Xtra Build magazine, March 2023

BUILD XTRA

BUILDING DESIGNS, VIEWS, CONCEPTS & PROJECTS

MARCH 2023

DESIGN XTRA

Highlights of this issue's Xtra Design include:

Creative and inspiring British interior design specialists, Brandt Design, create a ‘room with a view’ with this poolside contemporary kitchen featuring its ultramodern Urban Furniture Collection.

Thousands of visitors have now visited the £5.4 million extension to the Potteries Museum and Art Gallery in Stoke-on-Trent, which now houses an original Spitfire aircraft thanks to specialist project management from national property, construction, and infrastructure consultancy Pick Everard. ISG has won a £50 million project to redevelop and refurbish Woolworth House in the heart of London’s West End.

Berkeley Place renovated a basement duplex apartment situated in a prime residential street in Clifton.

Waterlane House Poolside Kitchen

By Brandt Design

Creative and inspiring British interior design specialists, Brandt Design, create a ‘room with a view’ with this poolside contemporary kitchen featuring its ultramodern Urban Furniture Collection. Julia Steadman, Commercial Director at Brandt Design says, “We are well-versed in creating unique schemes for our customers, especially when it comes to balancing both the practical and extravagant elements of kitchen design. This newly completed kitchen living space is a great example of how enhancing the flow of the entire ground floor, will unify both the design and residents in the home. As trends continue to err towards multi-generational living, a one-size fits all kitchen is now a thing of the past and instead, multi-discipline interiors have taken over to welcome a new era of ‘high-performance’ kitchen living spaces.”

Waterlane House is a kitchen living space that is all things to all people, providing a perfect space to cook, dine, entertain and even swim in, thanks to the connecting swimming pool off the main kitchen.

Featuring a statement bar-style island, bank of appliances, hidden larder storage and the latest premium appliances for the modern home, the kitchen is zoned by a run of bi-fold patio doors and practical roof terrace with lantern window that floods natural light throughout the ground floor.

To accompany the urban flavour of the concrete effect, handleless slab doors is a deluxe 60mm porcelain worktop with square-edged profile, which completes the look and provides a practical surface to prepare and cook food. In the chef quarters, there is a fully integrated twin-set of Gaggenau combination microwave and steam ovens in Silver, as well as a BORA X Pure combined cooktop and extractor that sits alongside a Matt Back Sink by 1810 Company and Quooker Flex Black all-in-one hot water tap with flexible hose.

When admiring the pool, the homeowners can take advantage of the hidden breakfast station to their right. Featuring a Miele Coffee Machine with matching black toaster, marble effect countertop and splashback, this type of lifestyle solution is extremely convenient by creating a practical area to make coffee and prepare breakfast that disappears when not in use.

Matt black fixtures and fittings complement the industrial-style elements throughout the kitchen space like contemporary door handles, light switches, window frames and bar stools. Large format square tiles in matching graphite have been designed to run continuously throughout the ground floor and this ensures a direct connection between inside and out, so the kitchen and swimming pool area are intrinsically linked: whatever the weather! www.brandtdesign.co.uk

£5.4M Museum Extension Housing Iconic WW2 Plane Celebrated

Thousands of visitors have now visited the £5.4 million extension to the Potteries Museum and Art Gallery in Stoke-on-Trent, which now houses an original Spitfire aircraft thanks to specialist project management from national property, construction, and infrastructure consultancy Pick Everard.

The project comprised the design and construction of a new 3,800 square foot, double height exhibition space with mezzanine and the alteration and refurbishment of the existing café space within the art gallery and museum, alongside extensive external landscaping. Utilising a steel frame and rainscreen cladding, the new exhibition space has been designed with specialist structural glazing to allow the main attraction, the city’s iconic RW388 Spitfire Aircraft, to be exhibited.

The area also houses a flight simulator, model Hurricane aircraft and other exhibitions. Seeking an expedited project process to ensure scheduled delivery, Pick Everard – operating under Perfect Circle’s unique collaboration – was appointed as Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s multidisciplinary construction consultant through SCAPE’s Built Environment Consultancy Services (BECS) framework.

Stoke-on-Trent is internationally renowned for its ceramics. The area has a history of coal mining, so specialist geotechnical design input was critical. In conjunction with the Coal Authority, an approach was agreed to backfill existing mine workings beneath the proposed building, which allowed construction to proceed.

Matt Hall, national director for project management at Pick Everard said: “We are delighted to have delivered such a historically significant development, which creates a lasting legacy for the city of Stoke-on-Trent. Our expertise, combined with that from tourism and leisure architect Glancy Nicholls, has created a spectacular display space for the iconic Spitfire – a centrepiece the city can be proud of.”

The new spaces, constructed by Morgan Sindall Construction, allow the exhibition space to be enjoyed by people both inside and outside of the Potteries Art Gallery and Museum.

Cllr Daniel Jellyman, cabinet member for infrastructure, regeneration and heritage, said: “We are really happy with the outcome of this project. Not only have we managed to pay homage to one of Stoke-on-Trent’s true icons –Reginald J. Mitchell, the designer of the Spitfire plane –but we have also improved the aesthetics and accessibility for those walking to and around the site, through our new pedestrian links. The site will add tangible value and energise the community, providing them with a new landmark the city can be proud of.”

www.pickeverard.co.uk

ISG Awarded £50 Million Low Carbon Marylebone Office Scheme

ISG has won a £50 million project to redevelop and refurbish Woolworth House in the heart of London’s West End. The mixed-use scheme, for General Projects with Henderson Park, will increase the building’s gross area by circa 100,000 sq ft. to over 236,000 sq ft, offering 172,000 sq ft. of lettable space and increase floor areas by over 40%.

It includes the complete refurbishment of the existing eight-storey office building, located at 242 Marylebone Road in the London Borough of Westminster. Renamed Metropolis, the new building will benefit from both office and retail facilities, with external green roof terraces across every floor. An events auditorium, rooftop-bar, on-site coffee shop, cyclist zone as well as new health and wellbeing amenities complete the specification.

Careful retention of existing building material will result in over 4,500 tonnes of carbon saved during the construction process and diverted from landfill. The new scheme will also achieve industry leading Wired and AirRated scores. The use of engineered timber floors to all building extensions has dramatically reduced embodied carbon, equating to a 73% improvement against RIBA 2030 targets. The masonry facades, concrete frame and cores will also be retained while CLT will be used for all new floors forming the building’s extension.

Jim Knowlton, ISG project director, said: “Originally constructed in the 1950’s, Woolworth House is an exemplar of how a low carbon approach can transform our cities’ dated building stock. Underpinned by environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations, the scheme shows how adapting assets into smarter office and retail environments, with more green spaces for occupants, can future proof London’s commercial property market.

“Following the successful completion of 66 Shoe Lane in 2020, Woolworth House is our second collaboration with Henderson Park. The project builds upon the success, expertise and shared learnings of the same delivery team, now applied to this trailblazing low carbon scheme.”

www.isgplc.com

Bristol Bomb Shelter

Makeover

Berkeley Place renovated a basement duplex apartment situated in a prime residential street in Clifton. During the basement renovation, an amazing piece of history was found. On the wall handwritten is a record of the 2nd World War air raids on Bristol. Between 24th Nov 1940 and 11th April 1941 there were six major bombing raids on the city.

Due to the presence of the Bristol Harbour and The Bristol Aeroplane Co, the city was a target for bombing, and was easily found as enemy bombers were able to trace a course up the River Avon from Avonmouth. Bristol was the fifth most heavily bombed British city of WWII.The basement has been converted into a basement snug bedroom and bathroom.

To create the snug there was a full basement renovation, repair and repoint of the flagstone. The bedroom was cleverly subdivided to maximise use of space and provide two separate sleeping spaces. (cont...)

