We have witnessed a truly remarkable year and the unprecedented challenges will continue to be faced as we move into 2021.
It started with Brexit deadlines exercising the mind and finishes with the UK’s departure from the EU still casting a significant shadow. But it is the global pandemic that has seen the greatest challenge to our industry in 2020 and which will continue to exert a massive impact for the next 12 months and beyond.
The difficulties and priorities were highlighted during the Chancellor’s Spending Review last month. As RIBA President, Alan Jones, said the economic and employment forecasts make for stark reading. Medium-term support for individuals and businesses struggling with the impact of the pandemic and a long-term investment plan to keep the country building are essential.
“The government’s financial support packages have been, and continue to be, critical for our sector,” he continued. “It’s therefore reassuring to see the Chancellor allocate significant sums of money to continue provisions.
“The National Infrastructure Strategy must also be welcomed as a long-overdue framework that should kick-start the development of sustainable transport links across the UK.
“While the Chancellor’s comments on increasing ‘pride’ within neighbourhoods and the allocation of £7.1bn to roll out a national home building plan might show some commitment to tackle our housing crisis, the funding fundamentally falls short of what’s required. Local Authorities need adequate money and resource so they can deliver the council houses we need, and those currently facing huge fees for the remediation of flammable cladding need more than the £1bn already pledged.
“Finally, wherever the government spends money over the coming year, we urge the Treasury to undertake Post Occupancy Evaluation to ensure maximum value for money. To make the most of government funds and reach net zero by 2025, the government must understand how new buildings and infrastructure actually perform.”
After what has been a year like no other, everyone at TSP Media and the team from Specification Magazine would like to wish everyone a happy and healthy Christmas and New Year and we look forward to working with you all again in 2021.
•
Paul Groves || Group Editor
Once in a while a product comes along and changes everything, from the way it’s crafted to the way it works. Products are often copied and many are great ideas that never really see true success in their application. Many years are spent searching for a product that will ultimately surpass expectations, stand the test of time and become recognised as the leader in its field.
We created one of those successful products nearly two decades ago and still today it has never been equalled.
Why?
Because we have never compromised on quality.
UNIFOLD® Unrivalled excellence in gutter lining technology. www.gutterliners.com
It takes a long time to create perfection.
Located in the vibrant and trendy area of Peckham in London, an unusually shaped residential development on the corner of Costa Street, has been completed using CUPACLAD® slate cladding, by manufacturer CUPA PIZARRAS.
Exclusively distributed by Taylor Maxwell in the UK, the CUPACLAD® slate cladding system provides a natural and sustainable class A1 fire rated system, backed by full BBA certification.
Market expectations and perceived building standards are holding back the country’s progress to construct net-zero buildings, according to the UK Green Building Council, UKGBC.
The organization would like to see developers adjusting investor and owneroccupier expectations about green buildings and this should be set out early in a development’s narrative.
It said often buildings were completely fitted out to maximize appeal during the leasing stage resulting in over-provision and waste as typically incoming occupiers removing final fit-outs.
UKGBC head of business transformation Alastair Mant said: “Achieving the necessary reductions in embodied and operational carbon requires large scale changes to how buildings are designed, constructed, and operated. There are many barriers along the way and we must work quickly to identify them and the corresponding opportunities to overcome them.”
Other hurdles include the lack of a recognized certification scheme to verify a building is net-zero, although several unofficial quality standards schemes exist.
“Without this, developers and owners can be reluctant to invest in delivering a net-zero building as they feel it will not be recognized within the market and, therefore, achieve enhanced value,” said the authors of UKBC’s latest guidance.
Another pressure for developers is to meet completion deadlines for projects. The UKGBC said this can lead to the final stages being rushed resulting in carbon inefficiency. It would like to see time allocated beyond the finish date for testing of heating and ventilation systems and airtightness checks.
Brokers Hank Zarihs Associates said property development lenders want a nationally recognized verification system of green buildings like Australia’s rating scheme launched this year.
Both Sir Robert McAlpine and Landsec announced earlier this year their intention to become net-zero carbon developers significantly ahead of the national 2050 target. McAlpine plans to achieve this status within the next five years and Landsec within the decade. The latter is currently planning to build the UK’s first net-zero carbon commercial building in Southwark, south London.
Developer Southern Grove has secured planning permission to create a series of highly desirable mews houses in a popular residential area of north London.
The scheme, Granville Mews in leafy Finchley, has a GDV of £5.5million and is a prime example of how developers can take advantage of key infill sites to provide much-needed family housing in areas of high demand.
Most typically avoid smaller parcels of land because they feel they don’t deliver a great enough economy of scale but the speed at which such sites receive planning consent more than makes up for that. The developer has two more infill sites in the pipeline to add to its family housing portfolio.
Southern Grove has partnered with Mizen Group Co. to complete Granville Mews, and was advised by Savills.
Greater use of home-grown timber in UK construction is taking a significant step forward through a new demonstrator project, which could lead to a major boost for Scotland’s economy and the industry’s environmental impact.
A consortium of partners – comprising of Construction Scotland Innovation Centre (CSIC), Edinburgh Napier University (ENU) Centre for Offsite Construction and Innovative Structures (COCIS), Scottish Forestry, Confederation of Forest Industries (Confor), and SNRG – has secured funding from Innovate UK’s Sustainable Innovation Fund to prove the business case for using Scottish timber to create the structural elements of buildings.
The initiative will manufacture the first Scottish-sourced cross laminated timber (CLT) and nail laminated timber (NLT) housing unit – including wall, roof, and floor – using the UK’s only vacuum press at CSIC’s 35,000 sq. ft. innovation factory in Hamilton.
The demonstrator project could ultimately lead to the mainstream use of home-grown timber in Scotland and the rest of the UK construction, as well as the development of the country’s first engineered timber manufacturing plant.
The National Federation of Builders’ (NFB) Major Contractors Group (MCG) is arming the construction industry with practical tools for main contractors to start or accelerate their journey towards achieving net zero carbon with a new decarbonisation handbook.
Launched by Mark Wakeford, Chair of the MCG, at the NFB’s Large Contractors Forum on 2 December, ‘Transforming Construction: Delivering a Low Carbon Future’ contains practical actions that main contractors can adopt and implement in their own businesses.
Featuring a foreword by Gillian Keegan MP, Minister for Apprenticeships and Skills, the keynote speaker at the launch event, this landmark handbook is designed to help main contractors all over the UK to step up to the plate and deliver the country’s net zero carbon ambitions.
The handbook’s launch is timely being published ahead of the UK hosting the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) next year. It is also timely since it meets the current demand for low
carbon transformation that is being driven directly by the construction industry.
Mark Wakeford Joint Managing Director of Stepnell Ltd and Chair of the NFB MCG said: “While COVID-19 undoubtedly presents a significant immediate risk to us all, few would argue about the momentous threat that climate change presents to all our futures.
“With our new handbook we set to arm our colleagues with the tools they need to start or accelerate their decarbonisation journey. To deliver our country’s net zero ambitions, we must help each other to do so. This handbook is designed to do just that. It focuses on steps that we ultimately all need to take, but does so in a way that should allow any business, at whatever stage of their decarbonisation journey, to be able to apply.”
Designed to help the industry collaborate on delivering the UK’s net zero ambitions the handbook presents staged actions and measures for contractors to adopt and implement to work towards the ultimate goal of net zero while being affordable and fitting with each business’ vision.
The report covers multiple areas where changes can be made to help decarbonise including:
• developing teams to lead change
• reducing the carbon footprint of staff and corporate
• recording, accounting and reducing emissions associated with construction projects
• reducing embodied carbon
• reducing carbon emissions through building performance
• reducing carbon through procurement
DHF (Door & Hardware Federation) has hosted a series of webinars and produced briefing papers for its membership in relation to UKCA marking and what they need to consider from 1 January 2021.
After 31 December 2021, CE marking will no longer be recognised in the UK and UKCA will be the only recognised conformity mark for the UK market. UKCA marking will not be recognised in the EU 27 nor in Northern Ireland.
Atkins has been working on a major facelift to Terminal 1 at Dublin Airport under plans that have been lodged this month with Fingal County Council.
The design will replace the core façade and roof with a new modern, energy efficient envelope that will completely transform the external appearance of the terminal, giving it a new visual identity. Designed in the Brutalist style, popular at the time, the
existing façade dominated by concrete fins will make way for a combination of glass and solid panels to create a bold new look for T1 that will improve the overall visual appearance of the airport campus.
As part of the project, planning permission has also been sought to repurpose the top two floors of Terminal 1 as airport offices, which were originally designed as a multi-storey car park.
The new UKCA marking will apply to goods placed on the market in Great Britain (England, Wales and Scotland), replacing the existing CE mark. It will relate to goods that are currently required to carry the CE mark, such as construction products and machinery.
UKCA marking will be recognised in the UK from 1 January 2020, following the end of the current transition period. Provided that organisations retain the necessary testing and/or certification, they will be able to continue applying the CE mark after this date. Indeed, applying both marks is permissible, provided they are kept separate.
Introducing the new pre-assembled airbrick system from Manthorpe. Allows for an extraction system be conveniently built into the brickwork, eliminating the need for retrospective core drilling. Unique, extendable telescopic pipe to suit the thickness of the wall and ducting connection. Product supplied finished therefore no assembly requirement. Build Thru…air into the masonry as it proceeds. Provides easier and quicker installation to match the demands of on-site construction.
For more information, visit www.manthorpebp.co.uk/thruair
Increased adoption of new digital technology has underpinned businesses’ response to COVID-19, with four in ten citing it as both vital to retaining jobs, and the ongoing viability of their business model, according to a new report from the University of Liverpool.
Entitled A blueprint for digitally driven recovery from COVID-19, it is based on a survey of North West business leaders from a range of sectors, exploring the drivers behind this increased use, and the barriers to adoption many have overcome.
The world-leading Russell group University’s industry-facing digital innovation teams also make recommendations in the report on where to begin when formulating a digital strategy, and how to harness new drivers presented by the pandemic to spark wider, long-term transformation.
Crucially, more than half of businesses which have invested in new digital
TSP Media, publisher of Specification Magazine and Specification Online, is looking to work closely with manufacturers and organisations to provide a new high-quality information service for relevant and informed CPDs.
CPD seminars and training courses offer numerous benefits to employees as they are able to proactively increase their understanding of the industry and keep up to date with the latest regulation changes and product developments.
To help us develop the new service we will be distributing a short online survey this month.
The impact of Covid-19 is likely to see a significant increase in online and digital CPDs, rather than face-to-face presentations at offices or during trade events.
As a result, CPDs will also involve greater use of video, animation, VR etc, plus an increase in hard data and information as manufacturers look to target their audience more effectively and directly.
technology during the pandemic have already seen a return on investment. Controlling for video conferencing, which the report’s authors acknowledge was ubiquitous during 2020, it found almost 80 per cent of businesses have increased investment in digital technology in direct response to COVID-19. A quarter have made major digitally-led changes to the way their business operates.
