Latest innovations and products in the building fabric section of the construction industry.

New, innovative, window types and a wider range of timber finishes are all on display, on Uniform Architectural’s stand E3200. A wealth of truly original ideas and benefits to meet Architect’s and client’s requirements are the central theme of our stand for 2016.

Slender profiles, invisible corner joints, face drainage, trickle vents, hinges, handles, etc, make the uni_one® Timber/Aluminium Composite Window, one of the best designed – and thus, increasingly popular in London and beyond.

Every imaginable opening type and the smoothest of Patio gliders are all awaiting your inspection!

Copies of the 2016 uni_one brochures and further information is available from Uniform Architectural Ltd on 01275 217227 email: enquiries@uniform-arch.co.uk or by visiting the company’s website at www.uniform-arch.co.uk.

The winners of FAÇADES2015 the second competition of the Society of Façade Engineering, have been announced with the quality of entries overall as well as the winners said by the judges to have ‘significantly advanced the discipline of façades engineering and design.’

With the Awards presented during the recent ‘Glass Supper’, the prestigious International gathering of façades-focused architects and engineers, RIBA President Jane Duncan, presented prizes for three categories. Winner of the Façade of the Year 2015-New Build category was Flynn Group for the Ryerson Student Learning Centre in Toronto; Façade of the Year 2015–Refurbishment was awarded to Arup Façade Engineering for the Guys Hospital Tower; and Outstanding Façade Innovation 2015 was awarded jointly to Arup and Bellapart for the Bombay Sapphire Distillery.

Announcing the winners, Chris Macey FSFE, Chairman of Wintech Group and Chairman of the Judges, commented: “Based upon the simple premise of the competition ‘to recognise excellence in façade design and engineering as a specialist discipline’ then this year the competition has at least fulfilled those objectives with exciting entries from around the world being received. The judges believe that the winners have significantly raised the bar in terms of imagination, execution and vision with some exciting projects that are World Class by any standards.”

Commenting on each of the projects Macey added:

Ryerson Student Learning Centre in Toronto – the overall winner: The Ryerson Centre employed a number of unique and new technologies in the completion of a complex geometry building envelope and its application to complex structures. Essentially, laser scans of the structure were taken and these were combined with a BIM model that finally allowed the automation of all of the other design information needed for manufacture. The photographs of the building envelope are a clear demonstration of how technology in the future might simplify the whole delivery process of major buildings eradicating the risk of out of tolerance structure. The other overriding benefit is that the normal consideration of building tolerances in the design of building envelopes can now change, whereby the façade design can be adjusted automatically to accommodate as built structure just a few days before the components are required on site. The Ryerson Centre is a true example of a building completed using entirely new technologies.

Guys Hospital Tower: The original hospital tower building has been transformed from a derided, tired old building into an architectural triumph on the City of London skyline. Not only has a vast improvement been made to the building’s architecture and the environment of its occupants, but also the work was completed whilst the hospital was completed operational. The building uses a number of cladding techniques but all of these were constrained to some extent by the need to maintain certain aspects of the original façade design whilst accommodating inherent inefficiencies of these forms of construction. The project was widely regarded by the judges as being a superb example of what can be achieved with existing buildings. This is exemplary of a world class refurbishment project.

Bombay Sapphire Distillery: This project was put forward by two separate competition entries. As the judges were unable to differentiate between the two a joint award was made. The project is a unique example of how engineering ingenuity when combined with excellence in manufacture and delivery can be combined to create something that is totally unique. It is also testimony to the determination of the construction team and the client’s dedication in delivering a spectacular architectural masterpiece. Hopefully the distillery building will become a point of reference demonstrating what is achievable with the right team and modern technologies for future buildings.

Summarising the importance of the competition Chris Macey said: “With the façade being one of the most expensive parts of a building construction and the primary environmental modifier it is only right that the scientific and engineering expertise needed to deliver this fundamentally important element of the construction of modern buildings is properly appreciated.

“The SFE competition provides the only real opportunity for those behind great examples of façades excellence to gain proper recognition by their peers and in the wider architectural community.”

For the headline sponsors of the competition Reynaers Aluminium, the company’s managing director Martine Reynaers commented: “I have been very impressed to see that these awards have generated such diverse entries relating to projects all around the world. The standard of the winning entries has been exceptional, showcasing some architecturally very exciting projects. I am delighted that Reynaers has been involved as main sponsor.”

