Refurb Projects - November 2018

REFURB PROJECTS - THE JOURNAL OF REPAIR, MAINTENANCE AND RETROFIT NOVEMBER 2018

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2 NOVEMBER 2018, REFURBISHMENT PROJECTS

Contents 

Vol. 29 No.192 November 2018 

SPECIAL FEATURES 

13-23 Education Infrastructure 

24-41 Refurbishment Projects 

6-7 Heating & Ventilation 

48-48 Wood Awards 2018 

Cover Feature 

Kingspan OPTIM-R 

www.kingspan.com/gb/engb/products/insulation/insulation-boards/optim-r 

Publisher/ Editor: Carole Titmuss 

Editorial Assistant: Sue Watson 

Advertising / Marketing: James Kennett 

Subscriptions: Kay Knight 

Design / Graphics: Ian Purves, Jonathan Milburn 

This journal includes editorial photographs provided and paid 

for by suppliers. 

Refurbishment Projects incorporating Refurbishment Products 

is published by 

Sheen Publishing Ltd 

50 Queens Road, 

Buckhurst Hill, 

Essex, IG9 5DD, UK 

Tel: 020 8504 1661 

Fax: 020 8505 4336 

Email: editor@refurbprojects.com 

Twitter: @RefurbProjects 

Refurb Projects is available on subscription. 

Annual rate: UK £28. Europe: £36 Overseas: £40. 

Single Copies: UK: £5 Overseas: £10 

ISSN 1475-1135 

ALSO IN THIS EDITION 

5 Glass & Glazing 

8 Building Services 

9 Roofing 

11 Sustainability 

12 Social Housing 

42 Energy Efficiency 

Printed by Manson Group 

www.refurbprojects.com 

REFURBISHMENT PROJECTS, NOVEMBER 2018 3

PROJECTS 

The only lake in Scotland 

The Lake of Menteith Hotel 

itself dates from around 1854. 

Throughout its rich history it 

has changed hands many 

times and been refurbished in many 

different styles. In May 2005 the 

hotel was again newly acquired and 

over the years that followed, was 

entirely refurbished and decorated in 

a Bostonian New England style. The 

hotel is situated on the very edge of 

the lake, in a stunningly peaceful 

and picturesque location. The Lake 

of Menteith is the only natural 

water body in Scotland described as 

a lake, and not as a loch. 

Today the Lake of Menteith Hotel 

is well known for its fine dining and 

high end hospitality winning a 

number of recent awards. 

For such a prestigious property, 

Borthwick Decorators, specialist 

painters and decorators since 1959, 

were the logical choice to breathe a 

new lease of life to the full exterior. 

Borthwick Decorators, proud 

members of the Scottish Decorators 

Federation, and headed by Managing 

Director David Borthwick, used a 

seven man crew for phase one of 

this two phase project. Phase one to 

renovate the front, and then rear of 

the property in phase two later next 

year. 

The property frontage consisted 

of 20+ timber framed period sash 

and case or standard windows, with 

an adjoining timber conservatory all 

in need of attention and all showing 

varying degrees of wood rot. 

As can be seen from the 

photographs, the extent of the rot 

was rather deep and extensive in 

certain areas, particularly noticeable 

is the conservatory door to the front 

panel and joints and also some of 

the bottom corners. After the major 

areas of rot were routed out, the use 

of Timbabuild EHB60 filler was 

required due largely to its mouldable 

properties, and the fact that the stiff 

consistency of the resin lends itself 

well to in-situ repairs in horizontal 

and vertical areas. 

Additionally, the corner work at 

two edges of the conservatory 

windows were treated firstly with 

Timbabuild EWS Primer, which seals 

the wood to prevent further rot, and 

aids the adhesion of the repair, then 

it was moulded back to shape with 

the use of plastic shuttering. 

Of particular note here is the 

first-floor sash window sill, which 

has suffered badly from decay. 

Rather than replace, and saving the 

hotel thousands of pounds, Brian 

shaped and spliced sections of 

timber into the void using a 

combination of Timbabuild ERC10 

rapid curing, as the adhesive and 

finished off with EHB60 to mould 

and finish the shaping perfectly. 

After the Timbabuild FINISH was 

applied where required, it was 

sanded down perfectly using a 

combination of hand sanding with 

light grit paper and power sanding 

on slow speed. 

David Borthwick said “I found all 

Timbabuild products to be easy to 

use and do exactly what they are 

supposed to do. I was particularly 

impressed with ERC10 which cured 

within 15 minutes of application 

and allowed me to rebuild a badly 

rotten window sill with the use of 

timber strips quickly and easily. I 

also liked how EHB60 and 

Timbabuild Finish rubbed down 

easily by hand and by machine”. 

Once all the preparation was 

complete, it was on to priming the 

masonry walls. Borthwick Decorators 

used the Owatrol E-B stir in 

bonding/stabilising primer which 

was added to the first coat of 

masonry paint. This was used 

because it saves time by eliminating 

the need for a separate coat of 

stabilising primer and is ideal for 

flaky, powdery, chalky and porous 

surfaces and maximises adhesion 

between the first and second coats. 

David said, “The cost and time 

savings are great in comparison to 

the labour costs and time involved 

with doing it by the traditional 

method”. 

The masonry walls were painted 

with Dulux Trade Weathershield 

Smooth Masonry paint in Gardenia, 

the ingoes, bands and window sills 

were painted in Bluebell and the 

windows and entrance canopy were 

painted with “White” Dulux Trade 

Ultimate Opaque. 

www.timbabuild.co.uk 

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A deprived building and local community 

receive something to go ‘ping-pong’ over. 

PROJECT 

Greenhouse Sports was founded in 2002 as a sports coaching charity. Recently, they acquired 35 Cosway 

Street, located in one of the most deprived wards in London, and have refurbished the building into a 

state of the art sport centre. Christchurch, 35 Cosway Street, was granted a Grade II* Listing in 1954. 

Aradical and sensitive transformation 

was required to turn the church into a 

sports centre, to provide first-rate 

facilities for the coaches to deliver 

high-quality sports programmes, for the local 

community and beyond. Latitude Architects 

was engaged to work on the plans for the 

renovation, which were undertaken in 

consultation with Historic England. Planning 

permission was sought for the installation of a 

lift, new internal lighting, and balustrades to 

the gallery, a new sports floor and much more. 

Surrounded by local shops, residential areas 

and community buildings; sound insulation 

was imperative to stop noise escaping and 

disturbing local residents. 

Cosmur Construction (London) Ltd, experts 

in sensitive renovations of Listed buildings, 

were appointed as Main Contractor, and 

approached Selectaglaze to discuss the 

treatment and scheduling of secondary glazing 

works to the windows. 

Although the secondary glazing wasn’t as 

problematic as other areas of the renovation, 

it still posed some challenges. The windows 

had large sweeping curved heads at high level. 

To enable exact measurements and a snug fit, 

a laser measurer was used to plot the arches to 

facilitate the manufacture of the units. The 

newly created mezzanine level cut the full 

height windows in 2 which left a void in all 

the reveals. To combat this, the 1st floor 

glazing also acted as a guard to the void, 

which included 12mm toughened glass. 

88 units were manufactured and installed, 

which were a combination of Series 42 fixed 

lights with curved and standard heads, as well 

as Series 80 3HS contra sliding units. Some of 

the Series 80 were 1.9m (h) x 2.3m (w) and 

weighed over 130kg when all assembled, so 

fixing points had to be checked for their 

strength to maintain integrity of the 

installation. The units came in 3 separate 

panes to enable manual handling and 

accessing the specific areas for installation. 

The transformation has given the space a new 

lease of life, which will benefit the local 

residents for years to come. 

Established in 1966 and granted a Royal 

Warrant in 2004, Selectaglaze is the leading 

specialist in the design, manufacture and 

installation of secondary glazing. 

For further information, 

please contact Selectaglaze on 

01727 837271/ 

Email: enquiries@selectaglaze.co.uk 

or visit: www.selectaglaze.co.uk 


HEATING & VENTILATION 

Who is responsible for taking care of mould? 

Dan Bourke, Social Housing Regional Manager at EnviroVent, looks at the issue of mould growth and whether 

residents’ lifestyles or other factors have a major influence on the problem. 

Mould is an issue that affects homes of all sizes 

and build types during the colder months and 

the cause of mould growth is regularly 

debated by local authorities and private 

landlords. In the past, there was a view that it came about 

as a result of lifestyle choices, with the generally accepted 

view that mould is a result of activities that residents carry 

out in their home that create excessive moisture. As 

modern, energy efficient homes have largely become 

sealed boxes, the amount of natural ventilation is 

therefore far less. But does it really make sense to put the 

issue down purely to lifestyle choices, or should local 

authorities and private landlords be doing more to solve 

the root cause of the problem? 

Black mould has been the subject of a recent study by 

campaigning consultancy Sustainable Homes, an 

organisation that helps landlords and suppliers to improve 

the quality and environmental performance of their 

homes. In association with EnviroVent, Sustainable Homes 

has revealed its results in the ‘Breaking the Mould - 

Should landlords be doing more?’ report. This study 

involved four social landlords in the 

South East and Midlands, with 

initial information for the study 

gathered from a questionnaire sent 

out to residents, which received 260 

completed responses. The study was 

divided into two parts. Phase 1 took 

place in the spring of 2017 and 

Phase 2 over February and March 

2018. The questionnaire for 

residents covered various aspects of 

air quality, including the incidence 

of mould in their homes during the 

recent winter. The responses were 

then cross-referenced with building 

data held by these landlords about 

the homes themselves and also with 

data from Energy Performance 

Certificates. The study intended to 

identify types of buildings where 

mould would be likely to occur and 

also to look at the impact of mould 

on the health of occupants. 

Phase two involved monitoring 

the home environment, specifically 

internal temperature differences and 

variations in humidity and 

ventilation rates. 

The study used a sophisticated 

information gathering technique to 

examine over 20 different factors 

that could contribute to the causes 

of mould, in order to find which 

were the most significant. This 

included the home’s size, its usage - 

including daytime occupancy and 

whether pets were present, levels of 

insulation, age of construction, as 

well as other factors such as glazing 

and heating fuels. 

The factors were then ranked in 

terms of how much they raised the 

mould score. The most significant of 

these was found to be occupant 

density – the more occupants, the 

more likely the house was to suffer 

with mould. In the context of the 

current housing crisis where there is 

a shortage of homes of sufficient size 

for growing families, this factor is 

outside the control of residents. 

Poorly installed insulation was 

another factor, as it meant uneven 

surface temperatures and the 

opportunity for condensation to form 

in cold spots on walls and ceilings. 

Newer, more energy efficient homes 

with less temperature fluctuations 

and better quality insulation were 

found to be less likely to have mould 

present, as were homes that had the 

best loft insulation. 

Homes that were continuously 

occupied were found to be at a 

higher risk of mould. Cold weather 

was also found to lead to mould 

growth as heat is conducted through 

the walls, making the interior cooler, 

so the dew point is reached more 

often. 

HEALTH ISSUES 

The study found that residents were 

more likely to experience respiratory 

issues in homes with mould. In the 

139 homes with no mould, the 

percentage of people with a 

respiratory condition was 28%. If 

the mould score was increased by 

1.5, then respiratory conditions, such 

as asthma, rose to 36% of residents 

and if the mould severity score was 

above 3.0, it became 63% more 

likely that the resident living there 

had a respiratory condition. 

The report highlighted a need for 

both landlords and residents to 

better understand the most practical 

ways of dealing with condensation 

in homes and discusses the issues 

that landlords should be doing more. 

While residents can take practical 

action up to a point, it is to the 

landlords’ advantage to step in 

sooner, rather than later, with 

effective remedial measures. 

One way of reducing 

condensation and eliminating black 

mould effectively is to install a 

whole house ventilation system, like 

Positive Input Ventilation (PIV) from 

EnviroVent. A PIV system works by 

delivering clean, fresh, filtered air 

into the home from a central 

position. The unit gently ventilates 

the property and dilutes high levels 

of humidity so that condensation 

and mould cannot form. It also 

reduces the level of harmful 

household contaminants, thus 

improving indoor air quality and 

creating a healthy all-year-round 

living environment. 

UNDERLYING CAUSES OF BLACK 

MOULD 

The ‘Breaking the Mould’ research 

clearly challenges the traditional 

assumptions about mould in homes 

being directly linked to resident 

behaviour. As the study shows, 

there are underlying causes of black 

mould, such as occupant density and 

failed/poor insulation, which are 

beyond the control of residents. 

The study encourages social 

landlords to work proactively to 

tackle damp and mould. As there 

was found to be a strong correlation 

between household size and mould, 

due to more breathing, showering, 

clothes washing and cooking taking 

place this meant effective 

ventilation systems are required to 

remove this extra moisture. 

Social landlords are being 

challenged to review their mould 

complaint procedures and to 

introduce better ventilation into 

buildings, as well as to improve 

training for staff to better deal with 

residents’ complaints about mould. 

The ‘Breaking the Mould’ report 

recommends that landlords must 

review their approach and understand 

the long-term implications regarding 

stock management. 

The report clearly shows that 

landlords have to be more proactive 

to prevent mould. For example, this 

should include staff training, reviews 

of mould complaint process and 

better use of ventilation in 

buildings. 

The final recommendation was 

that landlords need to gain a better 

understanding of residents’ 

demographics to prioritise space and 

quality over quantity and to 

consider tackling fuel poverty and 

mould together. Some landlords 

have taken this advice and are 

already re-thinking their processes 

and taking a more proactive and 

preventative approach to improving 

ventilation across their housing 

stock. Retrofitting ventilation 

systems is having a very positive 

impact on indoor air quality and 

improving tenant health.” 

For more information on 

ventilation solutions from 

EnviroVent, visit the website 

www.envirovent.com or call 

0345 27 27 807. 


PROJECTS 

HVRF offers a perfect blend of comfort and 

efficiency in luxury apartment conversion 

When former office space 

in Trafalgar House was 

being transformed into 

stylish apartments, a 

Hybrid VRF (Variable Refrigerant 

Flow) air conditioning system has 

ensured complete comfort and 

absolute compliance. 

Centrally located within the 

traditional core of Leeds, Trafalgar 

House has seen some of its former 

office space transformed into luxury 

apartments complete with 

Mitsubishi Electric’s unique Hybrid 

VRF system. 

The unique Hybrid VRF system 

was chosen specifically to ensure 

Trafalgar House complied with the 

British and European Standard 

EN378 (Refrigeration systems and 

heat pumps - safety and 

environmental requirements). 

Abey Air Conditioning were 

commissioned to install the 

innovative HVRF system to serve 87 

rooms across three floors. 

The BS EN378 standard limits the 

usage of refrigerants in buildings in 

order to minimise potential risk to 

occupants that could occur from 

refrigerant leakage. As the rooms in 

the conversion were designed to 

have a small footprint, leak 

detection equipment would have 

been required if a traditional VRF 

system had been installed. 

One of the key advantages in 

choosing the HVRF solution is its use 

of water instead of refrigerant in 

indoor units, therefore removing the 

need for leak detection equipment. 

This equates to lower costs, less risks, 

simplified maintenance and 

compliance. 

At the heart of the HVRF system 

is its Hybrid Branch Controller (HBC), 

which links the outdoor units to the 

indoor units. Temperature is 

exchanged between refrigerant and 

water via two heat plate exchangers 

within individual units. Whilst 

refrigerant is contained to pipework 

between the HBC and outdoor units, 

water is circulated by energy 

efficient inverter pumps to the 

indoor units. 

“One of the main challenges 

when specifying any system is 

balancing efficiency & legislative 

requirements with maximum 

occupant comfort,” explained 

Michael Abey of Abey Air 

Conditioning. 

“The Hybrid VRF system offers 

the perfect solution. Its simplified 

two pipe system is easy to install 

and uses less refrigerant and only 

water in occupied spaces meaning it 

is both efficient and compliant. 

“This modern alternative to 

traditional methods offers a more 

comfortable environment as well as 

high off-coil temperatures, which is 

important in smaller rooms. 

Individual rooms are easily 

controlled by remote controllers 

offering flexibility and control to 

occupants.” 

Controls have an invaluable role 

to play in creating an energy 

efficient environment. To enable the 

whole system to be controlled and 

monitored from a central location 

an AE200 controller was installed in 

Trafalgar House. 

The AE200 is a state of the art 

controller and offers easy to use 

programming and control of 

temperature, fan speed and airflow. 

The advanced controller also 

provides comprehensive energy 

consumption monitoring and 

comparisons on previous years 

offering valuable assistance in 

energy saving. 

Trafalgar House is now reaping 

the benefits of the innovative 

Hybrid VRF air conditioning system, 

the advanced technology used 

ensures the development will be 

energy efficient and offer maximum 

occupant comfort now and in the 

long term. 

gb.mitsubishielectric.com 


BUILDING SERVICES 

OSMO UK’s fastest drying wood finish 

Polyx®-Oil Express from Osmo 

UK is a premium fast drying 

wood finish guaranteed to 

keep wooden surfaces in top 

condition. Taking just 1.5 hours to 

dry in between coats, Polyx®-Oil 

Express offers flooring contractors, 

specifiers, DIY enthusiasts and 

consumers with a solution that 

eliminates long downtime, whilst 

still providing all the professional 

features of a traditional oil-based 

finish. 

Ideal for solid wood and plank 

wood flooring, blackstrip, OSB and 

cork floors, as well as furniture, 

Polyx®-Oil Express is a high quality, 

water-repellent and dirt-resistant 

wood finish based on natural 

ingredients. It is the fastest drying 

product that Osmo UK has ever 

created. It dries within 1.5 hours in 

between coats when used with the 

Osmo UK 6632 Hardener. 

Polyx®-Oil Express is available in 

a clear-satin finish for a subtle, 

noble shimmer that resembles satin 

and emphasises the wood grain 

modestly, and a clear-matt finish for 

an almost completely natural look, 

with light reflections diffused. 

Osmo UK Polyx®-Oil Express is 

also extremely easy to apply. Simply 

mix the hardener into the finish and 

then apply two coats thinly along 

the wood grand with a natural 

bristle brush or microfibre roller. 

brush on to the wood surface to 

achieve deep, long-lasting 

penetration. 

Offering all the professional 

features of a traditional oil-based 

finish, Polyx®-Oil combines the 

smooth surface of conventional 

lacquers, and the ease of application 

of a water-based finish, while 

managing to eliminate the inherent 

disadvantages of these other types 

of finish. Unlike ordinary oil finish 

products which form a film on the 

wood, Polyx®-Oil Express’ natural 

components penetrate deeply into 

the wood to create a micro-porous 

finish. This allows the wood to 

breathe, moisture to evaporate and 

ensures a flawless finish both upon 

application and for many years to 

come. 

After treatment the wood is 

strengthened from within and 

retains its elasticity. It becomes 

water repellent, stain resistant and 

more hard-wearing, because it meets 

the wood’s natural demands and 

does not crack, flake, peel or blister. 

For stockists and more information, call OSMO UK on 01296 481220 or 

visit www.osmouk.com 

OSMO UK expands range of wood adhesives 

Osmo UK, the eco-friendly 

wood and finishes 

specialist, has expanded its 

range of wood adhesives 

with a new durable product 

developed for use in the home. 

Introducing the D3 Express Wood 

Adhesive, a ready to use water 

resistant adhesive that is specially 

formulated for use on interior and 

exterior wooden furniture and 

joinery. 

The hard-wearing formula of the 

D3 Express Wood Adhesive is 

suitable for gluing all types of wood. 

Developed not only to secure wood 

to wood, the versatile adhesive can 

fix paper, cardboard, and textilebacked 

PVC to wood and board. D3 

Express conforms to EN 204, 

meaning that the adhesive can be 

used on interior furniture with 

frequent short-term exposure to 

running and condensed water, or 

heavy exposure to high humidity. 

The excellent bond strength is 

specially designed to suit moistureresistant 

bonds. Outdoor timber 

constructions such as window 

frames and doors, if not directly 

exposed to weather, can be bonded 

with the D3 Express. 

Application is made easy due to 

the paste consistency. The D3 

Express Wood Adhesive can be easily 

applied using a mechanical glue 

spreader, brush, hand roller, or air 

activate glue gun. To achieve great 

results, Osmo UK recommends that 

prior to application, the surface is 

clean and dry and that the product 

is thoroughly mixed before use. This 

will ensure that full water resistance 

is achieved after 7 days. 

For stockist details and more 

information on Osmo and its range 

of environmentally friendly wooden 

products and specialist finishes, 

call Osmo UK direct on 01296 

481220 or alternatively visit 

www.osmouk.com. 


ROOFING 

SFS flat roofing solutions overcome refurb 

challenge for new energy R&D facility 

Flat roofing fastening solutions 

from SFS, including its 

isoweld® 3000 system, have 

played a key role in delivering 

a high quality building - the 

University of Chester’s Energy 

Centre, a nationally significant 

facility which will aid the 

development of cost effective and 

environmentally responsible sources 

of energy. 

The Energy Centre is located on 

the University’s Thornton Science 

Park. The refurbishment project 

undertaken by Willmott Dixon posed 

particular challenges in respect of 

the flat roof, which consisted of a 

solid concrete deck, followed by 

screed laid to falls, a thin dense 

concrete layer and three bituminous 

membrane layers. 

The new roof specification 

required the application of new 

insulation to upgrade the thermal 

performance and a new single ply 

waterproofing membrane. Due to 

the location of this project and the 

presence of existing bonded layers, 

adhesive application was ruled out 

at an early stage and a mechanically 

fastened solution was sought. 

Initial pull-out tests confirmed 

that fixing was required through the 

existing screed and direct into the 

concrete deck. The screed layer 

varied in depth between 190mm to 

290mm, and when including the 

new 120mm insulation board, a 

total build-up of between 310mm 

and 410mm resulted. With the roof’s 

high exposure rating and 

dimensions, wind load calculations 

indicated that only corner and 

perimeter zones should be used, 

which demanded a high density of 

fasteners in these areas. 

