FC&A January 2020

FUTURE CONSTRUCTOR & ARCHITECT

ISSUE 119

JANUARY 2020

Mediation Training Programme A facilitative and evaluative approach to mediation in the built environment Highly practical and intensive, the RICS Mediation Training Programme will prepare you to mediate the most complex disputes to the highest standards across land, property, construction and infrastructure.

This face-to-face course embraces the facilitative and evaluative approaches to mediation. Our expert trainers will provide you with in-depth, practical coaching and you will receive feedback from both your trainer and your peers.

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EDITOR’S NOTE Cross Platform Media LTD

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Barham Court, Teston, Maidstone, Kent, ME18 5BZ JANUARY 2020

Tel: 01622 232725

FUTURE CONSTRUCTOR & ARCHITECT MAGAZINE EDITOR: Rebecca Kemp rebecca@crossplatformmedia.co.uk P R I N T & D I G I TA L A D V E R T I S I N G Sam Ball sam@crossplatformmedia.co.uk Jim Moore jim@crossplatformmedia.co.uk PRINT DESIGN MANAGER Jack Witcomb jack@crossplatformmedia.co.uk D I G I TA L D E S I G N M A N A G E R David Perry david@crossplatformmedia.co.uk P R O D U C T I O N A S S I S TA N T Philip Coyle philip@crossplatformmedia.co.uk

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elcome to 2020 – a new year with new resolutions and a fresh work perspective. To kick-off all things ‘new’, we’ve released our new look this month. Our design team have been hard at work to give your favourite architectural title an updated, crisp look.

We’re incredibly pleased with the result, and we hope you are too!

As always, our pages are brimming with industry advice, inspiring case studies and the latest innovative products to hit the marketplace. In this month’s issue, we’ve explored one of Margot Krasojević’s latest conceptual designs, the piezoelectric pendulum bridge in Tianmen, China. Truly innovative, the suspension footbridge spans two mountains and its design simulates that of the surrounding snowcapped mountain landscape. Turn to page 14 to find out more about the project.

Elsewhere in this month’s issue, we cover two upcoming shows that are bound to inspire you for the new year’s projects. Firstly, the Surface Design Show opens its doors at the Business Design Centre in London’s Islington from 11 to 13th February. For all things surfacing, turn to page 38 to plan your itinerary. Meanwhile, across town in the city’s fashionable Spitalfields, ARCHITECT@ WORK is set to inform with a series of talks and seminars as well as a host of immersive experiences. Turn to page 39 to find out more about this year’s show.

I hope you enjoy this issue. Don’t forget, you can also access all of the magazine’s features, product news and supplier information on FC&A’s user-friendly and engaging website.

Fully responsive, the website allows you to read all the latest stories on-the-go either on your phone or tablet. Simply search www.fcamagazine.com.

ACCOUNTS/CREDIT CONTROL Jackie Dearman jackie@crossplatformmedia.co.uk

Rebecca

SALES SUPPORT & A D M I N I S T R AT O R Klare Porter klare@crossplatformmedia.co.uk

REBECCA KEMP:

Margot Krasojević’s piezoelectric pendulum bridge spans two mountains

Te r m s a n d C o n d i t i o n s : Contributions are invited and when not accepted will be returned only if accompanied by a fully stamped and return addressed envelope. No responsibility will be taken for drawings, photographs or literary contributions during transmission or in the editor’s hands. In the absence of an agreement the copyright of all contributions, literary, photographics or artistic belongs to Cross Platform Media Ltd. The publisher accepts no responsibility in respect of advertisements appearing in the magazine and the opinions expressed in editorial material or otherwise do not necessarily represent the view of the publisher. The publisher does not accept any liability of any loss arising from the late appearance or non-publication of any advertisement.

and its design simulates that of the surrounding snowcapped mountain landscape.

Editor, Future Constructor & Architect

CROSS PLATFORM MEDIA

ON THE COVER:

PUBLISHER Sam Ball sam@crossplatformmedia.co.uk

fcamagazine fcamagazine

SEE PAGE 14

Image: ©Margot Krasojević Architects

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FC&A – JANUARY – 2020

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JANUARY CONTENTS

NEWS

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INDU ST RY U PDAT E S :

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VOICE OF T HE I N DU S T RY:

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LEGAL & B U S I NE S S :

FC&A rounds up this month’s industry news, including awarded contracts, completed projects and much more.

Gillian Thomson, Branch Manager at cladding specialist MSP (Scotland) – part of the Vivalda Group – explains why diversity is good for construction and looks at the developments made for encouraging women to move into the industry.

As UK firms pay more attention to the mental health of their employees, Russell Stilwell, Founder of RSE Building Services, looks at why better support is needed for the nation’s construction workers.

FEATURES

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STAIRS & L I F T S:

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BU ILD F OC U S :

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DRAINAG E & L ANDS C A PI N G:

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Chris Meering, Regional Director at TÜV SÜD Dunbar Boardman, offers his advice on the considerations to bear in mind for the optimum design and specification of lifts and their components.

Transport & Infrastructure: A round-up of the latest case studies from the transport and infrastructure sector, and top tips from some of the industry’s leading suppliers for architects and construction professionals working within the realm.

Polypipe Civils has been involved in Leeds & Yorkshire Housing Association’s largest project to date. Here, FC&A takes a look at the scheme.

SECU RI T Y: Toby Humphreys, Product Development Manager at Charter Global, looks at some of the leading security solutions protecting some of the nation’s treasurable art exhibits.

ROOFIN G , C L A DDI NG & I NS U L AT I ON: Gavin White from leading liquid applied roofing specialist, Sika Liquid Plastics, discusses the importance of supply chain technical support in managing hazards and avoiding risk.

PORTFOLIOS

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SU SPENS I ON F OOT BRI DG E , MARGOT K RAS OJ E V I Ć ARC H I T E C T S: The suspension footbridge in Tianmen, China, spans two mountains, and its design simulates that of the surrounding snowcapped mountain landscape. Furthermore, it responds to the cloud-edge effect, capturing direct and reflected light to increase solar energy production.

MET TI RANA RE S I DE NT I A L B U I L DI N G , MAR IO C U C I N E L L A ARC H I T E C T S: The MET Tirana is a 12-storey high-density residential and mixed-use building in the heart of the city of Tirana in Albania.

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INDUSTRY UPDATES

NE W S I N BR I E F: CALA STARTS WORK AT NEW DEVELOPMENT Work has commenced at a new residential development comprising a selection of premium fivebedroom detached homes in the sought-after town of Linlithgow. Offering the perfect setting for growing families and city commuters, CALA Homes (East) will launch the first phase of its new Queenswood development in spring 2020, with showhomes following at the end of summer 2020. A selection of 40 spacious five-bedroom, contemporary detached homes from CALA’s awardwinning Light and Space range will be available for sale, all featuring excellent attention to detail and highspecification as standard.

LONDON GROWTH SPARKS MOVE FOR TODD ARCHITECTS Recent strong growth has seen TODD Architects expand its London office with a move to larger premises in Fitzrovia. TODDs has leased the fourth floor at 18 Wells Street, a newbuild Grade A office space in the heart of Fitzrovia.

With the new space fitted out by Rubicon Commercial, the essentially open-plan office uses free-standing shelving to break up the area without creating fixed partitions. A private balcony supplements the excellent natural light with views across the vibrant neighbourhood. Concludes Peter Minnis, TODD’s London Director: “We see this new move as the latest step in our expansion in London and the South East. Our involvement with projects like the Royal Wharf development that we recently completed for Ballymore, has given us a strong platform and we’ve been able to keep up that momentum with the Goodluck Hope and Battersea commissions.”

FC&A – JANUARY – 2020

INDUSTRY U P D AT E S FC&A ROUNDS UP THE LATEST INDUSTRY NEWS AND UPDATES

GPAD SECURES PLANNING CONSENT FOR NEW NW10 RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT Award-winning architectural practice gpad london and property developer Artform have secured planning approval for the development of a new high-quality residential building in Harrow Road, NW10.

WWW.GPADLONDONLTD.COM

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he development will add contemporary accommodation, enhancing the neighbourhood while taking appropriate cues from its surrounding area, with scale and height positively responding to the adjoining area’s character and distinctiveness.

The proposed scheme references local historical features and takes an element of inspiration from the adjacent Flemish revivalstyle methodist church. The

facade echoes the stone details of the church and adds a playful ecclesiastical touch with arches above doors and windows.

The decorative brickwork of the surrounding Victorian housing is also referenced, with a distinctly contemporary edge. The brickwork will be laid in a colour gradient, with a darker red fading into lighter, away from the church. gpad carried out a characterisation study of the immediate area in order

to appropriately respond to the form, style, rhythm and materials prevalent in the surrounding streetscape. The area is characterised by a mix of buildings varying in age, style and massing.

The scheme will deliver a well-proportioned fourstorey building with subtle, traditional materials contrasted with contemporary details. In order to mitigate impact on neighbouring properties in this largely residential area, careful consideration was given to daylighting. The proposed development is the same height as the ridge of the neighbouring terraces, with the top floor set back to limit visual impact.

Charles Bettes, Managing Director at gpad, comments: “This is a very carefully thought-out scheme which will provide wonderful places

PERSONNEL The latest appointments from the construction and architectural industries

RAMBOLL APPOINTS DIRECTOR OF CITIES AND REGENERATION

LEEDS-BASED FIRM BREWSTER BYE EXPANDS TEAM

Ramboll has announced the appointment of Elad Eisenstein as Director of Cities and Regeneration.

He is set to lead Ramboll’s urban regeneration team, focusing on major cities projects, integrating across the transport, infrastructure environment and energy businesses and bringing a wealth of experience in addressing future urban challenges. Elad joins Ramboll from Arup, where he was Principal with responsibility for urban planning and design. He is a cities expert, Architect and Urban Designer with two decades of experience specialising in leading, designing and delivering complex and large-scale urban projects across the globe.

Brewster Bye Architects has appointed three architectural assistants as part of its future talent development programme. Rebecca Hazzard joins as a RIBA Part 2 Architectural Assistant and Andrew Stanway and Ben Crayton as RIBA Part 1 Architectural Assistants.

All three will work with the firm’s established teams on projects in the residential and commercial property sectors. Chris Austin, MD at Brewster Bye Architects, said: “Our latest talented trio are a welcome addition to our ever-expanding and experienced team.”

Following an exciting period of growth, CPMG Architects has announced two senior promotions within its head office team. Ruth Evans has been promoted to Associate and will head up and nurture a team of designers on the delivery of high-spec interior design schemes. Another long-serving member of the team, Jason Evans, has been promoted to Associate after initially joining the team in 2000, following his studies at the University of Derby. He has built up vast amounts of experience within CPMG, leading the delivery of work across the education, commercial, residential and transport sectors.

WWW.RAMBOLL.CO.UK

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CPMG ARCHITECTS BOOSTS TEAM

INDUSTRY UPDATES

NEWS IN BR IEF: STEPHEN GEORGE + PARTNERS’ PROJECT STARTS ON SITE

for people to live. Our ethos is all about creating simple, elegant design to use space effectively and with a realistic approach to how people live today. The facade blends cleverly with the streetscape while the subtle design features keep it looking contemporary.”

Jonathan Ellis at Artform commented: “We’re delighted to return to Harrow Road after completing Caseworks earlier this year, just a few doors down. The new collection of apartments will showcase

the same level of detailed design, with light-filled winter gardens and a facade heavily

influenced by its neighbours.

We’re really looking forward to kicking off the build.”

TWEETS #Futurebuild We are excited to join the Planning Portal in exhibiting at FutureBuild 2020. Don’t forget to visit stand A80! #BuiltEnvironment #Futurebuild – @TQ_Solutions

The time for talking is over.

We need action to tackle the climate change challenges facing us all. Register for Futurebuild 2020 and be the catalyst for change that’s needed. #ChangeOneThing #ClimateChange #Futurebuild2020 – @FuturebuildNow

@FuturebuildNow & @BRE_ Group are looking for innovative #Construction products to enter the Big Innovation Pitch at #Futurebuild2020 – @eurobrick

Last year, we launched the #SupportingHealthyBuildings campaign at @FuturebuildNow. Now, it’s time to continue the momentum – getting everyone working together to build buildings which are healthy for both their occupants and the environment. #Futurebuild #HealthyBuilding – @SteicoUK

absolute pleasure to exhibit – we look forward to discussing our structural capabilities #Futurebuild #Construction #OffsiteConstruction – @Hadley_Group

We are investing £505m into the Energy Innovation Programme, ensuring industry is at the forefront of the global shift to #CleanGrowth. Find out more at #FutureBuild in March @FuturebuildNow

Have you got an innovation that can answer one of the biggest challenges facing the #BuiltEnvironment? Be part of the Big Innovation Pitch at #Futurebuild2020, in partnership with @BRE_Group. We want to hear about your products – submit your entries. – @FuturebuildNow

– @beisgovuk

We’re excited to introduce a brand new pavilion from @RegionePuglia for #Futurebuild2020. 11 companies from the Puglia region confirmed incl. Ermetika Srl, Eurimpianti Srl, NV Line SPA, Giugola Srl.

We’re looking forward to seeing you at @FuturebuildNow 2020 in March! It is always an

– @FuturebuildNow 11

Stephen George + Partners (SGP) is celebrating the start on site of its first airside project to be under construction. A ground breaking ceremony marked the official construction start of the £7m 54,000ft2 maintenance hangar and 15,500ft2 workshop facility at Norwich International Airport for Rigby Group, owner of Regional City Airports. The new hangar facility, which is designed to service two Boeing 737 aircraft, will accommodate the expansion of KLM UK engineering group, providing additional capacity to offer aircraft maintenance and repair services to customers worldwide. The workshop is 7.5m to its haunch and the hangar 13.0m, and will be constructed using a TwinTherm wall system, with Euroclad cladding, profiled to break up radar bounce back.

BDG ARCHITECTURE + DESIGN WINS AT INTERNATIONAL FX AWARDS 2019 BDG architecture + design has won Project of the Year by a UK-based studio for Amsteldok, a new Amsterdam campus for WPP. The previously vacant Rivierstaete building (as it was formerly known) has been transformed from a large traditional office building into a 19,000m2, innovative and creative workplace.

Preserving the concrete structure has allowed the building’s character to remain while reducing environmental impact. The entire building meets BREEAM ‘Very Good’ certification standards – an exceptional score for a renovation project. It has rainwater buffering and retention, green roofs, advanced daylight system control, advanced climate system control, energyefficient daylight control, a thermal storage system and a Class A energy rating.

