What's New in Building articles from October 2006

What's New in Building archives from October 2006

NEWS IN BRIEF: Network grows.
October 18, 2006... Exterior cladding specialist Vivalda has increased its distribution network with the expansion of its branch in central Birmingham. It stocks an extensive range of exterior decorative cladding and rainscreen systems for commercial and domestic...

NEWS IN BRIEF: Sporty sheep.
October 18, 2006... At the Sportscotland National Sports Centre in Largs, the 2,650sq m sports hall and fitness room has been insulated with Thermafleece sheep's wool insulation by Second Nature. A team of three fitters installed 200mm of Thermafleece at heights...

Upgrade ensures arts venue stays around.
October 18, 2006... One hundred and sixty years after it was built as an engine shed, the Roundhouse in Camden, London has reopened as an arts venue after a #30 million facelift. Part of the upgrade involved installation of heating and cooling systems, all of...

Simpson goes for more growth.
October 18, 2006... Continued growth in demand for Simpson Strong-Tie's products has led to the relocation of its Scottish base. In three years the company has seen a remarkable 400% increase in its business. To accommodate this expansion it has obtained a...

Access the past in Wales.
October 18, 2006... Designed by Wilkinson Eyre Architects, the RIBA award winning National Waterfront Museum in Swansea features Howe Green floor access covers. The 7500 series floor covers were specified to allow access to underfloor services. Heavy duty and...

NEWS IN BRIEF: Top performer.
October 18, 2006... An Andrews Hi-Flo Storage Water Heater installation is providing hot water services in the world class new Unicorn Theatre for children. The Hi-Flo 65/173 water heater serves dressing room showers, wash-basins and a small kitchen, providing a...

Call for awards entries.
October 18, 2006... The call for entries has been issued for the 2007 Copper in Architecture Awards. Covering projects of all sizes, the awards recognise excellence in design by architects and students, as well as craftsmanship by installers. To be...

Demand soars for fire barriers.
October 18, 2006... Fire compartmentation using non-combustible barriers such as Promat Durasteel is now a vital factor in building design. Demand is soaring for the system, which creates a physical barrier to contain heat and the spread of smoke and fire,...

Pieces of Silver in the changing room.
October 18, 2006... High pressure laminate from Abet's Silver collection has been used at the Joy homewares and fashion retail store in Norwich. The Silver 2705 laminate has been used on changing room doors and shelves throughout the store. The reflective...

NEWS IN BRIEF: Office relocates.
October 18, 2006... ConstructionSpace, the web-based service launched by Foremans Relocatable Building Systems for the purchase and supply of modular buildings, has provided two-storey office accommodation for ship repair specialists A&P Group on Tyneside, in just...

NEWS IN BRIEF: Roof of Africa.
October 18, 2006... At Chester Zoo, a building project has included the construction of Europe's largest fibre thatch roof. For its Cafe Tsavo, the zoo required a building in the style of an African thatched dwelling. Africa Roofing's UK's UPVC Fibre Thatch...

Halfen returns to Dome.
October 18, 2006... Having supplied its Kwikastrip for reinforcement continuity across construction joints at the Millennium Dome, Halfen did not expect to be re-supplying the same project, now called O2 Arena, some seven years later. Under their contract to...

Northern Irish home in a spin.
October 18, 2006... Architects Ballantyne Hollinger have added a circular tower with a double-height, handcrafted Blanc de Bierges spiral staircase to a modern house in Northern Ireland The spiral leads down to the basement as well as up to the first floor....

Guidance on floor safety.
October 18, 2006... An extended 24 page brochure is just out from Anglo Building Products, featuring flooring, maintenance and safety products. Products such as cut-to-size GRP anti-slip step covers, step edges, sheets and landing covers have been given...

Lightening up in Preston.
October 18, 2006... This Preston office block has been treated with a polymer-reinforced coating from Tecroc Products. SBR Level Coat was used extensively on concrete columns during refurbishment of the 10-storey building. The material met the need for a...

Honda's good wood.
October 18, 2006... Faced with rising steel prices and growing concerns over the environmental impact of both steel and concrete, many architects and specifiers are turning to an engineered wood solution for one and two storey commercial developments. One...

Off-site to on site in 13 weeks.
October 18, 2006... Off-site construction specialist Yorkon has handed over a #3m adult education centre in Lewisham, 13 weeks after arrival of the building modules on site. Designed by Cartwright Pickard Architects, the centre features timber solar shading,...

New village hall at Little Milton.
October 18, 2006... The new village hall at Little Milton is a highly insulated Pinelog building, of pressure treated redwood half-round log construction with Rockwool insulating batts, vapour control layers and a timber plaster board internal wall lining. This...