(cont...) The historical basement was given a new lease of life to make it more liveable.The Grade II listed a full renovation of the front terrace, living room, hallway, kitchen, utility, dining, bedroom and a master ensuite with a crittal terrace.

The vibe of the project is bringing the old into the new and cleverly designing the small space to feel larger. Creating a larger amount of space in the home was a challenge which was overcome with clever storage. The whole home has a new warmth with new timber and underfloor heating. To mix old with new, a variety of suppliers were used such as Howdens, Farrow & Ball (colours India Yellow (modern emulsion), Wimborne White (estate eggshell), Hardwick white (estate eggshell).

The tiling came from Mandarin stone, wallpaper is Harlequin Salon Wallpaper and the crittal supplied by Fabco. A new kitchen was installed with quartz worktops, a Chelford navy customised kitchen, Quooker classic fusion square patinated brass hot taps and parquet flooring.

In the dining room and hallway new glazed metal framed door and window as installed. In the kitchen and living room a full height wall bookshelf was installed. The stairs were installed with curved timber handrail to the outer wall and cleaned sandstone basement flooring and staircase. www.berkeleyplace.co.uk

XTRA

NEWS

Highlights of this issue's Xtra News include:

Marmox was able to unveil extensions to its widely specified range at this year’s Surface Design Show in London earning particular interest in its new Slicedstone – Large Format Veneer Sheets. National building services and engineering consultants FHP has been appointed to support the £2.5bn design and construction of the UK’s first zero carbon mixed use development. Ojmar, the world-leading European manufacturer of innovative high performance electronic and mechanical locks, is delighted to introduce OTS ® PULSE, the latest addition to the well-known family of locks. Steel windows and doors manufacturer Crittall Windows is offering architects a unique chance to win a rare original lithograph poster that celebrates the work of the famous Swiss architect Le Corbusier.

Design Show Success For Enhanced Marmox Range

Already widely regarded as a lead player in the creation of stylish bathrooms, wetrooms and spa facilities, manufacturer Marmox was able to unveil extensions to its widely specified range at this year’s Surface Design Show in London earning particular interest in its new Slicedstone – Large Format Veneer Sheets. The Sales and Marketing team were on hand throughout the three days at The Business Design Centre, Islington, showcasing the new large format version of mosaic style product introduced in 2020. Still displaying the beautiful colour variations of natural Indian sandstone, the new Slicedstone – Large Format Veneer Sheets are available in two sizes - 1220 x 610mm or 2100 x 1050mm - rather than 50 x 50mm mosaics on a mesh roll.

However, the new product’s slimline form - at just 4 (±1.5) mm thick, means they can still be applied to curved surfaces both indoors and out. Utilising the latest technology, Slicedstone – Large Format Veneer Sheets are cut from the surface of Indian sedimentary rock and then re-engineered with a stabilised backing. The natural stone blend substrate is treated with a clear polycarbonate solution to offer a flexible surface that is both stable and fully resistant to water as well as being stain resistant. Being in large format means, compared to conventional tiling, savings will be made on the cost of grout and adhesive as well as the reduced labour through quicker installation. For further information please visit www.marmox.co.uk/slicedstoneveneer

Neaco Introduces Adjustable Pedestals To Its Product Range

Architectural systems manufacturer, Neaco, has added a new product to its range with the introduction of a Fire-Resistant Adjustable Pedestal supporting the company’s aluminium decking on balconies, terraces and high-rise apartments. The product will be available as a solution for many existing residential buildings which still have balcony elements that do not have the Euroclass A1 (non-combustible) or A2-s1, d0 (limited-combustible) rating necessary to meet compliance with the Building Safety Act 2022. Manufactured from recycled aluminium and zinc-coated steel, the pedestal is Euroclass A1 fire rated to comply with Building Regulations on buildings over 18m in height.

With a large spreader base that won’t compromise insulation or waterproofing membranes, the system is ideal for use with Neaco’s Neatdek aluminium decking, which can be laid directly on top of the pedestal and affixed securely in place. The Adjustable Pedestal aids the installation of raised flooring, avoiding the cost and delay of constructing a sub-frame on uneven or unstable groundworks. Its key feature is an in-built slope corrector which allows up to 5% of millimetre- precise correction and uses a Bubble Level to determine the exact amount of correction required. Compression Test Load testing has been performed on the pedestals to 6 tons and Neaco certifies to over 3 tons per pedestal. They have a breaking load of over 2000kg and have a height adjustment of 24mm up to 395mm. neaco.co.uk

Rare Le Corbusier £1K Lithograph Poster To Be Won With Crittall

Steel windows and doors manufacturer Crittall Windows is offering architects a unique chance to win a rare original lithograph poster that celebrates the work of the famous Swiss architect Le Corbusier, one of the pioneers of modern architecture and design. Valued at £1000, “Tapisseries en L’eglise de Chateau Fellentin Creuse“ is a rich and beautiful traditional stone lithograph exhibition poster printed in 1963 by Atelier Mourlot. “We wanted an idea that engaged the architectural community after what has seen a pretty traumatic couple of years for the profession “, commented Russell Ager, Crittall Managing Director.

”The Crittall aesthetic was favoured by the originators of the Bauhaus Movement to which Le Corbusier’s name is indelibly linked, so offering as a prize an original lithographic poster celebrating the iconic designer seemed to fit the bill “ “We are all very proud of our unique Crittall heritage, its links to some of the 20 th Century’s notable architects and designers, and how that continues to be reflected in the products we offer to meet 21 st Century demands”. The free, simple-to-enter competition, which closes on 20th June 2023, is open to all UK registered architects. The entry form and full terms and conditions and can be found here

CPG’s Flowcrete Launches New RIBA Approved Car Park CPD Seminar

Flowcrete are pleased to announce the launch of a new RIBA approved Continuing Professional Development (CPD) seminar, The Importance of Protecting Car Park Structures. The newly launched CPD covers some of the common methods of waterproofing car park structures such as polyurethane, asphalt and polymethyl methacrylate along with their benefits and pitfalls. Participants are also provided with key guidance when specifying resin waterproofing for multi-storey car parks such as slip-resistance and fire safety which are important factors in the design of construction projects such as car parks. The presentation goes further to break down the different considerations depending on whether it’s a new build or refurbishment car park project, and how this makes a difference to how much remedial work is required and the overall costs.

Finally, the seminar discusses what manufacturers can do to assist in sustainable architecture to minimise environmental impact. The 60-minute session can be delivered virtually or face to face by one of Flowcrete flooring experts. Rejoice Chikosi, Flowcrete PR and communications manager says, “Though car parks might look like solid stable constructions, they are quite vulnerable due to several issues and our new CPD has been designed to help you make informed product and system choices on your upcoming car park projects. “Training and development are cornerstones of our business, and we are pleased to expand our CPD portfolio to building professionals.” To book a CPD seminar, please click here

New Programmable Room Thermostat Launched By ESi

ESi has responded to the current economic climate with the introduction of its latest quality heating control – the RTP4 Touch programmable room thermostat. This latest introduction is capable of controlling heating and hot water systems via combi, system or heat only boilers. When installed with the ESi WIFI hub, homeowners and tenants heating and hot water can be controlled via Alexa or the ESi Centro App. Vitally, the load compensation functionality, available via OpenTherm technology, modulates the flow temperature dependant on the desired room temperature, saving up to 15% on gas usage – a benefit not to be overlooked in the current situation where energy prices have leapt to a huge new high in the UK.

