BUILD FOCUS:

London spoils us for choice when it comes to museums and galleries. When one of the jewels in the capital’s crown needed a roof refurbishment, the task was not only to protect the museum’s priceless collection of artwork and artefacts but to extend the service life of the attraction’s Grade I Listed building too.

Ma in taining the museum’s complex network of roofs is critical to protecting both the building and its valuable exhibits, as well as ensuring a safe and comfortable place for staff and visitors. As part of a wider programme of upgrade and maintenance works, a roof refurbishment was required for multiple roof areas of the museum, which were nearing the end of their service life.

A lthough the existing roof coverings were largely asphalt, the requirement was for a liquid-applied waterproofing membrane that could tackle the complex detailing requirements for the roofs while providing a high-performance retrofit solution compatible with the existing roof covering. A liquid system also had the advantage of overcoming the need for hot works, which, given the heritage and financial value of the building and its contents and the need for the museum to remain open to the public while the work was carried out, significantly reduced risk.

S pecialist roofing supplies merchant, Chandlers Roofing Supplies,

recommended the use of Carlisle’s Arboflex PU; a moisture-activated liquid waterproofing system that usually requires no primer, is compatible with most existing roof coverings and provides speed and ease of installation for flat roofs and semi-pitched roof areas. Roofing contractor, Martin’s Roofing, was appointed to carry out the project, leveraging the company’s experience in heritage refurbishment and liquid systems, and the team was trained in the installation of the Arboflex system by the Carlisle Academy.

T he project was delivered in three phases, with phase one comprising an overlay of new Arboflex waterproofing onto seven gallery roofs, phase two an overlay of drainage outlets, walkways and gulleys on domed roof areas and phase three the installation of a warm roof buildup for the photographic gallery, following asbestos removal and installation of new steelwork and a new roof deck.

Perfect pitch

T he first phase of the roof refurbishment involved seven roofs with a 45º pitch, totalling an area of around 600m 2 . Each roof has 30m-long glazed sections on one side with an asphalt roof covering on the other, leading to a drainage gulley.

T he glazing was covered by boards to protect it during the roof refurbishment and the Martin’s Roofing team prepared the roof, using Carlisle’s Arboflex PU sealant to repair any cracks in the asphalt prior to installing the Arboflex liquid waterproofing as an overlay.

N o primer or vapour control layer was required, but the contractor mixed Carlisle’s thickener with the Arboflex liquid and left it to stand for an hour to provide the viscosity required for the pitched areas. The Arboflex liquid was rollered onto the roof, and the system’s glass fibre matting was laid onto the wet membrane prior to the application of more liquid in a wet-on-wet installation process. This included complete encapsulation of all the gulleys, which lead to external drainage outlets. Once the membrane had cured, Carlisle’s U/V protection topcoat was applied, taking the installation from a 10-year system to a BBA-accredited, 20-year service life.

T he domes on the roof areas involved in phase two of the installation do not require a waterproof covering, so this phase was entirely made up of complex detailing. The Arboflex liquid waterproofing system was an ideal solution for this because it can be applied accurately to the contours of the roof surface. This included taking the waterproofing 200mm up the vertical stonework, with no primer or vapour control layer, and applying it directly onto the roof surface. The Arboflex system was applied around the base of each dome, on the gulleys and to the upstands. The Martin’s Roofing team then dressed the upstands with traditional lead flashings, providing dual protection against water ingress, along with a heritage aesthetic.

For the photographic gallery, the requirement was for a completely new warm roof build up, following the installation of new steelwork, soundproof panels, and a ply roof deck by Quinn London.

T he installation team began by applying Carlisle’s FG35 primer to the roof. Carlisle’s Alutrix 600 vapour control layer was then laid onto the wet primer, with its bituminous face down and aluminium face up, prior to the installation of 160mm PIR insulation board. The PIR boards were then primed, and the installation team laid an Arboflex carrier membrane onto the insulation, with 50mm laps, to create a smooth finish that avoids any joins between the boards from being noticeable through the waterproof membrane. Finally, the Arboflex PU liquid waterproofing system was installed in a wet-on-wet process, and Carlisle’s U/V protection topcoat was applied to the cured system to achieve the 20-year guarantee.

