Creative Build Magazine - May Issue

May Issue Insulation and render specified for award winning development

The move to UKCA marking of external firedoors

Home transformation completed with sustainable Kebony wood

Pages 17

Pages 18-19

Pages 36-37

creativebuildmagazine.com

Contents 6

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How to improve site mental health

HomeSpec creates single source for all building envelope solutions

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40

George Clarke launches Gravity design competition

The elegance of stone on a porcelain stoneware tile

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48

Focus on fall protection equipment

Cooperative housing built in style

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58

The move to UKCA marking of external firedoors

Electric MercedesBenz eSprinter ticks all the boxes

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UltraCrete Permanent Pothole Repair certified for 10 years UltraCrete, manufacturer of specialist highway maintenance materials, are celebrating after their world renowned Permanent Pothole Repair received BBA HAPAS Certification for the 10th year.

To ensure compliance, UltraCrete are audited every 6 months by the British Board of Agrément (BBA) according to an agreed quality plan which includes production surveillance.

A full review of the certificate is then completed every 3 years. This review involves visiting UltraCrete at their state-of-the-art manufacturing facility to confirm formulations, conduct literature reviews and visit a number of repair sites to ensure Permanent Pothole Repair is performing within specification. Each repair site must be at least 2 years old, is

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chosen at random from a list of twenty and is assessed for signs of weathering and deterioration. Only once the BBA are satisfied that all these targets have been met, and the repair sites are still in excellent condition, is a certificate reissued.

This approval shows UltraCrete’s customers that they are committed to supplying them with products that are proven to stand the test of time.

This approval is not the only cause for celebration at UltraCrete. In Autumn 2020, their market-leading Instant Road Repair also received BBA HAPAS Certification for the 19th year.

UltraCrete Permanent Pothole Repair is the ideal solution for repairing potholes in roads, pavements, driveways and car parks.

Industry News

This much-loved cold lay asphalt concrete can be trafficked instantly in wet, freezing and hot conditions and at the same time, is compatible with the existing road surface.

Ready to use straight from the bag or bucket, Permanent Pothole Repair doesn’t require any special preparation and is easy to apply and compact.

To watch a short application video of Permanent Pothole Repair, please visit Instarmac.co.uk/support/videos.

Choose UltraCrete for materials that are tested, proven and trusted. For more information on Permanent Pothole Repair and the other approved and certified materials available from UltraCrete, please contact their team of highway experts by calling +44 (0) 1827 254402 or emailing ultracrete@instarmac.co.uk.

Ironmongery Direct and Electrical Direct unveil new brand identities Leading specialist trade suppliers, IronmongeryDirect and ElectricalDirect have launched new brand identities, both featuring a new customer focused strapline – Trusted to deliver, to reflect the businesses ongoing dedication to delivering an exemplary customer experience.

The bold, new look for IronmongeryDirect and ElectricalDirect has been designed to refresh and develop the branding that customers have known for a decade.

The evolution also includes a new strapline, ‘Trusted to deliver’, that reflects more than 50 years of experience in supplying to the trades, as well as communicating a continued focus on the customer experience.

The rebrand, incorporating new logos, a fresh colour palette and modern design, will be implemented across all communication channels, including both company websites and social media platforms.

The websites for both businesses will also offer an improved user experience for visitors regardless of device used, so that customers will enjoy the same quick and smooth process whether in the office or out on site.

Dominick Sandford, Director and Head of Supply Chain, Merchandising & Marketing at IronmongeryDirect and ElectricalDirect said: “We are delighted to launch our new branding to customers and suppliers. We have always been a business that looks toward the future and this new, modern identity helps us to communicate that, as a clear articulation of the promises we make to our customers. It’s the same company, people, range, competitive pricing and award-winning service that customers know and trust, but with a fresh new look.”

showcasing the extensive range available. ElectricalDirect has a range of 10,000 electrical products in stock with everything from sockets and wiring to smart home products available, with new products being added daily.

To find out more visit: ironmongerydirect.co.uk/promise OR electricaldirect.co.uk/promise

The launch of the new brand identities follows the recent implementation of several key initiatives designed to enhance the customer experience. This includes updated flexible delivery options such as click and collect and same day delivery in selected postcodes, as well as new products added to the range, allowing customers even more choice at competitive prices.

IronmongeryDirect has the UK’s largest range of architectural ironmongery with over 18,000 products available for next day delivery. The new IronmongeryDirect catalogue is out on 22nd March,

Visitors to the websites will be able to view a video about the evolution of the companies and will also be able to read about the five customer promises linked to the new ‘Trusted to deliver’ strapline: - Trusted to deliver what you need, when you need it.

- Trusted to deliver quality service - Trusted to deliver quality products.

- Trusted to deliver stress-free shopping - Trusted - based on thousands of Trustpilot reviews

Industry News

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How to improve site mental health with Bill Hill CEO of the Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity Bill has a wealth of experience in both charity and commercial worlds. Having previously held managerial positions at both Hewlett Packard and SAGE Bill turned his head to charity work in 2009 when he became CEO of Wooden Spoon – the children’s charity of rugby.

After leaving Wooden Spoon Bill was appointed as the first ever CEO of the Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity, a position he has held since July 2013.

Earlier this year vertemax were delighted to be joined virtually by the Lighthouse Club CEO Bill Hill. Discussions centred around the charities services to the construction industry, tips for improving a company’s well-being environment, Bill’s vision for the future and much more.

The following article will detail some of the important topics, but readers are encouraged to watch the interview in full.

Established in 1956 The Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity has been seen as a beacon of hope for many with the charity logo being based upon the Whitley Bay lighthouse. With 22 regional volunteer hubs as of March 2021 the charity mission has always been to ensure that no construction worker or their family is alone in a crisis.

Services offered by the charity centre around the 3 pillars of support (physical, mental and financial wellbeing) with the 24/7 Construction Industry Helpline being available to all industry workers within the UK and Ireland.

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The charity also host an array of masterclass training sessions which are solely online at present due to lockdown restrictions. Over 6000 individuals have completed these sessions with this figure reinforcing the quality of the content provided. These freely available seminars focus upon the following areas:

physical work or being anxious about where your next piece of work is coming from. Any of these listed stressors amongst others can be enough to cause people to drop into a depressive state and this is where the Lighthouse Club can intervene at the early stages so that situations do not escalate to crisis point.

- Building resilience

Improving Company Mental Health Support

- Stress management - Work life balance - Mindfulness - Meditation - How to interview/CV skills - Budgeting They also offer the full MHFA England approved Mental Health First Aider courses free of charge to companies that commit to an annual donation and become Company Supporters.

Additionally, the Construction Industry Helpline app is available free on both Google and Apple App Stores and can be downloaded by all in the industry to ensure that workers are aware of the support services and resources available to them should they be needed.

Every working day two construction workers in the UK take their own life, that’s over five hundred per year and the industry must take action. Stressors for those in the industry are often associated to working away from home, long hours,

Industry News

For many companies the prospect of introducing additional mental health provision is perceived as expensive.

However, during our interview Bill outlined a simple, inexpensive way to instantly improve the company outlook.

The Building Mental Health Programme outlines the five steps that can be deployed quickly and will provide return upon staff loyalty, retention, productivity and safety.

1. Sign the Building Mental Health charter 2. Provide all employees with access to an Employee Assistance Programme (the free 24/7 helpline) 3. Deliver a free to download Toolbox Talk to create a culture where people feel empowered enough to discuss problems openly 4. Carry out a Mental Health Awareness half day course 5. Carry out a 2-day Mental Health Awareness course for a selected company/site specialist

If you have read the five steps above and it isn’t possible to implement these steps currently it’s important to consider what you can do individually. During the interview Bill outlined the ‘Three Golden Nuggets’ that everyone can easily adopt into their everyday life, these are: 1. Ask how somebody is... twice 2. Listen non judgementally 3. BE KIND! To close the interview, we asked what Bill hopes to achieve during his time with the Lighthouse Club. Primarily, he wants every worker in the construction industry to know that the Lighthouse Club is there to support them and their family.

There are multiple fun and easy ways get involved with the Lighthouse Club including fundraising events such as golf days, boxing nights and annual dinners. Alternatively, become a company supporter by committing to an annual pledge. For more information, please visit The Lighthouse Club website.

Industry News

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George Clarke launches Gravity design competition for students in Somerset Architect and TV presenter George Clarke is teaming up with Gravity, a project to create the UK’s first smart campus and community in Sedgemoor, Somerset, to launch a design competition that aims to encourage local students to get involved with the landmark scheme.

Gravity, which is based on the site of the former Royal Ordnance Factory (ROF) between the villages of Puriton and Woolavington, is running the Gravity Young Persons’ Design Challenge in partnership with Bounce Forward, a charity dedicated to teaching young people resilience as a life skill, and the Ministry of Building Innovation and Education (MOBIE), a charity founded by George Clarke to inspire young people to rethink about the way we design and build places and communities, and offering them a window into a future career in the built environment.

Primary and secondary schools, and colleges across Sedgemoor in Somerset

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are being invited to take part in the competition to imagine and design what kind of a place Gravity will be to achieve its vision of creating a zero-carbon community that integrates work, rest and play.

Claire Pearce, Director of Planning and Economic Development at Gravity, comments: “Gravity is committed to ensuring that this landmark project delivers benefits to the local community, even at this very early stage. We’re excited to be working with Bounce Forward and MOBIE, and engaging with local schools and colleges, to take advantage of the educational opportunities that Gravity is already creating.

“As a project which will create over 4000 jobs, it is important to think about how we can reduce the need to travel to work, what we can include as part of the scheme to help local people access work opportunities, and how to design in

integrated homes and leisure opportunities, as part of a new integrated, and sustainable community.

“Through this competition, we’re encouraging young people to think about place making; what do they want from Gravity and places of the future? What kind of workspaces and homes create a happy, healthy and well-connected place to live and work?”

The challenge Students will be challenged to design a zero-carbon home in a new employment led community that reflects Gravity’s vision of being clean and inclusive, considering the wellbeing of people, the community, and the planet. Youngsters will need to show their home in the context of its wider place, including connections to work, green space and would be used to support new ways of living.

George Clarke, MOBIE founder, says, “I am delighted that we are launching this

exciting design challenge for schools in Sedgemoor, to create a new home and place on the ground-breaking Gravity smart campus and community – a place for clean, advanced manufacturing industries and for people to live, a new place to live, work and play.

request. Bounce Forward will also run three webinars aimed at secondary school students to support their involvement with the competition and personal resilience. In addition, Bounce Forward will run webinars to support teachers’ personal development.

“By harnessing the talents, ideas and energy of the young people of today we can change the way we create places and how we build homes. The amazing student designs that I know will flow from this challenge will show that we have a future generation with the talent and the imagination to really make a difference for people and the planet.”

Lucy Bailey, Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of Bounce Forward, explains: “Our overall aim is to help young people develop resilience, not just to overcome setbacks, but to solve problems and think creatively. In the context of this competition, we want to support students, and their teachers, to be open and curious to new perspectives and have the confidence to let their imaginations go.”

Support for students and teachers MOBIE and Bounce Forward have already hosted a webinar to provide participating schools with information and support about how to get involved. Further webinars for schools are available on

located here in their local area. As plans emerge to create this innovative and sustainable community in Sedgemoor, it’s important we listen to what young people want from Gravity, and for their future.”

The Gravity Young Persons’ Design Challenge has two age categories, 12-15 and 16-18. The finalists will be announced on 18 June and the winners revealed at an event to take place in June or July 2021 (details to be confirmed).

For more information, visit: mobie.org.uk/challenges/gravity

Cllr Gill Slocombe, Deputy Leader of Sedgemoor District Council, adds: “This competition presents a wonderful opportunity for young people to get involved with Gravity - a project of national and international importance

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How long does it take to break a habit?

During difficult times it seems easier to ‘’just get on with it’’, trying to adjust to accommodate the way we always did things. But last year has taught everyone to adapt, which inevitably led to embracing changes.

