january 2015www.buildinginnovations.co.uk

BUILDING INNOVATIONSA MAGAZINE FOR ARCHITECTS

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Enquiry 1

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Reader Enquiry E-ServiceIf you would like to receive further information about any of the products and services featured in this issue, just email us at info@link2media.co.uk, type ‘BI115’ in the email title, include the enquiry numbers of interest and your contact details. We’ll do the rest! (If you’d prefer to fax the information, it’s 0845 862 8639, or you can even post it to us!)

galleryproducts 4projects 50

opinionmanufacturers have their say 58

the booknews 8interiors 16environmental control 22roofs 32floors 34walls 35timber 36doors, windows & glazing 40structures 46external works 48projects 59

contents 61

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4 ISSUE 1 2015

GALLERY/PRODUCT/KAHRSTitle: Kahrs Opulent Floor Tones Set An Alternative Scene For SpringApplication: Wood FlooringVisit: www.kahrs.com

Kahrs has introduced a series of smoked oak designs throughout its wood flooring range. In contrast to on-trend white and grey surfaces, the new rich toned finishes provide a stunning, opulent contrast to pale wall treatments and minimalist white furniture. Many also feature a variety of surfaces treatments that enhance the natural look and add a very tactile feel to the interior.

New to the Linnea Habitat range, Kährs Oak Gate creates a sought-after, multi toned effect, bringing dark ebony and pale nut shades to a scheme. The one-strip floor has an even wood grain and is lightly smoked to create the stunning colour-way. A micro-bevelled edge gives distinction between the boards, whilst the brushed surface and matt lacquer prefinish reinforce the timber’s natural grain structure.

Like all Kahrs Linnea floors, Oak Gate is crafted from sustainable timber and has a multi-friendly construction that’s ideal for installation over underfloor heating. Linnea’s slender profile, which measures just 7mm in thickness, provides a low-impact real wood option that’s easy to handle. All designs feature Kährs’ Woodloc 5S® joint, for fast installation, and are offered with a 12 year guarantee. Other smoked designs are included throughout Kährs Original Range.

Enquiry 2

5ISSUE 1 2015

Title: A Burning Passion For FireApplication: Bioethanol FireplacesVisit: www.ebios-fire.com www.spartherm.com

GALLERY/PRODUCT/EBIOS

The German premium manufacturer of firing technology Spartherm proudly presents an exclusive range of bioethanol fireplaces branded ebios-fire® which are now also made available for the discerning customer in Great Britain.

Made And Tested In GermanyIn order to provide an optimum of customer service, the expansive range of ebios-fire® models comprises both standard and made to measure built-in fireplace models in almost any thinkable layout. Great versatility, highest product safety and outstanding German quality are key values at Spartherm's production facilities were all ebios-fire® models are originally designed, crafted and tested by passionate, skilled craftsmen. Test certificates issued by TÜV Germany further underline the outstanding safety of ebios-fire® bioethanol fires, which feature a wide choice of manual and automatic bioethanol burners.

Versatility Is KeyThe ebios-fire® range of products is available in a vast variety of finishes meeting the requirements of architects and interior designers on an international level.

Please visit www.ebios-fire.com or write to info@ebios-fire.com for further information. Spartherm – The Fire Company – www.spartherm.com

Enquiry 3

6 ISSUE 1 2015

GALLERY/PRODUCT/HÖRMANNTitle: Hörmann’s Innovative Garage Door To DateApplication: Garage DoorsVisit: www.hormann.co.uk

The latest advances in garage door technology can be found in the side-sliding HST sectional from Hörmann, which offers unique features for special fitting situations. For a style statement that offers the best security, or if headroom is limited, the HST is an ideal fit. The side-sliding doors quietly and ever-so-smoothly recess into tracks along the garage wall, offering an excellent alternative to the traditional sectional door. Precise and easy door travel is achieved with Hörmann's unique twin rollers, which make the HST the most stable side-sliding sectional on the market. The open-ended aluminium floor rail is easy to keep free from leaves and debris, all while guiding the door panels safely and securely – an essential feature for both the manual and automated versions. Not only is Hörmann’s HST innovative in its design, including its multiple security and safety aspects, it is also the garage door that uses the world's first handle actuated, automatic wicket door function. This unique feature means that a simple press of the handle or handset will open the door to a selected point. Therefore, an alternative separate pedestrian entrance is created, giving the end user the ultimate in convenience. Naturally, a wide range of decorative options are available, from windows and frosted glass elements, to textured surface finishes and assorted handles - all of which can add to the door’s visual appeal and kerb-side credibility. Whatever your design challenge, Hörmann has the products, expertise and knowledge to deliver the perfect style of garage door, whatever the budget. For more information, contact the service team on 01530 516 888.

Enquiry 4

7ISSUE 1 2015

Title: Decoflame Designed FireplacesApplication: FireplacesVisit: www.decoflame.com

GALLERY/PRODUCT/DECOFLAME

Committed to exceptional design and quality, Decoflame ApS is since 2007 the recognised trademark for eco-friendly, contemporary bioethanol fireplaces which add a style statement to any interior. Comprising a large variety of both standard and mad- to-measure models, decoflame® fireplaces are manually manufactured and tested in Denmark, with no compromise on safety and quality.Striving to meet the customers´ highest expectations, Decoflame proposes a wide range of fireplaces- wall-mounted, built-in, free standing-, featuring either a manual burner or an electronically controlled burner- decoflame® e-Ribbon Fire. The decoflame® e-Ribbon Fire combines facility of installation and operation with functional safety, introducing the joy and warmth of a real open fire to domestic and commercial fireplace applications without the need for a flue or chimney. Featuring cutting-edge technology, this remotely controlled burner can be operated using an App available for both iPhone and Android.

Enquiry 5

8 ISSUE 1 2015

THE BOOK/NEWS

Self-Employed Tradesmen Realise What They Thought Was An Impossible Dream

Two Yorkshire tradesmen have designed a unique product which solves an annoying electricians’ problem and saves time and money. The entrepreneurs, however, did not know how to make a business out of it. A visit to Incub, the innovation department at innovative manufacturer Gripple Limited followed, and its attested help was forthcoming. The ‘light bulb moment’ happened to builder Dave Bostock when watching an electrician struggling to feed wires through an outside wall. The concept was simple enough: to design a drill with an extruded plastic sleeve that would enable someone to drill through a cavity wall, leave the extrusion in place and make it easy to pass numerous cables, pipes or wires through it. The Thru-in-1 was the result. As the masonry drill passes through a cavity or solid wall it carries a rigid plastic sleeve, then leaves it behind, firmly fixed inside the cavity or solid wall.

Enquiry 7

The 2015 edition of ‘Protecting the Building Envelope’ (volume 27) published by Cavity Trays Ltd of Yeovil is a full colour A5 manual of 147 pages containing the latest best practice building details.This latest edition includes more than 168 enhancements plus additional construction solutions and numerous upgraded products.This new publication from Cavity Trays Ltd of Yeovil, that is the longest established specialist within its field and also the only cavity tray manufacturer in the UK awarded European Technical Approval. Readers might also wish to secure a copy of an accompanying handbook in the Best Practice series called ‘The Latest Book of Wise Decisions’. Both are essential reading for all industry disciplines. www.cavitytrays.co.uk

Enquiry 8

BM TRADA Extends Wood For Good Contract

BM TRADA is set to deliver a series of in-house practice events aimed at architects and engineers as part of its CPD contract for the UK’s wood promotion campaign, Wood for Good. The training will encompass a wide range of timber-related topics, including cladding, connections, Eurocode 5, specification, durability and modern methods of construction. BM TRADA’s Technical Consultants will also provide CPD ‘surgeries’ of up to 30 minutes, giving delegates the opportunity to submit technical questions for discussion after the event. The Wood for Good campaign works on behalf of the whole timber industry in the UK. It aims to promote the suitability and sustainability of wood as a building material to the construction and logistics sectors and associated professionals such as architects and design engineers. www.bmtrada.com/technical

Enquiry 6

‘Protecting The Building Envelope’ - 2015 Edition

DSL Goes Digital With 24/7 Service

Weidmüller FrontCom® Vario: A Compact Service Interface For Switch And Control Cabinets

With FrontCom® Vario, Weidmüller is offering a new, compact service interface for switch and control cabinets to ensure simple access to the control system/PC and electronics. Both selective cabinet security functions and harsh environmental conditions often prevent the cabinet from being opened directly during production. The protected service interfaces (IP 65) on the cabinet and/or housing wall provide an astonishingly simple solution. Thanks to the new FrontCom® Vario service interface, authorised persons can connect diagnostic hardware using a data cable or an optional power cable and gain direct access

to defined processes from outside. FrontCom® Vario ensures efficient and highly available processes, and also saves time and money. www.weidmuller.co.uk

Enquiry 9

Deborah Services Limited (Deborah) – specialists in the provision of non-mechanical construction equipment – is set to launch DSL-Direct.co.uk on 05 January 2015. The e-commerce portal will offer a 24/7 trade counter using its national branch network to deliver to save transport costs and traffic delays. Simple to use, the site has been optimised for smart phone, PC and tablet.Deborah Services’ customers need no longer be restricted by opening hours when placing their order, safe in the knowledge that the equipment’s delivery is guaranteed once the order has been confirmed. Visitors can also use dsl-direct.co.uk to view product videos and health and safety guides as well as get a direct line through to a dedicated customer service team who will help with any issues.Deborah is now working on phase-two of DSL-direct to make it even easier and faster to order from a wider the range. For more information visit www.dsl-direct.co.uk from 05 January 2015.

Enquiry 11

UV Drain Relining Ideal Where Access Is Difficult, Say Lanes

Lanes engineers have used no dig ultraviolet lining technology to rehabilitate a highways drain along a rural road that had repeatedly flooded, causing major problems for road-users getting to and from nearby housing estates. The project demonstrated the benefits of the ultraviolet (UV) relining technique, which can be more easily deployed in areas where access is difficult and where there is tree cover. Lancashire Council commissioned Lanes Group to reline the surface water drain along the tree-lined road in Clayton-le-Woods, south of Preston. The clay pipe, 220m long and 225mm in diameter, had been penetrated in many places by tree roots, trapping silt and debris. UV relining requires fewer support vehicles and less machinery, which also makes it better suited to being deployed along smaller rural roads. The UV curing process also takes much less time than hot CIPP. www.lanesfordrains.co.uk

Enquiry 10

9ISSUE 1 2015

NEWS/THE BOOK

Granite Transformations retail network sales rose by a record 24.8% in the franchise’s latest monthly figures, with a raft of recent showroom openings yet to impact on revenue, suggesting further growth to come.

This chimes in with official third-quarter returns that reveal the strongest growth in

Britain’s retail sales sector, since the pre-recession first quarter of 2008. Targeting affordable, hassle-free kitchen makeovers, with its innovative ‘top that fits on top’ work surface concept, Granite Transformations’ business model has remained remarkably recession-proof, with several of its top franchise owners set to exceed £1 million in annual sales and the UK network as a whole recording positive growth.

The upsurge in customer orders will create a healthy pipeline of installation jobs over the next quarter and Granite Transformations anticipates a requirement for trained fabricators and fitters to carry out the extra work. Although the franchisor provides a head office-based ‘Flying Fitters’ team to help franchisees to cope with seasonal peaks in demand, it foresees a need for more full-time installers across the country and invites those with kitchen fitting experience to get in touch.

Now diversifying into bathroom makeovers alongside its established kitchen business and adding parent company Trend’s expansive glass mosaic tile collection to its retail offering, Granite Transformations has focused its marketing and sales effort on the over 55’s age group, a target audience often ignored by other retail brands. This demographic has huge spending power and a keen interest in home improvements and gardening, opting to ‘improve not move’ in the property market, and Granite Transformations has capitalised on this by siting franchised showrooms

and merchandising displays in garden centres up and down the country. This so-called ‘concession franchise’ enabled Granite Transformations to reduce the initial investment, at a time when banks were reluctant to lend, and recruit high calibre franchise owners, who might otherwise have been deterred.

Founded eighteen years ago, the global Granite Transformations franchise passed the million worktop installations milestone earlier this year, operating through 250 showrooms across four continents, and the UK Chief Operating Officer, Danny Hanlon, outlined the brand’s international expansion strategy to the Franchise Council of Australia (pictured). He noted that Britain’s smaller housing stock and distinctive high street retail scene demanded modifications to the organisation’s business model, not least the need for covered workshops and dust-free conditions, as opposed to fabricating on-site under the Australian or Californian sun.

The latest UK network sales returns also confirm that black is still the most popular worktop colour amongst British homeowners, compared with a preference for brown and earthen tones in the States and light-reflecting white and grey finishes in Australia. Black Star, Nero Stella, Black Diamond and mottled black Sachi all regularly feature in Granite Transformations’ top ten selling colours, although the trend toward all-white kitchens has seen White Star and Hydra White surge in popularity. Sometimes overlooked, beige is another favourite worktop colour, with Royal Ivory, Perla di Sabbia and King Ivory among the neutral finishes chosen to set off today’s minimalist kitchens. www.gtfranchise.co.uk

Enquiry 12

Franchise Sales Growth Sparks Search For More Trained Fitters

‘Protecting The Building Envelope’ - 2015 Edition

10 ISSUE 1 2015

THE BOOK/NEWS

Pre Fabricated Brick Panels Win Top Award For London BuildingA new office and retail building located in Davies Street, London has won the Best Commercial Building Award at the 2014 Brick Awards which were held at the Marriott Grosvenor Square Hotel on 12th November. Situated opposite Claridges on London’s Mayfair, this classical building impressed all the judges with its satisfying feeling of scale and close attention to detail.

This was an ambitious project in an area featuring exceptional carved red brickwork. The Client, HOK Architects and Main Contractor Sir Robert McAlpine decided at the beginning to use a fast “off site” method of construction. Thorp Precast Ltd was appointed to develop the design, manufacture, supply and erect the architectural masonry faced precast cladding panels. HOK Architects specified a bespoke blend of long, thin handmade bricks from Coleford Brick and Tile for the brick and Portland Stone cladding panels on the external facade.

Manufactured in a factory controlled environment, each panel weighed between 18 and 20 tons and measured up to 4.6 metres high. Using a fleet of specialist trailers, a total of 168 panels, were supplied to site fully finished and pointed. Just one fixing gang comprising of four men completed the installation over a six week period.

Davies Street is a fine example of how the use of modern precast construction technology can guarantee high standards of design, manufacture and quality of finish. No external scaffolding or wet trades are required which means significant construction time savings have been achieved without detriment to quality. The judges agreed that the building has all the architectural integrity and beauty of a hand set masonry building built by craftsmen that sits well in its historical context and “immaculately oozes great detail”.

The Brick Awards is one of Britain’s most respected design competitions. Organised by the Brick Development Association, the annual contest provides the definitive showcase for what brick can achieve. You can see pictures and find full details of all the winning projects on the BDA’s website: www.brick.org.uk/brick-awards.

Entries are now being invited for the 2015 Brick Awards. Entry forms can be downloaded from the BDA’s website www.brick.org.uk/brick-awards or a hard copy can be requested by emailing brick@brick.org.uk or by calling 020 7323 7030.

Enquiry 13

11ISSUE 1 2015

NEWS/THE BOOK

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T: +44 (0)1274 521 444F: +44 (0)1274 521 130E: enquiries@lindapter.comwww.lindapter.com

Design is in the detailLindapter Hollo-Bolt® Flush FitThe unique steelwork fixing is concealed within hollow section, preserving clean architectural lines.

• Aesthetically pleasing• For SHS and conventional steelwork • Fast, cost effective installation• Tensile loads up to 10.5 kN per bolt• Shear loads up to 15.0 kN per bolt• JS500 coated for corrosion resistance• Available in stainless steel

Project: Brooktorkai, HafenCity, GermanyApplication: Secures the steel frame of the glazed roof and façade

Half Page FF ad.indd 1 10/06/2011 12:42:16

FREE VMZINC Worldwide Projects Hardback

To illustrate the diverse ways in which architects throughout the world have used zinc as a façade and roofing material, VMZINC has published a 320-page hardback of project photography. ‘From Z to A’ contains images of iconic buildings in sectors ranging from ecclesiastical to education. One of the most notable is the company’s own building in Hoboken for which Conix Architects created a curved 'ribbon' concept to entirely wrap it. Products featured include traditional standing seam, interlocking and flatlock panels plus cassettes and shingles in pre-weathered QUARTZ-ZINC®, ANTHRA-ZINC® and PIGMENTO® red, blue and green. www.vmzinc.co.uk

Enquiry 14

Sika Scoops Flooring Accolade

A Sika flooring system installed to ensure the perfect platform to film Britain’s longest running soap, has been named ‘Large Project of the Year’ at a prestigious industry awards ceremony. The annual Best Practice

Awards hosted by FeRFA (The Resin Flooring Association) recognised Sika and resin floor installers Zircon Flooring Ltd for their work on the construction of ITV’s new Coronation Street studios at MediaCityUK, Trafford. Sika was also highly commended in this category for its work on the Greenwich Peninsula Marketing Hub with Senso Flooring and Remmers UK. When ITV’s new Coronation Street studios called for perfectly smooth anti-static floors to facilitate the fluid and safe movement of HD camera equipment, Sika worked

with Stewart Draper, owner and director of resin floor installers Zircon Flooring Ltd, to devise an innovative solution utilising Sika’s high-performance, self-smoothing, epoxy resin floors. www.sikaflooring.co.uk

Enquiry 15

New Eliminator Nano is Most Effective Compact Filter on the Market

Proven to collect almost 20% more debris than the nearest compact filter competitor products, the new Eliminator Nano from Sentinel is a compact filter for heating systems that doesn’t compromise on performance. Thanks to its unique Quadra-Cyclone technology, the Eliminator Nano, which hits the market in early 2015, removes both magnetic and non-magnetic debris from system water, and overcomes the usual problems associated with smaller sized magnets to offer unrivalled protection from circulating sludge. Robust and easy-to-install, the Eliminator Nano is set to be a sure favourite with installers and specifiers looking to deliver best practice water treatment solutions. www.sentinelprotects.com

Enquiry 16

Enquiry 17

12 ISSUE 1 2015

THE BOOK/NEWS

New Adhesive Systems For Elastomeric Insulation MaterialsElastomeric insulation materials not only have good technical properties, they are also very user- friendly due to their high flexibility and ease of application. When installing these insulation materials it is crucial that they are glued professionally. Therefore, Armacell offers a broad range of accessories specifically developed for its products and regularly adds innovative solutions.

These adhesive products are simpler and quicker to apply with very little wastage involved. They are also odourless and emission free and provide longer shelf storage life. Alongside the tried-and-tested contact adhesives such as Armaflex 520 adhesive, interesting alternatives are now also available. Armacell recently launched a completely new generation of adhesives which make the installation process even easier

and allow elastomeric insulation materials to be used in projects with the highest environmental and health standards. Apart from presenting the latest developments in adhesive technology, this article takes a look at the advantages and disadvantages and the fields of application for the new adhesives.

New thixotropic (gel-like) adhesives such as the new Armaflex RS850 are drip-resistant and guarantee neat application which has advantages for awkward installations where spillages would be hard to contain. The gel consistency and viscosity of these products provides a great benefit when working overhead or when it is important that the insulation is not soiled by drips of adhesive.

The term thixotropy (made up of the Greek words thixis – “touching” and trepo – “I change”) refers to the viscosity of gel-like substances depending on mechanical forces, with the adhesive gel-like in its static condition (when the adhesive molecules are interlocked) and fluid when brushed.

When energy is applied to the adhesive it is activated, the flow behaviour changes and the viscosity falls and can be spread like a traditional contact adhesive: thinly and evenly over the whole surface area. The product’s gel-like condition prevents it from spilling if the container is overturned.

