What's New in Building articles from April 2008

What's New in Building archives from April 2008

COMMENT: April 2008.
April 17, 2008... Energy is one of the biggest issues of our time. We all have to take responsibility for our usage and find alternatives to fossil fuels, many of which are running low. In this issue we take a look at some of the renewable alternatives now on...

NEWS: Cutting edge eco building.
April 17, 2008... RURALZED, a consortium of architects and specialist manufacturers at the cutting edge of the eco house-building industry, launched the UK's first affordable, carbon neutral house at the EcoBuild exhibition. The ruralZED housing system has...

NEWS: OSB campaign enters third year.
April 17, 2008... Industry campaign JOSB Done has entered a third year of activity, flying the flag for Oriented Strand Board (OSB) and the range of benefits it has to offer across all areas of construction, from roofing, wall cladding and timber frame housing...

NEWS: Shady overhaul plays it cool.
April 17, 2008... PROducts from Levolux have helped bring two tired `60s office buildings in Brentford bang up to date. As part of an overhaul to the ageing facades of the 17 storey GW1 building and its 11 storey GW2 counterpart, Levolux solar shading Fins...

SPEAKOUT: Simon Storer.
April 17, 2008... Simon Storer external affairs director, construction products association Apparently, we have just had the greenest budget ever. However, as no other budget I'm aware of has been labeled green, `greenest ever' doesn't really account for...

NEWS: Cladding hits a peak.
April 17, 2008... Halfen's stone facades team has completed an unusual and complicated project - to design and supply a fixing system for the natural stone cladding of the new Snowdon Summit Building, Hafod Eryi. Designed by Ray Hole Architects for Snowdonia...

NEWS IN BRIEF: Reclaimed site.
April 17, 2008... Winchcombe Reclamation has launched a new website helping builders, demolition contractors, property developers and DIY enthusiasts to access a range of reclaimed building materials, from fireplaces to doors, sanitary ware to architectural...

NEWS IN BRIEF: Modular moves.
April 17, 2008... Caledonian Building Systems has announced the acquisition of Modular UK. The takeover will allow Caledonian to broaden the sectors in which it operates, as well as provide Modular with the support to deliver larger contracts to clients. ...

NEWS IN BRIEF: Offsite DVD.
April 17, 2008... Specialist envelope contractor Prater and manufacturer Ruukki have produced a DVD designed to help architects, specifiers, main contractors and building owners understand more fully the benefits of using offsite manufactured solutions for roofs...

NEWS: Natural paint range receives key approvals.
April 17, 2008... Expansion plans for Exeter based Nutshell Natural Paints have received a boost following the seal of approval from two major environmental groups. Both the Soil Association and Friends of the Earth have given the thumbs up to Nutshell's...

NEWS IN BRIEF: Creative lighting.
April 17, 2008... The new Flare T5, exclusively available in the UK from the Light Projects Group, is a creative design solution for the effective, high performance illumination of surfaces both horizontally and vertically. Manufactured by Intralux, it is...

NEWS IN BRIEF: New retainer.
April 17, 2008... Geotechnical specialist CMS has launched Guardian, a lightweight modular retaining wall system that offers a cost effective alternative to traditional in-situ concrete walls by removing the need for specialist contractors and increasing the...

NEWS IN BRIEF: Thinner slices.
April 17, 2008... Using lightweight, reinforcing technology, TI Dynamic Facades has created Aerolite, which makes traditionally premium natural stone facings more affordable by reducing the amount of material required and increasing the efficiency of...

NEWS IN BRIEF: Fresh brochure.
April 17, 2008... Kronospan has produced a comprehensive design-led new brochure to display its complete melamine range. The brochure incorporates product information, new photography, specification details and availability. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

NEWS: All under one UK roof.
April 17, 2008... Alumasc Interior Building Products, the company behind leading decorative casings and washroom systems brand, Pendock, has invested more than #1 million to create a state of the art manufacturing plant in the UK. All Pendock pre-formed...

NEWS: Top flight project.
April 17, 2008... Bathroom specialist Hansgrohe has supplied a large quantity of its basin mixers, bidet mixers, shower panels and wellbeing products to ensure a luxurious environment in the washrooms, bathrooms and shower rooms of the British Airways Lounges in...