Fire resistant glass offered.
October 18, 2006... Latest addition to the Pyrobel and Pyrobelite range of products is Pyrobelite 12mm, 60/0. It is available from C3S Securiglass. The company recently won a contract to install 12mm Pyrobelite for the new extension at Haybridge High School in...

Healthy outlook for boards.
October 18, 2006... Fermacell board is being used to provide impact-resistant and soundproof partition walls at a new health centre in Hounslow. Xella Dry Lining Systems' 1S29 partition wall system is being used throughout the Thelma Golding Centre, with the...

Rising to flood challenge.
October 18, 2006... In 2001 the Government issued an invitation to the ICE (Institute of Chartered Engineers) to review the technical aspects of flood management and find a solution. Tilt-Dam has been developed in direct response to this initiative. Tilt-Dam...

No-touch in the washroom.
October 18, 2006... Extending its range of no-touch products, Initial Washroom Solutions has added two products - a paper towel dispenser and a soap dispenser. Designed to operate without the need for physical contact, they offer a hygienic solution. ...

STOP PRESS: Smoke seal for fire rated door.
October 18, 2006... Raven Seals, distributed by Royde & Tucker, has launched RP35si, a surface mounted version of the concealed RP8Si automatic door bottom seal. The acoustic, medium temperature smoke seal is for fire rated doors up to FD60S. It is suited to...

STOP PRESS: Shiny finish for Aussie floor.
October 18, 2006... Shiny floor finishes can be created using a newly developed system from Flowcrete. The company has come up with a method of using the proven floor finish Peran SL, with a high-performance sealer, to create an extra glossy surface. ...

STOP PRESS: A natural memorial.
October 18, 2006... A specially selected piece of Lakeland Elterwater green natural stone from Cumbria-based Burlington has been used to create a Roundel Memorial to commemorate the testing of the world's first Hovercraft that took place some 50 years ago in...

STOP PRESS: Italian handle now in UK.
October 18, 2006... Italian designed, manufactured and patented K-Lock modular pull handle and locking system is to be distributed in the UK by Hafele. K-lock comes in 316L grade stainless steel for internal or external use and in a variety of tube diameter...

STOP PRESS: Warm welcome at art gallery.
October 18, 2006... Electric underfloor heating systems are being installed at the Pier Arts Centre in Stromness, Orkney, which is currently undergoing renovation. The three storey centre houses a collection of 20th Century exhibits charting the development...

STOP PRESS: Kerbing drivers' enthusiasm.
October 18, 2006... Brett Landscaping and Building Products has supplied BP's North and South sites of the Heart of Scotland Motorway Service Area Harthill with 891 of its Trief high containment kerbs. The kerbs were chosen to provide maximum safety for vehicles...

STOP PRESS: All clear for Hampshire lift.
October 18, 2006... At Graze Bar & Kitchen, in Lymington in Hampshire, a transparent Stannah Microlift has been installed. The dumb waiter service lift shaft is totally glass so the lift car can be seen within. Restaurant owners Kate and Niki Robinson...

STOP PRESS: Drainage is a greener choice.
October 18, 2006... Each of four detached homes being built by Saltash Construction in Whitstable has 135x100 mm black aluminium Alutec Alligator snap fit boxer gutters and downpipes. Manufactured by Marley Plumbing and Drainage from high-grade aluminium,...

STOP PRESS: Designed for retrofit.
October 18, 2006... Aimed at the commercial and refurbishment markets, Assa Abloy's Union Retro3 and Retro4 door closers have been specifically designed with retro-fitting in mind. They require the same fixing holes and cover the same footprint as some of the...

STOP PRESS: Luminaire is taken to task.
October 18, 2006... Restrained design is a feature of the Freeline task area luminaire from Zumtobel Lighting. Specifically designed for lighting visual tasks at the workstation, the direct/indirect distribution provides optimum lighting for concentrated work...

STOP PRESS: Stair system to improve safety.
October 18, 2006... Designed to improve on-site safety and offer greater ease of access on stairwells, a two-stage stair balustrading system is now from Richard Burbidge. The demountable range consists of a safety handrail system for temporary installation...

STOP PRESS: Services add to London refurb'.
October 18, 2006... Redevelopment of London's 15 Fetter Lane site has seen the earlier building stripped back to its shell and rebuilt. The new air conditioning system comprises 33 Daikin REYQ VRV heat recovery systems. These supply 220 FXYSM fan coil units....

STOP PRESS: Management system installed in science block.
October 18, 2006... Profila Data cable management system from Rehau has been installed in a new science block at London Metropolitan University. The system was specified because it meets the Cat 5 requirement with radius bend inserts and power and data cable...