For more information please visit www.sfecompetition.org.

High performance timber windows and doors from the Mumford & Wood Conservation™ range have been specified in an historical property refurbishment in the beautiful village of Clifton, Bristol. In Tudor-Gothic style this stunning collection of seven luxury-living properties offers outstanding accommodation enhanced with space and light.

The sympathetically converted Grade II listed school building has been revived by Kersfield Developments, Bath, together with contractor Construction Total Solutions, Bath, to form a walled boutique development that encloses five houses and two mews properties. The building is recognised locally for its iconic diaper patterned roof.

Double glazed casement windows from the coordinated Conservation™ range have been specified by architects Nash Partnership, also of Bath, and designed to work in harmony with the traditional stone surrounds and other architectural features typical of the region. Solid planked entrance doors with decorative overhead fanlights provide like-for-like replacement and Conservation™ bi-folding doors are featured in several of the properties adding yet more drama to the internal space. These doors have an open-out configuration and are available up to 5.9m wide and 3m high to achieve maximum impact. Both entrance and bi-folding doors are Secured by Design accredited within the Conservation Secure™ collection and meet Approved Document Q – Security of Building Regulations, which applies to the new build housing sector.

The architectural preservation of this much-loved building has been sensitively considered throughout the design process. Purpose built in 1850 the original Church of England School building was saved from demolition in the 1960s and remained in use as a school until 1979 in response to public outcry. Bristol City Council became the new owner using it as a district office with much of the original architecture hidden from view. In stripping back the building to its original timber trusses and classrooms, the building’s classic origins of spacious dimensions have been recreated.

“This building has had new life breathed into it,” says Frank Buckley, managing director, Mumford & Wood Limited, “and we are proud that our award-winning windows and doors have helped to recreate its historic charm. Our products have worked beautifully with the sweeping, open spaces of the building which offers generous open plan living so popular in today’s family living style.”

Double glazed Conservation™ windows and doors are made to the exacting standards of the British Woodworking Federation’s Wood Window Alliance (WWA) scheme and are BRE A+ rated offering outstanding levels of thermal and acoustic performance. They are manufactured from premium grade Siberian Larch which is engineered for maximum strength and stability to help ensure long lasting aesthetics and performance, while achieving a perfect factory-finished, paint-ready surface typical of fine joinery. Independent research carried out by the WWA on behalf of its members identifies that timber as a frame material offers the most sustainable and cost effective material with a life cycle of up to 65 years and more.

More information about Conservation™ and Conservation Secure™ products is available from the sales team on 01621 818155, email: sales@mumfordwood.com or visit the website: www.mumfordwood.com. Follow us on Twitter @mumfordwood and facebook.com/mumfordwood.

Leading fenestration manufacturer and designer Senior Architectural Systems has helped deliver a dramatic new design scheme for a new performing arts centre in Newcastle-under-Lyme.

The new state of the art centre, which is part of Newcastle-under-Lyme College, features various glazing solutions from Senior that have been installed by Aire Valley Architectural Ltd for main contractor Bardsley Construction. The slim sightlines and aesthetic flexibility of Senior’s SMR800 curtain walling made it the ideal choice to create the modern entrance to the building and the system has been used throughout to maximise the flow of natural light into the dance studios and communal areas. The centre’s bright and spacious design has been further complemented by Senior’s SPW600e windows and the use of Senior’s SD automatic doors.

Designed by Ellis Williams Architects, the glazing elements of the new performing arts centre provide an attractive contrast to the building’s striking façade which comprises a mix of render, aluminium and terracotta rainscreen cladding. The exceptional thermal efficiency of Senior’s SMR800 curtain walling and SPW600/E windows also met with the scheme’s stringent sustainability targets which has led to the centre achieving a BREEAM rating of ‘excellent’.

The new £5.5m performing arts centre includes teaching rooms, dance studios, performing arts spaces, a 200 seat auditorium, music studios and a student café.

For more information about Senior, visit www.seniorarchitectural.co.uk.

Halo fabricator Masterframe was delighted to provide the replacement windows for a challenging refurbishment contract at The Royal Troon Golf Club on the Ayrshire coast.