Dr Andrew Levers, Executive Director, Institute of Digital Engineering and Autonomous Systems at the University of Liverpool, said: “Few businesses have been left unchanged by COVID-19. One constant between those which have weathered these challenging months effectively, and others which have scaled quickly to capitalise on new demand and markets, has been the effective adoption of digital technology.
“In 2020, new drivers, including safety, regulatory compliance and, for many businesses, the very ability to keep
operating, have joined the long-standing factors of productivity and efficiency which have traditionally underpinned interest in digital innovation. These new drivers present a more compelling imperative to act, and businesses are harnessing them to catalyse adoption. In doing so, many are not only charting a recovery through COVID-19; they are sparking a wider digital transformation and securing a sustainable competitive advantage for the long-term.”
Concluding a 2-year collaborative planning process that included multiple preapplication meetings, a Design South East review and a public consultation, Gold Properties Limited have secured planning permission (subject to S106) for 72 new homes in Saltdean, East Sussex.
The site was purchased with outline permission for 60 homes. InsideOut developed a scheme with a 20% increase in units and a 167% increase in ecological habitat areas by increasing the density of the housing to release land for communal amenity and ecological enhancements.
Starting point was the site’s location at the threshold of Saltdean and the South Downs, and the historic use as a farm.
We wanted to avoid the sprawl of a typical suburban housing estate and propose a site-specific, community focussed scheme which placed people above vehicles and had a strong emphasis on public realm.
The layout comprises large areas of shared space, carefully designed to ensure the needs of pedestrians, vehicles and disabled users are balanced and met.
To make an enquiry – Go online: www.enquire2.com or post our: Free Reader Enquiry Card
The government must improve on the detail if it is to demonstrate that its new building safety proposals will drive much needed reform in the sector. The findings come in a report published by the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee following pre-legislative scrutiny of the draft building safety bill.
The proposed legislation sets out the framework the Government intends to adopt to implement a new building safety regime and to remedy the flaws in the existing system identified in the Hackitt review.
The report further finds that, in its current form, the draft legislation fails to provide sufficient protection against leaseholders paying the bill for work to remedy existing fire safety defects. The building safety charge should be a way of funding the cost of future work, not a mechanism for ensuring residents foot the bill for historic failures in fire safety construction or maintenance. The Committee reiterates it’s long-standing call on the Government to provide sufficient funding fund remedial work and develop mechanisms to recover these costs from those responsible.
The Committee found an over-emphasis on as yet unpublished secondary legislation and regulation left significant gaps in how the new regime would operate in practice. It called on the Government to provide
much more detail when it publishes the final Building Safety Bill and remove any doubt on the scope of the legislation and the responsibilities on building operators.
The report recommends greater oversight of key professions in the construction and building management sectors, including new roles created by the Bill. The exact responsibilities and competencies of the newly established accountable person and building safety manager positions are not well-defined and should be clarified.
The Bill should also require building safety managers, as well as other professions involved in the design and construction of high risk buildings, be subject to national accreditation and registration standards.
Chair of the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee, Clive Betts MP commented: “Establishing a new regime to ensure that buildings are made safe will require significant change to how buildings are constructed and maintained.
It is crucial that from day one those tasking with their design, construction
and upkeep have no doubt of the new standards they are to adhere to and responsibilities expected of them.
“As it stands, there are still questions over how the broad framework set out in the draft Bill will operate in practice. Key definitions remain unclear and responsibilities ill-defined. Before they bring the legislation back to the House of Commons these areas must be addressed in full.
“The Government must also bring an end to the ongoing uncertainty around who will pay the cost for the historic failures in the building safety regime. Leaseholders should not be expected to foot the bill for failures that were not of their making. This has dragged on far too long now and the Government must accept that it will have to step in to cover the cost in the short term. But we are equally clear in stating that this should be the first step ahead of establishing robust mechanisms to ensure that those who are responsible for fire safety failures finance their remediation.”
Bulmer
Coleford
Forterra Plc www.forterra.co.uk
H.G. Matthews www.hgmatthews.com
Ibstock Plc www.ibstockbrick.co.uk
Ketley
Matclad Ltd www.matclad.co.uk
A study of more than 2,500 professionals in the architectural, planning and design ( AECO ) sector reveals how digitalisation has accelerated in the sector due to the Covid-19 crisis. New digital tools are now a foundation with 61% saying this will be part of their basic work post-pandemic with the concept of construction fair changed for good.
Since the advent of the pandemic, the world has seen a breakthrough in the adoption of digitisation like never before. From one day to the next, companies all over the world have been forced to implement teleworking, videoconferencing or e-commerce in order to maintain their activities.
In this sense, the construction sector, one of the most traditional in terms of digitalisation and the adoption of new tools, has been no exception. According to a study carried out by the BIM content platform for the construction sector, BIMobject, in which the responses of more than 2,500 professionals from the AECO sector were collected, more than half stated that their work had become “much more digital” since the beginning of the pandemic.
Not only that, but 61% expect to use even more digital tools after the COVID-19 crisis. This advance in the use of digital tools by professionals in the sector such as architects and engineers corresponds to the figures recorded by Autodesk, collected in the study published by BIMobject. According to the company’s own data, the number of subscribers in Europe has increased by 350% worldwide since the start of the pandemic.
One of the biggest blows the sector has experienced this year has been the cancellation of multiple construction fairs throughout the world. From Coverings in New Orleans to Salone del Mobile in Milan, BAU in Munich or BIMexpo in Madrid. The impossibility of holding large scale events, due to the strict measures implemented by the various health authorities, has cut short the plans of thousands of construction material manufacturers who were planning
to present and promote their new products at these fairs.
The big question is - will the fairs return to normal? Recent news about the development of new vaccines seems to shed light on a scenario that was looking rather bleak. Many fairs, such as the next BAU in 2021, are already converting their exhibitions into hybrid events in order to accommodate all attendees, either in person or virtually, while respecting the corresponding security measures.
However, according to the survey carried out by BIMobject, only 7% of professionals in the AECO sector would be willing to attend an industry event today. According to the data collected, 45% of those surveyed attended these events mainly to attend conferences and receive training. Only 25% of industry
professionals attended these events to discover new products, something they now do mainly through online search engines.
Digitisation is making its way into the construction industry, not only because of COVID, but also because of the need to create more efficient and sustainable processes. With this data on the table, it is now up to the companies in the sector to decide how to redirect their marketing strategies towards a more digital and interactive environment.
Polypipe Building Services was selected to supply a drainage system to Glasgow’s largest office building.
The project is the largest new-build in Glasgow, extending to approximately 313,000 sq ft and 14 storeys high. Due to complete in Q3 2021, it will become Glasgow’s largest single office building.
According to a report carried out by economic and social research consultants EKOS the building is expected to bring £2.8 billion to Scotland’s economy over the next 25 years and will also feature a rooftop terrace and running track, 318 cycle spaces and electric vehicle charging points. The building - which is being developed by Scotland’s leading developer - HFD Group is already 75% pre-let.
Due to the busy city centre location FES Ltd knew they would need just-in-time delivery and a reliable and time-efficient drainage system, so they opted for Polypipe Building Services Advantage service.
The contractors also needed to overcome noise requirements in the development so they chose the Terrain dB12 drainage system
which is engineered to meet the demands of the increased call for acoustic systems.
The triple layer, ring seal, soil and waste pipe system is easy to install, with specially developed co-polymer polypropylene layers and acoustically engineered fittings that effectively dampen both airborne noise and sound transmitted through the building structure. It’s especially well-suited to residential buildings or prestigious office buildings like 177 Bothwell Street.
Jason Duncan, Sales Manager for Scotland for Polypipe Building Services, said: “We are very pleased that Terrain is the trusted product of choice for the FES Ltd and that they know they can rely on Polypipe for the best products and the best service.
“This is a very prestigious development with high specification, high-tech offices using sustainable energy sources and Polypipe is happy to be able to provide the most efficient and modern drainage solutions for the project.”
Andrew Sandilands, mechanical foreman for FES, said “Jason and Polypipe Building Services have helped with material procurement, quantity surveying, organisation of manufacturing bespoke fitting, liaising with our drainage supplier, checking availability of stock and preempting shortfalls.
“While it is very early days of this project I would hope that with Polypipe’s continued help we will continue on a smooth course towards completion.”
PolypipeA well-insulated building means a healthier, quieter and more energy e icient environment with better comfort levels, lower heating bills and a reduced carbon footprint. And nothing does a better job of insulation than Icynene – the first name in spray foam insulation.
Icynene expands 100-fold when applied, sealing all gaps, service holes and hard to reach spaces, completely eliminating cold bridging and helping reduce energy bills.
What’s more its open cell structure lets the building breathe naturally.
Icynene. It’s the modern way to insulate buildings, old and new.
For more information on the benefits of Icynene visit icynene.co.uk
Following on from picking up a trophy at the Offsite Awards in the Product Innovation category –demonstrating the depth and breadth of the company’s skills, EOS has been Highly Commended at the Tall Buildings Awards for River Street Tower in the Best Commercial or Mixed-Use project category.
River Street Tower, Manchester is a £110 million development located next to Mancunian Way. The scheme encompasses 791 student bedrooms within a 32-storey building and includes a mix of studios, cluster bedrooms and apartments as well as resident amenity spaces. Designed by award winning architects Simpson Haugh and Partners, the project brings high quality, affordable student accommodation to Manchester.
Managing Director Steve Thompson said of the commendation: “This is a first for EOS, we have been honoured with many awards over the years, but we have never been recognised for our involvement in developing a tall building. I would like to send my congratulations to the EOS team and our construction partners Downing Construction, Alumet and The Alan Johnston Partnership.”
As part of Etex, leading brands EOS, Siniat and Promat have developed a range of unique solutions for building envelopes combining their expertise in drywall, passive fire and steel framing systems. Now part of Etex New Ways division, EOS are focused on delivering lightweight fast-track and modular solutions for the offsite market.
The construction solution for River Street comprises a main frame concrete structure with infill panels. The offsite manufactured Pre-Assembled Panels (PAF) systems were pre-boarded and insulated in quality-controlled factory conditions using light steel frames from EOS and Weather Defence boarding from Siniat as part of an Etex package. The Pre-Assembled Panels were tested inside and outside with options for 60, 90and 120-minutes fire resistance.
All elements were rolled directly from the BIM model using Tekla software ensuring quality and requiring no cutting or reworking onsite. Pre-assembly means that offsite manufactured elements are made ready to ship to site
ahead of programme and can be exposed to elements for 12 months prior to final finishes being applied.