The 4 Touch has a large backlit LCD display and touch screen making it simple-to-use and programme. It offers optimum start/stop and delayed start functions offering additional cost savings for users, 7 day, 5/2 day or 24 hour options to suit the homeowner or tenants lifestyles, automatic summer/winter change settings and has home, manual, away, sleep and holiday modes long with its popular landlord service interval reminder. The new unit is battery controlled and comes with a low power indicator to show simply when the battery needs replacing. www.esicontrols.co.uk

New Lowboard 2 Underfloor Heating Overlay: Thin Just Got Thinner

OMNIE, the award-winning UK underfloor heating specialist, has launched a new, low profile, overlay panel, LowBoard 2, the latest upgrade to its industry-leading LowBoard panel which transformed the overlay market when it was launched in 2012. LowBoard 2 consists of routed lower and upper panels with a combined profile of just 18mm, making it the thinnest overlay system on the market. Its predecessor, LowBoard, had a lower panel profile of 15mm but, like other overlays, LowBoard also required a ply upper layer which can add at least 6 mm to its overall depth.

LowBoard 2 is quick and easy to install and offers outstanding heat performance thanks to its innovative design. It has a 15 per cent higher heat output than its predecessor and a 40 per cent higher heat output than other unfoiled low build-up systems or alternative overlay solutions. Its lower and ‘over’ panels have pipe channels that tightly sandwich and encapsulate the warm water pipe.

The routing follows OMNIE’s patented multi-directional pipe channel pattern, eliminating the need for separate straight and loop panels while also ensuring the warm water pipe can be easily laid around any planned room layouts. The channels are spaced 150mm apart for optimal heat output and transfer. The upper ‘over’ panel is 6mm thick wood fibre (or 12mm plywood for tiled applications) and the proportional pipe channel pattern places the encapsulated warm water pipe within 3mm of the floor surface. www.omnie.co.uk

Having A Finger On The Corporate Pulse

Ojmar, the world-leading European manufacturer of innovative high performance electronic and mechanical locks, is delighted to introduce OTS ® PULSE, the latest addition to the well-known family of locks. Specifically designed for the Corporate and Leisure markets, OTS ® PULSE is the ultimate wireless networked locking solution that operates in highly secure cloud software. It uses the latest battery technology providing a life of up to 10 years before needing a simple battery replacement. This makes it one of the most efficient, longestlasting systems available on the market.

Fully plug-and-play, online, self-managed and wireless, the OTS ® Pulse will help your office be flexible at minimal cost. OTS®PULSE does not require any expensive servers, just a simple standard internet connection managed through a PC, tablet or smartphone. OTS ® PULSE is simple to operate with no keys or codes, while each user’s App makes it easy for them to reserve, open and lock their lockers directly from their own device via Bluetooth or using RFID cards. The cloud-based management system allows administrators to monitor and manage users and locker usage and occupancy while providing instant reports in real-time. Samples, case studies and technical guidance are available from ojmar. com or look for Ojmar on NBS Source

Concrete Channel with Basalt Fibres – New Era Begins for Hauraton

Hauraton makes concrete material even more efficient for modern drainage technology by enhancing the formulation with natural basalt fibres. The addition of mineral or textile fibres increases maximum stability, strength, and impact resistance. By amplifying the impact resistance, the more robust and durable the product. By combining basalt fibres with the well-known material concrete, both the structure and the service life of the product is increased.

Since the end product is a purely mineral mixture, there is no need for material separation during disposal. This protects the environment as it is simply fully-recyclable at the end of the product's life cycle. Basalt fibres can withstand temperatures of up to 800°C and are highly resistant to alkalis, acids, salts, oxidation and radiation. Basalt fibres are mineral fibres that have a higher melting temperature, better resistance to water, acids and alkalis, and more positive flexural strength. The energy consumption during production also clearly speaks in favour of basalt fibres, as basalt it has the lowest CO 2 footprint.

www.hauraton.co.uk

First Choice Heat Pump Solution

The new LG R32 Monobloc range has already had a massive impact on the residential heat pump market in the UK. Its new Monobloc S version of the unit which combines the indoor and outdoor features in one module is connected by only water piping, eliminating the need for refrigerant piping, making this heat pump an installer’s dream when it comes to ease of installation. Hydronic components like the improved plate heat exchanger, the expansion tank, water pump, flow sensor, pressure sensor, air vent valve and safety valve are all built in - inside the outdoor unit – pre-installed and ready to run.

And the R32 Monobloc ‘S’ provides excellent heating performance especially at low ambient temperatures whilst lowering its carbon emissions even more with the use of R32. Up to 9kW units can be installed at the minimum of 4 metres away, and up to 16kW units - up to 5 metres away from neighbouring houses complying with international noise regulations. The new version requires lower amounts of refrigerant compared to the existing model – 16.7% less in fact – reducing emissions and lessening its environmental impact still further. The new version features LG’s revolutionary R1 Compressor technology which offers advanced efficiency, reliability and operational range due in part to the enhanced tilting motion of the scroll. The unit comes with a Seasonal Coefficient of Performance of up to 4.67 (Average climate/Low temperature application) and a A+++ rating. The COP rises to 4.9 (Outdoor air 7°C/Leaving water temperature 35°C) and can deliver leaving water temperature of 65°C if required. www.lg.com/uk/heating-awhp

INSIDE XTRA

Highlights of this issue's Xtra Inside include:

Hörmann UK have launched a new addition to their range of aluminium entrance doors, the ThermoSafe Decoral, a range developed to provide discerning customers and specifiers with the combination of a high quality, secure aluminium door together with a selection of new modern décor finishes and door styles.

Dik Geurts stoves and fires are now produced by DRU, one of Europe’s leading fireplace companies. Soaring energy prices have provided a welcome boost to wood stove sales.

Set in the beautiful surroundings of historic Chiswick in London and positioned with excellent views over the river Thames, sit a group of select and classic new apartments which have been complemented by their choice of interior doors, where Vicaima Crown Cut Ash Stained from the Vicaima Naturdor Range were selected.

New From HörmannThermosafe Decoral Aluminium Entrance Doors

Hörmann UK have launched a new addition to their range of aluminium entrance doors, the ThermoSafe Decoral, a range developed to provide discerning customers and specifiers with the combination of a high quality, secure aluminium door together with a selection of new modern décor finishes and door styles. Manufactured to the highest quality standards, the Hörmann ThermoSafe range of aluminium doors feature a solid 73mm door leaf within an aluminium frame.

The door is robust yet elegant, providing high levels of security, long life, good acoustic insulation, and excellent thermal properties with a U-value of 0.87 W/M 2 K being achievable. The addition of the Decoral version further enhances the ThermoSafe range and adds to an already extensive selection of door styles, finishes and colour options.

The Decoral finish is applied to the powder coated surfaces of the ThermoSafe door using a patented coating method which results in a beautiful, colour fast and

detailed appearance. The range offers five new innovative finishes – Cement, Rusty Pantina, Wild Oak, Barnwood and Barnwood Grey, together with eighteen exclusive door styles. Supplied with a standard frame in Jet Black the ThermoSafe Decoral door is also available with the exterior handles and embellishments in Jet black or in one of the Decoral colour options to match or contrast.

Commenting on the new addition to the ThermoSafe range of doors David O’Mara, Marketing Manager at Hörmann UK, “The ThermoSafe Decoral door is an exciting opportunity for both the market and the end consumer. Our ThermoSafe aluminium doors are well known as a premium door, providing both high quality and high performance along with an extensive range of finishes and colour options. The addition of Decoral now offers that little bit extra in design and style which results in the opportunity to create a truly unique and stylish front door.” www.hormann.co.uk

Profab Access Adds A Five Star Finish To Cardiff’s Newest Luxury Hotel

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

Riverside Apartments Integrate Vicaima Stained Doors

Set in the beautiful surroundings of historic Chiswick in London and positioned with excellent views over the river Thames, sit a group of select and classic new apartments created by modern living specialists Fruition Properties. These stylish open-plan apartments have been complemented by their choice of interior doors, where Vicaima Crown Cut Ash Stained from the Vicaima Naturdor Range were selected. The finish specified in this instance was the tasteful Marina Grey option. This finish not only depicts a contemporary tone, but also permits the attractive and natural grain configuration to shine through.