STOP PRESS: Fast install for cable ducting.
October 18, 2006... One of the primary benefits of Prestige 3D from MK Electric is a marked increase in speed and ease of installation. The company has undertaken internal trials that have found it over 30% faster to install than earlier system Prestige Plus....

STOP PRESS: Heritage centre gets the blues.
October 18, 2006... Fifty glass panels on the roof of the Calne Heritage Centre in Wiltshire incorporate Pilkington Activ Blue glass. The client wanted a glass roof that would allow in as much natural daylight as possible. Being a museum, some of the exhibits...

STOP PRESS: Old and modern meet.
October 18, 2006... Underfloor heating by Robbens is providing a controlled internal environment for a dramatic conversion project. Surface Architects has refurbished and extended derelict Lock Keeper's Cottage on the banks of the Regent's Canal, in an...

STOP PRESS: Easy flow adjustment.
October 18, 2006... An automatic volume flow controller, which removes the need to adjust flow rates in ventilation and air conditioning, has been unveiled by Trox. The Type VFL unit, which can be adjusted on-site in seconds, has a differential pressure range...

STOP PRESS: Warm feeling for key workers.
October 18, 2006... Camberley based Chatsworth Heating has supplied electric heating equipment to Arsenal Football Club. The radiators have been installed in 249 apartments, known as The Ashburton Triangle, situated at the corner of Emirates Stadium. As part...

STOP PRESS: Indirect light direct to the UK.
October 18, 2006... Indirect lighting systems from German company Tecnolight are now available in the UK from the Light Projects Group. Futuristic-looking mirror lighting systems can be supplied in a range of configurations and provide 100% indirect lighting....

ARCHITECTURAL ALUMINIUM: In praise of `ultimate sustainable material'.
October 18, 2006... With an ever increasing proportion of recycled material in use, aluminium's sustainable credentials add to its cost effective appeal The essential characteristics of aluminium make it an ideal material for construction. It is light,...

ARCHITECTURAL ALUMINIUM: Ultra-modern glass pavilion.
October 18, 2006... Aluminium has been supplied by Comar for an ultra-modern glass pavilion, which was recently the featured project on Channel 4's Grand Designs. The pavilion is made almost entirely of glass housed in slim elegant Comar framing system. ...

ARCHITECTURAL ALUMINIUM: Overlooking the riverside.
October 18, 2006... Architectural aluminium glazing specialist, Technal, part of Hydro Building Systems, has supplied more than 1,000 windows and doors for a new #36m riverside apartments scheme in Leeds. Technal's faceted curtain walling was also supplied for...

ARCHITECTURAL ALUMINIUM: New members of alliance.
October 18, 2006... Following its appointment as a Kingspan Off-Site approved installer, Atspeed Steel and Lintels has now become part of the MMC Alliance, the association of approved installers and members dedicated to the principles of modern methods of...

ARCHITECTURAL ALUMINIUM: Ambitious redevelopment.
October 18, 2006... An ambitious redevelopment of the Abbott's Wharf site on Limehouse Cut has seen the emergence of a contemporary urban development featuring Sapa Building Systems' windows and doors. The exposed nature of the some of the highest apartments...

ARCHITECTURAL ALUMINIUM: Racecourse redevelopment.
October 18, 2006... As part of Aintree Racecourse's #35m redevelopment programme, The new Media Centre and Weighing Room at Aintree Racecourse features #100k worth of Metal Technology glazing. The 200sq m curved glazed facade of the Media Centre was...

ARCHITECTURAL ALUMINIUM: Aesthetic qualities revealed.
October 18, 2006... Through technical seminars and also through the notice attracted by a lengthening list of architectural credits, The Expanded Metal Company is busy changing the architectural profession's perception of expanded metal mesh. The company's...

SUSTAINABILITY: Earth's solution.
October 18, 2006... Heat pumps have the potential for huge growth as environmental concerns necessitate the development of renewable heating technologies. Worcester Bosch supplies the facts and figures+ Although a relatively new concept for homeowners in this...

CLADDING: Fast build for convenience.
October 18, 2006... Playing an important part in the streamlined look of Amesbury's new Solstice Park convenience complex - which comprises a Somerfields Essentials store, petrol station, jet wash and car wash - is the KS1000 Optimo Wall and Facade System in...

CLADDING: Rainscreen panels.
October 18, 2006... The Facades division of Euroclad has just completed supply of over 8,000m2 of rainscreen panels to the prominent new Civil Justice Centre in Manchester. Constructed of Dark Grey Metallic Alpolic/fr composite material, the Euroclad panels...

