Creative Build Magazine - July 2023

HARD LANDSCAPING MADE EASY

The Latest Addition To The Company’s Range Looks Set To Maintain That Tradition. Creative Build Finds Out More.

Innovation has always been a cornerstone of Bond It’s approach. Throughout its 20-year history, this British manufacturer has continued to bring to market new products which offer revolutionary benefits and improved ways of working.

Given this track record, the company’s decision to become the new and exclusive UK and Ireland distributor of Geo-Fix® was a natural one.

The business may not have developed this advanced jointing compound for paved and similar areas, but it is a perfect fit with the wider Bond It product portfolio thanks to its next generation capabilities.

The benefit of industry insight

Geo-Fix® has been developed by paving expert, John Andrews and draws on the extensive insight and knowledge he has gained from decades of working in this specialist area of landscaping.

Available in both an Original and an All-Weather formulation, Geo-Fix® provides users with a superior means of pointing pavers, cobbles, flags, slabs, and stone setts.

Unlike other products, which require the addition of water or the mixing of separate components such as sand, cement and water, Geo-Fix® is supplied pre-mixed and ready to use. This saves time, effort, and mess both in terms of preparation and post-work clean up.

Geo-Fix® is also incredibly quick and easy to install. It is applied simply by brushing it into the joints and can be finished by compacting with a pointing tool. From there, a completely safe, chemical reaction causes it to cure and harden.

Trials conducted with professional contractors highlight just how effective Geo-Fix® is at saving time and labour.

During these tests, which were conducted under real world conditions and on a live project, it was found that Geo-Fix® enabled paved areas to be pointed an impressive twenty times faster than they could be with a traditional wet mortar.

In a world where time is money, Geo-Fix®’s speed and ease of installation delivers major commercial benefits.

It saves on the associated labour costs of a project and these dividends can be amplified by a project’s size. The bigger the job, the bigger the savings that are made.

In addition, by making projects quicker to complete, Geo-Fix® can allow users to complete more jobs in less time. This enables landscaping professionals to increase the amount of work they take on and the total level of revenue they can make overall.

Benefit after benefit

Speed and ease of application aside, there are other equally impressive benefits to Geo-Fix®. This includes the fact that its technical performance surpasses that of both wet mortars and of other dry mortars that use polymeric sand.

As a prime example, the length of time required for Geo-Fix® to cure is much shorter than that for other solutions on the market and it can reach full loadbearing capacity in hours rather than the more usual days.

In addition, Geo-Fix® offers greater flexural and compressive strength compared to similar products and is

WHETHER YOU’RE TALKING ABOUT ITS SEALANTS, ADHESIVES, BUILDING CHEMICALS OR LANDSCAPING SOLUTIONS, BOND IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN A SUPPLIER OF TRAILBLAZING PRODUCTS

non-staining if any excess is swept off surfaces after use.

Plus, as it is supplied vacuum packed in extra strong, sealed foils, which are then placed into an outer tub, Geo-Fix® offers an increased shelf life. The outer tub is also made using post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic, diverting waste from landfill, and contributing towards greater sustainability.

Geo-Fix® even provides greater flexibility as to when work can be carried out. Geo-Fix® Original for instance can be used at temperatures down to - 5oC whilst Geo-Fix® All Weather, as its name suggests, can be used in all conditions –including the wet.

As a further benefit, Geo-Fix® All Weather is also perfectly suited for use with porcelain paving which is becoming an increasingly popular choice thanks to its durability, longevity, and ease of maintenance.

As porcelain paving is just 20mm thick, it’s essential that any jointing compound used alongside it can still deliver effective performance in a joint with a dramatically reduced depth. Geo-Fix® All Weather provides precisely that capability and can be used in joints as shallow as 15mm.

To accommodate the growing trend towards using porcelain paving, Bond It will be introducing further complementary and specialist products over the coming months.

Ultimately, Geo-Fix® is one of those mould-breaking developments that redefines expectations.

In fact, since adding it to the Bond It range, the company has found that customers who try it wish they had discovered it sooner and are adamant that they won’t go back to using anything else.

How Does the Construction Industry Tackle Hazardous Waste?

The construction industry produces a substantial amount of waste every year. In fact, according to a study by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in 2018, this amounted to 62 per cent of all waste in the UK. And the Environmental Agency believes that the quantity of waste has increased in recent years due to the encouragement of brownfield remediation across the nation. So how do we tackle this?

The nation is tackling this issue with environmental legislation. In 2021, the Environmental Act introduced targets to improve waste reduction, including discouraging avoidable waste by 2050. To accomplish this, the shipment of hazardous waste will be regulated and a restriction will be placed on the export of these substances to countries that aren’t in the organisation for the economic cooperation and development (OECD).

This will encourage the nation to create innovative ways to dispose of hazardous waste correctly and sustainably. Here, we will explore how the construction industry currently tackles hazardous waste and consider whether a circular approach is the solution for a sustainable future within the UK.

What is hazardous waste?

Hazardous waste represents any unrecyclable materials produced on a construction site. These materials contain substances that can harm the local ecosystem, wildlife, and human beings.

Asbestos

Asbestos, microscopic fibres which are often found in materials from homes built before 2000, are among some of

the most hazardous materials found on construction sites. Professionals in the sustainable waste management industry are trained to perform asbestos removal services correctly.

It is imperative for professionals to dispose of asbestos correctly. Incineration, for example, is unsafe as the hazardous material contaminates the air and can cause harm to those who breathe in the fumes. Instead, these materials are sent to specialist landfills, so that they cannot contaminate the local ecosystem. This is problematic, however, due to the fact that asbestos cannot decompose naturally.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB)

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) are man-made toxic substances, varying from liquids to solids and black to yellow. Though they were previously used within electrical equipment, these hazardous materials are now banned within the UK. There are only a few exceptions to this, including research purposes and, until 2025, transformers that contain less than 0.005% of toxic fluids.

PCBs can cause cancer in animals and disrupt the food chain within the sea. Therefore, it is important for professionals to correctly dispose of this chemical, trusting certified EPA disposal facilities. The general public is also advised against using appliances (such as fluorescent lighting to televisions) that were made before the 1980s.

Solvents (VOCs)

Solvents, otherwise known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), are often used in the construction industry to dissolve or dilute substances, such as paints or glues. If solvents contain dichloromethane (DCM), they can cause harm to humans, animals, and wildlife.

Solvent paints, for example, are considered a hazardous substance. Therefore, in order to dispose of this waste, it is important

for professionals to follow the Hazardous Waste Regulation (2005). This involves classifying and properly disposing of hazardous solvent waste at a specialised facility.

How does the construction industry recycle hazardous waste?

One of the most environmentally considerate ways of discarding hazardous waste is through recycling. This encourages companies to adopt a circular process to waste management, an approach that minimises unnecessary waste throughout the design, production, and disposal processes. A circular economy is also beneficial for businesses, from lowering costs for the purchase of new materials to a reduction in any carbon footprint associated with the corporation.

Solvent distillation

Solvents (VOCs) are commonly used substances. The construction industry can choose to recycle this type of hazardous waste through a process named solvent distillation. This filters hazardous solvents, distilling volatile vapours and preserving pure vapours. These can then be redistributed into the industry.

Water treatment

Liquid-based hazardous waste, from acids to oily water and latex paint, can also be recycled. Water treatment allows professionals to extract water from these substances. This water is then reused on industrial sites.

To summarise

Sustainability remains at the forefront of public concerns and discussions. The construction industry continues to generate a huge amount of waste, but adopting circular practices can help regenerate these materials. So, moving forward, the nation must continue to strive to attain reusability in construction materials beyond everyday solvents and polychlorinated biphenyls.

O’Donovan Waste launches Net-Zero Pledge

O’Donovan Waste is proud to announce its pledge to help tackle the climate emergency by setting out its ambitious aspirations to achieve Net Zero carbon emissions by 2035. Multi- award winning O’Donovan is a dynamic leader in the construction, demolition and waste sectors with a proven track record for placing greener initiatives and environmental performance at the forefront of their priorities and vision for the business. The family business has already invested heavily in sustainable buildings and state-of-the-art processing facilities and equipment, ensuring 100% of all waste processed is re-used, recycled and ultimately diverted from landfill.

In 2019, the UK passed a law to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, making it the world’s first G7 country to create this form of legally binding target. For a business to have a net zero carbon footprint, they would have to achieve net zero carbon dioxide emissions by balancing carbon emissions with carbon removal (often through carbon offsetting) or simply eliminating carbon emissions altogether. O’Donovan is now going further and pledging its commitment to be carbon neutral by the middle of the next decade – 15 years ahead of that target, with a launch and manifesto set to be released in the coming months detailing their road-map for change.

JOD commented “Climate change is a major problem that is being highlighted daily by scientists from all around the world. It is vital that everyone must take on their share of the responsibility and that includes business leaders in particular, in order to tackle the real challenges we face. We need to focus on achievable goals that are practical and that work, taking innovative, hard-hitting action to become more resourceful and rise to the climate challenge, making a lasting difference.”

For more information visit: www.odonovan.co.uk

The All-in-One Solution to Structural Damage Concerns

Structural Repairs offer UK customers a cost-efficient and professional service to rectify structural damage concerns. The all-in-one solution is one of the only of its kind to provide homeowners with an end-to-end service without the need of liaising with multiple home contactors.

