Housing Specifier Issue 10 2018

Specifier Issue 10

HOUSING Local Authorities | Housing Associations | Affordable Housing

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Contents Inside Issue 10 Pinnacle N10 pH+ has completed its contemporary housing scheme that follows the sloping topography of Muswell Hill in north London.

Oakley Orchards Custom build: an opportunity for land owners to take back control of local residential development from the major house builders.

04-06 Grosvenor Avenue

10-13 Jonathan Freegard

36-40 Croft Architecture

Grosvenor Avenue by fourth_space began as a project in 2014

Secret Garden Housing Scheme On Mile End Warehouse Site

Clients appointed Croft Architecture to come up with a design concept

Contact Us

Publishing Director Martin Holmes martin@mhmagazine.co.uk 01843 830249 Sales Director Ryan Nolan ryan@productspecifier.co.uk 01227 392517

Creative Director Josh Holmes josh@mhmagazine.co.uk

Digital Manager Jamie Bullock jamie@mhmagazine.co.uk 01227 392571

Studio Designer James Sayer james@mhmagazine.co.uk

Editor Vicki Hunter 01843 830249

Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of material published in Housing Specifier however, the publishers accept no responsibility for the claims or opinions made by advertisers, manufactures or contributors.

No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, mechanical, electronic (including photocopying) or stored in any information retrieval system without the prior consent of the publisher.

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fourth_space

GROSVENOR AVENUE Grosvenor Avenue by fourth_space began as a project in 2014 with the architect suggesting to an independent developer that they could deliver a design-led project that challenged the bog-standard approach to materials and finishes associated with small developments. Set on the infill site once occupied by poor quality two-storey semi-detached houses, the building was conceived as a sensitive re-working of the architecture found in the European townhouse typology, adapted to sit within a large Victorian Islington terrace.

Though embroiled in politicized planning issues that delayed construction, the 10-unit scheme started on site in early 2017 and was completed in June 2018. The result is a high-quality infill building that sits calmly within it’s suburban surrounding and offers it’s occupants generous space with quality materials inside.

Influenced by the leafy characterand dappled light of the Islington street, fourth_space chose a facade that responds to this local ambience.

The light brickwork contrasts with the adjacent neighboring properties and is modulated by a darker central glazed brick section that reflects the sunlight as it passes through the trees, creating a subtle shimmering effect and a sense of movement on what could have otherwise been a static facade.

At the rear elevation of the property, fourth_space constructed a 128sqm living wall that covers three storeys of the property. This vertical garden adds to the greenery of the tree filled Grosvenor Avenue, reducing the negative visual impact on neighbours and enhances the long-term biodiversity and sustainability of the scheme.

Upon entering the building you are met with a rough faced highly textured concrete interior that contrasts with the sharply defined brickwork envelope of the interior.

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Pairing this with smooth resin ‘concrete’ floors, a raw steel balustrade and dramatic ‘Tornado’ and ‘Gant’ concrete light fittings, the common parts of the building have a distinct feel inspired by mid-century design and architects such as John Lautner and Denys Lasdun.

The apartments themselves were rooted in expressing materials naturally to create a more timeless aesthetic, with herringbone solid oak flooring, bespoke sapele joinery brushed brass fittings and fixtures and the continuing resin ‘concrete’ flooring. The units each receive ample sunlight from either end of the property, whereby the presence of the trees gives a sense of living within a suburban-like canopy. Each unit is given both front and rear terraces lined in a dark composite decking, which overlooking Islington and the nearby Canonbury station.

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www.fourthspace.co.uk Images:- www.garethgardner.com

TRAD

TRAD SAFETY SYSTEMS

Market leader in the design, manufacture and supply of fall safety solutions for the building, construction and maintenance industries.

Established in 2005, TRAD Safety Systems has grown to become one of the largest suppliers and installers of safe working at height solutions in the UK. As part of the TRAD Group and a member of the Altrad group of companies, TRAD Safety Systems always endeavour to supply the ‘Total Solution’ to their customers, and work with companies from the house building, construction and roofing sectors to improve working practices, by designing and developing products to enable a safer method of working at height.

TRAD Safety Systems can supply a diverse range of products, anywhere in the UK from a local depot and install or train as required.

TRAD Deck TRAD Safety Decking is an innovative, market leading fall prevention solution for traditional build projects, predominantly house building. The system vastly improves safety compared to traditional methods such as airbags, and is significantly quicker to erect and dismantle compared to a bird cage scaffold.

TRAD Internal Stair Unit

TRAD Mini Catch Fan

The TRAD Temporary Stair Unit is designed to allow safe access between floors during construction.

It eliminates the use of ladders, making the movement of materials and tools between floors an easy and safe operation.

The TRAD Mini Catchfan is a new innovation from TRAD Safety Systems. This unique system has been specifically designed with the scaffolding sector in mind.

The TRAD Mini Catchfan offers significantly increased protection when it comes to the containment of falling debris over that of a traditional boarded scaffold fan.

The lightweight single piece unit is constructed from aluminium for a quick and simple installation. It speeds up productivity, reduces accidents on site, and improves overall welfare and efficiency.

An optional extended landing platform is also available to enable the unit to achieve a greater span over voids in town houses etc.

TRADGuard Temporary Mesh Edge Protection The TRADGuard Mesh Barrier System is a proprietary temporary edge protection system. Highly versatile, with a range of attachments to suit a wide range of applications, TRADGuard is EN13374 compliant and is suitable for nearly all types of construction or situations where temporary edge protection is required.

Designed and manufactured to the highest standards in Europe, TRADGuard boasts unrivalled strength, containment and flexibility.

The TRAD Mini Catchfan consists of a 60x60mm net with a 20x20mm net overlay which gives the product energy absorbing properties. The system designed to catch falling debris rather than deflect it back into the building. Furthermore the fan can be raised up the building so you can keep the protection as close as possible to the working area.