T he photographic gallery phase included extensive detailing to accommodate the rooftop plant and equipment installed onto the completed roof, including around 50 stanchions rising through the roof as fixings for mechanical plant and screens. The detailing requirements also included adapting the drainage to improve resilience against standing water while working with the original building design, with channels cut into the brickwork at the gable ends to provide additional rainwater drainage to the existing gulley and four outlets.

D ean Martin from Martin’s Roofing comments: “The goal has been to protect the aesthetics and integrity of the building while delivering a robust defence against water ingress and delivering a low-maintenance solution. The Arboflex PU liquid waterproofing system has fulfilled all these goals. There have been zero issues with water ingress, despite subsequent storms and torrential rainfall.” www.carlisleconstructionmaterials.com

Carl Bailey, Regional Technical Manager for Elevate (formerly Firestone Building Products), offers best practice advice on specifying and installing EPDM roofing membranes.

ELEVATE

Ma de of synthetic rubber, EPDM is a single-ply roofing membrane that can be used for flat and low-slope roofs on both commercial and residential buildings. Versatile, durable and easy to install, EPDM has been steadily growing in popularity.

A s a crucial component in the wider roofing system, EPDM can provide a robust waterproofing covering that can last for decades. To achieve this resilience and ensure the roof performs as expected, there are several factors to consider during the specification and installation process.

A waterproofing membrane can help specifiers to reduce environmental impact in several ways, including lowering carbon emissions and extending the roof’s life expectancy. EPDM is considered one of the most sustainable options, as it can also be reused and recycled.

Furthermore, a system such as RubberGard EPDM is chemically-inert. No toxic substances are released during its exceptional service life, allowing rainwater runoff to be collected for domestic use.

I f the roof design includes solar panels, EPDM will not be affected by the extra heat that is generated, avoiding any concerns about the membrane ageing faster than anticipated. EPDM is also suitable for green roofs as it is resistant to root penetration and strong enough to accommodate foot traffic associated with future maintenance.

The prospect of more extreme weather in the coming years means that it is even more important to specify a highly-durable waterproofing membrane. Made from a synthetic rubber compound, an EPDM membrane provides a long-lasting solution for refurbishments as well as new builds. The flexibility of the material means it can be elongated by more than 300% without any detriment. This allows the membrane to return to its original shape and maintain its performance after any expansions or retractions caused by severe weather.

A s buildings continue to adapt to changing occupiers and to meet sustainability objectives, this should also be considered when specifying the waterproofing membrane. Choosing a material like EPDM will ensure the roof is fit for the future as the material can accommodate varied uses and withstand additional loads such as new plants or solar panels.

A n EPDM roofing membrane can be installed directly on most substrates. The membrane can be fully adhered, mechanically fixed or ballasted, largely depending on the size and type of roof. For large, open roof areas with few penetrations, a mechanically-attached system is the most suitable, providing a fast and cost-effective method.

The RubberGard EPDM system, for example, is mechanically attached using a non-penetrating system.

QuickSeam Reinforced Mechanical Attachment (RMA) strips are secured to the structural deck. Large panels of the waterproofing membrane will then be bonded to the framework of self-adhesive strips, meaning no fasteners are required to penetrate the waterproofing membrane.

A ballasted installation will require extra equipment to move the stones or pavers, but this can be completed quickly in all weather conditions. The ballast covering also provides additional mechanical protection for the waterproofing membrane.

T he most fully-adhered method is the most versatile and is particularly effective for smaller roof areas, unusual roof shapes and more complex penetrations. The EPDM membrane is bonded to the substrate using a specially-formulated adhesive. This solution is highly resistant to wind uplift and lightweight, making it suitable for roofs with limited loadbearing capacity.

I nsulation with a high compressive strength should be used if the EPDM membrane is being installed over the top. The use of rigid PIR (polyisocyanurate) foam insulation is recommended for roofs where maintenance access will be required throughout the roof’s service life. Greater resistance can be achieved using a high-density cover board on top of the insulation package.

H igh-density cover boards are ideal for a fully-adhered system where the insulation layer is not compatible with the adhesives. Non-combustible gypsum cover boards provide a highly durable option and are often required to achieve the higher ratings required on FM-Global projects.