Technical dataGel adhesives can be used to install elastomeric insulation materials on plant which operates within a temperature range of -40 to +70°C. This covers over 90% of typical application cases. Another benefit compared to traditional contact adhesives is that gel products cure faster. Whereas it is usually necessary to wait 36 hours, plant can be put back into operation just 24 hours after this adhesive has been applied. The shelf-life is also extended with unopened containers able to be kept for 36 months (from filling date) compared to the typical 12 month shelf-life of contact adhesive systems.

When applying gel adhesives, the ambient temperature should ideally be between +15 and +25°C during the installation. It should not fall below +10°C because the reaction of the adhesive is restricted and it is harder to apply. If the temperature during the application is too high (above +30°C), the adhesive liquefies and is no longer as drip-resistant. As is the case with contact adhesives, the relative humidity should also be below 80% when gel products are applied.

Like contact adhesives, tack-drying is an aspect which must always be taken into account. After the adhesive has been applied thinly and evenly to both surfaces, the solvents must evaporate. The tack-drying time depends on the amount of adhesive applied, the temperature, relative humidity and wind speed. As with the Armaflex 520 adhesive, it is necessary to test with a fingertip to determine when the adhesive is no longer ‘stringy’. This is the earliest point at which the Armaflex pieces can be joined. However, it is better to add extra waiting time before closing the seam. It is important that as little solvent as possible is trapped. The so-called open time (the period between the application of the adhesive and the latest possible time for joining the insulation pieces) is comparable to that of contact adhesives of normal viscosity.

In spite of their different properties, thixotropic adhesives are very similar to contact adhesives in terms of use. In addition to the application benefits, the gel substance has very little wastage since whilst traditional contact adhesives often thicken and harden significantly during the installation work and can then no longer be applied, the gel product encapsulates the solvents due to its high viscosity.

The reduced release of solvents is a further advantage: in the gel state the “locked-in effect” ensures that only minimal amounts of solvent are released into the ambient air which is important for confined spaces such as ship building and in all areas where strong odours must be avoided.

Today buildings in the public and private sector are increasingly planned and constructed on the principle of sustainability. Construction materials used in buildings certified under BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Methodology) or a comparable national scheme place a greater demand for reduced solvent adhesives.

The thixotropic Armaflex RS850 adhesive can be used to install all Armaflex products (except the specialised HT/Armaflex and Armaflex Ultima). For gluing Armaflex Ultima and other insulation materials based on Armaprene® synthetic rubber, Armacell has developed corresponding versions of the adhesive. For these products too, a gel-like, drip-free product (Armaflex Ultima RS850 adhesive) is available in addition to the Armaflex Ultima 700 standard contact adhesive. These adhesives for the new blue insulation materials are also blue in colour and are only approved for installing these products. www.armacell.com/uk

Enquiry 18

13ISSUE 1 2015

NEWS/THE BOOK

Fire Protection For Plastic And Flexible Pipes

Envirograf® would like to present you with a product, which for many years has proved itself at fire protecting plastic and flexible pipes that are frequently fitted to all types of vent units or extractor fans.Firoblok® product 110 is a unique designed non-fibrous sleeve that in the event of a fire, will grip the plasterboard and expand

inwards, resulting in the sleeve crushing the pipe and sealing off the void. Standard sizes are available from 80mm to 150mm diameter with a thickness of 6mm. Other sizes are available on request. Firoblok® has been fire tested to

BS476 Part 20 1987, achieving 91 minutes protection and EN 13501-2: 2007 2 hour protection standard.When it comes to toilet vents with rigid or flexible pipes, the Envirograf® product 110 CLVM Clipper will simply push up the pipe into the internal aperture of the hole and requires no clips to be fitted around the pipe. The CLVM Clipper is made from 16g powder coated metal with an intumescent ring fitted around the bottom, the ring is designed to grip and hold the Clipper in place in a fire. The additional feature of a band of foiled intumescent, pre-fitted internally, will also expand in a fire and seal of the void.The CLVM Clipper has been fire tested to BS476 Part 20 1987 giving 2 hours fire protection. Both products are available from your local Envirograf Regional Office. To find out more, call 01304 842555 or visit www.envirograf.com

Enquiry 20

New Door And Cupboard Ventilator

Introducing the new, innovative door and cupboard ventilator by Envirograf® product 153, a simple yet effective ventilation system with built-in fire protection. The vent will provide a solution to poorly ventilated areas which only rely on a single extractor fan, due to not having a window present.

The new vent can be utilised in a variety of areas like Hotel bathrooms, kitchens and utility rooms, where high levels of steam and condensation are frequently caused by showers, washing machines and tumble dryers. With the introduction of new Building Regulations, these vents can also be inserted into under-stair or service cupboards which house gas meters.

Standard ventilation units struggle to cope with large volumes of steam and condensation, and can take time to clear the area. The new Envirograf® vent, works in conjunction with the existing extractor by allowing fresh air into the room at a lower level, this then allows the fan to extract steam more effectively. This vent also offers a substantial 1 hour fire protection.

To find out more, call 01304 842555 or visit www.envirograf.com

Enquiry 19

14 ISSUE 1 2015

THE BOOK/NEWS

Sunken courtyard with view into library.

A Study In Harmonious Design – Yale Bass Library Is Clear Crittall Prize WinnerBass Library at Yale University, Connecticut, USA, a state of the art transformation of the prestigious institution’s existing Cross Campus library, has been announced winner of The Crittall Prize 2014.

The Crittall Prize aims to recognise the best application of Crittall steel fenestration in the USA, a market where the British based company, with a history of over 160 years, is a dominant player. Designed by HBRA Architects of Chicago, The Anne T. and Robert M. Bass Library is located beneath Yale University's Cross Campus and is a multi-million dollar renovation and reconfiguration of the existing facility.

The Crittall Prize judging panel was unanimous in its praise for the project and the architect’s application of Crittall products. Said one judge “The project showcases an astonishing development of the standard Crittall Corporate 2000 system incorporating details appropriate to the historical setting”.

Crittall steel windows comprise one of the defining architectural elements of the Library’s exterior and interior spaces. The company’s products were used for windows and interior partitions where visual continuity was desired but secure separation of spaces and acoustic privacy were also necessary.

The design harmony achieved by the project singled out Bass Library as the clear winner. “The use of bespoke rolled and cast components is well integrated with Crittall’s specialty Corporate 2000 system and successfully ties the new building to a wider context“, concluded the judging panel.

“The combination of steel, red brick and timber forms a palate of durable, appropriately balanced materials that imbue the library with a warm atmosphere, while particularly successful is the introduction of timber doors into steel screens. Overall a coherent and harmonious whole has been created“.

The winning architectural practice, HBRA , receives a trip to the UK, visiting Crittall Windows’ headquarters, as well a unique inscribed Dartington crystal bowl for display in its offices.

The two runners-up in the competition, which were ‘highly commended’ by the judging panel, they were: The George W. and Laura Bush Residence, Texas (Architect David Heymann, Austin, Texas) and Long Branch Residence, New Jersey (Architect HS Jessup,New York).

15ISSUE 1 2015

NEWS/THE BOOK

The George W. and Laura Bush Residence

This relatively small and sustainable house was designed as a place of ‘concrete experience in a natural landscape ‘. One room wide, and without internal hallways, the house is wrapped by a 10 ft. deep and 10 ft. high porch, entirely without columns. To move from room to room you move along the porch. There is no step down, only the landscape coming in.

In this house the steel windows are the crucial architectural thresholds. The unusual detail of their interior and exterior installation arises in relation to the extraordinary thinness – and the modernity – of the frames.

The use of Crittall products here were commended as achieving “an elegant balance of strength and performance“ and “a clear and coherent balance between, cladding, fenestration and internal sliding screens“.

Long Branch Residence

This private New Jersey Shore home is primarily used as a summer residence. Crittall windows were chosen because of their aesthetic appeal and performance; the house is close to the water and it was important to achieve the wide large sight lines with wide ‘vast openings ‘ of glass while still meeting extreme wind load and impact requirements.

The judging panel agreed that this project (which was managed through Crittall’s distributor The Robert K. Higgins Company) displayed “a sleek well-proportioned window design creating an elegant yet functional style“.

John Pyatt , Managing Director of Crittall Windows, commented “The number and quality of the entries in this year’s competition was very encouraging and I’m delighted to say that we are currently finalising plans for The Crittall Prize 2015 , details of which will be announced shortly“. www.crittall-windows.co.uk

Enquiry 21

The George W. and Laura Bush Residence

Long Branch Residence

Interior ’street’ at group study rooms, glazed window walls (Crittall) provide light and visibility.

16 ISSUE 1 2015

THE BOOK/INTERIORS

Reginox Launches Admiral 40 –The Smart Sink For Small Spaces

Sinks, taps and accessories manufacturer, Reginox, has launched the Admiral 40, a stylish stainless steel sink that is ideal for installation where space is tight. Featuring modern styling combined with a number of accessories, the sink has a standard size bowl and a half drainer and measures 615 x 490mm in total, with a bowl depth of 180mm.

Manufactured in 18/10 stainless steel, it is the perfect compact sink for the smaller kitchen or new build apartment where style and quality are high on the list of requirements. It is also equally suitable for use in utility rooms. When a compact sink is required but budget really is the key priority, Reginox also offers the RegiDrain, a single bowl and half drainer stainless steel sink that measures just 595mm x 470mm in total and has a depth of 160mm.

Both the Admiral 60 and the RegiDrain have 90mm wastes and are supplied complete with waste, overflow and fitting kit. Accessories including a wooden cutting board and stainless steel wire basket are available with the RegiDrain, whilst the Admiral 60 is also offered with a plastic or stainless colander. As a manufacturer of nearly 1 million sinks each year, Reginox’s range includes in excess of 140 different models, including stainless steel, ceramic and granite options. With taps, waste disposals and a full range of practical and functional accessories available, Reginox is well positioned to provide the total sink solution. www.reginox.co.uk

Enquiry 25

Eurobrick Favourite For Leisure Interiors

For nearly a quarter of a century, brick slip cladding specialist, Eurobrick has supplied leisure operators and their contractors, with its interior cladding systems, helping designers and fitters to achieve the aesthetic desired by their clients. Eurobrick’s brick slip cladding has been installed in many of the country’s favourite leisure venues across the UK.John Mayes, managing director of Eurobrick is proud of the company’s track record saying: “We’ve seen strong sales year on year ever since we started working on leisure projects in 1991. Our systems are ideal for the tight schedules that are often applied to fitting out this type of project.” www.eurobrick.co.uk

Enquiry 22

MX Unveils New Thermostatic Mixer Shower Ranges

Bathroom and shower manufacturer MX Group has unveiled its latest offering to the bathroom sector, an impressive new range of thermostatic mixer shower valves offering its usual combination of incredible quality, great looking product, excellent warranties and keen pricing. The Atmos range includes ‘The MX Atmos Edge’ with the very latest in contemporary design & performance. The introduction of MX’s Cool Touch technology is an advanced Anti-Scald Design, another added safety benefit. Many of the new range feature fully adjustable riser rails which make them ideal for new build or replacement shower projects for residential opportunities or social housing shower replacement programmes. The stylish design of the MX Atmos Azure complements the overall valve performance of this modern looking shower. www.mx-group.com

Enquiry 24

Interior Film From David Clouting - Designed To Transform

Interior Film is an innovative range of self-adhesive, decorative films manufactured by LG Hausys for use on a wide range of interior applications. Quick and easy to apply, rooms can be dramatically transformed in hours. Interior Film is CE Certified and is so versatile it can be applied to almost any interior substrate. Interior Film provides the perfect finish, even to curved or complex shapes. Fire rated, easy to clean and maintain Interior Film is hardwearing and remains stable if exposed to heat, humidity or low temperatures. Air free technology enables Interior Film to be easily applied to give a superb bubble free surface. Available in a range of designs and finishes, Interior Film is part of a range of unique interior surface products exclusively offered by David Clouting Ltd. www.davidclouting.co.uk

Enquiry 23

17ISSUE 1 2015

INTERIORS/THE BOOK

No Monkeying Around When It Comes To Water Safety In Stuttgart Ape House

With hygienic drinking water being of paramount importance to the health and wellbeing of the residents of the Ape House in Wilhelma, Stuttgart, Geberit Mapress was the natural choice for the building’s piping systems.

Spanning 10,000 square metres and built in accordance with the guidelines of the European Endangered Species Programme (EEP), the new Ape House in Wilhelma is one of the most modern of its kind in Europe, created to offer the bonobos and gorillas a suitable environment in which to play and satisfy their natural urge to be active.

The elongated, S-shaped new building is home to two separate enclosures for the gorillas and the bonobos. The indoor enclosures consist of a concrete structure formed in one piece. As an open green area, the outdoor enclosures form a natural continuation of the green roof scape, which fits harmoniously into the zoo environment.

With apes being highly intelligent and curious, building for them required special structural measures to be considered in terms of the design, choice of materials and layout. In addition to keeping the animals occupied, top priority is also given to ensuring their protection and safety, with careful consideration given to the drinking water supply in the enclosures. To ensure that the animals do not drink any dirty water which could result in illness, the drinking water supply has to be hygienically perfect.

By installing Geberit Mapress Stainless Steel, this requirement was met, as the system is made of high-quality stainless steel, is corrosion-resistant and extremely resistant to aggressive substances. During the production of Mapress pipes and fittings, Geberit ensures that they are in hygienically perfect condition when they leave the plant. The Geberit Mapress piping systems, which are suitable for drinking water pipes, are equipped with protection plugs to prevent the ingress of dirt and foreign bodies.

Other Geberit piping solutions were also called upon in the construction of the Ape House, in order to solve a number of key issues and ensure the apes have a safe habitat.

A terraced landscape made up of concrete levels at different heights was created for the apes in the daytime enclosures where they can frolic and play. These steps are cleaned with water each day. To make the different levels possible, the drainage had to be practically assembled in the air during construction before the concrete was poured. The Geberit installation elements were best suited for this, with Geberit HDPE pipes chosen for the drainage system.

Finally, with visitor comfort being as imporant as that of the bonobos and gorillas, various Geberit sanitary solutions were chosen for the washroom facilities, including Geberit Duofix and touchless urinal flush controls. Not only do these help create a quality finish, but they also ensure the washrooms are hygienic and easy to clean too, leaving members of the public with a good impression of the Ape House when they visit. www.geberit.co.uk

Enquiry 26

18 ISSUE 1 2015

THE BOOK/INTERIORS

Committed to exceptional design and quality, Decoflame is since 2007 the recognised trademark for eco-friendly, contemporary bio ethanol fireplaces which add a style statement to any interior. Combining cutting- edge technology and high design, Decoflame ApS introduced in 2012 the patented technology decoflame® e-Ribbon Fire™ - an electronically controlled ethanol burner.Its CEVB Technology (Controlled Ethanol Vapour Burning) allows controlling the fireplace by remote control or as an option via iPhone, iPad or iPod (Bluetooth) using an intuitive operating display providing easily understandable settings and feed-back messages. www.decoflame.com

Enquiry 27

e-Ribbon, Electric Fireplaces

The Primo Cubicle System - Precision Engineering From Kemmlit

Primo from Kemmlit is an extremely durable, smooth-surfaced cubicle system with doors and walls offered in 30mm or 42 mm thick composite construction, bonded on both sides with 3mm thick HPL solid core panels.

The waterproof HPL surface has a special protective layer giving exceptional protection against scratches and abrasions making it ideal for a wide range of environments including: universities, hotels, hospitals, sports and leisure facilities, public and industrial buildings.

The visible profiles can be made from stainless steel or high grade aluminium finished in either anodised or a powder-coated coloured finish with wiring for electrical connections routed invisibly within the elements.

Primo is available in either a floor clearance design or the increasingly popular floor to ceiling version. The Primo cubicle system is part of an extensive range of high performance cubicle and locker systems from Kemmlit who also offer a design, project management and installation service. www.kemmlituk.com

Enquiry 28

19ISSUE 1 2015

INTERIORS/THE BOOK

Stunning But Casual Meeting Space Furniture From Sun-Light Solutions LtdSun-Light Solutions introduces the all new, casual meeting space furniture to the Interior Design and Professional AV markets throughout Europe. Defining modern spaces needs a fresh approach, which is why they have developed their products to simplify how spaces are used, making those spaces flexible and easier to engage with on a day to day basis. Dynamic functionality is a balance between people, product, and technology. The casual meeting space furniture aims to encourage inclusive meetings in spaces enabled by wireless technology, while providing exclusive opportunities for group discussion or personal time.

Meeting Space FurnitureA seating solution for casual meetings, a breakout chat or just to relax and contemplate. Use as a single seat or group together to create meeting areas, mix and match fabric finishes or tune for a corporate feel. Add in a coffee table for more functionality. Available in low, medium and high backs, in two or three seater options. Full or half side options. Legs available in white as standard or other finishes are available. The furniture is designed to be moveable and flexible and therefore easy to relocate within a space.

Casual Meeting spaceA new concept for casual meeting spaces. A fully furnished enclosure with seating for four or six people. Choose from a large range of fabric colours, mix and match colours or tune to a corporate feel. A built in table with a ‘power dome’ for laptop and tablet connectivity as standard. Energy efficient white LED down lights as standard or add RGBW coloured lights to create the right mood. The unit could be left with two open sides to take in the view or add a full rear panel to create a more

enclosed feel, here you could add a flat screen monitor and use as a presentation space or work on documents in small groups. The construction and materials used ensures good sound absorption and therefore more secure conversations can be achieved. The solution can be installed within half an hour and moved from location to location if required or just place in that perfect location.

Each of the products Sun-Light Solutions manufacture is given the time and care you deserve. As with all of their pieces, the manufacture of the furniture is carried out by local craftsmen and upholsterers who detail out every part of the construction. Each frame is hand made by a team of highly skilled carpenters who have decades of experience. Every piece is finished by highly skilled upholsterers, with all the fabrics also being hand cut. Every piece of metalwork used is locally designed and made exclusively for our products.

It is important to Sun-Light Solutions to be using sustainable materials, which is why the fabrics are made from natural fibres - including wool, hemp, and even nettles. Most of their standard fabrics are from Camira, Second Nature - which champions recycled, renewable and compostable materials that are climate neutral.www.sun-lightsolutions.com

Enquiry 29

20 ISSUE 1 2015

THE BOOK/INTERIORS

TracKit, is an extremely versatile track suspension system providing depth, mobility and flexibility to the presentation of banners, signs and graphics, large sliding panels/room dividers and other styles of interior displays, including shelving.

Trackit can facilitate different types of elements to be hung at different heights along straight or curved sections of track, be repositioned easily and is proving to be a popular display solution for Office and Retail interiors.

TracKit can be wall or ceiling fixed and is available with a choice of single or multi-track versions, enabling very creative installations.

This system offers static and mobile suspension options, via a roller wheel, which allows for easy re-positioning of complex graphic displays, large panels and room dividers etc, by simply sliding the roller wheels along the track.

The suspension track is available in both aluminium and stainless steel and there are six different support methods that can be hung from the track, each with a wide range of accessories and Shopkit can help determine which is most suitable for each application.

Made to Measure and Installation options availableThe dimensions and material finishes of the different suspension systems and accessories as well as track configuration can be varied to suit clients’ requirements and Shopkit can deliver and install all elements within this range. www.shopkit.com

Enquiry 30

Trackit, An Innovative Suspension System For Banners, Graphics And Large Panels From The Shopkit Group

21ISSUE 1 2015

INTERIORS/THE BOOK

Committed to exceptional design and quality, Decoflame ApS is since 2007 the recognised trademark for eco-friendly, contemporary bioethanol fireplaces which add a style statement to any interior. Comprising a large variety of both standard and made-to-measure models, decoflame® fireplaces are manually manufactured and tested in Denmark, with no compromise on safety and quality.All decoflame® fireplaces can be positioned literally anywhere, since no flue or chimney is needed. Bioethanol has a clean combustion and without smoke, smell and soot emission and therefore minimum maintenance is required for decoflame® fireplaces. www.decoflame.com

Enquiry 32

No Chimney, No Smoke, No Mess

COMPAC Delivers The Perfect Quartz Finish

COMPAC have introduced a new glacé finish for eight of their popular quartz worksurface colours including: Absolute Blanc, Botticino, Carrara, Cool Grey and Perlino and it’s also available on their latest quartz worksurface – the New York Collection.

