Latest innovations and products in the interiors section of the construction industry.

Armstrong Ceiling Solutions help the CBRE with a hat-trick of systems

Mineral canopies and metal baffles and tiles feature at the organisation’s new-look HQ.

The world’s leading commercial property and real estate services adviser has used a hat-trick of systems from Armstrong Ceiling Solutions to enhance the interiors of its refurbished headquarters.

Some 600m2 of Armstrong’s VP-500 custom vertical metal baffles, 3,250m2 of Optima L circular and custom-shaped canopies, 150m2 of DH-700 black mesh metal clip-in tiles, and 130m2 of C Profile suspension system were specified for the CBRE’s new-look offices in Milan for their form and function.

The design of the offices is inspired by the modern principles of activity-based working, a revolutionary concept that replaces allocated seating layouts with a more flexible approach to the working environment, with the aim of improving productivity through continuous and efficient interaction between employees.

For this reason, the new offices in the CBRE headquarters were protagonists of an aesthetic re-design project inspired by the values of innovation, wellness and flexibility, which perfectly mirrors the company’s global strategy, “Workplace 360”.

According to the principles of Workplace 360, hierarchical barriers have been completely lifted in favour of sharing, improving accessibility and exchanging ideas. The working environment is completely open with unassigned seats which can be booked daily through users’ smart phones. In addition, specific areas are dedicated to those who need silence and focus as well as relaxation and wellness.

Based on this concept, an in-house CBRE team, supported by Efrem Milia, an interior designer with Milan’s EMA Design Studio, has influenced and defined the functional and organisational aspects.

This cooperation allowed CBRE to intervene in each decision, both technically and decoratively. The result is an exclusive and carefully refined 2,500m2 venue inspired by the historical areas of Milan – the first floor echoing the Navigli canal area, the second the Brera art district, and lastly, the sixth the fashion district.

The decision to leave part of the ceiling with exposed building service elements determined the need to intervene with elements that delivered both aesthetics and acoustics.

And this is where the CBRE looked to Armstrong Ceiling Solutions, due to their extensive range of products and their ability to create tailored solutions that satisfy any project’s need.

In this case, a different Armstrong solution has been chosen for each floor of the renovation, with each providing an aesthetic solution, capable of integrating itself with the space and the different surrounding materials while creating comfortable working environments.

The 3,250m2 of Optima L white mineral canopies, in diameter circles and bespoke squares with two rounded corners, contributed to shaping the common areas on the first floor. These elements feature originality and modernity as well as acoustic support.

Canopy ceilings combine aesthetics with acoustic performance aimed at ensuring a higher sound absorption ratio compared to a continuous ceiling with the same visible surface. The sound is absorbed both by the front and the back surface of the panel. This significantly contributes to the reduction of reverberation time and increases the intelligibility of speech.

For the second-floor offices, Armstrong’s design team conceived a special broken-line pattern for the micro-perforated black mesh metal ceilings. These are ideal for installations in open-plan spaces where it is necessary to reduce noise pollution. A solution that creates an extremely dynamic visual effect, it is available in individual and multiple configurations, thanks to the C Profile suspension system that allows a tidy and clean alignment of the elements.

Lastly, on the sixth floor, in addition to the white baffles, C Profiles of different sizes have been used to embellish, through light and shade, the ceiling of the “Multipurpose Room”, a multi-functional room with different space configurations and a huge art wall.

Head of project management Alberto Cominelli said: “The office is no longer just a work space. It has actually become a company’s hallmark, where spaces are designed to bring inspiration, exchange ideas and create innovation. Only by creating a comfortable environment equipped with facilities dedicated to the people is it possible to increase engagement and motivate staff. Interior designers are more and more inspired by home and hotel designs, bringing an unprecedented breath of innovation to the world of offices.”

Armstrong area sales manager Jordan Brocchi added: “We would like to thank CBRE and architect Efrem Milia for trusting our solutions and involving us, giving value to the potential offered by Armstrong Ceiling Solutions in terms of personalisation.