To control condensation within the roof system, a suitable air and vapour control layer (AVCL) should be selected based on the temperature and relative humidity within the building, the deck type and the attachment method for the insulation and waterproofing layers. Installing a high-performance AVCL between the structural deck and insulation will prevent condensation from forming and possible deterioration over time.

For all projects, specifiers and contractors should look at the roof as a whole system, which requires every component to work together effectively to achieve the required performance. Technical advice should be obtained from the EPDM manufacturer, and the membrane should be applied in accordance with their guidelines. The system should be approved by a technical services team and installed by a fully trained, licensed contractor, enabling a long-term warranty to be obtained. www.holcimelevate.com

Here, GROHE discusses the changing design requirements of consumers within bathroom spaces and the key trends influencing specifications and design throughout 2023.

GROHE

So me of the key macro influences currently impacting specification and design include urbanisation, hybrid living, open-plan layouts and increased demand for personalisation. Sitting amongst these trends, technology, sustainability and accessibility continue to have a great influence on design specification as homeowners demand more from their homes than ever before, with the way in which homeowners use their bathrooms shifting significantly in recent years.

T he current cost-of-living crisis globally is also undoubtedly impacting consumers’ choices and leading them to seek better value and quality reassurance from their product choices, prioritising purchases based on affordability and convenience above style and trends.

T he increased use of social media and the rise of home renovation and interior accounts has allowed many to have an insight into other’s homes and resulted in a shift towards a house-proud movement, which is, in turn, driving interior design to new heights. Homeowners are now able to be inspired and influenced at the touch of a button while also knowing what is currently trending within a few minutes. Homeowners are seeking to recreate styles and designs that would usually be seen in leading hotels or in professionally-designed residential homes, taking direct inspiration from social media posts and trending designs.

H ere, Patrick Speck, Leader LIXIL Global Design EMENA, who is responsible for GROHE’s design, dives deeper into how urbanisation, a desire to be sustainable and health and wellbeing are impacting design trends in residential bathrooms and shaping design and specification requirements.

D ensification in the urban landscape has led to a rethinking of design concepts, allowing individuals to enjoy the benefits of big cities without compromising on comfort. In addition, communal spaces such as co-living and co-working areas have emerged.

From this, the ‘Micro Living’ trend has arisen, which delivers intelligent, condensed living concepts that are built up of only essential elements, allowing homeowners to make efficient use of limited space and fulfil day-to-day needs.

I n the bathroom, wall-hung sanitaryware and multi-functional items are leading this trend, as homeowners seek to utilise as much space as possible and create a streamlined environment that is functional, convenient and thoughtfully designed. Elsewhere, space-saving fittings, such as motionactivated taps and concealed shower models, will be prioritised thanks to their compact profiles.

A s a nation, we are becoming increasingly more aware of the impact that we are having on the planet. In turn, this has had a direct influence on the housebuilder, specification and design industries as decision makers can be seen to be increasingly incorporating a sustainable ethos into their projects in a combined effort to be more environmentally responsible.

2 023’s consumer is more aware than ever of the consequences their actions are having on our planet. Coupled with the global cost-of-living crisis and the rising costs of household bills, with the rising cost of living being hugely impacted by the cost of energy prices, it’s expected that many will be favouring brands and products that offer conscious consumption, resource-saving credentials and value for money.

C onsumers are looking to invest in products that can support reducing utility bills in the long run with more efficiency when it comes to water and energy usage. When it comes to bathroom fittings specification, resource-saving products, such as low-flow shower heads and taps, are expected to increase in demand as consumers look to make considered purchases that offer both environmental and economic benefits.

I n the hospitality sector, we see the borders of the bedroom and bathroom dissolving, likewise with the kitchen and living room in the residential sector.

W ith the rising awareness and significance of our mental health and wellbeing, it’s not surprising that the bathroom is viewed by many as a sanctum and place for escapism within the home. These once purely functional rooms are no longer but are instead becoming integrated living spaces, where individual style and emotional connection are prioritised when it comes to design. A seamless approach to living, unwinding and socialising means conventional walls are now proverbial. www.grohe.co.uk/en_gb

A s a result, throughout 2023, we expect functional fittings, such as taps, ceramics and showers, to demonstrate significant attention to detail as they are more on show. Through the increased desire of consumers designing these spaces according to their individual tastes and styles, functional elements now have greater importance when it comes to colour, material and finish. Here, coloured brassware and ceramics in bold shapes and colours will increase in demand as homeowners seek out products that will portray their individuality.

