The Essential Building Product Review, July 2023

The Essential Building Product Review

contents...

04 - design news

14 - news

20 - interiors

36 - doors, windows & glazing

52 - environmental control

58 - viewpoint

front cover photo courtesy of Tile Of Spain www.tileofspain.com

See page 30S

inside front cover photo courtesy of Marmox www.marmox.co.uk

See page 75

Some of the colour photography used in The Review is provided and paid for by contributors. The publishers do not accept liability for errors that may appear in the publication. Dedicated to our friend and colleague, Mike Mahon. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may

Bristol Bomb Shelter Makeover

Berkeley Place renovated a basement duplex apartment situated in a prime residential street in Clifton. During the basement renovation, an amazing piece of history was found. On the wall handwritten is a record of the 2nd World War air raids on Bristol. Between 24th Nov 1940 and 11th April 1941 there were six major bombing raids on the city.

Due to the presence of the Bristol Harbour and The Bristol Aeroplane Co, the city was a target for bombing, and was easily found as enemy bombers were able to trace a course up the River Avon from Avonmouth. Bristol was the fifth most heavily bombed British city of WWII.The basement has been converted into a basement snug bedroom and bathroom.

To create the snug there was a full basement renovation, repair and repoint of the flagstone. The bedroom was cleverly subdivided to maximise use of space and provide two separate sleeping spaces. (cont...)

(cont...) The historical basement was given a new lease of life to make it more liveable.The Grade II listed a full renovation of the front terrace, living room, hallway, kitchen, utility, dining, bedroom and a master ensuite with a crittal terrace.

The vibe of the project is bringing the old into the new and cleverly designing the small space to feel larger. Creating a larger amount of space in the home was a challenge which was overcome with clever storage. The whole home has a new warmth with new timber and underfloor heating. To mix old with new, a variety of suppliers were used such as Howdens, Farrow & Ball (colours India Yellow (modern emulsion), Wimborne White (estate eggshell), Hardwick white (estate eggshell).

The tiling came from Mandarin stone, wallpaper is Harlequin Salon Wallpaper and the crittal supplied by Fabco. A new kitchen was installed with quartz worktops, a Chelford navy customised kitchen, Quooker classic fusion square patinated brass hot taps and parquet flooring.

In the dining room and hallway new glazed metal framed door and window as installed. In the kitchen and living room a full height wall bookshelf was installed. The stairs were installed with curved timber handrail to the outer wall and cleaned sandstone basement flooring and staircase. www.berkeleyplace.co.uk

Award

Winning, Victorian Terraced Townhouse, Highgate LondonLLI Design

LLI Design recently completed a total redesign and refurbishment of a 5 storey, period terraced townhouse in Highgate, North London. LLI Design’s work was commended with an award in the Residential Interior Private Residence London category, of the United Kingdom Property Awards in association with Rolls Royce.

The award’s judging panel was chaired by Lord Caithness, Lord Best, and Lord Waverley, members of the House of Lords in the UK Parliament. Historic Highgate is filled with beautiful period family homes and this one was no exception.

Perched at the top of Highgate Hill commanding enviable views across London this 1860s house forms part of a terrace. The townhouse sits within the Highgate Conservation area, so any architectural amendments had to be approached in a sensitive manner. Although the brief was to keep the period feel of the building, it also required that a contemporary individual aesthetic should be overlaid in order to create easy open plan living spaces that worked for a modern lifestyle. (cont...)

(cont...) The house was tall and narrow but had the advantage of being quite long front to back. A major design problem which had to be addressed in the overall scheme was how to make the property feel visually more expansive laterally.

To answer the brief, the existing layouts required a total redesign, with careful consideration required to how the dynamics and flow of the spaces would feel. The direction adopted throughout was eclectic with elements of mid century, contemporary, industrial and traditional styling all coming together.

By way of reconfiguration, clever use of colour and lighting together with bespoke joinery elements, this property was completely transformed from a traditional layout 5 storey Victorian townhouse into a contemporary family living space. The design stayed true to the Victorian bones and features of the original.

At the same time it was able to offer the elements so desired of 21st Century living, being open plan, multi-functional spaces with large windows offering inside / outside living.

LLI Design offers a comprehensive design service, taking projects from briefing through to Handover; creating beautifully crafted interiors for discerning clients. The creative team is led by Design Director Linda Levene. Her background as a fashion and textile designer is reflected in her love of form, texture and colour.

Recent projects include the interior design and modernisation of properties in Hampstead, South Kensington and Highgate including a 10,000 sqft Victorian residence, a 12,000 sqft new build home and the co-joining and re-planning of two apartments to provide a single luxury penthouse. www.llidesign.co.uk

A Look Inside The World’s First Fully Immersive Experiential Marine Life Centre

The Red Sea Development Company (TRSDC), the developer behind the world’s most ambitious regenerative tourism projects, The Red Sea and AMAALA, has revealed design plans for its state-of-the-art marine life institute. Created by world-class architectural design firm Foster + Partners, the institute will function as both a scientific research center and a tourist destination.

It will accelerate conservation-driven research, while offering visitors truly multidimensional experiences that bridge educational exhibitions with adventure-filled excursions.

“We wanted to design a first-ofits-kind facility that extends far beyond any existing marine life attraction. With 10 zones that provide everything from augmented reality experiences to night diving, and spaces for the scientific community to effectively progress their environmental projects, the facility is undeniably unique. Not only will it drive global green and blue innovations, it will also help put Saudi Arabia on the map for travelers seeking trips that enrich their lives,” said John Pagano, Group CEO of TRSDC.

“The institute will live in the Triple Bay marina at AMAALA, but is the beating heart of our broader ambitions to protect and enhance the thriving Red Sea coast of Saudi Arabia. Through our expanding portfolio of projects, we will share our valuable scientific discoveries with the world and enable our guests to experience the true beauty of our thriving coral reefs.”

Expected to host up to 650 people at any one time, guests will be able to walk underwater, snorkel with rare species, participate in lab tours and dive the depths of the Red Sea in a submarine. A testament to TRSDC's coral farming operations, the facility will also be home to one of the world’s largest man-made reefs, measuring an astonishing 40 meters long and 10 meters deep and providing an epic “Grand Reveal” moment for visitors on arrival.

Integrating architecture with nature - Set within the AMAALA destination on the west coast of Saudi Arabia and located on the waterfront of Triple Bay, the 10,340 square meter institute will comprise three levels – one above ground and two below –and offer stunning panoramic views of the Red Sea and the marina. Inspired by the Red Sea's thriving coral formations, the glass-reinforced concrete that is being used to build the institute will be intricately molded to resemble reef patterns against the skyline.

Inside, exhibition displays have also been integrated into the infrastructure, with visitors flanked by suspended semi-spherical tanks containing colorful local marine wildlife from the point of entry. Gerard Evenden, Head of Studio at Foster + Partners, said: “The marine life institute will take guests on a vibrant, educational, and awe-inspiring journey that unveils the natural wonders of the Red Sea and blurs the boundaries between the institute and the ocean. By recreating natural marine habitats, offering unforgettable marine interactions, and sharing glimpses into conservation projects, it will provide guests with an immersive marine experience unlike any other.”

Sustainably constructed - As part of TRSDC’s commitment to responsible development, more than 40 percent of the site will be covered by native plants, and a system to collect runoff water put in place to prevent erosion and pollution, while reducing mains water use.

The lighting throughout the institute has also been designed with the company’s green ambitions in mind, with an innovative framework to prevent light pollution to protect the nocturnal environment. “More than just a window into the marine world, we’re creating an integrated experience that offers unique activities for our guests, with a collection

of opportunities to explore and learn suited to all,” said Warren Baverstock, Senior Marine Life Director at TRSDC. “The overlay of sustainable design, build and operations, guest experience and meaningful scientific work underpins our commitment to drive enhancement of the environment and tourism growth. It’s a perfect model of sustainability, balancing people, planet and commercial success,” added Pagano.

Phase one of AMAALA – Triple Bay – is well underway and will consist of eight resorts offering upwards of 1,200 hotel keys. Upon completion, the destination will be home to more than 3,000 hotel rooms across 25 hotels, and approximately 900 luxury residential villas, apartments and estate homes, alongside highend retail establishments, fine dining, wellness and recreational facilities. www.theredsea.sa

www.fosterandpartners.com

The A. Proctor Group, synonymous with technically advanced thermal, airtightness and condensation control membrane solutions for the construction industry, has introduced a new online U-value calculator, Condensation Risk Analysis and members area with an impressive range of technical support available to architects, contractors, and customers.

The software is an essential online tool for meeting the new standards and improving the energy performance of new and existing buildings. U-value calculations are carried out in accordance with BRE443:Conventions for U-value Calculations and can be submitted with your building control applications to demonstrate compliance.

In addition, a new Members Area has been introduced to the A. Proctor Group website that enables architects, designers, contractors, and clients to access a comprehensive range of technical resources. Registered members will have access to high-quality webinars on critical topics, with personalised CPD certification for each.

A full suite of brochures and product documents including technical properties and characteristics is available for download from the Members Area. Please visit www. proctorgroup.com to register for the members area where you will access the U-value calculator and Condensation Risk Analysis tools. www.proctorgroup.com

TREMCO’S TIMELESS LEGACY TO BE SHOWCASED AT HARROGATE

Tremco is excited to announce its participation at The Flooring Show 2023 in Harrogate. With a rich legacy spanning over decades, Tremco will be showcasing its trusted, fully compatible range of damp proof membranes, smoothing compounds, and adhesives. As a sponsor of the expo, Tremco is offering visitors to its stand - number B45 in Hall B - special offers, including discounts for distributors who place orders at the Harrogate event. The team will also be highlighting how people’s trust in Tremco has seen it hold a top place in the UK and Ireland for more than 75 years, with systems that are engineered to achieve a superior finish while ensuring the best in protection, speed of installation and ease of application. www.tremco-europe.com/en-gb

STYLE'S SCOTT MCKENNA RUNS FOR STRONGMEN CHARITY

Scott McKenna, Style south’s specification manager, recently completed his first official half marathon in 2hrs 20mins, raising money for the StrongMen charity which provides support for men suffering from bereavement.

“The London Landmarks event was really well organised, and I was delighted to complete the distance and also to raise money for such an exceptional cause,” said McKenna.

The StrongMen charity provides support to men who can often be overlooked after a bereavement and can suffer severe emotional and physical health conditions. Many men can struggle with crippling anxiety, depression and PTSD but do so in silence as there is often an assumption that they are OK. The charity was co-founded by Efrem Brynin who, as well as running the charity day to day, also prioritises working with certain key clients for Style making it one of particular personal importance to everyone in their business.

www.strongmen.org.uk

A. PROCTOR GROUP INTRODUCES NEW U-VALUE CALCULATOR AND MEMBERS AREA

FLOWCRETE LAUNCHES NEW USER-FRIENDLY WEBSITE

CPG UK’s Flowcrete has announced the launch of its new website aimed to transform the user journey for architects, specifiers, and contractors. The website provide san enhanced and intuitive experience, making it easier than ever for construction professionals to access the information and resources they need. The newly revamped website boasts a clean and modern design, reflecting CPG UK Flowcrete’s commitment to innovation and industry leadership.

Visitors will discover an accessible interface that offers effortless navigation and improved functionality across various devices. One of the key objectives behind Flowcrete’s new website redesign was to simplify the process of finding the right flooring solutions for each specific construction project. By carefully analysing the flooring demands in a myriad of markets and sectors, Flowcrete has developed tailored flooring solutions and now architects, specifiers, and contractors can easily explore Flowcrete's extensive range of products and systems, download technical information, navigate through expert insights as well as read case studies. www.flowcrete.eu/en-gb

BRIGGSAMASCO CELEBRATES TWIN VICTORY AT MAC AWARDS

BriggsAmasco is celebrating a dual success after picking up two awards at the Mastic Asphalt Council (MAC) Awards 2023. The esteemed panel of judges at the annual contest acclaimed Briggs’ superb workmanship and refurbishment of bridge deck footpaths carried out at on the Boothferry Swing Bridge whilst top honours went to BriggsAmasco employee Paul Mulgrew who was crowned ‘Apprentice of the Year’. BriggsAmasco’s work at Boothferry Swing Bridge was highly commended in the Car Decks and Paving Project of the Year.

The programme’s waterproofing element saw the company install new mastic asphalt to fit with the bridge deck specification, complete with precoated chippings rolled onto the surface. Their experience and expertise in this field is second-to-none. Held at London’s Royal Horseguards Hotel on 16th June, the Mastic Asphalt Council (MAC) Awards has become one of the most prestigious in the calendar for the waterproofing industry with the 2023 event seeing the awards reaching its 25th anniversary milestone. www.briggsamasco.co.uk

IG MASONRY SUPPORT SPONSORS THE 2023 AJ ARCHITECTURE AWARDS

In its sixth year, the prestigious awards celebrate and reward design excellence in UK architecture and highlight the very best projects across 17+ categories from housing, health, and wellbeing to workplace and cultural projects. IG Masonry Support has chosen to sponsor the Masterplan category which rewards an overarching vision for a new development that creates a new building ensemble or neighbourhood.

Scott Denham, Sales Director of IG Masonry Support

UZIN are excited to announce the launch of UZIN L2 Contract, a new cost effective 2 part smoothing compound. UZIN L2 Contract is a cement based 2 part smoothing compound for use up to 15 mm. It is quick setting allowing fit on the next day as well as providing excellent flow and workability.