All products were manufactured under strict quality management systems fully compliant with BS EN ISO 9001:2018. EOS’s accredited quality management systems and procedures eradicate onsite variability and ensure lifetime ‘in service’ performance and durability.
Early engagement with construction partners and BIM integration of the design was crucial to the success of the project. Early engagement ensured any additional studs were included for hanging items as well as allowing for brackets and forming any vent areas. It also allowed for the windows to be fitted without glazing to speed the build process.
Construction Partners
• Client: Downing
• Architect: Simpson Haugh and Partners
• Contractor: Alumet
• Contractor: Downing Construction
• Structural Engineer: The Alan Johnston Partnership
To read the full case study go to: www.eosframing.co.uk/case_study/riverstreet-tower
EOS
Located in the vibrant and trendy area of Peckham in London, a new and unusually shaped residential development on the corner of Costa Street, has been completed using CUPACLAD® slate cladding, by manufacturer CUPA PIZARRAS.
London based, WHAT_Architecture selected the 101 Logic as the ideal rainscreen cladding system to create the striking design on Costa Street’s new residential block of four flats. Part of a wider scheme aimed at regenerating the area of Peckham, the new development intended to complement the surrounding urban landscape. A crucial requirement was to select a facade system that could be installed easily and provide a natural finish; making CUPACLAD® the perfect choice to meet the architect’s design.
Constructed using a cross laminated timber (CLT) interior superstructure, the lower half of the building has been completed using contemporary grey/blue facing bricks. Designed to look as though it is falling, the upper half of the building forms a leaning mansard, with the roof angled towards the adjoining garden at a 72-degree angle. In order to achieve this design, the architects chose CUPACLAD® for its lightweight but robust nature.
A natural material with imperfections and rough edges, CUPACLAD® also allowed the architect to achieve the desired aesthetic that complements the bricks used on the lower half, which helped to reinforce the idea of connecting the traditional with the contemporary.
Due to weight restrictions, traditional brick could not be used on the leaning upper half of the project, with the brick components of the project weighing an estimated 150kg per square metre, in comparison to just 30kg per square metre for the slate cladding. By using the lightweight slate, the architects were able to achieve the desired, unique leaning effect which contrasts with the character of the surrounding, more traditional architecture.
The CUPACLAD® 101 logic system provides a single aluminium fixing system with secret self-drilling screws, ensuring that the backing system doesn’t impact the finished design. Backed by full BBA certification, the system has been rigorously tested to ensure it can safely resist the impact of wind, fire and water penetration.
To find out more, visit taylormaxwell.co.uk/cupaclad
Public Sector continues to set important industry benchmarks on design and quality as it proves the ideal testing ground for innovation.
From sustainability to accessibility, the public sector has become an important showcase for the wider industry to push the boundaries for improved design and longevity for buildings and developments.
Every aspect of a modern public sector project – from entrances to ventilation systems – sees specifiers looking to innovative and leading-edge products. Public buildings are now regarded as some of the best examples of design.
Eryl Jones, Managing Director of the ASSA ABLOY Door Hardware Group, explains why an understanding of the guidelines governing inclusive design is so important when specifying door opening solutions.
“Inclusive design is defined as an ‘approach to the design of the environment, including buildings and their surrounding spaces, to ensure that they can be accessed and used by everyone’,” he said. “Key market drivers, such as an ageing population, meeting the needs of those with a disability, and consumer buying power, are all having a dramtic impact on the need for inclusive building designs, which should now be viewed as a non-negotiable.
“For instance, those over 65 account for a quarter of the population, and with one in seven projected to be aged over 75 by 2040, buildings need to be designed for an increasingly ageing population. Furthermore, inclusive design can have a direct impact on the bottom line for
businesses, with Disability Rights UK finding inaccessible premises are the key reason for those with a disability deciding against a purchase.
“Inclusive design is everyone’s responsibility, too. While building owners have a legal responsibility to ensure all people can gain access to and use a building and its facilities, all those involved in the supply chain – including specifiers – have a duty of care to ensure an environment meets the needs of its users.
“Policies governing inclusive design include Approved Document M, the Equality Act 2010 and – critically - BS 8300-1 and 83002: 2018. Understanding these is key, and the fallout of non-compliance can be potentially serious.
“In the event of a discrimination claim, those that can demonstrate adherence to standards will be on safer ground than those that cannot. And if a client were to receive a legal dispute, then a specifier may be called upon to explain why a solution was recommended.
“One common barrier to inclusive design is door opening solutions. There are many considerations that need to be taken into account to comply with BS 8300-2:2018, such as opening and closing forces. To enable independent access through a door, the opening force – when measured at the leading edge of the door – should be no greater than 30 N, when moving from the closed position to 30° open. The opening force required from 30° to 60° should be no more than 22.5 N. >>
Our tree pit covers are designed to your exact size and configuration, accurately and cost-effectively providing easy tree root ball access for on-going maintenance. Manufactured in rust and corrosion resistant stainless steel or aluminium, tree pit covers eliminate tripping hazards, allow the integration of your choice of stone paving for a high quality finish and provide landscapers with hidden access for uplighters and water features to enhance the aesthetics of any urban area.
Given the choice, why would you specify anything less?
>> “Then, in terms of the maximum closing force exerted by a controlled door closing device, this should be within 0° and 15° of final closure.
“Specifiers should be aware of some of the measures that suppliers may take to meet the necessary opening and closing forces for a door. For instance, many suppliers will claim to offer compliant solutions by ‘winding down’ a door closer and its spring to power setting EN1. However, while this may help people open a door more easily, it will not provide the necessary closing force, and therefore not deliver the safety and security assurances demanded of an inclusive environment. It’s also important to note that fire doors must have a minimum power setting of EN3 at all times.
“Other factors that need to be taken into account include wheelchair access, effective clear widths and visual considerations.”
Bespoke slabs of Welsh Slate flooring have helped the British Museum make a successful move of one of its galleries to a larger home.
The new Albukhary Foundation Gallery of the Islamic World features more than 250m2 of Welsh Slate’s 20mm-thick Cwt-Y-Bugail dark blue grey floor tiles as specified by architects Stanton Williams.
At Waltham Forest Council’s new Wood Street Library in East London, decorative column casings from the Pendock Radius range have been used to conceal 23 interior structural concrete columns, as well as service drops for water and electrics.
Built by leading mixed-tenure developer Countryside Properties, the new £420,000 library is a key part of the local authority’s £3 million investment and redevelopment of the surrounding Marlowe Road area, which includes new housing and the improvement of public spaces.
Pendock’s rectangular PLY-SQ column
The slate floor was installed across both rooms of the gallery by specialist contractor WB Simpson & Sons for Coniston, the museum’s framework contractor for more than 10 years.
The new floors are for the most part finely rubbed slabs of Welsh Slate, in 50 different sizes ranging from 473mm to 1,200mm but predominately 500mm x 1,000mm, which were cut to the sizes required by Stanton
casings were manufactured from preformed plywood and finished in white laminate with contrasting satin grey joints and skirting collars. Standing four metres high, each of the 23 casings had unique dimensions, which ranged from 250mm x 300mm up to 1,150mm x 400mm.
In addition, perimeter casings were also specified from the Pendock Linea building linings range, which were used to cover voids and electrical cabling. The casings are installed along the full length of the building on the wall below the windows, using a support framework for ease of installation and strength.
Williams at Welsh Slate’s Cwt-Y-Bugail quarry in Snowdonia.
It took a team of half a dozen operatives from WB Simpson & Sons six weeks to lay more than 800 pieces in a broken bond layout with silicon-filled movement joints. All this around a central feature of wood panelling separated from the slate by castiron heating grills.
High performance membranes from the A. Proctor Group have been selected in the construction of the new Dean Hotel in Cork, Ireland.
Instead of using a traditional internal air barrier, Wraptite®, a self adhesive, vapour permeable, airtight membrane, was applied externally, quickly and easily as part of the rainscreen system.
Wraptite is the only self-adhering vapour permeable air barrier certified by the BBA and combines the important properties of vapour permeability and airtightness in one self-adhering membrane. Whilst internal air barriers will need to accommodate building services such as electrical, lighting, heating and drainage systems, Wraptite is an external air barrier, allowing for an almost penetration-free airtight layer which can be installed faster and more robustly. Wraptite fully bonds to virtually any substrate, requiring no mechanical attachment, seals or tapes.
In addition to the Wraptite air barrier membrane, Procheck® FR200 was selected as a fire retardant vapour control layer on the project.
Procheck FR200 has a Reaction to Fire classification of B, s1 –d0 according to the
Euroclass system, which provides assurance of fire performance for the structure.
Procheck FR200 is an air and vapour tight membrane which will improve energy efficiency and reduces the condensation risk.
A. Proctor Group
Whether building modern residential buildings or renovating listed buildings, Schüco Jansen Janisol Arte 2.0 is ideal for a range of projects.
Industrial glazing, loft glazing and windows can all be renovated in accordance with the guidelines for listed buildings, meaning the value of the property is retained.
The Janisol Arte window system offers a wide range of profiles in a number of different finishes, including powder coated, stainless steel and Corten steel. The system has a large selection of both inward- and outward-opening types, meaning it can be used in a variety of projects, such as Coal Drops Yard in London.
The slimline profile system allows old sidehung, double-vent, bottom-hung, top-hung, sliding or horizontal pivot windows to be almost completely reconstructed. Narrow profile face widths and the largest possible proportion of glass also provide a sleek aesthetic. Furthermore, the system is fitted with multi-point locking.
Janisol Arte 66 is an attractive tilt-beforeturn window solution that is fully compatible with Arte 2.0. The tilt-before-turn vents can measure up to 2300 mm high and weigh up to 180 kg. The basic depth of 66 mm enables thicker glass units, higher structural values and higher sound insulation values.
The Janisol Arte 66 window and fixed glazing system combines functional advantages with
an attractive appearance to provide a holistic solution and form the basis for a wide range of applications in the building envelope.
Janisol Arte 66 has an extensive range of profiles and glazing beads, giving architects plenty of design freedom. Furthermore, the glazing beads and glazing gaskets allow for quick installation.
SchÜcoIngleton Wood LLP was recently tasked with refurbishing St Albans Library into a modern and inviting facility that reflected the ambitions and values of Hertfordshire Libraries.
Using a creative combination of Forbo Flooring Systems’ Tessera carpet tiles, the contemporary colour palettes and versatile designs within the modular range added a new dimension to the interior scheme.
In the main library space, which houses shelves full of books and multi-media, Tessera Create Space 2 in Heliotrope was installed alongside Tessera Create Space 1 in Violetta, to generate maximum impact when visitors first enter the library. In the IT facility spaces, Tessera Create Space 2 in Tavertine was used throughout, with just a pop of Create Space 1 in Peridot to
create a focal point. And over in the new look children’s area, to accompany the eye-catching purple, blue and green seating bench, Tessera Create Space 2 in Indigo was used with Create Space 1 in Ultra Marine.