NEWS: Union Jack shower pod.
April 17, 2008... SURE to wake you up in the mornings: Coram created this Union Jack shower pod for the recent KBB show; the UK manufacturer can produce the pod in virtually any colour. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Ensuring safety at London landmark.
April 17, 2008... Product specifications are of the most demanding standard throughout the new landmark St Pancras International Station, not least for those items that relate directly to public safety and convenience. Pedestrian traffic volume is extremely high...

SIEMENS HQ: Let there be light.
April 17, 2008... Siemens UK has relocaed its headquarters to a new campus that will provide a workplace and cultural change to support the organisation through the 21st century. Siemens UK HQ had been in Bracknell for 17 years and the working environment...

Square up to Cubic.
April 17, 2008... The Professional Range extends the benefits of Saniflo technology from the domestic to the commercial sector The Saniflo professional Range comprises six products that are tough enough to perform in some of the most demanding situations...

COMMERCIAL INTERIORS: Blueprint for tomorrow's office.
April 17, 2008... Legislative demands, rising cost of office space and the need to accommodate meetings in increasingly `open plan' environments are a few of the challenages faced by fit-out specialist Overbury Over the last 10 years there have been huge...

COMMERCIAL INTERIORS: Minimalism meets Georgian style in St James.
April 17, 2008... In harmony with the Georgian architecture of 12 St James' Square, a multi million pound refurbishment has resulted in a luxurious, contemporary office space. The stylish and varied office lighting for a newly refurbished Grade II Listed...

COMMERCIAL INTERIORS: No compromise on visual appeal.
April 17, 2008... Latest electrical control modules from Hamilton Litestat have opened up a whole arena of possibilities for data and visual media, meeting demands for sound, vision, lighting and security systems With a choice of styles, Hamilton Litestat's...

COMMERCIAL INTERIORS: Case for the defence.
April 17, 2008... Specified to provide an integrated asethric finish to structural columns and interior glazing, Pendock's column casings are also highly resilient and low on maintenance An angled column casing installation and the need to maintain the...

COMMERCIAL INTERIORS: Addressable lighting control systems.
April 17, 2008... Simmtronic SPECS3 addressable lighting control systems are being installed by mechanical and electrical contractors Haden Young, in the fit-out of 150 Cheapside. This 19,000SQ m office development overlooks St Pauls Cathedral in London. ...

COMMERCIAL INTERIORS: Hanex solid surfacing.
April 17, 2008... In line with European harmonisation, IDS' Hanex solid surfacing achieves one of the highest FR classifications in the industry for an acrylic solid surface, making it an appropriate specification product for public spaces. Copyright: CMP...

COMMERCIAL INTERIORS: Low maintenance sheet vinyl flooring.
April 17, 2008... Low maintenance sheet vinyl flooring from Polyflor's Polysafe collection has been installed at Island Sailing Club in Cowes, Isle of Wight. Slip resistant Polysafe Corona, in a Geyser Blue shade, has been fitted in the club's entrance...

COMMERCIAL INTERIORS: Classically chic in the bathroom.
April 17, 2008... British Ceramic Tile has introduced Elgin Marbles Travertine and White floor, allowing the designer to create a co-ordinated and chic look for the bathroom. The Elgin Marbles range includes six large format designs with matching marble...

COMMERCIAL INTERIORS: Contemporary feel for sliding wall range.
April 17, 2008... D R Services has introduced a comprehensive range of sliding walls, based on contemporary design, with each model in the range developed for both functionality and aesthetic appeal. The Rosenkranz portfolio comprises both automatic and...

COMMERCIAL INTERIORS: Aida-Vario launches.
April 17, 2008... Ridi has launched Aida-Vario, a suspended luminaire for recessed ceiling grids. Designed to meet the demands of CIBSE LG3a and LG7 the AIDA-Vario can be lowered to maximise ceiling illumination or fully recessed to ensure a flush ceiling...

COMMERCIAL INTERIORS: Another day, another Planet.
April 17, 2008... Planet Partitioning has recently completed a #1.8m project for the Aberdeen head-office complex of multi-national oil giants Chevron. Planet has installed Solar double-glazed partitioning with around 120 matching glazed doors for meeting...

COMMERCIAL INTERIORS: Man United keep it light and airy.
April 17, 2008... For the Quadrant Development at Manchester United, the consultants' concept was to create light and airy spaces with uninterrupted views from both inside and out, a requirement that has been met by using Ecophon's Focus Quadro and S-Line...

COMMERCIAL INTERIORS: Steaming ahead with refit project.
April 17, 2008... Viking Saunas has just completed the first phase of sauna and steam room refurbishment projects for Marriott Hotels across the UK. Marriott Meon Valley Hotel and Country Club now has a top of the range `stratus' steam room. This provides a...