This brings us to the two completely different job sites we witness. They took on MB Crusher attachments and in a very short amount of time they changed their way of work, for the better.

In the case of Legarza Exploration & Construction, they’ve specialized in remote locations job-sites since 1992.

With nearly 29 years of expertise under their belt, they know exactly how to tackle a site without roads, they are well aware of the struggle of bringing their equipment in, the time and energy it takes to build the road to reach the actual site. Their meticulous planning had helped them succeed in the past, even if it hasn’t been always full proof or cheap.

And then they reached a point when waiting for the material to arrive at their remote site made them lose money. That dreadful moment when the price increase in purchasing aggregate has forced them to turn down some jobs. Costs and time have a huge impact on pricing a job and when you have always done the job in a certain way you can easily do the math and realise if you are no longer earning as much as you used to.

Instead of assuming that the good old ways would come back and carry on as they were doing, they realised they needed tools, a crusher and a screener with portability so that it could reach the site easily, even where the roads are not yet made. They needed MB Crusher’s units!

When we talked to Bill Arthur, the company’s owner, he was quick to admit that they still were “pretty new to the bucket”. But, he has already seen the benefits it’s brought to their job site. When we asked him to explain the benefits he told us the buckets have helped them “save time and money, primarily on [their] budget” by eliminating material purchasing and handling expenses.

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So how long does it take to break a habit? As long as the moment you decide to improve!

Legarza is now using what’s available to create soft roads to reach their jobs site.

With MB’s BF80.3 crusher bucket they reduce the larger stones and river rock from the bank to either a ¾ minus or a 3 in minus, and the MB-S18 screening bucket is used to separate the fine portion laying around, faster and cheaper process.

The other job site we viewed didn’t have a huge distance to travel or the lack of roads, quite the opposite in fact as it is located in one of the largest commercial port in India.

Get the job done quickly is the requirement here, and the MB Crusher screening bucket is the ideal machine to help to keep clear the loading dock from materials while reducing the number of machinery and operators.

As they had the backhoe that was previously used just to move the material around, they installed the MB’s attachment and instantly upgraded their BHL into a screening plant.

Now, when the material is mixed in wrong ratios during the unloading process or when lumps forms due to moisture penetration, they just use the screening bucket and in a matter of minutes, the material is processed and reclaimed.

Moreover, the screening bucket can be easily moved from one place to another, once the job is finished, to allow the continuous passage of lorries, trucks and containers coming and going from the port area.

How long does it take to change the way you operate? Just the realisation that the job is done a lot faster!

At the port now they ensure maximum productivity, faster than before, and the job is done better. Ladies and gentlemen, that’s a wrap.

New Toolbox Talks focus on fall protection equipment Newly released Toolbox Talks, designed to share specific safety messages on work sites, are now available from the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF). They are two short presentations aimed at explaining the use of personal fall-prevention equipment (PFPE) when using Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (MEWPs) and what to look for when checking PFPE before use.

The presentations are available in English with other languages to follow soon.

They add to the existing suite of Toolbox Talks, which supplement the simple safety messages contained in the popular series of Andy Access posters for work sites.

The Toolbox Talks can be found on the IPAF website at www.ipaf.org/toolboxtalks while all IPAF’s Andy Access posters at www.ipaf.org/AndyAccess. All are free to download and available to users of MEWP or Mast Climbing Work Platform (MCWP) equipment.

Peter Douglas, CEO & MD of IPAF, says: “These Toolbox Talks are already being used enthusiastically by managers and supervisors on a whole range of sites

They are a simple way for employers to get simple safety messages across.

“IPAF is committed to delivering a range of Toolbox Talks to complement the Andy Access series of posters and all are free for anyone to download. IPAF recommends that all those overseeing temporary work at height using powered access review and download the posters and presentations. They are short and to the point and only take a few minutes to deliver. These should be used on a daily or weekly basis to reinforce key safety messages.

2021. Please contact your nearest IPAF office or representative if you have any specific safety or technical queries about work at height using powered access, or to suggest a topic for inclusion on an Andy Access poster or in a Toolbox Talk presentation.

IPAF’s Andy Access posters and Toolbox Talks are available free to download from www.ipaf.org/AndyAccess and ipaf.org/toolboxtalks; visit ipaf.org/contact to find contact details of your nearest IPAF office or representative.

“Complacency and overfamiliarity with a task can be a danger in every workplace, so by introducing new topics you can ensure safety briefings stay fresh and help to concentrate minds. Even experienced operators will benefit from being reminded of the safety basics that sometimes get forgotten or overlooked during a busy working day.”

The next wave of Andy Access posters and Toolbox Talks are in development with more due to be released throughout

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SME builders give thumbs up to £150m to kickstart ‘made to order’ homes Smaller builders could benefit from a £150m ‘help to build’ fund to make it easier for people to commission a bespoke home.

The government initiative is aimed at creating a level playing field between first-time buyers of newly built homes, who benefit from ‘help to buy’, and those who want to build their own home.

Housing secretary Robert Jenrick said: “Building your own home shouldn’t be the preserve of a small number of people, but a mainstream, realistic and affordable option for people across the country.

That’s why we are making it easier and more affordable - backed by over £150m new funding from the government.”

The scheme will provide an equity loan on the completed home, similar in principle to the help-to-buy initiative.

The fund is part of an action plan to boost custom and self-built homes including revisiting the right to build legislation and allocating more funding for the right to build task force. Prime minister Boris Johnson has appointed Conservative MP Richard Bacon to lead a review for scaling up the sector.

Mr Johnson said: “Self-build and custom housebuilding can play a crucial role in

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increasing choice for consumers and ensuring people can live in the homes that they want, and that are designed to meet their needs. We know that self and custom builders deliver high quality, welldesigned homes that are energy-efficient, accessible, affordable, and welcomed by their communities.”

He added more funding for time-poor local authority planning departments to help them make quicker planning decisions was important. The National Custom and Self Build Association, NaCSBA, chief executive Andrew Baddeley-Chappell agreed that more parcels of land would be crucial for supporting the sector.

Compared to other European countries such as Germany, the UK has a small self and custom-build sector. The government hopes to increase the number of self and custom-built homes to 30 to 40,000 a year.

“These could be single plots, small developments and or larger sites that have been subdivided to include capacity for plots. There are big opportunities for those able to focus their businesses on delivering all aspects of the homes and communities that people want,” he said.

It sees the help-to-build fund as part of its wider ‘plan for jobs’ aimed at boosting SME builders who are estimated to account for one in ten new homes.

Site shortage holding back SME activity The Federation of Master Builders, FMB, said the new fund was positive but stressed the government must address the lack of sites for development.

FMB chief executive Brian Berry said: “With almost one in two SMEs saying their output is hampered by a ‘lack of available and viable land’, local authorities must allocate more small sites in their local plans for incremental development.”

The National Federation of Builders warned that unless local authorities allocated land and granted permission for self and custom-builds then the government’s housing market reforms would fail.

Brokers Hank Zarihs Associates said development finance lenders had said for some time that more available sites and a quicker planning process were instrumental in fostering SME builders.

Mr Berry stressed that SMEs trained the majority of apprentices and recruited locally so were crucial to fostering employment in communities across England.

Climate neutrality is our goal.

Aluprof’s action strategy...

ALUPROF S.A., the leading company of the Kęty S.A. Capital Group and one of Europe’s foremost suppliers of aluminium architectural solutions, has defined its strategic objectives for 2021 to 2025.

Moving on with its previous activities, the company has presented its environmental and social commitments in the form of sustainability goals.

For a better future ALUPROF has updated and defined its strategic economic goals for 2021-2025.

Continuing its earlier activities focused on corporate environment, social and governance (ESG) standards, the company has parameterised and presented the commitments it has been abiding by in that area.

For the sake of future generations and the natural environment, industry and, in particular, the construction sector has to join ‘the battle for a better tomorrow’. Research carried out by the World Economic Forum and Boston Consulting Group this year suggests that this branch of the economy is responsible for ten per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions. As part of its newly announced strategy, ALUPROF will be continuing with its work on promoting the concept of sustainable development.

Environmental and social objectives stand out amidst the company’s many commitments, which include obtaining further Cradle to Cradle™ certifications and the ongoing improvement of its manufacturing processes under the ISO 14001 environmental management system.

When it comes to working for the local community and beyond, the company’s activities for its staff are well worth highlighting. They take the form of three programmes carried out in collaboration with the Arka Foundation; Strength in Numbers, Green Group and Green Hands.

The company is introducing a range of initiatives aimed at eliminating the impact of its operations on the environment. It has updated its detailed analysis of its products’ carbon footprint and presented its commitments in terms of sustainable development.

One of its many environmental ambitions is to move towards achieving climate neutrality.

ALUPROF. Keeping the environment in mind The countries of the EU have expressed their environmental ambitions in the European Green Deal. One of the proposed directions is to work for climate neutrality, which can be achieved by way of circular, low-emission economies and low-emission products. For several decades now, ALUPROF has been creating innovative solutions designed with sustainable building in mind. The company’s aluminium profiles feature in some of the world’s most prestigious developments with environmental credentials in the form of BREEAM, LEED, DGNB and Well certificates. Mennica Legacy Tower in Warsaw, Concordia Design in Wroclaw and the newly opened Hard Rock Hotel in Budapest are just three of the many examples worth citing.

ALUPROF is steadily expanding its range of energy-saving and passive products.

As a commitment to the promotion of these products, the company has projected a twenty per cent increase in its share of solutions used for BREEAM- or LEED-certified buildings by 2025. Bożena Ryszka, Marketing and PR Director for ALUPROF, provides more detail: ‘We understand the concept of a company’s sustainable development as working for environmental protection, the safety and development of the staff, responsibility along the supply chain and involvement in the development of the local community. At ALUPROF, we carry out those kinds of initiatives through the foundation run by the Kęty Group. It’s a pivotal part of our strategy. Our ambition is to achieve climate neutrality by 2050 and to have reduced our carbon footprint by fifteen per cent by 2025.’

Informed choice = lower emissions Even the small-scale reduction of our carbon footprints in our own households is important.

It is worth remembering that when we make informed choices and buy lowemission products, we are contributing to the protection of the environment and the goal of global decarbonisation.

Each and every one of us can make an effort to reduce our own carbon footprint. Modifying just a few of our habits is enough to change our impact on the natural environment to something far more positive. Choosing ecological goods, for instance, is worthwhile, as is paying attention to what certificates have been awarded to the products we buy.

When it comes to ALUPROF, the calculation of carbon dioxide emissions per ton of products reveals the very low parameter of 2.79 tCO2e for lowcarbon billets manufactured for the LOW CARBON KĘTY line at the factory in southern Polish town of Kęty. In comparison, the production of one ton of aluminium primary aluminium somewhere in the world is connected with an average emission of 16.7 tCO2e; in other words, almost six times higher. The low level of emissions was achieved thanks both to the use of the company’s cutting-edge plant for the manufacturing process and to the high content of secondary raw materials in the form of recycled aluminium scrap at an average level of sixty-five per cent.

In addition, ALUPROF has submitted its products for independent environmental verification carried out by Poland’s Building Research Institute, where the Environmental Product Declaration was drawn up.

Aleksandra Baksik, ALUPROF’s Brand and Sustainable Development Manager, expands on the topic: ‘Together, we’re fighting to reduce greenhouse gases and to increase energy efficiency in the construction industry. We’re also well aware of just how vital it is both to recycle and to use energy from renewable sources. All our operations accord with the European Green Deal and the vision of the world’s sustainable development.’

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Iconic Ribblehead viaduct repaired for ‘Staycation Summer’ Work to restore the world-renowned Ribblehead viaduct for rail passengers and tourists in North Yorkshire is now complete.

From April 9th visitors to the Ribble Valley can see the iconic piece of Victorian railway architecture in all its glory after months of specialist repairs by Network Rail.