A large proportion of UK homes currently suffer from structural damage which can quickly affect the safety of occupants and prevent homeowners being able to put their house on the market. Structural Repairs, a leading team of structural repair specialists based in Berkshire, offer a range of services to help rectify such issues. From underpinning and crack stitching to timber repairs and screw piles, Structural Repairs have over 35 years of structural repair experience under their belts, making them a trusted provider of long-lasting housing repair services.

Unlike other repair specialists, Structural Repairs offers customers a unique allencompassing service that connects all the areas of repairs into one bespoke package. This removes the needs for customers to liaise with multiple contractors, which reduces the time of delivery and ensures a speedy service every time.

Kellie Botha, Office Manager at Structural Repairs says, “We’re constantly striving to deliver our customers the most effective and productive service possible. For us this means combining all the elements that you would normally have to work with multiple contractors for, and putting this all into one, efficient service. We take the hassle out of what is a very stressful time for our customers. No one should have to feel unsafe in their own homes because of structural damage, and our team of experts help bring peace of mind to homeowners across the UK.”

Structural Repairs offer a full range of repair services and renovation solutions for domestic, commercial, and industrial properties across the UK.

With industry-leading knowledge and in-house engineers who can provide instant technical knowledge and advice – removing the need to consult third-party structural engineers for assistance, which can take 1—3 days to obtain.

The Berkshire-based firm has now become the go-to for property owners wanting to reinforce and secure their homes, to make it safer for occupants, or prepare for market.

To find out more about the wide range of services available from Structural Repairs, visit: www.structuralrepairs.com

KEUCO BLACK SECTION

The deep black, silk matt finish of KEUCO products bring a touch of luxury to the bathroom; all are finished with a special lacquer coating. This not only makes them extremely durable and easy to clean, but the velvety matt surface is also extremely pleasant to the touch.

The KEUCO BLACK SELECTION offers specifiers and consumers alike the opportunity for design diversity to create extraordinary bathrooms that are individual with a more than a hint of luxury.

The IXMO range of fittings is also available in the matt black colour palette, this enables design variety and planning freedom, not only in the shower, but in other areas of the bathroom.

The unique feature provided by IXMO enables several functions to be grouped together in one area creating a clean, chic, minimalist appearance, as only a limited number of the fitting elements are required on the wall. In combination with the extensive range of black matt shower accessories, such as an overhead shower, a hand shower with matching hose, the most desirable shower solutions can become a reality.

The design elements of IXMO in matt black continues through to the washbasin. Available in three styles: Flat, Soft or Pure IXMO provides washbasin fittings to suit different living styles, either as single-lever mixers or wall-mounted fittings. Also in the range

is a touch-free IXMO sensor fitting for the washbasin. The entire bathroom can be styled with black matt accents, as the fittings are also available to match the bidet.

BLACK SELECTION accessories

Accessories can add a special touch especially when it comes to bathroom design, high-quality bathroom accessories are now part of a harmonious overall picture. The ROYAL MODULAR 2.0 mirror cabinet is now available with a black matt finish, and with matt black elements from KEUCO’s PLAN and REVA collections complete the picture, whether it be the shower basket, cosmetic mirror, lotion dispenser or toilet paper holder.

Zencha by Sebastian Herkner: A homage to mindfulness and traditional craftsmanship

The outstanding design of the Zencha bathroom collection by Sebastian Herkner was inspired by traditional Japanese rituals and craftsmanship it combining as it does unusual above-counter basins with minimalistic furniture.

The basins and bathtub are striking, they have a rounded shape that opens into a graceful, outward- curving edge. These dual-walled sanitary objects made from DuraCeram® and DuraSolid® are paired with modular, geometric bathroom furniture. The furniture is made from materials such as wood and a very tactile ribbed, textured glass, it provides plenty of storage space and is extremely pleasant to the touch. “I’ve always wanted to develop a bathroom series for Duravit,” said the designer from Offenbach. He can now take his place in the rollcall of renowned designers such as Philippe Starck and Cecilie Manz who have designed collections for this German manufacturer.

Striking & delicate: the design

The bathroom is one of the most important rooms in the house and is

increasingly becoming a place of retreat and ritual. With its balanced shapes, colours, and materials, Zencha appeals to all our senses. The inspiration for the design came from hand-made ceramic teacups that the designer discovered in Japan. Their gentle, organic shapes are designed as cambered rectangles, bulbous at the bottom and taper upwards with an elegant curve. The materials used are appealing both visually and to the touch, with basins manufactured from DuraCeram . This material enables above-counter basins to be created with an extremely thin rim which are still robust and easy to care for. The bathtubs have a pleasantly warm feel and elegant matt aesthetic and are seamlessly manufactured from DuraSolid®.

The straight lines of the furniture design creates an intriguing contrast to the organic sanitary objects; complementing the collection’s subtle material and colour concept. The outstanding design feature here is an elegant frame just six millimetres thick, creating a uniform shadow gap that lends the furniture a graceful and effortless feel. “You can only manufacture technically sophisticated

solutions like this with consistent quality if, like Duravit, you have your own manufacturing facilities, corresponding expertise and high levels of craftsmanship,” said Herkner.

Multi-faceted & functional: modular furniture elements

The Zencha furniture collection is designed in a modular fashion and can be positioned in a variety of ways, as open shelves, or drawers with push-open and self-closing technology. Combined with the above-counter basin, they create a beautiful centrepiece in the bathroom. As a storage area for everyday (bathroom) items, they offer structure to the room and imbue a feeling of gentle calm. The carcass and frame of the furniture come with an easy-to-clean surface and anti-fingerprint effect and are available in the subtle colours White Super Matt, Taupe Super Matt, and Graphite Super Matt. The cabinet fronts add a playful element and are offered in a range of variants. While the options in Natural Oak and Oak Black produce a warm and tactile effect, white plate or black textured glass introduce a degree of sensual elegance into the bathroom.

Herkner has further designed a separate mirror that emulates the contour of the round basins. Its organic form is accentuated by an all-round LED strip, and the light is turned on and off via a sensor on the bottom edge of the mirror.

Elegant above-counter basins

The sanitary objects made from DuraCeram® consist of two differently shaped abovecounter basins: a curved square measuring 420 x 420 mm and a rounded rectangle measuring 550 x 390 mm – with or without a tap panel – in White, White Satin Matt, Gray Satin Matt, and Anthracite Matt. The square variant of the above-counter basin with its ceramic cover is a particular talking point in the bathroom and is covered by Duravit’s lifetime warranty. It can be combined with toilets from a range of Duravit lines.

Bathtubs with a pool-like feeling

The shape of the square version of the free-standing bathtub, made from DuraSolid® and measuring 1250 x 1250 mm, is drawn from the square abovecounter basin. Bathers are invited to immerse themselves into the deep water, an experience reminiscent of a Japanese Onsen bath. The bathtub is available in two compact versions measuring 1600 x 850 mm and 1800 x 900 mm, optionally with the air whirl system integrated into the base for a gentle massage effect.

Made in Germany

The Zencha collection combines delicate shapes with high-quality, sustainable materials such as PEFC-certified woods. It comes in a wide range of variants and its shapes, colours, materials, measurements, and equipment options can be individually configured for various interior design settings. Both the sanitary objects and the furniture are manufactured at Duravit’s production facilities in Hornberg and Schenkenzell in the Black Forest and are finished by hand. Surfaces and edges of the furniture are painstakingly sealed to be water-resistant and are impervious to splashes and high humidity. Optimum stability of the tall cabinets is ensured via 8mm-thick rear walls that are bonded in a milled groove. Sebastian Herkner, who spent over four years working on the project and made several site visits with his team, said: “Duravit represents tradition as well as expertise in the design and technical sectors.”

Works complete at new £10m manufacturing facility in Mansfield

Leading Midlands contractor G

F Tomlinson has announced the completion of a new light manufacturing facility on Hamilton Way, Oakham Business Park, Mansfield.

The £10million scheme sees the construction of a two-storey facility and basement space for a UK leading aerospace manufacturer based in the East Midlands.

The 80,000 sq ft steel frame building features composite insulated cladding to the walls and roof to provide a production facility and headquarters comprising a ground floor with workshop, office and meeting spaces, including staff facilities and a basement level for storage.

Adjacent is an external service yard with two artic loading bays and car parking spaces over three levels for 139 cars. Five

gabion retaining walls are also in place across the site – totalling 170 metres inlength with a height of 1.2 metres.

As part of the project G F Tomlinson also carried out £3million M&E works, and worked alongside project manager and principal designer Jackson Design Associates and Webb Gray Architects – both firms the contractor has worked with previously on office and industrial schemes elsewhere in Mansfield and in Lichfield.

Chris Flint, managing director of G F Tomlinson, said: “We are very pleased to have completed construction works for this impressive industrial facility in Mansfield, which has been designed to meet the end user’s growing manufacturing ambitions, storage and office requirements.

“It is a pleasure to have worked once again with Jackson Design Associates and Webb Gray Architects – two local businesses which each have a wealth of experience in the Midlands region and in this sector.”

David Grieves, senior project manager at Jackson Design Associates, said: “It’s great to see this project completed. The collaborative working relationship with G F Tomlinson helped overcome challenges along the journey, resulting in a successful project delivery. The client can now enjoy the impressive internal space for what they do best.”

G F Tomlinson, which has offices in Derbyshire and Birmingham, has many years of experience across multiple sectors including industrial, education, retail, healthcare, leisure, commercial and residential.