Doors for the project were supplied in a mixture of both flush and glazed options, blending seamlessly with their surroundings and adding to the tasteful décor which a hallmark of Fruition Properties exemplary living space. Marina Grey is just one of six attractive tonal options from the Naturdor Original Stained Range and is available in an extensive array of performance options, including FD30 third -party accredited fire doors. For other inspirational finish ideas, download a copy of the Vicaima Interior Door Selector, visit the Vicaima website www.vicaima.com or contact mailto:info@vicaima.com

DRU Reports Excellent Growth From Its Expanding Dik Geurts Wood Stove Range

Established in the Netherlands in 1981, Dik Geurts stoves and fires are now produced by DRU, one of Europe’s leading fireplace companies. Soaring energy prices have provided a welcome boost to wood stove sales. Consumers are looking for cheaper and greener sources of home heating that can be supplied and installed rapidly to alleviate punitive home heating bills. Increased production and distribution.

This market uplift has led to DRU increasing production and distribution of its Dik Geurts Ivar selection of classic and contemporary stoves, which align with British and European emissions and efficiency standards. They are a popular choice to replace older, inefficient stoves or open fires. The Dik Geurts Ivar series also includes the Aste, Soren and Modivar models. These stoves are based on classic designs, making them ideal for traditional or modern homes.

They are easily installed into Class 1 chimneys, with their dark anthracite colour finishes blending perfectly with any style of décor. A+ energy labels and high efficiency Each model in the range has an A+ energy label, with an efficiency rating of over 80%. And for added air quality, there are external air and room-sealed options available. All stoves in the range are Ecodesign ready, so they comply with European standards for low emissions and clean burning. In addition, they have HETAS, DEFRA and clearSkies approvals.

Freestanding and water heating options For homes with no chimney, customers can choose from a range of freestanding models, which are available in a selection of sizes and capacities with built-in wood storage. In addition, The Ivar 10 H2O Store model is an Ecodesign ‘boiler stove’ with a substantial 4.7 kW room heating output and 5.5 kW of water heating power. It provides supplementary water heating for radiators, showers and general domestic hot water. Commenting on the success of the Dik Geurts range, DRU UK general manager Niall Deiraniya said: “The Dik Geurts Ivar series and its associated models are among the best performing and best value wood stoves in Europe. That is why we are committed to increasing their production and distribution throughout the UK. “In return, we offer high profitability, regular stocks, prompt deliveries, nationwide technical and marketing support, friendly customer service and expert account management.” For further information email: info@drufire.co.uk or visit www.dikgeurts.co.uk

A Truly Smart Solution For Decent Homes

As part of the Decent Homes proposal, landlords keeping their properties up to standard through proactive maintenance and replacement, is a must. From a doors and windows perspective, being able to offer the most secure and future-proofed product - both for cost efficiency and daily use - is crucial for both the landlord and tenant. Working with Nationwide Windows and Doors, our door and window locks that ‘Work with Kubu’ have already been fitted to hundreds of thousands of homes across the country, as part of their drive to help housing providers meet the Decent Homes and Welsh Housing Quality Standards.

Sounds good… but what is Kubu? Kubu is a range of Smart sensors that monitor the security status of doors and windows in real time, creating a full perimeter security system that will alert you if there’s anything to worry about. It’s no secret that today’s consumer is getting smarter.

We’ve all been using ‘smart’ phones for several years and homes are getting smarter and smarter with the likes of video doorbells, heating control systems and leak detection sensors. Most contact sensors will tell you if your door or window has been opened or closed, but Kubu is much more sophisticated, being able to report: open,closed, locked, unlocked, partly secure, night vent, and even if it’s under attack. In addition, the Kubu App can send smart notifications when they are needed most, ensuring the tenant is always secure.

The SureSecure geofence feature will notify you if you have inadvertently left your home unlocked when leaving; the timed notification feature can remind you at bedtime (or any other time for that matter) if you’ve forgotten to lock your door; and the family sharing feature allows you to see the security status of your friends and family’s homes - ideal for elderly relatives or sheltered housing.

Designed to be completely concealed (so as not to spoil the aesthetics of the home), Kubu sensors work hand-in-hand with specially designed Avantis hardware - the most respected high security multi-point locking systems available - which are both PAS24 and Secured by Design accredited. By co-designing the

hardware and smart security technology together, Kubu has been able to overcome all the issues and obstacles that other systems are yet to solve, in order to create extremely high levels of accuracy.

For example, the Kubu window sensor has been developed with patented ‘floating-sensor technology’, which allows the sensor to move with the window over time, helping to avoid many common issues such as sash-drop and thermal movement. This means it will always provide 100% accurate status reports without the need for repeated setup or calibration. Kubu also provides many lifestyle benefits including smart home integrations, air quality monitoring and even weather warnings to remind you to shut those windows before it rains…

By seamlessly integrating with the Internet-of-Things, Kubu is able to interact with many other smart devices within the home: get status alerts through your smart speaker; automatically turn off the heating if your windows have been opened; turn off the lights when the front door is locked; or switch on a camera if the window is being attacked. The scenarios are endless. Not only is Kubu extremely Smart, it is cost effective too.

The manufacturer of the windows and doors makes their products ‘Work with Kubu’ by simply fitting locks that are compatible with the Kubu technology, which are then fitted as normal by the installer or property developer. For no extra work, and no extra cost you can provide added value and security for your tenants.

For the price of a “Smart Lock” for just one door, they can upgrade the entire property with Kubu sensors, creating a full perimeter security system that can help to improve the home's green credentials too. If you would like to find out more about Kubu and how it can add value to your next project, visit: getkubu.com/trade or email: sales@kubu-home.com

VIEWS XTRA

Highlights of this issue's XtraViews include:

There is an important consideration in making new outdoor public spaces as popular and versatile as possible to maximise their potential –access to on-demand power sockets, according to Pop Up Powers Supplies.

Many people in the Construction Industry still believe that BIM is just a modern design tool, but BIM is much more than this, argues Aluprof UK's Wojciech Brozyna

Powering Up More Sustainable, Healthier Outdoor Public Spaces

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

Leading With BIM

by Wojciech Brozyna MD of Aluprof UK

Many people in the Construction Industry still believe that BIM is just a modern design tool, but BIM is much more than this. Whilst design is certainly an element of BIM, collaboration is a key element, from inception through to completion of a project, and beyond. Collaboration across the design team, particularly at the early design stages both reduces risk and maximises value. A detailed BIM design forms a ‘single source of truth’ which de-risks the entire construction programme. According to MacLeamy (2004) who plotted a simple graph of project time and project effort, it can be seen that the influence on the project design is high at the early design stages, whilst project changes further down the project timeline entails more effort and cost.

MacLeamy argued that completing the design earlier in the construction programme reduced risk and cost by negating design changes later in the programme. An early BIM model using high quality, virtual BIM objects assists final design sign off earlier in the construction cycle. BIM has been with us for some years now, so it is far from a new concept, but helps us in developing new methodologies for construction, new methodologies which help us reduce carbon in construction. According to Transparency Market Research, in 2025 the Construction Industry will generate as much as 2.2 billion tons of waste annually which is about 50% of all global solid waste.

The Construction Industry has to move from this linear construction process to a circular construction process where buildings can be deconstructed and rebuilt using some or all of the same parts, or materials recycled back into buildings. A growing number of architectural practices globally are designing ‘temporary’ or ‘deconstructable’ buildings that fall into the circular construction methodology. In the UK a recently completed project in London, the Forge, aspires to be the first commercial building constructed and operated in line with the UKGBC’s net zero definition and energy reduction targets. It comprises two new office buildings and a public courtyard.