What makes the TRAD Mini Catchfan unlike any other safety net fan product on the market is that a crane is NOT required for its installation, or to move it up the building – it can all be done manually. It is often the case that when fans are required, the crane is no longer on site.

Additionally the TRAD Mini Catchfan connects to the scaffold ledger rather than the standards meaning no adaptions are required to the scaffold to make it fit.

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Bereco

BERECO LAUNCH NEW AMBIENT TIMBER WINDOW & DOOR RANGE; A RANGE OF CERTIFIED NOISE REDUCING WINDOWS In a bid to aid the movement to building healthier, happier homes, Bereco have launched a new noise reducing timber window and door range which aims to take the hassle out of achieving compliance.

There is a great emphasis on building healthy homes. This centres on good indoor air quality, natural lighting and thermal comfort. Achieving acoustic comfort via sound reducing building products is absolutely crucial to this and the only way to achieve this is via the correct specification of the windows and doors.

As a member of The Alliance for Sustainable Building Products, we absolutely champion the movement to healthier happier homes and our Ambient Timber Window and Door Range has been designed with this concept in mind. The ASBP believe that the best buildings are life-enhancing and support our physical and mental health and we at Bereco work on this principle.

Noise has become so common in everyday life that it is almost accepted but exposure to noise does not only have the ability to cause irritation and stress but studies have shown that this can be linked to serious health issues such as cardiovascular disorders, heart disease, stroke and dementia.

A study undertaken by the World Health Organisation showed that three in one hundred deaths in the UK are caused by exposure to noise.

Noise has in fact been identified as ranking second amongst all environmental threats to public health, just behind air pollution. In an age where noise is on the rise, we must design our build environment to counteract this.

Having studied the intricacies of noise, and in a bid to provide a noise reducing solution that can be relied upon, Bereco are pleased to announce the launch of the Ambient Timber Window & Door Range. This highly anticipated range includes a number of noise reducing levels from 38dB right up to 42dB. 8

Most manufacturers will state the dB rating for the glazing alone but this does not take into account the noise ‘leak’ that may potentially occur through the frame. Poorly fitted gaskets, gaps in the frame and trickle vents can all be responsible for this. At Bereco we have measured the overall dB rating for the window and this is what we state.

We are pleased to report that each level within the range has been awarded Bluesky Noise Reducing Windows certification and the 42dB sash window has achieved a Bluesky A-rated noise reduction level. The majority of windows and doors on the market would achieve a C, D or E rating. Fitting an A-rated product will greatly reduce noise levels in the building compared to a standard window and will be sufficient for almost all cases. Installing a certified noise reducing window ensures a proven level which offers complete assurance.

The window specification is a key item that will be addressed as part of the acoustic report. The report will determine the frequencies of the expected noise source and stipulate a product that has a specific performance at these frequencies. As we have designed a range of options taking into account various noise sources and proximities we can help you find the most suitable and cost-effective solution to designing out noise.

Nowadays the quality of a new home is not just judged on the build quality

but based on energy costs, health and wellbeing and environmental footprint. Your choice of supplier has a huge bearing on the success and by choosing the Bereco Ambient Range you can ensure that you are ahead of your completion on all these factors.

As part of the Ambient Range the windows and doors come with P2 and P4 security ratings. Part Q of the Building Regulations stipulates P1Arated laminated glass which means that you can ensure compliance with both Secured by Design and Part Q. Nicola Harrison, General Manager for the Bereco Group explains; “The Ambient range is an important addition to the ever expanding Bereco Range of timber windows and doors.

Our ability to offer unique solutions that provide a significant point of differentiation for our customers is key.

We want our customers to be at the forefront of the market offering tailored and relevant solutions that not only help to build beautifully high quality homes but ensuring they stand out from their competitors” We have an experienced sales and design team will help you interpret your acoustic report and provide support at all stages including all the specification details you need to comply with the requirements detailed in your report.

For more information about Bereco visit www.bereco.co.uk/ambientwindows or tweet us @berecowindows

Sleep Safe & Sound.

Contact us Today

01709 838188 Introducing Bereco Ambient Noise Reducing Timber Windows & Doors.

In an age of noise it has become increasingly difficult to find the silence we crave. Give your body and mind time to relax and restore with a new range of certified noise reducing timber windows and doors. With a sound reduction rating of up to 42dB you can restore the sound of silence.

enquiries@bereco.co.uk @berecowindows

To find out more visit www.bereco.co.uk/ambient-windows

#soundofsilence

Jonathan Freegard Architects

SECRET GARDEN HOUSING SCHEME ON MILE END WAREHOUSE SITE

Architect Jonathan Freegard had observed this crumbling warehouse site next to his offices and home in Tredegar Square, Mile End, for over 20 years. He had originally wanted to purchase it for his own firm’s use as a workspace but when he eventually tracked down the owner and found she did not want to sell, he came up with other ideas for her to develop the site.

With the added value clear from the outset it took little persuading to get her to pursue the suggested scheme. But she had never built anything previoiusly and the architects had to guide her through the development process step-by-step to eventual completion.

The original warehouse dated from the 1870s and ran along the backs of the gardens of the houses on the south side of this typical late Georgian square.

It had been bomb damaged in WW2, little used for 20 years and was in a very dilapidated condition.

The scheme that gained planning consent in 2015 and completed last year provides a mixture of eight 2- and 3-bedroom houses and replicates the form of the warehouse but is cut away on the south side to make room for private gardens.

A garden courtyard at each end of the site gives access to three houses while a fourth house has direct access to the street with a wheelchair accessible garage. In addition to the small private gardens in each courtyard, the four larger houses all have south-facing in-set roof terraces at 2nd floor level off a master bedroom. These are completely private and give fine views over the rooftops and in many cases the occupiers have chosen to make this room their living room.

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Because of restrictions on having windows on the north party-wall boundary, small lightwells were formed with windows opening onto them, providing natural light and cross-ventilation.