Future designs meets transport for London’s exacting specification requirements for an LED future

FUTURE Designs has created three bespoke lighting solutions: the IKON uplighter, IKON EMERGENCY luminaire and the PLINTH luminaire for Europe’s largest infrastructure project, Crossrail, which is due to open on 24th May.

The £14.8 billion Crossrail venture, officially known as the Elizabeth Line, is a new railway for London and the South East with 42km of new tunnels, connecting the East of the city to the West. The new service will speed up journey times, increase central London’s capacity by 10% and bring an extra 1.5 million people to within 45 minutes of central London.

David Clements, Chief Executive of FUTURE Designs said: “It has been an absolute honour for FUTURE Designs to be involved in illuminating areas of this outstanding and complex project, which is an undeniable feat of modern engineering. Such a multifaceted project comes with inevitable challenges to overcome, but there is no doubt that the exceptional result is worth the wait.”

FUTURE Designs has designed and manufactured these key elements harnessing the power of LED technology to deliver quality light within this subterranean infrastructure. The decision to use LEDs exclusively will reduce energy consumption and maintenance requirements, that will ultimately lead to a reduction in whole-life cost for the project.

That said, the choice of LEDs wasn’t without its challenges as very few existing suitable LED fittings met Crossrail’s specific requirements. FUTURE Designs came up with a ground-breaking solution, in keeping with Crossrail’s design brief, creating IKON, IKON EMERGENCY and PLINTH specifically for this project.

The lighting concepts from FUTURE Designs can be found in the station concourse areas, escalator tunnels and

platforms and emphasise the spatial envelope rather than draw attention to the luminaires themselves.

As a result, the concept works in complete harmony with the interior, using the light-grey, matt-textured, glass-reinforced concrete lining of the station and escalator tunnels to reflect light onto the passenger areas creating a sense of spaciousness within the underground environment. The lighting also cleverly suppresses other more functional elements like cameras and speakers.

The lighting significantly contributes to the Elizabeth Line design concept of fast spaces and slow spaces. On the escalator the idea is to get people moving as quickly as possible whereas in the ticket halls and on the platforms lighting is warmer and more indirect to encourage passengers to make more considered wayfinding decisions.

The IKON uplighter luminaire has been created to sit on top of wayfinding totems. This phenomenally powerful luminaire is designed to shine light to the ceiling, which then reflects to the floor. The space between each uplighter is between 7-11 metres It was also critical that the design of IKON allowed it to act as a reliable and effective heatsink, drawing heat away from the mechanics and regulating the device’s temperature. IKON is installed in Elizabeth Line stations at Tottenham Court Road, Farringdon, Liverpool Street, Bond Street and Whitechapel.

IKON EMERGENCY luminaires are designed to automatically illuminate in the event of a power failure, helping to guide passengers to safety. The design features high and low-level lights mounted on the sides of wayfinding totems and vertical luminaires mounted on the front faces of the totems to spread light in all directions and throw the light across a large distance on the floors. IKON EMERGENCY is located in stations at Tottenham Court Road, Farringdon, Liverpool Street, Bond Street and Whitechapel.

The PLINTH luminaire is a recessed escalator light fitting, located within the deck area between individual escalators. The uplighters are specially designed to diminish visual glare to passengers travelling on the escalators, preventing direct view of the LED source and providing well balanced lighting. PLINTH is installed in stations at Tottenham Court Road, Farringdon, Liverpool Street, Bond Street and Whitechapel.

Hunter Douglas marks five years of HeartFelt®

Hunter Douglas Architectural, the global architectural products company, has celebrated the fifth anniversary of the launch of its award-winning, innovative HeartFelt® ceiling and wall system.

The world’s first linear felt ceiling system has revolutionised how designers and architects apply their designs – and not only is it budget friendly, it is made from 100% recyclable material, including the carrier system.

Since the linear ceiling system was introduced to the world in 2017, going on to win the prestigious Red Dot Award in the product design category that year, Hunter Douglas has introduced new and exciting applications for the system, enabling designers to choose a sustainable product that is also aesthetically pleasing for their scheme.

new headquarters for Equity Release Supermarket, in Bridgewater Place, Birchwood Park, Warrington, Cheshire.

When it relocated from a neighbouring building in Bridgewater Place, it wanted a fresh, new look for its headquarters and designer SDA, which is based in Chorley, included HeartFelt® Origami ceilings for a number of meeting rooms and reception.

HeartFelt® Origami is based on the ancient Japanese folding techniques, which gives the felt panels additional rigidity and superior acoustic properties, as well as a particularly attractive finish.

Origami, the newest HeartFelt® product to come to market, offers an exclusive and highly creative ceiling finish. Because there are five different sizes, the designer has the freedom to choose a shape, or combination of shapes, that best suits a particular space, while striking tones

or single colour designs can be created by selecting from five shades of grey, ranging from white to black.

Hunter Douglas Architectural was specified to supply about 100m2 of its HeartFelt Origami panels in 400mm x 400mm size in mid grey 7597. These were also specified with a black integrated lighting track with black spotlights.

David Harris, general manager of Hunter Douglas Architectural UK, said: “Since the first HeartFelt® linear ceiling was installed at the headquarters of Moneypenny, in Wrexham, the product has taken the architectural world by storm.

“More designers have come to appreciate what a versatile and attractive product it is and how it can be used to make an ordinary space stand out.

“As market demand has grown, so has the innovation at Hunter Douglas, which has introduced a number of new HeartFelt® wall and ceiling systems, as well as colourways. There are still exciting developments to come and we’ll be excited to introduce them.”

Mark Gregory, founder and CEO of Equity Release Supermarket, said: “Being innovators in the later life market, we wanted to also create a unique feel for our new offices in Cheshire - one where corporate partners would enter and have that ‘wow’ factor.

“The minute everyone now walks into our reception and meeting rooms, with the Origami ceiling around them - with the lighting inset and ventilation strips alongside, it does exactly that.

“Being one of the first in the UK to showcase the Hunter Douglas ceiling, we are really proud of the effect and environment it has created for both visitors and, importantly, our office staff.”

Acoustic comfort is another of the attractions of a HeartFelt® ceiling and tests have shown that with the linear

One of the latest projects is the installation of a stunning ceiling in the

system absorption values (αw) between 0.45 (module 100) and 0.70 (module 50) can be achieved. With the Origami, that increases to a sound absorption value of αW 0.8, ensuring reverberation and noise in busy office landscapes, public buildings or other premises are greatly reduced.

The HeartFelt® collection now comprises: linear ceiling and wall systems, which are available in rounded and box-shaped panels; baffles; and the latest - origami.

The colour range has also expanded from five grey shades to also include five earth tones, from umber to crème.

The linear system is available in heights of 55, 64, 80 and 105 mm. The panels are available in up to 6m lengths and are fixed via a special carrier system. All HeartFelt systems comply with regulations for use in non-polluting buildings. They are also resistant to dirt and dust, meets the indoor European standard EN 15251, and EN 13501 Class B, S1, d0 fire certification.

The panels are manufactured using thermoformed polyester fibres which are 100% recyclable – earning the system

C2C Bronze certificate from the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute.

Hunter Douglas Architectural is committed to developing the HeartFelt® collection and is planning new and exciting designs. For more information on the Heartfelt product range, visit: www.hunterdouglasarchitectural.eu

About equity release supermarket (UK): www.equityreleasesupermarket.com

Readers’ paradise overlooking the fjord with sustainable architecture and stunning visuals

When viewed from outside, the striking elements of the Deichman library are its sloping frontage and glass façade. Another truly outstanding feature is building meets the Passivhaus standard, resulting in a saving of 50 percent of emissions compared to similar buildings. This was achieved using an innovative façade structure, novel ventilation systems and cooling with sea water, as well as the use of recycled materials. The sustainability concept extends into the bathroom areas: toilets from the Happy D.2 range as well as electronically powered DuraStyle urinals from the designer bathroom manufacturer Duravit guarantee optimized water usage, hygiene, and short cleaning times.

Library with a clear view of the fjord

Norway’s library is located centrally in the Bjørvika district between Oslo’s main railway station and the opera. It was designed by the architecture firm Lund

Hagem Architekter AS in collaboration with Atelier Oslo and attracts millions of visitors a year. The building has six floors that are held in place by three towers, creating an open space in the center of the building that forms an atrium.

This openness, the elongated façade windows, and the lighting shafts generate an inviting ambience bathed in daylight with a clear view of the fjord.

Unique concept

The library is accessed via three central entrances in the east, west, and south. The exterior merges into the interior on the ground floor, where visitors are fluidly guided into the foyer. Diagonal light shafts that extend across all floors distribute additional light to the entrance zones. At the heart of the design is the continuous central library room. Additional library rooms are located

on the upper levels. The building also houses an auditorium, workshops, reading rooms, a cinema, offices, and various stacks.

The building’s overall concept generates a unique impression: in addition to the actual lending and reading of more than 400,000 books, there is a year-round program of concerts, fairs, workshops, and various courses for all ages. Visitors can while away some time in the restaurant and cafeteria with roof terrace, which offer not only food and drink but also a dash of hygge.

The Deichmanske library is one of Norway’s most illustrious and largest public libraries. It can trace its origins back to 1785 following the death of the businessman and industrial pioneer Carl Deichman, who not only lent his name to the library, but also bequeathed his collection of 6,000 books to the city and its residents, which still today form the foundation of the library’s collection.