Since November 2020, 100ft high scaffolding towers have moved across seven of the viaduct’s 24 arches to carry out masonry, drainage and repainting work.

The £2.1m investment as part of the Great North Rail Project will secure the Grade II* listed structure’s future as both an historic landmark and vital railway link on the Settle-Carlisle railway line.

The improvements have been completed in time for easing of coronavirus lockdown restrictions this spring ready for an expected ‘Staycation Summer’.

Bumper visitor numbers are expected for the Yorkshire Dales National Park, with the Ribblehead viaduct being one of its star attractions.

Philippa Britton, principal programme sponsor for Network Rail, said: “The teams have worked throughout a harsh winter to restore this hugely important and impressive piece of Victorian engineering for the future and I’m hugely proud of the work we’ve carried out as part of the Great North Rail Project.

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“We’ve worked incredibly closely with heritage experts and conservationists to make sure the repairs were sympathetic to the historic structure but would also last the test of time. Now these once in a generation repairs are complete we hope you won’t see scaffolding on this scale at Ribblehead again for many years to come.”

The much-loved Ribblehead viaduct is not only one of the country’s most recognisable railway structures, it’s also an important transport corridor for local people, tourists and freight.

It carries the Settle to Carlisle railway 400 metres across the Ribble valley. The work will make journeys more reliable for Northern passengers and tourism charter services like the ‘Staycation Express’ which launched in Summer 2020.

Mark Rand, vice-president of the Friends of the Settle to Carlisle line, said: “This has been another chapter in the history of the amazing Ribblehead viaduct. Thirty years ago it was declared to be ‘life-expired’ and in need of replacement or the entire line would have to close. Happily, neither of those things happened. All credit to Network Rail and their contractors who have done this work through a bitter Ribblehead winter. The viaduct stands proud and strong, a monumental tribute to those who lived, and died, to build it.”

Adrian Quine, director of Rail Charter Services which runs the ‘Staycation Express’, said: “We are expecting unprecedented demand for our trains this summer. The restoration of daily dining car trains along the line – the first since 1975 – is already causing a lot of excitement. What better way to experience it than enjoying three course silver service with drink in hand as the Staycation Express crosses this iconic structure.”

During this project, the latest laser and drone survey technology mapped every inch of the Grade II* listed viaduct for the first time, giving a detailed record of its condition so it can be closely monitored in future.

In February plans were submitted to the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority to fix further minor faults found during the course of the planned work.

This unexpected planning application was granted so the repairs could be completed as part of the same project.

With experts already in place this has saved a huge amount of taxpayers’ money – preventing Network Rail from having to come back and erect scaffolding all over again in the near future.

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First social housing Passivhaus scheme handed over in Powys The first ever social housing scheme in Powys to reach Passivhaus standard has been completed. Pave Aways Building Contractors has handed over the seven energy efficient homes in a £1.3m development it built in Sarn, near Newtown, to Powys County Council.

The homes - four two-bedroom bungalows, two two-bedroom and one three-bedroom houses – have all been certified to Passivhaus standard, the method of advanced low-energy construction. Final air tests in the bungalows revealed 0.27 air changes an hour with the houses registering 0.49, below the maximum of 0.6 air changes per hour required for Passivhaus certification.

The properties were built with heat recovery units to utilise the excess heat that is produced to warm the properties, thereby incurring lower heating bills. Each home also has 4.2 KW of photo voltaic roof panels to generate electricity.

Pave Aways also built the county’s first ever Passivhaus school for the council - the new Welshpool Church in Wales School that was finished in November last year.

Managing Director Steven Owen said: “To have been able to deliver this groundbreaking project for Powys has been a privilege and we hope the tenants will be happy in their new homes. This is undoubtedly the way forward for new housing stock and an important step in tackling issues around climate change and fuel poverty. From an industry point of view, it’s been a valuable learning curve for our team and sub contractors, bringing new skills to the region.”

The Passivhaus housing scheme was developed by Powys County Council’s Affordable Housing Team and will help the council deliver one of its aims of Vision 2025 – to build 250 new homes by 2025. Nigel Brinn, Powys County Council’s Corporate Director for Economy and Environment, said: “These homes will not only help to cut carbon emissions but ensure tenants will have lower energy bills.

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“The council is making real progress with its ambitious target of delivering 250 new homes by 2025 and this scheme contributes to that target. The scheme has also provided a boost for the local economy with local sub-contractors and the supply chain being supported by the work.”

The project brought additional benefits for Powys with more than £1.1m spent locally, 10,500 hours of work provided on site and 4,900 hours spent on apprentices

apprentices and training time through its employees and the supply chain.

Steven added: “One of our priorities is to ensure our projects have a wider reaching effect than just an economic one. The delivery of these new homes has had many benefits for the community in Mid Wales that will have a lasting legacy. New skills learned, training delivered and support to community groups have been just some of the side effects of this build.”

Insulation and render specified for award-winning development StoTherm Mineral insulation and StoSilco render were used to provide outstanding thermal performance on the recently completed Peveril Securities King’s Stables Road mixed-use development Edinburgh’s city-centre.

This project illustrates Sto’s ability to work closely with specifiers, contractors and clients to ensure that the most appropriate solution was chosen for this project.

Located in the Edinburgh Old Town’s historic Grassmarket area, the £40M King’s Stables Road development is a landmark scheme delivering housing, premium student accommodation, a 4-star apart-hotel and various commercial units, set around a number of public courtyards. “This was a large project for which a rainscreen cladding system was originally considered,” says Sto’s Project Manager, Jim Reid. “However, budget constraints meant that an alternative solution was required. The façades of the buildings feature numerous multi-level surfaces, and any alternative solution had to be able to accommodate these and various other complex detailing requirements, while still meeting the budgetary requirements.”

These fixings allow for a considerable degree of post-installation adjustment so that different surface levels can be accommodated, and once again, they provide a perfectly level surface for a smooth external render finish. The remaining sections of the development had the insulation applied using StoLevell Uni adhesive. This creates a strong, durable and reliable bond with the surface, and allows the insulation to be applied onto curved substrates.

All the insulation was finished with StoSilco K1.5 silicone resin render which provides high levels of water repellence, outstanding protection against harsh weather conditions and excellent CO2 and water vapour permeability. The white colour of the StoSilco complements the brickwork and dark grey cladding found on other parts of the development.

“We’ve used Sto’s external wall insulation on many previous projects and find that it performs extremely well,” comments Steve Avery of AFS (Scotland). “The StoTherm system is very straightforward to install, but still provides a high degree of flexibility which makes it a very practical solution.”

The King’s Stables project is owned by Peveril Securities and is part of a wider mixed-use development programme.

Render was specified early in the design process as a means of brightening courtyards flanked by neighbouring buildings or facades. Careful material specification at this stage enhances the established public realm as occupants and the wider public weave their way through this exemplar development in the heart of Edinburgh’s capital. Picture below supplied by Paul Zanre Photography.

Sto successfully worked in partnership with project architects, Fletcher Joseph Associates, and façade specialists AFS (Scotland) who installed the StoTherm Mineral system. The result was a fully bespoke insulation system which satisfied all the project requirements.

The mineral-fibre insulation boards used in the StoTherm system provide excellent thermal performance along with unrivalled fire protection, great durability and impressive sound insulation. The system’s efficient single-leaf construction does not reduce interior space and requires no additional expansion joints.

This allowed the smooth external surfaces which are used in the King’s Stables Road design to be created.

Some sections of the development used Sto’s unique Sto-Rotofix Plus adjustable spiral fixings to secure the insulation boards to the substrate.

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The move to UKCA marking of external firedoors

By Wojciech Brozyna - MD of Aluprof UK Since Brexit the UK now sits outside the European Economic Area (EEA) and has a trade agreement which helps businesses trade without tariffs between the EEA and the UK. Despite the increased levels of paperwork required for such imports and exports, it is ‘almost business as usual’.

Over the last few years conformity with legislation and standards present in Europe have been a prerequisite for producing and selling any goods within the EEA. This included products produced here, in the EEA or from overseas. Known as ‘CE’ marking, it is applicable equally to the manufacture and sale of a paper clip to more complex fire doors and fire screens.

The ‘CE mark’ is a certification mark that is widely used throughout the EU. Now the UK has launched its own conformity mark, the ‘UKCA mark’, this means that all products produced outside or inside the UK, for UK use, must carry the new UKCA mark. Fortunately, both conformity marks CE and UKCA, can be used this year, all products sold in the UK next year, 2022, must carry the UKCA mark.

In Northern Ireland, matters get a little more complicated as manufacturers have their own UK(NI) mark to comply with which must be used alongside the CE marking. Whilst Great Britain will accept the UK(NI)+CE marked products known as ‘unfettered access’, products manufactured in Northern Ireland only need to carry the CE mark if they are to be sold solely in the EEA. Part of the reason for the difference in Northern Ireland is that whilst Northern Ireland sits within the EEA, from the 1st January 2021, it is now outside the EU Customs Union.

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It must be reiterated that for products manufactured and sold in Northern Ireland, they must always carry both the CE mark and the UK(NI).

The ‘product’ from the ‘end fabricator’ must be CE marked (accepted up to the end of 2021) and/or UKCA marked, this refers to all the parts that make up the final product from various suppliers such as the framing system, glazing and hardware. This must be declared in one document and on installation it is not possible to substitute any part. The product, such as supplied in a firescreen, including doors and glazing, is supplied to site complete in a fabricated form, glazing can be supplied separately on a stillage but must be supplied by the ‘end fabricator’.

The door and sidescreens, or top-lights, must fall within a single overall frame, it is not possible to declare and UKCA mark a coupled door frame to a side screen or toplight. The company installing the product on-site may be another company who has sourced the product from an ‘end fabricator’. It is the manufacture of the installed product that carries the responsibility for the UKCA marking by ensuring that the installer follows detailed installation instructions.

The pressure is now on manufacturers to ensure that all their products are all reassessed through UK Approved Bodies before the end of this year if they are continuing to be sold in the UK and carry the UKCA mark.

From the 1st November 2019 ALL external fire rated doorsets MUST carry conformity marking, CE and/or UKCA (from the being of 2021), to ensure conformity to both BS EN 14351-1:2006+A2:2016 - ‘Windows and doors.

Product standard, performance characteristics. Windows and external pedestrian doorsets’. and BS EN 16034:2014 - ‘Pedestrian doorsets, industrial, commercial, garage doors and openable windows. Product standard, performance characteristics. Fire resisting and/or smoke control characteristics.’

The Standard, BS EN 16034 Pedestrian doorsets, industrial, commercial, garage doors and openable windows — Product standard, performance characteristics — Fire resisting and/or smoke control characteristics, cannot be used on its own for CE and/or UKCA (from the being of 2021) marking purposes as it must be used in conjunction with BS EN 14351-1.

External Pedestrian Doorsets can include sidescreens as long as they are not coupled.

The required characteristics are then raised on the DoP (Declaration of Performance) by the ‘end fabricator’ based on the ITT data supplied by the systems company and the fabricator’s own CoCoP (Certificate of Constancy of Performance).

A UK approved body then have to assess the fabricator to AVCP System Level 1 and only then can the UKCA mark be attached to the product. As a result of these imposed regulations, BS 476: Parts 20 & 22 can no longer be used as fire test evidence to CE and/or UKCA mark an external fire rated doorset.

Whilst BS EN 16034 was first published in October 2014, it didn’t become a harmonised standard available for use as CE mark evidence until 1st November 2016. As with all new standards, there is a co-existence period in which current standards run alongside the new standard which lasted for three years ending on the

1st November 2019. As for internal fire rated doorsets and screens we still wait for the BS EN 14351-2 ‘Product standard, performance characteristics. Internal pedestrian doorsets.’ To be cited in the Official Journal of European Union (OJEU) which was expected to be published in November/December 2019. This means that it is currently not possible to CE and/ or UKCA mark internal fire rated doorsets and screens until the harmonisation of this standard occurs. Products can still be tested to achieve stated performance and covered by third party means such as Certifire.