Internally the halls, stairs and living rooms have oak flooring with under-floor heating.

The composite triple-glazed windows are pine internally and powder-coated aluminium externally.

The scheme is rated Level 4 under the Code for Sustainable Homes with solar roof panels, heat recovery ventilation systems and rainwater harvesting.

All lighting is LED. The bricks from the warehouse were reused for the external cladding.

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Tel: 020 8981 5665

Mobile: 07703 314 179

j.freegard@jf-archtitects.co.uk

www.jf-architects.co.uk

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Checkmate Fire

CHECKMATE FIRE

Why passive fire protection is a sensible investment Effective and well-maintained passive fire protection should be a key feature of the fabric of every building - and not only because it helps to keep the occupants safe in the event of a fire.

The fires, whether accidental or arson, also result in financial loss running to tens of millions of pounds, pose a great risk to businesses and ultimately jobs and inevitably means higher insurance premiums.

However, insurers do react positively to the implementation of safety measures and having third-party certified passive fire protection measures in place can help to reduce premiums.

What is third-party certified installation?

Specifying a third-party certified passive fire protection product in line with the guidelines for its use, means you can be certain it will perform well in the event of a fire, as long as it has been installed correctly.

This is where third-party passive fire certification comes in.

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It is of course crucial to ensure those products are firstly chosen correctly for the job and fitted correctly to maintain compartmentation, the reason installer certification schemes were developed.

For these schemes, the accreditation bodies evaluate the competency of installers through regular audits of the contractor’s procedures and processes undertaking site inspections to confirm tasks are being completed to a standard that provides the maximum level of fire integrity.

Checkmate Fire are proud to have both been founding members of the BRE / LPCB passive fire protection certification scheme and to have maintained our accreditation ever since not to mention they also employ their own inhouse auditing team to inspect every single job.

Maintaining passive fire protection Passive fire protection measures need to be properly maintained to be effective.

Fire doors are susceptible to damage from being wedged open or vandalised additionally, electrical and IT repairs can result in fire barriers being drilled through to run cabling compromising the integrity of the fire compartment.

A regular inspection regime is a sensible idea, as this will allow problems to be spotted and fixed at an early stage - rather than finding out about them in the worst circumstances.

A third-party certified contractor will not only implement a maintenance plan and carry out any required remedial work, they will also be able to recertify the system once the job is complete, helping to ensure your premises comply with regulations and insurance requirements.

As with choosing a third-party certified passive fire protection contractor for installation and refurbishment projects, using one for maintenance work is an investment that could help you to save money in the long-term with lower insurance premiums and reduced disruption in the event of a fire.

Checkmate Fire are one of the most established, experienced and accredit passive fire protection companies in the UK market with a real passion for providing clients with the best possible standards in order to protect people, property and business. www.checkmatefire.com

THE SHOW THAT’S GOT DECORATING COVERED

On November 27 and 28, the decorating trade will convene at Coventry’s Ricoh Arena for the 2018 National Painting and Decorating Show.

For professional decorators, contractors, merchants and stockists, this is the annual trade event that has the entire decorating sector covered.

Paint and wallpaper, preparation tools and applicators, colour trends and time-saving techniques – show visitors will see the latest in product innovation as well as plenty of trusted best sellers.

From Dulux, PlastiKote, tesa and Wagner to Brewers, Crown, 3M, Graco and Benjamin Moore, the 2018 show will again feature hundreds of products, brands and suppliers revealing the latest trends and textures making news across the decorating market.

The National Painting and Decorating Show provides visitors with a valuable networking opportunity to meet exhibitors face-to-face, find out who’s doing what in the decorating industry, and exchange ideas and solutions with like-minded decorating professionals.

For FREE tickets, visit www.paintshow.co.uk

NOW OPEN - Rubio Monocoat design studio, for industrial, architectural designs and application training. Suited for all timber applications - interior and exterior

NEW SHOWROOM:

YOUR PARTNER IN WOOD PROTECTION

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7A VANGUARD WAY, BATTLEFIELD ENTERPRISE PARK SHREWSBURY, SY1 3TG +44 (0) 1827 59 041 WWW.RUBIOMONOCOAT.CO.UK

ANCON LAUNCHES IMPROVED IHR HEAD RESTRAINT TO ACCOMMODATE 75MM GAPS ANCON, winner of the 2018 Queen’s Award for Innovation, has re-engineered its IHR internal head restraint to accommodate gaps at the wall head of up to 75mm, extending the previous maximum of 50mm.

Head Restraints provide a simple support at the top of masonry panels.

They are typically installed in the inner leaf of blockwork on a framed structure, where the masonry is non-loadbearing.

Ancon IHR’s comprise an L-shaped channel section, fitted in the bed joint and perpendicular joint of the top masonry course, and a second sliding component, fixed to the underside of the structural frame.

The latter is shaped to prevent disengagement from the channel, allowing installation as a complete assembly, and available in a variety of designs to suit different fixing methods.

The sliding top section is available in two lengths; one length to suit 25-50mm gaps and a longer length for 51-75mm gaps, ideal where a fire or acoustic barrier is being installed or greater deflections are expected in the primary structure.

Ancon, a CRH company, operates an active product development programme that invites ideas from both inside and outside the business. Recording, analysing and fulfilling unmet customer demands, such as accommodating larger gaps at wall heads, are a key driver to Ancon’s on-going success. www.ancon.co.uk

MODULAR BUILDING BLOCKS

CONTEMPORARY STAINLESS STEEL WORKTOPS THAT LAST Stainless steel from GEC Anderson provides the ultimate in functionality and style for contemporary kitchens. Its versatility as a material enables outstanding kitchen design, ensuring finished results as enduring as they are intrinsically beautiful.

Stainless steel delivers real advantages over any other materials. It combines a stunning, clean appearance with robust, ultra-hygienic performance.

