Refurb Projects - June 2025

REFURB PROJECTS THE JOURNAL OF REPAIR, REPLACEMENT AND MAINTENANCE JUNE 2025

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Web-site: www.desofil-uk.com


CONTENTS

A stunning new development of 23 apartments in a popular part

of west London is demonstrating how heat pumps can be used

for community heating in a five-storey, art deco-styled block built

to the highest standards.

Page: 4.

Vol. 35 No 254 JUNE 2025

SPECIAL FEATURES

5-6 NEWS

7 AIR CONDITIONING

10 NEXT GENERATION

11-15 AWARDS

16-17 HEATING & VENTILATION

18 FLOORING

19 STEEL WINDOWS

20 SOCIAL HOUSING

21-32 PROJECTS

33-35 APPOINTMENTS

36 BUYERS GUIDE

Publisher/ Editor: Carole Titmuss

Editorial Assistants: Clive Titmuss, Sue Watson

Advertising / Marketing: Lorraine Compton

Subscriptions: Brenda Stevens

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,

121 Brooker Road, Waltham Abbey,

Essex EN9 1JH, UK.

Tel: 020 8504 1661

Fax: 020 8505 4336

Email: editor@refurbprojects.com

Web: https://www.refurbprojects.com/category/news/

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

REFURBISHMENT PROJECTS, JUNE 2025 3

COVER STORY

The Mirador on Western takes community

heating to the next level

Astunning new development

of 23 apartments in a

popular part of west

London is demonstrating

how heat pumps can be used for

community heating in a five-storey,

art deco-styled block built to the

highest standards.

The Mirador on Western is just

five minutes’ walk from Acton

Mainline station which includes both

overground and the Elizabeth Line,

making it highly desirable for

commuters.

This pioneering project is the

first in the UK to use Ecodan

Hydrodan water to water heat

pumps linked to a low temperature

heat network. At ground level below

the 23 apartments are two flexible

commercial spaces.

“When we were conceiving the

project, we realised that there were

two very important things we

needed to address. One was

sustainability and the other was

indoor air quality,” explains Agha

Abbas, Projects Manager for Casa

Global Investments, the company

behind the scheme.

To address the air quality, each

apartment is equipped with

Mechanical Ventilation with Heat

Recovery (MVHR) which brings in

filtered fresh air without wasting

any energy.

On the sustainability front, heat

pumps were chosen so that there

was no need for gas on site and

there are solar panels installed on

the roof, which helps keep energy

efficiencies high.

“In line with our sustainability

aims, most of our apartments have a

winter garden and on top of that, all

our appliances are very energy

efficient,” adds Agha Abbas.

But it’s the building’s use of a

low-temperature heat network that

really helps set it apart and the use

of the innovative Ecodan Hydrodan

heat pump, which delivers hot water

and heating to each apartment.

WB Shiels are the M&E

Consultants for the project and

Director Evan Shiels explains: “We’re

using the Mitsubishi Electric system

because it fits with the ethos of the

whole building, which is all about

sustainability, energy consumption

and being green”.

Each apartment has a Hydrodan

unit which is specifically designed to

connect to low temperature heat

networks.

“Hydrodan includes a water

cylinder and an internal heat pump,

which upgrades the water

temperature from the heat network

to supply all the heating and hot

water each apartment needs,

explains Rafiul Islam, Product

Specialist at Mitsubishi Electric.

The heat network to the

apartment block is supplied by three

Ecodan CAHV air to air heat pumps

in a specially built plant space at the

rear of the property and this means

that the entire heating and hot

water system is completely electric.

Each CAHV unit is capable of 40kW

of heating capacity and multiple

units can be cascaded together to

reach higher capacities as well,

meaning it can be applicable to a

wide range of applications.

The form of the Mirador on

Western echoes the Art Deco

buildings which have historically

lined the western gateways to

London. The external cladding

provides a distinctive character with

the introduction of a simple dual

material palette consisting of pale

buff brick and a pale glazed brick.

The apartments also feature large

terraces and balconies, with

beautiful, elevated views of London.

“The stylish finish of each

apartments demonstrates the

investment that has gone into the

building,” explains Evan Shiels, “it

was therefore really important that

the project followed that principle

with the building services which is

why we picked a future-proof

technology for the heating system.

INSTALLATION SUMMARY

23 x Ecodan Hydrodan water to

water heat pump

3 x Ecodan CAHV air to air heat

pumps

https://les.mitsubishielectric.co.uk/

4 JUNE 2025, REFURBISHMENT PROJECTS

NEWS • NEWS • NEWS • NEWS • NEWS • NEWS • NEWS • NEWS

Mitsubishi Electric unveils growing Ecodan R290

Heat Pump Range – The Future of Home Heating

Mitsubishi Electric is

proud to announce the

expansion of its highly

efficient and

environmentally friendly Ecodan

R290 heat pump range. Following

the successful launch of the 5kW

and 6kW models in October 2023,

the range now extends to include

8.5kW, 10kW, and 12kW models—

offering a powerful, low-carbon

heating solution for larger homes

and properties with higher heat loss.

R290 – LEADING THE WAY IN

SUSTAINABLE HEATING

With a low Global Warming

Potential (GWP) of just 0.02, the

Ecodan R290 heat pump,

manufactured in the UK, is an

environmentally responsible choice

for home heating. By utilising the

natural refrigerant R290, Mitsubishi

Electric continues its commitment to

sustainability while ensuring high

performance and efficiency.

HIGH-TEMPERATURE OUTPUT –

PERFECT FOR ALL HOMES

The new Ecodan models deliver flow

temperatures of up to 75°C, making

them ideal for properties that

cannot undergo extensive fabric

upgrades or insulation

improvements. Additionally, they are

fully compatible with existing

microbore pipework, allowing

homeowners to transition to

renewable heating without major

system overhauls.

RELIABLE PERFORMANCE ACROSS

THE UK CLIMATE

Designed to withstand the harshest

weather conditions, the Ecodan

R290 heat pump operates efficiently

even in extreme cold—continuing to

perform in temperatures as low as -

25°C. No matter where you live in

the UK, this advanced heat pump

ensures reliable and effective

heating all year round.

WHISPER-QUIET OPERATION

Recognising the need for discreet,

low-noise solutions, Mitsubishi

Electric has engineered the Ecodan

R290 heat pump with ultra-quiet

technology. This has earned the

system Quiet Mark accreditation,

ensuring a peaceful home

environment without compromising

on performance.

SEAMLESS INTEGRATION AND

SMART CONTROL

The new range is fully compatible

with all Ecodan cylinders, making it

a versatile solution for new and

existing heating systems.

Additionally, it incorporates

Mitsubishi Electric’s latest Flow

Temperature Controller – 7 and

MELCloud connectivity, enabling

homeowners to manage their

heating with ease, ensuring optimal

comfort and efficiency.

A FUTURE-PROOF HEATING

SOLUTION

By extending the Ecodan R290

range, Mitsubishi Electric continues

to lead the way in delivering

innovative, sustainable, and highperformance

heating solutions.

Whether upgrading an existing

system or installing in a new build,

the expanded range offers a futureproof

solution for homes of all sizes.

Joanna Crown, Product

Marketing Manager at Mitsubishi

Electric, said:

"The expansion of our Ecodan

R290 range reaffirms our

commitment to providing cuttingedge,

energy-efficient heating

solutions for UK households. With

the ability to deliver high

temperatures and operate efficiently

even in extreme cold, these heat

pumps offer a practical and

sustainable alternative for a wide

range of properties. We are excited

to bring this extended range to the

market and help households

transition to low-carbon heating

with minimal disruption."

https://les.mitsubishielectric.co.uk


NEWS • NEWS • NEWS • NEWS • NEWS • NEWS • NEWS • NEWS

Victoria Tower: work to begin this summer

Following a tender process, as

part of Parliament’s

commitment to preserve the

Victoria Tower for future

generations, the contract for the

delivery of its restoration has been

awarded to Wates Construction.

The Victoria Tower Project will

repair the stonework on the exterior

of the Tower to minimise the risk of

stone fall. It will also encompass

other elements such as conservation

works to the window glazing, roof

and flagpole. The last significant

works on Victoria Tower were

completed in the early 1990s.

This is an essential safety-driven

project. Since 2018, there have been

multiple incidents of stone fall from

the exterior of Victoria Tower.

Urgent health and safety measures

have been put in place, such as the

safety deck that was erected to

mitigate the risk of injury from

stone fall. However much more

significant works are required to

restore the Tower.

The main works, which are

outside of the scope of the wider

Restoration and Renewal Programme

for the Palace of Westminster, are

currently scheduled to start later

this year and be completed around

2031. The total contract value is

£132.7m, including VAT, part of a

total £253m investment to refurbish

and make safe the Victoria Tower.

The project will support jobs and

skills from companies and

craftspeople across the UK.

Steve Holbrook, Managing

Director at Wates, said:

“Wates and Parliament share a

commitment to preserving

traditional building techniques while

embracing innovative construction

and logistic methodologies to

protect and enhance this historic

landmark. The extensive repair and

restoration work we will be carrying

out on the Victoria Tower will ensure

it can continue its important role on

the parliamentary estate for decades

to come.”

The Tower was finished in 1860

and sits at the south-west corner of

the Palace of Westminster. It has a

footprint around three times the size

of the Elizabeth Tower (Big Ben),

and stands two metres taller at

98.5m (with its flagpole extending a

further 22m). Victoria Tower is at

the heart of key Parliamentary

ceremonial events including the

State Opening of Parliament.

Sovereign's Entrance, used by the

Monarch since 1852 during the

State Opening of Parliament, will

continue to be available for use

throughout the works.

https://www.wates.co.uk/


The future of Chiller Service Support

is Remote Access

AIR CONDITIONING

SUMMARY CASE STUDY

COMPILED BY: © TREVOR DANN

Since RODEM® was first

launched in 2014 we have

now established remote

access upon Chillers at sites

across the UK. The current

Coronavirus crisis has seen the

RODEM® system come into its own.

Despite many clients effectively

shutting their doors, we retain fullservice

access to RODEM® equipped

Chillers across our portfolio of sites.

RODEM® is at the cutting edge

of Machine to Machine (M2M)

Internet technology, and only now

are reliable, industrial grade,

interactive 3G / 4G routers

becoming available to the market.

The latest feature external alert

capability.

So we are no longer reliant

upon the client notifying us of a

problem, or discovering this at a

routine remote service check,

“RODEM® 2” alerts us to any

machine going into fault via email,

so we know within a few seconds

of a site issue, allowing us to be

proactive in assessing what’s up. We

even get a follow-up email when a

fault clears.

RODEM® has also proven that in

a considerable majority of fault

situations we can resolve the

immediate issue remotely, with

further site attendance simply not

necessary, or where minor

background issues can be dealt with

at a future routine site physical

visit.

After ~6 years of service,

RODEM® has eliminated ~85% of

physical site attendance to

breakdown related call-outs, a

response is generally ~15 minutes

from first call or auto email alert.