The Club has a rich history, having been founded in 1878, and will be proudly hosting the Open Championship again in 2016. In order to welcome the world’s top golfers for the event, refurbishment was needed to bring the building back to its best. Club members had been experiencing problems with heating and noisy air-conditioning and it was felt that new windows would make the Club more thermally efficient.

MD of Masterframe Windows Alan Burgess explains: “The decision was made to replace the majority of the windows throughout the building; a number were not even operational. New window systems were required in the restaurant, the club bar, smoking room, gentlemen’s changing rooms, and three impressive windows in the Captain’s locker room.

“It was somewhat of a tricky project as the windows were fitted behind the original stone mullions.

“One of the Club’s members actually recommended us to the architect and the contractor, thanks to our reputation as the UK’s leading provider of sash windows.

“As a company, sash windows is all we do and we are proud to produce the most authentic, true-to-original timber alternative sash windows in the UK. The Royal Troon Golf Club’s ethos mirrors our traditional values and dedication to excellence, so we were very pleased to work with the Club.

“From a personal perspective, being a passionate golfer, I was determined to ensure that this project was a massive success by providing windows worthy of this prestigious establishment. Our aim was to recommend the very best solution to match the architecture of the club building, with the most up-to-date features that we could manufacture.

“The architect initially specified the windows using information from the our website. We were able to develop the project further by working together to create the ideal, bespoke solution, incorporating parts of the original specification and some of our own recommendations such as butt jointing and dual foils.

“A high quality PVC-U window, created using Halo profile, was chosen to match the existing windows. These alternatives to timber offered the traditional aesthetics the Club wanted to maintain, along with a host of modern benefits. They were fitted behind rebates, without changing the visible sightlines, just like the originals.

“The final specification was a Vintage Traditional window with fully butt jointed frames and sashes, complete with laminated Glass.

“The windows would be complemented by Antique Brass claw cam catches and bar handles. Dual foiling was used in different combinations to suit the character of the various rooms, with white woodgrain externally. Interiors featured bright White Woodgrain, Irish Oak and rich Rosewood foils from The VEKA UK Group’s Variations collection.

“Upstairs, there are two unusual London style sash windows that are square on the inside with a full arch on the outside, which gave us the opportunity to demonstrate our technical skill.

“The new, high quality PVC-U windows are more serviceable than the original timber windows, improving ventilation – especially in the changing rooms – and not requiring annual maintenance, despite being within 200 yards of the sea.”

Chris Moran, House Governor of the club commented “The windows are universally acknowledged as being first class and a number of advocates of wood have stated they were wrong and have indicated that the quality of the windows and the fitting has been an outstanding success.”

For more information please visit www.masterframe.co.uk.

Following on from a successful launch for natural slates, Cembrit has added BIM objects for its fibre cement slates and fibre cement ridges to its growing portfolio. The new objects have been designed with the same attention to detail as the first group which were recently nominated in the Developers’ Choice BIM Object Awards 2015. This initiative is part of an ongoing process that will see the whole Cembrit product portfolio available as BIM objects.

Cembrit’s BIM objects contain detailed dimensions, product specifications and other key details, along with high quality 3D images to add into virtual model and simulated building designs. “We’ve been delighted with the reception our BIM objects have received from the specification community so far,” says Ged Ferris, Marketing Manager of Cembrit. “This latest release adds our versatile and well regarded fibre cement slates and key accessories, and so broadens the scope of our BIM object offering to encompass many more roofing design scenarios.”

The Cembrit range of fibre cement slates includes Westerland, Moorland, Zeeland, Jutland and Diamond, all offering their own unique appearance. The slates are ideal for use on conventional pitched timber roofs with a rafter pitch of 20° and over, or hung vertically as cladding on external walls. The slates are complemented by matching fibre cement ridges, ventilation solutions and fixings.

Cembrit holds five BBA Certificates for its fibre cement slate range, ensuring that whichever system is chosen, architects can be confident in the specified product. To achieve this status, Cembrit fibre cement slates completed a comprehensive testing process and successfully met all the requirements set out by the BBA. Compatible with both, Revit and IFC software versions, Cembrit’s Building Information Modelling (BIM) objects for fibre cement slates are hosted on the NBS National BIM Library and are available to be downloaded and integrated into any BIM software programme.

For more information please visit www.cembrit.co.uk. 

Marley Eternit’s Cedral Lap fibre cement weatherboard has been at the forefront of a fast paced transformation at South View Leisure Park.

