project news

As Europe’s largest current infrastructure project, spanning over 60 miles via 41 different stations, the Elizabeth line will transform rail transport for London, with annual expected passenger levels reaching 200 million. The landmark project has seen the construction of 42km of new tunnels and the development of 10 new stations, with 31 existing stations also undergoing extensive upgrades.

As part of the formation of the central line, which spans from Westbourne Park to Plumstead and Pudding Mill Lane, official Crossrail contractor and one of the UK’s leading fit-out contractors, DMC Contracts, has installed over 1,500 Howe Green Floor Access Covers throughout seven stations. This includes Whitechapel, Farringdon, Paddington, Bond Street, West Ealing, Ealing Broadway and Acton Mainline, where over the last five years DMC Contract’s team of engineers have also installed over 30,000 square metres of Terrazzo and Granazzo floor tiles.

Howe Green’s 7500 Series stainless steel Floor Access Covers have been installed throughout the ticket halls, walkways and main concourses of each station to provide engineers with secure and concealed access to underfloor services, whilst the tamper proof construction also prevents unauthorised access. This is due to the cover’s unique design, which features unobtrusive barrel cover lifting points that can only be accessed with specific lifting and securing keys. As only the securing bolt and barrel edge are visible, the covers provide the highest standards of security, without impacting on the overall design scheme or presenting a potential trip hazard.

Manufactured to BS 476: Part 22, the 7500 Series provides resistance to fire and smoke for up to two hours, providing the highest standards in safety, performance and compliance throughout all seven stations. With each floor access cover withstanding up to five tonne pneumatic tyre wheel loads, the 7500 Series was also supplied in a range of configurations, including singles, multiparts and ducts, to provide unobstructed access to rodding points and winch systems and electrical pits throughout all areas of the stations.

As the lifting blocks are anchored to the inner frame, the floor access covers can be handled easily and safely by contractors, reducing any potential disruption to passenger’s travel as the maintenance can be conducted quickly and safely. www.howegreen.com

Hundreds of square metres of 9mm Magply boards are currently being installed on an apartment development close to Reading’s commercial centre, after the specialist package contractor involved proposed the high performance MgO panel as an alternative to the original product specified, representing a value engineering solution. O Conner Drylining Ltd is renewing a working relationship with Henry Construction Projects Ltd (HCPL) on Phase 1 of work at the former retail site in Weldale Street, being carried out on behalf of developer, Crossmark.

Containing 250 new homes, the five-storey concrete framed structure features an infill of a Metsec style steel framing system at 600mm centres, reducing around window openings. O Conner Drylining’s operatives then screw fix the Magply boards to the light gauge steel, along with a vertical EPDM, ready for the brickwork elevations to be built, using channels fixed through the sheathing. Magply MgO boards present a fire-safe and environmentally friendly alternative to conventional plywood or OSB products.

Additionally, the unique production process keeps the chloride content to just 0.01 % , enhancing both stability and long-term durability. The different thicknesses of panel are also widely used as a substrate board for the direct application of proprietary render systems, as well as for flooring and flat or pitched roof build-ups. www.magply.co.uk

The Wraptite® external air barrier system from the A. Proctor Group is achieving an efficient airtightness solution at two new-build extensions to the Connolly Hospital in Dublin. The Wraptite system is the only self-adhering vapour permeable air barrier certified by the BBA. It combines the critical properties of vapour permeability and airtightness in one selfadhering membrane.

The high vapour permeability of the Wraptite air barrier allows the substrate beneath to dry quickly and moisture vapour to escape and reduces the likelihood of mould, mildew, condensation, timber distortion and metal corrosion. The Wraptite System was installed as an external air barrier and alternative to a traditional standard breather membrane. The use of conventional membranes would have required mechanical fixing and added to the installation time.

As an alternative, the Wraptite self-adhesive membrane was applied externally, quickly and easily to the external steel frame in continuous pieces. Positioning an air barrier on the outside of the structural frame simplifies the process of maintaining the envelope’s integrity, with fewer building services and structural penetrations to be sealed. www.proctorgroup.com

Work is well underway on the first phase of an affordable housing project for Somerset West and Taunton Council, where the use of Marmox Thermoblocks was put forward by specialist developer, Equans Regeneration which is leading the work on the site in Taunton. Phase A of North Taunton Woolaway Project will see the construction of 47 new one, two and three bedroom properties with energy saving and the reduction of environmental impact both being given full consideration.