It is ready to receive most floor coverings after only 6 hours, has good strength and produces a smooth finish. It is ideal for refurbishing over old floors as it can be applied over a variety of different subfloors when the substrate is primed with a suitable primer. Please visit https://uk.uzin.com/ for more information

said: “IG Masonry Support is delighted to be sponsoring the AJ Architecture Awards for the first time. After visiting the awards ceremony in the past two years, we identified that these awards are a great opportunity to recognise the talented architects we have in the UK and whom we have the pleasure of working with on a range of projects.” The shortlist is expected to be announced in August and the winners will be revealed at a celebratory event that will take place on 22 November 2023 at London Hilton Metropole. To book your place for the event, visit www.awards.architectsjournal.co.uk www.igmasonrysupport.com

UZIN LAUNCH UZIN L2 CONTRACT

Kaz For President

GEZE UK MD Kaz Spiewakowski looks to focus on education and further developing relationships with RIBA and overseas members as well as ensure value for members as he takes over the two-year presidency of the Guild of Architectural Ironmongers (GAI). Kaz has already held the vice president role for the last two years working closely with outgoing president Mario Del-Signore. The focus on education will look at improving the process for developing new material and how it is delivered.

The GAI will explore getting the content validated and third party audited as well as looking at producing new content. Said Kaz ‘I am delighted to be taking over the presidency of the Guild. CPD and compliance is vital for our members - becoming trained and demonstrating competence. The work done over the past few years has increased the focus on professionalism, particularly the REG AI status and the aim is to continue that.’ Simon Forrester, Chief Executive of the Guild of Architectural Ironmongers added ‘We are delighted that Kaz has taken over the role of GAI President. We have a long association with GEZE with many of their team holding GAI qualifications or sitting on Guild committees. We wish Kaz a successful presidency.’

Architectural Ironmongers provide specialist scheduling service and technical support for architects and contractors, specifying and installing products that are fit for purpose whilst ensuring compliance to the many standards. To find out more about GEZE and its comprehensive range of automatic and manual door closers and window technology products email info.uk@geze.com or visit www.geze.co.uk.

Mapei UltraColor Plus With Zero Impact On Climate Change Now Available In The UK

Mapei UltraColor Plus is the first of a new line of iconic carbon neutral products for tile and stone installation to be available in the UK. Initially launched by Mapei to the Italian market earlier this year, the range is now being introduced around the world. The new line will enable contractors, designers and specifiers to choose materials with zero impact on climate change, promoting more ethical and conscientious choices.

For Mapei “zero impact on climate change” means that CO2 emissions measured throughout the life cycle products from the Zero line in 2023 - using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology, verified and certified with EPD’s - have been offset through the acquisition of certified carbon credits in support of renewable energy and forestry protection projects. UltraColor Plus is Mapei’s signature anti-efflorescence, quick-setting and drying polymer-modified grout, featuring waterrepellent DropEffect® and mould-resistant BioBlock®. In the UK, zero-line adhesives are to follow in the future. The international product line includes Keraflex Easy S1 Zero, Keraflex Extra S1 Zero, Keraflex Maxi S1 Zero and Ultralite S1 Flex Zero adhesives and Ultracolor Plus grout.

For Mapei, the road to innovation passes - first and foremost - through research. Mapei’s Corporate Environmental Sustainability, at its Corporate Research Centre in Milan, is totally dedicated to the environmental sustainability of products and processes and was fundamental in creating the new Zero line. The team measures the impacts products have on the environment throughout their life-cycle using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methods. The results are then included on an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD). Currently, more than 80% of Mapei products are covered by EPDs. For more details on how emissions are calculated and on climate mitigation projects financed through certified carbon credits, visit the webpage zero.mapei.com

Introducing Flowcrete’s Isocrete Ultimate K-Screed Additive

Flowcrete, a brand of CPG UK, is pleased to announce a new addition to it's screed range, Isocrete Ultimate K-Screed. Used in conjunction with approved sand and cement for semi dry cementitious screeds, Isocrete Ultimate K-Screed is a liquid additive suitable for most commercial applications. Flowcrete's awardwinning Isocrete Floor Screeds range has been a market leader in the UK since 1969 and Flowcrete is excited to share that it's range is expanding with Isocrete Ultimate K-Screed. Offering compelling speed of application benefits, less waste and exceptional strength, Isocrete Ultimate K-Screed is applied through Flowcrete’s licensed contractor network and a a remarkable 10-year warranty is offered after installation. Isocrete Ultimate K-Screed, which can be pumped and subsequently dosed, delivers a screed that can be trafficked or overlaid quickly due to the reduced water content within the mix.

This gives rapid drying and rapid strength gain enabling less down time than traditional methods as well as assisting with the work schedule. It can also be incorporated in underfloor heating with a thickness as low as 50mm and has a high compressive strength meaning it can withstand load and construction traffic. Stuart Smith, Construction Products Group (CPG) UK & Ireland’s sales manager for flooring said: “Isocrete Ultimate K-Screed dosages can be amended to suit specific applications depending on floor finish and strength requirements. A sand testing and compressive strength service is offered to ensure that the required criteria is achieved. This unique formulation allows the system to be trafficked in as little as 24 hours, has a 3-day drying time, and a compressive strength of >40N/mm in comparison to the rest of our range. " www.flowcrete.eu/en-gb

Hamworthy Heating Provides Shastid Energy With A Quick And Reliable Solution

Following a long and established relationship, Hamworthy Heating, a trusted British manufacturer and supplier of commercial heating and hot water products has supplied Shastid Energy with a Tyneham Air Source Heat Pump for installation at its premises in Cambridgeshire. The Tyneham heat pump range offers superb operational reliability, excellent quality, and outstanding performance backed up by engineering excellence and lifetime support. One of the lightest commercial heat pumps on the market, it features a co-efficiency of performance (COP) rating of up to 4.85, to provide efficient, low-carbon heating. The seven models in the range have six nominal outputs of between 14 to 70kW, which can also be cascaded to achieve higher outputs in larger installations.

Faced with a fault on their existing heat pump and unable to source a company willing to provide a quote to repair it, Shastid Energy decided to replace its entire heat pump system. However, confronted with long expected delivery dates, John Atkinson from Shastid Energy turned to Hamworthy Heating for advice. Quick to resolve the issue, a new 14kW air source heat pump was delivered to the Shastid offices within three days, ready for installation straight out of the box. Tyneham heat pump components are conveniently housed in the main unit which is compact and lightweight for ease of commission and installation. The new system was successfully up and running within two days. www.hamworthy-heating.com

Metrotile Launches Innovative New Fully-Integrated Solar Tile

Metrotile UK, a leading supplier and manufacturer of lightweight steel roofing systems has launched its innovative, fully-integrated solar tile, the ‘eQube’, providing an easy to install, efficient and stylistic option for renewable energy solutions.

The eQube tile, manufactured in partnership with Verditek who produce the solar cells, has been specially pressed into Metrotile’s popular Qube profile to provide an integrated, sleek solar panel that is designed to be installed all in one installation, making the process of providing solar power to homes a less daunting and more efficient task. The benefits of a fully-integrated solar tile means it adds no additional height, therefore providing an attractive aesthetic design whilst reducing the need for retrofitting traditional photovoltaic panels to an existing roof system.

Traditional PV panels also raise weight bearing concerns to roofs, which the eQube overcomes with each tile adding only 1kg to the roof –roughly 6 times lighter than conventional PV panels. The lightweight nature and ease of installation and transport makes it a viable

option for providing solar power for offsite and modular construction. From a technical perspective, Metrotile can guarantee the eQube for 25 years, whilst also offering a 10-year peak performance warranty. Each tile provides 67W of power - 60 tiles for 4kwh - generating enough power for a standard detached house, providing the same efficiency per square metre as many traditional PV systems. Metrotile designed the eQube with many of the normal drawbacks of conventional solar panels in mind.

There are 21 individual multicristaline cells per tile, ensuring that if one fails, the rest of the cells keep working. The state of the art thinfilm busbar filament technology confirms the tiles as self-cleaning, with no requirement for maintenance as dirt and silt won’t stick to the panels. Another main benefit of the eQube is that it runs on daylight energy, not sunlight like many traditional panels, a major plus in the UK with the volume of gloomy days year round!

www.metrotile.co.uk

WHAT

Marble-Inspired Luxury Upstairs And Downstairs With CRL Stone

When Abigail and her partner moved into their 1970s built property in the spring of 2021, they were keen to jump into their very first reno project, with an update to the bathrooms high on their to-do list. Wanting to update the rather tired looking family bathroom on the first floor, the couple really made the most of an awkwardly shaped space by opting for a walk-in shower. Luxurious and spalike, it was essential that the wall coverings were practical, easy to keep clean and, above all, watertight. In order to really make an impact visually, despite the size of the room, the couple opted for a striking, marble-inspired surface. CRL Stone’s Carrara Vagli was the recommendation from their builder, used as a focal point on the shower wall and for a matching splashback to the washbasin and combined with beautiful brushed gold brassware and shower hardware for an elegant, timeless look.

The large format ceramic surface responds to the latest design trends in terms of style, while being extremely hardwearing and easy to care for. Carrara Vagli chosen for this project emulates all the beauty of marble, with a distinctive patterning that creates an opulent ambience. The marble inspired-look was very important to the homeowners, and as Abigail explains, choosing the CRL Stone surface enables the trend to be used in the bathroom, which is not an overly suitable environment for real marble. “I was thinking of longevity and uniqueness when designing the bathrooms,” she comments. “I know you can install marble tiles, but I just wasn’t a fan of how they sat. Whereas, I like having the butterfly effect that was achieved with CRL Stone.” With the upstairs bathroom complete and a success, the time came for the couple to concentrate their efforts on transforming the ground floor bathroom, another area where space was at a premium and where they were keen to follow through with the marble-inspired design, this time with Ceralsio Statuario from CRL Stone.

“The downstairs bathroom used to be accessed via a pocket door with a small hallway. It was such wasted space. I thought of the idea to make this a freestanding ‘chill out zone’, with a ceiling speaker and a feature wall for those chilled out moments. It’s fair to say I am in love with this space and it’s had heaps of compliments, particularly from those that had seen the bathroom as it was previously.” For this space, matt black brassware was chosen as a contrast to the crisp, elegant lines of the marble-effect ceramic surface, again with dramatic effect.

Any reservations the couple initially had about maintenance of their new bathrooms were laid to rest when they realised how easy the ceramic is to clean. “At first I was very careful what I was using cleaning wise as I wouldn’t forgive myself if I caused a mark,” admits Abigail. “But it’s just so easy to care for, with no harsh chemical cleaners needed. You can’t go wrong with some vinegar and hot water, particularly around brushed gold as it’s stops it cracking.“ With the house renovation now complete and more time to enjoy their finished bathrooms, are the homeowners pleased with their choices and the end result? “We are honestly so pleased with it,” they conclude. www.crlstone.co.uk

Skyfold Divides Glasgow University Lecture Theatre

As one of the top 100 universities in the world, Glasgow is continually investing in its facilities. One of the most significant developments in recent years was the opening of the £90m, state-of-the-art James McCune Smith learning and teaching hub, with space for over 2,500 students. Working with architects, HLM, and contractor, Multiplex, Style was specified to install a fully automatic, Skyfold moveable wall to divide the hub’s cavernous lecture theatre.

Skyfold is a world-leading vertically rising moveable wall that is uniquely housed in a ceiling cavity when not in use, meaning that it is completely hidden from view and takes up no room space at all. At the push of a button, it descends gracefully into position, dividing the lecture theatre into two separate rooms with an incredible 51dB acoustic rating, allowing lectures and events to take place either side, completely undisturbed. “This is a really impressive moveable wall system that delivers on all fronts – practicality, acoustic performance and aesthetics,” said David Louden, Style’s director for Scotland. “

It takes less than 5 minutes to divide the room and as you watch it descend into position it really is a truly magnificent mechanism for dividing space. Its ability to cater for stepped lecture theatres is also a huge benefit as that can be a limiting factor with many other types of moveable wall. “Once in situ, the acoustic seals are automatically applied to the correct pressure, offering the optimum acoustic barrier, and the painted steel finish is the perfect complement to the bright, open atmosphere of the room." www.style-partitions.co.uk

Reveal The Texture Of Light With IVC Commercial’s New Carpet Tile

Light Art is the affordable new carpet tile from IVC Commercial, with designs that express the interplay between natural light and woven textiles. The changing hues and balances of cast daylight bring new meaning to the woven organic textiles that inspire Light Art, the new carpet tile from IVC Commercial that’s available in two mix and match designs. In Flare, flashes of bright highlight give structure to its woven effect. Striated highs express light’s influence broken by shadows that bring depth to a floor design with dynamic texture.

Reflect is a design where light casts organic flows across its woven-like texture, expressing light’s ability to expose and conceal, for a sense of natural movement. Flare and Reflect are available in eight mix and match colourways, so you can design layouts which respond to the needs of today’s agile office interiors in a carpet tile that’s affordable. With grey, blue, green and natural tones, Light Art’s colours are highly functional and adaptable to most design schemes.

Made from solution-dyed nylon, Light Art is colourfast and lightfast, as well as stain- resistant. TIVC Commercial has been able to create the designs in a low pile weight that still delivers impressive performance, with both achieving a Class 33 wear classification. The low weight reduces the amount of yarn and so the environmental footprint of the carpet tile – nylon yarn is the most significant material contributor to environmental footprint. www.ivc-commercial.com

Bradite Floor-It On The Menu

Bradite’s versatile, high-performance floor coating, Floor-It, rose to a number of challenges encountered by Norwich-based JB Decorating Services on bars and restaurant projects across the country. FloorIt is a low odour acrylic paint suited to medium traffic areas. It provides an extremely durable surface which is mark, stain and petrol resistant. Its quick drying abilities – touch dry in just 30 minutes and re-coatable after an hour – mean it is highly recommended for business or commercial use, where speed of completion is a major consideration.

“We were after a floor paint that was quick-drying and hard wearing.” Said Jake Bygrave from JB Decorating Services. His regular supplier, Brewers’ South Norwich branch, recommended the Floor-It product. “I was very impressed with it. The application was fantastic.” says Jake, who decorated the floors of three bars in London, Plymouth and York, each with different substrates.