Tessera carpet tiles are renowned for their aesthetic styling and outstanding performance, even in the most demanding of heavy traffic environments – such as St Albans Library.
Forbo’s Bulletin Board in Oyster Shell Grey, Blueberry and Hot Salsa Red were cut into a series of hexagon shapes to create a functional and decorative noticeboard feature on the brick wall in the CreatorSpace.
The centre-piece of a £90m redevelopment in the Greenbank Student Village at the University of Liverpool has been given a striking appearance thanks to a comprehensive façade solution supplied by Sto. The Roscoe building was completed with the installation of 5,500m2 of StoVentec R ventilated rainscreen cladding, and finished with the unique Sto Lotusan external render. The StoVentec system has a fire classification of A2-s1, d0 and was able to meet all the required performance standards, while also permitting the creation of the visually striking, smooth exterior surfaces which harmonize with the surroundings and give the building its distinctive new appearance.
Sto
Eurobrick for modular schools innovation
Eurobrick has been supplying its systems to the education sector for 30 years and, more recently, with offsite construction specialist Reds10 to supply two new school projects in Reading; Green Park Village Primary Academy and Addington School. Eurobrick’s P-Clad system was chosen as part of a number of finishes for the exterior, with around 1200m2 installed with specially cut 22mm thick Vandersanden Corum brick slips and corners and Eurobrick’s specially formulated Europoint mortar in Light Sandstone. The development was shortlisted for two categories at the Offsite Awards and one at the Building Awards 2020.
Titan Lite protecting movement joints at new hospital
The fire protection of critical movement joints within the main floor slabs of the new Midland Metropolitan University Hospital in Birmingham has consumed some 1,000 linear metres of Titan Lite 120/60, as a well proven and widely specified passive fire protection product.
In this instance, the specification of the adaptable high performance TBA Firefly system for passive fire protection as come about as the result of consultation between the main contractor, Balfour Beatty and IFC (International Fire Consultants), in conjunction with the NHS Trust’s senior Fire Officer.
Manufacturer TBA Protective Technologies duly provided its standard details and other certifications to the project team and delivered on site training for the specialist package contractor, Flynn Interiors.
Recognised across the industry as a leading specialist in the field of dry-lining, fire-stopping and suspended ceilings, Flynn Interiors was awarded a £16 million contract covering these disciplines throughout the eleven storey building. The company began its 72 week’s contract in March of this year, with the final completion of the hospital expected in summer 2022.
As a non-rigid woven material Titan Lite is easy to cut and fix and is created to improve its cooling properties and therefore prevent temperatures rising in adjoining areas.
TBA Protective Technologies
When JRR Tolkein conceived the Hobbit trilogy and the quaint under-hill house in which Bilbo Baggins lived, he probably gave little thought to how to keep his lead character warm in winter. After all, Hobbits wear cosy waistcoats and have furry feet to keep them snug. And the open fire, flickering in the grate would give enough heat to ward off the winter chill.
But what about insulation? Ah yes, insulation. Just like in the days when the majority of the UK’s housing stock was built – little thought was given to home insulation back in Baggins’s time.
Now, fast forward to the 21st century and things have changed – especially for Matthew Wright of Hobbit House Ltd, builders of what must be the coolest garden structures in middle earth.
He describes his Hobbit Houses as “durable and versatile garden under-buildings which are perfect for everything from entertainment spaces, to yoga rooms, home offices, glamping pods and just about anything you can imagine!”
If you take a look at the Hobbit House web-site you will see what he means. His company designs, builds and installs the most amazing, authentic looking underhill Hobbit Houses that perfectly reflect Tolkein’s concept of the Shire – a rural idyll that was once a corner of Worcestershire, close to where the author grew up.
Hobbit Houses are custom made below ground buildings constructed to an incredibly high standard of fit and finish. However, building them to modern day specification brings its own set of challenges, as Matthew Wright explains.
“Hobbit House structures are large diameter polyethylene cylinders that have a doublethickness wall in the form of a tubular spiral.
1. A Hobbit House; the most amazing, authentic looking under-hill structure that perfectly reflect Tolkein’s concept of the Shire.
2. As 1 above
3. Hobbit Houses are custom made below ground buildings constructed to an incredibly high standard of fit and finish
4. The outer shell is twin-wall spiral structure that gives excellent strength and rigidity but is difficult to insulate.
5. Icynene foam was injected through the polyethylene skin, completely filling the spiral cavity of the cylinder.
This twin-wall spiral structure gives excellent strength and rigidity and is completely waterproof. On the other hand, it is difficult to insulate” says Matthew.
He continues. “Clearly, conventional internal insulation such as mineral wool and the like would be out of the question as it would eat into the living space area. We also tried polystyrene beads, blown into the spiral. This gave us reasonably good insulation levels but we couldn’t be sure of complete fill around the spiral cavity”
Recently, the Company won a contract to build a Hobbit House for a school in Birmingham where the structure was to be used as a children’s underground library. For this project, they needed to achieve even higher level of insulation.
According to Matthew Wright, a few options were considered but none satisfied the performance criteria or were able to work with the complex curvature and structural intricacies of Hobbit House construction.
A solution was found through spray foam insulation specialists Icynene. Icynene proposed its Icyfoam Fill, a cavity-fill system of high performance, foam-injected insulation.
Icynene Icyfoam Fill is a two-part system where the components come together at the tip on an injection lance. The chemical reaction creates a foam which expands one hundred-fold in seconds, completely filling the cavity and sealing tiny gaps and structural voids, eliminating any potential cold bridging.
Appropriate U-value calculations were undertaken by Icynene technicians at the Hobbit House factory in Mansfield. Icyfoam Fill was shown to exceed the required levels and foam was injected through small holes drilled through the polyethylene skin of the structure, completely filling the 110mm wide spiral cavity of the 3.0m diameter cylinder.
According to Icynene, the foam is so “searching” in nature that it can also be used in partially filled cavities where previously installed insulation systems may have failed or not completely filled the inter-leaf voids.
Icynene Icyfoam Fill is a closed-cell insulation medium which had originally been developed in Canada to cope with their extreme winter temperatures.
Unlike its open cell cousin FoamLite, which uses water as its blowing agent that creates an air-filled cellular structure which allows
the treated building to “breathe naturally”, Icyfoam Fill uses an HFO blowing agent with an extremely low Global Warming Potential [GWP2] and an Ozone Depletion Potential [ODP] of 0 [Zero].
This closed cell formulation completely seals the structure, helping to prevent air and moisture transmission and provides outstanding levels of insulation where breathability is not a requirement.
The insulation of the Library Hobbit House was completed in less than a day and, according to Matthew Wright, the combination of the Icynene insulation and the soil and grass roof which completed the installed structure makes this the most thermally efficient project to date.
All in all, these are coolest garden buildings you could ever think of. Cool in summer, and cosy warm in winter. The very best of both worlds - real and imaginary.
For more information on Icynene: www.icynene.co.uk
For more information on Hobbit Houses: www.hobbithouseltd.co.uk
Why do thousands of architects, thousands of builders, and millions of buildings all around the world use slate?
Because it’s robust, attractive, and 100% natural. Those are the characteristics that have made it popular for centuries – and that, in an environmentally-conscious age where naturalness and longevity are highlyprized, are fuelling its steady growth today.
So if you’re interested in specifying it, what are the key things you need to know?
When is a slate roof suitable?
Slate is hugely versatile. There’s a common misconception that it’s only compatible with historic buildings, and that the only time it’s used in a present-day context is when conservation guidelines require it.
Replacing historic roofs is one of the key instances where slate roofs are used, of course – either because that’s what the local conservation office demands, or because the homeowners themselves are adamant they want to replicate a slate-roofed building’s original look and feel. But increasingly, we’re seeing it used in contemporary style projects too. One growing trend is modernlooking properties designed to use traditional materials as much as possible.
Slate, with its combination of authentic looks and outstanding performance, is the obvious choice when it comes to the roof.
What accreditations should you look out for when specifying slate?
Ensure any slate conforms to BS EN12326 standard. If it hasn’t been tested, and
doesn’t have CE marking, it doesn’t meet UK Building Regulations and shouldn’t be installed. But it takes more than the right BS EN accreditation to distinguish the best slate. In fact, 12326 doesn’t tell you much about slate quality at all – just that it’s been through the standard tests.
How else can you tell if slate is quality? Water absorption is one indicator. The less water a slate absorbs, the smaller the risk of delamination, minerals inside the slate swelling up, or damage from the freeze-thaw cycle.
The British Standard requires slate’s water absorption to be below 0.6%. However, that’s recently changed. It used to demand water absorption of less than half that, 0.3%, and many in the industry would argue that 0.3% is still the mark of excellence.
Rates of oxidation are another crucial factor to look at. If a slate contains large amounts of iron-sulphur minerals, there’s a high chance a slate will oxidise on the roof.
Check if the slate you’re considering has been subject to thermal cycling tests – it’s not a 100% sure-fire method, but the test will usually show if there are any ironsulphur minerals present.
How much maintenance does a slate roof require?
That really depends on the quality of the slate used. As you’d expect, poorer quality slate deteriorates quicker, and requires more intensive maintenance.
Individual slates can sometimes crack or break and need replacing, but with high-quality slate that’s an extremely rare occurrence.
In general, however, a quality slate roof requires very little maintenance at all.
How do slate tiles need to be laid to ensure a high-quality finish that will last for years?
Slate has to always be laid by a professional roofing contractor with experience in slate roofing. The quality of the craftsmanship is as important as the slate itself.
For more complicated roofs, we recommend that technical advice is requested prior to installation.
That would include a quantity take off as well as the calculation of the headlap (the length of the overlap). This is the only way to ensure that a slate roof is watertight.
The best way to get the best But the most reliable way of ensuring an outstanding slate supply is to work with a company that only offers the cream of the crop.
For 40 years, SSQ has had an exclusive supply arrangement with the Del Carmen quarry in the Cabrera mountains – one of the only high-grade Spanish quarries to send its best material to the UK as well as France.
And it’s one of the only companies of its kind capable of supplying phyllite, the stunning architectural stone it sources from its own quarry in Argentina.
If you’re interested in learning more, please don’t hesitate to give SSQ a call - 020 8961 7725
SSQ
Strong. Natural. Versatile. The product of hundreds of millions of years of heat and pressure, slate is one of the most sought-after construction materials on Earth – and not just for roofing.
Slate cladding looks stunning, and can last the best part of a century.
It can lend tasteful, traditional aesthetics to heritage buildings, and bring sleek, minimalistic aesthetics to contemporary ones.
It’s safe, water-resistant, and far more sustainable than the alternatives – and so, if you want a beautiful, reliable natural cladding solution, speak to SSQ today!