FC&A – JANUARY – 2020

INDUSTRY UPDATES

ARC H IT EC T I N P RO F I LE Currently celebrating 25 years in the architectural business, Sarah Wigglesworth graduated from Cambridge University in 1983 with a Masters in Architecture after five years’ formal study, and two years working in the UK and the USA. She founded Sarah Wigglesworth Architects in 1994 and has taught architecture at many schools – significantly Kingston University and The University of Sheffield. Here, FC&A talks to Sarah about her professional career and finds out what the future holds for Sarah Wigglesworth Architects.

SARAH WIGGLESWORTH ARCHITECTS

this to do with communication, representation, making alliances with key people, learning how to work with communities, or pushing the green agenda.

What do you think is the greatest challenge for architects today?

Making joined-up structural change across the board (with responsibility taken by various agents). This includes specifying materials of low-carbon and embodied energy (manufacturers and architects), introducing the circular economy (manufacturers), finding joy in a different aesthetic (architects), spending more upfront to save during the life span (clients, financiers), procurement (project managers, clients), financing for a long-term return (insurance companies and investment houses), planning (politicians), project insurance (insurance companies) and the will to bring about change (general public). We need a pan-industry alliance now.

SARAH WIGGLESWORTH Founder of Sarah Wigglesworth Architects

a range of issues we are currently still confronting, such as how to build more ecologically in the city, how to secure wellbeing, use of waste streams and recycling. We still work from the office, and the house has just undergone an ecological upgrade and refurbishment that will last us for another 25 years, as we grow older.

What has been your greatest influence and source of inspiration?

My source of influence is Michel de Certeau’s book ‘The Practice of Everyday Life’. It was a revelation, documenting the ways that people respond to systems of power and giving meaning to their personal situations by appropriating aspects that make them their own.

Another source of inspiration is Sam Mockbee and his ‘Rural Studio’. I was alerted to his work while designing the straw house, and his eclectic reuse of waste materials has been pivotal in rethinking the stuff architecture is made of and consumes.

How do you approach your projects?

We research context and motivations and try to get under the skin of what is the real driver of the project. This may not be the obvious thing, and it’s a voyage of discovery. We also seek to find who is our ally in the client team and how we can find the key to unlocking the potential of the project.

Often we consider what we as a practice want to learn from it, be

What has been your most notable project to date?

I’d probably have to say Stock Orchard Street, our straw bale house and quilted office (completed in 2000). It predicted FC&A – JANUARY – 2020

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Are there any suppliers you would recommend to your peers?

Anything natural with a Cradle to Cradle manufacturing process and low embodied energy.

Cross-laminated timber is a favourite, and we have worked with KLH and Eurban.

What can we expect to see from Sarah Wigglesworth Architects over the next year?

Over the next year, we will be completing several buildings that have been slow to come through the pipeline. One is a private home (our first since Stock Orchard Street) designed to near Passivhaus standards; another is a community centre in Highbury; a third is a housing project in Nottingham. We’d like to do more ‘green’ architecture, whether it’s a school or perhaps another cultural building. We’re for hire.

www.swarch.co.uk

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FC&A – JANUARY – 2020

FC&A 12.19

SUSPENSION FOOTBRIDGE, MARGOT KRASOJEVIĆ ARCHITECTS

BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN TECHNOLOGY AND ARCHITECTURE

All images: ©Margot Krasojević Architects

The suspension footbridge in Tianmen, China, spans two mountains, and its design simulates that of the surrounding snow-capped mountain landscape.

Further, it responds to the cloud-edge effect, capturing direct and reflected light to increase solar energy production.

MARGOT KRASOJEVIĆ ARCHITECTS

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n cloudy days, its solar panels absorb diffused as well as reflective light, so that this bridge can achieve maximum exposure to solar energy. Moreover, its canopy is clad and fabricated with a highly reflective shifting carbon-fibre aluminium composite embedded with photovoltaic and piezoelectric cells.

Pedestrians have a bird’s eye, aerial view that changes with the weather, anticipating cloud-breaks and expanding horizon lines. The bridge stands at a height of 650ft above the ground, wherein the design creates an illusion to camouflage it amidst the clouds and environment.

Maintaining static equilibrium balance and counterbalance is of structural importance, as the height, along with the exposure to elements, creates an unstable environment to design for.

Additionally, rotational inertia is of primary concern, and integrating swinging cantilevered walkway lengths stabilises the structure as well as increases the moment of inertia without making it rigid, rather like the experience of a tightrope walker. The design moves and sways gently, which is a choreographed FC&A – JANUARY – 2020

response to the upward air movement and cloud formation, providing pedestrians with not only spectacular views but also exposure to the very nature of the site, which can be intimidating at times.

Furthermore, two interlaced footpaths are suspended from the structural axes of rotation, which dislocate and shift to

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rebalance the bridge, thus allowing for a safe crossing. Significantly, the canopy structure fragments in order to recalibrate the shifting weights, along the bridge’s cross-section, in a more efficient manner.

This counterbalance is directed by the bridge’s pendulum weights suspended beneath the structure, which tighten and shift to restore equilibrium and maintain structural stability.

Moreover, balance is retained and controlled by the cantilevered elements that swing slowly and methodically to reinstate the bridge to a stable horizontal position. Design inspirations in this regard include a collapsible push puppet similar to the suspended pendulums, which, when in tension due to the bridge’s natural movements, tighten and restrain the structure, enough to prevent it from revolving around its main frame, by retaining the moment of inertia. Interestingly, the experience of the bridge was influenced by that of a rope bridge suspended over the river Mekong, which makes pedestrians crossing it more responsible for their own safety.

However, this is an extreme experience, and Margot Krasojević Architects believes in one wherein the design does not intimidate or patronise the pedestrian.

SUSPENSION FOOTBRIDGE, MARGOT KRASOJEVIĆ ARCHITECTS

The canopy’s dislocating fragments are clad with a carbon-fibre reinforced aluminium composite, which is lighter than aluminium for its weightlessness and is flexible enough for the cantilevered movements yet stronger than steel. This helps in limiting wear and tear, in addition to providing stability through 45º torsions and adapting to the external forces of the cantilever frames’ movements, whilst accommodating complex shifting shapes.

In addition, a motion capture system, sandwiched between the primary and tertiary structure, records the canopy movements, choreographing the synchronicity between the edge cloud cover, solar panels and footpath walkways made from steel-framed sections lined with rubber, to absorb unnecessary load-bearing changes arising due to the bridge retaining horizontal inertia. Self-healing polymers have been used to support internal mechanisms and slide surfaces seamlessly, to transfer loads between separating canopy elements and skeleton frames. Moreover, the canopy’s structural deformity under load has a series of polymer sheaths in between the separating elements that protect the design from wear and tear, similar to a plane’s wing.

The canopy also shifts with passing clouds, revealing glimpses of the horizon and views visible only for a minute and lost in the next.

A patchwork of visual context is also present, similar to the patchwork canopy of elements not too dissimilar from clouds or kites that swivel and shift, attempting to capture as much cloud-edge solar energy as possible.

Light levels are monitored using sensors across the cross-section of the bridge, which anticipate a break in cloud cover to expose the beautiful natural surrounding landscapes in the process – a choreography between nature and technology, a dance simulating the coexistence of natural and artificial phenomena.

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FC&A – JANUARY – 2020

SUSPENSION FOOTBRIDGE, MARGOT KRASOJEVIĆ ARCHITECTS

This project was partly designed in 2015 and is currently in the process of being technologically revised, to be more dynamic and energy-efficient. Like mountain climbers, the people crossing this bridge are exposed to the elements and to the true nature of its surroundings. A turbulent and dangerous beauty, the environment is threatening yet awe-inspiring in the same breath. Further, this bridge moves with air currents, similar to a kite or aeroplane wing, allowing us to relate with our environment more honestly and less submissively.

It is noteworthy that using harnesses while crossing this bridge is optional.

The shifting canopy elements resemble solar kites embedded with photovoltaic cells; these are lightweight, durable, non-corrosive and highly reflective, thus creating a continuous surface cantilevered from the primary axial structure. Additionally, these solar kites are CNC fabricated and can be positioned in several configurations, depending on the structural frame. Lightweight yet durable, these canopy elements split apart and can be easily locked into position.

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SUSPENSION FOOTBRIDGE, MARGOT KRASOJEVIĆ ARCHITECTS

For a static surface canopy, they are laser cut sections that can be repositioned as well as replicated for other sites and programmatic uses. The materials used and the building techniques employed in this pendulum bridge reflect progressive engineering applied in aviation, particularly when dealing with the context’s fluid environmental dynamics and maintaining the structure’s integrity.

Digital fabrication is an essential construction technique employed in this project; all elements can be replicated and replaced cost-effectively, and they can be adapted to different scales, ranging from workshop model to site. The bridge also generates electrical power, making it easier to structurally maintain it by keeping these fabrication tools on site. Moreover, the bridge is self-motorised with direct and cloud-edge solar power, which generates enough electricity to animate, float and mechanically move the structure in order to restore balance by shifting dynamic loads, rather like a hang glider only with an external power source.

Applying semi-conductor piezoelectric crystal cells as a gate voltage to the design, by embedding them within the canopy and walkway, generates electricity through resistance. When mechanical pressure is exerted on these elements (for example, as pedestrians walk across the bridge or environmental mechanical dynamics alter the direct pressure on the fragmented canopy), the piezoelectric cells change the resistance, thereby generating and releasing direct electrical current to the motor in order to move the structure. This type of electronics maximises the efficiency of generating power, as a direct response to instability in design and context. To summarise, the piezoelectric pendulum bridge uses a natural equilibrium to monitor and capture electrical energy from either solar or mechanical movement, whilst trying to stabilise the momentum of inertia, so that it can function safely as a footpath and observation deck. The dual nature of its design responds directly to its immediate context, which provokes the nature of its programme, sustainability and appropriation.

www.margotkrasojevic.org 17

FC&A – JANUARY – 2020

COATINGS & FIXINGS

POWDERTECH WOOD FINISH ACHIEVES AN EXCELLENT FIRE RATING Richard Besant, Director at Powdertech Corby, describes how building products are tested for fire rating.

POWDERTECH CORBY

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ire safety protection begins by using materials that comply with specified tests for fire resistance from the outset. Materials used in construction must conform to strict standards laid down for an acceptable ‘reaction to fire’. Building Regulations now state that for relevant buildings with a storey at least 18m above ground level, external walls and thus facade materials are required to achieve a reaction to fire classification of A2-s1, d0.

Put to the test Powdertech Corby has put one of its most popular powder coatings, PWF, (Wood Finish) through the stringent tests required for A2,s1-d0 conformance, at Warringtonfire Testing and Certification.

The test procedure was a two-stage process. Firstly, the polyester powder and other components making up PWF were subjected to calorific heat release tests, meaning that they were burnt individually to measure the amount of heat produced. All the components passed as they did not exceed the maximum threshold, giving Powdertech the confidence to undertake the Single Burning Item (SBI) test as defined by standard EN 13823.

The single burning item test determines the reaction to fire behaviour of building products when exposed to the thermal attack by a single burning item (a sand-box burner supplied with propane). The specimen is mounted on a trolley, positioned in a frame beneath an exhaust system and the reaction of the specimen to the burner is

www.powdertechcorby.co.uk FC&A – JANUARY – 2020

monitored both instrumentally and visually. Heat and smoke release rates are measured, and physical characteristics are assessed by observation.

Suitability confirmed Powdertech coated three pairs of aluminium panels in different PWF shades. Each pair formed an internal corner against which the SBI test was carried out. All three passed, and the worstperforming of the three shades was selected to make up three more sets of panels. These three sets were individually put through the SBI test again.

The final report values for PWF take the average of these three results. The fire growth rate of PWF is 100% below the maximum allowed, and the total heat release is 95% below the maximum allowed. Smoke growth rate and total smoke

pcl@powdertech.co.uk 18

production are both 65% below the maximum allowed. There are no flaming droplets at all – the product does not melt.

Powdertech Wood Finish offers warmth, texture and superior performance finishes for metallic substrates to rival the use of wood. With an A2 rating, it is judged to have only a very limited combustibility.

The customer can have the look of timber and the performance of aluminium at an affordable price. No maintenance is required, beyond the occasional wash with clean water.

Painting and varnishing are not necessary; rotting and mildew do not occur. PWF carries 25-year guarantees for colour, gloss and adhesion.

For more information including a downloadable test result document, please visit Powdertech Corby’s website.

01536 400890

MODULAR & OFFSITE

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TESTED TO

BS 6180:2011

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LAMINATED TOUGHENED GLASS

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For information call FREE on 00 800 0421 6144 To see a demonstration, visit taper-loc.co.uk e: taper-loc@crlaurence.co.uk f: 00 800 0262 3299

19

FC&A – JANUARY – 2020

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,

1 N -4 EC M Fo BI ar vi r m sit o RM ch w re IN 20 w in w. fo kb rm G H 2 0 b. a AM co ti .u on

LA IN YE SP RS IR O AT F IO N

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FC&A – JANUARY – 2020

20

MET TIRANA RESIDENTIAL BUILDING, MARIO CUCINELLA ARCHITECTS

ADORNED IN GREENERY A finalist at the WAF Awards 2019 for the ‘Future Projects Residential’ category, the MET Tirana is a 12-storey high-density residential and mixed-use building in the heart of the city of Tirana in Albania.

MARIO CUCINELLA ARCHITECTS 21

FC&A – JANUARY – 2020

MET TIRANA RESIDENTIAL BUILDING, MARIO CUCINELLA ARCHITECTS

E

xtending to 48.7m in height, the scheme is conceived as a reference point within the broader urban redevelopment plans of the Municipality of Tirana.

Distributed over an area of approximately 1800m2, the scheme also includes a highquality public realm and street furniture.

Set within a block full of prestigious buildings and functions, the new building offers maximum permeability FC&A – JANUARY – 2020

to pedestrian flows at the ground floor, freeing up a substantial share of land area (50%) and leaving the remaining space to commercial, public and sports facilities.

Turning urban planning constraints into an opportunity to experiment with ‘excavated’ architecture, the building form is made up of a series of varying volumes and materials, resulting in an elegant spiralling exterior.

Outside, the large volume of the residential tower, a series of terraces and green diaphragms are designed to equip every dwelling with outdoor areas of high quality. They give the building a very organic image, redefining the paradigm of compact and massive monumentality that characterises the residential and specialist high-density building recently built in the centre of Tirana.