One floor was a non-porous concrete floor and another had been previously painted. As a versatile floor paint suitable for a range of internal or external surfaces, Floor-It was the ideal topcoat for a smooth, durable finish. The third premises had a floor newly fitted with plyboard, and here Bradite One Can was used as a strengthening primer. Making use of the range of products available from Bradite has ensured a first-rate finish for three demanding jobs.

www.bradite.com

DRU Expands The Dik Geurts Vidar Triple Range Of Wood Stoves With Six New Models

rated energy label and easy manual air slide control. The Vidar Triple series now includes small, medium and large models, each with a freestanding or wall-mounted option. The freestanding models have ample wood storage capacity and all models have optional external air connection for clean burning and high efficiency.

Dik Geurts is a name that has been synonymous with wood fires and stoves for over 40 years. Founded in the Netherlands in 1981, the Dik Geurts range is now produced by DRU, established in 1754 and one of Europe’s leading fireplace companies.

The Vidar Triple, with a panoramic, 3-sided fire view, is one of the most popular stoves in the Dik Geurts range. It is Ecodesign compliant with an A

All versions also have infrared side windows, which enable high flames and comfortable heating. In addition, the small Vidar Triple models have an average 4.9 kW heat output, which means, under UK regulations, there is no need to install extra ventilation points in the room.

Dik Geurts wood fires and stoves are available from a national UK network of fireplace dealers. www.drufire.com

Carpet Tile Installation Is A Cinch With F. Ball

F. Ball and Co. Ltd.’s Styccobond F41 carpet tile tackifier has been selected as part of an impressive installation at Cinch headquarters, securing Interface carpet tiles over raised access panels in the offices of the UK’s fastest-growing online used car marketplace. The solvent-free adhesive dries to create a permanently tacky film that prevents loose-lay carpet tiles from moving laterally but allows individual tiles to be lifted and replaced easily when worn or damaged, making it ideal for busy offices with high traffic corridors, and areas with chairs that have castor wheels. I

n this situation, it was chosen to facilitate the temporary removal of tiles to gain access to mechanical and electrical services beneath. The tackifier can be used for securing a wide range of dimensionally stable ‘flat lay’ carpet tiles backed with bitumen/felt, non-woven fabric, PVC and other polymer backings. Where needed, it can be applied over Stopgap smoothing compounds, Stopgap waterproof surface membranes and a wide range of absorbent and non-absorbent subfloors, including structurally sound, smooth and dry concrete, sand/cement screed, plywood, raised access flooring panels and terrazzo. The product is also approved for use in marine flooring installations and is suitable for use over normal under floor heating systems. www.f-ball.co.uk

Adaptable Underfloor Heating Technologies From Schlüter-Systems

Schlüter-Systems, as a leading manufacturer of tile installation products, also offers both conventional underfloor heating (UFH) and an electrical undertile heating alternative suitable for diverse applications: the manufacturer’s two CAD-enabled options for the 21st century - BEKOTEC-THERM and DITRA-HEAT E. The first is a hydronic system that can be installed in the traditional way beneath different floor finishes throughout the home or in commercial buildings. But unlike many rival UFH systems, BEKOTECTHERM is based on studded modular panels which are quick and easy to install and offer a low build height with rapid warm up times.

A screed is laid across the pipe runs and, rather than waiting weeks for it to cure, tiling operations can commence as soon as the surface is hard enough to walk on by using Schlüter-Systems’ DITRA uncoupling mat which means BEKOTEC-THERM is ideal for time-critical refurbishment contracts such as in shops and offices. Then, as an electric powered undertile solution, applications for DITRA-HEAT E are only limited by the imagination: they encompass demisting mirrors, warming walls or seats in spas and showers, and vanity areas or countertops. DITRA-HEAT further finds applications for flooring and plant shelving in conservatories while the system has been specified widely in prestigious locations such as The Lanesborough Hotel and Langham’s in London. For specifiers and architects, as well as installers of flooring finishes wishing to increase their knowledge of underfloor heating technology, Schlüter-Systems also offers a CPD seminar entitled Specifying Integrated Underfloor Heating Systems which can be delivered online or in person. www.schluter.co.uk

Modern Materials For Modern Schools

A new €74 million 23,500 square metre school has been built in Freising, Germany as a showcase of how modern design and educational requirements can be designed in harmony to create a lively and vibrant learning space filled with space and light.

Designed by architects Fuchs and Rudolph Architecture, the combined primary and secondary SteinPark-Schulen school comprises 44 classrooms and ten specialist learning centres along with triple-field sports hall, auditorium, outdoor classrooms and playing fields.

Linked via a central atrium, daylight floods the interior through large windows. To control the acoustics and the problems of reverberated sound from the large windows and hard floors, Troldtekt’s wood wool acoustic panels were specified across the ceilings in the classrooms, open spaces and dining halls to ensure optimal acoustic

performance and to create a pleasant, relaxed learning environment for staff and students. Finished in a white 101 colour, the ultrafine panels complement the window frames and furniture of pale wood and the light- coloured floors.

Founded on the Cradle-to-Cradle design concept and recently attaining Gold certification, Troldtekt’s natural and inherently sustainable panels are available in a variety of different surfaces and colours and contribute positively to a building’s BREEAM, DGNB and LEED ratings.

In addition to their high sound absorption and tactile surface, they offer high durability and low-cost lifecycle performance. Available in various sizes and in four grades, from extreme fine to coarse, the panels can be left untreated or painted in almost any RAL colour. www.troldtekt.co.uk

Photo: Olaf Wiechers, architect MAA

Mapei Aids A Safe Floor Installation At Sunningdale

A Mapei system has been used by Titan Flooring to promote a fast and safe floor installation at Sunningdale SEN School in Sunderland. The project, which included installation of vinyl and carpet tiles throughout the £12.5 million new-build school, was completed for Kier, a leading UK infrastructure services, construction and property group. Sunningdale SEN School is the city’s only specialist school for children with severe, profound and multiple learning difficulties, aged 2-11. The new school replaces an existing facility and now provides extensive therapy provisions including rebound therapy, hydrotherapy pool, sensory facilities and soft play.

During the installation, Titan Flooring installed Mapeproof One Coat – a single application damp proof membrane - to protect the new floor coverings from residual moisture. All-purpose primer, ECO Prim T Plus, was then applied to bond the damp proof membrane to the levelling and smoothing compound - Latexplan Trade. ECO Prim T Plus features a solvent-free, low odour formulation, with EMICODE EC1 Plus for very low emissions of VOC. Following installation of the Latexplan Trade – which benefits from a low odour and protein-free formulation - Titan used two Mapei adhesives for the floor installation: solvent-free Ultrabond ECO Tack TX+ carpet tile tackifier and Ultrabond ECO V4 Evolution all-in-one adhesive for the vinyl. www.mapei.co.uk

Stelrad Enters Electric Radiator Marketplace

Leading radiator manufacturer - Stelrad - has taken another major step in meeting the demands of its customer base across the UK and Ireland with the launch of a range of electric radiators – its Electric Series. It’s the first time the Stelrad brand has ventured into the electric marketplace, and it brings with it the quality and brand values associated with its radiator products since it began manufacturing in 1936. Stelrad is the number one brand within central heating radiators and is now setting its sights on the electric market with a highly competitive range of both steel and aluminium electric radiators. The new Electric Series range will be available through merchants from September 2023.

The range will include a dozen or so different models with a number of sizes of each model available, with standard radiators for any room along with a selection of towel rails specifically targeted at bathrooms and en-suites. As well as offering effective, functional heating in the home, as you would expect from Stelrad, the radiators in the electric series are aesthetically appealing and provide attractive options for the décor in the home and come with a five-year warranty on the heating parts and a two-year warranty on the electric components. www.stelrad.com

Tile of Spain –Tile Trends from Cevisma 2023

After a two year hiatus, the Cevisama tile fair in Valencia returned with a flourish in 2023 and with 436 exhibitors. Exciting new designs, innovative technologies, inventive formats and inspiring trends were all present at a buzzing show that welcomed 74,115 visitors (25% from outside Spain).

Exhibitors, organisers and attendees alike proclaimed the event a significant success. From decorative drama to subtle elegance, from the latest metallic effects to the sophistication of luxe stone looks, the tiles on display had something for everyone.

Colour trends ranged from vibrant yellows to pastel pinks and from serene sea greens to beautiful blues. Pattern was vividly present, either with an ultramodern edge or as a contemporary homage to traditional fabrics and wallpapers. Linear looks were strikingly directional as were volumetric reliefs. A cautiously optimistic mood from the industry looked forward to overcoming the issues from the fuel crisis to the pandemic to supply chain challenges.

Expectations were that a return to growth would be fuelled in part by applying the creative energy so typical of the Spanish tile industry and also by adapting to evolving markets. Furthermore, sustainability remains a core ethos for Spanish manufacturers, combining high-tech solutions with enduring and reliable quality.

Tile of Spain is the voice of the Spanish tile industry, encompassing more than 120 tile manufacturers.

Renowned worldwide for an inspiring blend of aesthetic and technical innovation, Spanish tiles draw on a rich heritage of skill and creativity, while remaining at the cutting edge of design.

Manufactured in Spain and widely available in the UK, these products embody the spirit of an industry that prides itself on proposing beautiful, meaningful and high-performance solutions to flooring, wall coverings, furnishing and external paving and cladding. For further information on Tile of Spain: www.tileofspain.com

Modern Materials House Classic Vehicles

‘Autobarn’ is an unusual build comprising an elegant fivebay garage and accompanying workshop sitting within the grounds of a Grade-II listed 18th-century home in Somerset. Designed by Bindloss Dawes Architects, the brief was to create a garage with an adjoining workshop to house the client’s classic car collection. The finished result is an aesthetically beautiful building with its deceptively simple wooden barn-themed styling using agricultural materials such as concrete and recycled wood under a zinc roof.

With surfaces comprising steel, timber and polished concrete floor, the architects incorporated Troldtekt acoustic panels to clad both the walls and ceilings between the steel frames for sound absorption and to combat the issue of reverberating noise. The added advantage of having services hidden behind the white panelling means the final result is a stunning simplistic and minimalist design allowing the classic cars to be the focus of attention and transforming the space into more of a gallery than a traditional garage.

Troldtekt acoustic panels are available in a variety of different surfaces and colours and combine sound absorption with a tactile surface. With an expected life cycle of at least 50 years and resistance to humidity and impact, they are available in various sizes and four grades, from extreme fine to coarse. The panels can be left untreated or painted in almost any RAL colour. Depending on the panel specified, reaction to fire is classed in accordance with EN 13501 as B-s1,d0 or A2-s1,d0 respectively.

Founded on the Cradle-to-Cradle design concept and having attained Gold certification, Troldtekt wood wool acoustic panels are manufactured using wood from certified forests (PEFC ™ and FSC ® C115450) and can contribute positively to a building’s BREEAM, DGNB or LEED points. www.troldtekt.com

Sto Helps Keep The Noise Down For New University Swimming Pool

A significant milestone of a University’s Estate Masterplan has been completed with the use of an acoustic system solution provided by Sto. The company’s StoSilent Distance system and StoDecosit interior plaster now provide a practical and comfortable acoustic environment for the new 25-metre, 8-lane pool at the University of Portsmouth’s £57M Ravelin Sports Centre. “When it comes to coping with the warm and humid atmosphere found in swimming pools, the StoSilent Distance system is the most rugged and reliable solution on today’s market,” comments Sto’s technical consultant, James Gosling. “That made it an obvious choice for the University of Portsmouth sports project.” The StoSilent Distance system was installed as a suspended ceiling using Sto’s specially protected sub-construction, which is epoxy powder-coated to protect against corrosion. StoSilent Distance acoustic boards were then fixed to the sub-construction, which can be adjusted to any shape of room to form a homogeneous, seamless surface.

These high-performance acoustic boards are manufactured from blown glass granulate and are bonded to a backing laminate. This prevents any air from flowing through them and causing marking or staining on the completed ceiling, but still allows them to attenuate sound waves. For this project the boards were finished with StoSilent Décor M – a sound-permeable silicate acoustic coating which creates a seamless, clean and attractive appearance that will resist attack from the humid atmosphere.

“The system can be installed as a suspended ceiling or as a wall covering, adds a spokesman for the Broadsword Group who installed the Sto materials. “It’s easy to cut and work, and can be adjusted, allowing you to create sound-absorbent, smooth surfaces or sharp joints and creases as required.”

“The building has been designed to set new standards for sustainable sports buildings, and this made StoSilent Distance an excellent choice as the insulation boards are manufactured using 96% recycled glass granulate,” adds James Gosling. “Providing a reliable and effective acoustic treatment in the harsh environment of a swimming pool can be a real challenge, but our StoSilent Distance system has been proven on this type of application many times over.”

Sto also provided an interior plaster solution for the walls of the Ravelin Sports Centre swimming pool. The company’s StoDecosit plaster is ideal for this type of application as it combines the best properties of emulsion-based plasters and silicate plasters into a single product, and has excellent mold-resistant and moisture management characteristics. Made-up of 97% natural ingredients, preservative-free and Natureplus-certified, it meets the highest environmental standards, and it creates a rugged, impact-resistant and hard-wearing finish for the walls. www.sto.co.uk

Introducing The MEISTERSTÜCK OYO DUO - A New Designer Bathtub From Kaldewei

Kaldewei has introduced their latest free-standing bathtub the OYO DUO, a MEISTERSTÜCK bathtub specifically created for small and large bathrooms and designed by Stefan Diez. Demonstrating how luxury and sustainability can go hand in hand, even in smaller bathrooms the OYO DUO can turn a bathroom into a private spa.