Breaking new ground, the project is be the world’s first large-scale office scheme built using a standardised “kit of parts”, in an approach known as ‘platform design for manufacture and assembly’ (P-DfMA), which applies the advances made by the Manufacturing Industry to construction, this would not be possible without BIM.

Aluprof are delighted to have been invited to take an early design role in developing a unitised facade system that meets the P-DfMA specification pioneered by architects and engineers Bryden Wood. Construction is led by Sir Robert McAlpine and Mace, working together in an innovative joint venture (JV) partnership. Working with BIM essentially creates a 3D ‘digital twin’ of the building project and it doesn’t stop there.

There are a further four ‘dimensions’ that are added, ‘4D’ Time, ‘5D’ Costs, ‘6D’ Sustainability and ‘7D’ Facilities Management. In effect, the BIM model carries all the data for the building, from the building programme through to eventual deconstruction.

Any one element, such as the facade, falls into each of the dimensions of BIM, so the more detailed BIM models that can be obtained from suppliers, the greater efficiency is realised. Finally, automated construction would not be possible without BIM as some of our building methods become automated, built by, or checked by ‘robots’. Yes, this could be the dawn of the robotic ‘Clerk of Works’. During the construction phase of a building, robots are being utilised to laser scan and monitor what has been built offering dimensional accuracy as well as monitoring the programme of works.

This ‘real time’ analysis ensures that any potential problems are highlighted at very early stages, saving both cost and time. With its acclaimed BIM Academy, Aluprof continues to pioneer innovative solutions in partnership with specifiers across the globe. With a huge library of models available to architects and engineers, Aluprof are constantly adding new models for standard and bespoke designs helping clients and developers obtain efficient and sustainable buildings.

Aluprof UK are proud to supply facade systems to a wide range of new and refurbished construction projects across Great Britain and Ireland, with Head Offices in Altrincham in the North West and with an architectural specification support office in the Business Design Centre in London, the company has rapidly grown their specification influence in the UK with their highperformance architectural aluminium systems. Further expansion of the company’s headquarters in Altrincham now provides specifiers with meeting facilities and an extensive showroom of commercial systems to view.

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

Located on Sumner Street, The Forge is a Landsec office development located just behind Tate Modern in London and utilising BIM at its core is one of the most innovative construction sites in London, pioneering several new construction methods fit for the decades ahead.

ONSITE XTRA

Highlights of this issue's Xtra Onsite include:

An acclaimed new residential development in a Thameside location is currently being fitted out, with four of the apartment buildings featuring the use of 18 mm Magply boards.

A StoTherm Mineral external wall insulation system from Sto was chosen to deliver excellent thermal performance for an office building in Loughborough.

A bronze façade featuring integrated Rundum Meir garage doors for two new townhouses in central Manchester has been uniquely designed to reflect the architecture of the nearby John Rylands Library, one of the city’s most famous neo-Gothic buildings.

As showcased on a recent episode of Channel 4’s Grand Designs, CUPA PIZARRAS’ CUPA 12 natural slate has been specified for a spectacular new build project in Chichester.

A 300-year-old windmill that now provides luxury accommodation for short-break holidays has been refreshed with Bradite paints.

High Performance Flat Roof Windows

Sort Trae is a new build Passivhaus set in a steeply sloping site in Thurgoland, Barnsley. The owner, a former architect, designed the scheme up to planning and HEM Architects were then commissioned to turn the design intent into an ultralow energy and comfortable home. The house is a 2-bed home, with the lower storey set into the hill.

There is an attached weaving studio where the owner works. The house takes advantage of the beautiful views to the south and is a bold, contemporary home, clad in black timber and openjointed stone. The rooflights set on top of the studio are a key part of the roof, visible from the entrance to the site and the house.

Their crisp design met the architects desire for an elegant and unfussy roofscape. HEM Architects chose FAKRO flat roof windows for their thermal performance and the performance of the integrated kerbs.

The FAKRO windows used were:

2 x FAKRO DXF-DU6 flat roof window

600 x 900mm unit size

1 x FAKRO DXF-DU6 flat roof window 1200 x 2200mm unit size

1 x FAKRO DXF-DU8 flat roof window –800 x 800mm unit size

FAKRO flat roof windows are designed for roofs with pitches between 0° and 15°. Choose from a range of styles, sizes, and colours. From flat roof access doors to award-winning walk-on skylights, FAKRO has a solution.

Visit Fakro's website for details and more case studies at www.inspired.fakro.co.uk and you can email your plans to Fakro's technical team for free estimation and consultancy at technical@fakrogb.com

Bilco UK Sets The Standard For Safety At Glasgow Housing Development

Glasgow’s latest redevelopment project, located on Langside Road, is built upon the former site of the city’s Victoria Infirmary and consists of a large housing development that includes 413 flats, offices and retail space.

The 3.75 hectare site, which is situated next to Queen’s Park on the south side of the city, forms an important part of the Battlefield area’s character, with the buildings’ exterior reflecting and complementing the surrounding heritage by using the city's traditional blonde coloured sandstone. As part of the construction process,

Bilco UK was commissioned to supply six ESW-50REM Smoke Vents, in addition to seven E-50TB Roof Access Hatches, to provide the highest standards of safety and efficiency, whilst being sympathetic to the project’s overall design. Installed onto the roof areas of four blocks of flats by Scottish contractors, Procladd Small Works Ltd, Bilco UK’s ESW-50REM Smoke Vents

were specified to provide essential ventilation in the event of a building fire. Featuring a linear actuator operating mechanism that opens the cover to 140 degrees within 60 seconds, the smoke vents ensure compliance with Building Regulations Approved Document B, BS9999 and EN12101-2.

The built-in wind deflector also provides protection against smoke being blown back into the vent in the event of a fire., whilst the newly-designed closed-cell EPDM sponge gasket helps meet Building Regulation air leakage targets by providing a better seal of the cover to the curb. With the addition of a fixed vertical ladder, the smoke vents can also be used by maintenance engineers for roof access.

Billy Baillie, Managing Director at Procladd Small Works Ltd, said: “We have a longstanding relationship of over 20 years with Bilco UK, and will continue to do so over the forthcoming years, due to their impressive product quality and outstanding service. Bilco UK’s Roof Access Hatches and Smoke Vents were incredibly easy to install, and knowing they’re engineered to meet the highest industry standards, it provided both ourselves and the client with the confidence that the installation would set the standard for performance and longevity.”

Constructed with corrosion-resistant materials, Bilco UK’s E-50TB Roof Access Hatches were also installed to provide engineers with safe, regular and convenient access to the roof to conduct essential maintenance. Engineered with compression spring operators to provide easy one-hand operation, the roof access hatch meets the requirements of Manual Handling Regulations, whilst the automatic hold-open arm locks the cover in the open position to ensure safe egress.

The overlapping cover design, fully welded corners and insulated cover also ensure weathertightness and energy efficiency to deliver the highest standards of resilience. Mark Baird, Sales Operations Manager at Bilco UK, said: “Drawing on our longstanding relationship with Procladd Small Works Ltd, it was fantastic to work together on this project, which has been designed to positively impact the city’s culture. The products installed were manufactured with fire safety and efficiency in mind, delivering assurance of the durability and suitability of the installation for years to come.” www.bilcouk.co.uk

Howe Green Supports Successful Specification At Bond Street Station

As one of nine new stations developed as part of the construction of the Elizabeth line, Bond Street Station will facilitate up to 137,000 passengers per day, with up to 22 trains passing through the station every hour at peak times from November 6 this year and up to 24 trains per hour from May 2023.

Providing interchanges for the Central and Jubilee lines, the newly constructed Bond Street station will significantly improve accessibility for travellers, whilst simultaneously increasing capacity at one of the busiest shopping districts in the UK.