This innovative glacé finish, exclusively developed by COMPAC, not only delivers the same porosity as the traditional gloss finish making it hygienic and easy to clean, each worksurface also has a beautiful silky smooth and sensuous feel.

The colour and grain of the worksurface is more enhanced creating a magical 3D appearance. Glacé from COMPAC – perfect in every sense. Discover more at www.compac.es

Enquiry 31

22 ISSUE 1 2015

THE BOOK/ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL

QUANTEC HR28C Boiler From Johnson & Starley

The Johnson & Starley QuanTec HR28C combi high efficiency condensing boiler with passive flue gas heat recovery (PFGHR) makes it not only arguably the most efficient boiler available on the market but also the smallest. The QuanTec requires no extra space and will replace any gas condensing boiler.The QuanTec boiler with PFGHR represents the most efficient way of recycling heat and offering optimum energy efficiency. It also gives DHW (Domestic Hot Water) efficiency levels never achieved before within combi boilers with the addition of a pre-heating sanitary water function.www.johnsonandstarley.co.uk

Enquiry 34

Schell Angle Valves Gaining Recognition In Progressive Plumbing Applications

While there continues to be differences between water regulations in the UK and our European neighbours, as well as in some of the technologies our respective industries have come to prefer, most experts – wherever they are based – can agree on certain matters of Best Practice. Connecting outlets such as taps and showers to “Loop” or “Serial” plumbing systems by means of angle valves is one such area of consensus. Angle valves have in fact been regarded as a standard fitting on the European mainland for decades, with Schell GmbH as a main manufacturer having sold tens of millions, suiting various applications. For they not only offer the ability to instantly isolate a tap for maintenance far more easily than our commonly favoured ‘quarter turn’ under-sink valves, but angle valves can also offer temperature or flow control and their use here is now penetrating from top end specifications into the mainstream market. Furthermore, the concept of connecting outlets to continuous, as opposed to traditional T-piece installations – utilizing angle valves - is viewed as an ideal way to prevent the collection and stagnation of water in dead-legs: thus combating the risk of deadly legionella contamination. The importance of avoiding dead-legs has recently been underlined by one of the country’s biggest plumbing supply specialists, Uponor Limited, which has established a new showroom for its SMARTEnds offering; that also makes exclusive use of Schell’s angle valves for all the connections. For a serial system Uponor’s inverted-U SMARTEnds are connected directly one to the next with the highest consumption point (normally the wc) at the end to propagate through flow. www.schell.eu

Enquiry 36

Get More From Your Floor

Comfort Warmfloors distribute premium quality Swedish/European underfloor heating systems. Their premium quality electric or wet systems can accommodate any floor type from engineered wood or laminate to ceramic tile, stone or even vinyl and carpet. The Comfort Warmfloors technical team are happy to offer a free design and specification service. Comfort Warmfloors now stock the new Heatmiser Neo thermostats which are WiFi enabled. Neo is the smart way to control your heating and hot water from anywhere. Up to 32 rooms can be controlled from your iPhone, Android and Windows phone. Neo stat's are stylish, feature rich and are perfect for controlling underfloor heating, electric floor heating and conventional radiator heating systems. www.comfortwarmfloors.com

Enquiry 33

Another Big Boost For Energy Saving From Timeguard

With energy bills inevitably increasing year on year, safety and energy efficiency are at the top of any homeowner, landlord or employer’s mind. By combining a new design 13A fused spur with a Boost timer

that automatically turns appliances off after a pre-set time, Timeguard has provided a unique combination of functionality and an ideal solution. All encased within a single gang fused connection unit and fitting within a 25mm back box, the Fused Boost Timer is designed for easy installation and easy use. The Fused Boost Timer provides easy to select / easy to use timed output. There’s no danger of leaving appliances such as heaters, fans or towel rails switched on for hours on end. www.timeguard.com

Enquiry 35

23ISSUE 1 2015

ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL/THE BOOK

Hydronik Systems Warm Palmerston FortThe famous Palmerston Forts arranged along the South Coast of England were built to be solid enough to resist invasion by Napoleonic forces, but the resulting thermal mass and exposed locations make them very hard to heat. It is, however, a challenge that has been effectively met using a selection of products from Timóleon’s Hydronik range linked to a hybrid renewable energy source.

Fort Albert on the Isle of Wight was completed in 1856 to defend the Needles Passage, which gives access to Portsmouth with its strategically important naval dockyard. Still in use during World War II, it remained in military ownership until the 1950s, when it was sold and converted for domestic use. It still offered little comfort for its occupants until the current owners began a comprehensive refurbishment and improvement project in 2013 employing locally based Round the Island Builders Limited and WJ Wetherick Plumbing & Heating to install the Timóleon underfloor heating systems.

The Isle of Wight is actually on course to become the first zero carbon area of Britain and Fort Albert’s owners accordingly commissioned an advanced building services solution, which utilises an air source heat pump and solar thermal panels to harvest free energy to supply the heating and hot water. PV panels also help meet the large

home’s electricity needs, but in order to achieve the most efficient transference from the heat pump to the occupied spaces, Wetherick Plumbing and Heating specified the use of Timóleon’s ToronFloor Batten, ToronFloor Suspended and LowBoardTM systems.

Addressing the unusual layout to the former fort with its variations in floor construction, Timóleon’s technical department provided floor-plans showing the positions of the multiple heating loops and the locations of the Axios manifolds, as well as section drawings indicating the depths of the different layers to the systems.

Across the ground floor, the entrance hall, sitting room, dining-room and kitchen, Wetherick Plumbing & Heating installed both ToronFloor Suspended and ToronFloor Batten, with LowBoardTM employed across the concrete slab within the area of the old look-out tower. These were connected up via two Axios manifolds: the first feeding a dozen loops containing almost 700 metres of pipe, while the second had a further 540 metres in eight loops.

Up on the first floor, a further two manifolds feed the underfloor heating in five bedrooms and varying sizes of bathroom all using ToronFloor Suspended. Here nine loops are connected to one manifold that features just

two loops with 123 metres of pipe, while the second feeds nine loops running for over 400 metres. Although it was the builders who fitted insulation between the joists to help ensure the efficiency of the heat transfer to the rooms, W J Wetherick’s engineers took just four days to install the 1800 metres of pipework and other components from the three Hydronik systems.

They also connected the underfloor networks to the hybrid heat pump and solar system on the fort’s roof. Given the technical and logistical challenges of this installation within a building, which requires respect as a historic monument, Fort Albert stands as a landmark installation for the Hydronik systems and Timóleon’s expert support services. www.hydronik.co.uk

Enquiry 37

24 ISSUE 1 2015

THE BOOK/ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL

Rinnai is introducing yet another product innovation in its continuous drive for the highest possible efficiencies and control over hot water provision in all commercial sites. This pioneering product allows end-users to exercise ultimate control and maximise energy efficiencies in all sizes and types of buildings, even in multi-tenanted sites.

Utilising the BACnet and modbus compatible protocol, Rinnai has introduced a gateway that allows a seamless integration of its continuous flow hot water heating products and systems into Building Management Systems (BMS). The Rinnai Gateway enables access to its advanced product functionality including temperature control, fault diagnostics and communication, energy monitoring, trend logging and on/off status.The Rinnai smart controller offers on/off status as well as fault codes to facilitate first hit repair. For example, the BMS can communicate a precise error code to the central system meaning that in the event of a breakdown the user can

communicate the correct parts and information to the engineer for a first time fix, limiting down time and improving Rinnai service response.The controller allows the end user to remotely monitor and change system temperatures and also to monitor and adjust burners for maximum efficiencies. In effect, the controls monitor gas usage to dictate business periods and energy savings. Rinnai units modulate the gas supply in relation to the amount of heat input required to optimise gas usage meaning high energy efficiency is delivered at all times. This is monitored and visualised by the controls.The Rinnai smart controller controls also monitor running hours and service requirements. As Rinnai units are on-demand, operating only when a tap is turned on, suggested service periods can be ascertained from running hours, as well as early warning of scale build up. Rinnai HDC units now contain smart lime scale notification systems to maintain system integrity and prevent in-efficiencies from scale accumulation. www.rinnaiuk.com

Enquiry 41

Rinnai Offers A ‘BMS Gateway’ To Hot Water Efficiency - Another Innovation

BAXI COMMERCIAL Wins Again!

Baxi Commercial has scooped a second award for its installation of mini-CHP with ground source heat pumps at Notre Dame Primary School in Glasgow, winning the Sustainable Project of the Year category in the HVR Awards 2014.The aim of the Notre Dame project was to get the best out of GSHP technology and combine it successfully with CHP. To achieve this, five SenerTec mini-CHP units were supplied and commissioned by Baxi Commercial Division as part of the upgrade to help satisfy the electricity requirements of the school buildings while producing impressive energy cost savings and cutting carbon emissions.This is the second award win this year for the Notre Dame School project; it also won the Innovation category of the CHPA Awards last month. www.baxicommercial.co.uk

Enquiry 38

Johnson & Starley At Ecobuild 2015

Exhibiting on Stand N 3092 at Ecobuild 2015, Johnson & Starley will highlight its comprehensive range of energy efficient heating and ventilation solutions. Heating innovations include QuanTec gas boilers including the QuanTec HR28C with integral PFGHR (Passive Flue Gas Heat Recovery) so retaining the same size as a standard boiler. The comprehensive range of WarmCair high efficiency condensing Warm Air Heaters is now also being widely specified for new and refurbishment projects. Newer additions to the company’s heating products include a choice of HIUs (Heating Interface Units). The company is now a major force in the field of ventilation products for local authority, social housing, private residential and commercial applications. The Dravo ranges of high efficiency industrial and commercial gas and oil fired warm air heating equipment will also be a major exhibit. www.johnsonandstarley.co.uk

Enquiry 39

Business Growth Spearheads Contactum Expansion

Electrical wiring accessories and circuit protection manufacturer, Contactum, has announced its forthcoming expansion into a modern warehouse/office facilities at Croxley Green Business Park, Watford, to accommodate the company’s current and future growth plans. The warehouse at Croxley Green provides enhanced logistics capacity and increased storage space for the company’s growing portfolio of products. This address will also become the Contactum Head Office, with the increased office space providing a more extensive and modern layout that will include a dynamic customer

showroom and improved meeting facilities. Croxley Green Business Park is well located for transport links and is a modern-thinking development for businesses looking to be environmentally and socially responsible, which aligns closely with the Contactum brand value. www.contactum.co.uk

Enquiry 40

25ISSUE 1 2015

ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL/THE BOOK

Future Energy Solutions Diagnoses The Ideal LED Lighting Solution For Spire HealthcareThe second largest provider of private healthcare in the UK, Spire Healthcare was formed in 2007 through the buy-out of 25 BUPA hospitals by the private equity firm, Cinven. Now with a network of 38 private hospitals and 10 clinics, the organisation undertakes a wide variety of activities and offers a full range of integrated surgical, medical and diagnostic services.

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainable operating practices are very important to the company, with energy conservation guidelines issued to each hospital to minimise the amount of electricity and gas consumed. ‘As part of our on-going process of improvement, we recognised the need to

reduce our lighting related energy spend and also maintain good levels of illumination in our external car parking areas for the benefit of our staff, patients and visitors,’ explains Nigel Sharp, National Engineering and Estates Manager at Spire Healthcare. ‘We invited three companies, including Future Energy Solutions (FES), to tender for the project and make their recommendations for an upgrade.’

Firmly established as one of the world’s leading energy performance solutions providers, FES boasts an unrivalled level of experience and has helped organisations of various sizes in a diverse range of vertical sectors benefit from lighting emitting diode (LED) lighting technology.

Marcus Brodin, Commercial Director at FES, says, ‘Our own extensive research into trends in the sector has indicated that energy costs will double between 2014 and 2020. Furthermore, the projects we have worked on previously have consistently shown that using LED technology can reduce lighting bills by up to 65 per cent. It is therefore clear that LED is the right technology at the right time.’ FES decided that it would make sense to undertake a comprehensive feasibility study to scope the objectives and to determine

the optimal LED lighting and commercial solution for Spire Healthcare. After sharing the findings of the study with Nigel Sharp, he felt FES made the best case for helping the company achieve its aims and awarded FES the contract.

In order to maximise return on investment (ROI) on the designated CaPex budget, the first phase of the project focused on 21 sites. FES created a full project scope for the supply and installation of the LED lighting, which was broken down site-by-site, and a fully comprehensive rollout plan began in June 2014.

One of the initial obstacles that FES had to overcome concerned the fact that the existing infrastructure comprised over 1,000 fittings and 44 different luminaire types, ranging from small 50W bulkhead fittings to large 1000W floodlights, all of various ages and conditions. In order provide a degree of uniformity FES installed five core LED replacement luminaires from the Thorlux lighting range – the Corn Lamp, Flood, Wallpack, 1500mm LED Luminaire and Globe.

Now in-situ, these luminaires have achieved in excess of 70 per cent energy savings from a simple point-for-point replacement, while also providing 25 per cent better light output. Furthermore, the newly installed luminaires have an enhanced rated life in the scale of 3-20 times that of the old luminaires. FES has calculated that Spire Healthcare will save in excess of £525,000 over a 10-year period.

This figure comprises over £385,000 in energy savings, over £110,000 in maintenance costs, and £27,000 in environmental tax savings related to its inclusion in the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme, as well as additional resource savings. With an overall energy usage reduction in excess of 266,000kWh, the effect on the environment will also be significant too, with carbon dioxide (CO2), mono-nitrogen oxide and sulphur dioxide (SO2) emissions all drastically lowered. The results have been dramatic and as well as making instant financial savings, the lit environment has been significantly improved. www.feslighting.co.uk

Enquiry 42

AFTER

BEFORE

26 ISSUE 1 2015

THE BOOK/ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL

SE Controls Combines Fire Safety, Natural Ventilation And Energy Efficiency At New Department Of Environmental Affairs HQ In PretoriaOne of South Africa’s most energy efficient and innovative buildings is using precision actuators and controls from SE Controls to ensure the natural ventilation and smoke control system operates effectively at the Department of Environmental Affairs’ (DEA) new head office in Pretoria.

Designed by architects Boogertman & Partners, the DEA is the first government building in South Africa to be awarded a 6 Star Green rating from the Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA). It also achieved the highest score for a large commercial office space of this scale, due to the highly energy efficient sustainable design and the extensive use of ‘green’ technologies.

The three-storey head office provides more than 27,000 m² of floor space and uses solar shading, water recycling and extensive photo-voltaic arrays in the north car park and on the roof, which provide more than 10% of the building’s annual energy load.

An energy efficient mixed mode natural ventilation system is also installed to manage indoor air quality and temperature, which provides a comfortable working environment for staff.

The building’s internal space is separated into several self-contained ‘pods’ each of which is naturally ventilated by atrium vents and automatically opening windows. The vents and windows are operated by 104 SE Controls’ SECO N 24 40 600mm stroke length chain actuators and controlled by 20 OS2 Type 21 control panels supplied by SE Controls’ South African operation, which has offices in Durban and Johannesburg. In addition, SE

Controls Africa also supplied PIR sensors for each automatically opening window to avoid the risk of finger entrapment during operation. The complete system was installed and commissioned by specialist contractor, Robertson Ventilation Industries (RVI), to ensure it met the necessary safety and environmental specifications. The natural ventilation system, which also operates in ‘night purging’ mode to cool the building and reduce the need for artificial cooling during summer months, is linked to both the supplementary evaporative cooling system and the smoke control system via the central BMS.

This integrated approach not only allows the ventilation system to operate in different modes, to maintain cooling and comfort, but also provides effective smoke control to ensure escape routes are kept smoke free, if a fire should occur. Russell Cramb of SE Controls Africa, explained: “The DEA building breaks new ground in what can be achieved from an environmental management and sustainability perspective, when all of the latest green technologies are combined within a highly effective and energy efficient design.”

He added: “Natural ventilation is a highly energy efficient solution for cooling and ventilating buildings to maintain indoor air quality and temperatures and in the DEA building, it has proven to be a key element in it achieving such a high environmental rating from the GBCSA as part of an excellent integrated design from the architects.”

SE Controls specialises in the design, project management and installation of advanced smoke ventilation and natural ventilation solutions to meet the needs of architects, contractors, building services engineers and facilities managers worldwide. Further information on SE Controls’ products, solutions and projects can be obtained by visiting www.secontrols.com or calling +44 (0) 1543 443060.

Enquiry 43

27ISSUE 1 2015

ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL/THE BOOK

Red Kite Flies In To Tackle Fuel Poverty For Tenants

A housing organisation in Buckinghamshire is aiming to tackle fuel poverty for its tenants through the use of renewable air source heat pumps, which are helping save hundreds of pounds a year on heating for each home. Red Kite Community Housing in High Wycombe is an unusual social housing provider because it is the only tenant-led, not for profit, charitable housing organisation in the country. Many of the homes are on estates in urban centres, but several hundreds of others are off the gas network in more rural locations and rely on electric heating or solid fuel. Red Kite installed 32 of the Ecodan heat pump systems, from Mitsubishi Electric, in homes that have previously been using solid fuel, and the organisation is now looking at extending this programme to tackle their remaining properties off the gas network. www.mitsubishielectric.co.uk

Enquiry 45

The Pureau range uses traditional ion exchange resins to produce superb, soft water for household or commercial use.

The 3 models (Eau 1, Eau 2 and Eau 3) range from 20 litres per minute to 70 litres per minute and are suitable for both gravity and pressurised water systems. As the systems are cartridge based maintenance is simple. The main cartridge lasts an incredible 36 months, the carbon pre filter cartridge lasts 12 months and the post filter cartridge will last for 2 to 3 months depending on hardness levels.

The Pureau Range has been specifically designed to meet the demands of providing a water softener without the use of salt that provides softer water to the touch. Pureau water treatment systems remove a high percentage of scale forming minerals. Water readings of under 100ppm is considered soft. Magnesium and calcium in the water is essential for good health so Pureau systems do not remove it all, just enough to bring it down to accepted soft water levels.

The systems do not waste water or require a power source or drain. There are 3 models which will treat water flows of up to 70 litres per minute. The range is suitable for gravity fed and pressurised water systems, they are also suitable for combination boilers. As the units do not add sodium to the water they can be used on properties with septic tanks.

Purea systems incorporate a raw water feed which ensures trace minerals are left in the water for health, they also provide the perfect water for ice making, tea and coffee. www.aquatiere.co.uk

Enquiry 47

Pureau ion Exchange Saltless Water Softener

Get Long Term Thermal Insulation With Everbuild Thermofoam

Heat can escape from buildings through windows, doors and other wall break through points, wasting energy and reducing efficiency. Thermofoam is a new, highly flexible PU expanding foam from Everbuild, specially formulated to absorb movement, giving an air tight seal to reduce heat loss and in turn improving energy efficiency in buildings. The powerful bond strength and flexibility of Thermofoam gives excellent long term thermal and acoustic insulation by inhibiting cracks from occurring during the contraction of building materials in areas such as around window and door frames, giving a hermetically sealed barrier.

