PSBJ November 2015

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November 2015

Vibrant masterplan New Royal Liverpool University Hospital set to offer a healing upgrade

Safe heating

Premium space

Efficient refurb

– The recommended solution for public buildings

– How councils can combat parking problems

– A new retrofit system is introduced into the UK

HERADESIGN® Acoustic Solutions  Excellent sound absorption, up to αW 1.00 (class A to EN ISO 11654)

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 5 different face patterns  Different thickness and edge details to suit various applications

Knauf AMF Ceilings Ltd. 1 Swan Road, South West Industrial Estate Peterlee, Co. Durham, SR8 2HS Phone.: +44 191 51 88 600, Fax: +44 191 58 60 097 info@knaufamf.co.uk, www.amfceilings.co.uk/heradesign

ACCREDITED MEMBER

Editor

Hannah Frackiewicz hannah@mixedmediainfo.com

Print & Digital Advertising Sam Ball sam@mixedmediainfo.com

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Chris Lilly chris@mixedmediainfo.com

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Jack Witcomb jack@mixedmediainfo.com

Work is underway on a new state-of-the-art 90,000m2 hospital in the centre of Liverpool.

See page 8.

Artworker/Sub-editor

David Perry david@mixedmediainfo.com

Accounts

Welcome...

Managing Director

Today’s classrooms have most certainly evolved from those you and I will have experienced.

Pupils, and teachers alike, are gaining more from interactive configurations in order to engage and communicate effectively with others around them.

Publisher

Working pods and stations promote group discussions while new technology enables students to be more responsive and ultimately perform better academically. However, as the population is set to rise significantly over the next few years, what can we expect from classrooms of the future?

Simone Jones simone@mixedmediainfo.com Sam Ball sam@mixedmediainfo.com

Mixed Media Information Pear Platt Woodfalls Industrial Estate Gravelly Way Laddingford Kent ME18 6DA T: 01622 873229 F: 01622 320020 www.mixedmediainfo.com www.psbj.co.uk

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The Publisher does not accept any liability of any loss arising from the late appearance or non publication of any advertisement.

Innova Design Solutions, supplier of furniture for the education sector, recently conducted some research into what today’s secondary students think tomorrow’s science classrooms will look like. How realistic and achievable are their ideas, and what inspiration can architects, designers and teachers take from them to create classrooms that really work for end users?

In this month’s Talking Point, Director Peter Smith asks ‘what does the future really hold?’

Elsewhere in this edition, we bring you the latest high profile case studies and talking points on Balconies, Floors, Walls & Ceilings, Disability, Street Furniture and HVAC. You will also find a dedicated focus on each of the four key areas of the public sector build market – Healthcare, Housing, Leisure and Education.

I hope you enjoy this issue. Don’t forget you can also access all of the magazine’s features, product news and supplier information at your fingertips via PSBJ’s state-of-the-art app. To download your version free of charge, simply search ‘PSBJ’ on Google play or the App Store.

Hannah Frackiewicz Hannah Frackiewicz | Editor | hannah@mixedmediainfo.com Follow us on Twitter:

@psbjmagazine

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Public Sector Build Journal 3

Contents 14 08 06 News A round up of the latest industry news, including charity events, awarded contracts, partnerships and event updates.

08 Upfront New Royal Liverpool University Hospital by architects NBBJ/HKS is regenerating the cityscape, creating local jobs and improving the local economy.

14 Housing Leading social housing providers, construction companies, trade bodies and expert organisations have come together to form Energiesprong UK.

16 Technical Focus

20 Legal & Business

28 Healthcare

Architect Sheppard Robson has specified EQUITONE fibre cement materials from Marley Eternit for a new residential development.

Dave Owen of Cassidy + Ashton discusses whether the industry is ready for the full implementation of CDM 2015.

Mar Esteve Cortes, Marketing Project Manager at TheSize, discusses the role of exterior cladding in healthcare.

18 Talking Point

26 Education

30 Leisure

Science never stands still, and nor should the classrooms it's taught in. But what does the future hold for the school science lab?

The Advanced Technology Centre (ATC), which forms the latest Bond Bryan project at Bradford College, has now opened its doors to students.

Camland Developments has used the services of Timberplay to create the design for Castle Hill Park Play Area, creating outstanding play provision for the housing development.

The all-new psbj.co.uk

Your revitalised and purpose-built portal for public sector building specification PSBJ unveils the new-look online resource for building products designed for the public sector built environment.

Offering more content in an easy-to-navigate format, this refreshing, tailor-made new portal delivers the right content to the right audience in the shortest time possible.

Search ‘psbj’

4 Public Sector Build Journal

www.psbj.co.uk

26

30

32

32 Balconies

38 Street Furniture

Sapphire Balustrades considers the most frequently asked questions when it comes to designing a drainage solution for a balcony project.

Jason Devenish, Business Development Manager at Bellsure, explores the current challenges councils face when it comes to providing ample parking space.

34 Floors, Walls & Ceilings

40 HVAC

Paul Barratt, Managing Director of Karndean Designflooring, discusses current trends in flooring, specifically in education.

Phil Marris at Jaga Heating Products UK explains why LST radiators are the best choice for heating public buildings.

36 Disability

42 Scotland Build Preview

43 Product Showcase

Catherine Hawcroft, Product Designer and dementia specialist at Knightsbridge Furniture, discusses the possibilities surrounding dementia furniture.

PSBJ profiles the upcoming highlights of Scotland Build 2015 – the new industry event for construction and building professionals.

A dedicated focus of industry news, products and case studies to help architects, local authorities and specifiers make informed decisions.

40

Read the latest issue online Gain insight from industry experts Source products and suppliers Keep up to date with industry news Discover new innovative technologies Browse the archive of features and issues Manage your subscriptions Download the PSBJ app for your iPad, iPhone or Android

Public Sector Build Journal 5

News programme and exhibition around them.

The conference’s three themed days cover Homes, Architecture and Next Generation – which will look at a broad range of future challenges for construction.

Eric Wright completes school support centre Eric Wright Construction, a division of the Eric Wright Group, has completed a multi-million pound Special Educational Needs (SEN) project at a specialist school in Kirkham, Lancashire, for pupils with severe and profound learning difficulties and disabilities.

The 45-week programme saw the demolition of the existing Adult Training Centre and construction of a new Intensive Support Centre at Pear Tree School.

Commissioned and designed by Lancashire County Council, the 5490ft2 centre is for children and young people aged 2 to 19 years with complex needs, autism and challenging behaviour. It comprises four classrooms, a life skills suite and sensory room, as well as external play and education spaces within a secure perimeter.

Eric Wright Construction worked closely with Pear Tree School to plan the build programme carefully to ensure minimal disruption and prioritise the educational needs of pupils and staff.

Industry gives Ecobuild evolution seal of approval Ecobuild has reinforced its position as the leading UK exhibition and conference for the construction and energy market, with a record number of visitors pre-registering to attend following the launch of the event’s evolved proposition.

Passing the 10,000 pre-registrations mark at this point reflects the success of Ecobuild’s strategy of refreshing the event to focus on growth and market priorities and align with its audience’s key topics. Held annually at ExCeL, Ecobuild is the construction industry’s number one meeting place, and the only UK construction and energy event that attracts over 40,000 professionals annually from across the built environment supply chain.

Ecobuild has identified key growth areas for the industry including wellness, housing, energy efficiency, infrastructure and technology and tailored the conference

6 Public Sector Build Journal

Plans submitted for Brixton regeneration proposals A planning application has been submitted for the community-led regeneration of Somerleyton Road that could see more than £100 million invested in this part of Brixton.

Igloo is delivering the project as a development manager for a client group comprising Lambeth Council, Ovalhouse Theatre and Brixton Green. Tibbalds Planning and Urban Design is advising on planning.

The lead architect is Metropolitan Workshop, with Haworth Tompkins, Mæ, Foster Wilson and Zac Monro each appointed to deliver different elements of the overall masterplan.

Located to the south west of Brixton town centre, the 1.5 ha site sits off Coldharbour Lane, between Brixton tube and rail stations.

It was identified as a potential development area in the 2009 Brixton Masterplan and as a result, Lambeth Council formed a partnership with local arts organisation Ovalhouse and community benefit society Brixton Green to produce a shared vision for the project that incorporated local residents and businesses views, and ultimately inspired the current planning application.

More than 11,000 extra classrooms needed by 2024 New research from Scape Group, the built environment specialist, reveals that local authorities need to build the equivalent of 11,200 classrooms and as many as 1600 new primary schools in the next 9 years, to meet the needs of Britain’s growing primary population.

With the number of primary school pupils in England expected to rise from

4,376,000 in 2015 to 4,658,000 in 2019, local authorities face a fierce challenge against a landscape of tight budget constraints.The numbers demonstrate the challenge facing local authorities, who need to make big increases in capacity to house the extra pupils within just four years. By 2024 this will have risen to 4,712,000, a rise of 336,000 (8%) on 2015.

The annual rate of increase in pupil numbers is set to peak in 2016 at 2.6% – meaning commissioners need to act now to meet the rising demand. Pupil numbers are expected to stabilise by 2024, but, the total rise could be as high as 680,000 in 2024 if fertility rates and migration numbers are higher than currently predicted. The government’s 2011 forecasts for births and pupil numbers proved to be much lower than the actual birth rate in subsequent years.

LJJ completes £3m London school Building services specialist, LJJ, has completed a £3m mechanical and electrical design and installation scheme at Mayfield School in Ilford for the London Borough of Redbridge.

The scheme, designed by davidmillerarchitects, is the latest in a number of M&E projects delivered by LJJ and involved design and installation of services for a major extension to the school in a standalone teaching block adjacent to the main building, along with a new build sports hall.

LJJ fitted out a dedicated plant room for the main extension, including two gas-fired boilers, two chlorifiers, tanks, heating system pumps and a mechanical control panel. The installation team also fitted air handling units on the roof to provide fresh air for the assembly hall, sixth form teaching areas and toilet blocks and air conditioning units were installed for the IT teaching facilities.

For the classroom areas where air conditioning has not been installed, there is a natural ventilation system with heat and CO2 sensor-activated window opening for air cooling during the summer months and air circulation in response to CO2 depletion.

News

A hat trick of office completions for xsite Award-winning xsite architecture (xsite) of Newcastle upon Tyne, has just chalked up another office accommodation completion to create a hat trick of commercial handovers since March. All three projects form part of larger regeneration schemes and span the Northumberland, Tyneside and Tees Valley regions.

On Tyneside, working on behalf of Hoults Estate, xsite has just completed the £5m Maling Exchange at Hoults Yard, where the practice has had involvement on a number of fit out projects for various companies over the years and has worked with Hoults on an ongoing strategy since 2012.

Originally containing the UK’s biggest pottery of its day, the Maling building has now been redeveloped by xsite to create 45,000ft2 of SME business space.

In Middlesbrough, the recently completed six-storey Boho 5 is part of the DigitalCity Business development, which is rapidly becoming the go-to location for emerging digital companies. Boho 5’s striking black and orange exterior follows the iconic, colourful and modern Middlehaven theme and at over 24,000ft2 the building offers office accommodation for up to 50 small and medium sized enterprises in the digital and creative sector.

At Commissioner’s Quay in Blyth, xsite completed Blyth Workspace earlier in the year on behalf of Arch, the Northumberland Development Company. This state of the art serviced accommodation building offers 21,000ft2 of contemporary managed workspace within a 30,000ft2 shell, featuring incubator and business growth space aimed at microbusinesses.

Bassetlaw council homes unveiled The first phase of a £5.7m council house building programme in Bassetlaw has been unveiled by construction company Woodhead. The three-year project for A1 Housing and Bassetlaw District Council

has already seen 19 properties built on a former recreation field at Smith Square in Harworth.

In total, 71 new homes will be constructed on Smith Square and Thompson Avenue to replace the outdated ‘Airey’ homes – a pre-fabricated house built after WWII. The development includes a mix of two, three and four-bedroom houses, two-bedroom semi-detached bungalows and flats.

All new homes have been fitted with energy saving and safety measures such as solar panels and a smoke alarm and sprinkler system. The energy efficient properties will all be built to Code for Sustainable Homes Level 4, reducing tenants’ fuel bills and providing comfortable spaces for families and individuals.

The project, which was procured through procurement consortium, Efficiency East Midlands (EEM) will be completed over three phases, with an initial budget of £5.7m, including £1.02m Government funding, for the first two phases. HCA funding of £686,000 is also to be confirmed for phase three of the project.

plan comprises three separate wings continuing the developer’s key masterplan to create distinct internal zones for different key stages.

A double-height vaulted roof assembly hall will form the central core area of the building. The school will house 17 classrooms initially with an additional six in phase two, along with a state-of-the-art learning resource centre. The assembly hall will also be available for the local community to use during out-of-school hours.

The new building will be partially powered by photovoltaic solar panels and is on track to achieve a BREEAM rating of ‘Very Good’.

Morgan Sindall completes Buckinghamshire education centre Construction and infrastructure company Morgan Sindall plc has completed work on a £16.5m education centre, University Campus Aylesbury Vale (UCAV).

The four-storey centre built for Aylesbury Vale District Council (AVDC) merges education space with a new public square.

The building will be used by UCAV, a partnership between Aylesbury College and Buckinghamshire New University, from January 2016 onwards.

Its initial portfolio of training courses is geared towards the needs of the local business community, offering specialist short courses in information security, organisational resilience, risk management, digital forensics and project management.

Councillor Steve Bowles, Deputy Leader of Aylesbury Vale District Council said: “The AVDC and Morgan Sindall teams have worked very well together to develop this exciting new facility which will provide the town with its first university presence. It’s the latest project in the council’s redevelopment programme for the town centre.”

Morgan Sindall is well versed in delivering large scale education projects having completed several throughout Buckinghamshire in the last year.

Contract won for Cambridgeshire primary school Construction and infrastructure company Morgan Sindall plc has been appointed to build the new £8.9m Ermine Street Church Academy in Huntingdon.

The project for Cambridgeshire County Council is the first school in the new Alconbury Weald development by Urban and Civic which will provide a new community on a former airfield near Huntingdon. The academy will occupy a key location in the development which will also include the construction of 5000 new homes.

The academy will be run by the Diocese of Ely Multi-Academy Trust, and the first phase of the single-storey school is due to open in September 2016. It will eventually accommodate 630 pupils following the second phase of its construction.

The academy’s innovative Y-shaped

Public Sector Build Journal 7

Upfront

A healing upgrade Work is underway on a new state-of-the-art 90,000m2 hospital in the centre of Liverpool.