The volumetric design and elegant articulation of the 22

facade, punctuated by opaque and transparent modules above a completely glazed ground level, optimise natural daylight within, whilst also reducing the amount of solar radiation.

Staggering green terraces lined with trees provide outdoor space for each of the apartments, visually connecting the building to the boulevard.

www.mcarchitects.it

MET TIRANA RESIDENTIAL BUILDING, MARIO CUCINELLA ARCHITECTS

23

FC&A – JANUARY – 2020

VOICE OF THE INDUSTRY

WHY DIVERSITY IS GOOD FOR CONSTRUCTION The UK construction sector has not traditionally been a bastion of equal rights for women. However, that situation is changing, argues Gillian Thomson, Branch Manager at cladding specialist MSP (Scotland), part of the Vivalda Group.

MSP (SCOTLAND), PART OF THE VIVALDA GROUP

T

he building site has never been an obvious place to see women working. Construction has traditionally involved heavy manual work and inflexible working hours – tipping its attractiveness towards men. However, due to changes in our society, the increasing use of technology and the growing sophistication of the industry, this status quo is finally changing.

Looking at the make-up of management teams within the building industry, from my own perspective, we’re seeing encouraging developments. We undertook a review of our operational management team earlier this year and were pleasantly surprised to see that 58% of our team were women – that’s seven out of a team of 12 managers.

Compared to the industry’s national average of 14%* of women in the workplace, Vivalda is clearly doing more than most to encourage diversity in the construction sector. However, it’s fair to attribute this success more down to its open, ‘can-do’ culture than any formal, programme.

FC&A – JANUARY – 2020

GILLIAN THOMSON, BRANCH MANAGER OF MSP (SCOTLAND) A qualified Accountant, Gillian joined MSP 18 years ago as Company Accountant. Since then

Looking ahead, flexible working seems to be the main stumbling block to getting more diversity into the UK building sector. And it badly needs that injection of new ideas and innovation.

Data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) highlights the sorry state of our sector’s productivity.

Statistics from 2018 show that the construction sector remains the least productive industry in the UK economy, at more than 20 percentage points below the average output per hour for the whole economy in 2017.

We desperately need new ideas and more varied management styles if the industry is ever going to transform itself into a world-beating sector. This, I believe, is where a more diverse workforce can pay dividends, especially within the middle management tier.

24

she has risen through the ranks to become Branch Manager and now runs the Glasgowbased operation which manufactures high-performance, ventilated rainscreen cladding solutions with an in-house powdercoating facility.

A study published by Forbes in 2017 highlighted the significant value of having a rich mix of opinions and viewpoints within an organisation. Its study found that all-male teams made better decisions 58% of the time compared to single managers (the ‘two heads are better than one’ argument). However, when it introduced mixed-gender teams into the process, it found they made better decisions 73% of the time – an improvement of 15%. Interestingly, this positive score rose to 87% of the time when management teams comprised a mix of ages, sexes and people from different cultures. These findings were backed up by a more recent study by the respected consultancy McKinsey.

VOICE OF THE INDUSTRY

So how do construction firms ensure these more mixed teams prosper and don’t fall foul of tokenism? In my experience, it’s often down to the culture of the business, which is invariably driven from the top down. If women feel that their place of work is sensitive to their other responsibilities – often as a mother or caregiver – then they are much more likely to succeed in that business.

There will always be considerations of fairness between those with or without outside commitments, but if the overall culture is one of flexibility and support, this creates a fertile environment for diversity. Secondly, it’s about the more subtle cultural messages that reverberate through organisations – sending strong messages to those that might bring new viewpoints to a traditionally all-male board.

Certainly at Vivalda Group, our management meetings are inclusive, cordial and even impassioned at times!

However, there is never a feeling of double standards. All the women on

our operational team are highly professional and have no trouble telling their colleagues their thoughts on an issue.

I think our balanced team does get its decisions right in the vast majority of cases. It’s about sharing experience and best practice on every level of the business. Moreover, I consider that we may even have a competitive advantage over many other construction businesses, thanks to our diversity.

Next time you’re in a management meeting, take a look around the table. You might like to ask yourself: are we confirming to an old stereotype or building a better business with a rich mix of skills and experiences?

“If women feel that their place of work is sensitive to their other responsibilities – often as a mother or caregiver – then they are much more likely to succeed in that business” GILLIAN THOMSON

*https://www.goconstruct.org/construction-today/diversity-

www.mspcladding.co.uk 25

in-construction/women-in-construction/ FC&A – JANUARY – 2020

STAIRS & LIFTS

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LIFT DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS Owners, operators and manufacturers of lifts must satisfy a wide range of regulations, standards and international directives, writes Chris Meering, Regional Director at TÜV SÜD Dunbar Boardman.

TÜV SÜD DUNBAR

T

he design of lifts is covered by the ‘Lifts Directive’ in the UK, which then cross-refers to BS EN 81 (Safety rules for the construction and installation of lifts. Lifts for the transport of persons and goods).

BS EN 81 is known as a ‘multi-part document’, with each different part relating to specific types and uses of lifts. As well as covering new lifts, there are parts covering the refurbishment and modification of existing lifts, alongside the different functions of lifts. For example, BS EN 81-20 covers new lifts in new buildings, while BS EN 81-21 covers new lifts in existing buildings, and firefighters’ lifts are covered in BS EN 81-72 etc.

Once a lift has been designed and installed, there are further standards that must be followed in order to test and verify that it has been installed to the relevant codes. For example, once lifts are in service, they fall under the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER). This requires that lifts are inspected regularly

1 FC&A – JANUARY – 2020

26

by a competent person, which is usually a specialist inspector appointed through an insurance company.

Interestingly, escalators and moving walkways are not covered by any separate regulation but instead come under the Supply of Machinery Regulations. The design of these is covered under BS EN 115 (Safety of escalators and moving walks.

Construction and installation), which again contains multiple parts that must be followed for both new escalators and improvements to existing ones. There is no regulation requiring regular inspection of in-service escalators, as LOLER specifically excludes them. However, reputable building owners would normally have them inspected using a similar methodology to that required for lifts.

Ensuring the wellbeing and comfort of passengers Passenger safety is, of course, covered by ensuring that lifts are designed in compliance with the above standards and are regularly maintained and

STAIRS & LIFTS

3 inspected. Passenger comfort is generally about having the right number and size of lifts in each environment, which travel at the appropriate speed. This is most effectively assessed by using passenger traffic analysis, where the parameters of a given building and the lift system are used to determine the required lift performance.

In the past, traffic analysis involved a simple mathematical probability formula, which gave a ‘system interval’ for the lifts.

This was based on a handling capacity, which related to a percentage of the population of the building in a five-minute period at peak-time. Modern computer software now enables complex traffic to be simulated in any given building type.

Modelling this type of scenario over a full day most accurately reflects the peak passenger traffic for a given building and its use. The resulting analysis gives an output with an ‘average waiting time’ and an ‘average time to destination’, which is more representative of the normal user experience. The software can also be used to calculate energy use over a given period, which is useful to ensure that the most efficient equipment can be specified.

It is also important to factor in the type of traffic that will be using the lifts. For example, in a shopping centre, there is likely to be family groups using prams and shopping trollies. This means that lifts must be larger in order to carry enough people per journey. Also, in a residential development, lifts will be required to accommodate large items such as furniture and ambulance stretchers.

Physical comfort in lifts is generally down to the speed, acceleration and deceleration during a journey, as well the horizontal and vertical vibration. This requires careful definition in the specification of the lift to ensure that the required ride comfort is

achieved. During the testing stages, this can be measured by a specialist device to ensure that the specification is met.

Some essential considerations that are often overlooked during the design include a failure to establish the correct parameters for the building and lifts, as well as failing to consider the particular needs of a building’s users. It is also essential to ensure that maintenance and inspections are carried out correctly and in a timely manner.

Once in use, the reliable performance of a lift can only be achieved with regular checks by specialist engineers. If this isn’t done and lifts remain out of service for extended periods, the user experience will suffer. This can become a commercially sensitive problem for building owners and their tenants, as people will often avoid buildings where they feel that lift performance is poor.

Ensuring efficiency Of course, best practice would ensure that the lift system is designed correctly, according to the building design and performance requirements.

Guides, such as CIBSE Guide D (Transportation Systems in Buildings) and the British Council of Office Guide, detail recommendations for different buildings and these are often used by the property industry as indicators of good building design.

27

4 Always consider the energy efficiency of the lift equipment and ensure that the lifecycle costs are analysed rather than just capital costs. It is important to evaluate the life expectancy of the equipment, as well as the running costs, including maintenance. The cheapest capital cost may not be the best value in the long-term, especially if the equipment requires earlier replacement, which also disrupts the building and users.

Changing a lift system during the building design stage is relatively simple, but when it is built, there are limited options to mitigate inefficient lift design.

Poor lift performance can affect the value of a building and its appeal to tenants. While cutting down on lift numbers may save money in the short-term, this will not necessarily offer good value in the longer term. So, if the building or passenger traffic needs are complex, consider getting specialist advice and analysis from an independent expert as early as possible to avoid possible problems later in the design and use of a building.

1: It

is important to

factor in the type of traffic that will use a lift

2:

Reliable lift

performance can only be achieved with regular checks by specialist engineers

3:

Passenger comfort is most effectively assessed by using traffic analysis

4:

Lifts must be

regularly inspected by a competent person

www.tuvsud.com/ukdunbarboardman FC&A – JANUARY – 2020

LEGAL & BUSINESS

WHY BETTER SUPPORT IS NEEDED FOR UK CONSTRUCTION WORKERS The construction industry encompasses a vast number of rewarding careers. For example, it has been found that construction-related employment in Great Britain increased by 3.8% in 2017, exceeding its pre-downturn peak of 2007 to reach the highest level on record.

Showcasing the rising popularity of construction-based roles, this figure embodies our progress, says Russell Stilwell, Founder of RSE Building Services.

RSE BUILDING SERVICES

H

owever, whilst it’s tremendous to find that an increasing number of passionate workers are joining the construction industry, an alarming mental illness incline has accompanied this development. It has been found, quite shockingly, that mental illness is more prominent among male construction workers than any other group. More specifically, male construction workers are 10 times more likely to suffer from mental ill-health.

As we consider the cause of this worrying development, we uncover several possible culprits. For example, the construction industry is accompanied by an undeniable ‘macho culture’; workers are encouraged to maintain an impenetrable exterior, showing little to no emotion. Mounting pressure, long days and physically demanding roles inevitably incite an influx of mental illness cases.

I have personally battled with mental illness for years; a troubled upbringing, difficulties in school and traumatic experiences during adulthood, including the loss of a friend, the death of my father, financial hurdles and subsequent addictions, left me in The Priory, facing Generalised Anxiety Disorder and severe depression head-on.

FC&A – JANUARY – 2020

RUSSELL STILWELL, FOUNDER & MANAGING DIRECTOR OF RSE BUILDING SERVICES Russell Stilwell is Mates in Mind Ambassador and Constructionwise Founder. As well as supporting the next

It is through seeking professional help, and finally learning to embrace my feelings, that I came to overcome these struggles.

Now, I am the Managing Director of a company that turns over £13m annually; I am proof that it’s never too late, and that the stereotypes which fill this industry are incredibly harmful. I thought I’d be respected less if I expressed my emotions, so I left them to build up inside me.

If sufficient consideration isn’t given to the mental health of construction workers, then this will ignite irreparable damage for both business owners and employees alike.

Worsening mental health will increase employee turnover, absenteeism, poor performance and ultimately, it’ll facilitate a decline in profits. Your employees keep the cogs of your business turning, as such, they need to be your top priority.

By nurturing their mental health, you’re essentially investing in your company’s longevity.

28

generation to embark on a career within the construction industry, one of Russell’s key areas of focus is raising awareness of mental health in the workplace and training individuals in mental health first aid.

As a construction worker, business owner, father and husband, I’ve come to appreciate the life-changing effects of proactive mental health support. I now work tirelessly to improve our industry, developing ‘Constructionwise’, an initiative tailored to fulfil the needs of workers from across the country. Meanwhile, I back ‘Mates in Mind’, an important programme created to support our mental health. It’s vital that fellow industry professionals join us; doing all that we can to enhance the mental health of our employees, colleagues and friends will make for a more content, successful and nurturing industry’.

www.rsebs.co.uk

Learn something new, every day.

Inspirational spaces come from inspired minds. Which is why Millboard has launched the Outdoor Design Hub; an online resource for Professional Landscapers, Architects, Interior Designers and Master Builders. Providing up-to-date creative design inspiration, regulatory news and technical know-how, the Outdoor Design Hub has been developed with you in mind.

The Outdoor Design Hub. Your go-to space for knowledge and inspiration.

Learn more at outdoordesignhub.millboard.co.uk 29

FC&A – JANUARY – 2020

BUILD FOCUS: TRANSPORT & INFRASTRUCTURE

BUILD FOCUS

TRANSPORT & INFRASTRUCTURE

FC&A rounds up the latest case studies, advice and stories from the industry’s leading professionals.

This month’s Build Focus shines a light on the Transport & Infrastructure sectors; with top tips on aesthetics, security and building materials.

Image: ©Mika Huisman

URBAN COPPER The last few decades have seen copper grow in popularity as a thoroughly modern architectural material, following its extensive heritage, applied to typologies ranging from concert halls to social housing. But its role in urban design now extends to transport and infrastructure projects, imbuing a sense of quality and permanence, writes Graeme Bell, Sales & Marketing Manager at Aurubis.

FULL-COLOUR GLAZING Glass is one of the most practical and versatile construction materials, and it can also be one of the most colourful, as Scott Sinden, Managing Director of glass processing expert ESG Group, explains.

AURUBIS

T

he numerous, natural copper surfaces and alloys available today offer designers freedom to enhance the urban environment, creating a sense of place and helping with wayfinding. This approach is demonstrated in the city centre of Lahti, Finland, transformed by the consistent application of copper to unify normally utilitarian elements. These include bus shelters, lift and stair enclosures – and even a road underpass – all within the vicinity of a new, copper-clad transport hub. These disparate elements on different levels are given clarity and identity within the complex city environment.

Another, particularly unexpected, example can be found at the 5.5km-long Bosruck Road Tunnel beneath the Alps in Austria. Here, dramatic portals – which travellers experience as they drive straight through – are defined by perforated brass screens, partially concealing buildings and equipment. This highly architectonic approach is unusual for engineering projects of this kind, suggesting a new building typology celebrating transport infrastructure.

