‘Forma’ and ‘Vecta’ decorative metal casings from Encasement have been used on a project at Saint Richard Reynolds Catholic College in Twickenham to conceal structural steelwork around a new courtyard walkway, as part of its recently opened £14 million teaching block. Designed by DHP Building Design Consultants and built by main
Cameron Butcher has been awarded a unique house build project to create 33 luxury homes in the centre of the West Midlands. The developments is modern and highly individualised, mixing six different traditional design features with all the contemporary conveniences one would expect in homes of this calibre. Sizeable aluminium framed
Energy Assets Group (EAG), one of Britain’s leading metering and energy services businesses, has announced that from 1st February 2019, all of its utility network design and construction operations will be rebranded as Energy Assets Utilities (EAU). As a result of the brand strategy, Future Energy Group (FEG), which was
An acoustic attenuation solution provided by Sto has helped create a new acoustic environment at a leading London restaurant. The StoSilent Distance system has been installed at Lyle’s – a restaurant that is quickly becoming recognized as one of most prestigious establishments of its kind in the capital. Located in
Perhaps the most luxurious new private rental apartment block in Ashford is already more than 60% reserved as demand for high-quality accommodation soars in one of the fastest-growing and best connected towns in the South East. Called La Scierie (The Saw Mill) because it has been built on the site
‘Forma’ and ‘Vecta’ decorative metal casings from Encasement have been used on a project at Saint Richard Reynolds Catholic College in Twickenham to conceal structural steelwork around a new courtyard walkway, as part of its recently opened £14 million teaching block. Designed by DHP Building Design Consultants and built by main contractor, Graham Construction the project involved the refurbishment of the existing Edwardian structure, alongside the construction of The Elizabeth Building to create a modern learning environment for pupils. The Elizabeth Building includes primary and secondary classrooms, a hall, library and sixth form centre. The construction of covered walkway along two sides of the college’s main ‘quad’ courtyard were an integral part of the new facility. It also incorporates 14 structural support columns, which are concealed by Encasement’s rectangular ‘Forma’ decorative metal column casings and matching ceiling soffits and fascias. Each 650mm x 990mm weatherproof column casing stands 3.74metres high and is manufactured from 1.5mm thick aluminium, which incorporates a Rimex ‘Black Pearl’ finish that combines a highly polished surface with a pattern of small circular indentations, making the casings both durable and aesthetic. In addition to the column casings, the walkway also includes almost 70 metres of aluminium fascias and soffits at ceiling level, which use the same Rimex Black Pearl finish to conceal building services and drainage pipework. All casings solutions were not only manufactured and supplied by Encasement, but were also installed by the company’s specialist installation team. “The Black Pearl finish was an excellent decision for this project as it helps provide interest by breaking up the large surface areas of the column casings. Also, the pattern helps provide some additional rigidity to the aluminium, making it even more durable and ideal for high traffic use. The same applies to the ceiling soffits and fascia, but the main advantage of using the same material is the it integrates with the column casings and provides a uniform finish to this excellent project,” commented Encasement’s Managing Director, Martin Taylor.
Cameron Butcher has been awarded a unique house build project to create 33 luxury homes in the centre of the West Midlands. The developments is modern and highly individualised, mixing six different traditional design features with all the contemporary conveniences one would expect in homes of this calibre. Sizeable aluminium framed windows allow natural light to pour into the living areas, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. Many other premium internal features are also included, such as stylish carpets; an integrated alarm and CCTV system that can be controlled via an App; tile and wood laminate flooring; underfloor heating throughout; tailored wardrobes; procelanosa kitchens with Krion worktops; NEFF appliances; and automated heating, lighting and blinds that can be remotely controlled with an App. “Our desire to build homes that will stand the test of time and still look fantastic for years to come stems from our guiding principle. A principle that emphasises exceptional design and superior craftsmanship, all the while ensuring each home ticks boxes for value and location,” said Gulraiz Sidique of Architecture and Interior Design. Cameron Butcher are devoted and reliable house builders, bringing with them over 30 years of experience working on house building projects of varying sizes and complexities. Project manager Shaun Bergan oversees all matters and is responsible for maintaining a high standard of quality across each of the luxury homes. Shaun is aided by site manager Jon Taylor and site assistant Carmen Bolea – two staff members who are dedicated to their client’s needs and committed to creating homes that elevate their owner’s quality of life, providing an unparalleled living experience in the West Midlands in the process. “We believe that quality should never be compromised and as house builders undertake stringent control checks and monitor the entire building process; from the moment we break ground right up until the final piece is put in place,” commented Steven Butcher MD of Cameron Butcher.