The new £335m scheme will regenerate a key area of the city that was previously unoccupied and will create jobs both during construction and after completion.

These large, impermeable superblocks are now widely considered detrimental to the life of the city

T

he scheme, designed by architects NBBJ/HKS, will contribute to the urban landscape of Liverpool, as this previously derelict piece of land will now link two large areas of existing public realm integrating the site with Everton Park and the existing Liverpool University.

The newly-created public space around the hospital goes beyond the traditional objective of providing therapeutic views for patients. It will become a significant and accessible new piece of public realm for the people of Liverpool, improving connectivity and reinstating circulation

8 Public Sector Build Journal

routes around the city. The landscaped gardens widen the regeneration area of the build, creating a new and attractive area within for the city. The design of the site has been influenced by traditional Italian masterplanning of linking public squares, boulevards and intimate courtyards in-between multiple buildings.

Historic architecture The facade of the building consists of ceramic rainscreen cladding and lightcoloured masonry, reflecting the historic architecture fabric of the city. Resembling

Portland Stone, the building’s material palette is reminiscent of significant Merseyside public buildings such as the Royal Liver Building, Metropolitan Cathedral and the Harold Cohen Library.

The Royal Liverpool University Hospital will house 650 beds, including 40 critical care beds and 81 emergency assessment beds, and 19 operating theatres. It will also become a nationalist specialist hospital in the areas of ophthalmology, haematology and vascular surgery; and house specialist cardiology and  respiratory care facilities.

Upfront The redevelopment is part of a larger city regeneration scheme in Liverpool and will provide much needed high-quality medical facilities for the city’s growing population.

The hospital is set to be completed at the end of 2017 and will be Liverpool’s main accident and emergency hospital.

David Lewis, Principal at NBBJ comments: “Since the founding of the NHS, hospital design often seems categorically opposed to good urban planning. Acute care hospitals in particular, to accommodate state-ofthe-art procedures and high numbers of patients, must often occupy extremely large facilities on large sites, paying little regard to the surrounding city.

Urban planning “These large, impermeable superblocks are now widely considered detrimental to the life of the city. Contemporary urban planning instead favours small blocks, walkable pedestrian districts and a fine grain of uses, which would seem to be incompatible with large acute care hospitals.

However, hospitals and cities are not at such odds as it seems. Planned correctly, a hospital can heal the fabric of the city outside, just as it heals patients inside.

“Liverpool is a vibrant city undergoing a renaissance, although like many British cities, it also has areas that need repairing.

This is perhaps nowhere more evident than in the current site of the Royal University Liverpool Hospital, and in its changes over time.

“In the 1800s, Liverpool was a booming port city, bolstered by trade linkages to the Americas and West Indies. From

The facade of the building consists of ceramic rainscreen cladding and light-coloured masonry

10 Public Sector Build Journal

The redevelopment is part of a larger city regeneration scheme in Liverpool

the waterfront, where the custom houses known as the Three Graces stood watching over the docks, the city expanded inland to the east. Financial aspirations were expressed in banks and corporate headquarters, civic pride

in public buildings and town halls, and domestic comfort in and around gentrified squares. Around the turn of the century, architect Alfred Waterhouse designed the old Liverpool Royal Infirmary and University College Liverpool, widely considered the first of the “red brick” universities, bringing life to several city institutions that persist today.

“At the city’s peak population of more than 800,000 in the 1930s, the site of what would become the Royal Liverpool Hospital – bounded by present-day Prescot Street, West Derby Street, Daulby Street and Low Hill – was a proper part of this thriving metropolis. The site was knitted into the greater urban fabric with small streets, pedestrian access and public spaces integrated into it. But then Liverpool, like many British cities the victim of de-industrialisation and suburban sprawl, began losing residents.

In the 1970s, the city flatted the site and stripped out the existing fabric to make way for the current Royal Liverpool University Hospital. The hospital, set

Upfront urban gateway to motorists approaching Liverpool from the east. Here on this corner, the building is at its tallest, marking the entrance not only to the hospital, but also to the city itself.

“Locating the new hospital on the southeast corner additionally allows the existing facility to continue operations as construction commences. Once the new facility opens, the old hospital will be demolished to make way for the significant public space at the centre of the site. Pedestrian connections into this public space will permeate into the site from all directions, restoring the street grid that was lost in the 1970s.

activated by new uses. The multi-storey car park and Clinical Science and Support Building (CSSB) form a buffer zone to the busy Low Hill.

“We used the four-storey drop across the site to divide the public space into different levels, each with a different character, defining the different entrances. First, the Education Square, on the upper level to the east, entrances here are to the Education Centre and CSSB. This level, separate from general public access is for staff parking, services deliveries and the Emergency entrance. Second, the main Hospital Square provides both a public gathering space – complete with cafe – and a main entrance to the hospital on Level 1, complete with vehicular boulevard and pedestrian paths from Prescot Street to the north. Next are the Terraces, which step down finally to the Lower Square, where additional pedestrian routes connect to the University of Liverpool to the south.

“The public spaces also connect back to the context of Liverpool through our choice of materials, which were based on the Public Realm Implementation Framework used throughout the city.

Stone pavers connect to public spaces  throughout the city centre, and similar

Reconnecting the city “This central plaza will be bounded on all sides: to the east, the new hospital, and the Linda McCartney Centre to the north and west, along Prescot and Daulby Streets, a new biosciences development will leverage the hospital to drive medical advancements and the local economy; and to the south and west, the existing Dental Hospital and a future cancer centre will hold the edge of West Derby Street. As a result, the central plaza will be sheltered and the surrounding streets will be

Resembling Portland Stone, the building's material palette is reminiscent of significant Merseyside public buildings

within the interior of a large superblock, didn’t integrate with the city at large. With no formal enclosure at the site perimeter and no public spaces, the site ‘leaks’ into the surroundings. The hospital itself forms an imposing, impenetrable, unpopular mass at this important site marking the gateway to the city.

Restoring public access “Now, with the hospital needing massive upgrades, the opportunity exists to heal this site and to restore the fine-grained city grid that used to exist on the site, even while providing for the state-ofthe-art care that Liverpool needs. Our master plan seeks to more clearly define the urban space of the street, to restore public access to the centre of the site, and to knit the hospital more fully into fabric of Liverpool.

“Our first step is to create a public space at the centre of the site and position the new hospital building to the southeast of the site, at the corner of West Derby Street and Low Hill, to form a landmark

Public Sector Build Journal 11

Upfront use of landscape, lighting and furniture will create high-quality public space in an area that currently lacks it. Likewise, the hospital building itself also features a material palette that connects back to the city, particularly in its use of Portland stone similar to other public buildings throughout Liverpool.

“In designing these squares, we relied on the very classical notion of a sequence from public to private space, such as one finds in traditional medieval towns, for example. That is, the visitor begins in a fully public space – for example, the Piazza delle Erbe in Verona, Italy, or the Hospital Square of the new Royal – at the heart of the city, where they can find information, respite, refreshment or a place to gather. These public squares are often accompanied by a tall architectural feature – the campanile of the Torre dei Lamberti in Verona, or the stepped profile of the new Royal in Liverpool – that signifies on the skyline the location of the public space.

“Surrounding the central square are semi-public spaces for those who need access, such as the interior courtyard of a residential block. The new Royal has two such semi-public courtyards, as well as a large public atrium, which are accessible to all who visit the hospital. To make this semi-public space more welcoming, we are looking at options for eliminating the reception desk with long queues, instead relying on mobile staff with handheld devices – much like an Apple store or the London Olympics – to check in guests and provide information. Cafes and shops provide additional amenities. And

Light-filled corridors will help visitors and patients feel at ease

12 Public Sector Build Journal

Each patient will have their own spacious room

as in similarly-scaled urban spaces, the hospital’s atrium and courtyards make it easy to orient oneself and find the public circulation core at the centre of the facility.

“Finally, from the semi-public areas the visitor ascends to the private space of their own apartment or, in the case of the hospital, to the patient’s room or the clinician’s workplace. We designed all these places – including the nurses’ stations at the centre of the floor plate – to have natural light and views to the gardens, which resulted in a shifted floor plan that brings daylight in at the corners of the internal corridors. This is visible on the exterior of the building as well, in the canted glass walls that help to break up the monolithic mass of the facade and bring more scale and energy to the streetscape.

“When completed, the new Royal will heal a once-impermeable site in the centre of the city. By reinforcing

the edges of the block, it will energise the street and shelter a vast, publicly accessible plaza at its centre. By connecting to surrounding areas, it will bring people into and through the site, and help drive advancements at the nearby university and future biosciences developments. And by bringing state-of-the-art care to Liverpool, it will ensure the health of generations of  Liverpudlians to come.”

 www.hksinc.com  www.nbbj.com

Future developments

Following construction of the new Royal, the demolition of the current hospital will provide 100,000m2 of space that will be devoted to life sciences. This will provide development space for organisations involved in healthcare, research, pharmaceutical and biomedical industries. Dubbed the Liverpool Health Campus, this area will transform the gateway to the city of Liverpool, spearheading the regeneration of this area of Liverpool into a bustling, cosmopolitan Knowledge Quarter. The Campus will capitalise on its location with a unique concentration of health, academic and industry life science assets; the famous Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (extensively supported by Bill Gates), the National Zoonoses Centre, Medical School, Dental School, centre for drug safety science, Wolfson Centre for Personalised Medicine, pharmaceutical and biomedical industry.

Images courtesy of Frank Hanswijk

Housing

This improved building envelope is complemented by a services module where renewable energy, grid connection and intelligent management provide heat and power

Game-changing collaboration

Leading social housing providers, construction companies, trade bodies and expert organisations have come together to form Energiesprong UK – with the intention of creating a 'game-changing' refurbishment sector in the UK, inspired by the Dutch Energiesprong approach.

Each refurbishment is completed within a week with no need for the occupants to move out

14 Public Sector Build Journal

Images courtesy of Frank Hanswijk

E

nergiesprong is a Dutch Government-supported approach to delivering attractive ‘whole house’ refurbishments guaranteed to achieve ambitious energy improvements.

So far, the programme has delivered over 800 pilot scale refurbishments and has begun delivery against an agreement between housing associations and builders to refurbish 111,000 houses to net zero energy levels.

Several manufacturers now offer Energiesprong solutions in the Netherlands but all use customised, off-site manufactured walls and roofs, which are pre-fitted with windows and doors. This improved building envelope is complemented by a services module where renewable energy, grid connection and intelligent management provide heat and power. The envelope and services modules are then delivered to the site to refurbish the existing house, thereby not only insulating the building but providing

it with a modern, updated look.

Each refurbishment is completed within a week with no need for the occupants to move out and the cost is covered in the long term by the guaranteed energy savings.

Energiesprong refurbishments completely eradicate fuel poverty and refurbishing whole terraces or streets dramatically improves the streetscape and regenerates neighbourhoods.

Energiesprong UK aims to transfer the Dutch concept to the UK market with UK companies and supply chains developing competitive Energiesprong solutions.

Working together at this early stage will enable all the participants to collectively change the market conditions so that net zero energy housing can become a reality in the UK – at an industrial scale and pace thus making it commercially and environmentally attractive.

Mirroring the Dutch experience, Energiesprong UK aims for:

Housing ● Quality and assured performance - by implementing quality standards, manufacturing and delivery methods, inspection and verification that enable a long-term performance warranty to be offered. ● Affordability – assured performance, coupled with mass-customised industrialisation and delivery process efficiencies, will reduce costs and allow for the refinancing of the upfront investment. This will be achieved through guaranteed energy cost savings (energy performance contracting), generation of on-site renewables and real estate value improvements and will thus make the solution affordable, independent of public grant.

 www.energiesprong.uk

Energiesprong is a Dutch Governmentsupported approach to delivering attractive 'whole house' refurbishments

The founder members of Energiesprong UK are: ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●

Accord Group Affinity Sutton Amicus Horizon Beattie Passive Energy Saving Trust Mears Group Moat Housing Group National Energy Foundation National Housing Federation Nottingham City Homes Orbit Group Peabody Sustainable Group Thrive Homes Wates Living Space Willmott Dixon Your Homes Newcastle

Images courtesy of Frank Hanswijk

Energiesprong UK is managed by Programme Director, Arno Schmickler, and hosted by the National Energy Foundation. Commenting on the formation of Energiesprong UK, Arno Schmickler said: “It’s fantastic that partners from industry and housing have come together to challenge ‘business as usual’. The shared vision to make net zero energy housing a reality and the inspiration provided by the Dutch Energiesprong movement gives us confidence to embark on an exciting journey to transform the refurbishment market in the UK.” Kerry Mashford, Chief Executive of the National Energy Foundation, added: “The Energiesprong UK initiative really does have the potential to transform completely the way we refurbish homes and neighbourhoods in the UK – providing dramatically improved properties at a scale and pace that we need to fulfil the UK’s CO2 reduction commitments, creating new jobs and boosting economic development through a whole new industry sector. It’s incredibly exciting to be involved at this pivotal period and the National Energy Foundation is delighted to be able to provide a supportive home to enable Energiesprong UK to grow and flourish.” 

Images courtesy of Frank Hanswijk

● Desirability – low disruption, fast process, improved aesthetics and comfort levels, increased asset value of individual dwellings plus neighbourhood renewal and social impact of mass implementation (hassle-free solution).

Energiesprong refurbishments completely eradicate fuel poverty

Public Sector Build Journal 15

Technical Focus Housing

EQUITONE fibre cement materials from Marley Eternit were specified for two of the buildings on the development

A diverse dimension Award-winning architect Sheppard Robson has specified EQUITONE fibre cement materials from Marley Eternit as part of a new state-of-the-art student residential development at the University of Salford.

T

he £81m project will bring the majority of the university’s accommodation on-campus.

Catering for over 2000 students, the new Peel Park campus is located in the heart of the city centre, incorporating a range of bedroom sizes in clusters of five to seven, along with a number of social spaces such as cinema room, fitness suite and games room.

Jonathan Davis, Senior Architect at Sheppard Robson, commented: “This is a flagship project that brings together quality materials, which have been cleverly used within affordable limits, to create a standout development.

“As part of the design process, one of our key challenges was to increase the quality and diversity of the campus’

buildings, whilst also improving its overall built image. The campus also sits partially within a conversation area, so the finish had to be sympathetic to its setting.