Inevitably, technical performance is fundamental to such applications, and copper offers an effectively indefinite lifespan with no maintenance and full recyclability. With a melting point of 1083˚C and ‘A1 (non-combustible material)’ fire classification to EN 13501-1, copper is suitable for cladding tall, complex or challenging buildings and structures, in conjunction with appropriate constructions.

Copper’s unique architectural qualities are defined by its naturally developing patina, influenced by the local environment, which cannot be replicated successfully by other materials using applied coatings.

But factory-applied surface treatments – for example, the Nordic Copper range – provide straightaway the various levels of brown oxidisation or blue/green patination of copper. The processes involved are very similar to those taking place in the environment and utilise copper mineral compounds, not alien chemical actions. They bring forward the environmental changes without taking away the integrity of copper as a natural, living material.

ESG GROUP

A

s a colourful building material, glass has some distinct advantages. In the built environment, we most often use toughened laminated glass such as ESG’s Tufflam. Toughened laminated glass is usually created by laminating two sheets of toughened glass together with a PVB (PolyVinyl Butyral) interlayer. This is safer and more durable than toughened glass alone as, if it becomes damaged, the interlayer will hold most of the small granular fragments in place, reducing the risk to people from falling glass.

Toughened laminated glass is also lighter, stronger and more structural than monolithic glass of similar thickness.

We introduce colour in two ways. In many applications, a solid colour is needed, and this is provided by back-painting the glass. This can be matched to any RAL colour and, because the back of the glass is painted, is hard wearing and scuffresistant, making a long-lasting decorative feature, especially in areas of high foot traffic. This can be seen at Tottenham Court Road tube station in London, where this back-painting technique was used.

For a more translucent effect, we use a Vanceva coloured interlayer, which allows light to pass through, and bathes the surroundings with coloured light. Using combinations of coloured interlayers on different panels, a highly decorative effect can be achieved.

Colour can be added as a single block, or we can introduce intricate designs. Detailed logos and images can be added in the interlayer, or painted onto the reverse of the glass panel, so you can control exactly how much colour and light you allow in your design. Whichever method you choose to implement, the glass will last for many decades, bringing a long-lasting, welcome burst of colour to the built environment.

www.nordiccopper.com FC&A – JANUARY – 2020

www.esg.glass 30

BUILD FOCUS: TRANSPORT & INFRASTRUCTURE

ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL’S £15M STRATEGIC INVESTMENT Targeted as an innovation project by Morgan Sindall, the A414 upgrade to Edinburgh Way in Harlow, Essex, will be the first installation of a large-diameter, complete structural wall plastic pipe attenuation system directly beneath a live carriageway.

PETER JACKSON, MANAGING DIRECTOR AT JACKSONS FENCING

POLYPIPE CIVILS AND GREEN URBANISATION

SAFE AND SECURE

D

his has brought a renewed focus on safety and physical security. Fencing and HVM barriers are at the forefront of this effort as the general public becomes increasingly aware of their sense of safety when out in public. Inappropriate or insufficient security measures can have significant consequences such as a breach or attack, and in some instances can exacerbate people’s concerns, contributing to a climate of fear.

Understanding the threats faced is key to designing your security infrastructure. It’s important to understand the local crime context, what the most common crimes are in the area, and how to prevent them. Conducting a risk assessment can help identify risks, hazards and issues with design or layout.

A secure-looking site can deter attackers before they even make an attempt. For business owners whose premises are very much in the public realm, visible measures can prevent breaches through appearing insurmountable. This could include fencing, CCTV and fence toppings, combined with clear lines of sight.

However, at the same time, you do not want to turn a public space into a fortress. Fortunately, an innovative approach can protect against dangers, such as vehicle-as-weapon attacks, without interfering with the architecture and landscape of the local area.

Subtle measures can be specified to protect residents which are sympathetic to their surroundings and, as a result, hardly noticeable.

esigned entirely around Polypipe’s Ridgistorm-XL pipe and chambers, the adopted system has been value-engineered to provide optimised storage, sediment removal and flow control of the increased levels of stormwater run-off generated by the dualling of the existing single-lane highway.

The original drainage and attenuation design was based around installing twin 900mm pipe runs on either side of the newly dualled carriageway. With limited verge space and complex below-ground utility runs in the area, we saw an opportunity to re-engineer the scheme around an extended single run of 1500mm large diameter plastic pipe, with integrated water management chambers below the highway.

This would greatly simplify installation, improve health and safety and ultimately provide a more cost-effective long-term solution.

In order to gain Approval in Principle (AIP) for the redesign, Morgan Sindall had to present a detailed technical submission to Essex Highways, as the use of any pipe over 900mm in this situation represented a departure from the standards defined within the Specification for Highways Works.

Morgan Sindall Infrastructure’s consulting engineer, White Young Green, had previously worked with Polypipe on similar innovation schemes and developed the new proposal around its Ridgistorm-XL system.

From the outset, Polypipe worked alongside the consulting engineer team, providing all the required geotechnical and material performance data required for the AIP application. With this being a first for Essex Highways, the level of detail needed was understandably high, so the experience of the Polypipe team proved invaluable in achieving a successful outcome.

Essex County Council’s £15m strategic investment in the Harlow Road network is designed to relieve congestion, improve road safety and support local economic growth.

www.jacksons-fencing.co.uk

www.polypipe.com/civils

When it comes to the public realm, planners often talk about how to make spaces more inclusive, welcoming and liveable. However, the security of public areas is paramount, something which was reinforced by the tragic terror attacks seen across Europe over recent years.

JACKSONS FENCING

T

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FC&A – JANUARY – 2020

DRAINAGE & LANDSCAPING

LARGE PIPE UNEARTHS VALUE IN SMALL SPACE

network. Realising the benefit of working with a single supplier across the entire water management scheme, the ENGIE team and Carl Watson from Watson Groundworks asked Polypipe Civils to undertake a valueengineering review of the initial tank proposal.

“The plan area for the tank had changed from the original brief as a number of established trees had to be accommodated. This meant the tank layout needed to be ‘staggered’ to achieve the required capacity,” says Kostas Tettas, Senior Technical Engineer at Polypipe Civils.

“The fabrication versatility of Ridgistorm-XL allowed us to create an optimised, multi-manifold design which not only achieved the attenuation volume but also improved the hydraulic flow performance, reducing ongoing maintenance requirements. Critically, all of the proposed modifications and enhancements could be achieved without compromising the overall budget.”

All of the 1800mm Ridgistorm-XL tank components were manufactured and tested off-site at Polypipe Civils’ Loughborough facility.

Working within restricted space on a new, ambitious social housing development in Barnsley, a fully adoptable stormwater attenuation tank manufactured from Polypipe’s Ridgistorm-XL large diameter pipe has been installed as a key element of a project-wide sustainable water management scheme.

POLYPIPE CIVILS

T

he £5.7m Catherine’s Walk development will see the creation of 54 affordable homes for Leeds & Yorkshire Housing Association (LYHA) in the centre of an existing housing estate.

The project is the largest LYHA has undertaken for some time and is the vision of Leeds-based architect firm, Acanthus WSM. Given the pressure on housing in the area, the major challenge of the project was to realise a scheme that delivered the greatest development potential on a tight footprint while enhancing the living environment for both existing and new residents. Doing this successfully would mean preserving critical green infrastructure, such as established trees and hedgerows. For consulting engineer, WSP, integrating new surface water drainage and sewer systems would FC&A – JANUARY – 2020

have to be achieved without overloading existing capacity.

To eliminate any risk of surface water flooding, WSP required a 350m 3, fully adoptable attenuation tank to be created beneath an existing public open space within the boundary of the development. The initial proposal was based on a single manifold, five-leg 1800mm large diameter pipe solution laid out to a rectangular plan. This configuration provided the access required for adoptability but, due to the locations of inlet and outlet, impaired the flow profile within the tank and hence its self-cleaning performance.

Responsible for delivering the overall project, main contractor, ENGIE, was already working with Polypipe’s building products division designing the onplot drainage and sewer 32

Delivered to site as preassembled components, the installation was completed quickly with minimal disruption to ongoing works and residents. Overseeing the tank installation, Carl Watson, owner of Watson Groundworks, commented: “With space and delivery windows extremely limited on the project, achieving a fast-fit install was essential.

With much of the work being carried out off-site, we are able to minimise man-hours on the assembly, reducing cost and improving health and safety.”

www.polypipe.com/civils

JANUARY CONTENTS

S EARC H reputable companies as a buyer...

PU

R

A CH

SE

PROMOTE

A

E DV

RT

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building products to receptive customers

SPECIALIST

Building Products

DISCOVER Access. Acoustics. Atria. Balustrades. Bathrooms.

Canopies. Ceilings. Cladding. Conservatories. Doors. Drainage.

Facades. Fencing. Flooring. Glass and Glazing. Green Roofing.

Guttering. Heating. Hinges. HVAC. Insulation. Kitchens.

Landscaping. Lighting. Paints. Paving Tiles. Rainwater Harvesting.

Resin Surfaces. Roofing. Security. Solar. Stairs. Storage.

Timber. Tools. Walls. Windows... and much much more.

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w w w. s bps e a rch. com FC&A – JANUARY – 2020

SECURITY

1:

SECURITY SYSTEMS KEEPING OUR NATIONAL TREASURES SAFE There are billions of pounds of art exhibits covered by the Government Indemnity Scheme – thanks to top-level security solutions – security solutions that are available to all architects and developers, says Toby Humphreys, Product Development Manager of industry-leading physical security specialist Charter Global.

CHARTER GLOBAL

I

n August, the Museums Association, National Museum Directors’ Council, Science Museum Group and the Art Fund raised the alarm over the ‘quiet crisis’ in the UK’s museum infrastructure. They called for investment to protect the many priceless collections in the care of museums.

By October, a £250m Cultural Investment fund was announced with the priority of spending on the physical care and repair of museum and gallery buildings.

With funds for modernisation available, museums also have the chance to review and update their security package to ensure that they meet the Government Indemnity Scheme (GIS) standards.

There are 2500 museums in the UK and their economic value to the nation is estimated to be £1.45bn – but many of these venues would not be able to exhibit high-value items without the backing of the GIS. The scheme provides costfree indemnity cover for loss or damage to art or cultural items on loan. It covers loans from FC&A – JANUARY – 2020

private lenders in the UK and abroad, as well as loans from UK non-national museums and galleries.

One element of GIS compliance is for museums and galleries to ensure the optimum standard is in place.

Offering an alternative to the cost of commercial insurance, GIS allows organisations to display art and cultural objects to the public that might not otherwise have been shown due to the high cost of insurance.

Equally, the Government Indemnity Scheme would not be possible without an understanding of the security systems required to secure and protect the valuable works of art.

The standard of bespoke, high-level, security solutions required for GIS compliance is also available for architects on projects in prime domestic and commercial applications.

Charter Global has secured galleries and properties of high value globally for 15 years and offers value engineering as well as the highest possible standards of physical security.

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SECURITY

Bespoke security systems should be specified at the optimal standard, and Charter Global has a proven track record at the very top level.

The recently refurbished MK Gallery in Milton Keynes is one institution to have benefited from the GIS scheme – and Charter Global’s help.

The significant security requirements – on top of the demanding renovation – made for a complicated project timeline.

The incredibly impressive public gallery was designed by 6a Architects. Thanks to their work with Charter Global, the gallery was successfully indemnified and set to kick off an ambitious exhibition programme in 2019.

The stunning £12m project features five exhibition galleries and an auditorium for up to 200 people. It has completely rejuvenated Milton Keynes’ landscape.

With high numbers of visitors expected, the design had to protect the building against all and any credible threats.

Charter Global was approached during the early stages of designs to provide a high-security solution to cater for both GIS general conditions and safety concerns for staff and visitors.

MK Gallery is the most recent regeneration project to specify minimum LPS 1175 Issue 7: SR4. ‘LPS’ stands for ‘Loss Prevention Standard’ and LPS 1175 is one of many LPS standards by the LPCB (Loss Prevention Certification Board).

The LPS 1175 standard focuses on the physical security of ‘intruder-resistant building components’, which includes strong points, security enclosures and any products that fall within those categories, such as doors and shutters.

Charter Global has an established range of products available as a certified solution to LPS 1175, as well as being the first to manufacture, supply and install an LPS 1175 SR5 security shutter.

As for safety features, controls were incorporated on the project for remote confirmation of opening and closure through status indication. The gallery’s loading area was located on the other side of the gallery to the security reception; therefore, remote closure minimised incidents of human error and internal sabotage.

Two further security roller shutters were provided for the personnel fire escape to and from the bright feature fire exit staircase. Both also certified to LPS 1175 Issue 7 SR4, these heavy-duty pieces of machinery were connected to the fire alarm interface with battery back-ups.

This high level of security provides the indemnifying bodies with the reassurance that every possible step is taken to secure valuable works of art on loan at UK museums and galleries. This reassurance is also available to commercial and prime residential properties, with solutions available to mitigate low- to high-threat scenarios.

The latest Government figures show that the Government Indemnity Scheme has “indemnities in force” for artworks valued at £18.7bn – with this much money involved, the security systems have to be the very best.

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ROOFING, CLADDING & INSULATION

UNDERSTANDING HAZARD AND RISK IN LIQUID ROOFING SPECIFICATION Gavin White from leading liquid applied roofing specialist, Sika Liquid Plastics, discusses the importance of supply chain technical support in managing hazards and avoiding risk.

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ven in the context of the building products market, where nextgeneration materials and a competitive environment are driving innovation, the liquid-applied roofing sector is particularly dynamic.

Product development in liquid-applied roofing membranes is being driven by the need for high levels of both performance and buildability, resulting in systems with enhanced service life, speed of installation and low-odour characteristics.

With so many systems available and some bold product claims, however, it’s important that specifiers truly understand the capabilities offered by their product choices along with any hazards that may need to be managed during installation.

Low odour vs low hazard Any construction project inherently involves a level of hazard. However, risk can be avoided if any hazards are known and FC&A – JANUARY – 2020

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managed. For example, in the liquid roofing sector, if skin contact with the product needs to be avoided, wearing appropriate PPE and following manufacturer guidelines on safe handling requirements can ensure that risk is avoided on site.

When it comes to inhalation hazards, however, the picture is more complex.

Moreover, whereas skin contact hazards only have the potential to affect contractors actually using the product, inhalation hazards could also pose some level of risk to occupants of a building during a roof refurbishment project if they not correctly managed.