The issue of thermal bridging, in particular, is being addressed through the decision to utilise the highly insulating Thermoblocks around the perimeter of the ground floor slabs. With over 200 homes to be built in the next few years, the total number of Thermoblocks required will run into the thousands. Each length of Thermoblock is comprised of ultra-high performance XPS insulation, encapsulating miniature epoxy concrete columns, while the top and bottom are covered by alkali resistant glass-fibre mesh, retaining a surface of fibre reinforced polymer concrete to facilitate bonding.

The concrete columns have a very low conductivity, so do not present thermal bridges themselves and when coupled with the highly insulating XPS insulation core, a combined thermal conductivity of 0.47W/mK is achieved. Crucially, being able to employ a defined, very low thermal transmittance – derived by thermal modelling or measurement – offers a far more advantageous result than adopting the ‘default’ figure offered in SAP, which can often result in non-compliance under Part L. www.marmox.co.uk

A specialist contractor undertaking all of the fireproofing within a new medical research building in Surrey has been making use of two well proven, flexible fire barrier products from the TBA’s FIREFLY™ range, to provide 30 minutes protection within the majority of the ceiling voids throughout the four-storey structure. CLM Fireproofing has established a reputation as a leader in the fields of both passive fire protection and fire-stopping.

CLM is employing Apollo Lite and the Collaroll product in tandem to protect the ceiling voids. The spaces which typically house pipework, power cables and air conditioning units above the suspended ceiling grid, are provided with 30 minutes integrity and insulation through the installation of the flexible Apollo Lite barrier.

The Apollo Lite 30/30 has been developed for use in vertical separation or compartmentation situations, offering both 30 minutes integrity and insulation, thereby exceeding the minimum requirements of the Building Regulations. It is widely specified to form fire barriers within roof voids in many different property types. The flexible woven material is easy to cut and fix and is chemically treated to improve its cooling properties, and therefore prevent temperatures rising in adjoining areas. The system has been fully tested to BS 476 Parts 6.7, 20 & 22 and is third party certified by IFCC. www.tbafirefly.com

Photography courtesy Nick Rowland

ITP has supplied Safe One, the UK’s most advanced breather wall and roof membrane, for a façade upgrade project at Sovereign Harbour in Eastbourne. The Boardwalk apartment buildings have a floor above 18m, making them subject to post-Grenfell legislation which came into effect in 2018, requiring cladding material which has a Class A fire safety rating under the Euroclass system.

The original façade at the Boardwalk does not meet the necessary Euroclass rating, necessitating its removal and replacement with a new A-rated rainscreen cladding system. The project will cost around £6.2 million, largely funded by the government’s Building Safety Fund for buildings over 18m.

Principal Contractor, N&J Building Services, has been chosen to oversee the installation of the Class A-rated cladding to make the Boardwalk apartments fully compliant with the latest Building Regulations. The company is also fitting a Class A breather membrane in the form of Safe One, ensuring the entire external wall system achieves a maximum fire safety rating which goes above and beyond the mandatory requirements.

Safe One has been installed behind the façade to protect the insulation from weather and allow the building to breathe. A fully UV stable breather membrane suitable for open façades, the system is unrivalled for performance, providing a combination of W1 water tightness and Euroclass rating A2-s1,d0 which is currently unique in the UK market. ITP are exclusive suppliers of Safe One in the UK. www.itpltd.com

A significant new high-rise residential project in the London Borough of Lewisham is being built to provide high quality social housing, with the design of the structure prioritising the use of non-combustible materials: including the choice of A1 rated Magply boards for pattresses within the external walls.

The development at Creekside in Deptford is being built to create a total of 56 one, two and three bedroom apartments, including three specially equipped units on the lower levels of one block for those with mobility issues. Within all of the high specification homes, pattress blocks cut from 18mm sheets of Magply boards are being fitted to the reinforced concrete structure’s infill of heavy gauge steel studs.

The pattresses are being positioned to support kitchen cupboards and bathroom units as well as radiators throughout the eight and 10 storey buildings. Independently certified to offer a range of performance benefits. Magply MOS boards present a fire-safe and environmentally friendly alternative to conventional plywood or OSB products which normally only offer a Euroclass D or E rating. Importantly the pull-out strength for 18mm Magply is in the range 3.45-4.00 Kn/m2. www.magply.co.uk

A high specification office building close to Manchester Airport has been subject to a series of planned refurbishment contracts, with the phased work including the upgrade of each floor or unit’s fire performance using smoke and flame barriers from the range of TBA FIREFLYTM. Owned by Orbit Developments – part of the Emerson Group - Park Square is a modern commercial office building offering up to 65,000 sq ft of space over five floors.