The development of the station included the specification of 200 Howe Green stainless steel floor access covers as part of the structural and architectural design process to provide secure and concealed access to under-floor services. Installed throughout the entire station, which includes two newly constructed ticket halls at street level and all underground passenger platforms that can be as

long as 255 metres, the medium-duty 7500 Series Floor Access Covers were manufactured to meet the project’s extensive requirements.

With over 50 kilometres of communications cabling, 200 CCTV cameras, 66 information displays, 200 radio antennas, 750 loudspeakers and 50 help points, an essential element of the specification process was ensuring the covers were tamper proof, without preventing contractors from gaining quick and easy access to the services below.

Manufactured with unobtrusive barrel cover lifting points that can only be accessed with unique lifting and securing keys, the access covers are protected from unauthorised access, without impacting the overall design scheme, as only the securing bolt and barrel edge are visible.

The method of removing the covers also ensures the products can be handled easily and safely by contractors, eliminating any potential strain or harm, regardless of the covers’ combined weight with the hard flooring finishes. This is due to the lifting blocks being anchored to the inner frame. Throughout maintenance-only areas, the lifting mechanisms of the floor access covers are mechanically assisted with pistons so engineers can securely lift the covers from underneath.

Installed in conjunction with terrazzo flooring across the platforms, and Portuguese granite throughout the ground floor public areas, the 7500 Series Floor Access Covers seamlessly blend with the architectural finishes of the station for a streamlined visual effect. This sleek aesthetic is further enhanced by the tiling modules, which create a unified and cohesive finish, simultaneously eradicating any potential trip hazards, as the access covers are installed entirely flush with

the hard flooring. The minimal profile of the edges also reflects the dimension of the joins between the tiles to create a perfect finish, even when working with the radial sections of stone tiling on curved passages and walkways, which required individual access covers constructed of curvilinear profiles to deliver a high quality, bespoke finish.

Each of the covers withstand up to five tonne pneumatic tyre wheel loads. Manufactured to BS 476: Part 22: 1987, the covers’ ability to eliminate the potential transmission of smoke and fire from the underground services in the event of a fire was another key consideration of the specification process. www.howegreen.com

Photo credits above and below - Darren Almond Artwork for TfL

Riverside Apartments Feature A-Rated Magply Boards For Kitchen Fit Out

An acclaimed new residential development in a Thameside location is currently being fitted out, with four of the apartment buildings featuring the use of 18 mm Magply boards, manufactured by IPP Ltd., being used in all the kitchens due to their unique range of physical benefits. With the design of the structure prioritising the use of noncombustible materials in response to recent changes to the Building Regulations, the A1 rated Magply boards were chosen to form pattresses within the external walls on the basis of the material’s unique combination of strength and fire resistance as well as the product’s past performance in similar applications.

Riverscape is a joint development involving international redevelopment specialists, Ballymore and Oxley, with Reddy Architecture + Urbanism leading the design team. The first four blocks, which rise to eight, 10 and 14 storeys, will create a total of 249 dwellings of different sizes and specifications, for social housing tenants and shared equity ownership. Meanwhile S & R London Ltd – responsible for all of the internal partitioning – is using the 18 mm Magply boards to form pattress boards across the outer walls. www.magply.co.uk

Firefly’s Titan Lite Selected To Protect Lewisham Roof Spaces

Fully compatible products from the range of TBA FIREFLY™ have been chosen to compartmentalise roof voids between apartments and communal lobbies of a large apartment building in the London Borough of Lewisham, providing 120 minutes fire integrity protection as part of a wide ranging refurbishment programme carried out earlier this year.

The contract on Lewisham Homes’ Commodore Court in Albyn Road has been led by the sector specialist construction company, Mulalley & Co. with London/Sevenoaks based CLM Fireproofing carrying out the installation of the TITAN Lite™ 120:60 barrier system, in combination with Collaroll and the use of ancillary products from the FIREFLY™ range. TITAN Lite™ 120:60 has been developed for use in vertical separation or compartmentation situations, offering 120 minutes integrity and 60 minutes insulation and is able to be sealed around penetrations. It is widely specified to form fire barriers within roof voids and floor 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 20 & 22 and is third party certified by IFC. www.tbafirefly.com

Sto Insulation Raises The Temperature For Global Headquarters Building

A StoTherm Mineral external wall insulation system from Sto was chosen to deliver excellent thermal performance for an office building in Loughborough. The Sto system was installed on the £21 million building on Loughborough University Science & Enterprise Park (LUSEP), which now accommodates the flagship office of The Access Group.

Designed by architectural practice Stephen George + Partners (SGP) the building features extensive use of external glazing. The StoTherm Mineral system uses mineral fibre boards to provide reliable thermal insulation. Its compact single-leaf construction allows this to be achieved without reducing the building’s interior space.

It can be installed without the need for additional expansion joints, to create smooth and visually appealing external surfaces, and it also delivers both unrivalled fire protection and improved sound insulation. For this project, the StoTherm Mineral boards were fixed to the substrate using StoLevell Uni mineral adhesive, which allowed for fast and easy installation by Loughborough-based Rendserve Ltd, a Sto

authorized applicator. “ The Sto insulation system was completed with StoSilco silicone resin render, adding a high level of water repellence for the completed façade.

StoSilco provides excellent protection again the damaging effects of weathering and damp, and has excellent CO2 and water vapour permeability, which increases the rate of moisture transfer and evaporation. This allows the wall to breathe and discourages the growth of unsightly algae and fungus.

StoSilco render is available in over 600 colours from the StoColor system, and will maintain an attractive appearance for many years. www.sto.co.uk

Photo courtesy of the TSK Group - www.tskgroup.co.uk

Sto Insulation System Specified For New Hospital Building

Sto has supplied the StoTherm Mineral K external wall insulation system with StoLotusan render for the new Day Case and Eye Unit building at Chorley and South Ribble Hospital.

Specified by Gilling Dod architects of Chorley, who worked closely with the main contractor Tilbury Douglas, the StoTherm Mineral K system combines impressive insulation with excellent fire protection characteristics. With an A2-s1, d0 reaction to fire classification in accordance with BS EN 13501-1, the noncombustible mineral fibre insulation is fully bonded to the substrate and therefore no additional firebreaks are required. Ideal for both new-build and refurbishment projects, its efficient single-leaf construction also means that interior space within the building is not reduced.

For this project, the system’s mineral fibre insulation boards were secured to the lightweight steel frame and sheathing board substrate with mechanical fixings, and StoLevell Uni adhesive and levelling mortar. A StoLevell Duo Plus reinforcing coat embedded with Sto-Glass Fibre Mesh was then applied to the face of the insulation boards, with StoLotusan and StoSilco renders used for the final finish on different sections of the building, using light colours from Sto’s architectural colour range.

StoLotusan is the only render available that uses Sto’s patented LotusEffect® technology which delivers impressive water and dirt repellence. It forms a unique surface texture, similar to that of the lotus leaf, that causes the rainwater to run off the render quickly and easily, removing any dirt or dust as it goes. Providing outstanding resistance to the growth of algae and fungus, the building will retain its looks for many years to come.

“Using different products which are fully integrated with each other provides obvious benefits in terms of efficiency and practicality,” comments Vinnie Kershaw of Aire Valley Exteriors who installed the insulation system. “The Sto products have been well-proven on many different projects over the years, and they were perfect for this application.”

The new Day Case and Eye Unit is the result of a major £17.5 million investment in developing enhanced ophthalmology and day case services. It now offers an extensive range of diagnostic and treatment facilities for patients with medical eye conditions. www.sto.co.uk

Rundum Meir Façade Doors Uniquely Reflect Manchester Landmark’s Heritage

A bronze façade featuring integrated Rundum Meir garage doors for two new townhouses in central Manchester has been uniquely designed to reflect the architecture of the nearby John Rylands Library, one of the city’s most famous neo-Gothic buildings.