Modular Building Blocks Everblocks UK Contact: Joe Plosky T: 0203 7959090 info@modularbuildingblocks.co.uk www.modularbuildingblocks.co.uk

Practical, flexible and versatile solutions GEC Anderson also offer cabinets and shelving in high quality stainless steel. These units provide sleek, durable and hygienic solutions for all storage requirements. They are available in a range of standard sizes or made-to-measure to satisfy the

needs of the specific location and context. Base cabinets may be wall-mounted or floor-standing on a plinth, with adjustable feet or stylish braked castors.

The GEC Anderson stainless steel shelving system employs uprights which enable simple, unique ‘stepless’ (unslotted) linear adjustment. Shelves and doors are available in steel or glass and allow a range of handle options.

Available now The full range of GEC Anderson products is detailed in our new brochure.

To receive a copy, or for further details regarding GEC Anderson products, call 01442 826999 or email info@gecanderson.co.uk.

OR, go to: www.gecanderson.co.uk

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How to replace windows in conservation areas, listed buildings or under Article 4 using The Residence Collection Find out how you can change your windows and doors for better efficiency, an improved look and lower levels of maintenance, even in special designated areas

You can have a maintenance free solution to windows and doors, even when renovating a period property, modernising or building in a conservation area or just wanting to maintain a sympathetic aesthetic to the area your property resides in.

Not only do The Residence Collection windows look beautiful, they offer superior performance too, with the ability to obtain as low as 0.74W/m²k u-value and A++ energy ratings.

They’re also maintenance free, enabling you to enjoy them, rather than painting or maintaining them. You can make your windows and doors truly individual by selecting one of our heritage or contemporary colours, complementing your interior design palette and creating a signature first impression to suit your exterior. The choice of window and door styles will ensure you can replicate existing or add new character to your home.

Proudly approved for use in many Conservation Areas, Article 4 sites and Listed Buildings, design your perfect solution with The Residence Collection.

#ResidenceCollection 18

Maintenance free, superior performance & great looks The ultimate solution for any project where aesthetic is key, but so is the performance.

U-value as low as 0.74 w/m²K, 44mm triple glazing and no maintenance.

The Residence Collection is a suite of distinctive and luxurious window and door systems to suit any property type and style. Created to embody modern, period, conservation, listed and heritage homes. You will love the modern maintenance free material, superb thermal and acoustic performance and the sophisticated colour palette.

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01452 300912 | residencecollection.co.uk #ResidenceCollection

PINNAC

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CLE N10

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pH+ has completed its contemporary housing scheme that follows the sloping topography of Muswell Hill in north London.

Divided into three separate sections, Pinnacle N10 is the product of a detailed analysis of the local Edwardian context, with a modular reinterpretation of the surrounding housing stock that has been applauded by the resident Conservation Officer.

This response to the characterful neighbouring houses has driven the design, which shifts and changes as the development descends the hill, addressing specific site conditions.

The first section of the project is a conversion of an existing building into eight new flats, with a community and commercial space below. This was originally intended to house the CPotential school for children with cerebral palsy, which has now moved to a nearby site and is in the process of 22

fundraising for a new-build timber structure also designed by pH+. In the latter and central part of the scheme, six new modular houses now step down the hill, broken up by a series of deep recesses that form terraces for the occupants.

These reveals are lined with metal panels that change colour for each property and the palette continues onto interior details, providing each home with its own identity. In the third and final part of the development, a horizontal block contains 14 apartments and features a distinct sawtooth profile at the rear, designed to extend views for residents and required to prevent overlooking of the neighbouring gardens.

Pinnacle N10 features carefully selected materials that are used in sensitive and pragmatic ways. The detailing had to be of the highest calibre to address the quality of the local context.

The brickwork is organised in a Raking Monk pattern and provides a contemporary aesthetic, cascading easily with the stepping profile. No cut bricks were used on site which provided significant cost benefits, while stone banding was made from the largest possible pieces and cut to accentuate the diagonal topography of the site.

The overall effect of these devices is to maintain the rich sculptural quality of the neighbouring houses but without resorting to pastiche.

Andy Puncher, Director of pH+, said: “We are thrilled to have completed this contemporary interpretation of a classical language. With the support of a great client, we have been able to ensure that high design standards continued throughout this project. It was important that these houses sit well within their urban context and remain part of an evolving streetscape. We have created an appropriate scale for a development that belies its density.

www.phplusarchitects.com images:- www.timothysoar.co.uk

WestPort

WEST PORT PUTS FIRE SAFETY FIRST WITH HELP FROM CERTIFICATION EXPERTS BLUESKY When fast-growing West Port’s full-time head of certification left the business, the company had a problem.

Always priding itself on an uncompromising commitment to excellence across the board, the firm was suddenly left without someone to oversee a crucial aspect of its business at a time when fenestration firms were under the spotlight more than ever before.

West Port quickly set about finding a replacement. But before long, thoughts turned to a more convenient and cost-competitive solution.

Enter up-and-coming third-party certification providers Bluesky.

Bluesky offer a comprehensive certification service which independently verifies that a company’s windows and doors are manufactured in line with the desired specification.

By focusing on the manufacturing process, rather than purely on paperwork, Bluesky requires its customers to achieve a high level of consistency in the quality of the manufactured product.

West Port Operations Director Andy Tyas takes up the story on why his firm is now adopting Bluesky’s fire door scheme.

“The Grenfell disaster was a muchneeded wake-up call for everyone in UK construction. For years, we’ve been warning about the shockingly poor fire safety standards we’ve repeatedly seen across fenestration and other related sectors - but, tragically, it’s only now that many in our sector are starting to take the issue seriously.

“At West Port, fire safety has always been one of our highest priorities -subjected to rigorous testing by both Cambridge Fire Research 24

and BRE, our FD30 door managed to withstand temperatures in excess of 900 degrees Celsius for 42 minutes, or 40% longer than the required BS Standards.