As aluminium remains the most widely specified material for commercial windows, doors and curtain wall, it should come as no surprise that as a leading European systems company, Aluprof offer a comprehensive range of fire rated systems.

With an 86mm frame depth, the new glazed window and door system, MB86EI can achieve class EI15, EW30, EI30, according to BS EN 13501-2:2016.

Complete with polyamide thermal breaks, the door system is ideal for use in both external or internal applications.

Doorsets can be manufactured with both fixed lights and opening, single or double doors, in a single outerframe to be UKCA marked, but it must be remembered that external coupled screen assemblies cannot be UKCA marked to BS EN 16034:2014.

Furthermore, in what is believed to be a first for the UK industry, a cap-less, fire rated curtain wall system is available and has been installed on a refurbishment development in Manchester. The project, known as ‘The Core’, is located at 24-30 Brown Street in the city centre and uses the ‘MB-SR50N EI EFEKT’ developed by Aluprof. A fire rating of EI60 was required on part of the new cap-less, curved glass facade on the top floor. Aluprof’s new system, MB-SR50N EI EFEKT, enabled the architect to have a cap-less fire rated system whilst at the same time seamlessly blending in with areas which did not require a fire rating.

The Aluprof brochure entitled, ‘Fire Rated and Smoke Exhaust Systems’, explains in detail each product and rating. Aluprof systems offer some of the highest fire protection ratings in Europe, some reaching EI120 - that’s two hours fire and

smoke protection. Each system has been tested according to European industry standards with various specialist glasses and many are fully covered by the UK’s ‘Certifire’ certificate of approval. With the emergence of the separate UKCA and UKNI marking it is advisable that you contact Aluprof for further technical advice when specifying for use in the UK and Northern Ireland.

Since setting up the Aluprof Office at the Business Design Centre in London, the company has rapidly grown their specification influence in the UK with their high performance architectural aluminium systems.

Further expansion of the companies headquarters in Altrincham now provides specifiers with meeting facilities and an extensive showroom of commercial systems to view. With overseas growth across Europe spreading into the Middle East and firm roots already in the East of the USA, the company is becoming a global player in facade supply.

Further information is available on the companies website at aluprof.co.uk or direct from their UK office in Altrincham on 0161 941 4005.

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Creating a ‘Learning Arc’ for Newcastle University Newcastle University’s new £30m learning and teaching centre, the Frederick Douglass Centre, is located in Newcastle Helix, a 24-acre hybrid city quarter in the centre of the city which brings together academia, the public sector, communities and business.

Named after the 19th century social reformer who was associated with the area, the building uses Schüco systems to help achieve its unusual shape, inspired by its location on Oystershell Lane.

The building is designed as a sweeping curve which visually connects the two adjacent public spaces. This curve forms the ‘Learning Arc’, which contains the teaching block, positioned around a triangular form incorporating an auditorium with the capacity to hold 750 people.

The exterior of the Learning Arc comprises alternating perforated panels which allow for natural ventilation and more solid elements of back-painted glass. Vertical window panels constructed using the Schüco FWS 60 SG structural glazing system are integrated into the façade. Although some windows in teaching spaces and offices open, this does not interfere with the external rhythm of the building.

The angular section of the building which houses the auditorium is clad in a mesh geometric veil. This was inspired by the work of Newcastle-born academic, Lewis Fry Richardson, who pioneered modern methods of weather forecasting by subdividing the globe into zones using hexagons, a shape echoed by the architect in the mesh design.

The veil interfaces a double-height reading room positioned at the corner of the building, thereby providing sun shading. This double-height space and the building’s ground floor entrance are constructed using Schüco FWS 50 curtain walling.

The curved teaching space and the auditorium block are connected by

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a curved segment known as ‘The Link’ which runs through each floor of the building. This linking component features Schüco FWS 50 curtain walling both in the construction of the walls and horizontally in the roof skylights to let natural light into the centre of the building. The Link also acts as an important device to separate the two geometrically opposed buildings.

Jonathan Davis, Associate for Sheppard Robson Architects, explains why Schüco was used in the project: “We have a very good ongoing relationship with Schüco and often speak to the company early on in our projects to get its advice and this was no exception.

key. We were expected to use standard products but in an innovative way.

“In this instance we selected the Schüco FWS 50 system which we regard as the ‘go to’ curtain wall and have used many times before. This building has some interesting layering which disguises the fact that we used tried-and-tested materials including the popular Schüco curtain wall system, but in an intelligent way.”

“We incorporate Schüco systems often in our designs because we recognise the company is a market leader. It supplies good-quality, innovative products and the technical support it provides is invaluable.

The design and installation of the façade of the Frederick Douglass Centre was handled by Dane Architectural Systems.

David Hardie, Contracts Director – Façades at Dane Architectural, says, “The building’s geometry is in the shape of a wedge of cheese, which made interfaces complicated, with the main curtain wall stepping in and out at different dimensions and differing heights around the curve.

“Schüco has many different, exciting systems for us to choose from, but for education projects like this budget is

“Large hexagonal open mesh panels cantilever out from the façade on specially designed nodes which are

connected to the cladding and the curtain wall frames. We worked closely with Schüco on the curtain wall design which had to overcome large differential movements due to the design of the structure.

“We welcomed the support Schüco provided with this project and look forward to continuing our excellent working relationship with the company.”

stage, with glazing being restricted to the north-facing façades to reduce solar overheating and incorporate natural ventilation.”

Located in one of the largest urban regeneration schemes of its kind in the

UK, the Frederick Douglass Centre was officially opened at the end of 2019, and celebrated with a programme of events themed around social justice in honour of the building’s namesake.

Image credit: Kristen McCluskie

An important part of the architect’s brief was that the building and surrounding landscaping were inherently sustainable and the design aimed to achieve BREEAM Very Good.

Jonathan explains, “The Frederick Douglass Centre achieved BREEAM Excellent, exceeding our target in terms of glazing performance and insulation which was devised from thermal modelling taken in the early design stages. The design acknowledged the sustainability strategy from an early

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Construction works for £3.9m expansion complete Midlands contractor G F Tomlinson has handed over construction works for the £3.9m expansion and renovation of King Edward VI School in Lichfield, Staffordshire.

It now houses enhanced teaching and auxiliary spaces, as well as an administration area on the lower ground floor that features a new student services area.

Delivered on behalf of Staffordshire County Council, under the Staffordshire Construction framework, the works comprised of an extension to an existing building and the construction of a new modular building for the school.

Phase two, which completed in October last year, involved the installation of a brand new standalone modern modular structure to provide enhanced science laboratory teaching facilities, which replaced existing accommodation and obsolete prefabricated buildings at the site.

Construction works at the co-educational comprehensive began in May 2020, and the extension and refurbishment will now allow the school, which takes on pupils aged 11 to 18, to increase its intake by 30 places a year, providing an additional 150 places in total.

The new three-storey extension, which was phase one of the works, was constructed on the site of a former swimming pool that had been closed for over ten years.

Due to the scheme being completed by the contractor on time and to budget, G F Tomlinson was awarded further refurbishment works at the school, which included window replacements in the main hall, as well as new windows, ceilings, floors and interactive whiteboards in a number of classrooms.

The contractor also provided external works as an add on to the original scheme which included new railings, fencing, outdoor steps and re-surfacing works. This is the second scheme G F Tomlinson has completed through the Staffordshire Construction framework for Staffordshire County Council, with current projects including works at Anker Valley Primary School in Tamworth, and Greenwood Healthcare Centre in Burntwood.

Chris Flint, director at G F Tomlinson, said: “Completed on time and to budget, the team have been phenomenal throughout the works at King Edward VI School and have done the G F Tomlinson name proud. This has been proven through the awarding of further works at the school, which were delivered to an excellent standard.

“It’s been amazing to form a strong new relationship with the school and further build on our existing relationships with Staffordshire County Council, Arc Partnership and Entrust Property Services. We’re pleased to be handing over the expansion works ahead of the new school year to allow for essential education places.”

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Dan Maher, managing director at Arc Partnership, commented: “The collaboration between Staffordshire County Council, G F Tomlinson, Entrust Property Services and Arc Partnership is testament to the successful delivery of the extension and new modular building at King Edward VI School.”

Helen Riley, deputy CXO and director for Families and Communities at Staffordshire County Council, said: “This work has enabled King Edward VI School to expand, meaning it can meet the increase in demand in the area for secondary school places. As well as creating extra space for staff and pupils, the construction has really transformed the school, making it a bright and welcoming place for present and future pupils.”

Jane Rutherford, headteacher at King Edward VI School, said: “We are absolutely delighted with the new and refurbished accommodation, the students and staff are already seeing the benefits of improved learning environments.

“It has been a complex project, but at every stage we have worked together to find the most effective way to secure the best outcome for the school. It has been an absolute pleasure to work with G F Tomlinson; the attention to detail and the consideration for the needs of the school has helped secure best value and high quality. The project team from Staffordshire County Council, Entrust and G F Tomlinson have brought long-held ambitions to life and we now have accommodation that matches the high standards of achievement at King Edward VI School.”

Arc Partnership provided architectural and engineering services and Entrust Property Services provided project management services. Ideal Modular, part of G F Tomlinson’s existing supply chain, delivered the modular element of this project.

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Stepnell cements client relationships with new commercial builds Complete construction partner Stepnell has made progress on four commercial schemes for long-standing clients throughout the East Midlands, helping to boost economic growth across the region and supporting the expansion of local businesses.

These projects include a scheme for repeat client MHR - a HR, payroll and analytics software and services firm.

After recently completing works on the business’ new car park, the construction firm has been appointed to build its new £9 million two-storey office building with associated under-croft parking, which includes a Grade A fit out, associated mechanical and electrical installation, and hard and soft landscaping.

Tom Sewell, regional director at Stepnell, said: “Our East Midlands office is working hard to support business growth and commercial development in the region in a bid to facilitate economic recovery - both locally and on a national scale.

By establishing solid relationships with existing clients, we’ve been able to pick

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up new commercial projects that will help to expand our portfolio and contribute towards the government’s ‘Build Back Better’ initiative.”

John Mills, chairman at MHR International, said: “At MHR, we are looking to offer our employees the best working environment possible. Last year Stepnell successfully completed our new multi-storey car park project and we are delighted to continue this relationship with phase five of our plan to build two new two-storey office buildings. This will further enhance our facilities at our Britannia House site, which are due to open in March 2022.”

Stepnell’s East Midlands schemes also include two Leicester project completions for Brackley Property Developments, which commissioned the construction of two purpose-built office buildings.

Brackley’s first development, located in the city’s Waterside Regeneration quarter, includes the creation of an attractively designed two-storey office building with ancillary facilities, car and bicycle parking and on-site landscaping.

Tom continued: “With a breadth of experience working on commercial schemes, the team has been able to expertly navigate the limitations of the pandemic to remain on site throughout lockdown, implementing strict health and safety precautions in order to keep our staff members safe and our projects on schedule.”

Brackley’s three-storey high Dock 2 extension of the Dock campus at Pioneer Park in Leicester has also reached completion, boasting 14 individual commercial workspace units for expanding and new businesses. This building will help to support the growth of technology and knowledge-based businesses in the city, offering office and light industrial workspace across three floors.

Stepnell has also started on site at Parker Offices in Market Harborough on behalf of Parker of Leicester Ltd. The scheme, which has been designed by Corporate Architecture Ltd, was awarded to Stepnell following the successful completion

of two previous residential projects with Corporate Architecture Ltd and a competitive two-stage tender process, in which the team demonstrated its commitment to the client’s programme drawing on its broad experience and expertise in this sector.