Thermofoam is available in 750ml tins and is compatible with the Everbuild range of foam applicator guns to give the user more control to apply the foam in hard to reach places.www.everbuild.co.uk

Enquiry 44

Wilo Celebrates Success Of Small Circulator Family

Wilo is celebrating the sale of 28 million small circulators in the last 10 years. Leading the success in the UK is the Wilo-Yonos PICO. The high-efficiency pumps from Wilo are entirely ‘future-proof’ - they already fulfil all the requirements of three EU regulations from the European ErP (Eco-design) Directive. The regulations stipulate limit values that become increasingly stricter through to 2020 for the energy efficiency of electric motors, circulation pumps and the hydraulic efficiency of glanded pumps. One regular job undertaken by heating engineers and installers is the replacement of heating pumps in residential buildings. The standard high-efficiency pumps - Wilo-Yonos PICO - and the high-efficiency premium model - Wilo-Stratos PICO - are ready to be used in typical detached and semi-detached homes. www.wilo.co.uk

Enquiry 46

28 ISSUE 1 2015

THE BOOK/ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL

Easy-Install Biomass For The Home

Leading biomass solutions provider, Euroheat, has launched a new prefabricated wood heating solution for the domestic market, ideal for customers looking to take advantage of the Domestic RHI in a hassle-free and speedy fashion.The Energy Cabin size 1 is the smallest model in Euroheat's Energy Cabin range; a total biomass system, including pellet or split log boiler, accumulator and fuel store; delivered ready to plumb and wire in its own ‘house'. Looking very much like a well-built garden shed, the Energy Cabin 1 has an extremely small footprint and will fit largely unnoticed into most back gardens. Designed and built by Euroheat in the UK, the Energy Cabin 1 specifically meets the needs of our domestic market. Biomass boilers and their associated equipment require a plant room, which usually means re-purposing an existing

out-building or constructing something bespoke, all adding to the cost and time-scale of a job. The Energy Cabin 1 arrives on site ready to connect to existing heating and hot water facilities, providing a dramatic reduction in installation time, taking days rather than weeks to fit and commission the system. Available in a range of external finishes with a heat output between 10kWs and 30kWs, the Energy Cabin 1 is ideal for small homes up to light commercial properties, making it a viable solution for businesses as well as domestic dwellings.

Energy Cabin 1 overview:• Footprint - 2.05 metres wide x 2 metres deep, height - 3.17 metres• Considered ‘permitted development' in most cases, negating planning permission• Fitted with either PNA Thermocomfort or K series pellet boiler• Manual fuelling, expansion chamber, accumulator, wiring and plumbing included• Available from 10kW to 30kW

For more information, visit www.euroheat.co.uk

Enquiry 51

Vent-Axia’s Kitchen Box Fan Wins At Prestigious HVR Awards

British ventilation manufacturer Vent-Axia is celebrating scooping an award for its Lo-Carbon EKF Kitchen Box Fan at the prestigious HVR Awards 2014. The Sussex-based company beat stiff competition to win Commercial/Industrial Ventilation Product of the Year at a glittering ceremony held at the Chelsea Harbour Hotel in London. This marks the second award that Vent-Axia has won in a matter of weeks with the company’s Lo-Carbon Response™ winning the Product of the Year Award at the Housebuilder Awards 2014. Vent-Axia’s EKF fan was selected as Commercial/Industrial Ventilation Product of the Year because it offers a simple energy efficient solution to regulatory compliance in commercial kitchens. www.vent-axia.com

Enquiry 48

New Sizes Add Yet More Connectivity With Tectite Sprint

New Online Humidifier Selector

Condair, formerly known as JS Humidifiers, has launched an innovative new website, www.condair.co.uk, with features including an online product selector tool and psychrometric calculator. The online product selector guides users wanting to select a humidifier through a series of multiple choice questions. The online product selector takes into account many factors such as available energy supplies, budget, type of application, in-room or in-duct humidification and desired level of energy consumption. The newly developed website is part of the company’s rebranding activities from JS Humidifiers to Condair, following the company’s change of name in October 2014. www.condair.co.uk

Enquiry 49

Tectite Sprint, the innovative metal push-fit plumbing system from Pegler Yorkshire, has been making installers lives easy for almost a decade. Now, three new sizes 35mm, 42mm and 54mm have been

added to the existing options of 15mm, 22mm and 28mm, opening up the award-winning solution to yet more applications. Designed to be as slim and attractive as possible, the copper and brass jointing system represents metal push-fit in its purest form. Consisting of only a handful of components, Tectite Sprint requires no hot work, flux or specialist tooling making it clean, simple and up to two and a half times faster to install than traditional joints. Pegler Yorkshire is so confident in the quality and performance of Tectite Sprint that it guarantees the parts for up to 25 years. www.pegleryorkshire.co.uk

Enquiry 50

29ISSUE 1 2015

ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL/THE BOOK

Fabric Living Wall System From ScotscapeInspired by their research programme at the University of Sheffield, which measured the thermal benefits of Living Walls, Scotscape have developed a Fabric Living Wall System with integrated insulation. This will allow architects and designers to quantify the thermal benefits and energy efficiencies that this Living Wall system brings to buildings.

London’s air quality presents a huge problem for residents and now contributes to a death rate of 10-18% from illnesses caused by pollutants. The principal source of air pollution is traffic and despite the UK government enforcing low emission zones in London the air pollution levels have not fallen as much as expected.

Research at universities across the UK highlight living walls as key to the improvement of air quality in cities. Kings College and Imperial College highlight the impact plants play in reducing nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter – two of the key components in poor air quality.

The University of Lancaster found living walls to be more effective than street level trees at reducing nitrogen dioxide in dense urban areas with high pollution levels. This is due to the nature of city landscapes, the tall buildings create ‘street canyons’ which traps pollution at street level, living walls can increase the deposition rate by as much as 40% of nitrogen dioxide and 60% for particulate matter as the cleaner air from above the street canyons is introduced.

Collaboration with Staffordshire University has resulted in the discovery of the best plants to combat air pollution. Scotscape Landscaping is committed to working with councils, schools, businesses and individuals to install living walls and improve the air quality across London.

The product is a light-weight semi hydroponic modular panel system constructed from advanced geotextile fabric. Each square metre holds 49 plants in individual pockets. Each panel incorporates a dripline to irrigate the plants through the fabric. Panels can be fitted to flat or curved surfaces and are planted on site. The system is designed for rapid installation by professional contractors. www.scotscapelivingwalls.net

Enquiry 52

30 ISSUE 1 2015

THE BOOK/ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL

Schindler UK Launches New Innovations In Energy Efficiency For Escalators And Moving WalkwaysSchindler UK, a leading provider of lifts and escalators, has launched a series of new innovations to significantly improve the energy efficiency and sustainability of its escalator and moving walkway solutions for the UK and Ireland.

The latest technical advancements include the development of more efficient drive systems, intelligent power management, low power components and the use of more sustainable and recyclable materials. These features combine to significantly reduce power consumption for lower running costs and to minimise impact on the environment by cutting carbon emissions. All Schindler escalators and moving walkways now benefit from optimised motors and advanced gearing technology that are 11 per cent more energy efficient than the market standard.

A premium power package is also now available that uses state-of-the-art drives, IE3 motors and high-efficiency gearing for total drive efficiency of 85 per cent, which is 23 per cent more energy efficient than competitor products. This innovation further reduces operating costs and carbon emissions.

A new range of intelligent power management options has also been developed. The ‘energy smart’ ECOLINE options optimise efficiency without compromising passenger flows and can reduce power consumption by up to 36 per cent. Features include:• Stop-and-go and slow-speed operation • ECO power option where an escalator stops after an adjustable time running at slow

speed. This is ideal for applications with intermittent flows including periods with low or no passengers

•Motor power which automatically adjusts according to passenger load – ideal for continuous and heavy passenger traffic.

As with all Schindler products, its escalators and moving walkways use low power components for enhanced environmental performance. At 10.5kg, its aluminium steps are the lightest in the industry, which result in a total weight reduction of around 40 per cent compared to steel steps, improving energy efficiency by 5 per cent. Aluminium steps have a longer life cycle than steel, a lower carbon footprint and a superior safety record, which is twice that of less economical sheet metal compound steps.

Schindler now uses LED lighting to reduce power consumption by up to 80 per cent in comparison with conventional light sources. LED bulbs last up to 100 per cent longer and are available for escalator balustrades, skirts, combs, steps and truss lighting. Once a Schindler escalator reaches the end of its service life, 90 per cent of its metal components can be recycled, further improving whole life costing.

Schindler offers two comprehensive escalator ranges. The Schindler 9300 is designed to the highest standards for safe and reliable passenger transport and adaption to a wide range of building types – from shopping centres and cinemas to museums and retail stores. The Schindler 9700 is engineered for larger public spaces and high traffic applications such as airports, railway and tube stations. The Schindler 9500 horizontal moving walkway delivers unrivalled passenger performance and safety with 35 system-relevant mechanical and electrical safety features.

For further information about the Schindler UK escalator and moving walkway systems, call 01932 758100, email info@gb.schindler.com or visit www.schindlerlifts.co.uk

Enquiry 53

31ISSUE 1 2015

ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL/THE BOOK

Elta Concentrates On Cost Effective And High Performance IAQ

For Elta Fans Residential Division, part of the Elta Group - a £90 million family of businesses with operations in seven countries on four continents - the 2015 Ecobuild exhibition has taken on added significance following; major investment in the company, the appointment of Colin Hone as UK Sales Manager and a new sales team.Colin, who will head Elta Fans Residential, is clear on the message that will be at the heart of the Elta Fans stand. “Our company is all about providing exceptional indoor air quality in the most cost effective way for the health of the nation. The focus at Ecobuild, will be on our latest range of decentralised mechanical

extract ventilation units (dMEV) which complement our extensive range of residential products. The incredibly energy efficient Mori dMEV unit has achieved exceptional performance results in independent third party testing by the Building Research Establishment (BRE) which concluded that the Mori dMEV outperformed anything currently available on the market.”“This product is very effective in the huge refurbishment market where in hotels, housing authorities, and properties owned by social landlords, there are millions of existing holes in walls where the Mori dMEV can provide excellent and cost effective indoor air quality. This is such an important issue at the moment,” explained Colin.During two years of intensive and stringent design and product testing, started in February 2012, the Mori dMEV was meticulously developed by Elta Fans. For the impeller alone, more than 35 3D models were created, 19 of which became prototypes with the most recent of these becoming the unique ‘bladelet’ impeller. Visitors to the Elta Fans Residential stand N5172, will see the results for themselves and have an opportunity to meet Colin and his team. There will also be the chance to win a trip for two to Italy to see firsthand, the state of the art manufacturing facilities of Elta Fans Residential near Lake Garda. www.eltafans.com

Enquiry 55

Sanctuary Housing Installs Aico Smoke Alarms In New Development

Sanctuary Housing, one of the largest social housing providers in the country, has installed Aico’s 160RC series mains-powered RadioLINK alarm systems into all of the 96 flats in its latest £10.4 million development in Newlands Place, Cumbernauld. As a key safety measure the development is being fitted with Aico’s 160RC series mains powered, rechargeable lithium battery back-up smoke alarms. Each flat has its own stand-alone system. Additional alarms have been installed in the communal hallways, which are interlinked using Aico’s RadioLINK technology to those in the individual flats. An alarm activated in the communal area will cause the alarms in all flats to be activated for maximum safety. Alarms in flats, however, will not cause the communal alarms to activate. RadioLINK lets you interconnect Aico alarms and accessories together using Radio Frequency (RF) signals rather than cabling. New properties, such as the Newlands Place development, are seeing the benefits of wire free alarm interconnection as it provides far greater flexibility in alarm installation and adaptation. www.aico.co.uk

Enquiry 54

32 ISSUE 1 2015

THE BOOK/ROOFS

VMZINC Launches Engraved Facade

In response to feedback from over 400 architects, VMZINC has once again pioneered a new development with AZENGAR®, the first engraved rolled zinc facade and roofing material. Its subtle yet distinctive surface has a matt appearance which is unaffected by fingerprints and ideal, therefore, for both exterior and interior use. AZENGAR is pigment-free, manufactured using an entirely new process and produced in 0.7mm, 0.8mm and 1.0mm thicknesses. It is the lightest shade of zinc available and unlike pre-weathered shades such as QUARTZ-ZINC® and PIGMENTO, causes delicate variations in light refraction. www.vmzinc.co.uk

Enquiry 56

Radmat Returns Guy’s Tower Roof To Full Health

In its challenging city-centre location, Guy’s Tower has undergone a huge refurbishment with the ageing 143m building upgraded to current standards. The refurbishment included the application of new cladding and glazing systems, and thermal upgrade and waterproofing of a 45° pitched roof and a series of inverted terraces. Radmat’s Esha range of membranes proved the perfect solution.

For the asphalt covered sloping roof on the 34th floor, EshaUniversal waterproofing was specified with ProTherm PIR (polyisocyanurate) insulation as part of a complete Radmat roofing system. Offering an efficient and safe installation, a 2mm thick EshaBase SA Alu self-adhesive vapour control layer was adhered directly to the existing asphalt using Esha SA Primer. The 120mm thick ProTherm PIR insulation was mechanically fixed to the deck using Radmat ProFast fixings, prior to the mechanical fastening of the EshaUniversal single layer membrane.

Low level flat roof areas were also covered with the same specification. On the inverted roofs, on levels 34 and 31, asbestos tiles were safely removed, and the asphalt was overlaid with two layers of Radmat’s EshaGum 3mm reinforced bitumen membrane. The existing asphalt surface was prepared to ensure no defects or blisters across the entire application prior to the installation of the EshaGum, with a 200mm thick Radmat ProTherm inverted roof insulation board installed to upgrade the roof’s thermal performance. Completing the installation was the application of paving slabs on spacers. www.radmat.com

Enquiry 57

Surespan Launches New Online Shop For Rooflights

Surespan has introduced www.addlite.co.uk - a one-stop-shop designed to sell its SureDome rooflights, EN12101-2 certified Smoke Ventilators and SunLume sun tunnels. All products are in stock and available in a range of sizes and options.

Find Surespan at Stand N6038 at EcoBuild 2015 (3-5 March) where they will be demonstrating these products,along with their brand new range of roof access hatches.

The new SRHP/TB Thermally Broken Roof Hatch has been designed from the ground up and is sold with a curb liner, external locking and internal powder coating as standard. This design also incorporates the new SureClip FlashFast and FixFast Systems for easy installation.

Suresoan also provides a full range of floor access covers for internal and external uses, with a solid or recessed lid suitable for any floor finish and available in all FACTA loadings.

Interested in finding out more? Suresoan has a developed a series of CPD approved seminars aimed at architects and specifiers. Their latest seminar, entitled ‘Access and Escape’, covers a range of topics including access and escape from buildings and underground car parks, EN12101-2 and CE marking and access equipment operation and control systems. www.surespancovers.com

Enquiry 58

33ISSUE 1 2015

ROOFS/THE BOOK

Conservatory Roof Sales Drive 30% Growth Forecast At Metrotile UK

A surge in sales for roofing of conservatories is behind more than 30% of projected annual growth at leading lightweight tile firm Metrotile UK. The Chippenham-based company has just sold its millionth tile in 2014 and is forecasting sales of 1.16 million tiles this year, turning over record figures of £7.1 million with net profits expected to reach £679,000. Driving the performance is major rise in the sale of tiles for conservatories, which has provided 25% of the firm’s growth this year in addition to Metrotile’s continued success in other roofing sectors including private and local authority homes and retail & leisure. www.metrotile.co.uk

Enquiry 60

Maximum protectionMinimal effort

Safesite’s GUARDRAIL range is designed to provide permanent edgeprotection where regular access is required. The flexibility of thesystems offers the choice of free standing edge protection includingstandard, raked, radiused, folding and counterweight free systems, aswell as collective protection for metal profile and standing seam roofs,providing a solution for every situation. As fall protection specialists,Safesite offers the complete range of health and safety solutions, fromsite survey to design and installation – all backed by system trainingand annual recertification.

Guardrails / Mobile Man Anchor / Demarcation / Mobile Valley Frame Fragile Roof Access Solutions / Kee Anchor Beam / Ladder Restraints Self Closing Gate / Life Line Systems

www.safesite.co.uk

SAFE_ARCHTECH_JUNE14_103X257_Layout 1 28/05/2014 16:35 Page 1

True To Tradition: New Handmade Clay Tile To Launch In Early 2015

A new range of premium handmade clay tiles is due to launch from Marley Eternit at the beginning of 2015. The Canterbury handmade range acknowledges Marley Eternit’s heritage of previous handmade clay tiles, which were available until the early 1990s.Marley Eternit is bringing back traditional skills to provide a genuine handmade tile that architects are looking for in today’s market.

The new Canterbury tiles will be available in three colours; Chailey (orange), Loxleigh (antique) and Burford (brown) with its own handmade fittings range. Premium projects and heritage sites can benefit from the high quality aesthetic of the richly coloured tiles, particularly in areas subject to specific planning requirements and where handmade roof tiles form part of the architectural vernacular.

The tiles will be handmade by skilled craftsmen, using locally sourced Etruria Marl generally accepted to be the finest clay for strength and durability. The new range is manufactured at Marley Eternit’s Keele factory, which specialises in clay plain tile production. www.marleyeternit.co.uk/handmade

Enquiry 59

Enquiry 61

34 ISSUE 1 2015

THE BOOK/FLOORS

Guidance On Re-Using And Recycling Used Carpet

A practical interactive guide has been published to encourage more re-use and recycling of used carpet arising from all types of refurbishment schemes. Best practices for extending carpet lifetime and for refurbishment specification are also highlighted in the user-friendly document.Carpet Recycling UK was commissioned by WRAP, the UK’s resource efficiency experts, to write the report, entitled ‘Guidance on re-use and recycling of used carpets and environmental considerations for specifying new carpet’, which can be downloaded from the WRAP website at http://www.wrap.org.uk/carpetguide.The guide is aimed at facilities managers in the public and private sectors, procurers, architects and specifiers, housing associations and floor layers to assist them with the type of carpet waste that is most likely to arise in refurbishment projects.Floor finishes are a significant element of a building and contribute around 12% towards a building’s environmental impact. Carpet, including tiles and broadloom, is the predominant floor covering used in both domestic and commercial settings, accounting for 58% of the UK’s floor finishing market.Against this background, CRUK worked with WRAP to develop a practical guide for facilities professionals to show how used carpet can be a valuable resource and successfully re-used or recycled in new goods, from carpet tile re-use to underlay and insulation products.The guide explains how to prepare used carpets for re-use and recycling and showcases best practice for selecting new carpet. Information is also provided on how to deal with post-consumer carpets. It also highlights considerations for specifying new flooring which will increase the product’s lifetime on the floor and further reduce its overall environmental impact. CRUK’s action in helping to develop more outlets for carpets has been instrumental in increasing the landfill diversion rate for carpet from 2% in 2008 to 27% in 2013. Enquiries are welcomed from all types of organisations interested in recycling their waste carpet. www.carpetrecyclinguk.com

Enquiry 62

Iconic Landmark Refurbished With State-Of-The-Art Resin Flooring

Specialist resin systems supplier Resin Surfaces Limited (RSL) was brought in to help with the multi-million pound refurbishment of Manchester’s Central Library. The Library recently re-opened to enthusiastic reviews following a three-year refurbishment. RSL’s brief was to provide a modern flooring solution that complemented the Library’s unique neo-classical style.

Public entrances have been restored to their 1930s appearance and new staircases and lift shafts inserted to improve access throughout the Central Library. Stockport-based RSL supplied bespoke flooring systems of R.S Terrazzo and R.S Terrain with R.S Beadgrip for the floor, stairs and ramped areas of the building.

RSL commercial director Martin Wroe said: “Special projects like this don’t come round very often. You don’t have the opportunity to be involved in one of Manchester’s most iconic buildings every day. We needed to find products that would capture the beauty of the environment and complement its ornate design. The end result needed to be functional as well as beautiful, given the amount of traffic expected through the building. We think visitors to the building will be amazed by the transformation achieved in the building and we are delighted to have been involved in bringing this beloved landmark right up to date while restoring and showcasing its heritage features back to their former glory.”