“But now we’ve decided to take that commitment even further. When it comes to saving people’s lives, compromise isn’t an option. We need to know that every door we ship is going to meet our exacting quality standards, not just for the first six months of production, or the first year, but for the entire time that the product is produced.

“That’s meant that Bluesky’s approach is the perfect fit for our business. Having a credible certification body checking the performance of our windows and doors and our manufacturing process helps us to ensure that every product we manufacture is of the highest quality possible – and they’ve actually saved us money too.”

“Thanks to the technical information that we now have access to, and because of the way Bluesky manage our certification, we haven’t needed to recruit a replacement for our internal manager. The burden of administrating certification has largely passed to Bluesky.

“At the same time, sufficient separation exists between us and Bluesky to ensure that their certification process remains independent and rigorous. This means that West Port can have confidence that the product warranty it passes onto its customer really means something.”

Phil Jones of Bluesky comments: “West Port’s primary business is fenestration, not certification. But certification is a key part of the offering to the purchaser.

“With this in mind, we used our expertise to create a managed service for West Port. This means that we now hold West Port’s certification records and are able to notify them of updates and respond to technical questions regarding certification requirements.

“We’re delighted to be working with one of the UK’s leading timber manufacturers and look forward to continuing to build our relationship with them in the future!”

Combining time-honoured craftsmanship with cuttingedge manufacturing technology, Cumbria’s West Port offers something unique in UK glazing.

Today, the firm employs more than 180 craftsmen and technicians and operates from a 175,000-square foot factory kitted out with stateof-the-art equipment, the result of a far-sighted attitude that’s seen it invest extensively in boosting efficiency, improving quality and helping it continue to stand out from the crowd.

For more information contact West Port on 01900 814225 or visit www.west-port.co.uk

Introducing the

FD30 timber fire door

that lasts 40% longer At a time when fire doors are in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons, finding a supplier you can trust with a tried and tested product can be challenging.

For more information about our range of fire doors call 01900 814225, email sales@west-port.co.uk or visit west-port.co.uk

If you can relate to that statement you need to talk to West Port. Subjected to rigorous testing by both Cambridge Fire Research and BRE, our FD30 timber fire door has beaten the 30-minute test by 40% - withstanding 800-degree temperatures for an impressive 42 minutes 7 seconds.

What’s more, it’s one of the few FD30 doors that also carries Secured by Design accreditation, offering complete peace of mind for you and your customers.

Made in the UK

West Port Timber Windows & Doors

Solway Industrial Estate | Maryport | Cumbria | CA15 8NF

Rinnai

GOING SOFT ON WATER TREATMENT According to Rinnai UK, leader in continuous flow gas water heating products, stored hot water systems suffer badly from the problem of scale build up – even when water treatment measures are in place.

Lime scale consists of calcium carbonate (calcite) with lesser amounts of other calcium salts such as sulphate.

Sometimes lime scale deposits contain corrosion debris and this scale build-up can affect the water heaters by reducing their efficiency and overall performance.

Ultimately, ongoing use with hard water will shorten the lifespan of water heating appliances.

Limescale build up is a serious problem in Southern England, Wessex, Wales, Hull and the Thames area. In these hard water areas especially scaling in stored hot water systems ultimately leads to lower performance, breakdown, and expensive remedial treatment such as power flushing and in the worst scenario cracked cylinders. Serious money needs then to be spent to get the system back to work; all of which means downtime, inconvenience and, for many businesses a detrimental impact on income, customer satisfaction and performance.

Basically, there are three types of water treatment available for the management of scale. The first, a calcium softener, physically takes calcium out of the water and exchanges it for sodium.

The second type is a physical electromagnetic device that clips around pipe work and encourages the scale to ‘go with the flow’ rather than attach itself to the cylinder.

Sodium water softeners are effective but have two drawbacks – the water is not potable - and they rely on people to put salt in them, thereby allowing a possibility of human error.

One of the most common reasons for engineers to be called out is because ‘the water softener has stopped working’. 99 times out of a 100 this is only because the operator has forgotten or omitted to add salt to the water conditioner.

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The third solution, zinc-based inhibitors, is the only type recommended by Rinnai for use with its appliances.

This technology uses electrochemical dispersement to impart a precise amount of soluble zinc which interferes with the crystallisation process of scale build up.

The use of water softeners and scale inhibitors can go a long way towards alleviating the problem but with stored hot water systems, apart from calcium water softeners if, after passing through the conditioner, hot water is subsequently stored in a cylinder then after 24 hours the process is reversed and scale begins to build up again.

On top of this, any serious turbulence can affect performance and scale up the heat exchanger – ie where there are tight bends in the system.

Continuous flow water systems are the easiest system to keep scale free. Even where a ‘turnkey pack’ system such as the Rinnai Infinity Plus Storage is fitted and a booster tank added the water is unlikely to be held for 24 hours.

These systems are commonly used in hotels, for example, to deal with peak demand times and because they recover in minutes due to the Rinnai unit’s efficiency, scale is never likely to be a problem.

To be additionally sure limescale is never a problem, Rinnai heaters also incorporate a scale warning device that continually monitors the appliances for lime scale deposits around the heat exchanger.

Once lime scale build-up is identified, a message is sent to the built-in interface panel on the front of the appliance to alert the end user that it is time to call a Rinnai service agent to perform a lime scale flush.

For the sake of a small cash outlay, a zinc conditioner is a useful safeguard and one that will give end users additional peace of mind.

Unlike calcium water softeners, zinc treatments need a lot less attention and could be simply built into the maintenance contract, thereby keeping costs down.

For more details on RINNAI products visit www.rinnaiuk.com

For a ‘belt and braces’ solution a continuous flow system, combined with zinc-based treatment means end users can virtually say goodbye to scaling.