Kaldewei is a family owned and run company and the environment is of utmost importance to them, they have been manufacturing steel enamel sanitaryware for over 100 years. The fusion of glass and steel creates a stunning high gloss enamel finish that is both durable and hygienic. As part of their commitment to the environment Kaldewei has started to manufacture their products using Bluemint steel, which reduces their carbon output by 70%. The OYO DUO is the newest highlight to emerge from Kaldewei’s LUXSTAINABILITY world, where luxury and sustainability combine.

Crafted by leading designer Stefan Diez, who as part of his design process, ensured that each of the bathtubs components can at some future point be returned to the material cycle without any problems. The elegant double-walled bathtub has been inspired by Japanese porcelain and is comprised of 100 percent recyclable and sustainable steel enamel. It has been created to look as if it is almost floating across the bathroom floor.

The MEISTERSTÜCK OYO DUO has been designed to hold less water, further benefiting the environment, it is also extremely comfortable, the perfect size to immerse your body and relax. The MEISTERSTÜCK OYO DUO is available in two sizes in addition to alpine white the bathtub is available in a range of colours from Kaldewei’s Coordinated Colours Collection. The enables the OYO DUO to work perfectly in any bathroom. www.kaldewei.co.uk

doors, windows & glazing

World Class Solution For Stunning Barn Refurbishment

Echoing the slim lines of the Visoglide doors, are the 16 Alitherm 300 casement windows and 3 EcoFutural tilt and turn windows which deliver outstanding thermal performance as well as contributing to the sleek and elegant aesthetic of the barn.

Continuing the design theme, at the rear of the property, an Alitherm Plus residential door has been installed, while a Sherbourne front door from Smart’s statement Designer Door range completes the scheme. With all the windows and doors finished in a textured black, polyester powder coat paint finish, the building will maintain its stylish good looks for many years to come, with only minimal maintenance required. www.smartsystems.co.uk

Systems from Smart Architectural Aluminium’s high-quality window and door ranges have been installed in a barn refurbishment, bringing a new lease of life to the stunning building and echoing the outstanding quality of the design and material specification of the home’s interior and exterior.

Owned by Sally Bigg OBE and her husband Jonathan, the barn is situated in West Sussex, with the 72-year-old building sitting in two acres of land. Sally is perhaps better known by her maiden name, Gunnell, and was winner of the 1992 Olympic gold medal in the 400 metre hurdles. A former world and still the British record holder, Sally is the only female British athlete to have won Olympic, World, European and Commonwealth titles.

With such a distinguished client, the pressure was on Smart and the fabrication and installation team of Everglade Windows and Shaws Installations respectively, to deliver a world class solution to meet the performance and aesthetic needs of the project. Sally had previously owned the property and moved away, but bought it back in 2019 with a view to completely refurbishing it and moving her family back in.

Around the barn, five sets of Smart’s Visoglide lift and slide doors have been installed to create a light and airy environment throughout, as well as to provide a link between the internal and external living spaces when the doors are open.

Rundum Original Meets Bavarian Brief For Contemporary Elegance

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

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

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

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

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

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

The brief was to provide a door that capable of spanning a four-bay garage and be consistent with the rest of the timber used throughout the property. This was perfectly suited to Rundum Meir, who manufacture every garage door specifically to meet a project’s requirements, which in this case was to use sustainably sourced Larch. This door was hand-made at Rundum Meir’s manufacturing centre near Munich.

Crittall’s End Of The Pier Show

Crittall steel framed windows more than a mile out to sea at the mouth of the Thames Estuary are looking as good as new. The company’s managing director Russell Ager made the discovery on a recent visit to Southend when on a bracing stroll to the end of the world’s longest pier.

Crittall windows were installed in the pier’s narrow gauge railway station in 2009. “The mile walk out to sea was tinged with trepidation,” admits Russell. “What condition will the windows be in?” But there was no cause for concern.

“Thirteen years into their service life and the windows look incredible, as good as the day they were installed,” he says.

Coping with the hostile salty environment and a continuous battering by easterly winds proved no problem for the galvanised, powder-coated windows. The powder coating is a dual-coat system featuring a primer and topcoat specially formulated to perform in aggressive environments by Akzo Nobel and applied by Crittall’s expert in-house coating team. www.crittall-windows.co.uk

Performance Is Key In Hospitality Projects

By Wojciech Brożyna - MD of Aluprof UK

Saving energy reduces carbon footprint and saves costs. This has always been true, but in the past, when energy costs were low and carbon emissions ignored, the incentive to invest in energy saving projects did not make economic sense at that time. With higher energy costs today and the recognition across the globe, we must do more to reduce our global warming by reducing carbon emissions; it is now something all companies are striving to achieve. Consumers are also becoming savvy and listening to those companies who are making the biggest strides in adopting and promoting a green agenda.

In fact, most consumers are reviewing their own spending actions and trying where possible to reduce their carbon footprint, from spending on groceries to spending on holidays and hospitality. Costs aside, consumers are now making choices based on hospitality providers’ green agenda. Sustainability, a buzz-word that may be overused and misunderstood by many, in simple terms, can be interpreted as ‘doing it once and doing it right’. Connecting this principle to the fabric of a building relates to increased insulation and reduced air permeability of the structure. Together both can offer significant savings in energy costs and, taking a ‘fabric first’ approach, should be considered as the most cost effective first step.

In ‘new build’ the current building regulations stipulate the minimum insulation requirement of windows to be a U value of 1.4 W/m²K with walls at 0.18 W/m²K, but this can be further lowered by the adoption of Passivhaus construction, which takes the insulation values down even lower to 0.8 W/m²K for windows and walls as low

as 0.08 W/m²K. Together with increased levels of air tightness in the building construction, the space heating demands (or heat load) on the building can be reduced to just 15kWh/m 2 of annual space heating demand, which is around 90% less than a typical UK building. Whilst Passivhaus standard hotels are relatively new on the scene, the demand for buildings designed to this specification is on the increase with homes, offices, public buildings and student accommodation currently in use with further projects under construction. Scotland has been quick to pick up on the rise of the Passivhaus specification and the government in Scotland have adopted this principle, stating that they will have a similar specification in Scotland brought into legislation for all new homes from the end of 2024.

But even the smallest incremental improvements in building construction can have significant impact on energy savings. Boutique hotels are in demand at the moment mixing traditional with modern amenities. The Indigo Hotel for example in Manchester combines a new build, a 15-storey circular tower, with the renovation of an existing Grade Two listed building.

Architects 3DReid, who designed the 187 guest room fivestar boutique hotel, specified high thermal performance windows and curtain wall systems from Aluprof UK for the development. Another stunning example of refurbishment is the Bodmin Jail Hotel, designed by Twelve Architects. The 18th century prison has been completely restored and reinvented as a luxury boutique hotel. Offering seventy boutique rooms, set over four storeys, constructed from three former cells, the hotel’s each room has a story to tell of a previous inmate.

The Bodmin Jail Hotel offers a full sensory accommodation experience that intertwines the imposing original architecture of the three hundred year old jail with high performance windows supplied by Aluprof UK which help keep residents cool in summer and warm in winter with airtight and thermally efficient aluminium windows that match the original style of windows used on the building. Any hotel, which is thirty or more years old, could benefit from replacement windows and doors. Thermal breaks in aluminium windows have advanced a great deal, as have calculations of thermal insulation and air permeability through building structures. As an exercise in its own right, a full review of a hotel will reveal what savings can be made in energy usage that can be reinvested in building fabric improvements; windows are an obvious target for replacement, with payback being achieved in as little as five years.

As well as improved levels of insulation and reduced air permeability from new windows, aluminium systems now offer exceptional levels of sustainability with low levels of maintenance required. Today’s powder coated profiles and anodised finishes offer decades of life expectancy, so aluminium-framed systems are not unique to just new builds. Aluminium systems can be supplied in modern style profiles and profiles that hark back to when steel windows were popular, offering very slim sightlines. No matter the age of the building, an aluminium window system can be chosen to complement the building design in appearance whilst improving energy savings and improving the hotel's appeal.

Aluprof UK, part of Aluprof founded in Poland, have been supporting specifiers in the UK for over 15 years with advanced systems that include, windows doors and facade systems. Many UK based fabricators and installers supply these systems and offer surveys and cost analysis as to what improvements can be made with likely paybacks. Further information about systems and specification support is available through the company’s website at aluprof. co.uk or direct from their UK head office in Altrincham by phoning +44 (0)161 941 4005.

Hörmann Entrance And Garage Doors

– The Perfect Match With New Duragrain Décor Colours

Hörmann have introduced five new Duragrain Décor colours to their LPU 42 L-ribbed sectional garage door range which provide a perfect match to their ThermoSafe Decoral aluminium entrance doors. Developed to provide discerning specifiers and consumers with the ability to create a real point of difference for any home, five modern finishes are available – Cement, Rusty Pantina, Wild Oak, Barnwood and Barnwood Grey, Hörmann’s market leading sectional doors offer a winning combination of high-quality materials, safe operation, and good thermal insulation properties. For added peace of mind all automated Hörmann sectional doors are supplied with Secured by Design as standard (subject to fitting criteria and door style selection).

The five new Décor colours are available with the company’s Duragrain finish which is extremely hardwearing and scratch resistant. An innovative, UV-resistant digital print is applied onto the primed sections of the door with the Duragrain protective coating added to safeguard against environmental effects and keep the door looking beautiful for years to come. The matching ThermoSafe Decoral entrance door is manufactured to the highest quality standards and features a solid 73mm aluminium door leaf installed within an aluminium frame.

The door is robust yet elegant, providing high levels of security, long life, good acoustic insulation, and excellent thermal properties with a U-value of 0.87 W/M 2 K being achievable. The Decoral finish is applied to the powder coated surfaces of the ThermoSafe door using a patented coating method resulting in a beautiful, colour fast and detailed appearance. The doors are supplied with a standard frame in Jet black and are available with the exterior handles and embellishments in Jet black or in one of the Decoral colour options to match or contrast. www.hormann.co.uk

New Virtual Showroom Featuring Reynaers’ Premium Products

Reynaers Aluminium UK has launched a new 360-degree virtual showroom to showcase what can be achieved with the latest aluminium systems, bringing a close-up look at its glazed solutions to customers’ fingertips. While Reynaers has a comprehensive showroom at its Birmingham headquarters, featuring many of its windows, sliding and bi-fold doors, and curtain walling systems, the high quality interactive virtual showroom will make viewing the finished product instantly accessible to fabricators, installers, architects, and homeowners across the country.

This latest step in Reynaers’ digitalisation drive takes the customer on a journey through the different products available to gain an insight into how they would look on a completed project – including information points to provide further details about each product and links to online specifications. ‘Hotspots’ on the Reynaers at Home version will provide general information geared specifically towards homeowners. Designed to replicate the existing showroom, which has the largest selection of Reynaers products anywhere in the UK, the new digital version will make viewing the installed product more accessible to Reynaers’ national network of installers and fabricators. It will also help to support the company’s goals to operate more sustainably and cut carbon emissions wherever possible. www.reynaers.co.uk

Ibis Warmly Welcomes Guests With Tormax Automatic Access

Successfully creating a more welcoming lobby for visiting guests, the Ibis Styles NEC hotel in Birmingham recently contracted TORMAX to install a double set of automatic sliding doors to the main entrance. The new design more effectively maintains the ambient temperature of reception area, which features a full height atrium, whilst also streamlining busy check-in and check-out times thanks to a more efficient entrance/exit facility. Delivering reliable and seamless access for all guests, the entrance is powered by two user-friendly, TORMAX 2201 door drives. Measuring just 142mm x 100mm, these operators are particularly neat and compact, making them unobtrusive for both contemporary and traditional settings.

“Originally the Ibis Styles hotel featured two sets of automatic swing doors,” explains Andy Burne, Property Manager for Starboard Hotels, which includes the Ibis brand. “However, we were finding that the prolonged opening times of swing doors meant that cold air was coming into the building unnecessarily, making an uncomfortable environment for our receptionists and guests.” Starboard Hotels tendered for the entrance upgrade to several companies and selected TORMAX based on their reputation for excellent support, both with installation and aftercare. www.tormax.co.uk

Outdoor Living Made Easy With CRL Glass Rooms And Louvred Pergolas

The CRL Outdoor Living Collection offers a wealth of opportunities to make the most of a property’s exterior, whatever the weather. All year round CRL Glass Rooms and Louvred Pergolas provide a comfortable environment to enjoy outdoor areas, while protecting from the changing seasons, whether it be sun, wind or rain.

CRL Glass Rooms are completely bespoke, with a range of fitting options now available. The wallsupported option can be chosen with just two vertical supports with a projection of up to 6m and a simple two-post design for a minimalistic look, while using three or more vertical supports the CRL Glass Room can span even the largest of spaces.

Tricky corners can be negotiated with a wallsupported Glass Room with a 90° Corner, giving a dual aspect across the outdoor area. For even more flexibility in outdoor living design, the new CRL Freestanding Glass Room can span areas up to 6m by 4.5m with a maximum height of 3m, ideal to cover hot tubs, pools and outdoor kitchens and allowing them to be used even in inclement weather. By combining multiple Freestanding Glass Rooms large areas can be spanned, ideal for commercial purposes.

Just as flexible are CRL Louvred Pergolas. The remote-controlled bioclimatic slats on the freestanding structure are easily adjustable to let light through and promote airflow while keeping out harsh glare or can be completely closed for protection from the rain. CRL Glass Rooms and Pergolas have a modern progressive design, all the individual components such as rafters and wall connectors have been designed to complement each other perfectly, creating a sophisticated and modern appearance.

Its timeless design integrates seamlessly with almost all types of architecture and with the range of optional extras, including blinds, heating, and lighting, it is simple to create an outdoor living space in keeping with its surroundings. www.crlglassrooms.co.uk

High Performance Flat Roof Windows In New Build Passivhaus

Sort Trae is a new build Passivhaus set in a steeply sloping site in Thurgoland, Barnsley. The owner, a former architect, designed the scheme up to planning and HEM Architects were then commissioned to turn the design intent into an ultra-low energy and comfortable home. The house is a 2-bed home, with the lower storey set into the hill. There is an attached weaving studio where the owner works. The house takes advantage of the beautiful views to the south and is a bold, contemporary home, clad in black timber and open-jointed stone.