RSL put forward a bespoke design of R.S Terrazzo in a special colour pallet to complement the neo-classical design features. The system was chosen because of its seamless properties, ensuring a flat, continuous floor surface was achieved. The product was also used as a pre-cast terrazzo system on some stair areas. R.S Terrain was applied on the ramped areas with R.S Beadgrip for improved slip resistance. www.resinsurfaces.co.uk

Enquiry 63

35ISSUE 1 2015

WALLS/THE BOOK

The construction of an advanced new testing facility for motor sport engines in Wales features the use of Marmox Thermoblocks at ground floor level, specified in order to help comply with the latest edition of Part L to the Building Regulations. The Sports Engine Testing Facility at the University of South Wales Pontrypridd is being built by Willmott Dixon Construction Limited working as main contractor.

While the 1,000 square metre, two-storey structure utilises a steel frame, the exterior walls are being raised in cavity blockwork with the Marmox Thermoblocks in two different thicknesses subtending both the inner and outer leaf. Developed specifically to deal with the issue of thermal bridging, but able to carry full structural loadings, the specialist units have been supplied through the local Jewson Builders Merchant for installation by the groundworks sub-contractor. 200 of the Thermoblock 140 mm size variant were laid as the perimeter to the ground-bearing reinforced concrete slab; virtually eliminating heat loss at this critical wall/floor junction.

Then a similar number of 100 mm wide Thermoblocks form the bottom course to the outer leaf. Each block features a layer of alkali-resistant fibreglass moulded into the top and bottom surfaces in order to provide a strong bond with standard sand and cement mortar. The stepped end joints to the blocks though are formed using Marmox Acrylic Sealant to help create an additional horizontal moisture barrier. The individual blocks are formed of XPS which has a lambda value of 0.033 W/mK, containing a series of load-bearing concrete columns to transmit and distribute the weight of the masonry above.

A spokesperson for the project design team commented: “Countering linear thermal bridging at the perimeter of the floor construction is a crucial aspect of compliance with the latest version of the Building Regulations for non-domestic as well as residential properties, and the Marmox Thermoblock offers an ideal answer to the challenge. They achieve the required psi value while being both robust and simple to install.”

Individual Thermoblocks are 65 mm deep – equivalent to a course of bricks - and with the 15 mm overlap at either end give an installed length of 600 mm; being available in options of 100 and 140 mm. As well as masonry walls, they can be employed in timber frame construction and at other positions such as beneath window openings or at first floor level, the roof-wall junction and under party walls. The XPS with its ultra-low thermal transmittance increases the path for heat loss, to outperform what are termed Enhanced Construction Details.

While these cut heat loss by between 35 and 55 per cent, utilizing Thermoblocks can reduce CO2 emissions still further to between 60 and 90 per cent, offering an important contribution to the points required in SAP calculations. Crucially, being able to employ a defined, very low thermal transmittance – derived by thermal modelling or measurement – achieves a far more advantageous result than adopting the ‘default’ figure offered in SAP. Using standard ACDs will add a heat loss of 0.08 Watts to the U-values for a property, while Enhanced Construction Details can cut this to 0.04 Watts; but incorporating Thermoblock can bring this right down to 0.01 Watts or less.

The same principle applies to the European PassivHaus standard or the recently launched Fabric Energy Efficiency Standard (FEES) which the Government is now promoting as the route to achieving Zero Carbon construction. www.marmox.co.uk

Enquiry 64

Thermoblock Offers The Right Formula For Autosport Test Facility

36 ISSUE 1 2015

THE BOOK/TIMBER

‘Exemplary’ Ditchling Museum of Art + Craft TakesArnold Laver Gold Award At National Wood Awards 2014Ditchling Museum of Art + Craft by Adam Richards Architects has taken the Arnold Laver Gold Award in this year’s UK national Wood Awards 2014 competition - the flagship for wood in the best of British architecture, furniture and design. Announced at the Wood Awards winners’ ceremony hosted by the Worshipful Company of Carpenters on the 18th November in the City of London, Ditchling Museum of Art + Craft in East Sussex won the Existing Building category before being crowned the “winner of winners” in front of more than 200 leading industry and architectural figures.

Chairman of the judges and founder of the Wood Awards, Michael Buckley said, “The Wood Awards go from strength to strength. This year there were several possible category winners from the outset but the final debate among the judges was not easy. Part of the strength of these national awards is that the panel of independent judges spent 116 judge-days during the summer personally inspecting the short-list in order to ensure we are truly celebrating the exceptional”.

Fellow judge Hugh Pearman, editor of RIBA Journal and architecture critic for the Sunday Times said, “As the Gold Award winner, Ditchling Museum of Art + Craft sums everything up. It is an exemplary little low-budget rural museum by an architect to note for the future. A mix of new-build and restoration, of ancient techniques co-existing happily with the high technology of today, it adroitly uses a mixed palette of materials (including spruce CLT and English oak) that suits its context admirably – and is designed in such a way as to waste practically nothing”.

The Wood Awards judging panel includes Hugh Pearman and Eleanor Young of RIBA Journal, Jim Greaves of Hopkins Architects, Andrew Lawrence from Arup, David Morley, Adam Khan, architectural writer Ruth Slavid, timber engineering consultant Nathan Wheatley from Engenuiti and craft specialist John Wilkie, and the panel is chaired by Michael Buckley. Sean Sutcliffe of Benchmark Furniture leads the Wood Awards eminent furniture judging panel of John Makepeace, Rod Wales and Katie Walker.

The UK national Wood Awards category winners for 2014 include The Sam Wanamaker Playhouse at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in London by McCurdy & Co for the Commercial & Public Access Award; House No. 7 in Tiree, Scotland by Denizen Works for the Private Award; Alfriston School Swimming Pool in Beaconsfield by Duggan Morris Architect for the Structural Award, and the small but perfectly formed Studio in Oxford by James Wyman Architects for the Small Project Award.

In the Wood Awards furniture categories, the Bespoke Furniture Award was won by Makers’ Eye – a collective of leading design-makers working in Britain today – for ‘Oak Furniture for the Dickson Poon Centre’ at St. Hugh’s College, Oxford. This project comprises nearly 200 pieces and was supplied to the sort of quality that tends to come from smaller and bespoke makers. Fowler & Co’s ‘Hat Tree’ took the Production Made Furniture Award, which was praised by the judges for its adaptation to the rigours of the production process.

Arnold Laver Gold Award Winner 2014 Ditchling Museum by Adam Richards Architects

Exisiting Building Highly Commended St George's Chapel Theatre by Hopkins Architects

Structural Winner Alfriston School Swimming Pool by Duggan Morris Architects

37ISSUE 1 2015

TIMBER/THE BOOK

Chair of the Wood Awards furniture judges, Sean Sutcliffe, said, “This has been another fascinating year for the Wood Awards. One particularly interesting aspect has been to look at the understanding developing between bespoke furniture and design for manufacture – to see how exactly designers are growing to understand the simplification of process that is needed for manufacture and how that can be coupled with quality of design, detailing and materials. On the other hand, there is enormous pleasure when one encounters the creativity, aesthetic understanding, craftsmanship and, often, restraint, that goes into the best bespoke pieces”.

Two Judges’ Special Awards were given this year. The first went to dRMM Architects and team for Endless Stair, created in American tulipwood CLT for the London Design Festival. The judges said, “The Endless Stair was a real one-off, a project that combined being an exciting and accessible piece of public art with research into innovative new ways of using a material, adding to the sum of knowledge as well as providing delight”.

The second was awarded to specialist joinery company Jack Badger Ltd for their Hand carved Gothic doors; two ornate pairs of Gothic oak doors with hand-carved tracery on both sides, constructed using traditional techniques and using 100% oak for the construction, with no glues or screws or modern fixings. Jack Badger worked with its apprentices on the project, giving them a chance to learn new skills which are in rapid decline and also giving them a sense of personal pride and achievement.

This year, the Wood Awards was launched at Ecobuild in March, and at 100% Design in September the Wood Awards exhibited a gallery of the full shortlist and the shortlisted Furniture categories pieces featured in person.

As the UK’s premier award scheme with over 40 years of supporting excellence in the world’s only naturally sustainable material, the not-for-profit competition is the flagship for wood in the best of British architecture, furniture and design.

The Wood Awards is only made possible by the major sponsorship of the American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC), the Worshipful Company of Carpenters, TRADA and Wood for Good. Other sponsors include American Softwoods, BRE and the Forestry Commission. New from 2014 is the combined sponsorship of the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) with the Malaysian Timber Council (MTC), and the British Woodworking Federation (BWF) as a supporter. The Wood Awards Gold Award is sponsored by Arnold Laver.

For full project information on the shortlist and winners, visit www.woodawards.com

Enquiry 65

C&PA Highly Commended Living Planet Centre WWF-Headquarters by Hopkins Architects

Bespoke Funiture Winner Oak furniture for Dickson Poon Centre by Makers’ Eye Judges Special Award Endless Stair by dRMM

Small Project Winner Studio by James Wyman Architects

Structural Highly Commended Farnham Place by Allies & Morrison

Production Made Furniture Winner Hat Tree by Fowler & Co Ltd.

38 ISSUE 1 2015

THE BOOK/TIMBER

The Perfect Timber Solution For External SpecificationWhen it comes to external timber doors and windows, James Latham offers the perfect solution to architects, joiners and the construction sector when looking to specify products which are not only dimensionally stable and durable but also legal and sustainable.

Accoya®One of the most advanced wood products on the market, Accoya® is a modified, highly durable and dimensionally stable certified softwood, incorporating Accsys’ proprietary wood acetylation technology which delivers outstanding levels of performance, stability and durability. Guaranteed for 50 years in exterior use and 25 years when used in the ground, Accoya® is produced using modified, fast growing species and can be safely recycled.

As impressively durable as the highest quality tropical hardwoods, Accoya® is a quality, long lasting product that is suitable for a wide range of external joinery applications including windows, doors, decking, structural and much more. Plus, Accoya® is a perfect solution for exterior cladding, siding and façades where aesthetics, less frequent maintenance, dimensional stability, durability and insulation value are key factors. Accoya®’s versatility makes it ideal for use in residential, commercial and industrial structures.

WoodEx®Produced from laminated Oak, Sapele and European Redwood, WoodEx® offers numerous features and benefits. It has two high quality, clear faces for use in joinery applications and is ideally suitable for use in timber doors and windows as the product offers greater dimensional stability. In addition, WoodEx® is made from finger jointed lamells which

are glued together, and James Latham can supply the product either as finger jointed or as one piece. James Latham’s Group Product Sales & Development Manager, Paul Leach, commented: “As demand for sustainably modified wood continues to grow, whether for windows, doors, decking, cladding or other joinery applications, Accoya® is a fantastic material for external specification.”

He added, “Having introduced WoodEx® to the market last year, we have had a fantastic reaction from the joinery and construction sectors due to the options it offers. In line with growing demand, our stock of WoodEx® now covers a wide range of sizes and species and provides a versatile addition to our already extensive timber range.”

WoodEx® is available ex-stock in lengths of 0.8m to 3m, (6.0m in finger jointed faced Redwood) and in sizes ranging from 48mm x 95mm to 72mm x 120mm. Special sizes and lengths are also available to order. www.lathamtimber.co.uk

Enquiry 66

39ISSUE 1 2015

TIMBER/THE BOOK

British Hardwood Enjoys A Resurgence The UK timber industry is beginning to flourish as architects and designers stop relying on imports and look to become more sustainable by choosing hardwood from our native woodlands says Tom Barnes of Vastern Timber.

Wood is one of the most sustainable building materials available. From the very process of growing trees, forests and woodlands epitomises the core of sustainability. As well as absorbing 800Kg of carbon per cubed metre of timber, trees and woodlands provide

habitats for other flora and fauna and have an important role in flood prevention. Once a tree is harvested it is a simple and natural process to plant another tree to replace it. The cycle of sustainability continues in the most natural way possible.

The processing chain for timber is also very energy efficient. Turning basic timber into a wood product requires little in the way of energy, but

often much in the way of skill, care and dedication. And once a final product has been produced it can last many years, even centuries.

So why have we become so reliant on imported hardwood? A big part of the reason for our reliance on imported wood is that the level of demand can’t possibly be met by the UK timber industry alone. In reality the UK would have trouble satisfying perhaps a quarter of the demand for hardwood. According to Timber Trade Federation figures, 43% of all timber products used in the UK in 2013 were British grown. But that includes softwoods, for which we certainly have a great deal of capacity. When you look at hardwoods, only 6% of hardwoods used in the UK are native. Unfortunately we have only 13% forest cover in the UK and this figure is amongst the lowest in Europe. 72% of British woodlands are privately owned and of these 64% are unmanaged with only 22% of private woodland independently certified. All this adds up to an industry that does not appear to have the capability to deliver on demand.

It is also true that until recently the UK hardwood industry has not promoted British timber well enough to be able to compete with foreign importers. But it is crucial that architects and designers understand the wider importance and benefits of specifying British woods over foreign imports where they can.

By using British wood we are protecting, valuing and putting something back into our own woodlands. We are also supporting our domestic industry and safeguarding jobs. It’s difficult to put an economic value on all of that, but we all want those woodlands to be there, we all want to reduce our environmental impact, and we all want to protect our own economy, so we should be using what’s on our doorstep and reducing the amount timber we are importing if we want wood to be a truly sustainable material.

While UK hardwood remains competitive on price, depending on the species and grade, it cannot promise to be any cheaper than imported timber. However, the UK timber industry can offer a wider variety of grades and specifications than imported wood, for example length, width and thickness of boards, and crucially we can offer a stronger narrative behind the wood being used. Imported wood is very generic and you don’t get any feel of where it has come from, but in the UK we have an ability to link the woodland, the community, the processor and the user.

Architects need to understand that there are commercial volumes of hardwoods and speciality softwoods in this country, so they should be asking for it. Don’t assume it’s not there, don’t assume it’s more expensive, and don’t assume that you are limited to the grades and specifications that are generically available with imported wood. So even the design possibilities for architects and designers are greatly increased through using British wood. www.vastern.co.uk

Enquiry 67

40 ISSUE 1 2015

THE BOOK/DOORS, WINDOWS & GLAZING

ESG Switchable™ iD – Exclusive LCD Privacy GlassWhen most companies think about branding, they think of the internet, magazines and billboards, with the work place more often than not over looked. This internal branding is not only an integral part of brand building to any visiting client, but also key in helping turn your employees into brand champions who help to grow your companies reputation.

ESG, the UK’s premier manufacturer of controllable glass solutions, as part of their next generation of LCD Privacy Glass, have taken corporate branding to the next level with the latest edition to their hugely successful ESG Switchable™ range of LCD Privacy glass. Until now, all switchable glass has consisted of switchable panels that can only be switched simply from optically clear to opaque. However using the very latest manufacturing techniques, ESG are now able to create logos and wording within their switchable glass panels. This means that their ESG Switchable™ iD range can not only be

operated as standard LCD privacy glass but can now also display the inserted design as opaque if the panel is switched to clear and vice versa – logo clear and the glass opaque.This new range is powered by ESG’s new fully redesigned and patented (pending) control box. The new ESG Switchable™ HD box is designed to make installation easier with its colour coded plug and play wiring system and is fully CE Certified.

It comes with a host of new features, such as LCD Preservation mode, LCD Film Protection circuitry and FRQ synchronisation; these features are unique to the ESG Switchable™ controller, and therefore can be found across their entire ‘next generation switchable glass range’. To find out further details of this exciting new range please visit www.esgswitchableglass.co.uk or call 01376 520061.

Enquiry 68

41ISSUE 1 2015

DOORS, WINDOWS & GLAZING/THE BOOK

Aluprof Corners The Sliding Door Market’

Glazed sliding doors have always been popular in residential and high rise residential properties as they take up little room and are cost effective to manufacture and install. Today’s lift and slide doors offer high thermal performance and excellent weathering capabilities complete with a low threshold detail. Aluprof now ‘corners’ the market with their aluminium lift and slide door, the MB-77HS, which now offers the option of a 90o installation configuration.

Already specified and being installed on several new commercial high rise projects, the new detail allows for the door to be installed at the corner of a building or balcony whilst still taking up little room and maintaining the high weathering capabilities and high insulation required in high rise applications.

Equally at home in the residential home improvement market, the new 90o lift and slide door from Aluprof is a cost effective option to a 90o sliding folding door with arguably a longer, trouble free life expectancy. The MB-77HS is configured in an "ST" or "HI", standard or highly insulated, option and can be glazed with wide DG units, including triple glazing. Thermal insulation, ‘Uf’, from 1.4 W/m2K can be achieved.

In keeping with today’s automation requirements, the MB-77HS can be fully automated and used with a wide range of control systems. MB-77HS shares components with the MB-86 system which creates an aesthetic combination of MB-77HS doors with windows, using the same components in the fabrication process. Installed weather performance can achieve, air permeability, class 4, EN 12207, watertightness, class 9A, EN 12208 and wind load resistance, up to class C4, EN 12210.

All Aluprof systems are designed, fabricated and installed by selected, specially trained companies across the UK. Further information is available on the company’s website at www.aluprof.eu/en/ and specialist advice is available from Aluprof on 0161 941 4005.

Enquiry 72

It All Adds Up - The Veka UK Group Launches The Industry's Only Notified Energy Rating Calculator

The VEKA UK Group has now unveiled the industry’s only BSI notified and BFRC certified window and door energy performance calculator. Principal Engineer Tim Williams has unveiled the only calculator in the industry capable of providing accurate SELs, DSELs in accordance with the BFRC, and notified U-Values for CE Marking in accordance with EN 14351. The calculator is unique to each fabricator and their products. And the best part...? It’s free! BFRC rules covering the simulation of spacer bars changed at the beginning of September and immediately made results from all existing SEL calculators invalid and subsequently illegal. The rules stated that all warm edge spacer bars should be simulated as two box models and all pre-September simplified energy licenses based on the old spacer bar simulation method are now obsolete. www.vekauk.com

Enquiry 70

YWC Group's Low Threshold French Door Passes The Test For Security And Accessibility

Halo fabricator YWC Group has announced successful BSI testing and accreditation for its mobility threshold Secured by Design French door. The project brought together technically-advanced Halo profile with the input of leading threshold manufacturer Stormguard and global window security experts Avantis Hardware Ltd., to create a doorset that complies with all current BSI criteria while providing unhindered floor-level access - crucial for wheelchair users and people with mobility difficulties. YWC Group Director Kevin Taylor initiated the project which he envisages as one of many collaborative developments between the three respective stakeholders.

Enquiry 71

New Guide For Specifers Of BlindsChoosing the right shading product for modern interiors is no longer straightforward and today a specifier needs to know which blinds can help achieve shading and insulation targets for a project, as well as decide between electric or manual control. Then there is a new 2014 UK regulation concerning blind safety which has to be taken into account. The BLINDS BOOK from Aluzion helps by providing concise information about fifteen different types of blind systems in one A5 book (or download). It includes maximum sizes, technical information, guide prices and some fabric ranges. Products featured include the COLLEGE blind system for teaching rooms, and the 3E ELECTRIC ROLLER BLIND in mains and battery versions. Copies of The Blinds Book are available from Aluzion. www.aluzion.co.uk

Enquiry 69

42 ISSUE 1 2015

THE BOOK/DOORS, WINDOWS & GLAZING

Cantifix collaborated with Paul Archer Design to create this stunning curved glass structure - as part of the renovation and extension of a country farmhouse in Lancashire.