“We used a palette of brickwork with natural metal finishes throughout the scheme that complimented the surroundings perfectly and formed an attractive student offering. All the buildings deliver high thermal efficiency and are environmentally friendly to allow life cycle costs to be minimised.

This has resulted in an Excellent BREEAM rating.”

EQUITONE fibre cement materials from Marley Eternit were specified for two of the buildings on the development to give the project a unique, stylish and visually striking appearance.

The new Peel Park campus is located in the heart of the city centre

16 Public Sector Build Journal

Technical Focus

EQUITONE [tectiva] in Mineral Black: Cross section detail

EQUITONE [tectiva]: Panel detail is a through coloured facade material, offering a highly expressive structure and distinct surface appearance. Available in eight colours, the solution is extremely robust and offers unparalleled design flexibility. Every tectiva panel is unique, with a maximum panel size of 1.25m x 3m and can be transformed into any shape or size.

Diana Bullock, Marley Eternit’s Marketing Manager – Facades, said: “We are delighted that EQUITONE has been specified for such a prestigious project. It’s testament to the quality of the fibre cement materials and the visual look that the product can create that is has been selected for these student residences.” 

 www.marleyeternit.co.uk

“The Peel Park Campus utilises the theme of brick throughout its design to reflect the surrounding area but in a completely contemporary,” continued Jonathan. “The EQUITONE [tectiva] in Mineral Black was specified to create standout by offering a fantastic contrast to the colour of the brick

built buildings. By doing this, it has enabled us to bring the whole development to life even more. It is a stunning example of how fibre cement can create a vibrant, modern and crisp facade.”

Characterised by fine sanded lines and naturally occurring hues, EQUITONE [tectiva]

The Peel Park Campus utilises the theme of brick throughout its design

Public Sector Build Journal 17

Talking Point Innova's most futuristic lab at Penwortham Priory Academy in Preston

What does the future hold?

Science never stands still, and nor should the classrooms it's taught in. But what does the future hold for the school science lab? Will benches and Bunsen burners be replaced by spaces that to our eyes seem more science fiction than science fact?

Peter Smith, Director, Innova Design Solutions explains more.

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e believe the answer lies with the today’s students – the architects and designers of tomorrow. Putting the end user at the heart of consultation on any new build or refurbishment provides a clear picture of what sort of space will work for them. That’s why we asked 11 to 16 year olds to design their vision of what a school science lab might look like in 20 years’ time for our Lab of the Future competition. The ideas they came up with may surprise you.

Design led Initially we’d expected to see a lot of ideas that were pure science fiction, so the high level of design literacy the students seemed to have was a real surprise. The entries we received were not only hugely creative but also showed a genuine interest in design.

Growing up with the internet means these students have had access to a wide variety of design styles and influences, and were much more visually driven and sophisticated

18 Public Sector Build Journal

than we’d anticipated. There was a clear understanding of practical, workable design and they had very definite ideas about the way they wanted the classroom to look and the materials they wanted to use.

The look and feel of a room can very much influence your attitude to it, and the students’ ideas highlighted how important it is to them that a classroom is stylish and has a real ‘wow’ factor. In a climate where standardised ‘one size fits all’ classrooms seem to be becoming the norm in education design, it’s important architects, designers and teachers alike are aware that for many students, a classroom that’s purely functional simply won’t cut it when it comes to inspiring learning.

Teacher focused Given the opportunity to design the school science lab of the future, you could be forgiven for thinking that many students would choose to get rid of teachers altogether, however the classrooms our

As one of Innova’s founding directors Peter Smith gets involved in all aspects of design and manufacture and is currently heading up the companies export drive in the Middle East.

students came up with suggested quite the opposite. Many of the designs we saw were very teacher focused, and put staff at the heart of the learning space – in some cases literally, by placing teachers in a central teaching hub with a circular, tiered auditorium radiating out from it.

We noticed students had invested a lot of time in thinking up ideas to help make the teacher’s job easier. From high tech screens and control panels which enabled them to track pupils’ progress remotely and streaming lessons via tablets and holographic displays to creating layouts that improved circulation and shortened lines of communication, the students sought out solutions that would allow the teacher to spend more time with them and less time negotiating the geography of the classroom.

Their designs showed an awareness of how much existing classroom layouts can inhibit science teaching and prevent teachers from adopting the modern methods the curriculum demands. They

Talking Point

Putting the end user at the heart of consultation on any new build or refurbishment provides a clear picture of what sort of space will work for them

also suggested that just like their teachers, they feel frustrated by this. Ultimately the designs recognised a need for greater flexibility in science classrooms and the students worked hard to create a space that adjusted to their needs and that of the teacher rather than the other way round.

Technology as standard All the designs we saw included a strong technology element. Having grown up with PCs, mobiles and tablets, today’s secondary school students see technology as fundamental to their learning rather than an add on or bonus. For them the virtual learning environment is as important as the physical one, and the way their ideas integrated the two offers a lesson for anyone looking to create a classroom with real longevity.

Rather than creating classrooms where the technology was the stuff of science fiction, they viewed it as a practical means of solving the problems they encounter in the classroom. Whilst many designers

would address difficulties in seeing and hearing by altering the classroom layout to reduce communication lines, our students employed technology, placing holographic displays and projections at pupils’ workspaces.

Technology was also seen as a means to aid modern teaching methods. To assist individual learning and help students to learn at their own pace, many designs incorporated holographic glasses so experiments could be conducted virtually.

Immersive technologies and 3D projection systems were popular solutions to support group and project work.

student designers took a different approach to the lab of the future.

Instead of loose, reconfigurable tables and chairs which offered a completely flexible layout, many opted for multifunctional fixed furniture which could accommodate theory work, practicals and virtual experimentation within one unit. This suggests students may be more influenced by their current classrooms than we had expected, but also offered a refreshing perspective on this recurring problem.

Students are often accused of time wasting, but the storage solutions our young designers built into their classrooms very much reflected a desire to get on with the business of learning. Rather than placing equipment out of reach in separate prep rooms, they cleverly incorporated storage into the classroom itself.

From the outlandish (equipment conveyor systems and chemical vending machines) to the practical (storage walls and floors, cupboards and racks fitted beneath benches), students were keen to have the tools and equipment they needed to hand for practicals but with the ability for it to be stowed quickly and safely to save time and cut clutter.

The ideas we received for the Lab of the Future competition have provided a fascinating insight into how students view and engage with their learning environment.

These tech-loving, design savvy pupils seek classrooms that visually inspire as well as instruct, but also want spaces that are practical, flexible and facilitate their learning.

Designers, architects and educators beware: students’ expectations of a science laboratory are high, and will only continue to grow. Now’s the time for us to listen. 

Rethinking flexibility The need to improve flexibility is a constant challenge for architects and designers working on education projects. Current thinking suggests the best way to address the problem and maximise space is to divide open plan spaces into distinct zones which can be reconfigured as the needs of students and teachers change. However, our

The need to improve flexibility is a constant challenge for architects and designers working on education projects

 www.innova-solutions.co.uk

Public Sector Build Journal 19

Legal & Business

The role of the principal designer has been introduced to assist the client and any other construction team members

The CDM transition Dave Owen, Director at architectural, building surveying and planning practice, Cassidy + Ashton, discusses whether the industry is ready for the full implementation of Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (CDM 2015).

A

fter CDM 2007 was revoked on 6th April 2015, everyone involved in construction projects has been adjusting to the fact that they all have their part to play in safety governance.

No longer is it the duty of a CDM coordinator to advise and organise everyone from the client through to designers and contractors. Instead, the role of the principal designer has been introduced to assist the client and any other construction team members with the new regulations, implement the health & safety plan and distribute preconstruction information before a project starts on site.

All those involved in a project still have a role to play in protecting themselves and anyone that the work affects.

However, the emphasis is now on eliminating risk during the design stage.

If not possible, principal designers must reduce risk as far as possible then mange its impact.

The move has shifted responsibility to principal designers, which is mainly

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perceived to be architects, but also includes consulting engineers, building surveyors and building service engineers. The persons and/ or companies carrying out this role must also display the necessary skills, experience, knowledge and training (SKET) to conduct the job safely and effectively.

Any new projects that started after 6th April 2015 have been subject to the new regulations. The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) is waiting with bated breath for feedback on the guidance and whether it needs to be replaced with an Approved Code of Practice – something which many in the industry indicated they would prefer in the 2014 public consultation. Current guidance is available in the HSE L153 document.

The continuing aim of the 2015 regulations is to ensure work is safely planned to identify, manage and mitigate risks effectively. Information, communication and consultation therefore remain central to the cause

With more than 10 years working as a building surveyor, Dave Owen has experience in all aspects of surveying. His main areas of specialism are design and management of refurbishment works, defect analysis, project management and disabled access reports/works.

with the principal contractor leading the process, rather than the CDM coordinator Whilst it might be causing some headaches, the changes are all for the good of the project and should herald a further reduction in the number of health and safety incidents, especially on smaller sites and domestic schemes, which now fall within the new regulations. 

î˜ą www.cassidyashton.co.uk

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Images courtesy of RTD Crawford

Treated Timber

The design of the MicroPro treated timber boardwalk means that it sits or 'floats' above the terrain

All above board in conservation area Cuilcagh Mountain Park in County Fermanagh is a "Wetland of International Importance" as designated by the Ramsar Convention as well as being a Special Area of Conservation (SAC), an Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI) and a Natura 2000 site.

W

hen the next stage of development for this area was planned, one of the longest wooden boardwalks in the world, it was vital that timber used would be of the highest quality and an environmentally sound choice.

Local company RTD Crawford was ideally suited to supply the MicroPro® treated timber with the new MicroShades brown color additive to fulfil the specification for this 1.6km boardwalk, as they are the only producer of MicroPro treated timber in Ireland. Robert Allen, General Manager, at RTD Crawford stated: “The MicroPro treated timber process is the only timber treatment that is certified as an Environmentally Preferable Product based on Life Cycle Assessment studies. MicroPro is the preferred timber treatment to be used in environmentally sensitive areas.”

“This path is solely to protect the habitat.

It has taken thousands of years to develop this naturally. The area is botanically rich with a very diverse range of species of birds, plants and insects,” says Richard

22 Public Sector Build Journal

Watson, Manager of the Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark, which is located near the entrance of the new boardwalk. “This is another chapter in the development of the area which continues to bring thousands of visitors to the area to enjoy the outdoor environment which is particularly special in terms of landscape features.”

The design of the MicroPro treated timber boardwalk means that it sits or ‘floats’ above the terrain leaving it

MicroPro treated timber was used throughout the project to protect the boardwalk from difficult weather conditions

undisturbed. The new treated timber boardwalk protects the rare blanket bog from erosion caused by walkers. MicroPro treated timber was used throughout the project to protect the boardwalk from difficult weather conditions and to protect the sensitive environment of the park.

The boardwalk provides visitors with breathtaking views of the area with the most impressive site being Lough Atona, a lake nestled at the foot of the mountain which was carved out by a glacier during the last ice age approximately 13,000 years ago.

RTD Crawford is located on a 44 acre site in the heart of Lisbellaw in Co. Fermanagh. The site is home to a modern timber milling facility, producing planned timber for all end uses. The company despatches timber throughout Ireland on a daily basis.

 www.rtdcrawford.com  www.kopperspc.eu  kpc@koppers.eu  01628 486644

Health & Safety

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Public Sector Build Journal 23

Building Access

of the new lifts, cleaning, decorating and commissioning.

The new lifts were designed, procured and installed to improve access over 3 and 4 levels for tenants in 4 separate apartment blocks that comprise Bethesda Court.

Turnkey package Operating at a speed of 1.0mps, they are finished in durable satin stainless steel throughout, with 3-panel, side-opening doors, full-length rear-view mirrors, downlighter ceilings, grey non-slip floors and grab rails. Full-collective, simplex operation helps to deliver faultless, energy saving function and reliability.

The turnkey package also comprises comprehensive service cover and support, including 24-hour breakdown cover and service visits, with continued lift maintenance by the South West England and South Wales branch of Stannah Lift Services, part of a nationwide network providing comprehensive lift servicing and support.

 www.stannahlifts.co.uk

Each 450kg lift had to be tailored to fit exact shaft dimensions, maximising the space available

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liftsales@stannah.co.uk  01264 339090

Ace tailor of lifts for tight spaces When it comes to tailoring passenger lifts to fit tight-squeeze spaces, Stannah Lift Services was the lift company of choice for Coastal Housing Group in their Bethesda Court social housing complex in Swansea, Wales.

T

he Stannah team removed the existing four hydraulic passenger lifts and separate motor rooms (installed in 1994 by other lift manufacturers) and replaced them with gearless-traction, motor room-less, 6-person passenger lifts.

Critically, each 450kg lift had to be tailored to fit exact shaft dimensions, maximising the space available. With a 5mm tolerance, design and manufacture had to be spot on – which it was, and all achieved within 16 weeks.

24 Public Sector Build Journal

The motor room-less capability is another space-saving feature, with the controller located in the landing architraves on the top floors.

As principle contractor, the South West England & South Wales branch of Stannah Lift Services was wholly responsible for this turnkey project.

Working in close partnership with lift consultants, Dunbar and Boardman, Stannah covered every aspect of the project from lift removal, Health and Safety and builders work to installation

The new lifts were designed, procured and installed to improve access over 3 and 4 levels

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Education

The building uses a clean white rendered box to carve out brick and stone inserts

Opening up opportunities The Advanced Technology Centre (ATC), which forms the latest Bond Bryan project at Bradford College, has now opened its doors to students. Being adjacent to the much talked about David Hockney Building, also designed by Bond Bryan Architects and shortlisted for a number of awards, this new addition further adds to the impressive portfolio of Bradford College.

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he eco-friendly campus features solar panels, a bio-diverse roof and superefficient plant, putting the building on track to achieve BREEAM Excellent rating. The design creates a flexible solution that is distinctive, a high quality addition to Great Horton Road, complementing the new campus and adding to the regeneration of Bradford. Measuring 3600m2 over three storeys, the building has high quality customisable workshop and exhibition space as well as office accommodation, meeting rooms, video conferencing facilities and seminar rooms.

The brief and solution

The ATC is a leading centre providing high quality, cutting edge courses

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The original concept was to create a building that could provide a series of flexible open plan spaces for the predicted future needs of the curriculum. Using the college’s education requirements and flexibility as the driver for the internal layouts, this

allowed Bond Bryan to work within an extremely constrained site to create spaces that could adapt in the future. These included large-scale workshop spaces with infrastructure created for adaptability as well as the more traditional classroom/ office based spaces all tied together with large open plan collaborative spaces, which echo the larger building across the road.