The rooflights set on top of the studio are a key part of the roof, visible from the entrance to the site and the house. Their crisp design met the architects desire for an elegant and unfussy roofscape. HEM Architects chose FAKRO flat roof windows for their thermal performance and the performance of the integrated kerbs. The FAKRO windows used were: 2 x FAKRO DXF-DU6 flat roof window – 600 x 900mm unit size, 1 x FAKRO DXF-DU6 flat roof window – 1200 x 2200mm unit size, 1 x FAKRO DXF-DU8 flat roof window – 800 x 800mm unit size. FAKRO flat roof windows are designed for roofs with pitches between 0° and 15°. Choose from a range of styles, sizes, and colours. From flat roof access doors to award-winning walk-on skylights. www.inspired.fakro.co.uk

doors, windows & glazing

Profab Access Adds A Five Star Finish To Cardiff’s Newest Luxury Hotel

Leading riser door and access panel solution supplier, Profab Access, has proven its first-class credentials once again as part of the recent completion of a major specification at Cardiff’s new 5-star Parkgate hotel. Located next to the Welsh Capital’s famous Principality Stadium, the Parkgate hotel has been designed to provide a luxurious experience for rugby fans, in addition to city dwellers visiting the country all year round.

Widely coined as Cardiff’s most lavish new location, the hotel includes 170 guest bedrooms and suites, a signature restaurant and bar, a traditional tea lounge and a rooftop spa overlooking the city skyline. As

part of the prestigious build, a unique collaboration between the Welsh Rugby Union, property developer, Rightacres, and The Celtic Collection, the hotel required an extensive riser door specification, with safety, high performance and aesthetic appeal key considerations.

In total, 310 Profab Access VEGA 1500 Fire Rated Riser Doors were specified for installation by Hazelwood Carpentry throughout every part of the building, including communal areas and the hotel’s vast range of luxury guest rooms and suites. The VEGA 1500 Series Riser Doors offer the highest standards of fire safety, extensively tested by Efectis in France and Ireland to provide a bidirectionally fire tested product that is available in both single and double door configurations.

This means the riser door sets are fire tested from both sides to 60 minutes, providing the specifiers, contractors and hotel guests residing within the building with confidence the critical fire integrity products offer the highest standard and most up to date evidence for fire safety performance. The range also features a slimline, neat construction, whilst its proven technology ensures permanent, safe access to mechanical and electrical services housed within the riser core.

This provides first class functionality and safety, without compromising the overall interior concept. The steel riser doors also streamlined the installation process, as the quick release pivot hinge and light weight enabled easy handling, allowing Hazelwood Carpentry to complete the job quickly and optimise overall project efficiencies.

In the event of a fire, the VEGA 1500 Series Riser Door sets will maintain the frame and integrity for up to 60 minutes, preventing the spread of fire throughout the property for this

period of time. The riser doors are 31dB acoustic rated, smoke sealed and airtight to Part L, whilst also featuring intumescent smoke seals that enable occupants to safely exit the building. By specifying bi-directionally fire tested VEGA 1500 Series Riser Doors, the development is actively future proofed as the comprehensive testing certification provides a complete and transparent audit trail of due diligence that evidences the products are not only fit for purpose but meet the duty of care required to ensure legal compliance.

Profab Access’ diverse portfolio of riser doors and access panels are supported by a wide range of BIM Level 2 and CAD files to aid the specification process and streamline the initial design stages. Manufactured at Profab Access’ Atherstone headquarters in accordance with ISO 9001, the 1500 Series Riser Doors can be specified and installed in a range of configurations to meet each project’s specific measurements and requirements. www.profabaccess.com

doors, windows & glazing

Crittall Windows

Hit Thermal Targets At World Heritage Site

Crittall Corporate W20 windows are an important component in the refurbishment and upgrade of a prominent industrial site in historic Bath. Newark Works is recognised as a masterclass in the retrofitting of heritage buildings that has transformed a former riverside heavy engineering factory into 21 st century workspace.

The buildings, dating from 1857 to 1905, are Grade II listed and sit within Bath’s designated World Heritage Site. They were formerly the home of world-renowned crane makers Stothert & Pitt but had fallen into serious disrepair. Their location as part of a larger Bath Quays redevelopment spurred their reuse, underpinned by sensitive treatment, to create 40,000sq.ft of modern workspace.

“We specified the Crittall W20 system to replace the existing, single-glazed, cast-iron framed windows that were at the end of their life and deemed beyond repair,” said Nick Brown, Director of Ferguson Mann Architects.

He explained: “The Crittall W20 system was chosen due to the need to use a window system that could sympathetically reproduce the fenestration of the large industrial windows – many of which were 3.6m tall - but also provide a huge thermal improvement.” It was recognised that retaining the original cast iron windows and introducing secondary glazing was neither economically viable nor appropriate aesthetically.

“The slim profiles of the Crittall W20 system meant we didn’t have to compromise on the amazing amount of natural light coming into the interior whilst improving the air tightness and reducing the overall heat loss of the building through the windows,” said Brown.

He added: “Crittall were also able to recreate the opening vent arrangement of the existing windows, meaning we could also improve the natural ventilation provision to the new workspaces.” Consulting engineers Buro Happold calculated that just replacing the existing single-glazed windows with new double-glazed alternatives with a U-value of 1.8W/m2K would result in a 16 percent annual energy saving.

That translated to 21.4 tonnes of CO₂. Over the building’s lifespan of, say, 25 years, that equated to a 535-tonne reduction in CO₂ emissions. In view of the heritage credentials of the buildings, planners and conservation officers at Bath & North East Somerset Council were consulted on the desire to replace the original fenestration with like-for-like steel windows.

The local authority was keen that the buildings should be brought back into use after several previous failed attempts. The wanted the site’s historic significance to be respected while avoiding the desire to turn Newark Works into a ‘museum piece’. The installation of Crittall W20 was approved and two of the original cast-iron windows have been retained and refurbished as a reminder of the original building but not in a way so as to compromise the improved thermal performance of the whole. Summing up, Nick Brown comments: “Everyone is really pleased with the final result.” www.crittall-windows.co.uk

New Dorchester DR-SG Stainless Steel Water Heater From Hamworthy Provides A Durable And Long-Lasting Solution

Hamworthy Heating, a trusted British manufacturer and supplier of commercial heating and hot water products, is pleased to announce the introduction of its new Dorchester DR-SG range of stainless steel condensing water heaters with enhanced durability and large continuous outputs. The Dorchester DR-SG is available in ten power outputs over three storage capacities and features a durable stainless-steel tank, heat exchanger and coil for enhanced performance, efficiency, and increased service life.

Suitable for both renovation and new build projects, including locations with substantial and continuous hot water demands such as hotels and sports facilities, the Dorchester DR-SG meets all of the latest Building Regulations and offers significantly improved efficiency and performance when replacing a non-condensing water heater. Featuring a robust design, the Dorchester DR-SG is designed to offer outstanding performance under challenging water conditions and cope with the extremities of soft and hard water. Suitable for retrofit into a vast number of installations due to being approved for multiple flue system types, all Dorchester DR-SG models are convertible to run on LPG. www.hamworthy-heating.com

New Flexible Connection Product –Simplicity Itself…..

There’s a brand new product available to heating installers and plumbers – and like all great new ideas it’s simple. This new product comes courtesy of Navigator – one of the leading suppliers to building and plumbers merchants up and down the country. The Serpent is the new way to make flexible connections – particularly if you’re working in a restricted, confined space – like under a sink where there are several other pipes and fittings, or if its fully on display and you don’t want a mesh connector that quickly rusts or at best, loses its pristine look soon after fitting. And it’s an all stainless steel construction product – so its reliable and does the job 100%.

The Serpent has no inner liner to rupture or block, and even when the hose is bent to an acute angle, the full bore is maintained, resulting in perfect flow and much easier installation. The pressure rating and flexibility of the product has been successfully tested for leakage and pressure to BS EN ISO 1086:2023 which specifies a maximum test pressure of 31.5 BAR and a leak test of 1.5 times that pressure. It’s NSF Regulation-4 approved for use with potable water and uses only WRAS approved materials, it comes in white and has a wipe clean outer cover. It can be bent and re-bent – it won’t split or snap. The fittings at either end – and there are a wide selection of these, both sizes and end connections - are stainless steel and easy to tighten and loosen. It’s a dream product and its available from all good plumbers merchants. www.navigatormsl.com

New Programmable Room Thermostat Launched

By ESi

ESi has responded to the current economic climate with the introduction of its latest quality heating control – the RTP4 Touch programmable room thermostat. This latest introduction is capable of controlling heating and hot water systems via combi, system or heat only boilers. When installed with the ESi WIFI hub, homeowners and tenants heating and hot water can be controlled via Alexa or the ESi Centro App. Vitally, the load compensation functionality, available via OpenTherm technology, modulates the flow temperature dependant on the desired room temperature, saving up to 15% on gas usage – a benefit not to be overlooked in the current situation where energy prices have leapt to a huge new high in the UK.

The 4 Touch has a large backlit LCD display and touch screen making it simple-to-use and programme. It offers optimum start/stop and delayed start functions offering additional cost savings for users, 7 day, 5/2 day or 24 hour options to suit the homeowner or tenants lifestyles, automatic summer/winter change settings and has home, manual, away, sleep and holiday modes long with its popular landlord service interval reminder. The new unit is battery controlled and comes with a low power indicator to show simply when the battery needs replacing. www.esicontrols.co.uk.

First Choice Heat Pump Solution For New Build Housing

The new LG R32 Monobloc range has already had a massive impact on the residential heat pump market in the UK. Its new Monobloc S version of the unit which combines the indoor and outdoor features in one module is connected by only water piping, eliminating the need for refrigerant piping, making this heat pump an installer’s dream when it comes to ease of installation. Hydronic components like the improved plate heat exchanger, the expansion tank, water pump, flow sensor, pressure sensor, air vent valve and safety valve are all built in - inside the outdoor unit – pre-installed and ready to run. And the R32 Monobloc ‘S’ provides excellent heating performance especially at low ambient temperatures whilst lowering its carbon emissions even more with the use of R32.

The original version was extremely quiet, but this new ‘S’ version is even quieter and up to 9kW units can be installed at the minimum of 4 metres away, and up to 16kW units - up to 5 metres away from neighbouring houses complying with international noise regulations. Installers and specifiers will love the new Monobloc ‘S’ – the all-in-one concept and reduced weight of the unit makes for easier and quicker installations. The new version requires lower amounts of refrigerant compared to the existing model – 16.7% less in fact – reducing emissions and lessening its environmental impact still further. www.lg.com/uk/heating-awhp.

Rinnai Hybrid System Provides Practical, Economic, And Technical Solution At Luxury Complex In The City Of London

Rinnai Low-GWP 55kW Heat Pump, bespoke thermal stores, Plate Heat Exchangers and 10 cascaded I2HY20 Hydrogen- ready continuous flow water heaters specified at new development in the heart of Farringdon district of London. On this site Rinnai’s Hybrid H2 array of Low-GWP 55kW heat pump plus bespoke hot water stores, with optimised coil transfer to maximize heat pump performance, have been combined with ten cascaded Hydrogen blends ready (I2HY20 certified) continuous flow water heaters. The systems were delivered in one complete consignment, ready for installation at a new multi-million-pound development in the Farringdon district near the City of London.

The expansive complex will comprise of a new luxury hotel, prestigious &a contemporary office space plus affordable housing units. The multi-purpose use of the site meant that only a fitfor-purpose design would satisfy the practicalities and nuances of space, demand and energy usage in ensuring hot water requirements are met and exceeded 24/7. The site was originally a Victorian-era schoolhouse for poor children. It was a ‘Ragged School’ - the term 'ragged school' was used by the London City Mission as early as 1840 to describe the establishment of schools, ‘formed exclusively for children raggedly clothed'.

From around 1845 until 1881, the London ‘Ragged’ schools gave rudimentary education to about 300,000 children who were the poorest of the poor - orphans, waifs and strays. The expansive retro-fit site will pay respect to this heritage with many of the original features retained in the 150+ bedroom luxury hotel, almost 20,000 sq ft of opulent capital city office space and nine new-build affordable residential units. The hotel group already has one other unit in London with two others planned.

Comments Darren Woodward for Rinnai, "The site is very complex and still has many original features from the Victorian era –meaning that a full and comprehensive site survey with capital expenditure, operational expenditure and carbon modelling was conducted. We paid special attention to the practical requirements of the site which included 150 luxury bedrooms that needed constant hot water on demand, but we also needed to meet the site’s decarbonisation credentials. The overall system design meant that a truly hybrid system employing a heat pump, plate heat exchangers, bespoke thermal stores plus Hydrogenready hot water heating units was supplied in one complete consignment."

“We believe that a solution like this is the way forward on the bigger retrofit sites in London and all other UK cities. Once we had the data for capital expenditure, operational expenditure and carbon modelling we were able to demonstrate to the clients a value proposition of a delivered-to-site-in-one-package. This site has proven that Hybrids can create a practical, economic and technical feasible solution whereby all technologies and appliances work efficiently in terms of operational costs and lowering the carbon footprint without impacting overall system performance."

www.rinnai-uk.co.uk

Omnie Adds Al Hex Heat Diffuser Technology To UFH Systems

OMNIE, the award-winning UK underfloor heating specialist, will be incorporating the advanced AL HEX aluminium diffuser technology on all its foiled underfloor heating systems, as standard, with immediate effect. The patented AL HEX foil, with its trademark hexagonal patten, increases the in-channel foiled surface area that is in contact with the warm water pipe.  The result is greater heat output, faster heat transfer and a more even heat distribution across a floor area, plus it avoids the risk of damage due to heat ‘striping’.  Striping is caused when heat in the warm water pipe doesn’t diffuse into the floor panel effectively and, instead, creates hot spots and hot lines on the floor surface finish.  Prolonged exposure to striping can damage both the floor finish and the subfloor, particularly if the installer raises the temperature of the water to try and improve the diffusion.