“Now more than ever we are witnessing an increasing number of requests from architects and interior designers for support in the design of highly-customised solutions, to free their creativity in line with the rapidly evolving current trends. The requests are extremely diverse and to best respond to them, Armstrong has boosted its structure with a team of dedicated and highly-qualified engineers.”

More information is accessible via the Armstrong Ceilings website https://www.armstrongceilings.com/commercial/en-gb/
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Rinnai trio of low NOx, one-person lift, high-performance continuous flow hot water heating for all applications

Rinnai’s Infinity range of 11i,17i &17e ErP A-rated continuous flow gas fired water heaters are specifically designed for low NOx domestic/light commercial use and guarantee the highest efficiencies and lowest running costs at consistently accurate temperatures 24/7 compared with any other method of hot water delivery.

The Rinnai Infinity range of continuous flow – sometimes referred to as ‘multi-point’ – water heating units are being specified and installed for domestic/residential sites including: cafes, pubs, restaurants, offices, shops, hairdressers, commercial units, caravan parks and leisure facilities as installers and end users become increasingly aware of their energy saving benefits.

The increase in uptake is because Rinnai’s low NOx continuous flow heater systems are proven to be more energy efficient than storage systems and as such are becoming the experts’ preferred method of hot water provision. The word is out that the Rinnai units easily cater for projects that need high volumes of water at intermittent times of day delivered at accurate temperatures to ensure user comfort and safety. They are also easy to operate and simple to install and maintain. Plus, they are all low NOx satisfying the Eco-design regulation.

Rinnai’s Infinity 17i unit, for example, eliminates fluctuations in water temperature, so, no more cold showers or scalding hot baths – the water temperature you set is the water temperature you get. So, if somebody is happily showering at 42°C and a tap is turned on to draw a bath elsewhere in the property, the temperature does not vary, and there is no chance of either user running out of hot water.

The Rinnai Infinity 17i interior model measures 675 x 370 x 139mm and weighs in at just 18kg. The room sealed unit has a temperature range of 35°C to 60°C with direct electronic ignition. Gas consumption ranges between 4.7kW-34.9kW for Natural Gas and 4.9kW-36.8kW when using LPG. Hot water delivery flow is an impressive 16ltr max flow and 2.4 ltr/min minimum flow. Nominal operation pressure is 1-7 bar and it uses a 230V AC 50Hz 1ph power supply with an electrical consumption of 68W.

Meanwhile, where an external installation is required, the Rinnai Infinity 17e external continuous flow water heater offers greater flexibility at the design stage and delivers a viable solution where flue runs are problematic or internal space is not available. Capable of flow rates reaching 510 litres per hour at a 50°C rise, the 17e is suitable for multiple applications and can be specified for use with Natural Gas or propane.

The 17e has full frost protection and is available with a range of external ancillary items, including pipe cover box – and security cage where necessary.

The Infinity 11i interior unit differs from the 17i as it weighs 2kg less at 16kg and consumes 6.10kW – 21.60kW of Natural Gas.

Under the ACOP L8 (Legionella guidelines), continuous flow water heaters are favoured as the units are normally positioned close to the outlets, in restaurants for example, where the system turnover is frequent and store volumes are small meaning legionella risk is minimal.

All three models are available ex-stock in either natural gas or LPG.

For more details on RINNAI products visit www.rinnaiuk.com
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Sliding version of Crittall InnerVision steel screens launched

Creating a seamless transition between internal areas by opening or closing space is now possible with new single or double leaf sliding doors from Crittall’s range of InnerVision interior screens. The new doors offer wider opening areas than more intrusive hinged alternatives by virtue of their sliding design maximising use of inside room space, particularly where it may be limited.

Offering the strength and ultra-slim profile which are the hallmark of the Crittall range of products the InnerVision range allows the sub-division of internal commercial or domestic spaces without interrupting the transmission of light or reducing valuable space.

In commercial applications screens and sliding doors can be used to create quiet spaces in busy offices, schools and colleges, or calm interiors in restaurants while hectic kitchens or bars are still in full view.

Matching an existing décor presents no difficulty as the steel frames can be powder-coated to the customer’s choice of RAL or BS colours.