Positioned right next to the David Hockney Building, the Advanced Technology Centre’s design has a clear dialogue with the original building’s aesthetic, both internally and externally. The design uses a similar fenestration pattern, purposefully resonating a sample of the material and colour scheme from before and utilises its folding planes, however it uses a clean white rendered box to carve out brick and stone inserts that respond to the materials of its ‘big brother’ next door.

A key part of the design was to link the

Education

various campus buildings through a series of external landscaped spaces that begin at the main entrance of the new building. The entrance canopy is dramatic and reaches out to the public with a warm timber facade, mimicking the larger more formal entrance of the David Hockney Building at a more appropriate scale for its context.

A large picture window, set at a similar level to the raked pedestrian walkway, invites the passer by to view into the feature laboratory spaces to really showcase the work of the College and their partners. The schemes location creates an important gateway into a new learning quarter for the City, centered around the David Hockney building and its landscaped hub space.

Matt Hutton, Associate Director at Bond Bryan Architects, explained: “Having previously worked with Bradford College we were excited to deliver yet another outstanding facility for students, staff and local businesses alike. The brief was to provide a building which complements the much larger David Hockney Building in terms of vision and educational aspiration, with a series of multi use flexible spaces for teaching and learning that encompass traditional classrooms as well as high tech laboratory environments to support realistic working environments.

The David Hockney Building had utilised Building Information Modelling (BIM) and had successfully demonstrated the use of open technologies to exchange models with the main contractor BAM Construction. This project had won Bond Bryan a number of

BIM awards including the company’s first international awards for the use of cutting edge techniques and for exploring the complexities and issues related to using a variety of software from different vendors.

Utilising BIM The ATC project was a further collaborative effort with BAM and many of the lessons learnt on the David Hockey Building were implemented on this subsequent project.

Bond Bryan again produced open format models utilising buildingSMART’s IFC format (covered by ISO 16739:2013) to exchange models with BAM. The models were used to coordinate the building services with the architecture within extremely tight service volumes. The coordination in this instance was carried out by BAM but with regular input and engagement from Bond Bryan, working together to ensure issues were dealt with prior to construction on site, reducing the need for rework.

Bond Bryan also used the models for communicating the 3-dimensional design to the client and other stakeholders, for traditional drawing output and for architectural schedules.

Building contractors BAM Construction further utilised BIM, to manage design, plan site activities and trialling direct links from Bond Bryan’s architectural design model for ‘setting out’. The use of digital workflows reduced the reliance on traditional methods of ‘Setting Out’ and Verification of a building. In the construction industry, this refers to the act of measuring and marking

The entrance canopy is dramatic and reaches out to the public with a warm timber facade

out a full size plan of a building or element of a building on site, and verifying that what was built is in accordance with the design.

This would be done using a combination of a total station, tape and on paper records. All records are now integrated with the project BIM without the need for paper records.

Playing an important role The ATC is a leading centre providing high quality, cutting edge courses. Adjacent to Bradford College’s new campus in the heart of the city, The ATC provides young people and adults with access to state-of-the-art technology to develop the specialist skills needed to meet the needs of employers regionally, nationally and internationally in the Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics sectors. It will play an important role in the future prosperity of the region, providing curriculum and training that will develop skills in shortage areas and increase employability.

Andy Welsh, CEO of Bradford College Group commented: “Our new £10m Advanced Technology Centre provides an opportunity to work collaboratively with local employers to develop a space that responds to skills shortages by using the very latest technologies to shape innovation in the local economy.”

The project was funded by the Skills Funding Agency and Bradford Council and BAM were appointed as contractor delivering the project on time and budget ready for the start of the academic year. 

The design creates a flexible solution that is distinctive

 www.bondbryan.com

Public Sector Build Journal 27

Healthcare

When Altiplan° architects undertook the facade refurbishment of Clinique Saint Jean, Belgium, the hospital's original build featured an energy inefficient stone facade

Tackling building inefficiencies in healthcare Mar Esteve Cortes, Marketing Project Manager at TheSize, discusses the role of exterior cladding in healthcare and how Neolith by TheSize enhanced the efficiency and performance of two hospital projects in Belgium, a country with the fifth largest carbon footprint in the world.

Insulation and n a global scale resident and thermal efficiency commercial buildings are

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responsible for approximately 25% of CO2 emissions each year. According to a government audit of emissions, hospitals are one of the worst offenders for carbon emissions, with building energy use cited as the second largest contributing factor after procurement. Looking at secondary health care, specifically acute care, we find building energy is the primary cause of emissions.

Poor insulation plays a significant factor in a building’s heat loss and condensation in winter, and is responsible for most of the heat gain in summer. Ensuring buildings have energy-saving features plays a vital role in reducing carbon emissions, with exterior cladding playing a contributing factor.

Thermal insulation applied to a building’s external structure eliminates the thermal

Providing insulation to an existing building through exterior cladding is significantly easier than undertaking steps to add insulation to the internal walls

bridges, reducing temperature fluctuations inside the building which in some cases can lead to energy savings of up to 40%. These savings can then be reinvested into better facilities and patient care.

Providing insulation to an existing building through exterior cladding is significantly easier than undertaking steps to add insulation to the internal walls.

When Altiplan° architects undertook the facade refurbishment of Clinique Saint Jean, Belgium, the hospital’s original build featured an energy inefficient stone facade. The most effective solution was to replace the facade with exterior panels on a fixed system that allowed for the addition of thermal insulation. A further advantage of external insulation, unlike in the case of internal insulation, is the fact that it avoids reducing valuable internal habitable space.

Acoustic advantages Exterior cladding in combination with a depth of insulation between the cladding and the wall not only minimises thermal bridging but also offers an acoustic advantage.

From a healthcare perspective, improving the acoustic performance of a hospital building means patients and occupants are less likely to hear noises from outside.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates at least 1 million healthy life years are lost each year in Western Europe

28 Public Sector Build Journal

Healthcare due to health effects arising from noise exposure to road traffic alone.

Although the facades used for Clinique Saint Jean were not specified explicitly for their noise cancelling properties, given that the ventilated facade system is composed of different layers, there is an increase in the level of noise absorption taken by the different elements. When it is considered that the hospital incorporates parking facilities and is located on the corner of a major traffic artery, the acoustic advantage cannot be dismissed.

Weather resistance and air pollution For many architects, it is imperative that the selected panelling is made from surfacing material that can withstand the natural elements and is complemented by a fixing system to support ventilated properties.

Man-made materials that are 100% natural, such as sintered compact surfaces, provide facades with inherent solar protection and, via the correct fixing system, water impermeability; essential qualities in preserving the facades and ensuring cost effectiveness in terms of maintenance.

Air pollution can directly affect buildings and structures, from exhaust fumes causing staining, to acid rain gradually breaking down the surface area of facades. In addition, freezing temperatures and wet weather can cause the surface water on a building facade to freeze, with the frequent expansion and contraction of the water resulting in surface cracks and structural weaknesses.

As a result, stain resistant facade options made from waterproof materials, with some offering as little as 0.08% porosity, are often favoured by architects.

Near-zero porosity also means surfaces that are graffiti resistant; this in combination with a facade material that has inherent UV resistance provides exterior cladding where colours do not fade after being exposed to sunlight, which in turn has aesthetic advantages.

Design capabilities Colours are shown to have a psychological and physiological effect on the individual which is why the aesthetic of a healthcare environment is relevant since it can impact on patient wellbeing.

Exterior cladding with design options to produce colourful or iridescent facades challenges the dull and drab appearance associated with conventional hospitals,

An example of a hospital exterior challenging convention design can be seen in ZOL Campus St-Jan in Genk, Belgium

making them more welcoming.

An example of a hospital exterior challenging convention design can be seen in ZOL Campus St-Jan in Genk, Belgium.

The hospital had updated its global care strategy and wanted this echoed in the building of its new wing; leading architect on the project, Gunther Herrijgers from Architectengroep A4, envisioned the hospital building to have an abundance of clean lines and seamless aesthetic.

To accomplish this, StrongFix, a unique comprehensive fixing system developed

by TheSize specifically for architects, was specified so that 6mm Neolith exterior facade panels could be installed.

The utilisation of the only fixing solution on the market for 6mm panels meant the convenience of being able to hang the exterior facade panels to the support structure without the fixations being on display, thereby enhancing aesthetic.

Further advantages of the fixing system include the simplicity and speed of the installation process, as well as the ease of access provided to electrical systems.

Exterior cladding with design options to produce colourful or iridescent facades challenges the dull and drab appearance associated with conventional hospitals

such as hospitals, where patient care takes priority and decorum is essential to achieving patient wellbeing, this is particularly beneficial.

Exterior cladding has a significant role to play in architectural design and energy efficiency regardless whether it is applied as a reactive measure in support of carbon emission reduction or as part of the fundamental design plan for the next generation of energy efficient hospitals.

Used carefully, facades can turn old buildings into architectural masterpieces.

More importantly, exterior cladding, when specified correctly, offers hospitals greater energy efficiency and cost savings, meaning there is greater potential to invest back into patient care. 

Installation methods In terms of practicality, lightweight panels are often favoured since they promote efficiency during builds by reducing the structural load and are cost effective should the building require any future renovations.

This is especially significant in the healthcare sector where budget increases for building projects are unlikely to be granted.

Many exterior cladding panels can be added to existing facades, which in combination with lightweight properties, means building improvements can be undertaken without the installation being disruptive to occupants. For environments

î˜ą www.neolith.com

Public Sector Build Journal 29

Leisure Education

The space has used a landscape led approach in its design to create a more organic, textural playspace

Playing in rich history Eastern Quarry, situated in Ebbsfleet Valley, is one of the largest development sites within the Thames Gateway. Managed by Land Securities Ebbsfleet Valley landholdings and developed by Camland Developments, the site has seen the development of over 250 hectares of former quarry.

The choice of equipment and natural play features draw inspiration from hominin activity

30 Public Sector Build Journal

B

y completion of the project there will be 6250 new homes, and this significant new community need good shared community spaces.

Camland Developments used the services of Timberplay to create the design for Castle Hill Park Play Area, creating outstanding play provision for the housing development.

The new play area has been constructed as part of the new Castle Hill development, but is also accessible by neighbouring existing communities.

Camland Developments was keen to create a standout play area that would engage children over a wider age range, offering different levels of challenge.

It was also important that the new play area made reference to the pre-historic landscape of the site.

Timberplay created a design for an imaginative playspace for toddlers through to juniors, with consideration for those with physical limitations. The space has used a landscape led approach in its design to create a more organic, textural playspace that reflects the wider setting and the history of the site, with rugged materials such as sand, timber and stone. In 2003 the construction of the HS1 link unearthed evidence that early humans hunted in packs, with bones and flint pieces showing that groups were able to successfully hunt and butcher an elephant for its meat – making the Ebbsfleet elephant a key local story.

Leisure

Timberplay created a design for an imaginative playspace for toddlers through to juniors

To reflect the behaviour of the hominins that frequented what is now known as Castle Hill, the choice of equipment and natural play features draw inspiration from hominin activity, their survival skills and movement. All combined, this play space is designed to provide entertainment for children and parents, a place to relax and look out upon the whole play space that fits in seamlessly with the Country Park.

The Ebbsfleet elephant has been honoured within the Muddy Mire, with small elephant slide and baby elephant, with a lion and rhino to provide a bit of company.

The Forest Swamp is the site of a Climbing Forest – an exciting and challenging equipment combination.

Children’s imaginations can run wild as they get in touch with their inner hominin, experiencing tree-climbing, branch-swinging, the experience of height and vantage points – trying not to fall into the ‘swamp’ (woodfibre impact absorbent surface) below! The See-Saw Carousel swing and Rotating Disc also provide lots of high energy, thrilling fun.

Both pieces can accommodate several children at any one time.

The Clay Bank Archaeological Dig plays on the site’s rich archaeological history, with extensive sand area and a big Building Site piece of equipment, with pulleys and chutes to encourage digging and transporting. A Small Excavator, Turning Crane and Sand Tipper offer

Camland Developments used the services of Timberplay to create the design for Castle Hill Park Play Area

even more varied play experiences. The landscaping has created play pockets, with well-placed boulders serving as the perfect spot to perch.

The Marshy Valley area has lots of stimulating equipment perfect for smaller children; Small See-Saw, Jumping Discs, Wobble Dish and Dwarf Hill, Twin Swing and Nest Swing. A Climbing Structure is also included to nurture the development of children’s physical skills, homing the negotiation, balance and courage they need to take on the Climbing Forest as their confidence grows.

Adam Owen, Project Manager at Camland Developments comments: “As the playground is effectively the gateway

to the site we wanted it to be very impressive, heralding the start of such an important development. I am thrilled that we have achieved this. The playground is nothing short of awe-inspiring, it makes me wish I was a kid again.

“I have worked on many playgrounds across the UK throughout my career and this is the most impressive I have ever seen. Working with Timberplay has been a pleasure, from developing the design with their Landscape Architects through to installation and after-care. I look forward to working with them again on the next project.” 

 www.timberplay.com

Public Sector Build Journal 31

Balconies drainage to a Rain Water Pipe (RWP) typically adds a further 25% and also makes the construction significantly more complex.

Appearance is another important consideration. The rather ‘industrial’ look of free draining balconies can be improved by adding a soffit/drip tray.

Balconies draining to a RWP need to be deeper to accommodate pipework so can look chunkier.

Safety must also be considered in any decision. The risk of hot liquids falling through the balcony deck onto residents below can be reduced by a drip tray or RWP. Last, but not least, there is the issue of facade staining. The use of positive drainage is likely to reduce the risk of water running down the facade and causing staining.

Decking options

Sapphire strongly recommends that Building Control and NHBC inspectors are consulted at an early stage of a balcony project

Drainage matters Sapphire Balustrades, a leading UK manufacturer of balcony and balustrade solutions, considers the most frequently asked questions when it comes to designing a drainage solution for a balcony project.

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ifferent balcony structures have different drainage requirements.

Concrete balconies, for example, tend to be treated like a flat roof and are normally finished with a waterproof membrane, drainage outlet or overflow pipe.

Building Regulations Any water collecting on a balcony deck, either from rainfall or from watering container plants, should be addressed in the design of the balcony to ensure it doesn’t drip onto the balcony below.

With this in mind, drainage of balconies is covered by Building Regulations and industry guidance. Approved Document H3 of the Building Regulations requires adequate provision for rainwater to be carried from the roof of the building but does not state whether balconies are considered part of ‘the roof’.