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C3 Architects LLP

CUSTOM BUILD: AN OPPORTUNITY FOR LAND OWNERS TO TAKE BACK CONTROL OF LOCAL RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT FROM THE MAJOR HOUSE BUILDERS. In recent times, landowners have had little choice but to sell their land to the major house builders in order to realise value. However, Bob Tomlinson of custom build developer Village Makers offers a different angle.

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who simultaneously enter into a construction contract with a third party builder to deliver the house to an agreed specification.

He says, “Landowners can play a key role in improving the quality of new-build housing in rural and semi-rural areas in this country.

“Typically the landowner will engage the services of an enabling developer who will design the scheme and take it through the planning process, as well as arrange the required highways, drainage, power and other infrastructure.

“Custom build provides an attractive alternative to selling land outright to a developer; there are benefits to landowners and communities; and there’s a positive effect on the developed landscape. Custom build involves the preparation of land to provide serviced plots which are sold to purchasers,

“By taking on an element of the development risk, landowners can generate a higher land receipt by retaining the profit which would otherwise accrue to the developer.

Perhaps more significantly, landowners can retain control and influence over the quality of the housing being created, as well as

the appearance and layout of the finished scheme. In this way, the landowner makes the decisions, and can bring genuine benefits to the community in which they have lived and worked, often over the course of generations. The risk to the landowner will extend to financing the infrastructure, but these costs will have enhanced the value of the land significantly and the sale of the site at this stage will yield better returns than an early sale to a developer.

“In our experience, most landowners have a strong sense of social responsibility. This method allows them to engage with the local community and provide attractive and well-planned housing, rather than put their land in the

hands of a profit-driven organisation that spares little thought for the environment or the community.

“Purchasers benefit by having input to the design and specification of their house that will almost certainly be of a higher specification than that delivered by a mass builder, the quality of build will be better, and the environmental impact will be lower. There’s a benefit to being part of a new neighbourhood – the buyer’s input is having a direct effect, and social cohesion is increased.”

The landowner’s perspective: Pete Thompson of Thompson’s Farm in Essex, a farming landowner who is currently developing Oakley Orchards, a nine acre site, in collaboration with enabling developer Village Makers, says, “Essentially the landowner stays involved, selling serviced plots to the homebuyer directly who simultaneously enters into a contract with the builder to deliver the home of their choice.

“The result is that both new and existing communities are more integrated and the key stakeholder, the landowner, is incentivised to support this. Essentially, there are better outcomes for all parties. “At Oakley Orchards we have been granted outline planning permission for 51 houses, and detailed permission for a village hall, school car park and a doctor’s surgery.

Having engaged with various conventional house builders we concluded that none could offer the quality of development we would like in the village – or stick to the ‘extras’ we are seeking to include such as the surgery, village hall, new footpaths, allotments and green space. They all also wanted to squeeze more homes onto the site. Having visited lots of other developments in the district and beyond, it seemed to me that things can be done better. As a result we are staying involved and have commissioned Village Makers to deliver a custom build development with us.

“At Oakley Orchards we are looking to create a beautiful new neighbourhood which enhances the local built environment, brings new vitality to the village of Great Oakley and is more eco-friendly than the mundane estates which are generally built by volume house-builders.”

In conclusion, custom build collaborations between landowners and enabling developers can make a genuine difference to the way that housing is delivered in the UK by creating better quality neighbourhoods which benefit both the environment and the local community. There are potential financial benefits to the landowner who will retain the lion’s share of the development profit. This of course provides them with the opportunity to invest in the local community.

Oakley Orchards: www.oakleyorchards.com Village Makers: www.village-makers.com Thompson’s Farm: www.gthompsons.co.uk

NO MORE FALSE ALARMS FOLLOWING NORTHERN IRELAND HOUSING ASSOCIATION’S SWITCH TO AICO ALARMS Grove Community Housing Association in Northern Ireland has replaced its existing Smoke Alarms with Aico’s MultiSensors and Ei164e Heat Alarms in more than 80% of its properties.

Established in 1977, Grove Community Housing Association manages 218 properties in North Belfast, which are a mixture of new builds and renovated existing dwellings.

With the Smoke Alarms in these properties coming to the end of their ten year life, Grove looked in to the market for mains powered alarms that are reliable and could reduce false alarms. Denis Bleakley, Grove Community Housing Association General Manager, explains: “We wanted 10 year life rechargeable batteries so neither tenants nor the Association would be troubled by battery replacement.

Being rechargeable also means that if for some reason the

electricity supply is off for an extended period, the batteries still do not need to be replaced and the alarms function safely.

We liked the Multi-Sensor technology to reduce false alarms for us and our tenants, which we found was backed up by BRE [Building Research Establishment] research.”

An Ei company, Aico is the market leader in residential fire and Carbon Monoxide (CO) protection in the UK. All alarms are designed and built in Ireland specifically to meet the UK standards and regulations. For more information please go to www.aico.co.uk or contact Aico on 01691 664100 or enquiries@aico.co.uk

AICO ALARM INTERFACE USED IN HIGH RISK FIRE SAFETY SYSTEMS Fire safety start-up company Lite4Life has adopted Aico’s unique Ei414 Fire / Carbon Monoxide (CO) Alarm Interface into its Multiwatch tower block fire safety system and AlightforLife Directional Way Finder Safety Light.

Andy Cunningham, Managing Director of Lite4Life, selected the Ei414 based on its ability and Aico’s reputation in the marketplace: “It is so much more user friendly than anything else on the market.

We are finding that using the Ei414 to send messages and signals to report on alarm status at the earliest opportunity gives us valuable minutes in the protection of people and property from a potential devastating fire.

The recent Hackitt report for High Risk Residential Buildings (HRRB), recommends that high risk buildings are to be managed and our product, using the Ei414, can provide the solution for many of the points identified

by Dame Judith Hackitt. We at Lite4life, feel it archaic to rely on a member of the public to notify the fire rescue services, often

after the fire has been alight for some time. A fundamental change must be highlighted in the way we can approach fire protection in high rise residential buildings and Aico go a long way in supporting our vision.