As leases of various occupants expire, the Group’s fit-out contractor, Kirkham, strips out and refurbishes the vacated spaces, including installing TBA’s Phoenix barriers above the suspended ceiling grids before fitting new panels and improved lighting.

TBA FIREFLYTM Phoenix is a lightweight smoke and flame barrier developed to enable compartmentation within buildings to provide up to 120 minutes integrity under BS476 Parts 20 & 22. Certified by IFCC the flexible and straightforward to install material I is suitable for both newbuild and retrofit situations.

Manufactured from woven and non-woven glass, the FireflyTM range is designed to optimise resistance to flame and smoke as well as offer heat protection in a wide range of scenarios. www.tbafirefly.com

Built on brown-field land located on the edge of the main shopping district in Hull and adjacent to Princes Quay, the Bonus Arena – Hull Venue and its associated multi storey car park were opened in August 2018. The £36 million development progresses the legacy of the social and economic impact generated by Hull’s 2017 UK City of Culture status.

The Arena, designed by AFL Architects, is a state-of-the-art music and events complex with a flexible capacity of up to 3,500 people. The facility can provide a venue for concerts or corporate conferences in an 800 seat auditorium. A 2000m² adaptable space can be utilised for sporting events or exhibitions and trade shows. Surrounding the Bonus Arena is a public realm laid with grey stone paving and landscaped by reform Landscape Architecture Limited with trees, lawns, flowerbeds and permanent stone seating.

An effective surface water drainage system was essential to ensure all weather access to the venue. 140 metres of Hauraton RECYFIX® PRO 100 channels with FIBRETEC® heel-safe gratings were chosen for the job which blended well with the stone paving and would resist damage from applied grit rock salt in freezing weather. The material, PA-GF used to make the FIBRETEC® grating, was specially developed by Hauraton; the tough, UV resistant, fibre reinforced moulding offers high stability and huge strength for its weight. Complying with loading category Class C250 (BSEN 1433) the grating can easily take the weight of commercial delivery vehicles.

The design is a real innovation as its noncorrosive material provides a visually appealing surface finish that retains its colour. The slots are super smooth, elliptical openings with the moulded bars having slightly raised triangular bosses along their outside edges.

As well as providing an elegant appearance, the feature ensures surface water is directed into the slots. The RECYFIX® channel component is made from 100% recycled PP. The PRO 100 model is factory fitted with the FIBRETEC® grating and only weighs 4.6kg, so the unit was easy to handle and quickly installed on site. www.drainage-projects.co.uk

A new energy centre in the heart of west London has been given a dramatic and eye-catching appearance thanks to the use of a portfolio of façade products provided by Sto. The company’s StoVentec R rainscreen system, with StoVentec A render carrier boards and bespoke 3-dimensional StoDeco profiles have been used to focus attention on the new Olympia London’s Energy Centre, which forms part of a major urban regeneration project in the capital.

Designed by SPPARC, the Olympia London’s Energy Centre building sits on a central London site. “It’s also an industrial building, and the architectural design needed to reflect both this, and the location, yet still deliver a striking appearance which made a strong statement,” comments Sto account manager, Jo Ebel.

The StoVentec stainless steel and aluminium subconstruction was installed onto the substrate of the new multi-storey building by specialist contractor, Craft Interior Ltd, before some 1400 2 m of StoVentec A render carrier boards were fixed to this sub-construction. StoVentec render carrier boards are ideally suited to rainscreen applications and consisting of 96% recycled glass, provide an environmentally-friendly solution.

Stolit K1.5 acrylic render was then applied to the boards to provide a rugged and resilient exterior finish. To complete the façade design, custom-made StoDeco profiles were fixed to the StoVentec system to create a unique, 3-dimensional shell-motif pattern for the elevation of the new energy centre.

Some sections of the building incorporate ventilation louvres, and the shell-shaped profiles had to extend over these areas to maintain the façade design. Said Jo Ebel, “We couldn’t obstruct the air flow through the louvres by installing the StoVentec boards over them, so we worked closely with the louvre manufacturer to design a series of aluminium plates which replicate the shell shapes.”

Available in both standard and individual designs, StoDeco profiles are manufactured from Verolith – a unique, lightweight and easily workable, natural material which is then machined to create custom shapes or decorative panels.

They allow the architect to exercise their creativity by adding individual detailing to a façade. Because they are lightweight, this makes them easy to handle on-site, and they have excellent resistance to damage and the effects of weathering.