Constructed from sections of oversized, curved glass; the structure adds a dining area and separate living space to the property. The curved glass sections are set into a stone base which is built into the landscaping – giving the structure a floating appearance. The 360-degree glass walls provide the perfect spot for the client to bird watch – as well as to take advantage of the surrounding views. The old well shaft in the floor was also glazed to create an interesting feature.

In the dining area a glass roof draws in natural light, and its supporting angled glass beams ensure that this light is not obstructed. The glazing is fixed directly onto the stone wall of the farmhouse, which becomes an internal wall for the dining area.

The extension also features two sets of Sky-Frame doors and one set of Sky-Frame windows, which lead out from the new rooms onto a patio and seating area – creating a new ultra-modern wing for this listed building.www.cantifix.co.uk

Enquiry 73

Cantifix Adds a Touch of Glass to Slackwood Farm

43ISSUE 1 2015

DOORS, WINDOWS & GLAZING/THE BOOK

If You Want To Have A View, Get A LifeDo you have clients who have some idea of what they want, but aren't sure exactly how to achieve it, and so are open to suggestions and advice? In many cases, it is possible to end up with a satisfied client who realises they are happier than they would have been if they had chosen a less expensive but inferior option.

Making the most of landscape viewsHow about, for example, a homeowner who is in the fortunate position of having a stunning landscape visible from at least one side of their house. One attractive option is a sliding door set geared with Roto Patio Life.

400 kg – and still slides with easeWith Patio Life, the the key advantage is just how heavy that sash can be. To be precise, 400 kg. At the same time, it remains incredibly easy to operate. This is a sliding system – not a lift and slide. All the user has to do is turn the handle and slide the door across. All of this is achieved because of the Roto gasket system. Instead of the sash being lifted, the horizontal seals are raised instead. It explains how the system is able to make sliding the door so effortless and meet all the requirements of EN 13126-16 for sliding doors.

Wider, higher, heavierWith the exceptional load bearing capability, you can go wider, higher and heavier. It is possible to have a sliding door sash 3235 mm wide. There's no better way to create an unobstructed view of the landscape and incorporate accessibility along with security and energy efficiency. The height limit is 2670 mm, enough to cover some of the tallest rooms from floor to ceiling. Even if you aren't going to these extremes, the 400 kg limit makes it possible to incorporate heavier glass, such as triple glazed units. This, coupled with the sealing properties of the gasket system, makes Patio Life ideal for eco-buildings. It has already been used on several Passivhaus projects across Europe.

Wheelchair accessWe mentioned accessibility and security. The very light operation means a Patio Life door can be operated by people who are elderly or infirm. There is another advantage too, because the enhanced threshold provides a completely flat crossing between the inside and outside of the building. This makes it ideal for wheelchairs, and there are no tripping hazards or obstructions that might affect the use of walking aids.

Security to RC2 – even in ventilation modeThe adjustable mushroom cams used on Patio Life are of the same type used in the Roto NT Tilt&Turn hardware system, which has met every applicable security standard. Patio Life is designed to meet the requirements of EN Resistance Class 2 (RC2).

Another plus point is that this high level of security need not be compromised if the homeowner wishes to allow a small amount of airflow into the building, for example during hot weather. The door can be set in ventilation mode. The gaskets are open to allow airflow, while the locking cams remain in place. Unlike some night ventilation modes, this is not a “half way” setting: the security level remains at maximum.

To read more about Patio Life on the Roto international website http://ftt.roto-frank.com/en/products/product-view/detail/roto-patio-life/-/

Enquiry 74

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THE BOOK/DOORS, WINDOWS & GLAZING

Giving Room Designs A Taste For Chocolate

Chocolate is just one of 6 contemporary colours introduced by Vicaima as part of their new stained oak doors range, which answers the growing trend for attractively stained real wood veneers in modern homes, apartments and hotel suites.

Recent interior design has seen resurgence in the appeal created by natural wood tones within homes and leisure facilities and is typified by the use of stained wood for flooring, stairs, kitchen cabinets and even furniture.

One example of this fashion is the popularity of grey wood hues with white walls to create a striking contrast of light and dark. This décor movement can now be further complimented by the use of Vicaima interior stained doors. Embodied with the natural grain of real Oak veneer, the faces have been enhanced with a matt lacquered stain finish which requires no further treatment once fitted and provides an easy to clean surface.

The doors are available either textured or smooth finished in 6 popular colours including Hazel, Chocolate, Grey, Limed Oak, Wenge and Walnut, offering plenty of scope for individual design tastes.

The new Vicaima stained doors come complete with edge banding to match the faces and can be

supplied either as individual door leaves or within a door assembly comprising of door, frame and ironmongery depending upon client requirements.

As with all Vicaima doors, quality does not end with design and good looks. Performance is at the forefront of Vicaima thinking, meaning that construction and specification meets the most exacting demands.

As a specialist in Fire performance, Vicaima supply both FD30 and FD60 UK tested doors and assemblies that meet not one but two nationally recognised accreditation schemes. As such all doors carry both the BWF-Certifire label and TRADA Q-Mark plug in recognition.

Where security is of paramount importance, then Vicaima go above and beyond. You’ll enjoy a choice of high-security BS EN 6375 and PAS 24, multi-purpose secure entrance door sets for internal use, with Secured by Design (SBD) approval. Ideal in apartments and multi-occupancy dwellings, these sets offer a range of fire ratings, acoustic performance and locking systems.

Vicaima have a wealth of experience in the design, manufacture and supply of door assemblies and this expertise and innovation has seen their products specified for an ever growing number of

UK and international luxury apartments, hotel and leisure developments, plus numerous commercial projects.

For further details about the new Vicaima stained range or other products from their many collections, visit the Vicaima websitewww.vicaima.com Alternatively, call 01793 532333 for additional information.

Enquiry 75

45ISSUE 1 2015

DOORS, WINDOWS & GLAZING/THE BOOK

Automatic And Industrial Entrance Design Made Easier

The Premium Door Collection, A Remarkable New Range From Premdor

When Premdor discovered a new market opportunity for a range of high quality internal and external doors, the Company’s Research, Development and Design Team created the inspirational Premium Door Collection.Reflecting Premdor’s commitment to excellence, the new collection is presented in Oak for internal doors and Oak or Meranti for external doors. The range comprises over fifteen striking design options for external doors and over eighteen exciting internal design styles, with both ranges offering traditional and contemporary profiles. The unprecedented build quality has resulted in a range with maximum stability and strength, increased sound proofing and reduced heat loss. They are available in attractive glazed options, allowing the opportunity to enhance darker rooms and bring in natural light into the home. Certified fire doors and fully finished internal door options give even more width and choice to this all embracing collection.www.premdor.co.uk

Enquiry 76

ASSA ABLOY Entrance Systems has expanded its BIM Library, with models for Crawford industrial doors and docking equipment joining the complete range of Besam automatic door objects, on their free to download ‘BIM cloud’.In May 2014 BIM objects were unveiled for Besam revolving, sliding and swing doors and operators, providing a high-level of detail in REVIT and ArchiCAD compatible formats. In December objects were added for Crawford overhead sectional doors, dock levellers, dock shelters and Loadhouses.

The ASSA ABLOY Entrance Systems BIM cloud – http://assaabloyentrance.bimobject.com – offers BIM objects free of charge. All models include the features of the actual products such as standard colors, size variations, different profile systems and panel configurations. Corresponding hardware like locks, handles, and ironmongery are options. The objects retain a high level of detail in order to produce a complete bill of materials and documentation. Tutorial videos, demonstrating how best to use these objects, are available to watch atwww.assaabloyentrance.co.uk “By developing our BIM library, we aim to facilitate the specification and building process when it comes to entrance automation. As a leading entrance automation supplier, we strive to offer the best possible support and to recommend the best products and solutions for any set of client needs,” says Juan Vargues, President of ASSA ABLOY Entrance Systems.

Enquiry 77

46 ISSUE 1 2015

THE BOOK/STRUCTURES

Schöck Performance For World’s Largest Passivhaus Scheme The historic city of Heidelberg, in south-west Germany, is residentially very popular, with barely any property available in the city’s picturesque old town and little room for expansion. The spectacular solution is to build a completely new district – the Bahnstadt – on a 286 acre area that was once Heidelberg's rail freight and marshalling yards. The g2 billion initiative is claimed to be the largest single passivhaus development in the world and by 2022 will provide living space for around 5000 residents. All buildings, not just residential properties, will meet advanced passivhaus standards.

Balconies are an important feature in Bahnstadt, but with high insulation levels and the prevention of thermal bridging being critical in passivhaus design, balconies have not been a popular choice with designers. The Schöck Isokorb type XT structural thermal break unit has changed that perception. This latest generation product for concrete-to-concrete applications offers such a high level of insulation that the Passivhaus Institute in Darmstadt has awarded it with the "low thermal bridge construction" certificate and confirmed its suitability for passivhaus construction.

Thousands of type XT units are incorporated into the Bahnstadt development and the major reason for its suitability is the thickness of the insulation body. Now increased from the standard 80mm to 120mm, the thermal insulation performance is up by 30% when compared with the standard range and impact sound insulation is increased by around 50% as well.

The type XT offers architects and engineers a variety of design options, including the capability to construct stepped height balconies, with increased fire protection also taken into account. High quality stainless steel bars are an integral part of the unit and although the rod diameter is smaller, the tensile strength is improved and the same load-bearing capacity maintained. This means a reduction in the thermally conducting cross-section.

The Schöck Isokorb range allows connections to be made between concrete-to-concrete, concrete-to-steel and steel-to-steel – and in the UK, all units meet full compliance with all relevant building regulations, while also providing BBA Certification and LABC Registration.

For your free copy of the Schöck Specifiers Guide and / or the Technical Guide contact the company on 01865 290 890 or visit www.schoeck.co.uk

Enquiry 78

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STRUCTURES/THE BOOK

Portakabin Hire Builds Fully Serviced 20-Bed Ward At Princess Alexandra Hospital In Less Than Three Months

When additional ward space was required at Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow to help the Trust manage increased demand over the winter period, Portakabin Hire constructed a fully serviced 20-bed ward facility in less than three months and handed it over ahead of programme.

The building is on hire for an initial one year and in order to meet the challenging deadline for completion a partnership approach was critical. Portakabin worked closely with the Trust on the design of the new interim Short Stay Assessment Unit and final drawings were approved overnight.

Commenting on the project, Clive Austin, Project Lead Manager at the hospital, said, “We went out to a number of modular building suppliers and Portakabin was the first to ensure a handover date within our timescales.”

“We were confident in the company’s track record and that Portakabin Hire buildings met the required NHS standards. Its Crown Commercial Service framework agreement also allowed us to fast track the order.”

“The new building is tremendous and everyone is delighted with it. It meets all permanent building standards and complies with NHS requirements, which means it will serve us well for as long as we need it. The staff are very happy working in this wonderful new facility.”

“Portakabin worked with us around the clock to meet the deadline. Incredibly, this fully serviced facility was completed in just 10 weeks. The building was handed over three days ahead of programme – a remarkable achievement given the time constraints and scale of the building.”

The gradient of the site required extensive ground works, including five foot foundation pads which Portakabin completed within just one week of receiving the order. Portakabin handled every aspect of the build, giving the Trust a single point of contact for the entire project. Work carried out included all site works, installation of climate control systems,

data communications, fire alarms, nurse call systems, bedhead trunking, medical gas services, automated doors, video entry, furnishings and a link bridge to connect the new ward to the main hospital.

The 747m2 building incorporates a mix of four-bed and single-bed ensuite rooms, a large reception area, nurses’ station, shower rooms, kitchen, utility rooms, quiet room and stores.

This project illustrates how Portakabin Hire can deliver interim building solutions to help healthcare providers meet response times during peak periods, waiting list targets and while longer-term plans for expansion are progressed.

Portakabin Hire can deliver short-term solutions for ward accommodation, recovery suites, dialysis units, diagnostics, out-patient departments and treatment centres. All the hospital facilities are constructed to the latest healthcare standards, including HTM (Health Technical Memoranda), HBN (Health Building Notes), SHTM (Scottish Health Technical Memoranda) and HAI-SCRIBE (Healthcare Associated Infection System for Controlling Risk in the Built Environment).

For further information about modular healthcare buildings for interim and permanent applications, visit www.portanews.co.uk, email information@portakabin.co.uk or call 0845 401 0010.

Enquiry 79

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THE BOOK/EXTERNAL WORKS

New Transparent Offering For Flood Defences

IBS Engineered Products Ltd introduce new ‘lightweight’ version of widely used innovative glass flood defence system, now available in the UK & Ireland. Drawing on the experience and the design of our already widely used glass flood defence system, the new sleeker product incorporates a slimmer frame design that maximises the view through the glass panels and provides flood protection up to 800mm in height and where the load criteria consideration is hydrostatic water head. This system has already been installed in mainland Europe and in the UK in South Wales.Commenting on this recent addition to the product range, Ray Moulds, Business Development Manager, said “We recognised that not all of our clients’ designs required a system that could withstand an impact load as well as hydrostatic head, so we set to work to lighten the design and this is the result. We believe we already have the most widely used glass system in Europe, but the

addition of this new ‘lightweight’ version will ensure that our customers are getting the optimum glass defence system for their project in terms of design, aesthetics and build costs.”The IBS glass wall flood protection system is an ideal solution where traditional floodwalls are undesirable and temporary barriers cannot be installed due to certain logistical circumstances. Providing not only a spectacular alternative, the glass flood wall systems’ benefits also include interchangeability, easily replaceable parts and maintenance free. IBS glass wall flood defence systems have been installed around the country, including in Upton-upon-Severn in 2012, providing part of a solution to hold back floodwater from the River Severn and with the design enabling residents to view the river safely. With excellent feedback, the glass system at Upton was highly successful in holding back the Severn on at least one occasion as the river rose during the winter flooding of 2013/14. www.ibsengineeredproducts.co.uk

Enquiry 81

Permeable Car Park ‘Avoids The Gap’ As BSP Consulting Chooses Brett Landscaping

With a focus on bringing permeable paving to one of its latest projects in Yorkshire, award-winning civil and structural engineering practice, BSP Consulting has praised Brett Landscaping for its ingenious solution to the installation of a permeably paved car park within a new retail development.

Brett Landscaping, a specialist in the manufacture and supply of permeable hard landscaping solutions, provided the necessary technical expertise to ensure that such a solution was possible. The car park, which services a new 28,000sq ft ‘eco-store,’ has been laid using a combination of Brett permeable Beta Flow and Omega Pencil Edge.

The design is particularly noteworthy as it fulfils the environmental advantage of reducing the impact of flooding by providing a proven Sustainable Drainage System (SuDS), while providing a reduced chamfer paving block smooth enough to enable shopping trollies to glide easily over the surface with minimal wheel ‘chatter’.

The use of Beta Flow allows surface water to pass between each block and into the purpose designed sub-base beneath. This helps to

reduce the risk of onsite flooding or overflow to neighbouring urban development. However, it was the recent addition of Beta Flow to the Brett permeable paving range which has helped to reduce the potential irritation to customers and trolley operatives while manoeuvring trollies around the car park, making it a great long term solution.

With designs for the new brownfield site retail development including 100% PFC certified timber, BSP Consulting felt it would be appropriate to attempt the inclusion of a permeably paved car park for environmental reasons, but were also attracted to the idea of a ‘gapless’ solution.

BSP Consulting understands the development is set to be awarded a ‘very good’ BREEAM rating, (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Methodology), a development framework which sets the standard for best practice in sustainable building design, construction and operation. www.brettpaving.co.uk

Enquiry 80

49ISSUE 1 2015

EXTERNAL WORKS/THE BOOK

Seven Hauraton Drainage Systems At Waitrose Boughton, ChesterOpened in November 2014, the Boughton Retail Centre is a mixed use development on a brown-field site located between the A51 and the Shropshire Union Canal on the east side of Chester, Cheshire, England. Waitrose has worked closely with Cheshire West and Chester Council to produce a comprehensive development that features a beautifully designed Waitrose supermarket with a sales floor of approximately 2,790 m2 (30,000 ft2). A 192 space customer car park plus smaller retail units and a pedestrian footbridge are also included in the scheme. HOW Planning LLP together with Architects Broadway Malyan were asked to work on the supermarket and surrounding area, which has achieved a BREEAM excellent rating.

Conceived to enhance and regenerate the whole area, the Boughton development is built on land that slopes down from the A51 towards the Shropshire Union Canal. With extensive paved, concreted and asphalted areas, surface water drainage was an important consideration in the general landscaping of the site.

Aesthetic demands meant the surface water drainage for the paved concourse and pedestrian walkways had to be as unobtrusive as possible yet fully meet the drainage requirement; this was achieved by installing over 73 metres of Hauraton RECYFIX® STANDARD SLOTTED CHANNELS fitted with symmetrical stainless steel covers. A further 180 metres of SLOTTED CHANNEL with asymmetrical covers were installed along the glazed façades of the supermarket building. Due to the limited depth available to the

groundwork contractor, Cilmec Limited, in some areas such as the window façade, various depths of channel had to be used to ensure water flow was maintained throughout the channel runs. Once installed this system provides an unobtrusive, narrow line of slots in the paved surfaces. Ensuring a pleasing effect, 186 metres RECYFIX® STANDARD 100 Channels with Elegance stainless steel perforated gratings were also used along the colonnade at the rear of the building.

Having a loading Class of D400, a total of 50 metres RECYFIX® PLUS 100 channel with HEELSAFE (6mm slots) ductile iron gratings were installed at the entrance to the under-croft car park. A further 60 metres of FASERFIX® KS Type 1 channels, also with HEELSAFE gratings but with a loading Class of E600, were installed in the car park area itself. Two sizes of Hauraton RECYFIX® PRO channels fitted with FIBRETEC® gratings were chosen for the plant rooms and outside to drain the area where the AC units are located. The PRO channels have a loading Class of C250 and are highly resistant to wear and corrosion.

Ian Burton the Hauraton project engineer commented; “It was particularly pleasing our RECYFIX® channels, made from 100% recycled Polyethylene-Polypropylene (PE-PP) and the FASERFIX® channels, made from Hauraton’s ecological and sustainable Fibre Reinforced Concrete (FRC), were materials in keeping with the sustainable aims of this development”. www.hauraton.co.uk

Enquiry 82

50 ISSUE 1 2015

GALLERY/PROJECT/MAPEITitle: Mapei Floor System Provides Peak Performance At Sporting TrioLocations: Fife and AberdeenApplication: Flooring SystemsVisit: www.mapei.co.ukPhotographs by: Paul Zanre

Mapei floor systems have been installed at three leisure complexes, in Fife and Aberdeen. They include a new £18M regional sports academy in Glenrothes - The Michael Woods Sports & Leisure Centre, Kirkcaldy Leisure Centre and the new Aquatics Centre at Aberdeen Sports Village. All Mapei products were installed by Architectural Ceramics for main contractor, GRAHAM Construction.

Located on the former site of Fife Institute, The Michael Woods Sports & Leisure Centre provides competition-standard facilities for community use, including extensive swimming, dryside and outdoor amenities. Nearby, Kirkcaldy Leisure Centre includes swimming, gym and dryside amenities, as well as a multi-activity children’s play centre. The largest complex - Aberdeen Sports Village - is a premier sport and exercise centre, that hosts a range of world-class sporting facilities.

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The floor specification at Glenrothes and Kirkcaldy included Mapei Mapescreed 704 and screeds containing Mapei Topcem binder; a high performance, fast-drying hydraulic binder which reduces installation time to 24 hours for ceramic and two days for stone tiling. Mapei Mapeprim SP synthetic resin-based and solvent-free primer was then applied. Mapei adhesives - Keraquick, Keraflex, Kerapoxy and Adesilex P9 - were used to bond a variety of ceramic surfaces, throughout wet and dryside areas, at all three centres. Mapei Ultracolor Plus - a fast setting and drying flexible grout - was then applied, providing anti-efflorescence, water-repellent and anti-mould properties essential in a leisure environment.