COMMERCIAL INTERIORS: Hotel features Helvar lighting control.
April 17, 2008... The newly opened Radisson Edwardian New Providence hotel, situated at the heart of Canary Wharf, features Helvar lighting control. Helvar's Imagine lighting control system has been employed in each of the hotel's bars and restaurants,...

FLOORING: The key to commercial success.
April 17, 2008... In commercial buildings, sustainable floorcoverings are key, says Amanda Hall, InterfaceFLOR's marketing manager for UK & Ireland Appearance, comfort, durability and cost have long been the main needs to be considered when selecting...

FLOORING: Tough floor will take the traffic.
April 17, 2008... The Eurostar terminal at St Pancras, London houses over 6000sq m of Jatoba block flooring supplied by Atkinson & Kirby. Hardwearing Jatoba was an ideal choice for an area like St Pancras that will receive a large amount of foot traffic. ...

FLOORING: Seamless and hardwearing.
April 17, 2008... Addagrip has launched Deco, a resin-based surface to complement its existing range of decorative interior floor finishes. Addagrip Deco is the result of continued development and research with Norwegian manufacturers to produce a 2-3mm...

FLOORING: New route for designers.
April 17, 2008... Bonar Floors will be showcasing its Westbond and Tessera ranges for the first time at the 2008 Design Prima Show. On display will be a new, highly textured loop pile carpet tile, which has been produced using a yarn route new to Bonar Floors....

FLOORING: Fast fix with no need for dpm.
April 17, 2008... F Ball's Isolator Membrane and Stopgap 900 floor smoothing compound provided the fastest route to safely fixing carpet tiles on to what was once a covered walkway without a damp proof membrane. The location was Stowupland High School in...

FLOORING: Vibrant vinyls offer comfort.
April 17, 2008... The Indiana design from Gerflor's Taralay Premium collection of vinyl floorcoverings combines vibrancy, durability and comfort. Available in a choice of 24 colours, Indiana features Protecsol, Gerflor's no-polish-for-life surface treatment,...

FLOORING: Flooring at Lauder College.
April 17, 2008... When it came to the flooring for its new sustainable building at Lauder College in Fife, the project team chose Forbo's Marmoleum. Its inherently natural composition and eco-friendly credentials were a key consideration when specifying the...

FLOORING: Frontrunner Entrance Flooring system.
April 17, 2008... The Frontrunner Entrance Flooring system is helping to reduce maintenance at a major Belgian hospital. This tough external matting has 6.6mm nylon brushes within a vinyl grid. The matting was fitted within the existing matwell and can be...

FLOORING: Rustic mahogany effect vinyl tiles.
April 17, 2008... The warmth and style of rustic mahogany effect luxury vinyl tiles from the Polyflor Expona art & design collection provide the perfect complement to the coolly elegant decor of the Silverjet private terminal at Luton Airport. Combining...

RENEWABLES: Pumped up for zero carbon.
April 17, 2008... Buildings fitted with underfloor heating are likely to get better SAP ratings than those with radiators - good news for housebuilders trying to construct zero-carbon homes, says Nu-Heat A recent two-year study has confirmed that underfloor...

RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEMS: Clearly a useful publication.
April 17, 2008... LAUNCHED by Glow-worm is a 14 page full colour glossy print production based on its Clearly Solar' range of solar thermal products. The free brochure features complete sections on system sizing, suitability, ordering, delivery and the full...

RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEMS: Fully recycled upvc window.
April 17, 2008... the Epwin Group claims to be the first manufacturer to make a new advanced window solely from `post-consumer waste'. David Wrigley, technical director, the Epwin Group says: "PVC-U in itself is hugely recyclable, in fact research suggests...

RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEMS: Taking the temperature.
April 17, 2008... REHAU has completed the first commercial installation in Northern Ireland of its AWADUKT Thermo ground air heat exchanger. The system has been installed in a development of serviced business units at Ards Business Centre. It exploits the...

RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEMS: PV solar power in just two days.
April 17, 2008... Leading warehouse and commercial property developer Gazeley has installed the new SB Solar Energy System from Solarcentury. With no structural upgrades required to the building's roof, the SB720 system can be installed in two days with only...

RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEMS: Winning place on the waterfront.
April 17, 2008... A leading manufacturer of facade renders and construction mortars, Weber has won the first phase contract for the supply of weber.therm XM, an external wall insulation system, for the construction of apartments at The Arc development, Titanic...

RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEMS: Wise council in Edinburgh.
April 17, 2008... Keim Ecosil has been used on around 15,000m2 of internal concrete at the new administrative centre for the City of Edinburgh Council. Ecosil, which is waterborne, completely solvent and VOC free, and resistant to mould and algae, was...

RESIDENTIAL: Going underground.
April 17, 2008... As belts tighten, basements can provide a way of extending a property, says Chris Burbridge, director at Delta Membrane Systems In recent months the financial sector has been getting jittery. The credit crunch has brought an air of gloom,...

RESIDENTIAL: Quiet splash.
April 17, 2008... Research reveals that the increasing 50-plus generation have specific requirements for their bathrooms to match thier changing lifestyles - but just don't mention age Populations in modern industrial nations are getting older and older....

RESIDENTIAL: Simplicity and quality are key.
April 17, 2008... Simplicity of fitting and overall quality were two key reasons for choosing Spectrum Modular Balconies from Neaco for WN1, a major residential development in Wigan from Dorbcrest Homes. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

RESIDENTIAL: TEK Building System to create super home.
April 17, 2008... Kingspan Off-Site's TEK Building System has been specified to create a home that is super-insulated and powered by renewable technology. The dorma bungalow in North Newbald, North Yorkshire used the SIP-based timber frame system to create...

RESIDENTIAL: Ecohomes in aircrete.
April 17, 2008... H+H UK's RAHouse system has been used at an ecohome project in Malmesbury, Wiltshire. The RAHouse system uses Celcon aircrete blocks with the Thin-Joint system for the interior skin of the external wall and for internal walls, the Celcon...

BRICKS & BLOCKS: Winds of change.
April 17, 2008... Previously regarded as something of a `carbon criminal', cement is undergoing a transformation which will see the development of a new generation of sustainable products, says Lafarge Cement As the drive for sustainability gathers momentum...

BRICKS & BLOCKS: Smaller footprint.
April 17, 2008... New machinery installed at Lignacite's factory has increased output at the same time as saving enery and reducing carbon dioxide emissions East Anglia-based block manufacturer Lignacite has reduced its carbon dioxide emissions by 44.5%,...

BRICKS & BLOCKS: Specified for ecohome project.
April 17, 2008... The RAHouse system from H+H is making a major contribution to the success of an ecohome project in Malmesbury, Wilts. The system was specified for the traditional Cotswold stone houses for its speed of construction, combined with excellent...

BRICKS & BLOCKS: Stop in the name of fire.
April 17, 2008... NEW FROM Cavity Trays, the Cavi 60 SAF Stop offers twice the minimum fire protection period plus acoustic suppression and water-deflecting qualities within a cavity wall. Comprising non-combustible rock wool profiled and encapsulated...

BRICKS & BLOCKS: Bold new brickwork.
April 17, 2008... THE new range of Linear bricks launched by Ibstock is said to have a unique dimension that will enable specifiers and building designers to create bold new brickwork designs. The long thin shape of the new range creates a much more visually...

BRICKS & BLOCKS: No more chasing pavements.
April 17, 2008... In response to customer feedback, Hanson Formpave has launched an Aquaflow Design Guide that directs specifiers and users through the process of identifying the correct component parts for a permeable and SUDS system. The guide is intended...

BRICKS & BLOCKS: Now blocks are zero rated too.
April 17, 2008... Hemcrete,a bio-composite material that blends hemp with a special lime based binder to create a zero, or less than zero, carbon rating, has been available for several years as a cast or spray applied on site application. Now manufacturer...

GLASS: Bringing glazing up to date to help save energy.
April 17, 2008... Andy McDowell, product manager IGU, Pilkington, explains the benefits of specifying energy-efficient glazing Currently, the energy used to heat, light and run our homes accounts for a third of all of the UK's annual carbon emissions -...

GLASS & GLAZING: Light fantastic.
April 17, 2008... The winning combination of Kalwall and Nanogel can help architects and specifiers to achieve energy savings and introduce daylight into buildings In the building industry, it is rare to find a product which is unique. Equally, it is...

GLASS: Art of glass.
April 17, 2008... By Chris Walmsley of Daedalian Glass, specialists in architectural glass design, manufacture and installation Architects and designers, in concert with glass design specialists, are constantly pushing the creative boundaries of interior...