W hen it comes to colour, consumers will prioritise colours that offer optimism and joy, such as neutrals, bright metallics and pastels. The power of colour continues to grow in importance, and the notion of calm, kind and restorative colour is a core theme as wellness and health are prioritised.

Futurebuild 2023 is set to provide architects, specifiers and contractors with the ideas, inspiration and innovative solutions that will help them create net-zero buildings faster, more safely and more efficiently. Taking place at ExCeL London from 7 to 9th March, the event will focus on our most pressing challenges in order to accelerate the shift to a net-zero built environment.

Sustainability remains at the core of this year’s show and is why Futurebuild 2023 is also urging architects, specifiers and contractors to act now and ‘take a stand’ on an issue it passionately believes will help propel the industry towards a more sustainable future.

The conference programme will bring together an outstanding line up of expert speakers to deliver the best possible understanding of what, collectively, we need to do to meet our climate challenges. The first day will focus on looking forward and why we need to develop the foresight necessary to break out of our current mindset. On day two, the conference will explore the nature of changing and especially ‘behaviour change’. Day three will move on to 'taking action', hearing from those who have been doing just that and exploring plans that can take society and the construction industry forward.

There are two notable sponsors of this year’s conference; SNRG and Hub Brussels.

Futurebuild will be curated into eight show sections: Buildings sponsored by Steico, Digital sponsored by Zutec, Energy sponsored by Kensa Group, Retrofit sponsored by Elmhurst Energy, Sustainable Infrastructure sponsored by ACO, Interiors, Materials and Offsite. The event will also feature three new spotlights; Lighting in partnership with KNX UK; District Energy in partnership with UKDEA and FutureX Innovation sponsored by the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS).

Innovation Trail that will give visitors the opportunity to explore revolutionary products, solutions and materials, and meet the leading thinkers behind these innovations. The Big Innovation Pitch will also return and offer exhibiting companies the chance of being crowned winner in 2023.

T hose attending can also find further inspiration at FutureX Innovation, which will shine a spotlight on start ups and SMEs who will bring never-before-seen innovations to the event. The spotlight will also include an Innovation Stage that will host the new Big Ideas Pitch.

C urated and delivered by over 90 industry-leading partners and featuring a stellar line up of over 300 speakers, the expanded seminar programme is bringing the whole industry together to debate and learn from each other. The programme features practical and actionable CPD-accredited

Futurebuild will continue to be the industry platform for innovation and features a wealth of opportunities to showcase the most innovative technology, products and services. At the heart of this is the return of the renowned www.futurebuild.co.uk sessions so visitors can gain many CPD points in one visit and, at the same time, acquire the knowledge and skills that will help them in their day-to-day roles. Speakers will explore and tackle some of the industry’s biggest and most critical topics, from ‘zero-bills’ homes to material use, lighting design to biobased materials and building a circular future.

Futurebuild 2023 will take place from 7 to 9th March at London’s ExCeL. For more details, visit the website below.

D on’t miss out on this year’s event. Visitor registration is now open.

Decorative architectural casings are now a common feature in contemporary building design as they provide a versatile, effective and stylish method of concealing structural steelwork, concrete support columns and building services, often with the same product.

Th e use of column casings hasn’t always been as widespread as it is today. Originally, their primary role was purely to conceal structural supports with comparatively little consideration for the potential of adding visual appeal to a building.

H owever, since the early 1980s, their use has grown dramatically as specifiers recognised the benefits, which stimulated demand for a wider choice of materials, sizes and increased aesthetics to meet a broader range of applications.

I nfluenced by the increasing scope of specifications, Peterborough-based decorative casing specialist, Encasement, continually evolved and expanded its product range to meet these wider project requirements.