A final surface coat of StoColor Maxicryl façade paint was applied to the render finish and StoDeco profiles in a dark StoColor 37100. This acrylate paint combines a high covering power and reliable colour-fastness, ensuring that the building will retain its attractive appearance well into the future. www.sto.co.uk

Housing the Glasgow Museum of Transport, one of the UK’s foremost transport and technology collections, the Riverside Museum reflects Glasgow’s historic role as a centre of shipbuilding, train manufacturing and engineering. Previously located in a former tram depot on the Glasgow South Side, the Transport Museum’s exhibits have moved to The Riverside Museum, designed by renowned architect, Zaha Hadid.

The museum’s iconic and beautiful design dominates its riverside location, whilst paying homage to the heritage of its surroundings. Crucial to the museum’s flowing design is its roof, which curves and undulates and continues around the east and west sides of the building to constitute the majority of the external structure. Silver-grey zinc panels complete the effect, placing the building firmly in the context of the River Clyde.

As part of the roof construction, Bilco UK was commissioned to manufacture and supply a E-50TB Roof Access Hatch, in addition to two ESW-50REM Smoke Vents, to meet strict requirements for convenient access and building safety regulations. Both the roof access hatch and smoke vents were custom-designed to unique specifications by Bilco UK’s in house team and clad in zinc to create a seamless, aesthetic finish with the museum’s distinctive roof. Expertly engineered to meet the requirements of Manual Handling Regulations, the E-50TB Roof Access Hatch allows for regular and convenient maintenance by facilitating easy one-handed operation.

The Access Hatch will enable engineers with small tools to safely access the roof to conduct essential maintenance, whilst its overlapping cover design, fully welded corners and insulated cover ensure both weather tightness and energy efficiency to deliver the highest standards of longevity for the museum.

Specified to ensure strict adherence with relevant fire safety regulations, the two ESW-50REM Smoke Vents open to 140 degrees in the event of a fire within 60 seconds, guaranteeing the highest standards in fire safety and allowing for the venting of smoke, heat and noxious gases in the event of a fire. Open to Glasgow to the North and the Clyde to the South, the museum’s interior is complex, inviting visitors to snake their way around the various exhibits. www.bilcouk.co.uk

An experienced builder and roofing contractor has made use of some 300 standard and tapered Marmox Multiboards to complete a complex refurbishment of a large, top floor balcony on an apartment building in North London. Lightwood Construction carries out work for mainly residential clients right across the capital and has used Marmox Multiboards on many occasions in the past for both interior and exterior applications.

In this instance, long term exposure to the weather and ponding had caused the original waterproofing system to deteriorate, and leaks to occur. Having stripped off all of the rotten felt and boarding, Lightwood Construction’s operatives installed 90 sheets of 20mm thick standard Multiboards, along with 200 of the cut-to-falls variant enabling subtle gradients to be created in draining the balcony to multiple outlets.

Equally suitable for wet room applications, Marmox’s Sloping Boards are made from the same waterproofing products as Multiboard - thermally insulating XPS sandwiched between two layers of Marmox’s patented polymerconcrete. The boards have undergone rigorous tests to ensure they are suitable for external use so can be used on the most exposed balconies, as well as inside a wet room. The board is produced in just one size, 1200 x 1200mm, with the edge thickness tapering from 33mm down to 10mm at the opposite side. They can be combined with layers of 20mm thick Marmox Multiboard to extend the slope indefinitely. www.marmox.co.uk

The Wraptite® external air barrier system from the A. Proctor Group is achieving an efficient airtightness solution at two new-build extensions to the Connolly Hospital in Dublin. The Wraptite system is the only self-adhering vapour permeable air barrier certified by the BBA. It combines the critical properties of vapour permeability and airtightness in one selfadhering membrane.

The high vapour permeability of the Wraptite air barrier allows the substrate beneath to dry quickly and moisture vapour to escape and reduces the likelihood of mould, mildew, condensation, timber distortion and metal corrosion. The Wraptite System was installed as an external air barrier and alternative to a traditional standard breather membrane. The use of conventional membranes would have required mechanical fixing and added to the installation time.

As an alternative, the Wraptite self-adhesive membrane was applied externally, quickly and easily to the external steel frame in continuous pieces. Positioning an air barrier on the outside of the structural frame simplifies the process of maintaining the envelope’s integrity, with fewer building services and structural penetrations to be sealed. www.proctorgroup.com

Many of the UK’s town and city centres are being redefined to ensure they fit more closely with today’s urban lifestyles and the expectations of tourists. The changing retail landscape, driven by the growth of online shopping, more people working from home and an increasing number of people choosing to live in city centres, means that previous models for the design of streetscapes, public parks, plazas and other pedestrianised spaces are needing to undergo significant change. But it is not just reaction to social change that is at the heart of redesigns – sustainability and a growing movement to capitalise on the health benefits of being outdoors, in whatever form that takes, are also part of this fresh thinking to redesign our public spaces.

