INSIDE

Highlights of this issue's Xtra Inside include:

Leading riser door and access panel solution supplier, Profab Access, has proven its first-class credentials once again as part of the recent completion of a major specification at Cardiff’s new 5-star Parkgate hotel. An acoustic ceiling system provided by Sto has created a quiet and calm environment for a museum in Hampshire. Renowned surfaces company COMPAC have won the prestigious Red Dot Best of the Best Award for its ICE of Genesis collection created by innovative artist and designer Arik Levy. Troldtekt’s wood wool panelling has been used throughout the living and pool areas to combat and soften elevated noise levels at Blue Sky Barn.

Dik Geurts Soren 5 - Dik Geurts is the brand under which DRU designs and manufactures its wood fires and stoves. The latest freestanding model is Soren 5, part of a series that includes the popular Ivar and Aste. It has a classic rectangular shape with a distinctive new door design in a dark anthracite finish.

The standard heat output is 4.9 kW so it can be used without additional ventilation and it has an A+ energy rating with 82% energy efficiency. These stoves can be installed into existing UK fireplaces by hollowing out the chimneybreast and creating an inglenook fireplace. There are also freestanding models with various log storage options.

Dik Geurts Ivar 10 H2O Store - The Ivar 10 H2O Store is part of the company’s Green Design series of eco-friendly wood burning appliances. It is a smart and versatile wood stove with a substantial 4.7 kW room heating output, combined with a further 5.5 kw of water heating power.

It has a stylish dark anthracite finish, easy slider controls, vermiculite interior and ample space underneath for log storage. A water heating chamber is built into the back of the stove. This must be connected to a buffer tank that stores the hot water and distributes it to radiators around the home. The system can also be combined with solar panels for even greater energy efficiency.

Dik Geurts Odin Base - The Odin is a stunning circular wood stove that can be wall-mounted or suspended from the ceiling. The latest model includes a sturdy base that takes up very little space in the living room but creates an impressive focal point. It is available in both single-sided Front or Tunnel models. The Tunnel version can be viewed from both sides, allowing the stove to be in the centre of a room for dramatic effect. It has a maximum 8 kW heat output with an energy efficiency rating of 75%.

Dik Geurts Instyle Corner Slim 660/570 - The Instyle Corner Slim 660/570 is the latest in a series of built-in wood burning fires in single-sided, 2-sided, 3-sided and tunnel options. The 660/570 model has a compact size that is suitable for the conversion of a standard UK chimney or for installation in a false chimneybreast or room dividing wall.

The 2-sided fire view provides a stunning addition to any living space, with a clear, unhindered view of the flames. It has a maximum heat output of 7.4 kW and an impressive 80% energy efficiency rating.

Dik Geurts Instyle V Next fan-assisted wood fires - New Dik Geurts Instyle V Next built-in wood fires offer sustainable wood burning and rapid heating. They include all the Dik Geurts hallmarks of high energy efficiency, clean combustion and superior fire control combined with fan-assisted operation. A special adapter gives you full control of the fan. There are four speeds for gradual to fast heating.

And, thanks to a smart control sensor, the fan automatically adjusts to the desired temperature. Instyle V Next models are designed to fit perfectly in any chimney or wall, with a choice of 3 widths, 600, 700 and 800 mm. They have heat outputs from 3 to 12 Kw and A or A+ energy labels. All the new Dik Geurts models are Ecodesign 2022 ready and have the option of an external air system that recirculates air from outside the building for combustion. They are available to be ordered now from DRU approved UK fireplace retailers throughout the UK. www.drufire.com

Leading riser door and access panel solution supplier, Profab Access, has proven its first-class credentials once again as part of the recent completion of a major specification at Cardiff’s new 5-star Parkgate hotel. Located next to the Welsh Capital’s famous Principality Stadium, the Parkgate hotel has been designed to provide a luxurious experience for rugby fans, in addition to city dwellers visiting the country all year round.

Widely coined as Cardiff’s most lavish new location, the hotel includes 170 guest bedrooms and suites, a signature restaurant and bar, a traditional tea lounge and a rooftop spa overlooking the city skyline. As part of the prestigious build, a unique collaboration between the Welsh Rugby Union, property developer, Rightacres, and The Celtic Collection, the hotel required an extensive riser door specification, with safety, high performance and aesthetic appeal key considerations.

In total, 310 Profab Access VEGA 1500 Fire Rated Riser Doors were specified for installation by Hazelwood Carpentry throughout every part of the building, including communal areas and the hotel’s vast range of luxury guest rooms and suites. The VEGA 1500 Series Riser Doors offer the highest standards of fire safety, extensively tested by Efectis in France and Ireland to provide a bidirectionally fire tested product that is available in both single and double door configurations.