Opening ceremony to mark completion of new £3.4m fire station in Worksop

Works on a new, state-of-the-art fire station for Nottinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service have recently been completed by Midlands-based main contractor, G F Tomlinson.

Located at the Vesuvius development off Sandy Lane in Worksop, Nottinghamshire, the new facility has replaced the former fire station which was built in 1963 and located at Eastgate.

A ceremony to mark the official opening of the new station took place on Monday 16 May – it was formally opened by representatives from Nottinghamshire County Council including Councillor Michael Payne, chair of the fire authority, and Councillor Sybil Fielding, fire authority member and councillor for Worksop West.

Plans for the scheme were submitted by Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service at the beginning of last year and approved by Bassetlaw District Council. The scheme forms part of the wider Vesuvius development – a multi-millionpound redevelopment which aims to

become the prime industrial and business location in Worksop, with a mix of light industrial units, food and drinks outlets and office spaces planned, the first phase of which completed last summer.

G F Tomlinson has been working closely with Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service’s project management consultants, Turner & Townsend, on the programme of works.

Built with the latest renewable technology, the new fire station has the capacity to self-generate up to 50% of its energy consumption. The building comprises of meeting rooms, offices, fire engine bays and a gymnasium for firefighters. An external threestorey training tower and compound store has also been built, as well as new car parking spaces and external landscaping.

Kevin Dodds, construction director at G F Tomlinson said: “We really enjoyed attending the opening ceremony of this impressive new facility. It has been a

real pleasure working collaboratively alongside Nottingham Fire & Rescue Service and their consultant team to successfully deliver this vital service for the local community.

“The fire station itself is completely state-of-the-art meaning that it is not only incredibly energy efficient, but it provides the best possible facilities for firefighters to carry out their critical work and serve the surrounding Bassetlaw community. This project represents a huge investment for the local area and we are thrilled with the final result.”

Terry Scott, head of procurement and resources at Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: “I am very proud to be a part of the opening of this stateof-the-art new fire station, which is now our “flagship” property within the Estate. We have provided a fantastic working environment for our staff to best serve the local community of Worksop and the wider Nottinghamshire County. I would like to thank the whole project team on what has been a very successful project.”

Hunter Douglas HeartFelt range specified for award-winning university project

An award-winning refurbishment at Birkbeck, University of London, has breathed new life into an almost 100-year-old building – and Hunter Douglas Architectural helped to bring it into the 21st century.

Cambridge House, a former 1920s car showroom on Euston Road, was transformed into a spectacular sevenstorey teaching and learning facility for the university, with a 180-seat lecture theatre, teaching rooms and more informal co-learning spaces, plus a café and learning hub in the basement and on the ground floor.

The building sits in a sensitive heritage area, close to the grade I-listed Holy Trinity Church, which was designed by Sir John Soane, and the results are striking, with an angular copper-coloured roof extension that cantilevers over the street. It went on to win the Learner category of the New London Awards 2021 and was shortlisted for an AJ Retrofit Award 2022 in the Schools and Further Education category.

Architect Gibberd Partnership specified Hunter Douglas, the global architectural

products company, to supply 568m2 of its HeartFelt range for a number of ceilings in the teaching rooms and in the reception.

HeartFelt® is a modular linear felt ceiling system with unique design qualities. Made from Cradle to Cradle bronzecertified felt, this sustainable option is a natural and soft material with a warm appearance and excellent acoustic properties.

Available in five grey tones and five earth tones, the architect specified 7597 middle grey for Cambridge House. It was supplied as 40 x 55mm height panels with 70mm module and box-shaped panel.

Juliette Halliday, national sales manager for Hunter Douglas Architectural, said: “There were a number of complexities with this project because there were a lot of interfaces with the upstands on the bulkheads.

“Because we are well versed in dealing with even the most complicated ceiling designs, we were able to provide bespoke advice and guidance on how to

tackle them without any compromises in aesthetic or quality.

“The beauty of HeartFelt is that it is not just lightweight, it is also hardwearing and attractive and looks great anywhere. It also has exceptional acoustic absorption qualities, which make it a great choice for interior designers and architects.”

The panels were installed by Lorus Projects Limited.

HeartFelt is a sustainable choice, being 100% recyclable or easily reusable, and is also easy to maintain because it is dirt and dust resistant.

The linear felt ceiling panels are available in round and box-shaped panels, and can easily be clipped to the specially designed carriers. Hunter Douglas has also introduced HeartFelt® Origami, based on ancient origami techniques, which results in a rigid, highly creative ceiling with particularly attractive finish.

For more details about the HeartFelt range, visit: www.hunterdouglasarchitectural.eu/enGB/ceilings/textile/heartfelt

Google opens bay view campus in Silicon Valley

First campus developed by Google and largest to pursue multiple green building certifications.

Today, Google announced the opening of its new Bay View campus in Silicon Valley, representing the company’s first time developing its own major campus.

The Bay View campus was designed by architects Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) and Heatherwick Studio, as well as Google’s design and engineering teams, and spans 42 acres adjacent to the NASA’s Ames Research Center in Silicon Valley. It totals 1.1 million square feet, with 20 acres of open space, two office buildings, an 1,000-person event center, and 240 shortterm employee accommodation units.

The interior of the buildings reemphasize Google’s vision for the future of work, designed in response to its understanding of why Google’s employees come to the office, what they need from their teammates, and what they need from the company.

For those coming into the office, it was designed to balance Googlers’ desire to come together as teams with the need for an environment that enables deep-focus work. Team spaces are on the upper level and gathering spaces are below, separating focus and collaborative areas while still providing easy access to both. The second floor design has variation in floorplates to give teams a designated “neighborhood” area that is highly flexible to change with their needs.

Features include:

- The campus incorporates biophilic design principles, including greenery, natural daylight and views outside from every desk to improve the health and wellbeing of those inside the building. Clerestory windows modulate direct light onto desks with automated window shades that open and close over the course of the day.

- The ventilation system uses 100% outside air. This means air flows one way,

so there is no recycled air, which is much healthier for occupants.

- To remove toxins and create the healthiest environment possible, the project team vetted thousands of building products and materials — everything from carpet tiles, paints, piping, plywood and furniture were evaluated using the Living Building Challenge (LBC) Red List as a framework.

- Nine pieces of artworks from local Bay Area artists are on and around the nine massive two-story elevators. Not only do they depict Bay Area ecology scenes, but they also help with wayfinding in the building.

Sustainability is also core to the Bay View campus.

The site is expected to achieve a LEEDNC v4 Platinum certification and become the largest facility ever to attain the International Living Future Institute (ILFI) LBC Water Petal Certification.

Features include:

- The integrated geothermal pile system, which is the largest in North America, is estimated to reduce carbon emissions by roughly 50% and will help both heat and cool the campus. The massive geoexchange field is integrated into the structural system, reducing the amount of water typically used for cooling by 90%, equal to five million gallons of water annually.

- To help deliver on its commitment to operate every hour of every day on carbon-free energy by 2030, the first-ofits-kind dragonscale solar skin, as well as nearby wind farms, will power Bay View on carbon-free energy 90% of the time.

- Bay View is 100% electric where even the kitchens are electric to decrease carbon emissions.

- To help deliver on its commitment to replenish 120% of the water it consumes by 2030, the site is net water-positive with all non-potable water demands being met using the recycled water it generates on site. A series of aboveground ponds gather rainwater, combined with a building wastewater treatment system, together serve as a water source for cooling towers, flushing toilets, and landscape irrigation.

- The campus includes 7.3 acres of high-value natural areas – including wet meadows, woodlands, and marsh – that contribute to Google’s broader efforts to reestablish missing essential habitat in the Bay Area.

Local residents can also benefit from the opening of the Bay View campus, including public access to expanded trails with panoramic views of the Bay, improved bike connections to Stevens Creek and Bay trails, and expanded car lanes and new bike lanes with the widening of R.T. Jones Road.

Learn more about Google’s Bay View campus at: g.co/realestate/bayview

Mosaic applies to replace Princes House with £75M Magnet

Mosaic Architecture + Design, one of Scotland’s most experienced practices, has submitted a planning application on behalf of Garroch Investments to demolish Glasgow’s Princes House and develop Magnet, a brand-new class-leading £75M Grade A office development with the highest environmental credentials.

Originally constructed in the mid-1960s, Princes House was formerly home to Lloyds Banking Group, and more recently Barclays. Located in a 100% prime office pitch within Glasgow’s Central Business District, it occupies a prominent corner plot on Waterloo and West Campbell Street, just a two-minute walk from Glasgow Central Station.

The development of Magnet is expected to create around 1,200 new jobs in the city and create an end value in the order of £75million.

Neil Haining, Director of Mosaic, said: “The location of the site offers the opportunity for Magnet to be a highly visible landmark within the city through the generation of a taller building than that existing on a gateway site to the city centre.

“As Glasgow needs more mixed-use developments in this part of the city, Magnet will offer a new build mixed-use commercial development with ground floor retail use with commercial office space above.”

At ground floor level the street is activated by setting back the facade at an oblique angle to the street forming a natural curved entrance which is protected by the overhanging building above. Upper levels are enhanced with the addition of east and west facing terraces providing unique amenity spaces for the building occupants.

A wide range of staff facilities will be provided to enhance wellbeing and welfare within the building, including staff gym, informal breakout spaces,

cycle storage and charging facilities, and staff changing and clothes drying rooms.

Andrew White, development manager for Garroch Investments, added: “Magnet will be redeveloped to provide new best in class Grade A offices, of which there is a shortage in Glasgow.