Energy Assets Group (EAG), one of Britain’s leading metering and energy services businesses, has announced that from 1st February 2019, all of its utility network design and construction operations will be rebranded as Energy Assets Utilities (EAU). As a result of the brand strategy, Future Energy Group (FEG), which was acquired by EAG in May last year, and Dragon Infrastructure Solutions (DIS), which joined the Group in May 2017, will now operate as EAU. The move reflects the success of the company’s expansion strategy which, since 2015, has seen its network design and construction business build a nationwide offering with operational centres in Livingston and Alva (Scotland), Northampton, Birstall and Sheffield. In total EAU employs over 300 people, working with housebuilders and developers to deliver the gas, electricity, water and fibre-to-the-home networks that energise Britain’s public and private housebuilding programme. “The acquisitions of FEG and DIS have added significantly to the resources and geographic capability of the network design and construction services available to our customers. By creating a nationwide service offering with a single brand, our people will be better empowered to drive our growth plans through a clearer sales, marketing and customer service focus,” said Craig Topley, Energy Assets Group Managing Director (Construction). “This opens up exciting opportunities both for staff and our customer base as we continue to enhance the service delivery portfolio through the strategic expansion of the Group.” The Group is also an independent operator of ‘final mile’ gas and electricity networks and a leading provider of energy-related services including metering, data and asset management. www.energyassets.co.uk
An acoustic attenuation solution provided by Sto has helped create a new acoustic environment at a leading London restaurant. The StoSilent Distance system has been installed at Lyle’s – a restaurant that is quickly becoming recognized as one of most prestigious establishments of its kind in the capital. Located in the historic refurbished Tea Building in Shoreditch, Lyle’s frontage consists of original individual glazed windows, which lead into a clean modern, large open plan area. Within this area there are exposed HVAC services below the soffit, a bar space and an open kitchen experience. “Although the interior is clean, light and modern and gives a feeling of space, unfortunately all the original features of the building, i.e. glazed tiles to the walls, original concrete columns and polished concrete floors are hard and reflective and only add to the acoustic conundrum with attenuation, reverberation and speech clarity,” explains Sto’s Technical Consultant for Acoustics, Mike Wallace. “Add to the mix the open kitchen and bar, mood music and hard wooden tables and chairs, and it was vital that the correct acoustic balance was achieved. “For a restaurant, it’s important to create the correct balance. You want the area to have a good background atmosphere, and at the same time, the customers need to be able to hold conversations without straining to hear, where speech is intelligible. This is when good all-round acoustic design becomes a vital element within the space. To achieve this, we were asked to provide a Class B solution, which translates to 0.8 and 0.85 as a weighted sound absorption coefficiency.” The Sto Silent Distance 115 system was chosen to achieve this balance and Sto worked closely with Billy Hookway of Trishna Group to provide the optimum design. The Sto Silent Distance 115 system allows the creation of seamless, sound-absorbent walls and ceilings up to 200 m², allowing inclined planes, sharp and consistent joints, bulkheads and floating return bulkheads. In line with the aspiration of the client wishing to have a modern, clean, uncluttered aesthetic, it was natural for Lyles to choose the Sto Silent Distance system. The interior soffit consisted of existing pre-constructed square concrete coffers, and the client wished to retain these, so Sto designed the individual canopies to be tight to the soffit and give the impression of height and depth, and to accentuate and express the natural concrete coffers. The use of the Sto SW150 minimal void solution, in conjunction with the 25mm 115 board, provided the perfect balance in achieving the all-important acoustic design and the aesthetic requirements. Installation of the system was managed by Craft Interior, a trained Sto Acoustic installer. “The overall installation was finished with Sto Silent Décor M in white, to create an eye-catching finish that is very in-keeping with the clean and minimalist design of the restaurant’s interior,” adds Graham Chadwick of Craft Interior. “The StoSilent Décor M is spray-applied and can be tinted to match a wide range of shades from the StoColor system”. The final effect has been extremely successful, with Lyle’s diners able to enjoy their meal in surroundings that are attractive and contemporary from both a visual and acoustic viewpoint. Picture caption: A StoSilent Distance acoustic attenuation solution has helped create a new acoustic environment at this leading London restaurant. Picture courtesy of Adam Luszniak Photography
Perhaps the most luxurious new private rental apartment block in Ashford is already more than 60% reserved as demand for high-quality accommodation soars in one of the fastest-growing and best connected towns in the South East. Called La Scierie (The Saw Mill) because it has been built on the site of a former town centre saw mill, the 31 spacious apartments feature Italian designer kitchens, stone worktops, LED lighting systems, marble-effect porcelain tiles, TVs fitted in the bathroom and bi-folding doors to private balconies. Built with the executive lettings market in mind, the block consists of 10 two bedroom and 21 one-bedroom apartments accessed from a stunning entrance lobby. Constructed and finished to an extremely high specification by Ingleton Luxury Homes, there has been considerable interest among prospective tenants since it was released to the market just before Christmas. La Scierie is an ideal choice for people looking for a slice of affordable luxury in the heart of one of the most vibrant and fast-growing towns in Kent, with commuters to London in particular being drawn to the upmarket development. In addition to the quality of the apartments, location is also a huge draw. La Scierie is a couple of minutes’ stroll from Ashford International station, which offers unrivalled rail links to London and Europe. London St Pancras can be reached in just 38 minutes, while regular Eurostar trains whisk passengers to Paris in two hours from this corner of the Garden of England. The apartments are also close to the town centre and the Ashford Designer Outlet, where a £90m expansion is due to open later this year bringing another 50 upmarket brands to Ashford. More than £520m is being invested in town centre facilities, with a fabulous new six-screen Picturehouse boutique cinema, hotel and restaurant complex having opened in December. Among the first tenants to move into La Scierie are young couple Amba Doughty and Harry Edwards, along with their four-month-old baby Harrison. They are “thrilled” with their first family home. “We were initially attracted by the fantastic location so close to the town centre, the train station and the Designer Outlet but at our first viewing we were amazed at the quality of the apartments. We are so happy to make this our first family home,” said Amba. La Scierie is owned by innovative property company, A Better Choice for Property Ltd, which was established by Ashford Borough Council in 2014 as an investment company with the aim of building a portfolio of 400-500 private rental properties, helping to generate new income to help pay for council services. For viewing and more information about La Scierie contact the letting agents Connells on 01233 511020.