For most clients, physical servicing

costs have reduced by up to 50%,

and when the peripheral benefits

are considered, RODEM® is entirely

self-funding with a surplus from

reduced revenue costs (energy

savings from optimisation and

increased uptime).

VIRTUAL CALL-OUT / VIRTUAL

SERVICE INSPECTION

Response to a problem is rapid

however we also routinely log on to

the Chillers at least once each

month to observe any issues and

apply minor seasonal adjustments.

For each service visit, a detailed

report is issued to the client.

TRAINING WITH RODEM®

Our training sessions utilise our

Chiller simulator to allow our staff

to interact with the system and

better understand how changes in a

Chiller’s operation can be observed

and acted upon using RODEM®.

They can also learn how to

assess a Chiller, and apply

adjustments.

Training then extends to

observations and adjustments of live

Chillers via live RODEM® units..

https://thermagroup.com/

SERVICING BECOMES FREE WITH RODEM®

We believe RODEM® is the most powerful service tool EVER developed for Chillers. We are pleased to be at the

cutting edge of this technology for the b enefit of our clients. Not all the benefits can be shown with a specific

cost-saving, but here is an example of what we believe is reasonable. Typical net Service costs become negative…

Typical twin system Chiller ~ 500kW Without RODEM® With RODEM®

Installation – Typical for two chiller site one off cost >>> £325 per chiller

Running costs – Based upon an energy usage of 46 weeks, 5 days,

12 hours, 70kW £0.14 / unit kWH £27,048 £27,048

Direct Servicing – Reduces to 2 visits £1,165 £720

RODEM® Monthly service checks – @ £75 / month £0 £900

RODEM® Support fees – (equipment + SIM fee – Vodafone / O2) £0 £300

Call-out to Chiller – 1 during the year period £500 £78

Increased uptime ~10% – benefit estimate £0 -£2,705

Optimisation ~5% energy costs – estimate £0 -£1,352

Annual running cost of Chiller – excluding depreciation £28,713 £24,989

Net direct financial benefit of RODEM® – £3,724

Sub-total Servicing costs £1,665 £1,998

Net Servicing costs £1,665 -£1,726

Reduction in annual running costs – 13%

Indirect benefits of RODEM®…

Energy savings >>> Increased efficiency

Peace of mind >>> Increased reliability

Longer equipment lifespan >>> Increased longevity

We know the Chillers intimately >>> Increased familiarity

Posted in the Blog blog category on April 24, 2020.


“When we approach the design of the chiller we always

consider the following;

Clients Requirement

Energy Efficient

Concept Design + Scope

Longevity

Reliability

We also take into account the way the chiller is going to last and

mature over its running life time”

Chief Designer

Enquiry Number 12 at www.modbs.co.uk/enquiries

NEXT GENERATION

Massive theme park heralds construction training

opportunities for young people, says Actis

Actis UK and Ireland sales director Mark Cooper says the multi-billion-pound Universal theme park, its first in Europe,

will offer training opportunities for young people.

The creation in the UK of one

of Europe's biggest theme

parks will be good news for

the construction industry,

with the creation of 20,000 new jobs

in the sector and a rise in training

and apprenticeships, says insulation

specialist Actis.

The multi-billion-pound 476-acre

Universal Studios theme park, which

is awaiting planning permission, is

predicted to create around 28,000

jobs across construction, hospitality

and AI between 2026, when work is

likely to begin, and its opening in

2031.

In addition to the construction

of the attractions, a 500-bedroom

hotel and retail complex, the project

will require major infrastructure

work to improve the road and rail

network to service the 8.5 million

visitors predicted to visit in its first

year.

One element which delights

Actis, a long-term champion of

encouraging young people into the

industry, is the fact that Universal is

pledging to work with colleges and

universities to provide training and

apprenticeships throughout the

construction and resort phases.

Actis' own ongoing outreach

programme aims to instil a passion

for a career in construction among

young people, with its team visiting

schools and colleges to offer insight

into career options and training

days.

Actis UK and Ireland sales

director Mark Cooper says the latest

news is another boost for the

industry, following the government's

recent announcement of a £625

million injection into training 60,000

construction workers to help reach

housebuilding targets.

In addition to its youth outreach

initiatives, Actis, whose Hybrid range

and two-in-one Eolis HC are an

increasingly popular choice for

specifiers looking for impressive

thermal efficiency and ease and

cleanliness of use, also helps upskill

existing construction professionals.

Its free RIBA-approved CPDs,

Tomorrow's Insulation Solutions for

Future Homes Standards and

Addressing the performance gap

with reflective insulation, provide

essential advice for architects,

specifiers, building control officers

and builders.

https://www.act.is/


AWARDS

DHF launches new Level 3 Award in

Compliance & Safety of Fire Resisting Roller

Shutter Doors

Door & Hardware Federation

(DHF) has announced that

it has created a new Level 3

Award in Compliance &

Safety of Fire Resisting Roller

Shutter Doors training course.

Launched in response to member

feedback, the course provides a full

day of learning which is mapped to

the National Occupational Standards

for the installation, maintenance

and repair of fire resisting roller

shutter doors. It serves as a natural

progression from DHF’s Level 2

Award in Industrial & Garage Door

Safety, reinforcing safe and

compliant practices.

The one-day course comprises

five units and learners will complete

a short exam following each.

Participants will gain a thorough

understanding of the legislation and

standards applicable to fire resisting

roller shutter doors, along with

effective mitigation strategies. The

course will explore specific design

considerations of a fire resisting

shutter upon deployment, and give

an insight into the process and

requirements of certification,

including the relevant evidence for

the performance of fire doors.

Learners will also acquire knowledge

of the installation, maintenance and

repair requirements for fire resisting

roller shutters as well as the

processes for dealing with noncompliance.

To complement the course, DHF

has developed a new code of

practice, TS 013-4:2025 – Code of

Practice for Compliance and Safety

of Fire Resisting Roller Shutter

Doors. This extension to the TS 013

series, draws on applicable standards

to assist all those installing,

commissioning, repairing, and

maintaining fire resisting roller

shutter doors. This exclusive

document is only provided to those

who complete the course and

cannot be purchased or downloaded

separately.

“Given the importance of fire

resisting shutters and the vital role

they play in safety, DHF made the

decision to put this course through

the rigours to be Ofqual regulated at

Level 3,” explains DHF’s Commercial

Director, Patricia Sowsbery-Stevens.

“This not only enhances its

credibility but also makes it a robust

choice for industry professionals.

The first course launches on 24th

April and we are delighted to be

able to offer this.”

The price of the course includes

registration for accreditation offered

by the Awarding Body in the Built

Environment (ABBE), ensuring that

learners receive a recognised theory

qualification.

www.dhfonline.org.uk


AWARDS

Becket’s Chapel Crowned Winner in 2025

Civic Trust AABC Conservation Awards

CBG Consultants are proud to

share that one of their

projects, Becket’s Chapel in

Wymondham, has been

named the winner of the prestigious

2025 Civic Trust AABC Conservation

Awards, acknowledging the team’s

commitment to the preservation and

thoughtful modernisation of one of

Norfolk’s most important historic

buildings.

Established in 2014, the Civic

Trust AABC Conservation Awards

highlight outstanding projects that

exemplify the highest standards of

historic building conservation. Only

four projects received this

acknowledgement, and Becket’s

Chapel was one of these, alongside

exceptional landmarks including the

Elizabeth Tower and Westminster

Hall. These awards celebrate schemes

that not only respect the significance

of historic architecture, but also

demonstrate the skills, sensitivity and

innovation required to ensure their

adaptive re-use for future

generations. A Grade I listed building

with origins as early as the 12th

century, Becket’s Chapel is a

treasured architectural asset within

the Wymondham community.

However, it was added to the

Heritage at Risk register in 2018

following years of neglect from a

lack of funding. Due to the poor

condition of the building, it required

urgent and careful repair as part of a

refurbishment undertaking to

upgrade the building. In the autumn

of 2022, the chapel was acquired by

Historic Norfolk and CBG Consultants

were enlisted to deliver full MEP

(Mechanical, Electrical and Public

Health Engineering) services as part

of a wider project led by Architect

Studio Ltd.

CBG’s involvement in the

restoration of Becket’s Chapel

included a comprehensive building

services condition survey, followed

by the development of a prioritised

repair strategy. The project placed a

strong focus on sustainability,

futureproofing, and ensuring the

chapel’s return to regular use as an

inviting space for a community hub.

Key elements of CBG’s work included

conducting a Low Zero Carbon (LZC)

analysis, exploring options such as

Ground and Air Source Heat Pumps

and Solar PV to reduce operational

carbon emissions. Thermal dynamic

modelling was carried out using IES

software to assess heat loss scenarios

and inform effective solutions.

Additionally, a new underfloor

heating system was installed,

designed to integrate with future

PROJECT CREDITS:

Conservation Architect - The Architect Studio Ltd

Client – Historic Norfolk

Quantity Surveyor - Andrew Morton Associates

Structural Engineer -Conisbee

Services Engineer - CBG Consultants

Main Contractor -Greystone and Mason

Archaeologist - Pre-Construct Archaeology

Ecology Consultant - Wild Frontier Ecology

CDM - Philip Waller Conslting

Funding Partner - Historic England + Architectural

Heritage Fund

Local Authority - South Norfolk District Council

Environmental Consultant - Tobit Curteis

Associates LLP

Retrofit Assessor - NDM Heath Ltd

LZC technologies. CBG also updated

the electrical systems, replacing

lighting, power, and data services

with discreet upgrades that

maintained the chapel’s aesthetic

while enabling flexible use. To

further enhance safety, new fire

safety systems (fire alarm and

emergency lighting) were installed to

meet current standards.

The judges commented, “In

preserving Becket’s Chapel, this

initiative showcases how

conservation can harmonise tradition

and modernity, ensuring that historic

buildings continue to enrich the

community for generations to come.”

Today, Becket’s Chapel is once

again open and accessible to the

public, hosting events ranging from

concerts and weddings to

community markets and art

exhibitions. The project has been

instrumental in ensuring the chapel

is not only preserved but also

restored as a key cultural and civic

space in the heart of the town.

Eddie Ireson, Principal Engineer

at CBG Consultants, said, “It was

great to be involved with this project

and seeing Becket’s Chapel restored

to full functionality is very

rewarding. We are thrilled our

contribution has been publicly

recognised by winning this great

accolade.”

https://cbgc.com/


AWARDS

Hallelujah Project at Handel Hendrix House

celebrated as an ‘exemplary conservation project’

with RIBA London and Conservation awards.

At a ceremony on Tuesday,

May 13, 2025, the Royal

Institute of British

Architects (RIBA) gave two

awards to the ‘Hallelujah Project’ to

restore the homes of composer G.F.

Handel and rock legend Jimi

Hendrix.

The Hallelujah Project, which was

completed with the re-opening of

the Handel Hendrix House in May

2023, delivered the full restoration

of Handel’s house at 25 Brook Street

and added new supporting

exhibitions at the former home of

Jimi Hendrix in the adjoining 23

Brook Street. The project included

the removal of a 20th-century shop

front at Handel’s house, and the

careful rebuilding of the original

Georgian façade of the building.