The development includes the creation of a new, three-storey office building with associated drainage, external works and service connections to provide highend office space for the client to inhibit and lease to local businesses. Stepnell will also be creating a roof top terrace, kitchen facilities and a 32-space car park – incorporating exposed hardwood and external stone detailing to reflect the building’s surroundings.

Tom said: “Establishing strong relationships with our clients is essential, so it’s always rewarding when we win work off the success

of previous projects. Client care is a key part of our company ethos and something we take great pride in, so working on multiple projects with clients or receiving recommendations from businesses we’ve worked with in the past helps to reiterate the high-quality work that goes into each and every build.”

To find out more about Stepnell, visit stepnell.co.uk or join the conversation at @Stepnellltd Stepnell operates a three region model including East Midlands (Nottingham), Midlands (Rugby) and Southern (Wantage, Poole and Southampton).

The family-owned construction company has been operating for more than 150 years and prides itself on being a complete construction partner.

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Tonino Lamborghini Towers

By Studio Marco Piva It’s about to be completed the new Tonino Lamborghini Towers complex in Chengdu, a latest generation building by Chengdu Donghe Real Estate Co., Ltd, where hospitality, commercial, cultural and residence functions converge as per Studio Marco Piva design concept.

SMP has been committed to design the hotel, common spaces, rooms and suites, luxury apartments, commercial area and the Sichuan Theater.

Moreover, SMP design team, in collaboration with Donghe and JHM, has carried out an accurate work dedicated to the architectural study of the podium and of the 180 m height towers facades.

Assiduous research into the formal and functional aspects of space, updated technology and materials developed with great attention to the environment, are the foundations of the planning philosophy of SMP, in which the continuity between architecture and interior design plays a strategic role to conceive innovative successful projects.

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The project elegantly blends Chinese and Italian design visual elements: a tribute to two cultures, both with ancient traditions, for a highly scenographic result that has its roots in history, projecting it into the contemporary era.

A new place in town characterised by the Tonino Lamborghini’s brand lifestyle, is now growing, a place where residents, visitors and guests will experience the refined exclusivity and the emotional perception of the new environments designed by SMP. The Spaces Hotel & Luxury private Apartments The interior’s project of the 5-star luxury hotel Tonino Lamborghini in Chengdu fits into the brand’s “Hospitality project”, bringing the passion and spirit of Italy to the place, which is expressed in its explosive vitality, creativity and beauty.

The common areas of the hotel are located from the street level up to the seventh floor, while the rooms and

apartments starting from the eighth floor of tower A, for a total of about 210 rooms and 500 apartments, characterized by different types and sizes, designed to offer a unique hospitality experience to various types of users, from business to leisure.

The common spaces are characterized by a dynamic design that stands out for the choice of fine materials, shapes and beams of light with a decisive cut, optical effects and fragmentation of the surfaces dictated by the rhythm of the materials, scenographic use of light that plays with the glowes created by shiny and reflective finishes, and attention to the smallest details, with the custom creation of decorative panels and different furnishing elements, to give a spectacular touch to every single environment, from the reception to the thematic restaurants, from the lobby to the lounges and up to the rooms.

Strong decorative marbles, vertical lines that recall the bamboo of the nature reserves adjacent to the city, circular elements such as mirrors, lamps and

tables that recall the traditional Chinese umbrellas, are some of the recurring elements in the hotel spaces and luxury apartments, interpreted according to the Italian tradition linked to aesthetics, functionality and emotion.

A particularly scenographic environment will be the one of the swimming pool, on the seventh floor, with its conformation that allows the view both on the city skyline and on the vertical development of tower A. An atmosphere conceived as the encounter of Water and Fire elements, with a waterfall on the window overlooking the city and a play of light on the opposite wall that recalls the fire.

A hotel that will allow its customers to live a unique and timeless experience, emphasizing, through the Italian design, the exclusivity and values of the culture in which it is inserted.

For the interior design of the rooms and the luxury apartments, the input was to create a new way of living, developing an elegant and high-quality interiors concept where shape of nature and its colours are reflected into the chosen materials and textures, with a contrast and fusion of high tech reflective finishes with “soft touch” natural materials perception.

Sichuan Theatre Studio Marco Piva + Golden Box The new multifunctional complex of Tonino Lamborghini Towers in Chengdu lies in the area where the historic Sichuan Theater, a place of excellence for the tradition of the Sichuanese opera, was located, and is now incorporated into the new structure, spreading over 5 floors with access by street level and from the third floor, a new highperformance space aimed to enhance the excellence of the Opera and contemporary Visual Art performances.

The concept design created by Studio Marco Piva brings the tradition of the place and the characteristic elements of its performances back to life, reinterpreting them in a contemporary way.

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The sound of the bell, loud and poetic in the theatrical performances, generates vibrations that permeate the space, fragmenting it like a crystal.

international brands: a new stylish place dedicated to shopping and characterized by the Tonino Lamborghini’s brand lifestyle.

A dynamic play of light and matter dematerializes the place, creating the sensation of being inside a bell, completely immersed in the representation.

Located at the main entrance of the tower, the project by Studio Marco Piva opens with a welcome/reception area characterized by a artisanal light fall at full height, a refined and elegant focus point which anticipate the quality standard that configures the whole environment.

The surfaces are soft and play on neutral shades, so as to absorb the strong and changing colors of the stage, reflecting them on the auditorium, involving emotionally the viewer.

Another dynamic element that contributes to the play of vibrations derives from the reflection of Chengdu’s buildings in Yangze river tortuous waters, bringing a natural element of the city within the interior design, so that environment and culture find themselves again, and converge in an exciting new interpretation.

Commercial Complex Studio Marco Piva has been appointed to design also the emporium which will house stores linked to important

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Speed and dynamism, the brand’s values, have been translated into the choice of reflective finishes, clean and decisive lines, strategic cuts of light whose create visual paths. The materials - precious marbles, metals, textured glass - are on the one hand a reference to the tradition and craftsmanship of Made in Italy, and on the other a look to the future, a new way of conceiving the places related to retail’s activities.

Iconic signs are identified in the large monumental portals to access the shops, a reference to the concept of the airport’s gate, which emphasize the international character of the place, giving it a touch of innovation and uniqueness.

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Crane lifts two new bridges into place at Warrington Bank Quay station A giant crane lifted two new bridges into place at Warrington Bank Quay station this Easter to make future rail journeys more reliable for passengers and freight.

Time-lapse footage release by Network Rail today (Tuesday 6 April) shows the huge engineering project which took place over the bank holiday.

The £3.5m Great North Rail Project investment involved the massive crane removing an old bridge which carries two railway tracks on platform 1 and lifting the new one into place.

A footbridge outside the station was also upgraded and a disused bridge span was filled in.

This essential Easter bank holiday weekend work meant that trains weren’t able to call at the station.

Phil James, director for Network Rail’s North West route, said:

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“I’d like to thank passengers for their patience while we carried out these essential railway upgrades in Warrington.

This work will improve performance for passengers and freight and help to play its part in Britain building back better from the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Now our attention turns to the early May bank holiday when more essential railway improvements will take place. Because of the amount of work being done, passengers are being urged to travel either side of the bank holiday on Friday 30 April and Tuesday 4 May.” Gus Dunster, executive director of operations and safety at Avanti West Coast, said: “We would like to thank customers for their patience while Network Rail carried out upgrade works at Warrington Bank Quay over the Easter weekend. The works will help to make journeys more reliable for our customers on the West Coast Main Line as we look forward to welcoming them back in the near future.”

Chris Jackson, regional director at Northern, said: “The Great North Rail Project is making a huge difference for Northern customers and is delivering improved infrastructure that will provide better journeys for many years to come.

The improvements in Warrington, alongside our own enhancements to trains and stations, will give our customers a better way to go.”

Andy Carter, MP for Warrington South, said: “My thanks to Network Rail for their work in delivering these improvements for local rail passengers across Warrington.

The new structures over the station will improve the resilience of the local network and improve the overall passenger experience.

“Immediate improvements are welcome, but I am continuing to push for longterm investment through schemes like Northern Powerhouse Rail which will be a game changer for Warrington.”

Passengers in the North West are urged to check nationalrail.co.uk/westcoast before travelling so they know in advance whether their journeys will be affected by upgrade work on the early May Bank holiday. Remaining work at Warrington Bank Quay station will cause minimal disruption to passengers and is due to be finished by the end of April 2021.

Time lapse: http://bit.ly/WarringtonBank

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Exogram houses.

A tool for interpreting the symbolic power of architectural figuration With Exogram Houses 1 and 2, Joseph di Pasquale proves that it’s possible to put creative intelligence inside all projects, by democratizing the concept of architecture, which can be applied not only to large buildings, but also to private residential spaces, in line with a long tradition of important projects for single houses, which have always been an important focus in the history of architecture.

In the projects called Exogram Houses 1 and 2, the architect Joseph di Pasquale combined the use of 3D modeler and freehand drawing on the screen, to obtain the “genetic sketch” where for the very first time the exogram image appeared, as a “still image” of a set of architectural elements in dynamic relationship among them.

“We work on the concept of Exogram” - explains Joseph di Pasquale. “The Exogram is basically a tool for interpreting the symbolic power of architectural figuration and making it clear in the design process; it is a question of identifying a three-dimensional structure that becomes the identity essence of the building. Therefore, the Exogram is the

architectural logo, in a broad and historically understood sense, which makes the building recognizable, a “core” inside and around which the “filling volumes” develop, providing the space to accommodate all the functions in which the architecture is built on”.

In 2015, in the province of Milan, the “genetic sketch” technique found application in the Exogram House n. 1.

In this first declination of the concept of Exogram on the theme of the single-family house, a common roof has been divided in two parts which correspond to the parents’ house and the daughter’s house. The composition of the two half-shells deriving from this process constitutes the Exogram of this architecture, the three-dimensional tectonic logo totalizing the architectural identity of the building. At this point, the basic concept has led all other choices.

The material of the vertical and inclined parts of the shells corresponding to the pitches is the same, precisely because all the parts belong to the same semantic element. Furthermore, the thickness of the shells is strongly highlighted by a dark metal flashing, thus becoming the graphic armature of the architectural figuration.

All the rest is filler material that changes according to the functional needs and the relationships with the framework in which the project is inserted: On the street side, at the upper level, the house is introverted and closed, while it opens onto the private garden below and turns out transparent, making the surrounding nature become an integral part of the interior architecture, in accordance with the ecological conception of the house within nature and the attention to the inclusion of the building in the outdoor space.

Exogram House No. 2 is a single-family house developed on three levels: a basement with a tavern and additional rooms, the ground floor used as a living room and the first floor as the night area.

The facade facing the street is totally blind. The large glazed openings placed on the lateral sides along the east-west axis allow you to enjoy the natural light offering an excellent garden view.

The building is designed for a low environmental impact aimed at saving energy and reducing CO2 emissions.

Particular attention is paid to the choice of materials, considering the entire useful life of the building (Life Cycle Assessment) and giving preference to the use of materials whose production takes place with lower environmental impact.

The environmental sustainability of the building is completed thanks to the use of systems powered by renewable energy sources with a strip of photovoltaic panels perfectly integrated into the design of the roof.

As in all of Joseph di Pasquale’s concepts, the key feature of tis projects is a philosophical reflection on forms and space that starts from a symbolic meaning (we see it in its amplification of sense and dimensions in the iconic Guangzhou Circle) to arrive at a close dialogue with nature and its vital meaning of sustainability as well as journey in the past East-West tradition. In this sense, the Exogram project is a “homo ad circulum” of architecture, which becomes a tool while resulting at the same time the reflections of an architect-philosopher.

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HomeSpec creates single source for all building envelope solutions Wienerberger, a leading provider of wall, roof and landscaping innovations, has launched the market’s first complete product specification package for the external envelope, all available from one source and covered under one 15-year guarantee.

The HomeSpec solution includes every item that a housebuilder requires to complete a high-quality building envelope, ranging from the internal and external walls to the roof, as well as any accessories or specialist bricks necessary for the project.