CLADDING: External cladding for cricket club.
October 18, 2006... ThermoWood has been supplied Finnforest for the external cladding of Edgworth Cricket Club's new state of the art clubhouse. Specified by Rothwell Robinson the timber was selected for its remarkable low- maintenance characteristics demanded by...

DOORS & WINDOWS: Cambridge looks to the Futura.
October 18, 2006... Close to the heart of Cambridge, the Accordia project has made use of old Government land for a new housing development which includes affordable housing. Throughout the project, extensive use has been made of IdealCombi's Futura window...

DOORS & WINDOWS: Detailing saves the day in Kent.
October 18, 2006... After another company failed to supply the stone for this Sevenoaks restoration, Chilstone came to the rescue. It was essential that all the existing stone detailing was copied exactly. Chilstone took profiles and measurements, produced...

DOORS & WINDOWS: More options in sliding glass.
October 18, 2006... Two further options have been added to the Glassmaster Omega glass sliding door range from Hillaldam Coburn. Omega Type GG allows the clearest possible unbroken vision in a sliding partition. It is designed for use where space needs to be...

DOORS & WINDOWS: Door operator fits underfloor.
October 18, 2006... Mounted in a sealed box in the floor, the Swingdoor Power Drive 1401 from Tormax opens swing doors smoothly and silently without any visible operator interfering with the architectural aesthetics of the entrance. The Power Drive is simpler...

DOORS & WINDOWS: Patio doors give sea views.
October 18, 2006... Residents at Nassau Court in Westward Ho! can enjoy the views thanks to aluminium patio doors by Beaufort. The sliding patio doors are in an anodised blue/grey finish to complement the coastal location. With its slim sightlines,...

GLASS & GLAZING: Fire glass.
October 18, 2006... Fireswiss Foam from CGI International is ensuring visitors enjoy a safe view of the famous Flying Scotsman at a new interactive exhibition at the National Railway Museum in York. The fully insulated fire glass has been used in large glazed...

GLASS & GLAZING: Selected for its expertise.
October 18, 2006... Based on its expertise and capability in the installation of complex fenestration projects, Solaglas was awarded the glazing contract for the Dakota Hotel in Glasgow, the second to be built in the new `budget luxury' hotel chain. ...

GLASS & GLAZING: Two day erection promise.
October 18, 2006... Launched by Glass UK, the Contempo range of sheer glass conservatories can be erected within two days. Contempo comes in a series of bespoke repeatable modules and aims to bring a contemporary style of minimalist living to the mid-range...

GLASS & GLAZING: Repair of Network House.
October 18, 2006... The refurbishment and repair of the silicone, fully four-sided structurally bonded, curtain walling system at Network House, Kings Langley, was carried out by Structura UK and included installing over 200 pieces of special, royal blue coloured,...

GLASS & GLAZING: Smaller yet more stylish.
October 18, 2006... A smaller and more stylish top-rail channel, and rollers in stainless steel are the key features of the new Flexystack 250 manually folding and stacking glass door system from Prefit, specialist in fittings for glass. The manufacturer,...

LANDSCAPING: Concrete block paving supplied.
October 18, 2006... Global building solutions company Cemex has supplied 300 sq m of ReadyDrive 50mm rectangular concrete block paving for an extensive hard landscaping project at Castledyke Park in Dumfries, which is on the site of a ruined Norman castle. ...

LANDSCAPING: Machine installable permeable paving.
October 18, 2006... Launched by Marshalls is a machine installable version of its leading permeable paving product Priora, developed in response to the growing demand for innovative sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDs). It is also recognised as having...

LANDSCAPING: A new sign of the times.
October 18, 2006... A new housing and commercial development in Bracknell will showcase Europe's first ever Trief Cadet Chevron roundabouts from Brett Landscaping and Building Products. The benefits of the Trief kerbs are said to be two-fold. If a vehicle...

LANDSCAPING: Answering call of the wild.
October 18, 2006... Manufacturer of innovative synthetic grass surfaces Tiger Turf and SSP - an approved installer of TigerTurf Play and Landscape products - have been called in to surface London's first wetland themed adventure area for children. The...

LANDSCAPING: Paving the way for future.
October 18, 2006... Aquaflow permeable paving has been supplied by Formpave for car parking bays and surrounding areas at the sustainable Genesis project in Somerset, which has a strong focus on cutting edge sustainable construction methods. As a result of...

LANDSCAPING: Special becomes standard.
October 18, 2006... In addition to providing Scotland's first indoor real snow ski slope, the newly opened Xscape centre at Braehead, Glasgow provides a stunning showcase for Charcon's French Grey flag paving, now available in the company's popular Moordale range....