Working with Range Roofing, the 

solutions provided by SFS included 

its TIA adjustable fastener in 

combination with the isoweld® 3000 

heat induction welding system. This 

fastener system included specially 

coated isoweld® stress plates 

combined with 230mm and 300mm 

FI-R-20 sleeves and the 150mm long 

TIA fastener. These were installed 

through the insulation and screed 

layers and were mechanically 

fastened into the concrete substrate. 

The fasteners were applied 

through the insulation boards in a 

field fix grid pattern followed by the 

Protan SE single ply waterproofing 

membrane, which was then installed 

using the specialist isoweld® 3000 

system, welding the membrane 

directly onto the isoweld® stress 

plates. This provided an extremely 

secure fix, without having to 

“duplicate” fasteners, and the 

associated drilling, and without the 

need to penetrate the waterproof 

membrane as would be necessary on 

seam fix systems. 

Jamie Dixon, Site Supervisor at 

Range Roofing commented: “The 

innovative SFS adjustable TIA 

fasteners combined with the FI-R-20 

sleeves reduced the amount of 

drilling into concrete by 40%, 

requiring pilot holes just 35mm deep 

into the concrete deck, allowing for 

20mm fastener embedment for the 

whole scheme. Just one TIA fastener 

and two FI-R-20 sleeves were 

required for the majority of this 

1,000m2 project, which considerably 

simplified the installation procedure. 

The isoweld® 3000 machine was easy 

to use, and the in-built safety 

functions ensured that welding 

would only occur when the inductor 

was over the stress plate.” 

Drilling was simplified by using 

SDS drills to core out the screed and 

bitumen layers, and the pilot holes 

for the TIA fasteners were drilled 

using SFS ZVK stop drills combined 

with the ZAK extension bars. This 

ensured that the pilot holes were of 

the correct depth and location for 

the fastener installation. 

Steve Holford, Business 

Development Manager / UK Sales 

Support Manager of Protan added: 

“Protan provided a high 

performance single ply 

waterproofing membrane solution 

for this project which was enhanced 

by the use of SFS’s isoweld® 3000 

system. The field fix application 

enabled the use of wider membrane 

for the complete project, thereby 

significantly reducing the seam 

welding requirement and number of 

fasteners required.” 

To find out more about SFS 

solutions for flat roofing and 

download the 2018 Flat Roofing 

Catalogue, visit www.sfsintec.co.uk. 


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Gold award for Nottingham City Homes’ 

approach to sustainability 

SUSTAINABILITY 

Nottingham City Homes 

(NCH) has been accredited 

as a gold standard provider 

of sustainable homes, in 

recognition of its success in reducing 

its environmental impact across its 

housing stock and operations. 

The accreditation body SHIFT 

(Sustainable Homes Index For 

Tomorrow) is run by Sustainable 

Homes and is the sustainability 

standard for the housing sector. 

Gaining a gold accreditation means 

that NCH is one of the leading 

organisations for green homes in the 

UK. 

Over the last few years, NCH has 

rolled out a raft of domestic energy 

efficiency measures such as new 

boilers, A-rated windows, solar 

rooftops and external wall insulation 

through its Greener HousiNG scheme 

to tackle the city’s coldest and most 

energy inefficient homes. This has all 

greatly improved their 

environmental performance. 

Sustainable Homes also awarded 

NCH the Sustainable Retrofit Project 

of the Year (under 50 properties) 

award at its prestigious annual awards 

ceremony, which recognises the very 

best sustainability projects and 

achievements in the UK. This award 

was for their Energiesprong pilot to 

create ultra-low energy homes. 

NCH, in partnership with 

Nottingham City Council, is the first 

housing organisation in the country 

to adopt the ground-breaking 

Energiesprong approach to tackle 

climate change and fuel poverty 

challenges arising from older 

housing stock. The project has 

radically improved the energy 

efficiency of ten homes in Sneinton. 

It upgraded the homes with new 

outside walls and windows, a solar 

roof, and a state of the art heating 

system; making the homes warmer, 

healthier and much more affordable 

to heat for residents. 

The construction partners for 

Energiesprong in Sneinton were 

Melius Homes, and the project has 

been supported and part financed by 

the REMOURBAN project that is 

developing a pioneering model to 

show how sustainability can be 

integrated into the regeneration of 

towns and cities across the UK. 

Additional funding has also been 

provided by the E=0 project, part of 

the European Union’s Interreg NWE 

programme. 

The construction partners for 

Energiesprong in Sneinton were 

Melius Homes, and the project has 

been supported and part financed by 

the REMOURBAN project that is 

developing a pioneering model to 

show how sustainability can be 

integrated into the regeneration of 

towns and cities across the UK. 

Expertise from the Horizon 2020 

Transition Zero project also 

supported this pilot. 

Nottingham City Council and 

Nottingham City Homes are 

currently seeking funding for a 

rollout of this scheme to 100+ 

homes in the city. 

Councillor Sally Longford, the 

City Council’s Portfolio Holder for 

Energy and Environment, said: “It’s a 

great achievement to have gained 

both the gold standard and to have 

won this award. Its testament to the 

innovation and commitment that 

Nottingham City Homes has shown 

to ensure its homes are ready for the 

zero carbon standards required 

across the UK by 2050. “Many of 

our residents live in fuel poverty so 

creating more energy efficient 

homes to reduce people’s energy 

bills is a high priority for us. We’re 

very excited that Nottingham is 

leading the way to tackle both fuel 

poverty and climate change and is 

pioneering new approaches.” 

Nick Murphy, Chief Executive of 

Nottingham City Homes, said, “We’re 

extremely proud to have achieved 

the gold standard for providing 

sustainable homes. As a large 

housing provider, we are very aware 

of our environmental impact and we 

have worked hard to minimise it. As 

well as meeting our environmental 

responsibilities, sustainability means 

reduced operational costs for us and 

cheaper bills and warmer homes for 

our tenants. 

“Our Energisprong pilot in 

Sneinton has transformed these 

draughty and inefficient homes into 

some of the most sustainable homes 

in the country. We intend to roll 

Energiesprong out to other homes 

across the city in the coming 

months and years to ensure that 

more of our residents can benefit 

from warmer homes.” 

David Adams, Technical Director 

of Melius Homes, the construction 

partner said: “We wholeheartedly 

congratulate Nottingham City 

Homes on their success, to receive a 

gold SHIFT accreditation is 

something quite special. 

Nottingham City Homes showed 

great leadership by piloting the UK 

first Energiesprong scheme and we 

are really proud that this 

collaborative project has won this 

award. We’re looking forward to 

working with the NCH on future 

schemes to develop this model 

further.” 

Ron Van-Erck, Energiesprong’s 

Head of International market 

development, said “An Energiesprong 

retrofit is about converting existing 

houses into warm, desirable and 

affordable places to live in, year 

round. It’s a collaborative process 

that involves three agents of 

change: contractors, housing 

providers and residents. The gold 

award recognises that Nottingham 

City Homes are leading from the 

front by making their own housing 

stock sustainable for the long term. 

Together with Melius Homes, they 

are true pioneers, heading a UK 

movement to make homes fit for 

2050. It’s a great achievement!” 

www.energiesprong.eu 


PROJECTS 

Residents have their say on 

the future of social housing 

Nottingham City Homes 

residents raised their 

tenant voice once again at 

their Big Conversation 

event to get their thoughts and 

ideas on the social housing Green 

Paper. 

The Government announced 

proposed reforms to social housing 

that they say will “re-balance” 

tenant-landlord relationships and 

pave the way for stronger 

communities. 

The Social Housing Green Paper 

was published in response to the 

Grenfell Tower fire and has been 

billed as a “fundamental rethink” of 

the system. 

The Government has asked for 

views on their plans, so Nottingham 

City Homes brought residents 

together at a big event at the 

Council House in Old Market Square, 

to have their say and help shape 

something so important. 

Although NCH plan to submit 

their own response to the 

Government, they are also helping 

tenants submit their own response 

and this event was just one of a 

number of opportunities residents 

have to give their views. 

More than 80 people attended 

the event, NCH resident Sue 

Stevenson was one of them and 

said: “I’m grateful that we have a 

landlord like Nottingham City Homes 

who actively seeks out the views of 

their residents. I’m proud to be a 

council tenant and proud of my 

neighbours and community. I hope 

the Government listens to our 

views.” 

In the Green Paper, the 

Government has come up with new 

ideas - some of which NCH residents 

have already helped to shape. The 

topics include: 

• Ending the stigma of council 

housing and celebrating our 

communities 

• Building more council housing 

• Giving tenants more of a voice 

about the services you receive 

• Knowing where to go when 

things go wrong, and who to 

turn to 

• Looking at the decent home 

standard and the safety of their 

home 

Nick Murphy, Chief Executive at 

Nottingham City Homes, said: 

“We've made sure that Nottingham's 

tenants' voices are heard loud and 

clear by the Government in the past 

and it’s important we continue to do 

this. Together, we've already got the 

Government to give decent homes 

funding to Nottingham, scrap their plans for fixed-term 

tenancies, scrap their plans to force us to sell off larger 

council houses and scrap their plans to charge some 

tenants more rent – these are big wins for Nottingham 

tenants! 

“Working together and getting the views of real 

residents is so important because it means together we 

can get real change from the Government. I would 

encourage all residents to get involved in our Big 

Conversation and have their say.” 

You can read the social housing Green Paper by 

clicking here. 

People can also give their views by completing this 

survey from NCH – 

www.nottinghamcityhomes.org.uk/get-involved/socialhousing-green-paper/ 

These views, as many as we can include, will then be 

sent to the Government. People can also fill in the 

Government's own survey by clicking here 

The consultation closes at 11.45pm on Tuesday 6 

November. 

At the event, NCH resident and Vice Chair of our 

Board, Sarita-Marie Rehman-Wall read out a poem she 

had written, challenging stigma faced by council tenants. 

You can hear the poem here - 

www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lZcfGXXaJE&feature=youtu.be 


EDUCATION INFRASTRUCTURE 

£10m funding to build a new Degree Apprenticeship 

Centre for the high value manufacturing sector 

WMG, at the University of 

Warwick, have been 

awarded £10 million to 

build a new Degree 

Apprenticeship Centre for the high 

value manufacturing sector. 

The WMG Degree Apprenticeship 

Centre will focus on courses 

essential to the effective 

development of advanced 

engineering and manufacturing 

companies. 

The Centre, which is due to open 

in 2019, has received £10 million 

from the Government’s Local Growth 

Fund through the Coventry and 

Warwickshire Local Enterprise 

Partnership (CWLEP). 

The Centre will provide training 

programmes up to Level 7 (Master’s 

Degree level) with an initial capacity 

for 1,000 students on roll at any one 

time. The apprentices, who will be 

employed by companies, will 

undertake their academic studies at 

the WMG Degree Apprenticeship 

Centre, which will be on the 

University of Warwick campus. 

Work will start this summer on 

building the Centre which will 

provide flexible teaching and lab 

space, and an environment for 

technology-enhanced learning as 

well as advice and support for 

apprentices and organisations. 

The WMG Degree Apprenticeship 

Centre will be the first part of a 

future Degree Apprenticeship 

complex on the University of 

Warwick campus training students in 

a range of Degree Apprenticeships. 

Professor Lord Bhattacharyya, 

Chairman of WMG, said: “Building 

on nearly four decades track record 

of developing, and delivering, 

pioneering education programmes, 

our new Degree Apprenticeship 

Centre will provide a variety of 

routes to achieve degree level 

apprenticeships. Young people are 

our future and we need to provide 

them with as many opportunities to 

support our manufacturing base. The 

Centre will give the opportunity for 

school leavers and apprentices, 

looking to progress from Level 4 and 

5 qualifications to degree level.” 

Jonathan Browning, chair of the 

CWLEP, said the WMG Degree 

Apprenticeship Centre will create a 

dedicated space designed to support 

a new range of degrees. 

He said: “The WMG Degree 

Apprenticeship Centre represents a 

significant investment in the 

delivery of higher-level skills to 

businesses and will focus on the 

High Value Manufacturing sector in 

Coventry and Warwickshire as well 

as meeting the needs of industry 

and the Government’s skills and 

industrial strategies. 

“Equipping businesses with the 

skilled workforces they need for the 

future is vital to our economy and 

this new centre will support 

businesses particularly in the 

manufacturing sector throughout 

Coventry and Warwickshire.” 

Tel: 02476 524721 or 

07824 540845 

Email: L.Barwick@warwick.ac.uk 



Accoya® selected by the prestigious Cambridge 

University for unique botanic gardens project 

Accoya® wood has been 

specified for an integral part 

of the ‘Understanding Plant 

Diversity’ project in 

Cambridge University’s Botanic 

Gardens, one of the largest 

university-owned botanic gardens in 

the world. Following an invited 

competition in the summer of 2016, 

Chadwick Dryer Clarke was appointed 

as the project lead to create a path 

structure to inspire and intrigue 

visitors. ‘The Rising Path’, a galvanised 

steel structure clad with Accoya® 

wood balustrades and decking, was 

created to meet the brief. 

The 65 metre long dynamic 

spiral, which has a three-metre high 

elevated viewpoint, features an 

interpretation hub designed to 

inspire visitors to explore the 

garden’s Systematic Beds and offer 

new ways to explore the science of 

plant taxonomy. 

Robin Dryer, Director of 

Chadwick Dryer Clarke, commented: 

“During the development of the 

design we considered various types 

of wood, and it was Sustainable 

Building Advisor, Alexander Reeve, 

from the Cambridge University 

Estates Department who first 

suggested Accoya® wood due to its 

outstanding environmental 

qualities.” 

He adds, “Following further 

investigations into the product and 

meetings with Justin Peckham, Head 

of UK Sales at Accsys Group, it was 

decided that Accoya® wood not only 

provided the necessary durability 

and sustainability qualities - with its 

C2C accreditation and 50 year above 

ground guarantee - but it could be 

machined to a smooth finish and 

had a complementary light colour 

and knot free surface that would 

enhance the design.” 

The balusters were 38x100mm 

sections, end sealed with Osmo and 

grain sealing wax. Over 1,300 linear 

metres of non-slip Accoya® wood 

decking supplied by Gripsure was 

installed in four meter lengths and 

cut down to 22x142mm sections 

with two non-slip strips and stair 

treads with special contract edges, 

as well as a series of bespoke nonslip 

resin supergraphics where letters 

and numbers, each corresponding to 

a different aspect in the evolution 

of plants, are routed into the deck, 

for both aesthetic and educational 

appeal. 

An installation by Designmap 

which has also been made from 

Accoya® wood is designed to 

educate visitors as they enter the 

Botanic Gardens. The structure was 

crafted to add an extra dimension to 

the newly opened site. 

Accoya® wood is produced using 

Accsys Group’s proprietary 

acetylation process, which 

chemically alters the cell structure 

of the wood to resist distortion. 

Certified Cradle to Cradle (C2C) 

Gold in recognition of its 

sustainability credentials, Accoya® 

wood has the added benefit of 

offering peace of mind for the 

environmentally conscious. 

Accoya is wood, but not as you 

know it. It’s stable, durable and 

sustainable. Modified using Accsys 

Group’s proprietary acetylation 

process, a cutting-edge patented 

technology, this high-performance 

non-toxic wood resists rot, defies 

elements and stays strong for 

decades. Accoya is sourced from 

FSC certified forests making it the 

sustainable choice. With a guarantee 

of 50 years above ground and 25 

years in ground or freshwater, 

Accoya is low maintenance and 

offers value for money. From joinery 

for the home to award winning 

architectural projects, Accoya wood 

is a world-leading material that 

stands up to every application 

challenge – windows, doors and 

more! 

Accoya® wood is available to buy 

throughout the UK and Ireland. 

www.accoya.com. 


Hox Haus - for Hox Park 


Architecture and interior design practice 74 remodels former Victorian gymnasium to create 

Hox Haus - a new, central focus for Hox Park student campus. 

Manchester-based architecture and interior design 

practice 74 has completed a major project to 

extend and remodel a Grade II-listed, two-storey, 

Victorian brick building in a semi-rural location in 

Englefield Green, just outside Egham. The repurposed 453 sq 

m building – Hox Haus – will serve as the central focus, 

clubhouse and social amenity for Hox Park student campus, 

newly-created by developers Moorfield Group for students 

attending Royal Holloway, University of London. 

The new campus is located within a larger, 67-acre mixeduse 

site, owned by Royalton Group. Its Surrey location, near 

Runnymede, where Magna Carta was once signed, lent the 

site its name: Magna Carta Park. The Hox Park campus is one 

aspect of an overall masterplan for the site that also includes 

affordable and luxury housing, as well as an Audley Senior 

Living village. 

The vision for Hox Haus was to encompass a number of 

important practical, social and unifying functions for its 

student users, including serving as a welcome point and 

gatehouse; parcel pick-up area; workspace for single study or 

group study and a downtime amenity with TV and games 

lounges, offering video-gaming 

booths, pool and table football. The 

building will also serve as the 

campus hospitality hang-out, 

offering free soft drinks, tea points 

and vended snacks and has also 

been flexibly designed for easy 

reconfiguration as a special event 

space, with moveable furniture and 

built-in bar points able to house 

pop-up catering. 

Architecturally, Hox Haus is a 

stylish, eye-catching and dynamic 2- 

storey building that seeks to blend 

its original Victorian brickwork with 

two new glazed ‘light box’ 

interventions, creating a light-filled 

and largely transparent overall space 

that brings the outside in, references 

the building’s semi-rural location 

and offers a warm, comfortable and 

relaxing home-from-home for 

students. The two new interventions 

constitute a double-height, 44 sq m 

gatehouse to the building’s east 

elevation and a 35 sq m, covered 

terrace section on the first storey, 

offering views over the whole 

campus. The terrace extension sits 

behind the parapet of an existing 

ground-floor extension, making it 

subservient to the host building. 

Both new interventions are clad or 

semi-clad (at first floor level for the 

gatehouse) with bronze-coloured, 

4.6m-high, anodised aluminium fins. 

The fine, hard surfaces of the 

glazing and metal fins create a 

striking and elegant contrast to the 

rough-textured and robust solidity 

of the original structure, adding 

refinement and reflectivity to the 

building as a whole. 

THE BRIEF: 

Royalton Group initially invited 74 

to produce a site analysis document 

exploring the building’s further 

development potential, before 

private equity real estate fund 

manager Moorfield Group went on 

to commission 74 to develop an 

integrated vision. Moorfield Group 

had previously appointed the 

practice to create the interior look 

and feel of the three distinct 

student bedroom typologies within 

the student accommodation blocks - 

a modern 499-bed development, 

designed by Studio Partington 

Architects. 

‘The brief for Hox Haus evolved 

gradually from the outset’, David 

Holt, Founder and Director of 74 

explained. ‘Whilst we were initially 

brought in to look at the interiors of 

the student accommodation - a 

speciality of the practice - we were 

then engaged to explore the 

potential of this unloved building 

and, by determining the need for an 

appropriate amenities provision for 

the student body, were able to 

rescue it from decay and provide a 

much needed focal point for this 

large-scale, semi-rural student 

accommodation development.’ 

SITE ANALYSIS: 

74’s site analysis was expansive, not 

only looking at the building and the 

site, but the wider area and national 

picture, including calculating 

distances from local transport and 

other amenities and comparing site 

provision to the on- and off-site 

amenities at more central or urban 

campuses nationwide. The analysis 

made a strong case for a dedicated 

social space on campus, but 

highlighted that the existing gym 

building was slightly undersized to 

provide the required functions. The 

decision was taken to increase the 

volume by 32%, which allowed for 

the creation of the new gatehouse 

and terrace structures. 

The bold proposals received the 

whole-hearted support of Moorfield 

Group and subsequently passed 

smoothly through the local 

authority planning process and 

application for listed building 

consent. 

THE ORIGINAL BUILDING: 

The original 330 sq m Grade-II listed 

brick building dates from the 1890s 

and was originally designed as a 

standalone gym building for the 

Indian Engineering College, which 

occupied the site between 1890 and 

1905. A single-storey, north-facing 

extension was added in the early 

20th century and another extension 

in the mid-century, which was 

subsequently removed as part of the 

enabling work. Whilst the building 

had continued to house a wide 

variety of sporting and social 

functions, it had lain empty for the 

last 10-15 years prior to 

refurbishment. ‘Our assessment 

showed that the building had 

structurally-sound walls, but was 

otherwise very dilapidated’, 

commented David Holt. The original 

slate roof was beyond repair, 

meaning a new slate roof was 

proposed and installed, using 

reclaimed slate tiles. All the floors 

were also beyond repair.’ 

SOUND AND SOLAR GAIN 

MANAGEMENT: 

Because of the introduction of large, 

new glazing elements, the building 

needed to be designed to minimise 

solar gain. The was achieved in 

several ways. The new gatehouse 

faces north and east and so benefits 

from early morning light, without 

gaining greatly in heat during the 

day, whilst the first-floor glazed 

terrace intervention faces north. The 

roof is heavily insulated with 

mechanically-openable roof 

windows to provide a stack effect in 

summer months. Slim, vertical, 

anodised metal fins on the first floor 

of both extensions behave 

decoratively, but also provide solar 

shading, with both interventions 

including both argon-filled glazing 

technology and Low E solar coatings 

to minimise solar gain. 

With adjacency on the southside 

of the building to nearby 

residential properties, it was 

important that issues of sound 

management and overlooking were 

taken on board. All windows to the 

south are permanently closed and a 

film manifestation was provided to 

avoid sound nuisance and prevent 

overlooking. 

INTERIOR CONCEPT: 

The heritage of the building was a 

key driver for the interior approach 

and, unlike many architectural 

projects, the interior was in fact the 

key driver overall, so that the 

architecture is subservient to both 

the existing host building and the 

functions within. The overriding 

concept was to create a space that 

felt like a country retreat or 

clubhouse-with-a-twist. The new 

gatehouse provides a sense of 

arrival, whilst offering a separation 

between the functions of ‘reception’ 

and the need for a comfortable 

student social space monitored, but 

not overlooked, by staff. 