32 Public Sector Build Journal

Another question we are often asked at Sapphire is whether the choice of balcony deck has an impact on drainage and the answer is yes. Grooved decking boards are commonly used as a surface. Experience has shown that the majority of rainwater falling on the decking will run along the grooves and drip off the end of the board.

It is, therefore, better to run decking parallel with the building line, otherwise there can be a substantial amount of water dripping off adjacent to the facade, increasing the risk of staining or water  penetration.

 www.sapphirebalustrades.com

Industry guidelines NHBC guidance (section 7.1 ‘Flat roofs and balconies’) states that balconies shall have adequate rainwater disposal to a suitable outfall but does not go into detail about drainage options.

Given the lack of clear guidelines, Sapphire strongly recommends that Building Control and NHBC inspectors are consulted at an early stage of a balcony project to ensure the proposed solutions meet with their approval.

Decision factors Having considered the legal requirements, let’s take a look at the main issues and solutions when choosing a balcony drainage system.

Firstly, there is the question of cost.

Free draining balconies are the lowest in cost. The addition of a drip tray typically adds around 10%. Incorporating positive

Different balcony structures have different drainage requirements

The bright choice for schools.

For total school solutions, choose the experts.

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With over 65 years experience we’re top of the class in schools.

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Last year we completed more than 500 projects at nursery, junior, primary and secondary schools, colleges and universities across the UK. From fencing and gates to play areas and sports courts, we offer a complete solution YEARS YEARS YEARS for safe, secure, sustainable and vibrant learning environments.

Timber and steel fencing

Floors, Walls & Ceilings

St Wilfrid's Church of England Academy installed Karndean Designflooring, Da Vinci Noir CK25

E Trends in education flooring Paul Barratt, Managing Director of Karndean Designflooring, one of the UK's market leading luxury vinyl flooring (LVT) specialists, discusses current trends in flooring, and why LVT wood and stone floors are being specified in place of the real thing.

Xpressive Interiors recently created an interactive junior common room for pupils at St Wilfrid's Church of England Academy

34 Public Sector Build Journal

ducation facilities are coming under increasing pressure to create stimulating and inspiring environments for pupils and students to learn and flourish. Designing a room for learning can be complex, and by investing in the right floor design, specifiers can transform the entire ambience of a space.

As well as being straight-forward to install and easy to maintain, surfaces in education must also strike the right tone aesthetically yet be durable enough to withstand heavy footfall. It’s clear to see we’ve come a long way in education, and surfaces play an important role and need to offer endless design capabilities to inspire designers and end users.

Whereas architects and interior designers would have previously looked to real wood or carpet tiles in schools, they are now specifying authentic wood and stone effect LVT for its versatility and practicality.

LVT offers various technical specifications, and choosing the correct wear layer will ensure a floor does not look tired before its next refurbishment is due. Specifiers should look to products with a wear layer depth of between 0.55 and 0.7mm.

Slip resistance is equally important in education, especially when it comes to the health and safety of users. Responding to calls from architects and designers for unprecedented slip resistance, we introduced our Opus Enhance collection earlier this year.

It achieves a result of 40 plus in the Pendulum Wet Test, the highest currently available in the marketplace. The enhancement to the PU coating allows for added grip without

Floors, Walls & Ceilings compromising on aesthetics. The collection features the most popular designs from our commercial Opus range, including six planks and two large format tiles.

Grown up spaces There’s been a real trend of late for mature, sophisticated and complex floor designs in schools, and a slight move away from straight laying patterns and clean lines.

Schools can look at incorporating sweeping curves, rug effects and borders around key areas to add interest and guide pupils and students around classrooms and recreational spaces.

Xpressive Interiors Ltd recently created an interactive junior common room for pupils at St Wilfrid’s Church of England Academy, taking inspiration from big brand, high street coffee houses. Specifying contrasting cool and dark tiles, Xpressive were able to introduce clever zoning between walkways and seating areas, and at the same time guide pupils around the busy space.

Timeless parquet Parquet remains a classic and timeless trend in education. With designs such as herringbone, shaker style and block designs, parquet is perfect for adding character to both modern and traditional facilities.

Invicta Grammar School looked to LVT in place of traditional wood parquet for its warmth, texture and durability, when planning its newly built serene library.

The unique grains, knots and the realistic embosses create a beautiful and realistic floor that is also practical, and easy to maintain.

Modern rustics Forecasting the trend for reclaimed and repurposed materials, we’re expecting to see more modern rustic designs in education. To accommodate this trend,

Invicta Grammar School looked to LVT in place of traditional wood parquet for its warmth, texture and durability

Special cut designs

we’ve recently updated our Da Vinci collection with 12 new wood designs.

The 36” x 3” distressed planks replicate the unique look that comes from the transformation of wood over time. Already popular in commercial spaces for its narrow wood effect planks, deep bevel and smooth finish, the new range includes limed, burnt and smoked looks, alongside two worn and aged driftwood designs. These sophisticated, slim line planks are perfect for creating both a sense of space in small areas and impact in large, open plan spaces.

Universities and schools alike are working hard to push design boundaries even further, thanks to the versatility of surfaces. With this in mind, architects and interior designers need to apply materials which offer bespoke capabilities.

In order to fill this gap in the LVT marketplace, we introduced our special cut designs, utilising full size or cut down Karndean tiles or planks, or bespoke shapes cut from slabs of Karndean product.

Our tiles and planks, combined with borders and inset strips, can be formed into many ‘standard’ designs; but special cut designs push this a stage further, allowing complete freedom for unique shapes, sizes, colour combinations and patterns.

Contrasting colours, shapes and designs can work together to create a bespoke floor, allowing schools and universities to express their personality from the ground up. Motifs, repetitive patterns and eye-catching geometric shapes can bring ambitious designs to life, meaning the sky’s the limit. 

Invicta Grammar School installed Karndean Designflooring, Art Select Blond Oak Parquet AP01

 www.karndean.com

Public Sector Build Journal 35

Disability and furniture manufacturers, such as ourselves, to work tirelessly to design the best environment possible for those living with the condition.

However, while dementia design is a relatively young field, it has grown hugely over the last five years. Experts now understand how a design can provide good support for both patients and carers, helping those living with dementia rediscover their confidence and independence.

At Knightsbridge, we work in partnership with care home providers to ensure their living and communal areas are planned with the residents in mind. Part of that involves helping to plan an environment holistically, with every element of the space, including chairs, carpets and wardrobes, considered as a whole.

One key consideration is the furniture, which should be chosen with much thought to provide added confidence and security. Beds, chairs, wardrobes and tables must be as robustly built as possible to help residents feel safe when using them. Additions such as easy-togrip arms, skids on dining chairs and sturdy arms and backs are essentials which not only make patients feel more comfortable, but retain a level of independence, as well.

Knightsbridge work in partnership with care home providers to ensure their living and communal areas are planned with the residents in mind

A holistic approach to dementia care Catherine Hawcroft, Product Designer and dementia specialist at Knightsbridge Furniture, discusses the possibilities surrounding dementia furniture, and what we can expect from care home providers in the near, and far, future.

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n recent years, the design and layout of care facilities for people living with dementia has emerged as a key consideration. As our understanding of the condition continues to improve, furniture and fittings can play an important role in creating more supportive environments for patients.

It’s a common misconception that the

36 Public Sector Build Journal

affect dementia has on a person’s life is solely restricted to memory loss. This is incorrect, however, as coordination can be impaired, which greatly affects confidence, independence and their quality of life.

With the amount of research conducted by medical experts increasing, our understanding of the illness continues to improve, leading to care home providers

Enhanced visibility As many people with dementia are also affected by sensory impairment, furniture should be made using contrasting colours and textures that helps to easily identify sitting and grabbing areas. Clearer, more visible edges on tables will make it less likely for things like knives, forks and glasses to be knocked onto the floor. Such an occurrence would be a minor event to someone without dementia but it could prove distressing for a person whose confidence and self-esteem may already be low. Ultimately, items that fit these criteria will make a huge difference when helping to lower anxiety and improve sureness of someone living with dementia.

Sensory impairment doesn’t just affect the way furniture is made, with the colour scheme of the whole room being evaluated to offer reassurance to someone living with dementia. For example, if a room featured a similar-coloured doorway and wall, it may be difficult to differentiate where the doorway is. This could prove confusing and scary, especially when in an unfamiliar environment.

Disability

Experts now understand how a design can provide good support for both patients and carers

It’s also important to ensure all fabrics, carpets and worktop finishes do not contain confusing patterns. A flecked surface can look like dirt to residents with short-term memory issues, who will repeatedly try to clean it, causing added frustration and upset.

Outside of the room environment, providers are encouraged to include good visual cues for orientation and way-finding items. Using large bookcases and different coloured seating groups in corridors will ensure confidence when travelling unaided. A memory box can also act as a popular ‘way finding’ item.

Memory boxes, which have been heavily praised by the healthcare industry, feature objects and items from a person’s life. By placing this outside a door in a hallway, it can help a resident remember their room location. Memory boxes can also be installed inside a bedroom as something to wake up to each day, providing residents an air of familiarity in a somewhat confusing world.

While this can help with the quality of life, maintaining an active social life is also an important consideration.

Communal areas can have a significantly positive affect on a person, providing the chance to communicate with each other,

look at photographs, watch television and read books or newspapers. This type of variety helps those living with dementia to stay stimulated. For a number of years, we have worked with care homes across the country on some interesting and rewarding schemes, designed to help propel social communication. These have included libraries, hairdressers, and even a bus stop. These spaces can help people rekindle old memories, and become a comfortable place within the home.

of the room, all facing the television in the corner. Knightsbridge has the portfolio, expertise and enthusiasm to support scheme managers when selecting the right products for environments they want to create, rather than settling for a one-size-fits-all approach. 

 www.knightsbridge-furniture.co.uk

Person-centred approach While it is common for a person’s condition to worsen over time, a care home with a well thought out environment can help people have more good days, making it a priority to create an environment with the residents in mind. Care home providers need to apply a person-centred approach when choosing the layout and furniture options, especially as it provides much needed support to people living with dementia, their caregivers and family members.

The key improvement in the next few years will be in people’s understanding of the field. We have already come a long way from lounges in care homes with lines of identical wing chairs around the edge

Beds, chairs, wardrobes and tables must be as robustly built as possible to help residents feel safe when using them

Public Sector Build Journal 37

Street Furniture

Car parking problems and solutions

Car stackers are semi-automated or automated racks that lift, slide, turn, and move cars up into neat, vertical stacks

The public parking problem Parking is a persistent problem for both the public and private sectors – and the problem presents itself in two ways. Firstly, there isn’t enough space for cars and bicycles. And secondly, the parking costs are deterring visitors. Jason Devenish, Business Development Manager at Bellsure, explains more.

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usinesses often struggle to pull in enough clients/customers if they cannot provide ample parking, and councils struggle to provide adequate parking for the high streets and commercial areas in cities, towns and villages up and down the country.

Since July, there has been mounting pressure on the Government from several local councils. They are demanding that parking charges are scrapped in small town centres. The impetus for this pressure came when the Welsh town of Cardigan experienced a huge boom in

38 Public Sector Build Journal

high-street business back in July when vandals broke all of the pay and display machines in the centre of town. The general consensus is that parking charges are damaging local business and costing towns more than they are bringing in.

Whether public parking will become free is an interesting subject, and it would undoubtedly impact the traffic and available space in public areas, which leads us straight back to the issue of space and congestion in town centres.

This is where we come in, and it is where creativity and practicality join together.

The problem: although car usage in big cities has been curbed slightly and London has seen a rise in bus and train use, large UK cities still struggle to provide ample parking for their visitors. Meanwhile, the percentage of households that own at least one car has risen from 42% in 1965 to 76% in 2014, so it looks unlikely that the problem will resolve itself naturally. Furthermore, car owners who live in rural areas travel 50% further than urban residents. So this is an issue that applies both to country villages and towns as well as big cities.

The solution: be more resourceful with the parking space we already use. Obviously, if we could source more land for car parks, the problem would be solved in no time, but that wouldn’t be economical – and it wouldn’t be any fun for people like us, either. The only way to make the most out of the existing space is to build either upwards or downwards. As the logistical and economic impact of an underground carpark isn’t worth considering for many towns and cities in the UK, upwards is the only answer.

Multi-storeys are one possible route to take, but they are often unsightly and they come with a massive engineering bill. At Bellsure, the Streetsure division have put a lot of effort into working with worldwide leaders in car-stacking technology. Car stackers are semi-automated or automated racks that lift, slide, turn, and move cars up into neat, vertical stacks.

You can use a simple one-on-one system and immediately double a carpark’s capacity.

Or you can invest in a three- or four-story car-stacking system and multiply your car  park’s efficacy many times over.

 www.streetsuresolutions.co.uk

Tel: 0844 561 7679

Shade and Shelter Specialist

OUTSIDE STRUCTURE

S O L U T I O N S

Canopies come in all different shapes and sizes, and no two are the same.

Retractable canopies and terrace covers are a great way to create additional outside space without the expense and cost of an extension.

Walkway canopies can be used to link two buildings together or to lead up to the entrance where you can use a stunning canopy to make an impact.

Building-mounted or free-standing pitched canopies with polycarbonate roofs.

For more information please call of visit our website

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re needs ructu t S ide uts O ur yo l l a

Tel:

01226 320810

www.OutsideStructures.co.uk

Public Sector Build Journal 39

HVAC

LST radiators are commonly found in healthcare facilities, schools and care homes, as seen here at James Aiton Primary School

Removing public building heating risks Phil Marris, Managing Director at Jaga Heating Products UK, discusses why Low Surface Temperature (LST) radiators are the best choice for heating public buildings.

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ublic sector buildings are subject to continuous public footfall, so organisations must carry out particularly stringent risk assessments.

One of the most overlooked considerations is how safe the building’s heating systems are, given their almost constant exposure to public occupants.

By taking extra care in the key features of the radiators they choose, a building’s owner or operator can demonstrate that they have performed thorough due diligence – ensuring that the risks to staff and to the general public have been minimised.

And, there’s no need to compromise on performance, looks and energy efficiency.

In addition to safety assurances, the best safe heating solutions can exceed the desired levels of heating performance and efficiency, and even prove complementary to the interior design.

When protecting the safety and welfare of the occupants – and protecting the organisation itself from potential liability claims – a radiator is

40 Public Sector Build Journal

never ‘just a radiator’. That is why low surface temperature (LST) solutions should be considered as the ideal choice.