LANDSCAPING: Aesthetic drive alternative.
October 18, 2006... With landscape design showing a move away from block paving for residential drives, builders, housebuilders and specifiers are likely to find the Addaset surface from Addagrip an aesthetically pleasing alternative. Addaset provides a flat,...

PAINTS & FINISHES: Maintenance programme.
October 18, 2006... ICI Paints has been heavily involved in West Kent Housing Association's cyclical maintenance programme which covers the maintenance of over 5,600 homes. Coatings from the Dulux Trade Weathershield range are being used extensively...

PAINTS & FINISHES: Special colour for project.
October 18, 2006... Finishes from the Akzo Nobel's Sandtex Trade paint range have been used to repaint all external surfaces of 108 Regency buildings on Brunswick Estate in Hove. Experts at Sandtex Trade created a special colour for the buildings named `Hove...

PAINTS & FINISHES: Coatings fit for royalty.
October 18, 2006... The Royal Hotel in Llangollen has recently undergone an extensive restoration programme using Keim Mineral Paints for the exterior redecoration. The building has suffered from 20 years of insufficient maintenance, resulting in degradation...

PAINTS & FINISHES: Only the name has changed.
October 18, 2006... Maperproof ESM from Mapei is the new name for existing product Primer MF and while the name has changed the same superior qualities remain. The surface membrane is a two-component, solvent free epoxy resin for use as a vapour barrier on...

PAINTS & FINISHES: Extensive hotel refurbishment.
October 18, 2006... Products from Glidden are being used throughout Novotel's extensive hotel refurbishment programme. Novotel, winner of the prestigious title `AA Hotel Group of the Year 2005 - 2006', has been successfully rolling out its New Generation...

PAINTS & FINISHES: Join the latest fan club.
October 18, 2006... The Weathershield Exterior Colour Range from Dulux Trade has been updated to reflect the latest trends. A range of over 500 colours has been developed to aid the correct specification of exterior colours that will look better for longer. ...

BATHROOMS & KITCHENS: Gang of four boosts portfolio.
October 18, 2006... Four new brassware ranges - Precision, Capstone, Stylus and Crystal - have been introduced by Imperial Bathrooms. Engineered from solid brass and protected by a deeply polished chrome plate, these latest ranges are said to echo the popular...

BATHROOMS & KITCHENS: Woodgrain is now an option.
October 18, 2006... An innovative new style of washbasins for leisure centres and commercial use is now available from Sissons. The new Rotolith single or double washbasins are manufactured from durable resin in Alpine white, to enhance any contemporary...

BATHROOMS & KITCHENS: Curvy looks for kitchens.
October 18, 2006... Escaping from the usual harsh lines of kitchen design, round edges are easy to achieve with Parapan, which can be used to create a soft, contemporary look as well as providing maximum space. A durable gloss material for doors, Parapan is an...

BATHROOMS & KITCHENS: Helping to meet special needs.
October 18, 2006... Automatic shower toilets from Clos-O-Mat have been installed in four holiday cottages at Crathie Kirk overlooking Balmoral Castle, which are being equipped by Crathie Opportunity Holidays to provide self-catering facilities for people with...

BATHROOMS & KITCHENS: Business venture.
October 18, 2006... A leading developer of advanced design and visualisation software for the kitchen, bedroom, bathroom and home improvement markets, Planit International has been selected to play an integral role in the formation and roll out of Everest...

BATHROOMS & KITCHENS: For all would-be chefs.
October 18, 2006... Aimed at the more adventurous cook, Franke has introduced System 2 to its portfolio of stainless steel appliances. Featuring the Design Chef Pyro, the system is perfect for would-be professional chefs. The Design Chef Pyro has a pyrolytic...

FLOORING: Children's ward refurbishment.
October 18, 2006... DLW Marmorette linoleum from Armstrong Floor Products has been specified for the refurbishment of the children's ward at the Torbay Hospital in South Devon. The linoleum incorporates several intriguing floor designs, of intricate aquatic...

FLOORING: Entrance matting installation.
October 18, 2006... Innovative entrance matting designer and manufacturer EMCO has recently completed an installation at Manchester Airport, using Marschall 522 S/R, an extremely hardwearing roll up entrance matting, designed to withstand vehicular traffic. ...

FLOORING: Vinyl range gets new ID.
October 18, 2006... Described as a new compact vinyl floor covering that captures the beauty of realistic wood and mineral products yet offers the benefits of a resilient vinyl, ID Naturelle has been launched by Tarkett-Marley. ID Naturelle reflects the look...