Enquiry 83

52 ISSUE 1 2015

GALLERY/PROJECT/HOWE GREENTitle: Howe Green Access Covers Are Just The Ticket For London BridgeLocation: LondonApplication: Access CoversVisit: www.howegreen.com

Howe Green’s high quality access covers have been installed in the concourse at London Bridge Station in a phase of works forming part of The London Bridge Redevelopment Scheme. The installation was carried out by the specialist contactor DMC Contracts Ltd for Costain. Howe Green’s heavy duty 1050 Series access covers were specified and fitted above mechanical and electrical services feeding the ticket line. The run of covers, which spans more than 25 metres, will ensure that when routine or emergency maintenance is needed going forward, gaining access to essential service points will be no problem. DMC inlaid the surface of the covers with a ‘flamed pink’ granite paving matching the existing flooring within the concourse and providing an uninterrupted flooring surface for the best possible aesthetic finish.Howe Green manufactured the covers to order. They were fabricated in 316-grade stainless steel and with a deeper capacity to accommodate a thicker granite floor covering, a standard feature of the 1050 Series. The panels sit flush with the surrounding floor to prevent slips and trips and are double sealed, ensuring optimum hygiene. Importantly, they are also tamper proof for increased security, an imperative feature in a critical hub location with over 50 million passengers a year. Making sure the station remains open is one of the key challenges facing Network Rail as the London Bridge Redevelopment Scheme continues. The 1050 Series was designed for the most demanding internal and external environments. Capable of accepting heavy and sustained traffic – up to 6 tonne pneumatic tyre loads - the hatches are just the ticket for the highly trafficked London Bridge station, the fourth busiest in the country.

Enquiry 84

53ISSUE 1 2015

GALLERY/PROJECT/FILATitle: Fila Provides Surface Protection At Transformed IWM LondonLocation: LondonApplication: Floor Protection SystemVisit: www.filasolutions.com

A Fila floor protection system has been specified, alongside Mapei Ultratop cementitious flooring, at IWM London, the flagship branch of the Imperial War Museums. Recently transformed to mark the centenary of the WW1, the London museum attracts around one million visitors each year.

Fila products chosen for the heavy traffic environment included high performance FILAFOB stain protector and FILA Cleaner; part of the eco award-winning Fila Green Line range. All site works were coordinated by Construction Manager, Lend Lease and Fila systems were applied by Polished Concrete Designs, for Trade Contractor, ITC Concepts Ltd.

Designed by Foster + Partners, the revamped Museum includes world-class First World War Galleries centered around a dramatic new atrium space within which large iconic objects are suspended – from a Harrier jet to a V2 rocket. Other new features include Truth and Memory – the largest exhibition of British First World War art; a major family exhibition, Horrible Histories® Spies ; new retail areas and a new café, which opens onto Geraldine Mary Harmsworth Park.

Following the floor installation, Mapei Ultratop was sealed with oil and stain proofing FILAFOB; a non film-forming treatment that protects against stains without altering surface appearance. Fila Cleaner was chosen to maintain the cementitious floor; the bio gradable detergent is pH-neutral and cleans without damaging the sealant or leaving a film.

Enquiry 85

54 ISSUE 1 2015

Title: Warm Welcome For Frosty CarrinaLocation: North LondonApplication: Quartz StoneVisit: www.caesarstone.co.uk

GALLERY/PROJECT/CAESARSTONE

When it comes to achieving wow-factor, there can be no doubt that this month’s case study does it on a number of different levels. But most impressive of all, is the master class it delivers in how to create the ultimate family-friendly, yet beautifully contemporary kitchen-come-living space. And, although we say it ourselves, key to this stunning, yet highly practical room is its specification of one of Caesarstone’s newest, yet most popular colours, Frosty Carrina 5141. The kitchen designed by St Peter Port of Colchester needed to fit with Considerate Building’s overall vision and concept for the new ground floor space and with surfaces fabricated and installed by Maldon’s Marmi, the kitchen has become the eating, living and entertaining hub of a fabulous home in Golders Green, North London. A family space to be used and enjoyed, St. Peter’s Port and Considerate Building have deployed a skilful and sophisticated blend of natural materials and texture.

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St Peter Port’s Terry Lowe, “The homeowners working with Considerate Building wanted a contemporary kitchen, but one that wasn’t devoid of life or character. We tempered the simple white cabinetry with considered details such as the wooden stools, a bank of dark wood wall cabinets and the bleached oak kitchen table. The choice of Caesarstone’s Frosty Carrina, which recreates the beauty and tactility of carina marble amazingly well, proved to be spot-on. It wraps around the kitchen’s peninsular unit and is so easy to keep in pristine condition – which is always a must for busy, family kitchen spaces. Overall, the family are delighted with their kitchen; it really is a proper ‘hub of the home’ and it is in no small part thanks to the use of Caesarstone’s Frosty Carrina that the space manages to be both stylish and practical.”

A glance at one of the kitchen’s luxurious flat panel radiators, bursting with colourful magnetic letters and children’s artwork tells you this is a kitchen – and a building company – that has ‘kept it real’. Much, in fact, like Caesarstone’s Frosty Carrina. Recreating the appeal of marble, but with none of the drawbacks, this is a surface that looks sensational, yet that is wonderfully versatile.

Aesthetically, it replicates the beauty of marble – right down to the most delicate detail. But there, the similarities stop. For, unlike marble, Frosty Carrina – which is part of Caesarstone’s Supernatural Collection – is completely non-porous. It is also highly resistant to scratches and staining. In short, fitting it into wet areas, around sinks or using it as a splash back is no problem. Neither is inadvertently sloshing a glass of Merlot over it. Best of all, it’s supremely easy to keep clean – something that we’re sure was a deciding factor in this kitchen.

Enquiry 86

56 ISSUE 1 2015

Title: Glassolutions Creates Glass Walkways For Tower BridgeLocation: LondonApplication: Glass WalkwaysVisit: www.glassolutions.co.uk

GALLERY/PROJECT/GLASSOLUTIONS

Tourists visiting Tower Bridge can see a unique view of the bridge mechanism and road below – through two new glass walkway floors 42 metres above the River Thames. The UK’s largest processor, distributor, installer and repairer of glass and glass systems GLASSOLUTIONS won the £250,000 contract to design and manufacture the (one-way) glass, which has been inserted into the floor of each of the two 11.5 metre long walkways on the Grade I listed building.

The existing floors were removed and a steel frame was installed into which the new 80mm thick glass floor panels, comprising seven layers of glass capable of withstanding the weight of six elephants, were inserted.

The glass specification was developed to accommodate major external forces such as wind loading and the potential impact should a passing vessel strike the walkways. Equally important though was consideration of internal impacts on the glass floors and how to design-in a way to easily repair any damage that results from the heavy footfall of 600,000+ visitors a year.

The solution developed by GLASSOLUTIONS was to incorporate a top “sacrificial” layer of glass into the panels. This can be replaced quickly and easily should any damage occur – including the minor scratches and scuff marks that are inevitable over time – without affecting the structural integrity of the floor.

This innovative design has already demonstrated its value with a breakage in one of the panels occurring when a heavy item was accidentally dropped during the new venue’s opening fortnight. GLASSOLUTIONS was able to respond immediately and replace the sacrificial layer from stocked spare glass panes within 48 hours to help the venue get back to full operation quickly. It did its job perfectly in that it prevented any cosmetic damage to the main structural part of the glass floor, which in a conventional design would have been far more costly and time-consuming to replace.

Chris Earlie, business manager at Tower Bridge said: “There has never been anything as big as this for Tower Bridge in terms of development, and in terms of future-proofing in the exhibition. On the basis of this project, I would have nothing but glowing reports on GLASSOLUTIONS. I would definitely recommend them.”

Simon Carin, managing director of Glassolutions, which is part of the international Saint-Gobain group said: “The glass walkways are designed to enhance this already stunning visitor attraction and have certainly created a new talking point. This project is similar to the glass floor installations Saint-Gobain has been involved with at the Eiffel Tower in Paris and the Spinnaker Tower view decks in Portsmouth. It’s a privilege to be part of such a landmark project and we’re delighted that our expertise has made it possible.”

With a wide variety of events and functions held on the walkways, another dimension to the glass panel design was to maintain privacy for venue users when necessary to prevent prying eyes from the passing traffic and pedestrians on the bridge below. The clever panel design allows for this too, which means GLASSOLUTIONS can replace the top layer of glass at any point to incorporate a privacy feature – and remove just as easily.

Enquiry 87

57ISSUE 1 2015

Title: Craven Dunnill Cracks Tile Challenge Of Kings Cross Curved TunnelLocation: LondonApplication: Tiled FlooringVisit: www.cravendunnill.co.uk

GALLERY/PROJECT/CRAVEN DUNNILL

The newly opened King’s Cross pedestrian tunnel in London features a tiled floor of interlocking triangles, set along a sloping curve. The conceptual design of the floor complements the other key elements: the canopy, the fin section and the integrated art-wall of LED lights. Craven Dunnill successfully solved the geometric and mathematical challenges created by the irregular floor, providing the required technical CAD expertise and supplying the water-jet cut tiles to an accuracy of 0.1mm.

The project brief stipulated a floor tile for the 90m tunnel with a Low Slip Potential for Pendulum Slider 96, in two shades of grey, which needed to fit onto a curved floor, in line with the LED light panels. Additionally, the floor tiles needed to be over 1200mm wide, to modulate with the faceted LED lightwall. Craven Dunnill sourced the high quality, Italian-made tiles which are unglazed, rectified and are PTV 40+. In addition, floor tiles were supplied for the escalator hall and steps.

David Talbot of Craven Dunnill was responsible for calculating the individual tile components for water-jet cutting and worked closely with the flooring contractor DMC Contracts. He explains: “From the outset we knew this floor would be a complex and difficult challenge; the simplicity and beauty of the finished floor belies the complications and trials we faced during the design and production processes”.

The CAD plans for the tiled floor were created life-size and included allowances for the 3mm wide joints, intermediate movement joints and site construction joints. The plans were then tailored to an accurate site survey of the enclosed tunnel, to achieve the pinpoint accuracy required. It was this critical site survey which revealed that the floor curve varied slightly, unnoticeable to the naked eye but crucial when calculating the water-jet cutting calculations. The tunnel links St Pancras International and King’s Cross St Pancras Underground stations to the King’s Cross’ public area, via One Pancras Square and was opened summer 2014.

Enquiry 88

58

OPINION

ISSUE 1 2015

WWW.WRIGHTSTyLE.CO.UKArticle By: WrightstyleTitle: Wrightstyle, Advanced Glazing Systems And Care HomesAuthor: Lee Coates, Technical Director

Wrightstyle, based in the UK, supplies specialist steel and aluminium glazing systems worldwide. Lee Coates, the company’s technical director, examines fire safety in care homes.

A building’s capacity to withstand fire involves a complex interplay of different elements, including building design and materials, as well as the suppression and

containment systems used to deal with fire if it does break out.

That’s particularly important in buildings housing the most vulnerable, including healthcare facilities and care homes. In those buildings, with occupants unable to self-rescue, design, containment and suppression are vital components.

Fire safety in new and altered residential care premises are subject to fire regulations and dealt with under Approved Document B Fire Safety. Fire precautions in England and Wales fall under The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RRFSO), and applies to residential care homes for

both the elderly and infirm, including people with addictions, and children and young persons.

The Order came into force in 2006 and puts the onus for fire safety firmly on the shoulders of the owner/ landlord who is deemed to be the “responsible person.” Similar regulations apply in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The importance of those regulations was highlighted in 2004 when 14 elderly people died in the Rosepark care home near Glasgow. The subsequent fatal accident inquiry found that “some or all” of the deaths could have been prevented if the care home had implemented a “suitable and efficient” fire safety plan.

A similar tragedy in Southwark in 2009 claimed the lives of six people. The London Fire Brigade says that there were 540 fires in London’s care homes and sheltered accommodation in 2012/13, with two deaths and 34 injuries.

There have been a number of high-profile prosecutions, most notably a large social landlord in London being ordered to pay some £170,000 following a care home fire in 2010 that claimed the life of one resident.

Nor are all fires accidental. Earlier this year, a 28-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of arson at a care home in Reading.

Much of the current debate in England and Wales is about sprinkler systems and whether they should be mandatory across all existing and new-build care homes (as they are in Scotland).

However, suppression, while vitally important, is only one part of the equation. The other is containment – ensuring that the fire remains trapped in one area, and giving staff adequate time to evacuate the building.

That’s where advanced glazing systems have a role to play, providing complete protection against fire, heat and toxic gases for up to 120 minutes. Our systems, which are specified worldwide, can be found in a variety of healthcare and other facilities internationally.

Despite new regulations, we shouldn’t be complacent. Documents released in 2011 under freedom of information requests, say that many care homes were routinely breaching fire regulations, with 135 homes described as fire hazards.

Things may have improved since then, but fires in care homes are still a common occurrence.

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PROJECTS/THE BOOK

Stannah Xtralifts Bring XtraAccess In A Va-Va-Voom Car ParkA pair of Stannah Xtralifts 2.0 has brought bumper access to people of all mobility levels in an exciting new multi-storey car park servicing Chequers Court retail centre in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire.

Part of an ongoing £5m investment in the redevelopment of Huntingdon Town Centre, the 400-space car park, located opposite a supermarket, is a dynamic timber-clad, glass-and-concrete structure, with floor slabs, high ceilings, and few cross beams. The duplex pair of 21-person, stretcher passenger lifts is wall mounted within concrete lift shafts in a dedicated scenic glass structure. Traction-driven, the lifts operate at a speed of 1.0m/s between four floors over a distance of 10650mm.

Located opposite the stairs, each 21-person passenger lift complements the light, spacious design aesthetic whilst addressing the demanding environment:

• Double height stainless steel bump rails;• Exteriors, full-depth architraves and call stations finished in satin stainless steel,

with the interior car walls finished in a textured, linen stainless steel; • Suspended downlighter ceilings, car extractor fan, hand rails, rear-wall half-height

mirrors; • Two opposite facing car operating panels with Braille pushes• Black, studded, non-slip PVC floors.

The Xtralifts’ oil- and vibration-free, high-performance, gearless traction drive ensures a smooth ride. The low noise, energy use and running costs are ideal for increased usage and higher travels. Importantly, there is no need for a machine room, as all the necessaries are contained in a small cabinet.

Stannah worked with both the customer and project requirements, providing the supply and test of lifting beams and full depth landing architraves for additional robustness to the large passenger lifts.

Projects & Assets Manager at Huntingdonshire District Council, Chris Allen, comments: “The Stannah Xtralifts represent excellent value for money and provide the heavy duty, high volume people movement needed in this distinctive, busy car park servicing the growing retail needs of Huntingdon town centre. Reassurance is part of the package with a 24-hour, 365-day after-care service courtesy of the local branch of Stannah Lift Services.”

Installing, owning and operating a Stannah Xtralift helps to meet all building standards and regulations, including the requirements of the Equality Act 2010 – all with the reassurance of 24/7 emergency lift callout and continued lift maintenance by the local East Anglia branch of Stannah Lift Services, part of a nationwide network providing comprehensive lift servicing and support. www.stannahlifts.co.uk

Enquiry 89

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THE BOOK/PROJECTS

Remmers Floomix DQ – The Ideal Solution

The main production area of the Express Contract Drying factory in South Wales required refurbishment. The existing slabs created significant substrate challenges due to the mixture of old finishes and bare concrete. TPS360, the contractor for the project, was instructed to produce a new floor finish that needed to be slip resistant with good chemical resistance whilst providing an attractive and highly durable finish. Remmers Floormix DQ flooring system was chosen for its special blend of decorative colour quartz aggregate and extreme durability which was ideally suited for this application. Due to time constraints on the program, fast curing resin screeds were installed, to falls, to an exacting standard to avoid ponding. www.remmers.co.uk

Enquiry 91

As part of a major £80m refurbishment of Mount Pleasant, Royal Mail’s flagship London office, Yeoman Shield, market leader in wall and door protection has completed a contract in excess of £1m to supply and install a range of standard and specially adapted products. As well as being Royal Mail’s largest and busiest mail centre it is also houses an administration headquarters and a delivery office serving the capital’s main commercial and financial districts. As well as supplying, Yeoman Shield also carried out the fitting

including FalmouthEX Wall Sheet in Red, Stainless Corner Angles, Special Timber Pattress (covered in Black PVC) Duo Fender (Black with Red inner) and Stainless Steel Footrail. In the busy van delivery/collection area, D Fender and a Special Pattress Duo Fender were installed along with HD100(H) High Vis Heavy Duty Corner Protection. www.yeomanshield.com

Enquiry 92

A Most Pleasant Project For Yeoman ShieldWavin Drainage Solutions Find Room At £60 Million Hilton Hotel Development

For a new £60 million hotel development in Bournemouth, the management and control of surface water required a proven long term solution which could work on a challenging sloping site. AquaCell Prime, a geocellular stormwater management unit from Wavin, was up for the challenge. Manufactured from specially reformulated, recycled material for trafficked and deep applications, more than 600 AquaCell Prime units were specified below a restaurant, terrace and entrance café area in order to create a 160m3 cellular attenuation tank for surface water in the event of any excessive surface water run-off due to torrential rain. www.wavin.co.uk

Enquiry 90

Daylighting School Sport

The Maelor High School, a mixed comprehensive school for pupils between the ages of 11 and 18, is located in the small village of Penley near Wrexham. It has recently acquired a large sports hall which is also used by the local community.

Designed by Wrexham Council architects, this stunning facility uses modern building technology to create the ideal playing conditions. This is achieved by cladding the sports and entrance areas with Ice Blue Kalwall which not only diffuses natural daylight but also creates perfect playing conditions by eliminating glare and shadows.

This solution also means that there is no need for blinds, curtains or external shading. With increased natural daylight and resistance to solar gain, energy-consuming artificial

lighting and air-conditioning costs will be dramatically reduced. The clerestory daylighting, along the sides and gable ends, has been shaped to follow the lines of the curved roof, technically, the translucent panels are highly insulating, with U-values as low as 0.28W/m2K.

Apart from being specified for all types of new build, Kalwall is increasingly used for the refurbishment of cladding or rooflights on aged buildings. Case studies and technical information are available from Structura UK Ltd, Tel: 01233 501 504 or visit: http://tinyurl.com/kalwall

Enquiry 93

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PROJECTS/THE BOOK

Encasement Adds Style At New Flagship Debenhams Store

Debenhams’ new 50,000 sq.ft flagship store at The Coliseum Shopping Park in Cheshire Oaks, Merseyside, is using bespoke design square ‘Forma’ aluminium column casings from Encasement, to help create a stylish retail environment for shoppers, while also concealing structural steelwork. The new Debenhams store is the first to adopt the retail park format and has two-floors housing a Café, men’s fashion and a health & beauty hall as well as offering a range of exclusive womenswear.

Working directly for the project’s major contractor, Simon’s Group, Encasement’s metal column casings were chosen by the company to conceal structural columns within the store as part of the extensive, high quality refurbishment and interior refit programme they undertook for Debenhams. All of the metal column casings were manufactured from 3mm thick aluminium, which combines strength with low weight and were finished in a Tiger Drylac textured PPC coating in matt white RAL 9003, to give an aesthetic finish while resisting scuffs and damage in high traffic areas.