Says Brendan Hourican, OMNIE’s Managing Director, “because it is so efficient at transferring heat, AL HEX works very well with lower water temperatures.  This means it improves the performance of the underfloor heating, which is a huge benefit when the system is paired with a heat pump. AL HEX is manufactured by OMNIE’s parent company RIDGESPEAR and used under licence by OMNIE.  www.omnie.co.uk www.al-hex.com

Nuaire Creates A Storm At Primary School For Clean Air Day

To mark this year’s Clean Air Day, UK ventilation solutions provider Nuaire is delighted to have participated in an awareness event at Jubilee Park Primary School in Newport on the 15th June. The Clean Air Day event, organised by Newport City Council, was attended by 30 children from five local schools and featured several organisations helping students learn about the sources and dangers of pollution, and highlighting the importance of clean air. Nuaire demonstrated its Drimaster-Eco Positive Input Ventilation (PIV) system, which removes condensation and dampness from homes, but the star of the show was undoubtedly the Cyclone game where children had to grab as many ‘pollutant’ balls out of the cyclone within a set time!

The interactive game was not only huge amounts of fun, but had a genuine purpose: it helped illustrate the need to remove pollution from the air we breathe, and provided a time based activity that is good for improving concentration. According to the World Health Organisation, air pollution is not only damaging to children’s lung function, but also affects neurodevelopment, leading to lower cognitive test outcomes, negatively affecting mental and motor development. That’s why this year’s Clean Air Day theme is “Clean up the air to look after your mind”, encouraging people to find out more about how air pollution impacts our mental, physical and planet's health. www.nuaire.co.uk

‘Safe To Touch’ Heating – Sorted…..

There are responsibilities that many building owners have for providing a safe environment. And safe heating is one of those responsibilities. And leading radiator manufacturer Stelrad Radiators is at the forefront of providing the largest range of designs, shapes and sizes on the marketplace. LST – low surface temperatureradiators are key where there is a need to meet NHS Guidance for ‘Safe Hot Water and surface temperature’ – in hospitals, care and nursing homes, as well as sheltered housing, schools and nurseries and in an increasing amount of general needs housing that may be used by vulnerable people during that home’s lifetime.

as possible to those for whom they are designed to provide heating – so as well as the attractive casings, in a variety of styles, designed to never exceed 43 degrees centigrade, they will include rounded corners and edges to the design to avoid damage from sharp edges.

Remembering that LST radiators are in the main installed in buildings to offer protection to older people, additional benefits such as safety grilles, easy to operate heating controls and even arthritic adaptors for people who are unable to grip controls easily, can be incorporated to provide a user friendly ‘package’ for those they seek to help. Radiators are still responsible for sharing the heat in more than 90% of domestic heating systems installed in the UK and a surprisingly high percentage of commercial properties as well, so the age of the radiator is still very much with us. Companies like Stelrad are going the extra mile to ensure that radiators continue to be an aesthetic choice as well as a common sense one, with a wide range of designs, an easy to install philosophy and the widest range of sizes to ensure that there is a radiator for pretty much every application that can be imagined.

It’s a trend that specifiers – including those working in the social housing arena, and heating merchants like and are embracing, knowing that the majority of Stelrad’s

They are also highly relevant in sports centres and other public service buildings where the owners want to take all the risk out of the building from day 1 of it being in operation. When asking whether LST radiators are needed, you only need to consider the risk of in particular, older people falling and injuring themselves on a radiator along with potential dangers from those with a visual impairment bumping into or brushing against radiators.

Some elderly people have a reduced sensitivity to high temperatures and others simply cannot react quickly enough to prevent injury from hot surfaces if they inadvertently touch and come into contact with a conventional radiator, where surface temperatures may be as high as 75°C.

Older people and those suffering injuries have an increased susceptibility to losing their balance and falling, and the possibility of these people falling and becoming trapped against a conventional radiator brings the need for LST radiators sharply into focus.

And of course, the injuries that are possible to the very young are too horrific to contemplate, so it’s clear that serious dry burns can be caused very quickly at these temperatures and that LST radiators are the obvious response to the dangers. LST radiators need to be designed to ensure they offer as much protection

radiators – including some of their coloured radiators –are delivered within three days of order.

Stelrad has invested hugely in its National Distribution Centre and its logistics systems to ensure that its radiators are in the merchants’ hands as quickly as possible. The statistics are staggering. This widening of the range of radiators available from stock increases the number of different radiators and sizes in stock in Stelrad’s National Distribution Centre to a staggering 3,200 – with a total of more than 360,000 radiators in stock at any one time to be called off by merchants across the UK and Ireland for delivery within 72 hours of order.

And now the largest range of LSTs available in the UK is available from stock in not just white – but pink and blue. Ideal for children’s bedrooms up and down the country – safe heat in youngsters bedrooms in colours that will match the décor perfectly. “LST radiators still have a serious role to play in residential and commercial properties where safety is a key consideration,” says Stelrad’s Head of Marketing, Chris Harvey. “

Whilst renewable systems will be offering lower temperature flow of water in heating systems, they will still reach around 55 degrees centigrade and boilers will still be operating in homes and other buildings for up to another thirty years unless the Government brings in more far reaching legislation – so it’s still a key consideration when designing a heating system or looking at replacing radiators in an existing system. We offer the widest range of LST radiators in the UK and offer a choice of designs and a wide range of sizes to meet any requirements of architects contractors and installers.” www.stelrad.com

Sealing Future Energy Efficient Homes

Andy Swift, sales and operations manager for ISO-Chemie, says building regulations requiring windows to be ever more airtight will drive an uplift in energy efficient homes. Changes to Part L of the Building Regulations are the driving force behind stricter standards and compliance procedures around energy and ventilation performance, contributing towards a roadmap to a net zero carbon future and the new homes designed and built now being built having to fall in-line with stricter carbon emissions targets.

Specifically, to ensure continuity of the air barrier, window and door units will have to connect to the primary air barrier and the frames will need to be taped to surrounding structural openings using air-sealing tape. This comes against the backdrop where evidence points to doors and windows as the main source of the nation’s chronic energy inefficient homes.

Indeed, it could be said that in the light of product innovation over the years, its perhaps ‘criminal’ that the hundreds of thousands of new or retrofit installations completed each year go unchecked or unregulated, producing a legacy of problems for years to come and costing millions of pounds to rectify. This is a pity because with advancements in cost effective, easy-to-use technologies, there's never a justifiable reason for delaying or avoiding the specification of better energy efficient window and door sealing solutions.

Air tightness improvements - In this respect, the changes to Part L will have to be seen as a step in the right direction for the new build fenestration sector. It will see requirements for improvements in air tightness, forcing them from 10 air changes per hour down to five air changes per hour and also U value on windows shifting from 1.6 to 1.2wm2 k/H, which will require more energy efficient sealant solutions such as thermal foam tapes.

The requirement also now states that the frame should be linked back to the wall with an airtight tape. Heat will always find the fastest exit as it comes up against the ‘A’ or ‘A+’ rated window, and invariably this emanates from the 10mm or so expansion gap left around the window following fitment.

This is normally left empty, but some amount of spray foam can be injected to fill the void before a silicone trim is applied for a smart looking finish. Unfortunately, as expedient as this might seem, none of these solutions create a measurable, long term, high performance thermal, acoustic or airtight barrier - the U-Value of the installed window is simply reduced, which leads to heat escape and, ultimately, financial loss.

That’s why the house building industry and wider construction sector deserves better insulating solutions to improve energy efficiencies, particular in the face of a chronic national housing shortage and the need to build more affordable housing. In modular construction, which continues to gain traction - industry sources estimate that out of the 200,000 homes currently constructed annually, about 15,000 of them are modular - and sees continued integration with more traditional methods of building, house designers and specifiers are looking at new ways to deliver low carbon structures, which use sustainable technologies to deliver measurable airtight, acoustic and thermal sealing benefits.

And this is where self-adhesive foam sealing tapes can add real value, enabling developers to bring forward housing projects more expediently. They can use ‘smart’ foams impregnated with different substances to create a measurable U-Value as low as 0.6w/m2k, offer superb thermal insulation and can contribute to acoustic sound reduction by 63dB.

As these installation tapes are completely weather tight against driving rain up to hurricane force wind speeds, installers can quickly apply them around the frame during initial fitting. This provides the assurance that they have completed a comprehensive ‘A’ rated installation rather than just supplying an ‘A’ rated window. This is a benefit that can be sold on to deliver enhanced energy efficiency advantages for customers and property owners.

Future Homes Standard - Undoubtedly, building regulation changes are moving the fenestration industry closer to the requirements of the Future Homes Standard for dwellings. This standard, which come into force in 2025, are designed to deliver buildings which are zero-carbon ready and achieve world-leading levels of energy efficiency. The uplift in Part L of the regulations includes a requirement for new homes to produce around 31% less CO2 than current standards and a 27% reduction of emissions from other new buildings, including offices and shops.

By 2025, when all aspects of the Future Homes and Buildings Standards come into force, the Building Regulations will inevitably become even more strict, requiring new homes to produce almost three-quarters less CO2 when compared to current standards. So, changes will have an unequivocal impact on energy standards for residential and nondomestic buildings that are far better for the environment and fit for the future - higher air and thermal standards for house construction has to be a priority.

As sustainability continues to be of paramount concern in the development of low carbon and eco-friendly building projects, we will see technologies such as energy foam tapes, which can add real value during the initial and post construction phases, only grow in importance as the most effective solutions for sealing window and door frame expansion joints and gaps in houses in pursuit of attaining the Future Homes Standard. It’s simply a matter of designing in these products. More at https:// www.iso-chemie.eu/en-GB/home

Powering Up More Sustainable, Healthier Outdoor Public Spaces

Many of the UK’s town and city centres are being redefined to ensure they fit more closely with today’s urban lifestyles and the expectations of tourists. The changing retail landscape, driven by the growth of online shopping, more people working from home and an increasing number of people choosing to live in city centres, means that previous models for the design of streetscapes, public parks, plazas and other pedestrianised spaces are needing to undergo significant change. But it is not just reaction to social change that is at the heart of redesigns – sustainability and a growing movement to capitalise on the health benefits of being outdoors, in whatever form that takes, are also part of this fresh thinking to redesign our public spaces.

There is extensive evidence to show that providing safe, secure and attractive outdoor spaces is important to help people be more active and maintain and extend social interaction to benefit their mental health. Flood prevention and ensuring that water is managed efficiently in urban areas is becoming increasingly important due to climate change. Hence, SuDS (sustainable urban drainage systems) are being integrated and there is an increased use of planters in spaces that were previously dominated by tarmac, pavers and concrete, encouraging biodiversity in the process.

But there is also another important consideration in making these new outdoor public spaces as popular and versatile as possible to maximise their potential – access to on-demand power sockets.

Events can play a big role in increasing the use of outdoor spaces and attracting local people as well as tourists. Food and drink fairs, children’s fun days, market stalls, music gigs and light shows – events such as these can be a major draw and help strengthen local communities and they are easier to stage (even at relatively short notice) when easy access to power sockets is provided.

This is why a power infrastructure is a must for any redevelopment scheme or new development, and Pop Up Power Supplies® can help through a range of pop-up, in-ground and bollard power units. By incorporating a power access where there is an opportunity for events at all times of the year, there is no need to hire generators, which can be expensive and may not fit with the local sustainability agenda. The pop up (retractable) and in-ground power distribution units are permanently submerged in the ground, discreetly installed with a lid that matches surrounding surfaces so they are barely noticeable when not it use.

When a power connection is needed, such as to provide electricity to a street food kiosk, the lid can be unlocked by an authorised user to allow power leads to connected. The pop up unit is raised up using a turning handle, whereas the in-ground unit stays below the surface, accessed via a flip lid. As soon as vendors finish serving, or when events are over, the power leads can be simply disconnected and the power unit can be securely locked again to prevent unauthorised access and vandalism.

The third option from Pop Up Power Supplies® is the power bollard. This elegantly designed bollard will integrate with other street furniture as part of an attractive streetscape, whilst providing the benefit of access to electricity when required through its sockets behind a locked cover. www.popuppower.co.uk

Slam Dunk For One Can

A community basketball court has been given an impressive makeover thanks to Bradite One Can. Brinsley Parish Council in Nottinghamshire successfully applied for a National Lottery grant to spruce up the basketball facilities in its local park. The job of repainting the fencing was given to Sean McGrory, a sole trader running SM Paint and Decorating Services in Nottingham. Although never having used One Can previously Sean was a member of Bradite’s Facebook group and sought advice from other users as to what product would be best for the job in hand. The answer came back ‘try One Can’.

The job was completed using the paint’s eggshell finish to spray the fencing in black and to pick out the posts in brush-applied white. Sean is no doubt that One Can was the product for the job. “I was very impressed with it. It really goes on well, has good coverage and a good finish,” he says, adding; “It also dries quickly which is a key factor in getting the job done.” He will certainly be using One Can again and has been approached by the Parish Council for other work around the park. www.bradite.com

Triton Systems Shields Showroom Basement Conversion

The renovation and conversion of a former workshop and car storage facility, into a stylish basement space as part of a high-spec residential property, is making extensive use of fully compatible products from the range of Triton Systems. The work to remodel the one-time purpose-built motor garage and independent car dealership at Lytham St. Annes in Lancashire is being led by Elite Basements Ltd., whose highly experienced team of groundworkers, joiners and other tradespeople are reconfiguring the upper floors as well as transforming half the old undercroft into habitable space.