A range of glazing options are available to provide privacy or reduced noise levels.

The new sliding door features concealed top positioned running gear and a bottom guide for particularly large models.

Fully compatible with other InnerVision products, the sliding door variant can be specified with a secure latch-able configuration. The doors are available with a wide range of handle styles and brass finishes.

Each screen or door is created specifically to suit the application, panel shape or size, with single or double glazing using clear, decorative or obscure glass.

www.crittall-windows.co.uk
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Altro serves up dream kitchen for celebrity chef

An Altro floor-to-ceiling solution has helped to provide celebrity chef, Richard Bainbridge, with a dream kitchen for his award-winning Norwich restaurant.

Richard won BBC2’s Great British Menu in 2015, and opened Benedicts, in Norwich, three years ago. The restaurant has since won a raft of awards and been named in The Times Top 100 Restaurants in the UK, Square Meal Top 100, and been awarded 3AA Rosettes.

“We opened Benedicts on a shoestring, all we had was passion and dedicated staff,” says Richard. “I’m delighted to say that our hard work is now bringing us some great success, and first on the list was that new kitchen. My vision was to expand, with a new extension into the back-of-house to form a larger, more open working environment, with dedicated preparation areas, including a new bakery and butchery zones.

“I promised my staff that as soon as we had the money, I would put in the professional kitchen they deserved, one that we would all be proud to work in, which is what we’ve now done.

“It was essential that the kitchen was modern, well-equipped, easy to maintain and clean, safe, practical and the best possible working environment for my staff. I approached Elite Foodservice Design with my brief and they immediately understood what we wanted to achieve.

“They also impressed me as having superb knowledge, experience and some great ideas — one of which was their recommendation of a top-down Altro solution of floors and walls to give us the integrated, hygienic, sealed box I wanted to work in.”

Daniel Ridd, Design Manager at Elite, says: “The proven combination of Altro Stronghold 30 safety flooring and Altro Whiterock White wall sheet is one we install widely in hard-working commercial kitchens.

“It’s a bullet-proof system that always delivers, so we knew it would be ideal for Benedicts too. Elite has been an Altro Whiterock Premier Installer for many years, and this system is the best you can get.”

Richard Bainbridge adds: “We now have a beautiful new kitchen and everyone at Benedicts is so proud of it. The Altro floor-to-ceiling solution is playing a key role in bringing everything together and it completely delivers on its promise.

“The Altro floor is incredible; it’s not only great to look at, but very safe underfoot, and so easy to clean. Elite put in some gulleys so water drains away, and that’s particularly good for the cleaning regime, as it dries very quickly.

“The wall sheet is superb, with nowhere for the dirt to hide, it’s professional, bright and, again, very easy to clean. When you work the long hours we do, you want to spend as little time as possible cleaning, but it’s so easy to keep this system pristine.

“Our dream of a beautiful kitchen is a reality. We are now happy to show customers around the kitchen. With our reputation growing, having a kitchen like this is a huge boost and has made us even more ambitious. It will enable us raise our game, set higher standards for ourselves, and create even better food for our customers.”

The Altro floor-to-ceiling solution

Altro Stronghold™ 30 achieves Altro’s highest rating for slip resistance and is designed to minimise risk in areas exposed to grease, oils and fats for the lifetime of the flooring. As well as helping to keep staff safe from slips, it also helps reduce their fatigue, thanks to its 3mm thickness which provides noise reduction and comfort underfoot.

Altro has added five new colours to the Altro Stronghold range and also increased the guarantee from 15 to 20 years.

Altro Whiterock White is the perfect, hygienic alternative to ceramic wall tiles, offering a proven, high performance option. Impact resistant, grout-free and easy to clean, its smooth white surface and classic purity make it a timeless choice for any interior.

Altro Whiterock White is made from a high-quality, food-safe PVCu polymer that can handle temperatures up to 60°C. It meets all current European Union (EU) Directives on health and hygiene, making it particularly suitable for commercial kitchens.