While certain areas have key 

functions, such as the two group 

study areas or the TV and gaming 

lounges, others are multi-functional, 

for students to make use of as they 

wish. The central zones are more 

obviously social, whilst quieter zones 

areas can be found along the edges 

of the two-storey space and within 

the first floor extension directly 

above the welcome area. 

It was an important part of the 

scheme’s design that natural 

‘collision points’ for interaction were 

encouraged, as David Holt explains: 

‘We considered social psychology 

throughout the planning stages of 

the interior. Whilst students spend 

as much time as they wish on their 

own in their individual rooms, the 

idea here was that individual activity 

would always have a social aspect, 

so that no one feels isolated by their 

location. Gaming booths, for 

example, have been designed with 

glazed screens and without doors in 

order to retain connectivity at all 

times. We have introduced several 

planting elements within the scheme 

additionally to introduce a strong 

biophilic aspect and enhance 

students’ sense of wellbeing.’ 

Another major design driver was 

the building’s rural aspect and the 

design therefore strives to make the 

most of views over the historic 

surrounding countryside, as well as 

bringing the outside in via natural 

references and creating a rich, 

textured and high-quality feel with 

a materials palette that includes 

marble-effect Hanex solid surfacing 

and brass detailing. Upholstery 

fabrics include textiles that nod to 

British rural tradition, such as checks 

and tweeds, whilst colours span a 

whole nature-inspired autumn-towinter 

palette and feature greys, 

browns, rusts and moss greens, with 

bursts of berry brights and largescale, 

nature-inspired print 

wallpaper on opposing feature walls 

at the ends of the ground floor. 

‘It was important that the fabrics 

and colours created a warm and 

welcoming atmosphere’, David Holt 

added. ‘This is very much a walk-inand-use 

environment, offering an 

immediate appeal and a sense of 

welcome and comfort’ 

Victorian-inspired manifestation film 

to obscure views out, with a large 

inset ‘H’ for ‘Hox’ sitting within its 

central, perforated metal panel. The 

panel forms part of a family of 

architectural finishes next seen on 

the staircase balustrade immediately 

inside the main ground floor space. 

Loose seating in the gatehouse 

allows for people to sit and read or 

wait for friends and the flooring 

here is a pale cream ceramic tile. 

Post and parcels will also be 

distributed from the gatehouse, 

ensuring the area becomes a regular 

part of everyday student life. 

Students then pass through an 

archway, which was formerly the 

main entrance to the original 

building. This area and all original 

brickwork have been retained with 

minimal restoration, with interior 

walls stripped of plaster to reveal 

their much more interesting brick 

textured construction. The works to 

the existing fabric were purposely 

minimal, retaining age and character 

and celebrating the original history 

of the building. The large entrance 

archway was made more domesticscaled 

via the insertion of a crittal 

inner framework in black metal with 

inset glazed panels, with the original 

passage through to the main ground 

floor space retained. 

‘The proportions of the 

interventions are simple and elegant 

throughout’, David Holt added, ‘with 

a clear distinction between the 

solidity of the original structure and 

the fine and minimal dimensions of 

our interventions. We were always 

careful to touch the building as 

lightly as possible.’ 

Immediately to the left of the 

entrance arch stands the new 

staircase, with a DDA-compliant lift 

alongside. The machined-metal 

staircase has a dark perforatedmetal 

balustrade and brass hand rail 

and features dark non-slip treads. 

Vertical panels between the treads 

are also in perforated metal, back-lit 

with a brass trim. This dark palette is 

reinforced across the whole interior 

architectural treatment, including 

dark-painted ceilings, for example, 

whilst light fittings in the main 

spaces are arranged on metal-mesh 

grids suspended around the edge of 

the ceiling. 

Opposite the staircase is a U- 

shaped, curved, open-plan beverage 

bar with inset fridges, a polished 

brass front and vertical timber fins, 

referencing the earlier reception desk, 

as well as the external intervention 

treatments. Four pendant lights from 

Belgian lighting company DARK hang 

above the bar and three bar stools 

from Telegraph Contract Furniture sit 

along its far side. 

Seating and tables in the main 

space have been arranged for 

maximum variety and flexibility. 

These include banquette booths on a 

raised plinth along the right-hand 

side wall, directly beneath the new 

terrace intervention; sofas and 

pouffes in berry-coloured upholstery 

with brass-finish pedestals, along 

with comfortable domesticvernacular 

sofas and more café-style 

areas with hard seating, including 

classic Windsor chairs. Openings in 

the original brick wall that divides 

off the ground floor terraced area of 

INTERIORS WALK-THROUGH: 

Students enter directly into the 

fully-glazed, gatehouse and are 

greeted by staff, in attendance 24- 

hours-a-day, at the bespoke 

reception desk, which features a 

curved marble-finished Hanex top 

and polished brass front with inset 

vertical timber blades, echoing the 

external architectural treatment. 

Three Globe Pearl Drop Ceiling Lights 

by Rockett St George hang above it, 

whilst behind and in front of the 

rear glazing, a metal grid features a 



the old extension feature new, 

green-painted plasterwork surrounds. 

Former window spaces have been 

filled with planting, again bringing 

the outside in. 

Flooring is varied throughout and 

helps create focus points and denote 

suggested usage, with softening rugs 

in more lounge areas and 

herringbone timber laminate in other 

parts of the space. Other domesticinspired 

features include wooden 

turned legs on the lounge-area sofas 

and scatter cushions – Capuchins 

Monkey and Capuchins Parrot 

Cushions – which feature monkeys, 

parrots and other exotic flora and 

fauna. Loose tables range from 

marble-topped circular tables on 

brass pedestals to lower, timbertopped 

coffee and side tables. 

Eye-catching feature walls at 

both end of the ground floor space – 

one located behind the bar area and 

the other forming the back walls of 

the glazed group-study rooms at the 

far end of the ground floor – are 

lined in Mischevious Monkey 

wallpaper by Rebel Walls. The group 

study rooms are visible from 

reception onwards, divided only by a 

glazed wall with a crittal-style, 

glazed, square framework. Darkpainted 

external, Victorian-style 

doors, complete with lion’s head 

knockers, are used as a tongue-incheek 

play on the heritage of the 

building and form dramatic 

entrances to the group study rooms. 

Each study room contains a Pedrali 

meeting table – one seating 6 people 

and one for 8 – from Telegraph 

Contract furniture, along with 

seating featuring tweed-upholstered 

seat backs and faux leather pads. To 

the side is a sunburst credenza from 

Cult Furniture. Lighting includes 

spun-leaf-adorned Orland pendant 

shades from Di Classe, with similar 

but more elaborate shades also used 

in the first floor terrace area. 

Lighting throughout, supplied by 

Enigma Lighting, is used to create 

pockets and atmosphere, with subtle 

up- and downlighters set within the 

ceiling to serve as architectural 

lighting and show off the structure 

of the brickwork. On the ground 

floor, the metal mesh ceiling grid, 

with slender brass rods reaching 

from one end to the other, houses 

globe pendants on bent arms round 

its edges and a minimal, geometric 

chandelier, supplied by Enigma 

Lighting, at its centre. Bar-top lamps 

and floor-lamps complete the varied 

treatment and help create zonal 

differentiation. 

On the first floor, trusses have 

been left exposed, housing six eyecatching 

chandeliers, again supplied 

by Enigma Lighting. The first floor 

houses a series of specific-use areas, 

such as a TV lounge, which features 

button-back sofas, antiqued 

mirroring on the walls and a series of 

inset panels directly above featuring 

an eye-catching patterned 

wallcovering from the Corinth range 

by Tektura, punctured by flowershaped 

wall-lights, bespoke-designed 

by 74 for the space and made to 

order by Mullan. There are also more 

secluded individual booths for 

gaming and a central play area, 

denoted by a criss-cross laminate 

flooring (from Amtico), housing table 

football and a pool table. 

The first floor section located 

within the gatehouse extension 

features a central work island, with 

the same marble, brass and timber 

fin treatment as used for the bar 

area below and gatehouse desk. 

Seating here takes the form of eight 

bar-stool seats from Telegraph 

Contract Furniture with three 

pendant lights by Decode hanging 

directly above the island. A flooring 

apron around the central area is a 

grey and white checked inset carpet 

from the World Woven Collection by 

Interface. Furniture around the edge 

of the space includes single seats and 

mini sofas with winged headrests, 

upholstered in tweed, with a 

deliberately-clashing checked fabric 

to the rear of the seats and a 

continuous fabric buffer panel 

linking them, creating a feeling of 

continuity against the glazing. A film 

manifestation runs along the whole 

of the southern face of the space to 

prevent overlooking of the adjacent 

residential scheme. 

Sadie Malim, Head of Special 

Projects and Legal at Moorfield 

Group, commented on the project, 

’74 excelled themselves on the 

design work for Hox Haus. The 

combination of their devoted 

attention to detail and design flair 

resulted in a scheme that sets the 

new standard for student 

accommodation in the UK. They 

understood easily what we were 

trying to achieve and were able to 

deliver a knock-out scheme, which 

encompasses necessary practical 

considerations, but also delivers the 

wow factor.’ 

www.weare74.com 



Riverside School receives spotless reception 

Formica Infiniti® provides a warm welcome to school 

The personality, vision and 

culture of a school should be 

reflected in its reception area. 

As the first room that every 

visitor, student and parent sees, the 

front of house presents an 

opportunity to impress and for a 

school to characterise its beliefs in 

just one look. Reception rooms need 

to be well planned to take into 

account footfall and should also 

have a large desk that is both 

practical and enjoyable to work on. 

To create the right first 

impression, it’s worth taking a bit 

more time on the design of the 

reception area. Research indicates 

that a good school reception should 

be well decorated, display student 

work and be comfortable, friendly 

and welcoming. Understanding this 

Formica Infiniti® was specified to 

add a special touch to Riverside 

School’s reception room. 

Portakabin was chosen as the 

principle contractor for the entire 

£44.5m three-school campus, which 

is now the UK’s largest offsite free 

school. With over 50 years’ 

experience in delivering marketleading 

modular solutions for a 

range of buildings; including 

schools, offices and hospitals, 

Portakabin delivered over 24,000m² 

of teaching accommodation across 

six hectares. 

Formica Infiniti was selected to 

create a stylish ambience in the 

reception area of Riverside School. 

For the project, a 16 meter long 

reception and library desk was 

designed to impress. The contrast 

between the matte texture of 

Formica Infiniti in Storm and the 

gloss of the desk’s base in White, 

taken from the Formica® laminate 

AR Plus Colour range, was selected 

to create an open and welcoming 

space. 

One of the main issues in 

designing a school reception desk is 

how children love to put their hands 

on everything. A sense of touch is 

important to our surroundings, 

tactility is in our nature and for 

children it is important for both 

learning and understanding the 

world. The fingerprints on the desks, 

however, can be challenging to 

manage. 

Its resistance to fingerprints, 

marks and accidental abrasions 

makes Formica Infiniti perfect for 

creating a warm welcome and a 

lasting impression. Elegant and sleek 

with a contemporary matte finish, it 

not only feels soft, but also works 

harder than any laminate surface 

made to date and stays looking 

better for longer. You could say the 

surface is childproof. 

Tel: +44 (0) 207 831 2225 



Liverpool Waters and the City of Liverpool College make 

waves with unique opportunity for next generation 

Liverpool Waters, the £5 billion 

regeneration project, and the 

city region’s biggest college, 

The City of Liverpool College 

have announced a partnership that 

will provide local students with 

apprenticeship opportunities on the 

project’s various developments. 

Liverpool Waters which is owned 

and managed by Peel Land and 

Property, will regenerate over 60 

hectares of Liverpool’s dockland, 

which spans over 2.3 kilometres of 

waterfront, starting at Princes Dock 

and heading towards North 

Liverpool. 

With multiple developments 

already taking shape, including the 

residential apartment buildings Plaza 

1821 and The Lexington at Princes 

Dock, as well as international 

developer Romal Capital’s Quay 

Central at Central Docks, the 

demand for skilled apprentices is 

increasing at a rapid rate. 

By forming this partnership, 

Liverpool Waters’ development 

partners will have access to The City 

of Liverpool College’s skilled 

apprentices, who will in turn benefit 

from working on one of the biggest 

regeneration projects in Europe. 

Ian Pollitt, assistant project 

director at Liverpool Waters, 

commented: 

“Working closely with The City of 

Liverpool College means that we 

have access to a talent pool of 

10,000 local apprentices, which will 

become invaluable as our project 

continues to pick up pace. 

“We’re constantly welcoming 

new partners to our scheme, and a 

commitment of our partnership is 

that every single contractor and 

developer meets with the college to 

discuss their requirements and how 

the college can support them to 

meet these. This not only allows 

them to find some fantastic 

placements for their students, but 

the college can also encourage 

businesses to think creatively about 

their needs, as well as the kind of 

roles they’ll be looking to fill in the 

future. 

“It is critical that we are working 

with future generations to ensure 

we can continue to be the very best, 

and this partnership means that we 

are inspiring an entire generation of 

workers, as well as retaining talent 

in the city by offering them sought 

after experience and creating 

opportunities for local people.” 

Elaine Bowker, principal of The 

COLC, said: 

“Through this partnership, we are 

creating opportunities for our 

students whilst providing these 

organisations with highly skilled and 

motivated apprentices. As a result, 

we’re able to give our students both 

the experience and the education to 

have an excellent career in the 

construction industry. 

“We know that these skills are in 

high demand. As a college, we are 

reactive to this need and by offering 

a wide range of qualifications in a 

variety of disciplines, from GCSEs to 

Higher Apprenticeships, we can 

ensure that our students are 

equipped to meet these 

requirements. This partnership 

presents us with a fantastic 

opportunity to connect local talent 

with these businesses, as well as help 

firms upskill their current workforce 

to make sure their businesses are 

prepared for the future. 

“We’re in constant conversation 

with businesses across the North 

West from a management and 

leadership perspective, which means 

we know exactly what these 

businesses need from their 

workforce. This not only gives us a 

competitive edge, but also allows us 

to build and nurture strong and 

lasting relationships with some of 

the biggest businesses in the area. 

We pride ourselves on our ability to 

harness the latest digital skills 

thanks to our digital academy, which 

means that as digital engineering 

starts to become a much more 

sought-after skill, we’ll already be 

ahead of the game and teaching our 

student apprentices everything they 

need to know. “ 

To learn more about the 

Liverpool Waters project, please visit: 

or The City of Liverpool College 

please visit . 

ABOUT THE CITY OF LIVERPOOL 

COLLEGE 

The City of Liverpool College (COLC) 

is a leader in providing high quality 

skills and education, delivering 

opportunities for growth to people 

and businesses in the Liverpool City 

Region and beyond. 

The College has a student 

population of almost 10,000 and a 

turnover of approximately £40 

million, with more than a third of 

16-18 year olds in the city studying 

with the College and 94% of 

students going on to further 

education, university or 

employment. 

Whether it’s apprenticeships, 

NVQs, A-levels or GCSEs, students 

benefit from the learning and 

support of a team of award winning 

tutors. The City of Liverpool College’s 

five main campus’ offers students 

access to some of the best training, 

learning and leisure facilities in the 

country. 

The City of Liverpool College has 

Microsoft Associate College status 

with its £2.5m digital academy – the 

country’s first dedicated academy of 

its kind – offering young people 

coding, software development and a 

range of digital skills including 

online marketing and games design. 

The City of Liverpool College is 

proud to be the first college in the 

North of England to provide the 

prestigious Royal Academy of 

Culinary Arts (RACA) Chefs 

Apprenticeship. 

The City of Liverpool College 

supports employers in creating a 

skilled workforce, responding to 

economic priorities and drivers for 

growth and supporting students to 

achieve and progress in either 

education or employment. 

The Quality Assurance Agency for 

Higher Education (QAA) praised the 

college’s ‘good practice’ and 

management for a ‘dedicated’ focus 

on development of high level skills, 

academic competence and student 

employability. The City of Liverpool 

College is rated as ‘Good’ by OFSTED 

and was awarded the gold standard 

of Higher Education in the first 

Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 

league table. 

Web: www.liverpoolwaters.co.uk 


EDUCATION INFRASTUCTURE 

Balancing performance with user comfort – 

Passivhaus as a living case study 

THE multi-million-pound 

George Davies Centre 

(formerly Centre for Medicine) 

at University of Leicester – the 

largest non-residential Passivhaus 

building in the UK – has continued 

to scoop awards for its size and 

complexity, being recognised across 

the higher education sector and the 

UK as a whole. 

Developed in Germany during 

the early 1990s, Passivhaus is the 

world’s leading fabric first approach 

to low energy buildings. It’s 

excellent thermal performance has 

reduced the university’s energy bill 

for its new teaching and medical 

research facility. However, ‘with 

great performance comes great 

responsibility’ claims Willmott 

Dixon’s James Elliment who worked 

on the project. 

He said: “This pioneering project 

for the higher education sector has 

attracted the attention of a number 

of institutions around the country as 

they are continually challenged to 

reduce their environmental impact. 

Achieving Passivhaus standard is not 

easy and it requires absolute buy in 

from the customer, but the benefits 

of adopting it are significant. 

“At Willmott Dixon we have been 

working with University of Leicester 

to deliver a three-year soft landings 

programme for George Davies 

Centre. A year after the project’s 

completion we achieved an A-rated 

DEC, showcasing just how effective 

the building’s credentials have been 

in action.” 

From a green wall featuring 

75,000 individual plants to CTB 

blinds that track the sun and 

automatically close to prevent solar 

gain, this highly intelligent building 

presented very real challenges to the 

team that delivered it. For example, 

the industry standard for air 

tightness is 5m3/hr/m2, but 

Passivhaus requires five times less 

than that. 

PASSIVHAUS AS A SOLUTION TO 

THE PERFORMANCE GAP 

“Despite many buildings achieving 

high energy performance ratings the 

reality can be quite unpredictable, as 

day-to-day usage is very different to 

that laid out in tests – sometimes as 

much as 200 to 500 per cent 

according to CIBSE’s Zero Carbon 

Hub. 

“As part of the soft landings 

process we are actively monitoring 

and tracking energy usage, taking 

corrective action, such as for 

controls and equipment, carrying 

out reviews with the customer 

ahead of full occupation, and 

conducting workshops with 

building’s users to further reduce 

energy and close the performance 

gap of the building. It’s been a 

learning curve for the whole project 

team, as we are working with a 

living and breathing building, which 

supports and underpins the work of 

so many people.” 

With state-of-the-art, heating, 

cooling and ventilation systems, the 

building’s intelligent energy 

efficiencies include a ground-to-air 

heat exchange system, external 

blinds for active solar shading and 

embedded soffit cooling. With 

Passivhaus only being previously 

applied to domestic buildings, 

sourcing air handling units (AHUs) 

that met the needs of a building of 

this size and complexity, as well as 

Passivhaus requirements, was 

challenging. Working jointly with 

the mechanical and electrical 

services contractor, Willmott Dixon 

created 10 fully bespoke AHUs, 

which were BSRIA-tested to ensure 

certification to the required 

standards. 

Speaking of the project’s success, 

James said: “Gaining the Passivhaus 

certification is so challenging that 

many buildings aim to achieve it but 

fall slightly short due its finer 

complexities. However, as George 

Davies Centre shows, the 

environmental benefits are 

outstanding and worth perseverance 

and dedication. 

“In fact, George Davies Centre is 

over five times more energy efficient 

when compared with other higher 

education buildings, as its total 

energy consumption per annum has 

been 61.2 kWh/m2 and has a DEC 

rating of 59, while the higher 

education sector average is at 320 

kWh/m2 (according to DEC data*). 

“The efficiencies in George 

Davies Centre’s design have allowed 

the university to close old and 

inefficient buildings earlier and 

extend the hours of usage at George 

Davies Centre beyond its usual 

operating hours. This has reduced 

carbon emissions across the campus 

and means users get access to a 

more comfortable environment.” 

STRIKING A BALANCE 

“Through the three-year soft 

landings process we have been able 

to really understand how to use the 

building as efficiently as possible. 

Part of this has involved working 

very closely with the building’s users 

to educate them about how the 

building functions – explaining why 

the lights automatically dim, how 

the radiators know when it is too 

cold and when blinds close 

themselves, so that the building can 

perform to its optimum levels. 

Without this education the 

performance gap and payback 

period grow, which is something we 

have worked to avoid. 

“The real challenge for our team 

has been finding the balance 

between efficiencies and comfort 

for the building’s users. For example, 

the ultra-intelligent lighting system, 

which monitors natural sunlight in 



the building and adjusts the lighting 

accordingly, has presented a conflict 

for some users. Many people want 

their lights on regardless of the 

sunlight available, so we have had to 

work with them to strike a balance 

in how much control they can have, 

and how this impacts the building’s 

performance. Another similar issue is 

regarding heating throughout the 

building, as many users are used to 

hotter working temperatures or 

prefer cooler climates. This has 

required us to constantly evaluate 

the usage and adapt the building’s 

heating to ensure its performance 

isn’t drastically affected but it still 

offers users a comfortable 

environment.” 

Through the soft landings 

process Willmott Dixon has worked 

closely with the university to ensure 

George Davies Centre continues to 

bridge its performance gap, with 

phenomenal results and careful 

consideration of user needs. 

“The building management 

system continually monitors CO2 

levels in each room and 

communicates with AHUs to 

increase or decrease the level of 

fresh air supply to each room. The 

CO2 levels have been kept under 

500ppm for the majority of spaces 

and have very rarely exceeded 

1000ppm in both winter and 

summer, and the same statement is 

true about internal temperatures, 

which have remained comfortable 

throughout the year. 

“We have designed a summer 

thermal comfort strategy to 

minimise the number of hours when 

the temperature exceeds 25°C. In 

fact, the strategy gives priority to 

passive measures such as automatic 

external shading blinds, openable 

insulated panels for natural 

ventilation, roof lights with external 

shading and exposed thermal mass. 

Only when all these measures fail 

does it bring in mechanically cooled 

air from chillers.” 