“It will incorporate high quality materials throughout that have longevity and will aim to achieve the highest standards of sustainable design and construction, incorporating long term plans for effective management and maintenance.”

For further information please contact Neil Haining on 0141 554 6977

Is retrofit the way forward for sustainability?

With local councils and housebuilders under pressure to reach targets of 340,000 homes every year until 2031, there is the danger that sustainability will take a back seat. But just how can developers, particularly those working on older properties, step up and begin to make a difference? Wayne Oakes, Director at the sustainable engineering consultancy, Dice, believes retrofitting could be one solution.

Developers and local councils are under huge pressure to deliver the high numbers of housing the UK needs to solve its housing crisis.

The focus has very much been on building brand new homes on brownfield or greenfield sites, and in most cases, this is the quickest way to get houses up and people in.

However, what happens to those sites where demolition means hundreds of

former homes are knocked down and new ones built?

And why aren’t developers and local councils working with the property stock they have and looking at ways to improve rather than clearing the site and starting again?

The one simple answer is time. A new home can be built in as little as six months but if a developer was to look at retrofitting existing properties on a site, it could take double or triple that amount of time.

There is a massive need for houses at the moment and the demand for new homes can take precedence over making improvements to existing ones. However, it’s something we all must focus on in a bid to improve sustainability.

Looking at how best to retrofit an existing property is one possible solution.

It is a lot more sustainable and better for the environment to retrofit rather than to demolish and start again and it can also be a lot cheaper, depending on the project and the current state of the existing building.

However, a retrofit project won’t be suitable for all buildings, especially where there are delicate environmental and biodiversity factors to consider.

Developers will always consider whether the project is suitable as a retrofit based on the state of the existing building and the needs of the finished one.

It certainly isn’t a one size fits all approach. Residential properties are all relatively similar in their intended use and what’s required of them so these are pretty standard.

But when you consider non-residential buildings, which can span from offices to hospitals to restaurants and everything in between, it’s a different story. They may require a more bespoke approach when considering retrofitting based on use.

Retrofit can achieve as much as a 70% reduction in energy use, which has a massive impact on consumption.

And the positives don’t stop there. It’s also important to note that when you compare a retrofit to a demolish-andrebuild project, you’re also saving on the embodied carbon that would be involved in the construction process.

There are multiple reasons to retrofit rather than demolish - sustainability being the major one - but there are barriers that need to be addressed before this is considered by planners and developers.

One of the main challenges is client buy-in when it comes to sustainability. Developers must be afforded the time and budget to focus on finding a more environmentally friendly solution, so it’s something that we all must get on board with.

Mexico’s Luxurious Lakeside Clubhouse showcases 360° panoramic landscape

Kebony completes sustainable state-ofthe-art waterfront pavilion.

In a display of modern luxury, the Valle San Nicolás Clubhouse makes use of sustainably sourced Kebony wood to complete its spectacular Mexican lakeside vision. Located on the outskirts of Valle de Bravo, the Clubhouse has been expertly designed to celebrate its surroundings with a 360-degree vista of the adjacent lake and neighbouring mountains.

The Clubhouse is the result of a collaboration between Mexican architecture studio, Sordo Madaleno Arquitectos, and developers Grupo Terraforma. Situated only two hours away from Mexico City, the Valle San Nicolás Clubhouse is perfectly positioned to offer an escape into nature, complete with a sustainable conscience and focus on wellbeing.

Decked in Kebony timber, the sustainable development offers a magnificent wellbeing experience enhanced by an intimate connection to nature, as modern architectural style meets cuttingedge environmentally friendly building technology.

The 385-hectare development features a circular floor plan which is unique in design, drawing attention to the spectacular scenery, with the open layout allowing the sun to flood through the structure from dawn until dusk. The site consists of an 800-metre water-ski lake and the showpiece Clubhouse pavilion, as panoramic views of the lake are framed by rolling hills. Sordo Madaleno Arquitectos’ emphasis on open corridors and exposed rooms allows for 360-degree views of the surrounding topography, including forests and mountain vistas, from almost every position of the Clubhouse’s interior.

A central sunken passageway feature splits the Clubhouse into two wings, each of which are fitted with a vast range of relaxation, socialisation and wellbeing amenities, framing an internal body of water. The west wing grants access to the gym, outdoor jacuzzi, spa cabins and steam room, whilst the east wing allows groups to unwind with the choice of a bar, kitchen, dining area, barbecue and firepit. A swimming lane and sunbathing area located on a pier extension also offer a serene experience which complements the outdoor scenery.

With two ringed walkways spanning its interior and exterior, the Clubhouse makes use of Kebony Character for the decking. Developed in Norway, Kebony’s pioneering wood-processing technology sees sustainably sourced softwoods heated with furfuryl alcohol, an agricultural by-product, modifying the wood to maintain the same properties of tropical hardwoods but without the same contribution to the carbon footprint. Kebony wood is cost effective and a rich brown colour, making it a natural choice for this state-of-the-art pavilion which embraces the environment and places an importance on sustainability.

The Valle San Nicolás Clubhouse demonstrates an awareness of the evergrowing demand for luxurious wellbeing experiences which are committed to sustainable construction and the protection of natural sites such as the local Mexican panorama. Other finishing touches serve to complement the cross-laminated timber (CLT) structure, including volcanic stone and an American red oak roof.

Nina Landbø, International Sales Manager at Kebony added: “The Valle San Nicolás development honours a strong commitment to sustainable construction with no compromise to the building’s inspired aesthetic. The installation of Kebony with its natural earthy tones promises high durability and stability, requiring little maintenance, thus making it the perfect choice for an outdoor waterfront pavilion deck.”

The 5 best windows for your remodeling project

Breathe

We’ve all been there before: You look around your house and think, “Is this it?” Or maybe you’ve been finding that your house isn’t exactly that livable.

Sure it has everything that modern living requires, but somehow, you can’t breathe. So ask yourself: does my house have the proper ventilation? Do I have the proper windows?

Remodeling your home can prove quite a challenge. Fitting it with the proper windows is crucial to making your house a healthy space to dwell in.

That’s why if you find that its ventilation could be bettered, you need to secure the proper materials and design for all its openings. Enlisting the services of an architect and a contractor would be helpful to the cause.

Eco-Friendly Materials

With the growing climate and environmental concerns, sustainability should also be a

primary consideration. As such, the type of material you will be using for your windows plays a crucial role. Here are some of the materials you should look into:

1. Wood

Not only is it a common choice, but altogether a good one when you have energy efficiency in mind. Aesthetics is also in the cards when you opt for wood to build your windows. If you are resolved with the material, you will have to ensure that you buy wood approved by the U.S. Forest Stewardship Council. You can be certain that wood that underwent its scrutiny and certification is sustainable.

2. Aluminum

Durable and recyclable, aluminum is considered an eco-friendly material.

Despite using and reusing it numerous times, its value and quality will not degrade. Recent data stipulates that 75% of the aluminum produced since the beginning is still being used today.

3. Fiberglass

Fiberglass is made from glass particles bound by resin. Comprised of sand which the planet is abundant, fiberglass is not only strong but wholly energy-efficient.

4. Insulated Glass

Insulated glass is friendly to the environment as it does not retain or lose much heat.

Insulated glass has a unique coating outside and is filled with gas or air that helps in reducing our carbon footprint.

For heightened effectiveness, choose to fill it with argon gas as it prevents heat transfer.

5. Composite

Composite window frames are considered the most sustainable ones. These are from wood shavings and recycled plastic.

The Types of Windows You Can Explore for Your Project

The materials discussed in the segment above require you to spend. But then, when you’re remodeling it is already a given. You need to pick out what you think suits your needs and decide accordingly.

So while you’re still aligning your budget and looking for the right people for the job, here are the best windows you might want to look into for your remodeling project.

1. Arched Windows

If an aesthetic architectural design is what you’re after, arched windows may just be what you need. While most of these types of windows do not have the functionality of opening or closing, they are good at providing ventilation. They also work well with rectangular and square window panes.

2. Awning Windows

Probably the most modern-looking of all the windows in this list, awning windows are good for rain-ridden regions. Seen

as windows for water management, the way these open allows for smart and easy deflection of rain. Apart from being affordable compared to other window types, awning windows are also more convenient to clean.

Bay windows make a tight space look more spacious as it offers an expansive view of the outside. They are highly aesthetic and allow for an additional seating area in front of it if you are so inclined.

While they share the same modern look with awning windows, casement windows swing to the side and up. Much of it is glass, which provides homeowners with more view and natural light to come in.

Yet another protruding window, garden windows create another space in your home that allow more creative interior design. But regarding the view, it can be likened more to awning and casement windows as it usually comes in solid glass. With that in the picture, generous light could come through it that would breathe life into the home.

These

Windows Not Your Speed? Try Having Yours Customized

If none of these windows meet your home’s needs, you may always opt to have them customized.

For example, if you want to liven up your room and create an illusion of space, try getting large windows the size of a door. These can come as solid glass or fiberglass framed with aluminum. You can even have it like a sliding window for ease of access. These windows may be placed beside each other for a more expansive look.

Windows to Your Home’s Soul

Our homes are reflections of who we are and our current mindsets. That said, it would serve us well if we are to bless them with windows that invigorate our space. With the right window to fit your home’s architecture, making your home a place of personal sanctuary and identity could easily be achieved.

So go ahead and take your pick to start seeing the changes that you want to happen.