New exhibitions, museum shop and

event-catering facilities were also

added, accessibility improved, and

the museum’s infrastructure was

upgraded to make it more

sustainable and resilient.

In awarding a RIBA London

Award and the London Conservation

Award, the judges commended the

‘forensic research’ involved in

creating an ‘exemplary conservation

project’ through which Handel’s

house has been ‘creatively adapted

to provide it with a sustainable

long-term future’.

Project Architect Helena

Tunbridge of Peregrine Bryant

Architects said ‘We are overjoyed

that the Hallelujah Project has been

recognised by the RIBA in both the

London West Region and with the

Conservation Award, for the project

as a whole has been such a joy and

a privilege to be a part of.

Recognition in this way is truly

special and we couldn’t be prouder

that those judging were able to see

the hard work, conscientious nature

and diligent attention to detail

invested by the whole team that has

enabled this

Georgian house to be restored to

its former grandeur;

commemorating the life of two

inspiring musicians and accentuating

the architecture that encapsulated

them so that both can be

experienced and enjoyed by many in

the future.’

Hallelujah Project Director Alex

Homfray said ‘I'm delighted that

RIBA has recognised the restoration

of Handel Hendrix House and has

shone a spotlight on Peregrine

Bryant Architects. Paul and Helena

worked closely with us for five years.

This was a complex project delivered

at a challenging time. It demanded

passion, skill and patience.’

Paul Chatham Conservation

Architect and Director of Peregrine

Bryant Architects noted that it was

only possible to deliver the project

to such a high standard because of

the passionate support and

enthusiasm from the Handel Hendrix

House team and everyone else

involved including Messenger the

contractor.

Director of Handel Hendrix

House, Simon Daniels said ‘We are

thrilled and proud that the

Hallelujah Project has received these

awards from RIBA. Through their

imagination and expertise, Peregrine

Bryant Architects have enabled us to

achieve our vision of fully recreating

Handel’s home and sharing

more stories about both Handel and

Hendrix with our visitors. These

awards recognise the faithfulness

and excellence of the restoration our

visitors enjoy so much.’

https://www.architecture.com/


AWARDS

Sika celebrates five projects shortlisted for

the 2025 NFRC UK Roofing Awards

Sika’s Roofing Division is

proud to announce that five

of their standout projects

have been shortlisted for the

National Federation of Roofing

Contractors (NFRC) UK Roofing

Awards 2025. The company’s

contributions to the roofing industry

have earned recognition across

multiple categories, highlighting

their commitment to quality and

innovation in roofing solutions.

Among the shortlisted projects,

Hafod Eryri – Yr Wyddfa with OBR

Construction and The Capital

Building with BBR Roofing both

received nominations in the

Reinforced Bitumen Membranes

category. These projects showcase

Sika’s expertise in providing durable,

high-performing solutions for largescale,

high-profile buildings, no

matter the complexities of the

project. The Dorothy Pattison

Hospital in partnership with RLW

Roofing, nominated in the Single Ply

Roofing category, highlights Sika’s

skill in the healthcare sector, where

precision and quality are absolutely

paramount.

The Whinfell Forest Center Parcs

project, completed alongside Central

Group, has earned recognition in the

Cold Applied Liquid Waterproofing

category, illustrating leadership in

applying innovative waterproofing

technologies for complex, largescale,

and busy developments.

Additionally, the Lady McAlpine

project with Roofing Matters Group

Ltd has been shortlisted in the Small

Scale Project <25k category, proving

that Sika’s products and expertise

extends to projects of all sizes,

delivering top-quality results no

matter the budget.

Mark Gatrell, Business Unit

Manager at Sika, commented on the

shortlisting: “We are incredibly

proud to have five projects

shortlisted for the NFRC UK Roofing

Awards 2025. This recognition

reflects the hard work and

dedication of our entire team, the

expertise of our roofing contractor

partners, as well as the trust our

clients place in us to deliver highquality,

innovative roofing solutions.

We look forward to continuing to

set the standard in the industry and

contributing to the success of the

projects we are involved in.”

The NFRC UK Roofing Awards

celebrate the very best in roofing,

honouring exceptional

craftsmanship, technical expertise,

and innovation across a wide range

of projects. The awards ceremony is

taking place on the 9th May 2025 at

the Intercontinental London at The

O2, with the industry coming

together to celebrate a commitment

to excellence, sustainability, and

performance in the roofing sector.

https://gbr.sika.com/?


AWARDS

SmartPUC by Smartroof wins

Best Building Fabric Product at

Housebuilder Awards 2025

Smartroof is proud to

announce that its innovative

smartPUC system has been

awarded Best Building Fabric

Product at the prestigious

Housebuilder Awards 2025.

Recognised for its forward-thinking

design, offsite efficiency, and

support for future housing

standards, SmartPUC is setting new

benchmarks in modern

homebuilding.

This win follows the success

Smartroof achieved in 2024 when

smartPUC won the ‘Product of the

Year’ category at the awards.

Developed to support compliance

with the upcoming Future Homes

Standard, smartPUC (Prefabricated

Utility Cupboard) relocates essential

energy infrastructure—such as hot

water cylinders, heat pumps, MVHR

units and PV inverters—into the loft

space of a property. This innovative

use of previously redundant space

enhances the internal floorplan

while enabling the efficient

integration of low-carbon

technologies.

Manufactured offsite in a

controlled environment to ISO 9001

standards, the SmartPUC is craned

into place as a complete unit,

significantly reducing on-site labour,

installation time, and working at

height risks. It’s a product that

delivers on multiple fronts—build

quality, sustainability, safety, and

future-proof design.

Kevin Sherlock, Managing

Director at Smartroof, commented:

"We’re absolutely delighted to

receive this recognition for

smartPUC. It’s the result of deep

collaboration across our team and

with industry partners who are

equally committed to pushing the

boundaries of housebuilding

innovation. SmartPUC was designed

to solve real-world challenges facing

the sector—from energy efficiency to

space optimisation—and winning

this award affirms that we’re on the

right track. We’re proud to be

playing a part in shaping a safer,

smarter and more sustainable future

for UK housing."

With the UK housebuilding

industry facing increased pressure to

adopt sustainable technologies and

maximise efficiency, smartPUC offers

a ready-made solution that’s already

proving popular with major

housebuilders such as Taylor

Wimpey.

Smartroof’s success at the

Housebuilder Awards further

reinforces its reputation as a trusted

partner in modern residential

construction, delivering real-world

innovation that supports both

regulatory compliance and

commercial success.

www.smartroof.co.uk


HEATING & VENTILATION

Commercial heating: collaborate to innovate

When it comes to modern, low carbon commercial heating system design, collaboration is the name of the

game according to Richard Brown, Head of Specification at Ideal Heating Commercial.

In its Seventh Carbon Budget,

published in February 2025, the

Climate Change Committee

identifies the replacement of gas

boilers with heat pumps in homes

and businesses as essential if we are

to meet net zero in 2050. The

transition away from fossil fuels to

low carbon heating systems,

predominantly in the form of heat

pumps powered by electricity,

represents a significant period of

adjustment for the heating industry

and those working in the built

environment, especially consulting

and design engineers.

Whilst change can be good – and

very much necessary in this scenario

– it can also create uncertainty and

apprehension as we are faced with

learning new technologies and

adapting our skill sets. For system

designers and building managers,

the challenge is even greater as a

like for like replacement of a gas

boiler for a heat pump isn’t easy as

they are a completely different

technology. Both the heating

system in its entirety and the

building it is serving have to be

surveyed through a different lens.

COLLABORATION IS KEY

To simplify this transition, making

the learning curve easier whilst still

producing an effective low carbon

heating system, collaboration

between manufacturers and design

engineers can be mutually

beneficial. Both Product Managers

and Specification Managers within

manufacturing companies have

invaluable practical knowledge

covering the full range of

commercial heating solutions and

are able to apply that to assist

customers with finding the best

heating solution for their project,

wherever it may be in the UK.

WHY COLLABORATION IS MORE

IMPORTANT THAN EVER

It’s fair to say that a wealth of

experience and knowledge has been

built up over the years whilst we

have been designing systems using

more traditional heating appliances.

However, with the push towards net

zero and the recent changes to

Building Regulations Part L which

require improved energy efficiency

and lower network temperatures, this

has all changed. The manufacturer

clearly has an important role in the

net zero journey; low carbon

products, such as heat pumps, must

be available, yet knowledge and

experience of these within the

industry is limited. The only effective

way we’re going to meet our net zero

obligation and decarbonise heating is

for the industry as a whole to start

talking more and share our

knowledge and experiences.

One of the key transformations

brought about by decarbonisation is

that the very plant room itself is

changing as we move from

appliances within to positioning

them outside. This brings a new set

of challenges, such as where to

locate heat pump units where they

can perform most effectively, yet

remain discreet and be easily

accessible for maintenance at the

same time. Being installed

externally also means noise has

become a consideration

Having said this, whilst we are

transitioning away from gas to

electricity, gas boilers will remain for

many years to come, such as in a


HEATING & VENTILATION

hybrid system. A hybrid system

essentially has heat pumps working

alongside boilers providing a ‘top up’

during times when there is high

demand or external temperatures

are particularly low. This hybrid

approach is receiving a lot of

interest from customers as it helps

them cost-effectively bridge the gap

between reliance on boilers and low

carbon heat pumps. Whilst the

manufacturer must ensure its

products are compatible and can

work efficiently in a hybrid system

set up, such systems do present a

number of challenges that

customers may not have faced

previously. Collaboration, to ensure

all parts of the system work in

harmony, really is essential here.

Our latest CIBSE-approved CPD,

‘Surveying the modern plant room -

from boilers to heat pumps,’ covers

these aspects and provides advice on

the various stages involved in

surveying a plant room, as well as

modern, energy-efficient plant room

retrofits using heat pumps.

EARLY ENGAGEMENT

As we have seen, new technology

brings new challenges, so early

collaboration between the

specification manager and customer

is imperative. Our specification

managers are finding themselves

heavily involved with projects far

earlier than we ever used to, which

is important and beneficial. Heat

pumps are a very different

technology to traditional appliances.

These systems can be complex, and

the design time consuming; there’s

no one size fits all solution. With

many years of heating system design

experience, a manufacturer can

bring a wealth of knowledge to the

design process.

COLLABORATION IN ACTION

As part of its plan to become a

carbon neutral council by 2030,

Denbighshire County Council

identified Ysgol Tir Morfa

Community School in Rhyl, North

Wales as a property that could easily

transition to heat pumps. Ideal

Heating Commercial was involved at

an early stage of this project to

support both the Council’s Property

Section Energy Team in its move to

our ECOMOD monobloc air source

heat pumps and its contractor, GGS

Heating. We visited the site and

provided guidance on system design

for maximum efficiency of the heat

pumps, which are partly being

powered by solar PV. We also

provided GGS Heating with training

to enable them to successfully install

heat pumps, thus upskilling the local

supply chain. The low carbon

heating system in operation at Ysgol

Tir Morfa is fully operational and has

moved the council further forward

in their journey to become carbon

neutral.