There is extensive evidence to show that providing safe, secure and attractive outdoor spaces is important to help people be more active and maintain and extend social interaction to benefit their mental health. Flood prevention and ensuring that water is managed efficiently in urban areas is becoming increasingly important due to climate change. Hence, SuDS (sustainable urban drainage systems) are being integrated and there is an increased use of planters in spaces that were previously dominated by tarmac, pavers and concrete, encouraging biodiversity in the process.

But there is also another important consideration in making these new outdoor public spaces as popular and versatile as possible to maximise their potential – access to on-demand power sockets.

Events can play a big role in increasing the use of outdoor spaces and attracting local people as well as tourists. Food and drink fairs, children’s fun days, market stalls, music gigs and light shows – events such as these can be a major draw and help strengthen local communities and they are easier to stage (even at relatively short notice) when easy access to power sockets is provided.

This is why a power infrastructure is a must for any redevelopment scheme or new development, and Pop Up Power Supplies® can help through a range of pop-up, in-ground and bollard power units. By incorporating a power access where there is an opportunity for events at all times of the year, there is no need to hire generators, which can be expensive and may not fit with the local sustainability agenda. The pop up (retractable) and in-ground power distribution units are permanently submerged in the ground, discreetly installed with a lid that matches surrounding surfaces so they are barely noticeable when not it use.

When a power connection is needed, such as to provide electricity to a street food kiosk, the lid can be unlocked by an authorised user to allow power leads to connected. The pop up unit is raised up using a turning handle, whereas the in-ground unit stays below the surface, accessed via a flip lid. As soon as vendors finish serving, or when events are over, the power leads can be simply disconnected and the power unit can be securely locked again to prevent unauthorised access and vandalism.

The third option from Pop Up Power Supplies® is the power bollard. This elegantly designed bollard will integrate with other street furniture as part of an attractive streetscape, whilst providing the benefit of access to electricity when required through its sockets behind a locked cover. www.popuppower.co.uk

When it came to self-building a dream home, a couple from Yorkshire wanted the finish to the exterior of their home to convey both modern style and quality with a nod to traditional building materials.

The plot of land was bought with an original property standing on it which was demolished to make way for the tasteful 4-bedroom family residence. Their new home was designed to be in keeping with the more mature properties in the surrounding area but also to include elements that offered a greener more modern way of living with consideration given to energy efficient, durable and ecologically sound building materials. When looking at a rainwater system they wanted all these elements to be reflected together in the choice of gutters and downpipes.

After receiving samples from Yeoman Rainguard they choose the XL Aluminium range which, being manufactured from 3 mm thick extruded aluminium, gave the confidence of a robust and longlasting system.

Style is also exuded from the XL aluminium range with the 125 x 100 mm MOG XL gutters being installed along side the 75 x 75 mm square downpipes. Finished in an attractive black powder coating which not offers a stunning heritage look but gives the gutters and downpipes protection against the elements leading to 30 years plus, maintenance free, lifecycle.

Yeoman Rainguard manufacturing facilities helped to offer additional benefits to the build by being able to specially design external angles and stop end units in one piece. The units reduce the amount of jointing required therefore limiting the possibility of points of leakage in the gutter run.

A bespoke aluminium Fascia/Soffit was also designed for the new build again adding to the immaculate finish and maintenance free advantages of the property’s exterior. For more information on Yeoman Rainguards rainwater systems for new build or renovation projects get in touch on 0113 279 5854 or go to www.rainguard.co.uk

Nordic Royal golden copper alloy detailing accentuates the art-deco inspired, subtle opulence of a new, award-winning development in Halifax, Nova Scotia, while also referencing its developer’s history in the capital. Located on a pivotal, corner location, the George Residence on Pepperell links a vibrant downtown neighbourhood to the abundant green space of Halifax Common. Designed by Dexel Architecture in collaboration with Fathom Studios and built by Dexel Developments, for developer Lawen Group, the George Residence combines commercial and residential uses including 164 suites and 7 townhouses. Strategic massing of the building creates transition from a large-scale building context to principally singlefamily residential neighbourhoods to the south and west.