The Skegness leisure park was completely renovated with the main building being rebuilt as part of a four-month project after it was burnt down in a major fire last December. A&M Architectural Partnership led the £3 million development, with Wasp Construction overseeing the installation of the cladding.

Marley Eternit’s Cedral external cladding material was specified to reconstruct the original 550m2 building due to its fast and simple installation properties. Wasp Construction’s three installers had just over two months to clad the entrance building, including all verticals, corner details and gable peaks, and all the windows and porches.

Featuring a nine-hole golf course and two fishing lakes, the leisure park is a popular destination for holidaymakers, making it a priority to ensure the work was carried out on time to get the park back up and running quickly.

Cedral, in beige and white, was specified to clad all public areas of the holiday park including the reception, restaurants and swimming pool building. The fibre cement material was used for its durability whilst simultaneously reflecting the traditional and picturesque costal style of Skegness.

Mike Atherton, managing director of Wasp Construction, said: “We had never previously used Marley Eternit’s Cedral cladding but it worked fantastically well. The fibre cement lap boards were extremely simple to install, allowing us to get the project and all of its finishing touches completed to deadline. The project turn around was remarkable and we were really surprised at how fast it was to install.”

Mike continued: “The architects wanted the building to represent the traditional timber cladding effect which had been installed on the previous building. However, after the fire, Cedral Lap had the added benefit of achieving fire classification A2-s1, d0 to EN13501-1 whilst also offering durability and low maintenance benefits.

“We trialled cutting the boards in three to four different styles, it was extremely adaptable and we were able to create a completely cohesive and polished design for all of the external profiles.”

The South View Leisure Park re-opened in sections during its rebuild and was completed earlier this year. The quick installation properties of the Cedral Lap helped the holiday park to re-open to holidaymakers within four months of the fire, bringing business back to the local community.

For more information on Marley Eternit’s Cedral cladding solutions visit: www.cedral.co.uk.

At the forefront of industry research and development, RCM are constantly striving to innovate and develop their range of building boards and facades. Finding the latest technology is an ethos which lies at the very heart of RCM business and one that separates them from their competition.

With a comprehensive range for all applications – RCM recognise the importance of providing quality certified products which have been rigorously tested, to meet the demands of a challenging construction industry.

Introducing Tilcor Tiles and DAFA Ranges

NEW to RCM’s product portfolio for 2016 – Tilcor and DAFA ranges which are being showcased at the RCI Show on 27 & 28th January 2016 at the Ricoh Arena, Coventry, stand E9.

Tilcor roofing tiles

The stone coated and satin-finished roof systems incorporate cutting-edge Zincalume protective steel, which gives the tiles longevity and service life over traditional galvanised tiles – delivering a visually appealing finish and long term durability. The Tilcor range of pressed metal roofing tiles includes five distinctive profiles.

DAFA membranes and seals

A wide range of products for creating airtight building envelopes, including: breathable membranes EPDM Weather Resistant Seals and Vapour Control Layer (VCL) Tape ranges.

RCM extensive product portfolio

These products complement the RCM extensive product portfolio encompassing:

    • Y-wallTM – a flexible calcium silicate based fibre cement building board – A1 rated offering excellent fire properties, as well as high levels of dimensional stability
    • CemboardTM – a rigid, medium density, high performance cement bonded particle building board, offering great strength and stability with the workability of wood
    • MultipurposeTM – designed for timber frame applications, a highly versatile cellulose fibre cement building board offering excellent strength, weathering and acoustic properties
    • RenderflexTM – a high performance cellulose fibre cement building board, offering excellent strength, weathering and stability properties when used in conjunction with polymer renders
    • SupertechTM – a simple to install rainscreen cladding system offering two surface finishes. With a blend of 70% wood-based fibres and thermosetting resins, manufactured under high pressures and temperatures yields a highly stable, dense panel with good strength-to-weight ratios

RCM’s stand will also feature their Trespa ® Meteon, Silbonit, Siltech and Cladcolour ranges.

If you can’t make the event – RCM Offer Informative CPD Seminars

For those interested in finding out more, RCM provide informative CPD sessions including: a guide to materials, applications and specification considerations for building boards, internal and external linings and rainscreen facades, covering:

  • What a specifier needs to consider
  • Board materials and benefits
  • Board applications
  • Work on site

For more details call 0845 1303725 or visit www.buildingboards.co.uk.