THE MORE WE SHARE, THE MORE

WE BENEFIT

The sharing of knowledge has never

been more important than now, and

customers who collaborate with

manufacturers at an early stage of

their project have a head start, and

are more likely to benefit from a

smooth running project. The more

we share, the faster we can move

forward.

Ideal Heating Commercial is the

UK’s market leader of high efficiency

commercial heating solutions.

https://idealcommercialboilers.com/


FLOORING

Furlong Flooring Unveils Strategic Partnership with

Polyflor – A Powerful Alliance Between Market Leaders

Stylish and Safe New Addition: Polyflor Polysafe Wood fx Safety Flooring.

Furlong Flooring is proud to

announce a major addition to

its product portfolio through

an exciting new partnership

with Polyflor, one of the UK’s most

respected manufacturers of highperformance

vinyl flooring. This

collaboration brings together two

market leaders—Polyflor, renowned

for its innovation and design-led

safety flooring, and Furlong

Flooring, the UK’s number one

distributor known for outstanding

customer service, fast turnaround,

and nationwide reach.

As part of this partnership,

Furlong Flooring now offers the

Polyflor Polysafe Wood fx

collection—a sophisticated woodeffect

safety vinyl range that

delivers on style, performance, and

safety. Designed to meet the needs

of modern residential and

commercial environments, this

heavy-duty sheet vinyl combines the

timeless elegance of wood with

robust, compliant safety features.

DESIGNED FOR MODERN LIVING—

WITH SAFETY BUILT IN

Polysafe Wood fx offers 16 stylish

wood-effect designs including wide

plank, rustic, and newly introduced

parquet styles. The contemporary

colour palette ranges from elegant

greys to rich natural oaks, making it

an ideal choice for a wide range of

interiors.

But this is more than a beautiful

floor. The product is engineered with

virtually invisible aluminium oxide

safety particles that are fully

embedded throughout the wear

layer—offering sustainable wet slip

resistance and full HSE compliance

without compromising the natural

look of the wood. It achieves 36+ on

the Pendulum Test, delivering

reliable underfoot safety without

carborundum*.

A STRATEGIC COLLABORATION TO

SERVE THE UK FLOORING

MARKET

This partnership strengthens Furlong

Flooring’s reputation as the go-to

distribution partner for high-quality

flooring solutions. As the UK’s

leading independent distributor,

Furlong combines rapid delivery,

exceptional service, and deep sector

expertise to support retailers,

contractors, and developers

nationwide.

“We’re excited to be partnering

with Polyflor—bringing together

their expertise in stylish, safety-led

manufacturing with our trusted,

customer-focused distribution

network,” said Mike Symonds,

Managing Director at Furlong

Flooring. “This is a significant step

forward for both companies and for

the customers we serve across the

UK.”

ELEVATE YOUR INTERIORS WITH

CONFIDENCE

Whether for offices, homes, retail

settings, or high-traffic

environments, Polysafe Wood fx

offers a smart solution where

elegance meets practicality, and

where safety and design walk hand

in hand. Discover the Polysafe Wood

fx range—available now through

Furlong Flooring.

www.furlongflooring.com


STEEL WINDOWS

Pictured is The Palace Hotel, Manchester

New fact sheets from the Steel Window

Association answer professionals’

specification questions

The Steel Window Association has developed twelve fact sheets which

give the architect, contractor and installer important information and

advice for the specification of steel windows and doors. All can be

viewed and downloaded here.

The collection covers security, installation, aftercare and maintenance of

steel windows, commercial refurbishment, domestic refurbishment, standard

metal windows, W20 windows and doors, W30 windows and W40 windows,

along with fire safety, ironmongery and W50 TB.

www.steel-window-association.co.uk


SOCIAL HOUSING

Wolverhampton MP reopens former

Wolverhampton Royal Hospital

Rt Hon Pat McFadden, Labour MP for Wolverhampton South East, has opened Nightingale House,

the new name for the former Royal Hospital.

To celebrate the official

opening, residents living at

Nightingale House and

partners involved in the

transformation welcomed Rt Hon

Pat McFadden for a ribbon-cutting

ceremony.

The historic site, which had stood

empty since its closure in 1997, has

been revitalised as part of a wider

area transformation made possible

through the collaborative efforts of

whg, City of Wolverhampton

Council, Homes England, the West

Midlands Combined Authority and

developer Morro Partnerships.

Through careful restoration, the

Grade II listed building has been

transformed into 38 one- and twobedroom

apartments, available for

affordable rent as part of a housing

scheme for people over the age of

55.

The renovation maintains the

building's architectural heritage,

including three stained glass

windows installed in the chapel in

1967. The building also features new

modern eco-friendly amenities such

as air source heat pumps for heating

to reduce its carbon footprint and

improve energy efficiency.

Earlier in the day, former hospital

staff also gathered for a reunion

event to share their memories of

working life at the Royal Hospital. In

addition, a blue plaque sponsored

by the Royal Hospital Nurses League,

was unveiled. Sir Stephen Moss, who

has dedicated 57 years to the NHS,

unveiled the plaque to celebrate the

legacy and care of Wolverhampton

NHS staff.

Gary Fulford, Group Chief

Executive, at whg, said: “I want to

thank Rt Hon Pat McFadden for

marking this momentous occasion

with us.

“The former Royal Hospital

building has stood empty since

1997, however, its historical

significance as a place for people,

and a place of care, has been

preserved through our innovative

wellbeing scheme.

“This remarkable transformation

has only been possible through the

power of partnership, with

Nightingale House setting the

standard for what is possible in the

regeneration of historic buildings.

Now, the site offers a supportive

environment where residents can

live independently while enjoying

communal spaces that foster a sense

of community.

“It’s been a pleasure welcoming

everyone to the official opening of

Nightingale House and celebrating

the thriving community that has

been established here.”

Commenting on the opening of

Nightingale House, Matt Moore, CEO

at Morro Partnerships said: “This

project has been about so much

more than just a regeneration; it's

the start of a vibrant new

community, contributing to the

wider area and supporting the lives

of local people, all of which is at the

heart of Morro Partnerships.

“We are proud to have worked

alongside whg, City of

Wolverhampton Council, and Homes

England to bring this vision to life,

providing much-needed, highquality

homes for the over 55s in

Wolverhampton.

“The excitement surrounding

today's grand launch, coupled with

the touching reunion of former

hospital colleagues, truly highlights

the importance of this site to the

city. We are grateful to Rt Hon Pat

McFadden for his support in marking

this significant step forward."

City of Wolverhampton Council

Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member

for City Housing, Councillor Steve

Evans, said: “The former Royal

Hospital is an iconic building in

Wolverhampton and has played a

huge part in the lives of so many of

our citizens.

“whg and Morro Partnerships

have made a remarkable job of

restoring and converting it to muchneeded

housing and created a

community for our over 55s

residents.

“It is also in keeping with the

wonderful transformation of the

Royal Quarter as a whole over recent

years where the council has worked

tirelessly with partners to regenerate

the area as a key gateway to the city

centre, driving further investment

and giving our residents and

businesses opportunities to thrive.”

Owned and managed by whg,

Nightingale House is its seventh

wellbeing scheme, offering

affordable rental homes for people

aged 55 and over. The scheme has a

dedicated wellbeing officer, meaning

residents can maintain their

independence and live in their own

home, whilst knowing there is

someone on hand if needed.

For more information about life at

Nightingale House, please visit

whg.uk.com/nightingale-house


PROJECTS

Former building surveyor using West Fraser

boards for bespoke house builds

An Essex-based building

company, established by a

former Building Control

Surveyor and with high

standards of quality and

sustainability, makes extensive use

of panel products from the West

Fraser range: including CaberDek

on its current eight-month

conversion and extension project.

Jigsaw Construction Essex was

founded by David Bellinger in 2015

and has a strong reputation

bringing a succession of

recommendations. The property

taking shape close to Hockley

started out as a three-bedroom

bungalow but is being remodelled

as a four-bedroom three-bathroom

house by adding two extensions

and a completely new timberframed

first floor level with a

pitched roof. While the ground

floor extensions have been built

using cavity blockwork, Jigsaw has

reverted to its preferred site-cut

timber frame assembly above with

the CaberDek laid across the first

floor joists.

David Bellinger explains, “As

well as my business partner and

one other regular employee, we

tend to bring in trades like

plasterers and electricians when we

are ready. Having worked as a

Building Control Surveyor for ten

years I was tired of seeing builders

using materials incorrectly, not

following manufacturers’ guidance

and those trades that just wanted

to ‘smash the work out’. That’s just

not my mentality and I prefer a

more methodical approach,

tackling one project at a time. We

chose to install the West Fraser

product across our first-floor levels

as it offers good protection from

all the mess which the plasterers

and decorators tend to leave.

Instead, you just cut it out at the

end and the floor doesn’t look like

it’s been trashed. Overall, it’s

neater and gives you that bit of

extra protection, plus CaberDek

locks in well together, so we have

no issues with installing the

boards. We use CaberFix D4

adhesive to help ensure the

finished floor is squeak-free. We

use the merchants, Chandlers, to

buy most of our products including

CaberDek, while the other West

Fraser panels we have used a lot in

the past is the tongue and groove

SterlingOSB Zero, which we find

ideal for flat roofing applications.

You get accurate joints and a good

solid platform for installing the

waterproofing system. We feel

that quality, sustainable products

like these, combined with high

standards of workmanship, are

helping us strengthen Jigsaw as a

brand.”

All West Fraser panel products

produced in the UK are net carbon

negative and manufactured in

mills that have obtained the

coveted environmental ISO 14001

accreditation. Responsibly

sourced, the panels are FSC®

certified (C012533) and created

from locally grown timber, cutting

embodied carbon from

transportation.

For further information, call

01786 812 921 or visit

https://uk.westfraser.com/


PROJECTS

Hamworthy Heating provides Cambridge

primary school with new Tyneham heat

pump cascade installation

Two Tyneham 290HT 27kW air

source heat pumps from

Hamworthy Heating – a

trusted British manufacturer

and supplier of commercial heating

and hot water products – have been

installed in cascade for underfloor

heating in a new extension at a

primary school in Cambridge.

To accurately meet the heating

requirements of the new school

extension and ensure an even

distribution of heat, the new system

from Hamworthy Heating includes

two 290HT 27kW Tyneham heat

pumps with natural refrigerant,

configured in a hydraulic cascade set

up. The heat pumps are connected

to a 500L buffer cylinder, which also

features an electrical heating

element, controlled by a BMS. The

buffer connections, Exogel antifreeze

valves and degassers were

also supplied by Hamworthy

Heating.

This cascade arrangement allows

for the heat capacity to be equally

distributed according to the specific

heating demands of the new school

building.