About Altro – www.altro.co.uk
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Another level of bathing with Viega

Viega has launched two new products to its award-winning drainage and overflow range – the Multiplex Visign M9 and the Multiplex Trio Visign MT9. Suitable for all bathtubs with a standardised overflow hole, the range is also simple to retrofit.

Easy to install, the new additions have the same functional unit for all equipment sets to allow for simple design selection. In retro-fit situations, the fittings come with a conversion kit which consists of a fastening glance and rotatable collar to easily replace the old equipment.

Adding further bathing comfort, a gentle touch at the rotatable collar allows for the water level to be raised an additional five centimetres ‘above normal level’. A gentle pull at the unit then lowers the water to return to normal levels. In both cases, the overflow function remains active, to prevent flooding. If the overflow function is not active, the water will flow away through the rotatable collar.

Additionally, the Multiplex Visign M9 and Multiplex Trio Visign MT9 have a small installation depth of 33 mm which ensures that the products can be fitted to any bathtub with a standardised overflow hole, particularly models with a modern narrow rim design. The MT3 and MT5 equipment sets allow for the water jet angle to be adjusted to the inclination of the individual bathtub rim. The fittings have a water seal height of 50 mm, drainage capacity accumulation height 300 mm 0.85 l/s and spillway capacity accumulation height 60mm over mid of spill hole 0.63 l/s.

“Nominated for the German Design Prize, “Designpreis Deutschland” and a winner of the Red Dot Design Award, the sleek design lines of the Multiplex series provides an unobtrusive feature that complements all commercial bathtubs,” said Scott James, Managing Director at Viega. “Available in three sizes (560 mm, 725 mm or 1,070 mm) to accommodate every size and design of bathtub, the range can be specified with a chrome-plated or a coated stainless-steel finish. This means specifiers can be assured the products will be flexible towards any modern bathroom design.”

For more information on Viega, please visit www.viega.co.uk.
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Casino breathes new life into Bath

Century Casino Bath Limited

A new multi-million pound casino has opened its doors in Bath, further transforming the Saw Close and Kingsmead areas of the City, which are already a hub for bars, nightclubs and restaurants.

Younique® by Formica Group was chosen for Century Casino’s new washroom cubicles, vanities and duct panels and were supplied by laminate fabricators Laminform.

The Younique service allows architects and designers to create a unique pattern or design, capture a photograph or corporate logo in Formica® laminate. The service offers both screen and digital print solutions to ensure the optimum replication of any design.

In this instance, the use of Younique digitally rendered panels enabled the design team to deliver cubicle doors that matched the floral carpet design inside the casino, providing the venue with a visual consistency from casino floor to washroom.

The entertainment and leisure centre has 18 game tables, 35 slot machines and 24 live gaming terminals. The complex also includes a four-star hotel and a number of restaurants. Neil Priscott, Head of Marketing at Visit Bath, said: “Bath is a city rich in history but with a dynamic contemporary culture that is often underplayed. The addition of Century Casino to Bath complements the many and varied attractions that are on offer to visitors and residents alike, and will help us to attract people from all over the world.”

The Colorado Springs-based company Century Casino currently owns and runs casinos all over the world including America and Argentina, Poland, the UK and on-board cruise ships.

For further information please visit www.formica.com
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Altro Ensemble hits perfect note for music store

Altro Ensemble luxury vinyl tiles have been used in hi-fi and home cinema specialist Fidelity Acker & Buck’s flagship Hamburg store.

The store concept includes six studios designed by renowned artist Margarita Kriebitzsch, giving Fidelity’s customers a realistic impression of how their chosen home entertainment system could look and sound at home. Each studio features different design and equipment, and there is also a headphone lounge for audio / video installation systems – a comprehensive sound universe.

For the 1,000m² of floor space for the studios on two floors, the designer Roman Mundhenk of WildWalls recommended Altro Ensemble modular flooring system, which offers 15dB sound reduction, to Fidelity. The premium floor combines the functional requirements of the studios with their aesthetic and high-quality atmosphere.

Fidelity took several months to design and implement the studios, which included testing Altro Ensemble at the studio. This showed its 15dB sound reduction meets the requirement for a noise-reducing environment. The high-quality flooring was also selected as it is extremely hard-wearing and durable, while being easy to clean.