Being available together in one package means that designers, builders and developers can rest assured that every element of the building envelope has been manufactured to the same high standard and that all components used will be compatible with each other.

In addition, Wienerberger will provide the expert training, advice and onsite support and sign-offs necessary to achieve the high standard of construction required to provide the 15-year HomeSpec guarantee.

By purchasing all items together as a complete package, house builders will also benefit from a single point of contact for all communication and queries relating to the building envelope.

After the house has been finished, the building’s owner will receive a certificate verifying everything they need to know about the envelope, including the exacting standards it’s been built to, the guarantee it’s under and that it’s all managed through one supplier.

As well as HomeSpec providing peace of mind regarding products and services,

projects that source external envelope solutions in this way will also benefit from assured supply, ensuring that materials are available exactly when and where they are needed.

One of the key solutions included within the HomeSpec range is Wienerberger’s Porotherm innovation. This cellular clay block walling system delivers a versatile and high-performance alternative to traditional masonry which can be rapidly installed and when complete is exceptionally durable and able to boost thermal efficiency levels.

Porotherm is also highly sustainable, as it uses up to 95% less water during construction than traditional materials.

Thanks to HomeSpec, Porotherm can be easily combined with all the other solutions required for a high-end external envelope.

John Harris, Head of Sales – Housing at Wienerberger, said: “A building’s external envelope needs to meet a long list of challenges and demands, as it has to provide a weathertight, airtight seal that aids energy efficiency while also being sustainable, easy to apply and long lasting.

“This is why we’ve developed HomeSpec, as it allows housebuilders to know that each and every element of the external envelope meets the very highest standards of construction. We’ve achieved this not just by pooling together a number of leading products, but by making it simple for builders to access the help, support, training, advice and guarantees necessary to create a highend home every time.”

To find out more about HomeSpec visit www.wienerberger.co.uk/homespec.

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Stunning hillside home transformation completed with sustainable Kebony wood Beautifully perched on a sloping verdant hillside overlooking the fjord just outside of Oslo, Norway, a stunning family home renovation has now been completed with a striking combination of charred and natural Kebony wood, a global leader in the production of sustainably modified wood.

Before the concept of a full home renovation was borne, the original project brief aimed to increase space and partially upgrade the existing home built in 1989. However, following consultation with architecture firm, Derlick Architects, a total renovation of the pre-fabricated home and new extension was agreed, and the stunning transformation to create the family home began.

The original home was upgraded with a clean and modern façade expression, a new roof layout and a more open and functional floorplan, while large glass doors were installed to create a brighter space and improve the connection to the garden, ultimately enhancing the panoramic waterfront views.

While developing the initial project brief, the architects selected Kebony wood for the façade of the original house and the new extension, and to obtain the unique contrast, two different types of Kebony wood were handpicked. The extension was elegantly clad with Kebony character wood, while the main house was wrapped beautifully with charred Kebony Shou Sugi Ban wood to create a dark, rich and distinctive patina. Taking its name from the ancient Japanese art of burning or weathering timber, the charred finish creates a striking contrast between the home and the extension, while complementing the natural and rugged appearance of the natural rural location.

Developed in Norway, Kebony’s revolutionary technology is an environmentally friendly process which modifies sustainably sourced softwoods by heating the wood with furfuryl alcohol - an agricultural by-product. By polymerising the wood’s cell wall, the softwoods permanently take on the attributes of tropical hardwood including

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high durability, hardness, and dimensional stability. Kebony’s uniquely natural aesthetic, durability and sustainable credentials were perfectly suited to complete the ambitious home renovation project.

Commenting on the project, Lars E. Kveen, Partner at Derlick Architects said, “This special renovation project is a source of great pride for our team. We are particularly pleased with how the home blends with the surrounding landscape, and how the contrast created by using two different types of Kebony Wood

has provided a unique finish to the home.

The renovation has provided the family living here with an increased quality of daily life and they are very happy with the result.”

Nina Landbø, International Sales Manager Norway at Kebony added: “We are delighted to see how both the charred Kebony Shou Sugi Ban and Kebony Character wood has combined to create this unique family home in Norway. It will be fantastic to see how the wood evolves and ages with time in this beautiful setting.”

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Go with the flow: new water feature injects innovation into interior and landscape design Introducing a fresh wave of inspiration to the world of interior and landscape design is a new style of water feature, the AquaVeil®. Launched by Tills Innovations Ltd, one of the UK’s leading water feature specialists, the AquaVeil® has a mesmerising waterfall-like design – the water flows over an architectural wall of metal mesh, appearing to cascade seamlessly through the air, creating an embossed water effect.

The AquaVeil® offers an innovative way to create an atmosphere of relaxation, and boost people’s wellbeing whether they are in an urban or private setting.

While much research has been conducted into the benefits of green spaces in supporting psychological wellbeing, it is also thought that water features have the ability to lower people’s stress levels and boost their mood.

Every AquaVeil® can be tailor-made to any size or shape and is suitable for a range of indoor and outdoor settings – whether it’s a peaceful addition to a small and intimate garden, or a grand feature in a large, bustling venue. The water wall can be a free-standing structure positioned against a wall, integrated into the wall, draped floor to ceiling, or even shaped to the curvature of the a building or space.

Due to the translucency of the water feature’s metal mesh, wherever it is installed, lighting in the space will not be greatly diminished. In addition, the design of the AquaVeil® allows for a tailored lighting system to be included in the top and bottom of the feature, meaning the water effect can be experienced during both the day and night.

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Mike Tillett, Director, Tills Innovations Ltd, comments: “Since my brother and I founded Tills Innovations Ltd over 20 years ago, we have been driven to make a long-lasting contribution to water feature design; striving for flair, creativity and individuality in all we do. The unique nature of the AquaVeil® has been created to provide new inspiration for interior and garden designers, landscapers and architects, working in a range of settings.

Every AquaVeil® is a refined work of art, and, like an extraordinary painting or sculpture, the bespoke water wall enhances its surroundings, creating an indescribable feeling for all those who experience it. We can’t wait to see all of the innovative uses for the water feature in beautiful gardens, buildings and spaces across the UK and further afield.”

The AquaVeil® has been carefully designed to not only look beautiful, but to incorporate engineered solutions which

enable straightforward and effective aftercare of the water wall. This includes an advanced filtration system, speciallycreated water treatment solutions, and options for automatic water top up and drain down for maintenance.

In addition, due to the foldable nature of the metal mesh, the AquaVeil® can be easily transported, and large features can be installed in tight-access locations. To support architects and interior designers in their design process, Tills Innovations Ltd will provide easy-to-apply design specification documents which can be added to architectural drawings.

The AquaVeil® is categorised into three styles, each of which can be tailored to different spaces: The Enigma, The Paradox, and The Quantum. For more information, and to make an enquiry about the AquaVeil®, visit: aquaveil.co.uk or call 01284 834 834.

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The elegance of stone on a porcelain stoneware tile Inspired by the natural elegance of stone, the new Petra porcelain stoneware collection brings a modern twist to the warmth and beauty of quartzite, capturing all its power and charm. Delicate earthy and sandy shades, neutral and grey nuances and tones with a modern, natural design blend with the imperfections left by the passage of time. A collection that teams the elegant beauty of quartzite with the resistance and versatility of porcelain stoneware.

5x15cm tesserae, and a new series of brick-effect porcelain stoneware decorations. Perfectly squared and rectified and with antislip surfaces, the stoneware tiles from the new Petra collection are the ideal response to all kinds of project requirements that seek to create continuity between indoor and outdoor areas, using the same type of flooring both for interiors and for terraces, patios, verandas, courtyards, pool edges or paths, both on grass and on gravel.

Petra comes in six different shades (Petra Antracite, Bianca, Grigia, Oro, Perla and Sabbia) and five different formats (from the small 20x20 cm and 20x40 cm sizes to the classic 30x60 cm and 60x60cm tiles, as well as the large 60x120 cm format).

Thanks to their 20 mm thickness, Casalgrande Padana ceramic tiles can be glued to screed, guaranteeing flooring with high load resistance, or dry-laid directly on sand, for flooring that can be walked on immediately. In addition, thanks to the polypropylene supports, available with fixed or adjustable heights, raised flooring for outdoors can be created, with a gap underneath to house electrical and plumbing systems.

Thanks to the natural surface for indoors and the 20 mm thick antislip surface for outdoors, the new stone-effect stoneware collection can be used for both flooring and coverings, both indoors and outdoors, allowing for the creation of smooth, appealing total looks. The collection is complemented by the 30x30cm mosaics, with 5x5 cm or

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A new collection of brick-effect stoneware decorations that complements collections right across the wide Casalgrande Padana range can be used on all kinds of walls, both indoors and outdoors, for the

whole wall or just a part, to bring a unique touch of charm to settings and add a rustic, country or urban-style twist.

The superb adaptability, resistance and versatility of the Petra porcelain stoneware tiles also make them ideal as coverings for kitchen or bathroom worktops, shower trays, washbasins, shelves, wall cupboards and worktops.

Finally, three different formats (30x60 cm, 60x90 cm and 60x120 cm) can be combined to form a geometrical composition, ideal for enhancing the ceramic tiles and making them the star feature of the whole setting.

Striking a smooth balance with all kinds of furnishing style, from classic to modern, as well as country, rustic and wabi-sabi, for floorings and coverings, both indoors and outdoors, every surface features Casalgrande Padana porcelain stoneware tiles inspired by the natural elegance of stone.

A perfectly balanced colour range of warm, engaging shades, in which small imperfections and irregular features become elements of beauty and prestige,

for ceramic tiles able to bring a distinctive, authentic touch to every living space Thanks to the excellent technical performance and the material texture, reminiscent of stone to the touch, it can be used in a variety of settings, ranging from residential construction and restoration to commercial surfaces and public buildings.

Maximum hygiene for every setting Like all other Casalgrande Padana collections, Petra can be requested with Bios Ceramics: the most advanced, exclusive generation of certified, eco-compatible bioactive ceramics for architectural applications, with antibacterial, self-cleaning and pollution abatement properties.

Products can feature two treatments - Bios Antibacterial® and Bios SelfCleaning® - able to respond to all kinds of requirements for applications indoors and outdoors, depending on the specific conditions of use, in both public and residential settings.

Bios Antibacterial® is a specific silverbased treatment able to eliminate 99.9% of the four main strains of bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterococcus faecalis) and prevents the formation of mould, yeast and fungi. Protection is constantly active, day and night, even without UV rays, guaranteeing maximum hygiene in all kinds of settings.

Bios Self-Cleaning® is used for external coverings and ventilated facades. When the Bios Self-Cleaning treatment comes into contact with sunlight, it triggers a reaction able to eliminate not only bacteria, but especially the pollutants in the air. It breaks down dirt so that it can be removed by rainwater, thanks to the superhydrophilicity of the ceramic surface. Bios Self-Cleaning® is therefore able to team the renowned aesthetic and performance characteristics of porcelain stoneware coverings with an ability to drastically reduce the cleaning and maintenance operations required for the surfaces, thus guaranteeing significant savings and the maintenance of the quality and beauty of buildings.

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Cutting edge design for Belvedere Gardens development Award winning international interior and hospitality design studio Goddard Littlefair is the creative force behind the London residential development Belvedere Gardens. Situated in Southbank Place, the development by Braeburn Estates Ltd Partnership (a joint venture between Canary Wharf Group and Qatari Diar Real Estate Investment Company) features 97 apartments across 20 floors, communal areas including entrance lobby and residents lounge and state of the art spa facilities, all of which the studio is responsible for creating the design-led interior schemes.

Founders of Goddard Littlefair, Martin Goddard and Jo Littlefair, have been part of the project since inception over eight years ago, working closely with the architects to ensure a complete integrity and seamless translation from exterior to interior. With high-end, riverside living in mind, Goddard Littlefair drew upon the rich landscape of the project - based in the heart of London’s South Bank - and incorporated the mesmerising views of the Thames, House of Commons and

the great institutions of Whitehall into the narrative of the design.