EVOLVING AND ADAPTING 

“Overall, working with the university 

to monitor the building’s usage and 

its performance has been incredibly 

informative; showcasing how 

performance and user comfort can 

co-exist with the ongoing support of 

our team. To date, the soft landings 

process has enabled us to provide 

benefits to the customer and the 

building’s users in understanding 

how to use the building and why 

certain measures exist within 

Passivhaus. 

“As George Davies Centre 

continues to be used and enjoyed by 

the university, it will continually 

need to develop and alter its usage. 

Changes, such as opening hours, will 

potentially have an impact on the 

building’s performance, so we are 

working with the university to 

ensure they are implemented in the 

best possible way, still allowing the 

building to deliver the criteria it was 

designed to meet. We learned that 

designing for low energy does not 

necessarily mean that building users 

will use it that way. Training during 

the handover has been key, alongside 

repeated messages on how the 

building is to be used throughout 

the soft landings process. 

“George Davies Centre is one of 

the lowest energy facilities of its 

kind in the country and has 

illustrated beyond doubt that it is 

possible to meet the challenges of 

energy reduction while developing 

an estate and highlighted the 

importance of working with users 

throughout the process. This project 

is exemplar and a benchmark for 

developments of this scale. It 

continues to turn heads across both 

the higher education and 

construction sectors.” 

Speaking of the project, Chrispal 

Anand, carbon & energy manager at 

the university said: “The George 

Davies Centre has provided our 

medical students with a state-ofthe-art 

environment in which to 

study medicine in the UK. It has 

created a long-lasting legacy for the 

University and will continue to act 

as an energy efficient hub for 

studying; providing comfort for 

staff, students and visitors from the 

local community. Willmott Dixon has 

been extremely supportive 

throughout the soft landings 

programme, allowing our teams to 

flag concerns and ask questions 

when necessary.” 

Contractor Willmott Dixon 

worked alongside Associated 

Architects, Bidwells, Gleeds, Ramboll 

and Couch Perry Wilkes, to deliver 

this eco-friendly building. 

Web: 

www.willmottdixongroup.co.uk 



There are few more emotive 

issues in the public buildings 

sector than asbestos. 

Asbestos-Containing Materials 

(ACMs) are still highly prevalent in 

thousands of buildings throughout 

our society, including schools and 

universities. However, with a huge 

amount of regeneration happening 

across the education sector, Darren 

Payne, Client Services Director at 

leading asbestos removal, demolition 

and remediation specialist Rhodar, 

explains why asbestos in education 

facilities should be spoken about 

more openly and treated as a 

problem to be solved, not 

stigmatised. 

Campus environments present 

unique challenges when it comes to 

the safe removal or encapsulation of 

asbestos, not least in the diversity of 

their buildings, from Victorian-era 

constructions to CLASP buildings 

(Consortium of Local Authorities 

Special Programme) and 1960s 

concrete structures, many 

constructed or refurbished over the 

decades using asbestos containing 

materials. There’s clearly concern 

around asbestos, particularly in ‘live’ 

environments with high footfall, like 

schools, hospitals and universities, 

but there doesn’t need to be, if 

councils and education authorities 

have properly managed their 

asbestos containing materials within 

their building portfolios, which is 

mandatory by law under the duty to 

manage asbestos (contained in 

regulation 4 of the Control of 

Asbestos Regulations 2012*). 

GETTING IT RIGHT 

Even allowing for this mandatory 

duty, many in the education sector 

still don’t have a compliant and 

robust asbestos management plan 

and often choose to undertake 

localised refurbishment or 

maintenance projects without 

undertaking the proper invasive 

checks or surveys (helpful guidance 

can be found in ‘HSG264 - Asbestos: 

The survey guide’** from the Health 

and Safety Executive (HSE)) by 

qualified, competent and ideally 

UKAS-accredited asbestos 

consultants. This has caused an 

increasing and often publicised 

problem of work being undertaken 

by unregulated and even uninsured 

tradesmen. 

Work to remove or encapsulate 

ACMs must be carried out by a 

competent and vetted asbestos 

removal contractor. For most higherrisk 

work with asbestos, that 

contractor must also have an HSE 

licence. Most local authorities have 

framework contracts or approved 

lists in place with pre-vetted, wellestablished 

and qualified asbestos 

specialists that schools, whether 

under LA control or not, can and 

should tap into, and there are other 

enabling frameworks in operation 

with competent contractors 

available to all educational 

establishments. Cutting corners or 

failing to seek suitably qualified 

contractors should never be an 

option. 

There is much misinformation 

around asbestos and kneejerk 

reactions to asbestos – “Don’t 

mention the ‘A’ word!” – are 

common. That’s why it’s important 

to engage everyone in the asbestos 

discussion within your properties to 

ensure a better understanding for 

all; ACMs are perfectly fine to leave 

in situ if they are in good condition 

and managed properly. Interestingly, 

the sight of an asbestos specialist’s 

vehicle on school grounds can make 

people nervous, with parents known 

to keep their children off school as a 

result. However, it must be stressed 

again that schools that do contain 

asbestos that is managed properly 

are in fact safe environments and 

the presence of a competent 

asbestos consultant and removal 

contractor is actually evidence of 

correct procedures and good 

practice being carried out. Rhodar 

operates clear lines of 

communication with schools and 

universities to ensure full agreement 

of working processes and timescales 

so that staff, students and parents 

can be kept fully informed. 

UNIQUE CHALLENGES 

Rhodar has extensive experience of 

working within all educational 

building types and environments, 

including local authority schools, 

private schools, academies, colleges 

and universities. These are often 

complex environments working in 

multiple-use buildings and 

departments including chemistry 

labs, leisure facilities, plant rooms 

and high-rise classroom blocks, with 

most projects undertaken in 

shutdown and holiday periods to 

tight deadlines - low-key working 

with effective segregation in busy 

locations is often essential in termtime, 

too. 

When seeking an experienced 

asbestos removal contractor in 

educational estates, there are 

specialist frameworks including 

university purchasing consortia such 

as the NEUPC, NWUPC, SUPC and 

LUPC, that will assist estates and 

procurement teams if they don’t 

already have a formal contracted 

specialist in place. Schools are still 

high on the agenda for the 

government and Rhodar’s experience 

and knowledge gained on previous 

government backed schemes, such 

as Building Schools for the Future 

(BSF), PSPB2 schemes and the 

academies programme can aid 

nominated responsible people in 

choosing the right specialist in 

schools. Our services are now 

becoming increasingly engaged by 

contractors involved in the new 

ESFA (Education and Skills Funding 

Agency) school building programme, 

with 400 new schools being built 

each year and legacy buildings being 

stripped of ACMs and demolished. 

EVERY DAY’S A SCHOOL DAY 

Due to initiatives like CLASP, which 

led to hundreds of asbestoscontaining 

‘pre-fabricated’ 

structures being built between the 

1950s and 1980s to address a 

schools shortage and increase 

capacities in universities in the UK, 

there is still a wide range of asbestos 

containing material in the UK 

education building portfolio. This is 

a challenge which can only be fixed 

by open and clear communication 

and collaboration between the 

specialist consultants, contractor, the 

institution, local authorities and 

parents. 

As new schools are built and 

universities regenerate, this poses a 

significant ongoing challenge for 

local authorities, educational 

institutions and reputable 

contractors to take a more positive 

and proactive approach to tackling 

asbestos in the right and proper way. 

For every new school built there’s 

usually an existing structure to deal 

with safely, but instead of seeing an 

asbestos vehicle as a cause for 

alarm, let’s instead see it as a sign of 

good practice and proper procedures 

to the benefit of all. 

www.rhodar.co.uk 

www.hse.gov.uk/Asbestos/duty.htm 


Safer Heating For SEN School 


Safe surface temperature 

specialists, Contour, have 

recently completed a project 

with Walton Hall Academy to 

provide LST safety radiator guards to 

the school that will protect students 

from burns and reduce the risk of 

injuries around their radiators. 

Walton Hall is a special 

educational needs school in 

Staffordshire. Their previous radiator 

covers needed to be replaced to 

allow staff easier access for cleaning 

and maintenance as students were 

often pushing small items through 

the grilles. 

With close consultation to their 

needs, Contour provided 19 

DeepClean LST radiator covers with 

radius edges and bullnose corners, 

which eliminated the risk of children 

injuring themselves on sharp edges. 

The DeepClean design also features 

pencil proof grilles, which addressed 

another one of the schools 

problems. 

www.contourheating.co.uk 

sales@contourheating.co.uk 

Tel: +44 (0) 1952 290 498 

Carter Jonas Secures Planning for the Conservation of 

William Morris’ Historic Oxfordshire Home 

Carter Jonas, the national 

property consultancy, has 

secured planning permission 

on behalf of the Society of 

Antiquaries of London for a new onsite 

education centre at Kelmscott 

Manor, alongside the conservation 

and refurbishment of the West 

Oxfordshire estate’s Grade I listed 

heritage buildings. 

Kelmscott Manor is a limestone 

manor house that dates from 1570 

in the Cotswolds village of 

Kelmscott. It was built by local 

farmer Thomas Turner and remained 

in the family for generations, but is 

best known as the country home of 

the writer, designer and socialist 

William Morris. He lived there from 

1871 until his death in 1896 

drawing inspiration from the house’s 

architecture and garden. It featured 

in his work ‘News from Nowhere’ 

and in the background of Rosetti’s 

painting of Morris’ wife ‘Water 

Willow’. 

Carter Jonas’ planning and 

development team worked closely 

with experts in the consultancy’s 

rural practice to vary a restrictive 

covenant in favour of Kelmscott 

Manor. They also negotiated with a 

neighbouring landowner to rent a 

small area of land for a new car 

park, which involved the surrender 

of a long-term lease from the 

agricultural tenant, a change of use 

and settling terms for a new longterm 

lease direct with the 

landowner. 

The new 969 sq ft (90m2) 

education centre will be built on the 

south side of the farmyard with 

construction due to start in Q2 

2019. Conservation repairs will begin 

in Q2 2020 to the listed buildings of 

Kelmscott Manor including the 

house itself, the Stable Barn that 

houses the cafe and the Granary 

Building, which contains the visitor’s 

shop. 

Nicky Brock, Partner, Carter Jonas 

said: “It is a privilege to work on an 

architectural treasure with such a 

strong design heritage. The planning 

permission means that important 

refurbishment works can be 

undertaken to conserve the 

collection of Grade I listed building 

that make up the estate, whilst 

looking to the future with the 

addition of the new education 

centre. This will ensure that visitors 

can not only enjoy the house and its 

grounds, but learn more about the 

legacy of Kelmscott Manor and its 

most famous resident William 

Morris. The project is a good 

example of how we can bring 

together specialists across our core 

divisions to create a bespoke 

solution for our clients.” 

www.carterjonas.co.uk 


PROJECT 

Old Meets New 

Toby Buckley, managing director of REL Building 

Services discusses the challenges of designing and 

installing M&E services in heritage buildings. 

Heritage assets have a huge 

role to play in regeneration 

but can result in many 

construction challenges, 

especially for mechanical and 

electrical (M&E) contractors. 

Implementing modern services into 

an historic building, especially one 

that is listed, is challenging both in 

terms of design and installation. 

A NEW LEASE OF LIFE 

The recent restoration and extension 

of a Grade II listed Georgian town 

hall in St Albans city centre 

highlights the complexities of M&E 

work in the heritage sector. Located 

in a conservation area, the historic 

building has been transformed into 

a new museum and art gallery by 

main contractor Willmott Dixon. 

Spanning three floors, the work 

has seen the ground floor’s entrance 

halls turned into a reception area 

and exhibition space. The former 

Victorian courtroom has been fully 

restored and on the first floor, the 

assembly rooms have been 

refurbished for events. A new 

temperature-controlled and secure 

lower ground floor gallery has also 

been created under the building. 

BOLD INTERVENTION 

Designed by architects John McAslan 

+ Partners, the ambitious project 

included the need for a complex 

building services solution that would 

significantly improve energy 

efficiency and future maintenance. 

The solution also had to meet 

specific demands in line with its 

future use, including carefully 

controlled temperature and humidity 

to protect the works of art and local 

historic artefacts, which would be 

on display. 

Our role evolved from consultant 

to designer as we could offer the 

specialist skills and experience 

required to deliver the brief. This 

saw us work with various 

stakeholders, including the local 

authority, Historic England and 

architectural, planning and heritage 

consultants to develop the design 

over eight months. Each space was 

individually modelled and all 

elements approved including the 

lighting schemes, heating layout and 

ventilation. 

This early engagement ensured 

the solution met all requirements 

and could be delivered within the 

required budget. We continued to 

work with Historic England 

throughout the project to ensure its 

requirements were met during 

installation. 

DELIVERING THE BRIEF 

One of the biggest challenges was 

installing building services into the 

subterranean basement, so it could 

be converted into a gallery space 

with toilets. This area was also the 

location for the new plant room. 

All services had to be concealed, 

including the large ventilation 

ductwork, and we had to meet the 

demands of future exhibitors such as 

the V&A and Hayward Gallery. It was 

essential that temperature and 

humidity in the space could be 

carefully controlled to protect 

exhibits, so the HVAC system design 

and installation was critical. 

No penetrations were permitted 

on the ground floor or throughout 

the building, so to install the large 

ductwork, we had to use the existing 

chimney stacks and create new riser 

positions with buried ventilation 

ducts within the basement area. 

Security was another priority for 

the exhibitors, so a range of 

specialist equipment was required 

such as high-security shutters and 

intruder alarms that met the 

requirements of the insurers. 

SETTING THE STANDARD 

The new £7.75 million St Albans 

museum and art gallery has 

welcomed more than 55,000 visitors 

since opening during one of the UK’s 

hottest summers. Despite this, the 

building services solution has 

performed very effectively and that’s 

testament to the early design work 

and engagement which has ensured 

all criteria has been met. 

Web: 

www.relbuildingservices.co.uk/ 


PROJECTS 

Restoration of Grade II* listed mill using 

£554k Heritage Lottery Fund money begins 

People will be able to visit the 

restored Stracey Arms Mill 

near Great Yarmouth thanks 

to Norfolk County Council’s 

successful bid for £554,600 from the 

Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF). 

Works have begun to safeguard 

the mill and create a building onsite 

for people to learn about the history 

of the mill and the surrounding 

marshland. A programme of 

workshops, day schools and 

community events will begin in 2019 

for people to learn more about the 

mill, the local landscape, and the 

marsh families who lived at the mill 

site and worked on the surrounding 

marshes. 

A number of volunteer 

opportunities, with full training, will 

also be available for people 

interested in looking after the mill. 

Visitors will be able to make use of a 

10 space car park to the east of the 

mill which will itself be made more 

accessible with the aid of an all 

ability access ramp from the car 

park to the mill. Work is expected to 

be completed in 2021. 

Councillor Martin Wilby, 

Chairman of Norfolk County 

Council’s Environment, 

Development and Transport 

Committee and Chairman of the 

Norfolk Windmills Trust, said: “This 

is a fantastic project that will allow 

people to better understand the 

history of Norfolk and its historic 

marshes and distinctive Broads, and 

I’m pleased it was made possible by 

our bid to the Heritage Lottery 

Fund.” 

“Thanks to National Lottery 

players, work is now well underway. 

This is an exciting moment in the 

restoration of such an important 

building from Norfolk’s agricultural 

past and the start of a great new 

future” said Robyn Llewellyn, Head 

of HLF East England. 

The works to the Grade II* listed 

mill, part of the £670,152 Mill and 

Marsh Folk Project, have begun with 

the removal of the old cap and sail 

stocks which have been taken to the 

millwright’s workshop to be assessed 

and any sound timbers salvaged and 

reused in the new cap. 

The first phase of work, which 

includes brickwork repairs, removal 

of internal render, reinstatement of 

one of the Second World War gun 

loops and repairs to windows and 

doors, is being led by conservation 

builders R & J Hogg Ltd of Coney 

Weston. The millwrighting work 

which also includes new stocks, sails 

and repairs to the turbine pump is 

being carried out by local millwright 

Richard Seago. 

Smithdales the Acle millwrights. In 

1965, Stracey Arms Mill was the 

second mill to be gifted to Norfolk 

County Council, to be cared for by 

the newly formed Norfolk Windmills 

Trust, by the widow of Sir Edward 

Paulet Stracey, 7th Baronet Stracey 

of Rackheath Hall. 

Tel: 01603 228888 

Email: pressoffice@norfolk.gov.uk 

BACKGROUND HISTORY 

The mill was built for Sir Henry 

Stracey of Rackheath Hall by 

millwright and engineer Richard 

Barnes of Southtown Ironworks in 

1883, at the height of mill 

technology. The mill replaced an 

earlier mill on the site and was built 

to drain water off the surrounding 

marshes into the River Bure. The mill 

was last used to drain the marshes 

in the 1940s. The mill served as a 

fortified pillbox during the Second 

World War with gun loops cut into 

the tower, as part of the defences of 

the local area. The mill gradually fell 

into disrepair. Major repairs were 

carried out in the 1960s by 


PROJECTS 

Roofshield to the rescue of community village hall 

When the residents of 

Ecclesmachan in West 

Lothian had all but lost 

hope of restoring the 

roof of the historic local village hall 

due to a lack of funding, a solution 

was found in the form of 

Roofshield. The A. Proctor Group’s 

“Roofshield to the Rescue” 

promotion offered community halls 

and centres up and down the 

country the chance of up to 

£10,000 of support towards the 

restoration of a community roofing 

project 

The successful nomination was 

awarded to the Ecclesmachan & 

Threemiletown Village Hall. The 

original building was a single 

Victorian school with ancillary 

accommodation. The pitched roofs, 

which were in urgent need of repair, 

consisted of a timber hand cut joists 

and truss design, with sarking, and a 

slate roof finish. 

Slorach Wood Architects were 

commissioned to prepare plans and 

oversee all works which included 

removal of the existing roof slates 

down to the sarking boards, 

examination and replacement of 

sarking where required replacing all 

lead valleys and flashings, and 

application of the Roofshield 

membrane, and then re-slated. 

Roofshield has long been 

recognised as one of the highest 

performing roofing membrane 

solutions, providing a pitched roof 

underlay, which is both air and 

vapour permeable. 

Walter Wood, Director for 

Slorach Wood Architects comments: 

“Without the generous help of the 

A, Proctor Group the roofing works 

may not have been able to go 

ahead due to a lack of available 

funding. The restoration of the roof 

means that the community can 

once more benefit from a great 

local facility, which has become 

home for women’s groups, children’s 

nursary and health and fitness 

classes. 

Many vapour and air permaeable 

underlays use an airtight VP film 

layer to achieve their performance, 

whilst Roofshield’s patented SMS 

(Spunbond Meltdown Spunbound) 

structure allows high levels of 

airflow, in adition to the transport 

of moisture vapour, making the 

formation of condensation in the 

roof space virtually impossible. It 

has an extremely high degree of 

vapour permeability, as well as air 

permeability, so will still perform 

conditions in which air tight 

alternatives will not. 

www.proctorgroup.com 

Cover Styl’ helps spruce up a unique Lancashire leisure venue 

Aspectacular installation 

project by Lustalux Ltd has 

helped to enhance the 

interior of Preston’s unique 

brand new leisure venue, The Flower 

Bowl Entertainment Centre. 

Sleek and modern are now the 

words used to describe the centre’s 

walls and doors thanks to Lustalux 

Ltd, who looked to Architextural, 

part of the William Smith Group 

1832, for the high-quality wrapping 

films needed for the refurb. 

Lustalux Ltd, which has offices in 

Preston, Manchester, London, 

Coventry and Falkirk, delivered a 

contemporary refurbishment to the 

centre, with little disruption to the 

client and its customers. 

Seeking an authentic, highquality 

wood grain effect at a low 

cost, Lustalux Ltd used Cover Styl’ 

B6 Brio Light Aragon on over 200 

square metres of walls and doors to 

give the look and feel of natural 

material. 

“The customer was unable to get 

the desired colour and finish in a 

traditional laminate,” explained 

Richard Lancaster, managing director 

of Lustalux Ltd. 

“We suggested they checked out 

the colours and finishes available in 

the fantastic Cover Styl’ range, 

which met their demands.” 

As Cover Styl’ architectural 

finishes allow for hassle-free 

application, without noise, dust or 

mess, and are quickly cleaned thanks 

to a hygienic, wipeable external 

surface to prevent marking, the vinyl 

provided the perfect solution for the 

business. 

Richard added: “The end result 

was fantastic. The walls and doors 

really look like real wood, which is 

exactly what the customer was 

looking for. 

“I would highly recommend 

William Smith Group 1832. The 

company is always eager to help in 

any way it can, from free samples to 

helping sell the product to potential 

customers.” 

Ideal for the renovation of 

interiors which see a lot of daily use, 

the film’s impressive 10-year 

durability combined with its ability 

to conform to any furniture, contour 

or shape, provided perfect results. 

If you would like to learn more 

about Cover Styl’ finishes, visit 

www.architextural.co.uk/product/co 

ver-styl-primary-range, 

or email jack@architextural.co.uk. 


Gilbert-Ash Completes Extended 

Arnold House in Tech-City, London 

PROJECTS 

Award-winning UK 

construction, 

refurbishment and fit out 

contractor, 

Gilbert-Ash, completed the 

redevelopment of Arnold House in 

the fast-growing ‘Tech-City’ area of 

London. The former warehouse now 

contains a 75,000 sq.ft. stand-out 

office and retail space. 

The £15m project included a 

three-story extension reflecting the 

design of the existing building. It 

combined its current industrial 

impression with a high standard 

modern workplace environment to 

cater for the thriving technology 

and media businesses in South 

Shoreditch. 

Working closely with Buckley 

Gray Yeoman architects, the team at 

Gilbert-Ash transformed the sevenstory 

building to reveal collaborative 

open-plan spaces with exposed 

concrete columns and efficient floor 

plates. High-ceilings and significant 

natural light adds to the 

development to create a 

contemporary environment. 