Want to find out more? Speak to SSQ. Call us today on 020 8961 7725 or email info@ssq.co.uk www.ssqgroup.com
AluK has launched its brand new C70S aluminium window system, designed with all the versatility required to suit low, mid and high-rise applications in both residential and commercial projects.
Engineered to the highest UK standards, the C70S delivers what AluK are calling ‘a winning combination of high performance and impressively slim sightlines’.
This new 70mm system offers market leading U-Values as low as 1.1W/m2K with triple glazing and 1.3W/m2K with double glazing, but it also comes with three different foam insulation options so that specifiers have the flexibility to design U-Values either up or down to suit the specific performance and budgetary requirements of each project.
The C70S boasts class-leading wind (600Pa) and water tightness (1500Pa) performance, even with large span top hung window openings and can accommodate 50mm acoustic glazing, making it suitable for use everywhere from exposed coastal settings to noisy urban environments.
Crucially, the system has the same slim 89mm sightlines as AluK’s hugely popular
58BW window, enabling specifiers to mix and match the systems to achieve a uniform aesthetic across a broad range of applications.
It has also been engineered with a number of innovative design and installation features which AluK says make it a practical and stylish choice. That includes a concealed coupler option to provide mullion support without compromising on sightlines, and a Z adapter profile to achieve reversed glazing fixed lights with less material cost.
It also has a sub cill profile for press metal, which can be added after window installation to avoid damage during construction and a paint matched aluminium cover strip added which conceals easy-access fixings.
Available in a wide choice of configurations including side and top hung casements and TBT windows, the C70S is hugely practical with a range of ancillaries and couplers for installation alongside doors and curtain
walling. Both inward and outward opening windows have been successfully tested to PAS24 for security making the C70S suitable for all projects requiring Approved Document Q compliance.
AluK’s Marketing Director, Sioned Roberts, says that the C70S will be the platform on which AluK builds an entire new range of 70mm products for the commercial market. She says: “This is just the start of an ambitious programme of product development which will see us offer the same flexibility and versatility in our 70mm systems as we already do in our 58mm systems. With a network of fabricators already on board and an impressive service and logistics operation supporting the launch, we are confident the C70S will achieve the same kind of backing from specifiers.”
The C70S is available in AluK’s extensive range of highly durable, powder-coated colours and finishes, with white, grey and black single and dual-colour options available from stock.
More details are at: www.alukgb.com/c70s/ aluk-c70s-window-system
AluK UK
This is just the start of an ambitious programme of product development which will see us offer the same flexibility and versatility in our 70mm systems as we already do in our 58mm systems.
A combination of ROCKWOOL’s noncombustible stone wool insulation and certified FIREPRO® products have been specified to ensure the Grange University Hospital, a new specialist healthcare facility in Wales, can achieve the highest levels of fire protection.
ROCKWOOL worked with main contractor, Laing O’Rourke and passive fire protection contractor, Optimum, to ensure effective firestopping throughout the critical care centre. Approximately 25,000 penetration seals were installed throughout the scheme using certified products from the
ROCKWOOL FIREPRO® Range. Opening its doors ahead of schedule in November 2020, ROCKWOOL supported Central Roofing South Wales Ltd in delivering noncombustible insulation for critical areas of the external envelope.
While the façade benefited from the installation of ROCKWOOL RAINSCREEN DUO SLAB® in the through-wall build up, ROCKWOOL HARDROCK® Multi-Fix Dual Density was laid on the metal deck roof areas to ensure regulation compliance.
New Unity A1 fire rated cladding system is fully tested
The continued fire risks associated with high rise developments, has seen specialist cladding manufacturer Metalline, develop a new (A1 Fire Rated to EN 13501-1) noncombustible solid aluminium cladding panel. Entitled Unity their A1 panel is ideal for both new build and as a replacement for buildings currently fitted with noncompliant ACM, HPL and timber cladding. The new rainscreen panel is functional with exceptional mechanical properties including strength, durability and fire-resistance. Unity A1 panels are one of the few large format cladding panels that are truly 100% noncombustible, achieving an A1 classification to BS EN 13501-1.
Market-leading guarantees and technical support, in addition to pitched and flat roofing requirements made BMI the top choice when it came to refurbishing Crowngate Apartments in Birmingham. Midland Heart asked roofing contractor Hodgson Sayers to survey both flat and pitched roofs on the multi-storey building and advise whether repair or replacement was needed to meet current building regulations. A BMI flat roofing system comprising areas of BMI Sealoflex liquid waterproofing and BMI Icopal bituminous waterproofing and insulation was specified for the flat roofs, and BMI Redland Cambrian tile on the pitched roofs. The Welsh-made Cambrian tile slate replicates the original slate roofing.
BMI UK
Combining a heritage appearance with 21st century performance, the BMI Redland Rosemary Clay Classic tile, proved ideal when sensitivities surrounding conservation and heritage environments were paramount. BMI DryVent Ridge system with half-round ridge tiles were also installed to meet the current British Standards and fitted Code 5 lead for the valleys, skews, aprons and abutment. Suitable for pitches ranging from 35o to 90o, these tiles are often used for restoration and refurbishment projects and for newbuild developments linked to conservation areas, particularly since there is a suite of compatible accessories and components enabling the tiles to be laid on a variety of roof configurations.
Marley Alutec was specified to deliver a range of products, including a bespoke window trim solution, to update the dated façade of Tynings, a seafront property in North Devon. With its technical team working closely with the project’s contractor, Marley Alutec provided the bespoke design to facilitate a simple installation process. In addition, matching Evoke fascia, soffits and coping were also installed on the façade, with further coping used around Tynings’ stone chimney. Due to the balcony outlets having a circular spigot as standard, Marley Alutec adapted each unit to have a square spigot.
Marley Alutec
BMI systems raise roofing performance for listed apartmentsBMI UK BMI Redland Rosemary delivers restoration
Nordic Copper offers an extensive range of natural surfaces and alloys that can be applied in numerous ways to clad a wide variety of building types from concert halls to social housing. But there is more to architectural copper than meets the eye, particularly in terms of recyclability, sustainability and long-term performance.
Nordic Copper products are produced in modern plants with strictly monitored environmental performance and wellestablished recycling routes. They include high levels of recycled materials, saving on energy and greenhouse gases, and contributing to the circular economy. As a lightweight and flexible covering in buildings, structural support demands are reduced, resulting in lower carbon and ‘whole of life’ costs.
At the end of a building’s life, copper retains a high scrap value which drives recovery and recycling. Nordic Copper can be recycled again and again without any loss of performance or qualities, and its lifespan can be regarded conservatively as 200 years, subject to substrate and structure.
Copper is a natural element within the earth’s crust which has been incorporated into living organisms throughout the evolutionary process. It is safe to use and can be worked at any temperature, without becoming brittle in cold weather or deforming in hot weather. It requires no decoration, maintenance or cleaning, saving resources, cleaning chemicals and cost.
With an ‘A1 (non-combustible material)’ fire classification to EN 13501-1, copper is also suitable for cladding tall buildings, using appropriate constructions. Low thermal movement makes it straightforward to use in any climates and locations. Particularly important today, copper is non-toxic and its inherent antimicrobial qualities make it ideal for touch surfaces.
The Nordic Copper range of architectural copper products is available from Aurubis, part of the world’s leading integrated copper group
and largest copper recycler. It includes Nordic Standard ‘mill finish’ and Nordic Brown preoxidised copper, offering lighter or darker shades of brown determined by the thickness of the oxide layer.
The extensive Nordic Blue, Nordic Green and Nordic Turquoise ranges have been developed with properties and colours based on the same brochantite mineralogy found in natural patinas all over the world. As well as the solid patina colours, ‘Living’ surfaces are available for each with various intensities of patina flecks revealing some of the dark oxidised background material.
Copper alloys are growing in popularity as well, including Nordic Bronze and Nordic Brass –which can also be supplied pre-weathered. The innovative Nordic Royal is an alloy of copper with aluminium and zinc, giving it a rich golden through-colour and making it very stable. The surface retains its golden colour and simply loses some of its sheen over time, as the oxide layer thickens with exposure to the atmosphere to give a matt finish.
A wide choice of Nordic Decor mechanically applied surface treatments is also available for various surfaces and alloys, particularly suited to interior applications.
For more information visit: www.nordiccopper.com or email: g.bell@aurubis.com
perforated facade for an
car park Wembley Pink MSCP is part of an extensive regeneration project that will also include new housing, shops, venues etc. The multi-storey car park has been built to serve the needs of the national stadium and can provide parking for 290 coaches and 730 cars. It will also house 18 outside broadcast units for large international events.
RMIG provided a colossal 4,665m2 of perforated metal to create the facade that encases the car park. Using RMIG ImagePerf, the facade depicts images of trees as well as silhouettes of
Raw material: Galvanised steel
Pattern: RMIG ImagePerf and round hole perforation
Thickness: 3.0 mm
Finishing operation: Bending Surface treatment: Powder coating RAL 9016 HWF
www.city-emotion.com
“Home is where the heart is”. A statement that resonates more than ever in 2020. During the year we have all seen far more of our home interior than we expected we would, with lifestyles and working practices changing dramatically. The home is no longer just a place for relaxation, it’s a gym, an office, a classroom, a multifunctional place tailored for a range of activities.
Our living rooms and kitchen tables have become hubs for zoom calls, shared office spaces for husbands and wives. Homeworking is now common place in an ever-changing ‘working’ world.
As we quickly adapt to new practices and extended home life, the importance of wellbeing is paramount. Ensuring your home and work space is welcoming, calming and light filled will dramatically assist your mindset and productivity.
Thankfully, for several years, Architects
and alike have been designing spaces with specific emphasis on the influence they have on the well-being and health of the individuals that occupy them. We can take inspiration from their ideas and incorporate them into our own homes and personal spaces.
Glass is a fantastic building product, due to its thermal, structural, safety and aesthetic benefits. However, one of its key benefits is its inherent ability to transmit light, allowing it to flood into interior spaces. The benefits of natural light for improving wellbeing are
relatively well acknowledged. Home interior spaces that have restricted light, such as halls and stairwells can be rejuvenated by a frameless glass balustrade staircase for example. Furthermore, Juliet balconies can provide the perfect opening to capture natural sun light and bring it into the home.
Glass is the ‘go to choice’ for a broad range of applications in the home, from balustrading, shower screens, and balconies to fully glazed facades and roofs, glass is a multifunctional material.
Gary Dean, MD, ONLEVEL UK Comments: “When used effectively our homes, glass can embrace natural light and all the benefits sun light gives. Smartly designed homes and workspaces can rebound and filter natural light into awkward spaces, and allow for rooms to be flooded with light throughout the day - bringing obvious wellness benefits.”