“It was very important to us that the floor is absolutely quiet, so that our customers can hear very fine signals undisturbed,” explains Hans-Joachim Acker, Managing Director of Fidelity. ” The room acoustics are excellent.”

Altro Ensemble modular flooring system is the next generation of luxury vinyl tiles that combines design possibilities for creating stunning effects, superior function and durability, and ease of installation. The four modular sizes and choice of inspiring colours, textures and designs can be mixed and matched to create unique patterns. The low-reflective surfaces, good acoustic properties with 15dB reduction in impact noise, sound transmission, and 2.6mm thickness with added comfort underfoot and durability, make it perfect for reception and general circulation and living areas as well as student accommodation and dining areas in restaurants and cafés.

About Altro – www.altro.co.uk

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Rinnai with LPG is low NOx, sustainable and perfect for off-grid

Rinnai condensing hot water heater units using LPG deliver lower carbon emission figures, greater energy efficiencies and are more economic to run than other sources such as oil or electric – making them the first choice for off-grid installations and sites.

For specifiers and installers, helping an off-grid user select a low NOx energy efficient water heater is critical — and a condensing continuous flow water heater using LPG is one of the most efficient and environmentally friendly options available. By choosing a continuous flow water heater instead of a standard electric water heater, an end user can reduce energy costs by up to 50% and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 61%. When compared with oil-fired systems this saving is even greater.

Tests show that a Rinnai Infinity condensing water heater emits 35.18mg/kwh NOx compared with a typical oil boiler that emits approximately 364 mg/kwh NOx. That means a Rinnai condensing water heater emits approximately 10% of the NOx that an oil boiler emits, a 90% reduction. Therefore, combining a gas boiler and a Rinnai water heater will radically reduce NOx.

On the 26th September 2018, the EU introduced new stricter parameters for NOx emissions in the gas water heater category. The new NOx level was set at 56mg/kwh. Rinnai water heaters are well in advance of the criteria demonstrating product quality and superior performance.

The new criteria for oil fired boilers or liquid fuels has been set at 120mg/kwh, highlighting that current appliances and the oil-fired market has some way to go before it can achieve a similar level to that of gas.

If we compare the production of CO₂ between gas and electricity we find that for every GJ (277.78kW) of energy used gas will produce 44.44kg compared to 103kg with electric. We can see that for the same energy used electricity will produce twice the amount of one of the major greenhouse gases.

The efficiency of this type of electrical generation is as low as 40%. So, if we now compare the use of electricity to LPG to heat hot water we find that electricity is 40% efficient in comparison to a Rinnai water heater which returns 107% nett efficiency.

Electricity is not the ‘green’ fuel that its marketing portrays it to be. It produces more CO₂ than LPG but is also less efficient, by far.

An LPG continuous flow water heater is an ‘on-demand’ system. When a hot-water tap is opened, the unit reads the demand and starts the heating process. The water flows through a heat exchanger, where it heats to the desired temperature using only as much gas as is needed. When the tap is turned off, the heater automatically shuts off.

For more details on RINNAI products visit www.rinnaiuk.com
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Never run out of hot water with Rinnai’s 11i multipoint continuous flow water heaters

Rinnai’s multipoint continuous flow ErP A-rated gas fired 11i water heater units are the perfect antidote – to more traditional storage systems. Proven to deliver high volumes of hot water at any time of the day, the high performance 11i ensures user comfort and safety with 100% accurate water temperature control.

These energy efficient, low NOx units, ideal for domestic and light commercial sites, are neat and compact, with not a tank in sight. Internally wall mounted, the multipoint Rinnai 11i model measures 675 x 370 x 134mm and weighs just 16kg with a gas consumption range between 6.10kW – 21.60kW, and an 11-metre maximum flow.

Users of the multipoint 11i water heaters can rest assured that there is no fluctuation in water temperatures, even if, for example, the tap is turned on in the kitchen at the same time as the shower is running in the bathroom, the temperature remains constant.