The ground floor, encompassing 

retail outlets and a spacious 

reception area, includes a curtain 

wall glazing exterior and black steel 

cladding panels for the signage 

zone. The façade also incorporates 

brick cladding and brick slip panels 

over new external walls. An inverted 

roof with decking has created 

terrace spaces, with tenants able to 

enjoy views of the Shoreditch 

streetscape. 

Gerard Mullan, Gilbert-Ash 

Project Manager, commented, “The 

final internal and external Arnold 

House refurbishment works well in 

the surrounding modern Tech-City 

environment. The contemporary 

space has been carefully constructed 

to keep the industrial style of the 

building but with additional features 

you would expect in a productive, 

collaborative space. From the ground 

floor to the roof terrace and 

landscaped courtyard, we aimed to 

create a space that would meet the 

needs of today’s modern, flexible 

workforce. The building includes 

office space with retail units on the 

ground floor in a fantastic location, 

right in the heart of Tech City.” 

Located on the corner of Great 

Eastern Street and Holywell Lane, 

the new development is a BREAMM 

Very Good building with a 

WiredScore Gold certification. The 

building was completed and handed 

over on the 10th August. 

Highly detailed design, advanced 

logistical planning and development 

goes into every Gilbert-Ash project, 

with the team skilled in delivering 

the finest quality projects in the UK 

and globally. 

For more information on Gilbert- 

Ash visit www.gilbert-ash.com 


PROJECTS 

Focus Consultants completes eight-year 

PM role at key museum 

An eight-year redevelopment 

at St Fagans National 

Museum of History, project 

managed by Focus 

Consultants, has successfully 

completed and been topped with a 

highly commended accolade at the 

RICS 2018 Grand Final Awards. 

The Nottingham-based company 

first began working with the Welsh 

museum in 2010 when Focus was 

appointed for the preparation of a 

Heritage Lottery Fund bid. The bid 

was successful – securing £11.5m in 

HLF grant funding for the museum 

on the outskirts of Cardiff. At the 

time, in 2012, it was the largest HLF 

grant ever awarded in Wales. 

Focus was subsequently retained 

to provide business planning, 

quantity surveying and project 

management services for the £30m 

redevelopment at the site, which is 

Wales’ largest and most popular 

heritage attraction. 

“Over the last eight years, the 

team at Focus Consultants has 

watched with pleasure as the 

redevelopment of St Fagans National 

Museum of History has gone from 

strength to strength,” said Richard 

Aston, Partner at Focus Consultants, 

which also has offices in London, 

Leicester, Newark and Boston, in 

Lincolnshire. 

“We consider ourselves very 

fortunate to have been involved in a 

project that contributed over £27m 

to the UK economy via the 

construction industry and supported 

numerous volunteering, school and 

employment initiatives, including 

160 work placements and three 

apprenticeships. 

“It’s been a fascinating journey 

and we are proud to have played a 

key role in such a significant cultural 

scheme which gives insight into 

230,000 years of life in Wales.” 

The revamp has added new 

features and exhibitions, and 

revitalised others at the museum, 

which has been open to the public 

since 1 July 1948 and is celebrating 

its 70th birthday this year. 

St Fagans National Museum of 

History is the second most visited 

open-air museum in Europe, and 

Wales’ most visited heritage 

attraction with more than 600,000 

visitors per year. It is also the largest 

provider in Wales of learning outside 

the classroom with 360,000 family 

visitors and 85,000 formal education 

visitors. 

Recently, St Fagans National 

Museum of History won the Tourism 

and Leisure Category in the RICS 

Awards 2018, Wales, for the 

redevelopment of its Grade II listed 

main building, which has been part 

of the inspirational programme of 

improvements that has been 

ongoing at the site. It subsequently 

went on to be highly commended at 

the national RICS 2018 Grand Final 

Awards. 

Focus Consultants has worked on 

developments with many of the 

major national and regional 

museums in the UK, including the 

National Science Museum, the V&A 

Museum, the National Army 

Museum, Brooklands Museum and a 

host of others. 

The company offers a range of 

services to the museum, arts and 

heritage sector, including funding 

advice and support, business 

planning and project management. 

For more information about 

Focus Consultants, visit 

www.focus-consultants.com 


PROJECTS 

WRW chooses incentive TEC for eco housing development 

National construction 

business WRW has chosen 

Incentive Tec, part of 

Incentive FM Group, to 

provide a range of services at a new 

eco-friendly housing development in 

Bruton, Somerset. Under the terms 

of the deal, Incentive Tec will be 

responsible for the design and 

installation of all the mechanical 

and electrical (M&E) aspects of the 

accommodation. 

Set in a natural amphitheatre 

overlooking the market town, Cubis 

Bruton has 56 contemporary three 

and four-bedroom homes that are 

designed to be energy efficient and 

highly sustainable both inside and 

outside. Incentive Tec will work 

closely with WRW to offer early 

purchasers a number of bespoke 

options. The project is due to be 

completed within 12 months and 

Incentive Tec will then be 

responsible for ongoing 

maintenance. 

Jon Williams, Managing Director 

at WRW, said: “This is an exciting 

development which showcases our 

ability to deliver the latest 

innovations in energy efficiency and 

sustainability. We are confident in 

Incentive Tec’s ability to support us 

on this project as they have on other 

developments, where they delivered 

consistently high standards.” 

STO provides perfect acoustic solution for 

major garden museum project 

The need for a proven acoustic 

solution, and a high ambition 

for the aesthetics, has led to 

an acoustic system from Sto 

being specified for a £7.5 million 

museum redevelopment project in 

London. The StoSilent Distance 

system has been installed in the 

Garden Museum, which is Britain's 

only museum covering the art, 

history and design of gardens, 

located at the Church of St Maryat-Lambeth. 

“We specified the StoSilent 

Distance system for a number of 

reasons,” explains Alun Jones of Dow 

Jones Architects. “The building work 

involved the creation of a cluster of 

copper-clad pavilions around a 

cloistered garden area. These house 

two new educational spaces and a 

cafeteria, and they are connected by 

a number of covered walkways. 

These spaces feature concrete floors 

and floor-to-ceiling glazing, so in 

order to achieve an acoustic 

environment with a reverberation 

time of less than 0.8 seconds we 

used a Sto seamless acoustic ceiling. 

Having used the Sto solution on a 

previous project we were confident 

that it would be perfect for the 

museum, and Sto worked closely 

with us to create a balanced 

acoustic system which would satisfy 

all the different requirements.” 

The StoSilent Distance system 

provides a modern, clean, monolithic 

alternative to the standard but 

limited design options associated 

with exposed grid and tile systems, 

or boards with multi-facetted holes 

or slots. It provides positive, 

balanced acoustics within buildings, 

helping architects and designers 

achieve clean and uncluttered lines. 

It is ideal for situations where, as 

with the Garden Museum, these 

surfaces must be suspended to 

accommodate services, and where 

the ceilings were being used as 

negative plenums for air extraction 

and movement. 

The StoSilent Distance system 

utilises its own Sto SC400 metal 

framework, and StoSilent Distance 

110 boards. The boards are 

manufactured from 96% recycled 

glass and can be integrated with 

lighting, grills and other M&E 

considerations. StoSilent boards are 

permeable, and have a honeycomblike 

structure which allows noise and 

sound to dissipate through a void 

space and so balance the acoustic 

environment. 

StoSilent Distance is a 

lightweight system, and unlike 

exposed grid and soft tile 

alternatives, the boards will not sag 

or delaminate. It can be used to 

create many different design 

features, including seamless, inclined 

planes or curves, or sharp and 

consistent joints. The benefit to the 

architects and end user is that the 

system can also be repaired and refurbished 

throughout the lifetime of 

the building without greatly 

negating the value of the acoustics, 

wherever the system has been 

installed. 

For aesthetic reasons, the 

architects were also keen to use the 

same monolithic ceiling throughout 

each of the new areas at the 

Museum, and wanted this to feature 

a spray-applied finish with a finelytextured 

surface. “The StoSilent 

Décor M finish was the perfect 

solution for this,” adds Sto’s 

Technical Consultant for Acoustics, 

Mike Wallace. “It creates a soundpermeable 

decorative coating which 

can be tinted to match a wide range 

of shades from the StoColor system, 

and RAL colours can also be 

achieved making it a very versatile 

Gary Smith, Pre-Construction 

Director at Incentive Tec, said: “Our 

ability to complete major projects on 

time and to budget continues to be 

a significant reason behind our 

growth and ongoing success. Our 

relationship with WRW is going from 

strength to strength based on 

mutual respect and shared values.” 

Web: wrw.co.uk/ 

solution.” 

“As there were a number of 

varying roof spaces included in the 

different areas, there was not one 

standard installation approach that 

would suit them all,” adds Lucien 

Ionce of Intercoustic, an authorized 

Sto acoustic installer. “Fortunately, 

the StoSilent Distance system is 

extremely flexible in terms of 

installation, and this gave us plenty 

of freedom to meet the various dayto-day 

challenges which arose 

during the installation process.” 

The museum is housed in the 

Church of St Mary-at-Lambeth, next 

to the Archbishop of Canterbury’s 

palace, alongside the River Thames. 

After being disused for many years, 

the church was saved from 

demolition in 1977, after which it 

was converted into the UK’s first 

museum dedicated to the history of 

gardening. 

www.sto.co.uk/en/home 


PROJECTS 

The Hungry Fox, a Café in Melbourne in 

Thermally Modified American 

The link between our physical 

environments and our 

emotional wellbeing has been 

substantiated by a number of 

studies. Australian designers seem to 

have a unique affinity with the 

natural environment and an innate 

understanding of how best to bring 

nature closer to life and leisure. 

The latest example of this skill is 

a café which recently opened its 

doors in Melbourne. The Hungry Fox 

(by LaManna) at Autocentro at 

Essendon Fields has been designed 

using natural materials from around 

the world and has a mouth-watering 

global menu (Peking duck bao buns 

and homemade ricotta gnocchi) that 

combine to provide a uniquely 

uplifting Australian experience. 

The café is the first project in 

Australia to use thermally-modified 

American tulipwood in exterior 

cladding. Selected for its rich colour 

and uniform texture, American 

tulipwood provided not only the 

aesthetic impact sought by Bruce 

Henderson Architects, but also the 

stability. The thermal modification 

process heats the tulipwood to 

almost the point of combustion. This 

changes the molecular structure of 

the timber and results in a material 

that durable for outdoor use. It 

requires minimal attention once 

outside which makes it a perfect 

choice for a project such as this. 

Interior Architects, Lukas 

Partners, took on the challenge of 

creating a contemporary, warm and 

inviting interior for the café. Aware 

of biophilic design principles and 

their emotional impact, the mood 

they looked to capture was one of 

earthy Australian fauna. Their focus 

was on natural materials, inspired by 

gum nut and eucalyptus tones. The 

vaulted ceiling, taking its lead from 

the exterior design, is also an 

expanse of thermally- modified 

American tulipwood. This richness is 

offset by a stone counter. A velvetfinished 

granite with a steel edge 

adds impact front of house and 

counterbalances the exposed 

concrete floor. 

Chunky American ash tables, 

created by local high-end 

manufacturer Charles Sandford, are 

accompanied by chairs created from 

the same timber with perforated 

leather seating and wool which has 

retained its natural colour variation. 

This perforation forms a motif 

throughout the space, the screens in 

the waiting area and the laser cut 

American walnut veneer panels that 

mask an acoustic board with style, 

making the café the perfect venue 

to meet for relaxed conversation. 

The look is completed with vast 

drum pendants created to Lukas 

Partners’ design by local bespoke 

lighting specialist Bad Wolf. 

The playground adjacent to the 

café has been created by 

Adventure+. Australian white cypress 

thoughtfully treated with a tint to 

match the American tulipwood 

cladding means that the Hungry Fox 

is a magnet for families in addition 

to local professionals and shoppers 

from the nearby LaManna 

supermarket. 

The rich and welcoming space 

creates a true sense of wellbeing. 

Perhaps the biggest accolade is from 

the staff themselves. “I love coming 

to work here. It feels like a log cabin 

and it’s really cosy. Especially in 

winter” says Hayley Cardis, who has 

worked at The Hungry Fox since it 

opened. It’s a healthy habitat in 

every way for all who visit. 

Web: www.fastow.com.au 


Cedar shingles help enhance the sound of 

music at Cumbrian Therapy Centre 

PROJECTS 

Marley Eternit’s Western 

Red Cedar Shingles have 

been specified internal 

and external building 

material for an award-winning 

music therapy centre that is helping 

to make a real difference to people 

of all ages. 

Created near Penrith in the Lake 

District, the Sunbeams Music Centre 

is a 600m sq. therapy centre which 

houses a number of meeting rooms, 

therapy rooms, a recording studio 

and a performance space, as well as 

administration facilities, supporting 

over 1,500 people each month. 

One of the critical objectives for 

the centre’s design was to ensure it 

sat seamlessly within its local 

environment. This led the design 

team at MawsonKerr to the use of 

natural building materials; the 

extensive use of Marley Eternit’s 

Western Red Cedar Shingles has 

helped achieve this perfectly. 

Marley Eternit’s Western Red 

Cedar Shingles delivered a renewable 

and sustainable cladding solution for 

the centre, providing one of the 

lowest carbon footprints of any 

widely used building product. In 

addition, the colour blend ensures 

the centre fits seamlessly into the 

local environment. 

A primary design theme was the 

wish to connect the inside of the 

centre with the exterior façade, and 

the use of cedar shingles both 

internally and externally brings with 

it a connected symmetry that 

accentuates the building’s 

positioning within the landscape. In 

addition, the natural aesthetics of 

timber add to the welcoming vibe 

the building designers wished to 

create. 

The unique design is the 

fulfilment of an original vision by 

the centre’s architect, Will Mawson 

co-founder of MawsonKerr 

Architects. He says: “The simple 

concept of running exterior 

materials internally encountered a 

number of technical challenges 

especially given the sensitive nature 

of the buildings use. We worked 

with Marley Eternit and their 

technical team on the specification 

to ensure the enduring natural 

qualities of the timber shingle were 

not lost. We have been able to put 

the use of Marley Eternit’s Western 

Red Cedar Shingles at the heart of 

the Sunbeams Music Therapy Centre 

as a welcoming, natural and wholly 

appropriate building material 

solution.” 

As part of the project’s 

conceptualisation, MawsonKerr, who 

were crowned Architect of the Year 

at the 2017 Structural Timber 

Awards following the success of the 

project, worked with music therapy 

charity Sunbeams Music Trust to 

help design and develop a true 

community building, which is now 

enhancing the daily experience of 

young and old who find music 

therapy supportive when 

confronting challenging neurological 

conditions such as childhood 

Alzheimer’s and dementia in older 

people. 

“The Sunbeams Music Centre is 

the culmination of 13 years work as 

I first started working on an original 

design as part of a university 

project. Over time the charity has 

acquired the funding to establish 

the new centre, which gives it the 

ability to provide badly needed 

therapeutic services within a natural, 

bespoke and welcoming setting. 

“Timber is a warm material and 

can enhance well-being and 

generate a sense of calm. The 

building has to offer a sense of 

belonging so that those visiting for 

therapy and support feel at home 

there and the important work 

carried out is managed within a 

peaceful setting. By using the 

timber to draw together the interior 

spaces and exterior look, we have 

successfully brought the entire 

building together as a whole which 

also helps the centre’s visitors to 

orientate themselves and navigate 

the internal spaces far more easily.” 

said Will Mawson. 

The sustainable characteristics of 

cedar shingles were another major 

plus point, helping to underpin the 

long-term and supportive values of 

the centre. With a 25-year lifespan, 

not only does cedar shingle offer 

hard-wearing performance within a 

heavily-used facility, they promise 

longevity as well. This is an 

important factor for the charity 

where cost effectiveness is a key 

consideration. 

Furthermore, the Marley Eternit’s 

Western Red Cedar Shingles, which 

are Certi-grade accredited as ‘Blue 

Label’ by the CSSB (Cedar Shingle 

and Shake Bureau) were specified as 

they guarantee the highest quality 

shingles and are PEFC accredited. 

Furthermore, the shingles specified 

were also treated with MicroPro®, a 

clear treatment which not only 

protects against wood rooting fungi 

and insect attacks, but also lets the 

shingle weather naturally without 

any staining sometimes associated 

with other treatments, and can 

deliver an extended life span of 40 

years. 

Daniel Redfern Marketing 

Campaign Manager from Marley 

Eternit said: “Having worked 

alongside MawsonKerr from the 

onset of the project we were able to 

suggest a suitable cladding solution 

which not only complemented the 

wider surroundings, but which also 

helped meet the design vision for 

the project. Meeting regularly with 

the architect and contractors 

involved in the project meant we 

were able to offer extended support 

on some of the key benefits and 

considerations associated with Cedar 

Shingles in order to bring the design 

vision to life.” 

Tek: 01283 722588 

Web: www.marleyeternit.co.uk 


PROJECTS 

Newcastle’s Pendower Hall prepares for new life 

Peter Cox helps to restore Victorian-era hall which has been abandoned for more than 15 years 

Specialist surveyors from Peter 

Cox were called in to help 

refurbish Pendower Hall to 

its former Victorian-era glory. 

The 19th century, grade II listed hall 

will become a wedding venue, 

conference facility and exhibition 

centre for local businesses to meet 

clients in its restored splendour. 

Built in 1867 for the banker J.W. 

Pease, Pendower Hall has since 

served the local community as a 

hospital in the First World War, a 

school in the 1920s and then a 

teacher’s centre before closing in 

2002. 

Peter Cox was brought in to 

carry out specialist surveys and 

inspect the property for damage to 

the woodwork. Professionals were on 

the lookout for signs of fungal 

decay or insect infestation which 

may have affected the structural 

integrity of the timbers within the 

building. An extensive attack of Dry 

Rot (Serpula lacrymans) was 

discovered as well as some Wet Rot 

(Coniophora puteana) which had 

affected much of the timber in the 

building. 

Technicians performed 

structural repairs by cutting back 

joists and bolting new sections. 

Roof timbers were also repaired by 

renewing the timber wall plates 

and rafter ends. 

Technicians also completed 

specialist resin timber repairs to the 

exposed roof trusses affected by 

damp. This involved cutting the roof 

trusses back to structurally sound 

timber, before splicing in new resin 

bonded sections to ensure the 

original timber appearance would 

look be similar to that when it was 

originally built. 

Alongside the dry and wet rot, 

there was also an infestation of 

common furniture beetle (Anobium 

Punctatum) in a second-floor room. 

This wood-boring insect is 

responsible for about 75% of all 

woodworm damage in this country 

and attacks both softwood and 

hardwood. Technicians treated the 

wood, protecting the timbers from 

further attacks and provided a 20- 

year guarantee for both fungal 

decay and woodworm. 

Chris Hansom at Peter Cox said: 

“Victorian-era buildings can quickly 

fall into disrepair without proper 

maintenance. In this case, faulty 

roof coverings, flashings, leaking 

rainwater goods and poor pointing 

meant rainwater had penetrated 

into the walls raising the moisture 

content of the timbers built into and 

against the damp masonry. Dry Rot 

spores are ubiquitous and there is no 

environment free of them. Spores 

will germinate and grow in timber 

with a moisture content of between 

20 and 30 per cent. 

“Pendower Hall has a rich history 

and historical value, so being part of 

a team that is helping to restore it is 

all the more rewarding. Working 

onsite you can see the huge 

potential of this building to be a 

fantastic venue for weddings and 

businesses based in Newcastle and 

the surrounding areas, and we are 

looking forward to seeing it serve 

the local community.” 

Web: www.petercox.com 


Impressive entrance for Council Offices 

PROJECTS 

As part of a major 

refurbishment project, 

TORMAX was contracted to 

install a prestigious 

automatic revolving door with 

automatic swing door to a local 

authority’s Civic Offices in Surrey. 

The new entrance system provides 

clear and easy access for all staff 

and visitors whilst minimising heat 

loss from the building, making it a 

sustainable solution too. 

“The combination of a revolving 

door with pass door is a perfect 

solution for busy council offices 

such as this one,” comments Simon 

Roberts, md for TORMAX. “The 

majority of pedestrians will use the 

revolving door whilst the swing door 

allows for the delivery of bulky 

packages, easy access for less able 

users and those with buggies and 

prams.” 

The Woking Borough Council 

Civic Offices have benefited from a 

significant internal renovation, 

regenerating both staff and public 

areas across the ground floor, 

providing several public services 

within the same location. 

The impressive three-wing 

automatic revolving door is driven 

by the powerful, high torque 5201 

operator. Precision engineered at 

the TORMAX HQ in Switzerland, the 

5201 is a technologically advanced 

drive that delivers exceptional 

reliability year after year, thanks to 

impeccable design credentials that 

minimise maintenance requirements. 

At Grundfos we are very proud to have 

been at the forefront of technology when 

it comes to developing the domestic 

circulator. Over the years this humble 

little workhorse has led the way in developing new 

methods to improve its operational effectiveness 

and energy efficiency. 

This year we are delighted to announce a new 

signing to the team, the UPS3, that has been built 

on a platform that has already been proven in 

millions of boilers. This new player combines 

improved energy efficiency, an easier to wire plug 

and on-board diagnostics with stalwart features 

such as ceramic bearings and shafts, a manual 

deblocking port and robust start-up functionality. 

The clever design means the new UPS3 can be 

used not only in system installations but also 

inside many of the UK’s domestic boilers. Simply 

scan the old pump with the new Grundfos GO 

Replace smartphone app and it will tell you if the 

UPS3 is a compatible fit. This gives you the chance 

to fix even integrated pump issues in one visit, 

saving you time and your customer money. 

You, the new UPS3 and Grundfos GO Replace. 

A winning team, every time! 

www.grundfos.co.uk/UPS3 

The swing door is powered by the 

TORMAX 1201 door drive which has 

similar reliability credentials and can 

be found installed in busy locations 

worldwide. 

User friendly keypads for both 

entrances allow staff to adapt door 

movement to match foot traffic 

levels and weather conditions, 

minimising energy consumption and 

ensuring clear through-flow of 

pedestrians, at all times. 