ONLEVEL UK
Aluminium decking manufacturer AliDeck expand their offering for steel bolt-on balconies with an innovative non-combustible paving support system, providing exciting new balcony flooring choices for architects and specifiers.
With steel balconies an ever-popular option in the specification of new-build low and high-rise multi-occupancy buildings, the question of balcony flooring options has largely been dictated by two factors; materials compliance and product availability.
In a post-Grenfell world of heightened scrutiny with regard to fire safety, the absolute requirement to source only A-Rated, non-combustible materials has ruled out the use of combustible timber or composite decking. With practical choice, then, limited to aluminium decking or steel plate flooring, several suppliers have risen to the fore in this niche but crucial corner of
the industry.
AliDeck’s aluminium decking range has been well-received and enjoyed remarkable take-up since their launch as a standalone brand in spring 2019.
Part of the Milwood Group of aluminium extrusion specialist companies, AliDeck have leveraged their decades of collective experience to develop the most complete aluminium decking system on the market.
Capitalising on the knowledge and experience they have gained as they have worked closely with architects and fabricators over the prior 18 months, however, AliDeck are now set to revolutionise steel balcony design with the launch of their new AliPave system.
The new 100% aluminium non-combustible paving support system for steel balconies
Our range of aluminium decking has seen a great response from industry, and with AliDeck products now regularly specified on developments we’re quickly becoming the go-to balcony decking supplier.
Richard Izzard, AliDeck Managing Director, said, “Our range of aluminium decking has seen a great response from industry, and with AliDeck products now regularly specified on developments we’re quickly becoming the go-to balcony decking supplier. One aspect that we felt was seriously underrepresented in balcony specification, however, was the option of paving on balconies”.
Incorporating paving into balcony design has previously often been written off as an overly expensive and complex matter due to the requirement of a structural layer of some kind to both support the paving system and to mitigate the risk of broken tiles or slabs falling through the balcony framework.
AliDeck’s innovation, however, is in incorporating this essential structural layer into the paving system itself, providing a safe and complete solution for porcelain tiling on balconies. What’s more, the AliPave profile has been designed to cleverly deliver a controlled water-management solution.
“We learned through our decking system development that positive-drainage is an essential requirement in balcony specification for many architects and developers,” Richard continued. “We produced a Balcony Drainage System that is compatible with our entire range of aluminium decking and have now adapted that unique design to seamlessly integrate with AliPave to deliver the industry’s first positively-drained balcony paving system”.
The AliPave board captures and channels water to the balcony end and into the AliPave gutter, from where it is then evacuated in a controlled way via a spigot and downpipe at a specified location. The AliPave gutter
has a hinged access cover allowing for easy maintenance and cleaning.
The new AliPave system is truly a leap forward for steel balcony design, opening up a new range of flooring options to architects as they specify the nation’s homes. With porcelain tiling now easily achievable on high-rise steel balconies with AliPave, balcony specification can reach new aesthetic heights.
To find out more about AliPave, call the AlIDeck team on 01622 534 078 or email info@alideck.co.uk.
AliDeckAesthetics and functionality are the watchwords of Hunter Douglas Architectural’s Stretch Metal ceiling tiles and planks.
This versatile system enables designers and architects to create myriad visual effects with a high-level of acoustic absorption and it is suitable for all building sectors, including corporate, transport, retail, leisure, hospitality, healthcare, education and residential. There is also an impact-resistant stretch metal plank for sport hall applications.
Customisation is easy: the standard colour range comprises RAL and NCS colours, with many RAL colours being available with a short delivery time. Or for something a little out of the ordinary, metallic colours and chrome finishes can be specified, while other special colours are available on request.
Visually striking ceilings are possible by varying the type of mesh used in a single ceiling project – using wider grids or deeper reveals to create a more distinctive design.
“We have seen a significant increase in enquiries for our stretch metal systems
over the last two years,” said David Harris, General Manager of Hunter Douglas Architectural.
“The combination of industrial appearance with the range of colours and panel sizes means they can easily be specified to meet the design brief. Our safety loop system is also popular, offering both enhanced security and impact resistance to the system.”
Tile modules come in 600 x 600mm and 900 x 900mm, while plank dimensions are available up to 500mm in width and 2800mm in length. There are 10 distinct tile and plank designs, with the open mesh varying between 36% and 66% and T-profile widths 15mm or 24mm wide.
As with all Hunter Douglas Architectural products, simple installation is key: both the stretch metal planks and the tiles can be fitted as lay-in tiles and lay-on tiles, either on standard T-profiles or on a Bandraster. The planks can also be installed on a
or post our: Free
hook-on Z-profile, which provides concealed suspension and retains accessibility.
In environments where acoustic performance is critical, combining a stretch metal ceiling with acoustic pads ensures superior absorption, which results in improved acoustic comfort and helps to ensure better health, communication, safety, productivity and learning. The thickness of the pads depends on the required acoustic values, but the acoustic absorption value can reach αw of 1 with an acoustic pad of 85mm.
Hunter Douglas Architectural prides itself on its serious approach to sustainability. Many aluminium products are produced in its own smelters, while processes have been optimised to use up to 99% of recycled content to produce the right alloy for its products.
Hunter Douglas Architectural
With its roots in foundational flooring materials and 100% improved sound absorption, Rudiments is the latest carpet tile collection From IVC Commercial.
From stone floors to artistic textile coverings and roughly shaped wood planks, Rudiments presents three carpet tile designs grounded in flooring materials to which we are intrinsically connected, connecting us with nature and history in a surprising way.
Basalt, a random organic pattern that adds texture across large areas is inspired by the mineral-rich formations of volcanic rock, while Teak’s more structured pattern owes to the light and shade thrown by oiled wood blocks in arbitrary geometric arrangements. For Jute, IVC Commercial has created a subtle all-over texture inspired by the earliest hand-woven organic floors.
Vanessa Van Overmeeren, product director carpet tiles, says; "We conceived Rudiments as a carpet tile collection to use as a foundation for layouts, so looking towards flooring materials of our history seemed a great place to start. All three designs work across large areas, but each delivers a different level of pattern depending on the requirement of the project. With a shared
colour palette, they also blend perfectly together for boundless configurations.”
The foundational designs of Rudiments are available in all 12 colours that use tonal combinations to create harmony. By blending functional tones with complementing trend hues, the tone on tone colourways ensure that Rudiments can be both practical and inspirational, working to bring balance to commercial interiors.
The Rudiments collection is also the first to feature IVC Commercial’s new EcoFlex™ Echo acoustic backing. The 94% recycled polyester felt improves sound absorption
by up to 100% compared to the standard EcoFlex™ Statera backing, also reducing impact noise by 25%. Adding underfoot comfort as well as improving acoustics, EcoFlex Echo™ is a great option for projects focusing on the wellbeing of users.
Designed and made in Belgium, Rudiments uses a solution dyed nylon yarn that provides resistant to stains and excellent resilience to wear. Supporting IVC Commercial’s philosophy that sustainability starts with performance products that last.
IVC Commercial
All three designs work across large areas, but each delivers a different level of pattern depending on the requirement of the project.
The open-plan layout of this transformed bungalow is flooded with natural light and includes a spacious living area and stylish kitchen diner which can be separated off with sliding dividers.
The areas feature a monochrome palette of whites, blacks and greys supported with natural materials. In keeping with this, Polyflor’s Colonia Wood PUR Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) collection was specified for the floors throughout this main living area in neutral Nordic White Oak.
Colonia Wood PUR fitted naturally within the design brief to create clean internal spaces that could be easily maintained. Fitted in a traditional straight laid pattern, the oak-style floor brings Scandinavian charm to the home and is both soft and warm underfoot. Colonia features a textured surface which captures the look and feel of real wooden flooring but is far simpler to clean and care for over time.
Integral to this hard-wearing design is a durable wear layer which offers lasting protection against dirt, dust, soil and everyday wear and tear, backed with a
InstaHaus has built an enviable reputation by designing and creating bespoke, relocatable timber homes using the highest quality, sustainable materials. With the ability to transport houses all over the UK and Europe, InstaHaus is currently building a timber-framed house destined for Glen Brittle, a very remote location on the Isle of Skye. Using Norbord’s SterlingOSB Zero for the walls and roof, CaberFloor P5 for the floors and CaberFix D4 for all the joints, InstaHaus was able to satisfy its client’s requirements for an environmentallyfriendly, sustainable home at an affordable price.
comprehensive 7-year residential guarantee. Colonia LVT is also designed to handle accidental splashes and temporary surface water, meaning they are more than capable of dealing with the occasional spill or mishap within kitchen or dining areas.
In addition to ensuring their new home is highly energy efficient, the Jays were also keen to use sustainable materials within its construction. Colonia Wood PUR more than ticked this box. The LVT is manufactured with materials which are responsibly sourced and typically comprise around 40% recycled content.
Colonia also meets some of the most demanding indoor air quality standards,
creating a healthier and more comfortable environment.
Since its launch in 2017 as a linear panel, demand for Hinter Douglas Architectural’s Heartfelt has grown and a rounded panel and a baffle has been added to the portfolio. HeartFelt is an advanced system that helps to create a comfortable ambience and to precisely manage the acoustics of every space. Made from non-woven thermoformed PES fibres, which are 100% recyclable, it complies with regulations for use in non-polluting buildings and also meets the indoor European standard EN 15251, and EN 13501 Class B, S1, d0 fire certification. The HeartFelt® system also has C2C Bronze certificate from the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute.
Hunter Douglas Architectural
Having a strong presence in the educational sector Moving Designs were specified as a flexible space consultant to provide several Moveable Walls to a School in London. The largest partition being in the Hall measuring 23 metres wide by 7 metres. The Prestige Moveable Wall was more than capable of meeting and exceeding the required levels. Consideration was also given to the surrounding structures ensuring there was no sound leakage, known as “flanking transmission.” Ensuring that all flanking elements were fully and appropriately sealed and insulated, this was critical in achieving the required dB ratings.
Our award winning HeartFelt® Ceiling System delivers outstanding acoustic control, creates a unique appearance and has sustainability at its core. Now available in even more panel depths and colours, along with the option to vary the placement of panels. The new Heartfelt® range provides architects with a ceiling system that offers the right ambience and the ability to precisely manage the acoustics of any interior space.
Designed to work for you www.hunterdouglas.co.uk info@hunterdouglas.co.uk
Robust wall elements with a thickness of 100mm and a width of 900 or 1200mm are ideal for use as free-standing walls.