Whilst small, the multipoint Rinnai 11i is tough with a robust heat exchanger, in-built frost protection and user-friendly digital controls. The units are simple to install and maintain in any small or limited space.

Ideally placed to replace cumbersome and outdated stored water heaters or multipoint water heaters, these low NOx continuous flow units are proven to be more energy efficient and are the installer and users’ water heating system of choice.

For more details on the Rinnai range visit www.rinnaiuk.com
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Future-proofed bathrooms

Smart bathroom flooring choices can help people stay independent in their own homes for longer, explains Esther Bond, Housing Consultant at Altro.

Home adaptations allow individuals who are disabled, ageing or vulnerable

to continue to live in their own homes for longer. This does require, however, homes to be adapted to provide a safe and comfortable environment for them to live in. When houses are adapted, you need to not only consider the needs of the individual now, but in the future. Physical and mental health can deteriorate over time, and to have a familiar environment that does not have to be changed reduces stress and confusion after the house modification.

The bathing experience is an important part of life and environments should help people feel safe and relaxed. Colour is a way of achieving this, creating a warm, comforting and homely environment, even where the home is adapted with specialist equipment. We can recommend colour combinations that are appropriate for people with dementia and those with visual impairments.

More accidents happen at home than anywhere else. That’s why safety should always be an important consideration when adapting a home. Slips and trips can easily happen when floors are wet or there is an uneven surface. Wet environments are not just about water; it’s also what we use in those areas, including shower gel and shampoo. The slip risks that these contaminants create are potentially dangerous and could cause serious accidents.

Slips and falls aren’t the only consideration in wet environments. Indoor humidity and poor cleaning can lead to build-ups of bacteria and mould, which can impact health as well as the appearance of the rooms.

For bathrooms, look for safety flooring that guarantees to reduce the chance of a slip or trip to one in a million, for the lifetime of the flooring so you can rest assured your home adaption will be safe for years to come.

In practical terms, adaptions that are easy to clean and maintain is an important consideration. Quite often carers are in the workforce or are themselves elderly. Having an environment that is easy to keep clean makes life easier – and safer – for everyone. Surfaces that are impervious and can be washed and even steam cleaned allows the highest levels of hygiene to be maintained.

Look for bathroom solutions such as a watertight and integrated floor and wall system that is easy to clean and is safe with a number of contaminants such as shampoo, conditioner and shower gel. Also look for the latest specialist safety flooring, designed to keep you safe in wetrooms, bathrooms, toilets, whether you are barefoot or wearing shoes, so you are safe no matter what you’re wearing (or not!).

There are many reasons to choose safety flooring over tiles in domestic bathroom adaptations. Tiles and grouting are porous, making them more susceptible to harbouring bacteria. Tiles chip andcrack more easily, allowing dirt and bacteria to collect and hide from cleaners. They can also allow water to reach the substrate, causing damage to walls. Grout lines are particularly vulnerable and even epoxy grout is susceptible. Unlike tiles, safety floors have no grout, giving bacteria nowhere to hide.

In people’s homes more than anywhere, a comfortable, welcoming and attractive look matters. There are plenty of safety flooring options with contemporary shades that suit any domestic environment, including latest innovations with a soft-look finish that is more homely than traditional safety flooring.

Specifying checklist

Floors

  • Drainage/existing substrate
  • Type of equipment that will be used in the room
  • Extra impact resistance for walking aids and wheeled mobility aids
  • Cleaning
  • Stairs or ramps
  • Ground floor or upper floor location
  • Shoe and barefoot usage
  • Spillages of food, bodily fluids or chemicals
  • Potential for staining of floor
  • Contrasting colours on walls and floors, which can help those suffering from dementia or visual impairments
  • Design and appearance
  • Time available for installation

Walls

  • Existing substrate/wall finish
  • Extra impact resistance for walking aids and wheeled mobility aids
  • Pipes, vents, ducts, wall furniture, window and door frames
  • Colour/contrast finish requirement
  • Hygiene requirement
  • Cleaning
  • Time available for installation
  • Coved skirting for hygiene and easy cleaning

 

About Altro – www.altro.co.uk
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