The luxury boutique London-based design studio has put their stamp on this 2 million square ft project. The spirit of the South Bank was an irresistible inspiration for the scheme. Occupying some of the land that was used for The Festival of Britain, held in the midtwentieth century, the studio were able to draw on the energy, optimism and creativity that the Festival embodied. In addition, the iconic Shell Centre building, erected just after the Festival and now a well known London landmark, created compelling parallels with North American architecture and skylines. The interiors for Belvedere Gardens became a fusion of these inspirations and transatlantic styling is apparent throughout the building, delivering luxurious sophistication and elegance; full of character but without being ostentatious.

With the concept held firmly in place, planning and development of the scheme could begin in earnest: “Working closely

with the client and consultant team to optimise the entire building, we needed to ensure that the right apartment mix was attained and positioned correctly so that views of both the river and every other aspect were captured in the best possible way.” says Martin Goddard, co-Director and Founder of Goddard Littlefair. His partner, Jo Littlefair adds, “As interior designers, we see the building from the inside out as a priority, effectively on a very human level. Let’s face it, most of us spend more time on the inside of a building rather than outside looking up!

So envisaging the best vistas and layouts that would best serve the eventual occupiers was extremely important to us.”

As for the physical landscape, the River Thames was an important element for the aspects of the apartments that face the river. The Thames is a source of calm and reflection for everyone who lives in London, with those living in these apartments able to benefit particularly from that proximity. The London skyline looking south and west, away from the Thames, is also fascinating and so the studio felt it was important to hierarchise the spaces and prioritise the living areas to take advantage of the views.

Apartments range from studios, one, two, three-bed units with two four/five bed penthouses and Goddard Littlefair created a strong language of interior architecture which ran throughout.

Bespoke kitchens and bathrooms using beautiful natural stones and highly polished timbers were key to delivering an end product that exceeded the expectations of prospective buyers.

The penthouse units on both towers of the building have double height spaces and balcony spaces which allow for drama and scale in a prime London setting. Jo comments, ‘Pleasingly the apartments deliver spaces that are both well-considered and welcoming, highend finishes are not at the expense of overwhelming the residents.’.

Focussing back to the public spaces, Goddard Littlefair has continued to make reference to the narrative of the lifestyle and culture of the creative South Bank

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whilst taking additional design cues from the Festival of Britain. The studio sought to create a sense of grand arrival with an oversized glazed, bronze lined double-door which leads to a stone-clad double height lobby area. The sleek, elongated reception desk anchors the space and greets the residents. The most striking feature is a three dimensional stone sculpture spanning the wall behind the design. A feat of engineering, the Moleanos stone was fashioned into the sculpture by makers in Portugal. Notably, the mesmerising design was created from hand sketches by Martin Goddard who personally oversaw the selection of the materials.

Drawing the eye upwards in the lobby a significant chandelier installation commissioned from Sharon Marston softens the architectural elements of the space and adds soft amber and gold tones to the lobby. The entrance floor is predominantly Fior de Bosco stone with black stone accenting the borders while further into the space deep piled, luxurious carpets combined with fabric panelled walls, soften the interiors and create a more cocooning entrance lounge environment.

Artwork was a particular passion and interest for the project, with many original pieces of sculpture and art being selected to complement Goddard Littlefair’s schemes. These range from the highly contemporary work of Yi Dai (winner of the 2012 Louis Vuitton Young Arts Project) to more classic bronze sculptures, mounted on plinths.

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A stunning, bespoke, 6m-high chandelier made up of sixteen interlinking crystal circles with LED lighting designed and detailed by Goddard Littlefair draws the residents through the space serving to accent the internal staircase that leads up to the residents’ amenity spaces on the first floor and down into the basement area where their exclusive spa awaits.

Exclusivity and opulence are carried through into these communal areas.

The residents’ lounge, meeting room, screening room and terrace exude quality and sophistication, achieved through the thoughtfully considered bespoke pieces sourced by the design studio and a rich, warm colour palette to complement.

Goddard Littlefair are masters of luxury

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spa design and were commissioned to design not only one but two spas on the site of the Southbank Place development.

Belvedere Gardens’ Spa residents can expect a private gym with treatment rooms alongside heat experiences.

Throughout the spa, immaculate detailing, bespoke furniture and lighting are combined with the very best in craftsmanship, evident in the intricately designed spaces which are thoughtfully accessorised through individually commissioned sculptures, hand embroidered panels, marquetry detailing and striking art interwoven throughout.

The environment is a perfect haven for discerning residents seeking an escape from the hustle and bustle of the city.

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La Palometa by sanahuja&partners La Palometa is an isolated single-family house located in an enviable landscape in the interior of Castellón.

The owners, a foreign couple, wanted a house that could be integrated into its surroundings and could adapt to the natural topography of the land, taking advantage of the existing terraces. They also wanted it to be self-sufficient and to have a minimum energy consumption.

With these premises, La Palometa was conceived as a house for seasonal use that has privileged view towards the interior landscape of the province of Castellón and towards the sea that fades on its horizon.

The full house develops on a single floor: the day area, consisting of a living-dining room, kitchen and a guest bathroom; the sleeping area, made up of three bedrooms with two bathrooms and a suite with bathroom and dressing room; the outdoor area, characterized by a private pool whose horizon blends with the landscape of the place and the view of the north coast of Castellón.

Regarding the materiality of the house, noble materials and typical materials of the environment are the protagonists. adapted to a contemporary style, dry stone of the walls, corten steel, wood, exposed concrete, and glass have been used as main materials.

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Stempelhusene – Cooperative housing built in style Unidrain were delighted to have played a key part in the design and construction of Stemplehusene; the exclusive housing development in Rødovre.

elderly residents and families with children can move into the exclusive area for less money than if the apartments were owner-occupied homes.

When the supermarket chain Irma vacated their former headquarters, in the western part of Rødovre the location became the ideal venue for, Stempelhusene, the first of Irma’s cooperative housing projects. The cost of a brand new apartment can be prohibitive for many, in a cooperative building the ownership is divided between the residents, making it not only more cost effective to acquire but also prevents a quick resale for profit.

Carefully selected bricks and drains

The new Stempelhusene development comprises of four yellow, brick-clad apartment blocks containing 88 apartments designed and built with a focus on quality from the outset.

Simple aesthetics and stylish materials characterise the Stempelhusene apartments in Rødovre, every item from the bricks to the bathrooms’ linear drains has been carefully selected; creating elegant homes ready for the residents to occupy. The Stempelhusene apartments have been built to help ensure that

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Although they are priced at less than the surrounding apartments, no compromises have been made on the materials or the architecture. “The yellow bricks were laid according to a strict plan, and Unidrain’s linear drains adorn the bathroom floors” explains architect, Line Ryming from Arkitema Architects, the agency who designed Stempelhusene. “From the outset, we focused on the aesthetics; the stylish little details, which often make all the difference,” she says.

For instance, the bricks are in different shades of yellow and in two of the buildings they are laid with the reverse side out which gives the masonry a coarser look. This provides each of the four buildings a distinct look although initially they appear to look the same.

“Long before we knew that Stempelhusene apartments were going to be used for cooperative housing, we

wanted to get the details right. For example, the balconies have been given smoke-stained glass screens that match the buildings’ golden tiles, plus the buildings are angled in relation to each other, which creates an interesting outdoor space between each of them.

Every apartment has been designed to receive maximum daylight, as they all let in light from two corners of the world,” says Line Ryming Funch Prefabricated and stylish bathrooms “We knew we wanted to fit the bathrooms with Unidrain’s linear drain. It has a simple and exclusive look and creates a seamless unity between the shower and tiles.” Said Line Ryming Funch.

The bathrooms in Stempelhusene were prefabricated by Badelement a leading bathroom manufacturer; who were delighted, when asked to install Unidrain’s linear drain.

Badelement’s Managing Director Hans Henrik Nielsen says: “The line drains are both stylish and easy to install, we always hope we’ll be allowed to install linear drains. They look exclusive and they’re easy to mount.”

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Seamless Worktops with SupaPowa® wireless charging technology Change the way you power-up your smart device with a state-of-the-art worktop, designed with dedicated charge point!

Wharf Worktops, one of the UK’s leading range of seamless solid surfaces has mastered a pioneering technique to seamlessly integrate wireless charging technology beneath the surface of its worktops. Simple and efficient, this modular-style system uses a SupaPowa® transmitter with Qi® technology, which allows electricity to pass between a transmitter and receiver coil that sit in close proximity.

Qi® technology is compatible with over 200 different models of smart device and the leading range of manufacturers that work with the Qi standard include Apple, Asus, HTC, LG Electronics, Motorola Mobility, Nokia, NuCurrent, Samsung, BlackBerry, Xiaomi and Sony.

Modern and stylish, the worktop lights up when your device is on-charge and for added convenience, Wharf Worktops can even inlay a contrasting disc of material within its range of Seamless Select® or Seamless Makeover® worktops, meaning the location of the charge point can be clearly visible to all users: day and night!

Rob Bullen, Managing Director, Wharf Worktops says, “With a growing reliance on digital communication and media technology in the home, we have noted that the modern kitchen now typically features a hero island unit, which is multi-purpose and designed for cooking, dining, socialising and home office work.

This has led to power outlets being in high demand in the kitchen and by using portable technology, homeowners are inheriting unwanted charging cables that in turn, are spoiling their beautiful and clear kitchen work surfaces.”

The company is proud to bring the very best technology to the UK kitchen, so that more of its customers can benefit from

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increased connectivity at a time when the ‘smart home’ and supporting technologies are now hitting the mainstream. Hygienic surfaces also play a huge role in the home right now, with highly efficient, multi-functional spaces that do not compromise on design or quality of materials becoming essential.

By harnessing the benefits of SupaPowa®, the latest homebuilding and renovation projects can benefit from a solid seamless worktop that is completely waterproof, easy to clean and able to facilitate a huge

variety of tasks from food prep and dining, through to studying, home office work and now, charging a smart phone or tablet!

If you would like to specify a Seamless Select® or Seamless Makeover® worktop with integrated SupaPowa® charging technology, please contact Wharf Worktops and mention this unique design feature.

For more information call 01730 812 822, email sales@seamlessworktops.co.uk or visit wharfsolidsurface.co.uk

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Gira win two iF Design Awards for design excellence Gaining international recognition for form and function, Gira, one of the world’s leading full-range suppliers for intelligentbuilding design and management has won two coveted iF Design Awards for its recently launched System 3000 Touch Top unitand Motion Detector Cube.

Every year, iF Design Awards identifies outstanding design, its relevance in business and everyday life and thereby awards one of the most important seals of quality in the world. Founded in Germany in 1953, the iF accreditation is a global marker of good design for consumers as well as the design community and Gira is proud to have 63 of its products recognised over the years.

Mark Booth, Managing Director, Gira UK says, “We are delighted that two key products for the UK market have been so highly commended with both the System

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3000 Touch Top Lighting Unit and the Motion Detector Cube scoring highly for concept, form, function, differentiation and impact against the judges’ criteria.

To be acknowledged by internationally recognised design experts is a tribute to our sustained level of innovation. We are proud to keep pushing the boundaries so that we can offer our UK customers the very best in functional elegant smart home solutions, which harness the latest technology and intuitive control when it comes to lighting, heating, blind control and door communication.”

The Gira System 3000 Touch Top Unit can be used as either a dimmer or a blind controller. The desired brightness or blind position can be infinitely adjusted by swiping a finger over a touch-sensitive light bar, with the LED display providing instant feedback on the lighting or shading status. Brightness values and

blind positions can be stored and directly called up via three additional control points. During product development, attention was paid to ensuring simple operation so that it is applicable for accessible living areas.

The Gira Motion Detector Cube monitors the home and garden, switching on the outdoor lights as soon as it detects movement in its vicinity. This way the device provides more convenience and safety for outdoor areas.