The revolving door also features 

self-monitoring sensors that 

automatically adjust door movement 

to compensate for external 

influences such as increased wind 

conditions, or a build- up of dirt for 

example. If an emergency should 

lead to power failure, the revolving 

door can be used manually to ensure 

unrestricted egress. 

“The newly refurbished parts of 

the Civic Offices have been wellreceived 

by staff and the 

community,” confirms Tom Bardsley, 

Senior Building Surveyor for Woking 

Borough Council. “The smart 

revolving entrance door fits in well 

with the surrounding architecture 

whilst also being extremely 

practical.” 

Tel: 01932 238040 

sales@tormax.co.uk 

www.tormax.co.uk 

UPS3 – the most versatile player around 


PROJECTS 

Kebony proves instrumental to Royal Opera House renovation 

London continues to embrace sustainable, forward-thinking construction materials 

One of London’s most 

historic and cultural 

buildings, the Royal Opera 

House, has undergone a 

significant transformation; including 

the complete redevelopment of the 

building’s upper floor and 600sq/m 

decking area. Selected by Stanton 

Williams Architects for its enhanced 

physical properties and unique 

appearance, Kebony, a beautiful and 

sustainable wood has been chosen 

to deck the entire terrace. The 

rejuvenation of the space stands as a 

shining example of the Capital 

embracing sustainable, forwardthinking 

construction materials for 

use in its creative and cultural 

buildings. 

Originally a rest area for staff at 

the Royal Opera House, the new 

decking area has been re-purposed 

as a restaurant, meeting space and 

open air dance studio. In order to 

ensure that the outdoor flooring 

option would be suitable for the 

multi-purpose area, the architects 

required a highly durable, hardwearing 

material which was resistant 

to wear and weathering. As such 

Kebony was the perfect material to 

repurpose the 600sq/m decking area. 

Alfresco Floors was 

commissioned to supply and install 

the innovative GRAD decking 

system, colloquially known as the 

‘invisible fixings’ deck system. The 

method utilises a clip fixing, which 

locks in specially milled grooves 

along the underside of each board, 

effectively hiding all fixtures and 

fittings from view. On the 

recommendation of outdoor flooring 

specialists, Alfresco Floors, who 

assisted with the project, the preexisting 

joist structure was also 

retained. The low build up height of 

the Grad system meant that Alfresco 

Floors could install the entire rail 

system, clips and boards onto the 

existing joists without a significant 

change to the height of the original 

floor. 

Stanton Williams Architects 

selected Kebony due to its enhanced 

durability, dimensional stability and 

rich brown tone which fades to a 

natural silver-grey shade over time. 

Developed in Norway, Kebony’s 

revolutionary technology is an 

environmentally friendly process 

which modifies sustainably sourced 

softwoods by heating the wood with 

furfuryl alcohol - an agricultural byproduct. 

By polymerising the wood’s 

cell wall, the softwoods permanently 

take on the attributes of tropical 

hardwood including enhanced 

physical properties and extended 

warranty. Kebony is highly resistant 

to wear and weathering, which 

makes it the ideal material for the 

multi-purpose deck at the Royal 

Opera House. Although a natural 

material, the wood requires no 

maintenance beyond normal 

cleaning and can stand up to testing 

conditions far better than untreated 

softwood. 

Chris Short, Marketing Director 

at Alfresco Floors commented: “We 

are incredibly proud to have played 

a part in the redevelopment of one 

of London’s most iconic buildings. 

The use of innovative technology 

and materials such as the GRAD 

decking system and Kebony wood 

were essential to the success of the 

stunning creative space and we are 

certainly excited to see the huge 

variety of events and activities that 

will take place on the deck for years 

to come.” 

Adrian Pye, International Sales 

Director at Kebony added: “The 

Royal Opera House terrace is an 

incredible space and we are 

delighted to have helped in its 

refurbishment. It’s wonderful to see 

how an increasing number of 

developments are utilising 

sustainably sourced materials such 

as Kebony and we hope to continue 

working on equally exciting projects 

like this in the future. 

Web: www.alfrescofloors.co.uk 


PROJECTS 

Glendyne restores historic chapel to former glory 

Cembrit Glendyne natural 

slates have been specified 

and installed on a unique 

renovation project for the 

Historic Hampshire landmark, Netley 

Chapel, which saw the local 

community contributing financially 

to the restoration project. Before 

slating began, the public were 

invited to site to mark the occasion 

and “sponsor a slate”. For a small 

donation, visitors wrote a message 

and signed the reverse of a roof 

slate. More than 900 Glendyne 

slates were decorated, raising £6,600 

for the friends of the Royal Victoria 

Country Park. These slates were then 

installed on the roof of the chapel 

by Elliotts Premier Roofing of 

Southampton. 

Royal Victoria Country Park was 

once the site of the world’s largest 

military hospital, the Royal Victoria 

Hospital (or Netley Hospital). Now, 

all that remains of the original 

hospital structure, which fell into 

decline after being severely 

damaged by fire in 1963, is Netley 

Chapel. Thanks to a multi-million 

pound grant from Hampshire County 

Council and the Heritage Lottery 

Fund, the Victorian-era building has 

recently undergone extensive 

renovation, and now marks the 

beginning of a new chapter for the 

chapel. 

Hampshire-based construction 

company, Brymor Construction was 

appointed as the main contractor 

for the project alongside roofing 

subcontractor, Elliotts Premier 

Roofing. Having worked with 

Cembrit many times in the past, 

Elliotts Premier Roofing selected 

610mm x 305mm blue-grey Cembrit 

Glendyne natural slates for the 

refurbishment of the roof covering: 

“As one of the oldest companies in 

Southampton, it’s been a privilege 

for us to have played such a pivotal 

role in this project and work with 

other local organisations to restore 

this iconic chapel,” says David 

Stubbington of Elliotts Premier 

Roofing. “We chose Cembrit 

Glendyne slates for the project due 

to its flexibility to accommodate the 

roof design of the prestigious 

building. The end result is impressive 

and Glendyne really accentuates the 

character of the chapel.” 

The chapel re-opened to the 

public in summer 2018. An 

exhibition in the main body of the 

chapel tells the story of the former 

hospital, from its beginnings in the 

1850s, through the Boer War, and 

both World Wars up to the present 

day. 

The project was completed in a 

timely fashion, and is one of the 

first to utilise the new large 24" x 

12" (imperial) format. Netley Chapel 

was finished to an extremely high 

standard. Cembrit was on hand to 

offer support and advice for this 

landmark renovation project. “I 

assisted Hampshire Council with 

writing the roofing specification for 

this project,” commented Phil 

Wilden, Technical Manager Pitched 

& Small Element Roofing Products 

at Cembrit. “Throughout the roof 

construction phase, our Regional 

Sales Manager and I made routine 

visits to the site to ensure the 

product was being installed to the 

requirements of the specification 

and that of British Standard BS5534. 

This highlights the level of technical 

support that we offer our 

customers.” 

Glendyne is a high quality slate 

that combines first-class 

performance with all the inherent 

beauty of natural slate, making it 

the ideal ‘natural’ choice for 

specifiers and roofers. Available 

exclusively from Cembrit in the UK, 

Glendyne is a distinctive blue-grey 

colour. The Glendyne quarry is one 

of the most modern slate quarries in 

the world. The quarry operates a 

quality management system based 

on EN ISO 9001 which is externally 

audited. This standard is adhered to 

rigidly, as are all quality standard 

procedures required by each regional 

market the quarry supplies. 

Glendyne is tested to BS EN 

European standard, BS EN 12326- 

1:2014 which requires many of the 

laboratory tests (‘type testing’) to be 

performed at least annually and the 

factory production control (FPC) 

performed and recorded as a matter 

of routine by the producer. 

To watch a video on the project, visit: 

www.cembrit.co.uk/about/news/glendyne-restores-historic-chapel-to-former-glory 

For further information visit www.cembrit.co.uk, email sales@cembrit.co.uk or tel: +44 (0) 208 320 1184. 


PROJECTS 

MAC Project of the Year: St Paul’s Cathedral 

St Paul’s Cathedral, with its 

world famous dome, is an 

iconic feature of the London 

skyline. The largest Cathedral 

in England, it is the masterpiece of 

Britain’s most famous architect Sir 

Christopher Wren. 

It was recently selected as the 

venue of a prestigious lunch hosted 

by the Mastic Asphalt Council (MAC) 

for architects, specifiers and 

contractors, as a superb example of 

the durability of mastic asphalt 

roofing. Mastic asphalt was first laid 

in 1906 on the Stone Gallery that 

circles the Cathedral dome and it 

provided a remarkable 111 years’ 

weatherproof protection before it 

required refurbishment last year. 

MAC member Sussex Asphalte 

secured the contract to replace the 

asphalt around the Cathedral dome 

and the project was deemed so 

successful that it won the accolade 

of Project of the Year at the MAC 

Awards Ceremony for 2018. Earlier 

in the year, Sussex Asphalte and IKO 

PLC celebrated another award for 

the application at St Paul’s Cathedral 

as it was selected as the Best Mastic 

Asphalt Project at the NFRC 

(National Federation of Roofing 

Contractors) Annual Awards. 

The mastic asphalt refurbishment 

was carried out on the first of two 

galleries above the Whispering 

Gallery that encircle the outside of 

the dome of the Cathedral. At 53 

metres high, the Gallery’s exposure 

to the elements and surface 

deterioration had caused water 

ingress, subsequently damaging 

artwork inside the dome. A £200,000 

grant was awarded to the Cathedral 

by the government-sponsored First 

World War Cathedral Repairs Fund 

to protect huge murals by Sir James 

Thornhill, which depict the life of St 

Paul. 

With the application totalling a 

surface area of 416m2, successful 

project management and skilled 

mastic asphalt installation in 

accordance with BS 8218:1998 were 

key to conserving one of the most 

important architectural structures in 

the UK. Works were phased to 

ensure there was no disruption to 

public access to the Stone Gallery 

sections. This was critical, as 

thousands of visitors from all around 

the world visit the Cathedral every 

week and the Stone Gallery forms a 

key part of the Cathedral’s visitor 

experience with impressive views 

across London. 

The height and highly sensitive 

fabric of the building meant that all 

materials and waste were carefully 

transported on and off site via three 

hoists, requiring careful operation 

and management. Sussex Asphalte’s 

skilled craftsmen replaced asphalt 

originally laid in 1906 with IKO 

Permaphalt, a specially formulated, 

polymer-modified mastic asphalt 

providing exceptional long-term 

durability, increased fatigue 

resistance, enhanced temperature 

stability, ease of installation and 

carbon neutral properties. Applied in 

a three-coat application at 35mm, 

the first coat of IKO Permaphalt was 

applied at 10mm to level out old 

stone, the second coat was also 

applied at 10mm and a third coat 

was applied at 15mm with 

associated details and solar 

reflective paint to exposed upstands. 

The asphalt was stripped and relaid 

in sections to ensure 

watertightness, as the asphalt 

provides a totally seamless 

installation. Stripping enabled the 

client to view the condition of the 

Portland Stone paving beneath the 

asphalt. During the process a disused 

stairwell was revealed, which 

remains as a feature, having been 

made safe by the contractors. This 

‘secret staircase’ offers sight of some 

of the flying buttresses Sir 

Christopher Wren had designed to 

be kept hidden and views into the 

roof space above the quire in 

which World War II bomb damage 

and repairs are still visible. 

The Stone Gallery includes a 

central gutter covered by iron grills 

that were removed, cleaned and 

refitted on the new asphalt. To 

ensure the correct width of asphalt 

was applied, a gutter template was 

fabricated and used as a guide by 

the mastic asphalters, requiring 

skilled precision work. Other detail 

work involved adjustments to 

rainwater outlets to improve 

drainage, and vertical upstand into a 

chase, including a double angle fillet 

around the Galley’s circumference, 

totalling 286 linear metres. 

Through excellent project 

management, the works were 

completed ahead of schedule. Given 

the conservation and architectural 

significance of St Paul’s, Sussex 

Asphalte worked with the Clerk of 

Works to St Paul’s Cathedral to use 

this project to promote the use of 

mastic asphalt by arranging a 

behind the scenes tour of St Paul’s 

Cathedral and a viewing of the 

mastic asphalt works on the Stone 

Gallery with a group of architects 

and surveyors. 

Julian Coulter, Director of Sussex 

Asphalte said: “This project involved 

replacing mastic asphalt that was 

laid over 100 years ago, 

demonstrating the robustness and 

longevity of the material despite its 

exposed location and having had 

millions of tourists walk on the 

Stone Gallery in the intervening 

years. Mastic asphalt provided the 

ideal seamless and hard-wearing 

material. 

“Despite the tremendous success 

of the project, it was extremely 

challenging due to the importance 

and heritage nature of the site. Our 

operatives had to ensure that works 

did not disturb services taking place 

in the Cathedral and it remained 

operational during the application. 

The opportunity to contribute to its 

renovation using mastic asphalt on 

the iconic Stone Gallery was a 

unique project not only for Sussex 

Asphalte, but also the mastic asphalt 

industry as a whole. It is one of the 

most important projects in the 

company’s 70-year history,” he 

continued. 

www.sussexasphalte.co.uk/ 


TV presenter returns to Sherwood to 

celebrate opening of new visitor centre 

PROJECTS 

Mike Dilger, the wildlife 

presenter on the BBC’s 

The One Show, returned 

to Sherwood Forest last 

week to officially open a new £5m 

visitor centre , built by local 

construction company, Woodhead 

Group. 

Mike Dilger, the wildlife 

presenter on the BBC’s The One 

Show, returned to Sherwood Forest 

last week to officially open a new 

£5m visitor centre , built by local 

construction company, Woodhead 

Group. 

Mike, a naturalist who has 

become a regular on the nation’s TV 

screens, began his conservation 

career in Nottinghamshire, working 

for the British Trust for Conservation 

Volunteers after graduating from the 

University of Nottingham. 

“One of my jobs whilst I was 

working there as a Conservation 

Volunteer Coordinator was to put up 

a new fence around the Major Oak, 

so it ’s a location I know well and 

as such is a place close to my heart. 

I ’m delighted to be returning, and 

cannot wait to see the new visitor 

centre and find out more about the 

future plans for this special forest, 

” said Mike. The new centre 

opened to the public this summer, in 

time to host the 34 th annual 

Robin Hood Festival, but last week’s 

launch was a chance for many 

dignitaries and businesses who have 

supported the project to have a look 

at the building. 

And there’s nobody more pleased 

to see the building standing proud 

than father and daughter team, 

Andy and Amy Stamford. 

The pair both work for lead 

contractor, Woodhead Group, as Site 

Manager (Andy) and Quantity 

Surveyor (Amy) on the project. The 

pair have worked tirelessly alongside 

a team of local tradespeople to 

create the fantastic new £5m 

Sherwood Forest visitor centre, 

which will be run and managed by 

the RSPB (Royal Society for the 

Protection of Birds). 

The new centre will aim to give a 

big boost for the local economy 

once open, and has already made its 

mark. Woodhead is based in the 

village of Edwinstowe, just a stone’s 

throw from the new centre, and the 

team has spent more than 90% of 

the cost of the project within a 40- 

mile radius of the site. 

Andy Stamford said a lot of time 

and effort went into ensuring that 

so much of the build was resourced 

locally: “Woodhead is a local family 

firm, committed to this area, so I 

think everyone who has been 

involved in this project has a great 

deal to be proud of. It’s not just a 

wonderful looking building but a 

great asset for this area.” 

Gemma Howarth, RSPB senior 

site manager, said :“Whilst the last 

12 months of building has been a 

huge focus for us, the project dates 

back much further than this, and 

includes years of planning to help 

bring it to fruition,” she said. 

“We recognise that a project of 

this ambition needs backing from so 

many different quarters. We are 

especially thankful for the support 

of the local village residents and 

groups, and plan to host a 

community event to celebrate with 

them a little later in the year.” 

Councillor John Cottee, 

Committee Chairman for 

Communities and Place, at 

Nottinghamshire County Council, 

said: “It is a landmark occasion to 

witness the official opening of the 

new Sherwood Forest Visitor Centre. 

As a county council, we have 

demonstrated our total commitment 

to the project from the start with 

our investment of £4m. Our 

world-famous Sherwood Forest, 

historic Major Oak and legendary 

Robin Hood will go from strength to 

strength following the completion 

of this scheme.” 

Phil Rose, known to millions as 

Friar Tuck from the hit TV 

programme Robin of Sherwood, was 

also among the guests at the 

official opening, still fulfilling his 

role as the Friar . 

The facility, which cost more 

than £5 million, was completed in 

August following a year-long build. 

The building and the National 

Nature Reserve are managed by an 

RSPB-led partnership which includes 

Sherwood Forest Trust, Thoresby 

Estate and the Woodland Trust, 

working together with 

Nottinghamshire County Council, 

who provided £4 million towards the 

cost of the project. Besides partners, 

other funders included the Garfield 

Weston Foundation and the D2N2 

Local Enterprise Partnership. 

The centre includes a welcome 

area, new shop and caf é , and an 

outside terrace, amphitheatre and a 

new Robin Hood-themed 

playground, designed with the help 

of local children. 

Now that the new facility is 

open, work will begin soon to 

sensitively remove the old visitor 

centre and car parks, to return the 

site to nature. The area is a 

designated site of special scientific 

interest, and highly protected, which 

is why a new location had to be 

found for a visitor facility. 

www.visitsherwood.co.uk 


PROJECT 

95 year old cinema restoration recognised by world-class 

panel of architects, designers and industry academics 

Belfast-based Pure Fitout 

celebrates Building and 

Architecture Award for the 

renovation of Stella 

Theatre, originally opened in 1923. 

Bringing back to life the 1920s 

glamour of the iconic Stella Theatre 

in Dublin, independent fit out 

specialist, Pure Fitout, has received 

the award for Building 

Refurbishment for a Single Building 

or Development. 

The extensive restoration project 

for Press Up Entertainment Group in 

collaboration with renowned 

designers, O’Donnell O’Neill Design 

Associates, used meticulous 

restoration techniques to preserve 

the stunning original features of the 

art deco theatre. 

James Edwards, Building & 

Architect of the Year Awards, says: 

“The panel were impressed by the 

excellence of this extensive 

restoration which preserved the 

original ornate ceiling and art deco 

features. High quality work and 

materials used to integrate the 

wonderful original features with 

new innovative aspects.’’ 

AWARD-WINNING 

CRAFTSMANSHIP AND 

ATTENTION TO DETAIL 

Restoring the Stella Theatre 

required a dedicated team of 

project managers, quantity 

surveyors and site managers, as well 

as highly skilled craftspeople to 

achieve the award-winning 

restoration. 

“This restoration project was 

truly unique, and a challenge that 

we’re extremely proud of. From 

discovering the original ornate 

ceiling to the beautiful mosaic 

tiling of the Stella logo, our 

specialist craftspeople and 

antiquing experts successfully 

restored and recreated intricate 

features and details throughout the 

theatre,” said Ronan Higham, 

Founder and Managing Director of 

Pure Fitout. 

Mixing the old with the new, 

Pure Fitout’s in-house joinery and 

metal workshop played a significant 

role in creating new features that 

would complement and blend in 

with the original design. This 

included creating a bespoke mould 

in order to produce a brand new 

balcony with an authentic replica 

design. 

PURE FITOUT ACCOLADES 

CONTINUE TO STACK 

Founded in 2015, Pure Fitout has 

achieved significant growth in just 

three years, securing recurring 

contracts with clients across the 

hospitality sector including Five 

Guys, The Press Up Entertainment 

Group, NolaClan Group and Boojum 

burrito bars. Pure Fitout has been 

shortlisted for three Fit Out Awards 

due to be announced next month 

for work on the Stella Theatre as 

well as the Stella Diner and The 

Press Up Offices. 

Pure Fitout is also extremely 

proud to have been shortlisted for 

the Small Business Big Impact 

Award at the annual Aisling 

Awards, honouring the champions 

of Belfast and those making the 

biggest contribution to the 

community. 

The company prides itself in 

attending to every detail of their 

clients’ vision, by sourcing, handcrafting, 

manufacturing and 

preparing each element to create 

an environment that is in keeping 

with the client’s request. 

Higham continued: “We believe 

in providing a fully integrated 

approach for the development and 

execution of fit outs of any scale 

from smaller projects to major 

commercial and residential roll 

outs. We source materials from 

around the world in order to realise 

our client’s and designer’s vision, all 

produced and fabricated in our 

workshop. Whether it’s marble from 

Italy or tiles from New York, we 

guarantee the highest quality 

materials for the in-house creation 

of bespoke features.” 

www.purefitout.com 


New development contributes to the 

regeneration of Stratford 

PROJECTS 

Council-run shared ownership scheme available to both Newham residents and non-residents. 

The McGrath Road 

development, in Stratford, 

East London, is coming soon 

under the Newham Newshare 

equity loan scheme, with SiteSales 

Property Group providing 

consultancy on sales, marketing and 

specification. 

The development comprises 26 

houses, positioned around a 

communal courtyard, each with a 

private balcony or a terrace. 

Boasting unique architecture and a 

contemporary design, the site is 

finished to a high quality 

specification. The interiors are well 

lit and feature integrated appliances. 

McGrath Road exterior CGI. 

Copyright © SiteSales Property 

Group. 

McGrath Road is situated in a 

swiftly up-and-coming part of 

London. The recently opened 

Westfield Stratford City is home to 

over 350 retail outlets, restaurants 

and bars, making it one of Europe’s 

largest shopping centres. The area 

has also benefited greatly from the 

after effects of the 2012 London 

Olympics, and residents will enjoy 

easy access to all the amenities of 

the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, 

which include the London Stadium 

and the London Aquatics Centre 

with its wave-shaped roof. 

Superb transport links, such as 

the DLR, Central and Jubilee 

underground lines, as well as 

Stratford International, conveniently 

connect the residents to the rest of 

the capital and continental Europe. 