The duo of four storey, high specification private dwellings designed by Snook Architects for regeneration specialist Watch This Space have given new purpose to an unused site nestling between two post-industrial buildings close to Deansgate. Their full height bronze façade delivers a striking external appearance that takes a distinctive visual cue from the library, located opposite.

The houses are designed around an inverted living approach, enabling the architects to maximise the footprint of the site and use the space to its full potential. Above the garages are floors accommodating the bedrooms, with the living, dining and kitchen areas on the upper floors, and a rooftop courtyard/garden completing the arrangement.

Photos © Andrew Haslam Photography (andyhaslam.com)

The aluminium façade of both townhouses features laser cut and acid-etched lacy blind tracery patterns that match those in the windows of the library, a late Victorian neoGothic building which opened in 1900 and is now part of the University of Manchester. The lacy pattern extends over the full height of the façade which includes large folding/sliding shutters.

These balance privacy with natural light requirements for residents during the day whilst being eye-catching at night as internal light shines through the laser cut pattern. This design extends into the twin side sliding sectional garage doors manufactured and installed by Rundum Meir, which effectively deliver a sliding façade at street level.

Working closely with architect Neil Dawson, Rundum Meir’s designers were able to replicate the design with total consistency and manufacture in Germany using acid etching across the six aluminium sections. Neil Dawson of Snook Architects said: “Watch This Space approached us to look at how they could transform this city centre

site and we immediately saw the potential to take design inspiration from the nearby John Rylands Library. The resulting façade is unique, and through the movement of the shutters and garage doors during daily life it is constantly moving and changing."

“The laser cut pattern means that the building really comes to life at night as the internal light makes the intricate façade design a stunning feature. To be able to match this styling in the garage doors was crucially important and the result reflects the bespoke craftsmanship provided by Rundum Meir.” The twin Rundum Meir sliding garage doors each provide a clear opening of 3.8 m for easy vehicle access from the street.

Hand made using extruded aluminium, the fully automated bespoke garage doors have an automated pedestrian door as well as the side sliding door that demonstrate the design flexibility offered by Rundum Meir, who create every garage door to meet project requirements. www.rundum.co.uk

From A Natural Pool To Natural Slate: Cupa 12 Selected For Beautiful Grand Designs Project

As showcased on a recent episode of Channel 4’s Grand Designs, CUPA PIZARRAS’ CUPA 12 natural slate has been specified for a spectacular new build project in Chichester. Selected to enhance the property’s modern aesthetic, the slate roof also complements the rural surroundings, which include a wildlife pond along with a variety of plant life. Property owners Daniel and Nina Rowland both work professionally within the construction sector; Daniel heads up architectural firm Studio Fuse, while Nina is an interior designer. Combining their skills, they decided the time was right to embark on a new adventure; leaving London to design and build their own home on the South Coast of England. They purchased a period property that happened to back onto a stagnant pond, which consisted of local drainage overflow.

Daniel and Nina put together a design that would see the old house demolished and a new building constructed. Likewise, the pond was to be transformed into a crystal-clear natural swimming pond – a highly ambitious undertaking. Ideally, this would attract local wildlife, such as frogs, newts and sparrows, resulting in a beautiful waterside home. In terms of the design of the new-build property, the couple wanted the house to be eco-friendly and have a contemporary, spacious and natural aesthetic. It was to be built from structural insulated panels (SIPs) clad in Siberian larch and flint, with large glass windows.

Timber decking would then connect the house to the natural swimming pond. When it came to the roofing, Daniel commented: “We considered using a standard seam metal roof but we went with slate to compliment the natural material palette we have used throughout the rest of the house.” Darren Stigant, Director at NJS Roofing, the roofing contractor on the project made the product recommendation: “Although this project looks quite simplistic, the different roof pitches added a certain amount of difficulty to aligning the mitred hips. Having sourced products from CUPA PIZARRAS many times in the past, I suggested the company’s CUPA 12 slate which was available in 400 x 250mm palettes. Utilising this smaller size, as opposed to the usual 500mm x 250mm, helped us to achieve the finish we required on the mitred hips."

CUPA 12 is a non-carbonated slate that is formed by tectonic compression, giving the product a smooth, matt surface. The dark grey colour provided an effective contrast with the timber and glass. The CUPA 12 natural slate is also high performing with outstanding weather resistance, as it has been tested to achieve a water absorption rate of 0.11% and a rating of T1 in thermal cycle tests.

Thus, making it a long-lasting product with a functional life expectancy of 100 years. What’s more, not only is CUPA PIZARRAS officially a carbon neutral company, but CUPA 12 has also been assessed and certified by BRE Global, solidifying itself as a sustainable choice and bolstering the environmental credentials of Daniel and Nina’s new home. Kevin McCloud, presenter of Grand Designs commented: “This design joins together nature and architecture – in every sense it’s beautiful.” www.cupapizarras.com/uk

Sustainable Architecture with Nordic Copper

Despite its long heritage, roofing some of our oldest buildings, copper and its alloys today are competitive cladding materials for all types of buildings, delivering high-quality architecture. But there is more to Nordic Copper than meets the eye, particularly in terms of sustainability, as Aurubis explains. Copper’s unique architectural qualities are defined by its naturally developing patina – which cannot be replicated successfully using other materials with surface coatings.

The patina film provides impressive protection against corrosion and can repair itself if damaged, giving its exceptional longevity. Within a few days of exposure to the atmosphere, a copper surface begins to oxidise, changing from the ‘bright’ mill finish to a chestnut brown, which gradually darkens over several years to a chocolate brown. Continued weathering can eventually result in the distinctive green or blue patina seen on older roofs.

Natural Living Surfaces - The Aurubis ‘Nordic Copper’ range provides all these surfaces straightaway. The processes involved are generally similar to those taking place over

time in the environment, utilising copper mineral compounds, not alien chemical processes. All these surfaces form an integral part of the copper, generally continuing to change over time, and are not lifeless coatings or paint.

The material is easily bent and formed, and there are no limitations on the length of copper sheet or strip because whole coils are treated on the production line, not just limited size sheets. The Nordic Copper range includes Nordic Standard ‘mill finish’ and Nordic Brown pre-oxidised copper, offering lighter or darker shades of brown determined by the thickness of the oxide layer.

The extensive Nordic Blue, Nordic Green and new 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.

Photo: Peter Bennetts

Photo: Peter Landers

Copper Alloys - But copper alloys are growing in popularity as well including Nordic Bronze and Nordic Brass – which can also be supplied pre-weathered. The innovative Nordic Royal is an alloy of copper with aluminium and zinc, giving it a rich golden throughcolour and making it very stable. It has a thin protective oxide layer containing all three alloy elements when produced. As a result, the surface retains its golden colour and simply loses some of its sheen over time, as the oxide layer thickens with exposure to the atmosphere to give a matt finish.

All Nordic Copper products are suitable for internal applications, as well as exteriors. A wide choice of Nordic Decor mechanically applied surface treatments is also available for various surfaces and alloys, particularly suited to interior design. Apart from traditionally-jointed, rolled material supported by a substrate, various other forms of copper for architecture are increasingly being explored by designers. For example, copper can be supplied in profiled sheets or extremely flat honeycomb panels, pressed to provide surface textures and modulation, or perforated, expanded or woven as mesh for transparency. But there is more to architectural copper than meets the eye, with an unrivalled lifespan, no maintenance and full recyclability.

Whole-life Cost & Carbon Benefits - The lifespan of copper roofing and cladding can be regarded conservatively as 200 years, subject to substrate and structure, and this is endorsed by experience. Naturally, this longevity has a significant beneficial effect upon comparative whole of life cost and carbon assessments. Copper’s longevity is due to a complex patination process. It ensures extreme durability with no maintenance and resistance to corrosion in virtually any atmospheric conditions. And, unlike some other architectural metals, copper does not suffer from underside corrosion.