T he combination of practicality, versatility and design has been at the centre of the wide range of projects undertaken by the company in a diversity of sectors that includes retail, education and healthcare, as well as hotel, sport and leisure, commercial refurbishment and building re-purposing projects.

K ey to the broad scope of projects that have been undertaken is the number of choices available to specifiers. These include several materials, as well as an array of finishes and the option of selecting from standard shapes and sizes or creating bespoke manufactured solutions to meet the exact requirements of a specific project.

A s a result, Encasement products have been specified and installed by many well-known brands, including Porsche, TATA, Premier Inn, Kia, Halfords and Tesco, together with a wide range of retail outlets, hospitals, universities, leisure projects and office buildings across the UK.

T he company’s column casings products include the preformed MDF Circa and plywood Quadra ranges, together with the Forma metal range. In addition, Encasement’s range also includes two moulded column casings. Polyma GRP is moulded from glass-reinforced polymer, while Gypra GRG is manufactured from glass-reinforced gypsum.

The range is completed by Metza, which is a specialised solution for use with mezzanine floors that provides up to two hours of fire protection to the floor support columns.

A lthough every column casing in Encasement’s range is suitable for interior use, the Polyma and Forma ranges are also widely used for exterior projects due to their inherent weather resistance and durability.

Available in aluminium or stainless steel, Forma casings can be specified as circles, with diameters from 250 up to 1000mm, or in square, rectangular or hexagonal forms, as well as unique custom profiles. The choice of finishes is also extensive and, in addition to RAL colour PPC coating options, various brushed, anodised, embossed and textured finishes are also available, including Rimex.

S trength, durability and colour choice are also features of the Polyma GRP range. As the products are moulded, this manufacturing process allows a high degree of design flexibility with shape; size and colour options all open to specification to meet bespoke project requirements, as well as standard profile options.

Projects, such as Kia Motors’ major London showroom, Premier Inn’s flagship hotel in Cardiff and the Birmingham Dental Hospital, perfectly illustrate the versatility of Polyma and Forma column casing solutions and suitability for bespoke solutions.

A t Kia, Forma column casings are stacked to reach the full floor-to-ceiling height of the 8.1m showroom, while the Premier Inn uses yellow GRP casings to conceal diagonal structural steelwork along the complete length of the hotel’s exterior. Forma is again used at Birmingham’s Dental Hospital to create a 25m-high semi-elliptical design as part of its glazed front elevation.

W here casings are required purely for interior use, the Circa and Quadra ranges allow circular, square and rectangular profiles to be specified while also providing a wide choice of finish options, with decorative high-pressure laminate (HPL) finishes being the most popular.

I n addition to resisting damage, scuffs and scratches, laminates provide the specifier with an extensive range of finish options, which include plain colours, wood grains and metallics, as well as textured and real wood veneers. Circa is also available as an unfinished plain casing for onsite painting and decoration.

C irca and Quadra casings are designed purely for interior use and are manufactured from UKTRcompliant, sustainably-sourced timbers. Within each range, circular and square profiles can be specified in a wide range of sizes, as well as extended circles and rectangular profiles that use additional presized infill panels to give greater design versatility.

A s a result, a wide range of sizes is available, which allows specifiers to choose not only circular and square, but also extended circles and rectangular profiles that use additional pre-sized infill panels to give greater design versatility.

A mong the many Circa installations are Liverpool University, Gateshead International Stadium and Gatwick Airport’s South Terminal are major installations while typical Quadra projects include Farnborough College sixth form centre, Worksop Bus Terminal and the Dame Kelly Holmes Sports Centre.

A longside the company’s column casings, its Vecta building lining system provides a high-quality solution for interior wall linings, lift lobbies, bulkheads and reveals. Combining practicality, aesthetics and durability, Vecta is widely used in retail, education and commercial buildings, such as Tesco, South Bank University and Pret a Manger, as well as prestigious office developments, including Wellington House and the Carmine Building in London.

To support its wide product range further, Encasement also provides a supply and install service, which enables the company to maintain complete control over the installation while also providing dedicated solutions to meet the specifications and requirements of column casing and building linings projects.

A full range of literature, case studies and detailed product information is available online from the company’s website. In addition, detail drawings in DWG and PDF formats are available for download alongside specification clauses and brochures covering the complete product range.