The motion detector Cube combines clean and minimalist lines with intelligent technology. The understated cuboid design comes in pure white glossy and anthracite colours so that it can effortlessly blend into the architectural environment. Its design also ensures easy installation and wiring and it is suitable for both wall and ceiling mounting.

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Good Energy to offer electric vehicle drivers free electricity The tariff will include ‘flash’ windows based on periods when Britain is generating an abundance of solar and wind power. When this happens, the tariff will alert drivers to a four-hour window when charging their vehicle will come at no extra cost, and entirely backed by Good Energy’s 100% renewable electricity supply.

The unique “Zap Flash” tariff will provide people with a cheaper and greener way to use electricity. Shifting energy consumption will also help National Grid balance supply and demand during high levels of renewables on the system.

The product was designed with Zap-Map, the UK’s leading EV mapping service, and includes feedback gleaned from the company’s 150,000 active users. It will also be the first EV time of use tariff powered by genuinely 100% renewable electricity.

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The tariff will be enabled by smart metering and Good Energy will be rolling out smart EV chargers and an updated app to work alongside the new product.

It will be initially launched in beta phase, allowing for more sophisticated versions as the company learns from customers.

Good Energy recently invested a further £1 million into Zap-Map to support the company’s continued growth in the electric vehicle market. The flash tariff is an example of the progress Zap-Map has made since Good Energy took an initial stake in the business two years ago.

The ‘flash period’ will vary in day each week, but the times will remain the same in the summer and winter months. The Summer Flash Period will run from April to September between 11am and 3pm. The Winter Flash Period will run from October to March between 11pm and 3am.

Customers will be given at least 24 hours’ notice in advance of the flash period.

Good Energy’s CEO and Founder, Juliet Davenport, said: “Britain generates so much renewable electricity it only makes sense for us all to take advantage of this free resource. The new ‘flash’ tariff will offer people the chance to benefit from free, green power when the wind and sun are strongest. Electric vehicle drivers are already doing their bit for the climate here’s a chance for them to go one step further and support a truly clean energy grid.”

The news comes at the same time as Good Energy releases strong financial results for 2020, showing how the company has successfully shifted towards the electric vehicle market.

Zap-Map’s Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer, Melanie Shufflebotham,

said: “The electric vehicle market is changing rapidly, and we need to keep up. There will be over 70 pure electric models available to buy in 2021 and the UK now has close to 500,000 plug-in vehicles on the road.

“This innovative tariff is supporting these seismic shifts by offering drivers a cheaper and greener way of charging their vehicle. Zap Flash goes above and beyond what’s currently on the market by listening to what people want and helping them go electric.”

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Introducing the world’s first hydrogenpowered double-decker buses Leading multidisciplinary engineering consultancy HDR | Hurley Palmer Flatt recently completed work with First Bus in Aberdeen to prepare the depot where the world’s first hydrogen-powered doubledecker buses now reside.

The buses are now fully operational and officially launched recently, setting up Aberdeen for a cleaner, greener 2021.

HDR | Hurley Palmer Flatt helped to ensure that the site was ‘hydrogen ready’ by providing both pre-tender and post-tender services. Pre-tender plans included conducting a full site survey, taking the lead on assessing and designing all new infrastructure required at the bus depot, producing all necessary drawings, specification, and tender package for the mechanical, electrical and public health works. HDR | Hurley Palmer Flatt was also involved in assigning contractors, reviewing tender returns, and providing a tender report with a recommendation.

Post-tender services comprised carrying out the contract administrator role, as well as attending the site to review the progress made by contractors.

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HDR | Hurley Palmer Flatt has worked with First Bus, one of the largest bus operators in the UK, on numerous other projects and frameworks recently including a scheme to help introduce a range of electric vehicle (EV) charging points into their Aberdeen Depot to help with their EV fleet.

Aberdeen City Council commented that the new zero emission buses emphasise “the city’s role as the energy capital of Europe and shows its commitment to the transition of green energy from oil and gas, as part of the Net Zero Vision.”

sweepers, and cars through a car share arrangement. The 15 buses travel mainly on one of First Aberdeen’s most popular service routes, Service 19, which runs from Peterculter to Tillydrone, along with other routes.

The new fleet of hydrogen buses total £8.3million and were funded by Aberdeen City Council, the Scottish Government, and the European Union Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCH JU,) with each vehicle costing around £500,000.

With refuelling taking no more than 10 minutes, the double-deckers comfortably live up to the efficiency of electric equivalents. The buses are a great contribution to fulfilling the city’s pledge to combat air pollution, with carbon emissions greatly reduced as the only emission from the vehicles is water.

The European Union’s JIVE project has also partly funding the venture and plans to aid commercialisation of hydrogen buses through joint procurement between cities. London, Birmingham, Dundee, Brighton, and Hove have all opted-in to the project and so are all set to follow Aberdeen in the quest to become greener cities.

The double-deckers, manufactured

by Northern Ireland-based company Wrightbus, are a welcome addition to the existing fleet of greener vehicles the city already had in motion including several hydrogen and electric vans, road

The news of the new hydrogen buses has come at an appropriate time, since the UK government recently made an announcement proposing a ten-point plan for a green industrial revolution. One of the major points described plans to

increase the UK’s usage of low carbon hydrogen, which could provide a clean source of fuel and heat for homes, transport, and industry. There was also a pledge to accelerate the UK’s shift to zero emission vehicles; this along with other key focuses will act towards making the UK a global leader in green technologies, support growth of green jobs and built back a better society post-pandemic.

Andrew Jarvis, Managing Director for First Aberdeen said: “It was a pleasure to collaborate with HDR | Hurley Palmer Flatt to adapt our depot in Aberdeen to be able to house the world’s first hydrogen-powered double decker buses. The vehicles were launched successfully and so we are delighted and thankful to all our partners who helped us to deliver on this ground-breaking project for the city of Aberdeen.”

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U-Build’s fully electric Mercedes-Benz eSprinter ticks all the boxes The Director of a London-based firm whose sustainable flat-pack buildings were first seen on Channel 4’s Grand Designs is now visiting customers and transporting materials in a zero-emission Mercedes-Benz van supplied by Dealer Rossetts Commercials.

The fact that it produces zero tailpipe emissions means the eSprinter is exempt from the London Congestion Charge of £11.50 per day, while U-Build has also ‘future-proofed’ itself against further tightening of the rules relating to the capital’s Ultra Low Emission Zone.

U-Build employs a modular timber construction system that is, according to Nick Newman: “Reusable, environmentally responsible and incredibly cost-efficient, with no sacrifices in terms of quality.”

The eSprinter’s four parallel batteries can be restored from 10% to 80% of maximum capacity in a couple of hours, using the 20kW DC fast-charging system supplied as standard. However, U-Build chose the optionally available 80 kW alternative, which does the same job in just 30 minutes.

The concept was developed and the business established in 2020 by awardwinning architects Studio Bark. U-Build’s precision-cut components are quickly and easily slotted together, like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle – given the company’s ecofriendly ethos, the eSprinter is an equally perfect fit.

U-Build purchased its new eSprinter from the Aldershot branch of Rossetts Commercials, which represents the Mercedes-Benz Vans brand in North Hampshire, Surrey and Sussex. The vehicle is powered by a 114 hp electric motor that drives the front wheels, and the 55 kWh high-voltage battery pack is securely mounted beneath the body, so does not impinge on cargo carrying space.

Indeed, the load volume offered by the L2 (medium length), H2 (high roof) eSprinter’s is key to its appeal. The vehicle offers a cargo area of 11m3, which is identical to its diesel-engined, frontwheel drive stablemate, and half a cubic metre more than its rear-wheel drive equivalent.

Crucially for a new-start business such as U-Build, not only does the eSprinter make environmental sense but it adds up from a financial perspective too.

Acquired with the assistance of an £8,000 grant from the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV), the new van is proving significantly cheaper to run than its predecessor, thanks to the lower cost of electricity relative to diesel.

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Nick Newman is currently the van’s sole driver and uses publicly available facilities for recharging. Once Coronavirus restrictions have been lifted, however, the eSprinter will become a pool vehicle so available to colleagues as well, and U-Build will install a 7.4 kW (AC) wall box charger at its base in Hackney Wick, east London. Nick explained: “As an environmental building specialist U-Build is committed to promoting sustainability

and delighted therefore to be acting as an early ambassador for the latest zeroemission technology from MercedesBenz.

“I’m using our new eSprinter to travel between customer locations, which are all over London and beyond and will often be carrying timber sections, as well as other materials and tools. The van is the perfect size, just the job in fact, while in terms of range it’s doing exactly as we were promised.”

The eSprinter will travel 95 miles (combined WLTP with 80 km/h speed limiter) on a single charge, which is ample for the majority of urban delivery and last mile applications. It also relies on recuperative energy recovered when decelerating to supplement the batteries’ output.

While the van is hooked up and fastcharging, Nick often uses the cab as an office from which to work on his laptop, send emails and make calls. At other times, though, he will seize the

opportunity to stretch his legs as the batteries are replenished. “I pluggedin on the edge of Regent’s Park last Sunday,” he said. “It was a beautiful day so I went for a walk, which was really lovely.”

A stablemate for the more established, mid-sized Mercedes-Benz eVito, the 3.5-tonne eSprinter comes in the PROGRESSIVE trimline and has brought a welcome injection of premium quality, practicality, driver appeal, and safety to the segment for large, zero-emission vans. From a driver’s perspective it is impressively smooth and refined, with silent power delivery and the superb handling that is a hallmark of the Sprinter range. With 295 Nm of torque available from standstill it is also quick off the mark, and a pleasure to pilot around towns and cities.

The spacious cabin is fitted and finished to typically exemplary Mercedes-Benz standards, with high-quality materials and plenty of storage. The eSprinter also shares the same multi-awardwinning safety specification – including Active Brake ASSIST, ADAPTIVE ESP®, ATTENTION ASSIST and Crosswind ASSIST – as diesel versions. Double locks and an integrated connected Thatcham approved alarm system provide security.

Nick recalled: “After a search online we contacted Rossetts Commercials, whose Sales Executive Ian Burdett could not have been more helpful. We had lots of questions, but Ian really knew his stuff and was able to answer every one of them, while he also ensured that we benefited from the maximum OZEV grant.

I couldn’t fault his service.”

U-Build aims to transform the way people think about buildings. It simplifies the process of creating anything from a house or garden studio, to one of the ‘micro homes’ installed within old industrial buildings. The company also produces affordable workspace units and even furniture.

Crucial to the success of the U-Build concept is its use of CNC (computer numerical control) cutting technology. Not only does this ensure a high degree of accuracy, with tolerances of 0.1mm, but it

also means that digital designs can be sent to customers anywhere in the world, with their own access to CNC equipment.

“Our approach eliminates many of the difficulties associated with traditional construction, by harnessing the accuracy speed and repeatability of offsite manufacture,” explained Nick. “Modular buildings can be assembled and, if necessary, taken down again and reused elsewhere by people with limited skills and experience using simple hand tools.

Our aim is to make construction more accessible to everyone.

“It can be a lot of fun – as well as individuals and families, we work at the other end of the spectrum with businesses and charity groups, for which we’ve produced meeting pods, partitioning and the like.” u-build.org

“The eSprinter is beautifully smooth and quite dreamy to drive, while also feeling very solid and safe,” observed Nick. “Everyone who’s seen it has been genuinely impressed – the standard response is: ‘Wow! I didn’t think you could get an electric van as big as that.’”

He continued: “Our old van was a diesel and would have failed its MOT anyway.

We knew it had to be replaced, and given our commitment to sustainability, and the fact that we spend so much of our time working in and around London, an electric van was the obvious choice. We know it’s not a step that everyone can take yet, but we wanted to vote with our feet and switch to electric in the hope that we might bring others along too.”

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HEROES ALL Find them at www.bond-it.co.uk