Murray Smith, Managing Director 

of SiteSales Property Group said, 

‘Stratford is a burgeoning and 

vibrant part of London, its attraction 

increased following the investment 

in the Olympic stadium and athletes’ 

village and the recent influx of new 

businesses. The McGrath Road 

development is all about bringing 

high specification affordable housing 

to this area. The work Newham 

Borough Council is undertaking on 

developments such as this makes a 

crucial contribution to addressing 

London’s housing issues.’ 

www.site-sales.co.uk 

REL helps to deliver multi-million-pound 

restoration of Georgian town hall 

AGrade II listed town hall has 

been transformed into a 

museum and art gallery 

with the help of REL 

Building Services. Located in St 

Albans city centre in a conservation 

area, the historic building has been 

extended and refurbished by main 

contractor Willmott Dixon. REL was 

responsible for the design and 

installation of all mechanical and 

electrical (M&E) services, including 

specialist lighting, underfloor 

heating, boiler plants, ventilation, air 

conditioning and advanced security 

systems. 

Throughout the £5.4m project, 

REL worked closely with 

architectural, planning and heritage 

consultants, including Historic 

England, to ensure the M&E services 

were appropriately designed for the 

listed building and installed to 

minimise visual impact as well as 

protect the property’s fabric. 

Spanning three floors, the work 

has seen the ground floor’s entrance 

halls turned into a reception area 

and exhibition space. The former 

Victorian courtroom has been fully 

restored and on the first floor, the 

assembly rooms have been 

refurbished ready for events 

including heritage and art 

exhibitions. These rooms feature 

three handmade crystal chandeliers 

each weighing 100 kilograms, which 

were also installed by REL. 

A new temperature-controlled 

and secure lower ground floor 

gallery has been created under the 

building for national exhibition and 

art shows. The ground floor has also 

been renovated to accommodate a 

learning studio, new visitor 

information point, gift shop and 

café. 

Toby Buckley, managing director 

of REL Building Services said: 

“Designing and installing modern 

building services into an historic 

building requires specialist 

knowledge and skills. We worked 

with the client’s design team and 

Historic England from the early 

design stages right through to the 

end of the project to ensure the 

M&E package met its strict 

requirements, including concealing 

all services. 

“Set to be a world-class centre 

for arts and culture, the new 

museum and gallery has been a 

fascinating project to work on and 

we’re proud to have played a part in 

its transformation.” 

Designed by John McAslan + 

Partners, the new museum will 

showcase more than 2,000 years of 

heritage and host art exhibitions, 

showing local treasures and those 

from around the world. 

Web: www.relbuildingservices.co.uk 


PROJECTS 

Weber floor screed keeps everyone on their 

toes at everyone active leisure centre 

In the first phase of 

improvements to Watford 

Woodside Leisure Centre in 

Hertfordshire, one of two stateof-the-art 

facilities in the town 

managed by Everyone Active, high 

performance weberfloor 4310 fibre 

flow by Saint-Gobain Weber has 

been specified by main contractor 

Bosun Design & Construction 

Limited (BDC), Chandlers Ford, 

Hampshire. 

Everyone Active is the trading 

name for Sports & Leisure 

Management Limited (SLM), the UK’s 

longest-established leisure 

contractor. It manages more than 

170 leisure and cultural facilities 

around the country in partnership 

with 49 different local authorities 

and trusts, and is currently carrying 

out a £1.8million improvement 

project across its Watford Woodside 

and Watford Central leisure centres. 

“Working alongside Watford 

Borough Council, we are supporting 

local people of all ages and abilities 

to improve their health by offering 

them access to top-class leisure 

services and facilities,” said Gary 

Foley, Everyone Active’s contract 

manger in Watford. “This project to 

update both locations will make a 

huge difference to our members, 

providing them with a new fitness 

studio to cater for the growing 

demand in group exercise, 

refurbished changing facilities and a 

significantly improved fitness suite 

that will offer the latest state-ofthe-art 

equipment.” 

“We undertake contracts for 

Everyone Active at numerous sites in 

the south east,” comments James 

May, director at BDC, which is 

carrying out the work in Watford. 

“Multiple contracts are on-going at 

any one time. The process of 

selection is via tender direct to 

Everyone Active, which then works 

with the local authority. It is at this 

stage a preferred contractor is 

proposed.” 

Included in the current phase of 

the works is the creation of a new 

mezzanine floor. It has been 

installed in the space above a former 

dance studio and adjacent squash 

court, and has enabled a brand new 

fitness studio to be created. The 

current studio has also been 

extended. The second phase of 

development is due to begin at both 

Watford sites shortly, for completion 

in early 2019. BDC is actively 

involved in both projects. 

Subcontractor C E C Plastering, 

of Southampton, undertook the 

application of weberfloor 4310 fibre 

flow screed. Director Chris Crosby 

says: “Together with Bosun Design & 

Construction we specified this fibre 

reinforced self-smoothing 

compound which we pump-applied 

at various thicknesses from 35- 

50mm. It was quick and easy to 

install, very versatile, and has 

produced an excellent finish. We’re 

fans of this product and have used it 

before but, even so, we benefited 

from Weber’s technical support.” 

weberfloor 4310 fibre flow screed 

was applied to a steel framed block 

and beam floor construction which 

overcame the concerns around 

loading issues that might have 

arisen with the application of a 

traditional concrete screed. 

The new floor was initially 

primed with weberfloor 4716, a 

water-based primer designed for use 

with all cementitious and hemihydrate 

floor screeds. It regulates 

the porosity of the substrate, 

improves the adhesion of flooring 

products while reducing the 

formation of pinholes in the 

levelling layer. It should be diluted 

with clean water and can be spray 

applied on large areas. 

weberfloor 4310 fibre flow 

screed is designed for application at 

thicknesses between 5 – 50mm and 

formulated from special cements, 

aggregates, supplementary binders 

and chemical admixtures. It is 

supplied as a blended dry powder 

and designed specifically for 

renovation of existing floors and 

floating floor construction in 

domestic and commercial 

applications. 

weberfloor 4310 fibre flow can 

receive foot traffic after just 2 - 4 

hours and can be tiled after 12 - 24 

hours, dependent on ambient 

temperature following installation. 

The fibre reinforcement aids 

durability and allows it to be used in 

conjunction with under floor 

heating systems and floating floors. 

weberfloor 4310 fibre flow has 

excellent spreading and smoothing 

characteristics. It has low alkalinity 

and low emissions during drying and 

is casein free. 

Almost 500 bags of weberfloor 

4310 fibre flow were required to 

finish the 190m² mezzanine floor in 

preparation for a final wood sprung 

floor suitable for dance and other 

physical education where shock 

absorption is essential to enhance 

performance and reduce the risk of 

injury. 

weberfloor 4310 fibre flow is 

featured in Weber’s one hour long 

RIBA-Assessed ‘Introduction into 

Flowing Floor Screeds’ CPD which 

can be presented by Weber’s 

Specification Team at your premises 

or at a Saint-Gobain facility or 

Training Academy anywhere in the 

UK. It is free of charge and 

available on request. This 

comprehensive CPD presentation 

covers many subjects from why and 

where to use floor systems; the 

attributes of commercial floors; 

design considerations; the demands 

of the finished floor that will have 

an influence on specification, 

through to renovation, fast-track 

construction and drying times. 

The CPD includes an application 

video showing the attributes of 

weberfloor 4310 fibre flow 

smoothing compound which is of 

specific interest to both designers 

and applicators. 

Weber’s floor screeds and tile 

fixing products are manufactured in 

sustainable, modern manufacturing 

facilities in Bedfordshire, Shropshire 

and Ireland, ensuring product 

quality, conformity and availability, 

with reduced transportation costs 

and CO emissions. 

Weber has a team of experienced 

technical advisors who are available 

to provide advice both at the 

specification stage and during 

application. Detailed specifications 

can be provided for specific projects 

while site visits and on-site support 

can be arranged. 

For more information about the 

Flooring CPD, to make a booking, 

or for technical support including 

award winning training courses, 

please contact Saint-Gobain Weber 

on 08703 330 070, or visit 

www.uk.weber. CPD bookings can 

be made by email: 

mail@netweber.co.uk. 


200 year old warehouse converted 

to first Passivhaus hostel in the UK 

Building physics and services 

engineer Greengauge has 

provided a complete holistic 

advice package on the 

remodelling and retrofit of the 

Barrel Store, the first and only 

Passivhaus certified hostel in the UK. 

Completed in 2016, the 

exceptionally performing building 

won the Cirencester Civic Society 

Design Award 2016 and is a finalist 

in the UK Passivhaus Awards 2018. 

But these accolades belie a humbler 

beginning. 

BACKGROUND 

Situated in Cirencester, the Barrel 

Store was constructed around 1820 

as a warehouse to serve the adjacent 

brewery, which closed in the early 

20th century. By the 1970s, the 

derelict but solidly built Cotswold 

limestone building narrowly escaped 

demolition and instead was 

converted into a theatre. The 

building sustained this use for 

several decades, but the theatre 

recently closed as it was no longer 

fit for purpose. 

The New Brewery Arts charity, 

which had managed the theatre 

along with two other nearby former 

brewery buildings, decided to 

convert the Barrel Store into a youth 

hostel. This use would provide much 

needed affordable and stylish visitor 

accommodation for people 

attending New Brewery Arts courses 

and workshops. 

PASSIVHAUS ENERPHIT RETROFIT 

The ambitious scheme put together 

by Greengauge and Potter Church & 

Holmes Architects proposed a 

Passivhaus Enerphit retrofit for the 

building. 

“I believe our proposal was 

chosen because it was the only 

scheme that included Passivhaus,” 

says Peter Holmes the Architect and 

director at Potter Church & Holmes 

Architects. “It may also have been 

that we proposed a groundbreaking, 

low energy hostel that 

would attract people and would 

result in minimal running costs. We 

were a good, local team of 

consultants that were very 

committed and enthusiastic about 

the project.” 

The project brief was fairly 

straightforward, asking for a hostel 

that provided 48 beds, a kitchen, 

dining area, entrance, laundry, office 

and storage. But a Passivhaus 

Enerphit retrofit is inherently more 

difficult than a new build. 

Thankfully, this project was 

simpler than most retrofits as 

everything internal was stripped out 

leaving the building’s shell, which 

was in good condition. Two new 

floors were formed requiring new 

load-bearing internal structures and 

the roof space was used to house 

the mechanical plant. 

“This project touches on all of 

our key services,” says Toby Cambray, 

co-founder of Greengauge. “We did 

all of the M&E design, the 

Passivhaus consultancy, which 

involved specifying and doing the 

calculations for the insulation, the 

triple glazed windows and 

supporting the architect in the 

detailing. We also completed a 

moisture risk analysis using WUFI [a 

specialist software tool which 

simulates how moisture moves 

through a building’s structure].” 

INSULATION CHALLENGES 

Despite the brief’s simplicity, the 

project still had its own unique set 

of challenges. One of the most 

testing aspects involved the 

insulation. Given that the building is 

situated in a conservation area, the 

insulation required to help achieve 

Passivhaus could not be fixed to the 

outside of the stone building. 

Instead, it had to be fixed on the 

inside. 

This decision had a knock-on 

effect on the hostel’s proposed 

layout. As the building is long and 

narrow, the insulation thickness 

required would take up valuable 

internal space resulting in fewer 

beds. 

The realised scheme provides 14 

bedrooms, 13 with en-suite 

bathrooms, and 48 beds, while still 

insulating to the level required for 

Enerphit. A semi-circular oak 

staircase lined with ash boarding, 

like a barrel, was introduced into the 

centre of the hostel. This high 

quality architectural feature elevates 

the interior and draws in daylight 

via a new rooflight. 

Internal Wall Insulation (IWI) has 

to be specified carefully because the 

masonry behind the insulation in a 

heated building will become colder 

than before. This increases the risk 

of moisture accumulation and slows 

down the rate at which the masonry 

can dry out. This in turn can increase 

the risk of mould and damage to the 

existing stone, new timber structure 

and the insulation. 

To this end the solution 

employed involved the construction 

of a highly insulated timber-framed 

‘building’ inside the existing stone 

walls. This structure was built off an 

insulated concrete slab, which 

helped to thermally isolate the new 

timber structure from the ground 

and walls. The semi-basement was 

filled in with compacted granular 

material and 350mm of polystyrene 

insulation below a concrete raft to 

create level access. 

MOISTURE RISK ANALYSIS 

The specialist skills offered by 

Greengauge played a major role here 

by modelling the proposed structure 

in WUFI to check how it was likely 

to perform. 

“We had to make sure we 

managed the risk of moisture 

accumulation,” says Cambray. “The 

dynamic movement of water, vapour 

and liquid form is something that 

the WUFI software can assess, which 

other simpler assessment methods 

don’t.” 

A lime plaster parge layer was 

applied to the internal stone walls 

and then a continuous 100mm thick 

rigid wood fibre insulation layer was 

fixed to the masonry. The new 

timber structure, filled with 80mm 

thick flexible wood fibre insulation, 

was then built inside the rigid 

woodfibre board which is thermally 

separated from the walls and floor. 

Minimising thermal bridging and 

ensuring air-tightness in the 

building were other critical factors 

that helped to achieve Passivhaus. 

Greengauge drew up twodimensional 

models of proposed key 

junctions using the THERM software 

to analyse heat transfer and to 

evaluate any potential problems 

with condensation and moisture risk. 

HOT WATER AND VENTILATION 

Hot water demand at the Barrel 

Store was anticipated to be high 

given its hostel use. Greengauge 

PROJECTS 

specified a direct gas-fired water 

heater that heats a 370-litre 

cylinder, which supplies 

approximately 40 showers in two 

hours. Some of this heat is diverted 

into space heating when needed. A 

small 10kw plate heat exchanger 

takes heat from the cylinder and 

sends it around the hostel’s small 

radiator circuit. 

Like all Passivhaus projects 

ventilation is important. This is 

provided via two mechanical 

ventilation with heat recovery units, 

which serve the left and right halves 

of the building. Ventilation is 

demand controlled based on relative 

humidity and is supplemented with 

fresh air via the windows. 

AT THE FOREFRONT OF 

PASSIVHAUS 

Another contributing factor which 

helps to achieve Passivhaus 

certification is a good builder. One 

who is meticulous about ensuring 

against air leakage and keeps a 

clean, dust-free site. David Gilkes, 

managing director at DJP 

Construction, who was the Barrel 

Store builder, says it was the first 

Passivhaus project he had worked on 

and he is now a Passivhaus convert. 

“It was a very rewarding job and 

it has had a huge impact on how we 

construct other projects,” says 

Gilkes. “We realise that to achieve 

Passivhaus is not as difficult as we 

had thought as long as you follow 

specific criteria. Toby [Cambray] at 

Greengauge was fantastic and 

because of his knowledge and 

experience in Passivhaus he was very 

considerate and supportive. 

Greengauge is at the forefront of 

Passivhaus and is miles ahead of any 

other consultants we’ve worked 

with.” 

Holmes agrees adding: 

“Greengauge is not just a services 

engineer, it also has energy 

consultants with specialist 

knowledge about low energy 

buildings. They are a young firm that 

is growing very fast and has a really 

interesting range of skills. This 

broadening skills base within this 

overall area of expertise is uniquely 

theirs.” 

The energy efficiency of the 

hostel means that the client should 

use less than 50% of the energy of a 

traditional construction. The client 

has confirmed that the building 

requires very little maintenance, 

which maximises the time the hostel 

is open. This is particularly important 

as the Barrel Store forms an integral 

part of the New Brewery Arts 

financial model; its efficiency 

therefore directly benefits its 

charitable organisation. 

01225 862605 

hannahrayner@ 

greengaugebuildingenergy.co.uk 


ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Scottish university attains top marks 

for energy savings 

Able to trace their history 

back over seven centuries to 

1413, today the oldest 

university in Scotland, has 

many proud boasts. Offering four 

faculties, that serve nearly 8,000 

students and with a world-renowned 

reputation, this is a university that is 

fully committed to achieving the 

highest standards. 

These ambitions can be seen in 

every aspect of the university’s 

operation, which includes aspiring to 

reach stringent environmental and 

energy efficiency objectives. To help 

to achieve this, Grundfos Pumps 

have been working closely with key 

university estate specialists, who 

play a key role in ensuring that all 

the M&E services are effectively and 

efficiently delivered, so as to ensure 

that the pumps and pump systems 

deliver maximum efficiencies. 

Working collaboratively, the 

Grundfos and local onsite team have 

achieved some really impressive 

savings. For example, an upgraded 

installation at one site alone will 

save 206978 kWh, which is equal to 

£22,768 p.a. Savings of this nature 

are genuinely achievable, when you 

look at the whole life cycle cost 

relating to a pump or pumping 

system as the purchase price is a 

very small part of the equation. 

What this means is that, 85% of the 

total life cycle cost of any pump 

system is attributable to the energy 

that is required to run the pumps, 

meaning this is the area that should 

be focussed on. 

To find out how much your 

facility could save, contact Grundfos 

who have the pumps, knowledge 

and after sales skills to enable you 

to benefit significantly. 

Tel: 01525 850000 

Email: 

grundfos-uk@sales.grundfos.com 

Web: www.grundfos.co.uk 

Construction Market Warms to Woodfibre Insulation as 

NBT Announces Sales Growth 

Woodfibre insulation 

specialist, NBT, is on 

target for a 50 per cent 

growth in sales volumes 

for 2018, indicating that specifiers 

are increasingly selecting woodfibre 

for its thermal performance, yearround 

comfort and moisture 

dispersion properties. 

Woodfibre insulation currently 

accounts for less than one per cent 

of the UK insulation market but 

supply problems in the mineral 

wool segment of the insulation 

market, coupled with fire risk 

concerns for poly-iso insulation 

products, has encouraged specifiers 

to re-examine how they are 

insulating buildings. 

Explains Andrew Mitchell: 

“Woodfibre insulation, like the 

Pavatex range that we supply, is 

often the system of choice for 

timber and CLT projects, and well as 

the environmentally-focused 

projects for which you’d expect it to 

be the solution of choice due to the 

low embodied carbon thermal 

performance benefits. 

“Pavadry woodfibre insulation, 

developed as part of the Pavatex 

range specifically for refurbishment 

projects, has also proved a popular 

choice for raising the thermal 

performance of ‘solid wall’ 

structures without compromising 

their building physics or external 

appearance. 

“Current market conditions 

affecting other types of insulation 

are now prompting specifiers to look 

more closely at the benefits 

woodfibre can offer in terms of 

performance, ease of installation, 

technical support and cost, which is 

taking woodfibre beyond the realms 

of ‘eco’ and ‘heritage’ to meet the 

needs of any project.” 

The increased sales volumes NBT 

has achieved over the course of this 

year, combined with exponential 

growth in enquiries for forthcoming 

schemes, reflect a varied project 

portfolio across the residential, 

office, culture and hospitality 

sectors, including both new builds 

and refurbishments. 

Andrew adds: “The natural 

properties of woodfibre mean that it 

combines reduced heat loss with 

improved building comfort and low 

combustibility for a temperate yearround 

environment and low risk 

installation. 

“It’s a sustainable choice made 

from renewable materials that 

delivers carbon lock up of 10 tonnes 

for the average new build dwelling, 

but current market conditions are 

prompting specifiers to focus on 

woodfibre’s buildability and 

performance credentials too, which 

is great news for us, the 

construction sector and building 

occupiers.” 

www.natural-building.co.uk 


Millcroft Supports Conservation at 

The Painted Hall, Greenwich 

PROJECTS 

The Painted Hall at the Royal 

Naval College at Greenwich is 

one of the jewels in the crown 

of the UK’s naval heritage. The 

location where Nelson lay in state as 

thousands of mourners paid their 

respects, it is adorned with more 

than 7000m2 of frescos across the 

walls and ceilings; the biggest fresco 

in Northern Europe. 

For the past fifty years, the 

decorative surfaces inside the Grade 

1 Listed building (and Scheduled 

Ancient Monument) have remained 

untouched by restorers until a major 

Heritage Lottery funded 

conservation project, ten years in 

the planning, to clean the precious 

paintings and continue their 

preservation for future generations. 

Amongst the challenges of this 

delicate project was constructing the 

access needed for the restorers to 

carry out the work, which involved 

maintaining their safety while 

enabling their painstaking work. 

Adding to the complexities of this, 

Greenwich Foundation also wanted 

to give the public access to the 

once-in-a-generation conservation 

project with guided tours of the 

work, accessible to all. To facilitate 

this, scaffolding specialist, Millcroft, 

was brought in to design, build and 

manage a bespoke scaffolding 

solution designed to address the 

unique requirements of the scheme. 

COMPLEX CHALLENGES 

The conservation project was carried 

out in two core phases, with the 

work on the dome-roofed Vestibule 

scheduled to take place first, 

followed by the main Painted Hall 

area. Consequently, Millcroft was 

required to design the scaffolding 

for the whole project and erect the 

Vestibule scaffolding first so that 

work could commence in this area 

and continue here during the fivemonth 

programme to erect the 

scaffolding in the Painted Hall. 

For both areas, Millcroft’s inhouse 

design team had to work 

within strict parameters provided by 

the Greenwich Foundation to ensure 

the structure and the artwork were 

protected. 

Explains director of Millcroft, 

Billy Jones: “The scaffolding had to 

be free-standing to avoid any 

damage risk to the delicate frescos 

on the walls and ceilings and it also 

had to be erected within restricted 

loading requirements to avoid any 

structural damage to the building or 

stress on the floor finishes. 

“Meanwhile, we needed to 

design a solution that would allow 

the conservation team sufficient 

work areas to access the frescos 

safely, create visitor access that was 

safe and presentable for public 

visits, including disabled access, and 

maintain staff access to key areas of 

the building.” 

HERITAGE SPECIALISM 

With such wide-ranging criteria to 

work with, the Millcroft team drew 

on the company’s 40-year track 

record in the heritage sector. The 

scaffolding was modelled in 3D with 

meticulous calculations to align the 

fixing intervals to the loading 

requirements. The weight of the 

large-scale scaffolding structure was 

dramatically reduced by the use of 

aluminium tube rather than steel, 

and traditional wooden scaffold 

decking was replaced by profiled 

metal, which reduced both the 

weight of the system and the fire 

risk in the sensitive setting. 