Wedi Sanwell Wall elements are not only waterproof to the core but are also fully customisable: the height and width is easy to adjust to required dimensions and the size of the integrated niche can also be modified to suit. Simply bond to floor & wall with wedi 610 adhesive sealant and after reinforcement of joints it’s ready to tile or plaster.
wedi building boards - 50, 60, 80 & 100mm wedi’s 100% waterproof tile backer boards from 50mm thickness are also approved for use as shower partitions. They can be used for creating up to 1200mm long separation walls when attached on 2 sides, but once attached to a wall, floor and a solid cementitious ceiling structure the length becomes limitless. Besides standard sizes (2500x600mm), there are XL (2500x900mm) and XXL (2500x1200mm) formats especially developed for this purpose - by reducing the number of joints, they simplify the installation process enormously. Benefits of both solutions: Various formats in many different sizes, significantly shorter installation time, strong enough to support shower doors, radiators & shelving and the final height can be shortened during tiling.
wedi
For commercial interiors, the Covid-19 pandemic will leave a lasting legacy in the demand for surface finishes that can contribute to improved hygiene. Laminated boards and HPL materials from UNILIN panel surfaces can be cleaned several times a day by 70% alcohol solutions without fear of damage, helping in the ongoing maintenance and daily hygiene of commercial environments. With the UNILIN Evola collection, specifiers can bring the feel and look of natural materials, brushed metals and terrazzo. UNILIN develops its surfaces in-house to develop harmonious and lifelike designs, all without affecting the surface’s ability to be cleaned.
Parkside service and sourcing delivers at Marriott Hotel Kensington
Several of Parkside’s architectural tile collections feature in the newly refurbished reception lobby, bar and restaurant of London’s Marriott Hotel Kensington. Behind the main check-in desk and on the front of counters, the 3D Rombini Triangle by Mutina is used to striking linear effect, bringing a distinctly modern feel in crisp white. On the floors of the reception lobby, the large format terrazzo design Blythe combined with a concrete effect tile waterjet cut to shape. The hotel’s Cast Iron restaurant features Parkside sourced custom mosaics as well as Lome in the Crochet pattern. A total of 450m2 of ceramic and porcelain tiles supplied by Parkside.
Parkside
UNILIN Panels, has helped to create an Instagrammable Parisian hotspot at KafKaf, a Middle Eastern inspired coffee bar with an interior by design studio Fairly. The original colours and high-quality finish of UNILIN Evola HPL panels, notably in Persian Blue, captured the aesthetics of KafKaf and fitted with the sustainable goals of Fairly. Offering a finish that delivers impressive durability and low maintenance, UNILIN Evola is ideal for the busy café, with the décor’s matt finish to giving the colour an authentic richness.
UNILIN
dp-limitless provides a limitless offer of surface finishes bonded with a high strength PUR glue line to the substrate of choice. Surfacing materials including Laminates, the full range of Senoplast Acrylics, Rehau Acrylics, Real Stone Veneer, Faux Leather, Natural Wood Veneer Laminate,
Technical Surfaces and of course Unique, one off surface finishes.
There is no commitment to purchasing in bulk, the offer is deliverable from single sheets up to full load quantities – from stock.
Contact us for more information.
Century House, Premier Way, Lowfields Business Park, Elland, West Yorkshire, HX5 9HF T: +44 (0) 1484 658341 E: info@decorativepanels.co.uk www.decorativepanels.co.uk
Despite many challenges over the years, masonry has adapted to meet current requirements. Lignacite blocks, can and will continue to evolve to meet future changes.
Concrete blockwork has excellent fire-resisting capacity and provides fire resistance that goes beyond the requirements of Building regulations.
As an example, a standard 100mm-thick aggregate loadbearing or non-loadbearing block wall will provide 2-hours fire resistance, which is more than sufficient to provide the one-hour fire separation between apartments.
Fire rarely governs the design of masonry walls, but detailing of junctions and ensuring good workmanship is important.
Concrete blockwork’s excellent performance is due in principle to its constituent materials (cement and various types aggregates) which, when chemically combined, form a material that is essentially inert and, crucially for fire safety design, has relatively low thermal conductivity. It is this slow rate of conductivity (heat transfer) which allows concrete blockwork to act as an effective fire shield not only between adjacent spaces, but also to protect itself from fire damage.
The importance of fire design in dwellings is reflected in the 2019 changes to Part B of the Building Regulations with additional amendments published in May 2020. Guidance is published in Approved Document B – Volume 1: Dwellings.
Cavity barriers and fire stops are required for all forms of construction to limit spread of fire within and between structures.
Cavity Barrier: purpose is to close a concealed space against penetration of smoke or flame, or to restrict movement of smoke or flame within such a space.
Fire Stopping: purpose is to ensure the integrity of a fire compartment - the fire stopping has at least the same fire resistance as the compartment (it is not a cavity barrier).
Approved Document B Fire Safety stipulates where cavity barriers are required and provides the parameters for designing locations for fire compartmentation.
Over time the block industry has responded to increasing standards of energy efficiency with meaningful U-values for elements first being introduced in the 1980s, followed by a procession of changes leading up to the current 2013 Part L Thermal Standards.
Consultation was concluded in March 2020 towards a Future Homes Standard. This consultation encapsulated a commitment that, by 2025, a Standard would be introduced for new build homes to be future-proofed with low carbon heating and world leading levels of energy efficiency.
Full Cavity = Facing brick | 10mm residual cavity | 90mm PIR = 0.018W/mK | 100mm block - Lignacite Fibo 850 | 12.5mm plasterboard.
Partial Cavity = Facing brick | 500mm residual cavity | 75mm PIR = 0.018W/mK | 100mm blockLignacite Fibo 850 | 12.5mm plasterboard.
The overall building fabric will have to be improved. For external walls, U-values of 0.15-0.18W/m2K, are assumed for Options 1 and 2 respectively. Current wall U-values for Part L (2013) compliance are typically 0.26W/m2K or below. For masonry walls, this should not dramatically affect the built size of cavity walls when using high performance insulation.
For example, for masonry walls meeting a U-value of 0.18W/m2K, based on the use of Lignacite Fibo 850 blockwork are:
Full Fill Cavity Wall - Facing brick | 100mm residual cavity | 90mm PIR = 0.018W/ mK | 100mm block – Lignacite Fibo 850 | 12.5mm Plasterboard.
Partial Fill Cavity Wall - Facing brick | 500mm residual cavity | 90mm PIR = 0.018W/mK | 100mm block – Lignacite Fibo 850 | 12.5mm Plasterboard.
To achieve a 0.15 U-value, the insulation sizes will have to be increased by about 25mm. Enhanced thermal bridging details will have to be adopted, and Lignacite is working closely with the Concrete Block Association to update the current Thermal Bridging Derails to suit a lower range of U-values.
It will be necessary to increase the thickness of ground floor insulation (typically by about 25mm) as well as roofs. The U-values of windows and glazed doors will have to be improved considerably, with overall U-values of 0.8 to 1.2 depending on what Option is implemented.
Designers and builder should take time to familiarise themselves with the proposals as they will have impact on the build cost, as well as a need to revise the specification of construction elements.
Current acoustic standards have been in force for a number of years and have been successful in eradicating noise complaints and achieving a better quality of life for home occupants. Specific sound performance targets, particularly those limiting sound transfer between adjoining dwellings, are incorporated into Approved Document E1, under Part E of the Building Regulations. Performance requirements cover a range of sound frequencies from 100 Hz (low frequency) to 3150 Hz (high frequency). These requirements apply to separating walls in attached houses or apartments and separating floors in apartments.
Lignacite Ash GP and Lignacrete dense blocks can be specified to meet the party wall construction for number Robust Detail specifications. These constructions are cavity walls with the cavity ranging from 75 to 100mm. The Robust Details can be selected form the Robust Detail Handbook - see https://www.robustdetails.com/
Lignacite’s block manufacturing plants located in Norfolk and Essex, are responsible for producing over 100,000 blocks per day, enough blocks to build approximately 100 houses. Working closely with several of the leading Architects, Specifiers and Builders’ Merchants throughout East Anglia, London and the South East, we supply many of the major house builders and Commercial contractors.
Lignacite offers a comprehensive range of concrete blocks from ultra-lightweight to dense suitable for a wide range of building applications. The sustainability of our blocks is core to the Lignacite philosophy, and they all have a high level of recycled aggregate content, some blocks exceeding 55%.
Lignacite also offers extensive technical support for its products, the website has an extensive library with product data sheets, CAD Library, Design Guidance booklets and Site Work guide and much more. All may be accessed for free.
Early in 2018, the Brick Development Association was approached by a research team from Royal Holloway, University of London asking for help and support in a project they had recently undertaken, investigating the impact of debt-bonded labour and other forms of Modern Slavery and its links to climate change within the then booming Cambodian brick industry.
The research concluded that there were tens of thousands of debt-bonded families in Cambodia who extract, mould, and fire clay in hazardous conditions to meet Phnom Penh’s insatiable appetite for bricks.
Bricks are essentially clay, to which water is added to enable shaping, and then fired in a kiln. Historically the labour for the extraction, moulding and carting of bricks would have been carried out by the local population. In the UK, these processes have largely been automated. However, there is still a demand for the unique character of hand thrown bricks, which means that human labour is still required for a small percentage of production. Properly paid for and contracted for, this is not a major problem but if a manufacturer is paying low or zero wages to their brickmakers, then clearly there is a temptation for them to produce brick products more cheaply with all that means for the labour engaged.
The research project initially focused on Cambodia, but further research has found that similar practices are endemic across a region now commonly known as the Asian brick belt, which includes parts of Pakistan, India, Nepal and Bangladesh. In addition to the Modern Slavery issues, research has found that brick production in the Asian brick belt produces a host of environmental and quality issues. For example, timber is often used as a fuel, which if unmanaged as is often the case will contribute to unsustainable deforestation in that region. Similarly, emissions from the kilns are usually untreated, which contributes to high levels of air pollution. There are almost 2,000 kilns making bricks this way in the Asian Brick Belt.
Most of the bricks produced in this region are used locally but the Brick Development Association (BDA) has become aware that these handmade bricks are now making their way into the European markets. It is highly probable that these bricks are also finding their way into the UK market too!
The BDA has been working with UK builders’ merchants, architects and contractors to raise awareness about the origin and provenance
of these products. Indeed, the problem is exacerbated in so much that some re-sellers of these bricks do so using marketing literature that strongly implies that these bricks are handmade in the UK!
UK brick manufacturers are totally committed to the responsible sourcing of clay brick. The industry has invested over £250 million in plant and machinery in the last five years in order to increase production and to ensure that supply in the UK is sufficient to meet demand moving forwards.
The industry collects data and sets targets on aspects such as energy, waste, water usage and the wellbeing, health & safety of employees in line with normal business demand and norms. It has, through the BDA, specifically set up an industry-based committee, dedicated to making UK brick production increasingly more sustainable. The UK clay brick industry is therefore second to none in this aspect of its work.