Heating risk assessment LST radiators are commonly found in healthcare facilities, schools and care homes. Each of these scenarios share common considerations to that of public buildings, so the benefits of LST radiators will ultimately be transferable. There are a number of buildings that would fall into the public category, be it a library, museum, hotel, gallery, shopping centre, leisure centre, town hall and many more.

The one thing they all share is that they are all open to scrutiny and potential legal action should a member of the public fall to harm on their premises. In each case, the building’s heating system should be designed with a ‘worst case scenario’ approach.

That means acknowledging that the radiators will likely be exposed to any given person at any given time during

Even if a public building runs high flow temperature systems, the maximum casing temperature will remain safe at all times

HVAC opening hours – including the more vulnerable members of society such as the elderly, disabled or children.

The potential harm caused through touching hot surfaces or exposed pipework is the most obvious risk to members of the public. A conventional hot water system has an incoming flow temperature of at least 75°C and a return of 65°C. Here, surface temperatures can exceed 70°C, making the radiator a constant hazard with the potential to cause serious burns within seconds of contact.

Surface contact might be completely accidental, or as the result of innocent, casual contact – such as using a radiator to lean on during conversation. Something so innocuous could escalate into a serious problem for the building’s owners – everything must be accounted for.

For example with elderly people, they might have a reduced sensitivity to temperature or may not be able to react quickly enough to prevent injury should they make contact. It is also true that older people are susceptible to losing their balance and falling over. In the event of this happening, serious injuries could occur if attention hasn’t been paid to the physical design of the radiators. Sharp corners and edges are an unnecessary risk that can exacerbate injuries in the event of a fall, so radiator casings should be designed with rounded corners.

In just a matter of seconds, an organisation’s neglect of its Duty of Care is exposed – why take the risk?

Safe environment, comfortable temperatures When a public building requires wallmounted radiators, low mass, low surface temperature (LST) radiators satisfy every heating criteria.

The low water content heat emitter found in these products features a large surface area for transferring heat effectively to the space. But more than that, it prevents burns through contact because it incorporates a casing that covers all the potentially harmful piping components. It also features a safe, cool to touch surface – no more than 43°C, which is the temperature outlined in NHS Estates Health Guidance Notes and in the HSE Information Sheet “Managing the risks from hot water and surfaces in health and social care” on surface temperature and casing design.

Even if a public building runs high flow

Heating and hot water accounts for a significant proportion of a building’s operating costs

temperature systems, the maximum casing temperature will remain safe at all times.

But safety extends beyond surface temperature. Radiators can also be specified with rounded corners to minimise the risk of injury should someone fall onto the radiator, or even if they simply bump into or brush past it accidentally. It is a subtle design element, but one that has already been well received in healthcare buildings and care homes.

Heating and hot water accounts for a significant proportion of a building’s operating costs, so public organisations of course need to be wary of its radiators’ performance to energy spend balance.

If the LST solution chosen is low-mass and low water content it makes it highly responsive and as such, extremely flexible in accommodating the temperature demands of a large building. Independent testing at BRE and KIWA has shown that the installation of this type of radiator can reduce energy consumption – and as a result, heating bills – by 10% compared to traditional steel panel radiators.

Whereas a conventional radiator can continue to give off heat for at least 20-minutes after a temperature change, low water content heat emitters respond immediately thanks to their low thermal

When a public building requires wall-mounted radiators, low mass, low surface temperature (LST) radiators satisfy every heating criteria

mass. So there’s no wasteful over-heating of any space.

Low-mass, low surface temperature radiators provide specifiers with an ideal solution because the added safety benefits do not detract from overall heating performance. The installation of LST radiators can be a contributory factor in achieving the highest standards of public safety in our buildings – and help to reduce their clients’ energy bills too.

It is difficult to find a reason why they would not be seen as the first choice for heating in public sector buildings, and difficult to understand why more aren’t being installed already. 

 www.jaga.co.uk

Public Sector Build Journal 41

Scotland Build Preview

Scotland Build is lined up to be the most important meeting of construction industry figureheads

A Scottish showcase Scotland Build 2015 is the new construction exhibition to focus on the building and construction boom across the country. The event will take place at the SECC, Glasgow, from 25-26th November and will host more than 125 exhibitors, showcasing the latest products, services and projects across the whole of Scotland.

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hese will include a wide range of suppliers and contractors featuring the latest innovations and hi-tech solutions to drive the industry’s growth.

The exhibition will include leading names from across the industry, comprising Celotex Saint Gobain, Interserve, Balfour Beatty, Kingspan and Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), Brookfield Multiplex among many others.

The two-day conference will host over 50 top level speakers, with headline talks

by William McBride from Construction Scotland Innovation Centre on the innovation and future of the Scottish construction industry, and by Rufus Logan from BRE, continuing the theme of innovation with his case study presentation on the afternoon of day one. The conference will also examine topics such as narrowing down the skills shortage, how to enter the construction industry, building to enable Scotland’s renewable energy ambitions, as well as highlighting some of the leading public and private sector construction projects within Scotland.

Gordon Reid and Philip McDowell from Kier will discuss the Ayr Academy and Marr College projects, David Loudon

42 Public Sector Build Journal

from the NHS will examine the Glasgow University Hospital extension, and Michelle Rennie from Transport Scotland will be giving an update on Scotland’s four major transport projects.

The show will also feature a VIP area with six exclusive ‘Meet the Buyer’ sessions, and dedicated networking opportunities with government and local authority figureheads. Key decision makers from Scotland’s main contractors, architects, engineers and developers will all be in attendance.

Each session will kick off with a 10 minute keynote presentation from a leading industry body, followed by a panel of construction experts, discussing the investment opportunities and forecasts across each sector and provide a unique platform for extensive networking and business exchange for all parties involved.

All registered VIP attendees will be provided a full complimentary lunch and drinks to follow each panel discussion.

Scotland Build also provides 22 hours of free CPD accredited training workshops from the likes of the Federation of Master Builders (FMB), CITB, NBS and more leading industry experts & consultants.

The event is supported by both the Glasgow City Council and the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce among many other leading industry associations.

Duncan Booker, Sustainable Glasgow Programme Manager at Glasgow City Council comments: “Glasgow is looking forward to welcoming Scotland Build for the first time at the SECC in November.

We’ve emerged from some really challenging times and there is now growing confidence across the whole construction sector. So it’s all the more important that we have a place like Scotland Build where everyone involved in the built environment can come together, learn from one another and look forward to a profitable future!”

Scotland Build is lined up to be the most important meeting of construction industry figureheads, presenting countless opportunities for networking and business development. The conference sessions, training workshops and exhibition are completely free to attend – simply visit the event’s website to register your attendance. 

 www.scotlandbuildexpo.com

Refurbishment ensuring the availability of our core repairs products as and when we need them.

“Jewson has two local branches in Loughborough, both of which are a short drive away from our offices, meaning that we can get the materials we need to respond to residents’ issues quickly and efficiently.”

In addition to supporting on products and installation, the council required a partner that could integrate its IT with the system it uses to manage repairs; ensuring processes run as efficiently as possible.

John Heathfield, Sector Manager at Jewson, explained how the team is helping the council with this, commenting: “To make sure the repairs and maintenance team can clearly show the value of its partnership with Jewson, we support the council with agreed reporting, and delivering management evaluations and assessments each month. Once integrated, it means that all reports will be available to the wider team in a format they are familiar with.”

Jewson signs new contract with Charnwood council Charnwood Borough Council, based in the town of Loughborough, has recently renewed its property repair materials supply contract with UK builders’ merchant, Jewson. The new agreement, initially signed for three years, is valued at around £2.8m.

With 5800 properties across around 300km2 of north Leicestershire, Charnwood Borough Council wanted a partner that could provide a fast, responsive service for the 1250 reactive and planned repairs it undertakes each month. Alongside this, the organisation wanted expert advice and guidance on the

New installation video for the Helifix Dixie micro-pile

specification and installation of materials.

Andy Brown, Principal Officer of Repairs and Maintenance at Charnwood Borough Council commented: “As responsive repairs often happen outside of working hours, we wanted to work with an organisation which could provide us with quality expertise on materials, while

 www.jewson.co.uk  nationalsalescentre@jewson.co.uk  024

7643 8400

FREE CPD Seminars  www.helifix.co.uk  020 8735 5200  info@helifix.co.uk

FREE Site Surveys Case Studies Available

Helifix has created a new animation which shows step by step installation procedures for its versatile Dixie micropile. The animation clearly demonstrates how these high performance micropiles can be used either to stabilise existing buildings that are suffering from subsidence or to help form secure and level foundations for new constructions.

Clothes Drying from Munters

The well proven and technically advanced Dixie micro-pile is backed

by International Code Council (ICC) certification and conforms to AC358, the International Standard for helical foundation underpinning systems. Dixie micro-piles combine with the Helibeam masonry stabilisation system to provide a complete structural repair solution which economically and sympathetically restores full structural integrity as all repairs, both above and below ground, are fully concealed.

The Helifix Dixie micro-pile design combines a circular pipe pile with square connections. This gives higher torsional strength, eliminates shaft twist or buckling, simplifies the engagement of pile sections and accelerates installation. It also allows for higher ultimate loads up to 240kN and each installed pile can be load tested.  www.helifix.co.uk

Munters dehumidification for drying rooms, avoids heating with drying conditions equivalent to a good, dry summers day with light wind in which the clothing dries in record time.

• • • • •

Fast, efficient and gentle drying Simple operation Energy efficient solution Easy installation Building fabric protected

“With the drying room, we can offer our active employees the best drying facilities and we have avoided energy intensive drying cabinets, which are difficult to fill and empty and have very limited capacity. “ - Project Manager, Siemens View the animation at www.helifix.co.uk/videos

 info@helifix.co.uk

 020 8735 5200

dryair@munters.co.uk 01480 410211 munters.co.uk/clothesdrying

Public Sector Build Journal 43

Roofing, Cladding & Insulation

Providing a sound solution for Watford housing The Profloor Dynamic Batten System has again been chosen by Jarvis Contracting, this time for a new affordable housing development of nine apartments in Watford.

As well as meeting the aim of providing new affordable housing within the town, the goal for the client Watford Community Housing Trust is to introduce an invigorating built form into a post-war estate. The Profloor Dynamic Batten System is specified and detailed in a similar way to a standard batten for the purpose of supporting the chosen floor finish, but has the added advantage of providing effective isolation of the floor finish from the structure, reducing sound transmission.  www.proctorgroup.com



ask@proctorgroup.com

 01250

872261

Superior joists for the construction industry JJI-Joists are the versatile answer for building whether it’s for floors, walls or large span roofs. FSC or PEFC certified, they offer the UK’s biggest range of standard sizes available from stock, come with design software and technical back up, and the solid timber flanges and OSB web make them easy to work with on site.

They are increasingly being used in structures, including Passivhaus, where a high degree of thermal efficiency is required as the 9mm web allows maximum insulation. No wonder they are the UK’s best-selling I-Joist and the joist most specified by architects and engineers.  www.jamesjones.co.uk/ewp



Klober roofing airtightness accessories for school For the £4.3m Sandford St Martin’s 2FE Primary School near Wareham, Michael Lyons Architecture specified Klober Wallint 50 and Solar air barriers in conjunction with Pasto sealant and 400 rolls of airtightness tape. Wallint Solar provided an exceptional vapour resistance of over 500 MNs/g while tapes sealed ceilings, laps and nail penetrations in underlays. Architect Tim Scrace commented: “Having worked with Klober on a previous school in which airtightness was a requirement, I knew their products would help achieve the level required.

Our practice takes great pride in its ‘sustainable approach’ so good technical support was particularly important.”  www.klober.co.uk 

jji-joists@jamesjones.co.uk



01309 671111

klober@yourresponse.co.uk 813050

 01332

New Ronald McDonald House roof in good health

Roofing in Rugby A large £7.2m extra care development in Rugby has recently opened its show flat to the public. Russell Roof Tiles (RRT) supplied 28,000 Russell Lothian tiles for the project, which combine the traditional appearance of slates with the security, economy and sustainable credentials of an interlocking concrete tile. Russell Roof Tiles worked closely with roofing contractor Firth Roofing to install the project. The facility has a full Russell Roof System which includes a full dry fix solution. Russell Roof Tiles’ dry fix products are all fully compliant with the new British Standard Code of practice for tiling and slating, BS 5534:2014.  www.russellrooftiles.com  salesenquiries@russellrooftiles.com  01283

44 Public Sector Build Journal

517070

Ronald McDonald House Charities provides free ‘home away from home’ accommodation for the families of young patients being treated in hospital. For the charity’s new-build facility at South Glasgow Hospital Campus, Sika-Trocal has supplied 600m2 of its single ply membranes as part of a high performance waterproofing system that includes a living roof and a series of projecting window pods. For the main roof area, McConnell Roofing applied 500m2 of Sika-Trocal SGmA as part of a complete green roof system comprising vapour control layer, PIR insulation, Sika-Trocal SGmA waterproof covering, Sika-Trocal SBv protection and separation layer, drainage layer and vegetation.  www.sika.co.uk



sika-trocal@uk.sika.com

 01603

748985

EWI for mixed-use regeneration development in Barking External Wall Insulation (EWI) by Saint-Gobain Weber has been specified for a large mixed-use development within Barking town centre in the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham. Working for main contractor Bouygues UK, the application of 1600m² of high performance weber.therm XM EWI system to the 100 apartments was carried out by Clarke Facades, insulated render specialists for the UK and Ireland. In new build schemes, insulating the external wall can be combined with simple and reliable modern methods of construction, providing cost effective, fast-track build programmes and attractive facades. The ever increasing thermal requirement of building regulations can be met and exceeded by using high performance weber.therm EWI systems.  www.netweber.co.uk



enquiries@netweber.co.uk



08703 330 070

H O S P I TAL S

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P U B LIC B U ILD IN G S

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Tel: 01959 571788 Fax: 01959 571068 Email: info@shorguard.co.uk www.shorguard.co.uk

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SHORGUARD EDGE PROTECTION SYSTEMS

LEVATO MONO porcelain paver system The Levato Mono porcelain paver system is the pinnacle of external raised flooring technology; enabling the specification of lightweight, slip resistant and attractive raised flooring solutions, combining incredible technical properties with uncompromising aesthetics; making them the ideal choice for commercial and domestic use alike.