In addition, copper requires no maintenance or decoration. As a lightweight and flexible covering, structural support demands are reduced, resulting in lower carbon and ‘whole of life’ costs. Copper is also fully recyclable utilising long-established practices – 97% of copper in construction comes from recycling – and has other impressive sustainability and environmental credentials. And, of course, copper retains a high scrap value at eventual demolition.

Fire-safe Cladding - With an ‘A1 (non-combustible material)’ fire classification to EN 13501-1, Nordic Copper is suitable for cladding tall buildings, using appropriate constructions. Low thermal movement makes it appropriate for any climates and locations, and it is non-toxic and safe to handle, as well as nonbrittle and safe to work.

And, importantly today, its inherent antimicrobial qualities make it ideal for touch surfaces internally as well. An expanding series of building studies showcases the diversity of surfaces, forms and applications available with Nordic Copper today. Please visit: www.nordiccopper.com or email: NordicCopper@aurubis.com

Photo: Olaf Rohl

Photo: Maris Tomba

Photo: Tom Ferguson

Bath Archway

In the centre of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the city of Bath, The Roman Baths and Pump Room is a site of international historical and archaeological significance and attracts over one million visitors each year. As part of an impressive refurbishment, Bath & North East Somerset Council appointed architects Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios for the new Archway Project comprising a new World Heritage Centre and Roman Baths Learning Centre.

The Learning Centre features three state-of-the-art learning rooms, break out space and a hands-on Investigation Zone set among real Roman remains. For a learning space - created from the shell of a former warehouse - with its historic roof structure newly revealed, the architects specified Troldtekt’s acoustic wood wool panelling in a natural finish to complement the surrounding wood, minimise the sound reverberation and dampen the noise from large groups of excited school children. Troldtekt is a perfect choice for this kind of application where

its sustainable characteristics coupled with superior acoustic qualities provide a comfortable interior environment. Founded on the Cradle-to-Cradle design concept and certified to Gold level, Troldtekt’s natural and inherently sustainable panels are available in a variety of different surfaces and colours and contribute positively to a building’s BREEAM, DGNB and LEED ratings.

In addition to their high sound absorption and tactile surface, they offer high durability and low-cost lifecycle performance. Available in various sizes and in four grades, from extreme fine to coarse, the panels can be left untreated or painted in virtually any RAL colour. Troldtekt® panels with FUTURECEM™ absorb more CO2 than they emit during production Samples, case studies and technical guidance are available from tel 01978 664255 or Troldtekt.co.uk

Windmill Restoration Turns To Bradite

A 300-year-old windmill that now provides luxury accommodation for short-break holidays has been refreshed with Bradite paints. The structure sits atop Blackthorn Hill at Bicester in Oxfordshire.

The Grade II-listed building is a stone-built tower mill that was first converted into a house in 1999. In recent years it has been transformed into a luxurious holiday let by its new owner, Alan Chapman. Looking for help and advice for the protection of the exterior, he turned to Bradite.

“The Bradite team recommended using Bradite One Can for external walls, due to its quick-drying abilities and longevity”, Alan explains. Both were important

considerations, especially as Alan painted the external window frames at the top of the tower himself, which he described as “not an easy job and not for the fainthearted.”

A durable coating was required so that the finished result would stand the test of time. Bradite One Can was the ideal choice for the project, as it provided an easy-to-apply yet tough and professional finish.

Alan explains, “Bradite has been used on masonry, iron, wood and is a joy to work with, due to quick-drying times and being water-based”. www.bradite.com

Dorma Divides Battersea Power Station Offices

At SharkNinja’s flagship offices within the iconic Battersea Power Station development, partitioning expert Style worked with Bowman Riley architects, and contractor, Ben Johnson Interiors, to create flexible internal space to meet the working needs of this forward-thinking company.

A Dorma Hüppe Variflex glass moveable wall divides a section of the café, creating a large meeting room. A solid Variflex wall allows the space to be further divided into two smaller areas.

This chic solution perfectly complements the contemporary décor whilst the impressive acoustic ratings of the walls of 52dB and 55dB respectively, provides exceptional privacy when the café is busy. The semi-automatic operation of both systems ensures the acoustic seals are always applied to exactly the correct pressure whilst improving ease of manoeuvrability for

staff. SharkNinja, is the maker of class-leading Shark® vacuums and the innovative line of Ninja® kitchen appliances, positively impacting daily life in homes around the world. The new offices at Battersea Power Station spread over 25,000 square feet and forms a key part of the company’s continued expansion.

Style is the UK’s sole distributor for both Dorma and Skyfold partitioning walls, offering specialist solutions for all requirements and budgets across multiple market sectors. In addition to the two Dorma Hüppe Variflex walls, Style also installed a simple, yet highly effective manually operated folding wall in the demonstration room, allowing the space to be divided into two separate areas, when required. www.style-partitions.co.uk

Wraptite - An Enterprising Choice By Starship Homes

The Wraptite® external air barrier system from A. Proctor Group has been selected as part of a new zero carbon affordable homes project at New Ferry on the Wirral. The project at Windsor Close in New Ferry is a new development of three bedroomed terraced houses to be constructed by Property Development Group Starship at its off-site manufacturing facility in Deeside. The superior airtightness performance of the Wraptite membrane from the A. Proctor Group is the perfect solution, delivering significant benefits to the combination of in-factory manufacture and on-site housing construction.

Karl Ventre, Director at Starship, explains why Wraptite was chosen to achieve the airtightness solution and how it benefits off-site construction. “We have specified this product within our system offering for the last three years, and it has always performed well and helped contribute to good airtightness test results. The self-adhesive membrane is easily applied in the factory, bonded externally to the substrate, and ensures that the membrane is held firmly in place, even during transportation, maintaining the quality of the system from installation to build and completion. Wraptite is an excellent quality product, and the self-adhesive backing gives a very neat finish." www.proctorgroup.com

Eco-Conscious Housebuilder Adopts Thermoblock For Its High Spec Developments

A housebuilder undertaking high specification developments in the Stockport and Tameside areas of Greater Manchester has incorporated Marmox Thermoblocks into its designs, to target improved energy performance and all-round higher build quality for its customers. Romiley based D. Woodman Developments’ latest project is creating a total of nine dwellings at School Brow in Stockport where the former Cow & Calf pub is being converted to form three new homes, while a further four semi-detached dwellings and two detached homes are being built on the land adjoining what is a ‘Nondesignated Heritage Asset.’

The new houses are being raised on conventional strip foundations using Eco Prime concrete and blockwork footings which then carry beam and block floors, along with the 100mm x 600mm x 65mm Thermoblocks, 100mm thick Celcon Solar aerated blocks then form the inner leaf to the insulated cavity exterior walls. Thermoblocks are available in widths of 100, 140 and 215mm and feature a unique design where two rows of high strength epoxy concrete mini-columns are encapsulated in sections of XPS (Extruded Polystyrene). They are attached at either end to the top and bottom layers of glass-fibre reinforced polymer concrete to achieve a good bond with the rest of the structure. www.marmox.co.uk

Warning Labels

Warning notices to reduce the risk of future pipe damage if the floor finish is replaced.

Even Easier Installation

Unique pre-printed chipboard layer shows where the pipe channels are, eliminating the risk of floor covering fixings damaging the pipe. Locator guides show where screws should be placed.

New Chipboard Covering Layer

Covering chipboard layer is pre-cut with the pipe channel pattern, allowing the layer to slot precisely over the warm water pipes once installed in the chipboard layer.

Ultra Fast Warm Up Times

The pipe sits proud in the chipboard floor layer, ensuring the pipe is in as close contact with the floor finish as possible when the finishing chipboard layer is slotted in place over the pipe.