3. Bay Windows

4. Casement Window

5. Garden Windows

Top tips to managing an ageing vehicle fleet

Penny Stoolman, managing director at Prestige Fleet Servicing, shares her top tips to managing an ageing vehicle fleet, helping businesses to cut emissions, minimise downtime and streamline running costs.

Whether you’re taking blueprints to a client, fitting out a new venue or heading to site, you’ll know the critical importance of managing the risk of vehicle off-road (VOR) – the time businesses lose to the unscheduled repair and servicing of company or grey fleet vehicles. Indeed, VOR has the potential to significantly impact business profitability, with some estimates calculating costs of up to £1,000 for every day a vehicle is off the road. However, if the vehicles used within your day-to-day operations and activities are older, this will significantly increase your risk of business downtime.

Older vehicles need more regular servicing and, on average, consume more fuel and generate more emissions. They also carry a higher risk of breakdown and may not comply with new environmental legislation such as clean air zones (CAZs). However, older fleets are becoming increasingly commonplace, with business owners forced to hang on to vehicles for longer in response to the current supply chain challenges.

However, by taking a focused approach to preventative maintenance, the risk to your business can be mitigated, allowing you to reap the financial benefit of foregoing a vehicle upgrade in the short term. To help you manage this, I’ve pulled together my list of top tips to aid with downtime prevention planning.

1. Determine trigger points for maintenance activity

Do you know how the maintenance schedule, requirements, history and fuel usage of every single vehicle used within your business, regardless of type? To build a complete picture, you’ll need to review the maintenance history of each vehicle and parts replaced. Each model should have an inspection and service record and details of current mileage and

fluid levels. Decide on a trigger point to schedule maintenance activity, i.e. every 5,000 miles, and create software service reminders for each vehicle. Source and follow your OEM’s recommended maintenance plan, if available.

2. Forward book MOTs

Pre-planning servicing and MOTs will allow you to factor in VOR time throughout the year and hopefully avoid any nasty surprises along the way. On average, a third of light commercial vehicles such as vans initially fail their MOTs, leaving businesses compromised in the event of a tight turnaround. Taking advantage, for example, of forward booking options can minimise downtime, ensuring vehicles are fully utilised for longer. At Prestige, we offer a 90-day forward booking facility, working with operators to optimise their vehicle testing schedules.

3. Plan ahead for winter

Remember that your vehicles’ needs will change in the colder months. Vehicle batteries rarely last longer than five years, while heating, lights and windscreen wipers add to a vehicle’s electrical load in winter. We also recommend 3mm of tyre tread in the colder months. To ease unnecessary costs, we recommend scheduling in an annual winter vehicle check.

4. Are you responsible for your employees’ vehicles?

It’s important to remember that if a vehicle is being used for business travel, employers are responsible for ensuring that it is adequately maintained and safe even if the vehicles are not owned by the business – a term known as grey fleet. Poorly maintained vehicles can cause costly business downtime issues and, more critically, leave employers widely exposed under the Corporate Manslaughter Act 2007. Failure to properly manage service intervals, collisional damage and uninsured losses in the event of an incident can result in unplanned downtime and expense.

The impact of absenteeism also counts as business downtime, and reputational damage should also be considered.

If you’re not already doing this, it makes sense to start putting some procedures in place. You can easily find out if a vehicle has up-to-date vehicle tax or has been registered as off the road (SORN) here, although bear in mind it can take up to five working days for records to update once registered.

Businesses should also request proof of insurance, including business cover, servicing and an up-to-date MOT. Scheduling insurance, MOT and road tax reminders will help you remember key milestone dates.

5. Identify and sell older vehicles

If your fleet comprises a number of vehicles, analysing the data for each one should also help you to identify if there are any models that aren’t currently being used or that are reaching end of life, allowing you to calculate the best time to sell those nearing termination point.

If you need further guidance on managing your ageing fleet, our team are ready to take away the associated stress and strains. Visit https://www.theaa.com/ business/prestige-fleet-servicing to find out what we can do to help.

Encompassing over 570 approved garages across the UK, Prestige provides service, maintenance, and repair (SMR) work, as well as MOTs, for vehicles UKwide.

Part of the AA, Prestige serves over 60% of the fleet sector, dealing with companies of all sizes across B2B, B2C and the used vehicle warranty sector. Prestige works in partnership with motor industry standards organisations such as the Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation (IAAF) and The Motoring Ombudsman, to make sure their garage network maintains a high standard with any issues reported and rectified quickly.

The Gira ExperienceFrom designer to system integrator

Gira, one of the world’s leading fullrange suppliers for intelligent building design and management discuss the important journey from design professional to system integrator, as it helps shape the UK housing market by answering growing demand for fully integrated smart home systems.

As end users aspire to optimise the home with style and substance, integrated technology is enabling greater levels of customization and Gira want to take the time to recognise the all-important relationship between designer and system integrator where they come together and skillfully design the homes of tomorrow.

Collaborating and sharing expertise is a massive part of the company’s success and it is keen to support and grow the design-conversation between designer and system integrator, so more end users can experience the beauty and convenience of the latest smart home solutions. In response, its network of approved installers are fully conversant in the Gira brand and product range to allow architects and designers to commission turn-key projects, which feature the very latest intelligent building design and technology.

As the design landscape continues to evolve, the boundaries between designer and system integrator are dissolving, and

this has led to the general feeling that a much deeper understanding of each other’s skillsets is required. Helping to turn ideas into reality, Gira make it easy for designers to now specify products outside of their field of expertise with an approved network of system integrators that provide open collaboration and expert understanding that will support specific client briefs.

For example, Mosaic AV, worked closely on a project with GK Architects Ltd, whereby Gira technology was commissioned to provide a higher standard of living and save energy in a luxury residential home in Chelsea, London. The system integrator at Mosaic AV, James Tillyard, recommended and installed a KNX system over conventional electrical installation, which answered the clients brief to increase comfort and home security, as well as meet designer expectations through a comprehensive range of product styles, finishes and lifestyle enriching technology.

Designed to make living safer, more comfortable and energy efficient, Gira building technology offers convenient control of lighting, heating, and blinds, as well as door communication, multimedia solutions and security systems.

If you are an architect or interior designer working on a smart home

project that requires the expertise of a system integrator, then be sure to establish contact with the right people for the job. It is vital to find the right match for the project in hand to realise a specific design concept and achieve mutual success. To help facilitate this partnership, Gira offers a System Integrator Partnership Program so luxury specifiers have access to established experts who have completed hundreds of smart home installations. Each partner is Gira trained and certified, benefitting from ongoing training programs and professional development to maintain their professional offering.

You can find Gira System integrators

http://www.gira.com/systemintegrators.

The network of Gira appointed System Integrators offer in-depth knowledge and expertise in consulting, project planning and commissioning IP products for the built environment, which gives the design community access to the many years’ experience of a specialist system integrator that is qualified by nature. By creating a culture that promotes opencommunication and mutual partnerships to benefit the client, Gira hope to remove all mystique surrounding smart home technology so that more and more designers learn to embrace and adopt smart home concepts and it becomes an integral part of the interior design process.

Smart Home Gadgets: 5 ways to make your household smarter

We are living in the technological age. It doesn’t matter where you look, people around the world are using an abundance of gadgets in their daily lives. This has manifested into the concept of a house we can control completely and remotely –otherwise known as a smart home.

Smart homes are taking the world by storm. In the UK alone, there are already 2.22 million smart homes leading the way for a technological future. Throughout Europe and North America, there are a staggering 105 million smart homes, an. the global market is expected to increase by 13.86 per cent annually.

Here, with the help of Northern Powergrid, we will explore five ways you can smarten up your home, this year and beyond.

1. The core of any smart home: choose a smart system

To start your smart home renovation, you can begin by choosing a smart system.

These gadgets are the core of any smart home. Some smart devices can be controlled without a hub these days, but smart systems are convenient because they serve as a central hub for every device throughout your home.

Smart systems make your life simple. With this, you can control everything from your lightbulbs to your thermostat with ease. You can set timers and establish a routine, whether this is running a bath after work or locking your doors at night, and you can control it all from an app on your phone.

Amazon Echo, for example, is a common household product. In recent months, the senior vice president of devices and services at Amazon, Dave Limp, has claimed that Alexa can now predict and perform 25 per cent of its upcoming duties. Tech really does have a mind of its own these days!

2. Install home security technology

Once you’ve decided how you’d like to centralise your smart home, you can

start choosing your smart devices. Smart security systems, for example, are a great way to fortify your home with technology. This can be something as small as a doorbell camera or as complex as an alarm system.

There are multiple benefits to having a smart security system within your home. In fact, installing a smart system can reduce home insurance costs by 13 per cent. And according to a survey by Co-Op, 89 per cent of burglars in the UK admitted that they would be deterred by a smart home.

3. Utilise smart boilers and meters

As well as feeling safe and secure, being toasty and warm is another way to guarantee you will have the best night’s sleep. A smart meter will let you control the temperature throughout your home at the click of a button, they’re also very simple to use and can be controlled through a mobile app.

Smart meters are the most commonly used smart gadgets in the UK.

They let you see how much energy you’re consuming, so we can see why 18 per cent of UK households already have one installed. In fact, 86 per cent of users claimed smart meters helped them reduce their average spending.

The way we use smart meters is evolving. In 2025, smart meters will be able to accurately reflect energy use from the last 30 minutes. In order to do this, users will submit a daily meter reading, but it will be worth it. This will give people the flexibility to use their home appliances with confidence.