“All of our future projects, including those addressing the HRRB standard, will be using Aico products. We are aligning ourselves with tried and tested companies to deliver demonstrable cost saving with innovation. Working with Aico has been fantastic; with our relationship with Andy Speake [National Technical Manager] and the Regional Specification Managers, why would we use anyone else?”

For more information please visit www.aico.co.uk or contact Aico on 01691 664100 or email enquiries@aico.co.uk.

LIMESTONE SANDSTONE BUILDING STONE FLOORING WALLING MASONRY LANDSCAPING RESTORATION 01386 584384 www.stonequarries.co.uk 30

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Quality Performance Products

OVER THE LAST 7 YEARS OR SO CAPRICORN ECO TIMBER HAVE BEEN SUPPLYING AND DEVELOPING TIGA WOOD BURNT LARCH, AN INNOVATIVE BLACK CLADDING WHICH IS MAINTENANCE FREE, HAS A VERY LOW CARBON IMPRINT, IS VERY DURABLE AND ECOFRIENDLY. It is produced from locally grown FSC certified British Larch and has a direct benefit to the economy and helps to minimise the UK trade deficit by utilising our own countries timber resources instead of importing from other countries.

Tiga Wood cladding is a bespoke product made to order here at our Stafford factory and sawmill to suit the customers specification, with either a charred and oiled or charred, brushed and oiled finish.

It is coated and sealed with one coat of natural oil which acts as a base and topcoat, the number of coats are dependent on the customers aspirations regarding the longevity of the black colour or whether the cladding is preferred to gradually weather

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and age-gracefully over the years, if it is the latter no further coats are needed on site after delivery.

The durability of the Larch itself is impressive and it will last 80 years or more in cladding form assuming the usual guidelines for fitting are followed by the installer.

CAPRICORN ECO TIMBER Unit D | Ladfordfields Industrial Estate | Seighford | Stafford ST18 9QE Tel: 01785 282307 | Fax: 01785 282110 | Mob: 07774 692936 roger@capricornecotimber.co.uk www.capricornecotimber.co.uk

TIGA Wood

©

Get into the Black

MiniSoils

WHAT’S BELOW THE BOTTOM LINE? Throughout this magazine you will see superb pictures of all types of newly built houses and extensions.

They vary from traditional construction, to oak-framed, to ultra modern eco-friendly slabs of glass and rendered blockwork.

The one common feature of these pictures is that there is a line, just below DPC, beneath which paving, gravel, or grass form the bottom line of the picture.

But what is below that “bottom line”?

Above it is the “dream”. Below it a possible “nightmare”.

Above the line is a matter of choice and the costs of those choices can be controlled. Roof tiles or slates?

Hand-made or machine-made bricks? Gold bath taps?

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Below the line is the one thing that cannot be changed - the sub-soil and the need for foundations. If there was a choice it would be to do without foundations altogether.

They cost a lot, they cannot be seen, they take a lot of time to build and they represent the greatest risk of overspending.

Most budget costs are calculated on the basis that “good” ground exists at 0.9m below ground level and then a contingency sum is plucked out of the air “in case things are not as assumed”.

If the footings to an average sized detached house needed to go 20cm deeper than assumed the additional cost would be in the region of £2000 and the project will get off to a bad start on “day one”.

Digging a bit deeper is however not the only potential problem.

Much more serious problems could be lurking below the surface as follows:A) The site has been filled or the depth to a suitable bearing stratum is much deeper than allowed. Not only do the footings need to go deeper, but the ground floor cannot be cast directly onto the ground and its weight also has to be carried by the foundations. When the depth to good ground exceeds 2m it is usually more economical to adopt piled foundations.

B) A high water table can cause the sides of trenches to collapse quite rapidly, making it necessary to provide expensive supports and pumps to lower the water table.

C) Clay soils on sites with trees will often cause the foundations to be taken to far greater depths and other costly precautions may need to be incorporated.

Felling of the trees is NOT the answer and can cause additional complications. This is a problem mainly encountered in the south eastern third of England but can be found in “pockets” throughout the U.K. D) Contaminated land can be the worst “nightmare”. The responsibility for any contamination lies with the site owner and costs of investigation and remediation can be horrendous.

Moderately contaminated land, if excavated and carted off site, may need to be taken to a special tip. This could treble the cost of “dig and dump” and in many cases will lead to the use of such systems as piling in order to reduce the volumes involved. Highly contaminated land may need to be treated on site and contained within the site.

The most common cases of this type are former petrol stations, but other previous uses, particularly in industrial areas, can be problematic.

E) Coal Mining has become less of a problem in recent years since active mining has greatly reduced, but a Coal Mining report is essential if a site is in a coal mining area.

F) Methane gas emissions will need to be investigated if a site is within 250m of a landfill site- no matter how ancient the site is.

The certifying Authorities, NHBC, Zurich, Local Authorities and others will require tests to be made to determine whether or not a site is affected.

These tests can be expensive and if a site is affected, the precautionary works will also add to costs.

G) Radon Gas in certain areas of the country can incur similar costs.

Anyone buying a plot of land needs to investigate “below the bottom line” before they buy. If this is not

www.minisoils.co.uk

practical then any offer should be made “subject to a satisfactory site investigation”.

It must not be assumed that because Planning Approval has been given, it is practical to build to the approved plans.

If a site is already owned then the owner should cross fingers and find out if there are problems before plans are taken too far.

The starting point should be a desk study of historic maps and environmental data. Based on the results of such a study, an investigation by boreholes with appropriate laboratory tests can be decided and undertaken. Even this will not TOTALLY eliminate all risk, but the chances of unforeseen problems will be greatly reduced.

Checking/approving organisations such as NHBC, Zurich and the Local Authorities are now demanding much more information before they are prepared to underwrite those risks.