The Preston-based specialist is employing Triton’s anti-lime coating to treat the newly laid basement slab, followed by a layer of the manufacturer’s TM20 profiled membrane to remove water to the floor perimeter, where it is conducted to a sump using Aqua Channel.  This PVC-U profile also takes run-off from the Triton Platon P8 lining the basement walls, with a pair of Triton’s 240 volt Aqua Pump Pro Plus units and 24v battery back-up, ready to remove the water to mains drainage.  In addition to installing insulated dry-lining throughout the basement, Elite’s operatives have carried out structural repairs and applied red oxide paint with an airless sprayer to all of the original steel columns and beams after they were shotblasted by others.  These beams and posts support the ground floor slab/block and beam floor above.  Triton Stretch Tape was stretched around the bottom end to form a waterproof and vapour proof barrier.   www.tritonsystems.co.uk

Solar Panels To Help A. Proctor Group Reduce Carbon Emissions

The A. Proctor Group factory in Blairgowrie has recently been upgraded with solar PV panels to provide a significant part of its energy from renewable sources and substantially reduce its carbon emissions. The high-performance 30kWp Solar PV system was installed to the roof at the manufacturing site by specialists Forster Energy. Based on current electricity consumption, the new system is expected to provide the equivalent of a reduction of 201,741kg of CO2 emissions over 20 years.

The A. Proctor Group, specialist manufacturers of technically advanced thermal, acoustic and membrane products for the construction industry, continues to increase its focus on sustainability and is working to ensure that its actions from a social and environmental perspective have a positive impact. Amongst the A. Proctor Group’s product portfolio is a wide selection of high-performance products and solutions aimed at helping the energy efficiency of new and existing buildings. This change to a highly efficient renewable energy source at the manufacturer’s site is in line with this aim and is aligned with thrr need to transition businesses to become more sustainable and lessen the company's impact on the environment. www.proctorgroup.com

Neaco Supplies Total Solution For Total Construction

Neaco has supplied an extensive specification of modular walk-on balconies and sun terrace balustrade at Broadwater Road, a prestigious development of luxury apartments in Welwyn Garden City from Bishopswood Estates Ltd. Comprising 24 properties, each offering highly specified two-bedroom living, the £6m project was built by main contractor, Total Construction Ltd. The stylish contemporary design of the three-storey complex includes a predominantly glazed façade maximising the use of natural light to one elevation.

Neaco developed and supplied a full design solution for various balconies including aluminium decking and balustrade combining powder coated aluminium handrails and stanchions with toughened glass panels. The same balustrade combination was chosen for the extensive terrace areas occupying the top floor. Utilising a wide range of standardised components, Neaco’s modular systems are independently tested to confirm full compliance with all relevant building regulations including a Euroclass A1 or A2 fire safety rating required for external wall elements on buildings above 18m in height. The products are designed for quick installation, enabling contractors to minimise time spent on site. www.neaco.co.uk

Cupa 12 Provides Striking Solution For A Contemporary Family Home In A Conservation Area

CUPA PIZARRAS’ CUPA 12 natural slate has been specified for the roof of a new family home, built in the garden of a historic Grade II listed Arts and Crafts property in North London. The use of CUPA PIZARRAS products helped to satisfy stringent planning restrictions, which require new buildings to utilise traditional materials and ensure modern designs are in keeping with the surrounding architecture.

The design team, from Levitate architecture and design studio, needed a way to respectfully reference the traditional architecture of the area without compromising the contemporary finish of the property. CUPA 12 slate provided the perfect balance: being a natural and historically appropriate material

that could also provide a clean aesthetic with a smooth, uniform finish. This – combined with the steep pitch of the roof, overhanging eaves and series of intersecting gables – helped to make the roof of the property a defining feature.

This is consistent with traditional Arts and Crafts design – and gave a suitable nod to the Grade II property the new family home would be neighbouring. In addition to satisfying the visual requirements of the project, CUPA 12 slate is also a BRE Global Certified product that provides a more sustainable solution than other contemporary roofing materials.

CUPA PIZARRAS’ direct control over every stage of the slate production process - from quarry to roof - means that it can guarantee the quality of its product and trace it back to the source. This was beneficial in promoting a sustainable approach to the construction of a new property within a conservation area as well as helping to guarantee the timely delivery of the natural slate. Levitate has extensive experience working in conservation areas and on properties of historical significance. Architect Toby Knipping commented: “Site context was key to this project. We used a traditional palette of brick, wood and slate to reference the historic buildings in the surrounding area yet with a modern twist. We were very happy with the results and would definitely consider using CUPA PIZARRAS slate on other projects.”

Infill developments of this kind had previously been discouraged by the local planning authority, with several neighbours having new build projects rejected. Mark Hagan, Director of the project’s management firm Heartwood Ash, said: “Sourcing products of a high enough quality to satisfy the planning conditions was one of the primary challenges of this project. Being able to present the planning officers with physical samples provided by the CUPA PIZARRAS team really helped us to gain their confidence in both the product’s ability to satisfy requirements and also the project itself.”

www.cupapizarras.com/uk

Photo: Maris Tomba

Photo: Leon Rossiter

A Nordic Royal Beacon

Ireland’s first Tibetan Buddhist Temple takes a step towards completion with installation of distinctive tiered roofs clad in Nordic Royal – an innovative golden copper alloy from Aurubis. At the heart of the Dzogchen Beara Buddhist Meditation Centre on the Beara Peninsula overlooking the Atlantic Ocean in West Cork, the new building was designed in the style of a traditional Tibetan temple acting as an inspiring symbol of the Buddha’s teachings. But unlike the traditional form it also includes large windows to provide extensive views of Bantry Bay.

Highly Visible Nordic Royal Roofs - The temple is built over three floors, each defined by a Nordic Royal clad roof with a curved-profile and deep overhanging eaves. Dragon heads and other sacred ornaments with deep spiritual meaning, hand-crafted from copper in northern India then gilded with gold leaf by members of the Dzogchen Beara community, adorn projecting corners and the top roof ridge.

The project’s architect Giles Oliver, who passed away three years ago, envisaged the building as: ‘a beacon of wisdom and compassion’ and the stunning new copper roofs will be seen for miles along the coastline and from boats at sea. With its exceptional longevity and durability proven in the most extreme environments, copper was the natural choice for the temple roofs.

A natural element within the earth’s crust, copper has been incorporated into living organisms throughout the evolutionary process and is essential for all life. Its ability to be recycled repeatedly, without any loss in performance, is an important benefit: 100% of architectural copper products are manufactured from recycled raw material. (cont...)

Photo: Derek Corr

Photo: Leon Rossiter

(cont...) Marine Environment Trials - There are numerous copper surfaces and alloys to choose from today. Leon Rossiter, one of the Directors and heading up the Temple project, explained: ‘Giles Oliver, the Temple Architect, sent a sample of the Nordic Royal asking me to look into it. We trialled different styles of copper by placing samples out on the cliff behind the temple, to face our harsh marine environment.' '

For 18 months, the Nordic Royal sat there alongside classic copper, with and without a lacquer on it, and we tried gilding the copper as well. ‘But only the Nordic Royal delivered just what we were looking for in a roofing material. As it says in the manufacturer’s specification, we found that this copper alloy provides a matt golden colour that perfectly complements the gilded ornaments. It’s

shine and brilliance changes throughout the day as the sun courses through the sky. Even on a rainy day, somehow the most golden glow is exhibited. In essence, we are overjoyed that such a material exists, as we don’t think we could have achieved the look of the temple’s roofs if we had used any other material’.

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. It has a thin protective oxide layer containing all three alloy elements when produced. As a result, the surface retains its 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.

Photo: Derek Corr

Local Links - Although a recently developed and innovative material, Nordic Royal has been installed at Beara using traditional, hand-crafted techniques. All the crafts people involved were locally based including Wychbro Coppersmiths from Clonakilty, Stroker Fabrications from Enniskeane and the main contractor Beara Building Services, from Eyeries. The local area also has long historical links with copper. The nearby Allihies Copper Mine Museum presented Dzogchen Beara Temple with one of two surviving copper ingots that were mined deep beneath the area during the 1800s. This was inserted for posterity into the main sacred ornament on top of the temple at a special ceremony.

Extensive Architectural Range - The Nordic Copper range of architectural copper and alloy 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 pre-oxidised copper offering lighter (Nordic Brown Light) 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 other intensities of patina flecks revealing some of the dark oxidised background material. In addition to Nordic Royal, other copper alloys include Nordic Bronze and Nordic Brass which can be preweathered.

A growing series of on-line ‘copper stories’ showcase the diversity of surfaces, forms and applications available with Nordic Copper today for all architectural typologies. www.nordiccopper.com or email: NordicCopper@aurubis.com

Photo: Derek Corr

Photo: Leon Rossiter

Facing Challenges With West Fraser’s CaberDek And SterlingOSB Zero

When Martin Goodfellow, director of Decent Goodfellow Architects, set out to convert a cowshed on his father’s Dorset farm into a home, the project wasn’t without its challenges. As well as being the project’s architect, Martin also undertook most of the building work himself. The 1980s-built industrial-style shed comprised a steel frame with a basic concrete floor, half-height concrete block and half-timber board walls topped with a corrugated tin roof. The conversion of the cowshed into a home is permitted under Class Q building regulations; but the project needed to be within the external dimensions of the original building.

Intent on taking advantage of the views of a nearby Iron Age fort and the stunning rural landscape, the positioning of the windows was important to Martin, especially as Class Q prevents any permanent add-ons to the existing structure. The original block and timber walls were removed and voids in the existing steel frame filled in with a timber framework. The addition of West Fraser’s SterlingOSB Zero boards strengthened the structure and provided a backing for the insulation and a breather membrane. To find out more about West Fraser’s support for architects and to access useful downloads, visit the architects’ page at https://uk.westfraser.com/resources/architect-support

Marmox Multiboards Line New Morpeth Leisure Centre

The construction of a stylish and sensitively designed riverside leisure centre in Northumberland is making full use of high performance tilebacker boards from the range of Marmox Ltd. throughout all of its wet areas: selected as a lining to blockwork walls in place of traditional render. The Morpeth Leisure Centre is being built by Willmott Dixon for the Advance Northumberland body. P. Plunkett Tiling Contractors Ltd. is the North-east based specialist sub-contractor involved, which carries out challenging commercial contracts of this scale across the country, while the company’s Managing Director, Steven Allsopp, proposed the use of Multiboard to the project team.

A total area of 2,600 square metres of Multiboards are being installed using 10,000 of the special Marmox dowels and Marmox waterproofing tape, ready for the installation of mainly white ceramic tiles to complete a fully waterproof lining to the poolside walls and other wet areas. Marmox Multiboards are manufactured from extruded polystyrene (XPS) covered in a layer of polymer concrete which offers an ideal surface across which to fix tiles, while they can be combined with the manufacturer’s special tapes and multipurpose sealant to create fully waterproof wetroom installations. www.marmox.co.uk

Aldi Enhances Trademark

Grey With A Natural Slate Solution

CUPA PIZARRAS’ CUPACLAD® 101 Logic was specified as part of the construction of a new Aldi store in Truro, Cornwall. The natural slate cladding product was chosen for an aesthetic that was entirely in-keeping with the surrounding Cornish town, as well as its impressive fire-resistant properties.

Aldi tasked construction consultancy company Kendall Kingscott with designing and overseeing the creation of a new store in Garras Wharf, Truro. Kendall Kingscott became aware of CUPA PIZARRAS and its products after the slate provider presented a CPD to the team in their Bristol office.

Keen to utilise the company’s natural slate products, Kendall Kingscott contacted its Technical Sales Manager for the South West, Stuart Black. “The team at Kendall Kingscott wanted to use natural slate for two reasons,” said Stuart.

“Firstly, hanging slate cladding is very popular in the local area so specifying this material would allow the store to blend in with some of the surrounding buildings. Secondly, natural slate scores highly when it comes to fire resistance.”

Consequently, Stuart recommended CUPACLAD® Logic 101, which utilises CUPA PIZARRAS’ natural slate. At 7.65mm thick, it is a robust slate product and is ideal for locations that regularly experience high winds and heavy rain. Furthermore, CUPA PIZARRAS natural slate is classed as A1 non-combustible in accordance with the European standard EN 13501-1 – the highest possible fire rating. Once the 150m2 of CUPA PIZARRAS’ natural slate was delivered to site – it was installed by Spectrum Building Envelope & Facades.

As is required for CUPACLAD® Logic 101, the slates were fixed horizontally using self-drilling screws that have been specially designed to optimise installation. Post-application the screws are invisible, to ensure they do not detract from the natural slate’s appealing aesthetic. Architect James Stanfield from Kendall Kingscott commented: “CUPA PIZARRAS worked closely with our design team to produce a bespoke solution that provides a sharp and contemporary public facing façade.

“The slate provides texture and uniformity to the building frontage, which ties it into the local context. We were very pleased with the finish provided by CUPACLAD® Logic 101 and how CUPA PIZARRAS helped to deliver the project and fulfil the brief.” What’s more, thanks to its natural resistance and durability, CUPA PIZARRAS’ slate does not lose its colour over time and it continues to perform. As such, it is maintenance free and guaranteed to last up to 100 years. www.cupapizarras.com/uk/rainscreen-cladding

The UK’s Largest Ever Speculatively Built Warehouse Gets Protech Membrane Protection

Two brand new industrial units totalling approximately 118,000m2 have been built on landprotected with highperformance Protech GM Super gas barrier membrane from the A.Proctor Group. The units at Panattoni Park Avonmouth, Bristol, are said to include the UK’s largest everspeculatively built warehouse. The gas protection measures were designed by Geoshield, who specified the Protech GM Super gas membrane for the project. The installation was also verified in accordance with CIRIA 735 by Geoshield. UK Membranes Limited, specialists in ground gas membrane installation carried out the project to install a welded gas barrier to the footprint of the building including a vent mat layout under the membrane and protection fleece on top.