The dilemma for specifiers is that lowodour and low-inhalation hazards are not always the same thing. It’s perfectly possible for a product with a distinctive odour to present no inhalation hazard at all. Conversely, it’s equally possible for some low-odour liquid roofing systems on the market to present a surprisingly high level of inhalation hazard and risk if this is unknown and unmanaged.

ROOFING, CLADDING & INSULATION

Proof and performance

Beyond compliance To safeguard against the use of hazardous and environmentally harmful chemicals in the formulation of liquid roofing systems, all manufacturers must avoid using any chemicals banned by EU REACH regulations. The REACH banned list aims to ensure chemicals are not used if the level of hazard they involve is unmanageable.

Legally, all manufacturers must also clearly state all constituents with associated hazards for every product on the product safety datasheet.

These requirements are designed to help specifiers make safer and more informed choices. However, it’s important to understand that new chemical substances are constantly being developed and the REACH banned list is extended to include more banned constituents each year. As a result, liquid roofing systems can be REACH compliant but still include potentially hazardous constituents in their formulation.

When it comes to low-odour products, it’s particularly important to be confident that none of the constituents pose any inhalation hazards because the lack of any unpleasant odours could make contractors and building owners less vigilant.

Supply chain partnership By working with a supply chain partner that is both proactive and candid in identifying hazards, the specifier can be confident of avoiding any design responsibility risk and any potential risk for contractors or building occupiers on site.

For example, as part of the global Sika network of companies, Sika Liquid Plastics adheres to an internal Sika banned substances list, which includes many substances not currently banned by EU REACH regulations. This not only means that we avoid using any constituents identified by Sika’s global compliance department in our product formulations; it also enables us to be a step ahead of any new REACH compliance requirements when developing new, highperformance roofing solutions.

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Specifiers should not only be able to rely on their roofing supply chain partners for clear and honest advice on both performance and hazards, but should also expect product claims to be backed by credible test data.

While terms like ‘low odour’ and ‘odourless’ are unregulated and subjective, inhalation risk is quantifiable using the HSE’s WELs (Workplace Exposure Limits). Regardless of whether a liquid roofing system has a noticeable odour or not, it should have been through a thorough testing process, including third-party lab tests and occupational exposure testing in an environment that simulates a real-world installation environment.

Indeed, when Sika Liquid Plastics tested the Decothane Ultra low-odour roofing system prior to launch, a box test was used to assess inhalation hazards against WELs of the constituent components. This involved trapping the freshly-applied coating and detector inside a box immediately after application. Even in this extremely confined space, Decothane Ultra, like all Sika Liquid Plastics’ systems, was found to be significantly below WELs levels.

Testing products to worst-casescenario levels for inhalation hazards in this way ensures that contractors are protected from risk, even when working in confined areas of the roof. Similarly, it protects building occupiers from any inhalation risk during refurbishment projects.

Specifiers can also ensure that hazards are managed on site by working with a supply chain partner that offers a complete service and technical support package. For example, regular inspections by Sika’s Roofing Applications Team, mean that all Sika Liquid Plastics projects are monitored for installation practices that support high levels of both safety and performance.

Safety centre stage The liquid roofing sector continues to offer specifiers a variety of options, enabling them to choose a best-fit system to meet the specific installation and performance criteria for their new-build or refurbishment project.

Safety must be integral to those criteria and only by working closely with the supply chain can specifiers ensure that risk is avoided with an informed and proactive approach to understanding and managing hazards.

https://gbr.liquidplastics.sika.com/ FC&A – JANUARY – 2020

SHOW PREVIEWS

SURFACE DESIGN SHOW 2020: THE BEST IN MATERIAL INNOVATION Architects can discover the best in material innovation from across the world, all in one place at this year’s Surface Design Show. Held at the Business Design Centre in Islington from 11 to 13th February 2020, the show – now in its 15th year – will focus on the thought-provoking topic of ‘Close to Home’.

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s well as over 170 exhibitors, architects can also enjoy a packed programme of talks and CPDs, plus the ever-popular Opening Night Debate and the lively PechaKucha evening, which will be hosted by Phil Coffey of Coffey Architects. The winners of the prestigious Surface Design Awards will also be revealed during the two and a half days.

The ‘Close to Home’ theme will look beyond aesthetics and into manufacturers’ impact on the environment, from the processes used in mining or manufacture, through to the carbon footprint sustained during sales and distribution.

How to specify for design and architecture projects with a conscience will also be examined, from reusing waste materials to looking at what happens at the end of a product’s life cycle.

New exhibitors to the 2020 Surface Design Show include Wonderwall Studios, creator of joyous panelling from salvaged woods that enriches surfaces

and enhances interiors, and Mortise Concrete, producer of individually designed and hand-crafted polished concrete countertops and products. Returning exhibitors include Reading-based natural stone supplier Amarestone.

As well as established brands, Surface Design Show is dedicated to promoting up-and-coming designers in the materials sector with its New Talent section, curated by internationally acclaimed speaker and forward-thinking Chief Creative Director at Trendease International Jennifer Castoldi.

In addition to materials for indoor and outdoor architectural applications, Light School is a key component of the show. Here, leading manufacturers will demonstrate the relationship between light and surfaces, as well as showcasing the latest architectural lighting products.

Light Talks, a series of sessions supported by the Institution of Lighting Professionals and collated by Rebecca Weir from

Lightbout.IQ, will underpin this knowledge sharing.

Surface Design Show 2020 will host approximately 30 presentations from 50 speakers across the purpose-built stages, all highly relevant for the architecture community.

Renowned practices including Steven Holl Architects, Mikhail Riches, AECOM, WilkinsonEyre and Chris Dyson Architects are among those shortlisted for 2020 Surface Design Awards, which exemplify creative use of surface materials and lighting.

There are an impressive 39 projects across 14 categories in total, from retail and public buildings to commercial projects and housing, including new categories in the public realm and affordable housing for 2020. Demonstrating the truly international reach of the awards, now in their sixth year, projects on the shortlist spanned 13 countries from 34 different organisations with emerging practices represented, as well as established firms.

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The esteemed judging panel is co-chaired by Paul Priestman, Designer, CoFounder and Chairman of global design consultancy PriestmanGoode, and Amin Taha, Chairman of Groupwork and Director of Amin Taha Architects. The remaining judges are Nikki Barton, Head of Digital Design at British Airways; Sean Griffiths, an Artist, Architect and academic practicing at Modern Architect; Charles Holland, Principal at Charles Holland Architects; Glenn Johnson, Director of Design at the Advanced Design Group of Collins Aerospace; Daniel Mota Veiga, Global Head of Product Design for KEF/GP Acoustics; and Steve Webb, Co-Founder of Webb Yates Engineers.

For all things innovative in surfaces and materials, the Surface Design Show provides the perfect platform for architects to explore. Tickets are free to professional and trade visitors.

SHOW PREVIEWS

ARCHITECT@WORK RETURNS FOR 2020 The 2020 edition of ARCHITECT@WORK (running from 29 to 30th January at the Old Truman Brewery, London) focuses on ways design and architecture intersect with nature.

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his theme is illustrated throughout the exciting talks program, which is always one of this trade fair’s hotlyanticipated features. Timber revolutionary Waugh Thistleton Architects is confirmed in the line-up, as are architectural practices Invisible Studio, Palladian London, Sarah Wigglesworth Architects and Tate Harmer. Talks touching on how natural materials are being brought into

our spaces, the importance of natural learning environments and a hot debate on the pros and cons of designing for countryside vs city.

There is no clearer example of the relationship between urbanism and nature than along the green belt, which was created to protect against the sprawl of London. However, some believe it has become a stranglehold on development.

Peter Murray, of New London Architecture who has played a key role in promoting the green belt concept, will use his talk at ARCHITECT@WORK as a platform detailing why he is calling for a review of the idea to ensure it is still fit for purpose.

Landscape Designer and personality Dan Pearson will be ‘in-conversation’ with Journalist Helen Parton as the final talks event. Also on site, RIBA will present its pop-up bookshop, and the Material Driven exhibition is a must-see for all material-ophiles. As a design agency and materials library, Material Driven curates exhibitions by working with both established and emerging materials manufacturers, supporting and promoting their journey from prototype to product.

Visitors should allow plenty of time to explore the wide variety of manufacturers exhibiting their latest wares at the show.

Architects, specifiers and interior/ landscape designers can explore the latest product innovations from dozens of exhibitors from all over the world. Leading international architectural product suppliers are showing over 200 innovative products and offering the latest innovations in surface solutions, lighting technology as well as interior and exterior fixtures and fittings. All exhibitors go through a rigorous selection process, with an external judging panel overseeing the product selection, to ensure that this is one of the UK’s most highly respected trade shows of its kind.

This two-day event allows visitors to get a deeper understanding of how particular new products can add value within both large- and small-scale projects.

Product categories: Carcass/building envelope Exterior joinery, facade and exterior cladding, insulation, air- and watertightness, roof construction, loadbearing structures, roof covering, drainage and rainwater systems.

Building systems Fixed lighting, sanitaryware, heating, air conditioning, electricity and controls, plumbing and renewable energy.

Interior finishing Interior layout/design, interior joinery, floor coverings, wall coverings, partition walls and ceilings, paints and adhesives and door fittings.

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FC&A – JANUARY – 2020

DOORS, WINDOWS & BALUSTRADES

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SIDEY HELPING TO MAKE LIFE EASIER FOR CONSTRUCTION SITE MANAGERS As the second-largest consumer of plastic in the UK, the construction industry has an important role to play when it comes to recycling. For site managers, working with companies who have a strong commitment to recycling is vital – and few value sustainability more than Sidey.

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www.sidey.co.uk FC&A – JANUARY – 2020

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cotland’s strongest fenestration company, Sidey was one of the first window and door manufacturers in the UK to achieve ISO EMS 14001 and also one of the first to gain the latest EMS 14001-2015 accreditation, the highest environmental standard available in the UK. Construction sites are legally required to handle and dispose of waste safely and responsibly, and most companies already have formal policies on waste management and recycling in place. This can lead to difficulties for management when finding contractors who can meet this criteria.

With extensive experience working with developers and construction companies, Sidey’s dedicated technical teams assist with projects and help site managers meet all environmental requirements and regulations.

“We’ve made our commitment to the environment a priority for many years now,” says Robert Fitzpatrick, Group Accreditations Manager-HSQE at Sidey. “And we take that responsibility very seriously, for the benefit of our staff, customers, local communities and the planet in general.

“The range of windows, doors and conservatory products that we manufacture have been designed to achieve impressive levels of thermal efficiency, cutting down on energy waste and reducing the carbon footprint of properties.”

Plastic packaging is a major factor when it comes to waste, with the construction industry generating an estimated 50,000 tonnes every year, while 60% of all skipped material by weight is packaging waste. In total, the construction industry produces three times more packaging waste than all UK households combined.

“We keep the amount of packaging we use to an absolute minimum,” says Robert. “Where possible, we deliver our products on stillages.

We also recycle any cardboard we use, and we’ve even banned the use of bottled water on our premises to limit single-use plastics.

“Sidey has 99.4% recycling from our factory and zero waste to landfill. Also, when we bring back old windows from installations, we separate all the materials, and recycle everything we can – which is an impressive 99.3%.

“We’re quite aware of how difficult it can be for site managers to meet the strict environmental criteria required for a construction project. The long list of accreditations and certifications we have provides them with clear and transparent evidence of our policies, and how we go above and beyond the necessary requirements.

“It’s important to partner with associations and provide them with a holistic approach to help them achieve their environmental targets.

We understand the needs of our clients, local authorities, housing associations, RSLs, developers and specifiers to increase their commitments and we offer measured and verified data for them to use.”

01738 634 803

DOORS, WINDOWS & BALUSTRADES

CRITTALL PROMISES NEW STREAMLINED FLOW FROM QUOTE TO INSTALLATION Crittall, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of steel windows, has unveiled a major investment initiative that will revolutionise its processes from initial estimate through to final delivery and installation.

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he company’s Strategic Investment Programme will streamline every aspect of product ordering, manufacture and supply while retaining and enhancing the hand-built craftsmanship and bespoke nature that are hallmarks of its range of windows, doors and screens.

Russell Ager, Managing Director at Crittall Windows, says: “We are investing some £1.5m to provide a clean flow of operation from the moment an order is received to processing it directly onto our CNC machinery.

“This direct link takes the paperwork out of the system. It brings everything together and is much more suited to the current competitive marketplace.”

The end-to-end integration of all the company’s business functions embraces finance and accounting, customer relationship management, production, supply chain and contract management and provides real-time information on all aspects of the production process.

Estimating and manufacturing software from Klaes will control the CNC (Computer Numerical Control) process running newly purchased Mecal Kosmos and other machinery. Epicor Enterprise Resource Planning software already handles inventories, accounts and other financial functions while sales orders, production and shipping come on stream next April.

The full Strategic Investment Programme will be up and running by next summer.

Customers will benefit from all-round improved service including shorter

www.crittall-windows.co.uk

lead times and further enhancements in quality. A right first time culture with zero defects and 100% complete on time delivery will lead to quicker installation and bring cost savings.

hq@crittall-windows.co.uk

01376 530800

NEW AIRTIGHTNESS SEMINARS FOR ARCHITECTS AND SPECIFIERS ISO-CHEMIE

New free seminars on airtightness in construction sealing joints and improvement options for architects and other design and construction specifiers, will be available from sealant tape specialist ISO-Chemie, throughout 2020. The initiative advances architectural knowledge and understanding of airtightness and related issues, enabling specifiers to improve the design and construction of buildings and boost their technical and product expertise. Delivered onsite within the practice and contributing towards formal CPD training, the programme covers advice on effective window installation techniques, and how to identify and rectify air leakage. It also covers products to improve thermal insulating and load-bearing bracket system for the rapid installation of windows, which have been fire rated to E30. Guidance on the latest airtightness products and sealing solutions is also covered in the seminar, which includes details of ISO-Chemie’s range of gap sealing solutions ISO-BLOCO WIN2WALL and BLOCO-ONE. To book a seminar, contact Andy Swift, Sales and Operations Manager.