Specialist roofing contractor Hambro Roofing has recently completed works to a new JD Wetherspoon pub in London, known as ‘The Mossy Well’, which now boasts 500sq m of Sika Sarnafil Self Adhered membrane.

JD Wetherspoon has spent just over £3 million developing the outlet on Muswell Hill, which opened in October.

Extensive refurbishment and adaptations to the building needed to take place due to the existing roofs being in such a bad state. Essex-based Sika Sarnafil contractor, Hambro Roofing, was awarded the contract after proposing to use Sika Sarnafil single ply for the flat roof repairs.

The refurbishment comprised of complex work on the existing pitched roofs, lead flashings, guttering and renewal of the flat roof. A section of new barrel roof was also required in the centre of the building; comprising of flat, vertical and soffit detailing.

The client required the new roof area to look like a traditional zinc roof covering. Sika Sarnafil G410-15 FSA was specified for the job, with décor profiling to match the surrounding roofs. Ideal for the job, the system is lightweight, cost effective and offers a flawless finish.

Built on Hambro Roofing’s previous experience this was a highly successful project without any major setbacks and completed in the given timeframe.

The barrel roof was also fitted with SarnaTherm insulation over a SarnaVap vapour barrier. Sikalastic Liquid Applied Membrane was used on the detailing around the guttering to achieve a seamless waterproof finish.

Jon Hammersley, Hambro Roofing Director, explained “The works were incredibly challenging as there was a vast amount of awkward detailing including vertical fascia and soffit works. However, the new Self Adhered membrane allowed us to work fast and make the roof look fantastic. Sarnafil remains our preferred partner when it comes to single ply roofing because it is so reliable and gives the best results.”

“We had to work to a tight deadline in order to get the premises open on time which was achieved with our own in house labour force and great workmanship with the product,” he added.

Feedback was enormously positive on completion of the project. The client was particularly impressed by the effectiveness of the Self Adhered solution and the speed in which the project was completed, resulting in a stunning roof that fulfilled the architect’s vision.

For more information on Sika Sarnafil’s products and services, call 01707 394444, email sarnafilroofing@uk.sika.com or visit www.sarnafil.co.uk.

Shackerley has supplied over 900m2 of SureClad® ceramic granite ventilated façade cladding in different styles for Consett Academy and Consett Leisure Centre, adding premium quality external finishes for both parts of this £44 million regeneration project in the North East.

From the outset, the new academy and leisure centre were to be constructed as a single building with many shared facilities, but each part of the development was to have its own clear identity and sense of purpose. The specification of ceramic granite façade panels in different colourways and surface textures has helped to achieve this.

Seymour Harris, architects for the main contractor Carillion, had previous experience of using SureClad® in the education sector and had no hesitation in specifying Shackerley’s patented façade system when developing the detailed design for this scheme.

Multi-format polished and unpolished black façade panels from one of Shackerley’s most popular ceramic granite ranges have been installed ‘broken bonded’ to form a key design element of the main frontage of the Academy.

“Using premium black materials normally associated with the high end commercial sector underlines the message that the Academy is a place of work and that learning leads towards a bigger world,“ commented Seymour Harris Director, Tim Johnson. “The Academy also has a technology specialism and the use of an advanced technical cladding system seems appropriate as it serves to emphasise the focus of the school.”

The adjoining Leisure Centre has been clad with SureClad® ceramic granite façades in a lighter stone colourway, contrasting starkly with black detailing at the main entrance. “The cladding material has given the Leisure Centre the civic quality required, and maintained design continuity with the Academy, whilst the less imposing, brighter colour has given the facility its own fresh identity,” said Tim.

“The SureClad® system gave us the design flexibility we needed,” he added,” It allowed us to manipulate the coursing on the façade to employ both matt and polished layers of different heights and to interface effectively with entrance features and glazing elements. The ease of forming the junctions with other materials was an added bonus.”

He concluded: “The SureClad® ceramic granite just gave us everything we were looking for… excellent clean lines, stunning appearance of quality, robustness with long term low maintenance. The choice available also meant that we were able to reflect very effectively the natural local materials of stone buildings, slate roofs, and strata and outcrops of the surrounding landscape in our designs, whilst maintaining the civic quality demanded and continuity of detailing”.

For further details please contact Shackerley on 0800 783 0391 or visit www.shackerley.com.