Rather than rely on a larger

single heat pump that could run

inefficiently at partial load, the new

cascade set up enables the units,

which have inverter controlled

compressors, to adjust their

capacities as needed which will

enable the school to achieve a more

accurate match to its actual heating

demand and optimise performance.

Additionally, as the new system

can adjust to keep the heat pumps

operating at their most efficient

state, cycling of heat pumps and

unnecessary energy consumption is

avoided.

The two new Tyneham 290 HT

installation also provides the school

with increased protection against

breakdowns. Unlike a single heat

pump installation, which can result

in complete downtime, the new

system now supplies the new

building with uninterrupted heating.

Furthermore, as the workload is

shared across two Tyneham heat

pumps, stress and wear on individual

components is significantly reduced.

Following a previously successful

collaboration with Hamworthy

Heating on the schools existing

heating system, Sotham Engineering

were keen to stick with a brand they

could trust on the second phase of

its project.

Ricky Harris, Sotham Engineering

Services Ltd comments, “We choose

Tyneham heat pumps due to their

overall performance and efficiency.

Having collaborated with

Hamworthy during the first stage of

the project, we found them easy to

work with and always available to

provide support and assistance”.

Building on the success of its

popular Tyneham heat pump range,

the new 290HT heat pump utilising

natural refrigerant offers a coefficiency

of performance (COP) of

up to 4.94 for optimum efficiency.

Quiet in operation, with noise

levels as low as 64db(A), the latest

290HT heat pump range is available

in five outputs from 15kW through

to 50kW and can be cascaded to

achieve higher outputs and can be

combined with alternative

Hamworthy Heating products to

achieve a low-carbon hybrid heating

system.

Following a successful

installation, the new extension now

benefits from a reliable and efficient

heat pump system that will help the

school to reduce its carbon footprint

and lower operational costs.

www.hamworthy-heating.com


EJOT’s crack-preventing reveal beads help

optimise EWI performance

PROJECTS

EJOT’s range of innovative PVC

profiles can play a key role in

minimising the risk of cracks

developing around window

and door frames in rendered

external wall insulation (EWI)

systems, thus reducing one of the

most commonly reported issues by

property owners and tenants.

The fastening systems specialist

has developed an extensive range of

profiles and beads for EWI systems,

also referred to as ETICS (external

thermal insulation composite

systems), which enable the creation

of high quality facades with precise

edges and optimum lifetime

performance.

Within this range are several Pro

GAP window reveal beads

manufactured in a combination of

PVC and fibreglass mesh which are

designed to achieve an exact,

aligned and perpendicular plaster

finish around windows and doors.

When used in an EWI system that

also utilises EJOT Pro-Line profiles

and beads for the base, corners and

edges, plus its insulation anchors

and mounting elements for postinstallation

attachments, the end

result is a thermally superior façade

which can be maximise the return

on investment in housing

refurbishment programmes.

In many projects, the original

and proven EJOT Pro GAP is ideal,

enabling a reliable connection to be

achieved between the façade and

the frame, which is clean,

impervious to driving rain and

minimises thermal bridging. EJOT’s

latest additions to this range,

however, go a step further by

providing solutions in applications

where there is a risk of more

significant movement at the window

or door frame and façade interface.

Here the EJOT Pro GAP Giga Flex

and Pro GAP Giga Flex Slim provide

installers with two reveal bead

options which are designed to flex

and accommodate slight movements

that often occur at these

connections due to expansion and

contraction as a result of

temperature fluctuations. This is

achieved through an innovative

design which allows for a degree of

three-dimensional movement

absorption and has been confirmed

in testing.

Both Pro GAP Giga Flex and Pro

GAP Giga Flex Slim are easy to apply

and feature an adhesive strip with

removable tab to apply the film to

protect the glass and frame, and

they can be used for insulation

thicknesses up to 300 mm and

window sizes up to 10 sq. m. Pro

GAP Giga Flex Slim has been

specially developed with a low

thickness of 7mm, making it suitable

for applications requiring a high

absorption of simultaneous

movement (3D) where space is

limited, such as in some renovation

projects.

The innovative design of the Pro

GAP window reveal beads typifies

the entire range of ETICS profiles

and beads developed by EJOT.

Incorporating these into a system

design and specification enables

specifiers to maximise the quality

and performance in their housing

upgrade projects, whilst giving

systems providers and installers the

products they need to achieve

outstanding results with ease.

www.ejot.co.uk/Expanding_ETICS_r

ange.


PROJECTS

Trail Group Awarded £4.5m Hotel

Refurbishment Contract

Construction specialist Trail

Group has been awarded

one of its largest single

contracts to date – worth

around £4.5m – for the first phase

of the extensive refurbishment and

expansion of a historic hotel estate

in East Sussex for the new hotel

brand, Crafted.

Powdermills Hotel in Battle is a

Grade II listed, 4-star country house

hotel, which sits in 78 acres that

include a private lake, streams,

pastures and ancient woodland,

close to the site of the 1066 Battle

of Hastings.

This is the first property to be

acquired by Crafted, which aims to

create a portfolio of life-friendly

hotels and clubs where guests and

locals can benefit from nature, good

food, wellbeing, crafts, socials and

play.

Trail Group has been appointed

principal contractor for the

redevelopment of the hotel estate.

The build programme represents a

significant investment for Crafted to

deliver an exceptional experience for

guests and an expanded range of

facilities in environmentally

conscious surroundings.

The construction works will

upgrade the fabric of the historic

listed main hotel and improve the

sustainability of the estate as part of

the drive towards net zero. The

architects for the scheme are Holder

Mathias Architects and the interior

designers are House of Dré.

Jon Crosby, Managing Director of

Trail Group:

“We are thrilled to be helping to

breathe new life into this hotel in

such a stunning location and

transform it into a beautiful and

luxurious place to stay and socialise.

Crafted have ambitious plans for the

estate and we are really excited to

be part of it.”

Joel Williams, COO of Crafted:

“Powdermills is the first hotel in

our portfolio and is set in a

magnificent location just a short trip

from London and the East Sussex

coast. It is the ideal location for our

guests and neighbours to come

together to relax, re-connect and

escape from daily pressures. Our

food and drink will be homegrown

or locally sourced and we will be

offering guests a unique selection of

activities and amenities.”

“The hotel has been expanded

over the years resulting in a

fragmented collection of buildings.

Our vision is to make the estate

more sustainable whilst preserving

its heritage for generations to

come.”

The construction programme will

include reconfiguring the reception,

social and dining spaces in the main

hotel; refurbishing all hotel

bedrooms to the highest

specification; building a wellness

centre with a gym and studios;

converting an existing estate

building into a craft barn; and

extensive external works such as

new glazing, shiplap cladding,

guttering and chimney flues.

Located in the High Weald Area

of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the

site of the hotel was originally used

for gunpowder production for over

200 years – the Sussex powder mills

were renowned for their quality. The

original house was destroyed by an

explosion in 1676 and rebuilt in

1796. It was converted into a hotel

in 1983.

Trail Group’s services include

construction and building

refurbishments, passive and active

fire protection, electrical testing and

installations, and minor works such

as damp remediation. Its focus is on

building safety and improvement to

help developers and organisations in

the commercial and public sectors

maximise the potential of their

building assets.

www.trailgroup.co.uk


PROJECTS

TORMAX Upgrades Access to

Nottingham University Sports Village

Working directly with

Nottingham University,

TORMAX recently

completed a new

automatic entrance into the David

Ross Sports Village. This popular

facility experiences high levels of

pedestrian traffic so TORMAX

recommended their robust,

technologically advanced iMotion

2202.A door drives to automate the

two sets of bi-parting sliding glass

doors.

Offering a complete package

from door design, manufacture and

installation, TORMAX also has an inhouse

team of qualified service

engineers covering the UK. With a

Planned Maintenance Contract in

place, the new Sports Village

entrance will benefit from timely

servicing throughout the year,

minimising unscheduled downtime.

“TORMAX iMotion drives set the

industry standard for longevity,”

confirms TORMAX MD, Simon

Roberts. “Even a busy entrance such

as this, with appropriate servicing,

the doors can deliver reliable

performance for up to 25 years or

more.

“A comprehensive service callout

can quickly pick up any

potential problems, avoiding longterm

damage to the system whilst

also providing timely maintenance

to maximise the performance of key

mechanisms.”

Developed with the support of

David Ross, Carphone Warehouse

founder, the £40m Sports Village

opened in 2016 and offers

inspirational and accessible sports

provision to all. Located under the

one roof on the University Park

campus, the facility includes one of

the largest sports halls in the

country, four all-glass squash courts,

dedicated archery, fencing and table

tennis amenities, martial arts dojo,

high performance zones and a sports

injury clinic.

Experts in automatic door

systems, TORMAX offers tailored

solutions for almost any location,

including sliding, folding, and

revolving doors. Central to their

installations is the highly reliable

iMotion motor, engineered without

common wear-and-tear components

like gears and brushes—minimizing

maintenance and significantly

extending operational life.

www.tormax.co.uk


PROJECTS

Dorma Huppe Moveable Wall adds

meeting space flexibility

Dentons is the world’s

largest law firm. Greatly

improving the meeting

room facilities at their

Milton Keynes office, Style worked

with contractor, CBRE, to install a

Dorma Huppe Variflex glass

moveable wall, converting an

existing corner moveable wall into a

“T” configuration.

This new ‘extension’ increases

flexibility of the office space, giving

Dentons the option to create an

additional small meeting room,

create a much bigger meeting area,

or open up the entire floorspace for

larger gatherings.

Offering seamless interior design,

the frames of the new moveable

wall were matched to those of the

existing wall, with a continuation of

the glass and a pass door for ease of

access. The Variflex system was

installed with semi-automatic

operation and a 52dB acoustic

rating.

Operating across over 80

countries, Dentons helps grow,

protect, operate and finance its

clients’ organisations by providing

uniquely global and deeply local

legal solutions. Polycentric, purposedriven

and committed to inclusion

and sustainability, it focuses on

what matters most to each client.

“This is a great example of where

flexible meeting space is working so

well that a client requires even more

adaptability,” said Michael Porter,

Style’s group managing director.

“The high end acoustic rating of

this Variflex moveable wall means

meetings can take place in complete

privacy, without noise disturbance,

and the semi-automatic operation

means the acoustic seals are applied

to the correct pressure each time the

wall is closed.

“In addition, this is a highly

sustainable solution as it is an EPD

certified moveable wall in

accordance with ISO 14025 and

EN15804. This is of importance to

anyone seeking sustainable solutions

for BREEAM, LEED or SKA.”

www.style-partitions.co.uk


Cornish restoration specialists Hayle

Multiboard’s broad benefits

PROJECTS

Atrio of highly experienced

and multi-skilled tradesmen

who specialise in the

renovation and restoration

of traditional properties working

across the Cornwall peninsula, are

currently employing three different

thicknesses of Marmox Multiboard

as they seek to tackle not just damp

issues, but also generally poor

energy performance within a stonebuilt

cottage located in the town of

Hayle.