Supporting access towers were 

installed to spread the weight load 

evenly across the floor and high 

specification vinyl was used to 

protect the tiled floor from 

compression damage or puncturing. 

For the public access routes, 

Millcroft commissioned a bespoke 

access lift and erected two public 

access-rated staircases, laying a ply 

layer onto the metal deck for the 

public access routes and viewing 

gallery to maintain a consumerfacing 

finish. 

Will Palin, Project Director at the 

Greenwich Foundation adds: 

“Working closely with Millcroft, we 

were able to ensure that that 

conservation team could work safely 

and comfortably while offering the 

public a unique opportunity to see 

the conservation work unfold. 

Millcroft responded to our 

requirements both in the initial 

design and in modifying the 

scaffolding in line with access 

requirements as the project 

progressed. 

“With the scaffolding now 

carefully removed, The Painted Hall 

has been unveiled once again in its 

full glory.” 

0208 305 1988 

www.millcroft.co.uk 


UK CONSTRUCTION REVIEW 

UK Construction Week Success 

This year’s UK Construction Week (UKCW) was a huge success with over 34,000 visitors making the trip to 

Birmingham’s NEC for the three-day industry extravaganza. 

With over 650 exhibitors 

across the nine shows 

there was a wealth of 

new technology and 

techniques on display. The 

innovation trail also wound its way 

around the shows bringing new 

ideas to the fore. 

NEW INNOVATIONS 

The ‘future of construction’ was the 

theme for this year’s show and it 

shone through via innovation and 

ground-breaking new products. 

There was plenty of AR and AI 

available for those who wanted a 

virtual experience. However, for 

those with a project already mapped 

out, they were encouraged to bring 

the design on a USB and plug in to 

Canon’s new projection technology 

and watch their project come to life. 

And to make life easier, especially 

when working overhead, the 

exoskeleton was on hand to help. 

This bionic suit supports the wearer 

reducing fatigue and potential 

injury. 

TIPS GALORE 

With any restoration projects it is 

always useful to know what new 

options are available and UKCW’s 

CPD sessions covered that. There was 

a lot of conversations around health 

and safety, improving daylight and 

ventilation in homes, fire door safety 

and working at height, all topics 

which resonated with the attending 

builders and renovators. 

There was a wide range of 

seminars covering the width and 

breadth of construction too. 

Asbestos as ever was on the agenda 

discussing the real risk it poses and 

alternative ways of working around 

it rather than simply removing it. 

Glass recycling from refurbishment 

projects was also discussed and how 

to include glass into the circular 

economy. 

A spot light was also shone on 

retrofit and why there needs to be a 

better way to work. This covered 

surveying, designing and better 

understanding moisture risk. It also 

covered moisture movement and 

how future standards can be 

implemented. 

NEW PRODUCTS 

There were new products galore 

including Velux’s curved glass 

rooflight and futuristic smart 

window system; IDS was on hand 

with its quick to lay vinyl flooring 

collection; and Fischer Fixings used 

VR to carry out training on its stand. 

For those wanting to brush up on 

floor laying the Flooring Industry 

Training Association (FITA) hosted a 

demonstration zone to help hone 

individuals skills. 

Kärcher introduced a new range 

of wet and dry safety vacuum 

cleaners with live demonstrations at 

the show. Recycled plastic was 

moulded into a new product by 

Kedel who showcased Kedeck a 

wood-like decking product. And 

Soudal launched a revolutionary PU 

adhesive foam which makes bonding 

quicker and easier. In fact, one 

canister can replace a 50kg bag of 

adhesive plaster with no mess or 

wastage. 

INTO THE FUTURE 

Looking towards next year’s show, 

Nathan Garnett, UKCW event 

director said: 

“There was a tremendous 

positivity around UKCW this year, 

with a real feeling that the industry 

wants to adapt and embrace new 

ways of building. UKCW is a great 

opportunity to find something that 

will help speed up your work or 

simply make life easier. For those 

working on a refurbishment projects 

there was lots of new ideas and 

products to assist you in your role. 

The feedback from exhibitors has 

been exceptional and we know the 

visitors love the chance to try out 

new products.Our exhibitor rebook 

has exceeded our expectations and 

is 40% higher than last year, so we 

are really excited about how we can 

take this all forward in 2019 at 

UKCW.” 

Next year’s UKCW will take place 

between 8-10 October 2019 at 

Birmingham’s NEC. 

www.ukconstructionweek.com. 


PRODUCTS & SERVICES DIRECTORY 

BUYERS GUIDE 

TO ADVERTISE IN THIS SECTION PLEASE CALL 0208 504 1661 

RAINWATER GOODS 

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Bridge Foundry, Holmfirth, Nr Huddersfield HD7 1AW 

Tel: 01484 682141 Fax: 01484 681513 

Traditional Ironfounders producing Cast Iron 

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• Rainwater Pipes & Fitting (Round & Rectangular) 

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• Air Bricks ( 6 types, inc ornamental) 

• Manhole Covers & Frames 

• Gratings, Grids & ancillary Ironwork 

40 page fully illustrated catalogue available on request. 

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COOLING SYSTEMS 

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Call or email today for a brochure or a free 

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www.thermagroup.com/chillers | sales@thermagroup.com 

LIFTS 

LUXURIOUS LIFTON HOME LIFTS 

ARE REVOLUTIONISING THE WAY 

WE USE OUR HOMES 

Home lifts specialist Lifton supports architects, specifiers, 

contractors and building professionals responsible for 

refurbishment and retrofit projects by 

offering their clients, a luxurious and high-tech, futureproofing 

solution at the touch of a button. 

Pushing the boundaries of the ever-expanding improvement 

and refurb sectors of the UK building industry, Lifton 

domestic lifts boast some of the most advanced home lift 

technology around, along with outstanding design which is 

revolutionising the way we use our homes. 

The Lifton Homelift enhances the living environment by 

offering a luxurious alternative to the stairs. It is stylish and 

slimline with a compact footprint and can be installed in one 

day. These domestic lifts provide users with a luxurious 

upgrade to their home which can perfectly compliment any 

style of décor. 

Tel: 0330 222 0334 

Web: www.lifton.co.uk 

SECONDARY GLAZING 

ThermOzone 

T h e C o o l i n g S p e c i a l i s t s 

By Appointment to 

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Manufacturer and Supplier 

of Secondary Glazing 

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Typical installation 30 

days min 

NuChill 

A T h e r m O z o n e P r o d u c t 

• Most effective method of sound proofing 

• Exemplary thermal retention and draught 

insulation 

• Reversible adaptation for heritage 

• Secured by Design 

T:01727 837271 

www.selectaglaze.co.uk 

@selectaglaze 



BUYERS GUIDE 

TIMBER CARE 

EXTERNAL WALL INSULATION 

Tel : 01942 717100 Email: info@wbs-ltd.co.uk 

WE CAN RESTORE YOUR TIMBER WINDOWS 

We specialise in the repair and maintenance of sash windows. 

We can repair for a fraction of the price of replacement! 

BEFORE 

AFTER 

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Wigston, 

Leicester 

LE18 3QD 

0116 2571398 

Here at Timbercare 

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the restoration of draughty, 

rotten wooden windows. 

We can replace, or repair 

rotten cills and frames, even 

replacing glass if necessary, then prime and paint 

the window to restore it to it’s original finish. 

CALL US NOW ON 0116 2571398 FOR A FREE QUOTE 

www.timbercarenationwide.co.uk 

WOOD REPAIR 

THE DESOWOOD REPAIR SYSTEM 

Wetherby Building Systems Ltd is the UK’s market leader in the manufacture 

and distribution of a wide range of external wall insulation (EWI) systems, 

polymer modified renders, silicone & acrylic thin-coat renders & brick slip 

systems for the retrofit market. 

Wetherby’s insulated render systems offer environmentally sympathetic external 

façade solutions that have been successfully installed on many domestic 

refurbishment projects, new build schemes, commercial buildings and 

educational establishments for over 20 years. 

With over 7 million untreated solid wall properties in the UK the government 

recognise the urgent need to tackle this housing stock to reduce energy bills 

and cut carbon emissions. 

Following the clients choice of 

insulant, Wetherby can then offer 

a range of different renders and 

polymeric coatings in an unlimited 

colour range ensuring whatever 

finish or colour the client wishes 

to achieve we can match. 

Complementing the render 

systems Wetherby also offer a 

unique brick slip system, allowing 

the façade to match traditional 

brickwork and increasing the 

scope for design. Including our 

new 7mm Brick 

Wetherby operate through a network of approved installers, all of whom are 

trained and regularly inspected to ensure specifications and best site practices 

are followed. 

Wetherby offer a comprehensive technical service to ensure potential customers 

have all the information to specify the correct system that will achieve maximum 

efficiency of the EWI specification. 

www.wbs-ltd.co.uk 

STAINED GLASS REPAIR 

A DURABLE 

ALTERNATIVE TO 

LINSEED OIL PUTTY 

DESOWOOD DAP 

ELASTIC GLAZING 

SEALANT 

● A Product with an established record for performance. 

● A Product with over 20 year’s history in use. 

● Ideal for windows affected by break down of linseed oil putty. 

● Ideal for sash and casement windows. 

● For use on existing or new bead glazed windows. 

● Ideal for fixing single or double glazed sealed units on puttied or 

bead glazed windows. 

● For fixing laminated / safety glass. 

● Can be used on softwood, hardwood and metal windows. 

● Ideal for sealing plywood or pre-finished ‘in-fil’ panels. 

● Ideal replacement for ‘Back putties’ on windows affected by 

condensation on internally bead glazed windows. 

● Improves paint durability and contributes towards the prevention 

of wood decay 

● Can be painted with an opaque paint finish or translucent wood 

stain. 

● Excellent adhesion to timber, metal, concrete, brick and glass. 

Tel: 01767 682446 E:sales@desofil-uk.com 

Web-site: www.desofil-uk.com 




BUYERS GUIDE 

NATURAL STONE 

CONSERVATION 

1,000 CONTACTS, 

PRODUCTS, SERVICES and INFORMATION 

RESOURCES AT YOUR FINGERTIPS 

THE BUILDING 

CONSERVATION DI REC TO RY 

For subscriptions or to be included in the 25th edition 

contact: Cathedral Communications Limited 

T 01747 871717 E bcd@cathcomm.co.uk 

www.buildingconservation.com 

Do you have a product or service that you 

would like to be advertised in the directory? 

12 months advertising for only £250 

Contact us for more information 

email: info@refurbprojects.com 

Tel: 020 8504 1661 


WOOD AWARDS 2018 

EXCELLENCE IN BRITISH 

ARCHITECTURE AND 

PRODUCT DESIGN – 

WINNERS ANNOUNCED 

The winners of the annual Wood Awards have been 

announced at a ceremony held on the 20th 

November at Carpenters’ Hall in London hosted by 

David Hopkins, Director of the Timber Trade 

Federation. Established in 1971, the Wood Awards is 

free to enter and aim to recognise, encourage and 

promote outstanding design, craftsmanship and 

installation using wood. 

MEARS GROUP GOLD AWARD COMMERCIAL & LEISURE WINNER 

The judges selected Storey’s Field Centre & Eddington Nursery as this year’s 

Mears Group Gold Award and Commercial & Leisure winner. The Mears Group 

Gold Award is given to the winner of winners. Stephen Corbett, chair of this 

year’s buildings judging panel, comments, “the best building rose to the top, 

for its winning combination of architectural merit, structural ingenuity and 

flawless execution.” 

Location: Cambridge 

Architect: MUMA 

Client/Owner: University of Cambridge 

Structural Engineer: Aecom 

Main Contractor: 

Farrans Construction Ltd 

Joinery: C W Fields, M Borley & Sons 

Joinery Ltd 

Glulam Structure: n’H International Ltd 

Spiral Stair: Spiral UK Ltd, David 

Gilbert Joinery Ltd 

Cedar Shingle Supplier: Marley Eternit 

Wood Supplier: Brooks Bros, D F 

Richards, James Latham 

Wood Species: American white ash, 

Canadian western red cedar, European 

oak, spruce 

EDUCATION & PUBLIC SECTOR 

The Sultan Nazrin Shah Centre houses a large lecture theatre, a student 

learning space, seminar rooms and a dance studio. Judge Ruth Slavid said, 

“This is a building of tremendous quality and atmosphere, where every detail 

has been thought through.” 

Location: Oxford 

Architect: 

Niall McLaughlin Architects 

Client/Owner: 

Worcester College 

Structural Engineer: 

Price & Myers 


Beard Construction 

Joinery: Barn 6 

Furniture: Benchmark, 

David Colwell Design 

Timber Flooring: Junckers 

Wood Supplier: 

Inwood Developments, Brooks Brothers 

Wood Species: 

European oak, Siberian larch 

INTERIORS 

Royal Academy of Music Theatre & New Recital Hall are two exceptional 

performance spaces that have been integrated within the Academy site. The 

judges praised the project’s wow-factor. 

Location: London 

Architect: Ian Ritchie Architects Ltd 

Client/Owner: Royal Academy of Music 

Cost Consultant: Equals Consulting 

Structural Engineer: WSP 

Building Services: Atelier Ten 

Acoustic Engineer: Arup 

Stage Theatre Consultant: Fisher Dachs Associates 

Lighting Consultant: Ulrike Brandi Licht 

Heritage Consultant: Donald Insall Associates 

Access Consultant: Centre for Accessible 

Environments 

Fire Consultant: WSP Fire 

Approved Inspector: 

Approved Inspector Services Ltd 

Client Advisor: RISE 

Main Contractor: Geoffrey Osborne Ltd 

Joinery: James Johnson & Co. Ltd 

Specialist Theatre Electrics & Lighting: 

Push The Button 


Hardwood Sales Ltd, Brooks Bros Ltd, Lathams 

Wood Species: 

North American cherry, European oak 

PRIVATE 

Old Shed New House is a timber framed and clad home nestled within the 

landscape of North Yorkshire. Judge David Morley said that the project “seems 

perfectly suited to its owners: this building is simple and modest but also 

delicate and uplifting to visit.” 

SMALL PROJECT 

Look! Look! Look! is a pavilion within a 18th century walled garden originally 

designed by Georgian landscape designer Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown. The 

judges praised the project’s sense of fun. 

Location: 

North Yorkshire 

Architect: 

Tonkin Liu 


Rodrigues Associates 


Vine House Construction 

Joinery: 

Image Developments Northern Ltd 


Arnold Laver 

Wood Species: 

iberian larch, Latvian birch, 

Scandinavian spruce 

Location: 

Berrington Hall, Leominster 

Architect: 

Studio Morison 

Artists: 

Ivan Morison, Heather Peak 

Client/Owner: The National Trust 

Structural Engineer: Artura 

Wood Supplier/CNC Cutting: 

WUP Doodle 

Wood Species: 

Birch ply, Douglas fir 


WOOD AWARDS 2018 

STRUCTURAL AWARD 

This year’s Structural Award winner is The Macallan Distillery & Visitor 

Experience, chosen from all the shortlisted buildings. Judge Nathan Wheatley 

comments, “This unique roof unites architecture and engineering to create one 

of the UK’s largest timber structures in the UK, and is the crowning glory of 

the new distillery.” 

Location: 

Charlestown of Aberlour, Scotland 

Architect: 

Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners 

Client/Owner: 

Edrington 


Arup 


Robertson 

Installation: 

L&S Baucon GmbH 

Joinery/Wood Supplier: 

Wiehag 

Wood Species: 

Norway spruce 

JUDGES’ SPECIAL AWARD 

The Judges’ Special Award is discretionary. Woodland Classrooms, Belvue 

School stood out on the strength of its achievement for the schoolchildren 

who have been rewarded with an unforgettable, life-changing learning 

environment. 

Location: 

Northolt 

Architect: 

Studio Weave 

Client/Owner: 

Belvue School 

Structural Engineer: T 

imberwright 


IMS Building Solutions 

M&E Consultant: 

Arup 

Project Managers: 

Jackson Coles 

Roofing Sub-contractor: 

VMZinc 


T. Brewer 

Wood Species: 

Western red cedar (Canada) 

BESPOKE 

CLEFT is a series of cabinets made from different Japanese tree species. 

Corinne Julius, head of the furniture & product judging panel, comments, “We 

were enchanted by Cleft’s doors: they make you want to examine the material 

and touch it.” 

Designer: Peter 

Marigold/Tadanori Tozawa 

Maker: 

Hinoki Kougei 

Represented by: 

Sarah Myerscough Gallery 

Wood Species: 

Smoked oak, oak, cherry, jindai sugi, 

ash, kenponashi, conker, kihada, sen 

(all Japanese) 

PRODUCTION 

The judges felt that Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby’s Ballot Chair represented 

a masterclass in what an exercise in simplicity should look like. 

Designer: 

Barber & Osgerby 

Manufacturer: 

Isokon Plus 

Wood Supplier: Timber 

Link International 

Photography: 

Rory Gardiner 

Wood Species: 

European oak (Germany) 

STUDENT DESIGNER 

Objekt Bord is an assembly of two components – an upright curve and a circle. 

The judges felt that Ellen Svenningsen has designed something that, with 

some development, could go into production. Svenningsen has been awarded 

a £1,000 cash prize as winner of this category. 

Designer: 

Ellen Svenningsen 

College: 

Building Crafts College 


Slecuk 

Wood Species: 

British birch ply 

STUDENT DESIGNER PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD 

Super Desk, inspired by Gio Ponti’s SuperLeggera chair, is designed to create a 

sense of space and openness in small domestic settings. Ben Smith has 

received £500 for winning the Student Designer People’s Choice Award. Voting 

took place at London Design Fair. 

Designer: 

Ben Smith 

College: 

Building Crafts College 


Tyler Hardwoods 

Wood Species: 

British olive ash 

JUDGES: This year’s buildings judging panel was led by three-time Gold Award winner Stephen Corbett of Green Oak Carpentry. The panel includes Andrew Lawrence, 

Arup; Adam Richards, Adam Richards Architects; Kirsten Haggart, Waugh Thistleton Architects; Nathan Wheatley, engenuiti; David Morley, David Morley Architects; 

Jim Greaves, Hopkins; and architectural journalist Ruth Slavid. The furniture and product panel was led by design critic, curator and journalist Corinne Julius. The panel 

includes Oliver Stratford, editor of Disegno magazine; Russell Pinch of Pinch Design; Eleanor Lakelin, maker and winner of the 2017 Bespoke category; Katie Walker 

of Katie Walker Furniture; and Rod Wales of Wales & Wales. 

SPONSORS: As a not-for-profit competition, the Wood Awards can only happen with collaborative industry sponsorship. Mears Group sponsors the Mears Group Gold 

Award which is the project that the judges deem to be the best of all the winners. Major Sponsors are American Hardwood Export Council, Carpenters’ Company and 

TRADA. Other Sponsors include American Softwoods, Arnold Laver, Forestry Commission, Timber Trade Federation, Wood for Good, Furniture Makers’ Company and 

London Design Fair. 

Email: info@woodwards.com Web: www.woodwards.com 


FEATURES PROGRAMME 2019 

JAN / FEB 

.............................. 

Sustainability / Energy Efficiency 

Education Infrastructure 

Fire Safety & Security 

MAR / APR 

.............................. 

Building Services 

Health & Safety 

Retrofit 

Previews of 

The Listed Property Show (910 February 2019) 

and Ecobuild 

Previews of 

Scotland Build, The RCI Show, 

The Fire Safety Event and ArchitEx 

MAY / JUN 

.............................. 

Coatings & Finishes 

Doors & Windows 

Glass & Glazing 


JUL / AUG 

.............................. 

Sustainability 

Insulation / Energy Efficiency 

Social Housing 

Previews of 

Vision and Firex 

SEPT / OCT 

.............................. 

Roofing / Cladding / Flooring / Interiors 

Renewable Energy 


Previews of 

The Homebuilding & Renovang Show, 

The Build Show, London Build, 

UK Construcon Week, Timber Expo, Regen 

NOV / DEC 

.............................. 

Building Conservation / Restoration 

Roofing & Cladding 

Building Services 

Previews of 

The Naonal Painng and Decorang Show, 

The Restaurant & Bar Design Show 

ALSO IN EACH ISSUE: 

News / New Products / Services / Projects 

Exhibition dates subject to announcement 

Next issue in 

Special Features: 

Sustainability / Energy Efficiency 

Education Infrastructure and Fire Safety & Security. 

Previews of: 

The Listed Property Show (9-10 February 2019) / 

Ecobuild (5-7 March 2019) 

In Every Issue: 

News • New Products • Services • Projects 



A DURABLE 

ALTERNATIVE TO 

LINSEED OIL PUTTY 

DESOWOOD DAP 

ELASTIC GLAZING 

SEALANT 

l A Product with an established record for performance. 

l A Product with over 20 year’s history in use. 

l Ideal for windows affected by break down of linseed oil putty. 

l Ideal for sash and casement windows. 

l For use on existing or new bead glazed windows. 

l Ideal for fixing single or double glazed sealed units on puttied or 

bead glazed windows. 

l For fixing laminated / safety glass. 

l Can be used on softwood, hardwood and metal windows. 

l Ideal for sealing plywood or pre-finished ‘in-fil’ panels. 

l Ideal replacement for ‘Back putties’ on windows affected by 

condensation on internally bead glazed windows. 

l Improves paint durability and contributes towards the prevention 

of wood decay 

l Can be painted with an opaque paint finish or translucent wood 

stain. 

l Excellent adhesion to timber, metal, concrete, brick and glass. 

Tel: 01767 682446 E:sales@desofil-uk.com 

Web-site: www.desofil-uk.com 

THE DESOWOOD REPAIR SYSTEM

0118 918 1400 

C h i l l e r s b u i l t f o r y o u 

Call or email today for a brochure or a free 

no-obligation site survey 

www.thermagroup.com/chillers | sales@thermagroup.com 

ThermOzone 

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A T h e r m O z o n e P r o d u c t

Refurb Projects - November 2018

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