Although all of the 23 Forma casings measure 375mm square and stand 3100mm high, three of them incorporate a full-length mirror on one side, while a vertical full colour LCD display screen is integrated within a further casing to promote special offers and products to shoppers. Encasement’s Managing Director, Martin Taylor, explained: “One of the strengths of Forma casings is that even though aluminium provides a light weight and easy to install casing solution, it is also strong enough to enable elements such as mirrors, LCD screens and promotional displays to be integrated within the design.” www.encasement.co.uk

Enquiry 95

Armourfx ‘Timber-Effect’ Panels For Homeaway

Armourcoat’s pre-cast timber effect planks from ArmourFX have created an original feature wall within the new Austin office expansion for HomeAway Inc. - the leading online marketplace for the holiday rental industry. Specified by Texan interior architecture firm lauckgroup, the panels emulate natural wooden planks with an exposed grain detail, making them ideal for an urban shuttered or board-formed concrete effect.

ArmourFX Timber-Effect panels are designed for decorative wall cladding – ideal for interior theming and branding. Two designs are available (‘original’ and ‘rugged’), both created from actual Douglas Fir timber planks. The ‘rugged’ finish is achieved from further hand-distressing of the timber. Cast in a polymer-modified gypsum resin mix, the panels are available in four base colours in both smooth and textured finishes, the smooth panels can be enhanced once installed with EcoPearl waxes to create a further 16 colours.

Commenting on the project Raul Baeza, Designer at lauckgroup, said: “We had used the product previously on a smaller scale and loved the textural dimension it added. When we began design on HomeAway Domain, the client requested a memorable and monumental star. Immediately, we knew we wanted to use the Timber-Effect Planking as the feature backdrop to the stair and reception area. The product was on point with the desired price and created the perfect monolithic aesthetic we were looking for while having visual interest with the wood grain imprint.”

The panels offer great design options, often replacing exotic or expensive timber for commercial projects. ArmourFX Timber-Effect panels have also been used to replace or match Shou-Sugi-Ban Japanese charred planks or Mountain Pine Beetle blue-stain timber. The ArmourFX range of panels has evolved from Armourcoat’s renowned range of applied seamless wall finishes. ArmourFX includes finishes and substrates suitable for all applications; from retail to residential, hotel to healthcare. Armourcoat's specialist designers and artisan plasterers can create integrated custom wall panel systems or design statement single artwork pieces. www.armourfx.com

Enquiry 94

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THE BOOK/PROJECTS

Sika Comfortfloor Is A Winner At Leisure Centre

The seamless, durable and easy to maintain Sika Comfortfloor has found a new home at a £26 million Leisure Centre in Streatham. The stunning new leisure centre includes an ice rink, swimming pool, sports hall, gym and forms part of the multimillion Streatham Hub Development. With durability key for the flooring of the leisure centre changing rooms and toilet facilities, Sika Comfortfloor was up for the challenge.

Combining noise suppression and durability with a flawless finish, Sika ComfortFloor met the client’s aesthetic requirements, whilst delivering a hard-wearing system that guarantees outstanding long term performance. As well as ease of maintenance for the facility manager, the seamless Sika system offered toughness, durability and an increased life expectancy – in line with Sika’s commitment to integrating sustainability into its research and development strategy, production processes and entire product range.

Sika Approved Flooring Specialist Entech prepared and primed the floor using Sikafloor 161 – a two part, low viscosity epoxy resin primer. A layer of Sikafloor 330 was then applied to regulate and level the surface before a sealer layer of Sikafloor 305W, completing the total system thickness of just 2mm. Available in a range of colours to meet numerous aesthetic requirements, the decorative and durable system is weather and abrasion resistant ensuring longevity and minimal maintenance. www.sika.co.uk

Enquiry 97

Neaco Open Grille System Featured At £4M Visitor Centre

NEACO’s Techdek aluminium open grille system has been specified for an extensive raised pedestrian walkway at the new £4m Visitor Centre at the American Cemetery in Cambridge.

Nearly 9,000 American service personnel who died while on active service in northern Europe and the Atlantic are remembered at this 30-acre site, which is the UK's only permanent American World War Two military cemetery. They are commemorated through case studies, photographs and films at the new 4,000 square foot Visitor Centre designed by Cambridge Architects, Bland Brown + Cole. The Techdek walkway provides a dual-purpose with wheelchair access and protection for the area’s indigenous flora.

Having seen the Techdek system used successfully at the new Hepworth Gallery in Wakefield, Partner-in-Charge John Cole saw this as an ideal solution to provide high volume pedestrian access through an area of historic woodland with sensitive ground cover, which has to be protected. The firm non-slip surface is also ideal for wheelchair traffic and assisted movement.

NEACO’S range of aluminium open grille systems offers a choice of profiles to suit a wide variety of applications, including decking, screening, ventilation, bridge cycle and pedestrian ways, cladding, flooring, staging, balustrade infills and stair treads. The company’s diverse product range also includes modular handrail and balustrade systems, Juliet balconies, step-out balconies, structural glass and contemporary adaptive bathing facilities. All products are backed by a class-leading Lifetime Guarantee – further information is available at www.neaco.co.uk

Enquiry 96

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PROJECTS/THE BOOK

Refurbishment Scheme Makes A Splash In CleethorpesSitting on the seafront in the popular Lincolnshire resort town, Cleethorpes Leisure Centre is a striking 1980s building with full height windows that maximise the views of the shoreline. The facilities had always been operated by North East Lincolnshire Council’s outsourcing partner and had never undergone any significant refurbishment work but, in 2012, all the Council’s leisure assets were transferred to ‘Lincs Inspire’, a specially formed operating company with a board made up largely of councillors.

Explains Jon Wilcox from NE Lincolnshire Council: “With Lincs Inspire came a more aspirational focus on maximising the leisure centre’s potential and attracting more users. The first area identified for improvement was the changing arrangements and we turned to Sport England for funding to support a refurbishment from old-style, segregated changing rooms to a more family-friendly unisex changing village.”

The funding bid successfully raised 50% of the cost of revamping the changing facilities and was scheduled to go ahead, requiring a four-month shut down. With the exterior showing signs of wear and tear, leaks from the roof causing damage to the ceiling tiles and a dated ‘Club Tropicana’ style pool area, further works to Cleethorpes Leisure Centre would be required within the foreseeable future.

As a result, the decision was taken to combine the changing rooms scheme with a more comprehensive leisure centre-wide refurbishment to enhance the facilities and improve the fabric of the building in a single shut down period, saving costs and disruption by combining all the works into a single £2 million project.

Designed by the Council’s architectural services partner, Cofely and delivered by main contractor, Gelder, the resulting six-month programme, involved both internal and external refurbishment to improve the fabric of the building, update the interior design and layout and maximise the appeal of its seafront location.

Jon continues: “The 5,000m2 roof was a major area of concern because water ingress had already started to discolour some of the ceiling tiles in the pool area so it was affecting both the internal environment and showing evidence of failure. We needed a system that could be installed quickly without the need for a strip out of the existing roofing

materials. The chosen system also had to be able to withstand the marine environment, strong winds and high levels of UV that the leisure centre is subject to in its coastal location: Kemper System’s Kemperol V210 cold liquid-applied system was ideal.” The roof was cleaned and prepared and the Kemperol V210 waterproofing system was then applied on top of the existing failed asphalt roof. Applied wet-on-wet in a single process, the Kemperol resin saturates a non-woven polyester reinforcement fleece and cures to form a seamless durable, UV stable, monolithic membrane that bonds directly to the substrate.

The leisure centre’s external cladding was also replaced with a new, hardwearing system and feature lighting was introduced in the eaves of the roof to enable Lincs Inspire to light up the building in mood colours during the evening. The new changing facilities that were the original trigger for the whole project were created by reconfiguring the space in the existing changing room areas to create a communal changing village. While the former single sex arrangement had made changing difficult for lone parents with children of the opposite gender, the new changing village features individual and family rooms along with the required toilet, shower and disabled access provision. The M&E services were also upgraded to support the changes to the building and improve the leisure centre, creating a more comfortable and family-friendly environment.

Jon continues: “In the past, the air temperature had been good in the poolside areas but the changing areas had rarely been warm enough, so more efficient HVAC systems were installed to provide a suitable temperature throughout the leisure centre.” The poolside itself was also a key focus for improvement. The original fit out included a palm tree which obscured the view of the coastline through the centre’s panoramic windows and looked very dated. The original fit out had also included a water slide that exited the building and came back inside again, and this had been closed for some time for safety reasons.

The palm tree has been replaced by an Art Deco-style statue which creates interest in the pool area without blocking the view. The slide, meanwhile, has been replaced by a new 34m indoor-only slide creating a family-friendly attraction in the leisure pool which is both safer and easier to maintain. The general poolside area has also been upgraded, including replacement of the floor tiles with a durable, anti-slip resin floor and new feature lighting.

Jon continues: “The pool itself was not altered but had to remain full while the poolside works were carried out because of the level of flex that could have caused damage to new floor and wall finishes if the weight of all that water was introduced after the refurbishment was completed.” The leisure centre is now completed and welcoming users once again. Thanks to the de-cluttered internal spaces it also provides great views of the seafront. www.kempersystem.co.uk

Enquiry 98

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South Staffordshire College Reaps The Benefits Of Reynaers SystemsReynaers Aluminium has supplied a range of systems to South Staffordshire College’s Cannock Campus, helping to create a smart and modern new look as part of a £4.2m upgrade of the premises.

The three storey building at ‘The Green’ is one of two sites in Cannock, which along with those located in Lichfield, Tamworth and Rodbaston, make up South Staffordshire College which offers a range of courses for students in the region.

As part of an overall refurbishment project under the direction of architects Maber, new

classrooms have been created along with an impressive glazed main entrance. The original brief was to modernise the facilities to improve and update the overall look and feel of the college for students and staff.

A series of aluminium systems were supplied by Reynaers which have been used throughout the building to achieve the required light, airy and modern look, while at the same time providing a practical and effective solution. These included Reynaers CS 24-SL thermally insulated three-chamber window system, which is renowned for its slim frame and being particularly suitable for the replacement of steel framed windows as

it is extremely sympathetic to original designs. Also installed was CS 77-FP, Reynaers’ fire-resistant range, which meets relevant European testing and classification standards.In addition, Reynaers CW 50 and CW 50-SC curtain walling was specified, which facilities unlimited creativity and maximises the amount of natural light into a building, while offering excellent thermal insulation and acoustic performance.

Vision 50 doors also have been selected for their aesthetic appearance and robust operation – in that they are able to stand up to the rigours and frequent use demanded from a busy college application.

Paul Duffy, Sales Director for Reynaers, said: “This contract for South Staffordshire College is the latest in a long line of new and refurbishment projects we’ve undertaken in the education sector and highlights our expertise and knowledge of the necessary requirements for this market, while also making creative and aesthetically pleasing design possible.”

GF Tomlinson of Little Eaton, Derby, were the main contractors with MB Glass Supplies of Chesterfield being the fabricators for the project. South Staffordshire College offers a range of courses including NVQs, apprenticeships, access courses as well as some higher education courses. An extensive range of topics are available for study; including art and design, beauty, construction, mechanical and electrical engineering, plumbing, performing arts, teacher education and tourism. www.reynaers.co.uk

Enquiry 99

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PROJECTS/THE BOOK

AluK Systems Supplied For The Burntwood School Renewal Project

Allford Hall Monaghan Morris (AHMM) specified AluK curtain walling and window systems for the Burntwood School project, a series of new educational buildings which will serve up to 2000 pupils and over 200 staff. The scheme, developed by the architects AHMM working in close partnership with Lend Lease, Wandsworth Borough Council and Burntwood School, will see 85% of the school rebuilt. AluK’s 72BW HI window system and SG52 curtain walling system were supplied for the Curriculum Buildings which forms the bulk of the accommodation for the school. For the Performing Arts Building the architects specified the SG52 and bespoke SL52 curtain walling systems.Enabling specifiers to create impressive facades, thermally broken AluK curtain walling systems offer flexibility whilst maintaining the performance and functionality demanded by modern buildings. Daniel Lewis, Senior Architect at AHMM comments: “For the project we required a bespoke solution for the fin face caps (145mm x 15mm top hat capping). AluK provided us with an excellent service – the company’s proactive approach as well as technical and design expertise meant that we were able to realise our designs.”The 72BW HI window system used for the Curriculum Buildings incorporates AluK’s patented Spidertechnology® thermal breaks that allow high thermal insulation to be achieved without common expensive system enhancements. Certified under the ‘Secured by Design’ scheme, the 72BW HI window system incorporates high security multipoint-locking systems.www.alukhome.co.uk

Enquiry 101

Sonic Windows Transforms Hendon Ticket Office

The UK’s railway stations are the subject of a far-reaching programme of improvements which demands the bespoke services and skillset of specialist contractor-suppliers such as Sonic Windows Limited: ably demonstrated in the recent refurbishment of Hendon’s ticket office carried out over just a 12 hour five day period.

The north London commuter station is operated by First Capital Connect and contained a rather tired looking ticket office with old roller shutters and a cluttered interior, which did not come up to today’s exacting standards for a modern, cash-handling facility. As

a result, First Capital Connect awarded Sonic Windows the contract to manufacture and install new cladding, screens, till and ancillary services within the building.

Sonic set about dismantling the old structure; retaining only the waist height masonry wall structure into which a new opening had to be cut to accommodate the Sonic Dual Height Cash Tray. A Sonic CashEasy Till was also fitted behind the tray.

A new metal framed security window, glazed using ballistic grade glass retained by internal metal beads, then created the separation between customers and ticket staff. The steel security cladding was covered using Multiwall Gloss White panels, while the exterior also features some ceramic tiling. The Sonic CashEasy Till is manufactured from brush-finished stainless steel and measures 640mm long by 219mm wide and 190 mm deep. It features curved coin trays and is adjustable for right or left-hand usage. The till is also supplied with a Camlock 7-pin lock.

The recently developed Sonic Dual Height Cash Tray has been designed to provide for rapid and discreet DDA adaption, making it easily accessed by wheelchair users. It measures 350mm by 392mm and 205mm deep. The Sonic Windows range also encompasses the Counter Intercom and workstation equipment seen integrated into the highly commended Hendon ticket office refurbishment. www.sonicwindows.co.uk

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66 ISSUE 1 2015

THE BOOK/PROJECTS

The Quiet Roar In The Zoo

The excitement of ZSL London Zoo has been enhanced by the completion of the newly-remodelled and extended Terrace Restaurant designed by SHH architects. This was a brand-new facility to service the ever increasing number of daily visitors to the Zoo. The dining space has been tripled to provide up to 700 covers.

The overall feel of the remodelled building is clean and urban while retaining some original elements, featuring glass, timber, exposed brick and steelwork columns, with a striking ribbed deck ceiling in the double-height extension. With such an abundance of different hard surfaces, coupled with the vocal enthusiasm and chatter from so many visitors and their attendant echoes, it was important to find a sound absorbing solution which would complement the overall design.

This has been achieved by installing over 400 square metres of Troldtekt 1200 x 600mm ‘fine’ acoustic panels in a ‘natural’ colour on the ceilings below the mezzanine floor. The

panels are installed on a T35 grid system. Troldtekt panels are made from 100% natural wood fibres. Their benefits include high sound absorption, high durability, natural breathability and low cost life cycle performance. Available in various sizes and in three grades from ultrafine to coarse, they can be left unpainted or painted in virtually any RAL colour. Their sustainability was recently recognised with certification at Silver level within the Cradle to Cradle concept.

High performance acoustic ceiling and wall panels are widely used in typically noisy environments, such as leisure facilities, schools, sports halls and swimming pools. By reducing noise reverberation the quality of the environment is greatly improved while the use of natural materials also improves the indoor climate for health and personal well-being. For samples, case studies and technical information please call Skanda on tel 0844 8114877 or visit www@troldtekt.co.uk

Enquiry 103

Jet Cox Shines On Lady Margaret School

Established almost a century ago, the Lady Margaret School in West London continues to serve the community and has recently been expanded, with over two dozen rooflights of different types from the Jet Cox range bringing natural daylight to the teaching spaces. Rooflight manufacturer, Jet Cox supplied 28 Cox Glasslights to Anglian Architectural - the specialist sub-contractor carrying out the installation on behalf of Osborne - 10 of which feature rain or temperature sensors. These raise the unit if the occupied space becomes too hot, and close them if rain starts to fall. The flat roof’s high performance felt waterproofing

system is dressed up the kerb to each rooflight to ensure their weather-tightness. Manufactured from thermally broken durable aluminium with an external powder coating finish to RAL 9040, the Glasslight is one of the most attractive flat glass solutions on the market. The glass surface is uninterrupted giving optimal view and maximum daylight. The Glasslight is available fixed or electrically opening for ventilation. The electric actuator is fully integrated and concealed within the PVC-u lower frame, maintaining the uninterrupted glazing. Jet Cox Glasslights are available in a range of sizes measuring from 400 x 700 mm up to 1000mm x 2400mm – with a comprehensive choice of rectangular and square options in between to ensure there is a rooflight to suit all applications. www.jet-cox.co.uk

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67ISSUE 1 2015

PROJECTS/THE BOOK

First Nuclear Analysis Laboratory To Be Built Using Modular Construction Is Handed Over At DounreayThe first nuclear facility of its kind to be built using modular construction has been handed over and is now undergoing active commissioning at Dounreay in Scotland. The laboratory for the analysis of radioactive materials was constructed using a Yorkon off-site building solution from the Portakabin Group, and is one of the most complex and remote modular building projects ever undertaken in the UK.

The contract for the £9m building was awarded by site clean-up contractor, Dounreay Site Restoration Ltd (DSRL), to a team led by off-site manufacturer and main contractor, the Portakabin Group.

The 1,300sqm building was manufactured off site

at the Portakabin Group production centre in York and was craned into position in only four days to minimise disruption to operations at Dounreay. It provides six laboratories to allow DSRL to comply with its statutory and environmental monitoring requirements until the Dounreay site is closed. The scheme will remain in use for up to 25 years until the site decommissioning process has been completed. It will then be deconstructed – the building modules are inherently easy to disassemble, recycle and re-use elsewhere, making the approach highly sustainable.

The scheme accommodates 36 fume cupboards, glove boxes and a specialised nuclear ventilation system with heavier, more complex ductwork compared to other applications of modular construction. It also incorporates acid and non-acid fume extraction, HEPA filtration, and a discharge stack, and each laboratory has one-hour fire containment to the entire building fabric – a first for the modular industry.

Commenting on the project, Maryrose Bailey, Senior Project Manager at Dounreay Site Restoration Ltd, said, “The Yorkon solution is very good and has resulted in a really excellent facility. We are impressed with the finished building which feels spacious and solid and benefits from outstanding thermal insulation. You would definitely never know it was built in a factory. We are looking forward to having the facility fully operational after the active commissioning phase.”

Simon Ambler, Director of the Portakabin Group, added, “This was one of the most complex and remote projects that we have undertaken in recent years, and we are pleased to have received such positive feedback about the quality of the building. It successfully demonstrates the huge potential of off-site construction for similar highly specialised industrial facilities.”

The Dounreay scheme has been designed in full compliance with stringent nuclear industry requirements and regulations for ionising radiation and to withstand the rigours of a highly exposed marine environment. Its facilities include the laboratories, offices, drench showers and boot barrier in the active area, with ancillary accommodation for offices and locker rooms in the clean area.

Yorkon off-site building solutions give building designers, contractors and occupiers the benefit of thousands of configurations and permutations to meet almost any design brief, site and building footprint. The approach is also highly sustainable because it reduces the number of vehicle movements and work on site, and there are fewer internal columns to facilitate space planning and any future reconfiguration to meet changing requirements.

For further information about Yorkon off-site building solutions in the nuclear sector, call 0845 2000 123, email contact@yorkon.co.uk or visit www.yorkon.info

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PROOFS AND INVOICE

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Description

Type Area

Stannah Lifts

Commercial Advert – Lift Services

Full page – H300 x W240 mm

Publication

Issue

S/O No.

Essential Building Product Review

November 2014

23064

www.stannahlifts.co.uk

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Fabulous regeneration projectNew look station with plenty of easy lift accessWhat can Stannah do for your construction project?

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