The highest density is located to the north-eastern corner of the site, allowing southern exposure to an internal courtyard. The corner has a double-height commercial space to create a neighbourhood anchor, with a distinct residential tower above. The building then steps down to townhouses along the two bordering residential streets to integrate with the neighbourhood streetscape. High-quality Materials The sleek, contemporary design utilises a restrained palette of high-quality materials in neutral colours – accentuated by elegant, crisply detailed and executed Nordic Royal golden copper alloy highlights. External copper alloy details include impressive portals announcing individual entrances, full height margins inset within the dark brickwork, oversailing soffits to the cantilevered corner tower and reveals to openings around the roof terrace. Thematically, Nordic Royal detailing continues internally including elevator doors and surrounds, panels accentuating glazed lobby doors and even the smallest details – such as wall corner guards and curved skirtings to columns.

Distinguished Copper Alloy - Nordic Royal golden copper alloy gives the building a real sense of opulence and quality, as well as contributing to its art-deco feel. But it also acts as a reminder of a special part of the Lawen Group’s family history, embodied in the George Residence – named after the company’s founder George Lawen.

The company’s current president and CEO said: “Our Team chose to feature the golden copper alloy at The George in appreciation of its durability and distinguished and dazzling appearance – an ode to our founder.”

Nordic Royal is an innovative alloy of copper with aluminium and zinc, giving a rich golden through-colour that is very stable. The surface retains its golden colour and simply loses some of its sheen as the oxide layer thickens with exposure to the atmosphere, resulting in a protective matt finish. (cont..)

(cont...) Extensive Range - The Nordic Copper range of architectural copper and alloy products is available from Aurubis, part of the world’s leading integrated copper group and largest copper recycler.

It includes Nordic Standard ‘mill finish’ and Nordic Brown pre-oxidised copper offering lighter (Nordic Brown Light) or darker shades of brown determined by the thickness of the oxide layer. The extensive Nordic Blue, Nordic Green and Nordic Turquoise ranges have been developed with properties and colours based on the same brochantite mineralogy found in natural patinas all over the world.

As well as the solid patina colours, ‘Living’ surfaces are available for each with other intensities of patina flecks revealing some of the dark oxidised background material. In addition to Nordic Royal, copper alloys include Nordic Bronze and Nordic Brass, which can also be supplied preweathered

Safety and Sustainability - Copper and its alloys enjoy unique characteristics particularly in terms of safety, sustainability and long-term performance. With an ‘A1 (non-combustible material)’ fire classification to EN 13501-1, copper is inherently fire-safe and suitable for cladding tall buildings, using appropriate constructions.

It is also, therefore, rated ‘Class 0’ surface spread of flame, making it suitable for internal wall and ceiling surfaces. Particularly important today, copper is non-toxic and its inherent antimicrobial qualities make it ideal for touch surfaces.

A growing series of on-line ‘copper stories’ exemplify the best in contemporary architecture and showcase the diversity of surfaces, forms and applications available with Nordic Copper today. Visit: www.nordiccopper.com or email: NordicCopper@aurubis.com Photos: AMAC Photography

A new Scottish residential development with a strong emphasis on offsite construction and energyefficiency has highlighted the suitability of Sto’s external render systems for use with modern structural insulated panels (SIPS). The company’s StoRend Flex external render system, which utilizes the StoVentec carrier board, has been installed onto SIPS to create the new detached and semi-detached properties built at Robertland Gardens in Stewartland, North Ayrshire.

The Sto products were specified by project developer SIPS Industries. “We have used Sto solutions many, many times and we know that for SIPS panels, Sto can provide a thoroughly tried and tested system,” comments spokesman Pat Hynds. The SIPS panels are constructed from two layers of oriented strand board which enclose a layer of insulation. The StoVentec carrier boards provide the perfect finishing surface for the panels, not least because, being made from 96% recycled expanded glass granulate, they align closely to the eco-friendly nature of the Robertland Gardens development.

They are also reinforced with StoArmat Classic Plus and Sto glassfibre mesh to provide outstanding impact resistance, and they complement the inherently strong and stable nature of the SIPS panels as they can often be installed without the need for movement joints.

This allowed them to provide the stippled exterior surfaces which greatly enhance the striking appearance of the new Robertland Gardens properties. StoSilco resin render was applied as the finishing coat to create a lightly stippled, attractive, through-coloured and long-lasting finish which is both vapour-permeable and extremely weather-resistant. It is extremely durable and exceptionally flexible, enabling it to avoid the cracking which can occur with traditional cementitious renders. Being through-coloured it will not fade, which reduces future maintenance and re-painting requirements.