4. Install electric vehicle charging in your smart home

Electric cars are the future. They replace the need for crude oil, from petrol to diesel, and lower the amount of carbon we emit into the atmosphere. In fact, in recent years, the average amount of CO2 emitted by new cars has reduced by 11.2 per cent for every 119.7kg driven.

To encourage more people to drive electric cars, a further 145,000 electric vehicle charging points have been installed across the nation. Also, all newly built homes will be required to have an electric vehicle charging port as of

this year, so EV charger installation will become more common than we now know.

Even electric vehicle chargers can be smart these days. A smart charger does everything we would expect it to and more. Not only can it schedule charging times and allow you to charge two vehicles at once, but a smart charger can also send you notifications and reminders.

5. Experiment with other smart devices

The global smart gadget market, according to Statista, is projected to be worth $75.44 billion by 2025. There are many more smart devices that assist homeowners with their day-to-day lives, including a smart fridge. These can keep your veggies chilled while tracking their expiry dates.

And why stop there? Smart vacuums operate independently, cleaning the surfaces throughout your home with ease; smart lights can be turned on remotely and even set on a timer; smart plugs replace the need for any fault switches. Don’t even get us started on smart rings or smart egg trays.

These are some of the ways you can smarten up your home. Which gadgets are you excited to try?

Bespoke colourful kitchens made easy with Brandt Design

Leading interior design specialists, Brandt Design, shine a light on ‘colour in the kitchen’ as style and application are redefined for a new generation of homeowners.

Albeit extremely personal, colour in the kitchen is now giving way to a variety of new fashion-favourites and this is providing huge scope for contemporary and classic kitchen schemes where colour is helping to create certain types of atmospheres to suit the space and occupant.

To give you the inside track, Julia Steadman, Commercial Director at Brandt Designgives you her advice on the latest must-have kitchen colours, which are defining the UK home in 2022:

PALETTE : High pigment colours are proving most popular right now, with

greens and blues being used to modernise the classic kitchen and add depth to more modern schemes. Ultramatt shades of grey and black are the go-to in sophisticated contemporary kitchens whereas deep shades of plum and indigo blue are elevating raw materials like quartz worktops and brass hardware with a strong base colour.

Try to work with the natural day light too, as this will help to balance cool and warm colours in the room, as well as alter the mood when the space is subject to varying stages of light throughout the day and year.

I think we live in a visual age with a much-faster trend cycle than previous generations, which has led to greater interplay between interiors and fashion, and this has definitely led to popular runway colours making a strong impression in the home.

FINISH : The painted kitchen is enjoying a renaissance, as homeowners are enjoying the benefits of rich colour in the latest low VOC paints and textural effect that comes with painted wood grain. Our solid wood Heritage Furniture is a natural partner to leading paint specialists like Farrow & Ball, Little Greene and Mylands. You can also introduce colour on your appliances with the addition of a bold range cooker, or how about a striking splashback or worktop that is designed to coordinate with or contrast against the furniture. For the modernist, ultra matt contemporary colours are being used to absorb the light and provide a modern look and feel, as well as introduce and play with different patterns, prints and colour-blocking for maximum effect.

METHOD : With so many options out there, how do you pick a colour? Given

that colour is an integral part of our lives, I think that we are often drawn to certain colours in our clothes home décor, so having an expert’s eye can help you establish what colours suit your kitchen and the direction it faces. For example, if you have a North facing kitchen, the colour grey can look bluer or more purple and it will have a completely different feel to a sunnier South facing room. Having a site visit will allow your designer to factor these outside influences and take inspiration from the rest of your home to be in keeping with your personal style and taste.

Colour has always been a pivotal part of the design conversation, and as the market is increasingly keen to explore how to create the right look and feel at home, it will always come down to the style, layout and finish of furniture when introducing colour in the kitchen.

LIGHTING : Colour is contributing to a greater understanding of how all the elements of a kitchen need to work together for optimum effect and kitchen lighting is a tried and tested way of highlighting the beauty of today’s colour palette. It can also be seamlessly integrated within the latest display furniture so that you can choose a warm or cool light to suit your mood. With so many options, materials and colours to choose from it has never been easier to create a unique tailormade kitchen which will support your family throughout every stage of life.

Brandt Design offer two furniture collections for the UK homeowner:

1) Heritage - a more classical and bespoke range of furniture, which is beautifully crafted in the UK to the highest standards, and

2) Urban - a sleek and contemporary range of furniture that offers a choice of handled or handle-less kitchen designs. Prices for either furniture collection start from £25,000 +vat.

www.brandtdesign.co.uk

Bespoke Kitchen Design by The Main Company

This colourful yet contemporary kitchen in London is the latest project by The Main Company. Located in a leafy suburb in the capital, this characterful property underwent a large glass extension to create a lighter, brighter and more spacious kitchen; ideal for the young family inhabiting it.

An example of a kitchen that just works, the space elegantly demonstrates how to mix raw materials. From reclaimed Barn Oak and beautiful aged copper to the more industrial steel and gunmetal accents, the combination of material and finishes results in a unique yet visually arresting design scheme.

Instantly drawing in the eye is the shakerstyle cabinet run. Painted in Harley Green from Little Greene, this vibrant shade exudes a hint of playfulness and works well with the matt black Crittal doors, white walls and concrete-inspired floor.

Creating a spacious feeling throughout, the central kitchen island is well placed to offer stunning views into the garden whilst also soaking up the available natural light as it pours into the room. As the homeowners have a young family, this functional kitchen island needed to lend itself to different zones – for example, food preparation, remote working and offering a safe space for children to play whilst their parents are in the room. The introduction of a raised breakfast bar meant that the preparation area is kept separate from the entertaining area – allowing the homeowner to both cook and socialise but with their own dedicated space.

The kitchen boasts an abundance of storage, from floor-to-ceiling cupboards, pan drawers and a double larder. These intuitive storage solutions house

integrated appliances including a fridgefreezer and washing machine. The design also accommodates chopping boards and cookbooks, with dedicated slots included within the scheme for this exact purpose.

Further storage is provided by the hanging shelves placed on either side of the range. Constructed by a local metal worker, the suspended shelves create an interesting focal point along with providing a place to display plants, trinkets and other essentials.

The perfect complement to this unique fusion of materials, the homeowners have styled the space with an eclectic mix of bar stools, aged copper radiator and pendant lighting. With the help of The Main Company this colourful kitchen epitomises contemporary family living.

Daval custom-made Mayfair & Finsbury Kitchen, Bar & Laundry

Award-winning British designer and manufacturer of custom fitted furniture, Daval, sensitively fuse the very best in traditional style with contemporary living at The Quarry House, a unique renovation in rural West Yorkshire.

The combination of the ultra-luxe Mayfair furniture in supermatt Charcoal finish alongside Finsbury, in opposing Silver and Frost White gives a truly architectural finish to the ground floor while ensuring the newly fitted kitchen, bar and laundry room, is in-keeping with the rest of the property. James Bodsworth, Design Director at Daval says, “It was an absolute delight to work with our clients on The Quarry House, a stunning detached house which has been lovingly restored and extended, complete with bespoke Daval furniture. The property is nestled in expansive grounds by the side of a working quarry and enjoys panoramic views of the Yorkshire countryside. Built using iconic Yorkshire stone from the quarry itself, the house blends heritage style and modern country.”

The design brief was for a bright, modern yet timeless kitchen that was spacious and functional. The clients wanted it to flow effortlessly into the sitting area, which

is slightly elevated to enjoy the beautiful views. A large, functional granite-topped island was at the top of the wish list for entertaining family and friends informally and the Daval design team also needed to incorporate a mint green Aga as a main feature, alongside a conventional oven, induction hub and an integrated larder cupboard for ample storage.

James continues, “On our first site visit, we noticed there was a long and narrow corridor connecting the kitchen to the sunroom and suggested that incorporating a bespoke home bar with an integrated wine cooler and bottle storage would bring the space to life, giving it a specific purpose. We finished the back wall of the bar with an antique brass effect mirror that runs the length of the cabinetry and makes the space look and feel much larger than it actually is, which is a great design trick to trick the eye and add a luxe element.”

Simon Bodsworth, Managing Director at Daval adds, “We are always keen to bring our signature quality and service to residential projects so that we can create made-to-measure, made-to-order furniture which suits everyday life.

This is particularly helpful for character properties and conversions as there is no such thing as a standard size or shape and it is so important to complement the existing architectural structure.”

With this year’s trend for refined country living and extra texture in the kitchen, the combination of Finsbury and Mayfair furniture by Daval brings a fresh, modern dynamic to the Quarry House. Storage is a key consideration in a blended living space and personalized solutions are big news this year, with a strong emphasis on high-function larders which keep your essentials in an easy-to-access location.

The open-plan feel of The Quarry House is enhanced with handleless runs of units for clean lines in high-traffic areas and brass industrial-style handles on the island unit, the bar cupboards and the laundry zone bring an individual edge. As wellness and hygiene are growing trends in the busy kitchen living space, the Finsbury overhead units in Silver are the ideal choice as they feature the company’s award-winning anti-bacterial finish, boosting cleanliness and adding visual depth to the grey and white scheme.

Ford Pro reveals exciting next phase of electrification journey with all-new, allelectric e-transit custom

Ford today took another major step in its electrification transformation as Ford Pro revealed first details of the all-new, all-electric, E-Transit Custom.