GM Super is a high performance, proprietary, reinforced gas barrier, that incorporates a 12 micron aluminium foil layer, for maximum protection against the ingress of ground gasses. The heavy duty reinforcing grid ensures the membrane meets the need to survive construction, reducing the impact of tears and punctures on the membranes long term performance. Andy Oxborough, Senior Buyer with UK Membranes commented, “Protech GM Super is a reliable robust membrane with good welding characteristics and has performed excellently on the project. In addition, Protech Self Adhesive Gas Membrane (Protech SAGM) was used in detailing and vertical installation applications. The 300mm width of Protech SAGM make it ideal for perimeter and detailing work.” www.proctorgroup.com

Waddesdon Manor’s Carved Sandstone Parapet Is As Good As New Again After The Haddonstone Treatment

UK cast stone specialist, Haddonstone has completed a prestigious project which comprised replacement work on an ornate carved sandstone parapet at Waddesdon Manor, a beautiful Grade I listed National Trust property. It was built in the Neo-Renaissance style of a French château between 1874 and 1889 for Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild (1839–1898) and is now one of the National Trust’s most visited properties; the property is still owned by the Rothschild family. To restore the eroded parapet, The Haddonstone team visited the site and applied a silicone rubber to take impressions of the damaged parapet in situ.

This enabled a highly detailed imprint of its intricate detailing to be produced. Using the impressions taken onsite, the studio and pattern-making team was able to produce plaster models of the parapet which were then built up and recarved to recreate the intricacy of the original designs before the production moulds were created. Finally, the new Haddonstone pieces were cast from these moulds using Haddonstone’s very own semi-dry cast limestone material, in a bespoke colour to ensure an exact match. www.haddonstone.com

Port Said Lighthouse Dances With Slicedstone

Slicedstone, from bathroom specialist Marmox, has been used extensively to clad a new lighthouse in Port Said, replacing the deactivated original, which stood sentinel over the city at the northern end of the Suez Canal since its opening in 1869. The old lighthouse – now a historical monument - is unusual and considered architecturally important as it was the first in the world to be constructed from reinforced concrete, which architect Karim Gabr took into consideration when designing the visually stunning replacement.

Explaining the concepts to ‘The Dancing Lighthouse,’ Karim stated: “The twisted grey shell was designed as an octagonal construction that lessens as we go up, simulating the old lighthouse. Then, I deconstructed the form inspired by the motions of the sea’s waves and the folklore dance, Elsemsemya, which Port Said is famous for. The material of this shell is a natural grey stone that expresses the idea of the original concrete lighthouse.” The space surrounding the lighthouse comprises of three-level ‘cylinders’ covered with yellow stone representing the yellow sand of the

city's coastline. The open space is interspersed by three water fountains representing the three water sources surrounding the city: the Mediterranean Sea, the Suez Canal and Lake Manzala. Slicedstone was specified by Karim Gabr’s practice to enhance the lighthouse and its environs, being that it is a natural material produced from large stone slabs, with each veneer being unique in appearance.

The lightweight sheets are backed with a 100 % waterproof decoupling membrane, allowing them to be secured using cement based tile adhesive.  www.marmox.co.uk

Howe Green Supports Successful Specification At Bond Street Station

As one of nine new stations developed as part of the construction of the Elizabeth line, Bond Street Station will facilitate up to 137,000 passengers per day, with up to 22 trains passing through the station every hour at peak times from November 6 this year and up to 24 trains per hour from May 2023.

Providing interchanges for the Central and Jubilee lines, the newly constructed Bond Street station will significantly improve accessibility for travellers, whilst simultaneously increasing capacity at one of the busiest shopping districts in the UK.

The development of the station included the specification of 200 Howe Green stainless steel floor access covers as part of the structural and architectural design process to provide secure and concealed access to under-floor services. Installed throughout the entire station, which includes two newly constructed ticket halls at street level and all underground passenger platforms that can

be as long as 255 metres, the medium-duty 7500 Series Floor Access Covers were manufactured to meet the project’s extensive requirements.

With over 50 kilometres of communications cabling, 200 CCTV cameras, 66 information displays, 200 radio antennas, 750 loudspeakers and 50 help points, an essential element of the specification process was ensuring the covers were tamper proof, without preventing contractors from gaining quick and easy access to the services below.

Manufactured with unobtrusive barrel cover lifting points that can only be accessed with unique lifting and securing keys, the access covers are protected from unauthorised access, without impacting the overall design scheme, as only the securing bolt and barrel edge are visible.

The method of removing the covers also ensures the products can be handled easily and safely by contractors, eliminating any potential strain or harm, regardless of the covers’ combined weight with the hard flooring finishes. This is due to the lifting blocks being anchored to the inner frame. Throughout maintenance-only areas, the lifting mechanisms of the floor access covers are mechanically assisted with pistons so engineers can securely lift the covers from underneath.

Installed in conjunction with terrazzo flooring across the platforms, and Portuguese granite throughout the ground floor public areas, the 7500 Series Floor Access Covers seamlessly blend with the architectural finishes of the station for a streamlined visual effect. This sleek aesthetic is further enhanced by the tiling modules, which create a unified and cohesive finish, simultaneously eradicating any potential trip hazards, as the access covers are installed entirely

flush with the hard flooring. The minimal profile of the edges also reflects the dimension of the joins between the tiles to create a perfect finish, even when working with the radial sections of stone tiling on curved passages and walkways, which required individual access covers constructed of curvilinear profiles to deliver a high quality, bespoke finish.

Each of the covers withstand up to five tonne pneumatic tyre wheel loads. Manufactured to BS 476: Part 22: 1987, the covers’ ability to eliminate the potential transmission of smoke and fire from the underground services in the event of a fire was another key consideration of the specification process. www.howegreen.com

Photo credits above and below - Darren Almond Artwork for TfL

Santiago Bernabeu Stadium Renovation Supported By Lindapter

In 2019 Real Madrid Football Club unveiled plans for a €525 million renovation project of its iconic Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. The huge renovation project would include increasing the capacity by 4,000 with an extra tier being added, increasing the height of the stadium by 10 metres, adding a retractable roof, major exterior developments and installation of a 360° video board and lighting that would encircle the entire roof area. The vision was to transform the Bernabéu into a modern, avant-garde stadium, with maximum comfort, safety and state-of-the-art technology.

One of the distinctive features of the stadium was the new lighting that needed to be safely and securely attached to the roof. The design involved connecting the lighting to the steel columns of the original stadium structure via structural hollow sections (SHS).

The contractor wanted to avoid onsite welding or drilling at height for many reasons including time, cost and safety therefore an alternative connection method was required. Lindapter’s technical support team were approached by FHECOR, the consulting engineer for the project, and asked to submit a steelwork clamping design solution.

After receiving details of the existing structural columns, the SHS framework and lighting equipment, Lindapter’s technical support team were able to propose a solution. This involved welding pre-drilled steel plates to the sides of the SHS framework offsite at the fabricators and connecting these to the structural steel columns onsite with clamps. The connection design included Lindapter Type AAF adjustable high slip resistance girder clamps with M16 diameter, grade 10.9 bolts in a standard 4-bolt configuration.

Quicker, safer and easier - The ready-to-install reinforcement element consists of double-headed studs with spacing bars to ensure correct positioning. Spacers allow installation on the formwork and as a result, installation on the construction site and in the precast plant is therefore quicker, safer and easier to achieve.

The contractor used 1,800 Type AAF Girder Clamps to connect the SHS framework and lighting equipment to the structural columns via the “end” plates. Installation was quick and easy as the connection assemblies could be positioned close to where they were needed before final adjustments were made and the clamps fully tightened using a calibrated torque wrench.

Type AAF Girder Clamps provided an excellent solution that avoided the need for welding or drilling onsite. This offered many benefits to the contractor including a safer working environment, as no heavy tools or equipment were required, especially important as the installation was carried out at significant height. Other benefits were the time saved by clamping which resulted in lower labour costs. www.lindapter.com

Bilco UK Sets The Standard For Safety At Glasgow Housing Development

Glasgow’s latest redevelopment project, located on Langside Road, is built upon the former site of the city’s Victoria Infirmary and consists of a large housing development that includes 413 flats, offices and retail space.

The 3.75 hectare site, which is situated next to Queen’s Park on the south side of the city, forms an important part of the Battlefield area’s character, with the buildings’ exterior reflecting and complementing the surrounding heritage by using the city's traditional blonde coloured sandstone. As part of the construction process,

Bilco UK was commissioned to supply six ESW-50REM Smoke Vents, in addition to seven E-50TB Roof Access Hatches, to provide the highest standards of safety and efficiency, whilst being sympathetic to the project’s overall design. Installed onto the roof areas of four blocks of flats by Scottish contractors, Procladd Small Works Ltd, Bilco UK’s ESW-50REM

Smoke Vents were specified to provide essential ventilation in the event of a building fire. Featuring a linear actuator operating mechanism that opens the cover to 140 degrees within 60 seconds, the smoke vents ensure compliance with Building Regulations Approved Document B, BS9999 and EN12101-2.

The built-in wind deflector also provides protection against smoke being blown back into the vent in the event of a fire., whilst the newly-designed closed-cell EPDM sponge gasket helps meet Building Regulation air leakage targets by providing a better seal of the cover to the curb. With the addition of a fixed vertical ladder, the smoke vents can also be used by maintenance engineers for roof access.

Billy Baillie, Managing Director at Procladd Small Works Ltd, said: “We have a longstanding relationship of over 20 years with Bilco UK, and will continue to do so over the forthcoming years, due to their impressive product quality and outstanding service. Bilco UK’s Roof Access Hatches and Smoke Vents were incredibly easy to install, and knowing they’re engineered to meet the highest industry standards, it provided both ourselves and the client with the confidence that the installation would set the standard for performance and longevity.”

Constructed with corrosion-resistant materials, Bilco UK’s E-50TB Roof Access Hatches were also installed to provide engineers with safe, regular and convenient access to the roof to conduct essential maintenance. Engineered with compression spring operators to provide easy one-hand operation, the roof access hatch meets the requirements of Manual Handling Regulations, whilst the automatic hold-open arm locks the cover in the open position to ensure safe egress.

The overlapping cover design, fully welded corners and insulated cover also ensure weathertightness and energy efficiency to deliver the highest standards of resilience. Mark Baird, Sales Operations Manager at Bilco UK, said: “Drawing on our longstanding relationship with Procladd Small Works Ltd, it was fantastic to work together on this project, which has been designed to positively impact the city’s culture. The products installed were manufactured with fire safety and efficiency in mind, delivering assurance of the durability and suitability of the installation for years to come.” www.bilcouk.co.uk

Schöck Isokorb For Iconic Nestlé Factory Site Regeneration

No other UK product for concrete-tosteel applications satisfies the necessary load-bearing requirements, or meets the current and future thermal performance required by building standards (Part L), than the Schöck Isokorb structural thermal break T type SK.

It is a complete system structural thermal break and is used widely on Block B, a collection of nine buildings which make up around a third of the 1400 hundred or so new properties at the Hayes Village development. This is an extensive regeneration programme in Hayes, West London and is built on the original site of the locally iconic Nestlé Factory, which dominated the area for some 80 years before production relocated to Derbyshire.

Hayes Village is situated along the Grand Union Canal, surrounded by nine acres of green space and includes play areas and allotments. Original features from the Nestlé factory, including one of the listed art deco style buildings, are carefully woven into the fabric of the new development and although all the buildings have distinct characteristics, the existing factory buildings have inspired the overall design.

As a result, the nine buildings that make up Block B are broken up into a series of elements and layers, each of a different brick tone and although very different in character, have façades with common themes. As a counterpoint to the solid masonry walls which wrap the primary steel frame, the metalwork of the balconies is used as a feature to enrich the façades.

Minimising thermal bridging is critical - The entire project is built with sustainability in mind and minimising any risk of thermal bridging at the balcony detailing is critical for a number of reasons. Local heat loss will result in more energy being required to maintain the internal temperature of the building, while low internal surface temperatures in the area of any thermal bridge can cause condensation.

This in turn is likely to result in structural integrity problems. Mould growth too is a possible risk, which in a residential situation can cause asthma and allergies. Incorporating the Schöck Isokorb T type SK minimises any chance of these outcomes, as it prevents the risk of thermal bridging between cantilevered steel constructions on reinforced concrete components.

A dependable and fully compliant product rangeThe Schöck Isokorb range of structural thermal break solutions is the largest in Europe and in the UK helps projects meet full compliance with the necessary Building Regulations (and the impending Future Homes Standard criteria where relevant). In addition to the Isokorb type used on this project, there are also solutions for concrete-to-concrete, steel-to-steel, renovation projects – and even a maintenance free alternative to wrapped parapets.

All products have the security of independent BBA Certification, which provides NHBC approval. The temperature factor requirement (fRSI) used to indicate condensation risk at localised junctions, which must be equal to, or greater than 0.75 for residential buildings, is also easily met by incorporating the Isokorb.

www.schoeck.com

Warning Labels

Warning notices to reduce the risk of future pipe damage if the floor finish is replaced.

Even Easier Installation

Unique pre-printed chipboard layer shows where the pipe channels are, eliminating the risk of floor covering fixings damaging the pipe. Locator guides show where screws should be placed.

New Chipboard Covering Layer

Covering chipboard layer is pre-cut with the pipe channel pattern, allowing the layer to slot precisely over the warm water pipes once installed in the chipboard layer.

Ultra Fast Warm Up Times

The pipe sits proud in the chipboard floor layer, ensuring the pipe is in as close contact with the floor finish as possible when the finishing chipboard layer is slotted in place over the pipe.