This white stippled render used on the Robertland Gardens properties contrasts with the dark grey StoFlexyl used to encapsulate the insulation below the damp-proof course. This protective coating provides reliable protection against moisture or water ingress in the splash zone and in the soil, and can be used on prepared concrete, masonry and cement sheathing surfaces. A v-profile groove separates the dark grey and white colours and adds a striking visual element to the appearance of the new homes. The Sto materials were installed by Grattan and Hynds of Fife. www.sto.co.uk

Radiators are the key sharer of heat around homes in the UK and many housebuilders are specifying designer radiators because they want their customers to benefit from a premium product as part of the new home’s specification. One of these is Erris Homes, based in Leeds. Erris Homes is a provider of modern and luxurious new family homes across Yorkshire.

The company has chosen the Compact with Style design radiators from Stelrad – another Yorkshire-based company – with more than two and a half million radiators a year manufactured at its manufacturing plant in Mexborough, near Rotherham in South Yorkshire. Purchasing radiators from a locally based manufacturer is definitely a plus for Erris Homes as it means it is not only supporting its local supply chain but also minimising its environmental impact due to the reduced distance of transport for the radiators from the National Distribution Centre alongside the Stelrad factory to the sites around Yorkshire.

Chris Harvey is Head of Marketing at Stelrad: “It means a lot to us to see housebuilders making a positive decision to select premium panel designer radiators for their homes and Erris Homes is one of the housebuilders in the UK that has decided to select a model from our Stelrad range.” The Compact with Style offers a clean, crisp, flat fronted radiator with a horizontal lined fascia. The subtle architectural look and feel of the Compact with Style is combined with value, range and availability to provide a sophisticated, designer styling for any room, commercial or domestic, at affordable prices. It’s available in 126 different models – horizontal, vertical, lo-line and coloured versions. www.stelrad.com

Photography courtesy Nick Rowland

Property developers Golden Eye Group, augmented their latest residential development with a high-end exterior finish incorporating a rainwater system from Yeoman Rainguard. With a mantra of “a quality finish that will stand the test of time” Golden Eye ensured that quality was reflected not only internally but for all parts of the external building envelope too.

As part of the function and design criteria of the house façade, Yeoman Rainguard were able to provide a sophisticated, quality rainwater system to fulfil technical and aesthetic requirements. To dovetail into the contemporary look, Yeoman Rainguard SL Aluminium gutters and downpipes were chosen. The 75 x 75 mm flush-fit SL Aluminium downpipes provided a modern clean line coupled with 125 x 100 mm MOG gutter. Aluminium Fascia and Soffits from Yeoman Rainguard’s new Squareline range were fitted to complement the sleek lines.

All were finished in a smooth RAL 7022 Grey colour to perfectly match the shade of the windows and doors. The aluminium products give a hardwearing, maintenance free lifecycle of 30 years or more, making this recyclable material both an ecologically and economically sound choice. The rainwater system was installed by Yeoman Rainguard’s experienced installer, ensuring the perfect finish. www.rainguard.co.uk

The first phase of The Welcome Building and surrounding landscape at Royal Horticultural Society gardens, Wisley, Surrey has transformed the experience for visitors to the gardens with buildings including a spacious arrivals hall, café, shop, plant centre and a 100 seat restaurant. There are now three large car/ coach parks including Blue Badge scheme easy access bays for visitors in park two.

One hundred metres of Hauraton RECYFIX® PRO 100 channel system, fitted with FIBRETEC® C250, 9mm HEELSAFE slot gratings, was used by groundwork subcontractor GPB Construction Ltd to drain the asphalted Blue Badge parking bays for visitors. The channels were installed between the bays and the path leading to the entrance of the new arrivals hall.

The material, PA-GF used to make the FIBRETEC® grating, was especially developed by Hauraton; the tough, UV resistant, fibre reinforced moulding offers high stability and huge strength for its weight. Complying with loading category Class C250 (BSEN 1433) the grating can easily take the weight of cars and commercial delivery vehicles.

The design is a real innovation as its non-corrosive material provides a visually appealing surface finish that retains its black colour. The FIBRETEC® C250 HEELSAFE slot grating was specifically designed by Hauraton R&D engineers to enhance the flow of water into the channel. The slots are super smooth, elliptical openings with the moulded bars having slightly raised triangular bosses along their outside edges.

As well as providing an elegant appearance, the feature ensures surface water is directed into the slots. This configuration also helps eliminate any cross-flow over the grating.

The RECYFIX® PRO 100 channel component is made from 100% recycled polypropylene (PP). The six sizes offered are 160mm wide and range in height from 75mm to 250mm with the FIBRETEC® grating factory fitted on all models. As the largest unit is only 5.8kg, the channelling is easily handled and quickly installed on site. www.drainage-projects.co.uk

With changes to Part L of the Building Regulations having come into force on 15th June, 2022, CO2 emissions are now reduced by 31% for dwellings and 27% for other buildings. So improving the thermal performance of building envelopes is even more critical.