SECURE ACCESS FOR EXCLUSIVE JEWELLERY BOUTIQUE TORMAX

Boodles, the top-end jewellery store, recently contracted Warrior Doors to develop an automatic entrance solution that would meet stringent demands for security whilst providing a welcoming shopfront for customers. Manufactured from stainless-steel, the bespoke entrance consists of two individual automatic sliding doors, powered by TORMAX iMotion 2302 operators, that work in tandem to create an attractive entrance lobby. This ‘airlock’ solution is capable of withstanding even the most determined security breach, combining an impressive interlocking system with security glass certified to LPS 1270 1,2,3, to deliver a product that is secured up to LPS 1175 SR3.

www.iso-chemie.co.uk a.swift@iso-chemie.co.uk 07837 337220

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FC&A – JANUARY – 2020

ROOFING, CLADDING & INSULATION

SIKALASTIC RAPID PROVIDES TOP CLASS SOLUTION FOR RIBA LEARNING CENTRE To help drive public engagement and education about the built environment, RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) has repurposed an area of its Grade II Listed London headquarters as the Clore Learning Centre.

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he organisation has received a grant from the Clore Duffield Foundation to help fund the initiative but manufacturers, including Sika, have also helped by providing materials to refurbish the area designated for the project.

Meeting the brief Sika’s involvement with RIBA’s Clore Learning Centre development concerns the outdoor terrace and learning environment. The existing terrace area was out of regular use prior to the Clore Learning Centre project and the existing waterproofing covering had reached the end of its service life.

The Sika team carried out a condition survey of the terrace area to inform a full technical specification. This had to take account of the Grade II Listed status of the building, the requirement for a safe

outdoor space for learners of all ages and the need to complete the project within a mission critical deadline.

Technical challenges Sika’s Sikalastic Rapid provided the ideal solution for waterproofing the terrace.

Specifically designed for waterproofing of trafficable roofs, terraces and walkways, the cold-applied liquid system cures in 30-40 minutes, even at lower temperatures, and can be accelerated for an even faster cure.

The Sikalastic Rapid membrane was specified as part of a complete terrace refurbishment system, bringing together Sika’s refurbishment and waterproofing expertise from the company’s wideranging basement to roof portfolio. The complete solution considered the features of the existing building, safety for users and service life of the finished project.

The specification also had to address significant technical challenges. Sika Roofing Field Technician, Darren Adams, explains: “Application of the Sikalastic Rapid system to the entire terrace was a requirement of the guarantee but some aspects of the design and legacy building made this difficult.

“Our response was to include Sikalastic Rapid Filler Compound in the specification.

This flexible filler enabled a smooth surface to be created for installation of the Sikalastic Rapid, so that details including the threshold onto the terrace and the fixings for perimeter benches could be encapsulated.”

Rapid installation Sika’s Quality Assured (QA) Roofing contractor, London Seamless Flat Roofing, was appointed to deliver the terrace refurbishment project.

Following preparation and application of the primer, the rapid-curing Sikalastic Rapid system was installed in a wet-on-wet process.

Sikalastic Rapid Levelling Mortar was then applied onto the cured membrane and quartz aggregate was broadcast across the surface while the levelling mortar was still tacky to provide a hardwearing and anti-slip trafficable surface.

Part of the brief from RIBA has been to colour match the newly refurbished terrace with the yellow tones of the original Grade II Listed building and this was achieved with a pigmented Sikalastic Rapid Sealer in a custom-specified RAL 1001 mustard colour.

Successful completion The fast curing Sikalastic Rapid system enabled installation of the project within just two weeks, causing minimal disruption to the building’s occupants and allowing full use of the Clore Learning Centre’s internal spaces.

gbr.liquidplastics.sika.com FC&A – JANUARY – 2020

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01772 259781

ROOFING, CLADDING & INSULATION

BBA CERTIFICATION FOR RCM PRODUCTS: QUALITY GUARANTEED RCM is delighted to announce that three further products have successfully achieved the prestigious BBA (British Board of Agrement) accreditation.

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hrough extensive testing, RCM has secured BBA approval for its Supertech Weatherboard, Multipurpose

sheathing board and Renderflex render carrier board.

The BBA was initially set up back in 1966 by the government of the day.

Today, the BBA is an independent body,

www.buildingboards.co.uk

which provides extensive and independent testing of products designed for the construction industry.

Only products which meet the highest specifications will receive BBA approval as ‘fit for purpose’, providing reassurance and maintaining quality within the construction industry.

RCM offers a wide portfolio of building boards and facades, with its popular A1 non-combustible Y-Wall fibre cement building board, which successfully achieved its BBA accreditation a few years ago.

The latest BBA certifications pertain to three of RCM’s popular products: Firstly, Multipurpose, RCM’s A1 non-combustible, cellulose fibre cement building board. With its excellent strength, weathering and mechanical properties, it’s the perfect choice for multiple applications, especially for buildings over 18m high.

Secondly, Renderflex, RCM’s A2-s1,d0 firerated cellulose fibre cement render carrier board, offering excellent strength, weathering and stability properties when used in conjunction with polymer renders.

And finally, Supertech Weatherboard, a simple-to -install, fully ventilated cladding system, which has an appearance similar to that of traditional timber cladding but the durability and strength of cellulose fibre cement.

The importance of an 2independent certificate demonstrates commitment to quality and is further proof of RCM responsibly operating in line with industry best practice and management systems.

info@rcmltd.biz

0800 612 4662

SETTING THE STANDARD FOR SCAFFOLDING SETTING THE STANDARD FORinSCAFFOLDING The NASC is the national trade body for access and scaffolding the UK and has been setting the industry benchmark for nearly 80 years. Our full contracting members are among the best The NASC is the national trade body for access and scaffolding in the UK and has been setting in the business, accounting for the vast majority of the UK’s scaffolding spend – with a total the industry benchmark for nearly 80 years. Our full contracting members are among the best annual turnover in excess of £2 billion – and are independently audited every year. in the business, accounting for the vast majority of the UK’s scaffolding spend – with a total annual turnover in excess of £2 billion – and are independently audited every year.

For demonstrably safe, skilled and compliant contractors it has to be NASC. For demonstrably safe, skilled and compliant contractors it has to be NASC.

www.nasc.org.uk www.nasc.org.uk

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KBB BIRMINGHAM 2020 TO OFFER LAYERS OF INSPIRATION: EXHIBITOR FOCUS kbb Birmingham – Europe’s largest dedicated kitchens, bedrooms and bathrooms exhibition – returns for 2020 from 1-4 March, offering a wide range of interior design inspiration from KBB suppliers and manufacturers.

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Dansani produces and supplies modular bathroom furniture as well as shower enclosures and towel warmers

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Samsung’s BESPOKE line up is a new category of refrigerators that allows users to set up the kitchen in a customised style

he show, taking place at the NEC, will feature over 400 exhibitors showcasing the latest products and innovations.

This year’s theme is Individuality. The show will feature a range of exhibitors ready to inspire visitors with many layers of design inspiration for kitchen, bathroom and bedroom spaces. Some examples of the brands reflecting this theme and highlighting innovative new products at kbb 2020 include:

Kitchen inspiration BLANCO UK, which specialises in manufacturing innovative kitchen sinks and taps, will be launching its new Smart Tap Collection, this includes a filter tap, a sensor tap, a volume measurement tap and a hot tap, making it perfect for consumers wanting a convenient yet sustainable choice.

Samsung’s BESPOKE line up is a new category of refrigerators that allows users to set up the kitchen in a customised style. They are designed to be either freestanding or recess fit, meaning they can have cabinetry fitted around the fridge, to maintain the builtin look which is a whole new category option in the market.

Cambria, producer of natural stone surfaces, offers a diverse palette of trend-forward, sophisticated designs, colours and tones ranging from traditional to contemporary and bold to eclectic, showcasing timeless beauty inspired by nature and innovated for reallife. At kbb, the brand will be displaying innovative designs from its most recent launch: Golden Dragon and Islington.

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Bathroom inspiration Danish design brand Dansani will be displaying its new YOU bathroom furniture collections as well as its new towel warmers. Dansani produces and supplies modular bathroom furniture as well as shower enclosures and towel warmers.

The brand creates solutions that allow consumers to make life – with all aspects involved – easier and more beautiful, also more meaningful.

Tilelook is an online marketplace where you can create 3D photo realistic designs with product lists, quantities and pricing.

On Tilelook, you will find over 250k tiles from a range of international brands. A must-see for this year, Tilelook will be hosting live demos throughout the show.

QA Flooring Solutions is a leading manufacturer of luxury vinyl tiles and other flooring accessories. Its award-winning Luvanto Design Flooring range adds style to any room and the brand will be exhibiting its latest ranges at this year’s event.

Bedroom inspiration Blum specialises in Moving Ideas; manufacturing and distributing lift, hinge and pull-out systems for furniture in all living spaces. At this year’s event, Blum will be showing its new SPACE STEP, a plinth solution which takes storage to new levels, AVENTOS HK top, a lift system, though small in size, which inspires with many integrated features, and a pull-out shelf lock, which offers a discreet spacesaving mechanism which securely holds an open pull-out shelf in place.

Don’t miss out, register now by visiting the kbb website.

KBB

TOP ARCHITECT TURNS TO GEC ANDERSON FOR KITCHEN SURFACES GEC ANDERSON

STUNNING KÖNIGSTONE SHOWROOM IS A FEAST OF HIGH-END WORKTOPS KÖNIGSTONE

Worktop supplier Königstone has opened its new 2200ft2 showroom in Market Harborough. On display, is a kitchen island which showcases one of the concrete colours from the KönigQuartz range, Concrete Fossil. The worktop is built around a clad sink and a glass leg, which demonstrates the adaptability of the surfaces to fit around any kitchen scheme.

The showroom is also home to L-shaped kitchen units covered in KönigQuartz Lausanne. These worktops have been fitted together with Königstone’s Premium Joint which ensures a seamless finish between two different pieces of worktop. All of the displays showcase the variety of options available from Königstone.

www.konigstone.co.uk info@konigstone.co.uk 0333 577 2903

GEC Anderson has enabled many design professionals to realise their ambitions for both domestic and commercial kitchens, but now one of the world’s foremost architectural consultancies has called on the stainlesssteel specialist to help deliver a project they can reflect on every day. Foster + Partners has a new galley kitchen in its Hester Road studio which features bespoke sinks, surfaces and splash-backs supplied by GEC Anderson. The GEC fabrications were produced through a series of consultative meetings with the team and delivered direct to site in Battersea for installation by specialist fitter CHC.

www.gecanderson.co.uk

info@gecanderson.co.uk

01442 826999

COUNCIL HEADS TO THE TOILET TO IMPROVE TOWN APPEAL AND ACCESSIBILITY CLOSOMAT

Tamworth Borough Council is utilising the latest toilet technology to deliver enhanced facilities in the Tamworth Castle grounds, which are no longer limited by seasonal opening hours.

Alongside, an assisted accessible toilet – also known as a Changing Places toilet – features a Closomat Palma Vita wash and dry smart toilet. Automatically operated, the Closomat effectively washes and dries the user with no need to wipe with toilet paper, giving greater cleanliness and hygiene and – for those who need help – greater dignity and independence.

Under British Standards (BS8300:2018), it’s best practice to provide a Changing Places toilet in addition to conventional accessible facilities in buildings where the public spend time.

www.closomat.co.uk

info@clos-o-mat.com

0161 969 1199

HAVE THEY GOT HAVE THEY GOT THE RIGHT CARD? THE RIGHT CARD? Make sure those carrying out scaffolding operations on your site are qualified to do so with our FREE scaffolder site poster.

Email enquiries@cisrs.org.uk for are yourqualified copy today.

Make sure card thoseA1carrying out scaffolding operations on your site to do so with our FREE scaffolder card A1 site poster. Email enquiries@cisrs.org.uk for today. visit www.cisrs.org.uk Foryour morecopy information For more information visit www.cisrs.org.uk

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HVAC & ELECTRICALS

RINNAI HOT WATER: RELIABLE, INSTANT, ENERGY-EFFICIENT AND LOWER FUEL COSTS FOR UK HOMEOWNERS Rinnai’s range of ErP A-rated continuous flow gas-fired hot water heaters now includes models specifically aimed and designed for the UK domestic market. The units guarantee high efficiencies and low running costs combined with consistent water temperatures seven days a week.

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innai’s range of continuous flow water heating units are being specified and installed in the whole range of domestic properties – studios, flats, houses, high-end residential houses – as installers and end users become aware of the ease of installation, and the energy and cost-saving benefits.

Rinnai manufactures over two million water heaters every year and as such is at the forefront of creating unit cost advantages for installers. Competitively priced, the units offer all technological advances and innovations, all at a similar cost to lower specification competitor models.

The reason for the increase in popularity is that continuous flow heating systems are proven to be more energy-efficient than conventional ones, and are now the preferred method of hot water provision.

Rinnai units meet the demands of any size of home and are ideal where high volumes are required at intermittent times of the day, delivering safe temperature useable hot water.

The Rinnai multipoint 17i water heater, for example, eliminates the problem of sudden changes in water temperature, resulting in cold showers or scalding hot baths – the water temperature you set, is the water temperature you get.

www.rinnaiuk.com FC&A – JANUARY – 2020

So, if somebody is happily showering at 42°C and a tap is turned on to draw a bath elsewhere in the property, the temperature does not vary, and there is no chance of either user running out of hot water.

The Rinnai 16i interior model measures just 675 x 370 x 139mm and weighs in at 18kg – a one-man lift. The room-sealed unit has a temperature range of 3560°C with direct electronic ignition. Gas consumption ranges between 4.7-6.5kW for natural gas and 4.9-36.8kW when using propane. Hot water delivery flow is an impressive 16-litre max flow. Nominal operation pressure is 1-7 bar and it uses a 230V AC 50Hz 1ph power supply with an electrical consumption of 68W. Meanwhile, where an external installation is required, the Rinnai 17e external multipoint water heater offers greater flexibility at the design stage and offers a viable solution where flue runs are problematic or internal space is not available. Capable of flow rates of up to 510-litres per hour at a 50°C rise, the 17e is suitable for multiple applications and can be specified for use with natural gas or propane.

The 17e has full frost protection and is available with a range of external ancillary items including pipe cover box, and security cage where necessary.

For smaller properties, the Infinity 11i interior unit differs from the 17i as it weighs 2kg less, at 16kg, and consumes 6.10-21.60kW of natural gas and has an 11-litre maximum flow.

Key features of 24kW Rinnai 11i unit: Lightweight unit for easy installation Compact design to fit a limited space Robust, durable heat exchanger User-friendly digital controls In-built frost protection Ideal replacement for large obtrusive and bulky cylinder Compact design to fit a limited space.