This means the riser door sets are fire tested from both sides to 60 minutes, providing the specifiers, contractors and hotel guests residing within the building with confidence the critical fire integrity products offer the highest standard and most up to date evidence for fire safety performance. The range also features a slimline, neat construction, whilst its proven technology ensures permanent, safe access to mechanical and electrical services housed within the riser core.

This provides first class functionality and safety, without compromising the overall interior concept. The steel riser doors also streamlined the installation process, as the quick release pivot hinge and light weight enabled easy handling, allowing Hazelwood Carpentry to complete the job quickly and optimise overall project efficiencies.

In the event of a fire, the VEGA 1500 Series Riser Door sets will maintain the frame and integrity for up to 60 minutes, preventing the spread of fire throughout the property for this period of time. The riser doors are 31dB acoustic rated, smoke sealed and airtight to Part L, whilst also featuring intumescent smoke seals that enable occupants to safely exit the building. By specifying bi-directionally fire tested VEGA 1500 Series Riser Doors, the development is actively future proofed as the comprehensive testing certification provides a complete and transparent audit trail of due diligence that evidences the products are not only fit for purpose but meet the duty of care required to ensure legal compliance.

Profab Access’ diverse portfolio of riser doors and access panels are supported by a wide range of BIM Level 2 and CAD files to aid the specification process and streamline the initial design stages. Manufactured at Profab Access’ Atherstone headquarters in accordance with ISO 9001, the 1500 Series Riser Doors can be specified and installed in a range of configurations to meet each project’s specific measurements and requirements. www.profabaccess.com

An acoustic ceiling system provided by Sto has created a quiet and calm environment for a museum in Hampshire. The StoSilent Distance system has been installed in Petersfield Museum, which has been created by the conversion and refurbishment of Victorian premises that previously housed a police station and court house.

“The StoSilent Distance system is well-suited to this type of refurbishment project,” comments Sto’s acoustics project manager, James Gosling. “It delivers outstanding acoustic performance, but also offers tremendous flexibility as it can be used to create large seamless ceilings, sharp joints and creases, or curved ceilings and vaults. This gives architects and designers great freedom while still allowing them to accommodate the existing structures found on a refurbishment project such as this.”

The Sto system was specified for the building by Hampshire County Council Property Services, as part of a project to create a series of new, welcoming spaces at the museum.

The StoSilent Distance system can function as a suspended ceiling, or as a wall-covering over a cavity. It features a metal profile subconstruction fitted with acoustic panels, which are manufactured from expanded glass granulate, making them lightweight and easy to handle, and allowing them to be adjusted to suit any room shape and create a smooth, seamless surface. Different system variants are offered to suit different types of application.

The boards were finished with StoSilent Décor M, a spray-applied acoustic plaster which can be tinted to match an extensive range of shades from the StoColor system. This solvent and plasticiser-free plaster creates a classic fine-stipple finish which is ideally suited to a museum environment. It is also Natureplus approved and easy to refurbish.

The construction work formed part of the museum’s £3.75m ‘Pathways into the Past’ expansion and refurbishment project. This has seen the museum’s buildings and exhibition spaces undergo a complete transformation, along with the creation of an exciting new outdoor courtyard space. www.sto.co.uk

Renowned surfaces company COMPAC have won the prestigious Red Dot Best of the Best Award for its ICE of Genesis collection created by innovative artist and designer Arik Levy. The Red Dot Awards are considered to be one of the leading design awards in the world and regularly attracts over 20,000 entries.

Judged by an international panel of 48 professionals from a range of design disciplines, the ICE of Genesis collection was voted the Best of the Best in the product design category for its ‘exceptional and innovative groundbreaking design’.

The ICE of Genesis collection features a range of unique quartz worksurface designs inspired by the great ice lakes of the Artic and coalesce technology with design and art to create stunning surfaces the like of which have never been seen before.

Levy has created four new designs to add to the collection that reflect how seasons change over the year. ICE Green represents nature coming alive in Spring, ICE Gold the sunbeams of summer, ICE Viola autumn lights and ICE Ink the dark nights of winter.

COMPAC’s commitment to produce safe, circular, and sustainable products is underpinned by a number of prestigious design and sustainability awards in addition to the Red Dot award the company has recently won.

For over 45 years COMPAC have been committed to the environment leading the way by using renewable energies in the manufacture of their worksurfaces, harvesting rainwater and recycling it for use throughout their factories, using organic resins and planting thousands of trees as part of an ongoing reforestation programme. www.compac.es