As the technical authority on clay brick in the UK, The BDA understands that it is not always possible for specifiers and builders to ask, ‘where and how were these bricks made?’. So, in order to make life much easier for architects, specifiers, and those buying clay brick, we are about to launch the Brickmakers Quality Charter.
Since clay brick makes a significant contribution to the UK’s safe, healthy and sustainable built environment and provides the certainty and longevity people want in their homes, the Brickmakers Quality Charter promotes the responsible sourcing of clay brick.
Any clay brick manufacturer can apply to join the register of Brickmaker Quality Charter holders. However, to be accepted, companies must demonstrate their compliance with and adherence to, a range of internationally recognised standards. More on this soon.
The use, by the successful applicant of the Brickmakers Quality Charter Logo, provides
architects, designers, merchants, specifiers and procurement teams with a valuable ‘short cut’ to identifying responsible clay brick manufacturers and helping us to level the playing field and eradicate sharp practice.
Specifically, clay brick manufacturers will also be asked to provide evidence of their brickmaking credentials, which includes a commitment to rejecting Modern Slavery and compliance with the Construction Products Regulations.
The quality charter will be launched in January 2021. More details on this will be available in the press and on the BDA’s website, shortly.
Brick Development AssociationBoth phases to the refurbishment and extension of the teaching and other facilities at a South London school are making full use of the insulating and loadbearing capabilities of Marmox Thermoblocks.
Work on the Bromley High Junior School, designed by School IID Architects and carried out by Orpington based Neilcott Construction, has so far included 180 of the 140 x 600 x 65mm Thermoblocks –equivalent to 108 metres of wall. Marmox Thermoblocks are available in widths of 100, 140 or 215mm and are formed from sections of XPS (extruded polystyrene) encapsulating two rows of high strength, epoxy concrete
mini-columns. These are attached at either end to the top and bottom layers of glassfibre reinforced polymer concrete, to ensure a good bond with the rest of the structure.
As well as combatting cold-bridging at the base of blockwork walls, Thermoblocks are also often utilised to support timber frame construction, or at vulnerable upper floor junctions. Crucially, a variety of details have been thermally modelled by the BRE to provide insulation values for use in SAP or other calculations, avoiding the punishing ‘default’ figure.
MarmoxAll roads lead to Rome, as the saying goes, and that was certainly the plan for Britain’s oldest High Street in Colchester, when the Romans settled in England in 43AD.Now these roads, and the paving alongside them, are being made ‘futureproof’ by Essex County Council, with the use of Resiblock Resiecco. Having been used in High Streets throughout the UK, and even at Europe’s longest pedestrian shopping area in Købmagergade, Copenhagen, Resiblock provide paving protection against large volumes of footfall traffic, cleaning regimes and staining from food, drinks and chewing gum.
Weatherproof your paving and stay safe this winter with permeable paving solutions from UltraScape. UltraScape perma-bed bedding mortar has been specifically designed with permeability in mind. Formulated to absorb and drain away standing water, perma-bed helps to eliminate the risk of injury associated with slipping on ice.
This innovative bedding mortar is also proven to reduce water related pavement failures as any rainwater will drain away naturally, rather than sit on top of the stone, or worse, stay within the joint, freeze, expand and then break out – allowing you to enjoy your paving for years to come.
What’s more, the free passage of water through the cured product ensures that correctly laid paving will not suffer from reflective staining emanating from the underside of the paving elements.
UltraScape permabed exceeds the strict requirements of BS 7533 and is proven to provide a perfect bound base for natural stone paving, cobbles, concrete paving, flags and block paving.
Pre-blended to reduce costs, increase productivity and minimise on-site mixing errors, perma-bed is resistant to freeze/thaw weather patterns and can receive foot traffic in 12 hours and vehicular traffic in 24 hours.
Charcon provides first-class paving solution for university
Charcon, the hard landscaping division of Aggregate Industries, has helped to transform The Concourse – an area connecting buildings at Sheffield University, by supplying a pioneering paving solution as part of the University’s public realm regeneration project. Charcon’s Andover Textured product was chosen due to high aesthetic qualities and its recycled content, of which both the recycled and virgin materials are UK sourced materials. This was combined with the bands of Portuguese yellow granite setts to connect the new space to existing local vernacular of granite kerbs and concrete paving. The Charcon team is now working as the hard landscaping supplier for the new social sciences building.
Charcon Resiblock futureproofs Britain’s oldest high street
A new workplace heating solution that delivers targeted, gentle heat to desk-based workers is enabling building managers to reduce ambient temperatures by 2-3 degrees Celsius. The LAVA DESK 2.0, manufactured from high-quality components in Austria by Etherma - and available exclusively in the UK from ARC Thermal Products - offers workers perfect warmth and comfort at their desk - whether in the workplace or for those home-based during the Covid-19 period.
As an infrared heater, the LAVA DESK 2.0 delivers precise, low-temperature radiant heat which is not only safe and free from electromagnetic fields (EMF), it requires no maintenance during its operational phase.
ARC Thermal offers a five-year warranty as standard. ARC Thermal has seen a marked rise in interest in the product from companies that are carbon conscious and are exploring new, low-cost ways to deliver energy efficiency within the workplace. The product has already been deployed at sites at all over Northern Europe and in large commercial buildings in Docklands, London.
Energy professionals will therefore welcome the news that the LAVA DESK 2.0 costs around £0.001 per hour to run. When comparing the LAVA DESK 2.0 against traditional under desk convector heaters the return on investment can be as low as 120 days.
New website reflects expanded offering from Ballyclare
A revised and updated website launched by workwear specialist Ballyclare – a leading supplier to the building and construction sector - gives full details of the many different ranges of garments, solutions and related services the company offers. The new website – ballyclarelimited.com –features enhanced navigation which makes it even easier for users to locate the information they require, while still giving easy access to the company’s many ranges of high quality workwear and protective clothing. This process of digital development is ongoing, with the aim of enabling Ballyclare’s European partners to use the platform and the additional value-added services which will be added in the New Year.
Grind and Blaze carpet tiles from modulyss are now available with ecoBack, a Cradle to Cradle Certified™ Gold backing is PVC and bitumen free and features minimum 75% recycled content. For Blaze, the recyclable ecoBack combines with ECONYL yarn to ensure the carpet tile delivers a high-level of recycled content. Part of the Handcraft collection, Grind is a carpet tile that explores the relationship between nature and craft, inspired by unpaved roads carved through the landscape. Blaze is one of the designs found in the Delight collection that references the fusion between our physical and digital existence.
Crown Paints appointed to NHS supplier framework
Crown Paints has been given Awarded Supplier status by NHS North of England Commercial Procurement Collaborative (NOE CPC) as part of its Estates Consumable Products framework agreement. As an Awarded Supplier, the comprehensive trio of Crown Trade Acrylic Eggshell, Crown Trade Matt Vinyl emulsion and Crown Trade Full Gloss is now accessible to specifiers working across the NHS and other public sector organisations. Specifiers working across the NHS will also be able to benefit from Crown’s in-house colour consultancy service which can assist in the creation of compliant, inclusive and attractive interior and exterior design schemes.
Crown Paints
Pyroguard Firesafe takes safety glass to another level
Pyroguard Firesafe is the unrivalled new range of modified toughened fire safety glass that is lightweight with exceptional performance benefits and designed to meet individual specification requirements. Pyroguard Firesafe is manufactured in both the UK and France to effectively service the European and Export markets. Offering varying levels of fire protection (E30, EW30, E60 and EW60), with the coated range able to provide radiant heat reduction for up to 60 minutes (EW Classification), Pyroguard Firesafe is easy to handle and install. The lightweight monolithic solution also provides exceptional impact resistance, unrivalled light transmission and is fully UV stable.
Pyroguard
Award-winning interactive entertainment company CCP Games have moved its new headquarters to the building’s third floor. The design team opted for Junckers Oak Variation, an all-natural, solid wood floor with a lively look, to add interest and visual texture to the large, open spaces flooded with natural light. Oak Variation has a rustic appearance with distinct colour and structural variation between individual staves. The most expressive of Junckers’ wood flooring grades is growing in popularity as architects and designers look for visually intricate flooring, a trend fostered by the resurgence of herringbone flooring. All Junckers’ solid wood floors have EPDs and are FSC® and PEFC™ certified.
Detail makes all the difference on tiling projects, which is why BAL have introduced a range of new shades to the Micromax2 grout range. The 11 new shades take inspiration from the world around us and nature through changing seasons.
Four new Graphic Greys include: Storm Grey, Tornado Sky, Dovetail and Taupe Grey which are influenced by deep winter visions of dark and dramatic skies in every hue of grey. Warm Woods; Walnut, Hazel and Mahogany evoke the rustic browns and earthen tones of Autumn.
evoke shades of greens, soft yellows and the natural light and vibrant splashes of Spring and Summer.
BAL Micromax2 offers a combination of previously unseen properties to make it ideal for virtually any wall or floor installation. Superfine, consistent, strong, flexible, the world’s first genuinely universal grout, it can be used for grout joints as narrow as 1mm and as wide as 20mm with no slumping, shrinking and cracking. Smooth, fine, consistent, versatile with in-built Microban anti-mould and anti-mildew protection, it sets within 2-3 hours for fast track tiling completion.
Inspired by the colours and finishes present in steels and metals, the Metallic collection will bring contemporary industrial style to life in all types of residential, commercial and hospitality projects.
Available in a selection of reliefs and colourways, Metallic has three wall tile formats – 450 x 1200mm, 350 x 1000mm and 350 x 700mm as well as a 600 x 600mm floor format, making it a versatile choice for designers and specifiers.
Replicating the coloured oxide layers that occur over time in metals through exposure to corrosion, the range of glazed porcelain floor tiles and ceramic wall tiles will leave a lasting impression in kitchens, bathrooms, retail spaces and hospitality projects alike.
From the lighter tones of Platinum to the richer hues of Carbon and Rust, the Metallic collection allows design professionals to add true character to interior schemes, blending superior functionality with exceptional appearance and style.
Part of the Saint-Gobain family, CTD Architectural Tiles specialises in the supply of high quality ceramic tile finishes and tiling solutions across all sectors in the UK commercial specification market. CTD Architectural Tiles is committed to bringing customers the latest innovations in product and in service.
New Draka range in environmentally friendly packaging
Draka, a brand of Prysmian Group – the world leader in power and telecommunications cables and systems – is pleased to launch a new, improved connectivity range of products for use with its copper Draka Universal Cabling System. The new connectivity products are supplied in plastic-free, environmentally friendly packaging. The new Draka Cat5e and Cat6 unshielded copper connectivity range has been completely revised and updated for increased quality and performance, whilst also maintaining its competitive edge in the market. Designed with the installer in mind, the connectivity products come with several new features for quick and simple installation.
Vivid Views featuring Primrose, Peppermint, Cornflower White and Pink Champagne
Draka
CTD Architectural Tiles