Designers need to be aware of how significantly insulation values can be compromised by thermal bridges, which occur in a localised area of the building envelope – typically where a material with high thermal conductivity penetrates the insulation layer.

Critical examples are cantilevered balconies, which result in higher heat transfer through the building assembly and colder surface temperatures on the warm side. The main consequences being non-compliance with regulations, condensation leading to mould growth and higher energy consumption for heating. The 2021 edition of Part L (which replaces L1A 2013) sets out the minimum thermal requirements for avoiding such issues.

Important new requirements Thermal bridging must now be included in fabric heat loss calculations and the Standard Assessment Procedure calculation (updated to SAP 10.2) includes the term HTB (heat loss due to thermal bridging). A further change is that for new dwellings, an on-site audit must confirm that the details shown in the original design have been constructed, before they are concealed by subsequent work.

Photographic verification must show that the products used are those in the original design. If there are substitutions, the revised specification should be reflected in the SAP calculation and included in the Building Regulations England Part L compliance report (BREL report). The revised Part L also includes general tightening of U-values, requiring greater insulation requirements and better performing thermal break details.

Additionally, it encourages HTB assessment to be carried out through thermal calculation for a more realistic evaluation of existing thermal junctions. The default y-value has been increased to 0.20 W/ (m2.K) to discourage generic estimations. Thermal performance and structural integrity Designers do need to be fully aware of just how significantly thermal bridges compromise insulation and the most effective way to minimise thermal bridging at cantilever balcony detailing is to incorporate a Schöck structural thermal break.

This is a highly efficient balcony connector that minimises the flow of thermal energy between the interior and exterior of a building, providing both structural integrity and thermal isolation of the balcony. The Schöck range of thermal break solutions is for applications as diverse as concrete-toconcrete; concrete-to-steel; steel-to-steel; renovation projects – and even Passivhaus.

Condensation and mould growth With thermal bridging cold surfaces can form condensation, resulting in structural damage – and of even bigger concern – mould growth. To identify areas where there is a risk of condensation and therefore mould growth, a ‘surface temperature factor’ (fRsi) should be used. It allows surveys under any thermal conditions and compares the temperature drop across the building fabric with the total temperature drop between the inside and outside air.

The recommended (fRsi) value for offices and retail premises is equal to or greater than 0.5; and to ensure higher standards for occupants in residential buildings, equal to or greater than 0.75. www.schoeck.com

CUPA PIZARRAS’ CUPA 18 natural slate has been used to achieve a high-quality finish on three luxury, modern, new build properties in one of the most desirable areas of Whitstable in Kent.

The new properties, built by local property designer and developer specialist Kapra Developments, are located in Island Wall, Whitstable, close to both the town centre and the scenic Kent coastline. The three storey, five bedroom luxury properties are each in excess of 360 square metres and benefit from views over the nearby golf course.

The unique design of the houses features extensive use of dark grey aluminium glazing systems including rooftop lanterns and large sloping roof windows.

The placement of the expansive glazing as well as the layout and orientation of the buildings was devised to maximize the natural light and make the most of the surrounding landscape. In addition to the CUPA 18 natural slate, the design also includes high quality natural timber cladding, sedum green roofing and natural stone blockwork .

Kim Brown, Director at Kapra Developments explained: “For the properties on Island Wall, the quality of the materials was very important and the coastal location meant that a durable product was essential. We had used CUPA PIZARRAS’ products on previous projects and so we were confident that the CUPA 18 slate would provide the look, quality and longevity we wanted.”

CUPA 18 is a lighter grey slate with a smooth matt surface and has a superior, homogenous finish with only minor variations allowed in the thickness and flatness of the slate. The slate roofs were installed by Bates (Kent), a family owned contractor based near Canterbury, who has worked with Kapra Developments on a number of previous projects.

David Clarke, Company Secretary at Bates said: “The Island Wall properties presented a few complexities and challenges due to the steep pitch of the roof and the need to integrate the slate with the other elements such as the large format glazing."

“We’ve used CUPA products on a number of contracts and found the slates very easy to work with. The strength and quality of the slates means that we are able to reduce the amount of wastage compared with other products.” Kim Brown concluded: “To achieve the intended result for these properties has required hard work from everyone involved. We are once again delighted with CUPA PIZARRAS’ products and are pleased with how that element of the build has progressed.”

CUPA PIZARRAS’ natural slate is sustainably extracted from quarries in northern Spain. It has an exceptional life span of 100 years and requires minimal maintenance throughout its lifetime. www.cupapizarras.com/uk