• 20mm porcelain pavers 40x80 45x90 60x60 75x75 30x120 40x120 60x120 • ‘Floating floor’ – installation over single ply membranes • Eternal product - zero maintenance required – offering massive over-life savings • Highly abrasion and stain resistant • Highly slip resistant ; R11 and achieved up to +65 wet in the BS pendulum test • Lightweight – 45kgs per m2 • High load bearing and impact resistance • Timber & stone effects ; 40+ finishes available • Ideal for balconies, roof terraces and piazzas, for both commercial & residential use • Completely non porous • Fire & frost proof

t: 0845 2700 696

• Height-adjustable support from 9mm up to 550mm

e: info@thedecktileco.co.uk

www.thedecktileco.co.uk

Public Sector Build Journal 45

HVAC/HVP

Evinox welcomes first Code of Practice for Heat Networks from CIBSE The UK District heating market recently welcomed the launch of the first Heat Network Code of Practice, produced as a joint project between CIBSE and the Association for Decentralised Energy (ADE).

The Code strives to provide clear and measurable outputs, to ensure that a heat network operates effectively and meets client and customer expectations.

This is achieved by setting minimum

standards as a key step to provide greater confidence for specifiers and clients, and these can also be included in the tendering/contracting process.

Evinox Energy is proud to announce that its products and design principles meet the energy efficiency requirements to support high efficiency heat networks.

The company’s project by project approach ensures that it selects the most suitable product based on the design criteria, considering its performance at full load and partial load as well as its operation with winter and

summer network temperatures.

Moreover, Evinox’s heat interface units include weather compensation for the apartment heating temperatures to increase the efficiency of the central plant.

To further ensure good practice, Evinox supports the project from the start, throughout the project life, by offering design support, equipment supply, commissioning and metering & billing.  www.evinoxenergy.co.uk  info@evinox.co.uk  01372

722277

Finn Geotherm launches new generation of GSHP Finn Geotherm, the Norfolk-based renewable heating expert, has added the very latest in Finnish designed and produced ground source heat pumps to its range, which can deliver even greater efficiency and savings in domestic and commercial heating costs, as well as a range of further benefits. The principal benefits of the new Lämpöässä units from Finn Geotherm are an increase in efficiency, as it costs up to 30% less to generate the same amount of heat as other models and they are much more compact than other equivalent heat pumps. New touch screen controls are clearer and operation via the internet from laptops, smart phones and tablets is even easier, while sound output has also been reduced.  www.finn-geotherm.co.uk



info@finn-geotherm.co.uk



0800 999 3240

Award-winning heating project praised by DECC Minister An award-winning housing association project to help tenants save money on energy bills continues to garner praise; this time from Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC). Burton based Trent & Dove Housing has been working in partnership with British ground source heat pump manufacturer, Kensa Heat Pumps, to install ground source heat pumps (GSHP) to nearly 200 rural sheltered properties scattered across East Staffordshire. Lord Bourne commented: “Social housing tenants in East Staffordshire are saving hundreds of pounds on their energy bills thanks to Trent & Dove’s innovative project, in partnership with Kensa.”  www.kensaheatpumps.com  stephanie.gregory@thekensagroup.com  0845 680 4328

46 Public Sector Build Journal

Vent-Axia improves indoor air quality at The Crofts Vent-Axia, a leader in low carbon ventilation, has supplied its Lo-Carbon PoziDry PIV Compact ventilation units and Lo-Carbon Quadra fans for a ventilation upgrade as part of a major refurbishment of three high-rise blocks of flats in Smethwick, West Midlands. The 270 homes, collectively known as The Crofts, are benefitting from an £11m makeover

by Keepmoat on behalf of Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council. Included in the works are internal upgrades where Vent-Axia’s products are being installed to improve indoor air quality and reduce mould and condensation which can cause aggravated health problems. The products will also contribute to a reduction in carbon emissions and lower fuel bills for tenants. 

 www.vent-axia.com jenny.smith@vent-axia.com  0844 856 0590

The Construction Industry Charity

Public Sector Build Journal 47

Floors, Walls & Ceilings

The perfect interior for preservation The recently completed Herefordshire Archive and Records Centre for Herefordshire Council is a 3350m2 scheme comprising a concrete repository over three floors and two-storey timber framed building housing offices, public search rooms and education facilities.

The centre was designed by architects, Architype, who are experienced in delivering to the Passivhaus standard.

The facility includes Troldtekt acoustic panels, made with 100% natural wood fibres, which the architects have previously specified for their environmentally friendly schools. The panels’ benefits include high sound absorption, high durability,

natural breathability, low cost life cycle performance and sustainability.

Herefordshire Council’s brief for the centre required sophisticated energy solutions and reduced running costs which the preservation and safeguarding of historic documents requires. Research showed that a Passivhaus building would provide the essential airtightness together with high levels of thermal insulation to keep the interior isolated from varying external temperatures and weather conditions. The project also recognises many of the recommendations expressed in a newly published BSI guidance document (PD5454:2012) for the storage and exhibition of archival material.

Danish manufactured Troldtekt

acoustic tiles are specified throughout the UK and Europe and can be delivered as either FSC or PEFC certified panels.

They are manufactured using 100% natural wood fibres and their benefits are high sound absorption, high durability, natural breathability, low cost life cycle performance and sustainability. They are used to improve acoustics in many different projects, such as schools, leisure centres, pools, commercial and public buildings. Available in various sizes and in three grades from ultrafine to coarse, they can be left unpainted or painted in virtually any RAL colour.  www@troldtekt.co.uk  info@troldtekt.co.uk  01978

664255

Polyflor spaceship design installed in hospital ward

nora specified for leading research facility nora systems have provided 2700m2 of its noraplan sentica and noraplan ultra grip floor coverings and accessories, including skirting and adhesive, to the new Bob Champion Research and Education Building in Norwich. Officially opened in February 2015, this new building provides world class leading research facilities for the treatment of many different types of cancer and other diseases, and will be used by undergraduate and post graduate students from the University of East Anglia, as well as training medical students on the operational procedures of hospital bays.  www.nora.com/uk 

info-uk@nora.com 513160

 01788

48 Public Sector Build Journal

A flooring design using Polyflor’s vinyl flooring helped bring an extra dose of fun to a play room at the Nightingale children’s ward at Chesterfield Royal Hospital recently. Polyflor’s in house Design Service created this bespoke floor design, featuring a colourful rocket ship, planets and stars. The design elements of the floor were manufactured by Polyflor then cut into the sheet flooring on site County Contract Flooring.

Polyflor’s Pearlazzo PUR vinyl sheet flooring in Purple Crush 9722 was used as the backdrop to the play area’s space themed designs which were a mixture of colours from the Pearlazzo PUR, 2000 PUR, Classic Mystique and XL PU homogeneous vinyl ranges.  www.polyflor.com



info@polyflor.com

 0161

767 1111

British Gypsum helps industry specify for success The British Gypsum White Book System Selector enables building designers and specifiers to quickly identify solutions that meet project requirements, and download all related documentation, including BIM files and .dwg CAD files. Originally launched in early 2014, the tool has recently been further developed to give construction professionals an improved way to specify the best solutions for each of their projects. The revised portal now includes new features, including a ‘My Projects’ area, which allows users to create project profiles and then attribute appropriate system solutions. This enables relevant system information for a specific construction project to be retrieved on subsequent uses of the tool.  www.british-gypsum.com



bgtechnical.enquiries@bpb.com

 0115

945 1000

Floors, Walls & Ceilings

Polyflor introduces a new heavy commercial LVT Polyflor has announced the launch of its innovative Affinity255 range of high design, heavy commercial luxury vinyl tiles which have been created to work in perfect harmony with vinyl sheet flooring ranges. Featuring an eclectic mix of 16 authentically reproduced wood plank designs, the 2mm gauge Affinity255 collection offers straightforward installation alongside 2mm vinyl sheet flooring, providing a beautifully seamless flooring solution that flows throughout any commercial installation. Affinity255 luxury vinyl tiles blend effortlessly with Polyflor’s 2mm gauge heterogeneous, homogeneous and safety flooring ranges, such as Expona Flow PUR, Pearlazzo PUR and Polysafe Verona PUR.

New health unit keeps its cool

Ceiling systems from Armstrong were specified for a new Pre-Operative Assessment Department and Surgical Admissions Suite at Bristol Royal Infirmary for their sustainability credentials.  www.polyflor.com  0161 767 1111  info@polyflor.com Armstrong’s CoolZone passive energysaving tiles were used alongside the manufacturer’s Ultima+ range, which is the world’s first complete ceiling range to Multi-Tight 2K is a new, flexible, mineralwin Cradle to Cradle certification, with a based waterproofing product which has Tegular edge detail on a 24mm suspension all the performance properties of older grid throughout the £2m replacement technology polymer-modified thick Surgical Admissions Suite (SAS) and Prebitumen emulsions, whilst being ‘bitumen Operative Assessment Department (POD). free’. Using unique rubber granulate Some 300m2 of the metal CoolZone tiles filler technology Multi-Tight 2K has a incorporating Phase Change Material crack-bridging capacity which is five times (PCM) which absorbs heat during the day more effective than standard flexible and releases it at night, feature alongside mineral-based waterproofing systems.

300m2 of Ultima+ mineral tiles.

The versatility of the product allows it to be used to waterproof below ground externally and internally offering excellent quarter page adds:Layout  www.armstrong-ceilings.co.uk 1 7/2/14 16:43 Page 2 resistance to ground or water pressure as well as frost and salts.  sales-support@armstrong.com

Waterproofing simplified with Remmers Multi-Tight 2K

 www.remmers.co.uk



sales@remmers.co.uk





01293 594010

0800 371849

Specify CFA members and surfacing solutions

Specifying a CFA member for your next flooring project could mean the difference between success — or a flooring failure. Most of the UK’s largest and best known Manufacturers, Distributors, Contractors and Consultants are CFA members — and for good reason.

• CFA members promote high standards, knowledge and expertise • Specifying CFA members will maximize your investment and minimize costly flooring failures • All members have to pass a vetting process

Epoxy Coatings

Anti-slip Finishes

Repair Mortars

Heavy Duty Screeds

Surfacing solutions for internal applications

Tel: 0115 941 1126

www.cfa.org.uk Email: info@cfa.org.uk

01978 661 991

www.conren.com info@conren.com

Public Sector Build Journal 49

Doors, Windows & Balustrades

Sheerframe and CMS target fuel poverty eradication High performance PVCu windows, supplemented with draught proof doors and external wall insulation, represent the most powerful weapon that social landlords have in the fight against stubborn fuel poverty. That was the message from UK PVCu systems company Sheerframe, and window, door and curtain walling fabricator and installer CMS Window Systems, at the latest seminar in the CMS Technical Masterclass Programme.

According to David Strang, Sheerframe’s Key Accounts Director, who presented the seminar, the absence of a joined up strategy to meet the demand for new homes means improving the building fabric of our social housing is the obvious way to help those most at risk from fuel poverty.  www.cmswindows.com



info@cmswindows.com

 01324

841398

Great performance and low cost for window installations Window installers can now take advantage of the new ISO-BLOCO WIN2WALL multi-level sealing tape from ISO-Chemie, which combines excellent performance with competitive cost and is specifically designed for sealing the perimeter joint between windows, doors and walls in the UK. Not only does ISO-BLOCO WIN2WALL enable windows and doors to be quickly and easily sealed from inside the building, the product will seal gaps from 2mm to 8mm, which will accommodate the vast majority of UK window installations, and will come in two widths to give the extra thermal insulation equivalent to A Rated (40mm tape) or A+ and A++ windows (65 mm tape).  www.iso-chemie.co.uk



p.thompson@iso-chemie.co.uk

Senior specified for Leicester Schools BSF scheme An extensive portfolio of products from fenestration designer and manufacturer Senior Architectural Systems has been selected for use on four new schools that have been created as part of the Leicester City Council’s ambitious £350m Building Schools for the Future (BSF) scheme.

Working alongside architects Aedas and main contractor Miller Construction, leading fabricator Acorn Aluminium Limited has installed Senior’s thermallyefficient SCW+ curtain wall, SPW600/E windows and SD commercial doors system at St.Paul’s Catholic School, Babington Community College and City of Leicester College. Work has also been completed at Ellesmere College, which is the only special school in the country to have been totally rebuilt at part of the BSF programme.  www.seniorarchitectural.co.uk 



01207 566874

enquiries@sasmail.co.uk 772600

 01709

Industry first for Sapa Building Systems

Sapphire brings balustrades to retirement homes Beautiful balustrades by Sapphire, featuring custom-coloured glass, are bringing a sense of light and space to a brand new retirement development in Bracknell. Located off Sandy Lane just north of the town centre, Clement House offers 65 well-appointed apartments and communal facilities for older residents.

Sapphire’s solutions include glazed balustrades to projecting balconies and around three upper floors of the building’s magnificent galleried atrium. Sections of the faceted glass infill panels are screen printed in blue and green to echo the corporate colours of Bracknell Forest Homes, which part-funded the £12m project together with the local council and the Homes and Communities Agency.

The tilt before turn (TBT) window from fenestration systems specialist Sapa Building Systems’ Dualframe 75 Si range is the first aluminium window to be given the new A++ Window Energy Rating (WER), the highest available rating in the UK. Awarded by the British Fenestration Rating Council (BFRC), the rating was originally launched at the start of June, giving manufacturers four months to develop products. However, such is the future proofing strength of Sapa’s Dualframe 75 Si range, the TBT window was already compliant. It has continued to push boundaries since its launch in 2010 and Sapa’s commitment is underlined in the awarding of the A++ rating to the TBT design.  www.sapabuildingsystems.co.uk  info@sapabuildingsystems.co.uk  01684 853500

Wicona launches most advanced sliding door system Wicona has announced its most recent innovation with the launch of the WICSLIDE 160 – a new aluminium lifting sliding system, which takes balcony door technology to the next level. Engineered to deliver cutting edge performance, this latest facade product has a host of new features which complement contemporary design and offer outstanding thermal efficiency, stringent security to PAS 24:2012 and smooth, effortless door operation. The WICLSIDE 160 is a robust patio or balcony door solution which is easy to fabricate and install for residential, leisure and commercial applications.

 www.sapphirebalustrades.com 

sales@sapphire.eu.com  0844 88 00 553

50 Public Sector Build Journal

 www.wicona.co.uk



info.wiconauk@wicona.com



0845 602 8799

Public Sector Build Journal 51

Focus & Innovation

Increased efficiency with Bruynzeel Kent County Council’s initiative, the ‘New Ways of Working’, was set up to increase the efficiency of the Council’s estate portfolio and enable agile working practices. Key to the West Kent phase was the closure of the Commercial Services facility in Kings Hill and the relocation of teams. One of these teams included the Libraries, Registration and Archives (LRA) service, which required a bespoke solution.

