moveable wall sector, is experiencing a surge in demand particularly in Scotland where sales are up by an unprecedented 32% in the last quarter.
A Dorma Huppe Variflex glass moveable wall extends across the full length of the room to create an expansive conference room with a corridor and breakout area. Installed in the centre of the room, a Variflex solid moveable wall abuts the glazed system creating two additional meeting rooms. A stylish manifestation was added to the glazed system, and the Shepherd and Wedderburn logo was added to the solid wall, contributing to the sophisticated interior design. www.style-partitions.co.uk
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