01928 531870 46

HVAC & ELECTRICALS

STATELY HOME SECURED WITH ADVANCED PROTECTION ADVANCED

Hertfordshire-based Amida Fire undertook the phased upgrade of Badgeworth Court. The country house is now being protected by benchmark multi-protocol panels from fire systems company, Advanced. The nature of the building made parts of the upgrade tricky, and wireless devices needed to be installed in some of the less accessible areas of the home. The MxPro 4’s timeclocks were used to configure multi sensors in kitchen and laundry areas so that at night, when fewer staff are on duty, the devices only detect smoke. During the day, when these areas are more actively in use, detection has been setup for a combination of heat and smoke. The MxPro multi-protocol fire system range has two panel ranges, four detector protocols and a completely open installer network – backed by free training and support. The panels can be used in single-loop, single-panel format or easily configured into high-speed, multi-loop panels in 200 node networks covering huge areas.

CONSORT CLAUDGEN INTRODUCES NEW LST FAN HEATERS CONSORT CLAUDGEN

Consort Claudgen has expanded its Electronic 7-day Timer range to include three new low surface temperature fan heaters; two of which are 500W and 750W heaters in the PLSTiE Slimline range and a new 2kW CN2MLSTiE heater. All heaters offer six heating periods per day, seven days a week, and have an optional open/ close window detection feature. They’re also enhanced with safety monitoring features and one of the latest low-energy consumption EC motors. This allows the heaters to operate quietly, whilst still providing the best possible levels of comfort. Visit the Consort Claudgen website for more information and technical advice.

www.advancedco.com jmountain@advancedco.com 0345 894 7000

www.consortepl.com sales@consortepl.com 01646 692172

OMNIE UNDERFLOOR HEATING SELECTED FOR ZERO-CARBON HOMES IN CORNWALL OMNIE

OMNIE – the Exeter-based renewables specialist – has had two of its rapid installation, high output underfloor heating systems specified for the new development, Hilgrove Mews in Newquay, Cornwall. The 46 properties will benefit from an integrated package that includes air source heat pumps, which will deliver the high efficiency renewable warmth via OMNIE FoilBoard Floating and OMNIE Staple underfloor heating arrays. FoilBoard Floating forms part of OMNIE’s UltraLow concept, where a selection of products offer low build height for both retrofit and new-build applications.

The 1200 x 600mm panels are available in thicknesses from 18 to 75mm, with the Hillgrove Mews project making use of the 25mm-thick version.

www.omnie.co.uk

projects@omnie.co.uk

01392 363605

VORTICE LAUNCHES NEW PASSIVHAUSACCREDITED HEAT RECOVERY UNIT VORTICE

Vortice has launched a version of its Vort Avel heat recovery unit which is accredited under the Passivhaus standard, the Vort Avel 450 D. Suitable for vertical wall installation, it has a high efficiency counter cross flow heat exchanger and automatically activated anti-freeze protection. The front panel gives direct access to the main internal components, allowing for easy change of filters. The Vort Avel 450 D has four operational speeds and a 100% mechanical by-pass, and its design allows for virtually maintenance-free operation. Sales Manager, Paul Gunner, said: “This is the first of the Vortice ventilation products for which we have specifically applied for Passive House accreditation, and we were pleased to gain certification.”

www.vortice.ltd.uk

sales@vortice.ltd.uk

01283 492949 47

TAILORED UFH AND AIR SOURCE SOLUTION FOR SOCIAL HOUSING DEVELOPMENT TAILORED HEAT

Carlisle-based heating sector specialist, Tailored Heat, has delivered an in-screed underfloor heating system and air source heat pump package for the redevelopment of old, hard-to-heat social housing properties in an off-gas area on the North East coast. Bernicia, a leading affordable housing provider in the region, is building nine new energy-efficient dwellings at Seahouses. Sharon Lake, Bernicia Programme Manager, said: “The air source heat pump system with the underfloor heating was specified to take advantage of the opportunities new technologies offer to provide tenants with high-quality new homes which are economic to run with low fuel bills.”

www.tailoredheat.co.uk info@tailoredheat.co.uk 01228 210444 FC&A – JANUARY – 2020

STEEL

BUILD-TO-RENT – SEIZE THE OPPORTUNITY As predicted, the UK’s build-to-rent (BTR) market is set to grow. Property agent Savills recently estimated that the sector will increase in value from £9.6bn today to a potential £543.6bn once it reaches maturity. Steve Thompson from steel framing specialist EOS discusses the BTR opportunity for the offsite sector.

EOS

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he predicted meteoric rise of BTR presents major opportunities for offsite innovators such as EOS. This sector is far from the ‘buy them cheap, stack them high’ mentality of the rental homes of the past and is about demonstrating critical value to clients and investors.

Productivity is king A key appeal of the BTR model for institutional funders and developers is its ability to provide long-term investment opportunities. Unlike traditional multiresidential projects, where investors recoup expenditure more quickly through sales of new homes, BTR investors take their return from rental receipts over many years, providing a steady income stream.

So, what does this mean for the design and construction of BTR buildings? Firstly, boosting productivity is essential. The faster a BTR project can be built and let, the faster investors can begin recovering their initial capital outlay.

FC&A – JANUARY – 2020

Material providers and installers should focus on improving their offer to accelerate project delivery. The repeatable design of many BTR buildings makes them well-placed to unlock the productivity gains offered by offsite construction, including many larger BTR developers that have the capital to invest in offsite manufacturing techniques.

One such scheme that illustrates this clearly is Quintain’s north-west London project with outline planning consent for an 85-acre mixed-use development with major BTR elements. This development allowed the team at EOS to demonstrate our understanding of the BTR sector as a long-term asset class, and evidence how we can maximise returns for investors by putting the customer front and centre of our approach.

Located in the heart of Wembley Park, NW07 is a contemporary residential and retail development which sits between Page Place and Elvin Square. With 187 units of BTR accommodation, the 48

architecture is defined by four stepped buildings, echoing the form of the adjacent, Flanagan Lawrence-designed Alto building. The facade is composed of tall, vertical frames, punctuated with balconies that allow each apartment to enjoy wide and open views. Adjacent to the main residential entrance on the ground floor, a series of community spaces are provided to promote interaction between residents.

Also part of this scheme, NW08 offers 174 residential units, comprising 108 build-to-rent units and 66 affordable housing apartments, all located above retail space at ground level. The facades create a dynamic form with roof terraces and large projecting balconies on the southern elevation which provide dramatic views of the stadium, and tall vertical recesses that have been carved into the thick blade walls to provide locations for windows and balconies. Both projects create key focal points on the approach to the iconic Wembley Stadium.

Our brief for the scheme was to rapidly deliver fully-engineered steel framing infill solutions to BIM Level 2 – executed with high precision and finished to an outstanding quality.

Ahead of schedule and on budget, EOS fulfilled the brief with highly costeffective offsite-manufactured steel framing systems for different building types, across one of the UK’s largest construction sites.

STEEL

All images:

Wembley regeneration scheme

Long-term value The second, and perhaps most important step to maximise returns is ensuring a steady income from residents. Customer satisfaction is what determines the long-term occupancy rates and makes a project a success.

A larger upfront investment in build quality is likely to pay dividends in the long run. One of the more obvious places to invest is in the building fabric. Installing more durable materials for walls and partitions can bring efficiencies in both maintenance and energy costs. When it comes to residents’ quality of life, these materials have a vital role to play by providing a high-quality finish and a comfortable living environment. Ensuring peace of mind on fire safety by working with competent subcontractors and installing tested and accredited systems is also crucial.

By engaging early with BTR clients and specifiers, manufacturers can advise on opportunities to influence the design to maximise the lettable floor space – boosting room for residents and realising a significant increase in potential income. BTR is here to stay in the UK, and we need to make sure we’re part of its future.

With a comprehensive spectrum of products and services, including the ground-breaking Thrubuild® systems, a fully tested load-bearing, light steel solution, underpinned by a substantial investment in state-of-the-art technology, EOS has the capability and capacity to meet the exacting demands of the construction industry.

www.eosframing.co.uk enquiries@eosuk.org 01325 303030 49

FC&A – JANUARY – 2020

FLOORS, WALLS & CEILINGS

HELIFIX SHOWCASES VAST RANGE OF REPAIR TECHNIQUES AT LONDON BUILD 2019

CROWN PAINTS ANSWERS THE CALL TO HELP RURAL COMMUNITIES CROWN PAINTS

Crown Paints has helped to breathe new life into hundreds of rural phone boxes as part of a nationwide scheme to provide local communities with access to vital emergency medical equipment. As part of the ‘Minutes Matter’ scheme launched by BT and the Community HeartBeat Trust, life-saving defibrillators have been installed in local phone boxes, which were first refurbished with free paint donated by members of the British Coatings Federation (BCF). To date, Crown has supplied undercoat and red paint via its nationwide network of Crown Decorating Centres to renovate 130 phone boxes, which have each been equipped with a defibrillator.

This equates to almost a quarter of all paint donations made under the Minutes Matter scheme so far. As the chances of survival reduce every minute following a cardiac arrest, the UK Resuscitation Council recommends that access to a defibrillator should be available when emergency medical care is more than five minutes away.

HELIFIX

Helifix exhibited at London Build on 2728 November 2019, displaying a vast range of products and repair techniques, illustrating the variety of faults that Helifix products can repair. The inhouse technical sales team and external technical business managers were on-hand to discuss specific projects and explain to visitors why Helifix repairs are often a more sustainable option.

Helifix products and its concealed, non-disruptive, installation techniques play an important role in preserving the built environment, from housing and offices to bridges and listed buildings. The sales and technical teams have considerable experience and technical expertise to discuss your projectspecific requirements and answer any questions you may have on your current or future building projects.

www.helifix.co.uk sales@helifix.co.uk 0208 735 5200

www.crowntrade.co.uk info@crowntrade.co.uk 0330 024 0297

STO PROVIDES SWEEPING CURVED SOFFITS AT LONDON’S COAL DROPS YARD STO

MAGPLY SHINES AS RENDER BACKER FOR DARTFORD BUNGALOW DEVELOPMENT MAGPLY

High-performance Magply boards have been selected as the substrate for a bright white silicone render system, used as a striking finish to a single-storey, modularised domestic property on a green-field site in Kent. The new home, built on land at Dartford, takes the form of a twobedroom bungalow with spacious living accommodation, beneath a low pitch roof structure. The timber frame modules, which form the core of the dwelling, have been unified behind an outer sheathing of 12mm Magply, fixed over a batten cavity, with the multi-layer K-Rend proprietary render system having been applied by specialist sub-contractor Fullers Plastering.

www.magply.co.uk john@magply.co.uk 01621 776252 FC&A – JANUARY – 2020

Sto has revitalised part of London’s industrial heritage by supplying the adjustable mounting grid, StoVentec R carrier boards, Stolit K render and a StoColor metallic paint finish for the external soffits of the Coal Drops Yard project in King’s Cross. The design brief required the two disused buildings to be completely renovated, and brought together to create a new public space.

The two new roofs feature some 800m2 of upper level suspended soffits, for which Heatherwick Studio wanted a bespoke finish with a warm and metallic surface. This would blend with the character of the warehouses and would also shine as it reflected the light.

www.sto.co.uk

info.uk@sto.com

0141 892 8000

PROMOTION FOR DESIGNER CONTRACTS’ INTERIORS DIVISION DESIGNER CONTRACTS

Designer Contracts has announced a senior promotion within its 16-strong interior design division. Joining the business three years ago, and with almost a decade of experience in interior design, Faye Armstrong entered the showhome division as Design Sales Consultant and has now been promoted to Design Sales Manager. Said Faye: “A show home is a key selling tool for developers, which is why ensuring a scheme is tailored towards the builder’s target audience is essential. My role allows me to travel the UK meeting with our clients – including some of the country’s leading house-builders – to ensure we can help deliver on expectations, and importantly help sell houses.”

www.designercontracts.com 50

enquiries@designercontracts.com

01246 854577

FLOORS, WALLS & CEILINGS

SOUNDING OUT 1950S DESIGN An intriguing new Milan-styled Italian cafe has opened on Essex Road, Islington, designed by well-known Italian studio Vudafieri-Saverino Partners.

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he 240m 2 ‘Latteria’ is inspired by Milanese culture and style with a warm and informal atmosphere in white and red. This is complemented

by Troldtekt wood-wool panels on the ceiling painted white to blend in and used to soften the acoustics and reduce background noise. Troldtekt panels are frequently used in this kind of open-plan environment to combat noise generated by the kitchen machinery, staff and customers, which is exacerbated by bouncing off the hard surfaces. This is particularly true in this project where the design harks back to the 1950s and features an openplan kitchen coupled with hard surface lacquers and

laminates, polished and satin-finished steel, tiled walls and marble floors.

Troldtekt’s acoustic panels absorb both direct and reverberated sound.

They help to strike the balance between a lively and welcoming environment and an experience where the venue is uncomfortably loud.

This is important because customers’ comfort and a willingness to spend time and money is decreased in a noisy environment.

Specified throughout the UK and Europe, the benefits of 100% Troldtekt natural wood-wool panels include high sound absorption, high durability, natural breathability, low-cost lifecycle performance and sustainability. This

www.troldtekt.co.uk

Image: ©Ray Moon Studio

high performance is recognised by its Cradle to Cradle certification at Silver level. Available in various sizes and in four grades from extreme fine to coarse, the panels can be left untreated or painted in virtually any RAL colour.

info@troldtekt.co.uk

Riserdeck® A modern high specification composite alternative to traditional galvanised steel and M&E service riser flooring.

Riserdeck® is easy to install.

Simply cast into fresh concrete, as the building is constructed, or retrofit at a later stage.”

01978 664255

BENEFITS: Exceptional strength-to-weight ratio.

Quick and easy to install.

Excellent load bearing capabilities.

Lightweight and easy to handle.

Bi-directional spanning.

Corrosion and weather resistant.

Non-conductive.

Multi-purpose.

Cost effective.

Fire resistant (BS 476.)

Anti-slip- surface

riserdeck@steponsafety.co.uk

01206 396446

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          

www.steponsafety.co.uk

FC&A – JANUARY – 2020

FLOORS, WALLS & CEILINGS

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ALI-DECK BRINGS NON-COMBUSTIBLE DECKING TO STRIKING MANCHESTER HIGH-RISE PROJECT Richard Izzard, Managing Director of Ali-deck, profiles the latest in a growing number of high-rise developments to use their non-combustible aluminium decking system.