Andrew Bourne of ‘Bourne to

Build’ and Mike Chellew, who trades

under the name of Southwest

Renovations, had worked together

since the early 2000s before Peter

Adams joined them five years ago,

adding his talent for bespoke

carpentry to his partners’ prowess at

stonework, roofing, building services

and other trades. Together they

have undertaken a variety of

domestic challenges including the

‘ground-up’ rebuild of a large

property in the iconic coastal resort

of St Ives, where there had been

little other than the outside walls

still standing before they stared on

site.

In the case of the Hayle project,

they are renovating a 150 year old

home built from the local shale type

rock which, along with some later

blockwork walls, are being lined with

40mm thick Marmox Multiboard,

while the 10mm version of the

product is being used to upgrade the

window reveals without encroaching

on the actual frames. In addition,

60mm thick Multiboards have been

used to cover a concrete floor:

radically improving the insulation

performance and providing an ideal

substrate for the installation of a

hydronic underfloor heating system.

All of the Marmox Multiboards have

been supplied through the Penzance

branch of Bradfords Builders

Merchants.

Peter Adams comments:

“Generally we go in for quite

modern upgrades of period

properties to improve the amenity

and greatly extend the life of the

buildings for our clients. In the case

of this three-bedroom house in

Hayle, the owner was seeking to

significantly improve the thermal

performance of what had been quite

a cold house which had also

suffered from damp problems in

areas. So, where in the past we have

typically used Multiboard for

renovating bathrooms, here we are

installing it across the inner face of

all the external walls.”

“Then as well as installing a new

damp proof course we have laid new

joisted timber floors across much of

the ground floor, but were

confronted with a 60mm drop in

level in one place. Therefore, to

build up the existing slab we bedded

the 60mm Multiboard into the

adhesive.”

“For the wall areas, in addition to

the dot-and-dab plasterboard

adhesive, we are using the Marmox

washers fixed in place with drywall

screws or standard screws where

there are any timber studs. Then the

walls are all being plastered with a

coat of multi-finish. A massive

bonus to using Multiboard instead

of standard plasterboard is the

difference in the sound quality - you

don’t get that hollow sound when

you tap it: the walls just feel more

substantial and it really adds to the

overall quality of the build.”

Marmox Multiboards are

manufactured from extruded

polystyrene or XPS encapsulated in

reinforced polymer concrete,

produced in a range of thicknesses

up to 60mm and offer a variety of

positive physical characteristics in

addition to being fully waterproof.

They are both light to handle and

easy to cut, while still being able to

sustain substantial loadings if

required, such as for flooring

applications. They further offer

good thermal insulation

performance, helping to cut

condensation risk and reduce fuel

bills. The surface coating presents

an ideal substrate for direct tiling as

well as to receive render or plaster

finishes.

www.marmox.co.uk


PROJECTS

McLaren Construction Midlands and North

to deliver Plot 4 of landmark industrial

hub in Bristol

McLaren Construction

Midlands and North has

been appointed to

deliver Plot 4 of the

transformative Matrix 49 industrial

scheme in Avonmouth, Bristol, on

behalf of Equation Properties Ltd.

Works on Plot 4 commenced in

February this year, with a forecasted

programme of 66 weeks to deliver

completion by April 2026.

Early works are set to include

ground improvements and piling

works, alongside the installation of a

new foul pumping station, and the

programme will see the design and

construction of a 596,000 sq. ft

speculative warehouse unit,

accompanied by office space,

transport hubs, a link bridge, and a

gatehouse.

The project also includes external

works, underground drainage, utility

connections, and landscaping,

contributing further to the site's

evolution into a prime logistics and

industrial hub.

Aligning with McLaren

Construction’s commitment to

sustainability, the scheme is aiming

to achieve a BREEAM Excellent

rating and will adhere to the

Considerate Constructors Scheme

and Smart Waste BRE standards.

Once complete, the development

will provide new employment

opportunities and long-term

economic benefits to the local

community.

McLaren’s partnership with

Equation Properties has been

instrumental in driving the phased

transformation of Matrix 49, Plot 3,

a £21.6 million development

spanning 13 acres. Plot 3 is currently

on track to deliver a 219,660 sq. ft

warehouse and 11,365 sq. ft of

office space. Nearing completion,

the phase showcases McLaren’s

capability to manage complex site

conditions, including rhine

diversions and ground level

improvements, while protecting local

ecology.

Gary Cramp, managing director

of McLaren Construction Midlands

and North, said: "Our continued

work with Equation Properties

reflects our dedication to delivering

high-quality, sustainable industrial

spaces. Plot 4 builds upon the

success of Plot 3, contributing

further to the development of this

strategic site in Avonmouth. This

phase presents exciting

opportunities to enhance local

employment while meeting the

evolving needs of future tenants

striving towards net zero targets."

https://mclarengroup.com/


PROJECTS

Reducing noise to support stress-free

environments: the benefits of acoustic flooring

By Dave Ford, Specifications Manager – North, Altro.

Reducing sound is more than

just a ‘nice to have’ – it

promotes the health of staff

and service users. Noise

levels from people and noise

pollution from equipment and

devices reverberate over soundreflecting

hard surfaces, extend over

distances and linger; consequently,

they can have a serious impact on

the wellbeing of everyone.

A positive sound environment

occurs naturally outdoors; our ears

are tuned to the natural

environment, and the sky absorbs

noise. We need to create the same

indoors, absorbing or diffusing noise

to help support a stress-free

environment. Designs that have

good acoustics, along with natural

light and ventilation, help create a

positive, therapeutic atmosphere.

Acoustic flooring generally refers

to flooring that helps provide sound

insulation, thus dampening the

effects of sound from within the

room, be it airborne noise or impact

noise. Acoustic flooring is different

from soundproof underlay or

flooring, which is designed to reduce

sound coming through the floor

from adjoining areas.

With a range of vinyl flooring

that has sound-dampening

properties, you can find Altro

products that will serve your needs

in more ways than one. With

different levels of sound reduction,

you can tailor your project to its

exact specifications.

Where can acoustic floors be

used to best effect? Here are some

examples:

Commercial kitchens – Whether

in a restaurant, hotel, hospital,

university, school or care home, they

have one thing in common: they are

really noisy! Trolleys clatter over the

floor bearing loads of wobbling

crockery; plates are loaded and

unloaded in dishwashers; food

processors blitz away and chefs need

to make themselves heard above all

this reverberating noise. Acoustic

and impact sound reducing floors

can help reduce noise significantly

to enhance the wellbeing of all

those who work here.

Hotels – Nothing disturbs a good

night’s sleep more than the sound of

other guests moving about in the

room above yours or wheeling their

suitcase past your door at midnight.

Acoustic flooring will help reduce

sound transmission between storeys

and adjacent rooms and increase

sound absorption along corridors to

keep your guests coming back for

some peace and quiet.

Care homes – Improve the

chances of residents sleeping well

and not disturbing each other by

incorporating sound reducing

flooring into your corridors and

bedrooms. They are also beneficial in

visitor lounges, to enhance that

sense of privacy.

Education – Libraries, student

accommodation, study areas, drama

studios, music rooms, dining rooms

and playrooms; all spaces that either

demand quiet up front or would

benefit from minimising noise

transmission to other areas. The

right floor can reduce impact sound

transmission not just into adjoining

rooms but also to other storeys.

Housing – Reduce tenant

complaints about noisy neighbours

next door, above or below them, by

installing appropriate sound

absorbing floors.

Hospitals – Peace and quiet aid

recovery and protect privacy, so

surfaces which contribute to them

are essential across many areas of a

hospital, including: intensive care or

wards where resting and sleep are

vital to patient recuperation;

corridors where the sounds from

trolleys and wheelchairs can be a

constant source of distress;

consultation rooms in which private

conversations should not be

overheard.

Offices – Office equipment,

people on the move and

conversations can all make noise

levels so loud as to make offices a

stressful working environment – not

good when you spend the best part

of your day there. Create a more

positive working environment with

less noise pollution in open plan

spaces, communal areas and meeting

rooms.

Retail – No-one like a noisy

shop. Retail therapy by its very

nature demands quiet for it to count

as therapy and create the right

atmosphere; thereby providing not

only a more peaceful environment

for staff, but also one in which

shoppers will linger.

Most manufacturers have

acoustic flooring options. Consider

how each area is used and weigh-up

sound reduction properties alongside

those such as slip-resistance,

durability, cleanability and aesthetics

– you should be able to find options

that deliver what you need.

At Altro, our 19dB vinyl acoustic

floor, Altro Serenade, contributes to

the impact sound reduction of noise

in buildings by reducing impact

sound transmission, increasing sound

absorption and reducing sound

reflection. Where noise reduction is

needed to reduce in-room sound

and transmission of noise you can

also consider Altro Illustra adhesivefree,

Altro Cantata adhesivefree,

Altro Wood Comfort and Altro

Wood adhesive-free floors which

offer 14dB, Altro Ensemble and Altro

Orchestra and Altro Orchestra

Custom which offer 15dB (and

comfort underfoot while

maintaining the highest Commercial

classification of use).

If this isn’t enough, don’t forget

that you can combine the floor of

your choice with impact sound

reduction underlays. For example,

Altro Acoustic Underlay

1101 and Altro Everlay B offer sound

reductions of 18dB and 20dB

respectively.

www.altro.com


PROJECTS

Hotel By Iconic Swallow Falls Waterfall Opens

Following Refurbishment

The Swallow Falls Inn has

reopened following a multimillion-pound

refurbishment

by The Inn Collection Group.

The inn, named after its proximity

to Wales’ highest continuous

waterfall, was acquired in November

2021 and has since undergone

sympathetic alterations by The Inn

Collection Group to align with their

pub with rooms vision.

The hotel offers 38

contemporary-styled rooms, with

the conversion of the former

function room offering 10 new

bedroom spaces. This will be

alongside the newly refurbished

restaurant, complete with outdoor

seating. Keen to maintain its

previous camping provisions, the inn

has retained its campsite and the

former onsite ‘Tavern’ has been

converted to provide facilities for

the outdoors including showers,

bikes stores and a dry room facility.

The inn has also renovated its

camping ‘pods’, offering a range of

outdoor accommodation.

GSSArchitecture have led design

for the refurbishment as lead

designer and architect. Having

worked with the stakeholders many

times before, they have experience

working sympathetically to restore

the building, celebrating its history

and ensuring its durability for the

future.

The inn situated near the

beautiful village Betws-y-Coed

dates back to the 19th century,

having provided hospitality for more

than 150 years to the many visitors

wanting to stay near this iconic

Welsh waterfall as well as exploring

the surrounding countryside.

Simon Rennison-Rae, partner at

GSSArchitecture, has expressed, ‘We

are so pleased to deliver another

successful project with The Inn

Collection Group. It is a testament

to the whole team that we have

been able to deliver and turn this

challenging site into a thriving

visitor destination again. The hotel

has been fully renovated both inside

and out to maximise its offering to

go and explore the best of the

Welsh outdoors in this stunning

location’.