T

he proposed new home for the LRA service, a warehouse unit in Quarrywood Industrial Space, had a significantly smaller footprint, to help meet the Council’s cost saving targets.

As a result, Guy Mayhew, New Ways of Working Project Manager, was looking for an innovative, space-saving solution to accommodate all the stock in a much smaller area.

Guy identified that a mezzanine floor was a potential solution to the problem.

However, a structural mezzanine in the space was prohibitively expensive. It was then he came across Bruynzeel’s Double Decker system with integral mezzanine.

“We were quite surprised how economical it was in comparison to the conventional mezzanine floor solution,” he said. “The investment will repay itself within a three to

A first glimpse at the Double Decker shortly after installation

52 Public Sector Build Journal

four year timescale – basically the reduced revenue costs of rent and rates over that time, when set against a larger warehouse space with a conventional storage layout.”

With up to 15 staff working in and around the Double Decker system at any one time, and with a very high pick rate as stock is redistributed to dozens of locations around Kent, ease of use was a priority.

“Staff receive requests for a couple of hundred books daily from Kent. There is extremely high turnover of stock in and out of the system, as well as the static stock as the council backup, so getting to the right bay quickly and easily is very important,” said Guy. Bruynzeel’s Compactus Double Decker has a number of features that ensures Guy and his team have a simple-touse system suitable for processing orders on a daily basis. The electronic motor drive

The Bruynzeel system has integral lighting, which solved the concern of limited visability

in the Double Decker allows staff to move heavily stocked shelving at the touch of a button. Colour coded front panels on the aisles help staff to quickly identify where stock is stored.

Security was also an issue for the council. “The RFID tags, to restrict entry to certain bays for security, will be really useful in monitoring and controlling access,” Guy explained.

The project team from the council were concerned about visibility in the bays, following the installation of a mezzanine.

The Bruynzeel system has integral lighting, which solved this problem and also helps reduce overall energy bills as the lighting only illuminates when the aisle is open.

Bruynzeel worked closely with the Kent County Council team to ensure shelves were built to match the exact dimensions of the stock, thereby optimising capacity in the available space. A whole range of items, from printed material to resources like confetti, are stored in the bays, as well as large archive boxes for modern records.

“We worked with Bruynzeel to produce the depth of shelving required,” said Guy, “and because the depths are variable and non-standard, we managed to cut the footprint considerably by tailoring them to our storage needs.”

Bruynzeel’s Double Decker system has met and exceeded the council’s requirements, providing more than 3100 linear metres of shelving. In a world where organisational agility is becoming increasingly important, the Bruynzeel system fits perfectly with the needs of the council.

 www.bruynzeel-storage.com 

enquiries@bruynzeel.co.uk  0800 220 989

Focus & Innovation

ArmaWeave Plus secures new data centre A massive upscaling in UK data centre capacity is being secured by the most intruder-resistant security perimeter on the market. High security fencing expert Zaun is supplying its 3.6m high ArmaWeave Plus fencing system for a new data centre in the Home Counties. Zaun subsidiary Binns Fencing will install almost 650m of the highest-spec fencing. ArmaWeave’s unique properties add substantial resistance to cutting attacks with hand, powered and noncontact tools. The tight mesh pattern provides no climbing aids, again limiting the potential for intrusion. In addition, Zaun has supplied 250m of enhanced 2.4m high ArmaWeave and just under 100m of SR1 rated 358 fencing around an internal compound.  www.zaun.co.uk

 sales@zaun.co.uk

 01902

Revive urban areas with green screens Plants in the urban environment improve air quality, remove particulates, lower ambient temperature, absorb carbon dioxide, and support insects. For local authorities looking to incorporate more plants into towns and cities there is a simple solution, and all they need to do is think laterally, or rather, vertically. Mobilane Green Screens provide instant security and are grown on a 5mm galvanized steel framework, providing 65 Ivy shoots, typically 13 plants in each 1.2m run. Grown in a bio degradable pot containing all the nutrients the plants need to establish, they are fully grown when installed. Heights available are 1.0, 1.8, 2.2 or 3.0m.

796699

Taking working comfort to the extreme Trousers for the flexible working environment – designed with superior freedom of movement. While fabric, functionality and fit are hallmarks of Snickers’ next generation of working clothes, it’s the innovation and technology in the design of these garments that really set Snickers apart from other brands. The Snickers FLEXI Workwear range has advanced work trousers made from a durable, stretch and rip-stop fabric with a body-mapped design and polyamide reinforcements. As well as fashionable looks, they’re packed with comfort and functionality and designed for the fastpaced professional craftsman who’s always on the go, always delivering top class work and always a step ahead on site.  www.snickersworkwear.com

 info@snickersworkwear.co.uk

 www.mobilane.co.uk   01484

sales@mobilane.co.uk 741 8049

 0203

854788

Hauraton specified at Oldham Academy North

Portaloo launches new washroom specification guide Portaloo, part of the Portakabin Group, has launched a new guide to help facilities and estates managers specify toilets and washrooms for people with disabilities, including those who are unable to use standard accessible toilets. Mark Fielding, Regional Manager at Portaloo, says: “Our team has a wealth of expertise in the provision of accessible and fully accessible toilet and washroom facilities.

This new guide shares that knowledge and experience to help raise awareness of the key specification considerations and encourage more organisations to provide accessibility in the built environment – from public services and transport to leisure and sport.”  www.portaloo.co.uk/accessible-guide 

information@portakabin.co.uk  0845 401 0010

The new Oldham Academy North, designed by architectural practice Aedas Architects, is a spacious and colourful threestorey building set in sensitively landscaped grounds. With the site being quite flat, and the building surrounded by paved and asphalted surfaces, it was essential rainwater is drained effectively. A Hauraton RECYFIX PRO 100 channel system, fitted with FIBRETEC C250, 9mm slot gratings, was used by groundwork sub-contractor Westoak Construction to drain the paved playgrounds and asphalted car parks.

The channels were also installed along parts the building’s facade and across entrance doors to facilitate drainage.  www.drainage-projects.co.uk  janine.kennedy@hauraton.co.uk  01582 501380

Sika completes concrete tower block refurb Sika has provided a fast, efficient and long term concrete repair solution to the balconies at Sunningdale Heights, one of six high rise tower blocks on the Wirral which are currently under repair as part of an ambitious £32m refurb.

With the intention of repairing and protecting to provide longevity and extend the life of the building, the main contractor Bullock Construction required a concrete repair system that would allow the extensive refurbishments to be carried out with the minimum of disruption to residents.

With its ability to be laid and trafficked in the same day the fast cure Sikafloor-415 Elastomeric walkway and balcony system was the ideal solution.  www.sika.co.uk/refurbishment



sales@uk.sika.com



0800 112 3863

Public Sector Build Journal 53

Focus & Innovation

FM Conway was contracted to lay new resin bound surfacing to 2700m2 of the 5m wide pathway

Regal installations of RonaDeck RonaDeck Resin Bound Surfacing manufactured by one of the UK’s market leaders, Ronacrete, has been used in a variety of projects nationwide, improving the appearance of sporting venues, museums, playgrounds, holiday parks, apartment blocks, health centres, universities and schools.

T

RonaDeck Resin Bound Surfacing Quartz Parallel aggregate mix was laid in a curved shape across the centre of the courtyard

54 Public Sector Build Journal

© Simon Case Photography

he RonaDeck range of resin bound paving systems are the only ones to be approved by FeRFA the resin flooring association.

At a recent installation at Queen’s Walk on London’s South Bank, RonaDeck Resin Bound Surfacing was used on a total area of 2700m².

The Queen’s Silver Jubilee was marked with the creation of the Jubilee Walkway, an integral part of which was the introduction of pedestrian access along the south bank of the Thames, known as Queen’s Walk.

In time for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations, FM Conway was contracted

to lay new resin bound surfacing to 2700m2 of the 5m wide pathway and Sesame Gold aggregate was selected to brighten up the route.

The RonaDeck Resin Bound Surfacing System was supplied as a two-component UV stable polyurethane resin, the two components were mixed with a slow speed drill and paddle before being added to a large forced action mixer containing the Sesame Gold aggregate blend. FM Conway spread the RonaDeck Resin Bound Surfacing to level and smoothed the surface with a steel float. The finished surface was ready for foot traffic within four hours.

Meanwhile at Queen’s Court in Widnes, 155m2 of RonaDeck Resin Bound Surfacing was applied to the internal courtyard of Queen’s Court, a new affordable housing block built on the site of the old Queen’s Hall, a once popular music venue in Widnes.

The housing scheme was designed for Halton Housing Trust by award-winning Liverpool architect, Denovo Design. Forrest Construction was the main contractor for the project which comprised 17 apartments with car parking and associated landscaping.

To create this outdoor space, flowering shrubs and semi-mature trees were planted around the inner courtyard to obscure the car parking bays and to provide a green

Features and benefits of RonaDeck Resin Bound Surfacing ● Highly permeable – up to 850 litres/m²/minute (SuDS compliant) ● High slip resistance – tested to BS 8204 Part 6 ● Suitable for pool surrounds, pathways, driveways, car parks and access roads ● Trafficable after four hours ● Low maintenance – no loose gravel so easily swept clean ● 38% of resin formulated from a botanic source ● UV stable, prevents yellowing or darkening of the resin ● The only resin bound product with ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and OH SAS 18001 accredited manufacturer ● Approved contractor scheme

outlook from the bedrooms. RonaDeck Resin Bound Surfacing Quartz Parallel aggregate mix was laid in a curved shape across the centre of the courtyard, providing a pale contrast to the surrounding greenery and red brick of the building.

To learn more about the features and benefits of Ronacrete’s products, the company can offer the RIBA Approved CPD SuDS Compliant Permeable Paving – Resin Bound Surfacing Systems. This has been approved and assessed by RIBA and attendees gain double points towards their yearly target. Contact cpd@ronacrete.co.uk to book this CPD at your workplace where it will be presented by one of the Ronacrete technical team.

 www.ronacrete.co.uk 

tech@ronacrete.co.uk  01279 638700

Focus & Innovation

Evac+chair proved a lifesaver for employee on 9/11 With this year being the 14th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks, everyone can recall where they were when it happened. It is an occasion to pause and reflect, and remember the victims and heroes from that day.

Whilst many lives were lost, some were saved by the help of others and evacuation equipment at the World Trade Centre on September 11, 2001.

John Abruzzo, 41, was working at his computer on the 69th floor of the World Trade Centre when the first hijacked plane crashed into the skyscraper.

John, who is a C 5-6 quadriplegic, relies on an electric wheelchair for mobility and remembers the day vividly. He recalls how he made his way to the hallway where his colleague was there with an Evac+chair waiting to assist him. He was transferred into the chair with 10 of his fellow workers stayed with him and took turns to take him down the 69 sets of stairs.

On floor 40 a dangerous thick cloud of smoke meant the team had to cut

across to a stairwell on the other side of the building which was made possible by wheeling John in the Evac+chair. At the 20th floor, they heard an ear-splitting thunder that emanated from the second tower as it was hit.

Eventually they made it to the lobby where Abruzzo had to be heaved over large pieces of fallen debris still harnessed to the Evac+chair, and evacuated through a smashed window and out onto the sidewalk.

He lived to tell the tale thanks to the Evac+Chair and the brave people that stayed behind to help him down the stairs.  www.evac-chair.co.uk 

info@evacchair.co.uk  0845 230 2253

Robust HBS saw from Hultafors

Hull gets fit with green energy gym Two proud Made in Britain members have joined the campaign to ‘fight the flab’ in one of the most deprived and obese cities in the country. The Great Outdoor Gym Company (TGO) from Kent has been working with Hull City Council since the London 2012 Games in the city’s attempts to deliver its own Olympic legacy. TGO has installed eight free-to-use outdoor gyms in Hull that are readily accessible to people of all ages and abilities. Now TGO has engaged Made in Britain founding company Zaun, which was the main perimeter and security fencing provider for the London Olympics, in enclosing the latest Hull project at Barbara Robson Park in Sutton Village.  www.zaun.co.uk  

sales@zaun.co.uk 01902 796699

Professional craftsmen expect a great deal from their saws. Ask any one of them how a good saw should be and their answers will probably be the same. It has got to be sharp, robust, efficient, with a good grip and no pinching. That’s what you get with the Hultafors range of saws – now with the addition of the HBS model. It’s a great value saw for universal use with a fiberglass reinforced handle, rubber grip plus 45° and 90° angle guides. The saw blade is made from 1mm thick steel to deliver extra stability, precision and low vibrations and the narrow blade-tip provides access in narrow spaces.  www.hultafors.co.uk

 info@snickersworkwear.co.uk

 01484

854788

In at the deep end for Carbon8Lighting A replacement of fluorescent lighting to 80W High Performance LED Floodlights supplied by industry expert Carbon8Lighting has significantly increased light levels and enhanced the ambience of an indoor swimming pool at St Catherines School in Twickenham, Middlesex. “The swimming pool complex was originally lit with dull, harsh fluorescent lighting which required regular maintenance,” commented installer David Hogben of Sky Electrical, Twickenham. After initial assessment of the swimming pool area by Sky Electrical, followed up with a light simulation report, using Dialux software, Sky Electrical was able to show that the Carbon8Lighting LED Floodlights would provide a good even light and colour temperature which would enhance the ambience of the pool complex.  www.carbon8lighting.co.uk



sales@carbon8lighting.co.uk

 01256

300031

Public Sector Build Journal 55

KARNDEAN TALKS: DA VINCI RP94 s

Enhancing the range with a ‘modern twist’, the updated collection features 12 new wood colours inspired by reclaimed materials and the aging processes applied.

RP100 s

Striking colour variation from plank to plank with our Acacia and Scorched Oak designs.

Traditional and clean-lined styles available in three shades of light to mid-brown Oak.

Four striking lime washed finishes in soft muted tones inspired by natural fibres and textures.

For more flooring ideas visit us online at www.karndean.com/davinci

RP99 

RP103 s

RP105 s

Reclaimed and sea salt worn features are mimicked in our two driftwood planks.

If you’re out on site with a customer why not use our new augmented reality app to demonstrate what their floor could look like right there and then. The app lets you select and view different floors in the space of your choice and take images to share and compare. See www.karndean.com/app for more details.