Following hot on the heels of the allelectric E-Transit that began production in March this year – and the first of four further all-electric commercial vehicles Ford Pro will introduce by 2024 – the E-Transit Custom is designed to set a new benchmark in Europe’s one-tonne van segment and help businesses across the region to effortlessly make the change to electrified vehicles.

The all-electric successor to Europe’s best-selling van and the UK’s best-selling vehicle 1,2 is designed from the groundup to fit seamlessly into the Ford Pro ecosystem of productivity-enhancing, value-adding solutions. E-Transit Custom will be supported by Ford Pro software, charging, service and financing solutions via one comprehensive platform to help increase uptime and reduce operating costs.

The newest addition to Ford Pro’s electrified line-up will be a key component in Ford’s bold commitment to reach zero emissions for all Ford vehicle sales in Europe and carbon neutrality across its European footprint by 2035.

E-Transit Custom’s no-compromise all-electric architecture helps to deliver a targeted driving range of up to 236 miles, 3 DC fast-charging, and full towing capability– not to mention dynamic new styling. In addition, the new van will help take productivity to new levels using sophisticated connectivity to enable always-on relationships.

“This is a watershed moment for commercial vehicle operators in Europe, and another hugely significant realisation of our Ford Pro ambitions,” said Hans Schep, general manager, Ford Pro, Europe. “Europe’s best-selling van just went all-electric and – supported by

our unique Ford Pro one-stop-shop of productivity-boosting services – the operating benefits this will bring to business across Europe cannot be overstated.”

Among features developed using indepth insights from van users to ensure E-Transit Custom provides an unmatched customer experience, ProPower Onboard technology will provide exportable power for tools, lights and devices while on site.

With an expressive and sculptural design, E-Transit Custom is a working vehicle that companies of all sizes will be proud to have as a trusted partner for their business. Featuring rebalanced proportions, a confident stance and full LED lighting, the new model will set a distinctive new design benchmark in the one-tonne segment.

Earlier this year Ford announced that by 2024, four further new all-electric vehicles will join the E-Transit two-tonne

van as part of the iconic Transit family, including the Transit Custom and Transit Courier vans, as well as Tourneo Custom and Tourneo Courier people movers.

The all-electric E-Transit Custom will enter production in the second half of 2023 – part of the most extensive Transit Custom range ever offered to European customers. Further product details will be released in September this year.

All Transit Custom variants will be built by Ford Otosan – Ford’s joint venture in Turkey – at their Kocaeli site, the home of European Transit manufacturing, delivered as part of Ford Otosan’s previously announced €2 billion investment in its facilities. Ford, SK On Co., Ltd. and Koç Holding also recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding for an industry-leading joint venture to create one of Europe’s largest commercial vehicle battery facilities, targeting a mid-decade production start and an annual capacity in the range of 30 to 45 Gigawatt hours.

Platinum Parade as JCB machines pay homage to Queen’s reign

JCB machines from the past and the present will be taking centre stage at a special pageant in London as the nation comes together to celebrate Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee next month.

The company confirmed today that it has signed an agreement to become a Platinum Jubilee Pageant Partner –and milestone machines spanning The Queen’s 70-year reign will be taking part in the spectacular event. The Pageant - to be held in London on Sunday June 5th - will be the culmination of celebrations to mark The Queen’s 70 years on the throne. It will involve more than 10,000 people and tell the story of the monarch’s seven-decade reign through music, dance, and fashion.

Taking a bow will be JCB backhoe loaders from landmark years of The Queen’s reign. Leading the way will be the Mark 1 JCB backhoe from 1953, the year of Her Majesty’s Coronation. Next in line will be iconic JCB 3CX backhoes manufactured in The Queen’s jubilee years of 1977, 2002 and 2012. Bringing the parade right up to date for Platinum Jubilee year will be a 2022 JCB backhoe loader powered by hydrogen.

JCB Chairman Lord Bamford: “I am delighted that JCB is supporting the Platinum Jubilee Pageant as a Partner. It will be a very unique occasion and a wonderful way of saying thank you to The Queen for 70 years of service to our country and the Commonwealth. We are

very proud to be taking part in the Pageant and proud of the role JCB machines have played over the course of the last 70 years in helping shape the world we live in today. We are also thrilled about a future where our machines will be powered by hydrogen and delighted to be able to highlight this technology.”

The event will culminate in front of Buckingham Palace and be watched by up to one billion people globally across multiple platforms. It will also be a rare public outing for JCB’s brand new hydrogen-powered machines, which are currently being developed by the Staffordshire-based company as it explores the potential of hydrogen as a zero CO₂ alternative to fossil fuels.

Mecalac set to bring ‘bags of innovation’ to Hillhead 2022

Mecalac Construction Equipment UK will showcase the latest models from its compact portfolio at Hillhead 2022. The team will be located on stand A25 throughout the event, which takes place at the Hillhead Quarry in Derbyshire between 21-23 June.

World-renowned for its unique designs and first-to-market operator technologies, Mecalac’s innovative range sets the standards in performance and capability. A number of products will be showcased on stand, including models from its MDX cabbed site dumper portfolio, TLB backhoe loader range, MWR wheeled excavator suite, AX articulated loader and MCR crawler-skid excavator collections. The ‘rental-favourite’ MBR-71 single drum pedestrian roller will complete the line-up.

MDX – The perfect blend of safety, comfort and performance, Mecalac’s MDX cabbed site dumper range has been designed from the ground up to deliver class-leading safety credentials for construction professionals nationwide.

See the latest 3.5 tonne edition making it’s Hillhead debut.

TLB – Combining impressive power, efficiency and capability with heavyduty design and exceptional build quality, Mecalac’s TLB backhoe loader range guarantees the highest levels of productivity and flexibility.

MWR – Agile, versatile and productive, Mecalac MWR wheel excavators blend impressive performance with compact dimensions to provide an unmatched operator solution.

AX – Sleek, stylish and efficient, the Mecalac AX articulated loader range offers a reliable solution for every application. Thanks to its innovative design, the operator benefits from low running costs, ease of operation and simple maintenance.

MCR – Compact, capable and highly productive, Mecalac MCR crawler-skid excavators combine the speed of a

loader with the swing of an excavator to deliver a completely revolutionary operator experience.

MBR – Perfectly suited to applications including highway repair, footpaths, cycle lanes, playgrounds and landscaping environments, the proven design and bestin-class manoeuvrability of Mecalac’s MBR single-drum compaction roller guarantees optimum performance for operators.

Mark Royse, Head of Sales at Mecalac Construction Equipment UK, commented: “As a key event in the construction calendar, we’re looking forward to showcasing our full product range with visitors to the show. It provides the perfect platform to engage with thousands of industry professionals –from plant hire firms to owner-operators.

“We will have lots to share with visitors from new product showcases, finance campaigns and giveaway competitions.”

www.mecalac.com/en

Recycling asphalt waste is a solution to the material shortage problems

Managing and procuring materials in the construction industry is rapidly becoming a concern, due to material shortages and rising costs. For example, let’s talk about asphalt: how many miles of new roads are being built, how many new projects need to be financed, and how many roads are under maintenance?

Suffice to say, the European’s road network has a total length of 86,992 miles (140.000km). Maintenance to repair potholes to prevent damaging vehicles is an enormous task. Building new roads and improving existing ones require plenty of materials.

The tasks behind maintaining roads involve removing the old asphalt and laying down a new layer. Recycling old materials requires taking time to crush

everything down to usable size. Now, the question is: how do you speed up this process?

In Austria, an earthmoving and logistics company owns a stationary plant to produce gravel and sand. Meanwhile, in their recycling centre, they collect and recycle C&D waste and asphalt from their construction sites and use it as recycled aggregate.

To get this done, they installed a BF80.3 crusher bucket on their excavator, replacing their stationary crusher for the practicality of a moving unit. Allowing the company to produce material of different output sizes independently and simplifying their maintenance also reduces costs and saves time.

Video: https://vimeo.com/703683073

If you consider that asphalt can be recycled repeatedly and that RAP is suitable for areas with heavy traffic because it makes roads more durable. Then you can also understand this next company’s choice to use an MB-L160 crusher bucket on their Caterpillar 924G loader to process vast quantities of asphalt. If you were to run the asphalt slabs through a stationary crusher, it would jam the crusher and creates prolonged downtime. On the other hand, MB’s jaw crusher makes everything easier and simpler.

Another major problem with road infrastructure is road maintenance. How much damage can cracks or potholes create? To vehicles and can affect safety itself. For this reason, to shorten maintenance times and reduce costs, a road works company installed an MB

Crusher MB-L200 crusher bucket on its Manitou telehandler, recycled the crushed asphalt, and reused it for road maintenance.

Video: https://vimeo.com/700840222

Recycling asphalt provides the company, municipalities, and those who manage roads with several benefits: recycling materials means reducing purchasing and disposal costs and less dependency on a stationary production plant. Moreover, recycling crushed asphalt is good for the environment as it reduces greenhouse emissions and limits the usage of non-renewable natural resources like gravel, sand and stones.

Crushing materials with MB’s units is even easier than expected. As our Austrian customer reminds us, “A great advantage is that the crusher bucket is straightforward to transport […], especially with hard-to-reach construction sites, road work in the mountains, or remote locations – and therefore, its versatility allows you to do more than what you typically could do: therefore, increasing the value of our work, of our construction sites while respecting the environment.”

Choosing the right path is often easier than you think.