Anna Atkinson, Project Manager

at The Inn Collection Group, said:

“We are delighted to have worked

with GSSArchitecture on the

transformation of The Swallow Falls

Inn. It’s truly an iconic site in a

spectacular location and we’re

proud to have brought it into our

collection.

“It was important to us that the

refurbishment reflected the

character and heritage of the

building, whilst ensuring it was

ready to welcome guests with the

comfort, charm and quality they’ve

come to expect from us.

GSSArchitecture played a key role in

doing this. We’re excited for our

guests to enjoy this much loved inn

once again.”

GSSArchitecture have worked

closely with The Inn Collection

Group across a number of projects

and more recently helping them to

grow their pub with rooms estate in

Wales. Our previous work with them

has included the iconic Tynemouth

Castle Inn in Tynemouth and

Offshore in Lytham Saint Annes.

Work starts shortly on site in

another site in North Wales with

more news to follow.

To find out more about

GSSArchitecture and their portfolio

of projects in a variety of sectors

across the country, please visit:

www.gssarchitecture.com


Richard Rogers: Talking Buildings

18 June – 21 September 2025

PROJECTS

Talking Buildings celebrates

Richard Rogers as more than

an architect, creating a vivid

and immersive portrait

through exploration of his farreaching

influence as a thinker,

campaigner, humanist and activist.

Inspired by its subject’s

aspiration to democratise

architecture, creating a ‘place for all

people, the young, the old, the poor

and the rich, all creed and

nationalities’ the exhibition has been

designed to present Rogers’ work in

an inclusive and engaging way,

deconstructing a carefully curated

selection of his work through

accessible large format drawings,

models and moving imagery.

Each scheme – 6 realised, 2

unbuilt – is displayed to direct

particular focus to Rogers’ way of

working: communicating his singular

vision through the hands of many.

His work spanned nine decades,

starting with the Zip-Up House

(1969), including global landmarks

like the Centre Pompidou (1977) in

Paris and Millenium Dome (1996) in

London and concluding with the

Drawing Gallery at Château La Coste

(2020) which hosted the first

iteration of this exhibition.

Curated and designed by

Richard’s son Ab, the exhibition is

accompanied by a specially

commissioned installation by Rogers’

former practice, Rogers Stirk

Harbour + Partners, now RSHP -

RSHP: Dialogue and Design -

displaying projects past, present and

future, as well as two films by

Marina Willer and exhibition

graphics by Graphic Thought Facility.

It demonstrates an ever-evolving

line of enquiry in his work,

emphasising the synthesis of both

architectural and human concerns,

highlighting a lifelong commitment

to transforming urban spaces, and

demonstrating the potential of

design to unite people.

Will Gompertz, Director of Sir

John Soane’s Museum says, “We are

delighted to be working with Ab

Rogers, whose intimate knowledge

of his father’s work and ideology has

created an experience that invites

you to see the built environment

through his humanist vision, where

buildings are about people, and

what happens in the space between

them is as important as the

structure itself.”

Ab Rogers, Creative Director of

Ab Rogers Design says, “For Talking

Buildings, we wanted to create an

experience that explored Richard’s

work through the lens of activism

and intellectual expression as much

architecture, revealing him as

someone who never stopped

developing his social, environmental,

ethical and political passions, and

for whom buildings were the

physical manifestation of his beliefs,

but not the sole legacy.”

John McElgunn, Senior Director

at RSHP added “Richard and his

partners were radical, visionary and

above all, humanists. They developed

a distinctive architectural approach

and a social vision for the practice.

Their work extended far beyond the

act of designing individual buildings

as they envisioned the city as a

whole, grounded in the belief that

architecture has a broader social

responsibility. Those principles

continue to evolve and guide us at

RSHP today.”

www.soane.org


PROJECTS

Eastbourne’s Claremont Hotel: five years after

the fire, what became of this site?

By Iain Cox, Chair of Business Sprinkler Alliance.

© Copyright Oast House Archive and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

When a devastating fire

destroyed a once grand

and historic hotel, one

could have expected an

effort to rebuild and replace it

quickly. However, in this case it has

become a symbol of disruption ever

since. The fire on November 22nd

2019 tore through the Claremont

Hotel on Eastbourne’s seafront and

caused severe damage to the Grade

II* listed building, leaving much of

the structure in ruins. Despite initial

efforts to retain the Georgian front

facade the damage was too

extensive and the building was

demolished, leaving the site in a

prolonged period of disrepair.

For years the site opposite the

pier has been an eyesore for the

local community with peeling

hoarding, scaffolding and overgrown

weeds where the once grand

building stood. The lengthy recovery

period has been a stark reminder of

how long it can take to recover a

site from such a devastating event.

Many in the local area had hoped

for a swift rebuild, but as the site

remained dormant, the reality of

recovery became clear. In the

background the accounts of the

group that owned the hotel indicate

that they obtained a cash settlement

with the insurers and that enabled

them to purchase another hotel in

Eastbourne, leaving them with

considerable costs for demolition of

the site.

Originally part of the prestigious

Grand Parade terrace built in the

mid-19th century, the hotel had

stood as a prominent feature of

Eastbourne's seafront for many

years. The terrace was designed as

part of the vision of William

Cavendish, the second Earl of

Burlington, who later became the

7th Duke of Devonshire. Despite the

hotel's rich history and heritage, the

fire brought an abrupt end to its

legacy.

Now, over five years since the

fire, there is finally hope for the

site’s future. While no formal

planning application has yet been

submitted, a developer is planning

to transform the location into 55

luxury flats. It is not clear who owns

the site now but the plans aim to

bring new life to the area, adding to

the regeneration of the Grand

Parade and the surrounding

seafront.

Rebuilding after a fire is a

lengthy process, often taking much

longer than people anticipate. While

the fire itself may have taken just

hours to devastate the building, the

process of recovery and

redevelopment involves careful

planning, discussions, and securing

the necessary approvals. This can

take several years, particularly when

working with historic structures and

ensuring compliance with modern

building regulations and safety

standards.

While many hotels are required

to comply with certain fire safety

regulations, many often think that

they have sprinklers but they are not

always mandated, especially in

lower-rise buildings. Sprinkler

systems can significantly reduce the

extent of damage during a fire and

help protect lives. The Claremont

Hotel fire, like many others,

highlights the impact of fire on a

business and the knock-on effect on

the community. It also highlights

our view of the need for effective

fire safety measures, including

sprinklers, in all hotel buildings,

especially older ones that have been

converted for modern use.

It does make one wonder about

a similar and more recent fire event

that occurred in a listed building

converted to a hotel, the Chiltern

Firehouse in London. The February

2025 blaze, which spread from a

pizza oven and caused extensive

damage to a four-storey building,

took over five hours to bring under

control and required more than 100

firefighters. Despite no injuries, the

fashionable London hotel will be

closed for the foreseeable future and

has highlighted the need to carefully

evaluate fire safety measures in

hotels, particularly those housed in

historic buildings converted for

hotel use. One might wonder how

long before this building is repaired

and returned to use?

As Eastbourne looks toward its

future, the transformation of the

Claremont Hotel site offers hope

that one of the town’s most historic

areas can be revitalised, with what

the developer states ‘promises to

blend modern living with

Eastbourne’s rich heritage.’ While it

has been a long and difficult

journey, the end is now in sight for

the Claremont Hotel site, with the

once-derelict land rising from the

ashes and becoming a vibrant part

of Eastbourne’s Grand Parade once

again.

www.business-sprinkleralliance.org

32 JUNE 2025, Refurbishment Projects

APPOINTMENTS

Zoo Strengthens

Commitment to South East

with Double Area Sales

Manager Appointments

Groupe Atlantic’s

Darren Finley appointed

Chair of ICOM

Darren Finley, Managing

Director for Commercial

Products at Groupe Atlantic

UK & ROI Division, has

been appointed as the new Chair of

the Industrial and Commercial

Heating Equipment Association

(ICOM) - a not-for-profit trade

association, representing and

promoting the interests of the nondomestic

heating sector since 1933.

Having worked in the heating

industry for over 37 years and, as

MD for Groupe Atlantic commercial

brands Ideal Heating Commercial,

Hamworthy Heating and ACV,

Darren’s extensive experience and

in-depth knowledge of this market

sector made him an ideal candidate

for the role of Chair at ICOM.

Commenting on this prestigious

accolade, Darren said: “I am

honoured to be appointed as Chair

of ICOM. This long-standing trade

association has contributed to the

success of the commercial heating

industry time and time again and, as

it’s latest Chair, I intend to continue

the excellent work it has done.

Now, more than ever, we need to

come together as an industry and

drive decarbonisation forward and

ensure we present with one united

voice to protect and promote our

industry.”

ICOM works closely with

governments, professional bodies

and associations at national and

European level, generating tangible

benefits for members, as well as

being instrumental in the

development of product and

installation standards. It has an

active and representative

membership operating within one or

more product-related groups. Each

group holds quarterly meetings,

participating in commercial and

technical discussions as well as

valuable networking. When specific

issues arise, working groups are

formed to produce suitable

documents which are presented to

the relevant Government

department or standards body.

“Darren is a well-known, highly

regarded figure in the commercial

heating industry,” states Steve

McConnell, Director of ICOM, “and

we are delighted to welcome him as

Chair of ICOM. Darren’s knowledge

of this sector, along with his

organisation skills and forward

thinking attitude, will help ensure

ICOM members are well represented

at some of the most senior levels.”

Darren officially started his role

as Chair of ICOM on 1st October,

and will retain his post for two

years.

For information on Groupe Atlantic

company Ideal Heating

Commercial, visit

https://www.idealcommercialheatin

g.co.uk/.

Zoo Hardware, a leading

hardware brand known for

its innovative solutions and

exceptional customer service,

has announced the appointment of

two new Area Sales Managers

covering the South East.

Daniel Haynes and Tina Salter

will focus on strengthening and

expanding Zoo Hardware's presence

in the area, bringing a combined

wealth of experience and expertise

to their roles.

Tina, with more than three

decades of experience in sales and a

long history in the trade, joins Zoo

Hardware having used the company

as a supplier in previous roles at

architectural ironmongers. Her

experience with buying products

from the brand reinforces her belief

in the quality and value Zoo

Hardware offers to its customers.

Daniel Haynes, who brings eight

years of industry experience, joins

alongside Tina with a focus on

building strong relationships with

existing customers and forging new

connections across the region.

Since joining the company, both

Dan and Tina have hit the ground

running, visiting Zoo Hardware’s

existing customers in the South East

and establishing valuable

connections with potential new

clients.

Dan said: “I’m thrilled to be part

of the team, it’s been a great

experience to meet our customers

and I’m excited to grow those

relationships.

“The working culture here makes

it easy to focus on what’s best for

both the company and the

customers we serve.

“In particular, it’s a real positive

that we are given the freedom to

tailor our approach and decisions to

each unique customer relationship.