In the 20years experience of the author’s investigation of ground conditions for houses, about 30% of sites are relatively straightforward, about 40% have significant extra costs and 10% have severe problems. If gold bath taps are planned, make sure at an early stage that the foundations are not going to put them beyond budget!

Peter Dunn BSc CEng MIStructE M.D. Mini Soil Surveys Group 35

EXT VICT 36

TENSION TO A TORIAN FAMILY HOME 37

Our clients appointed Croft Architecture to come up with a design concept that would replace the rarely used old outbuildings, garages and dated lean-to at the rear of the property with a modern, light-filled, open plan home extension, creating a design solution that responds to the needs of the family, at work, rest and play, for now, and in the foreseeable future.

Our clients enjoy cooking and spend a lot of time in the kitchen, therefore they aspired for the kitchen to be enjoyable, functional and the focal point on their newly extended home.

38

They also wanted direct access to the new space from the rear of the property to be able to unload their shopping into the kitchen.

We requested a Certificate of Lawful Development from the local authority to ensure that the extension that we'd designed could be legally built within the permitted development framework, meaning no planning permission was required.

During the initial stages of the building work, a well was discovered between the house and the adjoining property, which were once a large detached home.

The foundations were due to be laid where the well was positioned, so we assessed the structure of the well with the local building control manager, and deemed it unsafe to continue.

Unfortunately, the owners, who hoped to keep the well as a feature, it had to be filled in with concrete and capped for the building work to continue safely.

Following concerns from the building control department that the original extension design included too much glazing and wouldn't have met the building regulations for insulation, we agreed an optimal number of windows that the client was also happy with.

www.CroftArchitecture.com

Throughout the build, a close collaboration between the clients, the planners, the building control manager and our team enabled us to deliver the project with very little need for unnecessary communication or site meetings.

The owners are very happy with the finished space, and the kitchen has become the hub of the home, which is what was intended from our clients initial brief.

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EOS Facades

THE OPTIMUM OFFSITE HOUSING SOLUTION

With the UK seeing a rapid increase in the number of offsite manufactured buildings, light gauge steel framing systems (LGSF) have gained traction across many sectors including residential, with many social housing providers and developers now taking advantage of the numerous benefits.

Steve Thompson, Managing Director of EOS, considers why light gauge steel framing systems are trending for city living.

Aiming High In densely populated cities, where space is limited and land comes at a premium, many developers and social housing providers are looking for structural solutions to rapidly get new homes onstream and ready for occupation.

Light gauge steel framing systems provide a robust yet lighter weight structural solution, which can have a significant positive impact on reducing the complexity and cost of the foundation design. In prime urban locations reducing the foundations saves costs on the ground and increasing the height of the development, mitigates the issue of higher land prices.

Adding Value For cities such as London, with complex underground infrastructures, there is an important financial equation lighter equals taller. Where loading restrictions apply, the use of light gauge steel framing systems can permit more storeys than when building in concrete and masonry.

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LGSF plays a massive role in tackling issues such as the current UK housing crisis, by providing high volumes of quality, energy efficient homes at a rapid rate. Light gauge steel framing systems are perfectly positioned to meet construction industry demands - the solutions are future proof and future ready. As an advanced high performance offsite solution - steel is not susceptible to shrinkage, warping, cracking, rot infestation or moisture absorption.

Increasing a development upwards has become popular in big cities to utilise all available space. Due to the lightweight nature of LGSF, developers are now taking this a step further and installing extra storeys on the top of existing buildings. Lightweight, structurally efficient steel frames make construction on top of existing buildings viable.

Steel offers significant improvements in design capability and as an offsite manufactured solution, it is not adversely affected by severe weather - delivering both cost and programme certainty.

Lasting Benefits Traditional building methods can often lead to increased disruption from noise, litter and dust - this is a sizable problem in urban areas. Taking the construction process offsite, can go some way to alleviating this issue. Increasing the speed of construction in a densely populated environment will also lessen the impact of construction traffic, along with the reduction in noise and waste that can be achieved through the use of offsite technologies.

After water, steel is the most recycled product on our planet, with research showing that 99% of structural steelwork is reused or recycled.

EOS is committed to promoting sustainability within construction - our steel is highly recyclable, providing little onsite waste. EOS constantly strive to improve the way we work, and the resulting benefits are passed onto our customers.

Products and Services EOS provide specialist services to businesses, large and small, including some of the most prominent companies in residential construction.

For more information on their products and services go to: www.eos-facades.co.uk

T: +44 (0) 1325 303030 E: enquiries@eosuk.org

YOUR FRAMEWORK FOR BUILDING SUCCESS With expertise in panelised, volumetric modular and pod technology - EOS specialise in the design, manufacture and supply of a wide range of light gauge steel framing systems (LGSF) for the offsite markets.

Embracing a world-class manufacturing ethos and optimising design for manufacture and assembly (DfMA) principles - EOS invest in research and development to bring new and innovative products to market.

OFFSITE MANUFACTURING

CONTINUOUS COLLABORATION

The expansion of the EOS advanced manufacturing facility together with the development of a new fabrication plant supports our market leading all-inclusive pricing initiative.

EOS operatives offer technical advice and installation training.

Installer teams can benefit from our ‘Tool Box Talks’ and phased site visits to offer independent quality checks.

DESIGN SUPPORT

COST CERTAINTY

Offering unparalleled levels of support – our highly qualified technical design team establish the most effective and cost-efficient solution. All drawings are passed through the client’s approval processes before work can begin onsite.

With a dedicated in-house estimating team, EOS guarantee a competitive pricing structure, with no hidden costs. We can provide a lump sum total price package which will not alter, providing the specification remains unchanged.

Volumetric Modular Pod Technology Stud & Track Facade Panels Roofing & Flooring Systems High Bay & Continuous Walling

www.eos-facades.co.uk

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