ALI-DECK

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ith the Government continuing its crackdown on combustible materials in high-rise buildings, architects, specifiers and building owners are turning away en masse from the likes of traditional timber and composite decking. Instead, they are now using new aluminium systems like Ali-deck as a non-combustible alternative for balcony decking.

One such project which has opted for Ali-deck’s aluminium decking is the Gore Street project currently taking place in Manchester. The new mixed-use development forms part of the £80m regeneration of Salford’s Chapel Street area. Once completed, the building will boast a prime location, situated between Trinity Street and Chapel Street on one of the major routes into the city.

The development will create 375 private rent homes, including 364 apartments and 11 townhouses across the three blocks. Each block ranges between 13 and 22 storeys in height and features a gym, cafe and private lounge exclusively for residents. Along with space made available for a public square, the first two storeys of the new development will provide 9400ft2 of commercial and retail space.

With decades of experience designing and installing commercial balconies, balustrades, stairs and structural steelwork, respected Sheffield-based firm Dearneside Fabrications secured the highprofile contract with Sir Robert McAlpine.

www.alideck.co.uk FC&A – JANUARY – 2020

To stay in line with the Government’s updated advice and to meet the requirements of the project, the talented team at Dearneside Fabrications called on the expertise and product range of Ali-deck.

Richard Izzard comments: “We are incredibly proud to see Ali-deck specified for yet another high-profile multi-occupancy development, and we congratulate the team at Dearneside Fabrications on the fantastic job they’ve done so far. Their team has a proven track record of delivering quality balcony packages, and this project will be no exception.

“In a short space of time, Ali-deck has proven itself to be the only viable option for high-rise balconies with the Government outlawing more traditional materials. After all, aluminium is incredibly robust, it’s recyclable and most importantly is inherently fireresistant. To have a safe and reliable solution which carries Class A2-s1 and d0 fire ratings is a welcome relief to building owners, specifiers and architects across the country.

“It’s not just about its non-combustible qualities, though. Ali-deck has been designed from the ground up to lend itself to large-scale developments like the Gore Street project. By using aluminium, we can provide a solution which can span 300% further than both traditional timber and composite systems, making it far faster and easier to install.

1: 2:

deck’s aluminium decking is the Gore Street project currently taking place in Manchester

“Whether it’s a steel or concrete balcony, 90% of the deck boards can be fitted prior to the balcony being installed, helping to significantly reduce time spent on site. In fact, with Ali-deck’s high load-bearing capacity, less supportive steelwork is required and, therefore, costs are considerably reduced too.

“With all the hard work that has gone into the research and development of Alideck, we are absolutely thrilled to see our system installed in such stunning projects like this. The Gore Street project is just one of many high-profile developments now using Ali-deck, with Barratt Homes, Bellway and St. George PLC all using Alideck systems.”

info@alideck.co.uk 52

Ali-deck aluminium decking system

One such project which has opted for Ali-

01622 235672

FLOORS, WALLS & CEILINGS

HAURATON HIGH CAPACITY CHANNEL SYSTEM DRAINS EXTENSIVE CAR PARK AT SKYPARK, EXETER

When complete, the development will cover 130,200m2 and comprise office, industrial and manufacturing premises. Ancillary retail development and a hotel are also planned as part of the scheme. Set in landscaped grounds, it includes numerous car parks requiring effective surface water drainage.

In this phased development, three sizes of the Hauraton RECYFIX MONOTEC high capacity surface drainage system have so far been installed in

The Skypark Business Park is located just North of Exeter International Airport, Devon and East of the M5 off Junction 29.

HAURATON

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he Park is a Joint Venture Partnership between St.Moden, the UK’s leading regeneration specialist and Devon County Council.

www.hauraton.co.uk

the extensive asphalt car parks: 145m of MONOTEC 100/230mm, 136m of 100/280mm and 45m of 100/380mm. Each channel grating has a width and internal dimension of 100mm, while the latter measurement refers to the overall height of the channel model. The 326m of channel supplied provided a total hydraulic capacity of just over 7717 litres.

The MONOTEC 1m-long channel component is of a sturdy monolithic design where the HEELSAFE grating, and the tongue and groove linking system, are integral to the channel moulding. The channels have a loading category of up to Class D400, and the whole unit is made of tough, virtually unbreakable polypropylene (PP).

This is formulated to be very resistant to daily temperature fluctuations and the ultraviolet (UV) spectrum.

Hauraton is proud to say that all of its surface water drainage systems’ comply with European Standards (hENs) and carries the CE Mark.

ts-uk@hauraton.com

01582 501380

ASSA ABLOY DOOR GROUP OFFERS OPENINGS STUDIO BIM SOFTWARE

NEW ‘DUAL-FACED’ BURWELL GAULT BRICK

ASSA ABLOY

BIM is changing the building landscape, bringing with it improvements in design, specification, delivery and asset management. According to NBS’ National BIM Report 2019, 96% of contractors plan to use BIM in the next five years, but there is frustration over the lack of adoption from other stakeholders in the supply chain. When it comes to doorsets and ironmongery, in particular, using tools such as Openings Studio from ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions UK & Ireland Door Group, can truly unlock the potential of BIM. The software, suitable for all building projects and applications, provides product information and performance data to comply with budgets and ensure Building Regulations are adhered to, while 3D views guarantee full design integration. Openings Studio can drive efficiencies in creating door schedules by linking to fire certifications and energy performance documents. Contractors can then view this information to assess precise quantities, pricing, compliance, links to supplier websites and installation instructions.

IMPERIAL BRICKS

Imperial Bricks has launched a second brick with its new ‘dual-faced’ finish: The Weathered Burwell Gault. A hard-textured handmade brick, with some golden buff shades and some greys, is traditionally seen in Cambridge, Suffolk, and other southern counties. Jason Hughes, Managing Director of Imperial Bricks, says: “While every face of a standard brick can be used to create a brickwork pattern or bond, they usually have the same texture and finish. If you require a smoother or ‘facing’ brick, as well as a more weathered option from the same blend, you have to order two different product lines. Our dual-faced bricks give you both options, so builders and developers only have to order one product line, while merchants require less stock.” CE Marked and fully frost-resistant to F2 rating, the new Weathered Burwell Gault is available in traditional 68mm imperial, as a perfect alternative to hard-to-source genuine reclaims, or standard metric sizing for new builds.

www.imperialbricks.co.uk sales@imperialbricks.co.uk 01952 750816

www.assaabloy.com/en/com/solutions/openings-studio/ aasdsales@assaabloy.com 028 9266 2200 53

FC&A – JANUARY – 2020

BUILDING ELEMENTS

RICS LAUNCHES NEW SOCIAL IMPACT AWARDS RICS’ new Social Impact Awards will search for the UK’s best built projects transforming lives and communities.

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he Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has launched a new awards programme. Entries are being sought for the RICS Social Impact Awards, which recognise the positive and transformational contribution that the built environment has on people’s lives across the UK. The RICS Social Impact Awards assess the human, social and environmental impact, and the innovation and collaboration, that has gone into development and infrastructure projects in the commercial, education, healthcare, heritage, infrastructure, land and rural, leisure, residential and student accommodation sectors.

Projects will be assessed at a local level, in 12 regions across the UK, and all category winners will then go head-to-head against other regional winners to compete in the RICS Social Impact Awards Grand Final in October 2020, for the chance to win the national accolade in their respective category and the overall ‘Outstanding Contribution to Society Award’ for the best UK project. A ‘Lifetime Achiever Award’ will recognise an individual nationally who has delivered great social benefit through their work.

The launch of this new awards programme follows the announcement about RICS’ new ‘Value the Planet’ campaign, which aims to encourage the built environment industry to help safeguard the planet by taking climate action and adopting the United Nations’ (UN) Sustainable Development Goals.

Entries for the RICS Social Impact Awards are now open until 31st January 2020. Various sponsorship packages are available too.

www.rics.org/awards

PHOENIX CONTINUOUS HINGE BY COOKE BROTHERS COOKE BROTHERS

DON’T BE FLOORED BY UNDERFLOOR HEATING WUNDA GROUP

What if the heat source changes?

Wundatherm works with boilers and future heat sources. Can it be controlled?

Wundatherm can be turned on/off, up/ down at any time. Will it work in retrofit properties? Wundatherm works in retrofit and new properties. Will it damage floors?

No, Wundatherm runs at 35–45°C which protects floors. Does it work with all floor finishes? Wundatherm works with carpets, vinyl, laminate, ceramic or stone tiles. Can systems leak? No, the pipes have no joins so no weak spots for a leak to start.

www.wundatrade.co.uk plans@wundagroup.com 0800 083 2677 FC&A – JANUARY – 2020

The Phoenix Continuous Hinge, produced and supplied by Cooke Brothers for over 100 years, is often referred to as a piano hinge following its use securing the lids of piano keyboards. Continuous hinges provide a visually neat and high-quality hinging solution for any lid, door, cupboard or hatch, compared to the use of several shorter individual butt hinges. Rebating is not required, with the hinges being surface fitted to both door and frame. Able to be cut down to match the full length of the door, continuous hinges provide accurate alignment, a strong and secure installation, and even load distribution over the full length of a door.

www.cookebrothers.co.uk

sales@cookebrothers.co.uk

01922 740001

NASC AND SIMIAN SKILL ANSWER FORMER SOLDIER’S APPEAL NASC

The NASC and Simian Skill have joined forces to help a former soldier take the next step in his career in the scaffolding industry. The organisations teamed up after Scaffolder Liam Gibbons reached out for assistance via the NASC’s Facebook account. Liam’s appeal struck a chord with incoming NASC President Lynn Way, who has made greater engagement with the Armed Forces and creating more career opportunities for former military personnel, core objectives of her presidency. As such, the NASC and Simian Skill have agreed to co-fund Liam’s Part 2 and VQ training. He will now complete his Part 2 training at Simian Skill’s Waltham Forest training centre this month.

www.nasc.org.uk

simon.robinson@nasc.org.uk 54

0207 822 7400

BUILDING ELEMENTS

Other features include: Flue up to 30+ metres for concentric Turbo fan Built-in controller as standard on both internal and external models Cascade cable assembly allows up to 24 water heaters to be connected and function as one total and complete system. Any number of N-series Rinnai water heaters can be manifolded together enabling the largest capacities on the market.

Built-in flue damper Air inlet filter Frost protection – minus 15°C on the internal versions and minus 20°C on the external versions New PCB design Controller as standard – lockable, set up of appliance, Temperature set up to 75°C. Maintenance monitor for engineers.

RINNAI INTRODUCES THE SENSEI N SERIES Rinnai, a world-leading manufacturer of continuous flow hot water systems, is introducing the Sensei N Series to the UK marketplace, as the new generation of maximum quality and reliability in hot water heating delivery.

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he new Rinnai Sensei N Series water heater range offers a new and more compact and enhanced combustion design that allows for easier installation and enhanced operational performance, together with increased levels of serviceability.

The Rinnai Sensei N Series is the firstever continuous flow hot water heating unit, designed and manufactured by Rinnai, with stainless-steel heat exchangers to be available in the UK. This gives a greatly extended working life at optimum

performance to each of the four models in the range. Added to this, is the Sensei N Series market-leading extended warranties.

The four models are: the N1600i giving 954-litres per hour; the N1600e (external) also giving 954-litres per hour (at 50º); the N1300i giving 775-litres per hour and the N1300e also giving 775-litres per hours of temperature controlled at 50°C. The two 1600s have load profiles of XXL and are water efficiency Class A rated, while the 1300s are load profile XL and are also water efficiency Class A rated.

www.rinnaiuk.com

Rinnai manufactures over two million hot water heating units each year and so can offer advantageous cost savings for installers and end users. The N Series are probably the most competitively priced type of their kind currently available to the UK sector.

All the range is also low-NOx and the Sensei N Series utilises Rinnai’s patented advanced burner technology with a 13-1 turn down ratio – the largest on the market – with extremely quiet operation.

Integral controls on the units enable the water heater to achieve high efficiencies because of advanced burner control and high modulation ranges.

In reducing Legionella proliferation, Rinnai has developed additional ‘SMART’ controls for secondary return DHW systems in the form of an advanced temperature control system which allows for safe running of water at 42°C core temperature during the day and 60°C overnight.

The advanced burner controls with the Sensei N Series models ensure that all the appliances are well ahead of the NOx requirements set within ErP. The current level of permissible NOx set by ErP is 56mg/Kwh. The Sensei N Series range have been third-party tested at 28mg/Kwh making them one of the greenest water heating appliances available.

As the units do not incorporate storage, its ‘green credentials’ are further recognised by BREEAM and score additional credits under the Building Regulations.

01928 531870 55

FC&A – JANUARY – 2020

Discover Discover Nordic Copper Nordic Copper for Architecture for Architecture Copper: Nordic Blue Living 1, Project: Royal Academy of Music, London Architects: Ian Ritchie Architects, Photo: Adam Scott

Copper: Nordic Blue Living 1, Project: Royal Academy of Music, London Architects: Ian Ritchie Architects, Photo: Adam Scott

Architectural Copper Surfaces and Alloys Copper is a constantly evolving, natural and durable material with an indefinite design-life. It is fully recyclable, safe to use, non-combustible and requires no maintenance. Nordic Copper is an impressive portfolio of surfaces and alloys for architecture, including Nordic Brown pre-oxidised copper. The Nordic Blue, Nordic Green and Nordic Turquoise pre-patinated ranges share properties and colours based on the same brochantite mineralogy found in natural patinas. Alongside Architectural Copper Surfaces and Alloys traditional Bronze and Nordic Brassand alloys, the innovative Nordic retains its rich golden colour over time.safe Nordic Copper offers limitlessand possibilities Copper is aNordic constantly evolving, natural durable material with an Royal indefinite design-life.

It is fully recyclable, to use, non-combustible requires for no innovative contemporary architectural and interior design.

Discover Nordic Copper now. maintenance. Nordic Copper is an impressive portfolio of surfaces and alloys for architecture, including Nordic Brown pre-oxidised copper. The Nordic Blue, Nordic Green and Nordic Turquoise pre-patinated ranges share properties and colours based on the same brochantite mineralogy found in natural patinas. Alongside traditional Nordic Bronze and Nordic Brass alloys, the innovative Nordic Royal retains its rich golden colour over time. Nordic Copper offers limitless possibilities for innovative contemporary architectural and interior design. Discover Nordic Copper now.

NordicCopper.com g.bell@aurubis.com

NordicCopper.com g.bell@aurubis.com

FC&A – JANUARY – 2020

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