“This flexibility enables us to

truly add value and build long-term,

mutually beneficial partnerships. “

Tina added: "As a Sales Manager,

it's crucial to feel supported, and

Zoo Hardware has given me the best

support I’ve had in my entire career.

“The team is dedicated and

responsive, which makes my role

that much more effective.

“Having worked with Zoo in

previous roles, I already knew the

quality of the products, and now

that I’m here, I’m excited to help

even more customers discover the

value Zoo brings. It's a brand I truly

believe in."

Together, Tina and Dan are

committed to supporting Zoo

Hardware’s mission of delivering

exceptional products and service,

while expanding the company's

reach in a competitive market.

The brand, which has grown

from a small operation in Carlisle

with just three employees in a

porta-cabin to become part of the

global Quanex family, has built a

strong reputation as a leading

designer and supplier of

architectural hardware, thanks to its

innovative products and

commitment to quality and service.

With these key appointments,

Zoo Hardware is further solidifying

its reputation as a trusted partner to

its customers, continuing to deliver

high-quality hardware solutions that

meet the needs of the modern

marketplace.

https://www.zoohardware.co.uk/


APPOINTMENTS

Whybrow expands team with two key

appointments

Essex commercial property

management and building

surveyors, Whybrow, is

pleased to announce the

expansion of its team with two

significant new appointments: Scott

Barlow as director of building

surveying and Guy Seymour as

graduate estates surveyor.

These strategic hires underscore

Whybrow’s commitment to growth

and delivering exceptional service to

its commercial property clients.

With over 32 years of industry

experience, Scott Barlow brings a

wealth of knowledge to his new

position as director of building

surveying. A Chartered Surveyor

since 1995 and a University of

Reading alumnus, Scott will be

leading the commercial building

surveying team at Whybrow,

expanding service offerings and

growing new client relationships. His

appointment is an exciting

opportunity to further build a robust

surveying department, ensuring

clients receive expert guidance in an

ever-changing property landscape.

Reflecting on his new role, Scott

said: “Joining Whybrow is an

exciting step in my career, and I am

eager to collaborate with a talented

team in a forward-thinking

environment. The commercial

property industry is evolving rapidly

and staying ahead of market shifts is

essential. We've seen changes in

demand since Covid and

understanding these trends allows us

to better support landlords and

tenants through strategic property

management. The opportunity to

apply my skills and develop

professionally in such a dynamic

sector is something I truly value.”

Guy Seymour joins the Whybrow

team as a graduate estates surveyor,

bringing a strong academic

background and a passion for the

commercial property sector. A

graduate of Oxford Brookes

University with a degree in Real

Estate, Guy has five years of

industry-related experience and is a

member of RICS Matrics, actively

working towards his APC.

In his new role, Guy will focus on

ensuring the smooth and strategic

operation of managed properties,

balancing compliance, cost

efficiency, and risk mitigation to

benefit both tenants and landlords.

He is particularly excited about

leveraging technology-driven

property management solutions to

enhance efficiency and streamline

operations.

Guy said: “I look forward to

implementing progressive solutions

that will not only improve reporting

accuracy and tenant engagement

but also contribute to the company’s

continued growth. Joining Whybrow

is an exciting step in my career, and

I am eager to learn from the

industry experts.”

The commercial property industry

continues to evolve, with emerging

trends such as PropTech, ESG

compliance, and shifting lease

models shaping the market. With

Scott’s extensive expertise in

building surveying and Guy’s drive

for digital innovation, Whybrow is

well-positioned to stay ahead of

industry trends and deliver value to

its clients.

These appointments reinforce

Whybrow’s commitment to fostering

talent and enhancing its capabilities

in commercial property management

and surveying. The company looks

forward to continued success with

Scott and Guy on board, as they

contribute to its ongoing growth

and industry leadership.

https://www.whybrow.net/


Two exciting new appointments highlights

BCIA's drive for a better BEMS sector

Keen to further support its

members and drive

awareness of the importance

of building energy

management systems (BEMS) in the

UK’s journey towards net zero, the

Building Controls Industry

Association (BCIA) has appointed

two experienced specialists in its

Technical Consultant and Marketing

& Engagement Manager roles.

Both highly important roles have

been created by the BCIA to support

members through the provision of

technical content to increase

knowledge and understanding of

current and emerging technology,

and ensure member engagement

and retention through training

administration and promotion.

Ciaran Kelly will join the BCIA as

Technical Consultant, while the

Marketing & Engagement Manager

role will be held by Rachael Zaidel

Lamb.

Having worked in the building

controls industry for more than 14

years, Ciaran has unrivalled

experience and expertise in technical

support and training – with his

varied roles taking him across the

globe, from Dublin to Auckland, New

Zealand. Believing the key to change

is education, Ciaran is thrilled to be

part of an organisation dedicated to

bringing an industry together

through engagement and education.

Ciaran Kelly - Technical Consultant and Rachael Zaidel Lamb - Marketing &

Engagement Manager.

He said: “With the current focus on

net zero and energy reduction, the

spotlight has never shone so brightly

on how our buildings operate. BEMS

has a huge role to play in building

operation and is often neglected and

not performing optimally – so

improving the system will deliver

operational gains, decreasing energy

consumption and enhancing user

experience.

“Having spent time in many parts

of the BMS industry – starting with

a manufacturer, then working as a

system integrator, and now as a

consultant – I have seen how gaps

in education create breaks in the

chain. I’m really looking forward to

bridging the gap between design

and implementation, as I believe

that if we don’t start by improving

design, we will never see change at

the rate it is required.”

As an experienced chartered

marketer with more than a decade

of experience in marketing and

events management, Rachael brings

with her extensive expertise in B2B

marketing and is very familiar

working with, and supporting, SMEs.

Keen to support the growth of the

BEMS sector and engaging with

BCIA members to further drive the

industry forward, Rachael said: “It’s

Permagroup marks momentous milestone with the

appointment of a dynamic New Ceo

LEADING building products

distributor PermaGroup is

celebrating 25 years at the

forefront of the flat roofing

industry with the appointment of a

dynamic new chief executive officer

(CEO).

With 30 years’ invaluable

experience across the building,

plumbing and flooring industries and

a passionate, people-focused

approach, Kevin Williams has been

hand-picked to replace founder and

former managing director Adrian

Buttress; PermaGroup’s driving force

for the past quarter of a century and

a vital cog in the company’s assured

evolution.

Inheriting a legacy of innovation,

Kevin - previously a managing

director at Headlam Group - is poised

to champion PermaGroup’s next

exciting phase of growth with a firm

focus on teamwork, future-proofing

and continued expansion.

“Taking PermaGroup into its next

era is a fantastic opportunity,” said

Kevin Williams, new chief executive

officer at PermaGroup.

Kevin. “The company is already at the

forefront of the industry, and I can’t

wait to build on this momentum,

driving new products, expanding our

offerings and growing our customer

base to new heights.”

Kevin fine-tuned his encouraging

leadership style throughout a career

within the Travis Perkins group, where

he commenced as a management

trainee and worked his way up to

hold various senior roles across the

business.

Now proudly flying the

PermaGroup flag, Kevin is committed

to fostering a culture of positivity and

employee wellbeing is crucial to

increased productivity and unlocking

further growth for the business.

“I’ve had the privilege of building

amazing relationships throughout my

career and I’m excited to bring that

people-first mindset to PermaGroup,”

Kevin added. “We’re going to continue

innovating and delivering solutions

that’ll make a real difference for our

colleagues, customers and stockists.”

Originally founded as PermaRoof

UK, specialising in flat roofing

solutions, PermaGroup has evolved to

become one of the UK’s largest

licensed importers and distributors of

a comprehensive range of Elevate

solutions, including cutting edge

RubberCover and RubberGard EPDM,

Rhenofol PVC and much more,

offering an extensive selection of

top-tier products and services to

commercial, stockist, trade and DIY

customers countrywide.

APPOINTMENTS

so exciting to have the opportunity

to support the growth of this

exciting industry and to be able to

meet the range of BCIA members.

“The work BCIA does is crucial

because it gives the building

controls industry a strong,

authoritative voice and works

tirelessly to highlight just how vital

building controls really are. As the

BEMS industry continues to grow, I

think having a unified voice will be

more important than ever.”

Catherine Walker, Executive

Officer at BCIA, praised the

experience and dedication of the

two new appointments. She said:

“Ciaran and Rachael both bring with

them exceptional expertise and are

superb appointments that will make

a huge difference to the association.

“Ciaran will be tasked with

providing content for not only the

BEMS Controls Engineer

Apprenticeship training modules, but

also the BCM technical training

courses, and any technical

publications on behalf of the

association. Meanwhile, Rachael will

be contributing to our marketing

and communications material,

ensuring members are kept up-todate

with association and industry

news, member events, and ongoing

marketing campaigns.

“The BCIA is very keen to further

increase its level of support provided

to members and both of these

talented individuals will help us do

just that.”

https://www.bcia.co.uk/

The company’s head office in

Derbyshire is also home to a

dedicated training facility, where

trade professionals can perfect their

skills in Elevate RubberCover EPDM

fitting and advanced liquid roofing

applications.

Despite his resolute devotion to

PermaGroup, departing managing

director Adrian Buttress has no

qualms in passing the mantle,

expressing every confidence in his

accomplished successor.

He said, “It’s with immense pride

that I hand over the reins to Kevin as

I explore new ventures outside the

industry. Our company has continued

to embrace innovative technologies as

we have continued to provide

permanent solutions to age-old

problems since the turn of this

century.

“Kevin’s vision and experience will

be instrumental in driving

PermaGroup’s innovation, growth and

leadership for the next 25 years.”

www.permagroup.co.uk


PRODUCTS & SERVICES DIRECTORY

BUYERS GUIDE

TO ADVERTISE IN THIS SECTION PLEASE CALL 0208 504 1661

naturaL stone

conservation

30 TH ANNIVERSARY

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CONSERVATION DI REC TO RY

For subscriptions or to be included next year contact:

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T 01747 871717 E bcd@cathcomm.co.uk

www.buildingconservation.com

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on puttied or bead glazed windows.

● For fixing laminated / safety glass.

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panels.

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*Drying times are quoted at 20 o C. Application at low temperatures may pro-long the drying time.

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

Web-site: www.desofil-uk.com



PRODUCTS & SERVICES DIRECTORY

BUYERS GUIDE

cast iron rainWater ProDucts

cooLinG systems

0118 918 1400

Chillers built for you

Call or email today for a brochure or a free

no-obligation site survey

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

Manufacturers of traditional Cast Iron

Rainwater and Soil goods for over a century

ThermOzone

The Cooling Specialists

Major energy savings

Nationwide service

FREE design service

2- 5 years warranty

Extensive Pattern range

Comprehensive stocks for

prompt delivery

Additional services including

replication and repair

of existing castings

T. 01484 682141

F. 01484 681513

E. info@longbottomfoundry.co.uk

Typical installation 30

days min

NuChill

A ThermOzone Product

Next issue in

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Sustainability. Social Housing

Roofing & Cladding. Timber buildings

In Every Issue:

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